Ecology and Evolutionary Biology Commons^™

Reproduction And Hematology Of The Cache Elk Herd, Thomas B. Follis

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

The initial three years of a 10-year reproductive study of elk involved three major phases. A fourth was added because of convenience. Objective 1 was to ascertain pregnancy rates in yearling and mature elk by rectal palpation, associate these rates with subsequent fall cow/calf ratios, and to test concurrently an ultrasonic fetal heart detector. Rectally observed anatomical changes in gravid uteri of cattle were directly applicable to elk. Ultrasonic detections of pregnancies in elk and deer were unsuccessful.

Pregnancy rates in the 1969-70 winter of 100 and 0 percent, respectively, for 19 adult and five yearling elk were associated with …

An Analysis Of Stock Densities And Harvest Of The Cutthroat Trout Of The Snake River, Teton County, Wyoming, John W. Kiefling

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

An intensive creel census and marking program was conducted in 1969 and 1970 to make possible population estimates and estimates of harvest of cutthroat trout in the Snake River in Teton County, Wyoming. Stock density determinations made in one of the five study areas provided an estimate of 400 and 992 cutthroat trout, eight inches or more in length, per mile of stream in 1969 and 1970 respectively.

Harvest data provide an estimate of 5,207 and 5,903 cutthroat trout harvested in 1969 and 1970 respectively. The harvest estimates obtained in this study are not comparable to those made in 1967 …

The Phyllostomatid Bat, Vampyressa Brocki, In Colombia, Robert J. Baker, Hugh H. Genoways, Alberto Cadena

University of Nebraska State Museum: Mammalogy Papers

Between June 28 and July 1, 1969, while conducting studies on the karyotypes of phyllostomatid bats, the authors collected three specimens of Vampyressa brocki in mature tropical rainforest at Leticia, Amazonas. Colombia. Measurements and representative karyotypes are presented.

Variation And Ecology In A Local Population Of The Vesper Mouse (Nyctomys Sumichrasti), Hugh H. Genoways, J. Knox Jones Jr.

University of Nebraska State Museum: Mammalogy Papers

Vesper mice of the genus Nyctomys are relatively rare, arboreal rodents restricted to Middle America (eastern Panama to southern Mexico). Little is known concerning the biology of these secretive animals. Studies of variation of the one species, Nyctomys sumichrasti, have been limited to descriptions of new taxa (for example, see Goldman, 1916, 1937, and Laurie, 1953) and ecological observations have been confined to faunal accounts of political units (Goodwin, 1934; Hall and Dalquest, 1963) or were made coincidental to studies of other species (Lawlor, 1969; Fleming, 1970). Birkenholz and Wirtz (1965) recorded observations on the behavior, reproduction, and early …

Comparative Ecological, Morphological, And Behavioral Studies Of The Southern Blacknose Dace, Rhinichthys Atratulus Obtustjs Agassiz, And The Eastern Blacknose Dace, Bhinichtbis Atbatulus Atra'fulus (Hermann), In High And Low Altitude Streams In West Virginia And Virginia, Michael L. Little

Theses, Dissertations and Capstones

Comparative ecological, aorphological, and behavioral studies of the southern blaeknose dace, Rhiniohthys atratulus obtusus Agassiz, and the eastern blaokaose dace, B.hiniohtpys atratulus atratulus (Heraann), were made in high and low altitude streaas in West Virginia and Virginia. Statistical comparisons of the morphology of a. a.atratulus and R-.a.-obtusus showed no reliable body character that differentiated the two subspecies. Statistical tests indicated an intergrading population in Gandy Creek, a tributary of the Cheat River, in West Virginia. This was further substantiated by collecting males of the atratulus phenotype along with males of the native obtusus phenotype in adjacent sections of Gandy Creek. …

Anatomical And Behavioral Aspects Of Killing And Feeding By The Least Weasel, Mustela Nivalis L., Gary A. Heidt

Journal of the Arkansas Academy of Science

The least weasel (Mustela nivalis) is a remarkably well adapted predator of mice and other small animals. Each kill is rather stereotyped, in that the weasel grabs the prey by the nape of the neck and bites through the base of the skull and/or throat, using its lithe body to "wrap up" and hold the prey. The least weasel will kill mice successively until it is too exhausted physically to kill more. Mice are always eaten from the head posteriorly until completely consumed.

