Recent News From the Field

Please Note:

Links shown below should be viable for approximately 30 days past the NWRA posting date. After this time sources may have removed the web page or may have archived the information to another web address.

September 2011

Decline of Deer and Antelope in Northern Colorado Mountains

A new study by the National Wildlife Federation shows a decline of pronghorn antelope of up to 64 percent in some areas and decline of mule deer by 36 percent. Officials with the Colorado Division of Wildlife confirmed the declines. The wildlife population reduction was attributed to drought, invasion of weeds, residential construction, and the acceleration of oil and gas drilling that has brought well pads, pipelines, and roads. Details: http://www.denverpost.com/news/ci_18642914
 

Rapid Range Shifts of Species Associated with High Levels of Climate Warming

August 2011. I-C Chen, J. K. Hill, R. Ohlemϋller, D. B. Roy, and C. D. Thomas. Science. 333(6045): 1024-1026. [Membership required for full paper.] The distributions of many terrestrial organisms are currently shifting in latitude or elevation in response to changing climate. Using a meta-analysis, the authors estimated that the distributions of species have recently shifted to higher elevations at a median rate of 11.0 meters per decade, and to higher latitudes at a median rate of 16.9 kilometers per decade. These rates are approximately two and three times faster than previously reported. The distances moved by species are greatest in studies showing the highest levels of warming, with average latitudinal shifts being generally sufficient to track temperature changes. However, individual species vary greatly in their rates of change, suggesting that the range shift of each species depends on multiple internal species traits and external drivers of change. Rapid average shifts derive from a wide diversity of responses by individual species. Abstract: http://www.sciencemag.org/content/333/6045/1024.abstract.
 

White-nose Syndrome (WNS) in Canadian Bats

Scientific researchers checking caves in New Brunswick, Canada in March 2011 confirmed WNS had arrived in Canada and that significant deaths are occurring in hibernating bats in area caves. This year’s Canadian cases mark the northernmost expansion of the syndrome. In the five years since the disease first arrived in caves near Albany, NY, it has spread to more than 190 sites in 16 eastern states, with suspected cases in 2 more, west of the Mississippi, and to 4 Canadian provinces. The disease’s toll now exceeds well over 1 million bats. Across North America, little browns have taken the biggest hit in terms of overall numbers, but at least five other species on the continent also have been devastated by white-nose. Details: http://www.sciencenews.org/view/feature/id/333675/title/Helping_bats_hold_on.
 

Domoic Acid Kills Dolphins and Sea Lions in CA

Naturally occurring plankton that produce the neurotoxin domoic acid has killed a number of dolphins and sea lions along the beach of Ventura County, CA. Article:
http://www.vcstar.com/news/2011/aug/19/dead-dolphins-sea-lions-found-on-oxnard-beach/.
 

Feral Hog Positive for Pseudorabies in MI

Testing revealed one feral hog infected with pseudorabies in Midland County, MI. More information:
http://www.mlive.com/midland/index.ssf/2011/08/captured_feral_pig_in_midland_county_tests_positive_for_pseudo-rabies_agriculture_officials_says.html.
 

Understanding Interaction Effects of Climate Change and Fire Management on Bird Distributions through Combined Process and Habitat Models.

June 2011. White, J. D., K. J. Gutzwiller, W. C. Barrow, et al. Conservation Biology. 25(3): 536-546.

Avian conservation efforts must account for changes in vegetation composition and structure associated with climate change. The authors modeled vegetation change and the probability of occurrence of birds to project changes in winter bird distributions associated with climate change and fire management in the northern Chihuahuan Desert (southwestern USA). Authors simulated vegetation change in a process-based model (Landscape and Fire Simulator) in which anticipated climate change was associated with doubling of current atmospheric carbon dioxide over the next 50 years. We estimated the relative probability of bird occurrence on the basis of statistical models derived from field observations of birds and data on vegetation type, topography, and roads. We selected 3 focal species, Scaled Quail (Callipepla squamata), Loggerhead Shrike (Lanius ludovicianus), and Rock Wren (Salpinctes obsoletus), that had a range of probabilities of occurrence for the study area. The simulations projected increases in relative probability of bird occurrence in shrubland and decreases in grassland and Yucca spp. and ocotillo (Fouquieria splendens) vegetation. Generally, the relative probability of occurrence of all 3 species was highest in shrubland because leaf-area index values were lower in shrubland. This high probability of occurrence likely is related to the species’ use of open vegetation for foraging. Fire suppression had little effect on projected vegetation composition because as climate changed there was less fuel and burned area. Our results show that if future water limits on plant type are considered, models that incorporate spatial data may suggest how and where different species of birds may respond to vegetation changes.
 

Fire Ants Killing Baby Songbirds at High Rates

Red imported fire ants may be killing as many as a fifth of baby song birds before they leave the nest according to research recently completed at Texas A&M University. Nests of black-capped vireos and white-eyed vireos in Coryell County, TX were monitored over a span of two years. Of the nests where there was no pesticide treatment, only 10 percent of the young birds fledged and were able to leave the nests. Of the nests with treatment to protect them from fire ants, 32 percent fledged. Nearly 70 percent are lost to other causes, and fire ants knocked the survival rate down an additional 22 percent. Further information: http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2007/09/070912143334.htm.

