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A Localized Epizootic Of Trichomoniasis In Mourning Doves, Ellis Greiner, William Baxter

Nebraska Game and Parks Commission: Staff Research Publications

Trichomonas gallinae was present in 47% (57/121) of adult, 41% (7/17) of juvenile, and 29% (2/7) of nestling mourning doves (Zenaida nacroura) from Lincoln, Nebraska. Throat lesions were present in 5.9% (43/724) of the mourning doves trapped for banding. Two of four pigeons (Columba livia) possessed T. gallinae, but none contained throat lesions.

Observations On The Distribution And Composition Of Zooplankton In Portions Of The Intracoastal Waterway, Virginia, O. Clair Hillard Jr.

Biological Sciences Theses & Dissertations

Five stations were established in the Southern Branch of the Elizabeth River, the Dismal Swamp Canal, the Albemarle and Chesapeake Canal and the North Landing River. Representative samples of zooplankton were taken from October 1971 to June 1972. A. total of 57 species were identified and discussions regarding seasonal distribution in relation to physical factors and circulation are presented.

The composition of the zooplankton was found to fluctuate greatly due to the variables characteristic of the study area. The combined effect of tidal flow with freshwater input in conjunction with drainage from the Great Dismal Swamp, results in isolated populations …

Studies On The Causes Of Tree Distribution In A Forest Type In The Dismal Swamp National Wildlife Refuge, Thomas A. Janszen

Biological Sciences Theses & Dissertations

Vegetational composition and environmental parameters were analyzed in a forest type of the Dismal Swamp. A 0.5 ha forest stand was divided into 200 5 x 5 meter contiguous quadrats and the tree size classes were precisely mapped. Fifty soil samples were analyzed for texture, pH, and major nutrients. A topographic map was constructed with precision to 0.01 ft. Analysis of variance tests showed non-randomness to exist in soil texture and nutrient content while homogeneity tests showed non-randomness in distribution of some woody species. Factor analysis indicated no significant correlations between soil quality, topography, and woody species. Findings indicate that …

A Review Of Coyote Control Research, Donald S. Balser

Vertebrate Pest Conference Proceedings: 6th (1974)

Research on coyote control has lagged behind operational control for several decades. With the current controversy over toxicants and control of coyotes, attention has suddenly been given to the research needs of the problem. In the past research on annual damage problems, particularly predators, was concentrated on coming up with new lethal methods. The picture has changed with a definite need to study the entire problem, including the measurement of losses, the ecology of predators and prey, their behavior, and means of solving loss problems by non-lethal methods or mechanical protection. In any lethal control research, selectivity must be emphasized. …

An Overview Of Astm's Activities In Establishing Standards For Vertebrate Pest Control Materials, John R. Beck

Vertebrate Pest Conference Proceedings: 6th (1974)

The new FEPCA legislation under which a l l of us now operate, changes the format and program of pesticide registration and use in the United States. One of the events immediately proceeding this law was the establishment of the United States Environmental Protection Agency, and the necessity for that new agency to develop guidelines and standards for the registration and use of pesticides.

Early in 1973, a large number of persons associated with one or more areas of pesticides, and representing the academic world, consumers, and producing companies, assembled in Philadelphia to discuss with the American Society for Testing …

A Review Of Rodent Control Programs In New York State, Joe E. Brooks

Vertebrate Pest Conference Proceedings: 6th (1974)

The history of rodent control programs in New York State is reviewed, beginning with state-funded efforts in August, 1967. In 1969, Federal rodent control grant funds were used to establish four Model Cities programs. At its peak in 1970, programs were active in 18 counties, eight cities and villages, and in six Model Cities areas. The program encompasses all the major metropolitan areas of the state, serving some nine million persons.

