Article
Ecology
Danielle M. Glass, Paige R. Prentice, Ashley D. Evans, Oswald J. Schmitz
Summary: This study analyzes the surface water use and movement patterns of desert bighorn sheep populations in the Mojave Desert. The results suggest that temperature is the most significant factor influencing the sheep's visitation to water sources. Furthermore, individual animals exhibit changes in movement patterns when accessing surface water. The study also emphasizes the importance for managers to monitor water sources when the maximum daily temperature exceeds 35 degrees Celsius.
JOURNAL OF WILDLIFE MANAGEMENT
(2022)
Article
Veterinary Sciences
Nicholas Shirkey, Annette Roug, Thomas Besser, Vernon C. Bleich, Neal Darby, Daniella Dekelaita, Nathan L. Galloway, Ben Gonzales, Debra Hughson, Lora Konde, Ryan Monello, Paige R. Prentice, Regina Vu, John Wehausen, Brandon Munk, Jenny Powers, Clinton W. Epps
Summary: In 2013, an outbreak of respiratory disease in bighorn sheep from California's Mojave Desert metapopulation caused high mortality in at least one population. Subsequent serosurvey of archived samples showed that some populations have had antibodies to M. ovipneumoniae since at least 1986.
JOURNAL OF WILDLIFE DISEASES
(2021)
Editorial Material
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Peter A. Scott, Linda J. Allison, Kimberleigh J. Field, Roy C. Averill-Murray, H. Bradley Shaffer
Summary: Hedrick raises potential concerns that he believes challenge or limit the main finding, focusing on unknown ecological aspects of the translocated tortoises. However, we believe these concerns do not bias the results or interpretation as presented in our original paper.
Article
Ecology
Manuel Vargas-Felipe, Luis Pellegrin, Aldo A. Guevara-Carrizales, A. Pastor Lopez-Monroy, Hugo Jair Escalante, Jose A. Gonzalez-Fraga
Summary: Monitoring wildlife using camera traps is crucial for conservation efforts, but manual image classification remains expensive. This paper presents an automatic methodology for labeling images captured by camera traps, focusing on the analysis of the desert bighorn sheep. The method achieved high classification performances and the collected data set and models are publicly available to support further research on this species.
ECOLOGICAL INFORMATICS
(2021)
Article
Agriculture, Dairy & Animal Science
Brianna M. Johnson, Janice Stroud-Settles, Annette Roug, Kezia Manlove
Summary: This article reports on a bighorn sheep pneumonia event with lower symptom and mortality burdens than previous cases. The study found that individual-level immune responses were lower than expected and the bacterial pathogen Mycoplasma ovipneumoniae appeared to fade out after approximately 1.5 to 2 years. The substructuring of the Zion bighorn sheep population may have contributed to the limited burden of the disease event.
Article
Ecology
Brian S. Dugovich, Brianna R. Beechler, Brian P. Dolan, Rachel S. Crowhurst, Ben J. Gonzales, Jenny G. Powers, Debra L. Hughson, Regina K. Vu, Clinton W. Epps, Anna E. Jolles
Summary: Habitat fragmentation is a significant factor in biodiversity loss, but maintaining natural connectivity in metapopulations can help mitigate its effects. While connectivity can protect populations from infectious diseases, it may also increase the risk of disease spread. In a study on desert bighorn sheep, it was found that connectivity correlated with higher immunogenetic diversity and a stronger immune response, leading to lower disease prevalence.
JOURNAL OF ANIMAL ECOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Ecology
Marcus E. E. Blum, Kelley M. M. Stewart, Mike Cox, Kevin T. T. Shoemaker, Joe R. R. Bennett, Benjamin W. W. Sullivan, Brian F. F. Wakeling, Vernon C. C. Bleich
Summary: Selection of forage and habitats in bighorn sheep is influenced by the nutritional needs of individuals, with some females sacrificing nutritional quality for the safety of their offspring. Our study examined diet quality and composition before and after parturition, revealing a tradeoff between diet quality and provisioning status. The results provide insight into habitat selection and evolutionary processes in these specialized artiodactyls.
