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Public Health Abstracts 2004

Florida Public Health Review

No abstract provided.

Type 3 Functional Response Of Mice To Gypsy Moth Pupae: Is It Stabilizing?, Eric M. Schauber, Richard S. Ostfeld, Clive G. Jones

Publications

We conducted field experiments in 2002 and 2003 to determine whether the functional response of white-footed mice (Peromyscus leucopus ) to gypsy moth (Lymantria dispar ) pupae is decelerating (e.g. type 2) or accelerating (e.g. type 3) at low pupal density. In both experiments, live gypsy moth pupae were deployed in June (prior to the appearance of natural pupae) at densities of approximately 1, 8, and 35 pupae per mouse home range in oak-forest grids in upstate New York and monitored over 10 days for signs of predation. Pupae were deployed 1.5-m high on tree boles in 2002, whereas in …

Size Matters: A Test Of Boldness In Eight Populations Of The Poeciliid Brachyraphis Episcopi, Culum Brown, Victoria Braithwaite

Sentience Collection

Individual variation in behaviour within populations may be explained in part by demographics and long-term, stable individual psychological differences. We examined the relation between boldness (taken as the time to emerge from a shelter and explore a novel environment) and body size in eight populations of the poeciliid Brachyraphis episcopi originating from sites upstream and downstream of waterfalls in four rivers that run into the Panama Canal. The relation between body size and time to emerge from a shelter was positive, with larger fish taking longer to emerge. This relation differed between downstream and upstream sites, being significant in the …

Annotated Bibliography Of The Florida Applesnail, Pomacea Paludosa (Say) (Gastropoda: Ampullariidae), From 1824 To 1999, Richard L. Turner, Paula M. Mikkelsen

Ocean Engineering and Marine Sciences Faculty Publications

The Florida applesnail, Pomacea paludosa (Say, 1829), inhabits freshwater rivers, lakes, and wetlands of the southeastern United States and Cuba, where it is prey to several species of birds, reptiles, and fish, particularly the snail kite, limpkin, American alligator, and redear sunfish. It has additionally been a staple in the diet of several native human populations. Introduction of exotic aquatic vegetation and the management practices of the 1900s have impacted the availability of P. paludosa to its predators, some of which are listed on federal and state registries of species that are endangered, threatened, or of special concern. Its association …

Marine Baitfish Culture, Michael J. Oesterling, Charles M. Adams, Andy M. Lazur

Reports

No abstract provided.

Cryptotis Meridensis, Neal Woodman, Amelia Dıaz De Pascual

United States Geological Survey: Staff Publications

CONTEXT AND CONTENT.

Order Soricomorpha, family Soricidae, subfamily Soricinae, tribe Blarinini, genus Cryptotis (Hutterer 1993; Repenning 1967). The species is part of the Cryptotis thomasi group (Choate 1970; Woodman 2002). Cryptotis meridensis is monotypic (Woodman 2002).

DIAGNOSIS.

Cryptotis meridensis (Fig. 1) is one of the largest members of the genus; length of head and body is typically >83 mm. C. meridensis and the Mexican endemic, C. phillipsii, are the only species of small-eared shrews in which U4 (dental terminology follows that of Choate [1970] and Choate and Fleharty [1974]) frequently is absent. In C. meridensis, U4 is absent …

Distribution Of Chemistry And Sexual Fecundity In The Lichenized-Fungi, Xanthoparmelia Cumberlandia And Xanthoparmelia Coloradoensis On Boulder Mountain, Aquarius Plateau, Ut, Heather Bird Jackson

Theses and Dissertations

Three aspects of Xanthoparmelia cumberlandia and Xanthoparmelia coloradoënsis populations found at two elevations are explored: clustering of secondary chemicals and the resulting implications for taxonomic distinctions, the usefulness of thallus size as an indirect measure of sexual fecundity, and the frequency of sexual reproduction.

First, we use clustering of 46 chemicals produced by X. cumberlandia and X. coloradoënsis to evaluate the adequacy of the current taxonomic distinction between them. Using principal components analysis and UPGMA, we find that the currently recognized species boundaries indicated by the presence of stictic acid in X. cumberlandia and salazinic acid in X. coloradoënsis are …

Education In The Environment: A Hands-On Student Research And Outdoor Learning Experience: Quarterly Progress Report, Period Ending November 30, 2004, Margaret N. Rees

Reports (PLI Education)

During the past three-months, the focus of the university’s efforts has been 1) making progress on the hiring of permanent project managers for the Education in the Environment Strategy and the Forever Earth / Wonderful Outdoor World on the Water (WOW) projects; 2) completing legal review of the cooperative agreement and standard operating procedures required for the university to assume operations of the Forever Earth vessel; and 3) writing curriculum for the WOW and Forever Earth projects.

