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United States Department of Agriculture Wildlife Services: Staff Publications

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Movements Of White-Tailed Deer In Riparian Habitat: Implications For Infectious Diseases, Gregory M. Clements, Scott E. Hygnstrom, Jason M. Gilsdorf, David M. Baasch, Myndi J. Clements, Kurt C. Vercauteren Jan 2011

Movements Of White-Tailed Deer In Riparian Habitat: Implications For Infectious Diseases, Gregory M. Clements, Scott E. Hygnstrom, Jason M. Gilsdorf, David M. Baasch, Myndi J. Clements, Kurt C. Vercauteren

United States Department of Agriculture Wildlife Services: Staff Publications

Movements of male white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus) are of great concern with respect to spread of chronic wasting disease (CWD) across landscapes because most yearlings males disperse and adult males have higher prevalence of CWD than do females and younger deer. We radio-collared and monitored 85 male white-tailed deer in the middle Missouri River Valley of eastern Nebraska and western Iowa, USA from 2004 to 2008. Average size (±SE) of fixed-kernel annual home ranges (95%) and core areas (50%) for resident deer were 449 (±32) ha and 99 (±7) ha, respectively. Resident deer exhibited a high degree of …

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Landscape Genetics Of Fishers (Martes Pennanti) In The Northeast: Dispersal Barriers And Historical Influences, Paul Hapeman, Emily K. Latch, Jennifer A. Fike, Olin E. Rhodes Jr., C. William Kilpatrick Jan 2011

Landscape Genetics Of Fishers (Martes Pennanti) In The Northeast: Dispersal Barriers And Historical Influences, Paul Hapeman, Emily K. Latch, Jennifer A. Fike, Olin E. Rhodes Jr., C. William Kilpatrick

United States Department of Agriculture Wildlife Services: Staff Publications

Habitat fragmentation and overtrapping are thought to have resulted in severe population declines for fisher (Martes pennanti) across the northeastern United States, and by the end of the 1930s only 3 remnant populations remained. Subsequent trapping cessation, extensive reintroduction programs, and natural recolonization have helped fishers to reclaim much of their historical range. The degree to which these processes have impacted genetic structure in this species, however, remains unknown. We used 11 microsatellites from tissue samples (n = 432) of fishers to characterize contemporary population structure in light of historical population structure and thus to determine the …

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Fifteen Years Of Urban Deer Management: The Fontenelle Forest Experience, Scott E. Hygnstrom, Gary W. Garabrandt, Kurt C. Vercauteren Jan 2011

Fifteen Years Of Urban Deer Management: The Fontenelle Forest Experience, Scott E. Hygnstrom, Gary W. Garabrandt, Kurt C. Vercauteren

United States Department of Agriculture Wildlife Services: Staff Publications

Fontenelle Forest (FF) is a 16.5-km2 serene natural area surrounded by a developed landscape, including Omaha and Bellevue, Nebraska, USA. An overabundant population of white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus) degraded the local forest. In January 1995, we estimated the density of deer at 27 deer/km2 in FF and the adjacent Gifford Point Wildlife Management Area (GP) and Bellevue residential (BR) area. We engaged in a public process to establish a deer management program in this developed landscape and learned from 15 years of experience. Formation of the Bellevue Deer Task Force led to implementation of controlled deer-hunting …

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Interface Between Black-Footed Ferret Research And Operational Conservation., Dean E. Biggins, Travis M. Livieri, Stewart W. Breck Jan 2011

Interface Between Black-Footed Ferret Research And Operational Conservation., Dean E. Biggins, Travis M. Livieri, Stewart W. Breck

United States Department of Agriculture Wildlife Services: Staff Publications

Questions and problems that emerged during operational conservation of black-footed ferrets (Mustela nigripes)have been addressed by a wide variety of studies. Early results from such studies often were communicated orally during meetings of recovery groups and in written form using memoranda, unpublished reports, and theses. Typically, implementation of results preceded their publication in widely distributed journals. Many of these studies eventually were published in journals, and we briefly summarize the contents of 8 volumes and special features of journals that have been dedicated to the biology of ferrets and issues in ferret recovery. This year marks the 30th anniversary of …

