Texas Research: Projects, Research Publications, Presentations, Thesis and Dissertations, Technical Publications

Texas Research Activities

Current efforts of Texas Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Unit focus on aquatic and terrestrial ecosystems. Specific fields of interest include fisheries and wildlife management, aquatic and wildlife ecology, community ecology, ecophysiology, ecotoxicology, reproductive biology, and fish culture. These research and educational efforts are based on the technical expertise of unit scientists and university cooperators.

Projects

Project	Completion Date
RWO 90: A range wide assessment of the influence of landscape and environmental change on lesser prairie-chickens	December 2017	The decline in population size and range of the lesser prairie-chicken throughout its distribution of the central and southern Great Plains and High Plains has led to substantive conservation concern. To date, there has not been a comprehensive investigation into the combined influences of landscape level changes, anthropogenic activities, and a changing climate on the species. Lesser prairie-chickens have been an epicenter of contentious debate regarding conservation and legal protections, especially in context of the rapid development of energy facilities across their distribution. We are conducting this research in partnership and collaboration with researchers from the Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks, New Mexico Game and Fish Department, Texas Parks and Wildlife Department, Texas Tech University, University of Oklahoma, the George Miksch Sutton Avian Research Center, the Western Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies, Oregon State University, and the U.S.G.S. Kansas Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Unit. We are using long-term data sets provided by our partners or collected by us to model prairie-chicken response to environmental and anthropogenic influences at a range-wide scale, taking into account regionally different weather patterns and anthropogenic activities. Our result will provide the data to allow managers to make informed management decisions directed at conserving the species.	The decline in population size and range of the lesser prairie-chicken throughout its distribution of the central and southern Great Plains and High Plains has led to substantive conservation concern. To date, there has not been a comprehensive investigation into the combined influences of landscape level changes, anthropogenic activities, and a changing climate on the species. Lesser prairie-chickens have been an epicenter of contentious debate regarding conservation and legal protections, especially in context of the rapid development of energy facilities across their distribution. We are conducting this research in partnership and collaboration with researchers from the Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks, New Mexico Game and Fish Department, Texas Parks and Wildlife Department, Texas Tech University, University of Oklahoma, the George Miksch Sutton Avian Research Center, the Western Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies, Oregon State University, and the U.S.G.S. Kansas Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Unit. We are using long-term data sets provided by our partners or collected by us to model prairie-chicken response to environmental and anthropogenic influences at a range-wide scale, taking into account regionally different weather patterns and anthropogenic activities. Our result will provide the data to allow managers to make informed management decisions directed at conserving the species.
RWO94 Assessing occupancy and reproductive status of golden eagles at historic aeries in Texas.	August 2015	We are assessing occupancy and reproductive status of golden eagles at historic aeries across Texas.	None
RWO93 Development of a decision tool for eagle take permit issuance based on detection and occupancy moels of migrant and overwintering golden eagles in the Southern Great Plains	August 2015	We are assessing presence and landscape associations of golden eagles during migration and winter in the southern Great Plains.	None
RWO92 Development of a standardized protocol for surveying and monitoring golden eagles in the DRECP	April 2015	We are reviewing survey and monitoring protocols as applied to golden eagles, then assessing which may apply best to eagles in the DRECP via an SDM approach.	None
OA74 NWI SNL/TTU bird & bat environmental study for the experimental windfarm	November 2014	We are assessing the potential influence of an experimental scaled wind farm on avian and chiropteran wildlife community composition.	None
OA 75: Influence of wind energy on Swainson's hawk ecology	September 2017	We are assessing the influence of wind energy development on breeding ecology and risk of mortality during migration of Swainson's hawks.	None
Variation and plasticity and their interaction with urbanization in Guadalupe bass populations on and off the Edwards Plateau	December 2016	Guadalupe bass <i>Micropterus treculii</i> is a native black bass species endemic to Texas. It is found primarily in the Edwards Plateau ecoregion, but also extends downstream into the Blackland Prairie and Coastal Plains ecoregions in the lower Colorado River. Guadalupe bass has declined across much of its range as a result of introgressive hybridization with introduced smallmouth bass <i>Micropterus dolomieu</i> and habitat degradation. As such, it has been identified as a species of greatest conservation need by Texas Parks and Wildlife Department. While Guadalupe bass are found across much of the Edwards Plateau, a population also occurs in the lower Colorado River and has been documented as far downstream as Columbus, Texas. In the reach from Lady Bird Lake in Austin, Texas to the most downstream occurrence of Guadalupe bass, there is a gradient in urbanization around the Colorado River. The main stem Colorado River and its tributaries experience increasing urbanization as they flow into Austin, which then declines as the river progresses downstream. Urbanized streams in the Austin area have experienced changes in geomorphology and hydrology including changes in slope and increases in peak flood magnitudes. However, how these changes and other urbanization effects such as eutrophication have affected stream fishes, and Guadalupe bass in particular, is not known and represents a significant information gap in the understanding of the threats to Guadalupe bass. Additionally, the population in the lower Colorado River occurs in a habitat that is greatly different from what is considered “typical” Guadalupe bass habitat. It is unknown how this population differs in its age and size structure, habitat requirements, and recruitment dynamics from upstream populations that occur in more “typical” habitat.	Guadalupe bass <i>Micropterus treculii</i> is a native black bass species endemic to Texas. It is found primarily in the Edwards Plateau ecoregion, but also extends downstream into the Blackland Prairie and Coastal Plains ecoregions in the lower Colorado River. Guadalupe bass has declined across much of its range as a result of introgressive hybridization with introduced smallmouth bass <i>Micropterus dolomieu</i> and habitat degradation. As such, it has been identified as a species of greatest conservation need by Texas Parks and Wildlife Department. While Guadalupe bass are found across much of the Edwards Plateau, a population also occurs in the lower Colorado River and has been documented as far downstream as Columbus, Texas. In the reach from Lady Bird Lake in Austin, Texas to the most downstream occurrence of Guadalupe bass, there is a gradient in urbanization around the Colorado River. The main stem Colorado River and its tributaries experience increasing urbanization as they flow into Austin, which then declines as the river progresses downstream. Urbanized streams in the Austin area have experienced changes in geomorphology and hydrology including changes in slope and increases in peak flood magnitudes. However, how these changes and other urbanization effects such as eutrophication have affected stream fishes, and Guadalupe bass in particular, is not known and represents a significant information gap in the understanding of the threats to Guadalupe bass. Additionally, the population in the lower Colorado River occurs in a habitat that is greatly different from what is considered “typical” Guadalupe bass habitat. It is unknown how this population differs in its age and size structure, habitat requirements, and recruitment dynamics from upstream populations that occur in more “typical” habitat.
Do river-reservoir interface habitats to serve as surrogate nursery habitats for floodplain-dependent riverine fishes?	May 2015	The construction of dams and reservoirs has led to dramatic alterations to the hydrology of rivers. Amongst the many potential impacts these altered flow regimes have had upon riverine fishes are changes in the availability and accessibility of floodplain habitats. Many species of riverine fishes use these off-channel floodplain habitats during the larval and juvenile phases of their life histories. While most of these species are capable of completing their life history within the confines of the main river channel, there seems to be negative consequences in growth, survival, and population levels associated with changes in the availability, access to, and quality of floodplain habitats due to altered flow regimes. The decline of widespread species such as alligator gar Atractosteus spatula blue sucker Cycleptus elongatus has been attributed, at least in part, to the loss of these habitats throughout their range. Furthermore, critical nursery habitats for many other threatened and imperiled riverine fishes have not been identified. It is likely that many may be dependent upon floodplain habitats to some extent. Given the severity of the current drought, changing precipitation patterns, and increasing water demands, there is likely little that can be done in Texas to address altered flow regimes in large rivers to increase the connectivity between main channel and floodplain habitats. However, recent research by Texas Parks and Wildlife suggests that the river-reservoir interface (RRI) represents an ecotone between two distinct habitat types and as such, may play an important role in maintaining species richness and diversity in these heavily modified systems. In particular, the high levels of sedimentation associated with the drop in current velocity during the transition from lotic to lentic conditions can create off-channel habitats that are at least superficially similar in hydrology and ecology to the floodplain habitats used as nursery habitats by many riverine fishes. The presence of these off-channel RRI habitats may be critical for the long-term persistence of fishes that require floodplain habitats to successfully reproduce, but are otherwise capable of maintaining populations in the modified conditions of a river-reservoir system. However, there has been no attempt to determine whether these off-channel habitats in the RRI function as surrogate floodplain habitats for riverine fishes and how factors such as their physicochemical characteristics and lateral connectivity might affect their productivity as nursery habitats. The objective of the proposed study is to assess the use by larval and juvenile fishes of off-channel habitats in the RRI between the Trinity River and Lake Livingston, and to compare these fish assemblages with those using similar natural floodplain habitats in the middle Trinity River.	The construction of dams and reservoirs has led to dramatic alterations to the hydrology of rivers. Amongst the many potential impacts these altered flow regimes have had upon riverine fishes are changes in the availability and accessibility of floodplain habitats. Many species of riverine fishes use these off-channel floodplain habitats during the larval and juvenile phases of their life histories. While most of these species are capable of completing their life history within the confines of the main river channel, there seems to be negative consequences in growth, survival, and population levels associated with changes in the availability, access to, and quality of floodplain habitats due to altered flow regimes. The decline of widespread species such as alligator gar Atractosteus spatula blue sucker Cycleptus elongatus has been attributed, at least in part, to the loss of these habitats throughout their range. Furthermore, critical nursery habitats for many other threatened and imperiled riverine fishes have not been identified. It is likely that many may be dependent upon floodplain habitats to some extent. Given the severity of the current drought, changing precipitation patterns, and increasing water demands, there is likely little that can be done in Texas to address altered flow regimes in large rivers to increase the connectivity between main channel and floodplain habitats. However, recent research by Texas Parks and Wildlife suggests that the river-reservoir interface (RRI) represents an ecotone between two distinct habitat types and as such, may play an important role in maintaining species richness and diversity in these heavily modified systems. In particular, the high levels of sedimentation associated with the drop in current velocity during the transition from lotic to lentic conditions can create off-channel habitats that are at least superficially similar in hydrology and ecology to the floodplain habitats used as nursery habitats by many riverine fishes. The presence of these off-channel RRI habitats may be critical for the long-term persistence of fishes that require floodplain habitats to successfully reproduce, but are otherwise capable of maintaining populations in the modified conditions of a river-reservoir system. However, there has been no attempt to determine whether these off-channel habitats in the RRI function as surrogate floodplain habitats for riverine fishes and how factors such as their physicochemical characteristics and lateral connectivity might affect their productivity as nursery habitats. The objective of the proposed study is to assess the use by larval and juvenile fishes of off-channel habitats in the RRI between the Trinity River and Lake Livingston, and to compare these fish assemblages with those using similar natural floodplain habitats in the middle Trinity River.
Development of Pecos assiminea (Assiminea pecos) monitoring methods and effects of habitat restoration on Pecos assiminea at Bitter Lake National Wildlife Refuge	September 2015	Pecos assiminea Assiminea pecos is a tiny (< 2.1 mm) snail with a distribution limited to Chaves County, New Mexico and Pecos County, Texas. The species has been federally listed as endangered since 2005. Bitter Lakes National Wildlife Refuge is one of the few strongholds of Pecos assiminea, but knowledge of its distribution and habitat use remains incomplete. Furthermore without viable survey techniques, the status of the species and the impacts of habitat restoration activities cannot be determined. The recovery plan for Pecos assiminea calls for developing a technique to monitor its abundance, thus our primary and secondary objectives are to evaluate two surveying techniques, quadrat and wood tile sampling, for determining Pecos assiminea distribution, density, and habitat associations and to evaluate the effect of common reed removal on a suite of endangered species including Pecos assiminea, two springsnails and an amphipod (Pyrgulopsis roswellensis, Juturnia kosteri, Gammarus desparatus, respectively).	Pecos assiminea Assiminea pecos is a tiny (< 2.1 mm) snail with a distribution limited to Chaves County, New Mexico and Pecos County, Texas. The species has been federally listed as endangered since 2005. Bitter Lakes National Wildlife Refuge is one of the few strongholds of Pecos assiminea, but knowledge of its distribution and habitat use remains incomplete. Furthermore without viable survey techniques, the status of the species and the impacts of habitat restoration activities cannot be determined. The recovery plan for Pecos assiminea calls for developing a technique to monitor its abundance, thus our primary and secondary objectives are to evaluate two surveying techniques, quadrat and wood tile sampling, for determining Pecos assiminea distribution, density, and habitat associations and to evaluate the effect of common reed removal on a suite of endangered species including Pecos assiminea, two springsnails and an amphipod (Pyrgulopsis roswellensis, Juturnia kosteri, Gammarus desparatus, respectively).
Home range and habitat use of red-shouldered hawks.	August 2010	The study focused on understanding the ecology of red-shouldered hawks (Buteo lineatus) near the southern extent of their breeding range and included aspects of nesting habitat selection, annual habitat selection patterns, and reproductive potential and success between February 2005 and July 2009 on the Rob and Bessie Welder Wildlife Refuge in San Patricio County Texas and the Twin Oaks Hunting Resort in Refugio County Texas.	None
Avian productivity and survivorship on the Welder Wildlife Refuge.	December 2009	The collection of data presented in this thesis occurred during the summers of 2007, 2008, and 2009 on the Rob and Bessie Welder Wildlife Foundation Refuge in San Patricio County, Texas. This study focused on avian ecology and communities in the Texas coastal bend. The objectives of this study were to assess avian productivity and survival through operation of two netting arrays, conduct point counts at netting arrays to estimate species richness and abundance, and monitor nestling diet of sympatric Golden-fronted (Melanerpes aurifrons) and Ladder-backed Woodpeckers (Picoides scalaris).	None
Assessing the impact of avian predators as a limiting factor of lesser prairie-chickens	December 2009	While avoidance of anthropogenic vertical structures by lesser prairie-chickens (Tympanuchus pallidicintus, LEPC) has been shown, the ultimate cause of this avoidance is unknown. An increased risk of predation due to raptors perching on these structures has been hypothesized as a reason for avoidance and even as a contributing factor in the observed decline of the species. I evaluated the effects of vertical structures at lek sites where LEPCs are seemingly very exposed and vulnerable, conducted raptor surveys throughout the study area to assess the raptor community throughout the year, and monitored nesting Swainson’s hawk (Buteo swainsoni) prey deliveries for LEPC presence. In addition, I studied sexual selection and the reproductive behavior of LEPCs at leks to gain a better understanding of the life history of the species.	None
Winter ecology and habitat use of lesser prairie-chickens in west Texas.	August 2011	The lesser prairie chicken (Tympanuchus pallidicinctus) has experienced declines in population and occupied range by >90% since the late 1800’s. The lesser prairie chicken has been listed as a candidate species for protection under the Endangered Species Act and is undergoing review for listing. Populations and the distribution of lesser prairie chickens in Texas are thought to be at or near all time lows. These factors have led to substantially increased concern for conservation of the species. It is apparent that sound management and conservation strategies for lesser prairie chickens are necessary to ensure the long-term persistence of the species. However, basic ecological information is required with which said strategies may be formulatied. Currently, there is a paucity of data on the wintering ecology of the species. We examined home range, habitat use, and survival of lesser prairie chickens during the winters of 2008-2009, 2009-2010, and 2010-2011 in sand-shinnery oak landscapes in west Texas. We captured and radio-tagged 53 adult lesser prairie-chickens. We obtained sufficient locations to estimate winter home range size for 23 individuals. Home range size did not differ between years or by sex. Although female prairie chickens had slightly larger home ranges (503.5 ± 34.9 ha) compared to (489.1 ± 34.9 ha), the differences were not significant (t2 = 0.05, P= 0.96). During the nonbreeding season, we found that 97.2 % of locations of both male and female prairie-chickens were within 3.2 km of the lek of capture. Most locations (96.8%) were within 1.7 km of a known lek and almost all locations (99.9%) were within 3.2 km of an available water source. Habitat cover types were not used proportional to occurrence within the home ranges, grassland dominated areas with sand-shinnery was used more than available, and sand-sage dominated with grassland, and sand-sage dominated with bare ground were both used less than available. Survival rates during the first two years of the study (0.846 ± 0.141; 0.827 ± 0.092) were among the highest ever reported for the species during the non-breeding season. Survival was markedly decreased in the third year (0.572 ± 0.136) and resulted in an overall 3 non-breeding season average of 0.721 (± 0.0763). This is still among the highest survival rates reported for the species; it does not appear winter season mortality is a strong limiting factor in lesser prairie-chicken persistence in the study area.	None
Lesser Prairie-chcken ecology during pre- and post-construction of wind energy facilities in west Texas.	August 2012	An emerging and potentially critical issue is the development of wind energy facilities within the range of lesser prairie-chickens (LEPC). Aside from outright habitat loss due to construction of facilities, LEPCs appear to have low tolerance for vertical structures. Managers lack the information with which to assess how LPCs may respond to the presence of wind farm facilities. The presence of these facilities may have detrimental influences on LPCs by creating habitat conditions that reduce productivity and survival. However, this provides an ideal opportunity to assess reproduction and survival of LPC during pre- and post-construction periods in areas of west Texas that are likely to have wind energy development. The ultimate goal of this project is to assess ecology of LEPCs pre- and post-construction of wind turbines. This has never been done, but is of critical importance in terms of managing a declining candidate species that is intolerant of vertical structures in a landscape proposed for wind turbine development. This project will address Lesser Prairie-Chicken Research Priorities as identified by the Texas LPC Research Group during a meeting with Texas Parks and Wildlife in November, 2006 to determine LPC Research Priorities. Population Dynamics, as a general category, was ranked as Priority 2. Within the Population Dynamics Category, research on brood ecology was ranked as the highest priority.	None
Threat specific escape behaviors and habitat use by northern bobwhite.	August 2012	Northern bobwhites (Colinus virginianus; hereafter bobwhites) are a species of great economic importance but have declining populations range-wide. As a result, bobwhites are a highly researched species. Flight behavior and cover use patterns of northern bobwhites have been examined in several studies, all of which have contributed to a large set of habitat management recommendations for the species. However, the existing data lack quantitative measures of how bobwhites respond to natural threat, not solely direct human disturbance. I examined aspects of bobwhite behavior in response to four threat categories: researcher, hunter, raptor, and mammalian. I found that bobwhite flight distance is best predicted by threat type, covey size, and wind speed. I found that bobwhites flushed by the hunter threat (P = 0.034) and the raptor threat (P < 0.0001) selected for significantly higher visual obstruction at landing sites compared to availability. Raptor-flushed bobwhites also selected for significantly higher shrub density (P < 0.0001) and lower angle of obstruction (P <0.0001) at landing points than what were randomly available. In the process of data collection I also observed bobwhite roost locations (n=24) to have lower visual height obstruction (P = 0.03), lower shrub density (P = 0.02), and higher angles of obstruction (P = 0.005) than bobwhite diurnal locations. My results verify that bobwhite escape strategies and cover use vary among threat types. These results support current management recommendations of creating a patchwork of vegetation covers for bobwhite, but also indicate the importance of understanding of bobwhite behavior to improve management and conservation strategies.	None
Understanding the Ecology, Habitat Use, Phenology and Thermal	December 2012	The region of the Great Plains Landscape Conservation Cooperative (GPLCC) is anticipated to experience increased maximum and minimum temperatures, reduced yet greater intensity precipitation events, and spring and the associated environmental phenology occurring earlier due to climate change. These changes and subsequent landscape management techniques may influence the Lesser Prairie-chicken (Tympanuchus pallidicinctus), a level 2 candidate for protection under the Endangered Species Act and a priority species under the GPLCC, in positive or negative ways. We propose combining and synthesizing existing data from published literature and unpublished reports, newer unpublished data collected in our ongoing studies, and climate change models to assess the potential influences changes in seasonal phenology, temperature and precipitation may have on future reproductive ecology and survival of Lesser Prairie-chickens. A major emphasis will be the synthesis, analyses, and completion of a 10-year investigation into female Lesser Prairie-chicken response to grazing and herbicide treatments including resource selection, survival, and vegetation response. Additionally, we will examine correlations between climate and reproductive phenology of prairie-chickens, and determine the thermal and humidity profiles at nests to examine tolerance thresholds of hens and eggs. By combining these data we will develop a clearer picture of how environmental conditions influence Lesser Prairie-chickens, and how anticipated climate changes based on testing of competing models that may result in positive or negative influences on Lesser Prairie-chicken populations at the southern reaches where densities of their remaining distribution are the greatest. We envision this as a pilot study limited to the sand-shinnery vegetation communities in west Texas and east New Mexico. We anticipate that our results will set the foundation for a distribution-wide analysis in subsequent funding cycles. This proposal will provide data directly relevant to GPLCC Performance Measures 2, 6, 7, and 13 and contribute to the fulfillment of measures 5, 8, and 14.	None
An adaptive management approach to assessing free water as a critical habitat need for lesser prairie-chicken reproduction	September 2013	The lesser prairie-chicken has experienced as much as a 97% decline in population size and similar declines in occupied area from historic levels. Causes of the population declines have been attributed to a variety of land-use practices, but the influence of surface water loss via drying of springs has not been evaluated. An unvalidated assumption that prairie-chickens do not require free water has been perpetuated for decades. The fact that recruitment is lower after drought years has been attributed to poor vegetation growth and low food resources; however, the physiological requirements for egg production and lack of water have not been a consideration. Based on data from other gallinaceous birds we estimate a hen lesser prairie-chicken needs at least 135 cc (0.6 cups) of water to set a clutch of 12 eggs. This suggests that in the absence of free water, hens are assimilating a volume of water amounting to approximately 20% of their own biomass for egg production. Limited availability of water would be expected to result in smaller clutch sizes with lower moisture content and, hence, viability, of eggs. We have found high visitation rates by hen prairie-chickens to surface water sources, 87% of which are during mating, nesting and brood rearing months. This suggests that water use is more closely tied to egg production than ambient temperature; hens did not visit water sources during the hottest months of July – September. We suspect free water is an important resource for successful reproduction by hen lesser prairie-chickens due to the physiological demands for egg production. Natural springs were once common in our study area, but have gone dry due to groundwater pumping. No study has examined the potential population level influences of artificial water sources on lesser prairie-chickens. We propose to take an adaptive management approach in experimentally assessing the influence of surface water availability on reproductive parameters of lesser prairie-chickens. If our hypothesis is correct, reproductive rates and success and, therefore, conservation of lesser prairie-chickens could be enhanced by adapting management plans to include providing access to surface water in the current prairie-chicken distribution. This may be especially important as a conservation and management tool during not only drought, but also as the region undergoes climate induced increases in temperature and aridity, with fewer precipitation events.	None
RWO84 Golden eagle survey and monitoring strategy development	September 2015	The development of renewable energy sources is a national priority. In response, wind energy development activities are increasing at a rapid rate. Although wind energy is a renewable, non-carbon emitting source of energy, it is not without potential environmental costs. Among these are direct mortality of birds and bats due to collision with turbine blades (Hunt 2002, Chamberlain et al. 2006). Golden Eagles are a large apex predatory bird that typically occurs at low densities, has a long life span, experiences delayed maturity and low reproductive rates, and has no natural predators (Kochert et al. 2002). Thus, mortality experienced at wind energy centers may have population level effects on the species. A critical component of management of Golden Eagles in the presence of intensifying wind energy development is an understanding of the species’ distribution and status at three spatial scales: 1) the continental USA; 2) regional scales for which management can be implemented; and 3) wind energy project scales at which specific management actions can occur (e.g., permitting, mitigation). In particular, data are needed that facilitate relating Golden Eagle use areas to proposed wind turbine locations within project areas, and to establish a basis for identifying areas to focus management and long-term population monitoring. I propose to develop a survey and monitoring plan to support the US Fish and Wildlife Service goals to manage Golden Eagles in context of wind energy development.	None
Modeling and Projecting the Influence of Climate Change on Texas Surface Waters and their Aquatic Biotic Communities	December 2012	Water scarcity is a growing concern in Texas, where surface water is derived almost entirely from rainfall. How will climate change affect Texas surface waters? What are the potential impacts to the quality of aquatic habitat and the fish and wildlife that it sustains? As conflicts over the use of water resources grow in intensity, answers to these questions will become important for fish and wildlife resource managers to anticipate impacts and evaluate management options. To provide insight into climate change impacts on surface water and aquatic biota, scientists at the USGS and Texas Tech University are conducting this study, which involves using high-resolution climate projections to model and project regional impacts of climate change on characteristics of surface waters. This study has three tasks: (1) to gather historical, seasonal water temperatures and other relevant water quality information for selected reservoirs in the state with significant fisheries resources; (2) to develop downscaled statistical models capable of projecting the resulting water temperature patterns in the selected reservoirs; and (3) based on available information for selected species regarding their thermal tolerances and preferences for essential activities such as reproduction, to assess the impact of the predicted change on populations and communities. A retrospective analysis is also being conducted to determine if any relationships exist between changing water temperature patterns (or other water quality parameters) and the relatively recent spread of invasive golden algae, which has damaged fisheries resources of Texas and at least 19 other states in the country.	None
Incidence and characterization of intersex, testicular tumors, and reproductive condition in common carp as indicators of water quality and fish health in Lake Mead National Recreation Area	September 2012	Earlier studies of Lake Mead National Recreation Area (LAME) provided information indicating that endocrine disruption is still occurring in fish from Las Vegas Wash and Bay. A more recent study indicated the occurrence of gonadal tumors in male common carp from Willow Beach. The goal of this proposed study is to characterize the incidence of testicular abnormalities male fish from LAME. Estimates will be determined on the extent as well as the spatial distribution of the problem. Additionally, relevant biomarkers of sperm quality will be provided, including markers of DNA damage. This information cannot be extracted from previous studies because they were not designed to address the relevant questions. Therefore, the objectives of this proposed study are to: 1. Determine the extent of gonadal anomalies in male common carp populations; 2. Determine the spatial distribution of these anomalies within LAME; 3. Determine associations between gonadal anomalies and sperm quality	None
Chemical Contaminants and Fish Endocrine and Reproductive Conditions in Lake Mead National Recreation Area - Wastewater Study	June 2011	The impacts of urban wastewater to the water quality and aquatic ecosystem of Lake Mead National Recreation Area are not well documented. The objective of this project is to examine the potential effects in fathead minnow of exposure to standard tertiary-treated wastewater effluent from Las Vegas, Nevada. Fathead minnow (Pimephales promelas) is a standard fish model for toxicity testing and in this study will be used as surrogate for fish in Lake Mead. Partial life-cycle (21-day exposures) and multigenerational exposure formats will be used. Multiple endpoints of endocrine a reproductive toxicity will be examined.	None
Resource Management in Changing Climate:Understanding the Relationship between Water Quality and Golden Alga Distribution in the Pecos River New Mexico & Texas	September 2013	Golden alga (Prymnesium parvum) is a harmful algal species first reported in North America in the Pecos River in 1985. Toxins released by golden alga can be fatal to fishes, bivalves, crayfish, and gilled amphibians. Recent research suggests that the frequency and severity of golden alga blooms will increase under altered flow regimes as a result of climate change, although the mechanisms leading to bloom formation and toxicity are complex and elusive. The primary goal in this research is to enhance our understanding of the environmental conditions, specifically water quality variables, which promote or regulate golden alga bloom formation in the Pecos River system. Our approach will include sampling a wide range of habitats and environmental conditions throughout the middle and lower Pecos River basin within the Desert Landscape Conservation Cooperative region, and across an 18 month time-span to account for seasonal and phenological events. We will utilize a suite of univariate and multivariate statistical techniques to relate occurrence and density of golden alga to environmental factors. The proposed research is expected to yield information useful to the management of surface water and its associated watershed.	None
Biomarkers of Health and Reproduction in Amphibians for use by the ARMI Program	January 2006	Several lines of evidence indicate that amphibian populations are declining globally. However, factors for these declines can be varied and the contribution of environmental contaminants, in particular, is not fully understood. This research will be conducted in and around Big Bend National Park in Texas, an apex site for ongoing Amphibian Research and Monitoring Initiative (ARMI). Waterborne contaminants have been implicated in reproductive disruption of birds and fish inhabiting the lower Rio Grande valley and Big Bend regions of Texas, but to our knowledge the impact of aquatic contaminants on reproductive and developmental biomarkers in amphibians has not been examined. Elemental contaminants will be determined in selected sites of the study the area and reproductive and health biomarkers will be measured in Rio Grande leopard frogs. In addition, a new biomarker of thyroid disruption recently reported for teleost fishes will be tested for it use in amphibians.	None
Biomarkers of Exposure to Endocrine Disrupting Chemicals in Largescale Sucker of the Lower Columbia River	September 2011	The Columbia River provides important hydroelectric power generation, valuable recreational and tribal fisheries, extensive recreational areas and scenic beauty, and habitat for wildlife and fish. The lower Columbia River below Bonneville is the largest remaining free-flowing reach not impounded by hydroelectric dams, and is critical to the viability of culturally significant fish populations (anadromous and resident) in the Columbia Basin, as well as a myriad of other aquatic and terrestrial organisms. Fish, wildlife and human populations along the lower Columbia River are exposed to an ever-growing variety of contaminants as a result of increasing urbanization, industrialization and agricultural development. The work proposed here is part of a larger study designed to combine the expertise within the USGS disciplines to address how emerging contaminants, such as polybrominated diphenyl ether flame retardants (PBDEs) and other endocrine disrupting compounds (EDCs) impact fish, osprey, and other wildlife in the basin. The specific task of this project are to determine the health condition of largescale sucker in the lower Columbia River by measuring biomarkers of contaminant exposure, and to relate these effects to contaminant concentrations measured in the fish and the environment.	None
Biomarkers of endocrine and reproductive disruption in fish of Lake Mead and the Colorado River	June 2010	This project addresses the endocrine and reproductive condition of fish in the Lake Mead ecosystem and is part of an overall study of the environmental health of the lake. Sampling will be conducted in multiple sites over a period of 1 year. In addition to standard morphometric measurements, reproductive endpoints will also be measured and include plasma sex steroid and vitellogenin concentration. Results obtained will be analyzed in the context of the presence and concentrations of environmental contaminants.	None
Assessment of the reproductive behavior and mating systems of southern flounder to improve captive propagation protocols	August 2014	The presence of complex mating systems in many broadcast-spawning marine fishes has ramifications to the conservation and management of these species. In particular, disturbances to spawning aggregations can greatly reduce the reproductive output of local spawning aggregations and change the quality of offspring produced. While these disturbances may be relatively inconsequential at normal population levels, their impact can be proportionally much greater at the reduced population levels representative of most marine fish stocks. Furthermore, a fundamental understanding of the basic biology and behavior is becoming increasingly relevant as resource agencies turn to captive propagation and stocking as viable management strategies for marine and estuarine species. In this study, we are using video and audio monitoring, along with genetic paternity assignment, to evaluate the mating systems of three species produced in hatcheries by Texas Parks and Wildlife: red drum Sciaenops ocellata, spotted seatrout Cynoscion nebulosus, and southern flounder Paralichthys lethostigma. We are in the process of describing the reproductive behaviors and mating systems of these three species, with emphasis on the role of sound production in structuring the dominance hierarchies of red drum and spotted seatrout.	The presence of complex mating systems in many broadcast-spawning marine fishes has ramifications to the conservation and management of these species. In particular, disturbances to spawning aggregations can greatly reduce the reproductive output of local spawning aggregations and change the quality of offspring produced. While these disturbances may be relatively inconsequential at normal population levels, their impact can be proportionally much greater at the reduced population levels representative of most marine fish stocks. Furthermore, a fundamental understanding of the basic biology and behavior is becoming increasingly relevant as resource agencies turn to captive propagation and stocking as viable management strategies for marine and estuarine species. In this study, we are using video and audio monitoring, along with genetic paternity assignment, to evaluate the mating systems of three species produced in hatcheries by Texas Parks and Wildlife: red drum Sciaenops ocellata, spotted seatrout Cynoscion nebulosus, and southern flounder Paralichthys lethostigma. We are in the process of describing the reproductive behaviors and mating systems of these three species, with emphasis on the role of sound production in structuring the dominance hierarchies of red drum and spotted seatrout.
Cod lunacy? Assessing the entrainment and adaptive significance of environmental cycles on the timing of Atlantic cod reproduction	January 2014	Our objectives are to confirm recent observations derived from electronic data storage tags of cyclical spawning behavior associated with a semi-lunar cycle in Atlantic cod and assess both its adaptive significance and potential effects on cod mating systems. We will evaluate whether circulating levels of sex steroids and the histology of gonadal tissue demonstrate a pattern consistent with semi-lunar cycles over a full spawning season in a captive population of cod held in net pens in Stöðvarfjörður. We will use telemetry and both active and passive hydroacoustics to evaluate how this cyclical behavior affects the dynamics of a wild cod spawning aggregation in Kollafjörður. Oceanographic and particle tracking models to assess the adaptive significance of cyclical spawning to early life history stages. We will employ an individual-based eco-genetic model to investigate evolutionary explanations for this behavioral pattern. These studies will provide a better understanding of how the timing of reproductive events evolved in marine fishes and demonstrate a methodology for identifying and confirming their existence. Our results will have practical implications to the management, conservation, and commercial production of Atlantic cod.	None
Evaluation and refinement of Guadalupe bass conservation strategies to support adaptive management	August 2014	Guadalupe bass Micropterus treculii is a black bass species endemic to the Edwards Plateau in central Texas. Guadalupe bass (GB) has been identified as a species of greatest conservation need by Texas Parks and Wildlife Department and is the target of intensive conservation and restoration efforts. The species faces several challenges ranging from habitat alteration and fragmentation to climate change impacts, but threats and impacts due to extensive introgressive hybridization with introduced smallmouth bass (SMB) Micropterus dolomieu. While GB is the target of intensive conservation and restoration efforts throughout its range, there are significant information gaps on many aspects of the basic biology, ecology, and behavior of the species that need to be addressed in order to adequately assess the effectiveness of these efforts. The proposed research aims to address some of these information needs by focusing on three key questions. 1. What are the demographic characteristics of a Guadalupe bass population? To date, there has not been a comprehensive attempt to estimate the size of a GB population. Not only is this information critical to monitor trends in abundance, response to restoration activities and changes in the status of the species throughout its range, but also is needed to evaluate the impacts and effectiveness of GB stocking programs. 2. How has introgressive hybridization affected the performance, fitness and population viability of Guadalupe bass? The threats to the long-term persistence of GB posed by extensive introgressive hybridization with introduced SMB are perhaps the least understood of the challenges facing GB populations. It is unclear how the physiology and behavior GB x SMB hybrids differ from that of pure-strain GB. Further, how hybridization might influence the viability of affected populations is unknown. Understanding how physiological performance and behavior has been affected will allow more informed decisions regarding conservation, restoration, and management decisions for GB as well as better predictions of the potential outcome of stocking efforts aimed at reducing introgression rates. 3. Does the reproductive ecology of Guadalupe bass represent a potential risk factor to the persistence or recovery of the species? Guadalupe bass has been reported to exhibit a similar reproductive strategy to that of other centrarchid fishes in the genera Micropterus and Lepomis. The general pattern for this fishes involves the males preparing a shallow depression in the substrate that is defended from conspecific males. The males attempt to attract females to these nest sites where display and courtship ensues. If females deposit eggs in the nest, they are chased away and the male guards and cares for the eggs and larva. After a period of development, the juveniles disperse from the nest to nursery habitats. While GB likely follows this general pattern, most aspects of the species-specific reproductive ecology, such as the degree of habitat specificity and communality and inter- and intra-specific interactions during spawning, are unknown. While the reproductive ecology of GB may prove interesting in its own right, it is critical to understand the requirements of the species during spawning to ensure that the quantity and quality of spawning habitat is not a limiting factor to GB population recovery.	Guadalupe bass Micropterus treculii is a black bass species endemic to the Edwards Plateau in central Texas. Guadalupe bass (GB) has been identified as a species of greatest conservation need by Texas Parks and Wildlife Department and is the target of intensive conservation and restoration efforts. The species faces several challenges ranging from habitat alteration and fragmentation to climate change impacts, but threats and impacts due to extensive introgressive hybridization with introduced smallmouth bass (SMB) Micropterus dolomieu. While GB is the target of intensive conservation and restoration efforts throughout its range, there are significant information gaps on many aspects of the basic biology, ecology, and behavior of the species that need to be addressed in order to adequately assess the effectiveness of these efforts. The proposed research aims to address some of these information needs by focusing on three key questions. 1. What are the demographic characteristics of a Guadalupe bass population? To date, there has not been a comprehensive attempt to estimate the size of a GB population. Not only is this information critical to monitor trends in abundance, response to restoration activities and changes in the status of the species throughout its range, but also is needed to evaluate the impacts and effectiveness of GB stocking programs. 2. How has introgressive hybridization affected the performance, fitness and population viability of Guadalupe bass? The threats to the long-term persistence of GB posed by extensive introgressive hybridization with introduced SMB are perhaps the least understood of the challenges facing GB populations. It is unclear how the physiology and behavior GB x SMB hybrids differ from that of pure-strain GB. Further, how hybridization might influence the viability of affected populations is unknown. Understanding how physiological performance and behavior has been affected will allow more informed decisions regarding conservation, restoration, and management decisions for GB as well as better predictions of the potential outcome of stocking efforts aimed at reducing introgression rates. 3. Does the reproductive ecology of Guadalupe bass represent a potential risk factor to the persistence or recovery of the species? Guadalupe bass has been reported to exhibit a similar reproductive strategy to that of other centrarchid fishes in the genera Micropterus and Lepomis. The general pattern for this fishes involves the males preparing a shallow depression in the substrate that is defended from conspecific males. The males attempt to attract females to these nest sites where display and courtship ensues. If females deposit eggs in the nest, they are chased away and the male guards and cares for the eggs and larva. After a period of development, the juveniles disperse from the nest to nursery habitats. While GB likely follows this general pattern, most aspects of the species-specific reproductive ecology, such as the degree of habitat specificity and communality and inter- and intra-specific interactions during spawning, are unknown. While the reproductive ecology of GB may prove interesting in its own right, it is critical to understand the requirements of the species during spawning to ensure that the quantity and quality of spawning habitat is not a limiting factor to GB population recovery.
