Publications
This list of publications includes peer-review journal articles, official USGS publications series, reports and more authored by scientists in the Ecosystems Mission Area. A database of all USGS publications, with advanced search features, can be accessed at the USGS Publications Warehouse.
Filter Total Items: 42884
Movements of female Sage Grouse Centrocercus urophasianus during incubation recess Movements of female Sage Grouse Centrocercus urophasianus during incubation recess
We combined GPS data‐loggers, VHF transmitters, and DVR video‐monitoring to measure fine‐scale movement patterns during daily incubation recesses by female Sage Grouse Centrocercus urophasianus, a species with uniparental incubation that has experienced widespread population decline and distributional contraction. Most (69.6%) Sage Grouse recess activity was highly localized within a...
Authors
Jonathan E. Dudko, Peter S. Coates, David J. Delehanty
Upstream migration and spawning success of Chinook salmon in a highly developed, seasonally warm river system Upstream migration and spawning success of Chinook salmon in a highly developed, seasonally warm river system
This review summarizes what is known about the influence of water temperature and velocity on the migration and spawning success of an inland population of Chinook salmon Oncorhynchus tshawytscha. Models are then developed and used to illustrate how migration and spawning success might change if temperatures and velocities increase under a future climate. The illustration shows the...
Authors
William P. Connor, Kenneth F. Tiffan, James A. Chandler, Dennis W. Rondorf, Billy D. Arnsberg, Kelvin C. Anderson
Molecular systematics of sturgeon nucleocytoplasmic large DNA viruses Molecular systematics of sturgeon nucleocytoplasmic large DNA viruses
Namao virus (NV) is a sturgeon nucleocytoplasmic large DNA virus (sNCLDV) that can cause a lethal disease of the integumentary system in lake sturgeon Acipenser fulvescens. As a group, the sNCLDV have not been assigned to any currently recognized taxonomic family of viruses. In this study, a data set of NV DNA sequences was generated and assembled as two non-overlapping contigs of 306...
Authors
Sharon Clouthier, Eric Anderson, Gael Kurath, Rachel Breyta
A test of sex specific genetic markers in the Hawaiian hoary bat and relevance to population studies A test of sex specific genetic markers in the Hawaiian hoary bat and relevance to population studies
We tested the utility of a protocol using genetic markers that previously proved successful to identify the sex of Vespertilionid bats on tissues collected from live bats and carcasses of varying age from the Hawaiian hoary bat (Lasiurus cinereus semotus). This molecular method is based on genes unique to X and Y chromosomes in mammals and previously was used successfully on North...
Authors
Corinna A. Pinzari, Frank Bonaccorso
The complete maternal mitochondrial genome sequences of two imperiled North American freshwater mussels: Alasmidonta heterodon and Alasmidonta varicosa (Bivalvia: Unionoida: Unionidae) The complete maternal mitochondrial genome sequences of two imperiled North American freshwater mussels: Alasmidonta heterodon and Alasmidonta varicosa (Bivalvia: Unionoida: Unionidae)
The freshwater mussels Alasmidonta heterodon and A. varicosa historically inhabited rivers along the North American Atlantic coast from the Carolinas, U.S.A., to New Brunswick, CA. However, many populations have been extirpated, and A. heterodon is now federally listed in the U.S.A. as endangered, and both A. heterodon and A. varicosa are listed as vulnerable on the IUCN Red List. To...
Authors
Aaron W. Aunins, Cheryl L. Morrison, Heather Galbraith, Michael S. Eackles, W. Bane Schill, Tim L. King
Estimating the probability of movement and partitioning seasonal survival in an amphibian metapopulation Estimating the probability of movement and partitioning seasonal survival in an amphibian metapopulation
Movement of individuals has been described as one of the best studied, but least understood concepts in ecology. The magnitude of movements, routes, and probability of movement have significant application to conservation. Information about movement can inform efforts to model species persistence and is particularly applicable in situations where specific threats (e.g., disease) may...
