Predation rates, timing, and predator composition for Scoters (Melanitta spp.) in marine habitats
Eric J. Anderson, Daniel Esler, Boyd W. Sean, Joseph Evenson, David R. Nysewander, David H. Ward, Rian D. Dickson, Brian D. Uher-Koch, C.S. Vanstratt, Jerry W. Hupp
2012, Canadian Journal of Zoology (90) 42-50
Studies of declining populations of sea ducks have focused mainly on bottom-up processes with little emphasis on the role of predation. We identified 11 potential predators of White-winged Scoters (Melanitta fusca (L., 1758)) and Surf Scoters (Melanitta perspicillata (L., 1758)) in North American marine habitats. However, of 596 Scoters marked...
Range overlap and individual movements during breeding season influence genetic relationships of caribou herds in south-central Alaska
Gretchen H. Roffler, Layne G. Adams, Sandra L. Talbot, George K. Sage, Bruce W. Dale
2012, Canadian Journal of Zoology (93) 1318-1330
North American caribou (Rangifer tarandus) herds commonly exhibit little nuclear genetic differentiation among adjacent herds, although available evidence supports strong demographic separation, even for herds with seasonal range overlap. During 1997–2003, we studied the Mentasta and Nelchina caribou herds in south-central Alaska using radiotelemetry to determine individual movements and range...
Diversity of nitrogen isotopes and protein status in caribou: implications for monitoring northern ungulates
David D. Gustine, Perry S. Barboza, James P. Lawler, Layne G. Adams, Kathy L. Parker, Steve M. Arthur, Brad S. Shults
2012, Journal of Mammalogy (93) 778-790
Nutritional condition is an important determinant of productivity and survival in caribou (Rangifer tarandus). We used samples of excreta (n = 1,150) to estimate diet composition from microhistology and 2 isotopic proxies of protein status for 2 ecotypes of caribou in 4 herds in late winter (2006–2008). Isotopes of nitrogen...
Small population size of Pribilof Rock Sandpipers confirmed through distance-sampling surveys in Alaska
Daniel R. Ruthrauff, T. Lee Tibbitts, Robert E. Gill Jr., Maksim N. Dementyev, Colleen M. Handel
2012, Condor (114) 544-551
The Rock Sandpiper (Calidris ptilocnemis) is endemic to the Bering Sea region and unique among shorebirds in the North Pacific for wintering at high latitudes. The nominate subspecies, the Pribilof Rock Sandpiper (C. p. ptilocnemis), breeds on four isolated islands in the Bering Sea and appears to spend the winter...
Pacific salmon (Oncorhynchus spp.) runs and consumer fitness: growth and energy storage in stream-dwelling salmonids increase with salmon spawner density
Daniel J. Rinella, Mark S. Wipfli, Craig A. Stricker, Ron A. Heintz, Matthew J. Rinella
2012, Canadian Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences (69) 73-84
We examined how marine-derived nutrients (MDN), in the form of spawning Pacific salmon, influenced the nutritional status and δ15N of stream-dwelling fishes. We sampled juvenile coho salmon (Oncorhynchus kisutch) and Dolly Varden (Salvelinus malma) during spring and fall from 11 south-central Alaskan streams that ranged widely in spawning salmon biomass...
Petroleum prospectivity of the Canada Basin, Arctic Ocean
Arthur Grantz, Patrick E. Hart
2012, Marine and Petroleum Geology (30) 126-143
Reconnaissance seismic reflection data indicate that Canada Basin is a >700,000 sq. km. remnant of the Amerasia Basin of the Arctic Ocean that lies south of the Alpha-Mendeleev Large Igneous Province, which was constructed across the northern part of the Amerasia Basin between about 127 and 89–83.5 Ma. Canada Basin...
Migration strategy affects avian influenza dynamics in mallards (Anas platyrhynchos).
John Y. Takekawa, Nichola J. Hill, Joshua T. Ackerman, Garth Herring, Keith Hobson, Carol J. Cardona, Jonathan Runstadler, Walter M. Boyce
2012, Molecular Ecology (21) 5986-5999
Studies of pathogen transmission typically overlook that wildlife hosts can include both migrant and resident populations when attempting to model circulation. Through the application of stable isotopes in flight feathers, we estimated the migration strategy of mallards (Anas platyrhynchos) occurring on California wintering grounds. Our study demonstrates that mallards- a...
Contrasting extreme long-distance migration patterns in bar-tailed godwits Limosa lapponica
Phil F. Battley, Nils Warnock, T. Lee Tibbitts, Robert E. Gill Jr., Theunis Piersma, Chris J. Hassell, David C. Douglas, Daniel M. Mulcahy, Brett D. Gartrell, Rob Schuckard, David S. Melville, Adrian C. Riegen
2012, Journal of Avian Biology (43) 21-32
Migrating birds make the longest non-stop endurance flights in the animal kingdom. Satellite technology is now providing direct evidence on the lengths and durations of these flights and associated staging episodes for individual birds. Using this technology, we compared the migration performance of two subspecies of bar-tailed godwit Limosa lapponica travelling between...
