Montana State University Library Open Journal Systems
Not a member yet
2608 research outputs found
Sort by
How to Attract a Loon
Get PDFProspecting is a behavior observed in many species when breeding territories are limited. This behavior has been observed in Common Loons. Yet, in Montana there are an abundance of unoccupied territories and competition for occupied territories is still fierce. We used Common Loon decoys and calls to find out if we could attract non-breeding loons to unoccupied territories. We found that there is a pattern between a loon landing on a territory and the presence of loon decoys (p = 0.11, n = 42). We also discovered a more expedient way (p = 0.05) to collect loon band observations using the decoys (n = 14). The data collected will be helpful in understanding loon behavior and will help guide future management actions
Moose Management in Southwest Montana: Insights From Four Years of Field Research
Get PDFFrom 2007-2010, Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks conducted research on moose ecology on the Mount Haggin Wildlife Management Area in southwestern Montana. In this presentation, we will briefly review our methodology and results, but will largely focus on the management implications of this research and potential ideas for future research. The goals of this research were to determine the habitat selection of cow moose during winter with an emphasis on willow community importance and to examine population-scale willow browse utilization through browse patterns. We also sought to contribute to a foundation for future research on moose in Montana. Using browse surveys on willow (Salix spp.) and GPS collars on cow moose, we were able to determine the current intensity of willow browse and basic habitat use of cow moose (e.g. home range size and location), and to model variables associated with both browse utilization and habitat selection. Management implications of the browse surveys include suggestions regarding sample sizes and sample site placement for future monitoring of willow community health or browse utilization. Additionally, species preference by moose has implications for riparian restoration. The habitat selection analysis showed the importance of willow and conifer communities and has implications for habitat conservation and aerial survey methods. Future research on moose ecology in Montana should focus on the impact of changing habitat and climate on habitat selection and population dynamics, the role of predation on populations of moose, and improving aerial or other survey techniques to more accurately monitor moose population trends
Spatial and Temporal Patterns of Trichinella in Montana’s Black Bears, 2004-2014
Get PDFTrichinella nematodes are a globally distributed, zoonotic parasite transmitted through the consumption of infected animal tissue. Humans are at risk of contracting Trichinella by consuming undercooked bear or mountain lion meat, and thus historically, Montana Fish, Wildlife, and Parks subsidized Trichinella-testing of hunter-harvested black bears (Ursus americanus) and mountain lions (Puma concolor). Here, we summarize 11 years of data (2004-2014) on the spatial and temporal distribution of Trichinella in Montana’s black bears. Risk of infection was spatially variable, highest in northwest Regions 1 and 4, and was positively associated with black bear and grizzly bear (Ursus arctos horrobilis) densities. Prevalence has been significantly declining across the state over time from a state-wide prevalence of 0.05 in 2004 to 0.02 in 2014. Potential causes and consequences are discussed. Montana Fish, Wildlife, and Parks stopped subsidizing Trichinella testing in 2015; hunters are asked to thoroughly cook their meat to an internal temperature of 165° F, which inactivates Trichinella species and most other parasites
A Comparison of Occupied and Unoccupied Sharp-Tailed Grouse Habitat in Montana
Get PDFThe sharp-tailed grouse (Tympanuchus phasianellus) was once present throughout the state of Montana. The species was extirpated in Montana west of the Continental Divide by the late 2000’s, while healthy populations still exist east of the Continental Divide. We compared key habitat components important to sharp-tailed grouse survival in occupied areas east of the Divide to unoccupied areas west of the Divide. We measured vegetative variables related to nesting, brood-rearing, and wintering habitat requirements in 3 occupied study areas and 4 unoccupied study areas during the spring of 2015. Habitat Suitability Index scores were calculated for nesting and brood-rearing. Habitat Suitability Index averages show habitat in the Blackfoot valley to be most suitable for sustaining a sharp-tailed grouse population, habitat in the Bitterroot valley to be potentially suitable, and habitat in Drummond and in the Mission Valley to be unsuitable at this time. These results suggest that the Blackfoot and Bitterroot valleys may contain suitable habitat for a potential sharp-tailed grouse reintroduction
Effect of Diluent Type, Diluent:Sperm Ratio and Extender Use on Rainbow and Cutthroat Trout Egg Fertilization
Get PDFPremature sperm activation can reduce fertilization. Sperm extenders are a potential remedy. In Test 1, rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) sperm motility and motility duration were compared among three diluent types, three milt:diluent dilutions and between extended and un-extended milt. Dilutions ? 1:1 were sufficient for complete activation of un-extended rainbow trout sperm with all three diluents. For extended milt, complete activation was observed in 4 of 5 replicates at 1:2 and all replicates of 1:3, but not at 1:1. Sperm motility lasted from 21 to 52 s and was unaffected by extender, diluent type, or dilution. In another test using extended and un-extended sperm to fertilize eggs at high female to male ratios (4:1), no significant difference in percent fertilization was observed between 4:1 and 1:1 ratios or between extended and control sperm treatments. For cutthroat trout (O. clarkii pleuriticus) eggs fertilized with extended sperm, there was no significant difference in survival to eye-up. The data indicated extender requires three-fold dilution, but did not negatively affect fertilization or duration of motility when common activating solutions were used
Fish Assemblage Structure and Growth in the Lower Milk River, Montana in Relation to Environmental Conditions
