Fall diet of blue grouse in Oregon

The early fall diet of Oregon blue grouse ( Dendragapus obscurus pallidus ) from Wallowa County, Oregon, was determined from 145 crops obtained during 1981 and 1982. Of more than 50 plant and animal foods in the diet, short-horned grasshoppers ( Acrididae ), prickly lettuce ( Lactuca serriola ), yellow salsify ( Tragopogon dubius ), wild buck-wheat ( Eriogonum spp.), and snowberry ( Symphoricarpos albus ) occurred in 30% or more of the crops and collectively amounted to 68% of the diet by weight. Seven of the 12 most common foods were consumed differentially by the four sex and age classes of birds. Results indicated that blue grouse foraged in forest and grassland habitats.     

Number and condition of seeds in ponderosa pine cones in central Arizona

Ponderosa pine cones from 10 areas in Arizona were collected prior to natural seed dispersal and dissected to determine the number of sound, hollow, and insect-damaged seeds in each cone. Total and sound seed yields per cone did not vary significantly among areas but did vary significantly among trees within each area. Numbers of hollow and Megastigmus -infested (Hymenoptera: Torymidae) seeds varied significantly among areas and trees within areas. Numbers of sound seed increased significantly with increasing cone length but did not change with increasing numbers of cones per cluster. The percentages of Megastigmus -infested seed did not change significantly with increasing cone length or number of cones per cluster.     

Selection of microhabitat by the red-backed vole, Clethrionomys gapperi

Clethrionomys gapperi were captured in microhabitats with greater densities of overall cover than at noncapture or random sites within the study area. Variables describing cover density and distance from free water were selected in a discriminant function analysis to differentiate between vole capture and noncapture sites. Vole capture sites had greater amounts of cover within 4 dm above ground surface and were further from standing water than noncapture sites. The preferential use by C. gapperi of microhabitats with greater densities of cover is in agreement with laboratory and field assessments of habitat use reported in the literature.     

Gray Partridge foraging ecology in eastern South Dakota

We examined crop contents of 217 Gray Partridge ( Perdix perdix ) collected during a two-year period in eastern South Dakota. Row crop grains (corn, sunflowers) dominated late fall, winter, and spring diets. Small grains (oats, barley, wheat, rye) were rarely consumed although fields of small grains were widely available. During a severe winter when waste row crop grains were buried by snow, partridge consumed more leafy vegetation. Insects dominated the early summer diet, while foxtail ( Setaria spp.) seeds were a major late summer and early fall food.     

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.     

Evolutionary divergence in closely related populations of Mimulus guttatus (Scrophulariaceae)

The evolutionary divergence of five closely related populations of the yellow monkey flower. Mimulus guttatus was compared with the length of time the populations could have occupied the site and with the ability of the populations to intercross. Populations from the younger sites were found to be morphologically intermediate to populations from the older sites. Ability to intercross was not correlated with morphological divergence at this stage of evolution.       

A revision of the Nearctic species of Clinohelea Kieffer (Diptera: Ceratopogonidae)

The seven species of Clinohelea known to inhabit North America are described and illustrated, and a key is provided for identification. Two species groups are recognized: the unimaculata group and the bimaculata group. Clinohelea longitheca and C. pseudonubifera are new. Clino - helea nebulosa (Malloch) is a synonym of C. curriei (Coquillett) NEW SYNONOMY.     

Reproductive cycle of the Belding ground squirrel ( Spermophilus beldingi beldingi ): seasonal and age differences

The reproductive cycle in Belding ground squirrels was studied in the Sierra Nevada Mountains at two locations, one at 2,100 m elevation, the other at 3,000 m. Adults emerged from hibernation completely prepared physiologically for reproduction. Males tended to emerge slightly ahead of females and yearlings tended to emerge later than adults. Yearling females were fertile but produced smaller litters than adults, 4.48 vs. 6.31. Yearling males were infertile. They exhibited a slight seasonal cycle in testicular growth but did not reach sexual maturity. Testicular growth and spermatogenesis were incipient in many adults and in yearlings prior to hibernation.       

Winter food habits of cougars from northeastern Oregon

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The effects of radiation from uranium mill tailings on Tradescantia

To assess the potential hazard from radioactive wastes, a plant with known radiosensitivity, Tradescantia clone 02, was grown in radioactive soil obtained from uranium mill tailings. The levels of radiation on these tailings varied from 0.03mR/hr (background) to a maximum of 3.00 mR/hr. Tradescantia grown in soil with a radiation level greater than 0.10 mR/hr evidenced significantly reduced reproductive integrity and fecundity, as measured by the number of stunted hairs per stamen, pollen viability, and numbers of somatic mutations. Based on these data, the radioactivity from uranium mill tailings has the potential to alter normal plant succession due to its detrimental effect on any species that is relatively radiosensitive.