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Seasonal Activity And Reproduction In Bats Of East-Central Nebraska, Kenneth N. Geluso, Russell A. Benedict, Francis L. Kock

Transactions of the Nebraska Academy of Sciences and Affiliated Societies

Information on seasonal activity and reproduction is presented for seven species of bats inhabiting east-central Nebraska (Eptesicus fuscus, Myotis septentrionalis, Nycticeius humeralis, Lasionycteris noctivagans, Lasiurus borealis, L. cinereus, and Pipistrellus subflavus). Early and late dates of capture show five species active in the state for longer periods than previously reported. During some years, E. fuscus and M. septentrionalis emerge from winter torpor in March and feed on insects. Some E. fuscus inhabiting a floodplain forest in summer use houses in nearby towns as hibernacula, and year-round use of buildings by E. fuscus is substantial compared …

The Freshwater Mussels (Mollusca: Bivalvia: Unionidae) Of The Little Blue River Drainage Of Northeastern Kansas And Southeastern Nebraska, Ellet Hoke

Transactions of the Nebraska Academy of Sciences and Affiliated Societies

A survey in the Little Blue Basin documented the presence of 22 extant or extirpated unionid mollusk species. Bivalve habitat is severely impaired by surface and subsurface water withdrawals, erosion, siltation, and grazing. Chemical contaminants and other pollutants washed into area streams from agricultural fields probably exert a further deleterious impact upon the fauna of the region. Half of the species recovered were represented only by chalky or badly weathered shells, suggesting their possible elimination from the basin. The generally poor condition of shells of many of the remaining species suggests they are also in severe decline in the region.

Least Shrew (Cryptotis Parva) In Extreme West-Central Nebraska, Keith Geluso, Jeremy A. White, Michael A. Bogan

Transactions of the Nebraska Academy of Sciences and Affiliated Societies

During the past 35 years, the least shrew (Cryptotis parva) has expanded its distribution along riverine and other mesic corridors in western parts of its distribution, although some recently discovered populations in the West might represent relicts of a previous Pleistocene distribution. In Nebraska, the least shrew originally was known only from eastern and central parts of the state, but recent records are now available from extreme west-central Nebraska and the northwestern corner of the state. Our record from west-central Nebraska probably represents recent westward expansion of C. parua along the North Platte River. This capture in Scotts …

Geographic Relationships Of Pocket Gophers In Southeastern Colorado, David C. Lovell, William R. Whitworth, Jerry R. Choate, Steven J. Bissell, Michael P. Moulton, Justin D. Hoffman

Transactions of the Nebraska Academy of Sciences and Affiliated Societies

Distributional patterns of the four species of pocket gophers in southeastern Colorado are variously parapatric, allopatric, or sympatric. More specifically, Geomys bursarius is parapatric with Thomomys talpoides, Thomomys bottae, and Cratogeomys castanops; T. bottae is both sympatric and parapatric with C. castanops; and both C. castanops and T. bottae are allopatric with T. talpoides. Geomys bursarius is restricted to sandy soils and soils of cultivated or otherwise disturbed habitats. Cratogeumys castanops and T. bottae occupy a wide variety of soils but are found most commonly in compacted rangeland soils. Thomomys talpoides is found in well-drained …

A Survey Of Antibiotic Resistance Among Coliform Bacteria Isolated From The Missouri River, Sara E. Mcdonnell, Amy M. Treonis

Transactions of the Nebraska Academy of Sciences and Affiliated Societies

The prevalence of antibiotic resistant microorganisms in the environment is not well known but could represent a challenge to maintaining public health in the future. Fecal waste from livestock facilities, where antibiotics are routinely used, is recognized as a significant source of pollution to surface waters in the United States. We collected water from the Missouri River across a winter to spring seasonal change in order to survey the density of coliform bacteria. We tested bacterial isolates for resistance to penicillin, tetracycline, ampicillin, erythromycin, and ciprofloxacin. Coliform density in Missouri River water generally was high throughout the study (0-405 cfu …

Nodular Masses In The Swimbladder And Visceral Fat Of The Walleye, Stizostedion Vitreum, Andrew J. Mitchell, David W. Oates

Transactions of the Nebraska Academy of Sciences and Affiliated Societies

In April of 1990, a 1.8 kg walleye was found to contain hard cysts or nodules in the swimbladder and visceral fat. The nodules appeared to be formed around a worm-like mass. The nodules (10 ± 5 mm in diameter) were composed of five to seven layers of tightly packed granules, that were at least partially calcified and the layers were held together by a sticky matrix. The outer coat of the nodule was convoluted with many protuberances. This is a first report of such cysts from fish and they appear to be similar to nodules induced by worms (encysted …

Transactions Ofthe Nebraska Academy Of Sciences: Volume 29, 2004 Table Of Contents

Transactions of the Nebraska Academy of Sciences and Affiliated Societies

Table of Contents

Editorial Contents

Nebraska Executive Committee, Policy Committee........................ii

Editorial Board........................iv

Membership Objectives and Friends of the Academy........................inside front cover

Nebraska Association of Teachers of Science........................inside front cover

Preparation of manuscripts........................inside front cover

Papers

A survey of antibiotic resistance among coliform bacteria isolated from the Missouri River (Sara E. McDonnell and Amy M. Treonis)........................1

The freshwater mussels (Mollusca: Bivalvia: Unionidae) of the Little Blue River drainage of northeastern Kansas and southeastern Nebraska (Ellet Hoke)........................7

Nodular masses in the swimbladder and visceral fat of the walleye, Stizostedion vitreum (Andrew J. Mitchell and David W. Oates)........................25

Least shrew (Cryptotis parva …