Copyright (c) 2013 Southern Illinois University Carbondale All rights reserved. http://opensiuc.lib.siu.edu/zool_pubs Recent documents in Publications en-us Sun, 27 Jan 2013 00:41:01 PST 3600 http://opensiuc.lib.siu.edu/zool_pubs/59 http://opensiuc.lib.siu.edu/zool_pubs/59 Thu, 10 Jan 2013 13:51:06 PST We report the distribution of 2 species of filarioid nematodes occurring in different hosts in the central region of South America. Molinema boliviensis n. sp. was recorded as a parasite of sigmodontine and echymyid rodents in Bolivia, and Litomosoides esslingeri was recorded in sigmodontine and ctenomyid rodents from Bolivia and Argentina. Molinema boliviensis n. sp. shares several similarities with other species reported in spiny rats; however, it can be easily differentiated by the presence of a flat anterior end, gradually tapering lappets and a tubercle present in posterior end, a short, uniform buccal capsule, an oval-shaped vagina vera, and a ratio of spicules of 1:1.44. An account for the morphological variability of L. esslingeri is presented that allows the identification of the buccal capsule, the tail tip in females, and the shape of spicules as reliable diagnostic traits. A complete set of head papillae is also described. The finding of these parasites in phylogenetically unrelated hosts suggests that host capture may be a frequent phenomenon in these filarioids. Researchers should focus efforts in surveying mammals within the same ecological guild to understand the distribution and host specificity of these nematodes.

]]> Juliana Notarnicola et al. http://opensiuc.lib.siu.edu/zool_pubs/58 http://opensiuc.lib.siu.edu/zool_pubs/58 Thu, 10 Jan 2013 13:51:04 PST The Great American Interchange resulted in the mixing of faunistic groups with different origins and evolutionary trajectories that underwent rapid diversification in North and South America. As a result, groups of animals of recent arrival converged into similar habits and formed ecological guilds with some of the endemics. We present a reconstruction of the evolutionary events in Aspidoderidae, a family of nematodes that infect mammals that are part of this interchange, i.e., dasypodids, opossums, and sigmodontine, geomyid, and hystricognath rodents. By treating hosts as discrete states of character and using parsimony and Bayesian inferences to optimize these traits into the phylogeny of Aspidoderidae, we reconstructed Dasypodidae (armadillos) as the synapomorphic host for the family. In addition, 4 events of host switching were detected. One consisted of the switch from dasypodids to hystricognath rodents, and subsequently to geomyid rodents. The remaining set of events consisted of a switch from dasypodids to didelphid marsupials and then to sigmodontine rodents. The reconstruction of the ancestral distribution suggests 3 events of dispersal into the Nearctic. Two of these invasions would suggest that 2 different lineages of dasypodid parasites entered the Northern Hemisphere at different times, which is consistent with the presence of 2 lineages of armadillos in Mexico.

]]> F Agustin Jimenez-Ruiz et al. http://opensiuc.lib.siu.edu/zool_pubs/57 http://opensiuc.lib.siu.edu/zool_pubs/57 Mon, 17 Sep 2012 08:01:16 PDT Correlative and process-based approaches to describing the ecological niche in a spatially explicit fashion have often been compared in an adversarial framework. We sought to compare niche models developed via classic (correlative only), niche (process-based information), and hybridized (correlative augmented with process-based derived information) approaches, with the goal of determining if the added effort of process-based model development yielded better model fit. Correlative data layers (i.e., habitat models) included vegetation community types, Euclidean distance statistics, neighborhood analyses, and topographically-derived information. Mechanistic data layers were estimates of thermal suitability derived from field-collected datasets and biophysical calculations, and estimates of prey biomass interpolated from monitoring stations. We applied these models at high resolution (1 m × 1 m pixel size) to habitat occupied by a population of Texas horned lizards (Phrynosoma cornutum) located in central Oklahoma. Results suggested that our treatment of process-based information offered dramatically better identification of suitable habitat when compared to correlative information, but that these results were likely due to low variability of niche variable pixel values. Niche layers nearly perfectly predicted lizard locations; the interpretation of these results suggest that lizards occupy habitat based on thermal suitability over the duration of a field season. Given the low variability observed in thermal suitability layers, we question the ecological reality of these predictions. Correlative models may accurately describe the niche at small spatial scales, and may suffice in situations where time and financial resources are limiting constraints on project goals. Process-based information continues to be an important part of the niche, and may offer additional predictive accuracy via correlative approaches when included in an ecologically meaningful context.

