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Full-Text Articles in Natural Resources and Conservation

Key To Microscopic Fragments Of Plant Tissue In Prairie Dog Stomachs And Food Habits Of Prairie Dogs In South Dakota, Carol A. Summers Jan 1976

Key To Microscopic Fragments Of Plant Tissue In Prairie Dog Stomachs And Food Habits Of Prairie Dogs In South Dakota, Carol A. Summers

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to (1) develop a reference collection and construct a key of plants occurring on prairie dog towns in southwest South Dakota; (2) determine plant species eaten by prairie dogs by analyzing stomach and pellet samples; and (3) relate the availability of plant species and preference in the feeding habits of prairie dogs. Two prairie dog towns of different vegetation were studied. Four burrows in each of two vegetative types for each town were randomly selected. Prairie dogs and pellet samples were collected from these burrows; plant cover was measured in four concentric circles for …

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Effects Of P.L. 566 Stream Channelization On Wetlands In The Prairie Pothole Region, Ronald E. Erickson Jan 1976

Effects Of P.L. 566 Stream Channelization On Wetlands In The Prairie Pothole Region, Ronald E. Erickson

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The Wild Rice Creek Watershed project, in North and South Dakota was constructed under authority of the Small Watershed Protection and Flood Prevention Act (P.L. 83-566 as amended). Structural measures included 24.7 miles of channelization and four floodwater retarding dams. To measure the degree that channelization influenced drainage of prairie wetlands, drainage rates in a channelized tributary were compared to rates in an unchannelized tributary of Wild Rice Creek. Channelization had a direct impact on wetlands by channel drainage reduction of overbank flows, and by providing drainage outlets. Indirect (secondary) wetland losses are believed to have occurred outside of the …

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Population Status Of Beaver On The Free-Running Missouri River In Southeastern South Dakota, Robert J. Vanden Berge Jan 1976

Population Status Of Beaver On The Free-Running Missouri River In Southeastern South Dakota, Robert J. Vanden Berge

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

One hundred sixty two beaver (Castor canadensis) harvested by trappers from the free-running Missouri River in southeastern South Dakota were examined from fall 1974 to spring 1976. Ninety two were males and 70 were females (131:100 sex ratio). Age specific sex ratios were not significantly different (P >0.05) from a 1:1 ratio for all age classes. The age structure of the sample was 69:26:45:15:4:3 for age classes zero through five, respectively. Minimum breeding age for female beaver was 2.5 years. Seventy-eight percent of all females (>2.5 years old) collected after the breeding season contained corpora lutea and viable fetuses. …

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Effects Of Atrazine On Penned Pheasants And The Occurrence Of Stress Marks On Feathers, Thomas Orin Melius Jan 1975

Effects Of Atrazine On Penned Pheasants And The Occurrence Of Stress Marks On Feathers, Thomas Orin Melius

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Doses of 4 g of atrazine (AAtrex) were not lethal to penned hen pheasants (Phasispus colchicus), but levels of 6, 8, 10 and 12 g induced mortality. Pen studies to determine the effects of atrazine on reproduction of hen pheasants were conducted with two replicates of the basic test. Birds were administered treatment levels of 0, 100, 200, or 400 mg of atrazine per hen per week. Egg production and gain in weight of hens were unaffected by the treatments. Replicate A eggs were unaffected by the treatments. Replicate A eggs were unaffected in shell thickness and pipping rates, while …

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Nesting Ecology Of The Ring-Necked Pheasant In Eastern South Dakota, Richard A. Olson Jan 1975

Nesting Ecology Of The Ring-Necked Pheasant In Eastern South Dakota, Richard A. Olson

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Nesting of the ring-necked pheasant (Phasianus colchicus) was studied in 1973 and 1974 and 90 randomly chosen 4.05 – ha plots in the Lake Sinai Township of south-western Brookings County. Nest initiation and hatching peaks over the 2-year period occurred from 1-15 may and 16-30 June, respectively. Average density of nests was 0.3 per hectare in 1973 and 0.2 in 1974. Average clutch size for combined years was 8.6 for all nests and 10.8 for nests where clutches hatched. Clutch sizes declines as the nesting season progressed. Fertility of eggs in nests where clutches hatched was 96 percent. Hatching success …

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Food Habits Of Young-Of-The-Year Fishes In Abbey Pond, South Dakota, Randall D. Radant Jan 1975

