Digital Commons Network^™

The Probe, Issue # 158 - September 1995

The Probe: Newsletter of the National Animal Damage Control Association

Wildlife relocation impacts both animals and humans
Massachusetts Court Okays Some Use of "Soft-Hold" Traps
Cousin of Lyme Disease?
Coyotes Continue as Overwhelming Predators Responsible for U.S. Sheep & Lamb Losses
Video Review: "Bat-Free Belfries: A Guide to Bat-Proofing." Produced by Pennsylvania State University, College of Agricultural Services. Content developed by Lisa M. Willias-Whitmer and Margaret C. Brittingham
FMC Corp. Predator Control Brochure
New Rabies Vaccine
Evaluation of the Super YardGard Electronic Device for Repelling Whitetailed Deer
Wolf Damage Control Program Sued

Pearl Farming In The Tuamotus: Atoll Development And Its Consequences, Moshe Rapaport

Pacific Studies

No abstract provided.

Nectarivorous Feeding Mechanisms In Bats, Patricia W. Freeman

School of Natural Resources: Faculty Publications

Cranio-dental characteristics are quantified between micro- and megachiropteran nectarivores and compared with microchiropteran animalivores, frugivores, and megachiropteran frugivores. Microchiropteran nectarivores share many characteristics with megachiropteran nectarivores and frugivores, but differ in having a long, narrow head. Megachiropterans have wide zygomata, which would allow for more jaw musculature. Diminutive cheekteeth are characteristic of nectarivory in both suborders, but both have relatively large canines. Teeth in nectarivores can occupy as little as a tenth of the palatal area compared to nearly two-thirds in microchiropteran animalivores. The proportion that the dilambdodont stylar shelf occupies of molars in microchiropteran nectarivores can be as much …

Nutrient Limitation In A Southwestern Desert Reservoir: Eutrophication Of Las Vegas Bay, Lake Mead, Nevada, Davine M. Lieberman

Publications (WR)

Algal bioassay tests were conducted with Selenastrum capricornutum and natural algae on inner Las Vegas Bay, Lake Mead, Nevada, from December 1992 through September 1993, to identify any nutrient limitation in an area of the reservoir that has experienced problems associated with severe nutrient enrichment. Three areas were sampled based on a gradient of water quality conditions that existed in Las Vegas Bay (LVB). Disodium ethylenedinitrilotetraacetate (EDTA) significantly stimulated algal growth compared to non-EDTA treatment. Algal bioassays indicated that phosphorus (P) was the primary limiting nutrient at all stations for most of the test dates. Chl a response with EDTA …

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 ▪ …

Chemical Signals And Repellency: Problems And Prognosis, Gary K. Beauchamp

National Wildlife Research Center Repellents Conference 1995

The chemical senses (olfaction, gustation, and chemical irritation or pain) were likely the first to evolve. Their functions are among the most basic-to attract and to repel. Attracting compounds often signal food or sex; repelling compounds presumably signal danger. Among the chemical senses, only olfaction appears to have several functional roles, two of which are modulation of social behaviors and identification of food. Whether an odor attracts or repels often depends to a large degree on learning. Consequently, dissociated olfactory stimuli may be relatively poor candidates for repellents since, after repeated exposure, pest animals are likely to ignore them. Taste, …

Experiments On Chemical Control Of Behavior In Brown Tree Snakes, David Chiszar, Gordon H. Rodda, Hobart M. Smith

National Wildlife Research Center Repellents Conference 1995

The brown tree snake (Boiga irregularis), accidentally introduced on Guam shortly after World War 11, is the target of extensive efforts aimed at reducing populations and preventing their spread to other Pacific islands. Chemical attractants and repellents have been investigated, and this paper presents an overview of current knowledge. In particular, chemical cues that have strong effects in laboratory tests have had only modest (though significant) effects in field tests on Guam. Reasons for the different outcomes of laboratory and field studies are discussed along with recommendations for the redesign of laboratory experiments.

Responsiveness Of Brown Tree Snakes To Odors, Larry Clark

National Wildlife Research Center Repellents Conference 1995

The brown tree snake (Boiga irregularis) is native to the islands of Papua New Guinea and Northern Australia. An introduced population on Guam has been implicated in the decline of that island's avifauna, and the snakes regularly cause power outages on the island. Concern exists for accidental introduction on the Hawaiian Islands. Traps baited with live mice have been used in control efforts, but the logistics of maintaining live mice in the field is difficult and expensive. This study has two objectives. First, using efficacy reports of small mammal and bird feces as attractants, we set out to …

Contributors

National Wildlife Research Center Repellents Conference 1995

Contributors

Behavioral Responses To Pine Needle Oil In The Northern Pocket Gopher, Gisela Epple, Dale L. Nolte, J. Russell Mason, Eugeny Aronov, Shirley Wager-Page

