A5071738084- Wildlife Ecology and Conservation
- Animal Ecology and Behavior Studies
- Rangeland and Wildlife Management
- Animal Behavior and Welfare Studies
- Wildlife-Road Interactions and Conservation
- Statistical Methods and Bayesian Inference
- Bat Biology and Ecology Studies
- Ecology and Vegetation Dynamics Studies
- Biochemical Analysis and Sensing Techniques
- melanin and skin pigmentation
- Skin Protection and Aging
- Human-Animal Interaction Studies
- Ecology and biodiversity studies
- Amphibian and Reptile Biology
- Ion channel regulation and function
- Fire effects on ecosystems
- Extracellular vesicles in disease
- Evolution and Paleontology Studies
- Rangeland Management and Livestock Ecology
- Virus-based gene therapy research
- interferon and immune responses
- Neuroscience and Neuropharmacology Research
- Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation
- Species Distribution and Climate Change
- Yersinia bacterium, plague, ectoparasites research
Mississippi State University
2017-2024
Michigan State University
2024
SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry
2019-2023
State University of New York
2019-2023
York University
2019-2023
Alaska Department of Fish and Game
2021-2023
Global Wildlife Conservation
2020-2022
National Institutes of Health
2015
Washington University in St. Louis
1995
COVID-19 lockdowns in early 2020 reduced human mobility, providing an opportunity to disentangle its effects on animals from those of landscape modifications. Using GPS data, we compared movements and road avoidance 2300 terrestrial mammals (43 species) during the same period 2019. Individual responses were variable with no change average or behavior, likely due lockdown conditions. However, under strict 10-day 95th percentile displacements increased by 73%, suggesting permeability. Animals'...
Abstract Obtaining unbiased estimates of wildlife distribution and abundance is an important objective in research management. Occupancy N‐mixture models, which correct for imperfect detection, are commonly used this purpose. Fitting these models a Bayesian framework has advantages but doing so can be challenging time‐consuming many researchers. We developed R package, ubms , provides easy‐to‐use, formula‐based interface fitting occupancy, other using Stan. The package also tools visualizing...
Large-conductance Ca(2+)-activated K+ (BK) channels are widespread and functionally heterogeneous. In other classes of channels, functional heterogeneity derives from large gene families, alternative splicing, heterologous subunit composition, modulation. The molecular basis mammalian BK channel is unknown, since only a single (mSlo) has been identified. in native vascular smooth muscle have an apparent Ca2+ sensitivity approximately 10-fold greater than brain or skeletal cloned mSlo...
Coexistence between humans and large carnivores may depend on carnivore adaptations to use developed landscapes while reducing human encounters. Roads are a widespread form of development that perceive as efficient travel routes or centers activity associated risk. We compared the spatio-temporal responses road with high-resolution tracking guild including American black bears (Ursus americanus), bobcats (Lynx rufus), coyotes (Canis latrans), wolves (C. lupus) in Michigan, USA. All selected...
Abstract With efforts to restore large mammal populations following extirpations, it is vital quantify how they are impacted by human activities and gain insights into population dynamics in relation conservation goals. Our objective was characterize cause-specific mortality of black bears ( Ursus americanus ) throughout their range. We first quantified for 247 one harvested two non-harvested populations. then simulated a small recolonizing with without anthropogenic mortality. Lastly, we...
The spatial scales at which animals make behavioral trade-offs is assumed to relate the factors most limiting resources and increasing mortality risk occur. We used global positioning system collar locations of 29 reproductive-age female black bears (Ursus americanus Pallas, 1780) in three states assess resource selection relative bear population-specific density, an index vegetation productivity, riparian corridors, or two road classes within home ranges during spring–summer 2009–2013....
Understanding the mechanisms of coexistence between ecologically similar species is an important issue in ecology. Carnivore may be facilitated by spatial segregation, temporal avoidance, and differential habitat selection. American martens Martes americana fishers Pekania pennanti are medium-sized mustelids that occur sympatrically across portions North America, yet two not fully understood. We assessed partitioning Upper Peninsula Michigan, USA, using camera trap data collected during...
Within optimality theory, an animal's home range can be considered a fitness-driven attempt to obtain resources for survival and reproduction while minimizing costs. We assessed whether brown bears (Ursus arctos) in two island populations maximized resource patches within ranges (Resource Dispersion Hypothesis [RDH]) or occupied only areas necessary meet their biological requirements (Temporal Resource Variability [TRVH]) at annual seasonal scales. further examined how intrinsic factors...
