Field identification of Myotis yumanensis and Myotis lucifugus: a morphological evaluation

Myotis lucifigus and Myotis yumanensis are 2 species of bats subject to potentially high rates of misidentification because they are often difficult to differentiate in the hand under field conditions. We tested the utility of a suite of external morphological characteristics frequently cited in regional keys to differentiate the 2 species in the field. Forearm length, dorsal pelage sheen, ear color, and forehead slope were examined from 101 bats captured in central Oregon during 2002–2003. Post hoc genetic analysis was performed on tissue samples collected from the 101 bats to confirm identification. Forearm lengths overlapped considerably between species. Only 18% of M. yumanensis and 17% of M. lucifugus were correctly identified with probability ≥95% using forearm length alone. Pelage sheen, ear color, and forehead slope successfully identified 96%, 82%, and 77% of individual bats, respectively. When forearm length was considered together with other traits, identification rates ranged from 92% to 20%. Ability to correctly identify M. yumanensis was 2–6 times greater than for M. lucifugus. Pelage sheen was useful in our study; however, using this character required a subjective decision from the observer, and the result often contradicted other characters for species identification stated in regional keys. For these reasons, we recommend that morphological features be used judiciously and only as supportive criteria for field identification in combination with voucher echolocation calls and genetic confirmation.     

Ectoparasites of the occult bat, Myotis occultus (Chiroptera: Vespertilionidae)

Only a single previous study has examined ectoparasites of the occult bat ( Myotis occultus ), from which only 2 species of fleas were identified. For our study, we examined 202 individuals, 52 fresh hosts and 150 museum specimens, from New Mexico and southern Colorado for ectoparasites. We recorded 2158 ectoparasites, 634 from fresh hosts and 1524 from museum specimens. Ectoparasites belonged to 10 families and 13 genera of insect or acari and represent new host and locality records. In general, ectoparasites collected from fresh hosts and museum specimens were represented by 4 major species of mite: Macronyssus crosbyi, Alabidocarpus calcaratus, Acanthophthirius lucifugus, and Alabidocarpus nr. eptesicus. From our study, we found fresh hosts to have significantly greater prevalence values for Myodopsylla gentilis (flea), Chiroptonyssus robustipes (mite), and Leptotrombidium myotis (chigger), whereas museum specimens had significantly greater prevalence values for A. calcaratus (mite) and A. nr. eptesicus (mite). There were no significant differences between prevalence values for 4 mites including M. crosbyi, A. lucifugus, Pteracarus nr. minutus, and Cryptonyssus sp. Our study represents the only extensive study of ectoparasites on M. occultus and provides evidence for the importance of examining fresh hosts and museum specimens in future ectoparasite studies.     

Ecology and conservation of the endangered quillwort Isoetes sinensis in China

Isoetes sinensis Palmer is an East Asia endemic fern that faces impending extirpation from the expansive area of Mainland China. Presently, only two natural populations are known to exist in this vast region. Both populations have decreased by about 50% within the last 4 years. This reduction is most probably related to the decline in the size of the wetlands since reproductive activity, spore production, and recruitment were noticeably lower at the microsites occurring in smaller ponds. The decline in population size seems to be associated with succession from marsh to dry land at the habitats of both populations. The study revealed that individuals in both populations produced copious numbers of spores suggesting adequate fecundity, furthermore high levels of spore germination were obtained in laboratory experiments. However, inefficient spore dispersal appears to have contributed to the limited spread of the species. The sex ratio in both populations was male‐biased. Several factors are identified here as posing a threat to Isoetes sinensis populations in China, chiefly the loss of habitat due to infrastructure construction and competition with adventive weed species for establishment on available sites. Disturbance by introduced mammals during browsing and trampling by livestock farm workers, as well as tourists, further contribute to the diminishing numbers of Isoetes sinensis at the study sites.     

