Fisheries, Wildlife, and Conservation Biology Program Information and Faculty Achievements NC STATE UNIVERSITY Online at http://cnr.ncsu.edu/fer/news/FWCB_newsletter.php  Volume 10, Issue 3 september 25, 2013

Photos courtesy of the Miller dr. John Miller emeritus professor of Zoology passed away at age of 73

cover Story, Page 4 INDEX New ...... 2 Faculty Profile...... 9 Research Publications...... 16 Alumni Profile...... 6 Graduate abstract...... 10-13 Research Presentations...... 17 Scavenger Hunt...... 8 Q&A with Dr. L. Scott Mills...... 14 Student awards...... 18 Fisheries, Wildlife, and Conservation Biology 2 NCSU scientist among team that discovers new species of carnivore

RALEIGH ― Observed in the wild, tucked away in museum collections, and even exhibited in zoos, is one mysterious creature that has been a victim of mistaken identity for more than 100 years. A team of scientists ― including Dr. Roland Kays, of the North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences and a professor in the FWCB program at North Carolina State Uni- versity ― however, uncovered over- looked museum specimens of this re- markable . Their investigation eventually took them on a journey from museum cabinets in Chicago to cloud in South America to ge- netics labs in Washington, D.C. The result: the olinguito ( neblina) the first carnivore species to be discovered in the Western Hemi- sphere in 35 years. The team’s discov- ery is published in the Aug. 15 issue of the journal ZooKeys. The olinguito (oh-lin-GHEE-toe) looks like a cross between a house cat and a teddy . It is actually the lat- est scientifically documented member of the family , which it shares with , , kinka- jous and olingos. (Olinguito means “little olingo.”) The 2-pound olingui- Photo courtesty of Julie Urban Dr. Roland Kays announces the discovery of the Olinguito. to, with its large eyes and woolly or- ange-brown , is native to the cloud “The discovery of the olinguito world’s species are not yet known to forests of and Ecuador, as shows us that the world is not yet com- science. Documenting them is the its scientific name, “neblina” (Spanish pletely explored, its most basic secrets first step toward understanding the for “fog”), hints. In addition to being not yet revealed,” said Kristofer Hel- full richness and diversity of life on the latest described member of its gen, curator of at the Smith- Earth.” family, another distinction the olin- sonian’s National Museum of Natural Discovering a new species of carni- guito holds is that it is the newest spe- History and leader of the team report- vore, however, does not happen over- cies in the ― an in- ing the new discovery. “If new carni- credibly rare discovery in the 21st vores can still be found, what other Please see, Olinguito Page 3 century. surprises await us? So many of the Fisheries, Wildlife, and Conservation Biology 3 Olinguito Continued from page 2 night. This one took a decade, and was not the project’s original goal ― completing the first comprehensive study of olingos, several species of tree-living in the Bassaricyon, was. Helgen’s team wanted to under- stand how many olingo species should be recognized and how these species are distributed ― issues that had long been unclear to scientists. Unexpectedly, the team’s close examination of more than 95 percent of the world’s olingo specimens in museums, along with new DNA testing and Photo courtesty of Mark Gurney the review of historic field data, revealed existence of the The olinguito (oh-lin-GHEE-toe) looks like a cross between a olinguito, a previously undescribed species. house cat and a teddy bear. The first clue came from the olinguito’s teeth and skull, which were smaller and differently shaped than those of In addition to body features and behavior, the team made olingos. Examining museum skins revealed that this new special note of the olinguito’s cloud Andean , species was also smaller overall with a longer and denser which is under heavy pressure from human development. coat; field records showed that it occurred in a unique area Computerized mapping of museum records allowed the of the northern Mountains at 5,000 to 9,000 feet team to estimate that 42 percent of olinguito habitat likely above sea level ― elevations much higher than the known has already been converted to agriculture or urban areas. species of olingo. This information, however, was coming “The cloud forests of the Andes are a world unto them- from overlooked olinguito specimens collected in the early selves, filled with many species found nowhere else, many 20th century. The question Helgen and his team wanted to of them threatened or endangered,” Helgen said. “We hope answer next was: Does the olinguito still exist in the wild? that the olinguito can serve as an ambassador species for the To answer that question, Helgen called on Dr. Kays, direc- cloud forests of Ecuador and Colombia, to bring the world’s tor of the Biodiversity Lab at the North Carolina Museum of attention to these critical .” Natural Sciences and professor in the College of Natural While the olinguito is new to science, it is not a stranger to Resources at North Carolina State University, to help orga- people. People have been living in or near the olinguito’s cloud nize a field expedition. forest world for thousands of years. And, while misidentified, “The data from the old specimens gave us an idea of where specimens have been in museums for more than 100 years, and to look, but it still seemed like a shot in the dark,” Kays said. at least one olinguito from Colombia was exhibited in several “But these Andean forests are so amazing that even if we zoos in the United States during the 1960s and 1970s. There didn’t find the animal we were looking for, I knew our team were even several occasions during the past century when the would discover something cool along the way.” olinguito came close to being discovered but was not. In 1920, The team had a lucky break that started with a camcorder a zoologist in New York thought an olinguito museum speci- video. With confirmation of the olinguito’s existence via a men was so unusual that it might be a new species, but he nev- few seconds of grainy video shot by their colleague Miguel er followed through in publishing the discovery. Pinto, a zoologist in Ecuador, Helgen and Kays set off on a Giving the olinguito its scientific name is just the beginning. three-week expedition to find the animal themselves. Work- “This is the first step,” Helgen said. “Proving that a spe- ing with Pinto, they found olinguitos in a forest on the west- cies exists and giving it a name is where everything starts. ern slopes of the Andes, and spent their days documenting This is a beautiful animal, but we know so little about it. what they could about the animal - its characteristics and its How many countries does it live in? What else can we learn forest home. Because the olinguito was new to science, it about its behavior? What do we need to do to ensure its con- was imperative for the scientists to record every aspect of servation?” the animal. They learned that the olinguito is mostly active The team is already planning its next mission into the at night, is mainly a eater, rarely comes out of the trees clouds. and has one baby at a time. Fisheries, Wildlife, and Conservation Biology 4

