Perceptions of Utah alfalfa growers about wildlife damage to their hay crops: implications for managing wildlife on private land

We conducted a survey of Utah alfalfa ( Medicago sativa ) growers in 1993 to identify wildlife damage problems to bay crops. Such surveys can provide wildlife managers with important insights regarding landowners' wildlife damage management concerns and needs. Pocket gophers ( Thomomys spp.) and mule deer ( Odecoileus hemionus ) were perceived by growers as causing the most damage. Respondents reported a total annual loss of $350,000 or $24.79/ha (2.8% of the total crop value) because wildlife damage in alfalfa crops. Decreased hay quantity was the most frequently cited problem caused by wildlife. Compensation and incentive programs were preferred over assistance and information programs for managing wildlife damage in alfalfa crops.     

Habitat Preference and diurnal use among Greater Sandhill Cranes

We examined patterns of habitat use by Greater Sandhill Cranes ( Grus canadensis tabida ) in the Intermountain West, April-October 1991-92, to determine whether cranes exhibited a specific preference for crops, fields, and areas within a field. This information will help farmers and wildlife managers direct nonlethal control methods to the sites where crane damage is most likely to occur. We conducted surveys along two 37-km transects weekly in Cache Valley, Utah, and biweekly in Bear River Valley, Rich County, Utah, and Lincoln County, Wyoming. We recorded 5814 cranes in 662 separate groups. Most were located in pasture/hay (34%), small grain (39%), alfalfa (9%), plowed (9%), fallow (4%), or corn (1%) fields. An index of feeding activity for each field and habitat type suggested cranes fed at approximately the same rate in each field and habitat type. Crane diurnal activity patterns during summer and fall revealed that grainfields were used heavily throughout the day.     

Marmot scats supplement hay pile vegetation as food energy for pikas

During summer pikas do not store fat for the winter months; hay piles are the main energy source in winter. All the hay piles collected in an area where pikas ( Ochotona princeps ) coexisted with marmots ( Marmota flaviventris ) contained marmot scats. Marmot scats had a higher energy density than the most abundant type of vegetation in hay piles. In feeding trials pikas on a diet of hay pile vegetation plus marmot scats consumed significantly less food per day than they did on a diet of hay pile vegetation alone. These findings suggest that pikas coexisting with marmots use marmot scats to supplement the energy contained in the vegetational component of hay piles.     

Analysis of VCR images of pre-oviposition and oviposition behaviour of Culex quinquefasciatus (Diptera: Culicidae) females,in the laboratory

The aim of this work was to study the pre-ovipostion and oviposition behaviour of gravid Culex quinquefasciatus females, under laboratory conditions. Preliminary tests showed that oviposition is initiated from the third day after bloodfeeding and occurs in the first two hours and the eighth to the tenth hour of scotophase. Image analysis showed that females presented different types of exploratory flights, and that the most common was touching the hay infusion with their hind legs, while flying. The two main oviposition behaviours observed were: (1) females that land at the container's inner wall, rub one leg against the other and walk towards the interface between the wall and hay infusion surface to lay the egg raft; (2) females that land on the hay infusion surface, keep four or six legs on the surface, and lay the egg raft. Interestingly, females that touched the hay infusion with their proboscis rejected it as an oviposition substrate.     

Horned Lark ( Eremophila alpestris L.) predation on alkali bees, Nomia melanderi Cockerell

Horned Larks ( Eremophila alpestris L.), sampled during the first 2 weeks of alkali bee ( Nomia melanderi Cockerell) emergence at bee nesting sites in 2 alfalfa seed-growing regions in central Nevada, ate significantly more male than female alkali bees. Exploitation rates suggest that individual Horned Larks consume 10 to 200 alkali bees per day and feed an additional 300 to 1000 bees per day to nestlings nestlings.     

Haypiles of the mountain beaver ( Aplodontia rufa ) delay plant decomposition

Mountain beavers cache plants in neat piles above the ground near the entrances to their underground burrows, although the purpose of these hay piles remains controversial. We tested the hypothesis that drying plants in piles above ground may slow decay when the plants are stored underground. Predried plants and undried controls were placed in abandoned burrows. Plants that had been predried retained more green and decayed more slowly than undried controls. This experimental test supports the hypothesis that haying may extend the time during which plants are useful to mountain beavers.     