Effects of temperature, salinity, and suspended solids on the early life history stages of Arkansas River shiner	May 2013	Arkansas River shiner (ARS) Notropis girardi is among the better-studied pelagic broadcast-spawning cyprinids, yet there is still uncertainty regarding the reasons for its decline. This small (<5.0 cm TL) cyprinid is endemic to the Arkansas River Basin throughout Oklahoma, Western Arkansas, southern Kansas, northern Texas, and northwest New Mexico (Cross 1967, Gilbert 1980, Robinson and Buchanan 1988, Miller and Robison 2004, Thomas et al. 2007). However, ARS has been extirpated from much of its original range including Arkansas (Robinson and Buchanan 1988) and Kansas (Cross et al. 1985, Haslouer et al. 2005b). Collections in Oklahoma have shown that this species is restricted to the South Canadian River and the upper Cimarron River basins (Pigg 1991, Pigg et al. 1999a). Records from Texas and New Mexico have also indicated a decline in this species (Sublette et al. 1990, Bonner et al. 1997, Bonner and Wilde 2000). In Texas and Oklahoma, ARS populations have not shown signs of recovery and prolonged drought conditions are believed to have continued to take a toll. In 1998, the United States Fish and Wildlife Service listed the ARS as a threatened species under the Endangered Species Act (Allen, 2004). The swift rate of ARS decline has been attributed to a suite of environmental changes (i.e. temperate, drought, etc.) resulting in consistently unsuccessful reproduction. For example, insufficient stream segment lengths to allow the completion of development has consistently been implicated in the decline of ARS populations (Bonner and Wilde 2000). However, how this critical stream length varies with the interaction between the physiochemical environment and the development rate and buoyancy characteristics of developing ARS is not currently understood. Temperature, conductivity, total suspended solids, flow, and channel geomorphology may alter the buoyancy and developmental rates of eggs and larvae and thus influence habitat requirements, such as stream fragment length and minimum current velocities, as well as hatching success of ARS and other pelagic-spawning cyprinids (Cowley et al. 2005). I used a full factorial experimental design to assess the effects of temperature, total dissolved solids, and total suspended solids to determine egg buoyancy, minimum current velocity needed to keep ARS eggs in suspension, developmental rate, hatching success and survival of the eggs and larvae of ARS. Understanding how these factors affect the early life history stages could potentially explain their consistency in decreasing populations throughout the Great Plains ecoregion. These finding will not only support ARS, but all species within this reproductive guild as they are affected by climatic and landscape use changes.	Arkansas River shiner (ARS) Notropis girardi is among the better-studied pelagic broadcast-spawning cyprinids, yet there is still uncertainty regarding the reasons for its decline. This small (<5.0 cm TL) cyprinid is endemic to the Arkansas River Basin throughout Oklahoma, Western Arkansas, southern Kansas, northern Texas, and northwest New Mexico (Cross 1967, Gilbert 1980, Robinson and Buchanan 1988, Miller and Robison 2004, Thomas et al. 2007). However, ARS has been extirpated from much of its original range including Arkansas (Robinson and Buchanan 1988) and Kansas (Cross et al. 1985, Haslouer et al. 2005b). Collections in Oklahoma have shown that this species is restricted to the South Canadian River and the upper Cimarron River basins (Pigg 1991, Pigg et al. 1999a). Records from Texas and New Mexico have also indicated a decline in this species (Sublette et al. 1990, Bonner et al. 1997, Bonner and Wilde 2000). In Texas and Oklahoma, ARS populations have not shown signs of recovery and prolonged drought conditions are believed to have continued to take a toll. In 1998, the United States Fish and Wildlife Service listed the ARS as a threatened species under the Endangered Species Act (Allen, 2004). The swift rate of ARS decline has been attributed to a suite of environmental changes (i.e. temperate, drought, etc.) resulting in consistently unsuccessful reproduction. For example, insufficient stream segment lengths to allow the completion of development has consistently been implicated in the decline of ARS populations (Bonner and Wilde 2000). However, how this critical stream length varies with the interaction between the physiochemical environment and the development rate and buoyancy characteristics of developing ARS is not currently understood. Temperature, conductivity, total suspended solids, flow, and channel geomorphology may alter the buoyancy and developmental rates of eggs and larvae and thus influence habitat requirements, such as stream fragment length and minimum current velocities, as well as hatching success of ARS and other pelagic-spawning cyprinids (Cowley et al. 2005). I used a full factorial experimental design to assess the effects of temperature, total dissolved solids, and total suspended solids to determine egg buoyancy, minimum current velocity needed to keep ARS eggs in suspension, developmental rate, hatching success and survival of the eggs and larvae of ARS. Understanding how these factors affect the early life history stages could potentially explain their consistency in decreasing populations throughout the Great Plains ecoregion. These finding will not only support ARS, but all species within this reproductive guild as they are affected by climatic and landscape use changes.
Evaluating habitat associations of a fish assemblage at multiple scales in a minimally distrubed stream on the Edwards Plateau	August 2013	The South Llano River is still considered to be a minimally disturbed system (Stoddard et al. 2006) with the highest levels of habitat degradation located downstream near Junction, Texas. As one of the remaining unregulated rivers in Texas it has been described as a pristine and ecologically healthy river supporting several endemic species and typical fish assemblages found throughout the region (Linam 2002; Hubbs 2008). Minimally impacted systems like the South Llano River can be a valuable tool for managers by using it as a regional reference site (Stoddard et al. 2006; Hughes 1986). Reference sites can be used as a “benchmark” for disturbed streams by providing a feasible picture of desirable water quality, habitat structure, and species richness (Hughes 1986). More importantly, reference sites can provide information on species assemblage structure and distribution in relation to environmental variables. The objective of this study is to assess the fish assemblage habitat relationships at multiple instream scales to conclude which variables and at different spatial scales have the most influence on determining fish assemblage structure in this region. To accomplish this I will compare fish communities their habitat associations throughout the study area. This will include comparing associations at the site scale, mesohabitat scale, and upstream to downstream reaches. I will also be comparing the fish communities across different gradients of disturbance by examining species distribution in the less disturbed (upstream) and more disturbed (downstream) reaches. Ultimately, this information could potentially provide the appropriate standard or “benchmark” (Hughes 1986) for other river ecosystems in the Edwards Plateau region and provide managers with potential repercussions that may come with any future alterations to stream and landscape habitats at various spatial scales in the region (Gido et al. 2006).	The South Llano River is still considered to be a minimally disturbed system (Stoddard et al. 2006) with the highest levels of habitat degradation located downstream near Junction, Texas. As one of the remaining unregulated rivers in Texas it has been described as a pristine and ecologically healthy river supporting several endemic species and typical fish assemblages found throughout the region (Linam 2002; Hubbs 2008). Minimally impacted systems like the South Llano River can be a valuable tool for managers by using it as a regional reference site (Stoddard et al. 2006; Hughes 1986). Reference sites can be used as a “benchmark” for disturbed streams by providing a feasible picture of desirable water quality, habitat structure, and species richness (Hughes 1986). More importantly, reference sites can provide information on species assemblage structure and distribution in relation to environmental variables. The objective of this study is to assess the fish assemblage habitat relationships at multiple instream scales to conclude which variables and at different spatial scales have the most influence on determining fish assemblage structure in this region. To accomplish this I will compare fish communities their habitat associations throughout the study area. This will include comparing associations at the site scale, mesohabitat scale, and upstream to downstream reaches. I will also be comparing the fish communities across different gradients of disturbance by examining species distribution in the less disturbed (upstream) and more disturbed (downstream) reaches. Ultimately, this information could potentially provide the appropriate standard or “benchmark” (Hughes 1986) for other river ecosystems in the Edwards Plateau region and provide managers with potential repercussions that may come with any future alterations to stream and landscape habitats at various spatial scales in the region (Gido et al. 2006).
Guadalupe bass habitat use patterns at a landscape scale	August 2013	Guadalupe bass has the potential to be an effective indicator species of stream health in its native range because of its position near the top of the aquatic food web and its very specific habitat requirements (Edwards 1980, 1997, Stormer and Maceina 2009, Perkin et al 2010). Perkin et al. (2010) found that a population of adult Guadalupe bass associated with eddy mesohabitats created by instream cover within or near run mesohabitats. Habitats also included small to medium-size substrates, current velocities less than 0.1 m s , and depths of 1.0 m. They generally avoided open water and associated more with woody debris, boulders, and ledges (Perkin et al. 2010). Daily movements increased more than 200% as spring approached due to foraging activities and reproduction (Edwards 1980). They also tended to associate with pools of greater depths during periods of extreme low flow in the summer (Perkin et al. 2010). These associations render Guadalupe bass sensitive to habitat alteration. The official Texas state fish, Guadalupe bass is endemic to the streams and rivers of the northern and eastern Edwards Plateau in central Texas, including portions of the Brazos, Colorado, Guadalupe, and San Antonio basins (Hubbs 1957b, Edwards et al. 2004, Broad 2008, Hubbs et al. 2008). It is currently listed as a species of greatest conservation need by the state of Texas due to decreased stream flow, habitat degradation, and, especially, introgression with introduced smallmouth bass Micropterus dolomieu (Edwards 1980, Hubbs et al. 2008). Habitat degradation is thought to have resulted in declines in their abundance; however detailed habitat data is lacking, i.e. their associations relative to habitat availability, degree of fragmentation and degradation, and time of year and day. In particular, juvenile fish habitat associations are poorly understood (Riley et al. 2003, Perkin et al. 2010), as is whether there is a link between habitat degradation and hybridization rates. The South Llano River is one of the few places where genetically pure, naturally occurring populations of Guadalupe bass still exist (Koppelman and Garrett 2002, Broad 2008). However, human disturbances have caused habitat degradation and fragmentation along an upstream-downstream gradient (Edwards et al. 2004). The upper reaches are mainly undisturbed, while the lower reaches become increasingly degraded due to land use and fragmentation from road crossings, thus having the potential to limit fish passage and sediment transport. Conservation efforts dedicated to restoring habitat for Guadalupe bass are already underway in the South Llano River (Birdsong 2010). The Texas Guadalupe Bass Restoration Initiative, beginning in 2010, is committed to conserving Guadalupe bass populations by involving willing landowners in landscape conservation activities at watershed-scales. These types of activities include reducing or eliminating actions that degrade riparian systems and water quality, reduce water quantity, favor nonnative species, and fragment the river (TPWD 2010). However, there is no agreed upon benchmarks by which to determine whether these restoration activities are successful as there is no data on what the characteristics are of a healthy Guadalupe bass population. Similar studies on other black bass species have been completed to assess their population characteristics and habitat associations in response to a changing environment. For example, Kanehl et al. (1997) evaluated the response of smallmouth bass to the removal of the Woolen Mills Dam from the Milwaukee River. They demonstrated that before dam removal, smallmouth bass populations were low; however, after dam removal, habitat quality improved and smallmouth bass abundance increased substantially (Kanehl et al. 1997). Additionally, Peterson and Kwak (1999) suggested that land-use changes may be a greater detriment to smallmouth bass populations than projected climate change, and that the combined effects of both may lead to local species extirpation. Brewer et al. (2011) examined how human activities in a catchment influenced habitat conditions and use of smallmouth bass and concluded that young-of-the-year smallmouth bass mostly use low velocity habitats as well as deeper water when streams are impacted by pasture land use. These studies all portray the importance of establishing baseline data in order to understand a species’ population and whether restoration efforts focused on that population will be successful. Before we can proficiently address habitat restoration actions, we must first understand how an organism is associated with its physical environment under a variety of natural and altered landscape conditions. The overall goal of this study is to develop a better understanding of Guadalupe bass habitat associations and patterns in order to assist in the assessment of restoration efforts targeting this species. The objectives of this project are to: 1) Determine Guadalupe bass habitat associations and patterns. 2) Evaluate the effects of variations in habitat area, degree of fragmentation or degradation, and isolation on the age/size-specific probability of Guadalupe bass presence	Guadalupe bass has the potential to be an effective indicator species of stream health in its native range because of its position near the top of the aquatic food web and its very specific habitat requirements (Edwards 1980, 1997, Stormer and Maceina 2009, Perkin et al 2010). Perkin et al. (2010) found that a population of adult Guadalupe bass associated with eddy mesohabitats created by instream cover within or near run mesohabitats. Habitats also included small to medium-size substrates, current velocities less than 0.1 m s , and depths of 1.0 m. They generally avoided open water and associated more with woody debris, boulders, and ledges (Perkin et al. 2010). Daily movements increased more than 200% as spring approached due to foraging activities and reproduction (Edwards 1980). They also tended to associate with pools of greater depths during periods of extreme low flow in the summer (Perkin et al. 2010). These associations render Guadalupe bass sensitive to habitat alteration. The official Texas state fish, Guadalupe bass is endemic to the streams and rivers of the northern and eastern Edwards Plateau in central Texas, including portions of the Brazos, Colorado, Guadalupe, and San Antonio basins (Hubbs 1957b, Edwards et al. 2004, Broad 2008, Hubbs et al. 2008). It is currently listed as a species of greatest conservation need by the state of Texas due to decreased stream flow, habitat degradation, and, especially, introgression with introduced smallmouth bass Micropterus dolomieu (Edwards 1980, Hubbs et al. 2008). Habitat degradation is thought to have resulted in declines in their abundance; however detailed habitat data is lacking, i.e. their associations relative to habitat availability, degree of fragmentation and degradation, and time of year and day. In particular, juvenile fish habitat associations are poorly understood (Riley et al. 2003, Perkin et al. 2010), as is whether there is a link between habitat degradation and hybridization rates. The South Llano River is one of the few places where genetically pure, naturally occurring populations of Guadalupe bass still exist (Koppelman and Garrett 2002, Broad 2008). However, human disturbances have caused habitat degradation and fragmentation along an upstream-downstream gradient (Edwards et al. 2004). The upper reaches are mainly undisturbed, while the lower reaches become increasingly degraded due to land use and fragmentation from road crossings, thus having the potential to limit fish passage and sediment transport. Conservation efforts dedicated to restoring habitat for Guadalupe bass are already underway in the South Llano River (Birdsong 2010). The Texas Guadalupe Bass Restoration Initiative, beginning in 2010, is committed to conserving Guadalupe bass populations by involving willing landowners in landscape conservation activities at watershed-scales. These types of activities include reducing or eliminating actions that degrade riparian systems and water quality, reduce water quantity, favor nonnative species, and fragment the river (TPWD 2010). However, there is no agreed upon benchmarks by which to determine whether these restoration activities are successful as there is no data on what the characteristics are of a healthy Guadalupe bass population. Similar studies on other black bass species have been completed to assess their population characteristics and habitat associations in response to a changing environment. For example, Kanehl et al. (1997) evaluated the response of smallmouth bass to the removal of the Woolen Mills Dam from the Milwaukee River. They demonstrated that before dam removal, smallmouth bass populations were low; however, after dam removal, habitat quality improved and smallmouth bass abundance increased substantially (Kanehl et al. 1997). Additionally, Peterson and Kwak (1999) suggested that land-use changes may be a greater detriment to smallmouth bass populations than projected climate change, and that the combined effects of both may lead to local species extirpation. Brewer et al. (2011) examined how human activities in a catchment influenced habitat conditions and use of smallmouth bass and concluded that young-of-the-year smallmouth bass mostly use low velocity habitats as well as deeper water when streams are impacted by pasture land use. These studies all portray the importance of establishing baseline data in order to understand a species’ population and whether restoration efforts focused on that population will be successful. Before we can proficiently address habitat restoration actions, we must first understand how an organism is associated with its physical environment under a variety of natural and altered landscape conditions. The overall goal of this study is to develop a better understanding of Guadalupe bass habitat associations and patterns in order to assist in the assessment of restoration efforts targeting this species. The objectives of this project are to: 1) Determine Guadalupe bass habitat associations and patterns. 2) Evaluate the effects of variations in habitat area, degree of fragmentation or degradation, and isolation on the age/size-specific probability of Guadalupe bass presence.
Environmental factors influencing the spread, growth, and toxicity of golden alga	September 2013	Golden algae Prymnesium parvum is a unicellular haptophyte algae which may be a recent arrival to Texas, first identified from the Pecos River in 1985. This species is capable of producing and releasing the toxin prymnesin during bloom events resulting in ecologically and economically devastating fish kills. Golden algae is responsible for a series of harmful algae blooms over the past 25 years resulting in fish kill events with a financial impact to state and local economies of millions of dollars. While not insignificant, this ecological and economic damage would seem to have had the potential to be much worse as golden algae is tolerant of a wide range of environmental conditions and thus is capable of thriving in freshwater, estuarine and marine habitats. Yet the species has remained largely confined to relatively small portions of the Brazos, Colorado, and Red River basins. The biotic and abiotic conditions enabling golden algae to successfully colonize new habitat and result in a bloom are largely unknown making it difficult to predict the future spread and potential impact of the species. For example, it is possible that conditions in areas that have thus far not experienced golden algae blooms are not conducive to its growth due to current temperature or salinity regimes, lack of essential trace elements or micronutrients, or the presence of phytoplankton species that are superior competitors under local conditions. These dynamics must be clearly understood to identify areas vulnerable to golden algae blooms and properly allocate resources for monitoring and response. Furthermore, alterations of the abiotic environment driven by climate change or other anthropogenic disturbances have the potential to affect the growth of golden algae and the outcome of competitive interactions with other species. An assessment of golden algae growth under a range of conditions consistent with climate model predictions is necessary to identify areas that may become vulnerable to invasion in the future.	None
RWO 102: TCU 436 Development of an Effective Survey Methodology for Detection and Monitoring of Texas Kangaroo Rats	May 2024	Texas kangaroo rat is believed to be declining and is a species of substantive conservation concern. To date, methods of assessing populations have been inconsistent and time intensive. However, the known reduction in the species distribution, and suspected population declines, there is an urgent need to develop a reliable, repeatable survey method based on detection probabilities. This will require innovation in approaches, but is foundational to developing a method that allows reliable estimates of population sizes and how they respond to management actions.<br> <br>Through experimentation and field test trials, we will assess novel approaches to surveying for the Texas kangaroo rat. If successful, it will result in a new approach/method that will be suitable for nocturnal application, reliable, repeatable, and based on detection probabilities so that population abundances may be estimated. Developing such a method is incredibly important for assessing population trends and effectiveness of conservation efforts.	Through experimentation and field test trials, we will assess novel approaches to surveying for the Texas kangaroo rat, a species of substantive conservation concern. If successful, it will result in a new approach/method that will be suitable for nocturnal application, reliable, repeatable, and based on detection probabilities so that population abundances may be estimated. Developing such a method is incredibly important for assessing population trends and effectiveness of conservation efforts.
RWO 104: Species distribution modeling and Native Fish Conservation Area prioritization to guide landscape level conservation	February 2025	Freshwater fish species are highly imperiled organisms due to widespread alterations of freshwater habitats and flow regimes. Of 191 native freshwater fish in Texas, 48% are considered species of greatest conservation need (SGCN). Thus, integrated watershed scale conservation and management plans are needed to implement effective river conservation for multiple species simultaneously. The objectives of this project are to maximize conservation benefits using updated data and methods to: 1) Develop models to predict current species distributions and diversity, especially for SGCN, 2) Refine hierarchical spatial prioritization of Native Fish Conservation Areas by identifying areas of greatest conservation value with a focus on multi-species representation, and 3) Coordinate the use of supporting datasets and research products with conservation stakeholders. The project is a collaboration of agencies and scientists that includes Texas Parks and Wildlife Department, the University of Texas, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and the U.S. Geological Survey Texas Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Unit. Distribution models and spatial prioritization will be used to support and guide statewide conservation objectives and project planning within the Texas river conservation network.	Freshwater fish species are highly imperiled organisms due to widespread alterations of freshwater habitats and flow regimes. Of 191 native freshwater fish in Texas, 48% are considered species of greatest conservation need (SGCN). Thus, integrated watershed scale conservation and management plans are needed to implement effective river conservation for multiple species simultaneously. The objectives of this project are to maximize conservation benefits using updated data and methods to: 1) Develop models to predict current species distributions and diversity, especially for SGCN, 2) Refine hierarchical spatial prioritization of Native Fish Conservation Areas by identifying areas of greatest conservation value with a focus on multi-species representation, and 3) Coordinate the use of supporting datasets and research products with conservation stakeholders. The project is a collaboration of agencies and scientists that includes Texas Parks and Wildlife Department, the University of Texas, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and the U.S. Geological Survey Texas Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Unit. Distribution models and spatial prioritization will be used to support and guide statewide conservation objectives and project planning within the Texas river conservation network.<br><br>
RWO 103: Assessing risk for westward expansion of zebra mussels to guide EDRR strategies	September 2023	Zebra mussels are representative of nonindigenous aquatic species (NAS) with devastating economic, recreational, and environmental impacts that are already under watch as a problematic species across the U.S. and in Texas. Targeting dispersal pathways is likely the most efficient means of controlling their spread further west. Thus, there is a need for risk assessment to guide monitoring efforts to detect and report new sightings of zebra mussels and other NAS. Such tools meet the annual guidance and mission of the ANS Task Force and the National Early Detection and Rapid Response (EDRR) framework within DOI. This project is a collaboration of researchers across multiple agencies including USGS Wetland and Aquatic Research Center, USGS Western Fisheries Research Center, and Texas Parks and Wildlife Department. Providing data and decision support tools on invasion risk facilitates early detection and mitigation strategies that may ultimately lower the cost associated with zebra mussel impacts.	Zebra mussels are representative of nonindigenous aquatic species (NAS) with devastating economic, recreational, and environmental impacts that are already under watch as a problematic species across the U.S. and in Texas. Targeting dispersal pathways is likely the most efficient means of controlling their spread further west. Thus, there is a need for risk assessment to guide monitoring efforts to detect and report new sightings of zebra mussels and other NAS. Such tools meet the annual guidance and mission of the ANS Task Force and the National Early Detection and Rapid Response (EDRR) framework within DOI. This project is a collaboration of researchers across multiple agencies including USGS Wetland and Aquatic Research Center, USGS Western Fisheries Research Center, and Texas Parks and Wildlife Department. Providing data and decision support tools on invasion risk facilitates early detection and mitigation strategies that may ultimately lower the cost associated with zebra mussel impacts.
Development of Environmentally Friendly Methods to Control Harmful Algal Blooms	August 2021	Golden alga (<i>Prymnesium parvum</i>) is a euryhaline haptophyte that produces compounds highly toxic to fishes and other gill-breathing aquatic organisms. In the USA, harmful blooms of golden alga were first reported in 1985 in the Pecos River and they have now spread through most of Texas and the sunbelt states. The ecological impacts of toxic blooms have been severe; unfortunately, effective field control methods are presently unavailable. The goal of this research is to develop effective and environmentally friendly methods to control harmful blooms of golden alga.<br><br>Giant reed (<i>Arundo donax</i>) is a harmful invasive plant in the USA. A previous study showed that extracts from giant reed and two of its known constituents, gramine and skatole, inhibit growth of golden alga and suggested this plant is a potential source of natural products for controlling blooms. Extract are relatively difficult to prepare, however, and may not be a viable option for field application. Also, the two allelochemicals previously tested were less potent than extracts thus indicating the existence of additional, more potent allelochemicals. The objectives of this research are to determine if giant reed chips or their aqueous leachate can effectively inhibit golden alga growth and to screen other known giant reed constituents for their growth effects.<br> <br>Preliminary observations showed vigorous bacterial growth in cultures of golden alga in the presence of giant reed. This finding suggests the presence of algicidal bacteria in the cultures. Therefore, another objective of this study is to determine the growth effects of bacterial strains isolated from the cultures and their mechanisms. This information may inform the development of probiotic treatments to prevent or control harmful booms.	Golden alga (<i>Prymnesium parvum</i>) is a euryhaline haptophyte that produces compounds highly toxic to fishes and other gill-breathing aquatic organisms. In the USA, harmful blooms of golden alga were first reported in 1985 in the Pecos River and they have now spread through most of Texas and the sunbelt states. The ecological impacts of toxic blooms have been severe; unfortunately, effective field control methods are presently unavailable. The goal of this research is to develop effective and environmentally friendly methods to control harmful blooms of golden alga.<br><br>Giant reed (<i>Arundo donax</i>) is a harmful invasive plant in the USA. A previous study showed that extracts from giant reed and two of its known constituents, gramine and skatole, inhibit growth of golden alga and suggested this plant is a potential source of natural products for controlling blooms. Extract are relatively difficult to prepare, however, and may not be a viable option for field application. Also, the two allelochemicals previously tested were less potent than extracts thus indicating the existence of additional, more potent allelochemicals. The objectives of this research are to determine if giant reed chips or their aqueous leachate can effectively inhibit golden alga growth and to screen other known giant reed constituents for their growth effects.<br><br>Preliminary observations showed vigorous bacterial growth in cultures of golden alga in the presence of giant reed. This finding suggests the presence of algicidal bacteria in the cultures. Therefore, another objective of this study is to determine the growth effects of bacterial strains isolated from the cultures and their mechanisms. This information may inform the development of probiotic treatments to prevent or control harmful booms.
OA 95: Nest Survival and Site Selection of Avian Communities in Pinyon-Juniper Woodlands Undergoing Thinning Prescriptions	September 2023	In 2018 a US BLM funded study was initiated to assess changes in avian community structure and species density among pinyon-juniper stands that have or are undergoing prescribed thinning at the BLM Fort Stanton-Snowy River Cave National Conservation Area. While that study will provide information on avian community structure response to prescribed thinning, it is not addressing how such changes may manifest in reproductive effort and output. For example, some species may persist in treated areas, but reproductive output is higher or lower than untreated stands. This translates to long term persistence, recruitment and, ultimately, potential changes in community structure.<br> <br>This proposed study will address those questions as to changes in nest site selection and nest survival among the avian community in the treated and untreated pinyon-juniper woodlands, and will serve as a complimentary ‘sister’ project to the aforementioned ongoing BLM funded study. It will build on data already collected in 2019, and add two additional years of data collection (2020, 2021). In 2019, over 150 nests were located and monitored, but increased sample sizes are needed for robust analysis of species specific differences in nest survival or nest site selection between treatment types. The resulting data will better inform land and wildlife managers on what level of thinning and removal provide the maximum benefit for avian communities and meet the broader objectives to restore grass and woodland habitats in New Mexico and across this habitat type in the Southwest United States.	In 2018 a US BLM funded study was initiated to assess changes in avian community structure and species density among pinyon-juniper stands that have or are undergoing prescribed thinning at the BLM Fort Stanton-Snowy River Cave National Conservation Area. While that study will provide information on avian community structure response to prescribed thinning, it is not addressing how such changes may manifest in reproductive effort and output. For example, some species may persist in treated areas, but reproductive output is higher or lower than untreated stands. This translates to long term persistence, recruitment and, ultimately, potential changes in community structure.<br> <br>This proposed study will address those questions as to changes in nest site selection and nest survival among the avian community in the treated and untreated pinyon-juniper woodlands, and will serve as a complimentary ‘sister’ project to the aforementioned ongoing BLM funded study. It will build on data already collected in 2019, and add two additional years of data collection (2020, 2021). In 2019, over 150 nests were located and monitored, but increased sample sizes are needed for robust analysis of species specific differences in nest survival or nest site selection between treatment types. The resulting data will better inform land and wildlife managers on what level of thinning and removal provide the maximum benefit for avian communities and meet the broader objectives to restore grass and woodland habitats in New Mexico and across this habitat type in the Southwest United States.
OA 91: NWI SWiFT Bird Environmental Study	September 2021	Sandia National Laboratories and Texas Tech University have partnered to initiate wind energy research with scaled wind turbines at a Scaled Wind Farm Technology (SWiFT) facility. However, a component of permitting for this site is research and monitoring of the local avian community to assess immediate and long-term influences of the facility.<br><br>Wind energy is a clean form of energy but the negative influences through direct mortality and/or habitat displacement are not well understood.<br><br>We are collaborating with Texas Tech University to conduct this study.<br><br> Our research is aimed at assessing direct mortality of volant species due to wind turbines, but also long term trends in occupancy and, for select species, survival and productivity of resident and migrant grassland species.	Sandia National Laboratories and Texas Tech University have partnered to initiate wind energy research with scaled wind turbines at a Scaled Wind Farm Technology (SWiFT) facility. However, a component of permitting for this site is research and monitoring of the local avian community to assess immediate and long-term influences of the facility.<br><br>Wind energy is a clean form of energy but the negative influences through direct mortality and/or habitat displacement are not well understood.<br><br>We are collaborating with Texas Tech University to conduct this study.<br><br> Our research is aimed at assessing direct mortality of volant species due to wind turbines, but also long term trends in occupancy and, for select species, survival and productivity of resident and migrant grassland species.
OA 92: Pilot study - Guana Island Avian Response to Hurricanes	September 2021	The Caribbean region is considered a biodiversity hotspot and a priority for ecological conservation efforts. The Caribbean is also recognized as a region that will likely undergo substantive environmental changes over the next century. Climate models are generally consistent in predicting increased summer droughts in the region and increased intensity of hurricanes. <br><br>Understanding how environmental conditions influence survival of Caribbean wildlife is an important information need given the predicted changing climate in the region. Unfortunately, there is a lack of adequate monitoring of bird populations in the Caribbean that allow informed conservation efforts. In a workshop review of how hurricanes influence Caribbean birds, a strong consensus was that monitoring programs should be established to provide baseline information prior to hurricane arrivals. Additionally, it is not known how the endangered stout iguana will respond to these environmental changes. We had conducted different studies on the bird life and iguanas of Guana Island from 2003 – 2015 and developed a rigorous and standardized survey method for estimating stout iguanas in 2009. <br><br>In 2017, Guana Island suffered a direct strike from Hurricane Irma and a subsequent hit from Hurricane Maria. In October 2019 we returned to Guana to conduct assessments of the avian and iguana populations. Our objectives were to do a quick pilot study to assess current status of the avian community and compare it to previous study years with an emphasis on Bananaquits, Bridled Quail Doves, and Pearly-eyed Thrashers, and to conduct focused surveys and population assessment for the current status of the Stout Iguana population and compare it to previous estimates. Depending on results, this may develop into a more formalized long-term study.	The Caribbean region is considered a biodiversity hotspot and a priority for ecological conservation efforts. The Caribbean is also recognized as a region that will likely undergo substantive environmental changes over the next century. Climate models are generally consistent in predicting increased summer droughts in the region and increased intensity of hurricanes.<br><br>Understanding how environmental conditions influence survival of Caribbean wildlife is an important information need given the predicted changing climate in the region. Unfortunately, there is a lack of adequate monitoring of bird populations in the Caribbean that allow informed conservation efforts. In a workshop review of how hurricanes influence Caribbean birds, a strong consensus was that monitoring programs should be established to provide baseline information prior to hurricane arrivals. Additionally, it is not known how the endangered stout iguana will respond to these environmental changes. We had conducted different studies on the bird life and iguanas of Guana Island from 2003 – 2015 and developed a rigorous and standardized survey method for estimating stout iguanas in 2009.<br><br>In 2017, Guana Island suffered a direct strike from Hurricane Irma and a subsequent hit from Hurricane Maria. In October 2019 we returned to Guana to conduct assessments of the avian and iguana populations. Our objectives were to do a quick pilot study to assess current status of the avian community and compare it to previous study years with an emphasis on Bananaquits, Bridled Quail Doves, and Pearly-eyed Thrashers, and to conduct focused surveys and population assessment for the current status of the Stout Iguana population and compare it to previous estimates. Depending on results, this may develop into a more formalized long-term study.
Developing an automated system for screening wildlife trail ...	August 2019	Trail cameras are commonly used to monitor wildlife in a variety of situations. These motion activated cameras can result in a huge volume of digital images, many of which do not contain animals. The screening process is time and labor intensive. Our goal is to develop a machine learning method that will allow an automated process to determine images that do and do not have wildlife present. Those with positive detections can them be sent to a folder for human evaluation. This project is being funded by Texas Parks and Wildlife Department. If this process is successful, it will provide a substantial cost savings to agencies and other researchers using motion activated cameras as part of research and/or monitoring programs.	Trail cameras are commonly used to monitor wildlife in a variety of situations. These motion activated cameras can result in a huge volume of digital images, many of which do not contain animals. The screening process is time and labor intensive. Our goal is to develop a machine learning method that will allow an automated process to determine images that do and do not have wildlife present. Those with positive detections can them be sent to a folder for human evaluation. This project is being funded by Texas Parks and Wildlife Department. If this process is successful, it will provide a substantial cost savings to agencies and other researchers using motion activated cameras as part of research and/or monitoring programs.
OA 93: Ecology, Habitat Use, and Impacts of Wind Energy on Burrowing Owls.	September 2021	Burrowing owls are small owl that are of substantial conservation concern across their breeding distribution in the prairies and steppes of North America, both areas of high wind energy development. Wind energy facilities have been demonstrated to pose threats to avian species, including direct mortality of burrowing owls.<br><br>Wind energy development is increasing at a rapid pace throughout much of the developed world. Of avian species experiencing mortality due to collision with wind turbines, raptors appear to be the most vulnerable and may experience proportionally greater population level influences through direct mortality or habitat loss associated with wind energy development. <br><br>This project is being funded by DOE/Consolidated Nuclear Securities/Pantex.<br><br>Our study will provide comparison data between burrowing owl breeding pairs in context of site occupancy, productivity, and habitat use in areas with and without wind energy development. This will allow assessments of their response to wind energy development and the potential direct and indirect influence of the structures. This will provide important data with which to understand and evaluate risks and determine the need for conservation actions in context of renewable energy development.	Burrowing owls are small owl that are of substantial conservation concern across their breeding distribution in the prairies and steppes of North America, both areas of high wind energy development. Wind energy facilities have been demonstrated to pose threats to avian species, including direct mortality of burrowing owls.<br><br>Wind energy development is increasing at a rapid pace throughout much of the developed world. Of avian species experiencing mortality due to collision with wind turbines, raptors appear to be the most vulnerable and may experience proportionally greater population level influences through direct mortality or habitat loss associated with wind energy development. <br><br>This project is being funded by DOE Pantex.<br><br>Our study will provide comparison data between burrowing owl breeding pairs in context of site occupancy, productivity, and habitat use in areas with and without wind energy development. This will allow assessments of their response to wind energy development and the potential direct and indirect influence of the structures. This will provide important data with which to understand and evaluate risks and determine the need for conservation actions in context of renewable energy development.
Salinity adaptation in the ichthyotoxic golden alga	June 2019	<i>Prymnesium parvum</i> (golden alga) is a toxin-producing, euryhaline species responsible for fish-kills worldwide. In Texas, toxic blooms occur in inland brackish waters but, for reasons unknown, not in high-salinity coastal environments. Information on the ability of inland strains of golden alga to adapt to high salinity would enhance our understanding of its geographic distribution and may also provide insights on reasons why it has failed to invade coastal areas, and how to keep it that way. The purpose of this study is to characterize the growth potential of golden alga in high-salinity water of different ionic composition over multiple generations. This study constitutes the master thesis of a unit graduate student (Emily Richardson) and is being supported by Texas Tech University and Texas Parks and Wildlife Resources. The information obtained may improve an understanding of salinity as driver of golden alga distribution and inform management efforts to limit its further expansion, especially into coastal waters.	<i>Prymnesium parvum</i> (golden alga) is a toxin-producing, euryhaline species responsible for fish-kills worldwide. In Texas, toxic blooms occur in inland brackish waters but, for reasons unknown, not in high-salinity coastal environments. Information on the ability of inland strains of golden alga to adapt to high salinity would enhance our understanding of its geographic distribution and may also provide insights on reasons why it has failed to invade coastal areas, and how to keep it that way. The purpose of this study is to characterize the growth potential of golden alga in high-salinity water of different ionic composition over multiple generations. This study constitutes the master thesis of a unit graduate student (Emily Richardson) and is being supported by Texas Tech University and Texas Parks and Wildlife Resources. The information obtained may improve an understanding of salinity as driver of golden alga distribution and inform management efforts to limit its further expansion, especially into coastal waters.
Effects of Glyphosate-Based Herbicide, Roundup, on Harmful Golden Alga (Prymnesium parvum) Growth	June 2018	Glyphosate-based herbicides (GBHs) are the most widely used herbicides in the USA and worldwide. Previous studies have documented tolerance to glyphosate by certain algae but data available are insufficient for generalizations. This study was partially funded by university funds in support of B. Dabney's MS thesis research. Results showed that glyphosate and GBHs stimulate growth the harmful alga, Prymnesium parvum, at environmentally relevant concentrations. Management of P. parvum blooms may therefore need to consider the potential contribution to bloom formation by glyphosate-contaminated runoff in areas where GBHs are being used or by the direct aquatic application of GBHs for the control of nuisance macrophytes.	Glyphosate-based herbicides (GBHs) are the most widely used herbicides in the USA and worldwide. Previous studies have documented tolerance to glyphosate by certain algae but data available are insufficient for generalizations. This study was partially funded by university funds in support of B. Dabney's MS thesis research. Results showed that glyphosate and GBHs stimulate growth the harmful alga, Prymnesium parvum, at environmentally relevant concentrations. Management of P. parvum blooms may therefore need to consider the potential contribution to bloom formation by glyphosate-contaminated runoff in areas where GBHs are being used or by the direct aquatic application of GBHs for the control of nuisance macrophytes.
OA 90: Avian Community Response to Brush Control on the Welder Wildlife Refuge: Phase II	December 2020	Grassland obligate birds are experiencing widespread population declines across North America. Despite widespread prairie restoration efforts, little evaluation has been made as to the success of coastal prairie restoration in terms of avian community structure.<br><br>The coastal prairie of the Texas coast have experienced extensive brushland encroachment and prairie loss. Efforts to restore coastal prairie grasslands and the natural avian communities has been overlooked.<br><br>We are partnering with the Welder Wildlife Foundation to address this issue.<br><br>Our data will provide insights as to the success of different brush control methods to restore prairie, whether or not natural avian communities can be restored, and if so, what the lag periods for avian community restoration may be. <br>	Grassland obligate birds are experiencing widespread population declines across North America. Despite widespread prairie restoration efforts, little evaluation has been made as to the success of coastal prairie restoration in terms of avian community structure.<br><br>The coastal prairie of the Texas coast have experienced extensive brushland encroachment and prairie loss. Efforts to restore coastal prairie grasslands and the natural avian communities has been overlooked.<br><br>We are partnering with the Welder Wildlife Foundation to address this issue.<br><br>Our data will provide insights as to the success of different brush control methods to restore prairie, whether or not natural avian communities can be restored, and if so, what the lag periods for avian community restoration may be. <br>
OA 87: Interactions of Juvenile Swainson's Hawks with Wind Energy Facilities During Dispersal and Migration	September 2019	Swainson’s hawks, a large raptor that breeds in the prairies and steppes of North America, both areas of high wind energy development, then migrate to the grasslands of Argentina (an area experiencing rapid wind energy development) in the Southern Hemisphere. Wind energy facilities have been demonstrated to pose threats to avian species through direct mortality and habitat loss. Wind energy development is increasing at a rapid pace throughout much of the developed world. Of avian species experiencing mortality due to collision with wind turbines, raptors appear to be the most vulnerable and may experience proportionally greater population level influences through direct mortality or habitat loss associated with wind energy development. This project is being funded by DOE Pantex. Our study will provide survival estimates, movement data, and habitat use data for juvenile Swainson’s hawks throughout their migrations from Texas to Argentina and back. This will provide important data with which to understand and evaluate hemispheric level risks to the species and other similar long-distance migrant birds.	Swainson’s hawks, a large raptor that breeds in the prairies and steppes of North America, both areas of high wind energy development, then migrate to the grasslands of Argentina (an area experiencing rapid wind energy development) in the Southern Hemisphere. Wind energy facilities have been demonstrated to pose threats to avian species through direct mortality and habitat loss. Wind energy development is increasing at a rapid pace throughout much of the developed world. Of avian species experiencing mortality due to collision with wind turbines, raptors appear to be the most vulnerable and may experience proportionally greater population level influences through direct mortality or habitat loss associated with wind energy development. This project is being funded by DOE Pantex. Our study will provide survival estimates, movement data, and habitat use data for juvenile Swainson’s hawks throughout their migrations from Texas to Argentina and back. This will provide important data with which to understand and evaluate hemispheric level risks to the species and other similar long-distance migrant birds.
