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Apparent Chromosomal Heterosis In A Fossorial Mammal, John C. Patton, Robert J. Baker, Hugh H. Genoways

University of Nebraska State Museum: Mammalogy Papers

For the past decade, numerous investigators have attempted to explain the plethora of genetic polymorphism found in nature (see Ayala 1976). However, few researchers have been able to document how polymorphisms have been maintained, whether the polymorphisms were genic or chromosomal. Our investigations into the maintenance of a Robertsonian chromosomal polymorphism in the plains pocket goher, Geomys bursarius major, have revealed evidence that this polymorphism is maintained by differential viabilities of the three chromosomal morphs, with the heterozygote being favored.

Proceedings Of Perdix Ii: Gray Partridge Workshop, Forest, Wildlife And Range Experiment Station, University Of Idaho, The Wildlife Society, Idaho Cahpter, Wildlife Management Institute

Galliformes Specialist Group and Affiliated Societies: Conference Proceedings

Proceedings of Perdix II: Gray Partridge Workshop (March 18-20, 1980, Moscow, Idaho, United States)

The proceedings for this symposium have been divided into three parts: professional papers, a continent-wide management/research plan, and a bibliography. All of the papers were refereed by two or three people working in the field.

Papers Presented

The Distribution and Density of Gray Partridge in Northern New York, David E. Austin

Habitat Utilization by Gray Partridge (Perdix perdix L.) Prenesting Pairs in East-Central Wisconsin, Kevin E. Church, Hallett J. Harris, and Richard B. Stiehl

An Evaluation of Gray Partridge (Perdix perdix) Aging Criteria, …

Platte River Evapotranspiration: A Historical Perspective In Central Nebraska, Harold G. Nagel, M. Stanley Dart

Transactions of the Nebraska Academy of Sciences and Affiliated Societies

A computational model was developed to estimate evapotranspiration (ET) in the Platte River ecosystem of central Nebraska. Data used in the model were mostly derived from the literature, although leaftemperature data were collected to estimate species transpirationcoefficients.

Preliminary estimates for ET are 35.5 in per yr during the April-tooctober growing season. Riparian forest accounted for 30% of the total ET, followed in order of importance by open-water evaporation, forested islands, herbaceous riparian-transpiration, sandbar evaporation, and then hcrbaceous island-vegetation, which accounted for only 10% of the total ET.

The Platte River has changed markedly during the last 40 years, with reduced …

Observations On The Life Cycle Of Spurge Hawkmoth, J. R. Forwood, M. K. Mccarty

Transactions of the Nebraska Academy of Sciences and Affiliated Societies

Certain aspects of the life cycle of the spurge hawkmoth, Hyles euphorbiae L. (Sphingidae), were studied to evaluate it as a possible biological control agent for leafy spurge (Euphorbia esula L.) in Nebraska. There are five phases in the life cycle of this insect: egg, larva, prepupa, pupa, and adult. It is a foliage-feeding insect and consumes about 18 g fresh weight of leafy spurge during its larval life. About 80% of the leafy spurge consumption is by the fifth instar. A generation may be completed in a period of 42 to 72 days. The spurge hawkmoth overwinters as …

Platte River Island Succession, Harold G. Nagel, Karen Geisler, John Cochran, Jon Fallesen, Barbara Hadenfeldt, Joy Mathews, John Nickel, Steven Stec, Alice Walters

Transactions of the Nebraska Academy of Sciences and Affiliated Societies

This study was designed to determine successional trends of soils and vegetation on Platte River islands in central Nebraska and to elucidate interactions between them through time.

Twenty study islands from five age-size classes were randomly selected in a 48 km stretch near Kearney, Nebraska. The age of islands wao determined by use of aerial photographs. Woody and herbaceous plant species were sampled systematically, and soil cores were analyzed for organic matter and texture at each island. Relative elevation at each sampling plot was determined.

