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We assessed the effects of red imported fire ants (Solenopsis invicta; hereafter fire ant) on the foraging of hispid cotton rats (Sigmodon hispidus). We used a manipulative experiment, placing resource patches with a known amount of millet seed within areas with reduced (RIFA [–]) or ambient (RIFA [+]) numbers of fire ants. We measured giving up densities (the amount of food left within each patch) within the resource patches for 4 days to quantify the effects of fire ants on cotton rat foraging. We assessed the effects of fire ant treatment (RIFA), Day, and their interaction on cotton rat giving up densities. Giving up densities on RIFA [+] grids were nearly 2.2 times greater across all foraging days and ranged from 1.6 to 2.3 times greater from day 1 to day 4 than the RIFA [–] grids. From day 1 to day 4, mean giving up densities decreased significantly faster for the RIFA [–] than RIFA [+] treatments, 58% and 13%, respectively. Our results demonstrate that cotton rats perceive a risk of injury from fire ants, which is likely caused by interference competition, rather than direct predation. Envenomation from ants likely decrease the foraging efficiency of cotton rats resulting in more time spent foraging. Increased time spent foraging is likely stressful in terms of the opportunity for direct injury and encounters with other predators. These indirect effects may reduce an individual cotton rat’s fitness and translate into lowered population abundances. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Context: The scale of environmental relationships is often inferred through the use of species distribution models. Yet such models are frequently developed at two distinct scales. Coarse-scale models typically use information-poor (e.g., presence-only) data to predict relative distributions across geographic ranges, whereas fine-scale models often use richer information (e.g., presence-absence data) to predict distributions at local to landscape scales. Objectives: We unite presence-absence and presence-only data to predict occurrence of species, what we refer to as integrated distribution models. We determine if integrated models improve predictions of species distributions and identification of characteristic spatial scales of environmental relationships relative to presence-absence modeling and ensemble modeling that averages predictions from separate presence-only and presence-absence models. Methods: We apply recent advances in integrated distribution models to predict Sherman's fox squirrel ( Sciurus niger shermani) distribution in north-central Florida. Presence-only data were collected through a citizen-science program across its geographic range, while presence-absence data were collected using camera trapping surveys across 40 landscapes. Results: Integrated models estimated environmental relationships with greater precision and identified larger characteristic scales for environmental relationships than using presence-absence data alone. In addition, integrated models tended to have greater predictive performance, which was more robust to the amount of presence-absence and presence-only data used in modeling, than presence-absence and ensemble models. Conclusions: Integrated distribution models hold much potential for improving our understanding of environmental relationships, the scales at which environmental relationships operate, and providing more accurate predictions of species distributions. Many avenues exist for further advancement of these modeling approaches. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We were able to substantially increase our knowledge of what is likely the least understood endangered terrestrial mammal in the United States, the Florida salt marsh vole (FSMV; Microtus pennsylvanicus dukecampbelli). We developed a predictive landscape model that estimated 264 ha of potential habitat for FSMVs. Evaluating our model, we found voles at 8 of the 36 sites sampled, yielding a model accuracy of 22% for a subspecies that previously was known from only 3 locations. Within areas of potential habitat, FSMVs selected patches of marsh vegetation > 0.49 ha with at least some (≥ 16.75% and ≤ 43.61%) smooth cordgrass (Spartina alterniflora) cover. Suggestive of a meta-population dynamic, FSMV activity decreased outside of patches of smooth cordgrass and saltgrass (Distichlis spicata) identified by the predictive landscape model. Our hierarchical approach to studying FSMVs allowed us to leverage a limited amount of data to ultimately produce important ecological information about an endangered species. This approach easily may be adapted to other mammals with similar information needs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Fox squirrel Sciurus niger populations in the southeastern United States appear to have declined, and 3 ( S. n. cinereus, S. n. shermani, and S. n. avicennia) of the 10 subspecies are currently listed with a conservation status of protection. Efforts to conserve and manage fox squirrels in the southeastern United States are constrained by difficulties in studying their populations because of low densities and low detectability. There is a need for an effective survey method to fill knowledge gaps on southeastern fox squirrel ecology. To address this need and to identify a cost-effective and reliable technique to survey and monitor southeastern fox squirrel populations, we compared four survey methods across seasons: live-trapping; camera-trapping; point counts; and line-transect surveys, in regard to whether a detection occurred at a survey point, the total number of detections at a survey point, and the total cost for each method. We assessed the effectiveness of capture and detection methods and the influence of seasonality using generalized linear mixed models. We found camera-trapping to be the most effective survey method for assessing the presence and distribution of southeastern fox squirrels. In total, camera-traps produced significantly more detections ( n = 223) of fox squirrels than all other methods combined ( n = 84), with most detections occurring in spring ( n = 97) and the fewest in the autumn ( n = 60). Furthermore, we detected fox squirrels at more survey points with camera-traps (73%) than all other methods (63%), and we identified 16% more individuals from camera-trap photographs than live-trapped. We recommend future monitoring of southeastern fox squirrels to be conducted using camera-trapping during the spring unless handling of animals is needed for other research purposes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

While Shrader (2022) and Selier & Di Minin (2022) agree with these suggested management actions, Selier and Di Minin argue for additional slower, longer-term, and more contentious policy-based solutions that consider the global population of white rhino. While it will likely do little good for the Kruger's population of white rhinos, Selier & Di Minin (2022) suggest that private landowners should play a critical role in the conservation of all white rhinos. [Extracted from the article]

The article discusses various topics, and mentions editor-in-chief Christiane Denys, associate editors including Josef Bryja, Patrick Goua, and members of the editorial board including Giovanni Amori, Ernesto Capanna, and Louise H. Emmons. It presents a table of contents on topics including animal conservation, ecology, ethology, biogeography, and taxonomy/phylogeny.

