Impacts of black-tailed prarie dog rodenticides on nontarget passerines

In 1983 zinc phosphide, strychnine with prebait, and strychnine without prebait were applied to black-tailed prairie dog ( Cynomys ludovicianus ) colonies in west central South Dakota. Short-term (four days later) and long-term (one year later) impacts of the rodenticides on Horned Larks ( Eremophila alpestris ) and other granivorous birds inhabiting prairie dog colonies were evaluated. Hrned Larks and 49 other bird species were observed. Immediate impacts reduced Horned Lark relative densities 66% with strychnine only and 55% with prebaited strychnine. Zinc phosphide caused no measurable reduction. Horned Larks showed no long-term direct impacts. Indirect negative impacts occurred through habitat changes following prairie dog control. The granivorous guild showed no short- or long-term effects.     

Black-tailed prairie dog populations one year after treatment with rodenticides

Three rodenticide treatments, zinc phosphide with prebait, strychnine with prebait, and strychnine without prebait, were applied to black-tailed prairie dog Cynomys ludovicianus colonies in west central South Dakota. Results were compared immediately posttreatment and for one year after application. Zinc phosphide was the most effective for reducing prairie dog numbers immediately. When burrow activity levels of prairie dogs were initially reduced by 45% with strychnine only, they returned to untreated levels within ten months. When initial reductions were 95% with zinc phosphide, however, the number of active burrows was still reduced 77% in September the following year. Strychnine with prebait treatment showed initial reductions of 83% in burrow activity. Bait consumption by prairie dogs was highest for zinc phosphide.     

Habitat affinities of rodents in northeastern Nevada rangeland communities

From May 1978 through September 1980, baseline data for rodent populations were collected by livetrapping in the Saval Ranch area of northeastern Nevada. The objectives of this study were to determine species composition and relative abundance of rodents for the various range sites. The 3 most abundant and uniformly distributed species were deer mice ( Peromyscus maniculatus ), Great Basin pocket mice ( Perognathus parvus ), and least chipmunks ( Neotamias minimus ). Relative abundance indices and densities reported for most species were similar to those reported in other multiyear studies at similar sites. The composition and relative abundance / density of rodent species was variable among habitats and over time. Diverse rodent species within the sagebrush ecosystem have commensurately diverse habitat requirements that should be considered when vegetation management is planned. Annual population fluctuations and differences among similar habitats should be considered when researchers propose to test rodent population responses to livestock grazing or other habitat treatments.     

Influence of experimental habitat manipulations on a desert rodent population in southern Utah

This paper addresses how habitat manipulations in a black sagebrush ( Artemisia nova ) -dominated area, John's Valley of southern Utah, affected resident desert rodent populations. Rodents studied included the deer mouse ( Peromyscus maniculatus ), Great Basin pocket mouse ( Perognathus parvus ), sagebrush vole ( Lagurus curtatus ), Ord's kangaroo rat ( Dipodomys ordii ), and least chipmunk ( Eutamias minimus ). The experimental design involved analyses of treatment and control (nontreatment) plots rather than pre- and posttreatment of all plots. Habitat manipulations emphasized cutting of shrubs (rotobeating), treatment of plants with a herbicide (2,4-D), and reseeding with a mixture of grasses, forbs, and shrubs. Posttreatment trapping indicated the deer mouse was the most abundant rodent in treatment and control plots. Data indicate the prescribed habitat treatments had no significant negative affects on the deer mouse demes on the control or treatment plots. Habitat treatments may have negatively impacted recruitment in pocket mice. Least chipmunks were not captured in plots treated by rotobeating. Our habitat manipulations may have contributed to interspecific competition in this rodent community through the reduction of both food and cover.     

