DOCSLIB.ORG

Test 3 (100 Pts) Answer Key

Total Page：16

File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb

Download full-text PDF Read full-text
Test 3 (100 Pts) Answer Key Wlf 314 Wildlife Ecology I ID # ________________ Fall 2009 Test 3 (100 pts) Answer Key Reminders: Pay attention to all parts of a question and especially bold and underlined words. Use the number of points to guide you on how much detail to provide. Ask if a question is not clear. 1. How do ruminants that are grazers and browsers differ for the following characteristics? (6 pts) a) gut morphology Grazers have relatively larger rumens/foreguts and fewer or sparser papillae. Browsers have smaller rumens, more papillae. b) salivary glands Grazers have smaller salivary glands and browsers have larger ones that are used to help reduce the effects of plant chemicals on digestion. c) quality/characteristics of the foods they eat (e.g., grass vs. browse) Grasses have thicker cell walls, lots of cellulose, generally lower nutrition. Grasses also contain silica to deter feeding. Browse has thinner cell walls and more cell contents that are easily digested. Browse also more plant chemicals that inhibit digestion. 2. Which of the following statements about mating systems and sociality are True (T) or False (F)? (4 pts) a. Monogamy is the most common mating system in birds. __T___ b. A lek represents one form of polyandry. __F____ c. Polygny often occurs in species with precocial young. __T____ d. Monogamy is the most common mating system in mammals. __F____ 3. Briefly explain the main questions that Krissy Bush addressed when she spoke with you about her research on sage-grouse. (3 pts) Krissy examined 2 questions: 1) How related are individuals in a lek? If they are closely related, then kin selection might shape evolution of this mating system. 2) How many males are siring offspring and is there a big difference among males in their reproductive success? If so, then sexual selection might be shaping the mating patterns in lekking species. 4. Provide a brief definition of the following terms: (4 pts) a. eusocial – obligate group-living; requires sociality to survive b. operational sex ratio – the number of sexually receptive females to males at one time in a population 5. List and describe 3 advantages and 3 disadvantages of sociality. (9 pts) Advantages include ability to fend off predators through group defense, ability to detect predators, and potential for reduced individual predation in larger groups. In addition, information about food might be shared, there might be group care of young, or benefits with respect to thermal regulation. Disadvanges include increased conspicuousness to predators, potential for increased transmission of disease and parasites, increased competition for food and mates, or potential for increased rates of aggression. (others too – most everyone got this one) 6. Why might population density be a poor indicator of high habitat quality? What did Van Horne (1983) and Hall et al. (1997) suggest as a better (functional) indicator of habitat quality? (5 pts) Population density might be high in areas that are, in fact, poor or marginal habitat if the best habitats are occupied by dominant or territorial individuals. Also, animals might group up for other reasons (breeding or to avoid harsh climatic conditions), but those areas might not be good habitat. The authors that we read suggested that survival and reproduction (i.e. fitness) and population persistence are better measures of habitat quality. High quality habitat should promote individual fitness and population persistence. 7. Briefly define each of the terms below in terms of how you would measure each. (9 pts) Habitat use: resources that an individual uses (measure use of resources either directly or indirectly) Habitat selection: this is what an individual chooses to use – measured by comparing relative use with relative availability of resources in the environment Habitat preference: what an animal would choose if all possible resources were equally available – rarely measured in natural systems, but can be measured in a captive situation 8. Briefly describe how the wildlife that occurs in North America today has been influenced by the following things. (8 pts) a) Great American Interchange of mammals The formation of a connection between North and South America allowed animals to be exchanged between continents. A few of the species that crossed into NA survive here today, including the armadillo, opossum, and porcupine. b) Activities of humans during the Pleistocene Humans crossed the Bering Land Bridge into North America and hunted many of the large mammals. An estimated 75% of large species were driven to extinction by human hunters. c) Activities of humans in the 1800s and early 1900s European settlers perceived wildlife as unlimited and hunted wildlife for commercial markets. Many species were driven to extinction (Passenger Pigeon, Heath Hen, Carolina Parakeet) and others were greatly reduced (elk, bison, white-tailed deer). d) Your