A5010740954- Turtle Biology and Conservation
- Rabies epidemiology and control
- Wildlife Ecology and Conservation
- Amphibian and Reptile Biology
- Venomous Animal Envenomation and Studies
- Microbial infections and disease research
- Animal Virus Infections Studies
- Avian ecology and behavior
- Identification and Quantification in Food
- Veterinary Pharmacology and Anesthesia
- Grouting, Rheology, and Soil Mechanics
- Animal Behavior and Reproduction
- Veterinary Orthopedics and Neurology
- Human-Animal Interaction Studies
- Seismology and Earthquake Studies
- Species Distribution and Climate Change
- Yersinia bacterium, plague, ectoparasites research
- Viral Infections and Vectors
- Geophysical Methods and Applications
- Aquaculture disease management and microbiota
- Rangeland and Wildlife Management
- Physiological and biochemical adaptations
- Wildlife-Road Interactions and Conservation
- Bird parasitology and diseases
- Animal Diversity and Health Studies
Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service
2024
United States Fish and Wildlife Service
2023
United States Geological Survey
2011-2022
Western Ecological Research Center
2011-2022
San Diego State University
2016-2019
University of California, Davis
2015-2019
Georgia Southern University
2012-2014
Abstract Wildlife translocation is increasingly used to mitigate disturbances animals or habitat due human activities, yet little known about the extent which translocating causes stress. To understand relationship between physiological stress and translocation, we conducted a multiyear study (2007–2009) using population of desert tortoises ( G opherus agassizii ) near F ort I rwin, C alifornia. Blood samples were collected from adult in three treatment groups (resident, translocated...
Abstract Habitat disturbance from development, resource extraction, off‐road vehicle use, and energy development ranks highly among threats to desert systems worldwide. In the Mojave Desert, United States, these disturbances have promoted establishment of nonnative plants, so that native grasses forbs are now intermixed with, or been replaced by invasive, Mediterranean grasses. This shift in plant composition has altered food availability for Desert tortoises ( Gopherus agassizii ), a...
We examined loggerhead nest temperatures and hatchling sex ratios in an effort to more accurately predict produced from 2 barrier islands the northern management unit (Blackbeard Island National Wildlife Refuge Wassaw Refuge, Georgia, United States) 2000 2004. Temperature data loggers were placed into 169 nests monitor incubation temperatures. Average critical period ranged 26.3°C 33.2°C (mean ± SE, 29.2° 0.1°C) indicated seasonal variation ratios. The of 669 hatchlings found dead was...
ABSTRACT Wildfires burned 24,254 ha of critical habitat designated for the recovery threatened Mojave desert tortoise ( Gopherus agassizii ) in southern Nevada during 2005. The proliferation non‐native annual grasses has increased wildfire frequency and extent recent decades continues to accelerate conversion across Desert. Immediate changes vegetation are expected reduce quality habitat, yet whether tortoises will use recovering differently from intact unburned is unknown. We compared...
Our study examined variation in and correlation of reproductive traits for a population Caretta caretta (Loggerhead Sea Turtle) nesting Georgia compared the results with those other studies. We assessed variability (i.e., maternal length, clutch size, egg diameter, mass, hatchling mass) on level individual level. At level, we investigated interannual intraseasonal these 810 Loggerhead Turtle nests Georgia, Wassaw National Wildlife Refuge (NWR) Blackbeard Island NWR during 2000–2003...
Abstract Immune function plays an important role in animal's defense against infectious disease. In reptiles, immune responses may be complex and counterintuitive, diagnostic tools used to identify infection, such as induced antibody are limited. Recent studies using gene transcription profiling tortoises have proven useful identifying various intrinsic extrinsic stressors. As part of a larger experiment with Mojave desert ( Gopherus agassizii ), we facilitated the transmission pathogenic...
The analysis of blood constituents is a widely used tool to aid in monitoring animal health and disease. However, classic diagnostics (i.e. hematologic plasma biochemical values) often do not provide sufficient information determine the state an animal's health. Field studies on wild tortoises other reptiles have had limited success drawing significant inferences between physiological immunological condition. recent research using gene transcription profiling threatened Mojave desert...
Mojave Desert shrublands are home to unique plants and wildlife experiencing rapid habitat change due unprecedented large-scale disturbances; yet, established practices effectively restore disturbed landscapes not well developed. A priority species list of native plant taxa was developed guide seed collectors, commercial growers, resource managers, restoration practitioners in support the Bureau Land Management's Native Plant Program. We identify focal that important for habitats threatened...
Introduction Animal movements are influenced by landscape features; disturbances to the can alter movements, dispersal, and ultimately connectivity among populations. Faster or longer adjacent a localized disturbance within disturbed areas could indicate reduced habitat quality whereas slower shorter may greater availability of resources. The Mojave desert tortoise ( Gopherus agassizii ) is threatened species that challenged anthropogenic disturbances. Methods We studied using Global...
Using data from six wild Mojave Desert Tortoise (Gopherus agassizii (Cooper, 1861)) populations, we quantified seasonal differences in immune system measurements and microbial load the respiratory tract, pertinent to this species’ susceptibility upper tract disease. We bacteria-killing activity of blood plasma differential leukocyte counts detect trends temporal variation function. used centered log-ratio (clr) transformations stress that such are necessary for compositional data. tested...
Soft ticks in the genus Ornithodoros occur throughout Mojave Desert southern Nevada, southeastern California, and parts of southwestern Utah northwestern Arizona, USA, are frequently observed parasitizing desert tortoises (Gopherus agassizii). However, limited research exists examining relationship between tortoises. listed as threatened by US Fish Wildlife Service, such, their populations monitored individual tortoise health is routinely assessed. These assessments document presence...
The Mojave Desert tortoise (Gopherus agassizii), federally listed as threatened, has suffered habitat loss and fragmentation due to human activities. Upper respiratory tract disease (URTD), a documented health threat desert tortoises, been detected at the Large-Scale Translocation Study Site (LSTS) in southwestern Nevada, US, fenced recipient site for translocated animals. Our study aimed 1) estimate prevalence of URTD Mycoplasma infection LSTS three nearby unfenced sites; 2) assess whether...
Noninvasive methods for measuring fat reserves in both captive and free-ranging animals are important monitoring individual population health, but chelonian anatomy physiology present challenges to accurate measurements. Standard field-based assessing body condition Mojave desert tortoises (Gopherus agassizii) involve the qualitative score, which relies on apparent height of temporalis muscle relative sagittal crest (in addition other characteristics) quantitative indices that measure mass...
The immune system of ectotherms, particularly non-avian reptiles, remains poorly characterized regarding the genes involved in function, and their function wild populations. We used RNA-Seq to explore systemic response Mojave desert tortoise (Gopherus agassizii) gene expression three levels Mycoplasma infection better understand host this bacterial pathogen. found over an order magnitude more differentially expressed between male female tortoises (1,037 genes) than among groups (40 genes)....
To improve our understanding of health and immune function in tortoises, we evaluated both standard blood diagnostic (body condition, hematologic, plasma biochemistry values, trace elements, proteins, vitamin A levels) gene transcription profiles 21 adult tortoises (11 clinically abnormal; 10 normal) from Clark County, NV, USA. Necropsy histology evaluations abnormal revealed multiple physiological complications, with moderate to severe rhinitis or pneumonia being the primary cause morbidity...