Alligator Species • Caiman Species • Anatomical Features • Nesting • Habitat and Behaviors • Bibliography • Additional Readings

Total Page:16

File Type:pdf, Size:1020Kb

Alligator Species • Caiman Species • Anatomical Features • Nesting • Habitat and Behaviors • Bibliography • Additional Readings Alligator - AccessScience from McGraw-Hill Education Page 1 of 4 (http://www.accessscience.com/) Alligator Article by: Cash, W. Ben Department of Biology, Maryville College, Maryville, Tennessee. Campbell, Howard W. National Fisheries and Wildlife Laboratory, Gainesville, Florida. Publication year: 2014 DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.1036/1097-8542.024200 (http://dx.doi.org/10.1036/1097-8542.024200) Content • Alligator species • Caiman species • Anatomical features • Nesting • Habitat and behaviors • Bibliography • Additional Readings A large aquatic reptile of the family Alligatoridae. Common usage generally restricts the name to the two species of the genus Alligator. The family also includes three genera (five species) of caiman. With the crocodiles and gharial (also spelled gavial), these are survivors of archosaurian stock and are considered close to the evolutionary line which gave rise to birds. Alligator species The two living species have a disjunct subtropical and temperate zone distribution. The American alligator (A. mississippiensis) ranges throughout the southeastern United States from coastal North Carolina (historically from southeastern Virginia) to the Rio Grande in Texas, and north into southeastern Oklahoma and southern Arkansas (see illustration). http://www.accessscience.com/content/alligator/024200 10/21/2015 Alligator - AccessScience from McGraw-Hill Education Page 2 of 4 Half-submerged American alligator (Alligator mississippiensis). (Photo courtesy of W. Ben Cash) Poaching and unregulated hunting for the valuable hide decimated the alligator populations until the animal was placed on the U.S. Endangered Species List in 1967. The species has responded well to protection and has become abundant in many areas in its range, particularly in Florida and parts of Georgia, Louisiana, and Texas, where it is now a common sight in the freshwater habitats, including swamps, marshes, lakes, rivers, and even roadside ditches. The second species is the Chinese alligator (A. sinensis), restricted to the region of the Yangtze River valley, where it inhabits burrows in the floodplains and riverbanks. This species is considered “critically endangered” by international conservation organizations. It is believed that less than 200 individuals remain in the wild. The American alligator is by far the larger of the two species, exceeding 15 ft (4.5 m). The average length of A. sinensis is 4–5 ft (1.2–1.5 m). Caiman species There are five species of caimans, once often sold as “baby alligators.” Caimans differ from alligators in technical details of their internal anatomy and scale characteristics. The black caiman (Melanosuchus niger) of the Amazon Basin of South America strongly resembles the American alligator in superficial appearance and may reach a length approaching 16 ft (5 m). The spectacled caiman (Caiman crocodilus), with its several subspecies, is sold in the pet trade. It is the most widely distributed of the caimans, ranging from southwestern Mexico to Paraguay and Bolivia. Spectacled caimans reach a length of 8 ft (2.5 m) and can be distinguished from alligators by the presence of a ridge across the snout between their eyes, the nose bridge of the “spectacles.” The broad-nosed caiman (C. latirostris) occurs from southern Brazil to Paraguay and northern Argentina and reaches a length of 9 ft (3 m). The two species of smooth-fronted caiman, Paleosuchus trigonatus and P. palpebrosus, are the smallest of the family, reaching a maximum length of 7 ft (2 m). They occur over most of northern South America, south to Peru, Bolivia, and southeastern Brazil. Anatomical features Alligators, including caimans, are generally distinguished from crocodiles by their broader, rounded, and more massive snout, the arrangement of their teeth, and other technical anatomical details. As in all crocodilians, the teeth are conical and sharp, equivalent in shape (homodont), and replaced throughout life. Moreover, as in all crocodilians, alligators possess a functionally four-chambered heart, a secondary palate, a septum or “diaphragm” that separates the lung and