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Title: A comparison of body proportions in juvenile sea turtles: how shape may optimize survival in a vulnerable life stage.
Creator: Pate, Jessica Hope, Salmon, Michael, Florida Atlantic University, Charles E. Schmidt College of Science, Department of Biological Sciences
Abstract/Description: Marine turtles produce many offspring which offsets the high mortality experienced by turtles during early development. Juvenile mortality might be reduced by evolving effective behavioral as well as morphological anti-predator defenses. Body proportions of three species (Caretta caretta, Chelonia mydas, Dermochelys coriacea) of turtles were measured in the first fourteen weeks of development to examine how growth may mitigate predation by gape-limited predators. Growth was categorized as...
Show moreMarine turtles produce many offspring which offsets the high mortality experienced by turtles during early development. Juvenile mortality might be reduced by evolving effective behavioral as well as morphological anti-predator defenses. Body proportions of three species (Caretta caretta, Chelonia mydas, Dermochelys coriacea) of turtles were measured in the first fourteen weeks of development to examine how growth may mitigate predation by gape-limited predators. Growth was categorized as isometric if shape did not change during development or allometric if body shape did change. All three species showed allometric growth in carapace width; however it was less pronounced in the larger D. coriacea turtles. Allometric growth in carapace width decreased as all three species grew in size. When high predation occurs in early development, many species will favor rapid growth into a size refuge. Juvenile sea turtles may optimize their survival by growing allometrically when predation risk is the greatest.
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Date Issued: 2014
PURL: http://purl.flvc.org/fau/fd/FA00004223, http://purl.flvc.org/fau/fd/FA00004223
Subject Headings: Predation (Biology), Sea turtles -- Growth, Sea turtles -- Mortality, Sea turtles -- Population viability analysis
Format: Document (PDF)

Title: A Novel Interaction: The thin stripe hermit Crab, Clibanarius vittatus, kills the Florida crown conch, Melongena corona, for its shell.
Creator: Cutter, Jennifer, Devlin, Donna, Florida Atlantic University, Charles E. Schmidt College of Science, Department of Biological Sciences
Abstract/Description: The hermit crab Clibanarius vittatus kills Melongena corona solely to acquire a better fitting shell. This finding is contrary to previous studies, which found that hermit crabs of other species cannot kill gastropods or, in most instances, remove freshly dead gastropods from their shells. This interaction cannot be classified as predation because Melongena tissue was never consumed. Clibanarius killed Melongena only when by doing so they could trade up to a better fitting shell. It cannot be...
Show moreThe hermit crab Clibanarius vittatus kills Melongena corona solely to acquire a better fitting shell. This finding is contrary to previous studies, which found that hermit crabs of other species cannot kill gastropods or, in most instances, remove freshly dead gastropods from their shells. This interaction cannot be classified as predation because Melongena tissue was never consumed. Clibanarius killed Melongena only when by doing so they could trade up to a better fitting shell. It cannot be classified as competition because there is no opportunity for Melongena to gain from the interaction. Therefore the term “lethal eviction” is hereby proposed for this interaction. The ability to kill a gastropod to obtain a superior shell gives Clibanarius vittatus an evolutionary advantage over other hermit crab species. It is not known if the outcome of this interaction is widespread where both species occur or if it is confined to the study area.
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Date Issued: 2017
PURL: http://purl.flvc.org/fau/fd/FA00004925, http://purl.flvc.org/fau/fd/FA00004925
Subject Headings: Crabs--Behavior., Crab culture., Predation (Biology), Adaptation (Physiology), Aquatic ecology., Intertidal ecology., Conservation biology.
Format: Document (PDF)

Title: Aggressive Behaviors Of Adult Male Atlantic Spotted Dolphins (Stenella frontalis) During Intraspecific And Interspecific Aggressive Interactions.
Creator: Volker, Cassandra L., Herzing, Denise L., Hughes, Colin, Florida Atlantic University, Charles E. Schmidt College of Science, Department of Biological Sciences
Abstract/Description: Atlantic spotted dolphins (Stenella frontalis) and bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops truncatus) are two sympatric species resident to the Bahamas. The visibility of the Bahamian water provided a unique opportunity to study spotted dolphin communication during aggression. This study’s main focus was to decipher any similarities or differences in the behaviors used by spotted dolphins during interspecific and intraspecific aggression. Both similarities and differences were discovered. Biting,...
Show moreAtlantic spotted dolphins (Stenella frontalis) and bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops truncatus) are two sympatric species resident to the Bahamas. The visibility of the Bahamian water provided a unique opportunity to study spotted dolphin communication during aggression. This study’s main focus was to decipher any similarities or differences in the behaviors used by spotted dolphins during interspecific and intraspecific aggression. Both similarities and differences were discovered. Biting, following, and chasing behavioral events were used more during interspecific aggression, while the display behavioral class was used more than the contact behavioral class during intrabut not interspecific aggression. This study showed that spotted dolphins use more energy intensive and risky behaviors when fighting interspecifically. This could result from having to fight and defend females from a larger species, trying to avoid sexual harassment from bottlenose males, or needing to use behaviors that are more overt and easily understood during interspecies communication.
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Date Issued: 2016
PURL: http://purl.flvc.org/fau/fd/FA00004638, http://purl.flvc.org/fau/fd/FA00004638
Subject Headings: Atlantic spotted dolphin--Bahamas., Aggressive behavior in animals., Social behavior in animals., Aquatic mammals--Behavior., Predation (Biology), Predatory marine animals--Ecology.
Format: Document (PDF)

