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United States Department of Agriculture Wildlife Services: Staff Publications

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Articles 751 - 780 of 1529

Full-Text Articles in Physical Sciences and Mathematics

Cameras, Coyotes, And The Assumption Of Equal Detectability, Eveline Se Quin Larrucea, Peter F. Brussard, Michael M. Jaegar, Reginald H. Barrett Jun 2007

Cameras, Coyotes, And The Assumption Of Equal Detectability, Eveline Se Quin Larrucea, Peter F. Brussard, Michael M. Jaegar, Reginald H. Barrett

United States Department of Agriculture Wildlife Services: Staff Publications

Remote cameras are an increasingly important tool in management and wildlife studies. However, we often do not know if they provide an unbiased sample of populations. Using a marked, radio-collared population of coyotes (Canis latrans) of known social status, we evaluated the influence of temporal (daily and seasonal) and spatial (distance between units, habitat, and proximity to human structures) factors on vulnerability to photo-captures. During 8 unbaited camera sessions of 6 weeks each, we obtained 158 coyote photographs at a photo-capture success rate of 1.6%. We were able to identify not only marked individuals, but also a number …

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Fence-Line Contact Between Wild And Farmed White-Tailed Deer In Michigan: Potential For Disease Transmission, Kurt C. Vercauteren, Michael J. Lavelle, Nathan W. Seward, Justin W. Fischer, Gregory E. Phillips Jun 2007

Fence-Line Contact Between Wild And Farmed White-Tailed Deer In Michigan: Potential For Disease Transmission, Kurt C. Vercauteren, Michael J. Lavelle, Nathan W. Seward, Justin W. Fischer, Gregory E. Phillips

United States Department of Agriculture Wildlife Services: Staff Publications

Interactions between wild and farmed white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus) along perimeter fences may play a role in the transmission of diseases like bovine tuberculosis and chronic wasting disease. However, no study has evaluated direct contact between wild and farmed deer through fences. We used animal-activated cameras to estimate rates of interaction between wild and farmed deer at 6 high-fenced commercial white-tailed deer farms in Michigan, USA, during October 2003 to January 2005. We recorded only 2 direct, naso-oral contacts between wild and farmed deer during >77,000 hours of camera monitoring. We documented little direct contact between wild and …

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Fence-Line Contact Between Wild And Farmed Cervids In Colorado: Potential For Disease Transmission, Kurt C. Vercauteren, Michael J. Lavelle, Nathan W. Seward, Justin W. Fischer, Gregory E. Phillips Jun 2007

Fence-Line Contact Between Wild And Farmed Cervids In Colorado: Potential For Disease Transmission, Kurt C. Vercauteren, Michael J. Lavelle, Nathan W. Seward, Justin W. Fischer, Gregory E. Phillips

United States Department of Agriculture Wildlife Services: Staff Publications

Direct and indirect contact between wild and farmed cervids along perimeter fences may play a role in transmission of diseases like chronic wasting disease (CWD), but no studies have quantified such interactions. At 9 high-fenced commercial elk (Cervus elaphus) farms in Colorado, USA, during October 2003 to January 2005, we used animal-activated video to estimate rates of fence-line use by wild cervids, rates of direct contact between farmed and wild cervids, and probability of direct contact when wild cervids were present. We recorded 8-foldmore wild elk per unit time than mule deer (Odocoileus hemionus) at fence …

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Coyotes As Sentinels For Monitoring Bovine Tuberculosis Prevalence In White-Tailed Deer, Todd C. Atwood, Kurt C. Vercauteren, Thomas J. Deliberto, Holly J. Smith, Justin S. Stevenson Jun 2007

Coyotes As Sentinels For Monitoring Bovine Tuberculosis Prevalence In White-Tailed Deer, Todd C. Atwood, Kurt C. Vercauteren, Thomas J. Deliberto, Holly J. Smith, Justin S. Stevenson

