Daniel Slone, Ph.D.
Dan Slone works with population and habitat data analyses and simulation models, generally with West Indian manatees, Florida crocodillians, and seagrasses.
Professional Experience
Research Ecologist, USGS Florida Integrated Science Center, Sirenia Project, Gainesville, FL: August 2004 – Present.
Research Ecologist, USDA Forest Service Southern Research Station, Forest insect Research, Pineville, LA: June 2001 – August 2004.
Postdoctoral Research Associate, Entomology/Nematology Dept., University of Florida: April 1999 – May 2001.
Substitute instructor for Insect Population Biology, Ent./Nem. Dept., University of Florida: March 2000.
Graduate Research Assistant, Entomology Department, Oregon State University: June 1995 - April 1999.
Instructor for Map-Making and Orienteering workshop, H.J. Andrews Experimental Forest: June 1997.
Teaching Assistant for Integrated Pest Management, Entomology Dept., Oregon State U.: Sept-Dec 1997.
Assistant instructor, computer and statistical techniques for Computers and I.P.M., Entomology Department, Oregon State University: Jan-Mar 1998.
Committee member for Ph.D Student, ECOSUR. 2007 – Present.
Committee member and thesis project advisor (not major advisor) for Ph.D Student, University of Florida Entomology Dept. 2005 – Present.
Provided graduate research assistantship, served on committee, and advised on thesis project for MS Student, University of Florida Entomology Dept. 2001 – 2005.
Provided graduate assistantship to MS student, University of Florida Fish and Wildlife Co-op unit, 2002 – 2003.
Education and Certifications
Ph.D., Entomology, Oregon State University, 1999 [Ph.D. Dissertation: Spatial Patterns of Predaceous and Phytophagous Apple Mites (Acari: Eriophyidae, Phytoseiidae, Stigmaeidae, Tetranychidae)]
B.A., Biology (with honors) and B.A., Environmental Studies, University of California, Santa Cruz, 1992
Science and Products
Volume of larvae Is the most important single predictor of mass temperatures in the forensically important Calliphorid, Chrysomya megacephala (Diptera: Calliphoridae)
Development of the oriental latrine fly, Chrysomya megacephala (Diptera: Calliphoridae), at five constant temperatures
Survival and growth of invasive Indo-Pacific lionfish at low salinities
Inferring spatial and temporal behavioral patterns of free-ranging manatees using saltwater sensors of telemetry tags
A fresh liver agar substrate for rearing small numbers of forensically important blow flies (Diptera: Calliphoridae)
Evaluating effects of Everglades restoration on American crocodile populations in south Florida using a spatially-explicit, stage-based population model
Effects of a non-native cichlid fish (African jewelfish, Hemichromis letourneuxi Sauvage 1880) on a simulated Everglades aquatic community
Movement patterns of Antillean manatees in Chetumal Bay (Mexico) and coastal Belize: A challenge for regional conservation
Mapping spatial resources with GPS animal telemetry: foraging manatees locate seagrass beds in the Ten Thousand Islands, Florida, USA
Passive thermal refugia provided warm water for Florida manatees during the severe winter of 2009-2010
Manatees mapping seagrass (USA & Puerto Rico)
Increasing accuracy of dispersal kernels in grid-based population models
Science and Products
- Publications
Filter Total Items: 34
Volume of larvae Is the most important single predictor of mass temperatures in the forensically important Calliphorid, Chrysomya megacephala (Diptera: Calliphoridae)
Calliphorid species form larval aggregations that are capable of generating heat above ambient temperature. We wanted to determine the relationship between volume, number of larvae, and different combinations of instars on larval mass heat generation. We compared different numbers of Chrysomya megacephala (F.) larvae (40, 100, 250, 600, and 2,000), and different combinations of instars (∼50/50 firAuthorsS. V. Gruner, D. H. Slone, J.L. Capinera, M. P. TurcoDevelopment of the oriental latrine fly, Chrysomya megacephala (Diptera: Calliphoridae), at five constant temperatures
Chrysomya megacephala (Fabricius) is a forensically important fly that is found throughout the tropics and subtropics. We calculated the accumulated development time and transition points for each life stage from eclosion to adult emergence at five constant temperatures: 15, 20, 25, 30, and 35 °C. For each transition, the 10th, 50th, and 90th percentiles were calculated with a logistic linear modeAuthorsS. V. Gruner, D. H. Slone, J.L. Capinera, M. P. TurcoSurvival and growth of invasive Indo-Pacific lionfish at low salinities
Invasive Indo-Pacific lionfish [Pterois volitans (Linnaeus, 1758) and P. miles (Bennett, 1828)] are now established throughout the Western North Atlantic. Several studies have documented negative effects of lionfish on marine fauna including significant changes to reef fish community composition. Established populations of lionfish have been documented in several estuaries, and there is concern thAuthorsPamela J. Schofield, Dane H. Huge, Troy C. Rezek, Daniel H. Slone, James A. MorrisInferring spatial and temporal behavioral patterns of free-ranging manatees using saltwater sensors of telemetry tags
