Ecology and Evolutionary Biology Commons^™

Methods For Drone Trajectory Analysis Of Bottlenose Dolphins (Tursiops Truncatus), Jillian D. Bliss

Theses and Dissertations

With the increase in the use of UAS (Unmanned Aerial Systems) for marine mammal research, there is a need for the development of methods of analysis to transform UAS high resolution video into quantitative data. This study sought to develop a preliminary method of analysis that would quantify and present a way to visualize the dynamics and relative spatial distribution and changes in distribution of bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops truncatus) in the waters of Turneffe Atoll, Belize. This approach employs a previously developed video tracking program ‘Keypoint Tracking’ that enables manual tracking of individual dolphins and the creation of …

Geographic Distribution: Anolis Sagrei (Brown Anole). Usa: Arizona., Addie Leimroth, Louis A. Somma, Dyrana N. Russell, Logan P. Cutts, Mason Ryan, Randall D. Babb, Karen E. Hajek, Andrew T. Holycross

Papers in Herpetology

We discovered the first distributional records for the exotic, Caribbean lizard, Anolis sagrei (Brown Anole), in Arizona.

Exceptional Larval Morphology Of Nine Species Of The Anastrepha Mucronota Species Group (Diptera: Tephritidae), Erick J. Rodriguez, Gary J. Steck, Matthew R. Moore, Allen L. Norrbom, Jessica Diaz, Louis A. Somma, Raul Ruiz-Arce, Bruce D. Sutton, Norma Nolazco, Alies Muller, Marc A. Branham

Papers in Evolution

Anastrepha is the most diverse and economically important genus of Tephritidae in the American tropics and subtropics. The striking morphology of the third instars of Anastrepha caballeroi Norrbom, Anastrepha crebra Stone, Anastrepha haplacantha Norrbom & Korytkowski, Anastrepha korytkowskii Norrbom, Anastrepha nolazcoae Norrbom & Korytkowski, and three newly discovered and as yet formally unnamed species (Anastrepha sp. Peru-82, Anastrepha sp. nr. protuberans, and Anastrepha sp. Sur-16), and the more typical morphology of Anastrepha aphelocentema Stone, are described using light and scanning electron microscopy. To contribute to a better understanding of the interspecific and intraspecific variation among species in the mucronota …

Distribution And Ecological Function Of Pacific Lamprey In The San Luis Obispo Creek Watershed, Parker Kalan

Master's Theses

Pacific lamprey (Entosphenus tridentatus) is an endemic species to coastal watersheds along the Pacific Rim in North America and Asia. The species' geographic distribution is retracting and has not been mapped precisely, and the ability for the species to provide ecosystem services, such as water filtration, for supporting watershed management has not been tested. The San Luis Obispo Creek watershed, California, USA is at the southern end of Pacific lamprey’s retracting distribution, and the San Luis Obispo watershed is impacted by degraded water quality, making investigation of Pacific lamprey in the San Luis Obispo Creek watershed of direct …

Distribution Patterns Of The Invasive Mussel Arcuatula Senhousia In Mission Bay, San Diego, California: Effects Of Sediment Grain Size And Byssus Thread Production On Predation, Samantha Ahlman

Theses

The ability of bivalves to avoid predation by using defensive behaviors such as burrowing and byssus production may vary depending on the sediment characteristics of a given habitat. The varying sediment characteristics that change with water velocity within estuaries may influence the distribution of bivalves and limit them to areas that optimize their ability to defend against predators. We examined the distribution patterns of the invasive Asian date mussel Arcuatula senhousia relative to the sediment grain size distribution in Mission Bay, an urban estuary located in San Diego, California, USA. Mussels and sediment were collected using an Ekman grab at …

Using Occupancy Modeling To Estimate American Marten Distribution In Michigan’S Lower Peninsula, Maria N. Weston

Masters Theses

The current distribution American marten (Martes americana) in the Lower Peninsula of Michigan, USA is largely unknown. We used detection-nondetection data from a large-scale camera trap study encompassing 27,371km² of public lands on within the 1836 Ceded Territory to estimate marten occurrence across Michigan’s Northern Lower Peninsula. We modeled marten detection probability and occupancy as a function of covariates from two summer season that took place in 2019 and 2020. Model averaged predictions indicate high occupancy probabilities (ψ > 90%) when agricultural land was low (< 12% per 8km²) and canopy cover was high (> 85% per 8 km …

