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Identification And Distribution Of Masked And Hayden's Shrews (Genus Sorex) In Iowa, Howard P. Whidden, Alison W. Ray, John B. Bowles

Journal of the Iowa Academy of Science: JIAS

Masked shrews (Sorex cinereus) and Hayden's shrews (S. haydeni) are both reported from Iowa, but the two species are difficult to tell apart and their relative distributions in Iowa have been unclear. We took 13 skull measurements and examined 2 qualitative features on more than 300 specimens of Sorex from Iowa. The vast majority of our specimens could be identified easily by cranial measurements, and more than half could be identified by the relative position of the maxillary plate. We found no evidence for intergradation between the two species. Masked shrews are present throughout most of Iowa, whereas Hayden's shrews …

Cover - Table Of Contents

Journal of the Iowa Academy of Science: JIAS

No abstract provided.

Front Matter

Journal of the Iowa Academy of Science: JIAS

No abstract provided.

The Unionid Mussels Of The Upper Iowa And Turkey River Watersheds, Jim Eckblad, Brett Ostby, Karis Tenneson

Journal of the Iowa Academy of Science: JIAS

The Iowa driftless region occupies an area of about 9,000 km² in the northeastern corner of Iowa and is drained by relatively old entrenched meandering streams. The Upper Iowa River and Turkey River are the largest of these streams. During the period from June, 1999 to October, 2000, a total of 193 sites were surveyed for mussels from the Upper Iowa River, the Turkey River, and their main tributaries. Surveys were conducted by hand using a 10 m bank-to-bank search at each site. Data analysis was facilitated using ArcView GIS. The presence of mussels was recorded at 75% of …

Awards And Recognition, Iowa Academy Of Science, 2002

Journal of the Iowa Academy of Science: JIAS

No abstract provided.

Cover - Table Of Contents

Journal of the Iowa Academy of Science: JIAS

No abstract provided.

Inheritance Of Gray Leaf Spot Resistance In Corn, J. M. D. Crowley, A. R. Hallauer, C. A. Martinson

Journal of the Iowa Academy of Science: JIAS

Gray leaf spot disease, caused by Cercospora zeae-maydis Tehon and Daniels, has become a significant disease in Iowa corn (Zea mays L.) production. Incidence of gray leaf spot has increased with the increased use of conservation tillage practices. The inheritance of resistance to gray leaf spot was studied via use of generation mean analyses for five crosses and via use of 100 S₁ progenies developed from an F₂ population. Experiments were conducted at two locations that included either natural or artificial inoculation with C. zeae-maydis spores. Additive and dominance effects were significant in nearly all instances. Heritability for …

Fungi And Diseases Associated With Cultivated Switchgrass In Iowa, C. E. Gravert, G. P. Munkvold

Journal of the Iowa Academy of Science: JIAS

Switchgrass (Panicum virgatum L.) is a native perennial prairie grass that is now cultivated as a forage crop and a biomass crop for renewable energy. Biomass yields of switchgrass in southern Iowa have recently dropped significantly in some fields and the reduction has been attributed to disease. A disease survey was conducted in 1999 to assess the prevalence of major diseases in Chariton Valley switchgrass production. There were disease symptoms present on switchgrass plants in each field and thirteen fungal species were identified from leaf, stem, and root samples. Two pathogenic fungi, Tilletia maclaganii and Colletotrichum graminicola, were present in …

Book Review - North American Box Turtles: A Natural History, Neil P. Bernstein

Journal of the Iowa Academy of Science: JIAS

While I have only studied box turtles for four years, from the beginning, I was quickly impressed at the many studies and observations that had been published on North American box turtles. At the same time, I was also frustrated by the lack of syntheses of the material. For the beginning researcher or interested layperson, organizing the studies into a cohesive whole was daunting, and I attempted my own loose compilation that took me most of a summer. However, there is now a new book that provides the background and overview that I sought. C. Kenneth Dodd, a longtime researcher …

