Publications
Below is a list of available NOROCK peer reviewed and published science. If you are in search of a specific publication and cannot find it below or through a search, please contact twojtowicz@usgs.gov.
Filter Total Items: 1341
Invasive hybridization has unpredicted and variable effects on trout survival in contrasting environments Invasive hybridization has unpredicted and variable effects on trout survival in contrasting environments
Invasive hybridization between native and introduced species is widespread, especially in fishes, yet its effects on fitness-related traits across environments remain poorly understood. We combined individual genetic admixture estimates with capture–recapture data to quantify how hybridization between native Westslope Cutthroat Trout (Oncorhynchus lewisi) and invasive Rainbow Trout...
Authors
Jeffrey T. Strait, Ryan P. Kovach, Lisa A Eby, Clint C. Muhlfeld, Matthew C. Boyer, Stephen J. Amish, Paul M. Luckas, Winsor H. Lowe, Gordon Luikart
Northern bobwhites select for native grasses on working grazing land Northern bobwhites select for native grasses on working grazing land
Northern bobwhite (Colinus virginianus; bobwhite) populations have experienced an 85% decline across most of its range since the 1960s. The most drastic decreases have been in the southeastern United States where biologists attribute the decline to widespread habitat loss, including conversion of native grasslands to tall fescue (Lolium arundinaceum) and other exotic cool-season grass...
Authors
Douglas B Mitchell, Patrick D. Keyser, Joseph D. Clark, David A. Buehler, James A Martin, Cody M. Rhoden, Bridgett Costanzo
Predicting disease spread from host movement data: Chronic wasting disease in North America as a case study Predicting disease spread from host movement data: Chronic wasting disease in North America as a case study
1. Rare long-distance movements can increase the spatial spread of invasive species and shifts in species ranges. However, in the context of wildlife disease spread, seasonal migrations only matter if they lead to transmission beyond an individual’s initial set of contacts, and the importance of juvenile dispersal depends on whether those juveniles become infected before they disperse. 2...
Authors
Paul C. Cross, Blake Lowrey, Matthew J. Kauffman, Evelyn Merrill
Detecting occurrence and timing of grizzly bear parturition based on anomalies in accelerometer data Detecting occurrence and timing of grizzly bear parturition based on anomalies in accelerometer data
Documenting natality of brown (grizzly) bears (Ursus arctos) is an important component of many population monitoring and research programs. Brown bears give birth during hibernation, so observation of litters is generally not feasible until females exit dens, and detection of litters can be compromised by poor observability. Using triaxial accelerometer activity data stored on...
Authors
Lori L. Roberts, Cecily M. Costello, Milan A. Vinks, Daniel D. Bjornlie, Matthew D. Cameron, Justin G. Clapp, Mark A. Haroldson, Grant V. Hilderbrand, Kyle Joly, Wayne F. Kasworm, Jeremy M. Nicholson, Thomas G. Radandt, Mathew S. Sorum, Justin E. Teisberg, Frank T. van Manen
Toxoplasma gondii: Challenges and perspectives in interpreting longitudinal seroprevalence data for a chronic parasitic infection Toxoplasma gondii: Challenges and perspectives in interpreting longitudinal seroprevalence data for a chronic parasitic infection
Toxoplasma gondii—the causative agent of toxoplasmosis—is a zoonotic pathogen of warm-blooded hosts. Infection causes mild-to-severe symptoms, including lethargy, fever, muscle pain, abortion, ocular disease, and encephalitis. Toxoplasma affects many vertebrate species, although felids are the only known definitive hosts. Seroprevalence in wildlife is often assessed using cross-sectional...
Authors
Kendall L. Bancroft, Connor J. Meyer, Emily J. Jenkins, Paul C. Cross, Randy W. DeYoung, Aaron M. Foley, Miranda L. Hopper, Kevin T. Lovasik, Landon N. Schofield, Bryan D. Spencer, Michael J Cherry, Alynn M. Martin
Non-destructive sampling of larval amphibians shows tail tissues reflect whole-body methylmercury concentrations and trophic-related differences in bioaccumulation Non-destructive sampling of larval amphibians shows tail tissues reflect whole-body methylmercury concentrations and trophic-related differences in bioaccumulation
Mercury (Hg), and specifically methylmercury (MeHg), is a contaminant of global concern to humans and wildlife, but there is still limited understanding of its effects on many taxa. Amphibians are closely associated with water, where Hg is converted to MeHg, and high concentrations of MeHg can reduce survival of amphibians in the wild. However, limited non-lethal proxies exist for...
