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We investigated the response of the forest raptor community to broadcasts of all potentially occurring raptors in a New Jersey watershed. Raptors were systematically surveyed using high-volume broadcasts of conspecific and heterospecific calls during the breeding season at a total of 81 survey stations. Results showed 107 responses from 10 species of breeding raptors following 891 broadcasts of 11 species. Among responses that occurred during or after broadcasts, at least 50% of the forest raptor species responded to heterospecific calls. Response rates to conspecific or heterospecific broadcasts were significantly different between hawks (68% heterospecific) and owls (26% heterospecific), suggesting that hawks showed greater heterospecific conflict than members of the owl guild. The hawk guild had a higher species packing (six versus four species) which is thought to increase the likelihood of competition in the community. In addition, most hawks probably need to re-establish territories each spring because the vast majority of them will migrate south for the winter. In contrast, most of the owl guild members are permanent residents and territories may be more permanent. Overall, the prevalence of heterospecific response is an indicator that current competition exists and continues to shape present-day community structure among forest raptors.

We studied the species richness and distribution of the forest raptor community in a New Jersey watershed in relation to urbanization. Raptors were systematically surveyed using high volume broadcasts of conspecific and heterospecific calls during the breeding season at a total of 81 survey stations. Ten habitat variables relevant to urbanization were measured at each survey station using topographic maps and aerial photographs. Results showed a community composed of 10 species of breeding raptors. Buteo lineatus, Accipiter gentilis and Strix varia showed a significant avoidance of suburban habitat, whereas B. jamaicensis and Bubo virginianus had a greater tendency to occupy such areas. Lowland habitat was significantly selected by S. varia, B. lineatus and A. cooperii, a habitat usually most susceptible to development in the study region. Raptor species richness showed a strong positive correlation (r = 0.79, P < 0.01) with wilderness area size. No wilderness area less than 1000 ha had more than four raptor species while four to eight species were found in areas from 1000-8000 ha. Utilization of three increasing size classes of wilderness areas showed increasing trends for B. lineatus, A. gentilis and S. varia, and decreasing trends for B. jamaicensis and Bubo virginianus. © 1997 The Raptor Research Foundation, Inc.

The species Anthopotamus verticis is recorded for the first time in New England from the Housatonic River in western Connecticut. Notes on the larval habitat and observations on the sympatric occurrence of this species with A. distinctus are presented. New distribution records for A. distinctus are presented for Massachusetts and Vermont.

Brachycercus maculatus, a member of a rare group of mayflies, is now recorded for the first time from New York State in the upper Hudson River. An illustrated key to the Brachycercus larvae of northeastern North America is provided to spur further study of the genus in the region.

Space, futurism, exploration, and stardom are some of the themes at a summer camp inspired by Howard Gardner's theories.

The relative abundance and size distributions of juvenile winter flounder, Pseudopleuronectes americanus, were compared in two areas; an anthropogenically altered marina basin and a natural intertidal flat habitat. Winter flounder were sampled from March through November 1990-95 with a 1.0 m beam trawl. No significant difference was observed in catch-per-unit-effort between areas but significant differences were found between seasons. Relative abundance (number of flounder/m2) increased from spring (0.007 marina and 0.011 intertidal flats) to summer (0.059 marina and 0.051 intertidal flats) and then declined slightly in the autumn (0.047 marina and 0.027 intertidal flats). Relative abundance was similar between areas from 1990-95 but differed between years. Length frequency distributions of winter flounder were similar between areas for all seasons but mean sizes were statistically different in summer. These results suggest that juvenile winter flounder are equally abundant in both natural intertidal habitats and marina basins, indicating that both could serve as nursery areas. However, more specific research is required to resolve the relative importance of marinas and the factors involved in utilization of each habitat.

Little is known about the life history of mayflies that inhabit temporary ponds. The purpose of this study was to observe and quantify life histories attributes of Siphlonurus typicus, which is known to reside in temporary ponds. Weekly samples of nymphs were taken from two temporary ponds in eastern Connecticut from March to June, 1999. Individuals were graded into 11 maturity classes, based on developmental characteristics, as a means of predicting population maturity rates. Head capsule widths (HCWs) were used to determine if growth occurred between maturity classes. Degree days were found to be an excellent predictor for population maturity (r2 = 0.963, p &lt; 0.0001). Nymphs that hatched earlier in the year had larger HCWs than nymphs that hatched later in the year, possibly because of different temperature regimes. The University of Connecticut Forest pond (UCF) population matured faster than the Merrow Meadows pond (MER) population, but both sexes of the UCF population tended to be smaller than their counter parts from the MER population. Sex ratios were female bias for the UCF population (1.35:1), but were not different for the MER population. Adult emergence and mating occurred from 27 May to 21 June. There was a positive relationship between number of eggs per female and female body length. Oviposition at both sites occurred directly on the ponds, pond inlets, and outlets, indicating that pond populations were the result of local migrants as well as permanent residents. Temperature was a determining factor of maturity and fecundity for Siphlonurus typicus.

