Unpredictable recruitment and physical abnormalities (sores and lesions) have been observed in populations of Micropterus dolomieu (Smallmouth Bass) throughout the Susquehanna River basin. Malnutrition has been proposed as one of among several potential stressors, yet little to no information was available to critically assess its feasibility as a causal factor. We measured thiamine profiles of Smallmouth Bass (free thiamine [T], thiamine monophosphate [TP], and thiamine pyrophosphate [TPP]) for 3 tissues (egg, liver, and muscle) collected at 13 sites in the Susquehanna River and compared the values to those in 2 neighboring drainages (Allegheny River and Delaware River). Mass-specific thiamine concentrations in eggs were comparable to published values for Micropterus salmoides (Largemouth Bass), but higher than those found in Sander vitreus (Walleye), and Salvelinus namaycush (Lake Trout) known to consume Alosa pseudoharengus (Alewife), a thiaminase positive forage fish. In general, Smallmouth Bass collected from sites within the Susquehanna River basin had thiamine concentrations comparable to fish at the site in the Allegheny River, yet average thiamine concentrations in fish from the Susquehanna and Allegheny sites were each considerably lower than the average value collected from the Smallmouth Bass in the Delaware River. Future studies should consider a more balanced sampling design among watersheds to assess spatial variability among sites and basins. Average site-specific thiamine concentrations measured in Smallmouth Bass exceeded published minimum threshold values for Lake Trout. Given that Smallmouth Bass appear to have distinct thiamine profiles, concentrations, and timing of egg development, threshold thiamine concentrations parameterized for salmonids may not apply to Smallmouth Bass. As such, empirical studies that parameterize species-specific thiamine thresholds are needed to formally evaluate if thiamine deficiency is an issue for Smallmouth Bass in the Susquehanna River basin. To our knowledge, these are the first data on thiamine concentrations published for Smallmouth Bass.

Hydrobates leucorhous (Leach's Storm-petrel) is widely distributed throughout the Northern Hemisphere, but colonies in Atlantic Canada are declining. We assessed the diet of Leach's Storm-petrels from colonies at Country and Bon Portage islands, NS, Canada, and Kent Island, NB, Canada, during the chick-rearing period in 2018 and 2019. Prey composition varied between years and between colonies. In 2019, when sample sizes were similar across colonies, occurrence of fish varied widely among colonies, being high at Country Island (77.3%), intermediate at Bon Portage Island (22.2%), and low at Kent Island (4.8%). Euphausiids, the main crustacean component of the diet across all colonies, occurred frequently at Kent (100%) and Bon Portage (94.4%) islands, and in 63.6% of samples at Country Island. Pooled samples from all 3 colonies in this study had significantly lower fish occurrence (P < 0.01) but similar occurrence of crustaceans (P = 0.93) than previous studies of the diet of Leach's Storm-petrels elsewhere in eastern North America. The dietary variation we found among Leach's Storm-petrel colonies may explain some of the patterns of mercury in tissues for birds at these sites.

As the human population grows and wildlife habitat is lost, managers are increasingly reliant on hands-on management strategies such as translocation. Without much evidence suggesting success, moving a species or population from one location to another has been controversial for some taxa, especially for wildlife in urban areas. Here, in an ad hoc translocation of Terrapene carolina carolina (Eastern Box Turtle) in Washington, DC, we describe movements of 10 translocated turtles from 2011 to 2014, with 4 settling into apparent short-term home ranges and 6 requiring repeated relocation. Our study population was small, but results suggested that home-range establishment may occur with repositioning individuals post-release. Translocations should not proceed without sufficient investment from managers to carry out long-term monitoring of released individuals.

Hypomelanism in natural populations is rare and has been anecdotally associated with developmental retardation and mortality when present in anuran larvae. We report multiple, recent cases of hypomelanism across 5 populations in 2 counties in Connecticut. We also experimentally confirm that this phenotype is associated with extremely delayed metamorphosis and increased mortality.

The federally endangered Myotis grisescens (Gray Bat) is a cave-obligate species that exhibits swarming behavior outside hibernacula in the fall and then emerges in spring after hibernation. Sex ratios of other Myotis are documented to shift at hibernacula from male- to female-dominant in the fall swarming period, and from female- to male-dominant in the spring emergence. We captured Gray Bats during the winter of 2013, fall of 2013 and 2014, and the spring of 2014. Using chi-squared analysis to compare differences among seasons, we document changes in sex ratio for a Gray Bat population at a single large hibernaculum. The sex ratio shifted from male- to female-dominated in the fall of 2013 and 2014 and again in the spring of 2014. During the winter, while Gray Bats are hibernating, we documented a 1:1 ratio. Based on our results, it appears that Gray Bats may exhibit different behavior compared to other Myotis in the spring, possibly linked to being cave obligates.

