Trapping methods for rangeland insects in burned and unburned sites: a comparison

Different insect trapping methods were compared weekly on recently burned and nearby unburned rangeland in the Great Basin of western Utah. Flight traps (or wing traps) collected the most specimens (total = 4,916 at burned site, 4,384 at unburned site) but represented the fewest species (no more than 11 spp./wk at either site); this method was not recommended because of difficulty in removing specimens from adhesive. Water traps amassed the next largest number of specimens (￣x ± SE/wk = 150.9 ± 75.3 at burned site, 158.0 ± 66.4 at unburned site) and the most species (￣x ± SE/wk = 21.6 ± 6.4 at burned site, 35. 1 ± 4.5 at unburned site). The weekly collections from pitfall traps between the sites were significantly different (P < .05) in number of specimens (￣x ± SE/wk = 8.1 ± 1.5 at burned site, 19.7 ± 4.8 at unburned site) and species (￣x ± SE/wk = 4.7 ± 0.6 at burned site, 9.5 ± 2.0 at unburned site). Malaise traps were the most convenient. Black Malaise traps collected more specimens (￣x ± SE/wk = 99.8 ± 19.4 at burned site, 90.6 ± 16.4 at unburned site) and species (￣x ± SE/wk = 22.9 ± 3.9 at burned site, 19.4 ± 6.5 at unburned site) than white malaise traps (specimens: ￣x ± SE/wk = 72.1 ± 22.4 at burned site, 87.1 ± 31.2 at unburned site; species: ￣x ± SE/ wk = 19.7 ± 6.6 at burned site, 16.4 ± 5.4 at unburned site), although this difference was not significant.     

Demographic characteristics of American marten populations in Jackson Hole, Wyoming

Some American marten population characteristics (numbers, density, body weights, sex and age ratios, natality, mortality-survivorship, immigration-emigration, home ranges) were studied at four sites in the southern part of the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem, Teton County, Wyoming, in 1975-1979. Ninety-eight different martens were examined. Males (n = 25) weighed 1,111 g (± 110 SD, range 875-1,235), whereas females (n = 17) averaged 743 g (± 83 SD, range 600-900). Live-trapping showed sex ratios of 1.5M:1.0F, whereas carcasses showed 3.0M:1.0F. Of 27males that were aged, 12 (44%) were less than 1 year old and 2 were 9-10 years old. Of 10 females, 6 were less than 1 year old and 1 was 12-13 years old. The mean length of time a male was present on the major study area was 144 days (± 266 SD, range 1-1,364), and for females it was 145 days (± 45 SD, range 1-560). Home ranges for six males averaged 3.2 km 2 (± 20 SD, range 0.7-5.8) on the main study area. Some management implications are given.     

Drumming behavior and life history notes of a high-altitude Colorado population of the stonefly Isoperla petersoni Needham

Late instar nymphs and adults of a Colorado Hudsonian zone population of Isoperla petersoni Needham and Christenson were studied during the summer and early fall months of 1998, when stream temperature ranged from 3.3° C to 8.9° C. Early and middle instar nymphs were absent from July to October, and nymphs attained maximum size in mid-August during the 2nd week of adult field presence, suggesting a univoltine-slow life cycle. Nymphs were carnivorous and fed primarily on chironomid larvae. Adults were present from August to mid-October, with peak numbers of adult males and females occurring in mid-September and late September, respectively. Fecundity of field-collected females averaged 94.1 ± 45.15 eggs per female in September ( N = 81) and decreased to 85.2 ± 57.6 in October ( N = 12). Drumming duets were 2-way (male-female), and female answers followed male calls (nonoverlapped) or began before completion of the male call (overlapped). Male calls averaged 11.1 ± 2.09 beats and female answers averaged 6.2 ± 2.99, with mean intervals of 118 and 58 ms, respectively. The average number of female answer beats increased from 5.3 ± 2.56 when duets were nonoverlapped, to 6.6 ± 3.08 when overlapped.     

