Open Access. Powered by Scholars. Published by Universities.®

Physical Sciences and Mathematics Commons™

Open Access. Powered by Scholars. Published by Universities.®

United States Department of Agriculture Wildlife Services: Staff Publications

Discipline
Keyword
Publication Year
File Type

Articles 781 - 810 of 1529

Full-Text Articles in Physical Sciences and Mathematics

Comparison Of Sampling Strategies To Estimate Abundance Of Double-Crested Cormorants In Western Mississippi, Aaron T, Pearse, Brian S. Dorr, Stephen J. Dinsmore, Richard M. Kaminski Mar 2007

Comparison Of Sampling Strategies To Estimate Abundance Of Double-Crested Cormorants In Western Mississippi, Aaron T, Pearse, Brian S. Dorr, Stephen J. Dinsmore, Richard M. Kaminski

United States Department of Agriculture Wildlife Services: Staff Publications

We compared 2 sampling strategies designed to estimate abundance of double-crested cormorants (Phalacrocorax auritus, hereafter cormorants) on aquaculture ponds in western Mississippi. Cormorants are a major predator of cultured channel catfish (lctalurus punctatus) in this region; thus, estimating cormorant abundance is needed to better determine their economic impact We independently designed a species-specific survey (i.e., cluster sampling) and a general survey (i.e., transect sampling) based on robust probability sampling theory to estimate abundance of this target population. During winters 2002-2003 and 2003-2004, we conducted 8 pairs of surveys and compared estimates of cormorant abundance and associated …

Go to article

Use Of Diazacon™ As A Reproductive Inhibitor For Monk Parakeets (Myiopsitta Monachus), Christi A. Yoder, Michael L. Avery, Kandy L. Keacher, Eric A. Tillman Feb 2007

Use Of Diazacon™ As A Reproductive Inhibitor For Monk Parakeets (Myiopsitta Monachus), Christi A. Yoder, Michael L. Avery, Kandy L. Keacher, Eric A. Tillman

United States Department of Agriculture Wildlife Services: Staff Publications

Feral monk parakeet (Myiopsitta monachus) populations have become established in the United States and other countries around the world, and can cause damage to electrical facilities. Because the monk parakeet is a highly visible species and there is often public opposition to lethal control measures, non-lethal methods, such as contraception, are being developed to help control the spread of feral populations. Two gavage studies and one ad libitum nesting study were conducted to assess the efficacy of DiazaCon™ as a potential contraceptive for the monk parakeet. The first gavage study compared daily dose levels of 0, 50, 75, …

Go to article

Blackbird Use And Damage Of Wildlife Conservation Sunflower Plots: The Second Year, Jonathan M. Raetzman, George M. Linz, William J. Bleier Feb 2007

Blackbird Use And Damage Of Wildlife Conservation Sunflower Plots: The Second Year, Jonathan M. Raetzman, George M. Linz, William J. Bleier

United States Department of Agriculture Wildlife Services: Staff Publications

Annual blackbird damage to sunflower is valued at $5 to $10 million. Perhaps more importantly, the National Sunflower Association has identified blackbirds as the key reason for growers to abandon sunflower in areas of prime production. North Dakota and South Dakota together produce approximately 70% of sunflower grown in the United States. This crop adds $906 million to the regional economy. To date, cost effective and environmentally safe methods to reduce bird damage to sunflower remain elusive. In the 1980’s, scientists from the National Wildlife Research Center (NWRC) showed that “decoy” sunflower plots can greatly reduce bird damage to local …

Go to article

A Frightening Device For Deterring Deer Use Of Cattle Feeders, Nathan W. Seward, Gregory E. Phillips, Jared F. Duquette, Kurt C. Vercauteren Feb 2007

A Frightening Device For Deterring Deer Use Of Cattle Feeders, Nathan W. Seward, Gregory E. Phillips, Jared F. Duquette, Kurt C. Vercauteren

