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Publications

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

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Impacts of trapping and banding activities on productivity of Roseate Terns (Sterna Dougallii) Impacts of trapping and banding activities on productivity of Roseate Terns (Sterna Dougallii)

Although Roseate Terns (Sterna dougallii) habituate to many research activities, trapping and handling breeding adults, or repeatedly handling chicks, may affect reproductive success or chick growth. Protocols for trapping adult Roseate Terns that reduce the chances of nest desertion, neglect of chicks, and injury to adults were developed in the early 1980s, but neither short-term nor...
Authors
James M. Zingo

Low-flow statistics of selected streams in Chester County, Pennsylvania Low-flow statistics of selected streams in Chester County, Pennsylvania

Low-flow statistics for many streams in Chester County, Pa., were determined on the basis of data from 14 continuous-record streamflow stations in Chester County and data from 1 station in Maryland and 1 station in Delaware. The stations in Maryland and Delaware are on streams that drain large areas within Chester County. Streamflow data through the 1994 water year were used in the...
Authors
Curtis L. Schreffler

The Chesapeake Bay bolide: Modern consequences of an ancient cataclysm The Chesapeake Bay bolide: Modern consequences of an ancient cataclysm

During the late Eocene, the formerly quiescent geological regime of the Virginia Coastal Plain was dramatically transformed when a bolide struck in the vicinity of the Delmarva Peninsula, and produced the following principal consequences:The bolide carved a roughly circular crater twice the size of the state of Rhode Island (~6400 km2), and nearly as deep as the Grand Canyon (1.3 km deep...
Authors
C. Wylie Poag

Size-sex variation in survival rates and abundance of pig frogs, Rana grylio, in northern Florida wetlands Size-sex variation in survival rates and abundance of pig frogs, Rana grylio, in northern Florida wetlands

During 1991-1993, we conducted capture-recapture studies on pig frogs, Rana grylio, in seven study locations in northcentral Florida. Resulting data were used to test hypotheses about variation in survival probability over different size-sex classes of pig frogs. We developed multistate capture-recapture models for the resulting data and used them to estimate survival rates and frog...
Authors
K.V. Wood, J.D. Nichols, H.F. Percival, J.E. Hines

Lack of developmental and reproductive toxicity of 2,3,3',4,4'-pentachlorobiphenyl (PCB-105) in ring-necked pheasants Lack of developmental and reproductive toxicity of 2,3,3',4,4'-pentachlorobiphenyl (PCB-105) in ring-necked pheasants

Mono-ortho PCBs are global contaminants of wildlife with the potential to produce toxicity by an aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR)–mediated mechanism. To determine the potency of 2,3,3′,4,4′-pentachlorobiphenyl (PCB 105) for producing reproductive and developmental toxicity, adult ring-necked pheasant hens (Phasianus colchicus) were orally dosed with 0, 0.06, 0.6, or 6 mg PCB 105/kg hen...
Authors
M. W. Hornung, L. Miller, B. Goodman, M. J. Melancon, R. E. Peterson

Assemblage organization in stream fishes: Effects of environmental variation and interspecific interactions Assemblage organization in stream fishes: Effects of environmental variation and interspecific interactions

We assessed the relative importance of environmental variation, interspecific competition for space, and predator abundance on assemblage structure and microhabitat use in a stream fish assemblage inhabiting Coweeta Creek, North Carolina, USA. Our study encompassed a 10–yr time span (1983–1992) and included some of the highest and lowest flows in the last 58 years. We collected 16...
Authors
Gary D. Grossman, R. E. Ratajczak, M. M. Crawford, Mary C. Freeman

Effect of restrictive harvest regulations on survival and recovery rates of American black ducks Effect of restrictive harvest regulations on survival and recovery rates of American black ducks

Population management of waterfowl requires an understanding of the effects of changes in hunting regulations on harvest and survival rates. Mean survival and recovery rates of American black ducks (Anas rubripes) were estimated during 3 periods of increasingly restrictive harvest regulations: 1950-66, 1967-82, and 1983-93. From the first to the second period, direct recovery rates...
Authors
C.M. Francis, J.R. Sauer, J.R. Serie

Mercury in alligators (Alligator mississippiensis) in the southeastern United States Mercury in alligators (Alligator mississippiensis) in the southeastern United States

Mercury methylation may be enhanced in wetlands and humic-rich, blackwater systems that crocodiles and alligators typically inhabit. Given their high trophic level and long life-spans, crocodilians could accumulate significant burdens of Hg. Our objectives were to survey Hg concentrations in alligators from several areas in the southeastern United States to test their utility as...
Authors
C. H. Jagoe, B. Arnold-Hill, G. M. Yanochko, P. V. Winger, I. L. Brisbin

Cranial and dental abnormalities of the endangered red wolf Canis rufus Cranial and dental abnormalities of the endangered red wolf Canis rufus

Three skulls of captive-raised female endangered red wolves (Canis rufus) exhibited severe malocclusion of the jaws. Cranial and dental abnormalities (including crowding of upper toothrows, and an extra tooth behind the lower left M3 in one of the three mandibles) were also evident. Ratios of alveolar length of maxillary toothrow to maximum width across the outer sides of crowns of P4...
Authors
Nicholas E. Federoff, Ronald M. Nowak

Use of a helicopter to capture flighted cranes Use of a helicopter to capture flighted cranes

Using a helicopter, we pursued 12 sandhill cranes (Grus canadensis) and captured 6. In forested habitat, cranes could be forced down, but we were unable to deploy the pursuit team, so cranes could not be captured. In open habitat, every crane we pursued was captured. Target cranes were forced to the ground in 0.3-14 minutes. Adjusting pursuit distance (50-150 m) was essential in...
Authors
D. H. Ellis, D. Hjertaas, B.W. Johns, R.P. Urbanek
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