About This Project

Maryland’s Northern Map Turtles (Graptemys geographica) are endangered and face many challenges that could affect their survival. Metabolomics, the study of small molecules involved in biochemical processes, is a potential tool for studying health in wild populations because it can provide information about pollutant exposure, diet, disease, and metabolism. This project will result in management recommendations such as water quality monitoring, habitat restoration, and rehabilitation.

Ask the Scientists

What is the context of this research?

Listed as endangered, Maryland’s Northern Map Turtles (NMTs) (Graptemys geographica) reside in an urbanized area where they face many man-made threats. The largest of these is a hydroelectric dam, which has led to significant habitat loss and separation of the population. Dam reservoirs have been shown to trap excess nutrients and pollutants, decrease biodiversity and water quality. To investigate how their habitat may be affecting their health, we can look toward the metabolome, or the composition of metabolites within a tissue. Metabolites are small molecules responsible for biological processes such metabolism and degradation and are sensitive to environmental changes. If the health and conservation of NMTs is ignored, these well-loved and iconic turtles may become extinct in Maryland.

What is the significance of this project?

My research will be conducted in Port Deposit, Maryland, where NMTs have become a local icon. Much of the research in endangered turtles focuses on marine species, despite freshwater turtles making up a large portion of all turtle species. This project will be used to inform future studies of freshwater turtle health, especially in urbanized areas. The effect of dams on wildlife health are not well understood, so these findings will contribute to studies of wildlife within these systems and aid in their conservation. Furthermore, this will contribute to our ongoing research on NMT microbiomes by providing insight into microbial function. With increased knowledge about NMT health, public participation, and improved management strategies, NMTs will flourish.

What are the goals of the project?

We aim to answer these questions:

1. What is in the metabolome? Are there differences in specific metabolites at each site?

We hope to gain a comprehensive understanding of the NMT metabolome by seeing what's there. In the process, we may detect markers of harmful substance exposure or poor health. These findings will provide information about NMT health to inform management strategies.

2. How can we use these findings to support our knowledge about the microbiome?

This project is part of ongoing research in our lab on NMT microbiomes. Microbes also release metabolites, which can provide information about their function within the body. This can be used to determine which microbes may be important for turtle health.