generation’s activities (I’m asking you to speculate here) I hope for the best. 9. Which characteristics characterize the Order Perissodactyla vs. the order Artiodactyla? Use a "P" or "A" to indicate your answer. (4 pts) a) hind-gut fermentors _P__ b) less sexually dimorphic _P__ c) higher species diversity _A__ d) odd numbers of toes _P__ 10. What characteristics represent adaptations for the cursorial lifestyle of ungulates? You may circle more than one. (4 pts) a) strong and rigid spine b) unguligrade feet c) springing ligament d) heavier foot bones 11. Which North American ungulates typically or commonly have more than one young at a time (meaning twin births or more)? You may circle more than one. (4 pts) a) Odocoileus virginianus b) Ovis canadensis c) Antilocapra americana d) Alces alces 12. Which statements about ungulates in North America are True (T) or False (F)? (4 pts) a) A tending-bond mating system is characteristic of the Cervidae. __T____ b) Four families of ungulates occur in Idaho. ___F___ c) Of the Bovidae that occur in Idaho, Oreamnos americanus is the least sexually dimorphic. _T___ d) Cervus elaphus is the only Cervid in North America in which both sexes have antlers. __F__ 13. You read the executive summary of the report by Committee on Ungulate Management in Yellowstone National Park titled “Ecological Dynamics on Yellowstone's Northern Range.” a) What were the 2 primary questions addressed by the panel? (2 pts) Is overgrazing on the Northern Range of Yellowstone NP causing significant damage to the vegetation? Should natural regulation be permitted or how should the National Park Service manage the ungulates? b) What were their major conclusions and recommendations for management? (4 pts) The range is not likely to have a collapse in function in the near future. Targeted protection of vegetation like aspens could help with recruitment. The system is much influenced by humans and natural regulation might not be completely possible. Adaptive management should proceed with planned research to evaluate long-term impacts to the range. 14. a) Name 1 ungulate species that has a wider distribution in North American today than it had historically and explain why. (2 pts) White-tailed deer – change in habitat including harvesting of forests in the east and planting of trees and shrubs across the prairie helped the species to expand after hunting was regulated. b) Name 2 ungulate species that have more restricted distributions today than historically and explain why. (4 pts) Bison, bighorn sheep, elk, pronghorn … 15. Explain the general trend of sexual dimorphism in body size and antlers/horns that characterizes the ungulates. How has sexual selection favored evolution of sexual dimorphism in ungulates, and which type of sexual selection? (5 pts) In general, male ungulates are larger than females and tend to have secondary sexual characteristics like horns or antlers. When females have horns, they tend to be smaller. The degree of sexual dimorphism increases with body size. Intrasexual selection has likely favored the evolution of large size and antlers/horns in males that compete for breeding access to females. 16. Provide the common name of an Idaho bat that might fit the following description (note: there might be more than one correct answer, but just provide one species). (4 pts) a) typically has twins _pallid, silver-haired, hoary, western pipistrelle_______________ b) roosts in tree cavities or under tree bark __just about any (but probably not spotted or pallid)_______ c) fur is a distinctive pattern of black and white spots _spotted bat__________________ d) the largest bat in Idaho and one of the largest in North America __hoary (but ½ pt for big brown bat)__ 17. Answer one of the following questions: (6 pts) -What did you find out about white-nosed syndrome in bats? - How are wind turbines killing so many bats? White-nosed syndrome is a fungus that was discovered only in 2006 in hibernating bats in the northeast US. It appears on the noses of bats in caves during hibernation and kills many bats, possibly because it interferes with their hibernation and causes them to use energy reserves so that they die of starvation. Wind turbines kill thousands of bats each year. Migratory tree bats are the most dramatically affected. While some bats hit the turbines, many die from hemorrhaging in their lungs caused by the drops in air pressure around the spinning turbines 18. Briefly contrast the Megachiroptera and Microchiroptera for the following characteristics: (8 pts) a) diversity of species and distribution Mega occur only in the Old World and consist of only 1 family. The Micro occur across the world and make up 16 of the 17 families of bats. b) foods eaten Mega eat primarily fruits and flowers. Micro have diverse diets (nectar, fish, blood, etc.), but most are insect eaters. c) morphology Mega are larger, have larger eyes and less complex ears & noses (dog-faced bats). Micro are smaller in size, and tend to have smaller eyes and more complex ears and nose leafs.
