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United States Department of Agriculture Wildlife Services: Staff Publications

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Articles 931 - 960 of 1529

Full-Text Articles in Physical Sciences and Mathematics

Weast Nile Virus Serosurveillance In Iowa White-Tailed Deer (1999-2003), Julian Santatella, Robert Mclean, Jeffrey S. Hall, James S. Gill, Richard A. Bowen, Harlo H. Hadow, Larry Clark Jun 2005

Weast Nile Virus Serosurveillance In Iowa White-Tailed Deer (1999-2003), Julian Santatella, Robert Mclean, Jeffrey S. Hall, James S. Gill, Richard A. Bowen, Harlo H. Hadow, Larry Clark

United States Department of Agriculture Wildlife Services: Staff Publications

Sera from white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus) were collected in Iowa during the winter months (1999-2003), 2 years before and after West Nile virus (WNV) was first reported in Iowa (2001), and were analyzed for antibodies to WNV. Samples from 1999 to 2001 were antibody negalive by blocking enzyme-linikedI immunosorbent assay (bELISA) and plaque reduction neutralization test (PRNT90). Prevalence derived from bELISA (2002, 12.7%; 2003. 11.2%) and WNV PRNT90 (2002,7.9%; 2003, 8.5%) assays were similar. All sanlples were negative for antibodies against St. Louis encephalitis virus as determined by PRNT90. Antibodies to flaviviruses were …

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Evaluation Of Optimized Variable Area Transect Sampling Using Totally Enumerated Field Data Sets, Richard M. Engeman, Ryan M. Nielson, Robert T. Sugihara Jun 2005

Evaluation Of Optimized Variable Area Transect Sampling Using Totally Enumerated Field Data Sets, Richard M. Engeman, Ryan M. Nielson, Robert T. Sugihara

United States Department of Agriculture Wildlife Services: Staff Publications

Plotless density estimators (PDEs) can be efficient alternatives to quadrat sampling for estimating the density of stationary objects. Variable area transect (VAT) sampling had been identified, and optimized relative to effort, in previous Monte Carlo simulated population studies as a low-labor field method that demonstrated superior estimation properties among many PDEs considered. However, natural populations tend to be much more complex and less predictable in spatial distribution than computer generated populations. Therefore, we carried out a Monte Carlo simulation study that used 17 fully enumerated field populations rather than simulated populations. These natural populations represented a variety of population densities …

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Leiocephalus Carinatus Armouri (Northern Curly-Tailed). Entanglement In Human-Made Materials, Christopher L. Dean, Henry T. Smith, Richard M. Engeman, Walter E. Meshaka Jr. Jun 2005

Leiocephalus Carinatus Armouri (Northern Curly-Tailed). Entanglement In Human-Made Materials, Christopher L. Dean, Henry T. Smith, Richard M. Engeman, Walter E. Meshaka Jr.

United States Department of Agriculture Wildlife Services: Staff Publications

No abstract provided.

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Sensory Modality Used By Coyotes In Responding To Antipredator Compounds In The Blood Of Texas Horned Lizards, Wade C. Sherbrooke, J. Russell Mason Jun 2005

Sensory Modality Used By Coyotes In Responding To Antipredator Compounds In The Blood Of Texas Horned Lizards, Wade C. Sherbrooke, J. Russell Mason

United States Department of Agriculture Wildlife Services: Staff Publications

We investigated the hypothesis that the squirting of blood from orbital sinuses by Texas horned lizards (Phrynosoma cornutum) is an antipredator defense against some mammalian species. Coyotes (Canis latrans) were tested for the first time. As expected, Texas horned lizards squirted blood in response to coyote attacks, and coyotes exhibited startle response, avoidance response, or both as a result of these events. Whereas lizard carcasses mixed into normal foodmash elicited regurgitation by coyotes, possibly due to physical effects, blood of horned lizards similarly mixed into food did not. Coyote responses to simulated squirts of 5 compounds, …

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Mechanisms Of Magnetic Orientation In Birds, Robert C. Beason May 2005

