USGS Science⌕ Search
Home/Archive/USGS

USGS · 1003605

Acute aspergillosis in mallards at Oahe seep near Pierre, South Dakota

W.C. Bair·S. Gay Simpson·R. M. Windingstad
View original source ↗Export metadata ↓

Abstract

Aspergillosis was diagnosed at the cause of death of 158 mallards (Anas platyrhynchos) in January and February 1985 and 11 mallards in December 1985 near Pierre, SD. Isolation of Aspergillus fumigatus from carcass tissues confirmed the diagnosis. The sex ratio of mallards dead from aspergillosis in January and February 1985 was significantly different from the sex ratio in the local population at that time. The source of the fungus was not determined, but severe weather caused physiologically stressed mallards to feeds on corn stored in open piles on the ground, a likely source of the Aspergillus fungus.

Explore related subjects

Prairie NaturalistArticle
90° N90° S · 180° W ← longitude → 180° E
Source-reported bounding extent: 44.42020140672474° to 44.496119770324015° latitude; -100.48118010508054° to -100.36519127368216° longitude. This indicates report coverage, not an exact sampling location. View area on OpenStreetMap.

Keep this discovery

Explore connections, maps & timelines

BibTeXRIS

W.C. Bair, S. Gay Simpson, R. M. Windingstad. 1988. Acute aspergillosis in mallards at Oahe seep near Pierre, South Dakota. https://pubs.usgs.gov/publication/1003605

Cite the original work for its findings. Save a collection to share your selection of sources.

KEEP EXPLORING

Related USGS reports

USGS2025

Book review: Ecology of Dakota landscapes: Past, present, and future, by W. Carter Johnson and Dennis H. Knight

“Ecology of Dakota Landscapes” is an excellent example of fusing observation and scientific studies to describe the origins and development of the landscape of North and South Dakota, the impact of European settlement, the introduction of agriculture to the area, predictions for the future in the face of a changing climate, and a scientific framework for conservation and sustainability. Johnson and Knight bring to this book a personal fascination with this landscape. Their decades of experience and knowledge of the ecosystems of the Dakotas is exhibited in the well written and copiously illustrated thirteen chapters. This book blends observation, geology, biology, ecology, history, the transformation of this landscape by European settlement, and identifies the challenges that will be faced with climate change. Johnson and Knight are master storytellers that allow them to present these important concepts and ideas to a general audience.

Prairie Naturalist↗
USGS2024

Floral Composition of Pollen Collected from a Rusty Patched Bumble Bee (Bombus affinis, Cresson) Nest in Southeastern Minnesota

Understanding the forage diets of imperiled bumble bees can improve conservation planning and habitat restoration efforts. In this study, we describe the taxonomic composition of bee-collected pollen from 2 Rusty Patched Bumble Bee ( Bombus affinis , Cresson) nests located in southeastern Minnesota. This is the first published reporting of pollen collected from active B. affinis nests. We also compared pollen identification via traditional palynological light microscopy with genetic identification via ITS metabarcoding. Among the 49 pollen samples analyzed, we detected 41 and 56 distinct taxa via light microscopy and metabarcoding, respectively. Furthermore, 27 of 47 total genera overlapped between the 2 methods. Bittersweet Nightshade ( Solanum dulcamara , Linnaeus) was the most detected species for both metabarcoding and microscopy identification for pollen prevalence. Pollen volume from the microscopy data showed that Lesser Burdock ( Arctium minus , Bernhardi), Alfalfa ( Medicago sativa , Linnaeus), Bittersweet Nightshade ( Solanum dulcamara , Linnaeus), Plumeless Thistle ( Carduus acanthoides , Linnaeus), and Red Clover ( Trifolium pratense , Linnaeus) together comprised more than half of the total volume of pollen. Light microscopy and metabarcoding revealed compositionally distinct plant communities when analyzed at the species level. Methodological concordance improved when analyzing pollen data at genus level, but both methods still reveal marginally distinct groupings. Our study highlights specific plant taxa that are important components of B. affinis pollen diets and provides actionable research for conservation efforts in urban systems. Our study also supports that B. affinis is a generalist forager and will collect pollen from a variety of native and non-native host plants.

Minnesota↗