Hundreds of wetlands have been constructed as permanent water sources in a ridge-top ecosystem in eastern Kentucky where there were naturally only ephemeral wetlands. Consequently, the ecosystem was colonized by an amphibian community of species with a larval period that requires a long hydroperiod (e.g., Newts) and many that are top amphibian predators. In contrast, the natural ephemeral wetlands support amphibians with a shorter larval period (e.g., Wood Frogs). Some ephemeral wetland species will breed in constructed wetlands; thus, there could be negative impacts on ephemeral species. Our objectives were to: (1) determine if species of the ephemeral and constructed amphibian communities interact, and (2) evaluate positive and negative impacts on these communities. We selected Eastern Newts (Notophthalmus viridescens) and Wood Frogs (Lithobates sylvaticus) to represent the constructed and natural amphibian communities, respectively. We sampled six constructed and six ephemeral wetlands throughout 2013 and 2014. We counted wood frog egg masses and estimated survival bi-weekly throughout the breeding season (February-May) at each wetland. Newt populations were sampled every two months (5 times) from May 2013 to January 2014. Individuals were measured and weighed to determine body condition and individually marked using visual implant elastomer for recapture. Data suggest that wood frog reproductive success is negatively impacted when eggs are laid in constructed wetlands. Newts in constructed wetlands with Wood Frog eggs had higher body condition. Understanding the impacts of how amphibian species interact as habitat loss and modification increase will continue to be critical for amphibian conservation.
Dept of Biological Sciences, Eastern Kentucky University, Richmond, KY
P150 • Christian R. Oldham, Leo Fleckenstein, Steven J. Price
Novel Application of Passive Integrated Transponder (PIT) Telemetry in Natricine Snakes
Passive Integrated Transponder (PIT) technology has proved to be a valuable tool for monitoring wildlife. Recent developments in this technology now allow for novel applications through PIT telemetry utilizing portable antennas. During the summer of 2013, we conducted PIT telemetry surveys and hand-capture surveys of Queen Snakes and Northern Water Snakes in Jessamine County, Kentucky. We found that efficacy of detecting marked snakes was significantly enhanced when employing a portable antenna rather than traditional search methods. We also noted similar detection rates or marked individuals between morning, afternoon, and night PIT telemetry surveys. We were able to track movements of individuals using the portable antenna to determine distances moved between detections. Our results demonstrate the utility of PIT telemetry using portable antennas in a previously untested system and underscore the value and applicability of this technology in future behavioral and ecological studies.
Dept of Forestry, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY
P151 • Daniel P. Ferons1, Jane L. Guentzel1, Andrew Heyes2
A Comparison of Whole Body Mercury Concentrations of Mummichogs (Fundulus heteroclitus) and Atlantic Silversides (Menidia menidia)
Scientific studies of mercury cycling in fish populations have primarily occurred in freshwater and open ocean environments. Relatively few studies have focused on mercury cycling within estuaries and the majority of these studies were conducted using laboratory conditions. Estuaries provide a unique environment that serves as an interface between freshwater systems and the open ocean. Additionally, they serve as a nursery for numerous commercial fishes, some of which have been linked to higher levels of mercury such as tilefish (Lopholatilus chamaeleonticeps), cobia (Rachycentron canadum), and king mackerel (Scomberomorus cavalla). Tilefish, cobia, and king mackerel will commonly prey on mummichogs (Fundulus heteroclitus) and Atlantic silversides (Menidia menidia) while in coastal estuaries. Mummichogs and silversides are forage fish that reside within estuaries and both species are tertiary consumers that feed on herbivores, secondary consumers, and detritivores. Although occupying the same trophic level, mummichogs are primarily benthic feeders while silversides are pelagic feeders. We plan to collect water, sediment, and fish samples quarterly over a one-year period. Sampling will include water parameters of pH, dissolved oxygen, salinity, temperature, total mercury, methylmercury, and nutrients. Sediment samples will be collected for total and methylmercury analysis. Mummichogs and Atlantic silversides will be collected for gut content and total and methyl mercury analysis. We plan to present our first sampling period from February 2014. We will investigate how water quality and sediment parameters may affect mercury concentrations in these two fish and how these fish contribute to the bioaccumulation of mercury in commercially important fish.
1Dept of Marine Science, Coastal Carolina University, Conway, SC; 2 Center for Environmental Science, University of Maryland, Solomons
P152 • Lauren G. Arona, Kevin M. Gribbins
Spermatid Morphological Changes During Spermiogenesis Within the Southern Bunchgrass Lizard, Sceloporus aeneus
Spermatid character descriptions during spermiogenesis are on the increase within the literature for reptiles. Recently, a study compared Sceloporus bicanthalis to S. variabilis and established 8 character differences between these species that are found within the same genus. The present study focuses on the events of spermiogenesis within an oviparous and seasonal-breeding lizard, Sceloporus aeneus. This lizard is the sister taxon to S. bicanthalis and we explored the question: do sibling species within a genus show differences in the ontogeny of spermiogenesis? Five lizards were collected in April 2012 from Toluca, Mexico. The testicular tissues were processed normally for TEM and analyzed to determine the ultrastructural spermatid changes that occur during spermiogenesis. The present data was compared to the spermiogenic information available for the viviparous and continuous breeding Sceloporus bicanthalis. Interestingly, few differences exist between S. bicanthalis and S. aeneus. Degrading and coiled myelin figures were visible within the developing acrosome, which are likely remnants of transport vesicles from the Golgi complex. Acrosome and subacrosome granules are present during early spermiogenesis. Throughout late spermiogenesis, an electron lucent line, the acrosome lucent ridge, between the subacrosomal space and the acrosomal medulla was seen in S. aeneus spermatids, which has been mentioned in other squamates but not accurately described. Our study suggests that spermiogenesis may be more conserved in sibling taxa within a genus. The significance of these findings is not known as too few lizards with the same genus and across taxa have been studied to date.
