Sharp-tailed Grouse Research Articles

Grouse of the Lewis and Clark Expedition, 1803 to 1806

Members of the Lewis and Clark expedition produced written descriptions of many species of wildlife, including 6 species of grouse. We reviewed the accounts of 83 grouse observations, plus summary descriptions and indirect references to grouse by Meriwether Lewis, William Clark, and 3 of their sergeants. We then assigned them to species based on described characteristics, known distributions, habitat, behavior, and/or other written clues. Fifty-nine (71%) observations were con- sidered relatively unambiguous as to identity because of a bird's morphology and appearanceJ a descriptive name, a non-overlapping range, and/or other clues. These included greaterprairie-chick- ens (Tympanuchus cupido), sharp-tailed grouse (1: phasianellus), greater sage-grouse (Centrocercus uro- phasianus), blue grouse (Dendragrpus obscurus), spruce grouse (Falcipennis canadensis), and ruffed grouse (Bonasa umbellus). Other observations were assigned to 'possible' species based on available evidence. Our evaluation of Lewis's and Clark's written descriptions differed in some cases from earlier reviews. Most notable differences involved blue, spruce, and ruffed grouse and we offer sug- gestions for changes. We also used journal records to compare pre-settlement (by Euro-Americans) distributions of grouse as indicated by the journal records with those today and to speculate on changes in abundance. Greatest changes have occurred in distributions and abundances of the 3 prairie grouse, species whose habitats have been most impacted by settlement. Other highlights of the expedition include the 1st written descriptions of blue grouse and greater sage-grouse and of undescribed subspecies of sharp-tailed, spruce, and ruffed grouse.

Active formation of mixed-species grouse leks: a role for predation in lek evolution?

Behavioural ecologists have interpreted avian leks as products of sexual selection, in which males display socially to increase their opportunities to mate. However, without invoking reproductive queuing or kin selection, this paradigm does not necessarily explain why many males that fail to mate participate in leks. An alternative solution, that males also aggregate to reduce predation, has previously lacked compelling support. We show that mixed-species leks, comprising two congeneric grouse, form when single males or small groups of one species, the greater prairie chicken Tympanuchus cupido, join leks of another, the sharp-tailed grouse T. phasianellus. We documented the process by observing lek dynamics and comparing group sizes between mixed- and single-species leks. Joining implies that prairie chickens benefit from displaying with sharp-tailed grouse. The numbers of females of each species attending a lek increased with the number of conspecific, but not heterospecific, males. This suggests that the joining of heterospecifics is unlikely to increase mating opportunities, and leaves lowered predation risk as the most likely benefit of associating with heterospecifics. Active formation of mixed-species leks therefore suggests that predation may be sufficient to drive lek formation. The benefits of participation in mixed leks may be asymmetrical because prairie chickens display more and are less vigilant than sharp-tailed grouse.

Complete Nucleotide Sequence of the Coturnix chinensis (Blue-Breasted Quail) Mitochondorial Genome and a Phylogenetic Analysis With Related Species

Coturnix chinensis (blue-breasted quail) has been classically grouped in Galliformes Phasianidae Coturnix, based on morphologic features and biochemical evidence. Since the blue-breasted quail has the smallest body size among the species of Galliformes, in addition to a short generation time and an excellent reproductive performance, it is a possible model fowl for breeding and physiological studies of the Coturnix japonica (Japanese quail) and Gallus gallus domesticus (chicken), which are classified in the same family as blue-breasted quail. However, since its phylogenetic position in the family Phasianidae has not been determined conclusively, the sequence of the entire blue-breasted quail mitochondria (mt) genome was obtained to provide genetic information for phylogenetic analysis in the present study. The blue-breasted quail mtDNA was found to be a circular DNA of 16,687 base pairs (bp) with the same genomic structure as the mtDNAs of Japanese quail and chicken, though it is smaller than Japanese quail and chicken mtDNAs by 10 bp and 88 bp, respectively. The sequence identity of all mitochondrial genes, including those for 12S and 16S ribosomal RNAs, between blue-breasted quail and Japanese quail ranged from 84.5% to 93.5%; between blue-breasted quail and chicken, sequence identity ranged from 78.0% to 89.6%. In order to obtain information on the phylogenetic position of blue-breasted quail in Galliformes Phasianidae, the 2,184 bp sequence comprising NADH dehydrogenase subunit 2 and cytochrome b genes available for eight species in Galliformes [Japanese quail, chicken, Gallus varius (green junglefowl), Bambusicola thoracica (Chinese bamboo partridge), Pavo cristatus (Indian peafowl), Perdix perdix (gray partridge), Phasianus colchicus (ring-neck pheasant), and Tympanchus phasianellus (sharp-tailed grouse)] together with that of Aythya americana (redhead) were examined using a maximum likelihood (ML) method. The ML analyses on the first/second codon positions, the third codon positions, and amino acid sequence consistently demonstrated that blue-breasted quail and Japanese quail are in the same phylogenetic cluster.

