Ecology and Evolutionary Biology Commons^™

Population Dynamics Of Feral House Mice And Meadow Voles On A Dredge Disposal Site, Georgia E. Kratimenos

Biological Sciences Theses & Dissertations

The population dynamics of two species was studied for one year on Craney Island in Portsmouth, Virginia. This dredge disposal site provided good habitat for the house mouse, Mus musculus, whose opportunistic behaviors can withstand the sudden changes in a dynamic environment. Although the site was not optimal habitat, a population of Microtus pennsylvanicus, the meadow vole, was sustained there. Of the seven species of small mammals captured, 65% were house mice and 28% were meadow voles. Meadow voles were more successful at establishing short periods of residency than were house mice; on average, each meadow vole was …

The Ecology Of Franklin's Ground Squirrel In Indiana, Peter M. Benjamin

All-Inclusive List of Electronic Theses and Dissertations

A reduction in the distribution of the Franklin's ground squirrel in the eastern portion of its range has led to its classification as a threatened species in Indiana. Information is lacking on this species' habitat requirements and population characteristics in Indiana, which limits management capabilities. The purpose of this study was to identify preferred habitat and population characteristics of the Franklin's ground squirrel in Indiana. Radio telemetry was conducted from April 1987 to September 1988 at 3 sites along a railroad right-of-way (ROW} in Benton County, Indiana. Land use and habitat types were mapped; species composition, density, percent cover, percent …

Phyletic Coevolution Between Subterranean Rodents Of The Genus Ctenomys (Rodentia: Hystricognathi) And Nematodes Of The Genus Paraspidodera (Heterakoidea: Aspidoderidae) In The Neotropics: Temporal And Evolutionary Implications, Scott Lyell Gardner

Harold W. Manter Laboratory of Parasitology: Faculty Publications

Coevolution was studied in six species of rodents of the genus Ctenomys and their parasitic nematodes of the genus Paraspidodera, collected in Bolivia. Representatives of the families Octodontidae and Caviidae were used as outgroups for the mammals, and nematodes from caviids were used as outgroups of the nematodes from ctenomyids. For the nematodes, quantitative and qualitative morphological characteristics of both males and females and electrophoretic characters of both sexes were used to generate phylogenetic hypotheses of evolutionary relationships of the OTUs occurring in hosts of different species. Concordance estimates of cladograms generated from biochemical-genetic and morphological data of the …

Eumeces Septentrionalis (Prairie Skink): Piscivory., Louis A. Somma

Papers in Herpetology

The prairie skink is a North American lizard characterized by a diet that is primarily insectivorous (Breckenridge 1943. Amer. MidI. Nat. 29:591-606). Fish have not been previously recorded as a food item (reviewed in Somma and Cochran 1989. Great Basin Nat. 49:525-534). On 3 June 1990 between 0930 and 1030 h, six Eumeces septentrionalis (three gravid females, one male, and two juveniles) were captured from amongst riprap and beneath stone slabs on the earthen dam forming the windward shoreline of Burchard lake, Pawnee Co., Nebraska (T.12N., R.10E., Sec. 4). The three females and one juvenile were placed in the …

Polymorphism Of Eimerian Oocysts Can Be A Problem In Naturally Infected Hosts: An Example From Subterranean Rodents In Bolivia, Scott Lyell Gardner, Donald W. Duszynski

Harold W. Manter Laboratory of Parasitology: Faculty Publications

Since 1986, 364 tuco-tucos (Ctenomys spp.) representing 7 species were collected from 16 major collecting areas representing at least 4 distinct ecological habitats in Bolivia, South America. All were examined for coccidia, and 125 (34%) had oocysts in their feces including 84 of 236 (36%) Ctenomys boliviensis from tropical palm/savanna habitats; 1 of 3 (33%) C. conoveri from a chaco thorn forest; 3 of 7 (33%) C. frater from medium altitude grass habitats; and 6 of 8 (75%) C. lewisi and 31 of 35 (88%) C. opimus from high altitude/puna habitats. None of 3 C. …

Reproduction In The Hispid Cotton Rat, Sigmodon-Hispidus Say And Ord (Rodentia: Muridae), In Southeastern Virginia, Robert K. Rose, Michael H. Mitchell