As part of the state program, the Rodent Control Evaluation Laboratory was established to investigate chemosterilants as a means of rodent control and to develop knowledge of pest rodent …

Conference Participants

Vertebrate Pest Conference Proceedings: 6th (1974)

The Sixth Vertebrate Pest Conference drew a registered attendance of 236, with an estimated additional 50-75 persons who attended portions of the conference but d i d not register. As in past conferences, the attendance was made up of individuals having varying interests in vertebrate pest control problems from thirty-one states plus the District of Columbia. Participants from Argentina, Australia, Canada, Finland, Indonesia, Italy, Japan, Mexico, New Zealand, South Africa, Sudan and Switzerland contributed greatly to the success of the conference and provided further exchange of information on an international level.

Reptiles And Amphibians&#;A Management Dilemma, William D. Fitzwater

Vertebrate Pest Conference Proceedings: 6th (1974)

Reptiles and amphibians despite general public revulsion have a more positive than negative potential. On the positive side are food, scientific and educational benefits, biological control of pests, medicine, ornamentation, carrion cleanup, pets and aesthetic values. On the negative side are predation, human confrontation and health. Where control is deemed a necessary management procedure, it can be achieved to some degree by cultural controls, repellents, trapping and reductional methods, such as, hand capture, den hunting, electric fence and pesticides (though none are currently registered for this purpose).

Frontmatter And Contents

Vertebrate Pest Conference Proceedings: 6th (1974)

Table of Contents

Use Of Chlorophacinone In The Struggle Against The Common Vole (Microtus Arvalis Pallas) And Against The Muskrat Ondatra Zibethica L.), J. Giban

Vertebrate Pest Conference Proceedings: 6th (1974)

The use of the anticoagulant rodenticide, chlorophacinone, was largely developed in France during the last ten years. Its special properties, with respect to those of other anticoagulants currently known, have contributed largely to finding an effective and economically acceptable solution in the struggle against the two most damaging rodents in France: the common vole (Microtus arvalis P. ) and the muskrat (Ondatra zibethica L. ).

The Potential Value Of Genetically Sterile Norway Rats In Regulating Wild Populations, Bryan P. Glass

Vertebrate Pest Conference Proceedings: 6th (1974)

I appreciate the invitation to address this assembly, and hasten to inform you that I come before you as a Director and representative of the Introgene Foundation of Oklahoma City, not as one who has been actively performing the research of which I shall speak, although I have been following it very closely for approximately five years. I am grateful to the Foundation for sending me to this Conference to present this paper.

The biological control of animal populations took on a new dimension with the development of radiation-induced sterility in the screw-fly some two decades ago, and since that …

The Effects Of A Chemosterilant (Mestranol) On Population And Behavior In The Richardson's Ground Squirrel (Spermophilus Richardsonii) In Alberta, Louise A. Goulet, R. M. F. S. Sadleir

Vertebrate Pest Conference Proceedings: 6th (1974)

A chemosterilant, mestranol, was administered to three populations of Richardson's ground squirrel in southeastern Alberta. Mestranol was given to all squirrels in one plot, to only 50 percent in another plot, while a third plot remained as control. In all plots social behavior and population dynamics were followed over two seasons by live trapping and visual observations.

Mestranol sterilized all females who received the drug shortly before or in early pregnancy; accordingly the birth rates were reduced. Levels of total aggression were also reduced but increased survival and immigration rates nullified the effects of the treatment during the first season. …

Dual Role Of Forbs And Rodenticides In The Ground Spray Control Of Pine Mice, Frank Horsfall Jr., R.E. Webb, Ross E. Byers

Vertebrate Pest Conference Proceedings: 6th (1974)

Highly effective controls for the pine mouse (Pitymys pinetorum) were obtained for three years in apple orchards by means of herbaceous ground cover sprays of [(chloro 4 phenyl) 1 phenyl] acetyl 2 dioxo 1-3 indane at a rate of 0.2 lb. per acre of actual orchard. This toxicant from Europe is designated there as chlorophacinone. The spray residue persists for a maximum of about 30 days and was not found to be translocated to fruits nor was it detected in runoff water. Ingestion of the lethal agent is markedly enhanced by an adequate presence of forbs in the treated greenery. …