Occurrence of Greater Sage-Grouse × Sharp-Tailed Grouse Hybrids in Alberta

AbstractTwo distinct grouse were regularly observed at two Greater Sage-Grouse (Centrocercus urophasianus) leks in both 1999 and 2000 in southeastern Alberta. Physically and behaviorally, the birds exhibited characteristics of both Greater Sage-Grouse and Sharp-tailed Grouse (Tympanuchus phasianellus), suggesting they were hybrids. DNA analyses of blood and feather samples indicated that both birds were males with Greater Sage-Grouse mothers and thus, fathers that were likely Sharp-tailed Grouse.Ocurrencia de Híbridos entre Centrocercus urophasianus y Tympanuchus phasianellus en AlbertaResumen. Dos aves distintivas fueron observadas con regularidad en dos asambleas de cortejo de Centrocercus urophasianus en el sureste de Alberta tanto en 1999 como en 2000. Las aves presentaban características físicas y de comportamiento tanto de C. urophasianus como de Tympanuchus phasianellus, lo que sugiere que se trataba de individuos híbridos. Análisis de ADN extraído de muestras de sangre y plumas indicaron que ambos individuos eran machos hijos de hembras de C. urophasianus. Por tanto, sus padres probablemente eran T. phasianellus.

Erasing and Jitter Variation Mechanisms of Ag–In–Sb–Te Compact Disk-Rewritable at Double and Quadruple Compact Disk Velocities

The erasing mechanisms of Ag–In–Sb–Te compact disk rewritable (CD-RW) at CD 2× and CD 4× are studied by employing transmission electron microscopy (TEM). The mechanisms of laser-induced crystallization vary with linear velocity as well as erase power. Under CD 2× recording, erasing proceeds with nucleation and grain growth at low erase laser power. However, it is the direct grain growth that controls the mechanism of erasing at high erase laser power. Under CD 4× recording, erasing is dominated by direct grain growth originating from the interface between amorphous marks and their neighboring crystalline region, and the erase power determines the location where grain growth begins. In addition, a sharp increase in jitter after overwriting at CD 4× was observed as a result of the existence of two different amorphous marks. One of them has a normal shape and the other is extended with a tail in the trailing part. For overwriting more than 50 times, only one type of amorphous mark with a tiny sharp tail was observed. This single type of amorphous mark gives rise to a decrease in jitter.

Landscape requirements of prairie sharp‐tailed grouse Tympanuchus phasianellus campestris in Minnesota, USA

The prairie sharp‐tailed grouse Tympanuchus phasianellus campestris occurs throughout the north central region of North America. It is of management concern because it has decreased in the southeast portion of its range over the past three decades, including marked declines in Minnesota and the Great Lakes region, USA. Although there is general knowledge about the habitat requirements for this species, no quantitative lek site or landscape information has been documented. We quantified landscape composition around active and inactive sharp‐tailed grouse lek sites and random points in brush landscapes in northeast Minnesota at multiple scales (200–3,000 m radii circles). Our objective was to compare landscape composition among these sites. We also developed a model to predict the probability of grouse lek site occurrence in the study area. Landscape composition around active and inactive lek sites differed from each other primarily at the 500 m and 1,000 m radii scales. Inactive sites had higher proportions of upland forest and brush cover types and active sites had a higher percentage of native grass than inactive sites. No differences were found in landscape composition between site types at the 200 m radius scale and only one landscape variable (number of cover types) was different at the 3,000 m radius scale. We found non‐random distributions of this grouse species at four different scales. Random brush land sites differed from both active and inactive sites having higher percentages of forest and brush cover. In contrast, lek sites had more bare ground, emergent aquatic vegetation, bog brush and roads than the random points. A regression model for the grouse at the 3,000 m scale was used to predict the probability of grouse occurrence in the landscape. The model resulted in a spatial map with about 8% of the area having a probability of grouse occurrence of >80%. This information can be used to locate new lek sites and to guide management activities for this species.