Title: Diet and foraging ecology of diamondback terrapins (Malaclemys Terrapin) in south Florida.
Creator: Denton, Mathew, Baldwin, John D., Florida Atlantic University, Charles E. Schmidt College of Science, Center for Environmental Studies
Abstract/Description: Dietary resource use for diamondback terrapins (Malaclemys terrapins) in subtropical mangrove habitats in south Florida creeks and islands was examined to elucidate long-term individual foraging strategies. Fecal analysis revealed seven categories of food items with gastropods, crabs, and bivalves being the most dominant food items respectively. Non-metric multidimensional scaling revealed differences in habitat, but not terrapin size class. Stable isotope analysis confirmed the findings,...
Show moreDietary resource use for diamondback terrapins (Malaclemys terrapins) in subtropical mangrove habitats in south Florida creeks and islands was examined to elucidate long-term individual foraging strategies. Fecal analysis revealed seven categories of food items with gastropods, crabs, and bivalves being the most dominant food items respectively. Non-metric multidimensional scaling revealed differences in habitat, but not terrapin size class. Stable isotope analysis confirmed the findings, identifying habitat and site differences in δ13C and δ15N values for both terrapins and their prey. Bi-plots of terrapin and potential prey δ 13C and δ 15N values revealed potential dietary sources previously undetermined by fecal analysis. Comparisons of scute and blood isotope data revealed significant differences in δ13C indicating potential shifts in either food resources and/or habitat use through the time period recorded in the scute tissue. These tissue comparisons represent a powerful tool for estimating long term foraging strategies for a key estuarine species.
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Date Issued: 2014
PURL: http://purl.flvc.org/fau/fd/FA00004101
Subject Headings: Diamondback terrapin -- Habitat -- Florida., Diamondback terrapin -- Ecology -- Florida., Predation (Biology)
Format: Document (PDF)

Title: Diet variation and the consumptive effects of native centrarchids on benthic macroinvertebrates in wetlands.
Creator: Bransky, Jacob., Charles E. Schmidt College of Science, Center for Environmental Studies
Abstract/Description: Fish predation can have structuring effects in aquatic communities, but the most important fish predators are not always immediately obvious. Generalist fish predators often occupy similar habitats and consume similar prey making determination of their consumptive impacts difficult. Understanding these consumptive impacts is important for understanding complex wetland food webs. I collected warmouth (Lepomis gulosus), bluespotted sunfish (Enneacanthus gloriosus), and dollar sunfish (Lepomis...
Show moreFish predation can have structuring effects in aquatic communities, but the most important fish predators are not always immediately obvious. Generalist fish predators often occupy similar habitats and consume similar prey making determination of their consumptive impacts difficult. Understanding these consumptive impacts is important for understanding complex wetland food webs. I collected warmouth (Lepomis gulosus), bluespotted sunfish (Enneacanthus gloriosus), and dollar sunfish (Lepomis marginatus) in two seasons from sloughs for both diet and bioenergetics analysis. Macroinvertebrates dominated diets of the three species, and nonparametric analyses revealed evidence of diet ontogeny in warmouth and potential competition for prey items among gape-matched individuals. Bioenergetics modeling revealed high levels of macroinvertebrate comsumption by these species relative to macroinvertebrate reproductive output suggesting that when combined with other sources of mortality, consumptive pressures placed by sunfish on benthic macroinvertebrates may be quite large.
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Date Issued: 2012
PURL: http://purl.flvc.org/FAU/3356894
Subject Headings: Wetland ecology, Predatory marine animals, Ecology, Predation (Biology), Habitat selction, Marine ecosystem management
Format: Document (PDF)

