SNAKE ASSEMBLAGE STRUCTURES AND SEASONAL ACTIVITY PATTERNS ON A MILITARY BASE IN SOUTH-CENTRAL PENNSYLVANIA:: LAND MANAGEMENT IMPLICATIONS FOR SNAKE CONSERVATION

We ascertained the assemblage structures of snakes occurring in a mixed habitat matrix of natural and disturbed habitats during 2008–2011 at Letterkenny Army Depot (LEAD), a 7200 ha U.S. Army base in south-central Pennsylvania, to understand the patterns of species abundance as they related to habitat type of managed lands. We detected eight species in 12 sites comprising natural and disturbed habitats of wetlands, forest, and thicket and open fields. The Common Gartersnake (Thamnophis sirtalis) occurred in the most sites, the Red-bellied Snake (Storeria occipitomaculata) was the rarest species in the study. Two to six species occupied each site and were distributed unevenly. Dynamics of assemblages could be explained in part by habitat and also by the presence of the North American Racer (Coluber constrictor). All species for which data were available exhibited a unimodal pattern to their seasonal activity (mostly May and June); however, seasonal activity peaks differed between sexes. Sex ratios varied among species but were consistently female–biased in the Common Gartersnake and Ring-necked Snake (Diadophis punctatus) in Pennsylvania and surrounding areas. As elsewhere in Pennsylvania and the Northeast, body sizes of adults were larger for species syntopic with the North American Racer than for species not syntopic with this potential predator. We found a degree of predictability with respect to snake assemblage dynamics among habitats at LEAD, which in turn can prove useful in resource management of this large and protected human-impacted system

Spreading of Antarctic Bottom Water in the Atlantic Ocean

This paper describes the transport of bottom water from its source region in the Weddell Sea through the abyssal channels of the Atlantic Ocean. The research brings together the recent observations and historical data. A strong flow of Antarctic Bottom Water through the Vema Channel is analyzed. The mean speed of the flow is 30 cm/s. A temperature increase was found in the deep Vema Channel, which has been observed for 30 years already. The flow of bottom water in the northern part of the Brazil Basin splits. Part of the water flows through the Romanche and Chain fracture zones. The other part flows to the North American Basin. Part of the latter flow propagates through the Vema Fracture Zone into the Northeast Atlantic. The properties of bottom water in the Kane Gap and Discovery Gap are also analyzed

Top performing small banks: making money the old-fashioned way

Although the profitability of U.S. small banks shrank in the 1980s, two percent of these banks remained highly profitable by emphasizing basic banking, namely acquiring low-cost funds and making low-risk investments.Banks and banking ; Bank size

Turmoil in the student loan market

Recent credit market problems and federal legislation lowering lender revenues have diminished the availability of some types of student loans. Nevertheless, new sources of funding have become available, changing the structure of the market while helping to meet the demand for student loansStudent loans ; Credit

GEOGRAPHIC VARIATION IN SELECTED LIFE HISTORY TRAITS OF THE EASTERN NARROWMOUTH TOAD, GASTROPHRYNE CAROLINENSIS (HOLBROOK, 1836), ALONG THE NORTHEASTERN EDGE OF ITS GEOGRAPHIC RANGE

We examined the Eastern Narrowmouth Toad,Gastrophryne carolinensis, along the northeastern edge of its geographic range in Virginia to determine the extent to which selected life history traits in this region adhered to patterns associated with a latitudinal gradient in this species. As in studies elsewhere, a significant difference in mean adult body size between males (28.3 mm SVL) and females (30.1 mm SVL) was typical of this species as was the absence of a relationship between clutch size and female body size. Mean body sizes of both sexes appeared larger in northern populations than southern counterparts. Geographically predictable, the breeding season in Virginia was severely curtailed in response to climatic constraints despite extended fertility, and its breeding activity peaked in mid-summer as it has been reported to do throughout its geographic range. Thus, along the northern edge of its geographic range, the Eastern Narrowmouth Toad retains its ability breed for a longer season despite present climatic constraints, an advantage in the face of climate change that could alter timing and duration of acceptable breeding atmospheric conditions

THE CONCEPT OF SUBSIDIES

Resource /Energy Economics and Policy,

The Ursinus Weekly, March 4, 1912

Lehigh Valley alumni\u27s meeting and dinner at Nazareth • Alumni banquet • Schedules announced: Athletic Committee ratifies baseball and football schedules • Letter from Japan • Glee Club concert in Bomberger Hall • Billman will represent Ursinus at intercollegiate contest at Gettysburg • Society notes • Dr. Atkinson accepts summer position at Oberlin • Weekly staff meetinghttps://digitalcommons.ursinus.edu/weekly/2760/thumbnail.jp

The Ursinus Weekly, March 11, 1912

Alumni notes • Letter from Japan • Christian associations • New Weekly staff elected, Reinhold chosen editor • Resolutions for Mr. Ringleben • Ashenfelter resolutions • Resolutions • Glee Club concert postponed • Historical-Political club discusses political possibilities of next yearhttps://digitalcommons.ursinus.edu/weekly/2761/thumbnail.jp