Abundance and condition indices of coyotes on Hart Mountain National Antelope Refuge, Oregon

U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service staff at Hart Mountain National Antelope Refuge (HMNAR), southeastern Oregon, documented high pronghorn ( Antilocapra americana ) fawn mortality, subsequent low fawn recruitment, and declining pronghorn numbers from 1996 to 1999. Coyote ( Canis latrans ) predation was the primary cause, accounting for 60-85% of fawn mortalities each year, and fawns were not physiologically predisposed to predation. Therefore, we investigated certain coyote population parameters (age structure, survival, density, physiology) to evaluate how or if these factors influence coyote predation rates on pronghorn fawns. We captured 11 coyotes (5 male and 6 female) in December 1998. Age of captured animals ranged from 1.7 to 10.7 yrs (￣x = 5.0 years), and all coyotes appeared healthy upon capture. There were no known mortalities through December 1999. We estimated pre-whelping (December through February 1997-1999) density from howling surveys conducted within HMNAR to be 0.40-0.53 km -2 . Compared to other published studies, we found significant ( P ≤ 0.05) differences in selected blood parameters (e.g., blood urea nitrogen, total protein, white blood cell counts), indicating coyote nutrition may be marginal to deficient during winter at HMNAR. A high percentage of coyotes (91%) tested positive for serum-neutralizing antibodies to canine parvovirus. We judged that parasite ( Toxascaris spp., Alaria spp., Sarcocystis spp., and Isospora spp.) prevalence and intensity were not high enough to influence coyote condition. Based on our data, the coyote population at HMNAR is old aged, at a relatively high density, and stable, but their nutrition may be marginal to deficient during winter. Presently, we are unable to draw direct conclusions relating the parameters we sampled with predation rates by this unexploited coyote population.     

Habitat use and selection and home ranges of Merriam's Wild Turkey in Oregon

Habitat use and selection by Merriam's Wild Turkeys ( Meleagris gallopavo merriami ) in Wasco County, Oregon, was studied during 1981-82. This turkey population selectively used forested cover types (such as ponderosa pine-Douglas-fir-oak, ponderosa pine-oak) characterized by a variety of structural features, species, and age classes. The population used single species forested cover types (oak, ponderosa pine) less than expected, used nonforested cover types in proportion to their availability, and avoided forested cover types with structure simplified by logging activities. The four age and sex classes had large seasonal home ranges (￣x = 1,615 ha); the smallest home ranges were exhibited by adult males in winter and the largest were shown by subadult males in fall. In most instances, turkeys used cover types as they were available. We suggest that structural complexity of vegetation, both within and among cover types, is an important component of habitat for Merriam's Wild Turkeys that should be considered in the evaluation of potential release sites and in habitat management plans.     

Daily and yearly movement of the Devil's Hole pupfish Cyprinodon diabolis Wales in Devil's Hole, Nevada

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Springtime movements, boost Use, and foraging activity of Townsend's big-eared bat ( Plecotus townsendii ) in central Oregon

Seasonal movements, roost-site fidelity, and foraging activity patterns are largely unknown for western populations of Townsend's big-eared bat ( Plecotus townsendii ). We used miniature radiotelemetry units to track springtime movements of six bats inhabiting forested lava flows in central Oregon, and found that bats moved up to 24 km from hibernacula to foraging areas. Individual bats returned to the same foraging area on successive nights but shifted to different areas in presumed response to changes in insect availability. Both sexes apparently use a series of interim roost sites between emergence from hibernation and the time females enter into maternity colonies, with little individual fidelity to these sites. In regions characterized by extensive lava-flow topography, suitable daytime roosts are numerous and dispersed over a large area, allowing bats to move relatively great distances to locate foraging ranges. Hence, the actual area of concern for effective management of individual populations can be considerably larger than indicated solely by locations of hibernacula and maternity caves of this declining species.     