Title: Effects of Cuban Treefrog (Osteopilus Septentrionalis) removal on native Florida hyla populations.
Creator: Cunningham, Miranda, Moore, Jon, Florida Atlantic University, Charles E. Schmidt College of Science, Department of Biological Sciences
Abstract/Description: Invasive species are one of the major threats to biodiversity and understanding the effects any one invasive species has on members of its new ecosystem can help land managers decide how to best use their limited resources. This study attempted to show the effect Cuban Treefrogs (Osteopilus Septentrionalis) were having on native Florida hylids. For a year, Cuban Treefrogs were removed from three cypress domes and monitored in three other cypress domes, a change in the native population in the...
Show moreInvasive species are one of the major threats to biodiversity and understanding the effects any one invasive species has on members of its new ecosystem can help land managers decide how to best use their limited resources. This study attempted to show the effect Cuban Treefrogs (Osteopilus Septentrionalis) were having on native Florida hylids. For a year, Cuban Treefrogs were removed from three cypress domes and monitored in three other cypress domes, a change in the native population in the experimental domes was the eventual desired effect. Due to weather issues and low native hylid numbers no effect was shown, however due to environmental constraints an effect could not be ruled out either.
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Date Issued: 2015
PURL: http://purl.flvc.org/fau/fd/FA00004359, http://purl.flvc.org/fau/fd/FA00004359
Subject Headings: Conservation biology, Cuban Treefrog -- Florida, Hylidae, Predation (Biology), Wildlife management
Format: Document (PDF)

Title: Effects of freshwater discharges and habitat architecture on oyster reef community development and diversity.
Creator: Salewski, Elizabeth a., Charles E. Schmidt College of Science, Center for Environmental Studies
Abstract/Description: Oyster reefs support diverse estuarine communities and food webs. Factors controlling oyster reef community development were studied on restored reefs in the St. Lucie Estuary. Freshwater discharges create stresses that cause oyster mortality, habitat loss and reduction in reef community diversity. Using structural equation modeling, it was demonstrated that salinity, turbidity, and chlorophyll-a gradients influence oysters and some reef invertebrate species, but did not support the...
Show moreOyster reefs support diverse estuarine communities and food webs. Factors controlling oyster reef community development were studied on restored reefs in the St. Lucie Estuary. Freshwater discharges create stresses that cause oyster mortality, habitat loss and reduction in reef community diversity. Using structural equation modeling, it was demonstrated that salinity, turbidity, and chlorophyll-a gradients influence oysters and some reef invertebrate species, but did not support the predictions of the Intermediate Disturbance Hypothesis. In contrast, diversity and species richness were greatest at low stress sites. A field experiment showed that topographic relief and architectural complexity enhanced colonization and growth of reef-building species (e.g.oysters and mussels). The relief by complexity interaction had a higher order, synergistic effect on oyster abundance. When considered separately, increasing relief further enhanced dominant sessile taxa (cirripeds and ascideans) ; while, increasing complexity supported greater species richness and the abundance of cirripeds.
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Date Issued: 2012
PURL: http://purl.flvc.org/FAU/3355881
Subject Headings: American oyster, Reef ecology, Habitat conservation, Predation (Biology)
Format: Document (PDF)

Title: Estimating predation levels and site-specific survival of hatchling loggerhead sea turtles (Caretta caretta) from south Florida beaches.
Creator: Whelan, Christie L., Florida Atlantic University, Wyneken, Jeanette
Abstract/Description: Few studies document mortality rates for hatchling sea turtles during their migration away from the nesting beach. This study quantifies and compares nearshore predation rates on loggerhead hatchlings (Caretta caretta) at several locations in southern Florida. Hatchlings were followed by observers in kayaks during the first 15 min of the migration away from the beach. The overall observed predation rate (4.6%) is similar to a previous estimate (5%) from a natural high density Florida nesting...
Show moreFew studies document mortality rates for hatchling sea turtles during their migration away from the nesting beach. This study quantifies and compares nearshore predation rates on loggerhead hatchlings (Caretta caretta) at several locations in southern Florida. Hatchlings were followed by observers in kayaks during the first 15 min of the migration away from the beach. The overall observed predation rate (4.6%) is similar to a previous estimate (5%) from a natural high density Florida nesting beach, and lower than at a hatchery site. Predation rates were higher on Florida's southeast coast than the southwest coast. Predation increased towards the end of the hatching season. Results suggest that currently, hatchling mortality rates are relative low in Florida's shallow nearshore waters. Given the lack of growth by loggerhead populations, the cumulative mortality must be high after hatchlings depart shallow coastal waters.
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Date Issued: 2005
PURL: http://purl.flvc.org/fcla/dt/13259
Subject Headings: Sea turtles--Florida--Atlantic Coast, Loggerhead turtle--Mortality, Predation (Biology)
Format: Document (PDF)