]]> Victor Bogosian III et al. http://opensiuc.lib.siu.edu/zool_pubs/56 http://opensiuc.lib.siu.edu/zool_pubs/56 Mon, 17 Sep 2012 08:01:15 PDT Sexual dimorphism is common in polygynous species, and there is clear evidence that both intra-sexual competition and female preferences can drive the evolution of large body size in males. In contrast, sexual monomorphism is often argued to reflect a relaxation of male mate competition or an intensification of resource competition among females. Alternatively, it might imply opportunities for females to circumvent or counteract male mate competition in a polygynandrous mating system. We test the prediction that sexual monorphism is associated with polygynandry in the collared peccary (Pecari tajacu, Tayassuidae), a social ungulate closely related to the old-world suids. The genetic mating system in the Tayassuidae is unknown, but its sexual monomorphism presents a striking contrast to the strong size dimorphism found in most Suidae, so that a departure from the polygynous system common in Suidae would be noteworthy. We characterized genetic relationships among adults within herds in three geographically distinct populations, assigned parents to 75 offspring, and tested for skew in individual reproductive success. Parentage assignment data indicated that multiple males sire offspring within a herd, and in the population for which genetic data were most complete, 19% of parentage assignments were potentially sired by extra-herd males. Some litters have multiple sires, and neither males nor females monopolized reproduction, even in small herds. This result supports our prediction and suggests that sexual monomorphism may either select for or be an evolutionary consequence of a promiscuous mating system.

]]> Jennifer Daniel Cooper et al. http://opensiuc.lib.siu.edu/zool_pubs/55 http://opensiuc.lib.siu.edu/zool_pubs/55 Fri, 14 Sep 2012 08:07:29 PDT Urban-adapter species facultatively exploit human-subsidized resources in the urban and suburban matrix. We used the woodchuck (Marmota monax) to study how aspects of autecology in an urban-adapter can vary across a gradient of urbanization. We captured and monitored woodchucks by radiotelemetry in southern Illinois from summer 2007 to spring 2009. We captured 47 woodchucks (19 adults, 19 yearlings, 8 young-of-the-year) during the active seasons, and implanted radiotransmitters in 17 adults and 3 yearlings (13 F, 7 M). Overall annual survival was estimated to be 0.76 ± 0.12, with three confirmed mortalities during the study period. Survival and home-range size did not vary by % urban landcover in a buffer surrounding an individual's home range. Habitat-selection analyses indicated that rural edge was the highest-ranked habitat at the home-range scale, whereas urban cover (specifically, developed areas with human structures) was most highly ranked at the within-home-range scale. Body condition was negatively related to % urban landcover. Overall, our findings indicated no clear relationship between woodchuck ecology and urbanization level within our study area. However, our data on body condition and adipose composition, although preliminary, suggested a possible mechanism for variation in overwinter survival across the urban-rural gradient.

