A re-description of Cambarincola bobbi Holt, 1988 is provided based on observations made during recent collections in the Cumberland River Watershed in Tennessee. The branchiobdellidan Pterodrilus robinae, a new species, is described, along with a refinement for identification of five additional Pterodrilus species. Diversity, sympatry, and range extensions of branchiobdellidans from three areas of the Cumberland River Watershed are reported.

Branchiobdellidans, or crayfish worms, are species-rich in the Appalachian area of the southeastern United States. Even so, the Great Smoky Mountains National Park (GSMNP) in the southern Appalachians has only one record of a branchiobdellidan species. As part of the All Taxa Biodiversity Inventory, we undertook a general survey of the branchiobdellidans in the GSMNP. Crayfish were collected from a total of 15 sites distributed across 11 watersheds in the GSMNP We identified a total of 10 species of branchiobdellidans: 1 species of Bdellodrilus, 1 species of Oedipodrilus, 2 species of Pterodrilus, 1 species of Xironodrilus, and 5 species of Cambarincola. The composition and number of species per site ranged from 0 to 6, and individual branchiobdellidan species occurrence ranged from 1 to 11 sites. Our results suggest that multiple factors affect distribution and occurrence on certain hosts. Study of specimens of Cambarincola holostomus Hoffman, 1963 enabled us to add new morphological characters to the description of this species. An intensive survey of watersheds and crayfish fauna in the GSMNP is necessary to understand the multiple factors affecting species distributions and host preferences and to facilitate conservation of both the symbionts and their hosts.

As with other high-energy beaches, those of North Carolina harbor a diverse fauna of kalyptorhynch turbellarians, most of which appear to be new to science. Here, we describe Lehardyia alleithoros, a new kalyptorhynch turbellarian of the Karkinorhynchidae, from 3 high-energy beach sites in North Carolina. We also report an apparent range extension for Carcharodorhynchus flavidus Brunet, 1967. These observations bring the total number of kalyptorhynch turbellarians reported from the marine interstitial environment of North Carolina to five.

We present the first record of Rapana venosa (Veined Rapa Whelk) as an epibiont of Caretta caretta (Loggerhead Sea Turtle) and the first observation of rapa whelks in the South Atlantic Bight, USA. Veined Rapa Whelks are invasive shellfish predators. The only known North American population of Veined Rapa Whelks is in the southern Chesapeake Bay. Collections of Veined Rapa Whelks as epibionts on Loggerhead Sea Turtles from Norfolk, VA and Wassaw Island, GA present a previously undescribed vector for whelk range expansion to widely separated coastal habitats. In October 2008, a live juvenile Loggerhead stranded near Norfolk, VA with a Veined Rapa Whelk attached to its carapace. Since May 2005, a total of eight Loggerheads with Veined Rapa Whelks as epibionts have been observed nesting on Wassaw Island, GA. The shell lengths of the two smallest Wassaw Island whelks (1.9 and 2.6 mm) indicate that the whelks settled from the plankton 24–48 hr immediately prior to collection in Georgia. This time frame is not commensurate with turtle migration from Chesapeake Bay to Wassaw Island and indicates a whelk source that is geographically distinct from the Chesapeake Bay. Rapa whelk use of Loggerhead carapaces as settlement and juvenile habitat is of serious concern given the observed potential for coastal and oceanic migrations by turtles to facilitate Veined Rapa Whelk dispersal.

We investigated the influence of trapping duration on freshwater turtle captures using baited hoop-nets. We trapped 9 ponds in the Lower Rio Grande Valley and 6 ponds in the Lost Pines ecoregion areas of Texas in the summer of 2010 using high-intensity, short-duration trapping (40 traps/1 day) and low-intensity, longer-duration trapping (10 traps/4 days). We found that the number of captures was not different between sampling schemes. However, the mean capture rate was twice as high after the first day of low-intensity trapping. This study showed that researchers seeking to maximize captures per-unit-effort (CPUE) should focus on the least time-intensive, labor-intensive, and expensive way to complete the trapping effort, rather than short-term temporal distribution of trapping effort.