Functional ecology of saltglands in shorebirds: Flexible responses to variable environmental conditions
J.S. Gutierrez, M.W. Dietz, J.A. Masero, Robert E. Gill Jr., Anne Dekinga, Phil F. Battley, J. M. Sanchez-Guzman, Theunis Piersma
2012, Functional Ecology (26) 236-244
1. Birds of marine environments have specialized glands to excrete salt, the saltglands. Located on the skull between the eyes, the size of these organs is expected to reflect their demand, which will vary with water turnover rates as a function of environmental (heat load, salinity of prey and drinking...
Genetic and morphological divergence among Cooper's Hawk (Accipiter cooperii) populations breeding in north-central and western North America
Sarah A. Sonsthagen, Robert N. Rosenfield, John Bielefeldt, Robert K. Murphy, Andrew C. Stewart, William C. Stout, Timothy G. Driscoll, Michael A. Bozek, Brian L. Sloss, Sandra L. Talbot
2012, The Auk (129) 427-43
Cooper's Hawk (Accipiter cooperii) populations breeding in the northern portion of the species' range exhibit variation in morphological traits that conforms to predictions based on differences in prey size, tree stand density, and migratory behavior. We examined genetic structure and gene flow and compared divergence at morphological traits (PST) and...
Assessment of pingo distribution and morphometry using an IfSAR derived digital surface model, western Arctic Coastal Plain, Northern Alaska
Benjamin M. Jones, G. Grosse, Kenneth M. Hinkel, C.D. Arp, S. Walker, R.A. Beck, J. P. Galloway
2012, Geomorphology (138) 1-14
Pingos are circular to elongate ice-cored mounds that form by injection and freezing of pressurized water in near-surface permafrost. Here we use a digital surface model (DSM) derived from an airborne Interferometric Synthetic Aperture Radar (IfSAR) system to assess the distribution and morphometry of pingos within a 40,000 km2 area on the...
Summary
Jonathan Bart, Paul A. Smith
Jonathan Bart, Victoria Johnston, editor(s)
2012, Book chapter, Arctic shorebirds in North America: a decade of monitoring
This chapter summarizes results in previous chapters by providing estimated densities and population sizes, in the areas we have surveyed, for Alaska, Canada, and both regions combined. A total of 1,554 rapid plots, covering 232 km2, and 83 intensive plots were surveyed during the study. The monograph presents >600 density...
Using rocks to reveal the inner workings of magma chambers below volcanoes in Alaska’s National Parks
Michelle L. Coombs, Charles R. Bacon
2012, Alaska Park Science (11) 26-33
Alaska is one of the most vigorously volcanic regions on the planet, and Alaska’s national parks are home to many of the state’s most active volcanoes. These pose both local and more distant hazards in the form of lava and pyroclastic flows, lahars (mudflows), ash clouds, and ash fall. Alaska’s...
The Quaternary thrust system of the northern Alaska Range
Sean P. Bemis, Gary A. Carver, Richard D. Koehler
2012, Geosphere (8) 196-205
The framework of Quaternary faults in Alaska remains poorly constrained. Recent studies in the Alaska Range north of the Denali fault add significantly to the recognition of Quaternary deformation in this active orogen. Faults and folds active during the Quaternary occur over a length of ∼500 km along the...
The footprint of Alaskan tundra fires during the past half-century: implications for surface properties and radiative forcing
Adrian V. Rocha, Michael M. Loranty, Phil E. Higuera, Michelle C. Mack, Feng Sheng Hu, Benjamin M. Jones, Amy L. Breen, Edward B. Rastetter, Scott J. Goetz, Gus R. Shaver
2012, Environmental Research Letters (7)
Recent large and frequent fires above the Alaskan arctic circle have forced a reassessment of the ecological and climatological importance of fire in arctic tundra ecosystems. Here we provide a general overview of the occurrence, distribution, and ecological and climate implications of Alaskan tundra fires over the past half-century using...
Airborne electromagnetic imaging of discontinuous permafrost
B. J. Minsley, J.D. Abraham, B. D. Smith, J. C. Cannia, C.I. Voss, M.T. Jorgenson, Michelle Ann Walvoord, B.K. Wylie, L. Anderson, L.B. Ball, M. Deszcz-Pan, T.P. Wellman, T. A. Ager
2012, Geophysical Research Letters (39) 1-8
The evolution of permafrost in cold regions is inextricably connected to hydrogeologic processes, climate, and ecosystems. Permafrost thawing has been linked to changes in wetland and lake areas, alteration of the groundwater contribution to streamflow, carbon release, and increased fire frequency. But detailed knowledge about the dynamic state of permafrost...
