The northern river otter (Lontra canadensis) is a semi-aquatic carnivore whose range extends throughout most of the United States and Canada. The northern river otter experienced a severe range contraction post-European settlement, but due to widespread management has in recent decades begun to recover much of its former range and habitat. We translocated 27 river otters from Utah and Idaho to the Provo River, Utah from November 2009 through January 2012 in a reintroduction effort to restore the northern river otter to its native range. Of these 27 otters, 6 died as a result of effects related to the translocation. We used linear regression and model selection to determine what factors had the most influence on the immediate mortality of translocated otters. We found that body mass was the most important factor, followed by sex. Indeed, otters at the high end of the body mass spectrum were 4 times more likely to survive a translocation than otters at the low end of body mass. Along with the reintroduction project, we determined the food habits of the northern river otter in the Provo River watershed. We located and monitored otter latrine sites from February 2010 through February 2012, collecting scats on a monthly basis. We identified prey items in otter scat and recorded data as the frequency of prey items per total number of scats, presented as a percentage. Fish was the primary class of prey taken by otters (96.5%), followed by crustaceans (16.9%). Otter diet varied among seasons for nearly all classes (G = 127.8, d. f. = 24, P < 0.001) and families (G = 132.94, d. f. = 18, P < 0.001) of prey. We conclude that otters are potentially selecting prey in the main channel according to their abundance and in inverse proportion to their swimming ability. However, with multiple habitat types that vary in species richness and diversity, it was difficult to determine which prey items otters are selecting for without direct behavioral data on location of foraging. We examined the diet of the northern river otter at the regional and continental scale. We examined 100 publications and 106 prey lists in order to determine the food habits of the northern river otter among ecoregions and seasons. Fish was found to occur in otter diet more often than any other class of prey, followed by malacostracans. At the family level, Astacoidea contributed more to otter diet than any other family of prey. Multiple classes and families varied by ecoregion and/or by season. Crayfish, while not the primary component of otter prey throughout North America, was found to be the primary component when readily available. Furthermore, we developed a model of river otter prey selection which includes factors that may have an impact on the availability of prey to otters. Otter prey selection is likely due to a variety of factors, including the habitat, detectability, catchability, and palatability of prey.

Hemlock woolly adelgid, Adelges tsugae, native to Asia and the Pacific Northwest of North America (Pacific Northwest), has devastated eastern hemlock (Tsuga canadensis) in a major portion of its range in the eastern U.S. After many years and much effort directed towards rearing and releasing biological control agents to manage HWA, one of these agents, Laricobius nigrinus, native to the Pacific Northwest, is now well-established in sites from the southern to the mid-Atlantic states of the eastern U.S. However, there have yet to be studies of its efficacy in lowering A. tsugae densities, and there has been no noticeable drop in A. tsugae densities. Population models for A. tsugae have suggested that even upwards of 90% predation on eggs laid by the overwintering generation will have minimal effect in reducing the population densities of A. tsugae, if A. tsugae are at high density, due to compensatory density-dependent survival in the progrediens generation. Additionally, no studies showing insect predators are indeed what regulate A. tsugae in its native range exist. We established predator exclusion experiments, and recorded A. tsugae densities, mortality factors, and fecundity for multiple generations in both the native and invaded ranges. In the invaded range, we studied A. tsugae populations in sites with well-established populations of L. nigrinus to test its efficacy in reducing A. tsugae and tested model predictions of minimal difference in A. tsugae densities between treatments with and without predators. In the Pacific Northwest we tested the effect of insect predators and tree species, western (Tsuga heterophylla) and eastern hemlock, on populations of A. tsugae. In the invaded range we found that L. nigrinus predation was significantly higher in unbagged branches, however, model predictions were validated, and there was no effect of predation by treatment on the A. tsugae summer generation. In our plots in the Pacific Northwest we found that tree effects were not significant, but that summer-active predators were significantly lowering levels A. tsugae densities on unbagged branches. Our study demonstrates the importance of summer-active predators in reducing A. tsugae and suggest that summer- and winter-active predators are needed to suppress A. tsugae to innocuous densities.

