Target Organisms: Species of Concern

Total Page:16

File Type:pdf, Size:1020Kb

Target Organisms: Species of Concern Center for Coastal Studies CCBNEP Living Resources Report Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi Results -Target Organisms: Species of Concern C. Target Organisms 1. SPECIES OF CONCERN Table Of Contents Page 1.0 Introduction ........................................................................................................ 407 1.1 Whooping Crane ................................................................................................ 410 1.1.1 Introduction ........................................................................................ 410 1.1.2 Status and Trends ................................................................................ 410 1.1.3 Conservation and Management ........................................................... 411 1.1.4 Probable Causes and Future Threats ................................................... 418 1.1.4.1 Grazing ................................................................................. 418 1.1.4.2 Disturbance .......................................................................... 418 1.1.4.3 Mortality ............................................................................... 419 1.1.5 Literature Cited ................................................................................... 420 1.2 Piping Plover ...................................................................................................... 423 1.2.1 Introduction ........................................................................................ 423 1.2.2 Status and Trends ................................................................................ 423 1.2.3 Conservation and Management ........................................................... 423 1.2.4 Current Research ................................................................................. 425 1.2.5 Literature Cited ................................................................................... 425 1.3 Brown Pelican .................................................................................................... 428 1.3.1 Introduction ........................................................................................ 428 1.3.2 Status and Trends ............................................................................... 428 1.3.3 Current Research ................................................................................. 430 1.3.4 Literature Cited ................................................................................... 430 1.4 Interior Least Tern ............................................................................................. 432 1.4.1 Introduction ........................................................................................ 432 1.4.2 Status and Trends ............................................................................... 432 1.4.3 Literature Cited ................................................................................... 433 1.5 Eskimo Curlew ................................................................................................... 435 1.5.1 Introduction ........................................................................................ 435 1.5.2 Status and Trends .............................................................................. 435 1.5.3 Literature Cited ................................................................................... 436 1.6 Kemp’s Ridley Sea Turtle ................................................................................. 437 1.6.1 Introduction ....................................................................................... 437 1.6.2 Status and Trends .............................................................................. 439 1.6.3 Probable Causes ................................................................................. 439 1.6.4 Future Threats .................................................................................... 442 1.6.5 Conservation and Management .......................................................... 444 1.6.6 Literature Cited ................................................................................... 445 1.7 Loggerhead Sea Turtle ....................................................................................... 446 1.7.1 Introduction ......................................................................................... 449 1.7.2 Status and Trends ................................................................................ 449 405 Center for Coastal Studies CCBNEP Living Resources Report Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi Results -Target Organisms: Species of Concern Page 1.7.3 Probable Causes & Future Threats ...................................................... 449 1.7.4 Conservation and Management ........................................................... 450 1.7.5 Literature Cited ................................................................................... 451 1.8 Green Sea Turtle ................................................................................................ 452 1.8.1 Introduction ........................................................................................ 452 1.8.2 Status and Trends ............................................................................... 452 1.8.3 Probable Causes & Future Threats ..................................................... 452 1.8.4 Conservation and Management ........................................................... 453 1.8.5 Literature Cited ................................................................................... 454 1.9 Leatherback Sea Turtle ....................................................................................... 456 1.9.1 Introduction ......................................................................................... 456 1.9.2 Status and Trends ................................................................................ 456 1.9.3 Probable Causes .................................................................................. 457 1.9.4 Future Threats ..................................................................................... 457 1.9.5 Conservation and Management ........................................................... 458 1.9.6 Literature Cited ................................................................................... 458 1.10 Hawksbill Sea Turtle ....................................................................................... 