OA 85: An Investigation of Transmitter Impacts on Avian Flig...	December 2018	Radio and GPS transmitters are a common, if not critical, tool in current use for wildlife research. However, the potential influence of transmitters, in context of weight and attachment methods, has received little critical evaluation as to influence on predatory bird hunting effort and capture success, or for the influences they may pose in terms of handicapping prey. Transmitters are often used for assessments of survival and causes of mortality. However, if they are presenting unknown negative influences, current knowledge of survival rates and causes of mortality may be biased and inaccurate. We have collaborated with the Rolling Plains Quail Research Ranch, and with Nightwings Wildlife Rehabilitation in conducting field trials for this research. Our data will provide a clearer understanding of the influence of different weight loading of transmitters sized on flight effort of raptors, and whether or not radio-tagged prey birds are randomly or non-randomly selected by raptors.	Radio and GPS transmitters are a common, if not critical, tool in current use for wildlife research. However, the potential influence of transmitters, in context of weight and attachment methods, has received little critical evaluation as to influence on predatory bird hunting effort and capture success, or for the influences they may pose in terms of handicapping prey. Transmitters are often used for assessments of survival and causes of mortality. However, if they are presenting unknown negative influences, current knowledge of survival rates and causes of mortality may be biased and inaccurate. We have collaborated with the Rolling Plains Quail Research Ranch, and with Nightwings Wildlife Rehabilitation in conducting field trials for this research. Our data will provide a clearer understanding of the influence of different weight loading of transmitters sized on flight effort of raptors, and whether or not radio-tagged prey birds are randomly or non-randomly selected by raptors.
OA 84: Urban Raptors	June 2018	Raptors are an unusual success story of wildness thriving in the heart of our cities—they have developed substantial populations around the world in recent decades. There has not been a synthesis of contemporary research providing insight into the role of raptors as vital members of the urban ecosystem and future opportunities for protection, management, and environmental education. Raptors are an unusual success story of wildness thriving in the heart of our cities—they have developed substantial populations around the world in recent decades. Furthermore, they are incredibly popular among urban bird-watchers, and wildlife and nature enthusiasts. Co-editorship with Dr. Cheryl Dykstra, independent researcher. This volume is a go-to single source of information on urban birds of prey that will be useful to researchers, urban green space planners, wildlife management agencies, birders, and informed citizens alike.	Raptors are an unusual success story of wildness thriving in the heart of our cities—they have developed substantial populations around the world in recent decades. There has not been a synthesis of contemporary research providing insight into the role of raptors as vital members of the urban ecosystem and future opportunities for protection, management, and environmental education. Raptors are an unusual success story of wildness thriving in the heart of our cities—they have developed substantial populations around the world in recent decades. Furthermore, they are incredibly popular among urban bird-watchers, and wildlife and nature enthusiasts. Co-editorship with Dr. Cheryl Dykstra, independent researcher. This volume is a go-to single source of information on urban birds of prey that will be useful to researchers, urban green space planners, wildlife management agencies, birders, and informed citizens alike.
OA 74: Bird and Bat Environmental Study for the Experimental...	September 2019	Sandia National Laboratories and Texas Tech University have partnered to initiate wind energy research with scaled wind turbines at a Scaled Wind Farm Technology (SWiFT) facility. However, a component of permitting for this site is research and monitoring of the local avian community to assess immediate and long-term influences of the facility. <br><br>Wind energy is a clean form of energy but the negative influences through direct mortality and/or habitat displacement are not well understood.<br><br>We are collaborating with Texas Tech University to conduct this study.<br><br>Our research is aimed at assessing direct mortality of volant species due to wind turbines, but also long term trends in occupancy and, for select species, survival and productivity of resident and migrant grassland species.<br>	Sandia National Laboratories and Texas Tech University have partnered to initiate wind energy research with scaled wind turbines at a Scaled Wind Farm Technology (SWiFT) facility. However, a component of permitting for this site is research and monitoring of the local avian community to assess immediate and long-term influences of the facility. <br><br>Wind energy is a clean form of energy but the negative influences through direct mortality and/or habitat displacement are not well understood.<br><br>We are collaborating with Texas Tech University to conduct this study.<br><br>Our research is aimed at assessing direct mortality of volant species due to wind turbines, but also long term trends in occupancy and, for select species, survival and productivity of resident and migrant grassland species.<br>
TPW 40: Assessing Distribution and Occupancy Patterns of Riparian Avifauna in the Trans Pecos Region of Texas	August 2021	Riparian areas in the Chihuahuan Desert Ecoregion are identified as a priority for conservation in the Trans Pecos region of Texas. Desert riparian systems are distinct narrow drainages that provide (or have the potential to provide) conditions for vegetation and wildlife species dependent on permanent or ephemeral surface and subsurface water. Southwest riparian zones create nesting and foraging habitat for an estimated 166 bird species also support an estimated 10.6 times more migratory birds compared to the surrounding upland desert. Among these are species of conservation concern, such as the federally threatened western yellow-billed cuckoos (<i>Coccyzus americanus occidentalis</i>) and the state threatened common black-hawk (<i>Buteogallus anthracinus</i>), gray hawk (<i>Buteo plagiatus</i>), and zone-tailed hawk (<i>Buteo albonotatus</i>). It is also an objective of the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department to work toward the recovery of threatened, endangered, and high-priority species associated with riparian systems. However, little quantitative data are available for riparian obligate birds in the region. In 2018 we initiated a study to 1) assess the distribution, site occupancy, and community structure of avifauna among different riparian systems of the Trans Pecos region, and 2) to estimate nesting abundance and productivity of three state threatened raptor species. We anticipate our results will provide Texas Parks and Wildlife Department with data to make informed decisions for identification of priority areas for conservation and restoration, and assessment of status of species of concern.	Riparian areas in the Chihuahuan Desert Ecoregion are identified as a priority for conservation in the Trans Pecos region of Texas. Among these are species of conservation concern, such as the federally threatened western yellow-billed cuckoos (<i>Coccyzus americanus occidentalis</i>) and the state threatened common black-hawk (<i>Buteogallus anthracinus</i>), gray hawk (<i>Buteo plagiatus</i>), and zone-tailed hawk (<i>Buteo albonotatus</i>). It is also an objective of the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department to work toward the recovery of threatened, endangered, and high-priority species associated with riparian systems. However, little quantitative data are available for riparian obligate birds in the region. In 2018 we partnered with Texas Parks and Wildlife to 1) assess the distribution, site occupancy, and community structure of avifauna among different riparian systems of the Trans Pecos region, and 2) to estimate nesting abundance and productivity of three state threatened raptor species. We anticipate our results will provide Texas Parks and Wildlife Department with data to make informed decisions for identification of priority areas for conservation and restoration, and assessment of status of species of concern.
RWO 100: Changes in Avian and Plant Community Composition and Structure Following Prescribed Thinning in Pinyon-Juniper Woodlands.	September 2021	Pinyon-juniper woodlands are an extensive and biologically important vegetation community across the western United States. A history of overgrazing and fire suppression has resulted in pinyon-juniper woodlands expanding beyond its historical distribution and encroaching into predominantly grassland vegetation communities. This has led to efforts to reduce pinyon-juniper as part of grassland restoration, but it also has been documented that pinyon-juniper thinning and removal reduces avian diversity and abundance. This is of concern due to pinyon-juniper having the highest diversity of birds, highest density of nesting birds, and the highest number of bird species throughout the year compared to other upland habitats in the west. Of special concern is how thinning practices may influence pinyon-juniper obligate species of concern, especially the Juniper Titmouse and the Pinyon Jay. We are working with the U.S. Bureau of Land Management and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to address this issue in New Mexico. Specifically, we are assessing avian community structure in pinyon-juniper areas in thinned and un-thinned plots, and before and after thinning occurs, to acquire data that facilitates informed management decision analysis for landscape level management.	Pinyon-juniper woodlands are an extensive and biologically important vegetation community across the western United States. A history of overgrazing and fire suppression has resulted in pinyon-juniper woodlands expanding beyond its historical distribution and encroaching into predominantly grassland vegetation communities. This has led to efforts to reduce pinyon-juniper as part of grassland restoration, but it also has been documented that pinyon-juniper thinning and removal reduces avian diversity and abundance. This is of concern due to pinyon-juniper having the highest diversity of birds, highest density of nesting birds, and the highest number of bird species throughout the year compared to other upland habitats in the west. Of special concern is how thinning practices may influence pinyon-juniper obligate species of concern, especially the Juniper Titmouse and the Pinyon Jay. We are working with the U.S. Bureau of Land Management and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to address this issue in New Mexico. Specifically, we are assessing avian community structure in pinyon-juniper areas in thinned and un-thinned plots, and before and after thinning occurs, to acquire data that facilitates informed management decision analysis for landscape level management.
Towards a better understanding of Blue Suckers: validation of age determination methods & estimating the influence of temperature on aerobic scope & swimming performance	August 2019	This study will provide information on two critical aspects of the biology of Blue Sucker Cycleptus elongatus [state threatened] and Rio Grande Blue Sucker Cycleptus c.f. elongatus [SGCN] necessary for developing effective conservation and management plans for the species. First, the study will validate age estimation methods used for blue suckers throughout Texas and the rest of the United States and provide a means of assessing the accuracy and precision of age estimates. In addition, this study will use swim tunnel respirometry to evaluate the influence of temperature and dissolved oxygen on the swimming performance of blue suckers. This information will allow for an assessment of how stream discharges influence the fish' ability to migrate and utilize spawning habitat.	Blue suckers are listed as species of greatest conservation need or threatened by most states throughout their range. Proper management of these riverine, migratory species requires knowledge of their life-history, which is at present poorly understood. More specifically, knowledge of the association between cohort (year class) strength and hydrology is needed for proper instream flow recommendations. This study will provide data that addresses two critical needs: (1) validation of age estimation techniques, and (2) characterization of swimming performance under various environmental simulations. The project is a collaboration of researchers across multiple agencies and includes the USGS Texas and Hawaii Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Units, Texas Parks and Wildlife Department, and Texas Tech University. Validation of yearly annulus formation and evaluation of the accuracy of various structures used for aging blue suckers will provide a greater level of confidence in age estimates generated from wild-caught blue suckers. Assessments of swimming performance under various environmental conditions will improve habitat suitability models for blue suckers, particularly as they relate to discharge, current velocity, and temperature.
Endocrine-disrupting chemicals, global warming, and reproductive health in fishes	August 2018	Environmental stressors such as endocrine-disrupting chemicals (EDCs) and globally rising temperatures can impact gonadal sex and gamete production in vertebrates. While data from our laboratories and others suggest that the action of these stressors in teleost fishes can be mediated by disruption of thyroid hormone, stress hormone and melatonin production pathways, the physiological-molecular mechanisms of these pathways and their interaction with the classical hypothalamus-pituitary-gonad (HPG) axis are not well understood. As part of this pilot study, we will gather available information on effects of EDCs and thermal stress on thyroid and melatonin signaling in teleosts. The information generated will be used to develop review articles, and to develop grant proposals to pursue original research. Results of this project are relevant to an assessment of the impacts of EDCs and global warming on reproductive health of wild fishes. In addition, a better understanding of environmental stressor effects on sex differentiation and gametogenesis may bring new options for improving current aquaculture technologies.	Environmental stressors such as endocrine-disrupting chemicals (EDCs) and globally rising temperatures can impact gonadal sex and gamete production in vertebrates. While data from our laboratories and others suggest that the action of these stressors in teleost fishes can be mediated by disruption of thyroid hormone, stress hormone and melatonin production pathways, the physiological-molecular mechanisms of these pathways and their interaction with the classical hypothalamus-pituitary-gonad (HPG) axis are not well understood. As part of this pilot study, we will gather available information on effects of EDCs and thermal stress on thyroid and melatonin signaling in teleosts. The information generated will be used to develop review articles, and to develop grant proposals to pursue original research. Results of this project are relevant to an assessment of the impacts of EDCs and global warming on reproductive health of wild fishes. In addition, a better understanding of environmental stressor effects on sex differentiation and gametogenesis may bring new options for improving current aquaculture technologies.
Assessing the risk of dreissenid mussel invasion in Texas based on lake physical characteristics and potential for downstream dispersal	September 2017	Zebra mussels were first reported in Lake Texoma (Texas/Oklahoma) around 2009, and have since spread further into the state. Delimiting suitable dreissenid habitat and dispersal potential within Texas represents a critical management need. This study was sponsored by Texas Parks and Wildlife Department. The objectives are to assess risk of zebra mussel (Dreissena polymorpha) and a related invasive species, quagga mussel (Dreissena bugensis) invasion in Texas by 1) predicting general distribution of suitable habitat in Texas using Maxent models; 2) refining lake-specific predictions via collection of physicochemical data from identified high-risk lakes; and 3) assessing the potential for downstream spread of zebra mussels with environmental DNA. The information obtained is expected to assist management efforts to anticipate and limit the further geographic expansion of these harmful mussels.	Zebra mussels were first reported in Lake Texoma (Texas/Oklahoma) around 2009, and have since spread further into the state. Delimiting suitable dreissenid habitat and dispersal potential within Texas represents a critical management need. This study was sponsored by Texas Parks and Wildlife Department. The objectives are to assess risk of zebra mussel (Dreissena polymorpha) and a related invasive species, quagga mussel (Dreissena bugensis) invasion in Texas by 1) predicting general distribution of suitable habitat in Texas using Maxent models; 2) refining lake-specific predictions via collection of physicochemical data from identified high-risk lakes; and 3) assessing the potential for downstream spread of zebra mussels with environmental DNA. The information obtained is expected to assist management efforts to anticipate and limit the further geographic expansion of these harmful mussels.
RWO 99: Winter Abundance and Habitat Associations of Golden ...	May 2017	This is a continuation of funding to complete analysis of wintering golden eagle distributions and habitat associations in the southern Great Plains.	None
RWO 98: Structure and Connectivity of Mid-Continental Snowy ...	September 2020	Recent work in the Southern High Plains of Texas have documented continued declines of adult snowy plovers (Charadrius nivosus) on saline lakes. Currently, no reliable estimates of survival, recruitment, connectivity or philopatry exist for any other portion of the midcontinental snowy plover population. Approximately 28% of snowy plovers occur in the Great Plains emphasis area, with population declines approaching 80% in saline lakes of the Southern High Plains of Texas over a 10-year period. We are working with partners from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to obtain information reliable estimates of survival and population connectivity. These data are important to provide decision makers with reliable information with which to evaluate the species status and develop conservation measures if warranted.	Recent work in the Southern High Plains of Texas have documented continued declines of adult snowy plovers (Charadrius nivosus) on saline lakes. Currently, no reliable estimates of survival, recruitment, connectivity or philopatry exist for any other portion of the midcontinental snowy plover population. Approximately 28% of snowy plovers occur in the Great Plains emphasis area, with population declines approaching 80% in saline lakes of the Southern High Plains of Texas over a 10-year period. We are working with partners from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to obtain information reliable estimates of survival and population connectivity. These data are important to provide decision makers with reliable information with which to evaluate the species status and develop conservation measures if warranted.
RWO 97: Assessment of Surveys for Golden Eagles and Other Ra...	January 2017	We are assessing latitudinal variation in the trophic structure of raptor communities in the intermountain west.	None
RWO 96: Understanding the Role of Muleshoe National Wildlife ...	December 2018	Muleshoe National Wildlife Refuge is a primary roosting area for wintering sandhill cranes. However, the arrangement, connectivity, and availability of vital habitats for cranes across the region, and in association with the refuge, have not been assessed despite the significance to the persistence of this important game and cultural species. Approximately 82% of the Mid-Continent Population of sandhill cranes winter on the Southern High Plains of Texas with, 3 of the 4 distinct geographic breeding affiliations spending greater than 60% of their winter on the Southern High Plains. Thus, land management practices on Muleshoe National Wildlife Refuge and surrounding private lands influence the distribution and overwinter survival of cranes in this region. We are collaborating with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to address this information need. Understanding the arrangement, connectivity, and availability of habitat for cranes in this region is vital toward the development of sound management strategies for the refuge and surrounding landscapes. This is especially important for long-term conservation actions, due to the Southern High Plains being projected to become hotter and drier, with decreased, yet greater intensity of precipitation events due to climate change.	Muleshoe National Wildlife Refuge is a primary roosting area for wintering sandhill cranes. However, the arrangement, connectivity, and availability of vital habitats for cranes across the region, and in association with the refuge, have not been assessed despite the significance to the persistence of this important game and cultural species. Approximately 82% of the Mid-Continent Population of sandhill cranes winter on the Southern High Plains of Texas with, 3 of the 4 distinct geographic breeding affiliations spending greater than 60% of their winter on the Southern High Plains. Thus, land management practices on Muleshoe National Wildlife Refuge and surrounding private lands influence the distribution and overwinter survival of cranes in this region. We are collaborating with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to address this information need. Understanding the arrangement, connectivity, and availability of habitat for cranes in this region is vital toward the development of sound management strategies for the refuge and surrounding landscapes. This is especially important for long-term conservation actions, due to the Southern High Plains being projected to become hotter and drier, with decreased, yet greater intensity of precipitation events due to climate change.
TPW 34: Understanding the Ecology of Lesser Prairie-Chickens...	August 2018	The decline in population size and range of the lesser prairie-chicken throughout its distribution has led to substantive conservation concern. Conservation Reserve Program lands are known to provide habitat for the species at the northern extent of its distribution, but different grass species and weather patterns at the southern extent of the distribution may not provide the same habitat benefits. Lesser prairie-chickens have been an focus of contentious debate regarding conservation and legal protections, especially in context of the rapid development of energy facilities across their distribution. We are conducting this research in collaboration with personnel from the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department, US Fish and Wildlife Service, and Texas Tech University. If Conservation Reserve Program lands in the southern extent of the species distribution provides satisfactory habitat for the species, it provides additional management options and opportunities for state, federal, and private land and wildlife management entities.	The decline in population size and range of the lesser prairie-chicken throughout its distribution has led to substantive conservation concern. Conservation Reserve Program lands are known to provide habitat for the species at the northern extent of its distribution, but different grass species and weather patterns at the southern extent of the distribution may not provide the same habitat benefits. Lesser prairie-chickens have been an focus of contentious debate regarding conservation and legal protections, especially in context of the rapid development of energy facilities across their distribution. We are conducting this research in collaboration with personnel from the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department, US Fish and Wildlife Service, and Texas Tech University. If Conservation Reserve Program lands in the southern extent of the species distribution provides satisfactory habitat for the species, it provides additional management options and opportunities for state, federal, and private land and wildlife management entities.
OA81: Pilot Study - field testing data collection methods an...	March 2017	We are assessing the methods for examining influence of vehicle traffic on eagle scavenging rates.	None
Distribution of Golden Alga in Brazos River and Rio Grande Basins	May 2017	The distribution of the highly toxic golden alga will be determined in streams and reservoirs of the Brazos River and Rio Grande basins (Texas and New Mexico), including ecologically key sites previously unexplored. Highly sensitive eDNA techniques will be used, and the abundance of the alga will be analyzed in the context of water quality. Knowledge derived from this study may be useful for controlling the further spread of the highly toxic golden alga and for remediation of affected habitat.	None
Influence of Environmental Variables on Growth of Toxigenic Golden Alga (Prymnesium parvum): A Laboratory Test of Field-Generated Hypotheses	May 2020	<i>Prymnesium parvum</i> (golden alga) is a harmful algal species that has caused serious ecological damage to inland aquatic habitats worldwide and in the USA, especially the southwest. While much field research has been conducted to characterize environmental factors associated with golden alga blooms, the information generated has been mostly descriptive and insufficient to fully understand what triggers or facilitates these blooms. Based on an experimental approach, this study's purpose is to test the validity of several hypotheses about environmental factors responsible for driving golden alga range expansion or bloom formation. This study constitutes the dissertation research of a unit graduate student (R. Rashel) and is supported by Texas Tech University and Texas Parks and Wildlife Department resources. The information obtained is anticipated to reveal cause-effect associations between specific environmental variables and golden alga growth and to inform efforts to predict and control toxic blooms.	<i>Prymnesium parvum</i> (golden alga) is a harmful algal species that has caused serious ecological damage to inland aquatic habitats worldwide and in the USA, especially the southwest. While much field research has been conducted to characterize environmental factors associated with golden alga blooms, the information generated has been mostly descriptive and insufficient to fully understand what triggers or facilitates these blooms. Based on an experimental approach, this study's purpose is to test the validity of several hypotheses about environmental factors responsible for driving golden alga range expansion or bloom formation. This study constitutes the dissertation research of a unit graduate student (R. Rashel) and is supported by Texas Tech University and Texas Parks and Wildlife Department resources. The information obtained is anticipated to reveal cause-effect associations between specific environmental variables and golden alga growth and to inform efforts to predict and control toxic blooms.
Recruitment dynamics and reproductive ecology of Blue Sucker in Texas, with a focus on the Big Bend region of the Rio Grande	August 2018	Blue Sucker Cycleptus elongatus is a state-listed threatened species in Texas and is considered vulnerable throughout its range. Once considered a single, wide-ranging species, blue suckers are now recognized as a complex of closely related, but genetically and morphologically distinct species within the genus Cycleptus, including an undescribed species within the Rio Grande Basin. Blue suckers are long-lived (≥22 years) and late-maturing (5-6 years) though it is not yet clear if there is geographical variation in these traits. These fishes are associated with big river ecosystems and are highly potadromous, potentially making spawning migrations of 500 km or more. Blue suckers, like most imperiled catostomids, face threats at multiple life history stages. Spawning seems to be restricted to riffle complexes with large cobble substrat5, but it is unclear if habitat quality or availability is a limiting factor to populations in Texas. The early life history of blue suckers also is poorly understood, but has been hypothesized as being vulnerable to flow alteration. It is unclear what the specific factors are that are driving the decline of Blue Suckers in Texas (e.g., flow alteration, water quality, habitat fragmentation, and changing land use) and how they interact to influence abundance and distribution.<br> <br>The Rio Grande Blue Sucker population is identified as a species of greatest conservation need in the Texas Conservation Action Plan (TCAP). Water quality deterioration and habitat degradation and fragmentation associated with reservoir construction and the resulting alterations to flow regime are probably responsible for declines of Blue Sucker in the Rio Grande basin, but similar to other populations in Texas, little is known of the population size, age structure, spawning habits, and habitat use of Rio Grande Blue Sucker. It is likely still locally abundant within the Big Bend region of Texas and Mexico despite comprising < 1.0% of the fish assemblage in recent surveys. However young-of-year Blue Sucker seem to be relatively common in the Big Bend region compared to other river systems in Texas, indicating that the population may not be experiencing the same factors suspected of limiting recruitment elsewhere despite reductions in the magnitude of flow fluctuations and geomorphological changes to the river system, e.g., channel narrowing and floodplain accretion.<br><br>In contrast to the Rio Grande, Blue Sucker in the lower Sabine River seems to be less abundant. Recent surveys indicated that Blue Sucker comprised approximately 0.2% of the fish assemblage in the lower Sabine River, though adult individuals were encountered in all expected habitats and may have been locally abundant. The Sabine River Blue Sucker population has experienced many of the same anthropogenic habitat alterations as other populations in Texas. However, the lower Sabine River is unique in being one of the few rivers in Texas impacted by hydropower generation. In particular, the lower Sabine River experiences rapid, daily fluctuations in flow, i.e., hydropeaking,) that have the potential to negatively impact Blue Sucker growth and recruitment. While juvenile Blue Suckers occasionally have been encountered captured from the lower Sabine in recent surveys, there are indications that both larger and smaller individuals are less common in the lower Sabine River than in the lower Colorado River. Furthermore based on preliminary data, individuals in the lower Sabine River may be smaller than those of the same age from the lower Colorado River. While recent surveys suggest that Blue Suckers are consistently undertaking spawning migrations and accessing spawning habitats in the lower Sabine River, there has not been a successful attempt to characterize recruitment in this population.<br><br>This study will provide data on current demographic characteristics, habitat use patterns, and recruitment dynamics of the Rio Grande Blue Sucker, an endemic species which has declined across much of its range, and Blue Sucker in the lower Sabine River. <br>	Blue Sucker Cycleptus elongatus is a state-listed threatened species in Texas and is considered vulnerable throughout its range. These fishes are associated with big river ecosystems and are highly potadromous, potentially making spawning migrations of 500 km or more. Blue suckers, like most imperiled catostomids, face threats at multiple life history stages. Spawning seems to be restricted to riffle complexes with large cobble substrat5, but it is unclear if habitat quality or availability is a limiting factor to populations in Texas. The early life history of blue suckers also is poorly understood, but has been hypothesized as being vulnerable to flow alteration. It is unclear what the specific factors are that are driving the decline of Blue Suckers in Texas (e.g., flow alteration, water quality, habitat fragmentation, and changing land use) and how they interact to influence abundance and distribution. This study is evaluating the influence of flow regime on the recruitment and growth of young-of-year Blue Sucker.
Assessing the feasibility of using acoustic monitoring for Burbot conservation, management, and production	January 2016	This project represents a pilot study to determine whether the calls reportedly produced by Burbot during spawning can be used to locate spawning grounds, quantify spawning activity, and enhance production of the species in hatcheries.	Burbot Lota lota is the sole freshwater representative of the cod-like fishes and is a commercially and recreationally important species found worldwide above approximately 40° N. It is a difficult species to effectively manage due to its preference for deep-water habitats and that its spawning and other aspects of its early life history are completed under the ice in winter. Like most gadiform fishes, Burbot use acoustic signaling as part of their mating system, and while the acoustic repertoire of the species has been characterized under artificial conditions (i.e., net pen suspended under ice in a natural lake), there has been no work to determine whether the species is as vocal in natural spawning aggregations. Our objective was to assess the feasibility of collecting and using acoustic data to characterize the spawning activity and locations of Burbot under field conditions. We recorded audio and video of Burbot spawning aggregations through holes drilled into the ice at known spawning grounds at Moyie Lake in British Columbia, Canada. Acoustic recordings were analyzed using Raven Pro v 1. 4 to count the number of calls and their characteristics. Acoustic behavior was also related to the video data to determine how acoustic activity correlates to any observed spawning behavior. In general, wild Burbot spawning in Moyie Lake do not vocalize as frequently as counterparts spawning under artificial conditions. Further, Burbot vocalizations were not recorded in conjunction with spawning activity. While it may be feasible to use passive acoustic monitoring to locate Burbot spawning grounds and identify periods of activity, it does not seem to hold much promise for locating and quantifying spawning activity in real time. This study represents a collaboration between the Texas Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Unit and the Kootenai Tribe of Idaho.
Assessment and monitoring at TPWD public river access leases to guide sustainable management	July 2017	Healthy, naturally-functioning rivers provide clean drinking water, flood abatement, habitats for fish and wildlife, paddling, fishing and other recreational opportunities, and support numerous other societal and economic benefits. Texas has over 191,000 miles of rivers and streams, and although the majority of Texans live within a mile of a river or stream, many do not realize the central role that these treasured landscapes play in quality of life for their communities. Unfortunately, when people do not feel a connection between their community and their hometown river, they’re less likely to care for it. To better link communities to their rivers, instill a sense of stewardship, and promote broad-based support for river conservation in the state, Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD) launched the Texas Paddling Trails Program. The program has now supported the development of 41 river paddling trails (utilizing existing public river access areas such as riverside city, county, and state parks) that offer family-friendly recreation such as kayaking, fishing, and wildlife-viewing. However, access to high quality recreational opportunities in Texas rivers continues to be limited, with the vast majority of riverside properties in private ownership. In 2011-2012, TPWD developed the River Access and Conservation Area Program (RACA), focused on expanding recreational access to rivers and streams across private lands. Projects implemented through RACA have involved long-term lease agreements (5-20 years) between TPWD and private landowners. Habitat and infrastructure improvements have then been completed at the access areas that demonstrate riparian and watershed best management practices. In addition, management plans have been developed for the new access areas in cooperation with private landowners and local community partners (e.g., fishing or paddling clubs, non-governmental organizations, watershed alliances) to support sustainable use of the properties and the river. Initial funding to implement RACA was made available through the US Department of Agriculture Voluntary Public Access and Habitat Incentive Program (i.e., $150,000 in 2011-2012), which resulted in seven new river access areas along the banks of the Brazos, Colorado, Guadalupe and Neches rivers. These sites provided access to more than three miles of new bank and wade fishing opportunities and opened access to more than 25 miles of river for kayak fishing, paddling, and wildlife viewing (through strategic placement of the sites and their upstream/downstream connections to other new or existing river access areas). A variety of habitat and infrastructure improvements were completed at the new access areas including removal of more than 100 tons of illegally dumped trash; development of improved parking areas and trails; installation of kiosks that promote riparian conservation messaging; installation of fencing and gated entries to prevent illegal activity and separate cattle and other livestock from fishing areas and sensitive habitats; and prescriptive guidelines that ensure sustainable use and avoid negative impacts to sensitive habitat features (e.g., limits on the number of vehicles that can access the sites per day). In 2015, TPWD received additional funding from the US Department of Agriculture Voluntary Public Access and Habitat Incentive Program necessary to secure 10 additional river access areas. In selecting these 10 new river access areas, TPWD will place a priority on access areas and associated segments of river that (1) contain high quality riverine and riparian habitats (or that present a habitat restoration or enhancement demonstration opportunity), (2) have high recreational potential (e.g., unique paddling or sport fishing opportunity), (3) currently have limited public access, (4) are strategically positioned to provide upstream or downstream connections to other public river access areas (e.g., expansion of a current Texas Paddling Trail, connection to city or county parks), and (5) where a leased-access agreement of 10 years or more can be secured with the participating private landowner. River access areas secured in rural landscapes will be used to demonstrate agricultural best management practices conducive to healthy rivers and streams (e.g., vegetative buffers adjacent to row crops, alternate shade and water sources for livestock, preservation of springs and recharge features). River access areas secured near urban centers will be used to demonstrate and promote urban best management practices (e.g., riparian buffers, improved stormwater management techniques, natural channel design approaches to stream restoration). In general, TPWD will work with partners to implement habitat best management practices designed to reduce erosion, improve water quality, restore and preserve native plant communities, contribute to functional riparian zones, and support healthy instream habitats for fish and other aquatic resources. Construction of infrastructure improvements will also be supported through the program, such as parking areas, river access trails, and signage and kiosks that educate and inform visitors on habitat best management practices and recreational opportunities offered at the sites. Although general site management plans were developed for each of the river access areas secured through RACA in 2011-2012 and related informational resources were provided to the public (e.g., web pages that convey guidelines for public access and use, on-site kiosks that discuss the importance of staying on trails and conserving riparian buffers, reservation systems and/or local caretakers established to control use), no resources were dedicated by TPWD to quantitatively monitor the effects of increased recreational access on streamside lands and aquatic and fishery resources. TPWD has received anecdotal reports from landowners, fishing guides, and anglers regarding recreational pressure within these river segments and related impacts to natural resources. However, the data and information necessary to quantitatively assess impacts and support adaptive management (e.g., habitat management, special angling harvest regulations) are currently unavailable. In order to support sustainable, science-based management of streamside lands and aquatic and fishery resources at existing and planned river access areas secured through RACA, baseline assessments and monitoring must be completed of riparian and instream habitats, biological resources, and public use.	Healthy, naturally-functioning rivers provide clean drinking water, flood abatement, habitats for fish and wildlife, paddling, fishing and other recreational opportunities, and support numerous other societal and economic benefits. Texas has over 191,000 miles of rivers and streams, and although the majority of Texans live within a mile of a river or stream, many do not realize the central role that these treasured landscapes play in quality of life for their communities. In 2011-2012, Texas Parks and Wildlife Department developed the River Access and Conservation Area Program (RACA), focused on expanding recreational access to rivers and streams across private lands. This study developed the monitoring protocols necessary to assess the impact of opening these areas to the public, the amount of public use these areas received, and a means of analyzing the cost-benefit ratio of maintaining these leased access sites.
Guadalupe Bass flow-ecology relationships; with emphasis on the impact of flow on recruitment	May 2018	Flow regime is among the most important environmental factors influencing population dynamics for stream fishes; however, developing direct relationships between flow regime and growth, recruitment, or mortality rates has proven challenging. However without a thorough understanding of these relationships, it is difficult to develop recommendations for instream flows to benefit species of conservation concern, such as Guadalupe Bass <i>Micropterus treculii</i>. Guadalupe Bass is considered to be vulnerable due to its dependence upon intact stream habitats, yet the flow requirements for the species, or even how flow influences its growth, recruitment, or mortality, is not well understood. Therefore, the objectives of this study are to 1) evaluate the influence of flow regime on the growth and recruitment of Guadalupe Bass across its entire range, and to monitor the impact of changing flow regime on the growth and mortality of young-of-year through their first summer. Samples will be collected from locations within the Brazos, Guadalupe, San Antonio, and Nueces River Basins and euthanized. We will remove their sagittal otoliths and determine the age and growth history of each individual. These data will be used to reconstruct the year classes and to estimate recruitment and mean growth rates related to flow conditions.	Flow regime is among the most important environmental factors influencing population dynamics for stream fishes; however, developing direct relationships between flow regime and growth, recruitment, or mortality rates has proven challenging. However without a thorough understanding of these relationships, it is difficult to develop recommendations for instream flows to benefit species of conservation concern, such as Guadalupe Bass <i>Micropterus treculii</i>. Guadalupe Bass is considered to be vulnerable due to its dependence upon intact stream habitats, yet the flow requirements for the species, or even how flow influences its growth, recruitment, or mortality, is not well understood. Therefore, the objectives of this study are to 1) evaluate the influence of flow regime on the growth and recruitment of Guadalupe Bass across its entire range, and to monitor the impact of changing flow regime on the growth and mortality of young-of-year through their first summer. Samples will be collected from locations within the Brazos, Guadalupe, San Antonio, and Nueces River Basins and euthanized. We will remove their sagittal otoliths and determine the age and growth history of each individual. These data will be used to reconstruct the year classes and to estimate recruitment and mean growth rates related to flow conditions.
Assessing the effects of flow regime variation on Blue Sucker spawning movements, habitat use, and recruitment in the lower Colorado River, TX	August 2018	Blue Sucker <i>Cycleptus elongatus</i> is a state-listed threatened species in Texas and is considered vulnerable throughout its range due to a combination of its habitat requirements and life history traits rendering it sensitive to flow regime alteration and habitat fragmentation. Blue Sucker are long-lived (up to 22 years) and late-maturing (5 or 6 years). The life history strategy of Blue Sucker is poorly understood, but it has been hypothesized that its propensity to undertake long-distance upstream migrations to spawning habitat renders it particularly vulnerable to flow alterations. Furthermore, the habitat requirements of young-of-year Blue Sucker and their growth and survival under different flow conditions are not well known, leading to the suggestion that limited recruitment occurs in populations residing in highly regulated or modified systems. As a group, imperiled catostomids tend to face threats at multiple life history stages, and this seems to be the case in the lower Colorado River. While studies on the threats to Blue Sucker in the lower Colorado River have been limited, the interaction between flow alterations, life-history strategy, and the reproductive ecology of Blue Sucker have been identified as likely contributors to the decline of this species. However, the requirements of early life history stages and how flow alterations influence survival and recruitment represent another potential contributor to declines of Blue Sucker. These interactions are likely to be exacerbated in the future as increased and conflicting demands for water resources in the Colorado River drainage create the potential for further negative impacts on riverine fishes that have life histories associated with seasonal flow patterns, such as Blue Sucker. The primary objective of this research is to provide information to assess the effects of varied streamflow levels, as regulated by water releases from upstream reservoirs, on habitat use and reproductive success of Blue Sucker in the lower Colorado River.	Blue Sucker <i>Cycleptus elongatus</i> is a state-listed threatened species in Texas and is considered vulnerable throughout its range due to a combination of its habitat requirements and life history traits rendering it sensitive to flow regime alteration and habitat fragmentation. Blue Sucker are long-lived (up to 22 years) and late-maturing (5 or 6 years). The life history strategy of Blue Sucker is poorly understood, but it has been hypothesized that its propensity to undertake long-distance upstream migrations to spawning habitat renders it particularly vulnerable to flow alterations. Furthermore, the habitat requirements of young-of-year Blue Sucker and their growth and survival under different flow conditions are not well known, leading to the suggestion that limited recruitment occurs in populations residing in highly regulated or modified systems. As a group, imperiled catostomids tend to face threats at multiple life history stages, and this seems to be the case in the lower Colorado River. While studies on the threats to Blue Sucker in the lower Colorado River have been limited, the interaction between flow alterations, life-history strategy, and the reproductive ecology of Blue Sucker have been identified as likely contributors to the decline of this species. However, the requirements of early life history stages and how flow alterations influence survival and recruitment represent another potential contributor to declines of Blue Sucker. These interactions are likely to be exacerbated in the future as increased and conflicting demands for water resources in the Colorado River drainage create the potential for further negative impacts on riverine fishes that have life histories associated with seasonal flow patterns, such as Blue Sucker. The primary objective of this research is to provide information to assess the effects of varied streamflow levels, as regulated by water releases from upstream reservoirs, on habitat use and reproductive success of Blue Sucker in the lower Colorado River.
Evaluating the effects of drought and anthropogenic influences on the growth of stream fishes on the Edwards Plateau	August 2016	Both drought and landscape-level anthropogenic alterations, such as alterations of stream channel morphology and flow regime, have the potential to affect fish growth. Results from this study will provide biologists with a better understanding of how drought coupled with anthropogenic alterations effects the overall growth rate of stream fishes and will help improve decisions made for the management and conservation of stream fishes found within similar river systems.	Both drought and landscape-level anthropogenic alterations, such as alterations of stream channel morphology and flow regime, have the potential to affect fish growth. Results from this study will provide biologists with a better understanding of how drought coupled with anthropogenic alterations effects the overall growth rate of stream fishes and will help improve decisions made for the management and conservation of stream fishes found within similar river systems.

Research Publications

Research Publications	Publication Date
Zavaleta, J.C., D.A. Haukos, B. Grisham, C. Boal, and C. Dixon. 2014. Restoring sand shinnery oak prairies with herbicide and grazing in New Mexico. Southwestern Naturalist 61:225-232.	October 2016
Yoshizaki, G., Shusa, M., Takeuchi, T., and Patino, R. 2001. Gonadotropin-dependent oocyte maturational competence requires activation of the protein kinase A pathway and synthesis of RNA and protein in ovarian follicles of Nibe, Nibea mitsukurii (Teleostei, Sciaenidae). Fish Physiology and Biochemistry 25:201-208.	March 2003
Yoshizaki, G., Patino, R., Thomas, P., Bolamba, D., and Chang, X. 2001. Effects of maturation-inducing hormone on heterologous gap junctional coupling in ovarian follicles of Atlantic croaker. General and Comparative Endocrinology 124:359-366.	November 2001
Yamamoto, Y., Yoshizaki, G., Takeuchi, T., Soyano, K., and Patiño, R. 2008. Role of gap junctions during ovarian follicle maturation and of protein kinase A during the development of oocyte maturational competence in Ayu (Plecoglossus altivelis). General and Comparative Endocrinology 155: 789-795.	February 2008
Yamamoto, Y., Yoshizaki, G., Takeuchi, T., Soyano, K., Itoh, F., and Patiño, R. Differential expression and localization of four connexins in the ovary of the ayu (Plecoglossus altivelis). Molecular Reproduction and Development 74, 1113-1123.	September 2007
Yamamoto, Y., Hattori, R.S., Patiño, R., Strüssmann, C.A., 2019. Environmental regulation of sex determination in fishes: Insights from atheriniformes. In, Current Topics in Developmental Biology (Capel, B., editor), chapter 9. Academic Press.	March 2019
Wu, C. Patino, R., Davis, K. B., and Chang, X. 2001. Cellular localization of estrogen recptor a and B transcripts in the testis of channel catfish. General and Comparative Endocrinology 124:12-20.	August 2001
Worthington, TA, SK Brewer, TB Grabowski, and J Mueller. 2014. Backcasting the decline of a vulnerable Great Plains reproductive ecotype: Identifying threats and conservation priorities. Global Change Biology 20:89-102. doi: 10.1111/gcb.12329	January 2014
Worthington, TA, SK Brewer, N Farless, TB Grabowski, and MS Gregory. 2014. Factors affecting the transport time of semibuoyant fish eggs in large, altered river systems. PLoS ONE 9(5): e96599. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0096599	May 2014
Worthington, T.A., S.K. Brewer, T.B. Grabowski, and J. Mueller.2013. Evaluating the sampling efficiency of the Moore egg collector. North American Journal of Fisheries Management 33:79-88. \| Abstract \| Publisher Website	January 2013	Quantitative studies focusing on the collection of semibuoyant fish eggs, which are associated with a pelagic broadcast-spawning reproductive strategy, are often conducted to evaluate reproductive success. Many of the fishes in this reproductive guild have suffered significant reductions in range and abundance. However, the efficiency of the sampling gear used to evaluate reproduction is often unknown and renders interpretation of the data from these studies difficult. Our objective was to assess the efficiency of a modified Moore egg collector (MEC) using field and laboratory trials. Gear efficiency was assessed by releasing a known quantity of gellan beads with a specific gravity similar to that of eggs from representatives of this reproductive guild (e.g., the Arkansas River Shiner Notropis girardi) into an outdoor flume and recording recaptures. We also used field trials to determine how discharge and release location influenced gear efficiency given current methodological approaches. The flume trials indicated that gear efficiency ranged between 0.0% and 9.5% (n = 57) in a simple 1.83-m-wide channel and was positively related to discharge. Efficiency in the field trials was lower, ranging between 0.0% and 3.6%, and was negatively related to bead release distance from the MEC and discharge. The flume trials indicated that the gellan beads were not distributed uniformly across the channel, although aggregation was reduced at higher discharges. This clustering of passively drifting particles should be considered when selecting placement sites for anMEC; further, the use of multiple devices may be warranted in channels with multiple areas of concentrated flow.
