Though it may appear counterintuitive, certain positive attributes can eventually have negative consequences when taken to an extreme. This concept is exemplified in sports, where increase talent among team members initially leads improved success, but beyond a threshold, excessive adversely affect the team. occurrence known as Too Much Talent (TMT) effect, wherein status conflicts highly skilled players hinder performance, particularly sports that require coordination and cooperation. While...

Examined the associations between parental and child distress, moderating effects of exposure to life events, in families with without a history pediatric cancer. Children cancer their parents (N = 255) healthy comparison dyads 142) completed self-report measures depression, anxiety, posttraumatic stress symptoms. reported on total number stressful events they had experienced. Correlations symptoms were examined. Moderating tested using multiple regression. Parent significantly related only...

Advances in remotely sensed data for characterizing habitat have enabled development of spatially explicit predictive species distribution models (SDM) that can be essential tools management. SDMs commonly use coarse‐grain metrics, such as forest patch size or connectivity, over broad spatial extents. However, distributions are likely driven part by local, fine‐grained conditions. Conservation and management often planned applied locally, where coarse predictions may uninformative not...

Orientation of the entrances bird nests may be especially important in grasslands, where protective cover from solar radiation and wind is minimal. We examined orientation patterns nest-dome two grassland species, Grasshopper Sparrow (Ammodramus savannarum) Eastern Meadowlark (Sturnella magna). noted how these changed over nesting season they related to prevailing direction. found that (n = 333) 272) were oriented nonrandomly, toward northeast (ā 33.4° 52.9°, respectively). Prevailing study...

Abstract Rutting calls of male and alarm female red deer ( Cervus elaphus ), sika C. nippon their hybrids were recorded from wild captive‐bred populations. Vocal variations between these species × ) examined using multivariate analysis to determine whether groups could be successfully discriminated. There highly significant differences the vocalizations each group for both sexes (males: Wilks' Λ= 0.0233, P <0.0001; females: 0.1338, <0.0001). The greatest analogous deer. Vocalizations...

ABSTRACT Methods for monitoring bird nests might influence rates of nest predation, but the effects various methods (e.g., visual markers and observer visitation rates) are often separately investigated among disparate avian taxa geographic regions. Few investigators have explored potential observers on success grassland birds, despite concerns regarding population declines these species in North America. We examined possible three techniques daily survival Lark Sparrows (Chondestes...

A series of large blocks from the 44-North Slide, offshore Oregon, impacted seafloor with sufficient force to induce a broad zone deformation. In 2017, we acquired seismic profile headwall area outer toe this slide. Previous work identified slide, but it has not been imaged at high resolution before survey. striking surficial feature is collection that lie downslope an amphitheater-shaped headwall. The traveled up 20-km horizontally and about 1200-m vertically down 13° slope now cover ~100...

Given natural variation in weather conditions and increased risk of drought associated with climate change, understanding how birds respond to fluctuations precipitation is a necessary step toward development more-effective, long-term management strategies for species conservation concern. We compared behaviors reproductive output the federally endangered Vireo atricapilla (Black-capped Vireo, hereafter Vireo) during an extreme event year moderate rainfall. During drought, Vireos had lower...

Abstract Anthropogenic noise associated with highway construction and operation can have individual‐ population‐level consequences for wildlife (e.g., reduced densities, decreased reproductive success, behavioral changes). We used a before–after control–impact study design to examine the potential impacts of traffic on endangered golden‐cheeked warblers ( Setophaga chrysoparia ; hereafter warbler) in urban Texas. mapped monitored warbler territories before (2009–2011), during (2012–2013),...

Abstract Recent advances in low-cost autonomous recording unit (ARU) technology have made large-scale bat monitoring projects more practical, but several key features of ARUs (e.g., microphone quality and triggering thresholds) can influence their ability to detect record bats. As such, it is important quantify report variation ARU performance as new systems become available. We used the automated classification software SonoBat compare numbers call files, echolocation pulses, species...

