Publications
USGS research activities relevant to Alaska have yielded more than 9400 historical publications. This page features some of the most recent newsworthy research findings.
Filter Total Items: 3111
Population genetic studies of the sea otter (Enhydra lutris): A review and interpretation of available data Population genetic studies of the sea otter (Enhydra lutris): A review and interpretation of available data
Current information about the utility of genetic markers for estimating population structuring in sea otters (Enhydra lutris) is reviewed. Analyses of spatial population structuring with biochemical and molecular genetic markers are discussed in the context of the species' ecology and history of exploitation. Studies that have used a diversity of genetic markers including allozymes...
Authors
Kim T. Scribner, James L. Bodkin, Brenda E. Ballachey, Steven R. Fain, Matthew A. Cronin, Maria D. Sanchez
Sea Otter Enhydra lutris Sea Otter Enhydra lutris
The sea otter, Enhydra lutris, is the largest member of the Mustelidae family and is the only one which lives entirely in marine waters. Sea otters are unique among marine mammals because, unlike whales, dolphins and seals, they do not have a layer of fat or blubber to keep them warm in the cool oceans of the North Pacific. Instead, sea otters depend on dense fur that traps tiny air...
Authors
James L. Bodkin, Brenda E. Ballachey
Seabird, marine mammal, and oceanography coordinated investigations (SMMOCI) near Unimak Pass, Alaska Seabird, marine mammal, and oceanography coordinated investigations (SMMOCI) near Unimak Pass, Alaska
No abstract available.
Authors
G. Vernon Byrd, Richard L. Merrick, John F. Piatt, Brenda L. Norcross
A forage fish is what? Summary of the symposium A forage fish is what? Summary of the symposium
No abstract available.
Authors
Alan M. Springer, Suzann G. Speckman
Long-term changes in diets and populations of piscivorous birds and mammals in Prince William Sound, Alaska Long-term changes in diets and populations of piscivorous birds and mammals in Prince William Sound, Alaska
No abstract available.
Authors
K.J. Kuletz, D.B. Irons, B.A. Agler, John F. Piatt, D.C. Duffy
Foods of northern fulmars associated with high-seas drift nets in the transitional region of the North Pacific Foods of northern fulmars associated with high-seas drift nets in the transitional region of the North Pacific
We examined digestive tract contents and nitrogen stable isotope ratios in breast muscles of northern fulmars (Fulmarus glacialis) salvaged from squid and large-mesh drift nets in the transitional North Pacific. Lantern fishes (Myctophidae) were the principal prey item found in the digestive tracts. Pieces of unidentified fishes (probably Pacific pomfret Brama japonica) and shredded...
Authors
Patrick J. Gould, William Walker, Peggy H. Ostrom
Isolation and characterization of novel waterfowl microsatellite loci: Cross-species comparisons and research applications Isolation and characterization of novel waterfowl microsatellite loci: Cross-species comparisons and research applications
Waterfowl constitute an ecologically diverse group which are the subject of extensive research (e.g. see reviews in Batt et al. 1992), and are intensively managed (Nichols et al.1995). Genetic studies utilizing allozyme electrophoresis and mitochondrial (mt)DNA have provided valuable information on waterfowl ecology and evolutionary history (Cooke & Buckley 1987). However, highly...
Authors
R.L. Fields, Kim T. Scribner
Population genetic studies of the polar bear (Ursus maritimus): A summary of available data and interpretation of results Population genetic studies of the polar bear (Ursus maritimus): A summary of available data and interpretation of results
A summary of existing population genetics literature is presented for polar bears (Ursus maritimus) and interpreted in the context of the species' life-history characteristics and regional heterogeneity in environmental regimes and movement patterns. Several nongenetic data sets including morphology, contaminant levels, geographic variation in reproductive characteristics, and the...
Authors
Kim T. Scribner, G.W. Garner, Steven C. Amstrup, M.A. Cronin
Population genetics studies of the walrus (Odobenus rosmarus): A summary and interpretation of results and research needs Population genetics studies of the walrus (Odobenus rosmarus): A summary and interpretation of results and research needs
A summary of population genetics data is presented for the walrus (Odobenus rosmarus). Current information on the ecology and behavior of the species is highlighted to aid in the interpretation of genetics results and to suggest future areas of research. Walruses are discontinuously distributed across the Arctic and are currently subdivided into six regional populations on the basis of...
Authors
Kim T. Scribner, Susan Hills, Steven R. Fain, Matthew A. Cronin
Investigating trophic relationships of pinnipeds in Alaska and Washington using stable isotope ratios of nitrogen and carbon Investigating trophic relationships of pinnipeds in Alaska and Washington using stable isotope ratios of nitrogen and carbon
We measured stable-nitrogen (δ15N) and stable-carbon (δ13C) isotope ratios in muscle and hair from 7 northern fur seals (Callorhinus ursinus) from the Pribilof Islands, Alaska, and 27 Steller sea lions (Eumetopias jubatus), and 14 harbor seals (Phoca vitulina) from the Gulf of Alaska and coast of Washington State, in order to contrast dietary information derived from isotopic vs...
Authors
Keith A. Hobson, John L. Sease, Richard L. Merrick, John F. Piatt
Survival of spectacled eider adult females and ducklings during brood rearing Survival of spectacled eider adult females and ducklings during brood rearing
We studied survival of adult female and duckling spectacled eiders (Somateria fischeri) during brood rearing on the Yukon-Kuskokwim Delta, Alaska from 1993 to 1995. Duckling survival to 30 days of age averaged 34% with a 95% confidence interval from 25 to 47%. Half (49%) of radiomarked adult females had lost all their ducklings by 30 days after hatch. Most (74%) duckling mortality...
Authors
Paul L. Flint, J. Barry Grand