Kansas State University, 2000

Total Page:16

File Type:pdf, Size:1020Kb

Kansas State University, 2000 View metadata, citation and similar papers at core.ac.uk brought to you by CORE provided by K-State Research Exchange FACTORS INFLUENCING NIGHTLY ACTIVITY OF DEER MICE (Peromyscus maniculatus) IN TALLGRASS PRAIRIE by RYAN L. REHMEIER B.S., Trinity University, 1997 M.S., Kansas State University, 2000 AN ABSTRACT OF A DISSERTATION submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree DOCTOR OF PHILOSOPHY Division of Biology College of Arts and Sciences KANSAS STATE UNIVERSITY Manhattan, Kansas 2005 ABSTRACT Little is known about nightly activity patterns of nocturnal small mammals under natural conditions, and how these activity patterns might be affected by photoperiod, season, and sex, age, and reproductive status of individuals. The main objectives of this research were: 1) to find an appropriate method for marking individual deer mice (Peromyscus maniculatus) so that their activity could be monitored remotely; 2) to design a portable activity-monitoring system to investigate temporal patterns of shelter use by deer mice under natural conditions; 3) to determine the influence of environmental conditions such as photoperiod and season on nightly activity of deer mice; and 4) to compare effects of demographic or physiological factors such as sex, age, and reproductive status on nightly activity of deer mice at artificial burrows in tallgrass prairie. In general, commencement of activity was correlated positively with timing of sunset, and time of retirement to the burrow was correlated positively with sunrise. Among adults, males first emerged from the burrow earlier and made more trips of shorter duration in a night than did females, although total duration of trips was similar. Return visits and subsequent stays typically were shorter for males than females, but total time spent in the burrow and retirement time relative to sunrise were similar for both sexes. Young deer mice emerged significantly later, made more trips of shorter duration, spent less total time outside, and retired to their burrow earlier than adults. Reproductive females emerged later, made fewer trips of generally longer duration, and spent shorter total amounts of time away from the burrow each night than non-reproductive females. Return visits of reproductive females were of longer duration than non-reproductives, but total time spent inside and time of retirement for the night did not differ relative to reproductive status. From parturition through lactation, activity of females showed a number of directional trends. Results suggest that under natural conditions, activity patterns of deer mice are highly variable but responsive to both the changing physical environment and internal conditions related to sex-specific maximization of fitness. FACTORS INFLUENCING NIGHTLY ACTIVITY OF DEER MICE (Peromyscus maniculatus) IN TALLGRASS PRAIRIE by RYAN L. REHMEIER B.S., Trinity University, 1997 M.S., Kansas State University, 2000 A DISSERTATION submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree DOCTOR OF PHILOSOPHY Division of Biology College of Arts and Sciences KANSAS STATE UNIVERSITY Manhattan, Kansas 2005 Approved by: Co-Major Professor Glennis A. Kaufman Co-Major Professor Donald W. Kaufman COPYRIGHT Ryan L. Rehmeier 2005 ABSTRACT Little is known about nightly activity patterns of nocturnal small mammals under natural conditions, and how these activity patterns might be affected by photoperiod, season, and sex, age, and reproductive status of individuals. The main objectives of this research were: 1) to find an appropriate method for marking individual deer mice (Peromyscus maniculatus) so that their activity could be monitored remotely; 2) to design a portable activity-monitoring system to investigate temporal patterns of shelter use by deer mice under natural conditions; 3) to determine the influence of environmental conditions such as photoperiod and season on nightly activity of deer mice; and 4) to compare effects of demographic or physiological factors such as sex, age, and reproductive status on nightly activity of deer mice at artificial burrows in tallgrass prairie. In general, commencement of activity was correlated positively with timing of sunset, and time of retirement to the burrow was correlated positively with sunrise. Among adults, males first emerged from the burrow earlier and made more trips of shorter duration in a night than did females, although total duration of trips was similar. Return visits and subsequent stays typically were shorter for males than females, but total time spent in the burrow and retirement time relative to sunrise were similar for both sexes. Young deer mice emerged significantly later, made more trips of shorter duration, spent less total time outside, and retired to their burrow earlier than adults. Reproductive females emerged later, made fewer trips of generally longer duration, and spent shorter total amounts of time away from the burrow each night than non-reproductive females. Return visits of reproductive females were of longer duration than non-reproductives, but total time spent inside and time of retirement for the night did not differ relative to reproductive status. From parturition through lactation, activity of females showed a number of directional trends. Results suggest that under natural conditions, activity patterns of deer mice are highly variable but responsive to both the changing physical environment and internal conditions related to sex-specific maximization of fitness. TABLE OF CONTENTS LIST OF FIGURES ............................................................................................................ v LIST OF TABLES...........................................................................................................viii ACKNOWLEDGMENTS ................................................................................................. ix DEDICATION................................................................................................................... xi Chapter 1: Marking small mammals for field studies: recent trends and new observations. ....................................................................................................................... 