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<p>7ʑʢUʋʠʖɚ 7ʖȷHɡ The Newsletter of the Diamondback Terrapin Working Group Volume 4 Issue 1 Winter/Spring 2017 7th Symposium Wrap-up T he Diamondback Terrapin Working Group held our 7th Symposium on the Ecology, Status, and Conservation of the Diamondback Terrapin from October 28-30, 2016 in Fairhope, Alabama. With this meeting, 60 participants from all over the country continued the tradition of coming together as a community of diamondback terrapin researchers, managers, and enthusiasts started at the first Workshop in 1994. The Symposium was a time to reflect on the work we’ve done, celebrate our accomplishments over the last three years, and plan for the future of diamondback terrapins. We had a record 46 presentations, including four oral and 10 poster presentations by students. In addition, Peter Paul van Dijk, Turtle Conservation Program Director, Global Wildlife Conservation, joined us to lead a discussion on the IUCN Red List update for terrapins. For the first time, we gave student presentation awards (page 3) and provided $4,500 in travel support for students attending the meeting. 2016 Meeting Wrap-up 3-4 2016 Business Meeting 5 Terrapin Conservation Award 6 Giving Tuesday / Publications 7 Terrapin Times - Volume 4, Issue 1 - Winter/Spring 2017 - Diamondback Terrapin Working Group - http://www.dtwg.org 2 DEDICATED TO DIAMONDBACK TERRAPIN RESEARCH, CONSERVATION, MANAGEMENT, AND EDUCATION The Diamondback Terrapin Working Group was formed in 2004 by individuals from academic, scientific, regulatory and private institutions/organizations working to promote the conservation of the diamondback terrapin, the preservation of intact, wild terrapin populations and their associated ecosystems throughout their range. The Diamondback Terrapin Working Group is committed to and supports research, management, conservation, and education efforts with the above goals in mind. OFFICERS AND REGIONAL REPRESENTATIVES Senior Co-Chair Christina Mohrman, Northern Gulf of Mexico Sentinel Site Cooperative Junior Co-Chair Amanda Williard, University of North Carolina Wilmington Secretary Sarah Finn, NC Wildlife Resources Commission Treasurer Joe Butler, University of North Florida Past Co-Chairs Russell Burke, Hofstra University Willem Roosenburg, Ohio University Joe Butler, University of North Florida Northeast Representative Alex Kanonik, Wild Metro Mid-Atlantic Representatives Randy Chambers, College of William and Mary Stephanie Egger, NOAA Southeast Representatives Brian Crawford, University of Georgia Andrew Grosse, SC Department of Natural Resources Florida Representatives Ben Atkinson, Flagler College Kristen Hart, USGS Gulf Representatives Tom Mohrman, The Nature Conservancy Will Selman, Millsaps College Terrapin Times is the biennial newsletter of the Diamondback Terrapin Working Group Editor Christina Mohrman The Diamondback Terrapin Working Group (DTWG) is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization Credit: Christina Mohrman f Join the DTWG Listserv www.dtwg.org Find us on Facebook Terrapin Times - Volume 4, Issue 1 - Winter/Spring 2017 - Diamondback Terrapin Working Group - http://www.dtwg.org 3 7th Symposium Wrap-up Photo Credits: Applied Wildlife Conservation Lab (via Facebook), Lindsey Ramirez, Christina Mohrman, and Tom Mohrman David Zailo (right), Best Oral Presentation winner, and John Maerz, his committee member (left). Sarah Edmunds (left) and Olivia Brooks (right), first and second place Poster Presentation winners. Lindsey Ramirez, third place Poster Presentation winner. (continued from cover page) Willem Roosenburg received the 2016 Terrapin Conservation Award (page 6), recognizing his decades-long commitment to terrapin research and conservation in Maryland and range wide. Christina Mohrman, Meeting Organizer and DTWG Co-Chair, said “terrapins challenge us to work harder, to improve our scientific understanding of the species as a whole and the needs of individual populations. We are fortunate to work in a group that is passionate, generous, supportive, and friendly - a group capable of taking on the work terrapins need.” The 8th Symposium on the Ecology, Status, and Conservation of the Diamondback Terrapin will be hosted by Amanda Southwood Williard in Wilmington, North Carolina in 2019. WE HOPE TO SEE YOU THERE! Best Student Oral Presentation David M. Zailo, University of Georgia The use of recreational GPS logger and drone technology to study diamondback terrapins near Jekyll Island, GA First Place—Student Poster Presentation Sarah Edmunds, Miami University, Wildlife Conservation Society The telltale of turtles: cues used by raccoons to find diamondback