Habitat Use and Activity Patterns of the Gopher Tortoise
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The Conservation Biology of Tortoises
The Conservation Biology of Tortoises Edited by Ian R. Swingland and Michael W. Klemens IUCN/SSC Tortoise and Freshwater Turtle Specialist Group and The Durrell Institute of Conservation and Ecology Occasional Papers of the IUCN Species Survival Commission (SSC) No. 5 IUCN—The World Conservation Union IUCN Species Survival Commission Role of the SSC 3. To cooperate with the World Conservation Monitoring Centre (WCMC) The Species Survival Commission (SSC) is IUCN's primary source of the in developing and evaluating a data base on the status of and trade in wild scientific and technical information required for the maintenance of biological flora and fauna, and to provide policy guidance to WCMC. diversity through the conservation of endangered and vulnerable species of 4. To provide advice, information, and expertise to the Secretariat of the fauna and flora, whilst recommending and promoting measures for their con- Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna servation, and for the management of other species of conservation concern. and Flora (CITES) and other international agreements affecting conser- Its objective is to mobilize action to prevent the extinction of species, sub- vation of species or biological diversity. species, and discrete populations of fauna and flora, thereby not only maintain- 5. To carry out specific tasks on behalf of the Union, including: ing biological diversity but improving the status of endangered and vulnerable species. • coordination of a programme of activities for the conservation of biological diversity within the framework of the IUCN Conserva- tion Programme. Objectives of the SSC • promotion of the maintenance of biological diversity by monitor- 1. -
N040p017.Pdf
Vol. 40: 17–29, 2019 ENDANGERED SPECIES RESEARCH Published September 19§ https://doi.org/10.3354/esr00978 Endang Species Res OPENPEN ACCESSCCESS Behavior, growth, and survivorship of laboratory-reared juvenile gopher tortoises following hard release Thomas A. Radzio1,*, Nicholas J. Blase1, James A. Cox2, David K. Delaney3, Michael P. O’Connor1 1Department of Biodiversity, Earth, and Environmental Science, Drexel University, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19104, USA 2Tall Timbers Research Station and Land Conservancy, Tallahassee, Florida 32312, USA 3United States Army Construction Engineering Research Laboratory, Champaign, Illinois 61822, USA ABSTRACT: Captive rearing represents a vital component of many conservation and research programs. However, captive animals can exhibit unnatural behaviors and experience high preda- tion following release, which can limit reintroduction success and the inferential value of studies that use released animals. Soft-release measures (e.g. penning) can acclimate individuals and limit interactions with predators but can also require considerable resources. We reared hatchling gopher tortoises Gopherus polyphemus in the laboratory for physiology experiments and subse- quently hard-released them as yearlings to assess the efficacy of this low-cost release method and to explore possible captivity effects on tortoise behavior, growth, and survivorship. Hard-released yearlings exhibited limited dispersal; most constructed burrows soon after release, and, like wild juveniles, exhibited a preference for burrowing under deadwood. Video observations at burrows indicated natural behavior, including overnighting in burrows, extensive basking directly in front of burrows, and limited time away from these important refugia. Basking tortoises responded to simulated predator approach by rapidly entering burrows, with flight initiation distances and hid- ing times equivalent or similar to those of wild individuals. -
Nest Guarding in the Gopher Tortoise (Gopherus Polyphemus)