To address the ongoing debate over the impact of invasive species on native terrestrial wildlife, we conducted a large-scale experiment to test the hypothesis that invasive Burmese pythons (Python molurus bivittatus) were a cause of the precipitous decline of mammals in Everglades National Park (ENP). Evidence linking pythons to mammal declines has been indirect and there are reasons to question whether pythons, or any predator, could have caused the precipitous declines seen across a range of mammalian functional groups. Experimentally manipulating marsh rabbits, we found that pythons accounted for 77% of rabbit mortalities within 11 months of their translocation to ENP and that python predation appeared to preclude the persistence of rabbit populations in ENP. On control sites, outside of the park, no rabbits were killed by pythons and 71% of attributable marsh rabbit mortalities were classified as mammal predations. Burmese pythons pose a serious threat to the faunal communities and ecological functioning of the Greater Everglades Ecosystem, which will probably spread as python populations expand their range. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Yellow warblers, Setophaga petechia, respond to brood parasitic brown-headed cowbirds, Molothrus ater, by giving "seet" alarm calls and rushing to protect their nests. These responses are typically given in populations sympatric with cowbirds, but rarely in allopatric populations. Whether the lower expression in allopatry has a genetic basis or instead could be explained by behavioral plasticity has not been investigated. We found that warblers exposed to cowbirds in Montana (sympatric) responded significantly more often to cowbird models with seet calls (85.7%) and nest protection behavior (80.0%) than conspecifics breeding in long-term isolation from cowbirds in Alaska (allopatric, 27.3% and 16.7%, respectively). Warblers breeding in Idaho, which were locally isolated from cowbirds (naive) but presumed to be genetically similar to nearby parasitized warblers, were significantly less likely than sympatric warblers to respond to cowbird models with seet calls (30.3%) and nest protection (17.3%). The lower responsiveness of naive warblers implies behavioral plasticity in trait expression, indicating that the lower responsiveness of allopatric warblers relative to sympatric warblers could be explained entirely by plasticity. The lower expression of these defenses in the absence of cowbirds may contribute to their persistence by minimizing potentially costly recognition errors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We used the imported red-ire ant (Solenopsis invicta; hereafter ire ant) and hispid cotton rat (Sigmodon hispidus) as model species to address the population-level effects of an invasive ant on a semiprecocial small mammal. We stocked cotton rats into 8 enclosures, implementing a 2-way factorial design with predator (ambient or excluded) and ire ant (ambient or reduced) treatments as factors. We trapped monthly from June 2012 to June 2013 and calculated monthly recruitment and survival. Rats in enclosures with ambient predators had a risk of mortality approximately 2 times greater than rats in enclosures with predators excluded. The risk of mortality was 3 and 4.5 times greater for female and male cotton rats, respectively, in enclosures with ambient ire ants and predators compared to enclosures with reduced ire ants and excluded predators. We found no effects on recruitment. Our results indicate that native predators had the greatest influence on cotton rat populations. Nevertheless, in the absence of other predators, the effects of ire ants on cotton rat survival are compensatory. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

ABSTRACT Fox squirrels ( Sciurus niger) in the southeastern United States have been difficult to survey because of their sparse distribution, large home ranges, and low capture success. Remote cameras have proven to be an effective tool for surveying larger mammals, including identifying individual animals using their unique markings. To test whether cameras can be used to identify individual fox squirrels in the southeastern United States, we 1) inspected digital photographs of fox squirrels; 2) identified variable pelage features for individual identification; 3) tested the ability of wildlife students and professionals to identify individuals; and 4) evaluated whether training improved participants' ability to identify individuals. We found that fox squirrels could be individually identified using a combination of sex and 10 variable pelage features, including the color morph, presence of an eye ring, distribution of white on the rostrum, and facial markings. In total, we developed ≥25,920 possible combinations of features to identify southeastern fox squirrels. We found survey participants were capable of identifying fox squirrels without training, but their average ability to do so increased significantly from 73.6% to 80.3% after training ( t[df = 106] = 5.068, P < 0.001). The results from this study demonstrate that camera-trapping, particularly when combined with training that focuses on which features vary between individuals, provides an alternative method to live-trapping for population-level studies of southeastern fox squirrels. © 2015 The Wildlife Society. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We used the southern toad ( Anaxyrus terrestris) as a model species to explore how an invasive species, the red-imported fire ant ( Solenopsis invicta; hereafter RIFA), influences amphibian predator avoidance and movement behaviors. Our objective was to determine if toads spent less time near and moved more frequently in the presence of RIFAs compared to pyramid ants by comparing behavioral reactions of toads to RIFAs versus a control and pyramid ants versus a control. Laboratory experiments involved three treatments including no ants, RIFAs, and native pyramid ants ( Dorymyrmex bureni) within an experimental arena. We randomly placed ants into one of two containers located at each end of the arena. For each trial we placed a toad into the experimental arena, allowed the toad to acclimate and then recorded its behavior. We calculated the proportion of time the toad spent near ants and the number of movements completed by each toad. Comparing the RIFA treatment to the pyramid ant treatment, toads spent 35 % less time on the half of the experimental arena near RIFAs ( P = 0.0304). Toad movements were 1.5 times more frequent in trials with RIFAs than pyramid ants ( P = 0.0488). We propose that southern toads associate RIFAs either with increased predation risk or risk of injury compared to pyramid ants. Although the behaviors we observed might lessen the direct effects of RIFAs on southern toads via predation and injury, the indirect effects of increased movement and avoidance of RIFAs could also influence toad fitness by decreasing reproductive and foraging success. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

ABSTRACT Camera traps have increased our knowledge of animal distribution, activity, and behavior, but they are rarely used for small mammal research. This is likely because there are few techniques to that allow for species identification, reduce disturbance of bait from non-target animals (e.g., raccoon [ Procyon lotor]), and that can be used in all environments. In this paper we present a small mammal camera-trapping methodology, the Hunt trap, which was designed to 1) work in tidal environments, 2) eliminate capture myopathy, 3) allow for successful identification of small mammal species, and 4) allow for continued trapping after disturbance by non-target species. We tested the Hunt trap in the Lower Suwannee National Wildlife Refuge, Florida, USA, during February 2012 to February 2013. Live traps are still the best option when individuals must be physically captured for marking, radiotagging, demographic studies, or physiological assessments. However, if such data are not required, the Hunt trap design is an excellent technique to monitor species diversity, community composition, habitat selection, and distribution with efficiency and minimal effort. Published 2014. This article is a U.S. Government work and is in the public domain in the USA. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Across the planet, high-intensity farming has transformed native vegetation into monocultures, decreasing biodiversity on a landscape scale. Yet landscape-scale changes to biodiversity and community structure often emerge from processes operating at local scales. One common process that can explain changes in biodiversity and community structure is the creation of abrupt habitat edges, which, in turn, generate edge effects. Such effects, while incredibly common, can be highly variable across space and time; however, we currently lack a general analytical framework that can adequately capture such spatio-temporal variability. We extend previous approaches for estimating edge effects to a non-linear mixed modeling framework that captures such spatio-temporal heterogeneity and apply it to understand how agricultural land-uses alter wildlife communities. We trapped small mammals along a conservation-agriculture land-use interface extending 375 m into sugarcane plantations and conservation land-uses at three sites during dry and wet seasons in Swaziland, Africa. Sugarcane plantations had significant reductions in species richness and heterogeneity, and showed an increase in community similarity, suggesting a more homogenized small mammal community. Furthermore, our modeling framework identified strong variation in edge effects on communities across sites and seasons. Using small mammals as an indicator, intensive agricultural practices appear to create high-density communities of generalist species while isolating interior species in less than 225 m. These results illustrate how agricultural land-use can reduce diversity across the landscape and that effects can be masked or magnified, depending on local conditions. Taken together, our results emphasize the need to create or retain natural habitat features in agricultural mosaics. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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Radio-tracking studies of African tortoises have elucidated differences in spatial ecology in differing habitats. Our study aimed to demonstrate such patterns by radio tracking the Leopard Tortoise Stigmochelys pardalis in a subtropical savanna, northeast Swaziland. Activity of tracked tortoises was correlated with minimum temperatures and greater in the warm wet months compared with the cool, dry months. All tracked tortoises, however, remained active throughout the cool months, and none were observed entering a burrow or any other hibernaculum. The tortoises typically moved 0-89 m per day, with maximum daily movement of over 300 m. A dry river bed and game viewing road did not appear to obstruct the movement of the tortoises. