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Chowdhury MAW, Müller J, Ghose A, Amin R, Sayeed AA, Kuch U, Faiz MA. Combining species distribution models and big datasets may provide finer assessments of snakebite impacts. PLoS Negl Trop Dis 2024; 18:e0012161. [PMID: 38768190 PMCID: PMC11142713 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pntd.0012161] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/26/2023] [Revised: 05/31/2024] [Accepted: 04/22/2024] [Indexed: 05/22/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Snakebite is a major poverty-related neglected tropical disease. An integrated scientific approach is needed to understand the dynamics of this important health issue. Our objective was to estimate snakebite occurrence in a tropical area by using a blend of ecological modelling and robust statistical analysis. METHODS The present study used climatic, environmental, and human population density data to determine the area with snakebite occurrence-probability for the first time in Bangladesh. We also analysed a large, 16-year dataset of hospitalized snakebite cases to reveal the epidemiology of snakebite in the south-eastern zone of the country. FINDINGS Our results show that cobra bite is the most commonly occurring venomous snakebite in humans (around ~12% of the total yearly snakebite records), and men are more frequently bitten than women (2/3 of human victims are men). Most bites occur during the rainy season for cobra and green pit viper, while krait bites are not restricted to any particular season. As snakebite incidents are closely related to climate conditions, we can model snakebite risk using temperature and precipitation variables. Whereas there is a lack of snakebite reports from several parts of the study area in official records, our models predict that the entire study area is favourable for snakebite incidents. Based on the combined evidence we estimate that about 200,000 snakebite events occur every year in the south-eastern part of Bangladesh alone. Considering future global climate change, our model projections show that snakebite incidence in Bangladesh might not significantly decrease in the future (- 2070-); however, the distribution of probabilities might change, with a predicted increase of snakebite incidence in the hilly areas of the country. CONCLUSIONS Using climatic data to predict snakebite incidence in Bangladesh allowed us to provide estimations of the total annual number of snakebite cases in the study area. As in most countries, the scarcity of accurate epidemiological data in official records might have masked the real magnitude of this problem. Our analysis suggests that the problem of snakebite envenoming in Bangladesh might be worse than currently perceived. A long-term sustainable snakebite program plan should be designed and institutionalized, considering climatic, geographical and human demographic variables, to obtain better data and facilitate the implementation of accurate snakebite management programs for this country.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mohammad Abdul Wahed Chowdhury
- Department of Zoology, University of Chittagong, Chattogram, Bangladesh
- Museum für Naturkunde, Leibniz-Institut für Evolutions- und Biodiversitätsforschung, Berlin, Germany
- Institut für Biologie, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Berlin, Germany
- Venom Research Centre, Department of Medicine, Chittagong Medical College, Chattogram, Bangladesh
| | - Johannes Müller
- Museum für Naturkunde, Leibniz-Institut für Evolutions- und Biodiversitätsforschung, Berlin, Germany
- Institut für Biologie, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Aniruddha Ghose
- Venom Research Centre, Department of Medicine, Chittagong Medical College, Chattogram, Bangladesh
- Department of Medicine, Chittagong Medical College, Chattogram, Bangladesh
| | - Robed Amin
- Venom Research Centre, Department of Medicine, Chittagong Medical College, Chattogram, Bangladesh
- Directorate General of Health Services, Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Dhaka, Bangladesh
| | - Abdullah Abu Sayeed
- Venom Research Centre, Department of Medicine, Chittagong Medical College, Chattogram, Bangladesh
- Department of Medicine, Chittagong Medical College, Chattogram, Bangladesh
| | - Ulrich Kuch
- Venom Research Centre, Department of Medicine, Chittagong Medical College, Chattogram, Bangladesh
- Institute of Occupational Medicine, Social Medicine and Environmental Medicine, Goethe University, Frankfurt am Main, Germany
| | - Mohammad Abul Faiz
- Venom Research Centre, Department of Medicine, Chittagong Medical College, Chattogram, Bangladesh
- Dev Care Foundation, Chattogram, Bangladesh
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Bogan JE, O'Hanlon BM, Steen DA, Horan T, Taylor R, Mason AK, Breen T, Andreotta H, Cornelius B, Childress A, Elmore M. Health Assessment of Free-Ranging Eastern Indigo Snakes (Drymarchon couperi) from Hydrologic Restoration Construction Sites in South Florida, USA. J Wildl Dis 2024; 60:39-51. [PMID: 37972635 DOI: 10.7589/jwd-d-22-00184] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/31/2022] [Accepted: 06/21/2023] [Indexed: 11/19/2023]