Title: Fire ants on sea turtle nesting beaches in South Florida, USA, and ST. Croix, USVI.
Creator: Romais, Danielle K., Wetterer, James K., Charles E. Schmidt College of Science, Department of Biological Sciences
Abstract/Description: The red imported fire ant, Solenopsis invicta, is a South American native introduced in Alabama in the early 20th century. This predatory species has rapidly spread throughout the southeastern US and parts of the West Indies, inflicting great ecological and economic damage. For example, Solenopsis invicta is known to attack the eggs and hatchlings of ground nesting birds and reptiles. The ants swarm into the nests attacking hatchlings and diminishing their chance for survival. My thesis...
Show moreThe red imported fire ant, Solenopsis invicta, is a South American native introduced in Alabama in the early 20th century. This predatory species has rapidly spread throughout the southeastern US and parts of the West Indies, inflicting great ecological and economic damage. For example, Solenopsis invicta is known to attack the eggs and hatchlings of ground nesting birds and reptiles. The ants swarm into the nests attacking hatchlings and diminishing their chance for survival. My thesis research aimed to survey the distribution of ants on sea turtle nesting beaches in South Florida and St. Croix, USVI, and to evaluate the possible threat of Solenopsis invicta and other predatory ants to sea turtle hatchlings.
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Date Issued: 2013
PURL: http://purl.flvc.org/fau/fd/FA0004052
Subject Headings: Biological invasions, Fire ants -- Venom -- Physiological effect, Predation (Biology), Sea turtles -- Florida -- Mortality, Sea turtles -- St. Croix -- Mortality, Wildlife conservation -- Florida, Wildlife conservation -- St. Croix
Format: Document (PDF)

Title: Foraging ecology of wading birds in a sub-tropical intertidal zone.
Creator: Calle, Leonardo, Gawlik, Dale E., Florida Atlantic University, Charles E. Schmidt College of Science, Department of Biological Sciences
Abstract/Description: The first of five chapters describe the study area and study species, including a short description about the impetus for this research. The second chapter describes a unique hydrologic model for application in tidal ecosystems. The second chapter represents new information on the effects of various abiotic and biotic factors on foraging wading birds in this highly dynamic environment. The third chapter identifies important factors affecting the abundance of foraging wading birds in...
Show moreThe first of five chapters describe the study area and study species, including a short description about the impetus for this research. The second chapter describes a unique hydrologic model for application in tidal ecosystems. The second chapter represents new information on the effects of various abiotic and biotic factors on foraging wading birds in this highly dynamic environment. The third chapter identifies important factors affecting the abundance of foraging wading birds in intertidal environments. The fourth chapter presents a study of the foraging habitat preferences of two wading bird species in intertidal environments. The fifth chapter describes a conceptual model of wading bird foraging ecology and a predictive model of foraging habitat in intertidal zones. The conceptual model captures the major drivers and linkages between the abiotic and biotic variables thought to affect wading bird foraging abundance in intertidal habitats. The conceptual model also identifies major knowledge gaps in our understanding of foraging ecology of wading birds in coastal intertidal areas. The predictive model of foraging habitat is meant to be used by resource managers, but its framework may be useful for ecological studies in general. The final and sixth chapter provides a summary of all the major findings. Each chapter has been written so as to be independent of the other chapters. As such, a full background, along with a discussion of the relevance of the chapter's findings is provided for each chapter.
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Date Issued: 2014
PURL: http://purl.flvc.org/fau/fd/FA00004087
Subject Headings: Habitat selection, Population biology, Predation (Biology), Water birds -- Geographical distribution, Water birds -- Habitat
Format: Document (PDF)

