Conservative and moderate grazing effects on Chihuahuan Desert wildlife sightings

Seasonal wildlife observations were made along transects on 2 pastures conservatively grazed (36% use of perennial grasses) and 2 pastures moderately grazed (47% use of perennial grasses) in south central New Mexico in non-drought (1997) and drought years (1998). Experimental pastures were similar in soils, terrain, spacing of watering points, and brush cover. Average ecological condition score for the conservatively grazed pastures was 60% compared with 64% for moderately grazed pastures. Throughout the study total standing vegetation understory herbage levels were higher ( P P > 0.05) between conservatively and moderately grazed pastures. Black-tailed jackrabbit ( Lepus californicus ) sightings were higher ( P Antilocapra americana ), scaled quail ( Callipepla squamata ), mourning doves ( Zenaida macroura ), and desert cottontails ( Sylvilagus auduboni ) showed no differences ( P > 0.05) between conservatively and moderately grazed pastures. Dry conditions in 1998 depressed total wildlife sightings by > 50% compared to 1997. Both songbird and gamebird (particularly mourning dove) sightings were severely reduced in the dry compared to wet year ( P < 0.05). Our results are consistent with Nelson et al. (1997) that livestock grazing at intermediate levels had no effect on most Chihuahuan Desert upland wildlife species, and that drought years severely depress wildlife sightings.     

Invisible invasion: potential contamination of Yellowstone hot springs by human activity

This report establishes a baseline inventory of microorganisms in acidic hot springs of Yellowstone National Park (YNP). The analysis is based on observations carried out over the past 25 years using light microscopy, DNA staining, and electron microscopy of environmental samples. The inventory, while incomplete in that not all organisms have been cultured or examined using genetic approaches, represents a study of several solfatara (acid sulfate) geyser basins in YNP. We found that the types of microorganisms in flowing springs had changed over time. In contrast, no such changes occurred in mixing pools. We solicited opinions of prominent YNP microbiologists to address the issue of change in the context of human cross-contamination of springs and to suggest sampling protocols. While the consensus is that research has not introduced exotic species, this explanation is always uncertain. The issues related to this uncertainty, including human cross-contamination, are discussed, and sampling methods designed to best preserve the springs for future investigations are described.     

Winter and early spring bird communites in grasslands, shrubsteppe, and juniper woodlands in central Oregon

We compared winter (December, January, and February) and early spring (March and April) bird communities among 4 successional stages that included grassland, shrubsteppe, juniper-shrubsteppe, and old-growth juniper woodland in central Oregon. Birds were surveyed monthly from December through April in 1998/1999 and 1999/2000 using the point count method to estimate relative abundance of birds (individuals ? transect –1 year –1 ). We used distance sampling to correct for potential bias in estimating abundance and density among successional stages. A total of 4513 birds (32 species) were detected. Relative abundance of total birds (all species combined) was similar in the juniper-shrubsteppe and old-growth woodland (48.7 and 48.9 individuals ? transect –1 , respectively) but 6 times greater than in the grassland and shrubsteppe (8.0 and 7.7 individuals ? transect –1 , respectively) during the 5-month period. Total density of birds was greater in old-growth juniper woodland and juniper-shrubsteppe than in grassland or shrubsteppe. However, median bird species richness in 1998/1999 was highest in grassland and lowest both in shrubsteppe and juniper-shrubsteppe, and in 1999/2000 it was highest in shrubsteppe and lowest in juniper-shrubsteppe and oldgrowth juniper woodland. American Robins and Townsend's Solitaires were the most abundant species in junipershrubsteppe and old-growth juniper woodland during the winter months. Sage Sparrows and Horned Larks were the most abundant species in shrubsteppe during winter, and Horned Larks were most abundant in grasslands during the early spring transition period prior to nesting. Our results indicate that a different suite of species use these successional stages during the nonbreeding season. If avifauna conservation is a part of long-term management goals, a broad range of successional stages should be maintained on the landscape to provide habitat for a variety of avian species throughout the year.     

Note on the occurrence of Siphlonurus autumnalis (Ephemeroptera: Siphlonuridae) in a Montana spring brook

The little-known mayfly Siphlonurus autumnalis McDunnough (Ephemeroptera: Siphlonuridae) was collected from several locations in its floodplain habitats along the Middle Fork of the Flathead River in western Montana. To confirm identification, nymphs were reared along with an associated species, S. occidentalis Eaton (Ephemeroptera: Siphlonuridae). Adults emerged from 6 September until 16 October. Habitats are described and the first photos of the 2 sexes are provided.     

Whence chemistry?

Along with exploring some of the necessary conditions for the chemistry of our world given what we know about quantum mechanics, I will also discuss a different reductionist challenge than is usually considered in debates on the relationship of chemistry to physics. Contrary to popular belief, classical physics does not have a reductive relationship to quantum mechanics and some of the reasons why reduction fails between classical and quantum physics are the same as for why reduction fails between chemistry and quantum physics. However, a neoreductionist can accept that classical physics has some amount of autonomy from quantum mechanics, but still try to maintain that classical+quantum physics taken as a whole reduces chemistry to physics. I will explore some of the obstacles lying in the neoreductionist's path with respect to quantum chemistry and thereby hope to shed more light on the conditions necessary for the chemistry of our world.     

Lucifensin, the long-sought antimicrobial factor of medicinal maggots of the blowfly Lucilia sericata

A novel homologue of insect defensin designated lucifensin (Lucilia defensin) was purified from the extracts of various tissues (gut, salivary glands, fat body, haemolymph) of green bottle fly (Lucilia sericata) larvae and from their excretions/secretions. The primary sequence of this peptide of 40 residues and three intramolecular disulfide bridges was determined by ESI-QTOF mass spectrometry and Edman degradation and is very similar to that of sapecin and other dipteran defensins. We assume that lucifensin is the key antimicrobial component that protects the maggots when they are exposed to the highly infectious environment of a wound during the medicinal process known as maggot therapy. We also believe that lucifensin is that long-sought larger molecular weight antimicrobial factor of the Lucilia sericata excretions/secretions believed to be effective against pathogenic elements of the wound microbial flora.     

SEM analysis of Utah Equisetum stems (Equisetaceae)

The Utah taxa of Equisetum were observed with the scanning electron microscope to test for taxonomic significance of stem morphology. The four Utah species of Equisetum were compared. Stem morphology was shown to be taxonomically significant in most cases. The hybrid E. x ferrissii , recognized in the literature as being extant in Utah but heretofore unrecognized in Utah herbaria, was shown to be present in the flora of the state.     

Climbing as an escape behavior in the American hog-nosed skunk, Conepatus leuconotus

Climbing behavior is poorly documented in skunk species, with the exception of the genus Spilogale. Herein we describe 2 cases of climbing behavior in the American hog-nosed skunk ( Conepatus leuconotus ): one in Colima, Mexico, and another in west central Texas, USA. In both cases, a male climbed over 5 m into oak trees when pursued by humans. Climbing as an escape behavior in hog-nosed skunks has not previously been reported.     

Additions to the vascular flora of Montana and Wyoming

A list of one taxon new for Montana and 10 new for Wyoming is presented, plus comments about Astragalus molybdenus.