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At least 127 records · Page 7Linked to original sources

USGS1996

Water-quality assessment of the Albemarle-Pamlico Drainage Basin, North Carolina and Virginia; organochlorine compounds in Asiatic clam (Corbicula fluminea) soft tissues and whole redbrest sunfish (Lepomis auritus) 1992-93

The analysis of potential contaminants in biological tissues is an important part of many water-quality assessment programs, including the National Water-Quality Assessment (NAWQA) Program. Tissue analyses often are used to provide information about (1) direct threats to ecosystem integrity, and (2) the occurrence and distribution of potential contaminants in the environment. During 1992-93, Asiatic clam (Corbicula fluminea) soft tissues and whole redbreast sunfish (Lepomis auritus) samples were collected and analyzed to obtain information about the occurrence and distribution of organochlorine compounds in the Albemarle-Pamlico drainage Basin of North Carolina and Virginia. The investigation was conducted as part of the NAWQA Program. Relatively few organochlorine compounds were detected and of the compounds detected, all were detected in relatively low concentrations. The organochlorine compounds detected were p,p'-DDD, p,p'-DDE, p,p'-DDT, dieldrin, trans-nonachlor, PCB's, and toxaphene. Multiple compounds were detected at 16 of 19 sites sampled. Compared to Asiatic clams, redbreast sunfish appear to be better bioindicators of organochlorine contamination in aquatic systems. Except for one detection of toxaphene, pesticide concentrations are well below the National Academy of Sciences and National Academy of Engineering (NAS/NAE) guidelines for the protection of fish-eating wildlife.

North Carolina, Virginia↗

USGS1977

Band recovery distribution of eastern Maine woodcock

A total of 9,643 American woodcock (Philohela minor) was banded in eastern Maine during the summers of 1962-74. The fall migration of these woodcock, based on 620 recoveries, occurred along a broad front between the Appalachian Mountains and Atlantic Ocean. Most birds wintered in a region extending from southern Virginia to northern Florida; a few woodcock moved as far west as Louisiana and eastern Texas. The band-recovery distribution of Maine woodcock, and band-recovery records from birds wintering in Louisiana published by other investigators, support the idea of Atlantic and Central flyways. However, recoveries from woodcock banded in breeding localities other than eastern Maine must be studied to more precisely relate major breeding and wintering grounds

Wildlife Society Bulletin↗

USGS2021

Post-white-nose syndrome passive acoustic sampling effort for determining bat species occupancy within the mid-Atlantic region

We assessed the sampling effort requirements for detecting the presence of extant bat species following the impact of white-nose syndrome in the mid-Atlantic region of the United States. We acoustically sampled 27,796 nights across 846 sites between 15 May and 15 August 2016–2018 within the District of Columbia, Maryland, Pennsylvania, Virginia, and West Virginia. We developed simulations to determine the number of sites required to document bat species when each site was sampled different numbers of nights. We examined these simulations with respect to land cover, physiographic region, and time period. We generally found that sampling a greater number of sample sites within a survey area increased detection more than increasing the number of nights at individual sampling sites. The sampling effort required to detect a given bat species varied by species, as well as land-cover type and physiographic region. Our results suggest that land managers and researchers should use caution in using protocols developed with other objectives, e.g., the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service endangered and threatened bat species and the North American Bat monitoring programs’ methods are designed relative to their specific needs. Unfortunately, neither protocol may be adequate for accurately detecting bat communities within all mid-Atlantic areas.