The southern Cumberland Plateau in Tennessee and Alabama has the greatest diversity of cave-obligate animals in the United States. The University of the South in Franklin County, TN is one of the largest private landholders on the southern Cumberland Plateau. Its 13,000-acre campus has more than 30 caves and is underlain by more than 14 km of horizontal passageways. We examined the biodiversity of cave animals on the campus at the species level and at the genetic level. Through a survey of seven caves on the campus, we identified 24 cave-obligate species, including two new county records. This total accounts for half of the cave-obligate species reported for Franklin County. For our genetic analysis, we selected six diverse taxa (two millipedes, a beetle, a fly, an aquatic isopod, and a spider) that were collected from multiple caves, and compared their mitochondrial cytochrome oxidase I gene sequences. Across the six taxa we found: (1) low genetic diversity within caves (mean nucleotide diversity within caves across all taxa: 0.25%), (2) high genetic divergence between caves (divergence between caves within taxa ranged from 2.5%–10.9%, with two exceptions), and (3) little evidence for gene flow between caves (FST between caves within taxa > 0.57, with one exception). Thus, the campus supports tremendous species diversity, and even more remarkable genetic diversity within those species on a small geographic scale (no studied caves were >7 km apart). The divergence between cave populations and lack of gene flow between them that we observed across a range of taxa highlight the importance of cave conservation on a regional scale.

During a survey of macrofungi in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park in the summer of 2009, a species of Lepiota was recorded. This specimen is distinct in having pink to salmon to orange colors on the fruiting body and a pink spore deposit. After comparison with type material and a survey of the literature, we conclude this species is L. maculans Peck, described originally and known only from one collection in Missouri. Phylogenetic analysis of DNA sequence data supports placement within Lepiota of the Agaricaceae despite possessing a pink spore deposit. A complete morphological description, a description of the holotype, illustrations, and photographs are presented. This is the first report of L. maculans since its original description in 1905.

We analyzed a naturalized population of Magnolia grandiflora L. occurring north of its native range in a temperate deciduous forest of the North Carolina piedmont. The population was likely expanding, based on its size-class distribution; however, it had not reached a reproductive size or age. The maximum size of established stems was 9.8 cm dbh and the maximum age, based on a subset of sampled stems, was 26 years. We analyzed the establishment of M. grandiflora trees with respect to several environmental variables. Climatic variables included annual minimum winter temperatures, frost-free periods, and precipitation, and topographic variables included elevation, aspect, and slope. We found a strong correlation between establishment and minimum winter temperatures as well as frost-free periods, but not with other environmental variables. Magnolia grandiflora has become naturalized north and west of its native range on the southeastern coastal plain; among the possible causes are climate change and the increased use of cold-hardy genotypes.

Steepheads are unique ravine habitats of the Gulf Coastal Plain; however, the biology of these habitats is relatively unknown. The objectives of this study were to provide a comprehensive list of wetland plant species along a steephead stream in Santa Rosa County, FL and to compare the floristics along the stream. Species richness (S = 102), evenness (J′ = 0.86), and diversity (H′ = 3.97) were calculated as well as taxonomic richness (G = 67 genera), evenness (GJ′ = 0.95), and diversity (GH′ = 3.98). Upstream and downstream sections harbored distinct plant communities (Jaccard index [JI] = 13.33%). The high diversity and lack of non-native species illustrates the need for further investigation into steephead habitats.

Padre Island National Seashore provides important habitat for declining wintering grassland birds, yet oil and gas development is widespread in the Park. Our objective was to evaluate the effects of resource extraction on the wintering grassland birds of the Park. In January—March 2007 and 2008, we surveyed 5 active and 4 abandoned well sites and 4 road sites to investigate the relationship between distance from disturbance (well pads, access roads) and bird abundance. At road sites, bird abundance was positively correlated with increased distance from road edge, but we found no linear relationship at active or abandoned well sites. However, mean bird abundance in the first (0–30 m) distance interval of active well transects was less than half that at the second interval, and was the lowest value for all active intervals except the ninth. First-interval abundance at active wells was lower than abundance at any abandoned well interval. Road transects likewise showed low abundance in the initial interval, although unlike at active wells, abundance increased steadily with distance from the center of disturbance. This trend of lower overall numbers at the first interval of active well transects was driven largely by Sturnella magna (Eastern Meadowlark) and S. neglecta (Western Meadowlark). A combination of high noise levels near active well pads and lack of tall vegetation from which to sing may have contributed to low numbers of meadowlarks, which were the only birds to sing regularly during the study period. We recommend: (1) reducing noise at active sites, (2) limiting vegetation disturbance near pads and roads, (3) maintaining existing perch sites, and (4) limiting road construction.