Load more

Recommended publications
  • Name of Species
    NAME OF SPECIES: Myiopsitta monachus Synonyms: Psittacus monachus Common Name: Monk parrot, monk parakeet, Quaker parakeet, grey-breasted parakeet, grey- headed parakeet. A. CURRENT STATUS AND DISTRIBUTION I. In Wisconsin? 1. YES NO X 2. Abundance: 3. Geographic Range: Found just south of Wisconsin in greater Chicago, Illinois (2). 4. Habitat Invaded: Disturbed Areas Undisturbed Areas 5. Historical Status and Rate of Spread in Wisconsin: 6. Proportion of potential range occupied: 7. Survival and Reproduction: This species can survive and flourish in cold climates (2). II. Invasive in Similar Climate 1. YES X NO Zones Where (include trends): This species is found in some States scattered throughout the U.S.-the closet State to Wisconsin is Illinois (2). This species is increasing expontentially (2). III. Invasive in Similar Habitat 1. Upland Wetland Dune Prairie Aquatic Types Forest Grassland Bog Fen Swamp Marsh Lake Stream Other: This species is mainly found in urban and suburban areas (2, 5). IV. Habitat Affected 1. Where does this invasive resided: Edge species X Interior species 2. Conservation significance of threatened habitats: None V. Native Habitat 1. List countries and native habitat types: South America. They are found in open areas, oak savannas, scrub forests, and palm groves (4, 12). VI. Legal Classification 1. Listed by government entities? This species is listed as a non- game, unprotected species. 2. Illegal to sell? YES NO X Notes: In about 12 states monk parrots are illegal to own or sell because they are seen as agriculture pests (1). Where this species can be sold, they are sold for $50-160/bird (1).
    [Show full text]
  • According to Dictionary
    Extinction: The Parrots We’ve Lost By Desi Milpacher The definition of extinction is “the act or process of becoming extinct; a coming to an end or dying out: the extinction of a species.” Once extinction has been determined, there is usually no chance of a species recurring in a given ecosystem. In mankind’s active history of exploration, exploitation and settlement of new worlds, there has been much loss of natural resources. Parrots have suffered tremendously in this, with over twenty species having been permanently lost. And there are many more that are teetering on the edge, towards the interminable abyss. In this article we find out what happened to these lost treasures, learn which ones are currently being lost, and why this is important to our world. The Old and New Worlds and Their Lost Parrots Little is known of the natural history of most of the world’s extinct parrots, mainly because they disappeared before in-depth studies were conducted on them. It is generally believed, save the Central American macaws which were least known, that most fed on diets similar to today’s parrots (leaves, blossoms, seeds, nuts and fruits), frequented heavy forested areas and nested mainly in tree cavities. A number could not fly well, or were exceptionally tame, leading to their easy capture. Nearly all of these natural treasures vanished between the 18th and early 20th centuries, and the main reason for their loss was overhunting. Some lesser causes included egg collecting (popular with naturalists in the 19th century), diseases (introduced or endemic), drought, natural disasters, predation by introduced species, and habitat alternation.