Mechanisms Of Magnetic Orientation In Birds, Robert C. Beason

United States Department of Agriculture Wildlife Services: Staff Publications

Behavior and electrophysiological studies have demonstrated a sensitivity to characteristics of the Geomagnetic field that can be used for navigation, both for direction finding (compass) and position finding (map). The avian magnetic compass receptor appears to be a light-dependent, wavelength-sensitive system that functions as a polarity compass (i.e., it distinguishes poleward from equatorward rather than north from south) and is relatively insensitive to changes in magnetic field intensity. The receptor is within the retina and is based on one or more photopigments, perhaps cryptochromes. A second receptor system appears to be based on magnetite and might serve to transduce location …

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Fence-Line Interactions Among Farmed And Free-Ranging Cervids: Preliminary Results, Kurt C. Vercauteren, Justin W. Fischer, Robert Pooler, Michael J. Lavelle, Greg Phillips May 2005

Fence-Line Interactions Among Farmed And Free-Ranging Cervids: Preliminary Results, Kurt C. Vercauteren, Justin W. Fischer, Robert Pooler, Michael J. Lavelle, Greg Phillips

United States Department of Agriculture Wildlife Services: Staff Publications

Occurrences of disease outbreaks within and near captive cervid (mule deer (Odocoileus hemionus), white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus), and Rocky Mountain elk (Cervus elaphus nelsoni)) farms have recently drawn attention to these facilities. Some state wildlife and agricultural agencies have pondered making double fencing mandatory or otherwise increasing regulation of captive operations. Diseases such as Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD) and Bovine Tuberculosis (bovine TB) are a threat to captive and free-ranging cervid populations. Concerns over these and other diseases being transmitted from captive to wild cervids, and vice versa, have increased. In most cases, captive …

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Probabilistic Risk Assessment For Snails, Slugs, And Endangered Honeycreepers In Diphacinone Rodenticide Baited Areas On Hawaii, Usa, John J. Johnston, William C. Pitt, Robert T. Sugihara, John D. Eisemann, Thomas M. Primus, Melvin J. Holmes, Joe Crocker, Andy Hart May 2005

Probabilistic Risk Assessment For Snails, Slugs, And Endangered Honeycreepers In Diphacinone Rodenticide Baited Areas On Hawaii, Usa, John J. Johnston, William C. Pitt, Robert T. Sugihara, John D. Eisemann, Thomas M. Primus, Melvin J. Holmes, Joe Crocker, Andy Hart

United States Department of Agriculture Wildlife Services: Staff Publications

Three probabilistic models were developed for characterizing the risk of mortality and sub-acute coagulopathy to Poouli, an endangered non-target avian species, in broadcast diphacinone-baited areas on Hawaii, USA. For single-day exposure, the risk of Poouli mortality approaches 0. For 5-d exposure, the mean probability of mortality increased to 3% for adult and 8% for juvenile Poouli populations. For Poouli that consume snails containing diphacinone residues for 14 d, the model predicted increased levels of coagulopathy for 0.42 and 11% of adult and juvenile Poouli populations, respectively. Worst-case deterministic risk characterizations predicted acceptable levels of risk for non-threatened or endangered species …

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Parasitized And Non-Parasitized Prey Selectivity By An Insectivorous Bird, Gregory A. Jones, Kathryn E. Sieving, Michael L. Avery, Robert L. Meagher May 2005

Parasitized And Non-Parasitized Prey Selectivity By An Insectivorous Bird, Gregory A. Jones, Kathryn E. Sieving, Michael L. Avery, Robert L. Meagher

United States Department of Agriculture Wildlife Services: Staff Publications

The identification and conservation of naturally occurring enemies of crop pests is an important means of improving biological control in cropping systems. One particularly important potential mechanism whereby birds might stabilize and improve pest control is consumption of individual prey that escape mortality from other agents of biological control. We tested the hypothesis that birds prefer to forage upon non-parasitized fall armyworm (Spodoptera frugiperda J. E. Smith) prey via captive feeding trials, where birds were also offered armyworms parasitized by Euplectrus plathypenae (Howard) larvae. While birds were equally willing to eat both parasitized and non-parasitized armyworm prey of the same …

