The earwigs occurring in Kansas are summarized, figured, and a key to aid their identification is provided. The biology and general evolution of the order is briefly overviewed and the higher classification of Dermaptera summarized, with the following new names proposed: Neodermaptera (= Forficulina auctorum), †Eodermaptera, Epidermaptera, Metadermaptera, Eteodermaptera, Plesiodermaptera, †Turanodermidae, and †Turanoviidae. A key to dermapteran genera occurring north of Mexico is provided.

A new species of raphidiid snakefly (Raphidioptera: Raphidiomorpha) is described and figured from the Eocene-Oligocene Florissant Formation of Colorado. Raphidia funerata, new species, is most similar to R. mortua Rohwer but can be distinguished by details of forewing venation.

Avian assemblages of black-tailed prairie dog (Cynomys ludovicianus) colonies were compared to those present at two types of non-colonized grassland, during the breeding season, in southwestern Kansas and southeastern Colorado. Relative abundances were quantified in 1996 during a period of drought and in 1997 during a period of above average precipitation. We detected fewer bird species at all sites in 1996 than in 1997, and the total number of bird species detected on prairie dog colonies was lower than that detected on both types of non-colonized areas during both years. Horned larks (Eremophila alpestris) had higher relative abundances on non-colonized sites in 1996, but were more abundant on prairie dog colonies in 1997. Lark buntings (Calamospiza melanocorys) and grasshopper sparrows (Ammodramus savannarum) were not recorded at the study sites in 1996, but appeared in high numbers in 1997. These two species, and western meadowlarks (Sturnella neglecta), had higher relative abundances on non-colonized sites in 1997 than on prairie dog colonies. A comparison of our results with those of other studies suggest that the effects of prairie dogs on associated biota might not be identical in all regions of the Great Plains, or under all environmental conditions.

Although plesiosaurs are known to occur in the Upper Cretaceous Smoky Hill Chalk Member of the Niobrara Formation, their remains are uncommon, rarely complete and unequally distributed in the unit. There are only three reasonably complete plesiosaur skeletons (all Dolichorhynchops osborni) known from the Smoky Hill Chalk in Kansas. All three are from the upper one-third (Early Campanian) of the chalk. Other remains are fragmentary and, in most cases, consist of body parts that could have been readily removed by predators or scavengers. Many of these specimens have teeth marks or appear to be partially digested. In spite of observations to the contrary by Williston and others, reliable stratigraphic and locality information for museum specimens exists only for plesiosaur remains in the upper portions of the Smoky Hill Chalk (Santonian - Lower Campanian). Recent discoveries reported here suggest that plesiosaurs were present throughout the deposition of the chalk, albeit in small numbers.

We examined trends in abundance, size and age structure, and growth rates of blue catfish, Ictalurus furcatus, in Milford Reservoir, Kansas. Trends in abundance and size structure were assessed using fall gill net data collected during 1990–2001. Pectoral spines were collected from fish (N=30) captured during 2001 for age and growth analysis. Catch per unit effort was less than 5 fish per net night from 1990 to 1999. Catch per unit effort in 2000 was significantly (P=0.01) higher than in previous years and samples were dominated by fish <300 mm total length (TL). Seventy-four percent of blue catfish collected in 2001 were from the 1999 and 1998 year-classes, indicating natural reproduction. Mean back-calculated lengths at age indicated that fish require approximately 3 years to reach stock length (300 mm TL) and 5 years to reach quality length (510 mm TL). Growth of blue catfish in Milford Reservoir was similar to that of other populations throughout the midwestern and southeastern U.S. These data suggest that the blue catfish population in Milford Reservoir has increased in abundance and that natural reproduction is occurring. These data provide important baseline information for future comparisons of blue catfish population characteristics in Kansas reservoirs.

Playa wetlands contribute to the biological diversity of the southern Great Plains, yet many are modified by current farming practices. We surveyed 12 farmed playa wetlands from 1998–99 to (1) document seasonal avian use of these habitats and (2) assess the performance of two rapid assessment techniques, the Habitat Assessment Technique and the Wetland Evaluation Technique. Thirty-six bird species were observed on farmed playa wetlands, 42% of which are dependent on wetland habitats. In contrast, only 5 species were observed on upland reference sites in 1999, and none were dependent on wetlands. Collectively, both rapid assessment techniques rated farmed playa wetlands as poor habitats because of the physical characteristics of study sites. Based on field observations and published work, we conclude that farmed playa wetlands provide habitat for many avian species and the rapid assessment techniques examined are unsuitable for assessing playa wetlands as avian habitat in Kansas.

