Ecology and Evolutionary Biology Commons^™

Population Biology Of The Black-Tailed Jackrabbit (Lepus Californicus) In Northern Utah, L. Charles Stoddart

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

Population biology of the black-tailed jackrabbit population on a 250-square-mile area in Curlew Valley, northern Utah, was studied from 1962-70. During this period the fall population density index increased from 40.0 in 1962, to 60.6 in 1963, decreased progressively to a low of 21.2 in 1967, then increased the following 3 years to a high of 185.0 in 1970.

Breeding was synchronous with four conception periods each year; in some years a fifth conception period was evident. The first conception period occurred about the last half of January; other periods followed at 40-day intervals indicating a 40-day gestation period and …

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 …

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 …

Spring And Summer Habitat Preferences Of Blue Grouse On The Bear River Range, Utah, Robert M. Maestro

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

A study of the spring and summer habitat preferences of blue grouse was conducted on the Bear River Range in northern Utah. The main objective was to determine the important factors associated with habitat selection by blue grouse during the breeding season.

One hundred and two sampling areas, delimited by similarities in vegetation and topography, were thoroughly searched with a dog for blue grouse. Fifty-four biological and physical variables were measured for each sampling area.

Chi-square tests performed on all variables showed 11 of the 54 variables to be significant at an alpha of 0.20. These 11 variables (listed below) …

Ecology Of Badgers In Curlew Valley, Utah And Idaho With Emphasis On Movement And Activity Patterns, Frederick G. Lindzey

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

Between March, 1969 and July, 1970, 16 badgers (Taxidea taxus) were caught and fitted with radio transmitters in the southern part of Curlew Valley. The animals were followed telemetrically; seven animals contributed sufficient data from which home-range, movement and activity patterns could be discerned. The aver age annual home-range size of five females was 664 acres (± s.d. 99 .5 acres). Female home-range sizes were approximately the same within crested wheat-grass (Agropyron aristatum) and sagebrush (Artemisia tridentata) vegetation types, with greater distances traveled each night by females in the crested wheat-grass. Both home-range size and total movement were less …

Field Observations On The Biology Of Mimulus Guttatus Dc. In Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming, Barbara L. Rice

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

The response of Mimulus guttatus DC. to its unusual thermal habitat in Yellowstone Park is described. Although populations within the park are usually observed in thermal areas, no evidence indicates that they are restricted to thermal soils. The median temperature for soils of natural populations is about 26 C. Populations are distributed in both acidic and basic thermal areas. Success of the species in the thermal soils is facilitated by rapid vegetative growth, allowing fluctuation in population size or position with changes in soil temperature. Water availability is a critical limiting factor in distribution and lack of water tends to …

The Nitrogen Budget Of Two Salt Desert Shrub Plant Communities Of Western Utah, Richard S. Bjerregaard

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

The nitrogen budgets of Eurotia lanata (Pursh.) Moq. and Atriplex confertifolia (Torr. and Frem.) S. Wats salt desert shrub plant communities were investigated. In each, a complete biomass and organic nitrogen inventory was made. In addition, investigations of the nitrogen fixation potential of soil surface microflora and inorganic soil nitrogen relationships were carried out.

Greater total biomass and organic nitrogen was found in the above-ground portions, annual shoot productivity, and litter of the Atriplex community. However, the Atriplex community was exceeded by the Eurotia community in root biomass. Roots accounted for 74 and 87 percent of the plant biomass and …

Ecological Life History Of Rudbeckia Occidentalis Nutt, Juan Arturo Florez

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

Phenological studies of coneflower on aspen range in Northern Utah showed that resumption of growth of mature plants begins at the time of snow melt and the initial or rosette stage is completed between mid-May and mid- June. The rate of growth in this stage is controlled by temperature, being greater at higher mean temperatures. The bolting stage is completed about 1 week after the initiation of stem elongation and the process of capitulum development is begun. Flowering is initiated between late July and mid- August. Cross-pollination is necessary for seed set which is completed by the end of August. …

Drift Of Oligophlebodes Sigma And Baetis Bicaudatus In A Mountain Stream, William Dean Pearson

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

The objective of this study was to clarify the relationships between drift rates, population density, production rates, key environmental factors, and movements of adults within two populations of stream insects (a caddisfly--Oligophlebodes sigma and a mayfly--Baetis bicaudatus).

