Conservation status of threatened fishes in Warner Basin, Oregon

Two federally listed fishes, the Foskett speckled dace and Warner sucker, are endemic to Warner Basin in south central Oregon. The Foskett speckled dace is native only to a single spring in Coleman Valley. A nearby spring was stocked with dace in 1979 and 1980, and now provides a second population. The present numbers of dace probably are at their highest levels since settlement of the region. The Warner sucker historically occurred throughout much of the Warner Valley, but its distribution and abundance have been reduced by construction of reservoirs and irrigation dams and the introduction of predatory game fishes. Lentic habitats have become dominated by introduced fishes, particularly white crappie, black crappie, and brown bullhead. The largest remaining population of Warner suckers occurs in Hart Lake, where successful reproduction was documented but there is no evidence of recruitment to the adult population.     

Association of Juniperus deppeana (Cupressaceae: Pinales) seeds with Mexican cottontail rabbit (Sylvilagus cunicularius; Leporidae: Lagomorpha) latrines

Seed aggregation in latrines of rabbits is a little-studied process that may contribute substantially to seed dispersal and survival. We located Juniperus deppeana trees and the latrines used by the endemic Mexican cottontail rabbit Sylvilagus cunicularius within a 1 ha fragment of J. deppeana-dominated forest and evaluated their patterns of aggregation as microhabitats used by cottontail rabbits to consume the J. deppeana galbulus (fleshy cones) or to deposit their pellets with defecated seeds. Based on mean latrine area, we marked a 2 m × 2 m plot centred on the base of every tree or latrine within the study site. We counted all pellets within each plot and analysed them for the presence of seeds of Juniperus or any other species. We found seeds in 13% of all pellets, mainly those deposited in the latrines. If seeds are scarified by passing through the intestinal tract, seed germination in latrines may increase the probability of survival and establishment. Thus, the community structure and density could change in time as rabbits are changing the places where they place their latrines.

http://zoobank.org/urn:lsid:zoobank.org:pub:372FEED4-5DFF-4144-A384-4FB30F480A26     

Conservation, status, and life history of the endangered White River spinedace, Lepidomeda albivallis (Cyprinidae)

Lepidomeda albivallis (White River spinedace), a fish species endemic to the White River, Nevada, appeared headed toward extinction. In 1991 only 1 population remained, and it comprised fewer than 50 individuals in a 70-m stream reach. We monitored population recruitment and distribution and studied life history and habitat use from 1993 through 1998. We determined that L. albivallis was not reproducing and was continuing to decline, and as an emergency measure we relocated the population (14 in spring 1995 and 6 in spring 1996) downstream 200 m to a secure habitat that we judged more favorable for reproduction. The relocated population reproduced, and by September 1998 it had increased to 396 individuals that inhabited more than 1 km of stream including both pond and stream habitats. In streams they oriented near the bottom but frequently moved up in the water column to strike at drift items. Gut analysis of museum specimens indicated L. albivallis is omnivorous but feeds primarily upon aquatic invertebrates. Conservation of L. albivallis will require reestablishing additional populations within its former range.     

Habitat and distribution of pygmy rabbits ( Sylvilagus idahoensis ) in Oregon

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;} An investigation to determine the location and extent of populations of pygmy rabbits ( Sylvilagus idahoensis ) in Oregon, and to describe several biotic and physical components within communities that include pygmy rabbits, was conducted from October 1981 to September 1983. Of 211 sites suspected of supporting the species based on interpretation of museum records, aerial photographs, soil maps, and interviews with biologists and area residents, 51 exhibited evidence of being inhabited when examined in summer 1982. Soil and vegetation components were sampled at 15 sites occupied by pygmy rabbits and 21 sites adjacent thereto. At inhabited sites, mean soil depth (51.0 ± 2.3 cm), mean soil strength of surface (0.8 ± 0.2 kg/cm 2 ) and subsurface (3.8 ± 0.3 kg/cm 2 ) horizons, shrub height (84.4 ± 5.8 cm), and shrub cover (28.8 ± 1.4%) were significantly greater ( P 2 ), density of forbs (3.4 ± 0.6/1,000 cm 2 ), and cryptogam cover (2.4 ± 0.5%) were not. Except for the clay component of subsurface soils, texture of surface and subsurface soils were not significantly different between sites occupied by pygmy rabbits and adjacent sites. The affinity of pygmy rabbits for areas with greater shrub cover, shrub height, soil strength, and soil depth, and, to a small degree, coarser soil texture possibly was related to availability of forage, security from predation, and ease of burrow construction. Analysis of 472 samples of sagebrush ( Artemisia tridentata ) collected at and near sites inhabited by pygmy rabbits indicated their distribution was not dependent upon the presence of specific subspecies of sagebrush. A marked decrese in evidence of occupancy of sample sites and of pygmy rabbit activity at occupied sites in 1983 indicated that populations of pygmy rabbits were susceptible to rapid declines and possible local extirpation. Fragmentation of sagebrush communities poses a potential threat to populations of pygmy rabbits, but the severity of the threat presently is unknown.     