Food Habits Of Young-Of-The-Year Fishes In Abbey Pond, South Dakota, Randall D. Radant

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Food habits of young-of-the-year largemouth bass (Micropterus salmoides), bluegill (Lepomis macrochirus), black crappie (Pomoxis nigromaculatus), yellow bullhead (Ictalurus natalis), and yellow perch (Perca flavescens) were studied during 1973 and 1974 in Abbey Pond, South Dakota. Organisms found in young-of-the-year fish stomachs and in plankton samples were identified and counted in the laboratory. Zooplankton, aquatic insects and fish were the most important food organisms consumed by young fishes. Using Ivlev’s electivity index food electivity by the fishes for zooplankton was calculated. The size-specific food habits of young-of-the-year largemouth bass progressed from entomostracans to aquatic insects to fish. In most cases zooplanktons …

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Distribution And Importance Of Stockdams, Dugouts, And Natural Wetlands To Breeding Waterfowl In South Dakota, James J. Ruwaldt Jan 1975

Distribution And Importance Of Stockdams, Dugouts, And Natural Wetlands To Breeding Waterfowl In South Dakota, James J. Ruwaldt

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Wetland distribution and utilization by breeding waterfowl of stockdams, dugouts, and natural wetlands were investigated in South Dakota during 1973 and 1974. Wetlands in South Dakota were estimated to encompass 590,499 ha and to total 631,557 basins. Natural ponds and lakes comprised 74.7 percent of the wetland area and 46.0 percent of the total number. Stockdams composed 13.9 percent of the wetland area and 14.0 percent of the number, and dugouts 0.3 percent and 8.1 percent of the state’s wetland area and number respectively. Ninety-one percent of the ponds and lakes were found east of the Missouri River and 86.7 …

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Results And Evaluation Of An Aerial Creel Survey Technique On Lake Sharpe, South Dakota, Bruce R. Schmidt Jan 1975

Results And Evaluation Of An Aerial Creel Survey Technique On Lake Sharpe, South Dakota, Bruce R. Schmidt

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

A creel survey, consisting of two independent surveys, was conducted on Lake Sharpe, South Dakota from May, 1973, through May, 1974. An aerial fisherman count was used to estimate fishing pressure and an angler interview survey was used to estimate catch rates, mean party size, mean fisherman day, and residence of the anglers. The results of the two surveys were combined to estimate harvest. The separate surveys were combined to estimate harvest. The separate surveys allowed optimum stratification and allocation of sampling effort for each. Estimated fishing pressure was 32,643 fisherman-hours, ±9.60% at the 95% confidence level, and the total …

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Food Habits, Growth, And Production Of Young-Of-The-Year Walleyes, Stizostedion Vitreum Vitreum (Mitchell), In A South Dakota Pond, Ronne E. Walker Jan 1975

Food Habits, Growth, And Production Of Young-Of-The-Year Walleyes, Stizostedion Vitreum Vitreum (Mitchell), In A South Dakota Pond, Ronne E. Walker

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

A 12.45 hectare South Dakota pond was stocked with 25,000 walleye, Stizostedion vitreum vitreum (Mitichell), fingerling on 13 June, 1973. Walleyes were monitored for growth rate and food habits until 13 September, 1973. Walleyes were removed from the pond using various methods in order to evaluate the efficiency of removal methods. The average total length and average weight of walleyes in the pond increased from 43.5 mm and 0.50 g on 13 June to 167.1 mm and 41.25 g on 13 September. This was a gain of 123. 6 mm and 40.75 g or an average daily increase of 1.34 …

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Breeding Waterfowl Populations In South Dakota, Wayne G. Brewster Jan 1975

Breeding Waterfowl Populations In South Dakota, Wayne G. Brewster

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Breeding waterfowl in South Dakota were censused on 500 legal quarter sections within 125 clusters representing a proportional stratified random sample of 0.16 percent of the state area. Two breeding pair counts, one in May and second in June, were conducted each year on the sample units in 1973 and 1974. Densities of total breeding pairs averaged 5.58 and 2.30 pairs per km2 in 1973 and 1974, respectively. Estimated populations based upon these densities were 1,067,500 breeding pairs in 1973 and 439,600 breeding pairs in 1974. The 58.8 percent decrease in the population occurred concurrently with intensification of drought conditions …