Red Rock Desert Learning Center Core Group Meeting: November 16, 2004, Red Rock Desert Learning Center

Reports (RRLC)

1. Introductions (5 min.)
2. Approval of Minutes from October 19 Meeting (5 minutes)
3. Presentation of Biology Curriculum Strands – Paul Buck (15 min.)
4. Discussion of Possible Advisory Board Structures – Michael Reiland (15 min.)
5. Update from Line and Space Architects – Les Wallach/Henry Tom (20 min.)
6. Discussion of Student Risk Analysis/Liability Issues (15 min.)
7. Standing Reports (10 minutes)
   A. UNLV/CESU Update – Nancy Flagg
   B. BLM Update – Michael Reiland
8. Committee Reports (5 min.)
   A. Building Committee – Angie Lara
9. Open Discussion / New Business (5 min.)
   A. January Meeting – Tuesday, January 18, 10:30 a.m., UNLV Paradise
   Campus
   B. Core …

Parasitism In Species Of Bathymodiolus (Bivalvia : Mytilidae) Mussels From Deep-Sea Seep And Hydrothermal Vents, Me Ward, Jeffrey D. Shields, Cl Van Dover

VIMS Articles

Bivalve species, especially mussels, are biomass dominants in many deep-sea chemosynthetic ecosystems. As in shallow-water environments, parasites are likely to be important factors in the population dynamics of bivalve communities in chemosynthetic ecosystems, but there has been little study of parasitism in deep-sea seep or vent molluscs. In this study, Parasite types, diversity, prevalence, infection density and non-infectious indicators of stress or disease as related to host age, reproductive condition, and endosymbiont density were assessed in mussels (Bathmodiolus heckerae) from 2 seep sites and mussels (B. puteoserpentis) from 2 vent sites. We identified 10 microbial or parasitic agents in histological …

Dynamics Of A Dwarf Bear-Poppy (Arctomecon Humilis) Population Over A Sixteen-Year Period, K. T. Harper, Renée Van Buren

Western North American Naturalist

A population of the dwarf bear-poppy (Arctomecon humilis Coville, Papaveraceae) at Red Bluff, Washington County, Utah, was monitored twice annually between 1987 and 2002. This is a narrowly endemic, gypsophilous species that has been formally listed as endangered since 1979. During the 16 years of observation, density of this species has fluctuated between 3 and 1336 individuals on the 0.07-ha monitoring plot. Moderate to large recruitments of seedlings occurred in 1992, 1995, and 2001. Seedling recruitments from a large, long-lived seed bank are triggered by abundant precipitation during the February–April period. At least 5.0 cm of rainfall is required …

Rotunda - Vol 84, No 7 - Oct 28, 2004, Longwood University

Rotunda

No abstract provided.

Red Rock Desert Learning Center Core Group Meeting: October 19, 2004, Red Rock Desert Learning Center

Reports (RRLC)

1. Introductions (5 min.)
2. Approval of Minutes from September 21 Meeting (5 minutes)
3. Review & Discussion of Suggested Core Curriculum Themes – Jeanne Klockow/Michael Reiland (20 min.)
4. Update from Line and Space Architects – Les Wallach/Henry Tom (20 min.)
5. Standing Reports (20 minutes)
   A. UNLV/CESU Update – Nancy Flagg
   C. BLM Update – Michael Reiland
6. Committee Reports (10 min.)
   A. Building – Angie Lara
   B. Design Oversight – David Frommer
   C. Educational Programs – Paul Buck
   D. Fund-Raising & Partnerships – Blaine Benedict
   E. NEPA – Charles Carroll
   F. Operations – Jack Ramsey
   G. Other Uses – Pat Williams
   H. Wild …

Upwelling And Degree Of Nutrient Consumption In Nanwan Bay, Southern Taiwan, Chen-Tung Arthur Chen, Bing-Jye Wang, Li-Yu Hsing

Journal of Marine Science and Technology

The newly proposed Degree of Nutrient Consumption (DNC) of upwelled waters was used to evaluate the upwelling process in Nanwan Bay off the southern tip of Taiwan. DNC values were found to be low in subsurface waters or in newly upwelled waters. In general, a low DNC value was detected alongside other traditionally used upwelling indicators such as lower temperature, pH and % oxygen saturation but higher salinity, nutrients and chlorophyll a. On the other hand, the DNC value could be several times higher in aged upwelled water found in the surface layer.