Diving or respiratory behavior in aquatic mammals can be used as an indicator of physiological activity and consequently, to infer behavioral patterns. Five Antillean manatees, Trichechus manatus manatus, were captured in Chetumal Bay and tagged with GPS tracking devices. The radios were equipped with a micropower saltwater sensor (SWS), which records the times when the tag assembly was submerged.AuthorsDelma Nataly Castelblanco-Martínez, Benjamin Morales-Vela, Daniel H. Slone, Janneth Adriana Padilla-Saldívar, James P. Reid, Héctor Abuid Hernández-AranaA fresh liver agar substrate for rearing small numbers of forensically important blow flies (Diptera: Calliphoridae)
Forensically important calliphorids can be reared on a mixture of beef liver and agar. Small pieces of meat, especially fresh or frozen beef liver, will desiccate in 2–6 h, but this simple-to-make feeding substrate remains moist for at least 12 h at 25 and 30°C without desiccation, even in small (5 g) amounts. We determined the survivorship of small numbers of Chrysomya megacephala (F.) (first-insAuthorsSusan V. Gruner, Daniel H. SloneEvaluating effects of Everglades restoration on American crocodile populations in south Florida using a spatially-explicit, stage-based population model
The distribution and abundance of the American crocodile (Crocodylus acutus) in the Florida Everglades is dependent on the timing, amount, and location of freshwater flow. One of the goals of the Comprehensive Everglades Restoration Plan (CERP) is to restore historic freshwater flows to American crocodile habitat throughout the Everglades. To predict the impacts on the crocodile population from plAuthorsTimothy W. Green, Daniel H. Slone, Eric D. Swain, Michael S. Cherkiss, Melinda Lohmann, Frank J. Mazzotti, Kenneth G. RiceEffects of a non-native cichlid fish (African jewelfish, Hemichromis letourneuxi Sauvage 1880) on a simulated Everglades aquatic community
In an 8-month mesocosm experiment, we examined how a simulated Everglades aquatic community of small native fishes, snails, and shrimp changed with the addition of either a native predator (dollar sunfish Lepomis marginatus) or a non-native predator (African jewelfish Hemichromis letourneuxi) compared to a no-predator control. Two snail species (Planorbella duryi, Physella cubensis) and the shrimpAuthorsPamela J. Schofield, Daniel H. Slone, Denise R. Gregoire, William F. LoftusMovement patterns of Antillean manatees in Chetumal Bay (Mexico) and coastal Belize: A challenge for regional conservation
Information from 15 satellite-tracked Antillean manatees (Trichechus manatus manatus) was analyzed in order to assess individual movements, home ranges, and high-use areas for conservation decisions. Manatees were captured in Chetumal Bay, Mexico, and tagged with Argos-monitored satellite transmitters. Location of the manatees and physical characteristics were assessed to describe habitat propertiAuthorsDelma Nataly Castelblanco-Martínez, J. Padilla-Saldivar, Héctor Abuid Hernández-Arana, D. H. Slone, J. P. Reid, B. Morales-VelaMapping spatial resources with GPS animal telemetry: foraging manatees locate seagrass beds in the Ten Thousand Islands, Florida, USA
Turbid water conditions make the delineation and characterization of benthic habitats difficult by traditional in situ and remote sensing methods. Here, we develop and validate modeling and sampling methodology for detecting and characterizing seagrass beds by analyzing GPS telemetry records from radio-tagged manatees. Between October 2002 and October 2005, 14 manatees were tracked in the Ten ThouAuthorsDaniel H. Slone, James P. Reid, W. Judson KenworthyPassive thermal refugia provided warm water for Florida manatees during the severe winter of 2009-2010
Haloclines induced by freshwater inflow over tidal water have been identified as an important mechanism for maintaining warm water in passive thermal refugia (PTR) used by Florida manatees Trichechus manatus latirostris during winter in extreme southwestern Florida. Record-setting cold during winter 2009–2010 resulted in an unprecedented number of manatee deaths, adding to concerns that PTR may prAuthorsB.M. Stith, D. H. Slone, M. de Wit, H.H. Edwards, C.A. Langtimm, E.D. Swain, L.E. Soderqvist, J. P. ReidManatees mapping seagrass (USA & Puerto Rico)
West Indian manatees (Trichechus manatus) are secretive creatures. While some of their behaviours at winter aggregation sites in Florida are readily visible to the casual observer, many of their habits and movements are difficult to observe. They rely on submerged vegetation for nutrition, and seagrasses are one of their most important food sources.AuthorsDaniel H. Slone, James P. Reid, W. Judson Kenworthy, Giuseppe Di Carlo, Susan M. ButlerIncreasing accuracy of dispersal kernels in grid-based population models
Dispersal kernels in grid-based population models specify the proportion, distance and direction of movements within the model landscape. Spatial errors in dispersal kernels can have large compounding effects on model accuracy. Circular Gaussian and Laplacian dispersal kernels at a range of spatial resolutions were investigated, and methods for minimizing errors caused by the discretizing processAuthorsD. H. Slone - Science
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