Non-random mating in classical lekking grouse species: seasonal and diurnal trends.

This paper is the first to integrate both field and theoretical approaches to demonstrate that fertility benefits can be a direct benefit to females mating on the classical lek. Field data collected for male sharp-tailed grouse (Tympanuchus phasianellus), a classical lekking species, revealed potential fertility benefits for selective females. Adult males and individuals occupying centrally located territories on the lek were found to have significantly larger testes than juveniles and peripheral individuals. Further, using empirical data from previously published studies of classical lekking grouse species, time-series analysis was employed to illustrate that female mating patterns, seasonal and daily, were non-random. We are the first to show that these patterns coincide with times when male fertility is at its peak.

A Chi‐square Goodness‐of‐Fit Analysis of Dependent Resource election Data

The chi2 goodness-of-fit test is commonly used for testing if animals use resources in proportion to availability. This method assumes independence of resource selection among animals. In reality, this assumption is violated if animals display antisocial or gregarious behavior. Data from a study of sharp-tailed grouse in eastern Washington suggested some dependency among observations. Realizing that this dependency can have a great influence on inference for resource selection data, we develop a technique to incorporate information on dependent observations through a simple adjustment of the usual goodness-of-fit statistic. We also demonstrate how confidence intervals on proportional use may be modified for dependent observations. Simulation is used to compare our method to other methods.

Structural, microstructural, optical and dielectric properties of Ba 0 . 75 Sr 0 . 25 TiO 3 thin films deposited by sol-gel

Abstract The effects of annealing on the structure, microstructure, stoichiometry, optical and dielectric properties of Ba0.75Sr0.25TiO3 thin films have been studied. The films are grown on Pt(111)/TiO2/SiO2/Si(100) and auartz substrates by sol-gel. X-Ray diffraction measurements showed that the films annealed at temperatures of 500-675°C for 2h are polycrystalline. A significant change in the interfacial composition for thin films annealed at 825°C is observed. A relatively sharp tail of the transmission spectra for films annealed at temperature in the range 500-675°C indicates a narrow distribution of grain size for these films. Annealing films caused the dielectric constant to become more like the bulk.

Structural, microstructural, optical and dielectric properties of Ba0.75Sr0 25TiO3 thin films deposited by sol-gel

Abstract The effects of annealing on the structure, microstructure, stoichiometry, optical and dielectric properties of Ba0.75Sr0.25TiO3 thin films have been studied. The films are grown on Pt(111)/TiO2/SiO2/Si(100) and auartz substrates by sol-gel. X-Ray diffraction measurements showed that the films annealed at temperatures of 500-675°C for 2h are polycrystalline. A significant change in the interfacial composition for thin films annealed at 825°C is observed. A relatively sharp tail of the transmission spectra for films annealed at temperature in the range 500-675°C indicates a narrow distribution of grain size for these films. Annealing films caused the dielectric constant to become more like the bulk.

