Helminth parasites of cats and dogs from central Utah

A survey of the helminth parasites of 100 stray cats and 50 dogs was conducted. Each host was euthanized, and the internal organs were excised and examined for parasites. Helminths identified from cats included the tapeworms Dipylidium caninum and Hydatigera taeniaformis, and the nematodes Physaloptera sp. and Toxocara mystax. Two species of coccidia, Isospora felis and I. rivolta, and one ectoparasitic mite, Cheyletiella parasitivorax, were also recovered from cats during sugar flotation of the feces. Helminths identified from dogs included the tapeworms D. caninum, Taenia hydatigena, T. krabbei, and T. pisiformis, and the nematodes Filaroides milksi, Toxascaris leonina, and Toxocara canis. Of those parasites collected, D. caninum, T. canis, and T. mystax are known to cause accidental infection in humans and could represent potential health hazards in this region.     

Prevalence of Elaeophora schneideri and Onchocerca cervipedis in mule deer from central Utah

Thirteen of 265 deer (4.9 percent) from central Utah were positive for Elaeophora schneideri, and 180 (67.9 percent) were infected with Onchocerca cervipedis. The rate of infection for E. schneideri and O. cervipedis increased significantly with age of the host (chi - square of 17.5 and 15.5, respectively, p     

Habitat relationships of Glaux maritima in central Utah

Thirty-five study sites were established in the meadow communities surrounding Utah Lake in central Utah. The study sites ranged across several community types. Glaux maritima was found in all sites but varied as to its ecological importance in these communities. Sixteen soil factors were measured relative to the stands studied. Cover of Glaux maritima correlated with parts per million sodium and total soluble salts in the soil. No other factors correlated significantly with the cover of Glaux maritima. Glaux maritima occupied only those sites with high levels of moisture throughout the growing season. The high moisture levels came from springs, seeps, elevated water tables, and early seasonal inundation. High levels of Glaux maritima cover corresponded to low numbers of species in the habitat.        

Occurrence of ticks on mule deer in central Utah

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Recovery of Gambel oak after fire in central Utah

The height of oak ( Quercus gambelii Nutt.) stems was measured on several fire scars within the Uinta National Forest and vicinity and compared with the height of oak stems on adjacent, nonburned areas. A significant relationship exists between the recovery rate of oak after fire and elevation, with the recovery rate being greatest at low elevations. A trend also exists showing that recovery tends to be greater on south to westerly exposures than on north to easterly exposures.     

Kanab ambersnail and other terrestrial snails in south central Utah

Surveys for succineid snails were conducted to improve genetic and geographical information for the endangered Kanab ambersnail ( Oxyloma haydeni kanabensis Pilsbry) and related taxa within the Succineidae. Surveys were carried out in the Bureau of Land Management Kanab District, at the Grand Staircase Escalante National Monument, on 3 private holdings, and along Highways 89, 12, and 14, all in south central Utah. A population of Kanab ambersnails was known to exist in the region; other populations of Oxyloma were discovered in primarily seep-fed wetlands in Kanab Creek and in tributaries of and wetlands along the Virgin, Sevier, and Escalante rivers in Kane, Garfield, and Piute counties. None of the newly discovered populations was identified as Kanab ambersnail on the basis of anatomical evidence, although one was at the type locale for that species. We list other snail species encountered and discuss the status of the Kanab ambersnail in light of recent genetic research.     

Grazing impacts on sagebrush communities of central Utah

Twenty-three study sites were established in the sagebrush communities bordering Utah Lake. Relic (ungrazed) and grazed stands were represented in the sample. Differences in species composition, vegetation, and soil characteristics were assessed. Major differences in species composition and vegetative characteristics were due to the influence of grazing. Major changes were loss of native perennial grass cover, and increases in cover from introduced annual species. Differences in the soil characteristics were due to habitat rather than grazing influences.     

Compositional similarity within the oakbrush type in central and northern Utah

Indices of similarity were used to evaluate the similarity of oakbrush stands throughout the Uinta National Forest and to compare oak communities in central and northern Utah. Results show that Gambel oak stands in central Utah differ significantly among themselves in respect to quantitative aspects of the vegetation. Those differences can be correlated with elevation, slope exposure, and fire history. Nevertheless, there is currently inadequate justification for recognizing more than one habitat type for the species in the study area. There is a need to develop a model capable of predicting growth rate of oak on specific sites.     

Ecological differences of C 3 and C 4 plant species from central Utah in habitats and mineral composition

Six study sites were established in each of three community life form types (grass, forb, and shrub) containing as dominants or subdominants either C 3 and/or C 4 plants. Soil and vegetation samples were analyzed for total nitrogen, phosphorus, magnesium, calcium, potassium, sodium, zinc, iron, copper, and manganese. Discriminant analysis and analysis of variance statistics were used to evaluate differences in mineral content of soils and plant tissues. C 4 plants in all study sites assimilated higher concentrations of potassium, iron, and calcium than did C 3 plants. Forbs in all sites contained the highest concentrations of minerals, followed by shrubs and grasses.     

