DOCSLIB.ORG

Life History and Reproductive Ecology of Sistrurus Miliarius Barbouri : the Dusky Pygmy Rattlesnake in Long Pine Key, Everglades National Park Teresa C

Total Page：16

File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb

Download full-text PDF Read full-text
Life History and Reproductive Ecology of Sistrurus Miliarius Barbouri : the Dusky Pygmy Rattlesnake in Long Pine Key, Everglades National Park Teresa C Florida International University FIU Digital Commons FIU Electronic Theses and Dissertations University Graduate School 4-24-1987 Life history and reproductive ecology of sistrurus miliarius barbouri : the dusky pygmy rattlesnake in Long Pine Key, Everglades National Park Teresa C. DeFrancesco Florida International University DOI: 10.25148/etd.FI14062233 Follow this and additional works at: https://digitalcommons.fiu.edu/etd Part of the Biology Commons, and the Ecology and Evolutionary Biology Commons Recommended Citation DeFrancesco, Teresa C., "Life history and reproductive ecology of sistrurus miliarius barbouri : the dusky pygmy rattlesnake in Long Pine Key, Everglades National Park" (1987). FIU Electronic Theses and Dissertations. 2763. https://digitalcommons.fiu.edu/etd/2763 This work is brought to you for free and open access by the University Graduate School at FIU Digital Commons. It has been accepted for inclusion in FIU Electronic Theses and Dissertations by an authorized administrator of FIU Digital Commons. For more information, please contact [email protected]. AS TCT The l i fe history and reproductive ecology ofthe pygmy rattlesnake strur m_ ba o . iwa stued from. o January, 194t June 1987 at Long Pine Key, Everglades Watio& a lh snp ehbt oeuldmrhs except fo relative- tail lengths-, -aut size was about 4 m. Females dohwvr comprise the ma orty of th snakes over 5O cms. barbor i show no habitat preference between, the four habitat types. They are active year round yet are clearl second half of the yea snakes. The species activity pekis in October wich marks the endof the we season and the climax in water table level. In addition, gravid females are acive in Febrt ry ad Marc h. YQYE n juveniles l ashow a sml e<of activity in May, the onset of the wet season, Inthe fall ovary length and egg il~ is-smal wherea the testis size i. large suggesting mating in the fall. Eggs are yolked and enlarged In February and arch but ae till in the c lres. Birth of the young ocu in July. Spen retention is u- td.te Mean hatchling sipei larger than that cite by Klaubr (196) Growth rate in the first year oflife isestimated to be approximate y 2 pg at sexual matur ity i estimated to b 3years. L Florida International University Life History and Reproductive Ecology of Sitr us i ia riu r o i, the dusky pygmy rattlesnake, in Long Pine Key, Everglades National Park By Teresa C. DeFrancesco A Dissertation submitted to the faculty of Florida International University in partial fulfillment of the requirements or Honors Thesis Miami, Florida July 1987 This Honors Thesis is submitted in conformity with the requIrements for the Degree o Bachelor of Science of Biological Sciences with Honors in Florida International University. George H. Dalrymple Thesis supervisor Alicia Zuniga Date of seminars Ari 24, 1907 AGKNOWLEDGEMENTS I would like to express my deepest gratitude to Dr. George Dalrymple. He is both a great teacher and dear friend. He unselfishly helped me in every facet of the thesis even though he complained about the extra grey hairs I gave him. On a broader scope and more importantly George taught me the love of all wildlife and the appreciation of nature. This thesis i only a small part of a 1arge her petoa na study by Or. Geoge Dalrymple in Lon Fine Key, Everglades National Park. Hundreds of hours of effort are needed for such a large scale study. Bob Nodel and Frank Bernardino are invaluable to the study for their contribution in the field. I thank them for their great friendship, constant encouragement and supply of mosquito repellant. My appre iation is ex ended to labmates Laura Brandt and Megumi Yamakoshi for their help including taking slides, putting up with my smelling up the lab with Form alin, a cup of tea and much more. My appreciation is also extended to the FlU Biology faculty and staff for their help ranging from unja min the copy machine to teaching me the foundations of biology. 