Information on the distribution of rare and little known species is critical for managers and biologists challenged with species conservation in an uncertain future. Pacific Martens (Martes caurina) historically resided throughout Oregon and northern California's coastal forests, but were considered extinct until 1996 when a population in northern California was rediscovered. Only 26 verified contemporary (1989–2012) records were known within Oregon prior to this survey. The coastal subspecies (M. c. humboldtensis) was petitioned for listing under the federal Endangered Species Act in 2010. We surveyed for martens during 2014–2015 with 3 separate, non-invasive surveys. We conducted exploratory surveys in 2014, and surveyed at 2 scales during 2015 to confirm the persistence of historical populations (<5 km prior detections) and to determine the limits of current distributions in the region (5–50 km). We surveyed 348 sample units using a total of 72 track plate and 908 remote camera stations for >14 d within a 25,330 km² area, yielding 355,018 photographs. Martens were detected (photographs, tracks, or genetically verified hair samples) at 72 sample units. We detected 28 individual martens in coastal Oregon using a combination of genetic confirmation and captured individuals. Marten observations were clustered in the Central and South Coast regions, suggesting existing populations have persisted since published observations prior to 1998. We did not locate new populations despite an extensive effort to survey new areas, but did learn a unique population exists in the coastal dunes of Central Oregon. Future research could include surveys at a finer-scale to refine population boundaries and estimate minimum population sizes, better define habitat conditions, and evaluate potential threats to population stability (such as disease, genetic bottlenecks). Until population estimates and trends are known, conservation efforts may benefit from local management actions, such as restricting or eliminating kill-trapping in the Coast Ranges, as well as broad efforts to increase connectivity, especially where existing populations face significant barriers to movement, such as a major roadway (Highway 101). Based on our observations, efforts to increase the size, number, and extent of populations could be valuable for long-term conservation of the species.

The Oregon Spotted Frog (Rana pretiosa), a federally threatened species also listed as endangered in Washington State, has a historical distribution that extends from southwestern British Columbia to northeastern California, yet their current range appears highly fragmented. This pattern may reflect this species' distinctive aquatic habitat requirements or simply be a function of the limited historical survey effort in selected areas. Hence, in an attempt to determine whether any additional populations of Oregon Spotted Frogs existed in the northern Puget Sound basin of Washington State, we conducted surveys at a large number of sites (n = 131) across this region in 2011–2013. To increase the likelihood of detecting this species, we created a Geographic Information System screening tool to identify areas of appropriate habitat (low stature emergent marsh ≥4 ha) based on National Wetlands Inventory maps. We also concentrated survey efforts on the headwater portions of lowland streams because non-headwater areas within the study area are highly altered and more likely to harbor exotic aquatic predators (American Bullfrogs [Lithobates catesbeianus] and warmwater fish species), which reduce the likelihood of Oregon Spotted Frog occupancy. We visually documented breeding activity of Oregon Spotted Frogs at 13 previously unrecognized sites in the Samish (n = 8), Nooksack (n = 4), and Sumas (n = 1) watersheds. We located a total of 1359 Oregon Spotted Frog egg masses at the 13 occupied sites over the three survey seasons. We genetically verified the species identification at 4 of these sites. In the course of these surveys, we also documented breeding chronology and provided information on habitat. Vegetation changes due to cessation of grazing and recent woody plantings may have decreased habitat suitability in at least 5 of the 13 occupied sites. Despite time and land-ownership constraints, our discovery of new breeding sites suggests that additional surveys for Oregon Spotted Frogs are needed to fully understand the species' distribution. Although Oregon Spotted Frogs are still rare, their current distribution is more widespread than previously recognized.

We collected fish from the Missouri River, Montana, to investigate a 1984 finding of Mycobacterium chelonae (reclassified as M. salmoniphilum) from Mountain Whitefish (Prosopium williamsoni). Brown Trout (Salmo trutta), Mountain Whitefish, and Rainbow Trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) were sampled from the Missouri River in 2009–2010, to examine for the presence of tissue nodules and granulomatous inflammation indicative of mycobacterial infection. Mycobacterium kansasii and a Mycobacterium sp. were detected by tissue smears and histology and identified by direct sequencing in tissue samples of 1.7% of Mountain Whitefish and 3.3% of Rainbow Trout. Genotypes were identified from 16S-23S rRNA. This study confirmed the continued presence of Mycobacterium infection in Mountain Whitefish from the Missouri River, with an updated diagnosis and identified infection in Rainbow Trout. This is the 1st documented case of Mycobacterium kansasii in wild fish and the freshwater documentation of a species similar to Mycobacterium sp. YM12, which was sequenced from a marine fish.

