Animal Sciences Commons^™

Elucidating Aposematic Patterns In North American Hylids, Joseph S. Cannizzaro Iv

Theses and Dissertations

Recognizing form and function of animal defenses is paramount to understanding the ecological and evolutionary forces behind predator and prey dynamics. Color patterns are strongly related to defensive strategies in animals. Some rely on camouflage to avoid detection, while others are brightly colored and conspicuously signal their noxiousness to potential predators. Still others combine cryptic dorsal coloration with colorful patches that are concealed in resting position but are facultatively unveiled by special behavior or simply during activity. Such hidden conspicuous color patches may be an intermediate stage in the evolution from camouflage to aposematism. We investigated whether conspicuously colored thighs …

Monitoring Welfare In Captive Chimpanzees (Pan Troglodytes) Using Individual Positional Behavior And Substrate Use Profiles, Joseph Lara

Theses and Dissertations

The welfare of captive chimpanzees partly depends on the structural features present in their enclosure. An individual’s manner of expressing positional behaviors depends on these environmental characteristics and may be reflective of their physical and mental health. This thesis seeks to further the scientific understanding of the relationships between positional behavior, substrate use and captive chimpanzee welfare. In pursuit of this goal, I designed and installed a novel vertical climbing aid onto a climbable platform structure within an enclosure at the chimpanzee sanctuary, Chimp Haven, in an effort to encourage mobility and vertical space use in the enclosure’s residents. Additionally, …

Stress And Parity Among Female Vervet Monkeys (Chlorocebus Pygerythrus) At Two Sites In South Africa, Jo Gansemer

Theses and Dissertations

This thesis examines the hypothesis that in both Soetdoring and !Gariep populations, a femaleSouth African vervet's parity status (nulliparous or parous) affects her physiological stress levels. Vervet monkey ecology and life history are examined to contextualize the relationship between stress and parity. The testing of this hypothesis involves the analysis of hair cortisol concentrations (HCC) of samples from nulliparous and multiparous adult females of the two different South African sites. The HCC was statistically analyzed to look for correlations between stress, parity status, and site. No significant relationship between stress and parity status was found. However, significant relationships were found …

Habitat Preferences Of The Common Nighthawk (Chordeiles Minor) In Cities And Villages In Southeastern Wisconsin, Jana M. Viel

Theses and Dissertations

Limited survey data and numerous anecdotal accounts indicate that the Common Nighthawk (Chordeiles minor) is experiencing population declines in Wisconsin. However, the magnitude of the decline is unclear because current avian monitoring efforts are not conducted at dusk when Common Nighthawks are most active nor do they specifically target urban areas such as cities and villages where Common Nighthawks are known to nest on flat graveled rooftops. New urban, crepuscular monitoring methods are needed in order to gain a better understanding of current Common Nighthawk demographics in Wisconsin.

The goal of this thesis was to conduct a baseline study using …

A Preliminary, Annotated List Of Beetles (Insecta: Coleoptera) From The Uw-Milwaukee Field Station, Daniel K. Young

Field Station Bulletins

Coleoptera, the beetles, account for nearly 25% of all known animal species, and nearly 18% of all described species of life on the planet. Their species richness is equal to the number of all plant species in the world and six times the number of all vertebrate species. They are found almost everywhere, yet many minute or cryptic species go virtually un-noticed even by trained naturalists. Little wonder, then, that such a dominant group might pass through time relatively unknown to most naturalists, hobbyists, and even entomologists; even an elementary comprehension of the beetle fauna of our own region has …

Browsing The Bog, Kate Redmond

Field Station Bulletins

The Cedarburg Bog and its surrounding uplands provided a rich smorgasbord of plants to fill the many needs of its earliest human inhabitants. A flora of the area and a list of plant species that were employed in some manner by the Native Americans would be almost identical. The species discussed in this paper had real or rumored values for a variety of Woodland tribes of the Upper Midwest and later for the settlers. Besides their medicinal value, many plants were sources of food, fiber, dyes, construction, and of a variety of “magical” or symbolic purposes. My intent is not …

Vegetation Of The Ulao Swamp, A Disturbed Hardwood-Conifer Swamp In Southeastern Wisconsin, Jill A. Hapner, James A. Reinartz

Field Station Bulletins

Ulao Swamp (Grafton, Wisconsin) is a 185-hectare wetland, which was a confer/hardwood swamp before European settlement. Post-settlement disturbances include logging, drainage, flooding, cultivation, grazing, non-metallic mining, and development in the watershed. As a result of these disturbances, very little of the presettlement-type mixed hardwood and cedar/tamarack conifer swamp vegetation currently remains in the wetland. Historically the northern quarter of the wetland had surface drainage to the north, and the southern three-quarters drained to the south. Between 1980 and 1985 a north-south ditch was constructed causing water from the northern quarter of the wetland to drain southward, dramatically increasing water levels …

