Article
Ecology
Scott A. Martin, William E. Peterman, Gregory J. J. Lipps Jr, H. Lisle Gibbs
Summary: Assessing environmental factors for species movement is crucial for identifying conservation actions that connect isolated populations. However, direct observations are limited, so alternate approaches like landscape genetic analyses are necessary. This study uses such analysis to assess the impact of landscape features on the movement of the eastern massasauga rattlesnake. The findings highlight the importance of land-cover and inherent landscape features on current connectivity, and provide valuable information for guiding future habitat modification and land acquisition actions to connect isolated populations.
ECOLOGICAL APPLICATIONS
(2023)
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Erika Bauza Nowotny, Peter J. Lyons, Daniel Gonzalez-Socoloske
Summary: The Eastern massasauga rattlesnake population is facing severe threats and its numbers are declining rapidly. The current management methods are inadequate for assessing the species' status, hence a non-invasive genetic analysis method using shed skin is proposed. This method shows promise for improving species conservation management.
CONSERVATION GENETICS RESOURCES
(2022)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Whitney J. B. Anthonysamy, Michael J. Dreslik, Sarah J. Baker, Mark A. Davis, Marlis R. Douglas, Michael E. Douglas, Christopher A. Phillips
Summary: Measures of gene flow and genetic diversity are crucial for evaluating population trends and considering management and conservation strategies for wildlife. In this study, a molecular assessment was conducted on the remaining Eastern Massasauga Rattlesnake hibernacula in Illinois to understand diversity and connectivity patterns. The results showed limited connectivity and distinct genetic clusters among the study areas, emphasizing the need for separate management units and preservation of genetic diversity.
Article
Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
Dennis K. Wasko, Stephan G. Bullard, Thomas F. Beauvais
Summary: The study found that reported massasauga snake bites to humans were mainly concentrated along the border of Indiana and Michigan, with the number of bites increasing with human population growth and then sharply declining in the 1900s. Most bites were due to victims unintentionally coming into contact with unseen snakes, but there were also cases where bites occurred from intentional interaction with the snakes.
WILDERNESS & ENVIRONMENTAL MEDICINE
(2021)
Article
Ecology
Alyssa Swinehart, Charlyn Partridge, Amy Russell, Arin Thacker, Jennifer Kovach, Jennifer Moore
Summary: Characterizing the diet of imperiled species is crucial for their conservation, and in this study, we used a minimally invasive DNA metabarcoding approach to study the diet of the federally threatened eastern massasauga rattlesnake. The results showed that small mammals, particularly meadow voles, were the most important prey for these snakes, and adult individuals exhibited a more generalized diet compared to younger snakes. The methods developed in this study can be applied to other reptile species to accurately assess their diet.
ECOLOGY AND EVOLUTION
(2023)
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Arin J. Thacker, Eric T. Hileman, Paul Keenlance, Eric M. McCluskey, Alyssa Swinehart, Jennifer Kovach, Jennifer A. Moore
Summary: Knowledge of species distribution is important for conservation and management. The eastern massasauga, a federally threatened rattlesnake, is difficult to survey due to its low detectability. We used occupancy models to assess the status of massasauga populations in Michigan and found that canopy cover and search effort influenced occupancy and detection probabilities. Management practices targeting woody invasive species and natural succession can benefit the species.
GLOBAL ECOLOGY AND CONSERVATION
(2023)
Article
Ecology
Nathan Kudla, Eric M. McCluskey, Vijay Lulla, Ralph Grundel, Jennifer A. Moore
Summary: Genetic structuring of the federally threatened Eastern Massasauga Rattlesnake on a relatively undisturbed island in northern Michigan showed weak structuring with spatially segregated variation, which contrasts with higher levels of structuring in the southern part of the species' range. The observed genetic structuring in this intact landscape suggests that the Eastern Massasauga is capable of interpatch movements to reduce overall genetic structuring and colonize new habitats.
