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The Probe, Issue 124 - August 1992

The Probe: Newsletter of the National Animal Damage Control Association

THE PROBE
National Animal Damage Control Association
AUGUST 1992
The Public, Coyotes, and Wildlife Damage Management
Calendar of Upcoming Events
Tenth Great Plains Wildlife Damage Control Workshop Proceedings.
Animal Damage Control in the News:
Pickups Seized in Federal Raid
Colorado Phases Out Spring Bear Hunt
WLFA Works to Defeat Proposed Arizona Hunting/Trapping Ban
DWRC Attempting to Develop Deer Baits
Canadian Trappers' Delegation Attends ISO Meeting
Professional trappers College
Public, Coyotes, & Wildlife Damage Management
News from the Northeast
The Coyote by Baxter Black

A Chromosome Study Of Blue Grama (Bouteloua Gracilis) In Northern Colorado, T. Tsuchiya, W. Mcginnies, A. Shahla

Great Plains Research: A Journal of Natural and Social Sciences

Chromosomes were studied in somatic cells of 60 plants of blue grama, Bouteloua gracilis (Willd. ex Kunth) Lag ex Griffiths, collected from a 7-hectare field of native range at the Central Plains Experiment Range (CPER), Nunn, Colorado, to determine chromosome constitution in relation to the plant characteristics. Somatic chromosomes were studied in root tips collected from vigorously growing plants in the greenhouse. Acetocarmine squash method was used to make slide preparation. The majority of the plants were 2n =40. However, three plants were 2n=50 and two were 2n=60. The pentaploid plants (2n =50) were recorded for the first time in …

Review Of Cheyenne Bottoms: Wetland In Jeopardy By John L. Zimmerman, John Janovy

Great Plains Research: A Journal of Natural and Social Sciences

The Cheyenne Bottoms, Barton County, Kansas, has long been hallowed ground for birders and scientists as well as hunters. The dikes let one drive slowly through the marshes, scanning the flats for favorite sandpiper species and experiencing first hand the isolation of the central Kansas prairies. John Zimmerman, professor of biology at Kansas State University, had captured the Cheyenne Bottoms aura in eloquent prose, giving us a taste of wetlands natural history, while bringing to life the political and economic conflicts surrounding Arkansas River, and Walnut Creek, water. In many ways, the Cheyenne Bottoms case is a modern archetypical prairie …

The Probe, Issue 123 - July 1992

The Probe: Newsletter of the National Animal Damage Control Association

THE PROBE
National Animal Damage Control Association
JULY 1992
Wildlife Damage and Animal Welfare: An Australian Approach
Calendar of Upcoming Events
Tenth Great Plains Wildlife Damage Control Workshop Proceedings.
Animal Damage Control in the News:
Prairie Dog Vacuum Less Than Successful
New Livestock Protection Collar Improves Protection Results
Solano Beach Pet Owners Object to Coyote Trapping
DWRC Assists Developing Countries to Increase Food Availability
Nebraska Sheep Producers Reveal Attitudes Toward Predators
USDA Livestock Depredation Survey
Vermont Citizens Find APHIS/ADC Rabies Hotline Contagious
Utah Man Wants Compensation For Coyote Attack

The Prairie Naturalist Volume 24, No.1 March 1992

The Prairie Naturalist

HABITAT CONSERVATION FOR NESTING LEAST TERNS AND PIPING PLOVERS ON THE PLATTE RIVER, NEBRASKA ▪ J. W. Ziewitz, J. G. Sidle, and J. J. Dinan

DIURNAL FLIGHT TIME OF WINTERING CANADA GEESE: CONSIDERATION OF REFUGES AND FLIGHT ENERGETICS ▪ J. E. Austin and D. D. Humburg

MYCOTOXIN OCCURRENCE IN WASTE FIELD CORN AND INGESTA OF WILD GEESE IN THE NORTHERN GREAT PLAINS ▪ K. F. Higgins, R. M. Barta, R. G. Neiger, G. E. Rottinghaus, and R. I. Sterry

NOTES

Cost of Nest Reuse by Western Kingbirds ▪ T. M. Bergin

A New Record for Falcate Spurge in the Midwest …

Management Of Birds Associated With Buildings At The University Of California, Berkeley, Arthur J. Slater

