Brigham Young University Science Bulletin, Biological Series
Volume 2 Number 2 Article 1
2-1963
Biotic communities of the Nevada Test Site
Dorald M. Allred
D Elden Beck
Clive D. Jorgensen
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Recommended Citation Allred, Dorald M.; Beck, D Elden; and Jorgensen, Clive D. (1963) "Biotic communities of the Nevada Test Site," Brigham Young University Science Bulletin, Biological Series: Vol. 2 : No. 2 , Article 1. Available at: https://scholarsarchive.byu.edu/byuscib/vol2/iss2/1
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( t^R? BIOLOGICAL SERIES — VOLUME II, NUMBER 2
FEBRUARY, 1963
BIOTIC COMMUNITIES OF THE NEVADA TEST SITE
by
DORALD M. ALLRED, D ELDEN BECK and CLIVE D. JORGENSEN
Brigham Young University
Science Bulletin
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.*^ UC"} BIOLOGICAL SERIES — VOLUME II, NUMBER 2
FEBRUARY, 1963
BIOTIC COMMUNITIES OF THE NEVADA TEST SITE
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DORALD M. ALLRED, D ELDEN BECK and
CLIVE D. JORGENSEN
Brigham Young University
Science Bulletin PREFACE
This paper constitutes a terminal report to the United States Atomic
Energy Commission for Contract AT( 11-1) 786, It provides a listing of the fauna known to occur at the Nevada Test Site, with designation of ecological distribution and relative density. It is designed to serve as the basic faunistic reference source, in subsequent studies, related to geographical and ecological features at the test site. tablf: of contents Page
INTRODUCTION 1 EXTENT AND GENERAL GEOGRAPHY OF THE NEVADA TEST SITE 1 CLIMATIC CONDITIONS 4 HISTORY 5 PROCEDURES AND ACKNOWLEDGMENTS 9
BIOTIC COMMUNITIES - 11 Plant Communities 12 LarreaFranseria Community 12 Grayia-Lyc'ium Community 12 Coleogyne Community 12 Atriplex-Kochia Community 16 Salsola Community 16 Pinyon-Juniper Community 16 Other Habitats 17 Animal Iniiabitants 17 Scorpions 18 Spiders 18 Solpugids 18 Phalangids 18 Isopods 18 Grassiioppers and Crickets 21 Beetles 21 Ants 22 Chilopods 25 Millipeds 26 Lizards 26 Snakes 27 Birds 27 Rabbits 27 Rodents 27 Carnivores 27 Artiodactyls 31 Discussion 31 LITERATURE CITED 32 APPENDICES
I. Some common plants of the major commmunities and
other habitats at the Nevada Test Site - 35
II. Check-list of animals showing their known distribution by community and other areas at the Nevada Test Site 37
III. Information on new species, including data on locality, date, author, publication, and repository for each species 51 LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS Figure Page
1. Geographic location of the Nevada Test Site and the approximate boundary between the Great Basin and Mohave deserts 2 2. Typical landscape of southern Nevada 3 3. Playa of Frenchman Flat 3 4. Principal collecting sites of vertebrates 6 5. Permanent sites for year-round studies of animals and principal sampling stations of invertebrates 7 6. Young-type rodent trap 8 7. Museum Special, break-back traps 8 8. Oneida-Victor carnivore trap 8 9. Can pit-trap 8 10. Berlese funnel 9 11. Grid arrangement of collecting stations at permanent study sites 10 12. Radiating transect arrangement of collecting stations at permanent study and sampling sites 10 13. Paired transect arrangement of collecting stations at sampling sites 10 14. Larrea-Franseria Community 13 15. Grayia-Lycium Community 13 16. Coleogyne Community 14 17. Atriple.x-Kochia Community 14 18. Salsola Community 15 19. Pinyon-Juniper Community 15 20. Cane Springs 16 21. Distribution by community and relative abundance of predominant species of solpugids and scorpions 17 22. Seasonal occurrence and relative abundance of predominant species of scorpions 18 23. Distribution by community and relative abundance of predominant species of phalangids and spiders 19 24. Seasonal occurrence and relative abundance of predominant species of spiders 19 25. Seasonal occurrence and relative abundance of predominant species of solpugids 20 26. Seasonal occurrence and relative abundance of predominant species of isopods and phalangids 20 27. Distribution by community and relative abundance of predominant species of isopods, millipeds, and chilopods 21 28. Distribution by community and relative abundance of predominant species of grasshoppers and crickets 21 29. Seasonal occurrence and relative abundance of predominant species of grasshoppers and crickets 22 30. Distribution by community and relative abundance of predominant species of darkling beetles 22 31. Seasonal occurrence and relative abundance of predominant species of darkling beetles 23 32. Distribution by community and relative abundance of predominant species of ants 24 33. Seasonal occurrence and relative abundance of predominant species of ants 24 34. Seasonal occurrence and relative abundance of predominant species of chilopods and millipeds 25 35. Distribution by community and relative abundance of predominant species of lizards and snakes 25 36. Seasonal occurrence and relative abundance of predominant species of snakes and lizards 26 37. Distribution by community and relative abundance of predominant species of birds 27 38. Seasonal occurrence and relative abundance of predominant species of birds 28 39. Distribution by community and relative abundance of predominant species of rabbits, carnivores, and artiodactyls 29 40. Seasonal occurrence and relative abundance of predominant species of rabbits 29 41. Distribution by community and relative abundance of predominant species of rodents 29 42. Seasonal occurrence and relative abundance of predominant species of rodents 30 43. Seasonal occurrence and relative abundance of predominant species of carnivores and artiodactyls 31 44. E.xtent of the major plant communities at the Nevada Test Site 53 BIOTIC COMMUNITIES OF Till: NF.VADA TKST SITI-:
INTRODUCTION
Since the fii'st nuclear detonation at the testing; and (2) establish techniques of pro- Nevada Test Site in January, 1951, many cedure so that studies may be made in similar weapons and experimental devices have been ecological situations where nuclear detonations tested in southern Nevada. The native plants have occurred or may occur. and animals have been disturbed to varying Dining the three years from 1959 to 1962 degrees by the thermal, radiation, and other (hat these studies were in progress, large num- physical effects of these tests. bers of animals were captiued and studied, and In August, 1959, Brigham Young Univer- volumes of data were gathered. The initial sity initiated an ecological survey of the fauna analysis of these data was dependent upon the at the Nevada Test Site to study the effects identification of the organisms collected. Spe- which these nuclear tests have had on the cialists were employed to classify the many native animals. Inasmuch as no basic ecological taxonomic groups. In some groups of the in- investigations were made at the test site before vertebrates specialists were not available who tuiclcar testing commenced, our studies were could identify the species. Some vertebrate ani- designed to develop standards of measurement mal groups were studied in detail, and some of to determine past imclear effects, so far as pos- these data have been published. sible, as well as to measure the effects of future As a basis for reports which are to follow, tests. Subsequently, study sites were established it is the objective of this report to (1) identify, in (1 ) test areas where visible effects of nuclear delineate, and describe the major plant com- detonations were obvious, (2) contiguous areas nnmities of the Nevada Test Site, (2) include a where no physical effects were evident, and (3) listing of the ])redominant animals occurring in areas several miles distant from centers of nu- these connnunities. with a designation of their clear detonations (ground zeros). Principal ob- relative abundance and seasonal occurrence, and
jectives of our project were to determine the ( 3 ) list phylogenetically all the species of ani- kinds, population, seasonal occurrence, geo- mals known from the test site and the com- graphic and ecological distribution, migration, munities in which they are found. home range, and related habits of native ani- The delineation of the plant communities is mals in these areas. This woidd facilitate (1) rather general and does not include certain selection of species of animals which would plant associations. Detailed botanical studies serve as standards of measurement to determine continued over several years will perhaps neces- how the ecological structure in a selected com- sitate a refinement of our present plant com- nnmity had been affected by the thermal, radi- mimity designation. Nevertheless, the present ation, and other physical factors in nuclear arrangement fits the needs of the present study.
EXTENT AND GENERAL GEOGRAPHY OF THE NEVADA TEST SITE
The Nevada Test Site (proving grounds) is LInited States Geological Survey maps of the situated approximately 70 miles northwest of test site area were also used. Figures 4, 5, and Las Vegas, Nevada, in the southeastern part of 44 are composites from these sources which Nye County. It lies alongside northwestern show mountain ranges, valleys, and our desig- Clark County and southwestern Lincoln Coun- nation of plant communities. ty (Fig. 1). It is approximately 1,300 square The geography of the test site is typical of miles in size, extending 40 miles north to south the landscape in southwestern desert areas of and about 35 miles east to west. It is included the United States (Fig. 2 and 3). There are in the Las Vegas Bombing and Gunnery Range low-lying, rugged mountain ranges which are which comprises approximately 4,000 square sparsely vegetated, and intei-vening valleys into miles. which erosional material has been deposited
Johnson and Hibbard ( 1957) iiave given an over the ages, creating extensive alluvial fan- account of the geology of the jH'oving grounds like deposits. Those deposits extending from the in Nevada. Most of the descriptive information bases of the mountains and hills comprise the on the geographic features which follows vvas bajadas, or foothills. The composition of the extracted from their report. Maps and geograph- bajadas is reflected in the source from which ic names which accompany this report are also the erosional mateiial was derived and the de- based, for the most part, on their report. Recent gree of incline and deposition. Composition of Brigham Young University Sciencr Bulletin
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STUDY AREA
NEVADA TEST SITE
Fig, 1. Geographic location of the Nevada Test Site and the approximate bounaary between the Great Basin and Mohave deserts. Bioi.ocicAi, Series, Vol. 2, No. 2, Febrtary, 1963
