Digital Commons Network^™

The Whooping Crane In Mexico: Past, Present, And Future?, Michael S. Putnam, Ruth Partida Lara, Suix Diaz Gomez, Anne E. Lacy

Proceedings of the North American Crane Workshop

We reviewed ornithological, historic, anthropological, and archaeological records for evidence of whooping cranes (Grus americana) in Mexico. Records of whooping cranes in Mexico span 88 years (1863-1951) and cluster in 3 areas. Wintering records come from the northern highlands (Durango, and possibly Chihuahua), the central highlands (Guanajuato, Jalisco), and northeastern Tamaulipas, where the bird was also found in summer and might have bred. Later records (1970’s and 1980’s) of whooping cranes in the northern highlands are from individual birds released into the experimental migratory population that formerly migrated from Idaho to New Mexico, USA. Many of the wetlands …

The Jackrabbit Dairy Review, Vikram Mistry

The Jackrabbit Dairy & Food Review

No abstract provided.

Ecology, Reproduction And Morphometrics Of The Common Ribbonsnake (Thamnophis Sauritus) And Eastern Gartersnake (Thamnophis Sirtalis) In West Virginia, Noah Mccoard

Theses, Dissertations and Capstones

Two species of gartersnakes, Thamnophis, are found in West Virginia. Thamnophis sauritus , a semi-arboreal and semi-aquatic species, is listed as very rare and imperiled (S2) by the West Virginia Division of Natural Resources (WVDNR) while the other Thamnophis sirtalis sirtalis, a terrestrial species, is secure (S5). During the summer of 2007, I traveled to 53 counties in West Virginia searching for habitat and these two species.Several Thamnophis sirtalis were found in a variety of habitats throughout the state, but only three Thamnophis sauritus were found. Reproductive aspects were compared between the two species by holding gravid females in captivity …

West Virginia Streamside Salamander Guilds And Environmental Variables With An Emphasis On Pseudotriton Ruber Ruber, Kathryn Rebecca Pawlik

Theses, Dissertations and Capstones

Amphibian distributions are greatly influenced by environmental variables, due in part to semi-permeable skin which makes amphibians susceptible to both desiccation and toxin absorption. This study was conducted to determine which streamside salamander species were sympatric and how environmental variables may have influenced habitat choices. One hundred sixty streams were surveyed throughout 55 counties in West Virginia during the summer of 2007. At each site, a 10 m ² quadrat was established around a central aquatic habitat. While surveying, I looked under natural cover objects, in vegetation, and through leaf litter. I recorded species, cover object type, and location on …

A Continued Study Of The Use Of Created Ponds For Amphibian Breeding In Fragmented Forested Areas, Amy Elizabeth Schneider

Theses, Dissertations and Capstones

Amphibian populations are declining worldwide due to factors such as habitat degradation, fragmentation and destruction. I conducted a study to explore the use of created ponds in a forested habitat by breeding amphibians, specifically Rana sylvatica and Ambystoma maculatum. The objectives were to examine the movement of these animals after leaving the ponds, the survival and movement of juveniles, how both respond to fragmentation, and how similar the created ponds were to natural ones. Nine ponds were constructed in December 2003 in the MeadWestvaco Wildlife Ecosystem Research Forest (MWERF) in Randolph County, West Virginia. All trapped amphibians were measured and …

The Natural History And Distribution Of The Mountain Earthsnake (Virginia Valeriae Pulchra) In West Virginia, Daniel Ware

Theses, Dissertations and Capstones

The Mountain Earthsnake, Virginia valeriae pulchra, has received little attention in the literature to date. It is imperiled in West Virginia with only 6 to 20 populations known throughout the Allegheny Mountain and Ridge and Valley Physiographic provinces. Eighty snakes were collected during the 2006 and 2007 summers. Typical habitat is open fields with short grass, flat to moderate slopes that have scattered fine sandstone rocks near a source of water and forest edge. Fine sandstone rocks were the primary cover objects used. Snakes were sexually dimorphic with males having longer tails expressed as a percent of total body lengths …

Comparing Digit Morphology Of An Arboreal Salamander With Potential Competitors, Eric Hugh Diefenbacher