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Pheasant Reproduction And Survival As Related To Agricultural Fertilizer Use, Lawrence Francis Fredrickson Jan 1974

Pheasant Reproduction And Survival As Related To Agricultural Fertilizer Use, Lawrence Francis Fredrickson

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Wing-clipped wild pheasants (Phasianus colchicus) were stocked in 1-acre and 0.5-acre pens having oat and bromegrass cover in 1972 and 1973 to test effects of fertilizer (Formulations: 34-0-0, 18-46-0, 0-46- 0, and 0-0-60) on pheasant reproduction and survival. One-half of the pens were fertilized with the recommended rate of pelleted fertilizer and the other half without fertilizer. Complete nest searches in July showed that nesting success was not significantly different (P>0.05) between treatments for both years. No significant difference (P>0.05) was found in clutch size or in number of ovulated follicles from control and experimental hens. Significantly more …

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Feeding Of Hatchery-Reared Brown Trout (Salmo Trutta L.) In Relation To The Diet In A South Dakota Stream, Richard W. Mccoy Jan 1974

Feeding Of Hatchery-Reared Brown Trout (Salmo Trutta L.) In Relation To The Diet In A South Dakota Stream, Richard W. Mccoy

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

One thousand five hundred catchable brown trout (17-26 cm) were stocked into the South Fork of the Yellowbank River May 17, 1973. Samples were taken one month apart from May 22, 1973, through October 29, 1973. Fifteen-minute drift samples were collected every hour for 24 hours and trout were captured every 4 hours. Trout captured ruing the study varied in condition ® from 1.34 to 2.55. Condition progressively decreased through August, rose in September, and decreased again by the October sample. The average weight of brown trout increased through the September sample and decreased in October. Two peaks in number …

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Studies Of The White Pelican In South Dakota: Reproductive Biology Of Wild Populations And Effects Of Polychlorinated Biphenyls And Ddt On The Behavior Of Penned Birds, Vernon Pat Mccrow Jan 1974

Studies Of The White Pelican In South Dakota: Reproductive Biology Of Wild Populations And Effects Of Polychlorinated Biphenyls And Ddt On The Behavior Of Penned Birds, Vernon Pat Mccrow

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The learning behavior of penned white pelicans (Pelecanus erythrorhynchos) was studies 2 August to 5 October 1972 using a swimming pool – Y-maze apparatus in an operant conditioning experiment. The experiment consisted of three consecutive phases: trial-and-error learning, extinction, and relearning. Three groups of nine pelicans each were studied: a polychlorinated biphenyl (PCE) treated group, a DDT, DDD, DDE treated group, and a Control group. The object of this study was to determine the effect of PCB and DDT, DDD, DDE on the learning ability of penned white pelicans. Control, PCB, and DDT groups of penned white pelicans learned to …

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Habitat Preferences And Food Habits Of Striped Skunks In Eastern South Dakota, Melvin S. Moe Jan 1974

Habitat Preferences And Food Habits Of Striped Skunks In Eastern South Dakota, Melvin S. Moe

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Habitat preferences of striped skunks (Mephitis mephitis) in Brookings County, South Dakota, were determined rom the relationship of nighttime roadside indices to 25 habitat variables of 277, 1-square mile plots. Winter tracking was also conducted. Skunks were collected on the study area in 1972-1972, and contents of 59 stomachs and 63 colons were studied to determine food habits. Indices of prey abundance in different habitat types were obtained from snap-trap surveys. The 25 variables accounted for 14.9 percent of the variation in skunk numbers. The relationships of three of these variables to skunk numbers were significant (P<0.05). The significant variables and the variation accounted for by each were: (a) number of areas of idle grassland, 6.3 percent; (b) number of rockplies, 1.5 percent; and (c) acreage of idle grassland, 1.3 percent. Idle grasslands were the main activity centers of skunks tracked during the winter. Food habits were analyzed for the periods March-April, May-June, July-August, and September-November. Insects were the most frequently found food item in al time periods except March-April, during which mammals occurred more frequently. Mammals made up the largest volume of food in March-April and May-June. Amphibians made up the greatest volume in July-August, while amphibians, mammals, and insects were found in nearly equal volumes in September-November. Bird remains occurred during all time periods. Eggs were found in May-June and July-August. Meadow voles (Microtus spp.), the most frequent mammalian food item during all time periods, were common only in habitat types having heavy residual cover. Idle grassland is an important nestling cover for gamebirds and waterfowl. Since the number of areas of this cover type apparently has a stronger relationship with skunk numbers than its total acreage, grassland nesting cover might best be managed in large, homogeneous blocks. Areas managed in this way would probably support lower skunk densities than more diverse areas containing equal acreages of idle grassland, thus reducing nest predation by skunks. Skunk control programs should be most efficient when centered around idle grassland and rockplies.

