Salinity preferences of Diamondback Terrapin (Malaclemys terrapin) headstarts: A laboratory study

Abstract

Salt marshes along the eastern coast of the USA are challenging environments due to their tidal nature,which causes constant fluctuations in the salinity levels of their brackish water. Diamondback Terrapins (Malaclemysterrapin) can inhabit these salt marshes due to their ability to tolerate highly saline water. The physiological mechanismsunderlying this ability are well known in adults, but have not been thoroughly explored in hatchlings and juveniles,which cannot grow when exposed to high salinity. We examined salinity preferences of hatchlings and juveniles in thelaboratory and concluded that hatchlings do not exhibit salinity preferences and develop this trait as juveniles.