Physical Sciences and Mathematics Commons^™

Interactions Between The American White Pelican And Aquaculture In The Southeastern United States: An Overview, D. Tommy King

United States Department of Agriculture Wildlife Services: Staff Publications

The eastern metapopulation of the American White Pelican ( Pelecanus erythrorhynchos ) breeds mainly in the Northern Great Plains, migrates through the Great Plains and along the Mississippi River and winters in the lower Mississippi River Valley and along the Gulf of Mexico. The production of farm-raised Channel Catfish ( Ictalurus punctatus ) in the southeastern United States has increased dramatically in the last 25 years. In 1990, U.S. Department of Agriculture Wildlife Services offices in Arkansas, Louisiana and Mississippi began receiving complaints concerning the foraging of pelicans in commercial Channel Catfish ponds. Because of the relatively shallow depth and …

Recent Population Status Of The American White Pelican: A Continental Perspective, D. Tommy King, Daniel W. Anderson

United States Department of Agriculture Wildlife Services: Staff Publications

Breeding bird surveys were conducted at most American White Pelican ( Pelecanus erythrorhynchos ) colonies in North America from 1979-81 and the number of American White Pelicans was estimated at >109,000 breeding individuals in 55 colonies. Although many pelican colonies have not been surveyed since the early 1980s, we present the most current survey numbers available for North American colonies. Using available data (1998-2001) and the North American Continental Divide to delineate eastern from western metapopulations, 27 colonies and 48,240 nests in the East and 15 colonies and 18,790 nests in the West were documented, giving a total of about …

A Comparison Of Three Trap Designs For Capturing Brown Treesnakes On Guam, Daniel S. Vice, Richard M. Engeman, Diane L. Vice

United States Department of Agriculture Wildlife Services: Staff Publications

The accidental introduction of the brown treesnake (Boiga irregularis) to Guam has resulted in the extirpation of most native terrestrial vertebrates on the island, thousands of power outages, and significant ecological changes. In addition, Guam now serves as a source population for the dispersal of snakes to other islands. Control of the brown treesnake is dependent upon the use of traps in a variety of settings, including port environments and in forested habitat A variety of snake traps have been used on Guam; most consist of a modified crawfish or minnow trap, housing a live mouse that serves as a …

Indexing Principles And A Widely Applicable Paradigm For Indexing Animal Populations, Richard M. Engeman

United States Department of Agriculture Wildlife Services: Staff Publications

Monitoring animal populations is an essential component of wildlife research and management. Population indices can be efficient methods for monitoring populations when more labour-intensive densityestimation procedures are impractical or invalid to apply, and many monitoring objectives can be couched in an indexing framework. Indexing procedures obtain maximal utility if they exhibit key characteristics, including being practical to apply, being sensitive to changes or differences in the target species' population, having an inherent variance formula and allowing for precision in index values, and relying on as few assumptions as possible. Additional useful characteristics include being able simultaneously to monitor multiple animal …

Slow Migration Of Capsicum Oleoresin In A Sandy Loam Soil, Ray T. Sterner, Bruce A. Kimball

United States Department of Agriculture Wildlife Services: Staff Publications

A mixture of 16.4770.038 L concentrated capsicum oleoresin with 163.873.63L water and a total of 17.2L concentrated soybean oil with 177.1L water was dispensed over five 4.87m4.87m plots via a grid of 128 augured holes (E15 cmdiameter E30 cm deep) in a compacted, sandy loam soil. During the next 9 days, a total of 37 soil samples were obtained from these plots and other off-plot areas. Spectrophotometric analyses of dual aliquots of soil samples were performed to detect absorbance of capsaicin (lmax at 282 nm). Analysis of variance showed that absorbance readings from points of capsicum application (augured holes) were …

Coyote Movements And Social Structure Along A Cryptic Population Genetic Subdivision, Benjamin N. Sacks, Brian R. Mitchell, Christen L. Williams, Holly B. Ernest

