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: 5293
Integrating fecal DNA and telemetry to estimate wildlife densities in anthropogenic landscapes Integrating fecal DNA and telemetry to estimate wildlife densities in anthropogenic landscapes
Density estimation is central to wildlife management efforts but can be challenging in anthropogenically-dominated landscapes due to small parcel sizes, access restrictions, and limited green space. Reliable density estimates are especially important for managing white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus), whose high abundance in urbanized areas increases the need for accurate population
Authors
Ashley S. Lynn, Mikiah McGinn, Nathan J. Hostetter, Heather Evans, Christopher E. Moorman, Nils Peterson, John C Kilgo, Elizabeth M. Kierepka
Contrasting haemosporidian infections in two ecologically distinct wading birds from breeding colonies in the southeastern United States Contrasting haemosporidian infections in two ecologically distinct wading birds from breeding colonies in the southeastern United States
Wading birds may serve as ideal hosts for avian hemoparasites, as they are long-lived, undertake extensive movements, form dense breeding colonies, and inhabit water-associated environments that support vectors. Although previous studies have reported parasite species and prevalence in various wading bird species, little is known about their associations with bird behavior and life stage...
Authors
Ke Zhang, Samantha M. Wisely, Chris K. Gulick, Abby N. Powell
Experimental lure design reveals the best attractants for increasing detection of multiple mesocarnivores Experimental lure design reveals the best attractants for increasing detection of multiple mesocarnivores
Many mesocarnivores have low detection rates that hinder practitioners' abilities to implement effective monitoring strategies. Using olfactory attractants (i.e. lures) may increase detection rates, but variation in effects among species is not well understood. Thus, investigating factors influencing detection of mesocarnivores, can inform and improve monitoring efforts. We evaluated the...
Authors
Danielle N. Brosend, Anna K. Moeller, Robert Charles Lonsinger
A conceptual framework and methods for studying the connectivity of fishes A conceptual framework and methods for studying the connectivity of fishes
Connectivity is a multifaceted concept that has important implications for the management and conservation of marine and freshwater fishes. We developed a conceptual framework that encompasses multiple, interrelated categories of connectedness, including landscape (e.g., structural, functional) connectivity and ecological (e.g., trophic, genetic, demographic) connectivity, that together...
Authors
Jordanna N. Bergman, Jessica A. Robichaud, Jasper McCutcheon, Michael Thomas Booth, Brendan Campbell, Grace A. Casselberry, Cienna R. Cooper, Bronwyn M. Gillanders, Lucas P. Griffin, Edward Hale, Luc LaRochelle, Karen J. Murchie, Mary M. Peacock, Reid G. Swanson, Simon D. Stewart, Ryan. J. Woodland, Daniel P. Zielinski, Steven J. Cooke, Morgan L. Piczak
Waterfowl move less in heterogeneous and human-populated landscapes, with implications for spread of avian influenza viruses Waterfowl move less in heterogeneous and human-populated landscapes, with implications for spread of avian influenza viruses
Animal movements contribute to the spread of infectious diseases and are driven in part by environmental conditions. We investigated the links among the environment, animal movement, and infectious disease dynamics in waterfowl, which are among the primary wildlife hosts of avian influenza viruses. By combining telemetry data on 4606 individuals from 26 waterfowl species with data on...
Authors
Claire Stewart Teitelbaum, Diann J. Prosser, Joshua T. Ackerman, Sakib Ahmed, A.B.M. Sarowar Alam, Kazi Zenifar Azmiri, Nyambaya Batbayar, Joël Bêty, Abigail Blake-Bradshaw, Dmitrijs Boiko, Nelleke H. Buitendijk, Jeffrey J. Buler, David Cabot, Michael L. Casazza, Bradley S. Cohen, Batmunkh Davaasuren, Sébastien Farau, Jamie Feddersen, John R. Fieberg, Wolfgang Fiedler, Peter Glazov, Larry R. Griffin, Matthieu Guillemain, Heath Hagy, Matthew J. Hardy, Cory Highway, David Hoffman, Tehan Kang, Allison Keever, Jennifer Kilburn, Andrea Kölzsch, Helmut Kruckenberg, Toni Laaksonen, Brian S. Ladman, Hansoo Lee, Siwan Lee, Josée Lefebvre, Pierre Legagneux, Hans Linssen, Jesper Madsen, Nicholas M. Masto, Scott R. McWilliams, Tori Mezebish Quinn, Carl P.J. Mitchell, Axelle Moreau, Gerhard Müskens, Scott Newman, Bart A. Nolet, Rascha J.M. Nuijten, Jay Osenkowski, Cory T. Overton, Antti Piironen, Betty Plaquin, Andrew M. Ramey, Jean Rodrigue, David Rodrigues, Kees H.T. Schreven, Yali Si, Jeffery D. Sullivan, John Takekawa, Philippe J. Thomas, Mariëlle van Toor, Jonas Waldenström, Christopher K. Williams, David W. Wolfson, Fei Xu, Ian G. Brosnan, Susan E.W. De La Cruz
Fish introductions related to strong and diversifying effects on zooplankton assemblages in high-elevation mountain lakes Fish introductions related to strong and diversifying effects on zooplankton assemblages in high-elevation mountain lakes
Freshwater environments are threatened by multiple anthropogenic stressors. High-elevation mountain lakes are particularly vulnerable to introduced nonnative fish and nutrient deposition because they were historically fishless and typically oligotrophic. To understand the potential effects of fish introduction and nutrient levels on high-elevation lake ecosystems, we assessed differences...
