Eimeria sp. (Apicomplexa: Eimeriidae) from Wyoming ground squirrels Spermophilus elegans , and white-tailed prairie dogs, Cynomys leucurus , in Wyoming

Six species of the coccidian genus Eimeria ( E. larimerensis [prevalence = 17%], E. bilamellata [12%] E. beecheyi [34%], E. morainensis [43%], E. callospermophili [21%], and E. spermophili [5%]) were recovered from Wyoming ground squirrels ( Spermophilus elegans elegans ) collected during 1983, 1984, 1985, and 1986. Infected ground squirrels were found to harbor from one to five species simultaneously. The 1007 hosts examined were collected from two different habitats: (1) a xeric desert shrub-steppe and (2) an irrigated alfalfa-brome field. All species of Eimeria occurred at each study site during all years, although the prevalence of each species varied between years. This is the first report of these congeries of species infecting this host. In a second study of sympatric populations of Wyoming ground squirrels and white-tailed prairie dogs ( Cynomys leucurus ), found three species of Eimeria present in both host populations ( E. beecheyi [white-tailed prairie dog prevalence = 83%, Wyoming ground squirrel = 52%], E. morainensis [22%, 52%], and E. bilamellata [17%, 10%]). This is the first report of these three species infecting white-tailed prairie dogs. Eimeria larimerensis was found in Wyoming ground squirrels but not in prairie dogs.     

Checklist of Recent Mollusca of Wyoming, USA

Wyoming lacks a rich molluscan fauna due to its considerable elevation, extremes of temperature, the short period between killing frosts, scanty, moisture, and intermittent creeks. Recent mollusks found in the state total 42 genera (109 species), including 6 genera (23 species) of bivalves, 15 genera (42 species) of freshwater gastropods, and 21 genera (44 species) of land gastropods. Synonymy, the counties in which each species was collected, and habitat notes are given.     

Survey of Wyoming crayfishes

Collections of crayfish by Wyoming Game and Fish Department biologists and University of Wyoming staff in 1985-1987 included five species: Pacifastacus gambelii , the only species found in the Snake River and Bear River drainages of western Wyoming; Orconectes neglectus neglectus , collected from one reservoir in the South Platte River drainage in southeastern Wyoming (its first reported occurrence in the state); O. immunis and O. virilis ,widespread east of the Continental Divide and in the Green River drainage of southwestern Wyoming; and Cambarus Diogenes Diogenes , collected from a tributary of the North Platte River in eastern Wyoming.     

Time budgets of Wyoming ground squirrels, Spermophilus elegans

Time budget of free-living adult Spermophilus elegans differed significantly from that of juveniles in the Front Range of the Rockies during 1974–1975. No differences were found between males and females. Hour of day, day since emergence, air temperature, cloud cover, and presence of predators all correlated with the frequency of various components of the time budget.     

Bald eagle winter survey in the Snake River Canyon, Wyoming

A 5-year winter bald eagle survey was conducted along 22 km of the Snake River Canyon in northwestern Wyoming. Surveys were done on 94 days requiring 1,414 hrs and 1,888 km driving. In all, 220 (85 percent adults) bald eagles were seen. Seventy-seven percent of all eagles were perching, 15 percent were flying, 4 percent were feeding on road-killed mule deer, and 4 percent were flying low over water. Perching sites were identified as 32 percent cottonwoods, 30 percent spruce, 17 percent Douglas-fir, and 22 percent other. Eagles were somewhat clumped in distribution.     

Diplostomiasis in native and introduced fishes from Yellowstone Lake, Wyoming

Totals of 101 native Yellowstone cutthroat ( Oncorhynchus clarki bouvieri ), 27 introduced lake trout ( Salvelinus namaycush ), and 40 introduced longnose sucker ( Catostomus catostomus ) from Yellowstone Lake, Wyoming, USA, were examined for eye flukes. Metacercariae of the trematode fluke Diplostomum were in vitreous humor and/or lens of 94% of Yellowstone cutthroat trout, 92% of lake trout, and 78% of longnose sucker. Longnose sucker had 7% prevalence of infection in both lens and vitreous humor of metacercariae, while Yellowstone cutthroat trout had 3% and lake trout 8%. Diplostomum spathaceum was in lens tissue of 5% of infected Yellowstone cutthroat trout and 93% of longnose sucker; Diplostomum baeri was in vitreous humor of 92% each of infected Yellowstone cutthroat trout and lake trout. Morphological characteristics indicate that a single species infected the lens of Yellowstone cutthroat trout and longnose sucker, while another species infected lake trout. Impacts of the parasite interchange between native and introduced fishes of Yellowstone Lake, Wyoming, are unknown but should be monitored each year.     

