DOCSLIB.ORG

Swchr Bulletin

Total Page：16

File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb

Download full-text PDF Read full-text
Swchr Bulletin SWCHR Volume 3, Issue 2 BULLETINSummer 2013 ISSN 2330-6025 Conservation - Preservation - Education - Public Information Research - Field Studies - Captive Propagation The SWCHR BULLETIN is published quarterly by the SOUTHWESTERN CENTER FOR HERPETOLOGICAL RESEARCH PO Box 624, Seguin TX 78156 www.southwesternherp.com email: [email protected] ISSN 2330-6025 OFFICERS 2013-2014 COMMITTEE CHAIRS PRESIDENT COMMITTEE ON COMMON AND SCIENTIFIC Toby Brock NAMES Gerry Salmon VICE PRESIDENT Gerry Salmon RANGE MAP COMMITTEE (vacant) INTERIM SECRETARY Gerald Keown AWARDS AND GRANTS COMMITTEE Gerald Keown EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR Gerald Keown COMMUNICATIONS COMMITEE Gerald Keown BOARD MEMBERS AT LARGE John Lassiter ACTIVITIES AND EVENTS COMMITTEE Orion McElroy Toby Brock D. Craig McIntyre NOMINATIONS COMMITTEE BULLETIN EDITOR Gerald Keown Chris McMartin EDUCATION COMMITTEE ABOUT SWCHR (vacant) Originally founded by Gerald Keown in 2007, SWCHR is a 501(c) (3) non-profit association, governed by a board of directors and MEMBERSHIP COMMITTEE dedicated to promoting education of the Association’s members Toby Brock and the general public relating to the natural history, biology, tax- onomy, conservation and preservation needs, field studies, and CONSERVATION COMMITTEE captive propagation of the herpetofauna indigenous to the Ameri- can Southwest. Robert Twombley THE SWCHR LOGO JOINING SWCHR There are several versions of the SWCHR logo, all featuring the For information on becoming a member please visit the member- Gray-Banded Kingsnake (Lampropeltis alterna), a widely-recognized ship page of the SWCHR web site at reptile native to the Trans-Pecos region of Texas as well as adjacent http://www.southwesternherp.com/join.html. Mexico and New Mexico. ON THE COVER: Northern Black-tailed Rattlesnake, Crotalus molossus molossus, Pima County, AZ (Orry Martin). This photograph was voted the winner of the ©2013 Southwestern Center for Herpetological Research. The SWCHR Bul- 2012 SWCHR Award for Excellence in Herpetological Photography. letin may not be reproduced in whole or in part on any web site or in any other publication without the prior explicit written consent of the Southwestern Center BACKGROUND IMAGE: Elephant Tusk, Big Bend National Park, TX (Chris for Herpetological Research and of the respective author(s) and photographer(s). McMartin) SWCHR Bulletin 15 Summer 2013 TABLE OF CONTENTS A Message from the President, Toby Brock 16 Herpetofaunal Biodiversity Survey along the Wasatch Mountains, Utah: 17 A Focus on Morgan and Weber Counties, Kyle Shaney and Jonathon C. Marshall Predation on a Cicada (Tibicen sp.) by a Trans-Pecos Copperhead, 23 Agkistrodon contortrix pictigaster (Serpentes: Viperidae), Arik Beal An Analysis of the “Snake Measurer” Software Tool, Chris McMartin 24 Mating Pair of Texas Horned Lizards (Phrynosoma cornutum) on a New Mexico 27 Roadway (Lacertilia: Phrynosomatidae), Chris McMartin and Ron Govreau A CALL FOR PAPERS Are you a field herpetologist or a herpetoculturist working with species native to the American Southwest? Do you have a paper or an article you have written for which you would like to find a permanent repository? Want to be assured you will always be able to share it with the world? Submit it to the SWCHR Bulletin for possible publication. Submitted manuscripts from SWCHR members, as well as non-members, will be considered. To be accepted for publication, submissions must deal with herpetological species native to the American Southwest. Such topics as field notes, county checklists, range extensions, taxonomy, reproduction and breeding, diseases, snake bite and venom research, captive breeding and maintenance, conservation issues, legal issues, etc. are all acceptable. For assistance with formatting manuscripts, search ‘scientific journal article format’ on the internet and tailor the resultant guidance to suit. Previously published articles or papers are acceptable, provided you still hold the copyright to the work and have the right to re-publish it. If we accept your paper or article for publication, you will still continue to be the copyright holder. If your submission has been previously published, please provide the name of the publication in which it appeared along with the date of publication. All submissions should be manually proofed in addition to being spell checked and should be submitted by email as either Microsoft Word or text documents. Send submissions to [email protected]. SWCHR Bulletin 16 Summer 2013 A Message from the President The big news for the summer here at SWCHR is the great success of the second annual Snake Days event, which was again held in Sanderson, Texas. The event featured several excellent speakers, and among them our very own SWCHR Bulletin editor, Chris McMartin. This year’s Snake Days was a great thing for SWCHR in that we got a lot of public exposure during the event. We held our