Demography of black-tailed prairie dog populations reoccupying sites treated with rodenticide

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 rodenticide, zinc phosphide, was applied to remove black-tailed prairie dogs ( Cynomys ludovicianus ) from 6 ha of a prairie dog colony in southwestern South Dakota. Another adjacent 6 ha was left untreated. The removal experiment was repeated two consecutive years. Contingency table analysis showed that the resultant population was not homogeneous; age classes by sex of the immigrant and resident subpopulations were different (P     

Vegetation responses to 35 and 55 years of native ungulate grazing in shrubsteppe communities

Ungulate populations are managed in shrubsteppe ecosystems around the world, but relatively few long-term datasets are available that test the impacts of these grazers on shrubsteppe structure and function. This study evaluated 8 exclosures in 4 shrubsteppe communities to determine the effects of deer and elk over 35 or 55 years on (1) plant biomass and species composition, (2) soil nitrogen (N) mineralization and net nitrification rates, Olsen extractable phosphorus (P), and C:N ratios, and (3) arthropod diversity and abundance. The site with deer, the highest ungulate densities, and coldest climate (Sinlahekin Wildlife Area, WA) had greater vegetative biomass and cover inside the exclosures than outside. The sites with elk, moderate ungulate densities, and intermediate climatic conditions (Oak Creek and Wenas Wildlife Areas, WA) had no effects of exclosures on vegetative biomass or cover. The site with elk, the lowest ungulate densities, and driest climatic conditions (L.T. Murray Wildlife Area, WA) had greater shrub cover outside of the exclosures. Ungulates significantly increased net N mineralization and nitrification rates, providing a potential explanation for compensatory growth by grazed plants. Our data suggest that arthropod herbivory does not substitute for ungulate herbivory. To the contrary, arthropod diversity reflected ungulate-induced changes in plant biomass. In addition to effects on standing biomass, ungulates were associated with increased exotic plant species richness at all 4 sites. Our results suggest that there may be a balance between indirect positive and direct negative effects of herbivory on plants that varies with ungulate densities and site characteristics, and that arthropod herbivory does not functionally replace ungulate herbivory.     

Mule deer and pronghorn use of wastewater ponds in a cold desert

Pronghorn ( Antilocapra americana ) and mule deer ( Odocoileus hemionus ) were counted at wastewater ponds at the Idaho National Engineering and Environmental Laboratory (INEEL) in southeastern Idaho 4 to 8 times per month from August 1989 through July 1991. Mule deer used wastewater ponds ( n = 15) from June through December and were most commonly observed August through November. Pronghorn frequented wastewater ponds from May through November and were most common from July through September, the driest and warmest months; ponds were also used heavily in November 1990. Diel activity was studied from July through October. Mule deer use of ponds varied in relation to 8 diel time periods in August ( P = 0.02) and September ( P = 0.01) while pronghorn use varied by time period ( P P P < 0.01) August through October. Mule deer and pronghorn use of ponds was not related to distance from site facilities (groups of buildings used for research and other purposes). Pronghorn made greater use of individual ponds lacking additional nearby watering sites, and both pronghorn and mule deer were attracted to ponds with grass/forb and shrub cover around the upland periphery.     

Deer mouse ( Peromyscus maniculatus ) home-range size and fidelity in sage-steppe habitat

Within a species, home-range size can vary due to factors such as sex, mass, age, and breeding condition of individuals as well as habitat type, food availability, population density, and season. The objectives of this study were to estimate home ranges of deer mice ( Peromyscus maniculatus ) in sage-steppe habitat and to test the hypothesis that several factors (sex, mass, reproductive status, and seasonality) affect home-range size. We also tested the hypothesis that deer mice exhibit home-range fidelity over time. Passive integrated transponder (PIT) technology was used to estimate home ranges in June and September 2006. Home-range estimates varied from 360 m 2 to 5868 m 2 (65 individuals, 753 observations). Home-range size increased by approximately 60% from June to September. Besides seasonality, none of the other predictors of home range were informative in explaining the variation in home range. Deer mice recaptured in September (3 months after initial capture) had high fidelity in home-range use (42.1% [SE = 8.4%] overlap with 74.1% [SE = 8.7%] area conserved; n = 9). All animals for which home range was estimated in both seasons retained some fraction of their June home range in September. Results support the use of combined location data collected over long periods, such as weeks or months, to estimate home range for deer mice. The results have implications for deer mouse&ndash;pathogen ecology, particularly with respect to modeling transmission of Sin Nombre virus&mdash;a pathogen that is directly transmitted by deer mice.     

