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The Prairie Naturalist Volume 21, No.4 December 1989

The Prairie Naturalist

SMALL MAMMALS IN TALL-GRASS PRAIRIE: PATTERNS ASSOCIATED WITH GRAZING AND BURNING ▪ E. K. Clark, D. W. Kaufman, E. J. Finck, and G. A. Kaufman

BURROW DISTRIBUTION OF THIRTEEN-LINED GROUND SQUIRRELS IN RELATION TO TREE CANOPIES ▪ J. L. Koprowski 185

SPRING AND SUMMER PREY REMAINS COLLECTED FROM MALE MINK DENS IN SOUTHWESTERN MANITOBA ▪ . T. W. Arnold and E. K. Fritzell

BREEDING CANVASBACKS: A TEST OF A HABITAT MODEL ▪ D. H. Johnson, M. C. Hammond, T. L. McDonald, C. L. Nustad, and M. D. Schwartz

A CHECKLIST OF THE ANTS OF OKLAHOMA ▪ G. C. Wheeler and …

Can Genetically Engineered Crops Become Weeds?, Kathleen H. Keeler

School of Biological Sciences: Faculty Publications

There are significant differences if the distribution of weedy characteristics among weeds, normal plants, and crops. The world’s most serious weeds possess on the average 10 or 11 of these characters, a random collection of British plants have an average seven of the traits, and crop plants only five. For the average crop to become as “weedy” as the average weed, it would need to acquire five weedy traits. Even using the unlikely assumption that those traits are single loci in which a dominant mutation would provide the weedy character, this would require the simultaneous acquisition of five gene substitutions. …

A Revision Of The North American Papillose Allocreadiidae (Digenea) With Independent Cladistic Analyses Of Larval And Adult Forms, Janine N. Caira

Bulletin of the University of Nebraska State Museum

Adult specimens of all 19 North American species of papillose allocreadiids were examined. A description and figure is given for the adult of each species; details of the cirrus sacs are presented for most spesies for the first time. Descriptions were emended where necessary and judgments were made on synonymies. Scanning electron micrographs of the oral sucker of 10 species are presented as is a new key to the 19 species. A cladistic analysis was performed on the group based on adult characters. The analysis indicated that the group is monophyletic on the basis of the ventral papillae associated with …

The Water Vapor Conductance Of Squamate Reptilian Eggs: The Influence Of Scaling On Nesting Ecology., Louis A. Somma

Papers in Herpetology

Flexible-shelled eggs of squamate reptiles are strongly influenced by their surrounding microclimate, particularly the hydric conditions of the nest. The eggshell water vapor conductance of an egg can be an indication of its requirement for water from the nest. Ackerman et al. (1985. Physiol. Zool. 58:129-137) have described the scaling relationship for eggshell water vapor conductance (G_H2O) of flexible-shelled reptilian eggs (G_H2O = 981.8M^0.52). This scaling relationship was investigated with water vapor conductance data obtained from 8 species of lizards representing the families Iguanidae (Anolis carolinensis, A. sagrai, Sceloporus woodi, S. virgatus) …

The Prairie Naturalist Volume 21, No.3 September 1989

The Prairie Naturalist

SEED DISPERSAL CHARACTERISTICS OF PLAINS SILVER SAGEBRUSH ▪ C. L. Wambolt, T. Walton, and R. S. White

ON THE TRAIL OF THE ANT, VEROMESSOR LOBOGNATHUS . ▪ G. C. Wheeler and J. Wheeler

LAND USE RELATIONSHIPS TO AVIAN CHOLERA OUTBREAKS IN THE NEBRASKA RAINWATER BASIN AREA ▪ B. J. Smith, K. F. Higgins, and C. F. Gritzner

INCIDENCE OF LEAD SHOT IN THE RAINWATER BASINS OF SOUTH CENTRAL NEBRASKA ▪ . D. W. Oates

REPRODUCTION, RECRUITMENT, AND SURVIVAL OF BROWN AND RAINBOW TROUT IN A PRAIRIE COTEAU STREAM ▪ C. L. Milewski and D. W. Willis

SIZE STRUCTURE AND CATCH …

Testing Macroevolutionary Hypotheses With Cladistic Analysis: Evidence Against Rectangular Evolution, Cliff A. Lemen, Patricia W. Freeman

School of Natural Resources: Faculty Publications

The properties of cladistic data sets from small monophyletic groups (6-1 2 species) are investigated using computer simulations of macroevolution. Two evolutionary models are simulated: gradualism and the punctuated-equilibrium hypothesis. Under the conditions of our simulations these two models of evolution make consistently different predictions about the distribution of autapomorphies among species. When strict stasis is enforced, the punctuated-equilibrium hypothesis predicts that the most expected number of autapomorphies per species will be zero, no matter how many characters are used in the analysis. As the number of characters used in the analysis increases, the distribution of the number of autapomorphies …

