Land Snails in Ephemeral Pools at Ottine Swamp, Gonzales County, Texas

We found five species of terrestrial land snails in dried ephemeral pools at Ottine Swamp, Palmetto State Park, Gonzales County, Texas. We recorded four species previously known (Anguispira stronglyodes, Mesomphix friabilis, Olygyra orbiculata, and Rabdotus dealbatus) and added a new occurrence (Mesodon thyroidus) to the list of species in the park. Se encontraron cinco especies de caracoles terrestres en los fondos secos de unos charcos efímeros en Ottine Swamp, Palmetto State Park, en el condado de Gonzales, Texas. Registramos cuatro especies conocidas anteriormente (Anguispira stronglyodes, Mesomphix friabilis, Olygyra orbiculata y Rabdotus dealbatus) y añadimos una nueva especie (Mesodon thyroidus) a la lista de especies en el parque

Scientific and ethical considerations in rare species protection: the case of beavers in Connecticut

Includes bibliographical references.The protection of rare species abounds with scientific and ethical considerations. An ethical dilemma can emerge when the life of one species is valued higher than that of another, and so we discuss the basis of ranking, protection, and valuation of plants and animals. A duty to protect rare species exists in this age of great losses to plant and animal life, but the scientific and public communities are not always in agreement regarding what species deserve protection. Using a case study, we illustrate how the decision to kill beavers to protect a rare plant and rare animals found in a tidewater creek demanded an ecological ethic approach. We present the concept of a "conservation mediator" and how its use may help find a common ground between stakeholders and decision-makers in similar situations

Use of the sea hare (Aplysia fasciata) in marine pollution biomonitoring of harbors and bays

Our study evaluated heavy metal concentrations in soft tissues of sea hare, Aplysia fasciata, from the Lower Laguna Madre, Texas. Heavy metals in tissues followed Se \u3e As \u3e Pb \u3e Cd. Concentrations ranged As (BDL-28.08), Cd (BDL-5.50), Pb (BDL-12.85) and Se (4.25-93.43 ppm). Median As, Cd, Pb, and Se tissue levels exceeded exposure levels. Significant relationships occurred in metal-metal (As-Cd, As-Pb, Cd-Pb, Cd-Se, and Pb-Se), metal-tissue (significant Se uptake by inhalant and exhalant siphons and As in the hepatopancreas), and metal-metal within tissue (As-Pb in the hepatopancreas and Cd-Pb in the digestive cecum) analyses (

Effectiveness of Pan Trapping as a Rapid Bioinventory Method of Freshwater Shoreline Insects of Subtropical Texas

Pan trapping proves to be an effective method for field surveying insects, especially Diptera. This manuscript examines the effectiveness of the method for the rapid bioinventory of freshwater shoreline insects. Pan traps at ground level, above ground, and elevated and of different colors were evaluated for their ability to attract and capture insects. Abundance (n), taxonomic richness (T), and hierarchical diversity indices (H′) allowed for the determination of efficacy among methods. Yellow pan (n = 141, T = 10, H′ = 1.15) and elevated yellow pan traps (n = 113, T = 5, H′ = 1.18) were most effective at capturing the highest diversity of insects. Blue (n = 12, H′ = 1.18) and green (n = 51, H′ = 0.74) traps had similar richness (T = 4); however differed in the total insects captured and diversity. The results provide entomologists in South Texas and other subtropical environments with information to assist them with planning surveys in the field and with further study potentially developing pollution tolerance values for different insect taxa

The use of keywords in archaeornithology literature

A keyword reflects the subject matter of a journal article that is chosen by its author(s). The selection of keywords by researchers in their works is crucial to disseminating knowledge, increasing publication citations, and advancing a science career. We examined keywords chosen in the titles and keyword sections of the archaeornithology literature generated by past meetings of the Bird Working Group (BWG), International Council for Archaeozoology. We report our results to (1) identify keywords that have been shared across authors, (2) make suggestions to improve showcasing researchers\u27 works, and (3) heighten the importance of keyword choice. Additionally, we propose that the BWG and its members consider recommending a keyword scheme for use in future publications

Taphonomic Study of Japanese Quail (Coturnix japonica) Bone Modification Resulting from the Burial and Feeding Behavior of the American Burying Beetle (Nicrophorus americanus)

Actualistic and observational studies of bird bone disarticulation, wear, and damage contribute to understanding the development of fossil assemblages and distinguishing non-cultural from cultural deposition. The American burying beetle (Nicrophorus americanus) is known for seeking small bird carcasses to lay eggs and provide food for its brooding larvae. In this study, we examine the resulting body parts of Japanese quail (Coturnix japonica) carcasses to investigate the taphonomy resulting from the burial and feeding behavior of the beetles. Evidence of breakage, cracking, embedding, flaking, furrowing, pitting, polishing, and staining was observed on the bones of carcasses balled and brooded by the beetles. Based on the results, the implication of potential bird carcass intrusion in archaeological sites, where the beetle is found, is discussed

RESEARCH ARTICLE: Evaluating Stormwater Canals for Water Quality in the Lower Rio Grande Valley, Texas

The Lower Rio Grande Valley (LRGV) of South Texas contains an extensive stormwater conveyance canal system supported by culverts and crossings. This project examined representative canal segments in this system to determine the effects of stormwater conveyance structures and crossings as well as surrounding land use on water quality and the ability of the canal system to meet Texas freshwater surface water standards. Data collected for 18 physiochemical and nutrient parameters was used to generate summary statistics and perform analyses of variance and correlation analyses. The results of the analyses suggested that conveyance structures and crossings and land use significantly affected 12–13 water quality parameters. Box culverts in the canal system are more likely to affect water quality than bridge crossings or culverts placed above and below the water surface. Agricultural and residential land, roads, and trees and bushes planted on the canal boundaries effected water quality similarly, whereas the maintained, vegetated edges of canals had the greatest influences on water quality. Overall, water quality in the LRGV canal system meets federal and state standards and aquatic life criteria. The findings of our water quality survey provide significant information that could assist with municipal, county, and regional environmental compliance management

Bone chemical composition changes in bird bones from laboratory exposure to saline lake conditions

The abundance of bird bones in archeological contexts of high salt is potentially impacted by salinization, which can affect bone preservation. We exposed wing elements (humeri, ulnae, and radii) of domestic chicken (Gallus gallus domesticus) to laboratory conditions simulating a saline lake substrate with overlaying saltwater for up to 32 weeks. Our analyses based on bone ashing and elemental concentration using ICP-OES are reported. The data provide useful taphonomic information regarding changes in bone mineral content, element concentrations, and element to phosphorus ratios of bird bones exposed to saline environments. Results showed that all exposed wing bones increased significantly in bone mineral content, which indicated that wing bones most likely became stronger. Overall, ionic concentrations of Ca2+, K+, Mg2+, Na+, P5+, Sr2+, and Si4+, except Fe3+, changed significantly among all wing bones with saline exposure. These changes in ion concentration took place in as little as 4 weeks. Element to phosphorus ratios provided insight into potential ionic substitutions between the bone and the saline substrate and solution exposure. The results from our study provide direct evidence that the chemical composition of bird bones deposited along saline lake shorelines quickly become altered