1 would like to thank the following for their encouragement and genuine interest in the study; .T racey, J.Makemson, A.Zuniga, K.Dcwnum, G.Murison, E.Camps, C.Nachman and 0. Solis, In addition, I wish to express my appreciation to all my friends at FIU. Thanks for all the visits to the lab and tL hallway ohats. To Chris Simoniello, thanks for being a great late night study partner, for the midnight Jogs, for helping me type the thesis and for all your encouraging talks to help me finish this bear of a project. To Johanne Scott and Diana Ramirez, thanks for your friendship, slides and papers. You saved me a lot of work. To Lavina Faleiro, thanks for the typing, the use of your calculator and symphony handbook. LLL LIST OF TABLES Table No. Page 1. All data except gonadal measurements on -4 arou in Long istru u mia u b Pine Key, Eve rglade National 'ark (212) + before th date india t - the snakes were either found dead on the road or in the traps and were dissected for analysis of reproductive effort .......... 29 2. Sexual dif ferences between mean snout-vent length, tail length, relative tail length, and weight in adult Sam.barbouri. Mean + confidence levels are given. Gravid females were not included in the weight comparison (N 55 males and 24 females) ...... 34 3. Total numbers of S.m.ba rouri collected during the study and their distribution based on sexua diff r nes and habitat types. Ten snakes were seen on the road but were not sexed -. ---.-.-... -...... ..... 34 4. Snout-vent- length, tail length and weight of a clutch of hatchlings of S.m. barbouri_ born 08/03/86 in captivity.......... 35 S. Reproductive measurements of adult females with yolked ovarian eggs (N 3)... ....... 4 3 6. Reproductive measurements of adult females with unyolked, small follicles (N = 5)...... 37 7. Reproductive measurements o adult males of S.m.barbouri (N .24......... --- m --- 3 6 Varying lenght of sper retention in the oviduct for reptilian pecies (Fox 1977) .... 39 9. Average snout-vent length for different age groups of S.ambarbouri. Values for after one and two years were taken from May through September. Values for average hatchlings were calculated from July and August....... .40 LIST OF FIGURES --.o Page 1. Size frequency of S.mbarbouri in Long Pine Key, Everglades Nation Park (N = 2 ....2) .. .. ............... 1 2. Sexual differences in size distribution of adult S.m barbouri (N =4 males and 24 females. .................. ........... 43 3. Species activity pattern for Sim. barbouri, The species is most common during the econd half of the year (N = 212)- .......................... -- ........45 4. Comparison of rainfall per month to the number of S._bar ouri collected from January 1984 through December 1986 at Long Pine Key. Rainfall is measured in inches and snakes are represented as actual numbers caught during that month (Rainfall data was obtained from Dalrymple) (N = 207) ...................... 47 5. Comparison of adult male and female activity patterns of S.m.barbo, i (N = 55 males and 24 females) . ..... .. 49 8. Activity pattern of the young of the year of Sama barbouri (N =87)-. ........... 5 7. Activity pattern of juvenile S.m. barbouri (N = 3)m ........ ® .... ...... 53 84 Comparison of adult and juvenile male activity patterns (N = 54 adult males and 18 juvenile males) .55 9. Comparison of adult and juvenile female activity patterns (N 24 adult females and 18 juvenile females) -.. .7 7........... 10. Comparison o mean right egg length and activity of adult females (N = 8) .......... 