Book Review - The Guide To Iowa's State Preserves, Cornelia F. Mutel

Journal of the Iowa Academy of Science: JIAS

The Iowa State Preserves System gives the highest protection afforded by law to sites "dedicated for maintenance as nearly as possible in [their] natural condition." To date, ninety sites have been dedicated as biological, geological, archaeological, scenic, or historic preserves, declaring that such use is the site's "highest, best, and most important use for the public benefit" (State Preserves Act of 1965). In a state as dramatically altered as Iowa, such remnants are of intense interest to professional and amateur naturalists of all inclinations, as well as to anyone who appreciates nature. Yet understanding the basic qualities of these preserve …

Soybean Canopy Gap Influence On Velvetleaf Seed Production, Shawn R. Wright, Micheal D. K. Owen, Douglas D. Buhler

Journal of the Iowa Academy of Science: JIAS

Gaps in the soybean row provide locations for velvetleaf (Abutilon theophrasti) plant growth. Gap width, and velvetleaf plant location within the gap, were investigated for effect on seed production. There was no significant difference in velvetleaf capsule production between plants that grew either centered in a gap or at the western end of a gap in east-west oriented soybean rows. Also, there was no difference in plant survival, emergence through the soybean canopy, flowering, locule number per capsule, or average seed weight of velvetleaf based on gap width. However, there was a difference in capsule production based on gap width. …

Science Safety Status In Iowa Schools, Gerlovich A. Jack, Rahul Parsa, Bruce Frana, Theresa Stiner

Journal of the Iowa Academy of Science: JIAS

Between May and December 2001, 574 Iowa science teachers participated in a statewide science safety project supported by financial assistance from the Iowa Department of Natural Resources. Part one of the project focused on assessing the status of safety in Iowa secondary science programs. Part two was to provide teachers with information, tools, and training to address the identified needs. Three safety concerns were identified: one was associated with the age of lab facilities and two were related to safety training of teachers.

Storm Deposition Of Pisoids In The Humboldt Oolite Member Of The Gilmore City Formation (Mississippian), North-Central Iowa, Shawn C. Thomas, John R. Groves

Journal of the Iowa Academy of Science: JIAS

Pisoids (concentrically laminated carbonate grains, > 2 mm in diameter) are abundant in the upper Humboldt Oolite Member of the Gilmore City Formation (Mississippian). Their cortices are isopachous and nuclei include both intraclasts and fragments of preexisting

pisoids. They occur both as floating grams m a fine grainstone matrix and concentrated at the bases of distinct layers that may be crudely graded beds. Sorting characteristics and the presence of broken and abraded pisoids suggest not only their origin as primary free grams, but also storm influence in the deposition of local pisolite layers. Regionally, the upper Humboldt Oolite is characterized by …

Editorial Board & Iowa Academy Of Science Officers And Directors

Journal of the Iowa Academy of Science: JIAS

No abstract provided.

Effects Of Cattle Grazing On Woodlands In Central Iowa, Cathy Mabry

Journal of the Iowa Academy of Science: JIAS

Iowa's forests have undergone a dramatic decline in area since settlement by Europeans. Most of the remaining forests have been degraded by an assortment of human impacts, with cattle grazing the most prominent among them. Using a matched pairs study designed to control for environmental differences among plots, I examined the impact of cattle grazing on the forest understory, canopy trees, and tree regeneration. There were distinct groups of understory species associated with ungrazed and grazed plots. Species associated with ungrazed plots were all native and tended to be perennial herbs with fleshy roots. Ungrazed plots also had species preferring …

The Role Of Environmental Analogs In Identifying Potentially Invasive Woody Plants In Iowa, Mark P. Widrlechner

Journal of the Iowa Academy of Science: JIAS

Americans cultivate a large and diverse range of introduced woody plants as important sources of food and forest products, as well as for urban horticulture, amenity and wildlife plantings, and windbreaks. A small number of these species have become serious pests, disrupting well-established native plant communities or functioning as range and agricultural weeds. More of these species are not serious pests today, but have escaped cultivation and serve as potential sources of future outbreaks. Two other sources of potentially invasive woody plants are found among species that are not or are only rarely cultivated, about which we often know little …