first official Rendezvous – Texas on the opening day of Snake Days, and signed up several new members that day, with a total of nine new members during the weekend. The Rendezvous was a meet and greet for all interested herpers, with free barbecue and drinks. It went very well, with most folks enjoying the fajitas, beans and sodas. During Snake Days, around $5,000 was again raised and donated to the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department for herp-related projects. TPWD had three speakers this year, including state herpetologist Dr. Andy Gluesenkamp who updated everyone on the projects benefiting from last year’s fundraiser. Aside from the business, presentations, and camaraderie, lots of nighttime field herping happened during the weekend, with several very nice herps found. In this issue of the Bulletin Kyle Shaney details a very thorough survey of the herpetofauna of Morgan and Weber Counties along the Wasatch Mountains in Utah. Arik Beal tells us of finding a Trans-Pecos Copperhead feeding on a cicada. Chris McMartin reports his findings on the accuracy of the “Snake Measurer” program in a detailed article. Chris also documents an observation by Ron Govreau of a pair of Texas Horned Lizards mating on a highway. In addition to the aforementioned Rendezvous – Texas, SWCHR also had a few other memorable happenings during the Snake Days weekend. We had our first meeting of the Board of Directors where all current Board Members attended in person, and accomplished quite a lot of business, including some needed amendments to our Articles of Association. The Board also awarded Chris McMartin an Honorary Life Membership in appreciation of all that he does for the association – one of which is finding time to edit the Bulletin even while he was deployed overseas by the United States Air Force! We also bestowed an award of appreciation on Scott DeGraff, the proprietor of the Desert Air Motel in Sanderson, Texas, which was SWCHR headquarters during the event and the location of the Rendezvous – Texas. SWCHR also sponsored the Snake Days photo contest, with Chris McMartin winning third place, and Travis Dimler winning both second place and the Best in Show awards – all excellent photos of beautiful animals! The 2013 Snake Days event was truly a historical event for SWCHR. Photo by Pearl Brock SWCHR Bulletin 17 Summer 2013 Herpetofaunal Biodiversity Survey Along documentation throughout the region, we found a number of museum specimens collected by various institutions. The number the Wasatch Mountains, Utah: A Focus on of individuals found in these collections is also relatively small and Morgan and Weber Counties presents no historical information on the status of herpetofaunal distributions and densities in the region. This small amount of by Kyle Shaney data is insufficient in determining the current status of species or Department of Biology, University of Texas—Arlington, 701 South Nedderman Drive, Arlington TX 76019 populations in the area. and Jonathon C. Marshall Department of Zoology, Weber State University, The Wasatch lies along the urban-wildland interface, allowing 2505 University Circle, Ogden, Utah, 84408 human influence to have potentially negative effects on population densities, ranges, and species richness. We speculate that urban Abstract development, agriculture, outdoor recreation, and competition from introduced species are four major factors that may contribute In a recent biodiversity survey conducted over the course of two to pressure on wildlife here. Our study area contains numerous summer field seasons (June-October) we documented twelve reptile roads, agricultural fields, home developments, and hiking trails. and amphibian species in a section of the central Wasatch Mountain Species that are limited to small areas and exposed to habitat Range in northern Utah. Of these twelve species, five snake, three fragmentation have only a small area to move as pressures increase frog, two lizard, one turtle, and one salamander species were found. (Forman et. al. 1998). There is very little historical knowledge of The area is roughly 100 square miles and consists of four main how these pressures are affecting the herpetofaunal species in this habitat types: dry oak forest, moist mixed conifer forest, high alpine region. Consistent survey work would aid in better understanding tundra, and agricultural lands. The lack of historical data along the these effects. Wasatch Front indicates the need for additional survey work. The native species along the Wasatch Front are exposed to numerous pressures including urban development, agriculture, outdoor recreation, and competition with introduced
Load more

Recommended publications
  • Arthropods of Elm Fork Preserve
