Endocrine correlates of social and reproductive behaviours in a group-living Australian Passerine, the White-Browed Babbler

02 Apr 2013 | Theses | Contributor(s): Suzanne Oppenheimer

To investigate the evolutionary rationale for the seemingly altruistic behaviours commonly seen in cooperatively breeding Australian passerines, I examined alloparental behaviour in the White-browed Babbler Pomatostomus superciliosus (WBBA). Toward this end, I analysed behavioural, hormonal, and …

Conservation implications of dietary dilution from debris ingestion: sublethal effects in post-hatchling loggerhead sea turtles

02 Apr 2013 | Journal Articles | Contributor(s): Shannon J. McCauley, Karen A. Bjomdal

Ingestion of anthropogenic debris by marine species has been documented extensively; fewer studies have attempted to quantify the sublethal effects caused by debris ingestion. One potential sublethal effect is reduced nutrient gains from diets diluted by consumption of debris. Post-hatchling and …

Trapping: A continuous integral part of a rodent control programme

02 Apr 2013 | Conference Proceedings | Contributor(s): H.R. Shuyler, R.F. Sun Jr.

Trapping is usually considered a rodent control technique of minor importance. Due to the economic situation in the Dumaguete, Philippines program from which this report is drawn, regular trapping was a biological necessity. Four species of rodents and a shrew were of concern. A continuing daily …

Pulp cavity-tooth width ratios from known-age and wild-caught coyotes determined by radiography

02 Apr 2013 | Journal Articles | Contributor(s): Frederick F . Knowlton, Susan L . Whittemore

Although the relative sizes of pulp cavities in teeth are used frequently to identify various age classes of carnivores, validation of the technique has received little attention. We measured the pulp cavities and tooth widths based on radiographs of canine and premolar teeth from a large sample of …

Roof rat invasion of an urban desert island

02 Apr 2013 | Journal Articles | Contributor(s): Dale Nolte, David Bergman, John Townsend

Roof rats have invaded the Phoenix metropolitan area. Although the desert surrounding Phoenix is formidacie to roof rats, residential and urban development has probably sufficiently altered habitat to render it suitable for roof rats. Ongoing community and government campaigns are reducing the …

Forensic bird-strike identification techniques used in an accident investigation at Wiley Post Airport, Oklahoma, 2008

28 Mar 2013 | Journal Articles | Contributor(s): Carla J. Dove, Nor Faridah Dahlan, Marcy Heacker

On March 4, 2008, a Cessna Citation 1 (Model 500) crashed in a wooded area near Wiley Post Airport, Oklahoma, killing all 5 people on board. This paper describes the detailed forensic methods and expertise used by the Smithsonian Institution’s Feather Identification Lab to identify the bird that …

DNA detection of foxes to prevent establishment in Tasmania

28 Mar 2013 | Conference Proceedings | Contributor(s): Stephen D. Sarre, Rachel Walsch, Niccy Aitken, Alison Foster, Nick Mooney

The red fox (Vulpes vulpes) has wreaked havoc on mainland Australia’s environment and agricultural production since its introduction in the 1870s. Over the same period, the southern Australian island State of Tasmania has remained virtually fox-free, allowing its unique biodiversity to remain …

Cougar predation on livestock in New Mexico, January 1983 through June 1984

28 Mar 2013 | Conference Proceedings | Contributor(s): Gary A. Littauer, Ronald J. White

A telephone survey was conducted in which the objective was to obtain information from the entire population of livestock producers in New Mexico who had losses to cougars (Felis concolor) in 1983 and the first six months of 1984. A total of 103 ranchers reported losses in 1983 and 60 reported …

A novel strategy for pocket gopher control

28 Mar 2013 | Conference Proceedings | Contributor(s): Michael E.R. Godfrey

Current techniques for the control of pocket gophers use traps, fumigants or toxic baits. Trapping and fumigation are labor intensive and seldom effective in giving more than short-term relief. Toxic baiting usually uses baits that are rapidly degraded and although the resident gopher may be killed …

Developing a strategy of predator control for the protection of the California least tern: a case history

28 Mar 2013 | Conference Proceedings | Contributor(s): Peter H. Butchko, Maynard A. Small

In recent years, predation has been determined to be a seriously limiting factor in the reproduction of the endangered California least tern (Sterna antillarum browni) at many of its nesting colonies. Among them is a major colony at Camp Pendleton Marine Corps Base near Oceanside, CA. Early efforts …

Freshwater mussels (Bivalvia: Unionidae) in the Cajun prairie ecosystem in southwestern Louisiana

