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.
Filter Total Items: 5123
Habitat selection by Rocky Mountain Population greater Sandhill Cranes (Antigone canadensis tabida) during spring and autumn migration at a key stopover area Habitat selection by Rocky Mountain Population greater Sandhill Cranes (Antigone canadensis tabida) during spring and autumn migration at a key stopover area
The San Luis Valley (SLV), Colorado is a critical stopover area for Rocky Mountain Population greater Sandhill Cranes (Antigone canadensis tabida). During spring and autumn, cranes use crops for foraging and water resources adjacent to foraging areas for roosting and loafing. However, surface water is becoming increasingly limited in the SLV. Understanding the factors that affect use by...
Authors
Rachel A. Vanausdall, William L. Kendall, Daniel P. Collins, J. Patrick Donnelly, Quentin R. Hays
A framework for analyzing wild turkey summer sighting data. A framework for analyzing wild turkey summer sighting data.
Wildlife agencies collect data on productivity (e.g., proportion of hens with poults and number of poults per hen) of wild turkey (Meleagris gallopavo) to monitor population status and trends. However, sampling protocols to collect productivity data rely on opportunistic observations reported by wildlife agency personnel and the public and have changed over time and differed among...
Authors
Duane R. Diefenbach, Frances E. Buderman, Mary Jo Casalena, Michael Dye, Robert Gates, Laura Christine Gigliotti, C. Robert Long, Katherine Martin, Michael Muthersbaugh, Michael L. Peters, James Sloan, Joshua Stiller, Mark Wiley
Predicted fish vulnerability to stream drying in the western U.S.A. Predicted fish vulnerability to stream drying in the western U.S.A.
The frequency, magnitude and extent of stream drying is increasing due to climate change and human water demand. Fish vulnerability to increased stream drying is a combination of sensitivity (innate tolerance to low streamflow) and exposure to stream drying. To understand fish tolerance to low flow and susceptibility to decline under changing streamflow conditions, we estimated species...
Authors
Elizabeth A. Rieger, Niall G. Clancy, Ryan R. McShane, Roy Sando, Annika W. Walters
From fences to roads: Changes in barrier behaviour of Mongolian gazelle across different types of linear infrastructure in Mongolia From fences to roads: Changes in barrier behaviour of Mongolian gazelle across different types of linear infrastructure in Mongolia
Poorly designed linear infrastructure can reduce habitat connectivity and be major barriers for migratory wildlife. An important start at effective mitigation is understanding how individuals respond when barriers are encountered. This can be done via comparison of fine- and broad-scale behavioural responses to various anthropogenic barrier types. We classified fine-scale responses of 62...
Authors
Anthony Sévêque, Philipp Mendgen, Ian Freeman, Buuveibaatar Bayarbaatar, Matthew J. Kauffman, Kirk Olsen, Dorj Usukhjargal, Ganbold Uuganbayar, Wenjing Xu, Thomas Mueller, Nandintsetseg Dejid
Density as a mechanism linking habitat disturbance to increased pathogen prevalence: Evidence from a natural experiment Density as a mechanism linking habitat disturbance to increased pathogen prevalence: Evidence from a natural experiment
Sudden habitat loss associated with environmental disturbance can trigger animals to move from affected to undisturbed areas, where increases in local density may occur. Although pathogen transmission is strongly related to local density, how crowding after habitat loss affects infection dynamics in wild populations remains unclear. Here we conceptualize the Disturbance-Density-Disease...
Authors
Gabriel M. Barrile, Anna D. Chalfoun, Annika W. Walters, Jerod A. Merkle
Trophic assessment of potential competition between invasive cichlids and sport fish in Puerto Rico reservoirs Trophic assessment of potential competition between invasive cichlids and sport fish in Puerto Rico reservoirs
Objective Several species of New World cichlids have recently invaded reservoirs in Puerto Rico, potentially jeopardizing established recreationally important, albeit nonnative, sport fish populations. Interactions between invasive species and important sport fish must be understood so that they can be mitigated when feasible. This study compared monthly prey consumption between three...
Authors
J. Wesley Neal, Jacob A. Moreland, Corey Garland Dunn, Peter J. Allen
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