DOCSLIB.ORG

Flora and Fauna Report 2016: Six Parks in Ryde Local Government Area Bell Park, Brush Farm Park, Darvall Park, Field of Mars Reserve, Lambert Park and Outlook Park

Total Page：16

File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb

Download full-text PDF Read full-text
Flora and Fauna Report 2016: Six Parks in Ryde Local Government Area Bell Park, Brush Farm Park, Darvall Park, Field of Mars Reserve, Lambert Park and Outlook Park ANNE CLEMENTS & ASSOCIATES PTY. LIMITED (ABN 41 077 242 365, ACN 077-160-939) Environmental and Botanical Consultants Office 2, 3 Harbourview Crescent, Milsons Point 2060 PO Box 1623, North Sydney 2059 Phone: (02) 9955 9733, Facsimile: (02) 9957 4343 Email: [email protected] 13 March 2017 Flora and Fauna Report 2016: Six parks in Ryde Local Government Area Bell Park, Brush Farm Park, Darvall Park, Field of Mars Reserve, Lambert Park and Outlook Park. Prepared by: Dr AnneMarie Clements Tony Rodd Jessica Gardner Ruth Palsson with fauna section by: Damian Lettoof (co-ordinator, reptiles and frog) Henry Cook (birds specialist) David Martin (nocturnal assistance with surveys) Dr James Schlunke (invertebrates specialist) Glenn Hoye (bat call analysis) Barbara Triggs (mammal hair analysis) Prepared for: City of Ryde – North Ryde Office Binary Centre Building 0, Level 1 3 Richardson Place, North Ryde NSW 2113 Phone: 02 9952 8222 Anne Clements & Associates Pty Limited 1 Contents Preamble.....................................................................................................................................6 Section A: Background information, including environmental setting...........................................7 A1.0 Introduction..........................................................................................................................8 A1.1 Zoning of the parks..............................................................................................................8 A2.0 Environmental Setting........................................................................................................10 A2.1 Climate..............................................................................................................................10 A2.2 Geology and soil landscape...............................................................................................12 A2.2.1 Geology..........................................................................................................................12 A2.2.2 Soil landscape................................................................................................................13 A2.2.3 Onsite soil observations..................................................................................................14 A2.3 Land use............................................................................................................................15 A2.3.1 Historic land use.............................................................................................................15 A2.3.2 Heritage item zoning.......................................................................................................18 A2.3.3 Land use changes since earliest available aerial photograph.........................................18 A2.4 General observations within the parks...............................................................................20 Section B: Flora assessment.....................................................................................................23 B1.0 Introduction........................................................................................................................24 B2.0 Existing mappings.............................................................................................................24 B3.0 The 2016 survey................................................................................................................27 B3.1 Methods.............................................................................................................................29 B3.2 Observations/ Findings......................................................................................................31 B3.2.2 Exotic and non-local native species................................................................................35 B3.3 Ground truthing confirmation of the previous mapping......................................................38 B3.4 Targeted threatened species searches..............................................................................39 B3.4.1 Database searches.........................................................................................................39 B3.4.2 Target searches in the parks...........................................................................................42 References for Sections A, B.....................................................................................................43 Section C: Fauna assessment...................................................................................................45 C1.0 Introduction.......................................................................................................................46 C1.1 Sampling methods.............................................................................................................46 C1.1.1 Reptiles..........................................................................................................................46 C1.1.2 Frogs..............................................................................................................................46 C1.1.3 Mammals........................................................................................................................46 C1.1.4 Birds...............................................................................................................................47 C1.1.5 Fish................................................................................................................................47 C1.1.6 Invertebrate fauna..........................................................................................................47 C1.2 Comparisons between the 2006 and 2016 surveys...........................................................48 C2.0 Fauna findings...................................................................................................................48 C2.1 Reptiles.............................................................................................................................48 C2.2 Frogs.................................................................................................................................50 C2.3 Mammals...........................................................................................................................52 