Marmota caligata (Rodentia: Sciuridae).

Mammalian Species 43 (884):155-171.

Abstract:

Marmota caligata (Eschscholtz, 1829), a large ground squirrel commonly called the hoary marmot, is 1 of 15 species of extant marmots. It is distributed in western North America from Alaska and Canada south to Washington and Montana and is found at elevations ranging from sea level to 2,500 m . M . caligata prefers alpine and subalpine boulder piles and talus slopes surrounded by meadows. The species is listed as "Least Concern" by the International Union for Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources, although populations of Montague Island and Glacier Bay are of conservation concern by the State of Alaska.

braun-biblio

Cranial morphometric and evolutionary relationships in the northern range of Ovis canadensis.

J. of Mammalogy, 81(1):145-161 (2000). https://doi.org/10.1644/1545-1542(2000)081<0145:CMAERI>2.0.CO;2

Abstract:

Univariate and multivariate statistical methods were used to examine geographic variation in skull and horn characters of 694 bighorn sheep (Ovis canadensis) specimens from the Great Basin north to British Columbia and Alberta to test previous taxonomic hypotheses. Substantially more morphometric variation in skull and horn size and shape was found west of the Rocky Mountains than within the Rocky Mountains. Our results did not support the recognition of Audubon's bighorn sheep (O. c. auduboni) as a subspecies separate from Rocky Mountain bighorn sheep (O. c. canadensis). California bighorn sheep (O. c. californiana) from Washington and British Columbia were not distinguishable from Rocky Mountain bighorn sheep but differed notably from populations in the Sierra Nevada considered part of that subspecies. Extirpated native populations from northeastern California, Oregon, and southwestern Idaho, also considered to be O. c. californiana, shared with Nelson bighorn sheep (O. c. nelsoni) from the Great Basin desert a horn-related character that distinguished them from Rocky Mountain bighorn sheep. Bighorn sheep from the Sierra Nevada were found to be distinguishable from those of the adjacent Great Basin region. Our morphometric results were concordant in geographic patterns with mtDNA data. We synonymize O. c. auduboni with O. c. canadensis. We also assign extant and extinct native populations of O. c. californiana from British Columbia and Washington to O. c. canadensis. Finally, we assign the extinct native populations of O. c. californiana from Oregon, southwestern Idaho, northern Nevada, and northeastern California to the Great Basin Desert form of O. c. nelsoni, recognizing that some transition to Rocky Mountain bighorn sheep probably occurred along that northern boundary. With these taxonomic revisions, the range of O. c. californiana includes only the central and southern Sierra Nevada.

wehausen-biblio

Current Status and Distribution of the Black-bellied Whistling Duck (Dendrocygna autumnalis) in Georgia.

The Oriole 77: 81-84

Zusammenfassung

One hundred seventy-seven species were confirmed breeding in Georgia during the Breeding Bird Atlas project (Schneider et al. 2010).  Since completion of the Atlas data collection in 2001, the Black-bellied Whistling Duck (BBWD; Dendrocygna autumnalis) has become a confirmed breeder in the state, and is expanding its range throughout the state. Georgia’s BBWD population appears to be a natural expansion of Florida’s well-established BBWD population. In concert with this species’ range expansion into Georgia, it was first detected in South Carolina in 1994 and has bred there since 2003 (Harrigal and Cely 2004). The current range expansion in the southeastern U.S. seems to be synonymous with its ongoing range expansion in the southwestern U.S. (James and Thompson 2001). This year (2013), sightings have occurred as far north in the U.S. as Delaware.

balkcom-biblio

The Extermination of the American Bison.

179 Seiten und 22 Bildtafeln. Washington, 1889

Volltext (Projekt Guttenberg): eBook

Einleitung:

It is hoped that the following historical account of the discovery, partial utilization, and almost complete extermination of the great American bison may serve to cause the public to fully realize the folly of allowing all our most valuable and interesting American mammals to be wantonly destroyed in the same manner. The wild buffalo is practically gone forever, and in a few more years, when the whitened bones of the last bleaching skeleton shall have been picked up and shipped East for commercial uses, nothing will remain of him save his old, well-worn trails along the water-courses, a few museum specimens, and regret for his fate. If his untimely end fails even to point a moral that shall benefit the surviving species of mammals which are now being slaughtered in like manner, it will be sad indeed.