59 11. Comparison of right testis length and activity pattern of adult males (N = 24) ... 1 12. Snout-vent length distribution for Smabarbouri in the months of July, August and September (N =74) .. 6 13. Comparison of young of the year snout- vent length to months of the year. First month in the x axis correlates to July which is the first month in the growth year of the newborns. A growth rate of 32.94% was calculated via linear regression (y = 17.28+1.00x) (N = 67).... .65 TABLE OF CONI Z' ER e Abstract ...... .. ....... 4.4....4 .................. know--_' __ . .$ @ 44. .. .............. List of FigL .. ; .. .4y .®...,.4. .®.a uc x ..... 4...... .. .. 4.. .. 4. .. to Y' . a ... ... .4 ... 4. ....... s. .... Materials n Methods .............................. ults and t- ;. .: .;. 7 3: A ea W O . 4 8 ®. 4 * &. 4 4 a: . 4t: a .; . 9 4 6 2 a . w a t 4 264.a Table ......... ... 44.......4............44.4..4..E 1,.A i. .. 4: R . a. '. 4 F 8 8 s. .. 'S . a: 4 . 4. m: . O. 4. 4 4 4 4 4 m. a. i a 8;: a. a a. 4. 4 . A 0 a 4a References 4 i. 4 4. 4'. O.. Y: . 8. 4: 4 A. 6 4. 4.. :. c #. d. a. p g s. a a A 4 9 M a Q, f INTRODUCTION Our knowledge of rattlesnake populations and ecology in general i limited. To discuss the eco ogy'and populations of snakes, it i dsirable to examine the habitats in which they are found, and the conditions that govern their lives and limit their spread. Kl auber (1956) noted that rattlesnakes generally live in dry areas. One exception to that generalization is Sitrturus miliarius babouri. S.m.barbouri ranges from southern South Carolina and southern Georgia, south throughout Florida and west across southern Alabama to southeastern Mississippi. Studies on the rattlesnake genus Sistrurus seem to have been obscured in the light of the much larger genus Crotalus. This small and little known genus is made up of small to medium sized rattlesnakes ranging from southeastern Arizona to west New York and southern Ontario including the lower Mississippi Valley and Gulf Coast; they are also found in a small area at the southern tip of the Mexican Plateau.
Load more

Recommended publications
  • Snakes of the Everglades Agricultural Area1 Michelle L
    CIR1462 Snakes of the Everglades Agricultural Area1 Michelle L. Casler, Elise V. Pearlstine, Frank J. Mazzotti, and Kenneth L. Krysko2 Background snakes are often escapees or are released deliberately and illegally by owners who can no longer care for them. Snakes are members of the vertebrate order Squamata However, there has been no documentation of these snakes (suborder Serpentes) and are most closely related to lizards breeding in the EAA (Tennant 1997). (suborder Sauria). All snakes are legless and have elongated trunks. They can be found in a variety of habitats and are able to climb trees; swim through streams, lakes, or oceans; Benefits of Snakes and move across sand or through leaf litter in a forest. Snakes are an important part of the environment and play Often secretive, they rely on scent rather than vision for a role in keeping the balance of nature. They aid in the social and predatory behaviors. A snake’s skull is highly control of rodents and invertebrates. Also, some snakes modified and has a great degree of flexibility, called cranial prey on other snakes. The Florida kingsnake (Lampropeltis kinesis, that allows it to swallow prey much larger than its getula floridana), for example, prefers snakes as prey and head. will even eat venomous species. Snakes also provide a food source for other animals such as birds and alligators. Of the 45 snake species (70 subspecies) that occur through- out Florida, 23 may be found in the Everglades Agricultural Snake Conservation Area (EAA). Of the 23, only four are venomous. The venomous species that may occur in the EAA are the coral Loss of habitat is the most significant problem facing many snake (Micrurus fulvius fulvius), Florida cottonmouth wildlife species in Florida, snakes included.