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Active Use Of Coyotes (Canis Latrans) To Detect Bovine Tuberculosis In Northeastern Michigan, Usa, Are R. Berentsen, Michael R. Dunbar, Shylo R. Johnson, S. Robbe-Austerman, L. Martinez, R. L. Jones Jan 2011

Active Use Of Coyotes (Canis Latrans) To Detect Bovine Tuberculosis In Northeastern Michigan, Usa, Are R. Berentsen, Michael R. Dunbar, Shylo R. Johnson, S. Robbe-Austerman, L. Martinez, R. L. Jones

United States Department of Agriculture Wildlife Services: Staff Publications

Bovine tuberculosis (bTB) is endemic in white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus) in northeastern Michigan, USA, and research suggests transmission to cattle. Prevalence of the disease in deer is estimated at 1.8%, but as prevalence decreases the difficulty of detection increases. Research suggests coyotes (Canis latrans) have a higher prevalence of bTB in Michigan than deer and sampling coyotes may be a more efficient surveillance tool to detect presence or spread of the disease. Coyotes possess suitable ecological characteristics to serve as a sentinel species, assuming transmission between coyotes is not significant. The question of whether free-ranging coyotes shed Mycobacterium bovis, the …

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White-Tailed Deer Incidents With U.S. Civil Aircraft, Kirsten M. Biondi, Jerrold L. Belant, James A. Martin, Travis L. Devault, Guiming Wang Jan 2011

White-Tailed Deer Incidents With U.S. Civil Aircraft, Kirsten M. Biondi, Jerrold L. Belant, James A. Martin, Travis L. Devault, Guiming Wang

United States Department of Agriculture Wildlife Services: Staff Publications

Aircraft incidents with ungulates cause substantial economic losses and pose risks to human safety. We analyzed 879 white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus) incidents with United States civil aircraft from 1990 to 2009 reported in the Federal Aviation Administration National Wildlife Strike Database. During that time, deer incidents followed a quadratic response curve, peaking in 1994 and declining thereafter. There appeared to be some seasonal patterning in incident frequency, with deer incidents increasing overall from January to November, and peaking in October and November (30.7%). Most incidents (64.8%) occurred at night, but incident rates were greatest (P 0.001) at dusk. Landing-roll represented …

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The Carrot Or The Stick? Evaluation Of Education And Enforcement As Management Tools For Human-Wildlife Conflicts., Sharon Baruch-Mordo, Stewart W. Breck, Kenneth R. Wilson, John Broderick Jan 2011

The Carrot Or The Stick? Evaluation Of Education And Enforcement As Management Tools For Human-Wildlife Conflicts., Sharon Baruch-Mordo, Stewart W. Breck, Kenneth R. Wilson, John Broderick

United States Department of Agriculture Wildlife Services: Staff Publications

Evidence-based decision-making is critical for implementing conservation actions, especially for human-wildlife conflicts, which have been increasing worldwide. Conservation practitioners recognize that long-term solutions should include altering human behaviors, and public education and enforcement of wildlife-related laws are two management actions frequently implemented, but with little empirical evidence evaluating their success. We used a system where human-black bear conflicts were common, to experimentally test the efficacy of education and enforcement in altering human behavior to better secure attractants (garbage) from bears. We conducted 3 experiments in Aspen CO, USA to evaluate: 1) on-site education in communal dwellings and construction sites, 2) …

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Vulture Flight Behavior And Implications For Aircraft Safety, Michael L. Avery, John S. Humphrey, Trey S. Daughtery, Justin W. Fischer, Michael P. Milleson, Eric A. Tillman, William E. Bruce, W. David Walter Jan 2011

Vulture Flight Behavior And Implications For Aircraft Safety, Michael L. Avery, John S. Humphrey, Trey S. Daughtery, Justin W. Fischer, Michael P. Milleson, Eric A. Tillman, William E. Bruce, W. David Walter