C2.4 Birds..................................................................................................................................55 C2.5 Fish...................................................................................................................................62 C2.6 Invertebrate fauna.............................................................................................................63 C2.6.1 Comparability with previous (Biosphere 2006) results....................................................63 C2.6.2 Habitat availability in Ryde reserves...............................................................................63 Anne Clements & Associates Pty Limited 2 C2.6.2.1 Ground-layer vegetation..............................................................................................63 C2.6.2.2 Shrubs and mid-storey vegetation...............................................................................64 C2.6.2.3 Leaf litter and debris....................................................................................................64 C2.6.2.4 Aquatic habitats...........................................................................................................64 C2.6.2.5 Eucalyptus and Acacia spp. foliage.............................................................................64 C2.6.2.6 Tree trunks..................................................................................................................65 C2.6.3 Invertebrates recorded in the parks................................................................................65 Reference for Section C.............................................................................................................87 Appendix C1. Method details.....................................................................................................89 Acknowledgements....................................................................................................................91 Figures Site Location 1a. Boundaries of the six parks overlaid on the SIX Maps 1:25 000 topographic map 1a-1. Boundaries of Bell Park, Brush Farm Park, and Lambert Park overlaid on the SIX Maps 1:25 000 topographic map 1a-2. Boundaries of Darvall Park and Outlook Park overlaid on the SIX Maps 1:25 000 topographic map 1a-3. Boundary of the Field of Mars Reserve overlaid on the SIX Maps 1:25 000 topographic map 1b. Boundaries of the six parks overlaid on the NearMap aerial photograph (dated 19 January 2016) 1b-1. Boundaries of Bell Park, Brush Farm Park, and Lambert Park overlaid on the NearMap aerial photograph (dated 19 January 2016) 1b-2. Boundaries of Darvall Park and Outlook Park overlaid on the NearMap aerial photograph (dated 19 January 2016) 1b-3. Boundary of the Field of Mars Reserve overlaid on the NearMap aerial photograph (dated 19 January 2016) Zoning 2a. Boundaries of Brush Farm Park, Bell Park and Lambert Park overlaid on the Land Zoning map sheet LZN_002 (Ryde LEP 2014) 2b. Boundaries of Darvall Park and Outlook Park overlaid on the Land Zoning map sheet LZN_002 (Ryde LEP 2014) 2c. Boundary of the Field of Mars Reserve
Load more

Recommended publications
  • Native Plants Sixth Edition Sixth Edition AUSTRALIAN Native Plants Cultivation, Use in Landscaping and Propagation
    AUSTRALIAN NATIVE PLANTS SIXTH EDITION SIXTH EDITION AUSTRALIAN NATIVE PLANTS Cultivation, Use in Landscaping and Propagation John W. Wrigley Murray Fagg Sixth Edition published in Australia in 2013 by ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS Reed New Holland an imprint of New Holland Publishers (Australia) Pty Ltd Sydney • Auckland • London • Cape Town Many people have helped us since 1977 when we began writing the first edition of Garfield House 86–88 Edgware Road London W2 2EA United Kingdom Australian Native Plants. Some of these folk have regrettably passed on, others have moved 1/66 Gibbes Street Chatswood NSW 2067 Australia to different areas. We endeavour here to acknowledge their assistance, without which the 218 Lake Road Northcote Auckland New Zealand Wembley Square First Floor Solan Road Gardens Cape Town 8001 South Africa various editions of this book would not have been as useful to so many gardeners and lovers of Australian plants. www.newhollandpublishers.com To the following people, our sincere thanks: Steve Adams, Ralph Bailey, Natalie Barnett, www.newholland.com.au Tony Bean, Lloyd Bird, John Birks, Mr and Mrs Blacklock, Don Blaxell, Jim Bourner, John Copyright © 2013 in text: John Wrigley Briggs, Colin Broadfoot, Dot Brown, the late George Brown, Ray Brown, Leslie Conway, Copyright © 2013 in map: Ian Faulkner Copyright © 2013 in photographs and illustrations: Murray Fagg Russell and Sharon Costin, Kirsten Cowley, Lyn Craven (Petraeomyrtus punicea photograph) Copyright © 2013 New Holland Publishers (Australia) Pty Ltd Richard Cummings, Bert
    [Show full text]
  • Jervis Bay Territory Page 1 of 50 21-Jan-11 Species List for NRM Region (Blank), Jervis Bay Territory
    Biodiversity Summary for NRM Regions Species List What is the summary for and where does it come from? This list has been produced by the Department of Sustainability, Environment, Water, Population and Communities (SEWPC) for the Natural Resource Management Spatial Information System. The list was produced using the AustralianAustralian Natural Natural Heritage Heritage Assessment Assessment Tool Tool (ANHAT), which analyses data from a range of plant and animal surveys and collections from across Australia to automatically generate a report for each NRM region. Data sources (Appendix 2) include national and state herbaria, museums, state governments, CSIRO, Birds Australia and a range of surveys conducted by or for DEWHA. For each family of plant and animal covered by ANHAT (Appendix 1), this document gives the number of species in the country and how many of them are found in the region. It also identifies species listed as Vulnerable, Critically Endangered, Endangered or Conservation Dependent under the EPBC Act. A biodiversity summary for this region is also available. For more information please see: www.environment.gov.au/heritage/anhat/index.html Limitations • ANHAT currently contains information on the distribution of over 30,000 Australian taxa. This includes all mammals, birds, reptiles, frogs and fish, 137 families of vascular plants (over 15,000 species) and a range of invertebrate groups. Groups notnot yet yet covered covered in inANHAT ANHAT are notnot included included in in the the list. list. • The data used come from authoritative sources, but they are not perfect. All species names have been confirmed as valid species names, but it is not possible to confirm all species locations.
