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Full-Text Articles in Life Sciences

The Distribution, Abundance, And Habitat Use Of The Big Cypress Fox Squirrel, (Sciurus Niger Avicennia)., Danielle Munim Jan 2008

The Distribution, Abundance, And Habitat Use Of The Big Cypress Fox Squirrel, (Sciurus Niger Avicennia)., Danielle Munim

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Human population growth and development reduce the area and quality of natural communities and lead to a reduction of populations of the species associated with them. Certain species can be useful indicators or "focal species" for determining the quality of ecosystem remnants and the required management practices. Tree squirrels are good models for studies on the effects of fragmentation because they depend on mature forests. The Big Cypress fox squirrel, (Sciurus niger avicennia), a state-listed Threatened subspecies endemic to south Florida, appears sensitive to habitat fragmentation and fire regime. This research aims to assess the conservation status of the Big …


Ecology, Reproduction And Morphometrics Of The Common Ribbonsnake (Thamnophis Sauritus) And Eastern Gartersnake (Thamnophis Sirtalis) In West Virginia, Noah Mccoard Jan 2008

Ecology, Reproduction And Morphometrics Of The Common Ribbonsnake (Thamnophis Sauritus) And Eastern Gartersnake (Thamnophis Sirtalis) In West Virginia, Noah Mccoard

Theses, Dissertations and Capstones

Two species of gartersnakes, Thamnophis, are found in West Virginia. Thamnophis sauritus , a semi-arboreal and semi-aquatic species, is listed as very rare and imperiled (S2) by the West Virginia Division of Natural Resources (WVDNR) while the other Thamnophis sirtalis sirtalis, a terrestrial species, is secure (S5). During the summer of 2007, I traveled to 53 counties in West Virginia searching for habitat and these two species.Several Thamnophis sirtalis were found in a variety of habitats throughout the state, but only three Thamnophis sauritus were found. Reproductive aspects were compared between the two species by holding gravid females in captivity …


Social Grouping Behaviors Of Captive Female Hippopotamus Amphibius, Tracy Blowers Jan 2008

Social Grouping Behaviors Of Captive Female Hippopotamus Amphibius, Tracy Blowers

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Levels of sociality vary depending on the costs and benefits associated with grouping behavior. Grouping species form either ephemeral aggregations due to resource availability, or structured groups based on familiarity of individuals. Because there are different costs and benefits associated with different types of groups, it is important to understand more about group structure before making predictions about specific behaviors. Female Hippopotamus amphibius are known to aggregate in the wild but the true nature of their grouping behavior is still not understood. My objective was to determine if captive female hippos form either ephemeral aggregations or social groups. Behavioral data, …


Microhabitat Selection By The Tortoiseshell Limpet, Tectura Testudinalis (Müller), In Tide Pools On The Mid-Maine Coast, Emily R. Lyczkowski Jan 2008

Microhabitat Selection By The Tortoiseshell Limpet, Tectura Testudinalis (Müller), In Tide Pools On The Mid-Maine Coast, Emily R. Lyczkowski

Honors Theses

Microhabitat selection of the limpet Tectura testudinalis, an important grazer along the rocky Maine coast is examined using both mensurative and manipulative experiments. T. testudinalis substrate selection is essential to its survival in the unpredictable and harsh regime of the intertidal zone. At three sites studied in the Gulf of Maine, T. testudinalis selectively inhabits tidal pools and vertically oriented substrates. Both of these microhabitats reduce the degree of environmental stress (desiccation, extreme temperature, and hypersaline conditions) and predation experienced by individuals. Differences among sites are common, indicating the importance of varying environmental factors in regulating and influencing habitat selection …