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Publications

Below is a list of WERC's peer-reviewed publications. If you are searching for a specific publication and cannot find it in this list, please contact werc_web@usgs.gov

Filter Total Items: 3723

Spring migration of northern pintails from California's Central Valley wintering area tracked by satellite telemetry: Routes, timing, and destinations Spring migration of northern pintails from California's Central Valley wintering area tracked by satellite telemetry: Routes, timing, and destinations

We used satellite transmitters to track the 2000–2003 spring migrations of adult female Northern Pintails (Anas acuta L., 1758) from California's Central Valley, USA. PTT-tagged Pintails departed during late February to mid-March, and 77%–87% stopped first in the region of south-central Oregon, extreme northwestern Nevada, and northeastern California (SONEC). Subsequently, most Pintails...
Authors
M. R. Miller, John Y. Takekawa, J. P. Fleskes, D.L. Orthmeyer, Michael L. Casazza, W.M. Perry

Alien plant dynamics following fire in Mediterranean-climate California shrublands Alien plant dynamics following fire in Mediterranean-climate California shrublands

Over 75 species of alien plants were recorded during the first five years after fire in southern California shrublands, most of which were European annuals. Both cover and richness of aliens varied between years and plant association. Alien cover was lowest in the first postfire year in all plant associations and remained low during succession in chaparral but increased in sage scrub...
Authors
Jon E. Keeley, M. Baer-Keeley, C. J. Fotheringham

Predator removal and nesting waterbird success at San Francisco Bay, California Predator removal and nesting waterbird success at San Francisco Bay, California

The efficacy of long-term predator removal in urbanized areas is poorly understood. The impact of predation on ground-nesting waterbirds, as well as predator abundance and composition in predator removal versus non-removal or reference sites were examined at South San Francisco Bay. The success of natural nests and predator activity was monitored using track plates, trip cameras, wire...
Authors
Anne M. Meckstroth, A. Keith Miles

Parasitism, productivity, and population growth: response of Least Bell's Vireos (Vireo bellii pusillus) and Southwestern Willow Flycatchers (Empidonax traillii extimus) to cowbird (Molothrus spp.) control Parasitism, productivity, and population growth: response of Least Bell's Vireos (Vireo bellii pusillus) and Southwestern Willow Flycatchers (Empidonax traillii extimus) to cowbird (Molothrus spp.) control

Cowbird (Molothrus spp.) control is a major focus of recovery-oriented management of two endangered riparian bird species,the Least Bell's Vireo (Vireo bellii pusillus) and Southwestern Willow Flycatcher (Empidonax traillii extimus). During the past 20 years, annual trapping of cowbirds at Least Bell's Vireo and Southwestern Willow Flycatcher breeding sites has eliminated or reduced...
Authors
Barbara E. Kus, Mary J. Whitfield

Mercury in birds of the San Francisco Bay-Delta: trophic pathways, bioaccumulation and ecotoxicological risk to avian reproduction Mercury in birds of the San Francisco Bay-Delta: trophic pathways, bioaccumulation and ecotoxicological risk to avian reproduction

No abstract available at this time
Authors
S.E. Schwarzbach, T.H. Suchanek, G. H. Heinz, Joshua T. Ackerman, Collin A. Eagles-Smith, T.L. Adelsbach, John Y. Takekawa, A.K. Miles, D. J. Hoffman, Wainwright-De La Cruz, S.E. Spring, M.A. Ricca, T. Maurer

Trematodes associated with mangrove habitat in Puerto Rican salt marshes Trematodes associated with mangrove habitat in Puerto Rican salt marshes

Batillaria minima is a common snail in the coastal estuaries of Puerto Rico. This snail is host to a variety of trematodes, the most common being Cercaria caribbea XXXI, a microphallid species that uses crabs as second intermediate hosts. The prevalence of infection was higher (7.1%) near mangroves than on mudflats away from mangroves (1.4%). Similarly, there was a significant positive...
Authors
Kevin D. Lafferty, R. F. Hechinger, J. Lorda, L. Soler

An efficient strategy to estimate intensity and prevalence: Sampling metacercariae in fishes An efficient strategy to estimate intensity and prevalence: Sampling metacercariae in fishes

Accurate estimates of population-level parameters of parasites, such as prevalence and mean intensity, require large sample sizes. The processing of such samples becomes an overwhelming task when parasites are abundant, as with trematode metacercariae in fishes. In the present study, a subsampling method reduced processing time while maintaining an accurate estimation of metacercariae...
Authors
Jenny C. Shaw, Leopoldina Aguirre-Macedo, Kevin D. Lafferty

Host specificity of Sacculina carcini, a potential biological control agent of the introduced European green crab Carcinus maenas in California Host specificity of Sacculina carcini, a potential biological control agent of the introduced European green crab Carcinus maenas in California

The European green crab, Carcinus maenas, is an introduced marine predator established on the west coast of North America. We conducted laboratory experiments on the host specificity of a natural enemy of the green crab, the parasitic barnacle Sacculina carcini, to provide information on the safety of its use as a possible biological control agent. Four species of non-target, native...
Authors
Jeffrey H. R. Goddard, Mark E. Torchin, Armand M. Kuris, Kevin D. Lafferty
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