]]> Eric C. Hellgren et al. http://opensiuc.lib.siu.edu/zool_pubs/54 http://opensiuc.lib.siu.edu/zool_pubs/54 Fri, 14 Sep 2012 07:47:56 PDT Woody plant encroachment is a worldwide phenomenon in grassland and savanna systems whose consequence is often the development of an alternate woodland state. Theoretically, an alternate state may be associated with changes in system state variables (e. g., species composition) or abiotic parameter shifts (e. g., nutrient availability). When state-variable changes are cumulative, such as in woody plant encroachment, the probability of parameter shifts increases as system feedbacks intensify over time. Using a Before-After Control-Impact (BACI) design, we studied eight pairs of grassland sites undergoing various levels of eastern redcedar (Juniperus virginiana) encroachment to determine whether responses of flora and fauna to experimental redcedar removal differed according to the level of pretreatment redcedar cover. In the first year after removal, herbaceous plant species diversity and evenness, woody plant evenness, and invertebrate family richness increased linearly with pretreatment redcedar cover, whereas increases in small-mammal diversity and evenness were described by logarithmic trends. In contrast, increases in woody plant diversity and total biomass of terrestrial invertebrates were accentuated at levels of higher pretreatment cover. Tree removal also shifted small-mammal species composition toward a more grassland-associated assemblage. During the second year postremoval, increases in herbaceous plant diversity followed a polynomial trend, but increases in most other metrics did not vary along the pretreatment cover gradient. These changes were accompanied by extremely high growing-season precipitation, which may have homogenized floral and faunal responses to removal. Our results demonstrate that tree removal increases important community metrics among grassland flora and fauna within two years, with some responses to removal being strongly influenced by the stage of initial encroachment and modulated by climatic variability. Our results underscore the importance of decisive management for reversing the effects of woody plant encroachment in imperiled grassland ecosystems.

]]> Aaron L. Alford et al. http://opensiuc.lib.siu.edu/zool_pubs/53 http://opensiuc.lib.siu.edu/zool_pubs/53 Thu, 05 Jul 2012 07:27:34 PDT Pterygodermatites (Paucipectines) hymanae n. sp. (Rictulariidae) collected from the Incan shrew opossum, Lestoros inca, from Peru is described herein. These nematodes show a subapical, slightly dorsal oral opening and a laterally compressed buccal capsule with 2 conspicuous lateral walls and a dorsal wall. Each lateroventral wall possesses 4 relatively large denticles, and the dorsal wall has 6 denticles. Females are characterized by a conspicuously large postvulvar 37th spine, which may reach 1 mm. This is the first record of endoparasites in the Incan shrew opossum and the fifth species of Pterygodermatites recorded in New World marsupials.

]]> F Agustín Jiménez et al. http://opensiuc.lib.siu.edu/zool_pubs/52 http://opensiuc.lib.siu.edu/zool_pubs/52 Tue, 22 May 2012 12:36:54 PDT Pellets from short-eared owls (Asio flammeus) were collected during March 1990 and January-March 1992 from a former strip-mine area in southern Illinois (USA) and analyzed for prey remains. Microtines comprised 85.8% of 141 skull remains in 1990, and 85.0% of 147 skull remains in 1992. Results were similar to previous studies in Illinois and elsewhere.

]]> George A. Feldhamer et al. http://opensiuc.lib.siu.edu/zool_pubs/51 http://opensiuc.lib.siu.edu/zool_pubs/51 Tue, 22 May 2012 12:36:53 PDT The gastrointestinal tracts of 60 raccoons (Procyon lotor) were examined for helminths. Six species were found: four species of nematodes (Arthrocephalus lotoris, Physaloptera rara, Gnathostoma procyonis, and Baylisascaris procyonis); one species of cestode (Mesocestoides variabilis); and one species of acanthocephalan (Macracanthorhynchus ingens). Baylisascaris procyonis has been implicated in the decline of woodrat populations throughout the northeast United States. As such, this parasite also may have been a factor in the extirpation of the eastern woodrat (Neotoma floridana) throughout most of southern Illinois. The frequency occurrence of Baylisascaris procyonis in our sample was unexpectedly low, 3 of 60 raccoons (5.0%), and suggests that reintroduction of eastern woodrats to formerly occupied sites in southern Illinois may not be adversely affected by this parasite.

]]> Gary L. Birch et al. http://opensiuc.lib.siu.edu/zool_pubs/50 http://opensiuc.lib.siu.edu/zool_pubs/50 Tue, 22 May 2012 12:36:51 PDT Until recently it was believed that the population of eastern woodrats (Neotoma floridana) in Pine Hills, Union County, Illinois, represented the only extant population remaining in the state. Trapping at sites formerly occupied by woodrats and in areas with suitable habitat resulted in the documentation of additional populations at Fountain Bluff, Little Grand Canyon, and Horseshoe Bluff, Jackson County. Woodrats currently are more numerous and have a wider distribution in southern Illinois than previously believed.

