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A New Species Of Tarsoporosus Francke, 1978 (Scorpiones: Scorpionidae: Diplocentrinae) From Northeastern Colombia, Rolando Teruel, César A. Roncallo

Euscorpius

A new species of Tarsoporosus Francke, 1978 is described herein from two localities in La Guajira Peninsula, northeastern Colombia. This new taxon inhabits arid environments, and is morphologically close to Tarsoporosus flavus González-Sponga, 1984, from northwestern Venezuela. With this addition, the total number of described species in Tarsoporosus is raised to five, with at least two occurring in Colombia.

The Sting Of Mesobuthus Gibbosus (Scorpiones: Buthidae): Morphological And Ultrastructural Characterization, Nazife Yigit, Mehlika Benli

Euscorpius

The objective of our study is to characterize the morphological and ultrastructural features of the sting of scorpion species Mesobuthus gibbosus (Brullé, 1832) (Buthidae) by using light microscopy, scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). The venom is delivered by venom ducts, passing through the sting and exiting from the venom pores. Each venom gland has its own venom duct and pore. The venom pores are situated on both sides of the tip of sting. venom ducts are identified in the transverse discussion in this study.

A New Species Of Ananteris Thorell, 1891 From Cordillera Central In Colombia, With Some Notes On The Taxonomy Of The Genus (Scorpiones: Buthidae), Rolando Teruel, Luis F. García H

Euscorpius

A new species of Ananteris Thorell, 1891 is herein described from a single locality placed in the Cordillera Central of Colombia, which represents the first record of this genus for Tolima department. This new taxon exhibits several singular features, and apparently represents a relict population inside an urbanized area. Also, some aspects on the taxonomy of the genus are briefly discussed, and its diagnosis is emended. With this addition, the total of Ananteris species described from Colombia is raised to six.

Complements To The Morphology Of Troglokhammouanus Steineri Lourenço, 2007 (Scorpiones: Pseudochactidae) Based On Scanning Electron Microscopy, Wilson R. Lourenço

Euscorpius

A detailed morphological description, based on scanning electron microscopy, is proposed for the recently described pseudochactid scorpion, Troglokhammouanus steineri Lourenço, 2007. As already indicated in the original description, the male (juvenile) paratype has been prepared for SEM studies, but the results are only presented in this publication.

A Revision Of The Genus Hottentotta Birula, 1908, With Descriptions Of Four New Species (Scorpiones, Buthidae), František Kovařík

Euscorpius

The genus Hottentotta is revised and a key to the species is provided. Subgenera Balfourianus Vachon, 1979 and Deccanobuthus Lourenço, 2000 are synonymized with the subgenus Hottentotta Birula, 1908. Four new species of Hottentotta are described: H. finneganae sp. n. from Pakistan, H. jabalpurensis sp. n. from India (Madhya Pradesh), H. jalalabadensis sp. n. from Afghanistan, and H. stockwelli sp. n. from India (Andhra Pradesh and Maharashtra). The following species and subspecies are synonymized: Buthotus alticola kabulensis (Vachon, 1958) with H. buchariensis (Birula, 1897) comb. n.; Hottentotta caboverdensis Lourenço & Ythier, 2006 with H. hottentotta (Fabricius, 1787); H. acostai …

Mesobuthus Nigrocinctus (Ehrenberg, 1828) (Scorpiones: Buthidae) In Turkey: Distribution And Morphological Variation, Ayşegül Karataş

Euscorpius

Distribution of Mesobuthus nigrocinctus is studied and new geographical records are given. As a result of field studies, M. nigrocinctus is recorded from 17 confirmed localities from five provinces in Turkey. Comparative statistical analysis of morphology of M. nigrocinctus and M. gibbosus indicated highly significant differences between these two species. Student’s t-test analysis and Discriminant Function Analysis (DFA) showed that: (a) while all morphometric ratios demonstrated significant differences between M. nigrocinctus and M. gibbosus females, only selected ratios show significant difference in the males (Ca_L/W, Ch_L/W, Met-II_L/H, and Met- V_L/H); (b) among M. nigrocinctus, Adıyaman population was partly separated; …

The Population Structure Of Mesobuthus Gibbosus (Scorpiones: Buthidae) On Koufonisi Island (Central Aegean Archipelago, Greece), Dimitris Kaltsas, Moysis Mylonas

Euscorpius

The population structure of Mesobuthus gibbosus was studied over 261 night-hours of sampling during 29 consecutive nights on Koufonisi Island (central Aegean Archipelago, Greece) using the capture-recapture method. The studied population proved to be the densest of all studied scorpion populations in chaparral or intertidal habitats of Mediterranean type ecosystems and even comparable to some populations of desert scorpion species. The negative influence of moon phase on the general activity of the species and synchronization in parturition were the main factors that caused the fluctuations in population density and therefore in the percentage of active scorpions.