Factors Influencing Germination Of Six Wetland Cyperaceae, John L. Larson

Field Station Bulletins

In order to determine factors which may affect the differential seed germination of six members of the Cyperaceae which occur together in newly revegetated sedge meadow, seeds were tested for germ inability at three storage conditions. Seeds were also germinated at two alternating temperature regimes, 21/25° and 25/32°C. Germination of dry stored Carex hystericina and C. vulpinoidea was greater at the higher alternating temperature of 25/32°C while Scirpus atrovirens and S. cyperinus dry stored seed had a similar germination response at both alternating temperatures. Most of the moist-cool stored (stratified) seeds of the six species germinated well regardless of temperature. …

Wisconsin Freshwater Isopods (Asellidae), Joan Jass, Barbara Klausmeier

Field Station Bulletins

Four species of freshwater isopods in the family Asellidae were collected from Wisconsin. There is very little published information on the asellid isopods of Wisconsin. In this paper we provide descriptions of the size range, habitat characteristics, distribution, and life history traits of Wisconsin asellids based on data from our field work and information from the literature. We include a provisional key for identification of the male asellids which have been collected from Wisconsin.

Notes On The Milliped Pleuroloma Flavipes (Polydesmida: Xystodesmidae) In Wisconsin, Dreux J. Watermolen, G Andrew Larsen

Field Station Bulletins

The milliped Pleuroloma flavipes Rafinesque 1820 is one of the more widespread and better known North American millipeds. During the course of recent studies in Wisconsin, we have had opportunities to examine museum specimens and make field observations of this species. In this note, we report new locality records, discuss observations of mass aggregations, describe a color variation, and illustrate an individual with developmental abnormalities.

The Centipede Lithobius Celer (Chilopoda: Lithobiidae) In Wisconsin, Dreux J. Watermolen

Field Station Bulletins

The centipede Lithobius celer Bollman 1888 has been reported from Wisconsin only one time. Chamberlin (1911) provisionally referred specimens collected from unspecified Wisconsin and Michigan localities to this species, with considerable doubt since neither was a ''fully-grown male/' Subsequent investigators (e.g., Matthews 1935, Crabill 1958) did not report L. celer from the state. While examining specimens collected as part of an on-going prairie ecology study, I discovered a L. celer specimen from southern Wisconsin. The specimen was collected in a pitfall trap at Hawkhill Prairie, Dane County (T9N, R8E, Sec. 5) on 21 August 1986 by A. Lisken.

Comparison Of Wisconsin Terrestrial Isopods And Their Life Cycle Traits, Joan Jass, Barbara Klausmeier

Field Station Bulletins

Seasonal reproductive patterns for the 11 terrestrial isopod species found in Wisconsin are presented. The pattern of the most widespread species, Trachelipus rathkei, is examined hi detail through a series of paired north/south samplings which reveal a seasonal lag in the percent of females which were gravid in populations from the northern part of the state. A difference in sex ratio between north and south samples is reported.

An Assessment Of Age Determination Methods For Captured Passerine Birds, William P. Mueller, Charles M. Weise

Field Station Bulletins

Various methods of determining age of passerine birds, using eye color, shape of flight feathers, plumage color patterns, etc. are presented in handbooks for bird banders, such as Pyle, et al., Identification Guide to North American Passerines (1987). We compared several such methods with the standard, reliable (but time-consuming) method, "skulling", in 22 species of passerines captured and banded during Fall 1994, in a general netting operation at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee Field Station. In many species these methods were in agreement; however in 10 species there was substantial disagreement, especially involving buffy covert tips in thrushes and shape of …

Effects Of Management And Site History On Plant Succession And Seedbank Composition In Old-Fields At The Uwm Field Station, Beth A. Krause, Diane De Steven

Field Station Bulletins

Vegetation succession and seedbank composition were studied in eleven oldfields with differing crop histories. All the fields had been abandoned from agriculture in the mid-1960's, and some fields are currently receiving periodic management in the form of burning, mowing, and/or removal of exotic species. Oldfield plant composition was found to be most strongly influenced by management history since abandonment. Recently-managed fields had a greater abundance of certain early-successional nonnative species in the herbaceous layer, whereas unmanaged fields contained greater abundances of many later-successional, native perennial herb species. Woody plants showed the most significant response to management. Woody plant densities and …

A Late Quaternary Pollen Record From Cedarburg Bog, Wisconsin, Glen G. Fredlund, James R. Brozowski, Jong Woo Oh

