DOCSLIB.ORG

Preliminary Results of a I D I I H Cognitum Study Investigating the Traditional Tetrapod Classes P

Total Page：16

File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb

Download full-text PDF Read full-text
Preliminary Results of a I D I I H Cognitum Study Investigating the Traditional Tetrapod Classes P Preliminary Results of a Cognidiihitum Study Investigating the Traditional Tetrapod Classes Timothy R. Brophy Liberty University Out of the ground the LORD Go d forme d every beast of the field and every bird of the air , and brought them to Adam to see what he would call them. And whatever Adam called each living creature, that was its name. So Adam gave names to all cattle , to the birds of the air, and to Anastasia Hohriakova, 2002 every beast of the field. Genesis 2:19-20 INTRODUCTION “God purposely created organisms in a pattern specifically recognizable to man and created man capable of recognizing that pattern ” (()Sanders and Wise, 2003) What is a Cognitum? • “A Cognitum is defined as a group of organisms recognized through the human cognitive senses as belonging together and sharing an underlying, unifying gestalt” (Sanders and Wise, 2003) • “A cognitum can exist at any level of inclusiveness and may or may not be hierarchically nested within other cognita” (Sanders and Wise, 2003) • Study higher-level patterns in nature & relieve other taxonomic concepts from considerations that might hinder their development METHODS & MATERIALS • Compppgpiled stack of 57 color photographs representing major groups within tetrapod classes •Random lly s huffl ed stack ; same each ti me • 3 amphibian orders, 6 reptile orders/suborders, 27 bird orders & 21 mammal orders • Natural/semi-natural habitats • Not to scale (≈ 5 ½” x 8”); 2 per sheet METHODS & MATERIALS • 67 colleggpge students asked to sort photos & give criteria used in determining each group •Gifiihiven very few instructions on how to sort ph otos – Mechanisms by which to communicate classification – “Any criteria”; “intuition” or “gut reaction” • Not giv en pre-designed categories or asked to sort into mutually exclusive or hierarchical groups PtiiParticipant tPfil Profile Age 19.9 ± 1.6 yrs. Years in College 2.4 ± 1.2 yrs. # Biology Classes 4.0 ± 1.7 classes Knowledge 4.9 ± 1.6 Source of Knowledge Personal Study None (1.1%) (14.9%) TV (18.1%) Nature (9.6%) Sc hoo l (56. 4%) RESULTS Criteria Used to Classify Misc. (0.2%) Unable (0. 9%) Beauty (2.1%) Size (5.2%) Diet (4.6%) Rarity (1.6%) Man (3.3%) Geography (0.9%) Habitat (15.7%) Traditional (41.5%) Morphology (14.8%) Behavior (9.1%) Class Aves* • Ruddy duck • Chacalaca •Ruby-throated • Oriental Cuckoo Hummingbird • Peregrine Falcon • Common Nighthawk •Chicken • Killdeer • Common Loon • Great Blue Heron • American Coot • Mousebird • Northern Cardinal • Mourning Dove • White Pelican • Belted Kingfisher •Flamingo *UMMZ Animal Diversity Web Class Aves • Pileated Woodpecker •Western GbGrebe •Albatross • Cockatoo • Emperor Penguin • Great Horned Owl •Ostrich •Tinamou • Trogon • Buttonquail Bird Orders Classified as “Birds” 27/27 64. 2% 26/27 14. 9% 25/27 45%4.5% 24/27 45%4.5% Total 88.1% Birds “Lost” to Other Categories • Penguin (7.5%) - classified as mammal; placed in ha bitat, morph ol ogy or geographi c category • Owl in nocturnal category • Hummingbird in morppgygyhology category • Chicken, ostrich & flamingo in “relationship to h”thumans” category • Grebe, loon & ruddy duck in habitat & diet categories Bird Cognitum Birds ALL 27 Orders Penguin? “Ducks” Cognit u m • 22.4% of the participants created a separate “ducks” category • 100% of these included the duck, grebe, loon & coot in this category “Ducks” Cognitum Water Birds Cognitum • An additional 32.8% of the participants created a larger “water birds” category • 100% ofhf these inc lddhluded the dkduck, grebe, loon & coot in this group • Other members of this category were: – Pelican (86. 