Eastern hemlock hosts the hemlock woolly adelgid, an introduced sap-feeding insect that causes rapid deterioration of the host. Like most conifers, eastern hemlock produces a variety of constitutive and induced defenses, primarily terpenoids. To explore the relationship of terpenoid defenses with adelgid infestations, we artificially infested hemlocks at a forest site and a plantation site, and compared their terpenoid concentrations to those in control trees. Infested trees showed lower terpenoid concentrations than control trees, suggesting that eastern hemlock not only fails to induce production of terpenoids in response to adelgid infestation, but becomes less able to produce carbon-based defenses due to loss of carbon resources to the adelgid. Greater light intensity may account for consistently higher terpenoid concentrations at the plantation site, supporting the explanation that carbon limitation restricts terpenoid production. Recent studies have identified a small number of individual eastern hemlock trees that demonstrate relative resistance to the hemlock woolly adelgid. We compared concentrations of terpenoids in susceptible and relatively resistant trees, both in the forest and in propagated cuttings in a common-garden setting. Terpenoid concentrations were higher in twig tissue of resistant versus susceptible trees, across six sampling dates and at both sites. Because the common-garden cuttings were free of herbivores, the higher terpenoid concentrations are interpreted as a constitutive defense. Increased levels of monoterpenes and sesquiterpenes imply an overall increase in the input of carbon precursors to both terpenoid synthesis pathways. This result suggests either an altered growth-defense balance favoring allocation of carbon resources towards production of defenses, or overall greater carbon availability in growing twig tissue of adelgid-resistant eastern hemlock individuals. We contribute detailed terpenoid data to the study of the eastern hemlock – hemlock woolly adelgid system. Our solvent extraction method permits us to examine needle and twig tissues separately, capture minor components at low concentrations, and focus on stored rather than volatilized terpenoids. By relating terpenoid concentrations to insect densities, we explore the relationships of tentatively defensive chemistry to insect population dynamics. The question remains which terpenoids, if any, directly affect hemlock woolly adelgid and what role phenols may play in the system.

The hemlock woolly adelgid (HWA), Adelges tsugae Annand, is an invasive pest of eastern hemlock, Tsuga canadensis (L.) Carriere and Carolina hemlock Tsuga caroliniana Englem. in the eastern United States. A newly reported beetle predator for HWA, Scymnus (Pullus) coniferarum Crotch (Coleoptera: Cocinellidae) preys on the pest in the western United States, and was approved for release in the eastern United States for the control of HWA. This research investigated the viability of S. coniferarum as a biological control agent of A. tsugae in the eastern United States, as well as the ecological dynamics between S. coniferarum and host prey species in its native range of western North America. In objective one, S. coniferarum predation, reproductive potential, and survival were evaluated in field-cages on adelgid infested T. canadensis in southwestern Virginia. Adult S. coniferarum fed on both generations and all life stages of A. tsugae at rates comparable to other adelgid-specific predators, and survived for extended periods of time in the field. In objective two, host-range tests for S. coniferarum were conducted in a series of no-choice and paired-choice feeding, oviposition, and development studies. Scymnus coniferarum adults fed on all adelgid species, and completed development on HWA and Adelges piceae Ratz. Scymmnus coniferarum oviposition was extremely low. In the final objective, Douglas-fir, Pseudotusga menziesii Mirb., Shore pine, Pinus contorta Dougl., western white pine, Pinus monticola Dougl., and western hemlock, Tsuga heterophylla (Raf.) Sarg. host tree species were sampled in Tacoma, Washington to investigate the life history of S. coniferarum and associated adelgid prey species in the western United States. Scymnus coniferarum adults were found on both pine species, Douglas fir, and western hemlock, and seemed to move between host tree species seasonally. Each host tree supports a different adelgid species, and a limited diet of strictly HWA in host-range tests could have contributed to low oviposition rates. This study suggested that S. coniferarum is a voracious predator of HWA in the field and laboratory. However, S. coniferarum laid very few eggs in laboratory studies, and zero eggs were recovered in field-cage analyses. This suggested that S. coniferarum may rely on multiple adelgid species to reproduce and establish in the eastern United States. / Ph. D.