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Research To Support And Enhance Feral Swine Removal Efforts, Richard M. Engeman, Bernice Constantin, Stephanie A. Schwiff, Henry T. Smith, John Woolard May 2005

Research To Support And Enhance Feral Swine Removal Efforts, Richard M. Engeman, Bernice Constantin, Stephanie A. Schwiff, Henry T. Smith, John Woolard

United States Department of Agriculture Wildlife Services: Staff Publications

Swine adversely affect the environment in most places around the world where they have been introduced into the wild. In many of those places swine removal is key to protection of a variety of special habitats, wetlands in particular. We have pursued several avenues of research and technique development to enhance swine removal efforts, primarily in Florida. An easily-applied passive tracking index (PTI) with good statistical properties has been effective for monitoring swine distribution and relative abundance, thus aiding the location of control method applications and the evaluation of control results. A quadrat sampiing methodology used in conjunction with the …

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Caffeine For Reducing Bird Damage To Newly Seeded Rice, Michael L. Avery, Scott J. Werner, John L. Cummings, John S. Humphrey, Michael P. Milleson, James C. Carlson, Thomas M. Primus, Margaret J. Goodall May 2005

Caffeine For Reducing Bird Damage To Newly Seeded Rice, Michael L. Avery, Scott J. Werner, John L. Cummings, John S. Humphrey, Michael P. Milleson, James C. Carlson, Thomas M. Primus, Margaret J. Goodall

United States Department of Agriculture Wildlife Services: Staff Publications

The economic impact of blackbirds can be severe to rice producers in the United States. One approach to managing this damage is the application of bird-deterrent chemical to the crop. Previous pilot trials suggested that caffeine offered potential as a safe, economical bird repellent. In this study, cage feeding trials with female red-winged blackbirds and male brown-headed cowbirds confirmed that a treatment rate of 2500 ppm caffeine on rice seed reduced consumption as much as 76%. Trials with mixed species blackbird flocks in a 0.2-ha flight pen resulted in just 4% loss of caffeine-treated rice compared to 43% loss of …

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Proximal Cues Of Pocket Gopher Burrow Plugging Behavior: Influence Of Light, Burrow Openings, And Temperature, Scott J. Werner, Dale L. Nolte, Frederick D. Provenza Apr 2005

Proximal Cues Of Pocket Gopher Burrow Plugging Behavior: Influence Of Light, Burrow Openings, And Temperature, Scott J. Werner, Dale L. Nolte, Frederick D. Provenza

United States Department of Agriculture Wildlife Services: Staff Publications

Burrow plugging is readily observed among mammals adapted for digging (i.e., fossorial mammals) as they create and maintain their burrows. We investigated the influence of light, burrow openings, and thermal environment as cues of pocket gopher (Thomomys mazama, Thomomys talpoides) behavior. When given free access to light and no light during artificial-burrow preference trials, both Thomomys spp. consistently plugged (i.e., avoided) light treatments. Burrow openings did not notably affect plugging behavior of T. mazama. Gophers (T. talpoides) plugged the artificial burrows within the light and cold (7 -C) treatments, but not within the no-light, and 18 or 31 -C treatments …

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Wildlife Population Monitoring: Some Practical Considerations, Gary W. Witmer Mar 2005

Wildlife Population Monitoring: Some Practical Considerations, Gary W. Witmer

United States Department of Agriculture Wildlife Services: Staff Publications

The accurate estimation of wildlife population density is difficult and requires considerable investment of resources and time. Population indices are easier to obtain but are influenced by many unknowns and the relationships to actual population densities are usually unclear. Wildlife biologists, whether in the public or private sector, often find themselves in difficult situations where a resource manager or landowner wants good information, quickly, at low cost, and without clear objectives. In many situations, in addition to establishing clear objectives, a budget and timeframe, a biologist must understand and deal with the reality of many logistical concerns that will make …

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Evaluation Of Attractants For Live-Trapping Nine-Banded Armadillos, Daniel J. Gammons, Michael T. Mengak, L. Mike Conner Mar 2005

Evaluation Of Attractants For Live-Trapping Nine-Banded Armadillos, Daniel J. Gammons, Michael T. Mengak, L. Mike Conner

