DETECTION OF MULTIPLE PATERNITY IN DIAMONDBACK TERRAPIN (Malaclemys terrapin) EGG CLUTCHES FROM CHARLESTON, SC THROUGH THE USE OF NOVEL MOLECULAR TECHNIQUES

Sporre, Megan Alice

DETECTION OF MULTIPLE PATERNITY IN DIAMONDBACK TERRAPIN (Malaclemys terrapin) EGG CLUTCHES FROM CHARLESTON, SC THROUGH THE USE OF NOVEL MOLECULAR TECHNIQUES

Authors

Sporre, Megan Alice

Abstract

Variation in the incidence of multiple paternity in conspecifics is common; caused by differences in rates of mate encounter. Past studies have shown interspecific variation in the occurrence of multiple paternity under a range of female biased diamondback terrapin populations. The frequency of multiple paternity in a male dominated diamondback terrapin population was determined by amplifying eight microsatellite loci in 102 mothers and 106 clutches of Malaclemys terrapin. Thirty-seven clutches (35%) showed evidence of multiple paternity, and 50% of females who laid more than one clutch showed evidence of sperm storage. Fathers did not contribute to clutches equally, and the primary father sired between 50 to 89% of offspring in a single clutch. Comparisons to other studies of multiple paternity and sex-ratios show that mating strategy differences between species of turtle may be driving opposing increases in the frequency of multiple paternity.