United States Department of Agriculture Wildlife Services: Staff Publications

Growing vulture populations represent increasing hazards to civil and military aircraft. To assess vulture flight behavior and activity patterns at the Marine Corps Air Station in Beaufort, South Carolina, we equipped 11 black vultures (Coragyps atratus) and 11 turkey vultures (Cathartes aura) with solarpowered Global Positioning System (GPS) satellite transmitters during a 2-year study (1 Oct 2006–30 Sep 2008). Turkey vultures had larger seasonal home ranges than did black vultures, and 2 turkey vultures made round-trips to Florida. Black vultures consistently spent less time in flight (8.4%) than did turkey vultures (18.9%), and black vultures flew at higher altitudes than …

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Acetaminophen And Zinc Phosphide For Lethal Management Of Invasive Lizards Ctenosaura Similis , Michael L. Avery, John D. Eisemann, Kandy L. Keacher, Peter J. Savarie Jan 2011

Acetaminophen And Zinc Phosphide For Lethal Management Of Invasive Lizards Ctenosaura Similis , Michael L. Avery, John D. Eisemann, Kandy L. Keacher, Peter J. Savarie

United States Department of Agriculture Wildlife Services: Staff Publications

Reducing populations of invasive lizards through trapping and shooting is feasible in many cases but effective integrated management relies on a variety of tools, including toxicants. In Florida, using wild-caught non-native black spiny-tailed iguanas Ctenosaura similis, we screened acetaminophen and zinc phosphide to determine their suitability for effective population management of this prolific invasive species. Of the animals that received acetaminophen, none died except at the highest test dose, 240 mg per lizard, which is not practical for field use. Zinc phosphide produced 100% mortality at dose levels as little as 25 mg per lizard, equivalent to about 0.5% in …

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Hair Of The Dog: Obtaining Samples From Coyotes And Wolves Noninvasively, David E. Ausband, Julie K. Young, Barbara Fannin, Michael S. Mitchell, Jennifer L. Stenglen, Lizette P. Waits, John A. Shivik Jan 2011

Hair Of The Dog: Obtaining Samples From Coyotes And Wolves Noninvasively, David E. Ausband, Julie K. Young, Barbara Fannin, Michael S. Mitchell, Jennifer L. Stenglen, Lizette P. Waits, John A. Shivik

United States Department of Agriculture Wildlife Services: Staff Publications

Canids can be difficult to detect and their populations difficult to monitor. We tested whether hair samples could be collected from coyotes (Canis latrans) in Texas, USA and gray wolves (C. lupus) in Montana, USA using lure to elicit rubbing behavior at both man-made and natural collection devices. We usedmitochondrial and nuclearDNA to determine whether collected hair samples were from coyote, wolf, or nontarget species. Both coyotes and wolves rubbed on man-made barbed surfaces but coyotes in Texas seldom rubbed on hanging barbed surfaces. Wolves in Montana showed a tendency to rub at stations where natural material collection devices (sticks …

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Wild Dogma Ii: The Role And Implications Of Wild Dogma For Wild Dog Management In Australia., Benjamin L. Allen, Richard M. Engeman, Lee R. Allen Jan 2011

Wild Dogma Ii: The Role And Implications Of Wild Dogma For Wild Dog Management In Australia., Benjamin L. Allen, Richard M. Engeman, Lee R. Allen

United States Department of Agriculture Wildlife Services: Staff Publications

The studies of Allen (2011) and Allen et al. (2011) recently examined the methodology underpinning claims that dingoes provide net benefits to biodiversity by suppressing foxes and cats. They found most studies to have design flaws and/or observational methods that preclude valid interpretations from the data, describing most of the current literature as ‘wild dogma’. In this short supplement, we briefly highlight the roles and implications of wild dogma for wild dog management in Australia. We discuss nomenclature, and the influence that unreliable science can have on policy and practice changes related to apex predator management

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Wild Dogma: An Examination Of Recent "Evidence" For Dingo Regulation Of Invasive Mesopredator Release In Australia., Benjamin L. Allen, Richard M. Engeman, Lee R. Allen Jan 2011

Wild Dogma: An Examination Of Recent "Evidence" For Dingo Regulation Of Invasive Mesopredator Release In Australia., Benjamin L. Allen, Richard M. Engeman, Lee R. Allen