Marks (2001) is critical of our study of nest-site selection in Great Horned Owls (Bubo virginianus) because we compared our data from owl nests with data from random points rather than from unused stick nests. We argue that Great Horned Owls have so many options for nesting in eastern forests that there is little constraint on nest-site selection. Therefore, their choice of nest sites is determined largely by vegetation characteristics in the surrounding landscape, and comparison of owl nests with random points is the best way to assess nest-site selection. Furthermore, we believe that use of unused nests as controls, as advocated by Marks, is biased because control nests will have many of the same characteristics as nests used by owls.

We documented active nests of the Northern Goshawk (Accipiter gentilis) at 16 different areas in Connecticut from 1997-1999. A total of 176 prey individuals were identified from remains found under goshawk nests and prey-plucking posts. Birds represented the dominant component of diets (70.5%) with a lower contribution from mammals (29.5%). Overall, Connecticut goshawk diets were dominated by sciurids and Ruffed Grouse (Bonasa umbellus). Productivity calculated from 15 known nesting attempts totaled 32 young for an average of 2.13 young per nesting attempt (range 1-4 young). Goshawks nested in large tracts of mature forests with high levels of canopy cover (82%). The nest site topography was consistent with previous studies finding that goshawks avoid southern slopes. Tree densities in the larger size classes and basal area were characteristic for mature forest. Goshawks constructed their nests in large diameter trees, which averaged 41.7 cm in diameter at breast height. Patch size of contiguous forests surrounding goshawk nests revealed a very high mean of 324.5 ha, thus suggesting that large forest patch size may be important for nesting by this forest interior species. Analysis of 202 ha circles centered on each nest revealed that total forest cover averaged 156.1 ha, which was comprised of 65.2 ha for conifer forest, 75.6 ha for deciduous forest, and 17.4 ha for mixed forest. Overall, the post-fledgling family areas for these nests were dominated by forest cover (>75%). Our results suggest that goshawks usually prefer isolation and little human disturbance at the nest site, but some exceptions were noted. Given the highly fragmented and urbanized landscape of Connecticut, we suggest that goshawk management should focus on providing large tracts of mature forest at least 300 ha in extent.

Evidence suggests that the Northern Goshawk (Accipiter gentilis) was once extirpated in the New York-New Jersey Highlands, but has recolonized the Highlands in the 1960s and 1970s following a dramatic reforestation in the 20th century. The reforestation produced large tracts of contiguous mature forest, which appear to be a primary habitat requirement of this species. Most goshawk nests in the Highlands were found deep in remote forest areas where nest sites are typically distant from human habitation and paved roads. Nest trees were almost always built in co-dominant or dominant trees of the stand, but were seldom built in the largest tree of the nesting stand. Canopy cover is very high (90%) and shrub cover is often reduced or nearly devoid (28.3%) at goshawk nest sites. Ruffed Grouse (Bonasa umbellus) appears to be the most common prey, but other predominant bird species in diets of Highlands goshawks included the Blue Jay (Cyanocitta cristata), Mourning Dove (Zenaida macroura), Rock Dove (Columba livia), and blackbirds. Sciurids, including eastern chipmunks (Tamias striatus), red squirrel (Tamiasciurus hudsonicus), and gray squirrel (Sciurus carolinensis) were also important components of goshawk diets from the Northeast. Highlands goshawks had a mean prey weight of 365.8 g, with bird prey averaging 332.3 g and mammal prey averaging 442.9 g. In the Highlands, productivity calculated from 36 nesting attempts averaged 1.4 young per nest, lower than found in two Connecticut studies (1.75 and 2.13). Although the goshawk is generally considered to be a permanent resident, dozens of northeastern hawk migration observation stations reveal a small, but distinct, fall migration during non-invasion years. Breeding bird atlas data confirm that the goshawk is rare in New Jersey, moderately rare in Pennsylvania (mostly northern), and numerous in New York. Various factors impacting Highlands goshawks are discussed including interspecific competition, lack of reserves, timber harvesting, tree diseases, and human disturbance factors.

Mayflies are members of a small, but diverse order of aquatic insects that dates back some 290. My. Mayflies are widely distributed on all continents and most large islands. Currently, the order contains about 3100. species distributed among 42 extant families. Adults are fully terrestrial and short lived, but the aquatic nymphs can live for more than a year and are important components of nutrient and energy pathways in a wide range of aquatic habitats. Higher classification and phylogeny of the mayflies are still in a state of flux, but evidence is accumulating providing stronger support for some groups. Alpha-level taxonomy still remains a problem and much work remains to be done in some genera and in some parts of the world. Extensive morphological studies have provided a solid base of knowledge, but similarly intense physiological, histological, and immunological studies are needed. Much work has been done on the ecology of genera and some species. Much finer scale ecological studies are needed to better understand the importance of small-scale ecological interactions among instars of the same and different species. Globally, there are many surveys in progress to document and map the occurrence and distribution of species. This work is critical to developing conservation strategies for mayflies and other vulnerable aquatic species. © 2009 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

