SOUTH TEXAS WILDLIFE

J. R. THOMASSON

A publication of the Caesar Kleberg Wildlife Research Institute Summer 2019 at Texas A&M University-Kingsville Volume 23, No. 2

profusely through copious seed pro- duction. These characteristics are desirable from the perspectives of ease of establishment, provision of cattle forage, and ability to spread on semiarid rangelands. However, from the perspective of , this can be harmful. Buffelgrass can create large monocultures (an area comprised primarily of one dominating plant species), and the resulting loss in plant diversity, in turn, decreases wildlife diversity. Some general- ist wildlife species may be able to persist in buffelgrass-dominated areas; however, habitat specialists can suffer and be extirpated. Geron Gowdy shown taking measurements within a restored native grassland. © Alec Ritzell Restoring buffelgrass-dominated rangelands to native grasslands is WILDLIFE RESPONSE TO NATIVE brought in for aesthetic reasons in difficult. However, if successful, GRASSLAND RESTORATION urban areas. Unfortunately, many native grass restoration may pro- of these introduced species have vide a means of restoring wildlife by Geron Gowdy, Fidel Hernández, expanded beyond their original diversity given that greater plant Timothy Fulbright, and introduction or planting sites, estab- diversity generally promotes greater Michael Hehman lishing across thousands of acres wildlife diversity. In collaboration of native rangeland and displacing with other Caesar Kleberg Wildlife Non-native, invasive plants have native species in the process. become established in many areas One such species is buffelgrass. This Issue across the globe. Some of these spe- Buffelgrass is native to Africa and Native Grassland Restoration.....1 cies were accidental introductions, has been seeded in many countries whereas others were introduced to including Australia, Mexico, and the By The Numbers...... 2 enhance agricultural production or United States within southwestern CKWRI News...... 3 rangelands. Beginning in the 1940s, Editor’s Note: Mr. Geron Gowdy is a M.S. student Did You Know?...... 3 at Texas A&M University-Kingsville (TAMUK); buffelgrass was seeded in Texas to Dr. Fidel Hernández is a professor at TAMUK and Insects and Parasites...... 3 the Alfred C. Glassell, Jr., Endowed Professor for provide forage for cattle. This grass Quail Research; Dr. Timothy Fulbright is a Regents is extremely adept at surviving and What Do They Eat?...... 4 Professor at TAMUK and the Meadows Professor even thriving in drought. During in Semi-arid Land Ecology; Mr. Michael Hehman Advisory Board...... 4 is the land manager of the Hixon Ranch. wet times, it can grow and reproduce 1 Cover of native plants has By The Numbers progressively increased on the 17–22 range of weights in pounds of an adult nutria (The Mammals restoration site from about 5% pre- of Texas, W.B. Davis and D.J. Schmidly, TPWD) restoration (2013) to greater than 30‒80% post-restoration (2018). 8–17 typical range of the number of eggs laid in the clutch of Importantly, we have observed a the red-eared slider (A field guide to Texas Reptiles and Amphibians, R.D. Bartlett and P.P. Bartlett, Gulf Publishing Co.) concomitant increase in wildlife diversity over this period. For example, butterfly species on the Research Institute colleagues (Dr. locally adapted native grasses and restoration site increased from 9 Eric Grahmann, Mr. Forrest Smith, forbs was planted in autumn of 2016 species (2014) to 16 species (2018). and Dr. David Wester) and graduate and desirable native shrubs were In comparison, butterfly diversity students (Brandon Palmer, Ellart transplanted in the spring of 2017. has remained relatively constant at Vreugdenhil, and Javier Huerta), we To monitor the wildlife response about 8 to 9 species on the control initiated a study in 2013 to evaluate to restoration, we conducted surveys site (Figure A). Similarly, bird whether a buffelgrass-dominated site for birds, small mammals, and but- diversity has increased from 19 could be converted back to a native terflies before restoration and 2 years species (2014) to 34 species (2018) grassland and, if so, whether wildlife after. What did we find? Was the for breeding birds (Figure B) and diversity would increase as a result. increased from 22 species (2013) to Our study was conducted on the 27 species (2018) for wintering birds Hixon Ranch in La Salle County, on the restoration site (Figure C), Texas. We selected 2 sites: a restora- whereas it has remained relatively tion site (buffelgrass-dominated area constant at about 15 to 20 species on subject to native grassland restora- the control site (Figures B and C). tion) and a control site (buffelgrass- Thus, it seems that wildlife diversity dominated area). The restoration site is progressively increasing as native and control site were chosen because plants become established. of similar management histories and The preliminary findings of vegetation characteristics. © Geron Gowdy this study suggest that (1) native Restoration was a multi-year grassland restoration of buffelgrass- Butterfly diversity increased on the site (2014–2016) process and involved restored from buffelgrass to native plants. dominated areas is possible on a (1) an initial prescribed fire to relatively large scale (approximately remove herbaceous cover, (2) mul- 300 acres) and (2) wildlife positively tiple discings to control buffelgrass restoration “successful,” and did respond to the increased native plant seedlings that emerged following wildlife diversity increase? diversity. There just might be a ray rains, and (3) multiple applications Deeming the restoration “suc- of hope for restoring buffelgrass- of a herbicide (glyphosate) to further cessful” or not will require several dominated rangelands, although the exhaust buffelgrass seedbanks. The years of monitoring. However, pre- effort, resources, and patience that restoration site was disced and/or liminary findings indicate substantial are necessary for success may be sprayed with herbicide on 5 separate changes to the flora and fauna on the considerable. ~ occasions. Finally, a diverse mix of restoration site.

