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- Title
- A comparative survey of Gopherus polyphemus hemoparasites in two differing South Florida habitats.
- Creator
- Cooney, Brian, Elhassani, Dana, Frazier, Evelyn, Caruso, Joseph P., Charles E. Schmidt College of Science
- Abstract/Description
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The gopher tortoise (Gopherus polyphemus) is a keystone species which affects the biodiversity that shares its burrow. Habitat fragmentation has led to a decline in populations within southeastern ranges. Haemogregarina (intracellular parasites) have been identified in the blood of gopher tortoises, possibly due to the lack of prescribed fires which are known to kill ticks. However, little is known about their health significance. Two study sites, Blazing Star Preserve (BSP), and Pine Jog...
Show moreThe gopher tortoise (Gopherus polyphemus) is a keystone species which affects the biodiversity that shares its burrow. Habitat fragmentation has led to a decline in populations within southeastern ranges. Haemogregarina (intracellular parasites) have been identified in the blood of gopher tortoises, possibly due to the lack of prescribed fires which are known to kill ticks. However, little is known about their health significance. Two study sites, Blazing Star Preserve (BSP), and Pine Jog Preserve (PJP), differ in their management. The goal of this study is: (1) determine, if any, haemogregarina parasitemia levels of the gopher tortoise population in each site and (2) detect any additional hemoparasite species. We hypothesize that paristemia will be higher in BSP due to increased overcrowding and lack of prescribed fires. This study will benefit current conservation and management practices for gopher tortoises and provide a baseline study for intracellular parasites.
Show less - Date Issued
- 2015
- PURL
- http://purl.flvc.org/fau/fd/FA00005182
- Subject Headings
- College students --Research --United States.
- Format
- Document (PDF)
- Title
- Bacterial Community Analysis of Soil Samples Beneath Decomposing Sus scrofa Carcasses.
- Creator
- Brown, Spencer, Ebanks, Ryan, Frazier, Evelyn, Caruso, Joseph P., Charles E. Schmidt College of Science
- Abstract/Description
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The post-mortem interval (PMI) is the time elapsed from the time of death until the discovery of a decomposing body, which forensic scientists utilize to decipher how and when a death occurred. Much of decomposition is attributable to bacterial activity. Identifying a net change in bacterial composition throughout the PMI of a decomposing carcass helps to explain the mechanism of decomposition. Carcasses of four feral swine were placed in cages in direct sunlight, whereby soil samples were...
Show moreThe post-mortem interval (PMI) is the time elapsed from the time of death until the discovery of a decomposing body, which forensic scientists utilize to decipher how and when a death occurred. Much of decomposition is attributable to bacterial activity. Identifying a net change in bacterial composition throughout the PMI of a decomposing carcass helps to explain the mechanism of decomposition. Carcasses of four feral swine were placed in cages in direct sunlight, whereby soil samples were taken prior to and following seven days of decomposition. Bacterial DNA was then isolated from the soil samples and amplified via polymerase-chain reaction. Further metagenomic analysis was conducted by an outside agency using 16S ribosomal RNA (rRNA) amplicon sequencing to determine the composition of the bacterial community. A relationship between the stages of decomposition and the anatomy of bacterial communities involved was determined, which helps to elucidate the process of decomposition.
Show less - Date Issued
- 2015
- PURL
- http://purl.flvc.org/fau/fd/FA00005178
- Subject Headings
- College students --Research --United States.
- Format
- Document (PDF)
- 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.
Show less - Date Issued
- 2015
- PURL
- http://purl.flvc.org/fau/fd/FA00005209
- Subject Headings
- College students --Research --United States.
- Format
- Document (PDF)