DOCSLIB.ORG

Behavioral Change and Phenological Response in Captive Loggerhead Sea Turtles (Caretta Caretta): Seasonal Patterns and the Migra

Total Page：16

File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb

Download full-text PDF Read full-text
Behavioral Change and Phenological Response in Captive Loggerhead Sea Turtles (Caretta Caretta): Seasonal Patterns and the Migra BEHAVIORAL CHANGE AND PHENOLOGICAL RESPONSE IN CAPTIVE LOGGERHEAD SEA TURTLES (CARETTA CARETTA): SEASONAL PATTERNS AND THE MIGRATORY PROCESS A Thesis Presented to The Faculty of the College of Arts and Sciences Florida Gulf Coast University In Partial Fulfillment Of the Requirement for the Degree of Master of Science By Amber Shaw 2018 2 Florida Gulf Coast University Thesis APPROVAL SHEET This thesis is submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Science Amber Shaw Approved: September 24th, 2018 Phil Allman, Advisor Win Everham, Committee Member Brian Bovard, Committee Member The final copy of this thesis has been examined by the signatories, and we find that both the content and the form meet acceptable presentation standards of scholarly work in the above mentioned discipline. 3 Acknowledgements The emotional cycle of completing a master’s thesis is the constant shift between feelings of excitement and achievement, followed by confusion and despair. The support and help provided by so many individuals throughout this process has been crucial to my success. Above all, I would like to thank the members of my thesis committee. I am grateful to Dr. Phil Allman, for agreeing to be my adviser. My situation was not typical of most graduate students, but he continually offered patience and guidance from a distance, and pushed me to work through the various challenges I faced. Dr. Win Everham and I spent many hours in the computer lab manipulating the environmental data. It was during these discussions that the idea of a “critical period” emerged as a way to elaborate phenological response. Dr. Brian Bovard’s assistance in the behavioral data analysis was invaluable every step (and misstep) of the way. I genuinely appreciate the time and effort all three of them made to coordinate committee meetings, exemplified by our first meeting in which they carpooled from Fort Myers to Sarasota to meet at my study site. I owe a huge thanks to my amazing coworkers, Holly West and Lauren Miller. Holly and I worked together for many years, and we had talked about investigating behavioral change in the captive loggerheads we cared for. Both she and Lauren, along with many wonderful interns, contributed to this study, conducting hundreds of observations and entering enormous amounts of data. They were both also willing to cover work shifts so I could return to school to pursue my graduate degree, and even more importantly, were sources of moral support throughout the entire process. Additionally, Dr. John Reynolds (although no longer with us), was a source of unwavering encouragement in my workplace. 4 I would also like to extend thanks to Mote Marine Laboratory and the Office of Research and Graduate Studies at Florida Gulf Coast University. Both institutions provided funding that helped support my pursuance of a graduate degree. Although my distance from FGCU prevented me from spending a lot of time with the Herpetology Research Lab, the group provided a sense of comradery for an exhausted graduate student, and it was motivating to see so much enthusiasm for reptiles and amphibians among the students. In particular, I want to thank Ivana Lezcano for taking an interest in my project and volunteering her time to go through some of the nocturnal video data for me. Finally, I want to thank my family. My love of animals and the natural world started at a very young age, and my parents have always supported my interests, even when it meant disappearing into the jungle for a few months in Costa Rica to tag nesting turtles. I could not have done any of this without the love and support of my husband, Carlie, and my daughter, Elia. They are my source of inspiration. I cannot express my gratitude to them enough for always being by my side and believing in me. <4. 5 This project would not have been possible without Montego and Shelley, the two best loggerheads I know. Thank you for being ambassadors for your species and helping educate the world about sea turtles. 