Date of Award

2018

Document Type

Dissertation/Thesis

Submission Date

October 2026

Thesis/Dissertation Advisor [Chair]

Moore, Jon

Abstract

Gopherus polyphemus is a keystone species that is listed under Florida’s Endangered Species Act as a “threatened species”. This thesis will include various growth measurements of a population of tortoises located in Jupiter’s backyard, the Abacoa Greenway. At this specific site, tortoises have been studied thoroughly by marking and measuring tortoises and remeasuring in the following years. Using data from individual tortoises measured over a 17-year period, this thesis will explore average growth curves and mean size for each year of life. Periods of life ranging from hatchling to juvenile to full maturation will be compiled into growth patterns. Gopher tortoises were studied primarily at Range VIa, southwest of Fredrick Small Road and Central Blvd. To better understand this keystone species and how South Florida populations differ from more northern ones, extensive data will be analyzed.

Comments

Includes bibliography.

Extent

24 p.

Identifier

FAUHT00046

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