Reproductive strategies play a crucial role in the survival and persistence of fish populations. Spawning plasticity allows animals to respond to a variety of environmental conditions and thus maximize their differential reproductive success. Here, we report novel observations of spawning behavior by Lepisosteus osseus (Longnose Gar). On 18–19 February 2023, we observed Longnose Gar spawning in a floating vegetation mat within the run of the first-magnitude Ichetucknee Springs complex in north Florida. This novel behavior highlights a previously unpublished spawning mode in this species. Longnose Gar may spawn in floating vegetation mats to afford protection of offspring from predators, provide suitable substrate and ideal spawning habitat for egg adhesion and development, and confer favorable environmental conditions such as the ability to retain heat.

The introduction of nonnative species is a leading cause of biodiversity loss. Many invasive species are cryptic or elusive in nature and therefore often evade detection, complicating their management. Occupancy modeling can reveal the presence and spread of invasive species over time and therefore has important management implications. Camera traps can be used to estimate occupancy, or the proportion of sites that are occupied by a target species. During a 4-year study (2016–2020), we used camera traps both with and without lures to detect the presence of invasive Salvator merianae (Argentine Black and White Tegu) at sites in Miami-Dade County, FL. Our results from a multi-season occupancy model revealed that a quadratic effect of ordinal day was the best predictor of detection, with a peak in June, while occupancy was correlated with distance to landscape features that may facilitate tegu movement. We did not detect any large-scale changes in occupancy over the course of our study. We also discovered that the use of lures with camera traps did not impact detection, indicating fewer resources would be required from invasive species managers for effective monitoring. Understanding the factors that impact occupancy and detection probabilities can inform surveillance and removal efforts, leading to more efficient management strategies.

The river turtles Graptemys nigrinoda (Black-knobbed Sawback) and G. pulchra (Alabama Map Turtle) are endemic to the Mobile River drainage of Alabama, northwestern Georgia, and northeastern Mississippi. Little is known of their current distribution and abundance in the Tombigbee River (TR) system in northeastern Mississippi even though both are being considered for protection under the US Endangered Species Act. During May–July 2019, 2022, and 2023, I used a combination of methods (e.g., point-count surveys, basking-density surveys, trapping, mark–resight population estimates) to determine the presence and densities of both species in the TR drainage of northeastern Mississippi. Both Graptemys species were detected throughout most of the TR and Tennessee–Tombigbee Waterway (TTW). Black-knobbed Sawbacks and Alabama Map Turtles were both found in 5 previously undocumented creeks, and both species were found near or upstream of almost all historic localities. Basking densities at 33 sites were 15× greater for Black-knobbed Sawbacks (15.0 individuals/rkm) compared to Alabama Map Turtles (1.0 individuals/ rkm), while different habitat types had different densities of Black-knobbed Sawbacks and Alabama Map Turtles; both species occurred at their lowest densities in the TTW lakes. Trapping at 5 sites yielded 107 Black-knobbed Sawbacks and 14 Alabama Map Turtles, and mean mark–resight population estimates were 173 individuals/rkm (min–max: 82–397 individuals/rkm) at 5 sites for Black-knobbed Sawbacks and 13 individuals/rkm (4–20 individuals/rkm) at 3 sites for Alabama Map Turtles. Alabama Map Turtles are of greater conservation concern in Mississippi compared to Black-knobbed Sawbacks due to lower densities and apparent extirpation from parts of the drainage.

The goal of this study was to gain an understanding of the abundance of Lepisosteus osseus (Longnose Gar) in the Altamaha River estuary, Georgia, USA. During the summers of 2019–2022, we marked 428 Longnose Gar that were captured as bycatch during gill- and trammel-net surveys for other species. No individuals were recaptured, so we could not estimate abundance. We also conducted a small study of tag retention on 3 captive Longnose Gar. Those individuals retained their marks for at least 24 weeks, suggesting that tag loss was not a viable explanation for our lack of wild Longnose Gar recaptures. Other potential explanations include trap aversion, delayed mortality, high mobility of individuals, or that the Altamaha River estuary supports a robust population of Longnose Gar.

Hurricane frequency and intensity are projected to increase in the coming years, and there is limited data regarding the effects of hurricane damage on insectivorous bat occurrence and activity. We compared vegetation conditions and summer bat species activity (i.e., total call files and nightly activity) in bottomland hardwood forests before (June–August 2020) and after (June–August 2021) Hurricane Laura in the Catahoula Ranger District of the Kisatchie National Forest, LA. Basal area was lower and the total number of call files and nightly activity for Perimyotis subflavus (Tricolored Bat) were higher in 2021 after the hurricane when compared to 2020. The total number of call files and nightly activity were similar between years for Lasiurus borealis/L. seminolus (Eastern Red/Seminole Bat), Dasypterus intermedius (Northern Yellow Bat), and Tadarida brasiliensis (Mexican Free-tailed Bat). The total number of call files was higher post-hurricane for Nycticeius humeralis (Evening Bat) and lower post-hurricane for Aeorestes cinereus (Hoary Bat), Eptesicus fuscus (Big Brown Bat), and Myotis species; however, nightly activity was similar between years for these species. Responses to hurricane damage likely reflected differences in species morphologies, echolocation characteristics, and habitat requirements, as well as temporal variation in activity due to factors we did not measure.