]]> Anne-Marie Monty et al. http://opensiuc.lib.siu.edu/zool_pubs/49 http://opensiuc.lib.siu.edu/zool_pubs/49 Tue, 22 May 2012 12:36:50 PDT The eastern woodrat, a state-endangered species, is a generalist herbivore that depends on cached food during part of the year. We identified seasonal variation in the diet of woodrats at Pine Hills, Union County, Illinois, based on analysis of fecal pellets, and determined if they consumed forage in proportion to its availability in the habitat. Woodrats did not consume forage in proportion to availability for any season during 1995. Mast, primarily hickory nuts, comprised 61-67% of the diet each season, despite no mast available in the habitat during spring, and relatively little during summer. Few herbaceous species were eaten during any season; only Virginia creeper was identified in fecal samples throughout the year. Virginia creeper, spicebush, and sedge accounted for 79.4% of the identified herbaceous material consumed throughout the year, despite relatively low availability in the habitat. Resource caching decisions of woodrats depend on nutrient content and perishability. Woodrats appeared to ration cached resources so as not to be left with poor foods at the end of the cache-dependent period.

]]> Elizabeth R. Wagle et al. http://opensiuc.lib.siu.edu/zool_pubs/48 http://opensiuc.lib.siu.edu/zool_pubs/48 Tue, 22 May 2012 12:36:48 PDT The cotton mouse (Peromyscus gossypinus) is on the northern periphery of its range in southwestern Kentucky, southeastern Missouri, and southern Illinois. Little information is available on the life history of cotton mice in Illinois, in part because of difficulty in differentiating them from white-footed mice (P. leucopus). Current identification is often based on lethal sampling, including collection of internal tissues for allozyme electrophoresis or measurement of skull characters. Here we describe a reliable, non-lethal method for distinguishing between cotton mice and white-footed mice using a diagnostic allozyme locus, glucose-6-phosphate isomerase (GPI-1) from toe-clips. This technique will enhance conservation efforts by making identification of P. gossypinus and P. leucopus easier in areas of sympatry.

]]> Valerie A. Barko et al. http://opensiuc.lib.siu.edu/zool_pubs/47 http://opensiuc.lib.siu.edu/zool_pubs/47 Tue, 22 May 2012 12:36:46 PDT Fluorescent powder tracking was compared with radiotelemetry to locate nests used by golden mice (Ochrotomys nuttalli), a semi-arboreal species. Fluorescent powder was not a successful method for determining nest location or movement patterns for golden mice. Many golden mice immediately climbed trees, whereas white-footed mice remained on the ground. Weather conditions can negatively affect the success of powder tracking. Although radiotelemetry successfully determined the locations of occupied nests, precise estimates of movements within a microhabitat could not be made.

]]> Anita T. Morzillo et al. http://opensiuc.lib.siu.edu/zool_pubs/46 http://opensiuc.lib.siu.edu/zool_pubs/46 Tue, 22 May 2012 12:36:45 PDT Feral hogs (Sus scrofa) recently have been introduced to Illinois. They are important to resource managers because of their potentially negative ecological and economic impacts. We assessed the distribution, habitat use, and body morphology of feral hogs in Illinois. We confirmed the occurrence of feral hogs in Fulton, Hardin, Johnson, Lawrence, Massac, Pope, Randolph, and Union counties. Forest and croplands probably are the most important habitats for feral hogs in Illinois. We found free-ranging hogs in Illinois included four previously described morphotypes with distinguishable physical/cranial characteristics: domestic hogs, feral hogs, hybrids, and Eurasian wild hogs. However, 32.6% of individuals were outside of these previously described morphotypes. External morphology and pelage usually were consistent with cranial analysis in determining morphotypes. Whole and dressed body weight regression indicated that dressed weight was about 85% of whole weight. We suggest that the goal of resource managers in Illinois should be to contain or eradicate existing feral hog populations. This should be addressed while populations are small and relatively isolated. If current practices continue, feral hogs have the potential to eventually increase in density and distribution throughout much of Illinois.

