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Thesis
Message In A Bottle: A Comparison Of Environmental Dna Detections Across Years For The Endangered Reticulated Flatwoods Salamander (Ambystoma Bishopi)
University of West Florida Libraries
Master of Science (MS), University of West Florida
2023
Abstract
Environmental DNA (eDNA) is a non-invasive, cost-effective tool used to monitor elusive and rare species by isolating DNA from water samples and screening that DNA for specific sequences that match a particular species of interest. Environmental DNA was used to monitor and detect a federally endangered salamander species (Ambystoma bishopi) in ephemeral ponds on Hurlburt Field, in Florida during the breeding seasons of 2018-2022. We collected water quality measurements at each pond for each month throughout the five years sampled that included depth, pH, water temperature, dissolved oxygen, specific conductivity, and salinity. Principal Component Analysis (PCA) was employed on the fullest data set available, 2021, to determine any relationships between water quality measurements and detection rates. Visual summaries of the results from 2018-2022 alongside monthly precipitation levels and a pond’s monthly given water temperature were incorporated to assess any changes in detection rates relative to these conditions. Comparisons were made between four ponds across all five years sampled. Restored ponds versus unrestored ponds were compared using Fisher’s exact test. Water temperature and pH were found to be the most influential water quality factors explaining detection rates for 2021. There was a significant difference in detection rate of A. bishopi between restored and unrestored ponds, suggesting that restored ponds have more suitable habitat than non-restored ponds. Management should continue to restore upland and breeding habitat as well as monitor the quality of water within these breeding wetlands to ensure the survival and longevity of this federally endangered species.
Details
- Title
- Message In A Bottle
- Resource Type
- Thesis
- Contributors
- Alexis M Janosik (Committee Chair)Sinead M Borchert (Committee Member)Lorraine P Ketzler (Committee Member)Frank Gilliam (Committee Member)
- Publisher
- University of West Florida Libraries
- Format
- pdf
- Number of pages
- 71
- Copyright
- Permission granted to the University of West Florida Libraries by the author to digitize and/or display this information for non-profit research and educational purposes. Any reuse of this item in excess of fair use or other copyright exemptions requires the permission of the copyright holder.
- Identifiers
- 99380461696506600
- Academic Unit
- Hal Marcus College of Science and Engineering ; Biology
- Language
- English
- Awarding Institution
- University of West Florida; Master of Science (MS)
- Theses and Dissertations
- Master of Science (MS), University of West Florida