peritoneal regions, a compressed tail, webbed feet, and other adaptations for an aquatic existence. http://www.accessscience.com/content/alligator/024200 10/21/2015 Alligator - AccessScience from McGraw-Hill Education Page 3 of 4 Nesting All alligators build a conical nest of available materials near the water's edge, where they deposit 15–60 leathery-shelled eggs. Incubation takes 30–60 days; females of at least some species may guard the nest, assist in the hatching process, and remain with the young for as long as 3 years. In some cases, females carry young in their mouth to nearby water. Habitat and behaviors Alligators are generalized carnivores, feeding on any invertebrates, fishes, reptiles and amphibians, birds, or mammals that can be caught and overpowered. They play a dominant role in the energy and nutrient cycling in their habitats, and through their construction of “gator holes,” which often retain water in times of drought, are considered important to the survival of many others species. Alligators have also been found to have a complex social system that relies heavily on communication. Visual, tactile, auditory, and even subauditory communications have been described in alligator populations. Males roar during the breeding season to attract females, and females bellow and growl to communicate receptiveness to males. Using trunk muscles and low-frequency sound, alligators create rapid vibrations on the water surface to communicate. The vibrations coupled with the low-frequency sound can be heard at great distances (perhaps up to a kilometer). Males use a diversity of sounds as a threat warning, including a “cough” and hiss. Juveniles employ distress calls when they feel threatened. These calls attract the attention of the nearby female. See also: Archosauria (/content/archosauria/048900); Cardiovascular system (/content/cardiovascular-system/109900); Crocodile (/content/crocodile/168600); Crocodylia (/content/crocodylia/168610); Dentition (/content/dentition/186400); Reptilia (/content/reptilia/581800) W. Ben Cash Howard W. Campbell Bibliography S. Grenard and W. Loutsenhizer, Handbook of Alligators and Crocodiles, Krieger, Melbourne, FL, 1995 S. B. Hedges and L. L. Poling, A molecular phylogeny of reptiles, Science, 283:998–1001, 1999 DOI: 10.1126/science.283.5404.998 (http://dx.doi.org/10.1126/science.283.5404.998) D. W. Linzey, Vertebrate Biology, McGraw-Hill, New York, 2001 F. H. Pough et al., Herpetology, 3d ed., Prentice Hall, Upper Saddle River, NJ, 2004 K. A. Vliet, Social dynamics of the American alligator (Alligator mississippiensis), Amer. Zool., 29:1019 –1031, 1989 G. R. Zug, L. J. Vitt, and J. P. Caldwell, Herpetology, Academic Press, San Diego, 2001 Additional Readings http://www.accessscience.com/content/alligator/024200 10/21/2015 Alligator - AccessScience from McGraw-Hill Education Page 4 of 4 K. H. Redford et al., What does it mean to successfully conserve a (vertebrate) species?, Bioscience, 61 (1):39–48, 2011 DOI: 10.1525/bio.2011.61.1.9 (http://dx.doi.org/10.1525/bio.2011.61.1.9) R. K. Sanders and C. G. Farmer, The pulmonary anatomy of Alligator mississippiensis and its similarity to the avian respiratory system, Anat. Rec., 295(4):699–714, 2012 DOI: 10.1002/ar.22427 (http://dx.doi.org/10.1002/ar.22427) P. A. Siroski et al., Comparison of plasma dipeptidyl peptidase IV activity in two caiman species: Caiman latirostris and Caiman yacare (Crocodylia, Alligatoridae), Anim. Biol., 61(2):199–210, 2011 DOI: 10.1163/157075511X566524 (http://dx.doi.org/10.1163/157075511X566524) J. B Thorbjarnarson and X. Wang, The Chinese alligator: Ecology, Behavior, Conservation and Culture, Johns Hopkins University Press, Baltimore, MD, 2010 C. A. Ugarte et al., The influence of regional hydrology on nesting behavior and nest fate of the American alligator, J. Wildlife Manage., 77(1):192–199, 2013 DOI: 10.1002/jwmg.463 (http://dx.doi.org/10.1002/jwmg.463) U. Zapata et al., Material properties of mandibular cortical bone in the American alligator, Alligator mississippiensis, Bone, 46(3):860–867, 2010 DOI: 10.1016/j.bone.2009.11.010 (http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.bone.2009.11.010) Bibliography of Crocodilian Biology (http://utweb.ut.edu/hosted/faculty/mmeers/bcb) Crocodilians: Florida Museum of Natural History, University of Florida (http://www.flmnh.ufl.edu/cnhc/cnhc.html) http://www.accessscience.com/content/alligator/024200 10/21/2015 .
