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Behavioral Application In Wildlife Photography: Developing A Foundation In Ecological And Behavioral Characteristics Of The Zanzibar Red Colobus Monkey (Procolobus Kirkii) As It Applies To The Development Exhibition Photography, Matthew Jorgensen

Independent Study Project (ISP) Collection

A fundamental understanding of Zanzibar red colobus monkey (Piliocolobus kirkii) behavior can be used to increase the efficiency of a photographic expedition and to increase the impact and value of a subsequent exhibition of the photographs taken. Preliminary research on cercopithecine monkeys, as well as the individual species, was paired with animal behavior experience in the development and execution of a photographic expedition to Jozani Forest. Collected photographs were compiled, organized, analyzed and edited before final selection of twenty five pieces meant for exhibition. These shots were assessed for their aesthetic, documentary and educational quality both individually and collectively as …

Breakthrough At The Missouri River Breaks: A Quick Tool For Comparing Burned And Unburned Sites, Rachel Clark

Joint Fire Science Program Briefs (2007-2012)

A quantitative understanding of how forests work, both before and after (prescribed and wild) fire, is essential to management. Yet acquiring the kind of broad yet detailed information needed for many management decisions can be costly, tedious, and time-consuming. After two sweeping wildfi res in the Missouri River Breaks area of eastern Montana—the Indian and Germaine wildfi res—some researchers wanted to see whether it was possible to characterize both pre-fi re and post-fi re characteristics in a relatively inexpensive and effi cient way. Specifi cally, they wanted to know whether prescribed fire that is then followed by wildfire, is more …

Reproductive Isolation Between Two Sympatric Simultaneous Hermaphroditic Shrimp, Lysmata Wurdemanni And L. Boggessi, Dong Zhang, Junda Lin, Jörg D. Hardege, Andrew L. Rhyne

Arts & Sciences Faculty Publications

To investigate pre- and post-zygotic isolation between two sympatric and phylogenetically related species of Lysmata shrimp, two assays were conducted in the laboratory: (1) no specific mate choice where mating between the two species was ‘forced’; (2) specific mate choice or preference where a female had a choice between conspecific and heterospecifc males. Behavioural studies reveal that female L. wurdemanni accepted only conspecific male shrimp, whereas L. boggessi females would mate with an interspecific male if there was no conspecific male present. When males of both species were present, L. boggessi females always mated with the conspecific male. Male L. …

Limnological Assistance For The Lake Mead National Recreation Area In Meeting The Challenge Of The Water 2025 Initiative: Annual Report, Period Ending May 31, 2008, Margaret N. Rees

Limnological Studies

Hiring: Limnologist Dr. Wai Hing (David) Wong was hired and officially reported to work on 5/15/2008.

Project 1 and Project 2: Dr. Wong has commenced work on Projects 1 and 2.

Project 3: Dr. Wong has commenced work on Project 3. A comprehensive zebra/quagga mussel bibliography has been completed and published to the 100th Meridian Web site. Six interagency, multi-disciplinary quagga mussel meetings have been held. A quagga mussel substrate project has been initiated and, through the coordination efforts of this project, two other studies have been selected and refined to help determine the ecological impacts of quagga mussel infestation …

7 Social Behavior And Vocalizations, Paul A. Johnsgard

Grouse and Quails of North America by Paul A. Johnsgard

One of the most complex and fascinating aspects of grouse and quail biology is their social behavior, particularly that related to reproduction. Natural selection in the quail group has seemingly favored the retention of a monogamous mating system with the associated advantages of maintaining the pair bond through the breeding season. This system allows the male to participate in the protection of the nest, possibly participate in incubation, and later care for the brood. It also provides the possibility, if not the frequent actuality, that the male might undertake the entire incubation or rearing of the first brood, while the …

38th Annual Wku Student Research Conference, Student Research Council, Western Kentucky University

Student Research Conference Select Presentations

Western Kentucky University 38th Annual Student Research Conference program and student abstracts. Saturday, April 12, 2008, Carroll Knicely Conference Center, Bowling Green, Kentucky.

37th Annual Wku Student Research Conference, Student Research Council, Western Kentucky University

Student Research Conference Select Presentations

No abstract provided.

