Gopherus polyphemus

Gopher tortoises (Gopherus polyphemus) are keystone species mainly due to their burrow construction. Gopher tortoises can also impact the plants around them, but it is rarely quantifiable due to constraints in dispersal studies including time period and seasonality of fruit. The objective of this study was to measure the effect gut-passage has on a native Florida stone-pitted shrub, the cocoplum bush (Chrysobalanus icaco), as well as to attempt to model the relationship between the gopher tortoise and the plant using our unique field site. This study shows that gut-passage has a significant effect on the germination rate of the cocoplum, allowing it to germinate faster than control groups. This study also found that a model involving covariates relating to tortoise movement as a predictor for cocoplum intensity was favored over a homogeneous null model. We believe the pattern of plants is nonrandom and relates to the gopher tortoise’s seed dispersal.

Gopherus polyphemus populations are diminishing throughout their range due
to urbanization, fragmentation, and poor management of habitats. Increased
population densities, poor habitat quality, and lack of fire may influence disease
transmission. Parasite roles within wild tortoise populations are largely unknown,
despite evidence these pathogens may pose health risks. This study provides a
baseline of gopher tortoise endoparasites across South Florida and reports on how
varying environmental and tortoise characteristics may affect endoparasite species
prevalence, approximate loads, and overall distributions. Tortoise fecal samples were
taken from five differing SF habitats. Seven species of intestinal parasites were
discovered from 123 tortoises. Identified parasites include endo-helminths such as
cyathostomes, pinworms, ascarids, flukes, and protozoans including Eimeria,
Cryptosporidium, and Amoeba species. Significant differences in parasite prevalence and loads were seen between sampling years, seasons, size classes, and sites,
however, overall parasite distributions suggest parasitism remains relatively
ubiquitous throughout most host and site characteristics.