Holiday Lights Create Light Pollution and Become Ecological Trap for Eastern Fox Squirrels: Case Study on a University Campus

Ecological light pollution is now recognized as a significant source of ecosystem alteration. We documented that holiday lights are a seasonal source of light pollution that constitute an ecological trap for eastern fox squirrels (Sciurus niger). Texas A&M University-Kingsville (TAMUK) wildlife students surveyed a 2-km walking transect 5 times per month each month for the relative abundance and diel behavior of eastern fox squirrels and feral cats (Felis catus) on the TAMUK campus during 2018–2019. Eastern fox squirrels exhibited diurnal behaviors throughout the year but extended their foraging behavior nearly 4 hours after sunset with the addition of holiday lights. Feral cats and owls (Strigiformes) exhibited diurnal and nocturnal behaviors but conducted the majority of their hunting during crepuscular hours. We documented that monthly squirrel mortality increased 7-fold with the addition of holiday lights, possibly due to the extension of foraging time by squirrels. Although seasonal lighting is intended to be festive for humans, it can have negative consequences for eastern fox squirrels. Educating the public concerning the issue of light pollution on wildlife species is needed because the majority of the public appears unaware that bright lights can negatively alter wildlife behaviors. Reducing light intensity by either using less outdoor lights or perhaps using colored lights rather than clear white bulbs may lessen the negative effect on foraging behavior of squirrels

Erythrolamprus dorsocorallinus (Esqueda, Natera, La Marca & Ilija-Fistar, 2005) (Squamata: Dipsadidae): range extension, new country record, and comments on color pattern

We present a new country record and significant range extension of Erythrolamprus dorsocorallinus from Bolivia. Locality data on this species is lacking and this account significantly contributes to the knowledge its distributional status throughout South America.

Mussurana bicolor (Peracca, 1904) (Squamata, Colubridae): additional country records and first list of voucher specimens from Bolivia

We present country records and a list of voucher specimens for Mussurana bicolor (Peracca, 1904) (Serpentes, Colubridae) from Bolivia. There is scarce information on museum specimens and locality data from Bolivia for this species in the scientific literature. Additionally, we discuss two newly collected specimens from the Llanos de Moxos, a floodplain in the Beni Department. This account contributes to the knowledge of the northwestern distributional status of M. bicolor and summarizes available data for Bolivia

Playing “hide and seek” with Texas tortoises: value of a detector dog

Texas tortoises (Gopherus berlandieri) were once considered common and abundant throughout southern Texas with densities as high as 16 tortoises per hectare. Today, density estimates are 0.25 tortoises per hectare, which constitutes about a 98% population decline. Because of their low numbers and elusive behavior, Texas tortoises can be difficult to find. We demonstrate the value of using a detector dog as a time saving method in locating Texas tortoises. We glued VHF radio transmitters onto 9 adult tortoises and released them in a 5-ha plowed and short-grass pasture that contained mesquite (Prosopsis glandulosa) mottes, habitat conducive for Texas tortoise habitat selection. We calculated the Detectability Index (DI) as the detection rate (# tortoises found/minute) × percent tortoises from the known population found within 60 minutes. We compared DIs via telemetry, detector dog, and “cold” (no equipment or knowledge) human searches. We used the time required to find all tortoises when a searcher had knowledge of locations as the baseline. Our baseline DI was 0.79, followed by telemetry (0.13) and detector dogs (0.11), while “cold” searches was 0.02. Telemetry, detector dog, and cold searches were 6-fold, 7-fold, and nearly 40-fold slower, respectively, than having knowledge of tortoise locations. However, the combination of using detector dogs with telemetry resulted in a 50% time savings than single methods. Telemetry was useful in locating a generalized area with a tortoise but a detector dog was 2X faster in visually locating the tortoise once the area was identified. Therefore, we recommend the use of detector dogs as a time-saving method when conducting research on Texas tortoises