terrapin nests Second Place—Student Poster Presentation Olivia Brooks, Ohio University Decomposition rate of the diamondback terrapin (Malaclemys terrapin) in crab pots Third Place—Student Poster Presentation Lindsey C. Ramirez, Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi Does elevated salinity induce a physiological response in Texas diamondback terrapin (Malaclemys terrapin littoralis)? Terrapin Times - Volume 4, Issue 1 - Winter/Spring 2017 - Diamondback Terrapin Working Group - http://www.dtwg.org 4 7th Symposium Program and Abstracts online here Peter Paul vanDijk, Red List Update Saturday Night Social at Baytreat Poster Session Silent Auction Fundraiser Welcome from Christina Mohrman Terrapin Times - Volume 4, Issue 1 - Winter/Spring 2017 - Diamondback Terrapin Working Group - http://www.dtwg.org 5 2016 Business Meeting 2013-2016 Goals Increase DTWG visibility and outreach with newsletter and Facebook page Provide online membership registration and renewal and PayPal payment Renew emphasis on hosting regional meetings between national symposia Support student participation at national symposium with travel grants and presentation awards Joe Butler, Treasurer, provided a finance report. As of October, 2016 the DTWG general account had a balance of $5,848 (symposium funds are managed in a separate meeting account). Disbursements included: $4,500 in student travel awards for the 2016 national symposium, $4,165 in research/conservation grants for 2015 and 2016, and a $1,000 donation to the Turtle Survival Center (Turtle Survival Alliance) after severe flooding damaged their facility in 2015. Sarah Finn, our incoming Secretary, gave a membership update. The DTWG had 85 members in 2016, including 13 lifetime members and 19 student members. The group discussed raising dues to generate additional funds towards future grant awards; the DTWG board of directors will continue this discussion and investigate options as one of our three-year goals. After those updates, Christina Mohrman (DTWG Senior Co-Chair), reported on our progress on the 2013-2016 three-year goals; she was happy to announce we accomplished all of the goals established at our 2013 business meeting. From there, discussion for the rest of meeting centered on developing our next set of goals and ways to strengthen the DTWG over the next three years. We welcome your suggestions and further discussion. 2016-2019 Goals 1. Identify priority terrapin research, conservation, and management issues 2. Develop goals based on those priority issues 3. Review current dues and grant award structures for possible improvements 4. Develop a webinar series to improve communication and collaboration, share DTWG grant funded projects F ifteen DTWG officers and members met at Baytreat Camp in Fairhope, AL on October 28, 2017 to discuss business and plan goals for the next three years. Terrapin Times - Volume 4, Issue 1 - Winter/Spring 2017 - Diamondback Terrapin Working Group - http://www.dtwg.org 6 2016 Terrapin Conservation Award by: Joe Butler The 2016 Terrapin Conservation Award was presented to Dr. Willem M. Roosenburg, one of the founders and first co-chairs of the Diamondback Terrapin Working Group. Willem earned his Ph.D. from University of Pennsylvania and has been a professor of Biology at Ohio University since 1995. He has been a leader in the study of diamondback terrapin research for three decades, and has mentored and advised numerous undergraduates, MS, and Ph.D. students many of whom have become successful biologists in their own right. Some of Willem’s significant research contributions include studies in temperature dependent sex determination in terrapins, nesting requirements, egg and clutch size variations, the effects of various pollutants on growth, head starting hatchlings, and hatchling emergence. He may be most well-known for his work on terrapin mortality in crab pots, and the use of Bycatch Reduction Devices (BRDs) which can preclude a significant segment of populations from entering the pots. His efforts have resulted in a regulation requiring the use of BRDs on crab pots in Maryland. Further, Willem’s research in the Chesapeake Bay and testimony to the Maryland General Assembly led to the closure of the commercial harvest of diamondback terrapins in that state. Willem has over 30 peer-reviewed publications, most of them concerning diamondback terrapins, however he and his students have worked with other turtle species and snakes over the years. His efforts have resulted in nearly $1 million in grant funding to support his projects. Willem is involved with other larger herpetological groups as a meeting organizer, editor, committee member, manuscript and grant proposal reviewer, etc. He is editor (with V.S. Kennedy) of the soon to be released book, “Ecology and Conservation of the Diamondback Terrapin” through Johns Hopkins University Press. Last, there is likely no one among us who has captured, measured, and marked as many diamondback terrapins as Willem Roosenburg. Willem Roosenburg (left) receives the 2016 Terrapin Conservation Award from Joe Butler (right), 2013 winner. Willem presenting on his Poplar Island, MD work during the 7th Symposium. Terrapin Times - Volume 4, Issue 1 - Winter/Spring 2017 - Diamondback Terrapin Working Group - http://www.dtwg.org 7 New Terrapin Publications Chavez, S. and A. Southwood Williard. 