The American Alligator and the American Crocodile Outline

This topic submitted by Sarah Robison ( robisos@muohio.edu) at 11:22 PM on 5/2/09.

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In this paper I am going to give an overview of the only two species of Crocodilians that are native to the United States, the American Alligator and the American Crocodile. I will give detailed descriptions of both species including physical characteristics, region, feeding, reproduction, and behaviors as well as any specific facts relating to each species. I will then compare the two, pointing out the most important differences and similarities between them. Finally, I will also look more specifically at the two species in the Southern Florida region and within the Everglades National Park.

Introduction

I American Alligator
a. physical description
b. region
c. habitat
d. feeding
e. reproduction
f. behaviors
g. other interesting facts
II American Crocodile
a.physical description
b.region
c.habitat
d.feeding
e.reproduction
f.behaviors
g.other interesting facts

III Compare and contrast American Crocodile and American Alligator
a.similarities
b.differences

IV The American Alligator and the American Crocodile in Southern Florida
a.distribution and populations
b.problems
c.their place in the ecosystems in Everglades national park

Conclusion


Literature Cited
Roger, Conant,. Field guide to reptiles & amphibians eastern and central North America. Boston: Houghton Mifflin, 1998. 38-40.

Davis, L. M., Glenn, T.C., Elsey, R. M., Dessaures, H. C., and Sawyer, R. H. (2001). Multiple paternity and mating patterns in the American alligator, Alligator mississippiensis. Molecular Ecology, 10, 1011-1024.

Garrick L. D. and Lang J. W., (1977). Social signals and behaviors of adult alligators and crocodiles. American Zoologist, 17(1), 225-239.

Kushlan. J. A. (1974). Observations on the role of the American Alligator (Alligator mississippiensis) in the Southern Florida wetlands. Copeia, 1974(4), 993-996.

Kushlan, J. A. and Jacobsen, T. (1990). Environmental Variability and the reproductive success of Everglades alligators. Journal of Herpetology, 24(2), 176-184.

Kushlan, J. A. and Mazzotti, F. J. (1989). Historic and present distributions of the American crocodile in Florida. Journal of Herpetology, 23(1), 1-7.

Lutz, P. A. and Dunbar-Cooper, A. (1984). The Nest environment of the American crocodile (Crocodylus acutus). Copeia, 1984(1), 153-161.

Ogden, J. C. Status and Nesting Biology of the American Crocodile, Crocodylus acutus, (Reptilia, Crocodilidae) in Florida. (1978). Journal of Herpetology, 12(2), 183-196.


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