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University of Nebraska - Lincoln

USDA Wildlife Services: Staff Publications

1998

Articles 1 - 18 of 18

Full-Text Articles in Physical Sciences and Mathematics

United States Patent: Lime Feeding Repellent, Jerrold L. Belant, Richard A. Dolbeer Aug 1998

United States Patent: Lime Feeding Repellent, Jerrold L. Belant, Richard A. Dolbeer

USDA Wildlife Services: Staff Publications

Application of lime at a rate of 500 to 1500 kg/ha to plots desired to be protected from damage by avian and mammalian feeders has been shown to be quite effective. The lime may be administered to the plots in any form. Use of either powder or slurry form is preferred.

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Optimization Of Variable Area Transect Sampling Using Monte Carlo Simulation, Richard M. Engeman, Robert T. Sugihara Jul 1998

Optimization Of Variable Area Transect Sampling Using Monte Carlo Simulation, Richard M. Engeman, Robert T. Sugihara

USDA Wildlife Services: Staff Publications

An extensive simulation study was conducted to optimize the number, r, of population members to be encountered from each random starting point in variable area transect (VAT) sampling. The quality of estimation provided by the original calculation formula presented by K. R. Parker in 1979 was compared to another formula that was a Morisita analog intended to reduce bias when sampling aggregated populations. Monte Carlo simulations covered 64 combinations of four spatial patterns, four sample sizes, and four densities. Values of r from 3 through 10 were considered in each case. Relative root mean squared error was used as …

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Epidemic Leptospirosis Associated With Pulmonary Hemorrhage—Nicaragua, 1995, Rosalie T. Trevejo, José G. Rigau-Pérez, David A. Ashford, Emily M. Mcclure, Carlos Jarquín-González, Juan J. Amador, José O. De Los Reyes, Alcides Gonzalez, Sherif R. Zaki, Wun-Ju Shieh, Robert G. Mclean, Roger S. Nasci, Robbin S. Weyant, Carole A. Bolin, Sandra L. Bragg, Bradley A. Perkins, Richard A. Spiegel Jun 1998

Epidemic Leptospirosis Associated With Pulmonary Hemorrhage—Nicaragua, 1995, Rosalie T. Trevejo, José G. Rigau-Pérez, David A. Ashford, Emily M. Mcclure, Carlos Jarquín-González, Juan J. Amador, José O. De Los Reyes, Alcides Gonzalez, Sherif R. Zaki, Wun-Ju Shieh, Robert G. Mclean, Roger S. Nasci, Robbin S. Weyant, Carole A. Bolin, Sandra L. Bragg, Bradley A. Perkins, Richard A. Spiegel

USDA Wildlife Services: Staff Publications

In October 1995, epidemic “hemorrhagic fever,” without jaundice or renal manifestations, was reported in rural Nicaragua following heavy flooding; 2259 residents were evaluated for nonmalarial febrile illnesses (cumulative incidence, 6.1%) and 15 (0.7%) died with pulmonary hemorrhage. A case-control study found that case-patients were more likely than controls to have ever walked in creeks (matched odds ratio [MOR], 15.0; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.7–132.3), have household rodents (MOR, 10.4; 95% CI, 1.1–97.1), or own dogs with titers ≥ 400 to Leptospira species (MOR, 23.4; 95% CI, 3.6–`). Twenty-six of 51 case-patients had serologic or postmortem evidence of acute leptospirosis. Leptospira …

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Two Capture Techniques For American White Pelicans And Great Blue Herons, D. Tommy King, John D. Paulson, Dwight J. Leblanc, Kevin Bruce May 1998

Two Capture Techniques For American White Pelicans And Great Blue Herons, D. Tommy King, John D. Paulson, Dwight J. Leblanc, Kevin Bruce

USDA Wildlife Services: Staff Publications

We describe two techniques for capturing American White Pelicans (Pelecanus erythrorhynchos), Great Blue Herons (Ardea herodias), and other large wading birds in aquatic habitats. One technique involved using #3 padded jaw leghold traps modified by replacing both factory coil springs with weaker #1.5 coil springs, to reduce the closing force of the jaws, and replacing the factory chain with a length of aircraft cable and an elastic shock cord, to minimize injury caused by lunging. The second technique involved using a modified portable rocket net that can be set in shallow water. We captured 142 American …

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Chemically Mediated Foraging Preference Of Black Bears ( Ursus Americanus), Bruce A. Kimball, Dale L. Nolte, Richard M. Engeman, John J. Johnston, Frank R. Stermitz May 1998

