Resource selection of black-footed ferrets based on black-tailed prairie dog distributions

Abstract only availableThis study investigates how black-footed ferrets (Mustela nigripes) select their habitat in relation to the distribution of black-tailed prairie dogs (Cynomys ludovicianus). Ferrets are one of the rarest and most endangered mammals in North America. An intensive captive breeding program has allowed for reintroduction of ferrets on the Charles M. Russell National Wildlife Refuge in Central Montana, the study site of this project. However, despite over two hundred individual ferrets released in the last ten years, a self-sustaining population has not been established. Because 90% of a ferret's diet consists of prairie dogs and prairie dog burrows provide exclusive shelter sites for ferrets, understanding how ferrets select their habitat within a prairie dog colony could have important management implications. I hypothesize that ferrets will select patches of high prairie dog density. The first component of data collection involved GPS (Global Positioning System) mapping of 26,000 prairie dog burrows within the prairie dog colony. Ferrets were located within the prairie dog colony by spotlighting for their reflective eye shine at night. Once located, a PIT (passive integrated transponder) reading identified each individual ferret, and GPS coordinates were recorded. In the 10 week spotlighting period 60 GPS ferret observations were recorded. A Kernel analysis was done to determine the level of habitat utilization by ferrets within the prairie dog colony. This information was overlaid on the prairie dog colony map that identified patches of different burrow densities using GIS (Geographic Information System) software. A Chi-squared test was then performed to analyze the relationship between prairie dog distribution and ferret habitat selection. The results of this study can hopefully help wildlife managers better manage ferrets and possibly adjust or modify their ferret management plan based on prairie dog colony structure.Life Sciences Undergraduate Research Opportunity Progra

Nest Success and Duckling Survival of Greater Scaup, Aythya marila, at Grassy Island, New Brunswick

Nesting biology and duckling survival of Greater Scaup (Aythya marila) at Grassy Island on the Saint John River in southern New Brunswick were compared between 1995 and 1996. Grassy Island in New Brunswick is an area that is notably removed from other scaup breeding areas, being located farther south from main breeding areas in North America. The Mayfield estimates of nest success were 61% and 21% in 1995 and 1996, respectively. Mean daily survival rates were 0.99 in 1995 and 0.96 in 1996 and were significantly different (t = 4.86, P < 0.001). Duckling survival was estimated to range from 38 to 54% in 1995, and was 8% in 1996. The lower breeding success in 1996 may have been due to factors associated with decreased temperatures and increased precipitation, but the fact that the breeding location is atypical to other Greater Scaup breeding areas should not be overlooked

Ocellated Turkey diets and feeding ecology in an agricultural-forest matrix habitat in Campeche, Mexico

Assessment of diet and feeding habits can provide a greater understand of habitat requirements and conservation needs for target species. One such species that would benefit from an evaluation of feeding ecology is the Ocellated Turkey ( Meleagris ocellata ), a gallinaceous endemic of the Yucatán Peninsula of Mexico and northern Guatemala and Belize. Little is known about the natural history and ecological requirements of this near threatened species, and sound ecological data are necessary to direct conservation and management decisions, especially in altered environments. To address this need, we collected upper digestive tracts of primarily adult male Ocellated Turkeys in agricultural regions of Campeche, Mexico during February–May 2013. We identified food items consumed by Ocellated Turkeys and reported relative importance of food items. We also assessed daily patterns of feeding activity. Seeds contributed most to diets and grain sorghum ( Sorghum bicolor ), maize ( Zea mays ), and soybeans ( Glycine max ) were the most consumed plant species. We also documented 19 native plants consumed by Ocellated Turkeys. No temporal patterns were observed in daily feeding activity by adult male turkeys, likely because the breeding season coincided with the sampling period and males were occupied with breeding behaviors. Results indicated that Ocellated Turkeys fed heavily on anthropogenic food sources planted in agricultural areas and these habitats should be considered when developing management plans and when identifying lands for applied conservation strategies

Greater Scaup, Aythya marila, Nest Site Characteristics on Grassy Island, New Brunswick