The volcanic Sulphur Springs, St. Lucia, present an extreme environment due to high temperatures, low pH values, and high concentrations of sulfate and boron. St. Lucia offers some unique geochemical characteristics that may shape the microbial communities within the Sulphur Springs area. We chose six pools representing a range of geochemical characteristics for detailed microbial community analyses. Chemical concentrations varied greatly between sites. Microbial diversity was analyzed using 16S rRNA gene clone library analyses. With the exception of one pool with relatively low concentrations of dissolved ions, microbial diversity was very low, with Aquificales sequences dominating bacterial communities at most pools. The archaeal component of all pools was almost exclusively Acidianus spp. and did not vary between sites with different chemical characteristics. In the pool with the highest boron and sulfate concentrations, only archaeal sequences were detected. Compared with other sulfur springs such as those at Yellowstone, the microbial diversity at St. Lucia is very different, but it is similar to that at the nearby Lesser Antilles island of Montserrat. While high elemental concentrations seem to be related to differences in bacterial diversity here, similarities with other Lesser Antilles sites suggest that there may be a biogeographical component as well. © 2009 Federation of European Microbiological Societies. Published by Blackwell Publishing Ltd. All rights reserved.

A Quantitative Trait Locus (QTL) analysis was performed using two novel Recombinant Inbred Line (RIL) populations, derived from the progeny between two Arabidopsis thaliana genotypes collected at the same site in Kyoto (Japan) crossed with the reference laboratory strain Landsberg erecta (Ler). We used these two RIL populations to determine the genetic basis of seed dormancy and flowering time, which are assumed to be the main traits controlling life history variation in Arabidopsis. The analysis revealed quantitative variation for seed dormancy that is associated with allelic variation at the seed dormancy QTL DOG1 (for Delay Of Germination 1) in one population and at DOG6 in both. These DOG QTL have been previously identified using mapping populations derived from accessions collected at different sites around the world. Genetic variation within a population may enhance its ability to respond accurately to variation within and between seasons. In contrast, variation for flowering time, which also segregated within each mapping population, is mainly governed by the same QTL. © 2011 Silady et al.

'Rauisuchia' comprises Triassic pseudosuchians that ranged greatly in body size, locomotor styles and feeding ecologies. Our concept of what constitutes a rauisuchian is changing as a result of discoveries over the last 15 years. New evidence has shown that rauisuchians are probably not a natural (monophyletic) group, but instead are a number of smaller clades (e.g. Rauisuchidae, Ctenosauriscidae, Shuvosauridae) that may not be each other's closest relatives within Pseudosuchia. Here, we acknowledge that there are still large gaps in the basic understanding in the alphalevel taxonomy and relationships of these groups, but good progress is being made. As a result of renewed interest in rauisuchians, an expanding number of recent studies have focused on the growth, locomotor habits, and biomechanics of these animals, and we review these studies here. We are clearly in the midst of a renaissance in our understanding of rauisuchian evolution and the continuation of detailed descriptions, the development of explicit phylogenetic hypotheses, and explicit palaeobiological studies are essential in advancing our knowledge of these extinct animals. © The Geological Society of London 2013.

Torpor is common in bats, but has historically been viewed as an energy-saving technique reserved for temperate and subarctic climates; however, torpor use is common across several tropical bat families. Central America hosts a great diversity of bats with approximately 150 species, yet data from this area are lacking compared with tropical Africa and Australia. We investigated thermoregulatory responses of bats from neotropical Belize and captured adult bats in the tropical forests of Lamanai Archeological Reserve, Belize. After a 12 h acclimation period, we recorded rectal temperature prior to and after exposing bats to an ambient temperature (Ta) of 7 °C forupto 2 h in anenvironmental chamber. All 11 species across four families expressed torpor to some degree upon exposure to cool temperatures. Individuals from Vespertilionidae defended the lowest resting body temperature (Tb) and showed the greatest decrease in Tb after acute exposure to low Ta. Our data help to establish a new spectrum of physiological ability for this group of mammals and shed light on the evolution of torpor and heterothermy. Weshow that energy conservation is important even in warm and energetically stable environmental conditions. Understanding how and why torpor is used in warm climates will help to better define paradigms in physiological ecology. © 2017, Canadian Science Publishing. All rights reserved.

Invasive crustacean species have been present in the Long Island Sound, northwestern Atlantic Ocean, for over two centuries. Three new records of introduction are recorded here from collections by local fishermen. Two records are for male Dungeness crabs, Metacarcinus magister (Dana, 1852), collected in the Western Long Island Sound (2017) and Cape Cod Bay (2018). The other record is that of a range extension documented by a single male Chinese mitten crab, Eriocheir sinensis (Milne-Edwards, 1853), found in New Haven Harbor, Connecticut. Both species could potentially harbor nonnative epibionts and endoparasites. Additionally, E. sinensis may be more likely to establish, as it has in numerous locations in the region and worldwide. © Hudson et al.