148 CHELONIAN CONSERVATION AND BIOLOGY, Volume 11, Number 1 – 2012 Chelonian Conservation and Biology, 2012, 11(1): 148–151 g 2012 Chelonian Research Foundation Nest Guarding in the Gopher Tortoise (Gopherus polyphemus) 1 1 ANDREW M. GROSSE ,KURT A. BUHLMANN , 1 1 BESS B. HARRIS ,BRETT A. DEGREGORIO , 2 1 BRETT M. MOULE ,ROBERT V. H ORAN III , AND 1 TRACEY D. TUBERVILLE 1Savannah River Ecology Lab, University of Georgia, Aiken, South Carolina 29802 USA [[email protected]; [email protected]; [email protected]; [email protected]; [email protected]; [email protected]]; 2South Carolina Department of Natural Resources, Columbia, South Carolina 29201 USA [[email protected]] ABSTRACT. – Nest guarding is rarely observed among reptiles. Specifically, turtles and tortoises are generally perceived as providing no nest protection once the eggs are laid. Here, we describe observations of nest guarding by female gopher tortoises (Gopherus poly- phemus). Nest guarding among reptiles is considered uncom- mon (Reynolds et al. 2002). Although many crocodilians are known to protect their nests and offspring from potential predators, turtles and tortoises are generally NOTES AND FIELD REPORTS 149 perceived as providing no parental care once the egg around the southeastern United States, have been laying process is complete. However, some tortoise translocated and penned in 1-ha enclosures for at least species have been observed defending their nests from one year to increase site fidelity by limiting dispersal after potential predators, namely the desert tortoise (Gopherus pen removal (Tuberville et al. 2005). One such pen was agassizii; Vaughan and Humphrey 1984) and Asian removed in July 2009, and all tortoises (n 5 14) were brown tortoise (Manouria emys; McKeown 1990; Eggen- equipped with Holohil (Ontario, Canada) AI-2F transmit- schwiler 2003; Bonin et al. -
Gopher Tortoise Gopherus Polyphemus
Gopher Tortoise Gopherus polyphemus The Gopher Tortoise is a terrestrial turtle with elephantine hind feet and shovel-like forefeet used for digging impressive underground burrows that can be over 40 feet long and 10 feet deep. The adult carapace (upper shell) is a dark brown or grayish-black and the plastron (lower shell) is yellowish. Age and Size Behavior Diet These slow-growing reptiles may live Gopher Tortoises are most active Gopher Tortoises forage primarily on 40-60 years in the wild. They may reach during the spring and summer months low-growing herbaceous vegetation adulthood between 10-20 years of age and retreat to their burrows during the such as grasses and legumes and will and maturity varies by geographic winter months. They typically do not occasionally eat blackberries and other region within their range. An adult travel far from their burrows to forage seasonal fruits. shell is typically 11 inches in length and and mate if they are in good quality once they reach adulthood, males will habitat and part of a population of develop a concave plastron toward the tortoises. They will spend time basking rear of the shell while the female’s at or near the entrance of their burrow plastron will remain at. Females will and will sometimes dig and use grow slightly larger than males and multiple burrows during the active juvenile tortoise shells usually harden season. at 6-7 years of age. Reproduction Gopher Tortoises may reproduce once they reach maturity What You Can Do To Help between 10-20 years of age. -
Comparative Floristic Studies of Georgian Sandhill Ecosystems Reveals a Dynamic Composition of Endemics and Generalists James M
Georgia Southern University Digital Commons@Georgia Southern University Honors Program Theses 2017 Comparative Floristic Studies of Georgian Sandhill Ecosystems Reveals a Dynamic Composition of Endemics and Generalists James M. Long Honors College John Schenk Georgia Southern University Follow this and additional works at: https://digitalcommons.georgiasouthern.edu/honors-theses Part of the Biology Commons, and the Ecology and Evolutionary Biology Commons Recommended Citation Long, James M. and Schenk, John, "Comparative Floristic Studies of Georgian Sandhill Ecosystems Reveals a Dynamic Composition of Endemics and Generalists" (2017). University Honors Program Theses. 247. https://digitalcommons.georgiasouthern.edu/honors-theses/247 This thesis (open access) is brought to you for free and open access by Digital Commons@Georgia Southern. It has been accepted for inclusion in University Honors Program Theses by an authorized administrator of Digital Commons@Georgia Southern. For more information, please contact [email protected]. Comparative Floristic Studies of Georgian Sandhill Ecosystems Reveals a Dynamic Composition of Endemics and Generalists By James M. Long Under the mentorship of Dr. John Schenk ABSTRACT Sandhill habitats are characterized by sandy, xeric soils that contain a unique assemblage of plants and animals. Similar to the broader long-leaf pine (Pinus palustris) and wire grass (Aristida stricta) ecosystem that sandhills are a subset of, agriculture, development, and habitat modifications have caused sandhill ecosystems to become degraded, putting many species at risk of extinction. Previous studies have focused on diversity within individual sandhills, leaving us with an incomplete understanding of how these communities form, what species are endemic, whether endemics are widespread across sandhills, and how species have adapted to these communities. -