United States Department of Agriculture Wildlife Services: Staff Publications

Mycobacterium bovis, the causative agent of bovine tuberculosis (bTB), is endemic in free-ranging white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus) in 5 counties (Alcona, Alpena, Montmorency, Oscoda, and Presque Isle) in the northeastern Lower Peninsula of Michigan, USA. The presence of a wildlife reservoir of tuberculosis in Michigan and the incidence of bTB in cattle (Bos taurus) resulted in Michigan losing its bTB accredited-free status. Subsequent wildlife surveillance programs identified relatively high disease prevalence in coyotes (Canis latrans), generating interest in their potential to serve as a sentinel species to detect bTB prevalence in white-tailed deer. …

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Caffeine Formulation For Avian Repellency, Scott J. Werner, John L. Cummings, Shelagh K. Tupper, Jerome C. Hurley, Randal S. Stahl, Thomas M. Primus Jun 2007

Caffeine Formulation For Avian Repellency, Scott J. Werner, John L. Cummings, Shelagh K. Tupper, Jerome C. Hurley, Randal S. Stahl, Thomas M. Primus

United States Department of Agriculture Wildlife Services: Staff Publications

Nonlethal management alternatives are needed to reduce avian depredation of agricultural crops. Caffeine has promise as an effective, economical, and environmentally safe avian repellent, yet formulation improvements are needed for field applications. We included sodium benzoate in subsequent formulations to enhance the solubility of caffeine. Red-winged blackbirds (Agelaius phoeniceus) discriminated between untreated rice and rice treated with 250 ppm or 10,000 ppm caffeine and sodium benzoate in captivity. We observed a positive concentration–response relationship among birds offered rice treated with 250 ppm, 1,000 ppm, 2,500 ppm, 5,000 ppm, 10,000 ppm, or 20,000 ppm caffeine and sodium benzoate. Relative …

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Spatial And Temporal Variation In The Diet Of Coyotes In The Chicago Metropolitan Area, Paul S. Morey, Eric M. Gese Jun 2007

Spatial And Temporal Variation In The Diet Of Coyotes In The Chicago Metropolitan Area, Paul S. Morey, Eric M. Gese

United States Department of Agriculture Wildlife Services: Staff Publications

Coyotes (Canis latrans) are an opportunistic predator that have adapted to many human-modified environments. Conflicts between coyotes and humans are an increasing concern for managers in urban areas. We examined the spatial and temporal utilization and availability of natural and human-associated food for coyotes in the Chicago metropolitan area, Illinois, USA. We collected 1429 coyote scats from May 2000 to December 2002, and conducted prey surveys in 2002, in 4 sites that varied in their degree of urban development. Dominant food items included small rodents, white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus), fruit, eastern cottontail (Sylvilagus floridanus) …

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Solutions Through Science: Economics Of Wildlife Damage Management Jun 2007

Solutions Through Science: Economics Of Wildlife Damage Management

United States Department of Agriculture Wildlife Services: Staff Publications

Wildlife is a public resource greatly valued by all Americans. As the stewards of this valuable resource, wildlife managers plan management actions based upon the best biological information available. Often, though, they do not clearly explain the economic benefits of their actions. Thorough economic analyses can aid in the prioritization of management efforts. Additionally, as more citizens request increasing fiscal responsibility from government agencies, wildlife managers can turn to economics to provide information on the financial benefits and costs associated with their management activities.
Within the National Wildlife Research Center (NWRC)—the research arm of the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Wildlife …

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Laboratory Findings In Acute Cytauxzoon Felis Infection In Cougars (Puma Concolor Couguar) In Florida, John W. Harvey, Mike R. Dunbar, Terry M. Norton, Michael J. Yabsley May 2007

Laboratory Findings In Acute Cytauxzoon Felis Infection In Cougars (Puma Concolor Couguar) In Florida, John W. Harvey, Mike R. Dunbar, Terry M. Norton, Michael J. Yabsley

