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2014

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Complete Genome Sequence Of Mycobacterium Avium Subsp. Paratuberculosis, Isolated From Human Breast Milk, John Bannantine, Lingling Li, Michael M. Mwangi, Rebecca Cote, Juan Antonio Raygoza Garay, Vivek Kapur Jan 2014

Complete Genome Sequence Of Mycobacterium Avium Subsp. Paratuberculosis, Isolated From Human Breast Milk, John Bannantine, Lingling Li, Michael M. Mwangi, Rebecca Cote, Juan Antonio Raygoza Garay, Vivek Kapur

United States Department of Agriculture-Agricultural Research Service / University of Nebraska-Lincoln: Faculty Publications

Mycobacterium avium subsp. paratuberculosis causes Johne’s disease (JD) in cattle, sheep, goats, and other ruminant animals. JD presents as a chronic granulomatous intestinal infection with a worldwide distribution and imposes a significant economic toll on livestock industries (1). M. avium subsp. paratuberculosis has a complex cell wall structure containing mycolic acids and several lipids similar to those of other members of this genus, yet it is the most slowly growing member. This bacterium often requires 8 to 16 weeks before colonies are visible in culture, which is a major hurdle in diagnostics and therefore in the implementation of optimal JD …

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Draft Genome Sequence Of A Mycobacterium Avium Complex Isolate From A Broadbill Bird, John Bannantine, Darrell O. Bayles, Suelee Robbe-Austerman, Angela M. Burrell, Judith R. Stabel Jan 2014

Draft Genome Sequence Of A Mycobacterium Avium Complex Isolate From A Broadbill Bird, John Bannantine, Darrell O. Bayles, Suelee Robbe-Austerman, Angela M. Burrell, Judith R. Stabel

United States Department of Agriculture-Agricultural Research Service / University of Nebraska-Lincoln: Faculty Publications

Mycobacterium avium complex (MAC) organisms cause opportunistic infections in humans, yet their epidemiology remains poorly understood. They are slowly growing environmental and animal-associated mycobacteria that have little notoriety except for the strains that cause disseminated infections in HIV- infected humans (1). Most MAC organisms are classified taxonomically as a single species, M. avium, which is divided into at least four subspecies, M. avium subsp. avium, M. avium subsp. hominissuis, M. avium subsp. paratuberculosis, and M. avium subsp. silvaticum (2). The only other species in this group is M. intracellulare. Genotyping of this diverse bacterial group has been achieved using intergenic …

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The Response Of Lake Pontchartrain Fish Assemblages To Hurricanes Katrina And Rita, Martin T. O'Connell, Ann M.U. O'Connell, Christopher Schieble Jan 2014

The Response Of Lake Pontchartrain Fish Assemblages To Hurricanes Katrina And Rita, Martin T. O'Connell, Ann M.U. O'Connell, Christopher Schieble

Earth and Environmental Sciences Faculty Publications

To assess possible impacts on Lake Pontchartrain fishes from the 2005 hurricanes, we 45 compared trawl, beach seine, and gillnet collections taken before (2000-2003, 2005) and after 46 (2006-2009) to determine if significant assemblage changes occurred. We also compared basic 47 environmental variables to test for hurricane-related changes. Significant post-hurricane changes 48 in fish assemblages occurred in trawl (ANOSIM, R < 0.090, p < 0.05) and beach seine 49 (ANOSIM, R < 0.120, p < 0.05) collections across all seasons. Gillnet assemblages exhibited 50 changes in only one season (ANOSIM, R = 0.045, p < 0.05). These consistently low global R 51 values (all R < 0.120) across all gears suggest only minor compositional changes in species. 52 When peak abundance periods were compared for individual species, Gulf menhaden 53 (Brevoortia patronus) declined in trawl collections after the hurricanes (Friedman’s test, χ2 = 54 6.00, p = 0.014) but increased in gillnet collections (Friedman’s test, χ2=5.00, p = 0.025). 55 Hardhead catfish (Ariopsis felis) increased in trawl collections, but Gulf pipefish (Syngnathus 56 scovelli), naked gobies (Gobiosoma bosc), and rough silverside (Membras martinica) all 57 declined in beach seine samples and Atlantic croakers (M. undulatus), Spanish mackerel 58 (Scomberomorus maculatus), and sand seatrout (Cynoscion arenarius) all declined in gillnet 59 samples. In general, salinity increased and water clarity and dissolved oxygen decreased after 60 the hurricanes. While the overall composition of Lake Pontchartrain fish assemblages remains 61 stable, the significant decline of some species and changes in certain environmental variables are 62 cause for concern. Future monitoring should determine if all elements of this estuary will 63 recover from these impacts.

