Author Type

Graduate Student

Date of Award

2005

Document Type

Thesis

Publication Status

Version of Record

Submission Date

October 2026

Thesis/Dissertation Advisor [Chair]

Wetterer, James K.

Abstract

Although the red imported fire ant (Solenopsis invicta ) is known to kill sea turtle hatchlings, little research has focused on sub-lethal effects of ant attacks on hatchlings emerging from nests. Sea turtle hatchlings of two species (Caretta caretta and Chelonia mydas) exposed to fire ants during incubation and emergence were collected on Juno Beach, Florida. Hatchlings were maintained for ten days in a common saltwater outdoor pool at the Marinelife Center, Juno Beach. Hatchlings showing pustules diagnostic of S. invicta stings were compared to non-stung controls in terms of survival, growth (mass and SCL) and initial crawling strength. Loggerhead hatchlings showed a significant decrease in survival, growth, and crawling strength when stung by fire ants. In contrast, no significant differences were seen in the survival, growth, and crawling strength of green turtle hatchlings when stung by fire ants.

Extent

51 p.

Comments

Thesis (M.S.)--Florida Atlantic University, 2005.|Thesis (M.S.)--Florida Atlantic University, 2005.

Identifier

FADT13252

Format

pdf

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