United States Department of Agriculture Wildlife Services: Staff Publications

The presence of bovine tuberculosis (TB) in cattle can negatively impact a state’s economy and cattle industry. In Michigan, USA, wild white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus) are a reservoir for reinfecting cattle herds. Although direct TB transmission between deer and cattle is rare, infected deer may contaminate cattle feed. To mitigate this risk, we designed and evaluated a deer-resistant cattle feeder (DRCF) device for deterring deer from feeders. The device delivered negative stimuli to condition deer to avoid cattle feeders. We tested the device by conducting a comparative change experiment at a high-density captive white-tailed deer operation in northeastern …

Go to article

Evaluation Of Caffeine And Garlic Oil As Bird Repellents, George M. Linz, H. Jeffrey Homan, Linda B. Penry, Thomas M. Primus, Margaret J. Goodall Feb 2007

Evaluation Of Caffeine And Garlic Oil As Bird Repellents, George M. Linz, H. Jeffrey Homan, Linda B. Penry, Thomas M. Primus, Margaret J. Goodall

United States Department of Agriculture Wildlife Services: Staff Publications

Ripening sunflower fields in the northern Great Plains provide blackbirds with easily accessible sources of high-energy food. Blackbirds can be nearly impossible to discourage from foraging in favored fields. Repellents sometimes can be effective feeding deterrents, especially if alternative foraging sites are readily available. Currently, there is one bird repellent (BirdShield®, a.i., methyl anthranilate) registered for use on ripening sunflower. The cost-benefits of BirdShield are being questioned after recent field trails showed no reduction in damage levels (Werner et al. 2005).

Both caffeine and garlic are potential taste repellents that have some promise of reducing blackbird damage to field crops. …

Go to article

Blackbird Use Of Wildlife Conservation Sunflower Plots, George M. Linz, Jonathan M. Raetzman, Heath M. Hagy, H. Jeffrey Homan, William J. Bleier Feb 2007

Blackbird Use Of Wildlife Conservation Sunflower Plots, George M. Linz, Jonathan M. Raetzman, Heath M. Hagy, H. Jeffrey Homan, William J. Bleier

United States Department of Agriculture Wildlife Services: Staff Publications

In North Dakota, annual blackbird damage to sunflower ranges from $5-10 million. Blackbird damage to ripening sunflower has forced some growers to plant alternative crops. From 2004 to 2006, USDA-Wildlife Services cost-shared Wildlife Conservation Sunflower Plots (WCSP) with sunflower growers. The objective of the WCSP was to provide blackbirds an attractive nearby alternative food source to reduce damage to commercial fields. A secondary benefit of WCSP was to provide a safe-haven for other wildlife that frequently use shelterbelts and wetlands along the edges of sunflower fields. In 2004 (n=13), 2005 (n=21), and 2006 (n=25), sunflower damage in the WCSP’s was …

Go to article

Invasive Predators: A Synthesis Of The Past, Present, And Future, William C. Pitt, Gary W. Witmer Feb 2007

Invasive Predators: A Synthesis Of The Past, Present, And Future, William C. Pitt, Gary W. Witmer

United States Department of Agriculture Wildlife Services: Staff Publications

Invasive predators have had devastating effects on species around the world and their effects are increasing. Successful invasive predators typically have a high reproductive rate, short generation times, a generalized diet, and are small or secretive. However, the probability of a successful invasion is also dependent on the qualities of the ecosystem invaded. Ecosystems with a limited assemblage of native species are the most susceptible to invasion provided that habitat and climate are favorable. In addition, the number of invasion opportunities for a species increases the likelihood that the species will successfully establish. The list of routes of entry or …

Go to article

Oral Rabies Vaccine (Orv) Bait Uptake By Captive Striped Skunks, Susan M. Jojola, Stacie J. Robinson, Kurt C. Vercauteren Feb 2007

Oral Rabies Vaccine (Orv) Bait Uptake By Captive Striped Skunks, Susan M. Jojola, Stacie J. Robinson, Kurt C. Vercauteren