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The extraordinary growth of human populations and development in coastal areas over the last half century has eliminated and degraded coastal habitats and threatened the persistence of associated wildlife. Moreover, human-induced sea-level rise ( SLR) is projected to further eliminate and alter the same coastal ecosystems, especially low-lying regions. Whereas habitat loss and wildlife population declines from development are well documented, contemporary SLR has not yet been implicated in declines of coastal faunal populations. In addition, the projection of severe synergistic impacts from the combination of development and SLR is well described, yet the scientific literature offers little empirical evidence of the influence of these forces on coastal wildlife. Analysis of aerial photographs from 1959 to 2006 provided evidence of a 64% net loss of the endangered Lower Keys marsh rabbit's ( Sylvilagus palustris hefneri; LKMR) habitat, the majority due to SLR (>48%). Furthermore, there was a strong negative relationship between the proportion of development per island and the amount of new habitat formed. Islands with modest development (less than 8% of land area) saw formation of new areas of marsh vegetation suitable for rabbits, whereas islands with 8% or more of their lands developed between 1959 and 2006 saw little to no addition of LKMR habitat. Only 8% of habitat loss was directly due to conversion to impervious surfaces, indicating that the greatest threats from development were indirect, including blocking of the inland migration of habitat triggered by SLR. Our results were consistent with an ongoing squeeze of coastal ecosystems between rising seas and development as a threat to LKMR habitat, which raises concern for a wide variety of coastal species. Our results provide evidence that SLR has become a contemporary conservation concern, one that is exacerbated by development, and expected to increase in magnitude as ocean waters continue to rise. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Degradation of coastal systems has led to increased impacts from hurricanes and storm surges and is of concern for coastal endemics species. Understanding the influence of disturbance on coastal populations like the endangered Lower Keys marsh rabbit ( Sylvilagus palustris hefneri) is important to understanding long-term dynamics and for recovery planning. We evaluated the effect of disturbance on the rabbits by determining which patch, habitat, and landscape characteristics influenced habitat use following Hurricane Wilma. We determined patch-level occurrence 6-9 months prior to Hurricane Wilma, within 6 months following the hurricane, and 2 years after the storm to quantify rates of patch abandonment and recurrence. We observed high patch abandonment (37.5% of used patches) 6 months after Hurricane Wilma and low rates of recurrence (38.1% of abandoned patches) 2 years after the storm, an indication that this storm further threatened marsh rabbit viability. We found the proportion of salt-tolerant (e.g., mangroves and scrub mangroves) and salt-intolerant (e.g., freshwater wetlands) vegetation within LKMR patches were negatively and positively correlated with probability of patch abandonment, respectively. We found patch size and the number of used patches surrounding abandoned patches were positively correlated with probability of recurrence. We suggest habitat use following this hurricane was driven by the differential response of non-primary habitats to saline overwash and habitat loss from past development that reduced the size and number of local populations. Our findings demonstrate habitat use studies should be conducted following disturbance and should incorporate on-going effects of development and climate change. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We conducted the most intensive estimate of the endangered Lower Keys marsh rabbit (Sylvilagus palustris hefneri) metapopulation to date using pellet surveys and capture-recapture methodology. We livetrapped 83 rabbits, evaluated 5 closed population models, and selected the model that best represented the data. We considered the variation in behavioral response model the best model and correlated (r2 = 0.913) its patch population estimates to patch pellet densities. From the prediction equation, we generated a range-wide metapopulation estimate of 317 rabbits, a western clade population of 257 rabbits, an eastern clade population of 25 rabbits, and translocated marsh rabbit populations of 35 and zero on Little Pine and Water keys, respectively. A subset of patches whose marsh rabbit subpopulations were last estimated in 1993 exhibited a 46% decline in abundance over 15 yr. Due to the low estimate of the eastern clade population, special effort should be initiated to avoid loss of genetic diversity. The prediction equation suffers from limited data at high pellet densities, patches with ≥5 pellets/m2. Future studies should investigate if the slope of the regression is indeed near 1 by sampling patches across the range of pellet densities, especially those with ≥ pellets/m2. The equation provides managers a quick, efficient, and noninvasive method to estimate marsh rabbit abundance from pellet counts but the confidence of predicted rabbit densities from high pellet density patches is low. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Globalisation is the political phenomenon that has come to dominate the world since the nineties of the last century with the end of the cold war. It is been lowered the barriers to competition and investment. Energy sector liberalization is milestone in Turkey electricity market. Measurement of and finance to stranded costs of electricity sector are main problems of this liberalization. The main aim of this paper is analyzing Turkey electricity market liberalization and stranded costs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Fox squirrels in an urban environment had an average litter size of 2.83 (95% CI 2.5, 3.16) which was similar to rural populations. Nonetheless, the proportion of squirrels reproductively active during the summer/fall breeding season (0.73) and annually (spring + summer/fall) was higher (1.23) than previously recorded for non-manipulated rural populations. The average monthly survival rate (Ŝ = 0:960) of urban juvenile fox squirrels during the first 14 weeks of life was higher than reported for adult populations in the area. High rates of reproduction and juvenile survival yielded high juvenile to adult ratios (juveniles/adults) averaging 0.44. Retention of juveniles after 6 months (15%) was significantly less (X2=7.24, p=0.0071) than adults/subadults (40%). Results suggest that the urban environment provides quality habitat for fox squirrels and fox squirrels in urban environments have the potential to be a source population for surrounding suburban and rural environments. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The goal of this study was to improve the understanding of the attitude-behavior relationship in the context of wildlife management, specifically an urban human-wildlife conflict scenario. A survey was used to explore the attitude-behavior relationship of a university community, in response to proposals to manage the campus's squirrel population. The data suggest that beliefs and attitudes modified by variables shown to increase accessibility correspond better to behavioral intentions than unmodified attitudes and beliefs. The data also suggest that the inclusion of a measure of previous behavior shows a strong relationship to behavioral intentions and will increase the predictive ability of models within different theoretical frameworks, including the theory of reasoned action. Most importantly, for the advancement of a comprehensive theoretical framework, this study illustrates how composite models combining components of the theory of reasoned action and attitude to behavioral process models outperformed other models. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Predator stimuli created by humans in the urban environment may alter animals' anti-predator behaviors. I hypothesized that habituation would cause anti-predator behaviors to decrease in urban settings in response to humans. Additionally, I hypothesized that populations habituated to humans would show reduced responses to other predator stimuli. I observed three populations of squirrels (urban, suburban and rural) responses to human approaches, red-tailed hawk vocalizations (Buteo jamaicensis) and coyote (Canis latrans) vocalizations. Mahalanobis distances of anti-predator behaviors in response to human approaches were consistent with the urban-rural gradient. Flight initiation distances (X2 = 26.33, df = 2, P < 0.001) and amount of time dedicated to anti-predator behavior (X2 = 10.94, df = 2, P = 0.004) in response to human approaches were also consistent with the urban-rural gradient. Supporting the habituation hypothesis, naive juvenile squirrels increased flight initiation distances (X2 = 35.89, df = 1, P < 0.001) and time dedicated to anti-predator behaviors (X2 = 9.46, df = 1, P = 0.002) relative to adult squirrels in the same urban environment. Time dedicated to anti-predator behaviors differed among all three sites in response to both coyote (X2 = 9.83, df = 2, P = 0.007) and hawk (X2 = 6.50, df = 2, P = 0.035) vocalizations. Responses to both vocalizations on rural sites (coyote = 45%, hawk = 55%) greater than twice that found on the urban sites (coyote = 11%, hawk = 20%). This is possibly the first case of a transfer of habituation demonstrated under field conditions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The expansion of urban areas into native habitat can have profound effects on avian populations and communities, yet little is known regarding the effects of urban features on avian reproductive success. The objective of this study was to examine the reproduction of an urban-enhanced species, the mourning dove, to determine how tree and urban landscape features affect nest-site selection and nest success. Mourning dove nests were located by systematically searching potential nest sites on a weekly basis from late- March through mid-September in 2003 and 2004. A total of 1,288 mourning dove nests were located and monitored on the Texas A&M University Campus. Of these nests, 337 (26.6%) were successful (fledged, ≥1). An equal number of potential nest sites were randomly generated in ArcGIS and assigned to non-nest trees to evaluate habitat variables associated with nest-site selection. Mourning dove nests were located in trees with a larger canopy diameter and diameter at breast height (DBH) than the computer generated potential nests and nest trees were located closer to roads and farther from buildings than non-nest trees. Within the study area, nest success was predominately influenced by the proximity of urban features with successful nests being located closer to roads and farther from buildings than unsuccessful nests. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The endangered Florida Key deer (Odocoileus virginianus clavium) is endemic to the Lower Florida Keys. In recent years, habitat fragmentation and restricted dispersal have resulted in small, isolated herds on some islands. Recovery biologists proposed translocations to increase the island herds that had declined or remained low; however, efficacy of Key deer translocations had yet to be evaluated. Our objective was to evaluate survival, ranges, reproduction, and dispersal of translocated deer. During 2003-2005, we translocated 39 adult or yearling deer to Sugarloaf (approx. 19 km from trap site; 10 M, 14 F) and Cudjoe (approx. 15 km from trap site; 6 M, 9 F) keys. We kept deer in large, high-fenced holding pens (Sugarloaf = 7.7 ha, Cudjoe = 10.7 ha) on the destination islands for 3-6 months (i.e., soft release). We observed low mortality (n=6 mortalities) of translocated deer with average annual survival (S) of 0.796 for both sexes. We found translocated deer had larger seasonal ranges than did resident deer (i.e., those located on Big Pine and No Name keys). In evaluating effects of acclimation period on ranges and dispersal, we found no difference in 95% ranges or 50% core areas ≤4 month postrelease versus 4-8 months postrelease. We found, however, postrelease dispersal distances were dependent on time kept in pen. Only 2 of 39 (5%) translocated deer left the destination islands by the end of the study. With high survival and low dispersal indicating success, we credit soft release translocation in establishing deer herds on Sugarloaf and Cudjoe keys. Our data support translocations as an effective strategy for creating sustainable outer-island Key deer herds. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Human dimension research published regarding public attitudes about wildlife or natural resource management often reflects an inadequate understanding on the part of the authors regarding attitudes, their social psychological frameworks, and their relationship to behaviors. In this paper we define attitudes, examine their relationship to behaviors, and examine some theoretical frameworks for attitudes. Additionally, we examine some shortcomings we believe are common in wildlife attitudinal research and make suggestions to improve the quality and consistency of the work. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Opportunities for wildlife undergraduates to engage in land conservation planning can bridge the gap between formal academic training and professional wildlife experiences. Land conservation plans are an important component in managing wildlife habitat. In 1995 state legislation offered Texas landowners the opportunity to remain under agricultural valuation (Texas House Bill 1358, Proposition 11, 1-d-1) by designating wildlife management activities as qualifying agricultural practices. To obtain a wildlife management tax valuation, a landowner must have an active, written wildlife management plan. Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD) biologists often provide technical guidance to landowners in this process. Allowing wildlife undergraduates to have an active role in this process offers a unique opportunity for them to gain practical "hands-on" experiences while improving their writing skills. Students enrolled in Wildlife Habitat Management and Conservation (WFSC 406) work in groups (3-4 students) to develop a management plan for 3 local landowners. In addition to writing an actual management plan, students gain experience in land surveying, vegetation sampling, GIS/GPS technology, and public speaking. Landowners receive 3 peer-reviewed management plans they can select from to implement on their property. Students assist TPWD biologists and Texas Cooperative Extension staff in providing technical guidance to local landowners. Wildlife education can be enhanced by integrating land conservation planning in the classroom via partnerships with natural resource agencies and landowners. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We propose that creating on-campus wildlife research projects propelled by undergraduate students and interns is a simple way to improve the quality of wildlife education and research. Wildlife educators and natural resource agencies alike have called for wildlife undergraduates to acquire more experience and technical and critical thinking skills before entering the work force. The benefits, especially in the aforementioned skills, from learning by experiencing are well documented. One way to increase learning experience opportunities and to include undergraduates in the research process is through the use of on-campus wildlife research projects. We used 2 on-campus research projects to illustrate the versatility and benefits of this approach. On the urban Texas A&M University (TAMU) campus (≈45,000 students, College Station), we established a fox squirrel (Sciurus niger) research project, and on the rural Sul Ross State University (SRSU) campus (≈2,400 students, Alpine, Texas), we established a scaled quail (Callipepla squamat) research project. We have incorporated on-campus wildlife research projects into the lesson plans of 4 broad categories of wildlife courses at SRSU and TAMU: wildlife ecology, population dynamics, habitat management, and wildlife management techniques. We have used the projects to provide "hands-on" wildlife experiences, which included capture and handling techniques, radio telemetry, habitat measurements, population estimation, Geographic information System (GIS) and Global Positioning System (GPS) technology, and data analysis and presentation. Student workers, interns, and