Field measurements of alkalinity from lakes in the Uinta Mountains, Utah, 1956-1991

History and technical literature describing potential effects of livestock grazing on mule deer ( Odocoileus hemionus ) populations and winter range habitat are reviewed. Recommendations for livestock grazing on winter ranges within the Great Basin are advanced.     

Additions to knowledge of Paleocene mammals from the North Horn Formation, central Utah

The distinctive but inadequately known Paleocene faunas of central Utah are significant in that they sample a time interval not well represented by sequences in other areas. New materials from the Wagon Road (late Puercan) and Dragon (early Torrejonian) local faunas, North Horn Formation, provide additional information on the composition of the assemblages and systematics of included mammal taxa. The proteutherian ? Propalaeosinopa is recorded for the first time, from the Wagon Road fauna, indicating a significant extension for the enigmatic family Pantolestidae, otherwise first known from the Torrejonian. Associated premolars of Aphronorus simpsoni , a pentacodontid proteutherian from the Dragon fauna, indicated that the species is more distinct from its Torrejonian congener, A. fraudator , than previously suspected. New materials of Desmatoclaenus hermaeus uphold the synonymy of this species with D. paracreodus and permit more adequate definition of the genus with respect to the arctocyonid Loxolophus and the phenacodontid Tetraclaenodon ; because Desmatoclaenus appears to share derived morphology with Loxolophus , we refer it to the basal condylarth family Arctocyonidae. The periptychid condylarth Haploconus , represented in the Wagon Road fauna by the geologically oldest described species of the genus, H. elachistsus , is shown to be distinctive in the configuration of lower molars and premolars; H. elachistus appears to be more primitive than species known from the Torrejonian of New Mexico. Some features of Haploconus are suggestive of the Conacodontinae, a distinctive clade of diminutive periptychids.     

Evaluation of a program to control hydatid disease in central Utah

Normal 0 false false false EN-US X-NONE X-NONE MicrosoftInternetExplorer4 st1\:*{behavior:url(#ieooui) } /* Style Definitions */ table.MsoNormalTable {mso-style-name:"Table Normal"; mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0; mso-tstyle-colband-size:0; mso-style-noshow:yes; mso-style-priority:99; mso-style-qformat:yes; mso-style-parent:""; mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; mso-para-margin:0in; mso-para-margin-bottom:.0001pt; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:11.0pt; font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif"; mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-fareast; mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi;} A program to control hydatid disease in central Utah was evaluated by: (1) surveillance of infection in dogs and sheep, (2) questioning adult residents of two Sanpete County communities (Fountain Green and Spring City) about their knowledge of hydatid disease and their attitudes toward preventive measures, (3) interviewing local officials to evaluate the proposed implementation of proper community-wide measures, (4) analyzing records of prophylactic treatment of dogs with praziquantel, and (5) comparing scores of tests given to third and fourth grade students before and after they colored an educational pamphlet about hydatid disease. Infection rates of Echinococcus granulosus in dogs brought to volunteer diagnostic clinics dropped from 28.3 percent in 1972 to 1.0 percent in 1979, but increased to 9.8 percent in 1981. This last rise was due mainly to the fact that some dogs were examined that belonged to range sheepmen who had either not attended a field clinic recently or had never attended at all. Prevalence of the parasite in slaughtered sheep decreased steadily from 13.2 percent in 1972 to 2.8 percent in 1981. With regard to the questionnaire phase of the project, 87.3 percent and 84.3 percent of the respondents understood the role of dogs in the life cycle of E. granulosus in Fountain Green and Spring City, respectively. Over 50 percent of the respondents of these two communities had worked directly with sheep sometime in their life. In general, residents were more willing to practice preventive measures involving sheep than they were to implement measures involving dogs alone. However, many of the recommended community-wide preventive measures were not implemented. With the coloring book, students answered an average of 62.5 percent of the questions correctly before they colored the pamphlet and 83.3 percent afterward. Overall, our results suggest that residents of Sanpete County are knowledgeable about hydatid disease and its mode of transmission, and that, in general, progress has been made in control of hydatid disease in central Utah.       

Habitat relationships of saltcedar ( Tamarix ramosissima ) in central Utah

Nineteen study sites were established in areas infested with saltcedar bordering Utah Lake in central Utah. Saltcedar cover on the sites averaged 57% but varied widely from community to community. Seventeen soil factors were measured relative to the stands studied. Cover of saltcedar was regressed against the different soil factors, but no patterns were detected. Saltcedar functioned equally well at all levels of each gradient studied and appeared able to accommodate wide variations in all factors studied. It is suggested that saltcedar has evolved a general-purpose genotype that contributes to its being a vigorous and troublesome weed. Criteria as to why it is such an aggressive weed are listed.     