Sfri-Sa2;S!&?^2^i.e k^3i.*«-.'..v*i Fig. 2. Typical landscape ol southern Nevada :-^ '^ ^.^^rr; 'i*?- ^ « Fig. 3. Playa of P'renchman Flat. Bricham Young University Science Bullp^tin these deposits, in part, also affects the char- which relatively laige playas exist. The north- acteristics of plant cover and faunal associates ernmost is Yucca Flat, south of which is French- (Hardy, 1945). man Flat, separated from the former by a low ridge called Yucca Pass. The relative size of each Another characteristic feature of some of the valley and the positions and size of their playas southwestern desert areas of the United States are shown in Figure 44. With reference to are those valleys in which moisture from snow Yucca Flal, Johnson and Hibbard state (p. 365) melt and rain is trapped when run-off occurs that "the alluvial fill tliickens toward the cen- from the surrounding terrain. The silt-laden tral part of the valley to about 800-1000 feet." waters which eventually reach the lowest ele- They state further, "Seismic surveys (Farnham, vation in such valleys concentrate as ephemeral oral communication) determined a depth to bodies of water which upon evaporation leave a bedrock of about 650 feet in the playa in deposit of fine silt and clay that becomes very Frenchman Flat." The actual thickness of the hard when dry. These lake beds are termed ". playa itself . . was calculated by seismic playas and for the most part lack conspicuous methods to be about 175 feet thick (Farnham, vegetation (Fig. ." 3). Di'al comnuinication) The principal geographic areas in which our The other valley where studies were con- studies were conducted are three valle3's and ducted is known as Jackass Flats (Fig. 44). This selected areas on hills, mountains, and mesas. is not a land-locked basin like the two above Two of the valleys are catchment basins in but drains south and west from the test site. CLIMATIC CONDITIONS Nevada lies to the east and leeward side of ground. This results from the fact that daily the Sierra Nevada mountain range which forms temperatin-es frequently rise considerably above a massive barrier to the prevailing winds from freezing even in the winter. Consequently, there the west. This barrier to moist air has resulted, is a lack of extended periods of extreme cold at least in part, in a vast desert region of which which would delay snow melt. the Nevada Test Site is a part. The drier air The summers at the test site are long and that descends the eastern slopes of the Sierras hot and the winters short and mild. The high- is warmed by compression so that little precipi- est temperature recorded at the test site was tation occurs until it moves farther east, rises 112° F in July, 1959, at Jackass Flats. The 3° and cools as it approaches other ranges where minimum was F in January, 1959, at Yucca it drops precipitation on the local mountains. Flat. The average maxima and minima vary with the location, from 64° to 11" F maximimi During the summer moist tropical air from and 39° to 52° F minimum. Prolonged periods a southerly quadrant invades the southwestern of extreme cold are rare due primarily to moun- deserts (Weedfall, 1962). whereas moisture tainous barriers which lie to the east and north other directions is effectively blocked by from and block off the cold continental air masses. ranges. Siunmer precipitation higher mountain Diurnal temperature changes typical of desert is due primarily to convective showers associ- regions fluctuate as much as 51° on clear days ated with thunderstorms which in turn are in- but may not differ more than 20° on cloudy. humidity. This phenomenon duced by low-level windy days. Temperature inversion zones have results in considerable variation in precipitation been demonstrated at the Nevada Test Site. at different positions at the test site. Rainfall Frenchman and Yucca flats are closed basins; 4.42 inches 3,356 ft. elevation and 8.75 was at hence, cold air drainage from the mountains ft. elevation stations in inches at 7,480 at two frequently results in the formation of cold air 3.66 inches 6.74 inches at the 1960, and and pockets in the valley floors. same stations in 1961. Relative humidity varies from near 2% to Most of the precipitation occurs during the approximately 90%. the highest occurring in winter. From 1959-1961 36% of the rainfall the predawn hours and the lowest during day- was between April and September, whereas light hours. The average is about 21% in sum- 64% occurred during the remaining months. mer as contrasted with 30% in winter. Snowfall is sparse in the lower valleys and Prevailing winds are westerly, although lo- usually persists for only short periods. Although cal physiograjihic features sometimes result in the high plateaus and mesas frequently have winds from a southerly direction. High winds considerable snow, it usually does not remain are rare. Dust and sandstorms occur occasional- in sufficient amounts to continually cover the ly, particularly during the spring months. Biological Series, Vol. 2, No. 2, February, 1963 HISTORY Little is known concerning the early inhabi- (1951) published the only comprehensive flora tants and e.xplorers in the actual area of the of the area and reviewed the earlier investiga- Nevada Test Site. According to Harrington tions of Purpus, Jones, Haller, Tidesti^om, Jae- (1930), archaeological evidence to indicate In- gar, Hitchcock. LaRivers, Hancock, Maguire, dian inhabitants in adjacent areas was reported Alexander, and Kellogg. Although Clokey spent by Jedediah S. Smith in 1827, M. S. Duf field in parts of seven years in or near the Charleston 1904, A. V. Kidder in 1912, H. P. Mera in Mountains, he apparently did not enter the 1913, and N. C. Nelson in 1921. In the course area of the test site. Tidestrom (1925) like of our studies at the test site Indian artifacts Clokey did not visit the test site proper; never- were recovered. theless, his published studies on the plants of the general region are an important source of Early explorers to southern Nevada were reference. ledediah S. Smith, Antonio Armijo, and others who followed the Old Spanish Trail which Recently, between 1957 and 1961, Shields passed near the present site of Las Vegas. Min- (1958, 1959a, 1959b), Shields and Rickard ing ventures which brought numerous people to (1960), Shields, Rickard, and Drouet (1959), contiguous areas as well as the area of the test Shields, Durrell, and Sparrow (1961), Shields site is evidenced by mine shafts and prospect and Wells (1962, 1963), Rickard (1959, 1961, holes. 1963), Drouet (1959), and Durrell and Shields (1960), associated with New Mexico Highlands Cane Springs at the test site is notable as a University, studied the effects of nuclear deto- water source. Inasmuch as it is a continuous nations on plants at the test site. At present, source of water, it was a likely stopping place plant studies are being conducted there by for early travelers and explorers. Murbarger Janice C. Beatley (1962) and William E. Mar- (1956) reported that in 1928 the mining town tin of the University of California, Los Angeles. of Wahmonie in the eastern part of Jackass Flats on the test site boomed abruptly to a popu- The first extensive work on mammals of lation of 1,500, obtaining its water supply by southern Nevada was begun in 1928 by Burt tank from Cane Springs. Almost as abruptly, it (1934), but he did not study the area of the became one of the many typical ghost towns. test site. Hall (1946) published the next major work in his "Mammals of Nevada" and re- The first major biological expedition in the viewed the work on mammals covering the vicinity of the test site was the Wheeler survey period from 1930 to 1946. He recorded collec- of 1871-1877. Later came the Death Valley ex- tions from several localities on and adjacent to pedition of 1891-1893 led by C. Hart Merriam. the test site. There is no evidence that the Wheeler group visited the actual area of the test site, and the Aside from the early reports by Henshaw Death Valley expedition circumvented it en- (1875, 1877, 1880), Nelson (1875), and Fisher tirely, although they may have visited adjacent (1893) on the birds of Nevada, the first exten- Emigrant Valley (Palmer, 1893). John C. Fre- sive treatise was prepared by Ridgway (1877), mont, who delineated the Great Basin region zoologist with the United States Geological Ex- and gave it that name (Tanner, 1940), passed pedition of the 40th Parallel. Hoffman (1881) by the test site area in 1844. This was while he published the first comprehensive listing of Ne- was enroute to Las Vegas, Nevada from Walk- vada birds and summarized the findings of Hen- er Pass in the high Sierra Nevada Mountains. shaw and Ridgway. Only isolated records of LaRivers (personal correspondence) and his as- birds were published between 1881 and the sociates at the Llniversity of Nevada made sev- more recent works of Jaeger (1927), Van Ros- eral collecting trips into southern Nevada since sem (1936). and Linsdale (1936, 1951). Gul- 1948. but none of these involved the test site. lian, Pulich and Evenden (1959) studied the birds of southern Nevada and reported several Several botanical studies were made in the species from the region of the test site. Some Charleston Mountains southeast of the test site. ornithological records have been published by Merriam (1893) reported on the vegetation of members of the U. S. Fish and Wildlife Service southern Nevada as observed by the Death Val- (Anon. 1961 ) at the Desert Game Range which ley expedition. From 1909 until his retirement is adjacent to the eastern boundary of the test in 1945 Shreve (1951) was actively engaged in site. Rickard (1961) published on the nesting field studies of the vegetation in the deserts of habits of several species observed at the test site. southwestern LTnited States including areas con- tiguous to the Nevada Test Site. We have no Following the reports of reptiles by Yarrow record, however, of his actually traversing the (1875). Yarrow and Henshaw (1878), and test site itself. In the summer of 1937 LaRivers Stejneger (1893) resulting from the Wheeler (personal correspondence) collected plants in and Death Valley expeditions, Bentley (1919), areas now involved in the test site. Clokey Van Denburgh and Slevin (1921). and Linsdale i Fig. 4. Principal collecting sites of vertebrates (Sites of incidental collections are not included). Fig. 5. Permanent sites for year-round studies of animals, and principal sampling stations of in- vertebrates (Open squares - permanent study sites of mammals; solid square - permanent study site of lizards; solid circles - permanent and/ or principal sampling study sites of ground-dwelling invertebrates; solid triangles - permanent study sites of invertebrates as- sociated with predominant plant species; open hexagons general collection and study sites of all animals. Sites of incidental collections are not included). Brigham Young University Science Bulletin ^^lTm' '«FU»i*«~ Fig. 6. Young-type rodent trap. Biological Sekik.s, Vol. 2. No. 2, February, 1963 (.1940^ publislied exclusively on .Xcvadii rep biological surveys from that area. Following tiles. Linsdale (1940) first listed records ob- the establishment of the Nevada Test Site in tained from the area of the test site. Other