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Rainwater TR, Singh R, Tuten CA, Given AM, Gibbons PW, Song B, Platt SG, Wilkinson PM, Bodinof Jachowski CM. Fauna Associated with American Alligator ( Alligator mississippiensis) Nests in Coastal South Carolina, USA. Animals (Basel) 2024; 14:620. [PMID: 38396588 PMCID: PMC10886190 DOI: 10.3390/ani14040620] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/05/2024] [Revised: 02/06/2024] [Accepted: 02/12/2024] [Indexed: 02/25/2024] Open
Abstract
Crocodilians are considered to be "ecosystem engineers" because their modification of habitats provides opportunities for feeding, drinking, breeding, and other vital life activities to a wide variety of other animals. One such habitat modification is the construction of nest mounds during the breeding season by most crocodilian species, including American alligators (Alligator mississippiensis). While many reports exist describing wildlife associated with alligator nests, no studies have quantified faunal associates and their corresponding behaviors while visiting nests. To address this data gap, we used automated game cameras to monitor wildlife and their behaviors at alligator nests during the egg incubation period (June-September) in coastal South Carolina, USA (2016-2021). We documented a total of 81 species (79 vertebrates and 2 invertebrates) at 78 alligator nests representing six taxonomic groups, including 48 birds (59.2%), 9 mammals (11.1%), 19 reptiles (23.4%), 3 amphibians (3.7%), 1 malacostracan (1.2%), and 1 insect (1.2%). Collectively, faunal associates primarily used alligator nests for feeding/foraging (51.8%), traveling (29.3%), and loafing (19.9%) and to a much lesser extent basking, burrowing/shelter, breeding, and nesting. However, trends in alligator nest use varied among faunal associate groups (birds, mammals, reptiles, amphibians, etc.), subgroups (e.g., passerines, raptors, wading birds, and waterfowl), and species. Several novel behaviors by some nest associates were also noted during the study, including the first observations of Virginia oppossum (Didelphis virginiana) opening and predating nests, bobcat (Lynx rufus) consuming alligator hatchlings, and Carolina wren (Thryothorus ludovicianus) feeding on the contents of a recently predated alligator egg. The results of this study indicate that a diverse assemblage of vertebrates (and some invertebrates) use alligator nest sites in coastal South Carolina for a variety of life activities during the egg incubation period, and the proportion of the behaviors exhibited varies among animal groups and species. This study provides a first step for investigations regarding the net impacts of alligator nest-faunal associate interactions and ultimately the greater ecological role of alligators and other crocodilians.
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Affiliation(s)
- Thomas R. Rainwater
- Tom Yawkey Wildlife Center, 1 Yawkey Way S., Georgetown, SC 29440, USA; (R.S.); (P.M.W.)
- Belle W. Baruch Institute of Coastal Ecology and Forest Science, Clemson University, Georgetown, SC 29440, USA;
- Department of Forestry and Environmental Conservation, Clemson University, 261 Lehotsky Hall, Clemson, SC 29634, USA;
| | - Randeep Singh
- Tom Yawkey Wildlife Center, 1 Yawkey Way S., Georgetown, SC 29440, USA; (R.S.); (P.M.W.)
- Belle W. Baruch Institute of Coastal Ecology and Forest Science, Clemson University, Georgetown, SC 29440, USA;
| | - Clarissa A. Tuten
- Department of Biology, Coastal Carolina University, Conway, SC 29528, USA;
| | | | - Parker W. Gibbons
- Coastal Carolina Consulting, 1935 Oak Tree Lane, Mt. Pleasant, SC 29464, USA;
| | - Bo Song
- Belle W. Baruch Institute of Coastal Ecology and Forest Science, Clemson University, Georgetown, SC 29440, USA;
| | - Steven G. Platt
- Wildlife Conservation Society-Cambodia Program, #21, Street 21 Sangkat Tonle Bassac, Phnom Penh 12000, Cambodia;
| | - Philip M. Wilkinson
- Tom Yawkey Wildlife Center, 1 Yawkey Way S., Georgetown, SC 29440, USA; (R.S.); (P.M.W.)
