Morphology and demography of Sonoran mud turtles (Kinosternon sonoriense) along an aquatic habitat permanence gradient

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dc.contributor.advisorStone, Paul A.
dc.contributor.authorStanila, Brian Douglas
dc.contributor.committeeMemberBass, David
dc.contributor.committeeMemberButler, Christopher
dc.date.accessioned2020-04-17T16:00:49Z
dc.date.available2020-04-17T16:00:49Z
dc.date.issued2009
dc.description.abstractAquatic habitats exist along a permanence gradient and are characterized by the degree of interactions between abiotic (desiccation) and biotic (predation) factors, which are identified as characteristics that regulate body size and population demographics. Sonoran mud turtles (Kinosternon sonoriense ) occur in aquatic habitats that span the permanence gradient and are potentially impacted by environmental variables associated with these habitats. I sampled aquatic habitats in the Peloncillo Mountains (32°12'N, 108°60'W) and classified them as ephemeral, intermittent, or permanent. I investigated the influence of aquatic habitats on body size, population density, and juvenile recruitment of Sonoran mud turtles. Body size was significantly larger in turtles from permanent aquatic habitats. Juvenile recruitment was related to population density and was highest in intermittent aquatic habitats. These data reflect a distribution pattern that favors intermittent aquatic habitats with desiccation and predation limiting populations in ephemeral and permanent aquatic habitats, respectively. The Sonoran mud turtle is listed as a vulnerable species and my research identifies anthropogenic factors threatening habitat sustainability and population viability.
dc.identifier.oclc(OCoLC)1338151025
dc.identifier.other(AlmaMMSId)9982873111402196
dc.identifier.urihttps://hdl.handle.net/11244/323901
dc.rightsAll rights reserved by the author, who has granted UCO Chambers Library the non-exclusive right to share this material in its online repositories. Contact UCO Chambers Library's Digital Initiatives Working Group at diwg@uco.edu for the permission policy on the use, reproduction or distribution of this material.
dc.subject.lcshKinosternon
dc.thesis.degreeM.S., Biology
dc.titleMorphology and demography of Sonoran mud turtles (Kinosternon sonoriense) along an aquatic habitat permanence gradient
dc.typeAcademic theses
thesis.degree.grantorJackson College of Graduate Studies
uco.groupUniversity of Central Oklahoma::UCO - Jackson College of Graduate Studies::UCO - JCGS - Masters' Theses

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