Chemically Mediated Foraging Preference Of Black Bears ( Ursus Americanus), Bruce A. Kimball, Dale L. Nolte, Richard M. Engeman, John J. Johnston, Frank R. Stermitz

USDA Wildlife Services: Staff Publications

The role of chemical constituents in the foraging behavior of black bears (Ursus americanus) was investigated using two field studies. Vascular tissue samples were collected from Douglas-fir (Pseudotsuga menziesii) trees recently foraged by black bears. Samples were extracted and analyzed by liquid and gas chromatography to determine carbohydrates and terpenes, respectively. Chemical data were subjected to correlation analyses and multiple regression to examine if they adequately describe observed foraging preferences. Free-ranging black bears also were offered a choice of four test diets that differed in content of carbohydrates and terpenes. Results indicated that forage preferences were …

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Effects Of Thinning And Nitrogen Fertilization On Sugars And Terpenes In Douglas-Fir Vascular Tissues: Implications For Black Bear Foraging, Bruce A. Kimball, Eric C. Turnblom, Dale L. Nolte, Doreen L. Griffin, Richard M. Engeman May 1998

Effects Of Thinning And Nitrogen Fertilization On Sugars And Terpenes In Douglas-Fir Vascular Tissues: Implications For Black Bear Foraging, Bruce A. Kimball, Eric C. Turnblom, Dale L. Nolte, Doreen L. Griffin, Richard M. Engeman

USDA Wildlife Services: Staff Publications

The chemical constituents of coniferous vascular tissues play a role in bear forage selection. In particular, bear foraging preferences are related to the concentrations of simple sugars (nonstructural carbohydrates) and terpenes in the forage. Analyses of vascular tissue samples from trees collected in test plots indicted that both thinning and fertilization caused the sugar concentration of vascular tissues in the lower bole to increase. However, these treatments had no effect on the concentrations of hydrocarbon monoterpenes, oxygenated monoterpenes, or sesquiterpenes. These results may explain the observations that black bears prefer to forage in thinned and fertilized stands.

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Managing Island Biotas: Brown Treesnake Control Using Barrier Technology, Gad Perry, Earl W. Campbell Iii, Gordon H. Rodda, Thomas H. Fritts Apr 1998

Managing Island Biotas: Brown Treesnake Control Using Barrier Technology, Gad Perry, Earl W. Campbell Iii, Gordon H. Rodda, Thomas H. Fritts

USDA Wildlife Services: Staff Publications

The brown treesnake (Boiga irregularis), accidentally introduced to the previously snake-free U.S. island of Guam after World War 11, decimated the island's naive wildlife. Today, it periodically stows away on craft going to other islands where the ecological damage may be repeated. Barriers offer an effective tool for keeping the snakes out of areas from which they can disperse off-island, as well as sites identified as critical for the protection of human health, conduct of economic activity, or conservation of endangered species. The authors have developed a variety of barrier designs which repulse at least 95% of snake …

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Trapping Strategies For Deterring The Spread Of Brown Tree Snakes From Guam, Richard M. Engeman, Michael A. Linnell Apr 1998

Trapping Strategies For Deterring The Spread Of Brown Tree Snakes From Guam, Richard M. Engeman, Michael A. Linnell

USDA Wildlife Services: Staff Publications

The accidental introduction of the Brown Tree Snake Boiga Irregularis to Guam has resulted in the extirpation of most of the island's native terrestrial vertebrates, has presented a health hazard to infants and children, and also has produced an economic problem. Prevention of its dispersal through Guam's cargo traffic to other Pacific islands has became a high environmental priority. Trapping around ports and other cargo staging areas is central to an integrated pest management program designed to deter dispersal of the species. In this study, perimeter trapping of forested plots characteristic of those found in port areas was found 19 …

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A Review Of The Case Histories Of The Brown Tree Snakes (Boiga Irregularis) Located By Detector Dogs On Guam, Richard M. Engeman, Danny V. Rodriguez, Michael A. Linnell, Mikel E. Pitzler Apr 1998

A Review Of The Case Histories Of The Brown Tree Snakes (Boiga Irregularis) Located By Detector Dogs On Guam, Richard M. Engeman, Danny V. Rodriguez, Michael A. Linnell, Mikel E. Pitzler

USDA Wildlife Services: Staff Publications

Records of 34 brown tree snakes detected during dog inspections were examined to describe the situations in which snakes were found and to determine probable destinations had they successfully departed Guam. A key to the use of detector dogs for interdicting brown tree snake transport from Guam is that the snakes found are at high risk for export. Hawaii. followed by the Micronesian islands. were the most frequently identified potential destinations for the snakes located by dogs. Published by Elsevier Science Ltd.