Wildlife use of Douglas-fir dwarf mistletoe witches' brooms in the Southwest

We evaluated wildlife use of witches' brooms associated with infection by Douglas-fir dwarf mistletoe ( Arceuthobium douglasii ) in 6 mixed-conifer study areas in Arizona and 2 areas in New Mexico. We climbed 153 infected Douglas-firs ( Pseudotsuga menziesii ) and examined 706 witches' brooms for evidence of wildlife use. Even though we observed evidence of use by birds, most wildlife use was by small mammals, particularly red squirrels ( Tamiasciurus hudsonicus ). Red squirrels used witches' brooms for nesting, foraging, caching, and as latrines. Witches' brooms classified as Type II or III brooms, located close to the main bole with large platforms, and 5–10 m above the ground were the most frequently used by red squirrels.     

Soft sediment benthic macroinvertebrate communities of the Green River at the Ouray National Wildlife Refuge, Uintah County, Utah

Benthic macroinvertebrates from four habitat types (river channel, ephemeral side channel, river backwater, and seasonally inundated wetland) were examined from the Green River at the Ouray National Wildlife Refuge, Uintah County, UT, June-August 1991. For major taxa (Nematoda, Oligochaeta, Diptera: Ceratopogonidea, and Chironomidae) were quantified. Chuster analysis of densities showed that habitat types with comparable flow conditions were the most similar. Highest to lowest overall benthic invertebrate densities of the four habitats were as follows: ephemeral side channel, river backwater, seasonally inundated wetland, and river channel. Nematodes were the most abundant taxon in all habitat types and sample dates except the August sample of the river channel and river backwater and the July sample of the seasonally inundated wetland.     

Breeding populations of Swainson's Hawks, Red-Tailed Hawks, and Golden Eagles in north central Oregon: 1975-1982 and 1999

Populations of breeding Swainson's Hawks ( Buteo swainsoni ), Red-tailed Hawks ( B. jamaicensis ), and Golden Eagles ( Aquila chrysaetos ) present in 1999 were compared with populations present between 1975 and 1982 at a 129-km 2 site in north central Oregon. Populations of Red-tailed Hawks and Golden Eagles remained unchanged, but the number of Swainson's Hawks pairs increased from 15 to 17. In 1999 Golden Eagles used nests occupied between 1975 and 1982, and 7 of 31 pairs of Red-tailed Hawks used nests occupied in earlier years. No Swainson's Hawks nested in trees occupied earlier. Few changes in territorial boundaries were detected.     

Diatoms of Oregon Caves National Monument, Oregon

The diatom flora of the Oregon Caves National Monument, Josephine Co., Oregon, was investigated. Diatoms were distributed throughout the cave system with abundance and species diversity depending upon moisture, light, availability of mineral nutrients, and proximity to cave openings. Twenty-six taxa were identified and described.     

On the Distribution of Utah's Hanging Gardens

This is a summary monograph of the hanging gardens as they occur in the Colorado River and Virgin River portion of the Colorado Plateau in Utah. Discussed in this paper are the hanging gardens, their geography, geomorphology, aspects of distribution and diversity, and principal vascular and algal plant species. Animal trapping studies and pland productivity aspects are reviewed.     

Effects of exotic species on Yellowstone's grizzly bears

Humans have affected grizzly bears ( Ursus arctos horribilis ) by direct mortality, competition for space and resources, and introduction of exotic species. Exotic organisms that have affected grizzly bears in the Greater Yellowstone Area include common dandelion ( Taraxacum officinale ), nonnative clovers ( Trifolium spp.), domesticated livestock, bovine brucellosis ( Brucella abortus ), lake trout ( Salvelinus namaycush ), and white pine blister rust ( Cronartium ribicola ). Some bears consume substantial amounts of dandelion and clover. However, these exotic foods provide little digested energy compared to higher-quality bear foods. Domestic livestock are of greater energetic value, but use of this food by bears often leads to conflicts with humans and subsequent increases in bear mortality. Lake trout, blister rust, and brucellosis diminish grizzly bears foods. Lake trout prey on native cutthroat trout ( Oncorhynchus clarkii ) in Yellowstone Lake; white pine blister rust has the potential to destroy native whitebark pine ( Pinus albicaulis ) stands; and management response to bovine brucellosis, a disease found in the Yellowstone bison ( Bison bison ) and elk ( Cervus elaphus ), could reduce populations of these 2 species. Exotic species will likely cause more harm than good for Yellowstone grizzly bears. Managers have few options to mitigate or contain the impacts of exotics on Yellowstones grizzly bears. Moreover, their potential negative impacts have only begun to unfold. Exotic species may lead to the loss of substantial highquality grizzly bear foods, including much of the bison, trout, and pine seeds that Yellowstone grizzly bears currently depend upon.     