Due to their physical isolation, high-elevation areas in the Appalachian Mountains host a unique fauna facing many climatic challenges. Moving forward with conservation management of these ecosystems requires an intensive knowledge of species distributions. Here, we analyze the intraspecific diversity of elongate springtails (Entomobryomorpha) at select high-elevation sites in the southern Appalachian Mountains, and offer preliminary assessment of potential underlying biogeographic drivers. We collected Collembola from various localities; utilized COI metabarcoding for almost 700 springtails in the Isotomidae, Entomobryidae, and Tomoceridae; and conducted phylogenetic analysis and automated species delimitation to understand patterns of genetic diversity. The results suggest a very rich fauna with high levels of local endemicity. Most putative species are known from only 1 or a few geographically proximate sites (in the same mountain range), suggesting that local isolation on sky islands is at least partly responsible for regional diversity patterns. However, some larger-bodied species have larger ranges, some even transgressing recognized biogeographic boundaries in the region, such as the French Broad River valley, although even these show a degree of genetic isolation and partitioning by mountain and range. Interpretation of our results is limited by small sample sizes for many putative species and by limited geographic sampling between high-elevation areas. Nonetheless, they indicate a fauna much richer and finely subdivided than the literature currently suggests, and underscore the need for additional, more intensive studies on the group in the region.

Anoplophora glabripennis (Asian Longhorned Beetle [ALB]), is an invasive woodboring beetle present in 4 states in the continental US. In May 2020, the southernmost ALB infestation was discovered near Hollywood, SC. Current eradication efforts focus on host removal, but it is often difficult or impossible to get equipment into wet or ecologically sensitive areas. Biological control may be an economically and ecologically advantageous component of a management strategy in the ongoing efforts to eradicate ALB. Thus, we conducted a survey of potential native or naturalized parasitoids and predators by collecting material infested with ALB and removing and inspecting the eggs and larvae. We also deployed sentinel logs to further determine parasitism rates in the field. None of the ALB eggs (n = 77) or larvae (n = 254) extracted from infested material (n = 89) and sentinel logs (n = 165) were parasitized by parasitoids. Generalist predators were observed but caused very low rates of predation (<1%). Overall, our study suggests that natural populations of parasitoids do not appear to be sufficient for managing ALB in South Carolina at this time.

Dasypus novemcinctus (Nine-banded Armadillo) is the only species of armadillo in the US and is notable because it alters ecosystems by excavating extensive burrows used by many other wildlife species. Relatively little is known about its habitat use or population densities, particularly in developed areas, which may be important to facilitating its range expansion. We used camera traps to explore patterns in armadillo detection and occupancy and applied the random-encounter model to calculate population densities at 12 study sites in the Ozark Mountains of Arkansas along an urban-to-rural gradient. Armadillo detection probability was best predicted by temperature (positively) and precipitation (negatively). We found that armadillo occupancy probability decreased on steep slopes and increased at higher elevations. Contrary to our predictions, we found no evidence that other landcover or anthropogenic variables influenced probability of armadillo occupancy. Armadillo density varied considerably between sites (mean = 4.88–46.20 armadillos per km²) but was not correlated with any environmental or anthropogenic variables that we measured. Nine-banded Armadillos occurred at all of our study sites demonstrating that the species is a habitat generalist which likely contributes to its remarkable range expansion across most of the southeastern and midwestern US.

Fiddler crabs use signaling as a prevalent part of their life histories. The waving of the major (enlarged) claw serves as a signal for attracting mates and in territorial interactions with other males. These waves vary considerably in structure and pattern and although their general use in mate attraction and male competition has been established, the possible function of different types of waves used in different social contexts has not been widely studied. In this study, we investigate the possible functional significance of predominant wave types by examining the behavioral context in which they are performed by male Leptuca pugilator (Atlantic Sand Fiddler Crab) in South Carolina salt marshes. We found that 2 wave types occurred most frequently. “D-waves” were most common when facing other males and were influenced by the distance to the nearest neighbor, while “up-and-down waves” were most common when females were present and when the focal crab was facing a female. Our findings suggest that these 2 waves may, respectively, be used primarily in male–male competitive interactions and in attracting mates.

In this preliminary study, we measured and compared the effectiveness of electrofishing and kick-seining sampling methods for crayfishes from 4 headwaters streams on the Domain of the University of the South. The University of the South is located on the southern Cumberland Plateau ecoregion in Sewanee, TN. Specifically, we examined how many individuals were captured between gears, and carapace-length differences between capture methods during March–April 2024. Focal species were Cambarus sphenoides (Triangleclaw Crayfish) and Faxonius placidus (Bigclaw Crayfish). Four times as many crayfish were captured on average with the electrofishing method (13.5 ± 4.1 crayfish) compared with the kick-seining method (3.0 ± 1.1 crayfish) across all 4 streams. Captured crayfish were of similar sizes using both methods. The higher catch rate from electrofishing compared to kick seining demonstrates that electrofishing is the best sampling method for headwater streams tested on the southern Cumberland Plateau for Triangleclaw Crayfish and Bigclaw Crayfish.

