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Results for “Maine Naturalist”

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At least 37 records · Page 2Linked to original sources
USGS1983

Survival of female black ducks, Anas rubripes, during the breeding season

The Mayfield method was used to estimate the survival rate of 19 radio-marked, female Black Ducks (Anas rubripes) in southcentral Maine during 1977-80. An overall survival rate of 0.74 was estimated for the 121-day monitoring period that included the pre-laying and laying, incubation, brood rearing, and post-rearing stages. No differences in survival rates were detected among these stages. Two instrumented hens were killed by Red-shouldered Hawks (Buteo lineatus) and a third was killed by an unknown predator. We found no evidence that the attachment of radio transmitters affected hen survival.

Canadian Field-Naturalist↗
USGS2006

Extirpation of freshwater mussels (Bivalvia: Unionidae) following the invasion of dreissenid mussels in an interconnecting river of the Laurentian Great Lakes

Previous (1992–1994) surveys for native freshwater mussels (Unionidae) along main channels of the Detroit River showed that unionids had been extirpated from all but four sites in the upper reaches of the river due to impacts of dreissenid mussels ( Dreissena polymorpha and D. bugensis ). These four sites were surveyed again in 1998 using the same sampling method (timed-random searches) to determine if they may serve as “refugia” where unionids and dreissenids co-exist. Two additional sites were sampled using additional methods (excavated-quadrat and line-transect searches) for comparison with unpublished data collected in 1987 and 1990. A total of four individuals of four species ( Actinonaias ligamentina , Cyclonaias tuberculata , Lasmigona complanata and Pleurobema sintoxia ) were found by timed-random searches at four sites in 1998 compared to 720 individuals of 24 species in 1992 and 39 individuals of 13 species in 1994. Excavated-quadrat and line-transect searches at the two additional sites yielded only one live specimen of Ptychobranchus fasciolaris compared to 288 individuals of 18 species in 1987 and 1990. Results of this study suggest that remaining densities of unionids in channels of the Detroit River are too low to support viable reproducing populations of any species. Therefore, we conclude that unionids have been extirpated from main channels of the Detroit River due to dreissenid infestation. As the Detroit River was one of the first water bodies in North America to be invaded by dreissenids, it is likely that unionids will also be extirpated from many other rivers and lakes across eastern North America over the next few decades. Resource agencies should be encouraged to implement active management programs to protect remaining unionid populations from zebra mussels.

Michigan↗
USGS2007

Effects of flow fluctuations on the spawning habitat of a riverine fish

Shallow-water, lithophilic spawning fishes are among the most vulnerable to anthropogenic fluctuations in water levels. We monitored water levels and environmental conditions at the nest sites of Moxostoma robustum (Robust Redhorse) on a main-channel gravel bar in the Savannah River, GA-SC During the course of the 2005 spawning season, over 50% of the observed nest sites were either completely dewatered or left in near zero-flow conditions for several days. This occurred on two separate occasions, once early during the spawning season and then again near its conclusion. We hypothesize the habitat preferences of spawning Robust Redhorse leave them vulnerable to water-level fluctuations, and this phenomenon may be widespread in regulated river systems.

Southeastern Naturalist↗
USGS2001

Intertidal growth of larval and juvenile lumpfish in maine: A 20-year assessment

Larval and juvenile lumpfish, Cyclopterus lumpus L., were collected and measured over a 20-year period, 1979-1999, from tidepools along the coast of Maine. Using this extensive data base reduces the effects of annual variations in hatching times, early growth patterns, and locale for analyzing monthly size using length measurements. This can provide an effective field measurement of intertidal growth. Most fish were encountered during the months of July and August, and even when adjusted for number of sampling trips, 78% of the juveniles were encountered in tidepools during these months. Based on average lengths, size increased by 23% between June and July, 43% between July and August, and 34% between August and September.