United States Department of Agriculture Wildlife Services: Staff Publications

Intraerythrocytic piroplasms, morphologically indistinguishable from Cytauxzoon felis, were identified in stained blood films from more than one third of free-ranging cougars (Puma concolor cougar) in southern Florida in a study that failed to demonstrate negative effects of piroplasm infection on measured hematologic parameters. However, a recent study with a nested 18s rRNA polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assay identified only 9% of the free-ranging cougars in southern Florida as infected with C. felis but found 83% of these animals were infected with an unnamed small Babesia sp. In this study, hematology and clinical chemistry parameters were determined during …

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Usda/Aphis/Wildlife Services Research Needs Assessment 2006, Larry Clark, David Nelson, Kirk Gustad May 2007

Usda/Aphis/Wildlife Services Research Needs Assessment 2006, Larry Clark, David Nelson, Kirk Gustad

United States Department of Agriculture Wildlife Services: Staff Publications

Research Needs Assessment Report
Reassessment of WS Research Needs (NWRC Director memo)
WS Research Needs Assessment (WS Deputy Administrator memo to WS Program)
WS Research Needs Assessment (NWRC Director memo to WSNAC)
Current APHIS/WS Methods Development Research

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A Hierarchical Analysis Of Habitat Selection By Raccoons In Northern Indiana, James C. Beasley, Travis L. Devault, Monica I. Retamosa, Olin E. Rhodes Jr. May 2007

A Hierarchical Analysis Of Habitat Selection By Raccoons In Northern Indiana, James C. Beasley, Travis L. Devault, Monica I. Retamosa, Olin E. Rhodes Jr.

United States Department of Agriculture Wildlife Services: Staff Publications

Although numerous studies have examined habitat use by raccoons (Procyon lotor), information regarding seasonal habitat selection related to resource availability in agricultural landscapes is lacking for this species. Additionally, few studies using radiotelemetry have investigated habitat selection at multiple spatial scales or core-use areas by raccoons. We examined seasonal habitat selection of 55 (31 M, 24 F) adult raccoons at 3 hierarchical orders defined by the movement behavior of this species (second-order home range, second-order core-use area, and third-order home range) in northern Indiana, USA, from May 2003 to June 2005. Using compositional analysis, we assessed whether habitat …

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Comparative Patterns Of Predation By Cougars And Recolonizing Wolves In Montana’S Madison Range, Todd C. Atwood, Eric M. Gese, Kyran E. Kunkel May 2007

Comparative Patterns Of Predation By Cougars And Recolonizing Wolves In Montana’S Madison Range, Todd C. Atwood, Eric M. Gese, Kyran E. Kunkel

United States Department of Agriculture Wildlife Services: Staff Publications

Numerous studies have documented how prey may use antipredator strategies to reduce the risk of predation from a single predator. However, when a recolonizing predator enters an already complex predator–prey system, specific antipredator behaviors may conflict and avoidance of one predator may enhance vulnerability to another. We studied the patterns of prey selection by recolonizing wolves (Canis lupus) and cougars (Puma concolor) in response to prey resource selection in the northern Madison Range, Montana, USA. Elk (Cervus elaphus) were the primary prey for wolves, and mule deer (Odocoileus hemionus) were the primary …

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Stress Response Of Working African Elephants To Transportation And Safari Adventures, Joshua J. Millspaugh, Tarryne Burke, Gus Van Dyk, Rob Slotow, Brian E. Washburn, Rami J. Woods May 2007

Stress Response Of Working African Elephants To Transportation And Safari Adventures, Joshua J. Millspaugh, Tarryne Burke, Gus Van Dyk, Rob Slotow, Brian E. Washburn, Rami J. Woods