Welch-Acosta, B., B.R. Skipper, and C.W. Boal. 2019. Comparative breeding ecology of Mississippi Kites in urban and exurban areas of west Texas. Journal of Field Ornithology 90:248-257	September 2019
Welch, B.C., and C.W. Boal. 2015. Prey use and provisioning rates of urban nesting Mississippi Kites in west Texas. Journal of Raptor Research 49:141-151. \| Abstract	June 2015	ABSTRACT.- Urban ecosystems have become attractive to several species of raptors, especially those that typically use smaller prey, such as the Mississippi Kite (Ictinia mississippiensis). To better understand the niche filled by urban nesting Mississippi Kites, we collected 269 hrs of direct observation at 10 kite nests during the breeding seasons of 2010 and 2011. We assessed prey delivery rates and prey use within and between years, evaluated the influences of nestling age, time of day, and local atmospheric conditions on delivery rates, and examined provisioning rates by male and female kites. A 62% decrease in the prey delivery rate from 2010 to 2011 was attributed to extreme heat and drought during the 2011 breeding season. However, biomass of identified deliveries increased 182% in 2011 due to an increase in avian prey from 1% to 16% of identified deliveries. We found weather conditions influenced the type of prey delivered, but that nestling age and time of day were better predictors of a prey delivery being made. On average, females delivered significantly more prey items than males, but inconsistencies among nests suggest additional factors may be influencing parental effort. Our results indicate that Mississippi Kites will exhibit prey switching under adverse conditions, the ability of urban landscapes to buffer against environmental conditions has limits, and that gender-specific partitioning of foraging efforts may not provide the advantages to kites that are observed in other raptor species.
Welch, B.C., C.W. Boal, and B.R. Skipper. 2017. Environmental influences on nesting phenology and productivity of Mississippi Kites (Ictinia mississippiensis). Condor 119:298-307.	May 2017
Watson, K.A., D.U. Greene, and C.W. Boal. 2019. Breeding and diet of white-tailed kites (Elanus leucurus) in the Texas panhandle. Wilson Journal of Ornithology 131:844-849.	December 2019
Vidal-López, J.M., Álvarez-González, C.A., Contreras-Sánchez, W.M., Patiño, R., Hernández-Franyutti, A.A., Hernández-Vidal, U. 2012. Feminización de juveniles del Robalo Blanco Centropomus undecimalis (Bloch 1792) usando 17β-Estradiol. Revista Ciencias Marinas y Costeras 4: 83-93	November 2012
VanLandeghem, M.M., Meyer, M.D., Cox, S.B., Sharma, B., Patiño, R. 2012. Spatial and temporal patterns of surface water quality and ichthyotoxicity in urban and rural river basins in Texas. Water Research 46: 6638-6651.	November 2012
VanLandeghem, M.M., Farooqi, M., Southard, G., Patiño, R. 2015. Spatiotemporal associations of reservoir nutrient characteristics and the invasive, harmful alga Prymnesium parvum in west Texas. Journal of the American Water Resources Association 51: 487-501.	April 2015
VanLandeghem, M.M., Farooqi, M., Southard, G., Patiño, R. 2015. Associations between water physicochemistry and Prymnesium parvum presence, abundance, and toxicity in west Texas reservoirs. Journal of the American Water Resources Association 51: 471-486. \| Abstract	April 2015	Toxic blooms of golden alga (Prymnesium parvum) have caused substantial ecological and economic harm in freshwater and marine systems throughout the world. In North America, golden alga has invaded freshwater systems including large reservoirs; management of water quality is one proposed option for golden alga control in these systems. We therefore tested the hypothesis that physicochemical characteristics of water influence golden alga presence, abundance, and toxicity in the Upper Colorado River basin (UCR) in west Texas. The UCR contains reservoirs that have experienced repeated blooms and other reservoirs where golden alga is present but has not been toxic. We quantified golden alga abundance (hemocytometer counts), ichthyotoxicity (bioassay), and water quality (surface grab samples) in three impacted reservoirs from the Colorado River or its tributaries; two reference reservoirs from the Concho River; and three sites at the confluence of the Colorado and Concho rivers. Sampling occurred monthly from January 2010 to July 2011. Impacted sites were characterized by higher specific conductance, hardness, and fluoride than reference and confluence sites. Within impacted reservoirs, golden alga abundance and ichthyotoxicity were associated with water temperature. Blooms peaked at ~10°C and generally did not occur above 20°C. Overall, these findings suggest that management of land and water use to reduce hardness or salinity could produce unfavorable conditions for golden alga.
VanLandeghem, M.M., Farooqi, M., Farquhar, B., Patiño, R. 2013. Impacts of golden alga Prymnesium parvum on fish populations in reservoirs of the upper Colorado River and Brazos River basins, Texas. Transactions of the American Fisheries Society 142:581-595.	February 2013
VanLandeghem, M.M., Denny, S., Patiño, R. 2015. Predicting the risk of toxic blooms of golden alga from cell abundance and environmental covariates. Limnology and Oceanography: Methods 13: 568-586. \| Abstract	November 2015	Golden alga (Prymnesium parvum) is a toxic haptophyte that has caused considerable ecological damage to marine and inland aquatic ecosystems worldwide. Studies focused primarily on laboratory cultures have indicated that toxicity is poorly correlated with the abundance of golden alga cells. This relationship, however, has not been rigorously evaluated in the field where the mix of toxic compounds produced by golden alga may differ from cultures, and environmental conditions are also different. The ability to predict toxicity using readily-measured environmental variables and golden alga abundance would allow managers rapid assessments of ichthyotoxicity potential without laboratory bioassay confirmation, which requires additional resources to accomplish. To assess the potential utility of these relationships, several a priori models relating lethal levels of golden alga ichthyotoxicity to golden alga abundance and environmental covariates were constructed. Model parameters were estimated using archived data from four river basins in Texas and New Mexico (Colorado, Brazos, Red, Pecos), their predictive ability was quantified using cross-validation, sensitivity, and specificity, and the relative importance of environmental covariates was determined by Akaike Information Criterion (AIC) values and Akaike weights. Overall, abundance was a generally good predictor of ichthyotoxicity as cross validation of golden alga abundance-only models ranged from ~80% to ~90% (leave-one-out cross-validation). Environmental covariates improved predictions, especially the ability to predict lethally toxic events (i.e. increased sensitivity), and top-ranked environmental variables differed among the four basins. These associations may be useful for monitoring as well as understanding the abiotic factors that influence toxicity during blooms.
Turner, J.W., F. Hernandez, C.W. Boal, B.M. Ballard, F.C. Bryant, and D.B. Wester. 2014. Raptor abundance and northern bobwhite survival and habitat use. Wildlife Society Bulletin 38:689-696.	December 2014
Torres, L., Orazio, C.E., Peterman, P.H., Patiño, R. 2013. Effects of dietary exposure to brominated flame retardant BDE-47 on thyroid condition, gonadal development and growth of zebrafish. Fish Physiology and Biochemistry 39: 1115-1128.	September 2013
Torres L, Nilsen E, Grove R, Patiño R. 2014. Health status of Largescale Sucker (Catostomus macrocheilus) collected along an organic contaminant gradient in the lower Columbia River, Oregon and Washington, USA. Science of the Total Environment 484, 353-364.	April 2014
Tonkin, J. D., Olden, J. D., Merritt, D. M., Reynolds, L. V, Rogosch, J. S., and D. A. Lytle. 2021. Designing flow regimes to support entire river ecosystems. Frontiers in Ecology and the Environment, fee.2348. https://doi.org/10.1002/fee.2348	May 2021
Timmer, J.M., M.J. Butler, W.B. Ballard, C.W. Boal, and H.A. Whitlaw. 2014. Spatially-explicit modeling of lesser prairie-chicken lek density in Texas. Journal of Wildlife Management 78:142-152.	January 2014
Timmer, J.M, M.J. Butler, W.B. Ballard, and C.W. Boal. 2013. Abundance and density of lesser prairie-chicken leks in Texas. Wildlife Society Bulletin 37:741 - 749.	July 2013
Thompson, T.R., C.W. Boal, and D. Lucia. 2009. Grassland bird associations with introduced and native Conservation Reserve Program fields in the Southern High Plains. Western North American Naturalist 69:481-490.	December 2009
Theodorakis, C., R. Patiño, E. Snyder, and E. Albers. 2006. Perchlorate Effects in Fish. In Perchlorate Ecotoxicology, Chapter 7 (R. J. Kendall and P. N. Smith, eds. ), Society of Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry (SETAC)/SETAC Press, Pensacola, FL., pp. 155-184.	September 2007
Taylor, C.M., Miyazono, S., Cheek, C.A., Edwards, R.J., Patiño, R. 2018. The spatial scale of homogenisation and differentiation in Chihuahuan Desert fish assemblages. Freshwater Biology 64, 222–232. https://doi.org/10.1111/fwb.13211	December 2018
Taabu-Munyaho, A., R.J. Kayanda, I. Eversons, T.B. Grabowski, and G. Marteinsdóttir. 2013. Distribution and exploitation of Nile perch Lates niloticus in relation to stratification in Lake Victoria, East Africa. Journal of Great Lakes Research 39:466-475. \| Abstract \| Publisher Website	July 2013	Stratification restricts habitable areas forcing fish to balance between favourable temperature and minimum dissolved oxygen requirements. Acoustic surveys conducted during the stratified and isothermal periods on tropical Lake Victoria indicated that stratification of temperature and dissolved oxygen (DO) affected vertical distribution of Nile perch. There was higher mean temperature (25.6 ±0.5°C) and lower DO (6.4±1.8 mg/l) during stratified period and vice versa (24.9±0.3°C) and (7.3±0.6 mg/l) respectively,during isothermal period. Higher mean densities of Nile perch were recorded in the coastal (0.44± 0.03) and deep (0.27 ± 0.02 g/m3) strata during the stratified compared to the isothermal season (coastal: 0.24 ± 0.01; deep: 0.12 ±0.02 g/m3). In addition, Nile perch density in the upper 0 – 40 m depth layers in the coastal and deep strata increased by over 50% from the isothermal to the stratified season. Daily landings from 65 motorised fishing boats between October 2008 and September 2010 show higher mean catch (26.29±0.17 kg/boat/day) during stratified compared to the isothermal (23.59±0.15) season. Thermal stratification apparently compresses the habitat available to Nile perch and can potentially result in higher exploitation. Managers should evaluate the potential benefits of instituting closed seasons during the stratified period, and stock assessment models should take into account the seasonal niche compression.
Suski, J.G., Salice, C.J., Patiño, R. 2012. Species-specific and transgenerational responses to increasing salinity in sympatric freshwater gastropods. Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry 31:2517-2524.	November 2012
Strussmann, C. A., Karube, M., Miranda, L. A., Patino, R., Somoza, G. M., Uchida, D., and Yamashita, M. 2002. Methods of sex control in fishes and an overview of novel hypotheses concerning the mechanisms of sex differentiation. Proceedings of the International Conference on Advanced Technologies in Fisheries and Marine Sciences, Trivandrum, India.	October 2002
Strobl-Mazzulla, P. H., Lethimonier, C., Guiguen, M. M., Karube, M., Fernandino, J. I., Yoshizaki, G., Patiño, R., Strüssmann, C. A., Kah, O., and Somoza, G. M. 2008. Brain aromatase (Cyp19A2) and estrogen receptors, in larvae and adult pejerrey fish Odontesthes bonariensis. Neuroanatomical and functional relations. General and Comparative Endocrinology 158: 191-201.	December 2008
Strobel, B.N., and C.W. Boal. 2010. Regional variation in the diets of breeding red-shouldered hawks. Wilson Journal of Ornithology 122:68-74.	March 2010
Strobel, B.N., and C.W. Boal. 2010. Red-shouldered Hawk nesting habitat preference in south Texas. Journal of Fish and Wildlife Management 1:33-37.	June 2010
Smithers, B. L., C. W. Boal, and D. E. Andersen. 2005. Northern goshawk diet in Minnesota: an analysis using video recording systems. Journal of Raptor Research 39:264-273.	September 2005
Skipper, B.R., and C.W. Boal. 2019. Nest-defense Behavior of Mississippi Kites in Urban and Exurban Areas. Human-Wildlife Interactions 13:142-149.	May 2019
Skipper, B.R., and C.W. Boal. 2011. Female American kestrel survives double amputation. Journal of Raptor Research 45:374-375.	January 2012
Skipper, B.R., C.W. Boal, J. Tsai, and M.R. Fuller. 2017. Assessment of frequency and duration of point counts when surveying for golden eagle presence. Wildlife Society Bulletin 41:212 - 223.	April 2017
Skipper, B., B. Grisham, M. Kalyvaki, K. McGaughey, K. Mougey, L. Navarrete, R. Rondeau, C.W. Boal, and G. Perry. 2013. Non-overlapping distribution of feral sheep (Ovis aries) and stout iguana (Cyclura pinguis) on Guana Island, British Virgin Islands. IRCF Reptiles and Amphibians 20:188-192.	April 2013
Sharma, P., Tang, S., Mayer, G.D., Patiño, R. 2016. Effects of thyroid endocrine manipulation on sex-related gene expression and population sex ratios in Zebrafish. General and Comparative Endocrinology 235: 38-47.	June 2016
Sharma, P., Patiño, R. 2013. Regulation of gonadal sex ratios and pubertal development by the thyroid endocrine system in zebrafish (Danio rerio). General and Comparative Endocrinology 184:111-119	March 2013
Sharma, P., Grabowski, T.B., Patiño, R. 2016. Thyroid endocrine disruption and external body morphology of Zebrafish. General and Comparative Endocrinology 226: 42-49.	January 2016
Sharma, B., and Patiño, R. 2010. Effects of Cadmium, Estradiol-17β and their interaction on gonadal condition and metamorphosis of male and female African clawed frog, Xenopus laevis. Chemosphere 79: 499-505.	March 2010
Sharma, B., and Patiño, R. 2009. Effects of cadmium on growth, metamorphosis and gonadal sex differentiation in tadpoles of the African clawed frog, Xenopus laevis. Chemosphere 76:1048-1055.	September 2009
Sharma, B., and Patiño, R. 2008. Exposure of Xenopus laevis tadpoles to cadmium reveals concentration-dependent bimodal effects on growth and monotonic effects on development and thyroid gland activity. Toxicological Sciences 105:51-58.	August 2008
Sharma, B., Hu, F., Carr, J.A. and Patiño, R. 2011. Water quality and amphibian health in the Big Bend Region of the Rio Grande Basin. Texas Journal of Science 63: 233-266.	December 2014
Schroeder, E., C.W. Boal, and S.N. Glasscock. 2013. Nestling diets and provisioning rates of sympatric golden-fronted and ladder-backed woodpeckers. Wilson Journal of Ornithology 125:188-192	March 2013
Rugg, M., Hamel, M.J., Pegg, M.A., Patiño, R., and Hammer, J.J. 2015 Reproductive Traits of Shovelnose Sturgeon Scaphirhynchus platorynchus (Rafinesque, 1820) in the Lower Platte River, Nebraska. Journal of Applied Ichthyology 31: 592-602.	August 2015
Ruegg, K.C. Ruegg, M. Brinkmeyer,C.M. Bossu, R. Bay,E.C. Anderson, C.W. Boal, R.D. Dawson, A. Eschenbauch, C.J.W. McClure, K.E. Miller, L. Morrow, J. Morrow, M.D. Oleyar, B. Ralph, S. Schulwitz,T. Swem, J.F. Therrien, T.B. Smith, J.A. Heath. 2021.The American Kestrel Genoscape (Falco sparverius): Implications for Monitoring, Management, and Subspecies Boundaries. Ornithology 138:1-14. DOI: 10.1093/ornithology/ukaa068. \| Abstract \| Download	April 2021	Identifying population genetic structure is useful for inferring evolutionary process as well as defining subspecies boundaries and/or conservation units that can aid in species management. The American Kestrel (<i>Falco sparverius</i>) is a widespread species with two described North American subspecies, (<i>F. s. sparverius </i>and <i>F. s. paulus</i>), the latter in the southeastern United States and the former across the remainder of its distribution. In many parts of their range, American Kestrels have been declining, but it has been difficult to interpret demographic trends without a clearer understanding of gene flow among populations. Here we sequence the first American Kestrel genome and scan the genome of 197 individuals from 12 sampling locations across the range of the two North American subspecies to identify population structure. To validate signatures of population structure and fill in sampling gaps across the breeding range we screen 192 outlier loci in an additional 376 samples from 34 sampling locations. Overall, our analyses support the existence of 5 genetically distinct lineages within American Kestrels—Eastern, Western, Texas, Florida, and Alaska.Interestingly, we find that while our genome-wide genetic data support the existence of previously described subspecies boundaries, genetic differences across the species’ range correlate more with putative migratory phenotypes (resident, long-distance, and short-distance migrants) rather than a priori described subspecies boundaries per se. Based on our results, we suggest the resulting five genetic lineages serve as the foundation for American Kestrel conservation and management in the face of future threats.
Rosen, M.R., Goodbred, S.L., Wong, W.H., Patiño, R., Turner, K., Palmer, C.J., Roefer, P. 2012. Threats and stressors to the health of the ecosystems of Lakes Mead and Mohave. In, Rosen, M.R., Turner, K., Goodbred, S.L., Miller, J.M. (Eds.), A Synthesis of Aquatic Science for Management of Lakes Mead and Mohave (pp. 105-137). U.S. Geological Survey Circular 1381, 162 p.	November 2012
Rosen, M.R., Alvarez, D.A., Goodbred, S.L., Leiker, T.J., and Patiño, R. 2009. Sources and distribution of organic compounds using passive samplers in Lake Mead National Recreation Area, Nevada and Arizona, and their implications for potential effects on aquatic biota. Journal of Environmental Quality 39:1161-1172.	January 2010
Rosen, M. R., Goodbred, S. L., Patiño, R., Leiker, T. A., and Orsak, E. 2006. Investigations of the effects of synthetic chemicals on the endocrine system of common carp in Lake Mead, Nevada and Arizona. U. S. Geological Survey Fact Sheet 2006-3131, 4 p.	October 2006
Rogosch, J. S. and J. D. Olden. 2021. Comparing opportunistic and strategic removal efforts to manage invasive fish species using a dynamic multi‐state occupancy model. Journal of Applied Ecology. https://doi.org/10.1111/1365-2664.14012	September 2021
Roelke DL, Barkoh A, Brooks BW, Grover JP, Hambright KD, La Claire JD, Moeller PDR, Patino R. 2016. A chronicle of a killer alga in the west: Ecology, assessment and management of Prymnesium parvum blooms. Hydrobiologia 764: 29-50.	January 2016
Roberts, A.J., C.W. Boal, and H.A. Whitlaw. 2017. Nesting Ecology of Grassland Birds Following a Wildfire in the Southern Great Plains. Southwestern Naturalist 62:39-45.	March 2017
Roberts, A.J., C.W. Boal, D.B. Wester, S. Rideout-Hanzak, and H.A. Whitlaw. 2012. Grassland bird community response to large wildfires. Wilson Journal of Ornithology 124:24-30	March 2012
Richardson, E.T. and Patiño, R. 2021, Growth of the harmful alga, Prymnesium parvum (Prymnesiophyceae), after gradual and abrupt increases in salinity. Journal of Phycology 57, 1335–1344. https://doi.org/10.1111/jpy.13172. \| Abstract \| Publisher Website	August 2021	<i>Prymnesium parvum</i> is a euryhaline, toxin‐producing microalga. Although its abundance in inland waters and growth potential in the laboratory are reduced at high salinity (>20), the ability of inland strains to adjust their growth after long‐term residence in high salinity is uncertain. An inland strain of <i>P. parvum</i> maintained at salinity of 5 in modified artificial seawater medium (ASM‐5) was subjected to the following treatments over five sequential batch‐culture rounds: ASM‐5 (control); modified ASM at salinity of 30, raised with NaCl; modified ASM at salinity incrementally increased to 30 with NaCl; and Instant Ocean® at salinity of 30 (IO‐30). Exponential growth rate (<i>r</i>) was reduced when salinity was increased from 5 to 30 in ASM but returned to control values during the second round. When salinity was incrementally increased, a reduction in <i>r</i> still occurred when salinity reached 25‐30. Maximum density was reduced at salinity of 30 in ASM upon abrupt transfer or incremental increase, and compensation did not occur. Growth performance in IO‐30 was comparable to control values. In conclusion, (1) long‐term compensation for acute inhibitory effects of high salinity occurred for <i>r</i> but not maximum density, (2) incremental increases in salinity did not prevent growth inhibition, suggesting the existence of a salinity threshold of 25‐30 for onset of salinity stress, and (3) the presence of a seawater‐like salt mixture prevented growth inhibition by high salinity. These findings provide new insights on <i>P. parvum</i>’s long‐term ability to adjust its growth in environments of different salinity and ionic composition.
Reiter, M. E., C.W. Boal, and D. E. Andersen. 2008. Anurans in a subarctic tundra landscape near Cape Churchill, Manitoba. Canadian Field-Naturalist 122:129-137. \| Abstract \| Download \| Publisher Website	December 2009	Distribution, abundance, and habitat relationships of anurans inhabiting subarctic regions are poorly understood, and anuran monitoring protocols developed for temperate regions may not be applicable across large roadless areas of northern landscapes. In addition, arctic and subarctic regions of North America are predicted to experience changes in climate and, in some areas, are experiencing habitat alteration due to high rates of herbivory by breeding and migrating waterfowl. To better understand subarctic anuran abundance, distribution, and habitat associations, we conducted anuran calling surveys in the Cape Churchill region of Wapusk National Park, Manitoba, Canada, in 2004 and 2005. We conducted surveys along ~1-km transects distributed across three landscape types (coastal tundra, interior sedge meadow–tundra, and boreal forest–tundra interface) to estimate densities and probabilities of detection of Boreal Chorus Frogs (Pseudacris maculata) and Wood Frogs (Lithobates sylvaticus). We detected a Wood Frog or Boreal Chorus Frog on 22 (87%) of 26 transects surveyed, but probability of detection varied between years and species and among landscape types. Estimated densities of both species increased from the coastal zone inland toward the boreal forest edge. Our results suggest anurans occur across all three landscape types in our study area, but that species-specific spatial patterns exist in their abundances. Considerations for both spatial and temporal variation in abundance and detection probability need to be incorporated into surveys and monitoring programs for subarctic anurans.
Rashel, R.H. and Patiño, R. 2019. Growth response of the ichthyotoxic haptophyte, Prymnesium parvum Carter, to changes in sulfate and fluoride concentrations. PloS One 14(9): e0223266. \| Publisher Website	September 2019
Rashel, R., Patiño, R. 2017. Influence of genetic background, salinity, and inoculum size on growth of the itchthyotoxic golden alga (Prymnesium parvum). Harmful Algae 66: 97-104. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.hal.2017.05.010	June 2017
Pruett, A. L., C. W. Boal, M. C. Wallace, H. A. Whitlaw, and J. D. Ray. 2010. Small mammal associations with black-tailed prairie dog colonies in the Southern High Plains.Southwestern Naturalist 55:50-56	January 2010
Pruett, A. L., C. W. Boal, M. C. Wallace, H. A. Whitlaw, and J. D. Ray. 2009. Association of Black-tailed prairie dogs with playa lakes and a new approach to estimating size of populations. Southwestern Naturalist 54:19-23.	March 2009
Pope, K. L., Blankinship, D. R., Fisher, M., and Patiño, R. Status of common snook in Texas. Texas Journal of Science 58, 325-332.	September 2007
Pirius, N.E., C.W. Boal, D.A. Haukos, and M.C. Wallace. 2013. Winter habitat use and survival of lesser prairie-chickens in west Texas. Wildlife Society Bulletin 37:759-765.	December 2013
Perry, G., C.W. Boal, R. Verble, and M.C. Wallace. 2020. “Good’ and ‘bad’ urban wildlife. Pages 141-170 in Problematic Wildlife Vol. 2: New conservation and management challenges in the human-wildlife interactions (F.M. Angelici and L. Rossi, editors). Springer International Publishing, Switzerland.	June 2020
Perkins, R., C.W. Boal, and C.B. Dabbert. 2018. Raptor selection of captive rear and release galliform birds. Wildlife Society Bulletin 43:713-715.	December 2018
Perkins, R., C.W. Boal, D. Rollins, and R.M. Perez. 2014. Northern bobwhite predator avoidance behavior in response to varying types of threat. Journal of Wildlife Management 78:1272-1281.	September 2014
Patiño, VanLandeghem, M.M., Goodbred, S.L., Orsak, E., Jenkins, J.A., Echols, K., Rosen, M.R., Torres, L. 2015. Novel associations between contaminant body burdens and biomarkers of reproductive condition in male Common Carp along multiple gradients of contaminant exposure in Lake Mead National Recreation Area, USA. General and Comparative Endocrinology 219: 112-124.	August 2015
Patiño, R., and H. Kagawa. 1999. Regulation of gap junctions and oocyte maturational competence by gonadotropin and insulin-like growth factor-I in ovarian follicles of red seabream. General and Comparative Endocrinology 115:454-462.	November 1999
Patiño, R., Rosen, M.R., Orsak, E.L., Goodbred, S.L., May, T.W., Alvarez, D., Echols, K.R., Wieser, C.M., Ruessler, S., Torres, L. 2012. Patterns of metal composition and biological condition and their association in male common carp across an environmental contaminant gradient in Lake Mead National Recreation Area, Nevada and Arizona, USA. Science of the Total Environment 416:215-224.	January 2012
Patiño, R., Rashel, R.H., Rubio, A., Longing, S. 2018. Growth-suppressing and algicidal properties of an extract from Arundo donax, an invasive riparian plant, against Prymnesium parvum, an invasive harmful alga. Harmful Algae 71: 1–9. doi.org/10.1016/j.hal.2017.11.005	January 2018
Patiño, R., Dawson, D., VanLandeghem, M.M. 2014. Retrospective analysis of the association between water quality and toxic blooms of golden alga (Prymnesium parvum) in Texas reservoirs: implications for understanding dispersal mechanisms and impacts of climate change. Harmful Algae 33, 1-11.	January 2014
Patiño, R., Carr, J.A. 2015. Introduction to Special Issue: Disruption of thyroid, sex steroid, and adrenal hormone systems and their crosstalk in aquatic wildlife. General and Comparative Endocrinology 219: 1-5.	August 2015
Patiño, R. 2019. Sex determination, gonadal sex differentiation, and sex control in Channel Catfish. Pages 477-494 in Sex Control in Aquaculture (H. Wang, F. Piferrer, S. Chen and Z. Shen, eds.), Wiley-Blackwell. https://doi.org/10.1002/9781119127291.ch23 \| Abstract	February 2019	Channel catfish sex is determined at fertilization, according to a male heterogametic system (XX‐XY), but the sex‐determining gene is yet to be elucidated. While progeny sex ratios are typically stable at 1 : 1, sex reversal of genetic male catfish into functional females can be achieved with dietary steroid treatment. Morphological differentiation of ovaries and testes occur at 19 and 90–102 days post‐fertilization, respectively. The considerable time differential between ovarian and testicular differentiations suggests that testis‐inducing signals produced at ≥ 90 dpf are necessary for testicular differentiation in channel catfish –that is, the absence of estrogen production (necessary for ovarian differentiation) earlier in development is insufficient. Thus, testicular differentiation in channel catfish is proposed to occur in two phases: an early phase, when the sex‐determining gene downregulates the gonadal aromatase gene (cyp19a1a) and estrogen production to prevent ovarian differentiation; and a late phase, when masculinizing signals are produced and are required to initiate testicular formation. The products of gsdf and cxcl12 were recently identified for their potential role in the initiation of late‐phase testicular differentiation. All‐male progenies are desirable in channel catfish aquaculture because of their faster growth. A combination of feminizing steroid treatment, selective crossings, and progeny testing has been successfully used to produce YY male individuals that yield all‐male progenies when crossed with normal females. This procedure is time‐ and labor‐consuming, however, and has not been applied in commercial operations. The recent discovery of a male‐specific microsatellite marker may aid in the development of cost‐effective methods to produce YY brood stock.
Patino, R., and Sullivan, C. V. 2002. Ovarian follicle growth, maturation and ovulation in teleost fish. Fish Physiology and Biochemistry 26:57-70.	April 2003
Patino, R., and J. M. Redding. 2000. Microscopic functional anatomy: reproductive systems. In Handbook of Experimental Animals, The Laboratory Fish (G. K. Ostrander, ed. ), Chapter 28. Academic Press, London, UK.	January 2000
Patino, R., Yoshizaki, G., and Thomas, P. 2003. Ovarian follicle maturation and ovulation: an integrated perspective. Fish Physiology and Biochemistry 28:305-308	June 2004
Patino, R., Yoshizaki, G., Thomas, P., and Kagawa, H. 2001. Gonadotropic control of ovarian follicle maturation: the two-stage concept and its mechanisms. Comparative Biochemistry and Physiology Part B 129:427-439.	January 2001
Patino, R., Yoshizaki, G., Bolamba, D., and Thomas, P. 2003. Role of arachidonic acid and protein kinase C during maturation-inducing hormone-dependent meiotic resumption and ovulation in ovarian follicles of Atlantic croaker. Biology of Reprodroduction 68:516-523.	February 2003
Patino, R., Xia, Z., Gale, W. L., Wu, C., Maule, A. G., and Chang, X. 2000. Novel transcripts of the estrogen receptor a gene in channel catfish. General and Comparative Endocrinology 120:314-325.	December 2000
Patino, R., Wainscott, M. R., Cruz-Li, E. I., Balakrishnan, S., McMurry, C., Blazer, V. S., and Anderson, T. A. 2003. Effects of ammonium perchlorate on the reproductive performance and thyroid follicle histology of zebrafish. Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry 22:1115-1121.	May 2003
Patino, R., Goodbred, S. L., Draugelis-Dale, R., Barry, C. E., Foott, J. S., Wainscott, M. R., Gross, T. S., and Covay, K. J. 2003. Morphometric and histopathological parameters of gonadal development in adult common carp from contaminated and reference sites in Lake Mead, Nevada. Journal of Aquatic Animal Health 15:55-68.	May 2003
Patino, R., Chang, X., Yoshizaki, G., Thomas, P., and Kagawa, H. 2000. Role and regulation of gap junctions during oocyte maturation in teleosts. In Proceedings of the Sixth International Symposium of the Reproductive Physiology of Fish (B. Norberg, O. S. Kjesbu, G. L. Taranger, E. Andersson, and S. O. Stefansson, eds. ), pp. 292-294. Institute of Marine Research and University of Bergen, Bergen, Norway.	January 2000
Patino, R., Bolamba, D., Thomas, P., and Kumakura, N. 2005. Effects of external pH on hormonally regulated ovarian follicle maturation and ovulation in Atlantic croaker. Gen. Comp. Endocrinol. 141: 126-134.	March 2005
Patino, R. (Guest Editor). 2002. The Teleost Ovarian Follicle: Development, Function and Histopathology (Preface). Fish Physiology and Biochemistry 26:1.	April 2003
Nishida, C., C.W. Boal, S. DeStefano, and R. G. Hobbs. 2013. Nesting habitat and productivity of Swainson's hawks in Southeastern Arizona. Journal of Raptor Research 47:377-384.	December 2013
Nilsen E, Zaugg S, Alvarez D, Morace J, Waite I, Counihan T, Hardiman J, Torres L, Patiño R, Mesa M, Grove R. 2014. Contaminants of legacy and emerging concern in largescale suckers (Catostomus macrocheilus) and the foodweb in the lower Columbia River, Oregon and Washington, USA. Science of the Total Environment 484, 344-352.	April 2014
Navarette, L., B. Grisham, M. Kalyvaki, K. McGaughey, K. Mougey, B. Skipper, G. Perry, and C. Boal. 2013. Diurnal activity patterns of black-necked stilts (Himantopus mexicanus) during the non-breeding season in the eastern Caribbean. Journal of Caribbean Ornithology 26:17-21.	May 2014
Mukhi, S., and Patiño, R. 2008. Effects of hexahydro-1, 3, 5-trinitro-1, 3, 5-triazine (RDX) in zebrafish: General and reproductive toxicity. Chemosphere 72:726-732	June 2008
Mukhi, S., and Patiño, R. 2007. Effects of prolonged exposure to perchlorate on thyroid and reproductive function in zebrafish. Toxicological Sciences 96, 246-254.	September 2007
Mukhi, S., Torres, L., and Patiño, R. 2007. Effects of larval-juvenile treatment with perchlorate and co-treatment with thyroxine on zebrafish sex ratios. Gen. Comp. Endocrinol. 150:486-494	September 2007
Mukhi, S., Pan, X., Cobb, G. P., Patino, R. 2005. Toxicity of hexahydro-1, 3, 5-trinitro-1, 3, 5-triazine (RDX) to larval zebrafish. Chemosphere 64:178-185.	September 2005
Mukhi, S., Carr, J. A., Anderson, T. A., Patino, R. 2005. Novel biomarkers of perchlorate exposure in zebrafish. Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry 24:1107-1115.	May 2005
Mueller JS, Cheek BD, Chen Q, Groeschel J, Brewer SK, & Grabowski TB. 2013. A simple device for measuring the minimum current velocity to maintain semi-buoyant fish eggs in suspension. The Prairie Naturalist 45:84-89. \| Abstract \| Download	December 2013	Pelagic broadcast spawning cyprinids are common to Great Plains rivers and streams. This reproductive guild produces non-adhesive semi-buoyant eggs that require sufficient current velocity to remain in suspension during development. Although studies have shown that there may be a minimum velocity needed to keep the eggs in suspension, this velocity has not been estimated directly nor has the influence on egg buoyancy caused by physicochemical factors been determined. We developed a simple, inexpensive flow chamber that allowed for evaluation of minimum current velocity needed to keep semi-buoyant eggs in suspension at any time frame during egg development. The device described here has the capability of testing the minimum current velocity needed to keep semi-buoyant eggs in suspension at a wide range of physicochemical conditions. We used gellan beads soaked in freshwater for 0, 24, and 48 hrs as egg surrogates and evaluated minimum current velocities necessary to keep them in suspension at different combinations of temperature (20.0±1.0°C, 25.0±1.0°C, and 28.0±1.0°C) and total dissolved solids (TDS; 1,000±300 mg L-1, 3,000±300 mg L-1, and 6,000±300 mg L-1). We found that our methodology generated consistent, repeatable results within treatment groups. Current velocities ranging from 0.001-0.026 needed to keep the gellan beads in suspension were negatively correlated to soak times and TDS and positively correlated with temperature. The flow chamber seems to be a viable approach for evaluating minimum current velocities needed to keep the eggs of pelagic broadcast spawning cyprinids in suspension during development.
Miyazono, S., Patiño, R., Taylor, C.A. 2015. Desertification, salinization, and biotic homogenization in a dryland river ecosystem. Science of the Total Environment 511: 444-453.	January 2015
Mitchell, N.R., C.W. Boal, and B.R. Skipper. 2020. Distribution, density, and land cover associations of wintering golden eagles in the southern Great Plains. Western North American Naturalist 80:452-461.	January 2021
Merriman, J. W., P. J. Zwank, C. W. Boal, and T. L. Bashore. 2004. Efficacy of visual barriers in reduction of black-tailed prairie dog colony expansion. Wildlife Society Bulletin 32:1316-1320	December 2004
Merriman, J. W., C. W. Boal, T. L. Bashore, P. J. Zwank, and D. B. Wester. 2007. Abundance of diurnal raptors in relation to prairie dog colonies: implications for bird aircraft strike hazard (BASH). Journal of Wildlife Management 71:811-815.	June 2007
Melton, C. M, Zaunbrecher, G. M., Yoshizaki, G., Patino, R., Whisnant, C. S., Rendon, A., and Lee, V. H. 2001. Expression of connexin RNA and protein in developing follicles of prepubertal porcine ovaries. Comparative Biochemistry and Physiology Part B 130:43-55.	January 2001
McAdam BJ, TB Grabowski & G Marteinsdóttir. 2012. Testing for differences in spatial distributions from telemetry data. Fisheries Research 127-128: 148–153. doi: 10.1016/j.fishres.2012.02.024 \| Abstract \| Publisher Website	March 2012	Spatial distribution is increasingly studied using individual based telemetric methods in lieu of, or supplementing, surveys. Distributions may be in two- or three-dimensions, or in an abstract space such as depth-temperature space. One of the most basic questions one might address when analyzing these data is whether the distributions of two species, populations, genders, age classes, or other units are different. However due to the inherent differences between survey and telemetric approaches, it is difficult for practitioners to find a simple and easily applied approach to answer this question. In contrast to surveys, telemetry collects a large amount of data about a small number of individuals. Methods must therefore account for the random effects of individual variation in a way not otherwise necessary. We will demonstrate, for example, that tests suitable for detecting differences in distributions from survey data can give false positives (type I errors) when faced with telemetry data. This is essentially because the test treats the large number of data points as a very high n, but in fact the small number of individuals makes the n very small. As a solution, we present a test for differences in distribution based on an existing test for survey data based upon randomizing the data at the level of individuals rather than observations.
McAdam BJ, TB Grabowski & G Marteinsdóttir. 2012. Identification of stock components using morphological markers. Journal of Fish Biology 81:1447-1462. doi: 10.1111/j.1095-8649.2012.03384.x \| Abstract \| Publisher Website	September 2012	This study investigated the development of a quantitative method for distinguishing stock components of Icelandic cod Gadus morhua based on visual examination of morphology. The stock is known to be structured into genetically distinct geographic components (north and south of Iceland) and behavioural types that spawn sympatrically. Differences in morphology were tested between locations, genotypes (a proxy for behaviour) and sexes. Results show morphological markers on the head, fins and body of G. morhua that are correlated with the sex, genotype of the fish at the pantophysin (Pan-I) locus and the location at which the fish were caught. Females were found to have relatively deep bodies, and the Pan-IBB genotype (associated with deep water feeding behaviour) have greater gaps between their fins. Overall, morphology is more useful for distinguishing sympatric genotypes but less powerful at identifying genetically distinct geographic sub-populations,perhaps because counter-gradient evolution reduces phenotypic differences even with an underlying genetic cause.