6 Abstract Understanding vital life history processes is critical to the conservation and management of endangered species, especially in light of changing global climate conditions and the verging unknown impacts this will have on these mechanisms. The goal of this study was to employ direct observation methods on captive loggerhead sea turtles (Caretta caretta) to examine behavioral change as a proxy for the reproductive migratory process. Diurnal and nocturnal observations were conducted on two mature female loggerheads housed at Mote Marine Laboratory in Sarasota, Florida, from December 2013 through December 2015. Both turtles displayed a reduced interest in food during the winter season each year, which lasted approximately 11 weeks in 2014 and 14 weeks in 2015, with a five week difference in timing between individuals. This time period corresponded with observed change in activity levels, swim patterns, interactions, and location preferences for both animals. There was a rise in diurnal resting, coinciding with a decrease in diurnal swimming as well as a decrease in interactions with their environment. Activity levels increased at night, with some nights of prolonged heightened swimming episodes. One of the turtles exhibited a swim pattern of fixated, directional movement into the wall at increased frequency during this time frame. Both animals spent the majority of their time in a small section of their habitat proximal to the open sky. Three environmental variables (air temperature, photoperiod, and lunar phase) were tracked during this study to investigate potential zeitgebers in sea turtles. Patterns indicate a possible response to day length and stage of the moon, though these findings are speculative and require further research. Behavioral changes noted here suggest that reproductively mature sea turtles display a form of migratory restlessness in a captive setting, and turtles may utilize a nocturnal swimming strategy during the pre-nesting migration. This study highlights the importance of direct observations 7 when examining behavior and the benefits of using captive animals to help understand processes that are difficult to investigate in the wild. 8 Table of Contents Introduction …………………………………………………………………………………… 11 Goals and Objectives …………………………………………………………………………. 25 Methods ……………………………………………………………………………………….. 26 Study Species and Site ………………………………………………………………… 26 Experimental Design ………………………………………………………………….. 27 Data Collection ……………………………………………………………………….. 29 Statistical Analysis ……………………………………………………………………. 31 Results ………………………………………………………………………………………… 33 Diurnal Behavior ……………………………………………………………………... 34 Nocturnal Behavior …………………………………………………………………… 39 Environmental Factors ……………………………………………………………….. 40 Discussion …………………………………………………………………………………….. 47 Behavioral Change …………………………………………………………………… 49 Environmental Factors ……………………………………………………………….. 59 Future Studies ………………………………………………………………………… 65 Management Implications ……………………………………………………………. 67 Conclusions …………………………………………………………………………... 68 Literature Cited ………………………………………………………………………………. 70 Appendices ………………………………………………………………………………….... 79 9 List of Figures Figure 1. Conceptual diagram of a sea turtle’s life cycle ……………………………….......... 19 Figure 2. Images of study subjects (Turtle M and Turtle S) …………………………………. 26 Figure 3. Habitat and study site …………………………………………………………….... 30 Figure 4. Diurnal activity levels for Turtle M and Turtle S over a two year period …………. 35 Figure 5. Frequency of swim pattern for periods of decreased food interest and normal food interest for Turtle M and Turtle S ……………………………………………………………. 36 Figure 6. Interactions with rocks for Turtle M and EEDs for Turtle S ……………………… 38 Figure 7. Percentage of time Turtle M and Turtle S spent in each location within the habitat during the time frame of decreased food interest …………………………………………….. 40 Figure 8. Schematic of permanent habitat for study subjects ………………………………... 42 Figure 9. Nocturnal behavioral patterns for Turtle M and Turtle S …………………………. 43 Figure 10. Environmental factor trends beginning in the late fall and ending in the late winter for the 2013-14 season and 2014-15 season …………………………………………………. 44 Figure 11. Swim patterns exhibited by study subjects ………………………………………. 53 Figure 12. Turtle’s interactions with objects within the environment ………………………. 58 10 List of Tables Table 1. Description of behaviors listed in ethogram for diurnal and nocturnal observations… 28 Table 2. Summary of change in food interest for subjects from December 2013 through December 2015 ………………………………………………………………………………. 33 Table 3. SIMPER results showing the distance or dissimilarity between the proposed critical periods and the days outside of those periods, with respect to the environmental factors …... 