1 Abstract........................................................................................................................... 1 Introduction..................................................................................................................... 2 Materials and Methods.................................................................................................... 5 Literature Survey ........................................................................................................ 5 Field Study.................................................................................................................. 7 Results........................................................................................................................... 13 Literature Survey ...................................................................................................... 13 Field Study................................................................................................................ 19 Discussion..................................................................................................................... 23 Literature Cited ............................................................................................................. 28 Literature Cited for Appendix 1.................................................................................... 77 Chapter 2: An automatic activity-monitoring system for small mammals under natural conditions........................................................................................................................ 125 Abstract....................................................................................................................... 125 Introduction................................................................................................................. 125 i Materials and Methods................................................................................................ 127 Study site................................................................................................................. 127 Artificial burrows.................................................................................................... 127 Trapping methods ................................................................................................... 128 Marking methods .................................................................................................... 128 Automatic activity-monitoring system ................................................................... 129 Monitoring activity at artificial burrows................................................................. 132 Results......................................................................................................................... 133 Efficacy of monitoring and data logging ................................................................ 134 Discussion................................................................................................................... 141 Advantages of the system ....................................................................................... 141 Disadvantages of the monitoring system ................................................................ 143 Future applications.................................................................................................
Recommended publications
  • PLAGUE STUDIES * 6. Hosts of the Infection R
    Bull. Org. mond. Sante 1 Bull. World Hlth Org. 1952, 6, 381-465 PLAGUE STUDIES * 6. Hosts of the Infection R. POLLITZER, M.D. Division of Epidemiology, World Health Organization Manuscript received in April 1952 RODENTS AND LAGOMORPHA Reviewing in 1928 the then rather limited knowledge available concerning the occurrence and importance of plague in rodents other than the common rats and mice, Jorge 129 felt justified in drawing a clear-cut distinction between the pandemic type of plague introduced into human settlements and houses all over the world by the " domestic " rats and mice, and " peste selvatique ", which is dangerous for man only when he invades the remote endemic foci populated by wild rodents. Although Jorge's concept was accepted, some discussion arose regarding the appropriateness of the term " peste selvatique" or, as Stallybrass 282 and Wu Lien-teh 318 translated it, " selvatic plague ". It was pointed out by Meyer 194 that, on etymological grounds, the name " sylvatic plague " would be preferable, and this term was widely used until POzzO 238 and Hoekenga 105 doubted, and Girard 82 denied, its adequacy on the grounds that the word " sylvatic" implied that the rodents concerned lived in forests, whereas that was rarely the case. Girard therefore advocated the reversion to the expression "wild-rodent plague" which was used before the publication of Jorge's study-a proposal it has seemed advisable to accept for the present studies. Much more important than the difficulty of adopting an adequate nomenclature is that of distinguishing between rat and wild-rodent plague- a distinction which is no longer as clear-cut as Jorge was entitled to assume.