FRONTIERS IN ECOLOGY AND EVOLUTION
(2023)
Article
Ecology
Avery W. Driscoll, Nicholas Q. Bitter, James R. Ehleringer
Summary: Plants make trade-offs between photosynthesis and water loss, favoring conservative water-use strategies in arid environments and aggressive strategies in mesic environments. Intrinsic water-use efficiency (iWUE) serves as an indicator of the balance between carbon assimilation and water loss, influencing plant performance across interannual fluctuations. Relationships between iWUE, water availability, and plant performance are complex and vary depending on factors such as leaf nitrogen content and individual plasticity in response to aridity fluctuations.
Article
Ecology
Andrew S. Jones, Esther S. Rubin, Matthew J. Clement, Larisa E. Harding, Jacob I. Mesler
Summary: This study investigated how mountain lions impact habitat selection and mortality risk of bighorn sheep. The findings suggest that bighorn sheep select habitats based on ruggedness and slope, reducing the risk of mountain lion predation. Additionally, increasing group size decreases the risk of mortality.
JOURNAL OF WILDLIFE MANAGEMENT
(2022)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Jennifer Mills, Gregory E. Maurer, Laura N. Lammers, Ronald Amundson
Summary: The Mojave Desert has experienced significant warming and aridification in the past 50 years, leading to accelerated cycling of carbon and nitrogen in the soil and their subsequent loss. This indicates chemical impacts on the coupled carbon and nitrogen cycles in response to climate change.
GLOBAL BIOGEOCHEMICAL CYCLES
(2022)
Article
Agriculture, Dairy & Animal Science
Vagner S. Ovani, Adibe Luiz Abdalla, Simon Perez Marquez, Wilian dos Santos da Costa, Beatriz Elisa Bizzuti, Paulo de Mello Tavares Lima, Guilherme Dias Moreira, Luciana Gerdes, Helder Louvandini
Summary: Accurate prediction of feed intake is crucial for assessing the feed conversion efficiency of individual grazing animals. This study evaluated the accuracy of three approaches using four internal markers and found that correcting the fecal recovery rate of the markers improved the accuracy of digestibility and intake predictions.
ANIMAL FEED SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Ecology
Scott R. Abella, Dominic M. Gentilcore, Lindsay P. Chiquoine
Summary: The study examines resilience models, alternative stable states, and convergent-divergent trajectories of plant communities in the Mojave Desert following 31 wildfires over a period of 36 years. Results show differences in recovery time and methods between different vegetation community types.
ECOLOGICAL MONOGRAPHS
(2021)
Article
Agronomy
Xinzhou Zhao, Lina Shi, Shanning Lou, Jiao Ning, Yarong Guo, Qianmin Jia, Fujiang Hou
Summary: The study found that sheep excrement significantly increased the CO2 and N2O emissions of the two forage crops, and changed the CH4 sink into a source of emissions, while multi-cutting reduced GHGs mostly by promoting the growth of the forage crops. Future research should identify the spatiotemporal effects of cutting and sheep excrement on GHG emissions to enhance predictions of climate impacts from grazing activities.
Article
Parasitology
J. E. Garcia, F. A. Rodriguez-Huerta, E. A. Lozano, J. Encina, M. Mellado
Summary: This study aimed to describe the shedding pattern of gastrointestinal parasite eggs by a wild population of desert bighorn sheep in northern Mexico. Results showed that egg output was highest in winter and lowest in summer, with differences observed among seasons for different parasites. The study also found that the parasite burden in the sheep population was not severe, which is compatible with their conservation and well-being.
JOURNAL OF HELMINTHOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Ecology
Marcus E. Blum, Frances E. Buderman, Joe R. Bennett, Kelley M. Stewart, Mike Cox, Perry J. Williams
Summary: Aerial surveys for large ungulates often underestimate the number of animals, which can lead to erroneous estimates of abundance. In this study, researchers developed a Bayesian integrated data model to estimate the abundance of bighorn sheep, taking into account availability and perception probability. They found that perception probability varied annually and that accounting for availability and imperfect perception resulted in greater estimates of abundance compared to traditional methods. The modeling framework developed in this study can be used to generate more accurate population estimates for bighorn sheep and other similar mammals surveyed in a similar manner.