The hemlock woolly adelgid (HWA), Adelges tsugae Annand (Homoptera: Adelgidae), is forest pest introduced to eastern North America in the early 1950's. Although this pest occurs on both landscape and nursery stock as well as in natural stands of hemlock forest, pesticides are only practical and effective in urban settings. Ecological and economical considerations prevent utilization of chemical treatment in the forest setting, thus biological control is viewed as the most promising option for slowing the spread of HWA. It is essential for researchers to be able to accurately assess the population levels of biocontrol agents after release into the environment. No method currently exists for sampling HWA predators. This project was designed to determine whether two species of predators are able to utilize olfactory cues from eastern hemlock and/or HWA in host-finding. If predators use olfactory cues, we may develop an attractive sythnetic blend of compounds to draw them to a trap, thereby simplifying the sampling and improving its accuracy. To address this question we executed three experiments. The first involved examination of the antennae of the predators for the presence and abundance of olfactory sensilla. The second experiment was designed to detect a behavioral response by the predators following exposure to host volatile compounds. The final experiment involved identifying compounds emitted from eastern hemlock, and the affect of HWA-feeding on volatile emissions. Laricobius nigrinus Fender (Coleoptera: Derodontidae) antennae are densely populated with sensilla, several of which are potentially olfactory in function. In addition, we observed a behavioral response to olfactory cues which included altered flight behavior. However, the behavior was not clearly attraction. Pseudoscymnus tsugae Sasaji and McClure (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae) has few sensilla on a very short antennae and only one type of sensilla possesses wall pores suggestive of an olfactory function. In addition, we did not observe a significant behavioral response to host-volatiles. It seems unlikely that this species uses olfaction in long-range host location. We identified 10 monoterpenes that were consistently expressed in the hemlock volatile profile and were unable to isolate volatile emissions from HWA. There is an increased monoterpene release rate from HWA-infested hemlock foliage as compared to uninfested foliage apparently driven indirectly by HWA through a reduction in new growth at branch tips. In addition there was a slight but statistically significant change in the percent composition of the individual compounds. We see potential in developing a more efficient sampling procedure for L. nigrinus through utilization of olfactory cues. More biological assays must be conducted to determine whether an attractive blend exists and electrophysiological assays are required to isolate physiologically active compounds. However, our data suggest that P. tsugae is not likely to be reliant on olfaction in long-range host location. / Master of Science

In this study, I modeled the suitability of habitat on the Mississippi Sandhill Crane National Wildlife Refuge for the federally endangered Mississippi Sandhill Crane (Grus Canadensis pulla). Habitat type and suitability changed over time due to seasonality of vegetation and succession in the absence of burning. Cranes used highly suitable habitat more in the non-growing than in the growing season, and may have been more constrained by resource availability during winter months. Cranes used some less-suitable areas including cypress drains, which provide roosting sites, and supplemental food plots. The mismatch between predicted quality and crane use suggests that no single habitat provides all resources required for the population to persist. Prescribed burning to maintain grassland habitat is essential for maintaining high quality habitat for cranes. The relative availability of food on supplemental food plots and grasslands, as well as the behavior of cranes toward roads, require additional investigation.

Successful management of bighorn sheep depends on understanding the mechanisms responsible for population growth or decline, habitat selection, and utilization distribution after translocations. We studied a declining population of desert bighorn sheep in the North San Rafael Swell, Utah to determine birthdates of neonates, demographics, limiting factors, population size, probable cause of death, production, and survival. We documented 19 mortalities attributed to a variety of causes including cougar predation (n = 10, 53%), bluetongue virus (n = 2, 11%), reproductive complications (n = 2, 11%), hunter harvest (n = 1, 5%), and unknown (n = 4, 21%). Annual survival of females was 73% (95% CI = 0.55—0.86) in 2012 and 73% (95% CI = 0.55—0.86) in 2013. Adult male survival was 75% in 2012 (95% CI = 0.38—0.94) and 88% (95% CI = 0.50—0.98) in 2013. Disease testing revealed the presence of pneumonia-related pathogens. The population increased from an estimated 127 in 2012 to 139 in 2013 (λ = 1.09). Lamb:ewe ratios were 47:100 in 2012 and 31:100 in 2013. Mean birthing dates were 21 May in 2012 and 20 May in 2013. Spatial separation from domestic sheep and goats, and aggressive harvest of cougars, may have aided in the recovery of this population after disease events. Second, we investigated the timing of parturition and nursery habitat of desert bighorn sheep in the North San Rafael Swell to determine the influence of vegetation, topography, and anthropogenic features on resource selection. We monitored 38 radio-tagged ewes to establish birthing dates. We documented birthdates of 45 lambs. We used collar-generated GPS locations to perform logistic regression within a model-selection framework to differentiate between nursery and random locations (n = 750 for each) based on a suite of covariates. The top model included elevation, slope, ruggedness, aspect, vegetation type, distance to trails, and distance to roads. We used these variables to create a GIS model of nursery habitat for the North San Rafael (desert bighorns) and the Green River Corridor (Rocky Mountain bighorns). Ewes showed preference for steep, north-facing slopes, rugged terrain, lower elevation, and avoidance of roads. Our model provides managers with a map of high probability nursery areas of desert and Rocky Mountain bighorns to aid in conservation planning and mitigate potential conflicts with industry and domestic livestock. Finally, we monitored 127 reintroduced female bighorn sheep in three adjacent restored populations to investigate if the size and overlap of habitat use by augmented bighorns differed from resident bighorns. The size of seasonal ranges for residents was generally larger than augmented females. However, there was a shift in utilization distribution in all three populations after augmentation. Overlap indices between resident and augmented sheep varied by source herd. These data will help managers understand the dynamics of home range expansion and the overlap between provenance groups following augmentations.

