News from Scientists at the USGS Patuxent Wildlife Research Center
Monday, March 7, 2005
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Elusive Shrews Little is known about the biology of most species of South American small mammals, and this is particularly true for elusive shrews (Soricidae) that are restricted to the high Andes Cordillera. The most completely studied species of shrew in South America is Mérida Shrew (Cryptotis meridensis), which is endemic to the Andes of Venezuela. However, most studies of this species have been published in poorly circulated journals, and the information has not been widely available or known. This gap in information transfer has been filled by a recent publication in the Mammalian Species series by Neal Woodman of the Biological Research Unit, National Museum of Natural History, and a South American colleague, in which they summarized the findings of all published (and some unpublished) sources regarding the species and provided the most comprehensive overview yet of a South American soricid. (Neal Woodman and Amelia Díaz de Pascual. 2004. Cryptotis meridensis. Mammalian Species 761:1-5.) Contact Neal Woodman, Washington, DC, 202-633-1278
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Who’s Your Momma? (CBS) Correspondent Charlie Rose reports on a group of people (at Patuxent) trying to teach a flock of rare birds the art of migration. Their goal is to bring back the whooping crane, which, not long ago, was nearly extinct. This program was aired on 60 Minutes on March 2, 2005. For film footage see the website at CBS News. Contact John B. French, Laurel, MD, 301-497-5708 Student Recognition Two University of Georgia students presented USGS project results or proposals at the 8th annual Warnell School of Forest Resources Graduate Student Symposium. Elizabeth Mojica presented her proposal to conduct research on managing Bald Eagle nesting zones. She is working with Dr. J. Michael (Joe) Meyers. John Sabine presented his research on "Effects of disturbance on reproductive success of American Oystercatchers on Cumberland Island, 2003-2004." John won second place for his presentation (cash research award). He is also working with J. Michael (Joe) Meyers and Dr. Sara Schweitzer. John also recently received news that the first chapter of his proposed MS thesis (3 chapters or papers) was accepted for publication in the Journal of Field Ornithology. For complete lists of symposium abstracts see: http://warnell.forestry.uga.edu/gsa/symposium.html Contact J. Michael (Joe) Meyers, Athens GA, 706-542-1882 |
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