Photos courtesty of the Miller family Dr. John Miller passed away at the age of 73. Dr. Miller spent 35 years with the NCSU Department of Zoology. dr. John Miller supervised 37 students During his 35-year career at ncsu By Dr. Steve W. Ross and seminars, including Limnology, University of Wisconsin where he Ecology of Fishes, Estuarine Ecology studied factors controlling the distri- Dr. John Miller, emeritus professor and Biology of Fishes. bution of young brook trout. He was of Zoology at NCSU, passed away at John was born in Indiana in 1940 awarded his Ph.D. in zoology in 1970. the age of 73 on 27 June 2013, after a and spent his childhood and early John took a position with the Univer- prolonged illness. John was hired into years in the Nashville, IN area. He sity of Hawaii from 1970 until he the NCSU Department of Zoology in earned a Bachelor’s degree in biology came to NCSU. While in Hawaii his 1974 and remained there until he re- at Indiana University in 1961, after work involved unraveling the myster- tired in 2010. He was a fisheries biol- which he taught high school science ies of larval fish recruitment and dis- ogist and ecologist, and an active until 1966. John was recruited into a persal dynamics, which remained one member of the Fisheries, Wildlife, and graduate program at the University of of his research passions throughout Conservation Biology Program. Dur- Texas (Port Aransas lab) where he his career as a faculty member at NC ing his 35 year career at NCSU he su- completed a M.S. degree in marine State. pervised 37 M.S. and Ph.D. students, science in 1964. His thesis research In the early 1980s, John successful- served on numerous other graduate documented the distributions of ma- committees, and taught several grad- rine fishes near Port Aransas. John’s Please see, Miller Page 5 uate and undergraduate level courses Ph.D. research was conducted at the Fisheries, Wildlife, and Conservation Biology 5

Miller Continued from page 4 ly led an effort to enhance the NCSU fisheries program by pursuing a legis- lative allocation for fisheries research. He then turned the allocation over to the Fisheries and Wildlife Science Pro- gram, more than tripling its discretion- ary budget, and leading to investments in equipment, facilities, and personnel that formed a solid base for the expand- ing fisheries research program. In 1997, John was appointed as the first Mote Eminent Scholar and was also appointed as a Mote Marine Lab- Photos courtesty of the Miller family oratory Distinguished Visiting Scien- Fishing was one of Dr. John Miller’s favorite pastimes. tist. He held an appointment as a Vis- iting Scientist with the Netherlands sure what he accomplished or reveal ly, but would spend huge amounts of Institute of Sea Research where he how he approached his work, or signify time and energy on those who were helped promote international research the mark he left on our profession. He willing to try. John was a beacon in on flatfishes. John was instrumental put little faith in GRE scores or journal this regard as he promoted creative, in starting and maintaining momen- impact factors, or other metrics by logical thinking, hard work, knowing tum for the International Flatfish which we traditionally gage intellect or your animal, and he provided encour- Symposia. John’s outreach to the in- scientific worth. John searched for that agement when times were hard. We ternational community for assistance spark of logical, independent thinking, learned that there are many pathways in solving various fishery science which he promoted in his students and to the truth. problems was mirrored by his in- colleagues. John was about quality, and John was passionate about outdoor volvement with other disciplines. he preferred to spend his time on a few activities, fishing being one of his fa- Later in John’s career he concentrat- projects, papers, or students to make vorite pastimes. He enjoyed pitting his ed his resources on singular, but inter- them the best he could, rather than pro- intellect (not fancy technology) against disciplinary, research issues. He was ducing volume. that of his potential prey. He brought a pioneer in trying to meld physical John was one of the most critical his knowledge of fish (“think like a oceanography with biology to address and innovative thinkers I have met. fish”) to the game of trying to entice problems of fish recruitment. Anoth- He had a skill for finding the crucial the beast onto his hook. To my knowl- er research focal area involved fish part of a research question and formu- edge John never engaged in half-way ecophysiology, where John and his lating a variety of ways to tackle it. measures. If he started a task, he was students attempted to understand fish He was a master at what we call fully involved whether that was fishing distributions, abundance, growth and “thinking outside the box.” John in- or conducting research. survival in the context of their envi- stilled in his students the need for sci- John left us too soon. His lively wit, ronment and their physiological needs. entific rigor, but beyond that he also quick smile, and creative spark cannot I recall John telling me that he expect- taught us how to think more analyti- be replaced. But, John’s legacy lives ed to finish his career honing in on cally and how to evaluate problems on in his family, friends and students, fish ecophysiology to see if this would from many angles. I think that for and through us a part of him will trav- yield the answers he sought. John, teaching the ability to think was el through the ages. Memorials can The statistics of John’s career (dates, of the foremost importance to him. be made in John’s name to the Quay degrees, publications, etc.) cannot de- He was dismayed by students who Endowment/Fisheries Scholarship at fine who he was; they do not really mea- were unwilling to engage intellectual- NCSU. Fisheries, Wildlife, and Conservation Biology 6