Sericea lespedeza (Lespedeza cuneata [Dumont] G. Don) has shown allelopathic properties in tame pastures but no studies have been done on its allelochemical effects on grasses in eastern Kansas rangelands where it is currently invading. Big bluestem (Andropogon gerardii Vitman), little bluestem (Andropogon scoparious Michx.), indiangrass (Sorghastrum nutans (L.) Nash), and Kentucky bluegrass (Poa pratensis L.) were exposed to sericea lespedeza stem and leaf residues and their germination and growth responses studied. Compared to the checks, germination rates were reduced for big bluestem (15 to 27%), indiangrass (25 to 39%), and Kentucky bluegrass (47 to 60%). These grasses also exhibited shorter radicle lengths and shorter coleoptile lengths. However, none of these grasses had any growth reductions. Little bluestem was not affected in any way.

Vertebrate fossils are rare components of the Fort Hays Limestone Member (uppermost Turonian - Lower Coniacian) of the Upper Cretaceous Niobrara Chalk. Herein, two fish taxa are described that are new to the unit: Ptychodus mammillaris Agassiz and Enchodus cf. E. shumardi Leidy. These additions increase the total number of documented vertebrate species to 11 for the Fort Hays Limestone and provide additional insights into the paleoecology (e.g. community structure) of the Western Interior Seaway during the deposition of the Fort Hays Limestone.

William E. Webb's 1872 book Buffalo Land, written for the Kansas Pacific Railroad, was a typical railroad advertising publication with one exception. Webb's fictional story of a group of Kansas adventurers included a paleontologist probably based on the person of Webb's friend, Edward Drinker Cope. The book also includes most of a scientific paper written by Cope and given to Webb for use in Buffalo Land. Cope may be seen as a co-author of Webb's book. Cope's contributions to Buffalo Land and his association with Webb are discussed in detail.

Populations of ring-necked pheasant (Phasianus colchicus), northern bobwhite (Colinus virginianus), cottontails (Sylvilagus sp.), greater prairie-chicken (Tympanuchus cupido), and black-tailed jackrabbit (Lepus californicus), have been declining in eastern Kansas for 40 years. During the same timeframe populations of wild turkey (Melagris gallopavo) and tree squirrels (Sciurus sp.) have increased. We measured change in land use based on Landsat Thematic Mapper images for spring, summer, and fall of 1984, 1992, and 2000. Open water (lakes, watershed ponds) and woodland increased 17% and 23% respectively during the 16 year period. Cropland declined 6% during the 16-year period. Grassland increased < 1% due to CRP, and urbanization permanently removed 26% of all other land uses in the study area. Loss of open land habitat due to increases in woodland, open water, and urbanization has modified habitat for brushland and grassland species such as ring-necked pheasant, northern bobwhite, cottontails, greater prairie-chicken, and black-tailed jackrabbit. At the same time, the increase in woodland area along with increases in timber volume have created additional habitats for wild turkey and squirrels.

A six-year-old restored prairie plant community at Johnson County Community College (JCCC) was monitored for changes in species number and plant cover. It was hypothesized that haying would successfully establish a prairie plant community, and that all seeded species would grow. In 1994 a 0.5 ha area was sprayed to remove weeds, and then seeded with eleven forb and six grass species. The seed mix included generalists that do not require high-quality habitats, and conservatives that do. Beginning in late fall 1995 the area was annually mowed and litter removed (hayed). By 1998 species number was 28, but dropped to 24 in 2001. Species composition included only some of the seeded species, and additional species not in the original mix. Seven of the original forb species were generalists, yet were absent. All six grasses were present. Total cover for all forbs decreased, but not significantly. Cover of the invasive weed Lespedeza cuneata increased in 2001, albeit not significantly. Total cover of all grasses increased, and cover of six native grass species significantly increased between 1998 and 2001 (p < 0.03). JCCC's goal to restore a plant community dominated by perennial tall grasses via haying was met, but expected species composition was not. Problems may include soil that cannot support these missing species, and a need for additional restoration methods. Spraying is necessary to control L. cuneata, and other studies have demonstrated that burning retards non-native weedy grass growth while encouraging conservative native species. Adding methods to solve these problems may be necessary.