United States Department of Agriculture Wildlife Services: Staff Publications

A recent region-wide study determined that the central California coyote ( Canis latrans ) population was genetically subdivided according to habitat bioregions, supporting the hypothesis that coyotes exhibit a dispersal bias toward their natal habitat type. Here, we further investigated this hypothesis using radio-collared coyotes captured on a 150-km 2 study site on the border of (i.e. overlapping) two bioregions (Great Valley and Cascade Mountains). As predicted, most coyotes were assigned (based on a priori genetic criteria) to genetic clusters corresponding to one of these two bioregions. All of those assigned to the Great Valley genetic cluster were caught in …

From The Field: Field Searches Versus Vaginal Implant Translocating Elk Calves, Nathan W. Seward, David S. Maehr, Jonathan W. Gassett, John J. Cox, Jeffrey L. Larkin

United States Department of Agriculture Wildlife Services: Staff Publications

We compared the utility of vaginal implant transmitters (VITs) and field searches for locating elk (Cervus elaphus) calves in southeastern Kentucky during the spring of 2001. Retention of VITs among 40 adult females ranged from 1–276 days (x - =61.6±8.4 [SE] days). Approximately half of the transmitters (n=19) were expelled prematurely or malfunctioned. Two of 37 (5%) transmitters in translocated females performed as designed and led to calf capture. We captured more calves (n=9 in 2001; n=16 in 2002) by searching areas where elk exhibited parturition behavior. We suggest that manufacturers refine the current VIT design to increase its application …

Transmission Of Neospora Caninum Between Wild And Domestic Animals, L.F.P. Gondim, M.M. Mcallister, N.E. Mateus-Pinilla, W.C. Pitt, L. D. Mech, M.E. Nelson

United States Department of Agriculture Wildlife Services: Staff Publications

To determine whether deer can transmit Neospora caninum, brains of naturally infected white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus) were fed to 4 dogs; 2 of these dogs shed oocysts. Oocysts from 1 of the dogs were tested by polymerase chain reaction and found to be positive for N. caninum and negative for Hammondia heydorni. The internal transcribed spacer 1 sequence of the new strain (designated NC-deer1) was identical to N. caninum from domestic animals, indicating that N. caninum is transmitted between wild and domestic animals, often enough to prevent divergent evolution of isolated populations of the parasite. NC-deer1 …

Probabilistic Risk Assessment For Snails, Slugs, And Endangered Honeycreepers In Diphacinone Rodenticide Baited Areas On Hawaii. Usa, John J. Johnston, William C. Pitt, Robert T. Sugihara, John D. Eisemann, Thomas M. Primus, Melvin J. Holmes, Joe Crocker, Andy Hart

United States Department of Agriculture Wildlife Services: Staff Publications

Three probabilistic models were developed for characterizing the risk of mortality and subacute coagulopathy to Poouli, an endangered nontarget avian species, in broadcast diphacinone-baited areas on Hawaii, USA. For single-day exposure, the risk of Poouli mortality approaches 0. For 5-d exposure, the mean probability of mortality increased to 3% for adult and 8% for juvenile Poouli populations. For Poouli that consume snails containing diphacinone residues for 14 d, the model predicted increased levels of coagulopathy for 0.42 and 11% of adult and juvenile Poouli populations, respectively. Worst-case deterministic risk characterizations predicted acceptable levels of risk for nonthreatened or endangered species …

Damage Reduction Estimates And Benefit-Cost Ratios For Feral Swine Control From The Last Remnant Of A Basin Marsh System In Florida, Richard M. Engeman, Henry T. Smith, Robert Severson, Mary Ann Severson, John Woolard, Stephanie A. Shwiff, Bernice Constantin, Daniel Griffin

United States Department of Agriculture Wildlife Services: Staff Publications

The introduction of swine (Sus scrofa) has adversely affected the environment of many natural habitats throughout the world. Basin marshes are dwindling ecosystems in Florida that are especially vulnerable to damage by feral swine. In January 2003, the estimated amount of swine damage to the exposed portion of the last remnant of a basin marsh system in Savannas Preserve State Park (SPSP) was 19% (an area of 5 ha). Economic valuations for the swine damage were based on the monetary amounts that wetland regulators have allowed permit applicants to spend in mitigation attempts to replace lost wetland resources. …

