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Publications

USGS Northern Prairie Wildlife Research Center staff publish results of their research in USGS series reports and in peer-reviewed journals. Publication links are below.  Information on all USGS publications can be found at the USGS Publications Warehouse.

Filter Total Items: 1934

Reproduction of raccoons (Procyon lotor) in North Dakota Reproduction of raccoons (Procyon lotor) in North Dakota

Necropsies and observations of captive and radio-equipped individuals provided reproductive data from a raccoon population in the northern prairies. The mean parturition date of adult females was 8 May and the mean litter size was 4.8. Only two of the 14 yearling females examined prior to 1 July were pregnant; they had estimated parturition dates of 20 May and 22 June. Penes of most...
Authors
E.K. Fritzell

Mate preference in wild and domesticated (game-farm) mallards (Anas platyrhynchos): I. Initial preference Mate preference in wild and domesticated (game-farm) mallards (Anas platyrhynchos): I. Initial preference

Wild and game-farm mallards (Anas platyrhynchos) raised in pure strain and mixed groups were tested for initial mate preference in a choice test. Female mallards showed no significant preference but males of either strain raised with females of their own strain significantly preferred female models of their own strain during the test. Males raised with females of the other strain merely...
Authors
K.M. Cheng, R.N. Shoffner, R.E. Phillips, F.B. Lee

Biochemical identification of mallard-black duck hybrids through a breeding program and in nature Biochemical identification of mallard-black duck hybrids through a breeding program and in nature

From 1974 to 1976, a breeding program was used to produce black duck-mallard hybrids for the evaluation of inheritance patterns of serum proteins and esterases. In addition to the initial crosses, a series of matings in 1975 and 1976 were designed to evaluate inheritance patterns in hybrid matings with either black duck or mallards. At the F1 level, hybrids were easily distinguished...
Authors
R.P. Morgan, D. W. Meritt, S. B. Block, M. Cole

Habitat use by prairie raccoons during the waterfowl breeding season Habitat use by prairie raccoons during the waterfowl breeding season

Mobility and habitat use of raccoons (Procyon lotor) in an intensively farmed area of the prairie pothole region were studied during the waterfowl breeding seasons (April-July) of 1973-75. Over 5700 locations of 30 raccoons were analyzed. Movement patterns varied with sex, age, and reproductive status. Adult males moved regularly throughout slightly overlapping ranges that averaged 2560...
Authors
E.K. Fritzell

Changes in submerged aquatic macrophyte populations at the head of Chesapeake Bay, 1958-1975 Changes in submerged aquatic macrophyte populations at the head of Chesapeake Bay, 1958-1975

Submerged aquatic plant populations in the Susquehanna Flats of the Chesapeake Bay were followed for 18 years. An exotic species, eurasian water milfoil, Myriophyllum spicatum, increased dramatically from 1958 to 1962; at the same time the dominant native species declined. After 1962, milfoil populations declined and the native rooted aquatics gradually began to return to their former...
Authors
S. Bayley, Vernon D. Stotts, P. F. Springer, J. Steenis

Leech parasitism of waterfowl in North America Leech parasitism of waterfowl in North America

Leech parasitism of waterfowl is widespread in North America. Twenty species of ducks, geese, and swans have been infested by leeches, particularly Theromyzon rude and Placobdella ornata. Sites of attachment include the eyes, nasal passages, and body. Information is lacking on the biology and ecology of duck leeches. Their significance as morbidity and mortality factors and their...
Authors
David L. Trauger, James C. Bartonek

Post-breeding activities of mallards and wood ducks in north-central Minnesota Post-breeding activities of mallards and wood ducks in north-central Minnesota

We used radio telemetry to monitor the post-breeding activities of 129 mallards (Anas platyrhynchos) and 118 wood ducks (Aix sponsa) on a 932-km2 area in north-central Minnesota from 1968 to 1974. Upon completion of breeding activities and before the flightless period, all mallard drakes departed the area; this exodus peaked during early June. Of the non-brood hens 8 of 23 remained on...
Authors
D.S. Gilmer, R.E. Kirby, I.J. Ball, J. H. Riechmann
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