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Predation On Atlantic Salmon Smolts By Striped Bass After Dam Passage, Bradley F. Blackwell, Francis Juanes Apr 1998

Predation On Atlantic Salmon Smolts By Striped Bass After Dam Passage, Bradley F. Blackwell, Francis Juanes

USDA Wildlife Services: Staff Publications

We documented predation on smolts of Atlantic salmon Salmo salar by striped bass Morone saxatilis foraging in the tailrace of the Essex Dam on the Merrimack River, Lawrence, Massachusetts, and assessed factors that may affect smolt susceptibility to predation. During 6 d of diurnal angling from 6 to 28 May, we captured 212 striped bass, 41 of which contained prey remains. More than 48% of striped bass that contained prey had consumed smolts. Atlantic salmon smolts composed more than 80% of the total mass of prey remains recovered and included both individuals of stocked-fry and stocked-smolt origin. Based on information …

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Comparative Developmental Toxicity Of Planar Polychlorinated Biphenyl Congeners In Chickens, American Kestrels, And Common Terns, David J. Hoffman, Mark J. Melancon, Patrice N. Klein, John D. Eisemann, James W. Spann Apr 1998

Comparative Developmental Toxicity Of Planar Polychlorinated Biphenyl Congeners In Chickens, American Kestrels, And Common Terns, David J. Hoffman, Mark J. Melancon, Patrice N. Klein, John D. Eisemann, James W. Spann

USDA Wildlife Services: Staff Publications

The effects of polychlorinated biphenyl (PCB) congeners, PCB 126 (3,3′, 4,4′, 5-pentaCB) and PCB 77 (3,3′4,4′-tetraCB), were examined in chicken (Gallus gallus), American kestrel (Falco sparverius), and common tern (Sterna hirundo) embryos through hatching, following air cell injections on day 4. PCB 126 caused malformations and edema in chickens starting at 0.3 ppb, in kestrels at 2.3 to 23 ppb, but in terns only at levels affecting hatching success (44 ppb). Extent of edema was most severe in chickens and least in terns. Defects of the beak were common in all species but with …

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Cattle Guards Reduce White-Tailed Deer Crossings Through Fence Openings, J. L. Belant, T. W. Seamans, C.P. Dwyer Apr 1998

Cattle Guards Reduce White-Tailed Deer Crossings Through Fence Openings, J. L. Belant, T. W. Seamans, C.P. Dwyer

USDA Wildlife Services: Staff Publications

In response to increased white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus) encroachment on airports, we evaluated the effectiveness of cattle guards as deer exclusion devices. We conducted three experiments in a 2200 ha fenced facility in northern Ohio with high (91/km2) deer densities during 1994 ± 1995. In each experiment, we monitored deer crossings at two or three cattle guards (4.6[L] x 3[W]x 0.5 or 1.0[D] m) constructed at fence openings for 2 weeks pre- and post-installation. For each experiment, the mean daily number of deer crossings after installation of cattle guards was reduced (P < 0.01) by > 88% compared with …

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Anthraquinone Protects Rice Seed From Birds, Michael L. Avery, John S. Humphrey, Thomas M. Primus, David G. Decker, Arlene P. Mcgrane Apr 1998

Anthraquinone Protects Rice Seed From Birds, Michael L. Avery, John S. Humphrey, Thomas M. Primus, David G. Decker, Arlene P. Mcgrane

USDA Wildlife Services: Staff Publications

Application of bird-repellent chemicals to seed prior to planting is one possible approach to reducing bird damage to rice. Anthraquinone is a promising seed treatment compound, and in this paper we describe a sequence of tests evaluating a formulated commercial anthraquinone product. In l-cup cage tests, rice consumption by individual male red-winged blackbirds (Agelaius phoeniceus) and female boat-tailed grackles (Quiscalus major) was reduced 64-93% by 0.5 and 1.0% (g/g) anthraquinone treatments. Daily rice consumption by single male boat-tailed grackles tested in large enclosures was reduced from > 14 g in pretreatment to < 1 g by a 1.0% treatment. One of five test birds ate nothing during a 1 day post-treatment session. In a 7 day trial within a 0.2 ha flight pen, a group of four male grackles consumed 1.3% of anthraquinone-treated rice seed compared to 84.1% of sorghum, a nonpreferred alternate food. At two study sites in southwestern Louisiana, loss of rice sprouts in 2 ha plots sown with anthraquinone-treated seed was 0 and 12% compared to losses of 33% and 98% in nearby untreated plots. The formulation performed well at every stage of testing, and further development of anthraquinone products for bird-damage management is warranted.