United States Department of Agriculture Wildlife Services: Staff Publications

African elephants (Loxodonta africana) are intensively managed in southern Africa and are routinely translocated between reserves. Domesticated elephants are used for elephant-back safaris and interactions with guests. Understanding how elephants respond to such activities is critical because of welfare issues associated with both humans and elephants. We investigated the stress response (i.e., fecal glucocorticoid metabolite secretion [FGM]) of working elephants in Letsatsing Game Reserve, South Africa, over 1 year to evaluate their response to transportation and ecotourism activities. We used free-ranging elephants in adjacent Pilanesburg National Park as controls. Fecal glucocorticoid metabolites were greatest prior to and during …

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Mountain Beaver: A Primitive Fossorial Rodent, Wendy M. Arjo May 2007

Mountain Beaver: A Primitive Fossorial Rodent, Wendy M. Arjo

United States Department of Agriculture Wildlife Services: Staff Publications

As the largest mammalian order, rodents are nearly cosmopolitan in distribution, can exploit a broad spectrum of foods, and can often reach high population densities. One sole representative of the most primitive family of rodents, Aplodontidae, does not share some of these common rodent characteristics. The aplodontoid rodents in the family Aplodontidae and Mylagsulidae radiated during the Miocene from the Allomyinae family (Carraway and Verts 1993). The extinct Mylagaulidae represents the earlier radiation of these rodents who exhibited great specialization (Carraway and Verts 1993). Unlike the other members of the rodent order, mountain beavers are not prolific breeders; nor are …

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Subterranean Rodents As Pests: The Case Of The Pocket Gopher, Gary W. Witmer, Richard M. Engeman May 2007

Subterranean Rodents As Pests: The Case Of The Pocket Gopher, Gary W. Witmer, Richard M. Engeman

United States Department of Agriculture Wildlife Services: Staff Publications

With over 2000 species, the order Rodentia has more members than any other order of mammals (Nowak 1999). The distribution of rodents is nearly worldwide; their use of habitats is extensive and varied. Most rodent species are relatively small, secretive, prolific, and all have continuously growing incisors. Many rodent species have ecological, scientific, cultural, and/or economic importance.

A variety of economic and health problems result from rodent interactions with humans. These include damage to growing crops, trees, seeds, pastures; damage and contamination of stored foods; damage to structures and property; and disease transmission (Witmer et al. 1995a). Singleton et al. …

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Pathophysiology Of White-Tailed Deer Vaccinated With Porcine Zona Pellucida Immunocontraceptive, Paul D. Curtis, Milo E. Richmond, Lowell A. Miller, Fred W. Quimby May 2007

Pathophysiology Of White-Tailed Deer Vaccinated With Porcine Zona Pellucida Immunocontraceptive, Paul D. Curtis, Milo E. Richmond, Lowell A. Miller, Fred W. Quimby

United States Department of Agriculture Wildlife Services: Staff Publications

White-tailed deer (n = 14 treated, n = 7 control) were examined postmortem to identify any possible pathophysiology resulting from PZP immunocontraception vaccination. Deer were treated twice in 1997; given a booster in 1998, with six being revaccinated in September 2000. Granulomas were found at injection sites of most deer, even 2 years post-treatment. Eosinophilic oophoritis occurred in 6 of 8 (75%) deer vaccinated in 1998, and 3 of 6 (50%) revaccinated in 2000. The 2000 revaccinates without oophoritis, had significantly fewer normal secondary follicles than control females (P = 0.03), and deer in the 1998 treatment group …

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Population Viability Analysis Of Monk Parakeets In The United States And Examination Of Alternative Management Strategies, Stephen Pruett-Jones, James R. Newman, Christian M. Newman, Michael L. Avery, James R. Lindsay May 2007

Population Viability Analysis Of Monk Parakeets In The United States And Examination Of Alternative Management Strategies, Stephen Pruett-Jones, James R. Newman, Christian M. Newman, Michael L. Avery, James R. Lindsay