    [Show full text]
  • The Carolina Parakeet Mystery
    in them in a state ofsemi - hibernation the spring of 1934, a George the when the weather turned cold. Malamphy, who had worked at The Carolina. Parakeet was also Cornell University, made a journey to Carolina bred in captivity. The first captive South Carolina for the purpose of breeding occurred in France in 1877. ornithological research involving the Parakeet In the U.S. it was bred for the first time wild turkey. During this period, he . by the Philadelphia Zoo in 1885, fol­ reported that he sighted the Carolina Mystery lowed by the Cincinnati Zoo, where Parakeet on eight or nine occasions dozens were reared,· especially after and in one instance he saw as many as by Tom Marshall, Leesburg, Virginia newly captured birds were added to seven at one time. the collection. These parrots appear to Based on the possibility that he Cincinnati authorities listed have been colony breeders and Malamphy might have been correct, the death of the 32 year old enjoyed brief popularity as aviary birds the National Audubon Society leased a T male as having occurred in the United States and Europe. large area in the same vicinity and, in sometime during a cold February day However, their being inexpensive, 1936, established a base camp on the in 1918, but for about 20 years report­ common and noisy contributed to property so that they could make a ed sightings by reliable sources chal­ their decline in the supply and determined effort to spot the parrot. In lenged the official report. demand world of aviculture. They their official reports, they indicated the Compounding this seventy-year-old were largely forgotten until it was too sightings of at least one definite mystery are questions today about the late.
    [Show full text]
  • Of Parrots 3 Other Major Groups of Parrots 16
    ONE What are the Parrots and Where Did They Come From? The Evolutionary History of the Parrots CONTENTS The Marvelous Diversity of Parrots 3 Other Major Groups of Parrots 16 Reconstructing Evolutionary History 5 Box 1. Ancient DNA Reveals the Evolutionary Relationships of the Fossils, Bones, and Genes 5 Carolina Parakeet 19 The Evolution of Parrots 8 How and When the Parrots Diversified 25 Parrots’ Ancestors and Closest Some Parrot Enigmas 29 Relatives 8 What Is a Budgerigar? 29 The Most Primitive Parrot 13 How Have Different Body Shapes Evolved in The Most Basal Clade of Parrots 15 the Parrots? 32 THE MARVELOUS DIVERSITY OF PARROTS The parrots are one of the most marvelously diverse groups of birds in the world. They daz- zle the beholder with every color in the rainbow (figure 3). They range in size from tiny pygmy parrots weighing just over 10 grams to giant macaws weighing over a kilogram. They consume a wide variety of foods, including fruit, seeds, nectar, insects, and in a few cases, flesh. They produce large repertoires of sounds, ranging from grating squawks to cheery whistles to, more rarely, long melodious songs. They inhabit a broad array of habitats, from lowland tropical rainforest to high-altitude tundra to desert scrubland to urban jungle. They range over every continent but Antarctica, and inhabit some of the most far-flung islands on the planet. They include some of the most endangered species on Earth and some of the most rapidly expanding and aggressive invaders of human-altered landscapes. Increasingly, research into the lives of wild parrots is revealing that they exhibit a corresponding variety of mating systems, communication signals, social organizations, mental capacities, and life spans.
    [Show full text]
  • Universidad Michoacana De San Nicolás De Hidalgo
    UNIVERSIDAD MICHOACANA DE SAN NICOLÁS DE HIDALGO FACULTAD DE MEDICINA VETERINARIA Y ZOOTECNIA Centro Multidisciplinario de estudios en biotecnología PROGRAMA INSTITUCIONAL DE DOCTORADO EN CIENCIAS BIOLÓGICAS Estudio de la diversidad genética del Periquito Atolero Eupsittula canicularis (Aves: Psittacidae) TESIS QUE PRESENTA M.C. GABRIELA PADILLA JACOBO PARA OBTENER EL GRADO DE DOCTOR EN CIENCIAS BIOLÓGICAS EN LA OPCIÓN EN BIOTECNOLOGIA MOLECULAR AGROPECUARIA ASESORA: DRA. MARÍA GUADALUPE ZAVALA PÁRAMO Co-ASESOR: DR. TIBERIO CÉSAR MONTERRUBIO-RICO Morelia, Michoacán Septiembre de 2017. Dedicatoria: A mis Padres, hijos, esposo y hermanos. Agradecimientos: A mis asesores y miembros del comité tutorial. CONTENIDO Página I Resumen . 1 II Summary . 2 III Introducción general . 3 3.1 Especie de estudio: Eupsittula canicularis . 3 3.2 Amenazas sobre poblaciones de E. canicularis . 5 3.3 Filogeografía y conservación . 6 3.4 Filogeografía en aves neotropicales . 7 3.4.1. Patrones filogeográficos en aves neotropicales de México . 9 3.4.2. Patrones filogeográficos en aves del BTS de México . 11 IV Hipótesis . 13 V Objetivos . 14 VI Resultados . 15 6.1 Capítulo I . 16 6.2 Capítulo II . 34 6.3 Capítulo III . 61 VII Discusión general . 83 VIII Perspectivas y/o recomendaciones . 85 IX Bibliografía complementaria . 87 X Apéndice . 94 i I. RESUMEN Eupsittula canicularis es el psitácido que sufre mayor presión de sustracción en nuestro país (23,500 ejemplares sustraídos por año aproximadamente). Para establecer estrategias de conservación adecuadas es necesario reunir información de diferentes fuentes. Una de estas proviene de datos moleculares, ya que a través de ellos es posible proponer poblaciones prioritarias para su conservación.