Authors
Erin L. Muths, Larissa L. Bailey, Brad A. Lambert, Scott C. Schneider
Susceptibility of Nanophyetus salmincola cercariae to formalin, hydrogen peroxide, and seawater Susceptibility of Nanophyetus salmincola cercariae to formalin, hydrogen peroxide, and seawater
The ability of formalin, PEROX‐AID (hydrogen peroxide), and seawater to kill waterborne Nanophyetus salmincola cercariae was evaluated in vitro. Newly emerged cercariae survived for extended periods in freshwater, with 53–73% survival occurring in negative control groups after 24 h. Exposure to dilutions of formalin reduced this survival time, with 0% of cercariae surviving after 30 min...
Authors
Paul Hershberger, Bonnie Besijn, Ashley Mackenzie, Mallory Wilmot
El Niño/Southern Oscillation-driven rainfall pulse amplifies predation by owls on seabirds via apparent competition with mice El Niño/Southern Oscillation-driven rainfall pulse amplifies predation by owls on seabirds via apparent competition with mice
Most approaches for assessing species vulnerability to climate change have focused on direct impacts via abiotic changes rather than indirect impacts mediated by changes in species interactions. Changes in rainfall regimes may influence species interactions from the bottom-up by increasing primary productivity in arid environments, but subsequently lead to less predictable top-down...
Authors
Sarah K. Thomsen, David M. Mazurkiewicz, Thomas R. Stanley, David J. Green
A Bayesian life-cycle model to estimate escapement at maximum sustained yield in salmon based on limited information A Bayesian life-cycle model to estimate escapement at maximum sustained yield in salmon based on limited information
Life-cycle models combine several strengths for estimating population parameters and biological reference points of harvested species and are particularly useful for those exhibiting distinct habitat shifts and experiencing contrasting environments. Unfortunately, time series data are often limited to counts of adult abundance and harvest. By incorporating data from other populations and...
Authors
Jan Ohlberger, Samuel J. Brinkman, Patrick Crain, George R. Pess, Jeffrey J. Duda, Thomas W. Buehrens, Thomas P. Quinn, Ray Hilborn
Preliminary investigation of groundwater quality near a Michigan cemetery, 2016–17 Preliminary investigation of groundwater quality near a Michigan cemetery, 2016–17
The potential effect of cemetery leachate on groundwater quality in the United States has rarely been studied. Nutrients and other constituents associated with decomposition and burial processes (such as embalming) have the potential to reach shallow groundwater and could affect nearby drinking-water sources. The objective of this preliminary investigation was to evaluate the potential...
Authors
Angela K. Brennan, Carrie E. Givens, Julia G. Prokopec, Christopher J. Hoard
Estimating apparent survival of songbirds crossing the Gulf of Mexico during autumn migration Estimating apparent survival of songbirds crossing the Gulf of Mexico during autumn migration
Many migratory bird species are declining, and the migratory period may limit populations because of the risk in traversing large geographical features during passage. Using automated radio-telemetry, we tracked 139 Swainson's thrushes (Catharus ustulatus) departing coastal Alabama, USA and crossing the Gulf of Mexico to arrive in the Yucatan Peninsula, Mexico during autumn. We estimated...
Authors
Michael P. Ward, Thomas J. Benson, JIll Deppe, Theodore J. Zenzal, Robert H. Diehl, Antonio Celis-Murillo, Rachel T Bolus, Frank R. Moore
Broad-spectrum antiviral JL122 blocks infection and inhibits transmission of aquatic rhabdoviruses Broad-spectrum antiviral JL122 blocks infection and inhibits transmission of aquatic rhabdoviruses
The aquaculture industry is growing rapidly to meet the needs for global protein consumption. Viral diseases in aquaculture are quite challenging due to lack of treatment options as well as limited injection-delivery vaccines, which are costly. Thus, water-immersion antiviral treatments are highly desirable. This study focused on broad-spectrum, light-activated antivirals that target the...
Authors
Bethany F. Balmer, Rodman G. Getchell, Rachel L. Powers, Jihye Lee, Tinghu Zhang, Michael E. Jung, Maureen K. Purcell, Kevin Snekvik, Hector C. Aguilar