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United States Department of Agriculture Wildlife Services: Staff Publications

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Articles 811 - 840 of 1529

Full-Text Articles in Physical Sciences and Mathematics

Ctenosaura Similis (Black Spiny-Tailed Iguana) Predation, Richard M. Engeman, Missy L. Christie, Bernice Constantin, Robert Christie Jan 2007

Ctenosaura Similis (Black Spiny-Tailed Iguana) Predation, Richard M. Engeman, Missy L. Christie, Bernice Constantin, Robert Christie

United States Department of Agriculture Wildlife Services: Staff Publications

The Exotic Amphibians and Reptiles of Florida. Krieger Publishing Co., Malabar, Florida. 155 pp.). In particular, they were released on Gasparilla Island (Charlotte and Lee Counties) 3&35 years ago, where they are now abundant (Krysko et al. 2003. Florida Sci. 66:141-146). This species may pose a threat to a number of endemic threatened and endangered species on Gasparilla Island such as eggs of nesting shore birds, beach mice, hatchling sea turtles and gopher tortoises (Gopherus polyphemus) (Krysko et al., op. cit.), but to date, local predators on C. similis are unreported (Meshaka et al., op. cit.). Indigenous predators …

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Management Strategies For Addressing Wildlife Disease Transmission: The Case For Fertility Control, Gary Killian, Kathleen Fagerstone, Terry Kreeger, Lowell Miller, Jack Rhyan Jan 2007

Management Strategies For Addressing Wildlife Disease Transmission: The Case For Fertility Control, Gary Killian, Kathleen Fagerstone, Terry Kreeger, Lowell Miller, Jack Rhyan

United States Department of Agriculture Wildlife Services: Staff Publications

Transmissible diseases among wildlife species, and between wildlife and domestic livestock, are a matter of increasing concern. A combination of approaches should be considered for controlling disease transmission. If a vaccine is available or can economically be developed for the disease, it should be used as the primary component of the disease management strategy. For example, development of an oral rabies vaccine has led to programs where baits are dispersed on a large scale in a barrier zone to prevent the spread of rabies. However, there are no vaccines available for many diseases and incentives are frequently not present for …

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A Review Of Biomarkers Used For Wildlife Damage And Disease Management, Tricia L. Fry, Mike R. Dunbar Jan 2007

A Review Of Biomarkers Used For Wildlife Damage And Disease Management, Tricia L. Fry, Mike R. Dunbar

United States Department of Agriculture Wildlife Services: Staff Publications

Biomarkers are distinctive biological indicators used to identify, often through indirect means, when an event or physiologic process of interest has occurred in an animal. Historically, a variety of biomarkers, as well as bait-markers, have been used in wildlife management including radioactive isotopes, stable isotopes, fatty acids, systemic and physical biomarkers. The ability to successfully track, monitor, and identify animals using minimally invasive techniques is becoming increasingly important as wildlife-human interactions increase. This paper is an overview of the benefits and limitations of previously and presently used biomarkers in wildlife damage and disease management with emphasis on the use of …

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Field Method For Analyzing Birds For Avicide 3-Chloro-P-Toluidine Hydrochloride, Jerome C. Hurley, Patricia A. Pipas, Shelagh K. Tupper, John L. Cummings, Randal S. Stahl Jan 2007

Field Method For Analyzing Birds For Avicide 3-Chloro-P-Toluidine Hydrochloride, Jerome C. Hurley, Patricia A. Pipas, Shelagh K. Tupper, John L. Cummings, Randal S. Stahl

United States Department of Agriculture Wildlife Services: Staff Publications

We developed a fast and simple method to detect presence or absence of DRC-1339 (CPTH: 3-Chloro-p-toluidine Hydrochloride) in birds that fed on DRC-1339 bait sites. We compared the effectiveness of the colorimetric method to the previously published analytical method using birds collected from DRC-1339 bait sites in Louisiana and Texas. We also conducted tests with caged red-winged blackbirds (Agelaius phoeniceus) to determine if time from consumption of DRC-1339-treated bait to death and time from death to colorimetric analysis affected test results. The colorimetric assay was effective in detecting the presence or absence of DRC-1339 in birds …