Understanding the types and magnitude of human-caused mortality is essential for maintaining viable large carnivore populations. We used a database cause-specific to examine how hunting regulations landscape configurations influenced North American gray wolves (Canis lupus). Our dataset included 21 studies that monitored fates 3564 reported 1442 mortalities. Human-caused accounted 61% overall, with 23% due illegal harvest, 16% legal 12% result management removal. The overall proportion...
Where two sympatric species compete for the same resource and one is dominant, there potential subordinate to be affected through interference competition or energetic costs of avoiding predation. Fishers (Pekania pennanti) American martens (Martes americana) often have high niche overlap, but fishers are considered dominant potentially limiting martens. We observed presence vigilance at winter carcass sites using remote cameras in Michigan, USA, test hypothesis that from creates a landscape...
Although most prey have multiple predator species, few studies quantified how respond to the temporal niches of predators which pose different levels danger. For example, intraspecific variation in diel activity allows white-tailed deer (
Trophic cascades reportedly structure ecological communities through indirect species interactions. Though the predator-herbivore-autotroph relationship has received much attention, mechanistic evidence supporting intraguild trophic is rare. We established 348 remote camera sites (1 August-5 September 2019) across seven study areas of varying wolf (Canis lupus) density including one area where wolves were absent in northern Michigan, USA. Using multi-species occupancy modeling at...
Ecological plasticity may index the capacity of individuals, populations, and species to respond stochasticity. Few studies have demonstrated mechanisms influencing expression less addressed proximate causal at multiple scales. We used linear models meta-analyses investigate factors among within population in den chronology for American black bears (Ursus americanus) brown (U. arctos) North America. found later mean entrance date longer duration denning populations both response apparent...
ABSTRACT Combining carnivore movements with site visits to investigate predation events can inform investigators of diets, kill rates, and risk factors for prey. However, detecting remains prey be challenging when is small or vegetation conceals Conservation detection dogs (CDDs) have assisted wildlife surveys locate objects conservation interest, often improving over human counterparts. We hypothesized that CDDs would improve efficacy at locations compared searchers. the CDD teams (1 dog, 1...
The parallel niche release hypothesis (PNR) indicates that reduced competition with dominant competitors results in greater density and breadth of subordinate which may support an adaptive advantage.We assessed for the PNR by evaluating relationships between variation intra- interspecific (an index competition) wolves (Canis lupus) coyotes (C. latrans), bobcats (Lynx rufus).We estimated population (wolf track surveys, coyote howl bobcat hair snare surveys) variability space use (50% core...
Canis lupus (Gray Wolf or Wolf) have killed subordinate canids that scavenge on Wolf-killed prey, but little evidence is available for antagonistic behavior of Wolves toward other at interspecific den sites. We investigated clusters locations from a global positioning system (GPS)collared male Wolf, translocated to Isle Royale National Park, MI, 23 March 2019. On 17 May 2019, we GPS cluster the and observed 3 Vulpes vulpes (Red Fox) kit carcasses an excavated Red Fox site. report details...
<title>Abstract</title> Wildlife tagging provides critical insights into animal movement ecology, physiology, and behavior amid global ecosystem changes. However, the stress induced by capture, handling, can impact post-release locomotion activity and, consequently, interpretation of study results. We analyzed post-tagging effects on 1585 individuals 42 terrestrial mammal species using collar-collected GPS accelerometer data. Species-specific displacements overall dynamic body acceleration,...
Wildlife contend with seasonal fluctuations in resource availability and have adapted survival reproductive strategies to overcome limitations. Many northern ungulates are a dynamic nutritional landscape rely on somatic reserves accumulated during the short growing season. Moose ( Alces alces ) populations boreal forest respond variation their landscapes that quickly change after wildland fires. We tested associations between energy of female moose suite factors relevant demands nutrient...
Abstract Through realisation of ecological opportunities, populations and species can experience relaxed selection pressures, facilitating release leading to rapid speciation morphological diversification. Behavioural plasticity in response environmental change contributes diversification by exposing individuals novel conditions through their interactions with resources or dispersal new areas. Despite strong theoretical support, demonstrations this evolutionary process are rare. The family...
Abstract Protected areas that restrict human activities can enhance wildlife habitat quality. Efficacy of protected be improved with increased protection from illegal and presence buffer surround a core area. Habitat value also affected by seasonal variation in anthropogenic pressures. We examined space use African lions ( Panthera leo ) within area, Serengeti National Park, Tanzania, surrounding varying strengths. used lion locations logistic regression models during wet dry seasons to...