28 Mar 2013 | Conference Proceedings | Contributor(s): Malcom F. Vidrine, Gail J. Quillman-Vidrine, Malcolm F. Vidrine II, Daniel J. Vidrine, Caroline E. Vidrine

Freshwater mussels (Bivalvia: Unionidae) once cobbled the stream bottoms in the Cajun Prairie ecosystem in south-western Louisiana. The development of canal systems for aboveground irrigation of rice fields during the last century provided additional habitat-often the canals were likewise cobbled …

Development of frequency modulated vocalizations in big brown bat pups

28 Mar 2013 | Theses | Contributor(s): Heather W. Mayberry, Dr. Paul A. Faure (adviser)

Developing bat pups produce distinct vocalizations called isolation calls (I‐calls) that serve to attract the bat's mother. Mothers use spatial memory, auditory and olfactory cues to reunite with their offspring. Because I‐calls are unique to individual pups, vocalizations are crucial for the …

Some observations on rabies in Alaska, with special reference to wild canidae

28 Mar 2013 | Journal Articles | Contributor(s): Robert L. Rausch

Includes a summary of available information on outbreaks of rabies recorded in canine animals in Alaska over a 9-year period (1949-57), and to discuss some problems relating to the natural history of rabies in high boreal regions.

Behavioral ecology of savanna chimpanzees (Pan troglodytes verus) with respect to insectivory at Fongoli, Senegal

28 Mar 2013 | Theses | Contributor(s): Stephanie Lynn Bogart, Jill D. Pruetz (adviser)

In this dissertation I examine the behavioral ecology of savanna chimpanzees in Senegal. I test hypotheses related to the effects of the environment on the diet of the chimpanzees at Fongoli, concentrating on their insectivory specifically. Fongoli is the hottest and driest site in which …

Developing an online horseless horse learning lesson: an action research study

28 Mar 2013 | Theses | Contributor(s): Jessica M. Bauman, Kathleen Lodl (adviser)

In today’s society it is becoming ever so important to find creative and influential outlets to keep young people occupied in positive ways. High quality youth programs are shown to make a positive difference in the lives of many young people; therefore, it is important to continue the use of …

Feasibility of localized management to control white-tailed deer in forest regeneration areas

27 Mar 2013 | Journal Articles | Contributor(s): Tyler A. Campbell, Benjamin R. Laseter, W. Mark Ford, Karl V. Miller

The deleterious effects of white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus) on forest regeneration are well documented in many forested systems, but potential solutions to these problems on remote landholdings are limited in number and scope. Localized management proposes that a persistent area (1 year …

Feral cat control in Britain; developing a rabies contingency strategy

27 Mar 2013 | Conference Proceedings | Contributor(s): R.J.C. Page, D.H. Bennett

Feral cat (Felis catus) control is required for reasons of public health, the welfare of cats themselves, and rabies control should an outbreak occur in Britain. A prerequisite to the control of feral cat colonies would be establishing their location. A method for locating colonies was developed …

Progress on managaing cattail marshes with Rodeo® herbicide to desperse roosting blackbirds

27 Mar 2013 | Conference Proceedings | Contributor(s): George M. Linz, David L. Bergman, William J. Bleier

In August and September 1989 and 1990, we aerially sprayed 8 cattail (Typha spp.) marshes with Rodeo® herbicide to begin evaluating its use for fragmenting dense cattail stands used by roosting blackbirds (Icterinae). Treated marshes were effectively eliminated as roost sites for blackbirds. After …

Lions, leopards and muskoxen: A (very) lighthearted look at the ups, downs, ins and outs of a postdoctoral career through the eyes of two zoologists

27 Mar 2013 | Journal Articles | Contributor(s): Matt W. Hayward, Adam J. Munn

This paper arose out of a seminar series for the Royal Zoological Society of New South Wales' 2006 student forum and workshop, "From the Horse's Mouth: Career Insights from Working Zoologists".The paper is aimed mainly at horiours and postgraduate zoologists, and describes our experiences as …

Predator control for the protection of the federally endangered Great Lakes Piping Plover (Charadrius melodus) at Dimmick's Point, North Manitou Island

27 Mar 2013 | Conference Proceedings | Contributor(s): Kimberly Struthers, Patrick Ryan

The recovery plan for the federally endangered Great Lakes Piping Plover (Charadrius melodus) identifies the need for predator control/removal to increase Piping Plover chick fledging success. The U.S. Department of Agriculture, Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, Wildlife Services entered …