Mather, M. E., J. M. Smith, K. M. Boles, R. B Taylor, C. G. Kennedy, S. M. Hitchman, J. S. Rogosch, and H. M. Frank. 2021. Merging scientific silos: Integrating specialized approaches for thinking about and using spatial data that can provide new directions for persistent fisheries problems. Fisheries. https://doi.org/10.1002/fsh.10645	June 2021
Mannan, R.N., G.Perry, D.E. Andersen, and C.W. Boal. 2014. Call broadcasting and automated recorders as tools for anuran surveys in a subarctic tundra landscape. Journal of North American Herpetology 2014(1):47-52. \| Download	January 2014
Mannan, R. W., and C. W. Boal. 2004. Birds of prey in urban landscapes. Pages 105-117 in People and predators: from conflict to coexistence (N. Fascione, A. Delach, and M. E. Smith, eds. ). Island Press, Washington D. C.	October 2004
Mannan, R. W., W. W. Shaw, W. A. Estes, M. Alanen, and C. W. Boal. 2004. A preliminary assessment of the attitudes of people towards Cooper's hawks nesting in an urban environment. Pages 87-92 in W. W. Shaw, L. K. Harris and L. VanDruff (eds. ). Proceedings of the 4th International Symposium on Urban Wildlife Conservation. May 1-5 1999, Tucson, AZ.	September 2004
Mannan, R. W., R. Steidl, and C. W. Boal. Identifying habitat sinks: a case study of Cooper's hawks in an urban environment. Urban Ecosystems 11:141-148.	June 2008
Mannan, R. W., R. N. Mannan, C. A. Schmidt, W. A. Estes-Zumpf, and C. W. Boal. 2007. Influence of natal experience on nest site selection by urban-nesting Cooper's hawks. Journal of Wildlife Management 71:64-68.	April 2007
López-Altarriba, E., Patiño, R., Vázquez-Sauceda, M.L., Pérez-Castañeda, R., Arellano-Méndez, L.U., Ventura, R., Heyer, L. 2020. Water quality and ecological risk assessment of intermittent streamflow through mining and urban areas of San Marcos River sub-basin, Mexico. Environmental Nanotechnology, Monitoring & Management 14, 100369.	December 2020
López, E., Patiño , R., Vázquez-Sauceda, M.L., Pérez-Castañeda, R., Arellano-Méndez, L.U., Ventura, R., Heyer, L. Water data of intermittent streamflow through mining and urban areas. Environmental Nanotechnology, Monitoring & Management.	October 2020
Lyons, J.E., K.S. Kalasz, G. Breese, and C.W. Boal. 2020. Resource allocation for coastal wetland management: confronting uncertainty about sea level rise. Chapter 10 in Case studies in decision analysis for natural resource management (M.C. Runge, S.J. Converse, J.E. Lyons, and D.R. Smith, eds.). Johns Hopkins University Press, Baltimore, MD.	June 2020
Kendall, R. J., T. A Anderson, R. J. Baker, C. M. Bens, J. A. Carr, L. A. Chiodo, G. P. Cob III, R. L. Dickerson, K. R. Dixon, L. T. Frame, M. J. Hooper, C. F. Martin, S. T. McMurry, R. Patino, E. E. Smith, C. W. Theodorakis. 2001. Environmental Toxicology. In: Casarett & Doull's Toxicology, the Basic Sciences of Poisons. 6th Ed. C. D. Klaassen, (ed).	January 2001
Karube, M., Fernandino, J. I., Strobl-Mazzulla, P., Strüssmann, C. A., Yoshizaki, G., Somoza, G. M., and Patiño, R. 2007. Characterization and expression profile of the ovarian cytochrome p-450 aromatase (cyp19a1) gene during the thermolabile sex determination period in pejerrey, Odontesthes bonariensis. Journal of Experimental Zoology 307A: 625-636.	October 2007
Jenkins JA, Olivier HM, Draugelis-Dale RO, Eilts BE, Torres L, Patiño R, Nilsen E, Goodbred SL. 2014. Assessing reproductive and endocrine parameters in male largescale suckers (Catostomus macrocheilus) along a contaminant gradient in the lower Columbia River, USA. Science of the Total Environment 484, 365-378.	April 2014
Jarnevich, C. S., T. R. Holcombe, B. A. Grisham, J. Timmer, C. W. Boal, M. Butler, J. Pitman, S. Kyle, D. Klute, G. Beauprez, A. Janus, and B. Van Pelt. 2016. Assessing range-wide habitat suitability for the Lesser Prairie-Chicken. Avian Conservation and Ecology 11(1):2. http://dx.doi.org/10.5751/ACE-00807-110102	March 2016
Iwanowicz, L.R., Stafford, J., Patiño, R., Bengten, E., Miller, N.W., and Blazer, V. 2014. Channel catfish (Ictalurus punctatus) leukocytes express estrogen receptor isoforms ERα and ERβ2 and are functionally modulated by estrogens. Fish & Shellfish Immunology 40:109-119.	July 2014
Israël NMD, VanLandeghem MM, Denny S, Ingle J, and Patiño R. 2014. Golden alga presence and abundance are inversely related to salinity in a high-salinity river ecosystem, Pecos River, USA. Harmful Algae 39: 81-91. \| Abstract	July 2014	Prymnesium parvum (golden alga, GA) is a toxigenic harmful alga native to marine ecosystems that has also affected brackish inland waters. The first toxic bloom of GA in the western hemisphere occurred in the Pecos River, one of the saltiest rivers in North America. Environmental factors (water quality) associated with GA occurrence in this basin, however, have not been examined. Water quality and GA presence and abundance were determined at eight sites in the Pecos River basin with or without prior history of toxic blooms. Sampling was conducted monthly from January 2012 to July 2013. Specific conductance (salinity) varied spatiotemporally between 4,408 and 73,786 μS/cm. Results of graphical, principal component (PCA), and zero-inflated Poisson (ZIP) regression analyses indicated that the incidence and abundance of GA are reduced as salinity increases spatiotemporally. LOWESS regression and correlation analyses of archived data for specific conductance and GA abundance at one of the study sites retrospectively confirmed the negative association between these variables. Results of PCA also suggested that at < ~15,000 μS/cm, GA was present at a relatively wide range of nutrient (nitrogen and phosphorus) concentrations whereas at higher salinity, GA was observed only at mid-to-high nutrient levels. Generally consistent with earlier studies, results of ZIP regression indicated that GA presence is positively associated with organic phosphorus and in samples where GA is present, GA abundance is positively associated with organic nitrogen and negatively associated with inorganic nitrogen. This is the first report of an inverse relation between salinity and GA presence and abundance in riverine waters and of interaction effects of salinity and nutrients in the field. These observations contribute to a more complete understanding of environmental conditions that influence GA distribution in inland waters.
Hull, J. M., B. N. Strobel, C. W. Boal, A. C. Hull, C. R. Dykstra, A. M. Irish, A. M. Fish, and H. B. Ernest. 2008. Comparative phylogeography and population genetics within Buteo lineatus reveals evidence of distinct evolutionary lineages. Molecular Phylogenetics and Evolution 39:988-996.	December 2008
Huber, C. G., T. B. Grabowski, K. L. Pope, and R. Patiño. 2014. Distribution and habitat associations of juvenile common snook in the lower Rio Grande, Texas. Marine and Coastal Fisheries 6:170-180. \| Abstract \| Download \| Publisher Website	July 2014	Common Snook Centropomus undecimalis was once abundant off the Texas coast, but these populations are now characterized by low abundance and erratic recruitment. Most research concerning Common Snook in North America has been conducted in Florida and very little is known about the specific biology and habitat needs of Common Snook in Texas. The primary objective of this study was to describe the habitat use patterns of juvenile Common Snook and their role in the fish assemblage in the lower portion of the Rio Grande, Texas. Secondarily, we documented the relationship between age and juvenile reproductive development. Fish were collected during January-March 2006 from the lower 51.5 km of the Rio Grande using a bottom trawl and boat-mounted electrofisher. Measurements of water quality (temperature, dissolved oxygen, conductivity, etc.) and other habitat traits (bank slope, presence of vegetation or woody debris, flow, etc.) were recorded at each sampling site. We captured Common Snook (n = 225) exclusively in freshwater habitats above river kilometer 12.9. The distribution of juvenile Common Snook was not random, but influenced primarily by turbidity and dissolved oxygen. Sex differentiation and gonadal development based on histological examination of gonads established that age–1 and age–2 Common Snook were juvenile, prepubertal males. There was no difference between the age groups in their overall distribution in the river. However, age-2 Common Snook were associated with deeper areas with faster currents, higher conductivity, and steeper banks. Overall, Common Snook in the lower Rio Grande show substantial differences in habitat use than counterparts in other parts of the range of the species, but it is unclear whether this is due to differences in habitat availability, behavioral plasticity, or some combination thereof.
Hu, F., Sharma, B., Mukhi, S., Patino, R., and Carr, J. 2006. The Colloidal Thyroxine (T4) Ring as a Novel Biomarker of Perchlorate Exposure in the African Clawed Frog Xenopus laevis. Toxicological Science 93:268-277.	September 2006
Heath, K.M., W.C. Conway, C.W. Boal, D.P., Collins, G. Hensley, W.P. Johnson, and P.M. Schmidt. 2021. Detectability and abundance of snowy plovers at the Salt Plains National Wildlife Refuge, Oklahoma. J. Fish and Wildlife Management 12:50-60. \| Abstract	April 2021	Abstract In the past two decades, Salt Plains National Wildlife Refuge (NWR) has been increasingly recognized as important habitat for both breeding and migratory shorebirds. Snowy plovers (<i>Charadrius nivosus</i>) in particular rely on the nearly 5,000 ha salt flat at Salt Plains NWR, which thousands use as breeding and stopover habitat. Elsewhere on the Southern Great Plains (SGP), decadal declines up to 75% within snowy plover subpopulations have been documented and attributed to vegetation encroachment, increased rates of nest predation, and decreased availability of fresh surface water. Despite many attempts to estimate this species’ abundance across the continent, to date, no known attempt at distance sampling of snowy plovers has occurred. To address this paucity of data, this study was designed to assess feasibility of distance sampling methods to accurately estimate snowy plover abundance and to determine their detectability. Distance sampling surveys (2017-2018) indicated high detection probability (<i>P</i> = 0.81) and the population abundance estimate across the salt flat extrapolated to 3,246 individuals. The distance sampling population abundance estimate is lower than population abundance estimates determined by Thomas et al. (2012) and the 2013-2017 refuge annual surveys (Hensley et al. unpublished data), but far greater than 2,105 estimated for the entire Great Plains (Morrison et al. 2006). Overall, distance sampling snowy plovers at Salt Plains NWR proved to be an effective addition to pre-established survey protocols but further investigation is needed to compare accuracy and precision of methods used in this study, annual surveys conducted by the refuge, and other potential snowy plover surveys.
Haukos, D.A., and C.W. Boal (editors). 2016. Ecology and conservation of lesser prairie-chickens. Studies in Avian Ecology, No. 48. CRC Press, Boca Raton, FL, USA. 376 pp.	February 2016
Haukos, D.A., C.W. Boal, S. Carleton, and B. Grisham. 2018. Roles of Cooperative Research Units in contemporary conservation of natural resources. Transactions of the North American Wildlife and Natural Resources Conference 80:124-132.	October 2018
Harryman, S.W.H., B.A. Grisham, C.W. Boal, S.S. Kahl, R.R. Martin, and C.A. Hagen. 2019. Multiscale habitat selection of lesser prairie-chickens in an agriculture/conservation reserve program land matrix. Journal of Fish and Wildlife Management 10:126-136.	June 2019
Haralson-Strobel, C.L., C.W. Boal, and C.C. Farquhar. 2020. Nest site selection of White-tailed Hawks (Geranoaetus albicaudatus) on Texas barrier islands. Wilson Journal of Ornithology 132:668-677.	February 2021
Hagen, C.A., B.A. Grisham, C.W. Boal, and D.A. Haukos. 2013. A meta-analysis of lesser prairie-chicken nesting and brood rearing habitats: implications for habitat management. Wildlife Society Bulletin 37:750 - 758.	August 2013
Grisham, B.A., and C.W. Boal. 2015. Causes of Mortality and Temporal Patterns in Breeding Season Survival of Lesser Prairie-Chickens in Shinnery Oak Prairies. Wildlife Society Bulletin 39:536-542. \| Abstract	September 2015	ABSTRACT Baseline survival and mortality data for lesser prairie-chickens (Tympanuchus pallidicinctus) are lacking in shinnery oak (Quercus havardii) prairies, hampering sound conservation strategies for the species in the southern and western periphery of its range. This is especially relevant given reported differences in life history strategy for this species across its range and the current review of the species candidate status for protection under the United States Endangered Species Act. We investigated cause-specific mortality and male and female survival of lesser prairie-chickens during the breeding season (1 March – 31 August) of 2008–2011 in Cochran, Hockley, Terry, and Yoakum counties, Texas. We recorded 51 deaths (32 males, 19 females) of radio-tagged individuals and attributed the majority of male (28%) and females (40%) deaths to mammalian predators. The model averaged probability of a male lesser prairie-chicken surviving the duration of the breeding season was 0.57 (SE = 0.08; 95% CI: 0.40, 0.72); survival was most strongly influenced by the breeding season interval, with lower survival probabilities in June. The probability of a female lesser prairie-chicken surviving the breeding season varied among year and breeding season interval, but was lowest when hens were incubating nests. Overall, the probability of a female lesser prairie chicken surviving the breeding season was highest in 2010 (0.89; SE = 0.09; 95% CI: 0.53, 0.98) and lowest in 2011 2011 (0.71; SE = 0.14; 95% CI: 0.38, 0.90). Our results are consistent with previous studies that report mammals as the main predator on adult lesser prairie-chickens during the breeding season, and female mortalities are most frequent during nest incubation. Lastly, our data suggest survival during the breeding season is acceptable at current levels and therefore unlikely as a primary limiting demographic factor for lesser prairie-chickens in shinnery oak prairies.
Grisham, B.A., P.K. Borsdorf, C.W. Boal, and K.K. Boydston. 2014. Nesting ecology and nest survival of lesser prairie-chickens on the southern high plains of Texas. Journal of Wildlife Management 78:857-866	July 2014
Grisham, B.A., J.C. Zavaleta, A.C. Behney, P.K. Borsdorf, D.R. Lucia, C.W. Boal, and D.A. Haukos. 2016. Ecology and Conservation of Lesser Prairie-Chickens in Sand Shinnery Oak Prairies. Pp. 315-344 in D.A. Haukos and C.W. Boal (editors), Ecology and conservation of Lesser Prairie-Chickens. Studies in Avian Biology (no. 48), CRC Press, Boca Raton, FL. \| Abstract	February 2016	Abstract. Sand shinnery oak (Quercus havardii) prairies are unique ecosystems endemic to sandy soils of eastern New Mexico, northwestern Texas, and western Oklahoma; the historic and current distribution of the Lesser Prairie-Chicken (Tympanuchus pallidicinctus) overlaps these prairie systems. Lesser Prairie-Chicken populations in sand shinnery oak prairies of the Southern Great Plains have declined substantially since the late 1980s, most likely due to conversion of nesting and brood-rearing habitat to row-crop agriculture and extended periods of drought. In addition to threats universal throughout the species distribution, this population is susceptible to a changing climate in an area that is already representative of an extreme environment for ground-nesting birds. Recent studies of Lesser Prairie-Chicken ecology in sand shinnery oak prairies have expanded our knowledge on the ecology and management of the species, but a thorough review of the historic and current literature is lacking. In addition, current management guidelines exist for Lesser Prairie-Chickens in mixed grass and sand sagebrush prairies, but there are no comprehensive management guidelines for the species in sand shinnery oak prairies. This information is paramount given unique aspects of the vegetation community, relative ecosystem drivers, and environmental variation in sand shinnery oak prairie and the species’ current status as a proposed threatened species under the United States Endangered Species Act. Herein, we provide a thorough synthesis of literature pertaining to the life history, habitat requirements, habitat management, and population management for Lesser Prairie-Chickens in sand shinnery oak prairie, provide management guidelines and recommendations for the species in this ecoregion, and highlight current and future research needs. Within our objectives, we place emphasis on two recently completed long-term investigations into Lesser Prairie-Chicken ecology in sand shinnery oak prairie - a 10-year vegetation data set collected in Roosevelt County, New Mexico, 2001–2011 and a 6-year Lesser Prairie-Chicken data set collected in Roosevelt County, New Mexico and Cochran, Hockley, Terry, and Yoakum counties, Texas, 2006–2012.
Grisham, B.A., C.W. Boal, D.A. Haukos, D.M. Davis, K.K. Boydston, C. Dixon, and W.R. Heck. 2013. The predicted influence of climate change on lesser prairie-chicken reporductive parameters. PLoS ONE 8(7):e68225, doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0068225 \| Abstract \| Publisher Website	July 2013	The Southern High Plains is anticipated to experience significant changes in temperature and precipitation due to climate change. These changes may influence the lesser prairie-chicken (Tympanuchus pallidicinctus) in positive or negative ways. We assessed the potential changes in clutch size, incubation start date, and nest survival for lesser prairie-chickens for the years 2050 and 2080 based on modeled predictions of climate change and reproductive data for lesser prairie-chickens from 2001–2011 on the Southern High Plains of Texas and New Mexico. We developed 9 a priori models to assess the relationship between reproductive parameters and biologically relevant weather conditions. We selected weather variable(s) with the most model support and then obtained future predicted values from climatewizard.org. We conducted 1,000 simulations using each reproductive parameter’s linear equation obtained from regression calculations, and the future predicted value for each weather variable to predict future reproductive parameter values for lesser prairie-chickens. There was a high degree of model uncertainty for each reproductive value. Winter temperature had the greatest effect size for all three parameters, suggesting a negative relationship between above-average winter temperature and reproductive output. The above-average winter temperatures are correlated to La Niña events, which negatively affect lesser prairie-chickens through resulting drought conditions. By 2050 and 2080, nest survival was predicted to be below levels considered viable for population persistence; however, our assessment did not consider annual survival of adults, chick survival, or the positive benefit of habitat management and conservation, which may ultimately offset the potentially negative effect of drought on nest survival.
Grisham, B.A., A. Godar, C.W. Boal, and D.A. Haukos. 2016. Interactive effects between nest microclimate and nest vegetation structure confirm microclimate thresholds for Lesser Prairie-Chicken nest survival. Condor 118:728-746.	October 2016
Grier, H.J., Uribe Aranzábal, M.C., and Patiño, R. 2009. The ovary, folliculogenesis, and oogenesis in teleosts. In Reproductive Biology and Phylogeny of Fishes, Chapter 2 (B.G.M. Jamieson, ed.), Volume 8A. Science Publishers, Enfield, New Hampshire, USA.	April 2009
Granberg, R., L.E. Brown, J.L. East, A.L. Garcia, A.J. Godar, M.F. Mejia, C.W. Boal, and G. Perry. 2016. Assessing Feral Sheep Effects on Plant Composition and Structure in a Caribbean Tropical Dry Forest. Caribbean Naturalist 33:1-18.	August 2016
Grabowski, TB, V Thorsteinsson, BJ McAdam, & G Marteinsdóttir. 2011. Evidence of segregated spawning in a single marine fish stock: sympatric divergence of ecotypes in Icelandic cod? PLoS ONE 6(3):e17528. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0017528 \| Abstract \| Download \| Publisher Website	March 2011	There is increasing recognition of intraspecific diversity and population structure within marine fish species, yet there is little direct evidence of the isolating mechanisms that maintain it or documentation of its ecological extent. We analyzed depth and temperature histories collected by electronic data storage tags retrieved from 104 Atlantic cod at liberty ≥ 1 year to evaluate a possible isolating mechanisms maintaining population structure within the Icelandic cod stock. This stock consists of two distinct behavioral types, resident coastal cod and migratory frontal cod, each occurring within two geographically distinct populations. Despite being captured together on the same spawning grounds, we show the behavioral types seem reproductively isolated by fine-scale differences in spawning habitat selection, primarily depth. Additionally, the different groups occupied distinct seasonal thermal and bathymetric niches that generally demonstrated low levels of overlap throughout the year. Our results indicate that isolating mechanisms, such as differential habitat selection during spawning, might contribute to maintaining diversity and fine-scale population structure in broadcast-spawning marine fishes.
Grabowski TB. 2016. Assessing the feasibility of using acoustic monitoring for Burbot conservation, management, and production. Report provided by the Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Unit Program under agreement with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. U.S. Department of Interior, Fish and Wildlife Service, Cooperator Science Series FWS/CSS-118-2016, National Conservation Training Center. \| Abstract \| Download \| Publisher Website	March 2016	Burbot Lota lota is the sole freshwater representative of the cod-like fishes and is a commercially and recreationally important species found worldwide above approximately 40° N. It is a difficult species to effectively manage due to its preference for deep-water habitats and that its spawning and other aspects of its early life history are completed under the ice in winter. Like most gadiform fishes, Burbot use acoustic signaling as part of their mating system, and while the acoustic repertoire of the species has been characterized under artificial conditions (i.e., net pen suspended under ice in a natural lake), there has been no work to determine whether the species is as vocal in natural spawning aggregations. Our objective was to assess the feasibility of collecting and using acoustic data to characterize the spawning activity and locations of Burbot under field conditions. We recorded audio and video of Burbot spawning aggregations through holes drilled into the ice at known spawning grounds at Moyie Lake in British Columbia, Canada. Acoustic recordings were analyzed using Raven Pro v 1. 4 to count the number of calls and their characteristics. Acoustic behavior was also related to the video data to determine how acoustic activity correlates to any observed spawning behavior. In general, wild Burbot spawning in Moyie Lake do not vocalize as frequently as counterparts spawning under artificial conditions. Further, Burbot vocalizations were not recorded in conjunction with spawning activity. While it may be feasible to use passive acoustic monitoring to locate Burbot spawning grounds and identify periods of activity, it does not seem to hold much promise for locating and quantifying spawning activity in real time.
Grabowski TB. 2014. Suckers (particularly Moxostoma spp.). Pages 56-63 in MM Davis & SK Brewer (eds.). Gulf Coast Prairie Landscape Conservation Cooperative Regional Hypotheses of Ecological Responses to Flow Alteration. A report by the GCP LCC Flow-Ecology Hypotheses Committee to the Southeast Aquatic Resources Partnership (SARP) for the GCP LCC Instream Flow Project. Wildlife Management Institute Grant Number GCP LCC 2012-003.	July 2014
Grabowski TB. 2014. Guadalupe bass (Micropterus treculii). Pages 42-48 in MM Davis & SK Brewer (eds.). Gulf Coast Prairie Landscape Conservation Cooperative Regional Hypotheses of Ecological Responses to Flow Alteration. A report by the GCP LCC Flow-Ecology Hypotheses Committee to the Southeast Aquatic Resources Partnership (SARP) for the GCP LCC Instream Flow Project. Wildlife Management Institute Grant Number GCP LCC 2012-003.	July 2014
Grabowski TB, Young SP, JJ Isely, & PC Ely. 2012. Age, growth, and reproductive biology of catostomid species from the Apalachicola River, Florida. Journal of Fish and Wildlife Management 3(2):223-237. doi: 10.3996/012012-JFWM-008 \| Abstract \| Publisher Website	September 2012	Riverine catostomids can show a wide range of interspecific variation in life history characteristics. Understanding these differences is an important consideration in evaluating the sensitivity of these fishes to disturbance and in formulating effective conservation strategies, particularly when dealing with an assemblage consisting of multiple species within a watershed. We collected Apalachicola redhorse Moxostoma n. sp. cf. poecilurum (n = 125), spotted sucker Minytrema melanops (n = 94), and quillback Carpiodes cyprinus (n = 94) to determine age, growth and reproductive biology of spawning catostomids in the Apalachicola River. Quillback was the smallest in total length at age; longest-lived; most fecund; and produced the smallest eggs. Apalachicola redhorse was the largest in body size; had an intermediate life span; and produced the fewest yet largest eggs. Spotted sucker was more similar to Apalachicola redhorse in most characteristics. Growth during ages 1-3 in all three species seemed to be negatively related to the proportion of observations of extreme flow, both high (Q90) and low (Q10), per year and a positive response in growth rate to high flows (>Q75 but < Q90). However, Apalachicola redhorse and spotted sucker growth was more sensitive to flow conditions than that of quillback. Our results suggest the life histories and ecological response of Apalachicola River catostomids to flow regulation are important components for developing strategies that incorporate the needs of these fishery resources into an ecosystem-based management approach.
Grabowski TB, KM Boswell, BJ McAdam, RJD Wells & G Marteinsdóttir. 2012. Characterization of Atlantic cod spawning habitat and behavior in Icelandic coastal waters. PLOS One 7(12):e51321-e51331. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0051321 \| Abstract \| Publisher Website	December 2012	The physical habitat used during spawning may potentially be an important factor affecting reproductive output of broadcast spawning marine fishes, particularly for species with com-plex, substrate-oriented mating systems and behaviors, such as Atlantic cod Gadus morhua. We characterized the habitat use and behavior of spawning Atlantic cod at two locations off the coast of southwestern Iceland during a 2-d research cruise (15-16 April 2009). We simul-taneously operated two different active hydroacoustic gear types, a split beam echosounder and a dual frequency imaging sonar (DIDSON), as well as a remotely operated underwater vehicle (ROV). A total of five fish species were identified through ROV surveys: including cusk Brosme brosme, Atlantic cod, haddock Melanogrammus aeglefinus, lemon sole Microstomus kitt, and Atlantic redfish Sebastes spp. Of the three habitats identified in the acoustic surveys, the transitional habitat between boulder/lava field and sand habitats was characterized by greater fish density and acoustic target strength compared to that of sand or boulder/lava field habitats independently. Atlantic cod were observed behaving in a manner consistent with published descriptions of spawning. Individuals were observed ascending 1-5 m into the water column from the bottom at an average vertical swimming speed of 0.20-0.25 m s-1 and maintained an average spacing of 1.0-1.4 m between individuals. Our results sug-gest that cod do not choose spawning locations indiscriminately despite the fact that it is a broadcast spawning fish with planktonic eggs that are released well above the seafloor.
Grabowski TB, BJ McAdam, V Thorsteinsson, & G Marteinsdottir. 2015. Evidence from data storage tags for the presence of lunar and semilunar behavioral cycles in spawning Atlantic cod. Environmental Biology of Fishes 98:1767-1776. \| Abstract \| Download \| Publisher Website	June 2015	Understanding the environmental processes determining the timing and success of reproduction is of critical importance to developing effective management strategies of marine fishes. Unfortunately it has proven difficult to comprehensively study the reproductive behavior of broadcast-spawning fishes. The use of electronic data storage tags (DSTs) has the potential to provide insights into the behavior of fishes allowing for data collection over relatively large spatial and temporal scales that can be correlated to predicted environmental conditions and ultimately be used to refine predictions of year class strength. In this paper we present data retrieved from DSTs demonstrating that events putatively identified as Atlantic cod spawning behavior is tied to a lunar cycle with a pronounced semi-lunar cycle within it. Peak spawning activity occurs around the full and new moon with no evidence of relationship with diel tidal or day/night cycles.
Grabowski T.B., V. Thorsteinsson, & G. Marteinsdóttir. 2104. Spawning behavior in Atlantic cod: analysis by use of data storage tags. Marine Ecology Progress Series 506:279-290. doi:10.3354/meps10787 \| Abstract \| Publisher Website	June 2014	Electronic data storage tags (DSTs) were implanted into Atlantic cod captured in Icelandic waters during 2002-2007 and the depth profiles recovered from these tags (females: n=31, males: n=27) were used to identify patterns consistent with published descriptions of cod courtship and spawning behavior. The individual periods of time males spent exhibiting behavior consistent with being present in a spawning aggregation, i.e., periods consisting of a clear tidal signature in the DST depth profile associated with an individual remaining on or near the substrate, were longer than those of females. Over the course of a spawning season, male cod spent approximately twice the amount time in spawning aggregations than females. Despite spending less time in spawning aggregations per season than males, female cod visited more aggregations per unit time. On average, males participated in approximately 57% more putative spawning events, i.e., vertical ascents potentially corresponding to gamete release, than did females. However, males less than 85 cm total length participated in the same number of putative spawning events as females of comparable size. In both sexes, larger individuals and/or individuals that spent a longer period of time within an aggregation participated in a larger number of putative spawning events. Although further validation and refinement is necessary, particularly in the identification of putative spawning events, the ability to quantify cod spawning behavior offered by DSTs has the potential to aid in the development of management and conservation plans.
Goodbred, S.L., Patiño, R., Torres, L., Echols, K.R., Jenkins, J.A., Rosen, M.R., Orsak, E. 2015. Are endocrine and reproductive biomarkers altered in contaminant exposed wild male Largemouth Bass (Micropterus salmoides) in Lake Mead, Nevada/Arizona, U.S.A.? General and Comparative Endocrinology 219: 125-135.	August 2015
Goodbred, S.L., Patiño, R., Orsak, E.L., Sharma, P., Ruessler, S. 2013. Potential for bias in using hybrids between common carp (Cyprinus carpio) and goldfish (Carassius auratus) in endocrine studies: A first report of hybrids in Lake Mead, Nevada, U.S.A. The American Midland Naturalist 169:426-431.	April 2013
Goodbred, S. L., Leiker, T. A., Pati�o, R., Jenkins, J. A., Denslow, N. D., Orsak, E., and Rosen, M. R. 2007. Organic chemical concentrations and reproductive biomarkers in common carp (Cyprinus carpio) collected from two areas in Lake Mead, Nevada, May 1999 - May 2000. U. S. Geological Survey Data Series 286, 18 p.	October 2007
Goodbred S, Rosen MR, Patiño R, Alvarez D, Echols K, King K, Umek J. 2021. Movement of synthetic organic compounds in the food web after the introduction of invasive quagga mussels (Dreissema bugensis) in Lake Mead, Nevada and Arizona, USA. Science of the Total Environment 752, 141845.	January 2021
Giuliano, W. M., R. S. Scott, and R. Patino. 1999. Influence of rainfall on Northern bobwhite and scaled quail abundance and breeding success. Texas Journal of Science 51:231-240.	November 1999
Giovanni, M. D., C. W. Boal, and H. A. Whitlaw. 2007. Prey use and provisioning rates of breeding ferruginous and Swainson's hawks on the Southern Great Plains. Wilson Journal of Ornithology 119:558-569	December 2007
Gelca, R., Hayhoe, K., Scott-Fleming, I., Crow, C., Dawson, D., Patiño, R. 2016. Climate-water quality relationships in Texas reservoirs. Hydrological Processes 30: 12-29.	January 2016
Gale, W. L., Patino, R., and Maule, A. G. 2004. Interaction of xenobiotics with estrogen receptors alpha and beta and a putative plasma sex hormone binding globulin from channel catfish (Ictalurus punctatus). General and Comparative Endocrinology 136:338-345.	April 2004
Fritts, S.F., B.A. Grisham, D.A. Haukos, C.W. Boal, M.A. Patten, D.H. Wolfe, C.E. Dixon, R.D. Cox, and W.R. Heck. 2016. Long-term evaluation of lesser prairie-chicken nest ecology in response to grassland restoration at two spatial scales. Journal of Wildlife Management 80:527-539.	April 2016
Fritts, S. R., B. A. Grisham, R. D. Cox, C. W. Boal, D. A. Haukos, P. McDaniel, C. A. Hagen, and D. U. Greene. 2018. Interactive effects of severe drought and grazing on the life history cycle of a bioindicator species. Ecology and Evolution 8:9550–9562 DOI: 10.1002/ece3.4432	September 2018
Eric Lonsdorf, Carol A. Sanders-Reed, Clint Boal, and Taber D. Allison. 2018. Modeling Golden Eagle - Vehicle Collisions to Design Mitigation Strategies. Journal of Wildlife Management 82:1633-1644.	October 2018
Dwyer, J.F., R.K. Murphy, D.W. Stahlecker, A.M. Dwyer, and C.W. Boal. 2020. Golden Eagle perch site use in the U.S. southern plains: reducing mortality risk uncertainty. Journal of Raptor Research 54:126-135.	May 2020
DeStefano, S., and C. Boal. 2018. Perspectives and future directions. Pages 273-286 in C. Boal and C. Dykstra, Eds. Urban raptors: ecology and conservation of birds of prey in an urbanizing world. Island Press, Washington, D.C.	June 2018
Dawson, D., VanLandeghem, M.M., Asquith, W.H., and Patiño, R. 2015. Long-term trends in reservoir water quality and quantity in two major river basins of the southern Great Plains, USA. Lake and Reservoir Management 31: 254-279. \| Abstract	September 2015	Temporal and geographic patterns in water quality and storage were assessed for 11 major reservoirs from two river basins in Texas, Brazos River and Colorado River using a long-term dataset [maximum period of record (POR), 1965–2010]. Water quality data were simplified for analysis by spatially pooling within reservoirs while maintaining their depth structure and then estimating depth-corrected (1 meter) monthly values by LOWESS smoothing. Reservoir inflow and precipitation data were collected from available gages and weather stations. Trend analyses (seasonal or standard Kendall Tau as appropriate) were applied to each water-quality variable with sufficient data for analysis. Principal component analyses (PCA) were conducted to examine patterns in reservoir water quality data within and across basins. Lastly, quantile regression was used to assess temporal changes in reservoir inflow and watershed precipitation variability. Trend analyses indicated that storage decreased whereas total phosphorus increased in most reservoirs. Overall, warmest or coldest temperature increased in seven reservoirs, decreased in one reservoir, and did not change in three reservoirs. The most common salinity trend observed was one of no change and when change occurred, its direction was inconsistent among reservoirs. As represented by specific conductance, chloride and sulfate, salinity dominated the variance structure of water quality data in PCA and inspection of PC biplots indicated that this variance can be attributed to the presence of high- and low-salinity reservoirs in both basins. Median and extreme (90 and 10 % quantiles) values of inflow decreased for most reservoirs and were more pronounced in the Colorado than the Brazos basin, but no trends in precipitation were detected over the study POR. Overall, the present results describe a landscape in the Brazos and Colorado River basins where reservoir inflow and storage have generally decreased, eutrophication has generally increased and, in most reservoirs, temperature has increased within the last several decades. Other chemical traits of reservoir water, such as salinity, have remained relatively stable.
Dabney, B, Patiño, R. 2018. Low-dose stimulation of growth of the harmful alga, Prymnesium parvum, by glyphosate and glyphosate-based herbicides. Harmful Algae 80, 130-139 \| Abstract	November 2018	Glyphosate-based herbicides (GBH) are widely used around the globe. While generally toxic to phototrophs, organic phosphorus in glyphosate can become available to glyphosate-resistant phytoplankton and contribute to algal bloom development. Few studies have examined the effects of GBH on growth of eukaryotic microalgae and information for the toxic bloom-forming haptophyte, Prymnesium parvum, is limited. Using a batch-culture system, this study examined the effects on P. parvum growth of a single application of Roundup Weed and Grass Killer Super Concentrate Plus® (Roundup SC), Roundup Weed and Grass Killer Ready-to-Use III® (Roundup RtU), and technical-grade glyphosate at low concentrations [0-1000 μg glyphosate acid equivalent (ae) l-1]. Roundup formulations differ in the percent of glyphosate as active ingredient (Roundup SC, ~50%; Roundup RtU, 2%), allowing indirect evaluation of the influence of inactive ingredients. Roundup SC enhanced exponential growth rate at 10-1000 μg glyphosate ae l-1, and a positive monotonic association was noted between Roundup SC concentration and early (pre-exponential growth) but not maximum cell density. Glyphosate and both Roundup formulations enhanced growth rate at 100 μg glyphosate l-1, but only Roundup SC and glyphosate significantly stimulated early and maximum density. This observation suggests the higher concentration of inactive ingredients and other compounds in Roundup RtU partially counteracts glyphosate-dependent growth stimulation. When phosphate concentration was varied while maintaining other conditions constant, addition of Roundup SC and glyphosate at 100 μg l-1 influenced growth more strongly than equivalent changes in phosphate-associated phosphorus. It appears, therefore, that low doses of glyphosate stimulate growth by mechanisms unrelated to the associated small increases in total phosphorus. In conclusion, glyphosate and GBH stimulate P. parvum growth at low, environmentally relevant concentrations. This finding raises concerns about the potential contribution to P. parvum blooms by glyphosate-contaminated runoff or by direct application of GBH to aquatic environments.
Clayton, J.B., Patiño, R., Rashel, R.H., Tábora-Sarmiento, S. 2021. Water quality associations and spatiotemporal distribution of the harmful alga Prymnesium parvum in an impounded urban stream system. Journal of Urban Ecology 7(1) juab011, https://doi.org/10.1093/jue/juab011	May 2021
Chizinski, C. J., Sharma, B., Pope, K. L., and Patiño, R. 2008. A Bioenergetics Model for Zebrafish Danio rerio. Journal of Fish Biology 73: 35-43.	July 2008
Chipman, E. D., N. E. McIntyre, R. E. Strauss, M. C. Wallace, J. D. Ray, and C. W. Boal. 2008. Effects of human land use on western burrowing owl foraging and activity budgets. Journal of Raptor Research 42:87-98.	June 2008
Chipman, E. D., N. E. McIntyre, J. D. Ray, M. C. Wallace, and C. W. Boal. 2007. Behavioral effects of radio transmitter collars on adult male western burrowing owls. Journal of Wildlife Management 71:1662-1668	August 2007
Cheek, C.A., S. Hlavaty, K. Mougey, R.N. Perkins, M.A. Peyton, C.N. Ryan, J.C. Zavaleta, C.W. Boal, and G. Perry. 2013. Vertical structure use by the stoute iguana (Cyclura pinguis) on Guana Island, BVI. IRCF Reptiles and Amphibians 20:112-118.	September 2013
Cheek, B.D. & T.B. Grabowski. 2014. Evaluating habitat associations of a fish assemblage at multiple scales in a minimally disturbed stream on the Edwards Plateau, central Texas. U.S. Department of Interior, Fish and Wildlife Service, Cooperator Science Series FWS/CSS-104-2014, Washington, D.C. \| Abstract \| Download	February 2014	Understanding the influence that different spatial scales within a watershed have on instream habitat is essential for accurately quantifying fish habitat associations and developing effective means for assessing stream conservation and restoration activities. In this study, we used a combination of side scan sonar surveys, imagery collected by unmanned aerial vehicle, and fish collection to evaluate the effect of physicochemical and landscape variables at various spatial scales, e.g., micro-mesohabitat, mesohabitat, riffle-run-pool complex, stream reach, on the stream fish assemblage habitat associations in the South Llano River, a spring-fed second order stream on the Edwards Plateau in central Texas. We found that the mice-mesohabitat scale and the riffle-run-pool complex scale had the greatest explanatory power. Many of the fishes endemic to the streams of the Edwards Plateau, such a Guadalupe bass Micropterus treculii and Texas logperch Percina carbonaria, exhibited associations with similar physicochemical and landscape variables. Our results suggest that conservation and restoration efforts targeting single species, such as the Guadalupe Bass Initiative, can benefit a suite of species. However, our results did not demonstrate incontrovertibly that a single species, such as Guadalupe bass, can serve as an indicator of the status of the stream fish assemblage as a whole. These findings will help provide data on the habitat use patterns of a fish assemblage in a relatively undisturbed Edwards Plateau stream and potentially help prioritize future restoration efforts for other streams in the region.
