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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: 5011

Bats in a changing landscape: Linking occupancy and traits of a diverse montane bat community to fire regime Bats in a changing landscape: Linking occupancy and traits of a diverse montane bat community to fire regime

1. Wildfires are increasing in incidence and severity across the western US, leading to changes in forest structure and wildlife habitats. Knowledge of how species respond to fire-driven habitat changes in these landscapes is limited and generally disconnected from our understanding of adaptations that underpin responses to fire. 2. We aimed to identify relationships between fire regime
Authors
Elisabeth B. Webb, R.V. Blakely, Dylan C. Kesler, R. B. Siegel, D.C. Barrios, J.M. Johnson

The rise of an apex predator following deglaciation The rise of an apex predator following deglaciation

Aim Sea otters (Enhydra lutris) are an apex predator of the nearshore marine community and nearly went extinct at the turn of the 20th century. Reintroductions and legal protection allowed sea otters to re‐colonize much of their former range. Our objective was to chronicle the colonization of this apex predator in Glacier Bay, Alaska, to help understand the mechanisms that governed their...
Authors
Mevin Hooten, George G. Esslinger

Louisiana Waterthrush (Parkesia motacilla) survival and site fidelity in an area undergoing shale gas development Louisiana Waterthrush (Parkesia motacilla) survival and site fidelity in an area undergoing shale gas development

We quantified Louisiana Waterthrush (Parkesia motacilla) site fidelity and apparent survival across a 6 year period in an area undergoing shale gas development.Waterthrush initially exhibited high site fidelity that declined over time. At the same time, the number of unpaired males defending territories increased as did natal fidelity. We identified site fidelity factors that influenced...
Authors
Mack W. Frantz, Petra B. Wood, James Sheehan, Gregory George

Novel ectoparasite infestation on Yuma ridgway's rails (Rallus obsoletus yumanensis) Novel ectoparasite infestation on Yuma ridgway's rails (Rallus obsoletus yumanensis)

Yuma Ridgway's Rails (Rallus obsoletus yumanensis) are federally endangered birds endemic to wetlands throughout the Lower Colorado River Basin in Nevada, California, Arizona, and Mexico. The U.S. population has declined in recent years for unknown reasons. We documented a novel and severe chigger mite infestation in the Yuma Ridgway's Rails in southwestern Arizona in 2017. Prevalence of...
Authors
Eamon J. Harrity, Courtney J. Conway

Future directions to escalate benefits of stepping-stone approach for conservation translocations Future directions to escalate benefits of stepping-stone approach for conservation translocations

Through a reintroduction case study on the critically endangered Vancouver Island marmot (Marmota vancouverensis), we introduced a ‘stepping-stone’ approach which utilizes the transition of released individuals among populations to maximize demographic growth potential (Lloyd et al. 2019). We greatly appreciate and hereby reflect on the thoughtful commentaries by Chauvenet (2019)...
Authors
N.A. Lloyd, N.J. Hostetter, C.L. Jackson, Sarah J. Converse, A. Moehrenschlager

Native forage mediates influence of irrigated agriculture on migratory behaviour of elk Native forage mediates influence of irrigated agriculture on migratory behaviour of elk

Ungulates migrate to maximize nutritional intake when forage varies seasonally. Populations of ungulates often include both migratory and non-migratory individuals, but the mechanisms driving individual differences in migratory behaviour are not well-understood.We quantified associations between hypothesized drivers of partial migration and the likelihood of migration for individual...
Authors
Michael S. Mitchell, Kristin J. Barker, Kelly M. Proffitt

Nearshore survey and cleanup of benthic marine debris using citizen science divers along the Mediterranean coast of Israel Nearshore survey and cleanup of benthic marine debris using citizen science divers along the Mediterranean coast of Israel

Information on marine debris along the Mediterranean coast of Israel, especially on the seafloor, is limited. Many recreational divers are enthusiasts of marine conservation and can thus contribute to data collection which does not require highly specialized training. The Society for the Protection of Nature in Israel together with The Israeli Diving Federation established the diver...
Authors
Galia Pasternak, Christine Ribic, Ehud Spanier, Asaf Ariel, Boaz Mayzel, Sarah Ohayon, Dov Zviely

Effects of historic wildfire and prescribed fire on site occupancy of bats in Shenandoah National Park, Virginia, USA Effects of historic wildfire and prescribed fire on site occupancy of bats in Shenandoah National Park, Virginia, USA

Given high likelihood of regional extirpation of several once-common bat species in eastern North America from White-nose Syndrome, it is critical that impacts of forest management activities such as prescribed fire are known to minimize potentially additive negative effects on bat populations. Historic wildfires may offer a suitable surrogate to assess long-term burn impacts on bats for...
Authors
W. Mark Ford, Lauren V. Austin, Alexander Silvis, Karen E. Powers

Wetlands and development influence fish diversity in a species-rich small river Wetlands and development influence fish diversity in a species-rich small river

We identified in-stream and off-stream characteristics that influenced various species diversity metrics in reaches of the Duck River Basin, Tennessee, USA. This relatively small basin is home to one of the most diverse freshwater fish faunas in North America. In all, over 325,000 native fish representing 136 native fish species were electrofished in 207 collections across 86 stations...
Authors
Leandro E. Miranda, J.A. Martinez-Lanfranco, K. J. Kilgore

Extreme climatic variability during migration invokes physiological and dietary plasticity among spring migrating ducks Extreme climatic variability during migration invokes physiological and dietary plasticity among spring migrating ducks

Environmental stochasticity encountered during migration can have negative consequences for individuals and population demographics through direct reductions in survival or cross-seasonal impacts. We took advantage of substantial interannual variation in spring migration conditions over a 4 year field study to examine physiological and dietary variation among two species of migrant ducks...
Authors
Adam K. Janke, Michael J. Anteau, Joshua D. Stafford

Largemouth bass natural history Largemouth bass natural history

No abstract available.
Authors
Leandro E. Miranda

Changes in body condition and diet of lotic Smallmouth Bass across two flow regimes during summer months at the southern extent of their native range Changes in body condition and diet of lotic Smallmouth Bass across two flow regimes during summer months at the southern extent of their native range

The Ozark Plateau is located at the southern extent of native Smallmouth Bass Micropterus dolomieu range and water temperature and drought conditions during summer months may potentially affect growth of Smallmouth Bass in this region. Groundwater streams in the region do not warm to the same extent as runoff streams during summer months and could provide a thermal refuge habitat for...
Authors
Christopher R. Middaugh, Daniel D. Magoulick
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