The Bulletin of the New Jersey Academy of Science Feed

Pine as a Predator Deterrent for Northern Diamondback Terrapin (Malaclemys terrapin terrapin) Nests

Sun, 27 Sep 2026 00:00:00 GMT

The Northern Diamondback Terrapin (Malaclemys terrapin terrapin) experiences high rates of nest predation that contribute to population declines. As a conservation initiative, we tested the effectiveness of pine as a natural predator deterrent for terrapin nests. Pine has been shown to act as a repellent for several species by producing an aversion response. We protected caged and uncaged nests with combinations of locally collected fresh pine branches, pine cones, pine debris, and stones/pavers. We found that no predation occurred at any of the 86 nests that we protected with pine. None of the 21 decoy nests was predated regardless of the protection used. High rates of predation occurred, however, at 92 nests without pine. Although we did not find any evidence of pine consumption by potential predators, the absence of nest predation, especially by raccoon and mink, suggests that pine was a deterrent. The presence of pine did not adversely affect nest productivity, incubation duration, egg development, hatchling morphology or the pH at nest cavity depths. Higher hatchling emergence occurred at nests with pine protection compared to unprotected nests and there was a low percentage (13%) of hatchlings with anomalies.

An alternative suture material synthesized from chitosan based marine invertebrates

Mon, 08 Jun 2026 00:00:00 GMT

Chitosan, derived from chitin found in crustacean shells, is one of the most abundant biopolymers. Chitosan is important for biomedical material including drug delivery and hydrogels, and has antimicrobial and biodegradable properties. Historically, Atlantic horseshoe crab (Limulus polyphemus) chitosan has been used to develop biomedical materials due to its pure chitin. Harvesting regulations have increased, however, and horseshoe crabs may eventually no longer be a viable resource for chitosan. European green crabs (Carcinus maenas), an invasive and abundant species, were used to develop alternative suture materials. These novel sutures were hypothesized to be a durable, cost-effective, and sustainable material. Horseshoe crab (HC) sutures were also developed and food grade chitosan sutures were a control used for comparison. Chitosan was extracted from the shells through demineralization, deproteinization, and deacetylation using sodium hydroxide and hydrochloric acid at novel ratios. The chitosan yield was determined. Extracted chitosan was dissolved in acetic acid and extruded into a coagulation bath to produce suture material. The suture tensile strength, antimicrobial activity, and characteristics of GC, HC and control sutures were compared by using the Coliscan bacterial method, protein composition assay, and X-ray fluorescence. Cost analysis was performed to determine the production cost. GC sutures were determined to be the strongest, most viable, and cost-effective material, serving as a sustainable alternative to synthetic sutures.

Synthesis of chitosan nanoparticles as a method to regulate cyanobacterial abundance in aquatic environments

Sat, 06 Jun 2026 00:00:00 GMT

Cyanobacterial blooms are a result of eutrophic environments and can cause harm to the health of water bodies. Chitosan nanoparticles (CSNPs) have previously been used for controlling the growth of bacteria. The objective of this research was to determine if chitosan nanoparticles could be used as a natural method for cyanobacterial management. To test this, CSNPs were synthesized using the ionic gelation method, which involves dissolving chitosan and adding a crosslinker into the solution. Flocculation and growth inhibition testing was conducted on Anabaena cyanobacteria cultures, which were tested with and without the addition of CSNPs. The CSNPs were effective in flocculating cyanobacteria, and visible flocs were noticed immediately after the addition of CSNPs. The CSNPs also prevented the growth of the cyanobacteria, as fluorescence in the experimental cultures decreased after two days while it increased in the control cultures. The success of CSNPs against cyanobacteria is likely due to the electrostatic interactions that occur between the surface of the nanoparticles and the surface of the cyanobacterial cells. These interactions result in the disruption of the bacterial cell wall, and can cause the cells to clump together, forming flocs. In conclusion, CSNPs displayed promising results to manage the growth of cyanobacteria.

