[Download] "Saturday Paper Presentations (Georgia Academy of Science) (Calendar)" by Georgia Journal of Science # eBook PDF Kindle ePub Free

May 03, 2021

eBook details

Title: Saturday Paper Presentations (Georgia Academy of Science) (Calendar)
Author : Georgia Journal of Science
Release Date : January 22, 2009
Genre: Engineering,Books,Professional & Technical,
Pages : * pages
Size : 175 KB

Description

8:15 MONITORING MOVEMENT PATTERNS AND HABITAT SELECTION OF A FIRST YEAR POPULATION OF JUVENILE GOPHER TORTOISES (GOPHERUS POLYPHEMUS) AT REED BINGHAM STATE PARK, GEORGIA**, Christine M. Chessler * and J. Mitchell Lockhart, Valdosta State University, Valdosta, GA 31601. The gopher tortoise (Gopherus polyphemus) is a medium-sized tortoise found in the southeastern United States. Legal protection of the gopher tortoise varies depending on their range, but it is listed as threatened in the state of Georgia. A mortality rate of greater than 94% of both gopher tortoise eggs and hatchlings has been shown to occur due mostly to predators such as raccoons, armadillos, and fire ants. Since mortality rates are extremely high in juvenile gopher tortoises, research into this early life stage could allow for increased knowledge into developmental issues facing this long-lived species. Surgically implanted 134.2 KHz, 8.5 x 2.12 mm PIT (Passive Integrated Transponder) tags were placed into 91 juveniles artificially brooded by Reed Bingham State Park. Through recapture observation, PIT tags will ultimately allow data collection on home range, movement patterns, theoretical sex structure, survivability, and habitat selection by the juveniles. Information gained through this project could allow for better practices and conservation of the species at Reed Bingham State Park, Georgia, as well as throughout its range. 8:30 SEROSURVEY FOR PATHOGENS IN BOBCATS (LYNX RUFUS) IN SOUTH GEORGIA AND NORTH FLORIDA**, Laura Simmons* and J. Mitchell Lockhart, Valdosta State University, Valdosta, GA 31601. Bobcats (Lynx rufus) are a significant mesopredator of bobwhite quail (Colinus virginianus) in the southeastern United States. As part of a 6 year study to evaluate the effects of mesopredator removal on bobwhite quail production, more than 120 bobcats were lethally removed from four plantation sites in south Georgia and north Florida. The principal objective of this study was to evaluate bobcats for the presence of various infectious pathogens. Secondary objectives were to determine if sex, season and year of collection, and host removal had any effect on pathogen presence. Serum from bobcats was tested for the presence of feline calicivirus (FCV), feline infectious peritonitis (FIP), Bartonella henselae, feline herpesvirus (FHV), and Toxoplasma gondii using fluorescent antibody methods. Preliminary results indicate that 36.3% (29/80) of bobcats are seropositive for FCV, 0% (0/76) for FIP, 0%(0/38) for FHV, and 94.8% (110/116) for T. gondii. These results suggest that pathogens that are potentially transmissible to companion animals are present in wild animals in south Georgia and north Florida.