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: 3743
Optimal temperature for malaria transmission is dramatically lower than previously predicted Optimal temperature for malaria transmission is dramatically lower than previously predicted
The ecology of mosquito vectors and malaria parasites affect the incidence, seasonal transmission and geographical range of malaria. Most malaria models to date assume constant or linear responses of mosquito and parasite life-history traits to temperature, predicting optimal transmission at 31 °C. These models are at odds with field observations of transmission dating back nearly a...
Authors
Erin A. Mordecai, Krijn P. Paaijmans, Leah R. Johnson, Christian Balzer, Tal Ben-Horin, Emily de Moor, Amy McNally, Samraat Pawar, Sadie J. Ryan, Thomas C. Smith, Kevin D. Lafferty
Short seed longevity, variable germination conditions, and infrequent establishment events provide a narrow window for Yucca brevifolia (Agavaceae) recruitment Short seed longevity, variable germination conditions, and infrequent establishment events provide a narrow window for Yucca brevifolia (Agavaceae) recruitment
PREMISE OF THE STUDY: The future of long-lived stand-forming desert plants such as Yucca brevifolia (Joshua tree) has come into question in light of climate variation and landscape-scale disturbances such as wildfire. Understanding plant establishment dynamics is important for mitigating the impacts of disturbances and promoting revegetation. • METHODS: We placed Y. brevifolia seeds in...
Authors
M. Bryant, J. Reynolds, Lesley A. DeFalco, Todd C. Esque
Urban habitat fragmentation and genetic population structure of bobcats in coastal southern California Urban habitat fragmentation and genetic population structure of bobcats in coastal southern California
Although habitat fragmentation is recognized as a primary threat to biodiversity, the effects of urban development on genetic population structure vary among species and landscapes and are not yet well understood. Here we use non-invasive genetic sampling to compare the effects of fragmentation by major roads and urban development on levels of dispersal, genetic diversity, and...
Authors
E.W. Ruell, S.P.D. Riley, M.R. Douglas, M.F. Antolin, J.R. Pollinger, J.A. Tracey, L.M. Lyren, E. E. Boydston, Robert N. Fisher, K.R. Crooks
Effects of a non-native biocontrol weevil, Larinus planus, and other emerging threats on populations of the federally threatened Pitcher's thistle, Cirsium pitcheri Effects of a non-native biocontrol weevil, Larinus planus, and other emerging threats on populations of the federally threatened Pitcher's thistle, Cirsium pitcheri
Larinus planus Frabicius (Curculionidae), is a seed-eating weevil that was inadvertently introduced into the US and was subsequently distributed in the US and Canada for the control of noxious thistle species of rangelands. It has been detected recently in the federally threatened Pitcher's thistle (Cirsium pitcheri). We assayed weevil damage in a natural population of Pitcher's thistle...
Authors
Kayri Havens, Claudia L. Jolls, Julie E. Marik, Pati Vitt, A. Kathryn McEachern, Darcy Kind
Biodiversity loss decreases parasite diversity: theory and patterns Biodiversity loss decreases parasite diversity: theory and patterns
Past models have suggested host–parasite coextinction could lead to linear, or concave down relationships between free-living species richness and parasite richness. I explored several models for the relationship between parasite richness and biodiversity loss. Life cycle complexity, low generality of parasites and sensitivity of hosts reduced the robustness of parasite species to the...
Authors
Kevin D. Lafferty
Effects of the amphibian chytrid fungus and four insecticides on Pacific treefrogs (Pseudacris regilla) Effects of the amphibian chytrid fungus and four insecticides on Pacific treefrogs (Pseudacris regilla)
Chemical contamination may influence host-pathogen interactions, which has implications for amphibian population declines. We examined the effects of four insecticides alone or as a mixture on development and metamorphosis of Pacific Treefrogs (Pseudacris regilla) in the presence or absence of the amphibian chytrid fungus (Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis [Bd]). Bd exposure had a negative...