Managing a complex exotic vegetation program in Yellowstone National Park

The number of documented exotic plants in Yellowstone National Park has increased from 85 known in 1986 to over 185 today. Exotic plants are substantially impacting the parks natural and cultural resources and are a high management priority. We have adopted an integrated weed management approach with regard to exotic vegetation, emphasizing prevention, education, early detection and eradication, control, and, to a lesser degree, monitoring. The program involves over 140 staff with program expenditures averaging approximately $190,000 annually. Prevention actions include requiring approved gravel on construction projects; banning hay in the backcountry and allowing transport of only certified weed-seed-free hay through Yellowstone; requiring construction equipment to be pressurecleaned prior to entering the park; and native species revegetation after road, housing, and other construction projects have disturbed ground. Over 4500 acres, primarily along roadsides and in developed areas, are surveyed annually in early detection efforts with emphasis placed on eradicating small, new infestations of highly invasive species such as sulfur cinquefoil ( Potentilla recta L.) and leafy spurge ( Euphorbia esula L.). Control efforts focus on about 30 priority species, such as spotted knapweed ( Centaurea maculosa Lam.), oxeye daisy ( Chrysanthemum leucanthemum L.), and hoary cress ( Cardaria draba [L.] Desv.) using chemical, mechanical, and cultural techniques. A total of 2027 acres were treated during 1998, whereas control efforts for 12 species occurred on 2596 acres during the previous 3-year period, 1995-1997. Strong and expanding partnerships with other federal, state, and local agencies and private companies contribute to management efforts within the park. Future program goals emphasize increases in base funding to ensure continued weed management efforts as well as expanding survey, monitoring, and reclamation efforts. Ultimately, a more rigorous assessment of program effectiveness is desired.     

Weed control and soil amendment effects on restoration plantings in an Oregon grassland

The restoration of perennial grasslands in western North America often depends on effective weed control. We took advantage of a grassland restoration site on the Nature Conservancy's Agate Desert Preserve in southern Oregon (TNC 1997), where 3 sites had been previously burned, mowed, or both. At these sites we carried out a series of controlled, replicated experiments designed to test the effectiveness of 3 weed control measures: (1) sawdust, (2) glyphosate herbicide, and (3) herbicide plus an alfalfa mulch. All plots were seeded with a mix of 3 native perennial grasses. The soils of the 3 areas differing in previous vegetation management were similar, with the exception of total available soil nitrogen, which was significantly lower in the 2 burned sites. The sawdust treatment reduced total available soil nitrogen, but only in the unburned site, and only in the first few months after application. In all 3 areas the alfalfa mulch significantly increased total available soil nitrogen. However, none of these soil nitrogen differences significantly affected the success of weeds or planted perennial grasses. The herbicide treatment reduced exotic annual grasses and forbs and greatly increased the success of native forbs and the planted perennial grasses. The herbicide increased both initial establishment of the native grasses and their absolute cover and biomass. These results suggest that neither nitrogen impoverishment nor nitrogen enrichment was a useful restoration technique at this site, but weed control by herbicides can be of considerable assistance in restoring native perennial grasses.     

Distribution and dynamics of waterbird habitat during spring in southern Oregon–northeastern California