4%) – Flamingo, heron & albatross (63.6%) – Penguin (40. 9%) Water Birds Cognitum Water Birds Cognitum Water Birds PliPelican Flamingo Duck Heron GbGrebe “Ducks” Albatross Loon Penguin Coot Penguin? Other Habitat-Based Bird Cognita • 25.4% of the participants created a “land or ground-dwelling” birds category • 15.0% of the ppparticipants created a “tree or air” birds category • Both of these, however, were extremely diverse and difficult to summarize Fliggghtless Birds Cognitum • 28.4% of the participants created a “flightless birds” category •Membfhibers of this category i ilddncluded: –Ostrich(89.5%) – Penguin (68.4%) –Chicken(47.4%) –Flamingo(42.1%) –Tinamou(10.5%) – Buttonquail, killdeer & nighthawk (5.3%) Flightless Birds Cognitum Flightless Birds Cognitum Killdeer? Tinamou Flightless Ostrich Penguin Birds Chicken Flamingo Nighthawk? Buttonquail Bird Cognitum - Summary “D” Land Water Birds Air Flightless Class Mammalia* • Cow • Kangaroo •Tiger • Duck-billed Platypus • Killer Wh al e • Horse •Bat • Pangolin • Colugo • Seal • Three-toed Sloth •Chimpanzee • African Rock Hyrax • Elephant • Least Shrew • Gray Squirrel • Rabbit • Tree Shrew • Elephant Shrew • Manatee • Aardvark *UMMZ Animal Diversity Web Mammal Orders Classified as “Mammals” 21/21 13. 4% 20/21 16. 4% 19/21 45%4.5% 18/21 11. 9% Total 46.3% “Fuzzy” Mammals • Pangolin – 70. 2% of the participants classified the pangolin as a reptile • Bat/Colugo – 23.9% of the participants classified these together as birds • Bat/Colugo – 55.2% of the participants class ified th ese t ogeth er as “b at s” , “flyi “fl ing mammals/creatures” or “nocturnal mammal/t”ls/creatures” “Fuzzy” Mammals Are Monotremes & Marsupials “Fuzzy” Mammals? • Only 16.4% of the participants created a marsupial category; 100% of these included the kangaroo; 27.3% of these included the platypus as well • Only 1.5% of the participants created an “egg-laying mammal” categgy;yory; only the p lat ypus was included in this group • The res t o f the parti ci pant s did n’t di sti ngui sh between monotremes, marsupials & placentals and/or grouped the platypus & kangaroo with various placentals Mammal Cognitum Kangaroo? Pangolin Colu go Mammals 18 Orders Platypus? Bat Water Mammals Cognitum • 74. 6% of the participants created a “water mammals” category • 100% of these included the manatee, whale & seal in this ggproup • 62% of these included the platypus in this group • Only 6% of those who created this group distinguished between marine & freshwater Water Mammals Cognitum Water Mammals Cognitum Water Manatee Whale Mammals Seal Platypus Other Habitat-Based Mammal Cognita • 41.8% of the participants created a “land” mammals category • 13.4% of the ppparticipants created a “tree” mammals category • Both of these, however, were extremely diverse and difficult to summarize “Rodent” Cognitum • 62.7% of the participants created a “rodent”, “small f urry rr mammal/creat ure” category categor • 95.2% of these included the elephant shrew, tree shrew & least shrew together in this group • Other members of this category included: – African rock hyrax (88.1%), Aardvark (83.3%), Squirrel (81.0%) & Rabbit (73.8%) – Sloth (35.7%) & Bat/Colugo together (19.1%) – Platypus (7.1%) & Pangolin (7.1%) “Rodent” Cognitum “Rodent” Cognitum Pangolin Sloth? Colugo 3Shrews3 Shrews Hyrax Aardvark “Rodents” Squirrel Rabbit Bat Platypus? Mammal Cognitum - Summary Water Land Mammals Tree Rodents Class Reptilia* • American Alligator •Tuatara • Iberian Worm Lizard • Five-lined Skink Order Squamata • Green Snake • Stinkpot *Zug et al., 2001 & EMBL Reptile Database Reptile Groups Classified as “Reptiles” 6/6 60%6.0% 5/6 16. 