Using Geographic Information Systems To Organize And Coordinate Holistic Watershed Resource Management, John M.S. King

Theses, Dissertations and Capstones

Thesis research explores the use of Geographic Information Systems (GIS), such as ESRI’s ArcGIS and Google Earth, to organize and coordinate statewide, regional, and locally led watershed initiatives in West Virginia. Holistic Watershed Resource Management (HWRM) is an innovative collaborative approach to environmental protection designed to synchronize regional and local environmental assessment and restoration efforts. HWRM success is often attributed to an inclusive decision-making process, which seeks to build and coordinate cooperative partnerships among government agencies, private businesses, educational institutions, and non-profit organizations. A case study of the Morris Creek Watershed Association and detailed surveys of over 100 West Virginia …

An Eye-Opening Approach To Developing And Communicating Integrated Environmental Assessments, Todd R. Lookingbill, William C. Dennison, Tim J.B. Carruthers, Jane M. Hawkey, Shawn L. Carter

Geography and the Environment Faculty Publications

Communication among managers, the public, and scientists is the key to successful ecosystem management; however, the varied perspectives and interests of these groups can make such communication difficult. One way to achieve effective communication is to develop a common knowledge base by combining syntheses of key scientific results with information-rich visual elements. Within a management landscape, integrated environmental assessments provide a useful framework for evaluating resources and directing management efforts. The integrated assessment process involves (1) initial investigation, (2) development of a conceptual framework, (3) data navigation, (4) environmental report cards, and (5) science communication. Each step requires the synthesis …

Female Preference For Complex/Novel Signals In A Spider, Damian O. Elias, Eileen Hebets, Ronald R. Hoy

Eileen Hebets Publications

Identifying the various factors that influence complex signal evolution is a difficult task, yet it is fundamental to understanding the evolution of animal communication. Here we explore the evolution of complex courtship signaling by taking advantage of a system in which sexual selection on male courtship traits has driven the diversification of geographically isolated populations of the jumping spider Habronattus pugillis Griswold. Using 2 populations (Santa Rita [SR] and Atascosa [AT]) in which SR females show xenophilic mating preferences for foreign (AT) over local males (SR), we examine the mechanisms driving this preference. Both AT and SR males produce multimodal …

Semantic Analytics Visualization, Leonidas Deligiannidis, Amit P. Sheth, Boanerges Aleman-Meza

Kno.e.sis Publications

In this paper we present a new tool for semantic analytics through 3D visualization called “Semantic Analytics Visualization” (SAV). It has the capability for visualizing ontologies and meta-data including annotated web-documents, images, and digital media such as audio and video clips in a synthetic three-dimensional semi-immersive environment. More importantly, SAV supports visual semantic analytics, whereby an analyst can interactively investigate complex relationships between heterogeneous information. The tool is built using Virtual Reality technology which makes SAV a highly interactive system. The backend of SAV consists of a Semantic Analytics system that supports query processing and semantic association discovery. Using a …

Regional Seismic Song Differences In Sky Island Populations Of The Jumping Spider Harbonattus Pugillis Griswold (Araneae, Salticidae), Damian O. Elias, Eileen Hebets, Ronald R. Hoy, Wayne P. Maddison, Andrew C. Mason

Eileen Hebets Publications

Jumping spiders have long been used as model organisms to study visual communication. However, recent studies documenting the presence of intricate multicomponent seismic songs during courtship displays suggest an important role of seismic communication as well. Given the relatively recent focus on seismic communication, the extent to which seismic songs vary among jumping spider species or even among populations remains poorly understood. Here, we use the extensively studied Habronattus pugillis Griswold 1987 complex to explore putative seismic song diversity among males from isolated populations. H. pugillis populations have been studied extensively because of the tremendous diversification of male visual secondary …

Seismic Signals Are Crucial For Male Mating Success In A Visual Specialist Jumping Spider (Araneae: Salticidae), Damian O. Elias, Eileen Hebets, Ronald R. Hoy, Andrew C. Mason

Eileen Hebets Publications

The diversity of courtship displays throughout the animal kingdom is immense and displays can range from seemingly simple, to incredibly complex. Signalers often possess elaborate morphological adaptations for signals directed at a specific sensory modality in receivers. In some cases, these signals are so compelling to human observers, the possibility that important signals exist in other sensory modalities is ignored, potentially resulting in an incomplete characterization of the communication system. Jumping spiders (Salticidae) have remarkable visual capabilities. Yet one species, Habronattus dossenus, has recently been shown to have a complex repertoire of multicomponent seismic courtship signals in addition to …

Field Evidence And Isolation Of An Amphibian Male-Male Sexual Repellent, Jason R. Rohr, Daesik Park, Aaron M. Sullivan, Malachy Mckenna, Catherine R. Propper, Dale M. Madison

Faculty Publications - Department of Biological & Molecular Science

Operational sex ratio (OSR) has been traditionally thought of as a force imposing competition for mates rather than also a cue used to regulate the intrasexual competition individuals encounter. To assess whether eastern red-spotted newts, Notophthalmus viridescens, could appropriately compare OSRs, we quantified field responses to traps containing four males, a sexually receptive female, four males plus a female, or nothing as a control. Early in the breeding season, males from two populations chose competitive mating opportunities over no mating opportunity at all, but generally preferred less competitive mating prospects. Later in the breeding season, as the OSR of …

Wild Bactrian Camel Conservation, Richard P. Reading, Evan S. Blumer, Henry Mix, Jadamsuren Adiya

Erforschung biologischer Ressourcen der Mongolei / Exploration into the Biological Resources of Mongolia, ISSN 0440-1298

The wild Bactrian camel (Camelus bactrianus ferus) is critically endangered throughout its range in China and Mongolia. Yet, wild camels remain poorly understood, with knowledge derived primarily from a few short studies and anecdotal information. We initiated a wild camel conservation project to determine the reasons for camel decline and to develop a program to address those problems.