Abstract
There is a paucity of information regarding the health status of free-ranging eastern indigo snakes (EIS; Drymarchon couperi) in heavily modified and developing landscapes. As a component of regional Florida Everglades restoration efforts, several areas occupied by EIS are being converted from agricultural lands to reservoirs. From 2020 to 2022, 28 EIS were opportunistically captured at two of these sites and brought into captivity to join a captive breeding colony; however, 11 snakes died within 5 mo of capture. Health assessments were performed on 28 individuals and included hematology and plasma biochemistry analysis, as well as screening for pesticide contaminant levels, parasites, and other pathogens. Overall, the presence of pathogens was relatively high, suggesting immunosuppression secondary to stress: 25/28 (89.4%) Kalicephalus sp.; 12/28 (42.9%) Raillietiella orientalis; 11/28 (39.2%) Ochetosoma validum; 7/28 (25.0%) Cryptosporidium serpentis; 3/28 (10.7%) snake adenovirus 1; and 1/28 (3.6%) Ferlavirus genotype C. Stress may have been caused by physical displacement, habitat modification, and noise pollution. These potential stressors (including the presence of remnant harmful chemicals from previous land use and the impacts on this federally threatened species) should be considered further when making restoration or construction decisions.
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Affiliation(s)
- James E Bogan
- Central Florida Zoo's Orianne Center for Indigo Conservation, 30931 Brantley Branch Road, Eustis, Florida 32736, USA
| | - Bradley M O'Hanlon
- Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, 620 S Meridian St., Tallahassee, Florida 32399, USA
| | - David A Steen
- Fish and Wildlife Research Institute, Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, 1105 SW Williston Road, Gainesville, Florida 32601, USA
| | - Terrence Horan
- South Florida Water Management District, 3301 Gun Club Road, West Palm Beach, Florida 33406, USA
| | - Robert Taylor
- South Florida Water Management District, 3301 Gun Club Road, West Palm Beach, Florida 33406, USA
| | - Alexandra K Mason
- Central Florida Zoo's Orianne Center for Indigo Conservation, 30931 Brantley Branch Road, Eustis, Florida 32736, USA
| | - Timothy Breen
- United States Fish and Wildlife Service, Florida Ecological Services Field Office, 1339 20th Street, Vero Beach, Florida 32960, USA
| | - Holly Andreotta
- South Florida Water Management District, 3301 Gun Club Road, West Palm Beach, Florida 33406, USA
| | - Bryan Cornelius
- South Florida Water Management District, 3301 Gun Club Road, West Palm Beach, Florida 33406, USA
| | - April Childress
- Department of Comparative, Diagnostic, and Population Medicine, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida 32610, USA
| | - Michele Elmore
- United States Fish and Wildlife Service, Georgia Ecological Services, PO Box 52560, Fort Benning, Georgia 31995, USA
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Favourable climatic niche in low elevations outside the flood zone characterises the distribution pattern of venomous snakes in Bangladesh. JOURNAL OF TROPICAL ECOLOGY 2022. [DOI: 10.1017/s0266467422000359] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/07/2022]
Abstract
Abstract
Snakes are sensitive to both environmental and climate gradients. To design conservation plans, a scientific understanding of snake habitats in light of environmental and climatic variables is an essential prerequisite. For venomous snakes, denoting favourable habitats should also be relevant for snakebite management. We have considered 18 spatial variables to portray the range of terrestrial venomous snake distribution in Bangladesh. Our results indicate that the distribution of 29 studied venomous snakes in this country is primarily driven by climatic and environmental variables. We found that especially low elevation and flood risk constrain the distribution of those terrestrial snakes, i.e. regular floods in central Bangladesh push venomous snakes towards the edges of the country. Moreover, none of these species occupies the whole of its anticipated climatically favourable area. Projections into the future indicated that 11 studied species, Amphiesma platyceps, Boiga siamensis, Chrysopelea ornata, Pseudoxenodon macrops, Rhabdophis himalayanus, Rhabdophis subminiatus, Bungarus lividus, Ophiophagus hannah, Daboia russelii, Ovophis monticola and Trimeresurus popeiorum will lose their entire climatically suitable area within the country. Therefore, we suggest establishing more protected areas in the hilly ecosystems in the eastern part and in the mangrove forests in the south-western corner of Bangladesh to mitigate future extinction risks, such as climate change, sea-level rise and increase in flood severity. Conserving village forests and croplands, which are subject to rapid change, will also need to be addressed equally, as these are inhabited by almost one-third of the studied species. The occurrence of the cobras and kraits in village forests and cropland dominant habitats demands more attention to minimise snakebite related mortality and morbidity.
