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Sea Otter Studies at WERC

Sea otters (Enhydra lutris) are keystone predators in the nearshore environment of the eastern Pacific Ocean, in a food web composed of sea otter, sea urchin, and kelp forest. Without sea otters, the kelp forest can be overgrazed by sea urchins, which in turn can affect other species that depend on this ecosystem. This resource provides links to More...

  • A sea otter floats on its back while grooming

California Red-Legged Frog Movement and Habitat Use

Once an abundant frog throughout much of central and southern California, the California red-legged frog (Rana draytonii) is now rare in the Sierra Nevada foothills and the southern portion of its range. In parts of the central Coast Range, however, large, vigorous populations do remain. Most protection efforts for this threatened species have More...

  • California red-legged frog (Rana draytonii)

Investigation of Tropic Conditions and Biological Resources in Abbotts Lagoon, Point Reyes National Seashore: A Fishery Inventory

This study was conducted to investigate the inventory, relative abundance, and spatial distribution of fish inhabiting Abbots Lagoon, California. Distribution patterns of the fish were related to water quality or other environmental conditions in the lagoon. Specific objectives of this investigation were to (a) inventory the fish species More...

  • Kasey Grubb (Graduate Student) sampling the gut contents of Sacramento perch with a stomach pump (ga

Life History of Bristle-thighed Curlews

This resource is a life history profile of the Bristle-thighed Curlew (Numenius tahitiensis). The Bristle-thighed Curlew (Numenius tahitiensis) breeds only in North America. Its adult population numbers about 7,000 individuals, making it the rarest of the New World curlews and godwits. It is similar in appearance to the Whimbrel (N. phaeopus). More...

  • Image of the Bristle-thighed Curlew (Numenius tahitiensis)

Common Loon Migration Study

Little is known about the movements of common loons (Gavia immer) during migrations and on wintering ranges in coastal waters. This information is needed to formulate effective regional and national conservation strategies. UMESC has collaborated with regional partners in the use of satellite telemetry to study the movements of common loons More...

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Nearshore Vertebrate Predator Project

This project was designed to assess whether or not populations are recovering, whether isolated processes constrain recovery, and the potential activities to facilitate recovery. This web resource provides links to background information on Nearshore Vertebrate Predators, the Sea Otter, the Harlequin Duck, the River Otter, and the Pigeon More...

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Geolocator Tags Tested on Wisconsin Common Loons

Scientists with the U.S. Geological Survey and the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources are evaluating a new way of monitoring movements and behavior of common loons. Miniature archival geolocator tags were attached to 18 adult common loons in northern Wisconsin this past summer.

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Asian shore crab, Japanese shore crab, Pacific crab, Hemigrapsus sanguineus (De Haan) (Arthropoda: Grapsidae)

This webpage is a species profile and nonindigenous species information bulletin of the Asian shore crab, Japanese shore crab, Pacific crab, Hemigrapsus sanguineus (De Haan)(Arthropoda: Grapsidae), with information on its identification and native range, life history, habitat, nonindigenous occurrences, means of introduction, its environmental More...

  • Asian Shore Crab (Hemigrapsus sanguineus)

Retrospective evaluation of Exxon Valdez oil spill Trustee Council sponsored sea otter studies

An extensive and diverse array of studies were implemented concurrent with and for several years following the Exxon Valdez oil spill to determine the acute and chronic effects to sea otters. In part, this paper describes what activities relative to sea otters should take place prior to, during, and following another spill similar to the Exxon More...

  • sea otter in ocean at time of oil spill

Kemp's Ridley Sea Turtles....An Imperiled Species

Following the Kemp's Ridley on their perilous trek from Padre Island National Seashore, TX, where they are establishing a secondary nesting colony, to the Gulf of Mexico, is tricky business. Satellite transmitters are attached to a select number of females returning to the sea after laying eggs, their movements tracked by receivers picking up the More...

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Molecular Population Genetic Structure in the Piping Plover

The Piping Plover (Charadrius melodus) is a migratory shorebird currently listed as Endangered in Canada and the U.S. Great Lakes, and threatened throughout the remainder of its U.S. breeding and winter range. In this study, scientists undertook the first comprehensive molecular genetic-based investigation of Piping Plovers. The primary goals were More...

  • cover image of publication

Conservation Genetics: Fish

This page presents samples of genetics and genomics research from the USGS Biological Resources Discipline about the conservation genetics of fish.

  • Image of a Pallid sturgeon