United States Department of Agriculture Wildlife Services: Staff Publications

In the past 50 years, the range of the nine-banded armadillo (Dasypus novemcinctus) in the south has been rapidly expanding. As their range expands, armadillos increasingly come into conflict with suburban landowners. When foraging, armadillos often uproot ornamental plants. Their rooting also destroys gardens, lawns, and flower beds. Their burrowing can damage tree roots and building foundations. Most armadillo damage is a result of their feeding habits. Armadillos dig shallow holes, 1- 3 inches deep and 3-5 inches long, as they search for soil invertebrates.

A recent survey of Georgia county extension agents by scientists at the University …

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Invasive Iguanas As Airstrike Harzards At Luis Munoz Marin International Airport, San Juan, Puerto Rico, Richard M. Engeman, Henry T. Smith, Bernice Constantin Mar 2005

Invasive Iguanas As Airstrike Harzards At Luis Munoz Marin International Airport, San Juan, Puerto Rico, Richard M. Engeman, Henry T. Smith, Bernice Constantin

United States Department of Agriculture Wildlife Services: Staff Publications

Green iguanas are large lizards exotic to Puerto Rico, but abundant around Luis Munoz Marin International Airport (SJU) in metropolitan San Juan, where we assessed their potential as an airstrike hazard. During our two rnonth sanipling period, operatio~iso il portions of (he airfielJ hdJ Lu be hdltcJ 011 s io~~ ~ d s i ujluot, t" l i ~l )d~ i j~. ~ ~ byi t ~ d iguana incursions to aircraft traffic areas. All 5 records of collisions with iguanas in the FAA airstrike database were from SJU. Body size comparisons between mature iguanas and terrestrial mammals known as …

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Review Of Brown Treesnake Problems And Control Programs, Bruce A. Colvin, Michael W. Fall, Lee A. Fitzgerald, Lloyd L. Loope Mar 2005

Review Of Brown Treesnake Problems And Control Programs, Bruce A. Colvin, Michael W. Fall, Lee A. Fitzgerald, Lloyd L. Loope

United States Department of Agriculture Wildlife Services: Staff Publications

Preventing spread of the brown treesnake (BTS) from Guam and mitigating its impacts on Guam are national responsibilities for the United States. BTS very likely arrived at Guam’s major harbor shortly after World War II with salvaged war materials returned from strategically crucial military operations in 1942-45 on islands near New Guinea, where BTS is native. Though this scenario is not 100% confirmed, it is rare to find a biological invasion for which there is such strong evidence of the source, pathway, and timing. BTS invaded the whole of Guam over several decades. In conjunction with research into the rapid …

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Efficacy Of An Animal-Activated Frightening Device On Urban Elk And Mule Deer, Kurt C. Vercauteren, John A. Shivik, Michael J. Lavelle Feb 2005

Efficacy Of An Animal-Activated Frightening Device On Urban Elk And Mule Deer, Kurt C. Vercauteren, John A. Shivik, Michael J. Lavelle

United States Department of Agriculture Wildlife Services: Staff Publications

Cervids readily adapt to suitable human-altered landscapes and can cause several types of damage, including economic loss associated with landscape and agricultural plantings, human health and safety concerns, and adverse impacts on natural habitats. The need for effective, practical, and nonlethal tools to manage damage caused by elk (Cervus elaphus), mule deer (Odocoileus hemionus), and white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus) has been heightened by the growing prevalence of locally overabundant populations and public demand for nonlethal wildlife management methods. Various frightening devices are available commercially, but most have not been subjectively evaluated. We used consumption …

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Initial Comparison: Jaws, Cables, And Cage-Traps To Capture Coyotes, John A. Shivik, Daniel J. Martin, Michael J. Pipas, John Turnan, Thomas J. Deliberto Feb 2005

Initial Comparison: Jaws, Cables, And Cage-Traps To Capture Coyotes, John A. Shivik, Daniel J. Martin, Michael J. Pipas, John Turnan, Thomas J. Deliberto