There were 20 islands per linear kilometer in the study area larger than 0.04 ha …

Distribution Of Fishes In Thirty-Two Mile Creek, Nebraska, Steven R. Walker

Transactions of the Nebraska Academy of Sciences and Affiliated Societies

Thirty-two Mile Creek drains a 276 km² area in south central Nebraska as a tributary to the Little Blue River. Fishes were collected during the summer of 1977 using a seine. Nine species were collected at the 16 stations sampled.

The fathead minnow (Pimephales promelas) was the most abundant species and present at every station. Black bullhead (lctalurus melas), carp (Cyprinus carpio), and red shiner (Notropis lutrensis) were widespread while other species had limited distributions. Species diversity was determined for each station and stream order. Fish distribution and abundance in the drainage were …

Causality, Determinism, And The Mind-Brain Problem, Jeffrey C. Schank

Transactions of the Nebraska Academy of Sciences and Affiliated Societies

The problem of causality, determinism, and mind and brain are discussed, and new solutions are offered. To begin, a pragmatic structuralism is assumed, asserting the functional equivalence of mind and brain activity. A problem-solving model of mind-brain activity is defined, employing the mathematical theory of probablistic automata. With this model it can be determined whether mind-brain activity is deterministic. This is accomplished if an adequate definition of strict causality is developed. Logical models of strict causality which define the causal relation in terms of "material implication" or "strict implication" are rejected. Causal relativity is assumed, and certain systemtheoretical assumptions are …

The Idea Of Technological Progress And Its Problems, Eugene E. Selk

Transactions of the Nebraska Academy of Sciences and Affiliated Societies

Recently the problem of scientific progress has been one of the most widely discussed topics among historians and philosophers of science. But little has been said on the problem of technological progress. I suggest that theories of technological progress can be divided, first, into cognitive and non-cognitive; then cognitive can be subdivided into cumulative and problem-solving; non-cognitive can be divided into material well-being and moral and spiritual well-being. After examining different versions of the cumulative theory, I conclude that technology is not intrinsically cumulative; whether technology is cumulatively progressive is a matter of goals extrinsic to technology. I argue that …

Transactions Of The Nebraska Academy Of Sciences Volume Viii (1980): Table Of Contents

Transactions of the Nebraska Academy of Sciences and Affiliated Societies

Nebraska Academy of Sciences, Officers, Policy Committee .......... ii

Editorial Board, Instructions to Contributors .......... v

Membership Objectives and Friends of the Academy .......... vi

Biological and Medical Sciences

The influence of winglessness on mating frequency in species of the Drosophila affinis subgroup (Alemdar, McIntyre, Chang, and Miller) .......... 1

Den and den-site characteristics of coyotes (Canis latrans) in southeastern Nebraska (D. P. Althoff) .......... 9

Floristic analysis of a natural area on the Lower Platte River Flood Plain (D. A. Becker) .......... 15

Observations on the life cycle of spurge hawkmoth (J. R. Forwood and M. K. …

The Influence Of Winglessness On Mating Frequency In Species Of The Drosophila Affinis Subgroup, Neriman Alemdar, Ronda Mcintyre, Ho-Chi Chang, Dwight D. Miller

Transactions of the Nebraska Academy of Sciences and Affiliated Societies

Certain Drosophila species that cannot mate in darkness have also been shown to be unable to mate in the light if their wings have been removed, perhaps due to the fact that wings provide visual signs and signals for courtship. To determine the influence of winglessness on mating in light-dependent Drosophila algonquin and its relatives, we determined mating frequencies in combinations of winged and wingless individuals of the six widespread American Drosophila affinis subgroup species D. affinis, D. algonquin, D. athabasca, D. azteca, D. narragansett, and D. tolteca. In no case did winglessness of …

Floristic Analysis Of A Natural Area On The Lower Platte River Flood Plain, Donald A. Becker