Turtles, Tortoises, and Terrapins by Sandie Lee
Name: _______________________ Turtles, Tortoises, and Terrapins by Sandie Lee Are You a Turtle, a Tortoise, or a Terrapin? For 215 million years, our shelled friends have lived with a mistaken identity. It’s understandable. We think – if it has a shell, it must be a turtle…right? Not quite. There’s actually around 300 different species of turtles, tortoises and terrapins. So what’s the difference? To Be or Not To Be a Terrapin An easy way to tell a terrapin from a turtle is from its coloring. Terrapins have bright yellow and green patterns on their shells and bodies. These animals live in fresh or brackish (partly salted) water. They are commonly found in ponds and river beds where they will bask in the sun on rocks and logs. Their feet are designed both for swimming, with webbed toes and sharp claws for climbing. This small group includes the Slider and Red-Eared Slider which has jaunty This Red-Eared Slider is a terrapin. red stripes along its face and is also commonly sold in stores. Do you know someone who keeps a terrapin as a pet? Built Tortoise Tough Like a sturdy truck, tortoises are built for the rugged terrain and live strictly on land. They have thick, stumpy legs and claws that help propel them forward and dig deep holes. The Gopher Tortoise is able to dig underground tunnels over 40 feet long and 10 feet deep. No meat is required in a tortoise’s diet, they’re purely vegetarians. But that doesn’t stop the Galapagos Giant Tortoise from weighing This Galapagos Giant Tortoise lives only on land. -
An Updated Infrageneric Classification of the North American Oaks
Article An Updated Infrageneric Classification of the North American Oaks (Quercus Subgenus Quercus): Review of the Contribution of Phylogenomic Data to Biogeography and Species Diversity Paul S. Manos 1,* and Andrew L. Hipp 2 1 Department of Biology, Duke University, 330 Bio Sci Bldg, Durham, NC 27708, USA 2 The Morton Arboretum, Center for Tree Science, 4100 Illinois 53, Lisle, IL 60532, USA; [email protected] * Correspondence: [email protected] Abstract: The oak flora of North America north of Mexico is both phylogenetically diverse and species-rich, including 92 species placed in five sections of subgenus Quercus, the oak clade centered on the Americas. Despite phylogenetic and taxonomic progress on the genus over the past 45 years, classification of species at the subsectional level remains unchanged since the early treatments by WL Trelease, AA Camus, and CH Muller. In recent work, we used a RAD-seq based phylogeny including 250 species sampled from throughout the Americas and Eurasia to reconstruct the timing and biogeography of the North American oak radiation. This work demonstrates that the North American oak flora comprises mostly regional species radiations with limited phylogenetic affinities to Mexican clades, and two sister group connections to Eurasia. Using this framework, we describe the regional patterns of oak diversity within North America and formally classify 62 species into nine major North American subsections within sections Lobatae (the red oaks) and Quercus (the Citation: Manos, P.S.; Hipp, A.L. An Quercus Updated Infrageneric Classification white oaks), the two largest sections of subgenus . We also distill emerging evolutionary and of the North American Oaks (Quercus biogeographic patterns based on the impact of phylogenomic data on the systematics of multiple Subgenus Quercus): Review of the species complexes and instances of hybridization. -
The Vascular Flora of Sandy Run Savannas State Natural Area, Onslow and Pender Counties, North Carolina --In Press-- John B