Recommended publications
  • I What Is a Crocodilian?
    I WHAT IS A CROCODILIAN? Crocodilians are the only living representatives of the Archosauria group (dinosaurs, pterosaurs, and thecodontians), which first appeared in the Mesozoic era. At present, crocodiliams are the most advanced of all reptiles because they have a four-chambered heart, diaphragm, and cerebral cortex. The extent morphology reflects their aquatic habits. Crocodilians are elongated and armored with a muscular, laterally shaped tail used in swimming. The snout is elongated, with the nostrils set at the end to allow breathing while most of the body remains submerged. Crocodilians have two pairs of short legs with five toes on the front and four tows on the hind feet; the toes on all feet are partially webbed. The success of this body design is evidenced by the relatively few changes that have occurred since crocodilians first appeared in the late Triassic period, about 200 million years ago. Crocodilians are divided into three subfamilies. Alligatorinae includes two species of alligators and five caiman. Crocodylinae is divided into thirteen species of crocodiles and on species of false gharial. Gavialinae contains one species of gharial. Another way to tell the three groups of crocodilians apart is to look at their teeth. II PHYSICAL CHARACTERISTICS A Locomotion Crocodilians spend time on land primarily to bask in the sun, to move from one body of water to another, to escape from disturbances, or to reproduce. They use three distinct styles of movement on land. A stately high walk is used when moving unhurried on land. When frightened, crocodilians plunge down an embankment in an inelegant belly crawl.
    [Show full text]
  • Bibliography
    BIBLIOGRAPHY I. ADAMS, A. L., The Wanderings of a Naturalistin India. Edinburgh, 1867. 2. ANDERSON, A., "An Account of the Eggs and Young of the Gavial (G. gangeticus)," Proc. Zool. Soc., 1875, p. 2. 3. BALFOUR, F. M., Comparative Embryology, vol. 2. 4. BATTERSBY, J., "Crocodile's Egg with Solid Shell," Nature, vol. 48, no. 1237, p. 248. 5. BISCHOFF, "Ufber den Bau des Crocodilherzens, besonders von C. lucius," J. Miller's Archiv, 1836. 6. BOAKE, BANCROFT, "The Nest of the Crocodile," Zodlogist, vol. 5, 1870, pp. 2002-4. 7. BOETTGER, O., Katalog d. Reptilien-Samml. im Museum d. Sencken- bergischen Gess., Frkft., 1893. 8. BOUTAN, Louis, Le Crocodile des Marias (C. palustus), Mission Scientifigue Permanente d'Exploration en Indo-China Decades Zoologique, Hanoi, 1906. 9. BRANDT, ," Sur le ductus caroticus du Caiman," Bull. Acad. St. Petersburg,vol. 17, p. 307, 1872. Io. BREHMS, Thierleben, vol. 4, pp. 498-572, 1912. II. BRONN, H. G., Klassen und Ordnungen des Thier-Reichs, vol. 63, "Reptilien 2, Eidechsen und Wasserechsen." 12. BRtHL, C. B., Das Skelet der Krokodiliner, dargestelltin 2o Tafeln, 1862. 12a. BUTLER, G. W., "On the Subdivision of the Body Cavity in Liz- ards, Crocodiles, and Birds," Proc. Zo6l. Soc., London, pt. 4, 1889. 13. BUTTMANN, H., De musculis Crocodili, Diss. inaugur., Halle, 1826. 14. Cambridge NaturalHistory (Gadow), vol. on A mphibia and Reptiles, pp. 430-472, 1901. 15. CHAFF ANJON, M. J., "Observations sur 1'Alligator Mississippi- ensis," Ann. de la Soc. Linn. de Lyon, vol. 28, pp. 83-96, I88i. 16. CLARKE, S. F., " The Nest and Eggs of the Alligator, A.
