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An identification and comparison of intestinal parasites found within Gopherus polyphemus at two differing Southeastern Florida habitats
Title
An identification and comparison of intestinal parasites found within Gopherus polyphemus at two differing Southeastern Florida habitats.
Creator
Huffman, Jessica, Frazier, Evelyn, Graduate College, Caruso, Joseph P.
Abstract/Description
Gopherus polyphemus is a keystone terrestrial reptile, currently threatened in Florida due to habitat destruction. Overcrowded populations are associated with higher infectious disease transmission. Parasite roles within wild tortoise populations are largely unknown, despite growing evidence they may pose significant health risks. There is a large gopher tortoise population in the fragmented, poorly maintained Florida Atlantic University Preserve (FAUP). A separate Martin County population is...
Show moreGopherus polyphemus is a keystone terrestrial reptile, currently threatened in Florida due to habitat destruction. Overcrowded populations are associated with higher infectious disease transmission. Parasite roles within wild tortoise populations are largely unknown, despite growing evidence they may pose significant health risks. There is a large gopher tortoise population in the fragmented, poorly maintained Florida Atlantic University Preserve (FAUP). A separate Martin County population is at Jonathan Dickinson State Park (JDSP) in a higher quality habitat. We hypothesized there would be higher intestinal parasite loads in FAUP tortoises than JDSP tortoises, due to overcrowding. Several methods were used to determine parasite species and infection intensities. Fecal flotations revealed moderate to high Strongyle and Hookworm intensities in FAUP tortoises; in contrast, low Hookworm and moderate Strongyle intensities were seen in JDSP tortoises. Comparing infection intensities to degree of crowding is important to optimize management strategies of these threatened species.
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Date Issued
2014
PURL
http://purl.flvc.org/fau/fd/FA00005150
Format
Document (PDF)
Home Range and Social Interactions of a South Florida Gopherus Polyphemus Population
Title
Home Range and Social Interactions of a South Florida Gopherus Polyphemus Population.
Creator
Rodriguez, Andrea, Huffman, Jessica, Frazier, Evelyn
Abstract/Description
Gopherus polyphemus is a threatened reptile native to the southeastern USA. Previous research suggests the South Florida (SF) climate may allow tortoises to reproduce year-round. Our goal was to evaluate the social interactions and home range of the Florida Atlantic University Preserve (FAUP) tortoise population, with an emphasis on reproductive behavior since minimal information is available. In this study, 12 FAUP tortoises had radio-transmitters attached and game cameras placed at their...
Show moreGopherus polyphemus is a threatened reptile native to the southeastern USA. Previous research suggests the South Florida (SF) climate may allow tortoises to reproduce year-round. Our goal was to evaluate the social interactions and home range of the Florida Atlantic University Preserve (FAUP) tortoise population, with an emphasis on reproductive behavior since minimal information is available. In this study, 12 FAUP tortoises had radio-transmitters attached and game cameras placed at their burrows. We hypothesized, 1) Gopher tortoise home ranges would differ between males and females, and between vegetation types and 2) Intraspecific gopher tortoise interaction frequencies would differ between vegetation types. Movement data has been mapped for 10 tortoises to reveal home ranges differ between sex and vegetation type. Camera data illustrates mounting as the most frequent interaction in the scrub vegetation. This research can be used to improve conservation efforts for the FAUP population.
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Date Issued
2018
PURL
http://purl.flvc.org/fau/fd/FAU_SR00000052
Subject Headings
College students --Research --United States.
Format
Document (PDF)
Baseline Study for the Identification of Intestinal Parasites in Gopher Tortoises Found in Blazing Star and Pine Jog
Title
Baseline Study for the Identification of Intestinal Parasites in Gopher Tortoises Found in Blazing Star and Pine Jog.
Creator
Shanker, Rachel, Haizlett, Kent, Huffman, Jessica, Frazier, Evelyn, Caruso, Joseph P., Charles E. Schmidt College of Science
Abstract/Description
Gopher tortoise (Gopherus polyphemus) populations are diminishing in South Florida due to habitat fragmentation in urban sites. As a keystone species, gopher tortoises have important ecological roles. The goal of this study was to establish a baseline of intestinal parasites in two South Florida populations. One population resides in a fragmented and non-fire maintained site, Blazing Star, and the other in a fire maintained site, Pine Jog. Fire is a natural factor in these habitats reducing...
