Geology topics

William F. Andelt

Publications and source records attributed to William F. Andelt.

5 recordsLinked to original sources

USGS2020

Reproduction and denning by San Clemente Island Foxes: Age, sex, and polygamy

Channel Island foxes ( Urocyon littoralis ) live on six of the eight California Channel Islands, and each island is inhabited by a distinct subspecies. Until recently, four of these subspecies were listed under the Endangered Species Act as endangered. Although three of the four subspecies have been delisted, and one subspecies was downlisted to threatened, all subspecies are still vulnerable because of small population sizes and potential threats from predation and disease. Consequently, information on reproductive behavior for each subspecies, including the San Clemente Island fox ( Urocyon littoralis clementae ), is important for understanding fox population dynamics. We determined reproductive status of 28 island foxes through observations of radio collared yearlings and adults with or without juveniles between 25 February and 8 October 2009. We found a greater number of adult foxes than yearling foxes and a greater number of female foxes than male foxes observed with juveniles. Also, there was a significantly greater probability of observing adult female foxes with juveniles than yearling males with juveniles. Only 1 of 28 radio collared foxes exhibited either polygamous or “helper” behaviors. Parturition started approximately 2 months earlier than historically recorded for other Channel Island fox subspecies. Our results suggest that in future studies of reproductive success more effort should be placed on monitoring adult females than yearling males. If emergence from dens continues to occur earlier than previously recorded, the current recommended time period for trapping (20 June–31 January) might need revision to exclude January to reduce stress to pregnant females. If all foxes have similar probabilities of transmitting disease on a given contact with juveniles, our data suggest that it may be appropriate to focus more vaccination efforts on females than males and adults than yearlings because they contact juveniles more frequently.

California↗

USGS2011

Effects of roads on survival of San Clemente Island foxes

Roads generate a variety of influences on wildlife populations; however, little is known about the effects of roads on endemic wildlife on islands. Specifically, road‐kills of island foxes ( Urocyon littoralis ) on San Clemente Island (SCI), Channel Islands, California, USA are a concern for resource managers. To determine the effects of roads on island foxes, we radiocollared foxes using a 3‐tiered sampling design to represent the entire population in the study area, a sub‐population near roads, and a sub‐population away from roads on SCI. We examined annual survival rates using nest‐survival models, causes of mortalities, and movements for each sample. We found the population had high annual survival (0.90), although survival declined with use of road habitat, particularly for intermediate‐aged foxes. Foxes living near roads suffered lower annual survival (0.76), resulting from high frequencies of road‐kills (7 of 11 mortalities). Foxes living away from roads had the highest annual survival (0.97). Road‐kill was the most prominent cause of mortality detected on SCI, which we estimated as killing 3–8% of the population in the study area annually. Based on movements, we were unable to detect any responses by foxes that minimized their risks from roads. The probabilities of road‐kills increased with use of the road habitat, volume of traffic, and decreasing road sinuosity. We recommend that managers should attempt to reduce road‐kills by deterring or excluding foxes from entering roads, and attempting to modify behaviors of motorists to be vigilant for foxes.

California↗

USGS2006

Attitudes and perceptions about prairie dogs

We sometimes get the impression that all ranchers and farmers of the western United States hate prairie dogs, and that people everywhere else love them. This generality contains elements of truth, but better documentation of attitudes and perceptions is paramount for good conservation. In this chapter we examine attitudes and perceptions about prairie dogs, and how state and federal actions affect these viewpoints. We also investigate how wildlife managers might respond to attitudes and perceptions about prairie dogs.

Book chapter↗

USGS1990

Brood habitat use of Rio Grande wild turkeys

Habitat use of 14 Rio Grande wild turkey ( Meleagris gallopavo ) broods was studied in riparian habitats in northeast Colorado in 1986-87. Of 191 locations, 78% were within the riparian zone, 11 % in agricultural uplands, and 11 % on the edge between these habitats. Use of habitats was dependent on time of day. Within the riparian zone, older broods used grazed areas more often than young broods. Microhabitat use was examined at 35 brood and 29 random locations within the riparian zone. Plots used by young broods had higher frequencies of grasses than random plots.

Colorado↗

USGS1989

Nest habitat use of Rio Grande wild turkeys

Nest habitat use of Rio Grande Wild Turkeys ( Meleagris gallopavo intermedia ) was studied along the South Platte River in northeast Colorado in 1986-87. Thirty-three of 35 nests were in riparian habitats. Nests were either in western snowberry ( Symphoricarpos occidentalis ) (67%) or mixed forbs and grasses (33%). Early season nests were more likely to be in snowberry than late season nests. Nest sites were characterized by greater overstory canopy cover, more shrubs, fewer grasses, and greater understory cover and height than surrounding areas. These areas had more shrubs, fewer large trees, and greater understory cover and height than riparian habitats throughout the study area. Phenology of understory vegetation and the effect of such vegetation on nest predation may influence temporal patterns of nest habitat use.

The Wilson Bulletin↗