Vertebrate Pest Conference Proceedings: 15th (1992)

Information concerning fifteen species of birds associated with twenty-five buildings on the University of California at Berkeley has been collected for nineteen years. Fourteen species are included under three minor associations (temporary roosters, building invaders, and species that nest on, or in buildings in small numbers). Two species (cliff swallows, and feral pigeons) have caused major problems. Feral pigeons problems have been the most difficult and complex to resolve. Case histories are used to describe problems associated with these birds (ectoparasites, building defacement and messiness, slipping hazards and noise), and human contributions to the problems (feeding, trap vandalism, and legal …

Determination Of Root Biomasses Of Three Species Grown In A Mixture Using Stable Isotopes Of Carbon And Nitrogen, H. Wayne Polley, Hyrum B. Johnson, Herman S. Mayeux

United States Department of Agriculture-Agricultural Research Service / University of Nebraska-Lincoln: Faculty Publications

A method is evaluated that employs variation in stable C and N isotopes from fractionations in C and N acquisition and growth to predict root biomasses of three plant species in mixtures. Celtis laevigata Willd. (C₃), Prosopis glandulosa Torr. (C₃, legume) and Schizachyrium scoparium (Michx.) Nash (C₄), or Gossypium hirsutum L. (C₃), Glycine max (L.) Merr. (C₃ legume), and Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench (C₄) were grown together in separate, three-species combinations.

Contaminant Residues In Sandhill Cranes Killed Upon Striking Powerlines In Central Nebraska, Timothy E. Fannin

Proceedings of the North American Crane Workshop

In 1989 and 1990, 58 sandhill cranes (Grus canadensis) were collected along the central Platte River in Nebraska during a study of mortality caused by powerline impact. Brains were assayed for acetylcholinesterase activity; gut contents were analyzed for residues of 25 organophosphate and 6 carbamate compounds; and livers were analyzed for 20 inorganics (including lead, mercury, and boron) and 22 organochlorine chemicals. Brain acetylcholinesterase activities appeared to be within normal ranges, and no measurable organophosphate or carbamate residues were found in the gut contents of 5 birds with the lowest brain enzyme activities. Heptachlor epoxide, oxychlordane. p,p' -DDE, …

History And Economic Impact Of Crane-Watching In Central Nebraska, Gary R. Lingle

Proceedings of the North American Crane Workshop

The first documentation of the Platte and North Platte rivers' importance to sandhill cranes (Grus canadensis) dates from the late 1800's. Except for a few ornithologists, it was not until the mid-1970's that crane-watching became popular. During the last 10 years, this interest has become a multi-million dollar tourist industry that attracts people from around the globe who seek to witness this vernal spectacle of half a million cranes. More than half of the former riverine habitat has been abandoned by the cranes, largely because of irrigation and hydropower projects that drain the river and enable forests to …

Sandhill Crane Collisions With Power Lines In Southcentral Nebraska, John P. Ward, Stanley H. Anderson

Proceedings of the North American Crane Workshop

Sandhill crane (Grus canadensis) collisions with power lines were studied in southcentral Nebraska in 1986 and 1987. Approximately 596 km of power lines were surveyed for dead cranes in 1986, and 210 km of power lines in 1987. A total of 135 dead cranes were located. Cranes collided 4 times more with transmission lines than distribution lines, although distribution lines were twice as abundant. We believe cranes collided with the static wires on the transmission lines. Juveniles and Canadian sandhill cranes (G.c. rowani) had a higher probability of colliding with power lines than other age groups …

13.3.7. Ecology Of Playa Lakes, David A. Haukos, Loren M. Smith

Waterfowl Management Handbook

Between 25,000 and 30,000 playa lakes are in the playa lakes region of the southern high plains (Fig. 1). Most playas are in west Texas (about 20,000), and fewer, in New Mexico, Oklahoma, Kansas, and Colorado. The playa lakes region is one of the most intensively cultivated areas of North America. Dominant crops range from cotton in southern areas to cereal grains in the north. Therefore, most of the native short-grass prairie is gone, replaced by crops and, recently, grasses of the Conservation Reserve Program. Playas are the predominant wetlands and major wildlife habitat of the region.