ECOLOGY AND EVOLUTION
(2021)
Review
Pharmacology & Pharmacy
Elizabeth Jacobs, Andrew Marshall King, Varun Vohra
Summary: This study aimed to characterize Eastern Massasauga envenomings in humans reported to the Michigan Poison & Drug Information Center from 2003 to 2020. The study found that Eastern Massasauga bites led to clinically significant toxicity, including coagulopathies, but with a low incidence of bleeding events. Most cases resolved with the use of anti-venom. This is the largest descriptive case series characterizing Eastern Massasauga snakebites.
Article
Zoology
Dylan W. Maag, Sean P. Maher, Brian D. Greene
Summary: Understanding the microhabitat selection and movement patterns of Pygmy Rattlesnakes in the Ozarks region of Missouri, this study found that these snakes are well adapted to a variety of habitat types and predominantly select microhabitats with more vegetative cover and woody debris. The reproductive status of females significantly affects their activity levels.
HERPETOLOGICAL CONSERVATION AND BIOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Ecology
Anika Kuczynski, Martin T. Auer, William D. Taylor, Steven C. Chapra, Marcel Dijkstra
Summary: This study develops an improved model platform for predicting the biomass and phosphorus content of green algae in the Great Lakes region. The model's reliability and applicability are verified through calibration using a common set of coefficients. This model is of great importance for guiding management practices and maintaining water quality standards to prevent algal proliferation.
ECOLOGICAL MODELLING
(2022)
Article
Forestry
Emily R. Althoff, Thomas J. O'Loughlin, David A. Wakarchuk, Kelly G. Aukema, Brian H. Aukema
Summary: The eastern larch beetle is a bark beetle that colonizes tamarack trees in the Great Lakes region. Over the past two decades, it has caused significant damage to tamarack forests in Minnesota. While foliar chemistry of tamarack has been well-studied, the composition of monoterpene in the phloem has been lacking.
Article
Ornithology
Christopher Pollentier, Scott Hull, David MacFarland
Summary: Effective wildlife management requires understanding population dynamics and identifying drivers of population growth. Ruffed Grouse in the Upper Great Lakes region show stable but variable population change rates, primarily influenced by reproductive performance. Management efforts should focus on maximizing reproductive success for population growth.
ORNITHOLOGICAL APPLICATIONS
(2021)
Review
Biodiversity Conservation
Shelby D. Gibson, Sheila R. Colla
Summary: This study aimed to investigate the pollination and breeding systems of culturally significant plants in the Great Lakes Region of Eastern North America. The results showed that most of the studied plants were outcrossing, and the main pollinators were insects from the Apidae family. These findings are important for future conservation planning and policy development.
PLANTS PEOPLE PLANET
(2023)
Article
Water Resources
Andrew W. Ellis, Zachary J. Suriano
Summary: The moistening of cold air passing over the Great Lakes has a significant impact on the cool season climate of regions downwind. This study merges the results of two methods to provide a more comprehensive record of lake-effect days in the eastern Great Lakes. The findings show a decrease in lake-effect days, resulting in a drying of the cool-season lake-effect hydroclimate.
FRONTIERS IN WATER
(2022)
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Dariusz Ulikowski, Piotr Traczuk, Andrzej Kapusta, Krystyna Kalinowska
Summary: The study identified new locations of monkey gobies in the waters of the Great Masurian Lakes system, where they were found to have small physical characteristics. The findings suggest that monkey gobies may rapidly spread to lakes in the northern basin of the system.
