Life Sciences Commons^™

The Prairie Naturalist Volume 27, No.4 December 1995

The Prairie Naturalist

NEW DISTRIBUTIONAL RECORDS FOR MAMMALS IN KANSAS · D. W Sparks and J. R. Choate

CLAY-COLORED SPARROWS IN NORTH DAKOTA PARASITIZED BY BROWN-HEADED COWBIRDS ▪ G. P. Romig and R. D. Crawford

A NOTEWORTHY RECORD AND THE BREEDING DISTRIBUTION OF THE BLUE GROSBEAK IN NORTH DAKOTA ▪ L. D. Igl

NEAR LONGEVITY RECORD FOR THE SNOW GOOSE ▪ M T. Koenen and D. M. Leslie, Jr.

COMPARISON OF WATER CONSUMPTION BETWEEN TWO GRASSLAND EMBERIZIDS ▪ J. L. Zimmerman

FACTORS ASSOCIATED WITH DECLINING PROPORTION OF CITIZENS HUNTING IN SOUTH DAKOTA ▪ N. J. Dietz, K. F. Higgins, and R. D. Mendelsohn …

Remnant Vegetation And Natural Resources Of The Blackwood River Catchment An Atlas, Shaun B. Grein

Agriculture reports

The Blackwood River is one of the longest rivers in the South-West of Western Australia, stretching 300 km from Moordjarrup to August. The catchment covers more than 28,000 square kilometres (2.8 million ha) from the Shire of Kent to the Shire of Augusta-Margaret River. It incorporates 17 shires, more than 30,000 people, 18 Land Conservation District Committees (LCDCs) and 143 sub-catchment groups. Shires within the Blackwood Catchment cover 4.12 million hectares, over half of the total area of the shires that fall within the catchment boundary.

D.Gps For Ground Control In The Quindabellup And Wambellup Sub-Catchments, Buddy Wheaton

Soil conservation survey collection

This report summarises work undertaken to provide ground control for digital terrain models(DTMs) of the Quindabellup and Wambellup sub-catchments. The DTMs will be generated using digital photogrammetry; the ground control was obtained using differential Global Positioning System (D.GPS). Description of Bench Marks (BMs) and summary sheets of Standard Survey Marks (SSMs) located in the general area, were obtained from the Department of Land Administration(DOLA). A ground survey was carried out to confirm the location and condition of BMs and SSMs in the two sub-catchments. Five SSMs were selected as reference points for the D.GPS survey. A further 8 bench marks …

A Second Nitrogenase In Vegetative Cells Of A Heterocyst-Forming Cyanobacterium, T Thiel, E Lyons, J Erker, A Ernst

Biology Department Faculty Works

In many filamentous cyanobacteria nitrogen fixation occurs in differentiated cells called heterocysts. Filamentous strains that do not form heterocysts may fix nitrogen in vegetative cells, primarily under anaerobic conditions. We describe here two functional Mo-dependent nitrogenases in a single organism, the cyanobacterium Anabaena variabilis. Using a lacZ reporter with a fluorescent beta-galactoside substrate for in situ localization of gene expression, we have shown that the two clusters of nif genes are expressed independently. One nitrogenase functions only in heterocysts under either aerobic or anaerobic growth conditions, whereas the second nitrogenase functions only under anaerobic conditions in vegetative cells and heterocysts. …

The Vascular Flora Of The Potomac River Watershed Of King George County, Virginia, Mark P. Simmons, Donna M.E. Ware, W. John Hayden

Biology Faculty Publications

The results of two floristic studies of King George County, Virginia, are combined into an annotated checklist. Field work was initiated in 1983-84 with a study of Caledon Natural Area, a 2,500-acre tract with 3.5 miles of frontage on the Potomac River. Collecting resumed in 1991 and 1992 to include other portions of the county drained by the Potomac River. The study area contains a wide variety of habitats including dry upland woods, mesic ravines, low elevation river flats, beaches, swamps, marshes, and creeks; creeks and marshes include both brackish and freshwater environments. The Potomac River watershed of King George …

The Prairie Naturalist Volume 27, No.3. September 1995

The Prairie Naturalist

SONGBIRD RESPONSES TO SAGEBRUSH REMOVAL IN A HIGH ELEVATION SAGEBRUSH STEPPE ECOSYSTEM ▪ L L Kerley and S. H Anderson

THE AVIFAUNA OF REMNANT TALLGRASS PRAIRIE NEAR BOULDER, COLORADO ▪ C E Bock, J. H Bock, and B. C Bennett

SHORT -TERM RESPONSES OF SMALL MAMMALS TO AUTUMN FIRE IN TALLGRASS PRAIRIE ▪ B.R. McMillan, D. E Brillhart, G A. Kaufman, and D. W. Kaufman

