Genotypic diversity of dominant species has been shown to have important consequences for community and ecosystem processes at a fine spatial scale. We examined the fine-scale (i.e., plant neighborhood scale, <1 m²) genotypic structure of Andropogon gerardii, a dominant species in the tallgrass prairie, which is a productive and endangered grassland ecosystem, employing the commonly used amplified fragment length polymorphism (AFLP) technique. In this paper we used two methods to assess the fine-scale genetic spatial structure of a dominant perennial grass, (1) we determined how many tillers to sample in a 1 m² area and (2) we developed AFLP markers that would differentiate between genotypes. By determining appropriate sampling and molecular techniques, our findings can be applied to questions addressing how genetic diversity of dominant species affect ecosystem processes in the tallgrass prairie.

Astragalus L. (Fabaceae) is an enormous and diverse plant genus with a cosmopolitan distribution, but relatively few breeding biologies are known for its member species. Threadstalk (or basalt) milkvetch, Astragalus filipes Torrey ex. A. Gray, is common and widespread throughout the U.S. Intermountain West, including the Great Basin. It is being studied and ultimately propagated for extensive rangeland restoration projects throughout the sagebrush steppe. Understanding the breeding biology of A. filipes will be necessary for reliable and consistent commercial seed production with this species. We examined reproductive output from four manual pollination treatments (autogamy, geitonogamy, xenogamy and distant xenogamy) in a common garden. As measures of fitness, we counted fruit and seed set, then germinated viable seeds, to assess reproductive output. This species is weakly self compatible; xenogamous pollen transfer results in nine times more seed per pollination. Pollen transfer between geographically distant seed accessions resulted in a decrease in seed germination, but no difference in fruit or seed set. Cross pollination by bees will be necessary for copious seed production by this species. In the wild, flowers of A. filipes are visited most commonly and ubiquitously by a diversity of Osmia bee species plus several bee species each of Eucera, Anthidium, Bombus and sometimes Hoplitis.

Corridors such as roads and trails can facilitate invasions by non-native plant species. The open, disturbed habitat associated with corridors provides favorable growing conditions for many non-native plant species. Bike trails are a corridor system common to many urban areas that have not been studied for their potential role in plant invasions. We sampled five linear segments of urban forest along bike trails in Lincoln, Nebraska to assess the invasion of woody non-native species relative to corridors and to assess the composition of these urban forests. The most abundant plant species were generally native species, but five non-native species were also present: white mulberry (Morus alba), common buckthorn (Rhamnus cathartica), tree-of-heaven (Ailanthus altissima), honeysuckle (Lonicera spp.) and elm (Ulmus spp.). The distribution of two of the woody species sampled, common buckthorn and honeysuckle, significantly decreased with increasing distance from a source patch of vegetation (P  =  0.031 and 0.030). These linear habitats are being invaded by non-native tree and shrub species, which may change the structure of these urban forest corridors. If non-native woody plant species become abundant in the future, they may homogenize the plant community and reduce native biodiversity in these areas.

Extensive conversion of Midwestern riparian areas for agricultural production has had many consequences including reduced habitat for nesting birds. However, more than 120,000 ha of riparian habitat have been restored in this region through USDA conservation programs. In 2001 and 2002, we assessed songbird responses to burning and disking for management of conservation easements in east-central Iowa. We randomly assigned herbaceous riparian fields to burning and disking treatments and collected data on density and species richness of songbirds in these habitats. Total density of grassland and wetland species and red-winged blackbirds (Agelaius phoeniceus) were reduced by burning in the first and second breeding seasons after burning; common yellowthroat (Geothlypis trichas) density decreased with burning only in the first season. Disking led to increased density of grassland and wetland birds and greater overall avian conservation value on treated relative to untreated fields in the year after treatment. Changes associated with burning and disking treatments were likely related to changes in both vegetation structure and abundance of arthropod food resources. Despite decreased bird densities with burning, fire is a necessary management tool to control woody vegetation. Overall, both burning and disking appear to be effective management practices for maintaining herbaceous riparian habitats for grassland birds.

