Meeting Abstract

P2.21  Wednesday, Jan. 5  Evaluating the home range of adult female diamondback terrapin in the salt marshes of Alabama ROBERGE, T.; COLEMAN, A.; WIBBELS, T.*; MARION, K.; Univ. of Alabama at Birmingham; Univ. of Alabama at Birmingham; Univ. of Alabama at Birmingham; Univ. of Alabama at Birmingham twibbels@uab.edu

The diamondback terrapin (Malaclemys terrapin) was once an abundant species and an important economic resource in the salt marshes of Alabama. Due to a variety of threats, this species has declined drastically over the past century, and is currently considered a species of highest conservation concern. Recent surveys indicate that the diamondback terrapin is currently represented by small nesting aggregations in specific locations along the Alabama coast. The current study evaluated the movements of adult female terrapin from the largest known nesting aggregation in Alabama. Eight adult females were fitted with radio transmitters during the 2010 nesting season. The transmitters had a range of approximately 0.5 km and a battery life of approximately 1 year. The results indicate that some the females have relatively small home ranges (several km or less), and remain resident in the salt marsh directly adjacent to the nesting beach. The results have implications for both the ecology and conservation of diamondback terrapin in Alabama.