Spilogale putorius (Eastern Spotted Skunk) is considered rare in the southern Appalachian Mountains and throughout much of its range. We report incidental captures of 6 Eastern Spotted Skunks in a high-elevation Picea rubens (Red Spruce) forest in southwestern Virginia during late February and March 2014. At 1520 m, these observations are the highest-elevation records for Eastern Spotted Skunk in the Appalachian Mountains. They are also the first known records of this species using Red Spruce forests in the southern Appalachians.

Aquila chrysaetos (Golden Eagle) breeds in both eastern and western North America. However, the former population has received much less attention than the latter. The purpose of this paper is to document the known distribution and abundance of eastern Golden Eagles within their breeding range and to identify gaps in knowledge for future studies. Eastern Golden Eagles breed in Labrador, Québec, and Ontario, Canada. The species has been extirpated as a breeder from the eastern US. In 2013, 187 Golden Eagle territorial pairs were documented in eastern Canada. Most territorial pairs occur in Québec (65.8%) and Labrador (26.7%). However, probably less than 16% of the total area of these regions has been surveyed. Based on the number of pairs observed and the proportion of area surveyed, we estimate that the total number of territorial pairs of eastern Golden Eagles to be ∼1236. The large area of unsurveyed landscapes and the corresponding lack of precision of the estimate highlight an important next step for future research.

Until recently, it was thought that Berberis thunbergii (Japanese Barberry), a non-native invasive plant that has become particularly widespread in certain regions of New Jersey, benefited from a lack of herbivorous defoliators. However, in 2007 extensive defoliation was documented across a wide geographical distribution in New Jersey, calling this assumption into question. We tested whether Japanese Barberry was negatively affected by partial defoliation by manually clipping 50% or 100% of leaves on current-year stems on small and large plants in the summer of 2008. We found almost no impact of defoliation on growth, carbon storage, or leaf-level physiology for either treatment. We noted some differences between large and small plants, but these were not related to defoliation treatments. Our results suggest that, even in the presence of herbivory, Japanese Barberry is capable of maintaining growth and carbon reserves, thus making it an effective competitor for resources.

Browsing by Odocoileus virginianus (White-tailed Deer) plays an important role in shaping forest structure in the northeastern US. Predation can influence patterns of browse through decreasing White-tailed Deer abundance and influencing patterns of habitat selection. Canis latrans (Coyote) is the dominant predator of White-tailed Deer in our focal region in northern New York. Optimal foraging theory suggests that White-tailed Deer browse in locations that maximize energy intake while minimizing predation risk. Linear forest edges provide abundant woody browse for White-tailed Deer, but are also used as travel-ways by Coyotes in our focal region. These locations therefore provide a venue for testing the extent to which predation risk influences patterns of White-tailed Deer browsing. We quantified White-tailed Deer browse use for edge and interior sites and the density of Coyote scats along seventeen 500-m transects to evaluate the scale at which White-tailed Deer herbivory was affected by Coyote predation risk. We did not observe a change in White-tailed Deer browsing at the landscape scale in response to variation in the risk of Coyote predation, or a mitigating role of escape cover. However, we did detect a tendency for White-tailed Deer to shift browsing from the forest edge to interior along transects with more Coyotes. Our study indicates that Coyotes in the focal area were likely influencing patterns of browsing primarily through behaviorally mediated indirect effects.

Lake Lillinonah, a hydroelectric impoundment on the Housatonic River, CT, is characterized by frequent and extensive algal blooms during the summer months, and historical accounts from the lake's early years document the fact that algal blooms (dominated by cyanobacteria) have been a concern since the lake's creation in 1955. Algal blooms create lethal oxygen conditions for aquatic organisms, impair recreation, and produce toxins that are harmful to people, pets, and wildlife. To help understand current and future trends in water quality, we reconstructed the historical water quality of Lake Lillinonah from 1974 to 2009. Our results suggest that water temperature, phosphorus concentration, and nitrogen concentration all play a role in determining summer water clarity. Additionally, although total phosphorus concentration has decreased since the early 1970s, total nitrogen concentration has remained constant likely due to differences in watershed nutrient-management strategies, and water clarity in the lake remains poor. We suggest that a continued effort to reduce both nitrogen- and phosphorus-loading is necessary in order to improve water clarity, particularly considering the observed increase in storm-loading events and warmer temperatures predicted as the climate warms.