We studied Greater Scaup (Aythya marilla) nest site selection on Grassy Island, New Brunswick, during 1995 and 1996 by describing site selection in relation to habitat characteristics and association with larids using univariate comparisons. We pooled nesting data from both years and found that nesting sites were significantly closer to larid colonies and the edge of the patch of vegetation in which the nests were situated, had less forb canopy cover, more sedge cover, greater overhead concealment and lateral cover at 0–0.25 m, and less ground moisture than random sites. We evaluated Greater Scaup nests delimited as close to or far from larid colonies at 30 m and documented that nests closer to larid colonies were found in shorter vegetation that was closer to the edge of the patch of vegetation with less lateral cover at 0.25–0.5 m, but had greater overhead concealment than nests farther away. Advancements in the ecological understanding of the species, including habitat use patterns and species associations, will increase the likelihood of conservation successes

Nest Success and Duckling Survival of Greater Scaup, <em>Aythya marila</em>, at Grassy Island, New Brunswick

Nesting biology and duckling survival of Greater Scaup (Aythya marila) at Grassy Island on the Saint John River in southern New Brunswick were compared between 1995 and 1996. Grassy Island in New Brunswick is an area that is notably removed from other scaup breeding areas, being located farther south from main breeding areas in North America. The Mayfield estimates of nest success were 61% and 21% in 1995 and 1996, respectively. Mean daily survival rates were 0.99 in 1995 and 0.96 in 1996 and were significantly different (t = 4.86, P &lt; 0.001). Duckling survival was estimated to range from 38 to 54% in 1995, and was 8% in 1996. The lower breeding success in 1996 may have been due to factors associated with decreased temperatures and increased precipitation, but the fact that the breeding location is atypical to other Greater Scaup breeding areas should not be overlooked

Response of Lesser Prairie-Chickens on Leks to Aerial Surveys

ABSTRACT Aerial surveys can be used to detect and monitor lesser prairie-chicken (Tympanuchus pallidicinctus) leks, but the need exists to understand the response of lesser prairie-chickens to survey aircraft. We conducted lek surveys in Texas and New Mexico, USA, using an R-22 Beta II helicopter and R-44 Raven II helicopter. We observed the behavior of lesser prairie-chickens at 44 leks during aerial lek surveys. We observed flush responses of 38.5% (20.2-59.4%; 95% CI) and 50.0% (26.0-74.0%) from the R-22 and R-44, respectively. We found no difference in flush response between helicopter types (P ¼ 0.326). We used logistic regression models to predict lesser prairie-chicken flush response to aerial surveys. We found that distance from the transect was the most important flush response predictor during helicopter surveys. When flushed, lesser prairie-chickens returned to the lek and resumed predisturbance behavior in 7.0 AE 2.6 min (mean AE 95% CI). Our results suggest aerial surveys can be conducted without disruption to the lesser prairie-chicken lek dynamic. ß 2011 The Wildlife Society

Dorsal root ganglion stimulation yielded higher treatment success rate for complex regional pain syndrome and causalgia at 3 and 12 months: a randomized comparative trial

Animal and human studies indicate that electrical stimulation of dorsal root ganglion (DRG) neurons may modulate neuropathic pain signals. ACCURATE, a pivotal, prospective, multicenter, randomized comparative effectiveness trial, was conducted in 152 subjects diagnosed with complex regional pain syndrome or causalgia in the lower extremities. Subjects received neurostimulation of the DRG or dorsal column (spinal cord stimulation, SCS). The primary end point was a composite of safety and efficacy at 3 months, and subjects were assessed through 12 months for long-term outcomes and adverse events. The predefined primary composite end point of treatment success was met for subjects with a permanent implant who reported 50% or greater decrease in visual analog scale score from preimplant baseline and who did not report any stimulation-related neurological deficits. No subjects reported stimulation-related neurological deficits. The percentage of subjects receiving ≥50% pain relief and treatment success was greater in the DRG arm (81.2%) than in the SCS arm (55.7%, P < 0.001) at 3 months. Device-related and serious adverse events were not different between the 2 groups. Dorsal root ganglion stimulation also demonstrated greater improvements in quality of life and psychological disposition. Finally, subjects using DRG stimulation reported less postural variation in paresthesia (P < 0.001) and reduced extraneous stimulation in nonpainful areas (P = 0.014), indicating DRG stimulation provided more targeted therapy to painful parts of the lower extremities. As the largest prospective, randomized comparative effectiveness trial to date, the results show that DRG stimulation provided a higher rate of treatment success with less postural variation in paresthesia intensity compared to SCS