Notes on the Swainson's Hawk in central Utah: insectivory, premigratory aggregations, and kleptoparasitism

A premigratory flock of Swainson's Hawks numbering at least 213 individuals was observed during July and August of 1984. Aerial feeding on grasshoppers was noted and kleptoparasitism was recorded between the Swainson's Hawk and the American Kestrel.     

Demography of the Yarrow's spiny lizard, Sceloporus jarrovii , from the central Chihuahuan Desert

The demography of a population of Yarrow's spiny lizard, Sceloporus jarrovii , was examined from 2004 to 2006 in the canyon Las Piedras Encimadas, located in Gomez Palacio, Durango, México. Lizards were studied using a mark-recapture technique. Reproduction in females occurred between November and May, coinciding with dry conditions. Reproductive activity was highest (percent of females with vitellogenic follicles or embryos) in the middle of the dry season (November and December). Thirteen percent of females reached sexual maturity at an average age of 8.5 months. The population structure was similar in spring and fall, but not in summer. A notable feature of summer, coinciding with the wet season, was the greater number of hatchlings and juveniles. The overall sex ratio did not differ from 1:1. The density of adults varied from 12 to 62 animals ? 0.5 ha –1 . Temperate and arid-adapted populations of S. jarrovii exhibited broad similarity in timing of the reproductive season, whereas factors such as density, growth, age at sexual maturity, and survivorship differed.     

Benthic insect fauna of a clean-water stream on Utah's Colorado Plateau, USA

Extensive collecting using a variety of methods was conducted in 1994 and 1995 in association with Pleasant Creek in south central Utah, USA, in an effort to inventory the aquatic insects. Collecting efforts yielded 133 insect taxa from 12 sample sites in 8 study areas from near the headwaters of Pleasant Creek and downstream to where it flows out of Capitol Reef National Park. Applying Protocol III methodology of Plafkin et al. (1989), we determined species assemblages of benthic insects and calculated selected ecological indices based on monthly collections from March through August 1994. Richness, equitability index, and mean diversity index values at all sample sites approached, or were greater than, the generally accepted values for clean-water streams in the mountains of the western United States.     

Ecology of flannelmouth sucker in the Lee's Ferry tailwater, Colorado River, Arizona

We investigated ecology of flannelmouth sucker ( Catostomus latipinnis ) from 1992 to 1997 in the 26-km Lee's Ferry reach of the Colorado River immediately below Glen Canyon Dam, Arizona. We captured by electrofishing a total of 212 fish and recaptured 52 previously tagged by others. Flannelmouth sucker were captured throughout the tailwater but tended to aggregate about 5 km of the dam, possibly reflecting blockage of historic migration routes. Catch per hour of electrofishing did not differ among years but was greater from November to February than other periods, suggesting seasonal movements of flannelmouth sucker into the tailwater: Mean lengths and weights of fish did not differ among years or seasons. Length frequency analyses also indicated there were no significantly yearly trends in proportion of catch within size classes of fish. Mean condition differed only among seasons and was greatest in February, lowest in August, coinciding respectively with pre- and post-spawning periods of flannelmouth sucker in tributary just down from Lee's Ferry. Recaptured fish migrated from initial tagging locations 1.4-23.1 km downstream from Lee's Ferry. Fifty-nine percent of recaptured fish with known initial tagging locations increased in length, and fish tagged initially as subadults or adults, respectively, grew an average of 45.9 mm and 5.5 mm per year.     

The identity of Bocourt's lizard Eumeces capito 1879

Eumeces capito Boucourt, 1879, is a senior synonym of Eumeces xanthi Günther, 1889. No exception to application of the Law of Priority is recommended in this case. The type locality of E. capito as originally published (“La côte oriental des Etats - Unis”) is erroneous. Undoubtedly the correct locality is China, but it is not restricted at present.         