Cheek BD, TB Grabowski, PT Bean, JR Groeschel, & SJ Magnelia. 2016. Evaluating habitat associations of a fish assemblage at multiple spatial scales in a minimally disturbed stream using low-cost remote sensing. Aquatic Conservation: Marine and Freshwater Ecosystems 26:20-34. doi: 10.1002/aqc2569 \| Abstract \| Publisher Website	January 2016	1. Habitat heterogeneity at multiple scales is a major factor affecting fish assemblage structure. However, assessments that examine these relationships at multiple scales concurrently are lacking. The lack of assessments at these scales is a critical gap in understanding as conservation and restoration efforts typically work at these levels. 2. We used a combination of low-cost side scan sonar surveys, aerial imagery using an unmanned aerial system e, and fish collections to evaluate the relationship between physicochemical and landscape variables at various spatial scales (e.g., micro-mesohabitat, mesohabitat, pool-run-riffle complex, stream reach) and stream fish assemblage structure and habitat associations in the South Llano River, a spring-fed second order stream on the Edwards Plateau in central Texas during 2012-2013. 3. The finest spatial scale (micro-mesohabitat) and the intermediate scale (pool-run-riffle complex) had the greatest explanatory power for variation in fish assemblage structure. 4. Many of the fishes endemic to the Edwards Plateau exhibited similar associations with physicochemical and landscape variables 5. Low-cost side scan sonar proved to be a cost-effective means of acquiring information on the habitat availability of the entire river length and allowed for the assessment of how a full suite of riverscape-level variables influenced local fish assemblage structure.
Chang, X., Patino, R., Yoshizaki, G., Thomas, P., and Lee, V. H. 2000. Hormonal regulation and cellular distribution of connexin 32. 2 and connexin 32. 7 RNAs in the ovary of Atlantic croaker. General and Comparative Endocrinology 120:146-156.	December 2000
Carr, J.A., and Patiño, R. 2011. The hypothalamus–pituitary–thyroid axis in teleosts and amphibians: Endocrine disruption and its consequences to natural populations. General and Comparative Endocrinology 170: 299-312.	January 2011
Capps, T., Mukhi, S., Rinchard, J., Theodorakis, C. W., Blazer, V. S., Patino, R. 2004. Exposure to perchlorate induces the formation of macrophage aggregates in the trunk kidney of zebrafish and mosquitofish. Journal of Aquatic Animal Health 16:145-151.	October 2004
Campbell, M.D., Patiño, R., Tolan, J., Strauss, R., Diamond, S.L. 2009. Sub-lethal effects of catch and release fishing: measuring capture stress, fish impairment, and predation risk using a condition index. Ices Journal of Marine Science 63: 513-521.	January 2010
Byerly, M. T., Fat-Halla, S. I., Betsill, R. K., and Patino, R. 2005. Evaluation of short-term exposure to high temperature as tool to suppress the reproductive development of channel catfish for aquaculture. North American Journal of Aquaculture 67, 331-339.	October 2005
Brewer, SK, and TB Grabowski. 2013. Evaluating the reproductive success of Arkansas River shiner by assessing early life-history stage dispersal and survival at the landscape level. Final report to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Great Plains Landscape Conservation Cooperative (FWS agreement number F11AP00112)	June 2013
Bolamba, D., Patino, R., Yoshizaki, G., and Thomas, P. 2003. Changes in homologous and heterologous gap junction contacts during maturation-inducing hormone-dependent meiotic resumption in ovarian follicles of Atlantic croaker. General and Comparative Endocrinology 131:291-295.	April 2003
Boal, C.W., and W.B. Ballard. 2013. Predator – prey relationships and management. Chapter 13 in P. Krausman and J. Cain, editors. Wildlife management and conservation: concepts and practices. John Hopkins University Press, Baltimore, MD	October 2013
Boal, C.W., and J.D. Dwyer. 2018. Harris's hawks: all in the family. Pages 126-137 in Urban Raptors: ecology and conservation of birds of prey in an urbanizing world (C.W. Boal and C. Dykstra, eds.). Island Press, Washington DC USA	June 2018
Boal, C.W., and C.R. Dykstra (editors). 2018. Urban raptors: ecology and conservation of birds of prey in cities. Island Press, Washington DC.	June 2018
Boal, C.W., and C. Dykstra. 2018. Preface. Pages xi - xv in Urban Raptors: ecology and conservation of brids of prey in an urbanizing world [C. Boal and C. Dykstra, editors]. Island Press, Washington, DC.Island Press, Washington D.C.	June 2018
Boal, C.W., P.K. Borsdorf, and T. Gicklhorn. 2013. Assessment of lesser prairie-chicken use of wildlife water guzzlers. Bulletin of the Texas Ornithological Society 46:10-18. \| Abstract	May 2014	ABSTRACT Man-made water sources have been used as a management tool for wildlife, especially in arid regions, but the value of these water sources for wildlife populations is not well understood. In particular, the value of water as a conservation tool for lesser prairie-chickens (Tympanuchus pallidicinctus) is unknown. However, this is a relevant issue due to a heightened conservation concern for the species and its occupancy of an arid landscape anticipated to experience warmer, drier springs and winters. We assessed if Lesser Prairie-chickens would use commercially available wildlife water guzzlers and if there was any apparent selection between two design types. We confirmed that Lesser Prairie-chickens would use bird friendly designed wildlife water guzzlers. Use was primarily during the lekking-nesting period (March – May) and the brood rearing period (June – July) and primarily by males. Although both designs were used, we found significantly greater use of a design that had a wider water trough and ramp built into the tank cover compared to a design that had a longer, narrower trough extending from the tank. Although we were unable to assess the physiological need of surface water by Lesser Prairie-chickens, we were able to verify that they will use wildlife water guzzlers to access surface water. If it is found surface water is beneficial for Lesser Prairie-chickens, game bird friendly designed guzzlers may be a useful conservation tool the species.
Boal, C.W., M.C. Wallace, and B.N. Strobel. 2010. Perspectives on Animal Welfare Legislation and Study Considerations for Field-Oriented Studies of Raptors in the United States. Journal of Raptor Research 44:268-276.	December 2010
Boal, C.W., J.M. Wunderle, Jr., and W.J. Arendt. 2013. Autumn monitoring of resident avifauna on Guana Island, B.V.I. Ornitologia Neotropical 24:335-343. \| Abstract	January 2014	Abstract. – Although the Caribbean region is considered a biodiversity hotspot and a priority for ecological conservation efforts, there is little information on population trends of West Indian landbirds. We combined avian survey data collected from 3 studies spanning a 16-year period on a small island with a minimal human presence in the British Virgin Islands. Although abundances varied among surveys, the same species were detected with rare exceptions. Despite stability in species composition, the resident landbirds were variable in their individual detectabilities. Survey detections relatively mirrored net captures for some species, but are quite different for others. We suspect that this is likely due to differences in detectability due to species-specific behaviors mediated by environmental conditions, such as rainfall, during the month or months prior to our surveys. It is difficult to assess the influence of timing or amount of precipitation on bird detections rates among our surveys due to a lack of consistent collection of location-specific weather data in the British Virgin Islands. Our study suggests monitoring efforts conducted in concert with collection of site-specific climate data would facilitate improved interpretation of survey data and a better understanding of avian species response to climate mediated changes.
Boal, C.W. and D.A. Haukos. 2016. The Lesser Prairie-Chicken: a brief introduction to the grouse of the Southern Great Plains. Pp. 1-12 in D.A. Haukos and C.W. Boal (editors), Ecology and conservation of Lesser Prairie-Chickens. Studies in Avian Biology (no. 48), CRC Press, Boca Raton, FL.	February 2016
Boal, C.W. 2019. Urban nesting by a broad-winged hawk pair in the southern High Plains of Texas. Bulletin of the Texas Ornithological Society.	February 2020
Boal, C.W. 2018. Urban Raptor Communities: why some raptors and not others occupy urban environments. Pages 36-50 in Urban Raptors: ecology and conservation of brids of prey in an urbanizing world [C. Boal and C. Dykstra, editors]. Island Press, Washington, DC.	June 2018
Boal, C.W. 2018. Estimates of Abundance and Longevity of Bridled Quail-Doves (Geotrygon mystacea) on Guana Island, British Virgin Islands. Wilson Journal of Ornithology 130:981-987.	December 2018
Boal, C.W. 2016. Predation and Lesser Prairie-Chickens. Pp. 145-158 in D.A. Haukos and C.W. Boal (editors), Ecology and conservation of Lesser Prairie-Chickens. Studies in Avian Biology (no. 48), CRC Press, Boca Raton, FL. \| Abstract	January 2016	ABSTRACT Lesser Prairie-Chickens (Tympanuchus pallidicinctus) are subject to predation from a suite of opportunistic predators. These predation risks are associated with local environmental and landscape conditions, vegetation community, and predator community, all of which are influenced by human actions. Few studies have specifically assessed the relationships between Lesser Prairie-Chickens and their predators. I reviewed the body of knowledge on predation as it relates to seasonality and the different life stages of Lesser Prairie-Chickens. Although there are few quantitative data, some general patterns emerge. Predation is generally highest during the breeding season compared to the nonbreeding season. There also appears to be seasonality associated with different predation pressures, with mammalian and avian predation similar during the breeding season, whereas raptors pose a greater threat during the nonbreeding season. In a general sense, it can be surmised that full grown and young Lesser Prairie-Chickens may experience relatively constant year-round risk and risk to nests from mammals, seasonal risk to nests and young birds from snakes, seasonally variable risks to adults and juveniles from raptors, and nest risk by ravens (Corvus spp.). A confounding aspect of studying predation of Lesser Prairie-Chickens is that accurate identification of the predator often is not possible; rather predators are lumped into taxonomic categories without clarity as to which species are having the impact. Predator management has not been attempted or advocated as a conservation tool for the Lesser Prairie-Chickens; rather, predator management is more frequently considered in context of managing for habitat quantity and quality. If predation does pose population level influences, it is likely through impacts on nest and brood survival, two of the most critical population parameters for the species. It remains unknown whether predation has a population level effect on Lesser Prairie-Chickens, or what the frequency and impact of any one predator species may be. Finally, increased predation may or may not be the proximate result of human actions. This is especially relevant in context of landcover changes due to anthropocentric activities (e.g., increased livestock grazing) or environmental conditions (e.g., drought). Until focused studies are conducted on these issues, a more complete understanding of the community–habitat influences on predator–prey relationships of Lesser Prairie-Chickens, and identification of valid management strategies (if warranted), will remain elusive.
Boal, C.W. 2016. Golden Eagle predation of an Adult Turkey Vulture. Bulletin of the Texas Ornithological Society 48:53-55.	February 2016
Boal, C.W. 2014. Age-Ratios and Condition of En Route Migrant Blackpoll Warblers in the British Virgin Islands. Wilson Journal of Ornithology 126:568-574.	September 2014
Boal, C.W. 2010. Colonial nesting yellow-crowned night herons at the San Antonio River Walk. Bulletin of the Texas Ornithological Society 43:45-48.	December 2010
Boal, C. W., and T. S. Estabrook. 2007. Occurrence and condition of migrating Swainson's thrushes in the British Virgin Islands. Wilson Journal of Ornithology 119:716-720	December 2007
Boal, C. W., and M. D. Giovanni. 2007. Raptor predaton on Ord's kangaroo rat: evidence for diurnal activity by a nocturnal rodent. Southwestern Naturalist 52:291-295.	June 2007
Boal, C. W., and D. E. Andersen. 2005. Microhabitat characteristics of Lapland Longspur (Calcarius lapponicus) nests at Cape Churchill, Manitoba. Canadian Field-Naturalist 119:208-213	April 2005
Boal, C. W., and B. D. Bibles. 2001. Responsiveness of elf owls to conspecific and great horned owl vocalizations. Journal of Field Ornithology 72:66-71.	January 2001
Boal, C. W., T. S. Estabrook, and A. E. Duerr. 2003. Productivity and breeding habitat of loggerhead shrikes in an urban environment. Southwestern Naturalist 48:557-562	November 2003
Boal, C. W., T. E. Estabrook, and A. E. Duerr. 2004. Productivity of loggerhead shrikes nesting in an urban interface. Pages 104-109 in W. W. Shaw, L. K. Harris and L. VanDruff (eds. ). Proceedings of the 4th International Symposium on Urban Wildlife Conservation. May 1-5 1999, Tucson, AZ.	September 2004
Boal, C. W., M. D. Giovanni, and B. Beall. 2006. Successful nesting by a bald eagle pair in prairie grasslands of the Texas panhandle. Western North American Naturalist 66:246-250.	June 2006
Boal, C. W., H. A. Snyder, B. D. Bibles, and T. S. Estabrook. 2003. Temporal and spatial stability of red-tailed hawks in the Luquillo Experimental Forest, Puerto Rico. Journal of Raptor Research 37:276-284	December 2003
Boal, C. W., F. Sibley, T. S. Estabrook, and J. D. Lazell, Jr. 2006. Insular and migrant species, longevity records, and new species records on Guana Island, British Virgin Islands. Wilson Journal of Ornithology 118:218-224.	June 2006
Boal, C. W., D. E. Andersen, and P. L. Kennedy. 2005. Productivity and mortality of northern goshawks in Minnesota. Journal of Raptor Research 39:222-228.	October 2005
Boal, C. W., D. E. Andersen, and P. L. Kennedy. 2005. Foraging and nesting habitat of breeding male northern goshawks in the Laurentian Mixed Forest Province, Minnesota. Journal of Wildlife Management 69:1516-1527.	December 2005
Boal, C. W., D. E. Andersen, and P. L. Kennedy. 2003. Home range and residency status of northern goshawks breeding in Minnesota. Condor 105:811-816.	August 2003
Boal, C. W., D. E. Andersen, P. L. Kennedy, and A. M. Roberson. 2006. Northern goshawk ecology in the western Great Lakes region. Studies in Avian Biology 31:126-134.	June 2006
Boal, C. W., C. A. Haralson, and W. H. Howe. 2008. Status of Golden Eagles in the Texas Panhandle. Journal of Raptor Research 42:220-224.	September 2008
Boal, C. W. 2008. Predation of a dwarf gecko (Sphaerodactylus macrolepis) by a bridled quail dove (Geotrygon mystacea). Journal of Caribbean Ornithology 21:50-51.	July 2008
Boal, C. W. 2008. Observations of an Antillean Crested Hummingbird (Orthorhyncus cristatus) attacking saddled anoles (Anoles stratulus). Caribbean Journal of Ornithology 21:48-49	July 2008
Boal, C. W. 2008. Hacked nestling Mississippi Kite survives 6 years and demonstrates philopatry. Bulletin of the Texas Ornithological Society 41:66-68	October 2008
Boal, C. W. 2001. Nonrandom mating and productivity of adult and subadult Cooper's hawks. Condor 103:381-385	May 2001
Boal, C. W. 2001. Agonistic behavior of Cooper's hawks. Journal of Raptor Research 35:253-256	September 2001
Boal, C. 2011. Bridled Quail-dove (Geotrygon mystacea). Cornell Lab of Ornithology: Neotropical Birds (http://neotropical.birds.cornell.edu/portal/species/overview?p_p_spp=177941) \| Publisher Website	September 2011
Blake A. Grisham, B.A., C.W. Boal, N.R. Mitchell, T.S. Gicklhorn, P.K. Borsdorf, D.A. Haukos, and C. Dixon. 2015. Evaluation of Capture Techniques on Lesser Prairie-Chicken Trap Injury and Survival. Journal of Fish and Wildlife Management 6:318-326. \| Publisher Website	December 2015
Birdsong, T.W. and 19 co-authors. 2015. Native Black Bass Initiative: Implementing Watershed-Scale Approaches to Conservation of Endemic Black Bass and Other Native Fishes in the Southern United States. Pages 363-378 in Tringali, M.D., J.M. Long, T.W. Birdsong, and M.S. Allen, editors. Black bass diversity: multidisciplinary science for conservation. American Fisheries Society, Symposium 82, Bethesda, Maryland. \| Abstract	February 2015	Rivers and streams of the southern United States (US) contain more than 1,800 aquatic species, 500 of which are regionally endemic. At present, 34% of the fish species and 90% of the mussel species in peril nationwide are found in these systems. Declines in these imperiled species are due to many factors, including hydrologic alteration, degraded water quality, loss of instream and watershed connectivity, physical habitat degradation, and the negative effects of non-indigenous species (e.g., predation on, competition with, and hybridization with native forms). In addition, this situation is exacerbated through human population growth, competing water demands, land use changes, and other interrelated issues. If unchecked, these issues will likely continue to contribute to the imperilment and loss of native species in the region. Of the nine described species and subspecies of black bass, six are endemic to the southern US: Guadalupe Bass Micropterus treculii, Shoal Bass M. cataractae, Redeye Bass M. coosae, Florida Bass M. salmoides floridanus, Alabama Bass M. henshalli, and Suwannee Bass M. notius. In addition, undescribed species and subspecies also exist and all are in need of conservation measures to prevent them from becoming imperiled. In an effort to focus and coordinate actions to support the long-term persistence of endemic black bass populations, local, state, and federal agencies, universities, non-governmental organizations, and corporations from across the region joined with the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation to form the Native Black Bass Initiative (NBBI). The NBBI provides regional conservation strategies, objectives and targets to restore and preserve functional processes in those watersheds that support natural habitat conditions and sustainable populations of endemic black bass and other native fishes of the region. Initial actions implemented through the NBBI focus on addressing the conservation needs of Guadalupe Bass in streams of the Edwards Plateau Ecoregion of Texas, Redeye Bass in the Savannah River watershed of Georgia and South Carolina, and Shoal Bass populations in the Apalachicola River watershed of Alabama, Florida, and Georgia.
Birdsong TW, M Bean, TB Hardy, TB Grabowski, T Heard, D Holdstock, K Kollaus, S Magnelia, & K Tolman. 2015. Application and utility of a low-cost unmanned aerial system to manage and conserve aquatic resources in four Texas rivers. Journal of the Southeastern Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies 2:80-85. \| Abstract \| Download \| Publisher Website	May 2015	Low-cost unmanned aerial systems (UAS) have recently gained increasing attention in natural resources management due to their versatility and demonstrated utility in collection of high-resolution, temporally-specific geospatial data. This study applied low-cost UAS to support the geospatial data needs of aquatic resources management projects in four Texas rivers. Specifically, a UAS was used to (1) map invasive salt cedar (multiple species in the genus Tamarix) that have degraded instream habitat conditions in the Pease River, (2) map instream meso-habitats and structural habitat features (e.g., boulders, woody debris) in the South Llano River as a baseline prior to watershed-scale habitat improvements, (3) map enduring pools in the Blanco River during drought conditions to guide smallmouth bass removal efforts, and (4) quantify river use by anglers in the Guadalupe River. These four case studies represent an initial step toward assessing the full range of UAS applications in aquatic resources management, including their ability to offer potential cost savings, time efficiencies, and higher quality data over traditional survey methods.
Bibles, B.D., and C.W. Boal. 2012. Morphometric-based sexual determination of Bananaquits (Coereba flaveola). Ornitologia Neotropical 23:507-515.	December 2012
Behney, A.C., C.W. Boal, H.A. Whitlaw, and D.R. Lucia. 2012. Raptor community composition in the Texas Southern High Plains lesser prairie-chicken range. Wildlife Society Bulletin 36:291-296.	June 2012
Behney, A.C., C.W. Boal, H.A. Whitlaw, and D.R. Lucia. 2010. Prey use by Swainson’s Hawks in the Lesser Prairie-chicken range of the Southern High Plains of Texas. Journal of Raptor Research 44:317-322.	December 2010
Behney, A.C., C.W. Boal, H.A. Whitlaw, and D. Lucia. 2011. Interactions of raptors and Lesser Prairie-chickens at leks in the Texas Southern High Plains.Wilson Journal of Ornithology 123:332-338.	June 2011
Behney, A.C., B.A. Grisham, C.W. Boal, H.A.Whitlaw, and D.A. Haukos. 2012. Sexual selection and mating chronology of lesser prairie-chickens. Wilson Journal of Ornithology 124:96-105	March 2012
Bean PT, & TB Grabowski. 2015. Evaluation and Refinement of Guadalupe Bass Conservation Strategies to Support Adaptive Management. Department of Interior, Fish and Wildlife Service, Cooperator Science Series FWS/CSS-114-2015, Washington, D.C.	April 2015
Barnes, M.A., Patiño, R. Assessing the risk of dreissenid mussel invasion in Texas based on lake physical characteristics and potential for downstream dispersal. Final Project Report to Texas Parks and Wildlife Department	April 2018
Barnes, M.A. and Patiño, R. 2020. Predicting suitable habitat for dreissenid mussel invasion in Texas based on climatic and lake physical characteristics. Management of Biological Invasions 11: 63-79. \| Download	February 2020
Anderson, W.M., Sorensen, G.E., Lloyd-Strovas, J.D., Arroyo, R.J., Sosa, J.A., Wulff, S.J., Bibles, B.D., Boal, C.W., Perry, G. 2010. Distribution and Habitat Use by the Critically Endangered Stout Iguana (Cyclura pinguis) on Guana Island, British Virgin Islands. Reptiles and Amphibians 17:5-10.	September 2010
Actkinson, M. A., W. P. Kuvlesky, C. W. Boal, L. A. Brennan, and F. Hernandez. 2009. Breeding biology of sympatric red-tailed hawk, white-tailed hawk, and crested caracara populations in south Texas. Journal of Raptor Research 43:50-56	March 2009
Acre M & TB Grabowski. 2015. Deployment of paired push nets from jet-propelled kayaks to sample ichthyoplankton. North American Journal of Fisheries Management 35:925-929. \| Abstract \| Publisher Website	September 2015	Accessing and effectively sampling off-channel habitats considered crucial for early life stages of freshwater fishes is a difficult challenge using common ichthyoplankton survey methods, such as pushnets. We describe a new method of deploying pushnets from jet-propelled kayaks to enable sampling previously inaccessible off-channel habitats. The described rig is also functional in more open and accessible habitats, such as the main channel of rivers or reservoirs. While further evaluation is necessary to ensure results are comparable across studies, the described pushnet system offers a statistically rigorous methodology which generates replicate samples in a wide range of freshwater habitats previously inaccessible to this gear type.
Acktinson, M. A., W. P. Kuvlesky, C. W. Boal, L. A. Brennan, and F. Hernandez. 2007. Nest-site habitat relationships of red-tailed hawks, white-tailed hawks, and crested caracaras in south Texas. Wilson Journal of Ornithology 119:570-578	December 2007

Presentations

Presentations	Presentation Date
Zhang, Q., Puvenna, V., Pati�o, R., and Liu, Z. 2005. Identification of progesterone receptor isoforms in ovarian follicles of the amphibian Xenopus laevis. Fourth Annual Symposium of New Mexico Idea Networks of Biomedical Research Excellence, Las Vegas, New Mexico	March 2005
Yamamoto, Y., G. Yoshizaki, T. Takeuchi, K. Soyano, F. Itoh, and R. Pati�o. 2003. Heterologous gap junctions between oocyte and granulosa cells in Ayu (Plecoglossus altivelis): formation and role during GtH-dependent acquisition of oocyte maturational competence. Seventh International Symposium on the Reproductive Physiology of Fish, Mie, Japan	May 2003
Xin, D., Stanford, B., Douglas, D.D., Orsak, E., Orphan, L., Snyder, S., and Patiño, R. 2009. Testing of Las Vegas Municipal Effluent (Clark County, Nevada) for Endocrine and Reproductive Effects to Fathead Minnow. Lake Mead Science Symposium, Las Vegas, NV.	January 2009
Wu, C., P. Noack, R. Pati�o, and K.B Davis. 2000. Patterns of gene expression in male and sex-inversed female channel catfish during the period of gonadal sex differentiation. Fourth International Symposium on Fish Endocrinology. Seattle, Washington	July 2000
Worthington, T.A., T.B. Grabowski, and S.K. Brewer. 2013. Conservation implications of shrinking distributions: an example using Arkansas River shiner. Oklahoma Clean Lakes and Watersheds, Stillwater.	April 2013	This study backcasts the decline of a federally-endangered species to identify environmental factors related to alterations in the species distribution. The presentation discusses conservation implications for the species.
Worthington, T.A., S.K. Brewer and T.G. Grabowski. 2013. Using species distribution models to understand the deline of a Great Plains cyprinid: conseravtion implications for the Arkansas River shiner. Annual Symposium of the U.S. Chapter of the International Association of Landscape Ecologists, Austin.	April 2013	This project examines the decline of the Arkansas River shiner by examining factors related to changes in the distribution at the landscape scale. Understanding the factors that contributed to the decline will allow reasonable management actions to be created for this species and others of this reproductive guild.
Worthington TA, SK Brewer, TB Grabowski. Using species distribution models to predict factors related to the historical and current decline of a federally-threatened fish species. 2012 US Regional Association of the International Association for Landscape Biology Annual Symposium. Newport, RI. 8-12 April 2012.	April 2012
Williams, L.D., Patiño, R. 2017. Multiple toxic blooms of golden alga (Prymnesium parvum) occurred in the Lubbock Canyon Lakes System in fall of 2016—could these instances be predictive of a larger bloom in spring of 2017? Texas Tech University Annual Undergraduate Research Symposium, Lubbock, Texas.	March 2017	First detailed analysis of golden alga growth cycle in Lubbock Canyon Lake System. Information may be useful for management and mitigation.
Williams, L.D., Patiño, R. 2017. Multiple toxic blooms of golden alga (Prymnesium parvum) occurred in the Lubbock Canyon Lakes System in fall of 2016—could these instances be predictive of a larger bloom in spring of 2017? Texas Tech Seventh Annual Biological Sciences Symposium, Lubbock, Lubbock, Texas.	April 2017	First detailed analysis of golden alga growth cycle in Lubbock Canyon Lake System. Information may be useful for management and mitigation.
Welch, B.C., and C.W. Boal. 2015. The Predicted Influence of Climate Change on Mississippi Kite Reproductive Parameters in West Texas. International Urban Wildlife Conference, Chicago, IL.	May 2015	Urban areas are thought to provide buffers from environmental conditions. We are modeling differences in reproductive parameters between urban and rural nesting kites as a model to assess potential long term influences of climate change on urban wildlife.
Welch, B., and C.W. Boal. 2012. Provisioning rates of urban nesting Mississippi kites. 48th Annual Meeting of the Texas Chapter of The Wildlife Society, Fort Worth, TX	February 2012
Welch, B., and C. Boal. Provisioning rates of urban Mississippi kites. Urban Wildlife Management and Planning Conference, Austin, TX. May 2011.	May 2011
Webb, M.A.H., G.W. Feist, J.P. Van Eenennaam, R. Pati�o, M.S. Fitzpatrick, C.B. Schreck, and S.I. Doroshov. 2001. Ovarian steroidogenesis and the effects of steroid hormones on oocyte maturation in vitro in white sturgeon (Acipenser transmontanus). Fourth International Sturgeon Symposium, Oshkosh, Wisconsin	January 2001
Watson, K.A., C.W. Boal, and J.D. Ray. Swainson’s hawk migration flight characteristics across a variable landscape. 2019 Meeting of The Wildlife Society, Reno NV.	October 2019	Swainson's hawks are long distance migrants, but many aspects of their migration behavior is still poorly understood. We examine how migration strategies vary across different topographical and ecological areas.
Watson, K.A., C.W. Boal, and J.D. Ray. Swainson's hawks use the staging strategy to complete long-distance migration. Annual Meeting of the Southwestern Association of Naturalists, San Marcos, TX. April 2018.	April 2018	This presentation will present evidence that Swainson's hawks engage in a relatively continuous migration, and likely forage only during the crepuscular hours before going to and just after leaving roosts.
Watson, K.A., C.W. Boal, and J.D. Ray. Migration, wintering movements, and the first return to the breeding range of fledgling Swainson's hawks. 2018 meeting of the Texas Chapter of The Wildlife Society, Dallas, TX.	February 2018	There are no existing data on first year migration, survival, habitat use and natal philopatry for Swainson's hawks, one of the longest distance migrating birds. Our data are the first insights into these aspects of the species ecology.
Watson, K.A., C.W. Boal, and J.D. Ray. Flight Characteristics of Migrating Swainson’s Hawks Across a Variable Landscape. 2019 Meeting of The Raptor Research Foundation, Fort Collins, CO.	November 2019	Wind energy development is rapidly expanding internationally. We assessed Swainson's hawk migration behavior from North American to Argentina to assess potential conflict with wind energy development.
Watson, K.A., C.W. Boal, and J.D. Ray. 2021. Survival and Behaviors of Juvenile and Adult Swainson's Hawks. Annual Meeting of The Raptor Research Foundation, Boise, ID. October 2021.	October 2021	This work is the first work to focus on multi-year survival and migratory behaviors of juvenile Swainson's hawks between their breeding grounds in North America and wintering grounds in South America. We report departures from normal migration routes occur and often lead to mortality, and differential patterns of wintering ground occupancy during the first, but not subsequent, winters.
Watson, K.A., C.W. Boal, and J.D. Ray. 2021. Risk of Swainson's Hawks Encountering Wind Turbines Across Their Global Range. Annual Meeting of the Raptor Research Foundation, Boise, ID. October 2021.	October 2021	Swainson's hawks are long distance migrants, breeding from as far north as Canada and wintering in Argentina. This is the first study to use GPS tracking data, online databases of wind energy facilities, and remotely sensed detections of wind energy facilities in Latin America, to assess potential risk of these structures to the species.
Watson, K.A., C.W. Boal, and J.D. Ray. 2019. Swainson’s hawks select for open country while migrating through the rainforests of Central and South America. Annual Meeting of the Texas Chapter of The Wildlife Society, Montgomery, TX, 20-23 February 2019	February 2019	Little information is available for habitat selection of Swainson's hawks during annual migrations through Central and South America. We assessed habitat used by migrating individuals and found that open areas were consistently selected for, even when passing over extensive tropical rainforest regions.
Watson, K.A., C.W. Boal, L. Groen, and J.D. Ray. Flight elevation of migrating Swainson's hawks and risk of encountering wind turbines. Annual meeting of The Wildlife Society, Albuquerque, NM.	September 2017	This is the first study to assess the flight heights of Swainson's hawks during transcontinental migration in context of wind energy development potential. The study has implications in understanding high risk areas for wind energy development in other countries.
Watson, K., C.W. Boal, L. Groen, and J.D. Ray. 2017. Assessing Risk of Wind Turbines to Migrating Swainson's Hawks. Annual Meeting of the Texas Chapter of The Wildlife Society, San Antonio, TX.	February 2017	This is one of the first assessments using high resolution GPS data to determine movement rates of migrating Swainson's hawks in areas of different wind potential between North American and Argentina. It is laying the groundwork for assessment of wind turbine risk.
WalkerG, J., S. TeesneerG, J. Ray, C.W. Boal, and R. Matlack. 2012. Habitat selection, home range size, and nesting success of Swainson’s hawks before and after winde energy development on the Southern high Plains of Texas: preliminary results 48th Annual Meeting of the Texas Chapter of The Wildlife Society, Fort Worth, TX. Feb. 2012	February 2012
Walker, J.R., R.S. Matlack, C.W. Boal, and J. Ray.2013. Home range determinations of nesting Swainson’s hawks: Ptts vs VHF. 49th Annual Meeting of the Texas Chapter of The Wildlife Society, Houston, TX. Feb. 2013.	February 2013	We compared home range sizes of Swainson's hawks by using standard VHF transmitters and GPS PTT transmitters. We found home range estimates were smaller and more precise due to quantity and accuracy of data compared to that resolved by fewer locations with error polygons inherit in standard radio tracking.
WATSON, K. A., C. W. BOAL, L. M. GROEN, and J. D. RAY. Risk of Encountering Wind Turbines for Migrating Swainson’s Hawks Using Flight Altitude Data. 51st Meeting of the Raptor Research Foundation, Salt Lake City, UT	November 2017	Wind energy is expanding globally, and little research has assessed the potential threat wind turbines pose to migrating Swainson’s Hawks. We attached 3-dimensional GPS transmitters to 24 adult Swainson’s Hawks to examine flight speeds and heights through different regions of wind energy potential along the international migration from the USA to Argentina.
Vikram, P., N., Pati�o, R., and Liu, Z. 2004. Gonadotropin regulation of aconitase synthesis in ovarian follicles of Xenopus laevis. Third Annual Symposium of the New Mexico Biomedical Research Infrastructure Network, Las Cruces, New Mexico	May 2004
VanLandeghem, M.M., Patiño, R. 2013. Predicting the risk of toxic golden alga blooms from cell density and environmental variables. Texas Chapter of the American Fisheries Society, Lake Conroe, Texas.	January 2013	Provides alternative tool (model) to predict toxicity of golden alga without having to conduct bioassays of toxicity.
VanLandeghem, M.M., Patiño, R. 2013. Predicting the risk of toxic golden alga blooms from cell density and environmental variables. Association for the Sciences of Limnology and Oceanography, 2013 Aquatic Sciences Meeting, New Orleans, Louisiana.	February 2013	Study aims to develop computer models to predict toxicity of golden alga based on cell counts and water quality variables without having to conduct bioassays of toxicity.
VanLandeghem, M.M., Patiño, R. 2013. Predicting the risk of toxic golden alga blooms from cell density and environmental variables. 12th Annual Graduate Student Poster Competition, Texas Tech University, Lubbock, Texas.	April 2013	Study aims to develop computer models to predict toxicity of golden alga based on cell counts and water quality variables without having to conduct bioassays of toxicity.
VanLandeghem, M.M., Farooqi, M., Southard, G., Patiño, R. 2012. Landscape-level associations between water quality and golden alga presence, abundance, and toxicity in reservoirs of west Texas. Texas Tech Annual Biological Sciences Symposium, Lubbock, Texas.	March 2012
VanLandeghem, M.M., Farooqi, M., Southard, G., Patiño, R. 2012. Landscape-level associations between water quality and golden alga presence, abundance, and toxicity in reservoirs of west Texas. Texas Chapter of the American Fisheries Society, Galveston, Texas.	February 2012
VanLandeghem, M.M, Farooqi, M., Farquhar, B., Patiño, R. 2012. Long-term impacts of the toxigenic golden alga (Prymnesium parvum) on fish populations in reservoirs of the upper Colorado River and Brazos River basins, Texas. Graduate Student Research Poster Competition, Texas Tech University Graduate School, Lubbock, Texas.	March 2012
VanLandeghem, M., Patiño, R. 2015. Using a niche model to hindcast and forecast golden alga blooms: when did golden alga first arrive in the Brazos River and which lake will be affected next? Annual Meeting of the Texas Chapter of the American Fisheries Society, Tyler, Texas.	January 2015	A niche model was developed to forecast future golden alga blooms in currently unaffected reservoirs. This model may be useful to identify relative susceptibility of reservoirs and assist resource managers in restricting the spread of golden alga or planning to mitigate or adapt to future blooms.
VanLandeghem, M., M. Farooqi, B. Farquhar, G. Southard and R. Patiño. Relationships between water quality and toxic golden alga blooms in reservoirs of West Texas. Chihuahuan Desert Conference, El Paso, Texas.	November 2010
VanLandeghem, M., Farooqi, M., Farquhar, B., and Patiño, R. 2011. Impacts of golden alga on fish populations in reservoirs of the Upper Colorado River and Brazos River Basins. Annual Meeting of the Texas Chapter American Fisheries Society, San Marcos, Texas	January 2011
VanLandeghem, M., Farooqi, M., Farquhar, B., Southard, G. and Patiño, R. 2011. Relationships between water quality and toxic golden alga blooms in reservoirs of west Texas. Annual Meeting of the Texas Chapter American Fisheries Society, San Marcos, Texas	January 2011
VanLandeghem, M., Farooqi, M., Farquhar, B., Southard, G. and Patiño, R. 2011. Impacts of golden alga on fish populations in reservoirs of the upper Colorado River and Brazos River basins, Texas. Annual Meeting of the American Fisheries Society, Seattle, Washington	September 2011
Torres, L., and Patiño, R. 2010. Biomarker assessment in largescale sucker (Catostomus macrocheilus) exposed to endocrine disrupting compounds in the Columbia River Basin, Oregon. Graduate Student Research Poster Competition, Texas Tech University Graduate School, Lubbock, Texas	April 2010
Torres, L., and Patiño, R. 2008. Oral exposure to brominated flame retardant (BDE-47) causes growth impairment in juvenile zebrafish (Danio rerio). Texas Tech Association of Biologists Annual Graduate Forum, Lubbock, Texas.	March 2008
Torres, L., and Patiño, R. 2008. Oral exposure to brominated flame retardant (BDE-47) causes growth impairment in juvenile zebrafish (Danio rerio). Graduate Student Research Poster Competition, Texas Tech University Graduate School, Lubbock, Texas.	April 2008
Torres, L., R. Patino and J. Jenkins. 2010. Biomarker assessment in largescale sucker exposed to endocrine disrupting compounds in the Columbia River Basin. 31st Annual Meeting of the Society of Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry, Portland, Oregon.	November 2010
Torres, L., Patiño, R., and Orazio, C. 2008. Oral exposure to brominated flame retardant (BDE-47) causes growth impairment in juvenile zebrafish (Danio rerio). 29th Annual Meeting of the Society of Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry, Tampa, Florida.	November 2008
Torres, L., Patiño, R. 2011. Biomarker assessment in largescale sucker (Catostomus macrocheilus) exposed to endocrine-disrupting compounds in the Columbia River Basin, Oregon. Graduate Student Research Poster Competition, Texas Tech University Graduate School, Lubbock, Texas	March 2011
Toe, S.J., Rashel, R., and Patiño, R. 2016. The distribution of Golden Alga in the Brazos River and Rio Grande Basins. Texas Chapter of the American Fisheries Society, Kerrville, Texas.	January 2016	Results of hemocytometry suggested the presence of golden alga in a spring-fed pond within Big Bend National Park. If eDNA analysis confirms this finding, it would represent the first report of golden alga in a stretch of nearly 1000 river-kilometers of the Rio Grande and potentially prompt reassessment of the risk posed by golden gala to the aquatic fauna of the region.
Thornley, M., S.D. Mullican, and C.W. Boal. American kestrel breeding season prey use and delivery rates in the Llano Estacado of Texas. 2018 meeting of The Texas Chapter of The Wildlife Society, Dallas, TX. Feb. 2018.	February 2018	This poster will be the first reporting on food habits of kestrels in the Southern High Plains. Given widespread population declines, these data may lead to a better understanding of why populations are stable or increasing in the study region.
Thornley, M., S.D. Mullican, and C.W. Boal. 2019. Breeding season food habits of American kestrels in the southern Great Plains. Annual Meeting of the Texas Chapter of The Wildlife Society, Montgomery, TX, 20-23 February 2019	February 2019	American kestrels have expanded their distribution into the southern Great Plains, primarily due to human activities. We are assessing the food habits and potential impact this species may be having on local prey populations.