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Small Tidal Channels Improve Foraging Opportunities For Calidris Shorebirds, Aileen K. Miller, Catherine E. De Rivera Jan 2014

Small Tidal Channels Improve Foraging Opportunities For Calidris Shorebirds, Aileen K. Miller, Catherine E. De Rivera

Environmental Science and Management Faculty Publications and Presentations

Estuarine intertidal habitats are heterogeneous, therefore migratory shorebirds are expected to forage in microhabitats where they can maximize their energy intake. Identifying proximate factors that migratory shorebirds use to accept or reject a particular habitat patch will help land managers make conservation and restoration decisions that provide the greatest benefits to shorebird populations during migration, a period of intense energy usage. We examined whether small semipermanent tidal channels were preferentially used by foraging Western Sandpipers (Calidris mauri) and Dunlins (C. alpina) during a spring migratory stopover in Bandon Marsh, an Oregon, USA, estuary. Further, we tested …

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Measurement Of Anhedonia In The Chick Anxiety-Depression Model, Amy L. Salmeto-Johnson Jan 2014

Measurement Of Anhedonia In The Chick Anxiety-Depression Model, Amy L. Salmeto-Johnson

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Anhedonia, the loss of pleasure in previously pleasurable activities, is one of the cardinal features of depression. To further validate the chick anxiety-depression model, the current study aimed at quantifying anhedonia as well its reversal with pharmaceuticals. The first goal was to identify a measure to quantify the display of anhedonia in chicks following exposure to an isolation stressor, the chick anxiety-depression model. All experiments involved a baseline and test measurement either after removal from the home cage (No Test) or exposure to the isolation apparatus with conspecifics and mirrors (Social) or individually (Isolated). Experiment 1 used a straight maze …

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Obesity Related Perturbations On Cardiovascular, Immune And Endocrine Response To Active And Passive Stress, Ashley Elizabeth Burch Jan 2014

Obesity Related Perturbations On Cardiovascular, Immune And Endocrine Response To Active And Passive Stress, Ashley Elizabeth Burch

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

As the obesity epidemic increases, the prevalence of obesity-related diseases grows simultaneously. The internal environment of chronic low-grade inflammation, which characterizes obesity, leaves individuals vulnerable to disease. Cardiovascular dysfunction represents a consequential effect of obesity. An early indicator of cardiovascular disease is an impaired stress response. Further, the type of stress (active versus passive) may be differentially affected representing additional distinctions in impairment. In the present study, we have used two types of stress (active and passive) to investigate obesity-instigated alterations in cardiovascular, immune and endocrine response to stress. In addition, we have evaluated how these systems may overlap to …

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Elemental Fingerprinting Using Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometry And Chemometrics: Application To Environmental Science And Provenance Studies, Lorlyn Paquibot Reidy Jan 2014

Elemental Fingerprinting Using Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometry And Chemometrics: Application To Environmental Science And Provenance Studies, Lorlyn Paquibot Reidy

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

No abstract provided.

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Dis Connect, Bradley Scott Luke Jan 2014

Dis Connect, Bradley Scott Luke

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

No abstract provided.

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Wandering The Web: Subcultures: Steampunk Websites, A Guarantee Of Unique Amusement, Patty Teague Jan 2014

Wandering The Web: Subcultures: Steampunk Websites, A Guarantee Of Unique Amusement, Patty Teague

Against the Grain

No abstract provided.

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Exposure Of Feral Swine (Sus Scrofa) In The United States To Selected Pathogens, John A. Baroch, Carl A. Gagnon, Sonia Lacouture, Marcelo Gottschalk Jan 2014

Exposure Of Feral Swine (Sus Scrofa) In The United States To Selected Pathogens, John A. Baroch, Carl A. Gagnon, Sonia Lacouture, Marcelo Gottschalk

