Western North American Naturalist最新文献

{"title":"Personality-Dependent Responses of Elk to Predatory Pursuits","authors":"Rob Found","doi":"10.3398/064.082.0206","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.3398/064.082.0206","url":null,"abstract":"Abstract. Personality in wildlife has been linked to several ecological processes including mortality risk, facultative migration, and behavioral plasticity. In this paper I examined the relationship between personality and antipredator tactics exhibited by 20 wild female elk (Cervus canadensis) in Jasper National Park, Alberta. Two observers conducted 106 separate chases designed explicitly to resemble predator pursuits by wolves, the main predator of elk. We quantified and classified elk tactical responses during each chase. Elk with “shy” type personalities responded to 84% of predator-resembling pursuits by employing speed-based tactics to outrun pursuers or rejoin conspecifics. Elk with “bold” type personalities adopted this tactic just 11% of the time, and instead employed tactics where they stopped and evaluated pursuers in 45% of chases, attempted to hide from pursuers in 19% of chases, and turned aggressively toward pursuers in 17% of chases. Bold animals employed a greater variety of tactics overall and were more likely to try multiple tactics within the same 10-min chase. Shyness was also positively correlated with flight initiation distance at the start of chases. These results are important for wildlife managers who may be artificially and unwittingly selecting against certain personalities and thereby influencing management and conservation outcomes. Resumen. La personalidad de la fauna silvestre se ha relacionado con varios procesos ecológicos, tales como el riesgo de mortalidad, la migración facultativa y la plasticidad del comportamiento. En este trabajo examiné la relación entre la personalidad y las tácticas anti depredadoras de 20 hembras de ciervo canadiense silvestre (Cervus canadensis) en el Parque Nacional de Jasper, Alberta. Dos observadores realizaron 106 persecuciones separadas, diseñadas explícitamente para asemejarse a las persecuciones llevadas a cabo por lobos, el principal depredador de los ciervos canadienses. Cuantificamos y clasificamos las respuestas tácticas de los ciervos canadienses durante cada persecución. Los ciervos con personalidades de tipo “tímido” respondieron al 84% de las persecuciones de una manera similar a la de los depredadores, empleando tácticas de velocidad para dejarlos atrás o reunirse con sus conspecíficos. Los ciervos con personalidades de tipo “audaz” adoptaron esta táctica sólo el 11% de las veces, y en su lugar emplearon tácticas en las que se detuvieron y evaluaron a los perseguidores en el 45% de las persecuciones, intentaron esconderse en el 19% de las persecuciones, y se volvieron agresivamente hacia los perseguidores el 17% de las persecuciones. En general, los animales audaces emplearon una mayor variedad de tácticas y fueron más propensos a probar múltiples tácticas dentro de una misma persecución de 10 minutos. La timidez también se correlacionó positivamente con la distancia de inicio de la huida al comienzo de la persecución. Estos resultados son importantes para los gestore","PeriodicalId":49364,"journal":{"name":"Western North American Naturalist","volume":"13 1","pages":"276 - 286"},"PeriodicalIF":0.6,"publicationDate":"2022-07-08","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"79477971","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"环境科学与生态学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Predicting the Topographic Zonation of Vegetation in a Salt Playa in Utah, USA","authors":"R. Koide, Jakob Garlick, S. Klatt, Noah Boekweg, Augustine Tambe, K. Jensen, Emily Weatherhead","doi":"10.3398/064.082.0211","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.3398/064.082.0211","url":null,"abstract":"Abstract. Vegetation in salt playas—iconic landforms in the Great Basin of the western United States—exhibits a striking topographical zonation that has remained unexplained. In particular, a distinctive pattern is exhibited by salt-succulent species in the Amaranthaceae wherein Allenrolfea occidentalis occurs in monospecific stands at the highest topographic position in the playa, Sarcocornia utahensis occurs in monospecific stands in the middle position, and Salicornia rubra occurs in monospecific stands at the lowest topographic position. Because salt playas feature a shallow, temporary winter lake that recedes as it evaporates throughout the summer and because vegetation zones closely follow the contours of the temporary lake, we hypothesized that factors relating to the hydrology of the system could be used to predict vegetation zonation. Indeed, we found multiple environmental gradients associated with hydrology that could contribute to the