Alligators As West Nile Virus Amplifiers, Kaci Klenk, Jamie Snow, Katrina Morgan, Richard Bowen, Michael Stephens, Falacia Foster, Paul Gordy, Susan Beckett, Nicholas Komar, Duane Gubler, Michael Bunning

United States Department of Agriculture Wildlife Services: Staff Publications

Recent evidence suggests that American alligators (Alligator mississippiensis) may be capable of transmitting West Nile virus (WNV) to other alligators. We experimentally exposed 24 juvenile alligators to WNV parenterally or orally. All became infected, and all but three sustained viremia titers >5.0 log₁₀ PFU/mL (a threshold considered infectious for Culex quinquefasciatus mosquitoes) for 1 to 8 days. Noninoculated tankmates also became infected. The viremia profiles and multiple routes of infection suggest alligators may play an important role in WNV transmission in areas with high population densities of juvenile alligators.

Diel Foraging Behavior Of American White Pelicans ()Pelecanus Erythrorhynchos) On Experimental Aquaculture Ponds , Scott J. Werner

United States Department of Agriculture Wildlife Services: Staff Publications

Videography and night vision equipment were used to observe the diurnal and nocturnal activities of American white pelicans (Pe1ecanus erythrorhynchos) (N= 6) foraging on three experimental (0.04 ha) channel catfish (Ictalurus punctatus) aquaculture ponds in March 2001. Captive pelicans spent most time foraging per hour from 1700 through 2300 h (CST). No foraging was observed from 0700 through 0800 h. Fish captures per hour were greatest from 1700 through 1900 h. On average, captive pelicans (N = 5) consumed 1.0 ± 0.2 kg of catfish per bird per day during the 10-d foraging …

Genetic Methods Improve Accuracy Of Gender Determination In Beavers, Christen Lenney Williams, Stewart W. Breck, Bruce W. Baker

United States Department of Agriculture Wildlife Services: Staff Publications

Gender identification of sexually monomorphic mammals can be difficult. We used analysis of zinc-finger protein (Zfx and Zfy) DNA regions to determine gender of 96 beavers (Castor canadensis) from 3 areas and used these results to verify gender determined in the field. Gender was correctly determined for 86 (89.6%) beavers. Incorrect assignments were not attributed to errors in any one age or sex class. Although methods that can be used in the field (such as morphological methods) can provide reasonably accurate gender assignments in beavers, the genetic method might be preferred in certain situations.

Attractiveness Of Brown Rice Baits To Non-Target Birds In Harvested Corn And Soybean Fields, George M. Linz, Gregory A. Knutsen, H. Jeffrey Homan, William J. Bleier

United States Department of Agriculture Wildlife Services: Staff Publications

Brown rice is used as a bait-carrier for the avicide DRC-1339 (3-chloro-4-methyladhe) when baiting blackbirds (Icteridae). In March and April 1996 and 1997, we assessed non-target granivorous bird use of rice-baited plots placed in harvested corn and soybean fields in eastern South Dakota for 168 observation hours. In both years combined, we identified 10 and 14 granivorous species in corn and soybean fields, respectively. In 1996 (X = 0.2, SE = 0.04) and 1997 (X = 1.2, SE = 0.38), total numbers of granivores min^-1 were similar between crops (P ≥ 0.322). In 1996, bird numbers …

Absorption, Distribution, And Excretion Of [14C]-3-Chloro-4 Methylaniline Hydrochloride In Two Species Of Birds Following A Single Oral Dose, David A. Goldade, John D. Tessari, John J. Johnston

United States Department of Agriculture Wildlife Services: Staff Publications

Ring-labeled [¹⁴C]-3-chloro-4-methylaniline hydrochloride (250 μg per bird) was delivered to 21 red-winged blackbirds (Agelaius phoeniceus) and 21 dark-eyed juncos (Junco hyemalis) via oral gavage, and the distribution and excretion of radioactivity were determined at 15 and 30 min and 1, 4, 8, 12, and 24 h (n = 3 per time point). Direct measurement of radioactivity as well as measurement following combustion was accomplished using a liquid scintillation counter. Elimination from most tissues followed a two-compartment model, with very rapid elimination occurring between time 0 and 4 h and a much slower elimination …

