Mathew is a Biologist at the USGS Wetland and Aquatic Research Center whose interests include population ecology, animal behavior, and conservation biology.
His research working with crocodilians, sea turtles, and other species utilizes a multidisciplinary approach including radio/gps telemetry, mark recapture studies, and stable isotope analysis. Research has taken him from Costa Rica to the U.S. Virgin Islands, with over 10 years' experience conducting research in the coastal areas of South Florida.
Before his employment with the USGS, Mathew spent 4.5 years as a wildlife technician for the University of Florida, working with several reptile and amphibian species within the Greater Everglades.
Education and Certifications
M.S., Environmental Sciences, Florida Atlantic University, 2014
B.S., Biology/Ecology, Florida Atlantic University, 2005
Science and Products
Stable isotope analysis enhances our understanding of diamondback terrapin Malaclemys terrapin foraging ecology
Dietary studies on generalist predators may provide valuable information on spatial or temporal changes in the structure of ecological communities. We initiated this study to provide baseline data and determine the utility of stable isotope analysis (SIA) to evaluate the foraging strategies of an opportunistic reptilian predator, the diamondback terrapin (Malaclemys terrapin), which specializes in
Diet of diamondback terrapins (Malaclemys terrapin) in subtropical mangrove habitats in South Florida
Unique among turtles as the only exclusively estuarine species, the diamondback terrapin’s (Malaclemys terrapin) life history predisposes it to impacts from humans both on land and in the near-shore environment. Terrapins are found in salt marshes and mangroves along the Atlantic and Gulf coasts from Massachusetts to Texas. Whereas previous dietary studies have elucidated terrapins’ role in temper
Malaclemys terrapin rhizophorarum (mangrove diamond-backed terrapin)
MALACLEMYS TERRAPIN RHIZOPHORARUM (Mangrove Diamond-backed Terrapin). DIET. Malaclemys terrapin rhizophorarum, one of seven subspecies of M. terrapin, inhabits subtropical mangrove habitats in South Florida, USA. In temperate climates M. terrapin is largely carnivorous, feeding primarily on gastropods, bivalves, and decapod crustaceans (Tucker et. al. 1995. Herpetologica 51:167–181; Butler et. al.
Home range and movements of American alligators (Alligator mississippiensis) in an estuary habitat
Background
Understanding movement patterns of free-ranging top predators throughout heterogeneous habitat is important for gaining insight into trophic interactions. We tracked the movements of five adult American alligators to delineate their estuarine habitat use and determine drivers of their activity patterns in a seasonally-fluctuating environment. We also compared VHF- and satellite-tracks o
Non-USGS Publications**
Johnston, G.R., J.C. Johnston, M. Denton. 2008. Ecology of a freshwater turtle guild in a southern Florida canal system. Florida Scientist. 71(4): 360-369.
**Disclaimer: The views expressed in Non-USGS publications are those of the author and do not represent the views of the USGS, Department of the Interior, or the U.S. Government.
Stable isotope ratios of carbon and nitrogen from diamondback terrapins and resources within Southern Everglades and Key West National Wildlife Refuge, sampled 2012-2013
This study was initiated to provide baseline data and to determine the utility of stable isotope analysis to evaluate the foraging strategies of an opportunistic reptile predator. Stable isotope ratios of carbon and nitrogen were evaluated from multiple tissues from terrapin populations to determine spatial or temporal variations in resource use within mangrove habitats in Southern Florida. We sam
Science and Products
- Publications
Stable isotope analysis enhances our understanding of diamondback terrapin Malaclemys terrapin foraging ecology
Dietary studies on generalist predators may provide valuable information on spatial or temporal changes in the structure of ecological communities. We initiated this study to provide baseline data and determine the utility of stable isotope analysis (SIA) to evaluate the foraging strategies of an opportunistic reptilian predator, the diamondback terrapin (Malaclemys terrapin), which specializes inDiet of diamondback terrapins (Malaclemys terrapin) in subtropical mangrove habitats in South Florida
Unique among turtles as the only exclusively estuarine species, the diamondback terrapin’s (Malaclemys terrapin) life history predisposes it to impacts from humans both on land and in the near-shore environment. Terrapins are found in salt marshes and mangroves along the Atlantic and Gulf coasts from Massachusetts to Texas. Whereas previous dietary studies have elucidated terrapins’ role in temperMalaclemys terrapin rhizophorarum (mangrove diamond-backed terrapin)
MALACLEMYS TERRAPIN RHIZOPHORARUM (Mangrove Diamond-backed Terrapin). DIET. Malaclemys terrapin rhizophorarum, one of seven subspecies of M. terrapin, inhabits subtropical mangrove habitats in South Florida, USA. In temperate climates M. terrapin is largely carnivorous, feeding primarily on gastropods, bivalves, and decapod crustaceans (Tucker et. al. 1995. Herpetologica 51:167–181; Butler et. al.Home range and movements of American alligators (Alligator mississippiensis) in an estuary habitat
Background Understanding movement patterns of free-ranging top predators throughout heterogeneous habitat is important for gaining insight into trophic interactions. We tracked the movements of five adult American alligators to delineate their estuarine habitat use and determine drivers of their activity patterns in a seasonally-fluctuating environment. We also compared VHF- and satellite-tracks oNon-USGS Publications**
Johnston, G.R., J.C. Johnston, M. Denton. 2008. Ecology of a freshwater turtle guild in a southern Florida canal system. Florida Scientist. 71(4): 360-369.**Disclaimer: The views expressed in Non-USGS publications are those of the author and do not represent the views of the USGS, Department of the Interior, or the U.S. Government.
- Data
Stable isotope ratios of carbon and nitrogen from diamondback terrapins and resources within Southern Everglades and Key West National Wildlife Refuge, sampled 2012-2013
This study was initiated to provide baseline data and to determine the utility of stable isotope analysis to evaluate the foraging strategies of an opportunistic reptile predator. Stable isotope ratios of carbon and nitrogen were evaluated from multiple tissues from terrapin populations to determine spatial or temporal variations in resource use within mangrove habitats in Southern Florida. We sam