    [Show full text]
  • Lasianthos No.2
    S.G.l.l? OLD. REGION - LIBRARY - The Labiates of Australia More Locations for North Coast of New South Wales. The Racecourse Delicate Headland is in a sites included Racecourse Delicate relatively "undisturbed" state, Plectranthus cremnus Headland, Big Hill and Queens Head, currently weed invasion is minimal, By Robert Miller all south of the village of Crescent but Bitou Bush is steadily increasing. Head, east of Kempsey, NSW. At At the Queens Head site, re-inspected The article titled "Plectranthus Racecourse-Delicate the species is Oct 1994, Bitou Bush had gained the cremnus - More found but still rare" locally common in the eastern portion upper hand in many of the too few by Dr. Bany Conn (Lasianthos No. l), of the headland, whereas at both available niches where once small reported observations that the species Queens Head and Big Hill the species colonies of the species grew. The occurred at sites other than those appears to be rare. greatest threat to the species presently described in the type manuscript. The at Racecourse Delicate is over following short document describes Plectranthus cremnus prefers to grow visitation. The area is a renowned three further locations found by the in skeletal soil at the edges, or in fishing and surfing locality, scarred author and briefly outlines my ideas to crevices of exposed rock on the with numerous undefined walking conserve the species in the wild. windswept headland at Racecourse- tracks crisscrossing the headland. Delicate. Implementation of a Indiscriminate access is most prolific sympathetic manasement plan though, in the skeletal soil habitat favoured by - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - If .I , is essential to avoid Plectranthus P.
    [Show full text]
  • Threat Abatement Plan for Disease in Natural Ecosystems Caused by Phytophthora Cinnamomi
    Threat abatement plan for disease in natural ecosystems caused by Phytophthora cinnamomi March 2017 DRAFT FOR COMMENT © Copyright Commonwealth of Australia, 2017 The Threat abatement plan for disease in natural ecosystems caused by Phytophthora cinnamomi is licensed by the Commonwealth of Australia for use under a Creative Commons By Attribution 3.0 Australia licence with the exception of the Coat of Arms of the Commonwealth of Australia, the logo of the agency responsible for publishing the report, content supplied by third parties, and any images depicting people. For licence conditions see: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/au/. This DRAFT report should be attributed as ‘Threat abatement plan for disease in natural ecosystems caused by Phytophthora cinnamomi, Commonwealth of Australia, 2017’. The contents of this document have been compiled using a range of source materials and are valid as at March 2017. While reasonable efforts have been made to ensure that the contents of this publication are factually correct, the Commonwealth does not accept responsibility for the accuracy or completeness of the contents, and shall not be liable for any loss or damage that may be occasioned directly or indirectly through the use of, or reliance on, the contents of this publication. Table of Contents Threat abatement plan for disease in natural ecosystems caused by Phytophthora cinnamomi .......................................................................................................................... 1 Table of Contents..............................................................................................................