4% 4/6 14. 9% 4/6 or b e tter 37. 3% Thoroughly Mixed 62.7% Common Reptile Patterns • 49.3% of the participants grouped the worm lizard and caecilian together as “worms” • An additional 11.9% of the participants grouped the worm lizard, caecilian, and snake together as “snakes” • 13. 4% of the participants grouped the lizard and salamander together as “amphibians” “Slippery” Reptiles Core Group of Reptiles • 29.9% of participants grouped the following four as reptiles: snake, tuatara, alligator & turtle; additional 3.0% grouped 1st three Reptile Cognitum Lizard? Worm Lizard Snake Tuatara Reptiles Alligator Turtle Class Amphibia* • Green Frog • Spotted Salamander • Caecilian *Zug et al., 2001 & UMMZ Animal Diversity Web Amphibian Groups Classified as “Amphibians” 3/3 (no a dditions) 15%1.5% 3/3 (1 a ddition) 15%1.5% 2/3 (no additions) 11.9% 2/3 (1 addition) 13.4% Thoroughly Mixed 62.7% “Slippery” Amphibian Core Group of Amphibians • 28.4% of participants grouped the frog and salamander together as “amphibians” Amphibian Cognitum Caecilian Frog Amppbashibians Salamander Reptile & Amphibian Overlap Amphibians Reptiles “Close Relationship” to Man Cognita • 14.9% of participants created a “zoo” category; verery div erse and difficult to s ummari ze • 20.9% of participants created a “farm” category • Members of farm category included: –Cow(85.7%) – Horse & Chicken (78.6%) – Rabbit (7.1%) Farm Cognitum Farm Cognitum Rabbit FAilFarm Animals Cow Horse Chicken Future Research • Should test the effects of particular methdlhodologi ies on resul tant cl assifi cati on – How organisms chosen to represent taxonomic group – Presentation medium – Age/experience of participants – Instructions given to participants • Improve methods and use on lower levels within Class Amphibia; precursor to quantitative baraminology study .
Load more

Recommended publications
  • Birds of the East Texas Baptist University Campus with Birds Observed Off-Campus During BIOL3400 Field Course
    Birds of the East Texas Baptist University Campus with birds observed off-campus during BIOL3400 Field course Photo Credit: Talton Cooper Species Descriptions and Photos by students of BIOL3400 Edited by Troy A. Ladine Photo Credit: Kenneth Anding Links to Tables, Figures, and Species accounts for birds observed during May-term course or winter bird counts. Figure 1. Location of Environmental Studies Area Table. 1. Number of species and number of days observing birds during the field course from 2005 to 2016 and annual statistics. Table 2. Compilation of species observed during May 2005 - 2016 on campus and off-campus. Table 3. Number of days, by year, species have been observed on the campus of ETBU. Table 4. Number of days, by year, species have been observed during the off-campus trips. Table 5. Number of days, by year, species have been observed during a winter count of birds on the Environmental Studies Area of ETBU. Table 6. Species observed from 1 September to 1 October 2009 on the Environmental Studies Area of ETBU. Alphabetical Listing of Birds with authors of accounts and photographers . A Acadian Flycatcher B Anhinga B Belted Kingfisher Alder Flycatcher Bald Eagle Travis W. Sammons American Bittern Shane Kelehan Bewick's Wren Lynlea Hansen Rusty Collier Black Phoebe American Coot Leslie Fletcher Black-throated Blue Warbler Jordan Bartlett Jovana Nieto Jacob Stone American Crow Baltimore Oriole Black Vulture Zane Gruznina Pete Fitzsimmons Jeremy Alexander Darius Roberts George Plumlee Blair Brown Rachel Hastie Janae Wineland Brent Lewis American Goldfinch Barn Swallow Keely Schlabs Kathleen Santanello Katy Gifford Black-and-white Warbler Matthew Armendarez Jordan Brewer Sheridan A.