Biological Sciences Faculty Publications

The hispid cotton rat, Sigmodon hispidus Say and Ord, a species of the southwestern United States that has been moving northward and eastward in this century, was first observed in Virginia in 1940. In this study of the cotton rat in southeastern Virginia, most males were reproductively competent from February through November, embryos were recorded from March through October, and litter sizes were comparable to those from other locations except Kansas. Also unlike the cotton rat in Kansas, animals grew at substantial rates during the winter in Virginia. The hispid cotton rat seems to have adjusted its breeding season in …

Small Mammals In The Great Dismal Swamp Of Virginia And North Carolina, Robert K. Rose, Roger K. Everton, Jean F. Stankavich

Biological Sciences Faculty Publications

Small" mammals were surveyed in a range of habitats in the Great Dismal Swamp of Virginia and North Carolina. The survey is based on three chronologically overlapping studies, each lasting 15-18 months and for which the results have been reported separately. A different trapping method was used in each of the three studies: nest boxes, Fitch live traps, or pitfall traps. Only two species of mammals, both arboreal, were taken in nest boxes, compared with 10 and 9 species in Fitch live traps and pitfall traps, respectively. The Fitch live traps had a much higher catch rate per 1,000 trap-nights …

Description Of The Tadpoles Of Gastrophryne Pictiventris And Nelsonophryne Aterrima (Anura: Microhylidae), With A Review Of Morphological Variation In Free-Swimming Microhylid Larvae, Maureen A. Donnelly, Rafael O. De Sá, Craig Guyer

Biology Faculty Publications

The tadpoles of Gastrophryne pictiventris and Nelsonophryne aterrima are described based on material collected in Costa Rica and Panama, respectively. The tadpole of G. pictiventris resembles those of the other species of Gastrophryne. The tadpole of N. aterrima differs from other New World microhylid tadpoles in location of the vent tube (medial), the spiracular opening (ventral to the gut), and eyes (dorsolateral). The unique configuration of mouthparts in N. aterrima is described. Morphological variation in microhylid tadpoles is reviewed and six larval characters are analyzed cladistically for IO New World microhylid genera.

An Analysis Of External Features As Predictors Of Reproductive Status In Small Mammals, Kenneth Wayne Mccravy

Biological Sciences Theses & Dissertations

Reproductive status in specimens of nine populations of seven species of small mammals was evaluated by examining the external reproductive features of nipple size, condition of the pubic symphysis, and vaginal condition and, in males, testis position. Usefulness of these external features in predicting true monthly breeding rates was evaluated by comparing predictions of breeding rates with true rates based on necropsy. Accuracy of predictions of reproductive status of individuals based on single external features and combinations of external features and body measurements was then analyzed at a finer level by comparing those predictions with results of necropsy of the …

The Development Of A Policy For The Management Of Dingo Populations In South Australia, R. J. Downward, J. E. Bromell

Vertebrate Pest Conference Proceedings: 14th (1990)

Competing concerns between conservation and sheep-growing interests in South Australia over problems associated with the naturalized dog,Canis familiaris dingo, prompted the development of a policy for the management of this subspecies. The background to the development of this policy is outlined. The policy provides for a compromise between the need to protect the livestock industry while ensuring the continued survival of the dingo as a wildlife species.

Geographic Distribution: Tropidoclonion Lineatum (Lined Snake). Usa: Nebraska: Douglas Co., Louis A. Somma, James D. Fawcett

Papers in Herpetology

TROPIDOCLONION LINEATUM (Lined Snake). USA: NEBRASKA: Douglas Co. Omaha. jct. of 156th & F Streets (NE corner Sec. 3, T14N, R11E). 3 June 1980. J.J. Krupa. UNO 102-03680. Adult killed by lawnmower (J. Krupa. pers. comm.) at relict tallgrass prairie site (Beottcher 1981, Master's Thesis, University of Nebraska at Omaha). ca. 82.5 km SE of record in Cuming County and 75 km NE of record in Lancaster County (Lynch 1985, Trans. Nebraska Acad. Sci. 13: 33-57). Fills gap between easternmost records in central Nebraska and Westernmost records in Iowa (Christiansen 1981, Proc. Iowa Acad. Sci. 88: 24-26; Christiansen & Bailey, …

Helminth Parasitism In Martens (Martes Americana) And Ermines (Mustela Erminea) From Washington, With Comments On The Distribution Of Trichinella Spiralis, Eric P. Hoberg, Keith B. Aubry, J. David Brittell

