A5025046483- Turtle Biology and Conservation
- Amphibian and Reptile Biology
- Paleontology and Evolutionary Biology
- Ichthyology and Marine Biology
- Evolution and Paleontology Studies
- Marine animal studies overview
- Species Distribution and Climate Change
- Animal Behavior and Reproduction
- Wildlife Conservation and Criminology Analyses
- Wildlife Ecology and Conservation
- Avian ecology and behavior
- Yersinia bacterium, plague, ectoparasites research
- Genetic diversity and population structure
- Zoonotic diseases and public health
- Geology and Paleoclimatology Research
- Cephalopods and Marine Biology
- Lepidoptera: Biology and Taxonomy
- Animal Ecology and Behavior Studies
- Vector-borne infectious diseases
- Pleistocene-Era Hominins and Archaeology
- Rangeland and Wildlife Management
- Virology and Viral Diseases
- Knee injuries and reconstruction techniques
- Primate Behavior and Ecology
- Animal and Plant Science Education
Eckerd College
2014-2024
Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute
2007-2023
Rivers State University
2021
Bermuda College
2020
Smithsonian Institution
2017
American Museum of Natural History
1991-2012
Duke University
2002
University of Tübingen
2002
Utah Geological Survey
2002
University of South Florida
1989
Although pleurodires have been considered significantly less diverse than their sister group, the cryptodires, current discoveries show that had a more complex and extensive evolutionary history realized. Previously unknown radiations, particularly in near-shore marine realm, are revealed by taxa with cranial morphology, indicating many different feeding sensory strategies. The pleurodire group is changed most new its largest hyperfamily Pelomedusoides. Pelomedusoides now consists of...
We present phylogenetic analyses of both molecular and morphological data for the 23 major lineages living turtles seven key fossil taxa. Nearly 1 kilobase cytochrome b sequence, 325 base pairs 12S ribosomal DNA, 115 characters contained similar information, although each provided unique information on different nodes chelonian history. A character-based combinability test (implemented in PAUP*) a nonparametric taxonomic congruence indicated no strong evidence heterogeneity among sets, we...
Although still controversial, estimation of divergence times using molecular data has emerged as a powerful tool to examine the tempo and mode evolutionary change. Two primary obstacles in improving accuracy dating are heterogeneity DNA substitution rates fossil record calibration points. Recent methodological advances have provided methods that estimate relative face nucleotide among lineages. However, relatively little attention focused on points allow one translate into absolute time. We...
The existence of ontogenetic shifts in habitat by marine turtles, and immature-dominated assemblages "developmental habitat," were important concepts first proposed Archie Carr 1956. Results long-term, in-water capture programs Caribbean Panama (17 yr) Bermuda (37 allow the testing refinement these ideas, particular developmental hypothesis for Chelonia mydas, Eretmochelys imbricata, Caretta caretta. A literature survey reviews worldwide studies on species, also incorporates Lepidochelys...
The family Podocnemididae consists of 20 genera and 30 species considered here as valid diagnosable by cranial characters. Three these eight persist into the Recent fauna, barely reflecting evolutionary diversity distribution group. extends from Late Cretaceous to occurs in North South America, Europe, Asia, Africa. A phylogenetic analysis utilizes 31 podocnemidid taxa (30 named one unnamed; a total 37 analyzed includes outgroups) that are using PAUP. resulting consensus nine equally...
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...
Abstract— A character matrix of 39 characters for 14 supregeneric categories living and extinct turtles was examined using PAUP 2.41 3.0L. The Branch Bound algorithm found a single most parsimonious cladogram 55 steps, consistency index 0.709, retention 0.848 rescaled 0.601. is identical to that proposed by Gaffney Meylan (1988). Pleurodira Cryptodira are each shown be monophyletic supported synapomorphies involving complex structures the basicranium adductor musculature. These judged...
Despite intense interest in conservation of marine turtles, spatial ecology during the oceanic juvenile phase remains relatively unknown. Here, we used mixed stock analysis and examination drift to elucidate movements hawksbill turtles (Eretmochelys imbricata) address management implications within Caribbean. Among samples collected from 92 neritic hawksbills Cayman Islands detected 11 mtDNA control region haplotypes. To estimate contributions aggregation, performed 'many-to-many' analysis,...