    [Show full text]
  • Nesting Habitat and Breeding Success of Fulica Atra in Tree Wetlands in Fez's Region, Central Morocco
    J Anim Behav Biometeorol (2020) 8:282-287 ISSN 2318-1265 ORIGINAL ARTICLE Nesting habitat and breeding success of Fulica atra in tree wetlands in Fez’s region, central Morocco Wafae Squalli ▪ Ismail Mansouri ▪ Mohamed Dakki ▪ Fatima Fadil W Squalli (Corresponding author) ▪ I Mansouri ▪ F Fadil M Dakki Laboratory of Functional Ecology and Genie of Environment, Laboratory of Geo-biodiversity and Natural Heritage, Faculty of sciences and technology, USMBA, Fez, Morocco. Scientific Institute, Mohammed V University, Av. Ibn Battota, 10 BP 703, Rabat, Morocco. email: [email protected] Received: June 07, 2020 ▪ Accepted: July 15, 2020 ▪ Published Online: August 06, 2020 Abstract The current study was intended to investigate the in part, by interspecific (Fretwell and Lucas 1969; Jones 2001) breeding habitats and ecology of the Eurasian coot Fulica atra and intraspecific interactions (Morris 1989), climate contrast in Fez region Morocco. To achieve our goals, nests were (Martin 2001), and habitat degradation (Feary et al 2007). monitored in three wetlands Oued Al Jawahir river, Mahraz Understanding the dissimilarity between adaptive and and El Gaada dams. In addition, nesting vegetation and nest’s maladaptive animal use of habitat is needed for any dimensions were analysed to characterise the Eurasian coot conservation issue because animal use of inadequate habitat is nests. As results, 46 nests (74%) were found in Oued al counter to conservation drives (Case and Taper 2000). Jawahir, compared with 15 nests (24%) in Mahraz dam. In El Because species conservation worry often occurs in disturbed Gaada dam only 2 nests were built by the Eurasian coots. On habitats (Belaire et al 2014), patterns in habitat use in these the other hand, all nests were built on the riparian vegetation species may not always be revealing of the habitat conditions of the river and dams.
    [Show full text]
  • Sex Determination of Adult Eurasian Coots (Fulica Atra) by Morphometric Measurements Author(S): Piotr Minias Source: Waterbirds, 38(2):191-194
    Sex Determination of Adult Eurasian Coots (Fulica atra) by Morphometric Measurements Author(s): Piotr Minias Source: Waterbirds, 38(2):191-194. Published By: The Waterbird Society DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.1675/063.038.0208 URL: http://www.bioone.org/doi/full/10.1675/063.038.0208 BioOne (www.bioone.org) is a nonprofit, online aggregation of core research in the biological, ecological, and environmental sciences. BioOne provides a sustainable online platform for over 170 journals and books published by nonprofit societies, associations, museums, institutions, and presses. Your use of this PDF, the BioOne Web site, and all posted and associated content indicates your acceptance of BioOne’s Terms of Use, available at www.bioone.org/ page/terms_of_use. Usage of BioOne content is strictly limited to personal, educational, and non- commercial use. Commercial inquiries or rights and permissions requests should be directed to the individual publisher as copyright holder. BioOne sees sustainable scholarly publishing as an inherently collaborative enterprise connecting authors, nonprofit publishers, academic institutions, research libraries, and research funders in the common goal of maximizing access to critical research. Sex Determination of Adult Eurasian Coots (Fulica atra) by Morphometric Measurements PIOTR MINIAS Department of Teacher Training and Biodiversity Studies, University of Lodz, Banacha 1/3, 90-237 Lodz, Poland E-mail: [email protected] Abstract.—The aim of this study was to describe the size dimorphism in adult Eurasian Coots (Fulica atra). Ap- propriate discriminant functions to allow efficient sex determination on the basis of morphological measurements were developed. Breeding Eurasian Coots (n = 55) were captured from the urban population in central Poland.
