Population Biology Commons^™

Greater Galagos Near Mt. Kasigau, Kenya: Population Density Estimates, Andrea Falcetto

Masters Theses & Specialist Projects

This study examined population density and habitat use of a species of greater galago, genus Otolemur, around Mt. Kasigau, Kenya. Mt. Kasigau has a unique regional microclimate, a cloud forest, which provides many different flora and fauna a home. To examine population density, two different methods were used. The first method was using line transects and analyzing results using Distance 6.0. These surveys were conducted during both dry and wet season and results were compared after the study. The second method was to trap individuals and use mark-recapture to determine population density. When caught in a trap, individuals were …

Evaluation Of The Effects Of September Hunting Seasons On Canada Geese In Nebraska, Scott R. Groepper, Mark P. Vrtiska, Larkin A. Powell, Scott E. Hygnstrom

School of Natural Resources: Faculty Publications

Populations of temperate-nesting Canada geese (Branta canadensis) have increased in Nebraska, USA, resulting in an increased number of nuisance and damage complaints. September hunting seasons were initiated in southeastern Nebraska in 2004 to reduce populations of Canada geese. We analyzed band recoveries from Canada geese banded in southeastern Nebraska during their hatch-year (HY) or after-hatch-year (AHY) to determine whether September hunting seasons affected survival, harvest, and recovery rates. Survival analyses revealed that HY geese had higher survival than AHY geese (SAHY = 0.696, 95% CI = 0.679–0.713; SHY = 0.896, 95% CI = 0.786–0.953) and September seasons did …

Modeling And Mathematical Analysis Of Plant Models In Ecology, Eric A. Eager

Department of Mathematics: Dissertations, Theses, and Student Research

Population dynamics tries to explain in a simple mechanistic way the variations of the size and structure of biological populations. In this dissertation we use mathematical modeling and analysis to study the various aspects of the dynamics of plant populations and their seed banks.

In Chapter 2 we investigate the impact of structural model uncertainty by considering different nonlinear recruitment functions in an integral projection model for Cirsium canescens. We show that, while having identical equilibrium populations, these two models can elicit drastically different transient dynamics. We then derive a formula for the sensitivity of the equilibrium population to …

Scorpion Phylogeography In The North American Aridlands, Matthew Ryan Graham

UNLV Theses, Dissertations, Professional Papers, and Capstones

Understanding the geographic, geologic, and climatic forces responsible for generating current patterns of biodiversity has been a central objective of phylogeography. To develop a better understanding of these processes in the North American arid lands, I used DNA sequence data and species distribution modeling to conduct three phylogeographic assessments incorporating four species of arid-adapted scorpions:Hadrurus arizonensis, H. jedediah, H. spadix,and Paruroctonus becki. In an assessment of H. arizonensis, phylogeographic patterns indicate that Pleistocene climate cycles and associated glacial refugia played a central role in structuring the genetic diversity of this species in the Mojave and Sonoran deserts, mostly supporting predictions …

The Breeding Biology Of The Northern Pygmy Owl: Do The Smallest Of The Small Have An Advantage?, John F. Deshler, Michael T. Murphy

Biology Faculty Publications and Presentations

We explored the breeding biology of the Northern Pygmy-Owl (Glaucidium gnoma) from 2007 to 2009 in a forested reserve in Portland, Oregon. Large body size is often assumed to give animals reproductive advantages, and we tested whether body size affected timing of breeding and examined variation in diet, breeding date, clutch size, and reproductive success to explore whether the presumed benefits of large body size are evident in this species. The average size of 13 clutches was 5.8, and nest success was high (92%); 22 successful nests fledged an average of 5.2 young. Dates of first laying varied …

The Spatial Signature Of Biotic Interactions Of A Clonal And A Non-Clonal Palmetto In A Subtropical Plant Community, Mizuki Takahashi, Toshiro Kubota, Liana M. Horner, Nathan A. Keller, Warren G. Abrahamson Ii

Faculty Journal Articles

Spatial analyses of plant-distribution patterns can provide inferences about intra- and interspecific biotic interactions. Yet, such analyses are rare for clonal plants because effective tools (i.e., molecular markers) needed to map naturally occurring clonal individuals have only become available recently. Clonal plants are unique in that a single genotype has a potential to spatially place new individuals (i.e., ramets) in response to intra- and interspecific biotic interactions. Laboratory and greenhouse studies suggest that some clonal plants can avoid intra-genet, inter-genet, and inter-specific competition via rootplacement patterns. An intriguing and yet to be explored question is whether a spatial signature of …

Estimating The Potential Impacts Of Large Mesopredators On Benthic Resources: Integrative Assessment Of Spotted Eagle Ray Foraging Ecology In Bermuda, Matthew J. Ajemian, Sean P. Powers, Thaddeus J. T. Murdoch