Knowledge of relationships between land cover (i.e., land use) and abiotic and biotic features of headwater streams enhances our ability to predict and effectively assess conditions in a variety of aquatic ecosystems. We evaluated land use effects on stream condition in an Iowa watershed dominated by intensive row crop agriculture and low- intensity urban development by quantifying relationships among land cover, stream invertebrate assemblages and other stream biophysical characteristics (i.e., invertebrate habitat) at 29 sites. On average, 81% of subbasin land cover was agricultural and 6% of land cover was urban across study sites. High nitrate concentrations (range  =  5.6–29.0 mg/L) and high relative abundance of oligochaetes and chironomid midges reflected degraded conditions at all sites. However, agriculture and urban land use appeared to have different effects on stream features. Nitrate concentrations were positively related to agricultural land cover, and turbidity and nitrate concentrations were negatively related to urban land cover (P ≤ 0.05). Invertebrate densities and taxonomic diversity (i.e., total taxa richness, % EPT) were also positively related to agricultural land cover and negatively related to urban land cover. Regardless of land use, highest invertebrate abundance and taxonomic diversity occurred at sites with abundant coarse particulate organic matter, plants and coarse inorganic substrate. Relationships between land cover and invertebrate variables were strong at both local and subbasin measurement scales. Based on invertebrate assemblages, which integrate multiple instream features, we conclude that urban land use had greater adverse effect on stream condition than agriculture in our study watershed. Although impacts of urbanization on stream invertebrates frequently exceed effects of agriculture, this has not previously been demonstrated in Iowa or other Midwestern landscapes so heavily dominated by agriculture.

Butterflies are among the most charismatic and alluring of invertebrate organisms. Their complex life histories and diverse habitat affiliations often produce regional variation and local adaptation among different populations. Unfortunately, numerous lepidopteran species are facing extinction. In this paper we address the importance of considering local adaptation in butterfly conservation and encourage investigations of regional specialization that may enhance the effectiveness of conservation strategies such as captive rearing, habitat restoration and the introduction of populations into new localities. We also give suggestions for dealing with problems arising from local adaptation in particular instances.

The goal of this study was to determine ecological, behavioral and environmental factors that would facilitate a management plan for the rare cobblestone tiger beetle (Cicindela marginipennis). We used a mark – recapture study to document dispersal distances of the cobblestone tiger beetle along the upper Genesee River in western New York and binomial logistic regression models to compare habitat characteristics measured during occupancy surveys. Cobblestone tiger beetles occupied cobble bars with approximately twice the interior area and difference between minimum and maximum elevation, and higher shrub cover, than unoccupied cobble bars. Beetles occasionally dispersed distances greater than the maximum distance between cobble bars in our study area. In order to preserve cobblestone tiger beetles and riparian habitats along the upper Genesee River, habitats should be managed to reduce impacts from recreational activities and sand/gravel mining.

We present the results of an 18 mo survey of the seasonal activity and species composition of dung beetles (Scarabaeidae: Scarabaeinae and Aphodiinae and Geotrupidae: Geotrupes) from a cattle pasture on Crowley's Ridge, Arkansas, and of 17 additional surveys, at various localities and habitats across Arkansas. Collections at the cattle pasture comprised 236,880 beetles, representing 22 species. Labarrus pseudolividus Balthasar comprised 97.7% of the total trap catch, with the majority being collected in Jun., Jul. and Aug. 2007 which involved two separate mass occurrences during that time. From all surveys, we documented 22 state records, of which Colobopterus erraticus (Linnaeus) and Onthophagus taurus (Schreber) represented subtle range extensions to their known distributions, while the remaining 20 species were projected to occur in Arkansas. A checklist, distributional record and bibliography of the 64 species of dung beetles that are now known to occur in Arkansas are presented.

