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ALLOMETRIC GROWTH IN THE EASTERN BOX TURTLE, TERRAPENE CAROLINA CAROLINA

Abstract

Allometry examines how changes in body parameters are correlated with changes in overall size. There are few studies that have been conducted specifically on the allometric relationships of shell measurements of adult Eastern Box Turtles (Terrapene carolina carolina). Of these studies, only time allometry is examined focuses on growth studies of T. c. carolina. Allometric growth could understand the different growing states of the turtle. Many growth studies focused on the factors affecting growth of the whole body of the turtle, and they do measurements on carapace length and width and compared it to other factors. The study site that was used in this study was Tumbling Creek Woods in Gainesville, GA, and this study started in May 2013 and is ongoing. The study design is a hybrid design with radio telemetry and monitoring with capture mark and recapture. We used calipers to measure carapace length, carapace width at 2/3 scutes or max, plastron length, and height of the turtle. We compared measurements of males and females to see if there was a relation within between the measurements. Data analysis suggested some relation between carapace length and width, as well as sexual dimorphism.

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