Show moreGopher tortoise (Gopherus polyphemus) populations are diminishing in South Florida due to habitat fragmentation in urban sites. As a keystone species, gopher tortoises have important ecological roles. The goal of this study was to establish a baseline of intestinal parasites in two South Florida populations. One population resides in a fragmented and non-fire maintained site, Blazing Star, and the other in a fire maintained site, Pine Jog. Fire is a natural factor in these habitats reducing canopy cover and killing parasite eggs. The lack of fire in Blazing Star can lead to overgrowth of vegetation, forcing tortoises to crowd where lower vegetation is found. We hypothesize that tortoises from Blazing Star will have a higher degree of intestinal parasites, when compared to those from Pine Jog due to potential crowding. Data is currently being collected, and may provide insight to improve future management and conservation practices.
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Date Issued
2015
PURL
http://purl.flvc.org/fau/fd/FA00005209
Subject Headings
College students --Research --United States.
Format
Document (PDF)
An Analysis of Gopherus polyphemus Reproduction at the Florida Atlantic University Preserve
Title
An Analysis of Gopherus polyphemus Reproduction at the Florida Atlantic University Preserve.
Creator
Nguyen, Thuymi, Huffman, Jessica, Frazier, Evelyn, Office of Undergraduate Research and Inquiry
Abstract/Description
Gopherus polyphemus (gopher tortoise) is a threatened keystone species whose burrows benefit over 350 species. Surveys conducted throughout 2010- 2015 at Florida Atlantic University Preserve (FAUP) have found an age gap of ten years and a lack of nests. To update the demographic survey and to examine the population’s reproduction and health, we conducted burrow and nest surveys from May to September 2016 and collected fecal samples to check for endo-parasites. Transects were used to locate...
Show moreGopherus polyphemus (gopher tortoise) is a threatened keystone species whose burrows benefit over 350 species. Surveys conducted throughout 2010- 2015 at Florida Atlantic University Preserve (FAUP) have found an age gap of ten years and a lack of nests. To update the demographic survey and to examine the population’s reproduction and health, we conducted burrow and nest surveys from May to September 2016 and collected fecal samples to check for endo-parasites. Transects were used to locate burrows and measurements were taken to determine population structure. Wire-probing was used to locate nests and feces were tested for endo-parasites. From a total of 261 marked burrows and fecal sampling, results indicated a continuous age range, one nest, and presence of intestinal parasites. Future work will focus on health and reproductive behavior that will improve our understanding of the FAUP gopher tortoise population and may ultimately aid in future conservation methods.
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Date Issued
2017
PURL
http://purl.flvc.org/fau/fd/FA00005631
Subject Headings
College students --Research --United States.
Format
Document (PDF)
A Survey of Gopherus polyphemus Intestinal Parasites in South Florida
Title
A Survey of Gopherus polyphemus Intestinal Parasites in South Florida.
Creator
Huffman, Jessica, Frazier, Evelyn, Florida Atlantic University, Charles E. Schmidt College of Science, Department of Biological Sciences
Abstract/Description
Gopherus polyphemus populations are diminishing throughout their range due to urbanization, fragmentation, and poor management of habitats. Increased population densities, poor habitat quality, and lack of fire may influence disease transmission. Parasite roles within wild tortoise populations are largely unknown, despite evidence these pathogens may pose health risks. This study provides a baseline of gopher tortoise endoparasites across South Florida and reports on how varying environmental...
Show moreGopherus polyphemus populations are diminishing throughout their range due to urbanization, fragmentation, and poor management of habitats. Increased population densities, poor habitat quality, and lack of fire may influence disease transmission. Parasite roles within wild tortoise populations are largely unknown, despite evidence these pathogens may pose health risks. This study provides a baseline of gopher tortoise endoparasites across South Florida and reports on how varying environmental and tortoise characteristics may affect endoparasite species prevalence, approximate loads, and overall distributions. Tortoise fecal samples were taken from five differing SF habitats. Seven species of intestinal parasites were discovered from 123 tortoises. Identified parasites include endo-helminths such as cyathostomes, pinworms, ascarids, flukes, and protozoans including Eimeria, Cryptosporidium, and Amoeba species. Significant differences in parasite prevalence and loads were seen between sampling years, seasons, size classes, and sites, however, overall parasite distributions suggest parasitism remains relatively ubiquitous throughout most host and site characteristics.
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Date Issued
2017
PURL
http://purl.flvc.org/fau/fd/FA00005933
Subject Headings
Dissertations, Academic -- Florida Atlantic University, Gopherus polyphemus, Gopher tortoise., Parasites., Florida.
Format
Document (PDF)