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Progress Report for the San Joaquin Valley Giant Garter Snake
PROGRESS REPORT: 2003 SAN JOAQUIN VALLEY GIANT GARTER SNAKE CONSERVATION PROJECT Prepared by: Todd Williams, Wildlife Biologist Veronica Wunderlich, Biological Science Technician U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service San Luis National Wildlife Refuge Complex Box 2176 Los Banos, CA 93635 INTRODUCTION & BACKGROUND: The giant garter snake, Thamnophis gigas (Rossman & Stewart 1987), was designated as a federally threatened species throughout its range in October 1993 and (USFWS 1993). Giant garter snakes are endemic to the Central Valley of California, and historically occurred throughout the San Joaquin and Sacramento Valleys (Hansen and Brode 1980). They are thought to have occurred as far north as Butte County and south to Kern County, within the boundaries of the foothills of the Coastal and Sierra Nevada ranges. The current range of the giant garter snake is confined to the Sacramento Valley and isolated portions of the San Joaquin Valley (USFWS 1999). The giant garter snake is primarily an aquatic species that feeds on small fishes, tadpoles, and frogs (Fitch 1941). Historically, prey items included thick-tailed chub (Gila crassicauda), Sacramento blackfish (Orthodox microlepidus), and the California red- legged frog (Rana aurora draytoni), all of which have been extirpated from the giant garter snake’s current range (Rossman et al 1996). The habitat requirements of giant garter snakes include wetland areas with sufficient emergent vegetation for cover, openings in the vegetation for basking, and access to rodent burrows for shelter and winter periods of reduced activity (USFWS 1993). Giant garter snakes tend to be absent from rivers that support populations of large predatory fish as well as watercourses that have sand, gravel or rocky substrates (Hansen 1980). -
Helminth Infection, Fecundity, and Age of First Pregnancy in Women
RESEARCH | REPORTS PARASITOLOGY 70% of the population, the most common being hookworm (56%) and A. lumbricoides (15 to 20%) (11, 17). In both animal and human studies, parasites Helminth infection, fecundity, and have been shown to influence host reproduction via sexual behavior, brood or litter size, offspring age of first pregnancy in women size, incubation periods, conception rates, and pregnancy loss (18–22). In most cases, parasitism Aaron D. Blackwell,1,2,3* Marilyne A. Tamayo,4 Bret Beheim,2,5 reduces host reproduction by compromising Benjamin C. Trumble,1,2,3,6,7 Jonathan Stieglitz,2,5,8 Paul L. Hooper,2,9 reproductive organs or reducing energy budgets Melanie Martin,1,2,3 Hillard Kaplan,2,5 Michael Gurven1,2,3 (14, 23). However, among Tsimane adults, mor- bidity from intestinal helminth infections is low, Infection with intestinal helminths results in immunological changes that influence particularly for A. lumbricoides. Controlling for co-infections, and might influence fecundity by inducing immunological states affecting age and co-infection in our sample, hookworm conception and pregnancy. We investigated associations between intestinal helminths and infection is associated with slightly lower body fertility in women, using 9 years of longitudinal data from 986 Bolivian forager-horticulturalists, mass index (BMI) (generalized linear model, 2 experiencing natural fertility and 70% helminth prevalence. We found that different species b = –0.77 kg/m , P < 0.001) and hemoglobin (b = of helminth are associated with contrasting effects on fecundity. Infection with roundworm –0.19 g/dl, P =0.005),whereasA. lumbricoides is 2 (Ascaris lumbricoides) is associated with earlier first births and shortened interbirth intervals, not (b = –0.34 kg/m , P = 0.180; b = –0.07 g/dl, whereas infection with hookworm is associated with delayed first pregnancy and extended P = 0.413). -
Reptiles of Phil Hardberger Park
