A5073180940- Wildlife Ecology and Conservation
- Fish Ecology and Management Studies
- Animal Behavior and Welfare Studies
- Rangeland and Wildlife Management
- Ecology and biodiversity studies
- Genetic and phenotypic traits in livestock
- Animal Ecology and Behavior Studies
- Avian ecology and behavior
- Ecology and Vegetation Dynamics Studies
- Rangeland Management and Livestock Ecology
- Animal Behavior and Reproduction
- Species Distribution and Climate Change
- Wildlife-Road Interactions and Conservation
- Animal Disease Management and Epidemiology
- Fire effects on ecosystems
- Weed Control and Herbicide Applications
- Forest Management and Policy
- Economic and Environmental Valuation
- Reproductive Physiology in Livestock
- Allelopathy and phytotoxic interactions
- Prion Diseases and Protein Misfolding
- Forest ecology and management
- Insect Pest Control Strategies
- Marine animal studies overview
- Plant Physiology and Cultivation Studies
Mississippi State University
2016-2025
North Carolina State University
2022
Louisiana State University Agricultural Center
2022
Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service
2006-2019
Mississippi Department of Wildlife Fisheries and Parks
2014-2017
Amazon (United States)
2016
United States Geological Survey
2014
Institut Jean Nicod
2014
Yale University
2010-2012
National Wildlife Research Center
2006-2011
Abstract Morphometric variation of white‐tailed deer ( Odocoileus virginianus ; hereafter, deer) is caused by multiple environmental factors, including temperature, precipitation, soil quality, and forage availability. The effects temperature precipitation on plant growth are well documented, but it unclear how mineral concentration affects morphometrics. Although recognized that have larger morphology greater productivity in areas the United States with mineral‐rich soils, question remains...
Few studies have documented fine-scale movements of ungulate species, including white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus) , despite the advent global positioning system (GPS) technology incorporated into tracking devices. We collected temporal location estimates (i.e., 15 min/relocation attempt) from 17 female and male over 7 years 3 seasons in Oklahoma, USA. Our objectives were to document females males determine effects reproductive phase, moon short-term weather patterns on movements....
Abstract Environmental surveillance can allow early detection of diseases, which increases management options and improve disease trajectories. Chronic wasting (CWD) in cervids is a significant prion that has been spreading across North America since the 1960s, leading to cervid population declines concern from hunters state wildlife agencies. White‐tailed deer have unique breeding season behaviour called scraping, where they deposit urine saliva at shared sites. Since both these fluids...
Abstract A relationship between winter weather and survival of northern ungulates has long been established, yet the possible roles biological (e.g., nutritional status) environmental weather) conditions make it important to determine which potential limiting factors are most influential. Our objective was examine effects individual (body mass age) extrinsic (winter severity snowmelt conditions) on magnitude timing mortality for adult (>2.5 years old) female white‐tailed deer ( Odocoileus...
Quantifying how physiographic region affects age-related physical development of white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus) will aid in understanding land management and harvest regulation impacts. We analyzed 1991-98 data from Mississippi's Deer Management Assistance Program (DMAP) wildlife areas consisting 247,051 5 regions Mississippi. Sex, age, affected eviscerated body mass (P < 0.001). Age an antler size index However, significant interactions between age differences the slopes growth...
Theoretical support exists for an exaggerated male structure to serve as both a weapon intrasexual competition and ornament signal quality promote female choice. However, there is little, if any, evidence this theory in male–male breeding systems. Using white-tailed deer, Odocoileus virginianus, model species, we manipulated antler size on males while controlling body age allowed 25 oestrous females the opportunity choose between pairs of segregated with either large or small antlers. By...
Abstract Traditional forms of higher learning include teaching in the classroom on college campuses and in‐person adult‐focused public outreach events for non‐students. Online degree programs platforms have been steadily emerging, COVID‐19 pandemic has, at least temporarily, forced all related ecology evolutionary biology to move online delivery. Podcasting is a form mass communication that rapidly gaining popularity has flexibility be incorporated into pedagogical toolbox remote...
Animals determine their daily movement trajectories in response to a network of ecological processes, including interactions with other organisms, memories previous events, and the changing environment. These combine cause emergent space use patterns observed over longer periods time, such as whole season. Understanding which processes these emerge, how, requires process‐based modelling approach. Individual‐based decisions can be described system partial‐differential equations (PDEs) produce...
Abstract Eliminating supplemental feeding is a common regulatory action within chronic wasting disease (CWD) management zones. These regulations target the potential for increased animal‐animal contact and environmental contamination with CWD prions. Prions, causative agent of CWD, have been detected on feeder surfaces in CWD‐positive, captive deer facilities but not among free‐ranging populations, information relative risk transmission at anthropogenic natural food sources limited. In this...