DIVERGENT SELECTION FOR SEED MASS IN FOXTAIL DALEA ▪ R. Bortnem and A. Boe

NOTES

American Woodcock Use of a Nest Box ▪ D.L. Bergman and J. M. Bergman

BOOK REVIEWS

Iowa's Vascular Plants ▪ …

Arkansas Rice Research Studies 1994, B. R. Wells

Arkansas Agricultural Experiment Station Research Series

The research reports in this publication represent one year of results; therefore, these results should not be used as a basis for longterm recommendations. Several research reports in this publication dealing with soil fertility also appear in Arkansas Soil Fertility Studies 1994, Arkansas Agricultural Experiment Station Research Series 443. This duplication is the result of the overlap in research coverage between the two series and our effort to inform Arkansas rice producers of all the research being conducted with funds from the rice check-off.

Native Vegetation Handbook For The Shire Of Dumbleyung, Shaun B. Grein

Native vegetation handbook series

This booklet provides agricultural land managers with information relating to the natural resources of the Shire of Dumbleyung including the existing vegetation, drainage systems and soils. Some of the problems relating to the management of natural resources in the Shire of Dumbleyung and possible solutions to these problems are also discussed. By providing this information it is hoped this booklet will contribute to the long term viability of the agricultural landscape and the conservation of native vegetation within the Shire.

The Prairie Naturalist Volume 27, No.2. June 1995

The Prairie Naturalist

WILDLIFE MORTALITY ASSOCIATED WITH OIL PITS IN WYOMING ▪ B.J. Esmoil and S.H. Anderson

DRAMATIC INCREASE OF LE CONTE'S SPARROW IN CONSERVATION RESERVE PROGRAM FIELDS IN THE NORTHERN GREAT PLAINS ▪ LD. Igl and D.H. Johnson

CHRISTMAS BIRD COUNTS FOR NORTH DAKOTA - 1994 ▪ R.N. Randall

DESCRIPTIONS OF WALLEYE STOCKS IN HIGH-ELEVATION RESERVOIRS, WYOMING ▪ T.D. Marwitz and W A. Hubert

NEW VASCULAR PLANT RECORDS FOR THE BLACK HILLS OF SOUTH DAKOTA AND WYOMING • G.E. Larson and J.R. Johnson

NOTES

A New Population of Small White Lady's-Slipper (Cypripedium candidum) in South Dakota ▪ S.E. Boettcher

Sandhill …

The Analysis Of Genetically And Physiologically Complex Traits Using Ceratopteris: A Case Study Of Nacl-Tolerant Mutants, Thomas R. Warne, Dale L. Vogelien, Leslie G. Hickok

Faculty and Research Publications

Genetic and physiological complexities associated with salt tolerance in plants have limited progress in the analysis of specific factors responsible for the salt-tolerant phenotype. We have used the homosporous fern Ceratopteris richardii as a model plant to investigate the physiological basis of salinity tolerance by selecting single gene mutants that confer tolerance in the gametophyte generation. The unique genetic system of homosporous ferns permits the generation of mutants in a genetic background nearly isogenic to the wildtype, such that comparative studies with the wildtype can identify specific physiological responses associated with salt tolerance. One of these mutations, stl2, confers …

Mistaken Identity?, W. John Hayden

Biology Faculty Publications

The December 1994 NEWS item "Red Menace" contains, I believe, an unfortunate misidentification of the algae allegedly responsible for the catastrophic mortality of sea birds from Pliocene deposits of the Florida Gulf Coast.

Reproductive Structure And Organogenesis In A Cottonwood, Populus Deltoides (Salicaceae), Robert B. Kaul

School of Biological Sciences: Faculty Publications

The organogenesis of inflorescences, flowers, and fruits was followed for two years in a male and a female tree of eastern cottonwood, Populus deltoides. Soon after anthesis, an inflorescence for the next year is initiated as a continuation of the apical meristem in most axillary buds of the extension shoot of the current year. Bract and then floral primordia arise helically, and by the end of summer all floral appendages are evident. Individual perianth parts are evident early in ontogeny but not at anthesis; they are vascularized independently by distal traces of discrete vascular strands that also serve the …

The Prairie Naturalist Volume 27 , No. 1. March 1995

The Prairie Naturalist

DISTRIBUTION AND STATUS OF SAGE GROUSE IN COLORADO ▪ CE. Braun

BIRDS ASSOCIATED WITH BLACKBIRD SPRING FEEDING SITES IN SOUTH DAKOTA ▪ G.M. Linz, D.L. Bergman and W J. Bleier

INFLUENCE OF FORB ABUNDANCE ON WINTER BIRD USE OF CONSERVATION RESERVE PROGRAM FIELDS ▪ S.D. Hull, R.J. Robel and K.E. Kemp

FIRST NEST DOCUMENTATION FOR WHIP-POOR-WILL IN SOUTH DAKOTA ▪ K. L. Dean, D.L. Swanson, E.T. Liknes and D.P. Weinacht