alumni profile: heather dye frink Lifelong naturalist and youth educator

Growing up in Raleigh I always had an interest in nature and wildlife. My parents encouraged this interest by be- ing outdoor enthusiasts and taking my sister Melissa and I camping and vaca- tioning all over North Carolina. Mom was our Girl Scout leader, Dad was a birder and gardener, and it often felt like we lived outside. When talk turned to what we would do when we grew up, our parents encouraged us to fol- low our interests and trust that our ca- reers would unfold from there. It turned out to be great advice for both of us. Melissa has taken her own road less traveled and become an archaeolo- gist with her Masters in Maritime Ar- chaeology. We are so lucky to have grown up with parents who wanted us to be ourselves and spend our lives do- Photo courtesty of Heather Dye Frink ing what we love. Heather Dye Frink, her husband, David Frink and their daughters Isabel and Eleanor. Each summer when I was a teenager, I attended an environmental education Wildlife Sciences (FWS) Program and Dave heard I was looking for a sum- camp in the Virginia mountains called his black bear research in the North mer internship and would love to go Nature Camp. There, I had the oppor- Carolina mountains. I knew immedi- out of the country, he began advocating tunity to participate in field classes in ately that Fisheries and Wildlife was for me with his friends Dr. Jaime Col- topics such as conservation, - where I needed to be, so I headed to lazo in the Zoology department and ogy, botany, and ornithology. This op- Turner House and switched majors. Leopoldo Miranda, PhD student set- portunity gave me firsthand experi- At the time, it was typical for a FWS ting up a research project in Ciales, ence as a naturalist and lit a fire in me student to either attend summer camp Puerto Rico. Before I knew it I was on that furthered my interest in pursuing or have a field research internship after a plane headed towards a summer that this as a career. their Junior year. However, I wanted would change things in a big way for Looking at the universities in the both experiences. This meant attend- me. area, I noticed that many of the scienc- ing summer camp a year early - after I am so glad I had the opportunity es were focused on biology as it ap- my Sophomore year. I struggled a lit- through the FWS Program to obtain plied toward medicine. NCSU provid- tle at summer camp because I didn’t valuable hands-on experiences. Sum- ed the focus I wanted in zoology and yet have all the courses I needed to be mer camp and my wildlife biology conservation, so I chose to attend successful. However, it paid off be- courses gave me knowledge as a natu- NCSU. cause it freed me up to do an internship ralist that I use in my job at the Muse- I entered NCSU in Biology, but mid- in Puerto Rico after my Junior year. I um. The field internship changed the way through my first semester Dr. was lucky enough to make a great direction of my career. Before my in- Roger Powell came to speak in one of friend, Dave Davenport, who was my my classes about the Fisheries and TA for Herpetology that spring. When Please see, Frink Page 7 Fisheries, Wildlife, and Conservation Biology 7

and began working for the Museum of them grab opportunities with both Frink full-time. That fall, I married my won- hands and work hard to make the Continued from page 6 derful husband, David, who I had met world a better place. my Junior year through a friend I made In the spring of 2006, my husband ternship I had thought I wanted to be a while at summer camp (another reason David and I welcomed our first daugh- field researcher, possibly a refuge biol- I’m glad I attended a year early)! ter Isabel into our family. I decided to ogist. However, a summer of being As part of my job, I was coordinator put my full-time work at the museum fairly isolated in the field and having of the Museum’s summer camps and on hold while I stayed home with her. incredible experiences far from groups of the Junior Curator teen volunteer Three years later, we welcomed our of people I could share them with was program. I hired summer camp teach- second daughter Eleanor and our fam- difficult for an extrovert like me. All ers, taught programs for preschool ily was complete. Though I have spent that summer, I kept finding myself and elementary-aged kids, and led the majority of my time in recent years having these moments of wonder that I monthly field trips all over North Car- with my girls, I have continued teach- wanted to turn around and share with olina and beyond for interested, en- ing a few programs each month at the someone who had not seen what I was thusiastic, science-minded teens. Museum. Now that my children are seeing, and yet I was alone or with oth- Once a year, my colleagues at the Mu- getting a bit older I volunteer teaching er researchers who saw it all the time. I seum and I led a 10 day trip to a desti- nature programs for their preschool realized that for me, there was no sub- nation further away, and our travels and elementary school classes and lead stitute for witnessing that “sense of led us to Puerto Rico, Trinidad & To- Isabel’s Girl Scout troop. We are a very wonder” on a person’s face when they bago, Newfoundland, Big Bend Tex- outdoors family and love hiking, bird- first watch a nesting sea turtle heave as, Florida & the Everglades, Hondu- ing, gardening, and even keeping herself up a beach or a Puerto Rican ras, and Yellowstone. These trips chickens. boa snatch a bat from the air. I realized could not have happened if I was lead- At first I was conflicted with my de- the isolated nature of field work was ing them alone, but in a place like the cision to stay home because as all par- not for me and that my passion was in Museum there are many educators ents know, when home alone with your sharing the wonder of the natural world with experience leading trips to dif- baby it is hard to do anything but sur- through education. ferent places. Also, my friend Dave vive the day. When they were small it While working on my Master’s de- Davenport was on staff at the Muse- felt at times like I was giving up a huge gree in Natural Resources Administra- um and we planned and led many of part of who I am, but it was wonderful tion at NCSU, I began working part- these field trips together. When I look and the baby phase with each of them time with the NC Museum of Natural back on those seven years and see just flew by. I have never stopped be- Sciences. The spring I was to graduate what the Junior Curators have gone ing a naturalist and educator. It is more I saw a posting for the Curator of Youth on to do with their lives, I can see than just a job for me, it is a way of life, Programs position at the Museum, and what an impact we had. Some of them something I do every day whether the job seemed to have been written for have even come through the FWCB through the Museum, as a volunteer, or me. I was thrilled to be offered the job program, and I love seeing how many in my most important job, as Mom.

Wildlife stickers Show your support for the N.C. State Leopold Wildlife Club by purchasing a sticker for all of your vehicles. Stickers are $7. If interested contact Dr. Chris DePerno ([email protected]) Fisheries, Wildlife, and Conservation Biology 8