United States Department of Agriculture Wildlife Services: Staff Publications

In the United States, monk parakeets (Myiopsitta monachus) are expanding their geographical distribution, and their overall population size is growing exponentially. Monk parakeets are causing widespread economic damage in the United States by nesting on utility structures, which leads to electrical fires and power outages. Although few life history data are available for the species from North America, extensive data are available from the species’ native range in South America. Incorporating data from South America into the population viability analysis program VORTEX, we simulated population growth in United States monk parakeets to determine whether it is likely that …

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Us Department Of Agriculture, Wildlife Services, National Wildlife Research Center, Brian E. Washburn, Thomas W. Seamans May 2007

Us Department Of Agriculture, Wildlife Services, National Wildlife Research Center, Brian E. Washburn, Thomas W. Seamans

United States Department of Agriculture Wildlife Services: Staff Publications

Herbaceous vegetation comprises the main habitat type in cool-seasons grasslands and can be managed by various methods. We compared changes in plant communities and bird and mammal use of grasslands that were not managed, managed by mechanical methods (mowing), or managed by chemical methods (plant growth regulator). This 1-year study was conducted from May through October 2003 in Erie County, Ohio. Twelve circular 1.5 ha plots were established: 4 were not managed, 4 were mowed to maintain vegetation height between 9–15 cm, and 4 were sprayed with a plant growth regulator and mowed when vegetation exceeded 15 cm. We monitored …

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Comparison Of 2 Vegetation-Height Management Practices For Wildlife Control At Airports, Thomas W. Seamans, Scott C. Barras, Glen E. Bernhardt, Bradley F. Blackwell, Jonathan D. Cepek May 2007

Comparison Of 2 Vegetation-Height Management Practices For Wildlife Control At Airports, Thomas W. Seamans, Scott C. Barras, Glen E. Bernhardt, Bradley F. Blackwell, Jonathan D. Cepek

United States Department of Agriculture Wildlife Services: Staff Publications

Vegetation-height management is a potential method to reduce bird numbers at airports. Based on studies in Europe, researchers recommended vegetation heights around 25 cm; however, preliminary studies in the United States produced conflicting results regarding the effect of tall (18 to >25 cm) vegetation on bird numbers at airports. From 1999 to 2002, we compared birds and other wildlife use of 4 short-vegetation plots (mean maximum height of 15.6 cm ± 5.1 SE and visual obstruction reading of 4.6 ± 3.0 cm) and 4 tall-vegetation plots (mean maximum height of 26.9 ± 8.4 cm and visual obstruction reading of 10.0 …

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Nicarbazin Ovocontrol G Bait Reduces Hatchability Of Eggs Laid By Resident Canada Geese In Oregon, Kimberly Bynum, John D. Eisemann, Gary C. Weaver, Christi A. Yoder, Kathleen A. Fagerstone, Lowell A. Miller Apr 2007

Nicarbazin Ovocontrol G Bait Reduces Hatchability Of Eggs Laid By Resident Canada Geese In Oregon, Kimberly Bynum, John D. Eisemann, Gary C. Weaver, Christi A. Yoder, Kathleen A. Fagerstone, Lowell A. Miller

United States Department of Agriculture Wildlife Services: Staff Publications

Expanding populations of resident Canada geese (Branta canadensis) are resulting in increased conflicts with humans. Nonlethal and humane means are needed for managing Canada goose flocks at a variety of sites, including golf courses, industrial parks, government sites, and city parks. Decreased egg production and hatching are side effects of nicarbazin, a veterinary drug used to treat coccidiosis in chickens. Capitalizing on these effects, we developed nicarbazin as a reproductive inhibitor for Canada geese and conducted a field efficacy study. We recruited study sites in 2002 and 2003. Following laboratory testing, we conducted a field efficacy trial of …

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Direct And Indirect Costs Of Rabies Exposure: A Retrospective Study In Southern California (1998–2002), Stephanie A. Shwiff, Ray T. Sterner, Michele T. Jay, Shefali Parikh, Amy Bellomy, Martin I. Meltzer, Charles E. Rupprecht, Dennis Slate Apr 2007