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Cui L, Yang C, Zhang D, Lin S, Zhao W, Liu P. Beneficial Effects of Warming Temperatures on Embryonic and Hatchling Development in a Low-Latitude Margin Population of the High-Latitude Lizard Lacerta agilis. Front Ecol Evol 2022. [DOI: 10.3389/fevo.2022.845309] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
The effects of warming temperatures on embryonic and hatchling development are critical for determining the vulnerability of species to climate warming. However, these effects have rarely been investigated in high-latitude oviparous species, particularly in their low-latitude margin populations. This study investigated the embryonic and hatchling development and fitness-related traits of a low-latitude margin population of a high-latitude lizard (Lacerta agilis). These traits were examined under present (24°C), moderate warming (27 and 30°C), and severe warming scenarios (33°C). Based on embryonic and hatchling responses to thermal variation, this study aimed to predict the vulnerability of the early life stages of low-latitude margin population of Lacerta agilis to climate warming. The incubation period of the low-latitude margin population of Lacerta agilis decreased as the temperature increased from 24 to 33°C. Hatching success was similar at 24, 27, and 30°C but decreased significantly at 33°C. No differences with temperature were observed for hatchling snout-vent length and hatchling body mass. The sprint speed was higher for hatchlings from temperatures of 24 and 33°C. The growth rate of hatchlings was highest at 30°C; however, the survival rate of hatchlings was not affected by the thermal environment. This study demonstrated that even for a low-latitude margin population of the high-latitude lizard, Lacerta agilis, moderate warming (i.e., 27 and 30°C) would benefit embryonic and hatchling development. This was indicated by the results showing higher hatching success, growth rate, and survival rate. However, if temperatures increase above 33°C, development and survival would be depressed significantly. Thus, low-latitude margin population of high-latitude species Lacerta agilis would benefit from climate warming in the near future but would be under stress if the nest temperature exceeded 30°C.
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Liu W, Liu P, Cui L, Meng Y, Tao S, Han X, Sun B. Moderate climate warming scenarios during embryonic and post‐embryonic stages benefit a cold‐climate lizard. Funct Ecol 2022. [DOI: 10.1111/1365-2435.14032] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Wan‐li Liu
- Key Laboratory of Animal Ecology and Conservation Biology Institute of Zoology Chinese Academy of Sciences Beijing 100101 P. R. China
- College of Life Science and Technology Harbin Normal University Harbin 150025 P. R. China
| | - Peng Liu
- College of Life Science and Technology Harbin Normal University Harbin 150025 P. R. China
| | - Luo‐xin Cui
- College of Life Science and Technology Harbin Normal University Harbin 150025 P. R. China
| | - Yu Meng
- College of Life Science and Technology Harbin Normal University Harbin 150025 P. R. China
| | - Shi‐ang Tao
- Key Laboratory of Animal Ecology and Conservation Biology Institute of Zoology Chinese Academy of Sciences Beijing 100101 P. R. China
| | - Xing‐zhi Han
- College of Wildlife Resources Northeast Forestry University Harbin 150040 P. R. China
| | - Bao‐jun Sun
- Key Laboratory of Animal Ecology and Conservation Biology Institute of Zoology Chinese Academy of Sciences Beijing 100101 P. R. China
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González-Desales GA, Tello-Sahagún LA, Cadena-Ramírez CP, López-Luna MA, Buenrostro-Silva A, García-Grajales J, González-Ramón MC, Morales-Mavil JE, Charruau P, Sigler L, Rubio-Delgado A, Zarco-González MM, Monroy-Vilchis O. Egg predation and vertebrates associated with wild crocodilian nests in Mexico determined using camera-traps. J NAT HIST 2020. [DOI: 10.1080/00222933.2020.1829723] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/22/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Giovany A. González-Desales
