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: 1964
Immobilization of swift foxes with ketamine hydrochloride-xylazine hydrochloride Immobilization of swift foxes with ketamine hydrochloride-xylazine hydrochloride
There is an increasing need to develop field immobilization techniques that allow researchers to handle safely swift foxes (Vulpes velox) with minimal risk of stress or injury. We immobilized captive swift foxes to determine the safety and effectiveness of ketamine hydrochloride and xylazine hydrochloride at different dosages. We attempted to determine appropriate dosages to immobilize...
Authors
R.L. Telesco, Marsha A. Sovada
[Book review] Designing and Interpreting Radio Telemetry Studies, edited by J. J. Millspaugh and J. M. Marzluff [Book review] Designing and Interpreting Radio Telemetry Studies, edited by J. J. Millspaugh and J. M. Marzluff
Review of: Millspaugh, Joshua J., and John M. Marzluff, editors. 2001. Radio tracking and animal populations. Academic Press, San Diego, California. xvii 1 474 p. $69.95 (alk. paper), ISBN: 0-12-497781-2.
Authors
G.A. Sargeant
The role of hypothesis testing in wildlife science The role of hypothesis testing in wildlife science
No abstract available.
Authors
Douglas H. Johnson
Alpha1-antitrypsin polymorphism and systematics of eastern North American wolves Alpha1-antitrypsin polymorphism and systematics of eastern North American wolves
We used data on the polymorphic status of α1-antitrypsin (α1AT) to study the relationship of Minnesota wolves to the gray wolf (Canis lupus), which was thought to have evolved in Eurasia, and to red wolves (Canis rufus) and coyotes (Canis latrans), which putatively evolved in North America. Recent evidence had indicated that Minnesota wolves might be more closely related to red wolves...
Authors
L. David Mech, Nicholas E. Federoff
Using aquatic invertebrates to delineate seasonal and temporary wetlands in the Prairie Pothole Region of North America Using aquatic invertebrates to delineate seasonal and temporary wetlands in the Prairie Pothole Region of North America
Tillage can destroy or greatly disturb indicators of hydric soils and hydrophytic vegetation, making delineation of tilled wetlands difficult. The remains of aquatic invertebrates (e.g., shells, drought-resistant eggs, and trichopteran cases) are easily identifiable and persist in wetland substrates even when wetlands are dry. Additionally, these remains are not easily destroyed by...
Authors
Ned H. Euliss, David M. Mushet, Douglas H. Johnson
Scaup migration patterns in North Dakota relative to temperatures and water conditions Scaup migration patterns in North Dakota relative to temperatures and water conditions
Greater (Aythya marila) and lesser scaup (A. affinis) have protracted spring migrations. Migrants may still be present on southern breeding areas when the annual Waterfowl Breeding Population and Habitat Surveys (WBPHS) are being conducted. Understanding factors affecting the chronology and rate of spring migration is important for the interpretation of data from annual population...
Authors
J. E. Austin, D. A. Granfors, M. A. Johnson, S. C. Kohn
Differential use of a wolf, Canis lupus, pack territory edge and core Differential use of a wolf, Canis lupus, pack territory edge and core
Based on 418 radio-locations of a Minnesota wolf pack, wolves were found at significantly fewer locations per area in the outer 2 km of the territory than in the core. This finding supports an hypothesis that buffer zones exist between pack territories and may explain why prey survive longer there.
Authors
L.D. Mech, E. K. Harper
Breeding season of wolves, Canis lupus, in relation to latitude Breeding season of wolves, Canis lupus, in relation to latitude
A significant relationship was found between Wolf (Canis lupus) breeding dates and latitudes between 12 deg. and 80 deg. N, with Wolves breeding earlier at lower latitudes, probably because of differences in seasonality.
Authors
L. David Mech
Leadership behavior in relation to dominance and reproductive status in gray wolves, Canis lupus Leadership behavior in relation to dominance and reproductive status in gray wolves, Canis lupus
We analyzed the leadership behavior of breeding and nonbreeding gray wolves (Canis lupus) in three packs during winter in 19971999. Scent-marking, frontal leadership (time and frequency in the lead while traveling), initiation of activity, and nonfrontal leadership were recorded during 499 h of ground-based observations in Yellowstone National Park. All observed scent-marking (N = 158)...
Authors
Rolf O. Peterson, Amy K. Jacobs, Thomas D. Drummer, L. David Mech, Douglas W. Smith
Invertebrate biomass: associations with lesser prairie-chicken habitat use and sand sagebrush density in southwestern Kansas Invertebrate biomass: associations with lesser prairie-chicken habitat use and sand sagebrush density in southwestern Kansas
Invertebrates are important food sources for lesser prairie-chicken (Tympanuchus pallidicinctus) adults and broods. We compared invertebrate biomass in areas used and not used by lesser prairie-chicken adults and broods. We used radiotelemetry to determine use and non-use areas in sand sagebrush (Artemisia filifolia) prairie in southwestern Kansas and sampled invertebrate populations...
Authors
B. Jamison, R.J. Robel, J.S. Pontius, R.D. Applegate
Perspectives on trans-Pacific biological invasions Perspectives on trans-Pacific biological invasions
Trans-Pacific biological invasion is one of the most striking and influential biological phenomena occurring in modern times and the process is still accelerating, and the associated invasives form neo-disjuncts (cf. many well-known paleo-disjuncts) between eastern Asia and North America. To better understand this phenomenon and the related taxa, I address the following questions: 1)...
Authors
Q. Guo