United States Department of Agriculture Wildlife Services: Staff Publications

Aerial delivery of oral rabies vaccine (ORV) baits has proven effective in large-scale efforts to immunize wildlife against rabies, and in North America this strategy currently is being used to immunize foxes (Urocyon cinereoargenteus and Vulpes vulpes), raccoons (Procyon lotor), and coyotes (Canis latrans). Skunks are also a major reservoir and vector of rabies, but at present oral vaccines for use in skunks are not licensed. Furthermore, given differences in morphology (smaller jaws) and behavior (food handling and consumption), it is unknown if baits currently used in ORV campaigns would be effective for skunks. …

Go to article

Bioeconomic Analysis Of Herpetofauna Road-Kills In A Florida State Park, Stephanie A. Shwiff, Henry T. Smith, Richard M. Engeman, Robert M. Barry, Robin J. Rossmanith, Mark Nelson Feb 2007

Bioeconomic Analysis Of Herpetofauna Road-Kills In A Florida State Park, Stephanie A. Shwiff, Henry T. Smith, Richard M. Engeman, Robert M. Barry, Robin J. Rossmanith, Mark Nelson

United States Department of Agriculture Wildlife Services: Staff Publications

Road-kills are a major cause of mortality for a wide variety of herpetofauna, but management decisions on remediation procedures for reducing losses are based in economic realities. Because funding is finite for species conservation, bioeconomic analysis can assist in justifying, evaluating, and maximizing returns on conservation expenditures, especially for low-profile species such as herpetofauna. Here, we present a bioeconomic analysis of road-killed herpetofauna in Jonathan Dickinson State Park, Florida. Road surveys were conducted daily for four years to identify and enumerate the numbers of each reptile and amphibian species killed by vehicles. Conservative individual valuations applied to the losses formed …

Go to article

Serologic Evidence Of West Nile Virus Exposure In North American Mesopredators, Kevin T. Bentler, Jeffrey S. Hall, J. Jeffrey Root, Kaci Klenk, Brandon S. Schmit, Bradley F. Blackwell, Paul C. Ramey, Larry Clark Feb 2007

Serologic Evidence Of West Nile Virus Exposure In North American Mesopredators, Kevin T. Bentler, Jeffrey S. Hall, J. Jeffrey Root, Kaci Klenk, Brandon S. Schmit, Bradley F. Blackwell, Paul C. Ramey, Larry Clark

United States Department of Agriculture Wildlife Services: Staff Publications

Sera from 936 mammalian mesopredators (Virginia opossums, gray foxes, striped skunks, hooded skunks, raccoons, a bobcat, and a red fox) were collected during 2003 and 2004 in California, Arizona, Texas, Louisiana, Ohio, and Wyoming and screened for flavivirus-specific antibodies by an epitope-blocking enzyme-linked immunosobent assay (blocking ELISA). Serum samples positive for antibodies against flaviviruses were screened for West Nile virus (WNV)– specific antibodies by blocking ELISA and selectively confirmed with plaque-reduction neutralization tests. High prevalence rates were observed in raccoons (45.6%) and striped skunks (62.9%). The high WNV antibody prevalence noted in mesopredators, their peridomestic tendencies, and their overall pervasiveness …

Go to article

Feral Swine Management For Conservation Of An Imperiled Wetland Habitat: Florida’S Vanishing Seepage Slopes, Richard M. Engeman, Amanda Stevens, John Allen, Jon Dunlap, Marty Dunlap, Dennis Teague, Bernice Constantin Feb 2007

Feral Swine Management For Conservation Of An Imperiled Wetland Habitat: Florida’S Vanishing Seepage Slopes, Richard M. Engeman, Amanda Stevens, John Allen, Jon Dunlap, Marty Dunlap, Dennis Teague, Bernice Constantin