Direct And Indirect Costs Of Rabies Exposure: A Retrospective Study In Southern California (1998–2002), Stephanie A. Shwiff, Ray T. Sterner, Michele T. Jay, Shefali Parikh, Amy Bellomy, Martin I. Meltzer, Charles E. Rupprecht, Dennis Slate

United States Department of Agriculture Wildlife Services: Staff Publications

The direct and indirect costs of suspected human rabies exposure were estimated for San Luis Obispo and Santa Barbara counties, California, USA. Clinic, hospital, and county public health records (1998–2002) were examined to determine direct costs for postexposure prophylaxis (PEP), and 55 (41%) former patients were contacted to voluntarily provide estimates of their indirect costs associated with receiving PEP. Additional costs due to public health and animal control personnel responses to rabid animals were collected, including diagnostic testing and wages. The mean total cost of a suspected human rabies exposure was $3,688, the direct costs per case were $2,564, and …

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The Successful Eradication Of Introduced Roof Rats (Rattus Rattus) From Buck Island Using Diphacinone, Followed By An Irruption Of House Mice (Mus Musculus), Gary W. Witmer, Frank Boyd, Zandy Hillis-Starr Apr 2007

The Successful Eradication Of Introduced Roof Rats (Rattus Rattus) From Buck Island Using Diphacinone, Followed By An Irruption Of House Mice (Mus Musculus), Gary W. Witmer, Frank Boyd, Zandy Hillis-Starr

United States Department of Agriculture Wildlife Services: Staff Publications

The United States National Park Service and the United States Wildlife Services made a planned and sustained effort to eradicate the introduced roof rats (Rattus rattus) from Buck Island Reef National Monument in the Caribbean Sea during 1998–2000. The rats were causing substantial damage to a variety of the 80-ha island’s floral and faunal resources. An island-wide grid of elevated bait stations containing anticoagulant (0.005% diphacinone; 50 ppm) rodenticide bait blocks were used to eradicate the rats. The bait stations were modified several times to assure ready access by rats while minimizing access by non-target animals, especially crabs …

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Cattail Distribution End Abundance In North Dakota, Scott T. Ralston, G. M. Linz, W. J. Bleier, H. J. Homan Apr 2007

Cattail Distribution End Abundance In North Dakota, Scott T. Ralston, G. M. Linz, W. J. Bleier, H. J. Homan

United States Department of Agriculture Wildlife Services: Staff Publications

Wetlands in the Prairie Pothole Region (PPR) of North Dalcota provide important habitats for a plethora of invertebrate and vertebrate animals. Since 1991, glyphosate-based (N-phosphonomethyl-glycine) herbicides have been used to manage dense cattail (Typha spp. L.) stands on 29,522 ha of wetlands in the PPR to disperse blackbird roosts. Limited information exists on the abundance and distribution of this important habitat. We took aerial photographs and used geospatial analysis tools to identify wetland basins and cattail coverage on randomly selected sample sites within the PPR. We found that average wetland density and size were 13 wetlands/ km2 and …

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Interleukin-6 And Tumor Necrosis Factor-Alpha Values In Elk Neonates, Shannon M. Barber-Meyer, Craig R. Johnson, Michael P. Murtaugh, L. David Mech, P.J. White Apr 2007

Interleukin-6 And Tumor Necrosis Factor-Alpha Values In Elk Neonates, Shannon M. Barber-Meyer, Craig R. Johnson, Michael P. Murtaugh, L. David Mech, P.J. White