Authors
Peter Kleinhez, Michelle D. Boone, Gary Fellers
Matrix population models from 20 studies of perennial plant populations Matrix population models from 20 studies of perennial plant populations
Demographic transition matrices are one of the most commonly applied population models for both basic and applied ecological research. The relatively simple framework of these models and simple, easily interpretable summary statistics they produce have prompted the wide use of these models across an exceptionally broad range of taxa. Here, we provide annual transition matrices and...
Authors
Martha M. Ellis, Jennifer L. Williams, Peter Lesica, Timothy J. Bell, Paulette Bierzychudek, Marlin Bowles, Elizabeth E. Crone, Daniel F. Doak, Johan Ehrlen, Albertine Ellis-Adam, Kathryn McEachern, Rengaian Ganesan, Penelope Latham, Sheila Luijten, Thomas N. Kaye, Tiffany M. Knight, Eric S. Menges, William F. Morris, Hans den Nijs, Gerard Oostermeijer, Pedro F. Quintana-Ascencio, J. Stephen Shelly, Amanda Stanley, Andrea Thorpe, Ticktin Tamara, Teresa Valverde, Carl W. Weekley
More than a meal: integrating non-feeding interactions into food webs More than a meal: integrating non-feeding interactions into food webs
Organisms eating each other are only one of many types of well documented and important interactions among species. Other such types include habitat modification, predator interference and facilitation. However, ecological network research has been typically limited to either pure food webs or to networks of only a few (
Authors
Sonia Kéfi, Eric L. Berlow, Evie A. Wieters, Sergio A. Navarrete, Owen L. Petchey, Spencer A. Wood, Alice Boit, Lucas N. Joppa, Kevin D. Lafferty, Richard J. Williams, Neo D. Martinez, Bruce A. Menge, Carol A. Blanchette, Alison C. Iles, Ulrich Brose
New parasites and predators follow the introduction of two fish species to a subarctic lake: implications for food-web structure and functioning New parasites and predators follow the introduction of two fish species to a subarctic lake: implications for food-web structure and functioning
Introduced species can alter the topology of food webs. For instance, an introduction can aid the arrival of free-living consumers using the new species as a resource, while new parasites may also arrive with the introduced species. Food-web responses to species additions can thus be far more complex than anticipated. In a subarctic pelagic food web with free-living and parasitic species...
Authors
Per-Arne Amundsen, Kevin D. Lafferty, Rune Knudsen, Raul Primicerio, Roar Kristoffersen, Anders Klemetsen, Armand M. Kuris
Shading decreases the abundance of the herbivorous California horn snail, Cerithidea californica Shading decreases the abundance of the herbivorous California horn snail, Cerithidea californica
Most of the intertidal zone in estuaries of California, USA and Baja California, Mexico is covered with vascular vegetation. Shading by these vascular plants influences abiotic and biotic processes that shape benthic community assemblages. We present data on the effects of shading on the California horn snail, Cerithidea californica. This species is important because it is the most...
Authors
Julio Lorda, Kevin D. Lafferty
Effects of spatial subsidies and habitat structure on the foraging ecology and size of geckos Effects of spatial subsidies and habitat structure on the foraging ecology and size of geckos
While it is well established that ecosystem subsidies—the addition of energy, nutrients, or materials across ecosystem boundaries—can affect consumer abundance, there is less information available on how subsidy levels may affect consumer diet, body condition, trophic position, and resource partitioning among consumer species. There is also little information on whether changes in...
Authors
Amy A. Briggs, Hillary S. Young, Douglas J. McCauley, Stacie A. Hathaway, Rodolfo Dirzo, Robert N. Fisher
Cryptic extinction of a common Pacific lizard Emoia impar (Squamata, Scincidae) from the Hawaiian Islands. Cryptic extinction of a common Pacific lizard Emoia impar (Squamata, Scincidae) from the Hawaiian Islands.
Most documented declines of tropical reptiles are of dramatic or enigmatic species. Declines of widespread species tend to be cryptic. The early (1900s) decline and extinction of the common Pacific skink Emoia impar from the Hawaiian Islands is documented here through an assessment of literature, museum vouchers and recent fieldwork. This decline appears contemporaneous with the...
Authors
Robert Fisher, Ivan Ineich