Title: Functional aspects of behavior and morphology in the decorator crab Microphrys Bicornutus (Latreille, 1825) (Crustacea: Brachyura: Mithracidae).
Creator: Salazar, Monique Alexandra, Brooks, W. Randy, Charles E. Schmidt College of Science, Department of Biological Sciences
Abstract/Description: Masking or decorator crabs, conceal themselves partially through camouflage, by selecting or indiscriminately attaching materials from their environment to their exoskeleton. Functional aspects of decorating behavior and morphology in this group have not been documented. Using Microphrys bicornutus as a model species, this dissertation demonstrates clearly that decorating is an advantageous phenotype that has evolved to serve several functions. Decorating is a complex behavior that begins...
Show moreMasking or decorator crabs, conceal themselves partially through camouflage, by selecting or indiscriminately attaching materials from their environment to their exoskeleton. Functional aspects of decorating behavior and morphology in this group have not been documented. Using Microphrys bicornutus as a model species, this dissertation demonstrates clearly that decorating is an advantageous phenotype that has evolved to serve several functions. Decorating is a complex behavior that begins when a crab approaches an algal substrate and results in the attachment of algae to hooked setae on the exoskeleton. Once decorated, crabs remain motionless on the substrate until disturbed or until another behavior is initiated. This was confirmed for M. bicornutus, as crabs spent a significant amount of time feeding, remaining motionless, picking, and walking when compared to decorating. Crabs displayed agonistic behaviors during encounters with conspecifics conspecifics. These included both active aggressive behavior and display behavior. Crabs showed a decrease in motility during these encounters, helping maintain dispersed distributions, thereby decreasing intrsapecific encounters in the field. Trials were done to determine the effect of conspecifics, predators and feeding preferences on algal utilization. M. bicornutus showed a significant decrease in the amount of algae used for decoration in the highest density trials (i.e., 4 and 8 crabs). Agonistic displays and aggressive behavior between these crabs likely affected the time available for decorating. Decorated crabs isolated from an algal substrate were more likely to survive in the presence of either of two sympatric fish predators. Thus, being protected by the algal decoration on their exoskeletons. Trials also showed a parallel between algal consumption and algal materials used for decoration. In addition to its protective function, algae used by M. bicornutus for decoration simultaneously serve as short term food supplies for the crabs. Eleven morphologically complex structures were identified and mapped on the exoskeleton. Hooked setae were the primary structures used to attach algae to the crab’s body. Ten additional setal structures were present, including two novel types of setae. On the basis of location and morphological variation exhibited among these latter structures, a primary sensory function may be inferred.
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Date Issued: 2013
PURL: http://purl.flvc.org/fau/fd/FA0004056
Subject Headings: Animal behavior, Camouflage (Biology), Crabs -- Behavior, Marine ecology, Predation (Biology)
Format: Document (PDF)

Title: Habitat selection among fishes and shrimp in the pelagic Sargassum community: the role of habitat architecture.
Creator: Bennice, Chelsea, Charles E. Schmidt College of Science, Department of Biological Sciences
Abstract/Description: Pelagic Sargassum was used to determine the effects of habitat architecture for one species of shrimp (Leander tenuicornis) and two species of fish (Stephanolepis hispidus and Histrio histrio). Inter-thallus spacing (low, medium, and high) and depth (shallow versus deep) were manipulated independently to test whether the spatial components of habitat architecture. Two differing habitats (Sargassum versus seagrass species) were tested for the structural component of habitat architecture. There...
Show morePelagic Sargassum was used to determine the effects of habitat architecture for one species of shrimp (Leander tenuicornis) and two species of fish (Stephanolepis hispidus and Histrio histrio). Inter-thallus spacing (low, medium, and high) and depth (shallow versus deep) were manipulated independently to test whether the spatial components of habitat architecture. Two differing habitats (Sargassum versus seagrass species) were tested for the structural component of habitat architecture. There were no significant results for inter-thallus spacing experiments for L. tenuicornis and S. hispidus. H histrio selected habitats with medium inter-thallus spacing in two treatments. Large individual H. histrio contributed mostly to the significant effects. All three species selected habitats with a greater depth aspect. Finally, L. tenuicornis and H. histrio selected habitats with greater structural complexity (i.e., Sargassum). These results demonstrate clearly that habitat architecture of Sargassum influences habitat selection by these shrimp and fishes.
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Date Issued: 2012
PURL: http://purl.flvc.org/FAU/3358284
Subject Headings: Habitat (Ecology), Sargassum, Ecology, Animal behavior, Predation (Biology)
Format: Document (PDF)

Title: How leatherback hatchlings recognize their prey: Sensory predispositions and behavioral responses.
Creator: Constantino, Maricela Alcantara., Florida Atlantic University, Salmon, Michael
Abstract/Description: Leatherback sea turtles (Dermochelys coriacea) feed exclusively on gelatinous prey. Hatchlings are solitary and must possess a predisposition to respond to prey. In laboratory experiments, I studied the responses of nineteen leatherback hatchlings to visual (jellyfish model and shapes: circle, square, diamond) and chemical (homogenates of three prey) stimuli presented alone or as paired (visual + chemical) treatments once daily. When presented alone visual stimuli resembling jellyfish...
Show moreLeatherback sea turtles (Dermochelys coriacea) feed exclusively on gelatinous prey. Hatchlings are solitary and must possess a predisposition to respond to prey. In laboratory experiments, I studied the responses of nineteen leatherback hatchlings to visual (jellyfish model and shapes: circle, square, diamond) and chemical (homogenates of three prey) stimuli presented alone or as paired (visual + chemical) treatments once daily. When presented alone visual stimuli resembling jellyfish outlines elicited stronger feeding responses (changes in locomotion and orientation) than those not resembling jellyfish. Chemical stimuli alone induced a rheotaxis, but responses evoked by some homogenates were stronger than responses to others. Paired stimuli evoked stronger orientation and more consistent increases in swimming (flipper stroke) rate, indicating additive effects. Results suggest that both stimuli elicit food searching behavior and when they begin to forage, hatchlings already possess predispositions to respond to an adaptive array of prey shapes and odors.
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Date Issued: 2002
PURL: http://purl.flvc.org/fcla/dt/12873
Subject Headings: Leatherback turtle, Predation (Biology)
Format: Document (PDF)