Ozone is the most important phytotoxic air pollutant in the United States. and Asclepias spp. (milkweeds) are among the most ozone-sensitive plants. Ten milkweed species were exposed to ozone in chambers within a greenhouse during 2018 and 2019. Asclepias syriaca (Common Milkweed) developed the greatest level of ozone-induced leaf injury (“stipple”) in both studies. Asclepias viridis (Green Antelopehorn) and A. eriocarpa (Woolypod Milkweed) exhibited moderate levels of ozone-induced stipple. Asclepias latifolia (Broadleaf Milkweed), A. fascicularis (Mexican Whorled Milkweed), A. arenaria (Sand Milkweed), A. viridiflora (Green Comet Milkweed), A. cordifolia (Heartleaf Milkweed), A. asperula (Spider Milkweed), and A. labriformis (Utah Milkweed) were tolerant, showing minimal or no stipple following exposure to ozone. Results were entered into a master database, which now lists the relative ozone-sensitivity or resistance of 22 of 76 (29%) milkweed species.

Site fidelity can have significant impacts on population dynamics and may be influenced by both demographic and environmental characteristics, including age, sex, and habitat quality. We examined breeding-site fidelity of Setophaga cerulea (Cerulean Warbler), a small Nearctic–Neotropical migrant that is listed as endangered in Indiana and in decline throughout its range. Our research was part of a long-term demographic study in the research units of the Hardwood Ecosystem Experiment, southern Indiana. From 2013 to 2018, we banded 128 Cerulean Warblers, 10.2% of which returned the year following initial capture and banding. We did not find significant differences in return rates between adult males (n = 92) and adult females (n = 19; P = 0.69), novice (second-year, n = 20) and experienced (after-second-year, n = 91; P = 1) birds, or successful (n = 40) and unsuccessful breeders (n = 26; P = 0.39). We have yet to detect a bird banded as a hatch-year subsequently return the following season as a second-year (n = 0/17). Our return rates are likely affected by a combination of mortality between breeding seasons, our ability to detect returning birds, and dispersal between breeding seasons. We encourage other researchers to publish rates of Cerulean Warbler site fidelity across its range for comparison of populations and habitats to determine source/sink dynamics.

Halichoerus grypus (Gray Seal) is a top predator in New England waters, yet little data exists on seals foraging on invertebrate prey. We combined analysis of hard parts of scat samples (n = 98) from 2 breeding sites in Massachusetts with metabarcoding of fecal DNA. Invertebrates were detected in 4 samples via analysis of hard parts (4.1%) but in 35 samples (35.7%) using a metabarcoding approach. Metabarcoding also detected parasite DNA in 82.7% of scat samples. Nematode DNA (78.6%) was more prevalent than trematode (28.6%) or cestode (22.5%) DNA. Prey species, biomass, and diversity within each sample were not affected by seal sex, parasite exposure, or type of parasitic exposure. Previous diet studies may have underestimated the diversity and abundance of invertebrates in the diet of Gray Seals.

Canis lupis (Gray Wolf or Wolf) can move great distances with important consequences to the persistence of isolated populations. We used global position system (GPS) tracking technology to summarize the movements of 4 Wolves translocated to Isle Royale National Park, MI, in 2018–2019. We quantified aspects of movement behavior of individual Wolves following translocation to, and an emigration event from the Isle Royale ecosystem.

Chrosomus sp. cf. saylori (Clinch Dace) is a newly recognized species of minnow with a restricted distribution in southwestern Virginia. We analyzed genetic variation and abundance at paired sites above and below road crossings. Road crossings did not have a strong effect on presence, abundance, or genetic differentiation of Clinch Dace. Of all sites where Clinch Dace were found, only 1 perched culvert presented a barrier to upstream migration; however, no genetic differentiation was found between collections above and below that or any other culvert. Distribution and abundance of Clinch Dace populations were not influenced by habitat variables measured at the site level. Low abundance in small headwaters, nest association, and high mobility appear to be characteristics of this species of Chrosomus.