Description Of Tityus Mraceki Sp. N. From Colombia And Synonymization Of T. Meridanus González-Sponga With T. Nematochirus Mello-Leitão (Scorpiones: Buthidae), František Kovařík

Euscorpius

Tityus (Archaeotityus) mraceki sp. n. from Colombia is described. It differs from other species of the subgenus Archaeotityus by unique sexual dimorphism expressed in the male having a longer metasoma and a narrower chela of the pedipalp. The synonymization of T. meridanus González-Sponga, 1981 with T. nematochirus Mello-Leitão, 1941 is based on morphological and color variation present in a single litter consisting of 33 individuals.

Two New Species Of The Genus Compsobuthus Vachon, 1949 From Afghanistan And Pakistan (Scorpiones: Buthidae), František Kovařík, Zubair Ahmed

Euscorpius

Two new species of Compsobuthus from the werneri group are described. C. afghanus sp. n. is characterized chiefly by the combination of numerous rows of granules on the movable finger of pedipalp (14 rows) and a high number of pectinal teeth (29–31). C. pakistanus sp. n. is most similar to C. plutenkoi Kovařík, 2003 from Iran, from which it differs in having internal granules in all rows on the movable finger of pedipalp and 18–19 pectinal teeth. A key is provided for all species of the genus found in Afghanistan, Iran, Pakistan, and adjacent countries.

New Localities Of Iurus Dufoureius Dufoureius (Brullé, 1832) In The Peloponnese, Greece (Scorpiones: Iuridae), Diego Facheris

Euscorpius

New localities of Iurus dufoureius dufoureius (Brullé, 1832) are listed, found during a recent survey in the districts of Achaia, Messinia, and Arcadia in the Peloponnese, Greece. Notes on the habitat and a map are provided.

Sky Island Vaejovis: Two New Species And A Redescription Of V. Vorhiesi Stahnke (Scorpiones: Vaejovidae), Matthew R. Graham

Euscorpius

Two new scorpion species, Vaejovis cashi sp. nov. and V. feti sp. nov. are described and placed in the “mexicanus” group of the genus Vaejovis. These small scorpions were collected at high-elevations from the sky island archipelago of southern Arizona and New Mexico. Both new species are similar to V. vorhiesi Stahnke, a small mesic scorpion of the Huachuca and Santa Catalina Mountains. The original description of V. vorhiesi consists of a single uninformative paragraph and a holotype was never designated. This paper provides a redescription and lectotype designation for V. vorhiesi and describes the two new related species. …

The Genus Akrav Levy, 2007 (Scorpiones: Akravidae) Revisited, Victor Fet, Michael E. Soleglad, Sergei L. Zonstein

Euscorpius

Akrav israchanani, a relict chactoid scorpion from the famous Ayyalon Cave in Israel, is analyzed for the first time since its original description by Gershom Levy (2007). All scorpions found in this cave (20 specimens) were dead, represented by exoskeletons; they are mostly fragmented during collection, many incomplete, but extremely well preserved, and have no evidence of fossilization. Time and cause of death are unknown. Diagnostic characters described by Levy are largely confirmed, and some are further clarified. An exhaustive set of microscopic images is published, encompassing data from all best preserved specimens. Previously unpublished morphological details are illustrated …

One More New Species Of The Genus Orthochirus Karsch, 1891 From Africa (Scorpiones: Buthidae), Wilson R. Lourenço, Elise-Anne Leguin

Euscorpius

Following the recent considerations proposed on the African species of the genus Orthochirus Karsch, 1891, one new species is described from the south of Morocco. The total number of African species is now raised to six.