United States Department of Agriculture Wildlife Services: Staff Publications

Only 1% of the original extent of Florida’s seepage slope habitat remains, with Eglin Air Force Base containing some of the largest tracts. Feral swine damage is one of the greatest threats to this wetland habitat.We conducted a multi-year study to evaluate the impacts of sport hunting and supplemental swine removal on damage to seepage slopes. Prior to initiation of removal in 2003, swine damage to seepage slopes in the portion of the base closed to hunting averaged 25.0%, over twice the 10.9% losses in the portion open to hunting. After less than one year of supplemental removal, damage in …

Go to article

Mountain Beaver Home Ranges, Habitat Use, And Population Dynamics In Washington, W. M. Arjo, R. E. Huenefeld, D. L. Nolte Feb 2007

Mountain Beaver Home Ranges, Habitat Use, And Population Dynamics In Washington, W. M. Arjo, R. E. Huenefeld, D. L. Nolte

United States Department of Agriculture Wildlife Services: Staff Publications

The mountain beaver (Aplodontia rufa (Rafinesque, 1817)), endemic to western North America, is the only extant member of the family Aplodontidae. Limited information on movements and habitat use throughout the species' range is available. We radio-collared 41 mountain beavers to determine home ranges, dispersal, habitat use, and population densities on two managed forest sites in coastal Washington. Both sites were recently harvested for timber. The Donovan site (16.6 ha) was treated with herbicide before seedling planting and the Sylvia site (8.9 ha) was not treated. Mountain beaver home ranges (Donovan: 4.18 ± 0.81 ha; Sylvia: 1.39 ± 0.4 ha) …

Go to article

Influence Of Land Use And Climate On Wetland Breeding Birds In The Prairie Pothole Region Of Canada, G. M. Forcey, G. M. Linz, W. E. Thogmartin, W. J. Bleier Feb 2007

Influence Of Land Use And Climate On Wetland Breeding Birds In The Prairie Pothole Region Of Canada, G. M. Forcey, G. M. Linz, W. E. Thogmartin, W. J. Bleier

United States Department of Agriculture Wildlife Services: Staff Publications

Bird populations are influenced by a variety of factors at both small and large scales that range from the presence of suitable nesting habitat, predators, and food supplies to climate conditions and land-use patterns. We evaluated the influences of regional climate and land-use variables on wetland breeding birds in the Canada section of Bird Conservation Region 11 (CA-BCR1 I ) , the Prairie Potholes. We used bird abundance data from the North American Breeding Bird Survey, land-use data from the Prairie Farm Rehabilitation Administration, and weather data from the National Climatic Data and Information Archive to model effects of regional …

Go to article

Using A Commercially Available Enzyme Immunoassay To Quantify Testosterone In Avian Plasma, Brian E. Washburn, Joshua J. Millspaugh, Dana L. Morris, John H. Schulz, John Faaborg Jan 2007

Using A Commercially Available Enzyme Immunoassay To Quantify Testosterone In Avian Plasma, Brian E. Washburn, Joshua J. Millspaugh, Dana L. Morris, John H. Schulz, John Faaborg

United States Department of Agriculture Wildlife Services: Staff Publications

Using a commercially available testosterone enzyme immunoassay (EIA), we developed and validated an assay procedure for determining testosterone levels in small-volume (20 mL) avian plasma samples. We evaluated this EIA’s utility by measuring plasma testosterone levels in Mourning Doves (Zenaida macroura), White-eyed Vireos (Vireo griseus), Red-eyed Vireos (Vireo olivaceus), and Indigo Buntings (Passerina cyanea). Standard biochemical validations (e.g., parallelism, recovery of exogenous testosterone) demonstrated that the assay accurately and precisely measured testosterone in avian plasma. We compared plasma testosterone levels in males and females of all four species and Indigo Buntings in …

Go to article

Using A Commercially Available Enzyme Immunoassay To Quantify Testosterone In Avian Plasma, Brian E. Washburn, Joshua J. Millspaugh, Dana L. Morris, John H. Schulz, John Faaborg Jan 2007