    [Show full text]
  • To Name Those Lost: Assessing Extinction Likelihood in the Australian Vascular Flora J.L
    To name those lost: assessing extinction likelihood in the Australian vascular flora J.L. SILCOCK, A.R. FIELD, N.G. WALSH and R.J. FENSHAM SUPPLEMENTARY TABLE 1 Presumed extinct plant taxa in Australia that are considered taxonomically suspect, or whose occurrence in Australia is considered dubious. These require clarification, and their extinction likelihood is not assessed here. Taxa are sorted alphabetically by family, then species. No. of Species EPBC1 Last collections References and/or pers. (Family) (State)2 Notes on taxonomy or occurrence State Bioregion/s collected (populations) comms Trianthema cypseleoides Sydney (Aizoaceae) X (X) Known only from type collection; taxonomy needs to be resolved prior to targeted surveys being conducted NSW Basin 1839 1 (1) Steve Douglas Frankenia decurrens (Frankeniaceae) X (X) Very close to F.cinerea and F.brachyphylla; requires taxonomic work to determine if it is a good taxon WA Warren 1850 1 (1) Robinson & Coates (1995) Didymoglossum exiguum Also occurs in India, Sri Lanka, Thailand, Malay Peninsula; known only from type collection in Australia by Domin; specimen exists, but Field & Renner (2019); Ashley (Hymenophyllaceae) X (X) can't rule out the possibility that Domin mislabelled some of these ferns from Bellenden Ker as they have never been found again. QLD Wet Tropics 1909 1 (1) Field Hymenophyllum lobbii Domin specimen in Prague; widespread in other countries; was apparently common and good precision record, so should have been Field & Renner (2019); Ashley (Hymenophyllaceae) X (X) refound by now if present QLD Wet Tropics 1909 1 (1) Field Avon Wheatbelt; Esperance Known from four collections between 1844 and 1892; in her unpublished conspectus of Hemigenia, Barbara Rye included H.
    [Show full text]
  • Native Pea Plants Walkabout KWG
    Native Pea Plants Walkabout KWG standard (petal) wing wing (petal) (petal) keel (2 petals) Pea plants and wattles (botanically, members of the Fabaceae family) both possess root nodules containing nitrogen-fixing bacteria and have pods as their fruit. We classify the pea plants as Fabaceae, Subfamily Faboideae, the wattles as Fabaceae, Subfamily Mimosoideae. Many native pea plants grow in Ku-ring-gai Wildflower Garden, most of them with yellow–coloured flowers. Take a walk through the garden and see if you can find them. To help with their identification pictures of these species are shown below and underneath each picture a few key features are noted. Fuller descriptions of these plants can be found on Australian Plants Society – North Shore Group Blandfordia website: https://austplants.com.au/North-Shore/ in “Notes” on the Walks & Talks page. Excellent pictures can be found on the Hornsby Library website: www.hornsby.nsw.gov.au/library under: eLibrary, Learning and Research, Hornsby Herbarium. Detailed botanical descriptions are given on the PlantNET website: http://plantnet.rbgsyd.nsw.gov.au/ Dillwynias – all have ‘ear-like’ standards Phyllota phylicoides: standard Pultenaea stipularis: slight dip in Dillwynia floribunda (topmost picture): cathedral-shaped, new growth standard, stem densely covered with flowers dense towards end of branches extends beyond inflorescence, brown stipules Dillwynia retorta: twisted leaves green leaf-like bracteoles Bossiaea heterophylla: large dip in Bossiaea obcordata: large dip in Bossiaea scolopendria:
    [Show full text]
  • Specified Protected Matters Impact Profiles (Including Risk Assessment)
    Appendix F Specified Protected Matters impact profiles (including risk assessment) Roads and Maritime Services EPBC Act Strategic Assessment – Strategic Assessment Report 1. FA1 - Wetland-dependent fauna Species included (common name, scientific name) Listing SPRAT ID Australasian Bittern (Botaurus poiciloptilus) Endangered 1001 Oxleyan Pygmy Perch (Nannoperca oxleyana) Endangered 64468 Blue Mountains Water Skink (Eulamprus leuraensis) Endangered 59199 Yellow-spotted Tree Frog/Yellow-spotted Bell Frog (Litoria castanea) Endangered 1848 Giant Burrowing Frog (Heleioporus australicus) Vulnerable 1973 Booroolong Frog (Litoria booroolongensis) Endangered 1844 Littlejohns Tree Frog (Litoria littlejohni) Vulnerable 64733 1.1 Wetland-dependent fauna description Item Summary Description Found in the waters, riparian vegetation and associated wetland vegetation of a diversity of freshwater wetland habitats. B. poiciloptilus is a large, stocky, thick-necked heron-like bird with camouflage-like plumage growing up to 66-76 cm with a wingspan of 1050-1180 cm and feeds on freshwater crustacean, fish, insects, snakes, leaves and fruit. N. oxleyana is light brown to olive coloured freshwater fish with mottling and three to four patchy, dark brown bars extending from head to tail and a whitish belly growing up to 35-60 mm. This is a mobile species that is often observed individually or in pairs and sometimes in small groups but does not form schools and feed on aquatic insects and their larvae (Allen, 1989; McDowall, 1996). E. leuraensis is an insectivorous, medium-sized lizard growing to approximately 20 cm in length. This species has a relatively dark brown/black body when compared to other Eulamprus spp. Also has narrow yellow/bronze to white stripes along its length to beginning of the tail and continuing along the tail as a series of spots (LeBreton, 1996; Cogger, 2000).