Transactions of the Nebraska Academy of Sciences and Affiliated Societies

The vascular flora of an extinct river-island and inactive northchannel of the Platte River was studied from 1972-1978. Within a variety of vegetation types, including seral and sub climax flood plain forests, 289 species were identified from 200 genera and 70 families. The flora is dominated by four families, the Poaceae, Asteraceae, Cyperaceae, and Fabaceae, which contribute 40% of the species. Forty-eight species of woody plants occur in the area, including 17 species not previously reported in Dodge County. While much of the flora is composed of forest species (36.1%), significant numbers of ruderal and marsh species (each 19.4%) are …

The Fishes Of Salt Creek Basin, Nebraska, Terry R. Maret, Edward J. Peters

Transactions of the Nebraska Academy of Sciences and Affiliated Societies

During April through October 1977 we investigated the distribution of stream fishes from Salt Creek Basin in southeastern Nebraska. A total of 18,560 individuals representing 12 families and 34 species was taken from 125 collections at 102 different localities. Each collected species is reported in the form of an annotated list. Pimephales promelas, Notropis stramineus, N. lutrensis, Lepomis cyanellus. and Ictalurus melas were most frequently collected. The general low diversity of fish species at most collection sites indicates that the environment in these small streams is quite unstable. Comparisons with previous surveys of the fish fauna in …

Paleoclimatic Implications Of Pleistocene Herpetofaunas Of Eastern And Central North America, J. Alan Holman

Transactions of the Nebraska Academy of Sciences and Affiliated Societies

A review of Pleistocene herpetofaunas of eastern and central North America does not support the classical concept of alternating cool-moist, warm-dry glacial and interglacial climates. On the contrary, herpetological evidence generally indicates Pleistocene climates south of the glacial boundaries were warmer or more equable than today until very Late Pleistocene time, when there is some evidence of cooling in the Ozark and Appalachian areas. On the other hand, there is evidence that climatic equability persisted in southern Texas, northeastern Mississippi, northwestern Georgia, and Florida, in very Late Pleistocene time. Since classical terms such as Nebraskan, Aftonian, Kansan, etc., reflect the …

Variation In Pappogeomys Castanops (Geomyidae) On The Llano Estacado Of Texas And New Mexico, Robert C. Dowler, Hugh H. Genoways

University of Nebraska State Museum: Mammalogy Papers

Nongeographic and geographic variation in the yellow-cheeked pocket gopher, Pappogeomys castanops, were analyzed in specimens collected in northwestern Texas and eastern New Mexico. Univariate and multivariate methods of analysis were utilized to assess variation in morphometric characters among 12 samples of P. castanops. Because of significant variation with age, only adult specimens were used in analyses. Adult males were significantly larger than females in all 13 characters studied. Our analyses of geographic variation reveal that those specimens previously assigned to the subspecies P. c. simulans are not sufficiently distinct to warrant subspecific designation.

How To Evaluate Wildlife Damage Control Programs - Rodents, Robert M. Timm

Great Plains Wildlife Damage Control Workshop Proceedings

Wildlife damage control programs, whether they be directed at rodents or other species, exist because of particular needs. The first criterion in evaluating any such program is: does the program meet an existing need, i.e. does it effectively reduce damage? To answer this question, it is necessary to define the need. Need can be described in terms of the extent and severity of damage caused by rodents, or potential damage (which may occur, if no action is taken). Actual damage is measured most accurately by an on-site survey or inspection. This may involve measurement of a resource loss (for example, …

Predation Of Upland Game And Its Management, Roger Wells

Great Plains Wildlife Damage Control Workshop Proceedings

There is probably no greater topic that elicits greater emotion in public wildlife discussions than that of predation. A variety of groups each with their own particular special interest surround the topic.

Some advocate complete protection of predators on the premise that their activities merely result in a "balance of nature." The opposite viewpoint argue just as strongly for the total elimination of Predators of valued wildlife in order to have greater number for man's enjoyment.

Solving Urban Problems Associated With Small Animals, Sharon Whitten

Great Plains Wildlife Damage Control Workshop Proceedings

Small animals have been drawn into the urban setting, and as a consequence of their contact with man their populations are growing. The result of this growth is damage to man's property. We must take steps to reduce damage caused by wildlife in urban areas.