topographical zonation of the 3 plant species, including gradients in soil salinity, pH, redox potential, and water content, but not soil texture. A multinomial logistic regression model incorporating soil pH, redox potential, and water content was able to predict the correct vegetation zone with 100% accuracy. Surprisingly, the gradient in soil NaCl concentration did not contribute significantly to the regression model. These results suggest that soil pH, redox potential, and water content are factors that could be further explored as niche axes that distinguish members of salt playa vegetation. Resumen. La vegetación de las playas saladas son accidentes geográficos emblemáticos de la Gran Cuenca (Great Basin) del oeste de Estados Unidos, con una sorprendente zonificación topográfica que aún no ha sido explicada. En particular, las especies salinas de la familia Amaranthaceae presentan un patrón distintivo en el que la Allenrolfea occidentalis aparece en rodales monoespecíficos en la posición topográfica más alta de la playa, la Sarcocornia utahensis aparece en rodales monoespecíficos en la posición media y la Salicornia rubra aparece en rodales monoespecíficos en la posición topográfica más baja. Dado que las playas saladas presentan un lago temporal de invierno poco profundo que retrocede a medida que se evapora durante el verano, y que las zonas de vegetación siguen de cerca los contornos del lago temporal, planteamos la hipótesis de que los factores relacionados con la hidrología del sistema podrían utilizarse para predecir la zonificación de la vegetación. De hecho, encontramos múltiples gradientes ambientales asociados a la hidrología que podrían contribuir a la zonación topográfica de las tres especies de plantas, incluyendo gradientes en la salinidad del suelo, el pH, el potencial redox y el contenido de agua, pero no la textura del suelo. Un modelo de regresión logística multinomial que incorpora el pH del suelo, el potencial redox y el contenido de agua, fue capaz de predecir la zona de vegeta","PeriodicalId":49364,"journal":{"name":"Western North American Naturalist","volume":"42 1","pages":"378 - 387"},"PeriodicalIF":0.6,"publicationDate":"2022-07-04","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"86680255","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"环境科学与生态学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Lahontan Cutthroat Trout (Oncorhynchus clarkii henshawi) and Paiute Cutthroat Trout (Oncorhynchus clarkii seleniris) Detection from Environmental DNA Samples: A Dual-Purpose Assay","authors":"T. Franklin, J. C. Dysthe, Helen Neville, M. Young, Kevin Mckelvey, M. Schwartz","doi":"10.3398/064.082.0212","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.3398/064.082.0212","url":null,"abstract":"Abstract. Lahontan cutthroat trout (Oncorhynchus clarkii henshawi) and Paiute cutthroat trout (Oncorhynchus clarkii seleniris) are rare taxa of conservation concern. Their generally low population densities and remote distribution make traditional sampling difficult, but they primarily exist in small streams, a habitat type where environmental DNA (eDNA) sampling has proven extremely effective. We developed a single eDNA assay that allows sensitive detection of both taxa, which occur separate from each other in different regions of the Lahontan Basin. Performance of the assay was evaluated using most lineages of Lahontan cutthroat trout and Paiute cutthroat trout as well as tissues of other cutthroat trout and rainbow trout that have been introduced within the Lahontan Basin. The assay amplified DNA only from the target taxa, and only from eDNA samples collected where those taxa were known to be present. This assay should enhance the ability of managers to more precisely and efficiently describe the distribution of these taxa. Resumen. La trucha degollada de Lahontan (Oncorhynchus clarkii henshawi) y la trucha degollada de Paiute (Oncorhynchus clarkii seleniris) son taxones raros de interés para la conservación. Sus densidades de poblacionales generalmente bajas, así como sus distribuciones remotas dificultan el muestreo tradicional. No obstante, se encuentran principalmente en arroyos pequeños, un tipo de hábitat donde el muestreo de ADN ambiental (eDNA) ha demostrado ser extremadamente efectivo. En este estudio llevamos a cabo un único análisis de eDNA que permite la detección sensible de cualquiera de los miembros del taxón, que se encuentran en diferentes regiones de la cuenca de Lahontan. El resultado del análisis se evaluó utilizando la mayoría de los linajes de la trucha degollada de Lahontan y la trucha degollada de Paiute, así como tejidos de otras truchas degolladas y la trucha arco iris que se han introducido en la cuenca de Lahontan. El análisis permitió únicamente la amplificación de ADN de los taxones objetivo, y sólo de las muestras de eDNA recolectadas