We conducted a series of studies to improve our understanding of pistolgrip life history and distribution in Minnesota and Wisconsin. In the St. Croix River, where this species is relatively abundant, we studied animals biweekly from May–Nov. 1997, Apr.–Oct. 1998 and nearly biweekly during May–Jul. 2004–2007 and observed gravid females between late Apr.–Jul. at water temperatures 13–25 C. Females held mature glochidia in a large mantle magazine that was significantly more inflated at night. Fifty-seven pistolgrip glochidia measured using scanning electron microscopy had an average height and length of 119 ± 6 µm and 102 ± 4 µm (±1 sd), respectively. Of 65 fish species (18 families) exposed to pistolgrip glochidia only flathead catfish (Pylodictis olivaris) and brown (Ameiurus nebulosus) and yellow (A. natalis) bullheads were suitable hosts, with flathead catfish showing the strongest host response. Glochidia grew 422 ± 17% while attached to fish. Pistolgrip is found in central and southeastern U.S. but is declining in several locations. Surveys conducted between 1980 and 2009 show the geographic range of pistolgrip has decreased in Minnesota and Wisconsin. It is extirpated from the Minnesota River and nearly so in the Mississippi River. However, we see evidence of a recovering population in a once heavily polluted reach of the Mississippi River downstream of Minneapolis-St. Paul. The largest populations are in the lower reaches of the St. Croix (MN, WI), Chippewa, Black, Wolf and Wisconsin rivers (WI). In light of the apparent close association between pistolgrip and flathead catfish, we recommend pistolgrip conservation efforts include sustainable flathead catfish management and habitat improvement to support expansion of remaining pistolgrip populations.

Because the shovelnose sturgeon (Scaphirhynchus platorynchus) population in the Middle Mississippi River (MMR) between Cairo, IL and St. Louis, MO (RKM 0–320) appears to be declining, we must understand dietary needs to help assess its conservation status. Diet is linked to growth, condition and reproduction and reflects population state. Thus, we quantified diets of adult shovelnose sturgeon monthly using gill nets (5.08-cm bar mesh) during Jan. 2005 through Nov. 2005 at three sites on the MMR (RKM: 201-198; 191-188, and RKM 127-124). Stomachs were removed from adult shovelnose sturgeon (winter n  =  71; spring n  =  163; summer n  =  149; fall n  =  179; fork length mean  =  617 mm; standard deviation  =  64.57). Overall, prey items occurred in less than 30% (n  =  170) of shovelnose sturgeon stomachs. Dominant prey items throughout all seasons (winter, spring, summer and fall) were Chironomidae, Hydropsychidae, Ephemeridae and Corophiidae respectively. Corophiidae is an exotic amphipod that has not previously been documented in the MMR. The total abundance of diet items was high during winter through spring and low during summer through fall. Ephemeridae dominated in winter. Hydropsychidae was the most important prey item during spring through summer. Corophiidae dominated diets in the fall. Temperature and perhaps low river discharge appeared to affect prey consumed, with high temperatures and low discharge during summer through fall causing low energy intake, lowered condition and likely poor growth. Conservation efforts that provide flow refugia may improve energy intake and likely enhance shovelnose sturgeon populations in the MMR.

Lake sturgeon (Acipenser fulvescens) are native within the Lake Ontario drainage basin and listed as threatened by New York State. In 1995 the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (NYSDEC) initiated restoration management of lake sturgeon. This management included both protection of extant populations and stocking of uninhabited historic waters with juvenile sturgeon. A list compiled by NYSDEC of observations of lake sturgeon from New York State waters for the period encompassing 1800–2005 was combined with recent observations through 2008 and formatted (Geographic Information System) to allow mapping of sturgeon geographical distribution. Distributions of pre- and post-restoration sturgeon were examined by occurrence and type of observation. Distribution patterns indicated lakes and rivers with current sturgeon presence have increased from five to eight, which was the first-phase goal of the New York Lake Sturgeon Recovery Plan. Lake sturgeon have started to expand into joining water to include the Indian R., Oneida R., Seneca R. and Oswego R. The protected historic populations in the Niagara R., Grasse R., St. Lawrence R., and Lakes Erie and Ontario continue to have low numbers of sturgeon observations. This summary of mapped lake sturgeon distribution information will help in guiding research assessments to waters containing substantial populations. These accessible reaches provide a generous advantage to the released juveniles as they move toward the next goal of restoration, spawning of sturgeon in targeted waters.