    Arthropods of Elm Fork Preserve Arthropods are characterized by having jointed limbs and exoskeletons. They include a diverse assortment of creatures: Insects, spiders, crustaceans (crayfish, crabs, pill bugs), centipedes and millipedes among others. Column Headings Scientific Name: The phenomenal diversity of arthropods, creates numerous difficulties in the determination of species. Positive identification is often achieved only by specialists using obscure monographs to ‘key out’ a species by examining microscopic differences in anatomy. For our purposes in this survey of the fauna, classification at a lower level of resolution still yields valuable information. For instance, knowing that ant lions belong to the Family, Myrmeleontidae, allows us to quickly look them up on the Internet and be confident we are not being fooled by a common name that may also apply to some other, unrelated something. With the Family name firmly in hand, we may explore the natural history of ant lions without needing to know exactly which species we are viewing. In some instances identification is only readily available at an even higher ranking such as Class. Millipedes are in the Class Diplopoda. There are many Orders (O) of millipedes and they are not easily differentiated so this entry is best left at the rank of Class. A great deal of taxonomic reorganization has been occurring lately with advances in DNA analysis pointing out underlying connections and differences that were previously unrealized. For this reason, all other rankings aside from Family, Genus and Species have been omitted from the interior of the tables since many of these ranks are in a state of flux.
    [Show full text]
  • Southern Gulf, Queensland
    Biodiversity Summary for NRM Regions Species List What is the summary for and where does it come from? This list has been produced by the Department of Sustainability, Environment, Water, Population and Communities (SEWPC) for the Natural Resource Management Spatial Information System. The list was produced using the AustralianAustralian Natural Natural Heritage Heritage Assessment Assessment Tool Tool (ANHAT), which analyses data from a range of plant and animal surveys and collections from across Australia to automatically generate a report for each NRM region. Data sources (Appendix 2) include national and state herbaria, museums, state governments, CSIRO, Birds Australia and a range of surveys conducted by or for DEWHA. For each family of plant and animal covered by ANHAT (Appendix 1), this document gives the number of species in the country and how many of them are found in the region. It also identifies species listed as Vulnerable, Critically Endangered, Endangered or Conservation Dependent under the EPBC Act. A biodiversity summary for this region is also available. For more information please see: www.environment.gov.au/heritage/anhat/index.html Limitations • ANHAT currently contains information on the distribution of over 30,000 Australian taxa. This includes all mammals, birds, reptiles, frogs and fish, 137 families of vascular plants (over 15,000 species) and a range of invertebrate groups. Groups notnot yet yet covered covered in inANHAT ANHAT are notnot included included in in the the list. list. • The data used come from authoritative sources, but they are not perfect. All species names have been confirmed as valid species names, but it is not possible to confirm all species locations.
    [Show full text]
  • First Host Plant Record for Pacarina (Hemiptera, Cicadidae)
    Neotropical Biology and Conservation 15(1): 77–88 (2020) doi: 10.3897/neotropical.15.e49013 SHORT COMMUNICATION First host plant record for Pacarina (Hemiptera, Cicadidae) Annette Aiello1, Brian J. Stucky2 1 Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute, Panama 2 Florida Museum of Natural History, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, USA Corresponding author: Brian J. Stucky ([email protected]) Academic editor: P. Nunes-Silva | Received 4 December 2019 | Accepted 20 February 2020 | Published 19 March 2020 Citation: Aiello A, Stucky BJ (2020) First host plant record for Pacarina (Hemiptera, Cicadidae). Neotropical Biology and Conservation 15(1): 77–88. https://doi.org/10.3897/neotropical.15.e49013 Abstract Twenty-nine Pacarina (Hemiptera: Cicadidae) adults, 12 males and 17 females, emerged from the soil of a potted Dracaena trifasciata (Asparagaceae) in Arraiján, Republic of Panama, providing the first rearing records and the first definitive host plant records for any species of Pacarina. These reared Pacarina appear to be morphologically distinct from all known species of Pacarina and likely repre- sent an undescribed species. In light of this finding, we also discuss the taxonomy, biogeography, and ecology of Pacarina. Keywords cicada, Dracaena, host plant, rearing, taxonomy Introduction As far as is known, all cicadas are herbivores that spend the vast majority of their long life cycles as nymphs, living deep underground and feeding on the xylem sap of plant roots (Beamer 1928; Cheung and Marshall 1973; White and Strehl 1978). Be- cause of their relative inaccessibility to researchers, very little information is availa- ble about the host plant associations of juvenile cicadas. Consequently, even though adult cicadas are among the most conspicuous and familiar of all insects, the host plants of most cicada species’ nymphs remain unknown.
