Ecology and Evolutionary Biology Commons^™

Autumn Sandhill Crane Migration In Southeastern Oregon, Carroll D. Littlefield

Proceedings of the North American Crane Workshop

Each autumn, from 2,000 to 3,000 greater sandhill cranes (Grus canadensis tabida) of the Central Valley Population congregate on Malheur National Wildlife Refuge. Migratory behavIor, flock SIzes and arrivals and departures from this important autumn use area were observed for 13 years (1970-1986). Average size of flocks arriving from the north was 15.7, with those arriving from the southwest averaging 7.4. Flocks departing for California wintering areas averaged 9.2, but as smaller groups merged, flock , sizes increased to 24.8 (35 km southwest from the departure area). Most flIghts were at speeds ra~?mg from 56 to 88 kmh-l, …

Habitat Use By Florida Sandhill Cranes In The Okefenokee Swamp, Georgia, Alan J. Bennett

Proceedings of the North American Crane Workshop

Habitat selection by Florida sandhill cranes (Grus canadensis pratensis) in the Okefenokee Swamp was studied 1985-87. Wetland habitats were used exclusively. Herbaceous emergent marsh was the only habitat selected throughout the year. Although composing only 12.6% of the Swamp, such marsh received 54.8% use. Use of macrophyte emergent marsh (aquatic bed) peaked during summer and averaged 24.2% throughout the year. Shrub-scrub marsh, used for nesting, received 14.2% use. Habitat selection by adults and subadults (1-3 year-olds) was similar. Significant differences occurred only in spring when adults utilized Carex sp. and shrub-scrub marsh for nesting. Water depths in the …

Sandhill Crane Mortality Resulting From Neckbands, Alan Bennett

Proceedings of the North American Crane Workshop

Forty-three greater sandhill cranes (Grus canadensis tabida) and 18 Florida sandhill cranes (G. c. pratensis) were captured and fitted with plastic neckbands in 1985 and 1986. Nine (15%) died after inserting their bills inside their bands and were unable to free themselves. Death from neckbands occurred in 3 (20%) of 15 radio-tagged cranes, suggesting that the actual mortality was higher than that observed. No neckband-related deaths were observed in cranes < 12 months of age, and females exhibited mortality 2.5 times higher than males. Mortality was equally divided between cranes that received secured and unsecured neckbands. Increasing the height of neckbands from 6.5 to 8.2 cm did not reduce the incidence of death.

Territorial Behavior Of Florida Sandhill Cranes In The Okefenokee Swamp, Laurel A. Bennett, Alan J. Bennett

Proceedings of the North American Crane Workshop

Intraspecific and territorial interactions of adult Florida sandhill cranes (Grus canadensis pratensis) were studied in the Okefenokee Swamp, Georgia 1985-87. Adult pairs occupied exclusive and defended territories year round. We did not observe social behavior or flocking by adult cranes. Reproductive success did not influence the fidelity of pairs to their territories or aggressiveness toward other cranes. Females that lost mates retained their territories and eventually re-paired. Territorality was most intense during fall and winter and may have been necessary to maintain feeding areas. Habitat conditions in the Okefenokee Swamp may dictate territorality, not sociality, as a strategy …

Reducing Conflicts Between Snow Goose Hunters And Whooping Cranes At Bosque Del Apache National Wildlife Refuge, Robert H. Edens

Proceedings of the North American Crane Workshop

The Bosque snow goose (Chen caerulescens) hunt was initiated in 1966 and had become an important recreational hunt by 1975, when the experimental whooping crane (Grus americana) foster parent program was initiated. Since 16 sandhill cranes (G. canadensIs) had been mistakenly shot prior to the program, concern was that whooping cranes might also be shot. The Bosque Snow Goose Hunter Training Program was initiated in 1977, consisting of a 1-hour slide/tape presentatIon and a 10-minute bird identification test. Modifications to hunt procedures and the requirement of all hunters to attend the hunter training program …