In southern New England forests, small mammals provide essential contributions to ecosystem functioning via food-web interactions and seed dispersal. This region has been exposed to extensive habitat fragmentation due to residential and agricultural development, resulting in a considerable amount of edge habitat, in addition to naturally occurring landscape heterogeneity. Limited research has been conducted relating small-mammal species richness and abundance to different types of edge habitat in this region. Studies incorporating an analysis of variation in both fine-scale vegetation and coarse-scale landscape variation are even more limited. We compared small-mammal richness, total abundance, and abundance of Peromyscus maniculatus (Deer Mouse), Peromyscus leucopus (White-footed Mouse), Myodes gapperi (Red-backed Vole), Tamias striatus (Eastern Chipmunk), and Tamiasciurus hudsonicus (Eastern Red Squirrel) at developed-edge, wetland-edge, and forest-interior sites. We also measured vegetation and landscape variables to understand how variation in characteristics at different scales affected small-mammal measures. We selected 4 sites of each edge type and used Sherman live-traps during the summers of 2009–2010 to survey small-mammal populations (75 traps for 4 nights at 12 sites for 2 y = 7200 trap-nights). We did not find differences among edge types and interior forest for total abundance, richness, and abundance of the 5 small-mammal species with sufficient data for analysis. However, vegetation variables and landscape variables were significantly associated with small-mammal populations. Step-wise linear regression included vegetation variables for 4 of the 5 species, and various landscape scales were included in all analyses except abundance of Peromyscus adults. Patch size was included in 4 analyses (positive for total abundance, White-footed Mouse, and Red-backed Vole; negative for Eastern Chipmunk). We found conifer basal area to have a positive relationship with abundance of Peromyscus adults and Red-backed Voles, but a negative relationship with abundance of Peromyscus juveniles and Eastern Red Squirrels. Species abundance and richness of small-mammal communities and populations in northeastern Massachusetts were related to both fine-scale vegetation differences and coarse-scale landscape metrics, but these relationships were complex and scale-dependent.

Terrestrial gastropods are vital components in terrestrial ecosystems and are thought to play a key role in litter decomposition and nutrient release in temperate and tropical forests. As part of an effort to expand our knowledge of gastropod diversity in west-central Illinois, we conducted a survey of terrestrial gastropods of the Alice L. Kibbe Life Science Station in west-central Illinois from April to May 2013. We sampled at 9 different sites within representative stands of 5 of the prevalent forest types at the station and documented a total of 20 species representing 11 families and 17 genera, including 12 new records for Hancock County. The Polygyridae was the most diverse family (7 species). Although this study sheds additional light on the terrestrial gastropod fauna of west-central Illinois, further surveys are needed to establish baseline data and assess future trends in response to habitat modification and climate change throughout the region.

From 1983–2009, the number of coastal breeding pairs of Ardea herodias (Great Blue Heron [GBHE]) in Maine declined by 64%, and the number of occupied islands on which these birds bred declined by 40%. The Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife listed the GBHE as a species of special concern in 2007, and expanded its annual monitoring to include inland colonies in 2009. To assess regional demographic differences, we compared the relationship between brood provisioning and nest survival of GBHEs in 1 coastal and 1 inland colony. In terms of brood-provisioning within the 2 colonies, the inland colony had significantly greater rates for the first 2 weeks post-hatch, but the coastal colony had greater rates in subsequent weeks. These differences did not affect either nest fate (≥1 chick fledged) or daily nest survival at the inland or coastal colony. In both colonies, the maximum number of nestlings observed at a nest was positively correlated with the number that subsequently fledged. Daily nest survival was positively associated with an increasing number of nestlings, earlier hatch dates, and increased brood-provisioning rates for 1–2-week-old chicks. Our results suggest that the number of nestlings per nest can be used as a proxy for nest survival in GBHE colonies in the northeastern part of their range. Furthermore, because nest survival was influenced by brood-provisioning rates during the first 1–2 weeks post-hatch, our results suggest that the most sensitive time for disturbance of GBHEs in the northeastern part of their range may be earlier in the nesting stage than previously thought.