    [Show full text]
  • APPLIED NUTRITIONAL STUDIES with ZOOLOGICAL REPTILES by KYLE SAMUEL THOMPSON Bachelor of Science in Animal Science California S
    APPLIED NUTRITIONAL STUDIES WITH ZOOLOGICAL REPTILES By KYLE SAMUEL THOMPSON Bachelor of Science in Animal Science California State University Fresno Fresno, California 2006 Master of Science in Animal Science Oklahoma State University Stillwater, Oklahoma 2011 Submitted to the Faculty of the Graduate College of the Oklahoma State University in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the Degree of DOCTOR OF PHILOSOPHY May, 2016 APPLIED NUTRITIONAL STUDIED WITH ZOOLOGICAL REPTILES Dissertation Approved: Dr. Clint Krehbiel Dissertation Adviser Dr. Gerald Horn Dr. Scott Carter Dr. Lionel Dawson ii ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS “Until one has loved an animal, a part of one's soul remains unawakened." -Anatole France First and foremost, I would like to thank my Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. He has always provided a light for me during times of discouragement. Secondly I would like to give a very big thank you to my advisor and mentor Dr. Clint Krehbiel who has been very patient and caring all these years. Thank you for all the guidance and giving me the freedom to pursue my dreams. I also want to extend a thank you to Donna Perry, Diana Batson, and Debra Danley for always being there for me to comfort and laugh. I would like to send a special thank you to the San Diego Zoo Nutrition Services team, Dr. Mike Schlegel, Edith Galindo and Michele Gaffney. Thank you for your guidance and patience and continued friendship. Further thank you is needed to Dr. Schlegel for accepting me in 2009 and opening my eyes to the world of zoo and captive wildlife nutrition.
    [Show full text]
  • Vocalizations in Two Rare Crocodilian Species: a Comparative Analysis of Distress Calls of Tomistoma Schlegelii (Müller, 1838) and Gavialis Gangeticus (Gmelin, 1789)
    NORTH-WESTERN JOURNAL OF ZOOLOGY 11 (1): 151-162 ©NwjZ, Oradea, Romania, 2015 Article No.: 141513 http://biozoojournals.ro/nwjz/index.html Vocalizations in two rare crocodilian species: A comparative analysis of distress calls of Tomistoma schlegelii (Müller, 1838) and Gavialis gangeticus (Gmelin, 1789) René BONKE1,*, Nikhil WHITAKER2, Dennis RÖDDER1 and Wolfgang BÖHME1 1. Herpetology Department, Zoologisches Forschungsmuseum Alexander Koenig (ZFMK), Adenauerallee 160, 53113 Bonn, Germany. 2. Madras Crocodile Bank Trust, P.O. Box 4, Mamallapuram, Tamil Nadu 603 104, S.India. *Corresponding author, R. Bonke, E-mail: [email protected] Received: 07. August 2013 / Accepted: 16. October 2014 / Available online: 17. January 2015 / Printed: June 2015 Abstract. We analysed 159 distress calls of five individuals of T. schlegelii for temporal parameters and ob- tained spectral parameters in 137 of these calls. Analyses of G. gangeticus were based on 39 distress calls of three individuals, of which all could be analysed for temporal and spectral parameters. Our results document differences in the call structure of both species. Distress calls of T. schlegelii show numerous harmonics, whereas extensive pulse trains are present in G. gangeticus. In the latter, longer call durations and longer in- tervals between calls resulted in lower call repetition rates. Dominant frequencies of T. schlegelii are higher than in G. gangeticus. T. schlegelii specimens showed a negative correlation of increasing body size with de- creasing dominant frequencies. Distress call durations increased with body size. T. schlegelii distress calls share only minor structural features with distress calls of G. gangeticus. Key words: Tomistoma schlegelii, Gavialis gangeticus, distress calls, temporal parameters, spectral parameters.