Samples of benthic invertebrates (424 total) were collected every 28 days at four stations on Temple Fork of the Logan River, Utah, from October, 1967 to September, 1969. Samples of drift invertebrates (181 total) were collected every 14 days at three stations on Temple Fork during the same period. During summer months (June-September) a day and a night drift sample …

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 …

Evaluation Of Molting Areas Of Great Basin Canada Geese, Paul D. Arneson

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

Environmental factors at Neponset and Woodruff Narrows reservoirs were evaluated to determine their effects on molting Canada geese. More geese utilized Woodruff Narrows. Geese apparently favored the larger expanse of open water and adequate food supply.

Most of the molting geese were from the Bear River drainage. Some geese came from scattered areas in Utah, Idaho, Wyoming, and Montana. After molting, the geese flew to migration staging areas in southeastern Idaho before migrating to wintering areas in southern California and Arizona.

Females outnumbered males by 6 percent. The mean annual mortality rate for adult geese was 42 percent. Recovery rates …

Rates Of Algal Production And Sphaerotilus Assimilation In The Logan River, Utah, Gary D. Beers

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

The rates of algal production and Sphaerotilus assimilation in the lower Logan River benthos were investigated in 1966 and 1967.

The rate of annual gross primary production (3,416 Kcal/m²/yr) was estimated from the relation of pigments to the photosynthetic rate of benthic communities in a submersible, metabolism chamber. The photosynthetic rate was predicted with high precision when a measure of the accessory pigments (D480/D665 and/or chlorophyll-c) was considered with the chlorophyll-a. The pigment density estimates were obtained from the community present on paraffin-coated, concrete hemispheres after immersion in the river for periods ranging from 11 to 20 …

Microenvironmental Effects Of Erosion Control Treatments On Seedling Survival In A Southeastern Utah Salt Desert Area, Ross W. Wein

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

A study of the microclimate of erosion control treatments was carried out in two habitat types in a semiarid southeastern Utah, salt desert shrub area. The soils are highly eroded Mancos shale and support a low density of salt desert shrub species which offers little protection against high intensity summer convectional rainstorms.

Gully plugs and contour furrows had been installed by the Bureaus of Reclamation and Land Management to prevent runoff of soil laden water which results from these summer rainfalls. Formerly this sediment was carried to the Colorado River and deposited in Lake Powell.

The purpose to t he …

Occurrence And Distribution Of Invertebrates In Lower Logan River, Nancy A. Erman

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

A study of bottom invertebrates on the lower Logan River, Logan, Utah was conducted from June 1966 to July 1967. One objective was to evaluate on a qualitative and quantitative basis the invertebrate populations above and below a sewage entry in the river. Another objective was to study the year-round fluctuations in the invertebrate population.

The greatest variety of invertebrates was found in the summer. Chironomidae and Baetis were the only two groups found in abundance over the entire year.

Populations were reduced during autumn when water levels rose, and they declined even more sharply during the spring flood.

At …

Ecological Studies Of Native Green River Fishes Below Flaming Gorge Dam, 1964-1966, Charles David Vanicek

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

Investigations to study (1) the species composition and distribution of Green River fishes between Flaming Gorge Dam and Ouray, Utah and (2) the ecology and life history of selected native species (Colorado squafish, Ptychocheilus lucius; Colorad chub, Gila robusta; bluehead sucker, Pantosteus delphinus; and humpback sucker, Xyrauchen texanus) in Dinosaur National Monument were conducted from May, 1964, to October, 1966. A total of 23,735 fish consisting of 9 indigenous and 11 exotic species, were taken in 639 collections by electrofishing gear, gill nets, seines, and fry gear. Flaming Gorge Dam has caused a major change in …

Canada Goose Production And Population Stability, Ogden Bay Waterfowl Management Area, Utah, Norman H. Dey

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

Since the development of Ogden Bay Waterfowl Management Area in 1937, the Canada goose (Branta canadesis moffitti) population increased to a peak in 1949 and then declined slightly. Nelson (1954) noted that the decrease in population was probably due to either a change in habitat or increased hunting pressure. In recent years, direct band returns have indicated a high mortality rate in the population. This project was initiated to determine the relative stability of the Canada goose population and to measure, as closely as possible, the effect of a high mortality rate upon the nesting population.