United States Department of Agriculture Wildlife Services: Staff Publications

Feral swine (Sus scrofa) are widely distributed in the United States. In 2011 and 2012, serum samples and tonsils were recovered from 162 and 37 feral swine, respectively, in the US to evaluate exposure to important swine endemic pathogens. Antibodies against porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus (PRRSV) and porcine circovirus type 2 (PCV2) were found in 2.5% and 25.3% of tested sera, respectively. Positive serological reactions against Mycoplasma hyopneumoniae and Actinobacillus pleuropneumoniae have been detected in 19.7% and 69.7% of animals. More than 15% of animals presented antibodies against these 2 pathogens simultaneously. Most animals were also seropositive for …

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Risk Factors Associated With Enteric Septicemia Of Catfish On Mississippi Commercial Catfish Farms, Fred L. Cunningham, S. W. Jack, David Hardin, Robert W. Wills Jan 2014

Risk Factors Associated With Enteric Septicemia Of Catfish On Mississippi Commercial Catfish Farms, Fred L. Cunningham, S. W. Jack, David Hardin, Robert W. Wills

United States Department of Agriculture Wildlife Services: Staff Publications

A gram-negative bacterium, Edwardsiella ictaluri, is the cause of enteric septicemia of catfish (ESC), which is one of the most prevalent bacterial diseases in farm-raised catfish. The objective of this study was to identify risk factors associated with ESC mortalities and are reported by farm personnel. To identify risk factors a catfish management database was developed. The odds ratios (OR) of the final multivariable logistic regression model were: (1) volume of the pond (OR, 0.56), (2) interval from harvest until a mortality event (OR, 1.49), (3) interval from stocking until a mortality event (OR, 0.52), (4) nitrite measured within 14 …

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Mineral Licks: Motivational Factors For Visitation And Accompanying Disease Risk At Communal Use Sites Of Elk And Deer, Michael J. Lavelle, Gregory E. Phillips, Justin W. Fischer, Patrick W. Burke, Nathan W. Seward, Randal S. Stahl, Tracy A. Nichols, Bruce A. Wunder, Kurt C. Vercauteren Jan 2014

Mineral Licks: Motivational Factors For Visitation And Accompanying Disease Risk At Communal Use Sites Of Elk And Deer, Michael J. Lavelle, Gregory E. Phillips, Justin W. Fischer, Patrick W. Burke, Nathan W. Seward, Randal S. Stahl, Tracy A. Nichols, Bruce A. Wunder, Kurt C. Vercauteren

United States Department of Agriculture Wildlife Services: Staff Publications

Free-ranging cervids acquire most of their essential minerals through forage consumption, though occasionally seek other sources to account for seasonal mineral deficiencies. Mineral sources occur as natural geological deposits (i.e., licks) or as anthropogenic mineral supplements. In both scenarios, these sources commonly serve as focal sites for visitation. We monitored 11 licks in Rocky Mountain National Park, north-central Colorado, using trail cameras to quantify daily visitation indices (DVI) and soil consumption indices (SCI) for Rocky Mountain elk (Cervus elaphus) and mule deer (Odocoileus hemionus) during summer 2006 and documented elk, mule deer, and moose (Alces …

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Invasive Myna Control In American Samoa, Michael L. Avery, John D. Eisemann Jan 2014

Invasive Myna Control In American Samoa, Michael L. Avery, John D. Eisemann

United States Department of Agriculture Wildlife Services: Staff Publications

The common myna is an invasive species in Florida, Hawaii, and in numerous other locations around the world. It is native to southern and south-east Asia. Common mynas are considered pests to fruit crops in many locales, and they are predators on eggs of other birds. Since their introduction to American Samoa in the 1980s, mynas have become the most frequently observed avifauna in developed areas in the country. The American Samoa Department of Marine and Wildlife Resources (DMWR) is concerned that expanding myna populations will exert competitive pressures on native species such as the Samoan starling and white-collared kingfisher. …

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Optimization Of Formulations For The Lethal Control Of Feral Pigs, Justin A. Foster, James C. Martin, Kurt . C. Vercauteren, Greg E. Phillips, John D. Eisemann Jan 2014

Optimization Of Formulations For The Lethal Control Of Feral Pigs, Justin A. Foster, James C. Martin, Kurt . C. Vercauteren, Greg E. Phillips, John D. Eisemann

