An investigation of the genetic and ecological status of the Carolina salt marsh snake, Nerodia sipedon williamengelsi / by Rufus Wharton Gaul, Jr.
| Author/creator | Gaul, Rufus Wharton author. |
| Other author | Lamb, Trip, degree supervisor. |
| Other author | East Carolina University. Department of Biology. |
| Format | Theses and dissertations |
| Production | 1996. |
| Description | 70 leaves : illustrations (some color), maps ; 28 cm |
| Supplemental Content | Access via ScholarShip |
| Subjects |
| Summary | The Carolina salt marsh snake (Nerodia sipedon williamengelsi) a melanistic water snake endemic to estuarine habitats in coastal North Carolina, is currently listed by the state as a taxon of special concern. A combination of molecular and morphological techniques was employed to examine genetic relationships between the salt marsh snake and the nominate subspecies Nerodia sipedon sipedon, as well as the dynamics of hybridization between the salt marsh snake and a closely related species, the banded water snake, Nerodia fasciata. Salt marsh snakes were trapped in large numbers in Junctis marsh, but only infrequently in other habitats. Restriction endonuclease digests of mitochondrial DNA produced six unique haplotypes in coastal N. sipedon, but no clear distinction was detected between N. s. williamengelsi and N. s. sipedon Analysis of morphological characters revealed statistically significant differences between the two subspecies in numbers of ventral scales, subcaudal scales, and lateral bars. Two morphological characters, ventral scales and lateral bars, showed evidence of clinal variation and appear to correspond closely to estuarine salinity gradients. Evidence for hybridization between N. s. williamengelsi and N. fasciata was observed in five specimens; mtDNA variation observed in these hybrids suggests that hybridization events between these two species are bi-directional. |
| General note | Submitted to the faculty of the Department of Biology. |
| General note | Advisor: Trip Lamb |
| Dissertation note | M.S. East Carolina University 1996 |
| Bibliography note | Includes bibliographical references (leaves 49-53). |
| Genre/form | dissertations. |
| Genre/form | Academic theses. |
| Genre/form | Academic theses. |
| Genre/form | Thèses et écrits académiques. |
Availability
| Library | Location | Call Number | Status | Item Actions |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Joyner | University Archives | ASK AT SPECIAL COLLECTIONS DESK | ✔ Available | Request Material |
| Electronic Resources | ✔ Available |