41 Table 4. Environmental characteristics of the proposed critical periods for Turtle M and Turtle S ………………………………………………………………………………………. 45 11 Introduction Migration is a fascinating phenomenon; ubiquitous in the natural world and an integral part of the structure and function of many ecosystems (Fryxell et al. 2011, Shaw 2016). It can be defined a number of ways, but in general it is commonly agreed upon that a migration has one or more of the following attributes: focused, directed movement; movement over a long-distance and duration of time; and movement back and forth between distinct home ranges (Russell et al. 2005, Fryxell et al. 2011). Migratory behavior is seen in multiple life stages of a variety of taxa and occurs for
Load more

Recommended publications
  • A Salmon-Like Approach to MANET Routing
    SRA: A Salmon-Like Approach to MANET Routing Filomena de Santis and Daniele Mastrangelo Dipartimento di Informatica e Applicazioni, University of Salerno Via Ponte don Melillo, I-84084, Fisciano (SA), Italy [email protected], [email protected] Abstract. Wireless mobile ad-hoc networks are characterized by the lack of physical connections. Due to the mobility of nodes, interferences, multipath propagations and path losses, they do not exhibit a fixed topology; hence, dynamic routing protocols are required. In recent years, new approaches inspired by nature have been tried: among them, particular interest has been raised by ants and bees colonies. The characteristics inherited by the collective behaviors of social insects empower algorithms with features such autonomy, self-organization, adaptivity, robustness, and scalability. Here, we propose a salmon-based approach, that, although different since salmons do not show evidence of social behaviors, suggests interesting cues to solve the routing problem when observing salmons in their way from the birth river to the sea, and back at the spawning time. Keywords: Wireless communications, mobile ad-hoc networks, routing algorithms, bio-inspired paradigms of computation. 1 Introduction Advances in wireless communication technology have strongly encouraged the use of low-cost and powerful wireless transceivers in mobile applications. As compared with wired networks, mobile networks exhibit unique features: recurrent network topology changes, link capacity fluctuations, critical bounds to their performances. Mobile networks can be classified into infrastructure networks and mobile ad hoc networks [1]. In an infrastructure mobile network, mobile nodes communicate through wired access points that work in the node transmission range and create the backbone of the network.
    [Show full text]
  • Social Relationships in a Small Habitat-Dependent Coral Reef Fish: an Ecological, Behavioural and Genetic Analysis
    ResearchOnline@JCU This file is part of the following reference: Rueger, Theresa (2016) Social relationships in a small habitat-dependent coral reef fish: an ecological, behavioural and genetic analysis. PhD thesis, James Cook University. Access to this file is available from: http://researchonline.jcu.edu.au/46690/ The author has certified to JCU that they have made a reasonable effort to gain permission and acknowledge the owner of any third party copyright material included in this document. If you believe that this is not the case, please contact [email protected] and quote http://researchonline.jcu.edu.au/46690/ Social relationships in a small habitat- dependent coral reef fish: an ecological, behavioural and genetic analysis Thesis submitted by Theresa Rueger, March 2016 for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy College of Marine and Environmental Science & ARC Centre of Excellence for Coral Reef Studies James Cook University Declaration of Ethics This research presented and reported in this thesis was conducted in compliance with the National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC) Australian Code of Practice for the Care and Use of Animals for Scientific Purposes, 7th Edition, 2004 and the Qld Animal Care and Protection Act, 2001. The proposed research study received animal ethics approval from the JCU Animal Ethics Committee Approval Number #A1847. Signature ___31/3/2016___ Date i Acknowledgement This thesis was no one-woman show. There is a huge number of people who contributed, directly or indirectly, to its existence. I had amazing support during my field work, by fellow students and good friends Tiffany Sih, James White, Patrick Smallhorn-West, and Mariana Alvarez-Noriega.