    [Show full text]
  • FAMILY VIPERIDAE: VENOMOUS “Pit Vipers” Whose Fangs Fold up Against the Roof of Their Mouth, Such As Rattlesnakes, Copperheads, and Cottonmouths
    FAMILY VIPERIDAE: VENOMOUS “pit vipers” whose fangs fold up against the roof of their mouth, such as rattlesnakes, copperheads, and cottonmouths COPPERHEAD—Agkistrodon contortrix Uncommon to common. Copperheads are found in wet wooded areas, high areas in swamps, and mountainous habitats, although they may be encountered occasionally in most terrestrial habitats. Adults usually are 2 to 3 ft. long. Their general appearance is light brown or pinkish with darker, saddle-shaped crossbands. The head is solid brown. Their leaf-pattern camouflage permits copperheads to be sit- Juvenile copper- heads and-wait predators, concealed not only from their prey but also from their enemies. Copperheads feed on mice, small birds, lizards, snakes, amphibians, and insects, especially cicadas. Like young cottonmouths, baby copperheads have a bright yellow tail that is used to lure small prey animals. 0123ft. Heat-sensing “pit” characteristic of pit vipers CANEBRAKE OR TIMBER RATTLESNAKE—Crotalus horridus Mountain form Common. This species occupies a wide diversity of terrestrial habitats, but is found most frequently in deciduous forests and high ground in swamps. Heavy-bodied adults are usually 3 to 4, and occasionally 5, ft. long. Their basic color is gray with black crossbands that usually are chevron-shaped. Timber rattlesnakes feed on various rodents, rabbits, and occasionally birds. These rattlesnakes are generally passive if not disturbed or pestered in some way. When a rattlesnake is Coastal plain form encountered, the safest reaction is to back away--it will not try to attack you if you leave it alone. 012345 ft. EASTERN DIAMONDBACK RATTLESNAKE— Crotalus adamanteus Rare. This rattlesnake is found in both wet and dry terrestrial habitats including palmetto stands, pine woods, and swamp margins.
    [Show full text]
  • Significant New Records of Amphibians and Reptiles from Georgia, USA
    GEOGRAPHIC DISTRIBUTION 597 Herpetological Review, 2015, 46(4), 597–601. © 2015 by Society for the Study of Amphibians and Reptiles Significant New Records of Amphibians and Reptiles from Georgia, USA Distributional maps found in Amphibians and Reptiles of records for a variety of amphibian and reptile species in Georgia. Georgia (Jensen et al. 2008), along with subsequent geographical All records below were verified by David Bechler (VSU), Nikole distribution notes published in Herpetological Review, serve Castleberry (GMNH), David Laurencio (AUM), Lance McBrayer as essential references for county-level occurrence data for (GSU), and David Steen (SRSU), and datum used was WGS84. herpetofauna in Georgia. Collectively, these resources aid Standard English names follow Crother (2012). biologists by helping to identify distributional gaps for which to target survey efforts. Herein we report newly documented county CAUDATA — SALAMANDERS DIRK J. STEVENSON AMBYSTOMA OPACUM (Marbled Salamander). CALHOUN CO.: CHRISTOPHER L. JENKINS 7.8 km W Leary (31.488749°N, 84.595917°W). 18 October 2014. D. KEVIN M. STOHLGREN Stevenson. GMNH 50875. LOWNDES CO.: Langdale Park, Valdosta The Orianne Society, 100 Phoenix Road, Athens, (30.878524°N, 83.317114°W). 3 April 1998. J. Evans. VSU C0015. Georgia 30605, USA First Georgia record for the Suwannee River drainage. MURRAY JOHN B. JENSEN* CO.: Conasauga Natural Area (34.845116°N, 84.848180°W). 12 Georgia Department of Natural Resources, 116 Rum November 2013. N. Klaus and C. Muise. GMNH 50548. Creek Drive, Forsyth, Georgia 31029, USA DAVID L. BECHLER Department of Biology, Valdosta State University, Valdosta, AMBYSTOMA TALPOIDEUM (Mole Salamander). BERRIEN CO.: Georgia 31602, USA St.