Nesting Success Of Quelea Quelea With One Parent Removed And Observations On Roosting Behavior, With Implications For Control, Jeffrey A. Jackson

Vertebrate Pest Conference Proceedings: 6th (1974)

Avicidal sprays are likely to continue to be a major tool in controlling Quelea quelea nesting colonies when they are found in cereal producing areas. New observations on nesting behavior indicate that a single parent cannot successfully care for the nest if the other parent is destroyed before the eggs have hatched. During the incubation period, Quelea return earlier in the evening and males are more concentrated in night roosting areas than after the eggs have hatched. These factors indicate that for the most efficient control, the best time to spray nesting colonies is before hatching begins.

Feral Pigeon Control, Lester B. Krebs

Vertebrate Pest Conference Proceedings: 6th (1974)

Feral pigeons, problem birds common to most American cities and farms, are descendants of the Rock Dove (Columba livia) of North Africa and Europe. They were brought to America as domestic poultry by the first European settlers and have since escaped. They are not truly "wild", as their existence depends upon man's activities. An adult pigeon will eat about a pound of food a week, consisting primarily of grain spilled around elevators, rail road yards and feed lots or fed by bird lovers at city parks. Pigeons are usually monogamous. The female lays 1 to 2 eggs, 8 …

Oregon's Nutria Problem, Lee W. Kuhn, E. Paul Peloquin

Vertebrate Pest Conference Proceedings: 6th (1974)

The nutria or coypu, Myocastor coypus, is a large semi-aquatic rodent that superficially resembles an overgrown muskrat or a stunted beaver. They were introduced into Oregon from about 1930 to the 1950s. At one time Oregon had more than 600 fur farmers raising these animals for fur; now there are none. Some animals escaped and many others were released into the wild when it became apparent that pelt values were nonexistent and production costs greatly exceeded profits. Being prolific and quite mobile the nutria quickly spread through much of western Oregon. By the 1960s damage to agricultural crops was …

Muskrat Control And Damage Prevention, James E. Miller

Vertebrate Pest Conference Proceedings: 6th (1974)

Although the muskrat, Ondatra zibethica, is native throughout most of the United States and has been a mainstay of the fur business, in recent years it has become a serious pest causing extensive damage to some specific crops, as well as to earthen water-holding structures. Damage caused by muskrats to rice crops, food fish, and bait fish reservoirs in Arkansas was estimated in 1967 to be almost $900,000. A control program begun in October, 1967, directed principally at muskrat control, proved a significant aid in reducing damage. This program provided Arkansas farmers and landowners with practical, effective methods and …

The Significance Of Preference In Laboratory Bait Acceptance Studies, James G. Miller

Vertebrate Pest Conference Proceedings: 6th (1974)

The palatability of rodenticide baits has recently been the subject of renewed interest in industry and regulatory agencies. The requirement that a bait, especially those with anticoagulant rodenticides, be consumed by the target species is a fundamental requirement for effectiveness. This has been overlooked at times, with the result that in some instances, rodenticides have been relatively ineffective due to a lack of acceptance.

The measurement of palatability and rodent acceptance is a controversial area. The procedures used have been subjected to criticism, often uninformed criticism, and the projection of the experimental data to use conditions has also been debated. …

Mestranol As A Repellent To Protect Douglas-Fir Seed From Deer Mice, Gerald D. Lindsey, Richard M. Anthony, James Evans

Vertebrate Pest Conference Proceedings: 6th (1974)