Using A Commercially Available Enzyme Immunoassay To Quantify Testosterone In Avian Plasma, Brian E. Washburn, Joshua J. Millspaugh, Dana L. Morris, John H. Schulz, John Faaborg

United States Department of Agriculture Wildlife Services: Staff Publications

Using a commercially available testosterone enzyme immunoassay (EIA), we developed and validated an assay procedure for determining testosterone levels in small-volume (20 μL) avian plasma samples. We evaluated this EIA’s utility by measuring plasma testosterone levels in Mourning Doves (Zenaida macroura), White-eyed Vireos (Vireo griseus), Red-eyed Vireos (Vireo olivaceus), and Indigo Buntings (Passerina cyanea). Standard biochemical validations (e.g., parallelism, recovery of exogenous testosterone) demonstrated that the assay accurately and precisely measured testosterone in avian plasma. We compared plasma testosterone levels in males and females of all four species and Indigo Buntings in …

Go to article

Avian Use Of Rural Roadsides With Cattail (Typha Spp.), Bryan Safratowich, George M. Linz, William H. Bleier, H. Jeffrey Homan Jan 2007

Avian Use Of Rural Roadsides With Cattail (Typha Spp.), Bryan Safratowich, George M. Linz, William H. Bleier, H. Jeffrey Homan

United States Department of Agriculture Wildlife Services: Staff Publications

We surveyed 30 roadsides in North Dakota’s Prairie Pothole Region for birds and active nests between May and July 2001–2002. Each roadside transect was 1608 m and had ≥200 linear meters of standing cattail (Typha spp.). We recorded 45 bird species; four species of Icteridae dominated the avifauna. Red-winged blackbirds (Agelaius phoeniceus) were both the most abundant species and most abundant nester, averaging 53 birds/10 ha (SE = 7.7) and 30 nests/10 ha (SE = 9.7). Among non-icterid species, song sparrow (Melospiza melodia) and common yellowthroat (Geothlypis trichas) ranked first and second consecutively …

Go to article

Reducing Non-Target Hazards Of Rodenticides In Forest Settings, Wendy M. Arjo, David T. Bryson Jan 2007

Reducing Non-Target Hazards Of Rodenticides In Forest Settings, Wendy M. Arjo, David T. Bryson

United States Department of Agriculture Wildlife Services: Staff Publications

Mammalian damage to forest resources is widespread and causes annual economic loss. Wildlife damage control is very important to the intensified land use practices and the economics of reforestation using seedlings. Reforestation areas provide ideal habitat for many wildlife species. However, animals negatively impact trees more severely during stand establishment than at any other time. While numerous non-lethal and lethal tools are available for large and medium-sized mammals, fewer tools are available for small mammals. The damage caused by these rodent species has in some cases warranted the use of rodenticides to control populations. Rodenticides are effective tools for reducing …

Go to article

Species-Specific Visitation And Removal Of Baits For Delivery Of Pharmaceuticals To Feral Swine, Tyler A. Campbell, David B. Long Jan 2007

Species-Specific Visitation And Removal Of Baits For Delivery Of Pharmaceuticals To Feral Swine, Tyler A. Campbell, David B. Long

United States Department of Agriculture Wildlife Services: Staff Publications

Within the domestic swine industry there is growing trepidation about the role feral swine (Sus scrofa) play in the maintenance and transmission of important swine diseases. Innovative disease management tools for feral swine are needed. We used field trials conducted in southern Texas from February to March 2006 to compare species-specific visitation and removal rates of fish-flavored and vegetable-flavored baits with and without commercially available raccoon (Procyon lotor) repellent (trial 1) and removal rates of baits deployed in a systematic and cluster arrangement (trial 2). During trial 1, 1) cumulative bait removal rates after four nights …

Go to article

Review Of Infectious Diseases Of Wild Rodents By Dennis Padovan, Robert G. Mclean Jan 2007

Review Of Infectious Diseases Of Wild Rodents By Dennis Padovan, Robert G. Mclean