Studies on the life cycle of the cicadellid bug Empoasca dolichi Paoli,in Southern Nigeria

Summary

Studies carried out on the biology of E. dolichi Paoli showed that its eggs are palegreen to creamy white, elongate and often curved, and have a mean length and width of 0·84 mm and 0·16 mm respectively. The egg-incubation period averaged 8·3 days under uncontrolled insectary conditions of 21–32°C and 45–95% relative humidity, while the life-cycle from egg to adult averaged 17·5 days. In the insectary, mating in E. dolichi usually started between the third and sixth day after adult emergence. Over 56% of observed individuals mated on the 4th day. The observed diurnal mating period was mainly within 05·30–09·00 hours and 16·00–20·00 hours local time, with an average copulation period of 65·7 min. The mean pre-oviposition period of 3·0 days for 23 mated females was significantly shorter than 4·0 days for 21 unmated females. An average of 116 eggs and 96 eggs were laid by mated and unmated females respectively, but the fecundity rate (3 eggs/day of total life-span) of mated females was significantly higher than that (2 eggs/day) of unmated females. Unmated females lived longer (mean=49·7 days) than mated females with a mean of 38·3 days. The average life-span for mated and unmated males was 31·0 and 32·4 days respectively. Insectary and field observations revealed that females of E. dolichi preferentially lay their eggs into the stems, leaf-veins and leaf petioles of cowpea plants. Only mated females of E. dolichi laid viable eggs, and the observed male: female sex-ratio of their progeny in the insectary was 1:1·04.     

Life cycle and population structure of the terrestrial isopod Hemilepistus klugii (Brandt, 1833) (Isopoda: Oniscidea) in Iran

The life cycle and population structure of Hemilepistus klugii were studied in a population in Varamin, Iran. The population was sampled monthly (or fortnightly during the breeding season) from February 2008 to June 2009 and a total of 7015 individuals, comprising 1069 males, 1079 females and 4867 juveniles, were collected. As in other Hemilepistus species, five distinct phenophases, namely pair formation, gestation, hatching, growth and stationary, were recorded during the life cycle of H. klugii. The overall sex ratio was 1 : 1 but varied over time. Ovigerous females were observed only in April, indicating a seasonal and very short breeding period. With a short lifespan after breeding, females demonstrated true semelparity. The mean cephalothorax width for ovigerous/post-ovigerous females was higher in 2008 than in 2009. These females attained the largest size in the population throughout the year. The number of eggs per female ranged from 28 to 147 (mean ± SE, 78 ± 1.8). There was a positive correlation between female size and fecundity. Recruitment occurred in late April and resulted in the highest population density in this month, whereas the lowest densities were observed during November to January. Despite a high percentage of ovigerous females carrying undeveloped eggs (72.3%), intramarsupial mortality was low (3.5%).     

Effects of browsing by native ungulates on the shrubs in big sagebrush communities in Yellowstone National Park

The effects of elk ( Cervus elaphus ), pronghorn ( Antilocapra americana ), and mule deer ( Odocoileus hemionus ) browsing on shrubs in big sagebrush ( Artemisia tridentata ) communities were monitored over a 31-year period in Yellowstone National Park. Ungulates were restricting Wyoming big sagebrush (spp. wyomingensis ) heights, size, and recruitment on the lower-elevation stratum only, while no such suppression was observed on the high-elevation stratum. Parallel increases in mountain big sagebrush (spp. vaseyana ) densities and cover occurred over the study period on both browsed and unbrowsed sites at the higher-elevation stratum, although big sagebrush, green rabbitbrush ( Chrysothamnus viscidiflorus ), and horsebrush ( Tetradymia canescens ) were slightly taller and crown sizes were slightly larger on unbrowsed than browsed sites. Wyoming big sagebrush utilization (percent leader use) was eight times higher (￣ x = 87 ± 7.2% by pronghorns, mule deer, and elk) on the low-elevation winter ranges stratum (the Boundary Line Area [BLA] portion of the winter range), while mostly mountain big sagebrush with leader use averaged only 11 ± 4.1% (nearly all by elk) on the high-elevation range stratum. In addition, annual aboveground biomass production of big sagebrush did not differ between browsed and unbrowsed study sites on the high-elevation stratum of the winter range. Population turnover was higher on browsed plots versus unbrowsed plots. No difference was observed in percent dieback of big sagebrush adult plants between browsed and unbrowsed plots at the higher stratum. Browsing did not influence the number of leaves or seedstalks per plant ( P > .05), but leaves averaged 45% longer and seedstalks 42% longer on browsed big sagebrush. Ungulate browsing, however, apparently suppressed production, germination, and survival of Wyoming big sagebrush on the low-elevation stratum. Numbers of Wyoming big sagebrush declined 43% and cover declined 29%, 1957-1990, on browsed sites on the BLA. Annual biomass production on browsed sites at the low-elevation stratum was only 6-35% that of unbrowsed sites, and big sagebrush recruitment was less on browsed sites. Percent leader use of big sagebrush did not differ between the period of ungulate reductions, 1962-1969, and the 1980s on the lower stratum (￣ x = 87% leader use), but utilization was less on higher portions of the winter range during the period of elk reductions (￣ x = 2%) than during the 1980s following cessation of elk controls (￣ x = 11%).     