Although Bison americanus is a true bison, according to scientific classification, and not a buffalo, the fact that more than sixty millions of people in this country unite in calling him a “buffalo,” and know him by no other name, renders it quite unnecessary for me to apologize for following, in part, a harmless custom which has now become so universal that all the naturalists in the world could not change it if they would.

hornaday-biblio

Reproduction, Growth and Development in Captive Beluga (Delphinapterus leucas).

Zoo Biology 24 (1): 29-49.
https://doi.org/10.1002/zoo.20037

Abstract:

Recent success propagating captive beluga has resulted from combined efforts by North American zoos and aquariums to manage disparate collections as a single population. This success has provided a tremendous opportunity to increase our understanding of beluga reproductive biology. Blood samples were collected on a weekly to biweekly basis from 23 female and 12 male beluga, ranging in age from 2–15 years, for analysis of serum progesterone (P) and testosterone (T), respectively. Peri‐parturient observational data, including food intake, duration and signs of labor, and nursing patterns were collected from 15 days prepartum to 30 days postpartum during 21 births. Total body lengths and weights were collected from 10 captive‐born beluga. For female beluga, the mean (±SD) age, body length, and weight at first conceptions were 9.1±2.8 years, 318.0±9.1 cm, and 519±84 kg. Thirty‐five luteal phases and 13 conceptions were detected from January–June, and 70% of luteal phases and 80% conceptions occurred from March–May. The mean luteal phase and total estrous cycle lengths were 30.0±6.5 days and 48.0±4.6 days, respectively. For male beluga, the mean age that males sired their first calf was 13.3±2.6 years. Compared to younger males (<8 years of age, 0.95 ng/ml), levels of T secretion in older males (>8 years of age, 5.0 ng/ml) were elevated significantly only during the interval from January–April. Highest T concentrations (6.2±4.9 ng/ml) were recorded from January–March, whereas nadir concentrations (1.1±1.0 ng/ml) were detected from August–September. The mean gestation length was 475.0±20.4 days (n=9). For parturition, the mean time from the first appearance of fluke or rostrum to delivery, delivery to placental passage, and delivery to nursing were 4.4±2.9 hr, 7.6±1.8 hr, and 43±45 hr, respectively. All cows had decreased food intake on the day of delivery, with 44% having zero intake. Peak 24‐hr nursing activity occurred 3.9±2.7 days post‐partum. Growth (i.e., body weight and length) as a function of age were well described by the Gompertz model (r2=0.91, 0.93). Based on the model, growth in body weight and length were significantly greater in males compared to females. Predicted birth weight (88.9 kg) was similar for both sexes, however, and male calves were predicted to be shorter (154.3 cm) than female calves (160.7 cm). The results provide the first descriptions of captive beluga reproductive physiology, including endocrinology, peri‐parturient behavior, growth, and reproductive maturity. This knowledge is important for helping to maintain genetically diverse, self‐sustaining populations of captive beluga whales. Zoo Biol 24:29–49, 2005. © 2005 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.

robeck-biblio

Tierart- und erregerspezifische Maßnahmen zur Optimierung des Gesundheitsmanagements für nordamerikanische Säugetiere in Zoologischen Gärten.

Vet.med. Diss Hannover.

Wissenschaftliche Betreuung : Prof. Dr. Michael Böer, Institut für Tierhygiene, Tierschutz und Nutztierethologie

312 Seiten.

Ziel der Arbeit war es, durch Auswertung von 5389 Untersuchungsfällen bei acht nordamerikanischen Tierarten in Zoologischen Gärten, ergänzt durch entsprechende Literaturstudien, die wichtigsten bakteriologischen, parasitologischen und virologischen Infektionserreger zu bestimmen, um entsprechende tiermedizinische Überwachungs – und Kontrollprogramme zu optimieren.