re- 1950 and the initiation of nuclear testing in cent records for southern Nevada are listed by 1951, biological investigations in that specific LciHivers (1942) and Banta (1950, 1963). area have been limited to those scientists closely associated with the development of nuclear de- is known, the invertebrate fauna As far as vices. Since 1950 approximately 150 such de- adjacent vicinity has not of the test site and vices have been detonated at the test site with for incidental collections been studied except varying effects on the flora and fauna. Recent various workers in their specific reported by faunal studies of the test site in association his as- fields. The survevs by Rehn (1924) and with the nuclear testing program were reported are sociates, and LaRivers (1938, 1943, 1948) by Allred, Beck, and Murdock (1960), Allred examples. (1960, 1961, 1962a, 1962b). White and Allred In 1941 an area of approximately 4,000 (1961). Allred and Beck (1962, 1963a. 1963b), square miles in southern Nevada was designat- White (1962). Jorgensen (1962a, 1962b), Jor- ed as the Las Vegas Bombing and Gunnery gensen and Orton (1962), Chamberlin (1962a, Range. This included and surrounded the pres- 1962b), Richards (1962), Killpack and Goates ent area of the Nevada Test Site (Fig. 1). The (1963), Cole (1963). Goates (1963), and Pack- establishment of this range essentially excluded ham (1963). PROCEDURES AND ACKNOWLEDCIMENTS The Nevada Test Site is a security area as above), and Berlese funnels 15 inches in closed to the general public. Researchers must diameter and 3 ft. in length (Fig. 10). Ecto- have permission for access. Even then, restricted parasites were removed from hosts by brushing areas within the test site are not fullv ac- and with the aid of the binocular dissecting cessible. microscope. The application of sampling techniques to Most of our permanent study sites were selected areas of study was principally done established in the valleys, although considerable sampling was done in some of the mountainous areas. Some of the mesas are of sufficient ele- vation that deep snows are present for several months. In those areas somewhat restricted for reasons of security, or which were only season- ally accessible, short-term studies uere made as opportunities allowed. Figures 4 and 5 show the geographical locations of our study sites. Several techniques of collecting animals were used. The principal trap used for rodents was a Young-type, wire animal trap (Fig. 6). It is 15 inches long by 41/2 inches square and is made of 3-mesh hardware cloth on the sides, top, bottom, and one end. The door of galvanized sheet metal closes by gravity drop. For other rodent sampling the Museum Special, break- back trap was used (Fig. 7). Quick-cooking rolled oats was used as bait for rodents. Oneida- Victor coyote traps (Fig. 8), rifles and shot- guns were used for collecting badgers, foxes, coyotes, and other carnivores. Birds were collect- ed by use of various gauge shotguns, Japanese mist nets, and funnel traps made of hardware cloth and baited with mixed grains. Lizards were caught by hand, with nets, and by use of small caliber shot shells, but principally by use of sets of sunken cans (Fig. 9). These consist of an outer, galvanized metal case. 7 inches in iliameter and 14 inches long with a stainless steel, flanged inner can slightly smaller in size. Invertebrates were collected with aerial, Fig. 10. sweeping, and beating nets, sunken cans ( same Berlese funnel. 10 Brigham Young University Science Bulletin under one or more of the following plans. 1 '/2 miles in length. .-\ third method of sam- Grids of 15.6 acres were used with stations at pling consisted of two parallel transects. 60 ft. 75-ft. intervals (Fig. 11). Smaller grids with apart, with traps spaced at 30-ft. intervals collecting stations at 35-ft. intei-vals were also (Fig. 13). utilized. Line transects radiating from a central point were employed; some had collecting sta- X X tions at 30-ft. and others at 264-ft. intervals (Fig. 12). These transects varied from 750 ft. to X X X X X X 3 X X X X X 5X X X 6 X X X X X 8 « X X 9 X X X X X X X A X X X X Fig. 11. Grid arrangement of collecting stations at permanent study sites. X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X Fig. 13. Paired transect arrangement of collect- ing stations at sampling sites. Sight observations of reptiles, birds, lago- morphs, carnivores, and artiodactyls were re- corded, and miscellaneous collections of all animals were made as opportunity permitted. Vegetation composition of the study sites was analyzed by the line intercept method. Fig. 12. Radiating transect arrangement of col- All applicable data were recorded on IBM lecting stations at permanent study and |uincii cards Analyses and tabulations were sampling sites. made with an IBM 650 computer. HioLutiiCAi. Seriks, Vol.. 2, No. 2, Fkbki'aky, 1963 11 Tilt' autliors express appreciation to tiic loi- Salt Lake City, isojjods; Ceorge F. Edmunds, lowiiig agencies, nistitutions, coiilractoi>. and University of Utah, mayflies and caddice flies; personnel for tlieir assistance in this research Andrew H. Bariium. Dixie (College. St. George, pr(jject; Di\ ision of Biology and Medicine, Unit- Utah, grasshoppers, crickets, and relatives; ed States .Vtoniic Energy Conmiission for their Vasco M. Tanner and Ste|)heii L. Wood. Brig- financial support under contract Ai\ll-1 )7Hbi ham Young University, and llenry F. Howden, (^ivil Effects Test Operations, United States Canada Department of Agriculture, Ottowa, Atomic Energy Commission, especially Robert beetles; Arthur C. Cole, University of Ten- L. Corsbie and L. J. Deal; and Reynolds Elec- nessee, Knoxville, ants; Ralph V. Chamberlain, trical and Engineering Company, Inc., j)articu- University of Utah, millipeds and chilopods; larly John L. Williamson, for their suppoi't at Wilmer W. Tanner, Brigham Young Univer- the Nevada Test Site; Kermit H. Larsen and sity, reptiles; and C. Lynn Hayward, Brigham Janice C. Beatlcy, University of California, Eos Yoimg University, birds and mammals. Angeles, for assistance in fallout and radiation evaluations and for identifications of jilants Special mention is made t)f those who have and interpretation of plant communities, re- worked full or part time for a long period and spectively; Lora M. Shields and Philip V. contributed considerably to the project, namely: Wells, New Mexico Highlands EIniversity, and Joseph R. Murdock and Leland D. White, who William II. Rickard. 1 lanford Laboratories, for constituted our first resident field team at the iilentification of jjlants and interpretation of Nevada Test Site and laid the groundwork for plant comnumities; and to Brigham Young our present studies; Andrew H. Barnimi, Mer- University for permission to participate in the lin L. Killpack, Arthur C. Anderson, Gerald L. research project and for furnishing laboratory Richards, Willis A. Packham, and Arnold M. facilities and office space for personnel associ- Oi-ton who spent considerable time at the test ated vs'ith the project on the Brigham Young site in addition to summers. Others who con- University campus. tributed a great deal while holding research as- Many specialists and consultants have co- sistantships are Morris A. Goates. Carl G. In- operated with us on the project. Identification gersoll, Richard L. Richhait, Elias P. Brinton, and verification of specimens returned to our Robert L. Amoureux. Gerald L. Hayward. and laboratories were made by the following per- James R. Barnes. Othei' students, staff, and sonnel: Willis J. Gertsch. An:erican Museum consultants spent summers, made periodic visits, of Natural History, New York, scorpions, spid or assisted with the preparation and identifica- ers, and phalangids; Martin E. Muma. Univer- tion of specimens. Special thanks is given Linda sity of Florida. Lake Alfred, solpugids; James Ann Terry who carried much of the responsi- M Brennan, Rocky Mountain Laboratory, bility of the busy-work of tlie administrative Hamilton, Montana, and Russell W. Strandt- burden, as well as the checking of data, their maiin. Texas Technological College. Lubbock, tiansfer to IBM punch cards, and arrangement mites; Stanley B. Midaik, University of Utah, for tabulation and analysis. BIOTIC COMMUNITIES The Nevada Test Site is situated in an in- Life Zones, Biotic Provinces, or Biomes of these teresting ecological desert area. It lies on the other workers. Consequently, we used the vari- border of the l^pper and Lower Sonoran life ous vegetative complexes at the test site as a zones as defined by Merriam (1802, 189.3, basis for community identification and compari- 1898), the Artemisian and Mohavian biotic son. This is what Shields (1958) did in her ])roviiices of Dice (1943), and the Shadscale- studies of the plants at the test site. At that Kangaroo Rat (Cool Desert) and Creosote Bush- time she defined eight vegetation zones. Subse- Desert Fox biomes of Shelford (1945). The quently, Shields, Rickard, and Drouet (1959) boundary between the Great Basin and Mohave and Shields and Rickard (1960) redefined these deserts, as defined by Jaeger (1957), crosses zones as vegetation types. Fautin (1946) faced the Nevada Test Site (Fig, 1 ). The Great Basin a similar situation in designing a workable was designated as a geographic province by scheme of community classification in his Fremont (1845). The Mohavian Biotic Prov- studies of the Northein Desert Shrub Biome in ince was described bv Dice (1943). although Utah. Hayward. Beck and Tanner (1958) Shreve (1951) and Jaeger (1957) delimited applied a similar approach in their studies of the ap[)roximately the same geographic area in zoology of the upper (Colorado River Basin. their definition of the Mohave Desert VVe have applied the concept of Munz and Inasmuch as our studies were directed to K(>ck (1959) to the two major types of vegeta- ward a detailed examination of small biolii tion at the test site. These are the Desert Scrub communities, we coidd not applv the broad and the Desert Woodland (also known as the systems of community classification such as Pigmy Forest), which we have subdivided into ) 12 Brioham Young Univrrsity Science Bulletin plant communities (Fig. 44). Under tiic Deceit Frenchman Playa, an area intersected by many Scrub Type we have designated five communi- washes. In Frenchman Flat Lycium pallidum ties: Larrea-Franseria. (irayia-Lycium. Coleo- occurs in abundance as a narrow stand which gyne, Atriplex-Kochia, and Salsola. Under the extends in a southwesterly direction from the Desert Woodland Type tliere is one community, playa through an extensive area of Larrea and the Pinyon-Juniper. This arrangement is well Franseria. In Rock Valley there are areas which adapted to the type of ecological investigation are predominantly Lycium andersonii. Al- conducted in our study. though small areas of similar vegetation occur Within a community plants characteristic at other parts of the test site, this particular of other communities frequently occur. How- area is appreciably larger than most. ever, these species are localized and are not found distributed throughout the community. Grayia-Lycium Community These peculiar situations undoubtedly result Shreve stated that (irayia spinosa from differing edaphic and climatic factors as (1951) is occasionally found in place of Larrea divari- discussed by Rickard and Murdock (1963). cala and Franseria dumosa in mountainous Such areas frequently are the habitats for ani- areas of the Mohave Desert at elevations below mal species which may not occur elsewhere in stands of Coleogyne. Jaeger (1957) suggested the typical community. A listing of some of the that it coexists with Eurolia lanala at lower more common plants found in the several com- elevations in northern Utah, and Shreve (1951 munities is given in Appendix I. added that Grayia spinosa and Coleogyne ram- Once the plant communities at the test site osissima occur in place of Larrea divaricala and were delineated for our purposes, the predomi- Franseria dumosa at higher elevations in the nant animals associated with each connnunity northern parts of the Mohave Desert. Although were determined. Grayia spinosa and Lycium andersonii occur in varying degrees with Larrea divaricala and PLANT COMMUNUriES Franseria dumosa on the test site, the (irayia- Lycium community attains its most impressive development in Yucca Flat where it covers Larrea-Franseri.'