A Multilevel Modeling Analysis Of The Geographic Variability Of Low Birth Weight Occurrence In Florida, Joseph William Green

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

The associations of neighborhood level socioeconomic deprivation and low birth weight were investigated among 1,030,443 singleton live births in the State of Florida between the years 1992 and 1997. Census data for per capita income, unemployment, percent of individuals living below the poverty line, vehicle ownership and educational attainment were used as neighborhood level indicators of socioeconomic status. Additionally, these variables were combined into a deprivation index to measure relative deprivation of neighborhoods across Florida. Birth data were linked to census block groups and tracts, which were used as proxies for low birth weight. Multilevel models were used to model …

Growth Of Stygobitic (Orconectes Australis Packardi) And Epigean (Orconectes Cristavarius) Crayfishes Maintained In Laboratory Conditions, Ann-Simone Cooper, Robin L. Cooper

Biology Faculty Publications

This study reports on maintenance and growth of the cave crayfish, Orconectes australis packardi, and the epigean crayfish, Orconectes cristavarius, with laboratory conditions for 1 and 2 years. The O. a. packardi survived well compared to the O. cristavarius in captivity. The poor survival of the epigean species was probably due to unsuitable conditions. The epigean as well as the cave crayfish molted and grew in captivity, but without any significant difference in molt frequency between species. In the first year, total body length was obtained to assay growth, whereas in the second year the more accurate measure …

Spatial Heterogeneity, Not Visitation Bias, Dominates Variation In Herbivory: Comment & Reply, James F. Cahill, Brenda B. Casper, David S. Hik, Svata M. Louda, Anne M. Parkhurst, Kate L. Bradley, Elisabeth S. Bakker, Johannes M. H. Knops, Ellen I. Damschen, Lauren M. Young

School of Biological Sciences: Faculty Publications

An exchange regarding the article: Bradley, K. L., E. I. Damschen, L. M. Young, D. Kuefler, S. Went, G. Wray, N. M. Haddad, J. M. H. Knops, and S. M. Louda. 2003. Spatial heterogeneity, not visitation bias, dominates variation in herbivory. Ecology 84:2214–2221.

Cahill et al. write:
Here we show that the experimental design and statistical analysis used by Bradley et al. (2003) do not adequately control for Type II experimental error (accepting the null hypothesis when it is in fact false). This is particularly important when responses have low effect sizes such as those previously demonstrated for visitation effects …

Red Rock Desert Learning Center Core Group Meeting: September 21, 2004, Red Rock Desert Learning Center

Reports (RRLC)

1. Introductions (5 min.)
2. Approval of Minutes from August 17 Meeting (5 minutes)
3. Potential Tie-in with City of Las Vegas New Directions YouthArts Program –
   Markus Tracy (20 min.)
4. Presentation of Education in the Environment Curriculum Matrix and correlation to
   RRDLC curriculum development – Jeanne Klockow (30 min.)
5. Discussion of Policy-making Board for the Center – Michael Reiland (15 min.)
6. Discussion of Observatory Location – Michael Reiland (25 min.)
7. Standing Reports (20 minutes)
   A. Line and Space Architects Update – Les Wallach/Henry Tom
   B. UNLV/CESU Update – Nancy Flagg
   C. RRCNCA Capital Improvements Update – BLM
8. Committee Reports (10 min.)
   A. …

Cancer Incidence Among Pesticide Applicators Exposed To Atrazine In The Agricultural Health Study, Jennifer A. Rusiecki, Anneclaire De Roos, Won Jin Lee, Mustafa Dosemeci, Jay H. Lubin, Jane A. Hoppin, Aaron Blair, Michael C. R. Alavanja