    [Show full text]
  • Natal Fidelity: a Literature Review in Relation to the Management of the New Zealand Hoki (Macruronus Novaezelandiae) Stocks
    New Zealand Fisheries Assessment Report 2011/34 September 2011 ISSN 1175-1584 (print) ISSN 1179-5352 (online) Natal fidelity: a literature review in relation to the management of the New Zealand hoki (Macruronus novaezelandiae) stocks P.L. Horn Natal fidelity: a literature review in relation to the management of the New Zealand hoki (Macruronus novaezelandiae) stocks P.L. Horn NIWA Private Bag 14901 Wellington 6241 New Zealand Fisheries Assessment Report 2011/34 September 2011 Published by Ministry of Fisheries Wellington 2011 ISSN 1175-1584 (print) ISSN 1179-5352 (online) © Ministry of Fisheries 2011 Horn, P.L. (2011). Natal fidelity: a literature review in relation to the management of the New Zealand hoki (Macruronus novaezelandiae) stocks. New Zealand Fisheries Assessment Report 2011/34 This series continues the informal New Zealand Fisheries Assessment Research Document series which ceased at the end of 1999. EXECUTIVE SUMMARY Horn, P.L. (2011). Natal fidelity: a literature review in relation to the management of the New Zealand hoki (Macruronus novaezelandiae) stocks. New Zealand Fisheries Assessment Report 2011/34 A review of published literature on natal fidelity (a behaviour whereby a fish always returns to spawn on the spawning ground where it originated) is presented here. The aim of the review was to determine which species exhibit natal fidelity, and what methods were used to determine this characteristic. The likely applicability of any of the methods as a means to investigate natal fidelity in hoki was evaluated. Currently, two possible life history model structures for hoki are considered. One assumes natal fidelity; the other assumes that fish "choose" a spawning ground at random for their first spawning and always return to it in following years.
    [Show full text]
  • Biological Opinion on U.S. Navy SURTASS LFA Sonar Activities 2019
    Biological Opinion on U.S. Navy SURTASS LFA Sonar Activities Consultation No. OPR-2019-00120 TABLE OF CONTENTS Page 1 Introduction ........................................................................................................................... 1 1.1 Background ...................................................................................................................... 2 1.2 Consultation History ........................................................................................................ 3 2 The Assessment Framework ................................................................................................ 5 2.1 Evidence Available for the Consultation ......................................................................... 8 2.1.1 Approach to Assessing Effects to Marine Mammals ................................................ 9 2.1.2 Approach to Assessing Effects to Sea Turtles ........................................................ 24 3 Description of the Proposed Action ................................................................................... 25 3.1 The Navy’s Proposed Action ......................................................................................... 26 3.2 Description of the Surveillance Towed Array Sensor System (SURTASS) Low Frequency Active (LFA) Sonar System ................................................................................... 28 3.2.1 Passive Sonar System Components ........................................................................ 29 3.2.2 Active
    [Show full text]
  • Marine Ecology Progress Series 548:181
    Vol. 548: 181–196, 2016 MARINE ECOLOGY PROGRESS SERIES Published April 21 doi: 10.3354/meps11623 Mar Ecol Prog Ser OPEN ACCESS Isotopes and genes reveal freshwater origins of Chinook salmon Oncorhynchus tshawytscha aggregations in California’s coastal ocean Rachel C. Johnson1,2,*, John Carlos Garza1,3, R. Bruce MacFarlane1,4, Churchill B. Grimes1,4, Corey C. Phillis5,8, Paul L. Koch6, Peter K. Weber7, Mark H. Carr2 1Fisheries Ecology Division, Southwest Fisheries Science Center, National Marine Fisheries Service, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, 110 Shaffer Road, Santa Cruz, CA 95060, USA 2Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, University of California, Santa Cruz, 110 Shaffer Road, Santa Cruz, CA 95060, USA 3Department of Ocean Sciences, University of California, Santa Cruz, 1156 High Street, Santa Cruz, CA 95060, USA 4Institute of Marine Sciences, University of California, Santa Cruz, 110 Shaffer Road, Santa Cruz, CA 95060, USA 5Department of Earth and Planetary Science, University of California, Berkeley, 307 McCone Hall, Berkeley, CA 94720, USA 6Department of Earth and Planetary Science, University of California, Santa Cruz, 1156 High Street, Santa Cruz, CA 95060, USA 7Glenn T. Seaborg Institute, Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, 7000 East Avenue, Livermore, CA 94550, USA 8Present address: Metropolitan Water District of Southern California, 1121 L St. Suite 900, Sacramento, CA 95814, USA ABSTRACT: The ability of salmon to navigate from the ocean back to their river of origin to spawn acts to reinforce local adaptation and maintenance of unique and heritable traits among salmon populations. Here, the extent to which Chinook salmon Oncorhynchus tshawytscha from the same freshwater breeding groups associate together in the ocean at regional and smaller-scale aggre- gations prior to homeward migration is evaluated.