A New Species And New Records For Two Other Exotic Species Of Dirrhagofarsus Fleutiaux, 1935 (Coleoptera: Eucnemidae: Melasinae: Dirhagini) In The United States, Robert L. Otto

Insecta Mundi

New records for a new species and other exotic Dirrhagofarsus Fleutiaux (Coleoptera: Eucnemidae: Melasinae: Dirhagini) species are reported from throughout much of the northeastern and southern areas of the United States. Dirrhagofarsus brevis, new species, is hereby described in this study. Two other exotic spe­cies, Dirrhagofarsus modestus (Fleutiaux) and Dirrhagofarsus unicolor (Hisamatsu), new country records, are redescribed and diagnosed as they were compared with other Dirrhagofarsus species present in the Nearctic region. All Dirrhagofarsus species in this study are imaged, highlighting essential character states to facilitate better diagnosis in conjunction to the new identification key provided in …

New State Records For 33 Species Of Nearctic False Click Beetles (Coleoptera: Eucnemidae), Robert L. Otto

Insecta Mundi

New state records for 33 species of Eucnemidae (Coleoptera) are reported from the eastern United States based on the examination and identifications of specimens from four institutional and personal collections over the past several years. Images of 12 eucnemid species are also provided.

Recently, opportunities were presented to identify more than 880 Eucnemidae from four institutional and personal collections. Most of the specimens came from the Carnegie Museum of Natural History and were collected during the national bark beetle surveys conducted by the United States Department of Agriculture. The survey has been instrumental in providing more state records of Eucnemidae …

Natural History Of The Guatemalan Copper Iophanus Pyrrhias (Godman And Salvin, 1887) (Lepidoptera: Lycaenidae) In Guatemala, José Monzón-Sierra, Gregory C. Ballmer

The Taxonomic Report of the International Lepidoptera Survey

Abstract

Detailed information including photographs about the natural history of Iophanus pyrrhias (Godman and Salvin 1887) in Guatemala is presented. Information includes geographic and altitudinal distribution and phenology. We reconfirm the immatures stages use Muehlenbeckia tamnifolia (Kunth) Meisn., 1841 (Polygonaceae) as the host plant.

Reusmen

Se presenta información detallada incluyendo fotografías de la historia natural de Iophanus pyrrhias (Godman y Salvin 1887) en Guatemala. La información incluye distribución geográfica y altitudinal y fenología. Confirmamos que los estados inmaduros se alimentan de Muehlenbeckia tamnifolia (Kunth) Meisn., 1841 (Polygonaceae).

Distribution, Abundance, And Population Genetics Of The Alligator Snapping Turtle (Macrochelys Temminckii) In Mississippi, Luke Pearson

Dissertations

The southeastern United States is a freshwater turtle biodiversity hotspot, second only to southeastern Asia, and this region is inhabited by one of the largest freshwater turtles in the world: the alligator snapping turtle (Macrochelys temminckii). This species was heavily harvested from the 1960’s to the 1980’s for the turtle soup industry, apparently contributing to substantial, range-wide population declines. These declines, coupled with anthropogenic impacts on riverine and floodplain habitats, have led to M. temminckii being petitioned for federal listing under the U.S. Endangered Species Act; it is currently under review by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service …

A New Neotropical Predaceous Midge In The Genus Parabezzia Malloch From Guerrero, Mexico, And A Second Mexican Record Of P. Alexanderi Wirth (Diptera: Ceratopogonidae: Ceratopogoninae: Ceratopogonini), Herón Huerta, Gustavo R. Spinelli, William L. Grogan Jr.

Insecta Mundi

We describe and illustrate a new Neotropical predaceous midge, Parabezzia carlae Huerta, Spinelli and Grogan, new species (Diptera: Ceratopogonidae) from males collected by Malaise trap in La Union, Ayutla de los Libres, state of Guerrero, Mexico. We also report a second record of P. alexanderi Wirth from Veracruz, Mexico. A key to the known species in Mexico is included.

Se describe e ilustra una especie nueva de mosquita predadora de la región Neotropical, Parabezzia carlae Huerta, Spinelli y Grogan, nueva especie (Diptera: Ceratopogonidae) sobre la base de machos colectados con trampa Malaise procedentes de La Unión, Ayutla de Los Libres, …

Redescription Of The Allomyia Renoa (Milne) Female And Association And Description Of The Male And Larva (Trichoptera: Apataniidae), David E. Ruiter, Donald R. Givens, Hiroyuki Nishimoto

Insecta Mundi

Allomyia renoa (Milne, 1935) (Trichoptera: Apataniidae) was described from six females. The male association is verified in this paper. The original type locality information is limited: “Reno, Nev., ‘78, Morrison”. An Allomyia Banks population found at Mount Rose in Washoe County, Nevada, was compared to the A. renoa type material and found to be the conspecific. Figures, descriptions and distribution of male, female, pupal and larval A. renoa are provided.