Maryland, Pennsylvania, Virginia, West Virginia↗

USGS2019

Impacts to wildlife of wind energy siting and operation in the United States

Electricity from wind energy is a major contributor to the strategy to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from fossil fuel use and thus reduce the negative impacts of climate change. Wind energy, like all power sources, can have adverse impacts on wildlife. After nearly 25 years of focused research, these impacts are much better understood, although uncertainty remains. In this report, we summarize positive impacts of replacing fossil fuels with wind energy, while describing what we have learned and what remains uncertain about negative ecological impacts of the construction and operation of land-based and offshore wind energy on wildlife and wildlife habitat in the U.S. Finally, we propose research on ways to minimize these impacts. TO SUMMARIZE: 1 Environmental and other benefits of wind energy include near-zero greenhouse gas emissions, reductions of other common air pollutants, and little or no water use associated with producing electricity from wind energy. Various scenarios for meeting U.S. carbon emission reduction goals indicate that a four- to five-fold expansion of land-based wind energy from the current 97 gigawatts (GW) by the year 2050 is needed to minimize temperature increases and reduce the risk of climate change to people and wildlife. 2 Collision fatalities of birds and bats are the most visible and measurable impacts of wind energy production. Current estimates suggest most bird species, especially songbirds, are at low risk of population-level impacts. Raptors as a group appear more vulnerable to collisions. Population-level impacts on migratory tree bats are a concern, and better information on population sizes is needed to evaluate potential impacts to these species. Although recorded fatalities of cave-dwelling bat species are typically low at most wind energy facilities, additional mortality from collisions is a concern given major declines in these species due to white-nose syndrome (WNS). Assessments of regional and cumulative fatality impacts for birds and bats have been hampered by the lack of data from areas with a high proportion of the nation’s installed wind energy capacity. Efforts to expand data accessibility from all regions are underway, and this greater access to data along with improvements in statistical estimators should lead to improved impact assessments. 3 Habitat impacts of wind energy development are difficult to assess. An individual wind energy facility may encompass thousands of acres, but only a small percentage of the landscape within the project area is directly transformed. If a project is sited in previously undisturbed habitat, there is concern for indirect impacts, such as displacement of sensitive species. Studies to date indicate displacement of some species, but the long-term population impacts are unknown. 4 Offshore wind energy development in the U.S. is just beginning. Studies at offshore wind facilities in Europe indicate some bird and marine mammal species are displaced from project areas, but substantial uncertainty exists regarding the individual or population-level impacts of this displacement. Bird and bat collisions with offshore turbines are thought to be less common than at terrestrial facilities, but currently the tools to measure fatalities at offshore wind energy facilities are not available. The wind energy industry, state and federal agencies, conservation groups, academia, and scientific organizations have collaborated for nearly 25 years to conduct the research needed to improve our understanding of risk to wildlife and to avoid and minimize that risk. Efforts to reduce the uncertainty about wildlife risk must keep up withthe pace and scale of the need to reduce carbon emissions. This will require focusing our research priorities and increasing the rate at which we incorporate research results into the development and validation of best practices for siting and operating wind energy facilities.