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Influence Of Vegetation On The Distribution Of Small Mammals On A Waterfowl Production Area, Douglas A. Searls Jan 1974

Influence Of Vegetation On The Distribution Of Small Mammals On A Waterfowl Production Area, Douglas A. Searls

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

. A study was conducted on a Waterfowl Production Area in Brookings County, South Dakota in 1972-73 to determine the distribution and abundance of small mammals. Three cover types, reseeded native grassed, brome-alfalfa, and bluegrass, were studied. Meadow voles (Microtus pennsylvanious), and deer mice (Peronyscus maniculatus) were captured most frequently. Jumping ice (Zapus hudsonius), masked shrews (Sorex cinerius), short tailed shrews (Blarins brevicauda), grasshopper mice (Omychomys leucogaster) and house mice (Mis musculus) were also taken. The bluegrass association had the highest number of small mammal captures and the reseeded native grass association has the least. There was no significant difference …

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Evaluation Of Duck Production On Waterfowl Production Areas In Northeast North Dakota, Gerald L. Heismeyer Jan 1974

Evaluation Of Duck Production On Waterfowl Production Areas In Northeast North Dakota, Gerald L. Heismeyer

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

An investigation of duck production on six Waterfowl Production Areas (WPA’s) in northeastern North Dakota was conducted during 1970-73. This investigation was conducted in conjunction with habitat-manipulation study by the Northern Prairie Wildlife Research Center that entailed prescribed burning of three WPA’s. Wetland habitat conditions, breeding populations and nesting were evaluated all four years. Brood observations were made during the last three years and nesting cover was evaluated during the last two years of investigation. Wetland habitat conditions were generally favorable during the first three years of investigation but in 1973 wetland conditions were extremely poor due to low precipitation …

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Seasonal Movements And Habitat Selection Of Pheasant Cocks In South Dakota, Robert A. Fedeler Jan 1973

Seasonal Movements And Habitat Selection Of Pheasant Cocks In South Dakota, Robert A. Fedeler

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Data were gathered on seasonal movements and habitat selection of 30 pheasant (Phasianus colchicus) cocks that were radio-equipped in eastern South Dakota from 1970 to 1972. Pheasant cocks stayed in an area of less than 100 acres from spring through hunting season. In winter, cocks used even smaller areas more intensively. Cocks moved about their home range by shifting their activity center rather than by adjustment in range of daily travel. Adult cocks seemed to have strong site attachments on a year-round basis. Immature cocks were more mobile, especially during the fall prior to hunting season. In spring, adult cocks …

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Evaluation Of Cattle Use Of A Deer Winter Range In The Black Hills, David C. Hamm Jan 1973

Evaluation Of Cattle Use Of A Deer Winter Range In The Black Hills, David C. Hamm

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Cattle use of a deer winter range in the Black Hills was investigated during the summer grazing seasons of 1971-1972. A U.S. Forest Service grazing allotment situated between Mystic and Redfern, South Dakota, was used as the study area. The allotment was divided into five grazing units or pastures managed collectively under a “rest-rotation” system of grazing. Three study sites were selected in each unit of the allotment, and 75 exclosures were erected on each site; a paired-plot method was used to collect data. Indices to use of sites by deer and cattle were obtained by counts of deer pellet …

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Chemical Survey Of Selected South Dakota Lake Sediments, Alan Ross Swanson Jan 1973

Chemical Survey Of Selected South Dakota Lake Sediments, Alan Ross Swanson

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Available phosphorus, organic carbon, and organic nitrogen were measured in bottom sediments of 16 lakes and ponds in northeast South Dakota. These lakes were glaciated, relatively shallow, and productive. Ranges of the surface sediments were: available phosphorus, 2 to 42 ppm; organic carbon, 0.94 to 5.34 percent; and organic nitrogen, 0.29 to 0.79 percent. Ranges of subsurface sediments were: available phosphorus, 2 to 39 ppm; organic carbon, 0.54 to 6.06 percent; organic nitrogen, 0.19 to 0.88 percent. Concentrations in most lakes varied little from top to bottom. Hard-bottomed lakes generally decreased in nutrient concentrations from sediment surface of subsurface. Lower …