Mestranol** [3-Methoxy-19-nor-l7α-pregna-l,3,5 (10)-trien-20-yn-l7-ol (C₂₁H₂₆O₂)] was tested at 2 percent (active) as a repellent for protecting Douglas-fir (Pseudotsuga menziesii) seed from deer mice (Peromyscus maniculatus). In 5-day laboratory bioassays, deer mice consumed 61 to 66 percent fewer mestranol-treated seeds than control seeds; these results were about equal to those with a standard 0.5 percent (active) endrin seed treatment. Deer mice showed a progressive aversion to the mestranol seed treatment from 24 percent to 76 percent in 5 days. Thereafter, with minimal reinforcement, avoidance was maintained at 90 to 99 percent for …

Activities Of The Rodent Branch Of The European And Mediterranean Plant Protection Organization (Eppo), Arvo Myllymaki

Vertebrate Pest Conference Proceedings: 6th (1974)

The European and Mediterranean Plant Protection Organization (EPPO/OEPP) is a regional, governmental body, which has 33 member countries in Europe, North Africa, and Middle East. Its former activities were mainly concentrated on phytosanitary problems, but recently more attention has been paid on coordinating research activities and, especially, on problems associated with the use of pesticides in plant protection. On the Rodent Branch EPPO has at present three working units:

1. The Working Group on Field Rodents, concentrated primarily on biological aspects of the control of Microtines and other injurious rodents causing damage on field crops, horticulture, and forestry.

2. The …

Rodent Control Activities When Direct Seeding Forest Lands In Northern California, Peter C. Passof

Vertebrate Pest Conference Proceedings: 6th (1974)

The author reviews the changing use of rodenticides for deer mouse control over the past decade. He summarizes the operational procedures associated with direct seeding of forest lands by helicopter and the related practices of forest rodent control as they exist in the north coastal region of California. A description of the various field studies on Peromyscus baits and seed repellents presented to indicate the extent of local research activity in this increasingly important area of forest regeneration.

Laboratory Testing Of Albino Rats With Anticoagulant Rodenticides, Steve D. Palmateer

Vertebrate Pest Conference Proceedings: 6th (1974)

The results of testing dry anticoagulant baits at the Animal Biology Laboratory are evaluated in this paper. Overall, 14,940 rats were committed to these tests resulting in a mortality rate of 91 . 8 percent. The five chemicals tested and their mean mortality per test are: Diphacinone (93.5 percent), Pival (87.5 percent), Warfarin (93.9 percent), Prolin (91.2 percent), and Fumarin (92.8 percent).

The data indicates that 77.4 percent of the tests conducted resulted in a mortality of 90 percent or greater, but only 11.9 percent of them resulted in acceptance of 33 percent or greater and mortality of 90 percent …

Alpha-Naphthylthiourea As A Conditioning Repellent For Protecting Conifer Seed, Peter C. Passof, Rex E. Marsh, Walter E. Howard

Vertebrate Pest Conference Proceedings: 6th (1974)

The object of this study was to find an alternative rodent repellent to take the place of endrin when direct seeding to regenerate coniferous forests. Compounds with aversive conditioning repellent attributes were screened. Even though still falling far short of endrin, which also acts as a lethal rodenticide, alpha-naphthylthiourea (ANTU) treated seed produced about twice as many seedlings as did the untreated seed. Both the laboratory and field evaluation procedures and results are discussed. It is hoped that with more research the efficacy of ANTU as a seed protectant can be further improved. The compound is much too promising to …

A New Series Of Selective Rodenticides, David L. Peardon

Vertebrate Pest Conference Proceedings: 6th (1974)

A new series of target-specific, single-dose rodenticides has been discovered by Rohm and Haas Company (Peardon, 1972; Peardon et al., 1972). One compound, RH-787, best exemplifies the balance of desirable qualities of a good rodenticide. It is effective against a broad spectrum of pest rodents, has a desirable margin of safety in non-target animals, is well accepted in baits, causes no secondary hazard problems and is effective against "Warfarin-resistant" (anticoagulant-resistant) rats. This material will become commercially available upon receipt of registration from the EPA.