National Wildlife Research Center Repellents Conference 1995

For many herbivorous mammals, oils from conifers are feeding repellents. Our study investigated effects of pine needle oil on feeding and other behaviors of northern pocket gophers. In one-choice feeding trials pocket gophers were offered sweet potato from single feeding stations placed into each subject's home cage. Stations contained either a scent dispenser with pine needle oil or with mineral oil. Pine needle oil did not inhibit food retrieval under these conditions. Responses to pine needle oil and to a control odorant, d-pulegone, were also tested in mazes where subjects were offered choices between two goal boxes, each containing food …

Foreword

National Wildlife Research Center Repellents Conference 1995

There is an increasingly critical need for the development of repellents and other non-lethal methods for wildlife damage management. This increase in importance reflects the preferences of an urbanized citizenry for alternatives to traditional management methods, and a growing conviction among an increasing number of wildlife professionals that repellents and other nonlethal tools should be an important component of integrated wildlife damage management.

Norway Rats' Communication About Foods And Feeding Sites, Bennett G. Galef Jr.

National Wildlife Research Center Repellents Conference 1995

After interacting with a recently fed "demonstrator" rat (Rattus norvegicus), a naive "observer" rat exhibits substantial enhancement of its preference for whatever food its demonstrator ate. Such social effects on food preference in rats are surprisingly robust and able to reverse both congenital flavor preferences and poison-induced, learned flavor aversions. Analysis of the pheromonal signals emitted by demonstrator rats that alter the food preferences of their observers indicates that experience of CS₂ (a substance present in rat breath) together with the odor of a food is sufficient to enhance an observer rat's subsequent preference for the food. …

Dilution And Detoxication Costs: Relevance To Avian Herbivore Food Selection, Walter J. Jakubas, Christopher G. Gulgielmo, William H. Karasov

National Wildlife Research Center Repellents Conference 1995

Toxicity and digestive inhibition are commonly thought of as the primary postingestive consequences by which plant secondary metabolites (PSM's) limit herbivore food selection. However, food selection may also be modified by nutritional costs imposed by detoxication processes and nutrient dilution. Few studies have determined the magnitude of these costs for vertebrate herbivores and their ecological significance. Research clarifying the mechanisms by which PSM's repel animals may give new insights into the development of repellents for nuisance wildlife and improve our ability to predict ecological interactions involving herbivores. Using captive ruffed grouse (Bonasa umbellus), we tested whether PSM ingestion …

The Role Of Analytical Chemistry In Repellent Research, Bruce A. Kimball, Dale L. Nolte, Kevin L. Kelly, John J. Johnston

National Wildlife Research Center Repellents Conference 1995

Development of effective repellents requires in depth investigation of the interaction of animals with their chemical environment. This multidisciplinary field, chemical ecology, has received much attention in the area of plant/invertebrate herbivore interactions. At the Denver Wildlife Research Center (DWRC), we have benefited by the close collaboration of chemists and biologists when studying the interactions of vertebrates with natural products. Typically, this combines chemical assays that provide information on the characteristics of chemical cues with bioassays that generate information on the mechanisms that drive animal behavior. The chemistry role in this research can be either supportive or interactive. Two recent …

Review Of Synthetic Predator Odor Semiochemicals As Repellents For Wildlife Management In The Pacific Northwest, Pontus M.F. Lindgren, Thomas P. Sullivan, Douglas R. Crump

National Wildlife Research Center Repellents Conference 1995

The use of synthetic predator odor semiochemicals as area repellents has considerable potential for protection of forest and agricultural crops. Certain predator odors originating from feces, urine, or scent (anal) gland secretions elicit a "fear" response when detected by prey species. At least some genera (e.g., Microtus) appear to have an innate response to these odors. Synthetic constituents from the weasel family (Mustelidae) have been particularly effective in laboratory and field bioassays with a variety of mammal species. Semiochemicals from the stoat (Mustela erminea) and red fox (Vulpes vulpes) have successfully reduced feeding damage to …

Avian Repellents: Options, Modes Of Action, And Economic Considerations, J. Russell Mason, Larry Clark

National Wildlife Research Center Repellents Conference 1995

The present manuscript considers visual, auditory, tactile, chemosensory, and physiologic repellents currently available for use in the United States. Discussion of tactile, chemosensory, and physiologic repellents is emphasized for three reasons. First, these products are preferred by users. Second, application of these substances is regulated by state and federal agencies. Third, only four active ingredients are legally available at the present time. This lack reflects difficulties in obtaining regulatory approval and limited market size.

