The biology of Alniphagus aspericollis (LeConte) was studied in thinleaf alder (Alnus tenuifolia Nutt.) in northern Idaho. Infested alders were mature and dying from infection by a white rot fungus, Phellinus igniarius (L.) Quél. The beetle is monogamous and has one generation per year, with broods overlapping in developmental stages throughout summer. Alniphagus aspercollis individuals passed winter as larvae and sexually immature brood adults, some of which overwintered in short hibernation galleries. Beetles emerged in May to create a new generation. Egg galleries were short, with closely spaced, elongate larval mines. Larvae passed through 4 instars before pupating. New records of insect predators and commensals associated with A. aspericollis are presented. Features of the smaller Alniphagus hirsutus Schedl in Alnus sinuata (Regel) Rydb. from earlier Idaho collections are compared to A. aspericollis, and the published listing of A. tenuifolia as a host of A. hirsutus is questioned.

The majority of Northern California estuaries are small, flooded river valleys that are largely unstudied due to their small sizes. Yet these estuaries serve as important nursery areas for many marine fish species, including rock-fish, flatfish, smelt, and herring. In addition, they are vital to anadromous species such as Chinook Salmon (Oncorhynchus tshawytscha) and steelhead (O. mykiss). Some of these small estuaries gained protection with the completion of California's Marine Protected Area (MPA) network in 2012. From June 2014 to June 2016, we sampled the summer and winter fish communities in 3 estuaries: the Big River estuarine MPA, the Ten Mile River estuarine MPA, and the Mad River Estuary, which served as a non-MPA reference site. Fish were sampled via beach seine or fyke net at 2 stations within each estuary biannually, in summer and winter. Additional sampling was conducted in the Mad River Estuary to examine the transition from summer to winter fish communities. The fish communities in all 3 estuaries were strongly seasonal. The summer community was abundant and diverse, while winter catches were low and dominated by sculpin. Additional sampling in the Mad River Estuary showed that fish communities were diverse from spring through fall, but that catch in spring and fall was highly variable. After accounting for season, variability in the estuarine fish communities was best explained by location. The Big River Estuary had the strongest ocean connection and the most diverse marine fish community. The Ten Mile River Estuary had the weakest ocean connectivity and lowest species diversity. The Mad River Estuary fish community shared more similarities with both MPAs than they did with each other. All estuaries had a more diverse marine fish community downstream than upstream. The establishment of designated estuarine MPAs and the research presented here are important first steps to increased protection, understanding, and appreciation of the small California estuaries that cumulatively provide habitat critical to the life cycles of anadromous and marine species.

The North Fork of the Nooksack River is the northernmost river in Washington State. It is located on the western slope of the North Cascade Mountains and runs east to west near the Canadian border. Here we report the findings of a lichen and allied fungi survey of the valley bottom conducted in 2019. One hundred and forty-five species were documented from 69 genera, increasing the number of species known from this area to 153 in 71 genera. Six species are reported for the first time from Washington State: Abrothallus santessonii (D. Hawksw.) Suija, D. Hawksw. & Pérez-Ort.; Gyalectaria diluta (C. Björk, G. Thor & T.B. Wheeler) Schmitt, T. Sprib. & Lumbsch; Lecanora thysanophora R.C. Harris; Lepraria nivalis J.R. Laundon; Multiclavula mucida (Fr.) R.H. Petersen; and Sarea difformis (Fr.) Fr. The bottom of this valley, like many others in the region, has been heavily disturbed by timber harvesting, development, and recreational use. Despite these impacts, we show that this area is still important habitat for lichen biodiversity, including rarities.

We compared movement and space use patterns of foraging adult and juvenile Colorado checkered whiptails (Aspidoscelis neotesselatus) in pinyon pine–juniper woodland. Through focal observations, we characterized (1) movement paths as a series of step lengths and turn angles at 30-s intervals, and (2) habitat use reflected by the proportion of time spent in different vegetation types and in the open. Adults and juveniles differed in both movement and habitat use. Adults spent more time in the open and in association with mountain mahogany (Cercocarpus montanus), while juveniles were more frequently found in association with dead wood, grass, and juniper (Juniperus monosperma). Adults also moved greater distances than juveniles and made use of larger areas. Movement patterns differed between age classes, with adults having longer step lengths. Adults and juveniles also engaged in different step length–turn angle sequences. For both classes, movement characteristics differed with habitat type.

