Survival of Young American Alligators on a Florida Lake

1987 ◽  
Vol 51 (4) ◽  
pp. 931 ◽  
Author(s):  
Allan R. Woodward ◽  
Tommy C. Hines ◽  
C. L. Abercrombie ◽  
James D. Nichols
Keyword(s):  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Patricia C. Faulkner ◽  
Ruth M. Elsey ◽  
David Hala ◽  
Lene H. Petersen

AbstractAmerican alligators (Alligator mississippiensis) inhabit freshwater wetlands that are vulnerable to salinization caused by anthropogenic alterations to freshwater flow, in addition to storm surges, sea level rise, and droughts. Salinization of coastal freshwater habitats is a growing concern in a changing climate due to increased frequency and intensity of storm surges and drought conditions. This study opportunistically sampled juvenile male and female wild alligators in various salinities each month excluding November, December, and January for one year at Rockefeller Wildlife Refuge in coastal Louisiana. Blood plasma biochemistry parameters including electrolyte levels were subsequently measured. In addition, levels of various renin–angiotensin–aldosterone system hormones, glucocorticoids, androgens, estrogens, and progestogens were analyzed using liquid chromatography and tandem mass spectrometry. Only males were sampled in hyperosmotic environments (> 10‰) during dry conditions in late summer 2018. In juvenile males, plasma Na+, Cl−, and the progestogen 17α,20β-dihydroxypregnenone were significantly and positively correlated with environmental salinity. However, variation in glucocorticoids, androgens, and estrogens were not associated with hypersaline water while sex steroids showed significant seasonal variation. This study demonstrated significant correlation of environmental salinity with electrolyte levels and a sex steroid in wild juvenile alligators, and to our knowledge represents the first measurement of 17α,20β-dihydroxypregnenone in alligators.


Herpetologica ◽  
2015 ◽  
Vol 71 (1) ◽  
pp. 37-45 ◽  
Author(s):  
Cord B. Eversole ◽  
Scott E. Henke ◽  
David B. Wester ◽  
Bart M. Ballard ◽  
Randy L. Powell

2014 ◽  
Vol 75 (6) ◽  
pp. 536-543 ◽  
Author(s):  
Javier G. Nevarez ◽  
George M. Strain ◽  
Anderson F. da Cunha ◽  
Hugues Beaufrère

Reproduction ◽  
2014 ◽  
Vol 147 (6) ◽  
pp. 855-863 ◽  
Author(s):  
Heather J Hamlin ◽  
Russell H Lowers ◽  
Satomi Kohno ◽  
Naoko Mitsui-Watanabe ◽  
Haruna Amano ◽  
...  

Comparatively, little data are available detailing the geographic variation that exists in the reproductive endocrinology of adult alligators, especially those living in barrier islands. The Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge (MI) is a unique barrier island environment and home to the Kennedy Space Center (FL, USA). Seasonal patterns of sex steroids were assessed in adult female American alligators from MI monthly from 2008 to 2009, with additional samples collected at more random intervals in 2006, 2007, and 2010. Plasma 17β-estradiol and vitellogenin concentrations peaked in April, coincident with courtship and mating, and showed patterns similar to those observed in adult female alligators in other regions. Plasma concentrations of progesterone, however, showed patterns distinctly different than those reported for alligator populations in other regions and remained relatively constant throughout the year. Plasma DHEA peaked in July around the time of oviposition, decreased in August, and then remained constant for the remaining months, except for a moderate increase in October. Circulating concentrations of DHEA have not been previously assessed in a female crocodilian, and plasma concentrations coincident with reproductive activity suggest a reproductive and/or behavioral role. Interestingly, plasma testosterone concentrations peaked in May of 2008, as has been shown in female alligator populations in other regions, but showed no peak in 2009, demonstrating dramatic variability from year to year. Surveys showed 2009 to be particularly depauperate of alligator nests in MI, and it is possible that testosterone could serve as a strong indicator of breeding success.


2021 ◽  
Vol 20 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
John W. Finger ◽  
Meghan D. Kelley ◽  
Yufeng Zhang ◽  
Matthew T. Hamilton ◽  
Ruth M. Elsey ◽  
...  

2021 ◽  
Vol 20 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Vincent R. Deem ◽  
Andrew W. Letter ◽  
Allan R. Woodward ◽  
Ryan M. Ford ◽  
Brandon C. Moore

2019 ◽  
Vol 128 ◽  
pp. 324-334 ◽  
Author(s):  
Frances M. Nilsen ◽  
John A. Bowden ◽  
Thomas R. Rainwater ◽  
Arnold M. Brunell ◽  
Brittany L. Kassim ◽  
...  

2020 ◽  
Vol 105 (3) ◽  
pp. 381-386
Author(s):  
Troy J. Kieran ◽  
Samantha J. Goodman ◽  
John W. Finger ◽  
Jesse C. Thomas ◽  
Matthew T. Hamilton ◽  
...  

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