    [Show full text]
  • Geomagnetic Imprinting: a Unifying Hypothesis of Long-Distance Natal Homing in Salmon and Sea Turtles Kenneth J
    Geomagnetic imprinting: A unifying hypothesis of long-distance natal homing in salmon and sea turtles Kenneth J. Lohmann1, Nathan F. Putman, and Catherine M. F. Lohmann Department of Biology, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC 27599 Edited by Ran Nathan, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Jerusalem, Israel, and accepted by the Editorial Board July 1, 2008 (received for review February 25, 2008) Several marine animals, including salmon and sea turtles, disperse movement ecology linkage between an environmental factor across vast expanses of ocean before returning as adults to their (the Earth’s magnetic field) and navigational capacity, also natal areas to reproduce. How animals accomplish such feats of suggests the surprising possibility that rapid, naturally occurring natal homing has remained an enduring mystery. Salmon are changes in the Earth’s field occasionally exert a strong influence known to use chemical cues to identify their home rivers at the end on ecological processes by altering animal movements. of spawning migrations. Such cues, however, do not extend far enough into the ocean to guide migratory movements that begin Migrations of Salmon and Sea Turtles in open-sea locations hundreds or thousands of kilometers away. Tremendous variation exists in the life history and migratory Similarly, how sea turtles reach their nesting areas from distant patterns of different species and populations of both salmon and sites is unknown. However, both salmon and sea turtles detect the sea turtles (4–6). For our purposes, we
    [Show full text]
  • Collective Behavior As a Driver of Critical Transitions in Migratory Populations Andrew Berdahl1,2*†, Anieke Van Leeuwen2†, Simon A
    Berdahl et al. Movement Ecology (2016) 4:18 DOI 10.1186/s40462-016-0083-8 RESEARCH Open Access Collective behavior as a driver of critical transitions in migratory populations Andrew Berdahl1,2*†, Anieke van Leeuwen2†, Simon A. Levin2 and Colin J. Torney2,3 Abstract Background: Mass migrations are among the most striking examples of animal movement in the natural world. Such migrations are major drivers of ecosystem processes and strongly influence the survival and fecundity of individuals. For migratory animals, a formidable challenge is to find their way over long distances and through complex, dynamic environments. However, recent theoretical and empirical work suggests that by traveling in groups, individuals are able to overcome these challenges and increase their ability to navigate. Here we use models to explore the implications of collective navigation on migratory, and population, dynamics, for both breeding migrations (to-and-fro migrations between distinct, fixed, end-points) and feeding migrations (loop migrations that track favorable conditions). Results: We show that while collective navigation does improve a population’s ability to migrate accurately, it can lead to Allee effects, causing the sudden collapse of populations if numbers fall below a critical threshold. In some scenarios, hysteresis prevents the migration from recovering even after the cause of the collapse has been removed. In collectively navigating populations that are locally adapted to specific breeding sites, a slight increase in mortality can cause a collapse of genetic population structure, rather than population size, making it more difficult to detect and prevent. Conclusions: Despite the large interest in collective behavior and its ubiquity in many migratory species, there is a notable lack of studies considering the implications of social navigation on the ecological dynamics of migratory species.