Studies of a uniparental form of Aphytis vandenboschi (Hymenoptera: Aphelinidae), a parasite of the San Jose Scale in northern Utah

The only San Jose scale parasite found at two sites in northern Utah was a uniparental form of Aphytis vandenboschi DeBach & Rosen. Parasites overwintered as pupae and were attracted to San Jose scale pheromone traps. Mature female scales were most heavily parasitized, although some prepupal males and instar II female scales were attacked. Only partial development occurred between 11.7 and 18.3 C, and fecundity was reduced between 28 and 31 C. Based on 11.7 C, 460 degree days were required in the field and 410 degree days at 26 C in the laboratory per generation. By the end of the season during 1981 at Brigham City, 30.9% of the adult scales on twigs and 79.2% on leaves were parasitized. During 1982, parasitism was 21.1% on twigs and 70.9% on leaves. A mite, Pyemotes herfsi (Oudemans), was a major predator of Aphytis in both laboratory cultures and field populations.     

Alarm call of the pygmy rabbit ( Brachylagus idahoensis )

An alarm vocalization was identified in the pygmy rabbit. The call was composed of from one to seven syllables uttered in rapid succession. The syllables were complex tones with many overlying frequencies; the strongest occurred close to harmonic intervals at 4000 and 6000 Hz. In both laboratory and field conditions, the call seemed to be elicited by a potential predator and its use may be unique among leporids.      

On the taxonomic status and biogeography of the Isolapotamidae Bott, 1970 (Decapoda,Brachyura)

Recent investigations of Asian freshwater crabs of the superfamily Potamoidea Ortmann, 1896 use the Potamidae Ortmann, 1896 as the only valid family, although three families have been described from South-East Asia: the Potamidae Ortmann, 1896, the Isolapotamidae Bott, 1970 and the Sinopotamidae Bott, 1970. Crabs formerly included in the Isolapotamidae are re-examined based on a new understanding of the morphology and function of the male gonopods. In particular, the morphology of the sperm transfer tube of the second gonopod is studied in detail. At least four types of sperm transfer are recognized representing four different modes of sperm transfer. Each type is morphologically constant for a number of genera. On the basis of these results the taxonomic status of the family Isolapotamidae is reconsidered. A new genus Takpotamon is erected for Potamon maesotense Naiyanetr, 1992 from Thailand, the genera Dromotelphusa Naiyanetr, 1992 and Flabellamon Ng, 1996 are re-characterized and the genus Thaiphusa Ng and Naiyanetr, 1993 is synonymized with Demanietta Bott, 1966. All the morphological results show biogeographical relevance and the resulting distribution patterns reflect the palaeogeographic and palaeoclimatic situation of Sundaland during the Tertiary and Quaternary.     

The status of the type material of Pycnostigmus rostratus Cameron (Hymenoptera,Figitidae, Pycnostigminae)

The status of the type material of Pycnostigmus rostratus Cameron is reviewed. There are two types: a lectotype in the Natural History Museum, London, and a paralectotype in the South African Museum, Cape Town.     

