Range of the Brown-headed Cowbird in Colorado: past and present

The historic range of the bison ( Bison bison ) on the Great Plains has been well documented. In Colorado the range of bison included both the eastern grasslands and higher-elevation ridges and mountain parks, up to an elevation of 3900 m. Based on the commensal relationship of the brood-parasitic Brown-headed Cowbird ( Molothrus ater ) with the bison, we suggest that the cowbird had a larger historical elevational range in Colorado than previously known and consequently has had a long-term host-parasite relationship with high-elevation breeding songbirds.     

Brood parasitism and nest survival of Brown-headed Cowbird hosts at high-elevation riparian sites in the eastern Sierra Nevada, California

Deciduous riparian ecosystems in the western United States provide habitat for a higher density of breeding birds than reported for any other avian habitat type and provide habitat for more breeding bird species than adjacent uplands. On the east slope of the Sierra Nevada, riparian ecosystems make up Molothrus ater )—an obligate brood parasite that forages on bare ground and feedlots but typically commutes to distinct shrubland or woodland habitats for breeding. We examined nest survival, brood parasitism, breeding phenology, and causes of nest failure for birds at North Lake and Rock Creek: 2 high-elevation (>2500 m) riparian breeding habitats adjacent to recreational development and within cowbird commuting distance to additional potential foraging sites. Nest survival tended to be higher for host species at Rock Creek than for those at North Lake, but parasitism rates were not significantly different between plots. Of 21 open-cup nesting species, 12 were parasitized. We found the highest rate of parasitism (92%) for Warbling Vireos ( Vireo gilvus ) at North Lake, and parasitism contributed to lower total nest survival there (14%). For nearly all species, parasitized nests were less successful and produced fewer young than nonparasitized nests. However, predation was the leading cause of complete nest failure across all species and contributed to the lowest total nest survival estimates for Western Wood-Pewees ( Contopus sordidulus, 11%) and Dusky Flycatchers ( Empidonax oberholseri, 15%) at North Lake and for Dark-eyed Juncos ( Junco hyemalis, 15%) at Rock Creek. Nest survival was relatively high for Western Wood-Pewees (41%) at Rock Creek and for Yellow Warblers ( Dendroica petechia, 47%) at North Lake. We noted whether the arrival of pack animals at pack-station corrals contributed to variation in cowbird numbers at corrals or in parasitism rates at the 2 sites. Cowbirds occupied corrals before and after pack-stock arrival, and most host clutches were completed prior to pack-stock arrival at nearby corrals, suggesting that the presence of pack animals did not directly affect cowbird host species.     

Observations on mermithid parasitism (Nematoda: Mermithidae) in two species of Lasius ants (Hymenoptera: Formicidae)

The morphological effects of nematode parasitism by Pheromermis myrmecophila were investigated in two species of ants, Lasius flavus and Lasius niger, collected on Clare Island, Ireland. Infected males and queens were found for L. flavus but only infected queens in L. niger. The numbers of nematodes present in each infected specimen were counted and their lengths were measured. Head width, femur length and wing measurements were made for infected and non-infected individuals of both species. In queens, the length of the nematodes decreased as the number per ant increased. When single nematodes were present their mean lengths were significantly greater in L. flavus than in L. niger. In addition to the reduction in wing size for all parasitized specimens, head widths and femur lengths of the queens were significantly different in both species. A log–log graph of radial cell length versus width suggested a linear reduction of wing size.     

Contributions to the biology of the woundfin, Plagopterus argentissimus (Pisces: Cyprinidae), an endangered species

The woundfin is a small, streamlined, omnivorous cyprinid that is now limited to the Virgin River basin where it was collected in the mainstream and one tributary during the present study. The woundfin occurred most frequently in runs and over sand substrates and less frequently in riffles and over rock substrates. It was common over at least half of its original range within the Virgin River. It was uncommon in the lower mainstream due to habitat alterations and, presumably, predation by and competition with exotic species.     