The southern Oregon–northeastern California and extreme northwestern Nevada (hereafter “SONEC”) region provides critical spring migration habitat for waterfowl and other waterbirds in the Pacific Flyway. Information on the dynamics and distribution of waterbird habitats in SONEC during spring is needed to guide conservation efforts in the region. We grouped 1992 National Land Cover Data classes into 5 potential waterbird habitat types and used Landsat 5 Thematic Mapper and Landsat 7 Enhanced Thematic Mapper Plus satellite imagery to map flooding of these habitat types in SONEC during February–May, 2002 and 2003. SONEC included 13,727 km 2 of potential waterbird habitat comprised of grasslands (37.1%), pasture/hay (24.6%), marsh (15.9%), open wetland (11.8%), and croplands (10.6%). On average, 11.9% of this potential habitat was flooded during spring; but the percentage, area, and composition varied within and among years and subregions. Total flooding increased from 693 km 2 in February to 2099 km 2 in April during 2002 and from 1630 km 2 in February to 2125 km 2 in May during 2003. Open wetland comprised 58%–74%, marsh 8%–18%, pasture/hay 4%–11%, grassland 4%–17%, and cropland 3%–8% of the flooded habitat in SONEC. Satellite imagery and land-use data provided useful estimates of waterbird habitat availability in SONEC during spring, but other methods should be tested to more accurately measure flooding of densely vegetated habitats such as marsh. With <12% of the potential habitat flooded on average during spring, conservation programs have ample opportunity to improve the SONEC landscape for migrating waterbirds.     

Changes in riparian vegetation along the Colorado River and Rio Grande, Colorado

Changes in vegetation including area occupied, canopy cover, and maturity class of cottonwoods ( Populus spp.) within lower-elevation zones of the Colorado River and Rio Grande in Colorado were monitored over 25- and 27-year intervals, respectively, using photo-interpretative methods. Estimated loss of cottonwoods along the Colorado River was 2ha/km (-17.5%), and remaining stands had become more open and older. Cottonwoods along the Rio Grande increased 1.6 ha/km (9.3%) with minor canopy cover and maturity class changes. Area occupied by shrubs and river channel changed little along the Colorado River, but declined along the Rio Grande. Loss of hay meadow occurred along both rivers, whereas developed land increased along the Colorado River and farmland increased along the Rio Grande. Wildlife habitats along the Colorado deteriorated much more rapidly than those along the Rio Grande during monitored intervals.     

The relationships among plant cover, density, seed rain, and dispersal of Bromus tectorum in high-elevation populations

Normal 0 false false false EN-US X-NONE X-NONE /* 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 invasive species Bromus tectorum L. is recognized as one of the most ecologically and economically devastating weeds in the western United States. Although B. tectorum has been studied extensively, few studies have examined its dispersal and spread. We collected data from sites with B. tectorum in and around Rocky Mountain National Park to quantify the relationships between plant cover/density and seed rain and dispersal distance. Results suggest that there is a positive relationship between density within a patch and local seed rain and that B. tectorum exhibits relatively limited short-distance dispersal (where seeds fell in close proximity to plants and no seeds were found to have dispersed more than 0.1 m from the edge of a patch). These data can inform modelers and managers who are attempting to better understand population dynamics and options for controlling this species. La especie invasora Bromus tectorum L. se considera una de las hierbas más devastadoras ecológica y económicamente del oeste de Estados Unidos. Aunque se ha estudiado extensamente, se han hecho pocos estudios sobre su dispersión y distribución. Colectamos datos de sitios donde crecía B. tectorum en Rocky Mountain National Park y sus alrededores para cuantificar la relación entre la cobertura y la densidad de plantas, la lluvia de semillas y la distancia de dispersión. Los resultados sugieren que hay una relación positiva entre la densidad dentro de una parcela y la lluvia local de semillas, y que B. tectorum exhibe una distancia de dispersión relativamente corta (las semillas caen cerca de las plantas y no encontramos ninguna semilla que se hubiera dispersado a más de 0.1 m del borde de la parcela). Estos datos pueden informar a los modeladores y administradores en su esfuerzo por comprender la dinámica poblacional y las opciones de control para esta especie.     

Genetic variation in ecophysiological and survival responses to drought in two native grasses: Koeleria macrantha and Elymus elymoides