Indirect signs of species presence (e.g., tracks, scats, hairs) are frequently used to detect target species in occupancy, presence/absence, and other wildlife studies. Indirect signs are often more efficient than direct observation of elusive animals, making such signs well suited for long-term and broad-scale monitoring programs. However, error associated with misidentification of indirect signs can be high, and should be measured if meaningful inferences about population parameters are to be made. This study addressed the need for systematic approaches to estimate and minimize variation due to observer error in identifying indirect signs. I reanalyzed data from 4 replicates of a presence/absence survey of northern river otters (Lontra canadensis) that had been conducted by Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (1996-2003). Sixteen observers had recorded tracks at sample points under bridges (n = 250) distributed throughout 27 counties in the Piney-Woods ecoregion of east Texas. My objectives were to 1) determine if observers were a source of bias in the survey, 2) estimate the proportion of error associated with track identification skill, and 3) evaluate the use of an international certification procedure that measured observer tracking skill. The null hypothesis that observers had no effect on the variation in reported sign was rejected. Indeed, binary logistic regression tests indicated that observers were significantly associated with variation in reported track presence. Observers were not randomly distributed among bridge sites, and therefore were significantly correlated with 4 habitat variables that may have influenced heterogeneity in otter occupancy and probability of detection (watershed, vegetation-type, water-type, bridge-area). On average, experienced observers (n = 7) misidentified 44% of otter tracks, with a range of 0% to 100% correct detection. Also, 13% of the tracks of species determined to be 'otter-like' were misidentified as belonging to an otter. During the certification procedure, participants misidentified the tracks of 12 species as otter. Inaccurate identification of indirect signs is a likely source of error in wildlife studies. I recommend that observer skill in identification of indirect signs be measured in order to detect and control for observer bias in wildlife monitoring.