Review Of Montana Euphilotes Mattoni, [1978], With Descriptions Of New Taxa (Lepidoptera: Lycaenidae: Polyommatinae), Steve Kohler, Andrew D. Warren

The Taxonomic Report of the International Lepidoptera Survey

The genus Euphilotes at the northern end of its distribution is reviewed, with special emphasis on populations in Montana. Also discussed are some Euphilotes populations in Oregon, Washington, Idaho, and southwestern Canada that have affinities with Montana. This region has until recently been essentially neglected in studies of the genus. We characterize and discuss six species (two newly described) and twenty-five subspecies (six newly described) of Euphilotes, including a number of yet undescribed populations. New species include E. heracleoides Kohler & A. Warren (type locality in Sanders County, Montana) and E. oakleyi Kohler (type locality in Missoula County, Montana). …

A New Genus Cicatrisphaerion, New Species, New Records, And Redescriptions Of Neotropical Cerambycidae (Coleoptera), Steven W. Lingafelter, Roy F. Morris Ii, Frederick W. Skillman Jr., Antonio Santos-Silva

Insecta Mundi

A new genus, Cicatrisphaerion Lingafelter, Morris, Skillman, and Santos-Silva (Coleoptera: Cer­ambycidae), and three new species of the same authorship, C. wappesi from Quintana Roo, Mexico, C. rileyi from Chiapas, Mexico, and Eupogonius wappesi from Quintana Roo, Mexico, are described. New records and clarification on the distribution of Psyrassaforma janzeni Chemsak, 1991 and P. nitida Chemsak, 1991 are provided. Ameriphoderes amoena (Chemsak and Linsley, 1979) is redescribed based on four male specimens and a new country record from Guatemala is documented. New distributional records are provided for Estola flavobasalis Breuning, 1940 (including a new country record for Bolivia) and Estola …

Geographic Distribution: Eleutherodactylus Coqui (Common Coqui). Usa: Florida., Louis A. Somma

Papers in Herpetology

A geographic interception record for Eleutherodactylus coqui in Suwanee County, Florida.

Geographic Distribution: Iguana Iguana (Green Iguana): Usa: Florida., Louis A. Somma, Mark T. Bailey

Papers in Herpetology

A geographic distribution record for Iguana iguana in Marion County, Florida.

Observations On The Distribution And Status Of Selected Nebraska Mammals, Zachary P. Roehrs, Russell A. Benedict, Thomas E. Labedz, Hugh H. Genoways

Transactions of the Nebraska Academy of Sciences and Affiliated Societies

Information on the distribution and current status of 25 species or subspecies of mammals occurring in Nebraska are presented. The species covered include one shrew, an armadillo, eight bats, 10 rodents (including two subspecies of one species), three carnivores, and one artiodactyl. Distributional information reported includes the first state record for one species (Sorex nanus) and new county records for 18 species. In Nebraska, we know that mammals are shifting their geographic ranges with some extending populations into the state, whereas others are expanding their geographic ranges within the state. The current status of six additional mammalian taxa …

Building Habitat Suitability Models To Examine Distribution Shifts For The Black-Headed Grosbeak, Hairy Woodpecker, And Yellow-Rumped Warbler Due To Drought, Fire, And Bark Beetle Infestation In The Pacific Northwest, Holli Nicole Pruhsmeier

Cal Poly Humboldt theses and projects

Spatial models that describe species distributions are valuable in determining how environmental impacts, such as drought, fire, and bark beetle infestations, have shifted these distributions and guide management decisions. In this thesis, I begin by comparing the utility of two datasets by building habitat suitability models for Black-headed Grosbeak, Hairy Woodpecker, and Yellow-rumped Warbler. By combining the datasets, I created response curves that explain habitat associations I expected from each species. I expanded upon the methods section to compare pre- and post-drought data from the 2011 California multi-year drought and evaluate how the three avian species have shifted their habitat …

