Loss of Mississippi Diamondback Terrapin (Malaclemys terrapin pileata) Nesting Habitat in the Northern Gulf of Mexico

Abstract

Diamondback terrapins (Malaclemys terrapin) are a species of turtle that occupy coastal tidal marshes and nest on sandy areas above the high-tide line. Within the Grand Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve, Mississippi diamondback terrapin (M. t. pileata) shoreline nesting habitat at Grand Battures (also known as South Rigolets Island) has decreased from a 2.34-km length of surveyable shoreline in 2014 to a 1.45-km length of shoreline in 2021. Depredated nest surveys in 2021 detected the lowest number of nests to date at this location, with increased search effort, and this is likely due to the high rates of erosion described for this area.