460 1.10.1 Introduction ...................................................................................... 460 1.10.2 Status and Trends ............................................................................. 460 1.10.3 Probable Causes and Future Threats ................................................ 460 1.10.4 Conservation and Management ........................................................ 461 1.10.5 Literature Cited ................................................................................ 461 1.11 Marine Mammals ............................................................................................ 463 1.11.1 Introduction ...................................................................................... 463 1.11.2 Status and Trends ............................................................................. 463 1.11.2.1 Texas Coast Stranding Data .............................................. 464 1.11.2.2 Stranding Data by Regions Above, Within, and Below CCBNEP Study Area ....................................................................... 464 1.11.2.3 Stranding Data within CCBNEP Study Area ................... 464 1.11.3 Probable Causes ............................................................................... 466 1.11.4 Future Threats ................................................................................. 471 1.11.5 Conservation and Management ....................................................... 471 1.11.6 Literature Cited ............................................................................... 471 1.12 Brown Mussel ............................................................................................... 474 1.12.1 Introduction .................................................................................... 474 1.12.2 Status and Trends ........................................................................... 476 1.10.3 Management ................................................................................... 477 1.10.4 Literature Cited .............................................................................. 478 1.13 Opossum Pipefish ......................................................................................... 481 1.13.1 Status and Trends ........................................................................... 481 1.13.2 Literature Cited ............................................................................... 481 1.14 Opossum Pipefish .......................................................................................... 482 1.14.1 Status and Trends ........................................................................... 482 1.14.2 Literature Cited .............................................................................. 482 406 Center for Coastal Studies CCBNEP Living Resources Report Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi Results -Target Organisms: Species of Concern 1. SPECIES OF CONCERN 1.0 Introduction Of the thirteen counties which make up the CCBNEP study area, only seven counties interface with the estuarine and marine system.
Recommended publications
  • Records of Three New Freshwater Fishes from the Fiji Islands!
    Pacific Science (1981), vol. 35, no. 1 © 1981 by The University Press of Hawaii. All rights reserved Records of Three New Freshwater Fishes from the Fiji Islands! P. A. RYAN2 ABSTRACT: Three freshwater fish species new to the Fiji Islands are re­ corded. These species are Coelonotus argulus Peters (Syngna thidae), Doryichthys retzi (Bleeker) (Syngnathidae), and Butis butis (H amilton­ Buchanan)(Eleotrida e). THE FIJI ISLANDS have been visited on a anaesthet ic and the appearan ce of anaes the­ number of occasion s by overseas collecting tized specimens was totally unexpected. Eight expeditions. In the main, these exp editions specimens were collected during one visit in have concerned themselves with the botany May 1979 and preserved in 70 percent of the islands or concentrated on the myriad alcohol. marine forms to be found on the reef. Few Both species of pipefish were collected of these visitors gave the brack ish and fresh from th e Wainibau Creek, a sma ll stream on waters of Fiji mo re than-a-cursory exami­ the east coast of Taveuni, about I km south . ---- nation. It is not surprising, therefore, that of Lavena village on II September 1979. literature on species from these environ­ While it was expected that pipefish would be ments is often scattered. Whitley (1927) pub­ found in this area, none were seen until lished a checklist of Fiji fish and included a stream vegetation was beaten with a net. number of fluviatile forms in it. Herre (1935) Nine specimens of Doryichthys retzi and one increase d the list with species collected of Coelonotus argulus were taken here and during the Crane Pacific Expedition, and pre served in alcohol.
    [Show full text]
  • Early Stages of Fishes in the Western North Atlantic Ocean Volume
    ISBN 0-9689167-4-x Early Stages of Fishes in the Western North Atlantic Ocean (Davis Strait, Southern Greenland and Flemish Cap to Cape Hatteras) Volume One Acipenseriformes through Syngnathiformes Michael P. Fahay ii Early Stages of Fishes in the Western North Atlantic Ocean iii Dedication This monograph is dedicated to those highly skilled larval fish illustrators whose talents and efforts have greatly facilitated the study of fish ontogeny. The works of many of those fine illustrators grace these pages. iv Early Stages of Fishes in the Western North Atlantic Ocean v Preface The contents of this monograph are a revision and update of an earlier atlas describing the eggs and larvae of western Atlantic marine fishes occurring between the Scotian Shelf and Cape Hatteras, North Carolina (Fahay, 1983). The three-fold increase in the total num- ber of species covered in the current compilation is the result of both a larger study area and a recent increase in published ontogenetic studies of fishes by many authors and students of the morphology of early stages of marine fishes. It is a tribute to the efforts of those authors that the ontogeny of greater than 70% of species known from the western North Atlantic Ocean is now well described. Michael Fahay 241 Sabino Road West Bath, Maine 04530 U.S.A. vi Acknowledgements I greatly appreciate the help provided by a number of very knowledgeable friends and colleagues dur- ing the preparation of this monograph. Jon Hare undertook a painstakingly critical review of the entire monograph, corrected omissions, inconsistencies, and errors of fact, and made suggestions which markedly improved its organization and presentation.