    [Show full text]
  • Supplementary Information
    Supporting Information Balk et al. 10.1073/pnas.0902903106 Movie S1. A paralyzed herring gull (Larus argentatus). This movie shows a specimen from the County of So¨ dermanland (region G in Fig. 1). Both wings are equally paralyzed and the beak has no strength, whereas mobility and control of the head still remain. In this work we demonstrate that the probability to remedy an individual in this condition by thiamine treatment is very high. The movie is taken in the field, but the specimen is placed on a black tablecloth in order to remove disturbing background and enhance contrast. Movie S1 (AVI) Other Supporting Information Files SI Appendix Balk et al. www.pnas.org/cgi/content/short/0902903106 1of1 Supporting Information Wild birds of declining European species are dying from a thiamine deficiency syndrome L. Balk*, P.-Å. Hägerroth, G. Åkerman, M. Hanson, U. Tjärnlund, T. Hansson, G. T. Hallgrimsson, Y. Zebühr, D. Broman, T. Mörner, H. Sundberg *Corresponding author: [email protected] Contents Pages M & M Materials and Methods. 2–10 Text S1 Additional bird species affected by the paralytic disease. 11 Text S2 Additional results for eggs. 12–13 Text S3 Results for liver body index (LBI) in pulli. 14–15 Text S4 Breeding output and population estimates. 16–18 Text S5 Elaborated discussion of important aspects. 19–27 Acknowl. Further acknowledgements. 28 Fig. S1 a–j The 83 locations where samples were collected. 29–30 Fig. S2 a–d Pigmentation changes in the iris of the herring gull (Larus argentatus). 31 Fig. S3 Liver α-ketoglutarate dehydrogenase (KGDH) in common black-headed gull (Chroicocephalus ridibundus).
    [Show full text]
  • Diet of Non-Breeding Wildfowl Anatidae and Coot Fulica Atra on the Perthois Gravel Pits, Northeast France
    68 Diet of non-breeding wildfowl Anatidae and Coot Fulica atra on the Perthois gravel pits, northeast France JEAN-BAPTISTE MOURONVAL1, MATTHIEU GUILLEMAIN1, AURELIEN CANNY2 & FREDERIK POIRIER3 1Office National de la Chasse et de la Faune Sauvage, CNERA Avifaune Migratrice, La Tour du Valat, Le Sambuc, 13200 Arles, France. Email: [email protected] 2Champagne Ardenne Nature Environnement, Musée du Pays du Der, 51290 Sainte Marie du Lac, France. 3Syndicat Mixte d’Aménagement Touristique du Lac du Der, Maison du Lac, 51290 Giffaumont Champaubert, France. Abstract Gravel pits are important habitats for wintering waterbirds, yet food selection by wildfowl wintering at these wetlands has seldom been studied. Here we describe the diet of eight dabbling and diving duck species, and also of Coot Fulica atra, at the Perthois gravel pits in northeast France. The pits form part of a broader Ramsar area and are in themselves of national importance for several Anatidae. From 343 guts collected, the gross diet of the nine bird species corresponded to that reported in the literature for these waterbirds on other types of inland wetlands, though Pochard Ayhtya ferina were almost exclusively granivorous here whereas earlier studies found that they fed more on invertebrates. All nine bird species ingested seeds, often in abundance, though in addition to Pochard only Teal Anas crecca and Mallard A. platyrhynchos could be considered as being true granivores. Two species (Spiny Naiad Naïas marina and Small Pondweed Potamogeton pusillus) were consistently among the most consumed seeds in eight out of nine bird species. The importance of these plant species may be typical to gravel pit in this study area.
