Salinity preferences of Diamondback Terrapin (Malaclemys terrapin) headstarts: A laboratory study

Authors

  • Erika Dahl Widener University, Chester, Pennsylvania
  • Hanna Banner Widener University, Chester, Pennsylvania
  • Itzick Vatnick Widener University, Chester, Pennsylvania

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.17161/randa.v31i1.21078

Keywords:

turtle behavior, salinity preference, Diamondback Terrapins

Abstract

Salt marshes along the eastern coast of the USA are challenging environments due to their tidal nature,
which causes constant fluctuations in the salinity levels of their brackish water. Diamondback Terrapins (Malaclemys
terrapin) can inhabit these salt marshes due to their ability to tolerate highly saline water. The physiological mechanisms
underlying this ability are well known in adults, but have not been thoroughly explored in hatchlings and juveniles,
which cannot grow when exposed to high salinity. We examined salinity preferences of hatchlings and juveniles in the
laboratory and concluded that hatchlings do not exhibit salinity preferences and develop this trait as juveniles.

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Published

2024-04-24

Issue

Vol. 31 No. 1 (2024): Reptiles & Amphibians

Section

Articles

License

Copyright (c) 2024 Erika Dahl, Hanna Banner, Itzick Vatnick

Creative Commons License

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International License.

Copyright is held by the authors. Articles in R&A are made available under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International license.

How to Cite

Dahl, E. ., Banner, H., & Vatnick, I. (2024). Salinity preferences of Diamondback Terrapin (Malaclemys terrapin) headstarts: A laboratory study. Reptiles & Amphibians, 31(1), e21078. https://doi.org/10.17161/randa.v31i1.21078