Horizontal and vertical diameter of burrows of five small mammal species in southeastern Idaho

Burrow diameters of five small mammal species, Townsend's ground squirrel ( Spermophilus townsendii ), Wyoming ground squirrel ( S. elegans ), Ord's kangaroo rat ( Dipodomys ordii ), montane vole ( Microtus montanus ), and deer mouse ( Peromyscus maniculatus ), were examined. Burrow cross sections were noncircular for all species with horizontal diameters 1.2-1.6 times wider than vertical diameters. Montane vole and deer mouse burrows were the smallest diameter, burrows of Wyoming and Townsend's ground squirrels were the largest, and kangaroo rat burrows were intermediate. Soil bulk density and texture significantly affected burrow diameters of montane voles and deer mice but not the other three species.     

Terrestrial vertabrates of Scotts Bluff National Monument, Nebraska

A survey of terrestrial vertebrates was conducted at the Scotts Bluff National Monument (SBNM), Nebraska, to determine species composition, relative abundance, and distribution by habitat of the existing amphibians, reptiles, birds, and mammals. Various sampling methods were used to detect animal species richness and to estimate population densities. The seven major habitat types at SBNM contained 4 species of amphibians, 8 reptiles, 96 birds, and 28 mammals. The only endangered or threatened species observed was a dead bald eagle ( Haliaeetus leucocephalus ). The racer ( Coluber constrictor ) and prairie rattlesnake ( Crotalus viridis ) were the two most abundant snakes. The prairie falcon ( Falco mexicanus ) was a common raptor that nested in Scotts Bluff. Sympatric populations of mule deer ( Odocoileus hemionus ) and white-tailed deer ( Odocoileus virginianus ) appeared to be hybridizing. The riverine woodland contained the greatest number of fauna species with only 4% surface area of SBNM. Sharp-tailed grouse ( Tympanuchus phasianellus ) and pronghorn antelope ( Antilocapra americana ), absent from the Monument, are two potential native species for reintroduction.     

Habitat use by small mammals in southeastern Utah, with reference to Mexican Spotted Owl management

We determined temporal and spatial differences in abundance and habitat use by small mammals in southeastern Utah as part of an effort to enhance management of the Mexican Spotted Owl ( Strix occidentalis lucida ), listed by the federal government as threatened. Woodrats ( Neotoma spp.) were captured only in canyons and most frequently in the pinyon-juniper ( Pinus edulis-Juniperus osteosperma ) vegetation type. White-footed mice ( Peromyscus spp.) were found in a variety of vegetation types in both canyons and mesas. The deer mouse ( P. maniculatus ) was generally the most frequently captured species among vegetation types. We found seasonal and yearly differences in relative abundance of each small mammal species. Our data suggest that the pinyon-juniper vegetation type within canyons is an important component of Mexican Spotted Owl habitat.     

Fire effects on small mammal communities in Dinosaur National Monument

Resource specialists at Dinosaur National Monument utilize both planned and unplanned wildland ignitions in big sagebrush ( Artemisia tridentata )--dominated plant communities to restore successional processes, maintain vegetation vigor, and promote diversified landscapes. Short- and long-term effects of prescribed burning on small mammal populations are not well understood. The objectives of this study were to (1) compare small mammal species richness, similarity, and diversity between paired burned and unburned treatment plots, and (2) assess long-term trends of small mammal community responses to burning. Five paired burned/unburned sites having similar vegetation, soils, elevation, and annual precipitation were selected. Prescribed or natural fires occurred on all sites between 1981 and 1995, followed by periodic small mammal removal (trapping) sampling (1--12 years post-burn). Small mammal species richness and diversity were generally higher on unburned than burned plots across post-burn sampling years and sites. Increased abundance of the deer mouse ( Peromyscus maniculatus ) following burning resulted in decreased community diversity. Species similarities between burned and unburned plots were low in early post-burn years but increased in later post-burn years. Short-term shifts in diversity and species similarity resulted from increased deer mouse abundance after burning. However, burning had no long-term impact on species richness and similarity, indicating minimal effect to other small mammal species.     