    [Show full text]
  • An Appraisal of the Higher Classification of Cicadas (Hemiptera: Cicadoidea) with Special Reference to the Australian Fauna
    © Copyright Australian Museum, 2005 Records of the Australian Museum (2005) Vol. 57: 375–446. ISSN 0067-1975 An Appraisal of the Higher Classification of Cicadas (Hemiptera: Cicadoidea) with Special Reference to the Australian Fauna M.S. MOULDS Australian Museum, 6 College Street, Sydney NSW 2010, Australia [email protected] ABSTRACT. The history of cicada family classification is reviewed and the current status of all previously proposed families and subfamilies summarized. All tribal rankings associated with the Australian fauna are similarly documented. A cladistic analysis of generic relationships has been used to test the validity of currently held views on family and subfamily groupings. The analysis has been based upon an exhaustive study of nymphal and adult morphology, including both external and internal adult structures, and the first comparative study of male and female internal reproductive systems is included. Only two families are justified, the Tettigarctidae and Cicadidae. The latter are here considered to comprise three subfamilies, the Cicadinae, Cicadettinae n.stat. (= Tibicininae auct.) and the Tettigadinae (encompassing the Tibicinini, Platypediidae and Tettigadidae). Of particular note is the transfer of Tibicina Amyot, the type genus of the subfamily Tibicininae, to the subfamily Tettigadinae. The subfamily Plautillinae (containing only the genus Plautilla) is now placed at tribal rank within the Cicadinae. The subtribe Ydiellaria is raised to tribal rank. The American genus Magicicada Davis, previously of the tribe Tibicinini, now falls within the Taphurini. Three new tribes are recognized within the Australian fauna, the Tamasini n.tribe to accommodate Tamasa Distant and Parnkalla Distant, Jassopsaltriini n.tribe to accommodate Jassopsaltria Ashton and Burbungini n.tribe to accommodate Burbunga Distant.
    [Show full text]
  • A Guide to Arthropods Bandelier National Monument
    A Guide to Arthropods Bandelier National Monument Top left: Melanoplus akinus Top right: Vanessa cardui Bottom left: Elodes sp. Bottom right: Wolf Spider (Family Lycosidae) by David Lightfoot Compiled by Theresa Murphy Nov 2012 In collaboration with Collin Haffey, Craig Allen, David Lightfoot, Sandra Brantley and Kay Beeley WHAT ARE ARTHROPODS? And why are they important? What’s the difference between Arthropods and Insects? Most of this guide is comprised of insects. These are animals that have three body segments- head, thorax, and abdomen, three pairs of legs, and usually have wings, although there are several wingless forms of insects. Insects are of the Class Insecta and they make up the largest class of the phylum called Arthropoda (arthropods). However, the phylum Arthopoda includes other groups as well including Crustacea (crabs, lobsters, shrimps, barnacles, etc.), Myriapoda (millipedes, centipedes, etc.) and Arachnida (scorpions, king crabs, spiders, mites, ticks, etc.). Arthropods including insects and all other animals in this phylum are characterized as animals with a tough outer exoskeleton or body-shell and flexible jointed limbs that allow the animal to move. Although this guide is comprised mostly of insects, some members of the Myriapoda and Arachnida can also be found here. Remember they are all arthropods but only some of them are true ‘insects’. Entomologist - A scientist who focuses on the study of insects! What’s bugging entomologists? Although we tend to call all insects ‘bugs’ according to entomology a ‘true bug’ must be of the Order Hemiptera. So what exactly makes an insect a bug? Insects in the order Hemiptera have sucking, beak-like mouthparts, which are tucked under their “chin” when Metallic Green Bee (Agapostemon sp.) not in use.