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Assessing Rodenticide Hazards: Improving The Art And Science Of Risk Assessment, John J. Johnston Jan 2007

Assessing Rodenticide Hazards: Improving The Art And Science Of Risk Assessment, John J. Johnston

United States Department of Agriculture Wildlife Services: Staff Publications

Non-target hazards represent the most significant hurdle to the continued and possibly expanded use of anticoagulant rodenticides. In addition to the possibility of non-target access to the rodenticide bait, non-target scavenger and/or predator species may be exposed to these rodenticides via feeding on the carcasses of poisoned target species. Risk assessments provide a means to estimate the probability of rodenticide associated effects to target and non-target species. Quantification of risk provides critical information for decision-makers to weigh the benefits versus the risks of proposed rodenticide uses. This manuscript reports on the development of a probabilistic risk assessment model for quantifying …

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Development Of Test Paradigms For Operant Conditioning Of Wild Norway Rats, Susan M. Jojola, Patrick W. Burke, Gary W. Witmer, Dale L. Nolte Jan 2007

Development Of Test Paradigms For Operant Conditioning Of Wild Norway Rats, Susan M. Jojola, Patrick W. Burke, Gary W. Witmer, Dale L. Nolte

United States Department of Agriculture Wildlife Services: Staff Publications

Many eradication efforts to remove rats (Rattus spp.) from islands have been successful. Eradications are expensive and labor-intensive which makes early detection of, and response to, reinvasion by rats critical. A better understanding of rat behavior could facilitate early detection and rapid response to intercept invaders, such as with trap placement and design, and toxic bait presentation and dispersal. This was a methods development study of test paradigms to operantly condition wild rats to run on an activity wheel and to press a lever for use in future behavior studies. Operant conditioning is the process of associating specific responses …

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Ophisaurus Ventralis (Eastern Glass Lizard). Fire-Induced Mortality, Greg Kaufmann, Henry T. Smith, Richard M. Engeman, Walter E. Meshaka Jr., Ernest M. Cowan Jan 2007

Ophisaurus Ventralis (Eastern Glass Lizard). Fire-Induced Mortality, Greg Kaufmann, Henry T. Smith, Richard M. Engeman, Walter E. Meshaka Jr., Ernest M. Cowan

United States Department of Agriculture Wildlife Services: Staff Publications

Direct mortality to wildlife due to prescribed fire is of concern to land managers using fire as a management tool. The ability of individual animals to escape fire is critical to the long-term survival of species inhabiting fire-maintained systems. Many wildlife species in Florida are both adapted to and dependent upon periodic fire to maintain suitable habitat (Myers and Ewel 1990. Ecosystems of Florida. University of Central Florida Press, Orlando, Florida. 765 pp.). However, species not adapted to survive in pyrogenic landscapes might suffer directly from fire-induced mortality; consequently fire might be a limiting factor. Long-term fire exclusion in many …

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

Blackbird (Icteridae) damage to ripening sunflower fields in North Dakota ranges from $5-10 million and has probably forced many growers to abandon this crop. From 2004 to 2006, USDA, APHIS, 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 in commercial fields. From 2004 through 2006, sunflower damage in the WCSP’s was 39%, 32%, and 60%, respectively. In comparison, damage in nearby commercial fields was 5%, 4%, and 18%, over those years. In 2006, drought in the region …

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Are Sunflower Fields For The Birds?, Heath M. Hagy, George M. Linz, William J. Bleier Jan 2007

Are Sunflower Fields For The Birds?, Heath M. Hagy, George M. Linz, William J. Bleier

United States Department of Agriculture Wildlife Services: Staff Publications

The northern Great Plains are home to a variety of birds throughout the year, particularly during migration. Migratory species use native and restored grasslands, shelterbelts, and agricultural fields for food and shelter in North Dakota. Blackbirds (Xanthocephalus xanthocephalus) have been documented to cause economically important damage to some crops and thus, are sometimes the target of concerted harassment efforts. Few studies have assembled an inventory of nonblackbirds using small grain fields during the fall and spring in North Dakota that may be inadvertently affected by blackbird management. At least 94 nonblackbird species use crop fields in the spring …