    [Show full text]
  • The Implications of Philopatry in Sharks for the Management of Shark Fisheries (Elasmobranch Fisheries – Oral)
    NOT TO BE CITED WITHOUT PRIOR REFERENCE TO THE AUTHOR(S) Northwest Atlantic Fisheries Organization Serial No. N4744 NAFO SCR Doc. 02/122 SCIENTIFIC COUNCIL MEETING – SEPTEMBER 2002 The Implications of Philopatry in Sharks for the Management of Shark Fisheries (Elasmobranch Fisheries – Oral) by R.E. Hueter1, M.R. Heupel1, E.J. Heist2 and D.B. Keeney2 1 Center for Shark Research, Mote Marine Laboratory, Sarasota, Florida 34236 USA 2 Fisheries and Illinois Aquaculture Center, Southern Illinois University, Carbondale, Illinois 62901 USA Abstract Evidence of philopatric behavior in sharks is accumulating through various sources of data, including studies of shark behavior, genetics and fisheries. If sharks display some natural tendencies to return to a home area, birthplace or another adopted locality during portions of their life cycles, as opposed to roaming and dispersing throughout their overall ranges, the impact of fisheries removals and habitat alterations on shark populations and stocks could be profoundly affected. We review the accumulating evidence for philopatry in sharks and discuss its ramifications for the fisheries management and conservation of shark species. Introduction Philopatry, derived from the Greek for “home-loving,” is the tendency of an individual to return to, or stay in, its home area, natal site, or another adopted locality (Mayr, 1963), as opposed to nonreturning roaming behavior or simple dispersal away from home areas. Although most research on philopatry has concentrated on the homing behavior of migratory birds, it now appears that most animal species display some degree of philopatric behavior. Philopatric tendencies can be strong or weak for a given species, and special patterns of this behavior can include natal philopatry (returning to the natal nursery area) and sex-specific philopatry, where one sex is more philopatric than the other, as in many male birds and female mammals.
    [Show full text]
  • Evidence for Geomagnetic Imprinting As a Homing Mechanism in Pacific Salmon
    Evidence for geomagnetic imprinting as a homing mechanism in Pacific salmon Authors: Nathan F. Putman1*, Kenneth J. Lohmann2, Emily M. Putman, Thomas P. Quinn3, A. Peter Klimley4, & David L.G. Noakes1,5 Affiliations: 1. Department of Fisheries and Wildlife, Oregon State University, 104 Nash Hall, Corvallis, OR 97331, USA 2. Department of Biology, CB #3280, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA 3. School of Aquatic and Fishery Sciences, University of Washington, Box 355020, Seattle, Washington, 98195, USA 4. Department of Wildlife, Fisheries, and Conservation Biology, University of California, Davis, One Shields Ave., Davis, CA 95616, USA 5. Oregon Hatchery Research Center, 2418 Fall Creek Road, Alsea, Oregon, 97324, USA * author for correspondence, [email protected] Running head: Geomagnetic imprinting in Pacific salmon Key words: navigation; orientation; magnetic map; magnetoreception; salmon; imprinting; geomagnetic secular variation Highlights: • Sockeye salmon use geomagnetic imprinting as a homing mechanism. • The homing route of salmon is predicted by magnetic field drift (secular variation). Putman et al. 1 Summary: In the final phase of their spawning migration, Pacific salmon use chemical cues to identify their home river, but how they navigate from the open ocean to the correct coastal area has remained enigmatic [1]. To test the hypothesis that salmon imprint on the magnetic field that exists where they first enter the sea and later seek the same field upon return [2-4], we analyzed a 56-year fisheries dataset on Fraser River sockeye salmon, which must detour around Vancouver Island to approach the river through either a north or south passageway [5,6].