    [Show full text]
  • Ecology of Pyrmont Peninsula 1788 - 2008
    Transformations: Ecology of Pyrmont peninsula 1788 - 2008 John Broadbent Transformations: Ecology of Pyrmont peninsula 1788 - 2008 John Broadbent Sydney, 2010. Ecology of Pyrmont peninsula iii Executive summary City Council’s ‘Sustainable Sydney 2030’ initiative ‘is a vision for the sustainable development of the City for the next 20 years and beyond’. It has a largely anthropocentric basis, that is ‘viewing and interpreting everything in terms of human experience and values’(Macquarie Dictionary, 2005). The perspective taken here is that Council’s initiative, vital though it is, should be underpinned by an ecocentric ethic to succeed. This latter was defined by Aldo Leopold in 1949, 60 years ago, as ‘a philosophy that recognizes[sic] that the ecosphere, rather than any individual organism[notably humans] is the source and support of all life and as such advises a holistic and eco-centric approach to government, industry, and individual’(http://dictionary.babylon.com). Some relevant considerations are set out in Part 1: General Introduction. In this report, Pyrmont peninsula - that is the communities of Pyrmont and Ultimo – is considered as a microcosm of the City of Sydney, indeed of urban areas globally. An extensive series of early views of the peninsula are presented to help the reader better visualise this place as it was early in European settlement (Part 2: Early views of Pyrmont peninsula). The physical geography of Pyrmont peninsula has been transformed since European settlement, and Part 3: Physical geography of Pyrmont peninsula describes the geology, soils, topography, shoreline and drainage as they would most likely have appeared to the first Europeans to set foot there.
    [Show full text]
  • Somersby Mintbush Prostanthera Junonis Recovery Plan
    Approved Recovery Plan Somersby Mintbush Prostanthera junonis Recovery Plan October 2000 © NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service, 2000. This work is copyright. Apart from any use as permitted under the Copyright Act 1968, no part may be reproduced without prior written permission from NPWS. NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service 43 Bridge Street (PO Box 1967) Hurstville NSW 2220 Tel: 02 95856678 www.npws.nsw.gov.au For further information contact Threatened Species Unit, Central Directorate. NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service P.O. Box 1967 Hurstville NSW 2220 Tel 02 9585 6678 Cover illustration, Prostanthera junonis, reproduced with permission from the Royal Botanic Gardens, Sydney. This plan should be cited as following NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service (2000) Somersby Mintbush Prostanthera junonis Recovery Plan. NSW NPWS. Hurstville NSW, 67pp. ISBN 0 733 6173 3 NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service Recovery Planning Program Somersby Mintbush Prostanthera junonis Recovery Plan Prepared in accordance with the New South Wales Threatened Species Conservation Act 1995 and the Commonwealth Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 October 2000 Acknowledgments The NPWS wishes to acknowledge the following individuals and organisations for their contributions to the development of this recovery plan: This plan was prepared through joint funding from the NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service, Gosford City Council and Environment Australia (Commonwealth Endangered Species Project No. 548). The Prostanthera junonis Recovery Team: Alan Henderson and Neil Martin (NPWS), Barry Conn and Graeme Errington (Royal Botanic Gardens Sydney), John Allen (Gosford City Council), and Algis Sutas (DLWC) commented on drafts of the plan and the direction of the management actions, and shared local knowledge and personal information about the species.
    [Show full text]
  • Sydney Metro West – Stage 1, Technical Paper 10: Biodiversity Development Assessment Report
    West Westmead to The Bays and Sydney CBD Environmental Impact Statement Concept and Stage 1 Technical Paper 10 Biodiversity development assessment report Sydney Metro West – Stage 1 Technical Paper 10: Biodiversity Development Assessment Report Final Sydney Metro Biodiversity Development Assessment Report Sydney Metro Sydney Metro West – Stage 1 Project No: IA199800 Document Title: Biodiversity Development Assessment Report Revision: Final Date: April 2020 Client Name: Sydney Metro Project Manager: Katrina Smallwood Author: Lukas Clews Jacobs Group (Australia) Pty Limited ABN 37 001 024 095 Level 7, 177 Pacific Highway North Sydney NSW 2060 Australia PO Box 632 North Sydney NSW 2059 Australia T +61 2 9928 2100 F +61 2 9928 2444 www.jacobs.com © Copyright 2020 Jacobs Group (Australia) Pty Limited. The concepts and information contained in this document are the property of Jacobs. Use or copying of this document in whole or in part without the written permission of Jacobs constitutes an infringement of copyright. Limitation: This document has been prepared on behalf of, and for the exclusive use of Jacobs’ client, and is subject to, and issued in accordance with, the provisions of the contract between Jacobs and the client. Jacobs accepts no liability or responsibility whatsoever for, or in respect of, any use of, or reliance upon, this document by any third party. Sydney Metro West – Stage 1 Technical Paper 10: Biodiversity Development Assessment Report Contents Glossary of terms ...........................................................................................................................................................................