    [Show full text]
  • Culebrilla Ciega – Blanus Cinereus (Vandelli, 1797)
    López, P. (2009). Culebrilla ciega – Blanus cinereus. En: Enciclopedia Virtual de los Vertebrados Españoles. Salvador, A., Marco, A. (Eds.). Museo Nacional de Ciencias Naturales, Madrid. http://www.vertebradosibericos.org/ Culebrilla ciega – Blanus cinereus (Vandelli, 1797) Pilar López Museo Nacional de Ciencias Naturales (CSIC) Versión 8-10-2009 Versiones anteriores: 14-03-2003; 2-04-2004; 30-11-2006; 10-05-2007; 27-07-2009 © José Martín. ENCICLOPEDIA VIRTUAL DE LOS VERTEBRADOS ESPAÑOLES Sociedad de Amigos del MNCN – MNCN - CSIC López, P. (2009). Culebrilla ciega – Blanus cinereus. En: Enciclopedia Virtual de los Vertebrados Españoles. Salvador, A., Marco, A. (Eds.). Museo Nacional de Ciencias Naturales, Madrid. http://www.vertebradosibericos.org/ Individuo parcialmente albino. © José Martín. Sinónimos Amphisbaena reticulata Thunberg, 1787; Amphisbaena cinerea Baptista, 1789; Amphisbaena oxyura Wagler, 1824; Amphisbaena rufa Hemprich, 1829; Blanus cinereus: Wagler, 1830 (López, 1997). Nombres vernáculos Serpeta cega (catalán), escáncer cego (gallego), Cobra-cega (portugués), Amphisbaenian (inglés), Amphisbène cendré (francés), Netzwüle (alemán) (López, 1997; 2002) Descripción y morfología Rostral de talla media. No posee escamas nasales. Los orificios nasales están situados en la primera escama supralabial. La escama frontal es grande y casi tan ancha como larga. Normalmente cuatro escamas supralabiales, de las cuales la segunda y la tercera son las que alcanzan el ojo (González de la Vega, 1988). Presenta 3 ó 4 pares de placas cefálicas cuadradas que forman la parte dorsal de los anillos de la cabeza. No tiene preoculares. Mental de forma trapezoidal. Dispone de 3 ó 4 labiales inferiores. Presenta 1 postmental larga, bordeada detrás por 3 ó 4 gulares anteriores y 5 a 7 posteriores.
    [Show full text]
  • Diving Behaviour of the Australian Coot in a New Zealand Lake
    By BRIGITTE J. BAKKER and R.A. FORDHAM ABSTRACT In a 1-day study of the Australian Coot (Fulica atra australis), the duration of dives increased with increasing depth, although the frequency of diving remained relatively constant. Duration and frequency of dives at given depths appeared not to vary with age. However, aggressive adults often drove young birds into deeper water. The duration of dives changed with the time of day, the birds preferring to dive in direct sunlight. INTRODUCTION Foraging diving birds have limited capacity to find food under water. The effort put into foraging can be assessed from the frequency and duration of their dives in both carnivorous and vegetarian birds. In these two groups diving is likely to differ because carnivorous birds dive to chase and catch live prey, which are often mobile, whereas the food of vegetarian birds is usually fixed at a certain depth or location. Most studies of diving behaviour have been with carnivorous birds (Stonehouse 1967, Piatt & Nettleship 1985, Cooper 1986, Wanless et al. 1988, Wilson & Wilson 1988, Strong & Bissonette 1989), and relatively little attention has been paid to predominantly herbivorous birds, such as rails (Dewar 1924, Batulis & Bongiorno 1972). Coots, which are energetic diving rails with regular feeding bouts, forage mostly on benthic plant material and are therefore good subjects for studying diving behaviour in a vegetarian bird. Diving times and pauses in the American Coot (Fulica americana) were measured in relation to water depth by Batulis & Bongiorno (1972). They found that differences in water depth affected diving times and pauses although divelpause ratios remained constant.
