Rice rat, wax myrtle, and kingsnake: coevolution in the intercapes zone
Goodyear NC, Lazell JD, Alexander JR. 1992. Rice rat, wax myrtle, and kingsnake: coevolution in the intercapes zone. In Cole C and Turner K: Barrier Island Ecology of the Mid-Atlantic Coast: a symposium. National Park Service. Atlanta
A study into the coevolution and interdependence of rice rats, wax myrtles, and kingsnakes along the Outer Banks intercape zone from Cape Hatteras National Seashore to Cape Lookout National Seashore. Examines the hypothesis that Outer Banks kingsnakes (Lampropeltis getulus sticticepts) are found in or near Juncus marshes supporting large populations of rice rats (Oryzomys palustris), and that large populations of rice rats would be found next to large chambered wax myrtles (Myrica cerifera) whose undersides had been hollowed out to form airtight chambers for the rats to hide in during periods of high water.
- Type
- Conference Proceeding Paper
- Authors
- Goodyear, Numi; Lazell, James; Alexander, John
- Units
- CAHA , CALO
- Keywords
- Animal Behavior, Ecology, marsh rice rat (Oryzomys palustris), needlegrass rush (Juncus roemerianus) (rush), Outer Banks kingsnake (Lampropeltis getulus sticticeps), Outer Banks NC, wax myrtle (Myrica cerifera)