    [Show full text]
  • Elk and Wolves in Yellowstone
    Western Winter 2014 Issue 01 NATURAL RESOURCE SCIENCE AND MANAGEMENT IN THE WEST The Bird that Brought the West Together Cattle as Ecosystem Engineers The Ecology of Fear A publication of the Ruckelshaus Institute, a division of the University of Wyoming’s Haub School of Environment and Natural Resources Western Confluence Editor, Emilene Ostlind DIRECTOR’S NOTE Editorial Fellow, Kelly Hatton Graphic Designer, Tana Stith By Indy Burke Website Designer, Jessica Perry “I’m weary and tired. I’ve done my day’s riding. Nighttime is rolling my way. Ruckelshaus Institute The sky’s on fire and the light’s slowly fading. Peaceful and still ends the day. Director, Indy Burke Associate Director, Nicole Korfanta And out on the trail the night birds are calling, singing their wild melody. Spicer Chair in Collaborative Practice, Steve Smutko Down in the canyon the cottonwood whispers a song of Wyoming for me.” Collaboration Program Director, – Chris LeDoux Jessica Clement Communications Coordinator, Grazing in the west has been an important way of life for well over a century, supporting families, inspiring Emilene Ostlind Marketing Coordinator, Fred Schmechel poetry and song, and maintaining open spaces. Over recent decades, grazing has also provoked intense controversy. Senior Office Assistant, Differing grazing practices, variable impacts to public lands, and livestock influences on wildlife habitat trigger Mandy Bohlender opposing views. Even the scientific literature is contradictory, with recent articles both demonstrating the positive Accountant
    [Show full text]
  • An Appraisal of the Cicadas of the Genus <I>Abricta</I> StÅL and Allied Genera
    © Copyright Australian Museum, 2003 Records of the Australian Museum (2003) Vol. 55: 245–304. ISSN 0067-1975 An Appraisal of the Cicadas of the Genus Abricta Stål and Allied Genera (Hemiptera: Auchenorrhyncha: Cicadidae) M.S. MOULDS Invertebrate Zoology Division, Australian Museum, 6 College Street, Sydney NSW 2010, Australia [email protected] ABSTRACT. The cicada genus Abricta Stål currently contains a heterogeneous group of species which is considered best divided into four genera. Abricta sensu str. includes only A. brunnea (Fabricius) and A. ferruginosa (Stål) which are confined to Mauritius and neighbouring islands. The monotypic genus Chrysolasia n.gen., is proposed for a single Guatemalan species, A. guatemalena (Distant). Another monotypic genus, Aleeta n.gen., is proposed for the species A. curvicosta (Germar) from eastern Australia. Fourteen Australian species are placed in Tryella n.gen.: castanea Distant, noctua Distant, rubra Goding & Froggatt, stalkeri Distant, willsi Distant, adela n.sp., burnsi n.sp., crassa n.sp., graminea n.sp., infuscata n.sp., kauma n.sp., lachlani n.sp., occidens n.sp. and ochra n.sp. The five remaining species currently placed in Abricta (borealis Goding & Froggatt, burgessi Distant, cincta Fabricius and occidentalis Goding & Froggatt from Australia plus pusilla Fabricius of unknown locality) do not belong to Abricta or closely allied genera. Cladistic analyses place C. guatemalena basally on all trees. The Mauritian genus Abricta sensu str., and the genera, Abroma Stål and Monomatapa Distant, form a sister group to all Australian species. There is strong evidence suggesting that Abricta and Abroma are synonymous. Keys to genera and species and maps of distribution are provided.