The Vascular Flora of Sandy Run Savannas State Natural Area, Onslow and Pender Counties, North Carolina --In Press-- John B. Taggart Department of Environmental Studies, University of North Carolina at Wilmington, 601 South College Road, Wilmington, North Carolina 28403 ______________________________________________________________________________ ABSTRACT The vascular plants of Sandy Run Savannas State Natural Area, located in portions of Onslow and Pender counties, North Carolina, are presented as an annotated species list. A total of 590 taxa in 315 genera and 119 families were collected from eight plant communities. Families with the highest numbers of species were the Asteraceae (80), Poaceae (66), and Cyperaceae (65). Two species, Carex lutea (golden sedge) and Thalictrum cooleyi (Cooley’s meadowrue), have federal endangered status. A total of 23 taxa are tracked by the North Carolina Natural Heritage Program, while 29 others are considered rare, but not included on the priority list. Of 44 species considered strict endemic or near-endemic taxa to the North and South Carolina Coastal Plain, 18 (41%) were collected in this study. Selected pine savannas within the site were rated as nationally significant by the North Carolina Natural Heritage Program. Fifty-one (51) non-native species were present and represented 8.7 % of the flora. _________________________________________________________________________ INTRODUCTION Sandy Run Savannas State Natural Area encompasses portions of western Onslow and northeastern Pender counties in North Carolina. State acquisition of this coastal plain site began in 2007 as a cooperative effort between The Nature Conservancy in North Carolina and the North Carolina Division of Parks and Recreation to protect approximately 1,214 ha comprised of seven tracts (Figure 1). -
Download Supporting Document: Palmquist Et.Al Appendix 2.2.V2.Pdf
Appendix 2.2 Edited descriptions of existing NVC vegetation types in South Carolina and Georgia and associated constancy tables. Vegetation types are arranged from xeric to subxeric. OVERVIEW Database Code: CEGL00xxx3 Scientific Name: Pinus palustris / Quercus laevis / Chrysoma pauciflosculosa / Aristida purpurascens Woodland Common Name: Longleaf Pine / Turkey Oak / Woody Goldenrod / Arrowfeather Woodland Classif. Resp.: Southeast Classif. Level: Association Conf.: 1 - Strong Stakeholders: Southeast Status: Standard Origin: 4-June-2013 ID: Maint. Resp.: Southeast Concept Auth.: K.A. Palmquist, R.K. Peet & S. Carr (2014) Description Author: K.A. Palmquist, R.K. Peet & S. Carr (2014) Status: Version: 15-Feb-2014 Concept Ref.: Palmquist, Peet & Carr 2014 (this document) Ecological Systems: • Atlantic Coastal Plain Fall-line Sandhills Longleaf Pine Woodland (CES203.254) • Atlantic Coastal Plain Upland Longleaf Pine Woodland (CES203.281) ELEMENT CONCEPT Concept Summary: This extremely dry Association occurs on inland, xeric, coarse sand ridges in the Fall-line Sandhill region and inner Coastal Plain of Georgia and perhaps South Carolina. Species richness is extremely low in this type with on average 18 species in 100m². The open canopy consists of Pinus palustris with a mix of shrub oaks in the subcanopy layer including Quercus margarettae, Quercus laevis, and Quercus hemisphaerica. Chrysoma pauciflosculosa is the dominant dwarf-shrub and is indicative of this type, although Opuntia humifusa and Vaccinium stamineum are also constant. Other characteristic species include Aristida purpurascens, Bulbostylis coarctata, Dichanthelium acuminatum, Selaginella sp., and Galactia sp (Table 2.2.1). Classification Comments: Name and description based on 3 plots from the Carolina Vegetation Survey (vegbank.org\cite\VB.ds.199642.CEGL00xxx3). -
Illustration Sources
APPENDIX ONE ILLUSTRATION SOURCES REF. CODE ABR Abrams, L. 1923–1960. Illustrated flora of the Pacific states. Stanford University Press, Stanford, CA. ADD Addisonia. 1916–1964. New York Botanical Garden, New York. Reprinted with permission from Addisonia, vol. 18, plate 579, Copyright © 1933, The New York Botanical Garden. ANDAnderson, E. and Woodson, R.E. 1935. The species of Tradescantia indigenous to the United States. Arnold Arboretum of Harvard University, Cambridge, MA. Reprinted with permission of the Arnold Arboretum of Harvard University. ANN Hollingworth A. 2005. Original illustrations. Published herein by the Botanical Research Institute of Texas, Fort Worth. Artist: Anne Hollingworth. ANO Anonymous. 