Mit den Ergebnissen der Literaturstudie lassen sich bedeutende Erreger bei den untersuchten Tierarten eingrenzen. Häufig traten verschiedene Enterobacteriaceae, bei Wölfen, Luchsen und Elchen auch Salmonellainfektionen, auf. Ebenfalls zahlreich waren Clostridien, Brucellainfektionen und Leptospirosen, bei Robben auch Streptokokkeninfektionen dokumentiert. Dominierende parasitäre Infektionen waren durch Askaridoidea, Ankylostomatoidea, Strongyloidea, Tricho- und Metastrongyloidea sowie Trichuris bei den Elchen induziert. Cestodainfektionen waren vor allem bei Luchs und Wolf, Trematodanachweise bei Bibern und Wölfen beschrieben. Zu den bedeutenden in der Literatur genannten Virusinfektionen zählen vor allem Distempervirusinfektionen. Ebenfalls häufig traten Parvo – und Tollwutvirusinfektionen auf. Bei den Hirschen dominierten Infektionen mit Erregern des Katarrhalfiebers, der Bovinen Virusdiarrhoe sowie mit dem Bovinen Herpesvirus 1.

Die Auswertung der 5389 Untersuchungsfälle zeigte, dass bei allen acht beteiligten Tierarten Vertreter der Enterobacteriaceae in großer Zahl den größten Anteil der nachgewiesenen Bakterien ausmachten. Ebenfalls häufig waren Streptokokken und Clostridien dokumentiert. Ähnlich den Ergebnissen der Literaturstudie wurden Askaridoidea und Trichuris (bei den Elchen) als wichtige parasitologische Erreger identifiziert. Staupevirusinfektionen traten am häufigsten bei Robben auf, Parvovirusinfektionen bei Wölfen und Luchsen. Das Virus der Bovinen Virusdiarrhoe wurde für beide Hirscharten nachgewiesen. Bei Elchen wurden Infektionen mit einem Erreger des Katarrhalfiebers, bei Rentieren mit dem Bovinen Herpesvirus 1 und Rotaviren dokumentiert. Für Biber besaßen Virusinfektionen eine untergeordnete Bedeutung, für Bären erfolgte in keinem Untersuchungsfall ein positiver Virusnachweis.

markowski-biblio

Discovery of South American suckermouth armored catfishes (Loricariidae, Pterygoplichthys spp.) in the Santa Fe River drainage, Suwannee River basin, USA.

BioInvasions Records (2012) Volume 1, Issue 3: 179–200
doi:  http://dx.doi.org/10.3391/bir.2012.1.3.04

Abstract:

We report on the occurrence of South American suckermouth armored catfishes (Loricariidae) in the Suwannee River basin, southeastern USA. Over the past few years (2009-2012), loricariid catfishes have been observed at various sites in the Santa Fe River drainage, a major tributary of the Suwannee in the state of Florida. Similar to other introduced populations of Pterygoplichthys, there is high likelihood of hybridization. To date, we have captured nine specimens (270-585 mm, standard length) in the Santa Fe River drainage. One specimen taken from Poe Spring best agrees with Pterygoplichthys gibbiceps (Kner, 1854) or may be a hybrid with either P. pardalis or P. disjunctivus. The other specimens were taken from several sites in the drainage and include seven that best agree with Pterygoplichthys disjunctivus (Weber, 1991); and one a possible P. disjunctivus × P. pardalis hybrid. We observed additional individuals, either these or similar appearing loricariids, in Hornsby and Poe springs and at various sites upstream and downstream of the long (> 4 km) subterranean portion of the Santa Fe River. These specimens represent the first confirmed records of Pterygoplichthys in the Suwannee River basin. The P. gibbiceps specimen represents the first documented record of an adult or near adult of this species in open waters of North America. Pterygoplichthys disjunctivus or its hybrids (perhaps hybrid swarms) are already abundant and widespread in other parts of peninsular Florida, but the Santa Fe River represents a northern extension of the catfish in the state. Pterygoplichthys are still relatively uncommon in the Santa Fe drainage and successful reproduction not yet documented. However, in May 2012 we captured five adult catfish (two mature or maturing males and three gravid females) from a single riverine swallet pool. One male was stationed at a nest burrow (no eggs present). To survive the occasional harsh Florida winters, these South American catfish apparently use artesian springs as thermal refugia. In the Santa Fe River, eradication might be possible during cold periods when catfish congregate in spring habitats. However, should Pterygoplichthys increase in number and disperse more widely, the opportunity to eliminate them from the drainage will pass.