    [Show full text]
  • Biological Control and Eradication of Feral Honey Bee Colonies on Santa Cruz Island, California: a Summary
    Pages 327–335 in Damiani, C.C. and D.K. Garcelon (eds.). 2009. Proceedings of 327 the 7th California Islands Symposium. Institute for Wildlife Studies, Arcata, CA. BIOLOGICAL CONTROL AND ERADICATION OF FERAL HONEY BEE COLONIES ON SANTA CRUZ ISLAND, CALIFORNIA: A SUMMARY ADRIAN M. WENNER,1 ROBBIN W. THORP,2 AND JOHN F. BARTHELL3 1Department of Ecology, Evolution, and Marine Biology, University of California, Santa Barbara, CA 93106; [email protected] 2Department of Entomology, University of California, Davis, CA 95616 3Department of Biology, University of Central Oklahoma, Edmond, OK 73034 Abstract—After 1880, feral colonies of European honey bees (Apis mellifera) spread over all of Santa Cruz Island, though never invading any of the other northern Channel Islands. In line with other exotic animal removal programs (e.g., cattle, sheep, pigs), we outlined a program in October 1987 to eradicate all honey bee colonies on that island. That project evolved through four phases: 1) mapping and eradication of many colonies on the eastern half of the island (1988–1993), 2) introduction of a parasitic mite as a biological control (1994–1998), 3) monitoring residual honey bee activity (1999–2004), and 4) continued monitoring and certification of honey bee absence (2005–2008). We located the last known feral colony at the top of the Matanza grade on August 6, 2002 and found that same colony dead on March 31, 2003. The number of target foraging sites visited by honey bees declined steadily through the years, with the last visitors seen on rosemary plants at the ranch headquarters in August of 2004.
    [Show full text]
  • Carolina Parakeet Conuropsis Carolinensis
    Psittacidae the PARROTS and ALLIES Carolina Parakeet Conuropsis carolinensis Folk Name: Paroquet, Wild Parrot Status: Extinct Imagine you are taking a walk in the woods somewhere in the Carolina Piedmont. You suddenly hear a raucous cacophony of screeches and strange calls ahead of you in the forest. Upon further investigation, you find hundreds of wildly colorful parakeets clamoring in the tree tops, feeding on maple seeds and beechnuts. Today, you’d be shocked by this find—your mind filled with awe at witnessing such an extraordinary natural wonder. But 300 years ago, this experience might not have surprised you, even here in the Piedmont of the Carolinas. The Carolina Parakeet was a spectacularly colorful bird. It was the only kind of parakeet native to our country. In fact, it was one of a relatively small number of bird species endemic to the United States, birds found nowhere else in the world. Scientists believe this parakeet disappeared from North Carolina as early as 1782. Arthur was once a widespread breeding resident throughout T. Wayne, South Carolina’s early ornithologist, wrote “the the South, Southeast, and Midwestern states. Today, the beautiful Carolina Paroquet was formerly exceedingly Carolina Parakeet is extinct. Both overhunting and loss abundant in this state,” and Leverett Loomis wrote that of breeding habitat due to deforestation are believed to the Carolina Paroquet disappeared from South Carolina have decimated most of the population by the early 1800s. as early as 1826, a half-century before he began his bird A few populations persisted through the nineteenth research in Chester County.
