Model
Digital Document
Publisher
Florida Atlantic University
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.
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