Issues in Ecology↗

USGS1999

Sora rail studies on the Patuxent River, Maryland

The freshwater marshes of the tidal Patuxent River are well known for their annual fall concentration of migrant soras ( Porzana carolina ) and were formerly the most famous rail hunting grounds in the Chesapeake Bay region. Because of concern over the apparent long-term decline in number of soras and the decline in the quality of the Patuxent marshes, especially the loss of wild rice ( Zizania aquatica ), the Maryland National-Capital Park and Planning Commission (MNCPPC), co-steward of the Jug Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve, sponsored rail-related research beginning in 1987. Past efforts focused on developing efficient trapping techniques, age and sex criteria, and monitoring body mass dynamics. Noted progress was made in developing digital playback systems and trap improvements to enhance sora captures. These improvements increased capture success by over an order of magnitude and resulted in capture of 2,315 soras and 276 Virginia rails ( Rallus limicola ) in the 5 year period, 1993-97. Although these methods demonstrate the efficacy of banding large numbers of soras on migration and possibly winter concentration areas, captures at the Patuxent River site have been 70-90% hatching-year birds and recoveries and recaptures have been virtually nonexistent. With the present effort, this outcome precludes population parameter estimation using traditional capture-recapture or recovery model methodologies. In 1996, studies were initiated to employ radio telemetry methods to investigate length of stay, habitat use, survival, and migration characteristics of fall migrant soras. These studies are ongoing and will be continued through 1998 with a grant from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service's Webless Migratory Game Bird Research Program and support from the U.S. Geological Survey's Patuxent Wildlife Research Center. Supplemental funding has also been provided by MNCPPC, FWS Region 5, the Maryland Ornithological Society, Quail Unlimited, and Prince Georges Community College. During 1996-97 we developed a successful radio transmitter attachment technique to secure 1.8g radio transmitters over the synsacrum of migrant soras. We modified Rappole and Tipton's (1991) leg-loop attachment method by addition of a waist loop to prevent soras from slipping transmitters over their short tails. Thin gauge (0.6 mm) elastic thread proved ideal for attachment and allowed for girth expansion associated with fattening during stopover. Sixty instrumented soras have been monitored in two years of study from early September until early November. Only a single mortality was recorded and 41 (68%) were confIrmed and another 13 (total 90%) were believed to have migrated from the study area. Only a single bird slipped a radio transmitter. Most birds demonstrated a sedentary nature in the marsh throughout stopover. Average length of stay was 44 days in 1997 (n=29) with peak departure occurring 20-24 October. Departing migrants were detected using a receiver/data-logger monitoring system placed 4 miles down river from the study site. Thirty-six of 37 (97%) soras departed in a 2-hour window of time, beginning 1 hour after sunset. Departure was synchronized with cold fronts on clear, starlit nights. Twenty-five soras were monitored on migration from 8 km to as far away as 770 km. Findings indicate migration flight speeds of 40 to 50 mph and a direct southward orientation from the study site at least until contact with the Atlantic Ocean west of Cape Lookout, North Carolina. We also attempted to monitor passage of migrant soras radio tagged at Iroquois National Wildlife Refuge in western New York by biologist Soch Lor. None were recorded passing a monitoring unit at Haldeman Island in the middle of the Susquehanna River 10 miles north of Harrisburg, Pennsylvania. This further corroborates our findings that when migrating overland, soras move in a direct southward orientation and are not following land features such as major rivers

Book chapter↗

USGS2014

Selection of forest canopy gaps by male Cerulean Warblers in West Virginia

Forest openings, or canopy gaps, are an important resource for many forest songbirds, such as Cerulean Warblers ( Setophaga cerulea ). We examined canopy gap selection by this declining species to determine if male Cerulean Warblers selected particular sizes, vegetative heights, or types of gaps. We tested whether these parameters differed among territories, territory core areas, and randomly-placed sample plots. We used enhanced territory mapping techniques (burst sampling) to define habitat use within the territory. Canopy gap densities were higher within core areas of territories than within territories or random plots, indicating that Cerulean Warblers selected habitat within their territories with the highest gap densities. Selection of regenerating gaps with woody vegetation >12 m within the gap, and canopy heights >24 m surrounding the gap, occurred within territory core areas. These findings differed between two sites indicating that gap selection may vary based on forest structure. Differences were also found regarding the placement of territories with respect to gaps. Larger gaps, such as wildlife food plots, were located on the periphery of territories more often than other types and sizes of gaps, while smaller gaps, such as treefalls, were located within territory boundaries more often than expected. The creations of smaller canopy gaps, <100 m 2 , within dense stands are likely compatible with forest management for this species.

Wilson Journal of Ornithology↗

USGS2024

Does daily activity overlap of seven mesocarnivores vary based on human development?

