Search

Predation of fish released as part of conservation aquaculture programs may undermine conservation goals. Identification of factors influencing predation, therefore, can inform management decisions that minimize predation losses. For the endangered Nechako white sturgeon (Acipenser transmontanus Richardson, 1836), the survival of individuals released as part of a conservation aquaculture program is threatened by river otter (Lontra canadensis (Schreber, 1777)) predation. Through the recovery of sturgeon passive integrated transponder (PIT) tags from otter latrines, we set out to quantify the extent of predation, identify spatial patterns in predation including identifying predation hotspots, and understand the timing of predation. The recovery of 3.9% of PIT tags from the hatchery-released sturgeon represents a minimum predation estimate based on several identified factors. The distribution of predation hotspots varied by release cohort, with some consistent hotspots among cohorts. An apparent decrease in predation in recent years was seen in conjunction with fewer live captures and lower release numbers, suggesting some level of density-dependent predation. Results from this study can be used to contribute to management decisions related to Nechako white sturgeon recovery efforts, inform further research needs, and contribute to a growing knowledge of sturgeon predation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To investigate the utility of short visits to seabird colonies to gauge nestling growth performance and diet, in four consecutive years from 1995 to 1998, the paper measures the nestling development and diet of rhinoceros auklets or cerorhinca monocerata at three colonies in British Columbia: Seabird Rocks, Triangle Island and SGaang Gwaii (Anthony Island).

Copyright of Canadian Journal of Zoology is the property of Canadian Science Publishing and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Copyright of Canadian Journal of Zoology is the property of Canadian Science Publishing and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Copyright of Canadian Journal of Zoology is the property of Canadian Science Publishing and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Copyright of Canadian Journal of Zoology is the property of Canadian Science Publishing and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Copyright of Canadian Journal of Zoology is the property of Canadian Science Publishing and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Copyright of Canadian Journal of Zoology is the property of Canadian Science Publishing and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Copyright of Canadian Journal of Zoology is the property of Canadian Science Publishing and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

