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Publications

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

Filter Total Items: 16922

A colored leg banding technique for Amazona parrots A colored leg banding technique for Amazona parrots

A technique for individual identification of Amazona was developed using plastic leg bands. Bands were made from 5- and 7-mm-wide strips of laminated PVC coiled 2.5 times with an inside diameter 4-5 mm gt the maximum diameter of the parrot's leg. Seventeen parrots were captured in Puerto Rico, marked with individual plastic leg bands, and observed for 204-658 d with only one lost or...
Authors
J.M. Meyers

Quantitative assessment of pair formation behavior in captive whooping cranes (Grus americana) Quantitative assessment of pair formation behavior in captive whooping cranes (Grus americana)

Instantaneous scan sampling for mean distance and synchronous action patterns and all-occurrence sampling for unison call, dance, strut, and hoover-up behaviors were conducted for five potential whooping crane pairs at Patuxent Environmental Science Center, Laurel, Maryland. Dance, strut, and hoover-up differed among pairs, as did total frequency of social behaviors. It was unclear...
Authors
J.T. Nelson, C.R. Small, D. H. Ellis

Toxicity and bioaccumulation of sediment-associated contaminants using freshwater invertebrates: A review of methods and applications Toxicity and bioaccumulation of sediment-associated contaminants using freshwater invertebrates: A review of methods and applications

This paper reviews recent developments in methods for evaluating the toxicity and bioaccumulation of contaminants associated with freshwater sediments and summarizes example case studies demonstrating the application of these methods. Over the past decade, research has emphasized development of more specific testing procedures for conducting 10-d toxicity tests with the amphipod Hyalella...
Authors
C.G. Ingersoll, G.T. Ankley, D.A. Benoit, E.L. Brunson, G.A. Burton, F.J. Dwyer, R.A. Hoke, P.F. Landrum, T. J. Norberg-King, P. V. Winger

Environmental auditing: Capabilities and management utility of recreation impact monitoring programs Environmental auditing: Capabilities and management utility of recreation impact monitoring programs

A recreation impact monitoring system was developed and applied in 1984?1986 and in 1991 to all backcountry river-accessed campsites within Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area, Pennsylvania and New Jersey. Results suggest that actions implemented by park managers in response to problems identified by the initial survey were highly effective in reducing resource degradation caused...
Authors
J. L. Marion

Assessing ground-based counts of nestling bald eagles in northeastern Minnesota Assessing ground-based counts of nestling bald eagles in northeastern Minnesota

We present evidence that the bald eagle (Haliaeetus leucocephalus) productivity survey in the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness of northeastern Minnesota may have underestimated the number of nestlings during 1986-1988. Recommendations are provided to achieve more accurate ground-based counts. By conducting ground-based observations for up to 1 hour/nest, an accurate count of the...
Authors
M.R. Fuller, Jeff S. Hatfield, E. L. Lindquist

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

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

The value and vulnerability of small estuarine islands for conserving metapopulations of breeding waterbirds The value and vulnerability of small estuarine islands for conserving metapopulations of breeding waterbirds

Compelling arguments for preserving large habitat ‘islands’ have been made for a number of animal groups, but most commonly for terrestrial birds. We argue that, for many species of waterbirds nesting in coastal estuaries, maintaining numerous small islands may be a more effective management strategy than maintaining larger islands or reserves. In this study, the number of great white...
Authors
R.M. Erwin, Jeff S. Hatfield, T.J. Wilmers
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