Relating population density to spatially explicit habitat characteristics can inform management by directing efforts areas with lower densities or focusing conservation and land protection on high-density areas. We conducted point-transect surveys for the endangered Golden-cheeked Warbler (Setophaga chrysoparia) Black-capped Vireo (Vireo atricapilla) in live-fire region of Fort Hood, Texas. used mark—recapture distance sampling combined a Horvitz-Thompson estimator habitat-based,...

Worldwide, wildlife–aircraft strikes cost more than US$1.2 billion in aircraft damage and downtime jeopardize the safety of aircrews, passengers, animals. Radar has long been used to monitor flying animal movements can be a useful tool for strike mitigation. In USA, Avian Hazard Advisory System (AHAS) is an early‐warning system that integrates data from next‐generation weather radar (NEXRAD) surveillance radars (WSRs) with historic bird occurrence quantify avian activity forecast relative...

Ambient temperature may influence selection of foraging sites by organisms that use sap as a primary food source. I examined the spatial orientation wells excavated Yellow-bellied Sapsuckers (Sphyrapicus varius) on pine trees (Pinus spp.; n = 43) in eastern Kansas. Sap were oriented toward southwest (ā 246.04°, s 65.46°, P 0.004), unlike previous studies. Benefits southwesterly well include avoidance high winds while and increased flow sides warmed afternoon light.

Irish mountain hare and rabbit hair fibres were examined for differences in microstructure. Obvious significant found the widths of cortex shield shaft regions dorsal guard hairs. Other less obvious also noted scale overlap patterns. These findings applied examination a small number fox scats collected from coastal grassland habitat. Mammals by far most important prey item fox; remains present 83% examined. Hare 15% with significantly more occurring during winter.

Abstract Shrubs, such as mesquite ( Prosopis spp.) and cholla Opuntia spp.), now dominate fire‐suppressed grasslands in southwestern North America. Responses of birds to prescribed burning the shortgrass prairie this region are poorly understood. We examined daily survival rates mourning dove Zenaida macroura ) lark sparrow Chondestes grammacus nests an experimental landscape (4,811 ha) spatially replicated, inter‐annual fire frequencies (burning every 2 yr, 4 or 10 yr) near Amarillo, Texas....

Setophaga chrysoparia (Golden-cheeked Warbler; hereafter Warbler) breeds in oak—juniper woodland across central Texas. Our knowledge of Warbler-habitat associations remains limited to a small number long-term study sites. However, ecological conditions within Warbler habitat may vary by geographic location. We estimated vegetation characteristics at 24 sites occupied Warblers and 80 nests compared site nest natural regions. found differences volume also regions canopy height sites, but no...

We examined golden-cheeked warbler (Setophaga chrysoparia; hereafter warbler) behavior by age, sex, and habitat characteristics across their breeding range in central Texas (1995–1997). This federally endangered songbird foraged more on oak (Quercus spp.) substrates early the season Ashe juniper (Juniperus ashei) late season. observed no overall difference tree species use sex age; however, we detected female juvenile warblers low middle canopy often for all behaviors than males. Also,...

Encroachment of woody plants is widespread in semiarid grasslands the southwestern United States. Wildlife responses to shrub removal techniques region are relatively unknown. In 2008 and 2009, we examined avian prescribed burning ungrazed shortgrass prairie within a study area (4811 ha) near Amarillo, Texas, that heavily encroached by honey mesquite (Prosopis glandulosa) cholla (Opuntia spp.). Specifically, compared relative abundance, species richness, diversity breeding birds across...

Abstract Impact assessments are a valuable tool for investigating the effects of human‐induced and natural perturbations on ecosystems wildlife, including species conservation concern. The breeding range golden‐cheeked warbler ( Setophaga chrysoparia ), federally endangered species, is located in region with increasing development that includes housing, road construction maintenance, other land‐use conversions; along wildfire, oak wilt, disturbances. Although many these actions assumed to...