WOOD DUCK POPULATION EXPANSION IN NORTHERN MONTANA ▪ DM. Prellwitz, J.R. Little, L.R. Rau and C.J. Hoff

PRAIRIE VOLES AT LOW DENSITY IN UNGRAZED TALLGRASS PRAIRIE IN THE FLINT HILLS …

Introduction From The Changing Prairie: North American Grasslands, Anthony Joern, Kathleen H. Keeler

School of Biological Sciences: Faculty Publications

Preserving remaining North American grasslands requires a multiability approach. In this book, we investigate three aspects of an admittedly larger problem: (1) how we as humans perceive grasslands; (2) the ecology of grasslands, in order to define the framework within which conservation and preservation efforts must operate; and (3) conservation issues. Additional sociological, economic, philosophical, and cultural considerations will provide important additional insights to preserving and managing grasslands, but are not included here. By restricting our focus to only three issues, we feel that we can provide a basic, but appropriate, understanding of grassland ecosystems for the prairie enthusiast. This …

The Rare, Serpentine Endemic Streptanthus Morrisonii (Brassicaceae) Species Complex, Revisited Using Isozyme Analysis, Rebecca W. Dolan

Scholarship and Professional Work - LAS

The Streptanthus morrisonii (Brassicaceae) complex is a group of six narrowly-distributed obligate serpentine endemic taxa whose habitat is threatened by geothermal development. Isozyme analysis of this little-studied complex supports the delineation of two species, S. morrisonii and S. brachiatus, but is at odds with the treatment of two subspecies based on morphology. These results may be influenced by small sample sizes but genetic studies of other Streptanthus taxa have shown patterns of relatedness that often transgress subspecies boundaries based on morphology. The present study further shows that members of the S. morrisonii complex share high genetic identity values (mean …

The Royal Catchfly (Silene Regia; Caryophyllaceae) In Indiana, Rebecca W. Dolan

Scholarship and Professional Work - LAS

Botanist Thomas Nuttall called the royal catchfly, Silene regia, "one of the most splendid species in existence." This red-flowered, hummingbird-pollinated member of the Caryophyllaceae is a perennial herb of prairies and glades. Because of the conversion of much of its former habitat to agriculture, the royal catchfly is considered threatened in Indiana. The species' historical and present-day distribution in the State, documenting the current status of all known locations, including population sizes and co-occurring species, are reported in this paper. Only 8 of the documented 23 historical locations still support the plant. No populations occur in dedicated nature preserves or …

Getting The Lay Of The Land: Introducing North American Native Grasslands, Anthony Joern, Kathleen H. Keeler

School of Biological Sciences: Faculty Publications

The expected catastrophic extinction of species (already under way in many places) will alter the planet’s biological diversity so profoundly that, at the known rate of extinction, it will take millions of years to recover. Yet few ecologists study extinction. Indeed, very little ecology deals with any processes that last more than a few years, involve more than a handful of species, and cover an area of more than a few hectares. The temporal, spatial and organizational scales of most ecological studies are such that one can read entire issues of major journals and see no hint of impending catastrophe. …

Keys And Distributional Maps For Nebraska Cyperaceae, Part 1: Bulbostylis, Cyperus, Dulichium, Eleocharis, Eriophorum, Fimbristylis, Fuirena, Lipocarpha, And Scirpus, Steven B. Rolfsmeier

Transactions of the Nebraska Academy of Sciences and Affiliated Societies

Keys and distributional maps are provided for nine genera and 43 species of Cyperaceae documented from Nebraska (excluding Carex). Two species--Eleocharis elliptica and Fimbristylis vahlii--are newly reported for the state, while seven species attributed to the state in the Flora of the Great Plains (Great Plains Flora Association, 1986)--Eleocharis compressa, E. verrucosa, E. wolfii, E. xyridiformis, Scirpus georgianus, S. smithii, and S. torreyi--are deleted based on re-identifications, lack of specimen evidence, or specimens of doubtful provenance in the state. Notes on local systematic problems within the family are also included.

Brown· Midrib Sorghum Silage For Midlactation Dairy Cows, R. J. Grant, S. G. Haddad, K. J. Moore, Jeffrey F. Pedersen

Department of Agronomy and Horticulture: Faculty Publications

Brown midrib sorghum silage was compared with alfalfa, corn, and normal sorghum silages for its effect on performance, ruminal metabolism, and digestive kinetics of Holstein dairy cows in midlactation. Twelve cows averaging 90 ± 5 DIM were assigned to one of four diets in replicated 4 X 4 Latin squares with 4-wk periods. Additionally, 3 ruminally fistulated cows (95 ± 20 DIM) were assigned to the same diets in a 3x 4 Youden square for measurement of ruminal characteristics. Diets were fed as isonitrogenous TMR that contained 65% silage (OM basis). The DMl was greater for the corn and brown …

Preface From The Changing Prairie: North American Grasslands, Kathleen H. Keeler, Anthony Joern

School of Biological Sciences: Faculty Publications

North American grasslands have figured prominently in our North American heritage. Prairies first provided significant barriers to westward expansion, and then offered both economic and sociological opportunity, as well as heartache, for settlers. Many artists have gained significant inspiration from the beauty as well as the harshness of this region and its biota. And because of ideal climate and soil conditions, these grasslands have provided the agricultural foundation of which much of the economic growth and stability of the United States has historically depended.