    [Show full text]
  • Effects of Marine Harmful Algal Blooms on Bivalve Cellular Immunity and Infectious Diseases: a Review
    Effects of marine Harmful Algal Blooms on bivalve cellular immunity and infectious diseases: a review Malwenn Lassudrie, Helene Hegaret, Gary Wikfors, Patricia Mirella da Silva To cite this version: Malwenn Lassudrie, Helene Hegaret, Gary Wikfors, Patricia Mirella da Silva. Effects of marine Harm- ful Algal Blooms on bivalve cellular immunity and infectious diseases: a review. Developmental and Comparative Immunology, Elsevier, 2020, 108, pp.103660. 10.1016/j.dci.2020.103660. hal-02880026 HAL Id: hal-02880026 https://hal.archives-ouvertes.fr/hal-02880026 Submitted on 24 Jun 2020 HAL is a multi-disciplinary open access L’archive ouverte pluridisciplinaire HAL, est archive for the deposit and dissemination of sci- destinée au dépôt et à la diffusion de documents entific research documents, whether they are pub- scientifiques de niveau recherche, publiés ou non, lished or not. The documents may come from émanant des établissements d’enseignement et de teaching and research institutions in France or recherche français ou étrangers, des laboratoires abroad, or from public or private research centers. publics ou privés. Effects of marine Harmful Algal Blooms on bivalve cellular immunity and infectious diseases: a review Malwenn Lassudrie1, Hélène Hégaret2, Gary H. Wikfors3, Patricia Mirella da Silva4 1 Ifremer, LER-BO, F- 29900 Concarneau, France. 2 CNRS, Univ Brest, IRD, Ifremer, LEMAR, F-29280, Plouzané, France. 3 NOAA Fisheries Service, Northeast Fisheries Science Center, Milford, CT 0640 USA. 4 Laboratory of Immunology and Pathology of Invertebrates, Department of Molecular Biology, Federal University of Paraíba (UFPB), Paraíba, Brazil. Abstract Bivalves were long thought to be “symptomless carriers” of marine microalgal toxins to human seafood consumers.
    [Show full text]
  • Spatial and Temporal Variations in Community Structure of the Demersal Macrofauna of a Subtropical Estuary (Louisiana)
    Louisiana State University LSU Digital Commons LSU Historical Dissertations and Theses Graduate School 1982 Spatial and Temporal Variations in Community Structure of the Demersal Macrofauna of a Subtropical Estuary (Louisiana). Thomas C. Shirley Louisiana State University and Agricultural & Mechanical College Follow this and additional works at: https://digitalcommons.lsu.edu/gradschool_disstheses Recommended Citation Shirley, Thomas C., "Spatial and Temporal Variations in Community Structure of the Demersal Macrofauna of a Subtropical Estuary (Louisiana)." (1982). LSU Historical Dissertations and Theses. 3821. https://digitalcommons.lsu.edu/gradschool_disstheses/3821 This Dissertation is brought to you for free and open access by the Graduate School at LSU Digital Commons. It has been accepted for inclusion in LSU Historical Dissertations and Theses by an authorized administrator of LSU Digital Commons. For more information, please contact [email protected]. INFORMATION TO USERS This reproduction was made from a copy of a document sent to us for microfilming. While the most advanced technology has been used to photograph and reproduce this document, the quality of the reproduction is heavily dependent upon the quality of the material submitted. The following explanation of techniques is provided to help clarify markings or notations which may appear on this reproduction. 1.The sign or “target” for pages apparently lacking from the document photographed is “Missing Page(s)”. If it was possible to obtain the missing page(s) or section, they are spliced into the film along with adjacent pages. This may have necessitated cutting through an image and duplicating adjacent pages to assure complete continuity. 2. When an image on the film is obliterated with a round black mark, it is an indication of either blurred copy because of movement during exposure, duplicate copy, or copyrighted materials that should not have been filmed.
