Notes on Small Mammals Observed in the Tower Falls Region, Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming

Sixty healthy adult coyote Canis latrans and 53, 8-12 week old pups captured at dens were radioÂ tagged in the Lamar Valley and Blacktail Plateau areas of the northern range of Yellowstone National Park. Adults range in age from 1 to 12 years and average nearly 3.3 years old. Territorial packs in both study areas are adjacent, non-overlapping, contiguous, and average 15 km2. Based on information from the last four winters and data collected from 1946 to 1949, territorial areas are traditional and have changed little in the last 45 years. We estimate that 85 to 90% of coyotes on the northern range belong to packs. A territorial group or pack during the winter consists of 2 alpha individuals, 2 or 3 beta adults, and 2 or 3 adult-sized pups (average pack size = 7). Fifteen marked coyotes have died since November of 1992. Initial density estimates are 1.4 coyotes per square mile. Preliminary scat analysis suggests that small mammals, especially voles, dominate the diet with ungulate remains becoming important in May through July (presumably elk calves) and late winter (mostly scavenging). Two graduate students have finished their data collection and another student is currently working on his last field season. More than 2500 hours of foraging observations were conducted from January 1991 through June 1993 resulting in data collection on more than 4400 predation attempts on small mammals. Eight hundred and fifty hours of den observations were completed during 1992 and 1993. Beta pack members were observed to bring food to pups and protect den sites from intruders. Coyote behavior and ungulate mortality data were collected on sixty-one carcasses found during the 1992-1993 winter. Five successful and 4 unsuccessful predations by coyotes on ungulates have been seen. Coyotes appear to impact ungulate numbers in 3 ways: predation on calves and fawns shortly after birth (up to 8 weeks), predation on short-yearlings and adults during winter, and indirect impact from harassment of other predators at ungulate-kills. Coyotes may be the major ungulate predator on the northern range due to their cooperative social and foraging behavior, ability to take advantage of vulnerable ungulates, and high population levels. Wolf extirpation has probably resulted in high coyote population densities and coyotes have, at least partially, slid into this vacant niche.

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Foraging ecology of coyotes (Canis latrans): the influence of extrinsic factors and a dominance hierarchy

Canadian Journal of Zoology ◽

10.1139/z96-089 ◽

1996 ◽

Vol 74 (5) ◽

pp. 769-783 ◽

Cited By ~ 85

Author(s):

Eric M. Gese ◽

Robert L. Ruff ◽

Robert L. Crabtree

Keyword(s):

Social Status ◽

Small Mammals ◽

Yellowstone National Park ◽

Snow Depth ◽

National Park ◽

Canis Latrans ◽

Habitat Type ◽

Activity Budgets ◽

Extrinsic Factors ◽

Time Activity

We examined the influence of intrinsic (age, sex, and social status) and extrinsic (snow depth, snowpack hardness, temperature, available ungulate carcass biomass) factors in relation to time–activity budgets of coyotes (Canis latrans) in Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming. We observed 54 coyotes (49 residents from 5 packs, plus 5 transients) for 2507 h from January 1991 to June 1993. Snow depth, ungulate carcass biomass, and habitat type influenced the amount of time coyotes rested, travelled, hunted small mammals, and fed on carcasses. Coyotes decreased travelling and hunting and increased resting and feeding on carcasses as snow depth and available carcass biomass increased. Age and social status of the coyote influenced activity budgets. During times of deep snow and high carcass biomass, pups fed less on carcasses and hunted small mammals more than alpha and beta coyotes. Pups apparently were restricted by older pack members from feeding on a carcass. Thus, pups adopted a different foraging strategy by spending more time hunting small mammals. Coyotes spent most of their time hunting small mammals in mesic meadows and shrub–meadows, where prey densities were highest. Prey-detection rates and prey-capture rates explained 78 and 84%, respectively, of the variation in the amount of time coyotes spent hunting small mammals in each habitat in each winter. Our findings strongly suggested that resource partitioning, as mediated by defense by older coyotes, occurred among coyote pack members in Yellowstone National Park.