Yet many see North American prairies as beautiful only when manipulated or exploited: Green croplands or …

In Vitro Starch Disappearance Procedure Modifications, C. J. Richards, Jeffrey F. Pedersen, R. A. Britton, R. A. Stock, C. R. Krehbiel

Department of Agronomy and Horticulture: Faculty Publications

Four in vitro experiments evaluated the effects of ruminal fluid inoculum:artificial saliva ratios,

grinder type, grind size, and diet of ruminal fluid donor on in vitro starch disappearance. Experiment 1 examined rates of starch disappearance and coefficients of determination obtained by linear regression of starch disappearance using five grain sorghum (Sorghum bicolur (L.) Moench) lines, a corn (Zeu muys L.) control, and a wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) control. Grains were incubated for 4, 8, 12, 16, and 20 h with inoculum varying in proportion of ruminal fluid and artificial saliva ( l:l, 1:2, 1:3, and 1:4). In …

An Automated Plot Harvest System For Use With A Commercial Forage Harvester, Jeffrey F. Pedersen, Kenneth J. Moore

Department of Agronomy and Horticulture: Faculty Publications

This automated harvest system is based on minimal modification of currently available commercial forage harvesters. Using 6.8 m plots separated by 0.75 m alleys, a single operator can harvest, finely chop, and collect wet plot weights of forage sorghum [Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench] or pearl millet [Pennisetum glaucum (L.) R. Hr.] in <1 min per plot. Harvested material is deposited in a pile in the center of each plot. Subsamples for moisture and quality analysis can easily and safely be obtained from the pile.

A Key To The Species Of Bluebushes (Maireana Species) Of The Arid Southern Shrublands Of Western Australia, H J. Pringle, R Cranfield

Resource management technical reports

This key has been produced to make identification of Maireana species (the bluebushes) easier in the arid shrublands region of Western Australia. It attempts to use everyday terms rather than technical botanical terms wherever possible and includes an illustrated diagram for ease of identification. A flow diagram - as opposed to traditional botanical keys - allows for visual tracking of steps taken in the key and hence makes it easier to backtrack if the final identified species seems incorrect.Fruit chacters alluded to at various steps in the key are also presented, and drawings of each species fruits are also included …

Native Vegetation Handbook For The Shire Of Cunderdin, Sarah J. Weaving

Native vegetation handbook series

This booklet provides land managers with information relating to the natural resources of the Shire of Cunderdin. This includes the existing vegetation, drainage systems and soils. Some of the problems relating to the management of natural vegetation resources in the Shire and possible solutions to these problems are discussed. The provision of this information will contribute to the long term viability of the agricultural landscape and the conservation of native vegetation within the Shire.

Native Vegetation Handbook For The Shire Of Trayning, Sarah J. Weaving

Native vegetation handbook series

This booklet provides land managers with information relating to the natural resources of the Shire of Trayning including the existing vegetation, drainage systems and soils. Some of the problems relating to the management of natural vegetation resources in the Shire of Trayning and possible solutions to these problems are also discussed. Provision of this information will contribute to the long term viability of the agricultural landscape and the conservation of native vegetation within the Shire.

Native Vegetation Handbook For The Shire Of Bruce Rock, Sarah J. Weaving

Native vegetation handbook series

This booklet provides land managers with information relating to the natural resources of the Shire of Bruce Rock including the existing vegetation, drainage systems and soils. Some of the problems relating to the management of natural vegetation resources in the Shire of Bruce Rock and possible solutions to these problems are also discussed. Provision of this information will contribute to the long term viability of the agricultural landscape and the conservation of native vegetation within the Shire.

Population Processes, Kathleen H. Keeler, Anthony Joern

School of Biological Sciences: Faculty Publications

Within the prairies, myriad populations of plants, insects, small mammals, and other organisms form distinct levels of organization. The physical forces of weather and fire and the complex networks of species interactions control each species’s structure and dynamics and determine its abundance or rarity. Variation in population dynamics and interactions over time and space determine the distribution and abundance of species, and ultimately the composition and dynamics of entire prairie communities.

To the casual observer, plant populations on prairies may seem quite static, like museums containing a diverse collection of specimens that can be seen again and again on repeated …