Eurasian Watermilfoil: Status And Management In Iowa, Gary S. Phillips

Journal of the Iowa Academy of Science: JIAS

In 1993, Eurasian watermilfoil (Myriophyllum spicatum L.) was discovered in Crystal Lake, Hancock County, Iowa. During the next three years, new infestations were discovered by the Iowa Department of Natural Resources (IDNR) fisheries personnel in four Iowa lakes. In July 1996, a program was established by the IDNR to address the threat posed by Eurasian watermilfoil to Iowa's aquatic ecosystems. As part of the Eurasian Watermilfoil Program, statewide aquatic vegetation monitoring was begun to identify those lakes currently infested with Eurasian watermilfoil. Monitoring activities were conducted by IDNR field technicians during the summers of 1996 through 2000. During this time …

Front Matter

Journal of the Iowa Academy of Science: JIAS

No abstract provided.

Introduced Fungi: Some Cause Significant Plant Disease Problems, Lois H. Tiffany

Journal of the Iowa Academy of Science: JIAS

Species of the three groups of fungi characterized here on the basis of their energy source acquisition have differing potentials for becoming problem organisms following introduction as alien fungi new to Iowa. The decomposer group of fungi that obtain an energy supply by action of extracellular enzyme activity on dead plant tissues typically have perennial mycelium, are cosmopolitan in distribution, and are unlikely to become problems even if established. The second group, the mycorrhizal/lichen group are highly specific in their relationships. The mycorrhizal fungus group have a potential for being introduced as mycorrhiza already established with the roots of particular …

History And Development Of The Eurasian Watermilfoil Program In Iowa, Gary S. Phillips

Journal of the Iowa Academy of Science: JIAS

Following a concerted effort by citizens of the Iowa Great Lakes area to address the threat posed by Eurasian watermilfoil (Myriophyllum spicatum L.) to waterbodies in Iowa, the Iowa Eurasian Watermilfoil Law was passed in 1996 by the Iowa legislature. Passage of this law led to the establishment of the Eurasian Watermilfoil Program in July 1996 to address the requirements specified by this legislation. Since establishment of the Eurasian Watermilfoil Program, numerous activities have been carried out to address the threat posed to aquatic ecosystems by Eurasian watermilfoil. These include public awareness and education, boat access monitoring, aquatic vegetation monitoring, …

Ecological Problems With Iowa's Invasive And Introduced Fishes, Neil P. Bernstein, John R. Olson

Journal of the Iowa Academy of Science: JIAS

Since the time of European settlement, at least 59 non-indigenous fish species have been introduced, reached, or moved within Iowa waters. At least 28 nonnative fish species have been introduced into, or reported from Iowa waters since settlement. Of that number, 10 are established at this time through natural reproduction. In addition, many species of native fishes have been translocated within the state, and we provide documentation for 31 of these species. Two translocated species, gizzard shad (Dorosoma cepedianum) and yellow bass (Marone mississippiensis), have had adverse impacts on Iowa's aquatic ecosystems. While many introductions are thought to be benign, …

Invasive Species In Iowa: An Introduction, James J. Dinsmore, Neil P. Bernstein

Journal of the Iowa Academy of Science: JIAS

Concern over the increasing spread of invasive species and the potential impacts of those species on native communities has been the subject of several books and hundreds of research papers in recent years. President Clinton's Executive Order on invasive species in February1999 raised national attention to this issue. Natural resource agencies have been plagued by an ever-increasing number of invasive species and now consider this issue the second most important problem (after habitat loss) in their fight to maintain some semblance of natural communities on this planet. One group of experts estimated that in the United States alone, invasives cost …

War On Weeds: Winning It For Natural Areas, Jerry E. Asher

Journal of the Iowa Academy of Science: JIAS

I am delighted to be here with you today to discuss the rapidly accelerating damage that invasive exotic plants are inflicting on natural areas in this country. This problem may seem overwhelming, but you need not despair because there are economical, realistic, and effective strategies available to meet this challenge.