Field Station Bulletins

Late Quaternary (from the last glaciation to present) forest history is inferred from the Cedarburg Bog fossil pollen record. Analysis of fossil pollen samples extend over 4 meters of continuous core recovered from near the center of the bog. The deepest and oldest of the fossil pollen assemblages (ca. 12,000 years ago) suggest open spruce woodlands unlike any in the contemporary boreal ecosystem. Pollen from the Pleistocene-Holocene transition (11,000 years ago) is marked by a number of abrupt changes in forest composition related to rapid climate change, species immigration, and progressive soils and ecosystem maturation. By 9,000 years ago most …

Life Cycle Patterns In Wisconsin Spiders, Joan P. Jass

Field Station Bulletins

Five life cycle patterns in spiders are described and examples given. The most common pattern, maturation and mating in spring and early summer, is elaborated with a detailed description of the seasonal development of Philodromus cespitum. The four other patterns are exemplified by the following southeastern Wisconsin species: Argiope trifasciata--fall mating, Centromerus sylvaticus-- winter mating, Trochosa terricola--two mating seasons, and Pholcus phalangioides--year round mating.

Amphipods (Exclusive Of Pontoporeiidae) Of Southeastern Wisconsin, Joan Jass, Barbara Klausmeier

Field Station Bulletins

Eight species of amphipods in the families Crangonyctidae (five species), Gammaridae (two species) and Hyalellidae (one species) are recorded here from a 21 county area in southeastern Wisconsin. Excluded from this survey were members of the family Pontoporeiidae, deepwater species previously collected in this region only from Lake Michigan and Green Lake (Juday and Birge 1927). In the species treatments we combine data from our fieldwork with information given in Bousfield (1958), Holsinger (1972), and other literature as cited.

Development Of Vegetation Over Nine Years In A Planted Field Station Prairie, James A. Reinartz, Scott Horzen, Kimberly Forbeck, Joanne Kline, Margaret A. Kuchenreuther

Field Station Bulletins

We studied the development of vegetation in a small area at the UWM Field Station planted with prairie species in 1986. The species and quantities of seed and seedlings planted in 1986 were recorded. We sampled the vegetation using permanent quadrats in 1988and 1994. Native prairie species were already well established in the area in 1988. There was, however, a dramatic change in the composition of the vegetation between 1988 and 1994. The number of native prairie species increased slightly and the number of non-prairie species decreased substantially, so that in 1988, 51% of species were native prairie plants and …

A Study Of The “Iron Ridge” Mine: An Excerpt From When Iron Was King In Dodge County, Wisconsin, George G. Frederick

Field Station Bulletins

Mining began at the Iron Ridge Mine (now commonly called Neda Mine) in 1849. The ore is relatively concentrated (nearly 55% iron by weight) and was easily mined initially because some deposits were surficial and of a loosely-cemented granular structure. In the 1850's Byron H. Kilbourn (twice mayor of Milwaukee) purchased most of the land surrounding a competitor's open pit mine, and in 1864 his own Swedes Iron Co. began underground mining. The period from 1850 to 1890 was a period of intense railroad construction in the United States, so there was a high demand for iron from this mine. …

Flowering Phenology Along The Uwm Field Station Boardwalk In The Cedarburg Bog, Kate Redmond, James A. Reinartz, Scott Critchley

Field Station Bulletins

Flowering phenology of 254 plant species was studied over eight growing seasons between 1984 and 1993. Most of the phonological observations were made along the Field Station's boardwalk in the Cedarburg Bog. We report on the flowering phenology of 189 species for which there was sufficient data for an accurate description. Correlations of flowering phenology with weather data are also summarized.

A Floristic Survey Of Benedict Prairie (Kenosha County, Wisconsin), James F. Smith, Margaret A. Kuchenreuther

Field Station Bulletins

Benedict Prairie is a small railroad prairie that is owned and managed by the University of Wisconsin - Milwaukee Field Station. A floristic survey of the 2.5 ha site was conducted from 1988 to 1990. A total of 191 species, representing 51 families were identified, including Asclepias purpurascens and Parthenium integrifolium, which are protected in Wisconsin. This list was compared to two others compiled previously for the site. Compilation of all three lists brings the total number of species recorded from the site to 231, but reveals that a number of species appear to have been extirpated.

A Survey Of Fungi At The University Of Wisconsin-Waukesha Field Station, Alan D. Parker

Field Station Bulletins

A long-term study of higher fungi and Myxomycetes, primarilyfrom the xeric oak woods, was started in 1978. Collections have been made periodically since then, and recent sampling in conifer plantations indicates that characteristic ectomycorrhizal species of Basidiomycetes are beginning to appear in these communities. To date seven Myxomy-cetes, 22 Ascomycetes, and 107 Basidiomycetes have been identifiedfrom various habitats. These data will be incorporated into a master list of fungi generated from long-term surveys at several additional sites in southeastern Wisconsin.