    [Show full text]
  • Historical Biology Crocodilian Behaviour: a Window to Dinosaur
    This article was downloaded by: [Watanabe, Myrna E.] On: 11 March 2011 Access details: Access Details: [subscription number 934811404] Publisher Taylor & Francis Informa Ltd Registered in England and Wales Registered Number: 1072954 Registered office: Mortimer House, 37- 41 Mortimer Street, London W1T 3JH, UK Historical Biology Publication details, including instructions for authors and subscription information: http://www.informaworld.com/smpp/title~content=t713717695 Crocodilian behaviour: a window to dinosaur behaviour? Peter Brazaitisa; Myrna E. Watanabeb a Yale Peabody Museum of Natural History, New Haven, CT, USA b Naugatuck Valley Community College, Waterbury, CT, USA Online publication date: 11 March 2011 To cite this Article Brazaitis, Peter and Watanabe, Myrna E.(2011) 'Crocodilian behaviour: a window to dinosaur behaviour?', Historical Biology, 23: 1, 73 — 90 To link to this Article: DOI: 10.1080/08912963.2011.560723 URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/08912963.2011.560723 PLEASE SCROLL DOWN FOR ARTICLE Full terms and conditions of use: http://www.informaworld.com/terms-and-conditions-of-access.pdf This article may be used for research, teaching and private study purposes. Any substantial or systematic reproduction, re-distribution, re-selling, loan or sub-licensing, systematic supply or distribution in any form to anyone is expressly forbidden. The publisher does not give any warranty express or implied or make any representation that the contents will be complete or accurate or up to date. The accuracy of any instructions, formulae and drug doses should be independently verified with primary sources. The publisher shall not be liable for any loss, actions, claims, proceedings, demand or costs or damages whatsoever or howsoever caused arising directly or indirectly in connection with or arising out of the use of this material.
    [Show full text]
  • Nest-Site Use by the Chinese Alligator (Alligator Sinensis) in the Gaojingmiao Breeding Farm, Anhui, China
    Asian Herpetological Research 2011, 2(1): 36-40 DOI: 10.3724/SP.J.1245.2011.00036 Nest-site Use by the Chinese Alligator (Alligator sinensis) in the Gaojingmiao Breeding Farm, Anhui, China Jianjun WANG1, Xiaobing WU1*, Dawei TIAN1, Jialong ZHU2, Renping WANG2 and Chaolin WANG2 1 Anhui Provincial Key Laboratory for Conservation and Exploitation of Biological Resources, College of Life Sciences, Anhui Normal University, Wuhu 241000, Anhui, China 2 Anhui Research Center for Chinese Alligator Reproduction, Xuanzhou 242034, Anhui, China Abstract Nest-site and nesting material used by the Chinese alligator (Alligator sinensis) was studied at the Gaojingmiao Breeding Farm, Langxi County, Anhui, China from May to September 2009. In this study, artificial nesting materials were placed in 43 potential nesting sites before the nesting season, 11 of which were used. Additionally, eight nests were built at natural sites without artificial nesting materials provided. Seven environmental variables were measured at each nest site: distance from water, height from water surface, sunlight duration, nearest bank slope, nest site slope, vegetation coverage and concealment. Statistical analyses indicated that concealment was significantly different between used and unused nest sites, with concealment being significantly correlated to the use of materials- placed sites. In comparing the nests at artificial vs. natural sites, only the nearest bank slope differed significantly. Further, principal component analysis of natural nests indicated that the duration of nest exposure to sunlight and vegetation coverage were more influential than the other factors studied. Keywords Chinese alligator, nesting, artificial nest, natural nest, habitat use, reintroduction 1. Introduction late June to early July (Chen et al., 2003), where nests are The Chinese alligator (Alligator sinensis) is a rare built on the banks of ponds.