Effects of habitat type and degradation on avian species richness in Great Basin riparian habitats

The overwhelming majority of bird species in the Great Basin region are found in riparian habitats. However, most previous research on the impact of change in habitat condition through degradation on these bird communities failed to account for the large intersite differences, in both habitat type and extent of degradation. We examined songbird communities in 4 riparian habitat types (meadows, willow-birch-, and aspen-dominated forest stands) during summers 1994 (last year of a 7-yr drought) and 1995 (following the 6th wettest winter recorded) in the Toiyabe Mountain Range of central Nevada. Habitat degradation significantly influenced bird species richness in riparian areas, but the impact was dependent upon habitat type. While meadow bird communities were affected adversely by habitat degradation, with significant drops in species richness on degraded sites, bird species richness in forested riparian habitats was consistently greater on degraded sites. Data for the 6 most common species seen during our study indicated that degradation may have influenced distribution of American Robins ( Turdus migratorius ) and Yellow Warblers ( Dendroica petechia ), but habitat type was the best predictor of abundance for House Wrens ( Troglodytes aedon ), Red-naped Sapsuckers ( Sphyrapicus nuchalis ), Warbling Vircos ( Vireo gilvus ), and Brewer's Blackbirds ( Euphagus cyanocephalus ). Avian species diversity in meadow habitats may be linked to moisture levels during specific times of the year. Diversity increased during the pre-migratory period of the dry year (1994) when compared with that of the breeding season, but was unchanged in the wet year (1995).     

Chromosomal relationships among three species of jackrabbits ( Lepus : Leporidae) from Mexico

We studied differentially stained karyotypes of the leporids Lepus californicus, L. callotis, and L. flavigularis and described their banding patterns of euchromatin to decide whether results fit expectations of chromosomal rearrangements leading to the karyotypic evolution ancestral of the L. californicus--L. callotis--L. flavigularis lineage. Results confirmed previous findings on numbers of chromosomes (2 n 's) and fundamental numbers (FNs; except for L. californicus ). Homologous G-banding patterns allowed identification of chromosome rearrangements such as pericentric inversions and addition and deletion of euchromatin. Chromosomal rearrangements that we deduced mostly support hypotheses on karyotypic changes in the chromosomal evolution of the Lepus ancestral lineage that we examined. The karyotypic pattern coincides with patterns of geographic variation and distribution of the species examined.     

Winter survey of raptors with notes on avian scavengers in northwestern Colorado

Winter populations of raptors and scavengers were surveyed along 175 km of rural roads in Moffat County, northwestern Colorado. The survey began in 1988 and is currently continuing. Over the 7 yr of the survey reported here, we found Golden Eagles in high abundance (￣ x = 5.8 km/eagle) compared to most studies in similar habitat. Bald Eagles were less abundant, but increasing compared to 20 yr earlier. American Rough-legged Hawks were in low abundance, probably due to the predominance of sagebrush habitat along the route. Northern Ravens were seen in low numbers in 4 yr. American Crows were seen in 2 yr. Black-billed Magpies were nearly as abundant (￣ x = 6.5 km/magpie) as Golden Eagles and often scavenged with them. Magpie and Golden Eagle numbers were significantly correlated over the years of study. We conclude that northwestern Colorado is a significant overwintering area for Golden Eagles.     

Additional new species of Teruliine leafhoppers with key to species (Cicadellidae: Coelidiinae: Teruliini)

Five new species of teruliine leafhoppers from the Nearctic and Neotropical regions are described and illustrated. These include Plapigella jessicae , Stalolidia crista , and Korsigianus christopheri from Brazil; Jikradia infula from Mexico; and Onblavia freytagi from Venezuela. Revised keys to males of species of three genera are also given.     

Notes on four corinnid species from Korea,with the description of Trachelas joopili new species (Arachnida: Araneae: Corinnidae)

Four species and two genera of corinnid spiders are recognized from Korea and are described and illustrated. Castianeira shaxianensis Gong, 1983 Gong, J. X. 1983. Neue und wenig bekannte Clubionidae aus China (Arachnida: Araneae).. Verh Natur Vereins Hamburg., 26: 61–68.  [Google Scholar] has previously been synonymized with C. paikdoensis Kim, 1997 Kim, J. P. 1997. A new species of the genus Castianeira (Araneae: Corinnidae) from Korea.. Korean Arachnol., 13(1): 1–5.  [Google Scholar] and is misidentified with C. flavimaculata Hu, Song and Zheng, 1985 in Korea. Trachelas acuminus (Zhu and An, 1988 Zhu, M. S. and An, R. 1988. Two new species of the genus Clubiona from China (Araneae: Clubionidae).. J Hebei Norm Univ (Nat. Sci. Ed.)., 1988: 72–75.  [Google Scholar]) is synonymized with Trachelas coreanus Paik, 1991 based on the copualtory duct, the position of the spermatheca and the shape of the circular genital opening of the female situated posteriorly near the epigastric furrow. Trachelas joopili, a new species, is described and is distinguished by the largely triangular apophysis and slender coiled modified cymbium at the basal and distal part, a large horn‐shaped tibial apophysis, and slender linear embolus, twice coiled along with slender distal cymbium. A map showing the distribution of these species and a key to the species of two genera (Castianeira and Trachelas) from Korea are provided.     