United States Department of Agriculture Wildlife Services: Staff Publications

Infectious Diseases of Wild Rodents is a collection of reference material on a wide variety of infectious diseases documented in rodent species throughout the world. Editorially, this was a massive undertaking to provide a comprehensive and systematic coverage of the information on so many rodent species and infectious diseases in one volume. Although the information is not presented in much detail, the breadth of coverage makes this a good reference book for those interested in rodent diseases throughout the world. The information is presented in two different formats: disease information in the first part of the book is arranged by …

Go to article

Temperature Effects On Soil Dielectric Properties Measured At 50 Mhz, Mark S. Seyfried, Laura E. Grant Jan 2007

Temperature Effects On Soil Dielectric Properties Measured At 50 Mhz, Mark S. Seyfried, Laura E. Grant

United States Department of Agriculture Wildlife Services: Staff Publications

In recent years a number of soil water monitoring instruments have been developed and made commercially available. These instruments generally respond to the complex soil dielectric permittivity and operate at frequencies between 10 and 150 MHz. Although there is some evidence that these instruments are sensitive to temperature change in certain soils, little empirical data exists describing the degree of this sensitivity. We quantifi ed temperature effects on both the real and imaginary components of the complex permittivity for 19 soils collected around the United States using the Hydra Probe soil water sensor, which operates at 50 MHz. We found …

Go to article

Lagomorph And Rodent Responses To Two Protein Hydrolysates, Julia A. Figueroa, Bruce A. Kimball, Kelly R. Perry Jan 2007

Lagomorph And Rodent Responses To Two Protein Hydrolysates, Julia A. Figueroa, Bruce A. Kimball, Kelly R. Perry

United States Department of Agriculture Wildlife Services: Staff Publications

Various species of rodents and lagomorphs were used in bioassays to determine the effectiveness of protein hydrolysates (specifically hydrolyzed casein and gelatin) as herbivore repellents. Mixed sex groups of captive rabbits, pocket gophers, voles, and mountain beavers were offered hydrolyzed casein or gelatin test diets in single-choice tests following a training period with a hydrolysate-free diet. The effectiveness of either hydrolyzed casein or gelatin was dependent on the species. Hydrolyzed casein was identified as an effective repellent for mountain beavers and pocket gophers as these species showed a strong avoidance of hydrolyzed casein diets. Rabbits demonstrated slightly higher avoidance of …

Go to article

Chlorophacinone Baiting For Belding’S Ground Squirrels, Craig A. Ramey, George H. Matschke, Richard M. Engeman Jan 2007

Chlorophacinone Baiting For Belding’S Ground Squirrels, Craig A. Ramey, George H. Matschke, Richard M. Engeman

United States Department of Agriculture Wildlife Services: Staff Publications

The efficacy of using 0.01% chlorophacinone on steam-rolled oat (SRO) groats applied in CA alfalfa by spot-baiting/hand baiting around burrow entrances (~11.5 g) to control free-ranging Belding's ground squirrels (Spermophilus beldingi) were compared in 6 randomly assigned square treatment units (TUs). Four TUs were given the rodenticide and 2 treated with placebo bait. Each TU was a 0.4 ha square surrounded by a similarly treated 5.5 ha square buffer zone. Baits were applied on May 13 and re-applied, on May 20 and May 22, after 7 days of un-forecasted cool wet weather greatly reduced their above ground activity. Pesticide (EPA …

Go to article

Dominance And Neophobia In Coyote (Canis Latrans) Breeding Pairs, Alex Edward Mettler, John Anthony Shivik Jan 2007

Dominance And Neophobia In Coyote (Canis Latrans) Breeding Pairs, Alex Edward Mettler, John Anthony Shivik

United States Department of Agriculture Wildlife Services: Staff Publications

Previous research suggests that within social animals, subordinate individuals are less neophobic than dominant individuals. We investigated the effect of social status on neophobic responses using 10 captive coyote breeding pairs. Social status was determined from observations of feeding behavior and agonistic interactions during a series of reference trials. Once dominance was established, we surrounded an experimental area with novel stimuli (ropes adorned with interspersed flags) to create a novel context around a familiar food source. Contrary to hypotheses, dominant coyotes were first to feed, showed more interest toward novel stimuli, and eventually crossed the barrier, which subordinates never did. …

