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At least 55 records · Page 3Linked to original sources
USGS2002

Natural history of a northern population of twin-spotted rattlesnakes, Crotalus pricei

The twin-spotted rattlesnake ( Crotalus pricei ) is a small-bodied pitviper that has received little attention in the literature to date. The species reaches the northern limit of its range in southeastern Arizona, where it inhabits higher elevations than any of the state's 10 other rattlesnake species. During 1997–2000, we captured, measured, and marked 127 C. pricei in Arizona's Chiricahua Mountains between 2530 and 2900 m elevation. We also used radiotelemetry to track the movements of 16 C. pricei in the study area during 1997–1998. Mean (± SE) snout–vent length of C. pricei was 387.8 ± 8.3 mm (range = 168–572), and mean mass was 53.5 ± 3.3 g (range = 3.6–188.5). Based on fecal analyses, lizards constituted the bulk of prey (74%), but the diet of C. pricei also included mammals, birds, and a conspecific. Mating was concentrated in August and early September and parturition took place during late July and August. Mean number of embryos was 3.94 ± 0.34 (range = 1–6) and female reproduction appeared biennial or less frequent. Based on shed and growth rates, female C. pricei develop embryos at 4–5 years of age. Gravid females maintained warmer body temperatures relative to substrate temperature than nongravid females or males, presumably by spending more time basking than other snakes. Radiotelemetry revealed that movement patterns varied from year to year, as males moved over six times farther per week during the 1998 monsoon season (July to September) than during the 1997 monsoon season. Additionally, use of talus slopes by males decreased during 1998. During dry years, such as 1998, males may be forced off talus into cooler microclimates where resources are less concentrated than on talus.

Journal of Herpetology↗
USGS2008

Natural history and breeding biology of the Rusty-breasted Antpitta (Grallaricula ferrugineipectus)

We provide substantial new information on the breeding biology of the Rusty-breasted Antpitta (Grallaricula ferrugineipectus ferrugineipectus) from 40 nests during four consecutive breeding seasons at Yacambu National Park in Venezuela. Vocalizations are quite variable in G. ferrugineipectus. Nesting activity peaked in April when laying began for half of all nests monitored. The date of nest initiation pattern suggests this species is single-brooded. Both parents incubate and the percent of time they incubate is high (87-99%) throughout the incubation period. The incubation period averaged (?? SE) 17.0 ?? 0.12 days, while the nestling period averaged 13.37 ?? 0.37 days. G. f. ferrugineipectus has the shortest developmental time described for its genus. Time spent brooding nestlings decreased as nestlings grew, but was still greater at pin feather break day than observed in north temperate species. The growth rate constant based on mass (k = 0.41) and tarsus length (k = 0.24) was lower than the k for north temperate species of similar adult mass. All nesting mortality was caused by predation and overall daily survival rate (?? SE) was relatively low (0.94 ?? 0.01) yielding an estimated 15% nest success.

Wilson Journal of Ornithology↗
USGS2010

Breeding biology and natural history of the Slate-throated Whitestart in Venezuela

We provide details on the breeding biology of the Slate-throated Whitestart (Myioborus miniatus) from 126 nests found during seven breeding seasons, 2002-2008, at Yacamb?? National Park, Venezuela. Nesting activity peaked in late April and May. Only the female built the nest and incubated the eggs. Males rarely visited the nest during these stages. Mean clutch size (2.1 ?? 0.04 eggs, n = 93) was the smallest recorded for the Slate-throated Whitestart. Incubation and nestling period lengths were 15.3 ?? 0.31 (n = 21) and 10.8 ?? 0.24 (n = 7) days, respectively. Attentiveness (% of time on the nest) during incubation (59 ?? 1.6%, n = 52) was similar to other tropical warblers and much lower than northern relatives. This caused a relatively low egg temperature (34.40 ?? 0.33u C, n = ?? nests, 20 days) compared with north temperate birds. Both parents fed nestlings and increased their provisioning rates with nestling age. Growth rate based on nestling mass (k = 0.521 ?? 0.015) was faster than for other tropical passerines but slower than northern relatives. Predation was the main cause of nesting failure and rate of predation increased with age of the nest. An estimated 15% of nests were successful based on an overall Mayfield daily predation rate of 0.053 ?? 0.007. This study confirms a strong latitudinal variation in life history traits of warblers. ?? 2010 by the Wilson Ornithological Society.