Prairie moonwort (Botrychium campestre W.H. Wagner & D.R. Farrar) from the adder's tongue family (Ophioglossaceae) is a rare plant species in North America with a NatureServe designation of G3N2 (Globally Vulnerable, Nationally Imperiled). The species reaches its northern distribution limit in Saskatchewan, Canada. The range of B. campestre is described here from literature, herbarium data, and field studies. Two newly discovered peripheral populations are reported, and their habitats are characterized in detail. One of the new occurrences was monitored over a multiyear period, and changes in population and vegetation cover are described. Possible threats to the newest occurrences are identified. These results constitute the first reference on the status of B. campestre in Saskatchewan, which is important for the management and conservation of this rare plant species. Recommendations to protect these populations and to establish monitoring to track changes in their natural habitat are presented.

Understanding how the preservation process affects fish morphology is important for studies that use museum collections as voucher specimens. Sixty-nine Rio Grande silvery minnows (standard length [SL] 32.14–81.65 mm) were observed over 545 days during a formalin-to-water-to-ethanol preservation procedure. Median standard length decreased by the end of each preservation step; specimens shrank 1.06 mm in formalin solution, 1.97 mm in 35% ethanol, 2.17 mm in 50% ethanol, and 2.48 mm in 70% ethanol. Peak shrinkage occurred at 365 d, with a median decrease of 3.86 mm (SL 29.57–75.98 mm). After 545 days, Rio Grande silvery minnows began to increase in length, exhibiting a median shrinkage of 2.04 mm from live length. Research on museum specimens that includes morphological measurements should consider that changes in length or body shape may influence or hinder the ability to detect changes in morphology over time.

Pacific salmon are ecologically, economically, and culturally important species indigenous to British Columbia, Canada. Unfortunately, some populations of Pacific salmon have been declining due to climate change, habitat loss, overfishing, and anthropogenic development. As such, considerable resources have been invested to study, restore, protect, and monitor Pacific salmon and their habitat. Since 2004, Lyall Creek, a salmon-bearing stream in the Salish Sea in British Columbia, Canada, has been monitored. Using 2-pass electrofishing, we investigated changes in observed densities over 15 years (2004–2019) for juvenile coho salmon (Oncorhynchus kisutch) and juvenile coastal cutthroat trout (Oncorhynchus clarkii clarkii) that inhabit Lyall Creek. A statistically insignificant but general decreasing trend was observed for juvenile coho salmon densities over 15 years in Lyall Creek. Juvenile coastal cutthroat trout densities in Lyall Creek exhibited a statistically significant decline. More research is required to understand what anthropogenic and environmental factors are negatively influencing Pacific salmon densities in Lyall Creek. Specifically, water availability may be an important stressor affecting these salmon populations.

We studied the nesting biology and developmental schedules of the cavity-nesting solitary wasp Isodontia elegans in Oregon, USA. Trap-nests contained 1–15 brood cells each, separated by partitions, which adult females made with grass fragments. Before leaving nests to hunt, females made loose, temporary closures of longer fragments of dried grass and, upon returning, briefly deposited prey just inside the nest entrance before transferring them to a cell. Cells were provisioned with katydids (Meconema thalassinum, an invasive species in North America) and tree crickets (Oecanthus fultoni), the latter predominating as summers progressed. The inner cells of nests, where most daughters developed, were longer and separated from adjacent cells by partitions thicker than those in outer cells, where most sons developed. These observations, along with the fact that daughters are larger than sons (likely because they receive a greater provision mass from mothers), indicate that investment in daughters is considerably greater than that in sons, by multiple measures. Sexual size dimorphism was evident in both cocoon mass (prepupae + cocoon case) and adult mass. From 2013 to 2019, nesting began earlier in the summer when mean maximum daily temperatures in June were higher and when the number of days in June with maximum temperatures <25 °C were fewer. Once nesting began, females typically completed 1 cell per day, the egg being laid on one of the first 3 prey placed in the cell. In the field, eggs hatched in 2–6 d, and larvae completed feeding and began cocoon spinning 5–11 d later. After removal from winter storage, offspring completing development at 29 °C emerged as adults in 22–40 d, with males emerging about 2 d earlier on average. The duration of the postdiapause period leading to adult emergence, however, was not correlated with eventual adult mass in either sex. We discuss interpopulation differences in prey species and nest materials used by I. elegans.

