Effects of winter shelter characteristics on brumation duration, body mass loss, and Ophidiomyces ophidiicola infection load in a southeastern population of Timber Rattlesnakes (Crotalus horridus)
Faculty Mentor(s) Name(s)
Dominic DeSantis
Abstract
Snakes in temperate regions undergo a period of general inactivity during the winter season, known as brumation. In populations at high temperate latitudes, a combination of extreme winter temperatures and limited availability of suitable shelter sites often drives the evolution of communal denning strategies. At lower temperate latitudes, less is known regarding the causes and consequences of variable overwintering strategies. More than a decade of research on snake populations across eastern North America has documented the prevalence of Ophidiomycosis, caused by the fungal pathogen Ophidiomyces ophidiicola (Oo), with the widespread recognition that Oo infection signs are greatest in spring after emergence from overwintering shelters. However, nothing is known regarding potential relationships between Oo infection and the use of different overwintering shelter types. Here, we leverage a unique population of Timber Rattlesnakes (Crotalus horridus) from middle Georgia to quantify relationships between winter shelter type (rock outcrop, stream bank, stump hole) and strategy (solitary vs. communal) on brumation duration, body mass loss, and Oo infection load. Preliminary results indicate a significantly different distribution of site types used by solitary and communal snakes, with communal sites being predominantly rock outcrops relative to solitary sites often being stump holes and stream banks. Variation in body mass loss, brumation duration, and Oo infection load was not related to winter shelter type (rock outcrop, stream bank, stump hole) or strategy (solitary vs. communal). However, ongoing sampling could strengthen the current trend of communal snakes having higher infection loads and longer brumation durations than solitary individuals.
Start Date
27-3-2024 9:00 AM
End Date
27-3-2024 9:50 AM
Location
Magnolia Ballroom
Effects of winter shelter characteristics on brumation duration, body mass loss, and Ophidiomyces ophidiicola infection load in a southeastern population of Timber Rattlesnakes (Crotalus horridus)
Magnolia Ballroom
Snakes in temperate regions undergo a period of general inactivity during the winter season, known as brumation. In populations at high temperate latitudes, a combination of extreme winter temperatures and limited availability of suitable shelter sites often drives the evolution of communal denning strategies. At lower temperate latitudes, less is known regarding the causes and consequences of variable overwintering strategies. More than a decade of research on snake populations across eastern North America has documented the prevalence of Ophidiomycosis, caused by the fungal pathogen Ophidiomyces ophidiicola (Oo), with the widespread recognition that Oo infection signs are greatest in spring after emergence from overwintering shelters. However, nothing is known regarding potential relationships between Oo infection and the use of different overwintering shelter types. Here, we leverage a unique population of Timber Rattlesnakes (Crotalus horridus) from middle Georgia to quantify relationships between winter shelter type (rock outcrop, stream bank, stump hole) and strategy (solitary vs. communal) on brumation duration, body mass loss, and Oo infection load. Preliminary results indicate a significantly different distribution of site types used by solitary and communal snakes, with communal sites being predominantly rock outcrops relative to solitary sites often being stump holes and stream banks. Variation in body mass loss, brumation duration, and Oo infection load was not related to winter shelter type (rock outcrop, stream bank, stump hole) or strategy (solitary vs. communal). However, ongoing sampling could strengthen the current trend of communal snakes having higher infection loads and longer brumation durations than solitary individuals.