A5066616088- Turtle Biology and Conservation
- Avian ecology and behavior
- Marine animal studies overview
- Wildlife Ecology and Conservation
- Fish Ecology and Management Studies
- Amphibian and Reptile Biology
- Marine and fisheries research
- Ichthyology and Marine Biology
- Bat Biology and Ecology Studies
- Coastal wetland ecosystem dynamics
- Coral and Marine Ecosystems Studies
- Paleontology and Evolutionary Biology
- Genetic diversity and population structure
- Isotope Analysis in Ecology
- Animal Vocal Communication and Behavior
- Primate Behavior and Ecology
- Evolution and Paleontology Studies
- Environmental Conservation and Management
- Land Use and Ecosystem Services
- Bird parasitology and diseases
- Identification and Quantification in Food
- Animal Ecology and Behavior Studies
- Knee injuries and reconstruction techniques
- Animal Behavior and Reproduction
- Physiological and biochemical adaptations
United States Geological Survey
2015-2025
U.S. Geological Survey, Wetland and Aquatic Research Center
2016-2023
Aquatic Systems (United States)
2017-2020
University of Florida
1969-2019
University of Fort Lauderdale
2007-2014
Abstract Somatic growth dynamics are an integrated response to environmental conditions. Hawksbill sea turtles ( Eretmochelys imbricata ) long‐lived, major consumers in coral reef habitats that move over broad geographic areas (hundreds thousands of kilometers). We evaluated spatio‐temporal effects on hawksbill a 33‐yr period and 24 study sites throughout the West Atlantic explored relationships between climate indices. compiled largest ever data set somatic rates for hawksbills – 3541...
Burmese pythons ( Python molurus bivittatus ) are native to southeastern Asia, however, there is an established invasive population inhabiting much of southern Florida throughout the Greater Everglades Ecosystem. Pythons have severely impacted species and ecosystems in represent one most intractable invasive-species management issues across globe. The difficulty stems from a unique combination inaccessible habitat cryptic resilient nature that thrive subtropical environment Florida,...
Abstract Somatic growth is an integrated, individual‐based response to environmental conditions, especially in ectotherms. Growth dynamics of large, mobile animals are particularly useful as bio‐indicators change at regional scales. We assembled rate data from throughout the West Atlantic for green turtles, Chelonia mydas , which long‐lived, highly migratory, primarily herbivorous mega‐consumers that may migrate over hundreds thousands kilometers. Our dataset, largest ever compiled sea has...
To develop safe and effective management policies, it is important to understand the physiologic effects of fishing interactions scientific research methods on endangered marine species. In present study, validated assays for plasma corticosterone, free thyroxine (fT4), aldosterone were used assess endocrine status 61 presumed healthy, wild Kemp's ridley sea turtles (Lepidochelys kempii) that captured separate ecological studies using two capture (trawl net n = 40; manual 21). Plasma hormone...
A recent record cold spell in southern Florida (2–11 January 2010) provided an opportunity to evaluate responses of established population Burmese pythons (Python molurus bivittatus) a prolonged period unusually weather. We observed behavior, characterized thermal biology, determined fate radio-telemetered (n = 10) and non-telemetered 104) pythons, analyzed habitat environmental conditions experienced by during after historic spell. Telemetered had been implanted with radio-transmitters...
Studies on the spatial ecology of invasive species provide critical information for conservation managers such as habitat preferences and identification native at risk predation. To understand non-native Burmese pythons (Python molurus bivittatus), now well-established in Everglades National Park much South Florida USA, we radio-tracked 19 wild-caught adult pythons, 16 with VHF tags during 2006 through 2009 3 by GPS between 2010 2011. Our goal was to identify individual core-use areas...
Navigational ability is a critical component of an animal's spatial ecology and may influence the invasive potential species. Burmese pythons ( Python molurus bivittatus ) are apex predators to South Florida. We tracked movements 12 adult in Everglades National Park, six which were translocated 21–36 km from their capture locations. Translocated snakes oriented movement homeward relative location, five returned within 5 original location. moved straighter faster than control displayed path...
