Phenotypes of big bluestem (Andropogon gerardii Vitman) vary throughout the central grasslands of North America, a consequence of genetically-distinct ecotypes within the species. This study sought to distinguish between genetic and environmental variation of photosynthesis and water potential in big bluestem ecotypes during an extreme drought. Four ecotypes of big bluestem were measured in common gardens in western, central, and eastern Kansas. Experimental plots contained seeded assemblages to represent prairie communities. Photosynthesis rates and water potential were measured three times during the 2012 growing season. The role of precipitation was assessed with rainout shelters that reduced ambient rainfall by 50 percent. There were prominent differences between sites that correlated with available soil moisture, with only minor genetic differences among ecotypes. The mesic site in Manhattan, KS had higher photosynthesis and water potentials compared to drier sites in Colby and Hays, KS. Photosynthetic rates decreased in all sites as the growing season progressed. Extreme drought in Colby and Hays reduced photosynthesis rates to near zero by late summer, whereas photosynthesis in Manhattan remained above 6 µmol CO₂ m^-2 s^-1 in late summer. The big bluestem ecotype from the driest environment had higher photosynthetic rates compared to mesic ecotypes, evident at the mesic site in Manhattan. Plant water potentials followed soil moisture availability across sites. Mean water potentials were as low as -7 MPa in Hays and Colby, but were never lower than -1.3 MPa in Manhattan. Although significant differences were detected among ecotypes of A. gerardii, these differences were minimal compared to environmental effects during a severe drought.

Tooth remains of the elasmobranch Ptychodus are common in Late Cretaceous marine in both nearshore and deep water deposits worldwide. Although they are typically found as isolated tooth specimens, associated or articulated specimens are very rare. Described here is the first occurrence of an associated tooth set of the Late Cretaceous ptychodontiform shark P. mammillaris (FHSM VP-17989) from the Pfeifer Shale Member (lower middle Turonian) of the Greenhorn Limestone in Russell County, Kansas. The specimen consists of 47 teeth and represents the earliest stratigraphic occurrence of the species in the Western Interior Seaway. Although found disarticulated, this tooth set consists of teeth from eight different tooth file positions which demonstrates the heterodonty within the dentition. This specimen is unique because it is the earliest occurrence of the species and possesses the largest lower medial file teeth of P. mammillaris found in North America to date.

Worker bees of 15–25 days old perform a stereotyped behavior around the hive entrance termed “washboarding”. While washboarding behavior is well documented in domesticated bee hives, there is still no consensus as to what its purpose is, and the behavior has not previously been reported in natural bee hives in forest settings. Many observers suggest that the bees are cleaning the surface, though no one has proposed a possible reason for the head-down, vertical body orientation typical of washboarding. I present observations of washboarding at two feral honey bee hives in cavities of dead trees in a mixed hardwood forest in Douglas County, Kansas, in summer 2016. In addition to the probable surface cleaning of the washboarding activity, I suggest that a primary function of washboarding may be to assist returning foragers in locating the nest entrance through the application of pheromones emitted from the tarsal and Nasonov glands of workers, and that the vertical head-down posture of bees may help to disperse the volatile Nasonov pheromone.

North American porcupines (Erethizon dorsatum) have historically occurred at low densities in parts of western Kansas. As areas of suitable habitat for porcupines may change over time due to factors such as shifting land-use patterns, climate change, and woody invasion it is important to periodically reevaluate the distribution of this species. To determine the current distribution of porcupines in Kansas, we surveyed veterinarians from across the state to document instances where domestic animals encountered porcupines. We found that porcupines are still relatively uncommon in Kansas and their overall distribution has not notably shifted. Porcupine encounters most commonly occurred in fall months. This knowledge adds to the current understanding of porcupine ecology in the Great Plains and should be useful for future studies aimed at understanding how climate and land-use change impacts porcupine distribution.

A native of Vermont, Joseph Savage was one of the early settlers in the Kansas Territory. He is known historically as one of the founders of the city of Lawrence, an active supporter of the newly formed State University, a well recognized horticulturist, and the proprietor of a successful nursery business. However, many of his scientific accomplishments have been overlooked or are simply lost in history. In the 1860s, Savage became associated with the first state geologist of Kansas, B. F. Mudge, and learned about geology, paleontology and other scientific subjects. He accompanied Mudge as a fossil collector in western Kansas for several years, served as an assistant geologist on the 1872 Hayden Survey of Yellowstone National Park, collected fossils for O. C. Marsh at Yale, and later for the University of Kansas. He was also a long-time member of the Kansas Academy of Science (KAS), served as an elected officer of the KAS, and was a frequent contributor of oral scientific presentations at the annual meetings. In view of his scientific accomplishments, Joseph Savage deserves recognition as one of the early paleontologists of Kansas.