donde se sabía que esos taxones estaban presentes. Este análisis mejorará la capacidad de los administradores para describir la distribución de estos taxones de manera más precisa y eficiente.","PeriodicalId":49364,"journal":{"name":"Western North American Naturalist","volume":"82 1","pages":"388 - 397"},"PeriodicalIF":0.6,"publicationDate":"2022-06-23","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"80999321","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"环境科学与生态学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Predicting Columbian Sharp-Tailed Grouse Lek Occurrence in Grand Teton National Park, Wyoming","authors":"J. Lautenbach, John A. Stephenson, Jeffrey L. Beck","doi":"10.3398/064.082.0214","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.3398/064.082.0214","url":null,"abstract":"Abstract. Many North American populations of lekking grouse have declined across their ranges, and understanding and evaluating population trajectories can assist in better managing these iconic species. Columbian Sharp-tailed Grouse (Tympanuchus phasianellus columbianus) is a subspecies of Sharp-tailed Grouse that has declined across its range in the Intermountain West over the past century. Management of this species primarily focuses on habitat around leks; therefore, knowing where Columbian Sharp-tailed Grouse leks occur is key to their conservation. We used a resource selection framework to predict lek occurrence in an area with multiple known leks in Carbon County, Wyoming. We used this model to predict lek occurrence in an area with only one known lek in Grand Teton National Park. Our model predicting lek locations in Carbon County was a strong predictor of lek occurrence in that area (rs = 0.97), and when this model was projected onto Grand Teton National Park, the one known lek in the park was located in an area of very high probability for lek occurrence (>90% probability of lek occurrence). We also used this predictive surface to locate 1 unknown lek and 7 other locations in Grand Teton National Park used by Columbian Sharp-tailed Grouse as detected by fecal droppings, feathers, or birds flushed. Our methods demonstrated that a resource selection framework from one area can be used to predict lek and other occurrences in another area when these areas have similar vegetation compositions. Resumen. Muchas poblaciones norteamericanas de urogallos han disminuido en toda su área de distribución, la comprensión y evaluación de sus trayectorias poblacionales puede ayudar a gestionar mejor estas especies emblemáticas. El urogallo de cola afilada de Columbia (Tympanuchus phasianellus columbianus) es una subespecie de urogallo de cola afilada que ha disminuido en toda su área de distribución en el oeste intermontano durante el último siglo. La conservación de esta especie se centra principalmente en el hábitat alrededor de los leks. Por lo tanto, conocer la localización de los leks del urogallo de cola afilada de columbia es clave para su conservación. Utilizamos un marco de selección de recursos para predecir la presencia de leks en un área con múltiples leks conocidos en el condado de Carbon, Wyoming. Usamos este modelo para predecir la presencia de leks en un área con únicamente un lek conocido en el Parque Nacional Grand Teton. Nuestro modelo de predicción de la ubicación de lo leks en el condado de Carbon fue un fuerte predictor de la ocurrencia de leks en esa zona (rs = 0.97) y cuando este modelo se proyectó en el Parque Nacional Grand Teton, el único lek conocido en el Parque estaba situado en una zona de muy alta probabilidad de ocurrencia de leks (>90% de probabilidad de ocurrencia de leks). De igual forma, utilizamos esta superficie de predicción para localizar un lek desconocido y otras siete zonas utilizadas por el urogallo de cola a","PeriodicalId":49364,"journal":{"name":"Western North American Naturalist","volume":"64 1","pages":"409 - 416"},"PeriodicalIF":0.6,"publicationDate":"2022-06-20","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"80333774","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"环境科学与生态学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"A Molecular Taxonomy of Cottus in western North America","authors":"M. Young, Rebecca L. Smith, K. Pilgrim, D. Isaak, K. McKelvey, Sharon Parkes, J. Egge, M. Schwartz","doi":"10.3398/064.082.0208","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.3398/064.082.0208","url":null,"abstract":"Abstract. The taxonomy of sculpins (Cottus, Cottidae) remains one of the last major unresolved puzzles in the systematics of North American freshwater fishes. We used molecular approaches to identify candidate taxa and their distribution across western North America. We crowd-sourced the collection of specimens (n = 8272) via outreach to biologists in the western United States and Canada. From that collection, we