Structure of alpine plant communities near King's Peak, Uinta Mountains, Utah

A study was made at 18 sites with elevations between 3512 and 3768 m in the Uinta Mountains, Utah. Sites were small in extent but typified vegetation patterns found in the Uintas. Standing crop, species composition (based on dry weight), and values for several physical parameters were determined at each site. Simple linear regressions performed between the various biotic and abiotic characters revealed significant relationships between the characteristics of rocks visible at the surface (the number, size, and variation in size) and vegetation cover. This relationship was probably due to the burial of rocks as a region became vegetated. Bray and Curtis ordinations performed on the data indicated that there were several factors which influenced the species composition but that no single factor dictated the vegetational pattern.     

Bristlecone pine and Clark's Nutcracker: probable interaction in the White Mountains, California

Many bristlecone pines in the White Mountains, California, are members of multistem clumps. We propose that these clumps have arisen by multiple germinations from seed caches of Clark’s Nutcracker, as occurs in several other pine species. The commonness of nutcrackers and their caching of singleleaf pinyon seeds in the study area provide supporting evidence. Other vertebrates appear unlikely to be responsible for the stem clumps. Seed burial may be required to establish regeneration on these adverse sites where bristlecone pine attains great longevity.        

Breeding records for Clark's Grebe in Colorado and Nevada

Described as a new breeding species is Clark's Grebe in Colorado and Nevada.     

Winter habitat selection patterns of Merriam's turkeys in the southern Black Hills, South Dakota

In northern areas of their expanded range, information on Merriam's turkeys ( Meleagris gallopavo merriami ) is lacking, specifically pertaining to wintering behavior and factors associated with winter habitat selection. Forest managers need detailed quantification of the effects of logging and other management practices on wintering habitats needed by Wild Turkeys and other wildlife. Therefore, we examined winter habitat selection patterns within ponderosa pine ( Pinus ponderosa ) forests and determined factors associated with use of farmsteads by Merriam's turkeys in the southern Black Hills, South Dakota. We radio-marked 86 female Merriam's turkeys (70 adults and 16 yearlings) and monitored them during winter (1 December–31 March), 2001–2004. Female Wild Turkeys used recently burned pine forest less than expected but selected farmsteads and stands of mature ponderosa pine ( 22.9 cm diameter at breast height [DBH] trees) for foraging sites. Within forests, female Wild Turkeys selected foraging sites with less understory vegetation and visual obstruction, and larger-diameter ponderosa pine. Ponderosa pine seed abundance varied among years, and pine seeds were most abundant in stands of 30–35 cm DBH with basal area of 22–28 m2 ? ha–1. Abundance of pine seeds may have influenced use of farmsteads by Wild Turkeys, more so than ambient temperatures or snow depth. In the southern Black Hills, management should emphasize open- to mid-canopy and mature-structural-stage pine stands, where seed production was greatest. During winters when mast from pine is unavailable, farmsteads likely provide nutritional supplementation and may be important for maintaining Merriam's turkey populations.     

Role of post-Pleistocene dispersal in determining the modern distribution of Abert's squirrel

Abert's squirrel is a forest-dwelling mammal, dependent upon ponderosa pine, that now ranges from southern Wyoming to northern Mexico. During the late Pleistocene, ponderosa pine and this squirrel occurred no further north than central Arizona and New Mexico. In consequence, the present range of the squirrel north of the 36thparallel must have been the result of post-Pleistocene (Holocene) dispersal. If such dispersal took place after the fragmentation of the northern montane conifer forest, at least some leakage across barriers of unsuitable (non-ponderosa pine) habitat must have occurred. Dispersal following transplanting "experiments" has shown that such barriers can be crossed; other evidence is provided that suggests this may occur sufficiently often to produce significant changes in distribution within short periods of time. Thus, explanations for the distribution of Abert's squirrel, based only on historical legacy and local extinctions, are found to be insufficient. An alternative explanation is proposed in which post-Pleistocene dispersal also plays an important role.