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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Movement ecology of adult and juvenile spotted turtles (Clemmys guttata) in a seasonally dynamic environment Movement ecology of adult and juvenile spotted turtles (Clemmys guttata) in a seasonally dynamic environment
Context Understanding the temporal and spatial scales at which wildlife move is vital for conservation and management. This is especially important for semi-aquatic species that make frequent inter-wetland movements to fulfil life-history requirements. Aims We aimed to investigate the drivers of movement and space-use of the imperilled spotted turtle (Clemmys guttata), a seasonal wetland...
Authors
Ellery Lassiter, Jinelle Sperry, Brett Alexander DeGregorio
Survey evaluation of Florida’s freshwater fisheries long-term monitoring program Survey evaluation of Florida’s freshwater fisheries long-term monitoring program
Natural resource monitoring programs benefit from routine evaluation. Here, Florida’s statewide Freshwater Fisheries Long-Term Monitoring (LTM) program is used to show how stakeholder surveys can be integral to this process. In 2022, an online questionnaire was sent to internal stakeholders, i.e., state agency personnel who collect, enter, or use freshwater fisheries data for fisheries...
Authors
Kimberly I. Bonvechio, Ramesh Paudyal, Chelsey Crandall, Andrew Kenneth Carlson
Geographic distribution of the Puerto Rican Harlequin Butterfly (Atlantea tulita): An ensemble modeling approach Geographic distribution of the Puerto Rican Harlequin Butterfly (Atlantea tulita): An ensemble modeling approach
Species distribution models have become increasingly important tools for species conservation. This modeling approach can help guide conservation practitioners and inform decisions. Distribution models are particularly relevant for rare species, whose habitat associations are often not well understood. Using species occurrence data, and a variety of predictor variables, we developed...
Authors
Carlos Ramirez-Reyes, Francisco Vilella, Kristine O. Evans, Garrett Street, Carlos Pacheco, Omar Monzon, Alcides L. Morales Perez
Environment affects sucker catch rate, size structure, species composition, and precision in boat electrofishing samples Environment affects sucker catch rate, size structure, species composition, and precision in boat electrofishing samples
Catostomidae (catostomids) are suckers of the order Cypriniformes, and the majority of species are native to North America; however, species in this group are understudied and rarely managed. The popularity in bowfishing and gigging for suckers in the United States has increased concerns related to overfishing. Little information exists about the relative gear effectiveness for sampling
Authors
Douglas L. Zentner, Shannon K. Brewer, D. E. Shoup
Investing in a nest egg: Intraspecific variation in the timing of egg laying across a latitudinal gradient Investing in a nest egg: Intraspecific variation in the timing of egg laying across a latitudinal gradient
Avian reproductive strategies vary widely, and many studies of life-history variation have focused on the incubation and hatching stages of nesting. Birds make proximate decisions regarding reproductive investment during the laying stage, and these decisions likely constrain and tradeoff with other traits and subsequent behaviors. However, we know relatively little about egg-laying stage...
Authors
Carl G. Lundblad, Courtney J. Conway
Fish functional gradients along a reservoir cascade Fish functional gradients along a reservoir cascade
1.The transformations of fish assemblages caused by reservoir cascades can be severe at the reach scale, but basin-scale effects are less clear. However, prevailing river concepts provide a framework for predicting basin-scale effects. 2. To determine if predictions made by the River Continuum Concept relative to the function of fish assemblages are sustained in a temperate river...
Authors
Jordan C. Besson, Joshua J. Neary, Joshua D. Stafford, Corey Garland Dunn, Leandro E. Miranda
Estimates of predator densities using mobile DIDSON surveys: Implications for survival of Central Valley Chinook Salmon Estimates of predator densities using mobile DIDSON surveys: Implications for survival of Central Valley Chinook Salmon
The Sacramento–San Joaquin Delta (hereafter, “the Delta”) is one of the estuaries with the most invasive species in the world, and nonnative predators may be a major factor in the observed decline of Central Valley Chinook Salmon Oncorhynchus tshawytscha over recent decades. In order for managers to take actions that might reduce predation-related mortality for these ecologically...
Authors
Mark J. Henderson, Chris Loomis, Cyril Michel, Joe Smith, Ilysa Iglesias, Brendan Lehman, David Huff
A Fisherman's Tale: An unusual observation of the Ozark Cavefish, Troglichthys (= Amblyopsis) Rosae (Eigenmann) A Fisherman's Tale: An unusual observation of the Ozark Cavefish, Troglichthys (= Amblyopsis) Rosae (Eigenmann)
Troglichthys (= Amblyopsis) rosae (Ozark Cavefish) is currently known from 83 locations within the Ozark Highlands ecoregion. We found a cavefish at a new location in the Grand Lake O' the Cherokees on the western side of the Neosho River (Delaware County, OK), which is on the northwest periphery of the Ozark Cavefish range. Examination of the mitochondrial ND2 gene supports that the...
Authors
Joshua. B. Mouser, Josh Johnston, Matthew L. Niemiller, Shannon K. Brewer
Evaluating regional length limits in freshwater fisheries Evaluating regional length limits in freshwater fisheries
Length limits are often used in recreational fisheries management to prevent overharvest and manipulate fish size distributions. These regulations are ideally customized to meet water-specific stock dynamics and fishery objectives. However, in districts with numerous discrete waters, fisheries are commonly managed with a universal regional regulation. Evaluating alternative regional...
Authors
Andrew C. Shamaskin, Michael E. Colvin, Leandro E. Miranda
Climate change risks to freshwater subsistence fisheries in Arctic Alaska: Insights and uncertainty from broad whitefish Coregonus nasus Climate change risks to freshwater subsistence fisheries in Arctic Alaska: Insights and uncertainty from broad whitefish Coregonus nasus
Arctic freshwater ecosystems and fish populations are largely shaped by seasonal and long-term watershed hydrology. In this paper, we hypothesize how changing air temperature and precipitation will alter freeze and thaw processes, hydrology, and instream habitat to assess potential indirect effects, such as the change to the foraging and behavioral ecology, on Arctic fishes, using Broad...
Authors
Jason C. Leppi, Daniel J. Rinella, Mark S. Wipfli, Anna K. Liljedahl, Andrew C. Seitz, Jeffrey A. Falke
Migrating mule deer compensate en route for phenological mismatches Migrating mule deer compensate en route for phenological mismatches
Billions of animals migrate to track seasonal pulses in resources. Optimally timing migration is a key strategy, yet the ability of animals to compensate for phenological mismatches en route is largely unknown. Using GPS movement data collected from 72 adult female deer over a 10-year duration, we study a population of mule deer (Odocoileus hemionus) in Wyoming that lack reliable cues on...
Authors
Anna C. Ortega, Ellen O. Aikens, Jerod A. Merkle, Kevin L. Monteith, Matthew Kauffman