Authors
Lindsey J. Boyle, Catherine E. Wagner, Annika W. Walters, Amy C. Krist
Estimating the power of a standardized monitoring program for sportfish in Georgia, USA Estimating the power of a standardized monitoring program for sportfish in Georgia, USA
Objective Biological monitoring is a major component of management decisions and operating budgets of many natural resource management agencies. Given the scientific and financial commitments to monitoring, it is critical to estimate the ability to detect trends through time (i.e., power). Methods The Georgia Department of Natural Resources has monitored reservoir sport fish populations...
Authors
Troy N. Simon, Kelly F. Robinson, Brian J. Irwin
Timing the tuxedo transformation: Moult phenology reflects breeding investment and intrinsic constraints in Adélie penguins Timing the tuxedo transformation: Moult phenology reflects breeding investment and intrinsic constraints in Adélie penguins
Vertebrate life histories are often divided into distinct periods, with the breeding season typically receiving the most research attention. For polar seabirds, non-breeding phases like moult remain understudied, despite their importance for survival and overall fitness. Adélie penguins (Pygoscelis adeliae) replace their highly specialized feathers during an approximately 19-day annual...
Authors
Annie E. Schmidt, Amélie Lescroël, Simeon Lisovski, Megan Elrod, Katie M. Dugger, Jean Pennycook, David G. Ainley, Grant Ballard
Gerrard strain Rainbow Trout are not piscivorous in a shallow, polymictic reservoir Gerrard strain Rainbow Trout are not piscivorous in a shallow, polymictic reservoir
Objective Georgetown Lake (Montana, USA) is renowned for its multispecies salmonid fishery. Although many anglers target kokanee Oncorhynchus nerka in Georgetown Lake, the body length of kokanee has typically been considered unsatisfactory. To reduce the density of kokanee and increase the average size, Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks began stocking the piscivorous Gerrard strain of...
Authors
Kaitlyn M. Furey, Christopher S. Guy, Bradley W. Liermann, Patrick Saffel, David A. Schmetterling
Optimizing camera-trap survey designs for multi-species density estimation using spatial capture–recapture models Optimizing camera-trap survey designs for multi-species density estimation using spatial capture–recapture models
Conservation efforts are increasingly required to move beyond single-species perspectives and towards community-level inferences. Obtaining reliable multispecies population size estimates poses practical challenges as analytical tools and design recommendations are primarily focused on single species. Density estimation using spatial capture–recapture methods requires deploying detectors...
Authors
Gonçalo Curveira-Santos, Gates Dupont, Chris Sutherland, Charli Pretorius, Simon Naylor, Kerrin Allan, Laura Christine Gigliotti
Effects of prey and tissue type on δ13C and δ15N discrimination and turnover rates of rainbow trout Effects of prey and tissue type on δ13C and δ15N discrimination and turnover rates of rainbow trout
Stable isotope analysis is used often in ecological studies to examine dietary patterns of consumers and food web structure, yet we still know little regarding some underlying assumptions, including for well-studied species like rainbow trout Oncorhynchus mykiss. We assessed δ13C and δ15N discrimination (∆) and turnover rates in blood, liver and white muscle of rainbow trout fed natural...
Authors
Jon M. Flinders, Ashley Clement, Daniel D. Magoulick
Plasticity in the reproductive biology of Yellowstone cutthroat trout Oncorhynchus virginalis bouvieri in Yellowstone Lake following lake trout Salvelinus namaycush invasion Plasticity in the reproductive biology of Yellowstone cutthroat trout Oncorhynchus virginalis bouvieri in Yellowstone Lake following lake trout Salvelinus namaycush invasion
Yellowstone cutthroat trout Oncorhynchus virginalis bouvieri in Yellowstone Lake are the focus of intensive conservation efforts due to the threat of predation by invasive lake trout Salvelinus namaycush. Suppression gillnetting has reduced the abundance of predatory lake trout, and the Yellowstone cutthroat trout population is recovering. Long-term monitoring indicates the size...
Authors
Michelle A. Briggs, Molly A. Webb, Christopher S. Guy, Todd M. Koel