Public Health Resources

Background: Atrazine is the most heavily applied agricultural pesticide for crop production in the United States. Both animal and human studies have suggested that atrazine is possibly carcinogenic, but results have been mixed. We evaluated cancer incidence in atrazine-exposed pesticide applicators among 53 943 participants in the Agricultural Health Study, a prospective cohort study of licensed pesticide applicators in Iowa and North Carolina.
Methods: We obtained detailed pesticide exposure information using a self-administered questionnaire completed at the time of enrollment (1993–1997). Cancer incidence was followed through December 31, 2001. We used adjusted Poisson regression to calculate rate ratios (RRs) and …

Use Of Fecal Glucocorticoid Metabolite Measures In Conservation Biology Research: Considerations For Application And Interpretation, Joshua J. Millspaugh, Brian E. Washburn

USDA Wildlife Services: Staff Publications

Fecal glucocorticoid metabolite analyses are increasingly being used by a variety of scientists (e.g., conservation biologists, animal scientists) to examine glucocorticoid (i.e., stress hormone) secretion in domestic and wild vertebrates. Adrenocortical activity (i.e., stress response) is of interest to conservation biologists because stress can alter animal behavior, reduce resistance to disease, and affect population performance. The noninvasiveness of fecal-based assessments is attractive, particularly when studying endangered species, because samples can often be obtained without disturbing the animal. Despite such advantages, many confounding factors inhibit the utility of this technique in addressing conservation problems. In particular, interpretation of fecal glucocorticoid metabolite …

Education In The Environment Partnership, Public Lands Institute

Presentations (PLI Education)

• Update on Oliver Ranch
• Update on Forever Earth
• Update on WOW on the Water

Tree Islands In The Shark Slough Landscape: Interactions Of Vegetation, Hydrology, And Soils, Michael S. Ross, David T. Jones

SERC Research Reports

Executive Summary: This report presents what we have learned about tree islands of Shark Slough and adjacent marshes of Everglades National Park (ENP), based on ecological studies carried out in these wetlands during the period 2000-2003. The tree islands of Shark Slough share many features with tree islands elsewhere in the Everglades. Their current composition and community structure is determined to a large extent by recent hydrology, as well as by disturbances (fire, freezes, hurricanes, man). Tree islands have historical, cultural, and biological values that are recognized by nearly all parties to the Comprehensive Everglades Restoration Plan (CERP). Maintaining and/or …

The Analysis Of A Late Holocene Bison Skull From The Ashley National Forest, Utah, Kenneth P. Cannon

United States National Park Service: Publications

Executive Summary

In 2003 a partial bison skull was recovered by Ashley National Forest archeologist Brian Storm from an elevation of 3840 m (12,600 ft) AMSL in the Uinta Mountains. The partial skull consists of a portion of the frontal, occipital region, and horn cores including horn sheaths. The presence of the horn sheaths is of particular interest for the ecological information they can provide. Through the analysis of the individual cones of the horn sheath a record of the animal’s dietary and migration patterns can be obtained.

The skull was recovered downslope of Gilbert Peak in an alpine environment. …

Historical Evidence Of Riparian Forests In The Great Plains And How That Knowledge Can Aid With Restoration And Management., Elliot West, Greg Ruark

USDA Forest Service / UNL Faculty Publications

While some argue that the Great Plains were dominated by grasslands and that riparian woodlands were rare, others contend that trees would logically have occurred in riparian areas due to favorable microenvironment conditions. Historically, what native plant communities were found in riparian zones of the Great Plains? The answers to this question depend to a large extent on what time period is used as a reference of pre-settlement conditions.

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (1981) drew upon conditions in 1905 for insight and concluded that trees were “wholly absent” or consisted of scattered cottonwood and willow. However, such a …

Inverted Race Tube Assay For Circadian Clock Studies Of The Neurospora Accessions, Sohyun Park, Kwangwon Lee

Fungal Genetics Reports

Although the Neurospora crassa circadian clock has been studied for forty years, population studies of natural accessions have been limited by technical difficulties associated with the conventional race tube assay (CRTA) that is used to measure asexual development (conidiation). Due to the buildup of CO2 in the CRTA that represses banding, a mutant strain band (bd) has been utilized for increased visualization of the banding phenotype. In order to study the circadian clock in natural accessions of Neurospora multiple techniques have been explored. One such technique, the rubidium chloride-supplemented race tube assay (RRTA) has been used successfully. Here we present …