Origins Of Food Preference In Herbivores, Frederick D. Provenza

National Wildlife Research Center Repellents Conference 1995

Food preference is best understood as the interaction between taste and postingestive feedback, determined by an animal's physiological condition and to a food's chemical characteristics. Taste (as well as smell and sight) enables animals to discriminate among foods and provides hedonic sensations associated with eating. Postingestive feedback calibrates taste in accord with a food's homeostatic utility: preference increases when foods are adequate in nutrients; conversely, preference decreases when foods are deficient in nutrients, when they contain excesses of toxins, and when they are too high in rapidly digestible nutrients. Preference also decreases when familiar foods are eaten too frequently or …

The Chemistry Of Plant/Animal Interactions, Paul B. Reichardt

National Wildlife Research Center Repellents Conference 1995

Chemical approaches to studying plant/animal interactions have led to an appreciation that plant chemistry strongly influences patterns of herbivory. Although this chemistry is often rather complex, two basic factors have emerged: plant chemistry influences herbivores in both positive and negative ways by determining dietary quality of plants and by providing feeding cues. Examination of the results from numerous studies addressing these issues has led to the development of three working hypotheses: (1) there is a molecular basis for chemical cues; (2) the molecular diversity of chemical signals implies specific mechanisms for plant-initiated attraction or repellence of herbivores; and (3) there …

Repellency Of Predator Urine To Woodchucks And Meadow Voles, Robert K. Swihart, Mary Jane I. Mattina, Joseph J. Pignatello

National Wildlife Research Center Repellents Conference 1995

Woodchucks (Marmota monax) and meadow voles (Microtus pennsylvanicus) can be serious pests in orchards where they damage young fruit trees by gnawing on main stems. Previous work indicated that topical application of bobcat (Lynx rufus) urine to apple trees could reduce woodchuck damage by an average of 98%. Here, we report on field trials designed to determine whether various fractions of bobcat urine could achieve comparable reductions in gnawing activity. Trials with smooth sumac (Rhus glabra) resulted in an average reduction in gnawing over a 4-week period, relative to controls, of 86% …

The Role Of Sensory Cues And Feeding Context In The Mediation Of Pine-Needle Oil's Repellency In Prairie Voles, Shirley A. Wager-Page, J. Russell Mason, Eugeny Aronov, Gisela Epple

National Wildlife Research Center Repellents Conference 1995

Pine-needle oil inhibits feeding in vertebrate species through sensory cues. Prairie voles (Microtus ochrogaster) significantly decreased their ingestion of raw apple pieces when pineneedle oil (10% vol/vol) was applied as a repellent coating. During single-choice tests, voles selected similar amounts of sunflower seeds from pine-needle oil-scented jars and vegetable oil-treated jars. However, when jars containing both stimuli were presented simultaneously, voles retrieved significantly more food from the vegetable oil-treated jars than the pine-needle oil-treated jars. Neonatal administration of capsaicin chronically depletes neurotransmitters in C- and A-a fibers greatly diminishing or abolishing pain transmission in the affected neurons (i.e., …

Effectiveness Of Varpel Rope@ On Norway Rats And House Mice In Laboratory And Field Conditions, J.D. Wilhide, M.D. Fletcher

National Wildlife Research Center Repellents Conference 1995

This study is based on observations made during the efficacy testing for EPA product approval of Varpel Rope®, a temporary repellent for Norway rats (Rattus norvegicus) and the house mouse (Mus musculus). Animals were tested under both laboratory and field conditions. Laboratory testing was conducted at Arkansas State University, Jonesboro, AR, and resulted in 75-97% repellency. Field testing that resulted in repellency rates from 50 to 100%, was conducted in Newport, AR. Over 140 hr of videotape were recorded during the 1,800 individual laboratory and field trials. Testing was conducted from June 1989 through May 1992.

Water Current, Volume 27, No. 4, August 1995

Water Current Newsletter

Tour Stresses New Technology
From the Director: Water Center Supports Groundwater Guardian
Dvorak Brings Expertise in Physical, Chemical Treatment Processes to UNL
Nebraska Water News
Festival of Color to Stress Water Quality
Missouri River Again On Endangered List
CNPP&ID Honored
Crypto Video Out
ARDC to Open House with Symposium
No New Surface Water Rights: Legislature Puts Moratorium on Water Appropriations
Issues and Alternatives, Two Publications Analyze Federal Water Legislation

Repellents: Integrating Sensory Modalities, Michael L. Avery

National Wildlife Research Center Repellents Conference 1995

Recommendations for managing wildlife damage situations often involve application of multiple methods or techniques. The basis for such recommendations is unclear as there is little evidence that such combinations of methods work more effectively than the individual methods alone. In order to improve beyond hit or miss repellent applications, we should adopt principles exhibited in nature and develop repellent treatments based on the design of signals used in animal communications. In particular, characteristics that increase detectability, discriminability, and memorability should be identified and incorporated into repellent design. To do so, the sensory capabilities of the target species need to be …

Review Of Regulatory-Imposed Marketing Constraints To Repellent Development, Judith M. Hushon

National Wildlife Research Center Repellents Conference 1995

The purpose of this paper is to review the regulatory issues concerned with marketing repellents and to try to identify areas where changes may be needed. Repellents are covered unevenly by the various Federal and State pesticide laws. These laws were generally formulated to deal with pesticides and other highly toxic chemicals used to control "pests." However, repellents discourage pests due to their disagreeable properties rather than their toxicity. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has recently introduced reduced risk pesticide guidance which limits reporting requirements and hastens review. Those states that follow the Federal lead do not represent a problem. …

Recent Studies On Flavor Aversion Learning In Wildlife Damage Management, Russell F. Reidinger Jr.