    [Show full text]
  • Environmental Sensitivity Index Guidelines Version 2.0
    NOAA Technical Memorandum NOS ORCA 115 Environmental Sensitivity Index Guidelines Version 2.0 October 1997 Seattle, Washington noaa NATIONAL OCEANIC AND ATMOSPHERIC ADMINISTRATION National Ocean Service Office of Ocean Resources Conservation and Assessment National Ocean Service National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration U.S. Department of Commerce The Office of Ocean Resources Conservation and Assessment (ORCA) provides decisionmakers comprehensive, scientific information on characteristics of the oceans, coastal areas, and estuaries of the United States of America. The information ranges from strategic, national assessments of coastal and estuarine environmental quality to real-time information for navigation or hazardous materials spill response. Through its National Status and Trends (NS&T) Program, ORCA uses uniform techniques to monitor toxic chemical contamination of bottom-feeding fish, mussels and oysters, and sediments at about 300 locations throughout the United States. A related NS&T Program of directed research examines the relationships between contaminant exposure and indicators of biological responses in fish and shellfish. Through the Hazardous Materials Response and Assessment Division (HAZMAT) Scientific Support Coordination program, ORCA provides critical scientific support for planning and responding to spills of oil or hazardous materials into coastal environments. Technical guidance includes spill trajectory predictions, chemical hazard analyses, and assessments of the sensitivity of marine and estuarine environments to spills. To fulfill the responsibilities of the Secretary of Commerce as a trustee for living marine resources, HAZMAT’s Coastal Resource Coordination program provides technical support to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency during all phases of the remedial process to protect the environment and restore natural resources at hundreds of waste sites each year.
    [Show full text]
  • Reproductive Biology of the Opossum Pipefish, Microphis Brachyurus Lineatus, in Tecolutla Estuary, Veracruz, Mexico
    Gulf and Caribbean Research Volume 16 Issue 1 January 2004 Reproductive Biology of the Opossum Pipefish, Microphis brachyurus lineatus, in Tecolutla Estuary, Veracruz, Mexico Martha Edith Miranda-Marure Universidad Nacional Autonoma de Mexico Jose Antonio Martinez-Perez Universidad Nacional Autonoma de Mexico Nancy J. Brown-Peterson University of Southern Mississippi, [email protected] Follow this and additional works at: https://aquila.usm.edu/gcr Part of the Marine Biology Commons Recommended Citation Miranda-Marure, M. E., J. A. Martinez-Perez and N. J. Brown-Peterson. 2004. Reproductive Biology of the Opossum Pipefish, Microphis brachyurus lineatus, in Tecolutla Estuary, Veracruz, Mexico. Gulf and Caribbean Research 16 (1): 101-108. Retrieved from https://aquila.usm.edu/gcr/vol16/iss1/17 DOI: https://doi.org/10.18785/gcr.1601.17 This Article is brought to you for free and open access by The Aquila Digital Community. It has been accepted for inclusion in Gulf and Caribbean Research by an authorized editor of The Aquila Digital Community. For more information, please contact [email protected]. Gulf and Caribbean Research Vol 16, 101–108, 2004 Manuscript received September 25, 2003; accepted December 12, 2003 REPRODUCTIVE BIOLOGY OF THE OPOSSUM PIPEFISH, MICROPHIS BRACHYURUS LINEATUS, IN TECOLUTLA ESTUARY, VERACRUZ, MEXICO Martha Edith Miranda-Marure, José Antonio Martínez-Pérez, and Nancy J. Brown-Peterson1 Laboratorio de Zoología, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Facultad de Estudios Superiores Iztacala. Av., de los Barrios No.1, Los Reyes Iztacala, Tlalnepantla, Estado de México, C.P. 05490 Mexico 1Department of Coastal Sciences, The University of Southern Mississippi, 703 East Beach Drive, Ocean Springs, MS 39564 USA ABSTRACT The reproductive biology of the opossum pipefish, Microphis brachyurus lineatus, was investigated in Tecolutla estuary, Veracruz, Mexico, to determine sex ratio, size at maturity, gonadal and brood pouch histology, reproductive seasonality, and fecundity of this little-known syngnathid.