United States Department of Agriculture Wildlife Services: Staff Publications

The need for alternative predator capture techniques is increasing because of concerns about the efficiency, selectivity, and injury of currently available capture methods. There also is a need for comparative data evaluating new or seldom used methods. In an initial evaluation, we first surveyed wildlife managers for information on cage-trapping; using these data, we conducted a field study of 4 coyote (Canis latrans) capture systems for animal damage management. We tested the SoftCatch®, Collarum®, Wildlife Services–Turman, and Tomahawk®, systems for capturing coyotes in Arizona and south Texas during 2001 and 2002. We determined capture efficiency and selectivity and …

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Effects Of Radiotransmitters On Fecal Glucocorticoid Metabolite Levels Of Three-Toed Box Turtles In Captivity, Chadwick D. Rittenhouse, Joshua J. Millspaugh, Brian E. Washburn, Michael W. Hubbard Feb 2005

Effects Of Radiotransmitters On Fecal Glucocorticoid Metabolite Levels Of Three-Toed Box Turtles In Captivity, Chadwick D. Rittenhouse, Joshua J. Millspaugh, Brian E. Washburn, Michael W. Hubbard

United States Department of Agriculture Wildlife Services: Staff Publications

The increased use of radio-telemetry for studying movement, resource selection, and population demographics in reptiles necessitates closer examination of the assumption that radiotransmitter attachment does not bias study results. We determined the effects of radiotransmitter attachment on fecal glucocorticoid metabolite levels of wild three-toed box turtles (Terrapene carolina triunguis) in captivity. During May 2002 we captured 11 adult three-toed box turtles in central Missouri. We housed turtles in individual pens in a semi-natural outdoor setting. We radio-tagged 6 turtles, and the remaining 5 turtles served as controls. We captured and handled all turtles similarly during treatments. We collected …

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Food Habits Of Wolves In Relation To Livestock Depredations In Northwestern Minnesota, Andreas S. Chavez, Eric M. Gese Feb 2005

Food Habits Of Wolves In Relation To Livestock Depredations In Northwestern Minnesota, Andreas S. Chavez, Eric M. Gese

United States Department of Agriculture Wildlife Services: Staff Publications

Wolves (Canis lupus) have recolonized many areas of the Midwestern United States, prompting concern over the possible risk wolves may pose to livestock producers. To better understand the risks wolves may pose to livestock, we initiated a 3-y study examining the food habits of wolves in an agricultural area of northwestern Minnesota and their relation to depredation records of livestock losses in the same area. We collected 533 wolf feces during the non-winter seasons from 1997–1999. White-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus) was the most abundant food item (39.2%) of all prey items for all 3 y combined. …

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Attitudes Of Rural Landowners Toward Wolves In Northwestern Minnesota, Andreas S. Chavez, Eric M. Gese, Richard S. Krannich Feb 2005

Attitudes Of Rural Landowners Toward Wolves In Northwestern Minnesota, Andreas S. Chavez, Eric M. Gese, Richard S. Krannich

United States Department of Agriculture Wildlife Services: Staff Publications

The natural recolonization of gray wolves (Canis lupus) into parts of their former range in the upper Midwest of the United States has led to wolves establishing territories in semi-agricultural areas containing livestock. As part of a study on wolf–livestock relationships in a northwestern Minnesota agricultural area, we surveyed rural landowners within and outside of wolf range to assess perceptions regarding the risks wolves pose to livestock (mainly cattle). The mean response score for rural landowners to the statement “I think wolves should be allowed to exist in northwest Minnesota” was between neutral and disagree. There was no …

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From The Field: Implementing Recovery Of The Red Wolf— Integrating Research Scientists And Managers, Michael K. Stoskopf, Karen Beck, Bud B. Fazio, Todd K. Fuller, Eric M. Gese, Brian T. Kelly, Frederick F. Knowlton, Dennis L. Murray, William Waddell, Lisette Waits Feb 2005

From The Field: Implementing Recovery Of The Red Wolf— Integrating Research Scientists And Managers, Michael K. Stoskopf, Karen Beck, Bud B. Fazio, Todd K. Fuller, Eric M. Gese, Brian T. Kelly, Frederick F. Knowlton, Dennis L. Murray, William Waddell, Lisette Waits