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Origin And Transport Of Nutrients In The Upper Big Sioux River, South Dakota, Charles William Thompson Jan 1973

Origin And Transport Of Nutrients In The Upper Big Sioux River, South Dakota, Charles William Thompson

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The upper Big Sioux River Basin, in northeastern South Dakota, was studied to determine the origin and transport of nutrients in the Big Sioux River. The area was divided into three segments. Two of the segments, the Big Sioux River and Willow Creek Basins, were primarily agricultural drainage areas, and one segment was the city of Watertown. Sampling stations were selected to facilitate the determination of nutrient inputs to the river from each of these segments and to determine the nutrient load in the river leaving the study area. Nutrients studied included total orthophosphate and the particulate and dissolved fractions …

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Nutrient Sources And Transport In The Central Region Of The Big Sioux River, South Dakota, Marvin E. Hora Jan 1973

Nutrient Sources And Transport In The Central Region Of The Big Sioux River, South Dakota, Marvin E. Hora

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Concentration and flow of total phosphate (TP), total organic nitrogen (TON), and total organic carbon (TOC) were measured from November 9, 1971 to November 8, 1972 on the Big Sioux River, Six Mile-North Deer Creek, and Drainage M. The Big Sioux River transported 418,640 x 10 3 m3 of water, 776,880 kg TP, 599,590 kg TON, and 5,419,580 kg TOC during the study-year. Six Mile Creek transported 23,900 x 10 3 m 3 of water, 52,040 kg TP, 43,580 kg TON, and 327,860 kg of TOC. The transport of water and nutrients in Six Mile Creek per square kilometer of …

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Evaluation Of Giant Canada Goose Restoration In Western South Dakota, Dennis L. Lengkeek Jan 1973

Evaluation Of Giant Canada Goose Restoration In Western South Dakota, Dennis L. Lengkeek

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

A study of giant Canada goose (Branta Canadensis maxima) restoration in western South Dakota was conducted during 1970 and 1971. Nesting, production and mortality, homing, and pioneering were evaluated both years. Nesting began April 4 in 1970 and extended for 73 days, but the peak of nesting occurred from April 29 to May 5. In 1971, nesting began April 1 and continued for 69 days, with the peak occurring April 8-14. The peak of hatching occurred June 6-12 in 1970 and May 8-14 during 1971. Small stockponds were utilized for nesting both years. Islands were preferred nesting sites. Peninsulas and …

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Use Of Waterfowl Production Areas By Ducks And Coots In Eastern South Dakota, Spencer Vaa Jan 1972

Use Of Waterfowl Production Areas By Ducks And Coots In Eastern South Dakota, Spencer Vaa

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The use of Waterfowl Production Areas (WPA) by American coots (Fulica americana) and ducks was studied during 1970 and 1971 in east-central South Dakota The Eriksrud WPA, a type IV wetland with 55 acres of water area and 35 acres of upland, contained 188 coot nests during the 2-year study. Of the 188 coot nests, 178 hatched for a success rate of 95 percent. Average clutch size of 130 completed clutches was 8.4. Average size of 21 coot broods from 4 to 6 weeks of age was 6.1. Coot production on the Eriksrud area was estimated at 543 young per …

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Development Of Techniques For Distribution Of Baits To Raccoon For Chemosterilant Studies, Richard L. Nelson Jan 1972

Development Of Techniques For Distribution Of Baits To Raccoon For Chemosterilant Studies, Richard L. Nelson

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Sudan Red IV, Sudan Black B, and demethylchlortetracycline (DMCT) were tested as physiological markers in baits for raccoon (Procyon lotor). DMCT was readily detected in the jawbone of raccoons given 50 mg when examined under an ultraviolet light at period of 7, 30, 75, and 450 days following treatment. Seven days after administering 75 mg of Sudan Red IV, it could not be detected in fat deposits. Sudan Black B, administered in similar dosage, could not be detected at 30 days. A total of 1826 chicken eggs containing 50 mg DMCT was distributed on a 25 square-mile study area between …