\ Community many square miles of the bajada (Fig. 15). At This community is recognized as belonging the somewhat higher elevation of Buckboard to the Mohave Desert (Shreve, 1951; Jaeger, Mesa, there is a large stand' of Grayia spinosa 1957). The vegetation of Mercury Valley. Rock and Artemisia Iridenlala. Valley, Jackass Flats, and Frenchman Flat is Near the edge of the Grayia-Lycium com- predominantly Larrea divaricala and Franscria munity and next to the Atriplex-Kochia com- dumosa which gives these areas many of the munity in Yucca Flat, there is a small stand of characteristics of this southern desert (Fig. 14). Atriplex confertifolia and Eurolia lanala. In the In this community there are areas where lower part of the valley, Atriplex and Eurolia the vegetative pattern varies from the typical occupy a position similar to that described by predominant combination of Larrea and Fran- Jaeger ( 1957) for the Great Basin Desert. Flat seria. Around the playa of Frenchman At the east side of Yucca Flat on the sandy Atriplex fertifolia occurs as a narrow band con bajada there is an association of plants that is in a relatively piu'e It also frequently stand. unique. It consists of several species, of which occurs in abundance on the bajadas, hillsides, Tetradymia glabrata is one of the most prom- the Similarly, Atriplex cane- and along washes. inent. This situation is also common to Pluto- scens occurs between the playa and the stand nium Valley east of Yucca Flat. of A. confertifolia and usually extends up the from washes the lake bed. (yOLEOGYNE COMMUNITY On the gently sloping bajadas of northern Jackass and Frenchman flats, the stands of Coleogyne ramosissima t)ccurs as one of the Larrea and Franseria give way abruptly to most pure stands of plants at the test site (Fig. stands of Coleogyne ramosissima; frequently lb). These stands may be in patches only 100 there is an area of heterogenous vegetation be- ft. in diameter on the side of a mountain or tween. This situation occurs along Mercury occur as belts as much as several miles in Ridge, Skull Mountain, Mine Mountain, and length on the gently sloping, rocky foothills. on the Spotted and Specter ranges. Scattered stands of Larrea divaricala and In Jackass Flats there is an extensive area Coleogyne occur in several areas along the up- which supports an almost pure stand of Larrea |)er bajadas in Yucca Flat. Wells (personal cor- divaricala. Although this situation is not com- respondence) demonstrated that one of the mon at the test site, it frequently occurs stands was in a temperature inversion zone. throughoiU other parts of the Mohave Desert. A Temperature inversion niay explain the exist- stand of Larrea divaricala and Lycium rickardii ence of these localized stands of Larrea, but not is conspicuous on the bajada southeast of the isolated jilants in both the Coleogyne and Biui.uGicAi. Sekik.s, Vol. 2, No. 2, February, 1963 13 I'lK- 1 J. Larrea-Fransena Community. '*'"! */l >; . I-"iK- 15- Ct ayia-L>fium Cumiiiunity. Brigham Young University Science Bulletin 14 .^w^,* -N^ 5; sr^ "^^^^ Mi,:-^;-^^. ' • ^^ii^^:^' IMP?!' ' ;. »:»«'• :-'.!'.. i^- Fig. 16. Coleogyne Community. Fig. 17. Atriplex-Kochia Community. Bioujuu-Ai, Sekies, Vol. 2, No. 2, Fkbruary, 1963 15 V,. -. ^. if-'Sy "^^ *ii^ P"ig. 19. Pinyon-Juniper Community. 16 BRifiHAM Young Univkrsity Science Bulletin Grayia-Lycium coninninities. Franseria, which S.ALsOLA Community is frequently associated with Larrea and Coleo- During nuclear weapons testing large areas gyne in Frenchman and Jackass flats apparenly are denuded of native vegetation. Plants on the is absent in Yucca Flat. fringes of these areas frequently are partially Coleogyne exists as a complex mosaic in the burned or broken by the heat and shock waves. northern end of Mid Valley where it occurs in Such disturbance creates areas suitable for in- small almost pure stands next to almost pure vasion of Salsola kali and ecologically related stands of Artemisia tridentaia. These are some- species (Fig. 18). The total area covered by times separated from each other by narrow these invading plants is relatively large, but ecotones of less than 10 ft. pure stands are usually restricted to the areas both sides of Yucca Pass there is an as- On surroiuiding ground zeros. sociation of Yucca hrevijolia and Coleogyne that is found in almost every area in Yucca Flat where Yucca occurs in large numbers. PiNYON-JuNIPER COMMUNITY Desert Woodland is well developed at Atriplex-Kochia Community The the northwestern corner of the test site as a This distinct conmninity consists primarily Pinus nionophylla and Juniperus osteosperma of Atriplex confertifoUa and Kochia americana community (Fig. 19). This well developed com- (Fig. 17). It occupies an extensive area at the munity is common at higher elevations through- margin of the Yucca Playa where there is ex- out the Mohave Desert and on the foothills and tremely shallow soil covering a nearly impervi- moiuitains of low elevation in the Great Basin. ous clay substrate. An occasional wash lined At the test site, stands of Pinyon and Juniper with Atriplex canescens intersects this com- occur in various combinations with Artemisia munity. tridentata and Coleogyne ramosissima. ' -'-?-'t»i>' ^#':'- »'^;?tf^^ P"ig. HO. Cane Springs. BiuLOGlCAL Skkiks, Vui.. 2, No. 2, Fkbkuary, 1963 17 Other 1 1 abitats Several reservoirs were established at the test site as part of the testing program. Two that aix' nut l>pital of llu> major plant Areas that were studied for faimal surveys were sup- communities occur within and adjacent to them. plied with water from Well 3B in a Cirayia- areas are sometimes the permanent habi- These Lycium conmnmity. and Well 5B in a Larrea- tat for ammals lli.il .iic not frequently associat- F"i'ansei'ia conumunty. Tiie vegetation has been (h1 the plants typical of these with iiredommant essentially clinnnated from the area inmiediate- major communities. For purposes of this report, ly adjacent to those reservoirs, but Chara sp. is areas, natuial spiings, resei-voirs, mountainous common in the water. and playas are groujied together as .Mixed The playas are considei'ed as important communities. habitats since they frequently hold large vol- Movmtainous areas weie not included in umes of water for varying periods of time, al- of plant to the the descrijition communities due though they are usually dry dining the sum- of plant species which occur there and diversity mer months. Uidike the saline playas conmion because these areas are not specifically includ- to nuich of the Mohave Desert, the non-saline ed in our overall siuveys. In these areas plants playas of the test site are usually surrounded occur in various combinations, and each canyon with Atriplex canescens, A. confertifolia, and oi' rocky outcrop[)ing frecjuently has a different other associated species. Essentially no vascular plant species associated with it. combination of plants occur on these playas. In many cases the same species that were found in these areas were also found on the bajadas. Several natural springs are known in the ANIMAL INHABITANTS mountainous areas at the test site. Some of them have been modified to exploit the water In the discussion and illustrations that fol- supply. Cane Springs {Fig. 20) was developed low, data are included for those groups of ani- by digging further into water producing strata mals which were studied systematically for at and a reservoir was built to hold the constant, least one year. These data show plant com- year-round supply of water. I'ippipah, Topo- munity distribution, seasonal occurrence, and pah, and White Rock springs have not been so relative population density. fully developed. Almost all of the shrubby Although Hardy (1945) and Allred and species found on the bajadas occur near the Beck (1963b) discussed the effects of edaphic springs as scattered or small clusters of plants. factors on the distribution of mammals in south- There are some plant species pecidiar to moist western Utah and at the Nevada Test Site, we habitats which are only present near the above have not included such data in this paper. Soil springs. Generally, however, the vegetation textures vary so greatly within the different about the springs differs little from that found plant communities that it was not practical to in mesic canyons. attempt to relate these to each systematic group Solpugids l*rr,luni)naiil Spfuc'^ 18 BrICHAM YOI'NC llNIVKRSITY SCIENCR BULLRTIN (jf animals for theif bioad c(jmnuiiiity tlistrihu- animals (F'ig. 23). They were most abundant tion. Only llie predominant species of each in numbers of individuals in the Larrea-Fran- group were selected. A complete listing of all seria, although the greatest number of species the identified species and theii- known ecologi- was found in the (Trayia-Lyciuni. Gnaphosu cal distribution at the test site is included in hirsutipes and Psilochorus utahensis were the Appendix II. most widely distributed of more than HO species In the figuies which show the seasonal dis- known for the test site. The spiders as a group tribution for each of the [)red(jniinant sjiecies were evident every month of the year, although (e.g. Fig. 22), relative abundance is uidicated by individual species were seasonally restricted. the vertical diameter t)f the symbol. Relative They were most abundant during the summer abundance of each species in its taxonomic (Fig. 24). group is proportional onlv within th(> plant community indicated. For example, m Figure Soi.in'GiDs 24 the relative abundance of Psilochorus These arachnids