A5034905866- Wildlife Ecology and Conservation
- Animal Ecology and Behavior Studies
- Species Distribution and Climate Change
- Ecology and Vegetation Dynamics Studies
- Animal Behavior and Reproduction
- Plant and animal studies
- Bat Biology and Ecology Studies
- Rangeland and Wildlife Management
- Fire effects on ecosystems
- Avian ecology and behavior
- Ecology and biodiversity studies
- Animal and Plant Science Education
- Evolutionary Game Theory and Cooperation
- Marine animal studies overview
- Yersinia bacterium, plague, ectoparasites research
- Satellite Image Processing and Photogrammetry
- Forest Ecology and Biodiversity Studies
- Primate Behavior and Ecology
- Aquatic Invertebrate Ecology and Behavior
- Amphibian and Reptile Biology
- Animal Vocal Communication and Behavior
- Opinion Dynamics and Social Influence
- Animal Genetics and Reproduction
- Complex Network Analysis Techniques
- Bullying, Victimization, and Aggression
University of West Georgia
2015-2025
University of Wyoming
2011-2014
University of New Mexico
2005-2012
University of Arizona
2003-2009
Willamette University
2006
Social network analysis provides a broad and complex perspective on animal sociality that is widely applicable to almost any species. Recent applications demonstrate the utility of for advancing our understanding dynamics, selection pressures, development, evolution social systems. However, most studies networks rely primarily descriptive approach. To propel field beyond exploratory analyses facilitate integration quantitative methods allow testing ecologically evolutionarily relevant...
ABSTRACT Motivation SNAPSHOT USA is an annual, multicontributor camera trap survey of mammals across the United States. The growing dataset intended for tracking spatial and temporal responses mammal populations to changes in land use, cover climate. These data will be useful exploring drivers relative abundance distribution, as well impacts species interactions on daily activity patterns. Main Types Variables Contained 2019–2023 contains 987,979 records image sequence 9694 deployment...
Abstract SNAPSHOT USA is a multicontributor, long‐term camera trap survey designed to mammals across the United States. Participants are recruited through community networks and directly website application ( https://www.snapshot-usa.org/ ). The growing Snapshot dataset useful, for example, tracking wildlife population responses land use, cover, climate changes spatial temporal scales. Here we present 2021 dataset, third national US. Data were collected 109 arrays included 1711 sites. total...
The eastern spotted skunk (Spilogale putorius) is a small, nocturnal omnivore that was once common throughout the United States, but has declined over last 75 years. We examined den-site selection of skunks in southern Appalachian Mountains Alabama from December 2014 to February 2016. compared local habitat characteristics 97 den sites 8 individual with paired random sites. Dens were most frequently located burrows, also found under uprooted trees, between rocks, tree stumps, and cavities....
Abstract The social thermoregulation hypothesis states that endothermic species will communally nest to reduce energy expenditures on thermoregulation. predicts the frequency of communal nesting should increase with decreasing ambient temperature. potential costs (e.g., increased predation risk, resource competition, cuckoldry, parasite/disease transmission, or infanticide) could decrease especially for asocial breeding females dependent offspring. We examined effects temperature and...
We compared home ranges of introduced Abert's squirrels (Sciurus aberti Woodhouse, 1853) in mixed-conifer forests Arizona during non-mating and mating seasons. Because are reported to depend on ponderosa pine (Pinus P. & C. Lawson) forests, the forest our study represented a novel habitat. Home-range size, home-range overlap with females, movement distances increased for males from size characteristics females remained consistent between seasons, but were reduced season. Males probably...
Spilogale putorius (Eastern Spotted Skunk) is an elusive species, and little known about their natural history in the southeastern US. We used a game camera to observe female Eastern Skunk southern Appalachians of Alabama carrying 6 different prey items her den from February August 2015. Half observations occurred while she had 2 dependent kits, suggesting was provisioning them with food. Identified food included 3 snakes, small mammal, fungal sporocarp, anuran.
Abert's squirrels (Sciurus aberti) are reported to depend on ponderosa pine (Pinus ponderosa) for food and nest sites. Introduced in the Pinaleño Mountains of Arizona, however, occupy mixed-conifer forests that contain almost no (about 2%). We examined selection drey sites this introduced population. Dreys (i.e., spherical nests) were built adjacent trunk at 75% tree height. found 5 different conifer species <2% pine. Drey trees larger had more access routes than did random trees. steeper,...
In communities where strong interspecific competition between native species is lacking, exotic and often exhibit intense resource resulting in decline of populations. We examined the potential for nest sites co-occurring Mt. Graham red squirrels (Tamiasciurus hudsonicus grahamensis) Abert's (Sciurus aberti) Pinaleño Mountains Arizona. Comparison use at different scales (nest, tree, site) revealed contrasting results. Competition nests trees appears unlikely given dissimilarity types tree...