Calcium Responses Of Chicken Trigeminal Ganglion Neurons To Methyl Anthranilate And Capsaicin, Michael L. Kirifides, Michael P. Kurnellas, Larry Clark, Bruce P. Bryant

United States Department of Agriculture Wildlife Services: Staff Publications

Using digital fluorescence imaging, we determined the effects of methyl anthranilate (MA), an avian irritant, and capsaicin (CAP), a mammalian irritant, on intracellular calcium ([Ca2+]i) in chicken trigeminal neurons. Concentration–response functions indicated that the threshold for inducing increases in [Ca2+]i was higher for CAP (30·mmol·l–1) than for MA (10·mmol·l–1). The maximum magnitudes of [Ca2+]i in response to MA and CAP were compared after normalization to 40·mmol·l–1 KCl. At equal concentrations (300·mmol·l–1), trigeminal neurons responded with a greater change in [Ca2+]i to MA (78% of KCl) than to CAP (43% of KCl). Furthermore, at 300·mmol·l–1, 48% of neurons responded to MA …

Evaluation And Management Of Chronic Wasting Disease Transmission, Kurt C. Vercauteren

United States Department of Agriculture Wildlife Services: Staff Publications

National Wildlife Research Center Scientists Assess the Potential for Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD) Transmission Between Wild and Domestic Cervids and Develop Methods to Reduce/Manage the Disease

Wildlife Services’ (WS) National Wildlife Research Center (NWRC) is the only Federal research organization devoted exclusively to resolving conflicts between people and wildlife through the development of effective, selective, and acceptable methods, tools, and techniques. As increased urbanization leads to a loss of traditional wildlife habitat, the potential for conflicts between people and wildlife increases. Such conflicts can take many forms, but recently the potential for the transmission of diseases among wildlife, livestock, and …

Development Of A High Performance Liquid Chromatography/Mass Spectroscopy Method For The Determination Of Strychnine Concentrations In Insects Used To Assess Potential Risks To Insectivores, Randal S. Stahl, Wendy M. Arjo, Kim K. Wagner, Carol Furcolow, Dale L. Nolte, John J. Johnston

United States Department of Agriculture Wildlife Services: Staff Publications

A high performance liquid chromatography/mass spectrometry (HPLC/MS) method was developed in support of a study to assess potential tertiary risks posed to insectivores by strychnine baited pocket gophers (Thomomys sp.). Necropholous insects are primary consumers of pocket gopher carcasses. A field study was conducted to collect insects from strychnine-baited and control pocket gopher carcasses. The majority of the insects collected were from the orders Diptera (flies, assayed separately as adults and larvae), Coleoptera (beetles), and Hymenoptera (ants and wasps, assayed separately). Samples (0.5 g) were extracted in acetic acid (2%) and analyzed with the mass spectrometer configured for tandem …

Survey And Census Techniques For Canids, E. M. Gese

United States Department of Agriculture Wildlife Services: Staff Publications

We already know that the status and distribution of canid populations throughout the world is of growing concern for biologists and the public alike. Habitat loss, fragmentation and degradation, human persecution, decreases in prey, disease, poaching, and increased competition with other carnivores due to reduced space and habitat, have led to some canid species facing extinction, while others occupy only a fraction of their former range. While reintroductions of some species have been successful (e.g., grey wolves Canis lupus to the Northern Rockies of the U.S.), other species face an uncertain future (e.g., African wild dogs Lycaon pictus). Paramount …

Central And North America (Nearctic), E. M. Gese, M. Bekoff

United States Department of Agriculture Wildlife Services: Staff Publications

Coyotes appear slender with “a long, narrow, pointed nose; small rounded nose pads; large pointed ears; slender legs; small feet; and a bushy tail...” (Young and Jackson 1951). Size varies geographically (Young and Jackson 1951) (Table 4.1.1), although adult males are heavier and larger than adult females. They range in color from pure grey to rufous; melanistic coyotes are rare (Young and Jackson 1951). Fur texture and color varies geographically: northern subspecies have long coarse hair, coyotes in the desert tend to be fulvous in color, while coyotes at higher latitudes are darker and more grey (Young and Jackson 1951). …

