This is the first investigation to determine if bats from western Oklahoma have antibodies against Pseudogymnoascus destructans (Pd), the causative agent of White-nose syndrome in bats. The bats examined came from caves near the western most locality in the United States where a bat suspected of having Pd had been reported. A total of fifty-one serum samples were obtained from cave myotis (Myotis velifer), big brown (Eptesicus fuscus) and Townsends big-eared (Corynorhinus townsendii) bats from western Oklahoma between January and February of 2011 and 2012. Nobuto strips containing blood samples from South African bats (Rhinolophus denti, Neoromicia capensis, Hipposideros commersoni, Nycteris thebaica) were used as negative controls. None of the African bats examined appeared to have antibodies against Pd. Thirteen M. velifer (41% of the Oklahoman bats) tested appeared to have antibodies against some strains of Pseudogymnoascus but it is unclear if they have antibodies specifically against Pd.

Behavioral changes of migratory species have been globally documented in recent decades. However, there is a paucity of research on changes in migratory bat species. Brazilian free-tailed bats (Tadarida brasiliensis) roost in central Texas from March to November. These bats have historically migrated south in late fall, leaving summer roosts unoccupied during winter. Recently, overwintering populations have been discovered in central Texas. The objectives of our study were to determine presence or absence of overwintering free-tailed bats at six known summer roosts, obtain baseline population estimates, and evaluate microclimates of roosts during winters of 2010–2011 and 2011–2012. We used data loggers to monitor temperature and humidity hourly. We estimated population sizes with digital images using ImageJ software, previously established roosting densities, or both. Our results indicated that occupied roosts were colder, had less stable temperatures, and had a stronger correlation between internal and external temperatures vs. unoccupied roosts. Population sizes increased at all occupied roosts from 2010 to 2011.

Composition and frequency of floral visitors are essential to understand pollination systems. This knowledge is perhaps more important for endangered species, such as Astrophytum myriostigma. We identified seven insect species as flower visitors of A. myriostigma in the Sierra El Sarnoso, Durango, México. The most frequent visitors were Anambodera species, Phaedrotettix species, and Diadasia olivacea. Floral visits were grouped into eight types. The most common was forager–nectarivore followed by nectarivore. Peak floral visitor activity occurred between 1100h and 1300h. Floral visitor composition varied during flowering, whereas the frequency of visits did not change. We observed two sets of visits in time and space for visitor composition and four sets for visitor frequency.

La composición y frecuencia de los visitantes florales es esencial para entender sistemas de polinización. Esto quizá sea más importante para especies amenazadas, como Astrophytum myriostigma. Identificamos siete especies de insectos como visitantes florales de A. myriostigma en la Sierra El Sarnoso, Durango México. Los visitantes más frecuentes fueron Anambodera sp., Phaedrotettix sp. y Diadasia olivacea. Clasificamos las visitas florales en ocho tipos. El más común fue forrajero-nectarífero, seguido por nectarívoro. El pico de actividad de visitantes florales ocurrió entre 1100h y 1300h. La composición de visitantes florales varió durante la floración, mientras que la frecuencia de visitas no tuvo cambios. Observamos dos grupos en tiempo y espacio para la composición de visitantes y cuatro grupos para frecuencia.

Ponderosa pine (Pinus ponderosa) forests of the southwestern United States have changed dramatically over the past century, primarily in response to grazing, logging, and fire suppression practices. As a result, forest restoration treatments are gaining attention as a forest management tool for reducing fire risk and improving ecological function of the forest. We trapped and radiocollared Abert's squirrels (Sciurus aberti) in restoration-treated ponderosa pine forests to determine changes in home range sizes as a result of restoration treatments. We report evidence that winter vs. nonwinter home range of Abert's squirrels was not different pre- vs. posttreatment. These results are important for land managers in designing forest treatments that reduce the risk of stand-replacing wildfire while providing habitat for the Abert's squirrel.