ALAMO AREA MASTER NATURALISTS & PHIL HARDBERGER PARK CONSERVANCY REPTILES OF PHIL HARDBERGER PARK ROSEBELLY LIZARD→ REPTILE= Rosebelly Lizard (picture by author) TERRESTRIAL Fred Wills is the author of this piece. VERTEBRATE Animals with backbones (vertebrates) fall into several classes. We all recognize feathered birds and hairy mammals. But what is a reptile? An easy defini- tion of reptiles is that they are terrestrial, vertebrate animals with scales or plates covering the body. However, this definition simplifies their great diversity. WITH SCALES In Texas alone, there are four major groups of reptiles: lizards, snakes, turtles, and crocodilians (alligators). Hardberger Park is home to lizards, snakes, and turtles. OR PLATES Common lizards of the park include the Rosebelly Lizard, Texas Spiny Lizard, and Ground Skink. Common snakes of the park include the Texas Rat Snake, Rough Earth Snake, and Checkered Garter Snake. Can you name any other lizards and snakes found in the area? Hint: One lizard can change color, and PHP: one snake can produce sound. ROSEBELLY LIZARD Like many birds and mammals, reptiles are predators. Small ones like the Rosebelly Lizard and Rough Earth Snake eat invertebrate animals such as insects. TEXAS SPINY LIZARD Medium-sized snakes such as the Checkered Garter Snake often eat frogs. Larger snakes, including the Texas Rat Snake, typically eat small mammals and GROUND SKINK birds. TEXAS RAT SNAKE Where do reptiles live? The various species occupy almost all kinds of habitats, from dry prairie to moist woodland, and even wetlands and streams. Re- ROUGH EARTH SNAKE lated species often divide up the habitat through differing behaviors. -
Fecundity Selection Theory: Concepts and Evidence
bioRxiv preprint doi: https://doi.org/10.1101/015586; this version posted February 23, 2015. The copyright holder for this preprint (which was not certified by peer review) is the author/funder, who has granted bioRxiv a license to display the preprint in perpetuity. It is made available under aCC-BY-NC-ND 4.0 International license. Fecundity selection theory: concepts and evidence Daniel Pincheira-Donoso1,3 & John Hunt2 1Laboratory of Evolutionary Ecology of Adaptations, School of Life Sciences, University of Lincoln, Brayford Campus, Lincoln, LN6 7DL, Lincolnshire, United Kingdom 2Centre for Ecology and Conservation, College of Life and Environmental Sciences, University of Exeter, Cornwall Campus, Penryn, Cornwall, TR10 9EZ, UK 3Corresponding author: [email protected] ABSTRACT Fitness results from the optimal balance between survival, mating success and fecundity. The interactions between these three components of fitness vary importantly depending on the selective context, from positive covariation between them, to antagonistic pleiotropic relationships when fitness increases in one reduce fitness of others. Therefore, elucidating the routes through which selection shapes life history and phenotypic adaptations via these fitness components is of primary significance to understand ecological and evolutionary dynamics. However, while the fitness components mediated by natural (survival) and sexual (mating success) selection have extensively been debated from most possible perspectives, fecundity selection remains considerably -
Giant Garter Snake: the Role of Rice and Effects of Water Transfers
Giant Garter Snake: The Role of Rice and Effects of Water Transfers Report of Point Blue Conservation Science May 2017 W. David Shuford Giant Garter Snake: The role of rice and effects of water transfers May 2017 Point Blue Conservation Science W. David Shuford Suggested Citation: Shuford, W. D. 2017. Giant Garter Snake: The role of rice and effects of water transfers. Report of Point Blue Conservation Science, 3820 Cypress Drive #11, Petaluma, CA 94954. Point Blue Contribution No. 2133. Point Blue Conservation Science – Point Blue’s 140 staff and seasonal scientists conserve birds, other wildlife and their ecosystems through scientific research and outreach. At the core of our work is ecosystem science, studying birds and other indicators of nature’s health. Visit Point Blue on the web www.pointblue.org. Main Points Effects on the federally and state threatened giant garter snake are a major concern under a long-term (10-year) plan to transfer water from sellers in the Sacramento Valley to users south of the Delta or in the San Francisco Bay Area. Water will be made available for transfer from cropland idling, crop shifting, groundwater substitution, reservoir release, and conservation. A maximum of 60,693 acres of rice land would be fallowed each year if the full amount of 565,614 acre feet of surface water is transferred annually. This level of idling potentially could have major impacts on this snake given the current importance of the rice landscape in the Sacramento Valley to the species’ continued survival. Giant garter snakes in the Sacramento Valley have a strong association with natural wetlands and aquatic agricultural habitats, particularly rice and associated water conveyances. -