United States Department of Agriculture Wildlife Services: Staff Publications

There is growing interest in the role that apex predators play in shaping terrestrial ecosystems and maintaining trophic cascades. In line with the mesopredator release hypothesis, Australian dingoes (Canis lupus dingo and hybrids) are assumed by many to regulate the abundance of invasive mesopredators, such as red foxes Vulpes vulpes and feral cats Felis catus, thereby providing indirect benefits to various threatened vertebrates. Several recent papers have claimed to provide evidence for the biodiversity benefits of dingoes in this way. Nevertheless, in this paper we highlight several critical weaknesses in the methodological approaches used in many of these reports, including …

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Nilgai Antelope In Northern Mexico As A Possible Carrier For Cattle Fever Ticks And Babesia Bovis And Babesia Bigemina., E M. Cardenas-Canales, J. Alfonso Ortega-Santos, Tyler A. Campbell, Zeferino Garcia-Vaquez, Antonio Cantu-Covarrubias, Julio V. Figueroa-Millian, Randy W. Deyoung, David G. Hewitt, Fred C. Bryant Jan 2011

Nilgai Antelope In Northern Mexico As A Possible Carrier For Cattle Fever Ticks And Babesia Bovis And Babesia Bigemina., E M. Cardenas-Canales, J. Alfonso Ortega-Santos, Tyler A. Campbell, Zeferino Garcia-Vaquez, Antonio Cantu-Covarrubias, Julio V. Figueroa-Millian, Randy W. Deyoung, David G. Hewitt, Fred C. Bryant

United States Department of Agriculture Wildlife Services: Staff Publications

Of 20 blood samples from nilgais from Me´ xico, five were polymerase chain reaction-positive for Babesia bigemina and one for Babesia bovis. Positive samples had the expected 170 (B. bigemina) and 291 (B. bovis) base pairs and were identical to Gen-Bank B. bigemina accession S45366 and B. bovis M38218.

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Diseases And Parasites, Kurt C. Vercauteren, Tyler A. Campbell Jan 2011

Diseases And Parasites, Kurt C. Vercauteren, Tyler A. Campbell

United States Department of Agriculture Wildlife Services: Staff Publications

No abstract provided.

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Efficacy Of The Boar-Operated-System To Deliver Baits To Feral Swine., Tyler A. Campbell, David B. Long, Giovanna Massei Jan 2011

Efficacy Of The Boar-Operated-System To Deliver Baits To Feral Swine., Tyler A. Campbell, David B. Long, Giovanna Massei

United States Department of Agriculture Wildlife Services: Staff Publications

Feral swine (Sus scrofa) pose a significant disease threat to livestock and humans. Emerging technologies to reduce feral swine disease transmission risks include fertility control, vaccination, and toxicants. However, for these technologies to be appropriate for field application, a feral swine-specific oral delivery system is needed. We used two field trials to generate information related to appropriate field application of the Boar-Operated-System (BOSTM), an oral delivery system designed to provide bait access only to feral swine. Our objectives were to determine whether pre-baiting BOSTM units increased bait removal and to evaluate the proportion of feral swine and non-target animals that …

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Absence Of Mycobacterium Bovis In Feral Swine (Sus Scrofa) From The Southern Texas Border Region., Tyler A. Campbell, David B. Long, Luiz R. Bazan, Bruce V. Thomsen, Suelee Robbe-Austerman, Ronald B. Davey, Liza A. Soliz, Seth Swafford, Kurt C. Vercauteren Jan 2011

Absence Of Mycobacterium Bovis In Feral Swine (Sus Scrofa) From The Southern Texas Border Region., Tyler A. Campbell, David B. Long, Luiz R. Bazan, Bruce V. Thomsen, Suelee Robbe-Austerman, Ronald B. Davey, Liza A. Soliz, Seth Swafford, Kurt C. Vercauteren

