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Full-Text Articles in Life Sciences
Indirect Effects Between Deer, Mice, And The Gypsy Moth In A Forest Community, John Wojcikiewicz
Indirect Effects Between Deer, Mice, And The Gypsy Moth In A Forest Community, John Wojcikiewicz
Theses and Dissertations
White-tailed deer are ecosystem engineers that dramatically alter forest understory vegetation. Consequently, deer can impact many species in a forest through both direct and indirect effects. One species that deer may indirectly affect is the gypsy moth, whose pupae are preyed upon by the white-footed mouse. Through alterations to understory habitat of mice, deer may reduce mouse predation on gypsy moth pupae. In this study, I tested for indirect effects of deer on the gypsy moth by comparing mouse abundance, vegetation properties, and predation on pupae inside, and outside, of long-term deer exclosures. Overall, I did not find evidence for …
Forest Edges Enhance Mate-Finding In The European Gypsy Moth, Lymantria Dispar, Lily Thompson
Forest Edges Enhance Mate-Finding In The European Gypsy Moth, Lymantria Dispar, Lily Thompson
Theses and Dissertations
Understanding movement capabilities of individuals within a landscape is essential to identifying the effects of habitat boundaries on species abundances, ranges, and spread rates. Movement barriers due to habitat fragmentation may reduce mate-finding ability in some species, particularly in heterogeneous landscapes containing low-density populations. This study focuses on the effects of habitat type and edge on mate-finding in an invasive defoliator, the European gypsy moth. Adult European gypsy moth males locate mates by following pheromones released by flightless females. Reduced mate-finding was expected in fields and near forest edges based on geographic variation in invasion rates and pheromone plume dynamics. …