We investigated interactions among harlequin ducks (Histrionicus histrionicus (L., 1758)), fish, and their shared aquatic insect prey. We measured flow variability, benthic aquatic prey abundance, fish presence, and breeding density of harlequins on eight rivers in the Southern Coast Mountain Range in British Columbia, Canada, in 2003 and 2004. Rivers with lower flow variability had higher abundance of aquatic insects. Densities of harlequins and fish presence on the rivers were both significantly and positively related to insect abundance, but path analysis revealed a strong negative correlation between them. We interpret this as an indirect interaction between harlequins and fish mediated by anti-predator behaviour of insects in the presence of fish, which reduces insect availability, rather than as a reduction in the abundance of aquatic insects through consumption by fishes. We hypothesize that the ongoing and widespread introduction of fish into historically fishless waters throughout North America may have contributed to the current low productivity and recruitment measured in populations of harlequins by reducing quality of breeding habitat. Nous étudions les interactions entre les arlequins plongeurs (Histrionicus histrionicus (L., 1758)), les poissons et les insectes aquatiques qu’ils utilisent conjointement comme proies. Nous avons mesuré la variabilité du débit, l’abondance des proies aquatiques benthiques, la présence de poissons et la densité des arlequins plongeurs en reproduction dans huit rivières de la chaîne de montagnes de la côte sud de la Colombie Britannique, Canada, en 2003 et 2004. Les rivières à débit moins variable ont de plus fortes abondances d’insectes aquatiques. Il y a une relation significative et positive entre les densités des arlequins plongeurs et la présence de poissons, d’une part, et l’abondance des insectes, d’autre part, mais une analyse des coefficients de direction montre une forte corrélation négative entre ces deux variables. Nous interprétons ce phénomène comme une interaction indirecte entre les arlequins plongeurs et les poissons qui s’explique par le comportement anti-prédateur des insectes en présence des poissons, ce qui réduit la disponibilité des insectes, plutôt que par une réduction de l’abondance des insectes aquatiques à cause de la consommation par les poissons. Nous posons l’hypothèse selon laquelle les introductions courantes et répandues de poissons dans des eaux historiquement sans poissons dans toute l’Amérique du Nord peuvent avoir contribué à la productivité et au recrutement faibles mesurés actuellement chez les populations d’arlequins plongeurs en réduisant la qualité des habitats de reproduction. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Natal dispersal is a complex process that involves decisions about when to leave the natal territory, how to move through the landscape, and where to settle. We investigated what factors influence the timing of dispersal and local recruitment of American Dippers (Cinclus mexicanus Swainson, 1827) in Chilliwack, British Columbia. We monitored 102 fledglings from 30 broods between 2003 and 2005. Survival to 5 days after fledging was high (>80%), but individuals fledging early in the season and at an older age had higher survival than those fledging later and younger. Fifty-four percentage of surviving fledglings dispersed within 14 days of nest departure. Females and individuals that spent more time foraging were more likely to disperse within 14 days than males and individuals that foraged less. For those that dispersed, individuals that fledged early in the season and at older ages spent less time in their natal territory. Approximately 10% (10/82) of dispersing individuals were known to recruit locally. Local recruitment of individuals that delayed dispersal was higher than local recruitment of individuals dispersing early. Our study demonstrates that fitness benefits associated with extended natal philopatry are not restricted to cooperatively breeding birds. La dispersion après la naissance est un processus complexe qui implique des décisions sur quand quitter le territoire natal, comment se déplacer à travers le paysage et où s’établir. Nous avons étudié les facteurs qui déterminent le moment de la dispersion et le recrutement local chez des cincles d’Amérique (Cinclus mexicanus Swainson, 1827) à Chilliwack, Colombie-Britannique. Nous avons suivi 102 jeunes à l’envol provenant de 30 couvées entre 2003 et 2005. La survie jusqu’à 5 jours après l’envol est élevée (>80 %), mais les petits qui prennent leur envol tôt dans la saison ou à un âge plus avancé ont des taux de survie plus grands que ceux qui s’envolent plus tard ou à un âge moins avancé. Cinquante-quatre pourcentage des petits qui survivent à l’envol se dispersent en moins de 14 jours après le départ du nid. Les femelles et les individus qui passent plus de temps à s’alimenter sont plus susceptibles de se disperser en dedans de 14 jours que les mâles et les individus qui s’alimentent moins. Chez ceux qui se dispersent, les individus qui prennent leur envol tôt dans la saison ou à un âge plus avancé passent moins de temps dans leur territoire natal. Nous avons observé qu’environ 10% (10/82) des individus qui se dispersent s’intègrent à la population locale. Le recrutement local des individus qui retardent leur dispersion est plus élevé que le recrutement local des individus qui se dispersent tôt. Notre étude démontre que les bénéfices de fitness associés à une philopatrie natale prolongée ne sont pas restreints aux oiseaux qui se reproduisent de manière coopérative. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Canadian Journal of Zoology is the property of Canadian Science Publishing and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Copyright of Canadian Journal of Zoology is the property of Canadian Science Publishing and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Copyright of Canadian Journal of Zoology is the property of Canadian Science Publishing and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Copyright of Canadian Journal of Zoology is the property of Canadian Science Publishing and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Copyright of Canadian Journal of Zoology is the property of Canadian Science Publishing and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Copyright of Canadian Journal of Zoology is the property of Canadian Science Publishing and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Copyright of Canadian Journal of Zoology is the property of Canadian Science Publishing and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Copyright of Canadian Journal of Zoology is the property of Canadian Science Publishing and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Focuses on the scale of aggregative response of Harlequin Ducks to seasonally and locally superabundant prey at Pacifi herring spawning sites in the northern Strait of Georgia, British Columbia during 1995-2002. Average duration of stay at spawning sites; Percentage of the total population moving to spawning sites.

Copyright of Canadian Journal of Zoology is the property of Canadian Science Publishing and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Discusses the habitat associations of American badgers in southeastern British Columbia. Description of badger habitat relationships; Description of an American badger; Decrease of the badger population due to loss of habitat and prey.

Mule deer, Odocoileus hemionus, populations throughout the west appear to be declining, whereas white-tailed deer, Odocoileus virginianus, populations are increasing. The abundance, number of fetuses per female, recruitment, and cause-specific adult mortality rate for sympatric mule deer and white-tailed deer in south-central British Columbia are compared to assess population growth for each species. Mule deer populations are believed to be decreasing, while white-tailed deer are increasing, throughout North America. It has been suggested that the quality and availability of mule deer habitat have declined because of timber harvest, changes in fire regime, and direct competition with livestock and larger ungulates, namely elk.

Copyright of Canadian Journal of Zoology is the property of Canadian Science Publishing and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Copyright of Canadian Journal of Zoology is the property of Canadian Science Publishing and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Copyright of Canadian Journal of Zoology is the property of Canadian Science Publishing and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)