United States Department of Agriculture Wildlife Services: Staff Publications

Feral pig populations continue to increase and disperse into unoccupied habitats in North America. Associated damages and control efforts cost U.S. taxpayers as much as $1.5 million/year. Toxicants show promise for feral pig control programs and may be more cost-effective than contemporary methods (i.e., trapping, aerial gunning, and dog-hunting). However, no toxicants are registered for feral pig control in the U.S. Development of sodium nitrite as an active ingredient in pig toxicants is ongoing in Australia, and a registration has been granted in New Zealand. Sodium nitrite is a strong oxidizer and is unpalatable to feral pigs, and thus it …

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Improving Invasive House Mice Control And Eradication Strategies Via More Effective Rodenticides, Gary W. Witmer, Rachael S. Moulton Jan 2014

Improving Invasive House Mice Control And Eradication Strategies Via More Effective Rodenticides, Gary W. Witmer, Rachael S. Moulton

United States Department of Agriculture Wildlife Services: Staff Publications

In many cases, the control or eradication of invasive house mice has been problematic using rodenticide products that are currently registered. Our investigations using 12 commercial formulations confirmed that premise. In contrast, 11 of 12 of those commercial formulations were effective against Norway rats. Hence, we investigated 7 new rodenticide formulations to identity more effective alternative rodenticides (different formulation and/or different active ingredients). Several of the new formulations of rodenticides and new active ingredients were found to be relatively efficacious (>70% mortality) and may warrant further investigation as potential control methods for invasive house mice. Additionally, a 2-active ingredient …

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Use Of Dogs In The Mediation Of Conservation Conflicts, Kurt C. Vercauteren, Michael J. Lavelle, Jean-Marc Landry, Laurie Marker, Thomas M. Gehring Jan 2014

Use Of Dogs In The Mediation Of Conservation Conflicts, Kurt C. Vercauteren, Michael J. Lavelle, Jean-Marc Landry, Laurie Marker, Thomas M. Gehring

United States Department of Agriculture Wildlife Services: Staff Publications

Conflicts between wildlife and humans are of global importance and are increasing. These conflicts may negatively impact wildlife, humans, and other resources, primarily livestock. Human safety and economic well-being can be adversely impacted by depredation of livestock and perpetuation of wildlife-borne diseases in agricultural systems. Conversely, management approaches to mitigate these conflicts may employ primarily lethal control methods that can negatively impact wildlife populations of conservation importance. Dogs, principally livestock protection breeds, have been used for centuries in some cultures to protect livestock from predators. Dogs have also been used for a variety of other conservation-specific practices. Here we provide …

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Evaluating Seadust Wildlife Controllant™ As A Repellent To Reduce Deer Browse On Douglas-Fir Seedlings, Jimmy D. Taylor Ii Jan 2014

Evaluating Seadust Wildlife Controllant™ As A Repellent To Reduce Deer Browse On Douglas-Fir Seedlings, Jimmy D. Taylor Ii

United States Department of Agriculture Wildlife Services: Staff Publications

Herbivory by black-tailed deer affects growth form and survival of conifer seedlings in western Oregon and Washington, especially Douglas-fir. Several deterrents have been employed to reduce damage to forest resources yet most are ineffective or cost prohibitive. Use of chemical repellents is socially appealing because they offer a potential non-lethal alternative to reduce plant damage (i.e., browse). Commercial deer repellents may employ one or more mechanisms in their formulation, which affect taste, odor, visual, and/or tactile cues when consumed by deer. I evaluated the commercial SeaDust Wildlife Controllant™ as a tool to repel black-tailed deer from Douglas-fir seedlings during spring …

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Effectiveness Of Foliar Applications Of 9,10-Anthraquinone For Reducing Blackbird Damage To Sunflower, George M. Linz, Scott J. Werner, Megan Niner, Jeffrey Homan Jan 2014

Effectiveness Of Foliar Applications Of 9,10-Anthraquinone For Reducing Blackbird Damage To Sunflower, George M. Linz, Scott J. Werner, Megan Niner, Jeffrey Homan

United States Department of Agriculture Wildlife Services: Staff Publications

Anthraquinone is an effective chemical seed repellent that protects newly planted crops from depredation by granivorous birds. We are experimenting with foliar applications of 9,10-anthraquinone (AQ) to reduce blackbird (Icteridae) damage to ripening sunflower. Sunflower heads generally turn downward as the achenes mature. With the methods currently available for spraying crops, application of AQ directly onto sunflower achenes is nearly impossible. Blackbirds sometimes remove sunflower bracts prior to eating achenes. Thus, getting AQ droplets directly on the achenes may not be necessary, and spraying the heads should expose blackbirds to AQ as they remove bracts. Studies using caged red-winged blackbirds …

