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Full Issue, Vol. 63 No. 1

Western North American Naturalist

No abstract provided.

Breeding Movements And Reproductive Activities Of Porcupine In The Great Basin Desert, Richard Alan Sweitzer

Western North American Naturalist

I assessed movements of North American porcupines (Erethizon dorsatum) in the Great Basin of northwestern Nevada in relation to reproductive activities during the late summer and fall periods of 1991 and 1992. Porcupines exhibit a mate-defense polygynous mating system and I hypothesized that (1) competitively dominant males would have larger home ranges than both subordinate males and adult females, and (2) variation in home range size among adult male porcupines would be positively correlated with reproductive success. Results indicated that dominant male porcupines ranged over larger areas (average 95% minimum convex polygon home range = 20.7 ha) than …

Chromosomal Relationships Among Three Species Of Jackrabbits (Lepus: Leporidae) From Mexico, Consuelo Lorenzo, Fernando A. Cervantes, Julieta Vargas

Western North American Naturalist

We studied differentially stained karyotypes of the leporids Lepus californicus, L. callotis, and L. flavigularis and described their banding patterns of euchromatin to decide whether results fit expectations of chromosomal rearrangements leading to the karyotypic evolution ancestral of the L. californicus–L. callotis–L. flavigularis lineage. Results confirmed previous findings on numbers of chromosomes (2n's) and fundamental numbers (FNs; except for L. californicus). Homologous G-banding patterns allowed identification of chromosome rearrangements such as pericentric inversions and addition and deletion of euchromatin. Chromosomal rearrangements that we deduced mostly support hypotheses on karyotypic changes in the chromosomal evolution of the Lepus …

Small Mammals Within Riparian Habitats Of A Regulated And Unregulated Arid Land River, Miles J. Falck, Kenneth R. Wilson, Douglas C. Andersen

Western North American Naturalist

In northwestern Colorado, flow regulation on the Green River has created a transitional plant community that features encroachment by upland vegetation into cottonwood (Populus fremontii)-dominated, riparian forest on topographically high floodplain sites and reduced cottonwood regeneration on low floodplain sites. To assess how these changes might have affected small mammal distributions, in 1994 and 1995 we live-trapped during periods surrounding spring flooding at 3 sites: above and below the confluence of the regulated Green River and at the ecologically similar, but unregulated, Yampa River (reference site). More species were captured at the most regulated site along the Green …

Conservative And Moderate Grazing Effects On Chihuahuan Desert Wildlife Sightings, Jamus Joseph, Michelle Collins, Jerry Holechek, Raul Valdez, Robert Steiner

Western North American Naturalist

Seasonal wildlife observations were made along transects on 2 pastures conservatively grazed (36% use of perennial grasses) and 2 pastures moderately grazed (47% use of perennial grasses) in south central New Mexico in non-drought (1997) and drought years (1998). Experimental pastures were similar in soils, terrain, spacing of watering points, and brush cover. Average ecological condition score for the conservatively grazed pastures was 60% compared with 64% for moderately grazed pastures. Throughout the study total standing vegetation understory herbage levels were higher (P < 0.05) on conservatively grazed than moderately grazed pastures. Total wildlife, total gamebird, and total songbird sightings did not differ (P > 0.05) between conservatively and moderately grazed pastures. Black-tailed jackrabbit (Lepus californicus) sightings were …

Effects Of Habitat Disturbance On Diets Of Great Horned Owl (Bubo Virginianus) In A Cold Desert, Shelly R. Kremer, Mark C. Belk

Western North American Naturalist

To determine the potential effect of habitat disturbance, Great Horned Owl (Bubo virginianus) diets were quantified in disturbed and undisturbed habitats over a 2-year period at Dugway Proving Ground in the Great Basin Desert of Tooele County, Utah. Invertebrates were the most abundant prey by count, whereas mammals constituted the majority of diet by biomass. Species richness in the diet did not differ between habitats or among seasons after correcting for the number of pellets in each sample. However, the number of vertebrate species was greater than the number of invertebrate species in the diet, and this ratio …