    [Show full text]
  • The Spectacled Caiman Inhabits Lowland Wetland Regions of Central and South America
    Crocodilia Discussion Questions: 1) What animals belong to the crocodilia group? 2) What types of environments do they inhabit? 3) How do you tell the dierence between crocodilia species ? Crocodile Caiman Crocodilia Alligator Gharial (Gavial) Crocodiles The name crocodile comes from the Ancient Greek word ‘crocodilos’ meaning ‘lizard’. There are 14 dierent species of crocodile in the world today. They inhabit warm, tropical environments and can be found throughout Asia, Africa and Central America. The largest species of crocodile is the esturine crocodile. These crocodiles inhabit South East Asia and Australia. An adult male can grow to an average size of 5 m(17ft). Some have been known to reach 6-7 m (20-23 ft). These are the most aggressive species of crocodile. Esturine (salt water) crocodile The Nile crocodile is the second largest species of crocodile. It generally does not inhabit salt water environments and can be found in lakes, rivers and marshlands of the central and eastern parts of the African continent. The smallest crocodile species is the dwarf crocodile, which grows to an average length of around 1.5 m (4.9 ft). This species is found in the subtropical regions of western and central Africa. Dwarf Crocodile Caiman There are 6 species of caiman living in the world today. They can be found in warm climates in parts of Central and South America, including the Amazon rainforest. Caimans get their name from the spanish word for alligator. Caimans and alligators are related. The Black Caiman inhabits the Amazon Basin and is the largest predator in the rainforest ecosystem.
    [Show full text]
  • CHINESE ALLIGATOR Alligator Sinensis Reptile - Crocodilians
    CHINESE ALLIGATOR Alligator sinensis Reptile - Crocodilians Location: Chinese alligators were once spread throughout much of China. Today, they reside within the lower Yangtze River basin, located along the central Pacific coast of China. These reptiles occupy a subtropical, temperate region. They inhabit ponds, lakes, wetlands, marshes, swamps, and freshwater rivers and streams. Diet: Chinese alligators are nocturnal, carnivorous predators. Adults prey mostly on fish, snails and clams, as well as small mammals and waterfowl. Their blunt teeth can crush shelled animals. There is some speculation that they may prey on turtles as well. Younger alligators eat insects and other small invertebrates. Life Cycle: Chinese alligators are dormant from late fall into early spring, residing in elaborate burrows built into the banks of wetlands. The burrows are approximately 3 feet deep, a foot in diameter and almost 5 feet long. These burrows are used throughout the year and may house multiple alligators. Once they emerge from their burrows in the spring, Chinese alligators spend time basking in the sun to raise their body temperature. Once their body temperature has normalized, they return to their nocturnal ways. They are aquatic animals, and can also use the water to thermoregulate by staying in the upper water columns heated by the sun or moving to shaded waters to cool off. In the spring, the normally solitary Chinese alligator participates in bellowing choruses. Both males and females vocalize with a bellow or a roar to communicate their location. Once groups have gathered, mating rituals occur. Both males and females use body language to communicate. They may snap their jaws as a warning signal or slap the water with their lower jaws, which distributes an attractive scent produced by a musk gland under the lower jaw.