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Chandler HC, Jenkins CL, Bauder JM. Accounting for geographic variation in species-habitat associations during habitat suitability modeling. ECOLOGICAL APPLICATIONS : A PUBLICATION OF THE ECOLOGICAL SOCIETY OF AMERICA 2022; 32:e2504. [PMID: 34866273 DOI: 10.1002/eap.2504] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/30/2021] [Accepted: 06/04/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
Range-wide species conservation efforts are facilitated by spatially explicit estimates of habitat suitability. However, species-environment relationships often vary geographically and models assuming geographically constant relationships may result in misleading inferences. We present the first range-wide habitat suitability model (HSM) for the federally threatened eastern indigo snake (Drymarchon couperi) as a case study illustrating an approach to account for known latitudinal variation in habitat associations. Specifically, we modeled habitat suitability using interactive relationships between minimum winter temperature and several a priori environmental covariates and compared our results to those from models assuming geographically constant relationships. We found that multi-scale models including interactive effects with winter temperature outperformed single-scale models and models not including interactive effects with winter temperature. Our top-ranked model had suitable range-wide predictive performance and identified numerous large (i.e., ≥1000 ha) potential habitat patches throughout the indigo snake range. Predictive performance was greatest in southern Georgia and northern Florida likely reflecting more restrictive indigo snake habitat associations in these regions. This study illustrates how modeling interactive effects between temperature and environmental covariates can improve the performance of HSMs across geographically varying environmental gradients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Houston C Chandler
- The Orianne Society, Tiger, Georgia, USA
- Department of Fish and Wildlife Conservation, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, Virginia, USA
| | | | - Javan M Bauder
- The Orianne Society, Tiger, Georgia, USA
- Illinois Natural History Survey, Prairie Research Institute, University of Illinois, Champaign, Illinois, USA
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5
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Bauder JM, Peterman WE, Spear SF, Jenkins CL, Whiteley AR, McGarigal K. Multiscale assessment of functional connectivity: Landscape genetics of eastern indigo snakes in an anthropogenically fragmented landscape in central Florida. Mol Ecol 2021; 30:3422-3438. [PMID: 33978288 DOI: 10.1111/mec.15979] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/02/2021] [Revised: 05/04/2021] [Accepted: 05/05/2021] [Indexed: 01/08/2023]
Abstract
Landscape features can strongly influence gene flow and the strength and direction of these effects may vary across spatial scales. However, few studies have evaluated methodological approaches for selecting spatial scales in landscape genetics analyses, in part because of computational challenges associated with optimizing landscape resistance surfaces (LRS). We used the federally threatened eastern indigo snake (Drymarchon couperi) in central Florida as a case study with which to compare the importance of landscape features and their scales of effect in influencing gene flow. We used genetic algorithms (ResistanceGA) to empirically optimize LRS using categorical land cover surfaces, multiscale resource selection surfaces (RSS), and four combinations of landscape covariates measured at multiple spatial scales (multisurface multiscale LRS). We compared LRS where scale was selected using pseudo- and full optimization. Multisurface multiscale LRS received more empirical support than LRS optimized from categorical land cover surfaces or RSS. Multiscale LRS with scale selected using full optimization generally outperformed those with scale selected using pseudo-optimization. Multiscale LRS with large spatial scales (1200-1800 m) received the most empirical support. Our results highlight the importance of considering landscape features across multiple spatial scales in landscape genetic analyses, particularly broad scales relative to species movement potential. Different effects of scale on home range-level movements and dispersal could explain weak associations between habitat suitability and gene flow in other studies. Our results also demonstrate the importance of large tracts of undeveloped upland habitat with heterogenous vegetation communities and low urbanization for promoting indigo snake connectivity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Javan M Bauder
- Department of Environmental Conservation, University of Massachusetts, Amherst, MA, USA.,Illinois Natural History Survey, Prairie Research Institute, University of Illinois, Champaign, IL, USA