Effects Of Abiotic And Biotic Factors On Hornworm Distributions, Emelia O. Kusi

Theses and Dissertations

Determining the drivers of species occurrences is a central topic in ecology. Both abiotic and biotic factors are important predictors of species distributions, yet most species distribution models consider abiotic variables only. In this study, the influence of abiotic and biotic factors on current distributions of herbivores, Manduca sexta, and Manduca quinquemaculata, their major cultivated and wild host plants, and a parasitoid, Cotesia congregata, was quantified using an ensemble of three models (generalized linear model, maximum entropy, and random forest). The predictive ability of abiotic-only, biotic-only, and abiotic-biotic models was evaluated. Winter temperatures and precipitation (i.e., precipitation of …

Species Distribution Modeling For Arid Adapted Habitat Specialists In Zion National Park, Sam Driver, Daniel R. Unger, David L. Kulhavy, Chris M. Schalk

Student Publications

The Arizona toad (Anaxyrus microscaphus) and Jones’ waxy dogbane (Cycladenia humilis var. jonesii) are habitat specialists with historical ranges in the desert southwest and specifically, Zion National Park (ZION). The machine learning method, MaxEnt, constructed species distribution models (SDMs) in ZION for the two study species at 30 m and 900 m spatial resolutions using climate, topographic, and remotely sensed data. Additionally, 900 m forecasting models were constructed to observe the shifts in suitable habitat for the years 2050 and 2070, based off two representative concentration pathway scenarios. Results indicate promising predictive power for both high …

Checklist Of The Caddisfly Family Rhyacophilidae (Insecta: Trichoptera) In India, Tabaraq Ali, Sajad H. Parey, Manpreet S. Pandher, Malkiat S. Saini

Insecta Mundi

The present checklist covers the fauna of the Trichopteran family Rhyacophilidae Stephens, 1836. Based on extensive surveys done during 2003–2019 and previous species records, we find that the family Rhyacophilidae is represented by two genera and 184 species in India. The genus Rhyacophila Pictet contains 165 species in India while the genus Himalopsyche Banks contains 19 described species. The Indian Himalayan region is inhabited by more species than the rest of India.

Anthropogenic Change On The Distribution Of Marine Megafauna And Their Prey, Baylie Fadool

Honors Program: Senior Projects (Public)

Anthropogenic change is impacting the distribution and survival of marine megafauna and their prey. Humans are changing every aspect of the marine environment, with effects reaching as large as changing the composition of marine environments to directly overexploiting species through the fishing industry. The role that marine megafauna play in balancing ecosystems, including as top apex predators, leads to detrimental results in the absences and population declines of these species. Migrations and declines due to threats on marine apex predator species will alter their environments by causing mesopredator release and changes in community structure, which is often associated with reduced …

The Matsucoccus Cockerell, 1909 Of Florida (Hemiptera: Coccomorpha: Matsucoccidae): Potential Pests Of Florida Pines, Muhammad Z. Ahmed, Charles H. Ray, Matthew R. Moore, Douglass R. Miller

Insecta Mundi

Matsucoccus krystalae Ahmed and Miller, new species, (Hemiptera: Coccomorpha: Matsucoccidae) is described based on morphological characters of adult females and third-instar males. We designate the lectotype of Matsucoccus alabamae Morrison. Matsucoccus alabamae Morrison and M. gallicolus Morrison are redescribed, also based on adult females and third-instar males. Detailed illustrations and descriptions are presented for each species and an identification key for the five species occurring in the eastern U.S. is provided. Analysis of 18S, 28S D2/D3, and 28S D10 loci were performed to support morphological determination. Barcodes using 5′ COI of M. alabamae and M. krystalae were generated, the …

The Psyllids (Hemiptera: Psylloidea) Of Florida: Newly Established And Rarely Collected Taxa And Checklist, Susan E. Halbert, Daniel Burckhardt

Insecta Mundi

Psyllids are an economically important group of insects. Several species are serious emerging pests with regulatory significance. About 20 adventive species have been discovered in Florida in the past 20 years, including several pests. Additionally, five species new to science have been found. We provide an annotated checklist of Florida species with taxonomic information and identification tools, including keys to Florida genera and known species. Seventy species of Psylloidea currently are reported from Florida. Forty-one are native to Florida, with 12 endemic to the state. Twenty are adventive, the majority being from the Neotropics. One was introduced deliberately for biological …

Snowy Plover Activity In The Central Platte River Valley In May 2019, Bethany L. Ostrom, Andrew J. Caven, Jenna M. Malzahn, Alyx Vogel

