Author Type

Graduate Student

Date of Award

2019

Document Type

Thesis

Publication Status

Version of Record

Submission Date

October 2026

Thesis/Dissertation Advisor [Chair]

Moore, Jon A.

Abstract

Gopher tortoise (Gopherus Polyphemus) burrows provide a unique microhabitat used by hundreds of vertebrate and invertebrate species. Prior to this study, limited information was available regarding burrow commensal species in southeast Florida, especially for invertebrate taxa. This study is an in-depth investigation of vertebrate and invertebrate gopher tortoise burrow commensals and is the first to document obligate invertebrate commensals (OIC) in this region. The objective was to test a variety of noninvasive methods effective for surveying commensals, compile an account of species dependent on gopher tortoise burrows in southeast Florida, accumulate information on threatened, endangered, and invasive species, add to the distributional information on OIC’s, and present information to land managers. Three pine flatwoods and three scrub habitats, with varying degrees of management were surveyed. Eighty-nine species were identified. This study was a substantial step toward documenting gopher tortoise burrow commensals in this region.

Extent

86 p.

Comments

Includes bibliography.|Thesis (M.S.)--Florida Atlantic University, 2019.|FAU Electronic Theses and Dissertations Collection|Includes bibliography.

Identifier

FA00013378

Format

pdf

Download

Share

COinS