    [Show full text]
  • Order GASTEROSTEIFORMES PEGASIDAE Eurypegasus Draconis
    click for previous page 2262 Bony Fishes Order GASTEROSTEIFORMES PEGASIDAE Seamoths (seadragons) by T.W. Pietsch and W.A. Palsson iagnostic characters: Small fishes (to 18 cm total length); body depressed, completely encased in Dfused dermal plates; tail encircled by 8 to 14 laterally articulating, or fused, bony rings. Nasal bones elongate, fused, forming a rostrum; mouth inferior. Gill opening restricted to a small hole on dorsolat- eral surface behind head. Spinous dorsal fin absent; soft dorsal and anal fins each with 5 rays, placed posteriorly on body. Caudal fin with 8 unbranched rays. Pectoral fins large, wing-like, inserted horizon- tally, composed of 9 to 19 unbranched, soft or spinous-soft rays; pectoral-fin rays interconnected by broad, transparent membranes. Pelvic fins thoracic, tentacle-like,withI spine and 2 or 3 unbranched soft rays. Colour: in life highly variable, apparently capable of rapid colour change to match substrata; head and body light to dark brown, olive-brown, reddish brown, or almost black, with dorsal and lateral surfaces usually darker than ventral surface; dorsal and lateral body surface often with fine, dark brown reticulations or mottled lines, sometimes with irregular white or yellow blotches; tail rings often encircled with dark brown bands; pectoral fins with broad white outer margin and small brown spots forming irregular, longitudinal bands; unpaired fins with small brown spots in irregular rows. dorsal view lateral view Habitat, biology, and fisheries: Benthic, found on sand, gravel, shell-rubble, or muddy bottoms. Collected incidentally by seine, trawl, dredge, or shrimp nets; postlarvae have been taken at surface lights at night.
    [Show full text]
  • Perna Indica (Kuriakose & Nair, 1976)
    Perna indica (Kuriakose & Nair, 1976)* Biji Xavier IDENTIFICATION Order : Mytilida Family : Mytilidae Common/FAO Name (English) : Brown mussel (Linnaeus, 1758) as per Wood et al., 2007. Local namesnames: Kallumakkai, Kadukka (MalayalamMalayalam) Perna perna MORPHOLOGICAL DESCRIPTION Brown mussels as the name suggests have brown coloured shells. They have elongate, equivalved and equilateral shells with pointed and straight anterior end. Dorsal ligamental margin and ventral shell margin are straight. The two valves of the shell are hinged at the anterior end with terminal umbo. Interior of shell is lustrous with muscle scar deeply impressed. It has a finger shaped, thick and extensible foot. Byssus threads emanate from the byssus stem and the threads are long, thick and strong with a well developed attachment disc at their distal end. It can change its position by discarding old byssus threads and secreting new ones. Source of image : Molluscan Fisheries Division, CMFRI, Kochi * 189 PROFILE GEOGRAPHICAL DISTRIBUTION The mussel beds are spread both in west coast (Quilon to Cape Comorin) and east coast (Cape Comorin to Thiruchendur). Important centres are Cape Comorin, Colachal, Muttom, Poovar, Vizhinjam, Kovalam, Varkalai and Quilon. HABITAT AND BIOLOGY The species forms dense populations along the rocky coasts from the intertidal region to depths of 10 m. Large sized individuals are found at 0.5 to 2 m depth. Maximum recorded length is 121 mm. Sexes are separate and fertilization is external. Natural spawning starts in May and lasts till September with peak during July to August. Prioritized species for Mariculture in India 190 PRODUCTION SYSTEMS BREEDING IN CAPTIVE CONDITIONS The breeding and larval rearing of Perna indica was successfully carried out on an experimental basis at Vizhinjam R.
