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COOPERATIVE RESEARCH ON GOPHER TORTOISES
Cooperation with Research Efforts on Gopher Tortoises and Upland Habitats and Species  One of the most valuable and most difficult techniques of studying animals in the wild is the study of their movements and behavior over many years. Most studies are conducted for less than one year or perhaps up to two or three, with relatively few opportunities for long-term observation and collection of data. One of the major purposes of the Reserve is to provide an opportunity for long-term studies of gopher tortoises and other wildlife as well as ongoing monitoring of habitat conditions as the site is managed to optimize sandhill biodiversity. The laboratory facilities, library, tortoise study pens, and housing provide researchers with the infrastructure to make such research possible. The data collected year after year at the field station provide a tremendous foundation on which short-term studies by researchers and students can be based.
The data currently collected on site include the following:
- All tortoises encountered are permanently marked. Approximately 400 tortoises are in the data bank. The location of each capture is recorded; length and weight are tabulated; and a health evaluation is made. Blood samples are taken and stored at the University of Florida Veterinary School. (Blood and serum are stored separately.)
- All tortoise burrows are permanently marked and mapped, with habitation status recorded annually.
 Permanent habitat monitoring transects have been in place for eight years, since before the first prescribed fire. Data are collected semi-annually.
- Tortoise forage and tortoise foraging behavior are routinely monitored throughout the year.
- Records are maintained on observations of vertebrates on the property. Location and weather conditions are noted.
- Several species of snakes are implanted with pith tags, including Drymarchon corais, Heterodon simus, Heterodon platyrhinos, Pituophis melanoleucus, Elaphe obsoleta and Masticophis flagellum.
- Amphibian breeding activities are monitored throughout the year at three on-site breeding areas and three off-site locations on nearby properties.
Current ongoing studies include:
- Gopher tortoise foraging over the landscape.
- Use of burrows by gopher tortoises.
- Movement of tortoises over the terrain, outside of the normal home range.
- Incorporation of relocated tortoises into the recipient population.
- Measuring success of tortoise relocation.
- What happens after URTD exposure in a wild population of tortoises?
- Use of sound in gopher tortoise communication and social behavior.
Cooperative Studies on Gopher Tortoises:
- URTD study: Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission.
- Providing blood samples for genetic studies: University of South Florida
- Aging of tortoises, digging behavior data; fecal materials for roundworm studies in tortoises: University of Florida
- Temperatures at egg deposition sites and the possibility of twice a year egg laying: University of South Georgia
- Monitoring of southern upland Forests: University of North Carolina
- Advising on tortoise relocation studies: Savannah Ecology Laboratory
- Skeletal Materials to: Chelonian Research Institute
- (See page on Assurance Colony Research and Education)
Intitute Publications
Gopherus polyphemus (gopher tortoise) use of abandoned burrows by juveniles. 2001. R.E. Ashton and P.S. Ashton. Herpetological Review 32(3)2001.
Life History of the Gopher Tortoise (In Press 2003.) Patricia S. and Ray E. Ashton, Jr. Kreiger Publishing Co. Melbourne, FL.
Planning gopher tortoise (Gopherus polyphemus) conservation into the next millennium. Ray E. Ashton, Jr. (In Press 2004.) In Future of Reptiles and Amphibians in Florida. Kreiger Press. Melbourne, FL.
Natural history of the flatwoods salamander (Ambystoma cingulatum) (Cope) in Florida. (In Press 2004.) In Future of Reptiles and Amphibians in Florida. Kreiger Press, Melbourne, FL.
Invitation to Participate
 Researchers are invited to contact us about conducting research at the Preserve or about projects on tortoises elsewhere. Research may be done by the researchers or graduate students. We are willing to assist in gathering data. The Reserve is in a remote area, and equipment left in the field is quite secure. No funding is available, so we ask that the Reserve be included in the funds being applied for. As previously mentioned, the years of data available may be an excellent selling point for some grants. Students are asked to fill out an application to conduct research and/or to apply for an internship position.
Cooperation
We are more than willing to share data, collect specimens, or assist in teaching and sharing our field techniques. We simply ask that the Institute be recognized in the published results and in reports to granting agencies. When our contribution is significant, we ask that we be listed as a co-author of the work. |
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