Northeastern Naturalist↗
USGS2003

Spring bird migration in Mississippi Alluvial Valley forests

We surveyed forest songbirds during migration in bottomland hardwood forest stands and managed cottonwood ( Populus deltoides ) plantations in northeast Louisiana and west-central Mississippi between 24 March and 24 May 1996 and 1997. We detected more bird species in bottomland hardwood stands than in cottonwood stands. Within hardwood stands, we detected more individuals in stands subjected to uneven-aged timber harvest than in unmanaged stands. Early in migration, avian species composition was similar in both forest types, being comprised mainly of short-distance migrants. Bird species composition in these forest types became increasingly disparate as long-distance neotropical-nearctic migrants arrived. Ten bird species were characteristic of bottomland hardwood forests, whereas eight different species were characteristic of managed cottonwood plantations. Because these two forest types supported different bird communities, both forest types provide important inland stopover habitat during migration. Silvicultural management of bottomland hardwood forests that increases their understory vegetation will provide forested habitat for a more species rich and abundant population of songbirds during migration.

American Midland Naturalist↗
USGS2004

Influential environmental gradients and spatiotemporal patterns of fish assemblages in the unimpounded Upper Mississippi River

We investigated variation of fish assemblages in response to environmental factors using Long Term Resource Monitoring Program data. Data were collected from 1993 to 2000 from five physical habitats in the unimpounded upper Mississippi River. We captured 89 species composing 18 families. Of these, 26% were fluvial specialists, 25% were fluvial dependent and 49% were generalists. The numerically dominant component of the adult fish assemblage (species accounting for >10% of total catch) accounted for 50% of the assemblage and was comprised of only three species: gizzard shad ( Dorosoma cepedianum ; 25%), common carp ( Cyprinus carpio , 15%) and channel catfish ( Ictalurus punctatus , 10%). The dominant component of the YOY fish assemblage was comprised of only two species, which accounted for 76% of the total catch: freshwater drum ( Aplodinotus grunniens ; 39%) and gizzard shad (37%). We used a cross-validation multivariate approach to explore how adult and young-of-the-year (YOY) assemblages varied with respect. to physical habitat and environmental gradients. Furthermore, we were interested how the fish assemblages changed over time. Partial canonical correspondence analyses (pCCA) demonstrated significant effects of physical habitats. Such effects differed between young-of-the-year and adult fishes. The four main environmental gradients influencing overall assemblage structure for both age groups were river elevation, water velocity, conductivity, and depth of gear deployment. Morisita's index revealed similar adult assemblage structure over time. However, the YOY assemblage present in 1995 was dissimilar from assemblages present during the other years. We speculate this is a lag effect from the backwater spawning episodes (floodpulse) that occurred with the 500-y flood in 1993. Shannon-Weiner diversity and Camargo's evenness indices were low, but stable across years for the adult assemblage, but varied across years for the YOY assemblage.

Illinois, Kentucky, Missouri↗
USGS2020

Recent evaluation of corbicula form D distribution in the Midwest, U.S.A

The genus Corbicula contains one of the most common and successful aquatic invasive species to North America. Prior to 2015 two predominant species of Corbicula were known from the United States— C. fluminea and C. largillierti , referred to as Forms A and B, respectively. Form A has spread throughout most of the U.S., while Form B is mainly contained in the Midwest and southern U.S. In 2015 a novel Corbicula , known as Form D, was discovered in the Illinois River, at Marseilles, Illinois, and was later reported from the Ohio River. Our primary objective for this study was to report additional records of Form D, with a focus on the upper Illinois River watershed. Surveys during summer 2017 verified the presence of Form D in the Tennessee and Mississippi rivers, as well as multiple new locations in the Des Plaines and Illinois rivers, where all three Corbicula forms co-exist.

Illinois, Indiana, kentucky, Missouri, Ohio, Tenne↗
USGS2001

Freshwater fishes of Acadia National Park, Mount Desert Island, Maine

A list of freshwater fishes is presented for Acadia National Park, Mount Desert Island, Maine, based on past survey records, published and unpublished reports, and recent comprehensive surveys within or bordering Park boundaries conducted in 1998 and 1999. Overall, 31 species of fishes have been recorded in freshwaters of the Park or those bordering Park boundaries; 28 of these are still present. Of those, 15 species are likely native to Mount Desert Island, and the indigenous status of one fish species is unknown. The most widely distributed species in lakes and ponds is the golden shiner, Notemigonus crysoleucas Mitchill (83% of ponds), while the most widely-distributed species in brooks is the brook trout, Salvelinus fontinalis Mitchill (56%).

