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Landscape context mediates influence of local food abundance on wetland use by wintering shorebirds in an agricultural valley Landscape context mediates influence of local food abundance on wetland use by wintering shorebirds in an agricultural valley

While it is widely understood that local abundance of benthic invertebrates can greatly influence the distribution and abundance of wetland birds, no studies have examined if wetland landscape context can mediate this relationship. We studied the influence of wetland food abundance and landscape context on use of agricultural wetlands by wintering dunlin (Calidris alpina) and killdeer...
Authors
Oriane W. Taft, Susan M. Haig

Size dimorphism, molt status, and body mass variation of Prairie Falcons nesting in the Snake River Birds of Prey National Conservation Area Size dimorphism, molt status, and body mass variation of Prairie Falcons nesting in the Snake River Birds of Prey National Conservation Area

Birds face challenges in how they allocate energy during the reproductive season. Most temperate zone species do not breed and molt at the same time, presumably because of the high energy demands of these two activities (Espie et al. 1996 and citations therein). However, representatives of at least four raptor genera are known to molt during the nesting season (Schmutz and Schmutz 1975...
Authors
Karen Steenhof, James O. McKinley

Taricha granulosa (Rough-skinned newt). Summer habitat and aggregation. Taricha granulosa (Rough-skinned newt). Summer habitat and aggregation.

Terrestrial behavior and habitat associations of post-metamorphic Taricha granulosa are poorly understood (Oliver and McCurdy 1974. Can. J. Zool. 52:541-545; Pimentel 1960. Amer. Midl. Nat. 63:470-496). Chandler (1918. Oregon Agric. Coll. Exper. Sta. Bull. 152:6) referenced Fall T granulosa aggregations in "cavities under stumps, logs, and stones," but does not present specific data...
Authors
Christopher A. Pearl

Taxonomic considerations in listing subspecies under the U.S. Endangered Species Act Taxonomic considerations in listing subspecies under the U.S. Endangered Species Act

The U.S. Endangered Species Act (ESA) allows listing of subspecies and other groupings below the rank of species. This provides the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and the National Marine Fisheries Service with a means to target the most critical unit in need of conservation. Although roughly one-quarter of listed taxa are subspecies, these management agencies are hindered by...
Authors
S. M. Haig, E.A. Beever, Steven M. Chambers, Hope M. Draheim, Bruce D. Dugger, Susie Dunham, Elise Elliott-Smith, Joseph B. Fontaine, Dylan C. Kesler, Brian J. Knaus, Iara F. Lopes, Peter J. Loschl, Thomas D. Mullins, Lisa M. Sheffield

Do migratory flight paths of raptors follow constant geographical or geomagnetic courses? Do migratory flight paths of raptors follow constant geographical or geomagnetic courses?

We tested whether routes of raptors migrating over areas with homogeneous topography follow constant geomagnetic courses more or less closely than constant geographical courses. We analysed the routes taken over land of 45 individual raptors tracked by satellite-based radiotelemetry: 25 peregrine falcons, Falco peregrinus, on autumn migration between North and South America, and seven...
Authors
K. Thorup, M. Fuller, T. Alerstam, M. Hake, N. Kjellen, R. Strandberg

Spatial structure in the diet of imperial eagles Aquila heliaca in Kazakhstan Spatial structure in the diet of imperial eagles Aquila heliaca in Kazakhstan

We evaluated the relationship between spatial variability in prey and food habits of eastern imperial eagles Aquila heliaca at a 90,000 ha national nature reserve in north-central Kazakhstan. Eagle diet varied greatly within the population and the spatial structure of eagle diet within the population varied according to the scale of measurement. Patterns in dietary response were...
Authors
T.E. Katzner, E. A. Bragin, S.T. Knick, A.T. Smith

Phylogeography and spatial genetic structure of the southern torrent salamander: Implications for conservation and management Phylogeography and spatial genetic structure of the southern torrent salamander: Implications for conservation and management

The Southern torrent salamander (Rhyacotriton variegatus) was recently found not warranted for listing under the US Endangered Species Act due to lack of information regarding population fragmentation and gene flow. Found in small-order streams associated with late-successional coniferous forests of the US Pacific Northwest, threats to their persistence include disturbance related to...
Authors
Mark P. Miller, Susan M. Haig, R.S. Wagner

Size dimorphism, molt status, and body mass variation of prairie falcons nesting in the Snake River Birds of Prey National Conservation Area Size dimorphism, molt status, and body mass variation of prairie falcons nesting in the Snake River Birds of Prey National Conservation Area

Thirty-nine bald eagles found sick or dead in 13 States during 1969 and 1970 were analyzed for pesticide residues. Residues of DDE, dieldrin, polychlorinated biphenyls (PCB's), and mercury were detected in all bald eagle carcasses; DDD residues were detected in 38; DDT, heptachlor epoxide, and dichlorobenzophenone (DCBP) were detected less frequently. Six eagles contained possible lethal...
Authors
Karen Steenhof, James O. McKinley

Juvenile salmonid use of freshwater emergent wetlands in the floodplain and its implications for conservation management Juvenile salmonid use of freshwater emergent wetlands in the floodplain and its implications for conservation management

A recent trend of enhancing freshwater emergent wetlands for waterfowl and other wildlife has raised concern about the effects of such measures on juvenile salmonids. We undertook this study to quantify the degree and extent of juvenile Pacific salmon Oncorhynchus spp. utilization of enhanced and unenhanced emergent wetlands within the floodplain of the lower Chehalis River, Washington...
Authors
Julie A. Henning, Robert E. Gresswell, Ian A. Fleming

Taxonomic and geographic variation in oviposition by tailed frogs (Ascaphus spp) Taxonomic and geographic variation in oviposition by tailed frogs (Ascaphus spp)

Tailed frogs (Ascaphus spp.) oviposit in cryptic locations in streams of the Pacific Northwest and Rocky Mountains. This aspect of their life history has restricted our understanding of their reproductive ecology. The recent split of A. montanus in the Rocky Mountains from A. truei was based on molecular differentiation, and comparisons of their ecology are limited. Our objectives were...
Authors
Nancy E. Karraker, David S. Pilliod, M. J. Adams, Evelyn L. Bull, Paul Stephen Corn, Lowell V. Diller, Marc P. Hayes, Blake R. Hossack, Garth R. Hodgson, Erin J. Hyde, Kirk Lohman, Bradford R. Norman, Lisa M. Ollivier, Christopher A. Pearl, Charles R. Peterson
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