Publications
Browse publications authored by our scientists. Publications available are: USGS-authored journal articles, series reports, book chapters, other government publications, and more.
**Disclaimer: The views expressed in Non-USGS publications are those of the author and do not represent the views of the USGS, Department of the Interior, or the U.S. Government.
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Spatial occupancy patterns of the endangered northern long‐eared bat in New England Spatial occupancy patterns of the endangered northern long‐eared bat in New England
Aim White-nose syndrome has caused severe declines in eastern North American cave bats, leading to the federal listing of the northern long-eared bat (Myotis septentrionalis) as endangered in the United States and Canada. This has heightened the importance of long-term monitoring to inform species status assessments. We employed a combination of long-term repeated and single-season...
Authors
Jesse L De La Cruz, Sabrina M. Deeley, Elizabeth Ann Hunter, W. Mark Ford
Development of high-throughput genomic resources to inform white-tailed deer population and disease management Development of high-throughput genomic resources to inform white-tailed deer population and disease management
White-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus) are the most abundant and widespread cervid in North America. Genetic data are used as a tool to monitor populations and make management decisions for this game species. However, the development and use of genomic tools that can generate a set of markers suitable for longitudinal genomic data collection, whether for management purposes or to...
Authors
David Navarro, Emily K. Latch, Anaïs K. Tallon, Caitlin N. Ott-Conn, Randy W. DeYoung, Daniel P. Walsh, Peter T. Euclide, R.G. Chandika, Wes A. Larson, Arun S. Seetharam, Andrew J. Severin, Andrew J. Severin, James M. Reecy, Zhi-Liang Hu, Jay R. Cantrell, Michelle Carstensen, Joe N. Caudell, Charlie H. Killmaster, Mitch L. Lockwood, William T. McKinley, Andrew S. Norton, Krysten L. Schuler, Daniel J. Storm, Jason A. Sumners, W. David Walter, Julie A. Blanchong
Observations of tear-drinking by lepidopterans on moose (Alces alces americana) in northeastern North America Observations of tear-drinking by lepidopterans on moose (Alces alces americana) in northeastern North America
Lepidoptera have long been known to feed on the tears of vertebrates as a presumed source of minerals or nutrients. While this unusual behavior has been observed in a variety of species, only a single previous record has been documented outside of the tropics. Here, we present the first documentation of moths visiting the eyes of a bull moose (Alces americanus americanus), captured via...
Authors
Laurence A. Clarfeld, Katherina D. Gieder, Therese M. Donovan
Revised length categories and standard weight equation for Northern Pikeminnow Revised length categories and standard weight equation for Northern Pikeminnow
Objective Length and weight indices (e.g., proportional size distribution, relative weight) provide standardized benchmarks that are useful for comparing groups of fish, identifying ecological interactions, and evaluating the effect of management actions. However, the current length categories and standard weight (Ws) equation for Northern Pikeminnow Ptychocheilus oregonensis, a species...
Authors
Nicholas S. Voss, Michael C. Quist
Population demographics of invasive Silver Carp in a Great Plains river network Population demographics of invasive Silver Carp in a Great Plains river network
Objective Knowledge of invasive Silver Carp Hypophthalmichthys molitrix population demographics and distributions may inform estimates of efforts necessary to achieve reductions in abundance and identify locations to conduct removal. Although extensively studied in other parts of their invasive range (e.g., Mississippi and Illinois rivers), less is known regarding Silver Carp population
Authors
Blake Logan, Mark Pegg, Kirk D. Steffensen, Jonathan J. Spurgeon
Quantitative PCR detection of endangered diamond darter Crystallaria Cincotta in environmental DNA: Employing locked nucleic acids and blocking probe for specificity Quantitative PCR detection of endangered diamond darter Crystallaria Cincotta in environmental DNA: Employing locked nucleic acids and blocking probe for specificity
This study presents a quantitative PCR (qPCR) assay for the detection of the endangered diamond darter Crystallaria cincotta from environmental DNA (eDNA) in water samples. The assay design is based on an alignment of mitochondrial cytochrome b DNA sequences from 58 individuals representing 25 percid species. Leveraging genetic differences, a species-specific qPCR assay was designed...