Giant Garter Snake Habitat Quantification Tool
Giant Garter Snake Habitat Quantification Tool Part of the Multispecies Habitat Quantification Tool for the Central Valley Habitat Exchange Scientific Rationale and Methods Document, Version 5 Multispecies Habitat Quantification Tool: Giant Garter Snake Acknowledgements The development of the scientific approach for quantifying impacts and benefits to multiple species for use in the Central Valley Habitat Exchange (Exchange) would not have been possible without the input and guidance from a group of technical experts who worked to develop the contents of this tool. This included members of the following teams: Central Valley Habitat Exchange Project Coordinators John Cain (American Rivers) Daniel Kaiser (Environmental Defense Fund) Katie Riley (Environmental Incentives) Exchange Science Team Stefan Lorenzato (Department of Water Resources) Stacy Small-Lorenz (Environmental Defense Fund) Rene Henery (Trout Unlimited) Nat Seavy (Point Blue) Jacob Katz (CalTrout) Tool Developers Amy Merrill (Stillwater Sciences) Sara Gabrielson (Stillwater Sciences) Holly Burger (Stillwater Sciences) AJ Keith (Stillwater Sciences) Evan Patrick (Environmental Defense Fund) Kristen Boysen (Environmental Incentives) Giant Garter Snake TAC Brian Halstead (USGS) Laura Patterson (CDFW) Ron Melcer (formerly DWR; with Delta Stewardship Council as of February 2017) Chinook Salmon TAC Alison Collins (Metropolitan Water District) Brett Harvey (DWR) Brian Ellrott (NOAA/NMFS) Cesar Blanco (USFWS) Corey Phillis (Metropolitan Water District) Dave Vogel (Natural Resource -
Life Table of Orius Insidiosus (Hemiptera: Anthocoridae) Feeding on Sitotroga Cerealella (Lepidoptera: Gelechiidae) Eggs
Research article http://www.revistas.unal.edu.co/index.php/refame Life table of Orius insidiosus (Hemiptera: Anthocoridae) feeding on Sitotroga cerealella (Lepidoptera: Gelechiidae) eggs Tabla de vida de Orius insidiosus (Hemiptera: Anthocoridae) alimentado con huevos de Sitotroga cerealella (Leideoptera: Gelechiidae) doi: 10.15446/rfna.v69n1.54745 Jhon Alexander Avellaneda Nieto1, Fernando Cantor Rincon1, Daniel Rodríguez Caicedo1* ABSTRACT Key words: To use a natural enemy to control an insect pest, it is important to determine the biological parameters Biological control of the native populations of the predator. The goal of this study was determinate the biological Pirate bugs parameters of O. insidiosus fed on Sitotroga cerealella eggs. A batch of 225 O. insidiosus eggs were Stock colony laid into bean pods. The bean pods were kept in glass jars, and the eggs and first instar nymphs were Sabana de Bogotá counted daily. All nymphs were extracted and individualized in Petri dishes. The presence/absence of exuvie was observed daily as a way to assess the emergence of adults from the nymphal stage. Seventeen adult couples were placed into Petri dishes with a segment of bean pod. The bean pod segments were extracted and replaced daily, counting the number of eggs present on the pods. The life cycle, survival percentage, sex ratio, male/female longevity, pre ovoposition, ovoposition and post ovoposition periods were determined. Finally, fertility life table parameters were estimated. The nymphal development time was 12.0 ± 0.22 days, with 80.47% ± 3.23 survival, while the total development time was 15.0 ± 0.23 days, with 66.67% ± 1.90 survival. -
An Investigation of Four Rare Snakes in South-Central Kansas
