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Publications

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

Filter Total Items: 16743

Changes in total body calcium and diet of breeding house sparrows Changes in total body calcium and diet of breeding house sparrows

We collected House Sparrows Passer domesticus around London, Ontario, estimated their total body calcium masses, food habits and egg production to test for the effects of endogenous calcium levels on control of clutch size. Before egg production began, calcium levels increased significantly and remained high through the end of egg laying, and then declined significantly after egg laying...
Authors
D.G. Krementz, C.D. Ankney

A complex alloantigen system in Florida sandhill cranes, Grus canadensis pratensis: Evidence for the major histocompatibility (B) system A complex alloantigen system in Florida sandhill cranes, Grus canadensis pratensis: Evidence for the major histocompatibility (B) system

The B blood group system constitutes the major histocompatibility complex (Mhc) in birds. The Mhc is a cluster of genes largely devoted to the processing and presentation of antigen. The Mhc is highly polymorphic in many species and, thus, useful in the evaluation of genetic diversity for fitness traits within populations of a variety of animals. Correlations found between particular Mhc
Authors
S.I. Jarvi, G.F. Gee, M.M. Miller, W.E. Briles

Heavy metals in seaducks and mussels from Misty Fjords National Monument in southeast Alaska Heavy metals in seaducks and mussels from Misty Fjords National Monument in southeast Alaska

Quartz Hill, in Misty Fjords National Monument near Ketchikan, Alaska, is the site of a proposed molybdenum-producing mine. To provide baseline data for use in post-development comparisons, we analyzed tissues of Barrow's goldeneyes (Bucephala islandica), common mergansers (Mergus merganser), and blue mussels (Mytilus edulis) for seven heavy metals that could potentially be released into...
Authors
J. C. Franson, P.S. Koehl, D.V. Derksen, T.C. Rothe, C.M. Bunck, John F. Moore

The role of the white-eyed vireo in the dispersal of Bursera fruit on the Yucatan Peninsula The role of the white-eyed vireo in the dispersal of Bursera fruit on the Yucatan Peninsula

White-eyed vireos (Vireo griseus) winter in the forests and secondary growth of the Yucatan Peninsula where Bursera simaruba (Burseraceae) is an abundant tree. Twenty-five per cent of all white-eyed vireos observed foraging visited Bursera trees. In addition, presence and abundance of territorial white-eyed vireos in small forest patches were correlated with the size of the Bursera crop...
Authors
R. Greenberg, M.S. Foster, L. Marquez-Valdelamar

DNA fingerprint similarity between female and juvenile brown-headed cowbirds trapped together DNA fingerprint similarity between female and juvenile brown-headed cowbirds trapped together

This DNA fingerprinting study investigates whether females of the brood parasite brown-headed cowbird, Molothrus ater, associate with their own juvenile offspring at feeding sites more often than would be expected by chance. Cowbirds lay their eggs in the nests of a variety of host species and, as far as is known, leave them to the care of foster parents. Using baited walk-in funnel...
Authors
D.C. Hahn, R.C. Fleischer

Inter-relation of cytochrome P450 and contaminants burdens in sibling heron embryos and nestlings Inter-relation of cytochrome P450 and contaminants burdens in sibling heron embryos and nestlings

Hepatic cytochrome P450-associated monooxygenase activities were measured in 11-day-old nestling black-crowned night-herons (Nycticorax nycticorax) collected from a reference site (next to the Chincoteague National Wildlife Refuge, Virginia) and three polluted sites (Cat Island, Green Bay, Lake Michigan, Wisconsin; Bair Island, San Francisco Bay, California; West Marin Island, San...
Authors
B. Rattner, M. Melancon, T. Custer, R. Hothem

Mississippi sandhill cranes Mississippi sandhill cranes

Resident sandhill cranes formed a continuous population in Georgia and Florida and widely separated populations along the Gulf Coastal Plain of Texas, Louisiana, Mississippi, and Alabama (Figure). The Mississippi sandhill crane (Grus canadensis pulla) was one of the widely separated populations on the Coastal Plain that bred in pine savannas in southeastern Mississippi, just east of the...
Authors
George F. Gee, Scott G. Hereford

Gray wolves Gray wolves

No abstract available.
Authors
L.D. Mech, D.H. Pletscher, C.J. Martinka

Comments on the status of revived old names for some North American birds Comments on the status of revived old names for some North American birds

We discuss 44 instances of the use of generic, specific, or subspecific names that differ from those generally in use for North American (sensu AOU 1957) birds. These names are generally older than the names presently used and have been revived on the basis of priority. We examine the basis for the proposed changes and make recommendations as to which names should properly be used in an...
Authors
R.C. Banks, M.R. Browning

Managing North American waterfowl in the face of uncertainty Managing North American waterfowl in the face of uncertainty

Informed management of waterfowl (or any animal population) requires management goals and objectives, the ability to implement management actions, periodic information about population and goal-related varlables, and knowledge of effects of management actions on population and goal-related variables. In North America, international treaties mandate a primary objective of protecting...
Authors
James D. Nichols, Fred A. Johnson, Byron K. Williams
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