Northeastern Naturalist↗
USGS2015

Loss of eelgrass in Casco Bay, Maine, linked to Green Crab disturbance

Over half of the Zostera marina (Eelgrass) cover disappeared from Casco Bay, ME, largely between 2012 and 2013. Eelgrass decline coincided with a population explosion of the invasive crab Carcinus maenas (European Green Crab). Green Crabs have been found to damage Eelgrass in Atlantic Canada through foraging activity, but destruction of established beds had not been documented in Maine. My objective was to determine whether loss of Eelgrass from Casco Bay was related to Green Crab disturbance. In September 2013, I transplanted Eelgrass shoots inside and outside of replicate Green Crab exclosures in a formerly vegetated area of upper Casco Bay. Following 26 d, mean survival of Eelgrass inside the exclosures was 82% and outside the exclosures was 24%. The mean plastochrone interval (time between formation of 2 successive leaves) of undamaged shoots was the same inside and outside the exclosures, and was comparable to published values from healthy Eelgrass beds in New England. Results implicate Green Crab bioturbation as a leading cause of Eelgrass loss from this system.

Maine↗
USGS2005

Habitat preferences of migrant and wintering northern harriers in northwestern Texas

We studied habitat preferences of northern harriers ( Circus cyaneus) in four counties of the Southern High Plains of northwestern Texas from October 1989 to May 1995. Harriers generally arrived in late July and departed in April. They hunted over a variety of habitats in the study area but mainly in Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) grasslands and vegetated playa basins. CRP grasslands, playa basins, and shortgrass prairie were used disproportionately to their availability, whereas winter wheat was used less than its availability. Brown harriers (adult females or subadults of either sex) foraged in CRP about as often as adult males but more frequently in playas and prairies, whereas adult males foraged more in winter wheat. As underground water sources for irrigation continue to be depleted, agricultural practices are likely to change. Depending on how the land is used after irrigation ceases, harriers may benefit if CRP grasslands, vegetated playas, and shortgrass prairies persist. If dominant land use reverts to livestock grazing, however, the harrier population will be negatively affected.

Southwestern Naturalist↗
USGS1999

Availability of nest cavity trees for wood ducks (Aix sponsa) at Sunkhaze Meadows National Wildlife Refuge, Maine

The availability of natural cavities for cavitynesting waterfowl, especially wood ducks (Aix sponsa), was unknown ferating forest of Sunkhaze Meadows National Wildlife Refuge, ME. An assessment of cavity availability was needed to determine if the existing nesting box program should be increased. During November to March, 199697 and 199798, I sampled 56 onehalf ha random plots, stratified into 5 types (upland hardwood, upland conifer, upland mixwood, wetland conifer, and wetland hardwood) to assess availability of trees with cavities. The predominant tree species with cavities were red maple (Acer rubrum; 39%) and aspen (Populus sp.; 31%); 72% of all trees with cavities were alive. Density ees/plot averaged from 1.0 +0.4 (x +SE) in wetland softwoods to 1.9 +0.4 in upland hardwoods. This low density of potential cavity trees and the small mean dbh (39.4 +1.6 cm) indicate a young forest with few suitable cavities. Forested areas, especially hardwoods near canopy openings, need to be allowed to mature to increase the number and quality of future cavities. An expanded nest box program seems justified.

Northeastern Naturalist↗
USGS2019

Adult survival of common eiders in Maine

Although most species of sea ducks are poorly studied, much is known about the population dynamics of the American race of Somateria mollissma dresseri (Common Eider). Although Common Eiders typically have high adult survival and low recruitment rates, their populations in Maine have declined since the early 1990s. Wildlife managers hypothesized this decline was due to reduced adult survival; therefore, they decreased daily bag limits in Maine in 1999 and 2009 to increase local populations. The goals of this project were to assess (a) whether survival rates of adult females captured while nesting varied between historical estimates (1943–1993) and recent estimates (2000–2012), (b) whether survival rates increased from 2000–2009 after the initial harvest restrictions were implemented in 1999, and (c) determine if estimates of survival rates of adult males and females captured while molting differed from estimates of adult females captured while nesting. We used mark–recapture models to estimate survival rates of Common Eiders we banded in Maine (nesting females [ n = 2340] from 2000 to 2012; molting males [ n = 4366] and molting females [ n = 4952] from 2000 to 2009). We found no difference in survival of nesting females based on historical (mean ± SE = 0.9003 ± 0.0841) and recent estimates (0.90 ± 0.015). Although we observed annual fluctuations in survival, survival rates did not increase following the implementation of harvest restrictions. Mean annual survival rates were similarly high for molting females (0.894 ± 0.0205) and nesting females, but lower for molting males (0.855 ± 0.0128). Lower survival rates of adult males may reflect the preference by US hunters to selectively harvest adult males. Overall mean recovery rates of banded birds were low (females: 0.037 ± 0.00043, males: 0.0226 ± 0.0006). We hypothesize that current harvest rates may be influencing decreased survival of adult males to some extent.