    [Show full text]
  • Bibliography – Auchenorrhyncha
    Bibliography of Oklahoma Auchenorrhyncha Ahring, R. M. & D. E. Howell. 1968. A Suggested Method of Collecting Insects Associated with Forage Grass Seed Production. Journ. Econ. Entom. 61(4):975-981. Ball, E. D. & R. H. Beamer. 1940. A Revision of the Genus Athysanella and Some Related Genera (Homoptera – Cicadellidae). Univ. Kansas Sci. Bull. 41(22):5-82. Bartlett, C. R. and L. L. Deitz. 2000. Revision of the New World Delphacid Planthopper Genus Pissonotus (Hemiptera: Fulgoroidea). Thomas Say Publications in Entomology: Monographs. 234 pp. Beamer, R. H. 1947. Some New Species of Delphacodes (Continued) with Two Old Ones. Journ. Kansas Entom. Soc. 20(2):58-71. Blocker, H. D. 1967. Classification of the Western Hemisphere Balclutha (Homoptera: Cicadellidae). Proc. U. S. Nat. Mus. 122(3581):1-55. Blocker, H. D. & J. W. Johnson. 1990a. Classification of Athysanella (Gladionura) (Homoptera: Cicadellidae: Deltocephalinae). Journ. Kansas Entom. Soc. 63(1):9-45. Blocker, H. D. & J. W. Johnson. 1990b. Classification of Athysanella (Amphipyga) (Homoptera: Cicadellidae: Deltocephalinae). Journ. Kansas Entom. Soc. 63(1):101-132. Blocker, H. D. & J. W. Johnson. 1990c. Classification of Five Subgenera of Athysanella (Homoptera: Cicadellidae: Deltocephalinae). Journ. Kansas Entom. Soc. 63(2):304-315. Blocker, H. D. & R. Reed. 1976. Leafhopper Populations of a Tallgrass Prairie (Homoptera: Cicadellidae): Collecting Procedures and Population Estimates. Journ. Kansas Entom. Soc. 49(2):145-154. Breakey, E. P. 1932. A Review of the Nearctic Species of Macropsis (Homoptera, Cicadellidae). Ann. Entom. Soc. America 25(4):787-840. Cole, J. A. 2008. A New Cryptic Species of Cicada Resembling Tibicen dorsatus Revealed by Calling Song (Hemiptera: Auchenorrhyncha: Cicadidae).
    [Show full text]
  • Common True Bugs and Related Insects (Orders Hemiptera and Homoptera) in the Wichita Mountains and Surrounding Areas
    Common True Bugs and Related Insects (Orders Hemiptera and Homoptera) in the Wichita Mountains and Surrounding Areas Angel Chiri agricultural pests, and a few, such as bed bugs Entomologist and assassin bugs in the genus Triatoma, feed on blood. Bugs undergo a simple metamorphosis Introduction and pass through five nymphal instars before reaching the adult stage. Young nymphs A word about common names - The scientific resemble small wingless adults, and wing stubs name of an organism, whether plant or animal, do not appear until the fourth instar. consists of the genus and species, written in italics. The genus is writen in full the first time There are approximately 3,600 recorded species that it is mentioned in a paper (e.g. Arilus of Hemiptera in the U.S. and Canada. A few of cristatus). Thereafter, the genus name is the more common species in our area are abbreviated to its initial (e.g. A. cristatus). Less discussed below. All photos in this guide were than 2% of known insect species in the U.S. taken by the author using a Canon PowerShot have approved common names. Relying on only SX110 IS camera. common names for individual species may lead to confusion, since more than one common Family Pentatomidae (stink bugs) name may be used for the same species, or the same common name may be used for more than This is a large family with some 200 species in one species. Using the scientific name, which is the U.S. Stink bugs can be recognized by their the same in any language or region, eliminates shield-shaped body.
