The rate of intraspecific nest parasitism was determined for a colony of Red-breasted Mergansers (Mergus serrator) nesting on the Tern Islands in Kouchibouguac National Park, New Brunswick. In order to recognize instances of nest parasitism, field criteria and microsatellite analysis testing for parentage between attending hens and the eggs in their nests were used. Traditionally, molecular analysis has involved collecting blood samples from females and offspring, however, for the purpose of this study, DNA was extracted successfully from feathers, egg membranes, and unhatched embryos which were collected during the summers of 1999 and 2000. A total of 8 primer pairs which amplified microsatellite loci in closely related avian species were tested (Sfimu-2, Sfimu-3, Sfimu-4, Sfimu-5, Sfimu-6, Sfimu-7, Bcamu-6, and Alamu-1). Four of these primers produced product of the expected size (Sfimu-3, Sfimu-4, Sfimu-7, and Bcamu-6). Amplification of these loci, however was inconsistent and subsequent sequence analysis revealed that the amplicons did not contain tandem repeats and therefore were not useful in genotyping. From field criteria we were able to establish rates of parasitism of 46% and 44% for each season. Rates of parasitism tended to be higher at the beginning of the season, compared to nests initiated later. Field criteria bring support to several hypotheses on causes of nest parasitism, indicating that more than one may influence rates of parasitism in a population.

Thesis (Ph. D.)--University of Missouri - Columbia, 1996. / Typescript. Vita. Includes bibliographical references. Also available on the Internet.

Thesis (Ph. D.)--University of Missouri-Columbia, 1997. / Typescript. Vita. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 101-103). Also available on the Internet.

Thesis (Ph. D.)--University of Missouri-Columbia, 1997. / Typescript. Vita. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 101-103). Also available on the Internet.

Thesis (Ph. D.)--University of Missouri - Columbia, 1996. / Includes bibliographical references (p. 30-38, 41, 74-77, 107-111, 129-132). Also available on the Internet.

Spring hunting season for wild turkey (Meleagris gallopavo) in Mississippi is designed to coincide with peak gobbling activity. The Mississippi Department of Wildlife, Fisheries and Parks (MDWFP) uses brood surveys and hunter observations to forecast gobbling activity. Hunters claimed hunting season does not coincide with regional gobbling peaks. I conducted statewide surveys to assess latitudinal and climatic influences in gobbling activity and used long-term (1996-2008) MDWFP data to evaluate use as a forecasting tool. I observed ≥ 66% of all spring gobbling with an approximate 2-week difference in peak gobbling activity between northern and southern Mississippi. Gobbling in the north was influenced by temperature, wind speed, and cloud cover; in the south, only cloud cover. Long-term data performed poorly predicting gobbling activity (R2 = 0.02 – 0.047, regionally; R2 = 0.06 – 0.09, statewide). Spring hunting season captures most gobbling, including peaks. Data sources should be used cautiously to forecast gobbling activity.

No description available.

No description available.