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Avian Influenza In Wild Birds: Environmental Sampling For The Rapid Detection Of Avian Influenza Viruses, Robert G. Mclean, Jeffrey S. Hall, Alan B. Franklin, Heather Sullivan, Kaci K. Vandalen, Susan A. Shriner, Matthew Farnsworth, Paul Oesterle, Ginger Young, Jenny Carlson, Kacy Cobble, Stacey Elmore, Ted Anderson, Sean Hauser, Kevin Bentler, Nicole Mooers, Kathryn P. Huyvaert, Tom Deliberto, Seth Swafford Jan 2007

Avian Influenza In Wild Birds: Environmental Sampling For The Rapid Detection Of Avian Influenza Viruses, Robert G. Mclean, Jeffrey S. Hall, Alan B. Franklin, Heather Sullivan, Kaci K. Vandalen, Susan A. Shriner, Matthew Farnsworth, Paul Oesterle, Ginger Young, Jenny Carlson, Kacy Cobble, Stacey Elmore, Ted Anderson, Sean Hauser, Kevin Bentler, Nicole Mooers, Kathryn P. Huyvaert, Tom Deliberto, Seth Swafford

United States Department of Agriculture Wildlife Services: Staff Publications

All subtypes of influenza Type A viruses infect wild birds, especially waterfowl and shorebirds, but rarely cause disease or mortality in these aquatic species. Aquatic birds are the natural reservoirs for low pathogenic avian influenza viruses (LPAI) that are distributed globally. However, some AI subtypes can be virulent in other animals and humans and some highly pathogenic AI viruses (HPAI) have caused major outbreaks in poultry and even pandemics in the human population. The emergence of a HPAI H5N1 subtype in southeast Asian poultry in 1997 subsequently involved migratory waterfowl in 2005 and has since spread westward throughout the Asian, …

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Use Of Alpha-Chloralose By Usda Wildlife Services To Immobilize Birds, Jeanette R. O'Hare, John D. Eisemann, Kathleen A. Fagerstone, Lawanna L. Koch, Thomas W. Seamans Jan 2007

Use Of Alpha-Chloralose By Usda Wildlife Services To Immobilize Birds, Jeanette R. O'Hare, John D. Eisemann, Kathleen A. Fagerstone, Lawanna L. Koch, Thomas W. Seamans

United States Department of Agriculture Wildlife Services: Staff Publications

In 1992, the U. S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) opened an Investigational New Animal Drug (INAD) file for the avian immobilizing agent, alpha-chloralose (AC) for the United States Department of Agriculture, Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS). Currently, this INAD authorizes trained Wildlife Services (WS) personnel to use AC to immobilize and live-capture nuisance waterfowl (Anatidae spp.), American coots (Fulica americana), pigeons (Columba livia), common ravens (Corvus corax) and sandhill cranes (Grus canadensis). The use of AC has proven to be a valuable tool for WS and the number …

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Overview Of The First Use Of Gps 1991/Gis 1992 During A Wyoming Skunk Rabies Epizootic, Craig A. Ramey, Kenneth H. Mills, Marshall Robin Jan 2007

Overview Of The First Use Of Gps 1991/Gis 1992 During A Wyoming Skunk Rabies Epizootic, Craig A. Ramey, Kenneth H. Mills, Marshall Robin

United States Department of Agriculture Wildlife Services: Staff Publications

Striped skunks (Mephitis mephitis) are one of the most important reservoirs of wildlife rabies on the Great Plains of North America. During a skunk rabies epizootic in a previously rabies-free area of northwestern Wyoming, we studied the spread of rabies from the index case occurring in 1988 until the Shoshone River epizootic ended in 1993. All specimens were sent to the Wyoming State Veterinary Laboratory for Fluorescent Antibody Testing for rabies. The goal of federal, state, county, and local agencies was to address the public's fear about the health and safety of humans and animals. Following several rabid …

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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. …

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A Broad Perspective On Current And Future Research On Urban Coyotes, John A. Shivik, Kathleen Fagerstone Jan 2007