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.     

Additions to the vascular flora of Teton County, Wyoming

An annotated list of 125 taxa new to the flora of Teton County is presented, increasing the number of known species to 1043.     

Winter habitat-use pattern of elk, mule deer, and mosse in southwestern Wyoming

Habitat-use patterns of mule deer, elk, and moose were determined on two winter range near Kemmerer, Wyoming. Mule deer used areas with the least snow depth and dominated by sagebrush. Elk were located more often than expected on wind-swept hills but used sagebrush communities more frequently as snow depths increased. Moose were generally found associated with broad, riparian zones. All three species occasionally used the same area but differed in their use of specific vegetation types and topography.     

Preliminary mammal survey of Fossil Butte National Monument, Wyoming

The mammalian community of Fossil Butte National Monument, Wyoming, consisted of at least 45 species. Snap trap sampling of the smaller species combined with sight and sign observations of the larger species formed the basis of this preliminary survey in the summers of 1974 and 1975. Snap - trapping samples (2880 trap days) yielded 44 least chipmunks and 89 deer mice. The distribution of all species was characterized by plant community occupancy. Heavy domestic livestock use of the communities nearest water has resulted in severe alteration in community structure; this has probably affected the distribution and abundance of at least some of the smaller mammals.     

Observations on alpine vegetation near Schoolroom Glacier, Teton Range, Wyoming

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Mite parasitism of mosquitoes in central Wyoming

Parasitic larval mites including Thyasides sphagnorum were collected from mosquitoes captured in New Jersey light traps over a period of 6 yr and from landings during 1 collecting season in Natrona County, Wyoming. Overall mite prevalence on mosquitoes was 0.42% and abundance was 0.76%. Prevalence on Aedes dorsalis was significantly greater than on other host species. Comparison of light trap data and landing data suggests that parasitized mosquitoes may seek blood meals more frequently than non-parasitized mosquitoes.     

Microhabitat selection by the johnny darter, Etheostoma nigrum Rafinesque, in a Wyoming stream

Microhabitat selection by the johnny darter ( Etheostoma nigrum ) was examined in the North Laramie River, Platte County, Wyoming, where it does not occur with other darter species in the same stream reach. Electivity indices based on microhabitat observations indicate that E. nigrum avoids riffles and selects certain microhabitats characterized by intermediate water depths in pools and slow-moving runs with a substrate composed primarily of silt and sand. Niche breadth and electivity values for total depth, bottom water velocity, and substrate measurements from this study indicate that E. nigrum is a habitat generalist, except at the extreme ends of the habitat gradient. Habitat use here is generally similar to other studies where E. nigrum occurred with one or more other darter species. This study found little evidence for competitive release in the absence of other darters.     

Ecological classification and monitoring model for the Wyoming big sagebrush shrubsteppe habitat type of northeastern Wyoming

The purposes of this study were to develop a multivariate statistical model related to plant succession, to classify by seral stage, and to monitor succession in Wyoming big sagebrush shrubsteppe habitat ( Artemisia tridentata ssp. wyomingensis / Agropyron smithii–Bouteloua gracilis ) in Thunder Basin National Grassland, Wyoming. This model can be used by range and wildlife managers to evaluate management alternatives by assessing changes in plant species cover and composition within and between seral stages. Four ecological seral stages that represent early to late succession were quantitatively identified with an estimated 92% accuracy. Three key plant species provided the necessary information to define seral stages and monitor trends. Percent canopy cover and percent frequency (used to calculate index values: % canopy cover × % frequency of occurrence) of Wyoming big sagebrush ( Artemisia tridentata ssp. wyomingensis ), western wheatgrass ( Agropyron smithii ), and blue grama ( Bouteloua gracilis ) are the only field measurements required for this model.     

Helminth parasites of the Wyoming ground squirrel, Spermophilus elegans Kennicott, 1863

Helminth parasites of the Wyoming ground squirrel, Spermophilus elegans Kennicott, 1863, were surveyed from two environmentally different habitats within Wyoming. A total of four helminth species were identified. Three helminth species were found in 419 hosts collected in a mesic habitat including one species of adult cestode, Hymenolepis citelli, and two species of nematodes, Citellinema bifurcatum and Syphacia citelli. Only larval cestodes ( Taenia taxidiensis ) were found infecting 335 Wyoming ground squirrels collected from a xeric habitat.     