Harold W. Manter Laboratory of Parasitology: Faculty Publications

Helminths are reported for the first time from ermines (Mustela erminea) and martens (Martes americana) in Washington, USA. Among 22 adult ermines, 41% were infected by one or more of five species (Taenia mustelae, Alaria mustelae, Molineus patens, M. mustelae, and Trichinella spiralis). Among 78 adult martens from three geographic localities, the prevalence was 83%. Nine species were identified (Mesocestoides sp., T. mustelae and T. martis americana, Euryhelmis squamula, M. patens, Baylisascaris devosi, Physaloptera sp., Soboliphyme baturini, and T. spiralis). Trichinella spiralis …

Investigations Of The Trophic Relationships, Feeding Ecology And Feeding Behavior Of Larval Spot, Leiostomus Xanthurus Lacepede, And Atlantic Croaker, Micropogonias Undulatus (Linnaeus) (Pisces:Sciaenidae), Dirk Edward Peterson

Biological Sciences Theses & Dissertations

The feeding ecology of preflexion and flexion-postflexion spot (Leiostomus xanthurus) and Atlantic croaker (Micropogonias undulatus) larvae was evaluated and compared. Nutritional condition of spot larvae from the Gulf of Mexico was high, with no larvae classified as starving. This was probably due to an inability to sample starving larvae at sea because of predation pressure or was indicative of favorable feeding conditions and an absence of starvation in the collection area. In spite of morphological similarities between the species, significant differences in body shape existed.

The diets of the two species converged with age and interspecific dietary overlap was relatively …

Testing Macroevolutionary Hypotheses With Cladistic Analysis: Evidence Against Rectangular Evolution, Cliff A. Lemen, Patricia W. Freeman

School of Natural Resources: Faculty Publications

The properties of cladistic data sets from small monophyletic groups (6-1 2 species) are investigated using computer simulations of macroevolution. Two evolutionary models are simulated: gradualism and the punctuated-equilibrium hypothesis. Under the conditions of our simulations these two models of evolution make consistently different predictions about the distribution of autapomorphies among species. When strict stasis is enforced, the punctuated-equilibrium hypothesis predicts that the most expected number of autapomorphies per species will be zero, no matter how many characters are used in the analysis. As the number of characters used in the analysis increases, the distribution of the number of autapomorphies …

Age Assessment Of White Bass From Otoliths, Dorsal Spines And Scales, Raj V. Kilambi, Thoniot T. Prabhakaran

Journal of the Arkansas Academy of Science

Otoliths, dorsal spines, and scales of 85 white bass collected in1987 from a pre-spawning group were used forage assessment. Agreement between spine and otolith ages were 78.3%, between scale and otolith ages was 68.2%. Unlike spine ages, percent agreement of scale ages with otolith ages decreased from small to large fish. Length-frequency analysis in conjunction with ages assessed by the three calcified structures showed that dorsal spines and scales underestimated white bass ages compared to the otoliths. Clarity of the otolith annuli, even of the older fish, makes them a reliable source for white bass age assessment.

Survey And Reconnaissance Of Sea Turtles In The Northern Gulf Of Mexico, Larry Ogren

United States Department of Commerce: Staff Publications

This is a report on the results of an aerial survey of nesting beaches conducted during the period from May 16, 1977 to August 11, 1977. The area covered included the barrier beaches and offshore islands from the Florida-Alabama state line to the Rio Grande, Texas. Additional historical information is provided in order to compare current nesting activity with previous years as well as anecdotal observations on the occurrence of sea turtles in this region.

Geographic Distribution: Lampropeltis C. Calligaster (Prairie Kingsnake). Usa: Nebraska: Thayer Co., Louis A. Somma, John F. Lokke

Papers in Herpetology

LAMPROPELT/S C. CALL/GASTER (Prairie Kingsnake). USA: NEBRASKA: Thayer Co.: Hubbell: unmarked section road ca. 0.4km S of State Hwy 8 (T1N. R1W, SW corner S29). 11 June 1988. L. A. Somma and J. F. Lokke. Verified by J. F. Lokke and L. A. Somma. University of Nebraska at Omaha Herpetological Collection c/o J. D. Fawcett (101-11-688). Road killed adult. New county record, extends range ca. 18.5km W of record in adjacent Jefferson Co. (lynch 1985. Trans. Nebraska Acad. Sci. 13:33-57). Represents most northwesterly record in USA (Blaney 1979. Cat. Amer. Amph. Rept (229):1-2).