| | - William E Peterman
- School of Environment and Natural Resources, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, USA
| | - Stephen F Spear
- The Orianne Society, Tiger, GA, USA.,Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources, University of Idaho, Moscow, ID, USA.,The Wilds, Cumberland, OH, USA.,Upper Midwest Environmental Sciences Center, U.S. Geological Survey, La Crosse, WI, USA
| | | | - Andrew R Whiteley
- Department of Ecosystems and Conservation Sciences and Wildlife Biology Program, University of Montana, Missoula, MT, USA
| | - Kevin McGarigal
- Department of Environmental Conservation, University of Massachusetts, Amherst, MA, USA
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Prioritization of Vulnerable Species Under Scenarios of Anthropogenic-Driven Change in Georgia's Coastal Plain. JOURNAL OF FISH AND WILDLIFE MANAGEMENT 2021. [DOI: 10.3996/jfwm-20-089] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
Abstract
Abstract
Effective management of wildlife populations benefits from an understanding of the long-term vulnerability of species to anthropogenic stressors. Exposure to potential habitat change is one measure of vulnerability that wildlife managers often use to assess and prioritize individual species or groups of species for resource allocation or direct management actions. We used species distribution models for 15 species occurring in the coastal plain ecoregion of Georgia to estimate the current amount and distribution of potential habitat and then predict exposure to changes in habitat due to inundation from sea level rise (using the Sea Level Affecting Marshes model) and urban growth (using the Slope Land-use Excluded Urban Topology Hillshade Growth model) for four future time points. Our results predict that all focal species were likely to experience some exposure to habitat change from either sea level rise or urbanization, but few species will experience high exposure to change from both stressors. Species that use salt marsh or beach habitats had the highest predicted exposure from sea level rise (25–69%), while species that use more inland habitats had the highest predicted exposure to urban growth (10–20%). Our models are a resource for managers considering tradeoffs between prioritization schemes under two future stressors. Results suggest that managers may need to prioritize species (or their habitats) based on the predicted magnitude of habitat loss, while also contextualizing prioritization with respect to the current amount of available protected habitat and species global vulnerability.
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8
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Bauder JM, Breininger DR, Bolt MR, Legare ML, Jenkins CL, Rothermel BB, McGarigal K. Movement barriers, habitat heterogeneity or both? Testing hypothesized effects of landscape features on home range sizes in eastern indigo snakes. J Zool (1987) 2020. [DOI: 10.1111/jzo.12777] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- J. M. Bauder
- Department of Environmental Conservation University of Massachusetts Amherst MA USA
| | - D. R. Breininger
- NASA Ecological Programs Integrated Mission Support Services Kennedy Space Center FL USA
| | - M. R. Bolt
- NASA Ecological Programs Integrated Mission Support Services Kennedy Space Center FL USA
| | - M. L. Legare
- Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge Titusville FL USA
| | | | | | - K. McGarigal
- Department of Environmental Conservation University of Massachusetts Amherst MA USA
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Deitloff J, Myers E, Spear S, Stevenson D, Guyer C. Multiple Paternity and Heritability of Color in Drymarchon couperi (Eastern Indigo Snakes). HERPETOLOGICA 2019. [DOI: 10.1655/d-18-00027] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Jennifer Deitloff
- Department of Biological Sciences, Auburn University, Auburn, AL 36849, USA
| | - Erin Myers
- Department of Biology and Biochemistry, University of Houston, Houston, TX 77204, USA
| | | | - Dirk Stevenson
- Altamaha Environmental Consulting, Hinesville, GA 31313 USA
| | - Craig Guyer
- Department of Biological Sciences, Auburn University, Auburn, AL 36849, USA
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10
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Affiliation(s)
- Jacob W. Malcom
- Center for Conservation InnovationDefenders of Wildlife Washington DC 20036
| | - Ya‐Wei Li
- Center for Conservation InnovationDefenders of Wildlife Washington DC 20036
- Environmental Policy Innovation Center Washington DC 20005
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11
