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A genetic approach to determine river otter abundance in Missouri
(University of Missouri--Columbia, 2010)
's effects on sport fish populations have sparked controversy. The MDC responded by increasing efforts to monitor river otter populations, using latrine site counts to measure relative abundance across several rivers in Missouri. However, the actual number...
Space use and resource selection by Eastern spotted skunks in the Ouachita Mountains, Arkansas
(University of Missouri--Columbia, 2007)
of western Arkansas. During two years of field work we collected locations at 28-hour intervals for 33 eastern spotted skunks. Using kernel-based utilization distributions and the volume of intersection index analysis, we found significant seasonal...
Use of main channel and shallow-water habitat by larval fishes in the lower Missouri River
(University of Missouri--Columbia, 2006)
I developed a series of research objectives organized in a spatial hierarchy to characterize larval fish nursery habitat within the lower Missouri River. Native carpsucker spp./buffalo spp. (Carpiodes spp./Ictiobus spp.) and chub spp. (Macrhybopsis...
Effects of temperature, photoperiod, and substrate on the maturation and reproductive behavior of the Topeka shiner (Notropis topeka)
(University of Missouri--Columbia, 2008)
The Topeka shiner (Notropis topeka) is a federally-listed endangered cyprinid species native to small headwater prairie streams in the mid-west of the United States. It generally spawns over and around sunfish (Lepomis ...
Development and evaluation of a terrestrial animal-borne video system for ecological research
(University of Missouri--Columbia, 2008)
Ashland, Missouri. My research shows that our AVEDs are powerful new tools for ecological research that do not elevate stress levels of captive white-tailed deer and enable ecological research opportunities that traditional methods (e.g., radio telemetry...
Resource selection by black-footed ferrets in relation to the spatial distribution of prairie dogs
(University of Missouri--Columbia, 2007)
Once extinct in the wild, the black-footed ferret (Mustela nigripes) is one of the rarest mammals in North America. Reintroductions of ferrets at 13 sites over 10 years have resulted in only 3 self-sustaining populations. ...
Nutrients, chlorophyll and bacterial fecal indicators in coves and open water areas of Lake of the Ozarks, Missouri
(University of Missouri--Columbia, 2009)
Urban development and use of septic tanks in porous soils of Lake of the Ozarks poses a threat to public health via leaching into drinking wells and coves used for swimming. During 2 summers, phosphorus (TP), nitrogen (TN), ...
Evaluation of fecal glucocorticoid metabolite assays for short-term stressors and validation for stress monitoring in African herbivores
(University of Missouri--Columbia, 2006)
During stressful periods, glucocorticoid production is increased. Glucocorticoid metabolites are found in blood, urine and feces. Our first goal was to determine if fecal glucocorticoid metabolite (FGM) measurements are a ...
Occupancy modeling of forest carnivores in Missouri
(University of Missouri--Columbia, 2008)
My research used infrared remote cameras, trackplate boxes, and scat transects to survey for carnivores at 53 sites throughout the southern forested region of Missouri. Cameras and track-plates both detected Eastern spotted skunk (Spilogale putorius...
Relation of Missouri river flows to sandbar morphology with implications for selected biota
(University of Missouri--Columbia, 2006)
.e. an aquatic-terrestrial zone (ATTZ), within the main channel of the lower Missouri River. Predictive models of sandbar morphometry (area, wetted perimeter, elevation, and water-surface slope) were developed to determine how changes in discharge affect...
Resource selection and space use of the critically endangered Tuamotu Kingfisher (Todiramphus gambieri)
(University of Missouri--Columbia, 2010)
I investigated the ecological requirements of the critically endangered Tuamotu Kingfisher (Todiramphus gambieri), with the intent to provide management recommendations that could help prevent its extinction. The species ...
Development and evaluation of a technique for evaluating riparian vegetation change in the tallgrass prairie
(University of Missouri--Columbia, 2004)
North America's tallgrass prairie region is one of the world's most endangered ecosystems. Recent management and research efforts have focused on the effects of anthropogenic change to upland components of the tallgrass ...
Evaluation and development of black-footed ferret resource selection models
(University of Missouri--Columbia, 2009)
Resource selection function (RSF) and utilization function (RUF) models aid in evaluating habitat suitability and investigating hypothesized mechanisms of space use of wildlife. We monitored postbreeding resource selection ...
Intraguild interactions between native and domestic carnivores in central India
(University of Missouri--Columbia, 2008)
I determined various factors affecting the resource selection and spatial ecology of the Indian fox Vulpes bengalensis, a small canid endemic to the Indian subcontinent. I collected radiotelemetry data from 32 Indian foxes ...
Wildlife response to spatial and temporal changes in forest habitat
(University of Missouri--Columbia, 2008)
A common goal in land-management planning is to describe the relationship between management actions, vegetation and wildlife habitat conditions for large landscapes. Achieving this goal can be challenging because ecological ...
Impacts of suspended and deposited sediment on benthic invertebrates and fishes in a Missouri Ozark stream
(University of Missouri--Columbia, 2006)
Sediment is suspected in the decline of sensitive-aquatic organisms in the Osage River basin of Missouri. In this study, I monitored sediment dynamics and evaluated corresponding linkages with benthic invertebrate and fish assemblages as it related...
Experimentally assessing the influence of resource availability and social aggregation on the parasites of raccoons
(University of Missouri--Columbia, 2009)
I investigated how experimental increases in social aggregation and resource availability affected ectoparasite prevalence and intensity (number of parasites on infested hosts only) and endoparasite species richness of raccoons. Twelve independent...
Response of raccoon spatial and social behavior to the presence of an experimentally clumped food resource
(University of Missouri--Columbia, 2009)
In order to examine the effect of clumped resource patches on the transition from a solitary to a social or group-living lifestyle in a putativeIy solitary carnivore I contrasted raccoons inhabiting two adjacent sites on the University of Missouri...
Great Lakes lake trout early mortality syndrome (EMS) : contaminants, thiamin status, and their possible interaction
(University of Missouri--Columbia, 2006)
Salmonid populations in the Great Lakes experienced a decline in the early twentieth century, presumably due to over-fishing combined with the introduction of exotic parasites such as the sea lamprey. Despite intensive ...
Landscape and inchannel factors affecting the distribution and abundance of riverine smallmouth bass in Missouri
(University of Missouri--Columbia, 2008)
I developed a series of spatially-nested research objectives to identify habitat elements related to the distribution and abundance of riverine smallmouth bass Micropterus dolomieu in Missouri. The range of smallmouth bass was identified using a few...