Winter macroinvertebrate communities in two montane Wyoming streams

Macroinvertebrate communities were examined on 4 winter dates over a 4-yr period in 2 high-altitude Rocky Mountain streams to document overwintering assemblages potentially experiencing spring acid pulses. Taxa richness values were comparable to other published lists for alpine and montane stream systems despite the fact that most literature reflected summer collections. Mean benthic density ranged from 1406 to 19,734 organisms/m 2 , and drift rates ranged from 0 to 1740 organisms/100 m 3 . Benthic collections showed higher taxa richness than drift collections while the Ephemeroptera and Plecoptera occurred in greater proportions in drift than in benthos. The Nemouridae (Plecoptera), Ephemerellidae and Heptageniidae (Ephemeroptera), Chironomidae (Diptera), and Hydracarina were the numerically dominant taxa in benthic collections. Grazer/scrapers and shredder/detritivores were always the numerically dominant functional feeding groups at all sites, composing 60-90% of the benthos. Predators, constituting approximately 15% of the community, occurred in the same relative proportion at all sites on all dates. Winter macroinvertebrate communities in these low-order, montane streams exhibit high taxonomic richness and benthic densities as great as lower-elevation mountain streams in the West.     

Summer food habits of coyotes in central Wyoming

Summer food habits of coyotes ( Canis latrans ) were investigated on a 3100-km 2 area in central Wyoming, divided into one deer-use area and five non-deer areas. Analysis of 404 scats (fecal samples) revealed an overall average of 63 percent occurrence of native ungulates, 63 percent leporids, 46 percent rodents, 14 percent livestock, and 11 percent birds. Pronghorn ( Antilocapra Americana ) was the ungulate most frequently consumed, occurring in about 87 percent of the scats. Mule deer ( Odocoileus hemionus ) occurred in only 8 percent, and in 5 percent the native ungulate remains were not identifiable beyond order. This large percentage of big game in the diet is apparently unusual, because big game has been of minor importance in most coyote food-habit studies. The high incidence of leporids is consistent with other studies performed in arid intermountain areas. Although cricetines, especially deer mice ( Peromyscus maniculatus ), were trapped consistently in all habitats, months, and trapping areas, they were found in scats at a lower frequency than microtines and sciurids. This suggests a coyote hunting strategy that selected for the latter two groups.     

Synopsis of the mosses of Wyoming

A revised list of the mosses of the State of Wyoming is presented. Recorded are 315 species and varieties.     

Age and growth of bluehead suckers and flannelmouth suckers in headwater tributaries, Wyoming

Bluehead sucker ( Catostomus discobolus ) and flannelmouth sucker ( Catostomus latipinnis ) populations are declining throughout these species’ native ranges in the Upper Colorado River Basin. In order to conserve these populations, an understanding of population dynamics is needed. Using age estimates from pectoral fin rays, we describe age and growth of these 2 species in 3 Wyoming stream systems: Muddy Creek, the Little Sandy River, and the Big Sandy River. Within all 3 stream systems, flannelmouth suckers were longer-lived than bluehead suckers, with maximum estimated ages of 16 years in Muddy Creek, 18 years in Little Sandy Creek, and 26 years in the Big Sandy River. Bluehead suckers had maximum estimated ages of 8 years in Muddy Creek, 10 years in Little Sandy Creek, and 18 years in the Big Sandy River. These maximum estimated ages were substantially greater than in other systems where scales have been used to estimate ages. Mean lengths at estimated ages were greater for flannelmouth suckers than for bluehead suckers in all 3 streams and generally less than values published from other systems where scales were used to estimate ages. Our observations of long life spans and slow growth rates among bluehead suckers and flannelmouth suckers were probably associated with our use of fin rays to estimate ages as well as the populations being in headwater tributaries near the northern edges of these species’ ranges.     

Species of Eimeria from the thirteen-lined ground squirrel, Spermophilus tridecemlineatus , from Wyoming

Five species of the coccidian genus Eimeria ( E. beecheyi [prevalence = 17.9%], E. callospermophili-morainensis [28.6%], E. larimerensis [16.1%], and E. bilamellata [3.6%]) were recovered from 56, 13-lined ground squirrels ( Spermophilus tridicemlineatus ) collected from two sites in eastern Wyoming. Two squirrels from one site were also passing an unidentified polysporocystic coccidian. Infected squirrels were found to harbor from one to three species simultaneously. Previously these same eimerian species were found infecting sympatric populations of Wyoming ground squirrels. ( Spermophilus elegans ) and white-tailed prairie dogs ( Cynomys leacurus ) at one of the sites; it is suggested that the exchange of these generalist parasite species among co-occurring sciurid hosts contributes to the consistent prevalence levels reported in Wyoming ground squirrels.