American alligator ecology and management in Texas

The American alligator (Alligator mississippiensis) was listed as an endangered species in 1967 because of population declines attributable to market hunting, poaching, and the loss of wetland habitat. Subsequently, alligators have been delisted and their recovery is due to intense management and wetland conservation. Statewide management strategies for alligators are based upon data collected from harvested alligator populations. However, because population demographics of alligators are thought to to be affected by several environmental and life history characteristics, a generalized population model and management plan may not be appropriate for the species. Also, little is known about American alligators from Texas. Therefore, my objectives were to 1) identify trends in nuisance alligator reports in the state of Texas by year, month, county, alligator size, sex, situation, and action taken; 2) determine agency priority of nuisance alligator management based on these trends; 3) determine public opinion about alligators and their management; 4) quantify clutch size and hatchling production of wild American Alligator nests in southeastern Texas, and to determine if these parameters are affected by drought; 5) determine retention rates of three commonly used tags and one novel tag and determine the most cost- and time-effective tagging strategies; 6) determine demographic and localized differences alligator growth rates showed that growth differed among size classes. Mean annual growth rates for size classes 1(<50 cm total length; TL), 2 (50.1-100cm TL), and 3 (100.1-150 cm TL) were 30.6 ± 1.2 cm, 12.6 ± 1.5 cm, and 15.7 ± 3.3 cm, respectively. The mean body condition score without regard to size, sex, or density was 2.6 ± 0.05. Age estimates of alligators ≤151 cm (TL) ranged from 0.03 years to 13.64 years of age. Passive Integrated Transponders (PIT) and fish tag retention was 97% and 93%, respectively, in recaptured alligators. Fish tags were 7-18 times faster (i.e., person-minutes) to place on alligators than the other tags. In addition, fish tags were visible without recapture of the alligator, caused less stress on captured individuals, and the cost per tag for fish tags was not considered prohibitive. I recommend fish tags as the primary tagging strategy for alligators. Results of population surveys suggest that subadult and adult alligators are best surveyed at least three hours after dark, but hatchlings can be reliably surveyed anytime during the night. I found that alligator activity and abundance are highly variable among age classes and lakes and that survey techniques should be developed to be age and population specific. Managers and scientists should target particular age classes during surveys based on prevailing environmental conditions because precise monitoring of wildlife populations is crucial for species management and conservation. I recommend that management plans for Texas alligators be developed for each age class and on a per site basis because a ‘one-size fits all’ plan appears inappropriate for this species

Dipsas indica (Laurenti, 1768) (Serpentes, Colubridae, Dipsandinae): additional country record, list of voucher specimens, and discussion on distribution in Bolivia

We present a new country record for Dipsas indica (Laurenti, 1768) (Serpentes, Colubridae, Dipsadinae) and discuss the species’ distribution in Bolivia and South America. Little information on museum specimens and locality data from Bolivia exists for this species in the scientific literature, which has been largely based on a single museum specimen. This information contributes to the knowledge of its distributional status and summarizes known and available data for Bolivia

Mussurana bicolor (Peracca, 1904) (Squamata, Colubridae): additional country records and first list of voucher specimens from Bolivia

We present country records and a list of voucher specimens for Mussurana bicolor (Peracca, 1904) (Serpentes, Colubridae) from Bolivia. There is scarce information on museum specimens and locality data from Bolivia for this species in the scientific literature. Additionally, we discuss two newly collected specimens from the Llanos de Moxos, a floodplain in the Beni Department. This account contributes to the knowledge of the northwestern distributional status of M. bicolor and summarizes available data for Bolivia

Tropidurus chromatops Harvey & Gutberlet, 1998 (Squamata, Tropiduridae): first records from and range extension to the Beni Department, Bolivia

We present the first records of Tropidurus chromatops Harvey & Gutberlet, 1998 from the Beni Department (Bolivia) and extend this species’ distribution to western Bolivia by approximately 256 km in a straight line to the Beni Floodplains ecoregion. Likewise, we contribute information on some aspects of the natural history, altitude of occurrence, and the geographic distribution of T. chromatops in the Department of Beni