The Prairie Naturalist Volume 21, No.2 June 1989

The Prairie Naturalist

THE MISSISSIPPI KITE IN THE ENVIRONMENTAL HISTORY OF THE SOUTHERN GREAT PLAINS ▪ E. G. Bolen and D. L. Flores

TAPE-RECORDED CHICK CALLS TO LOCATE GRAY PARTRIDGE NESTS ▪ J. P. Carroll

BORROW DISTRIBUTION OF THE THIRTEEN-LINED GROUND SQUIRREL IN GRAZED MIXED-GRASS PRAIRIE: EFFECT OF ARTIFICIAL HABITAT STRUCTURE ▪ D. W. Kaufman and G. A. Kaufman

PIPING PLOVERS NESTING AT NELSON RESERVOIR, MONTANA ▪ D. W. Prellwitz, T. A. Prellwitz, K. L. Stutzman, and J. W. Stutzman

CHRISTMAS BIRD COUNTS FOR NORTH DAKOTA - 1988 ▪ R. N. Randall

CHANGING HABITATS IN THE PLATTE RIVER VALLEY OF NEBRASKA ▪ J. …

Wolf Population Survival In An Area Of High Road Density, L. David Mech

USGS Northern Prairie Wildlife Research Center

Wolf mortality in a high-road-density area of Minnesota exceeds that in an adjacent wilderness, and is primarily human-caused. The wolf population there is maintained primarily by ingress from the adjacent wilderness areas. A road density of 0.58 km/km² can be exceeded and the area still support wolves if it is adjacent to extensive roadless areas.

The Prairie Naturalist Volume 21, No.1 March 1989

The Prairie Naturalist

WINTER RAPTOR USE OF THE PLATTE AND NORTH PLATTE RIVER VALLEYS IN SOUTH CENTRAL NEBRASKA ▪ G. R. Lingle

CHARACTERISTICS OF RUFFED GROUSE DRUMMING SITES IN THE TURTLE MOUNTAINS, NORTH DAKOTA ▪ J. W. Schulz, E. L. Bakke, and J. F. Gulke

USE OF A TRIBUTARY BY FISHES IN A GREAT PLAINS RIVER SYSTEM ▪ J. B. Smith and W. A. Hubert

PLANT AND ANIMAL COMMUNITY RESPONSES TO RESTORED IOW A WETLANDS ▪ T. G. LaGrange and J. J. Dinsmore

COLEOPTERA SPECIES INHABITING PRAIRIE WETLANDS OF THE COTTONWOOD LAKE AREA, STUTSMAN COUNTY, NORTH DAKOTA ▪ B. A. Hanson and G. …

Scaptomyza Nigrita Wheeler (Diptera: Drosophilidae), A Leaf Miner Of The Native Crucifer, Cardamine Cordifolia A. Gray (Bittercress), S. K. Collinge, Svata M. Louda

Svata M. Louda Publications

The biology of Scaptomyza nigrita on its host plant, a native crucifer (Bittercress) in the Rocky Mountains, is described. Development of each stage in the life history was studied both in the field and in the laboratory. This is the first documentation of a host for S. nigrita. We examined the activity of adult flies in two adjacent habitats, sun and adjacent willow shade. Adult flies were more abundant on bittercress plants in sun-exposed versus in shaded areas, and were most active from mid-day to late afternoon. Female flies were significantly larger than male flies, but there were no differences …

Lasting Responsiveness Of A Kea (Nestor Notabilis) Toward Its Mirror Image, Judy Diamond, Alan B. Bond

Papers in Behavior in Biological Sciences

At the San Diego Zoo we had the opportunity of observing the behaviour of a Kea Nestor notabilis toward its mirror image under conditions of constant exposure over a period of 12 months. ... The introduction of the mirrors appears to have had a striking impact on the bird's listless state. Reports from keepers indicated that the Kea's appetite was restored after the introduction of the mirrors, and the animal was generally more active. Incidents of feather pulling were generally reduced in frequency.