2nd National Invasive Rodent Summit

United States Department of Agriculture Wildlife Services: Staff Publications

Papers (abstracts follow)

Historical perspectives and current ecological impacts of nutria in Louisiana
Urban desert islands
Flea control on wild rodents
An overview of rodent control to protect biodiversity on mainland New Zealand
Risk assessment of rodenticide use in New Zealand
Rodents on oceanic islands
Invasive species
Improving the management of rat control damage on the Caribbean National Forest
The USGS role in nutria research and management
Controlling roof rats (Rattus rattus) for protection of Puerto Rican parrots
Anticoagulant resistance in farm rat populations in the UK
Invasive rodent research priorities in New Zealand
The National Invasive Species Council
Integrated …

Herbivore Experience With Plant Defense Compounds Influences Acquisition Of New Flavor Aversions, Bruce A. Kimball, Dale L. Nolte

United States Department of Agriculture Wildlife Services: Staff Publications

Multiple experiments were conducted with a mammalian herbivore to determine how experience

with plant secondary metabolites (terpenes and tannins) influenced acquisition of new aversions to

diets containing these same plant metabolites. Goats (Capra aegagrus hircus) were employed as

behavioral models for this study. Twenty-four subjects were assigned to three treatment groups that

received 20 days of experience with test diets: (A) terpene diet only; (B) tannin diet only; and (C)

terpene and tannin diets offered singly on alternate days. In experiment 1, all subjects were offered

both diets in a two-choice test to determine if experience affected diet preference. Both …

Avian Use Of Roadside Habitat In The Southern Drift Plains Of North Dakota And Implications For Cattail (Typha Spp.) Management, Bryan D. Safratowich, George M. Linz, William J. Bleier

United States Department of Agriculture Wildlife Services: Staff Publications

We determined avian use of roadside rights-of-way to develop proper management strategies for the manipulation of roadside cattail. Cattail management is a technique used to reduce nesting and roosting habitat for problematic blackbird species, which might feed on sunflower crops in the vicinity of cattail-dominated wetlands. Thirty quarter sections (1 quarter section ≈ 64.75 ha) located in the Southern Drift Plains of North Dakota served as our study units. Roadside habitat along two 0.5 mile (-0.8 km) transects bordering these quarter sections was surveyed to assess avian use. Additionally, nest surveys were , conducted to provide an index of breeding …

Quantification Of Cattail (Typha Spp.) In The Prairie Pothole Region Of North Dakota In Relation To Blackbird Damage To Sunflower, Scott T. Ralston, George M. Linz, William J. Bleier

United States Department of Agriculture Wildlife Services: Staff Publications

Sunflower is an important crop for many farmers in the upper Midwest, especially in North Dakota and South Dakota. Blackbirds have been a major problem for the sunflower grower community. Bud depredation to a field can be devastating. The USDA-APHISWS is charged with reducing the conflict between the birds and the farmers. Many methods have been employed by Wildlife Services and other agencies to lessen the damage. One method is the reduction of the cattail (Typha spp.) habitat used by blackbirds in and around wetlands; however, cattails are used by other animals. Consequently, there is a need to insure …

Effects Of Aerial Lines On Red-Winged Blackbird Nesting Success, William H. Clark, George M. Linz, William J. Bleier

United States Department of Agriculture Wildlife Services: Staff Publications

Crop damage attributed to foraging red-winged blackbirds continues to be a problem in localized areas of the United States. Therefore, new methods that are both environmentally and public friendly need to be developed for repelling blackbirds. One such method that is more humane and less hazardous than the chemical control is the use of aerial lines to repel birds. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effect of aerial lines on the reproductive effort of nesting red-winged blackbirds and to determine the spacing, type, and size of aerial lines that are most effective. Maximum likelihood estimates for the …

Management Of Cattail (Typha Spp.) Stands With Glyphosate To Disperse Blackbirds, George M. Linz, H. Jeffrey Homan, Ryan L. Wimberly, Philip Mastrangelo, William J. Bleier