A Broad Perspective On Current And Future Research On Urban Coyotes, John A. Shivik, Kathleen Fagerstone

United States Department of Agriculture Wildlife Services: Staff Publications

A change in wildlife management appears to be occurring. Previous efforts needed to be focused on producing more game species or endangered animals; now, however, tools and training must resolve issues of overabundance and conflict with predators, especially species such as coyotes (Canis latrans) in urban areas. Urban conflicts with coyotes may be growing because of urban development of land and human intrusion, but alteration of habitats that attract coyotes is also a likely factor. Research that will describe basic coyote biology in urban areas will be needed, but managers will also need applied research and development of …

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Modeling Costs Of Using Ovocontrol G For Managing Nuisance Canada Goose (Branta Canadensis) Populations, Joe N. Caudell, Stephanie A. Shwiff Jan 2007

Modeling Costs Of Using Ovocontrol G For Managing Nuisance Canada Goose (Branta Canadensis) Populations, Joe N. Caudell, Stephanie A. Shwiff

United States Department of Agriculture Wildlife Services: Staff Publications

OvoControl G is a relatively new product that reduces the hatchability of Canada goose (Branta canadensis) eggs. However, little data is available on the cost of application. We present a model for estimating the cost of application of OvoControl G for managing nuisance Canada goose populations. We found that at low goose densities, fixed labor costs are responsible for a significant portion of the cost. As goose densities increase, these fixed costs become equivalent to, and eventually less than, the costs associated with the purchase of the product. We present several scenarios that managers may employ to further …

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Wildlife Responses To Vegetation Height Management In Cool-Season Grasslands, Brian E. Washburn, Thomas W. Seamans Jan 2007

Wildlife Responses To Vegetation Height Management In Cool-Season Grasslands, 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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Chromaflair® Crow Buster For Repelling Blackbirds And Crows, Scott J. Werner, Shelagh K. Tupper, John L. Cummings Jan 2007

Chromaflair® Crow Buster For Repelling Blackbirds And Crows, Scott J. Werner, Shelagh K. Tupper, John L. Cummings

United States Department of Agriculture Wildlife Services: Staff Publications

Nonlethal alternatives are needed to manage emerging and sustained conflicts between humans and several wild birds. We evaluated the ChromaFlair® “Crow Buster,” a device developed in Japan to repel Asian crows from garbage cans, fruit trees, and utility structures. The Crow Buster consists of a strip (1.5-3.5 cm wide) of stiff, shiny plastic cut into a spiral shape. The device is iridescent green-purple in color. We conducted 2 studies to determine the influence of the Crow Buster on the foraging distribution of red-winged blackbirds (Agelaius phoeniceus) and American crows (Corvus brachyrhynchos) in captivity. For both bird …

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Rodenticide Use In Rodent Management In The United States: An Overview, Gary W. Witmer, John D. Eisemann Jan 2007

Rodenticide Use In Rodent Management In The United States: An Overview, Gary W. Witmer, John D. Eisemann

United States Department of Agriculture Wildlife Services: Staff Publications

Rodents occur worldwide and have adapted to most types of ecosystems. Rodents provide many important ecosystem functions and while most rodent species do not cause serious damage problems, a small number of species do. Rodent-caused damage includes crop and stored food consumption and contamination, forestry and nursery damage, rangeland damage, ornamental plant damage, property damage, cable and irrigation pipe damage, disease transmission, and, when introduced to islands, damage and even extinction of native flora and fauna. Many tools are used to reduce rodent populations and damage. Rodenticides are an especially important tool in rodent management. Many types of active ingredients …

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The Use Of Rodenticides For Conservation Efforts, Gary W. Witmer, John D. Eisemann, Gregg Howald Jan 2007

The Use Of Rodenticides For Conservation Efforts, Gary W. Witmer, John D. Eisemann, Gregg Howald