Many species of wildlife alter their daily activity patterns in response to co-occurring species as well as the surrounding environment. Often smaller or subordinate species alter their activity patterns to avoid being active at the same time as larger, dominant species to avoid agonistic interactions. Human development can complicate interspecies interactions, as not all wildlife respond to human activity in the same manner. While some species may change the timing of their activity to avoid being active when humans are, others may be unaffected or may benefit from being active at the same time as humans to reduce predation risk or competition. To further explore these patterns, we used data from a coordinated national camera-trapping program (Snapshot USA) to explore how the activity patterns and temporal activity overlap of a suite of seven widely co-occurring mammalian mesocarnivores varied along a gradient of human development. Our focal species ranged in size from the large and often dominant coyote ( Canis latrans ) to the much smaller and subordinate Virginia opossum ( Didelphis virginiana ). Some species changed their activity based on surrounding human development. Coyotes were most active at night in areas of high and medium human development. Red fox ( Vulpes vulpes ) were more active at dusk in areas of high development relative to areas of low or medium development. However, because most species were primarily nocturnal regardless of human development, temporal activity overlap was high between all species. Only opossum and raccoon ( Procyon lotor ) showed changes in activity overlap with high overlap in areas of low development compared to areas of moderate development. Although we found that coyotes and red fox altered their activity patterns in response to human development, our results showed that competitive and predatory pressures between these seven widespread generalist species were insufficient to cause them to substantially alter their activity patterns.

PLoS ONE↗

USGS2014

Predicted changes in climatic niche and climate refugia of conservation priority salamander species in the northeastern United States

Global climate change represents one of the most extensive and pervasive threats to wildlife populations. Amphibians, specifically salamanders, are particularly susceptible to the effects of changing climates due to their restrictive physiological requirements and low vagility; however, little is known about which landscapes and species are vulnerable to climate change. Our study objectives included, (1) evaluating species-specific predictions (based on 2050 climate projections) and vulnerabilities to climate change and (2) using collective species responses to identify areas of climate refugia for conservation priority salamanders in the northeastern United States. All evaluated salamander species were projected to lose a portion of their climatic niche. Averaged projected losses ranged from 3%–100% for individual species, with the Cow Knob Salamander ( Plethodon punctatus ), Cheat Mountain Salamander ( Plethodon nettingi ), Shenandoah Mountain Salamander ( Plethodon virginia ), Mabee’s Salamander ( Ambystoma mabeei ), and Streamside Salamander ( Ambystoma barbouri ) predicted to lose at least 97% of their landscape-scale climatic niche. The Western Allegheny Plateau was predicted to lose the greatest salamander climate refugia richness ( i.e. , number of species with a climatically-suitable niche in a landscape patch), whereas the Central Appalachians provided refugia for the greatest number of species during current and projected climate scenarios. Our results can be used to identify species and landscapes that are likely to be further affected by climate change and potentially resilient habitats that will provide consistent climatic conditions in the face of environmental change.

Forests↗

USGS2025

Public support for puma reintroduction in the eastern United States

Pumas ( Puma concolor ) are among the species identified as having the potential to enhance ecosystem function. Previous research highlights sufficient ecological habitat to support pumas in the eastern United States; however, their reintroduction requires social and institutional support as well. To this end, we conducted research to assess attitudes about puma reintroduction among key constituencies like hunters, rural residents, and young people. We sampled 2756 respondents across seven states (Massachusetts, Maine, New Hampshire, New York, Pennsylvania, Vermont, and West Virginia). Ratios of strong support (for puma reintroduction) to strong opposition across states ranged from 4:1 to 13:1, and support outweighed opposition in every state. Our results contrasted with common assumptions that hunters, rural residents, and people who identify as politically conservative oppose carnivore conservation and reintroduction. We found marginal differences among categories of people, but overall little variation in support exhibited by different groups. People who identified very strongly as hunters were more supportive of reintroduction than those who did not identify as hunters at all. Taken together, the presence of quality habitat and support for puma restoration warrant further exploration. However, federal funding for state-based restoration efforts likely requires the inclusion of pumas in State Wildlife Action Plans (SWAPs), which are currently under a 10-year revision due to be published this year (2025).

Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New York, Pen↗

USGS2011

Threshold responses of songbirds to long-term timber management on an active industrial forest

Forest managers often seek to balance economic benefits from timber harvesting with maintenance of habitat for wildlife, ecosystem function, and human uses. Most research on the relationship between avian abundance and active timber management has been short-term, lasting one to two years, creating the need to investigate long-term avian responses and to identify harvest thresholds when a small change in habitat results in a disproportionate response in relative abundance and nest success. Our objectives were to identify trends in relative abundance and nest success and to identify landscape-scale disturbance thresholds for avian species and habitat guilds in response to a variety of harvest treatments (clear-cuts, heavy and light partial harvests) over 14 years. We conducted point counts and monitored nests at an industrial forest in the central Appalachians of West Virginia during 1996–1998, 2001–2003, and 2007–2009. Early successional species increased in relative abundance across all three time periods, whereas interior-edge and forest-interior guilds peaked in relative abundance mid-study after which the forest-interior guild declined. Of 41 species with >10 detections, four (10%) declined significantly, 13 (32%) increased significantly (only three species among all periods), and 9 (22%) peaked in abundance mid-study (over the entire study period, four species had no significant change in abundance, four declined, and one increased). Based on piecewise linear models, forest-interior and interior-edge guilds’ relative abundance harvest thresholds were 28% total harvests (all harvests combined), 10% clear-cut harvests, and 18% light partial harvests, after which abundances declined. Harvest thresholds for the early successional guild were 42% total harvests, 11% clear-cut harvest, and 10% light partial harvests, and relative abundances increased after surpassing thresholds albeit at a reduced rate of increase after the clear-cut threshold. Threshold confidence intervals for individual species overlapped their guild threshold intervals 91% of the time. Even though relative abundance of most species (80%) did not decline as the area affected by timber management increased, implementing management at or below our approximate forest-interior and interior-edge harvest thresholds would reduce the number of declining species by half, maintain higher relative abundances of four species with a net decline in abundance but that peaked in abundance mid-study, and maintain higher relative abundances of ten additional species. In contrast, this management strategy also would prevent the increase in relative abundance of seven species and limit the increase in abundance of three species that increased throughout the study.

West Virginia↗

USGS2004

Avian mortality events in the United States caused by anticholinesterase pesticides: A retrospective summary of National Wildlife Health Center records from 1980 to 2000

We reviewed the U.S. Geological Survey National Wildlife Health Center (NWHC) mortality database from 1980 to 2000 to identify cases of poisoning caused by organophosphorus and carbamate pesticides. From the 35,022 cases from which one or more avian carcasses were submitted to the NWHC for necropsy, we identified 335 mortality events attributed to anticholinesterase poisoning, 119 of which have been included in earlier reports. Poisoning events were classified as confirmed (n = 205) when supported by findings of ≥50% inhibition of cholinesterase (ChE) activity in brain tissue and the detection of a specific pesticide in the gastrointestinal contents of one or more carcasses. Suspected poisonings (n = 130) were defined as cases where brain ChE activity was ≥50% inhibited or a specific pesticide was identified in gastrointestinal contents. The 335 avian mortality events occurred in 42 states. Washington, Virginia, and Ohio had the highest frequency of events, with 24 (7.2%), 21 (6.3%), and 20 (6.0%) events, respectively. A total of 8877 carcasses of 103 avian species in 12 orders was recovered. Because carcass counts underestimate total mortality, this represents the minimum actual mortality. Of 24 different pesticides identified, the most frequent were famphur (n = 59; 18%), carbofuran (n = 52; 15%), diazinon (n = 40; 12%), and fenthion (n = 17; 5.1%). Falconiformes were reported killed most frequently (49% of all die-offs) but Anseriformes were found dead in the greatest numbers (64% of 8877 found dead). The majority of birds reported killed by famphur were Passeriformes and Falconiformes, with the latter found dead in 90% of famphur-related poisoning events. Carbofuran and famphur were involved in mortality of the greatest variety of species (45 and 33, respectively). Most of the mortality events caused by diazinon involved waterfowl.