    [Show full text]
  • Species Assessment for the Humboldt Marten (Martes Americana Humboldtensis)
    Arcata Fish and Wildlife Office Species Assessment for the Humboldt Marten (Martes americana humboldtensis) R. Hamlin, L. Roberts, G. Schmidt, K. Brubaker and R. Bosch Photo credit: Six Rivers National Forest Endangered Species Program U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Arcata Fish and Wildlife Office 1655 Heindon Road Arcata, California 95521 (707) 822-7201 www.fws.gov/arcata September 2010 i The suggested citation for this report is: Hamlin, R., L. Roberts, G. Schmidt, K. Brubaker and R. Bosch 2010. Species assessment for the Humboldt marten (Martes americana humboldtensis). U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Arcata Fish and Wildlife Office, Arcata, California. 34 + iv pp. ii Table of Contents INTRODUCTION ................................................................................................................ 1 BIOLOGICAL INFORMATION .......................................................................................... 1 Species Description ................................................................................................... 1 Taxonomy.................................................................................................................. 1 Life History ............................................................................................................... 4 Reproduction .................................................................................................. 5 Diet ................................................................................................................ 5 Home Range
    [Show full text]
  • The Chocó-Darién Conservation Corridor
    July 4, 2011 The Chocó-Darién Conservation Corridor A Project Design Note for Validation to Climate, Community, and Biodiversity (CCB) Standards (2nd Edition). CCB Project Design Document – July 4, 2011 Executive Summary Colombia is home to over 10% of the world’s plant and animal species despite covering just 0.7% of the planet’s surface, and has more registered species of birds and amphibians than any other country in the world. Along Colombia’s northwest border with Panama lies the Darién region, one of the most diverse ecosystems of the American tropics, a recognized biodiversity hotspot, and home to two UNESCO Natural World Heritage sites. The spectacular rainforests of the Darien shelter populations of endangered species such as the jaguar, spider monkey, wild dog, and peregrine falcon, as well as numerous rare species that exist nowhere else on the planet. The Darién is also home to a diverse group of Afro-Colombian, indigenous, and mestizo communities who depend on these natural resources. On August 1, 2005, the Council of Afro-Colombian Communities of the Tolo River Basin (COCOMASUR) was awarded collective land title to over 13,465 hectares of rainforest in the Serranía del Darién in the municipality of Acandí, Chocó in recognition of their traditional lifestyles and longstanding presence in the region. If they are to preserve the forests and their traditional way of life, these communities must overcome considerable challenges. During 2001- 2010 alone, over 10% of the natural forest cover of the surrounding region was converted to pasture for cattle ranching or cleared to support unsustainable agricultural practices.
    [Show full text]
  • Geographic Distribution of Hantaviruses Associated with Neotomine and Sigmodontine Rodents, Mexico Mary L
    Geographic Distribution of Hantaviruses Associated with Neotomine and Sigmodontine Rodents, Mexico Mary L. Milazzo,1 Maria N.B. Cajimat,1 Hannah E. Romo, Jose G. Estrada-Franco, L. Ignacio Iñiguez-Dávalos, Robert D. Bradley, and Charles F. Fulhorst To increase our knowledge of the geographic on the North American continent are Bayou virus, Black distribution of hantaviruses associated with neotomine or Creek Canal virus (BCCV), Choclo virus (CHOV), New sigmodontine rodents in Mexico, we tested 876 cricetid York virus, and Sin Nombre virus (SNV) (3–7). Other rodents captured in 18 Mexican states (representing at hantaviruses that are principally associated with neotomine least 44 species in the subfamily Neotominae and 10 or North American sigmodontine rodents include Carrizal species in the subfamily Sigmodontinae) for anti-hantavirus virus (CARV), Catacamas virus, El Moro Canyon virus IgG. We found antibodies against hantavirus in 35 (4.0%) rodents. Nucleotide sequence data from 5 antibody-positive (ELMCV), Huitzilac virus (HUIV), Limestone Canyon rodents indicated that Sin Nombre virus (the major cause of virus (LSCV), Montano virus (MTNV), Muleshoe virus hantavirus pulmonary syndrome [HPS] in the United States) (MULV), Playa de Oro virus, and Rio Segundo virus is enzootic in the Mexican states of Nuevo León, San Luis (RIOSV) (8–14). Potosí, Tamaulipas, and Veracruz. However, HPS has not Specifi c rodents (usually 1 or 2 closely related been reported from these states, which suggests that in species) are the principal hosts of the hantaviruses, northeastern Mexico, HPS has been confused with other for which natural host relationships have been well rapidly progressive, life-threatening respiratory diseases.