were found in five commu- utuhensis in the I-arrea-Franseria community nities (Fig. 21). They were most abundant in cannot be compared with the same species in numbers of individuals in the L.arrea-FVanseria. the Coleogyne community. Relative abundance, although the greatest number of sjiecies was however, can be compared in each case with found in the Grayia-Lycium community. The other species in the same community. most widely distributed of approximately 30 In the figures which show community re- species were llcmerotreclia serrata and Thcro- lationships only, relative abundance of each bates arcellus. Solpugids were most obvious dur- species is in direct proportion, regardless shown ing summer (Fig. 25). of community and taxonomic group. In these figures a median, single line opposite each spe- Ph.al.angids cies indicates that it was present in numbers too small to plot with the scale used. Only one species, Globipes spinulaius, was found at the test site. It was collected in five of Scorpions the communities and was most abundant in the Coleogyne community (F'ig. 23). Phalangids These animals were found in only four were evident principally during late winter and communities (Fig. 21 ). They were most abund- early spring (Pig. 26). ant in numbers of individuals in the Larrea- Franseria, although the greatest number of l^ species was found in the Grayia-Lycium. The most widely distributed of the five known Although these crustaceans were found in species was Vejovis confusus. The scorpions four communities, they were rarely collected in were evident during late summer and early communities other than Larrea-Franseria at autumn (Fig. 22). the test site (Fig. 27). Armadillo arizonicus was the more widely distributed of the two species recorded. Isopods were princi- Spiders evident pally during summer and early autumn (Fig. All communities were inhabited by these 26). Spnn^? PI .lilt PrfdiiniLTiisnl S[>ci. les Conini IVh Mar. April May ]uw luU Au^ .'M-pt (VI \ /ladruriJs hirsutus \\^,or,s ronfusus Anurodnnus phoijoductylus Hadrurus hirsutus Gr-Ly Vejovis confusus Hadrurus hirsutus Vejovis confusus Anuroctonus phaeodactylus Vejovis confusus Fig. 22. Seasonal occurrence and relative abundance of predominant species of scorpions. Biological Series. Vol. 2, No. 2, Febkuaky. 1963 19 Phalangids Predominant Species I^ Fr Scale: I- 20 Brigham Young University Science Bulletin l't..Ml S[inng Predominant Species Coiiiiii [V-t. M,ir April June Jiil\ Aug Fremobates mormonus Hcmerotrecha califnrnica Hcmerolrecha setrata 1 hcrohates arcellus llcmcrolrecha californica Hemerolrechn scrrala I' hcrohates arcellus Therahates phcalus HrinrrolrLvhii iiilil'irnica Fremobates mormonus f h'liu T' itrc<- ha call ji irnu i Hcmerotrecha cahfornwa Fig. 25. Seasonal occurrence and relative abundance of predominant species of solpugids. Isopods Plant Comm Biui.uuiCAL Sekies, Vol. 2, No. 2. Fbhrl'ary, 1963 21 Isopods Predominant Species 22 Bricham Young Univrrsity Science Bulletin month of the year, although individual species were most abundant in numbers of individuals were restricted seasonally. The period when in the Grayia-Lycium and Pinyon-Juniper (Fig. most species were obvious was late summer 32). The greatest number of species was found through early autumn (Fig. 31). in the latter community. Of the 53 species re- corded, Myrniecocystiis mexicanus, Pogonomyr- . , mex caUfornicus, and Pheidole bicarinata were the most widely distributed. Ants were evident Ants were found in all communities, but from early spring to middle autumn, although Pliinl [ SpPCK Hunlrnii puni lulus ee ( U-ulfiupliiliis 1,/riirllipcs Ciholacris pnrriceps ('ruthi ( ' cuihopiuUis larncHipes Cfuthophilus fossor Ct-ulhophilus InmcUipes J7 Morsea cftlifornica cz> Xanthippus corallipes CeuthophUus lamclUpes 12 Trimerolropis ryancipctvin Ceuthophilus fo: CeuthophUus Uimellipes Ceuthopliilus fossor <1111 Ceuthophilus lamelUpes ^ rinj» Fig. 29. Seasonal occurrence and relative abundance of predominant species of grasshoppers and crickets. IVoJumiiiaiU Species Ui Fr (.r-Ly Pi -hi 1/ .iriischiziix sulricnlHs (rntnnptcrn inunciila Z3 3 Filmtcs icnfricosiis F.hyiiics arrriatn mi^ mm Elrixles hispilabris '•••••"•^••••i SZ3 Pelcryphorus pantex Triorophiis laeu'is 3 3 Fig. 30. Distribution by ccjmmunity and relative abundance ot predominant species of darkling beetles. BioLouiCAi. Series, Vol. 2, No. 2. Febrlarv, 1963 23 Pliinl .cl.,„,i,i,.Ml ^i.f Cumin II,., I,,,i I'll. Mnr .\|,ril M.,i l„ii,' I,;! Arnciisihxzui suhitoUn ( i-ntnopfcra intmcuUi 42 Elrodrs tirmala Araeaschizus sulcicnlhs Edrotes rentricosus 37 Eleodi-s armata FJeodes hispUnhris -iraeaschizus sulclcolUs 24 Edrotes rentricosus Rlrodrs armata Eleodes armata 22 Pelecyphorus pantei Edrotes lentrirosus Fleixii's hispilahris Araeaschiziis sulckolUs (\-ntri"pleru murUata 42 Elendcs armata Triornplius lai-iis F'ig. 31. Seasonal occurrence and relative abundance of predominant species of darkling beetles. 24 Brigham Young University Science Bulletin Predominant Species Biological Skries, Vol. 2, No. 2, Fkhruary, 1963 25 iiiosl .species were more icsliKted seasonally were most abundant in luinilun's of individuals {Fig. 33). Myrmecocystus rorna/us WHS uhsious, in the Pinyon-Junii)ei- community, although every month of the vear. the greatest number of species was found in the Grayia-Lycium. The most widely distribut- Chilopous pj] ,,( (]^p f^y^ species was Sculopcudra rnichcl- The centipedes were found in small num- hachcri. Chilopods were obvious |)rincipally in bers in all six communities (Fig. 27). They the spring and summer ( Fig. 34j. Bkiuham YuiiNi; University Science Bulletin Ml! I.IPI l),-> Lr/,AKDS Lizards were found in all communities. No rhfbe ciiiiiiiiils were not abuiidatil at the particular community supported greater num- test silt' and wciv found in only four lonuiuuii- bers of individuals of this group as a whole ties I" Fig. 27 j. Tlie most widely disliibuted of than another, although certain species wei-e the foui- spec it's was Arinolus /wradaf. This nioie abundant in some communities than in and the olliei j)ied()niinant species, Orthichelu^ otheis (Fig. 35). The greatest number of spe- rnirhclhaiheri, wore most alnuulunt in the cies was found in the Larrea-Franseria. The Larrea-I'ranseria community. The greatest most widely distiibuted of the 15 species was ruimher of species was found in the Grayia- the side blotched lizard. Via stansbiiriuna. Liz- Lycium and the (>oleogyne communities. Milli- ards as a group were evident principally from |)eds were obvious principally during the winter early spring to late summer, although U . stans- monllrs (Fig. 34). buriana was active the year round (Fig. .36). Biological Srriks, Vol. 2. No. 2, Fkhriary, 1963 27 Sn.\kks nrayialA'cium (Fig. 39). Seasonally th<-v were most obvious during late winter, early ^^jinng, They vverc louiid in only Iwn i luiiinuiiitics and e,iil\ snniTiKM' (Fig. 40). (Fig. 35). Of iho 1() kinds rcioKled. ihe ^rci\\ est nunihor of sp(>( ics \\ Prt-domiiidiit Species I 28 Brioham Young University Science Bulletin Plant flnniirldtlt Spf.Lr< Cutmn ( 'urpoi.'ficiis fttexicainis F.rcmuphihi a!pestns y.cniiidiirii mncniiin (.r Ly lircinophHii atpal' Atnpluspiza hdirieuta so 7,t'naidura nwfnn Frcinophiln alpcstm Alcctoris grneca Gvmnorlnmis cyatlocephala <^^^^>- Jiiiicn orr^nnus Carpodlie us mtr.Ticeinus Fig. 38. Seasonal occurrence and relative abundanc-e of predominant species of birds. Biological Series, Vol. 2, No. 2, February, 1963 29 Rabbits Pn'd"ii]iiiont Species 30 Bricham Yol'ng Univkrsity Science Bulletin ^jiiini; Prcdoniiriiint Spet it's I),.r I. in I.'Ip M,ir A, ml M.m Iuh,. Inl', An- S'pl Or! Nnv Aininosficrmi-iihilif, /cm i Diporlnnivs tncriuinn IS Di/ioiunn^ nucrups f\-f Hariri/ hu.s lorrniiius Per of^/iaif'Ui lunfitniftn}" Aini'iiispcrniijphilus Inn i Dipodoni) s ntcrrinmi (.r-Ly. ^" Dipu'lomys mkrops l',.\ .'','1—7' 'y ^Tr;SZSZI^^•>/.'.^^^, --^•>-^'^"?^ Pc'Offiiathns longintrmhr. Ammiispcrmophtlus Leucti Dipodomys rncTriiirni Dipodomys microps I'rro^nfirhus lortgirnfmbns Diptidontys microps Ful,inua\ dorsulis Pi, J 11 /^ I Pcroniyuiis mntui iilntus r);pi'tdo'}n s nicrniimi S.T /^ Dip.luniys mirrops Dipodontys ordii Ai'irr'ni/nTmnphilwi h'ui it Ihpudnmys nictnarm Dipn'lomys /niin>ps Prroi^rinf/ni-, fu. :i)n\ii\ Prn>^n.,f/n,s h,n^nn,;uh> Fig. 42. Seasonal occurrence and relative abundance ol predominant species of rodents. Biological Series. Vol. 2, No. 2. February, 1963 31 Carnivores Plant \Viiiter i*redominanl Comm Species Dec J.in Feb M,,i- ,\|,rrl ^I,,^ Uiiie July Aii(i Sept On N Canis latrans Vulpcs mticrotis Or -Ly. Vulpes macrotis Viiljies rimi-rvns Vtitpes rrtacrotis Arfiodactyls Pi.-Ju. 32 Brigham Younc LIniversity Science Bulletin LITERATURE CITED Allied, D. M. 1960. Compcuative ecological Chamberlin. R. V. 1962a. New records and studies of animals at the Nevada Test Site. species of chilopods from Nevada and Ore- 1959-1960. Annual progress report of Brig- gon. Entomol. News, 73:134-138. Young University to U. S. Atomic ham Chamberlin, R. V. 1962b. .Millipeds from the Energy Commission. Nevada test area. Proc. Biol. Soc Washing Allred, D. M. 1961. Comparative ecological ton, 75:53-56. studies of animals at the Nevada Test Site. Clokey. I. W. 1951. Flora of the Charleston 1960-1961. Annual progress report of Brig- mountains. Clark County, Nevada. Univ. Young University to U. S. Atomic ham of California Press, Berkeley; 274 Energy Commission. pp. Cole, A. C. 1963. A new species of Veromes- Allred, D. M. 1962a. 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Biotic communities of posed to radiation at the Nevada lest Site. the northern desert shrub biome in west- Proc. First Nat. Symposium on Radioecol- ern Utah. Ecol. Monographs, 16:251-310. ogy, Ft. Collins, Colorado. 1961. Reinhold Fisher, A. K. 1893. The Death Valley expe- Publ. Corp., (in press). dition. A biological survey of parts of Cali- Allred, D. M. and D E. Beck. 1963b. Eco- fornia. Nevada, Arizona, and Utah. logical distribution of some rodents at the U.S.D.A. North American Fauna, No. 7. Nevada atomic test site. Ecology, (in Part II. Report of the ornithology of the press). Death Valley expedition of 1891. compris- Allred, D. M., D E. Beck, and J. R. Murdock. ing notes on the birds observed in southern 1960. Comparative ecological studies of California, southern Nevada, and parts of animals exposed to nuclear detonation. Arizona and LUah; pp. 7-158. (Abstr. ). Proc. Utah Acad. Sci., Arts and Fremont, J. C. 1845. 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Biol, of California I'ress, Berkeley; 710 pp. and Med., TID-4500-17th Ed. I lardy. R. 1945. The influence of types of Bently, G. H. 1919. Reptiles collected in the soils upon local distribution of some mam- vicinity of Current. Nye Co., Nevada. mals in southwestern LTtah. Ecol. Mono- Copeia, 1919:87-91. graphs. 15:71-108. Burt, W. H. 1934. The mammals of south- Harrington, M. R. 1930. Archaeological ex- ern Nevada. Trans. San Diego Soc. Nat. plorations in southern Nevada. Southwest Hist.. 7(36): 375-428. Museum Papers, No. 4; pp. 1-25. . 