We are employing satellite telemetry to gather data on wild camel movement patterns, home ranges, habitat use, and sources of mortality. We are also collecting feces from camels and wolves to determine important forage plants and to begin to assess …

Habitat Patch Occupancy Dynamics Of Glaucous-Winged Gulls (Larus Glaucescens) I: A Discrete-Time Model, Karl W. Phillips, Smruti P. Damania, James L. Hayward, Shandelle M. Henson, Clara J. Logan

Faculty Publications

Diurnal habitat occupancy dynamics of Glaucous-winged Gulls were evaluated in a system of six habitats on and around Protection Island, Washington. Data were collected on the rates of gull movement between habitat patches, and from these data the probabilities of transitions between habitats were estimated as functions of tide height and time of day. A discrete-time matrix model based on the transition probabilities was used to generate habitat occupancy predictions, which were then compared to hourly census data. All model parameters were estimated directly from data rather than through model fitting. The model made reasonable predictions for two of the …

Long-Range Visibility Of Greater Sage Grouse Leks: A Gis-Based Analysis, Andrea S. Aspbury, Robert M. Gibson

School of Biological Sciences: Faculty Publications

We investigated whether male greater sage grouse, Centrocercus urophasianus, select lek locations on the basis of topographic features that affect their visibility to both conspecific females and a major avian predator, the golden eagle, Aquila chrysaetos. We mapped locations of displaying males at all leks in a local population and used a Geographic Information System (GIS) and digital elevation model (DEM) to generate ‘viewsheds’ around male locations within a boundary set by the estimated maximal visual acuity of the viewer. Areas visible around leks were compared to those visible around random sites with the same conformation of displaying …

Use Of Alarm/Alert Call Playback And Human Harassment To End Canada Goose Problems At An Ohio Business Park, Philip C. Whitford

Wildlife Damage Management Conference

Burgeoning resident Canada goose (Branta canadensis) populations have led to increased goose/human conflicts. Playback of recorded goose alarm/alert calls coupled with human harassment was used to attempt removal of resident geese from a 24.2 ha business park, Dayton, Ohio, 26 February-15 August 2002. Many geese present were reusing nest territories of previous years. Removal efforts began following territorial establishment. Call playback used 3 "Goosebuster" units (Bird-X Corp. Inc., 300 N. Elizabeth, Chicago IL 60607). Goose use of the property dropped from an estimated 1600-1800 goose hrs/day before testing to fewer than 150 goose hrs/day by week three and to 0 …

Behavioural Responses By Red-Backed Salamanders To Conspecific And Heterospecific Cues, Aaron M. Sullivan, Dale M. Madison, Jason R. Rohr

Faculty Publications - Department of Biological & Molecular Science

Chemical cues released from injured prey are thought to indicate the proximity of a predator or predation event, and therefore, an area of elevated predation risk. Prey often avoid chemical cues released from injured heterospecifics, but there is little evidence to determine whether this is due to homologous cues among phylogenetically related species, or avoidance of injured syntopic species that experience predation from the same predators. The purpose of this study was to examine the response of terrestrial red-backed salamanders (Plethodon cinereus) to chemical cues from non-injured and injured members of their prey guild that vary in their relatedness to …

Orientation In Complex Odor Landscapes: Spatial Arrangement Of Odor Sources Influences Crayfish Food Finding Efficiency In Artificial Streams, Troy Keller

Faculty Bibliography

Fluid dynamics has been shown to alter ecologically important behaviors of aquatic organisms orienting to distant chemical sources. Because the fluid dynamics and chemical plumes change across hydraulic environments, it is unclear which of these factors influence orientation behavior more. This study examined how alterations in chemical signal structure, through changes in source spatial arrangement, affect chemically mediated search behavior. Microelectrochemical measurements of tracer molecules revealed that source arrangement significantly alters the downstream fine-scale structure of chemical plumes. Flume hydrodynamic characterizations (as measured with laser Doppler velocimetry) also differed among source arrangements; however, differences were minor and existed only at …

Does The Aquatic Salamander, Siren Intermedia, Respond To Chemical Cues From Prey?, Aaron M. Sullivan, Paul W. Frese, Alicia Mathis

Faculty Publications - Department of Biological & Molecular Science

No abstract provided.