    [Show full text]
  • Biogeography of Mammals in SE Asia: Estimates of Rates of Colonization, Extinction and Speciation
    Biological Journal oflhe Linnean Sociely (1986), 28, 127-165. With 8 figures Biogeography of mammals in SE Asia: estimates of rates of colonization, extinction and speciation LAWRENCE R. HEANEY Museum of <oology and Division of Biological Sciences, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan 48109, U.S.A. Accepted for publication I4 February 1986 Four categories of islands in SE Asia may be identified on the basis of their histories of landbridge connections. Those islands on the shallow, continental Sunda Shelf were joined to the Asian mainland by a broad landbridge during the late Pleistocene; other islands were connected to the Sunda Shelf by a middle Pleistocene landbridge; some were parts of larger oceanic islands; and others remained as isolated oceanic islands. The limits of late Pleistocene islands, defined by the 120 ni bathymetric line, are highly concordant with the limits of faunal regions. Faunal variation among non-volant mammals is high between faunal regions and low within the faunal regions; endcmism of faunal regions characteristically exceeds 70%. Small and geologically young oceanic islands are depauperate; larger and older islands are more species-rich. The number of endemic species is correlated with island area; however, continental shelf islands less than 125000 km2 do not have endemic species, whereas isolated oceanic islands as small as 47 km2 often have endemic species. Geologirally old oceanic islands have many endemic species, whereas young oceanic islands have few endemic species. Colonization across sea channels that were 5-25 km wide during the Pleistocene has been low, with a rate of about 1-2/500000 years.
    [Show full text]
  • Behavioral Aspects of Western Gray Squirrel Ecology
    Behavioral aspects of western gray squirrel ecology Item Type text; Dissertation-Reproduction (electronic) Authors Cross, Stephen P. Publisher The University of Arizona. Rights Copyright © is held by the author. Digital access to this material is made possible by the University Libraries, University of Arizona. Further transmission, reproduction or presentation (such as public display or performance) of protected items is prohibited except with permission of the author. Download date 11/10/2021 06:42:38 Link to Item http://hdl.handle.net/10150/565181 BEHAVIORAL ASPECTS OF WESTERN GRAY SQUIRREL ECOLOGY by Stephen Paul Cross A Dissertation Submitted to the Faculty of. the DEPARTMENT OF BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES In Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements For the Degree of DOCTOR OF PHILOSOPHY WITH A MAJOR IN ZOOLOGY In the Graduate College THE UNIVERSITY OF ARIZONA 1 9 6 9 THE UNIVERSITY OF ARIZONA GRADUATE COLLEGE I hereby recommend that this dissertation prepared under my direction by St e p h e n Paul Cross_______________________________ entitled B E H A V I O R A L A S P E C T S OF W E S T E R N G RAY__________ S Q U I R R E L E C O LOGY___________________________________ be accepted as fulfilling the dissertation requirement of the degree of D O C T O R OF P H I L O S O P H Y_____________________________ Dissertation Director Date After inspection of the final copy of the dissertation, the following members of the Final Examination Committee concur in its approval and recommend its acceptance:* This approval and acceptance is contingent on the candidate's adequate performance and defense of this dissertation at the final oral examination.
    [Show full text]
  • Gut Analysis of Small Non-Volant Mammals of Mt. Makiling, Luzon Island, Philippines Anna Pauline O
    Journal of Environmental Science and Management 17(2): 63-68 (December 2014) ISSN 0119-1144 Gut Analysis of Small Non-Volant Mammals of Mt. Makiling, Luzon Island, Philippines Anna Pauline O. de Guia1 and Ma. Niña Regina M. Quibod2 ABSTRACT Three non-native species (Rattus exulans, R. tanezumi and Mus musculus) of small non-volant mammals were recorded along various elevational gradients of Mount Makiling. Invertebrate remains and plant matter comprised the bulk of their diets based on the food items identifed. The identifed plant matter were leaves and seeds while invertebrates were easily identifable through body parts such as legs, head and antennae. Other contents identifed including vertebrate remains such as hair/fur, feathers and bones, plastics, rubber, stones, and intestinal worms were noted. Based on the calculated relative abundance of each food type, there is no signifcant difference in the diets of the three non-native rodent species. Preliminary results suggest that introduced rodents in Mt. Makiling have broad diets and there are no indications that their main diet includes native wildlife species. Traces of vertebrate remains, however, may indicate potential predation on wildlife species and further studies are needed to clarify this. Key words: rodents, gut analysis, endemic, non-native, elevational gradient INTRODUCTION The complexity of tropical mountain ecosystems endemic species (Rickart et al. 2007; Ong and Rickart 2008). have long provided haven for various Philippine wildlife R. exulans and R. tanezumi have been recorded at altitudes species. The elevational gradients provide various forest of 725 – 1450 masl on Mt. Isarog (Heaney et al. 1998). S. types while vertical stratifcation of trees offer habitat murinus, R.