United States Department of Agriculture Wildlife Services: Staff Publications

Free-ranging wildlife, such as feral swine (Sus scrofa), harbor a variety of diseases that are transmissible to livestock and could negatively impact agricultural production. Information is needed regarding the exposure and infection rates of Mycobacterium bovis and many other diseases and parasites in feral swine occurring in the Texas border region. Our main objective was to determine exposure rates and possible infection rates of M. bovis in feral swine by opportunistically sampling animals from the Texas border region. From June to September 2010, we obtained samples from 396 feral swine and tested 98 samples for M. bovis by histopathology and …

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Ontogeny Of Feeding Performance And Biomechanics In Coyotes, S. S. La Croix, M. L. Zelditch, J. A. Shivik, B. L. Lundrigan, K. E. Holekamp Jan 2011

Ontogeny Of Feeding Performance And Biomechanics In Coyotes, S. S. La Croix, M. L. Zelditch, J. A. Shivik, B. L. Lundrigan, K. E. Holekamp

United States Department of Agriculture Wildlife Services: Staff Publications

Developing organisms must reconcile conflicts between demands of survival within the current life-history stage, with those of maturation, while negotiating the transitions through succeeding stages. In the case of feeding performance, the parts of the feeding apparatus and their biomechanics must maintain functional integrity to meet the feeding needs of a juvenile even as they develop toward their adult form. We concurrently examine the ontogenetic relationships of feeding performance, dentition and feeding biomechanics, relative to key life-history events, utilizing samples drawn from the same population of known-age coyotes Canis latrans. The development of feeding performance is asynchronous with development …

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An Ideal Combination For Marine Turtle Conservation: Exceptional Nesting Season, With Low Nest Predation Resulting From Effective Low-Cost Predator Management, Richard M. Engeman, R. Erik Martin, John Woolard, Margo Stahl, Charles Pelizza, Anthony Duffiney, Bernice Constantin Jan 2011

An Ideal Combination For Marine Turtle Conservation: Exceptional Nesting Season, With Low Nest Predation Resulting From Effective Low-Cost Predator Management, Richard M. Engeman, R. Erik Martin, John Woolard, Margo Stahl, Charles Pelizza, Anthony Duffiney, Bernice Constantin

United States Department of Agriculture Wildlife Services: Staff Publications

We examined impacts from effective predator management on nesting success of marine turtles in an exceptional nesting year at Hobe Sound National Wildlife Refuge, Florida, USA, a beach with a high density of nesting marine turtles that has a history of severe nest predation. Historically up to 95% of nests were predated, primarily by raccoons Procyon lotor and, more recently, armadillos Dasypus novemcinctus. Predator control was identified as the most important conservation tool for marine turtle reproduction. Predator management by refuge staff as ancillary duties typically only held predation levels to c. 50%. However, when experts in predator control …

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A Reassessment Of The Role Of Propagule Pressure In Influencing Fates Of Passerine Introductions To New Zealand, Michael P. Moulton, Wendell P. Cropper Jr., Michael L. Avery Jan 2011

A Reassessment Of The Role Of Propagule Pressure In Influencing Fates Of Passerine Introductions To New Zealand, Michael P. Moulton, Wendell P. Cropper Jr., Michael L. Avery

United States Department of Agriculture Wildlife Services: Staff Publications

Several studies have argued that principal factor in determining the fate of bird introductions is introduction effort. In large part, these studies have emerged from analyses of historical records from a single place—New Zealand. Here we raise two concerns about these conclusions. First, we argue that although many bird species were introduced repeatedly to New Zealand, in many cases the introductions apparently occurred only after the species were already successfully naturalized. The inclusion of such seemingly superfluous introductions may exaggerate the importance of propagule pressure. And second, we question the reliability of the records themselves. In many cases these records …

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Testing The Terrain Hypothesis: Canada Geese See Their World Laterally And Obliquely, Esteban Fernández-Juricic, Bret A. Moore, Megan Doppler, Joseph Freeman, Bradley F. Blackwelll, Steven L. Lima, Travis L. Devault Jan 2011

Testing The Terrain Hypothesis: Canada Geese See Their World Laterally And Obliquely, Esteban Fernández-Juricic, Bret A. Moore, Megan Doppler, Joseph Freeman, Bradley F. Blackwelll, Steven L. Lima, Travis L. Devault