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Food Selectivity Of The Black Bullhead (Ictalurus Melas, Rafinesque) In Lake Poinsett, South Dakota, Andrew J. Repsys Jan 1972

Food Selectivity Of The Black Bullhead (Ictalurus Melas, Rafinesque) In Lake Poinsett, South Dakota, Andrew J. Repsys

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The food habits of young-of-the-year, subadult and adult black bullheads were studied in Lake Poinsett, South Dakota, from March, 1970, to April, 1971. Two hundred twenty young-of-the-year (37-87 mm total length) fed primarily on limnetic cladocerans and copepods. Leptodora and Diaphanosoma comprised 86.5% of the total food volume. Chironomid larvae and pupae made up 5.6% of the total. Other benthic organisms and littoral cladocerans together contributed less than 1%. Stomach contents of 608 subadult and adult black bullhead (143-304 mm total length) indicated significant seasonal vairaiton in diet. Daphnia pulex and chronomid larvae were important food items in winter. Bullheads …

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Influence Of Weather On Movement And Habitat Use Of Hen Pheasants During Brood Rearing, James M. Ruth Jan 1972

Influence Of Weather On Movement And Habitat Use Of Hen Pheasants During Brood Rearing, James M. Ruth

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Pheasants survive in a wide range of yearly weather extremes but can be limited by certain short-term weather factors (Graham and Hosterburg 1948). Study of short-term weather conditions can therefore be important in understanding pheasant survival. Many studies have been done on yearly and seasonal effects of weather on pheasant production and survival. Bemitt and Terril (1940) reported on possible temperature factors in pheasant management in the north central area of the United States. Effects of weather on pheasant reproduction were studied by Buss and Swanson (1950) and Kozieky et al. (1955). MacKullan and Eherhardt (1953) studied the tolerance of …

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Food Habits Of Fish In A Multispecies Farm Pond, Thomas W. Gengerke Jan 1972

Food Habits Of Fish In A Multispecies Farm Pond, Thomas W. Gengerke

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Food habits of yellow perch, bluegill, and black crappie were studied during 1970 and 1971 in Abbey Pond, South Dakota. Aquatic insects, zooplankton, mollusks, and fish were the most frequently consumed food items by the three species. Yellow perch led primarily on aquatic insects, zooplankton, and mollusks. Aquatic insects were dominant (by volume) in 40.0 and 61.5 percent of the samples respectively for the two years. Zooplankton, mollusks, aquatic insects, and bryozoans were the dominant food items by volume of adult bluegills. On an annual basis aquatic insects were the most important food item in the diet. Adult black crappies …

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Waterfowl Production In The James River Valley Of South Dakota, William E. Wheeler Jan 1972

Waterfowl Production In The James River Valley Of South Dakota, William E. Wheeler

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

A study of waterfowl production was conducted on two study areas in the James River Valley of South Dakota in 1971 and 1972. Its objectives were to measure rates of reproductive success and to determine the effect of land use and other influences on duck production. The five most abundant species of nesting ducks were blue-winged teal (Anas discors), mallard (platyrhvnchos), gadwall (A. strepera), shoveler (clypeata), and pintail (acuta). Seventy-two percent of the wetland habitat on the study areas consisted of temporary (Type l and Type 3) water areas. Only 3.9 percent of the wetlands represented semi-permanent (Type 4) and …

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Effects Of Polychlorinated Biphhenyls In The Ring-Necked Pheasant, Robert Bernard Dahlgren Jan 1972

Effects Of Polychlorinated Biphhenyls In The Ring-Necked Pheasant, Robert Bernard Dahlgren

