Note
Includes bibliography.
Member of
Contributors
Publisher
Florida Atlantic University
Date Issued
2014
EDTF Date Created
2014
Description
The tropical fire ant, Solenopsis geminata is a New World species with a wide native
range including South America as well as several Caribbean islands. The red imported
fire ant, Solenopsis invicta is native to parts of South America. Both species are known
for preying on sea turtles’ eggs and hatchlings. The objectives of this thesis research
were to conduct follow-up and baseline ant species distribution surveys on four sea turtle
nesting beaches in St. Croix, U. S. Virgin Islands. Tuna baits were set out at beaches;
specimens were collected, frozen, preserved then identified. Results show that there was
a significant change in the fire ants’ distribution at Sandy Point National Wildlife Refuge
(SPNWR) while none were found at Jack Bay. Fire ants were also present on the other
two baseline surveyed nesting beaches. The displacement of S. geminata by S. invicta
was observed at SPNWR, which also was presumed by previous surveys.
range including South America as well as several Caribbean islands. The red imported
fire ant, Solenopsis invicta is native to parts of South America. Both species are known
for preying on sea turtles’ eggs and hatchlings. The objectives of this thesis research
were to conduct follow-up and baseline ant species distribution surveys on four sea turtle
nesting beaches in St. Croix, U. S. Virgin Islands. Tuna baits were set out at beaches;
specimens were collected, frozen, preserved then identified. Results show that there was
a significant change in the fire ants’ distribution at Sandy Point National Wildlife Refuge
(SPNWR) while none were found at Jack Bay. Fire ants were also present on the other
two baseline surveyed nesting beaches. The displacement of S. geminata by S. invicta
was observed at SPNWR, which also was presumed by previous surveys.
Language
Type
Form
Extent
53 p.
Subject (Topical)
Identifier
FA00004077
Additional Information
Includes bibliography.
Thesis (M.S.)--Florida Atlantic University, 2014.
FAU Electronic Theses and Dissertations Collection
Date Backup
2014
Date Created Backup
2014
Date Text
2014
Date Created (EDTF)
2014
Date Issued (EDTF)
2014
Extension
FAU
IID
FA00004077
Organizations
Attributed name: Florida Atlantic University
Attributed name: Charles E. Schmidt College of Science
Attributed name: Department of Biological Sciences
Person Preferred Name
Balkaran, Kavita
author
Graduate College
Physical Description
application/pdf
53 p.
Title Plain
The distribution of predaceous fire ant species on important sea turtle nesting beaches in St. Croix, U.S. Virgin Islands
Use and Reproduction
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Origin Information
2014
2014
Florida Atlantic University
Boca Raton, Fla.
Physical Location
Florida Atlantic University Libraries
Place
Boca Raton, Fla.
Sub Location
Digital Library
Title
The distribution of predaceous fire ant species on important sea turtle nesting beaches in St. Croix, U.S. Virgin Islands
Other Title Info
The distribution of predaceous fire ant species on important sea turtle nesting beaches in St. Croix, U.S. Virgin Islands