Dental Pathology In Selected Carnivores From Arkansas, C. Renn Tumlison, J. D. Wilhide, V. Rick Mcdaniel

Journal of the Arkansas Academy of Science

The occurrence and kinds of dental pathology in wild carnivore populations in Arkansas were investigated through examination of 1295 skulls of bobcat (Felis rufus), river otter (Lutra canadensis), gray fox (Urocyon cinereoargenteus), coyote (Canis latrans), and raccoon (Procyon lotor). Pulpitis or abscesses in broken or otherwise exposed teeth were noted in all species, but bobcats had the fewest exposures while otter and gray foxhad the most. Osteomyelitis occurred in all species except the bobcat. Caries were noted in the coyote, raccoon, and gray fox. Otter and coyote had alveolar thinning, and coyote had enamel dysplasia and maxillary sinusitis.

Elaphe Bairdi (Baird’S Rat Snake): Drinking Behavior., Louis A. Somma

Papers in Herpetology

On 13 February 1988. at 1600 h. a captive-bred (hatched July 1985) male Elaphe bairdi (TL.136.9 cm, SVL .. 89.54 cm). maintained in a 50.5 x 25 x 30 cm terrerium was accidently splashed with water. As beads of water on the snake's head rolled down to the upper labial sceles. swallowing was observed. The water on the labial scales was drawn Into the mouth while It was closed. This behavior lasted 42 sec. This behavior was repeated 23 out of 24 trials conducted during the next 24 days. The duration of swallowing wes 9-62 sec (avg 35.8, N = …

Caribbean Island Zoogeography: A New Approach Using Mitochondrial Dna To Study Neotropical Bats, Carleton J. Phillips, Dorothy E. Pumo, Hugh H. Genoways, Phillip E. Ray

University of Nebraska State Museum: Mammalogy Papers

Genetic analysis of animal mitochondrial DNA is a new and valuable addition to the battery of techniques available to zoogeographers. This paper describes characteristics of mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) that make it applicable for the study of island zoogeography.

Some traditional zoogeographic questions are examined using mtDNA from the Neotropical fruit bat, Artibeus jamaicensis. The specific questions are: 1) To what extent are island populations isolated (that is, does interbreeding occur between the insular subspecies)? 2) Can a single founding female account for the mitochondrial genomes on specific islands in the Antilles? 3) Is there a correlation between the genomic …

The Bats Of Fountain Cavern, Hugh H. Genoways

University of Nebraska State Museum: Mammalogy Papers

First paragraph:

During May 1988, two species of bats--Brachyphylla cavernarum (Antillean cave bat) and Natalus stramineus (funnel-eared bat)--were captured at the opening of Fountain Cavern. Only Brachyphylla cavernarum was captured inside of the cave. The weather was extremely wet during our visit to Anguilla so our work in Fountain Cavern was limited by hazardous conditions. Nevertheless, we did make a thorough survey of the bats inside the cave. There is only one other species on Anguilla--Monophyllus redmani (Antillean long-tongued bat)--that might be expected to utilize Fountain Cavern as a roosting site.

Includes the author's recommendations about conservation for …

Comparative Analysis Of The Effects Of Visual And Auditory Stimuli On Avian Mobbing Behavior, C. Ray Chandler, Robert K. Rose

Biological Sciences Faculty Publications

Both visual and auditory stimuli elicit avian mobbing behavior, but there is little comparative information on their isolated and additive effects. Using three combinations of two experimental stimuli (mount and tape of an Eastern Screech-Owl, Otus asio) we tested the effects of stimuli on the frequency, intensity, and duration of avian mobbing behavior. Of 169 mount-only trials, only 11 (6.5%) were successful in attracting birds. Tape-only (n = 169) and mount-and-tape (n = 170) were equally successful in attracting birds (approximately 85% of all trials), but mount-and-tape trials were more likely to initiate mobbing behavior. Birds responding …

Echinococcus Vogeli Rausch And Bernstein, 1972, From The Paca, Cuniculus Paca L. (Rodentia: Dayproctidae), In The Departamento De Santa Cruz, Bolivia, Scott Lyell Gardner, Robert L. Rausch, Otto Carlos Jordan Camacho

Harold W. Manter Laboratory of Parasitology: Faculty Publications

Among approximately 2,000 mammals examined for helminths in various regions of Bolivia during 1983-1987, cysts of Echinococcus vogeli Rausch and Bernstein, 1972, were found in a single paca, Cuniculus paca L., collected at La Laguna, Departamento de Santa Cruz (lat. 16° 36' W; long. 62° 42' S). This record, the first from Bolivia, represents a considerable extension of the known geographic range of this species in South America. Upon analysis of the morphologic characteristics of the protoscoleces derived from the cysts, the sizes of rostellar hooks from the material from the paca were found to be well within the ranges …