    [Show full text]
  • Records of the Carolina Parakeet in Ohio1
    RECORDS OF THE CAROLINA PARAKEET IN OHIO1 DANIEL McKINLEY, Department of Biological Sciences, State University of New York at Albany, N.Y. 12222 Abstract. A review of ornithological and early travelers' reports of the Carolina parakeet (Conuropsis carolinensis) in Ohio shows some long-standing claims to be unconvincing. This applies to Audubon (Lake Erie at the mouth of the Maumee), Moselcy (near Sandusky), Langdon (a lone claim of breeding near Cincinnati). There appear to be reliable northerly reports for the species from Tuscarawas and Summit Counties westward to Miami County and southward to the middle and lower Ohio valley. Records for southeastern Ohio counties along the Ohio are scarce. A Cleve- land specimen (ca. 1863) can probably be ignored, while a late report of a flock at Columbus in 1862 probably warrants more confidence. OHIO J. SCI. 77(1): 3, 1977 Ohio holds a key place in the former Later Ohio ornithologists accepted the range of the Carolina parakeet (Conu- Audubon report without comment or ropsis carolinensis) in northeastern explanation (Wheaton 1882; Kirtland United States. The following account 1883; Jones 1903; Campbell 1968). Jared documents the distributional aspects of Potter Kirtland (1838), who lived at a the species in Ohio and has been derived time when he could have clarified mat- from a review of journals and diaries of ters, simply ignored it. Charles Elihu early travelers and settlers as well as the Slocum, a thorough student of the history relevant ornithological literature. of the Maumee basin, was not able to THE MAUMEE RIVER BASIN substantiate Audubon's report. Slocum AND THE NORTHWEST cited no record for the parakeet closer than that of Gerard T.
    [Show full text]
  • Nature Unbound: Chapter 5
    big ideas: Chapter 5 ■ Extinction is part of nature. ■ There have been at least five mass extinctions in the past, and humans are likely causing a sixth. ■ Extinctions occur when species fail to adapt to changing ecological conditions. ■ Some species are more prone to extinction than others. ■ Extinction has consequences. extinction: Causes And Consequences uesday, June 26, 1804—It had been a trying day for the Corps of Discovery. After miles of rowing their keelboat upstream, the 12-ton vessel had become hopelessly beached on a sandbar. Fearing she might tip sideways and take on water, Captain William Clark ordered his men into the river to Tpull the boat free. The crew struggled for hours—and snapped two tow ropes—but eventually dragged the boat into deeper water. His men exhausted, Clark halted the expedition just a mile upstream. As the crew made camp near present-day Kansas City, Clark penned in his journal, “I observed an immense number of parakeets this evening.” Although one might attribute Clark’s parakeet sighting to fatigue, the explorer was not hallucinating. Carolina parakeets were once common in forests from Virginia to Nebraska. With flashy green bodies, yellow heads and bright orange cheeks, the birds were unmistakable. About the size of a blue jay, the parakeets formed enormous, noisy flocks and were notorious for swarming crop fields and fruit orchards. Lewis and Clark’s expedition marked the beginning of the end for the parakeet. Settlers followed the explorers westward, cutting down huge expanses of forest to clear space for crops. Farmers considered the bird a pest and slaughtered them by the thousands.