This paper provides illustrated taxonomic keys for the identification of Maryland dung beetles. Twenty-one species are recognized from 5 tribes, including 7 genera. Keys are supported by 37 figures, including 7 habitus illustrations.

The Upper Esopus Creek receives water diversions from a neighboring basin through the Shandaken Tunnel (the portal) from the Schoharie Reservoir. Although the portal is closed during floods, mean flows and turbidity of portal waters are generally greater than in Esopus Creek above their confluence. These conditions could potentially affect local fish assemblages, yet such effects have not been assessed in this highly regulated stream. We studied water quality, hydrology, temperature, and fish assemblages at 18 sites in the Upper Esopus Creek during 2009–2011 to characterize the effects of the portal input on resident-fish assemblages and to document the status of the fishery resource. In general, fish-community richness increased by 2–3 species at mainstem sites near the portal, and median density and biomass of fish communities at sites downstream of the portal were significantly lower than they were at sites upstream of the portal. Median densities of Salmo trutta (Brown Trout) and all trout species were significantly lower than at mainstem sites downstream from the portal—25.1 fish/0.1 ha and 148.9 fish/0.1 ha, respectively—than at mainstem sites upstream from the portal—68.8 fish/0.1 ha and 357.7 fish/0.1 ha, respectively—yet median biomass for Brown Trout and all trout did not differ between sites from both reaches. The median density of young-of-year Brown Trout at downstream sites (9.3 fish/0.1 ha) was significantly lower than at upstream sites (33.9 fish/0.1 ha). Waters from the portal appeared to adversely affect the density and biomass of young-of-year Brown Trout, but lower temperatures and increased flows also improved habitat quality for mature trout at downstream sites during summer. These findings, and those from companion studies, indicate that moderately turbid waters from the portal had few if any adverse impacts on trout populations and overall fish communities in the Upper Esopus Creek during this study.

A recent trend in bioenergy-feedstock development includes the use of large-statured perennial grasses whose rapid growth and biomass-accumulation rates in low-fertility conditions make them highly desirable; however, these species tend to have much in common with many invasive plant species. Miscanthus sinensis (Chinese Silvergrass), an extremely popular ornamental grass and candidate bioenergy crop, has naturalized in over half of US states, yet little is known about its environmental-stress tolerance, which is a characteristic important for bioenergy development and invasiveness. Previous studies of Chinese Silvergrass have suggested that the species' enhanced tolerance to shade and drought conditions may be contributing to its invasion success in the US. To test this hypothesis, we conducted a greenhouse study to compare shade and soil-moisture stress tolerance among phenotypically diverse ornamental cultivars and naturalized biotypes of Chinese Silvergrass. We found enhanced plant growth and vigor in naturalized biotypes compared to ornamental biotypes across light levels from 5% to 100% of full sun. We also found that both the naturalized and the ornamental cultivars were not significantly affected by soil-moisture stress, and thus exhibited significant drought tolerance. Greater vigor and performance of naturalized biotypes in low light conditions compared to ornamental biotypes suggest that naturalized biotypes have enhanced shade tolerance, possibly due to hybridization. Our results provide direction for additional evaluations and weed-risk assessments of Chinese Silvergrass that will be critical in preventing future invasions and guide breeding for horticulture and bioenergy.