Photo courtesy of Brian Malow Team Tyson: Laura Nichols, Chris Moorman, Tara Malow, Greg Rice, and Brian Malow. Scavenger Hunt A Science Communication Scavenger Hunt was organized by the Biodiversity Lab of the North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences and NC State University. The Science Communication Scavenger Hunt was held at the North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences Prairie Ridge Ecostation. Six teams competed in five stations, including a Herbivory (climb a tree and find the most bug-eaten leaves you can) and Diversity (Catch a diversity of and make a Vine Video). http://storify.com/RolandKays/ Photo courtesy of Lauren Nichols Photo courtesy of Rebecca Owens Team Tyson documents herbivory in the trees. scihunt Herbivory station. Fisheries, Wildlife, and Conservation Biology 9 faculty profile: lara pacifici Teaching Assistant Professor of Fisheries, Wildlife, and Conservation Biology I am a new Teaching Assistant Pro- fessor and undergraduate coordinator in Fisheries, Wildlife, and Conserva- tion Biology. My education and work experiences are a hodgepodge of wild- life biology and teaching. I never quite realized what I wanted to do “when I grew up” until I started this position and realized this was it. I went to the State University of New York College of Environmental Sci- ence and Forestry at Syracuse for my undergraduate degree in Environmen- tal and Forest Biology. I decided to go there because I liked being outdoors and with in-state tuition, the price was Photos courtesty of Lara Pacifici right. In the summer between my ju- Dr. Lara Pacifici is the undergraduate coordinator in Fisheries, Wildlife, and Conservation nior and senior years, I went to sum- Biology. mer camp and had an internship both in the Adirondack Mountains. I spent dents doing undergraduate research the summer hiking, canoeing, identi- in science; I taught university courses fying plants and , live trapping in biology and biology education; and small mammals and deer, checking I supervised aspiring science teach- wood duck boxes, and performing loon ers. I enjoyed each one of these expe- nest surveys. It was awesome. From riences but longed for a way to fully then on, I knew that wildlife biology integrate my interests in wildlife and was for me. teaching. I went on to complete a Master’s de- I am so honored to now be in this gree at Auburn University with NCSU position that allows me to teach, men- alum Mike Mitchell working on the Pis- tor students, and build the community gah Bear Project, which was started by in the Fisheries, Wildlife, and Conser- Photo courtesty of Lara Pacifici NCSU Professor Emeritus Roger Pow- Dr. Lara Pacifici handling a black bear cub. vation Biology Program. It allows me ell. During my time at Auburn, I was to draw from all my past experiences the TA for several wildlife classes. After es that prepared me to combine my af- and fully enjoy both wildlife and teaching for just a semester, I knew that finities for wildlife and teaching – I teaching every day. teaching was also for me. The only thing taught high school biology, environ- My husband is an NCSU Wildlife better than experiencing the wonders of mental science, and wildlife ecology; alum and currently works in the De- the natural world is the opportunity to I advised Envirothon and Science partment of Applied Ecology. We are share those experiences with others. Olympiad teams; I earned my doctor- grateful to be back in Raleigh and to In the years since I earned my Mas- ate in Science Education from the raise our 2-year old son, Samson, in ter’s degree, I accumulated experienc- University of Georgia; I studied stu- the Wolfpack Nation. Fisheries, Wildlife, and Conservation Biology 10

abstract: maria baron palamar Challenges and Opportunities for ( lotor) Oral Rabies Vaccination and Public Health Campaigns in Urban Environments (Under the direction of Drs. Maria T. Correa and Christopher S. DePerno)

Beginning in the late 1970s, a strain of rabies associated with raccoons (Procy- on lotor) rapidly spread along the East coast of the United States, with many states reporting over 500 cases a year. Raccoon-strain rabies can infect com- panion animals, livestock, other wildlife and even humans, and raccoons are the major vector of this disease in Eastern North America. Urban areas provide ideal environments for the spread of zoonotic diseases such as rabies from wildlife to human and domestic animal species. At the end of 2007, Guilford County, NC, had the highest number of rabies positive wildlife cases per county in the state. Pet vaccination, wildlife vector management and public health education may well be the most efficient ways to prevent a rabies epidemic in an urban environment. Human behaviors play a fundamen- tal role in the epidemiology of urban Photo courtesty of Maria Baron Palamar wildlife diseases, and those behaviors Maria Baron Palamar studied the challenges and opportunities for racoon oral rabies vaccinations in urban environments. are shaped by knowledge and ethnici- ty. Guilford County, and in particular of rabies knowledge. Latinos and Afri- developing culturally sensitive, lan- the city of Greensboro, has a total pop- can Americans had less rabies knowl- guage appropriate educational materi- ulation of 237,423, of which 15,412 are edge than non-Latino Whites. als geared to minorities. Hispanic/Latino and 88,587 are Afri- Non-Latino Whites and men had less Guilford County also needed to as- can American. Ethnic minorities, par- rabies knowledge than women. Only sess the pet vaccination status and ticularly Latinos, are growing in num- 41% of African American respondents awareness of rabies vaccination clinics bers throughout the U.S. and are identified animal bites as a route of ra- offered by the County. Furthermore, becoming critically important for wild- bies transmission to humans, and less they needed to understand how the life management and public health out- than half of all respondents knew that public would respond to rabid animals reach programs. We evaluated knowl- washing a bite wound with soap and and how to deliver information about edge of rabies, transmission routes, water was useful prevention. Our rabies and rabies clinics to them in the vector species, and response to rabies knowledge scale was internally consis- future. To address this need, we asked exposure with a bilingual (English/ tent (Cronbach’s alpha = 0.73) and could several outreach questions in addition Spanish) in person survey in Greens- be valuable for future studies of zoonot- to the knowledge questions as part of ic disease knowledge. Future rabies ed- boro, North Carolina. Ethnicity, gen- Please see, Palamar Page 11 der and education level were predictors ucational campaigns should focus on Fisheries, Wildlife, and Conservation Biology 11 Palamar Continued from page 10 the initial bilingual (English/Spanish) survey of people residing in Greens- boro, NC. Our results indicated that most pet owners report vaccinating their pet. Most Latinos were not aware of rabies vaccination clinics offered by the county and they preferred to obtain future rabies information through the radio and TV, as do African Ameri- cans. Most non-Latino whites were aware of the rabies clinics offered by the county and preferred to obtain fu- ture information through the internet. The final aspect of controlling and eventually eradicating raccoon rabies from urban environments was to im- plement wildlife management mea- sures that reduce the risk of rabies. Be- cause raccoons are the most important rabies vector in eastern US, we devel- oped a program for the control of ra- bies associated with raccoons in Greensboro, NC. The U.S. Department of Agriculture - Wildlife Services has established the National Oral Rabies Vaccination (ORV) Program with the goal of limit- ing the westward expansion of raccoon rabies. In the ORV program, baits in- oculated with rabies vaccination are distributed aerially. However, aerial Photo courtesy of Maria Baron Palamar vaccines are distributed primarily in Maria Baron Palamar obtains blood samples from a captured racoon. rural areas where raccoon density is re- ported to be lower than in urban environ- vaccination in a specific population. raccoons. Raccoons were captured ments, aerial baiting limited effective- To determine efficacy and cost of in 83% of photographs and we ob- ness in urban/suburban environments. baiting devices; the species attracted served raccoon activity in 27 out of ORV baiting devices and the associat- to the bait; and raccoon rabies titters 28 baiting stations. We sampled 80 ed cost have not been extensively eval- pre ORV delivery, we established unique raccoons and 3.6% of the uated in urban environments. Addi- bait stations and trapping with trail samples were positive for rabies. Ad- tionally raccoon pre-vaccination cameras at 28 different locations ditionally we calculated that it would serology is necessary to determine the within the city limits of Greensboro. cost the city of Greensboro $3,665 prevalence of rabies virus neutralizing We had 4 baiting and trapping peri- per year to build, install, bait and re- antibodies in raccoons before adminis- ods to evaluate the effectiveness of move the required amount of bait sta- tering a rabies vaccine, and to accu- the oral bait delivery stations and to tions for the amount of green space rately evaluate the effects of the oral obtain tissue samples from resident that they currently have. Fisheries, Wildlife, and Conservation Biology 12