United States Department of Agriculture Wildlife Services: Staff Publications

Non-native rats (Rattus spp.) and mice have been introduced to more than 80% of the island groups around the world. They have caused ecosystem-wide impacts, including the extirpation and extinction of many native and endemic species which evolved in a mammalian predator-free environment. Fortunately, practitioners have developed techniques to eradicate introduced rodents, allowing ecosystems to recover. Rodenticides have proven an effective tool in eradications, having been used in over 300 successful eradications worldwide. Careful planning, adequate resources, and a sustained effort by competent field staff are needed to help ensure a successful eradication program. Island eradications are logistically complex …

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Collisions Of Red-Tailed Hawks (Buteo Jamaicensis), Turkey Vultures (Cathartes Aura), And Black Vultures (Coragyps Atratus) With Aircraft: Implications For Bird Strike Reduction, Bradley F. Blackwell, Sandra E. Wright Dec 2006

Collisions Of Red-Tailed Hawks (Buteo Jamaicensis), Turkey Vultures (Cathartes Aura), And Black Vultures (Coragyps Atratus) With Aircraft: Implications For Bird Strike Reduction, Bradley F. Blackwell, Sandra E. Wright

United States Department of Agriculture Wildlife Services: Staff Publications

From 1990 through 2003, 52,493 wildlife collisions with aircraft were reported to the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA); 97% of these incidents involved birds. The approximate cost to the civil aviation industry in the U.S.A. due to collisions of birds with aircraft (hereafter referred to as bird strikes) was $163.51 million in direct monetary losses and associated costs for the 14 year period (Cleary et al. 2004). Strikes with raptors (Falconidae and Accipitridae; including vultures, Cathartidae)accounted for approximately 28% of reported aircraft down time resulting from known-species bird strikes (known species =182942 hr; total for all birds = 244510 hr) …

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Raccoon Predation As A Potential Limiting Factor In The Success Of The Green Iguana In Southern Florida, Henry T. Smith, Walter E. Meshaka Jr., Richard M. Engeman, Steven M. Crossett, Mark E. Foley, Gary Bush Dec 2006

Raccoon Predation As A Potential Limiting Factor In The Success Of The Green Iguana In Southern Florida, Henry T. Smith, Walter E. Meshaka Jr., Richard M. Engeman, Steven M. Crossett, Mark E. Foley, Gary Bush

United States Department of Agriculture Wildlife Services: Staff Publications

The Green Iguana, Iguana iguana, is a well established, large-bodied, exotic species in Florida (Meshaka et al. 2004a. The Exotic Amphibians and Reptiles of Florida, Krieger Publishing Company, Malabar, Florida. 155 pp.; Meshaka et al. 2004b. Iguana 11:154-161). Limiting factors of populations and causes of Green Iguana mortality in Florida are poorly understood and the only documented predators are the domestic dog (Canus familiaris) (Meshaka et al. 2004a), Yellow-crowned Night-heron (Nyctanassa violacea) (Engeman et al. 2005. Herpetol. Rev. 36:320), Florida Burrowing Owl (Athene cunicularia floridana) (McKie et al. 2005. Florida Field Nat. 33:125-127), …

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Nesting Success Of Grassland And Savanna Birds On Reclaimed Surface Coal Mines Of The Midwestern United States, Edward W. Galligan, Travis L. Devault, Steven L. Lima Dec 2006

Nesting Success Of Grassland And Savanna Birds On Reclaimed Surface Coal Mines Of The Midwestern United States, Edward W. Galligan, Travis L. Devault, Steven L. Lima

United States Department of Agriculture Wildlife Services: Staff Publications

Reclaimed surface coal mines in southwestern Indiana support many grassland and shrub/ savanna bird species of conservation concern. We examined the nesting success of birds on these reclaimed mines to assess whether such ‘‘unnatural’’ places represent productive breeding habitats for such species. We established eight study sites on two large, grassland-dominated mines in southwestern Indiana and classified them into three categories (open grassland, shrub/savanna, and a mixture of grassland and shrub/savanna) based on broad vegetation and landscape characteristics. During the 1999 and 2000 breeding seasons, we found and monitored 911 nests of 31 species. Daily nest survival for the most …

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Using Baits To Deliver Pharmaceuticals To Feral Swine In Southern Texas, Tyler A. Campbell, Steven J. Lapidge, David B. Long Nov 2006