Theses, Dissertations and Capstones

Green Salamanders (Aneides aeneus) are the only salamanders in West Virginia to exhibit an arboreal lifestyle. The focus of this study was to determine the cellular anatomy of the distal digit structures and how these structures may influence climbing ability. Comparative histology, comparative morphometrics, and comparative osteology of Green Salamanders, Cumberland Plateau Salamanders (Plethodon kentucki), and Slimy Salamanders (Plethodon glutinosus), were also used to determine if Cumberland Plateau Salamanders had the potential to compete with Green Salamanders for arboreal habitats. Histologically, Cumberland Plateau Salamanders had cell layer thickening similar to that of Green Salamanders. Morphometrically, Green Salamanders and Cumberland Plateau …

Habitat Comparison Of Pseudacris F. Feriarum And Pseudacris C. Crucifer With Emphasis On Associated Plant Communities And Distribution Of Clemmys Guttata And Pseudacris F. Feriarum In West Virginia, Scott Joseph Albaugh

Theses, Dissertations and Capstones

Upland Chorus Frogs (Pseudacris f. feriarum) are a rare species in West Virginia. They occur in aquatic habitats across parts of the eastern and southern U.S. Pseudacris f. feriarum collection records in West Virginia suggest that their distribution is limited to the eastern panhandle and Ridge and Valley region where they are very rare and imperiled. Distribution information is needed for future management strategies. To help conserve this rare species, key life history habits were identified through the investigation of plant communities that are associated with them. Data on Pseudacris f. feriarum distribution in West Virginia was determined by conducting …

A Taxonomic Study Of The Genus Acris And The Status Of Acris Crepitans Blanchardi (Harper), Blanchard's Cricket Frog, In Southern Ohio And Western West Virginia, Amy M. Hamilton

Theses, Dissertations and Capstones

Distributions of Acris crepitans and Acris gryllus cover most of the eastern United States with some overlap, and the subspecies Acris crepitans blanchardi and Acris crepitans crepitans also occur sympathric in parts of their ranges. My study analyzed 15 morphological characteristics of A. c. blanchardi, A. c. crepitans, and A. g. gryllus using Canonical Discriminate Analysis. Results support current taxonomy, showing the most separation between A. crepitans and A. gryllus and some overlap between A. c. blanchardi and A. c. crepitans. Sexual dimorphism was seen only in A. c. blanchardi and A. c. crepitans with females being larger …

A Study On The Population Size And Natural History Of The Eastern Six‐Lined Racerunner, Aspidoscelis Sexlineata, In West Virginia, With Notes On Other Lizard Species, Emmy Johnson

Theses, Dissertations and Capstones

Species will expand ranges through natural or human‐alterations. Such an occurrence has happened in West Virginia with Eastern Six‐lined Racerunner, Aspidsocelis sexlineata, a species that has been found to thrive in areas of high disturbance from humans. While found abundantly in other states, they are thought to occur only in the eastern panhandle of West Virginia (Morgan County) where they are believed to have come from Maryland via a railroad bridge. Without the bridge, the Potomac River forms a natural barrier between these two states. The objectives of my study were to determine the population size and natural history …

Precision Of Descriptors For Percent Marrow Fat Content For Whitetailed Deer, Odocoileus Viriginianus, L. David Mech

United States Geological Survey, Northern Prairie Wildlife Research Center: Publications

Based on 168 records of both verbal descriptors of White-tailed Deer (Odocoileus virginianus) femur-marrow fat and percentage of fat measured later, “gelatinous” served well to distinguish fat < 46% from higher percentages. “Waxy” distinguished fat > 56%.

Elk Calf Survival And Mortality Following Wolf Restoration To Yellowstone National Park La Supervivencia Y La Mortalidad De Las Crı´As De Wapiti Tras La Restauracio´ N Del Lobo Al Parque Nacional De Yellowstone La Survie Et La Mortalite´ Des Faons De Wapitis Qui A Suivi La Re´Introduction Du Loup Au Parc De Yellowstone, S. M. Barber-Meyer, L. David Mech, P. J. White

United States Geological Survey, Northern Prairie Wildlife Research Center: Publications

We conducted a 3-year study (May 2003–Apr 2006) of mortality of northern Yellowstone elk (Cervus elaphus) calves to determine the cause for the recruitment decline (i.e., 33 calves to 13 calves/100 adult F) following the restoration of wolves (Canis lupus). We captured, fit with radiotransmitters, and evaluated blood characteristics and disease antibody seroprevalence in 151 calves ≤ 6 days old (68M:83F). Concentrations (x, SE) of potential condition indicators were as follows: thyroxine (T4; 13.8 µg/dL, 0.43), serum urea nitrogen (SUN; 17.4 mg/dL, 0.57), c-glutamyltransferase (GGT; 66.4 IU/L, 4.36), gamma globulins (GG; 1.5 g/dL, 0.07), and insulin-like …