National Wildlife Research Center Repellents Conference 1995

Flavor aversion learning (FAL) occurs experimentally when a mammal is presented with a distinctive-flavored food followed by a postingestional illness. Birds may learn aversions to visual cues. Aversions follow a single pairing and may be robust. During the past decade, at least four directions were followed in evaluating FAL for managing wildlife damage: compounds already registered for use on crops such as herbicides, insecticides, or fungicides were tested for their abilities to also repel birds and small mammals from crops; naturally occurring compounds such as sucrose or charcoal were similarly evaluated; eggs were treated with different compounds in attempts to …

The Probe, Issue # 157 -- August 1995

The Probe: Newsletter of the National Animal Damage Control Association

Past, Present and Future: Berry man looks at wildlife damage management, by Katherine Vaughn, Special Correspondent
Japanese "Scarecrow" May Protect Space Shuttle
At Least Six Die From Rabies in 1994
Carbon Monoxide Gassing, Moles, and Pocket Gophers
The $1.5 Million Kitten!
Book Review: Tracking and the Art of Seeing: How to Read Animal Tracks and Sign. By Paul Rezendes.
Reprint policy update for The PROBE
Nominations for Officers and Directors
Trapping Weasels
Video Review: "Moles Make Lousy Pets: A Guide to Effective Control" by Thomas F. Schmidt

Sucrose As A Feeding Deterrent For Fruit-Eating Birds, Carlos Martinez Del Rio, Michael L. Avery, Kristin E. Brugger

National Wildlife Research Center Repellents Conference 1995

Economic losses due to bird damage to small fruits such as blueberries, grapes, and cherries can be very high and are expected to increase in the future. The primary sugars in these fruits are glucose and fructose. Sucrose is present in very low concentrations only. Our research has unveiled a physiological trait common to many fruit-eating species in the phylogenetically related families Muscicapidae, Mirnidae, and Sturnidae. These birds are unable to digest sucrose because they lack the intestinal enzyme sucrase which hydrolyzes sucrose into glucose and fructose prior to absorption. In cage tests these birds prefer glucose and fructose to …

Animal Waste And The Land-Water Interface, H. Don Scott, Kenneth Steele

Arkansas Water Resources Center Technical Reports

This book presents abstracts of research studies conducted on animal wastes and the interface between application of animal waste to land. The abstracts were divided into sections which tend to organize summaries of research studies conducted on similar topics. These topics range from characteristics of animal waste to the effects of animal wastes on streams, lakes, wetlands, and watersheds, development of best management practices, nutrient management, edge of field losses and alternative uses. The posters will be available for viewing from 10:00 a.m. Monday, July 17, until 12:00 noon on Wednesday, July 19, 1995.

The Probe, Issue # 156 -- July 1995

The Probe: Newsletter of the National Animal Damage Control Association

An Update on the ADC Brown Tree Snake Control Program, by Tim J. Ohasi, USDA-APHIS-ADC, 3375 Koapaka St., Suite H-420, Honolulu, HI 96819
Deer Contraception Proves to Be Costly Failure
Kangaroos Off the Threatened Species List
Animal Rights Protesters Target AT&T Gopher Experiments
Vampire Bats Plague Mexican Ranchers
Do Mixed Gender Teams Complicate Fieldwork?, by Robert H. Giles, Jr., Department of Fisheries and Wildlife Sciences, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, Blacksburg, VA 24061-0321
Bird Strike-USA Committee Meeting
Trapping Weasels
Errata from June PROBE
Video Review - "Removing Raccoons From Chimneys"

Environmental Changes In A Polluted Stream During Winter, Arden R. Gaufin, Clarence M. Tarzwell

United States Environmental Protection Agency: Publications

Year round studies of environmental conditions in Lytle Creek, a stream polluted with organic wastes, were initiated late in 1949, by the Biology Section of the Public Health Service's Environmental Health Center.2 Lytle Creek is a tributary of the Little Miami River which enters the Ohio River at Cincinnati. It is about 11 miles long, and has an average width and depth of 15 feet and 1 foot respectively, during normal summer flows. Widths range from 3 to 35 feet and depths from a few inches to a maximum of 6 feet. Surface runoff comprises the major portion of the …