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Economic Analysis Of Indemnity Payments For Wolf Depredation On Cattle In A Wolf Reintroduction Area, Aaron M. Anderson, Karen Gebhardt, Katy N. Kirkpatrick, David L. Bergman, Stephanie A. Shwiff Jan 2014

Economic Analysis Of Indemnity Payments For Wolf Depredation On Cattle In A Wolf Reintroduction Area, Aaron M. Anderson, Karen Gebhardt, Katy N. Kirkpatrick, David L. Bergman, Stephanie A. Shwiff

United States Department of Agriculture Wildlife Services: Staff Publications

Mexican gray wolves were reintroduced into New Mexico and Arizona in 1998. When wolves kill a producing cow, ranchers in the region are eligible to receive an indemnity payment equal to the market value of the lost animal. We developed a model that allows estimation of the present value of the revenue stream that a cow or herd provides and find that if a producing cow is killed, the decrease in the present value of the rancher’s revenue stream is about $1,230. Mean indemnity payments are currently $1,000, implying ranchers are not being sufficiently compensated.

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Preference Among 7 Bait Flavors Delivered To Domestic Dogs In Arizona: Implications For Oral Rabies Vaccination On The Navajo Nation, Are R. Berentsen, Scott C. Bender, David Bergman, Krista Hausig, Kurt C. Vercauteren Jan 2014

Preference Among 7 Bait Flavors Delivered To Domestic Dogs In Arizona: Implications For Oral Rabies Vaccination On The Navajo Nation, Are R. Berentsen, Scott C. Bender, David Bergman, Krista Hausig, Kurt C. Vercauteren

United States Department of Agriculture Wildlife Services: Staff Publications

Less than 20% of the domestic dogs on tribal lands in the United States are vaccinated against rabies. One method to increase vaccination rates may be the distribution of oral rabies vaccines (ORVs). ONRA (Artemis Technologies, Inc., Ontario, Canada) is the primary ORV used in Canada to vaccinate striped skunks and raccoons. To investigate the potential use of ONRAB ORV baits to vaccinate feral domestic dogs against rabies on tribal lands and beyond, we performed a flavor preference study. A total of 7 bait flavors (bacon, cheese, dog food, hazelnut, sugar-vanilla, peanut butter, and sardine) were offered in pairs to …

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Understanding The Key Mechanisms Of Tropical Forest Responses To Canopy Loss And Biomass Deposition From Experimental Hurricane Effects, Aaron B. Shiels, Grizelle Gonzalez Jan 2014

Understanding The Key Mechanisms Of Tropical Forest Responses To Canopy Loss And Biomass Deposition From Experimental Hurricane Effects, Aaron B. Shiels, Grizelle Gonzalez

United States Department of Agriculture Wildlife Services: Staff Publications

To date, it is not clear which are the factors that most influence tropical forest recovery from hurricanes. Increased canopy openness and increased detritus (debris) deposition are two of the most likely factors, but due to their simultaneous occurrence during a hurricane, their relative effects cannot be separated without a manipulative experiment. Hence, in the Luquillo Experimental Forest (LEF) of Puerto Rico, the Luquillo Long-Term Ecological Research Program (LTER) has undertaken experimental manipulations in replicated 30 x 30 m plots to simulate the major effects of hurricane disturbance–increased canopy openness and debris addition to the forest floor. Using a factorial …

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Wildlife Strikes With Military Rotary-Wing Aircraft During Flight Operations Within The United States, Brian E. Washburn, Paul J. Cisar, Travis L. Devault Jan 2014

Wildlife Strikes With Military Rotary-Wing Aircraft During Flight Operations Within The United States, Brian E. Washburn, Paul J. Cisar, Travis L. Devault

United States Department of Agriculture Wildlife Services: Staff Publications

Wildlife–aircraft collisions (wildlife strikes) with civilian and military aircraft pose notable risks and economic losses. The 4 military services within the U.S. Department of Defense maintain records regarding wildlife strikes with military aircraft. Although rotary-wing aircraft operations comprise important mission components within all 4 military services, no assessment of wildlife strikes to military rotary-wing aircraft has been conducted. The objectives of this project were to 1) conduct a comprehensive analysis of data available from all military services regarding wildlife strikes with rotary-wing aircraft, and 2) provide recommendations to reduce the frequency and negative impacts of these strikes. We acquired all …