Age-related body weight,fecundity and population change in a south Dorset sika population (Cervus nippon); 1985–1993

Density-related changes in performance have been documented for a number of different ungulate species, with recorded decline in body weight, fecundity and both juvenile and adult survival as population densities increase. While density-dependent responses of this kind have been explored in some detail in red, roe and fallow deer, little published information is available on demographic responses to density in European populations of sika deer (Cervus nippon). This paper offers an analysis of the dynamics of two populations of sika from the south of England from 1985–1993. Data on age-related body weights for males and females and pregnancy rates of females are taken from analysis of cull records of 321 males and 534 females culled during that 8-year period. We describe trends in body mass of adult and juvenile sika of both sexes, and consider changes in pregnancy rates of both mature and yearling females in relation to changes in relative abundance. Despite steadily increasing population density between 1985 and 1991/1992, no consistent decline was recorded in body weight or condition (as measured by % cover of kidney fat) for calves or yearlings of either sex, or for mature females. A decline in recorded body weight of adult males was not significantly correlated to ranked relative abundance. Fecundity was high (with > 90% of mature females sampled found pregnant). Most mature females found pregnant were also lactating. The proportion of animals that conceived as yearlings (72%) was lower than that recorded for more mature hinds; however there is some indication that the difference recorded may simply reflect the fact that yearlings may conceive later in the season than older animals. No significant differences were apparent in the proportion of either adult or yearling females found pregnant in different years.     

Coexistence of two species of sucker, Catostomus , in Sagehen Creek, California, and notes on their status in the western Lahontan Basin

The observed distribution and relative abundance of two morphologically similar species of sucker, Catostomus , have shifted dramatically over the past four decades in Sagehen Creek and nearby streams in eastern California. The mountain sucker, C. platyrhynchus , formerly abundant and more numerous than the Tahoe sucker, C. tahoensis , has become relatively rare and during this study was consistently less abundant than the Tahoe sucker at all eastern California sites in 1983. Similar shifts in abundance were not seen at the three Nevada sites. Behavioral observations and data on spatial and temporal patterns of habitat use, collected in Sagehen Creek between May and September 1982 and 1983 using a snorkel survey method, indicate nearly complete overlap between mountain and Tahoe sucker habitat use and an absence of any agonistic behavioral interaction between species. The decline of the mountain sucker in these areas is likely the result of an interaction of loss of habitat due to reservoir construction and destructive management practices. These changes may have led to the elimination of isolating mechanisms between the two species and may be increasing the opportunity for introgressive hybridization.     

Wintering mule deer preference for 21 accessions of big sagebrush

Wintering mule deer showed differential browsing preference among 21 accessions of big sagebrush ( Artemisia tridentata ) grown on gardens on three different mule deer herd ranges. The Hobble Creek accession of big sagebrush was significantly preferred over the other 20 accessions across all three sites and for all three years. Accessional preference means for the study period for all sites combined ranged from 28.3 to 57.5%. The data collected support the planned release of the Hobble Creek accession as a superior cultivar of big sagebrush for use on mule deer winter ranges. Plant coumarin content was primarily under genetic control, but site factors also had an effect. Assay for coumarin compounds is useful in determining subspecies of A. tridentata but not for precise prediction of mule deer browsing preference.     

