Trapping methods for rangeland insects in burned and unburned sites: a comparison

Different insect trapping methods were compared weekly on recently burned and nearby unburned rangeland in the Great Basin of western Utah. Flight traps (or wing traps) collected the most specimens (total = 4,916 at burned site, 4,384 at unburned site) but represented the fewest species (no more than 11 spp./wk at either site); this method was not recommended because of difficulty in removing specimens from adhesive. Water traps amassed the next largest number of specimens (￣x ± SE/wk = 150.9 ± 75.3 at burned site, 158.0 ± 66.4 at unburned site) and the most species (￣x ± SE/wk = 21.6 ± 6.4 at burned site, 35. 1 ± 4.5 at unburned site). The weekly collections from pitfall traps between the sites were significantly different (P < .05) in number of specimens (￣x ± SE/wk = 8.1 ± 1.5 at burned site, 19.7 ± 4.8 at unburned site) and species (￣x ± SE/wk = 4.7 ± 0.6 at burned site, 9.5 ± 2.0 at unburned site). Malaise traps were the most convenient. Black Malaise traps collected more specimens (￣x ± SE/wk = 99.8 ± 19.4 at burned site, 90.6 ± 16.4 at unburned site) and species (￣x ± SE/wk = 22.9 ± 3.9 at burned site, 19.4 ± 6.5 at unburned site) than white malaise traps (specimens: ￣x ± SE/wk = 72.1 ± 22.4 at burned site, 87.1 ± 31.2 at unburned site; species: ￣x ± SE/ wk = 19.7 ± 6.6 at burned site, 16.4 ± 5.4 at unburned site), although this difference was not significant.     

Body fat, body water, and total caloric value of Uinta ground squirrels

The weight of body water and fat-free dry weight of Uinta ground squirrels ( Spermophilus armatus ) is given as a function of body weight. Body fat is presented as a function of body weight and body length. An equation for calculating the total caloric content of Uinta ground squirrels is given. Fat index (weight of fat/fat-free dry weight) values of juveniles increased from 0.11 to 0.22 from 5 June to 28 July. In male yearlings and adults the fat index increased about 8 to 9 times in the latter half of June and early July. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;     

Host-induced morphological variations in the strigeoid trematode Posthodiplostomum minimum (Trematoda: Diplostomatidae). II. Body measurements and tegument modifications

Normal 0 false false false EN-US X-NONE X-NONE MicrosoftInternetExplorer4 /* 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;} Extensive feeding experiments were undertaken to determine if physiological host specificity was a major characteristic of Posthodiplostomum minimum. This involved the feeding of experimentally infected sunfish livers containing metacercariae of P. minimum to amphibian, reptilian, avian and mammalian hosts. Host - induced morphological variations of adult P. minimum were shown to be associated with the genus and class of host employed as well as with the inherent variability of P. minimum exclusive of host factors. Morphological characters such as body size and shape and tegumental surface and spines are indicated as undergoing morphological variation. Of all the experimental definitive hosts used, avian and mammalian are the most suitable for normal development of P. minimum. Amphibian and reptilian hosts demonstrate marked variation in the adult worm development usually manifested by pronounced size decrease.     

Carbon isotope discrimination in the C 4 shrub Atriplex confertifolia along a salinity gradient

Carbon isotope discrimination (Δ) was measured for leaves of Atriplex confertifolia along a salinity gradient in northern Utah. Over this gradient, the variation of Δ values was high for a C 4 species, and the Δ values were positively correlated with salinity in both years of study. Of the possible explanations for this patter, the Δ results are consistent with the notion that salinity induces an increase in the bundle sheath leakiness of these C 4 plants.     

Comparison of two roadside survey procedures for dwarf mistletoes on the Sawtooth National Forest, Idaho

Two roadside surveys were conducted for dwarf mistletoes parasitizing lodgepole pine and Douglas-fir on the Sawtooth National Forest, Idaho. One survey used variable-radius plots located less than 150 m from roads. The 2nd survey used variable-radius plots established at 200-m intervals along 1600-m transects run perpendicular to the same roads. Estimates of the incidence (percentage of trees infected and percentage of plots infested) and severity (average dwarf mistletoe rating) for both lodgepole pine and Douglas-fir dwarf mistletoes were not significantly different for the 2 survey methods. These findings are further evidence that roadside-plot surveys and transect-plot surveys conducted away from roads provide similar estimates of the incidence of dwarf mistletoes for large forested areas.     

Annotated key to Eriogonum (Polygonaceae) of Nevada

Seventy - three species of Eriogonum (Polygonaceae) are reported for Nevada. A key is provided for the identification of these species along with brief notes on their distribution in the state and elsewhere. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;     

Three new sauropod dinosaurs from the Upper Jurassic of Colorado

From 1972 to 1982 three exceptionally large sauropod scapulocoracoids and other equally large sauropod bones were collected from the base of the Brushy Basin Member of the Upper Jurassic, Morrison Formation, in western Colorado. Two of the scapulae are conspecific, but the third represents a second genus and possibly a new family. The two conspecific specimens are described here as: Supersaurus vivianae ; the second genus is described as Ultrasaurus mcintoshi , and a large, robust anterior dorsal vertebra of unique form is described as Dystylosaurus edwini . Various miscellaneous elements are referred to the three genera. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;     

Catastrophic wildfire and number of populations as factors influencing risk of extinction for Gila trout ( Oncorhynchus gilae )

We used the computer program RAMAS to explore the sensitivity of an extinction-risk model for the Gila trout ( Oncorhynchus gilae ) to management of wildfires and number of populations of the species. The Gila trout is an endangered salmonid presently restricted to very few headwaters of the Gila and San Francisco river tributaries in southwestern New Mexico. Life history data for 10 extant populations were used to examine sensitivity of the species viability to changes in a variety of factors including population size, fecundity, life stage structure, number of populations, severity and probability of forest fires, and a regulated fishery. The probability and severity of forest fires and number of populations had the greatest effect on viability. Results indicate that successful conservation of Gila trout requires establishment of additional populations and reduction of the severity of forest fires through a program incorporating more frequent, but less severe, fires.     

Anatomy of rockcress pseudoflowers caused by Puccinia consimilis

Arabis pulchra plants infected by the crucifer rust fungus ( Puccinia consimilis ) develop pseduoflowers. These pseudoflowers are characterized by stems with short internodes and numerous closely spaced, bright yellow leaves coated with a sweet sugary substance. Pseudoflowers do not resemble normal A. pulchra flowers. Pseudoflowers, leaves, and stems of A. pulchra plants infected with P. consimilis and true flowers, stems, and leaves of uninfected A. pulchra plants were fixed, embedded, sectioned, and stained using standard microtechniques. Epidermal, ground, and vascular tissues of true leaves, true petals and pseudopetals were examined and compared for anatomic differences. Examination of anatomic characteristics revealed that pseudopetals are modified leaves.     

Empirical factors and structure transference: Returning to the London account

We offer a framework to represent the roles of empirical and theoretical factors in theory construction, and examine a case study to illustrate how the framework can be used to illuminate central features of scientific reasoning. The case study provides an extension of French and Ladyman's (1997) analysis of Fritz and Heinz London's model of superconductivity to accommodate the role of the analogy between superconductivity and diamagnetic phenomena in the development of the model between 1935 and 1937. We focus on this case since it allows us to separate the roles of empirical and theoretical factors, and so provides an example of the utility of the approach that we have adopted. We conclude the paper by drawing on the particular framework here developed to address a range of concerns.