The Kouchibouguac region, located in Atlantic Canada on New Brunswick's eastern coast was declared a provincial game refuge in 1969 and a National Park in 1979. Morone saxatilis (Striped Bass), a species of ecological and socio-economic importance, has long been considered a conservation priority within the park and the surrounding region. The creation of the National Park resulted in the closure of the region's commercial Striped Bass fishery and regulation of recreational fishery retention, turning the area into a key focal point for monitoring and conservation of Striped Bass within the southern Gulf of St. Lawrence. In the early 1990s, the Northwest Miramichi River was confirmed as a key spawning location for Striped Bass and the likely origin of all southern Gulf of St. Lawrence Striped Bass, a discovery which would remove the burden of local Striped Bass conservation and recovery from the park. Now, following a precipitous population decline, a 13-year fishing moratorium, and an unprecedented population recovery, Striped Bass have returned in great numbers to the southern Gulf of St. Lawrence. This review summarizes the history of the study of Striped Bass in Kouchibouguac National Park to prompt the continuation of research of Striped Bass under the climate of a presently recovered population. It remains possible that the recovered population could once again re-colonize spawning habitat within the rivers of Kouchibouguac National Park that may have been occupied historically.

Lack of natural disturbance in many forests in northeastern North America has resulted in increased canopy cover and a reduction of open-habitat patches. Crotalus horridus (Timber Rattlesnake) in this region depends upon open basking and gestation sites, and its populations have declined markedly. We evaluated the utility of mechanical tree removal to restore potential basking habitat for a highly imperiled Timber Rattlesnake population in New Hampshire. We used a before–after, control–impact study to test for the effects of tree removal on environmental temperature and Timber Rattlesnake and other wildlife use of 3 potential basking sites. Mean temperatures were significantly higher and more variable post-treatment, while minimum temperatures were relatively unaffected. The number of temperature readings within the span of selected body temperatures of gravid female Timber Rattlesnakes (25.2–31.7 °C) increased post-treatment. Using time-lapse cameras, we detected rattlesnakes during 5 days at post-treatment sites but on only 1 day at a control site. Detections of potential rattlesnake prey species did not change following treatment, and few potential rattlesnake predators were detected pre- or post-treatment. Our results suggest that tree removal around potential basking sites likely improves thermal habitat quality for Timber Rattlesnakes.

We examined populations of bats hibernating in 50 abandoned mines in Michigan during the 3 years before and 4–6 years after arrival of the fungal disease white-nose syndrome. Overall size of the regional population fell by 89.9%. Myotis lucifugus (Little Brown Bat), which represented 90% of the pre-epidemic population, declined by 89.9%. Myotis septentrionalis (Northern Long-eared Bat) and Perimyotis subflavus (Tricolored Bat) decreased by 98.5% and 93.9%, respectively, and both species appear threatened with regional extinction. Eptesicus fuscus (Big Brown Bat), in contrast, increased by 11.7%. The disease also impacted social patterns, with the proportion of Little Brown Bats that were solitary during hibernation in 10 of the mines increasing from 23% to 46% after onset of the disease.

Habitat loss and degradation due to urbanization and intensification of agriculture are among the leading causes of the decline of biodiversity on Earth. Vegetated zones of rights-of-ways (the median zone and roadside verges) could, however, contribute to wildlife conservation where remaining natural habitats continue to rapidly disappear. The objective of this study is to identify biophysical features of the various maintenance units (green shoulders, embankments, ditches, and banks) of highway roadside verges (HRVs) in suburban and rural landscapes that influence avian abundance and richness. Results indicate that wider HRVs favor a greater use by birds, particularly when in association with an increase in the shrub cover in ditches and embankments. Since maximizing the contribution of the vegetated zones of the road network is now an important consideration in regional biodiversity conservation strategies in human-dominated landscapes, we recommend that embankments and banks should have a diversified plant structure and cover. Various changes to the conventional methods of the maintenance of vegetation along HRVs are therefore proposed, such as halting mowing for a period of 5 to 10 years to favor the succession of native plant species. Maximizing the contribution of HRV to bird conservation in suburban and rural landscapes will also have other environmental and social benefits.

The listing of the distinct population segment of Acipenser oxyrinchus oxyrinchus (Atlantic Sturgeon) found within Chesapeake Bay as “endangered” under the Endangered Species Act in 2012 spurred new research efforts that recorded its presence in many major tributaries of Chesapeake Bay. However, the potential use of former habitat in the Patuxent River has received little attention. We describe the movement of a mature male Atlantic Sturgeon in the Patuxent River detected using passive acoustic telemetry. The sturgeon was originally tagged in the James River, VA, on 7 September 2013 and was detected in the Patuxent River, MD, between 18 September and 16 October 2016, which coincides with the fall spawning season in Virginia tributaries. This report represents the first documented occurrence of an Atlantic Sturgeon in the Patuxent River since 1997 and the first verified mature individual since 1924. It also details the movement of an adult sturgeon into freshwater reaches of a non-natal river, an unusual behavior for this species. We discuss the behavioral and environmental context of our observations, and highlight the value of acoustic telemetry in documenting the presence of endangered aquatic species for conservation and management.