The effects of climate change on environments are increasingly obvious and are leading to stronger and more varied biological responses as organisms compensate. To understand better the responses of terrestrial ectotherms to climate oscillations we created a biophysical model based on the degree-days concept to predict relevant life-history events. By studying side-blotched lizards, Uta stansburiana, we were able to calculate the timing and length of the growing season as well as the timing of the breeding season for this species at a site in the Pacific Northwest based primarily on temperature data. We then used historical meteorological data to test for the effects of short- and long-term fluctuations in climate modes on lizards using indices for the El Niño-Southern Oscillation (ENSO) and the Pacific Decadal Oscillation (PDO). Results indicate that these two climate modes affect different aspects of life history and that their effects, either alone or in combination, have the potential to alter not only phenology (e.g., timing of reproduction) but also population recruitment and even persistence. Yet, using these climate modes to predict biological outcomes of future climate change may be difficult to accomplish due to regional variation of their impacts and their inherent complexity.

Newts of the genus Taricha have long been studied in regards to their skin toxin, tetrodotoxin (TTX). It has been shown that the TTX levels across populations of Taricha are highly variable, and this has been mostly attributed to the interaction between Taricha and their only documented predators, garter snakes of the genus Thamnophis. Here we show that predators other than Thamnophis prey extensively on some newt populations. Ledson Marsh in Annadel State Park in Santa Rosa, CA is a breeding ground for both the California newt (Taricha torosa) and the rough-skinned newt (Taricha granulosa). Predation on these newts was tracked from 1998–2009 and was most often in the form of evisceration and significantly male-biased. As TTX seems to have been developed as an antipredator defense in Taricha, we used Fluorometric High Phase Liquid Chromatography (HPLC) analysis to quantify TTX levels in the skin of ten male and ten female newts of each species to determine the influence that TTX levels may have on sex-biased predation in this population. We found Taricha females were not significantly more toxic than males. Also, we found that T. torosa were significantly more toxic than T. granulosa, which is in contrast with other newt toxicity studies.

Ruffed grouse (Bonasa umbellus) are important game birds that depend on multiple forest age-classes of aspen (Populus spp.) for food and cover, which makes them an appropriate management indicator species for the condition of quaking aspen (Populus tremuloides) communities in the Black Hills National Forest of western South Dakota and northeastern Wyoming (BHNF). Recent landscape-scale drumming surveys showed that occupancy of ruffed grouse in the BHNF depended primarily on the amount of aspen-dominated vegetation within a 95 ha site. However, an investigation of drumming site characteristics is lacking. To evaluate drumming site selection, we located and measured the drumming structure and surrounding vegetation for 49 primary drumming sites and 147 paired unused sites during 2007 and 2008. We used discrete-choice modeling with an information-theoretic approach to evaluate resource characteristics of drumming sites associated with use. Percent area exposed (visibility) between 0.9 m and 1.8 m in height around the drumming structure had a negative, exponential relationship with drumming site selection and the combined density of woody and herbaceous plants ≥1-m tall with a stem diameter <2.54 cm had a positive, asymptotic relationship with site selection. Reducing the visibility between 0.9 m and 1.8 m around the structure from 40% to 0% increased the relative probability of selection of drumming sites 9-fold. Increasing the density of woody and herbaceous stems from 8000 stems/hectare to 24,000 stems/hectare increased the relative probability of selection 20-fold. The selection of drumming sites with a high density of vegetation ≥1 m in height and low visibility between 0.9 m and 1.8 m suggests ruffed grouse select drumming sites that might reduce the chances of predation. Thus, management actions to improve ruffed grouse breeding habitat should focus on increasing the density of vegetation cover ≥1 m in height.

Prairie (Microtus ochrogaster) and meadow (M. pennsylvanicus) voles are morphologically very similar species of rodents that are often found sympatrically. To assess the reliability of morphological characters typically used to differentiate between these two species, we compared the concordance of species identification based on morphological characteristics with identifications based on a species-specific difference within the avpr1a gene. We found that intraspecific variation in morphological characteristics resulted in erroneous or ambiguous species identification in the field (generally ≤5%) as well as for preserved specimens (up to ∼45%). Our data suggests that genotyping putative M. ochrogaster and M. pennsylvanicus at their avpr1a locus may be warranted for some individuals to ensure accurate species identification.