Studying Macroinvertebrate Diversity In An Urbanized Watershed Of Rock Island, Illinois., Brittany A. Poynor

Biology: Student Scholarship & Creative Works

Urban land-use covers millions of hectares in the United States. Rock Island is an urbanized city in Illinois, U.S.A. that currently has issues with their stormwater system due to being an urban area. For the past few years, the water quality of the streams in this watershed has been examined, but the biodiversity which can also contribute to water quality knowledge, has not been studied in depth.

The study proposed in this paper is based on the amount of biodiversity in the streams at ten sites in the Rock Island watershed and the water quality at those same sites. It …

Patuxent’S Long-Term Research On Wolves, L. David Mech

United States Geological Survey, Northern Prairie Wildlife Research Center: Publications

The gray wolf (Canis lupus) was one of the first species placed on the Endangered Species List in 1967. The Endangered Species Act of 1973 legally protected the wolf along with other listed species.

Patuxent Wildlife Research Center (Patuxent) in Laurel, MD, began its Endangered Wildlife Program in 1966, and U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) biologist Ray Erickson was assigned to lead it. In 1973, I was transferred to the program from Region 3 of the USFWS, having been employed there since 1969 to study wolves in Minnesota.

Endangered Species Act protection of the wolf fostered its quick …

Overview Of The Endangered Species Program, Glen Smart

United States Geological Survey: Publications

In the late 1950s and early 1960s, we became increasingly aware, as a Nation, of declining populations of birds and mammals. Rates of extinction appeared to be skyrocketing and the situation was becoming critical. The country needed to take action to reverse this trend. The Federal government began to show interest in the problem and acknowledged that it needed to intervene on a hands-on basis. The Washington, D.C., office of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) began to promote a program, championed by Dr. Ray Erickson, senior scientist at headquarters, to initiate captive research and propagation of birds and …

First Record Of The Beetle Family Throscidae (Insecta: Coleoptera), A New Species Of I>Aulonothroscus Horn, And New Species Records To The Fauna Of Peru / Primer Registro De La Familia De Escarabajos Throscidae (Insecta: Coleoptera), Una Nueva Especie De Aulonothroscus Horn Y Tres Nuevos Registros De Especies Para La Fauna De Perú, Paul J. Johnson, Caroline S. Chaboo

University of Nebraska State Museum: Staff and Affiliates, Publications

The beetle family Throscidae is documented from Peru for the first time, based on specimens collected in the regions of Cajamarca, Junín, Loreto and Madre de Dios. Aulonothroscus tambopata new species is descri­bed from Madre de Dios. Also, three additional species of Aulonothroscus are reported from Peru for the first time – A. alvarengai Cobos new country record, A. freudi Cobos new country record, and A. oculatissimus Cobos new country record. A key separating these four species is given. This report is part of the “Beetles of Peru” project.

Se documenta por primera vez la familia de …

How To Sex And Age Grey Partridges (Perdix Perdix): Identification Guide For Bird Ringers And Field Observations, Francis Buner

Galliformes Specialist Group and Affiliated Societies: Reports and Other Materials

Key steps

To reliably sex and age grey partridges the following five features should be examined together:

1. Head feathering
2. Pattern in wing coverts
3. Shape of primary tips
4. Leg colour
5. Bill colour

An Update On Mortality Of Fledged Whooping Cranes In The Aransas/Wood Buffalo Population, Thomas V. Stehn, Carey L. Haralson-Strobel

Proceedings of the North American Crane Workshop

From winter 1950 through spring 2011, 6,364 whooping cranes (Grus americana) overwintered at Aransas National Wildlife Refuge, or rarely, elsewhere. Documented winter losses amounted to 105 birds dead or disappeared. About 20% of total losses occurred in the wintering area, where birds spend 5 to 6 months of the year including a few birds that over-summer. Losses of white-plumaged whooping cranes on the summering area in Canada appear to be low with only 3 instances documented. The most significant losses seem to occur in migration and may comprise over 80% of the annual mortality. Migration involves only 17-20% of the …

Use Of Freshwater Ponds By Whooping Cranes During A Drought Period, Karis Ritenour, Elizabeth Smith, Barry K. Hartup