Coral‐inhabiting barnacles (Cirripedia; Thoracica; Balanomorpha; Pyrgomatinae) from east of 150°W

The absence of coral‐inhabiting barnacles in the eastern Pacific has been generally accepted. Examination of corals collected on seven islands of French Polynesia, presently found in the collection of the Muséum national d'Histoire naturelle, Paris, revealed the presence of four known species of coral‐inhabiting barnacles, Cantellius tredecimus, Trevathana dentata, T. paulayi, and Neotrevathana elongata, and two new species, Trevathana tureiae and Savignium tuamotum. The present report extends the distribution of the pyrgomatines further east and south of their previously documented distribution.     

Relict occurrence of three "American" Scolytidae (Coleoptera) in Asia

The first non-American representatives of the bark beetle genus Pseudopityophthorus , of the subtribe Corthylina (Corthylini), and of the Ips concinnus species group are named. All are apparently relicts of an early faunal exchange with North America. The new taxa include: Gnatharus , new genus, and its type-species Gnatharus tibetensis , new species (Tibet); Xenophthorus , new subgenus, and its type-species Pseudopityophthorus (Xenophthorus) peregrinus , new species (Tibet), and Ips orientalis , new species (Tibet, China). The intercontinental exchange of other taxa in Scolytidae are also mentioned.     

Planting depth of 'Hobble Creek' mountain big sagebrush seed

We conducted a greenhouse study in which 'Hobble Creek' mountain big sagebrush ( Artemisia tridentata ssp. vaseyana ) seeds were planted at various depths in soil to determine the optimal planting depth. Results showed that the optimal planting depth is 5 mm or less.     

"Curing" of Nicotiana attenuata leaves by small mammals does not decrease nicotine contents

Basal leaves of Nicotiana attenuata are frequently found neatly excised at the petiole and piled on rocks or soil in the sun until dry, after which they disappear, sometimes to be found again in the nests of Neotoma lepida . In response to herbivore attack, N. attenuata increases the concentration of nicotine in its leaves, where it functions as an induced defense. Since excision of leaves at the petiole allows for leaf removal without substantially activating this induced defense, and air-drying at high temperatures can volatilize nicotine, we examined the hypothesis that the observed leaf ""curing"" behavior decreased nicotine contents. In a natural population, replicate bundles of excised leaves were allowed to dry in the sun for up to 96 hours and harvested in 10 intervals. Even though surface temperatures reached 63° C during drying, no significant loss of nicotine was observed. In the laboratory, significant losses of nicotine were not observed until leaves were dried at 100° C. Nicotine contents of naturally ""cured"" leaf piles at 4 populations were found to be marginally higher than those of neighboring intact plants from which the leaves were likely harvested. We conclude that mammalian ""curing"" behavior does not reduce nicotine contents and may allow the leaves to be used for insect repellant purposes.     

Colorado's rare flora

Distribution, status, habitat, elevational range, original literature citations, synonymy, and specimens deposited at Brigham Young University (BRY), University of Colorado (COLO), Colorado State University (CS),Denver Botanical Garden (KHD), Kansas State University (KSC), University of Kansas (KANU), Missouri Botanical Garden (MO), and the Rocky Mountain Herbarium (RM) are given for 79 species of rare Colorado plants. Species federally listed by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service under the Endangered Species Act, candidates for listing, and species that qualify as federal candidates because of limited range, small populations, or known threats are included. Suggested changes in status are offered where appropriate. Maps and tables indicating the Colorado range of these species are provided.     

Revision of Bonesioides Laboissière, 1925 (Coleoptera; Chrysomelidae; Galerucinae) from continental Africa