Abstract Successful species conservation is dependent on adequate estimates of population dynamics, but age‐specific demographics are generally lacking for many long‐lived iteroparous such as large reptiles. Accurate demographic information allows estimation growth rate, well projection future sizes and quantitative analyses fitness trade‐offs involved in the evolution life‐history strategies. Here, a long‐term capture–recapture study was conducted from 1978 to 2014 American crocodile (...
Understanding movement patterns of free-ranging top predators throughout heterogeneous habitat is important for gaining insight into trophic interactions. We tracked the movements five adult American alligators to delineate their estuarine use and determine drivers activity in a seasonally-fluctuating environment. also compared VHF- satellite-tracks one examine tradeoffs data quality quantity. All showed high site fidelity estuary, but estimated home range size core-use areas were highly...
Abstract Distributional limits of many tropical species in Florida are ultimately determined by tolerance to low temperature. An unprecedented cold spell during 2–11 January 2010, South provided an opportunity compare the responses American crocodiles with warm‐temperate alligators and nonnative Burmese pythons native snakes exposed prolonged temperatures. After 2010 spell, a record number ( n = 151) 36) were found dead. In contrast, no behaved differently spell. stopped basking retreated...
When the American Crocodile (Crocodylus acutus) was declared endangered in 1975, scant data were available for making management decisions. Results of intensive studies conducted during late 1970s and early 1980s by National Park Service, Florida Game Fresh Water Fish Commission, Power Light Company resulted an optimistic outlook crocodiles. However, new issues face crocodiles today. Biscayne bays have undergone changes that caused concern health these ecosystems. The purpose this paper is...
Context Invasive Burmese pythons (Python molurus bivittatus) are established over thousands of square kilometres southern Florida, USA, and consume a wide range native vertebrates. Few tools available to control the python population, none have been validated in field assess capture success as proportion be captured. Aims Our primary aim was conduct trap trial for capturing invasive an area east Everglades National Park, where many had captured previous years, efficacy traps population...
To conserve imperiled marine species, an understanding of high-density use zones is necessary prior to designing and evaluating management strategies that improve their survival. We satellite-tracked turtles captured after nesting at Buck Island Reef National Monument (BIRNM), St. Croix, US Virgin Islands determine habitat-use patterns endangered adult female hawksbills (Eretmochelys imbricata). For 31 between 2011 2014, switching state-space modeling home range analyses showed inter-nesting...
Abstract Background A better understanding of sea turtle spatial ecology is critical for the continued conservation imperiled turtles and their habitats. For resource managers to develop most effective strategies, it especially important examine how use select habitats within developmental foraging grounds. Here, we space relative habitat selection immature green ( Chelonia mydas ) using acoustic telemetry marine protected area, Buck Island Reef National Monument (BIRNM), St. Croix, United...
WEC-242, a 9-page illustrated fact sheet by Rebecca G. Harvey, Matthew L. Brien, Michael S. Cherkiss, Dorcas, Mike Rochford, Ray W. Snow, and Frank J. Mazzotti, describes the population of Burmese pythons in south Florida, python reproduction, size appearance, work Python Science Support Team. Includes information about how Florida residents can help prevent spread invasive snakes, references. Published UF Department Wildlife Ecology Conservation, April 2008.
We report an observation of shivering thermogenesis and insulation by a brooding Python molurus bivittatus (Burmese Python) just outside the northern boundary Everglades National Park, FL. Temperature data loggers were placed in around female's nest, video was taken female performing thermogenesis. Nest temperatures maintained both warmer cooler than ambient temperatures. This thermoregulation through clutch is first documented instance Burmese exhibiting this behavior wild.
Body condition factors have been used as an indicator of health and well-being crocodilians. We evaluated body Morelet's Crocodiles (Crocodylus moreletii) in northern Belize relation to biotic (size, sex, habitat) abiotic (location, water level, air temperature) factors. also tested the hypothesis that high levels warm temperatures combine or interact result a decrease condition. Size class, temperature, level explained 20% variability this study. found adult crocodiles had higher scores...
Abstract Background The establishment of Burmese pythons ( Python bivittatus) in Everglades National Park, Florida, USA, has been connected to a > 90% decline the mesomammal population park and is major threat native reptile bird populations. Efforts control this are underway, but hampered by lack information about fine-scale activity cycles ecology these cryptic animals wild. We aimed establish technique for monitoring wild using acceleration data loggers (ADLs), while attempting...