Efficacy of baits and lures for weasel detection

Small mustelids are difficult to survey due to their low density and cryptic nature. Population status of North American weasels (Mustela erminea, Mustela nivalis, and Neogale frenata) are believed to be in decline, but there are no standardized monitoring protocols to evaluate their status. To support weasel monitoring, we compared the attractiveness of various combinations of baits and lures to weasels in sites located throughout the eastern and central USA. We baited a total of 122 clusters of 4 camera traps, across 14 states, with random combinations of 4 baits and 3 scent lures in the winters of 2022 and 2023. Cameras baited with meat were 3.5 times more likely to detect both short- and long-tailed weasels on average (mean percentage of cameras detecting weasels: 20–30%) than those with scent lures (3–11%). Red meat was twice as effective at attracting short-tailed weasels (50%) as chicken or cat food (20%; Z = 2.49, p \u3c 0.01). While red meat marginally increased detections of long-tailed weasels (21%) compared to chicken and cat food (19%), its effectiveness was influenced by whether the bait was stolen (Z = 2.08, p = 0.04). Additionally, long-tailed weasels were detected in half the time when raw chicken was used (median days to detection: red meat = 39.5 days, raw chicken = 14.5 days). When salmon oil was added to meat bait, it increased the likelihood of detecting short-tailed weasels and reduced the time to detection for both species. A variety of non-target species stole meat bait during the survey, making the camera traps less effective. The addition of salmon oil may have allowed for continual attraction of weasels until stolen meat bait could be replenished. In summary, red meat was the best all-purpose bait for weasels, although raw chicken is similarly effective for long-tailed weasels, and the addition of salmon oil is helpful. We also recommend a specific bait enclosure design that was the most effective at minimizing theft of bait. We propose our baiting strategy can be used as a survey standard to evaluate the distribution and population status of weasels

Fostering effective and sustainable scientific collaboration and knowledge exchange: a workshop-based approach to establish a national ecological observatory network (NEON) domain-specific user group

The decision to establish a network of researchers centers on identifying shared research goals. Ecologically specific regions, such as the USA’s National Ecological Observatory Network’s (NEON’s) eco-climatic domains, are ideal locations by which to assemble researchers with a diverse range of expertise but focused on the same set of ecological challenges. The recently established Great Lakes User Group (GLUG) is NEON’s first domain specific ensemble of researchers, whose goal is to address scientific and technical issues specific to the Great Lakes Domain 5 (D05) by using NEON data to enable advancement of ecosystem science. Here, we report on GLUG’s kick off workshop, which comprised lightning talks, keynote presentations, breakout brainstorming sessions and field site visits. Together, these activities created an environment to foster and strengthen GLUG and NEON user engagement. The tangible outcomes of the workshop exceeded initial expectations and include plans for (i) two journal articles (in addition to this one), (ii) two potential funding proposals, (iii) an assignable assets request and (iv) development of classroom activities using NEON datasets. The success of this 2.5-day event was due to a combination of factors, including establishment of clear objectives, adopting engaging activities and providing opportunities for active participation and inclusive collaboration with diverse participants. Given the success of this approach we encourage others, wanting to organize similar groups of researchers, to adopt the workshop framework presented here which will strengthen existing collaborations and foster new ones, together with raising greater awareness and promotion of use of NEON datasets. Establishing domain specific user groups will help bridge the scale gap between site level data collection and addressing regional and larger ecological challenges

Note

List of assistants in Domestic Scienc

Characterization of PM20C2, A TadD- Pasteurella muliocida Mutant

v, 28 p.A mutant strain of Pasteurella multocida, PM20C2, which contains a transposon disruption in the TadD gene, was characterized using genetic complementation studies and an in vitro/in vivo competition assay to assess its potential for use in a live vaccine. Complementation was achieved by incorporating either the wildtype P. multocida TadCD genes or the wildtype Actinobacillus actinomycetemcomitans TadCD genes into the pNF2176 plasmid. These complemented mutants were then used to infect mice and the resultant LD50 values were compared to the LD50 values of mice infected with the uncomplemented PM20C2 mutant, the wildtype TF5 P. multocida strain,or the PM20C2 mutant complemented with an empty pNF2176 vector plasmid. Neither TadCD from P. multocida nor that from A. actinomycetemcomitans successfully restored virulence. It is likely that the transposon disrupted the expression of genes downstream from its insertion in TadD. The in Vitro/in vivo competition assay involved creating a mixture of equivalent concentrations (cfu/ml) of PM20C2 and TF5. This was then used to either infect a mouse model or a falcon tube of broth. The output ratio was determined and entered, along with the input ratio, into the Competitive Index equation. The Competitive Index equation gives a numerical value to the fitness of the mutant when placed in competition with the wildtype. When compared to the wildtype, the PM20C2 mutant was near equally fit in vivo and less fit in vitro. Possible complementation by the presence of the wildtype, TF5, may explain the discrepancy in viability of the PM20C2 mutant in the competition assays vs. Signature Tagged Mutagenesis. From the results obtained, it is still inconclusive as to whether PM20C2 would be a good candidate for a live vaccine·.Animal Health. Pharmacia Corporation. Kalamazoo, Michigan

HIGH PREVALENCE OF CYTAUXZOON FELIS IN BOBCATS (LYNX RUFUS) ACROSS OKLAHOMA AND OCCURRENCE IN WEST TEXAS, USA

Cytauxzoonosis is a fatal tick-borne disease in domestic cats caused by infection with the apicomplexan Cytauxzoon felis. Bobcats are the natural wild-vertebrate reservoirs for C. felis, and infections are typically subclinical and chronic in this species. The present study was done to determine the prevalence and geographic distribution of C. felis infection in wild bobcats from Oklahoma and the occurrence in northwestern Texas. Tongue samples from 360 bobcats were collected from 53 counties in Oklahoma and 13 samples from three counties in Texas. For DNA extracted from each tongue sample, a probe-based droplet digital PCR assay was performed targeting the C. felis mitochondrial gene cytochrome c oxidase subunit III (cox3). Prevalence of C. felis infection was calculated for each county sampled, and data from individual counties were combined according to geographic regions and compared using chi-square tests. Overall prevalence of C. felis in bobcats from Oklahoma was 80.0% (95% confidence interval [CI], 75.6-83.8). The prevalence of infection was \u3e90% for bobcats from central, northeastern, south-central, and southeastern regions of Oklahoma, but \u3c68% for bobcats from northwestern and southwestern regions. Bobcats from central counties in Oklahoma were 25.693 times more likely to be infected with C. felis compared to all other bobcats sampled from the state. Higher prevalence estimates of C. felis in bobcats appeared to be in counties where known tick vectors are most common. Occurrence of C. felis in bobcats from northwestern Texas was 30.8% (95% CI, 12.4%-58.0%) based on 13 samples. Results of this study support the utilization of bobcats as sentinel animals to identify geographic areas with risk of C. felis infection to domestic cats

Papers

Papers concerning the number of institutions represented by the faculty of Utah Agricultural College