Population fragmentation and inter-ecosystem movements of grizzly bears in Western Canada and the Northern United States
M.F. Proctor, David Paetkau, B. N. McLellan, G.B. Stenhouse, K.C. Kendall, R.D. Mace, W.F. Kasworm, C. Servheen, C.L. Lausen, M.L. Gibeau, W.L. Wakkinen, M.A. Haroldson, G. Mowat, C.D. Apps, L.M. Ciarniello, R.M.R. Barclay, M.S. Boyce, C.C. Schwartz, C. Strobeck
2012, Wildlife Monographs 1-46
Population fragmentation compromises population viability, reduces a species ability to respond to climate change, and ultimately may reduce biodiversity. We studied the current state and potential causes of fragmentation in grizzly bears over approximately 1,000,000 km 2 of western Canada, the northern United States (US), and southeast Alaska. We...
Migration of Sakhalin taimen (Parahucho perryi): Evidence of freshwater resident life history types
Christian E. Zimmerman, P.S. Rand, M. Fukushima, S.F. Zolotukhin
2012, Environmental Biology of Fishes (93) 223-232
Sakhalin taimen (Parahucho perryi) range from the Russian Far East mainland along the Sea of Japan coast, and Sakhalin, Kuril, and Hokkaido Islands and are considered to primarily be an anadromous species. We used otolith strontium-to-calcium ratios (Sr/Ca) to determine the chronology of migration between freshwater and saltwater and identify...
SYBR green-based real-time reverse transcription-PCR for typing and subtyping of all hemagglutinin and neuraminidase genes of avian influenza viruses and comparison to standard serological subtyping tests
K. Tsukamoto, P.C. Javier, M. Shishido, D. Noguchi, John M. Pearce, H.-M. Kang, O.M. Jeong, Y.-J. Lee, K. Nakanishi, T. Ashizawa
2012, Journal of Clinical Microbiology (50) 37-45
Continuing outbreaks of H5N1 highly pathogenic (HP) avian influenza virus (AIV) infections of wild birds and poultry worldwide emphasize the need for global surveillance of wild birds. To support the future surveillance activities, we developed a SYBR green-based, real-time reverse transcriptase PCR (rRT-PCR) for detecting nucleoprotein (NP) genes and subtyping...
North slope of Alaska
Jonathan Bart, Stephen Brown, Brad Andres, Robert Platte, Ann Manning
Jonathan Bart, Victoria Johnston, editor(s)
2012, Book chapter, Arctic shorebirds in North America: A decade of monitoring
No abstract available....
Shorebird surveys in western Alaska
Brian J. McCaffery, Jonathan Bart, Catherine Wightman, David J. Krueper
2012, Book chapter, Arctic shorebirds in North America: A decade of monitoring
Surveys for breeding shorebirds were conducted during 2001-2002 in four National Wildlife Refuges (NWRs) in western Alaska - Alaska Maritime, Alaska Peninsula, Yukon Delta and Selawik. The sizes of our study areas on and adjacent to these four refuges were 9,243 km2, 24,493 km2, 853 km2, and 15,170 km2, respectively....
Methods
Jonathan Bart, Victoria Johnston, Paul A. Smith, Ann Manning, Jennie Rausch, Stephen Brown
Jonathan Bart, Victoria Johnston, editor(s)
2012, Book chapter, Arctic shorebirds in North America: A decade of monitoring
Detecting declines in population size is one of the highest priorities of the shorebird initiatives in Canada and the United States. The quantitative goal is 80% power to detect a 50% decline, occurring during no more than 20 years, with a significance level of 0.15, using a two-tailed test, and...
Paired serologic and polymerase chain reaction analyses of avian influenza prevalence in Alaskan shorebirds
John M. Pearce, Daniel R. Ruthrauff, Jeffrey S. Hall
2012, Journal of Wildlife Diseases (48) 812-814
Surveillance has revealed low prevalence of avian influenza viruses (AIV) in shorebirds except Ruddy Turnstones (Arenaria interpres) on the North American Atlantic coast. Similarly, of five species of shorebirds surveyed in Alaska in 2010, Ruddy Turnstones had the highest AIV antibody prevalence; prevalence of AIV RNA was low or zero....
Microsatellite marker isolation and development for the giant Pacific Octopus (Enteroctopus dofleini)
Rebecca K. Toussaint, G. Kevin Sage, Sandra L. Talbot, David Scheel
2012, Conservation Genetics Resources (4) 545-548
We isolated and developed 18 novel microsatellite markers for the giant Pacific octopus (Enteroctopus dofleini) and examined them for 31 individuals from Prince William Sound (PWS), Alaska. These loci displayed moderate levels of allelic diversity (averaging 11 alleles per locus) and heterozygosity (averaging 65%). Seven loci deviated from Hardy–Weinberg Equilibrium...
Semiochemical compounds of preen secretion reflect genetic make-up in a seabird species
S. Leclaire, T. Merkling, C. Raynaud, Herve Mulard, J.-M. Bessiere, E.M. Lhuillier, Scott A. Hatch, E. Danchin
2012, Proceedings of the Royal Society B: Biological Sciences (279) 1185-1193
Several vertebrates choose their mate according to genetic heterozygosity and relatedness, and use odour cues to assess their conspecifics' genetic make-up. In birds, although several species (including the black-legged kittiwake) exhibit non-random mating according to genetic traits, the cues used to assess genetic characteristics remain unknown. The importance of olfaction...