Two new species of Clinocentrus Haliday (Hymenoptera: Braconidae) from Argentina,with notes on South American species

The Argentine species of the genus Clinocentrus Haliday are revised. Two new species are described, Clinocentrus mamull sp. nov. and Clinocentrus roigi sp. nov., which represent the southernmost records of the genus in South America. Additionally Clinocentrus nigripectus Enderlein is redescribed and a key to known South American species is provided.     

Notes on American Sitona (Coleoptera: Curculionidae), with three new species

Historical notes extracted from a taxonomic revision of American representatives of Sitona Germar are presented. Described as new to science are Sitona alpinensis (Utah to Northwest Territories), bryanti (Arizona), and oregonensis (Oregon to Washington).     

European species of Haustorius (Crustacea: Amphipoda: Haustoriidae), with description of a new Mediterranean species

The genus Haustorius is represented by six species in the world; three are described as American species, three European including a new species described from the Mediterranean. This new species, H. orientalis, is similar to H. algeriensis Mulot, from the Algerian coast but differs in rostrum slightly exceeding in length the antennal lobes, merus of pereiopod 7 with posterior margin lacking spines, and uropod 1 with two separate rows of spines.     

New species of Harasupia with a revised key to the species (Homoptera: Cicadellidae:Coelidiinae)

Five new species of Harasupia in the tribe Teruliini are described and illustrated. These include austini, baja, mexicana, retrorsa , and ungula , all from Mexico. A revised key to 12 known species is also given.     

A checklist of the valid avian species of Babesia (Apicomplexa: Piroplasmorida), Haemoproteus,Leucocytozoon (Apicomplexa: Haemosporida), and Hepatozoon (Apicomplexa: Haemogregarinidae)

A current checklist of valid avian species of Babesia, Haemoproteus, Hepatozoon, and Leucocytozoon is presented. Some taxonomic problems which have arisen since the last review are discussed as too are the remaining host family groups of parasites still requiring review.     

Description of new species of Miloderes Casey, with comments on other species of the genus (Coleoptera: Curculionidae)

Miloderes allredi, from Utah, and M. tingi, from California, are described as new to science.     

The genus Ena in Turkey,with remarks on its phylogenetic relationships (Gastropoda: Buliminidae)

The Turkish species of Ena are revised. There are three species: Ena nogellii (Roth) is widespread in the western Pontic region of Turkey; Buliminus ponticus Retowski is a synonym of Ena nogellii (Roth); Ena menkhorsti Hausdorf and Bank, sp. n. is widespread in the eastern Pontic region of Turkey; Ena dazimonensis, sp. n. is restricted to the surroundings of Tokat. Ena is transferred from the Eninae sensu Schileyko into the Pseudonapaeinae Schileyko. Therefore, Pseudonapaeini Schileyko is a synonym of Enini Woodward and the Eninae sensu Schileyko must be called Chondrulini Wenz.     

The species of Symplocodes Hebard (Blattodea: Ectobiidae: Blattellinae) with description of a new species from China

This paper provides a generic diagnosis, a species list and taxonomy for the genus Symplocodes Hebard, 1929. The new species Symplocodes euryloba sp. nov. from China is described and illustrated. Symplocodes tsaii Bey-Bienko, 1958 is regarded as a subspecies of Symplocodes marmorata (Brunner von Wattenwyl, 1893), i.e. S. marmorata tsaii comb. nov., and its differences from S. marmorata marmorata (Brunner von Wattenwyl, 1893) are discussed. Two known species, Symplocodes ridleyi (Shelford, 1912) and Symplocodes manubria Feng et Guo, 1990, are redescribed and illustrated, whereas one new specific synonym, i.e. Symplocodes brachialis, is proposed. A key to species worldwide is provided. The tarsal claws of these four species as well as one species of Chorisoserrata Roth, 1998 are examined and photographed to compare the intergeneric differentiation of claw specialization and to discuss its function.