We performed a pilot study to determine whether camera traps were an effective means for establishing a baseline of species richness, distribution, and abundance at a state natural area in San Antonio, Texas, that has never undergone a full wildlife census. We measured 1,714 trap events and 18 wildlife species. We calculated low species diversity and evenness; and white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus), coyote (Canis latrans), and gray fox (Urocyon cinereoargenteus) were the most abundant species. However, the invasive exotic feral pig (Sus scrofa) was also recorded in high densities. The results of this camera study illustrate the ease with which camera traps can be used to collect baseline data, by undergraduate students in the case of this study, which can provide vital field-based research experiences for students and produce much needed wildlife occurrence data for federal or state agencies in designing management plans for species of concern, such as the feral pig, or for threatened or endangered species.

Wild and domestic animal cohabitation may result in parasite cross-transmission. Our objective was to identify the presence and seasonal shedding of gastrointestinal parasites in mule deer (Odocoileus hemionus) and cattle (Bos taurus) on the Mapimí Biosphere Reserve, Durango, Mexico. We collected 66 cattle and 222 mule deer fecal samples and analyzed them with McMaster flotation, fecal culture, and Baermann techniques. We identified parasite genera Eimeria, Haemonchus, Bunostonum, Cooperia, and Trichostrongylus in cattle; and Eimeria in mule deer. No common parasites were identified between the two species. Fecal parasite counts increased during periods of higher precipitation and temperature.

Black rats (Rattus rattus) are among the most ecologically destructive invasive vertebrates. On San Clemente Island (SCI) they depredate multiple endemic endangered species. Rat control has been part of the Department of the United States Navy's endangered species conservation programs on SCI since 1987, but no previous research into their ecology had been conducted. To improve understanding and management of black rats on SCI, from September 2011 to January 2012, we conducted a radiotelemetry study to estimate spatial use metrics for 20 rats. We found 95% kernel density estimates ranged from 0.14 to 6.45 ha (mean = 1.75 ha) with an average home-range size of 2.09 ha for males and 1.53 ha for females. We did not detect any effect of habitat type or time of day on spatial-use metrics. Home range overlap among sympatric individuals ranged from 3% to 73%, with 19 of 20 individuals (95%) overlapping two or more other rats wearing transmitters. Better understanding of black rat spatial ecology will allow for improved rat-control efforts to facilitate ESA-listed taxa conservation efforts on SCI.

The purpose of this study is to describe plant community structure within Capitol Reef National Park and identify possible effects of disturbance. We used Capitol Reef Field Station (Capitol Reef FS) as a proxy for current and historic disturbance. We collected data using two, 100-m transects located at differing proximities to Capitol Reef FS in each of four community types: pinyon-juniper, sagebrush, riparian, and grassland. Species frequency and percent cover were recorded within each transect using 20, 4-m² plots. We used ordinations to describe gradients in community structure as they relate to the environment and disturbance. We compared community structure and environmental factors by vegetation type, proximity to Capitol Reef FS, and through time. We found that the two main gradients in community structure were represented by a soil nutrient and texture gradient and an annual species and phosphorus gradient. Specifically, the concentrations of many soil nutrients were inversely related to soil texture size, while the amount of available phosphorus was positively associated with litter cover and the prevalence of annual species. Surface cover attributes, along with percent of annual and introduced species, differed among the vegetation types. Although we found that species composition is associated with proximity to Capitol Reef FS, no environmental factors differed by distance to the field station except for litter cover. Additional data are needed to separate the legacy effects of historical disturbance from current use of the field station.

We report the known pre-settlement distribution of Gunnison sage-grouse (Centrocercus minimus) in New Mexico, the late Pleistocene fossil record of Centrocercus in the state, the only known specimen from New Mexico, and review the introduction of nonnative greater sage-grouse (Centrocercus urophasianus) into the state. Fossil bones of sage-grouse have been reported from San Juan, Sandoval, Grant, Hidalgo, and Doña Ana counties, indicating a former widespread distribution. Sage-grouse were uncommon to rare in New Mexico based on reports of observers and travelers through the state prior to 1900, with only one known specimen. The last known report of the native sage-grouse in New Mexico was from near Chama in about 1912. At least 326 greater sage-grouse were transplanted into Taos (175), Rio Arriba (103), and San Juan (48) counties between 1933 and 1969 by the New Mexico Department of Game and Fish; all of these introductions failed.