JOURNAL OF WILDLIFE MANAGEMENT
(2023)
Article
Zoology
Matt Weldy, Clinton W. Epps, Damon B. Lesmeister, Tom Manning, Eric D. Forsman
JOURNAL OF MAMMALOGY
(2020)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Claire E. Couch, Holly K. Arnold, Rachel S. Crowhurst, Anna E. Jolles, Thomas J. Sharpton, Marci F. Witczak, Clinton W. Epps, Brianna R. Beechler
SCIENTIFIC REPORTS
(2020)
Article
Ecology
Daniella J. Dekelaita, Clinton W. Epps, Kelley M. Stewart, James S. Sedinger, Jenny G. Powers, Ben J. Gonzales, Regina K. Abella-Vu, Neal W. Darby, Debra L. Hughson
JOURNAL OF WILDLIFE MANAGEMENT
(2020)
Article
Ecology
Tyler G. Creech, Clinton W. Epps, John D. Wehausen, Rachel S. Crowhurst, Jef R. Jaeger, Kathleen Longshore, Brandon Holton, William B. Sloan, Ryan J. Monello
FRONTIERS IN ECOLOGY AND EVOLUTION
(2020)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Robert S. Spaan, Clinton W. Epps, Rachel Crowhurst, Donald Whittaker, Mike Cox, Adam Duarte
Summary: Determining the demographic impacts of wildlife disease is complex due to various factors that may interact with disease. Mycoplasma ovipneumoniae infection is linked to persistent mortality in juvenile bighorn sheep, with survival probability being influenced by various factors such as nutrition, population density, genetic variation, and forage suitability. The presence of M. ovipneumoniae can significantly affect juvenile survival in certain populations, but other factors like genetic diversity and nutrition have little influence.
Article
Veterinary Sciences
Nicholas Shirkey, Annette Roug, Thomas Besser, Vernon C. Bleich, Neal Darby, Daniella Dekelaita, Nathan L. Galloway, Ben Gonzales, Debra Hughson, Lora Konde, Ryan Monello, Paige R. Prentice, Regina Vu, John Wehausen, Brandon Munk, Jenny Powers, Clinton W. Epps
Summary: In 2013, an outbreak of respiratory disease in bighorn sheep from California's Mojave Desert metapopulation caused high mortality in at least one population. Subsequent serosurvey of archived samples showed that some populations have had antibodies to M. ovipneumoniae since at least 1986.
JOURNAL OF WILDLIFE DISEASES
(2021)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Matthew B. Couger, Scott W. Roy, Noelle Anderson, Landen Gozashti, Stacy Pirro, Lindsay S. Millward, Michelle Kim, Duncan Kilburn, Kelvin J. Liu, Todd M. Wilson, Clinton W. Epps, Laurie Dizney, Luis A. Ruedas, Polly Campbell
Summary: The sex chromosome system of the creeping vole is unique, with females having an unpaired X chromosome (X0) and the sex chromosome being one of the two X chromosomes, both carrying fragments of the ancestral Y chromosome. The consequences of this transformed sex chromosome system in this species include Y-like degeneration, expression of Y-linked genes in females, and X inactivation of the male-specific chromosome in male somatic cells.
Article
Ecology
Clinton W. Epps, Matthew J. Weldy, Rachel S. Crowhurst, Robert S. Spaan
Summary: The investigation within Kruger National Park found that aardvarks prefer habitats at higher elevations with greener vegetation, avoiding areas with high densities of predators. Rainfall, as an index of termite activity, showed weak correlation with habitat suitability. Predictive maps of aardvark habitat distribution were generated for the park, and the sampling technique could be used for broader research on aardvark distribution and habitat relationships.
AFRICAN JOURNAL OF ECOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Ecology
Clinton W. Epps, Vanessa M. Petro, Tyler G. Creech, Rachel S. Crowhurst, Matthew J. Weldy, Jimmy D. Taylor
Summary: Genetic studies on American beavers in western Oregon showed that gene flow among beaver populations is influenced more by landscape features such as watershed boundaries rather than geographic distance. In this topographically complex system, genetic differentiation of beavers was much greater than in studies at similar spatial scales in flatter terrain.
JOURNAL OF WILDLIFE MANAGEMENT
(2021)
Review
Evolutionary Biology
Claire E. Couch, Clinton W. Epps
Summary: In recent years, the research on host-associated microbiomes, especially the gut microbiome, has experienced a surge due to the advancements in sequencing technologies and computational tools. These studies have revealed the significant connections between the gut microbiome and vital host functions in humans, model organisms, and domestic animals. As the importance of the gut microbiome becomes more evident, there is a growing interest in studying the gut microbiomes of wild populations, as it holds potential for conservation applications. However, the complex genetic, spatial, and environmental structure of wild host populations presents new challenges and opportunities in studying wildlife gut microbiomes. Understanding the variation in microbiomes in the context of host population genetics and landscape heterogeneity across various host populations is crucial. This article proposes a conceptual framework for studying wildlife gut microbiomes in relation to landscape variables and host population genetics, with potential applications from landscape genetics. The framework reviews current research, synthesizes important trends, highlights implications for conservation, and suggests future research directions.
