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W.I. Boarman

Publications and source records attributed to W.I. Boarman.

24 records · Page 2Linked to original sources
USGS1991

Effect of experience with pine (Pituophis melanoleucus) and king (Lampropeltis getulus) snake odors on Y-maze behavior of pine snake hatchlings

The abilities of hatchling pine snakes ( Pituophis melanoleucus ) and king snakes ( Lampropeltis getulus ) to discriminate the chemical trails of pine and king snakes was investigated in Y -maze experiments. Pine snakes were housed for 17 days either with shavings impregnated with pine snake odor, king snake odor, or no odor to test for the effect of experience on choice. Both pine and king snake hatchlings entered the arm with the pine snake odor and did not enter the arm with the king snake odor. The data support the hypothesis that hatchlings of both species can distinguish conspecific odors from other odors and that our manipulation of previous experience was without effect for pine snake hatchlings.

Journal of Chemical Ecology↗
USGS1988

Experimental evidence for sibling recognition in Common Terns (Sterna hirundo)

Young Common Terns ( Sterna hirundo ) did not respond preferentially to calls of siblings at 8 and 9 days of age, but did so by 12 days of age. In experiments with and without visual isolation, and with use of playback, we demonstrated a tendency to approach sibling begging calls. This differential response indicated sibling-recognition occurred, was based on experience, and involved vocal cues.

The Auk↗
USGS1988

Hibernacula and summer den sites of pine snakes (Pituophis melanoleucus) in the New Jersey pine barrens

We examined eight summer dens (used only in summer) and seven hibernacula (occupied both in winter and summer) of the snake Pituophis melanoleucus in the New Jersey Pine Barrens, comparing above ground characteristics of hibernacula and summer dens with characteristics at nearby random points. Temperatures at the soil surface and at 10 cm depth were significantly warmer, and there was less leaf cover around the random points compared to the entrances of the hibernacula and summer dens. Hibernacula had significantly more vegetation cover within 5 m, more leaf cover over the burrow entrance, and were closer to trees than were summer dens. Most hibernacula and summer dens were beside old fallen logs (73%), the entrance tunnels following decaying roots into the soil. Excavation of the hibernacula and summer dens indicated that most hibernacula appeared to be dug by the snakes and had an average of eight side chambers and 642 cm of tunnels, compared to less than one side chamber and 122 cm of tunnels for summer dens. Except for hatchlings, most snakes in hibernacula were located in individual chambers off the main tunnel; all snakes were at depths of 50-111 cm (X̄ = 79 cm). Pine snakes may select optimum hibernation sites which reduce winter mortality.

Journal of Herpetology↗