Political And Sociological Aspects Of Wildlife Damage Control, Walter E. Howard

Great Plains Wildlife Damage Control Workshop Proceedings

I greatly appreciate being invited to the 1979 Great Plains Wildlife Damage Control workshop - especially being your dinner speaker. The climate of public opinion developed from the ecology movement in the western world implies that everything chemical is unnatural and bad, while anything biological is intrinsically desirable. Vertebrate pest control faces a very emotional climate, thanks to government actions and many organizations seeking to profit fran keeping it that way. Unfortunately Americans have been indoctrinated to think that the present vertebrate pest control methodology is archaic and inhumane, that the field attracts those who are killers at heart, and …

Using Extension Methodology In Prairie Dog Management, Lloyd K. Cheatheam

Great Plains Wildlife Damage Control Workshop Proceedings

At the turn of the century, Texas' 'black-tailed prairie dog was probably the State's most abundant wildlife species. Bailey estimated the population at 800,000,000 animals in 1905. He also described a single colony that was 100 miles wide and 250 miles long, from San Angelo, Texas to Clarendon, Texas. During this period, other authors described riding by horseback for several days through a single colony. Settlers of this area, wishing to raise cattle, had to first control the prairie dog. My good friend, G.IJ. "Shorty" Kennedy, a retired ranch foreman and an octgenarian, described these historical control methods to me.

How To Evaluate Wildlife Damage Control Programs, Orvis Gustad

Great Plains Wildlife Damage Control Workshop Proceedings

I did not volunteer to substitute for Bill Pfeifer on the subject of "How to Evaluate Predator Control Programs" as an expert on this subject, but rather to: 1) point out that we recognize the need for good base information for describing effectiveness; and 2) relay how the Service's Animal Damage Control Program proposes to obtain it.

Use Of Starlicide In Pigeon Control, Lester B. Kreps

Great Plains Wildlife Damage Control Workshop Proceedings

Feral pigeons, problem birds common to most American cities and farms, are descendants of the Rock Dove (Columba 1ivia)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, railroad yards and feedlots or fed by pigeon lovers.

Vertebrate Animal Damage Control: Summary Of Panel Discussion And Committee Review, Dale A. Wade

Great Plains Wildlife Damage Control Workshop Proceedings

It is clearly evident that the program planning committee for this national workshop recognized vertebrate animal damage and its control as one of the most difficult problems with which we deal in resource management. Perhaps no other topic is more controversial since it encompasses all of the biological, social, economic and political factors, with emotion and opinions frequently weighed more heavily than fact.

Rangeland Management Problems Associated With Wildlife From A Rangeman's Viewpoint, Paul D. Ohlenbusch

Great Plains Wildlife Damage Control Workshop Proceedings

Rangeland is the largest renewable natural resource of the Great Plains states. It supplies forage for the livestock industry (together with tame pasture), habitat for wildlife, water for man and animals, beauty and pleasure for everyone and an economic base for many rural communities. In short, it is many things to many people.

The Prairie Naturalist Volume 11, Number 4. December 1979

The Prairie Naturalist

THE STATUS OF HERONS, EGRETS AND IBISES IN NORTH DAKOTA ▪ J. T. Lokomoen

RANGE EXPANSION OF BAIRD'S SPARROW IN SOUTH DAKOTA ▪ H. A. Kantrud and C. A. Faanes

NESTING RECORDS OF THE WOOD THRUSH IN NORTH DAKOTA ▪ S. O. Lambeth and D. O. Lambeth

SOME ECOLOGICAL ASPECTS OF MARBLED GODWITS AND WILLETS IN NORTH DAKOTA ▪ K. F. Higgins, L. M. Kirsch, M. R. Ryan and R. B. Renken

NOTES ON THE INCUBATION BEHAVIOR OF BLACK-BELLIED WHISTLING DUCKS ▪ E G. Bolen and E. N. Smith

NOTES

Red Fox Captures Sharp-tailed Grouse at the Lek ▪ S. …

Ground Squirrels In The Great Plains, Bennett A. Brown

Great Plains Wildlife Damage Control Workshop Proceedings

There are 22 recognized species of ground squirrels in North America (Jones et al. 1975). All belong to the genera Spermophilus or Ammospermophilus. Some species contain as many as 14 subspecies, or races. In many cases, these subspecies are distinguished not only by morphological or distributional characters, but by behavioral differences and varying ecological strategies, as well. These latter frequently impact on the efficacy of various control methods.