A Taxonomic Study Of Two Nominal Subspecies Of Pikas (Ochotona Princeps) In The Cascade Mountains Of Oregon, Richard M. Coots

Dissertations and Theses

Pikas from four colonies in the Cascade Mountains of Oregon were examined. Two colonies were chosen from within the geographical distribution of two nominal subspecies. A discriminate analysis of morphological measurements taken from the specimens showed that each colony could be distinguished from each other. Each colony studied showed more intra-colony similarity than inter-colony similarity regardless of distance separating the colonies or subspecies designations. The results indicate that the validity of subspecies designations for this species can be questioned.

Operant Conditioning In The Garter Snake (Thamnophis), William A. Schmitz

Masters Theses

Ten garter snakes were tested for runway acquisition, correct turn response in a simple T-maze, or both, for food reinforcement. Seven of seven subjects met criterion for learning to run a 23 inch long alleyway. Mean latency times showed a general decrease over a 23 day period. Five of nine subjects met criterion for learning a correct turn response in a simple T-maze. Subjects mastering the task required from 14-157 trials. One of two subjects met criterion for learning the reverse response of the T-maze exercise, requiring 35 trials. Results are similar to those previously reported for reptiles and other …

A Multivariate Analysis Of Systematic Relationships Among Populations Of The Short-Tailed Shrew (Genus Blarina) In Nebraska, Hugh H. Genoways, Jerry R. Choate

University of Nebraska State Museum: Mammalogy Papers

The genus Blarina (Mammalia: Soricidae) is represented in Nebraska by two well-differentiated, geographically exclusive phena that generally have been regarded as subspecies. Field studies conducted along their zone of contact resulted in the collection of representatives of both phena at each of five localities. Cluster analysis of distance matrix readily separated reference samples of the phena as well as test samples from near the zone of contact. A three-dimensional projection of the specimens onto their first three principal components, together with a discriminant function analysis, served further to elucidate the degree of differentiation among the phena and to confirm that …

Some Physiochemical Parameters And Phytoplankton Standing Crop In Four Northeast Arkansas Commercial Fish Ponds, Haldor Marvin Wilkes, John K. Beadles

Journal of the Arkansas Academy of Science

Physicochemical conditions and chlorophyll a standing crop were studied from July 1970 through June 1971 in four commercial catfish ponds at the Arkansas State University Experiment Farm near Walcott, Greene County, Arkansas. Determinations of dissolved oxygen, free carbon dioxide, total alkalinity, temperature, pH, transparency, and chlorophyll a standing crop were made at two-week intervals except during fish harvesting operations. One diurnal measurement of dissolved oxygen, free carbon dioxide, and temperature was conducted 25-26 June 1971. Increased oxygen concentrations coincided with increased chlorophyll α concentrations. Free carbon dioxide and chlorophyll α values varied inversely throughout the study. Diurnal concentrations of free …

Failure To Establish Feral Coturnix Quail Populations In Arkansas In The Late 1950'S, Douglas A. James

Journal of the Arkansas Academy of Science

Although Coturnix introductions failed in the late 1950's, it was learned in Arkansas that birds survived longest after autumn releases especially where fallow fields were numerous, that Coturnix favored grasslands whereas the bobwhite preferred shrublands, and that Coturnix occurred singly, pairing only in the breeding season.

