The Effect of Everglades Food Items (Prey) on Crocodilian Growth Development, and Fertility
Cardeilhac P, Bass O, Wolff W, Flemming M. 1999. The Effect of Everglades Food Items (Prey) on Crocodilian Growth Development, and Fertility. Critical Ecosystems Studies Initiative. RES97-5. Everglades National Park/South Florida Natural Resources Center
Final Report Alligators are the freshwater Everglades and are often considered a "keystone" species in the aquatic systems in which they reside. As such, the general health and condition of alligator populations serves as an indicator of overall ecosystem function. Instances of severe environmental change have the potential to impact the growth and reproductive potential of alligators. This CESI-funded investigation examined five years of reproductive data on alligators from the Florida Everglades, and compared the results to control populations in Louisiana. The study highlights important variations in alligator pysiology and draws valuable conclusions on the interplay of nutrients and water levels. The results of this study will better inform the proper modeling of alligator responses to proposed restoration efforts. Cardeilhac, P. T., and O. L. Bass, W. R. Wolff, and D. M. Fleming. 1999. The Effect of Everglades Food Items (Prey) on Crocodilian Growth Develop, and Fertility. United States Geological Survey Research Work Order 154b. Florida NPS Cooperative Fish and Wildlife at Research Unit at the University of Florida. Gainesville, Florida.
- Type
- Published Report
- Authors
- Cardeilhac, Paul; Bass, Oron; Wolff, W.; Flemming, Marty
- Date of Issue
- 1999-12
- Units
- EVER
- Keywords
- alligator, CESI, everglades, Food Webs, Marl Prairies, Prey, Research, Ridge and Slough, Species Growth, trophic studies
- Subjects
- Ecological Framework: Biological Integrity | Focal Species or Communities | Freshwater Communities , Ecological Framework: Biological Integrity | Focal Species or Communities | Amphibians and Reptiles