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First Reports Of Pseudorabies And Winter Ticks (Dermacentor Albipictus) Associated With An Emerging Feral Swine (Sus Scrofa) Population In New Hampshire, Anthony R. Musante, Kerri Pedersen, Parker Hall Jan 2014

First Reports Of Pseudorabies And Winter Ticks (Dermacentor Albipictus) Associated With An Emerging Feral Swine (Sus Scrofa) Population In New Hampshire, Anthony R. Musante, Kerri Pedersen, Parker Hall

United States Department of Agriculture Wildlife Services: Staff Publications

The expansion of feral swine (Sus scrofa) populations into new geographic regions is of concern not only due to increased range but also because they carry diseases and parasites that pose a threat to humans, livestock, and wildlife into new areas. Recently, emerging feral swine populations have been reported in the northeastern US and due to their adaptive nature will likely continue to spread. During 2009–2012, 49 feral swine were removed from three counties in New Hampshire. Of these, serum samples were submitted from 34 for disease surveillance testing. One of the feral swine was antibody-positive for pseudorabies virus (PRV) …

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Efficacy And Health Effects Of A Wildlife Immunocontraceptive Vaccine On Fox Squirrels, Sara K. Krause, Douglas A. Kelt, James P. Gionfriddo, Dirk H. Van Vuren Jan 2014

Efficacy And Health Effects Of A Wildlife Immunocontraceptive Vaccine On Fox Squirrels, Sara K. Krause, Douglas A. Kelt, James P. Gionfriddo, Dirk H. Van Vuren

United States Department of Agriculture Wildlife Services: Staff Publications

Continued range expansion of introduced eastern fox squirrels (Sciurus niger) in the western United States could lead to widespread damage to agricultural crops, facility infrastructures, and displacement of the native western gray squirrel (S. griseus). Because traditional managment alternatives may not be feasible in many areas, public interest in the use of immunocontraceptive to control local populations has increased. We evaluated the efficacy of GonaCon TM immunocontraceptive vaccine for controlling eastern fox squirrel reproduction in Davis, California. We administered GonaCon to 33 male and 26 female fox squirrels, and a control substance to 33 males and 24 females. We subsequently …

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Benefits To Rare Plants And Highway Safety From Annual Population Reductions Of A “Native Invader,” White-Tailed Deer, In A Chicago-Area Woodland, Richard M. Engeman, Travis Guerrant, Glen Dunn, Scott F. Beckerman, Chris Anchor Jan 2014

Benefits To Rare Plants And Highway Safety From Annual Population Reductions Of A “Native Invader,” White-Tailed Deer, In A Chicago-Area Woodland, Richard M. Engeman, Travis Guerrant, Glen Dunn, Scott F. Beckerman, Chris Anchor

United States Department of Agriculture Wildlife Services: Staff Publications

Overabundant white-tailed deer are one of the most serious threats to woodland plant communities in the Chicago area. Moreover, the abundant deer in a highly populated area causes economic harm and poses hazards to human safety through collisions with vehicles. The artificial conditions causing the overabundance and resulting consequences qualify the white-tailed deer in the Chicago area to be considered as "native invaders". We examined the benefits of culling deer at a Chicago-area woodland preserve by comparing browse rates on four endangered plant species from years before culling began with years with culling. We also examined deer-vehicle collision and traffic …

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Invasive Black Spiny-Tailed Iguanas (Ctenosaura Similis) On Gasparilla Island, Florida, Usa, Michael L. Avery, Eric A. Tillman, Conny Spurfeld, Richard M. Engeman, Kelin P. Maciejewski, Jessica D. Brown, Emily A. Fetzer Jan 2014

Invasive Black Spiny-Tailed Iguanas (Ctenosaura Similis) On Gasparilla Island, Florida, Usa, Michael L. Avery, Eric A. Tillman, Conny Spurfeld, Richard M. Engeman, Kelin P. Maciejewski, Jessica D. Brown, Emily A. Fetzer

United States Department of Agriculture Wildlife Services: Staff Publications

The native range of Ctenosaura similis extends from southern Mexico through Panama. From an initial introduction of 3 animals in 1979, the species now numbers in the thousands on Gasparilla Island in southwest Florida. In response to complaints of property damage from residents and threats to native species, local officials and the US Department of Agriculture Wildlife Services began a removal program in 2008. Through 2011, trappers removed 9467 ctenosaurs. The number removed declined from 32 iguanas/day in 2008 to 1.9 iguanas/day in 2011 despite no easing of the control effort. We necropsied 2757 ctenosaurs to document aspects of their …