Genetic variation in ecophysiological and survival responses to drought was studied in 2 northern Arizona native grass species, Koeleria macrantha (Ledeb.) Schult. (prairie Junegrass) and Elymus elymoides (Raf.) Swezey. ssp. elymoides (squirreltail). Low- and high-elevation populations of each species were compared in a greenhouse common garden experiment that included simulated drought. Leaf gas-exchange characteristics were significantly affected by simulated drought and often by population elevation, but gas-exchange responses to drought were similar for high- and low-elevation populations. Compared to high-elevation populations, low-elevation populations of both species had higher net photosynthetic rate and predawn water potential, and for E. elymoides had higher stomatal conductance. Leaf-level water-use efficiency did not differ between populations for either species. Populations also differed significantly in leaf morphological characteristics related to water use. Compared to high-elevation populations, low-elevation populations of both species had smaller leaves. Low-elevation populations of both species survived aboveground longer than high-elevation populations during drought, with a larger difference in K. macrantha than in E. elymoides. These results suggest strong selection for drought adaptation and water use along an elevational and water-availability gradient in native grasses. Se estudió la variación genética en respuestas ecofisiológica y de sobrevivencia a la sequía en dos especies de pasto nativo del norte de Arizona, Koeleria macrantha (Ledeb.) Schult. (“prairie Junegrass”) y Elymus elymoides (Raf.) Swezey. spp. elymoides (“squirreltail”). Se compararon poblaciones de cada especie a elevaciones altas y bajas durante un experimento de jardín común en un invernadero que simulaba condiciones de sequía. Las características relacionadas con el intercambio de gases a nivel de hoja se vieron afectadas significativamente por la sequía simulada y con frecuencia por la elevación de la población, pero la respuesta del intercambio de gases a la sequía fue similar en las poblaciones de alta y baja elevación. En comparación con las poblaciones altas, las poblaciones bajas, en ambas especies, tuvieron una elevada tasa neta de fotosíntesis y un mayor potencial hídrico previo al amanecer; E. elymoides tuvo mayor conductancia estomática. La eficiencia en el uso del agua (EUA) a nivel de hoja no difirió entre poblaciones en ninguna especie. Las poblaciones sí difirieron significativamente en las características de la morfología de la hoja relacionadas con el uso del agua. Comparadas con las poblaciones altas, las poblaciones bajas de ambas especies tuvieron hojas más pequeñas. Durante la sequía, la parte de la planta que estaba encima de la tierra sobrevivió por más tiempo en las poblaciones bajas de ambas especies que en las poblaciones altas, con una mayor diferencia en K. macrantha que en E. elymoides. Estos resultados indican que hay una fuerte selección para la adaptación a la sequía y el uso del agua a lo largo de una gradiente de elevación y de disponibilidad de agua en pastos nativos.     

Mate sampling in a natural population of Pecos gambusia, Gambusia nobilis

Normal 0 false false false 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-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:10.0pt; font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-ansi-language:#0400; mso-fareast-language:#0400; mso-bidi-language:#0400;} Much research has been conducted on the mating systems of poeciliid fish in aquaria; however, there are fewer studies that examine mate sampling of these fish in the wild. In general, male poeciliids are characterized as being unselective in their mate choices and will attempt to copulate with seemingly all available females. Females are selective, copulate infrequently, and are often pursued by “ardent” males who may force copulations. To avoid male harassment, females in aquaria will often shelter from males among other females in shoals. Here, we examined the mate-sampling behaviors of male and female Pecos gambusia Gambusia nobilis by following individuals swimming in an outflow pool of Diamond Y Spring in southwestern Texas. In most cases, a male approached a solitary female, followed her briefly, and then left for no apparent reason. Approaching a number of females increased the likelihood that the male would follow one, and the longer a male followed a female, the more likely he was to copulate with her. As females were larger and faster than males, they could avoid males by swimming away from them. We found no evidence of the persistent males that harass seemingly unreceptive females as seen under aquarium conditions, nor did we see females join a shoal to stop pursuit by males. However, the activity of one male following a female did appear to attract other males who would compete to follow and attempt copulation. This competition might ensure that only superior males gain reproductive opportunities. Se han investigado extensamente los sistemas de apareamiento de pecílidos en acuario; no obstante, hay relativamente pocos estudios que examinan la elección de pareja de estos peces en su hábitat natural. Los pecílidos machos no suelen ser selectivos en su elección de pareja y parecen intentar copular con todas las hembras que estén a su alcance. Las hembras son selectivas, no copulan frecuentemente y a menudo las persiguen machos excitados que pueden copular con ellas forzadamente. Para evitar el acosamiento de los machos, en acuario las hembras a menudo se refugian de los machos entre otras hembras en bancos. Para este estudio, examinamos el comportamiento de elección de pareja de gambusias de pecos ( Gambusia nobilis ) machos y hembras al observar algunos individuos en un remanso del Diamond Y Spring en el suroeste de Texas. En la mayoría de los casos, el macho se acercaba a una hembra solitaria, la seguía brevemente y luego se alejaba sin motivo aparente. El acercarse a varias hembras aumentaba la probabilidad de que persiguiera a una de ellas, y cuanto más la seguía, más probable era que copulara con ella. Dado que las hembras son más grandes y más rápidas que los machos, podían eludirlos si no correspondían. No observamos machos persistentes que acosaran hembras aparentemente poco receptivas como se ha documentado en acuario, ni tampoco vimos hembras que se unieran a bancos para evitar la persecución de machos. Pero cuando un macho perseguía una hembra, parecía atraer otros, los cuales competían entre sí para seguirla e intentar copular con ella. Esta competencia podría garantizar que solo los machos superiores tengan oportunidades reproductivas.     