]]> Blake McCann et al. http://opensiuc.lib.siu.edu/zool_pubs/45 http://opensiuc.lib.siu.edu/zool_pubs/45 Tue, 22 May 2012 12:36:43 PDT From May through July 2001, and June through August 2002 we surveyed 232 bridges in 9 southern Illinois counties for the presence of roosting bats. Fifteen bridges (6.5%) had bats roosting at the time they were surveyed. We encountered big brown bats (Eptesicus fuscus) most frequently. Eastern pipestrelles (Pipestrellus subflavus), little brown bats (Myotis lucifugus), and northern long-eared bats (M. septentrionalis) also were found roosting under bridges. The number of bats per bridge ranged from 1 to >100. Bats occurred in four of the five types of bridge designs surveyed. Of the 15 bridges with bats, 11 were rechecked at a later date to determine continuity of use. Seven of the 11 (63.6%) were being used by bats when rechecked. From this, we derived an estimated usage rate of 23.6 bridges (15/0.636) during the study, or about 10% of the 232 bridges surveyed. We could not determine relationships between bat presence and habitat features around bridges.

]]> George A. Feldhamer et al. http://opensiuc.lib.siu.edu/zool_pubs/44 http://opensiuc.lib.siu.edu/zool_pubs/44 Tue, 22 May 2012 12:36:41 PDT The eastern small-footed myotis (Myotis leibii) is one of the least known bats in eastern North America. We document the first record of the species in Illinois, and discuss possible reasons it has not been reported in the state until now.

]]> Bradley J. Steffen et al. http://opensiuc.lib.siu.edu/zool_pubs/43 http://opensiuc.lib.siu.edu/zool_pubs/43 Mon, 21 May 2012 12:59:36 PDT Prey remains are described from a 4-month accumulation of pellets from a nesting pair of barn owls. Of 233 individual prey items, 163 (73.1%) were microtines, primarily prairie voles and pine voles. The minimum estimated daily mean biomass consumed by each owl was 49.8 g per day.

]]> George A. Feldhamer http://opensiuc.lib.siu.edu/zool_pubs/42 http://opensiuc.lib.siu.edu/zool_pubs/42 Mon, 21 May 2012 12:59:35 PDT George A. Feldhamer et al. http://opensiuc.lib.siu.edu/zool_pubs/41 http://opensiuc.lib.siu.edu/zool_pubs/41 Mon, 21 May 2012 12:59:34 PDT Helminths were recovered from 12 (12%) of 100 deer mice (Peromyscus maniculatus) and 26 (24%) of 109 white-footed mice (P. leucopus) collected in 16 counties of southern Illinois. Helminths from deer mice included Choanotaenia peromysci (7.0%), Hymenolepis bennetti (2.0%), Postharmostomum helicis (1.0%), Physaloptera sp. (1.0%), Rictularia coloradensis (1.0%) and Moniliformis clarki (1.0%). Hymenolepis bennetti (1.8%), Physaloptera sp. (4.6%), and Rictularia coloradensis (20.0%) occurred in white-footed mice. C. peromysci and R. coloradensis revealed a high degree of host-specificity and along with Physaloptera showed some degree of habitat dependence. Infection rates were highest during the summer. Thirteen (65%) of 20 southern short-tailed shrews (Blarina carolinensis) were infected with Cryptocotylepis anthocephalus (40.0%), Brachylaima thompsoni (20.0%), Panopistus pricei (15.0%), Capillaria sp. (15.0%), Porrocaecum ensicaudatum (10.0%) and Porracaecum sp. (10.0%).

]]> Celeste M. Barker et al. http://opensiuc.lib.siu.edu/zool_pubs/40 http://opensiuc.lib.siu.edu/zool_pubs/40 Wed, 09 May 2012 13:50:08 PDT The second record of a Brazilian Free-Tailed Bat from Illinois is reported. A young female was collected 18 October 1984 from Carbondale, Jackson County.

]]> George A. Feldhamer