We report the first observations of Melongena corona (Florida Crown Conch) as an epibiont attached to the carapace of juvenile Chelonia mydas (Green Sea Turtle). The Florida Crown Conch is a carnivorous marine gastropod found in benthic intertidal communities along the coast of Florida, southeastern Alabama, and parts of the Caribbean. Florida Crown Conchs have also been associated with declines in the oyster reefs in the Guana Tolomato Matanzas National Estuarine Research Reserve (GTMNERR), where both our observations were reported. Northeast Florida's Crown Conch population is described as expanding northward in the estuary since 2010. As such, we propose that Green Turtles may be facilitating the northern expansion of the Florida Crown Conch, which would be an important dynamic to account for when designing and implementing conservation, restoration, and aquaculture programs for shellfish areas north of the GTMNERR.

Hypericum fasciculatum (Peelbark St. Johnswort) is an abundant small shrub in seasonal depression marshes in southeastern Florida and beyond. Its root system is centered on a detritus-filled adventitious root cone seated on the marsh floor. From the cone base, shallow horizontal roots radiate across the marsh floor, sending short thin branch roots upward into the overlying water. Additional small aerenchymatous roots climb the outer cone surface to its summit. Also, small roots penetrate the organic cache within the cone. Cones tend to host marshland species in frequencies differing from those on the marsh floor. This report is a natural history observation based on field study describing the root system in detail and in an ecological context.

A female Odocoileus virginianus (White-tailed Deer) harvested in West Tennessee (29 January 2024) in an area with high prevalence of chronic wasting disease (CWD), had 5 fetuses (3 males and 2 females). All fetuses had similar development (58 days old) determined by crown–rump length. We estimated conception occurred ∼2 December 2023, typical for the area. This case suggests that high reproductive output might be possible even in the face of CWD. However, even with potentially high reproductive output, altered maternal behavior due to CWD infection could affect successful neonate recruitment.

Multisystemic enterococcosis, caused by the bacterium Enterococcus lacertideformus, is a potentially fatal infection affecting multiple lizard species. Initially described on Christmas Island in 2014, E. lacertideformus has since infected Anolis sagrei (Brown Anole) populations in Pinellas County, FL. In 2023, we found a Brown Anole exhibiting clinical signs consistent with multisystemic enterococcosis. Molecular and histopathological analyses confirmed the presence of E. lacertideformus infection. Thus, we report the first documented case of multisystemic enterococcosis in Hillsborough County, FL, a previously undocumented locale for this pathogen. This range expansion underscores the potential risk E. lacertideformus poses to Florida's lizard populations, highlighting the necessity for increased surveillance and further research to better understand the transmission dynamics and ecological impacts of this emerging pathogen.

Information on snake size and longevity often relies on captive individuals, potentially skewing perceptions of these metrics compared to wild counterparts. In this note, we address this disparity by presenting field data on Sistrurus miliarius (Pygmy Rattlesnake) from long-term studies in Central Florida and more recent statewide surveys. The largest individual we found had a snout–vent length of 65.7 cm, total length of 74.9 cm, and mass of 174 g, which is far smaller than captive snakes. Longevity assessments based on recapture intervals indicate maximum ages are significantly lower than those observed in captivity. These findings underscore the importance of using field-derived data to accurately portray the size and lifespan of wild snakes, distinct from captive environments where growth and survival conditions differ markedly.

On 2 dates, 15 and 17 July 2024, we deployed a 7-m otter trawl with 3-mm mesh in the Matanzas River Estuary in northeast Florida. We caught a total of 3 Luidia senegalensis (Nine-armed Sea Star) adults during 8 trawls. We measured all 3 sea stars for the maximum radius (length from tip of arm to center of aboral surface). The 3 individuals had measurements of 159, 109, and 106 mm. A single larva of this species was documented in this area during a plankton sample in 2015, but the organisms observed in the otter trawls represent the farthest north the adults have been documented.

Most animal matter in the diet of the omnivorous Trachemys scripta (Pond Slider) consists of invertebrate prey items such as insects, crustaceans, and mollusks, but often also includes fish and amphibians. Reptiles, birds, and mammals are less commonly reported, and even when found, it is usually unknown if they were captured alive, as Pond Sliders will certainly scavenge dead animals. Though it is well known that Chelydra serpentina (Snapping Turtle) will prey upon waterfowl from the water surface, reports of such encounters are seemingly rare in Pond Sliders. Here, we document with video evidence an adult female T. s. elegans (Red-eared Slider) emerging from the water to successfully take and drown an Anas platyrhynchos (Mallard) duckling.