Integrating terrestrial scavenging ecology into contemporary wildlife conservation and management.

Scavenging plays a vital role in maintaining ecosystem health and contributing to ecological functions; however, research in this sub-discipline of ecology is underutilized in developing and implementing wildlife conservation and management strategies. We provide an examination of the literature and recommend priorities for research where improved understanding of scavenging dynamics can facilitate the development and refinement of applied wildlife conservation and management strategies. Due to the application of scavenging research broadly within ecology, scavenging studies should be implemented for informing management decisions.

The Occurrence of Ophidiomyces ophiodiicola in Northern Georgia Wild and Captive Snake Populations.

Ophidiomycosis, or snake fungal disease, is an emerging wildlife disease caused by the Ophidiomyces ophiodiicola fungus. The fungus can result in high mortality rates among infected snakes and has been documented across much of the eastern US, including southern Georgia. However, little is known about ophidiomycosis in northern Georgia.