Foraging Behavior And Switching By The Grasshopper Sparrow Ammodramus Savannarum Searching For Multiple Prey In A Heterogeneous Environment, Anthony Joern

School of Biological Sciences: Faculty Publications

Switching among four alternative grasshopper species by the grasshop- per sparrow (Ammodramus savannarum) through frequency-dependent predation was ex- amined. Grasshoppers were presented against a heterogeneous natural background in an outdoor aviary where total density was held constant but relative density of each grasshopper species varied. Switching among prey, primarily between two of the four species, and inter-bird variability in switching was observed. Species-specific prefer- ences and interactions among the alternative grasshopper species affected the final diet choice as one grasshopper species was always preferentially selected and another disregarded independent of changes in relative density. Attributes of avian foraging behavior, including: …

Spatial Memory In Pigeons On A Four-Arm Radial Maze, Robert H.I. Dale

Scholarship and Professional Work - LAS

Pigeon spatial memory was examined using a four-arm radial maze. The maze had four arms, spaced at 90° intervals, extending radially from a central choice area. Subjects were forced into three arms, then permitted two choices to enter the remaining ann. Five subjects chose accurately (90% correct) with delays of 5 min or less, their choices depended on extramaze cues, and the food in the target arm provided no essential cues. After an incorrect first choice, subjects' second choices were more accurate than chance. These data suggest that, while spatial memory has many similar characteristics in rats and pigeons, pigeon …

Lasiurus Blossevilli (Chiroptera: Vespertilionidae) In Texas, Hugh H. Genoways, Robert J. Baker

University of Nebraska State Museum: Mammalogy Papers

First paragraph:

A bat netted in the ZH Canyon in the Sierra Vieja Mountains, 9 mi. W Valentine, Presidio Co., Texas, appears to be the first record of the western red bat (Lasiurus blossevillii teliotis) from the state of Texas. The specimen is an adult female that was taken on the night of 15 July 1969 by T. R. Mollhagen. The vegetation in ZH Canyon is typical low desert scrub but permanent water is present. Nets were placed in such positions as to catch bats attempting to drink at this water source.

Comments On Estimating Population Rate Of Increase From Age Frequency Data, C. Renn Tumlison, V. Rick Mcdaniel

Journal of the Arkansas Academy of Science

Although many papers have described assumptions and calculations of r from different kinds of data, none has compared estimates of r for the same real data set under different assumptions. We used the age distributions of gray foxes collected during six trapping seasons to estimate and compare r and lₓ series derived under different assumptions. Because trapped foxes are killed, they are believed by some to represent death history data. We found this treatment underestimates mortality so overestimates survivorship and leads to erroneous conclusions about the population. Use of a projection matrix allowed prediction of population size and thus allowed …

Sex Ratios In Bobcat Populations, C. Renn Tumlison, V. Rick Mcdaniel

Journal of the Arkansas Academy of Science

Reported sex ratios in bobcat populations have suggested great variation ranging from strong male bias to strong female bias. Explanations offered for these observations have included factors of mobility, activity, behavior, inaccurate data collection, hunting pressure, and population density. Ratios are probably most representative during the winter, when females are no longer under constraints of parental care. Sex determination should be made by experienced observers and preferably through internal examination. The most productive direction for interpretation of validated ratios appears to be in terms of population density, hunting pressure, and the timing of harvest.

Forest Habitat Use By White-Tailed Deer In The Arkansas Coastal Plain, T. B. Wigley Jr., M. E. Garner

Journal of the Arkansas Academy of Science

Forest habitat use by five radio-equipped white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus) was monitored in the Arkansas Coastal Plain during 1982-84. The deer were located 821 times. Use of forest types was compared to expected use as calculated from availability. The study area was also divided into 491 two-hectare cells for which timber characteristics and number of deer locations were determined. Pine sawtimber was the most heavily used forest type in all seasons and was used more often than expected during spring. Also used more than expected were brushy areas (clearcut but not site prepared) during spring, summer and fall and openings …

Reproductive Characteristics Of South Florida Sternotherus Odoratus And Kinosternon Baurii (Testudines: Kinosternidae), Walter E. Meshaka Jr.

Journal of the Arkansas Academy of Science

No abstract provided.