Reproductive biology of Limnoria chilensis: another boring peracarid species with extended parental care

Several boring peracarid species engage in extended parental care with parents tolerating small juveniles in their burrows, but only anecdotal observations have been reported from boring isopods of the genus Limnoria. The isopod Limnoria chilensis Menzies is frequently found in holdfasts of the macroalgae Macrocystis pyrifera (L.) C. Agardh and Durvillea antarctica (Chamisso) Hariot. In the present study, holdfasts of D. antarctica that harboured L. chilensis were carefully dissected in order to examine the association pattern of reproductive females and small juveniles. In most infested holdfasts, L. chilensis reached very high densities of 43.7 ± 3.9 (mean ± SE) individuals cm^?2 (range: 0–90 individuals cm^?2). The overall sex ratio (females:males) was close to unity (1.2). Male size varied between 1.5 and 2.6 mm body length (BL) and female size between 1.5 and 3.6mm BL. The percentage of reproductive females was low (19.7% of all females), and only the largest females (>2.6 mm BL) were reproductive. Embryo numbers ranged between six and 19 per female and a significant correlation between female BL and the number of embryos was found. Several females were found with small juveniles (0.8–1.2 mm BL) in the terminal end of their burrows. On several occasions, aggregations of similar-sized juveniles (1.0–1.5 mm BL) in their own burrows were found near a female burrow, indicating that these juveniles initiated their first individual burrows from within the maternal burrows. Some females with small juveniles in the terminal end of their burrows were either accompanied by males or they were ovigerous, indicating that they may have been in the process of producing a second brood. The fact that juveniles build their first burrows in the protection of female burrows suggests that such small juveniles have not yet developed full boring capacity. Extended parental care in this (and other boring) peracarid species represents a mechanism facilitating high juvenile survival rates. Given the highly local recruitment, it is suggested that the reproductive biology of this isopod has strong implications for Its population biology.     

Reproductive characteristics of to symtopic lizards species, Sceloporus gadoviae and Sceloporus jalapae (Squamata: Phyrnosomatidae), from Tehuacán Valley, Puebla, México

We studied the reproductive characteristics of 2 syntopic lizard species, Sceloporus gadoviae and Sceloporus jalapae (Phrynosomatidae). Specimens of S. gadoviae ( N = 105) and S. jalapae ( N = 41) were collected in a tropical arid forest from Tehuacán Valley, Puebla, México. Males of S. gadoviae reached sexual maturity at the same snoutvent length (SVL; 45.0 mm) as S. jalapae , and a similar pattern occurred in females of both species (SVL; 41.0 and 42.0 mm, respectively). Males of S. gadoviae exhibited reproductive activity throughout the year, with a longer activity during the dry (November to May) and part of the wet season (June to September). In contrast, reproductive activity in S. jalapae males occurred during the wet season (July to September). Females of S. gadoviae showed continuous reproduction, whereas females of S. jalapae exhibited seasonal reproduction. Mean SVL of sexually mature females was higher for S. gadoviae (￣ x ± s￣x = 50.4 ± 0.52) than for S. jalapae (46.0 ± 0.54, P S. gadoviae was lower (3.9 ± 0.14 eggs) than for S. jalapae (5.6 ± 0.43). There was no significant correlation between snout-vent length of females and clutch size of S. gadoviae ( r 2 = 0.22, P > 0.05) or S. jalapae ( r 2 = 0.48, P > 0.05). Our study suggests that although both species inhabit the same environment, they have different reproductive characteristics.     

