© Larry Ditto Current Research 2011–2012 This year’s cover features a photograph of an ocelot taken by Larry Ditto. The endangered ocelot is a beautifully spotted feline that historically occupied much of central and east Texas. Currently, less than 80 ocelots occur in Texas and live in 2 populations in southern Texas. Editor Alan M. Fedynich, Ph.D. Reports in this issue of Current Research often represent preliminary analyses, and interpretations may be modified once additional data are collected and examined. Therefore, these reports should not be cited in published or non-published works without the approval of the appropriate investigator. Use of trade names does not infer endorsement of product by TAMUK. December 2012 Report of Current Research September 1, 2011 to August 31, 2012 Caesar Kleberg Wildlife Research Institute Dick and Mary Lewis Kleberg College of Agriculture, Natural Resources and Human Sciences Texas A&M University-Kingsville Kingsville, Texas Dr. Steven H. Tallant Dr. Rex Gandy President Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs Dr. G. Allen Rasmussen Dr. Fred C. Bryant Dean, Dick and Mary Lewis Kleberg Leroy G. Denman, Jr. Endowed College of Agriculture, Natural Director of Wildlife Research Resources and Human Sciences CKWRI Advisory Board Gus T. Canales David Winfield Killam Stuart W. Stedman T. Dan Friedkin Tio Kleberg Buddy Temple Henry R. Hamman* C. Berdon Lawrence Ben F. Vaughan, III George C. "Tim" Hixon Kenneth E. Leonard Bryan Wagner Karen Hunke James A. McAllen Charles A. Williams A. C. "Dick" Jones, IV Barry Coates Roberts *Chairman A Member of the Texas A&M University System 1 FOREWORD In the past 16 years, I have used this memorial gifts be made directly to the Institute for quail spot in our Annual Report to talk research. And, memorial gifts were still being received about issues like drought, Eagle as of last week. Ford Shale, the "querencia" (see the 2007–2008 issue), how the recession Another heartwarming part of this story is that I was affected our financial health, beginning to see that we possibly could approach the invasive grasses, our endowment $25,000 level that is necessary to create an endowment needs, a prospective U.S. Navy in Grady’s name. Such an endowment would carry his Bombing Range, among other name forever as the Grady Cage Memorial Fund for topics. Hopefully, I never failed to end my letter without Quail Research. When I approached Caroline, and thanking you for your support and encouragement. But later, Presnall and Stephanie with this idea about an this time, I just want to talk about Grady. endowment, they were so supportive and grateful to those who made this happen. Grady Cage passed away in May at the young age of 33. He battled cancer for 12 years, but you would never see With memorial gifts and pledges we have received to anything but a smile on his face and warmth in his heart. date, the total so far is more than $60,000 and, more The outpouring of genuine compassion for Grady and than double the amount required by the Texas A&M his family was truly inspiring. It is an experience that University-Kingsville Foundation for establishing a requires re-telling about Grady, his family, and those named endowment. who gave in his memory and honor. But, this is what struck me most about this remarkable I was aware of Grady’s condition and knew he passed experience. away on May 9. Because I am notified immediately via e-mail when the Institute receives an online As we lose cherished loved ones, we all think about donation or gift, something began happening on May supporting hospitals, cancer research, hospice and other 10, 2012 that caught me by surprise. I began to see very important entities that strive to help those who e-mail after e-mail of online donations coming across helped our loved ones through their final days. The my computer screen. Ten or so came by 9:00 am. Cage Family decided to ask their friends and family to My curiosity aroused, I decided to stop working on support what Grady lived for—if you have ever hunted a detailed report that was due, and began to read the wild bobwhites in South Texas on a foggy morning in notices. What I realized was that they were all online January, you and Grady would have had a blast. God gifts in honor of Grady. What I didn’t know at the bless Grady. He is in a place where there is no more time was that his wife Caroline, with support from pain and suffering. And, God Bless his precious family his parents Presnall and Stephanie, had recommended for this remarkable gift. Sincerely, 2 ENDOWMENTS, FELLOWSHIPS, AND SCHOLARSHIPS Endowed Center Alice Gertrudis King Kleberg Reynolds Endowed Richard M. Kleberg, Jr. Center for Quail Research Fellowship in Quail Research Erika Dodd Endowed Chairs/Professorships/Directors * Boone and Crockett Club Fellowship in Stuart W. Stedman – Chair, Deer Research Ungulate Research C. C. (Charlie) Winn – Chair, Quail Research Frank Daniel Yturria – Chair, Wild Cat Studies * Hixon Fellowships in Quail, Deer and Algur H. and Virginia Meadows – Professor, Restoration Research Semi-Arid Lands Research Alfred G. Glassell, Jr. – Professor, Quail Research Leroy G. Denman, Jr. – Director, CKWRI Student Scholarships * Dan L Duncan – Director, South Texas Natives and Reńe Barrientos Fund for Graduate Student Tuition Texas Native Seeds Every graduate student in our program financially benefitted from this fund. Endowed Lectureship San Antonio Livestock Exposition Scholarships David W. Killam – Deer Research Carter Crouch, Jeremy Edwardson Houston Safari Club Dan L Duncan Named Endowments Scholarship Program T. Dan Friedkin – Deer Research Brian Bielfelt, Brandi Crider F. Peter Zoch – Habitat Enhancement Chase Currie, Kory Gann Frank and Mary Grace Horlock – Wildlife Research Dawson Lilly, Whitney Priesmeyer Tom C. Frost – Wild Turkey Research Ben and Daphne Vaughan, III – Bird Research South Texas Chapter of the Quail Coalition Tim and Karen Hixon – Wild Cat Research Scholarships Buddy and Ellen Temple – Native Plant Research Elizabeth Bates, Brian Bielfelt R. M. Kleberg – Native Plant Development Kelly Corman, Michele de Verteuil Jack Brittingham – Deer Research Aaron Foley, Kory Gann Ed Whitacre – Wildlife Research Eric Grahmann, Joe Holbrook Neal King Memorial / Las Islas Wildlife Research Fund Jennifer Korn, Chad Parent * Grady Cage – Memorial Fund for Quail Research Whitney Priesmeyer, Stacie Villarreal Dean Wiemers, Mark Witecha Endowed Student Fellowships Amanda Whitaker Memorial Graduate Student Sam Walton Fellowship in Quail Research Scholarship in Wildlife Management Ian Trewella Damon Williford Elliot B. & Adelle Bottom Fellowship in Quail Houston Livestock Show Wildlife Scholarship Research Kory Gann Katherine S. Miller A. E. Leonard Endowed Scholarship Jess Y. Womack, II Fellowship in Wetlands and Meagan Lesak Wetland Birds Research Michael K. Mitchell Bob and Rebecca Palmer Endowed Scholarships Eric Grahmann, Nick Kolbe Walter Fondren, III Fellowship in Shorebird and Wading Bird Research Phillip M. Plant Endowed Scholarships Elizabeth Bates Justin Folks, Kory Gann Betty and George Coates Fellowship in Habitat Research Erin C. Cord * New Endowments 3 NAMED FACILITIES AND COMPONENTS Tio and Janell Kleberg – Wildlife Research Park Buddy Temple – Wildlife Pathology and Diagnostic Building Duane M. Leach – Avian Research Facility Albert and Margaret Alkek – Ungulate Research Facility Curtis and HP Pinnell – Auditorium Petra Vela Kenedy – Conference Room A. E. Leonard Family – Native Plant Garden Water Feature – in honor of Erma Colston Riedel, given by the Colston Family T. Dan Friedkin Family – Spanish Portico Karen and Phil Hunke Family – Foyer/Reception Room Henry and Ann Hamman – Bobcat Bronze Gateway – in honor of Tio and Janell Kleberg, given by Tim and Karen Hixon Frank and Mary Yturria – Mesquite Conference Table Cactus Garden – in honor of Larry Sheerin/Ed Randall, given by Betty Lou Sheerin and Ellen Randall Bordas Escarpment Theme – in honor of Radcliffe and Sue Killam, given by the David Killam Family Lee and Ramona Bass – South Texas Oak Motte Theme Jim McAllen Family – Unique South Texas Plants Native Plants of the Sand Sheet – given by Presnall and Stephanie Cage and Grady and Caroline Cage Garden Benches – given by Robert Hewitt; Betty and Bob Kelso South Texas Brushlands Theme – in honor of Tio and Janell Kleberg, given by Danny and Shirley Butler Buddy and Ellen Temple – Native Plant Trellis Native Prairie Theme – in honor of Faye and Raye King, given by Diane King Scovell Spanish Doors – in honor of Jack and Loyce Funk, given by the Funk Family Spanish Doors – given by Ruth E. Sullivan In Memory and Honor... Many people choose to send unsolicited gifts in honor of cherished friends or family. We have received memorials and gifts to honor... Tobin Armstrong Annabell Guinn Tio Kleberg G. Allen Rasmussen William A. Bienhorn Henry Hamman Scott Kneese Juan Salinas Ralph Bingham Anne Harris Rolanette and Berdon Lawrence Wesley Sayers Grady Cage Bruce F. Harrison Christine Craft Leggett Walter Schiel Michael Corbett Karen Higginbotham Johnny Leslie Frates Seeligson Bond Davis Tim and Karen Hixon Annett Loyd John Shivers, Jr. Gaye Davis Christopher Horton Rodolfo Madrid Randy Toney Dan L Duncan Col. Sam W. Hoskins, Jr. Todd Martin Steven Valerius Ruth Gilliland Buddy Jeffers Mason L. Matthews, Jr. C. C. "Charlie" Winn Alfred Glassell, Jr. Curt Johnson Helen McFarland Jess Y. Womack, II "Slow" Grissom Simpson Kampman John G. Muckleroy Seymour Wormser Gus Groos John W. Kelsey Josephine Musselman Felo Guerra Neal King Betty Phillips Our spirits are lifted by these gifts. Please accept our thanks to all of you who support and encourage us. 4 CKWRI PERSONNEL Scientists and Staff Graduate Students Mr. Felix A. Alvarez, Temporary Research Worker Mr. Felix Ayala-Alvarez Ms. Lorena H. Alvarez, Administrative Assistant III Mr. Brian J. Bielfelt Dr.