United States Department of Agriculture Wildlife Services: Staff Publications

The distribution of ganglion cells in the retina determines the specific regions of the visual field with high visual acuity, and thus reflects the perception of a species’ visual environment. The terrain hypothesis proposes that animals living in open areas should have a horizontal visual streak across the retina with high ganglion cell density to increase visual acuity along the horizon. We tested this hypothesis in Canada geese (Branta canadensis) by assessing retinal topography, visual field configuration, and scanning behavior. We found that geese have an oblique rather than a horizontal visual streak across the retina: from a …

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Annual Seroprevalence Of Yersinia Pestis In Coyotes As Predictors Of Interannual Variation In Reports Of Human Plague Cases In Arizona, United States, Heidi E. Brown, Craig E. Levy, Russell E. Enscore, Martin E. Schriefer, Thomas J. Deliberto, Kenneth L. Gage, Rebecca J. Eisen Jan 2011

Annual Seroprevalence Of Yersinia Pestis In Coyotes As Predictors Of Interannual Variation In Reports Of Human Plague Cases In Arizona, United States, Heidi E. Brown, Craig E. Levy, Russell E. Enscore, Martin E. Schriefer, Thomas J. Deliberto, Kenneth L. Gage, Rebecca J. Eisen

United States Department of Agriculture Wildlife Services: Staff Publications

Although several health departments collect coyote blood samples for plague surveillance, the association between reported human cases and coyote seroprevalence rates remains anecdotal. Using data from an endemic region of the United States, we sought to quantify this association. From 1974 to 1998, about 2,276 coyote blood samples from four Arizona counties were tested for serological evidence of exposure to Yersinia pestis, the causative agent of plague. Using a titer threshold presumed to be indicative of recent infection (serum titers of ≥1:256), we found a statistically significant relationship between years with > 17% sero-positive coyotes and years with two or …

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The Role Of European Starlings In The Spread Of Coccidia Within Concentrated Animal Feeding Operations, James C. Carlson, George M. Linz, Lora R. Ballweber, Stacey A. Elmore, Susan E. Pettit, Alan B. Franklin Jan 2011

The Role Of European Starlings In The Spread Of Coccidia Within Concentrated Animal Feeding Operations, James C. Carlson, George M. Linz, Lora R. Ballweber, Stacey A. Elmore, Susan E. Pettit, Alan B. Franklin

United States Department of Agriculture Wildlife Services: Staff Publications

To investigate the relationship between European starlings and bovine coccidiosis we collected samples from European starlings, cattle feed bunks, cattle water troughs, and cattle feces within concentrated animal feeding operations (CAFOs). These samples were screened for coccidia spp. to investigate (i) the prevalence of coccidia in starlings using CAFOs; (ii) if there is a relationship between bovine coccidiosis and starling numbers; (iii) if coccidia contamination of cattle feed and water is related to the number of starlings observed on CAFOs. Coccidia belonging to the genus Eimeria were detected in cattle feces and one water sample but no Eimeria spp. were …

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Effectiveness Of Av-1011® To Reduce Damage To Drill-Planted Rice From Blackbirds, John L. Cummings, Robert W. Byrd, William R. Eddleman, Richard M. Engeman, Shelagh K. Tupper Jan 2011

Effectiveness Of Av-1011® To Reduce Damage To Drill-Planted Rice From Blackbirds, John L. Cummings, Robert W. Byrd, William R. Eddleman, Richard M. Engeman, Shelagh K. Tupper

United States Department of Agriculture Wildlife Services: Staff Publications

We determined efficacy of AV-1011® (a 50% anthraquinone product; Arkion® Life Sciences, New Castle, Delaware) on drill-planted rice seed to reduce blackbird damage and determine residue levels of anthraquinone (AQ) in rice seeds and seedlings and in the mature rice crop under field enclosures at the University of Missouri-Delta Center farm near Portageville, Missouri. Red-winged blackbird (Agelaius phoeniceus) damage was higher for untreated than AV-1011® treated rice seedlings at assessment period 3, 15 days postplanting (F1,141 = 15.81, P < 0.001), and at assessment period 4, 19 days postplanting (F1,136 = 11.54, P = 0.001). Blackbird damage to AV-1011-treated seedling for assessment …