 

August 2011

Turtles Close Relatives

US biologists say they've solved the long-running dispute over whether turtles are more closely related to birds and crocodiles or to lizards. Paleobiologists at Mount Desert Island Biological Laboratory in Bar Harbor, Maine, say a new technique for analyzing and classifying animals has put turtles firmly with lizards on the family tree of life.
Read more: http://www.upi.com/Science_News/2011/07/25/Study-Turtles-lizards-related/UPI-82081311640179/#ixzz1TEYxbjKz.
 

West Nile Virus Cause of Killer Whale Death

In 2007, nonsuppurative encephalitis was identified in a killer whale (Orcinus orca) at a Texas, USA, marine park. Panviral DNA microarray of brain tissue suggeted West Nile virus (WNV); WNV was confirmed by reverse transcription PCR and sequencing. Immunohistochemistry demonstrated WNV antigen with neurons. WNV should be considered in cases of enchephalitis in cetaceans. WNV is a single-stranded RNA virus of the genus Flavivirus that is transmitted by mosquitoes. In humans and animals, WNV has been associated with a spectrum of clinical conditions from asymptomatic infections to sudden death. These have been identified in a variety of animal species. Among marine mammals, WNV infection has been reported in a harbor seal (Phoca vitulina). Full paper: http://www.cdc.gov/eid/content/17/8/101979.htm?source=govdelivery.
 

New Fossil Causing Avian Origin Questions

For 150 years an early fossil with feathers known as Archaeopteryx was thought to be the earliest dinosaur to avian transition discovered. However, a fossil recently found in China, 145 to 161 million years old, and named Xiaotingia zhengi is now casting doubt on the early theory. Interesting details: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-14307985 and
http://www.nature.com/news/2011/110727/full/news.2011.443.html.
 

Heat Wave and Toxic Blue-Green Algae

This summer’s extended heat wave is increasing the potential for toxic blue-green algae to appear in lakes and ponds. Cyanobacteria and their toxins have been associated with human and animal, including pets and wildlife species, illness in at least 36 US states. The toxins are classified in two categories: hepatotoxins (liver) and neurotoxins. Animals may become ill from drinking water containing the bacterial toxin or swimming and then grooming fur; there is no specific antidote. More information: http://www.cattlenetwork.com/cattle-news/latest/Livestock-producers-beware-Watch-for-toxic-blue-green-algae-126115753.html.

 

Rabies Increase in Texas

Veterinarians and state health officials are reporting more cases of rabies this year, especially in North Texas, and the drought may be forcing wild animals seeking water into more populated areas. Preliminary health department data shows 591 cases to date in 2011 compared with 387 during the same period in 2010. Further reading: http://www.star-telegram.com/2011/07/23/3241185/drought-may-be-contributing-to.html.
 

Rabies Increase in California

Ventura and Los Angeles counties are seeing an increase in confirmed bat rabies. Los Angeles County usually has 8 to 10 cases per year; 12 have occurred to date in 2011. Ventura County usually has 7 to 8 cases per year; 10 have occurred to date in 2011. Details: http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/lanow/2011/07/health-officials-issue-warning-on-rabid-bats.html.

 

Flooding and Disease

Readers in areas experiencing the recent flooding are reminded of the many dangers associated with cleanup after a flood. One may be exposed to serious infectious illnesses like leptospirosis without proper personal precautions. More information:
http://emergency.cdc.gov/disasters/floods/cleanupwater.asp.
 

Remarkable Polar Bear Swim

A female polar bear swam for a record-breaking nine days straight, traversing 426 miles (687km) of water. The bear made the epic journey in the Beaufort Sea, where sea ice is shrinking due to global warming, forcing mother bears to swim greater and greater distances to reach land—to the peril of the cubs. The cub of this bear was lost during the journey; it is unknown if the cubs are drowning at sea or whether the metabolically costly act of swimming long distances in freezing water kills them after land is reached.
Details: http://news.nationalgeographic.com/news/2011/07/110720-polar-bears-global-warming-sea-ice-science-environment/.
 

Bees Stop Elephants in Africa

A simple fence made from wood, wire, and beehives can deter elephants from raiding farmer’s crops in Kenya. In the past, elephants raided the crops for food, like tomatoes, potatoes, and corn, causing significant economic damage and conflict with farmers, who occasionally resorted to shooting or poisoning elephants to protect their livelihood and family.  Over a three-year trial and 32 elephant raid attempts, only one bull elephant came into a beehive fence. And, honey from the hives supplies additional income for the farmers. A unique win-win solution for all involved. Read more: http://www.bbc.co.uk/nature/14106484.

 

6 June, 2011
Hibernation Slows Rabies in Bats

Research modeling on rabies in big brown bats (Eptisicus focus) that took into consideration the hibernation period in this mammal species indicates, as one might expect, the rabies virus also ‘hibernates’ with the lowered body temperature of bats during hibernation. However, the modeling also indicated that without the period of hibernation that temporarily prevents rabies transmission among bats, rabies transmission was so rapid and bat deaths so fast that the bats would become extinct. Further information:
http://the-scientist.com/2011/06/06/as-bats-hibernate-so-does-rabies/.