We report for the first time the presence of 2 shrew species (Sorex altoensis and S. emarginatus) and 4 rodent species (Peromyscus merriami, P. schmidlyi, Reithrodontomys zacatecae, and Sigmodon leucotis) in the state of Nayarit, Mexico, as well as the occurrence of P. carletoni and P. schmidlyi in Jalisco and Zacatecas. We extend the known distribution range of the squirrel Sciurus aureogaster to northern Nayarit and report the presence of 2 subspecies of P. eremicus and 3 of Neotoma mexicana in near sympatry. We also confirm the presence of Tlacuatzin sinaloae and P. micropus in Nayarit. Finally, we document the presence of Dasypus novemcinctus in the highlands of the Sierra Madre Occidental in Durango; these are the first records of the nine-banded armadillo in Durango in 57 years. Our results highlight the importance of continuing biological surveys and inventories in the least-explored areas of Mexico.

Plants of Purshia tridentata and Purshia stansburyana, 2 shrub species from the western United States, naturally display eccentric stem growth. The purpose of this study was to quantitatively document stem eccentricity for these 2 species. Stem segments were obtained from 3 different plants of each species at locations in central Utah. Each stem was sawed into 8-mm sections and photographed for analysis. Every stem section was then marked at a 36° interval to produce 10 wedge-shaped sectors. The areas of each sector were determined and analyzed. Stem segment areas were about 40, 60, and 100 mm² for stem diameters of 6, 8, and 11 mm, respectively, for both species. Consecutive 8-mm segments were compared at 6 and 11 mm for both species. Absolute differences between paired segments ranged between 0.0 and 12.0. On average, 43% of all pairs had absolute differences above 0.40. These results suggest marked differences between consecutive segments. The eccentric growth percentages were also the same for both species. Mean eccentric percentages for 6-mm-diameter segments were 43.4% and 49.6% for the 2 species. Moreover, 11-mm-diameter segments of P. tridentata and P. stansburyana had mean eccentric percentages of 36.4% and 34.0%, respectively. Overall, 81% of all stem segments showed eccentricity. Many long-lived desert shrubs of the western United States exhibit a wide range of wood anomalies. These wood anomalies may be endemic in these species.

The Aransas-Wood Buffalo population of Whooping Cranes (Grus americana) migrates approximately 4000 km through the central Great Plains biannually, between their breeding and wintering grounds. Whooping Cranes depend on stopover sites to provide secure resting locations and the caloric resources necessary to complete their migration, such as the USFWS-designated critical habitat area in the Central Platte River Valley (CPRV) of Nebraska. This area includes braided river habitat characterized by low-elevation and submerged sandbars, which provide important roosting and foraging opportunities for migrating Whooping Cranes. We used long-range photography, videography, and behavioral scan sampling to document forage items consumed by Whooping Cranes during an 11-day stopover in this area during the fall of 2019. We identified 3 adult-plumage Whooping Cranes and 1 colt consuming 16 individual vertebrates of at least 6 different species during the stopover. In total, we documented Whooping Cranes consuming 7 Channel Catfish (Ictalurus punctatus), 5 ray-finned fish (Actinopterygii), 1 sunfish (Centrarchidae), 1 carp/minnow relative (Cypriniformes), 1 perch relative (Percidae), and 1 Leopard Frog relative (Lithobates sp.). We estimated prey item lengths using the average exposed culmen measurements for adult Whooping Cranes and approximated their nutritional value using log-transformed length–weight regression equations with taxon-specific intercepts and slopes from secondary data sources. We estimated that aquatic vertebrate forage made up a significant portion of Whooping Crane daily energy requirements and provided substantial amounts of calcium, phosphorus, and protein not present at high levels in waste grains also consumed during migration. Additionally, we documented territorial behavior by adult Whooping Cranes during migration and evidence of adults teaching their colt to forage. Our study demonstrates the utility of photography and videography to natural history research and indicates that aquatic vertebrates may be a relatively regular part of Whooping Crane diet in the CPRV.