Land Use Status And Trends Of Potential Whooping Crane Release Sites In Central Florida, Mary Anne Bishop

Proceedings of the North American Crane Workshop

Three areas in central Florida, identified as potential sites for the reintroduction of a nonmigratory flock of whooping cranes (Grus americana), were evaluated. and ranked as to their priority for reintroduction based on their land use status and trends. The Kissimmee Prairie, including Three Lakes Wildlife Management Area, Prairie-Lakes State Preserve, and the National Audubon Society's Kissimmee Prairie Sanctuary was ranked first, the Webb Wildlife Management Area second, and Myakka River State Park third. Primary criteria used for each site and its surrounding lands included acreage, ownership, management, public use, access, potential threats, and the potential to support …

Relationship Of Channel Maintenance Flows To Whooping Crane Use Of The Platte River, Craig A. Faanes, David B. Bowman

Proceedings of the North American Crane Workshop

Periodic high flows in the Platte River are necessary to scour vegetation and redistribute sediment in the stream channel. Peak and mean annual flows have been reduced by as much as 70% from pre-development times, but channel maintenance flows still occur, although at a much reduced frequency and magnitude of occurrence. Use of the Platte River by migrant whooping cranes (Grus americana) in recent years appears to be related to the recent occurrence of flows in excess of 8,000 cfs for 5 or more consecutive days.

Release Of Sandhill Crane Chicks Hand-Reared With Artificial Stimuli, Robert H. Horwich, John Wood, Ray Anderson

Proceedings of the North American Crane Workshop

Greater sandhlll crane chicks (Grus canadensis tabida) were hand-reared using moveable puppets and vocalizing crane models as substitute parents. Their parental attachment was transferred to a crane-costumed human who introduced them to a wild environment and to wild foods. Five chicks were gentle-released in Wisconsin when 3.5 months old, a period of high sociality, and all successfully joined wild cranes. Following their first few weeks in association with wild cranes, their behavior was normal and comparable to that of wild chicks and they achieved normal flight distance from humans. Four of the 5 were relocated in Wisconsin the …

Whooping Cranes At The San Antonio Zoo, Jacqueline A. Lauver

Proceedings of the North American Crane Workshop

Since April, 1956, when an injured whooping crane (Grus americana) was received for rehabilitation, the San Antonio Zoo has maintained these birds in the collection and is 1 of only 2 zoos to have raised them. The zoo's management efforts, combined with favorable climatic cbnditions and water sources have contributed to a successful breeding program. The whooping crane is 1 of 7 crane species successfully bred, and 1 of 8 crane species currently in the collection.

The Contingency Plan For Federal-State Cooperative Protection Of Whooping Cranes, James C. Lewis

Proceedings of the North American Crane Workshop

A "Contingency Plan for Federal-State Cooperative Protection of Whooping Cranes" was developed in 1985 to protect migrating whooping cranes (Grus americana). Thirteen states and the U.s. Fish and Wildlife Service implemented the plan in summer 1985. One state and one feq,eral employee, and alternates, are appointed as the "key contact" individuals within each state. Reports of sightings of whooping cranes are forwarded to these key contacts and they coordinate the response to sightings. An important part of the plan is education activities designed to increase the public's ability to identify whooping cranes and to encourage the reporting of …

Introduction Of Whooping Cranes In Eastern North America, James C. Lewis, F. Graham Cooch

Proceedings of the North American Crane Workshop

Whooping cranes (Grus americana) historically occurred throughout most of North America. A migration route last used prior to 1857 crossed the Appalachians to Atlantic Coast wintering grounds in coastal areas of New Jersey, South Carolina and river deltas farther south. The species disappeared from most eastern North American locations in the late 1800's. The winter 1987 population consisted of 43 captive birds and 154 in 2 wild subpopulations. Pursuant to both Canadian and u.s. recovery plans, sites in Michigan-Ontario, Georgia and Rorida are being considered as potential release locations for establishing an eastern population. Cross-fostering, gentle release and …