EFFECTS OF INTERACTING DISTURBANCES ON LANDSCAPE PATTERNS: BUDWORM DEFOLIATION AND SALVAGE LOGGING

Prior to European settlement, the 450000-ha Pine Barrens region in northwestern Wisconsin, USA, was characterized by a landscape mosaic of large, open patches, savannas, and closed forest stands of jack pine (Pinus banksiana). Crown-fires created large open patches that persisted on the droughty soils, providing important habitat for a number of area-sensitive, open-habitat species. Insect outbreaks may have contributed to periodic fires by increasing the fuel load. Today, fires are suppressed in the managed landscape, but insect defoliation remains a major disturbance. Salvage logging commonly follows insect outbreaks. Our objective was to evaluate landscape pattern changes caused by this interaction of natural disturbances and forest management. We examined changes in landscape pattern during the most recent (1990–1995) outbreak of jack pine budworm (Choristoneura pinus pinus) in northwestern Wisconsin using four Landsat TM satellite images (1987, 1991, 1993, and 1995). The 1987 image provided the basis for a species-level forest classification identifying mature jack pine and open habitat prior to the budworm outbreak. Each subsequent image was used to identify clearcuts in mature jack pine. The 1995 image was also used to classify stand development in the open habitat of the 1987 image so that the overall availability of open habitat in 1995 could be assessed. GIS data layers were used to analyze logging rates and clearcut sizes separately for different classes of land ownership and soils. Approximately 12500 ha were salvage logged during the 1990–1995 outbreak. Logging rates were highest on the most infertile soils, and on private, industrial forest land. Annual logging rates of different landowners were 3–6 times higher during the outbreak than previous to it. Salvage cut sizes were larger than clearcuts prior to the outbreak. New cuts were mostly located next to previous cuts, thus increasing the size of openings on the landscape. Initial survey results by N. Niemuth show that populations of one area-sensitive open-habitat species (Sharp-tailed Grouse, Tympanuchus phasianellus) thrive on the salvage cuts. Insect defoliation and subsequent salvage logging did create new habitat for open-habitat species that were declining. Landscape pattern changes due to multiple interacting disturbances have rarely been studied. The interaction of jack pine budworm defoliation and salvage logging substantially changed landscape pattern in the Pine Barrens. We speculate that interaction between insect defoliation and fire may have significantly shaped the presettlement landscape.

Changes in the Distribution and Abundance of Columbian Sharp-Tailed Grouse in Washington

Columbian sharp-tailed grouse (Tympanuchus phasianellus columbianus) were historically found in shrub steppe, meadow steppe, steppe, and deciduous shrub communities throughout much of eastern Washington. The current range, consisting of 8 relatively small, isolated, populations, is less than 3% of historic range. Information collected since 1954 indicates 58% of 107 known lek complexes are currently vacant. Many of the vacant lek complexes (53%) are in areas where sharp-tailed grouse have been extirpated since 1954. Based on annual changes in number of birds counted on lek complexes, the number of sharp-tailed grouse in Washington declined by about 92% since 1954 to 858 birds in 1998. Historic and recent declines of sharp-tailed grouse appear linked to dramatic declines in quantity and quality of native habitat.

Low-drag airfoils for transonic flow of dense gases

Low-drag airfoils for transonic flow of BZT gases are constructed through a nonlinear small-disturbance theory on this topic. This kind of transonic flow is characterized by the high nonlinearity of the fluid thermodynamic behavior that is closely coupled with its compressible flow dynamics. Utilizing BZT gases may result in low drag exerted on airfoils operating at high transonic speeds. This advantage may be further improved by a proper design of the airfoils' shape. The modified airfoils are characterized by arcs along which the flow is sonic and that connect to a sharp tail. These airfoils may give the highest free stream Mach number for which the flow is nowhere supersonic. Using an analysis in the hodograph (velocity) plane, an analytical formula is derived to describe the sonic arc. Numerical computations using the Euler equations demonstrate that the modified airfoils have significantly lower pressure drag against standard airfoils and their critical Mach number is increased to higher values.

A Multivariate χ 2 Analysis of Resource Selection Data

The chi-square goodness-of-fit test is commonly used for testing if resources (e.g., habitats) are used by animals in proportion to availability. This method assumes that an animal's resource selection is independent of the selection made by other animals. We define and estimate a parameter to model dependent behavior as evidenced by sightings of animals in pairs or groups with respect to time and location. The estimated dependency parameter is used to characterize a multivariate chi-square distribution from which we devise a test of resource selection. Our method, based on the maximum of the multivariate x2 distribution, incorporates information about dependent observations. We illustrate our method with data from a study of the ecology of sharp-tailed grouse in eastern Washington. We compare our method with the univariate chi-square goodness-of-fit test by theory, by simulation, and by analysis of real data.

Sharp-tailed Grouse (Tympanuchus phasianellus)

Sharp-tailed Grouse (Tympanuchus phasianellus)

Sharp-tailed Grouse (Tympanuchus phasianellus)

Sharp-tailed Grouse (Tympanuchus phasianellus)

Serologic and parasitologic survey of the endangered Attwater's prairie chicken.