Herpetofauna Of Sylamore Ranger District, Ozark National Forest, Arkansas: Preliminary Report, John P. Schuier, James W. Dickson, Michael J. Harvey

Journal of the Arkansas Academy of Science

A survey of the amphibians and reptiles of the Sylamore Ranger District, Ozark National Forest, Arkansas, was conducted from May 1969 through May 1972. The district is composed of 170,000 acres and includes parts of Stone, Baxter, Marion, and Searcy Counties. A total of 533 specimens was collected during the study. An additional 72 specimens in the collections of Memphis State University and Arkansas State University were examined. Forty-nine species were recorded from the study area. These consisted of 8 salamanders, 12 frogs and toads, 4 turtles, 6 lizards, and 19 snakes. Two species collected during the study, Scaphiopus holbrooki …

Checklist Of Spiders Collected In Mississippi Compared With Preliminary Study Of Arkansas Spiders, Peggy Rae Dorris

Journal of the Arkansas Academy of Science

This paper presents a comparative list of spiders collected in the 82 counties of Mississippi and in a random sampling of the spiders of Arkansas. The Mississippi list includes 26 families with 263 species, whereas the Arkansas collection includes 24 families with 206 species. Various methods of collecting were used in an effort to sample all populations and to contribute to knowledge of the taxonomy both Mississippi and Arkansas.

A Comparison Of Nocturnal Restlessness Of Caged Thrushes And Migration Of Free Thrushes, Charles Goodwin Kjos

Masters Theses

Nocturnal activity (Zugunruhe) of eight caged, radio-tagged thrushes (Hylocichla spp.) was compared by signal analysis with the occurrence of migration in 16 free, radio-tagged thrushes over a 37-night period during the autumn of 1970 in central Illinois. The study was conducted to determine the extent of synchrony of Zugunruhe and migration in these nocturnal migrants in fall. Zugunruhe frequently occurred on nights when there was no migration, but migration occurred only on nights when at least 50 per cent of the caged birds were active. Except for one departure which was atypical in several respects, migration occurred …

An Investigation Of The Behavior Of Citellus Townsendii Townsendii (Bachman) In Central Washington, Mark Roy Fuller

All Master's Theses

This study of the behavior of Citellus townsendii townsendii was based on field observations of animals at their northern most distribution. The squirrels' seasonal activity and behavioral repertoire, when considered with environmental parameters, suggest important adaptations for survival. The animals were in torpor from about July to February. Activity generally occurred during the midmorning hours, allowing them to avoid temperature extremes. Quantitative analysis of behavioral observations indicated that most activities occurred in a non-random order.

Notes On The Biology Of The Central American Squirrel, Sciurus Richmondi, J. Knox Jones Jr., Hugh H. Genoways

University of Nebraska State Museum: Mammalogy Papers

Additional specimens of Sciurus richmondi are reported, along with comments on variation, distribution, reproduction and molt in this little known squirrel. As presently understood, S. richmondi occurs only in the Caribbean rain forests of Nicaragua. Significant secondary sexual variation in adults was found only in zygomatic breadth, in which females are the larger. Available evidence reveals that the breeding season extends at least from February to September, and suggests two seasonal molts annually.

Evaporative Water Loss In Two Northwest Snakes: Pituophis Catenifer And Crotalus Viridis, Donald R. Woolery

All Master's Theses

A study by Gans, Krakauer and Paganelli (1968) dealt with twenty-six species of snakes representing five families. They found that the "rate of water loss was proportional to surface area" and that water loss correlates with the aridity of the selected habitat. No comparative information resulting from the direct separation of the pulmonary and cutaneous avenues of water loss is currently available. Also, no direct comparisons of this separation in sympatric species are available. These comparisons are the basis for this study.

Spawning And Early Life History Of Largemouth Bass (Micropterus Salmoides) In Wahweap Bay, Lake Powell, Kent D. Miller

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

Spawning time and habitat of largemouth bass, survival of embryos, and growth and food habits of fingerlings were studied in 1968 and 1969 at Wahweap Bay, Lake Powell. Spawning began in mid- to late-April, when mean daily water temperature at nesting depths was 14.4-15.0 Centigrade (58-59 Fahreheit), and continued until mid-June. Most spawning took place on the northeast shore of the bay. Sandstone rubble was the most commonly used bottom type for nesting, either at the base of ledges or around large sandstone boulders. Mean nest depth increased from 1.63 meter to 4.54 meters (5.36 feet to 14.90 feet) in …

The Microclimate, Ion And Water Balance Of Larval And Adult Ascaphus Truei Stejneger, Terry L. Mullen

All Master's Theses

The purpose of this paper is first to describe the microclimate occupied by larval and adult Ascaphus. This microclimate presents certain osmo- and iono- regulatory problems. The second purpose of this paper is to show how Ascaphus meets these osmo- and iono- regulatory problems.