Mate Recognition And Fidelity In Captive Sandhill Cranes, Peter W. Shannon

Proceedings of the North American Crane Workshop

Two pairs of greater sandhill cranes (Grus canadensis tabida) were maintained at Audubon Park Zoo in separate but adjacent exhibits. The male of pair #2 was killed and due to medical problems associated with the female of pair #1, male #1 and female #2 were placed together. These birds subsequently bonded but did not nest. Following a 17 month separation, female #1 was moved to an area where she could hear but not see male #1 and female #2 . Almost immediately, male #1 began attempting to move himself closer to female #1 . They were placed together, …

Whooping Crane Habitat Alteration Analysis At Aransas National Wildlife Refuge, Texas, C. Lee Sherrod, Richard Medina

Proceedings of the North American Crane Workshop

Aquatic, wetland, and upland habitat changes were quantified within the approximate critical habitat of the endangered whooping crane (Grus americana) along the Gulf Intracoastal Waterway (GIWW) through Aransas National Wildlife Refuge and San Antonio, Bay, Texas. Study procedures employed comparative analysis of pre-GIWW (1930) and present (1986) aerial photography to provide a basis for the assessment of positive and negative impacts of the construction, operation and maintenance of the GIWW, principally on the whooping crane, but also on biota in general. Thirteen habitat mapping categories were utilized to describe an approximately 1,830 m wide corridor along the GIWW …

Lead Poisoning In A Whooping Crane, S. Bret Synder, Michael J. Richard, John P. Thilsted, Roderick C. Drewien, James C. Lewis

Proceedings of the North American Crane Workshop

The first known incident of lead poisoning in a whooping crane (Grus americana) occurred as the affected bird completed its second migration from Grays Lake National Wildlife Refuge (NWR), Idaho to Bosque del Apache NWR, New Mexico. It fell ill about 4 1/2 weeks after reaching the winter site and was captured. The bird exhibited signs of anorexia and starvation, weakness with drooped wings, greenish watery diarrhea and an unusual gaping of the mouth with abnormal swallowing motions. Blood showed marked polychromasia (>50%) and reticulocytosis (>80%) of RBC's. Serum chemistry values were not diagnostic. A radiograph …

Crane Migration In Northern New Mexico, Dale W. Stahlecker

Proceedings of the North American Crane Workshop

Greater sandhill cranes (Grus canadensis tabida) and foster-reared whooping cranes (G. americana) were monitored on a 345 km migration between their traditional stopover in southcentral Colorado and their winter grounds in central New Mexico during 4 autumns (1984-87) and 1 spring (1985). Autumn sandhill crane counts totaled 17,363 in 1984, 9,317 in 1985, 29,053 in 1986, and 26,552 in 1987. Peak flights of over 7,000 cranes in 1 day were recorded in both 1986 and 1987. More than 50% of the cranes were counted on just 4 days in 1984, 1986 and 1987. At least 27% …

Nesting Of Greater Sandhill Cranes On Seney National Wildlife Refuge, Richard P. Urbanek, Theodore A. Bookhout

Proceedings of the North American Crane Workshop

During 1987, 59 nests of 57 pairs of greater sandhill cranes (Grus canadensis tabida) were located, mainly from the air, on or near the Seney National Wildlife Refuge, Michigan, and 52 nests were ground-checked. Nests were in available palustrine classes without tree canopies. Only 19% were in Sphagnum bogs, in which most nests from other areas of the Upper Peninsula have been found. Cattail (Typha latifolia) marshes, most prevalent in the managed area of the refuge, contabed 44% of the nests, and sedge (Carex spp.) marshes accounted for 37%. Important co-dominant plant species were leatherleaf …

Renesting Of Mississippi Sandhill Cranes In Jackson County, Mississippi 1965–1989, Jacob M. Valentine Jr.