Authors
Andrew P. Kinziger, Cameron M. Layne, Stuart A. Welsh
DeepFaune New England: A species classification model for trail camera images in northeastern North America DeepFaune New England: A species classification model for trail camera images in northeastern North America
The DeepFaune New England model classifies wildlife species in trail camera images, identifying 24 taxa from northeastern North America with high (97%) accuracy. The model was adapted from the DeepFaune model for identifying European wildlife, demonstrating the practicality of transfer learning across continents. The majority of training data is openly licensed, and the model itself is...
Authors
Laurence A. Clarfeld, Katherine D. Gieder, Angela K. Fuller, Zhongqi Miao, Alexej P.K. Sirén, Shevenell M. Webb, Toni Lyn Morelli, Jillian R. Kilborn, Catherine B. Callahan, Leighlan S. Prout, Rachel Cliché, Riley K. Patry, Christopher Bernier, Susan Staats, Therese M. Donovan
A hidden heelsplitter: Distribution of an undescribed endemic freshwater mussel in the Barrens Plateau A hidden heelsplitter: Distribution of an undescribed endemic freshwater mussel in the Barrens Plateau
Malacologists generally acknowledge that the Alasminota holstonia (Tennessee Heelsplitter) populations in the Caney Fork, Elk, and Duck river drainages in the Barrens Plateau region of middle Tennessee likely represent a closely related, but distinct, species, collectively referred to as Alasminota sp. (Barrens Heelsplitter). Recent surveys indicate that the species persists in at least...
Authors
Kristin I. Womble, Amanda E. Rosenberger, Andrew R. Henderson
Satellite tracking supports hypotheses of breeding allochrony and allopatry in the Endangered Pterodroma hasitata (Black-capped Petrel, Diablotin) Satellite tracking supports hypotheses of breeding allochrony and allopatry in the Endangered Pterodroma hasitata (Black-capped Petrel, Diablotin)
Pterodroma hasitata, the Black-capped Petrel (locally known as Diablotin), is the only extant Pterodroma petrel nesting in the Caribbean. The species is listed as globally Endangered by the IUCN and was recently listed as endangered under the U.S. Endangered Species Act. Pterodroma hasitata show a phenotypic gradient, ranging from a darker, smaller form to a paler, heavier form, that is...
Authors
Yvan G. Satgé, J. Brian Patteson, Bradford S. Keitt, Chris P. Gaskin, Patrick G.R. Jodice
Too hot for comfort: Elevated temperatures influence gene expression and exceed thermal tolerance of bigmouth shiners, Ericymba dorsalis Too hot for comfort: Elevated temperatures influence gene expression and exceed thermal tolerance of bigmouth shiners, Ericymba dorsalis
Environmental and associated ecosystem change may affect the persistence of fish species based on their ability to adapt to changing conditions, including decreasing flows and rising water temperatures. Exceeding the thermal tolerances of stream fish will likely result in a loss of ability to maintain metabolic processes. We evaluated the critical thermal maximum (CTmax) of bigmouth...
Authors
Ella K. Humphrey, Jonathan J. Spurgeon, Lizabeth Bowen, Robert E. Wilson, Shannon C. Waters-Dynes, Braxton M. Newkirk, Sarah A. Sonsthagen
Predicting secretive species distribution using Bayesian networks with and without expert elicitation: A case study incorporating double-blind peer review Predicting secretive species distribution using Bayesian networks with and without expert elicitation: A case study incorporating double-blind peer review
1. Species that are secretive, imperilled and consequently data deficient often re-quire conservation action despite limited available information. In such scenarios, Bayesian networks (BNs) offer a versatile and intuitive approach for utilizing various information sources, including literature reviews, community science data sets and expert knowledge. Although it has been suggested that...
Authors
Dustin E. Brewer, Elisabeth B. Webb, Anne E. Mini, S. Keith McKnight
Freshwater turtle assemblages and densities in agricultural ditches and aquaculture ponds of eastern Arkansas Freshwater turtle assemblages and densities in agricultural ditches and aquaculture ponds of eastern Arkansas
The Mississippi Alluvial Plain (MAP) of Arkansas is a landscape where many wetlands have been altered for use as aquaculture ponds or agricultural ditches. Commercial harvest of freshwater turtles within the MAP is not restricted or limited, with reported harvest numbers for 2019 alone exceeding 4000 for spiny softshell turtles (Apalone spinifera) and 39,000 for red-eared sliders...
Authors
Andrhea D. Massey, John D. Willson, Brett Alexander DeGregorio