Past anthropogenic activity has led to the destruction or alteration of Carolina bay wetlands throughout the southeastern United States. Presently, urban development, combined with a 2001 ruling by the US Supreme Court relaxing protection of isolated wetlands, poses an increasing threat to these and other isolated wetland systems; however, little information exists on the importance of these wetland systems to birds. We compared breeding and wintering bird communities of upland pine (Pinus spp.) forests with and without Carolina bays. Estimated species richness was greater in pine forests with Carolina bays than without during the winter (31.7 ± 1.3 [mean ± SE] vs. 26.9 ± 1.2; P = 0.027), but not in the breeding season (27.9 ± 2.2 vs. 26.3 ± 2.2; P = 0.644). Total relative abundance did not differ between pine forests with Carolina bays and those without in either the breeding (148.0 ± 16.0 vs. 129.4 ± 10.4 birds/40 ha; P = 0.675) or winter (253.0 ± 36.4 vs. 148.8 ± 15.1 birds/40 ha; P = 0.100) seasons. However, 23 species, 43% of which were wetland-dependent, were observed only in pine forests with bays during the breeding season, and 20 species, 30% of which were wetland-dependent, were observed only in such sites during winter. In contrast, only 6 and 1 species were observed only in pine forests without bays during the breeding and winter seasons, respectively, indicating that few species were negatively affected by the presence of bays. Thus, Carolina bays appear to enrich the avifauna of pine forests in the southeastern United States.

Dendroica virens waynei (Wayne's Warbler) is a unique, disjunct subspecies of Dendroica viren virens (Black-throated Green Warbler) that is restricted to the South Atlantic Coastal Plain from southeastern Virginia to South Carolina. We surveyed a network of 265 fixed-radius plots to examine seasonal occurrence, spatial distribution, and patterns of habitat use by Black-throated Green Warblers. Survey plots were chosen to represent the full gradient of forest types within the region. Plots were surveyed 7 times between early April and mid-June, 2001. Detections of Black-throated Green Warblers began in early April, increased to a peak in late April, and then declined throughout May and early June. Birds were detected during 251 (13.5%) of 1862 point counts conducted. Detections were widespread and included 114 of 266 (52.6%) survey plots. Forest composition had a significant influence on the distribution of breeding sites. The frequency of plots classified as breeding sites was higher than expected for plots containing Pinus taeda (Loblolly Pine), Chamaecyparis thyoides (Atlantic White Cedar), and Taxodium distichum (Bald Cypress). The density of these tree species within survey plots was significantly higher for plots classified as breeding sites compared to plots classified as unoccupied. This response was particularly significant when all three tree species were combined.

The eastern population trend of Passerina ciris (Painted Bunting) declined 3.5% annually during the first 30 yrs of the Breeding Bird Survey (BBS, 1966–1996). Recently, the US Fish and Wildlife Service listed Painted Buntings as a focal species. Surveys for this focal species for the next 10 yrs (BBS, 1997–2007), however, are too low (<1 bird per 50 stops) for determining trend estimates. Also, to monitor densities adequately, surveys should account for incomplete detections. I surveyed singing Painted Buntings from 13 May to 26 June 2003 at 582 point counts (50 randomly selected transects) within blocks (64 × 64 km) in coastal and river areas from Florida to North Carolina. I compared densities of Painted Buntings for major habitats. Painted Buntings were detected at 33.5% of points surveyed for 5 min. Densities varied from 9 singing males per km² in young pine plantations to 42 per km² in maritime shrub. Effective detection radii for habitats varied from 64 to 90 m and were slightly higher in developed than in undeveloped habitats. Distance sampling is recommended to determine densities of Painted Buntings; however, large sample sizes (70–100 detections/habitat type) are required to monitor Painted Bunting densities in most habitats in the Atlantic coastal region of the southeastern United States. Special attention should be given to maritime shrub habitats, which may be important to maintaining the Painted Bunting population in the southeastern US.

