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Investigating vertebrate relationships of the south Florida gopher tortoise: a study of vertebrate species within scrub, pine rockland, coastal hammock and grassland habitats

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Date Issued:
2021
Abstract/Description:
The gopher tortoise is a keystone species that creates networks of underground burrows that are home to an additional 350 species, where 60 are vertebrates. Vertebrates have been shown to differ between habitat types and seasonally, but limited information is known about vertebrate associates in our region. This study was one of the first to investigate this in our region of south Florida. This study was designed to investigate factors that may affect the presence of vertebrates at gopher tortoise burrows. Camera data was collected to determine vertebrate presence and if specific vertebrate groups elicit a territorial response from the tortoise, while habitat vegetation surveys and weather data were collected to evaluate seasonality. Statistical analysis showed variation in vertebrate presence both seasonally and by habitat type. Few territorial interactions were observed overall. This study acts as a starting point to increase our understanding of local tortoise populations.
Title: Investigating vertebrate relationships of the south Florida gopher tortoise: a study of vertebrate species within scrub, pine rockland, coastal hammock and grassland habitats.
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Name(s): Melanson, Lauren , author
Frazier, Evelyn, Thesis advisor
Florida Atlantic University, Degree grantor
Department of Biological Sciences
Charles E. Schmidt College of Science
Type of Resource: text
Genre: Electronic Thesis Or Dissertation
Date Created: 2021
Date Issued: 2021
Publisher: Florida Atlantic University
Place of Publication: Boca Raton, Fla.
Physical Form: application/pdf
Extent: 99 p.
Language(s): English
Abstract/Description: The gopher tortoise is a keystone species that creates networks of underground burrows that are home to an additional 350 species, where 60 are vertebrates. Vertebrates have been shown to differ between habitat types and seasonally, but limited information is known about vertebrate associates in our region. This study was one of the first to investigate this in our region of south Florida. This study was designed to investigate factors that may affect the presence of vertebrates at gopher tortoise burrows. Camera data was collected to determine vertebrate presence and if specific vertebrate groups elicit a territorial response from the tortoise, while habitat vegetation surveys and weather data were collected to evaluate seasonality. Statistical analysis showed variation in vertebrate presence both seasonally and by habitat type. Few territorial interactions were observed overall. This study acts as a starting point to increase our understanding of local tortoise populations.
Identifier: FA00013776 (IID)
Degree granted: Thesis (M.S.)--Florida Atlantic University, 2021.
Collection: FAU Electronic Theses and Dissertations Collection
Note(s): Includes bibliography.
Subject(s): Gopher tortoise
Keystone species
Vertebrates
Conservation biology
Persistent Link to This Record: http://purl.flvc.org/fau/fd/FA00013776
Use and Reproduction: Copyright © is held by the author with permission granted to Florida Atlantic University to digitize, archive and distribute this item for non-profit research and educational purposes. Any reuse of this item in excess of fair use or other copyright exemptions requires permission of the copyright holder.
Use and Reproduction: http://rightsstatements.org/vocab/InC/1.0/
Host Institution: FAU
Is Part of Series: Florida Atlantic University Digital Library Collections.