We found dental anomalies in 36 of 249 (14.5%) cleaned skulls of eastern moles from southern Illinois and Cincinnati, Ohio. Additional teeth (supernumeration) were observed in four individuals; one specimen had a unilateral additional upper premolar, and three specimens had additional upper or lower incisors. Connation (splitting) occurred unilaterally in I₁ and P₁ of one individual. Failure of teeth to develop (agenesis) was much more common, occurring in 31 individuals. Agenesis usually involved maxillary dentition—P¹ and/or I² and I³—sometimes with the same individual having lost incisors and premolars. Agenesis of mandibular dentition (P₁) was noted in only one individual. We found no anomalies involving molars and no relationship between age of individuals and dental anomalies. Rudimentary teeth (“spicules”) in the mandibular diastema occurred in 68 individuals (27.3%). There was a trend toward reduction of rudimentary teeth with increasing age, but no relationship between occurrence of anomalies and rudimentary teeth.

Survival and cause-specific mortality of female white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus) have been well documented in forested and agricultural landscapes, but limited information has been collected in grassland habitats typical of the Northern Great Plains. Our objectives were to document and compare survival and cause-specific mortality of adult female white-tailed deer in four distinct ecoregions. We captured and radiocollared 190 (159 adult, 31 yearling) female white-tailed deer and monitored (including deer from a previous study) a total of 246 (215 adult, 31 yearling) deer from Jan. 2000 to Dec. 2007. We documented 113 mortalities; hunting (including wounding loss) accounted for 69.9% of all mortalities and vehicle collisions accounted for an additional 15.0%. Natural causes (e.g., disease, predation) of mortality were minor compared to human-related causes (e.g., hunting, vehicle collisions). We used known fate modeling in program MARK to estimate survival rates and compare ecoregions and seasons. Model {S_{season (winter = summer)}} had the lowest AIC_c value suggesting that survival differed only between seasons where winter and summer survival was equal and differed with fall season. Annual and seasonal (summer, fall, winter) survival rates using the top model {S_{season (summer = winter)}} were 0.76 (95% ci  =  0.70–0.80), 0.97 (95% ci  =  0.96–0.98), 0.80 (95% ci  =  0.76–0.83) and 0.97 (95% ci  =  0.96–0.98), respectively. High human-related mortality was likely associated with limited permanent cover, extensive road networks and high hunter density. Deer management in four distinct ecoregions relies on hunter harvest to maintain deer populations within state management goals.

We used locations of 6 wolves (Canis lupus) in Minnesota from Global Positioning System (GPS) collars to compare day-versus-night locations to estimate territory size and location during summer. We employed both minimum convex polygon (MCP) and fixed kernel (FK) methods. We used two methods to partition GPS locations for day-versus-night home-range comparisons: (1) daytime  =  0800–2000 h; nighttime  =  2000–0800 h; and (2) sunup versus sundown. Regardless of location-partitioning method, mean area of daytime MCPs did not differ significantly from nighttime MCPs. Similarly, mean area of daytime FKs (95% probability contour) were not significantly different from nightime FKs. FK core use areas (50% probability contour) did not differ between daytime and nighttime nor between sunup and sundown locations. We conclude that in areas similar to our study area day-only locations are adequate for describing the location, extent and core use areas of summer wolf territories by both MCP and FK methods.

Cones of lodgepole pine (Pinus contorta var. latifolia) are often serotinous, releasing their seeds from closed cones under heat from fire. Stand-replacing fires in predominantly serotinous stands can thus be expected to result in a strong regeneration response. After large-scale mortality caused by mountain pine beetle (Dendroctonus ponderosae), however, the seeds in serotinous cones may remain on the dead trees for a number of years, impacting germination and viability. We tested seeds collected from living and beetle-killed serotinous stands to determine whether they remain viable after tree death, and whether germination rates were affected by cone age. There was no significant difference in percent germination from the living stand vs. the dead stand. While there was a significant relationship between cone age and percent germination, cones that were 21–25 y still had >30% germination. We conclude that post-beetle regeneration likely will not be limited by viable seed availability in stands with serotinous cone-bearing trees.