    [Show full text]
  • Desert Massasauga Rattlesnake (Sistrurus Catenatus Edwardsii): a Technical Conservation Assessment
    Desert Massasauga Rattlesnake (Sistrurus catenatus edwardsii): A Technical Conservation Assessment Prepared for the USDA Forest Service, Rocky Mountain Region, Species Conservation Project December 12, 2005 Stephen P. Mackessy, Ph.D.1 with input from Douglas A. Keinath2, Mathew McGee2, Dr. David McDonald3, and Takeshi Ise3 1 School of Biological Sciences, University of Northern Colorado, 501 20th St., CB 92, Greeley, CO 80639-0017 2 Wyoming Natural Diversity Database, University of Wyoming, P.O. Box 3381, Laramie, WY 82071 3 Department of Zoology and Physiology, University of Wyoming, P.O. Box 3166, Laramie, WY 82071 Peer Review Administered by Society for Conservation Biology Mackessy, S.P. (2005, December 12). Desert Massasauga Rattlesnake (Sistrurus catenatus edwardsii): a technical conservation assessment. [Online]. USDA Forest Service, Rocky Mountain Region. Available: http:// www.fs.fed.us/r2/projects/scp/assessments/massasauga.pdf [date of access]. ACKNOWLEDGMENTS We would like to thank the members of the massasauga listserv for information provided, including but not limited to Tom Anton, Gary Casper, Frank Durbian, Andrew Holycross, Rebecca Key, David Mauger, Jennifer Szymanski, and Darlene Upton. For excellent field work on surveys of southeastern Colorado and radiotelemetry of desert massasaugas, the lead author thanks Enoch Bergman, Ron Donoho, Ben Hill, Justin Hobert, Rocky Manzer, Chad Montgomery, James Siefert, Kevin Waldron, and Andrew Wastell. John Palmer and the Palmer family generously provided access to their ranch, which was critical for both survey and telemetry work, and many other kindnesses. For discussions about massasaugas at various times, I thank David Chiszar, Harry Greene, Geoff Hammerson, Andrew Holycross, Lauren Livo, Richard Seigel, and Hobart M.
    [Show full text]
  • Care and Breeding of Sistrurus Miliaris Barbouri, the Barbours Pygmy Rattlesnake
    CARE AND BREEDING OF SISTRURUS MILIARIS BARBOURI, THE BARBOURS PYGMY RATTLESNAKE. By: Peet Smetsers, Langvennen zuid 18, 5061 NR Oisterwijk, The Netherlands. Contents: Introduction - The species - Distribution and habitat - Behaviour and food - The parent animals and their terra­ rium - The copulation - The young - Conclu­ sion - References. INTRODUCTION For two and a half years I have success­ fully kept Pygmy rattlesnakes; this year I have bred them for the first time. In the following article I give some details about this species and about my way of caring for and breeding them. Although I do not want to advocate the keeping of venomous snakes, Sistrurus mili­ arus barbouri is in my opinion an ideal snake for someone who has not had much experience with venomous snakes. Reasons include the beautiful colour pat­ tern, the small size and the relatively low price you have to pay for specimens nowa­ days. THE SPECIES Pygmy rattlesnakes belong to the family Crotalidae (Pit vipers). This group is de­ fined by the possession of a warmth sensi­ tive organ, of which both openings are lo­ cated just beneath the eyes. They are closely related to the real rattlesnakes of the genus Crotalus. Besides Sistrurus mi­ liarus barbouri there are another two sub- 181 species distinguished: Sistrurus miliarus miliarus and Sistrurus miliarus streckeri, which both have roughly the same pattern as Sistrurus miliarus barbouri, but are a completely different colour and also have different areas of distribution. Sistrurus miliarus barbouri has a light to dark-grey background with black, saddle­ shaped spots on the back. Irregularly dis­ tributed on the sides are black spots.
