Isolation of fecal coliform bacteria from the diamondback terrapin (Malaclemys terrapin centrata)

Research was conducted to examine the isolation of fecal coliform bacteria from the diamondback terrapin, Malaclemys terrapin centrata. Fecal and total coliform bacteria were isolated from the feces and cloaca of the estuarine diamondback terrapin. Results revealed that Escherichia coli was the predominat fecal coliform species isolated. Salmonella species were also identified from the gastrointestinal tract of the terrapin.