Species of Geolycosa (burrowing wolf spider) found in the eastern USA exhibit one of two species-specific microhabitat associations with associated burrow architectures: “turricolous” species burrow in areas covered in leaf litter and construct a distinct turret of silk and debris at the burrow mouth, while “aturricolous” species locate their burrows in more barren areas and do not construct a turret. Our research goal was to document the relationship between spider coloration, burrow-site selection, and burrow-construction behaviors in five Geolycosa species in Florida (G. micanopy, G. hubbelli, G. xera, G. patellonigra, and G. escambiensis). Discriminant analysis of morphological data supports our contention that each ecomorph has a distinct pattern of pigmentation, with the barren-substrata species being paler. Field studies of species pairs at three sites in Florida (Archbold Biological Station, Ocala National Forest, and the Panhandle) documented the species-specific association with one of the two microhabitats. Field enclosure tests with five of these species demonstrated that the observed microhabitat association was due to active burrow-site choice. Finally, tests we conducted in the laboratory documented that these species will build the predicted species-specific burrow types under controlled conditions.

In birds, sex is determined by the allocation of sex chromosomes. We used molecular techniques to determine the sex of Mimus polyglottos (Northern Mockingbird) nestlings in Cincinnati, OH and Raleigh, NC. We found an overall male-biased sex ratio in the Cincinnati population and a female-biased sex ratio in the Raleigh population. In Cincinnati, the male-biased sex ratio was more pronounced early in the breeding season than later in the breeding season. Male nestlings were heavier than female nestlings and may require greater parental investment. In many avian species, female offspring are more likely to disperse, making them less likely to compete with parents and siblings for local resources in future seasons. This may explain why the Raleigh population with greater nesting population density overproduced female offspring.

Stomach contents of 3 Scaphirhynchus platorynchus (Shovelnose Sturgeon) collected in the Lower Mississippi River in January 2010 yielded 44 specimens of cicada nymphs, Diceroprocta sp. The fish were collected during a sudden rise in water level. The floodplain-dwelling cicada were likely washed out of their terrestrial habitat and into the river, where opportunistic sturgeon were foraging.

We report that an adult-sized Zenaida macroura (Mourning Dove), presumably a parent, rapidly decreased risk taken in defense of a juvenile as the likelihood of predation to the juvenile increased. We attribute this decrease in risk taken to (1) the parent's perception that the risk of predation had increased to the extent that a continuation of defensive behaviors would not prevent the death of the juvenile, and (2) its attempt to minimize its own risk of death. It may be that there is a threshold beyond which Mourning Dove parents will forgo the risk of additional defense of offspring in favor of making another reproductive attempt.

A Falco sparverius (American Kestrel) was observed attacking and carrying away a Picoides borealis (Red-cockaded Woodpecker) fledgling during observations associated with a long-term monitoring program on Fort Bragg Military Installation, Fort Bragg, NC. The woodpecker was released in mid-air approximately 100 m from the site of the attack and fell to the ground, alive. It is unknown if the American kestrel returned to consume the fledgling, or if the fledgling survived the encounter.

We report a maternity colony of the rare bat, Myotis leibii (Eastern Small-footed Myotis), in a high-elevation cabin in western North Carolina. Because Eastern Small-footed Myotis maternity colonies may typically roost in rock crevices, they are difficult to observe and are not well documented. This cabin provides a variety of roost locations (e.g., shutters, attic, boarded windows) for bats in a stable structure in a densely forested landscape.

The secretive nature of Puma concolor (Puma) has made it difficult to observe them in the wild; therefore, researchers have primarily relied on radio telemetry to study Puma movements, habitat use, kill sites, and den locations. With the advent of digital infrared trail cameras, biologists are now recording previously unobserved Puma behavior, including urine-marking by females, wallowing, flehmening, and claw-marking logs. On 7 occasions, from August 2009—April 2010, we recorded 64 diagnostic sequential images of adult Puma concolor coryi (Florida Panther), of both genders, claw-marking the trunk of a downed Sable palmetto (Sabal Palm) log. Following a literature review and interviews with 11 professional Puma hunters, we concluded that this biological note represents the first photographic evidence of how male and female wild Pumas claw-mark logs.