More than 115 …

Characteristics Of Whooping Crane Roost Sites In The Platte River, Craig A. Faanes, Douglas H. Johnson, Gary R. Lingle

Proceedings of the North American Crane Workshop

The Big Bend of the Platte River in centraJ Nebraska provides important migration habitat for whooping cranes (Grus americana). River profiles were obtained at 23 confumed nocturnal roost sites occupied by whooping cranes during 1983 -90. Whooping cranes selected roost sites that had shallower water depths than at unused sites. All but 4 roosts were located in channels wider than 150 m; roost sites were an average of 27.8 % of the channel width from the nearer shore. Nearly 90% of the roost sites had a trench of deeper water on both sides. Proper management of the Platte …

Prevention Of Eastern Equine Encephalitis Virus In Captive Cranes, James W. Carpenter, Douglas M. Watts, C. L. Crabbs, Gary G. Clark, Thomas W. Scott, Douglas Docherty, Benedict B. Pagac, Jeannine M. Dorothy, James G. Olson, F. Joshua Dein

Proceedings of the North American Crane Workshop

An epizootic of eastern equine encephalitis (EEE) virus infection in 1984 resulted in death for 7 of 39 captive whooping cranes (Grus americana) at the Patuxent Wildlife Research Center. This represented the first known whooping crane deaths associated with this arboviral disease and posed a serious risk to the continued propagation of this endangered species. Subsequent research and surveillance procedures initiated to prevent EEE viral infections in captive whooping cranes included vector surveillance and control, virus surveillance through use of sentinel birds, immunoassays for rapid detection of EEE virus antigen in bird sera and in mosquitoes, and testing …

Factors Influencing The Future Of Whooping Crane Habitat On The Platte River In Nebraska, Craig A. Faanes

Proceedings of the North American Crane Workshop

Lands along 86 km of the Platte River in Nebraska were designated by the U.s. Department of Interior as critical habitat for the endangered whooping crane (Grus americana) in 1978. The designation established the legal basis for the continued protection of lands critical to the survival and recovery of whooping cranes. Currently there are 14 federal, state, and local water projects planned for the Platte River system. If completed, total withdrawal would be about 80% of the remaining 30% of the original flow. In this paper I summarize those projects and discuss their potential impact on whooping crane habitat. …

Unobstructed Visibility At Whooping Crane Roost Sites On The Platte River, Nebraska, Craig A. Faanes

Proceedings of the North American Crane Workshop

Unobstructed visibility is an important component of whooping crane (Grus americana) roosting habitat. Recent habitat modeling efforts suggest that unobstructed horizontal visibility is suitable at a minimum of 335 m. Unobstructed upstream and downstream visibility is also an important part of whooping crane roosting habitat, but quantification of that parameter has not been reported previously, or incorporated into species models. Data from the Platte River suggest that a minimum of 732 m of unobstructed upstream and downstream visibility is needed at whooping crane roost sites.

Whooping Crane Riverine Roosting Habitat Suitability Model, Jerry W. Ziewitz

Proceedings of the North American Crane Workshop

Water development interests on the Platte River in Nebraska and recognition of the importance of this river as migratory bird habitat have prompted studies to determine how much water is needed to maintain wildlife habitat values. The whooping crane (Grus americana) is one of many species that use the Platte. A model was developed to quantify the relationship between river discharge and roosting habitat suitability for whooping cranes, designed to accommodate the data collection and hydraulic simulation techniques of the Instream Flow Incremental Methodology. Results of the model indicate that optimum roosting habitat conditions in the Big Bend …

Distribution, Habitats, And Taxonomy Of Ruppia Maritima L. And R. Occidentalis S. Watson In Nebraska, Robert B. Kaul

Transactions of the Nebraska Academy of Sciences and Affiliated Societies

Specimens of Ruppia from all eleven Nebraska counties in which it is known fall into two groups: R. occidentalis in alkaline Sandhills waters and R. maritima in saline waters of the Platte River Valley and Lancaster County. Ruppia occidentalis is distinguished by its more robust size; redspotted leaves and stems; terete, entire, obtuse leaves; 4-8(9) carpels; and by two elliptic white spots on its endocarp, among other characteristics. Ruppia maritima is more delicate and unspotted; the leaves are oblate in section, sub-apically denticulate, and acute-acuminate; the carpels are 3 or 4, and the endocarp spots are nearly circular. Both species …