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.     

Tree growth and regeneration response to climate and stream fow in a species-rich southwestern riparian forest

We studied the influence of climate variables, stream flow, and topography on regeneration and growth of several riparian tree species ( Acer negundo, Alnus oblongifolia, Fraxinus velutina, Juglans major, Platanus wrightii, Populus fremontii, Salix spp.) at an unregulated perennial stream, West Clear Creek, in central Arizona. A pulse of seedling regeneration occurred for Alnus, Fraxinus, Platanus, Populus , and Salix in 1995 and 1996 following high winter and spring surface flows in 1993 and high spring surface flow in 1995. In contrast, little regeneration occurred for Acer and Juglans under these conditions. Most seedlings occurred at the active channel topographic location, and few seedlings occurred at abandoned channel, gravel-boulder bar, and bench locations. Relationships between environmental variables and annual radial stem growth varied among species and between constrained and unconstrained reaches. High spring or winter surface flows were negatively related to growth of Acer, Alnus, and Platanus , whereas high spring surface flow was positively related to growth of Fraxinus . Positive relationships between precipitation and growth occurred only for Fraxinus and Juglans , suggesting greater use of surface soil water by these species. Annual radial growth was high for Platanus and Alnus, medium for Acer and Fraxinus, and low for Juglans . Overall, the tree species in our study responded individually, rather than collectively, in regeneration and growth to changes in stream flow and climatic variables.     

A checklist of the alpine vascular flora of the Teton Range, Wyoming, with notes on biology and habitat preferences

A checklist of the vascular flora of the alpine zone (treeless vegetation above 9500 feet or 2900 m) of the Teton Range is presented. For each of the 216 species, six attributes are listed: flower color and shape, pollination mode, life form, habitat preference, and whether each species is found in the Arctic. White and yellow flowered species are most common, and zoophilous species greatly predominate over anemophilous and apomictic species. Perennial/biennial herbs are the most common life form. Common habitats in the alpine zone include dry and wet meadows, bogs, debris accumulations, and cliffs and rock faces. Arctic species account for 25.9 percent of the flora. The 216 species are distributed among 111 genera and 36 families. The largest families, in order of size, are Asteraceae, Poaceae, Cyperaceae, Brassicaceae, Rosaceae, and Scrophulariaceae.     

New species of Talinum (Portulaceae) from Utah

New species of Mentzelia and Phacelia are described from northwestern New Mexico, USA, as Mentzelia todiltoensis , N. Duane Atwood & Stanley L. Welsh, and Phacelia sivinskii N. D. Atwood, sp. nov. The new Mentzelia is compared to M. humilis based on similarities in seed, fruit, leaf, and flower morphology and to M. memorabalis in stem, leaf, and fruit morphology. Phacelia sivinskii is compared to P. constancei N. D. Atwood on the basis of seed, leaf, and flower morphology.     