33 Biological Sekiks. Vol. 2, No. 2, Fkbri'akv, 1963 K. Berk and \V. W. TaniuT. EaRivers, 1. 1948. A synopsis of Nevada Or- I l,i\ u.iid. C L.. D 1M5K. /.iHilogy of tlic upper (^oloradu thoptera. Am. Midland Naturalist, 39(3); Rivet- basin, i. The biotic coniniunities. 652-720. Sci. Rul.. 1 ( 3 1 : 1 74. Rrighani Young Univ. Einsdale, J. M. 19 5(). The birds of Nevada. oi- Pac. Coast Avifauna, Vol. 23; 145 1 Repoii upon the pp. I Irnshaw. 1. W. 1875. portions ot lulhological collections made in Einsdale, J. M. 1940. Amphibians and rep- Nevada, Utah, (California, Colorado, New tiles in Nevada. Proc. Am Acad, of Arts Alexico. and Arizona, duiin^ the years and Sci., 73(8): 197-257. 1871. 1872. 1875. and 1874. U. S. Geog. Einsdale. J. M. 1951. A list of the birds of .Surv West of lODlh Mer.; Chap III: pp. Nevada. Condor. 53(4) : 228-249. 1 51-'i()M Merriam, C. II. 1892. The geographic distri- Heiisli.iw, II. VV. 1877. Report on the orni bution of life in North America with spe- thology of portions of Nevada and Cali- cial reference to the Mammalia. Proc. fornia" Ann. Rep. Geog. Surv. West lOOth Biol. Soc. Wash., 7:l-(i4. (ieorge Wheeler for 1877; pj), Mer., by Merriam, C. H. 1893. The Death Valley ex- 1503-1322. pedition, a biological survey of parts of Ornithological report I lenshavv, H. W. 1880. California, Nevada, Arizona, and Utah. from observations and collections made in U.S.D.A. North American Fauna, No. 7. portions of California, Nevada, and Ore- Part IE Notes on the distribution of trees gon. Ann. Rep. Geog. Surv. West 100th and shrubs in the deserts and desert ranges Mer., by (ieorge Wheeler for 1879; pp. of southern California, southern Nevada, 282-335." northwestern Arizona, and southwestern Hoffman, W. J. 1881. Annotated list of the Utah; pp. 285-343. birds of Nevada. Bull. U. S. Geo!, and Merriam, C. H. 1898 Life zones and crop Geog. Surv. Terr., 6(2) :203-256. zones of the United States. U.S.D.A. Div. Jaeger, E. C. 1927. Birds of the Charleston Biol. Survey, Bull. 10; pp. 1-79. mountains of Nevada. Occas. Papers River- Munz. P. A. and D. D. Keck. 1959. The side J. Coll., 2:1-8. California Flora. Univ. of California Press, Jaeger, E. C. 1957. The North American Berkeley; 1681 pp. deserts. Stanford Univ. Press, Stanford; Murbarger, N. 1956. (ihosts of the glory 308 pp. trail. Desert Magazine Press, Palm Desert, Johnson, M. S. and D. E. Hibbard. 1957. California; 291 pp. Geology of the Atomic Energy Commission Nelson, E. W. 1875. Notes on birds observed Nevada proving grounds area. Nevada. in portions of Utah, Nevada and California. U. S. Geo. Surv. Bull. 1021-K; pp. 333-384. Proc. Boston Soc. Nat. Hist, 17:338-365. Jorgensen, C. D. 19fi2a. Disturbance of mam- Packham. W. A. 1963. A systematic and mal traps by jack rabbits. Great Basin ecological study of the darkling beetles of Naturalist, 22:83-86. the Nevada Test Site. Masters Thesis, Brig- Jorgensen, C. D. 1962b. Spacial and time ham Young University. distribution of Dipodomys microps occi- Palmer. T. S. 1893. The Death Valley expe- dcntalis Hall & Dale within distinct plant dition. A biological survey of parts of Cali- communities. Ecology, (in press). fornia, Nevada, Arizona, and LTtah. Jorgensen, C. D. and A. M. Orton. 1962 LI.S.D.A. North American Fauna, No. 7. Note of lizards feeding on oatmeal bait. Part IE List of localities visited by the Herpetologica, 17(4):278. Death Valley expedition; pp. 361-384. Killpack, .M. L. and M. A. (-oates. 1963. Rehn, J. A. G. 1924. The land of sagebrush Bat captured in snap trap. J. Mammal.. and juniper; an account of part of the of ( in press ) work of the Nevada-Arizona expedition 1924. Yearbook (1924), Acad. Nat. Sci. LaRivers. I. 1938. An annotated list of the Libelluloidea (Odonata) of southern Nev- Phila.; pp. 56-67. ada. Pomona College J. Entomol. and Richards, G. 1962. Wintering habits of some Zool,, 30(4): 73-85. birds at the Nevada atomic test site. Great Basin Naturalist, 22:30-31. LaRivers, 1 1942. Some new am])hibian and reptile records for Nevada. Pomona Col- Rickard, W II. 1959. Gross vegetation pat- lege .1. Entomol. and Zool, 34(3j:53-68. terns within the Nevada test site. (Abstr.) J. Colorado-Wyoming Acad. Sci., 4(11 ) :32. UiRivers. I 1943. A list of the Eleodes of Nevada, with the description of a new sub- Rickard, W. IE 1961. Notes on bird nests sjjecies (Coleoptera: Tenebrionidae). Po- found in a desert shrub community follow- mona College J. Entomol and Zool., 35 ing nuclear detonations. Condor. 63:265- (4):53-61. 266. 34 Brigham Young University Science Bulletin Rickard, W. H. 1963. Vegetational analysis Shields, L. M.. L. W. Durrell. and A. H. Spar- in a creosote bush community and their row. 1961. Preliminary observations of radiologic implications. Proc. First Nat. radiosensitivity of algae and fungi from Symposiimi on Radioecology, Ft. Collins, soils of the Nevada test site. Ecology, 42 Colorado. 19(il. Reinhold Publ. Corp., (in (2): 440-441. press). Shreve, F. 1951. Vegetation of the sonoran desert. Vol. 1 Carnegie Inst. Wash., Publ. Rickard, W. H. and J. R. Murdock. 1963. 591; 192 pp. Soil temperature and moisture and the dis- Slejneger. L. 1893. The Death Valley expe- tribution of desert communities in south- dition, a biological survey of parts of Cali- ern Nevada. Ecology (submitted for re- fornia, Nevada, .Arizona, and Utah. view). U.S.D.A. North American Fauna, No. 7. Ridgway, R. 1877. United States geological Part II. Annotated list of the reptiles and exploration of the fortieth parallel, by batrachians collected by the Death Valley Clarence King. Part III. Ornithology; pp. expedition in 1891, with descriptions of 303-669. new species; pp. 159-228. Tanner. V. M. 1940. A chapter in the natu- Shelford. V. E. 1945. The relative merits of ral history of the Great Basin, 1800 to the life zone and biome concepts. Wilson 1855. Great Basin Naturalist, 1(2): 33-61. Bull., 57:248-252. Tidestrom, I. 1925. Flora of Utah and Ne- Shields, L. M. 1958. A botanical study of vada. Contr. U. S. Nat. Herb.. Vol. 25. nuclear effects at the Nevada Test Site, Van Denburgh, J. and J. R. Slevin. 1921. A 1957. Annual report of New Mexico High- list of the amphibians and reptiles of Ne- lands University to U. S. Atomic Energy vada, with notes on the species in the col- Commission. lection of the academy. Proc. Calif. Acad. Shields, L. M. 1959a. An appraisal of radia- Sci.. Ser. 4. 11(2): 27-38. tion effects on vegetation within the Ne- Van Rossem, A. J. 1936. Birds of the Charle- vada test site. (Abstr.). Proc. 9th Internal. ston mountains, Nevada. Pac. Coast Avi- Bot. Cong., 2 (A): 33. fauna, Vol. 24; 65 pp. Shields. L. M. 1959b. Recovery of vegetation Weedfall, R. 0. 1962. Forecasting thunder- in the vicinity of ground zero sites. storms in southern Nevada. Report of the Res. Sta., Vegas, (Abstr.) J. Colorado-Wyoming Acad. Sci., U. S. Weath. Bur. Las 4(11):3U-31. Nevada, to U. S. Atomic Energy Commis- sion. Shields. L. M.. and W. II. Rickard. 1960. A White, L. D. and D. M. Allred. 1961. Range botanical study of nuclear effects at the of kangaroo rats in areas affected by atom- Nevada Test Site, 1959. Annual report of ic detonations. Proc. Utah Acad. Sci.. Arts New Mexico Highlands University to U. S. and Letters, 38:101-110. Atomic Energy Connnission. White, L. D. 1962. Concrete molds of rodent Shields. L. M. and P. V. Wells. 1962. Effects burrows. J. .Mammal., 43:265. of nuclear testing on desert vegetation. Yairow. H. C. 1875. Report upon the collec- Science, 1 35 ( 3497) : 38-40. tions of batrachians and reptiles made in Shields, L. M. and P. V. Wells. 1963. Re- portions of Nevada, Utah. California, Colo- covery of vegetation in the vicinity of rado, New Mexico, and Arizona, during atomic target areas at the Nevada test site. the years 1871, 1872. 1873. and 1874. Proc. First Nat. Symposium on Radioecol- U. S. Geog. Surv. West of 100th Mer., ogy. Ft. Collins. Colorado, 1961. Reinhold Chap IV; pp. 509-633. Pub). Corp., (in press). Yarrow, H. C. and II. W. Henshaw. 1878. Re- Shields, L. M., W. H. Rickard, and F. Drouet. poii upon the reptiles and batrachians col- 1959. A botanical study of nuclear effects lected duiing the years of 1875, 1876, and at the Nevada Test Site. 1958. Annual 1877. in California, .\rizona, and Nevada. I'eport of New Mexico liighlands Univer- .A-nn. Rept. Geog. Surv. West 100th Mer, sity to U. S. Atomic Energy Commission. for 1878; pp. 206-226. ) APPFA-niX I SoMi; (,'oMMON Plants ni iiii M \ joh (^uMMiMnii-s and Oriii.ii Hahita'i.s iSjiecics iiaiiics hilluw Mini/, and Keck, and Beatlt'\' ,l„i l''r-7 l,,iii('a l''r.ins('ria. (irl.y= (icayia I -yciuni. (!<)== (^olpofjyiic, At-Ko^ Alii|il('\ Kdcliia. Sa^ Salsola, Pi-Ju^ l*iiiyi)ii- liini|i('i-. Ml= Mountains. Spi= Sj)ringsj Species La-Fr GrLy Co AtKo Sa PiJu Ml Spr AcamytopapjiUK scJwckleyi X X Agdve utahensin Agrostis semiverticilluta Amarunthus albus Amelunchier utahensis Amsinckia tesseJlata X Artemisia spinescens Arte)nisia tridentata Atriplex canescens Atriplex confertifoUa Berula erecta Bromus rubens X Carex sp. CercocarpHS intricatiis Cercocarpus ledifolius Chaenactis stevioides CIvara sp. Chrysothamniis nauseosus Chrysothamnus spp. Chrysothamnus viscidiflo)-us Cleovie lutea Coleoyyne ramosissima Cowania mexicana Cowania stansburiana Cryptantha circiimscissa Cryptantha pterocarya Dalea fremontii X Daleu polyadenia X Echinocactus polycephalus Elymus sp. Ephedra funerea Ephedra nevadensis Ephedra torreyuna Ephedra viridis Eriogonum spp. Eurotia lanata Fallugia paradoxa Franseria durnosa Franseria eriocenfra Grayiu spinosa Haplopappus cooperi Heleocharis parishii Hordeum stebbinsii Hymenoclea salsola Jiincus balticus Juniper us osteosperma Koch in uinericana Krameria parvijolia 36 Brk;ham Younu University Science Bulletin Species La-Fr Gr-Lv Co At-Ko Sa Pi-Ju Mt Spr Larrea divuricuta X Lepidiinii fremontii Lficiinii (iiiderson.il Luciuin puUidum Lficiiiin rirkardii Menodont uphiescens Mentzelia ulbiruuHs Mimulus (jiittatKfi MirtibiUn bigelovii Mirubilis pi(dwa Nicotiann spp. Oenothera meguluntlin Opuntia busilaris Opuntia echinocarpii Opuntia erinacea Oryzopsis hymenoides Petalonyx nitidus Piniis nionophylla Polypogon interruptus Polypogon mo7ispeliensis PvKJius fasciciilata Piirshia ghindulosa Piirshia tridentutu Quercus gainbelii Rumex crispus Rumex salicifolius Salazaria mexicarva Salix gooddingii Salsola kali Sahna dorii Sitanion hansenii Stanleya pinnata Stipa comata Stipa speciosa Siiaedu torreyanu Syin phoricarpos longiflorus Tarnarix pentandra Tetradymia glabr^ata Tetradymia axillaris Thamnosina montana Typhu doniingensis Verbena bracteata 'Veronica anaguJlis-a quat ica Yucca brevifoliu Yucca schidigera APPENDIX II ( jn.cK-LiM- oi- Animals at thk Nkvada Test Site, Siiowinc; I iiiiii Kn(i\\:\ nTsTiuHi riox liv (>)MMrNiTY and Oitieh Areas Species and family names which luilou have been recDmiiu'iuled by each specialist dealing with a laxonomic gioup. Snhspecitic names arc omitted here, but