Date of Award
1-29-2010
Document Type
Thesis
Degree Name
Biology, MS
First Advisor
Stanley Trauth
Committee Members
Martin Huss; Tanja McKay
Call Number
LD 251 .A566t 2009 S67
Abstract
A total of 46 male Diamond-backed Watersnakes, Nerodia rhombifer Hallowell were collected from Mallard Lake in Mississippi County, Arkansas and a catfish farm in Desha County, Arkansas to determine effects that the farm may have on sperm morphometrics in this species. Snout-vent lengths (SVL) were recorded and blood samples were collected for hematocrit (Hct) determination. Sperm were collected, viewed by scanning electron microscopy, and measured for overall length, head length, and tail length. Snakes from the fish farm had significantly longer SVL than did snakes from Mallard Lake. No correlation was found between Hct values and SVL, but differences were noted when comparing Hct values to season. The effect of this fish farm on Hct values remains unclear. Neither SVL nor study site appear to be related to sperm morphometrics. This research suggests that this fish farm allows N. rhombifer to grow larger than snakes from Mallard Lake, which is a more natural area, but does not affect the morphometrics of the sperm. More research is warranted to determine if these results are consistent with other areas and if fish farms really do affect the growth of snakes.
Rights Management
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.
Recommended Citation
Stanley, Jonathan Wade, "Sperm morphometrics in the Diamond-backed Watersnake, Nerodia rhombifer Hallowell, with reference to possible implications on sperm competition" (2010). Student Theses and Dissertations. 1026.
https://arch.astate.edu/all-etd/1026