    [Show full text]
  • A Chinese Alligator in Heliox: Formant Frequencies in a Crocodilian Stephan A
    © 2015. Published by The Company of Biologists Ltd | The Journal of Experimental Biology (2015) 218, 2442-2447 doi:10.1242/jeb.119552 RESEARCH ARTICLE A Chinese alligator in heliox: formant frequencies in a crocodilian Stephan A. Reber1,*, Takeshi Nishimura2, Judith Janisch1, Mark Robertson3 and W. Tecumseh Fitch1,* ABSTRACT perceived as honest signals of body size (Budka and Osiejuk, 2013; Crocodilians are among the most vocal non-avian reptiles. Adults of Fitch and Kelley, 2000). However, there is little evidence for formants both sexes produce loud vocalizations known as ‘bellows’ year round, in anurans (Rand and Dudley, 1993), and to date formants have not with the highest rate during the mating season. Although the specific been shown to play a role in the vocalizations of non-avian reptiles. function of these vocalizations remains unclear, they may advertise Crocodilians are among the most vocal non-avian reptiles the caller’s body size, because relative size differences strongly affect (Britton, 2001; Campbell, 1973), and adults of either sex produce ‘ ’ courtship and territorial behaviour in crocodilians. In mammals and loud vocalizations, called bellows , year round with the highest birds, a common mechanism for producing honest acoustic signals of occurrence during the mating season (Vergne et al., 2009). It has body size is via formant frequencies (vocal tract resonances). To our been suggested that bellows serve as advertisement calls, carrying knowledge, formants have to date never been documented in any cues to sex and size (Garrick and Lang, 1977). In all extant non-avian reptile, and formants do not seem to play a role in the crocodilian species, relative size differences strongly affect both vocalizations of anurans.
    [Show full text]
  • Gator Fact Sheet
    temperatures rose to such extremes? By Alligators from the Par Pond population have human identification at crime scenes. Using these markers to using the combination of external and also been the subjects of contaminant determine paternity in alligators led to the discovery that about internal temperature-sensitive transmitters, studies. Elevated levels of the radioactive one-third of all gator nests contain offspring from multiple researchers learned that alligators element radiocesium (137Cs) occur in some fathers. In addition, although there are many 8-10 ft (2.4-3 m) responded to thermal cues very rapidly, portions of Par Pond as a result of reactor male alligators in the gator population on the SRS, only the few seeking cooler waters in coves, stream operations. Cesium-137 mimics elemental very large males (11+ ft; 3.4+ m) sire offspring. Finally, edges, or on stream bottoms potassium when incorporated microsatellites have been used in investigations of the effects of once their body temper- into plant and animal tissues; contaminants, leading to the discovery that the Hg and low- ature reached about in animals it tends to levels of radioactive contamination in some alligators on the Federal status The American alligator and some crocodile “Threatened due to similarity of 91°F (33°C). concentrate in muscle SRS are not resulting in increased mutation rates relative to species are prime examples of the concept of The American alligator, Alligator mississippiensis, appearance” to other crocodilian tissue. SREL studies gators from other populations. Continuing research will use “sustainable use.” Sustainable use simply means occurs throughout most of the southeastern United States.
