AGE AT MATURITY INFLUENCES ADULT SEX-RATIO IN THE TURTLE MALACLEMYS-TERRAPIN

In a population of diamondback terrapin in South Carolina, the overall adult male:female sex ratio was 1.78:1. Although males predominated numerically, the probability of recapturing individuals of either sex was the same (0.44 for males, 0.38 for females). The excess of males appears to be a result of differences in the timing of maturity between the sexes. Male Malaclemys mature after their 3rd year, females after their 6th year. Assuming a minimal effect from the other potential factors and regular juvenile recruitment. -from Authors