Factors Influencing Predation On Juvenile Ungulates And Natural Selection Implications, S. M. Barber-Meyer, L. D. Mech

United States Geological Survey, Northern Prairie Wildlife Research Center: Publications

Juvenile ungulates are generally more vulnerable to predation than are adult ungulates other than senescent individuals, not only because of their relative youth, fragility, and inexperience, but also because of congenital factors. Linnell et al.’s (Wildl. Biol. 1: 209-223) extensive review of predation on juvenile ungulates concluded that research was needed to determine the predisposition of these juveniles to predation. Since then, various characteristics that potentially predispose juvenile ungulates have emerged including blood characteristics, morphometric and other condition factors, and other factors such as birth period, the mother’s experience, and spatial and habitat aspects. To the extent that any of …

Wpa News 82 (2008/2009), World Pheasant Association

Galliformes Specialist Group and Affiliated Societies: Newsletters

WPA News (Winter 2008/2009), number 82

Published by the World Pheasant Association

The Potential Of Uncut Patches To Increase The Nesting Success Of Grassland Songbirds In Intensively Managed Hayfields: A Preliminary Study From The Champlain Valley Of Vermont, Roger J. Masse, Allan M. Strong, Noah G. Perlut

Environmental Studies Faculty Publications

Changes in land use and intensification of agricultural practices are associated with declines of grassland songbird populations in North America. Hay harvests in the northeastern United States are occurring earlier and more frequently today than 30 years ago, resulting in substantially decreased nesting success of grassland songbirds on early-hayed fields. Few studies have examined whether uncut patches within fields cut during the breeding season can increase the nesting success of grassland songbirds. Twenty-nine artificial nests were placed in 17 uncut patches (mean = 0.337 ha, median = 0.103 ha) on four early-hayed fields in Shelburne, VT. Only one of the …

The Effects Of Thawing Procedure And Supplementation On The Motility And Viability Of Frozen-Thawed Boar Semen, B. D. Whitaker, S. Clark, Z. Crouse, W. Martin, J. W. Knight

Virginia Journal of Science

The effect of two thawing procedures on frozen boar semen and supplementations to the fertilization media were studied. Frozen boar semen was thawed using either Percoll gradient or phosphate buffered saline (PBS)procedure. Supplementations were 1.0 mM L-glutamate, 1.0 mM N-acetylcysteine (NAC) , and 1.0 mM NAC-amide (NACA). Spermatozoa were analyzed for forward progressive motility (FPM) and viability every 0.5 h for 3 .0 h post-thawing. There were significantly (P < 0.05) higher numbers of viable (76.0 ± 5.1 %) and FPM (30 .0 ± 2.4%) spermatozoa at 3.0 h post thawing using the PBS procedure compared to the Percoll gradient thawed spermatozoa (65.0 ± 3.9%; 10.0 ± 4.5 %, respectively). Supplementation of 1.0 mM L-glutamate, 1.0 mM NAC, or 1.0 mM NACA had no significant effect on spermatozoa viability regardless of the time post-thaw.Supplementation of 1.0 mM L-glutamate, 1.0 mM NAC , or 1.0 mM NACA had no significant effect on FPM up to 1.0 h post-thaw. Spermatozoa with no supplementation or 1.0 mM L-glutamate had significantly higher (P < 0.05) FPM compared to the 1.0 mM NAC and 1.0 mM NACA supplemented groups at 1.5, 2.0, 2 .5, and 3.0 h post-thaw. There was no significant difference between no supplementation or 1.0 mM L-glutamate on FPM regardless of the time post-thaw. There was no significant difference between 1.0 mM NAC or 1.0 mM NACA on FPM regardless of the time post-thaw. These results indicate that thawing procedure has an effect on spermatozoa viability and FPM but supplementation does not have an effect on the overall viability of spermatozoa during thawing, but may reduce FPM.