    [Show full text]
  • Analysis of the Chinese Alligator Tcrα/Δ Loci Reveals the Evolutionary Pattern of Atypical Tcrδ/Tcrµ in Tetrapods
    Analysis of the Chinese Alligator TCRα/δ Loci Reveals the Evolutionary Pattern of Atypical TCRδ/TCRµ in Tetrapods This information is current as Xifeng Wang, Jinwei Huang, Peng Wang, Renping Wang, of October 6, 2021. Chaolin Wang, Di Yu, Cuncun Ke, Tian Huang, Yu Song, Jianhui Bai, Kongpan Li, Liming Ren, Robert D. Miller, Haitang Han, Xin Zhou and Yaofeng Zhao J Immunol published online 26 June 2020 http://www.jimmunol.org/content/early/2020/06/25/jimmun ol.2000257 Downloaded from Supplementary http://www.jimmunol.org/content/suppl/2020/06/25/jimmunol.200025 Material 7.DCSupplemental http://www.jimmunol.org/ Why The JI? Submit online. • Rapid Reviews! 30 days* from submission to initial decision • No Triage! Every submission reviewed by practicing scientists • Fast Publication! 4 weeks from acceptance to publication by guest on October 6, 2021 *average Subscription Information about subscribing to The Journal of Immunology is online at: http://jimmunol.org/subscription Permissions Submit copyright permission requests at: http://www.aai.org/About/Publications/JI/copyright.html Email Alerts Receive free email-alerts when new articles cite this article. Sign up at: http://jimmunol.org/alerts The Journal of Immunology is published twice each month by The American Association of Immunologists, Inc., 1451 Rockville Pike, Suite 650, Rockville, MD 20852 Copyright © 2020 by The American Association of Immunologists, Inc. All rights reserved. Print ISSN: 0022-1767 Online ISSN: 1550-6606. Published June 26, 2020, doi:10.4049/jimmunol.2000257 The Journal of Immunology Analysis of the Chinese Alligator TCRa/d Loci Reveals the Evolutionary Pattern of Atypical TCRd/TCRm in Tetrapods Xifeng Wang,*,1 Jinwei Huang,†,1 Peng Wang,†,1 Renping Wang,‡ Chaolin Wang,‡ Di Yu,† Cuncun Ke,† Tian Huang,x Yu Song,† Jianhui Bai,† Kongpan Li,† Liming Ren,† Robert D.
    [Show full text]
  • Reproductive Biology and Embryology of the Crocodilians
    32B EMBRYOLOGY OF MARINE TURTLEB bei den Seeschildkrbten, untersucht an Embryonen von Chelonia viridis. Anat. Anz, 8, 801-803. Voeltzkow, A. (1903). Beitrage zur Entwicklungsgeschichte der Reptilien. VI. Gesichtsbildung und Entwicklung der ausseren Kbrperform bei Chelone imbricala Schweigg. Abh. senckenb. naturf. Ges. 27, 179-190. CHAPTER Wassersug, R. J. (1976). A procedure for differential staining of cartilage and bone in whole formalin-fixed vertebrates. Stain Tech. 51, 131-134. Wiedersheim, R. (1890a). Uber die Entwicklung des Urogenitalapparates bei Krokodilen und 5 Schildkrbten. Anal. Anz. 5, 337-344. Wiedersheim, R. (1890b). Uber die Entwicklung des Urogenitalapparates bei Krokodilen und Schildkrbten. Arch. mikr. Anal. 36, 410-468. Will, L. (1893). Beitrage zur Entwicklungsgeschichte der Reptilien. 2. Die Anlage der Keirn­ blatter bei der menorquinischen Sumpfschildkrbte (Cistudo lutaria Gesn.). Zool. Jahrb .. Abt. Anal. 6, 529-615. Reproductive Biology and Witzell, W. N. (1983). Synopsis of biological data on the hawksbill turtle, Erelmochelys imbricata (Linnaeus, 1766). FAD Fish. Synop. 137, 1-78. Embryology of the Wood, J. R. and Wood, F. E. (1980). Reproductive biology of captive green sea turtles CIlelonia mydas. Amer. Zool. 20, 499-505. Crocodilians Yamamoto, Y. (1960). Comparative histological studies of the thyroid gland of lower verte­ brates. Folia anat. jap. 34, 353-387. Yntema, C. L. (1964). Procurement and use of turtle embryos for experimental procedures. Anal. Rec. 149, 577-586. Yntema, C. L. (1968). A series of stages in the embryonic development of Chelydra serpentina. f. Morph. 125, 219-251. MARK W. 0. FERGUSON Yntema, C. L. (1976). Effects of incubation temperatures on sexual differentiation in the turtle, Department of Basic Dental Sciences, Turner Dental School, University of Chelydra serpentina.
    [Show full text]