Get PDFWith the major habitat alterations on the Missouri River in the 20th century, native fishes must rely more heavily on the larger, more natural, inflowing tributaries for spawning and rearing habitat. A two-year study was conducted to investigate the occurrence and abundance of fishes in the lower Milk River, Montana, which enters the Missouri River immediately below Fort Peck Dam. In sampling conducted from May to August in successive years (2002, 2003), the fish species assemblage included multiple species of special concern (blue sucker Cycleptus elongatus, paddlefish Polydon spathula, sauger Sander canadense) and multiple watch list species identified by the Montana Natural Heritage Program (burbot Lota lota, brassy minnow Hybognathus hankinsoni, plains minnow Hybognathus placitus). Relationships with environmental conditions and their interactions with temporal variables (month, year) were investigated for occurrence and total catch data. Models were generally similar for individual species with temperature and turbidity being the primary environmental conditions influencing fish occurrence and abundance. Age and growth analysis was conducted on channel catfish (Ictalurus punctatus), sauger, walleye (Sander vitreus), northern pike (Esox lucius) and shovelnose sturgeon (Scaphirhynchus platorynchus). Channel catfish, sauger, walleye and shovelnose sturgeon all grew slower and lived longer in the lower Milk River than populations at lower latitudes. In view of the lower Milk River’s role as spawning and rearing habitat for native fishes and its history of alterations from upriver dams and irrigation withdrawals, more attention should be given to maintaining or improving existing habitat conditions, including adequate instream flows and turbidity
Restoring Wildlife Diverstiy at Landscape Scales
Get PDFMaintaining and restoring biodiversity remains one of the most challenging objectives for natural resource managers. Wildlife biologists have primary responsibility for meeting these objectives. In the U.S., the Endangered Species Act has encouraged a species by species approach to biodiversity conservation. While managing listed species is an essential component of wildlife management, this is a reactive approach that kicks in only when a species is already on a downward spiral. Proactive planning and actions are needed to keep species from reaching such critical levels. This requires comprehensive and cohesive strategies for habitat diversity that will maintain sustainable populations of all species. Ecosystem-based approaches are a cornerstone to such strategies. Examples of applications of such approaches are presented including on-going ecosystem-based initiatives for grassland conservation using prairie grouse as flagship species and planning for future forest conditions using the ecological sustainability components of the USFS Forest Planning Rule. These approaches can provide the habitat diversity required to maintain biodiversity including conditions for species for which we have little information. Suggestions will be presented on how we can build support for these approaches including how we can encourage engagement of multiple agencies, NGO’s, industries, and landowners in implementing needed conservation actions
Life History Traits as Mediators of Solitary Bee Responses To Climate-Warming
Get PDFClimate-warming is uncoupling plant-pollinator interactions by causing species-specific shifts in seasonal flowering periods and pollinator activity times (i.e. phenologies). The mechanisms mediating pollinator responses to warming are poorly understood, preventing conservation professionals from identifying the most at-risk species and limiting our understanding of the potential effects of climate warming on plant-pollinator communities. The goal of this study was to experimentally investigate whether solitary bee (Hymenoptera spp.) overwintering life stages influence phenological responses to climate-warming. Climate-controlled growth chambers where used to manipulate the temperature bees experienced while developing and overwintering. Results suggest that different physiological constraints associated with overwintering in the prepupal life stage compared to the adult life stage may influence how solitary bees respond to climate-warming in predictable ways. Bees that overwinter as adults may be more prone to phenological mismatches in the spring, while bees that overwinter as prepupae may be more prone to phenological mismatches in mid summer. In addition, the phenologies of bees that overwinter as adults may be converging with the phenologies of bees that overwinter as prepupae, causing reduced pollinator abundance during late summer and altering competition among bees for nectar and pollen during early summer. This work demonstrates that life history traits of bees may mediate their responses to climate-warming. These findings contribute to a better understanding of the effects of climate warming on pollinator species, with implications for preserving pollination services in Montana, as well as informing future studies investigating the effects of climate warming on plants and pollinators
Bats in Buildings: Assessing Human Structures as Roost Sites in Glacier National Park (Poster)
Get PDFMany bat populations are declining due to factors such as spread of white-nose syndrome (WNS) and changes in land use, increasing the need for information to prevent further declines. The little brown bat (Myotis lucifugus) is a species of concern in Montana, is susceptible to WNS, is the most common bat in Glacier National Park (GNP) and is frequently found roosting in buildings. We sought to document the locations and types of bat roosts in human structures throughout GNP. We conducted daytime inspections of 579 of the >900 buildings in GNP during summer 2015. When we detected a roost, we determined whether it was a day or night roost and recorded characteristics of the building and roost. In total we found 451 roost sites; most were night roosts. Buildings with tin siding were less likely to be used as night roosts, whereas buildings with masonry were more likely to be used as night roosts. Buildings with a bat house were more likely to be used as day roosts. We also found some evidence that bats preferred to day roost in buildings with tin roofs or logs. These baseline data on locations and numbers of bat roosts will allow biologists to better assess potential impacts of WNS should it arrive in Montana. These data also will provide GNP staff with the necessary information to develop mitigation measures to protect bats
CRISPR/CAS9 Gene Editing to Study Mammalian Iron Transport and Iron Homeostasis (Poster)
Get PDFThe CRISPR-Cas9 gene editing system is a 2 component system that utilizes the Cas9 protein and a sgRNA to target and knock-out a desired gene. The target gene is physically mutated by creating a double strand break in the DNA sequence of the targeted portion of DNA. Subsequent repair of the double strand break by cellular machinery typically leads to insertions or deletions (indels) that disrupt the gene, such that the gene is rendered nonfunctional. We are using CRISPR-Cas9 to knock-out genes involved in mammalian iron transport, specifically those of the transferrin cycle. Our first target is Steap3, a transmembrane ferric-reductase that reduces Fe(III) to Fe(II) for subsequent transport across the membrane into the cell by DMT1 (Divalent Metal Iron Transporter 1). Our specific strategy for the CRISPR/Cas9 knock-out of Steap3 and our progress towards this goal will be presented