Maine↗
USGS2009

Influence of small impoundments on habitat and fish communities in headwater streams

We surveyed the habitat and fish assemblages of four impounded and three unimpounded neighboring headwater streams, separated longitudinally into multiple upstream and downstream reaches. Instream habitat characteristics were similar between reaches of unimpounded streams and reaches above impoundments, and differed significantly from reaches below impoundments that included deeper water and more stable flows. Species richness was similar above and below impoundments, and between impounded and unimpounded streams, but fish assemblage composition and structure differed. Stream reaches above impoundments supported higher percentages of centrarchids compared to upper reaches of unimpounded streams, which had more obligate stream cyprinids. Reaches below impoundments supported mainly centrarchid species whereas lower reaches of unimpounded streams supported a balanced mix of cyprinids and centrarchids. Percina maculata (Blackside Darter) occurred throughout the study area except in upper reaches of impounded streams, illustrating how stream fragmentation can lead to localized extirpations. Changes to the fish assemblages in reaches above impoundments were due to the loss of downstream connectivity, and changes to the fish assemblages below impoundments were due to alterations of instream habitat caused by the impoundments. Small impoundments can have important effects on fish faunas of small geographical areas, but also potentially large cumulative effects if distribution of impoundments is not administered strategically at the scale of the river basin. We caution that continual population increase, recent droughts, and projected changes in climate patterns are prompting a renewed interest in impoundment construction, and urge close regulatory oversight over such projects.

Southeastern Naturalist↗
USGS2020

Daily nest predation rates decrease with body size in passerine birds

Body size evolution is generally framed by the benefits of being large, while costs are largely overlooked. An important putative cost of being large is the need to extend development periods, which should increase exposure to predation and potentially select against larger size. In birds, this selection pressure can be important because predation is the main source of offspring mortality and predators should more readily detect the larger nests associated with larger body sizes. Here, we show for diverse passerine birds across the world that counter to expectations, larger species suffer lower daily nest predation rates than smaller species. This pattern is consistent despite latitudinal variation in predation and does not seem to reflect a tendency of larger species to use more protected nests or less exposed nest locations. Evidence instead suggests that larger species attack a wider array of predator sizes, which could reduce predation rates in nests of large-bodied species. Regardless of the mechanism, the lower daily nest predation rates of larger species yield slightly lower predation rates over the entire development period compared with smaller species. These results highlight the importance of behavior as a mechanism to alter selection pressures and have implications for body size evolution.

The American Naturalist↗
USGS2024

Ecology of an insular snake assemblage in coastal Maine

Wildlife populations at the peripheries of their distributions or on isolated islands often display divergent and poorly understood morphological or life-history characteristics compared to core populations. We used a capture–mark–recapture dataset collected over a 19-year period to characterize a northern, insular snake assemblage in coastal Maine. We captured 611 individual snakes of 4 species ( Thamnophis sirtalis [Common Gartersnake; n = 221 individuals], Diadophis punctatus [Ring-necked Snake; n = 258 individuals], Storeria occipitomaculata [Red-bellied Snake; n = 81 individuals], and Opheodrys vernalis [Smooth Greensnake; n = 51 individuals]) and recorded 104 recaptures. We provide some of the first data on growth, reproduction, and movement for these species in northern New England, expanding our understanding of insular and northern snake populations. Specifically, we found that Common Gartersnakes fed primarily on earthworms and amphibians and grew rapidly, in accordance with mainland populations, but exhibited smaller size at maturity and average litter sizes. We captured an unusually large number of Ring-necked Snakes, which are uncommon elsewhere in Maine, and recorded an apparently localized nesting area for this species, as well as relatively long-distance (230–300 m) dispersal away from that location. In our population, female Ring-necked Snakes mature in their third year, and this species exhibits weak sexual size dimorphism (SSD). We found the ecology of Red-bellied Snakes at our study site to be similar to other populations, with individuals feeding on slugs, and females maturing in their second year; however, our population exhibited the strongest pattern of (female-biased) SSD. Smooth Greensnakes were restricted to the most extensive old-field habitat within our study site and fed on a variety of arthropods. We confirmed communal nesting and short incubation period for this species and provide among the first data on growth and longevity (at least 7 years) of this relatively understudied species.

