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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

Proximity of white-tailed deer, Odocoileus virginianus, ranges to wolf Canis lupus, pack homesites Proximity of white-tailed deer, Odocoileus virginianus, ranges to wolf Canis lupus, pack homesites

Seven adult female White-tailed Deer (Odocoileus virginianus) in northeastern Minnesota lived within 1.8 km of Wolf pack (Canis lupus) homesites without vacating their home ranges. Six of these deer and at least three of their fawns survived through the Wolf homesite period.
Authors
M.E. Nelson, L.D. Mech

Winter severity and wolf predation on a formerly wolf-free elk herd Winter severity and wolf predation on a formerly wolf-free elk herd

We studied wolf (Canis lupus) predation on elk (Cervus elaphus) in Yellowstone National Park from 17 March to 15 April 1997 (severe winter conditions) and from 2 to 31 March 1998 (mild winter conditions) 2-3 years after wolves were reintroduced to the park. Elk composed 91 % of 117 kills. Data comparisons for 1997 versus 1998 were: hunting success rate, 26% versus 15%; kill rate, 17.1 kg...
Authors
L. David Mech, Douglas W. Smith, Kerry M. Murphy, Daniel R. MacNulty

Seasonal food habits of swift fox (Vulpes velox) in cropland and rangeland landscapes in western Kansas Seasonal food habits of swift fox (Vulpes velox) in cropland and rangeland landscapes in western Kansas

Food habits of swift foxes (Vulpes velox) occupying two distinct landscapes (dominated by cropland versus rangeland) in western Kansas were determined by analysis of scats collected in 1993 and 1996. Frequencies of occurrence of prey items in scats were compared between cropland and rangeland areas by season. Overall, the most frequently occurring foods of swift foxes were mammals (92%...
Authors
M.A. Sovada, C.C. Roy, D.J. Telesco

Habitat fragmentation effects on birds in grasslands: A critique of our knowledge Habitat fragmentation effects on birds in grasslands: A critique of our knowledge

Habitat fragmentation exacerbates problems due to habitat loss for grassland and wetland birds. Remaining patches of grassland and wetland may be too small, too isolated, and too influenced by edge effects to maintain viable populations of some breeding birds. Knowledge of the effects of fragmentation on bird populations is critically important for decisions about reserve design...
Authors
Douglas H. Johnson

Prevalence of giant kidney worm (Dioctophyma renale) in wild mink (Mustela vison) in Minnesota Prevalence of giant kidney worm (Dioctophyma renale) in wild mink (Mustela vison) in Minnesota

Of 138 wild mink (Mustela vison) from eastern Minnesota, 27% contained Dioctophyma renale, primarily in the right kidney. No significant difference between prevalence in adult male and immature male mink was found, nor between the prevalence in males versus female mink. Thirteen worms were found in one male mink, representing the highest documented infection intensity of a single wild...
Authors
L. David Mech, Shawn P. Tracy

A comprehensive review of observational and site evaluation data of migrant whooping cranes in the United States, 1943-1999 A comprehensive review of observational and site evaluation data of migrant whooping cranes in the United States, 1943-1999

This report is a comprehensive analysis of existing observational data (1943–99) and site evaluation data (1977–99) for locations used by whooping cranes (Grus americana) during migration through the United States portion of the Wood Buffalo–Aransas flyway. The apparent migration path, as outlined by the distribution of whooping crane observations, is very similar to that delineated in...
Authors
Jane E. Austin, Amy L. Richert

Survival of female wood ducks during brood rearing in Mississippi and Alabama Survival of female wood ducks during brood rearing in Mississippi and Alabama

Knowledge of survival of female ducks is important for understanding population dynamics and managing hunted species. We estimated survival of female wood ducks (Aix sponsa) during brood rearing in different wetland environments in Mississippi (1996-1999) and Alabama (1998-1999). Survival was 0.90 ± 0.05 (Ŝ ± SE) in Mississippi and 0.92 ± 0.07 in Alabama. A composite estimate of female...
Authors
J. B. Davis, R.M. Kaminski, B.D. Leopold, R. R. Cox

Relationship of bull fertility to sperm nuclear shape Relationship of bull fertility to sperm nuclear shape

The relationship between sperm nuclear shape and bull fertility was determined. Two groups of bulls, 3 per group, were selected. Bulls differed in fertility based on lifetime nonreturn rates. Digital images of propidium iodide-stained sperm from each bull were collected and shape-evaluated by Fourier harmonic amplitudes 0 to 5. A discriminant function (P .05) was constructed based on...
Authors
G.C. Ostermeier, G.A. Sargeant, B.S. Yandell, J.J. Parrish

Early post-fire succession in California chaparral: Changes in diversity, density, cover, and biomass Early post-fire succession in California chaparral: Changes in diversity, density, cover, and biomass

For four consecutive years, following the fires in November 1993, temporal variations in species richness, cover and biomass of component plant groups in early post-fire chaparral succession were monitored on different aspects at the Stunt Ranch Santa Monica Mountains Reserve, southern California. Plant groups were categorized based on growth form, life form, ability to fix nitrogen...
Authors
Q. Guo
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