Caudal Distraction By Rat Snakes (Colubridae, Elaphe): A Novel Behavior Used When Capturing Mammalian Prey, Stephen J. Mullin

Faculty Publications

Caudal movement in snakes may serve either a predatory (e.g., caudal luring) or defensive (eg., rattling, aposematism) function. I describe a new behavioral pattern of tail movement in snakes. Gray rat snakes (Elaphe obsoleta spiloides) foraging on small mammals (Mus domesticus) moved their tails in an erratic, whiplike fashion after detecting their prey in the vicinity. The thrashing movement in the horizontal plane was audibly and visually obvious, resulting in displacement of leaf litter around the tail. All subjects displayed the behavior, but not in all foraging episodes. Shorter durations of caudal distraction resulted in greater …

Behaviour Of Gilbert's Potoroo (Potorous Gilbertii Gould) In Captivity, Kylie Dijon Burke

Theses : Honours

In late 1994, Gilbert's Potoroo was rediscovered almost 120 years after it was believed to have become extinct. It was found at Two Peoples Bay Nature Reserve, near Albany, Western Australia. Since then, it has become urgent that detailed studies of the potoroo's behaviour and ecology be undertaken, so as to increase the understanding of the needs of 'this critically endangered marsupial. Due to its critical status, increasing the number of animals is of paramount importance to the continued survival of this species. An understanding of the behavioural repertoire of the species will aid in its recovery and provide the …

Gregarious Behavior In Large Mammals: Modeling, Methodology, And Application, Thomas L. Morton

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

Gregarious behavior of ungulates was considered in four ways. The first concern was W. D. Hamilton's hypothesis that a simple movement rule could reduce predation risk and encourage grouping behavior. Simulations showed little effect of this nearest-neighbor rule on predation risk. Similar, more complicated rules reduced predation risk by up to two thirds.

The second focus was on the accuracy of ground observers in diagramming individual animal locations in small herds of elk. A remotely controlled airplane was used to photograph the herds from above. A substantial distance discrepancy was found between "true" and "observed" animal locations. This discrepancy increased …

Morphological Three-Dimensional Analysis, C. Gratin, F. Meyer

Scanning Microscopy

This paper presents the main results of our research on mathematical morphology for three-dimensional images. The first issue is to decide which grid must be used. The face-centred cubic grid and the centred cubic grid seem to be more suitable than the cubic grid in terms of possible rotations. For these two grids we derive the formulae for the basic Minkovski measures. Then we show through several examples that extension from 2D to 3D is straightforward for most transformations. The efficiency of direct 3D processing is illustrated by applications to filtering, overlapping particle separation and grey-scale image segmentation.

The Watershed Transformation Applied To Image Segmentation, Serge Beucher

Scanning Microscopy

Image segmentation by mathematical morphology is a methodology based upon the notions of watershed and homotopy modification.This paper aims at introducing this methodology through various examples of segmentation in materials sciences, electron microscopy and scene analysis.

First, we defined our basic tool, the watershed transform. We showed that this transformation can be built by implementing a flooding process on a greytone image. This flooding process can be performed by using elementary morphological operations such as geodesic skeleton and reconstruction. Other algorithms are also briefly presented (arrows representation).

Then, the use of this transformation for image segmentation purposes is discussed. The …

Bird Territories: A Key To Understanding Bird Behavior, Robert A. Askins

Biology Faculty Publications

No abstract provided.

Attraction To Blood As A Factor In Tail-Biting By Pigs, David Fraser

Abnormal Behavior Collection

Canvas models, about the size of a pig's tail, were impregnated with pigs' blood or left plain, and were presented to pigs for 12 days in a 2-choice preference test. The pigs showed large, consistent, individual differences in response: some pigs chewed the models continuously while others chewed only slightly; some chewed much more on the blood-covered model, while others showed no preference. On average, the pigs chewed considerably more on the blood-covered model than on the plain one. In a second experiment, pigs presented with a choice test involving a blood-covered and a plain model showed a significant increase …

Will Mammalian Pheromones Be Useful In Wildlife Damage Control?, Dietland Müller-Schwarze

Wildlife Damage Management Conference

Rodents, lagomorphs and cervids are the most important herbivorous mammals that cause economic damage in North America. Farmers, foresters, trappers and gardeners have since time immemorial used various concoctions to attract wild mammals or repel them from certain sites or crops. The chemical industry has often used food odors in their animal control products. Currently no pheromone is being used in wildlife damage control.

1983 Little International Agricultural Exposition Catalog, Little International Agricultural Exposition South Dakota State University

Little International "Little I" Agricultural Exposition Catalogs

No abstract provided.