    [Show full text]
  • Growth and Age at Reproductive Maturity of the Carolina Pigmy Rattlesnake, Sistrurus M
    Marshall University Marshall Digital Scholar Theses, Dissertations and Capstones 1-1-2010 Growth and Age at Reproductive Maturity of the Carolina Pigmy Rattlesnake, Sistrurus m. miliarius (Reptilia: Serpentes) Kevin Robert Messenger [email protected] Follow this and additional works at: http://mds.marshall.edu/etd Part of the Other Animal Sciences Commons Recommended Citation Messenger, Kevin Robert, "Growth and Age at Reproductive Maturity of the Carolina Pigmy Rattlesnake, Sistrurus m. miliarius (Reptilia: Serpentes)" (2010). Theses, Dissertations and Capstones. Paper 106. This Thesis is brought to you for free and open access by Marshall Digital Scholar. It has been accepted for inclusion in Theses, Dissertations and Capstones by an authorized administrator of Marshall Digital Scholar. For more information, please contact [email protected]. Growth and Age at Reproductive Maturity of the Carolina Pigmy Rattlesnake, Sistrurus m. miliarius (Reptilia: Serpentes) Thesis submitted to the Graduate College of Marshall University In partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Science Biological Sciences by Kevin Robert Messenger Dr. Thomas K. Pauley, Committee Chair Dr. Jayme L. Waldron, Committee Member Dr. Dan K. Evans, Committee Member Marshall University December 2010 ABSTRACT Growth and Age at Reproductive Maturity of the Carolina Pigmy Rattlesnake, Sistrurus m. miliarius (Reptilia: Serpentes) Kevin Robert Messenger Growth and age at reproductive maturity are life history attributes that play an important role in the development of proper management strategies. The Carolina Pigmy Rattlesnake, Sistrurus m. miliarius, is one of two dwarf rattlesnake species. The subspecies ranges from eastern NC to nearly the southern tip of SC and into the northeastern portion of GA.
    [Show full text]
  • Fixed Prey Cue Preferences Among Dusky Pigmy Rattlesnakes (Sistrurus Miliarius Barbouri) Raised on Different Long-Term Diets
    Evol Ecol (2016) 30:1–7 DOI 10.1007/s10682-015-9787-2 ORIGINAL PAPER Fixed prey cue preferences among Dusky Pigmy Rattlesnakes (Sistrurus miliarius barbouri) raised on different long-term diets 1 1 1 Matthew L. Holding • Edward H. Kern • Robert D. Denton • H. Lisle Gibbs1 Received: 1 April 2015 / Accepted: 3 August 2015 / Published online: 8 August 2015 Ó Springer International Publishing Switzerland 2015 Abstract Chemoreception is often crucial to the interaction between predators and their prey. Investigating the mechanisms controlling predator chemical preference gives insight into how selection molds traits directly involved in ecological interactions between species. In snakes, prey cue preferences are influenced by both direct genetic control and experi- ence-based plasticity. We assessed prey preference in a group of Dusky Pigmy Rat- tlesnakes that had eaten only mice or lizards over a 5 year period to test whether genetics or plasticity primarily determine the preference phenotype. Our results provide evidence for genetic determination of preference for lizard chemical cues in pigmy rattlesnakes. Snakes preferred the scent of lizards, regardless of their initial diet, and the response to mouse scent did not differ from the water-only control. We discuss these findings in light of previous studies that manipulated snake diets over shorter timescales. Keywords Prey preference Á Tongue-flick Á Pigmy rattlesnake Á Sistrurus miliarius Á Plasticity Á Vomeronasal organ Introduction The means by which predators locate and attack their victims can dictate key features of predator–prey dynamics, such as encounter rate, defensive strategies, and the likelihood of coevolution in antagonistic interactions (Brodie and Brodie 1999; Gilman et al.
    [Show full text]
  • Species Description Taxonomy
    Eastern Indigo Snake Species Description Eastern Indigo Snakes are one of the largest snakes in North America, reaching a maximum total length of 2.6 meters (8.58 feet). Most records of wild specimens measuring 2.4 m. (7.83 ft.) or longer have been from southern Florida. The species is fairly stout-bodied and sexually dimorphic in size, with males attaining greater lengths than females. Large males are typically 2.0 to 2.3 m. (6.67 to 7.5 ft.) and weigh 3.2 to 4.5 kilograms (7 to 10 pounds), while large females seldom exceed 2 m. (6.5 ft.) and weigh 1.8 to 2.7 kg. (4 to 6 lbs.). Photo: Kevin Stohlgren Eastern Indigo Snakes are a uniform bluish or gunmetal black, both dorsally and ventrally. A wash of orange- red is often present on the chin, sides of the head and throat. There is variation in this trait, with some populations in northern Florida having black lip scales, a white patch in the center of the throat and lacking orange-red. The orange-red pigment is more prominent in male Eastern Indigos and may extend onto the belly of some south Florida snakes. The common name for Eastern Indigo Snakes relates to the large, smooth scales of this species which appear iridescent purple in sunlight. Adult males have partial keels on the scales along the middle of the back. Hatchling Eastern Indigos may possess a faint pattern of cream speckling forming indistinct lateral bands. Taxonomy The taxon was described by James Edward Holbrook in 1842 and named in honor of J.