Foot Loadings And Pad And Track Widths Of Yellowstone Grizzly Bears, David J. Mattson

Western North American Naturalist

I used measurements of grizzly bears (Ursus arctos horribilis) from the Yellowstone region, USA, to investigate relationships between widths of foot pads and widths of tracks, foot loading and pad size, incidence of tracks and type of activity, and widths of front-foot pads and gender and age-class. Track width was affected by substrates and increased relative to pad width as sizes of both pads and tracks increased. Foot loading (kg · cm⁻²) did not vary substantially with foot size and so did not explain the proportionately larger tracks of larger animals. Tracks were most commonly associated …

Genetic Structure In Striped Skunks (Mephitis Mephitis) On The Southern High Plains Of Texas, Leslie A. Hansen, Nancy E. Mathews, Richard W. Hansen, Bruce A. Vander Lee, R. Scott Lutz

Western North American Naturalist

Genetic variation within populations reflects population-level social and demographic processes and influences how a population behaves as an evolutionary unit. We examined partitioning of genetic variation in striped skunks (Mephitis mephitis) from the Southern High Plains of Texas during 1994–1995. Sixty-nine male and 35 female skunks were sampled on four 12.8-km² study plots. Plot centers ranged from 17.6 to 61.6 km apart. We used multi-locus DNA fingerprinting with 2 probes, pV47 and CTTxAGG, to test 3 hypotheses: (1) females are more genetically similar to other females than males are to other males on the same plot (indicating …

Model Of Breeding Habitat Of The Mountain Plover (Charadrius Montanus) In Western Wyoming, Gary P. Beauvais, Rebekah Smith

Western North American Naturalist

To aid the conservation and management of Mountain Plovers (Charadrius montanus), we developed a spatially explicit model of breeding habitat for the shrub-steppe of western Wyoming. Points of Mountain Plover presence and absence were determined by field surveys conducted May through June 1999. At each point we measured topographic slope and a cover type suitability index related to vegetation height and density. Logistic regression revealed a strong negative relationship between presence and slope, and a weaker and positive relationship between presence and cover index. A multiple logistic regression model using slope and cover index to predict presence successfully …

"Curing" Of Nicotiana Attenuata Leaves By Small Mammals Does Not Decrease Nicotine Contents, Ian T. Baldwin

Western North American Naturalist

Basal leaves of Nicotiana attenuata are frequently found neatly excised at the petiole and piled on rocks or soil in the sun until dry, after which they disappear, sometimes to be found again in the nests of Neotoma lepida. In response to herbivore attack, N. attenuata increases the concentration of nicotine in its leaves, where it functions as an induced defense. Since excision of leaves at the petiole allows for leaf removal without substantially activating this induced defense, and air-drying at high temperatures can volatilize nicotine, we examined the hypothesis that the observed leaf "curing" behavior decreased nicotine contents. …

The Breeding System Of An Endangered Pupfish (Cyprinodon Elegans), John K. Leiser, Murray Itzkowitz

Western North American Naturalist

We examined the breeding behavior of the endangered Comanche Springs pupfish (Cyprinodon elegans) during 3 separate breeding seasons in a pool of springwater originating in Phantom Cave, near Balmorhea State Park, Texas, in relation to behaviors reported for the species in swift-flowing canals (Itzkowitz 1969). In the quiet pool, unlike in swift water, the breeding system was characterized by 3 different male mating tactics: territorial defense, satellite positioning, and sneak spawning. Although the breeding strategies adopted by the males were conditional, mating tactics generally reflected male size. Territorial residents were the largest, satellites were medium-sized, and sneakers were …

Evaluation Of Serum Gamma Globulin Concentrations In Neonatal Pronghorn In Oregon, Mike R. Dunbar

Western North American Naturalist

No abstract provided.

