Fishes from the Parque Nacional do Pantanal Matogrossense, upper Paraguai River basin, Brazil.

The Pantanal Biosphere Reserve contains one of the highest concentration of animal species in the Neotropics, including about 300 fish species living in diverse environments associated with wetlands in the upper Paraguai River basin. This biome spans portions of Bolivia, Brazil and Paraguay and includes the Parque Nacional do Pantanal Matogrossense (PNPM), a region of the Pantanal which has been assigned as high conservation priority in Brazil. This study reports the results of an ichthyological survey within the PNPM, where samples were taken at 12 sites during the dry season in 2001, 2010 and 2011. We record 182 species representing three classes, 10 orders and 41 fish families. We report the first occurrence of the genus Anchoviella (order Clupeiformes), in the La Plata basin. This survey will provide information for future studies concerning conservation and management plans for the PNPM as well as for the Pantanal, which is one of the largest permanent wetland areas in the world and among the most unique and important South American biomes

Shifty salamanders: transient trophic polymorphism and cannibalism within natural populations of larval ambystomatid salamanders

INTRODUCTION: Many species of ambystomatid salamanders are dependent upon highly variable temporary wetlands for larval development. High larval densities may prompt the expression of a distinct head morphology that may facilitate cannibalism. However, few studies have characterized structural cannibalism within natural populations of larval salamanders. In this study we used two species of larval salamanders, long-toed (Ambystoma macrodactylum) and ringed salamanders (A. annulatum). Head morphometrics and stable isotopic values of carbon (δ¹³C) and nitrogen (δ¹⁵N) were used to identify the presence or absence of structural cannibalism. Weather conditions were also analyzed as a potential factor associated with the expression of cannibalistic morphology. RESULTS: Populations of salamander larvae did not consistently exhibit cannibalistic morphologies throughout collection periods. Larval long-toed salamanders exhibited trophic polymorphisms when relatively lower precipitation amounts were observed. Larval ringed salamanders were observed to be cannibalistic but did not exhibit polymorphisms in this study. CONCLUSIONS: Structural cannibalism may be transient in both species; however in long-toed salamanders this morphology is necessary for cannibalism. Ringed salamanders can be cannibalistic without morphological adaptations; however the cannibal morph may prolong the viable time period for cannibalism. Additionally, weather conditions may alter pond hydroperiod, subsequently influencing head morphology and cannibalism.Keywords: Nitrogen-15, Trophic polymorphism, Carbon-13, Larval salamander, Stable isotope, Cannibalis

Frequent Arousal from Hibernation Linked to Severity of Infection and Mortality in Bats with White-Nose Syndrome

White-nose syndrome (WNS), an emerging infectious disease that has killed over 5.5 million hibernating bats, is named for the causative agent, a white fungus (Geomyces destructans (Gd)) that invades the skin of torpid bats. During hibernation, arousals to warm (euthermic) body temperatures are normal but deplete fat stores. Temperature-sensitive dataloggers were attached to the backs of 504 free-ranging little brown bats (Myotis lucifugus) in hibernacula located throughout the northeastern USA. Dataloggers were retrieved at the end of the hibernation season and complete profiles of skin temperature data were available from 83 bats, which were categorized as: (1) unaffected, (2) WNS-affected but alive at time of datalogger removal, or (3) WNS-affected but found dead at time of datalogger removal. Histological confirmation of WNS severity (as indexed by degree of fungal infection) as well as confirmation of presence/absence of DNA from Gd by PCR was determined for 26 animals. We demonstrated that WNS-affected bats aroused to euthermic body temperatures more frequently than unaffected bats, likely contributing to subsequent mortality. Within the subset of WNS-affected bats that were found dead at the time of datalogger removal, the number of arousal bouts since datalogger attachment significantly predicted date of death. Additionally, the severity of cutaneous Gd infection correlated with the number of arousal episodes from torpor during hibernation. Thus, increased frequency of arousal from torpor likely contributes to WNS-associated mortality, but the question of how Gd infection induces increased arousals remains unanswered