United States Department of Agriculture Wildlife Services: Staff Publications

In the Prairie Pothole Region of North Dakota and South Dakota, blackbirds (Icteridae) gather by the thousands in large premigratory roosts in late summer and early fall. Wetlands dominated by cattails (Typha spp.) provide ideal roosting habitat for these aggregations. Sunflower fields near large roosts can receive substantial damage. To eliminate potential roosting sites, Wildlife Services of the United States Department of Agriculture has implemented a cattail management program that aerially sprays dense cattail stands with the herbicide glyphosate m-(phosphonomethyl) glycine]. The continued viability of the program depends on a positive benefit-cost ratio and minimal environmental impacts. In this …

Avian Use Of Harvested Crop Fields During Spring Migration Trrough North Dakota, Alegra M. Galle, George M. Linz, William J. Bleier

United States Department of Agriculture Wildlife Services: Staff Publications

Over the past century, the amount of mixed-grass prairie in North Dakota has diminished with a concomitant increase in land used for crop production. Consequently, the diversity of habitat available for migrant birds has decreased, and birds are now limited to choosing habitats that are uncharacteristic of those used during other times of the year. Because of the extensive agricultural production in this region, the value of harvested crop fields to spring-migrating birds was studied by examining avian habitat use in harvested fields to determine differences in bird use among these habitats. In the spring of 2003, 60 harvested fields …

Influences Of Land Use Patterns On Blackbird Abundance In The Prairie Pothole Region Of North Dakota, Greg M. Forcey, George M. Linz, William J. Bleier

United States Department of Agriculture Wildlife Services: Staff Publications

One issue affecting sunflower growers in the upper Great Plains of North America is crop depredation by blackbirds. In this region, blackbirds annually destroy an average of $5.4 million of sunflower. To increase the understanding of how blackbirds are influenced by large-scale land-use patterns, we developed multiple regression models to explain how various land use patterns influence blackbird abundance. We used data from the North American Breeding Bird Survey and the USGS land cover assessment to develop regression models examining associations between land use characteristics and blackbird abundance. Both red-winged blackbirds and yellow-headed blackbirds were negatively associated with the amount …

Detection Of Clostridium Botulinum Type C Cells In The Gastrointestinal Tracts Of Mozambique Tilapia (Oreochromis Mossambicus) By Polymerase Chain Reaction, P. Nol, J.L. Williamson, T.E. Rocke, T.M. Yuill

United States Department of Agriculture Wildlife Services: Staff Publications

We established a method of directly detecting Clostridium botulinum type C cells, while minimizing spore detection, in the intestinal contents of Mozambique tilapia (Oreochromis mossambicus). This technique involved extraction of predominantly cellular DNA from tilapia intestinal tracts and used a polymerase chain reaction assay to detect presence of type C₁ toxin gene. We consistently detected C. botulinum type C cells in tilapia gastrointestinal contents at a level of 7.5310⁴ cells per 0.25 g material or 1.9310³ cells. This technique is useful for determining prevalence of the potentially active organisms within a given population of fish …

Serologic Survey For Canine Infectious Diseases Among Sympatric Swift Foxes (Vulpes Velox) And Coyotes (Canis Latrans) In Southeastern Colorado, Eric M. Gese, Seija M. Karki, Mead L. Klavetter, Edward R. Schauster, Ann M. Kitchen

United States Department of Agriculture Wildlife Services: Staff Publications

Swift foxes (\'IL~VPGCY~ OX)a nd CoVi I otes (C~rrisl r~tr(~r~a.rse) sympatric canids distributed througllout rnany regions of tlie Great Plains of North America. ~h~ prevalence of canid diseases arnong these two species where they occur syiripatrically is presently unknown. Frorn January 1997 to January 2001, we collected blood salnples from 89 switt toxes and 122 coyotes oil the US Arlny Pifion Canyon Maneuver Site, 1,as Anilrlas County, SE lorado (USA). Seroprcvalence of ailtibodies against canine parvovirr~s (C13\i) was 71 % for adult (>9 nlo old) ailcl 38% for jrlveilile (59 Ino old) swift fbxes. Adult (21 yr old) and …