The deep‐sea chiton Nierstraszella (Mollusca: Polyplacophora: Lepidopleurida) in the Indo‐West Pacific: taxonomy,morphology and a bizarre ectosymbiont

Three hundred and three individuals representing 14 species of lizards (Scincidae), collected in Papua New Guinea, were examined for metazoan endoparasites. Two species of Digenea, four species of Cestoda, 21 species of Nematoda (adults and larvae in cysts), two species of Acanthocephala and one species of Pentastomida were found. Forty-two new host records and two new locality records are reported. Skinks from Papua New Guinea are infected by “generalist” endoparasites, which parasitize a variety of reptile or amphibian hosts. Mean endoparasite species diversity per skink species was 5.0 ± 3.3 SD, range: 1–11.     

Dispersal and extraterritorial movements of swift foxes ( Vulpes velox ) in northwestern Texas

Dispersal plays an important role in the population dynamics of many carnivores, yet little information exists about the dispersal and movement patterns of swift foxes ( Vulpes velox ). We radio-collared and monitored 68 swift foxes for dispersal at 2 study sites in northwestern Texas from January 2002 to April 2004. Dispersal distance for juveniles (13.1 ± 0.3 km, s ), adults (10 ± 4.7 km) and transients (25.4 ± 9.1 km) did not differ by age class ( F = 1.49, df = 2, P = 0.24) or sex ( F = 0.23, df = 1, P = 0.63) but differed by study site ( F = 4.72, df = 1, P = 0.04). Mean dispersal distance from private ranches (PR) was greater than from National Grasslands (NG). Peak dispersal occurred during October– November (13 individuals) and January–February (7 individuals). Dispersal direction was influenced by land-use practices (i.e., toward rangelands and away from anthropogenic features). Direction of dispersal among foxes that occupied the NG was uniform ( n = 16, P = 0.08), whereas foxes from PR dispersed in a northwesterly direction ( n = 18, P ≤ 0.001) away from a town and croplands. Three resident adult foxes made extraterritorial movements. Distances of these movements ranged from 0.2 km to 11.4 km. Distance of extraterritorial movements did not differ by sex ( F = 0.05, P = 0.83), nor by duration of movement ( F = 1.11, P = 0.32). Knowledge of movement distances and patterns is important for conservation and protection of swift foxes and their habitats.     

Reproductive ecology of the glass frog Espadarana prosoblepon (Anura: Centrolenidae) in an urban forest of the Central Andes of Colombia

Population and reproductive behaviour aspects of the glass frog Espadarana prosoblepon are well known for populations from Central America, but similar information is lacking for populations from South America. We recorded the reproductive ecology of a population of the glass frog E. prosoblepon in the city of Armenia, Central Andes of Colombia. With weekly surveys with mark-recapture between December 2013 and November 2015, we monitored activity patterns and evaluated if the probability of males mating is associated to their body size or to chorus tenure (i.e. the number of nights a same individual is calling for attracting a mate). In addition, upon observing an amplexus, we recorded the behaviour of the individuals until oviposition and noted characteristics of egg clutch. We recorded 47 males and 32 females, nine amplexus events, eight ovipositions, and 21 egg clutches (35.4 ± 4.79 eggs per clutch, N = 29). Activity of males and females and the number of egg clutches were positively correlated to rainfall. Mating success of males was not associated to their body size, but it was positively associated to longer chorus tenure; clutches from large females had a higher number of eggs than clutches from small females. Oviposition occurred on average 3.76 ± 1.74 hours after we first observed the amplexus, occurring 93.1% of the time in fronds of Selaginella geniculata at an average height of 1.58 ± 0.44 m. After the oviposition, the male left the site, while the female remained between 30 and 45 min, partially covering the eggs. The reproductive behaviour of E. prosoblepon did not vary widely between a population in Costa Rica and our population in time to oviposition, and mating success of males associated to chorus tenure; however, in our study population we recorded a larger clutch size and the preference for S. geniculata fronds as oviposition substrate.     