Using Baits To Deliver Pharmaceuticals To Feral Swine In Southern Texas, Tyler A. Campbell, Steven J. Lapidge, David B. Long

United States Department of Agriculture Wildlife Services: Staff Publications

Few studies have evaluated oral delivery systems of pharmaceuticals (e.g., vaccines, fertility control agents, and toxicants) to feral swine (Sus scrofa) in the United States. Our objective was to assess, through a field trial, the percentage of feral swine and non-target animals that remove and consume baits intended to transport pharmaceuticals to feral swine in southern Texas, USA. We hand-placed 1,178 iophenoxic acid (IA)–marked baits distributed over 1,721 ha (68 baits/km2) in April 2005 and monitored species-specific bait removal and consumption using track stations, automated camera systems, and serum IA values from captured animals. Ninety percent …

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The Biology Of Introduced Norway Rats On Kiska Island, Alaska, And An Evaluation Of An Eradication Approach, Gary W. Witmer, Patrick Burke, Susan Jojola, Peter Dunlevy Nov 2006

The Biology Of Introduced Norway Rats On Kiska Island, Alaska, And An Evaluation Of An Eradication Approach, Gary W. Witmer, Patrick Burke, Susan Jojola, Peter Dunlevy

United States Department of Agriculture Wildlife Services: Staff Publications

Introduced, invasive rats can cause substantial damage to native flora and fauna, including ground-nesting seabirds, when they become established on islands. We tested a control method for introduced Norway rats on Kiska Island, Alaska, during April-May, 2004, by hand-broadcasting rodenticide pellets (0.005% diaphacinone) over a 4-ha area at the rate of 28 kg/ha. We also gathered data on aspects of rat ecology and distribution, although rats were difficult to detect and capture. The rodenticide bait pellets seemed to have been effective in reducing the Norway rat population, however, this is based on a limited observation of rat sign and captures. …

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Bird And Other Wildlife Hazards At Airports: Liability Issues For Airport Managers, Richard A. Dolbeer Nov 2006

Bird And Other Wildlife Hazards At Airports: Liability Issues For Airport Managers, Richard A. Dolbeer

United States Department of Agriculture Wildlife Services: Staff Publications

Aircraft collisions with birds (bird strikes) and other wildlife are a serious economic and safety problem. The problem has increased in the past decade because of expanding populations of many wildlife species that are hazardous to aviation (Dolbeer and Eschenfelder 2002). Cleary et al. (2004) estimated wildlife strikes (98% involving birds) cost the civil aviation industry in the USA about $500 million/year, 1990-2003. Allan and Orosz (2001) estimated that bird strikes annually cost commercial air carriers over $1.2 billion worldwide, 1999-2000. At least 194 people died and 164 aircraft were destroyed as a result of bird and other wildlife strikes …

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Book Review: Sampling Rare Or Elusive Species: Concepts, Designs, And Techniques For Estimating Population Parameters, Stewart W. Breck Oct 2006

Book Review: Sampling Rare Or Elusive Species: Concepts, Designs, And Techniques For Estimating Population Parameters, Stewart W. Breck

United States Department of Agriculture Wildlife Services: Staff Publications

This book contains a collection of articles by Thompson and coauthors with the stated purpose of describing the latest sampling designs and counting (estimation) techniques for reliably estimating occupancy, abundance, and other population parameters of rare or elusive plants and animals. It is written primarily for the field ecologist who has some background in population monitoring and survey sampling but who has not kept current of new developments in sampling and estimation concepts targeted specifically at rare and elusive species. After reading this book, you will have a good appreciation of general difficulties associated with monitoring rare species but also …

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Detection Of PrpCwd In Postmortem Rectal Lymphoid Tissues In Rocky Mountain Elk (Cervus Elaphus Nelsoni) Infected With Chronic Wasting Disease, Terry R. Spraker, Thomas L. Gidlewski, Aru Balachandran, Kurt C.. Vercauteren, Lynn Creekmore, Randy D. Munger Oct 2006

