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Your search for ETD Program Fish and Wildlife Biology resulted in 11 match(es).

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Identification of Life History Variation in Salmonids Using Otolith Microchemistry and Scale Patterns: Implications for Illegal Introductions and for Whirling Disease in Missouri River Rainbow Trout: Author: Munro, andrew Roy; Date: 2004-05-15; Program: Fish and Wildlife Biology; Abstract: Proper conservation and management of wild salmonid populations requires correct identification of the array of life histories present and their contribution to adult recruitment. I used otolith microchemistry to identify natal origin and scale patterns to determine outmigration age in Missouri River rainbow trout where whirling disease could potentially cause a population collapse. First, I reviewed the otolith microchemistry literature and concluded that there have been a limited number of freshwater studies, and there has been limited rigorous testing of the many instruments used. Second, I...; Download File | View full details

The Influence of Landscape Characteristics on Duck Nesting Success in the Missouri Coteau Region of North Dakota: Author: Stephens, Scott Eugene; Date: 2003-12-15; Program: Fish and Wildlife Biology; Abstract: Because of the importance of nesting success to avian population dynamics, and the extensive and ubiquitous nature of habitat fragmentation, many studies have attempted to address the relationship between fragmentation and nesting success. However, an overall theory of fragmentation effects on nesting success has remained elusive. First, we reviewed published literature to examine fragmentation effects on nesting success at three spatial scales (i.e., edge, patch, and landscape scales). We identified 86 relevant manuscripts that provided 117 individual tests of hypotheses regarding the effects...; Download File | View full details

Viable Population Monitoring: Risk-Based Population Monitoring for Threatened and Endangered Species with Application to Bull Trout, Salvelinus confluentus: Author: Staples, David Franklin; Date: 2006-05-15; Program: Fish and Wildlife Biology; Abstract: Population monitoring is a vital component for managing threatened and endangered (TE) species to demonstrate recovery, or alert managers if the status is deteriorating. Common methods for analyzing monitoring data, however, have poor power to detect changes in population status and do not directly address questions about population status as defined for threatened (likely to be endangered) or endangered (in danger of extinction) species. Population viability analysis (PVA) methods are used to estimate the risk of decline for population, and have been recommended to reconcile short-term manage...; Download File | View full details

Spatio-Temporal Dynamics of the Central Bison Herd in Yellowstone National Park: Author: Bruggeman, Jason Edward; Date: 2006-08-15; Program: Fish and Wildlife Biology; Abstract: The spatio-temporal dynamics of Yellowstone National Park bison (Bison bison) are complex and affected by multiple abiotic and biotic mechanisms. In the Madison- Firehole area, which provides winter range for the migratory central herd, this suite of effects is particularly intricate owing to geothermally influenced habitats, severe winter climate, and variability in resource distribution. Understanding factors influencing bison spatio-temporal dynamics is of importance to Yellowstone, which is faced with managing a growing bison population that is expanding its range. I gathered data from 199...; Download File | View full details

Mass dynamics of Weddell Seals in Erebus Bay, Antartica: Author: Proffitt, Kelly Michelle; Date: 2008-05-15; Program: Fish and Wildlife Biology; Abstract: An individual's body mass is an important life history trait that may vary with environmental conditions and be related to reproductive performance. In this dissertation, we used a 35-year dataset to investigate variations in body mass of Weddell seals (Leptonychotes weddellii) in Erebus Bay, Antarctica with goals of linking environmental conditions, body mass, and reproductive performance. We predicted that variations in environmental conditions and maternal traits would correlate with variations in maternal body mass at parturition, and that variations in maternal body mass may be linked wi...; Download File | View full details

The spatial ecology and mating system of black bears (Urus americanus) in New Mexico: Author: Costello, Cecily Marie; Date: 2008-08-15; Program: Fish and Wildlife Biology; Abstract: In summary, our results show that high rates of male dispersal and female philopatry combine to create a spatial genetic structure that generates low rates of inbreeding and little need for kin discrimination among potential mates. Thus, evidence supports the hypothesis that inbreeding avoidance is achieved by means of male-biased dispersal in black bears. Our results also suggest the general pattern of male-biased dispersal is modified by competition for mates or resources....; Download File | View full details