Breeding behaviour of the Omei tree frog Rhacophorus omeimontis (Anura: Rachophoridae) in a subtropical montane region

Breeding behaviour of the Omei tree frog, Rhacophorus omeimontis, was studied during the egg-laying period (mid-April to late June) in south-west China. The operational sex ratio of the breeding population was male-biased at 3.0?±?0.8 (mean?±?SD) on a nightly basis in Pond A and 4.3?±?1.1 in Pond B. Pairs with a male clasping a female occurred in ponds first; the amplectant pairs moved to a neighbouring plant and then released foam in leaves 14–370 cm above the pond's water surface. Immediately, other males came to join the pair, forming an amplexing group of 2 to 7 males (for all 45 breeding units observed). Among the males no direct physical competition for possession of the females was observed. Females produced foam which surrounded the subsequently-laid eggs. The whole process of oviposition lasted 45–65 minutes. After ovipositing, males left the female, the female folded and lined neighbouring leaves with more foam produced to surround the eggs further. This process took 15–45 minutes. The numbers of eggs in a clutch ranged from 457 to 837 and eggs were between 2.9 and 3.4 mm in diameter; those two measures were negatively correlated with each other. Eggs hatched after 12–17 days; the larval period lasted 63–78 days. Fertilization success was positively related to the number of males participating in matings.     

Immature stages of Chinavia musiva (Berg, 1878): a unique pattern in the morphology of Chinavia Orian, 1965 (Hemiptera,Pentatomidae)1

Specimens of Chinavia musiva were collected in Parque Estadual do Espinilho (Barra do Quaraí County, RS, Brazil). Insects were reared under controlled conditions (24±1°C; RH 70±10%; 12h L:12h D), and fed on green beans (Phaseolus vulgaris L.). Eggs of C. musiva differ from the pattern observed in other species of the genus due to chorion colour and surface, and aero‐micropylar processes, number and shape. Exclusive features of the species in the nymphal stage are head and thorax dull; variegated pattern of abdomen, and openings of the scent glands in conspicuous tubercles. Developmental time was, on average, 52 days; females laid more frequently egg masses with 14 or 42 eggs. Females collected from the field as nymphs exhibited higher reproductive performance than females reared on green beans as nymphs and adults, suggesting that wild hosts could be essential for the species life cycle.     

Survival rates of translocated and native Mountain Quail in Oregon

We estimated survival rates for 232 radio-tagged native ( n = 157) and translocated ( n = 75) Mountain Quail ( Oreortyx pictus ) from 1997 to 1999 in Hells Canyon National Recreation Area (HCNRA) in northeastern Oregon and in the Cascade Mountain Range (CMR) of southwestern Oregon. For the combined areas the estimated survival rate during 150-day intervals was 0.42 ± 0.04. Estimated survival was 0.41 ± 0.04 for Mountain Quail in HCNRA and 0.34 ± 0.34 for quail in CMR. There were no differences in survival functions for native quail in HCNRA and CMR ( P = 0.91), for translocated and native quail in HCNRA ( P = 0.93), for native quail in CMR and translocated quail in HCNRA ( P = 0.97), or for birds released in the fall and birds released in the winter ( P = 0.57). Male and female survival functions were significantly different ( X 2 1 = 4.61, P = 0.02). The estimated risk ratio for males was 0.66 that of females. Translocated wild Mountain Quail appeared to have survival rates similar to native quail. Mountain Quail experienced mortalities of > 50% over a 150-day interval in both the conifer forests of the western Cascade Mountain Range and the semiarid habitats of northeastern Oregon. With the ability to rapidly expand their populations and exploit marginal habitats, Mountain Quail are excellent candidates for reintroduction programs, and translocated wild Mountain Quail could be used to supplement declining populations.     

