Effects Of Gopher Tortoise (Gopherus-Polyphemus) Body-Size On Burrow Structure

    Authors

    T. J. Doonan;I. J. Stout

    Comments

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    Abbreviated Journal Title

    Am. Midl. Nat.

    Keywords

    FLORIDA; Biodiversity Conservation; Ecology

    Abstract

    We measured gopher tortoises (Gopherus polyphemus) and their burrows from a population in central Florida. Burrows of most juveniles were excavated. Newly emerged hatchlings constructed burrows that had the same structure as the burrows of older juveniles. The cross-sectional shape of juvenile burrows was similar to that of adult burrows, although the latter tended to be proportionally wider. Differences in burrow shape between juveniles and adults were consistent with allometric changes in tortoise shape. juvenile burrows had a significantly greater angle of declination than adult burrows. Regression analysis showed that relationship between carapace length and burrow width differed significantly between juveniles and adults.

    Journal Title

    American Midland Naturalist

    Volume

    131

    Issue/Number

    2

    Publication Date

    1-1-1994

    Document Type

    Article

    Language

    English

    First Page

    273

    Last Page

    280

    WOS Identifier

    WOS:A1994NK48300006

    ISSN

    0003-0031

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