    [Show full text]
  • Species and Habitat Interactions of the Gopher Tortoise: a Keystone Species?
    University of Central Florida STARS Electronic Theses and Dissertations, 2004-2019 2012 Species And Habitat Interactions Of The Gopher Tortoise: A Keystone Species? Christopher Catano University of Central Florida Part of the Biology Commons Find similar works at: https://stars.library.ucf.edu/etd University of Central Florida Libraries http://library.ucf.edu This Masters Thesis (Open Access) is brought to you for free and open access by STARS. It has been accepted for inclusion in Electronic Theses and Dissertations, 2004-2019 by an authorized administrator of STARS. For more information, please contact [email protected]. STARS Citation Catano, Christopher, "Species And Habitat Interactions Of The Gopher Tortoise: A Keystone Species?" (2012). Electronic Theses and Dissertations, 2004-2019. 2437. https://stars.library.ucf.edu/etd/2437 SPECIES AND HABITAT INTERACTIONS OF THE GOPHER TORTOISE: A KEYSTONE SPECIES? by CHRISTOPHER PAUL CATANO B.S. University of South Florida, 2007 A thesis submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements For the degree of Master of Science In the Department of Biology In the College of Sciences At the University of Central Florida Orlando, Florida Summer Term 2012 © 2012 Christopher P. Catano ii ABSTRACT Species-species and species-habitat interactions have been demonstrated to be important in influencing diversity across a variety of ecosystems. Despite generalities in the importance of these interactions, appropriate mechanisms to explain them are absent in many systems. In sandhill systems of the southeast U.S., gopher tortoises have been hypothesized to be a crucial species in the maintenance of diversity and function. However, the mechanisms and magnitude in which they influence their communities and habitats have rarely been empirically quantified.
    [Show full text]
  • Sistrurus Miliarius (Linnaeus) Pygmy Rattlesnake L.Sistrurus Miliarius
    220.1 REPTILIA: SQUAMATA: SERPENTES: CROTALIDAE SISTRURUS MILIARIUS Catalogue of American Amphibians and Reptiles. -Palmer (1971). OKLAHOMA-Webb (1970), Ball (1975). TEN• NESSEE-Gentry (1956), Snyder et al. (1967). TEXAS-Raun and PALMER,WILLIAMM. 1978. Sistrurus miliarius. Gehlbach (1972). See Palmer (1971) and Raun and Gehlbach (1972) for questionable records. This snake occurs in flatwoods, sandhills, mixed forests, Sistrurus miliarius (Linnaeus) floodplains, and near lakes and marshes. See Palmer and Wil• Pygmy rattlesnake liamson (1971) and Anderson (1975) for photographs. • FOSSILRECORD.Sistrurus miliarius has been reported from Crotalus miliarius Linnaeus, 1766:372. Type-locality, "Caroli• Pleistocene deposits of Florida in Alachua, Levy, and Marion na," {estricted to Charleston, South Carolina, by Schmidt counties (Holman, 1959; Auffenberg, 1963). (1953). The holotype, received by Linnaeus from Alexander • PERTINENTLITERATURE.Gloyd's (1940) classic taxonomic Garden, is presumed lost. monograph and Klauber's (1972) tractate include the relevant C[rotalophorus]. miliaris: Gray, 1825:205. earlier literature. Van Bourgondieu and Bothner (1969) compared Caudisona miliaria: Fitzinger, 1826:63. the arterial system with that of other Crotalinae. Devi (1971) Sistrurus miliarius: Garman, 1883:119. and Bonilla et al. (1971) studied the venom. Lee (1968) noted • CONTENT. Three subspecies, miliarius, barbouri, and certain rodents as habitat associates, and Palmer and William• streckeri, are recognized. son (1971) published on the general natural history. Carpenter and Gillingham (1975) discussed responses of individuals exposed • DEFINITION. This small rattlesnake (neonates 130-191 mm to kingsnakes. Jackson et al. (1976) included this species in a total length; maximum total length about 785 mm) has a slender study of antipredator strategy based on dorsal pattern types.