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

In 1970 and 1971, cock pheasants (Phasianus colchicus) were given single capsules weekly containing 0 and 25 mg polychlorinated biphenyls (PCB), Aroclor 1254, and hens were given O, 12.5, and 50 mg. Egg production was reduced (P<0.01) in the hens given 50 mg PCB both years. Fertility, determined by visual inspection of incubated eggs, was unaffected by PCB. Hatchability was lowest in the group of hens given 50 mg in both years but significantly lower (P<0.01) only in 1971. PCB adversely affected the viability of the embryo both years, as the number of eggs pipped but not hatched in PCB groups was higher (P<0.05). PCB did not affect eggshell thickness. Behavior on the visual cliff shortly after hatching was affected among offspring of hens given 50 mg PCB in 1970 (P,0.01). Offspring of hens given 50 mg chose the visually-deep side of the cliff. No differences in behavior on the visual cliff were evident in 1971. Response to hand catching of offspring was affected in 1970 (P <0.01). The ability of penned pheasants to avoid hand capture was least where both parents received PCB, followed by those where hens only, cocks only and neither parent received PCB. No differences in response to hand capture among groups were found in 1971. Weights of chicks from hens on 50 mg were lower (P<0.01) at 6 weeks of age in 1970. This effect was not seen in 1971. Survival of chicks in brooders to 6 weeks of age was lower (P<0.01) in offspring of hens given 50 mg PCB weekly in 1970. No differences were found among offspring of treatment groups in 1971. Survival from 6 weeks of age to fall was similar in all groups. Overall survival from hatching to fall was less (P<.0.05) in offspring of hens given 50 mg weekly in both years combined. No differential effect was found between sexes for survival. PCB in doses varying front 10 mg to 210 mg daily caused hyper-excitability, weakness, tremoring, lack of appetite, lack of feathers, and a comatose death. Birds 11-weeks old given 10 or 20 mg PCB daily, birds 6 to 9 months old given 50 or 100 mg each 3.5 days, and adult hens given up to 50 mg once a week continued to eat. Eleven-week old birds given 210 mg daily stopped eating or those given 210 mg daily, the heaviest birds lost the greatest percentage of their weight (15 to 31 percent) before death occurred (1.3 to 4.3 days). Birds intentionally starved at the same time lost a greater percentage of weight (27 to 51 percent) before death (2.3 to 8.6 days). Some adult hens were given a single 50-mg capsule and samples of whole body, brain, liver, muscle, eggs, and feces were analyzed to determine patterns of storage and excretion. Levels of PCB were highest at 12 hours after capsule administration. Residues were highest in liver, followed by brain and muscle over 28 days following the single 50-mg capsule. From 94 to 98 percent of the administered dose was absorbed and 40.5 mg of the 50mg were in the body after 28 days. Hens were in a state of low egg production and excreted 4.2 mg in the eggs and 4.0 mg in the feces over 28 days. Excretion in the egg could be an important means of ridding the body of PCB. Four hens from the 1970 breeding experiment, given 17 capsules weekly containing 12.5 mg PCB and killed 1 week following the last capsule, had from 37 to 56 percent of the administered dose in their bodies. Four hens on the 50-mg level in 1970 had from 60 to 82 percent of the dose given. Five hens given 12.5 mg weekly for 16 weeks in 1971 had an average of 23.8 ppm PCB in their bodies 1 week after the last capsule, three hens had an average of 13.6 ppm after 3months on a clean diet, and three others had an average of 20.9 ppm after 6 months. Excretion was variable and slow. An analysis of brain, liver, and muscle tissues from dead and surviving birds fed PCB at various levels showed that brain residue levels from 300 to 400 ppm wet weight were indicative of death from FCB toxicosis. Liver and muscle levels were too variable to be useful in assessing cause of death. Administration of PCB decreased weights of heart and spleen (P <0. 01) at all levels given and increased weights of kidneys and livers in birds given 10- and 20-rng doses daily (P <0. 01) but not in birds given 210 mg daily. Splenic atrophy, where spleens were small, pale-tan color, and had wrinkled capsules resulting from depletion of lymphatic nodules, was characteristic of birds given PCB. PCB and dieldrin were given singly and jointly, and only additive, not synergistic, effects were noted. Livers of wild pheasants from Pennsylvania, Indiana, and South Dakota had no more than 2 ppm PCB. This indicates low-level contamination.

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Pheasant Production Using Wild Cocks And Penned Game-Farm Hens, Michael R. Grode Jan 1972

Pheasant Production Using Wild Cocks And Penned Game-Farm Hens, Michael R. Grode

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Pheasant production using free-flying wild cooks and penned game-farm hens was evaluated during 1971. Hens were placed in 0.5-acre pens to compare production at density levels of 10, 20, and 40 hens per acre. Wild cooks entered the 0.5-acre pens the day following introduction of the game-farm hens. The greatest numbers of cooks were observed in the pens with the highest density of hens. Censusing in mid-March indicated a population of 12 to 15 wild cooks in the vicinity of the study pens. A known mortality of 31 hens occurred and percentage mortality was similar at each density level. Pulling …

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