    [Show full text]
  • University of California Santa Cruz Creation And
    UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA SANTA CRUZ CREATION AND UTILIZATION OF NOVEL GENETIC METHODS FOR STUDYING AND IMPROVING MANAGEMENT OF CHINOOK SALMON POPULATIONS A dissertation submitted in partial satisfaction of the requirements for the degree of DOCTOR OF PHILOSOPHY in OCEAN SCIENCES by Anthony J. Clemento December 2013 The Dissertation of Anthony J. Clemento is approved: Dr. John Carlos Garza, Chair Dr. Jonathan Zehr Dr. Grant Pogson Dr. Eric Anderson Dean Tyrus Miller Vice Provost and Dean of Graduate Studies Copyright c by Anthony J. Clemento 2013 Table of Contents List of Figures vi List of Tables viii Abstract xi Dedication xiv Acknowledgments xv Introduction 1 1 Discovery and characterization of single nucleotide polymorphisms in Chinook salmon, Oncorhynchus tshawytscha 10 1.1 Abstract . 10 1.2 Introduction . 11 1.3 Methods . 16 1.3.1 Primer Design and PCR . 16 1.3.2 Sequencing and SNP Assay Development . 17 1.4 Results . 20 1.5 Discussion . 41 2 Evaluation of a SNP baseline for genetic stock identification of Chi- nook salmon (Oncorhynchus tshawytscha) in the California Current Large Marine Ecosystem 48 2.1 Abstract . 48 2.2 Acknowledgments . 50 2.3 Introduction . 51 2.4 Methods . 55 2.4.1 Baseline Populations . 55 2.4.2 Markers and Genotyping . 60 2.4.3 Marker Selection . 61 iii 2.4.4 Population Genetics Analyses . 66 2.4.5 Power Analyses . 67 2.4.6 Mixed Fishery Samples . 69 2.5 Results . 71 2.5.1 Genotyping and Basic Population Genetics . 71 2.5.2 Assignment and Mixture Estimation Accuracy . 75 2.5.3 Fishery Sample .
    [Show full text]
  • Conservation Genetics
    9 Conservation Genetics Modern biology has produced a genuinely new way of looking at the world . to the degree that we come to understand other organisms, we will place a greater value on them, and on ourselves. E.O. Wilson, 1984 In the final analysis, concerns about the conservation of biodiversity represent concerns about the conservation of genetic diversity. As we have seen, this genetic diversity is arranged hierarchically, from the family units, extended kinships, and geographic population structures within species, to a graded scale of genetic differences among reproductively isolated taxa that have been sepa­ rated phylogenetically for various lengths of evolutionary time. As we have also seen, the visible external phenotypes of organisms are not an infallible guide to how this genetic diversity is partitioned. Ironically, even as we gain the molec­ ular tools to assess genetic heterogeneity in new and exciting ways, the marvel­ ous biodiversity that has carpeted our planet is being lost at a pace that is nearly unprecedented in the history of life, due to direct and indirect effects of explosive human population growth (Ehrlich and Ehrlich, 1991). One goal of conservation biology is to preserve genetic diversity. Another goal should be to preserve evolutionary processes. Hybridization, introgression, and speciation are examples of natural and dynamic evolutionary processes that exert great influence on how genetic diversity is organized, yet these forces are some­ times viewed with considerable naivety in conservation legislation (such as that designed to protect "endangered species"). Not only must societies find ways to 361 J. C. Avise, Molecular Markers, Natural History and Evolution © Chapman & Hall 1994 362 Conservation Genetics preserve existing genetic diversity, but they also must seek sustainable environ­ ments for life in which the evolutionary processes fostering biotic diversity are maintained.
    [Show full text]
  • Wildlife Rehabilitators of North Carolina
    Wildlife Rehabilitators of North Carolina SUMMER 2012 ISSUE 47, JUNE 2012 Message from the WRNC President Inside this issue: Greetings WRNC Members and Friends, From the President 1 Imprinting, Part 3 2 The baby seasons are upon us, and as rehabilitators we often find ourselves working long hours in stressful situations. Please make the Coyote Hunting 4 time to take a break and spend some quality time with your family and Beginner Basics 6 friends. Taking care of yourself is essential so that you may continue to Members in the News 7 care for your wildlife patients. Call of the Wild 7 Tales from the Field 8 Remember to set limitations so that you are not overextended. There is nothing wrong with just letting the phone calls go to voicemail. Don't Wildlife Map 8 try and work to all hours of the night - pick a closing time and stick with Creature Feature 9 it. People can call you and bring you patients in the morning. Your Committee Updates 10 sleep is important to help you be alert and refreshed as you tackle the Upcoming Events 11 new day. Announcements 11 Utilize the networking system and call upon your fellow WRNC rehabilitators. Refer calls to others that may be closer, or to those who specialize in different species. It just makes good sense to take advantage of their expertise. Let the summer be a time of sun, fun, and relaxation for you. Enjoy those babies coming in, and take delight in watching them grow and develop. Don't let the stress of caring for them rob you of the joy of watching them go on to be released.
    [Show full text]