The frequent interactions of rodents with humans make them a common source zoonotic infections. To obtain an initial unbiased measure the viral diversity in enteric tract wild we sequenced partially purified, randomly amplified RNA and DNA feces 105 (mouse, vole, rat) collected California Virginia. We identified decreasing frequency sequences related to mammalian viruses families Circoviridae, Picobirnaviridae, Picornaviridae, Astroviridae, Parvoviridae, Papillomaviridae, Adenoviridae,...

Four eastern Kansas populations of the prairie vole, Microtus ochrogaster, were live trapped from 1970-73 to gain insight into population regulation this species.All four exhibited a 2-yr cycle in numbers with peak densities generally occurring June 1972.Peak followed by decline numbers, recovery, and crash spring 1973.• Reproductive parameters changed dramatically as density rose fell.The summer breeding season year 1973 was shortened at least 3 mo.A reduction activity occurred during every...

Microtine rodents undergo 2-4 year fluctuations in population density known as cycles. A genetic-behavioral mechanism that is based on an rand Kselection argument has been proposed by Chitty (1960, 1967) for controlling these During the phase of increasing numbers when mutual interference minimal, genotypes with a high reproductive effort have selective advantage, whereas during peak intensive, there selection aggressive behavior. Although advantage respect to intraspecific competition food...

Human activity causes wintering waterfowl to expend energy avoid humans at a time in their annual cycle when conservation is important survival, migration, and breeding reserves. Understanding the effects of recreational activities on managing natural resource areas where migratory birds depend wetland habitat for resting feeding. We investigated responses 7 species dabbling ducks 5 different experimental human activities, (a pedestrian, bicyclist, truck traveling 2 speeds, an electric...

About 800 Microtus ochrogaster were live—trapped at biweekly intervals from May 1971 through March 1973 in 3 grassland study areas eastern Kansas, USA. Details of reproduction determined by autopsy. Population density increased the first winter, reached a peak April 1972, then declined sharply during that summer and beyond. Body length, but not body mass, tended to be positively related density. Both sexes matured about same weight; development was somewhat prolonged winter months,...

The Tasmanian devil, Sarcophilus harrisii (Boitard, 1842), the largest surviving marsupial carnivore, is endemic to Tasmania. size of a small stocky dog, with males weighing 9 kg and females 6 kg, S. scavenger large mammals opportunistic predator vertebrates. Life span in wild averaged 3–4 years until late 1990s when fatal cancer, transmitted by bites, began devastating populations, primarily adults. Devil Facial Tumor Disease (DFTD), soft-tissue neoplasm usually seen 1st on head, invariably...

Pacific Lamprey (Entosphenus tridentatus) are a native anadromous species that, like salmon, historically returned to spawn in large numbers watersheds along the west coast of United States (U.S.). play vital role river ecosystems and one oldest vertebrates that have persisted over time likely influencing evolution many aquatic species. declined abundance restricted distribution throughout Washington, Oregon, Idaho California. A key uncertainty status is impact climate change. We modified...

A population of the southern flying squirrel Glaucomys volans in southeastern Virginia was examined for its homing ability. Nest boxes were used to capture experimental animals and evaluate homing. Squirrels returned home with high frequency from distances up 1000 m. There a significant association between low temperature large aggregations huddling squirrels nest boxes. Holes as feeding stations never converted primary nests.

Three populations of the southern bog lemming, Synaptomys cooperi, were livetrapped from November 1970 through July 1973 in eastern Kansas to determine whether this microtine species undergo multiannual population cycles. Two (grids B and D) had such cycles, while one (grid A) exhibited an annual fluctuation density. The intensity breeding was generally higher summer than winter seasons. Grids D a percentage males condition during two seasons compared with grid A. Survival trappable adult...

The construction and function of a sturdy yet inexpensive small mammal live trap is described. Trans. Kans. Acad. Sci., 76 (1), 1973.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect 2 climatic environments (temperate [TEMP] vs. tropical humid [TROP]) on production and thermoregulation traits in growing pigs. A backcross design involving Large White (LW; heat sensitive) Creole (CR; tolerant) pigs studied. same 10 F LW × CR boars were mated with related sows each environment. total 1,298 ( = 634 from 11 batches for TEMP environment 664 12 TROP environment) phenotyped BW (every 15 d wk 23 age), voluntary feed intake (ADFI,...

The southern brown bandicoot, Isoodon obesulus, is a plump grayish-brown generalized omnivorous marsupial, mostly restricted to coastal regions of mainland Australia and the island state Tasmania. Two subspecies are recognized, with I. o. nauticus islands off South coast. obesulus lives in range habitats, especially those providing some vegetative cover soils yielding earthworms, grubs, insects, roots. Shrinking distributions toward coastlines water courses suggest that may be less tolerant...

During a 17-yr telemetry study, we examined the diet and ambush behavior of population Crotalus horridus in southeastern Virginia. Forty dietary items were identified from 37 fecal samples. We documented 722 instances snakes an posture, 61% which vertical-tree as if hunting arboreal prey at base tree. The most common Eastern Gray Squirrels (Sciurus carolinensis), accounted for 45% all represented estimated 78% total biomass consumed by C. horridus. Prey was not proportion to availability,...

Adult hispid cotton rats (Sigmodon hispidus) were collected from the field monthly for >2 years populations near northern edge of their range in Virginia and contemporaneously south-central Georgia. Body measurements weights taken at capture, after dissection embryos, corpora lutea, placental scars counted measured; testes seminal vesicles dissected out, measured, weighed. This allowed comparison several life-history parameters between tests hypotheses. The breeding season was up to 2 months...