- Centro de Investigación en Ciencias Biológicas Aplicadas, Universidad Autónoma del Estado de México, Toluca, México
| | | | | | - Marco A. López-Luna
- Instituto de Neuroetología, Universidad Veracruzana, Xalapa Enríquez, México
- División Académica de Ciencias Biológicas, Universidad Juárez Autónoma de Tabasco, Villahermosa, México
| | - Alejandra Buenrostro-Silva
- Instituto de Industrias, Instituto de Recursos, Universidad del Mar-Puerto Escondido, San Pedro Mixtepec, México
| | - Jesús García-Grajales
- Instituto de Industrias, Instituto de Recursos, Universidad del Mar-Puerto Escondido, San Pedro Mixtepec, México
| | - Mariana C. González-Ramón
- División Académica de Ciencias Biológicas, Universidad Juárez Autónoma de Tabasco, Villahermosa, México
| | | | - Pierre Charruau
- Centro del Cambio Global y la Sustentabilidad A.C, Villahermosa, México
| | | | | | - Martha M. Zarco-González
- Centro de Investigación en Ciencias Biológicas Aplicadas, Universidad Autónoma del Estado de México, Toluca, México
| | - Octavio Monroy-Vilchis
- Centro de Investigación en Ciencias Biológicas Aplicadas, Universidad Autónoma del Estado de México, Toluca, México
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Somaweera R, Nifong J, Rosenblatt A, Brien ML, Combrink X, Elsey RM, Grigg G, Magnusson WE, Mazzotti FJ, Pearcy A, Platt SG, Shirley MH, Tellez M, Ploeg J, Webb G, Whitaker R, Webber BL. The ecological importance of crocodylians: towards evidence‐based justification for their conservation. Biol Rev Camb Philos Soc 2020; 95:936-959. [DOI: 10.1111/brv.12594] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/07/2019] [Revised: 02/20/2020] [Accepted: 02/25/2020] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Ruchira Somaweera
- CSIRO Health and Biosecurity Floreat WA 6014 Australia
- School of Biological Sciences, University of Western Australia Crawley WA 6009 Australia
| | - James Nifong
- IFAS‐Fort Lauderdale Research & Education Center, University of Florida Fort Lauderdale FL 33314 USA
| | - Adam Rosenblatt
- University of North Florida 1 UNF Drive, Jacksonville FL 32224 USA
| | - Mathew L. Brien
- Queensland Parks and WildlifeDepartment of Environment and Science Cairns QLD 4870 Australia
| | - Xander Combrink
- Department of Nature ConservationTshwane University of Technology Pretoria South Africa
| | - Ruth M. Elsey
- Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries Rockefeller Wildlife Refuge Grand Chenier LA 70643 USA
| | - Gordon Grigg
- School of Biological SciencesUniversity of Queensland St Lucia QLD 4072 Australia
| | - William E. Magnusson
- Coordenação da Biodiversidade, Instituto Nacional da Pesquisas da Amazônia Manaus 69067 Brazil
| | - Frank J. Mazzotti
- Department of Wildlife Ecology and ConservationEverglades Research and Education Center, University of Florida Gainesville FL 32603 USA
| | - Ashley Pearcy
- Section for Ecoinformatics and Biodiversity, Department of BioScienceAarhus University Aarhus Denmark
| | - Steven G. Platt
- Wildlife Conservation Society ‐ Myanmar Program Yangon Myanmar
| | - Matthew H. Shirley
- Tropical Conservation InstituteFlorida International University Miami FL 33181 USA
| | | | - Jan Ploeg
- Australian National Centre for Ocean Resources and Security, Innovation Campus, University of Wollongong Wollongong NSW 2522 Australia
| | - Grahame Webb
- Wildlife Management International Karama NT 0812 Australia
- Research Institute for the Environment and Livelihoods, Charles Darwin University Casuarina NT 0810 Australia
| | - Rom Whitaker
- The Madras Crocodile Bank Trust & Centre for Herpetology Mahabalipuram 603104 India
| | - Bruce L. Webber
- CSIRO Health and Biosecurity Floreat WA 6014 Australia
- School of Biological Sciences, University of Western Australia Crawley WA 6009 Australia
- Western Australian Biodiversity Science Institute Perth WA 6000 Australia
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