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Chapter 13: Development Of A National Early Detection System For Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza In Wild Birds In The United States Of America, Thomas J. Deliberto, Seth R. Swafford, Kyle R. Van Why Jan 2011

Chapter 13: Development Of A National Early Detection System For Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza In Wild Birds In The United States Of America, Thomas J. Deliberto, Seth R. Swafford, Kyle R. Van Why

United States Department of Agriculture Wildlife Services: Staff Publications

It is generally recognized that countries conducting comprehensive disease surveillance in wildlife populations are more likely to understand the epidemiology of specific infectious pathogens and zoonotic disease outbreaks (1, 2). These countries are better equipped and prepared to develop solutions that will protect humans, agriculture, and wildlife. Consequently, active surveillance for diseases of animal or public health concern in wildlife is particularly beneficial to national and international interests. The World Organization for Animal Health (OIE) encourages all countries to develop and maintain wildlife disease surveillance systems, which complement and support human health and agricultural animal disease programs. These systems should …

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Mesopredators Dominate Competition For Carrion In An Agricultural Landscape, Travis L. Devault, Zachary H. Olson, J. C. Beasley, Olin E. Rhodes Jr. Jan 2011

Mesopredators Dominate Competition For Carrion In An Agricultural Landscape, Travis L. Devault, Zachary H. Olson, J. C. Beasley, Olin E. Rhodes Jr.

United States Department of Agriculture Wildlife Services: Staff Publications

The role of carrion in food webs is governed by complex competitive interactions among a wide range of taxa. Although this competition is known to be influenced by several biotic and abiotic factors, relatively few data are available from highly altered landscapes. We investigated the fate of mouse carcasses in an intensively farmed region in Indiana, USA, using remote cameras. Vertebrates removed 234 of 266 (88%) carcasses within two weeks after placement. Raccoons (Procyon lotor) and Virginia opossums (Didelphis virginiana) were the predominant scavengers, removing 184 of 197 (93%) carcasses for which a scavenger could be …

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Black-Footed Ferret Areas Of Activity During Late Summer And Fall At Meeteetse, Wyoming, Kathleen A. Fagerstone, Dean E. Biggins Jan 2011

Black-Footed Ferret Areas Of Activity During Late Summer And Fall At Meeteetse, Wyoming, Kathleen A. Fagerstone, Dean E. Biggins

United States Department of Agriculture Wildlife Services: Staff Publications

Black-footed ferrets (Mustela nigripes; hereafter, ferret) were formerly widespread in central North America. Their populations decreased throughout the last century to near extinction by the late 1970s as a result of extermination of prairie dogs (their main prey) and the spread of disease (Biggins and Godbey 1995; Biggins et al. 1998). In 1973 the ferret was the least known endangered mammal in the United States because of its nocturnal, semifossorial habits and the few known populations (Erickson 1973). In 1981 a small population was discovered in a complex of white-tailed prairie dog (Cynomys leucurus) colonies near …

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Ameliorating The Effects Of The Digenetic Trematode, Bolbophorus Damnificus On The Channel Catfish Industry, Lester Khoo, David J. Wise, Linda M. Pote, Andrew J. Mitchell, Todd S. Byars, Marlena C. Yost, Cynthia M. Doffitt, Brian S. Dorr, Barbara A. George, D. Tommy King, Terrill R. Hanson, Craig S. Tucker, Terrence E. Greenway, Matthew J. Griffin, Alvin C. Camus, Carla C. Panuska Jan 2011

Ameliorating The Effects Of The Digenetic Trematode, Bolbophorus Damnificus On The Channel Catfish Industry, Lester Khoo, David J. Wise, Linda M. Pote, Andrew J. Mitchell, Todd S. Byars, Marlena C. Yost, Cynthia M. Doffitt, Brian S. Dorr, Barbara A. George, D. Tommy King, Terrill R. Hanson, Craig S. Tucker, Terrence E. Greenway, Matthew J. Griffin, Alvin C. Camus, Carla C. Panuska

