Date Approved
2021
Degree Type
Open Access Thesis
Degree Name
Master of Science (MS)
Department or School
Biology
Committee Member
Katherine Greenwald, Ph.D.
Committee Member
Cara Shillington, Ph.D.
Committee Member
Margaret Hanes, Ph.D.
Abstract
Amidst massive losses in biodiversity, it is vital to identify the factors driving species declines. The main objective of this research was to assess dietary differences between Storeria dekayi and Thamnophis sirtalis and their less abundant and more geographically restricted sister species, Storeria occipitomaculata and Thamnophis butleri, in Illinois and Michigan. I hypothesized that greater abundance and more cosmopolitan distribution are associated with consuming a wide variety of prey and more nonnative prey. To assess diets, I conducted field surveys of Storeria and Thamnophis and analyzed DNA metabarcoding data from fecal samples. I found no significant difference in the dietary diversity or proportion of nonnative prey in the diets of Storeria or Thamnophis. The diet of S. occipitomaculata was dominated by Deroceras laeve (native), whereas T. butleri specialized on Lumbricus rubellus (nonnative). In order to protect rare snake species from decline, we must preserve important predator and prey habitats.
Recommended Citation
Dixon, Molly M., "The relationship between population dynamics and dietary preferences within two snake genera (Storeria and Thamnophis)" (2021). Master's Theses and Doctoral Dissertations. 1111.
https://commons.emich.edu/theses/1111