    [Show full text]
  • Ingleside Precinct – Draft Biodiversity Assessment Report
    Ingleside Precinct – Draft Biodiversity Assessment Report Prepared for Department of Planning and Environment October 2016 Draft Biodiversity Assessment Report DOCUMENT TRACKING Item Detail Project Name Ingleside Draft Biodiversity Assessment Report Project Number 13SYDPLA-0039 Project Manager Steven Ward Prepared by Belinda Failes, Jennie Powell, Steven Ward Reviewed by Steven Ward, Mark Adams Approved by Mark Adams Status Final Version Number 8 Last saved on 28 October 2016 Top Coastal Upland Damp Heath Swamp (EEC). Cover photo Bottom left to right: Xanthorrhoea arborea, Grevillea caleyi (threatened flora species), Scaevola ramosissima and Needlebush - banksia wet heath community. All photos taken by BF between 15.12.13 and 16.01.14 What the photo is, date taken and who took the picture This report should be cited as ‘Eco Logical Australia 2016. Ingleside Biodiversity Certification: Draft Biodiversity Assessment Report. Prepared for Department of Planning and Environment.’ ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS This document has been prepared by Eco Logical Australia Pty Ltd with support from Department of Planning & Environment and Pittwater Council. Disclaimer This document may only be used for the purpose for which it was commissioned and in accordance with the contract between Eco Logical Australia Pty Ltd and Department of Planning and Environment. The scope of services was defined in consultation with Department of Planning and Environment, by time and budgetary constraints imposed by the client, and the availability of reports and other data on the subject area. Changes to available information, legislation and schedules are made on an ongoing basis and readers should obtain up to date information. Eco Logical Australia Pty Ltd accepts no liability or responsibility whatsoever for or in respect of any use of or reliance upon this report and its supporting material by any third party.
    [Show full text]
  • Alternative Approaches for Resolving the Phylogeny of Lamiaceae
    OUT OF THE BUSHES AND INTO THE TREES: ALTERNATIVE APPROACHES FOR RESOLVING THE PHYLOGENY OF LAMIACEAE By GRANT THOMAS GODDEN A DISSERTATION PRESENTED TO THE GRADUATE SCHOOL OF THE UNIVERSITY OF FLORIDA IN PARTIAL FULFILLMENT OF THE REQUIREMENTS FOR THE DEGREE OF DOCTOR OF PHILOSOPHY UNIVERSITY OF FLORIDA 2014 © 2014 Grant Thomas Godden To my father, Clesson Dale Godden Jr., who would have been proud to see me complete this journey, and to Mr. Tea and Skippyjon Jones, who sat patiently by my side and offered friendship along the way ACKNOWLEDGMENTS I would like to express my deepest gratitude for the consistent support of my advisor, Dr. Pamela Soltis, whose generous allocation of time, innovative advice, encouragement, and mentorship positively shaped my research and professional development. I also offer my thanks to Dr. J. Gordon Burleigh, Dr. Bryan Drew, Dr. Ingrid Jordon-Thaden, Dr. Stephen Smith, and the members of my committee—Dr. Nicoletta Cellinese, Dr. Walter Judd, Dr. Matias Kirst, and Dr. Douglas Soltis—for their helpful advice, guidance, and research support. I also acknowledge the many individuals who helped make possible my field research activities in the United States and abroad. I wish to extend a special thank you to Dr. Angelica Cibrian Jaramillo, who kindly hosted me in her laboratory at the National Laboratory of Genomics for Biodiversity (Langebio) and helped me acquire collecting permits and resources in Mexico. Additional thanks belong to Francisco Mancilla Barboza, Gerardo Balandran, and Praxaedis (Adan) Sinaca for their field assistance in Northeastern Mexico; my collecting trip was a great success thanks to your resourcefulness and on-site support.
    [Show full text]