• Research

• Longleaf Pine Research
• Aquatics Research
• Wildlife Research
• Predation and Predator Management
• Wildlife/Habitat Relationships
• Fox Squirrel Study
• Breeding Birds and Understory Study
• Herbicide Fire Study
• Amphibian and Reptile Inventory
• Alligator Metapopulation Study
• Bat community study
• Land Use Change
• Threatened and Endangered Species
• Research Publications
• Graduate Projects

The Role of Alligators in Seasonal Wetlands

Research Team: Dr. Lora L. Smith (Assistant Scientist), Christopher Borg (Research Technician III), Anna Liner (Research Technician), and Amanda Subalusky (Research Technician)

American alligators (Alligator mississippiensis) are found throughout the various aquatic habitats of Ichauway, but their life history remains relatively unknown. Eyeshine counts conducted in 1994 and 2000 yielded population estimates of 67 individuals with a higher proportion of juveniles (< 1.5 meters in length) than adults. In spring 2002, we began a mark-recapture study of alligators to learn more about their habits, growth, and movements. Temporary wetlands on the property with a history of alligator activity are being surveyed and any juvenile alligators present are hand captured, marked by scute removal and measured for snout-vent length, tail length, and mass. After this initial survey is complete, wetlands will be re-sampled seasonally. Over time, we expect this study will provide valuable information on growth rate, dispersal, and survival of juvenile alligators. The movements and survivorship of alligators in temporary wetlands in years of drought and flood will be of particular interest. Furthermore, the American alligator potentially plays an important role in shaping the ecology of seasonally inundated ponds at Ichauway. Alligators excavate subterranean burrows within the pond basins, thus affecting hydroperiod, and possibly providing refugia for other aquatic vertebrates in times of drought. In addition, alligators may be important predators on small vertebrates that inhabit the ponds including salamanders, larval and adult anurans, and turtles. However, the level of predation and extent to which it affects populations of these species is not known. In addition to conducting systematic surveys of the inland alligator population at Ichauway we ultimately intend to address questions related to the role of alligators in the ecology of seasonal ponds.

Research in progress, publications forthcoming.

Funded by: The Joseph W. Jones Ecological Research Center