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Small Mammal Communities After Two Recent Natural Fires in Yellowstone National Park

The UW National Parks Service Research Station Annual Reports ◽

10.13001/uwnpsrc.1979.2177 ◽

1979 ◽

Vol 3 ◽

pp. 128-132

Author(s):

R. Moore ◽

M. Wood

Keyword(s):

Small Mammals ◽

Small Mammal ◽

Yellowstone National Park ◽

National Park ◽

Management Practices ◽

Fire Policy ◽

Natural Fires ◽

Wilderness Areas ◽

Small Mammal Communities ◽

Mammal Communities

As part of the National Park Service's goal of maintaining an area in as natural condition as possible, Yellowstone National Park in 1972 developed a fire policy whereby natural fires were allowed to burn in wilderness areas of the park. Several investigators have studied the relationship between small mammals and fire due to timber management practices (Gashwiler, 1970 and Tevis, 1956) but few studies have investigated the changes in abundance and composition of species of small mammals after recent natural fires (Bendell 1974). The purpose of this ongoing study is to quantify the effects that recent natural fires have had upon small mammal communities. Two burn sites were studies, the Divide fire which burned in 1976 on the south arm of Yellowstone Lake, and the Trail Creek Fire which burned in 1974 on the southeast arm of the lake.

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Intrinsic and extrinsic factors influencing coyote predation of small mammals in Yellowstone National Park

Canadian Journal of Zoology ◽

10.1139/z96-090 ◽

1996 ◽

Vol 74 (5) ◽

pp. 784-797 ◽

Cited By ~ 47

Author(s):

Eric M. Gese ◽

Robert L. Ruff ◽

Robert L. Crabtree

Keyword(s):

Small Mammals ◽

Yellowstone National Park ◽

Snow Depth ◽

National Park ◽

Habitat Type ◽

Prey Detection ◽

Extrinsic Factors ◽

Detection Rates ◽

Factors Influencing ◽

Capture Rates

We examined the intrinsic (age, sex, and social status) and extrinsic factors (snow depth and hardness, temperature, cloud cover, wind speed, and habitat) influencing coyote (Canis latrans) predation of small mammals in Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming. We observed 54 coyotes (49 residents from 5 packs, plus 5 transients) for 2507 h from January 1991 to June 1993. We observed 6433 prey detections by coyotes during which coyotes made 4439 attempts to capture prey, resulting in 1545 successful prey captures. The age of the coyote influenced prey-detection rates, predation attempts, and capture rates, plus the proportions of prey attacked after being detected and capture success. Pups had higher prey-detection rates and higher attempt rates than alphas and betas, but capture rates were similar. Snow depth and hardness and habitat type were factors influencing detection rates, predation attempt rates and capture rates. Coyotes hunted mainly in mesic meadows and shrub–meadows, where prey-detection rates, predation attempt rates, and capture rates were highest. Snow depth influenced coyote predation on small mammals, prey-detection rates, predation attempt rates, and capture rates being highest in low snow cover and lower in deeper snow. Our findings indicated that young, inexperienced coyotes detected and attacked small mammals at a higher rate than older coyotes. Yearlings and adults were more selective, and thus detected and attempted to capture prey at a lower rate than pups. Overall, however, pups and older coyotes captured similar numbers of prey per hour.

