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University of Nebraska - Lincoln

USDA Wildlife Services: Staff Publications

2006

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West Nile Virus In North American Birds, Robert G. Mclean Apr 2006

West Nile Virus In North American Birds, Robert G. Mclean

USDA Wildlife Services: Staff Publications

Following the introduction of West Nile virus (WNV) into the United States, in New York City in 1999, from its historical range in the eastern hemisphere, this mosquito-borne virus caused an intense outbreak in local bird populations and a small epidemic in the associated human population. West Nile virus became established in this focal area, and in 2000 it spread north and south from there during the summer transmission season. The virus continued to expand during the next six years, ultimately affecting all the continental states and most of North America. The strain of WNV introduced was uncharacteristically virulent as …


Multiple Breeding Strategies In The Swift Fox, Vulpes Velox, Ann M. Kitchen, Eric M. Gese, Lisette P. Waits, Seija M. Karki, Edward R. Schauster Mar 2006

Multiple Breeding Strategies In The Swift Fox, Vulpes Velox, Ann M. Kitchen, Eric M. Gese, Lisette P. Waits, Seija M. Karki, Edward R. Schauster

USDA Wildlife Services: Staff Publications

Little is known of the mating system of the swift fox or how it compares to other socially monogamous mammals. In a 4-year study of 188 swift foxes, we used microsatellite analysis at 11 loci along with spatial observations to investigate swift fox mating strategies. The mating strategies used by swift foxes were highly diverse. Previous field observations have indicated that the swift fox is socially monogamous. However, we found that extrapair mating was a common breeding strategy; 52% of offspring were sired by a male that was not the mate of their mother. There was also variation in the …


A Comparison Of Coyote Ecology After 25 Years: 1978 Versus 2003, J. K. Young, W.F. Andelt, P.A. Terletzky, J.A. Shivik Feb 2006

A Comparison Of Coyote Ecology After 25 Years: 1978 Versus 2003, J. K. Young, W.F. Andelt, P.A. Terletzky, J.A. Shivik

USDA Wildlife Services: Staff Publications

Most ecological studies of coyotes are of short duration and studies are generally never repeated, thus the opportunity to compare changes in coyote (Canis latrans Say, 1823) ecology over time is rare. We compared coyote home ranges, activity patterns, age, and diet at the Welder Wildlife Refuge in south Texas between 1978-1979 and 2003-2004 (25 years later). The Minta index of overlap between 1978 and 2003 home ranges was 51.7 ± 7.0 (n = 7), much greater than the Minta index value based on randomized tests (28.7 ± 8.6), indicating similar spatial patterns between time periods. The Minta …