sequenced—at up to 2 mitochondrial and 2 nuclear genes—a subset (n = 4009) of specimens from most basins in the western United States, added sequences from public sequence databases, and applied an array of species delimitation and specimen identification methods to assess phylogenetic and spatial patterns of diversity. Species delimitation methods, primarily relying on a conservative interpretation of the phylogenetic species concept, were broadly concordant and indicated that 43 candidate species were present. Some named taxa were unsupported, whereas others, if recognized, would violate the phylogenetic species concept. Specimen assignment was largely unambiguous and geographic distributions were consistent with phylogeographic patterns in other taxa. Our work establishes a benchmark for understanding the diversity of sculpin in western North America and suggests new species hypotheses both there and in eastern North America. Resumen. La taxonomía de los sculpins (Cottus, Cottidae) sigue siendo uno de los últimos grandes rompecabezas sin resolver en la sistemática de los peces de agua dulce de Norteamérica. Utilizamos métodos moleculares para identificar los taxones candidatos y su distribución en el oeste de Norteamérica. Recolectamos especímenes (n = 8272) a través de una campaña de divulgación entre biólogos del oeste de Estados Unidos y Canadá. A partir de esa colección, secuenciamos hasta 2 genes mitocondriales y 2 nucleares de un subconjunto (n = 4009) de especímenes, pertenecientes a la mayoría de las cuencas del oeste de Estados Unidos. Adicionalmente, añadimos secuencias de bases de datos de secuencias públicas y aplicamos una serie de métodos de delimitación de especies e identificación de especímenes para evaluar los patrones filogenéticos y espaciales de diversidad. Los métodos de delimitación de especies basados principalmente en una interpretación conservadora del concepto filogenético de especie, fueron ampliamente concordantes e indicaron la presencia de 43 especies candidatas. Algunos de los taxones nombrados no estaban respaldados, mientras que otros, de ser reconocidos, violarían el concepto filogenético de especie. La asignación de especímenes fue en gran medida inequívoca y las distribuciones geográficas fueron coherentes con los patrones filogeográficos de otros taxones. Nuestro trabajo establece un punto de referencia para entender la diversidad de peces Cottus en el oeste de Norteamérica y sugiere nuevas hipótesis de especies tanto allí como en el este de Norteamérica.","PeriodicalId":49364,"journal":{"name":"Western North American Naturalist","volume":"50 1","pages":"307 - 345"},"PeriodicalIF":0.6,"publicationDate":"2022-06-10","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"72533741","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"环境科学与生态学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Relative Influence of Precipitation and Grazing on a Salt Desert Shrub Plant Community","authors":"C. Stonecipher, E. Thacker, M. Ralphs","doi":"10.3398/064.082.0203","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.3398/064.082.0203","url":null,"abstract":"Abstract. Long-term vegetation monitoring is essential to understanding plant responses to both climate and grazing. The objective of this study was to monitor the long-term effects of precipitation on vegetation changes within a salt desert shrub plant community and determine whether grazing by livestock altered the vegetation during this time. The study was located within the Colorado Plateau in southern Utah. Two sites were selected. One exclosure was constructed at each site, and foliar cover was measured inside and outside the exclosure to separate the effect of grazing from precipitation on vegetation change over a 30-year period. Shrubs were the dominant vegetative cover at the start of the study, with the invasive shrub Gutierrezia sarothrae being the dominant shrub accounting for 53% of total plant cover. As the invasive shrub died out due to drought, native shrub cover as well as C4 grass cover increased. Native shrub cover displayed positive correlations with current winter and cool-season precipitation. C4 grass cover displayed positive correlation with cool-season precipitation. Winter and spring grazing at moderate stocking rates were not detrimental to these desert plant communities. Climatic conditions were the dominant influence on vegetation. Resumen. El seguimiento a largo plazo de la vegetación es esencial para comprender las respuestas de las plantas tanto al clima como al pastoreo. El objetivo de este estudio fue supervisar los efectos a largo plazo de la precipitación en los cambios de la vegetación dentro de una comunidad de arbustos del desierto de sal y determinar si el pastoreo por parte del ganado alteró la vegetación durante este tiempo. El estudio se llevo a cabo en dos