United States Department of Agriculture Wildlife Services: Staff Publications

Serological indicators of general condition would be helpful for monitoring or assessing ungulate wildlife. Toward that end, we report the 1st reference values for 2 cytokines, interleukin-6 (IL-6) and tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-a), in neonatal elk (Cervus elaphus). We obtained blood samples from 140 calves ≤ 6 days old in Yellowstone National Park during summer 2003–2005. IL-6 values ranged from 0 to 1.21 pg/ml with a median of 0.03 pg/ml. TNF-a values ranged from 0 to 225.43 pg/ml with a median of 1.85 pg/ml. IL-6 and TNF-a concentrations were not significant predictors of elk calf survival through 21 …

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The Successful Eradication Of Introduced Roof Rats (Rattus Rattus) From Buck Island Using Diphacinone, Followed By An Irruption Of House Mice (Mus Musculus), Gary W. Witmer, Frank Boyd, Zandy Hillis-Starr Apr 2007

The Successful Eradication Of Introduced Roof Rats (Rattus Rattus) From Buck Island Using Diphacinone, Followed By An Irruption Of House Mice (Mus Musculus), Gary W. Witmer, Frank Boyd, Zandy Hillis-Starr

United States Department of Agriculture Wildlife Services: Staff Publications

The United States National Park Service and the United States Wildlife Services made a planned and sustained effort to eradicate the introduced roof rats (Rattus rattus) from Buck Island Reef National Monument in the Caribbean Sea during 1998–2000. The rats were causing substantial damage to a variety of the 80-ha island’s floral and faunal resources. An island-wide grid of elevated bait stations containing anticoagulant (0.005% diphacinone; 50 ppm) rodenticide bait blocks were used to eradicate the rats. The bait stations were modified several times to assure ready access by rats while minimizing access by non-target animals, especially crabs …

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Use Of Implanted Radiotransmitters To Estimate Survival Of Greater Sage-Grouse Chicks, Michael A. Gregg, Mike R. Dunbar, John A. Crawford Apr 2007

Use Of Implanted Radiotransmitters To Estimate Survival Of Greater Sage-Grouse Chicks, Michael A. Gregg, Mike R. Dunbar, John A. Crawford

United States Department of Agriculture Wildlife Services: Staff Publications

Reduced chick survival has been implicated in declines of greater sage-grouse (Centrocercus urophasianus) populations. Because monitoring survival of unmarked sage-grouse chicks is difficult, radiotelemetry may be an effective technique to estimate survival rates, identify causes of mortality, and collect ecological data. Previous studies have used subcutaneous implants to attach radiotransmitters to hatchlings of several species of birds with precocial young. Previous researchers who used subcutaneous implants in free-ranging populations removed chicks from the capture location and implanted transmitters at an alternate site. Because logistics precluded removing newly hatched greater sagegrouse chicks from the field, we evaluated a method for implanting …

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Coyote Investigative Behavior Following Removal Of Novel Stimuli, Daniel J. Heffernan, William F. Andelt, John A. Shivik Apr 2007

Coyote Investigative Behavior Following Removal Of Novel Stimuli, Daniel J. Heffernan, William F. Andelt, John A. Shivik

United States Department of Agriculture Wildlife Services: Staff Publications

Because coyotes (Canis latrans) show an aversion to novel objects, we examined the effects of the presence and removal of repellent and attractive stimuli on coyote behavior. We found a greater proportion of captive coyotes investigated 10-cm-tall cones (0.95) compared to 90-cm-tall cones (0.68) and control sites (0.81), and spent longer periods (P , 0.001 in all instances) investigating small cones (x̅ = 465 sec), compared to large cones (x̅ = 212 sec) and control sites (x̅ = 45 sec). However, investigation times at sites following removal of large cones were 1.6 and 2.3 times …

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Short Report: Fox Squirrel (Sciurus Niger) Associations With West Nile Virus, J. Jeffrey Root, Paul T. Oesterle, Heather J. Sullivan, Jeffrey S. Hall, Nicole L. Marlenee, Robert G. Mclean, John A. Montenieri, Larry Clark Apr 2007