• AN INVESTIGATION OF FOUR RARE SNAKES IN SOUTH-CENTRAL KANSAS •• ·: ' ·- .. ··... LARRY MILLER 15 July 1987 • . -· • AN INVESTIGATION --OF ----FOUR ----RARE SNAKES IN SOUTH-CENTRAL KANSAS BY LARRY MILLER INTRODUCTION The New Mexico blind snake (Leptotyphlops dulcis dissectus), Texas night snake (Hypsiglena torqua jani), Texas longnose snake (Rhinocheilus lecontei tessellatus), and checkered garter snake (Thamnophis marcianus marcianus) are four Kansas snakes with a rather limited range in the state. Three of the four have only been found along the southern counties. Only the Texas longnose snake has been found north of the southern most Kansas counties. This project was designed to find out more about the range, habits, and population of these four species of snakes in Kansas. It called for a search of background information on each snake, the collection of new specimens, photographs of habitat, and the taking of notes in regard to the animals. The 24 Kansas counties covered in the investigation ranged from Cowley at the southeastern most • location to Morton at the southwestern most location to Hamilton, Kearny, Finney, and Hodgeman to the north. Most of the work centered around the Red Hills area and to the east of that area. See (Fig. 1) for counties covered. Most of the work on this project was done by me (Larry Miller). However, I was often assisted in the field by a number of other persons. They will be credited at the end of this report. METHODS A total of 19 trips were made by me between the dates of 28 March 1986 and 1 July 1987 in regard to this project. -
Assisted Breeding of Skinks Or How to Teach a Lizard Old Tricks!
Herpetological Conservation and Biology 5(2):311-319. Symposium: Reptile Reproduction ASSISTED BREEDING OF SKINKS OR HOW TO TEACH A LIZARD OLD TRICKS! 1 2,3 4 5 FRANK C. MOLINIA , TRENT BELL , GRANT NORBURY , ALISON CREE 1 AND DIANNE M. GLEESON 1Landcare Research, Private Bag 92170, Auckland 1142, New Zealand,e-mail: [email protected] 2Landcare Research, Private Bag 1930, Dunedin 9054, New Zealand 3Current Contact Details: EcoGecko Consultants, e-mail: [email protected] 4Landcare Research, PO Box 282, Alexandra 9340, New Zealand 5Department of Zoology, University of Otago, PO Box 56, Dunedin 9054, New Zealand Abstract.—Reproductive technologies are invaluable tools for understanding how different species reproduce. Contemporary techniques like artificial insemination established long ago in livestock have been used to assist the breeding of threatened species ex situ, even restoring them to nature. Key to successfully adapting these technologies, often to few numbers of endangered animals, is initial testing and development of procedures in a taxonomically related model species. McCann’s Skink (Oligosoma maccanni) is a viviparous lizard that is still relatively abundant and its reproductive cycle in the subalpine area of Macraes Flat in southern New Zealand has recently been described. Assisted breeding techniques are being developed in this skink as a model for threatened lizard species, such as the Grand Skink (Oligosoma grande) and Otago Skink (Oligosoma otagense). Progress on methods to collect, assess and store sperm, and artificial insemination are reported here. These techniques will need refinement to be effectively adapted to threatened lizards but will significantly increase our knowledge of their unique reproductive mechanisms. -
Fecundity Selection Theory: Concepts and Evidence
bioRxiv preprint doi: https://doi.org/10.1101/015586; this version posted February 23, 2015. The copyright holder for this preprint (which was not certified by peer review) is the author/funder, who has granted bioRxiv a license to display the preprint in perpetuity. It is made available under aCC-BY-NC-ND 4.0 International license. Fecundity selection theory: concepts and evidence Daniel Pincheira-Donoso1,3 & John Hunt2 1Laboratory of Evolutionary Ecology of Adaptations, School of Life Sciences, University of Lincoln, Brayford Campus, Lincoln, LN6 7DL, Lincolnshire, United Kingdom 2Centre for Ecology and Conservation, College of Life and Environmental Sciences, University of Exeter, Cornwall Campus, Penryn, Cornwall, TR10 9EZ, UK 3Corresponding author: [email protected] ABSTRACT Fitness results from the optimal balance between survival, mating success and fecundity. The interactions between these three components of fitness vary importantly depending on the selective context, from positive covariation between them, to antagonistic pleiotropic relationships when fitness increases in one reduce fitness of others. Therefore, elucidating the routes through which selection shapes life history and phenotypic adaptations via these fitness components is of primary significance to understand ecological and evolutionary dynamics. However, while the fitness components mediated by natural (survival) and sexual (mating success) selection have extensively been debated from most possible perspectives, fecundity selection remains considerably -
