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Publications

Below is a list of WERC's peer-reviewed publications. If you are searching for a specific publication and cannot find it in this list, please contact werc_web@usgs.gov

Filter Total Items: 3780

Puncture-ejection of own egg by Least Bell's Vireo and potential implications for anti-parasitism defense Puncture-ejection of own egg by Least Bell's Vireo and potential implications for anti-parasitism defense

A simple, papillary cystic adenocarcinoma of the mammary gland with metastases to the internal iliac and mesenteric lymph nodes, liver, and spleen was observed in a 12 to 13 year old female black-footed ferret (Mustela nigripes). Histologically, the tumor was aggressive, and lymphatic invasion was found. Attempts at virus isolation were negative. Other findings were bilateral infarcts in...
Authors
Bryan L. Sharp, Bonnie L. Peterson, Barbara E. Kus

Evaluation of current population indices for band-tailed pigeons Evaluation of current population indices for band-tailed pigeons

There is no formal population survey specifically designed to index population abundance of band-tailed pigeons (Patagioenas fasciata) throughout their range. Data from the Breeding Bird Survey (BBS), Washington and Oregon Mineral-Site (WAORMS) surveys, and Washington Call Count (WACC) survey offer evidence of long-term population decline. We investigated the potential to augment BBS...
Authors
Michael L. Casazza, Julie L. Yee, Michael R. Miller, Dennis L. Orthmeyer, Daniel R. Yparraguirre, Robert L. Jarvis, Cory T. Overton

Plot shape effects on plant species diversity measurements Plot shape effects on plant species diversity measurements

Abstract. Question: Do rectangular sample plots record more plant species than square plots as suggested by both empirical and theoretical studies? Location: Grasslands, shrublands and forests in the Mediterranean-climate region of California, USA. Methods: We compared three 0.1-ha sampling designs that differed in the shape and dispersion of 1-m2 and 100-m2 nested subplots. We...
Authors
Jon E. Keeley, C. J. Fotheringham

Fire management impacts on invasive plant species in the western United States Fire management impacts on invasive plant species in the western United States

Fire management practices affect alien plant invasions in diverse ways. I considered the impact of six fire management practices on alien invasions: fire suppression, forest fuel reduction, prescription burning in crown-fire ecosystems, fuel breaks, targeting of noxious aliens, and postfire rehabilitation. Most western United States forests have had fire successfully excluded for...
Authors
Jon E. Keeley

The accuracy of matrix population model projections for coniferous trees in the Sierra Nevada, California The accuracy of matrix population model projections for coniferous trees in the Sierra Nevada, California

1 We assess the use of simple, size-based matrix population models for projecting population trends for six coniferous tree species in the Sierra Nevada, California. We used demographic data from 16 673 trees in 15 permanent plots to create 17 separate time-invariant, density-independent population projection models, and determined differences between trends projected from initial...
Authors
Phillip J. van Mantgem, Nathan L. Stephenson

Trematodes associated with mangrove habitat in Puerto Rican salt marshes Trematodes associated with mangrove habitat in Puerto Rican salt marshes

Batillaria minima is a common snail in the coastal estuaries of Puerto Rico. This snail is host to a variety of trematodes, the most common being Cercaria caribbea XXXI, a microphallid species that uses crabs as second intermediate hosts. The prevalence of infection was higher (7.1%) near mangroves than on mudflats away from mangroves (1.4%). Similarly, there was a significant positive...
Authors
Kevin D. Lafferty, R. F. Hechinger, J. Lorda, L. Soler

Trematodes in snails near raccoon latrines suggest a final host role for this mammal in California Salt Marshes Trematodes in snails near raccoon latrines suggest a final host role for this mammal in California Salt Marshes

Of the 18 trematode species that use the horn snail, Cerithidea californica, as a first intermediate host, 6 have the potential to use raccoons as a final host. The presence of raccoon latrines in Carpinteria Salt Marsh, California, allowed us to investigate associations between raccoons and trematodes in snails. Two trematode species, Probolocoryphe uca and Stictodora hancocki, occurred...
Authors
K. D. Lafferty, E. J. Dunham

Fire history of the San Francisco East Bay region and implications for landscape patterns Fire history of the San Francisco East Bay region and implications for landscape patterns

The San Francisco East Bay landscape is a rich mosaic of grasslands, shrublands and woodlands that is experiencing losses of grassland due to colonization by shrubs and succession towards woodland associations. The instability of these grasslands is apparently due to their disturbance-dependent nature coupled with 20th century changes in fire and grazing activity. This study uses fire...
Authors
Jon E. Keeley

Spring migration of northern pintails from California's Central Valley wintering area tracked by satellite telemetry: Routes, timing, and destinations Spring migration of northern pintails from California's Central Valley wintering area tracked by satellite telemetry: Routes, timing, and destinations

We used satellite transmitters to track the 2000–2003 spring migrations of adult female Northern Pintails (Anas acuta L., 1758) from California's Central Valley, USA. PTT-tagged Pintails departed during late February to mid-March, and 77%–87% stopped first in the region of south-central Oregon, extreme northwestern Nevada, and northeastern California (SONEC). Subsequently, most Pintails...
Authors
M. R. Miller, John Y. Takekawa, J. P. Fleskes, D.L. Orthmeyer, Michael L. Casazza, W.M. Perry
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