abstract: eric kilburg Wild turkey nesting ecology and nest survival in the presence of frequent growing-season fire (UNDER THE DIRECTION OF DRS. CHRISTOPHER E. MOORMAN AND CHRISTOPHER S. DEPERNO)

Prescribed fire traditionally has been applied during the dormant sea- son in southeastern pine forests, part- ly out of concern for destruction of nests of ground nesting birds such as the wild turkey (Meleagris gallopa- vo). However, burning during late spring and early summer promotes grasses and forbs in the forest stand understory which may benefit forage quantity and quality, nesting cover and survival, and recruitment for wild turkeys. The effects of frequent, long- term application of growing-season fire on wild turkey prenesting re- source selection, nesting cover avail- ability, and nest destruction have not been determined. We used GPS and VHF-telemetry to assess female pren- esting resource selection and locate and monitor wild turkey nests. Addi- tionally, we calculated the risk of nest destruction by prescribed fire as the proportion of nests active times the Eric Lee Kilburg studied wild turkey nesting ecology and nest survival in the presence of frequent growing-season fire. proportion of the study area burned each week of the nesting season. (60%) than uplands (10%). Although burns may increase green forage Growing-season fire history did not approximately 20% of the study area availability for prenesting females and influence female resource selection was burned annually during the nest- woody cover for nesting in uplands. prior to nesting. Rather, females se- ing season, only 1 of 30 wild turkey Including dormant-season burns in lected locations burned the preceding nests we monitored was destroyed by fire prescriptions may improve wild dormant season, drop zone (managed fire. We estimated that no more than turkey spring forage, nesting cover opening) edges, and riparian areas. 6% of nests annually were active in a availability, and nest survival. Be- Females selected the upland-lowland fire management unit when a burn cause females used forest stands man- transitional vegetation community was applied to the same unit. We sug- aged with growing-season fire as (ecotone) for nesting and avoided up- gest that prescribed burning forest available for prenesting and nesting land pine forest. Ecotones had greater stands during the wild turkey prenes- activities, and because the probability cover than upland pine, attributable to ing and nesting seasons does not neg- of direct nest failure from fire was abundant ericaceous shrubs. Like- atively influence prenesting resource low, growing-season burning does not wise, estimated nest survival was selection or considerably reduce nest conflict with wild turkey habitat man- greater in lowland vegetation types survival. However, dormant-season agement. Fisheries, Wildlife, and Conservation Biology 13

abstract: ryan klimstra Wildlife use of native warm-season grass and non-native cool-season grass forage fields (UNDER THE DIRECTION OF DR. CHRISTOPHER E. MOORMAN) Concurrently, several small mammal and bird species as- sociated with native early successional plant communities have declined. Establishment of native warm-season grass (nwsg) fields has been proposed as a strategy to provide wildlife habitat and diversify forage production, yet mon- ocultures of nwsg may offer poor-quality habitat for birds and small mammals. Changes in small mammal and avian populations associated with changes in forage production systems could alter the ecological services they provide (e.g., seed dispersal and prey). We measured territory density and reproductive effort for eastern meadowlark (Scurnella magna), grasshopper spar- row (Ammodramus savannarum), field sparrow (Spizella pusilla), and indigo bunting (Passerina cyanea) in 7 nwsg forage fields (4 hayed and 3 grazed), 7 non-native cool sea- son (csg) forage fields (4 hayed and 3 grazed), and 3 nwsg- forb fields managed for wildlife (“wildlife” fields) during May-August 2009 and 2010. We developed a hierarchical spatially-explicit capture-recapture (HSCR) model to com- pare abundance of hispid cotton rats (Sigmodon hispidus), white-footed mice (Peromyscus leucopus), and house mice (Mus musculus) among 4 hayed csg fields, 4 hayed nwsg fields, and 4 nwsg-forb fields managed for wildlife during 2 summer trapping periods in 2009 and 2010. Eastern meadowlark territory density was at least 2 times greater in csg grazed fields than other field types and in- Ryan Law Klimstra studied wildlife use of native warm-season grass and non-native cool- season grass forage fields. creased with field size. Grasshopper sparrow territory densi- ty did not differ among field types but increased with field wildlife fields and nwsg fields than in csg fields. Forb cover- size. Field sparrow territory density was at least 2.5 times age was greater in csg grazed and wildlife fields than in nwsg greater in wildlife fields than in all other field types, and in- and csg hayed fields and leaf litter an thatch coverage were digo bunting territory density was greater in nwsg hayed and greater in csg hayed and wildlife fields than in nwsg fields. wildlife fields than in other field types and increased with Our results suggest monocultures of tall nwsg provide low field size. Cotton rat abundance estimates were greater in quality habitat for several grassland/shrubland songbirds wildlife fields than in nwsg hayed and csg hayed fields. Abun- and small mammals. Using moderate grazing strategies in- dance of white-footed mouse and house mouse did not differ stead of high-intensity grazing and haying may increase among field types. Also, we radio-collared 12 cotton rats, of suitability of nwsg forage fields for grassland birds while which 1 was killed by haying equipment and 2 died of preda- maintaining forage quality. Furthermore, a lack of cover fol- tion following dispersal out of recently hayed fields. Visual lowing haying likely is the key factor limiting small mam- obstruction near ground (<0.5 m) generally was greater in mal abundance in forage fields. Fisheries, Wildlife, and Conservation Biology 14

