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Publications

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

Filter Total Items: 16759

'Tool' use by the red-tailed hawk (Buteo jamaicensis) 'Tool' use by the red-tailed hawk (Buteo jamaicensis)

Perhaps the best documented example of regular tool use for a falconiform is the Egyptian Vulture (Neophron percnopterus) striking an Ostrich (Struthio camelus) egg with a stone (J. van Lawick-Goodall and H. van Lawick-Goodall 1966, Nature 212:1468-1469; R.K. Brooke 1979, Ostrich 50:257-258). Another species, the Lammergeier (Gypaetus barbatus), routinely drops bones on stone slabs to...
Authors
David H. Ellis, Shawn Brunson

Site tenacity of the endangered palila Site tenacity of the endangered palila

Strong site tenacity might prevent Palila (Loxioides bailleui), an endangered Hawaiian honeycreeper, from repopulating favorable habitats in their former range. We used radio telemetry during the nonbreeding and breeding seasons to study movements and dispersal rates of 57 Palila. All Palila remained in the study area, and home range sizes and movement distances were small relative to...
Authors
S.G. Fancy, R.T. Sugihara, J.J. Jeffrey, J.D. Jacobi

Type specimens and basic principles of avian taxonomy Type specimens and basic principles of avian taxonomy

"Ornithology" may be defined as the scientific study of birds. No aspect of avian biology, including management and conservation, can be carried out without reference by name to birds at some taxonomic level. Thus, the names of species of birds, and of groups of species, can fairly be considered to be of primary importance in ornithology. To be useful, these names themselves must be...
Authors
Richard C. Banks, Steven M. Goodman, Scott M. Lanyon, Thomas S. Schulenberg

Down-regulation of muscarinic receptors and the m3 subtype in white-footed mice by dietary exposure to parathion Down-regulation of muscarinic receptors and the m3 subtype in white-footed mice by dietary exposure to parathion

The effect of ad libitum dietary exposure (as occurs in the field) to parathion for 14 d was investigated on the muscarinic acetylcholine receptor (mAChR) in brains and submaxillary glands of adults of a field species, the white-footed mouse Peromyscus leucopus. Immunoprecipitation using subtype selective antibodies revealed that the relative ratios of the m1-m5 mAChR subtypes in...
Authors
David A. Jett, E. F. Hill, J.C. Fernando, M.E. Eldefrawi, A.T. Eldefrawi

Campsite impact management: A survey of National Park Service backcountry managers Campsite impact management: A survey of National Park Service backcountry managers

Though a central purpose for the creation and management of parks, visitation inevitably affects the natural resources of parks. This is particularly true at campsites, where visitation and its effects are concentrated. This paper presents partial results from a survey of National Park Service managers regarding general strategies and specific actions implemented by park managers to...
Authors
J. L. Marion, C.J. Stubbs

Estimating survival of radio-tagged birds Estimating survival of radio-tagged birds

Parametric and nonparametric methods for estimating survival of radio-tagged birds are described. The general assumptions of these methods are reviewed. An estimate based on the assumption of constant survival throughout the period is emphasized in the overview of parametric methods. Two nonparametric methods, the Kaplan-Meier estimate of the survival funcrion and the log rank test, are...
Authors
C.M. Bunck, K. H. Pollock

Population trends of quails in North America Population trends of quails in North America

We used North American Breeding Bird Survey data (1966-91) to estimate distribution, relative abundance, and populatiori trends of quails. Population trends in grassland/shrub birds sympatric with northern bobwhite (Colinus virginianus) were also examined. Northern bobwhite and scaled quail (Callipepla squamata) populations have declined since 1966. Rates of decline for these quails have
Authors
K.E. Church, J.R. Sauer, Sam Droege

A receptor binding assay applied to monitoring the neurotoxicity of parathion to Peromyscus after oral exposure A receptor binding assay applied to monitoring the neurotoxicity of parathion to Peromyscus after oral exposure

Many naturally occurring toxins, as well as pesticides, metals, and other compounds that occur in our environment from anthropogenic activities, stimulate or antagonize neuro-receptors to produce acute and/or chronic toxicities. Recent advances in laboratory instrumentation and the availability of a variety of radiolabeled ligands and type-specific drugs for numerous receptors make it...
Authors
David A. Jett, A.T. Eldefrawi, M.E. Eldefrawi

Benthic Acoustic Stress Sensor (BASS): Electronics Check-Out Procedures Benthic Acoustic Stress Sensor (BASS): Electronics Check-Out Procedures

Summary The procedures described here are presented so that a technician with limited experience with BASS can perform basic tests which, when executed properly, should be a thorough evaluation of the health of the system. This is not intended as an in depth explanation of how BASS works. Should any significant problems be found, it is suggested that you contact the manufacturer...
Authors
Marinna A. Martini, Albert Williams
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