    [Show full text]
  • Guía Aves Y Naturaleza 2017.Pdf
    Zamora ciudad abierta al turismo de observación de la naturaleza La ciudad de Zamora y su término municipal cuenta con importantes enclaves de gran riqueza medio ambiental. Sin duda el río Duero, que la atraviesa de Este a Oeste, constituye uno de sus grandes recursos paisajísticos, pero también lo es el bosque de Valorio, dotado además de una considerable fuerza simbólica y sentimental para los zamoranos, así como los montes que ro- dean a la ciudad, tan cercanos que apenas terminan las últimas edificaciones se entra de lleno en la naturaleza. Esto permite disfrutar de la observación de las aves y otras muchas especies, no solo en las zonas ribereñas sino también en el espacio urbano, donde el ritmo tranquilo de la ciudad per- mite avistar numerosas especies que eligen para su hábitat la cercanía humana y conviven con nosotros sin dificultad. Con esta publicación, que incluye diversas rutas por la ciudad y alrededores, el Ayuntamiento de Zamora quiere abrir la puerta a esta interesante tendencia de la observación y estudio de los espacios naturales, tal como hace el turismo ornitológico y medioambiental, que además de promover los recursos locales abre también otras posibilidades relacionadas con la interpretación ambiental y la educación. Pero de manera especial nos permite acercarnos a los distintos espacios que ofrece la ciudad con de- tallismo y respeto, al tiempo que se divulga una parte importante de la avifauna y del patrimonio natural de Zamora. Francisco Guarido Alcalde de Zamora Búho chico (Asio otus) } La observación y la fotografía de las aves silvestres y de otros especies de nuestra fauna, como mamíferos, anfibios, reptiles, mariposas, libélulas, se han convertido en actividades que implican a un número muy considerable y creciente de personas.
    [Show full text]
  • Estimating the Energy Expenditure of Endotherms at the Species Level
    Canadian Journal of Zoology Estimating the energy expenditure of endotherms at the species level Journal: Canadian Journal of Zoology Manuscript ID cjz-2020-0035 Manuscript Type: Article Date Submitted by the 17-Feb-2020 Author: Complete List of Authors: McNab, Brian; University of Florida, Biology Is your manuscript invited for consideration in a Special Not applicable (regular submission) Issue?: Draft arvicoline rodents, BMR, Anatidae, energy expenditure, endotherms, Keyword: Meliphagidae, Phyllostomidae © The Author(s) or their Institution(s) Page 1 of 42 Canadian Journal of Zoology Estimating the energy expenditure of endotherms at the species level Brian K. McNab B.K. McNab, Department of Biology, University of Florida 32611 Email for correspondence: [email protected] Telephone number: 1-352-392-1178 Fax number: 1-352-392-3704 The author has no conflict of interest Draft © The Author(s) or their Institution(s) Canadian Journal of Zoology Page 2 of 42 McNab, B.K. Estimating the energy expenditure of endotherms at the species level. Abstract The ability to account with precision for the quantitative variation in the basal rate of metabolism (BMR) at the species level is explored in four groups of endotherms, arvicoline rodents, ducks, melaphagid honeyeaters, and phyllostomid bats. An effective analysis requires the inclusion of the factors that distinguish species and their responses to the conditions they encounter in the environment. These factors are implemented by changes in body composition and are responsible for the non-conformity of species to a scaling curve. Two concerns may limit an analysis. The factors correlatedDraft with energy expenditure often correlate with each other, which usually prevents them from being included together in an analysis, thereby preventing a complete analysis, implying the presence of factors other than mass.