A Preliminary Survey Of Archaeological Sites Surrounding Cedarburg Bog, Donald A. Bezella

Field Station Bulletins

Cedarburg Bog was an attractive location for prehistoric Indian occupancy sites. The combination of upland deciduous forest and lowland marsh environments provided a rich food resource base for native inhabitants. During a surface survey conducted in 1991-1992, 11 habitation sites were located on the Bog's adjacent upland area. Projectile points which were found on the various sites and were diagnostic of certain periods, revealed a range of habitation from Early Archaic (6000 B.C.) to Late Woodland (1700 A.D.). Based on the characteristics of the sites discovered, it is apparent that other sites remain to be uncovered. This preliminary survey was …

Spiders Of The Uw-Milwaukee Field Station, Martin J. Blasczyk, Joan P. Jass, John L. Kaspar

Field Station Bulletins

A checklist of 100 species from 16 families is presented in this preliminary report of spiders at the UWM Field Station. Listed with the species are the months and habitats in which they were collected.

Seed Germination Requirements Of Four Species Co-Occurring In A Wisconsin Sedge Meadow, John L. Larson

Field Station Bulletins

Seeds of four colonizing species which occur together in a recently revegetated sedge meadow were tested for germination after storage under three different conditions. Seeds were tested at an alternating temperature regime of 21° C dark, and 32° C light. Three species, Bidens frondosa, B. coronata, and Scirpus cyperinus germinated most successfully when stored under moist-cool conditions. Germination of Carex scoparia was consistently high and was not affected by storage condition. Differences in seed germination among the four species may contribute to their coexistence in highly disturbed environments such as newly revegetated sedge meadows.

Acoustic Communication Of The Trumpeter Swan (Cygnus Buccinator), Maureen Patton-Gross, Millicent S. Ficken

Field Station Bulletins

Six cygnet calls, eight adult calls, and one nonvocal sound of Trumpeter Swans are categorized and described. Calls vary greatly in complexity. Many form graded series, while others are discrete. Most of the cygnet calls are involved with soliciting aid from a parent, while adult calls have a wider variety of functions.

Uwm Field Station Meteorological Data, James W. Popp

Field Station Bulletins

During 1989, the UWM Field Station obtained a digital data logger weather station manufactured by Campbell Scientific, Inc. The equipment was operational in September 1989 and has produced continuous records since that time. The weather station is located next to the laboratory building in an open field. The meteorological data produced by this station are available by request. Here, I describe the various forms in which the data are available and provide annual summaries for September 1989 through 1991.

A Preliminary Survey Of The Bryophytes Of The Sapa Bog, Frank D. Bowers, Joanne Kline

Field Station Bulletins

The Sapa Bog in Ozaukee County covers 5 hectares and is the southernmost black spruce bog in Wisconsin. Sedge meadow and swamp hardwoods surround an acidic center dominated by sphagnum mosses, black spruce and tamarack. Parker (1989) surveyed the fungi and Kline (1991) surveyed the vascular plants and described the water chemistry of the area. We report a total of 56 bryophyte taxa collected in the Sapa Bog from 1989 to 1990. An asterisk indicates an apparently new report for Ozaukee County (Bowers and Freckmann, 1979). Citation of moss names follows Anderson, et. al. (1990) and Crum (1984) for Sphagnum. …

Life Cycle Information From A Wisconsin Poplation Of Porcellio Spinicoris, The Dark-Headed Isopod, Joan P. Jass, K Zandi, Barbara Klausineier

Field Station Bulletins

Detailed life cycle information is lacking for Wisconsin terrestrial isopod crustaceans. We measured head-widths of a local population of Porcellio spinicornis and compiled data on size frequencies, sex ratio and gravidity. Females were larger and formed a majority of the population. Gravidity showed a definite seasonal pattern; percentages of gravid females ranged from zero in March and April to near 80% in late May and early June.

Distribution And Habitats Of Forked Aster (Aster Furcatus), A Threatened Wisconsin Plant, Lawrence A. Leitner, James A. Reinartz, Donald H. Les

Field Station Bulletins

We describe the locations and habitat characteristics of 10 of the 14 known populations of Aster furcatus in Wisconsin. We were unable to identify any particularly unusual features of A. furcatus habitats which could be related to its rarity. The rarity of forked aster is probably not related to specialized habitats, but is most likely the result of requirements for moderate disturbance, inability to withstand competition, poor reproduction from seed, and low genetic variance.