White-nose syndrome is an often lethal fungal infection of bats that is caused by the fungus Pseudogymnoascus destructans, formerly Geomyces destructans. The fungal spores can persist for extended periods of time in the soil and on surfaces in caves where it might be found even after the bats depart. In 2010, a single bat, Myotis velifer, from a western Oklahoma gypsum cave, was initially diagnosed by the U.S. Geological Survey National Wildlife Health Center, as “suspect white-nose syndrome.” Based on this, we decided to examine soil samples from various bat caves across Oklahoma for the presence of P. destructans. We used Real-time Polymerase Chain Reaction to analyze 83 soil samples from 17 caves in Oklahoma. None of the soil samples were found to contain genetic material from P. destructans. We postulate that P. destructans has not yet reached Oklahoma because of the negative Real-time Polymerase Chain Reaction results, because a National Wildlife Health Center reexamination of the original bat suggested the bat was negative for P. destructans, and subsequent analyses of bat nose and wing swabs, bat tissues, and physical examination of hibernating bats have all been negative for white-nose syndrome.

We collected 21 individuals of the shovel-headed treefrog (Diaglena spatulata), a Mexican endemic species, from the states of Colima and Jalisco. Within this sample we documented the presence of the following parasites and commensals: a cestode (plerocercoid) of the order Proteocephalidea; adult nematodes of Aplectana, Cosmocercella diaglenae, Parapharyngodon chamelensis, and Physalopteroides bahamensis; and juvenile oligochaetes of Dero (Allodero). Our results extend the geographical distribution of C. diaglenae and P. chamelensis in Mexico and add four new records of species inhabiting this host. Additionally we recorded P. bahamensis and Dero (Allodero) for the first time in Mexico. Parapharyngodon chamelensis exhibited the highest infection levels, and levels were significantly higher in Jalisco than in Colima. The composition and abundance of parasites and commensals found in D. spatulata reflect the mainly insectivorous diet of this treefrog and show that aquatic habits exhibited during the breeding season (e.g., in temporary ponds) may play an important role in some of the infections.

Spinose ear ticks, Otobius megnini, are monoxenous parasites that feed within the ear of ungulates, subjecting them to debilitating conditions. Little is known about the spatial dispersion of spinose ticks in animal shelters or the temporal variation in their abundance. Therefore, the objectives of this study were to: 1) determine the temporal distribution of spinose ear tick abundance within animal shelters, 2) determine the spatial distribution of larvae and adults within animal shelters, and 3) examine the effects of climatic variables on tick abundance. No temporal trend was identified for larval or adult ticks. Larval abundance was highest in quadrats located against the shelter wall while no spatial difference was found in adult abundance. Mean larval tick abundance was significantly correlated with mean temperature while mean adult tick abundance was significantly correlated with mean relative humidity.

We monitored daily patterns of natural ultraviolet-B (UVB) exposure (measured using the ultraviolet index [UVI]) of the Texas horned lizard (Phrynosoma cornutum) in North Central Texas. The animals were active on unpaved road surfaces on warm sunny days in May and June in the morning (0800–1200 h) and in late afternoon and early evening (1800–2100 h). The UVI was high during the morning and was positively correlated with hour of the day and body temperature. The UVI was lower during the late afternoon and early evening and was negatively correlated with hour of the day. Body temperatures of the animals were higher than air temperature during both periods of road activity. On warm sunny days between the two periods of high road activity, lizards remained active in shaded off-road areas and received variable amounts of UVB exposure. Two lizards that were followed most hours on warm sunny days had similar UVB exposure doses (irradiance × time) for the day but showed different patterns of UVI irradiance. The UVI and dose were lower for an additional individual followed on an overcast day with thermal conditions that shortened aboveground activity time. On warm sunny days in May and June, P. cornutum received the highest daily UVB dose of any lizard or snake monitored to date.

We examined feeding sign of Abert's squirrels (Sciurus aberti) and red squirrels (Tamiasciurus hudsonicus) each spring 2005–2009 in mixed conifer forests in northern Arizona, USA. We used high-resolution aerial photographs to assess vegetation characteristics where feeding sign surveys were conducted and analyzed the association of feeding sign frequency to vegetation characteristics to compare and contrast species habitat use. At the landscape level, we found considerable overlap in characteristics of forests used by the two species of native tree squirrels. Red squirrels used denser forests with fewer and smaller gaps than do Abert's squirrels, and Abert's squirrels used more ponderosa pine (Pinus ponderosa) than do red squirrels.