volunteers are the driving force behind the research projects that have proven to be an excellent source of long-term data. Other benefits of on-campus wildlife research projects include a common research theme throughout the wildlife curriculum and less travel time commonly associated with traditional field labs. Additionally, research projects have boosted the profile of both departments on their respective campuses. We believe similar projects on raccoons (Procyon lotor), opossums (Didelphis virginianus), and feral cats (Felis catus) could provide other excellent on-campus research opportunities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Rules of origin govern preferential trade in the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA). A model of trade in intermediate goods is used to examine the effect of rules of origin on trade between member and non-member countries. High MFN tariffs and quota restrictions on textiles and apparel face East Asian producers, including those in ASEAN, in NAFTA markets but are relaxed for producers within the FTA, including Mexico. Trade diversion on a large scale is thus predicted in textiles and apparel. Evidence of such trade diversion is provided. Within NAFTA, Mexico gains market share in textiles and apparel at the expense of ASEAN and Northeast Asia. However, in Japan ASEAN gains market share. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article presents a list of reviewers for the "Journal of Mammalogy" in 2013 and 2014 which includes Lone Aagesen, Layne George Adams, and Todd Ahearn.

This article discusses the economic implications of the U.S. Immigration Reform and Control Act of 1986 for the U.S. and Mexico. About two years ago, the U.S. passed the Immigration Reform and Control Act also called the Simpson-Rodino bill of 1986. The Act called for increased enforcement of migration policy, employer sanctions and amnesty for those who could prove continuous residence since 1982. Despite considerable discussion and debate prior to the act, the legislation was passed without any comprehensive economic analysis of its potential impact on the U.S. or its main source of undocumented immigration which is Mexico. A general equilibrium approach to the problem of migration policy indicates that the U.S. has even more to gain than Mexico from greater accessibility to Mexican labor in the next decade than Simpson-Rodino would permit. However, the gains to capital and the majority of higher skilled workers would be partially offset by slower earnings growth for the lowest ten percent of its wage earners. The fact of increasing labor market interdependence between the U.S. and Mexico, owing to proximity, demographic trends, growing wage differentials and rising social aspirations will demand much greater cooperation in policy-making than occurred in the case of Simpson-Rodino.

Reports on the establishment of broad and comprehensive modern Consumer Protection programs in the U.S. Growth in the size and scope of Consumer Protection groups; Source material for the organization and establishment of a college course in consumer law; Inclusion of topics in the Consumer Law course at Western Carolina University in North Carolina.

Access 'The Action Level'® Questions online at: http://www.acgih.org/products/joeh/alquestions.htm Access 'The Action Level'® Answers online at: http://www.acgih.org/products/joeh/alanswers.htm Access 'The Action Level'® Registration Form online at: https://www.acgih.org/products/joeh/alregfrm.htm 'The Action Level,'® a self-study, continuing education program, provides a convenient and interesting opportunity for individuals to expand their knowledge in relevant areas of industrial hygiene, as well as occupational and environmental safety and health. The program is approved by both the American Board of Industrial Hygiene and the Board of Certified Safety Professionals, which award Certification Maintenance (CM) points and Continuance of Certification (COC) points, respectively, for successful participation. Participants must answer 'The Action Level'® questions after reading all corresponding articles, and then submit a completed answer sheet. Answer sheets are located at the end of each issue's 'The Action Level'® column and may be mailed, faxed, or e-mailed. Answers may also be submitted using the electronic answer form at https://www.acgih.org/products/joeh/alquestions.htm. To earn the designated CM or COC credit, a score of 70 percent or better is required within a 12-month period. Certified Industrial Hygienists and Certified Associate Industrial Hygienists may earn 2 points per year. Certified Safety Professionals may earn 1.2 points per year. Enrollment is possible each month, but points are awarded only four times each year-in March, June, September, and December-to participants who score an average of 70 percent or better within each three-month period. If you register in February 2011, you will receive 0.5 CM points and/or 0.3 COC points after you have completed answers sheets for February and March, 2011, and scored a 70 percent or better average on them (only in your first quarter of enrollment, if enrolling in the middle of the quarter, will you be permitted to submit answer sheets for two months and receive full credit; three answer sheets are required for all other quarters). In the next quarter, you'll receive 0.5 CM points and/or 0.3 COC points after satisfactorily completing answer sheets for the April, May, and June 2011 issues, and so on. To enroll, complete the registration form and the answer sheet at the end of this 'The Action Level'® column or register online at https://www.acgih.org/products/joeh/alregfrm.htm. The cost is $199 (ACGIH®/AIHA members)/$219 (nonmembers) for one year. Nonmembers are encouraged to become members to take advantage of the member discount. For more information regarding ACGIH® membership, call 513-742-2020, or apply on-line at http://www.acgih.org/members/memberform.htm. Checks must be in U.S. currency, drawn on a U.S. bank, and payable to ACGIH®. We also accept AmEx, MasterCard, Discover, and Visa. This continuing education program fee is separate from the Journal subscription cost. The fee covers administration costs and is non-refundable. Submissions must be received by the date listed on each answer sheet. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article offers information on the different committees within the American Personnel and Guidance Association Inc. (APGA) in the U.S and their activities in preparation for the upcoming convention to be held on February 1961 in Long Beach, California. The Archives Committee is preparing to catalogue and categorize much important historical materials that would be of help to the upcoming organizational event. The Committee on Ethics has been conducting a study on the reaction of the APGA member to the proposed Code of Ethics for APGA that has appeared in the October 1959 issue of "The Personnel and Guidance Journal." Furthermore, the Publications Committee is concerned with all the publications of APGA and its divisions.

Understanding and accurately modeling species distributions lies at the heart of many problems in ecology, evolution, and conservation. Multiple sources of data are increasingly available for modeling species distributions, such as data from citizen science programs, atlases, museums, and planned surveys. Yet reliably combining data sources can be challenging because data sources can vary considerably in their design, gradients covered, and potential sampling biases. We review, synthesize, and illustrate recent developments in combining multiple sources of data for species distribution modeling. We identify five ways in which multiple sources of data are typically combined for modeling species distributions. These approaches vary in their ability to accommodate sampling design, bias, and uncertainty when quantifying environmental relationships in species distribution models. Many of the challenges for combining data are solved through the prudent use of integrated species distribution models: models that simultaneously combine different data sources on species locations to quantify environmental relationships for explaining species distribution. We illustrate these approaches using planned survey data on 24 species of birds coupled with opportunistically collected eBird data in the southeastern United States. This example illustrates some of the benefits of data integration, such as increased precision in environmental relationships, greater predictive accuracy, and accounting for sample bias. Yet it also illustrates challenges of combining data sources with vastly different sampling methodologies and amounts of data. We provide one solution to this challenge through the use of weighted joint likelihoods. Weighted joint likelihoods provide a means to emphasize data sources based on different criteria (e.g., sample size), and we find that weighting improves predictions for all species considered. We conclude by providing practical guidance on combining multiple sources of data for modeling species distributions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Presents 'The Action Level,' a self-study, continuing education program, that provides a convenient and interesting opportunity for individuals to expand their knowledge in relevant areas of industrial hygiene as well as occupational and environment safety and health.

This article presents information regarding pupil personnel work. Both the research and demonstration programs will have twp major focuses. First is that of primary prevention of learning disabilities. It seems patently clear that pupil services be directed toward preventing learning difficulties as well as treating them once they have appeared. Conceivably, this focus might include experimentation with the underachieving child or the so-called culturally deprived child. On the other hand, second focus is that of better utilization of pupil services. Not only will members want to determine the roles of various pupil personnel workers, but they may even aid in the re-definition of these roles if the data suggest such a thing be done. What is hoped for is that the research will be of interdisciplinary nature, assuring that the research and the suggested changes in practice resulting from the research will be representative of more than one discipline in the broad field of pupil services.

Presents a case study on the exposure potentials during cleaning, overhauling and repair of aircraft lavatory tanks and hardware at an airline maintenance facility. Two types of lavatory tanks that were cleaned and repaired at the facility; Microbial and infectious agents in sewage; Recommendations to help minimize exposure to wastewater and sewage.

The article announces several career developments, whom include J. Alfred McCauslin who was named as the Dean of Men at Wilmington College, Roy Senour Jr. who became Dean of Students at Hew Haven State Teachers College, and Alton E. Dail who accepted a position as psychologist at Charlotte Rehabilitation and Spastics Hospital.