Ohio, Virginia, Washington↗

USGS1985

An aerial photographic census of Chesapeake Bay and North Carolina canvasbacks

We used conventional 35-mm photography to conduct an aerial photographic census of canvasbacks ( Aythya valisineria ) throughout Chesapeake Bay (tidal Maryland and Virginia) and coastal North Carolina, 26-30 January 1981. Flock size and sex ratio characteristics were determined from examination of color transparencies of 165 canvasback flocks totaling over 95,000 birds. A sex ratio of 2.91 males/female was determined from 68,769 birds, 80% of the birds in 150 flocks. Sex ratio for the Atlantic Flyway was projected as 2.90 males/female. We recorded the greatest number of canvasbacks and the widest range of flock size in Maryland waters; the fewest canvasbacks and the smallest average flock size in Virginia; and the fewest but on average the largest flocks of canvasbacks in North Carolina. Sex ratio varied latitudinally in the flyway with a tendency for males to occupy more northern and females more southern latitudes in winter. Sex ratio (males/female) was highest in Maryland (3.98), slightly lower in Virginia (3.71), and lowest in North Carolina (1.70). Locally, sex ratio varied with flock size. In Chesapeake Bay, small flocks (<100 birds) had lower sex ratio (P < 0.05) than medium (100-1,000) or large (>1,000) flocks. By providing large- sample sex ratio information, as well as exact counts of birds, we conclude that low-level 35-mm aerial photography is the most efficient and accurate means of determining canvasback population status in eastern coastal habitats.

Maryland, North Carolina, Virginia↗

USGS2007

Contaminant exposure and biomarker response in embryos of Black-crowned Night-herons (Nycticorax nycticorax) nesting near Lake Calumet, Illinois

We examined a suite of environmental contaminants and exposure endpoints in black-crowned night-heron ( Nycticorax nycticorax , BCNH) embryos collected in 2002 from colonies in Illinois, Minnesota, and Virginia. Embryos from the Lake Calumet, IL, colony had greater exposure to polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), 4,4'-dichlorodiphenyldichloroethylene (DDE), dieldrin, transnonachlor, oxychlordane, cobalt, copper, and selenium than did those from northwest MN and coastal VA. Embryos from IL and VA contained greater concentrations of mercury and zinc than those from MN, whereas the latter had greater accumulation of lead. Greater exposure of IL embryos to PCBs was reflected in greater ethoxyresorufin-O-deethylase and benzyloxyresorufin-O-dealkylase induction. However, measures of oxidative stress and genotoxicity were similar to those in embryos from the other colonies examined, and no overt toxic effects of contaminant exposure such as embryo mortality or malformations were observed. Although efforts to clean up the south Chicago environment are ongoing, Lake Calumet BCNH, and undoubtedly other piscivorous wildlife foraging in the region, continue to be exposed to a variety of environmental contaminants. Life-history characteristics of this species make it ideal as an environmental sentinel for the success of the cleanup of the south Chicago environment.

Illinois↗

USGS2022

Habitat management for stopover and breeding songbird communities along rights-of-way in forest-dominated landscapes