Behavior and habitat preferences of ring-necked pheasants during late winter in central Utah

Ring-necked pheasant behavior and habitat preferences were studied during late February along benches of the Wasatch Mountains in central Utah. Seven behavioral categories were used to classify pheasant activities during three time periods of the day. Eating, alert, and movement behavior were the most frequent activities during all periods of the day. Significant differences (p < .01) were found between morning and midday behavior and between midday and evening behavior. Pheasants fed in open areas during morning hours then retreated into heavy cover during midday periods. The birds remained in heavy cover until late afternoon. Pheasants then moved away from heavy cover into semiopen areas to feed as evening approached.     

Three-year surveillance for cestode infections in sheep dogs in central Utah

During the summers of 1982, 1983, and 1984, 269 sheep dogs from an area endemic for hydatid disease were examined for cestodes ( Echinococcus granulosus and Taenia spp.). Each dog was given an oral purge of arecoline hydrobromide and then following purgation received a subcutaneous injection of praziquantel (Droncit &reg; ). During the three-year study period, 205 dogs were examined one time only, 48 dogs were examined two of the three years, and 16 dogs were examined each of the three years (= 349 separate examinations). In 1982, 45 of 91 dogs examined (49.5%) harbored at least one species of cestode. Those data for 1983 and 1984 were 55 positive of 141 examined (39.0%) and 34 positive of 117 examined (29.1%), respectively. The marked drop in dogs infected during the second and third year of the study suggests that many sheep ranchers were implementing some of the control measures recommended for prevention of E. granulosus infections. The numbers of separate purgations showing specific cestodes detected in all positive dogs (some dogs naturally with more than one species of cestode) were: E. granulosus, 16 (4.6%); T. hydatigena, 34 (9.7%); T. ovis krabbei, 46 (13.2%); T. pisiformis, 47 (13.5%); and T. serialis, 24 (6.9%).     

Comparative habitat and community relationships of Atriplex confertifolia and Sarcobatus vermiculatus in central Utah

Thirty-four study sites were established in shadscale ( Atriplex confertifolia [Torr. & Frem.] Wats.) and greasewood ( Sarcobatus vermiculatus [Hoov. Torr. in Emory) communities bordering Utah Lake in central Utah. Differences in species composition, vegetation, and soil characteristics were assessed. Significant differences in soil factors between the two communities were found for sand, calcium, manganese, zinc, and copper. Soluble salts and sodium concentrations were generally higher in the greasewood type, but differences were not significant. Major differences were found in understory species, with burr buttercup ( Ranunculus testiculatus Grantz) showing significantly greater cover in the shadscale community and cheatgrass ( Bromus tectorum L.) showing significantly greater cover in the greasewood community.     

Winter nutrient content and deer use of gambel oak twigs in north central Utah

We examined winter nutritional quality of current-year bud and stem tissues from burned and unburned stands of Gambel oak ( Quercus gambelii Nutt.). Nutritional analyses were based on the amount of forage consumed by wintering mule deer. Deer use along the Utah Valley foothills averaged 6.25-10.7 cm of current-year growth. Of the tissues examined, post-fire bud tissue had the highest nutrient content, with a mean of 9.51% crude protein, 0.19% phosphorus, and 34.0% in vitro digestibility. Composite values (bud + stem) for unburned stands were slightly higher in crude protein and phosphorus and lower in digestibility than those reported in previous studies. Nutrient values from burned stands were significantly higher than those of unburned stands for all three measures. Tannin content of the burned-area regrowth was also higher. Overall forage value of Gambel oak to wintering mule deer is relatively low.     

Naturalization and habitat relationships of bitter nightshade ( Solanum dulcamara ) in central Utah

Ten plant communities containing bitter nightshade ( Solanum dulcamara ) were studied and the ecology and naturalizing relationships of bitter nightshade in central Utah area were investigated. Biotic and abiotic factors from each area were statistically analyzed. The data indicated that bitter nightshade was negatively correlated (P &nbsp;     

New taxa in miscellaneous families from Utah

Named are the following: Astragalus limnocharis Barneby var. tabulaeus Welsh var. nov., from the pass between Boulder Mountain and the Table Cliff Plateau, Garfield County, Utah; A. eremiticus Sheldon var. ampularioides Welsh var. nov. from Washington County, Utah; Lupinus argenteus Pursh var. moabensis Welsh var. nov., from southeastern Utah, validated by inclusion of a Latin diagnosis; Erigeron zothecinus Welsh sp. nov. described from moist alcoves along Lake Powell, eastern Kane County, Utah; Cleomella palmerana Jones var. goodrichii Welsh var. nov. described from Uintah County, Utah; Arabis vivariensis Welsh sp. nov. named from northeastern Uintah County, Utah; Draba kassii Welsh sp. nov. described from material taken in the Deep Creek Mountains, western Tooele County, Utah.