Early life history of the sheepnose (Plethobasus cyphyus) (Mollusca: Bivalvia: Unionoida)

Managing a rare species can be improved with knowledge of its natural history. The sheepnose (Plethobasus cyphyus) is a freshwater mussel recently listed by the US as federally endangered. We used standard methods to study P. cyphyus brooding behaviour, host fishes in the laboratory and under natural conditions, and glochidial morphology. We monitored a population of P. cyphyus in the Chippewa River, WI during spring and summer 2007–2009 and 2011 and found brooding animals between mid-May and early August. Gravid individuals ranged between 5 and 27 yr (mean age ± 1 s.d. = 13 ± 4 yr). Plethobasus cyphyus brooded glochidia in outer gills, which varied in colour from red, orange, pink, cream, or white. We observed mature glochidia more commonly in individuals with cream or white gills and these glochidia were released in a clear, adhesive, mucus matrix. In laboratory trials we found several minnow and topminnow species (29 spp.) served as productive suitable native hosts. The mean number of juvenile mussels released per cyprinid per day was significantly higher for trials conducted at 22–25°C compared with those at 18–20°C, and 83% of trials conducted at 18–20°C using suitable host species produced no juveniles. Glochidia had a unique outline and shell morphometrics that distinguished P. cyphyus from seven other Chippewa River mussel species that produce similar sized glochidia. Using morphometrics we determined that mimic shiners (Notropis volucellus) were natural hosts for P. cyphyus, round pigtoe (Pleurobema sintoxia), and Wabash pigtoe (Fusconaia flava). Releasing mucus-bound glochidia has evolved in a variety of mussel species and may be more common than is currently realized. Our data show that P. cyphyus is a cyprinid host specialist, and propagation efforts for this species can be strengthened through improved access to mature glochidia by using females with cream-coloured gills and increased juvenile production through warmer fish holding temperatures.     

Microdistribution of juveniles and adults of the mud crab Panopeus americanus (Brachyura,Panopeidae) in a remnant mangrove area in the southwest Atlantic

The distribution and density of a population of the narrowback mud crab Panopeus americanus were evaluated, with emphasis on the different developmental stages (juveniles and adults) and sexes. Specimens were collected in a remnant human‐impacted mangrove at Araçá on the northern coast of São Paulo, Brazil, at two‐month intervals from January through July 2006, using 1 m×1 m sample plots randomly distributed in the intertidal zone. The population was abundant, with a mean density of 14.3±9.3 individuals/m². Larger individuals were more abundant in the upper and middle intertidal zones, whereas smaller crabs were predominant in the lower intertidal and thus remained submerged longer. Males and juveniles were homogeneously distributed. Females preferred regions farther from the waterline. A clustered distribution pattern suggested gregarious behaviour and settling of juveniles in the vicinity of the adults' habitats, in an adaptive process as a function of tidal rhythms.     

Growth and demography of one population of the lizard Sceloporus mucronatus mucronatus

We report on growth and demography of Sceloporus mucronatus mucronatus , a lizard subspecies endemic to central Mexico. We characterize the life history of this subspecies, provide quantitative information relevant to conservation, and add to the growing literature on the diversity of life histories in the genus Sceloporus . We calculated body growth rates and fitted them to the Von Bertalanffy, the logistic-by-length, and the logistic-by-weight growth models. The Von Bertalanffy model provided the best fit, and we used it to analyze the growth pattern. Growth rates were similar during the 1st year of life in both sexes, but after that point males grew faster and reached maturity earlier (20 months) than females (31 months). We used a population projection matrix to model population dynamics during 2003–2004 and found a positive population growth rate (λ = 1.769). However, based on the projected stable size-class vector ( w ), this population does not appear to have reached stability, and it might be currently experiencing considerable interannual fluctuations. Elasticity values showed that the transition from the juvenile stage to the 1st adult stage was the vital rate that contributes the most to population growth rate, followed by fecundity and stasis of the 1st reproductive category. While total elasticities for demographic processes were similar, elasticities per size class showed the relatively high importance of small adults in comparison to juveniles and large adults. The restriction of this endemic subspecies to central Mexico, where human activities and consequent habitat destruction are increasing, demands further quantitative evaluation and monitoring of populations, even though our results indicate a potential for population growth.     