lugares seleccionados dentro de la Meseta del Colorado, en el sur de Utah. Se construyó un recinto en cada lugar y se midió la cobertura foliar dentro y fuera del recinto para separar entre el efecto del pastoreo y de la precipitación, en el cambio de la vegetación durante un periodo de 30 años. Al inicio del estudio, la cubierta vegetal dominante eran los arbustos, y el arbusto invasor, Gutierrezia sarothrae, era el arbusto dominante con un 53% de la cubierta vegetal total. A medida que el arbusto invasor se extinguió debido a la sequía, la cobertura de arbustos nativos aumentó, así como, la cobertura de hierba C4. La cobertura de arbustos nativos mostró correlaciones positivas con la precipitación actual de invierno y de la estación fría. La cubierta de hierba C4 mostró una correlación positiva con las precipitaciones de la estación fría. El pastoreo de inverno y primavera con tasas moderadas de ganado no fue perjudicial para estas comunidades vegetales desérticas. Las condiciones climáticas fueron la influencia dominante en la vegetación.","PeriodicalId":49364,"journal":{"name":"Western North American Naturalist","volume":"24 1","pages":"245 - 253"},"PeriodicalIF":0.6,"publicationDate":"2022-06-09","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"83228928","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"环境科学与生态学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Monitoring Whitebark Pine Stand Health in the Central Washington Cascades","authors":"Nancy H. Parra, Teresa J. Lorenz, Taza D. Schaming, Alison Scoville","doi":"10.3398/064.082.0213","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.3398/064.082.0213","url":null,"abstract":"Abstract. Whitebark pine (Pinus albicaulis) plays a vital role in colonizing newly disturbed areas, providing shade for other tree species to germinate, and supplying food for a variety of birds and mammals, such as Clark's Nutcrackers (Nucifraga columbiana) and grizzly bears (Ursus arctos horribilis). Decline of whitebark pine populations has been attributed to several factors, including white pine blister rust (Cronartium ribicola), mountain pine beetle (Dendroctonus ponderosae) outbreaks, and fire exclusion. In 2009, the U.S. Forest Service began to install permanent plots in whitebark pine stands in Washington and Oregon as part of a Pacific Northwest restoration strategy to track blister rust and mountain pine beetle mortality. Forest Service crews conducted surveys on these plots that included standard tree inventory measurements and assessments of blister rust, mountain pine beetle, and fire activity. During summer 2020/2021, we remeasured 12 of these plots located in 3 areas of the Okanogan–Wenatchee National Forest (Mission Ridge, Clover Springs, and Lake Ann) and 1 area within the Ahtanum State Forest (Darland Mountain). On average, 15% of trees were newly infected by blister rust, 5% of trees died from blister rust, and 12.6% died from all causes combined in the 11–12 years between surveys. Despite this, the density of live whitebark pine trees experienced a nonsignificant increase due to regeneration, while the density of whitebark pine snags increased significantly and the density of whitebark pine seedlings decreased significantly. The percentages of trees with blister rust infection, seedlings with blister rust infection, and live trees with mountain pine beetle damage were heterogeneous over space and time. Our results help quantify parameters that are central to understanding the population dynamics of whitebark pine in the Pacific Northwest and informing management decisions, but the findings should be interpreted in light of the limited sample size and spatial extent of our data. Regular monitoring of a wider array of permanent whitebark pine plots will be critical to management of this tree species. Resumen. El pino blanco (Pinus albicaulis) desempeña un papel fundamental en la colonización de zonas recién perturbadas, proporcionando sombra para la germinación de otras especies arbóreas y suministrando alimento a diversas aves y mamíferos, tales como el cascanueces de Clark (Nucifraga columbiana) y el oso pardo (Ursus arctos horribilis). El declive de las poblaciones de pino blanco se ha atribuido a varios factores, como la roya del pino blanco (Cronartium ribicola), los brotes del escarabajo del pino de montaña (Dendroctonus ponderosae) e incendios. En 2009, el Servicio Forestal de EE.UU. comenzó a instalar parcelas permanentes en rodales de pino blanco en Washington y Oregón como parte de una estrategia de restauración del noroeste del Pacífico para hacer un seguimiento de C. ribicola y la mortalidad del escarabajo del pino ","PeriodicalId":49364,"journal":{"name":"Western North American Naturalist","volume":"78 1","pages":"398 - 