United States Department of Agriculture Wildlife Services: Staff Publications

The United States Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) developed guidelines for the composition and role of endangered species recovery implementation teams, but few teams have been established and their success has not been evaluated. Using the recovery program of the red wolf (Canis rufus) as a model, we describe the genesis, function, and success of the Red Wolf Recovery Implementation Team (RWRIT) in helping guide the establishment of a viable red wolf population in eastern North Carolina. In operation since 1999, the RWRIT meets bi-annually to review USFWS progress and provide recommendations aimed at maximizing success of species …

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Influence Of The Number Of Repellent-Treated And Untreated Food Or Water Containers On Intake By The European Starling, Arla G. Hile, Michael G. Tordoff Feb 2005

Influence Of The Number Of Repellent-Treated And Untreated Food Or Water Containers On Intake By The European Starling, Arla G. Hile, Michael G. Tordoff

United States Department of Agriculture Wildlife Services: Staff Publications

The availability of multiple sources of food and drink has a profound influence on choice behavior in rodents. It is not known how other taxa might respond to the same kind of variation in availability. We tested European starlings (Sturnus vulgaris) with various combinations of unadulterated and repellent-treated (0.025% citronellyl acetate) resources. In Experiment 1, birds drank more plain than repellent-treated water than when given (a) 2 bottles of plain water and 2 of repellent-water, or (b) 3 bottles of plain water and 1 of repellent-water. However, they drank more repellent than water when given 3 bottles of repellent-water and …

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Response Factor Considerations For The Quantitative Analysis Of Western Redcedar (Thuja Plicaia) Foliar Monoterpenes, Bruce A. Kimball, John H. Russell, Doreen L. Griffin, John J. Johnston Feb 2005

Response Factor Considerations For The Quantitative Analysis Of Western Redcedar (Thuja Plicaia) Foliar Monoterpenes, Bruce A. Kimball, John H. Russell, Doreen L. Griffin, John J. Johnston

United States Department of Agriculture Wildlife Services: Staff Publications

A method is described for quantitative analysis of monoterpenes in western redcedar (Thuja plicata) foliage by gas chromatography with flame ionization detection. Response factors for monoterpenes identified in redcedar are evaluated to determine similarities among monoterpene responses. Evaluation demonstrates that redcedar monoterpenes yield detector responses that fall into two groups. One monoterpene from each group is used as a standard for quantitative analysis. Redcedar monoterpenes are quantitated by comparing analyte response with the response factor of one of the standards in single-point calibrations. Homogenized foliage samples are extracted with ethyl acetate and the extracts passed through a solid phase extraction …

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Innovative Solutions To Human–Wildlife Conflicts Feb 2005

Innovative Solutions To Human–Wildlife Conflicts

United States Department of Agriculture Wildlife Services: Staff Publications

The mission of the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Wildlife Services (WS) Program is to provide Federal leadership in managing problems caused by wildlife. The National Wildlife Research Center (NWRC) functions as the research arm of WS by providing scientific information on the development of socially acceptable methods for wildlife damage management. As part of WS’ strategic plan to improve the coexistence of people and wildlife, NWRC has identified four strategic program goals: (1) developing methods, (2) providing wildlife services, (3) valuing and investing in people, and (4) enhancing information and communication. WS is dedicated to helping meet the wildlife …

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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 Feb 2005

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 Mycobaterium 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, 1 997), 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 …

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Serologic Evidence Of Exposure Of Wild Mammals To Flavivirusesin The Central And Eastern United States , J. Jeffrey Root, Jeffrey S. Hall, Robert G. Mclean, Nicole L. Marlenee, Barry J. Beaty, Justin Gansowski, Larry Clark Jan 2005

Serologic Evidence Of Exposure Of Wild Mammals To Flavivirusesin The Central And Eastern United States , J. Jeffrey Root, Jeffrey S. Hall, Robert G. Mclean, Nicole L. Marlenee, Barry J. Beaty, Justin Gansowski, Larry Clark