JOURNAL OF HEREDITY
(2022)
Article
Ecology
Matthew J. Weldy, Damon B. Lesmeister, Clinton W. Epps
Summary: Age- and sex-specific survival estimates are crucial for understanding important life history characteristics. Using mark-recapture data, we found differences in survival among years and age-sex classes for Humboldt's flying squirrels and Townsend's chipmunks. We also observed that emigration can influence apparent survival estimates.
ECOLOGY AND EVOLUTION
(2022)
Article
Ecology
Andi M. Stewart, Mary M. Conner, Jane S. McKeever, Alisa Ellsworth, Rachel S. Crowhurst, Clinton W. Epps, Thomas R. Stephenson
Summary: Monitoring big game populations is necessary for making well-informed management decisions. A new method, fecal DNA-based capture-recapture, was evaluated for estimating abundance of mule deer herds in the eastern Sierra Nevada. The results showed that while aerial mark-resight surveys provided more precise abundance estimates, fecal DNA capture-recapture was more cost-effective. The success of this method depends on weather conditions and the ability to survey an adequate proportion of the study area and collect enough samples.
JOURNAL OF WILDLIFE MANAGEMENT
(2023)
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Stephen S. Pfeiler, Mary M. Conner, Jane S. McKeever, Rachel S. Crowhurst, Clinton W. Epps, Gerald P. Mulcahy, Erin P. Meredith, Thomas R. Stephenson
Summary: This study evaluated the effectiveness of fecal DNA-based capture-recapture method in estimating abundance and survival of desert mule deer. The results showed that this method is effective in estimating population abundance and survival rates, and could be expanded to monitor larger metapopulations of desert mule deer in adjacent areas.
WESTERN NORTH AMERICAN NATURALIST
(2021)
Meeting Abstract
Immunology
Brian P. Dolan, Brianna R. Beechler, Brian S. Dugovich, Clinton W. Epps, Anna E. Jolles
JOURNAL OF IMMUNOLOGY
(2020)
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Stephen S. Pfeiler, Mary M. Conner, Jane S. Mckeever, Thomas R. Stephenson, David W. German, Rachel S. Crowhurst, Paige R. Prentice, Clinton W. Epps
WILDLIFE SOCIETY BULLETIN
(2020)
Article
Ecology
Narendra Nelli, Diana Francis, Ricardo Fonseca, Olivier Masson, Mamadou Sow, Emmanuel Bosc
Summary: This study investigates the changes in the atmospheric electric field (Ez) during foggy conditions in the hyperarid region of the United Arab Emirates. The results show that as fog persists, Ez becomes more variable due to the absorption and redistribution of charges by the fog, which alters the ion balance and affects electrical conductivity in the atmosphere.
JOURNAL OF ARID ENVIRONMENTS
(2024)
Article
Ecology
Ezra Hadad, Amir Balaban, Jakub Z. Kosicki, Reuven Yosef
Summary: This study investigated whether the prey of striped hyenas has adapted to the change in the natural environment caused by human activities, particularly artificial light at night (ALAN). The results showed that ALAN had no impact on the diet or den distribution of the hyenas in central Israel. The study also found that domestic animals were the most common prey, and there were also some vegetative species in their diet. Overall, the feeding behavior of striped hyenas is influenced by geographical region, habitat, and human activities.
JOURNAL OF ARID ENVIRONMENTS
(2024)
Article
Ecology
Rahim Najafi Tireh Shabankareh, Pardis Ziaee, Mohammad Javad Abedini
Summary: This study evaluated the IMERG satellite-based precipitation product in the Fars province of Iran using daily rain gauges as reference data. The results showed that the product tends to overestimate light rainfall and underestimate heavy rainfall, with the best performance in the 40-80 mm/day range. The accuracy of the product varies by month and is less biased in months with milder temperatures. Additionally, there was a higher correlation in mid-elevated areas, positive bias in low-elevated areas, and negative bias in high-elevated areas. Longer time scales showed considerable improvement in the IMERG estimates.
JOURNAL OF ARID ENVIRONMENTS
(2024)