Q&A: L. Scott mills Dr. Mills has deep roots in North Carolina

L. Scott Mills, a 1983 alumnus, re- united with North Carolina State Uni- versity this July as a faculty member. Scott is part of the Chancellor’s Fac- ulty Excellence Program in Global Environmental Change and Human Well-Being. The Chancellor’s Faculty Excellence Program is bringing the best and brightest to join NC State to promote interdisciplinary scholarship and innovation for solving the globe’s most pressing problems. Scott Mills is a Professor in the De- partment of Forestry and Environmen- tal Resources in the College of Natural Resources, and a member of the Fish- eries, Wildlife, and Conservation Biol- ogy Program, and looks forward to collaborating with the College of Agri- culture and Life Sciences, the College Photo courtesy of L. Scott Mills of Sciences, the NC Museum of Natu- Dr. L. Scott Mills is a professor in the Department of Forestry and Environmental Resources. ral Sciences, and the USGS Southeast Climate Science Center. gle building in the town of Wake For- netic sampling in the wild) to under- Dr. Lara Pacifici, also new to NC est). So in some ways I’m responding stand population and community-level State as Assistant Teaching Professor to the tidal pull to come back to this effects of human stressors on wildlife. and Undergraduate Coordinator of part of the world. As an NCSU alum, I am also active in developing more the Fisheries, Wildlife, and Conserva- I have always admired this university, efficient and rigorous approaches to tion Biology Program, had the recent especially in the Natural Resources population assessment, monitoring, opportunity to ask Dr. Scott Mills fields; really, NCSU is one of the few and conservation decision-making. some questions about his past and fu- universities with a program strong My teaching has included graduate ture: enough that I’d consider leaving Mon- and undergraduate classes – and short tana for! I am elated to be back at courses for agency biologists – in ap- Pacifici: After 18 years at the Uni- NCSU as a professor, to give back a plied population ecology, conserva- versity of Montana, what influ- bit for all I gained here as a student tion genetics, population viability enced you to come to North Caroli- and citizen. analysis, general ecology, and field na State University? techniques. Pacifici: What are your research As for research, for many years I Mills: I have deep roots in North and teaching interests? have focused on projects in mountain- Carolina; I grew up here in Raleigh, ous landscapes. I am heavily involved and my family history here goes way Mills: I am a wildlife population in helping to build local capacity for back (my great-great grandfather was ecologist, meaning that I combine wildlife biology research in the Hima- a mathematics professor at Wake For- field data, population models, and ge- est College in 1866, when it was a sin- netic tools (including non-invasive ge- Please see, Mills Page 15 Fisheries, Wildlife, and Conservation Biology 15

change. Like many species across the most places because of the varied ex- Mills globe, hares change from brown to pertise required in animal husbandry, Continued from page 14 white seasonally to match their back- engineering, and construction; the ground. Because the change is based team helping me here at NCSU is sec- layan Kingdom of Bhutan, where two on daylength, they turn white whether ond to none. In short, the expertise of of my graduate students are currently or not snow is present. As duration of my new colleagues at NCSU will help using non-invasive genetic sampling snow during winters decreases due to us answer aspects of adaptation to cli- and remote cameras to study snow climate change, what does that mean mate change that are critical to society leopards and tigers. We have a book for these white hares on a snowless and that are not being addressed any- coming out that provides practical, background? The question is key be- where else. ’how-to’ overviews of wildlife re- cause it will help us understand the search techniques in mountainous ability of animals to locally adapt to Pacifici: What experiences stand Asian landscapes. climate change, thereby improving out most in your memories of your My students and I have also used the decisions we make in managing time as an undergraduate at field studies, genetic analyses and wildlife in the face of climate change NCSU? population models to guide conserva- and other global stressors. To study tion and management of other species how animals might adapt to climate Mills: I worked hard and played ranging from marmots in Olympic change requires a multi-disciplinary hard. Many a night I studied up in the National Park confronting invasive approach, so we are combining radio- stacks of D.H. Hill, but weekends I coyotes, to endangered Sierra Nevada telemetry and field studies with glob- would head out for bass fishing near- bighorn sheep, to flying in the al climate prediction models, as well by or rock climbing in the mountains Philippines, to small mammals along as gene expression and hormone as- (one night, to test out a new rope, we forest edges, to declining amphibian says. We are even building here, at rappelled out of a Tucker Dorm win- species. I am also continuing my re- the Vet School, one of the world’s first dow; the police officer standing at the search on snowshoe hares that has facilities to house animals that under- bottom was shaking his head and gave been going for 15 years (more on that go seasonal coat color molts. us a big lecture). I was a features writ- in the next question). I will continue the work with snow- er for the Technician, and had memo- While I will keep much of this re- shoe hares, whose southern range in rable interviews about milking con- search going, I’m also excited about the east coast extends down to Virgin- tests, spider webs, and making beer. I going some totally new directions ia, and I will also extend the studies to remember talking with Dr. Roger with local species and questions. Not other species that undergo coat color Powell (Mammalogy prof) as one of sure what those new research ques- molts, such as . While it might his pet weasels ran loose in his office. tions will be, but I’m looking forward seem a little strange to have, here on A powerful class moment was a field to getting ideas from folks here! NCSU campus, a big research pro- trip to Lake Matumuskeet, where Dr. gram on animals that turn white (and Phil Doerr showed us a swan dying of Pacifici: You’ve done a great deal including a sub-freezing animal facil- lead poisoning, a visceral symbol of of work on snowshoe hare predato- ity), it makes sense if you consider the importance of banning lead shot ry prey dynamics. Will you contin- that this project is very high profile, from waterfowl hunting (this finally ue that work? See https://vimeo. addresses critical questions for under- happened a few years later). Another com/67839982. standing climate change effects on memorable night was the student wildlife, and is poised to prosper in chapter of the Wildlife Society ban- Mills: Yes. Having spent 15 years the rich collaborative environment of quet at my grandparent’s pond in working to understand hare popula- the NCSU campus community. For Wake Forest. And finally, my senior tion dynamics and response to log- example, the sub-zero hare facility year was 1983, so I was a participant ging (and the powerful role of preda- we’re building at the Vet School in the celebrations on the brickyard tion), I am now focusing on whether (which has been nicknamed the ‘Bun- when the Cardiac Pack won the hare camouflage can adapt to climate ny Chiller’ by some) couldn’t be built NCAA championship! Read more online: http://cnr.ncsu.edu/blogs/news/2013/08/25/meet-dr-l-scott-mills/ Fisheries, Wildlife, and Conservation Biology 16 Publications & Presentations

