Orthalicus Reses - Population Biology

Population Biology

The abundance and range of Orthalicus reses reses declined throughout the 20th century. Rigorous estimates of Orthalicus reses reses numbers are not known for any population. Orthalicus reses reses status is currently assessed by the numbers of discrete populations that are known. Accordingly, potential trend information only includes observations of whether various populations continue to persist. However, for most populations, even the area occupied is poorly defined. As of 2006, a tabulation of all well-known and poorly documented sites indicated that Orthalicus reses reses occupied approximately 25 sites in the Florida Keys (Monroe County) and two sites on the mainland (Miami-Dade County).

However, for many of those sites, even confirmation as to whether Orthalicus reses reses persists in recent years is lacking. Survey and monitoring efforts have been limited and highly variable, and methodologies are usually not reported in detail. Whereas Orthalicus reses reses occupies more sites at present than in the recorded past, the total area occupied remains unknown, as are trends in abundance and demographics. Overall, however, the Orthalicus reses reses population status appears to be more secure than when it was listed, due to the widespread translocations that occurred subsequently.

Orthalicus reses reses no longer occupies the Key West Botanical Forest and Garden. In contrast, many populations exist on Key Largo, well beyond Orthalicus reses reses historic range, as a result of relocations by shell collectors. The majority of relocations had occurred by the late 1990s. These were largely carried out by private hobbyists, who sought to thwart extinction. However, these actions were poorly documented, and were subsequently poorly monitored. One clear trend is that Key Largo has accumulated more populations than the Lower Keys.