Meeting Abstract

P1.114  Monday, Jan. 4  Seasonal Variation in Blood Biochemistry of Diamondback Terrapins Malaclemys terrapin in Southeastern North Carolina HARDEN, L.A.*; SOUTHWOOD, A.L.; BLANVILLAIN, G; UNC Wilmington; UNC Wilmington; Grice Marine Lab, College of Charleston lah4492@uncw.edu

Diamondback terrapins Malaclemys terrapin are one of the few reptilian species endemic to estuarine environments, making them unique in many aspects of their biology. In order to cope with the fluctuating salinity, tides, temperature, and oxygen availability of their environment, terrapins not only undergo shifts in activity and habitat use, but also in physiological mechanisms such as osmotic and metabolic adjustments. Few studies have focused on the seasonal changes in ion concentrations and metabolic capacity as relating to overwintering behavior, allowing terrapins to survive the cold, anoxic conditions of the winter. It is well documented that overwintering freshwater emydid turtles are able to survive for long periods of time in anoxic conditions by relying on anaerobic metabolism or extrapulmonary respiration, but little is known about the degree to which terrapins rely on aerobic and anaerobic metabolic pathways during dormancy. We investigated seasonal shifts in physiological and metabolic status by examining blood biochemistry parameters of two radio-tagged terrapin populations in southeastern North Carolina. Blood samples were taken from terrapins in the spring, summer and winter 2009 to assess changes in plasma concentrations of lactate, ions (Na+, K+, Cl-, Ca2+, Mg), corticosterone, glucose, and enzymes. Analysis of co-variance was used to test for significant differences in biochemical parameters of terrapins using time of year, body size and population site will be tested as co-variates. This physiological data will provide insight as to the mechanisms by which terrapins adapt to and endure the variable conditions associated with overwintering in estuarine ecosystems.