Go to article

Evaluation Of Two Perch Deterrents For Starlings, Blackbirds, And Pigeons, Thomas W. Seamans, Scott C. Barras, Glen E. Bernhardt Jan 2007

Evaluation Of Two Perch Deterrents For Starlings, Blackbirds, And Pigeons, Thomas W. Seamans, Scott C. Barras, Glen E. Bernhardt

United States Department of Agriculture Wildlife Services: Staff Publications

Bird-aircraft collisions are costly and potentially deadly to people and wildlife. From 1990 through 2004, 57,702 bird collisions with aircraft were reported within the USA to the US Federal Aviation Administration. Approximately 82% of the strikes occur below 305 m height about ground level; therefore bird deterrents on airfields that reduce the quality of the birds’ habitat are critical to safe airport operation. One management approach is to reduce perching sites within the airport premises. We tested two anti-perching devices (BirdwireTM and BirdbloxTM) in an aviary setting. As an ancillary test, we determined which wire in a …

Go to article

Serologic Evidence Of West Nile Virus Exposure In North American Mesopredators, Kevin T. Bentler, Jeffrey S. Hall, J . Jeffrey Root, Kaci Klenk, Brandon S. Schmit, Bradley F. Blackwell, Paul C. Ramey, Larry Clark Jan 2007

Serologic Evidence Of West Nile Virus Exposure In North American Mesopredators, Kevin T. Bentler, Jeffrey S. Hall, J . Jeffrey Root, Kaci Klenk, Brandon S. Schmit, Bradley F. Blackwell, Paul C. Ramey, Larry Clark

United States Department of Agriculture Wildlife Services: Staff Publications

Sera from 936 mammalian mesopredators (Virginia opossums, gray foxes, striped skunks, hooded skunks, raccoons, a bobcat, and a red fox) were collected during 2003 and 2004 in California, Arizona, Texas, Louisiana, Ohio, and Wyoming and screened for flavivirus-specific antibodies by an epitope-blocking enzyme-linked immunosobent assay (blocking ELISA). Serum samples positive for antibodies against flaviviruses were screened for West Nile virus (WNV)– specific antibodies by blocking ELISA and selectively confirmed with plaque-reduction neutralization tests. High prevalence rates were observed in raccoons (45.6%) and striped skunks (62.9%). The high WNV antibody prevalence noted in mesopredators, their peridomestic tendencies, and their overall pervasiveness …

Go to article

Genetic Tagging Free-Ranging White-Tailed Deer Using Hair Snares, Jerrold L. Belant, Thomas W. Seamans, David Paetkau Jan 2007

Genetic Tagging Free-Ranging White-Tailed Deer Using Hair Snares, Jerrold L. Belant, Thomas W. Seamans, David Paetkau

United States Department of Agriculture Wildlife Services: Staff Publications

Use of noninvasive DNA-based tissue sampling (e.g., hair, scats) for individual identification in wildlife studies has increased markedly in recent years. Although field techniques for collecting hair samples have been developed for several species, we are unaware of their use with free-ranging ungulates. From December 2004 to August 2005 we evaluated the efficacy of barbed wire for snaring hair samples suitable for genetic analyses from white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus) on trails and at baited sites. During initial trials on a semi-captive deer herd in northern Ohio, deer demonstrated avoidance of barbed wire positioned on game trails through four …

Go to article

Research Strategies Of The National Wildlife Research Center To Control Bovine Tuberculosis In Wildlife In Michigan, Usa, A. R. Berentsen, M. R. Dunbar, R. G. Mclean Jan 2007

Research Strategies Of The National Wildlife Research Center To Control Bovine Tuberculosis In Wildlife In Michigan, Usa, A. R. Berentsen, M. R. Dunbar, R. G. Mclean

