Trawl samples along the British Columbia coast between 1999 and 2006 revealed many previously undetected species living in deep water. This increase in knowledge underscores the importance of survey collections for non-game fishes, which form a vital link in marine ecosystems. Although there are few records of albuliform fishes in the eastern North Pacific Ocean, Aldrovandia oleosa (Halosauridae) and Polyacanthonotus challengeri (Notacanthidae) are known from British Columbia. The notacanthid Notacanthus chemnitzii is known from off California, Oregon, and Alaska, but until now it was not confirmed from British Columbia. The ranges of these 3 albuliform fishes are updated in this paper. Until now, 7 species of true eels (Anguilliformes) were known to exist in British Columbia based on literature records and museum specimens; Nemichthys scolopaceus, Avocettina infans, Serrivomer jesperseni, Xenomystax atrarius, Thalassenchelys coheni, Venefica ocella and V. tentaculata. Two synaphobranchids, Synaphobranchus affinis and Histiobranchius bathybius, also occur in adjacent waters of Alaska, and until recently S. affinis was thought to exist in British Columbia based on a misidentified specimen. This paper provides a re-identification of the Synaphobranchus from British Columbia as the 1st record of S. brevidorsalis for the province and also adds Nemichthys larseni and Cyema atrum (Saccopharyngiformes) to the diversity of eels now known from British Columbia waters. We also provide significant range extensions for Serrivomer jesperseni, Thalassenchelys coheni, and Venefica tentaculata along the British Columbia coast.

Age estimation in wildlife is crucial for population assessment and management decision-making. Estimation errors may reduce the efficacy of management programs or potentially result in poor management decisions. Our objective was to compare aging techniques (gum-line measurement and cementum annuli analysis) for Cougars (Puma concolor) using harvest data collected during 2006–2010 in Oregon. Differences in paired age estimates (cementum annuli estimate minus gum-line recession estimate) had 95% confidence limits of −0.28 and −0.06. Linear regression showed a relatively high level of agreement (<1.0-y difference) between the 2 aging techniques considered for individuals ≥1-y and ≤17-y old. The slope suggests that each 1 y increase in estimated age using cementum annuli analysis adds 1.03 y to the predicted estimated age using gum-line measurements. Disparity between estimates increases with age. Individuals estimated to be 1-y old using x (cementum annuli counts) are predicted to be 1.09-y old using y (gum-line measurements), and individuals estimated to be 12-y old using x are predicted to be 12.42-y old using y. The use of >1 age-estimation technique, implementation of standardized protocols (if not currently in place), and additional training to potentially increase consistency and reduce bias among observers will be beneficial for Cougar management.

We measured concentrations of aluminum (Al), arsenic (As), cadmium (Cd), copper (Cu), lead (Pb), nickel (Ni), total mercury (THg), methylmercury (MeHg), selenium (Se), silver (Ag), and zinc (Zn) in liver from Harbor Seals (n  =  31) stranded dead in the inland waters of Washington State between 2004 and 2007. Results were compared by age class and region, and to results from past studies. Significant differences in concentration were detected among age classes, regions, and years. Adult seals (>3 y old) from this study had significantly higher concentrations of As, Cd, THg, MeHg, Ni, Se, and Ag than neonate pups. Seals from the eastern Strait of Juan de Fuca (SJF) had significantly higher concentrations of As, MeHg, Se, and Ag than seals from the southern Puget Sound (SPS). When pooled with past studies, significant age and regional differences were detected for Zn and Cu, respectively, where Zn decreased with age and Cu was higher in SJF than SPS seals. Lead was significantly lower in seals from the present study compared to past studies. Examining the concentrations of both essential and non-essential trace elements indicates that Harbor Seal tissues can be useful in detecting regional and temporal trends in contaminants.

We evaluated the effect of forest riparian alternative tree buffer designs on Western Red-backed Salamanders (Plethodon vehiculum) along headwater stream banks in managed forests of the Washington Coast Range. We used pit trap live removals in early autumn to estimate relative abundances of surface-active salamanders before and after 3 levels of riparian buffer retention (strip, patch, and no-buffer clear-cut) with upland regeneration harvest. The study spanned a pre-treatment year, the harvest year after logging, and 2 post-treatment years (post1, post2). We observed reduced average tree canopies and increased average down-wood cover along streams that received the buffer treatments, especially in the cut portion of patch buffer and no-buffer clear-cut treatments. Compared to pre-treatment, mean salamander relative abundance was lower in no-buffer treatments in the harvest year and in the post2 year, but not the post1 year. Weather differences between years likely partially influenced these results. Plethodon vehiculum abundance in the no-buffer clear-cut treatment was lower than in both the control units in post2 and patch buffer treatments during the harvest year and post2 year. Retention of existing down-wood and recruitment of post-treatment down-wood may have ameliorated treatment effects on P. vehiculum abundances in patch buffers by maintaining microclimates and microhabitats. In the no-buffer clear-cut treatments, however, there was no similarly-moderating influence (no effect) from down-wood except when mediated by higher rainfall and cooler conditions. It appears that maintaining amounts of dead down-wood in no-buffer clear-cut treatments and the cut areas of patch buffers that averaged amounts 3 to 6 times greater than occurred before buffer creation along these headwater streams may help lessen initial treatment effects on these woodland salamanders.

Common Ravens (Corvus corax) and American Crows (C. brachyrhynchos) are important predators of eggs and chicks of the Snowy Plover (Charadrius nivosus), which compromises population recovery of this federally listed species. We used a before-after, control-impact experiment over a 4-d interval to examine changes in corvid occurrence within 1, 10, and 50 m of a feeding area in response to scare tactics and corvid effigies, a non-lethal predator control method. We conducted our study during September–February at Clam Beach, California, where corvids are abundant and plovers experience high reproductive failure compared with other sites in northern California. On Day 1, food and trash attracted corvids within 1–2 h after sunrise, suggesting that some individuals frequented beaches to scavenge for food left by humans. On Days 2 through 4, effigies significantly reduced average corvid abundance and incidence (percentage of observations with at least 1 corvid present), but the effect was only significant within the 50-m zone. In all cases, however, some, albeit fewer, corvids continued to occur on plots with effigies, suggesting that their effectiveness as a deterrent of corvids near plover nests during the breeding season is limited.