A Conceptual Draft Of A Dynamic Hydro-Biological Model For Lake Mead, L. G. Everett, Bureau Of Reclamation

Publications (WR)

Food and energy transformation in an aquatic system must be understood in order to develop a simulation approach. This report provides a comprehensive study of an aquatic ecosystem. The objectives of this report are to show: (1) the biological relationships in an aquatic system (2) the role of nutrients in the biological cycle (3) the role of abiotic factors in a limnetic environment (4) the status of the art of "Eutrophication modeling".

Morphological Variation In Stenoderma Rufum, J, Knox Jones Jr., Hugh H. Genoways, Robert J. Baker

University of Nebraska State Museum: Mammalogy Papers

For more than 100 years, the red fruit-eating bat, Stenoderma rufum Desmarest, 1820, was known only by a specimen of unknown geographic provenience. Anthony ( 1918, 1925) rediscovered Stenoderma in Puerto Rican cave deposits, but the first living specimens to be reported since the original description were taken on St. John in the Virgin Islands (Hall and Bee, 1960). Subsequently, Tamsitt and Valdivieso (1966) recorded living representatives from Puerto Rico-from a population later named and described as a distinctive subspecies, Stenoderma rufum darioi, by Hall and Tamsitt (1968). The latter authors also reported a specimen of S. r. rufum …

Phosphorescent Animal Forms Of Arkansas, Peggy Rae Dorris

Journal of the Arkansas Academy of Science

Two phosphorescent animal forms, Euryurus sp. and Centruroides vittatus, were collected with a black light in an attempt to collect phosphorescent spiders. Both the millipede and the scorpion were easily observed by the bright phosphorescent yellow color which glowed in the presence of the black light

Some Biological Aspects Of Lizard Eimerians, With A Description Of Eimeria Poinsettis N. Sp. From Sceloporus Poinsetti, David A, Colwell

All Master's Theses

A previously described eimerian, Eimeria sceloporis, from the northwestern fence lizard, Sceloporus occidentalis occidentalis, was observed for oocyst production, incidence and intensity of infection in both juvenile and adult lizards. In order to test the species specificity of Eimeria ahtanumensis, an attempted transmission was made to Sceloporus poinsetti, Sceloporus jarrovi, Sceloporus undulatus and Sceloporus occidentalis. During the winter of 1970-1971 fecal samples were collected from Sceloporus poinsetti to determine possible coccidial infections. The lizards were collected in September of 1970 in Hidulgo County, New Mexico and the ensuing investigation showed that nine of the thirteen adults were passing an intestinal …

Ichthyofaunal Diversification And Distribution In The Big Creek Watershed, Craighead And Greene Counties, Arkansas, James T. Jenkins, George L. Harp

Journal of the Arkansas Academy of Science

Big Creek is a relatively small deltaic stream, in northeastern Arkansas, in an area of intense cultivation. Recently it has been dredged in the interest of flood control. Lost Creek and Mud Creek are the major tributaries of Big Creek and collectively drain the Big Creek watershed. The streams were found to have relatively low alkalinity, moderate carbon dioxide, adequate oxygen values, and relatively high turbidity. Channeling of Big Creek and Lost Creek has effectively destroyed distinct pool-riffle biocies and reduced the number of acceptable spawning areas. Lost Creek, also, receives effluent from residential dwellings, a secondary treatment sewage plant, …

The Breeding Biology Of The Western Tanager (Piranga Ludoviciana), Gary G. Benson

All Master's Theses

In 1969 a two-year study was undertaken in an effort to enlarge our knowledge of the life history of the western tanager (Piranga ludoviciana). Bent (1958) summarizes the literature on the western tanager, and a review of his work clearly shows an almost total absence of detailed information on the species' life history. To obtain this information, observations were conducted from 1 May through 29 July 1969. A few observations were made during the 1968 breeding season.