2017. The effects of bycatch reduction devices on diamondback terrapin and blue crab catch in the North Carolina commercial crab fishery. Fisheries Research 186(1): 94 -101. Outerbridge, M.E., R. O’Riordan, T. Quirke, and J. Davenport. 2017. Restricted diet in a vulnerable native turtle, Malaclemys terrapin (Schoepff), on the oceanic islands of Bermuda. Amphibian and Reptile Conservation 11(1) [General Section]: 25-35. Rowe, C.L., R.J. Woodland, and S.A. Funk. 2017. Metabolic rates are elevated and influenced by maternal identity during early, yolk-dependent, post-hatching period in an estuarine turtle, the diamondback terrapin (Malaclemys terrapin). Comparative Biochemistry and Physiology Part A: Molecular & Integrative Physiology 204: 137-145. Woodland, R.J., C.L. Rowe, and P.F.P. Henry. 2017. Changes in habitat availability for multiple life stages of diamondback terrapins (Malaclemys terrapin) in Chesapeake Bay in response to sea level rise. Estuaries and Coasts. DOI: 10.1007/s12237-017-0209-2 Zychowski, G.V. and C.A.J. Godard-Codding. 2017. Reptilian exposure to polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons and associated effects (critical review). Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry 36(1): 25- 35. First “GIVING TUESDAY” Success We participated in Giving Tuesday, a global day to celebrate and help causes through giving celebrated every year the Tuesday after Thanksgiving. Our members and friends supported the ongoing work of the DTWG with nearly $2,000 in donations. Your donations go directly to help us to promote conservation and preservation of intact, wild diamondback terrapin populations and their habitats range wide. DTWG awards ~$2,000 in grants annually, currently funded by solely membership dues. We also recently increased spending to support student participation in our national symposia and occasionally make contributions to help organizations in the turtle conservation community during times of crisis. Donations are one of the few mechanisms we have to replenish our general fund. We appreciate the contributions of everyone who donated, especially our anonymous donor who contributed a $1,000 matching donation. THANK YOU!!! You can donate to the Diamondback Terrapin Working Group online anytime using our PayPal Giving Fund page $1,940 for terrapins! Terrapin Times - Volume 4, Issue 1 - Winter/Spring 2017 - Diamondback Terrapin Working Group - http://www.dtwg.org 8 Funding Roundup Based on feedback at the DTWG Business Meeting, we’re adding a “funding roundup” as a new feature in the newsletter. And, check out the announcement for the DTWG’s annual grant funding opportunity on the next page. Good luck! ABC Wildlife “Women in STEM” Scholarship Scholarship amount: up to $1,000 Deadline: June 26, 2017 for the 2017-18 academic year Who can apply: Graduate/undergraduate women in STEM majors American Society of Ichthyologists and Herpetologists Gaige Fund Award American Society of Ichthyologists and Herpetologists Raney Fund Award Award amount: $400 to $1,000 Deadline: March 1, 2017 Who can apply: members of ASIH enrolled in an advanced degree program Riverbanks Zoo Conservation Support Fund Grant amount: $1,000 to $5,000 Deadline: June 1 and December 1 Who can apply: Anyone working on wildlife conservation projects (field conservation, habitat management and preservation, zoo/aquarium-based programs, conservation education, and more) Sigma Xi Grants-in-Aid of Research Grant amount: $1,000 Deadline: March 1 and October 1 Who can apply: undergraduate and graduate students who need funds for travel to/ from research sites or for purchase of non-standard lab equipment Sophie Danforth Conservation Biology Fund Grant amount: $1,000 Deadline: June 1, 2017 Who can apply: Any organization (university, NGO, etc.) working on field studies or other projects with a multi-disciplinary approach to conservation Turtle Conservancy/Andrew Sabin Family Foundation Turtle Grants Grant amount: up to $10,000 ($2,500 to $5,000 typical) Deadline: rolling Who can apply: individuals/organizations working on turtle conservation or research Terrapin Times - Volume 4, Issue 1 - Winter/Spring 2017 - Diamondback Terrapin Working Group - http://www.dtwg.org 9 DTWG IS CALLING FOR PROPOSALS FOR 2017 TERRAPIN PROJECTS The Diamondback Terrapin Working Group (DTWG) is issuing a call for proposals for research/ education involving conservation and management of diamondback terrapins. Deadline: March 15, 2017 Grant amounts: In an effort to promote efforts that are most likely to leave a lasting effect on terrapin conservation and management, the DTWG Board of Directors decided to increase the amount of our grants to $1000.00. There will be two such awards this year. Eligibility: Only proposals from DTWG members will be considered. A brief letter from the faculty mentor should accompany student proposals. To become a member visit our website at www.DTWG.org. Format: Proposals should consist of a cover page with the authors’ contact information including phone and email information. The body should not exceed two pages (including literature cited), and authors must use 12 point font with 1 inch margins. A separate budget page should include a table with requested funds and total funds needed to complete the project and a budget justification that includes the availability and access to additional funds for your project. Cover page – 1 page Name and contact information: Project title: Effective dates: Total project costs: Amount requested: Body – 2 pages Introduction detailing significance of work Project Objectives or hypotheses Methods and Materials Timeline with metrics of success Literature cited Budget – 1 page Table with total budget cost and amounts requested From DTWG Budget Justification Submission: Electronic submission, preferably as a .pdf file, to jbutler@unf.edu. Late submissions cannot be considered. Funding Limitations: The DTWG will not fund salaries or travel to meetings to present papers. Highest priority will be given for proposals requesting essential material and supplies to initiate projects in regions with poorly known populations or projects with high conservation relevance. Because of the limited nature of our grant program, the DTWG will not fund indirect costs. Awards: Funds will be awarded by May 1, 2017 Final Report: A detailed final report will be due to the DTWG by June 30, 2018. Terrapin Times - Volume 4, Issue 1 - Winter/Spring 2017 - Diamondback Terrapin Working Group - http://www.dtwg.org 10 Greetings to all members of the Diamondback Terrapin Working Group (DTWG)! It is time for your annual membership renewal. Since 2009 all DTWG membership dues have gone to fund research on terrapins. We usually receive proposals requesting over $20,000, and our grants committee selects the most promising ones for funding. In past years, we have funded projects as diverse as testing BRDs on crab pots, genetic diversity, skeletochronology, mark-recapture and home range studies, to name a few. Obviously, there is a need out there for these funds so please dig down and pay your dues. We again intend to use all dues collected this year to fund grants, which we will award in spring 2017. We will announce grant proposal requirements and a deadline date for submission by the end of this year. Of course, the first requirement is that the awardees be members of DTWG. We anticipate collecting between $1000 and $2000 in dues and all that we collect will go to these awards. Also remember that membership comes with the privilege of using the Bibliography page on the DTWG website. Please Renew or Join Today Regular Annual Membership $25.00 Student Membership (Must be recommended by a university professor) $10.00 Contributing Member $40.00 Corporation or Society $50.00 Sustaining Member $75.00 Lifetime Membership (Names of Lifetime Members will be added to a list on the website) $300.00 OPTION 1: Renew/Join online and pay with PayPal (no check necessary) Visit our website at www.dtwg.org and click the link at the top of the homepage OPTION 2: Renew/Join by mail and pay with a check payable to DTWG Please send this form and your dues to: DTWG c/o Sarah Finn, NC Wildlife Resources Commission, 306 Hidden Valley Road, Wilmington, NC 28409 Name and Affiliation ________________________________________________________________________ Address ___________________________________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________________________________________ Office Phone __________________________________ Cell Phone __________________________________ Email ______________________________________________ Fax __________________________________ DTWG 2017 MEMBERSHIP RENEWAL </p>