United States Department of Agriculture Wildlife Services: Staff Publications

Serosurveys were conducted to obtain flavivirus and West Nile virus (WNV) seroprevalence data from mammals. Sera from 513 small- and medium-sized mammals collected during late summer and fall 2003 from Colorado, Louisiana, New York, Ohio, and Pennsylvania were screened for flavivirus-specific antibodies. Sera samples containing antibody to flaviviruses were screened for WNV-specific antibodies by epitope-blocking enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays and confirmed with plaque reduction neutralization tests. Prevalence of WNV antibodies among study sites ranged from 0% to 42.8% among the mammal communities sampled. High prevalence rates for WNV were noted among raccoons (100%, with a very small sample size, N 2), …

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The Use Of Culmen Length To Determine Sex Of The American White Pelican, Brian S. Dorr, D. Tommy King, Patrick Gerard, Marilyn G. Spalding Jan 2005

The Use Of Culmen Length To Determine Sex Of The American White Pelican, Brian S. Dorr, D. Tommy King, Patrick Gerard, Marilyn G. Spalding

United States Department of Agriculture Wildlife Services: Staff Publications

Culmnen length has been suggested as being diagnostic for sex in the American White Pelicans (Pelecanus erythrorhynchos). However, the literature on the use of culmen length to determine sex is inconsistent, with reported overlap in culmen lengths for males and females ranging from 1 mm to >120 mm. Morphological measurements from 188 American White Pelicans collected in Mississippi and Louisiana whose sex was determined by dissection and gonadal inspection were measured. The use of culmen length alone was used to determine gender for this sample by establishing the minimum obsewed culmen length for males and the maximum observed …

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Probabilistic Model For Estimating Field Mortality Of Target And Non-Target Bird Populations When Simultaneously Exposed To Avicide Bait, John J. Johnston, Melvin J. Holmes, Andy Hart, Dennis J. Kohler, Randal S. Stahl Jan 2005

Probabilistic Model For Estimating Field Mortality Of Target And Non-Target Bird Populations When Simultaneously Exposed To Avicide Bait, John J. Johnston, Melvin J. Holmes, Andy Hart, Dennis J. Kohler, Randal S. Stahl

United States Department of Agriculture Wildlife Services: Staff Publications

A probabilisticmodel was developed to estimate target and non-target avian mortality associated with the application of the avicide CPTH (3-chloro-p-toluidine hydrochloride) to minimize sprouting rice damage in the southern USA. CPTH exposures for individual birds were predicted by random sampling from species-specific non-parametric distributions of bait seed consumption and CPTH residues detected on individual bait seeds. Mortality was predicted from the species-specific exposure versus mortality relationship. Individual variations in this response were captured in the model by Monte Carlo sampling from species-specific distributions of slopes and median toxicity values (LD50) for each bird. The model was used to simultaneously predict …

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Maternal Yolk Steroids: A Potential Compensatory Mechanism For Red-Winged Blackbirds (Agelaius Phoeniceus) In North Dakota, Rachel M. Bush, Mark E. Clark, Wendy L. Reed, George M. Linz Jan 2005

Maternal Yolk Steroids: A Potential Compensatory Mechanism For Red-Winged Blackbirds (Agelaius Phoeniceus) In North Dakota, Rachel M. Bush, Mark E. Clark, Wendy L. Reed, George M. Linz

United States Department of Agriculture Wildlife Services: Staff Publications

Many of the suggested management techniques directed at reducing blackbird breeding populations fail to incorporate the underlying mechanisms regulating populations. Theoretically, removal of individuals from the breeding population should lower the breeding densities and presumably reduce recruitment. However, compensatory responses might occur with decreased breeding densities, but no empirical data are available to test this hypothesis. Much of the underlying compensatory theory is based on differential allocation of resources to reproduction vs. self maintenance at different breeding densities, mainly in the form of depensatory effects of resource limitation on growth and survival. However, as the breeding density in an area …

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Blackbird Use And Damage Of Wildlife Conservation Sunflower Plots, Jonathan M. Raetzman, George M. Linz, William J. Bleier Jan 2005

Blackbird Use And Damage Of Wildlife Conservation Sunflower Plots, 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 …

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