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Mycoplasma agassizii is one of the known causative agents of upper respiratory tract disease (URTD) in Mojave desert tortoises (Gopherus agassizii) and in gopher tortoises (Gopherus polyphemus). We sequenced the genomes of M. agassizii strains PS6T (ATCC 700616) and 723 (ATCC 700617) isolated from the upper respiratory tract of a Mojave desert tortoise and a gopher tortoise, respectively, both with signs of URTD. The PS6T genome assembly was organized in eight scaffolds, had a total length of 1,274,972 bp, a G + C content of 28.43%, and contained 979 protein-coding genes, 13 pseudogenes and 35 RNA genes. The 723 genome assembly was organized in 40 scaffolds, had a total length of 1,211,209 bp, a G + C content of 28.34%, and contained 955 protein-coding genes, seven pseudogenes, and 35 RNA genes. Both genomes exhibit a very similar organization and very similar numbers of genes in each functional category. Pairs of orthologous genes encode proteins that are 93.57% identical on average. Homology searches identified a putative cytadhesin. These genomes will enable studies that will help understand the molecular bases of pathogenicity of this and other Mycoplasma species.

A free-ranging adult male gopher tortoise presented with multiple severe, acute shell fractures from an automobile injury. A complete blood count (CBC) from heparinized whole blood and blood films ...

Recovery or sustainable management of wildlife populations often entails management of habitat on which they depend. In this regard, turtles pose unique conservation challenges because of their life histories. The combination of late maturity, low survival when young, and dependence on high adult survival suggests they may be slow to respond demographically to conventional habitat management. Thus, long-term studies are necessary to understand population dynamics and recovery potential in these species. We used 5-11 years of mark-recapture data from 3 populations to evaluate survivorship, demography, and somatic growth of gopher tortoises (Gopherus polyphemus). Green Grove and Wade Tract (southwest GA) are ecological reserves with a history of land management compatible with tortoises. In contrast, Conecuh National Forest (south-central AL) is a closed-canopy pine plantation with prior intensive site preparation but where management intervention improved habitat for tortoises during the study. Apparent survival was high for mature tortoises (87-98%) compared to immature tortoises (70-82%). Adults comprised 57-79% of individuals captured, with Green Grove and Wade Tract populations dominated by larger individuals but Conecuh having a more uniform size distribution. The largest adults captured at Conecuh (297 mm maximum carapace length [CL]) were smaller than the largest adults from Green Grove (337 mm CL) or Wade Tract (341 mm CL), although characteristic growth constants from von Bertalanffy models were similar among sites. We suggest these results indicate a recovering population at Conecuh, where habitat conditions for gopher tortoises have improved despite a legacy of intense predation by humans and reduced habitat quality at the inception of this national forest. Further, we recommend using a combination of short-term and long-term monitoring metrics to assess population recovery in such long-lived species.

A computer simulation model, the Regional Simulator (RSim), was constructed to project how land-use changes affect the quality of water, air, noise, and habitat of species of special concern. RSim was designed to simulate these environmental impacts for five counties in Georgia that surround and include Fort Benning. The model combines existing data and modeling approaches to simulate the effects of land-cover changes on: nutrient export by hydrological unit; peak 8-h average ozone concentrations; noise caused by small arms and blasts; and habitat changes for the rare Red-cockaded Woodpecker (Picoides borealis) and gopher tortoise (Gopherus polyphemus). The model also includes submodules for urban growth, new urbanization influenced by existing roads, nonurban land cover transitions, and a new military training area under development at Fort Benning. The model was run under scenarios of business as usual (BAU) and greatly increased urban growth for the region. The projections show that the effects of high urban growth will likely differ from those of BAU for noise and nitrogen and phosphorus loadings to surface water, but not for peak airborne ozone concentrations, at least in the absence of associated increases in industry and transportation use or technology changes. In both scenarios, no effects of urban growth are anticipated for existing populations of the federally endangered Red-cockaded Woodpecker. In contrast, habitat for gopher tortoise in the five-county region is projected to decline by 5 and 40% in the BAU and high urban growth scenarios, respectively. RSim is designed to assess the relative environmental impacts of planned activities both inside and outside military installations and to address concerns related to encroachment and transboundary influences.