Effects of temperature on the survival and growth of age-0 least chub ( Iotichthys phlegethontis )

Larval and juvenile stages of many fishes require nursery habitats that provide optimal conditions for growth. Loss or degradation of these habitats limits recruitment, causing population and species declines. Least chub ( Iotichthys phlegethontis ), an endemic cyprinid in the Bonneville Basin, is currently restricted to a few spring complexes in Utah. This species utilizes the warm shallow spring margins as spawning and rearing habitat throughout the summer. This study was conducted to determine effects of temperature on survival and growth of age-0 least chub to understand the importance of temperature in selection of spring margins as rearing habitat. Age-0 least chub were exposed to 5 temperatures (14°C, 17°C, 21°C, 24°C, and 27°C) for 112 days. Growth rates varied significantly with temperature except at 17°C and 27°C, and growth rates were highest at 21°C ( P < 0.001). Maximum growth rate for age-0 least chub, estimated from a 2nd-order polynomial regression, would occur at 22.3°C. These thermal requirements indicate the importance of warm rearing habitats in producing strong year classes and viable populations. However, warm spring margins also enable western mosquitofish, a nonnative competitor and predator of least chub, to thrive in these spring habitats. Broad thermal limits of the least chub suggest that it could persist at cooler temperatures, which would reduce the viability of western mosquitofish populations.     

Habitat use and selection and home ranges of Merriam's Wild Turkey in Oregon

Habitat use and selection by Merriam's Wild Turkeys ( Meleagris gallopavo merriami ) in Wasco County, Oregon, was studied during 1981-82. This turkey population selectively used forested cover types (such as ponderosa pine-Douglas-fir-oak, ponderosa pine-oak) characterized by a variety of structural features, species, and age classes. The population used single species forested cover types (oak, ponderosa pine) less than expected, used nonforested cover types in proportion to their availability, and avoided forested cover types with structure simplified by logging activities. The four age and sex classes had large seasonal home ranges (￣x = 1,615 ha); the smallest home ranges were exhibited by adult males in winter and the largest were shown by subadult males in fall. In most instances, turkeys used cover types as they were available. We suggest that structural complexity of vegetation, both within and among cover types, is an important component of habitat for Merriam's Wild Turkeys that should be considered in the evaluation of potential release sites and in habitat management plans.     

Helminths of ten species of Litoria frogs (Anura: Hylidae) from Papua New Guinea

One hundred and ninety-one frogs collected in Papua New Guinea from 10 species of the genus Litoria, namely, L. angiana, L. arfakiana, L. caerulea, L. congenita, L. eurynastes, L. gasconi, L. infrafrenata, L. iris, L. kumae and L. modica, were examined for helminths. Eighteen species of helminths were found: one species of Monogenea, Parapolystoma bulliense; three species of Digenea, Diplodiscus amphichrus, Halipegus zweifeli and Mesocoelium monas; 13 species of Nematoda, gravid specimens of Aplectana macintoshii, Cosmocerca novaeguineae, Falcaustra papuensis, Maxvachonia adamsoni, Maxvachonia flindersi, Maxvachonia ingens, Meteterakis crombiei, Moaciria moraveci, Parathelandros mastigurus, Physalopteroides milnensis, Pseudorictularia dipsarilis, Seuratascaris numidica, and larvae (in cysts) of Abbreviata sp. and, one species of Acanthocephala, Pseudoacanthocephalus bufonis. Mean number of helminth species per host species was 3.0 ± 1.4 SD (range 1–5), mean number of helminth species per infected frog was 1.1 ± 0.4 SD (range 1–2), and mean number of helminths per infected host was 33.3 ± 5.8 SD (range 1–36). Twenty-eight new host records and two new locality records are reported. The biogeography of the recovered helminths is discussed.