Transactions of the Nebraska Academy of Sciences and Affiliated Societies

During five of eight site visits between 14 and 27 May 2019 we detected up to four Snowy Plovers (Charadrius nivosus nivosus) in the Central Platte River Valley (CPRV) near Mormon Island, Hall County, Nebraska, and recorded their behavior using an instantaneous scan sampling approach. We recorded loafing (47%), foraging (43%), mating (4%), flying (4%), and external threat (1%) related behavior. Most notably, we documented a copulation event on 23 May. During the 10-day span from 14 to 23 May when Snowy Plovers were detected, river stage and discharge were near median levels, but from 23 to 27 …

First Records Of Ancognatha Aymara Mondaca, 2016 (Coleoptera: Scarabaeidae: Dynastinae: Cyclocephalini) In Argentina, José Mondaca

Insecta Mundi

Ancognatha aymara Mondaca, 2016 (Coleoptera: Scarabaeidae: Dynastinae: Cyclocephalini), a species previously known only from Chile, is recorded for the first time in northern Argentina. The new records are based on male specimens collected in the provinces of Jujuy and Salta. Illustrations of the habitus and male genitalia of the species are presented in color photographs. A map with its current distribution in Chile and Argentina is included.

The genus Ancognatha Erichson, 1847 (Coleoptera: Scarabaeidae: Dynastinae: Cyclocephalini) includes 23 valid species (Moore et al. 2018a, b; Paucar-Cabrera and Ratcliffe 2018) distributed from Arizona and New Mexico in the United States to …

An Intergrative Ecological And Taxonomic Assessment Of The Stoneflies (Insecta, Plecoptera) Of The Black Mountains, North Carolina, Usa, Madeline Lake Metzger

Masters Theses & Specialist Projects

The Black Mountains are a part of the Blue Ridge region of the Appalachian Mountains and include Mount Mitchell, the highest peak east of the Mississippi River at 2,037 m (= 6,684 ft). A comprehensive inventory of the stonefly fauna was conducted between 2014-2019 within Mt. Mitchell State Park and adjacent Pisgah National Forest. Collections occurred seasonally from 44 unique locations, covering a broad range of stream sizes and elevations in the region. Sequencing of the mitochondrial cytochrome c oxidase subunit I (mtCOI) gene was completed to assist with making positive determinations to species for females of taxonomically challenging genera …

Range Extension For Dekay’S Brownsnake (Storeria Dekayi) In South-Central Nebraska, Macy K. Cool, Keith Geluso

Transactions of the Nebraska Academy of Sciences and Affiliated Societies

Dekay’s Brownsnake (Storeria dekayi) generally occurs in southeastern parts of the state, where the species was known from 16 counties. Herein, we update the distribution of S. dekayi in the state and briefly comment on habitat and abundance from observations in September and October 2018. We documented 7 new county records that extend its distribution in south-central Nebraska. We observed that S. dekayi does not only reside in mesic wooded habitats in Nebraska but also occupies open environments, including areas with upland grasslands and row-crop agriculture. Dekay’s Brownsnake currently is listed as a species of concern …

Jumping Bristletail (Insecta: Apterygota: Microcoryphia) Records In The Southeastern United States, Grant D. De Jong

Insecta Mundi

Few records of Microcoryphia exist for the southeastern United States, with named species being reported only from Arkansas, Tennessee, and the mid-Atlantic states, and with an unnamed species being reported from Georgia. Records are here provided from 291 specimens housed in the Mississippi Entomological Museum, including ten new species-level state records. This is also the first published report of the order Microcoryphia from Alabama and Mississippi. Species include the machilids Pedetontoides atlanticus Mendes in Alabama, Arkansas, Georgia, Mississippi, and North Carolina; Pedetontus cf. atlanticus in Kentucky; Pedetontus (Verhoeffilis) gershneri Allen in Arkansas; and Pedetontus (Pedetontus) saltator …

Understanding How Agricultural Intensification Impacts Ring-Necked Pheasant Distribution And Survival In Eastern South Dakota, Hilary R. Kauth

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Historically, pheasants (Phasianus colchicus) have thrived in South Dakota in conjunction with successful land retirement programs or early farming practices through the 1950s, which created interspersions of agriculture and native landscapes that were ideal for pheasants. Recently, the Prairie Pothole ecosystem has undergone rapid agroeconomic expansion, effectively reducing ideal interspersions of native prairie and cropland into agriculturally homogeneous landscapes. Indices of pheasant abundance have suggested persistent population declines since 2008, raising concerns regarding landscape suitability. Our goal was to understand how agriculture intensification impacts pheasant ecology. The objectives were to: 1) estimate overwinter hen probability of survival, resource …