Parrots and Palms: Analyzing Data to Determine Best Management Strategies and Sustainable Harvest Levels

This exercise1 presents a scenario and raw data on a realistic conflict between parrot conservation and palm tree harvest. It requires that students analyze data very comparable to what would be gathered in the field, to: 1) construct a life tables for the palm and parrot, 2) extract vital statistics about both the palm and parrot population from the life tables, 3) estimate maximum sustainable yield for both species, and 4) make a decision about the sustainability of harvest intensity. It illustrates the importance of data analysis skills for conservation

The impact of immediate breast reconstruction on the time to delivery of adjuvant therapy: the iBRA-2 study

Background: Immediate breast reconstruction (IBR) is routinely offered to improve quality-of-life for women requiring mastectomy, but there are concerns that more complex surgery may delay adjuvant oncological treatments and compromise long-term outcomes. High-quality evidence is lacking. The iBRA-2 study aimed to investigate the impact of IBR on time to adjuvant therapy. Methods: Consecutive women undergoing mastectomy ± IBR for breast cancer July–December, 2016 were included. Patient demographics, operative, oncological and complication data were collected. Time from last definitive cancer surgery to first adjuvant treatment for patients undergoing mastectomy ± IBR were compared and risk factors associated with delays explored. Results: A total of 2540 patients were recruited from 76 centres; 1008 (39.7%) underwent IBR (implant-only [n = 675, 26.6%]; pedicled flaps [n = 105,4.1%] and free-flaps [n = 228, 8.9%]). Complications requiring re-admission or re-operation were significantly more common in patients undergoing IBR than those receiving mastectomy. Adjuvant chemotherapy or radiotherapy was required by 1235 (48.6%) patients. No clinically significant differences were seen in time to adjuvant therapy between patient groups but major complications irrespective of surgery received were significantly associated with treatment delays. Conclusions: IBR does not result in clinically significant delays to adjuvant therapy, but post-operative complications are associated with treatment delays. Strategies to minimise complications, including careful patient selection, are required to improve outcomes for patients

Direct and Indirect Benefits of Service-Learning in Large Classrooms

This talk was given during the Southeast Branch of American Society of Microbiologists Annual Meeting

Teaching…The Continuing Frontier

This talk was given during an Academic Excellence Presentation at Georgia Southern University

A Comparison of Nesting Behavior in the Eastern Gray Squirrel (Sciurus carolinensis) Between Developed and Natural Environments.

This talk was given to Georgia Southern University Phi Kappa Phi Chapter

Do Right-Pawed Dogs Have Right-Handed Owners and Vice Versa?

This talk was given during the Association of Southeastern Biologists Annual Meeting

Species Differences in Activity Patterns During Oestrus

The onset of oestrus in females has been associated with an increase in locomotor activity; however, we predicted that there would be species in which the females would not increase their activity during oestrus. We tested this in the laboratory, using running wheels, with white-footed mice (Peromyscus leucopus) and California mice (Peromyscus californicus), which were predicted to increase activity, and hispid cotton rats (Sigmodon hispidus), which were predicted to show no change in activity level. The results supported our predictions, as cotton rats showed no change, while both Peromyscus species increased activity during oestrus. Based upon laboratory activity patterns we conducted a field study to examine the relative levels of activity of two species, white-footed mice and prairie voles (Microtus ochrogaster). We predicted that significantly more white-footed mice than prairie voles would be caught during oestrus. Before trapping we generated a model to predict the probability of capturing oestrous females. Live-trapping results supported our prediction, as significantly more oestrous female white-footed mice were captured than prairie voles (48.8 vs. 7.5%), and capture of oestrous white-footed mice deviated significantly from the model\u27s prediction. The capture of oestrous prairie voles fit within the lower limits of the model\u27s predictions. The results are discussed in terms of mating strategies, how oestrus is achieved, and predation risk

Home Ranges and Burrow Activity of \u3cem\u3ePeromyscus polionotus\u3c/em\u3e in Southeastern Georgia

Home ranges and burrow activity of Peromyscus polionotus in southeastern Georgia found in early successional habitats in the southeastern United States. Past studies primarily relied on live-trapping techniques to explore population biology and life history attributes of this species. From these studies, we learned that oldfield mice are obligate burrowers and functionally monogamous. However, movement patterns and burrow use of oldfield mice are not easily or precisely studied using traditional trapping methods. Our study evaluated the movement patterns of oldfield mice within three similar early successional habitats using radio telemetry. We sampled 45 wild mice (21 females, 24 males) over the winter, spring, and summer seasons of 2014-2015. Some but not all of these individuals were paired. Paired individuals were often seen foraging in close proximity. Mouse burrows were characterized by a clumped distribution pattern in all habitats. The distribution pattern was not related to obvious habitat differences. Individual mice within the “colonies” had overlapping territories with each other but not with mice in other areas of the same field. In all seasons, paired males and females had overlapping territories and shared burrows. Mice were found more often in burrows during nightly telemetry in the winter and spring compared to the summer months. In winter, multiple individuals were found together in the same burrow

Intraspecific Space Use in \u3cem\u3ePeromyscus polionotus\u3c/em\u3e

Sociality in rodents varies along a continuum from completely solitary, except when mating, to obligate communal living. In the genus Peromyscus, some species (P. leucopus and P. maniculutas) exhibit sociality at certain times and in certain environmental conditions, while other species (e.g., P. californicus) are socially monogamous. Peromyscus polionotus, is a common member of communities in the southeastern U.S. that is found on sandy soils where it constructs burrows. This species is also monogamous. Monogamy should be reflected in space use where males and females share overlapping home ranges, and home range size is equal. In this study, we examined home ranges and burrow use of 38 individuals using radio telemetry in winter of 2014-2015, spring of 2015, and summer of 2015. Home range size ranged from 1306 m2 - 1532 m2 and did not differ between sexes or seasons. Home ranges of males and females overlapped, and there was a pattern of site fidelity. Burrows were clustered spatially and the location of burrows persisted over time. Burrows were used by multiple combinations of mice, including all types of pairs and trios. Over the course of the study, groups of mice used multiple burrows. Groups included both reproductive and non-reproductive individuals. Our results support monogamy in this species, and a higher level of sociality than is found in other members of the genus