Terrestrial and Aquatic Ecology Commons^™

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, …

Maternity Colony Of Gray Bats In A Non-Cave Site, Lorraine Timmerman, V. Rick Mcdaniel

Journal of the Arkansas Academy of Science

No abstract provided.

A Laboratory Study Of Predation On The Trinidadian Guppy, Poecilia Reticulata, By Two Natural Piscine Predators: Effects Of Predator Size, Prey Size, And Habitat Complexity, Hayden Thomas Mattingly

Biological Sciences Theses & Dissertations

Test populations of different-sized guppies, Poecilia reticulata, were exposed to individuals of two natural predatory species, the pike cichlid Crenicichla a/ta and the killifish Rivulus harti, under conditions of varying prey (guppy) density and habitat complexity in the laboratory. Rivulus fed most frequently on newborn and juvenile guppies < 14 mm. Crenicichla consumed more and larger guppies than did Rivulus. The mean guppy size eaten by Crenicichla was dependent on the length of the individual predator, but as a group, the 15 Crenicichla tested were non-selective with respect to guppy size and gender. The prey gender preference of Rivulus could not he determined …

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 Identification, Distribution, And Status Of The Threatened Dismal Swamp Shrew (Sorex Longirostris Fisheri), Thomas M. Padgett

Biological Sciences Theses & Dissertations

Southeastern shrews (Sorex longirostris) were trapped throughout southeastern Virginia and northeastern North Carolina to determine if any morphological characters could

be identified that would aid in the identification and distribution of the threatened subspecies Sorex l._ fisheri, endemic to the Great Dismal Swamp, the more upland nominate subspecies Sorex l. longirostris, and possible intergrades between the two subspecies. Animals were classified a priori into three groups, based on their location of capture. Animals collected from the Great Dismal Swamp National Wildlife Refuge (GDSNWR) and associated bottomland habitats were designated as "fisheri", animals collected farthest from the Swamp as "longirostris", and …

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 …

Introgression Of Coyote Mitochondrial Dna Into Sympatric North American Gray Wolf Populations, Niles Lehman, Andrew Eisenhawer, Kimberly Hansen, L. David Mech, Rolf O. Peterson, Peter J. P. Gogan, Robert K. Wayne

United States Geological Survey, Northern Prairie Wildlife Research Center: Publications

Mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) genotypes of gray wolves and coyotes from localities throughout North America were determined using restriction fragment length polymorphisms. Of the 13 genotypes found among the wolves, 7 are clearly of coyote origin, indicating that genetic transfer of coyote mtDNA into wolf populations has occurred through hybridization. The transfer of mtDNA appears unidirectional from coyotes into wolves because no coyotes sampled have a wolf-derived mtDNA genotype. Wolves possessing coyote-derived genotypes are confined to a contiguous geographic region in Minnesota, Ontario, and Quebec, and the frequency of coyote- type mtDNA in these wolf populations is high (> 500%). The …

A Report On Black-Tailed Prairie Dogs In Nebraska, Their Biology, Behavior, Ecology, Management, And Responses To A Visual Barrier Fence, Nancy S. Foster

School of Natural Resources: Dissertations, Theses, and Student Research

I examined the effects of a visual barrier fence, which had a see-through visibility of 600/0, on the foraging, vigilance, and aggressive behaviors of adult female black-tailed prairie dogs from June through August 1990 in central Nebraska. I also examined changes in their home ranges and use of an area in response to this fence. Prairie dogs prefer an open view of their surroundings. Therefore, I expected animals near a visual barrier to spend more time in vigilance and aggression, and less time foraging. Adult female prairie dogs exposed to the visual barrier devoted more time to foraging and less …

Lake Mead Nutrient Enhancement Project, Peter D. Vaux, Larry J. Paulson, Nevada Department Of Wildlife, National Oceanic And Atmospheric Administration

Publications (WR)

The Lake Mead Fertilization Project is a research program designed to investigate the potential for using large-scale artificial fertilization to enhance the game fisheries of this reservoir through an increase in the population of threadfin shad, the system's primary forage species. A substantial decline in the population of largemouth bass, together with poor condition of adult striped bass, are the two major issues affecting the Lake Mead game fisheries. Both issues have been hypothesized to be a result of an inadequate amount of forage in the reservoir. Previous studies have in turn suggested that a major factor limiting the shad …

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.

Enhancement And Monitoring Of The Procambarus Clarkii Population In Lake Mead, Mikell Beth Hager

Publications (WR)

Procambarus clarkii are found in extremely low numbers throughout Lake Mead, AZ-NV. The crayfish are an important dietary component for game fish. Enhancement of the crayfish population would broaden the fishery forage base. Crayfish were stocked and monitored in a study cove on Saddle Island to determine if the Procambarus clarkii population could be enhanced. A trapping survey of the area after the following reproductive season yielded low numbers of crayfish. A comparison of pre-stocking and post-stocking catch per trap day (CPTD) values revealed no significant increase in the population. Procambarus clarkii growth is limited by environmental factors in Lake …

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.

Estuarine Studies : An Activities Text For Maine Schools, Education Division - Department Of Marine Resources

Maine Collection

Estuarine Studies : An Activities Text for Maine Schools

Fisheries Education Unit #16 - Produced by The Education Division, Department of Marine Resources, State House Station 21, Augusta, Maine 04333-0021.

Revised 1990. Printed Under Appropriation No. 3140.3260.

Fisheries Research Report No. 87 - The Recreational Marron Fishery In Western Australia, Summarised Research Statistics, 1971-1987, N. M. Morrissy, C. J. Fellows

Fisheries Research Reports

The freshwater crayfish Cherax tenuimanus, called marron, provides an important recreational fishery in the south-west of Western Australia. The annual fishing catch and fishing effort have been monitored by a log book research programme and an end-of season telephone survey since the 1971/72 season.

Following the 1986/87 fishing season, the fishery remained closed for two seasons (1987/88 and 1988/89) to permit stocks to recover from the effects of high total fishing effort and unfavourable water conditions over the preceding seasons

This paper provides a detailed account of the catch and effort statistics to the close of the 1986/87 fishing season, …