Thompson, T.R., C.W. Boal, and D.R. Lucia. 2003. Effectiveness of native seeding of CRP in providing summer habitat for grassland passerines. Texas Chapter of The Wildlife Society 38th Annual Meeting, Waco, TX	February 2003
Thompson, T.R., C.W. Boal, and D.R. Lucia. 2003. Breeding abundance, nesting density, and nesting success of two ground nesting sparrows in CRP and native rangeland on the Southern High Plains of Texas. 73rd Annual Meeting of the Cooper Ornithological Society, Flagstaff, AZ	May 2003
Thompson, T.R., C.W. Boal, and D.R. Lucia. 2002. Effectiveness of native seeding of CRP in providing summer habitat for grassland passerines. The Wildlife Society 9th Annual Conference, Bismarck, ND	September 2002
Teaschner, A.P., M.C. Wallace, C.W. Boal, N.E. McIntyre, and J.D. Ray. 2005. Burrowing owl nesting on prairie dog colonies in the souther high plains. 40th Annual Meeting of the Texas Chapter of The Wildlife Society, Amarillo, TX	February 2005
Teaschner, A.P., M.C. Wallace, C.W. Boal, J.D. Ray, and M.G. Schoenhals. 2004. Burrowing owl nest site use and productivity on black-tailed prairie dog colonies in the Southern High Plains of Texas. Texas Chapter of The Wildlife Society 39th Annual Meeting, Kerrville, TX	February 2004
Taylor, C.M., Miyazono, S., Cheek, C., Patiño. 2016. The spatial scale of similarity and patterns of homogenization and differentiation in Chihuahuan Desert riverine fish assemblages. Texas Chapter of the American Fisheries Society, Kerrville, Texas.	January 2016	We examined the spatial scale of similarity for fish assemblages in the highly modified Rio Grande basin in the Chihuahuan desert of West Texas using a historical data set spanning approximately 30 years of time. Results indicated that homogenization and differentiation occurred, but these patterns depended on the spatial resolution of comparison.
Taylor, C.M., Miyazono, S., Cheek, C., Edwards, R.J., Patiño, R., 2016. The spatial scale of similarity and patterns of homogenization, differentiation and assemblage change in Chihuahuan Desert riverine fish assemblages. Annual Meeting of the American Society of Ichthyologists and Herpetologists, New Orleans, LA, USA.	July 2016	Fish assemblage similarities within specific river reaches of each sub-basin were variable in their degree of historical change, which was largely dependent on anthropogenic modification to the flow regime change and variability in the success of invasive species.
Sylvia de la Piedra, Carlos Portillo-Quintero, Blake A. Grisham, Clint W. Boal, David A. Haukos, Willard R. Heck. 2016. Time series analysis of remote sensing data as a management tool for the conservation of the lesser prairie-chicken (Tympanuchus pallidicinctus). 2016 Student Conference on Conservation Science - New York.	October 2016	We present results evaluating the effect of variability of seasonality parameters on lesser prairie-chicken home range sizes, nest habitat selection, and timing of nesting events. We also discuss the use of time series analysis of NDVI data as an efficient methodology for researchers and land managers to quantify spatio-temporal patterns in green vegetation and better manage wildlife populations.
Suski, J., Salice, C., Plautz, S., Patiño, R. 2012. Combined impacts of predator stress and predicted climate change induced changes in temperature and salinity on freshwater gastropods. Texas Tech Annual Biological Sciences Symposium, Lubbock, Texas.	March 2012
Suski, J., Salice, C., Patiño, R. 2011. Starting off on the right foot: exploring life-history strategies and salt tolerance in sympatric freshwater snails. Texas Tech Annual Biological Sciences Symposium, Lubbock, Texas	April 2011
Suski, J., Salice, C., Patiño, R. 2011. Starting off on the right foot: exploring life-history strategies and salt tolerance in sympatric freshwater snails. Graduate Student Research Poster Competition, Texas Tech University Graduate School, Lubbock, Texas	March 2011
Suski, J., Plautz, S., Salice, C., Patiño, R. 2012. Combined impacts of predator stress and predicted climate change induced changes in temperature and salinity on freshwater gastropods. Graduate Student Research Poster Competition, Texas Tech University Graduate School, Lubbock, Texas.	March 2012
Suski, J., C. Salice and R. Patiño. 2010. Interspecies differences in salt tolerance among co-occurring freshwater snails: Implications for community level effects of anthropogenic salinization. 31st Annual Meeting of the Society of Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry, Portland, Oregon.	November 2010
Strobel, B.N., and C.W. Boal. 2008. Implications of regional spatial variation in prey use by breeding red-shouldered hawks (Buteo lineatus). 2008 Annual Meeting of the Raptor Research Foundation, Missoula, MT.	September 2008
Strobel, B.N., and C.W. Boal. 2006. Prey dellivered to red-shouldered hawk nestlings in South Texas. 42nd Annual Meeting of the Texas Chapter of The Wildlife Society, South Padre Island, TX.	February 2006
Strobel, B.N., and C.W. Boal. 2007. Nesting habitat of red-shouldered hawks. The Wildlife Society 14th Annual Conference, Tucson, AZ.	September 2007
Strobel, B.N. and C.W. Boal. 2008. The presence and implications of regional variation in diets of breeding red-shouldered hawks. 43rd Annual Meeting of the Texas Chapter of The Wildlife Society, San Antonio, TX.	February 2008
Strobel, B.N. and C.W. Boal. 2007. Nest site characteristics of Texas red-shouldered hawks in south Texas. 42nd Annual Meeting of the Texas Chapter of The Wildlife Society, Beaumont, TX.	February 2007
Sotelo, S.D, Jr., Rashel, R.H., Patiño, R. 2019. Water quality within Lubbock’s Canyon Lake System and its association with growth of the harmful golden alga. Texas Tech 10th Annual Biological Sciences Symposium. Texas Tech University. Lubbock, Texas.	April 2019	This work describes results of multiple-year, intensive sampling of an urban lake system to monitor and describe spatiotemporal development of toxic blooms of golden alga.
Solensky, M.J., M.L. Crozier, M. Hamady, D.E. Andersen, and C.W. Boal. 2005. Determining goshawk (Accipiter gentilis) occupancy, nesting activity, and reproduction within known territories in northern Minnesota, 2003-2005. Annual Meeting of the Raptor Research Foundation, Green Bay, WI, October 2005.	October 2006
Smithers, B.L., C.W. Boal, and D.E. Andersen. 2003. Assessment of northern goshawk food habits using time-lapse video monitoring systems. Texas Chapter of The Wildlife Society 38th Annual Meeting, Waco, TX	February 2003
Smithers, B.L., C.W. Boal and D.E. Andersen. 2002. Analysis of northern goshawk food habits using time-lapse video monitoring systems in Minnesota. Annual Meeting of the Minnesota Chapter of The Wildlife Society, St. Cloud, MN	February 2002
Skipper, B.R., and C.W. Boal. 2011. Is aggressive nest defense by urban Mississippi kites (Ictinia mississippiensis) triggered by landscape features? Annual Meeting of the Raptor Research Foundation, Duluth, MN. Oct. 2011.	October 2011
Skipper, B.R., and C.W. Boal. 2011. Comparison of reproductive performance of exurban and urban Mississippi kites (Ictinia mississippiensis) triggered by landscape features? Annual Meeting of the Raptor Research Foundation, Duluth, MN. Oct. 2011.	October 2011
Skipper, B.R., C.W. Boal, J. Tsai, and M.R. Fuller. 2014. Evaluation of survey protocol recommendations for golden eagles. Symposium on Conserving eagles: a prelude into the science underway to inform wind energy decisions, including incidental take permits. The Wildlife Society Annual Conference, Pittsburgh, PA, October 2014.	October 2014	We assessed influences of survey duration, frequency, and timing for detection and occupancy modeling of golden eagles. Our results will help inform survey and monitoring planning by the USFWS.
Skipper, B.R., C.W. Boal, J. Tsai, and M.R. Fuller. 2014. Evaluation of survey protocol recommendations for golden eagles. 2014 Annual Meeting of The Raptor Research Foundation, Corpus Christi, TX, September 2014	September 2014	We assessed influences of survey duration, frequency, and timing for detection and occupancy modeling of golden eagles. Our results will help inform survey and monitoring planning by the USFWS.
Skipper, B.R. and C.W. Boal. 2013. Nest-site selection by Mississippi kites in urban and exurban areas of west Texas. 49th Annual Meeting of the Texas Chapter of The Wildlife Society, Houston, TX. Feb. 2013	February 2013	We examined and compared nest-site selection between Mississippi kites nesting in urban Lubbock, Texas, and in exurban riparian system in the Texas panhandle. We found that the measured metrics were poor predictors in identifying nest-sites, likely due to either homogeneity in the urban parks were kites nested, or due to a failure to identify variables with stronger predictive power.
Skipper, B., and C.W. Boal. Productivity, nesting success, and site occupancy of urban Mississippi kites. 46th Annual Meeting of the Texas Chapter of The Wildlife Society, Galveston, TX. Feb. 2010.	February 2010
Skipper, B., and C.W. Boal. Productivity and nest site selection of urban Mississippi kites (Ictinia mississippiensis). Annual Meeting of the Raptor Research Foundation, Fort Collins, CO. Sept. 2010.	September 2010
Skipper, B., and C.W. Boal. Breeding performance and site occupancy of urban nesting Mississippi Kites. 57th Annual Meeting of the Southwestern Association of Naturalists, Junction, TX. Apr. 2010.	April 2010
Skipper, B., and C. Boal. Assessing aggressive and passive behaviors of urban nesting Mississippi kites. Urban Wildlife Management and Planning Conference, Austin, TX. May 2011.	May 2011
Skipper, B. and C.W. Boal. 2012. Comparative breeding performance of urban and exurban Mississippi kites (Ictinia mississippiensis). 48th Annual Meeting of the Texas Chapter of The Wildlife Society, Fort Worth, TX. Feb. 2012.	February 2012
Skidmore, C., C.W. Boal, B.R. Skipper, and R. Martin. Interspecies Nest- Placement Tolerance and Niche Partitioning of Nesting Riparian Raptors in the Trans-Pecos Region of Texas. 2019 Meeting of The Raptor Research Foundation, Fort Collins, CO.	November 2019	Little information is available for distribution and density of riparian nesting raptors in the Trans Pecos region of Texas. We addressed this question due to 3 species being of state threatened status.
Skidmore, C., C.W. Boal, B.R. Skipper, and R. Martin. 2020. Drivers and Indicators of Riparian Corridor Avifaunal Diversity in the Trans-Pecos Region of Texas. Meeting of the Texas Chapter of the Wildlife Society, Corpus Christi, TX, 14 February 2020.	February 2020	Riparian areas are in important for breeding and migrating bird species. This study assessed multiple riparian areas in the Trans-Pecos region for species richness and and areas of conservation focus.
Skidmore, C., C.W. Boal, B.R. Skipper, and R. Martin. 2020. Comparative Nesting Habitat of Riparian Raptors in the Trans-Pecos Region of Texas. Meeting of the Texas Chapter of the Wildlife Society, Corpus Christi, TX, 14 February 2020.	February 2020	This study examined nesting site selection in riparian areas by three state-listed species. This is the first research conducted on the comparative nesting habitat of these species.
Skidmore, C., C.W. Boal, B.R. Skipper, and R. Martin. 2019. Distribution and comparative nesting habitat of riparian raptors in the Trans Pecos Region of Texas. Annual Meeting of the Texas Chapter of The Wildlife Society, Montgomery, TX, 20-23 February 2019	February 2019	Riparian areas of the Trans Pecos are important conservation areas for numerous species of conservation concern. We are assessing the occurrence, distribution, and habitat associations of riparian obligate raptors in the region.
Silva, M., D.U. Greene, S.R. Fritts, B.A. Grisham, C.W. Boal, D.A. Haukos, J. Lautenback, C.A. Hagen, and W.R. Heck. Assessing Fine-scale Microclimate Conditions in an Intensively Managed Landscape. Annual Meeting of the Texas Chapter of The Wildlife Society, San Antonio TX, February 2017.	February 2017	Climate change forecasts predict the Southern Great Plains will become drier with more frequent extreme heat events. To understand how management efforts alter fine-scale thermal profiles and may influence ground nesting birds, we are evaluating the influences of vegetation structure, topography, and land management practices on thermal profiles (temperature and relative humidity) across seasons within the Southern Great Plains.
Shroeder, E., C.W. Boal, S. Glasscock, and G. Perry. Nestling diets of two sympatric woodpeckers in the Texas coastal bend. The Wildlife Society 16th Annual Conference, Monterrey, CA. Sep. 2009.	September 2009
Sharma, P., and Patiño, R. 2010. Role and mechanism of action of thyroid hormone during gonadal sex differentiation in zebrafish (Danio rerio). 2010. Texas Tech Association of Biologists Annual Graduate Forum, Lubbock	February 2010
Sharma, P., Patiño, R. 2012. Effects of thyroid endocrine disruption on the developmental morphometry of zebrafish (Danio Rerio). Texas Tech Annual Biological Sciences Symposium, Lubbock, Texas.	March 2012
Sharma, P., Patiño, R. 2012. Effects of thyroid endocrine disruption on the developmental morphometry of zebrafish (Danio Rerio). Graduate Student Research Poster Competition, Texas Tech University Graduate School, Lubbock, Texas.	March 2012
Sharma, P., Patiño, R. 2011. Role of thyroid hormones in gonadal sex differentiation of zebrafish. Texas Tech Annual Biological Sciences Symposium, Lubbock, Texas	April 2011
Sharma, P., Patiño, R. 2011. Role of thyroid hormones in gonadal sex differentiation of zebrafish. Graduate Student Research Poster Competition, Texas Tech University Graduate School, Lubbock, Texas	March 2011
Sharma, P, and Patiño, R. 2011. Role of thyroid hormones in gonadal sex differentiation of zebrafish. Inaugural Meeting of the North American Society for Comparative Endocrinology, Ann Arbor, Michigan	July 2011
Sharma, B., and Patiño, R. 2008. Effects of cadmium on growth, metamorphosis and sex ratios in African clawed frog, Xenopus laevis. 29th Annual Meeting of the Society of Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry, Tampa, Florida.	November 2008
Sharma, B., and Patiño, R. 2008. Effects of cadmium on growth, metamorphosis and sex determination in amphibians. Texas Tech Association of Biologists Annual Graduate Forum, Lubbock, Texas	April 2008
Sharma, B., and Patiño, R. 2008. Effects of cadmium on growth, metamorphosis and sex determination in amphibians. Graduate Student Research Poster Competition, Texas Tech University Graduate School, Lubbock, Texas.	April 2008
Sharma, B., and Patiño, R. 2008. Effects of cadmium on growth and metamorphosis of African clawed frog. Annual Meeting of the Society of Toxicology. Seattle, Washington.	April 2008
Sharma, B., and Patiño, R. 2007 Effects of cadmium at low concentrations on growth, metamorphosis, and thyroid condition of amphibians. Society of Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry Desert-Southwest Chapter, Socorro, New Mexico.	February 2007
Sharma, B., Patiño, R. 2007. Bimodal effects of cadmium on growth, development and thyroid condition of tadpoles. 28th Annual Meeting of the Society of Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry, Milwaukee, Wisconsin.	November 2007
Sharma, B., Patino, R., Orsak, E., Snyder, S., Drury, D., 2013. Testing of wastewater effluent from City of Las Vegas, Nevada, for endocrine and reproductive effects to fathead minnow (Pimephales promelas). SETAC North America 34th Annual Meeting, Nashville, TN.	November 2013	The results of this study revealed no evidence of reproductive impairment in fathead minnow exposed to wastewater effluents produced by Clark County Water Reclamation District's Central Plant after short-term and multigenerational exposures. However, depending on the exposure format, toxicity of effluent to fish was observed during early development.
Sharma, B., Hu, F., Carr, J.A., and Pati�o, R. 2006. Water quality and biomarkers of amphibian health in the Big Bend region of the Rio Grande Basin. International Conference on Water in Arid and Semiarid Lands, Texas Tech University International Center for Arid and Semiarid Land Studies, Lubbock, Texas.	October 2006
Sharma, B., Hu, F., Carr, J.A., and Pati�o, R. 2006. Environmental contaminants and amphibian biomarker responses in the Big Bend region of the Rio Grande Basin. 27th Annual Meeting of the Society of Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry, Montreal, Canada.	November 2006
Sharma, B., Hu, F., Carr, J.A., and Patiño, R. 2007. Occurrence of intersex amphibians in Big Bend National Park: are environmental factors to blame? Annual Meeting of the Geological Society of America, Denver, Colorado. (presenter)	October 2007
Sharma, B., Hu, F., Carr, J.A., Pati�o, R. 2006. Biomonitoring of amphibian health in Big Bend National Park and surrounding areas. Graduate Student Research Poster Competition, Texas Tech University Graduate School, Lubbock, Texas.	April 2006
Sharma, B., Hu, F., Carr, J.A., Pati�o, R. 2006. Biomarkers of amphibian health in Big Bend National Park and surrounding areas. Texas Tech Association of Biologists Annual Graduate Forum, Texas Tech University Department of Biological Sciences, Lubbock, Texas.	May 2006
Sharma, B., Hu, F., Carr, J.A., Pati�o, R. 2005. Water chemistry and amphibian health in Big Bend National Park and surrounding areas. Annual Graduate Research Day, India Students Association, Texas Tech University, Lubbock, Texas.	March 2006
Sharma, B., Blunt, S., Orsak, E., Snyder, S., Drury, D., Deng, X. Patiño, R. 2011. Effects of enhanced and conventionally treated municipal effluent on growth and reproductive development of fathead minnow. PRIMO 16 Conference, Long Beach, California	May 2011
Sharma, B. and Patiño, R. 2007. Low-dose effects of cadmium on growth, metamorphosis and thyroid condition of Xenopus laevis tadpoles. Texas Tech Association of Biologists Annual Graduate Forum, Texas Tech University Department of Biological Sciences, Lubbock, Texas.	April 2007
Sharma, B. and Patiño, R. 2007. Low-dose effects of cadmium on growth, metamorphosis and thyroid condition of Xenopus laevis tadpoles. Graduate Student Research Poster Competition, Texas Tech University Graduate School, Lubbock, Texas.	May 2007
Schroeder, E., C.W. Boal, and S. Glasscock. 2009. Avian abundance, species richness and diversity in two vegetation communities in the Texas coastal bend. 44nd Annual Meeting of the Texas Chapter of The Wildlife Society, Lubbock, TX.	February 2009
Schilder, L.J., N.E. McIntyre, S. Harryman, C.A. Hagen, R. Martin, B.A. Grisham, and C.W. Boal. Landscape connectivity for lesser prairie-chickens on the southern high plains of Texas and New Mexico. International Grouse Symposium, Logan, Utah. 24 September 2018.	September 2018	This study assessed how connectivity for Lesser Prairie-Chickens on the Southern High Plains was potentially altered by landscape conversion that created a patch network. Our results suggest that there was a 31.5 km coalescence distance of the network (farthest nearest-neighbor distance), with as few as two leks being cutpoints within the network, meaning if these leks were abandoned, birds and associated habitat near the remaining leks may become isolated.
Schilder, L.J., N.E. McIntyre, S. Harryman, C.A. Hagen, R. Martin, B.A. Grisham, and C.W. Boal. Landscape connectivity for lesser prairie-chickens on the southern high plains of Texas and New Mexico. 2018 Meeting of the Texas Chapter of the Wildlife Society, Dallas, TX.	February 2018	This study assessed how connectivity for Lesser Prairie-Chickens on the Southern High Plains was potentially altered by landscape conversion that created a patch network. Our results suggest that there was a 31.5 km coalescence distance of the network (farthest nearest-neighbor distance), with as few as two leks being cutpoints within the network, meaning if these leks were abandoned, birds and associated habitat near the remaining leks may become isolated.
Schilder, L.J., L.J. Heintzman, N.E. McIntyre, S. Harryman, C.A. Hagen, R. Martin, C.W. Boal, and B.A. Grisham. 2020. Landscape Connectivity for Lesser Prairie-Chickens on the Southern High Plains of Texas and New Mexico. Meeting of the Texas Chapter of the Wildlife Society, Corpus Christi, TX, 14 February 2020.	February 2020	This paper examines connectivity, dispersal corridors, and anthropogenic impediments and barriers to those corridors for lesser prairie-chickens.
Schilder, L.J., L.J. Heintzman, N.E. McIntyre, S. Harryman, C.A. Hagen, R. Martin, B.A. Grisham, and C.W. Boal. 2019. Landscape connectivity for lesser prairie-chickens on the southern high plains of Texas and New Mexico. Annual Meeting of the Texas Chapter of The Wildlife Society, Montgomery, TX, 20-23 February 2019	February 2019	Lesser prairie-chicken populations are thought to be at risk of habitat loss and discontinuity. We are examining how connectivity of habitat was hampered by agriculture development and may be alleviated through management.
Schilder, L., C. Borgman, R. Cox, and C.W. Boal. 2020. Changes in Avian Community Composition Following Prescribed Thinning of Pinyon-Juniper Woodlands. Meeting of the Texas Chapter of the Wildlife Society, Corpus Christi, TX, 14 February 2020.	February 2020	Pinyon-juniper woodlands are an extensive vegetation community found throughout the western United States, where climate and land use practices have significantly altered woodland range and density. The objective of this study was to document avian community changes following thinning prescriptions at two geographically distinct pinyon-juniper woodlands in New Mexico (NM).
S.W.H. HARRYMAN*, B. A. GRISHAM, S. S. KAHL, C.W. BOAL, and C.A. HAGEN. Spatial Ecology of Lesser Prairie-Chickens in Conservation Reserve Program-Dominated Landscapes in the Southern High Plains of Texas. 31st Prairie Grouse Technical Council, Nevada, Missouri. Sept. 2015	September 2015	We calculated daily movement distances, averaged movement distances among individuals, and estimated utilization distributions with Brownian Bridge Movement Models for lesser prairie-chickens with GPS transmitters. Based on preliminary results, daily movements and space use increased during the summer season and correspond to the end of intense lekking activity and male dispersal.
Rosen, M., Patiño, R., Jenkins, J.A., Orsak, E., Goodbred, S. 2009. Challenges for Lake Mead Ecosystem Health and Resource Management in the 21st Century. 30th Annual Meeting of the Society of Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry, New Orleans, Louisiana.	November 2009
Rogosch, J.S., Archdeacon, T.P., and S. Davenport. 2021. Population trends and trade-offs in long-term dynamics of a prairie stream fish community. American Fisheries Society, Annual Meeting. November 6-10, 2021	November 2021	This study examined long-term population trends of prairie stream fishes as related to flow. The results will help fill information gaps for imperiled prairie fishes that could be applied to conservation and management of these species throughout their range.
Rogosch, J. S., Boehm, H.I.A, Ivey, K., Tingley III, R.W., Webb, E.B., Wright, K. D., and C. P. Paukert. 2021. Assessing restoration effectiveness: a review of river restoration. Texas Chapter of the American Fisheries Society, Virtual Meeting. February 2-4, 2021.	February 2021	This work will help managers identify what restoration actions have been successful in meeting challenges facing conservation and sustainability of inland fishes and assist researchers in selecting appropriate measures to assess restoration effectiveness.
Roesler, EL, TB Grabowski, & D Rogowski. Assessing habitat-use patterns and survey methodologies of the endangered snail, Pecos Assiminea, at Bitter Lake National Wildlife Refuge. 48th Joint Annual Meeting of the AZ/NM Chapter of the American Fisheries Society and the AZ and NM Chapters of The Wildlife Society. Las Cruces, New Mexico. 5-7 February 2015.	February 2015	Pecos Assiminea is an endangered, semi-aquatic snail endemic to two spring systems located in eastern New Mexico and west Texas. Our data will inform planned restoration and conservation actions for Pecos Assiminea at Bitter Lake National Wildlife Refuge (BLNWR) in New Mexico.
Roesler, EL, TB Grabowski, & D Rogowski. Assessing habitat-use patterns and survey methodologies of the endangered snail, Pecos Assiminea, at Bitter Lake National Wildlife Refuge. 144th Annual Meeting of the American Fisheries Society. Quebec City, Quebec, Canada. 17-21 August 2014.	August 2014	Pecos Assiminea is an endangered, semi-aquatic snail endemic to two spring systems located in eastern New Mexico and west Texas. Our data will inform planned restoration and conservation actions for Pecos Assiminea at Bitter Lake National Wildlife Refuge (BLNWR) in New Mexico.
Roesler ER, MA Barnes, TB Grabowski, F Martinez-Andrade, & R Bittner. Influence of climate change, freshwater inflows, and changing land use on the distribution of Dwarf Seahorse on the Texas coast. 2016 Annual Meeting of the Texas Chapter of the American Fisheries Society. Kerrville, Texas. 21-23 January 2016.	January 2016	Even though Dwarf Seahorse Hippocampus zosterae is considered a candidate for federal protection, virtually nothing is known of its distribution, population status, or habitat requirements. Understanding the factors influencing the current and future distribution of Dwarf Seahorse is an important first step towards determining the viability of the species in Texas waters.
Roesler EL, D Rogowski, & TB Grabowski. Assessing habitat use patterns of the endangered snail, Pecos assiminea Assiminea pecos, at Bitter Lake National Wildlife Refuge. Joint Meeting of the Texas and Oklahoma Chapters of the American Fisheries Society. Pottsborro, Texas. 13-15 February 2014.	February 2014	We characterized the habitat use of Pecos assiminea at Bitter Lake National Wildlife Refuge (BLNWR) in Chaves County, New Mexico. These data evaluating monitoring tools and habitat associations will provide information for the effective management for this endangered species.
Roesler E.L., T.B. Grabowski, & D. Rogowski, Assessing habitat-use patterns and survey methodologies of the endangered snail, Pecos Assiminea, at Bitter Creek National Wildlife Refuge. Texas Tech Annual Biological Sciences Symposium. Lubbock, Texas. 29 March 2014.	March 2014	Basic biological information needed for effective monitoring and conservation is currently lacking for this species. Our data will inform planned restoration and conservation actions for Pecos Assiminea at BLNWR.
Roberts, A.J., C.W. Boal, and S. Rideout-Hanzak. 2008. East Amarillo Complex wildfires and effects on the avian community. 43rd Annual Meeting of the Texas Chapter of The Wildlife Society, San Antonio, TX.	February 2006
Roberts, A.J., C.W. Boal, S. Rideout-Hanzak, D. Wester, and C. Britton. 2008. East Amarillo Complex wildfires and effects on the avian community. Fire in the Southwest Conference, Tucson, AZ.	January 2008
Richardson, E., Patiño, R. 2018. Salinity adaptation in golden alga. Texas Chapter of the American Fisheries Society, College Station, Texas.	January 2018	Evidence is provided for the occurrence of adaptation to high salinity in golden alga in terms of its ability to compensate for negative impacts on growth rate but not maximum growth potential after prolonged exposure. This information may be useful to assess the risk of dispersal from inland to coastal environments.
Richardson, E, Patiño, R. 2018. Salinity adaptation in the ichthyotoxic golden alga. International Aridlands Conference, Lubbock, Texas August 13-14, 2018.	August 2018	Results showed that adaptation to high salinity occurs for growth rate but not maximum density (yield) in relatively simple salt solutions, and that relatively complex salt mixtures can compensate for the inhibitory effects of increased salinity. These observations may help better understand the geographic distribution of golden alga at the landscape scale.
Rashel, RH, Patiño, R. 2018. Associations between the ratio of organic to inorganic nitrogen and growth of the ichthyotoxic golden alga. International Aridlands Conference, Lubbock, Texas, August 13-14, 2018.	August 2018	These laboratory findings are consistent with field observations and provide context for a better understanding of the association between nutrient stoichiometry and golden alga growth. This information may useful to natural resource and wastewater managers in their design of strategies to prevent or control harmful algal blooms.
Rashel, R.H., Williams, L.D., Patiño, R., 2017. The ratio of organic to inorganic nitrogen affects the growth of ichthyotoxic golden alga. Texas Tech Seventh Annual Biological Sciences Symposium, Lubbock, Texas.	April 2017	New information is provided concerning the proportion of organic to inorganic nitrogen that best facilitates golden alga growth. This information can be useful to the design of strategies to control this harmful algal species.
Rashel, R.H., Williams, L.D., Patiño, R., 2017. Modifying the ratio of organic to inorganic nitrogen affects the growth of invasive and ichthyotoxic golden alga. 16th Annual Graduate School Poster Competition, Texas Tech University. Lubbock, Texas	March 2017	New information is provided concerning the proportion of organic to inorganic nitrogen that best facilitates golden alga growth. This information can be useful to the design of strategies to control this harmful algal species.
Rashel, R.H., Patiño, R. 2018. Associations between the ratio of organic to inorganic nitrogen and growth of the ichthyotoxic golden alga. Texas Chapter of the American Fisheries Society, College Station, Texas.	January 2018	This laboratory study showed that optimal growth of golden alga, a harmful species, occurs in the presence of organic and inorganic nitrogen but with organic nitrogen as the predominant fraction. These observations are consistent with recent field observations and provides context for a better understanding of the association between nutrient sources and golden alga growth.
Rashel, R.H., Patiño, R. 2015. Influence of Salinity, Sulfate, and Fluoride on Growth of Golden Alga. 145th Meeting of the American Fisheries Society, Portland, Oregon.	August 2015	This study provided experimental confirmation of earlier field observations suggesting an upper level of salinity for golden algal growth, and a positive a positive association with sulfates at environmentally relevant levels. This information may be useful to inform management strategies based on water quality indices to curb the incidence and prevent the further spread of toxic blooms of golden alga.
Rashel, R.H, and Patiño, R. 2020. Growth of the harmful alga, Prymnesium parvum, under past, present and projected future atmospheric concentrations of carbon dioxide. Texas Chapter of the American Fisheries Society, Waco, Texas, January 23-25, 2010.	January 2020	Results of this study indicated that growth of the harmful alga, Prymnesium parvum, may be facilitated by increasing concentrations of atmospheric carbon dioxide associated with climate change.
Rashel, R., Williams, L.D., Patiño, R. 2017. The ratio of organic to inorganic nitrogen affects the growth of itchthyotoxic golden alga. Annual Meeting of the Texas Chapter of the American Fisheries Society, Corpus Christi, Texas.	January 2017	This laboratory study showed that optimal growth of golden alga, a harmful species, occurs in the presence of organic and inorganic nitrogen but with organic nitrogen as the predominant fraction. These observations are consistent with recent field observations and provides context for a better understanding of the association between nutrient sources and golden alga growth.
Rashel, R., Williams, L.D., Patiño, R. 2017. Association between the ratio of organic to inorganic nitrogen and growth of the invasive and itchthyotoxic golden alga. 20th International Conference on Aquatic Invasive Species, Fort Lauderdale, Florida.	October 2017	This laboratory study showed that optimal growth of golden alga, a harmful species, occurs in the presence of organic and inorganic nitrogen but with organic nitrogen as the predominant fraction. These observations are consistent with recent field observations and provides context for a better understanding of the association between nutrient sources and golden alga growth.
Rashel, R., Patiño, R. 2016. Influence of salinity and other water quality variables on growth of the ichthyotoxic golden alga. Texas Chapter of the American Fisheries Society, Kerrville, Texas	January 2016	Laboratory tests confirmed the biphasic growth pattern of golden alga in relation to increasing salinity first suggested by field studies, and also showed that the pattern is independent of temperature or genetic strain. Information may be useful to inform management strategies based on water quality indices to curb the incidence and prevent the further spread of golden alga blooms.
Rashel, R. Patiño, R. 2015. Influence of salinity, sulfate, and fluoride on growth of Golden Alga. Graduate Student Research Poster Competition, Texas Tech University Graduate School, Lubbock, Texas.	April 2015	Describes novel findings regarding influence of salinity on golden alga growth.
Rashel, R. Patiño, R. 2015. Influence of salinity, sulfate, and fluoride on growth of Golden Alga. Annual Conference, Texas Tech University Association of Biologists, Lubbock, Texas.	March 2015	Describes novel findings regarding influence of salinity on growth of golden alga.
R. Perkins, and C.W. Boal. 2014. Transmitter Influences on Raptor Agility and Avian Prey Selection. 2014 Annual Meeting of The Raptor Research Foundation, Corpus Christi, TX, September 2014	September 2014	This work focuses on the influence of weight loading on both predator and prey bird species. This presentation is a preliminary report on the innovative methods we are using to address this question, and results to date.
Puvenna, V., Pati�o, R., and Liu, Z. 2005. Hormonal regulation of aconitase synthesis in ovarian follicles of Xenopus laevis. Fourth Annual Symposium of New Mexico Idea Networks of Biomedical Research Excellence, Las Vegas, New Mexico	March 2005
Pryor, M., C.W. Boal, and B.R. Skipper. Are Mississippi Kite Attacks on Urban Pedestrians Associated with Nesting Phenology? 2019 Meeting of The Raptor Research Foundation, Fort Collins, CO.	November 2019	Mississippi kites are known to be aggressive toward human pedestrians in some situations. We examined phenology of nesting to assess high risk periods of aggression in urban settings.
Pryor, M., C.W. Boal, and B.R. Skipper. 2020. Are Mississippi Kite Attacks on Urban Pedestrians Associated With Nesting Phenology. Meeting of the Texas Chapter of the Wildlife Society, Corpus Christi, TX, 14 February 2020.	February 2020	Mississippi kites are known to be aggressive toward human pedestrians in some situations. We examined phenology of nesting to assess high risk periods of aggression in urban settings.
Pruett, A.L., C.W. Boal, M. Wallace, and H. Whitlaw. 2004. A black-tailed prairie dog population estimation model. Annual meeting of the American Society of Mammalogists, Arcata, CA	June 2004
Pruett, A., C.W. Boal, M.Wallace, P. Robertson and J. Ray. 2003. Black-tailed prairie dogs and small mammal diversity in the southern high plains of Texas. Texas Chapter of The Wildlife Society 38th Annual Meeting, Waco, TX	February 2003
Pruett, A., C.W. Boal, M. Wallace, and P. Robertson. 2004. Seasonal variation in black-tailed prairie dog activity patterns and a new approach to assessing population sizes. Texas Chapter of The Wildlife Society 39th Annual Meeting, Kerrville, TX	February 2004
Portillo-Quintero, C., B. Grisham, D. Haukos, C. Boal, C. Hagen, and Z. Wan. 2018. Trends of the landscape structure of plant communities of sand shinnery oak prairie in the Southern High Plains. Society of Range Management, Sparks, Nevada.	February 2018	Lesser prairie-chickens in sand shinnery oak prairie of New Mexico and Texas have been steadily declining since the late 1980s. Unlike other areas of the lesser prairie-chicken range, significant declines in available habitat has occurred in this ecoregion, likely contributing to the overall population decline.
Pirius, N.E., C. Boal, and R. Perez. The winter ecology of lesser prairie-chickens in the southwest panhandle of Texas. 47th Annual Meeting of the Texas Chapter of The Wildlife Society, San Antonio, TX. Feb. 2011.	February 2011
Perkins, R., and C.W. Boal. Does this Radio Transmitter Make Me Look Delicious? A Field-informed Agent-based Modeling Approach to Understanding Transmitter Impacts on Raptor Selection of Prey. 2019 Meeting of The Raptor Research Foundation, Fort Collins, CO.	November 2019	Despite radio transmitters being a common tool for wildlife research, no study has directly assessed if they predispose study animals to raptor predation. We assessed it and yes, they do.
Perkins, R., and C.W. Boal. 2020. Does this Radio Transmitter Make Me Look Delicious? A Field-informed Agent-based Modeling Approach to Understanding Transmitter Impacts on Raptor Selection of Prey. Meeting of the Texas Chapter of the Wildlife Society, Corpus Christi, TX, 14 February 2020.	February 2020	Despite radio transmitters being a common tool for wildlife research, no study has directly assessed if they predispose study animals to raptor predation. We assessed it and yes, they do.
Perkins, R., and C. Boal. Transmitter influences on raptor agility and raptor prey selection. Annual meeting of The Wildlife Society, Albuquerque, NM.	September 2017	We investigated the influences that transmitters of different mass have on the flight dynamics of trained raptors. We also assessed if radio-tagged bobwhite quail are predisposed to higher rates of predation attempts.
Perkins, R., and C. Boal. Transmitter Influences on Raptor Agility and Prey Capture. Annual Meeting of the Texas Chapter of The Wildlife Society, Corpus Christi, TX, February 2015.	February 2015	Little quantitative information exists as to the influence of transmitter attachment on raptor flight or hunting success. We are using trained raptors to experimentally assessing the influence of transmitter weight loading on flight and prey capture of raptors, and collecting field data from wild raptors to assess possible differences in prey capture between radio-tagged and non-tagged birds.
Perkins, R., C.W. Boal, and D. Rollins. 2011. Use of a trained goshawk (Accipiter gentilis) to study predator-prey interactions. 2011 Annual Meeting of the Raptor Research Foundation, Duluth, MN. Oct. 2011.	October 2011
Perkins, R., C.W. Boal, D. Rollins, and R. Perez. 2012. Threat avoidance: behavior and land use of northern bobwhite in the Rolling Plains of Texas. 48th Annual Meeting of the Texas Chapter of The Wildlife Society, Fort Worth, TX. Feb. 2012.	February 2012
Perkins, R., C. Boal, and D. Rollins. Threat avoidance strategies by northern bobwhite in the Texas Rolling Plains. 47th Annual Meeting of the Texas Chapter of The Wildlife Society, San Antonio, TX. Feb. 2011.	February 2011
Perkins, R. and C.W. Boal. Captive rear and release: conservation tool or high trophic level bird feeder? 2018 Joint Meeting of the Association of Field Ornithologists and the Wilson Ornithological Society. Chattanooga, TN. 7-9 June 2018.	June 2018	Captive rear and release is a common tool for population enhancement and/or recovery. We demonstrated that captive reared bobwhite are behaviorally and/or physiologically compromised and preferentially selected over wild bobwhite by raptors.
Perkins, R. and C.W. Boal. 2016. Transmitter Influences on Raptor Agility and Prey Capture. Annual Meeting of The Raptor Research Foundation, Cape May, NJ.	October 2016	The influence of radio-transmitter attachment on the life history of birds is poorly understood, and often only assessed in context of survival. We directly examined the influence of different radio weights on the flight performance of a trained hawk.
Pease JE, TB Grabowski, A Pease, & PT Bean. Potential morphometric response of Guadalupe Bass populations to hydrologic alteration and urbanization within the Colorado River Basin, central Texas. Southern Division of the American Fisheries Society Spring Meeting 2015. Savannah, GA. 29 January-01 February 2015.	January 2015	Major alterations to the hydrologic regime have occurred throughout the Colorado River Basin in Texas due to changing land and water use patterns and these anthropogenic influences on hydrologic variability have had major implications for riparian and aquatic ecosystems and the species dependent upon them, such as Guadalupe Bass Micropterus treculii. Comparison of the present flow regime and Guadalupe Bass morphological characteristics to historical hydrologic data and specimens will facilitate the assessment of effects of future hydrologic alterations due to increases in urbanization and water withdrawals on Guadalupe Bass populations.
Pease JE, TB Grabowski, A Pease, & PT Bean. Potential morphometric response of Guadalupe Bass populations to hydrologic alteration and urbanization within the Colorado River Basin, central Texas. 2015 Annual Meeting of the Texas Chapter of the American Fisheries Society. 15-17 January 2015.	January 2015	Major alterations to the hydrologic regime have occurred throughout the Colorado River Basin in Texas due to changing land and water use patterns and these anthropogenic influences on hydrologic variability have had major implications for riparian and aquatic ecosystems and the species dependent upon them, such as Guadalupe Bass Micropterus treculii. Comparison of the present flow regime and Guadalupe Bass morphological characteristics to historical hydrologic data and specimens will facilitate the assessment of effects of future hydrologic alterations due to increases in urbanization and water withdrawals on Guadalupe Bass populations.