ABSTRACT Predation is the dominant source of mortality for white‐tailed deer ( Odocoileus virginianus ) <6 months old throughout North America. Yet, few fawn survival studies have occurred in areas with 4 predator species or considered concurrent densities and species. We monitored cause‐specific from birth to 6 100 neonatal fawns during 2013–2015 Upper Peninsula Michigan, USA, while simultaneously estimating population deer, American black bear Ursus americanus ), coyote Canis latrans...
Abstract Sample size sufficiency is a critical consideration for estimating resource selection functions (RSFs) from GPS‐based animal telemetry. Cited thresholds include number of captured animals and as many relocations per N possible. These render RSF‐based studies misleading if large sample sizes were truly insufficient, or unpublishable small sufficient but failed to meet reviewer expectations. We provide the first comprehensive solution RSF by deriving closed‐form mathematical...
Abstract The ability to predict animal space use patterns is a fundamental concern in changing environments. Such predictions require detailed understanding of the movement mechanisms from which spatial distributions emerge. However, these are typically complex, multifaceted, and therefore difficult uncover. Here, we provide methodological framework for uncovering necessary building predictive models use. Our procedure begins by parametrising model each individual population using step...
Nutritional habitat quality in unmanaged southeastern forests often is limited because a dense midstory and litter layer impede growth of high-quality, shade-intolerant forage species. Management actions are designed to improve the quantity natural forages supplement with agronomic plantings. We evaluated use selective herbicide, prescribed fire, fertilizer production for white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus) naturally regenerated, mature loblolly pine (Pinus taeda) stands north-central...
Background The spatiotemporal distribution of resources is a critical component realized animal distributions. In agricultural landscapes, space use by generalist consumers influenced ephemeral resource availability that may produce behavioral differences across seasons, resulting in economic and production consequences increased human-wildlife conflict. Our objective was to assess changes habitat selection seasons an invasive omnivore (feral pigs, Sus scrofa). Hypothesizing pig primarily...
Abstract Cervid phenotype can be categorized as efficiency, which promotes survival but not extravagant growth, or luxury growth of large weaponry and body size. Although nutritional variation greatly influences these phenotypic forms, the potential for subspecies‐linked genetic founder effects from restocking efforts harvested species has been eliminated. We measured intergenerational change males in response to improved nutrition three captive‐reared populations white‐tailed deer. Study...
Abstract: Cause for spatial variation in phenotypic quality of white‐tailed deer ( Odocoileus virginianus ) populations is great interest to wildlife managers. Relating large‐scale land‐use patterns may provide insight into why exhibit and elucidate how management can influence population phenotype. We used an information‐theoretic approach relate average antler size 203 composition structure the habitat occupied by those populations. interspersion, edge, diversity indices represent...
Abstract Biologists tasked with managing cervids could benefit from models predicting physical characteristics. Differences in white‐tailed deer Odocoileus virginianus morphometrics across soil resource areas Mississippi, USA, provide opportunity to test the predictive capacity of chemical and forage quality variables. Using principal components analysis (PCA), we modeled variation body mass antler score ≥ 1.5‐year‐old male against seven variables 12 elucidate potential nutritional factors...
Body mass and antler development of Odocoileus virginianus (White-tailed Deer) vary by soil resource region in Mississippi, but a causative link from to deer morphology has not been established. We investigated crude protein (CP) content 8 important forages 5 soil-resource regions determine if regional differences available nutrition could potentially explain some variation morphometrics. Crude levels species composite all 1 individual forage decreased spring summer. Every exhibited spring,...
Abstract: Condensed tannins (CT) can reduce digestibility of forages for white‐tailed deer ( Odocoileus virginianus ), potentially confounding estimates diet quality and nutritional carrying capacity. We collected 143 spring 142 summer samples 8 important forage species from 22 properties in Mississippi, USA, tested CT content using a modified butanol‐HCl assay. Three (partridge pea [ Chamaecrista fasciculata ], southern dewberry Rubus trivialis roundleaf greenbrier Smilax rotundifolia ])...
Abstract Degree of reproductive synchronization in prey is hypothesized as a predator defense strategy reducing risk via satiation or avoidance. Species with precocial young, especially those exposed to specialist predators, should be highly synchronous satiate predators (predator hypothesis), while nonprecocial (i.e. altricial) generalist become relatively asynchronous avoid detection avoidance hypothesis). The white‐tailed deer Odocoileus virginianus North America an example ungulate that...
Age-specific body mass and % lactation are indices commonly used to monitor status of cervid populations relative carrying capacity. However, prior-year condition reproductive may influence these alter their interpretation. We examined variation in among cohorts female white-tailed deer Odocoileus virginianus determine: 1) patterns age classes, 2) if compensated subsequent years for restricted somatic development, 3) the relationship between within cohorts. Body young were more variable than...
The extent of heritability and predictability phenotypic characteristics influences directional selection a species' phenotype by the environment or through anthropogenic selection. Heritability is often related to evolvability, whereas describes efficiency using one characteristic predict another. Characteristics that are highly heritable predictable may be easily selected for against. Discrepancy exists in previous reports estimates antler white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus) if size...