Island foxes (Urocyon littoralis) are listed as federally endangered on four of the six California Channel Islands to which they are endemic. The population on Santa Rosa Island declined by 99% during the 1990s due to golden eagle (Aguila chrysaetos) predation but is now recovering. This drastic population reduction provided an unprecedented opportunity to study home-range size and habitat use at very low levels of intraspecific competition. We used global positioning system (GPS) collars to track 14 adult male foxes from September 2009 through June 2010. On average, the collars operated for 16.5 wk, yielding 364 locations per fox. The 95% minimum convex polygon home ranges averaged 3.39 km², which is several times larger than reported in previous studies conducted at higher population densities. We used Euclidean distance analysis to assess habitat selection within 95% kernel density isopleth (KDI) home ranges and 50% KDI core areas. The foxes used most of the available vegetation types but exhibited significant selection for valley bottoms and for bare areas and grassland at night. Our results, together with previous studies on island foxes, suggest an inverse relationship between home-range size and population density as has been shown for many other species. However, the pattern is confounded by differences among study areas and methods. We therefore recommend that this study be repeated when the Santa Rosa Island population recovers to its historic density of 4 adult foxes/km² to better assess density-dependent changes in home-range size and habitat use.

The Owens Valley vole (Microtus californicus vallicola) exists in populations fragmented by natural aridity, land cultivation, highways and canals, and local urbanization. We used genetic analysis of six microsatellite DNA markers to investigate potential fragmentation, genetic drift, and geographic divergence of three populations distributed on the northern, southern, and central portions of the range. Our analyses found that the populations have similar levels of heterozygosity, no significant differences in allelic richness, and significant levels of genetic differentiation. With additional samples from intermediate locations, we would be able to better assess levels of gene flow among these populations. Our current results suggest that these populations do not necessarily require active management intervention.

Aquatic invertebrates have significant value to wetland-dependent species as well as to wetlands themselves. They process organic matter through producer and detritus food webs, modify wetland habitats, and provide a food resource to wetland-dependent species such as waterfowl and shorebirds. Timely flooding and drawdown of water within moist-soil managed wetlands will increase invertebrate diversity and abundance, allowing wetland managers to maximize the production of such areas. We examined how flood timing and duration influenced aquatic invertebrate density, diversity, richness, and production within four moist-soil managed wetlands on Richland Creek Wildlife Management Area, east-central Texas from January 2004 through December 2006. A total of 12,089 aquatic invertebrates from 41 aquatic invertebrate families were collected. Overall, diversity indices were 0.76 (Simpson's Index) and 2.47 (Shannon-Wiener Index). Most common aquatic invertebrates were Crustacea (n = 3,568) and Ephemeroptera (n = 2,080). Differences in aquatic invertebrate density and biomass varied depending on the presence of water over time. Invertebrate community diversity and production peaked early but experienced a nearly sixfold decline over 3 y due to atypical and prolonged inundation regimes in these managed wetlands. Proper inundation duration and timing regimes are key to maintaining invertebrate community diversity and production in moist-soil managed wetlands.

We report on the first physical record for Allen's lappet-browed bat (Idionycteris phyllotis) in Colorado. The lone adult female was hanging on a rafter of a picnic structure at James M. Robb State Park, Mesa County, Colorado, on 25 July 2014. On 30 July, the bat was hanging in the same position and was deceased. Our report extends the distribution of this species north by 100 km and east by 15 km.

We recorded for the first time the species Rhogeessa alleni in the state of Hidalgo, Mexico, and registered the third locality for Myotis californicus. The bats were caught between March 2010 and September 2012. Specimens were preserved in skin, skull, and parts of skeleton and were deposited at the Colección Mastozoológica of Centro de Investigaciones Biológicas, Universidad Autónoma del Estado de Hidalgo. We provide external and cranial measurements as well as information about reproductive condition and habitat of each specimen.