A B C

Comparison of relative abundance for butterflies (A), breeding birds (B), and wintering birds (C) before (2013­–2014) and after restoration (2018) of a buffelgrass-dominated rangeland to a native grassland in La Salle County, Texas ( = Restoration Site, = Control Site). 2 CKWRI NEWS multi-generational high-quality In South Texas, helminth para- nutrition can increase antler size. sites that infect northern bobwhites Renowned Ecologist Visits This research was largely unknown have been extensively surveyed In April, students and faculty in North America until Dr. Geist over the past 7 years by research- at the Caesar Kleberg Wildlife published a paper on the topic in ers at the Caesar Kleberg Wildlife Research Institute (CKWRI) were 1986. The ideas it contained have Research Institute through fund- treated to a visit from Dr. Valerius influenced research and man- ing by the South Texas Chapter Geist, a distinguished ecologist agement in the United States for 3 of the Quail Coalition. Over 10 and deer researcher, who is profes- decades. species have been identified includ- sor emeritus at the University of The opportunity to interact with ing the ever abundant cecal worm Calgary. Dr. Geist gave 3 seminars Dr. Geist was provided by René (Aulonocephalus pennula), the on topics ranging from the North Barrientos, a long-time supporter potentially pathogenic eyeworm American Model of Wildlife Conser- of the CKWRI. René is passion- (Oxyspirura petrowi), and a newly vation to European Deer Research to ate about supporting education of discovered zoonotic tapeworm in Human Evolution. His background wildlife students and understands the genus Mesocestoides. and life experiences give him unique the value of having CKWRI students We know insects serve as inter- insights into wildlife management learn from one of the world’s top mediate hosts for helminth parasites and research. wildlife scientists. Everyone at the that infect bobwhites in South Texas. Dr. Geist CKWRI appreciates Mr. Barrientos However, it is unclear which insect was born in the and his thoughtful support in provid- species are involved. To learn more, before ing this unique opportunity to our we have been sampling insects on WWII and grew students and faculty. ~ several South Texas ranches during up in the summers of 2018 and 2019 and . to determine species present and He came to UNDERSTANDING THE ROLE their relative abundance. We have North America OF INSECTS IN PARASITE also examined the crops of 136 Dr. Valerius Geist (left) TRANSMISSION was a guest speaker at for his gradu- hunter-donated bobwhites from the the CKWRI, thanks ate work, earn- 2016–2017 hunting season and 106 to the generosity and ing a Ph.D. at by Nicole Traub, Tessa Green, and from the 2017−2018 hunting season foresight of Mr. René Alan Fedynich Barrientos (right). the University to see if insects are being consumed of British Columbia on The northern bobwhite is one of mountain sheep. He then worked the most extensively studied avian with Nobel Laureate species in Texas. Bobwhites are in Germany before settling at the primarily granivorous; nevertheless, University of Calgary where he insects compose more than 80% of taught and conducted research for the diet of newly hatched chicks 30 years. during their first 2 weeks of life and Dr. Geist’s European upbring- are an important protein source for ing allowed him to understand the hens. Although beneficial in terms exceptional conservation model used of diet, insects can serve as interme- in North America to recover wildlife diate hosts for helminth parasites. populations from decimation during the late 1800s and early 1900s. Editor’s Note: Ms. Nicole Traub is a Ph.D. student at Texas A&M University-Kingsville (TAMUK); Ms. He was one of the first people to Tessa Green is an undergraduate student at TAMUK; describe the North American Model Dr. Alan Fedynich is a professor at TAMUK and Percentage of insects by taxonomic order research scientist at the Caesar Kleberg Wildlife that were found in bobwhite crop examina- of Wildlife Conservation, and he is a Research Institute. tions from the 2017–2018 hunting season. passionate advocate of this approach to conservation. Did You Know? Dr. Geist presented findings of deer research in Europe during the The most effective predators on mottled ducks are alligators and 1930s that suggested consistent, raccoons. (The Mottled Duck, C.D. Stutzenbaker, TPWD) The blind snakes that occur in Texas can be mistaken for an Visit our web page at http://www.ckwri.tamuk.edu earthworm because of their small size and coloration.