University Faculty and Staff Publications

Declines of large sharks and subsequent release of elasmobranch mesopredators (smaller sharks and rays) may pose problems for marine fisheries management as some mesopredators consume exploitable shellfish species. The spotted eagle ray (Aetobatus narinari) is the most abundant inshore elasmobranch in subtropical Bermuda, but its predatory role remains unexamined despite suspected abundance increases and its hypothesized specialization for mollusks. We utilized a combination of acoustic telemetry, benthic invertebrate sampling, gut content analysis and manipulative experiments to assess the impact of spotted eagle rays on Bermudian shellfish resources. Residency and distribution of adult spotted eagle rays was monitored over …

Draft Management Plan For The West Coast Rock Lobster Managed Fishery., Department Of Fisheries Western Australia

Fisheries Management Papers

West Coast Rock Lobster Managed Fishery licensees target the western rock lobster, Panulirus Cygnus using baited pots (traps) on the west coast of Western Australia (WA). The fishery, which has long been one of the most valuable single species fisheries in Australia, extends from North West Cape to Cape Leeuwin in the south, with the main fishing occurring between Shark Bay and Perth.

In response to a series of poor puerulus settlements commencing in 2009, a suite of management changes have been introduced to significantly reduce catch levels to appropriately deal with the expected low levels of recruitment entering the …

Review Of Report On The “Biology And Stock Status Of Demersal Scalefish Indicator Species In The Gascoyne Coast Bioregion", Department Of Fisheries

Fisheries Occasional Publications

No abstract provided.

Fecal Near Infrared Spectroscopy To Discriminate Physiological Status In Giant Pandas., Erin E. Wiedower, Andrew J. Kouba, Carrie K. Vance, Rachel L. Hansen, Jerry W. Stuth, Douglas R. Tolleson

CALS Publications

Giant panda (Ailuropoda melanoleuca) monitoring and research often require accurate estimates of population size and density. However, obtaining these estimates has been challenging. Innovative technologies, such as fecal near infrared reflectance spectroscopy (FNIRS), may be used to differentiate between sex, age class, and reproductive status as has been shown for several other species. The objective of this study was to determine if FNIRS could be similarly used for giant panda physiological discriminations. Based on samples from captive animals in four U.S. zoos, FNIRS calibrations correctly identified 78% of samples from adult males, 81% from adult females, 85% from adults, 89% …

Policy On Habitat Enhancement Structures In Western Australia, Department Of Fisheries Western Australia.

Fisheries Management Papers

Habitat enhancement structures range widely in design. They generally aim to enhance fish habitat by providing a structure for fish and other aquatic life to colonise and potentially lead to an increase in their biological production.

The primary function of an artificial reef is to provide additional structure and habitat to support an increased production of fish ad other aquatic organisms.

The Dynamics Of Location: Influence Of Predation By Chaoborus Larvae On Rotifer Diel Vertical Migration Patterns, Kristina P. Riemer

Lawrence University Honors Projects

The locations of freshwater organisms in lakes are determined by the convergence of many competing factors. While predation pressure is one of these, also important are areas of food concentration and the physical and chemical constraints of a system. Diel vertical migration is a behavior exhibited by freshwater organisms in many taxa that is the result of balancing these factors. Diel vertical migration consists of movement by these organisms throughout the water column in accordance with a 24 hour cycle. This oscillation is generally driven by the competing factors of predation pressure and food acquisition, and is modified by physical …

Macrophyte Communities Of Lake Winnebago: Baseline Study Of Species Composition With Abundances And Water Quality Conditions, Mackenzie Kessenich

Lawrence University Honors Projects

Historical records from Lake Winnebago show minimal macrophyte growth; however, reports from recent years claim that macrophyte growth in some areas of the lake has reached nuisance levels. This study aimed to investigate the species of macrophytes present and their abundances in four near-shore locations, as well as measurements of multiple water quality conditions. Rake sampling was used to identify species and quantify their abundances and distributions. In addition, data were collected on light penetration, Secchi depths, and suspended algae chlorophyll concentrations at each site. These data from shallow near-shore sites reveal trends in changing water clarity and light penetration …

Will Extreme Climatic Events Facilitate Biological Invasions?, Jeffrey M. Diez, Carla M. D'Antonio, Jeffrey S. Dukes, Edwin D. Grosholz, Julian D. Olden, Cascade J.B. Sorte, Dana M. Blumenthal, Bethany A. Bradley, Regan I. Early, Inés Ibáñez, Sierra J. Jones, Joshua J. Lawler, Luke P. Miller

Faculty Publications, Biological Sciences

Extreme climatic events (ECEs) – such as unusual heat waves, hurricanes, floods, and droughts – can dramatically affect ecological and evolutionary processes, and these events are projected to become more frequent and more intense with ongoing climate change. However, the implications of ECEs for biological invasions remain poorly understood. Using concepts and empirical evidence from invasion ecology, we identify mechanisms by which ECEs may influence the invasion process, from initial introduction through establishment and spread. We summarize how ECEs can enhance invasions by promoting the transport of propagules into new regions, by decreasing the resistance of native communities to establishment, …

An Approach For Use Of Dual Frequency Identification Sonar (Didson) To Quantify Behavioral Aspects Of Piscivory At Ecologically Relevant Time And Space Scales, Victoria E. Price