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Determination Of Zinc Phosphide Residues In Corn (Zea Mays) Grain, Fodder, And Forage, M. J. Goodall, S. A. Volz, J. J. Johnston, D. B. Hurlbut, R. E. Mauldin, D. L. Griffin, E. E. Petty Apr 1998

Determination Of Zinc Phosphide Residues In Corn (Zea Mays) Grain, Fodder, And Forage, M. J. Goodall, S. A. Volz, J. J. Johnston, D. B. Hurlbut, R. E. Mauldin, D. L. Griffin, E. E. Petty

USDA Wildlife Services: Staff Publications

Zinc phosphide (ZN3P2) is an acute rodenticide. One of its current uses employs application as a grain bait or pellet at the time of planting to reduce agricultural losses by field rodents. To mitigate rodent induced losses to corn, we hoped to expand the approved uses of zinc phosphide to include corn applications. After determining acceptable efficacy, we conducted a study to determine if potentially hazardous zinc phosphide residues in corn would result from this use. A field study was conducted in 5 corn growing states to provide samples for residue analysis of corn treated with …

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Laboratory Evaluation Of Predator Odors For Eliciting An Avoidance Response In Roof Rats (Rattus Rattus), Michael D. Burwash, Mark E. Tobin, Anthony D. Woolhouse, Thomas P. Sullivan Apr 1998

Laboratory Evaluation Of Predator Odors For Eliciting An Avoidance Response In Roof Rats (Rattus Rattus), Michael D. Burwash, Mark E. Tobin, Anthony D. Woolhouse, Thomas P. Sullivan

USDA Wildlife Services: Staff Publications

We evaluated eight synthetic predator odors and mongoose (Herpestes auropunctatus) feces for eliciting avoidance responses and/or reduced feeding by wild captured Hawaiian roof rats (Rattus rattus). In a bioassay arena, we recorded: (1) time until each rat entered the arena, (2) time elapsed until first eating bout, (3) time spent in each half of the arena, (4) number of eating bouts, and (5) consumption. Rats displayed a response to the predator odors in terms of increased elapsed time before initial arena entry and initial eating bout, a lower number of eating bouts, and less food consumption …

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Observations Of Nocturnal Foraging In The Double-Crested Cormorant, D. Tommy King, J. Brent Harrel, Brian Dorr, David Reinhold Mar 1998

Observations Of Nocturnal Foraging In The Double-Crested Cormorant, D. Tommy King, J. Brent Harrel, Brian Dorr, David Reinhold

USDA Wildlife Services: Staff Publications

Double-crested Cormorants (Phalacrocorax auritus) are normally considered a diurnal species. Here we describe cormorants foraging nocturnally in an oxbow lake in Mississippi. We have observed this behavior only once during 30 capture attempts over seven years.

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The National Wildlife Research Center: Providing Innovative Solutions To Human–Wildlife Conflicts Mar 1998

The National Wildlife Research Center: Providing Innovative Solutions To Human–Wildlife Conflicts

USDA Wildlife Services: Staff Publications

Welcome to the National Wildlife Re search Center (NWRC), the primary research facility within the Wildlife Services (WS) program of the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS). NWRC provides scientific information on wildlife, its habitat, and its relationship to agriculture and public safety. Here at the Center and at our nine field stations, specialists conduct scientific inquiries into the problems of wildlife damage and look for solutions to these problems.

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Zinc Phosphide Residues In Gray-Tailed Voles (Microtus Canicaudus) Fed Fixed Particles Of A 2% Grain Bait, R. T. Sterner, D. A. Goldade, R. E. Mauldin Jan 1998

Zinc Phosphide Residues In Gray-Tailed Voles (Microtus Canicaudus) Fed Fixed Particles Of A 2% Grain Bait, R. T. Sterner, D. A. Goldade, R. E. Mauldin

USDA Wildlife Services: Staff Publications

This study measured depelted-carcass residues of zinc phosphide (Zn3P2, CAS # 1314-84-7) in 8 (4 males and 4 females) gray-tailed voles (Microtus canicaudus). Six (3 males and 3 females) voles were confined individually in 1.89 dkl (5 gal) plastic pails that contained 5,2% Zn3P2 steamrolled- oat (SRO) groats; 2 voles (1 male and 1 female) served as analytical (unbaited) controls. Four test voles (3 males and 1female) died within 7.5 h after bait exposure; whereas, 2 test voles showed no signs of toxicosis and were euthanized 7.0 h after bait exposure. …

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