Proceedings of the North American Crane Workshop

Among 118 active nests of Mississippi sandhill cranes (Grus canadensis pulla) in Jackson County, Mississippi, 1%5-1989, 13 were renests. Three chicks from 19 wild and 3 from 3 Patuxent Wildlife Research Center (PWRC) switched eggs hatched in 13 first nests, but 5 died early and 1 after 2 weeks. Ten eggs were dead (infertile or the embryos died) in or at the nest. Two clutches (3 eggs) were destroyed by mammalian predators, 2 eggs were taken for captive propagation, and 1 was pecked and destroyed by the crane pair. Three chicks hatched from 22 wild eggs and 1 …

The Study Of Relatedness And Genetic Diversity In Cranes, George F. Gee, Herbert C. Dessauer, Jonathan Longmire, W. Elwood Briles, Raymond C. Simon

Proceedings of the North American Crane Workshop

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service) is responsible for recovery of endangered species in the wild and, when necessary, maintenance in captivity. These programs provide an immediate measure of insurance against extinction. A prerequisite inherent in all of these programs is the preservation of enough genetic diversity to maintain a viable population and to maintain the capacity of the population to respond to change. Measures of genetic diversity examine polymorphic genes that are not influenced by selection pressures. Examples of these techniques and those used to determine relatedness are discussed. Studies of genetic diversity, electrophoresis of blood proteins, relatedness, …

First Evidence Of Plague (Yersinia Pestis) In Nebraska Is Found In Panhandle Predators, Dallas Virchow, Wayne L. Kramer, Charles S. Brown, Scott E. Hygnstrom, Alan M. Barnes

Transactions of the Nebraska Academy of Sciences and Affiliated Societies

In September, 1992, plague (Yersinia pestis) antibody was found in the blood of a coyote (Canis latrans) (1:128 titer) and a badger (Taxidea taxus) (1:2048 titer) taken near a suspect black-tailed prairie dog (Cynomys ludovicianus) town in Sioux County. However, a 1989-1991 survey of 96 coyotes taken from nine Nebraska Panhandle counties demonstrated no plague antibodies. Passive hemagglutination tests of Nobuto blood-sampling paper proved useful to quickly survey a predator population that is distributed across a broad geographic area.

Plant Resistance To Insect Herbivores: A Field Test Of The Environmental Stress Hypothesis, Svata M. Louda, Sharon K. Collinge

Svata M. Louda Publications

We tested the hypothesis that environmental stresses decrease overall plant resistance to insect herbivory in the field and evaluated biochemical mechanisms proposed to explain insect response to stressed plants. To impose a stress treatment, we severed lateral roots and rhizomes of a native crucifer (bittercress, Cardamine cordifolia) and quantified plant and herbivore responses for treatment and control clones. Severing roots and rhizomes once, early in the growing season: (1) produced moderate, but detectable, changes in plant physiological traits, specifically greater transient leaf water deficits at midday (P < .05) and elevated nitrate-nitrogen concentrations (P < .05); (2) altered plant quality, by causing an increase in soluble carbohydrates (P < .003), isoleucine concentrations in leaves (P < .01), and possibly glucosinolate concentration (P < .10), but made no differences in most primary nutrient concentrations, including total nitrogen, total free amino nitrogen, total amino acids, proline, and leaf water content; and (3) led to increased herbivore by chewing and leaf-mining (P < .001), but not by sap-feeding, insect herbivores. Trends toward decreased plant stature and fruit reproduction were not significant after 1 mo. In addition to the significant effect of our treatment, we found extensive variation in the magnitude of response to stress and herbivory among replicates. We hypothesize that environmentally induced physiological variation among plants within a plant population commonly distributes insect herbivore disproportionately onto a subset of the individuals, and in so doing influences the demography, distribution, and evolution of that plant population.