    [Show full text]
  • Biology [33 Marks] Parrots
    Biology [33 marks] Read this passage and answer the questions which follow: Parrots - The Lost and the Last Parrots are the most threatened group of birds in the world. Every year hundreds of thousands of parrots are caught for the cage-birds trade, the majority illegally, and many die before even going on sale. Combined with rapid deforestation, this unsustainable pressure has put more than one third of all parrot species at risk. The 354 species of parrots, parakeets, cockatoos, lories and macaws comprise a well-defined group, and so form a single family, the Psittacidae, within their own order, the Psittaciformes. Many of them are brightly coloured, intelligent and some species are also excellent mimics, for example of the human voice. All of these characteristics have ensured that parrots are highly prized as pets, and this has played a major part in their downfall. 19 species have died out, while a few dozen more are on the verge of extinction. Despite the fact that many parrots will breed readily in captivity, most of them are still trapped extensively. This is because by far the greatest diversity of species occurs in developing forested regions of Latin America, sub-Saharan Africa and Southeast Asia, where poverty and lax law enforcement drive a thriving bird trapping business. Wild-hatched parrots are cheaper than those reared by hand, so demand remains high. Parrots pair for life and usually raise just one or two chicks a year, which in some species take up to 9 weeks to fledge. As with any birds that have a low reproductive rate, thefts of adults from the wild have a dramatic effect on populations.
    [Show full text]
  • Recovering the Distribution and Migratory Patterns of the Extinct Carolina Parakeet
    Received: 7 July 2016 | Revised: 28 April 2017 | Accepted: 10 May 2017 DOI: 10.1002/ece3.3135 ORIGINAL RESEARCH Lazarus ecology: Recovering the distribution and migratory patterns of the extinct Carolina parakeet Kevin R. Burgio1 | Colin J. Carlson2 | Morgan W. Tingley1 1Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, University of Connecticut, Storrs, Abstract CT, USA The study of the ecology and natural history of species has traditionally ceased when 2 Department of Environmental Science, Policy a species goes extinct, despite the benefit to current and future generations of poten- and Management, University of California, Berkeley, CA, USA tial findings. We used the extinct Carolina parakeet as a case study to develop a frame- work investigating the distributional limits, subspecific variation, and migratory habits Correspondence Kevin R. Burgio, Department of Ecology of this species as a means to recover important information about recently extinct and Evolutionary Biology, University of species. We united historical accounts with museum collections to develop an exhaus- Connecticut, Storrs, CT, USA. Email: [email protected] tive, comprehensive database of every known occurrence of this once iconic species. With these data, we combined species distribution models and ordinal niche compari- Funding information NSF, Grant/Award Number: DGE-0753455 sons to confront multiple conjectured hypotheses about the parakeet’s ecology with empirical data on where and when this species occurred. Our results demonstrate that the Carolina parakeet’s range was likely much smaller than previously believed, that the eastern and western subspecies occupied different climatic niches with broad geo- graphical separation, and that the western subspecies was likely a seasonal migrant while the eastern subspecies was not.
    [Show full text]
  • The Wild Parrots of America
    PARROTS Thousands of free-flying parrots of more than 20 species are challenging the way we think about invasive and native birds CLAIMING A SPOT: While our native and even ornithological history Carolina Parakeet, depicted by Audubon on the opposite page, is long extinct, Red-masked STORY AND PHOTOS BY CHARLES BERGMAN Parakeets and other members of 24 BirdWatching • November/December 2018 studies. There has just not been a reward for biologists to They are the birds of the urban wild. The significance of the take them on.” birds’ dependence on urban environments and human With a graying beard, flannel shirt, and binoculars — plantings can’t be overstated. It means, in a word, they are always binoculars — Garrett almost disappears in his office not “invasive.” READY TO GO: Red-crowned Parrots clutter. He tells me it should be easy to find parakeet nests in They do not compete with or displace native await release from rehabbers in Los Angeles. We get in my rental car, and within five minutes California birds. San Diego. Below, a Red-masked we turn into the Angelus Rosedale Cemetery. It’s like driving Invasive species do damage, often to native fauna. Not the Parakeet and a Red-crowned Parrot into a scene of a Jack Nicholson movie about old Los Angeles. wild parrots. The language of invasive and alien species, with squabble over a nest. Mockingbirds sing from aging Chinese elms. Anna’s its vaguely military connotations, does not apply. Finding the Hummingbirds try for nectar out of plastic flowers left on right words is important.
    [Show full text]