Bonesioides Laboissière, 1925, Galerucinae endemic to Tropical Africa is revised. This group is characterized by the metallic coloration of the entire dorsum or at least parts of it, the prothorax is moderately trapezoidal, posteriorly enlarged, and lacks any pronotal depressions, the basi-metatarsus is moderately elongated, pronotal coxal cavities are open behind, and distinctly shaped male genitalia. Most metallic-coloured species originally described in Barombiella Laboissière, 1931a are herein transferred to Bonesioides. For each species drawings of the habitus, basal antennal articles, spermatheca and median lobe are given. Species distributions are illustrated in maps, and an identification key is given. In a phylogenetic analysis including other Afrotropical Galerucinae with elongated basi-metatarsi, 'Monoleptites' is found to be a non-monophyletic group. Bonesioides now includes 21 species as follows (including new taxonomical changes): Bonesioides coerulea (Allard, 1889); Bonesioides purpureipennis Laboissière, 1925 = Bonesioides speciosa Laboissière, 1937, syn. nov.; Bonesioides dimidiata Laboissière, 1937; Bonesioides kirschi (Jacoby, 1899), comb. nov. = Monolepta munroi Bryant, 1931, syn. nov., = Barombia lesnei Laboissière, 1931b, syn. nov., = Barombiella babaulti Laboissière, 1939, syn. nov.; Bonesioides barombiensis (Jacoby, 1903), comb. nov. = Barombiella graciosa Laboissière, 1941, syn. nov.; Bonesioides caerulea (Jacoby, 1903), comb. nov.; Bonesioides virens (Weise, 1913), comb. nov. = Barombiella opalina Laboissière, 1940, syn. nov., = Monolepta ruwensorica Bryant, 1952, syn. nov.; Bonesioides laboissierei nom. nov. (replacement name for Beiratia coerulea Laboissière, 1924); Bonesioides laevicollis (Laboissière, 1940), comb. nov.; Bonesioides jacksoni (Bryant, 1953), comb. nov.; Bonesioides budongoensis sp. nov.; Bonesioides gambiae sp. nov.; Bonesioides godzilla sp. nov.; Bonesioides jacobyi sp. nov.; Bonesioides kamerunensis sp. nov.; Bonesioides marcoi sp. nov.; Bonesioides montana sp. nov.; Bonesioides nitida sp. nov.; Bonesioides pusilla sp. nov.; Bonesioides rubricollis sp. nov.; Bonesioides trispiculata sp.     

Natural and unnatural; wild and cultural

Yellowstone National Parks mission and policy can be clarified by analysis of the natural and the unnatural. Nature is a comprehensive word, in some uses excluding nothing; more useful is a contrast distinguishing nature and culture . Specifying ""wild nature"" denotes spontaneous nature absent human influence. Critics claim that the meaning of wild nature, especially of wilderness, is a foil of culture. Pristine nature, often romanticized, is contrasted with a technological and industrial culture. By this account, wilderness is a social construction. Nevertheless, wild nature successfully denotes, outside culture, an evolutionary and ecological natural history, which remains present on the Yellowstone landscape, jeopardized by numerous human influences, including the invasions of exotic species. Natural processes have returned in the past, as when Native Americans left the landscape. Natural processes can be preserved today, because of, rather than in spite of, park management. Over much of the North American landscape nature is managed and at an end. Yellowstone provides an opportunity to encounter and to conserve ""untrammeled"" nature as an end in itself, past, present, and future.     

Utah's rare plants revisited

Presented is a current evaluation of the status and distribution of Utah's rare plant species, including those officially listed as endangered or threatened, those under review for listing, those recommended by the Utah Native Plant Society, and those which recently have been removed from consideration. Taxa are discussed alphabetically. Information on status, distribution, habitat, elevation, and specimens deposited at Brigham Young University are included in the discussion of each species. Maps showing the state distribution of each listed or candidate plant are also provided. New combinations include Dalea flavescens (Wats.) Welsh var. epica (Welsh) Welsh & Chatterley and Schoenerambe suffrutescens (Rollins) Welsh & Chatterley.        

Two aberrant karyotypes in the sagebrush lizard ( Sceloporus graciosus ): triploidy and a "supernumerary" oddity

Widespread karyotypic sampling in the lizard Sceloporus graciosus Baird & Girard has confirmed previous reports of chromosomal monotypy. Most individuals throughout the range have a diploid karyotype of 2N = 30 consisting of 12 biarmed macrochromosomes and 18 microchromosomes. A single female karyotyped from the vicinity of Riverside, California, was unmistakably triploid, showing 3N = 45 with 18 macrochromosomes and 27 microchromosomes. This female appeared phenotypically normal but appeared reproductively incompetent. A male from Zion National Park, Utah, showed an extra bivalent in some diakinesis arrays, which apparently represents a supernumerary chromosome.