    [Show full text]
  • ISSN 2330-6025 SWCHR BULLETIN Published Quarterly by the SOUTHWESTERN CENTER for HERPETOLOGICAL RESEARCH (SWCHR) P.O
    ISSN 2330-6025 SWCHR BULLETIN Published Quarterly by THE SOUTHWESTERN CENTER FOR HERPETOLOGICAL RESEARCH (SWCHR) P.O. Box 624 Seguin TX 78156 www.southwesternherp.com ISSN 2330-6025 OFFICERS 2010-2012 COMMITTEE CHAIRS PRESIDENT COMMITTEE ON COMMON AND Tom Lott SCIENTIFIC NAMES Tom Lott VICE PRESIDENT Todd Hughes RANGE MAP COMMITTEE Tom Lott SECRETARY AWARDS AND GRANTS COMMITTEE Diego Ortiz (vacant) EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR COMMUNICATIONS COMMITTEE Gerald Keown Gerald Keown BOARD MEMBERS ACTIVITIES AND EVENTS COMMITTEE Toby Brock Diego Ortiz Riley Campbell NOMINATIONS COMMITTEE Hans Koenig Gerald Keown EDITORIAL STAFF EDUCATION COMMITTEE (vacant) EDITOR Chris McMartin MEMBERSHIP COMMITTEE Toby Brock TECHNICAL EDITOR Linda Butler CONSERVATION COMMITTEE (vacant) ABOUT SWCHR Originally founded by Gerald Keown in 2007, SWCHR is a Texas non-profit association created under the provisions of the Texas Uniform Unincorporated Non-Profit Association Act, Chapter 252 of the Texas Business Organizations Code, governed by a board of directors and dedicated to promoting education of the Association’s members and the general public relating to the natural history, biology, taxonomy, conservation and preservation needs, field studies, and captive propagation of the herpetofauna indigenous to the American Southwest. SWCHR BULLETIN 1 Fall 2011 TABLE OF CONTENTS A Message from the President, Tom Lott . 2 Upcoming Event: Sanderson Snake Days . 3 Summary of July 17, 2011 Board Meeting, Gerald Keown . 4 TPWD Reptile & Amphibian Stamp FAQ, Scott Vaca . .6 Amended Texas Parks and Wildlife Code Pertaining to Reptiles and Amphibians, with Commentary by Dr. Andy Gluesenkamp. 8 An Annotated Checklist of the Snakes of Atascosa County, Texas, Tom Lott . 10 2011 Third Quarter Photographs of the Month .
    [Show full text]
  • Of the FLORIDA STATE MUSEUM Biological Sciences
    2% - p.*' + 0.:%: 4.' 1%* B -944 3 =5. M.: - . * 18 . .,:i -/- JL J-1.4:7 - of the FLORIDA STATE MUSEUM Biological Sciences Volume 24 1979 Number 1 THE ORIGIN AND SEASONALITY OF THE FISH FAUNA ON A NEW JETTY IN THE NORTHEASTERN GULF OF MEXICO ROBERT W. HASTINGS *S 0 4 - ' In/ g. .f, i»-ly -.Id UNIVERSITY OF FLORIDA - GAINESVILLE Numbers of the Bulletin of the Florida State Museum, Biological Sciences, are pub- lished at irregular intervals. Volumes contain about 300 pages and are not necessarily completed in any one calendar year. John William Hardy, Editor Rhoda J. Rybak, Managing Editor Consultants for this issue: Robert L. Shipp Donald P. deSylva Communications concerning purchase or exchange of the publications and all manuscripts should be addressed to: Managing Editor, Bulletin; Florida State Museum; University of Florida; Gainesville, Florida 32611. Copyright © 1979 by the Florida State Museum of the University of Florida. This public document was promulgated at an annual cost of $3,589.40, or $3.589 per copy. It makes available to libraries, scholars, and all interested persons the results of researches in the natural sciences, emphasizing the circum-Caribbean region. Publication date: November 12, 1979 Price, $3.60 THE ORIGIN AND SEASONALITY OF THE FISH FAUNA ON A NEW JETTY IN THE NORTHEASTERN GULF OF MEXICO ROBERT W. HASTINGS1 SYNOPSIS: The establishment of the fish fauna on a new jetty at East Pass at the mouth of Choctawhatchee Bay, Okaloosa County, Florida, was studied from June, 1968, to January, 1971. Important components of the jetty fauna during its initial stages of development were: (a) original residents that exhibit some attraction to reef habitats, including some sand-beach inhabitants, several pelagic species, and a few ubiquitous estuarine species; and (b) reef fishes originating from permanent populations on offshore reefs.