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Effects of 1988 Fires on Ecology of Coyotes in Yellowstone National Park: Baseline Preceding Possible Wolf Recovery

The UW National Parks Service Research Station Annual Reports ◽

10.13001/uwnpsrc.1994.3207 ◽

1994 ◽

Vol 18 ◽

pp. 105-113

Author(s):

Robert Crabtree

Keyword(s):

Data Collection ◽

Small Mammals ◽

Yellowstone National Park ◽

National Park ◽

Initial Density ◽

Mortality Data ◽

Late Winter ◽

Internal Organs ◽

Scat Analysis ◽

Ungulate Mortality

Sixty healthy coyotes Canis latrans and 53, 8-12 week old pups captured at dens were radioÂtagged in the Lamar Valley and Blacktail Plateau areas of the northern range of Yellowstone National Park. Adults range in age from 1 to 12 years and averaged 3.3 years old. Territorial packs in both study area are adjacent, non-overlapping, contiguous, and averaged 15 km2. Based on information the last four winters and data collected from 1946 to 1949, territorial areas are traditional and have changed little in the last 45 years. We estimate that 85 to 90% of coyotes on the northern range belong to packs. A territorial group or pack during the winter consists of 2 alpha individuals, 2 or 3 beta adults, and 2 or 3 adult-sized pups. Average pack size was 6.3 for Lamar Valley and 4.6 for Blacktail Plateau. Mean litter size for 1990 through 1994 was 4.1, 5.7, 6.5, 3.3, and 2.3 for those five years. Initial density estimates are 1.4 coyotes per square mile. Preliminary scat analysis suggests that small mammals, especially voles, dominate the diet with ungulate remains becoming important in May through July (presumably elk calves) and late winter (mostly scavenging). Graduate students Eric Gese, Kezha Hatier, and Scott Grothe have finished their data collection and are analyzing data and preparing manuscripts. More than 2500 hours of foraging observations were conducted from January 1991 through June 1993 resulting in data collection on more than 4400 predation attempts on small mammals. Eight hundred and fifty hours of den observations were completed during 1992 and 1993. Beta pack members were observed to bring food to pups and protect den sites from intruders. Coyote behavior and ungulate mortality data were collected on 80 carcasses found or translocated during the 1992-93 and 1993-94 winters. Coyotes were observed at these carcasses for 484 hours. Alpha males usually feed first at carcasses followed by alpha females, beta individuals and pups. Those first to feed typically eat the internal organs and muscle tissue first. Betas and pups are left to feed mostly on bones and hide. Five successful and 4 unsuccessful predations by coyotes on ungulates have been seen. Coyotes appear to impact ungulate numbers in 3 ways: predation on calves and fawns shortly after birth (up to 8 weeks), predation on short-yearlings and adults during winter, and indirect impact from harassment of other predators at ungulate-kills. Coyotes may be the major ungulate predator on the northern range due to cooperative social and foraging behavior, their ability to take advantage of vulnerable ungulates, and their high population levels. Wolf extirpation has probably resulted in high coyote population densities and coyotes have, at least, partially slid into this vacant niche.

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Ultrastructural Localization of Phycocyanin in the Acidophilic, Thermophilic Alga, Cyanidium Caldarium

Proceedings, annual meeting, Electron Microscopy Society of America ◽

10.1017/s0424820100072757 ◽

1973 ◽

Vol 31 ◽

pp. 462-463

Author(s):

M. R. Edwards ◽

J. D. Mainwaring

Keyword(s):

Yellowstone National Park ◽

National Park ◽

Ultrastructural Localization ◽

Review Of Literature ◽

Cyanidium Caldarium ◽

Taxonomic Rank ◽

Thin Sections ◽

Standard Methods ◽

Laboratory Cultures

Although the general ultrastructure of Cyanidium caldarium, an acidophilic, thermophilic alga of questionable taxonomic rank, has been extensively studied (see review of literature in reference 1), some peculiar ultrastructural features of the chloroplast of this alga have not been noted by other investigators.Cells were collected and prepared for thin sections at the Yellowstone National Park and were also grown in laboratory cultures (45-52°C; pH 2-5). Fixation (glutaraldehyde-osmium), dehydration (ethanol), and embedding (Epon 812) were accomplished by standard methods. Replicas of frozenfracture d- etched cells were obtained in a Balzers apparatus. In addition, cells were examined after disruption in a French Press.

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