408"},"PeriodicalIF":0.6,"publicationDate":"2022-06-08","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"83736832","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"环境科学与生态学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Baseline Biodiversity Assessment of South Texas Small Mammals and Host-Associated Hard Ticks with No Detection of Selected Tick-Borne Pathogens","authors":"A. Galán, S. Hamer, Hunter A. Folmar, T. Campbell, J. Light","doi":"10.3398/064.082.0204","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.3398/064.082.0204","url":null,"abstract":"Abstract. Baseline biodiversity surveys are necessary to assess organismal diversity across spatial and temporal scales. These surveys can be particularly useful for monitoring changes in organismal diversity and pathogen spread in response to climate change. Arthropod vectors such as ticks are susceptible to geographic range shifts with a warming climate, potentially resulting in the expansion of risk areas for vector-borne disease. Biodiversity data are deficient from South Texas, which is particularly concerning given the abundance of wildlife and livestock that may be important in perpetuating tick and pathogen populations. We performed a baseline biodiversity assessment of small mammals, ticks, and tick-borne pathogens in South Texas using a combination of fieldwork, collections-based research, and molecular approaches. We recorded 19 species of small mammals and 3 species of ticks, and we detected no tick-borne pathogens belonging to the genera Borrelia or Rickettsia in the ticks or mammals. Given the continued emergence of tick-borne disease, we recommend collaborations with natural history collections and private landowners interested in land stewardship so researchers can develop a better understanding of changing small mammal, tick, and pathogen diversity with implications for human and veterinary health in this region of Texas. Resumen. Los estudios de biodiversidad son necesarios para evaluar la diversidad de organismos a través de escalas espaciales y temporales. Estas evaluaciones pueden ser particularmente útiles para el monitoreo de cambios en la diversidad de organismos y la propagación de patógenos en respuesta al cambio climático. Los artrópodos vectores, como las garrapatas, son susceptibles a cambiar su rango geográfico con un clima más cálido, resultando potencialmente en la expansión de áreas de riesgo para las enfermedades transmitidas por vectores. Los datos de biodiversidad para el sur de Texas son deficientes, lo que es particularmente preocupante dada la abundancia de vida silvestre y ganado, ya que pueden ser importantes en el mantenimiento de poblaciones de garrapatas y patógenos. Se llevo a cabo un estudio de biodiversidad de pequeños mamíferos, garrapatas y patógenos transmitidos por garrapatas en el sur de Texas, combinando trabajo de campo, material de colecciones y técnicas moleculares. Registramos 19 especies de mamíferos pequeños y 3 especies de garrapatas y no detectamos patógenos transmitidos por garrapatas pertenecientes a los géneros Borrelia o Rickettsia en las garrapatas o mamíferos. Debido a la continua aparición de enfermedades transmitidas por garrapatas, recomendamos hacer colaboraciones con colecciones de museos y dueños de propiedades privadas interesados en la administración de terrenos. Esto permitirá que los investigadores desarrollen estudios para entender mejor la diversidad cambiante de mamíferos, garrapatas y patógenos con implicaciones en la salud humana y veterinaria en esta región de Texa","PeriodicalId":49364,"journal":{"name":"Western North American Naturalist","volume":"23 1","pages":"254 - 270"},"PeriodicalIF":0.6,"publicationDate":"2022-06-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"91365961","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"环境科学与生态学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Mite Infestation of Two Species of Xenosaurus (Squamata: Xenosauridae) from Contrasting Environments","authors":"Jonhatan Olvera-Arrieta, Geoffrey R. Smith, G. Woolrich-Piña, J. Lemos‐Espinal, H. Gadsden","doi":"10.3398/064.082.0215","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.3398/064.082.0215","url":null,"abstract":"Abstract. Mite prevalence and load can vary among populations and species of lizards. We report on chigger mite (Eutrombicula alfreddugesi) prevalence and load in a temperate population of Xenosaurus fractus and a subtropical population of Xenosaurus rectocollaris. Mites were more prevalent and found in greater numbers (i.e., higher load) on X. rectocollaris than on X. fractus. Mite load in both species did not differ between July/August and October/November. Differences in mite load and prevalence among populations and species of Xenosaurus from different types of environment suggest that more study is needed to understand how environmental factors affect mite infestation in crevice-dwelling Xenosaurus. Resumen. La