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King RB, Stanford KM, Jones PC. Sunning themselves in heaps, knots, and snarls: The extraordinary abundance and demography of island watersnakes. Ecol Evol 2018; 8:7500-7521. [PMID: 30151166 PMCID: PMC6106160 DOI: 10.1002/ece3.4191] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/26/2018] [Revised: 04/03/2018] [Accepted: 04/22/2018] [Indexed: 11/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Snakes represent a sizable fraction of vertebrate biodiversity, but until recently, data on their demography have been sparse. Consequently, generalizations regarding patterns of variation are weak and the potential for population projections is limited. We address this information gap through an analysis of spatial and temporal variation in demography (population size, annual survival, and realized population growth) of the Lake Erie Watersnake, Nerodia sipedon insularum, and a review of snake survival more generally. Our study spans a period during which the Lake Erie Watersnake was listed as threatened under the U.S. Endangered Species Act, recovered, and was delisted. We collected capture-mark-recapture data at 14 study sites over 20 years, accruing 20,000 captures of 13,800 individually marked adults. Lake Erie Watersnakes achieve extraordinary abundance, averaging 520 adults per km of shoreline (ca. 260 adult per ha) at our study sites (range = 160-1,600 adults per km; ca. 80-800 adults per ha) and surpassing population recovery and postdelisting monitoring criteria. Annual survival averages 0.68 among adult females and 0.76 among adult males, varies among sites, and is positively correlated with body size among study sites. Temporal process variance in annual survival is low, averaging 0.0011 or less than 4% of total variance; thus, stochasticity in annual survival may be of minor significance to snake extinction risk. Estimates of realized population growth indicate that population size has been stable or increasing over the course of our study. More generally, snake annual survival overlaps broadly across continents, climate zones, families, subfamilies, reproductive modes, body size categories, maturation categories, and parity categories. Differences in survival in relation to size, parity, and maturation are in the directions predicted by life history theory but are of small magnitude with much variation around median values. Overall, annual survival appears to be quite plastic, varying with food availability, habitat quality, and other ecological variables.
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Affiliation(s)
- Richard B. King
- Department of Biological SciencesNorthern Illinois UniversityDeKalbIllinois
- Institute for the Study of the Environment, Sustainability and EnergyNorthern Illinois UniversityDeKalbIllinois
| | | | - Peter C. Jones
- Department of Biological SciencesNorthern Illinois UniversityDeKalbIllinois
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Godley JS, Halstead BJ, McDiarmid RW. Ecology of the Eastern Kingsnake (Lampropeltis getula) at Rainey Slough, Florida: A Vanished Eden. HERPETOLOGICAL MONOGRAPHS 2017. [DOI: 10.1655/herpmonographs-d-16-00006.1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Affiliation(s)
| | - Brian J. Halstead
- US Geological Survey, Western Ecological Research Center, Dixon Field Station, 800 Business Park Drive, Suite D, Dixon, CA 95620, USA
| | - Roy W. McDiarmid
- US Geological Survey, Patuxent Wildlife Research Center, Smithsonian Institution, MRC 111, P.O. Box 37012, Washington, DC 20013, USA
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HEALTH AND NUTRITIONAL ASSESSMENT OF FREE-RANGING EASTERN INDIGO SNAKES (DRYMARCHON COUPERI) IN GEORGIA, UNITED STATES. J Zoo Wildl Med 2017; 47:1000-1012. [PMID: 28080899 DOI: 10.1638/2015-0127.1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Clinical pathology and nutritional parameters are useful in evaluating and monitoring threatened and endangered wildlife populations, but reference ranges for most snake species are lacking. From 2001 to 2005, health assessments were performed on 58 eastern indigo snakes (EIS) (Drymarchon couperi) captured in the wild in southeastern Georgia, United States. Health and nutritional assessments performed included hematology, serum biochemistry, fat-soluble vitamins, heavy metals, pesticide contaminants, parasitology, and surveys of other pathogens. Significant differences in total solids, packed cell volume, glucose, blood urea nitrogen, albumin : globulin ratio, amylase, triglycerides, and bile acids between males and females were observed. Additionally, there was a significant difference between liver and kidney concentrations for vitamins A and E. As previously noted in captive EIS, total Ca was elevated in comparison to concentrations reported in other snake species. Parasitism was a common finding in sampled EIS, but the overall health status of this free-ranging population appeared good. A winter-time dermatitis was found in most snakes, which resolved in the summer months. This study represents the first health and nutritional assessment of free-ranging EIS, and provides needed data to guide monitoring and conservation efforts.