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Influence Of Egg Oiling On Colony Presence Of Ring-Billed Gulls, Travis L. Devault, Paige M. Schmidt, Fred E. Pogmore, John Gobeille, Jerrold L. Belant, Thomas W. Seamans Jan 2014

Influence Of Egg Oiling On Colony Presence Of Ring-Billed Gulls, Travis L. Devault, Paige M. Schmidt, Fred E. Pogmore, John Gobeille, Jerrold L. Belant, Thomas W. Seamans

United States Department of Agriculture Wildlife Services: Staff Publications

Egg oiling is a form of management in which bird eggs are coated with mineral or corn oil, preventing gas exchange through the shell and killing embryos. Unlike other nestdisturbance techniques, egg oiling reportedly precludes colony abandonment and, thus, can be advantageous when managers wish to limit dispersal within the breeding season to other locations while stabilizing the population or reducing productivity. However, unintended, indirect effects of egg oiling are not well-characterized. We evaluated the influence of egg oiling on ring-billed gulls (Larus delawarensis) within the Lake Champlain basin, Vermont, during the nesting season to determine whether egg …

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Calving Location Selection Patterns Of Saiga Antelope In Mongolia, B. Buuveibaatar, T. K. Fuller, J. K. Young, J. Berger Jan 2014

Calving Location Selection Patterns Of Saiga Antelope In Mongolia, B. Buuveibaatar, T. K. Fuller, J. K. Young, J. Berger

United States Department of Agriculture Wildlife Services: Staff Publications

Habitat selection for calving by ungulates is an important behavioral trait because it affects neonate survival. Generally, ungulate calving site selection varies by vulnerability to predators, local topography, habitat quality and level of human disturbance. The Mongolian saiga (Saiga tatarica mongolica) is endemic to Mongolia where a threatened population of ∼7000 exists in the northern Gobi Desert. We analyzed factors that could affect selection of saiga calving locations in the Sharga Nature Reserve, western Mongolia, using data obtained from ground surveys over 4 years between 2008 and 2012. Multiple factors explain calving location selection by saiga antelopes, based …

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Anthropogenic Conditioning Of Gray Jays To A Nutritious, Seasonal Aquatic Food Source, R. M. Engeman, C. J. Wiloth Jan 2014

Anthropogenic Conditioning Of Gray Jays To A Nutritious, Seasonal Aquatic Food Source, R. M. Engeman, C. J. Wiloth

United States Department of Agriculture Wildlife Services: Staff Publications

Gray Jays (Perisoreus canadensis) read ily learn that humans can be excellent sources of food (e.g. Rutter 1969) and therefore are common in many picnic areas, campgrounds and other areas frequented by humans in the Rocky Mountains. Bes ides rapid recognition of humans as sou rces of food, Gray Jays also do not appear to readily forget a discovered food source (e.g. Rutter 1969). Gray Jays also optimize food selection on the bas is of caloric intake and the effort required to identify and handle the food items (Maccarone and Montevecchi 1986) aga in, making places such as …

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Weighing Empirical And Hypothetical Evidence For Assessing Potential Invasive Species Range Limits: A Review Of The Case Of Burmese Pythons In The Usa, Richard M. Engeman, Michael L. Avery, Elliot Jacobson Jan 2014

Weighing Empirical And Hypothetical Evidence For Assessing Potential Invasive Species Range Limits: A Review Of The Case Of Burmese Pythons In The Usa, Richard M. Engeman, Michael L. Avery, Elliot Jacobson

United States Department of Agriculture Wildlife Services: Staff Publications

Range expansion potential is an important consideration for prioritizing management actions against an invasive species. Understanding the potential for range expansion by invasive reptiles such as the Burmese python can be challenging, because the lack of knowledge on fundamental physiological and behavioral constraints initially forces reliance on modeling to predict hypothetical invasive range potential. Hypothetical predictions for Burmese python range limits in the USA have been highly divergent, from only extreme South Florida and the extreme southern Gulf edge of Texas to a broad swath over the southern third of the continental USA. Empirical observations on python thermal tolerances and …

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