Date of Award

Spring 2024

Thesis Type

Open Access

Degree Name

Honors Bachelor of Arts

Department

Biology

Sponsor

Bobby Fokidis

Committee Member

Fiona Harper

Committee Member

Sabrice Guerrier

Abstract

Turtles are being infected by both ectoparasites (typically leeches) and endoparasites (typically blood parasites). It is unknown what the parasite intensity is of wild Central Floridian turtles is, and what effect this parasite load has on them. In order to determine these factors wild turtles (Sternotherus odoratus, Kinosternon baurii, and Kinosternon subrubrum) were caught from two locations, Mead Botanical Gardens, and Lake Virginia. Hoop traps were used to catch the turtles, which were then sampled and released. Captured turtles went through a series of measurements as well as a blood draw before release. Blood parasite levels were taken from the blood draw along with measures of three key energy metabolites (glucose, ketones, and uric acid). It was found that there was 100% parasite prevalence throughout all the sampled individuals. There was statistical significance between the species of turtle and the parasite intensity. It was also found that the more glucose that was detected in the blood, the lower the parasite intensity was. There was no significant difference in H:L ratio between species (F = 1.616, p = 0.236). these findings should be able to aid researchers in helping wild turtles by understanding the effect that parasitism is having on wild individuals.

Rights Holder

Nicole Beckett

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