Date of Award

2020

Document Type

Dissertation/Thesis

Submission Date

October 2026

Thesis/Dissertation Advisor [Chair]

Moore, Jon

Abstract

Diamondback terrapins (Malaclemys terrapin) are present in brackish water along the United States’ eastern coast, ranging from Massachusetts to Texas. The Florida east coast diamondback terrapin (M. t. tequesta) is the subspecies found in the Indian River Lagoon in southeast Florida. Very little is known about this subspecies, and not much hematological work has been done with diamondback terrapins in general. Hematology can provide further insight into terrapin health. Thus, the purpose of this study is to establish baseline hematological data for M. t. tequesta using blood protein electrophoresis and a basic reptile chemistry panel. Blood samples were drawn from wild diamondback terrapins and percent cell volume calculated. The samples were then centrifuged, frozen, and delivered to the University of Miami Miller School of Medicine for analysis. Results from this project were compared to values established in previous studies that were conducted with the subspecies M. t. terrapin and M. t. rhizophorarum.

Comments

Includes bibliography.

Extent

40 p.

Identifier

FA00003716

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