Soil and vegetation development in an abandoned sheep corral on degraded subalpine rangeland

Vegetation and soils inside and outside an abandoned sheep corral on degraded subalpine range of the Wasatch Plateau were studied to determine the influence of approximately 37 years' use of the corral on soil and plant development. Vegetal and surface cover were estimated. Herbage, litter, and soils were sampled inside and outside the corral and analyzed for C org , N, P, and S. Soil pH, bulk density, and C0 3 -C also were measured. Storage (mass/unit area) of C org , N, P, and S was determined for each component. Yield and vegetal composition were significantly affected inside the corral boundary. Herbage yield was 2.2 times greater, litter mass 16 times greater, foliar cover of grasses 2 times greater, and forb cover 70% lower inside than outside the corral. Cover of meadow barley ( Hordeum brachyantherum ), a component of the predisturbance vegetation of the Wasatch Plateau, was nearly 12 times greater inside than outside the corral. These and other vegetal and cover differences reflect inside-outside differences in concentration, storage, and availability of soil C org , N, P, and S. Concentrations of C org and total and available N, P, and S were greater in the surface 5 cm of soil inside the corral. Available P inside the corral was much higher in all soil layers. Because of bulk density differences, storage was greater inside the corral only for C org and N at 0-5 cm and for P at 5-15 cm. Lower soil pH inside the corral appears related to soil P distribution and C0 3 -C storage. Results suggest a need to reexamine earlier conclusions that tall forbs are the climax dominants of the Wasatch summer range.     

Soil-vegetation relations of recovering subalpine range of the Wasatch Plateau

Vegetation and soils inside and outside an abandoned sheep corral on degraded subalpine range of the Wasatch Plateau were studied to determine the influence of approximately 37 years' use of the corral on soil and plant development. Vegetal and surface cover were estimated. Herbage, litter, and soils were sampled inside and outside the corral and analyzed for C org , N, P, and S. Soil pH, bulk density, and C0 3 -C also were measured. Storage (mass/unit area) of C org , N, P, and S was determined for each component. Yield and vegetal composition were significantly affected inside the corral boundary. Herbage yield was 2.2 times greater, litter mass 16 times greater, foliar cover of grasses 2 times greater, and forb cover 70% lower inside than outside the corral. Cover of meadow barley ( Hordeum brachyantherum ), a component of the predisturbance vegetation of the Wasatch Plateau, was nearly 12 times greater inside than outside the corral. These and other vegetal and cover differences reflect inside-outside differences in concentration, storage, and availability of soil C org , N, P, and S. Concentrations of C org and total and available N, P, and S were greater in the surface 5 cm of soil inside the corral. Available P inside the corral was much higher in all soil layers. Because of bulk density differences, storage was greater inside the corral only for C org and N at 0-5 cm and for P at 5-15 cm. Lower soil pH inside the corral appears related to soil P distribution and C0 3 -C storage. Results suggest a need to reexamine earlier conclusions that tall forbs are the climax dominants of the Wasatch summer range.     

A revision of Eriogonum (Polygonaceae) subgenus Pterogonum

This revision discusses the 10 species of Eriogonum assigned to the subgenus Pterogonum. Six of the species are essentially restricted to northern Mexico; two additional species, E. hemipterum and E. nealleyi, are found primarily in Texas; and the remaining two, E. hieracifolium and E. alatum, are the most widespread species of the subgenus being found mainly in the United States and just barely entering Mexico. The subgenus is characterized by the broad, often winged or ribbed achenes, and the generally erect habit of the stems of these perennial herbs. Three new species, E. fimbriatum, E. viscanum, and E. clivosum, are described. They are related to E. ciliatum and are found in the desert foothills of north central Mexico. Two new varieties of E. atrorubens are proposed. One, var. nemorosum, is restricted to the high mountains of the Sierra Madre Occidental in northern Durango and southern Chihuahua, while the second, var. auritulum, is a plant of the Sierra Madre Oriental of Coahuila and Nuevo León. The subgenus is divided into four sections, two of which, Peregrina and Astra, are new. Cytological information is given for nearly all taxa and shows the majority of species to have a haploid number of 20. Eriogonum atrorubens var. intonsum is a polyploid with n = 40, and E. greggii is the most unusual with a haploid number of 16. Each species is described in detail, discussed, and illustrated. Distribution maps are given noting the known locations for each taxon.