Myxobolus cerebralis in native Cutthroat trout of three spawning tributaries to Yellowstone Lake: a qualitative ecological risk assessment: Author: Murcia, Silvia; Date: 2008-08-15; Program: Fish and Wildlife Biology; Abstract: Most environments impose periodic or stochastic stress on natural populations, which increase susceptibility to diseases. Infection by Myxobolus cerebralis (exotic parasite causing salmonid whirling disease) is strongly influenced by a stream's physicochemical attributes and stressors, which may also affect host pathology. Susceptibility to M. cerebralis varies greatly among different species and subspecies of the salmonid host, but little is known about lesion severity or location of infection among the native Yellowstone cutthroat trout (Oncorhynchus clarki bouvieri). In 2002 and 2003 we pe...; Download File | View full details

Behavioral, ecological, and fitness consequences of hybridization between native westslope cutthroat trout (Oncorhynchus clarkii lewis) and nonnative rainbow trout (O. mykiss): Author: Muhlfeld, Clint Cain; Date: 2008-12-15; Program: Fish and Wildlife Biology; Abstract: Anthropogenic hybridization is one of the greatest threats to global biodiversity. Hybridization and introgression may lead to a loss of locally adapted gene complexes and ecological adaptations in native populations, yet these potential consequences have not been fully evaluated in nature. I investigated factors influencing the spread of hybridization between native westslope cutthroat trout (Oncorhynchus clarkii lewisi) and nonnative rainbow trout (O. mykiss) in the upper Flathead River system, Montana (USA) and British Columbia (Canada). The fundamental questions of my dissertation were: wh...; Download File | View full details

Applying predator-prey theory to evaluate large mammal dynamics: wolf predation in a newly-established multiple-prey system: Author: Becker, Matthew Smith; Date: 2008-12-15; Program: Fish and Wildlife Biology; Abstract: I studied wolf prey selection and kill rates during 1996-97 through 2006-07 winters in a newly established two-prey system in central Yellowstone National Park. Prey differed substantially in their vulnerability to wolf (Canis lupus) predation and wolves preyed primarily on elk (Cervus elaphus) but also used bison (Bison bison) to varying degrees within and among winters and packs. Winter severity, wolf abundance, distribution, and prey selection varied during the study, concurrent with variations in the demography, distribution, and behavior of elk and bison. A total of 759 wolf-killed ungula...; Download File | View full details

Behavioral responses of elk to winter wolf predation risk in the Madison Headwaters Area, Yellowstone National Park: Author: Gower, Claire Natasha; Date: 2009-05-15; Program: Fish and Wildlife Biology; Abstract: Over the past few decades a large body of literature has provided evidence that predators can influence the ways in which prey behave. This in turn may influence prey demography and predator-prey dynamics and therefore predators may influence the structure and function of populations and communities, independent of direct killing. Using data collected from 1991 to 2007, I evaluated the behavior of elk (Cervus elaphus) in the Madison headwaters area of Yellowstone National Park in response to the colonization and establishment of wolves (Canis lupus). Changes in home range size, fidelity, group...; Download File | View full details

A multistate mark recapture analysis to estimate reproductive rate in the Steller sea lion (Eumetopias jubatus), an endangered species: Author: Taylor, Rebecca Lynn; Date: 2009-05-15; Program: Fish and Wildlife Biology; Abstract: The Steller sea lion is an endangered species whose reproductive rate estimates need to be updated. The species is divided into two populations: the endangered western population has declined over 80% from historical levels, while the threatened eastern population has been increasing at approximately 3% for the past three decades. The statistically most compelling reproductive rate estimates for this species are based on now out of date population dynamics, and hence are not applicable to current concerns. Extensive recent branding and resighting efforts by the Alaska Department of Fish and Ga...; Download File | View full details

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