United States Department of Agriculture Wildlife Services: Staff Publications

In the middle to late 1990s, an emerging digenetic trematode problem was recognized in the channel catfish industry. Morphologic and molecular analysis identified the culprit as Bolbophorns damnificus. The American White Pelican, Pelecanus erythrorhynchos serves as the definitive host, while the marsh rams-horn snail (Planorbella trivolvis) is the first intermediate host. Diagnosis of an infection involves identifying the metacercariae in the subcutaneous tissues. Infestations can be life threatening to catfish fingerlings but the proximate cause of mortality has not been ascertained. They may also predispose fingerlings to secondary infections. Larger fish do not usually succumb to the …

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Landscape Features Influence Postrelease Predation On Endangered Black-Footed Ferrets, Sharon A. Poessel, Stewart W. Breck, Dean E. Biggins, Travis M. Livieri, Kevin R. Crooks, Lisa Angeloni Jan 2011

Landscape Features Influence Postrelease Predation On Endangered Black-Footed Ferrets, Sharon A. Poessel, Stewart W. Breck, Dean E. Biggins, Travis M. Livieri, Kevin R. Crooks, Lisa Angeloni

United States Department of Agriculture Wildlife Services: Staff Publications

Predation can be a critical factor influencing recovery of endangered species. In most recovery efforts lethal and nonlethal influences of predators are not sufficiently understood to allow prediction of predation risk, despite its importance. We investigated whether landscape features could be used to model predation risk from coyotes (Canis latrans) and great horned owls (Bubo virginianus) on the endangered black-footed ferret (Mustela nigripes). We used location data of reintroduced ferrets from 3 sites in South Dakota to determine whether exposure to landscape features typically associated with predators affected survival of ferrets, and whether ferrets …

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Modifying Elk (Cervus Elaphus) Behavior With Electric Fencing At Established Fence-Lines To Reduce Disease Transmission Potential, Justin W. Fischer, Gregory E. Phillips, David M. Baasch, Michael J. Lavelle, Kurt C. Vercauteren Jan 2011

Modifying Elk (Cervus Elaphus) Behavior With Electric Fencing At Established Fence-Lines To Reduce Disease Transmission Potential, Justin W. Fischer, Gregory E. Phillips, David M. Baasch, Michael J. Lavelle, Kurt C. Vercauteren

United States Department of Agriculture Wildlife Services: Staff Publications

Direct and indirect contact through fences at cervid farms with only a single perimeter fence may play a role in transmission of diseases such as chronic wasting disease or bovine tuberculosis (Mycobacterium bovis). We report a case study examining effectiveness of a baited electric fence, as an addition to an existing single woven-wire fence (2.4 m high), for altering behavior and reducing fence-line contact between elk (Cervus elaphus). We used a video-surveillance system to monitor one 20-m-long test fence at an elk ranch in north-central Colorado, USA from 2006 to 2007. We conducted 26 trials (11 …

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Nutrient Utilization And Diet Preference Of American White Pelicans Consuming Either A Mono- Or Multi-Species Diet, Treena L. Ferguson, Brian J. Rude, D. Tommy King Jan 2011

Nutrient Utilization And Diet Preference Of American White Pelicans Consuming Either A Mono- Or Multi-Species Diet, Treena L. Ferguson, Brian J. Rude, D. Tommy King

United States Department of Agriculture Wildlife Services: Staff Publications

American White Pelicans ( Pelecanus erythrorhynchos ) are reported to consume large quantities of commercial catfish in Alabama, Arkansas, Louisiana and Mississippi, negatively impacting aquaculture production. If pelicans consume a single item diet, such as catfish, nutritional deficiencies may result. Therefore, effects of mono-and multi-species diets were examined to determine nutritional impacts on pelicans in addition to determining if preferences for certain fish species exist. Twelve American White Pelicans captured in northwest Mississippi were used for a seven day metabolism trial followed by a two day preference trial. In the metabolism trial, pelicans were assigned to one of three treatment …

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