The White-footed Vole (Arborimus albipes) is one of the least-studied small mammals in North America. Most reported occurrence data come from incidental captures from larger trapping efforts and have demonstrated a strong affinity for Red Alder (Alnus rubra) trees. Recent research represented a range expansion in western Oregon, but little is known about the species at the southern end of its range in California. We developed a distribution model for the species to identify areas best targeted for additional White-footed Vole research. We used this model to survey by trapping in Humboldt and Del Norte Counties, California, and documented 3 new occurrences for the species. These 3 occurrences were incorporated into a final distribution model. This model suggests the possibility of White-footed Vole occurrence in southern Humboldt and northern Mendocino Counties, which would represent a southern expansion of their range. White-footed Voles were captured in areas with smaller alders than non-capture areas, supporting work from Oregon that suggests the species may not be tied to older stands as had been previously reported. Targeted trapping and physiological studies could clarify the environmental niche of this vole.

Between 1999 and 2006, the Department of Fisheries and Oceans performed deep-water sampling and discovered new range records for many species of fishes. Here we report 3 species new to British Columbia: Idiacanthus antrostomus, Benthalbella linguidens and Scopelengys tristis, and update the known ranges of 7 additional species (Argyropelecus sladeni, Sternoptyx pseudobscura, Aristostomias scintillans, Opostomias mitsuii, Bathophilus flemingi, Scopelosaurus adleri, and Magnisudis atlantica) in British Columbia waters.

The Canada Lynx (Lynx canadensis) is poorly documented in southwest Alaska, where dominant habitats are generally not conducive to supporting persistent Snowshoe Hare (Lepus americanus) or Lynx populations. We compiled recent and historic records from southwest Alaska that collectively suggest that persistent Lynx populations occur at the base of the Alaska Peninsula where boreal forest transitions to open tundra habitats. Records show that Lynx, at least periodically, also occur throughout the entirety of the Alaska Peninsula and that a self-sustaining and relatively isolated population occurs in an isolated stand of Poplar forest near Mother Goose Lake, which probably represents one of the westernmost Lynx populations in North America. These records extend the known distribution of the species by approximately 380 km southwest along the Alaska Peninsula. These records also suggest that Lynx occur in areas where Snowshoe Hare are rare or absent, and that other prey species may facilitate the persistence of distinct population segments at the extent of their range in Alaska.

We observed an incident of interspecific aggression between a male Hoary Bat (Lasiurus cinereus) and a male Silver-haired Bat (Lasionycteris noctivagans). The Silver-haired Bat suffered few external injuries, the most conspicuous of which were a missing lower right canine and small puncture wounds on the left wing membrane. The Hoary Bat experienced much more extensive external injuries, including sub-dermal bleeding on wing and tail membranes and bite marks and tears in both wings. Few published accounts describe physical altercations among bats, but Hoary Bats are frequently involved. Rabies is often implicated as a driving factor in the aggressive interactions. We decided not to euthanize the bat for rabies testing, but encourage others who encounter these types of interactions to have bats tested.

Eleven after-second-year Cassin's Auklets (Ptychoramphus aleuticus), 10 of them females (91%), were killed when they collided with the lighthouse at Pine Island, Queen Charlotte Strait, British Columbia, in April (3 birds) and May (2 birds) 1976, and April 1977 (6 birds). This mortality of non-breeding Cassin's Auklets, which occurred late in the breeding season, possibly involved subadults visiting the Pine Island colony or other nearby colonies in Queen Charlotte Strait. Body weights ranged from 169 to 204 g, within the range of weights recorded for Cassin's Auklets visiting breeding colonies elsewhere during these months. The female bias in this sample, albeit statistically significant, is unexplained.

From 11 to 15 October 2009, we observed Yellow-rumped Warblers (Setophaga coronata coranata) foraging inside an unheated barn on 4 d, and inside a heated modern milking parlor on 2 d at a dairy farm in southeastern Saskatchewan, Canada. Warblers fed on dormant flies that were huddled on the walls inside of the barn and sallied for flies in mid-air and gleaned them from the window screens inside of the milking parlor. These observations were preceded by 2 d of unseasonable cold weather on 9 and 10 October, when maximum temperatures were below 0°C. Yellow-rumped Warblers fed indoors until 15 October after which the days became warmer, and we observed them only outside. Yellow-rumped Warblers most likely entered buildings to feed because unseasonable weather conditions increased their energetic demands and provided incentive for them to exploit shelter and food in novel places.