Vertebral Pathology In Prehistoric And Historic Skeletons From Northeastern Nebraska, Karin L. Sandness, Karl J. Reinhard

Karl Reinhard Publications

Vertebral pathology has long been a useful criterion for anthropologists in the assessment of activity patterns, stress, and general health of extinct peoples. This method of analysis, however, has never been applied to the peoples of the Nebraska Great Plains. This study is the first to concentrate on the indigenous Native Americans of this region, examining the spinal pathology present in the prehistoric and historic skeletal remains. Pathology present in the form of spondylolysis, Schmorl's nodes, osteophytosis (degenerative disc disease), and osteoarthritis (degenerative joint disease), provides evidence to suggest differing activity patterns and levels of stress in Plains groups before …

Phylogeny, Historical Biogeography, And Ecology Of Anophryocephalus Spp. (Eucestoda: Tetrabothriidae) Among Pinnipeds Of The Holarctic During The Late Tertiary And Pleistocene, Eric P. Hoberg, Ann M. Adams

Harold W. Manter Laboratory of Parasitology: Faculty Publications

Phylogenetic systematic analyses of Anophryocephalus spp. resulted in a single most-parsimonious cladogram (consistency index: 80%). Cladograms for pinniped hosts (phocids and otariids) and Anophryocephalus spp. were highly incongruent, corroborating a hypothesis for colonization as a dominant determinant of parasite diversification. Phoca (Pusa) spp. in the Atlantic basin are postulated as the initial hosts; range expansion for hosts and parasites into the Pacific basin through the Arctic (ca. 3.0-2.5 million years ago) was followed by radiation of Anophryocephalus spp. among Phoca spp. and subsequent colonization of otariids (Eumetopias jubatus as typical hosts; ca. 2.0 million years ago). Host …

Distribution, Habitats, And Taxonomy Of Ruppia Maritima L. And R. Occidentalis S. Watson In Nebraska, Robert B. Kaul

Transactions of the Nebraska Academy of Sciences and Affiliated Societies

Specimens of Ruppia from all eleven Nebraska counties in which it is known fall into two groups: R. occidentalis in alkaline Sandhills waters and R. maritima in saline waters of the Platte River Valley and Lancaster County. Ruppia occidentalis is distinguished by its more robust size; redspotted leaves and stems; terete, entire, obtuse leaves; 4-8(9) carpels; and by two elliptic white spots on its endocarp, among other characteristics. Ruppia maritima is more delicate and unspotted; the leaves are oblate in section, sub-apically denticulate, and acute-acuminate; the carpels are 3 or 4, and the endocarp spots are nearly circular. Both species …

Coprolite Analysis: A Biological Perspective On Archaeology, Karl J. Reinhard, Baughn M. Bryant Jr

Karl Reinhard Publications

The most remarkable dietary remains recoverable from archaeological contexts are coprolites. Coprolites are desiccated or mineralized feces that are preserved in sheltered and open sites in arid regions, primarily in the New World. These dietary remains are remarkable from several perspectives. They typically contain a variety of macroscopic and microscopic remains that form interrelated data sets for the reconstruction of diets. Because contexts containing coprolites are typified by excellent preservation, the remains coprolites contain tend to be in better states of preservation than dietary remains recovered from nonfecal deposits. Coprolites also contain the well-preserved remains of intestinal parasites and pathogens …

Dan Canyon Burial: A Piii Burial In Glen Canyon National Recreation Area, Steve Dominguez, Karl Reinhard, Kari L. Sandness, Cherie A. Edwards, Dennis Danielson, F. A. Calabrese, Chris Kincaid

Karl Reinhard Publications

The Dan Canyon burial was discovered at a time when the philosophy, ethics, and legislation concerning the study of human remains are in a state of flux. A number of important sensitive issues germane to managers, archeologists, and American Indians are discussed in the introduction. The subsequent analysis provides a detailed scientific account of these remains and a glimpse of a segment of a people's past lifeway while remaining sensitive to the wishes of the American Indians.

