An Analysis of Gopherus polyphemus Reproduction at the Florida Atlantic University Preserve

Gopherus polyphemus (gopher tortoise) is a threatened
keystone species whose burrows benefit over
350 species. Surveys conducted throughout 2010-
2015 at Florida Atlantic University Preserve (FAUP)
have found an age gap of ten years and a lack of
nests. To update the demographic survey and to
examine the population’s reproduction and health,
we conducted burrow and nest surveys from May
to September 2016 and collected fecal samples to
check for endo-parasites. Transects were used to
locate burrows and measurements were taken to determine
population structure. Wire-probing was used
to locate nests and feces were tested for endo-parasites.
From a total of 261 marked burrows and fecal
sampling, results indicated a continuous age range,
one nest, and presence of intestinal parasites. Future
work will focus on health and reproductive behavior
that will improve our understanding of the FAUP
gopher tortoise population and may ultimately aid in
future conservation methods.