Toward A Resolution Of The Paradox Of Aggressive Displays: I. Optimal Deceit In The Communication Of Fighting Ability, Alan B. Bond

Papers in Behavior in Biological Sciences

One inference from game theory models of animal conflict is that adversaries should not inform one another about concealed components of their fighting ability. This poses a paradox for the customary ethological account of aggressive displays in that it is usually assumed that the primary function of such behavior is to make such information available. To resolve the paradox, I propose that the information in aggressive displays may not be strictly truthful, but may instead represent "optimal deceit," a balance between the advantages of deceit or bluffing and the disadvantages of selecting for skepticism in the receiver. Numerical simulation of …

Desert Explorations - A Videodisc Exhibit Designed For Flexibility, Judy Diamond, Alan B. Bond, Atsusi Hirumi

Alan Bond Publications

Using an interactive exhibit does not provide the same experience for everyone. How visitors understand an exhibit, what associations it evokes, and even how it is physically utilized may differ widely. This article describes an exhibit that was designed to let visitors tailor their explorations to their own interests and motivation. The exhibit, called Desert Explorations, gives visitors choices of what to see and how to learn about what they see. This exhibit also is an example of a way of developing interactive videodisc exhibits that is relatively inexpensive yet may be tailored to a particular topic or hall. This …

The Status Of Erythronium Albidum And E. Mesochoreum (Liliaceae) In Nebraska, Robert B. Kaul

Transactions of the Nebraska Academy of Sciences and Affiliated Societies

Two species of Erythronium grow in the eastern quarter of Nebraska, but there are none elsewhere in the State. Erythronium albidum is locally abundant, mostly in upland bur oak forests, and has been collected in 18 counties since 1864. Erythronium mesochoreum is becoming rare because its habitat--virgin tall-grass prairie--is disappearing. It is known to grow now in six east-central counties, but it probably could be found in some remnant prairies in all counties south and east of the Platte and Big Blue rivers, respectively. Distributional data about these species is herein brought up to date relative to earlier published reports. …

Studies Of Learning And Memory In Natural Contexts : Integrating Functional And Mechanistic Approaches To Behavior, Alan Kamil

Papers in Behavior in Biological Sciences

My purpose in this paper is to describe two research projects that combine experimental psychology and behavioral ecology . The first employs the operant conditioning technology developed by psychologists to test hypotheses arising from ecological studies of foraging animals. The second uses concepts from natural history and ecology to explore the nature and evolution of spatial memory. These two projects demonstrate both the advantages and the challenges of interdisciplinary work.

There are many advantages to combining psychological and biological perspectives on the behavior of animals. But truly interdisciplinary work is rare, mostly because it is so difficult to achieve meaningful …

Toward A Resolution Of The Paradox Of Aggressive Displays: Ii. Behavioral Efference And The Communication Of Intentions, Alan B. Bond

Papers in Behavior in Biological Sciences

An inference from game-theory models of animal conflict is that adversaries should not inform one another about their level of aggressive motivation. This poses a paradox for the traditional ethological account of graded aggressive displays because it is usually assumed that the adaptive significance of these behavior patterns lies in their making such information available. To resolve the paradox, I propose that communication is only an incidental effect of displays, and that their primary adaptive function is regulation of the intensity of aggressive encounters through positive feedback on aggressive motivation, a process termed "behavioral efference." Evidence in support of this …

Toward A Resolution Of The Paradox Of Aggressive Displays: Ii. Behavioral Efference And The Communication Of Intentions, Alan B. Bond

Papers in Behavior in Biological Sciences

An inference from game-theory models of animal conflict is that adversaries should not inform one another about their level of aggressive motivation. This poses a paradox for the traditional ethological account of graded aggressive displays because it is usually assumed that the adaptive significance of these behavior patterns lies in their making such information available. To resolve the paradox, I propose that communication is only an incidental effect of displays, and that their primary adaptive function is regulation of the intensity of aggressive encounters through positive feedback on aggressive motivation, a process termed "behavioral efference." Evidence in support of this …

The Bats Of Fountain Cavern, Hugh H. Genoways

University of Nebraska State Museum: Mammalogy Papers

First paragraph:

During May 1988, two species of bats--Brachyphylla cavernarum (Antillean cave bat) and Natalus stramineus (funnel-eared bat)--were captured at the opening of Fountain Cavern. Only Brachyphylla cavernarum was captured inside of the cave. The weather was extremely wet during our visit to Anguilla so our work in Fountain Cavern was limited by hazardous conditions. Nevertheless, we did make a thorough survey of the bats inside the cave. There is only one other species on Anguilla--Monophyllus redmani (Antillean long-tongued bat)--that might be expected to utilize Fountain Cavern as a roosting site.

Includes the author's recommendations about conservation for …

Caribbean Island Zoogeography: A New Approach Using Mitochondrial Dna To Study Neotropical Bats, Carleton J. Phillips, Dorothy E. Pumo, Hugh H. Genoways, Phillip E. Ray

University of Nebraska State Museum: Mammalogy Papers

Genetic analysis of animal mitochondrial DNA is a new and valuable addition to the battery of techniques available to zoogeographers. This paper describes characteristics of mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) that make it applicable for the study of island zoogeography.