Dryocopus pileatus (Pileated Woodpecker) is an endemic North American woodpecker that, following widespread declines during the mid-to-late 19^th century, rebounded and has become relatively common resident throughout its range. In New York City, Pileated Woodpeckers were breeding residents until the early to mid-1800s, but were extirpated due to the city's rapid urbanization. Since the 1930s, however, the number of reports of Pileated Woodpeckers has increased dramatically in the area. Here we document the re-establishment of Pileated Woodpeckers in New York City within 2 old-growth greenspaces on Staten Island from 2015 to 2019. We further describe and validate a previously unpublished breeding attempt on Staten Island from 1989. The establishment of Pileated Woodpeckers in New York City is reflective of their ongoing colonization of urban and suburban areas throughout North America, and highlights the importance of unfragmented greenspaces within urban and suburban areas.

The tidal swamps of the near coastal rivers dominated by ash species (Fraxinus spp.) on the Mid-Atlantic coast of the United States are a globally rare and diverse habitat and, with the invasion of Agrilus planipennis (Emerald Ash Borer [EAB]), are under threat of alteration due to EAB-caused ash mortality. Little to no information exists on the effects that EAB infestation has had on these tidal swamps; therefore, the purpose of this study was to explore the current state of overstory health, regeneration, and herbaceous plant community at an ash-dominated tidal swamp on the lower Patuxent River, MD. It was found that, in comparison to adjacent stands of ash in the bottomland hardwood forest, the tidal swamp had a significantly larger proportion of its stand basal area infested or killed by EAB. On the other hand, the degree of regeneration of ash stems was far greater in the tidal swamp in terms of seedlings, basal shoots, and young trees. Finally, the herbaceous plant communities were determined to be distinct to their respective habitat types and would likely have different responses to the loss of ash. I concluded that the observed effects of EAB infestation were not the same between the habitat types and that the tidal swamp should be considered separately in management plans for EAB in the Mid-Atlantic and Chesapeake Bay regions.

A diverse wild bee fauna can greatly enhance crop yields, but on-going declines in populations of global pollinators may jeopardize food security in the future. Diversity of wild bees in agricultural settings is shaped by a multitude of factors including farming practice, farm size and surrounding land-use type. However, these factors may vary greatly across regions and agricultural systems, making broad generalizations difficult. Therefore, there is a critical need to describe communities of wild bees in relation to farm size and adjacent land-use type. We collected wild bees using pan trapping and sweep netting throughout the summer season. We compared wild bees among 3 blueberry orchards of varying sizes and percentage of adjacent forest margins. We used complementary metrics to characterize the bee fauna at the species and community level including phylogenetic diversity, functional traits, and indicator species. We found that bee diversity and abundance was highest at the smaller orchard, which had more adjacent forest. A particularly depauperate bee fauna was found at the 2 larger orchards with less adjacent forest. Here, the blueberry-associated bee communities differed markedly among the 3 surveyed orchards. The large and medium orchards harbored clustered communities and had almost no parasitic bees. Our results support the notion that environmental filtering by larger agricultural landscapes act on species and functional traits and can lead to community homogenization. Our study provides the first-of-its-kind data for wild bees in New Hampshire's blueberry orchards. These results can inform farmers about the diversity and pollination services of wild bees and guide implementation of improved management and conservation strategies for the preservation of wild bees in their orchards.

We report the occurrences of Tramea lacerata (Black Saddlebags), Enallagma anna (River Bluet), and Epiaeschna heros (Swamp Darner) from localities in central and southwestern New Brunswick, Canada. The former 2 species are reported here for the first time from the province, and the Swamp Darner is reported for the second time, 118 years after the first known specimen was captured in 1899. Our record of a River Bluet represents a significant geographic range extension (∼500 km east).

Interspecific nest-site competition among secondary cavity nesters can lead to nest-takeover events resulting in mixed broods. The nestlings of the smaller species in these mixed broods are usually unsuccessful. Among multiple takeover events occurring over 33 years of nest-monitoring records, we report 4 accounts of Protonotaria citrea (Prothonotary Warbler) fledging from mixed broods after Tachycineta bicolor (Tree Swallow) displaced Warblers from active nests. In each case, Prothonotary Warblers hatched earlier than their Tree Swallow nestmates, reducing the size discrepancy between species and enabling these nestlings to survive.