Former agricultural terraces in a suburban setting were analyzed for evidence of ecological benefits related to surface water runoff. Presence of hydric soils was utilized as an indicator of runoff velocity retardation and associated reduction of suspended contaminants in surface water. Soils were probed in various topographic positions within a terraced hillslope on the Johnson County Community College campus and assessed for hydric soil indicators using procedures published by the U.S. Department of Agriculture. The soils in the constructed terrace channels were found to be hydric, and the soils in the terrace ridges were found to be non-hydric. These findings indicate that the legacy terraces are contributing to improved water quality lower in the watershed even 30 years after the conversion of the land from agriculture to a college campus surrounded by suburban development. Finally, the methods utilized in this study are offered as an easily and rapidly deployed way for land owners to describe and document these ecological benefits of legacy agricultural terraces.

Streams and ponds in the Tallgrass Prairie National Preserve (TPNP), Chase County, KS, provide habitat for semiaquatic turtles, but turtle distribution and abundance in these waters is poorly documented. We compiled a list of semiaquatic turtles from unpublished reports of herpetofaunal sampling at TPNP, and sampled lower Fox Creek during summer 2014 to inventory the Preserve's semiaquatic turtle community. We collected 58 individuals of five turtle species, including one Mississippi Map Turtle, Graptemys pseudogeographica kohnii, a new record for TPNP.

Cheney and El Dorado reservoirs are located near urban areas in south-central Kansas and receive high use by anglers. Additionally, both reservoirs contain invasive White Perch Morone americana, which adds incentive to use informed decisions to minimize the effects of this species and maximize angler enjoyment. This study was conducted to provide age and growth information, assess the status of current fish populations, and model potential outcomes for management decisions by using Beverton-Holt yieldper- recruit models. We collected age and growth data from nine species of fish, but a concurrent study indicated that only Walleye Sander vitreus and Palmetto Bass M. saxatilis × M. chrysops consumed White Perch in high numbers (>5% occurrence with a sample size >50 individuals). As such, the focus of this paper was these two species. Results suggested that growth was similar for Walleye from both reservoirs and Palmetto Bass grew more rapidly in Cheney Reservoir. Additionally, growth overfishing was observed in most models for Walleye, as well as Palmetto Bass models with lower lengthlimits and lower conditional natural mortality. Based on these models, more restrictive length limits could be justified for Walleye at both reservoirs and for Palmetto Bass at Cheney Reservoir if natural mortality rates are low.

The original report of Hormotila mucigena Borzi for North America was misidentified (Wujek and Wynne, 2016). It was shown earlier to be a stage of Rufusiella insignis (Hassall) Loeblich III (1967). This branched filamentous green alga, a taxon now placed in the order Chaetophorales and originally described from Sicily, is once again reported for North America from Douglas County, Lawrence, Kansas area and Isabella County, Michigan.

Passive integrated transponder (PIT) tags are commonly used to uniquely identify tagged individuals. Much of what we currently know about the feasibility of using PIT tags in fish ecology research has been studied in salmonids. The recent development of smaller tags has prompted research into their effects on small-bodied fishes. In a laboratory setting, I assessed the effects of PIT tags on Red Shiner Cyprinella lutrensis and Sand Shiner Notropis stramineus over 48 days. Survival was high (>97%) for both species. Tag retention was relatively high (82%) for Red Shiner, but low (51%) for Sand Shiner. Logistic regression models testing the effects of length of tagged fishes on survival and tag retention were non-significant. Growth was not affected by the presence of a PIT tag. This study suggests that Red Shiner and Sand Shiner > 45 mm can be successfully tagged with 9 mm PIT tags.

Below is a calendar of upcoming natural history related events and meetings in and near Kansas. For explanation and/or further information, please contact Stan Roth ( sdroth@ ku.edu). Also contact Stan, or the TKAS editors, if you know of other Midwestern science events of interest to Kansas biology teachers, naturalists, biologists, or other scientific disciplines. Please check with sponsors for addtional information on specific events.