BIOINVASIONS RECORDS
(2021)
Article
Ecology
Benjamin D. Thesing, Richard D. Noyes, David E. Starkey, Donald B. Shepard
EVOLUTIONARY ECOLOGY
(2016)
Article
Ecology
Samuel D. Martin, Donald B. Shepard, Michael A. Steffen, John G. Phillips, Ronald M. Bonett
JOURNAL OF BIOGEOGRAPHY
(2016)
Article
Ecology
Daniel O. Mesquita, Gabriel C. Costa, Guarino R. Colli, Tais B. Costa, Donald B. Shepard, Laurie J. Vitt, Eric R. Pianka
AMERICAN NATURALIST
(2016)
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Evin T. Carter, Michael J. Ravesi, Bryan C. Eads, Bruce A. Kingsbury
BIOLOGICAL INVASIONS
(2017)
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Michael J. Ravesi, Sasha J. Tetzlaff, Matthew C. Allender, Bruce A. Kingsbury
NORTHEASTERN NATURALIST
(2016)
Article
Ecology
Gabriel C. Costa, Arndt Hampe, Marie-Pierre Ledru, Pablo A. Martinez, Guilherme G. Mazzochini, Donald B. Shepard, Fernanda P. Werneck, Craig Moritz, Ana Carolina Carnaval
GLOBAL ECOLOGY AND BIOGEOGRAPHY
(2018)
Article
Zoology
D. B. Shepard, A. R. Kuhns
JOURNAL OF ZOOLOGY
(2018)
Article
Ecology
Sasha J. Tetzlaff, Evin T. Carter, Brett A. DeGregorio, Michael J. Ravesi, Bruce A. Kingsbury
ECOLOGY AND EVOLUTION
(2017)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Eric T. Hileman, Richard B. King, John M. Adamski, Thomas G. Anton, Robyn L. Bailey, Sarah J. Baker, Nickolas D. Bieser, Thomas A. Bell, Kristin M. Bissell, Danielle R. Bradke, Henry Campa, Gary S. Casper, Karen Cedar, Matthew D. Cross, Brett A. DeGregorio, Michael J. Dreslik, Lisa J. Faust, Daniel S. Harvey, Robert W. Hay, Benjamin C. Jellen, Brent D. Johnson, Glenn Johnson, Brooke D. Kiel, Bruce A. Kingsbury, Matthew J. Kowalski, Yu Man Lee, Andrew M. Lentini, John C. Marshall, David Mauger, Jennifer A. Moore, Rori A. Paloski, Christopher A. Phillips, Paul D. Pratt, Thomas Preney, Kent A. Prior, Andrew Promaine, Michael Redmer, Howard K. Reinert, Jeremy D. Rouse, Kevin T. Shoemaker, Scott Sutton, Terry J. VanDeWalle, Patrick J. Weatherhead, Doug Wynn, Anne Yagi
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Sasha J. Tetzlaff, Jinelle H. Sperry, Bruce A. Kingsbury, Brett A. DeGregorio
GLOBAL ECOLOGY AND CONSERVATION
(2019)
Article
Ecology
Sam Weaver, Donald B. Shepard, Kenneth H. Kozak
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Diego J. Santana, Leandro Alves da Silva, Anathielle Caroline Sant'Anna, Donald B. Shepard, Sarah Mangia
Summary: A new species of Proceratophrys from southern Amazonia in Brazil has been described based on differences in morphology, male advertisement call, and genetic distance. This new species is most similar to P. concavitympanum and P. ararype but can be distinguished by its larger eyes and unique features of the advertisement call. The species is only known from its type locality and faces threats from illegal activities and development projects.
Article
Ecology
Natalie A. Clay, Donald B. Shepard, Adrian A. Garda, Daniel O. Mesquita, Alexandre Vasconcellos
Summary: The nutritional ecology of Neotropical savannas, such as ants and termites, is influenced by sodium limitation. The study found that termites were more likely to occur in areas with sufficient sodium supply, specifically 1% NaCl plots. The usage of NaCl and sugar bait by ants was similar. Additionally, ants were more active at night.
JOURNAL OF TROPICAL ECOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Zoology
Brett A. DeGregorio, Michael Ravesi, Jinelle H. Sperry, Sasha J. Tetzlaff, Jillian Josimovich, Monica Matthews, Bruce A. Kingsbury
HERPETOLOGICAL CONSERVATION AND BIOLOGY
(2018)
Article
Zoology
Sasha J. Tetzlaff, Michael J. Ravesi, Matthew C. Allender, Evin T. Carter, Brett A. DeGregorio, Jillian M. Josimovich, Bruce A. Kingsbury
HERPETOLOGICAL CONSERVATION AND BIOLOGY
(2017)