prevalencia y abundancia de ácaros puede variar entre poblaciones y especies de lagartijas. Aquí reportamos la prevalencia y abundancia de ácaros (Eutrombicula alfreddugesi) de una población templada de Xenosaurus fractus y una población subtropical de Xenosaurus rectocollaris. Los ácaros fueron más prevalentes y se encontraron en mayor número (es decir, mayor carga) en X. rectocollaris que en X. fractus. La abundancia de ácaros no difirió entre julio/agosto y octubre/noviembre en ambas especies. Las diferencias en la carga de ácaros y la prevalencia entre las poblaciones y especies de Xenosaurus de diferentes tipos de entorno sugieren que se necesitan más estudios para comprender cómo los factores ambientales afectan la infestación de ácaros en Xenosaurus que habita en grietas.","PeriodicalId":49364,"journal":{"name":"Western North American Naturalist","volume":"42 1","pages":"417 - 420"},"PeriodicalIF":0.6,"publicationDate":"2022-05-18","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"90889289","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"环境科学与生态学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Integrative Biodiversity Inventories: Characterizing Lichen-Forming Fungal Diversity in Glen Canyon National Recreation Area Using DNA Barcoding and Vouchered Specimens","authors":"Isaac A. Munger, Mikele Baugh, Jacob R. Henrie, J. Hollinger, Robin Crepeau, S. Leavitt","doi":"10.3398/064.082.0201","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.3398/064.082.0201","url":null,"abstract":"Abstract. The Colorado River and its tributaries on the Colorado Plateau are home to unique desert river ecosystems and changing environmental conditions. Within this region, the Glen Canyon National Recreation Area (GCNRA) is composed of rugged, high desert terrain and is managed by the United States National Park Service as both a recreational and conservation area. Despite the ecological and economic importance of GCNRA, significant components of the ecological communities therein remain poorly characterized, including lichens. Accurately characterizing lichen-forming fungal diversity is challenging due to poorly known taxonomic groups, underexplored regions/habitats, and varying interpretations of morphological differences, including the recognition of environmentally modified forms. To better understand lichen diversity in GCNRA, we used an integrative taxonomic approach, incorporating both traditional morphology-based identification and information from the standard fungal DNA barcoding marker, the ITS, to compile a thorough inventory of lichen-forming fungi in Fifty-Mile Canyon. Vouchered lichen specimens were collected in 2019, and from these the ITS marker was sequenced. Candidate species-level lineages were delimited from family-level multiple sequence alignments using the Assemble Species by Automatic Partitioning web server. Specimens comprising DNA-based candidate species were then evaluated using traditional taxonomically diagnostic characters to link these, where possible, to currently described species. For Fifty-Mile Canyon, we document 100 putative species in 15 families, each represented by vouchered specimens, ITS sequence data, and photographic documentation. For comparison, a survey of historic records from GCNRA revealed a total of 124 documented lichen-forming fungal species throughout the NRA and adjacent land. Approximately 50% of the species documented in Fifty-Mile Canyon had not previously been found in GCNRA, and similar proportions of species diversity have been documented in GCNRA but not observed in our survey. We report 3 species new to North America—Calogaya ferrugineoides (H. Magn.) Arup, Frödén & Søchting, Endocarpon deserticola T. Zhang, X.L. Wei & J.C. Wei, and Xanthocarpia ferrarii (Bagl.) Frödén, Arup & Søchting—verified using ITS sequencing data. In addition, Circinaria squamulosa sp. nov. is formally described here, currently known only from sandstone slabs in Fifty-Mile Canyon. However, the taxonomic identity of many of the candidate species from Fifty-Mile Canyon remained ambiguous at the species level, and some collections likely represent undescribed species-level lineages. Our results revealed unexpected, high species-level diversity of lichen-forming fungi at local scales and that overall lichen diversity across the entire GCNRA is likely vastly undercounted. These data—including DNA barcodes for the vast majority of lichen-forming fungi occurring in this canyon—provide an important resource that c","PeriodicalId":49364,"journal":{"name":"Western North American Naturalist","volume":"2013 1","pages":"213 - 233"},"PeriodicalIF":0.6,"publicationDate":"2022-04-19","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"74077618","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"环境科学与生态学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}