Evidence of Latitudinal Migration in Tri-colored Bats, Perimyotis subflavus

Background: Annual movements of tri-colored bats (Perimyotis subflavus) are poorly understood. While this species has been considered a regional migrant, some evidence suggests that it may undertake annual latitudinal migrations, similar to other long distance North American migratory bat species. Methodology/Principal Findings: We investigated migration in P. subflavus by conducting stable hydrogen isotope analyses of 184 museum specimen fur samples and comparing these results (dDfur) to published interpolated dD values of collection site growing season precipitation (dDprecip). Results suggest that the male molt period occurred between June 23 and October 16 and 33 % of males collected during the presumed non-molt period were south of their location of fur growth. For the same time period, 16 % of females were south of their location of fur growth and in general, had not travelled as far as migratory males. There were strong correlations between dDfur from the presumed molt period and both growing season dD precip (males – r 2 = 0.86; p,0.01; females – r 2 = 0.75; p,0.01), and latitude of collection (males – r 2 = 0.85; p,0.01; females – r 2 = 0.73; p,0.01). Most migrants were collected at the northern (.40uN; males and females) and southern (,35uN; males only) extents of the species ’ range. Conclusions/Significance: These results indicate a different pattern of migration for this species than previously documented, suggesting that some P. subflavus engage in annual latitudinal migrations and that migratory tendency varie

The Distribution, Status, and Ecology of the Eastern Woodrat (Neotoma Floridana) in Missouri

Woodrats in the eastern United States have experienced a dramatic reduction in range and population numbers in recent years. Because of this, and the fact that the Missouri Department of Conservation has the status of the eastern woodrat, Neotoma floridana, as status undetermined, this study was conducted to collect information on the eastern woodrat in Missouri. A distribution map was developed from two sources: 1) surveys sent to individuals that had knowledge of woodrat occurrence, or 2) manually searching of areas. In addition, the home range and activity patterns of the eastern woodrat were determined on Ruth and Paul Henning Conservation Area in Taney County and on private land in Christian County. Of the areas that contained woodrats (N=159), the dominant habitat types were cave (51.57%), forest with exposed rock (17.61%), and both edge and forest habitats (8.81%). Home ranges were determined using the fluorescent pigment method. The home range of males ranged from 500-8500 m², while females ranged from 1000-3000 m². Remote censusing cameras were used to document the activity patterns of the eastern woodrat. The woodrat was the most common of the 31 species of animals photographed (40.44% of the total pictures). The activity of the woodrat exhibited a peak before midnight with a decrease in activity throughout the rest of the night. Although woodrats are not in immediate need of protection, the regular monitoring of the status of woodrats in Missouri should be implemented because of habitat loss

Intra- and interspecific responses to Rafinesque’s big-eared bat (Corynorhinus rafinesquii) social calls.

Bats respond to the calls of conspecifics as well as to calls of other species; however, few studies have attempted to quantify these responses or understand the functions of these calls. We tested the response of Rafinesque’s big-eared bats (Corynorhinus rafinesquii) to social calls as a possible method to increase capture success and to understand the function of social calls. We also tested if calls of bats within the range of the previously designated subspecies differed, if the responses of Rafinesque’s big-eared bats varied with geographic origin of the calls, and if other species responded to the calls of C. rafinesquii. We recorded calls of Rafinesque’s big-eared bats at two colony roost sites in South Carolina, USA. Calls were recorded while bats were in the roosts and as they exited. Playback sequences for each site were created by copying typical pulses into the playback file. Two mist nets were placed approximately 50–500 m from known roost sites; the net with the playback equipment served as the Experimental net and the one without the equipment served as the Control net. Call structures differed significantly between the Mountain and Coastal Plains populations with calls from the Mountains being of higher frequency and longer duration. Ten of 11 Rafinesque’s big-eared bats were caught in the Control nets and, 13 of 19 bats of other species were captured at Experimental nets even though overall bat activity did not differ significantly between Control and Experimental nets. Our results suggest that Rafinesque’s big-eared bats are not attracted to conspecifics’ calls and that these calls may act as an intraspecific spacing mechanism during foraging