Short Report: Fox Squirrel (Sciurus Niger) Associations With West Nile Virus, J. Jeffrey Root, Paul T. Oesterle, Heather J. Sullivan, Jeffrey S. Hall, Nicole L. Marlenee, Robert G. Mclean, John A. Montenieri, Larry Clark

United States Department of Agriculture Wildlife Services: Staff Publications

Tree squirrels (Sciurus spp.) have been recently shown to be commonly exposed to West Nile virus (WNV). Many characteristics of WNV infections in tree squirrels are unknown. To better understand WNV associations in fox squirrels (S. niger), we conducted mark-recapture sampling (N=72) and radio telemetry to study the longitudinal seroprevalence, seroconversions, and ectoparasites of these animals during 2005–2006 in northern Colorado. Five seroconversions were documented during this study. The majority of seroconversions occurred during the late summer/ fall months. However, one seroconversion was documented over the time period of February to late March 2005. Fleas …

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20,25-Diazacholesterol As An Oral Contraceptive For Black-Tailed Prairie Dog Population Management, Paul Nash, Carol A. Furcolow, Kimberly S. Bynum, Christi A. Yoder, Lowell A. Miller, John J. Johnston Mar 2007

20,25-Diazacholesterol As An Oral Contraceptive For Black-Tailed Prairie Dog Population Management, Paul Nash, Carol A. Furcolow, Kimberly S. Bynum, Christi A. Yoder, Lowell A. Miller, John J. Johnston

United States Department of Agriculture Wildlife Services: Staff Publications

Black-tailed prairie dog (Cynomys ludovicionus) colonies can become overcrowded, and the colonies, landscape, and people affected by them may benefit from controlled populations. Contraception is a method that may be useful, particularly where lethal control is inappropriate or illegal. We investigated if oral administration of 20,25-diazacholesterol (DiazaCon®)n, inhibitor of cholesterol and reproductive steroid hormone production, could reduce reproductive success of treated black-tailed prairie dogs in a field trial. Ten treatments of approximately 45-mg DiazaCon per black-tailed prairie dog yielded a 47% reduction of young:adult ratios compared to control sites. Over a 3-month period, desmosterol, a cholesterol precursor used …

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Food Webs And Intraguild Predation: Community Interactions Of A Native Mesocarnivore, Craig . M. Thompson, Eric M. Gese Mar 2007

Food Webs And Intraguild Predation: Community Interactions Of A Native Mesocarnivore, Craig . M. Thompson, Eric M. Gese

United States Department of Agriculture Wildlife Services: Staff Publications

Trophic level interactions between predators create complex relationships such as intraguild predation. Theoretical research has predicted two possible paths to stability in intraguild systems: intermediate predators either out compete higher-order predators for shared resources or select habitat based on security. The effects of intraguild predation on intermediate mammalian predators such as swift foxes (Vulpes velox) are not well understood. We examined the relationships between swift foxes and both their predators and prey, as well the effect of vegetation structure on swift fox–coyote (Canis latrans) interactions, between August 2001 and August 2004. In a natural experiment created …

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A Review Of Shiga Toxin Escherichia Coli And Salmonella Enterica In Cattle And Free-Ranging Birds: Potential Association And Epidemiological Links, Kerri Pedersen, Larry Clark Mar 2007

A Review Of Shiga Toxin Escherichia Coli And Salmonella Enterica In Cattle And Free-Ranging Birds: Potential Association And Epidemiological Links, Kerri Pedersen, Larry Clark

United States Department of Agriculture Wildlife Services: Staff Publications

Cattle are the main reservoir for human infection by pathogenic Escherichia coli and Salmonello enterico. To prevent entry of these foodborne pathogens into the human food chain, management factors at the farm level must be identified and controlled. External sources of contamination, such as birds, should be considered as potential sources of transmission over long distances. In this review, we focus on the epidemiology of infection by E. coli and S. enterica and the consequences of birds acting as disseminators of these pathogens at dairy farms in terms of cattle health and the subsequent effects on human health.

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