Boggy meadows, livestock grazing, and interspecific interactions: influences on the insular distribution of montane Lincoln's Sparrows ( Melospiza lincolnii alticola )

I surveyed 34 meadows in California and Oregon to count Lincoln's Sparrows ( Melospiza lincolnii alticola ) and to identify habitat features that might influence their local, insular occurrence. Lincoln's Sparrows were most common in wet meadows with little damage by grazing. Singing males were concentrated in flooded or boggy areas near meadow edges, where pines ( Pinus sp.) provided elevated perches for singing and vigilance. Patches of willows ( Salix sp.) were often present nearby. Numbers of male Lincoln's Sparrows were strongly and negatively correlated with abundance of sympatric Song Sparrows ( M. melodia fisherella ). Lincoln's Sparrows breeding in montane meadows are potentially vulnerable to local extirpation because of their insular distribution, low population density, and fluctuating habitat conditions. Heavy damage from livestock grazing drastically increases the probability of local extirpation.     

Redescription and systematic status of the Antarctic genus Abietinella Levinsen, 1913 (Lafoeidae,Hydrozoa, Cnidaria)

The Antarctic–Patagonian genus Abietinella, comprising two known species, Abietinella operculata (Jäderholm, ) and Abietinella grandis (Vanhöffen, ), is reviewed. The holotype of Abietinella operculata is fully redescribed, including morphometry and cnidome, unknown up to now. Its distinctive characters are the growth habit, hydrothecal shape and, most important, the presence of a dish‐shaped operculum attached to the adcauline side of the hydrothecal aperture. We corroborate its conspecificity with A. grandis and, therefore, the monotypic condition of Abietinella.     

Reproductive status and continuity of taxa of the Simulium arcticum complex (Diptera: Simuliidae) at the Clearwater River, Montana (2007, 2008, and 2009)

We made 27 collections over nine years at the Clearwater River and conducted preliminary cytogenetic analysis on 232 individuals of the Simulium arcticum complex there. Based on these preliminary findings, we analyzed an additional 1825 larvae from Clearwater collections in 2007, 2008, and 2009 to investigate the reproductive statuses of the two prevalent taxa of the complex there and to determine whether cytogenetic diversity and frequency of types were similar from year to year. We describe a cytotype new to science and a potentially derivative cytotype of S. arcticum sensu stricto. We also determine that these two taxa are present in similar frequencies from year to year and are in genetic equilibrium, suggesting that they are not reproductively isolated. This study constitutes the fourth positive test of our Geographic Distribution/Taxon Age hypothesis.     

Food habits of the threatened bat Leptonycteris nivalis (Chiroptera: Phyllostomidae) in a mating roost in Mexico

The objective of this study was to collect and present data on the food plants that a vulnerable migratory nectarivorous bat, Leptonycteris nivalis, used during its seasonal stay at a cave in Tepoztlan, Mexico. This cave is the only mating roost known for this species. Pollen grains from faeces and fur were examined. Little is known about the diet of this bat, especially in the southern half of its distribution. Pollen belonging to 10 plant species was found from five families: Cactaceae (Stenocereus beneckei), Bombacaceae (Ceiba aesculifolia, Pseudobombax ellipticum), Convolvulaceae (Ipomoea arborescens), Fabaceae (Calliandra houstoniana, Bauhinia ungulata), and Amaryllidaceae (Agave dasylirioides, A. horrida, A. inaequidens, A. salmiana). Bats showed the highest dietary diversity in November. There were no significant differences in diet between sexes. Of the four Agave species, two have paniculate inflorescences that are commonly attributed to bat pollination, while the other two had spicate inflorescences, which are considered to be primarily insect‐pollinated.     

On the status of Arcitalitrus dorrieni (Crustacea: Amphipoda) on the island of Colonsay,Inner Hebrides

The presence of the landhopper Arcitalitrus dorrieni (Hunt) is reported on the island of Colonsay, Inner Hebrides. It is widely distributed there amongst deciduous leaf litter in forested areas but also occurs in bracken litter and scrub grassland. The species is an introduction from Australia, doubtless transported inadvertently among plants brought to the gardens at Colonsay House. It is, however, not restricted to the ornamental plantings but has colonized native woodland. Maximum population density recorded under leaf litter was 680 m². Amphipods avoid waterlogged or dry situations preferring to burrow in moist soil under litter from deciduous trees. Coniferous woodlands are more sparsely colonized. Rate of spread (minimum) from the original locus is calculated at c. 25 m/year. Arcitalitrus may prefer to eat sycamore leaves (cf. oak, beech). Ovigerous females are reported for May but no evidence exists for a release of young any earlier in the year. Immature amphipods seem to live more covert lives in the soil beneath the superficial litter layer. Eggs are relatively large and few in number. Amphipods may avoid ants but may have a mite living in phoretic or ectoparasitic association.     

