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3 October 2022 Clutch Size, Clutch Frequency, and Egg Characteristics of Diamond-Backed Terrapins (Malaclemys terrapin) in Southwestern Louisiana
Jordan Donini, Will Selman
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Abstract

The reproductive output of Malaclemys terrapin (Diamond-backed Terrapin) is highly variable across its geographic range. While much of the literature is based on populations from the Atlantic coast of the United States, little reproductive-output data exists for the Gulf of Mexico populations. We captured female Diamond-backed Terrapins in southwestern Louisiana and assessed their reproductive output using radiographic- and ultrasound-imaging techniques. X-rays identified that average clutch size was 7.2 and average egg width was 21.9 mm. We revealed a positive relationship between female size (plastron length) and both clutch size and egg width, but no relationship between egg size and clutch size. Ultrasound imaging in a subset of individuals revealed large pre-ovulatory follicles and fully shelled eggs concurrently in females, indicating the potential for at least 2 clutches annually in this region. Our results suggest Diamond-backed Terrapins in southwestern Louisiana show variation in reproductive output compared to other populations at similar latitudes, indicating the need for additional study within and between populations in the region.

Jordan Donini and Will Selman "Clutch Size, Clutch Frequency, and Egg Characteristics of Diamond-Backed Terrapins (Malaclemys terrapin) in Southwestern Louisiana," Southeastern Naturalist 21(3), 235-245, (3 October 2022). https://doi.org/10.1656/058.021.0307
Published: 3 October 2022
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