scholarly journals DISTRIBUTION OF THE ENDANGERED GIANT KANGAROO RAT, DIPODOMYS INGENS, ON THE NAVAL PETROLEUM RESERVES, CALIFORNIA

2016 ◽  
Author(s):  
Thomas P. O’Farrell ◽  
Nancy E. Mathews ◽  
Patrick M. McCue ◽  
Mary S. Kelly
Keyword(s):  
Kern County ◽  
Soil Series ◽  
Kangaroo Rat ◽  
Dipodomys Ingens ◽  
Petroleum Reserves ◽  
The U.S

ABSTRACTBurrows of the endangered giant kangaroorat, Dipodomys ingens, were found on the U.S. Department of Energy’s Naval Petroleum Reserves in Kern County, California. The majority of burrows (63%) were found in areas of low relief (4.3 ± 0.5°, n=32) on valley floors but 28% were unexpectedly found on low relief areas (6.4 ± 0.8°, n=39) in the uplands. Burrows were not distributed in proportion to the arealextend of the soil series, but were concentrated in deep alluvial sandy loams. Well pads were the most frequently observed (73% of 211) humandisturbance in the vicinity of burrows, but they were the most distant (150± 61m, n=150). Dirt roads were observed closer to burrows (50 ± 10 m, n=28) but less frequently (4%). Only 8 burrows were found in the vicinity of proposed petroleum developments but no projects had to me modified to avoid negatively affecting the species.RESUMEN.—Madrigueras de las ratas canguro, Dipodomys ingens, a riesgo de extinsioń, fueron localizadas en el Departmento de Energía, Reservas Navales de Petroleo en el Condado de Kern, California. La mayoria de las madrigueras (63%) se encuentran en arias de bajo relieve (4.3 ± 0.5°, n=32) en valles, pero el 28% fueron inesperadamente localizadas en arias de bajo relieve (6.4 ± 0.8°, n=39) en terrenos elevados. Las madriguera no se distribuyen en proporcion de acuerdo a la variedad de terrenos, sino concentradas en las lomas aluviales arenosas. Los disturbios humanos observados con mas frecuencia (73% of 211) en la vecindad de las madrigueras son los almohadillas de pozos petroleros pero se encontran amayor distancia (150 ± 61m, n=150). Caminos de tierra fueron encontrados cerca de las madrigueras (50 ± 10m, n=28) pero con menos frecuenciz (4%). Unicamente ocho madrigueras fueron localizadas en la vecindad de los propuestos desarroyos petroleros pero ningun proyecto se debe modificar para evitar efectos negativos que pueden afectar a la especie.

Population structure and genetic variation in the endangered Giant Kangaroo Rat (Dipodomys ingens)

2005 ◽  
Vol 6 (4) ◽  
pp. 495-510 ◽  
Author(s):  
S. S. Loew ◽  
D. F. Williams ◽  
K. Ralls ◽  
K. Pilgrim ◽  
R. C. Fleischer
Keyword(s):  
Population Structure ◽  
Genetic Variation ◽  
Kangaroo Rat ◽  
Dipodomys Ingens

Notes from the Editors, March 2019

2019 ◽  
pp. c2-63
Author(s):  
The Editors
Keyword(s):  
Latin America ◽  
The World ◽  
Petroleum Reserves ◽  
The U.S ◽  
Coup Attempt

buy this issue The present ongoing coup attempt organized in Washington is simply the latest in a series of such attempts by the U.S. government to overthrow the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela over the last two decades. It can be seen as having three interrelated motives: (1) the destruction of Venezuelan socialism, (2) regaining control of Venezuela's oil (the largest petroleum reserves in the world), and (3) reasserting U.S. hegemony over Latin America.

Decline of the Endangered Morro Bay Kangaroo Rat in California

2016 ◽  
Vol 7 (1) ◽  
pp. 237-254 ◽  
Author(s):  
Christopher P. Kofron ◽  
Francis X. Villablanca
Keyword(s):  
Endangered Species ◽  
Habitat Restoration ◽  
Conservation Status ◽  
Population Decline ◽  
Species Conservation ◽  
Field Research ◽  
Food Plants ◽  
Kangaroo Rat ◽  
Optimal Habitat ◽  
The U.S

AbstractThe Morro Bay kangaroo rat Dipodomys heermanni morroensis occurs in the vicinity of Morro Bay (specifically in and near Los Osos) in western San Luis Obispo County in coastal central California. It was listed as endangered pursuant to the U.S. Endangered Species Conservation Act in 1970 and subsequently the U.S. Endangered Species Act in 1973. Field research from the late 1950s to the mid-1980s has documented a rapid population decline. Despite many efforts, researchers have not captured the Morro Bay kangaroo rat since 1986, and the last captive individual died in 1993. We review the biology and conservation status of the Morro Bay kangaroo rat, including taxonomy and genetics, soil type and burrows, history of decline, primary causes of decline, breeding in the wild and in captivity, habitat restoration, and threats. In particular, there are two primary causes of decline. First, development (urban, agricultural, and industrial) has resulted in direct loss of habitat. Second, in the absence of fire, the early seral stages of coastal dune scrub (optimal habitat) have matured to later successional stages of vegetation, which are denser and with substantially fewer annual food plants, and which negatively impact the locomotion of kangaroo rats and change the diversity of the small mammal community with a likely increase in competition. In 2016 only pockets of habitat remain, with optimal habitat comprising an estimated 1% of the historical geographic range. Although researchers have not demonstrated predation by domestic cats, it is likely a major threat and we suspect it has contributed to the decline based upon a review of the literature. In 2011 we observed potential signs of the Morro Bay kangaroo rat at two historical areas, which suggests it may be persisting at extremely low densities in a few isolated colonies. In addition, we could not obtain permission to survey on four private properties with potential habitat. In consideration of the vast loss and fragmentation of its habitat, along with the continuing and pervasive threats, the Morro Bay kangaroo rat is clearly conservation-reliant. We believe that without urgent human intervention, the Morro Bay kangaroo rat will soon become extinct if it is not already.

scholarly journals Kleptoparasitism of Harvester Ants by the Giant Kangaroo Rat (Dipodomys ingens) in the Carrizo Plain, California

2018 ◽  
Vol 78 (2) ◽  
pp. 208-211
Author(s):  
Matthew Polvorosa Kline ◽  
Jeff A. Alvarez ◽  
Nicole Parizeau
Keyword(s):  
Harvester Ants ◽  
Kangaroo Rat ◽  
Dipodomys Ingens
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