will be included, where ap{)r(}piiale. in subseciuent mt)ni)graj)hu papers dealing with each of the groups. CJode lellers lor tlie plant connnunilies and areas ai'e: La-Fr^ I .arica-I^ranseria, Gr-Ly= Grayia-Lycium. Co= Coleogyne. At K()=r Atriplex-Kochia, Sa= Salsola, Pi-,Iu:= Pinvon-Juniper. CS= Cane Springs; ()thei-= other miscellaneous areas not classified to community. Plant Community or Locality Species La-Fr GrLy Co AtKo Sa PiJu CS Other SCORPIONS Vejovidae Amvoctonus phaeodactylus Hadrurus hirsutus Vejovis boreus Vejovis confusus Vejovis hirsuticauda Vejovis wupatkiensis Vejovis n. sp. Chactidae Superstitionia donensis SPIDERS Ctenizidae Aptostichus n. sp. Theraphosidae Aphonopehna n. sp. FiLISTATIDAE Filistata utahana Filistata n. sp. Uloboridae Uloborus diversus Dictynidae Dictyna calcarata Dictyna reticulata Mallos mians Caponiidae Orthonops gertschi Tarsonops sp. Diguetidae Diguetia canities Digiietia signata Loxoscelidae Loxosceles unicolor Plectreuridae Kibramoa paiuta Plectreurys tristis Heteropodiae Olios fasciculatus Thomisidae Ebo mexicanus 38 Bkigham Yuunc University Sciknck Bulletin Plant Community oi' Locality Species La-Fr Gr-Ly Co At-Ko Sa Pi-Ju CS Other Ebo n. sp. Ebo sp. A Ebo sp. B Ebo sp. C Misuinenops n. sp. X Than at lis tex'anus X X Xynticus califurnicus X Xysticits lassanuts X X Xysticus n. sp. Clubionidae Anyphaena sp. Castianeira descripta X Corinna biculcarata X X Micaria gosiuta X X Micaria n. sp. 1 Micaria n. sp. 2 Micaria n. sp. 3 Micaria n. sp. 4 Neoanugraphis chainberlini X Syspira eclectica Gnaphosidae Cenonia classioa Drassodes celes DrassyUus fractus Drussyllits irritans DrassyUus uioronius Gnuphosa calijornica Gnaphosa hirstitipes Huplodrassns eunis Herpyllus hesperolus Megainyrmecion naturalisticwin Nudocion utus Zelotcs monachits Zelotes mannodes Zelotes puritanus HOMALONYCHIDAE Homalonych us theolvgus Pholcidae Physocyclus tanneri Psilocliorus utahensis X X X Theridiidae Enoplognath'U joshua X X X Euryopis spinigerus X Latrodectus mactans X X Steatoda fulva X Steatoda pulchru X Steatoda washona Mimetidae Mi)iietus entypiis Aroiopidae Metepeiru gosoga X X Linyphidae Ceruticelus sp. (nr. nesivtcs) Cochlembolus sunctus Erigone dentosa Meioneta formica X Meioneta sp. (ni-, fratrella) Spireiiibolus sp. BlOLOUICAL SiSKIES, VOI.. 2, No. 2. FKBRrARV, 1963 39 Plant Community or Locality La-Fr CrLy Co AtKo Sa PiJu CS Other Agblenidar Agelenopsis aperta X Calilena restricts X X Cicurina utaltana OXYOPIDAK Oxfjopes n. sp. LycosidaI': Alopecosu koclii X Geolycosa rafaelana Pardosa ramulosa Schisocosa sp. Tdrentuhi kochi Sai.ticidak Metacyrba arizonensis Metacyrba taenioJa Metaphidippus n. sp. 1 Metaphidipptis n, sp. 2 Pelenes hirsutus PellencH n. sp. 1 Pellenes n. sp. 2 Pellenes n. sp. 3 Phidippus upucheaniis X Phidipptis formosus X Phidippus opifex SOLPUGIDS Eremobatidae Chanbria sp. Eremobdtes ctenidiellus Eremobates mormonus X Eremobates scopidatus X X Eremobates siniilis X Eremobates zinni X Eremobates n. sp. Eremorhax titania X Eremorhax n. sp. X Hemerotrecha bidepressa X Hemerotrecha branchi X Heniero trecha calijarnica X Hemerotrecha denticulata X Hemerotrecha fruitana X Hemerotrech'fi serrata X X Hemerotrecha n. sp. 1 Hemerotrecha n. sp. 2 Horribates sp. Therobates arceJltis X X Therobates arcus Therobates branchi X Therobates cameronensis X X Therobates pHcatus X X Therobates n. sp. 1 Therobates n. sp. 2 Therobates n. sp. 3 Therobates n. sp. 4 Ammotrechidae Ammotrechuhi pilosa X Ammotrechula n. sp. 1 Ammotrechula n. sp. 2 Branc)tia potens X 40 Brigham Young University Science Bulletin Plant Communitj' or Locality Species La-Fr GrLy Co AtKo Sa Pi-Ju CS Other PHALANGIDS Phalangiidae Globipes spinu.latits X X X MITES IXODORHYNCHIDAE I.vodorhyncluis sp. Haemogamasidae Ischyropoda armatus Dermanyssidae Hirstionyssus triacanthus Ornithonyssus n. sp. Ameroseiidae Kleemania sp. Laelaptidae Haemolaelaps glasgowi Haeinolaelaps n. sp. Hypoaspis leviculus Pterygosomidae Geckobiella texana Trombiculidae Euschongastia decipiens Eusch'ongastia radfordi Eusch'ongastia n. sp. Odontucarus arisonensis Odontacarus linsdalei Odontacarus micheneri Trombicula arenicola Trombicula belkini Trombicula jessimae New genus, n. sp. LiSTROPHORIDAE Listrophorus dipodotnys ISOPODS PORCELLIONIDAE PorceUio laevis Armadillidae ArmadUlo arizonicus X X MAYFLIES Baetidae Callibaetis sp. CADDICE FLIES LiMNEPHILIDAE Limnephilus sp. GRASSHOPPERS, t^RICKETS, AND RELATIVES EUMASTACIDAE Morsea californica Tanaoceridae Tanaocerus koebelei Acrididae Aeoloplides minor AeolopHdes tenuipennis Ageneotettix deornm Amphitornus coloradus Biological Sbries.Vol. 2, No. 2, Frbruary, 1963 41 Plant Community or Locality Species LaFr GrLy Co AtKo Sa Pi-Ju CS Other Anconia Integra X X X Arphia conspersa Bootettix punctatus X CiboIac7-is parviceps Cordillacris occipitalis Derotmerna delioatitlwin Dracotettix plutonius Eremiacris pallida Hesperotettix viridis Leprus glaucipennis Ligurotettix coqtiilletti Melanoplus aridus Mela.noplus complanatipes Mestobregma impexum Poecilotettix sanguineus Psoloessa delicatula Trimerotropis albescens Trimerotropis bilohata Trimerotropis cyaneipennis Trimerotropis fontana Trimerotropis inconspicua Trimerotropis pallidipennis Trimerotropis sparsa Trimerotropis strenua Tytthotyle maculata Xanthippus corallipes Tettigoniidae Anoplodusa arizonensis Arethaea brevicauda Atelopus liitens Capnobotes f-uliginosus Capnobotes occidentalis Insara covilleae Insara elegans Gryllacrididae Ceuthophilus fossor Ceuthophilus hebardi Ceuthophilus lamellipes Ceuthophilus n. sp. 1 Ceuthophilus n. sp. 2 Prist oceuthophilus pacificus Stenopelmatus fuscus Gryllidae Acheta assimilis Cycloptilum comprehendens Myrmecophila. manni Oecanthus californicus Oecanthtis nigricornis Phasmatidae Parabacillus Hesperus Pseudosermyle straminea Mantidae Litaneutria minor Stagmomantis californicus Polyphagidae Arenivaga apacha Arenivaga erractica Eremoblatta subdiaphana 42 Brigham Younc University Sciencr Bulletin Plant Community or Locality Species La-Fr GrLy Co AtKo Sa Pi-Ju CS Other BEETLES Meloidae Cysteodemus armatus X Tenebrionidae Alaephus sp. X Anemia calijornica X Aneysius sp. (nr. brunneus) X Aixteoschizus sulcicollis X X X X X X AiichDiobitts sp. X Blapstinus n. sp. 1 X Blapstimis n. sp. 2 X BluLOiiicAi. Serirs, Vol. 2, Nu. 2, FKBKrAHY. 1963 43 Plant Community or Locality Species La-Fr Gr-Ly Co AtKo Sa Pi-Ju CS Other Diplotaxis deserta X Diplotaxis incuria X Diplotaxis insignis Diplotaxis moerens X Diplotaxis pacata X Diplotaxis subangiilata X X Ochodaeus sparsus X Paracotalpa granicollis X X Phyllophaga sp. Serica sp. CURCULIONIDAE Anthonomus peninsularis Anthonomiis tenuis X Aragnomus sp. Aidetes sp. Cimhocera buchanani Cryptolepidus nevadicus X Dinocleus denticollis Eucyllus echinus Eucyllus unicolor Eupagoderes geminatus Eupagoderes varius Lepidophoriis sp. Mimetes gracilior Otidocephalus i>ittatus Paracimboceru artemisiae Paracimbocera atra Smicronyx n. sp. Tychius prolixus Yuccaborus frontalis SCOLYTIDAE !ps confusus ANTS FORMICIDAE Aoanthomyops interjectus Acanthomyops latipes Aphaenogaster boulderensis Aphaenogaster n. sp. Camponotus maccooki Camponotus ocreatus Camponotus vicinus Crematogaster coarctata Crematoguster depilis Dorymyrmex bicolor Dorymynnex pyramicus Epipheidole inquilina Formica fusca Formica integroides Formica lasioides Formica limata Formica moki Formica neogagates Formica neorufibarbis Formica obscuripes Formica obtusopilosa Formica subpoUta Iridomyrmex pruinosum Lasius crypticus 44 Brioham Younc; Univkrsity Science Bulletin Plant Community or Locality Species La-Fr GrLy Co At-Ko Sa Pi-Ju CS Other Lasius sitiens Leptothorax andrei Leptothorax nevadensis Leptothorax tricarinatus Liometopum occidentale Monomorium minimum Mynnecocystus coniati/s Myri)i&cocystus lugubris Mynnecocystus mexicaniis Myrmecocystus inimicus Myrmecocystus mojave Myrmioa emeryana Neivamyrmex ininor Pheidole bicarinata Pheidole desertorum Pheidole pilifera Pogonomyrmex barbatus Pogonomyrmex californicus Pogonmynnex imberbiculus Pogonomyrmex occidentalis Pogonomyrmex salinus Solenopsis aurea Solenopsis molesta Solenopsis salina Solenopsis xyloni Veromessor lariversi Veromessor lobgnathus Veromessor pergarvdei Veromessor n. sp. CHILOPODS SCOLOPRNDRIDAE Scolopendra ^nichelbacheri SCHENDYLIDAE Nyctiinguis stenus Tampiyidae New genus, n. sp. GOSIBIIDAE Gosibius arizonensis LiTHOBIIDAE Oabiiis merciirialis BiOLixiiCAL Series, Vol. 2, No. 2, February, 1963 45 Plant Community or Locality Species LaFr Gr-Ly Co At Ko Sa Pi-Ju CS Other Crotaphytii.s collurin X CrotaphytiiN wisliseni Dipsosuurus dorsalis Pit rynosonia plutyrliinos Saiiromalus obesus Sceloporiis magister Sceloporiis occidentalis llta stansburiana Xantusidae Xuntuski iiijilis Teidae Cnetnidophonts tiyrts SCINCIDAR Euineces skUtonianioi SNAKES COl.UBRIDAB Arizona eleyans Chionactis occipitalis Hypsiglena torquata Lam pro pelt is getulus Masticophis flugelluni Masticophis taeniatus Phyllorhynchits decurtatus Pituophis catenifer Rhinocheilus lecontei Siilvadora hexalepis Sonora semiannulata Tantilla utahensis Trimorphodon lyrophanes Crotalidae Crotalus cerastes Crotaliis mitchelli BIRDS PODICIPEDIDAE Aech mophorus occidentalis PodilyDibus podiceps Podiceps caspicus Pelecanidae Pelecanus eryth rorliynchos Ardeidae Ardea herodias Butorides virescens Oiismerodiiis albus Ixobrychiis e^ilis Leucophoyx thiila Nycticorax nycticorax Threskiornithidae Plegadis chihi Anatidae Anas acuta Anas carolinensis Anas cyanoptera Anas discors Anas platyrhynrhos Aythya a ffinis Aythyu atnericuyia 46 Brioham Young IIniversity Science Bulletin Plant Community or Locality Species La-Fr GrLy Co At-Ko Sa PiJu CS Other Branta canadensis Buceyhala albeola X Bucephala clangula Mureca americana Melanitta perspicilhita Mergus serrator Oxyura jamaicensis X Spatula> clypeata Cathartidae Cuthartes aura X X X X ACCIPITRIDAE Accipiter cooperii Accipiter striatus Aqiiila chi'ysaetos ,> Buieo jajnaicensis Buteo lagopus Buteo regalis Buteo swainsoni Circus cyaneus Pandionidae Pandion haliaetus X Falconidae Fulco mexicanus X Falco sparverius Phasianidae Alectoris graeca Lophortyx garnbelii Rallidae Fulica americana Charadriidae Ch aradrius alexandrinus Charadrius sernipahnatus Clmradrius vociferus X Eitpoda inontana Pluvialis dominica Squatarola sq u ataro la SCOLOPACIDAE Actitis macularia X Capella gallinago X Cut Optra ph orus semipalmatus Ereunetes mauri Erolia alpina Erolia bairdii X Erolia minutilla X Limnodromus scolopaceus Lirnosa fedoa Micropalama himantopus N umenvus americanus X Totanjis fhivipes X Totanus melanoleucus X Tringa solitarm Recurvirostridae Himantopus rnexican us Rerurvirostru americana PlIALAROPOOIDAE Lobipes lobatiis Steganopus tricolor Biological Series, Vol. 2, No. 2, FEBKrARV, 1963 47 Plant Community or Locality Species La-Fr GrLy Co AtKo Sa Pi-Ju CS Other Laridae hari(s raltforniom Lariis delawarensis Larus Philadelphia Columbidae Zenaidura inacioura X X X Cuculidae Geococcyx californianus X X Strigidae Asio flamnieus X Asia otus X Bubo