The effects of UVB lighting on growth in captive juvenile diamondback terrapins (Malaclemys terrapin)

Sun, 31 May 2026 00:00:00 GMT

Conservation efforts for diamondback terrapins (Malaclemys terrapin), considered a vulnerable species, include head-start programs in which juvenile terrapins are raised in captivity until they are large enough to be released safely into the wild. As part of these efforts, we have been investigating various aspects of terrapin husbandry to help develop optimal conditions to raise terrapins in the laboratory. In this study we examined the effects of UVB lighting, which has been linked to the promotion of shell growth through vitamin D3 synthesis. Our results indicate no significant difference in mass or carapace length between terrapins exposed to UVB lighting and the control group, although we noted three terrapins from the blocked-UVB group and one terrapin in the UV group exhibited abnormal carapace scutes. Our findings that while UVB lighting may have significant effects on growth, these effects may not be seen early on. Further studies will be needed to determine whether UVB exposure, early in life, has effects on growth in older terrapins.

Assessing airborne bacteria abundance in sea foam aerosol

Tue, 25 Nov 2025 00:00:00 GMT

Particle agitation in water can lead to the natural formation of foams along aquatic shores. Foams can accommodate many types of microorganisms, and past research shows they can transfer harmful algal toxins into the atmosphere. The objective of this study was to observe the ability of foams to transmit residing bacterial microorganisms to aerosols. Study sites included five Barnegat Bay and Atlantic Ocean beaches along coastal New Jersey. Bacteria in foams and residing waters were analyzed by swabbing samples collected into sterile Whirl-Pak® bags, and bacteria in foam aerosols and coastal air samples were analyzed by exposing Petri dishes to volatilizing foams and atmospheric conditions (passive culturing). This study found that foams had significantly higher bacterial concentrations compared to their counterpart waters, atmospheres, and aerosols (P < 0.001). A significant relationship between bacteria in foams and their aerosols was also identified; as bacterial concentrations of foams increased, bacteria in their resulting aerosols also increased (R2 = 0.5996, P = 0.0012). This study suggests that foams and their aerosols can transmit airborne bacteria into surrounding coastal communities, therefore posing potential health risks to swimmers, beachgoers, and nearby residents.

Lagoonal Back Bay Beaches as Spawning Habitat for Horseshoe Crabs

Fri, 22 Aug 2025 00:00:00 GMT

Horseshoe crabs (Limulus polyphemus) are valued for bait, their blue blood, and as a critical food resource for the endangered Red Knot. While there are large scale surveys for spawning adults and egg densities in expansive coastal beaches, one critical missing habitat which may greatly support the regional Horseshoe Crab populations is lagoonal back bay beaches. Data from our samples collected in 2024 from Barnegat Bay, New Jersey found an average egg density of 152,006m−2, with some samples exceeding 500,000m−2. Additionally, data demonstrated Horseshoe Crab eggs present in over 50% of the samples, indicating these regions are valuable spawning habitat for Horseshoe Crabs.

Identifying brumating Northern Diamondback Terrapins (Malaclemys terrapin terrapin) by incorporating environmental sensor and drone technology

Fri, 22 Aug 2025 00:00:00 GMT

During extended cold water temperatures, the Northern Diamondback Terrapin (Malaclemys terrapin terrapin), a brackish water turtle species, undergoes a period of dormancy called brumation. Little is known about brumation, its environmental conditions, or habitats. To establish a range of conditions that a terrapin experiences during brumation, we affixed an environmental sensor to a carapace for one year to record water depth and temperature. Our sensor reading determined that during the brumation period, the terrapin rested in water temperatures < 13.90°C and in a water depth of < 1.0 m. Under similar environmental conditions, we also remotely navigated a drone from a land-based position and found brumating terrapins in a cove within the Barnegat Bay-Little Egg Harbor estuary. The best visibility for terrapin identification occurred when the drone was flown 1.5 – 4.6 m above the water, during a low tide with low tidal heights of less than 0.063 m and low wind speeds of < 12.9 km/h. These findings indicate that drone site surveys can assist researchers in finding locations with brumating terrapins during specific water temperatures and depths.