Center Pivot Irrigation In Nebraska: An Institutional Analysis Case Study, Thomas Nutt-Powell, Stewart Landers

Department of Agricultural and Biological Systems Engineering: Faculty Publications

This paper is one of a series resulting from institutional analysis of photovoltaic (PV) acceptance. It reports the results of a study of institutional factors influencing acceptance of center-pivot irrigation in the Nebraska agricultural community. Center-point irrigation (CP) was an interesting topic for study because (1) it was a major recently introduced technological innovation in agriculture which (2) had potentially detrimental attributes – water and energy intensity. A brief historical review of the introduction and acceptance of center-pivot irrigation in the Nebraska agricultural community is presented. Institutions which were a likely part of this institutional arena relative to CP introduction …

Response Of Birds To Raptor Models, Michael R. Conover

Bird Control Seminars Proceedings

Today, more than ever, there is an increasing need for non-lethal methods to effec- tively control crop depredation by birds. One such method, involving the use of fear- provoking stimuli, has been used since ancient times but often with little success. If fear-provoking stimuli are to be improved, we must identify those features that are most effective and incorporate these into scare devices. Models of raptors are promising fear-provoking stimuli (Rowe 1971, Brown 1974, Messersmith 1975, Blokpoel 1976). Unfortunately, birds usually habituate to these models rather quickly. More efficient models have not been devised, in part because of the lack …

The Attractiveness Of Shredded Garbage To Gulls And Other Avian Species Potentially Hazardous To Aircraft, Dennis M. Forsythe

Bird Control Seminars Proceedings

The bird-aircraft strike hazard is a world-wide problem resulting in human fatalities and aircraft damage. Although the exact cost of bird damage is difficult to obtain, United States Air Force losses are estimated at over $10 million per year (Harrison 1976). Collisions between birds and aircrafts occur either enroute or when planes are landing or taking off at airports. Most of these collisions are due to large flocks of birds attracted to the vicinity by food, shelter, or water (Solman 1971). Solid waste disposal sites are an abundant food source for many hazardous bird species, especially gulls and blackbirds; and …

Public Health Problems: Tge, P. M. Gough, J. W. Beyer, R. D. Jorgenson

Bird Control Seminars Proceedings

Transmissible gastroenteritis (TGE) is one of the five major diseases of concern to pork producers. The virus that causes the disease has an affinity for absorptive epithelial cells of the villi of the small intestine, primarily the jejunum. Infected cells are sloughed off, and the loss of absorptive activity results in salt imbalance, hyperkalemia, and dehydration in the pig. Death occurs in 60 to 100% of the diseased infant pigs. Two forms of TGE exist in the United States: an enzootic form that has only recently been recognized as a serious problem, and an epidemic form that was first identified …

Perches Coated With Glue Reduce Bird Damage In Ricefield Plots, Russell F. Reidinger Jr., Justiniano L. Libay

Bird Control Seminars Proceedings

Although national losses are unknown, bird damage is a chronic problem for many Filipino rice farmers and is sometimes a severe problem within localized areas. Three species of Philippine weavers (Lonchura malacca, L. leucogaster, and L. punctulata) are common pests; and other birds such as sparrows, parrots, and even ducks contribute to crop losses. Post seedling damage by Philippine weavers, the focus of this study, usually occurs from the milky to the early maturing stages of rice growth. At this time, the birds arrive in flocks, alight within the fields, and squeeze "milk" from the developing seeds or hull the …