Philip Morris Faces "The Truth": A Rhetorical Analysis Of The Persuasiveness Of Two Teen-Targeted Anti-Smoking Advertising Campaigns, Marybeth Mcmurray

Theses and Dissertations

This thesis examines the persuasiveness of anti-smoking television advertisements aimed at teens and produced by Philip Morris's Youth Smoking Prevention Program and the American Legacy Foundation's truth campaign. The advertisements are analyzed rhetorically using Kenneth Burke's dramatistic approach, supplemented by theory related to persuasive advertising, characteristics of at-risk adolescents, persuasive attack, and persuasive defense (apologia).

The analysis indicates that strong central themes present in both the Philip Morris and truth campaigns act as a means of rhetorical persuasion, but are not necessarily rhetoric designed to persuade adolescents not to smoke cigarettes. The truth campaign advertisements contain both strengths and weaknesses. …

A Spatial Technique For Estimating Streambank Rosion Based On Watershed Characteristics

Journal of Spatial Hydrology

A GIS-based technique was developed for estimating streambank erosion rates for more accurately predicting total sediment loads at the watershed scale without the use of detailed field data. This technique relies on the use of data sets that are easily obtained and expressed as GIS data layers. The basis of this technique are statistical relationships between “lateral erosion rates” and watershed characteristics such as curve number, grazing animal density, topographic slope, soil erodibility, and degree of urban development. An algorithm for estimating streambank erosion was incorporated into a GIS-based watershed model. Simulated and observed sediment loads were compared for twenty-eight …

Pain For Pen: Gaspara Stampa's Stile Novo, Amy R. Insalaco

Quidditas

The Italian critic and scholar, Benedetto Croce (1866–1952) dismisses Gaspara Stampa's Rime (1553) thus:

She was a woman; And usually a woman, when she is not given to ape men, uses poetry and submits it to her affections because she loves her lover or her own children more than poetry. The lazy practice of women is revealed in their scanty theoretical and contemplative power.

For him, Stampa’s poetry is somehow inferior to her male counterpart’s poetry because it lacks “theoretical and contemplative power.” This essay will analyze aspects of Stampa’s poetry which disprove this claim.

Review Essay: Valeria Finucci. The Manly Masquerade: Masculinity, Paternity, And Castration In The Italian Renaissance, Liz Horodowich

Quidditas

Valeria Finucci. The Manly Masquerade: Masculinity, Paternity, and Castration in the Italian Renaissance. Durham and London: Duke University Press, 2003. ISBN 0-8223-3065-2. $24.95 paper.

The Marriage Of Adam And Eve: An Ancient Covenant, Roseann Benson

Theses and Dissertations

The metaphorical marriage, as described by the Old Testament prophets beginning with Hosea, symbolized the relationship of God the bridegroom, to israel his bride. This covenant relationship between God and Israel also symbolized the relationship God ordained between husband and wife. Literary structures, ritual patterns, and the Hebrew word which means "know" are common to ancient Near Eastern treaties and Old Testament covenants; most importantly, the marriage covenant. The marriage covenant is under the umbrella of previous covenants which a man and woman have entered into as part of the house of Israel. The terms "help meet" and "ruler" are …

Using Low-Threshold Applications And Software Templates To Improve Efficiency In An Introductory Statistics Course, Jason K. Mcdonald

Faculty Publications

This study was an exploratory study in improving efficiency in university courses by using low-cost methods of design and development that can be easily managed by university faculty. To explore this issue, we developed a lesson for the Statistics department at Brigham Young University using low-threshold applications (uses of technology that are low-cost and easy to learn) and software templates. We evaluated the lesson as a possible method to decrease the number of hours instructors were required to spend teaching in class. We discovered that students responded positively to the lesson, and that the methods of lesson design and development …

Costs Of Feeding Guinea Pigs In Two Meat-Producing Populations In The Field And Experimental Station, Sara Taborga Galindo

Theses and Dissertations

The cost of feeding has been pointed out as the most trascendet investment inside a guinea-pig production. The present work carries out with the purpose to determine and to quantify feeding costs, total costs of production and profitability of Tamborada and MEJOCUY guinea-pig populations. In the stage of suckling period, breed and gestation, experimental station and field. The result of feeding cost was 0.05 and 0.03 $US in suckling period (14 days) for Tamborada and MEJOCUY population, in breeding (42 days) it was 0.14 $US in both populations and in gestation (67 days), it was 0.42 and 0.40 $US. In …