The burial and associated grave goods of site 42SA21339 were exposed by wave action in a location frequented by boaters at the Glen …

The Prairie Naturalist Volume 23, No. 4. December 1991

The Prairie Naturalist

Paul B. Kannowski, Editor

Nikki R. Seabloom, Assistant Editor

Douglas H. Johnson, Book Review Editor

CONTENTS

KENTUCKY BLUEGRASS RESPONSE TO BURNING: INTERACTIONS BETWEEN FIRE AND SOIL MOISTURE ▪ G. W. Blankespoor and B. S. Bich

FORAGE PRODUCTION AND USE ON BIGHORN SHEEP WINTER RANGE

FOLLOWING SPRING BURNING IN GRASSLAND AND PONDEROSA PINE HABITATS ▪ T. G. Easterly and K. J. Jenkins

SHORT-TERM MORTALITY OF SMALLMOUTH BASS CAUGHT DURING A LIVE-RELEASE TOURNAMENT AT LAKE OAHE, SOUTH DAKOTA ▪ J. J. Jackson and D. W. Willis

CRAYFISH IN SAND LAKE NATIONAL WILDLIFE REFUGE ▪ C. D. Dieter

PIPING PLOVERS NEST ON DRY …

The Prairie Naturalist Volume 23, No. 3. September 1991

The Prairie Naturalist

Paul B. Kannowski, Editor

Nikki R. Seabloom, Assistant Editor

Douglas H. Johnson, Book Review Editor

CONTENTS

ANTIPREDATOR BEHAVIOR OF MOUNTAIN PLOVER CHICKS ▪ T A. Sordahl

USING AERIAL MARKING FOR ASSESSING POPULATION DYNAMICS OF LATE SUMMER ROOSTING RED-WINGED BLACKBIRDS ▪ C. M. Linz, C. E. Knittle, J. L. Cummings, J. E. Davis, Jr. , D. L. Otis, and D. L. Bergman

DISPERSAL OF THE MEADOW JUMPING MOUSE IN NORTHERN KANSAS ▪ J. R. Choate, D. W. Moore, and J. K. Frey

DIET, HOME RANGE, MOVEMENTS, AND ACTIVITY PERIODS OF SWIFT FOX IN NEBRASKA ▪ T D. Hines and R. M. …

Use Of Pollen Concentration In Paleopharmacology: Coprolite Evidence Of Medicinal Plants, Karl Reinhard, Donny L. Hamilton, Richard H. Hevly

Karl Reinhard Publications

Nearly 2,400 plant species have been documented ethnographically as having medicinal value among Native Americans. Therefore, it is not surprising that evidence of medicinal plants appears in some of the over 1,000 coprolites analyzed from the southwestern U.S. Three medicinal species identified in pollen analysis of coprolites are discussed. Willow (Salix) is the most common analgesic in the Native American pharmacopoeia. Prehistoric use of this plant is documented in coprolites from Bighorn Cave in the Black Mountains of Arizona and also in a burial from the Mimbres Valley, New Mexico. Historically, Mormon tea (Ephedra) served as …

The Prairie Naturalist Volume 23, No. 2. June 1991

The Prairie Naturalist

Paul B. Kannowski, Editor

Nikki R. Sea bloom, Assistant Editor

Douglas H. Johnson, Book Review Editor

CONTENTS

SMALLMOUTH BASS SIZE STRUCTURE AND CATCH RATES IN FIVE SOUTH DAKOTA LAKES AS DETERMINED FROM TWO SAMPLING GEARS ▪ C. L. Milewski and D. W. Willis

REPRODUCTION BY FISHES IN A HEADWATER STREAM FLOWING INTO GRAYROCKS RESERVOIR, WYOMING ▪ W. A. Hubert and D. T O’Shea

ENVENOMATION AND ACQUISITION OF CHEMICAL INFORMATION BY PRAIRIE RATTLESNAKES ▪ D. Chiszar, C. Hobika, H. M. Smith, and J. Vidaurri

MOVEMENTS AND HABITAT USE BY WILD TURKEY HENS WITH BROODS IN A GRASSLAND-WOODLAND MOSAIC IN THE NORTHERN …

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 …