Vegetative and edaphic factors affecting abundance and distribution of small mammals in southeast Oregon

The relationships between vegetative and edaphic habitat factors and the local distribution and abundance of small mammals on Malheur National Wildlife Refuge, Harney County, Oregon, were examined between July 1973 and June 1975. Of 16 species of small mammals captured, deer mice ( Peromyscus maniculatus ), montane voles ( Microtus montanus ), Great Basin pocket mice ( Perognathus parvus ), and least chipmunks ( Eutamias minimus ) comprised 90.1 percent of the individuals. The physiognomy of the vegetation was a factor in the distribution of rodent species other than deer mice. Pocket mice and chipmunks were restricted to the communities dominated by sagebrush ( Artemisia tridentata ) or greasewood ( Sarcobatus vermiculatus ). Population densities of pocket mice and chipmunks were significantly related to edaphic factors such as soil depth, texture, and strength, which may have affected the construction and stability of burrows. Montane voles occurred only in marsh or grassland communities. Population densities of voles were directly correlated with the amount of cover and inversely correlated with its patchiness. Deer mice were the most common species encountered and occurred in all but the grassland communities. The density of this species was related to vegetative or edaphic factors only seasonally or in certain habitats, and few generalizations could be made.     

Characteristics of white-tailed deer fawn beds, Black Hills, South Dakota

Forty-two white-tailed deer fawns ( Odocuileus virginianus dakotensis ) were captured and fitted with radio transmitters and observed from June through September 1991 and 1992 to determine diurnal bed site use in the Black Hills of South Dakota. Fawns were monitored biweekly during daylight hours and 259 bed sites were located. In addition, 301 random sites were measured for comparison. Of 31 habitat variables measured, 8 were significant to determine use by fawns for a bed site when compared with random sites. Sites used by fawns were in relatively open stands of ponderosa pine ( Pinus ponderosa ) with mean basal area of approximately 11 m 2 /ha compared to 16 m 2 /ha in random sites. Fawn bed sites had greater mean vegetation cover, which ranged from 28.1% to 36.0%, compared with 19.9% and 33.8% at random sites in 1991 and 1992, respectively. Mean vegetation height was 101 cm at bed sites compared to 75 cm at random sites. Current timber harvest standards for stocking levels of pine range from 14 m 2 /ha to 18 2 /ha in the Black Hills, which are similar to our random sites. These levels preclude adequate development of understory characteristics used by white-tailed deer fawns for bed sites.     

Home-range size and overlap of sympatric male mule and white-tailed deer in Texas

Information about the ecology of sympatric male deer is limited, which may influence management strategies for these species. We estimated home-range and core-area sizes and overlap, and survival of sympatric male desert mule deer ( Odocoileus hemionus eremicus ) and white-tailed deer ( Odocoileus virginianus ) in west central Texas. We captured 18 males of each species, fitted them with radio-collars, and monitored them for mortality from 2000 through 2003. We calculated home ranges for 7 males of each species in 2001 and 2002. Home-range sizes of mule deer (8.8 km 2 ) and white-tailed deer (7.4 km 2 ) were similar. Interspecific home-range overlap was less common than intraspecific overlap. Mean annual survival was 0.76 (SE = 0.04) for mule deer and 0.80 (SE = 0.06) for white-tailed deer. The high degree of home-range overlap and similar survival between the 2 deer species suggest that management targeting only 1 species may be unfeasible.     

Winter food habits of cougars from northeastern 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;} Sixty-four cougar ( Felis concolor ) stomachs and 41 intestinal tracts were examined for food items in northeastern Oregon from 1976 through 1979. Food items, in order of decreasing frequency, were mule deer ( Odocoileus hemionus ), North American elk ( Cervus elaphus ), porcupine ( Erethizon dorsatum ), snowshoe hare ( Lepus americanus ), and deer mouse ( Peromyscus maniculatus ). &nbsp;     

Characteristics of mule deer beds

Rocky Mountain mule deer ( Odocoileus hemionus hemionus ) beds were studied in selected plant communities with the purpose of characterizing bedding sites. Six trends exist among the data: (1) deer appeared to prefer bedding under or near conifers, (2) most beds were found on or near game trails, (3) beds in xeric communities were located at higher altitudes and had less overhead cover than in mesic communities, (4) the percentage of uphill cover in xeric areas was greater than in mesic areas, (5) visibility was lower on the north and west sides of deer beds in both community types than on the south and east sides, and (6) the mean size of deer beds was the same in both xeric and mesic communities. These trends, as well as other tendencies in bed locations, are considered from the standpoint of deer thermoregulation and predator avoidance.