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These publications showcase the significant science conducted in our Science Centers.

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Tarphonomus, a new genus of ovenbird (Aves: Passeriformes: Furnariidae) from South America Tarphonomus, a new genus of ovenbird (Aves: Passeriformes: Furnariidae) from South America

Tarphonomus, a new genus of ovenbird (Aves: Passeriformes: Furnariidae) from South America, is described. Species included in the new genus, formerly placed in Upucerthia, are T. certhioides and T. harterti.
Authors
R.T. Chesser, R.T. Brumfield

Survival of timber rattlesnakes (Crotalus horridus) estimated by capture-recapture models in relation to age, sex, color morph, time, and birthplace Survival of timber rattlesnakes (Crotalus horridus) estimated by capture-recapture models in relation to age, sex, color morph, time, and birthplace

Juvenile survival is one of the least known elements of the life history of many species, in particular snakes. We conducted a mark–recapture study of Crotalus horridus from 1978–2002 in northeastern New York near the northern limits of the species' range. We marked 588 neonates and estimated annual age-, sex-, and morph-specific recapture and survival rates using the Cormack-Jolly-Seber...
Authors
W. S. Brown, M. Kery, J.E. Hines

Plumage development and molt in Long-tailed Manakins (Chiroxiphia linearis): Variation according to sex and age Plumage development and molt in Long-tailed Manakins (Chiroxiphia linearis): Variation according to sex and age

Lek-mating Long-tailed Manakins (Chiroxiphia linearis) exhibit an unusual pattern of delayed plumage maturation. Each year, males progress through a series of predefinitive plumages before attaining definitive plumage in their fifth calendar year. Females also exhibit variation in plumage coloration, with some females displaying male-like plumage characteristics. Using data from mist-net...
Authors
S.M. Doucet, D.B. McDonald, M.S. Foster, R.P. Clay

Natural communities in catch basins in southern Rhode Island Natural communities in catch basins in southern Rhode Island

Storm-water drainage catch basins are manmade structures that often contain water and organic matter, making them suitable environments for various organisms. We censused organisms inhabiting catch basins in southern Rhode Island in 2002 in an effort to begin to describe these communities. Catch-basin inhabitants were mostly detritivores, including annelids, arthropods, and mollusks that...
Authors
M. Butler, H. S. Ginsberg, R.A. LeBrun, A.D. Gettman, F. Pollnak

Seasonal components of avian population change: Joint analysis of two large-scale monitoring programs Seasonal components of avian population change: Joint analysis of two large-scale monitoring programs

We present a combined analysis of data from two large-scale surveys of bird populations. The North American Breeding Bird Survey is conducted each summer; the Christmas Bird Count is conducted in early winter. The temporal staggering of these surveys allows investigation of seasonal components of population change, which we illustrate with an examination of the effects of severe winters...
Authors
W.A. Link, J.R. Sauer

Stable isotope and pen feeding trial studies confirm the value of horseshoe crab Limulus polyphemus eggs to spring migrant shorebirds in Delaware Bay Stable isotope and pen feeding trial studies confirm the value of horseshoe crab Limulus polyphemus eggs to spring migrant shorebirds in Delaware Bay

We used stable isotope (SI) methods in combination with pen feeding trials to determine the importance of eggs of the Atlantic horseshoe crab Limulus polyphemus to migratory fattening of red knots Calidris canutus rufa and ruddy turnstones Arenaria interpres morinella during spring stopover in Delaware Bay. By manifesting measurable fractionation (ca +3‰) and rapid turnover, blood plasma...
Authors
G.M. Haramis, W.A. Link, P.C. Osenton, Daniel B. Carter, R.G. Weber, N.A. Clark, M.A. Teece, D.S. Mizrahi

Factors affecting coastal wetland loss and restoration Factors affecting coastal wetland loss and restoration

Opening paragraph: Tidal and nontidal wetlands in the Chesapeake Bay watershed provide vital hydrologic, water-quality, and ecological functions. Situated at the interface of land and water, these valuable habitats are vulnerable to alteration and loss by human activities including direct conversion to non-wetland habitat by dredge-and-fill activities from land development, and to the...
Authors
Donald R. Cahoon

Nitrogen Nitrogen

Ammonia was produced by 15 companies at 25 plants in 16 states in the United States during 2006. Fifty-seven percent of U.S. ammonia production capacity was centered in Louisiana, Oklahoma and Texas because of their large reserves of natural gas, the dominant domestic feedstock. In 2006, U.S. producers operated at about 72 percent of their rated capacity (excluding plants that were idle...
Authors
D.A. Kramer

Herbivory by resident geese: The loss and recovery of wild rice along the tidal Patuxent River Herbivory by resident geese: The loss and recovery of wild rice along the tidal Patuxent River

Well known for a fall spectacle of maturing wild rice (Zizania aquatica) and migrant waterbirds, the tidal freshwater marshes of the Patuxent River, Maryland, USA, experienced a major decline in wild rice during the 1990s. We conducted experiments in 1999 and 2000 with fenced exclosures and discovered herbivory by resident Canada geese (Branta canadensis). Grazing by geese eliminated...
Authors
G. Michael Haramis, Gregory D. Kearns
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