United States Department of Agriculture Wildlife Services: Staff Publications

Bovine tuberculosis (bTB) is a zoonotic disease caused by Mycobaferium bovis and is transmissible to humans, wildlife, and domestic livestock. In the United Kingdom, the suspected wildlife reservoir of bTB is the badger (Meles meles) (HUTCHINGS and HARRIS, 1997), and in New Zealand, the culprit is the brush-tailed possum (Trichosurus vulpecula) (MORRIS et al., 1994). In northern Michigan, USA, bovine tuberculosis is endemic in white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus) . In 1975 a hunter-killed white-tailed deer in Alpena County, Michigan, USA, was tested positive for bTB. Subsequent surveillance by the Michigan Department of Natural Resources (MDNR) …

Go to article

Research Strategies To Reduce Bovine Tuberculosis Transmission From Wildlife To Cattle, Are R. Brentensen, Mike R. Dunbar, Robert G. Mclean Jan 2007

Research Strategies To Reduce Bovine Tuberculosis Transmission From Wildlife To Cattle, Are R. Brentensen, Mike R. Dunbar, Robert G. Mclean

United States Department of Agriculture Wildlife Services: Staff Publications

Bovine tuberculosis (bTB) is a zoonotic disease caused by Mycobaterium bovis, and is transmissible to humans, wildlife and domestic livestock. In the northern Lower Peninsula of Michigan, white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus) serve as a reservoir for the disease and pose a significant threat to domestic cattle and captive cervids. Scientists at USDA, APHIS, Wildlife Services, National Wildlife Research Center have designed a variety of laboratory and field studies aimed at reducing or eliminating bTB infection in cattle by interrupting the transmission of the disease from wildlife reservoirs. These strategies include reducing bTB in deer by delivery of …

Go to article

Current And Historical Use Of Alpha-Chloralose On Wild Turkeys, David Bergman, Brian F. Wakeling, Timothy B. Veenendaal, John D. Eisemann, Thomas W. Seamans Jan 2007

Current And Historical Use Of Alpha-Chloralose On Wild Turkeys, David Bergman, Brian F. Wakeling, Timothy B. Veenendaal, John D. Eisemann, Thomas W. Seamans

United States Department of Agriculture Wildlife Services: Staff Publications

Alpha-chloralose (AC) has been used as an anesthetic since 1897 to capture or sedate wildlife, including waterfowl, wood-pigeon (Columba palumbus), and black bear (Ursus americana). The first use of AC in the United States was for the capture of house sparrows (Passer domesticus), red-winged blackbirds (Agelaius phoeniceus), and wild turkeys (Meleagris gallopavo) in 1964. Prior to the 1990s, AC was not registered by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for use as an immobilizing agent in the United States for wild animals that might be used for human consumption. In …

Go to article

Leiocephalus Carinatus Armouri (Northern Curlytail Lizard.). Mockingbird Attack; Assertion Displays, Henry T. Smith, Richard M. Engeman Jan 2007

Leiocephalus Carinatus Armouri (Northern Curlytail Lizard.). Mockingbird Attack; Assertion Displays, Henry T. Smith, Richard M. Engeman

United States Department of Agriculture Wildlife Services: Staff Publications

Leiocephalus carinatus armouri is a well-established exotic species in Florida (Meshaka et al. 2004. The Exotic Amphibians and Reptiles of Florida. Krieger Publishing Co., Malabar, Florida. 155 pp.; Smith and Engeman 2004. Florida Field Nat. 32:107-113; Meshaka et al. 2005. Southeast. Nat. 4521-526). Various avian species are predators of L. c. amouri in Florida including the Northern Mockingbird (Mimus polyglottos) (Smith et al. 2006. Herpetol. Rev. 37:224). Here we report an attack by a L. c. armouri on a pre-fledgling Northern Mockingbird (Mimus polyglottos) in Florida.

Go to article

First Prev Next Last