    [Show full text]
  • St. Vincent National Wildlife Refuge Fish, Amphibian, Reptile and Mammal List
    U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service St. Vincent National Wildlife Refuge Fish, Amphibian, Reptile and Mammal List photo: Debbie Hooper Eastern Diamondback Rattlesnake The St. Vincent NWR was established in 1968. The primary feature of St. Vincent NWR is St. Vincent Island, a 12,300 acre undeveloped barrier island, located in Franklin County, Florida, at the west end of Apalachicola Bay. The island is triangular in shape, nine miles long, four miles wide at the east end and gradually forms a point at Indian Pass on the west end. The island is characterized by ridge and swale photo: Monica Harrisphoto: topography American Alligator with well developed wetland and upland habitats. The refuge manages both salt and fresh water wetlands including several impoundments to provide a mix of wetland habitats. The size and shape of the island and variety of habitats provides for a diversity of wildlife species not typically found on barrier islands in the area. The refuge also administers an 86 acre mainland tract in Franklin County and the 45 acre Pig Island in St. Joe Bay, Gulf County. Endangered and Threatened Wildlife St. Vincent NWR provides refuge for several Federally and State listed endangered and threatened species. St. Vincent Island is an “Island Propagation Site” for the Red Wolf Recovery Program. A red wolf pair is allowed to raise pups on the island which are removed when they reach 18 months of age and shipped to North Carolina to help augment the photo: USFWS photo: Red Wolf wild population. Occasionally, West Indian manatees are seen in the waters around the refuge.
    [Show full text]
  • Venomous Snakes of Georgia
    For additional information, please contact: f the 46 species of snakes known from Georgia, only six Distribution of Venomous Snakes in Georgia species are venomous: Copperhead (Agkistrodon contortrix), Cottonmouth (Agkistrodon piscivorus), Eastern Diamondback Rattlesnake (Crotalus adamanteus), Timber/Canebrake Quick Reference Guide A B C D E F G H I J K L Rattlesnake (Crotalus horridus), Pigmy Rattlesnake (Sistrurus Omiliarius) and Eastern Coral Snake (Micrurus fulvius). No single venomous Copperhead • • • • • • • • snake species is found over the entire state, and only a portion of the Georgia to Georgia’s Non-venomous Snakes NONGAME CONSERVATION SECTION Cottonmouth • • • • • • • • • • Coastal Plain is inhabited by all six venomous species. Although differentiating Rough Green Snake Mud Snake Rainbow Snake 116 Rum Creek Drive; Forsyth GA 31029 E. Diamondback Rattlesnake among all 46 species can be difficult, becoming familiar with the colors • • • • • • • 478-994-1438 and patterns of Georgia’s six venomous snake species will enable you to Timber Rattlesnake • • • • • • • • • • www.georgiawildlife.com determine whether any snake encountered is venomous or non-venomous. Production and printing of this brochure made possible by: Pigmy Rattlesnake • • • • • • • • The information in this brochure is intended to aid in identifying the Eastern Coral Snake venomous snake species found in Georgia through the recognition of physical • • • • • • traits, pattern and color. Caution should be used when approaching any snake, and snakes found in the wild should only be handled by experienced Eastern Indigo Snake Black Racer Coachwhip Eastern Rat Snake Gray Rat Snake Pine Woods Snake (Black Phase) (Yellow Phase) A 2 3 4 5 people after proper identification. Although the possibility of incurring a 1 venomous snake bite should be taken seriously, only the Timber Rattlesnake, B Eastern Diamondback Rattlesnake and Cottonmouth realistically represent 14 6 8 a serious threat to human life.
    [Show full text]