    [Show full text]
  • Quaternary Murid Rodents of Timor Part I: New Material of Coryphomys Buehleri Schaub, 1937, and Description of a Second Species of the Genus
    QUATERNARY MURID RODENTS OF TIMOR PART I: NEW MATERIAL OF CORYPHOMYS BUEHLERI SCHAUB, 1937, AND DESCRIPTION OF A SECOND SPECIES OF THE GENUS K. P. APLIN Australian National Wildlife Collection, CSIRO Division of Sustainable Ecosystems, Canberra and Division of Vertebrate Zoology (Mammalogy) American Museum of Natural History ([email protected]) K. M. HELGEN Department of Vertebrate Zoology National Museum of Natural History Smithsonian Institution, Washington and Division of Vertebrate Zoology (Mammalogy) American Museum of Natural History ([email protected]) BULLETIN OF THE AMERICAN MUSEUM OF NATURAL HISTORY Number 341, 80 pp., 21 figures, 4 tables Issued July 21, 2010 Copyright E American Museum of Natural History 2010 ISSN 0003-0090 CONTENTS Abstract.......................................................... 3 Introduction . ...................................................... 3 The environmental context ........................................... 5 Materialsandmethods.............................................. 7 Systematics....................................................... 11 Coryphomys Schaub, 1937 ........................................... 11 Coryphomys buehleri Schaub, 1937 . ................................... 12 Extended description of Coryphomys buehleri............................ 12 Coryphomys musseri, sp.nov.......................................... 25 Description.................................................... 26 Coryphomys, sp.indet.............................................. 34 Discussion . ....................................................
    [Show full text]
  • Parasite Communities of Tropical Forest Rodents: Influences of Microhabitat Structure and Specialization
    PARASITE COMMUNITIES OF TROPICAL FOREST RODENTS: INFLUENCES OF MICROHABITAT STRUCTURE AND SPECIALIZATION By Ashley M. Winker Parasitism is the most common life style and has important implications for the ecology and evolution of hosts. Most organisms host multiple species of parasites, and parasite communities are frequently influenced by the degree of host specialization. Parasite communities are also influenced by their habitat – both the host itself and the habitat that the host occupies. Tropical forest rodents are ideal for examining hypotheses relating parasite community composition to host habitat and host specialization. Proechimys semispinosus and Hoplomys gymnurus are morphologically-similar echimyid rodents; however, P. semispinosus is more generalized, occupying a wider range of habitats. I predicted that P. semispinosus hosts a broader range of parasite species that are less host-specific than does H. gymnurus and that parasite communities of P. semispinosus are related to microhabitat structure, host density, and season. During two dry and wet seasons, individuals of the two rodent species were trapped along streams in central Panama to compare their parasites, and P. semispinosus was sampled on six plots of varying microhabitat structure in contiguous lowland forest to compare parasite loads to microhabitat structure. Such structure was quantified by measuring thirteen microhabitat variables, and dimensions were reduced to a smaller subset using factor analysis to define overall structure. Ectoparasites were collected from each individual, and blood smears were obtained to screen for filarial worms and trypanosomes. In support of my prediction, the habitat generalist ( P. semispinosus ) hosted more individual fleas, mites, and microfilaria; contrary to my prediction, the habitat specialist (H.
    [Show full text]
  • Inventory of Mammals at Walnut Canyon, Wupatki, and Sunset Crater National Monuments
    National Park Service U.S. Department of the Interior Natural Resource Program Center Inventory of Mammals at Walnut Canyon, Wupatki, and Sunset Crater National Monuments Natural Resource Technical Report NPS/SCPN/NRTR–2009/278 ON THE COVER: Top: Wupatki National Monument; bottom left: bobcat (Lynx rufus); bottom right: Wupatki pocket mouse (Perogna- thus amplus cineris) at Wupatki National Monument. Photos courtesy of U.S. Geological Survey/Charles Drost. Inventory of Mammals at Walnut Canyon, Wupatki, and Sunset Crater National Monuments Natural Resource Technical Report NPS/SCPN/NRTR—2009/278 Author Charles Drost U.S. Geological Survey Southwest Biological Science Center 2255 N. Gemini Drive Flagstaff, AZ 86001 Editing and Design Jean Palumbo National Park Service, Southern Colorado Plateau Network Northern Arizona University Flagstaff, Arizona December 2009 U.S. Department of the Interior National Park Service Natural Resource Program Center Fort Collins, Colorado The National Park Service, Natural Resource Program Center publishes a range of reports that address natural resource topics of interest and applicability to a broad audience in the National Park Service and others in natural resource management, including scientists, conservation and environmental constituencies, and the public. The Natural Resource Technical Report Series is used to disseminate results of scientific studies in the physical, biological, and social sciences for both the advancement of science and the achievement of the National Park Service mission. The series provides contributors with a forum for displaying comprehensive data that are often deleted from journals because of page limitations. All manuscripts in the series receive the appropriate level of peer review to ensure that the information is scientifically credible, technically accurate, appropriately written for the intended audience, and designed and published in a professional manner.
    [Show full text]