Authors
Brian J. Tornabene, Blake Hossack, Daniel A. Grear, Thomas L. Anderson, Brad Glorioso, Hardin Waddle, Jon D Davenport, Collin Eagles-Smith, Caitlin T. Rumrill, Kelly L. Smalling
Abundance, trends, and challenges facing mountain goats throughout their North American distribution Abundance, trends, and challenges facing mountain goats throughout their North American distribution
Recent declines among some mountain goat (Oreamnos americanus) populations have heightened concern about their current status and ability to cope with future challenges. We conducted a range-wide assessment of the status of mountain goats across their distribution to understand the extent and patterns of change in recent years. We queried states, provinces, National Parks, and Indigenous
Authors
Richard B. Harris, Steve Bethune, Mark Biel, Roy T. Churchwell, Julie Cunningham, Rob Found, Tabitha A. Graves, Anne Hubbs, Tyler Jessen, Bill Jex, Joshua Kirk, Meghan Larivee, Chadwick P. Lehman, Brian MacBeth, Hollie Miyasaki, Tony W. Mong, William Moore, Susan Oehlers, Todd Rinaldi, Kristin M. Rine, Rusty Robinson, Zachary L. Robinson, Jennifer Sevigny, Michael Sevigny, Kyle Smith, David Vales, Kevin White, Don Whittaker, Carmen Wong, Travis Wyman
Landscape change and age ratios for mule deer (Odocoileus hemionus) herd units in Wyoming,1980-2019 Landscape change and age ratios for mule deer (Odocoileus hemionus) herd units in Wyoming,1980-2019
No abstract available.
Authors
Teagan A. Hayes, Aaron N. Johnston, L. Embere Hall, Jill Randall, Matthew J. Kauffman, Christopher Keefe, Kevin Monteith, Tabitha A. Graves
An integrated drought early warning system to support coldwater fisheries management An integrated drought early warning system to support coldwater fisheries management
Low streamflow resulting from drought and human water use is a threat to freshwater fisheries throughout western North America, creating a need for effective tools to aid management and fisheries use. We developed a drought early warning framework that forecasts river conditions that could result in temporary fishery closures and restrictions across Montana’s renowned trout fisheries...
Authors
Justin T. Martin, Gregory T. Pederson, Timothy Cline, Andrew Biche Lahr, Jeffrey D. Walker, David Schmetterling, Donovan A. Bell, Clint C. Muhlfeld
Bright spot in eDNA monitoring: Early detection of invasive New Zealand mudsnails (Potamopyrgus antipodarum) prompted effective rapid response for fish hatchery Bright spot in eDNA monitoring: Early detection of invasive New Zealand mudsnails (Potamopyrgus antipodarum) prompted effective rapid response for fish hatchery
The New Zealand mudsnail (NZMS; Potamopyrgus antipodarum) is a widespread aquatic invasive species that is parthenogenic, requiring only a single individual to initiate an infestation. Fish hatcheries–which are critical infrastructure that raise fish to support conservation, recreation, and subsistence fisheries–frequently use local water sources to provide cool water and are especially...
Authors
Devin Slobodian, Patrick R. Hutchins, Jennifer Graves, Adam Sepulveda
Potential flood events in the lower Missouri River basin over multiple centuries identified using tree-ring based multi-model streamflow reconstructions Potential flood events in the lower Missouri River basin over multiple centuries identified using tree-ring based multi-model streamflow reconstructions
The Missouri River basin (MRB), the largest river basin in the United States, presents major water management challenges due to its complex topology and extensive infrastructure designed to manage high annual flows. Severe hydroclimatic events, particularly floods in 1993, 2011, and 2019, have highlighted vulnerabilities, leading the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to enhance flood risk...
Authors
Subhrendu Gangopadhyay, Edward R. Cook, Gregory T. Pederson, Connie A. Woodhouse, Gregory J. McCabe, Matthew P. Dannenberg, Victoria M. Harris, Erika K. Wise, Jeffrey P. Niehaus, Upmanu Lall
Assessing environmental influences on gene flow for a migratory ungulate in a fire-prone landscape Assessing environmental influences on gene flow for a migratory ungulate in a fire-prone landscape
Context
Authors
Elizabeth P Flesch, Tabitha A. Graves, Mark Biel