Note
Includes bibliography.
Member of
Contributors
Publisher
Florida Atlantic University
Date Issued
2014
EDTF Date Created
2014
Description
Dietary resource use for diamondback terrapins (Malaclemys terrapins) in
subtropical mangrove habitats in south Florida creeks and islands was examined to
elucidate long-term individual foraging strategies. Fecal analysis revealed seven
categories of food items with gastropods, crabs, and bivalves being the most dominant
food items respectively. Non-metric multidimensional scaling revealed differences in
habitat, but not terrapin size class. Stable isotope analysis confirmed the findings,
identifying habitat and site differences in δ13C and δ15N values for both terrapins and
their prey. Bi-plots of terrapin and potential prey δ 13C and δ 15N values revealed potential
dietary sources previously undetermined by fecal analysis. Comparisons of scute and
blood isotope data revealed significant differences in δ13C indicating potential shifts in
either food resources and/or habitat use through the time period recorded in the scute
tissue. These tissue comparisons represent a powerful tool for estimating long term
foraging strategies for a key estuarine species.
subtropical mangrove habitats in south Florida creeks and islands was examined to
elucidate long-term individual foraging strategies. Fecal analysis revealed seven
categories of food items with gastropods, crabs, and bivalves being the most dominant
food items respectively. Non-metric multidimensional scaling revealed differences in
habitat, but not terrapin size class. Stable isotope analysis confirmed the findings,
identifying habitat and site differences in δ13C and δ15N values for both terrapins and
their prey. Bi-plots of terrapin and potential prey δ 13C and δ 15N values revealed potential
dietary sources previously undetermined by fecal analysis. Comparisons of scute and
blood isotope data revealed significant differences in δ13C indicating potential shifts in
either food resources and/or habitat use through the time period recorded in the scute
tissue. These tissue comparisons represent a powerful tool for estimating long term
foraging strategies for a key estuarine species.
Language
Type
Form
Extent
78 p.
Subject (Topical)
Identifier
FA00004101
Additional Information
Includes bibliography.
Thesis (M.S.)--Florida Atlantic University, 2014.
FAU Electronic Theses and Dissertations Collection
Date Backup
2014
Date Created Backup
2014
Date Text
2014
Date Created (EDTF)
2014
Date Issued (EDTF)
2014
Extension
FAU
IID
FA00004101
Organizations
Attributed name: Florida Atlantic University
Attributed name: Charles E. Schmidt College of Science
Attributed name: Center for Environmental Studies
Person Preferred Name
Denton, Mathew
author
Graduate College
Physical Description
application/pdf
78 p.
Title Plain
Diet and foraging ecology of diamondback terrapins (Malaclemys Terrapin) in south Florida
Use and Reproduction
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Origin Information
2014
2014
Florida Atlantic University
Boca Raton, Fla.
Physical Location
Florida Atlantic University Libraries
Place
Boca Raton, Fla.
Sub Location
Digital Library
Title
Diet and foraging ecology of diamondback terrapins (Malaclemys Terrapin) in south Florida
Other Title Info
Diet and foraging ecology of diamondback terrapins (Malaclemys Terrapin) in south Florida