Proceedings of the North American Crane Workshop

Whooping cranes (Grus americana) spend nearly half their annual cycle in coastal habitats within and around the Aransas National Wildlife Refuge Complex (ANWRC) located in the central portion of the Texas Coast. When drought conditions prevail in their winter range and salinities in the local bays exceed 23 parts per thousand (ppt), whooping cranes must seek alternate sources of dietary drinking water (Stehn 2008, Chavez- Ramirez and Wehtje 2012). They begin frequent (often daily) trips to freshwater sources in upland areas. These trips may result in extra energy expenditures that can impact their overall health and ability to …

Proceedings Of The Thirteenth North American Crane Workshop, Abstracts, David A. Aborn, Richard P. Urbanek

Proceedings of the North American Crane Workshop

AGE-SPECIFIC SURVIVAL OF GREATER SANDHILL CRANE COLTS IN NEVADA. Chad August, Jim Sedinger, and Chris Nicolai 111

WHOOPING CRANE DISTRIBUTION AND HABITAT USE: PAST, PRESENT, AND FUTURE? Jane Austin, Matthew Hayes, and Jeb Barzen 111

BEHAVIORAL MOVEMENTS OF ARANSAS-WOOD BUFFALO WHOOPING CRANES: ANOMALIES OR INDICATIONS OF WAYS TO FURTHER ENHANCE SPECIES RECOVERY. David Baasch, Mark Bidwell, Wade Harrell, Kris Metzger, Aaron Pearse, and Mary Harner 112

INFLUENCES ON NEST SUCCESS IN A REINTRODUCED POPULATION OF WHOOPING CRANES. Jeb Barzen, Sarah Converse, Peter Adler, Elmer Gray, Anne Lacy, Eva Szyszkoski, and Andrew Gossens 113

DETERMINING DIET COMPOSITION AND INGESTION RATE OF …

Size Difference In Whooping Cranes Reared For Two Reintroduction Methods, Richard P. Urbanek, Marianne M. Wellington, Sabrina Servanty

Proceedings of the North American Crane Workshop

We investigated a possible size difference in whooping cranes (Grus americana) captive-reared for 2 reintroduction methods to establish a migratory population in eastern North America. Cranes reared for ultralight aircraft-led migration (UL) to Florida were significantly larger than cranes reared for direct autumn release (DAR) on the natal area in central Wisconsin. Mean tarsal length was 315.5 ± 0.98 (1 SE) and 308.1 ± 1.87 mm, respectively, for UL and DAR males and 296.9 ± 1.03 and 290.8 ± 2.60 mm, respectively, for UL and DAR females. Because of the different rearing schedules, eggs for the DAR method …

Effects Of Wind Farms On Sand Hill Crane Play An Occupancy On The Texas High Plains, Laura Navarrete, Kerry L. Griffis-Kyle

Proceedings of the North American Crane Workshop

Wind energy is essential for a shift to carbon-emission free energy, however there has been very little research investigating the disturbance caused by wind farms on the landscape. Texas is a leading state in wind power capacity, and the High Plains of Texas support over 80% of the midcontinent population of sandhill cranes (Grus canadensis) every winter. Historically, cranes used saline lakes for fresh water and predator protection, but recent hydrological changes due to agricultural practices have reduced the availability of the lakes for wintering birds. Playa wetlands currently represent the main source of water and roosting habitat in the …

High Nest Density Of Sandhill Cranes In Central Wisconsin, Jeb A. Barzen, Liying Su, Anne E. Lacy, Andrew P. Gossens, Dorn M. Moore

Proceedings of the North American Crane Workshop

We conducted aerial surveys to determine nest locations of greater sandhill cranes (Grus canadensis tabida) in central Wisconsin, 2001-2003. Helicopter flights covered 8.90 km2 of wetlands in each year, and we found 41 nests in 2001, 50 nests in 2002, and 48 nests in 2003 from 11 wetlands. Our best estimate of nest density (n = 14) included wetlands containing 5 or more nests and averaged 5.25 ± 0.36 (1 SE) nests/km² of wetland. Maximum nest density of larger wetlands in any 1 year was 7.80 nests/km². As some nests had likely failed by …

Evaluation Of A Nutraceutical Joint Supplement In Cranes, Kendra L. Bauer, Ellen S. Dierenfeld, Barry K. Hartup

