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: 5350
Seasonal variation in wild pig (Sus scrofa) diet revealed by DNA metabarcoding Seasonal variation in wild pig (Sus scrofa) diet revealed by DNA metabarcoding
Invasive species within North America, particularly wild pigs (Sus scrofa), pose a serious threat to native ecosystems through both direct and indirect impacts. Wild pigs are a large-bodied omnivorous species native to Eurasia and introduced to North America. Using DNA metabarcoding of fecal samples, we investigated the diet of wild pigs at a bottomland hardwood forest ecosystem within...
Authors
Kenneth Wilson, Scott J. Chiavacci, Caleb Powell Roberts, Brett Alexander DeGregorio
Statistical facilitation in environmental science: Integrating results from complementary statistical analyses can improve ecological interpretations Statistical facilitation in environmental science: Integrating results from complementary statistical analyses can improve ecological interpretations
Professionals working in biological conservation seek to understand, manage, and restore populations of native organisms using many techniques. A common approach for this discipline is using long-term data collections to inform decision making. However, several quantitative issues complicate statistical analysis of monitoring datasets and can reduce the utility of results for...
Authors
Martha E. Mather, Shelby Kuck, Devon Oliver
Assimilation efficiency of rainbow trout fed natural diets Assimilation efficiency of rainbow trout fed natural diets
Assimilation efficiency is a critical assumption of stable isotope mixing models and bioenergetics models, yet few studies examine how assimilation efficiency influences modeling inferences. We conducted laboratory experiments to determine rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) assimilation efficiencies. Assimilation efficiency averaged 55.8% (SE ± 0.90) and 64.5% (SE ± 1.98) at the 10% and...
Authors
Jon M. Flinders, Daniel D. Magoulick
Foraging benefits promote fitness in migratory mule deer Foraging benefits promote fitness in migratory mule deer
Although migration is widespread among ungulates, the fitness benefits associated with different migratory tactics have rarely been documented. Here, we evaluated a 9-year dataset on a migratory population of mule deer to test the hypothesis that long-distance migration provides access to seasonal forage which translates into demographic benefits. Mule deer that migrated long (>130 km)...
Authors
Anna C. Ortega, Tayler N. LaSharr, Patrick W. Burke, Patrick Lionberger, Miguel Valdez, Kevin L. Monteith, Matthew J. Kauffman
Integrating climate and anthropogenic dynamics can inform multifaceted management for declining mule deer populations Integrating climate and anthropogenic dynamics can inform multifaceted management for declining mule deer populations
Wildlife and their habitats face profound challenges from climate and landscape-scale changes that extend beyond the influence and time horizon of most biologists and land managers. In this changing environment, long-term datasets can enhance assessments of how demographic trends respond to interactions among local (e.g., habitat restoration decisions) and broad extent drivers, including...
Authors
Teagan A. Hayes, Aaron N. Johnston, L. Embere Hall, Jill E. Randall, Matthew J. Kauffman, Christopher Keefe, Kevin Monteith, Tabitha A. Graves
Design, construction and application of an automated thermal chamber to determine critical thermal maxima in small anurans Design, construction and application of an automated thermal chamber to determine critical thermal maxima in small anurans
Critical thermal maximum (CTMax) is a thermal threshold useful for understanding physiological boundaries and predicting anuran vulnerability to climate warming. Given the value of this metric, a comprehensive review of the literature on CTMax protocols (1962-2025) revealed widespread methodological inconsistencies and rare verification of ramping rate accuracy, essential to gauge the...
Authors
Rafael Chaparro, Ana C. Rivera-Burgos, Jaime A. Collazo, Mitchell J. Eaton, Adam J. Terando, Eloy Martinez
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