Multiplication Of Four Penstemon Species In Vitro, Dale T. Lindgren, Brent Mccown

West Central Research and Extension Center, North Platte

Penstemon (beard tongue) is a native genus of U.S. wildflower that is used for landscape plants (Lindgren, 1984a, 1984b, 1990), for cut flowers (Lindgren, 1986), and for ecological studies (Stubbendieck et al., 1982). Tissue culture techniques could be useful for propagating cultivars and species in this genus as some do not breed true from seed, require special seed germination conditions, or are difficult to propagate using other vegetative methods (Lindgren, 1984b, 1990; Stubbendieck et al., 1982). Penstemon haydenii is also the only listed endangered plant species in Nebraska.

The Penstemon spp. P. digitalis Nutt. ‘Husker Red’ (Lindgren, 1984b); P. grandiflorus …

Reproductive Characteristics Of Rodent Assemblages In Cultivated Regions Of Central Argentina, James N. Mills, Barbara A. Ellis, Kelly T. Mckee, Julio I. Maiztegui, James E. Childs

Zoonotics and Wildlife Disease: Publications

Small mammals were trapped for 2 years at 16 localities on the central-Argentine pampa. Six species (Akodon azarae, Calomys musculinus, C. laucha, Bolomys obscurus, Oligory-zomys flavescens and Mus musculus) accounted for >95% of captures. The major breeding season, as assessed by pregnancies, was September or October through April or May. Mild weather in late autumn and winter of the second season resulted in a relatively longer breeding season during the 2nd year of the study. Females of all six species comprised significantly 50% of captures during the height of the breeding season. For most species, there was …

Relationship Of Channel Maintenance Flows To Whooping Crane Use Of The Platte River, Craig A. Faanes, David B. Bowman

Proceedings of the North American Crane Workshop

Periodic high flows in the Platte River are necessary to scour vegetation and redistribute sediment in the stream channel. Peak and mean annual flows have been reduced by as much as 70% from pre-development times, but channel maintenance flows still occur, although at a much reduced frequency and magnitude of occurrence. Use of the Platte River by migrant whooping cranes (Grus americana) in recent years appears to be related to the recent occurrence of flows in excess of 8,000 cfs for 5 or more consecutive days.

Strike-Induced Chemosensory Searching: Variation Among Lizards, Royce E. Ballinger, Nathaniel R. Coady, Joseph M. Prokop, Julio A. Lemos-Espinal

Transactions of the Nebraska Academy of Sciences and Affiliated Societies

Strike-induced chemosensory searching (SICS) was found in two families of lizards (Teiidae, Anguidae) but not in two other lizard families (Scincidae, Iguanidae). Experiments on another family (Xenosauridae) were inconclusive as to its possession of SICS. The rate of tongue-flicking was significantly increased after a simulated prey strike compared to controls in Cnemidophorus sexlineatus and Barisia imbricata. SICS may be part of a complex foraging strategy evolved in certain reptiles rather than part of a generalized chemosensory behavior because two species of skinks did not exhibit SICS in spite of a well developed vomeronasal olfactory apparatus and known abilities to …

Pqf News: Newsletter Of The Partridge, Quail And Francolin Specialist Group 1-3, 5-6 (1992-1995), Iucn Species Survival Commission, Birdlife International, World Pheasant Association

Galliformes Specialist Group and Affiliated Societies: Newsletters

The purpose of the newsletter is to receive details of new projects, re-assessments of the status of relevant species, interesting discoveries or observations, taxonomic changes, conservation successes or threats and anything else that members might find interesting. We would like in future issues to produce a list of relevant publications which appear during the year in order to keep members up-to-date with current information. We will publish requests for contacts or information, advertisements for conferences and workshops and news of projects and project proposals.

Issue 1 (February 1992)

Foreword by Simon D. Dowell

News from around the regions: Commonwealth of …