Wilson Journal of Ornithology↗
USGS1994

[Book review] The Ancient Murrelet. A natural history in the Queen Charlotte Islands

Leadership in ecological research on north-temperate-zone seabirds has long been associated with the region of the northeastern Atlantic, which enjoys a tradition of detailed, innovative work spanning several decades. Although the temperate North Pacific is home to several of the same species that figure prominently in the Atlantic and also has a host of interesting species found nowhere else, Pacific birds had until recently received comparatively little attention. Few important advances in seabird biology had come from the northern North Pacific, which tended to leave those of us who work in the region harboring a slight inferiority complex. Happily, this situation is beginning to change. First, we are learning that in some instances the population dynamics of shared species differ greatly between the North Pacific and North Atlantic. The Pacific work, therefore, is more than just a rehash of that which was already known. It takes an important step toward understanding geographic variation in demography – variation that would not have been anticipated from any casual comparison of the environments, which appear superficially similar. Second, we are starting to see the results of in-depth work on species unique to the region. Tony Gaston’s book, the first monographic treatment of any North Pacific alcid, is one encouraging sign that seabird research in the temperate North Pacific is coming of age.

The Auk↗
USGS2011

Nomenclatural notes and identification of small-eared shrews (Mammalia: genus Cryptotis) from Cobán, Guatemala, in The Natural History Museum, London

A small series of shrews collected in Guatemala and registered in the British Museum between 1843 and 1907 includes parts of type series for three species: Corsira tropicalis Gray (1843), Sorex micrurus Tomes (1862), and Blarina tropicalis Merriam (1895). These three names are now considered equivalent, but my recent review of the specimens comprising the series indicates that they include three distinct species: Cryptotis merriami Choate (1970), Cryptotis oreoryctes Woodman (2011), and Cryptotis tropicalis (Merriam 1895). I review the taxonomic history of these specimens, provide current identifications tied directly to museum register numbers, describe how to distinguish the three species, and provide revised synonymies for these species.

Cobán↗
USGS2021

Epigean crayfish of the Potomac River Basin in West Virginia: Zoogeography, natural history and conservation

Crayfish are an aquatic fauna of conservation concern, yet regional studies are lacking on zoogeography and life history. We compared recent and historical species distribution data and assessed conservation standings of native and nonindigenous crayfish of the Potomac River Basin in West Virginia. From 2007–2011, a total of 1764 crayfish were collected from 159 sites. Data collection included species abundance, morphometrics, and life history parameters. Percentages of the number of individuals of each species of the total catch were 36.3% ( Cambarus bartonii ), 34.6% ( Faxonius obscurus ), 23.4% ( Faxonius virilis ), 3.6% ( Procambarus cf. zonangulus ) and 2.0% ( Cambarus carinirostris ). Cambarus bartonii was present throughout the drainage, F. obscurus was collected primarily from the North Branch, South Branch, and Cacapon river watersheds, and C. carinirostris was only collected in the South Branch watershed. Two nonnative species, F. virilis and P. cf. zonangulus , were only present in tributaries downstream of the Cacapon River watershed. Spinycheek crayfish ( Faxonius limosus ) were not collected during our survey, which suggests its possible extirpation from the West Virginia portion of its range. Our zoogeographic and life history data could serve as a baseline for future conservation-oriented monitoring efforts of the Potomac River watershed.

West Virginia↗