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...
ABSTRACT Thirteen new specimens in the collection of American Museum Natural History allow redescription lower Cretaceous side-necked turtle, Araripemys barretoi Price 1973. is one three oldest pleurodires known for which skeletal morphology can be completely described. The genus incorporated into a phylogenetic analysis pelomedusid (sensu lato) turtles. Examination 35 characters six living and nine extinct taxa suggest that there are four distinct clades Pelomedusidae lato). These...
Abstract To understand the demographic responses of green turtles to seagrass decline, we examined a data set from study mixed-stock foraging aggregation immature turtles, Chelonia mydas, collected in Bermuda (32 o 18’N, − 64 46’W) over five decades. Average turtle size (SCL min ) and mass declined by 22.3% 58.2%, respectively. Aggregation structure shifted smaller sizes now consists more small fewer large turtles. Density (turtles ha −1 increased significantly but biomass (kg remained...
We present phylogenetic analyses of both molecular and morphological data for the 23 major lineages living turtles seven key fossil taxa. Nearly 1 kilobase cytochrome b sequence, 325 base pairs 12S ribosomal DNA, 115 characters contained similar information, although each provided unique information on different nodes chelonian history. A character-based combinability test (implemented in PAUP*) a nonparametric taxonomic congruence indicated no strong evidence heterogeneity among sets, we...
Determining sex ratios of endangered populations is important for wildlife management, particularly species subject to sex-specific threats or that exhibit temperature-dependent determination. Sea turtle determined by incubation temperature and individuals lack external sex-based traits until sexual maturity. Previous research utilized serum/plasma testosterone radioimmunoassays (RIA) determine in immature/juvenile sea turtles. However, there has been a growing application enzyme-linked...
The Cenomanian redbeds of southern Morocco have yielded skulls a new genus and two species side-necked turtles, Galianemys whitei emringeri. is based on series nine well-preserved three partial skulls. pelomedusoid pleurodire belonging to the family Bothremydidae Baur, 1891, because it has: (1) precolumellar fossa absent, (2) foramen stapedio-temporale facing anteriorly, (3) eustachian tube separated from stapes by bone, (4) exoccipital-quadrate contact. Within best resolved as sister group...
A recently discovered fossil land tortoise (Testudines: Testudinidae) is described from the Pleistocene of Bermuda. Its morphology sufficiently well preserved to allow assignment extinct North American genus Hesperotestudo. However, several features this are unique and it named Hesperotestudo bermudaesp. nov. review phylogenetic relationships better known genera Testudinidae suggests that affinities lie with other tortoises (Gopherus) not Geochelone or testudinines; thus, reassigned...
A new genus and species of podocnemidid pleurodire, Caninemys tridentata, is described on the basis a skull collected by L.I. Price in 1962 from late Miocene Acre, Brazil. It unique among podocnemidids (and all other turtles) having greatly inflated maxillae, each with ventral, toothlike process. Along midline process premaxillae, these processes form tridentate condition upper triturating surface, also but comparable to kinosternid Claudius. This has previously been identified as...
ABSTRACT Acid preparation, at the Natural History Museum, London, of a turtle skull and jaw presented to Museum Geology, Sandown, Isle Wight, England, by R. W. Harris in 1931, has revealed extremely derived palatal morphology previously undescribed turtles. The specimen is described as new genus species, Sandownia harrisi, superficially similar certain soft-shelled turtles (family Trionychidae) although extensive secondary palate roof are unknown for this family. Other features suggest that...
Abstract Maximum likelihood mixed stock analysis was used to identify the natal origin of immature loggerhead turtles ( Caretta caretta ) in a tropical developmental habitat Caribbean Panamá. Approximately 65–70% Chiriquí Lagoon originate from South Florida nesting beaches, and other 30–35% Mexico. Haplotype frequencies population are significantly different those observed pelagic environment eastern Atlantic, estimated beach contributions values expected if recruitment were based solely on...