Master's Theses

Predator-prey interactions of large vagile fishes are difficult to study in the ocean due to limitations in the space and time requirements for observations. Small-scale direct underwater observations by divers (<10m >radius) and large-scale hydroacoustic surveys (10s - 100s km2) are traditional approaches. However, large piscivorous predators identify and attack prey at the scale of meters to tens of meters. Dual- Frequency Identification Sonar, or DIDSON, is a high-resolution acoustic camera operating in the MHz range that provides detailed continuous video-like imaging of objects out to 30 m range. This technology can be used to observe predator-prey interactions at ecologically …

Terrestrial Habitat Requirements Of Nesting Freshwater Turtles, D. A. Steen, J. P. Gibbs, K. A. Buhlman, J. L. Carr, B. W. Compton, J. D. Congdon, J. S. Doody, J. C. Godwin, Kerry L. Holcomb, D. R. Jackson, F. J. Janzen, G. Johnson, M. T. Jones, J. T. Lamer, T. A. Langen, M. V. Plummer, J. W. Rowe, R. A. Saumure, J. K. Tucker, D. S. Wilson

All Faculty Scholarship for the College of the Sciences

Because particular life history traits affect species vulnerability to development pressures, cross-species summaries of life history traits are useful for generating management guidelines. Conservation of aquatic turtles, many members of which are regionally or globally imperiled, requires knowing the extent of upland habitat used for nesting. Therefore, we compiled distances that nests and gravid females had been observed from wetlands. Based on records of > 8000 nests and gravid female records compiled for 31 species in the United States and Canada, the distances that encompass 95% of nests vary dramatically among genera and populations, from just 8 m for Malaclemys to …

Productivity And Habitat Features Of Swainson's Hawks (Buteo Swainsoni) Nesting In Suburban And Agricultural Areas Of Southwest Idaho, Steven Edward Alsup

Boise State University Theses and Dissertations

I compared nesting success and productivity of Swainson’s Hawks nesting in suburban and agricultural areas in southwest Idaho to assess the effects of land use change on Swainson’s Hawk reproduction. I also evaluated habitat parameters and land use patterns around nesting areas to determine if nest site, habitat, and/or landscape features were related to reproductive success in Swainson’s Hawks. I recorded habitat characteristics, nest tree characteristics, distances to four habitat features, and disturbance types, as well as land use patterns within a 1500m radius around nest trees to assess any differences in nest site characteristics, habitat features, and/or landscape features …

Comparing Avian Diversity Between Perennial And Ephemeral Water Sources Located Within The Northern Chihuahuan Desert, Geoffrey H. Wiseman ^, Jerry D. Johnson, Vanessa L. Lougheed *

COURI Symposium Abstracts, Spring 2012

Water availability in the Chihuahuan Desert is highly variable and dependent on various physical factors. Indio Mountains Research Station (IMRS), located in southeastern Hudspeth County, Texas, contains one perennial water source, Squaw Spring, and at least sixteen man-made ephemeral “tanks” previously used for watering livestock. It was hypothesized that bird diversity would be greater near Squaw Spring, due to continuous water availability, rather than ephemeral tanks where water availability is inconsistent.

The experimental design included a multi-seasonal bird survey by means of visual sightings of different species, backed by photographic evidence to assure accurate identification. Surveys were completed near Squaw …

How Roads Affect The Population Genetic Structure Of The Lizard Uta Stansburiana In The Northern Chihuahuan Desert, Priscilla D. Duran ^, Kevin W. Floyd, Elizabeth J. Walsh *

COURI Symposium Abstracts, Spring 2012

Urbanization can have significant ecological effects on natural populations, including habitat fragmentation through increased road density. Roads may isolate populations, causing disruption of gene flow, inbreeding, and decreased genetic diversity. In this study we investigate how two roads, interstate highway I-10 and rural country road NM-9, affect population genetic structure of ideblotched lizards (Uta stansburiana) in the northern Chihuahuan Desert of New Mexico. Lizards were trapped on both sides of each road, plus one control site/road. Nine microsatellite loci were amplified to determine signatures of disrupted gene flow. Genotypes were obtained for 144 individuals from three sites, I-10 …

Microgeographic Differentiation In Historical Yemen Inferred By Morphometric Distances, Maria Enrica Danubio, Emanuele Sanna, Fabrizio Rufo, Domenico Martorella, Elvira Vecchi, Alfredo Coppa

Human Biology Open Access Pre-Prints

This study analysed the variations in space of 8 body dimensions and 11 measures of the head of 1,244 adult Yemenite males, collected in 1933/34 by Coon in Yemen and in Hadhramawt. The aim was to evaluate the presence of geographic microdifferentiation of the populations settled in the different regions of Yemen at the time. Coon sub-divided the sample into 6 geographical areas according to birthplace and ethnicity of the individuals: Tihamah, the Western Mountains, the Central Plateau, the South Coast, the Eastern Mountains and Hadhramawt. The results of ANCOVA (age as covariate) show that the observed differences of all …