Title: Hydrodynamic functions of the wing-shaped heads of hammerhead sharks.
Creator: Barousse, Julien., College of Engineering and Computer Science, Department of Ocean and Mechanical Engineering
Abstract/Description: The hydrodynamics of three different shark heads: Eusphyra blochii (Winghead shark), Carcharhinus acronotus (Blacknose shark) and Sphyrna tiburo (Bonnethead shark) were investigated. Force transducer measurement was used to explore how the cephalofoil (wing-shaped head) affects maneuverability and efficiency. As the dynamic behavior of maneuvering wings differs from that of the steady state motion, experiments have been conducted to simulate: 1) steady-state (no yaw motion) constant velocity...
Show moreThe hydrodynamics of three different shark heads: Eusphyra blochii (Winghead shark), Carcharhinus acronotus (Blacknose shark) and Sphyrna tiburo (Bonnethead shark) were investigated. Force transducer measurement was used to explore how the cephalofoil (wing-shaped head) affects maneuverability and efficiency. As the dynamic behavior of maneuvering wings differs from that of the steady state motion, experiments have been conducted to simulate: 1) steady-state (no yaw motion) constant velocity swimming, 2) constant forward velocity with yawing motion of the head and 3) turning maneuvers. Different range of velocities, angle of attack, yaw frequency and yaw amplitude were tested. Drag and lift coefficients were calculated and compared. The lift coefficient of Winghead shark is much higher compared to the other sharks. The lift-to-drag ratio showed that the Winghead shark has a hydrodynamic advantage compared to Blacknose shark and Bonnethead shark.
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Date Issued: 2009
PURL: http://purl.flvc.org/FAU/2795459
Subject Headings: Aquatic animals (Physiology), Adaptation (Biology), Sharks, Locomotion, Predation (Biology)
Format: Document (PDF)

Title: Investigating maternal health and hatchling mortality in leatherback sea turtles (Dermochelys coriacea v.).
Creator: Perrault, Justin R., Charles E. Schmidt College of Science, Department of Biological Sciences
Abstract/Description: The reproductive success of leatherback turtles (Dermochelys coriacea) is typically the lowest of the seven sea turtle species. Why this vital rate is decreased has remained unanswered for nearly a century. Recently, detailed postmortem examination of leatherback hatchlings identified muscular pathologies that suggested possible selenium deficiency. High bodily burdens of mercury compounds are associated with selenium depletion. Selenium is a necessary detoxifying nutrient that itself can be...
Show moreThe reproductive success of leatherback turtles (Dermochelys coriacea) is typically the lowest of the seven sea turtle species. Why this vital rate is decreased has remained unanswered for nearly a century. Recently, detailed postmortem examination of leatherback hatchlings identified muscular pathologies that suggested possible selenium deficiency. High bodily burdens of mercury compounds are associated with selenium depletion. Selenium is a necessary detoxifying nutrient that itself can be toxic at elevated concentrations. Mercury compounds are toxicants with no known biological function. High bodily concentrations of mercury can be detrimental to marine organismal health, reproduction and survival, both directly and indirectly through inducing selenium depletion. The goals of this dissertation are to evaluate several related hypotheses to explain low leatherback nest success. ... Because leatherbacks take in high volumes of prey, high tissue concentrations of mercury and selenium can result. This study provides the first evidence that chemical contaminants may explain low reproductive success in leatherback sea turtles.
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Date Issued: 2013
PURL: http://purl.flvc.org/fcla/dt/3362575
Subject Headings: Selenium, Physiological effect, Predation (Biology), Leatherback turtle, Mortality, Sea turtles, Mortality, Wildlife conservation
Format: Document (PDF)