To estimate …

Effects Of Beaver On Stream Flow And Water Quality, James W. Bates

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

Water, one of the major resources of the western lands, controls the economy and expansion of the communities. Industry, agriculture, timber, livestock, game and home water needs are all dependent upon a steady and continued flow of water from wells, springs, and rivers. Water is derived from one source, precipitation, which occurs in the form of rain and snow. Watersheds which are properly managed accumulate a substantial snow pack during the winter which is the life-giving source of water for our springs.

The Utah Water and Power Report (1948) indicates the annual precipitation over the entire state of Utah averaged …

Ecology Of Spring Fed Salt-Marshes, Eric George Bolen

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

Any marsh is a distinctive land-form of varied interest. To the agriculturist it is wasteland to be reclaimed; to the naturalist, a habitat of aesthetic value. To the ecologist, however, a marsh represents a complexity of vegetation under the influences of many and often inseparable factors. It becomes a place of challenging study.

Chlorophyll And Productivity In A Mountain River, William J. Mcconnell

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

Investigation of primary production in streams and rivers has lagged behind similar investigations in marine and lacustrine environments. Recently, however, Odum (1956) has demonstrated methods that allow the estimation of productivity of most moving waters. For reasons discussed later in this paper, Odum's method is not satisfactory for shallow, very rapid rivers as typified by Logan River. The present investigation then was primarily an exploration of a method possibly applicable to measurement of productivity in shallow rapid rivers.

Investigations of phases of the ecology and distribution of the main contributors to primary production, the benthic algae, was a necessary corollary …

Factors Affecting The California Quail Populations In Uintah County, Utah, R. Lynn Nielson

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

The California Quail is native to the coastal and semi-arid regions of California extending north into Oregon. Two subspecies are commonly recognized. the California Quail (Lophortyx californica brunnescens Ridgway), and the Valley Quail (Lophortyx californica californica Shaw). The two forms are very similar in coloration and habits and, for the purpose of this study, no effort is made to distinguish the two.

Life History Of The Utah Sculpin Cottus Bairdi Semiscaber (Cope) In Logan River, Utah, William M. Zarbook

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

The study of the Utah sculpin in Logan River was based on 801 specimens collected during 1949 to March 1951. Numbers of fish examined for various catagories of the study wares length-frequency, 495; aging by vertebrae, 407; length-weight relationship, 601; and food habits, 275.

Fish were collected by use of an electric shocking machine generating 600 watts and 220 volts. Numbers of fish occurred as high as 150 per tenth mile of stream. Preferred habitats occurred in areas of coarse gravel and small rocks.

Vertebrae dissected from the fish were used in age determination. Length-frequency proved to be a general …

Age And Growth Of The Brown Trout Salmo Trutta Fario Linnaeus In Logan River, Utah, William Sigler

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

The Logan River flowing southwesterly through the mountains of Cache County, Utah is comparatively cold to the mouth of Logan Canyon. The stream is characterized by steep gradient, a high velocity and relatively few pools. A total of 1053 brown trout were examined during the course of this study; 286 were retained for age and growth determinations. The body-scale relationship is L = 40.46 mm. + 0.44185R + 0.01908R² where L equals standard length in millimeters, and R equals scale radius times 80. The relationship of standard length to weight is described by the formula W = 0.000022 L …