Determination Of The Botanical And Chemical Composition Of The Pasture Diet Selected By Llamas (Lama Glama) During The Rainy Season In The Community Of Pujrata, Cristóbal Achu Nina

Theses and Dissertations

Llamas (Lama glama) take advantage of poor natural forage (grasses and others) due to their efficient digestive physiology that is adapted for this type of forage. The problem now faced is the gradual exhaustion of the native grassland (low phytomass production). The vegetation does not cover the dry matter consumption requirements, and less so the nutrient requirements, of these animals. Because of this there is the necessity of determining the botanical composition, pasture selection by plant parts, and chemical composition of what llamas ingest in order to improve these animals' nutrition in the pasture. This study occurred at the Larqa …

Determination Of Seric Retinol Levels In Relation To Consumed Diet And The Prevalence Of Anemia In Preschool- And School-Aged Children In The Communities Of Cuambo And La Rinconada, Imbabura Province, Verónica Chávez

Theses and Dissertations

In this investigation the seric retinol levels were determined in order to relate them with consumed diets by preschool- and school-aged children and the prevalence of anemia in the communities of Cuambo and La Rinconada, Imbabura province, in order to later compare them with reference values. Blood samples were taken from 74 children from the two communities, 30 in La Rinconada and 44 in Cuambo, beneficiaries of the Benson Institute, to determine retinol, ferritin, hemoglobin, and hematocrit. Also, a 24-hour record with frequency of food consumption survey was given to the studied children's parents, making a sample of 56 families. …

Digestibility Of Legumes And Grassy Forages In Guinea Pig Feeding, Javier Americo Campos Villarroel

Theses and Dissertations

With the objective to determine guinea pig digestibility of the nutritive components of Vicia villosa, red clover, and Lolium multiflorum in relation to alfalfa, the digestibility coefficients were evaluated for fiber, protein, dry matter, energy, and dry matter consumption in these three species in a completely random block design with four repetitions. The results showed that for alfalfa digestibility coefficients of 85.7% of the protein and 2806.6 kcal/kg of digestible energy, plus an economic substitution value (ESV) of fiber, protein, and energy of US$0.41 and $0.38/kg and US$0.009/1000 kcal, respectively. Lolium multiflorum had the highest tendency toward digestibility with 60.7% …

Implementacion And Strengthening Of Family Orchards For The Diversification Of The Diet And To Improve The Consumption Of Vegetables And Available Fruits In The Communities Of The Rinconada And Cuambo In The Period 2001-2002, Guido Arellano

Theses and Dissertations

The general objective of this investigation was to implement and strengthen family orchards for the diversification of the diet and improvement of the consumption of vegetables and fruits available in the communities of the Rinconada and Cuambo. They collaborated in the implementation and strengthening of the family orchards and by means of focal group techniques determined the readiness, seasonal variance, and alimentary habits of the available vegetables and fruits. They made 10 nutritive preparations in each community in participating shops with the foods that were harvested in the orchards and with the help of consistent educational material as 2 three-page …

In Situ Degradability Of Native Pastures In Llamas (Lama Glama) In The Rainy Season In The Community Of Pujrata, Pacajes Province, Mario Acho Nina

Theses and Dissertations

The llama (lama glama) in the Bolivian Highlands region is a most important potential resource from the socio-economic point of view for the dedicated producer to the management and exploitation of these Andean camelids, considered as national heritage of our country. The llama is completely adapted to the high plateau system, being considered a three purposed animal in this environment: producer of fiber, meat and work (load). However, due to the expansion of sheep and cattle, they have been marginalized to the poor areas, where they prosper well because they are rustic, sober and greatly efficient in the conversion of …

The Effectiveness Of Consuming Fortified Foods (Api) With Iron On The Anemia Ferropriva In Resident Students To Great Altitude Of The Rural Area Of The Departemento Of La Paz, Beatriz Julia Ramirez Copa