iHrginmnus Speotyto cunicularva X X X Caprimulgidae Chordeiles acutipennis X X Chordeiles minor X X Phalaenoptihis niittalUi X X Apodidae Aeronuutes saxatalis X Trochilidae Calypte costae Selasphortis platycercus Selasphorus rnfus Alcedinidae Megaceryle alryon Picidae Asyndesmus lewis Colaptes oufer Dendrocopos scalaris Dendrocopos villosus Sphyrapicus varius Tyrannidae Contopus sordidiiliis X Ernpidonax oberholseri Empidonax wrightii Myiarchus cinerascens X Nuttallornis borealis Pyrocephalus rubinus Sayornis nigricans X Sayornis saya X Tyrannus verticalis X Tyrannus vociferans Alaudidae Eremophilu alpestris HiRUNDINIDAE Hirundo rustica X Petrochelidon pyrrhonota X Riparia riparia X Stelgidopteryx ruficollis X Tachycineta thalassina X CORVIDAE Aphelocoma coeruleacens Corvus brachyrhynchos X Corvus corax X Cyanocitta stelleri X Gymnorhinus cyanoceph ala X Nucifraga Columbiana 48 Brigham Young University Science Bulletin Plant Community or Locality Species La-Fr Gr-Ly Co AtKo Sa PiJu CS Other Pica 'pica X Paridae Parus (jambeli X Pariis inornatus X Psaltriparus mini)nus X X SiTTIDAE SitUi carolinensis Troolodytidae Campylorhynch ufi brunneicapellum Salpinctes obsoletiis X Telmatodytes paliistris Thryomanes bewickii Troglodytes aedon Mimidae Dumetella carolinensis Mimus polyglottos Oreoscoptes montanu.'i Toxostoma lecontei Turdidae Hylocichla guttata Hylocichla ustulata Myadestes toivnsendi Sialia currucoides Sialia mexicana Turdiis mig7'atorius Sylviidae Polioptila caerulea Regulus calendula Motacillidae Anthiis spinoletta Bombycillidae Bombycilla cedroruin Ptilogonatidae Pliuinopepla nitens Laniidae Lanius ludovicianus Sturnidae Sturnus vulgaris ViREONIDAE Vireo gilvus Vireo solitarius Vireo vicinior Parulidae Dendroica auduboni Dendroica coronata Dendroica petechia Dendroica nigrescens Dendroica toivnsendi Geothylpis trichas Icteria virens Oporornis tohniei Verriiivora celata Ver7nivora virginiae Vermivo-na ruficapilla Wilsonia p}(silla Ploceidae Passer do)nesticus s Biological Serikk, Vol. 2, No. 2, February, 1963 49 Plant Communit> or Locality Species La-Kr Cr-Ly Co At-Ko Sa Pi-Ju CS Other ICTERIDAK Agchiiiix /jIi oe n icen X EiipluKjiis cf/unorcphuliis Icterus bullorkii Ir.teruK pui'isoruui Molothrus ater Sturnellu neglecfu XantJioccjjhcilitfi .i(nilliorcijliiilii:^ Thkaupidar Piranga ludoviciana Fringillidae A))ip])\spiza hell) A lit pit ispisd bilineatu Calcuriiis lapponicus CarpodacHS cassinii Cdrpodacus mexicanus Ctirpodaciis pitrpitreHs Chloniru clilonirn Chondestes ijnnamacnti Ginriwd caerula Hesperijilionn vespertina Iridoprocne bicolor Junco caniceps Junco hyemalis Junco oreganus Melospiza lincolnii Melospisa melodia Bnsse7Tulus sandwich ensis Passerina amoena Pheuctiriis >iwUinocep)t(iliis Pipilo erythrophthalmus Pooecetes gnnnineus Spinits pinus Spin-US psaltiiu Spinus tristis Spieella atrogularis Spizella breweri SpizeUa passerina Zonotrich ia atricapilla Zonotrichia leucophrys MAMMALS Vespertilionidak Antrozous pallidus Corynorhinus rafinesquii Corynorhinus townsendii Myotis californicus Pipistrelliis hesperus Leporidak Lepus riiUfornirus SylviluguN undubonii Sylrilugus nuttdllit Soricidae Notiosorex crawfordi Sorex merriami Sorex tencUus ScitlRIDAE Aiiiiiiospenii()p)i iliis It iiciinis 50 Bricham Younc Univkrsity Sciencr Bulletin Plant Community or Locality Species La-Fr CJi-Ly Co AtKo Sa Pi-Ju cs Eutamictfi dorsalis X Sperniuphilus tereticaudus X Spermophilus towsendii X X Spermophilus variegat us X Geomyidak Thomomys tnnbrinus X X X Heteromyidae Dipodomys deserti X Dipodom yn merrkiin i Dipodomys microps Dipodomys ordii Perognathus forinosus Perognathus longimembris Peroganthtis parvus Cricetidae Lugurus curtatus Neotoma lepida Onychomys torridus Peromyscus crinitus Peromyscus eremicus Peromyscus maniculatus Peromyscus truei Reithrodontomys megalotis Erethizontidae Erethizon dorsatum X Canidae Canis latrans X X X X X Vulpes macrotis X X X X Procyonidae Bassariscus •asiutus Mustelidae Mustela frenata X Spilogale gracilis Taxidea taxus X X X X Felidae Felis concolor Lynx rufus X X X Cervidae Dama hemionus X BOVIDAE Ovis canadensis APPENDIX III SiJMMAKY OP Nkw Spkc;ii-.s f)i' Animals from the Nf.vada Tr:sT Sri-i', The following rosiinio is the first periodic lisling of new animal species which have been described from collections made at the Nevada Test Site as part of the A.E.C.-B.Y.U. ecological studies. Phylum: Arthrojioda Order: ('ambalida Class; Diplopoda P'amily: Leioderidae Order; Spirobolida Species: Titsonia tida Family: Atopetholidae Publication: Proc. Biol. Soc. Washington, 75; Species; Aiinolus sequens 54-55; fig. 6; 30 March 1962. Publication: Proc. Biol. Soc. Washington, Author; Ralph V. Chamberlin. University of 75:53-54; figs. 4-5; 30 March 19(i2. Utah, Salt Lake City. .\uthor: Ralph V. Chaniberlin, University of Types and Locality: Two specimens taken in Utah, Salt Lake City. March, 1960; Nevada; Nevada test area, Type and Locality; Male holotype; Nevada; vicinity of Mercury. vicinity of Mercury, November. 1960. Depository of Type Specimens; Invertebrate Depository of Type Specimen: Invertebrate Museum. University of Utah, Salt Lake Museum. University of Utah, Salt Lake City. Utah. City. Utah. (Comments: Chamberlin did not designate a (^onmients: The type specimen was taken horn type or indicate the sex of the two speci- a can pit-trap, November 10, 1960. in a mens. One of these was taken from a can Coleogyne ramosissirna plant conmuinity pit-trap, March 31, 1961, in a Salsola kali where the soil is compact with numerous plant community where the soil is loose rocks up to several inches in diameter. clay, sand, and few rocks. The other was The specific locality at the test site is 36 taken from a can pit-trap, March 31, 1960, miles due north of Mercury. Nye County, in a Coleogyne ramosissirna plant com- Nevada, in B.Y.LT. study area lOD, transect munity where the soil is compact with A, station 1. many rocks several inches in diameter. The specific locality at the test site is 27 Species; Aiinolus nevadae miles northwest (15 degrees west of north) Publication: Proc. Biol. Soc. Washington, 75; of -Mercury. Nye County, Nevada. This is 54; figs. 1-3; 30 -March 1962. in B.Y.U. study area IB, transect F, sta- .Xuthor; Ralph V. Chamberlin. University of tion 4. Utah, Salt Lake City. Types and Locality: Many specimens, taken Class; Chilopoda mostly in October. November, and Decem- Order: Geophilida ber, 1960; Nevada; Mercury and adjacent Family : Schendylidae area. Depository of Type Specimens; Invertebrate Species: Nyctunguis stenus 134- Museum, University of LUah, Salt Lake Publication: Entomological News 73(5) : City, Utah. 135; May, 1962. Comments: Although Chambeilin did not spe- Author: Ralph V. Chamberlin, LTniversity of cifically designate types in his description, Utah. Salt Lake City. he included drawings of male structures. Types and Locality: Nevada; Clark Co., Mer- Correspondence from him in December. cury, Nevada Test Area. 1962, indicated that the holotype male Depository of Type Specimens; Invertebrate was collected in October, 1960. This speci- Museum, University of Utah, Salt Lake men was taken from a can pit-trap in a City. Utah. Salsola kali plant community where the soil is loose sand and clay with few rocks. Comments: Chamberlin did not designate the The specific locality at the test site is 27 type, number of specimens, or dates col- miles northwest (15 degrees west of north) lected. He indicated in personal corre- of Mercury, Nye Comity. Nevada. This spondence that the holotype female was is in B.Y.U. study area IF. transect L. taken in January. 1961. and "other speci- station 2. mens'" in November and December. 1960. 51 52 Brii;iiam Yni'Kc IIniversitv Scienck Bullktin The type locality vvas erroneously desi^'- Tvpos anil Locality: Male holoty[)e from Mer riated as Clark Cuuiit\-; it should he Nye (ur\. Nevada, on July 15, 1960. Female Coiuit\-. The holotype vvas collecled h\ alloi\pc IVdm Mercury, Nevada, on July hand in a Pinus nior/op/iyllaJuiiipc/ us (i. l')()i) M;ile paratypes from the same osteospernia plant community where there localUy on July IM.' 1M()(). ,md July 21, were numerous outcroppings of rocks. The Ut()(). p'emale paratjiie from the same lo- specific locality at the test site is on the calily on July 25. 19(:>0. eastern edge of Rainier Mesa, 38 miles [Depository ol Type Sjiecimens: American Mu- northwest (25 degrees west of north) of seum of Natural History, New York. New Mercury, Nye County, Nevada. This is in York. B.Y.U. study area 12C, transect A. Conmients: All the type specimens were taken from can pit-traps in B.Y.LI, study area IB. The holotype, female jiaratype, and Order: IJthobiida one male paratype were taken on transect Family: f.ithobiidae F, station 10; the other male paratype at Species: Oabius mercurialis station 15. The allotyjje vvas taken on tran- Publication: Entomological News. 73(5): HZ- sect D, station 15. All collections were 138; -May, 1962. made in a Salsola kali community where the soil is loose sand and clay with few Author: Ralph V. Chamberlin, University of locks. The type locality at the test site is Utah, Salt Lake City. 27 miles northwest (15 degrees west of Types and Locality: Female type taken 26 north) of Mercury. Nye County. Nevada. January 1961; a second specimen taken 19 December 1960; Nevada: Clark Co., Species: Therobates Mercury. arcellus Publication: American .Museum Novitates, Depository of Type Specimens: Invertebiate No. 2092, 13-14; figs. 68-71; 13 June Museum. University of Lllah, Salt Lake pp. 1962. City. Author: .Martin H. Muma, LTniversity of Flor- Comments: Chamberlin erroneously desig- ida, Lake Alfred. nated the type locality as Clark County; Types and Locality: .Male holotype from Mer- it should be Nye County. The holotype cury, Nevada. April 7, 1960. Female allo- was collected by means of a can pit-trap type and female paratype from same local- in a Grayia spinosa-Lyciurn andcrsonii ity, July 19, 1960. Female paratype, same plant community. The specific locality at locality". July 27. 1960. the test site is 28 miles northwest (15 de- grees west of north) of Mercury, Nye Depository of Type Specimens. American Mu- County. Nevada. This is in B.Y.U. study- seum of Natural History, New York, New area IB, transect B. station 20. York. Comments: All the type specimens were taken frcjm can pit-traps at the test site in B.Y.U. Class: Arachnida study area IB. The holotype was taken on Order: Solpugida transect H, station 27, in a Coleogyne Family Eremobatidae rarnosissirmi plant community where the st)il is compact with numerous rocks up to Species: Therobates plicatus several inches in diameter. The allotype Publication: American Museum Novitates. was taken on transect F, station 5, and the No. 2092, pp. 11-12; figs. 63-67; 13 June paratype on transect B, station 1. These 1962. two latter stations are in a Salsola kali Author: Martin H. Muma, University of plant community where the soil is loose Florida. Lake Alfred. sand and clav with few rocks. (. » « 'its