SEAFWA 2015

Christopher Pellecchia, George Cline, Robert Carter, Chris Murdock –Jacksonville State University

Seven small “fossorial” snake species may be found in east-central Alabama: The Southern Ringneck Snake (Diadophis punctatus), the Dekay’s Brown Snake (Storeria dekayi), the Northern Red-bellied Snake (Storeria occipitomaculata), the Southeastern Crowned Snake (Tantilla coronata), the Rough Earth Snake (Virginia striatula), the Smooth Earth Snake (Virginia valeriae), and the Worm Snake (Carphophis amoenus). These smaller, secretive snakes and their roles in the herpetofaunal communities are often overlooked by larger or more dangerous species. This study will be to focus a population survey on these seven species at Boy Scouts of America’s Camp Seqouyah (a 1387 acre property) in Cleburne Co, Alabama. Pitfall traps, drift fences, and coverboards have been placed at six sites (three upland and three lowland) spread across the property to facilitate monitoring of these species. Special focus will be placed on the interactions between the rear-fanged and occasionally ophiophagus, D. punctatus, and the six other target species. All species of reptiles and amphibians recorded as “by-catch” during this survey will be recorded and used to update state and county records of this region of Alabama.

Alexander D. Wright, University of Georgia & Joseph W. Jones Ecological Research Center; Jeffrey Hepinstall-Cymerman, University of Georgia; Lora L. Smith, Joseph W. Jones Ecological Research Center; Clinton T. Moore, U.S. Geological Society, Georgia Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Unit, University of Georgia

Habitat loss, fragmentation, and degradation have led to an estimated 80% range-wide decline of gopher tortoise (Gopherus polyphemus) populations across the southeastern Coastal Plain. Recently, the gopher tortoise was identified as a candidate for federal listing under the Endangered Species Act in the eastern part of its range. We report on a project that is part of a collaborative research effort developing an adaptive landscape planning and decision framework to be implemented by the Georgia DNR for the statewide conservation of gopher tortoise populations. Currently, we are investigating the population dynamics (survivorship rates, dispersal rates, and recruitment rates) and functional connectivity of four study populations at Ichauway, an ~11,200 ha reserve in southwestern Georgia, where tortoises were previously marked/recaptured between 1995 and 1999. Our preliminary results demonstrate a difference in survivorship among size-classes (Juvenile, Subadult, and Adult) and sites, and a difference in recruitment rates among sites. We will present data on dispersal distances, which will be used to examine hypotheses that dispersal rates differ among sites due to differences in tortoise density and resistance to movement of the surrounding landscape, as well as among size-classes due to differences in predation risk. To protect a long-lived species such as the gopher tortoise into perpetuity, it is critical to understand these processes and behaviors at larger spatial and temporal scales. By further understanding these integral parts of tortoise ecology, we can better understand and evaluate the connectivity of known populations to inform reserve design and decision analysis for the species’ conservation.

Christopher Pellecchia, Jacksonville State University

Rock Iguanas, Cyclura spp., are an increasingly rare group of lizards, endemic to the dry, rocky forest habitat of the Caribbean Islands. Conservation organizations, zoos, and local governments have made great strides over the past few decades in their efforts to preserve this genus of reptiles in its natural habitat. However, several of these species, classified as critically endangered, required “headstart” programs to revive functionally extinct Cyclura populations. Proper captive husbandry techniques are the foundation of a successful captive breeding program for any rare species. One of these species, the Rhinoceros Iguana, Cyclura cornuta, is a large, heavy-bodied, lizard found only on the island of Hispaniola. This charismatic and complex species may live up to 70 years, which requires diligence and commitment by any animal caretaker. This presentation will briefly outline the minimum care requirements for the proper care and successful breeding of Rhinoceros Iguanas in captivity. These care methods may be applied directly to any other species of Rock Iguana or altered as a template for use with other species of rare reptiles.

Matthew Gray, Jennifer Spatz, Davis Carter, and Debra Miller – University of Tennessee

Outbreaks of ranavirus and chytrid fungus have contributed to amphibian population declines. It has been suspected that biologists could contribute to pathogen outbreaks through poor biosecurity practices during sampling. Biologists frequently co-house captured amphibians and do not change gloves between handling different individuals. We tested whether these poor biosecurity practices could facilitate transmission of ranavirus from infected to uninfected wood frog (Lithobates sylvaticus) tadpoles, and increase the likelihood of mortality. Co-housing tadpoles for only 15 minutes with 10% of individuals initially infected resulted in transmission and mortality of 50% of uninfected tadpoles. Not changing gloves between individuals when 10% were initially infected resulted in transmission of ranavirus and mortality of 70% of uninfected tadpoles. More extreme mortality was observed when tadpoles were co-housed for longer durations, or when the initial infection prevalence was >10%. Our results indicate that poor biosecurity practices can cause pathogen transmission between individuals, which could lead to disease outbreaks and decrease survival in populations. Biologists should change gloves or decontaminate them between handling individuals, and not co-house animals.

Lacy E. Rucker, Yong Wang –Alabama A&M University; Callie J. Schweitzer, USDA Forest Service

Because of their sensitivity to habitat disturbance, amphibians’ response to silviculture practices has gained interest among researchers and conservationists. The effects of these practices on adult egg deposition have yet to be fully explored, although the importance of this is germane to sustaining these animals. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the impact of forest disturbance, distance from a forest edge, and the effect of light intensity on the breeding pool preference of amphibians in upland hardwood forests on the mid-Cumberland Plateau of southern Tennessee. One of three silviculture treatments (control, shelterwood, and oak shelterwood) were applied to stands and replicated resulting in 14 research stands. A single pool array will be placed at distance of 10, 50, and 100 meters from the edge within treatment stands and replicated for a total of 42 pool arrays. Pool arrays will contain three artificial mesocosms; each pool will be assigned a screen to manipulate light intensity. Artificial pools will be monitored over two peak-breeding seasons from April to September. The amphibian population will be estimated using opportunistic encounter surveys, visual encounter surveys, and dip-net surveys conducted every 7-10 days, and morphometric data will be recorded on all collected individuals. The results of this study will improve our understanding of forest disturbance on the community ecology of amphibians, and will also provide forest managers and private landowners the knowledge to help reduce negative impacts of forest management techniques on amphibian populations while managing for oak regeneration on the Cumberland Plateau.