Urbanization introduces a set of novel stressors for animals in these modified habitats. Developing young, in particular, can be at risk due to increased predation, exposure, and high food intake requirements. Song sparrows (Melospiza melodia) are a model wild songbird system that persist in both urban and rural habitats, and have young that develop very quickly. I investigated how urbanization changes the arthropod community, how that in turn affects nestling diet, and ultimately if there were any differences in nestling amino acid profiles or body condition between habitat types. Prior work found that urban habitats also have far higher rates of brood parasitism, which can additionally restrict food intake for urban nestlings. However, this prior work has also found that urban song sparrow adults avoid consequences for living in urban habitats, so I wanted to see if nestlings were also able to avoid the consequences of urban living. In chapter one, I found our urban arthropod communities had lower average arthropod abundance, biomass, and diversity when compared to rural arthropod communities. Song sparrow nestling diets differed somewhat in composition of arthropod prey items by habitat, but urban and rural nestlings had the same average biomass of stomach contents. In chapter two, I investigated whether different habitat types or brood parasitism altered body size and amino acid concentration of song sparrow nestlings. Only gamma-aminobutyric acid differed, being significantly lower in urban, parasitized nestlings. No groups differed in metrics of body condition. In chapter three, I performed a meta-analysis to investigate how brood-parasitic brown-headed cowbirds (Molothrus ater) affect host clutch size and nest success. Host clutch sizes were lower when parasitized, but surprisingly non-parasitized nests were more likely to fail. Despite lower arthropod food availability and high levels of brood parasitism, urban song sparrow nestlings are not compromised, supporting the conclusion that urbanization does not necessarily have negative consequences for individuals of this species. / Doctor of Philosophy / Urbanization introduces a set of new challenges for animals. Young animals, in particular, can be at risk due to increased predation, exposure, and lack of food. Song sparrows (Melospiza melodia) are a model wild songbird system that persist in both urban and rural habitats, and have young that develop very quickly and rely on parents providing a diet of arthropods, including spiders and insects. I investigated how urbanization changes the arthropod community, how that in turn affects nestling diet, and ultimately if there were any differences in nutrition or body condition. Urban habitats also have higher rates of cowbirds laying their eggs in the nests of other species, which can make it even harder for urban song sparrow nestlings to get enough food. However, this prior work has also found that urban song sparrow adults avoid consequences for living in urban habitats, so I wanted to see if nestlings were also able to avoid the consequences of urban living. In chapter one I found our urban arthropod communities had lower average number and mass of arthropods, when compared to rural arthropod communities. Song sparrow nestling diets differed somewhat in composition of arthropod prey items by habitat, but urban and rural nestlings had the same average biomass of stomach contents. In chapter two, I investigated whether different habitat types or having cowbird 'siblings' resulted in different nutrition and body size of song sparrow nestlings. Out of nearly 30 measures of nutrition only one differed, being significantly lower in urban nestlings with siblings. No groups differed in body size. For chapter three I analyzed the literature to investigate how brown-headed cowbirds (Molothrus ater) affect the number of eggs host birds lay and host nest success. Host clutch sizes were lower when cowbirds were present, but surprisingly, it was nests without cowbirds that were more likely to fail. Despite lower arthropod food availability and high levels of cowbird presence, urban song sparrow nestlings avoided negative consequences, supporting the conclusion that urbanization does not necessarily harm individuals of this species.

Natality characteristics were calculated for 3 regions in the southern Appalachians (Ridge and Valley, Alleghany Plateau, and Ohio River Valley). I report data collected in the first 2 years of a long term (> 6 years) study conducted by the Appalachian Cooperative Grouse Research Project (ACGRP). Nesting rate, pooled over all regions, was 83.6% in 1997 and 79.7% in 1998. In the 2-year period, the Alleghany Plateau reported the highest nesting rate (97.6%) while the Ohio River Valley reported the lowest rate (54.2%). Overall hen success rates were 81.5% in 1997 and 56.9% in 1998. Yearling hen success rates were as high or higher than adults. Adult hen success was 85.7% in 1997 and 48.5% in 1998; yearling hen success was 86.7% in 1997 and 82.3% in 1998. Additionally, I found a lower renest rate (8% over 2 years) in the southern Appalachians than previous studies have reported. The mean first-nest clutch size in the southern Appalachian region was considerably lower (9.5, years and regions pooled) than that reported for other portions of ruffed grouse range. Recommendations are given on how ACGRP natality data collection may be improved in upcoming years. Ruffed grouse chick survival estimates were calculated from data collected in the first 2 years of a long term ACGRP study as well as data collected separate from ACGRP protocol. First-week chick survival estimates ranged from 0.18 to 0.32 in 1997 and 0.45 to 0.48 in 1998. Late brood season survivorship values (0.11-0.13 at week 5, 0.07 at week 10) were considerably lower in the southern Appalachians than those reported from more northern portions of ruffed grouse range. Additionally, the mean number of chicks per brood in July was lower in the southern Appalachians than that reported in the Great Lakes region during July and August. Recommendations are given on how ACGRP chick count data collection may be improved in upcoming years. I compared micro-habitat characteristics at known brood locations with randomly selected locations to determine which characteristics are selected by ruffed grouse hens and broods in the southern Appalachians. In the first half of the brood season (weeks 1-6) hens and broods selected sites with tall, complete, vegetative ground cover. Additionally, broods selected forested sites with a well-developed canopy, rather than areas affected by large canopy gaps or openings. Higher ground cover at brood sites may have been due to a lack of midstory structure. The abundance of arthropods, fruit, and forage at brood flush sites was higher during the first few weeks of the brood season; this was possibly due to flush sites being located in open, mid-age or mature forest. Several authors have speculated that as the chicks' diet shifts from primarily arthropods to fruit and forage at approximately 3 weeks of age, the habitat selected by hens and their broods may change to accommodate this dietary shift. In my study, a change in habitat selection did not occur between weeks 3 and 4 as expected but after week 6 and may indicate the chicks' dietary shift occurs later than some have predicted. / Master of Science