Detection Of PrpCwd In Postmortem Rectal Lymphoid Tissues In Rocky Mountain Elk (Cervus Elaphus Nelsoni) Infected With Chronic Wasting Disease, Terry R. Spraker, Thomas L. Gidlewski, Aru Balachandran, Kurt C.. Vercauteren, Lynn Creekmore, Randy D. Munger

United States Department of Agriculture Wildlife Services: Staff Publications

Preclinical diagnostic tests for transmissible spongiform encephalopathies have been described for mule deer (Odocoileus hemionus), using biopsy tissues of palatine tonsil, and for sheep, using lymphoid tissues from palatine tonsil, third eyelid, and rectal mucosa. The utility of examining the rectal mucosal lymphoid tissues to detect chronic wasting disease (CWD) was investigated in Rocky Mountain elk (Cervus elaphus nelsoni), a species for which there is not a live-animal diagnostic test. Postmortem rectal mucosal sections were examined from 308 elk from two privately owned herds that were depopulated. The results of the postmortem rectal mucosal sections were …

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Rapid Assessment For A New Invasive Species Threat: The Case Of The Gambian Giant Pouched Rat In Florida, Richard M. Engeman, John W. Woolard, Neil D. Perry, Gary W. Witmer, Scott Hardin, Lawrence Brashears, Henry Smith, Britta Muiznieks, Bernice Constantin Oct 2006

Rapid Assessment For A New Invasive Species Threat: The Case Of The Gambian Giant Pouched Rat In Florida, Richard M. Engeman, John W. Woolard, Neil D. Perry, Gary W. Witmer, Scott Hardin, Lawrence Brashears, Henry Smith, Britta Muiznieks, Bernice Constantin

United States Department of Agriculture Wildlife Services: Staff Publications

The Gambian giant pouched rat (Cricetomys gambianus) is a large rodent that has established a breeding population in the Florida Keys. Should it successfully disperse to mainland Florida, it could continue spreading through much of North America where significant negative ecological and agricultural consequences could result. We rapidly developed the information for implementing an efficient and successful eradication program before dispersal to the mainland occurs. This included development of monitoring and indexing methods and their application to define the animal’s range, the development of baits attractive to Gambian giant pouched rats, efficacy testing of toxicants, and development of …

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West Nile Virus Antibody Prevalence In Red-Winged Blackbirds (Agelaius Phoeniceus) From North Dakota, Usa (2003-2004), Heather Sullivan, George M. Linz, Larry Clark, Mo Salman Oct 2006

West Nile Virus Antibody Prevalence In Red-Winged Blackbirds (Agelaius Phoeniceus) From North Dakota, Usa (2003-2004), Heather Sullivan, George M. Linz, Larry Clark, Mo Salman

United States Department of Agriculture Wildlife Services: Staff Publications

This study was designed to explore the role that red-winged blackbirds (Agelaius phoeniceus) may have played in disseminating West Nile virus (WNV) across the United States. Using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays designed to detect WNV antibodies in avian species we were able to determine the WNV antibody prevalence in a cohort of red-winged blackbirds in central North Dakota in 2003 and 2004. The peak WNV antibody prevalence was 22.0% in August of 2003 and 18.3% in July of 2004. The results of this study suggest that red-winged blackbird migratory populations may be an important viral dispersal mechanism with the …

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Are Vultures Birds, And Do Snakes Have Venom, Because Of Macro- And Microscavenger Conflict?, John A. Shivik Oct 2006

Are Vultures Birds, And Do Snakes Have Venom, Because Of Macro- And Microscavenger Conflict?, John A. Shivik

United States Department of Agriculture Wildlife Services: Staff Publications

I outline models that describe vertebrate and microbial competition for carrion resources and help explain the resultant morphologies observed in extant vertebrate scavengers. Odors from microbial decomposition signal the presence of a carcass to vertebrate scavengers. Therefore, microbes must consume carcasses rapidly or evolve toxic defenses to protect themselves and their resource from their vertebrate competitors. Similarly, macroscavengers must evolve traits that allow rapid detection of carcasses or develop chemical defenses against microbial toxins. My modeling suggests that the most efficient macroscavenger adaptations increase the probability of carcass detection, which explains why highly vagile species, such as vultures, are the …

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