    [Show full text]
  • Courtship Activities of the Anatidae in Eastern Washington
    University of Nebraska - Lincoln DigitalCommons@University of Nebraska - Lincoln Papers in Ornithology Papers in the Biological Sciences 1955 Courtship Activities of the Anatidae in Eastern Washington Paul A. Johnsgard University of Nebraska-Lincoln, [email protected] Follow this and additional works at: https://digitalcommons.unl.edu/biosciornithology Part of the Ornithology Commons Johnsgard, Paul A., "Courtship Activities of the Anatidae in Eastern Washington" (1955). Papers in Ornithology. 66. https://digitalcommons.unl.edu/biosciornithology/66 This Article is brought to you for free and open access by the Papers in the Biological Sciences at DigitalCommons@University of Nebraska - Lincoln. It has been accepted for inclusion in Papers in Ornithology by an authorized administrator of DigitalCommons@University of Nebraska - Lincoln. Johnsgard in CONDOR (January-February 1955) 57(1). Copyright 1955, University of California and the Cooper Ornithological Society. Used by permission. Jan., 1955 19 COURTSHIP ACTIVITIES OF THE ANATIDAE IN EASTERN WASHINGTON By PAUL A. JOHNSGARD The many interesting and sometimes spectacular aspects of waterfowl courtship have been observed and recordedby several writers. Among the best and most complete descriptionsare those of Bent (1923, 1925), Townsend (1910, 1916), Wetmore (1920), and Hochbaum (1944). However, for the most part these are unillustrated, deal with only a few species, or are based on limited observations. In the summerof 1953 and the spring and summer of 1954 the writer did extensive field work in the Potholes Region of Grant County, Washington, gathering data for an ecological study of the birds and vegetation of that section. In the spring of 1954 he had occasion to observe epigamic activities of most species of waterfowl that are found in that region and was able roughly to delimit the periods of courtship and mating for several species.
    [Show full text]
  • Naval Radio Station Jim Creek
    Naval Station Rota Reptile and Amphibian Survey September 2010 Prepared by: Chris Petersen Naval Facilities Engineering Command Atlantic Table of Contents Introduction ............................................................................................................. 1 Study Site ........................................................................................................... 1 Materials and Methods ............................................................................................ 2 Field Survey Techniques.................................................................................... 2 Vegetation Community Mapping ...................................................................... 3 Results ..................................................................................................................... 4 Amphibians ........................................................................................................ 4 Reptiles .............................................................................................................. 8 Area Profiles ...................................................................................................... 8 Core/Industrial Area...................................................................................... 8 Golf Course Area .......................................................................................... 10 Airfield/Flightline Area ................................................................................ 10 Western Arroyo
    [Show full text]
  • Interspecific Intolerance of the American Coot in Utah
    [- Auk 424 LVoL76 INTERSPECIFIC INTOLERANCE OF THE AMERICAN COOT IN UTAH BY RONALD A. RYDER INTRODUCTION The American Coot (Fulica americana)is extremely territorial and vigorouslydefends its territoryagainst not only other cootsbut also a wide variety of vertebrates.The effectsof this interspecific intoleranceupon waterfowlproduction were investigated,with par- ticular emphasisupon comparativebehavior, nesting and young- rearingsuccess of cootsand ducks. The followingobservations con- cern primarily the first aspect. Nesting and young-rearingsuccess will be discussedin a later paper. This studywas financedthrough the Utah CooperativeWildlife Research Unit, with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Utah Fish and Game Department, Utah State University, and the Wildlife ManagementInstitute cooperating.Dr. JessopB. Low assistedin the direction and supervisionof the project. Observations were made at various marshes in northern Utah but primarily on Ogden Bay Refuge,one of six waterfowlmanagement areasdeveloped by the Utah Fish and GameDepartment. A detailed descriptionand history of this important waterfowl area has been publishedby Nelson (1954). Most findingsrelate to five studyareas, varyingin sizefrom 15 to 76 acres,three on OgdenBay Refugeand two on the Bay View Club, two miles west of Westpoint in Davis TABLE 1 GENERAL DESCRIPTION OF STUDY AREAS, WEBER AND DAVIS COUNTIF.•, UTAH PercentagesX Total Open Emer- Study Area AcreageX Water gents Upland Treatment Applied Unit 3 76.4 45 49 6 Control, no treatment Check Station N. Pond 17.• 21 48 •1 Control, no treatment S. Pond 14.8 16 46 •8 Coots reduced by shooting and trapping Westpoint N. Pond 48.0 38 1• 49 Cootsincreased by introduc- tion S. Pond 44.5 28 28 44 Coot hatch delayed by nest destruction x Basedon planimeteringcover maps prepared from aerial photosand ground inspection.