Maine↗
USGS2001

Status and habitat relationships of northern flying squirrels on Mount Desert Island, Maine

Northern (Glaucomys sabrinus) and southern (G. volans) flying squirrels occur in Maine, but there is uncertainty about range overlap in southcentral Maine where the southern flying squirrel reaches its geographic range limit. We surveyed flying squirrels on Mount Desert Island (MDI), located along the central Maine coast, to update the current status and distribution of these species. We captured only northern flying squirrels, and populations (> 2 individuals) were located in two conifer stands and one mixed conifer-hardwood stand. All three stands were located in relatively older forests, outside a large area burned in a 1947 fire. Tree diameters were similar between trap stations with and without captures, under-story density was low overall, and there was a trend of higher seedling density at capture locations. Low understory density may allow squirrels more effective gliding movements between trees, which may enhance predator avoidance. Although the southern flying squirrel was reported from MDI numerous times during the 20th century, no voucher specimens exist, and species identification and localities have been poorly documented. Future surveys on MDI should consider collection of voucher specimens to validate subsequent survey efforts and effectively document changes in local biodiversity.

Northeastern Naturalist↗
USGS2018

Effects of an extreme flood event on federally endangered Diamond Darter abundances

Extreme flood events can substantially affect riverine systems, modifying instream habitat and influencing fish assemblages and densities. Rare species are especially vulnerable to these disturbance events because of their small population size and often reduced phenotypic heterogeneity. In June 2016 the lower Elk River in West Virginia experienced severe flooding, resulting in a peak discharge that exceeded the 0.005 annual exceedance probability (>200 y flood) in the main stem. We obtained pre-flood and postflood population count data and estimated abundances for one cohort of the federally endangered Diamond Darter ( Crystallaria cincotta ) at 15 sites. While both the total count data and total estimated abundance decreased following the flood, our analyses did not indicate the extreme flood event strongly impacted Diamond Darter abundance. This indicates individuals are able to withstand high velocities and resist displacement or mortality. In addition site-level abundances were estimated at three sentinel sites during 2015 and 2016 using a multinomial N -mixture model that accounted for variation in detectability resulting from water temperature. Mean estimated abundance varied among the three sites and between the 2 y. Our results suggest there is substantial variation in year-class strength between the two cohorts we sampled. It is suggested that survey efforts at established sentinel sites be continued on an annual basis in order to help determine factors influencing year-class strength.

The American Midland Naturalist↗
USGS2025

Serological assessment of pathogen exposure among desert bighorn sheep in southwestern Arizona

Bighorn sheep ( Ovis canadensis ) are influenced by infectious diseases. Although Mycoplasma ovipneumoniae has been the main focus of bighorn sheep managers since early 2010, other pathogens may also influence bighorn sheep populations. We sampled desert bighorn sheep ( Ovis canadensis mexicana ) captured for a study on the Cabeza Prieta National Wildlife Refuge in southwestern Arizona, USA, 2001–2005, for a suite of pathogens: bluetongue (BT), epizootic hemorrhagic disease (EHD), parainfluenza 3, bovine respiratory syncytial virus, Clamydia , seven Leptospira serovars, bovine herpesvirus 1 (causative agent of infectious bovine rhinotracheitis), bovine viral diarrhea virus, and bovine respiratory syncytial virus. We recorded evidence of exposure to seven of these pathogens, with two Leptospira serovars ( hardjo and bratislava ), five strains of BT, and two strains of EHD detected. Seroprevalence rates of detected pathogens varied between 12–49%. We observed high levels of co-occurrence for EHD and BT. These results highlight that multiple pathogens may influence desert bighorn sheep populations. These data also provide historical context to pathogen exposure for a region where few such data are available.

Arizona↗