A vascular flora of the San Rafael Swell, 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;} The vegetation of the San Rafael Swell in southeastern Utah is examined based on personal field collections and previously collected herbarium specimens in the Brigham Young University Herbarium (BRY). An annotated checklist includes information on frequency of occurrence and habitat preference for each entity. Treated are 491 vascular plant taxa from 59 families.       

New species of Lucicutia and taxonomic status of L. grandis (Copepoda,Calanoida, Lucicutiidae)

Calanoid copepod specimens attributable to Lucicutia grandis (Giesbrecht, ), L. bradyana Cleve, , L. wolfendeni Sewell, , and L. rara Hulsemann, ) were studied from antarctic and subantarctic waters collected during RV Eltanin crusies 4–11 and 23, and RV Ob cruises 1 and 3. In addition, identified specimens from the Pacific and Indian Oceans deposited in the systematic collections of the National Museum of Natural History, Smithsonian Institution (Washington, DC, USA) and the Zoological Institute, Russian Academy of Sciences (St Petersburg) were also examined. Both sexes of a new species are described from the eastern tropical Pacific Ocean, L. hulsemannae. Lucicutia hulsemannae is distinguished from L. grandis, L. bradyana and L. wolfendeni by the morphology of the rostrum, genital complex, including plug, and leg 5 of both sexes. Lucicutia bradyana is not found outside the Southern Hemisphere but L. grandis is recorded from the Arabian Sea, the Bay of Bengal, tropical Indian Ocean, as well as its type locality in the eastern tropical Pacific Ocean. Lucicutia wolfendeni is found in all oceans except the Arctic Ocean. The status of L. bradyana, previously rejected as a separate species by Hulsemann (), is restored. Lucitutia rara is considered a junior synonym of L. bradyana.     

The status of Hemilecanium imbricans (Green) (Homoptera : Coccoidea) in Africa south of the Sahara

Summary

This paper describes the findings from two series of observations on variation in C. austropalpalis L. and R. In Series I the distribution of head capsule lengths of 174 larvae, collected from 11 breeding sites in S.E. Queensland, was polymodal. Polymodality was also shown by the wing lengths of 15♂, 27♀ reared from 7 of the sites. In Series II the head lengths of 302 larvae from 5 sites (one not in Series I) gave the same polymodality, interpreted as representing 3rd and 4th instars of two forms A (smaller) and B (larger). 276 of these larvae, grouped on head length, were reared on agar and small nematodes, producing 62♂, 70♀ C. austropalpalis and 13♂, 5♀ C. narrabeenensis. The latter was not the cause of the polymodality. Adult wing lengths were bimodal in each sex. Form B was longer winged than form A. Within each form there was no significant correlation between larval head length and adult wing length. Only one of the many additional characters (19 in ♀; 22 in ♂) examined, differed between the two forms. Form B had more distinctly patterned wings with the intercalary pale spot more obvious. The results are discussed.     

Provenance and status of Galaxias smithii Regan (1905) (Teleostei: Galaxiidae)

Galaxias smithii (Regan, 1905) (a junior synonym of G. platei Steindachner) is known only from the holotype, ostensibly collected from the Falkland Islands by Sir A. Smith. No further specimens of this fish have been reported from the islands, despite a recent intensive collection trip (146 sites in November, 1999). Analysis of material and documentation associated with the holotype and its purported collector, and additional information associated with other galaxiid specimens in the Natural History Museum, London, cast doubts on the authenticity of the origin and collector of the specimen. It is therefore suggested that occurrence of G. platei in Falkland Islands freshwaters should be rejected unless and until evidence to the contrary is obtained.