The proliferation of energy rights-of-way (pipelines and powerlines; ROWs) in the central Appalachian region has prompted wildlife management agencies to consider ways to use these features to manage and conserve at-risk songbird species. However, little empirical evidence exists regarding best management strategies to enhance habitat surrounding ROWs for the songbird community during stopover or breeding periods. We used a before-after-control-impact design to study cut-back border (linear tree cuttings along abrupt forest edges) harvest width (15 m, 30 m, and 45 m wide into the forest) and harvest intensity (14 m 2 /ha and 4.5 m 2 /ha basal area retention) prescriptions along ROWs and assessed their effects on mature forest and young forest songbird species and avian guilds (forest gap habitat, forest interior habitat, young forest habitat, and species of regional conservation priority) up to two years after treatment throughout West Virginia. Species richness during the spring stopover period initially decreased at one-year post-treatment but returned to pre-treatment levels by two-year post-treatment. Breeding season responses to cut-back border treatments varied across harvest width, harvest intensity, and time, but all responses of focal species abundance and guild richness were neutral or positive. Cut-back border harvest intensity had a stronger influence (i.e., more positive responses) than harvest width on breeding focal species abundances and guild richness. For harvest intensity, the more intense, 4.5 m 2 /ha retention treatment had a stronger influence (i.e., more positive responses) than the less intense, 14 m 2 /ha retention treatment. For harvest width, the narrowest treatment (15-m wide) had the strongest influence (i.e., more positive responses) of all width treatments, followed by the widest (45-m wide treatment) with the least influence from the 30-m wide treatment. Abundances and richness increased from pre-treatment to two-year post-treatment across all species and guilds that exhibited a response. These results suggest that cut-back borders increase breeding season habitat suitability along ROWs for the mature forest and young forest songbird community as well as for species of regional conservation priority in the short-term. These findings can aid development of management guidelines for the forest songbird community along abrupt forest edges of man-made habitat features in forest-dominated landscapes.

West Virginia↗

USGS1989

Case histories of wild birds killed intentionally with famphur in Georgia and West Virginia

Five incidences of bird mortality in Georgia and West Virginia (USA) involving migratory waterfowl, cranes, raptors, corvids and songbirds were investigated during the first 6 mo of 1988. Gross and histopathologic examinations revealed no evidence of infectious or other diseases. However, severe depression of cholinesterase activity was evident in brains of birds found dead, suggesting gross exposure to an organophosphorus (OP) or carbamate pesticide. All of the gastrointestinal tract contents chemically analyzed contained famphur, an OP insecticide used as a pour-on treatment against lice and grubs on livestock, ranging from 5 to 1,480 ppm (wet weight). Grain scattered at two of the mortality sites contained 4,240 and 8,500 ppm famphur. Gastrointestinal tracts of most of the dead birds contained mainly corn and some wheat. This is the first report to document the use of famphur as an intentional means of killing wildlife thought to be depredating crops.

Journal of Wildlife Diseases↗

USGS2002

Organochlorine chemical residues in fish from the Mississippi River basin, 1995

Fish were collected in late 1995 from 34 National Contaminant Biomonitoring Program (NCBP) stations and 13 National Water Quality Assessment Program (NAWQA) stations in the Mississippi River basin (MRB) and in late 1996 from a reference site in West Virginia. Four composite samples, each comprising (nominally) 10 adult common carp (Cyprinus carpio) or black bass (Micropterus spp.) of the same sex, were collected from each site and analyzed for organochlorine chemical residues by gas chromatography with electron capture detection. At the NCBP stations, which are located on relatively large rivers, concentrations of organochlorine chemical residues were generally lower than when last sampled in the mid-1980s. Residues derived from DDT (primarily p,p???-DDE) were detected at all sites (including the reference site); however, only traces (??? 0.02 ??g/g) of the parent insecticide (p,p???-DDT) were present, which indicates continued weathering of residual DDT from past use. Nevertheless, concentrations of DDT (as p,p???-DDE) in fish from the cotton-farming regions of the lower MRB were great enough to constitute a hazard to fish-eating wildlife and were especially high at the NAWQA sites on the lower-order rivers and streams of the Mississippi embayment. Mirex was detected at only two sites, both in Louisiana, and toxaphene was found exclusively in the lower MRB. Most cyclodiene pesticides (dieldrin, chlordane, and heptachlor epoxide) were more widespread in their distributions, but concentrations were lower than in the 1980s except at a site on the Mississippi River near Memphis, TN. Concentrations were also somewhat elevated at sites in the Corn Belt. Endrin was detected exclusively at the Memphis site. PCB concentrations generally declined, and residues were detected (??? 0.05 ??g/g) at only 35% of the stations, mostly in the more industrialized parts of the MRB.