Fleas (Siphonaptera) In Nests Of Voles (Microtus Spp.) In Montane Habitats Of Three Regions Of Utah, Glenn E. Haas, James R. Kucera

Western North American Naturalist

As a parallel study of a survey of fleas of trapped small mammals in montane southern Utah, we removed 77 adult fleas from 12 of 13 nests of voles (Microtus longicaudus, M. montanus and M. richardsoni) collected from montane meadows in the Abajo and La Sal Mountains, the Markagunt Plateau and Pine Valley Mountains, and the Uinta Mountains, May 1991–July 2002. Six species and subspecies of fleas parasitic on Microtus spp. were found, 1–3 species in each nest. Three specimens of the ubiquitous deer mouse (Peromyscus spp.) flea Aetheca wagneri (Baker) were also found. We collected the …

Oliver Ranch Core Group Meeting: August 17, 2004, Red Rock Desert Learning Center

Reports (RRLC)

1. Introductions (5 minutes)
2. Approval of Minutes from June 15 Meeting (5 minutes)
3. Review of Draft Talking Points/FAQ – Nancy Flagg (30 min)
4. Discussion of Wild Horse and Burro Facility – Billie Young (30 min.)
5. Standing Reports (30 minutes)
   A. Line and Space Update – Les Wallach/Henry Tom
   B. UNLV/CESU Update – Peg Rees/Nancy Flagg
   C. RRCNRA Capital Improvements Update – Mark Morse/Michael Reiland
6. ORSS Committee Reports (15 minutes)
   A. Design Oversight – David Frommer
   B. Educational Programs – Paul Buck
   C. Fund-Raising & Partnerships – Blaine Benedict
   D. NEPA – Charles Carroll
   E. Operations – Jack Ramsey
   F. Other Uses …

Copepods From Shore And Offshore Waters Of Pakistan, Quddusi B. Kazmi

Journal of Marine Science and Technology

This report is a history of copepodology based on the review of previously recorded species of copepods from Pakistan (Arabian Sea) by Pakistani workers and other contemporary surveys. The plankton samples studied are the epipelagic copepods collected during the Northern Arabian Sea Ecological and Environmental Research (NASEER) Cruise I (January 7-22, 1992) and Cruise IV (May 10-21, 1994). Some planktonic and phytal species obtained from a U.S. Office of Naval Research (ONR) project (1993-1995) on living resources in nearshore waters, and interstitial species obtained during a preliminary survey ONR (1998-2000) of the interstitial copepods carried out for the first time …

Ecological Research In The Large Scale Biosphere Atmosphere Experiment In Amazonia: A Discussion Of Early Results, Michael M. Keller, Ane Alencar, Gregory P. Asner, Rob Braswell, Mercedes Bustmante, Eric A. Davidson, Ted Feldpausch, Erick Fernandes, M L. Goulden, Paval Kabat, Bart Kruijt, Flavio Luizao, Scott Miller, Daniel Markewitz, Antonio D. Nobre, Carlos Nobre, Nicolau Priante Filho, Humberto Da Rocha, Pedro Silva Dias, Celso Von Randow, George Vourlitis

Earth Sciences

The Large-scale Biosphere–Atmosphere Experiment in Amazonia (LBA) is a multinational, interdisciplinary research program led by Brazil. Ecological studies in LBA focus on how tropical forest conversion, regrowth, and selective logging influence carbon storage, nutrient dynamics, trace gas fluxes, and the prospect for sustainable land use in the Amazon region. Early results from ecological studies within LBA emphasize the variability within the vast Amazon region and the profound effects that land-use and land-cover changes are having on that landscape. The predominant land cover of the Amazon region is evergreen forest; nonetheless, LBA studies have observed strong seasonal patterns in gross primary …

Demography And Genetic Structure Of An Allegheny Woodrat Population In Northcentral West Virginia, Mary Elizabeth Manjerovic

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports

The Allegheny woodrat (Neotoma magister) occurs throughout the Appalachian Mountains forming isolated colonies in rock outcrops, cliffs, and caves. In the past 20--30 years, populations along the northern and western peripheries of the range have experienced drastic declines. There have been suggested reasons for this decline but a lack of long-term data has prevented application of specific management actions. In recent years, there has been more insight into population structure, gene flow, and relatedness among colonies. The objectives of my study were to examine these factors at a localized level to further assist with future management decisions.;Using data collected over …