The Food Of Pond Fish In Northern Utah, Robert L. Eberhardt

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

A series of ponds in northern Utah supplied mainly by artesian water was poisoned with rotenone during 1949-50. Four hundred and seventy-three fish were obtained for a food habits study, and of these fish, 423, or 89 percent, had food in their stomachs. The species studied were largemouth bass, green sunfish, common bluegill, and black bullhead. Largemouth bass had the widest variety of diet throughout the year but also had the highest percentage of empty stomachs. Green sunfish and black bullhead had the least diverse food habits. Twenty-nine different food items were recorded; those used most commonly were green sunfish, …

Actinomycetes Of Virgin Utah Soils With Special Reference To Antagonisms, Paul H. Krumperman

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

The importance of actinomycetes in the soils was generally overlooked until about 1913. The investigators Hiltner and Stormer and Beijerinck began systemtaic study of their occurrence and role in soil fertility. The work done by these men and others since 1913 has proved actinomycetes to occur abundantly in most soils of the world. This work done by these men and others since 1913 has proved actinomycetes to occur abundantly in most soils of the world. This work has also proved the function of these organisms to be that of decomposing highly resistant materials such as humus and complex polysaccharide compounds. …

Leafhoppers (Cicadellidae) Associated With The Stone Fruit Orchards Of Northern Utah, Mervin W. Nielson

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

Virus diseases of stone fruit orchards have existed in Utah for more than a quarter of a century and are seriously diminishing the peach and cherry fruit production. Western X of peach, rusty mottle of cherry, wilt and decline of cherry, and little cherry constitute the most economically important stone fruit virus diseases in Utah. Many orchards, particularly in Davis County, have 50 to 83 percent of the trees infected with one or more of the yellow-red viroses. Surveys have shown that the diseases are spreading from 3 to 5 percent each year. It is believed that certain insects are …

A Curriculum Study Of The Biological Science Courses In The Secondary Schools And College Of Utah During 1947-48, Merrill H. Gunnell

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

At the present time there is a feeling among biologists in Utah that there should be improvement in biological science courses and course sequence to better fill the needs of the non technical student. There are many students filling group requirements with an accumulation of courses which may not provide them with the more important fundamental concepts and principles in biology. Information concerning these courses in high schools and colleges in necessary to provide a basis for curriculum revision in the field. Such information should be useful in evaluating the present system and suggesting modifications. Because of the need for …

Thrips Species Infesting Tomatoes And Other Host Plants Of These Insects In Northern Utah, Darrell R. Maddock

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

The purpose of this study has been to determine which species of thrips infest tomato plants and fruits in northern Utah, and to find out which other plants occurring in this area also serve as hosts for tomato-infesting thrips.

Because of the importance of tomato-infesting thrips to the canning industry, it was decided that more complete knowledge of the species of thrips which are found on tomatoes should be obtained. Because most thrips generally have been difficult to control, it was believed that a general knowledge of the plants on which these thrips occur would enable tomato growers to eliminate …

A Survey Of Human Intestinal Protozoa Of Logan City And Vicinity, Robert B. Harrison

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

Parasitic protozoa of the intestinal tract of man were first observed by Anthony van Leeuwenhoek (1632-1723), a Dutch microscopist. In the year 1681, while observing his own excrement, Leeuwenhoek discovered and described certain forms of life which he called "animalcules" and which were verified later by workers in protozoology as Giardia lamblia, a protozoan parasite of the intestinal tract. During the period preceding the later part of the 19th century many observations of the parasitic intestinal protozoa of men and lower animals were made and many species were classified. It wasn't, however, until the year 1875 that a protozoan …

Biology Of The Green Soldier Bug, Acrosternum Hilaris (Say), At Farmington, Utah, Edward W. Anthon

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

This study was begun in June 1935, and continued up to and including the fall of 1937. The work was carried out at the Davis county Experiment Farm at Farmington, Utah, with some survey work also having been done in the central and northern parts of the state. This work was made possible through the cooperation of the Entomological and Horticultural Departments of the Utah Agricultural Experiment Station.

The green soldier bug, Acrosternum hilaris (Say), is also called the green stinkbug. Thomas Say was the first to describe this insect as belonging to the genus Pentatoma, but in some publications …