Glyptemys insculpta (Wood Turtle) is listed as imperiled in West Virginia and designated as endangered under the IUCN Red List. We studied a population of Wood Turtles in the Eastern Panhandle of West Virginia from May 2010 to July 2011. We captured 25 turtles at 2 sites: 12 males, 9 females, 3 juveniles, and 1 hatchling. We fitted 10 adults with radio transmitters, 9 of which also received temperature-data loggers. Our 249 total observations include the 10 initial captures of the equipped turtles with 218 subsequent radio locations, and 15 unequipped turtles that were captured, and then recaptured 6 times. Morphometrics of Wood Turtles at the study location were similar to those reported for another West Virginia population. The home range for both males and females was approximately 6 ha; there were no significant intersexual differences. Turtles entered hibernacula in late October when temperatures were approximately 10 °C and remained inactive until mid-March when temperatures were approximately 5 °C. Our study provides a baseline assessment of the Wood Turtle in an unstudied upper-elevation Eastern Panhandle location.

Management strategies designed to reduce the negative impacts of overabundant Odocoileus virginianus (White-tailed Deer) populations on forest regeneration may be influenced by changes in both population density and timber harvest. However, there is conflicting evidence as to how such changes in per capita resource availability influence home-range patterns. We compared home-range patterns of 33 female White-tailed Deer from a low-density population at a site with abundant browse to patterns of a sample of >100 females prior to a 75% reduction in population density and a doubling in timber harvest area. Home-range and core-area sizes were approximately 3 times larger than were found prior to population decline and timber harvest increase, consistent with predictions related to intraspecific competition. We also observed greater site fidelity than previously exhibited, although this may be an artifact of increased home-range sizes. Our results support previous research suggesting that White-tailed Deer home-range size is inversely related to population density and is driven, in part, by intraspecific competition for resources. Relationships among population density, resource availability, and home-range patterns among female White-tailed Deer appear to be complex and context specific.

Carcinus maenas (Green Crab) exhibits a color range from green through yellow and orange to red. The change from green to red is hypothesized to signal a change in resource allocation from growth to reproduction. In order to understand color change in individuals, C. maenas were held in captivity or tagged and recaptured in summer 2007 and 2008. Over the course of the study, crabs fell into 4 categories: those which were green and did not change color, those which were red and did not change color, those which became redder, and those which molted, changing from red to green. Crabs did not change from red to green unless they had molted. Our data show that some individual crabs turn progressively redder when they have not molted, and turn green again after molting.

In North America, Salmo salar (Atlantic Salmon) populations evolved in the absence of Salmo trutta (Brown Trout) and use estuaries more extensively than in Europe. European Brown Trout were introduced to Newfoundland in the 1880s and are spreading along its coast. Most of the colonized watersheds include distinct estuaries. Unlike for river habitats, knowledge of estuary use by Brown Trout outside of their native range is very limited. We investigated seasonal estuary use by Atlantic Salmon and Brown Trout of different sizes in eastern Newfoundland. We observed parr-sized Brown Trout in June and July, whereas Atlantic Salmon parr were present from April to August. Smolts of both species were most prevalent in spring, but we found them throughout the year. Large Brown Trout were present in the estuary over much of the year. Brown Trout are a freshwater invasive species in much of their introduced range and their year-round estuarine presence in our system raises concerns for native salmonids, particularly Atlantic Salmon on Newfoundland’s south coast, which have been identified as at-risk and evolved in the absence of these invaders.

The invasive Dreissena polymorpha (Zebra Mussel) has greatly altered the zooplankton community of the Hudson River by reducing the abundance of native zooplankton and inundating the system with its free-swimming veliger larvae. Since the invasion, there has been a reduction in pelagic fishes, including Alosa sapidissima (American Shad), which is thought to be, in part, a result of the decreases in zooplankton populations. To better understand the complex interaction between this mussel species and American Shad, it is important to describe the fish's current larval diet. Although American Shad larvae readily consumed veligers and this food source may contribute to year-class strength, the importance of veligers as a diet item greatly depends on larval—veliger temporal overlap and yearly shifts in veliger abundance, digestibility, and nutrition.