Title: Jaws of significance: the conservationist's perception of the shark in South Florida.
Creator: Nason, Patrick., Dorothy F. Schmidt College of Arts and Letters, Department of Anthropology
Abstract/Description: In examining the intentional relationship between the conservationist and the shark in South Florida, this thesis considers the latter as both a scarce natural resource - caught up in what Clifford Geertz citing Weber referred to as "webs of significance" (Geertz 1973:5) - and as a reflection of dynamic human conceptions of nature : a meta shark. This complex relationship is described by interpretations of conservation discourse recorded through ethnographic interviews that demonstrate how...
Show moreIn examining the intentional relationship between the conservationist and the shark in South Florida, this thesis considers the latter as both a scarce natural resource - caught up in what Clifford Geertz citing Weber referred to as "webs of significance" (Geertz 1973:5) - and as a reflection of dynamic human conceptions of nature : a meta shark. This complex relationship is described by interpretations of conservation discourse recorded through ethnographic interviews that demonstrate how these perceptions have been influenced by factors such as personal experiences, film and text, and broad changes in the relationship between humans and nature since the early days of the environmental movement. By linking these perceptual changes with changes in American shark conservation policy, this work not only explains a relationship between culture, perception, and policy, but also celebrates the emergence of a multispecies marine community.
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Date Issued: 2012
PURL: http://purl.flvc.org/FAU/3358755
Subject Headings: Sharks, Conservation, Predation (Biology), Wildlife conservation, Aquatic resources conservation, Marine animals, Ecology, Human-animal relationships
Format: Document (PDF)

Title: Limitations on macroinvertebrate populations in South Florida weltands.
Creator: Knorp, Natalie E., Charles E. Schmidt College of Science, Department of Biological Sciences
Abstract/Description: It can be difficult to disentangle the factors that determine population success in freshwater systems, particularly for organisms with disturbance-resistant life stages like aquatic invertebrates. Nevertheless, the effects of environmental variation and habitat structure on animal population success in wetlands are important for understanding both trophic interactions and biodiversity. I performed two experiments to determine the factors limiting crayfish (Procambarus fallax) and dragonfly ...
Show moreIt can be difficult to disentangle the factors that determine population success in freshwater systems, particularly for organisms with disturbance-resistant life stages like aquatic invertebrates. Nevertheless, the effects of environmental variation and habitat structure on animal population success in wetlands are important for understanding both trophic interactions and biodiversity. I performed two experiments to determine the factors limiting crayfish (Procambarus fallax) and dragonfly (Family: Libellulidae) populations in wetland environments. A simulation of a dry-disturbance and subsequent sunfish (Family: Centrarchidae) re-colonization revealed that crayfish populations are sensitive to sunfish, while dragonfly naiads seemed to be limited by other drying-related factors. A second manipulation revealed that small-bodied fishes and habitat structure (submerged vegetation) shaped dragonfly communities primarily through postcolonization processes.
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Date Issued: 2013
PURL: http://purl.flvc.org/fcla/dt/3362485
Subject Headings: Wetland ecology, Wildlife conservation, Freshwater invertebrates, Ecology, Predation (Biology), Marine ecosystem management
Format: Document (PDF)

Title: Long-term analyses (1986-2018) of the Loggerhead Sea Turtle (Caretta caretta) nesting data from Keewaydin Island, Florida.
Creator: Hoover, Shelby R., Salmon, Michael, Florida Atlantic University, Department of Biological Sciences, Charles E. Schmidt College of Science
Abstract/Description: Few studies on marine turtles focus on the variation in reproductive performance of individual females. I use a long-term nesting data set (1986 – 2018) of individual loggerheads including information on 1,854 individuals, of which 853 were seen nesting multiple times. During this time, emergence success has declined while the number of females nesting, and the number of nests deposited has increased. Declining emergence success can be linked to an increase in predation in most recent years;...
Show moreFew studies on marine turtles focus on the variation in reproductive performance of individual females. I use a long-term nesting data set (1986 – 2018) of individual loggerheads including information on 1,854 individuals, of which 853 were seen nesting multiple times. During this time, emergence success has declined while the number of females nesting, and the number of nests deposited has increased. Declining emergence success can be linked to an increase in predation in most recent years; however, this does not fully explain the decline in emergence success over all years. Females were found to vary in productivity. Successful females were larger and deposited more eggs in nests. This study shows that an increasing in nesting numbers does not mean that productivity is increasing proportionally and that recovery efforts are uniformly successful. This study is also a powerful tool for understanding the reproductive strategies of individual female loggerheads.
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Date Issued: 2019
PURL: http://purl.flvc.org/fau/fd/FA00013381
Subject Headings: Loggerhead turtle--Florida, Reproduction, Sea turtles--Nests, Predation (Biology)
Format: Document (PDF)