Burrow architecture enhances important animal functions such as food storage, predator avoidance, and thermoregulation. Occupants may be able to maximize fitness by remodeling burrows in response seasonal changes climate predation risk. My objective was examine how banner-tailed kangaroo rats (Dipodomys spectabilis) modify the number of burrow entrances conditions. For 3 yr, I monitored fluctuations rat mounds. Individual continually remodeled mounds Compared summer, winter had approximately...
Facilitation, when one species enhances the environment or performance of another species, can be highly localized in space. While facilitation plant communities has been intensely studied, role shaping animal is less well understood. In Chihuahuan Desert, both kangaroo rats and harvester ants depend on abundant seeds annual plants. Kangaroo rats, however, are hypothesized to facilitate through soil disturbance selective seed predation rather than competing with them. I used a spatially...
Spilogale putorius (Eastern Spotted Skunk) is a nocturnal small carnivore that uses sites within cover for resting, raising of young, and protection from predators inclement weather. We examined activity patterns male radio-collared Eastern Skunks in Alabama by placing game cameras at resting-site entrances during winter spring. Monitored skunks were strictly never active before sunset or after sunrise. Ambient temperature moon illumination influenced skunk activity, with greater aboveground...
Abert's squirrels (Sciurus aberti) are reported to be dependent on ponderosa pine (Pinus ponderosa) forests for food, cover, and nest sites. Introduced in the Pinaleño Mountains of Arizona, however, occupy that contain little no pine. We documented diet tree use mixed-conifer using observations marked animals. Individuals ate similar food items as forests, including seeds, inner bark, buds, fungi, but 5 conifer species were used sources. Douglas-fir (Pseudotsuga menziesii) southwestern white...
The effects of proximal cues in eliciting natal dispersal are predicted to vary between sexes because differences reproductive strategies. I examined how body mass and condition affected timing male female banner-tailed kangaroo rats (Dipodomys spectabilis), a species that lacks sex-biased dispersal. experimentally manipulated by providing additional food subset offspring prior All supplemented offspring, regardless sex, grew faster, were better condition, had higher survivorship than...
Abstract Aim The assembly of species into communities and ecoregions is the result interacting factors that affect plant animal distribution abundance at biogeographic scales. Here, we empirically derive for mammals to test whether human disturbance has become more important than climate habitat resources in structuring communities. Location Conterminous United States. Time Period 2010–2021. Major Taxa Studied Twenty‐five mammals. Methods We analysed data from 25 mammal recorded by camera...
Widespread decline of native freshwater mussels has increased their susceptibility to extinction from environmental factors such as competition, disease, and predation. Mammals, in particular Ondatra zibethicus (Common Muskrat), are well documented major predators mussels. We assessed the impact Common Muskrats on freshwater-mussel community Shoal Creek, AL. surveyed 12.7 km Creek for signs mussel predation by Muskrats. Based species composition observed shell middens, foraged all 6...
Nearly half of all small carnivore species are declining globally, with many in danger extinction and requiring urgent conservation attention. We herein describe the formation a group focused on formerly poorly understood Spilogale putorius (Eastern Spotted Skunk). The Eastern Skunk Cooperative Study Group (CSG) was formed 2015 by experts biology management currently contains 143 members representing 29 state agencies, 24 universities, 6 federal 3 non-governmental organizations, 2 tribal...
Daily and seasonal fluctuations in environmental conditions can significantly impact the survivorship reproductive success of animals by altering energetic costs predation risks. Behaviorally, often respond to changes their environment through regulation activity associated movement patterns. We used accelerometer-informed GPS telemetry assess nightly patterns response a small endotherm, eastern spotted skunk (Spilogale putorius). Nightly movements skunks were monitored association with...
Cavity nests are rarely used by Abert's squirrels (Sciurus aberti) in ponderosa pine (Pinus ponderosa) forests. Introduced the Pinaleño Mountains of Arizona, however, exhibit occasional use cavity (ca. 10%). We examined characteristics nest sites this introduced population. were located at two-thirds tree height and found mainly both dead live aspen (Populus tremuloides). Aspen trees larger than random trees. had more large snags less steep sites. possibly cavities because thick trunks older...
Inquiry-based instruction has been shown to increase student motivation, engagement, and achievement in biology education. In this paper, we describe how used an open-inquiry—based approach engage undergraduate graduate students upper-level conservation-biology class. As part of course, designed implemented a research project using camera traps examine questions related wildlife conservation on their local campus. Students derived question through introductory readings discussion regarding...