Trap Manifested Behavior Trap Reflected Density Trap Reflected Distribution And Foods Consumed By Raccoons (Procyon Lotor L.) In Two Natural Areas Of Virginia, Elton L. Winslow

Biological Sciences Theses & Dissertations

A study was undertaken comparing populations of raccoons (Procyon lotor L.) in two natural areas of Virginia, one in the Piedmont physiographic province at Montpelier and the other in the coastal plain at Newport News. Comparisons were made with respect to differences in: (1) capture and recapture success, (2) relative trap reflected density, (3) trap reflected distribution with respect to aquatic habitat, and (4) in food consumption. Comparison of capture data indicated that capture success per 100 trap nights was much higher at Newport News (1.58) than at Montpelier (.76). However a similar comparison of recapture success per …

Harvest Mice (Genus Reithrodontomys) Of Nicaragua, J. Knox Jones Jr., Hugh H. Genoways

University of Nebraska State Museum: Mammalogy Papers

Harvest mice of the genus Reithrodontomys first were reported from Nicaragua by Oldfield Thomas (1907), who originally described Reithrodontomys sumichrasti modestus based on a single specimen from Jinotega. J. A. Allen (1908, 1910) recorded additional specimens of R. s. modestus, which still was the only species known from the country when A. H. Howell (1914) revised the genus Reithrodontomys. In his thorough review of Latin American harvest mice, Hooper (1952) added a second species, Reithrodontomys mexicanus lucifrons, to the Nicaraguan fauna, and Englert (1959) and Anderson and Jones (1960) recorded three additional kinds. The present report treats …

Bibliography Of Diseases And Parasites Of Marine Fish And Shellfish (With Emphasis On Commercially Important Species), Carl J. Sindermann

Harold W. Manter Laboratory of Parasitology: Faculty Publications

The literature on diseases and parasites of marine animals has been accumulating at an accelerating rate in recent decades, and at a seemingly geometrical rate in the past few years. Reviews of selected aspects of the subject have appeared (Cheng, 1967; Sindermann, 1966; Sindermann and Rosenfield, 1967). References listed in these papers include a significant, but still a small part, of the available literature. With the proliferation of journals in many languages throughout the world, a complete bibliography, even in a narrow area of research, is almost an impossibility. Then too, the daily appearance of new published information represents an …

Effects Of Starvation And Time At Stocking On Survival Of Stocked Rainbow Trout, Salmo Gairdneri, Marlin John Bricker

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

Investigations of effects of starvation and time at stocking on the survival of catchable rainbow trout in two areas of Mammoth Creek in Dixie National Forest, Utah, were conducted from May 24 to December 6, 1969. Fish were starved for 6 days and 1 day and stocked in the morning (5:40-7:00 a.m.) and in the afternoon (1:45-5:30 p.m.). Out of 7,000 tagged fish stocked, 4,751 tags were returned by fishermen. The 6-day starved fish, stocked in the morning returned to the creel in highest numbers (1,240); followed by 1-day starved, afternoon-stocked fish (1,194); 6-day starved, afternoon-stocked fish (1,163); and 1-day …

Mating Weaners Does Not Affect Future Ewe Performance, R J. Suiter, K. P. Croker

Journal of the Department of Agriculture, Western Australia, Series 4

Maiden ewes in Western Australia are usually mated in their second year because of supposed ill-effects of earlier mating on the ewe's future production. Mating at a younger age however, providing there was no reduction in future performance, would provide for an extra lamb drop and thus increase the lifetime output of ewes.

Information from various sources indicated that weaners could be successfully mated providing their bodyweights were satisfactory. This trial was carried out to test the results of mating weaners under Western Australian conditions.