Accurate information on species identities and distributions is critical for informing state land use and conservation policies. However, it can often be difficult to determine species identity using morphological data alone. Using phylogenetic methods, we determined the identity of Sceloporus lizards occupying the Laramie Mountains of Wyoming, between known ranges for Sceloporus tristichus and Sceloporus consobrinus. The ND1 mitochondrial gene was sequenced for 10 individuals from the Laramie Mountains and analyzed using maximum likelihood with 23 other samples of S. tristichus and S. consobrinus from throughout their ranges. The mtDNA gene tree places the Laramie Mountains populations within a clade of Sceloporus consobrinus that includes the Rocky Mountains in Colorado. Given the prevalence of mtDNA introgression in Sceloporus, we also conducted phylogenetic analyses using 4 nuclear loci (RAG-1, R35, BDNF, and PNN) for a subset of samples. Species tree analysis of the nuclear data further verified that the Laramie Mountains population belongs to S. consobrinus. Given the very limited data available on the range, prevalence, and ecology of S. consobrinus in Wyoming, as well its designation as a Species of Greatest Conservation Need in Wyoming, more research must be done to ensure protection of this population.

Salmincola californiensis is a parasitic copepod that infects salmonid fishes in the genus Oncorhynchus. Our objective was to determine the level of infection of S. californiensis in Rainbow Trout in Birch Creek, Idaho. We sampled Rainbow Trout at 5 sites on Birch Creek during October 2015 and May 2016. Mean intensity of infection was greater in May 2016 (x̄ = 1.7) than it was in October 2015 (x̄ = 2.9; F_{1, 69} = 5.535, P = 0.021). Intensity of infection ranged from 1 to 10 copepods in October 2015 and 1 to 12 copepods in May 2016. Intensity of infection did not differ among sites (F_{4, 69} = 0.141, P = 0.966) or by total length of the fish (F_{1, 69} = 3.036, P = 0.086). We found that the odds of infection of Rainbow Trout increased by 3% (95% CI, 2.1% to 3.9%) for every 1 mm increase in total length (χ²_0.05, 321 = 59.469, P < 0.001). Site 5 had the highest odds of infection (χ²_{0.05, 317} = 11.656, P = 0.020). In addition, Rainbow Trout were 2.3 times (95% CI, 1.28 to 4.33) more likely to be infected in May 2016 than they were in October 2015 (χ²_{0.05, 316} = 7.769, P = 0.005). Our study documented the first presence of S. californiensis in Birch Creek as well as the level of infection in the Rainbow Trout population. Additional studies need to be conducted to determine the effect of this copepod on the Rainbow Trout in Birch Creek.

Urban settings represent a challenge to most bird species, although some raptors seem to adjust to new urban environments. The Crested Caracara (Caracara cheriway) is known as an urban-tolerant species. Though caracaras are resident in west-central Mexico, there is no information about the species' distribution, reproduction, and nesting within a metropolis such as Guadalajara. This species was using the peri-urban setting of the Guadalajara Metropolitan Area (GMA) to hunt, breed, construct its nests, and care for juveniles. To our knowledge, this is the first reported record of it breeding in a peri-urban setting in Mexico. On 15 February 2019, we found the remains of a caracara fledgling in a private vacant lot north of the GMA. The body had injuries on its back between the wings and no remaining muscle, which could be attributed to predation by another raptor. We later located a caracara nest in a eucalyptus tree (Eucalyptus camaldulensis) in the same private vacant lot, within 30 m of where the carcass was found. The nest was a platform made of sticks, resting on the bifurcation between the tree trunk and one of its branches, 23.8 m high. The eucalyptus tree measured 37.4 m in height and 50 cm in diameter, with a 10.7-m² canopy cover. Twenty-four days later, we saw another juvenile perched near the parents. That was the last time we saw it. The following year, on 15 March 2020, we saw 2 adult caracaras using the same nest and feeding a juvenile.

Records of coprophagic behavior in vultures from both the Old and the New World are rare. We know of only a handful of reports for Turkey Vultures (Cathartes aura). Herein we report a specific event of heterocoprophagia: the consumption of 1-day-old puma (Puma concolor) feces by C. aura in the Manantlán Biosphere Reserve (Jalisco, México). Feces of P. concolor play a role in chemical communication by male pumas, who generally do not cover their feces. Females and juveniles attempt to cover theirs. It is not known whether puma scats provide any nutrients to vultures. A bromatological analysis should be performed to determine whether the fecal matter contains nutrients that could be assimilated by vultures. As far as we know, this is the first observation of coprophagic behavior by C. aura on puma feces.