Literaturdatenbank
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Whitelaw, D. M., & Zajac, R. N. (2002). Assessment of prey availability for diamondback terrapins in a connecticut salt marsh. Northeastern Naturalist, 9(4), 407–418.
Added by: Admin (14 Aug 2008 20:36:29 UTC) |
| Resource type: Journal Article BibTeX citation key: Whitelaw2002 View all bibliographic details  |
Categories: General Keywords: Emydidae, Ernährung = nutrition, Habitat = habitat, Malaclemys, Malaclemys terrapin, Nordamerika = North America, Schildkröten = turtles + tortoises Creators: Whitelaw, Zajac Collection: Northeastern Naturalist |
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| Abstract |
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Wheeler Marsh in Milford, Connecticut provides habitat for diamondback terrapins (Malaclemys terrapin), a unique estuarine turtle. To assess potential prey availability, the distribution and abundances of marsh snails (Melampus bidentatus), mud snails (Ilyanassa obsoleta), marsh mussels (Geukensia demissa), and fiddler crabs (Uca spp.) were studied in several sub-habitats (marsh surface, marsh edge, creek bank, and mudflats) of five tidal creeks. Almost all terrapins have been found in one section of the marsh, Turtle Creek, where all four prey species were present in large numbers. However, high numbers of some prey were found in other sections of the marsh as well, suggesting that resource availability may not be the primary determinant of terrapin distribution. The physical structure, plant density, and tidal amplitudes of salt marsh creeks may also be important determinants of terrapin distribution via their influence on resource accessibility.
Added by: Admin |