    [Show full text]
  • The Venomous Snakes of Texas Health Service Region 6/5S
    The Venomous Snakes of Texas Health Service Region 6/5S: A Reference to Snake Identification, Field Safety, Basic Safe Capture and Handling Methods and First Aid Measures for Reptile Envenomation Edward J. Wozniak DVM, PhD, William M. Niederhofer ACO & John Wisser MS. Texas A&M University Health Science Center, Institute for Biosciences and Technology, Program for Animal Resources, 2121 W Holcombe Blvd, Houston, TX 77030 (Wozniak) City Of Pearland Animal Control, 2002 Old Alvin Rd. Pearland, Texas 77581 (Niederhofer) 464 County Road 949 E Alvin, Texas 77511 (Wisser) Corresponding Author: Edward J. Wozniak DVM, PhD, Texas A&M University Health Science Center, Institute for Biosciences and Technology, Program for Animal Resources, 2121 W Holcombe Blvd, Houston, TX 77030 [email protected] ABSTRACT: Each year numerous emergency response personnel including animal control officers, police officers, wildlife rehabilitators, public health officers and others either respond to calls involving venomous snakes or are forced to venture into the haunts of these animals in the scope of their regular duties. North America is home to two distinct families of native venomous snakes: Viperidae (rattlesnakes, copperheads and cottonmouths) and Elapidae (coral snakes) and southeastern Texas has indigenous species representing both groups. While some of these snakes are easily identified, some are not and many rank amongst the most feared and misunderstood animals on earth. This article specifically addresses all of the native species of venomous snakes that inhabit Health Service Region 6/5s and is intended to serve as a reference to snake identification, field safety, basic safe capture and handling methods and the currently recommended first aide measures for reptile envenomation.
    [Show full text]
  • November 2016 Fish and Shellfish Program Newsletter
    Fish and Shellfish Program NEWSLETTER November 2016 This edition of the Fish and Shellfish Program Newsletter generally focuses on shellfish. EPA 823-N-16-006 Recent Advisory News In This Issue Domoic Acid in Razor Clams in Washington Recent Advisory News .............. 1 A new study shows razor clams containing low levels of domoic acid may Interstate Shellfish Sanitation Conference News .................... 3 cause memory problems for those who eat large amounts year-round. The Washington Department of Health recommends you eat no more than 15 razor clams each month for Other News ............................. 4 12 consecutive months. This interim advisory applies to everyone, especially women who Recently Awarded Research ..... 6 are or might become pregnant, nursing mothers, children, the elderly, and people with compromised renal function. Recent Publications ................ 9 Upcoming Meetings This interim advisory is based on research from the CoASTAL study (“Community and Conferences ................... 10 Advancing the Study of Tribal Nations Across the Lifespan”). The study was completed by the Universities of Maryland, Hawaii, and Florida; the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA); and three tribes in Washington State (Quileute, Makah, and Quinault Nations). The study’s goal was to determine whether exposure to low levels of domoic acid over long periods of time could affect people’s health. This is the first study to evaluate long-term exposure to low levels of domoic acid from eating razor clams. After consulting with tribal leaders, tribal advisory committee members, and medical advisors, the researchers recommended tribal members from the Quileute, Makah, and Quinault Nations eat no more than 15 razor clams each month for 12 consecutive months.
    [Show full text]