    [Show full text]
  • Intra- and Interspecific Prey Theft in Cicada Killers (Hymenoptera: Apoidea: Sphecius) J
    Journal of Insect Science, (2019) 19(1): 13; 1–7 doi: 10.1093/jisesa/iez004 Research Intra- and Interspecific Prey Theft in Cicada Killers (Hymenoptera: Apoidea: Sphecius) J. R. Coelho,1,4 C. W. Holliday,2 and J. M. Hastings3 1Institute for Franciscan Environmental Studies, Biology Program, Quincy University, Quincy, IL 62301, 2Department of Biology, Lafayette College, Easton, PA 18042, 3Department of Biological Sciences, Northern Kentucky University, Highland Heights, KY 41099, and 4Corresponding author, e-mail: [email protected] Subject Editor: Phyllis Weintraub Received 27 November, 2018; Editorial decision 5 January, 2019 Abstract We studied prey theft in two cicada killer aggregations: Ruby, Arizona (Sphecius convallis Patton) and Easton, Pennsylvania (Sphecius speciosus Drury). Many prey (Tibicen parallelus Davis [Hemiptera: Cicadidae]) were stolen from S. convallis by kingbirds and Greater Roadrunners at Ruby. Seventy percent of kingbird attacks on provisioning wasps were successful. Using sand-filled trap nests baited with a cicada, we tested the hypothesis that conspecific females might kleptoparasitize by laying an egg on the cicada and closing the nest cell. At Ruby, 45% were so appropriated, and at Easton, 52%. Easton data showed that the longer a nest cell was left open, the higher the rate of kleptoparasitism. Hence, intraspecific kleptoparasitism likely occurs at high rates in both populations. Not needing to dig a burrow, or to hunt, capture, and carry a paralyzed cicada favors intraspecific kleptoparasitism in cicada killers. Low cicada availability and intense avian kleptoparasitism of cicada killers may intensify selection pressure for this behavior at the Arizona site. Pirating cicadas may be the only viable reproductive outlet for females that are small or in environments with few prey.
    [Show full text]
  • Resources of a Snake Community in Prairie-Woodland Habitat of Northeastern Kansas
    from N.J. Scott, Jr., ed. 1982. Herpetological corrmunities: a symposium ?f t~e Society for the Study of Amphibians and Reptiles and the Herpetologists League, August 1977. U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Wildl. Res. Rep. 13. 239 pp. Resources of a Snake Community in Prairie-Woodland Habitat of Northeastern Kansas by Henry S. Fitch Division of Biological Sciences University of Kansas Lawrence, Kansas 66045 Abstract In a 30-year study of a snake community at the University of Kansas Natural History Res­ ervation, 22,093 snakes of 12 species were captured 26.346 times. and 2,360 food items were identified. The smallest species, Diadophis punctatu.i, was by far the most abun­ dant. and its biomass was more than twice those of all other specie-; combined. Like the two other small and abundant species, it was almost exclusively an earthworm-eater, and earthworms comtituted 70 % of the food biomass of all species combined. Every species overlapped several others in the composition of its food, but no two were just alike. Besides earthworms, the most abundant local species of small vertebrates made up most of the food, especially Microtus ochroga:;ter. Sylvilagus jlori.danus. Peromyscus leucopus. and Rana blairi. Each of these was important in the food of several species of snakes. In­ tra~pecific partitioning of prey species wa~ much more prominent in some snakes than in others. In Agkistrodon contortrix the first-year young and adults used different kinds of prey with little or no overlapping, and less complete partitioning between young and adults was evident in all but the earthworm-eaters.
    [Show full text]
  • Effect of Biomimicked Nanopillars of Cicada Wings on Titanium Implants
    ASSESSMENT OF THE BACTERICIDAL EFFECT OF BIOMIMICKED NANOPILLARS OF CICADA WINGS ON TITANIUM IMPLANTS Hesam Shahali M.Phil., BSc Submitted in fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy School of Mechanical, Medical and Process Engineering Science and Engineering Faculty Queensland University of Technology 2020 Keywords Bactericidal surface, nanopillars, natural bactericidal surface, surface characteristics, antibacterial nanostructure, cytocompatibility, biocompatibility, titanium, electron beam lithography, helium ion microscopy, scanning electron microscopy, atomic force microscopy. Assessment of the bactericidal effect of biomimicked nanopillars of cicada wings on titanium implants i Abstract Bacteria colonization and biofilm formation are the major causes of infection in implants. The annual cost of implant-associated infections in the US is 150-200 million USD and 7-11 million Euro in the UK. It is therefore vital to eliminate the bacterial attachment and biofilm formation from the surface of implants. Currently, chemical- based detergents and traditional antibacterial/antibiotic coatings are used to produce antibacterial surfaces. These products are, however, not always effective since biofilm can still form on the implant surfaces. Moreover, there is an additional problem of long-term efficiency. Nanopillars on cicada wings have recently drawn the interest of scholars due to their bactericidal, self-cleaning and superhydrophobic characteristics. This research aimed to (i) systematically characterise and
    [Show full text]