Scale-Dependent Habitat Use By Fall Migratory Birds: Vegetation Architecture, Floristics, And Geographic Consistency, Jill Deppe, John Rotenberry

Faculty Research & Creative Activity

Animal habitat selection is a central focus of ecology and conservation biology. Understanding habitat associations in migratory animals is particularly complicated because individuals have variable habitat requirements during the annual cycle, across their geographic range, along migratory routes, and at multiple spatial scales. We studied habitat associations of 16 fall Nearctic–Neotropical migratory land birds at two spatial scales at a stopover site along the northern Yucatan coast to examine scale-dependent habitat use, identify proximate cues shaping birds' distributions, and evaluate similarities in habitat use between our tropical stopover site and temperate sites. We addressed scale-dependent habitat associations in two ways, …

Accelerated Exchange Of Exon Segments In Viperid Three-Finger Toxin Genes (Sistrurus Catenatus Edwardsii; Desert Massasauga), Robin Doley, Susanta Pahari, Stephen P. Mackessy, Manjunatha Kini

Biological Sciences Faculty Publications

BACKGROUND: Snake venoms consist primarily of proteins and peptides showing a myriad of potent biological activities which have been shaped by both adaptive and neutral selective forces. Venom proteins are encoded by multigene families that have evolved through a process of gene duplication followed by accelerated evolution in the protein coding region. RESULTS: Here we report five gene structures of three-finger toxins from a viperid snake, Sistrurus catenatus edwardsii. These toxin genes are structured similarly to elapid and hydrophiid three-finger toxin genes, with two introns and three exons. Both introns and exons show distinct patterns of segmentation, and the insertion/deletion …

Molt And Aging Criteria For Four North American Grassland Passerines, Peter Pyle, Stephanie L. Jones, Janet M. Ruth

United States Fish and Wildlife Service: Publications

Prairie and grassland habitats in central and western North America have declined substantially since settlement by Europeans (Knopf 1994) and many of the birds and other organisms that inhabit North American grasslands have experienced steep declines (Peterjohn and Sauer 1999; Johnson and Igl 1997; Sauer, Hines, and Fallon 2007). The species addressed here, Sprague’s Pipit (Anthus spragueii), Grasshopper (Ammodramus savannarum) and Baird’s (A. bairdii) sparrows, and Chestnut-collared Longspurs (Calcarius ornatus), are grassland birds that are of special conservation concern throughout their ranges due to declining populations and the loss of the specific …

Trace Elements And Petroleum Hydrocarbons In The Aquatic Bird Food Chain Of Process Water Evaporation Ponds At The Little America Refinery, Casper, Wyoming, Pedro Ramirez

United States Fish and Wildlife Service: Publications

This study determined the nature and extent of trace elements, metals, and petroleum hydrocarbons in evaporation ponds used for the disposal of process water from Sinclair Oil Corporation’s LARCO oil refinery in Evansville, Wyoming. This study was conducted to determine if contaminants are causing adverse effects or have the potential to adversely affect aquatic migratory birds inhabiting the evaporation ponds. The discharge of refinery process water into relict dune basins created a series of ponds that provide habitat for 39 species of aquatic migratory birds. Several aquatic bird species nest at the evaporation ponds and the adjacent natural marsh complex. …

Mountain-Prairie Region Fisheries Program Strategic Plan

United States Fish and Wildlife Service: Publications

This Mountain-Prairie Regional Fisheries Strategic Plan outlines where, within our Federal role, we will focus our efforts. It provides guidance to partners and the public about our priorities, mandates, and opportunities and to Congress and the Administration on future budgeting decisions.

Fisheries Research Report No.172 - Identifying Obstacles To Profitably Growing Out Western Rock Lobsters, Roy Melville-Smith, Danielle Johnston, B. Johnston, N. J. Thomson

Fisheries Research Reports

A Report Prepared for the Aquaculture Development Council.

The cost of growing out western rock lobsters from pueruli to marketable-sized lobsters has been modeled from available information. The model uses different scenarios of survival rates, marketing weights, market prices, feed costs, puerulus prices, labour costs, puerulus compensation costs, discount rates and capital costs. The sensitivity of estimated profitability to various input costs and rock lobster prices was assessed by estimating the impact of changes on the estimates of net present value (NPV) internal rate of return (IRR) and benefit:cost ratio. Importantly, the aim of the study was to identify key …

The Analysis Of Cyanide And Its Metabolites In Biological Samples, Brian A. Logue, Diane M. Hinkens

Chemistry and Biochemistry Faculty Publications

Cyanide is a toxic chemical that may be introduced to living organisms as a result of both legal and illicit uses of cyanide. Exposure to cyanide can be verifi ed by analyzing cyanide or one of its break-down products from biological samples. This verifi cation is important for medical, law-enforcement, forensic, research, and veterinary purposes. This review will identify common problems associated with the analysis of cyanide and its metabolites, discuss current bioanalytical techniques used for verifi cation of cyanide exposure, and briefl y address the metabolism and toxicokinetics of cyanide and its break-down products in biological systems.