Proceedings of the North American Crane Workshop

Osteoarthritis is a problem that threatens the reproductive capabilities of captive populations of endangered cranes. In our pilot study, we used 5 cranes with a history of unilateral, chronic tarsal pathology in a cross-over design to gauge the effects of the primary ingredient (NEM®, ESM Technologies LLC, Carthage, MO) of the nutraceutical Steadfast® (Novus Nutrition Brands, LLC, St. Charles, MO). We evaluated the ingredient for acceptance, safety, and short-term efficacy. To evaluate efficacy, we collected goniometric measures to determine range of motion in each tarsal joint before and after a 5-week experimental period where NEM® was offered in pelleted feed. …

Hematology Results From Experimental Exposure Of Sandhill Cranes To West Nile Virus, Glenn H. Olsen

Proceedings of the North American Crane Workshop

West Nile virus (WNV), a Flavivirus, was introduced into New York City in 1999 (Centers for Disease Control 1999, Enserink 1999). In the past decade the virus has spread across the continental United States and southern Canada, resulting in large numbers of deaths among native bird species (Anderson et al. 1999, Calle et al. 2000). The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) Patuxent Wildlife Research Center in Laurel, Maryland, is home to the world’s largest collection of cranes. These cranes are used for research and for reintroduction programs. As of 20 October 2016, this collection included 77 of the highly endangered whooping …

Photoperiod And Nesting Phenology Of Whooping Cranes At Two Captive Sites, Glenn H. Olsen

Proceedings of the North American Crane Workshop

Increasing day length is considered to be a stimulus to breeding in many avian species in northern latitudes (Welty 1975). Crane species that breed in high latitudes include Siberian crane (Leucogeranus leucogeranus), lesser sandhill crane (Grus canadensis canadensis), hooded crane (G. monacha), and whooping crane (G. americana). The first captive breeding records for hooded and Siberian cranes were induced with the use of artificially extended photoperiods (Mirande et al. 1996). Most likely, cranes that breed in mid-latitudes also respond to increasing daylight. In 1 study, captive greater sandhill cranes (G. c. …

Differential Detection Of Territorial And Non-Territorial Greater Sandhill Cranes In Summer, Lindsey F. Mckinney, Jeb A. Barzen, Jason D. Riddle, Shelli A. Dubay, Tim F. Ginnett

Proceedings of the North American Crane Workshop

Abundance estimates allow wildlife managers to make informed management decisions, but differential detectability of individuals can lead to biased estimates of abundance. Our objective was to quantify detectability for non-territorial and territorial sandhill cranes (Grus canadensis tabida) during summer. We hypothesized that territorial sandhill cranes would be detected more often than non-territorial cranes. In 2009, 3 wetland areas were surveyed 2 days per week during the nesting season near Briggsville, Wisconsin. We created capture histories for color-marked territorial (n = 52) and color-marked nonterritorial cranes (n = 23) and used the Huggins closed capture model in …

Serum Chemistry, Blood Gas, And Physiological Measures Of Sandhill Cranes Sedated With Alpha-Chloralose, Richard R. Sim, Barry K. Hartup

Proceedings of the North American Crane Workshop

Capture techniques that lessen handling stress may also lessen pathologic influences on physiologic measures, improving the validity of these measures for use in individual health assessment of freeranging wildlife. Since 1990, the International Crane Foundation (ICF) has successfully used chemical immobilization with alpha-chloralose (AC; C₆H₁₁Cl₃O₆), a chloral derivative of glucose, to facilitate captures of sandhill cranes (Grus canadensis tabida) for ecological studies (Hayes et al. 2003). Although this chemical has been used orally for the immobilization of many species, the physiologic effects of AC are not well understood in cranes. …

Tylosin Tartrate Promotes Resolution Of Insect Bite Hypersensitivity Reactions In Captive Cranes, Alina Kelman, Barry K. Hartup

Proceedings of the North American Crane Workshop

Previous research has described significant serum protein electrophoretic changes associated with intense periocular swelling in several crane species, typical of Type I hypersensitivity reactions, and thought to be the result of insect bites (Hartup and Schroeder 2006). We reviewed medical records for treatment plans and outcomes from 58 cases of insect hypersensitivity reactions observed in a diverse collection of captive cranes at the International Crane Foundation, Baraboo, Wisconsin. The purpose of this study was to fully describe the epidemiological and clinical characteristics of these cases, and determine the efficacy of treatment of these cases with tylosin tartrate, a macrolide antibiotic. …