Title: Mechanisms that generate resource pulses and drive wading bird nesting in a fluctuating wetland.
Creator: Botson, Bryan A., Charles E. Schmidt College of Science, Department of Biological Sciences
Abstract/Description: Variation in the seasonal water level fluctuations of tropical and subtropical wetlands controls the production and concentration of aquatic fauna that support breeding wading birds. However, little is known about how particular components of the annual hydrologic cycle affect processes that control food availability and reproduction. This thesis identifies specific mechanisms responsible for transforming wet season prey standing stock into dry season prey concentrations, links landscape...
Show moreVariation in the seasonal water level fluctuations of tropical and subtropical wetlands controls the production and concentration of aquatic fauna that support breeding wading birds. However, little is known about how particular components of the annual hydrologic cycle affect processes that control food availability and reproduction. This thesis identifies specific mechanisms responsible for transforming wet season prey standing stock into dry season prey concentrations, links landscape hydrological patterns to wading bird nesting, and presents a predictive model of Wood Stork nesting. I examined the supoort for several a priori hypotheses of factors affecting wading bird prey concentrations and wading bird nest effort. Factors affecting the concentration and vulnerability of prey were important for transferring secondary production to higher trophic levels. Receding water levels, microtopographic variation, and high standing stocks of prey were critical for generating pulses of food availabiltiy to meet the high energy requirements of breeding predatory birds.
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Date Issued: 2012
PURL: http://purl.flvc.org/FAU/3358281
Subject Headings: Wetland ecology, Restoration ecology, Wood stork, Habitat, Predation (Biology), Water birds, Habitat
Format: Document (PDF)

Title: METHODS FOR QUANTIFYING MOLLUSK PREDATION BY DUROPHAGOUS PREDATORS.
Creator: Jaworski, Natalia K., McCoy, Michael W., Florida Atlantic University, Department of Environmental Sciences, Charles E. Schmidt College of Science
Abstract/Description: By regulating the abundance of prey populations, predators can directly and indirectly influence food web interactions in ways that influence ecosystem function. Predator functional responses quantify how predator foraging rate changes with prey abundance. Due to the large numbers of individuals needed for these experiments, most studies are conducted on small, abundant taxa. Consequently, we know relatively little about the functional responses of many marine taxa, especially those that are...
Show moreBy regulating the abundance of prey populations, predators can directly and indirectly influence food web interactions in ways that influence ecosystem function. Predator functional responses quantify how predator foraging rate changes with prey abundance. Due to the large numbers of individuals needed for these experiments, most studies are conducted on small, abundant taxa. Consequently, we know relatively little about the functional responses of many marine taxa, especially those that are large and highly mobile. We present a novel method for studying predator foraging behaviors by integrating two innovative approaches: passive acoustics to document the occurrence of underwater predation events in concert with a recently developed statistical method that uses the times between predation events to estimate functional response parameters. We demonstrate and expand on the application of these methods by quantifying the shape of the predator functional responses for whitespotted eagle rays (Aetobatus narinari) preying on hard clams (Mercenaria mercenaria).
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Date Issued: 2023
PURL: http://purl.flvc.org/fau/fd/FA00014252
Subject Headings: Predator-prey interactions, Predation (Biology), Mollusks, Ecology
Format: Document (PDF)

Animal behavior (7)	+ -
Ecology (7)	+ -
Wildlife conservation (6)	+ -
Sea turtles (4)	+ -
Wetland ecology (4)	+ -

Adaptation (Biology) (3)	+ -
Animal orientation (3)	+ -
Marine ecology (3)	+ -
Marine ecosystem management (3)	+ -
Wildlife management (3)	+ -
Behavior (2)	+ -
Biological invasions (2)	+ -
Coral reef ecology (2)	+ -
Habitat (2)	+ -
Habitat (Ecology) (2)	+ -
Leatherback turtle (2)	+ -
Marine animals (2)	+ -
Nests (2)	+ -
Predatory marine animals (2)	+ -
Sea anemones (2)	+ -
Sea turtles -- Habitat (2)	+ -
Sharks (2)	+ -
Acetylcholine (1)	+ -
Adaptation (Physiology) (1)	+ -
Aggressive behavior in animals. (1)	+ -
American oyster (1)	+ -
Animal migration (1)	+ -
Animal migration -- Antigua -- Jumbo Bay (1)	+ -
Animal migration--Florida (1)	+ -

Florida (4)	+ -
Atlantic Coast (U.S.) (1)	+ -
Bahamas (1)	+ -
Canaveral National Seashore (Fla.) (1)	+ -
Little Bahama Bank (1)	+ -

St. Lucie River Estuary (1)	+ -
West Palm Beach (1)	+ -

Charles E. Schmidt College of Science (35)	+ -
Department of Biological Sciences (30)	+ -
Florida Atlantic University (26)	+ -
Salmon, Michael (6)	+ -
Brooks, W. Randy (3)	+ -

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