2008 Dairy Digest, South Dakota State University Dairy Club

Dairy Digest

No abstract provided.

Antiviral Activities Andphosphorylation Of 5-Halo-2'-Deoxyuridines And N-Methanocarbathymidine In Cells Infectedwith Vaccinia Virus, Donald F. Smee, D. E. Humphreys, B. L. Hurst, Dale L. Barnard

Animal, Dairy, and Veterinary Science Faculty Publications

The Antipoxviral activities and phosphorylation of N-methanocarbathymidine ([N]-MCT) and four 5-halo-2'-deoxyuridines, namely 5-flouro- (FdU), 5-chloro- (CldU), 5-bromo- (BrdU), and 5-iodo- (IdU) derivatives were explored.

Variation In Surrounding Forest Habitat Influences The Initial Orientation Of Juvenile Amphibians Emigrating From Breeding Ponds, Leroy J. Walston, Stephen J. Mullin

Faculty Research & Creative Activity

No abstract provided.

Scale-Dependent Habitat Use By Fall Migratory Birds: Vegetation Architecture, Floristics, And Geographic Consistency, Jill L. Deppe, John T. Rotenberry

Faculty Research & Creative Activity

Animal habitat selection is a central focus of ecology and conservation biology. Understanding habitat associations in migratory animals is particularly complicated because individuals have variable habitat requirements during the annual cycle, across their geographic range, along migratory routes, and at multiple spatial scales. We studied habitat associations of 16 fall Nearctic–Neotropical migratory land birds at two spatial scales at a stopover site along the northern Yucatan coast to examine scale-dependent habitat use, identify proximate cues shaping birds' distributions, and evaluate similarities in habitat use between our tropical stopover site and temperate sites. We addressed scale-dependent habitat associations in two ways, …

Amyloid Fibrils: Potential Food Safety Implications, Michael Greger

Human Health Collection

The demonstration of oral Amyloid-A (AA) fibril transmissibility has raised food safety questions about the consumption of amyloidotic viscera. In a presumed prion-like mechanism, amyloid fibrils have been shown to trigger and accelerate the development of AA amyloidosis in rodent models. The finding of amyloid fibrils in edible avian and mammalian food animal tissues, combined with the inability of cooking temperatures to eliminate their amyloidogenic potential, has led to concerns that products such as pâté de foie gras may activate a reactive systemic amyloidosis in susceptible consumers. Given the ability of amyloid fibrils to cross-seed the formation of chemically heterologous …

How To Identify Dear Enemies: The Group Signature In The Complex Song Of The Skylark Alauda Arvensis, Elodie F. Briefer, Thierry Aubin, Katia Lehongre, Fanny Rybak

Ethology Collection

Song geographic variation and Neighbour–Stranger (N–S) discrimination have been intensively but separately studied in bird species, especially in those with small- to medium-sized repertoires. Here, we establish a link between the two phenomena by showing that dialect features are used for N–S recognition in a territorial species with a large repertoire, the skylark Alauda arvensis. In this species, during the breeding season, many pairs settle in stable and adjoining territories gathered in locations spaced by a few kilometres. In a first step, songs produced by males established in different locations were recorded, analyzed and compared to identify possible microgeographic variation …

Low Frequency Groans Indicate Larger And More Dominant Fallow Deer (Dama Dama) Males, Elisabetta Vannoni, Alan G. Mcelligott

Veterinary Science and Medicine Collection

Background: Models of honest advertisement predict that sexually selected calls should signal male quality. In most vertebrates, high quality males have larger body sizes that determine higher social status and in turn higher reproductive success. Previous research has emphasised the importance of vocal tract resonances or formant frequencies of calls as cues to body size in mammals. However, the role of the acoustic features of vocalisations as cues to other quality-related phenotypic characteristics of callers has rarely been investigated.

Methodology/Principal Findings: We examined whether the acoustic structure of fallow deer groans provides reliable information on the quality of the caller, …