Discovery of South American suckermouth armored catfishes (Loricariidae, Pterygoplichthys spp.) in the Santa Fe River drainage, Suwannee River basin, USA (PDF Download Available). Available from: https://www.researchgate.net/publication/264375985_Discovery_of_South_American_suckermouth_armored_catfishes_Loricariidae_Pterygoplichthys_spp_in_the_Santa_Fe_River_drainage_Suwannee_River_basin_USA [accessed Feb 28 2018].

American Crocodile - Crocodylus acutus.

In: Crocodiles.Status Survey and Conservation Action Plan: 46-52.
Third Edition, ed. by S.C. Manolis and C. Stevenson. Crocodile Specialist Group: Darwin

Aus dem Inhalt:

The American crocodile is the most widely distributed of the New World crocodiles, ranging from the southern tip of Florida, along both the Atlantic and Pacifi c coasts of southern Mexico, Central America, and northern South America, as well
as the Caribbean islands of Cuba, Jamaica, and Hispaniola. The habitat of C.  acutus consists largely of brackish water coastal habitats such as the saltwater sections of rivers, coastal lagoons, and mangrove swamps. However, populations are
known from freshwater areas located well inland, including a number of reservoirs. A signifi cant population is known from Lago Enriquillo, a landlocked hypersaline lake situated 40 m below sea level in the arid southwestern Dominican Republic.

On some new species freshwater tortoises from North America, Ceylon and Australia.

Ann. Mag. Nat. Hist. (2) 18: 263-268.

Inhalt:

In dem Artikel werden v erschiedene Gattungen revidiert, so etwa Pseudemys von emys getrennt und verschiedene neue Arten beschrieben, darunter Chelodina colliei und Chelodina sulcata

North American Recent Soft-shelled Turtles (Family  Trionychidae)

University of Kansas Publications, Museum of Natural History 13 (10): 429-611.

Summary (Auszug):

In North America, soft-shelled turtles (genus Trionyx) occur in northern México, the eastern two-thirds of the United States, and extreme southeastern Canada. The genus fits the well-known Sino-American distributional pattern. In North America there are four species. Three (ferox, spinifer and muticus) are well-differentiated [591] and one (ater) is not well-differentiated from spinifer. Characters of taxonomic worth are provided by the following: size; proportions of snout, head and shell; pattern on carapace, snout, side of head, and limbs; tuberculation; sizes of parts of skull; number of parts of carapaces; and, shape and number of some parts of plastra. Many features show geographical gradients or clines. T. ferox is the largest species and muticus is the smallest. Females of all species are larger than males. With increasing size of individual, the juvenal pattern is replaced by a mottled and blotched pattern in females of all species; adult males of spinifer retain a conspicuous juvenal pattern, whereas the juvenal pattern is sometimes obscured or lost on those of ferox and muticus. The elongation of the preanal region in all males, and the acquisition of a "sandpapery" carapace in males of spinifer occur at sexual maturity. There is a marked secondary sexual difference in coloration in a population of T. s. emoryi (side of head bright orange in males and yellow in females). The sex of many hatchlings of T. s. asper can be distinguished by the pattern on the carapace. Slight ontogenetic variation occurs in some proportional measurements. Large skulls of ferox and some asper (those in Atlantic Coast drainages) have expanded crushing surfaces on the jaws. Considering osteological characters, muticus is most distinct; there is less difference between ferox and spinifer than between those species and muticus.