    [Show full text]
  • Biodiversity Patterns in Changing Mediterranean Landscapes: a Modelling Perspective
    Biodiversity Patterns in Changing Mediterranean Landscapes: A Modelling Perspective Dan Peter Omolo March, 2006 Biodiversity Patterns in Changing Mediterranean Landscapes: A Modelling Perspective by Dan Peter Omolo Thesis submitted to the International Institute for Geo-information Science and Earth Observation in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Science in Geo-information Science and Earth Observation, Specialisation: (Geoinformation Science for Environmental Modelling and Management) Thesis Assessment Board Chairman: Prof. Andrew Skidmore, ITC External Examiner: Prof. Petter Pilesjö, Lunds Universitet, Sweden First Supervisor: Dr. Bert Toxopeus, ITC Second Supervisor: Dr. Fabio C orsi, ITC Course Director: Andre Kooiman, ITC International Institute for Geo-information Science and Earth Observation, Enschede, The Netherlands Disclaimer This document describes work undertaken as part of a programme of study at the International Institute for Geo- information Science and Earth Observation. All views and opinions expressed therein remain the sole responsibility of the author, and do not necessarily represent those of the institute. I certify that although I have conferred with others in preparing for this assignment, and drawn upon a range of sources cited in this work, the content of this thesis report is my original work. Dan P. Omolo “It is not the strongest of the species, or the most intelligent, that survives. It is the one that is most adaptable to change”. Charles Darwin (I809 – 1882). Dedicated to my loving parents, Jack and Esther Omolo My eternal gratitude for your love, care and support. Abstract Understanding biodiversity patterns and processes through predictive modelling of potential species distributions remains at the vanguard of modern-day conservation strategies.
    [Show full text]
  • Focal Species: Hawaiian Water Birds: • Hawaiian Coot Or 'Alae
    Hawaiian Bird Conservation Action Plan Focal Species: Hawaiian Water birds: Hawaiian Coot or ‘Alae ke‘oke‘o (Fulica alai) Hawaiian Gallinule or ‘Alae ‘Ula (Gallinula galeata sandvicensis) Hawaiian Stilt or Ae‘o (Himantopus mexicanus knudseni) Synopsis: These three waterbirds use a variety of wetlands, but habitat loss and degradation have reduced their range and abundance. The Hawaiian Coot is considered a full species, while the gallinule and stilt are subspecies of North American taxa. The coot and stilt are widespread and relatively numerous, but the more secretive gallinule is found on only two islands and is thought to have a smaller population. Habitat protection and management are keys to recovery of these species. They nest on the ground or in low wetland vegetation, where they are vulnerable to non-native predators, so predator control also is important to increase reproduction. Hawaiian Coot, Gallinule, and Stilt (left to right). Photos Eric VanderWerf Geographic region: Hawaiian Islands Group: Water birds Federal Status: Endangered (coot, gallinule, and stilt) State status: Endangered (coot, gallinule, and stilt) IUCN status: Vulnerable (coot only, gallinule and stilt NA) PIF/ABC score, rank: 17/20, 18/20, 18/20, At-risk Watch List 2007 Score: Red (coot, gallinule, and stilt) Climate Change Score: Moderate (coot, gallinule, and stilt) Status: The Hawaiian Coot, Hawaiian Gallinule, and Hawaiian Stilt are all listed as endangered under the U.S. Endangered Species Act (ESA) and by the state of Hawaii. The Hawaiian Coot is considered vulnerable by the IUCN. The Hawaiian Gallinule and Hawaiian Stilt are subspecies of the Common Gallinule and Black-necked Stilt of North America, respectively, and thus are not specifically considered by the IUCN.
    [Show full text]