Archives of Environmental Contamination and Toxico↗

USGS2023

Oral Sampling of little brown bat (Myotis lucifugus) maternity colonies for SARS-CoV-2 in the Northeast and Mid-Atlantic, USA

T he potential introduction of SARS-CoV-2, the virus responsible for the COVID-19 pandemic, into North American bat populations is of interest to wildlife managers due to recent disease-mediated declines of several species. Populations of little brown bats ( Myotis lucifugus ) have collapsed due to white-nose syndrome (WNS), a disease caused by the introduction and spread of the fungal pathogen Pseudogymnoascus destructans ( Pd ). Throughout much of the United States and southern Canada, large colonies of the species routinely established diurnal roosts in anthropogenic structures, thereby creating the potential for direct human contact and cross-species disease transmission. Given recent declines and the potential for further disease impacts, we collected oral swabs from eight little brown bat maternity colonies to assess the presence and prevalence of SARS-CoV-2 by RT-qPCR analysis. Little brown bat colonies in Maryland ( n = 1), New Hampshire ( n = 1), New Jersey ( n = 2), New York ( n = 1), Rhode Island ( n = 2), and Virginia ( n = 1) were taken during May-August, 2022. From 235 assayed individuals, no bat tested positive for SARS-CoV-2. Our results indicate that little brown bats may not contract SARS-CoV-2 or that the virus persists at undetectable levels in populations of the Mid-Atlantic and Northeast during summer months. Nonetheless, continued monitoring and future work addressing other seasons may still be warranted to conclusively determine infection status.

Maryland, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Rho↗

USGS2015

Mycobacterial infection in Northern snakehead ( Channa argus ) from the Potomac River catchment

The Northern snakehead, Channa argus (Cantor), is a non-native predatory fish that has become established regionally in some temperate freshwater habitats within the United States. Over the past decade, Northern snakehead populations have developed within aquatic ecosystems throughout the eastern USA, including the Potomac River system within Virginia, Maryland and Washington, D.C. Since this species was initially observed in this region in 2002, the population has expanded considerably (Odenkirk & Owens 2007 ). In the Chesapeake Bay watershed, populations of Northern snakehead exist in the lower Potomac River and Rappahannock Rivers on the Western shore of the Bay, and these fish have also been found in middle or upper reaches of river systems on the Eastern shore of the Bay, including the Nanticoke and Wicomico Rivers among others. Over the past several years, many aspects of Northern snakehead life history in the Potomac River have been described, including range and dispersal patterns, microhabitat selection and diet (Lapointe, Thorson & Angermeier 2010 ; Saylor, Lapointe & Angermeier 2012 ; Lapointe, Odenkirk & Angermeier 2013 ). However, comparatively little is known about their health status including susceptibility to parasitism and disease and their capacity to serve as reservoirs of disease for native wildlife. Although considered hardy by fisheries biologists, snakehead fish have demonstrated susceptibility to a number of described piscine diseases within their native range and habitat in Asia. Reported pathogens of significance in snakehead species in Asia include snakehead rhabdovirus (Lio-Po et al . 2000 ), aeromonad bacteria (Zheng, Cao & Yang 2012 ), Nocardia (Wang et al . 2007 ) and Mycobacterium spp . (Chinabut, Limsuwan & Chantatchakool 1990 ; ). Mycobacterial isolates recovered from another snakehead species ( Channa striata ) in the previous studies have included M. marinum and M. fortuitum , as identified through molecular-based diagnostics (Puttinaowarat et al . 2002 ). We have conducted health screenings of Northern snakehead from the Potomac River system over the past several years and have detected few associated pathogens. Typical observations have largely consisted of incidental identification of parasitism with protozoal, monogenean or trematode organisms (unpublished data). We have also identified largemouth bass virus (LMBV) in clinically normal Northern snakehead collected from the Potomac River (Iwanowicz et al . 2013 ). Continued research concerning these and other pathogens of this introduced species is important to fully understand the potential impacts of these fish on indigenous wildlife and aquatic ecosystems.

Potomac River, Pohick Bay↗