There are two purposes to this presentation: to give you information you can use to convince others that invasive exotic plants are seriously harmful, and to suggest that we can win this war on invasive exotic plants if we engage enough of the right people.

An Overview And Management Plan Of Iowa's Non-Native, Invasive, Terrestrial Forbs, Deborah Q. Lewis, Richard O. Pope

Journal of the Iowa Academy of Science: JIAS

Non-native, invasive forb species have been a problem in Iowa since the earliest decades of Iowa's European settlement. The history of studies of Iowa's invasive plants began with L. H. Pammel, and these studies continue to present. Three tables cite the occurrence of many of these species in the state, with Table 1 listing 93 non-native forbs reported by Pammel, Table 2 citing ten invasive forbs of natural areas, and Table 3 adding 38 observed or potential aggressive species of Iowa's anthropogenic and natural areas.

There has been a divergence of interest and research in the management of invasive species …

More Than A Century Of Change In The Ames, Iowa Flora (1859-2000), William R. Norris, Mark P. Widrlechner, Deborah Q. Lewis, Jimmie D. Thompson, Richard O. Pope

Journal of the Iowa Academy of Science: JIAS

We compared two floras compiled in Ames, Iowa: (1) an "historic" flora based on two published floras (1871, 1890) and on 1450 herbarium voucher specimens of plants collected in Ames between 1859 and 1899, and (2) a "current" flora compiled by us during recent fieldwork (1990-2000). Our goals were to determine 1) long-term changes in composition (i.e., the proportion of native species) over time, 2) long-term changes in the abundance of individual plant species over time, and 3) the extent of gains and losses of native and non-native plant species. We found that the proportion of native species declined over …

Purple Loosestrife: History, Management, And Biological Control In Iowa, Amy P. Wiebe, John J. Obrycki

Journal of the Iowa Academy of Science: JIAS

Purple loosestrife (Lythrum salicaria) is an invasive plant species infesting wetlands in North America. Biodiversity and wetland habitat quality are reduced following purple loosestrife establishment. Several management tactics, including cultural, mechanical, and chemical controls, have had limited success in reducing the spread of purple loosestrife. Beginning in the 1990s, a biological control program has introduced several species of natural enemies from Europe that feed on purple loosestrife. Since 1994, Iowa State University has reared and released two species of beetles that feed on purple loosestrife, Galerucella calmariensis and G. pusilla. Biological control is one component of an integrated purple loosestrife …

Forest Invasives In Iowa: Current Problems And Future Issues, John Walkowiak, John Haanstad

Journal of the Iowa Academy of Science: JIAS

Iowa's forest resources of primarily deciduous trees covers over 0.8 million hectares (2 million acres) of upland and floodplain sites too steep or too wet for traditional row crop agriculture. These limited natural forests along with urban trees and shelterbelts plantings of trees are critical for environmental and economic enhancement in the state. Although not yet established in the state, exotic insects, such as gypsy moth, Asian longhorned beetle, and pine shoot beetle, threaten native tree vitality. Established exotic diseases such as oak wilt and Dutch elm disease continue to plague the survival of Iowa's oak and elm resources, respectively. …

Non-Native Amphibians And Reptiles In Iowa, James L. Christiansen

Journal of the Iowa Academy of Science: JIAS

Only a few species appear as introductions into Iowa in the last 30 years. The bullfrog, Rana catesbeiana, was systematically introduced along with fish stocked from hatcheries in the 1930s and this species continues to spread in northern Iowa where it poses a hazard to smaller frogs. Turtles sold as pets, primarily map turtles (Graptemys pseudogeographica and G. geographica) and red-eared turtles (Trachemys scripta) continue to be found in scattered ponds, usually rural, throughout the state. The eastern box turtle (Terrapene carolma) has been reported in or on the edge of most major Iowa cities even though no breeding population …

Index For The Journal Of The Iowa Academy Of Science Volume 108 And Erratum

Journal of the Iowa Academy of Science: JIAS

No abstract provided.

Back Cover

Journal of the Iowa Academy of Science: JIAS

No abstract provided.