1821. Medical botany. E. Cox and Sons, London. ARM Annual Rep. Missouri Bot. Gard. 1889–1912. Missouri Botanical Garden, St. Louis. BA1 Bailey, L.H. 1914–1917. The standard cyclopedia of horticulture. The Macmillan Company, New York. BA2 Bailey, L.H. and Bailey, E.Z. 1976. Hortus third: A concise dictionary of plants cultivated in the United States and Canada. Revised and expanded by the staff of the Liberty Hyde Bailey Hortorium. Cornell University. Macmillan Publishing Company, New York. Reprinted with permission from William Crepet and the L.H. Bailey Hortorium. Cornell University. BA3 Bailey, L.H. 1900–1902. Cyclopedia of American horticulture. Macmillan Publishing Company, New York. BB2 Britton, N.L. and Brown, A. 1913. An illustrated flora of the northern United States, Canada and the British posses- sions. Charles Scribner’s Sons, New York. BEA Beal, E.O. and Thieret, J.W. 1986. Aquatic and wetland plants of Kentucky. Kentucky Nature Preserves Commission, Frankfort. Reprinted with permission of Kentucky State Nature Preserves Commission. -
Abstracts Included for Papers Published Elsewhere Or Manuscripts Not Submitted by Proceedings Deadline
UTAH THE I DESERT TORTOISE COUNCIL ARIZONA NEVADA I I I / '~ ' / ry( C F ~ ~$ ~7, • ~ gf ( -f fpi i i)xX , = .-. .=:.=-;-,. (= - ' ( (j 1 7 ,))gp / r= / / SVM t & % p wc a 4 CA LIFO R NI A PROCEEDINGS OF 1993 SYMPOSIUM DESERT TORTOISE COUNCIL PROCEEDINGS OF 1993 SYMPOSIUM A compilation of reports and papers presented at the 18th annual symposium Publications of the Desert Tortoise Council, Inc. Proceedings of the 1976 Desert Tortoise Council Symposium $15.00 Proceedings of the 1977 Desert Tortoise Council Symposium $15.00 Proceedings of the 1978 Desert Tortoise Council Symposium $15.00 Proceedings of the 1979 Desert Tortoise Council Symposium $15.00 Proceedings of the 1980 Desert Tortoise Council Symposium $15.00 Proceedings of the 1981 Desert Tortoise Council Symposium $15.00 Proceedings of the 1982 Desert Tortoise Council Symposium $15.00 Proceedings of the 1983 Desert Tortoise Council Symposium $15.00 Proceedings of the 1984 Desert Tortoise Council Symposium $15.00 Proceedings of the 1985 Desert Tortoise Council Symposium $15.00 Proceedings of the 1986 Desert Tortoise Council Symposium $15.00 Proceedings of the 1987-91 Desert Tortoise Council Symposium $15.00 Proceedings of the 1992 Desert Tortoise Council Symposium $15.00 Proceedings of the 1993 Desert Tortoise Council Symposium $15.00 Annotated Bibliography of the Desert Tortoise, Gopherus agassizii $15.00 Note: Please add $1.50 per copy to cover postage and handling. Foreign addresses add $3.50 per copy for surface mail. U. S. Drafts only. Available from: Desert Tortoise Council, Inc. P. O. Box 1738 Palm Desert, CA 92261-1738 These proceedings record the papers presented at the annual symposium of the Desert Tortoise Council. -
Chelonian Advisory Group Regional Collection Plan 4Th Edition December 2015
Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA) Chelonian Advisory Group Regional Collection Plan 4th Edition December 2015 Editor Chelonian TAG Steering Committee 1 TABLE OF CONTENTS Introduction Mission ...................................................................................................................................... 3 Steering Committee Structure ........................................................................................................... 3 Officers, Steering Committee Members, and Advisors ..................................................................... 4 Taxonomic Scope ............................................................................................................................. 6 Space Analysis Space .......................................................................................................................................... 6 Survey ........................................................................................................................................ 6 Current and Potential Holding Table Results ............................................................................. 8 Species Selection Process Process ..................................................................................................................................... 11 Decision Tree ........................................................................................................................... 13 Decision Tree Results .............................................................................................................