Theses and Dissertations

In many countries, the health and the development of a great number of people are compromised by the insufficient distribution of micro-nutrients. The deficiency of iron is one of the things that to a large extent contributes to the high rates of death and maternal and childhood mortality, affecting also a great percentage of school aged children. Bolivia, along with the majority of underdeveloped countries, presents high prevalence of anemia in the students. Recent studies confirm that anemia nutrients are a problem of public health of great magnitude to rural and urban level (Fernández et al, 1994). Before this situation …

Island Of Tranquility: Rhetoric And Identification At Brigham Young University During The Vietnam Era, Brian D. Jackson

Theses and Dissertations

The author argues that beyond religious beliefs and conservative politics, rhetorical identification played an important role in the relative calmness of the BYU campus during the turbulent Sixties. Using Bitzer's rhetorical situation theory and Burke's identification theory, the author shows that BYU's calm campus can be explained as a result of communal identification with a conservative ethos. He also shows that apparent epistemological shortcomings of Bitzer's model can be resolved by considering the power of identification to create salience and knowledge in rhetorical situations. During the Sixties, BYU administration developed policies on physical appearance that invited students to take on …

Evaluation Of Quinoa (Chenopodium Quinoa Willd) At Different Spacings Between Furrows And Plants In The Mamani Community, José Ferrufino Miranda

Theses and Dissertations

This study addressed spacing between furrows and plants in the cultivation of the quinoa variety Patacamaya. This study took place from 1999 to 2000 in the Mamani community, Ingavi, La Paz, Bolivia. The Patacamaya variety is a cross between Samaranti (sweet) and Kaslala (bitter), with a vegetative cycle of 145 days (semi-early). It has large grains, is sweet, and has a high grain yield. The spaces between furrows were 40, 60, and 80 cm in an experimental design of randomly divided plots with four repetitions. The spaces between furrows were implemented in large plots and the plant spaces as sub-treatments …

Design And Application Of A Nutrition Education Program Based On A Test Of Improved Practices For Pregnant Women And Women Of Childbearing Age In La Rinconada And Cuambo, Odila Nicaragua

Theses and Dissertations

This study was done with the objective of designing and applying a nutrition education program based on a test of improved practices for pregnant women and women of childbearing age in the rural communities of Ibarra canton: La Riconada and Cuambo. For this, information was collected on knowledge, attitudes, and practices (KAP) regarding the eating habits of pregnant women. These results were used to identify content and recommendations to reinforce and/or instruct about eating during pregnancy. Nutrition education was based on the methodology of the improved practices test, which consisted of testing the recommendations in families' homes before recommending them …

The Desert Shall Blossom As The Rose : Pioneering Irrigation / John A. Widtsoe, J. Michael Hunter

Faculty Publications

Beginning in 1847 Mormon pioneers used irrigation or the artificial application of water to land and soil in order to establish an agrarian system in Utah’s sub-humid Salt Lake Valley. Early leaders and members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS Church) viewed irrigation as a means of fulfilling the biblical prophecy of Isaiah, “The desert shall rejoice, and blossom as the rose” (Isaiah 35:1), although early pioneers and leaders realized that the Salt Lake Valley was not exactly a desert. In fact, some Mormon leaders described it as a “rich fertile valley.” Although a few Mormon …

Evaluation Of The Production Yield In Two Guinea Pig Populations Under Field Conditions And Project Mejocuy Cages, Elbert Alan Estevez Siles

Theses and Dissertations

The breeding of the guinea pig in Bolivia has always been important for the inhabitants of rural areas. Nevertheless, in recent years there has been broader acceptance for consumption of the guinea pig in the urban middle class, beginning to grow the market of the meat of guinea pig in the Departamentos of Bolivia, because the good flavor and high degree of nutrition of this meat, therefore offering a good option to improve nutrition in the diet of Bolivians. Currently the type of breeding found of the valleys of Bolivia in the great majority of the communities is family-based, with …