Photographic techniques for enhancing ERTS MSS data for geologic information

Satellite multispectral black-and-white photographic negatives of Luna County, New Mexico, obtained by ERTS on 15 August and 2 September 1973, were precisely reprocessed into positive images and analyzed in an additive color viewer. In addition, an isoluminous (uniform brightness) color rendition of the image was constructed. The isoluminous technique emphasizes subtle differences between multispectral bands by greatly enhancing the color of the superimposed composite of all bands and eliminating the effects of brightness caused by sloping terrain. Basaltic lava flows were more accurately displayed in the precision processed multispectral additive color ERTS renditions than on existing state geological maps. Malpais lava flows and small basaltic occurrences not appearing on existing geological maps were identified in ERTS multispectral color images

Terrestrial and Semi-Aquatic Vertebrates in Diets of Largemouth Bass in Central Nebraska

Largemouth bass (Micropterus salmoides) are opportunistic predators often feeding in littoral areas during crepuscular periods (Snow 1971). Adult largemouth bass primarily are piscivorous, whereas juveniles generally consume zooplankton, insects, and small fish (Zweiacker and Summerfelt 1974, Carlander 1977, Post 2003). Age-0 largemouth bass generally consume zooplankton and macroinvertebrates (Keast and Webb 1966, Keast 1985, Phillips et al. 1995, Post 2003) and shift to piscivory at 50-70 mm in length (Phillips et al. 1995, Olson 1996, Post 2003). Few studies have documented detailed accounts of other vertebrates besides fish in diets of largemouth bass, which include amphibians (Hodgson and Kitchell 1987, Hodgson and Hansen 2005), reptiles (Hodgson and Kitchell 1987, Britson and Gutzke 1993), birds (Hodgson and Hansen 2005), and mammals (Clady 1974, Hodgson 1986, Hodgson and Kitchell 1987, Hodgson and Kinsella 1995). Depending on location and season, non-fish vertebrates can contribute substantially to diets of largemouth bass. For example, small mammals composed over 50% of the volume of bass diets in May-June in Cub Lake, Michigan (Clady 1974). To our knowledge, no study in the Great Plains has documented terrestrial or semi-aquatic vertebrates in largemouth bass diets to date. Herein we report on the presence of terrestrial and semi-aquatic vertebrates in largemouth bass diets in borrow- pit lakes in central Nebraska, representing several new species of prey items for largemouth bass

Terrestrial and Semi-Aquatic Vertebrates in Diets of Largemouth Bass in Central Nebraska

Largemouth bass (Micropterus salmoides) are opportunistic predators often feeding in littoral areas during crepuscular periods (Snow 1971). Adult largemouth bass primarily are piscivorous, whereas juveniles generally consume zooplankton, insects, and small fish (Zweiacker and Summerfelt 1974, Carlander 1977, Post 2003). Age-0 largemouth bass generally consume zooplankton and macroinvertebrates (Keast and Webb 1966, Keast 1985, Phillips et al. 1995, Post 2003) and shift to piscivory at 50-70 mm in length (Phillips et al. 1995, Olson 1996, Post 2003). Few studies have documented detailed accounts of other vertebrates besides fish in diets of largemouth bass, which include amphibians (Hodgson and Kitchell 1987, Hodgson and Hansen 2005), reptiles (Hodgson and Kitchell 1987, Britson and Gutzke 1993), birds (Hodgson and Hansen 2005), and mammals (Clady 1974, Hodgson 1986, Hodgson and Kitchell 1987, Hodgson and Kinsella 1995). Depending on location and season, non-fish vertebrates can contribute substantially to diets of largemouth bass. For example, small mammals composed over 50% of the volume of bass diets in May-June in Cub Lake, Michigan (Clady 1974). To our knowledge, no study in the Great Plains has documented terrestrial or semi-aquatic vertebrates in largemouth bass diets to date. Herein we report on the presence of terrestrial and semi-aquatic vertebrates in largemouth bass diets in borrow- pit lakes in central Nebraska, representing several new species of prey items for largemouth bass

Late-Seasonal A ctivity and Diet of the Eveninc Bat (Nycticeius Humeralis) in Nebraska

In North America, Nebraska represents part of the northwestern edge of the distribution for the evening bat (Nycticeius humeralis). To date, little information on this bat’s natural history has been published from the state or from other parts of the Great Plains. Here we report on aspects of its natural history in Nebraska from 2 localities. In late summer and early autumn of 2006, we documented individuals farther west in Nebraska (Harlan County) than previously reported and determined that individuals fed mainly on Coleoptera and Hymenoptera. In 2006, evening bats appeared to migrate from Nebraska during late September–early October, and individuals were extremely fat, about 15 g, prior to migration. Evening bats likely are more widespread and common in south central Nebraska than previously documented. On 6 October 2005, we reported on an individual from eastern Nebraska (Douglas County), which represents the latest seasonal record of N. humeralis from the state