Because conservation biologists have postulated that infectious diseases may have potentiated the endangerment of the Attwater's prairie chicken (Tympanuchus cupido attwateri), free-living prairie chickens were surveyed from all remaining populations for helminthic endoparasites and antibody against the etiological agents of nine infectious diseases. Samples from 4 of 27 adult males were positive for anti-Pasteurella multocida antibody. All other serologic tests were negative (n = 19). We identified Dispharynx nasuta, a parasite previously associated with disease in other grouse from North America, in one of three adult Attwater's prairie chickens examined. Evidence of Trichostrongylus cramae was found for eight of nine suitable samples, which represents the first report of this parasite in prairie grouse. The mean intensity of T. cramae in Attwater's prairie chicken was 1,019.3 (Range = 3-1,906; n = 3). Further work is needed to determine whether P. multocida, T. cramae, or D. nasuta are detrimental to Attwater's prairie chicken populations. If so, conservation biologists could reduce the prevalence and incidence of these parasites and potentially gain more time to address the habitat conditions thought to be the ultimate cause of population declines.

Introductions of Sharp-Tailed Grouse into Maine

Introductions of sharp-tailed grouse (Tympanuchus phasianellus) into Maine were approved by the Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Game in 1954. Habitat inventories in 1955 suggested >1800 km2 were available for sharptails in Washington County. Seventy sharp-tailed grouse from North Dakota and Ne? braska were hard released near feeders in Washington County from 1957 to 1961. In the mid-1950's there was an interest in finding a game bird suitable for open land habitats in Maine. Prior to the 20th century, the heath hen {Tympanuchus cupido cupido) may have been present in southern Maine and introductions of greater prairie-chickens (T. c. pinnatus) had failed (Applegate 1993). Introductions of ring-necked pheasant {Phasianus colchicus) and gray partridge (Perdix perdix) had not been successful, probably because of lack of suitable habitat and adverse climate (Dorr 1952). Because most open land habitats in Maine in the 1950's were either dairy farms, open peat bog, or commercial blueberry {Vaccinium spp.) barrens, the Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Game decided to investigate introductions of sharp-tailed grouse {Tympanuchus phasianellus, Fig.l). A brief survey was conducted by Dr. G. A. Figure 1. Male sharp-tailed grouse dancing on lek. Photo by Randy D. Rogers * Wildlife Division, Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife, 650 State Street, Bangor, ME 04401-5654. Present address: Research and Survey Section, Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks, PO Box 1525, Emporia, KS 66801-1525. This content downloaded from 157.55.39.136 on Tue, 05 Jul 2016 05:15:56 UTC All use subject to http://about.jstor.org/terms 106 Northeastern Naturalist Vol. 4, No. 2 Ammann of the Michigan Department of Conservation (now Michigan Department of Natural Resources) in 1954. Ammann (unpub. Rep., Maine Dep. Inland Fisheries and Game) suggested that the focus on sharptail introductions should be in the blueberry barrens, particularly those in Washington County in eastern Maine. Based on Ammann's report, the Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Game, now Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife (MDIFW), pursued intro? ductions of sharp-tailed grouse. Introductions of sharp-tailed grouse into Maine were not reported in the professional literature. Many of the original documents relating to this work have been or are in danger of being lost. This paper was prepared to document the historic introduction of sharp-tailed grouse into Maine and identify probable causes of failure as suggested by Toepferetal. (1990).

Mechanism of Enhanced Diffusion of Aluminum in 6H-SiC in the Process of High-Temperature Ion Implantation

ABSTRACTThe diffusion of Al in 6H-SiC during high-temperature ion implantation was studied using secondary ion mass spectrometry. A 6H-SiC wafer was implanted with 50 keV Al ions to a dose of 1.4E16 cm−2 in the high temperature range 1300°–1800TC and at room temperature. There are two diffusion regions that can be identified in the Al profiles. At high Al concentrations the gettering related peak and profile broadening are observed. At low Al concentrations, the profiles have a sharp kink and deep penetrating diffusion tails. In the first region, the diffusion coefficient is temperature independent, while in the second it exponentially increases as a function of temperature. The Al redistribution can be explained with the substitutional-interstitial diffusion mechanism.

The endangered Attwater's prairie chicken and an analysis of prairie grouse helminthic endoparasitism

The endangered Attwater's prairie chicken and an analysis of prairie grouse helminthic endoparasitism