Submitted by Marco Antônio de Ramos Chagas (mchagas@ufv.br) on 2016-04-13T16:07:49Z No. of bitstreams: 1 texto completo.pdf: 1077166 bytes, checksum: 25fd76740634a7f9c6ac4a518a021ada (MD5) / Made available in DSpace on 2016-04-13T16:07:49Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 texto completo.pdf: 1077166 bytes, checksum: 25fd76740634a7f9c6ac4a518a021ada (MD5) Previous issue date: 2015-11-06 / Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico / Diversos fatores podem afetar o crescimento e desenvolvimento das plantas. O fotoperíodo é um deles, sendo determinante para o controle do florescimento em plantas sensíveis. No campo, o controle é feito de forma artificial, para que as plantas floresçam durante todo o ano, independente do comprimento do dia. As lâmpadas incandescentes possuem seu uso difundido, porém, essas são pouco eficientes em converter energia elétrica em energia luminosa. O LED é uma tecnologia que surgiu na década de oitenta e possui grande potencial para ser utilizado na agricultura. Apresenta diversas vantagens como alta durabilidade, tamanho reduzido, baixa emissão de calor e eficiência em conversão de energia elétrica em luminosa. Devido ao pouco conhecimento sobre o impacto que a tecnologia do LED pode ter na agricultura, esta pesquisa visou elucidar o comportamento de duas espécies sensíveis ao fotoperíodo quando iluminadas por lâmpadas de LED. O primeiro estudo foi desenvolvido com o tango (Solidago canadensis L.), uma planta classificada como planta de dia curto, utilizada como flor de corte. Esse estudo objetivou avaliar o comportamento da produção de plantas de tango utilizando lâmpadas de LED para o controle do florescimento. Além disso, vislumbrou-se determinar o menor período de luz/escuro para o controle eficiente do florescimento. Para isso instalou-se um experimento em delineamento inteiramente casualizado, com quatro repetições. Foram utilizadas lâmpadas de LED na potência de 18 W, e foram avaliados quatro ciclos, que consistiram na alteração de períodos de luz e escuro expresso em minutos: 7/23; 15/15; 23/7 e 30/0. Os ciclos foram fornecidos das 22h às 2h, por um período de setenta dias. As testemunhas foram compostas por plantas sem iluminação suplementar e iluminadas com lâmpadas incandescentes de 100 W. A colheita ocorreu quando as hastes apresentaram cerca de 40% das inflorescências abertas. O segundo experimento foi conduzido com o hipérico (Hypericum inodorum), classificada como planta de dia longo facultativo, cuja principal utilização ornamental ocorre na fase de frutificação. Este trabalho foi realizado com o propósito de avaliar o efeito da iluminação artificial com lâmpada de LED de 18 W e incandescente de 100 W no controle do florescimento em plantas de hipérico em diferentes distâncias da projeção da lâmpada. As mudas foram cultivadas em cinco distâncias em relação à projeção horizontal da lâmpada: 0 m; 0,5 m; 1,0 m; 1,5 m e 2,0 m. Após o estabelecimento das plantas, realizou- se poda a vinte centímetros de altura. A iluminação artificial foi fornecida das 22h às 2h. Foram utilizados dois tipos de lâmpada: LED 18 W e incandescente de 100 W. Para que não houvesse interferência entre os tratamentos, efetuou- se o isolamento entre eles através do uso de lonas pretas. O uso da iluminação suplementar com lâmpadas de LED foi eficiente no controle fotoperiódico para as duas espécies estudas. Plantas de tango cultivadas sobre o ciclo de 7/23 minutos apresentaram menor tempo de cultivo e maior formação de ramos florais e conjunto de inflorescências. Porém os ciclos de 23/7 e 30/0 minutos foram aqueles que apresentaram os resultados mais expressivos nas características utilizadas para a classificação comercial, como tamanho e peso da haste. As plantas cultivadas sem suplementação completar não apresentaram formação de haste floral. Já nas iluminadas com lâmpadas de LED observou-se a diminuição do controle fotoperiódico com o aumento da distância. É necessário que as plantas de hipérico sejam expostas a dias curtos no início do cultivo para que as hastes atinjam o comprimento ótimo para a comercialização. / Several factors can affect the growth and development of plants. Photoperiod is a determining factor for flowering control in sensitive plants. In the field, control is done artificially, so that, plants flower throughout the year, regardless of day length. Incandescent lamps have widespread use, but they are less efficient in converting electrical energy into luminous energy. LED is a technology that emerged in the eighties and has great potential for use in agriculture. It has several advantages, such as high durability, small size, low heat emission and efficiency of electric energy conversion into light. Due to the little knowledge about the impact LED technology can have in agriculture, this research was carried out to elucidat the behavior of two species sensitive to photoperiod when lit by LED. The first study was developed with goldenrod (Solidago canadensis L.), classified as a short-day plant and used as a cut flower. This study aimed at evaluating the behavior of goldenrod production plants using LED lamps to control flowering. In addition, it seeked to determine the shortest period of light/dark for efficient control of flowering. For that purpose an experiment was carried out in a completely randomized design with four replications. In this test 18 W LED lamp were used, and four cycles of light/darkness were tested: 7/23'; 15/15'; 23/7'and 30/0'. The cycles were provided from 10pm to 2am, for a period of seventy days. The witnesses consisted of plants without supplemental lighting and illuminated with incandescent 100 W bulbs. Harvest occurred when the stems had about 40% of the inflorescence open. The second experiment was conducted with hypericum (Hypericum inodorum), classified as a facultative long-day plant and whose ornamental use occurs in the fruiting stage. This work was performed in order to evaluate the effect of artificial lighting with LED and incandescent bulbs targeting the flowering control in hypericum plants at different distances. The seedlings were placed in five distances in the horizontal projection oh the lamps: 0 m; 0.5 m; 1.0 m; 1.5 m and 2.0 m. After the establishment of plants, they were prunned down to twenty centimeters high. Artificial lighting was provided from 10pm to 2am. Two types of lamp were used: LED 18 W and incandescent 100 W. To avoid interference across treatments isolation with the use of black plastic was performed. The use of supplemental lighting with LED lamps was efficient in photoperiodic control for the two studied species. Goldenrod plants grown under the 7/23' cycle showed shorter cultivation period and increased formation of floral branches and number of inflorescences. However, the cycles of 23/7 "and 30/0" showed the most significant results in the characteristics used for commercial classification. Plants grown without light supplementation don’t formed the floral stems. Hypericum plants lit by incandescent lamps yielded similar production to those illuminated with LED lamps. In plants illuminated with LED lamps there was a decrease in the photoperiodic control as distance increase. Hypericum plants should be exposed to short days at the start of crop, so that the stems reach optimum length for sale.

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