Temporal patterns of burrow use by gopher tortoises (Gophexus Polyphemus) at the Ordway-Swisher Biological Station

Forest Hayes

Date of Award

2011

Document Type

Thesis

Degree Name

Bachelors

Department

Natural Sciences

First Advisor

McCord, Elzie

Keywords

Gopher Tortoise, Longleaf Pine, Gopherus Polyphemus, Prescribed Fire, Keystone Species

Area of Concentration

Biology

Abstract

The gopher tortoise (Gopherus polyphemus) is prominent in sandhill communities of the southeastern United States and creates burrows that are used for shelter or habitat by hundreds of species. Gopher tortoises are difficult to monitor due to their reclusive nature. Infrared-triggered digital cameras allow for comprehensive monitoring of gopher tortoise burrow activity. During the summers of 2009 and 2010, six infrared-triggered camera traps were used to monitor gopher tortoise activity at burrow entrances. These cameras were used to monitor gopher tortoise burrows in order to ascertain their temporal activity patterns. In the 2010 study cameras were split between habitats treated with fire and those which were unburned for a period greater than one year. Gopher tortoise activity was almost exclusively diurnal, following a unimodal pattern. Most observations at the burrows were of gopher tortoises, followed by Florida mice and gopher frogs. The results of this study are consistent with previous studies, but further research is needed.

Rights

This bibliographic record is available under the Creative Commons CC0 public domain dedication. The New College of Florida, as creator of this bibliographic record, has waived all rights to it worldwide under copyright law, including all related and neighboring rights, to the extent allowed by law.

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