Research Publications

Becker, S., C. E. Moorman, C. S. DePerno, and T. Simons. 2013. Quantifiable long-term monitoring on parks and nature preserves. Southeastern Naturalist 12:339-352.

Chitwood, M. C., C. S. DePerno, J. R. Flowers, and S. Kennedy-Stoskopf. 2013. Physiological condition of female white-tailed deer in a nutrient-deficient habitat type. Southeastern Naturalist 12:307-316.

Clarke, E. O. III, B. Dorn, A. Boone, G. Risatti, K. Gilbert-Marcheterre, and C. A. Harms. 2013. Mycobacteriosis, Mycobacterium chelonae, in a captive yellow stingray (Urobatis jamaicensis). Journal of Zoo and Wildlife Medicine 44: 470-474.

Dodge, S., G. Bohrer, R. Weinzierl, S. C. Davidson, R. Kays, D. Douglas, S. Cruz, H. J., D. Brandes, and M. Wikelski. 2013. The environmental-data automated track annotation (Env-DATA) system: Linking animal tracks with environmental data. Journal of Movement Ecology 1. doi:10.1186/2051-3933-1-3

Emsens, W.-J., B. T. Hirsch, R. Kays, and P. A. Jansen. 2013. Prey refuges as predator hotspots: ocelot ( pardalis) attraction to agouti (Dasyprocta punctata) dens. Acta Theriologica. doi:10.1007/s13364-013-0159-4

Erlacher-Reid, C. D., T. M. Norton, C. A. Harms, R. Thompson, M. T. Walsh, and M. A. Stamper. 2013. Intestinal and cloacal strictures in free-ranging and aquarium-maintained green sea turtles (Chelonia mydas). Journal of Zoo and Wildlife Medicine 44: 408-429.

Fox, A. F., S. C. Reberg-Horton, D. B. Orr, C. E. Moorman, and S. D. Frank. 2013. Crop and field border effects on weed seed predation in the southeastern U.S. coastal plain. Agriculture, Ecosystems and Environment 177:58-62.

Helgen, K. M., M. Pinto, R. Kays, L. Helgen, M. Tsuchiya, A. Quinn, D. Wilson, and J. Maldonado. 2013. Taxonomic revision of the olingos (Bassaricyon), with description of a new species, the Olinguito. ZooKeys 324:1–83

Hightower, J. E., K. J. Magowan, L. M. Brown, and D. A. . 2013. Reliability of fish size estimates obtained from multibeam imaging sonar. Journal of Fish and Wildlife Management 4:86-96.

LaPoint, S., P. Gallery, M. Wikelski, and R. Kays. 2013. Animal behavior, cost-based corridor models, and real corridors. Landscape Ecology. doi:10.1007/s10980-013-9910-0

Minter L. J., C. A. Harms, K. E. Archibald, H. Broadhurst, K. M. Bailey, E. F. Christiansen, G. A. Lewbart, and L. P. Posner. 2013. The efficacy of alfaxalone for the intravascular anesthesia and euthanasia in blue crabs (Callinectes sapidus). Journal of Zoo and Wildlife Medicine 44: 694-699.

Nelson, T. C., P. Doukakis, S. T. Lindley, A. D. Schreier, J. E. Hightower, L. R. Hildebrand, R. E. Whitlock, and M. A. H. Webb. 2013. Research Tools to Investigate Movements, Migrations, and Life History of Sturgeons (Acipenseridae), with an Emphasis on Marine-Oriented Populations. PLOS ONE 8 (8): e71552. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0071552. Fisheries, Wildlife, and Conservation Biology 17 Publications & Presentations

Rockhill, A. P., C. S. DePerno, and R. A. Powell. 2013. The effect of illumination and time of day on movement of bobcats ( rufus). PLOS ONE 8(7): e69213. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0069213.

Safi, K., B. Kranstauber, R. Weinzierl, L. Griffin, E. C. Rees, D. Cabot, S. Cruz, C. Proaño, J. Y. Takekawa, S. H. Newman, J. Waldenström, D. Bengtsson, R. Kays, M. Wikelski, and G. Bohrer. 2013. Flying with the wind: scale dependency of speed and direction measurements in modelling wind support in avian flight. Movement Ecology 1:4. doi: 10.1186/2051-3933-1-4.