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Occupancy of Potential Overwintering Habitat on Protected Lands by Two Imperiled Snake Species in the Coastal Plain of the Southeastern United States. J HERPETOL 2017. [DOI: 10.1670/15-064] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
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Hansen EC, Scherer RD, White GC, Dickson BG, Fleishman E. Estimates of Survival Probability from Two Populations of Giant Gartersnakes in California’s Great Central Valley. COPEIA 2015. [DOI: 10.1643/ce-15-233] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
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16
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Recouping Lost Information when Mark-Recapture Data are Pooled: A Case Study of Milksnakes (Lampropeltis triangulum) in the Upper Midwestern United States. J HERPETOL 2015. [DOI: 10.1670/13-217] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
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17
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Effects of Fragmentation on the Spatial Ecology of the California Kingsnake (Lampropeltis californiae). J HERPETOL 2015. [DOI: 10.1670/13-014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
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Guimarães M, Munguía-Steyer R, Doherty PF, Martins M, Sawaya RJ. Population dynamics of the critically endangered golden lancehead pitviper, Bothrops insularis: stability or decline? PLoS One 2014; 9:e95203. [PMID: 24755842 PMCID: PMC3995933 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0095203] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/03/2014] [Accepted: 03/24/2014] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Little is known about vital rates of snakes generally because of the difficulty in collecting data. Here we used a robust design mark-recapture model to estimate survival, behavioral effects on capture probability, temporary emigration, abundance and test the hypothesis of population decline in the golden lancehead pitviper, Bothrops insularis, an endemic and critically endangered species from southeastern Brazil. We collected data at irregular intervals over ten occasions from 2002 to 2010. Survival was slightly higher in the wet season than in the dry season. Temporal emigration was high, indicating the importance of accounting for this parameter both in the sampling design and modeling. No behavioral effects were detected on capture probability. We detected an average annual population decrease ( = 0.93, CI = 0.47–1.38) during the study period, but estimates included high uncertainty, and caution in interpretation is needed. We discuss the potential effects of the illegal removal of individuals and the implications of the vital rates obtained for the future persistence and conservation of this endemic, endangered species.
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Affiliation(s)
- Murilo Guimarães
- Departamento de Biologia Animal, Instituto de Biologia, Universidade Estadual de Campinas, Campinas, São Paulo, Brazil
- * E-mail:
| | - Roberto Munguía-Steyer
- FES-Iztacala, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, D.F., Facultad de Estudios Superiores Iztacala, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Tlalnepantla, Estado de México, México
| | - Paul F. Doherty
- Department of Fish, Wildlife, and Conservation Biology, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, Colorado, United States of America
| | - Marcio Martins
- Departamento de Ecologia, Instituto de Biociências, Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Ricardo J. Sawaya
- Departamento de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal de São Paulo, Diadema, São Paulo, Brazil
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Coastal nurseries and their importance for conservation of sea kraits. PLoS One 2014; 9:e90246. [PMID: 24670985 PMCID: PMC3966728 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0090246] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/13/2013] [Accepted: 01/27/2014] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Destruction and pollution of coral reefs threaten these marine biodiversity hot stops which shelter more than two thirds of sea snake species. Notably, in many coral reef ecosystems of the Western Pacific Ocean, large populations of sea kraits (amphibious sea snakes) have drastically declined during the past three decades. Protecting remaining healthy populations is thus essential. In New Caledonia, coral reefs shelter numerous sea krait colonies spread throughout an immense lagoon (24,000 km2). Sea kraits feed on coral fish but lay their eggs on land. However, ecological information on reproduction and juveniles is extremely fragmentary, precluding protection of key habitats for reproduction. Our 10 years mark recapture study on Yellow sea kraits (L. saintgironsi >8,700 individuals marked) revealed that most neonates aggregate in highly localized coastal sites, where they feed and grow during several months before dispersal. Hundreds of females emigrate seasonally from remote populations (>50 km away) to lay their eggs in these coastal nurseries, and then return home. Protecting these nurseries is a priority to maintain recruitment rate, and to retain sea krait populations in the future.
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Hyslop NL, Meyers JM, Cooper RJ, Stevenson DJ. Effects of body size and sex ofDrymarchon couperi(eastern indigo snake) on habitat use, movements, and home range size in Georgia. J Wildl Manage 2013. [DOI: 10.1002/jwmg.645] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Natalie L. Hyslop
- Warnell School of Forestry and Natural Resources; The University of Georgia; Athens GA 30602-2152 USA
| | - J. Michael Meyers
- USGS Patuxent Wildlife Research Center; Warnell School of Forestry and Natural Resources; The University of Georgia; Athens GA 30602-2152 USA
| | - Robert J. Cooper
- Warnell School of Forestry and Natural Resources; The University of Georgia; Athens GA 30602-2152 USA
| | - Dirk J. Stevenson
- Fort Stewart Directorate of Public Works Fish and Wildlife Branch; United States Army; Fort Stewart GA 31314 USA
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