Nebraska\u27s Flying Mammals

They flit around at dusk in crazy patterns. They fly around street lights and dive at rocks thrown in the air. They have high-pitched squeaks and turn up in unexpected places. They have strange, little faces and bizarre ears. They have soft fur and a thin rubbery membrane across their long fingers. They are bats, Nebraska\u27s only flying mammals. Bats are mysterious. Is it because they come out at night and we come out in the daytime? Maybe it is because we associate flying with birds, not mammals. Bats are dark and foreboding, not brightly colored. At first, these mysterious mammals can be frightening, maybe even repulsive, but they are also fascinating, and there is nothing else like them on earth

Mammal Inventories for Eight National Parks in the Southern Colorado Plateau Network

Historically, the Colorado Plateau has been the subject of many geological and biological explorations. J. W. Powell explored and mapped the canyon country of the Colorado River in 1869 (Powell 1961). C. H. Merriam, V. Bailey, M. Cary, and other employees of the Bureau of Biological Survey conducted biological explorations of the area in the late 1800s. In recent times, researchers such as S. D. Durrant (1952), Durrant and Robinson (1962), D. M. Armstrong (1972), J. S. Findley et al. (1975), D. F. Hoffmeister (1986), and J. Fitzgerald et al. (1994) have made considerable contributions to our understanding of the fauna of the Colorado Plateau. Despite earlier efforts, biological details on many regions of the plateau have remained insufficiently explored. In an effort to gather valuable biological information, the National Park Service (NPS) initiated a nationwide program to inventory vascular plants and vertebrates on NPS lands (Stuart 2000). The U.S. Geological Survey, Fort Collins Science Center, Arid Lands Field Station became a cooperator on this effort in 2001, when we began mammalian inventories on five parks within the NPS Southern Colorado Plateau Network (SCPN): Aztec Ruins National Monument (AZRU), El Morro National Monument (ELMO), Petroglyph National Monument (PETR), Salinas Pueblo Missions National Monument (SAPU), and Yucca House National Monument (YUHO). Existing baseline data on mammalian occurrences in these parks varied from very sparse to moderate, with little information available for most parks. In most cases, information was insufficient to assess the status of species of local concern. A final report on inventory eff orts on these five parks was submitted in February 2004 (Bogan et al. 2004). In 2003, biologists from the Arid Lands Field Station began work on three additional parks in the SCPN: Bandelier National Monument (BAND), Chaco Culture National Historical Park (CHCU), and El Malpaís National Monument (ELMA). The primary emphasis at these three parks was on non-volant mammals, as personnel from the Field Station had worked earlier on bats at all three parks (Bogan et al. 1998, Valdez et al. 2002a, 2002b). A final report on inventories at these three parks was submitted in April 2005. This publication details fieldwork conducted in all eight parks from 2001–2004. The information that appears here was originally contained in two separate reports that have been combined in order to make it easier for readers to find information on SCPN mammal inventories. To remain faithful to the original reports, and because of slightly differing objectives, personnel, and emphases at the two sets of parks, we have generally presented the methods, results, and recommendations separately for the 5-park and 3-park inventories

A Survey of Bats in Northern Trinidad Late in the Rainy Season

Located off the northeastern coast of Venezuela, Trinidad is a small tropical island with a rich diversity of bats. Although 66 species have been documented, few inventories have pub¬lished information on community structure of bats in the diverse habitats of the island. Here we report on composition, abundance, and natural history of species captured primarily in the Northern Range at the end of the rainy season (late December–early January). We captured 789 individuals representing 30 species in six families, including 672 bats in nets at ground level and 117 associated with roosts. Our capture rates in ground-level mist nets were substantially higher than other surveys reported from Trinidad. In ground-level nets, Carollia perspicillata, Artibeus jamaicensis, Uroderma bilobatum, Platyrrhinus helleri, and A. glaucus composed 79.8% of captures, and those species were present at most sites. Bats in the family Phyllos¬tomidae accounted for 91% of captures and 59% of species. By feeding guild, captures were comprised of frugivores (86%), aerial insectivores (7%), nectarivores (3%), omnivores (3%), and gleaning animalivores (2%). We observed reproductive activity in only seven species, but this represents new seasonal information for Trinidad. Our study reports on the natural history of Trinidad’s unique and diverse chiropteran fauna during a time of year when little information is available

Habitat utilization of mammals in a man-made forest in the Sandhill region of Nebraska

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