Turner, M. M., C. S. DePerno, M. C. Conner, T. B. Eyler, R. A. Lancia, R. W. Klaver, and M. K. Stoskopf. 2013. Habitat, Wildlife and One Health: Acanobacterium pyogenes in Maryland Upper Eastern Shore white-tailed deer populations. Infection Ecology and Epidemiology 2013, 3:19175 – http://dx.doi.org/10.3402/iee.v3i0.19175. Book Chapter

Voirin, B., R. Kays, M. Wikelski, and M. Lowman. 2013. Why do sloths poop on the ground? Pages 195–199 in L. Margaret, S. Devy, and T. Ganesh, editors. Treetops at Risk: Challenges of Global Canopy Ecology and Conservation. Springer, New York. Research Presentations

Courchesne, S., S. Jennings, M. Pokras, T. Diamon, D. McNair, J. Brown, J. Ballard, C. Harms, E. Christiansen, S. Schweitzer, A. Ballmann, D. E. Green, M. Hines, J. Okoniewski, M. P. Harris, D. Turner, J. Gallegos, J. Stanton, and J. C. Ellis. 2013. Unusual winter mortality events in multiple Atlantic seabird species. International Wildlife Disease Association Conference, Knoxville, Tennessee.

Fritts, S. R., C. E. Moorman, and D. Hazel. 2013. Efficacy of biomass harvestings guidelines implemented in an operational context. Project Directors Meeting - AFRI Foundational Programs: Soil Processes, Managed Ecosystems, Ecosystem Services, and Renewable Energy, Natural Resources, and Environment. Annapolis, Maryland.

Grodsky, S. M., S. R. Fritts, C. E. Moorman, S. B. Castleberry, J. A. Homyack, and T. B. Wigley. 2013. Evaluation of wildlife response to woody biomass harvesting. Project Directors Meeting - AFRI Foundational Programs: Soil Processes, Managed Ecosystems, Ecosystem Services, and Renewable Energy, Natural Resources, and Environment. Annapolis, Maryland.

Marshall, S., D. Orr, L. K. Bradley, S. Frank, and C. E. Moorman. 2013. The effects of lawn plant diversity on arthropod diversity. 2013 American Society for Horticultural Science Annual Conference, Palm Desert, California. Workshops:

Harms, C. Invited participant, International Whaling Commission, Workshop on Euthanasia Protocols to Optimize Welfare Concerns for Stranded Cetaceans. London, UK. Fisheries, Wildlife, and Conservation Biology 18 Publications & Presentations

Pollock is honour speaker at Euring 2013 conference

Ken Pollock was the Honour Speaker, International EURING 2013 Conference on Mark-Recapture Methods. April 28- May 4, 2013, University of Georgia, Athens Georgia. The primary focus of The EURING Meetings is the advancement of statistical methods used to estimate population parameters for populations where animals armarked.

Extension Presentations

Lashley, M.S., C. E. Moorman, and C. S. DePerno. 2013. A Study of Wildlife on Military Bases. NC Museum of Natural Sciences Nature Research Center, Raleigh, North Carolina. Student Awards: Best poster

Stevenson, K., M. N. Peterson, R. Strnad, H. Bondell, S. Moore, and L. Malone. 2013. Identifying influences on environmental literacy in middle school students. FER & MEAS Graduate Student Research Symposium, NCSU. Extension Article

Stevenson, K. 2013. Taking Kids Outside Matters: Promoting Environmental Literacy in North Carolina. Coastwatch. Retrieved September 10, 2013, from http://www.ncseagrant.org/home/coastwatch?task=showArtic le&view=listarticles&id=812&r44b=no Enhance wildlife habitat Bat boxes and wood duck boxes $50 You can help enhance wildlife habitat in your backyard. All proceeds benefit the Leopold Wildlife Club

If interested contact Dr. Chris DePerno ([email protected]) Fisheries, Wildlife, and Conservation Biology 19 organizations and opportunities North Carolina State University Fisheries, Wildlife, and Conservation Biology students and faculty are active in a number of peer and industry organizations devoted to aspects of Fisheries, Wildlife, and Conservation Biology. The Leopold Wildlife Club offers students the opportunity to network and learn from professionals in wildlife science and management. Meetings are held twice a month and typically feature speakers on a variety of topics. Past speakers have included falconers, fishing guides, taxidermists, decoy carvers and more. The Student Fisheries Society is a sub-unit of the North Carolina Chapter of the American Fisheries Society. It encourages the exchange of fisheries and Read back aquatic science information among students, faculty and regional professionals while also providing career guidance to students. The American Fisheries Soci- issues online ety is the oldest and largest not-for-profit professional society for government, If you missed the last issue academic and industry scientists associated with conservation, development and of the Fisheries and Wildlife management of fishery resources in North America. newsletter you can catch The NC Chapter of The Wildlife Society provides a forum for wildlife pro- up on back issues on the fessionals and others to interact to improve wildlife conservation and manage- department’s Web site under ment while fostering high professional standards and ethics within all related the news tab. fields. It is an acknowledged source of current scientific information and exper- http://cnr.ncsu.edu/fer/news/ tise and acts as a collective voice on matters relating to wildlife biology, manage- FWCB_newsletter.php ment, education and policy. Summer Camp student endowments

Please consider giving to our two Summer Camp student endowments. These endowments help undergraduate students attend the Fisheries and Wildlife Sum- mer Camp. For more information on how to contribute, contact Dr. Chris Moor- man at 919-515-5578 or [email protected] Phil Doerr Endowment Fund

Also, you may consider giving to the Phil Doerr Endowment Fund. The en- dowment, established with the North Carolina Natural Resources Foundation, will be used to fund an annual award to assist undergraduate or graduate student(s) in gaining valuable field experience. For more information on how to contribute, contact Dr. Chris Moorman at 919-515-5578 or [email protected]

The Newsletter Compiled and edited by:

Christopher S. DePerno, Ph.D. Steve Allen Fisheries, Wildlife, and Associate Professor, Fisheries, Wildlife, and Conservation Biology Conservation Biology graduate Department of Forestry 919-334-8935 (cell) design and editing College of Natural Resources 919-515-5110 (fax) 336-209-5093 (cell) [email protected] North Carolina State University [email protected] Turner House, Box 7646 Got a story idea or a great photo? Raleigh, NC 27695-7646 Send your article submissions or pictures of North 919-513-7559 (office) Carolina’s native wildlife to [email protected].