Some traditional zoogeographic questions are examined using mtDNA from the Neotropical fruit bat, Artibeus jamaicensis. The specific questions are: 1) To what extent are island populations isolated (that is, does interbreeding occur between the insular subspecies)? 2) Can a single founding female account for the mitochondrial genomes on specific islands in the Antilles? 3) Is there a correlation between the genomic …

Geographic Distribution: Lampropeltis C. Calligaster (Prairie Kingsnake). Usa: Nebraska: Thayer Co., Louis A. Somma, John F. Lokke

Papers in Herpetology

LAMPROPELT/S C. CALL/GASTER (Prairie Kingsnake). USA: NEBRASKA: Thayer Co.: Hubbell: unmarked section road ca. 0.4km S of State Hwy 8 (T1N. R1W, SW corner S29). 11 June 1988. L. A. Somma and J. F. Lokke. Verified by J. F. Lokke and L. A. Somma. University of Nebraska at Omaha Herpetological Collection c/o J. D. Fawcett (101-11-688). Road killed adult. New county record, extends range ca. 18.5km W of record in adjacent Jefferson Co. (lynch 1985. Trans. Nebraska Acad. Sci. 13:33-57). Represents most northwesterly record in USA (Blaney 1979. Cat. Amer. Amph. Rept (229):1-2).

Elaphe Bairdi (Baird’S Rat Snake): Drinking Behavior., Louis A. Somma

Papers in Herpetology

On 13 February 1988. at 1600 h. a captive-bred (hatched July 1985) male Elaphe bairdi (TL.136.9 cm, SVL .. 89.54 cm). maintained in a 50.5 x 25 x 30 cm terrerium was accidently splashed with water. As beads of water on the snake's head rolled down to the upper labial sceles. swallowing was observed. The water on the labial scales was drawn Into the mouth while It was closed. This behavior lasted 42 sec. This behavior was repeated 23 out of 24 trials conducted during the next 24 days. The duration of swallowing wes 9-62 sec (avg 35.8, N = …

From The Gulf To The Rio Grande: Human Adaptation In Central, South, And Lower Pecos Texas, Thomas Hester, Stephen L. Black, D. Gentry Steele, Ben W. Olive, Anne A. Fox, Karl Reinhard, Leland C. Bement

Karl Reinhard Publications

The South Texas area, Region 3 of the Southwestern Division, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, is synthesized from archeological and bioarcheological perspectives. Three distinct geographic units within Region 3 are treated in detail: Central Texas Plateau Prairie, South Texas Plains, and Lower Pecos Canyonlands. More than 11,000 years of human adaptation are chronicled for this area, stretching from the Gulf of Mexico to the Rio Grande along the border with northeastern Mexico. Particular attention is devoted to a consideration of the region's prehistoric record; significant problems and data gaps are outlined. For the first time, a compilation has been done …

Survey And Reconnaissance Of Sea Turtles In The Northern Gulf Of Mexico, Larry Ogren

United States Department of Commerce: Staff Publications

This is a report on the results of an aerial survey of nesting beaches conducted during the period from May 16, 1977 to August 11, 1977. The area covered included the barrier beaches and offshore islands from the Florida-Alabama state line to the Rio Grande, Texas. Additional historical information is provided in order to compare current nesting activity with previous years as well as anecdotal observations on the occurrence of sea turtles in this region.

A Mimbres Burial With Associated Colon Remains From The Nan Ranch Ruin, New Mexico, Harry J. Shafer, Marrianne Marek, Karl J. Reinhard

Karl Reinhard Publications

The skeletal remains of an adult male associated with desiccated tissue and a coprolite were recovered from an apen-air midden deposit at the NAN Ranch Ruin (LA15049)) a large Mimbres site in Grant County) New Mexico. The find dates to about A.C. 1000-1100. Identifiable macroscopic elements in the caprolite consist offi nely fragmented corn and tiny seed fragments of an unknown plant. High amounts of willow (Salix) and mustard (Brassicaceae) pollen may indicate the ingestion of medicinal plants to combat a deteriorating health condition. The individual was approximately 35 -40 years old at the time of death and suffered from …

Bioarcheological Synthesis For "From The Gulf To The Rio Grande: Human Adaptation In Central, South, And Lower Pecos Texas", Karl Reinhard, Ben W. Olive, D. Gentry Steele

Karl Reinhard Publications

One of the main problems encountered in the review of the bioarcheology of Region 3 has been the limited number of sites where human skeletal material has been adequately recovered and analyzed. In the preceding chapter it was documented that less than 30% of the burials recovered from recorded sites have been reported in published literature. It was further estimated that of the 323 sites with burials, no more than 80 sites have published detailed bioarcheological reports on the burials recovered. Only 50 of these 80 reports provide individual descriptions of each burial which facilitate subsequent analyses and evaluation.

Four …