Edna), with a Case Study of Painted Turtle (Chrysemys Picta) Edna Under Field Conditions Clare I
Ecology, Evolution and Organismal Biology Ecology, Evolution and Organismal Biology Publications 2-28-2019 A Brief Review of Non-Avian Reptile Environmental DNA (eDNA), with a Case Study of Painted Turtle (Chrysemys picta) eDNA under Field Conditions Clare I. M. Adams University of Otago Luke A. Hoekstra Iowa State University, [email protected] Morgan R. Muell Southern Illinois University Carbondale Fredric J. Janzen Iowa State University, [email protected] Follow this and additional works at: https://lib.dr.iastate.edu/eeob_ag_pubs Part of the Environmental Sciences Commons, Genetics Commons, and the Terrestrial and Aquatic Ecology Commons The ompc lete bibliographic information for this item can be found at https://lib.dr.iastate.edu/ eeob_ag_pubs/341. For information on how to cite this item, please visit http://lib.dr.iastate.edu/ howtocite.html. This Article is brought to you for free and open access by the Ecology, Evolution and Organismal Biology at Iowa State University Digital Repository. It has been accepted for inclusion in Ecology, Evolution and Organismal Biology Publications by an authorized administrator of Iowa State University Digital Repository. For more information, please contact [email protected]. A Brief Review of Non-Avian Reptile Environmental DNA (eDNA), with a Case Study of Painted Turtle (Chrysemys picta) eDNA under Field Conditions Abstract Environmental DNA (eDNA) is an increasingly used non-invasive molecular tool for detecting species presence and monitoring populations. In this article, we review the current state of non-avian reptile eDNA work in aquatic systems, as well as present a field experiment on detecting the presence of painted turtle (Chrysemys picta) eDNA. -
The Emerging Phylogenetic Pattern of Parthenogenesis in Snakes
Biological Journal of the Linnean Society, 2015, , –. With 3 figures. The emerging phylogenetic pattern of parthenogenesis in snakes WARREN BOOTH1,2,3* and GORDON W. SCHUETT2,3,4 1Department of Biological Sciences, The University of Tulsa, Tulsa, OK, 74104, USA 2The Copperhead Institute, PO Box 6755, Spartanburg, SC, 29304, USA 3Chiricahua Desert Museum, PO Box 376, Rodeo, NM, 88056, USA 4Department of Biology and Neuroscience Institute, Georgia State University, Atlanta, GA, 30303, USA Received 11 September 2015; revised 3 November 2015; accepted for publication 3 November 2015 Parthenogenesis occurs across a variety of vertebrate taxa. Within squamate reptiles (lizards and snakes), a group for which the largest number of cases has been documented, both obligate and facultative types of parthenogenesis exists, although the obligate form in snakes appears to be restricted to a single basal species of blind snake, Indotyphlops braminus. By contrast, a number of snake species that otherwise reproduce sexually have been found capable of facultative parthenogenesis. Because the original documentation of this phenomenon was restricted to subjects held in captivity and isolated from males, facultative parthenogenesis was attributed as a captive syndrome. However, its recent discovery in nature shifts the paradigm and identifies this form of reproduction as a potentially important feature of vertebrate evolution. In light of the growing number of documented cases of parthenogenesis, it is now possible to review the phylogenetic distribution in snakes and thus identify subtle variations and commonalities that may exist through the characterization of its emerging properties. Based on our findings, we propose partitioning facultative parthenogenesis in snakes into two categories, type A and type B, based on the sex of the progeny produced, their viability, sex chromosome morphology, and ploidy, as well as their phylogenetic position.