3 during the winter months and, if so, Advisory Board which species are being eaten. The Advisory Board of the Caesar Kleberg Wildlife Research Institute (CKWRI) provides leadership in The most abundant insects by all aspects of our work. We are indebted to them for their commitment to the CKWRI and its mission. taxonomic order in the 2018 summer Chad Auler David W. Killam James A. McAllen field collections were Orthoptera Gus T. Canales (Chairman) Ellen B. Randall T. Dan Friedkin Mason D. King Barry Coates Roberts (grasshoppers, crickets, and locusts), Henry R. Hamman Chris C. Kleberg Stuart W. Stedman Hemiptera (true bugs: aphids, leaf- Jeff Hildebrand Tio Kleberg Ben F. Vaughan, III Karen Hunke C. Berdon Lawrence Bryan Wagner hoppers, cicadas, and shield bugs), A. C. “Dick” Jones, IV Tim Leach Charles A. Williams and Lepidoptera (butterflies and Kenneth E. Leonard moths). Insects were found in 19 bobwhite crops (14%) from the Our pilot study is providing 2016–2017 hunting season and 22 new insight into insect availability crops (21%) from the 2017−2018 during the summer, the kinds of hunting season. Six taxonomic insects eaten by bobwhites during orders were present in 2016–2017 winter, and what parasite larvae and 8 orders in 2017–2018. Beetles occur within what insects. From this (Order Coleoptera) were the most information, we will be able to deter- abundant (57%) in 2016–2017 while mine if the same insect species are in 2017–2018, cockroaches and available as a food source year-round termites (Order Blattodea) were the and what insects are infected with most abundant (69%). © Larry Gilbert larval parasites during the summer We are identifying insects to and winter periods. Nicole Traub (left) and Tessa Green (right) species and dissecting them to see are collecting insects in South Texas. Obtaining information about whether they have parasite larva, insects infected with larval parasites which would demonstrate their role that ultimately infect bobwhites as intermediate hosts. Because para- to species using morphological fea- is crucial if we hope to fill in the site larva cannot be readily identified tures, DNA techniques will be used. knowledge gaps regarding the host- helminth parasite system occurring What Do They Eat? in South Texas. Ultimately, such Striped scorpions are insectivores “...consuming mostly spiders, information will aid in our under- centipedes, crickets, flies, beetles, and other small insects.” (https:// standing of the impact parasites have animaldiversity.org/accounts/Centruroides_vittatus/#geographic_range) on bobwhites within the region. ~ The Cooper’s hawk prefers to feed on birds and small mammals, but will also take reptiles. (Handbook of Birds of the World, Vol. 2, del Hoyo et al., Consider giving a tax-deductible Lynx Edicions) donation to the CKWRI

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Editor: Alan Fedynich, Ph.D. SOUTH TEXAS WILDLIFE is printed on recycled paper

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