Emergency Rabid Skunk Control In Montana, Kenneth Seyler, Carter Niemeyer

Vertebrate Pest Conference Proceedings: 6th (1974)

A maximum of 500 strychnine eggs were placed in designated skunk habitat within a three mile radius where rabid skunks were diagnosed as an emergency control method to reduce or prevent the spread of rabies in striped skunk (Mephitis mephitis) populations in Northeastern Montana. The effects of strychnine on skunk and other non-target species populations were evaluated. When placed in primary skunk habitat, the toxicant eggs were selective in removing striped skunks. Scent post surveys indicated that skunk populations were reduced, while non-target species populations remained stable or increased in control areas. The effects of the toxicant egg …

Trapping: A Continuous Integral Part Of A Rodent Control Programme, H.R. Shuyler, R.F. Sun Jr.

Vertebrate Pest Conference Proceedings: 6th (1974)

Trapping is usually considered a rodent control technique of minor importance. Due to the economic situation in the Dumaguete, Philippines program from which this report is drawn, regular trapping was a biological necessity. Four species of rodents and a shrew were of concern. A continuing daily trapping program was developed from a field study of trap bait acceptability. Trap baits were reused every 23 days. Alternate baits were selected. Trap usage techniques were designed to optimize the results. Trap-bait shyness and trap shyness effects were observed but were not a major problem.

Animal Damage Control Research–"Are Present Priorities Based On Actual Need?", Richard N. Smith

Vertebrate Pest Conference Proceedings: 6th (1974)

Priorities regarding Bureau of Sport Fisheries and Wildlife vertebrate damage control research are in most cases based on actual need. Need is influenced by economic, political, legislative, and biological incentives. These incentives affect private industry, state and local governments, academia, and the federal government but in different ways. The Bureau of Sport Fisheries and Wildlife has 24 percent of its wildlife research budget invested in vertebrate damage control research. Its programs deal with predators, birds, and small mammals and research programs are problem oriented. Priorities are generally developed within the organization and are usually determined by biological need.

Environmental Impact Statements, Gordon F. Snow

Vertebrate Pest Conference Proceedings: 6th (1974)

The National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (NEPA) became law January 1, 1970, while the California Environmental Quality Act was adopted on September 18 of the same year. NEPA established specific action-forcing procedures for implementing the policy; created the Council on Environmental Quality (CEQA); fostered development of indices of environmental quality ; and provided for an annual CEQA report of progress. Section 102(2)(C) is the most renowned portion of NEPA. It requires the preparation of detailed written statements of environmental impacts, including alternative actions and their impacts. Section 102(2)(A) requires federal agencies to implement the integrated use of natural and …

A Safe Approach To Natural Home Ranges, As Applied To The Solution Of Edge Effect Subjects, Using Capture-Recapture Data In Vole Populations, Ryo Tanaka

Vertebrate Pest Conference Proceedings: 6th (1974)

Capture-recapture work was performed in 1970 and 1971 with Microtus montebelli seeking to disclose the edge effect subjects. For the purpose, in principle, it is needful for us to approach the reality of home range in size and shape. As the result of these studies, it has been established that the method using observed range length and width is highly available for searching after natural ranges and that the natural range of the voles (Microtus and Clethrionomys) is ordinarily on the order of 0.05 for females and of 0.10 for males in acres and generally oblong in shape such as …

Modelling For Research On Chemical Control Of Mammals In New Zealand, C.L. Batcheler, J. Bell

Vertebrate Pest Conference Proceedings: 6th (1974)

Development of predictive formulae or qualitative statements about the probable outcome of control campaigns entails knowledge of bait quality and distribution, behavior, vagaries of weather at the time of the control campaign, and other factors which govern the probability that the target animals will accept bait.

This paper collates experience in recognizing, estimating and using some of these variables for predicting the outcome of large-scale poisoning, and discusses possible approaches to the solution of some hard-core problems.