Pease JE, TB Grabowski, A Pease, & PT Bean. Movement patterns and habitat associations of Guadalupe Bass populations in the lower Colorado River. 2016 Annual Meeting of the Texas Chapter of the American Fisheries Society. Kerrville, Texas. 21-23 January 2016.	January 2016	revise this to reflect bass not suckers
Pease J, TB Grabowski, A Pease, & PT Bean. Potential hydrologic impacts of urbanization on Guadalupe Bass populations within the Colorado River Basin. Joint Meeting of the Texas and Oklahoma Chapters of the American Fisheries Society. Pottsborro, Texas. 13-15 February 2014.	February 2014	Our objective was to characterize the degree of disturbance to the portions Colorado River Basin currently or historically inhabited by Guadalupe Bass and evaluate the relationship between hydrologic alteration and other disturbances within the basin. Evaluating the degree of variability and identifying indicators of alterations to the hydrologic regime through the comparison of the present flow regime to historical collections and hydrologic data will facilitate the assessment of future hydrologic alterations due to increases in urbanization and water withdrawals on Guadalupe bass populations.
Pease J, TB Grabowski, A Pease, & PT Bean. Population responses of Guadalupe Bass Micropterus treculii to potential hydrologic impacts of urbanization within the Colorado River Basin, central Texas. Sixth Annual Symposium on GIS/Spatial Analyses in Fishery and Aquatic Sciences. Tampa, FL. 25-29 August 2014.	August 2014	Major alterations to the hydrologic regime have occurred throughout the Colorado River Basin in Texas due to changing land and water use patterns and these anthropogenic influences on hydrologic variability have had major implications for riparian and aquatic ecosystems and the species dependent upon them, such as Guadalupe Bass Micropterus treculii. Comparison of the present flow regime and Guadalupe Bass morphological characteristics to historical hydrologic data and specimens will facilitate the assessment of effects of future hydrologic alterations due to increases in urbanization and water withdrawals on Guadalupe Bass populations.
Pati�o, R., Z. Xia, W.L. Gale, A.G. Maule, and X. Chang. 2000. Novel transcripts of the estrogen receptor alpha gene in channel catfish. Fourth International Symposium on Fish Endocrinology. Seattle, Washington	July 2000
Pati�o, R., Wainscott, M.R., Cruz-Li, E.I., Balakrishnan, S., McMurry, C., Anderson, T. 2001. Effects of ammonium perchlorate on the reproductive performance of zebrafish. Society for Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry, Baltimore, Maryland.	November 2001
Pati�o, R., Thomas, P., and Yoshizaki, G. 2003. Regulation and mechanisms of oocyte maturational and ovarian follicle ovulatory competencies. Seventh International Symposium on the Reproductive Physiology of Fish, Mie, Japan (Invited Presentation)	May 2003
Pati�o, R., G. Yoshizaki, P. Thomas, and H. Kagawa. 2000. Gonadotropic control of ovarian maturation: the two-stage concept and its mechanisms. Fourth International Symposium on Fish Endocrinology, Seattle, Washington (Invited Overview Presentation)	July 2000
Pati�o, R. 2005. Biomarkers of health and reproduction in amphibians. 2005 Meeting of the USGS Amphibian Research and Monitoring Initiative Program. Tucson, Arizona.	October 2005
Pati�o, R. 2004. Integration of concepts and mechanisms of ovarian follicle maturation and ovulation in teleost fishes, National Congress of Ichthyology, Villahermosa, Mexico (Keynote Presentation)	September 2004
Pati�o, R. 2004. Induction of maturation and spawning in fishes. Workshop on the Biology and Culture of Snooks, University of Tabasco, Villahermosa, Tabasco, Mexico (Invited Presentation)	April 2004
Pati�o, R. 2004. Fish production in arid zones. International Symposium on Current Trends in Meat Production in Arid Zones, Chihuahua, Mexico (Invited Presentation)	March 2004
Pati�o, R. 2002. Lake Mead Fish Endocrine Disruption. USGS National Contaminants Program Review, Stevenson, Washington (Case Study Invited Presentation).	February 2002
Pati�o, R. 2001. Novel concepts and mechanisms of ovarian follicle maturation in teleost fishes. Topics in Fisheries and Fish Biology (Symposium). Villahermosa, Tabasco, Mexico (Invited Presentation)	September 2001
Pati�o, R. 2000. Population-based experimental designs for laboratory studies of fish endocrine disruption. Interactions Among the Environment, the Endocrine and Immune Systems and Resistance to Disease in Marine Organisms (Workshop). Honolulu, Hawaii	July 2000
Patiño, R., Rashel, R., Rubio, A., Longing, S. 2017. Giant reed extract suppresses golden alga growth – a potential strategy involving the processing of one harmful invasive to control the growth of another. Annual Meeting of the Texas Chapter of the American Fisheries Society, Corpus Christi, Texas.	January 2017	Extracts of giant reed, a riparian invasive plant, seem to contain allelochemicals that suppress growth of golden alga, an ichthyotoxic aquatic invasive. This information could lead to the development of effective tools to suppress golden alga growth. Also, the processing of one harmful invasive to control the growth of another is an environmentally appealing strategy.
Patiño, R., Jenkins, J.A., Goodbred, S.L., Rosen, M.R., and Orsak, E. 2007. Indices of endocrine disruption and reproductive dysfunction in common carp from Lake Mead, Nevada. 137th Annual Meeting of the American Fisheries Society, San Francisco, California.	September 2007
Patiño, R., Hattori, R.S. 2017. Climate change, endocrine disruption, and fish reproductive health. 2017 FAPESP Week, Lubbock, Texas.	September 2017	Presentation provided summary of current knowledge of climate change and endocrine disruption as they relate to aquatic habitats and the reproductive health of freshwater fishes.
Patiño, R., Goodbred, S.L., Orsak, E., Jenkins, J.A., and Rosen, M.R. 2009. Endocrine and Gonadal Condition of Male Common Carp in the Lake Mead National Recreation Area (2007-2008). Lake Mead Science Symposium, Las Vegas, NV	January 2009
Patiño, R., Goodbred, S.L., Orsak, E., Jenkins, J.A., and Rosen, M.R. 2009. Assessment of endocrine and gonadal condition of male largemouth bass from Lake Mead National Recreation Area. Lake Mead Science Symposium, Las Vegas, NV.	January 2009
Patiño, R., Goodbred, S.L., Orsak, E., Jenkins, J.A., Rosen, M.R., Torres, L., Sharma, P., Wieser, C., and Ruessler, S. 2011. Indices of endocrine disruption and reproductive dysfunction in fish populations from Lake Mead and the lower Colorado River. Inaugural Meeting of the North American Society for Comparative Endocrinology, Ann Arbor, Michigan (symposium presentation).	July 2011
Patiño, R., Goodbred, S.L., Orsak, E., Jenkins, J.A., Rosen, M.R., Torres, L., Sharma, P., Wieser, C., Ruessler, R. Patterns of whole-body contaminant composition and biological condition and their association in male common carp across an environmental contaminant gradient in Lake Mead National Recreation Area, Nevada and Arizona, USA. 2012 Lake mead Symposium, Las Vegas, Nevada.	March 2012
Patiño, R., Goodbred, S., Orsak, E., Jenkins, J.A., Rosen, M., Torres, L., Sharma, P. 2009. Endocrine and gonadal condition of male common carp from various locations in the Lake Mead National Recreation Area. 30th Annual Meeting of the Society of Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry, New Orleans, Louisiana	November 2009
Patiño, R. Golden Alga (Prymnesium parvum) – An Emerging Threat. 2014. USACE Technical Session on Harmful Algal Blooms, Portland, Oregon (webinar).	May 2014	Review of golden alga biology, distribution, and management options.
Patiño, R. Ecophysiological perspectives in fish ecotoxicology. 2011 SACNAS National Conference, San Jose, California (Symposium presentation).	October 2011
Patiño, R. 2021. Distribution, environmental associations, and bloom control methods for the harmful algal species Prymnesium parvum (golden alga). U.S. Geological Survey, Oklahoma-Texas Water Science Center, Texas (webinar).	September 2021	Purpose of presentation is to inform water science and management stakeholders of current issues in the area of harmful algae in the southwestern USA and contributions by the Texas Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Unit.
Patiño, R. 2019. Towards a Better Understanding of Blue Suckers: Validation of Age Determination Methods and Establishing the Influence of Temperature on Aerobic Scope and Swimming Performance. Texas Parks and Wildlife Department Contract Number 490947.	October 2019	This study of blue suckers determined that fin rays can provide an adequate alternative to otoliths for age estimation when otoliths are not a feasible option. The study also showed that (1) the thermal limits for swimming performance are much broader than those reported for spawning migration and spawning and (2) current speed seemed to influence behavior and therefore could affect the fish's accessibility to spawning habitat.
Patiño, R. 2019. Environmental drivers of golden alga distribution in Texas. Meeting of the Texas Harmful Algal Bloom Work Group Subcommittee, Port Aransas, Texas.	July 2019	Presentation provided overview of current knowledge of environmental factors known to influence or regulate the distribution and toxic blooms of the harmful algal species, golden alga (Prymnesium parvum).
Patiño, R. 2018. Sex determination, gonadal sex differentiation, and sex control in channel catfish. Biotechnological innovations in fish culture: contributions and challenges to sustainable development (symposium, Fisheries Institute), Campos do Jordão, São Paulo, Brazil.	August 2018	This symposium presentation provided comprehensive review of basic and practical information about sex determination and early gonadal formation in channel catfish. Audience consisted of state agency and university scientists and graduate students.
Patiño, R. 2018. Gametogenesis in fishes. Biotechnological innovations in fish culture (graduate student workshop, State University of São Paulo ). Campos do Jordão, Brazil.	August 2018	This workshop presentation consisted of a review of morphological and physiological aspects of gamete formation in fishes. Audience consisted of graduate students from State University of São Paulo.
Patiño, R. 2017. Wildlife Endocrine Disruption: History, Present Status, and Future Outlook. 12th Scientific Meeting of the Fisheries Institute, Sao Paulo, Brazil.	April 2017	The history and outlook of the field of endocrine disruption is presented, along with selected contributions from the Patiño laboratory to the specific area of thyroid endocrine disruption.
Patiño, R. 2015. Contaminant exposures and endocrine disruption in fishes of Lake Mead (webinar). Lake Mead Ecosystem Monitoring Workgroup Meeting, Las Vegas, Nevada.	February 2015	Provided summary of research conducted by USGS since 1990s on topic of fish exposures to contaminants and associated endocrine disruption.
Patiño, R. 2015. Associations between Pre-spawn Concentrations of Plasma Sex Steroids and Reproductive Potential of Wild Common Carp at the Level of Individuals and Populations. 145th Meeting of the American Fisheries Society, Portland, Oregon, USA.	August 2015	Information is presented on how variation in endocrine activity may drive variation in reproductive life-history traits at individual and population levels in fish.
Patiño, R. 2014. A case study for interdisciplinary water research: the Rio Grande Basin. Texas Tech University Water Workshop, Lubbock, Texas.	November 2014	Presented case study for the development of multidisciplinary research on water and natural resources at Texas Tech University.
Patiño, R. 2013. Relationships among Climate, Water Quality and Toxic Blooms of Golden Alga in Texas. U.S. Geological Survey, NCCWSC Climate Change Science and Management Webinar Series.	July 2013	This work provides basic information on relationships between water quality, harmful golden alga blooms, and climate change.
Patiño, R. 2012. Water Programs in the U.S. Geological Survey. Texas Tech University Water Summit, Lubbock, Texas.	July 2012
Patiño, R. 2010. NSF CAREER Program. Texas Tech University Office of the Vice President for Research, Lubbock, Texas (Panel member)	April 2010
Patiño, R. 2008. Las Vegas Wash/Lake Mead studies: differences and similarities. Upper Brazos Watershed Research Symposium, Texas Tech University, Lubbock, Texas.	April 2008
Patiño R., VanLandeghem, M.M., Goodbred, S.L., Orsak, E., Jenkins, J.A., Echols, K., Rosen, M.R., Torres, L. Concentration and spatial distribution of whole-body contaminants in Common Carp of Lake Mead National Recreation Area, and biological implications. Lower Colorado River Science Symposium, February 8-9, 2016, Las Vegas, Nevada	February 2016	Study reports three separate contaminant gradients each with separate but interacting effects on biological condition. Findings illustrate the value of multivariate/multiple regression approaches to the analysis of complex datasets generated during field studies of endocrine disruption.
Pandey, R.N., R. Pati�o, and Z. Liu. 2004. Physiological effects of a progesterone receptor antagonist RU486 on follicular maturation and ovulation in Xenopus laevis. The Sixth International Congress of Zoology, Beijing, China.	August 2004
Pandey, R.N., Pati�o, R. and Liu, Z. 2003. Differential Effects of a Progesterone Receptor Antagonist, RU486, on Follicular Maturation and Ovulation in Xenopus laevis. 85th Annual Meeting of the Endocrine Society, Philadelphia	July 2003
Pandey, N., Pati�o, R., and Liu, Z. 2004. Physiological effects of a progesterone receptor antagonist RU486 on follicular maturation and ovulation in Xenopus laevis. Third Annual Symposium of the New Mexico Biomedical Research Infrastructure Network, Las Cruces, New Mexico	May 2004
Pandey, N., Pati�o, R., and Liu, Z. 2003. Differential effects of the progesterone receptor antagonist, RU486, on progesterone-induced maturation and ovulation of Xenopus oocytes. Second Annual Symposium of the New Mexico Biomedical Research Infrastructure Network, Taos, New Mexico	March 2003
Orsak, E., Patiño, R., Goodbred, S., Jenkins, J.A., Rosen, M., Torres, L. 2009. Endocrine and gonadal condition of male largemouth bass from Lake Mead, Nevada. 30th Annual Meeting of the Society of Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry, New Orleans, Louisiana	November 2009
Ogola B & TB Grabowski. 2012. Role of sound production in the mating system of spotted seatrout (Cynoscion nebulosus). Texas Tech Undergraduate Research Conference, Lubbock, Texas. 16-20 April 2012.	April 2012
Nishida, C., S. DeStefano, and C.W. Boal. 2001. Breeding success and distribution of Swainson's hawks (Buteo swainsoni) in southeastern Arizona. Annual meeting of the Raptor Research Foundation, Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada	October 2001
Nishida, C., S. DeStefano, C.W. Boal, and R. Hobbs. 2002. Productivity and nest site selection of Swainson's hawks in southeastern Arizona. 3rd North American Ornithological Conference, New Orleans, LA	September 2002
Murphy, R.K., D.W. Stahlecker, C.W. Boal, and B.A. Millsap. Survival and causes of mortality among pre-breeding age Golden Eagles in the Southern Great Plains. 2019 Meeting of The Raptor Research Foundation, Fort Collins, CO.	November 2019	Golden eagles are species of conservation concern in areas with rapidly increasing wind energy development. We document survival and cause specific mortality of juvenile eagles in the region of the Southern Great Plains.
Murphy, R.K., D.W. Stahlecker, C.W. Boal, and B.A. Millsap. 2019. Survival and causes of mortality among pre-breeding age golden eagles in the Southern High Plains. Joint Annual Meeting of the AZ/NM Chapters of the Wildlife Society, Albuquerque, NM.	February 2019	We studied survival of juvenile golden eagles in the southern Great Plains. Despite substantial concern of risk due to wind energy, we found electrocutions remain the primary cause of mortality for the species in the region.
Murphy, R., B. Woodbridge, D. Laplante, C. Boal, and D Stahlecker. Buffering Wind Turbines from Mesa Rims to Reduce Risk of Golden Eagle Blade-Strike Mortality. 12th NWCC Wind Wildlife Research Meeting, St. Paul, MN, Nov. 27 - 30, 2018.	November 2018	Eagle - wind energy conflict is a substantial issue due to eagles experiencing mortality at energy centers. We have found evidence that most locations for GPS tagged eagles in the Southwest United States occured within 100m of mesa rims; this provided important information for possible buffering of areas from turbine placement.
Munyaho TA, R Kayanda, TB Grabowski, G Marteinsdóttir. Stratification impacts on exploitation of Nile perch in Lake Victoria, East Africa. 5th International Symposium on GIS/Spatial Analyses in Fishery and Aquatic Sciences. Wellington, New Zealand. 22-26 August 2011.	August 2011
Munyaho TA, Kayanda R, Eversons I, Grabowski TB, Marteinsdóttir G. 2012. Impact of stratification on exploitation patterns of Nile perch Lates niloticus Linnaeus, 1758 in Lake Victoria, East Africa. 6th World Fisheries Congress, 7-11 May 2012, Edinburgh, Scotland, UK.	May 2012
Mullican, S.D., C.W. Boal, W.C. Conway, and R.D. Stevens. American kestrel (Falco sparverius) nest survival and productivity in the Llano Estacado of Texas. 2018 Meeting of the Texas Chapter of The Wildlife Society, Dallas, TX. Feb. 2018.	February 2018	Presentation documents one of the highest rates of nesting success and productivity, along with some of the highest reported incidences of apparent double brooding by American kestrels.
Mukhi, S., and R. Pati�o. 2004. New biomarkers of exposure to thyroid-disrupting compounds in aquatic systems. Texas Tech University Annual Graduate Student Research Day, Lubbock, Texas	April 2004
Mukhi, S., and Pati�o, R. 2005. Characterization of novel biomarkers of perchlorate exposure in zebrafish. 44th Annual Meeting of the Society of Toxicology, New Orleans, Louisiana.	March 2005
Mukhi, S., and Pati�o, R. 2005. Characterization of novel biomarkers of perchlorate exposure in zebrafish. 44th Annual Meeting of the Society of Toxicology Special Poster Session for Visiting Minority Undergraduate Students, New Orleans, Louisiana (invited presentation).	March 2005
Mukhi, S., and Pati�o, R. 2004. Novel biomarkers of perchlorate exposure in fishes. Desert Southwest Chapter, Society of Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry, El Paso, Texas	June 2004
Mukhi, S., and Pati�o R. 2004. Development and validation of new and sensitive biomarkers of perchlorate exposure in fishes. Twenty Eight Student Research Conference, Eastern New Mexico University, Portales, New Mexico	April 2004
Mukhi, S. and Pati�o, R. 2006. Subchronic toxic effects and accumulation of hexahydro-1,3,5-trinitro-1,3,5-triazine (RDX) in zebrafish (Danio rerio). Annual Meeting of the Society of Toxicology. San Diego, California.	March 2006
Mukhi, S. and Pati�o, R. 2005. Fish biomarkers of exposure to thyroid disrupting contaminants in aquatic environments. American Fisheries Society Texas Chapter, Grapevine, Texas.	January 2005
Mukhi, S. and Pati�o, R. 2004. Novel biomarkers of perchlorate exposure in zebrafish. South Central Regional Meeting of the Society of Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry, Waco, Texas	May 2004
Mukhi, S. and Pati�o, R. 2004. Novel biomarkers of perchlorate exposure in zebrafish. Fourth World Congress and 25th Annual Meeting of the Society of Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry, Portland, Oregon.	November 2004
Mukhi, S. and Pati�o, R. 2004. Development and validation of new and sensitive biomarkers of perchlorate exposure in fishes. 2004 Toxicology Research Expose, The Institute of Environmental and Human Health, Texas Tech University, Lubbock, Texas	April 2004
Mukhi, S. and Pati�o, R. 2003. Thyroidal angiogenesis: sensitive and persistent biomarker of perchlorate exposure in zebrafish. Society of Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry, Austin, Texas	November 2003
Mukhi, S. and Pati�o, R. 2003. Thyroidal angiogenesis: sensitive and long-lasting biomarker of perchlorate exposure in fishes. Texas Tech University Environmental Toxicology Research Symposium, Lubbock, Texas	April 2003
Mueller, J.S., T.B. Grabowski, S.K. Brewer, and T.A. Worthington. 2013. Effects of Temperature, Salinity, and Suspended Solids on the Development and Buoyancy of Arkansas River Shiner Eggs. Annual Meeting of the Southern Division, American Fisheries Society, Nashville.	February 2013	The development rate of eggs for many endangered species are unknown, particularly under varying physical and chemical conditions. This information is critical for making decisions about whether improvements can made across the landscape alowing persistence of these populations.
Mueller JS, TB Grabowski, SK Brewer, and T.A. Worthington. Effects of temperature, salinity, and suspended solids on the development and buoyancy of Arkansas River shiner eggs. 2013 Spring Meeting of the Southern Division of the American Fisheries Society. Nashville, TN. 7-10 February 2013.	February 2013	We used a full factorial experimental design to assess the effects of temperature, total dissolved solids, and total suspended solids on the buoyancy and developmental rate of ARS eggs and larva. Our findings will aid in identifying of areas that can support successful reproduction in pelagic-spawning cyprinids, such as ARS, and provides critical data for developing models predicting the effect of further anthropogenic disturbances.
Mueller JS, TB Grabowski, & SK Brewer. Effects of temperature, salinity, and suspended solids on the development and buoyancy of Arkansas River shiner eggs. 2013 Annual Meeting of the Texas Chapter of the American Fisheries Society. Lake Conroe, Texas. 17-19 January 2013.	January 2013	We used a full factorial experimental design to assess the effects of temperature, total dissolved solids, and total suspended solids on the buoyancy and developmental rate of ARS eggs and larva. Our findings will aid in identifying of areas that can support successful reproduction in pelagic-spawning cyprinids, such as ARS, and provides critical data for developing models predicting the effect of further anthropogenic disturbances.
Morris, S.A., C.W. Boal, and R. Patiño. 2021. Distribution and Abundance of Cormorants in Texas. Meeting of the Texas Chapter of the Wildlife Society, Online. 25 February 2021.	February 2021	Double crested cormorants (<i>Phalacrocorax auratus</i>; DCCO) and neotropic cormorants (<i>Phalacrocorax brasilanus</i>; NECO) are thought to be expanding their populations across Texas, causing concern for both fish stocking and fisheries management in public waters. Our objectives are to use citizen science data to determine the historic and current distributions of cormorants in Texas, and conducting field surveys to assess current seasonality of presence and association with fish stocking.
Morris, S.A., C.W. Boal, D.A. Haukos, and B.A. Grisham. 2020. Variability in Lesser Prairie-Chicken Egg Morphometrics and Appearance Across a Climate Gradient. Meeting of the Texas Chapter of the Wildlife Society, Corpus Christi, TX, 14 February 2020.	February 2020	We found evidence that lesser prairie-chickens in hotter and drier regions of their distribution lay smaller clutches of larger eggs. This may be an adaptation to reduce evapotranspiration and egg death in arid landscapes.
Moreno, M.V., Sosa, M., Patiño, R., Miranda, S.V., Rubio, A.D., Leal, L. 2009. Development of an accurate methodology for the determination of arsenic and heavy metals in freshwater fish tissues. European Winter Conference on Plasma Spectrochemistry, Graz, Austria.	February 2009
Moreno, M.V., Sosa, M., Patiño, R., Benavides, A., Miranda, S.V., Rubio, A.D., Leal, L. 2009. Concentrations of arsenic and mercury in bluegill, channel catfish and common carp from three water reservoirs in the State of Chihuahua. Tenth International Conference on the Biogeochemistry of Trace Metals, Chihuahua, Mexico.	July 2009
Miyazono, S., Patiño, R., and Taylor, C.M. 2014. Long-term changes in fish functional diversity and flow regime in the Rio Grande and its tributaries in the Trans-Pecos region in Texas. 61st Annual Meeting of Southwestern Association of Naturalists, Stillwater, Oklahoma, April 17-20, 2014.	April 2014	Results of this study indicate that the functional diversity of fish assemblages in the Big Bend region of the Rio Grande basin has decreased in localities where discharge volume is significantly lower compared to historical reference values. In localities where discharge volume has not changed, functional diversity has also remained stable.
Miyazono, S., Patiño, R., Taylor, C.M. 2016. Influence of dispersal on ecological niche assessments for a reintroduced endangered teleost in a desert river. Texas Chapter of the American Fisheries Society, Kerrville, Texas.	January 2016	The intentional reintroduction of animals to the wild is an important conservation tool for restoring extirpated species to their former ranges, but dispersal following reintroduction can greatly influence the ultimate distribution and complicate the interpretation of results from studies assessing the success of such efforts. Our results indicated that post-release dispersal largely accounted for the distribution and abundance of the endangered Rio Grande Silvery Minnow in the Big Bend region of the Rio Grande and suggest the importance of spatial scaling for a niche assessments of reintroduced species.
Miyazono, S., Patiño, R. Taylor, C.M. 2015. Discharge from the Rio Conchos (Mexico) drives streamflow, salinity, and fish diversity in the Big Bend area of the Rio Grande/Rio Bravo del Norte (USA/Mexico): a retrospective analysis. Annual Meeting of the Texas Chapter American Fisheries Society, Tyler, Texas.	January 2015	Study found that discharge from Rio Conchos (Mexico) strongly influences the hydrology (flow and salinity) and fish species diversity downstream of its confluence with Rio Grande, through the Big bend area.
Mitchell, N., P. Borsdorf, C. Dixon, B. Grisham, D. Haukos, and C. Boal. 2014. Evaluation of capture techniques on lesser prairie-chicken trap injury. 50th Annual Meeting of The Texas Chapter of The Wildlife Society, Austin, Texas, Feb 2014	February 2014	Lesser prairie-chickens are a species of substantial conservation concern. We identified trap-specific risk of injury to birds that may be useful in directing research methods for the species.
Mitchell, N., C. Boal, B. Skipper, R. Murphy, and D. Stahlecker. Survival and dispersal of juvenile golden eagles in the southern Great Plains and Trans Pecos regions. Annual meeting of The Wildlife Society, Albuquerque, NM.	September 2017	Eagles are species of high conservation priority but for which little information is available in NM and TX. We provide documented survival, dispersal, and habitat associations for juvenile eagles in the region.
Mitchell, N., B.R. Skipper, and C.W. Boal. Dispersal Patterns of Juvenile Golden Eagles During Their First Two Years. Annual Meeting of the Texas Chapter of The Wildlife Society, San Antonio TX, February 2017.	February 2017	Despite high conservation concern, there have not been any studies focusing on dispersal patterns, habitat use, survival rates, and home range of golden eagles in the Southern Great Plains and Trans Pecos regions. We attached PTTs to 20 golden eagle nestlings in the Southern Great Plains and Trans Pecos regions in 2015 and 2016 to determine survival rates, dispersal and movement patterns within the first two years post-fledging, as well as seasonal and annual home range size and habitat use.
Mitchell, N., B. Skipper, and C.W. Boal. Land Cover Associations of Migrant and Wintering Golden Eagles in the Southern Great Plains. Annual Meeting of the Texas Chapter of the Wildlife Society, San Antonio, TX.	February 2016	Golden eagles are a species of conservation priority but little has been done documenting there abundance or landuse association in the Southern Great Plains where wind energy development is progressing rapidly. This project documents our efforts in remedying the lack of relevant information on the species.
Mitchell, N., B. Skipper, and C. Boal. Abundance and Land Cover Associations of Migrant and Wintering Birds of Prey in the Southern Great Plains. Annual Meeting of the Texas Chapter of The Wildlife Society, Corpus Christi, TX, February 2015.	February 2015	Little contemporary or quantitative information is available regarding the composition, abundance, or distribution patterns of birds of prey in the Southern Great Plains of eastern New Mexico, the panhandle of Texas, and western Oklahoma. We will use a distance sampling approach to estimate species-specific detection rates and resulting density estimates and land cover associations across the region.
Mitchell, N., B. Skipper, and C. Boal. Abundance and Land Cover Associations of Migrant and Wintering Birds of Prey in the Southern Great Plains. 48th Joint Meeting of the New Mexico and Arizona Chapters of The Wildlife Society, Las Cruces, NM, February 2015.	February 2015	Little contemporary or quantitative information is available regarding the composition, abundance, or distribution patterns of birds of prey in the Southern Great Plains of eastern New Mexico, the panhandle of Texas, and western Oklahoma. We will use a distance sampling approach to estimate species-specific detection rates and resulting density estimates and land cover associations across the region.
Miller, A., C.W. Boal, E. Fish, T. Kingston, and L. Nagy. 2008. Avian mortality at a utility-scale wind farm in the Texas panhandle. Joint Meeting of the American Ornithologists Union, Cooper Ornithological Society, and the Society of Canadian Ornithologists, Portland, OR.	August 2008
Miller, A. and C.W. Boal. 2008. Bird and bat mortality at a small-scale windfarm in the Texas panhandle. 43rd Annual Meeting of the Texas Chapter of The Wildlife Society, San Antonio, TX.	February 2008
Milgalter, R.A., W.P. Kuvlesky, Jr., L. Brennan, D.G. Hewitt, E.J. Redeker, D. Kane, M.A. Actkinson, and C.W. Boal. The nesting ecology of white-tailed hawks (Buteo albicaudatus), red-tailed hawks (Buteo jamaicensis), and crested caracaras (Caracara cheriway) in south Texas. (Order of authors by institutional affiliation). Annual Meeting of the Raptor Research Foundation, Fort Collins, CO. Sept. 2010.	September 2010
Milgalter, R.A., W.P. Kuvlesky, Jr., L. Brennan, D.G. Hewitt, E.J. Redeker, D. Kane, M.A. Actkinson, and C.W. Boal. Precipitation, phenology, and raptor productivity: a nest-level analysis for white-tailed hawks (Buteo albicaudatus) breeding in south Texas. (Order of authors by institutional affiliation). Annual Meeting of the Raptor Research Foundation, Fort Collins, CO. Sept. 2010.	September 2010
Milgalter, R.A., W.P. Kuvlesky, Jr., C.W. Boal, L. Brennan, D.G. Hewitt, and E.J. Redecker. The nesting ecology of three sympatric raptors in south Texas. The Wildlife Society 16th Annual Conference, Monterrey, CA. Sep. 2009.	September 2009
Meyer, M.D., and Patiño, R. 2008. Toxicity of Jim Bertram Lake System water to fish embryos. Upper Brazos Watershed Research Symposium, Texas Tech University, Lubbock, Texas.	April 2008
Meyer, M.D., and Patiño, R. 2008. Toxicity of Jim Bertram Lake System water to fish embryos. 2008 Toxicology Research Exposé, The Institute of Environmental and Human Health, Texas Tech University, Lubbock, Texas	April 2008
Meyer, M.D., and Patiño, R. 2008. Total water hardness dictates the toxicological effects of cadmium on early development of zebrafish (Danio rerio). Graduate Student Research Poster Competition, Texas Tech University Graduate School, Lubbock, Texas.	April 2008
Meyer, M., and Patiño, R. 2009. Use of the zebrafish embryo in studies of harmful algal blooms. Graduate Student Research Poster Competition, Texas Tech University Graduate School, Lubbock, Texas.	April 2009
Meyer, M., and Patiño, R. 2009. Use of the zebrafish embryo in studies of harmful algal blooms. Golden Alga International Symposium and Texas Chapter of the American Fisheries Society, Fort Worth, Texas.	January 2009
Meyer, M., and Patiño, R. 2008. Use of the zebrafish embryo in studies of harmful algal blooms and surface water toxicity. 29th Annual Meeting of the Society of Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry, Tampa, Florida.	November 2008
Merriman, J., P. Zwank, C.W. Boal, T.A. Bashore. 2003. Spatial distribution of raptors in relation to prairie dog colonies. Texas Chapter of The Wildlife Society 38th Annual Meeting, Waco, TX	February 2003
Merriman, J., C.W. Boal, T.A. Bashore, and P. Zwank. 2003. Assessment of species-specific raptor-aircraft strike risks associated with prairie dog colonies. Annual Meeting of the Raptor Research Foundation, Anchorage, AK	September 2003
Meier, M.E., K.A. Watson, C.W. Boal, and J.D. Ray. 2019. Wind turbine concentrations and the threats they pose to Swainson’s hawks. Annual Meeting of the Texas Chapter of The Wildlife Society, Montgomery, TX, 20-23 February 2019	February 2019	We are assessing the potential for wind energy conflict for Swainson's hawks across their migratory route from the USA to Argentina. Currently, it appears the highest risk occurs in the United States, but that may change with increased wind energy development in Latin America.
Massure WA, TB Grabowski, &T Arsuffi. Evaluating the effects of drought and anthropogenic alterations on the growth of stream fishes on the Edwards Plateau. Southern Division of the American Fisheries Society Spring Meeting 2015. Savannah, GA. 29 January-01 February 2015.	January 2015	Both drought and landscape-level anthropogenic alterations, such as alterations of stream channel morphology and flow regime, have the potential to affect fish growth. Results from this study will provide biologists with a better understanding of how drought coupled with anthropogenic alterations effects the overall growth rate of stream fishes and will help improve decisions made for the management and conservation of stream fishes found within similar river systems.
Massure WA, TB Grabowski, &T Arsuffi. Evaluating the effects of drought and anthropogenic alterations on the growth of stream fishes on the Edwards Plateau. 2015 Annual Meeting of the Texas Chapter of the American Fisheries Society. 15-17 January 2015.	January 2015	Both drought and landscape-level anthropogenic alterations, such as alterations of stream channel morphology and flow regime, have the potential to affect fish growth. Results from this study will provide biologists with a better understanding of how drought coupled with anthropogenic alterations effects the overall growth rate of stream fishes and will help improve decisions made for the management and conservation of stream fishes found within similar river systems.
Massure WA, TB Grabowski, &T Arsuffi. Evaluating the effects of drought and anthropogenic alterations on the growth of stream fishes on the Edwards Plateau. 145th Annual Meeting of the American Fisheries Society. Portland, Oregon. 16-20 August 2015.	August 2015	Both drought and landscape-level anthropogenic alterations, such as alterations of stream channel morphology and flow regime, have the potential to affect fish growth. Results from this study will provide biologists with a better understanding of how drought coupled with anthropogenic alterations effects the overall growth rate of stream fishes and will help improve decisions made for the management and conservation of stream fishes found within similar river systems.
Massure WA, TB Grabowski, & T Arsuffi. Influence of drought and anthropogenic flow alterations on the growth of stream fishes on the Edwards Plateau, central Texas. 2016 Annual Meeting of the Texas Chapter of the American Fisheries Society. Kerrville, Texas. 21-23 January 2016.	January 2016	Drought and flow regime alteration have the potential to affect fish growth through numerous mechanisms and in so doing, can greatly influence demographic processes, such as recruitment and mortality. Our results will provide a better understanding of how drought coupled with anthropogenic alterations affect the overall growth rate of stream fishes and will help improve decisions made for the management and conservation of stream fishes, particularly those related to water management and instream flows.
Mary, M.A., Rashel, R.H., Patiño. R. 2019. Development of environmentally friendly methods to control harmful blooms of golden alga. Chihuahuan Desert Conference, El Paso, Texas.	November 2019	This study reports novel allelochemicals for their potential use in the control of harmful algal blooms.
Mary, M.A., Rashel, R.H., Patiño, R. 2020. Development of environmentally friendly methods to control harmful blooms of golden alga. Texas Chapter of the American Fisheries Society, Waco, Texas, January 23-25, 2020.	January 2020	This study reports novel allelochemicals derived from giant reed for their potential use in the control of harmful algal blooms.
Mary, M.A., Patiño, R. 2019. Development of cost-effective methods to control harmful algal blooms using allelochemicals. Texas Tech 10th Annual Biological Sciences Symposium. Texas Tech University. Lubbock, Texas.	April 2019	This presentation describes progress towards the identification of allelochemicals present in the invasive riparian plant, giant reed, and their effectiveness in suppressing growth of the invasive harmful alga, Prymnesium parvum.
Mannan, R.W., W.A. Estes, C.W. Boal, and W.J. Matter. 2001. Natal dispersal in Cooper's hawks in an urban environment. The Wildlife Society 8th Annual Meeting, Reno, NV	September 2001
Mannan, R.W., C.W. Boal, and R.J. Steidl. 2005. Identifying habitat sinks: a case study of Cooper's hawks in an urban environment. Symposia on causes and consequences of habitat selection. 75th Annual Meeting of the Cooper Ornithological Society, Arcata, CA.	October 2005
Mannan, R.W. and C.W. Boal. 2003. Recruitment in a population of urban-nesting Cooper's hawks. 36th Joint Annual Conference of the New Mexico/Arizona Chapters of The Wildlife Society and the American fisheries Society, Arizona and New Mexico Chapters, Gallup, NM	February 2003
Mannan, R.N., G. Perry, D.E. Andersen, and C.W. Boal. 2007. Habitat selection of boreal chorus frogs and wood frogs at Cape Churchill, Manitoba. 42nd Annual Meeting of the Texas Chapter of The Wildlife Society, Beaumont, TX.	February 2007
Malone, D.R., C.W. Boal, and T.L. Blankenship. Greater Roadrunner Habitat Selection in a Coastal Prairie-Brushland Mosaic: Implications for Coastal Prairie Restoration. North American Ornithological Conference VII, San Juan, Puerto Rico, 10-15 August 2020	August 2020	This presentation will document the habitat use and movement patterns of roadrunners in an area undergoing coastal prairie restoration.
Malone, D.R., C.W. Boal, and T.L. Blankenship. 2020. Home Range and Habitat Selection of the Greater Roadrunner on the Welder Wildlife Refuge. Meeting of the Texas Chapter of the Wildlife Society, Corpus Christi, TX, 14 February 2020.	February 2020	This presentation will document the habitat use and movement patterns of roadrunners in an area undergoing coastal prairie restoration.
Malone, D.R., C.W. Boal, and T.L. Blankenship. 2019. Home range and habitat selection of the greater roadrunner on the Welder Wildlife Refuge. Annual Meeting of the Texas Chapter of The Wildlife Society, Montgomery, TX, 20-23 February 2019	February 2019	This study is examining roadrunner response to coastal prairie restoration efforts. Although prairie restoration is an important conservation measure, how these efforts will affect roadrunners which require both brush and prairie is as yet unknown.
Malone, D.R., C.W. Boal, and T. L. Blankenship. 2021. Avian Community Response to Coastal Prairie Restoration Using Herbicide and Prescribed Fire on the Welder Wildlife Refuge. Meeting of the Texas Chapter of the Wildlife Society, Online. 25 February 2021.	February 2021	Grassland-obligate birds are experiencing declines across North America, and are focal species for prairie restoration efforts. We have been assessing the responses of avian and vegetation communities to herbicide and prescribed fire treatments in efforts to restore coastal prairie grasslands.
Malone, D.R., C.W. Boal, T.L. Blankenship, and R.D. Cox. 2021. Avian and vegetation response to coastal prairie restoration. Triennial Welder Foundation Fellows Symposium. Welder Wildlife Foundation, Sinton, TX	October 2021	The lead author is a Welder Foundation Fellow and is being invited to present his thesis research results at their triennial meeting. His research focused on coastal prairie restoration.
Mahurin, M.R., C.W. Boal, C.J. Conway, W.C. Conway, and J.D. Ray. 2021. Burrowing Owl Movements in Relation to Wind Energy Development. Meeting of the Texas Chapter of the Wildlife Society, Online. 25 February 2021.	February 2021	Burrowing owls are a species of high conservation concern and potentially negatively effected by wind energy development. We are examining seasonal movements and habitat use to assess use or avoidance of wind energy facilities.
Magnelia S, T Birdsong, M Bean, T Hardy, TB Grabowski, T Heard, D Holdstock, KA Kollaus, & K Tolman. Application and utility of a low-cost unmanned aerial system to manage and conserve aquatic resources in four Texas rivers. Southern Division of the American Fisheries Society Spring Meeting 2015. Savannah, GA. 29 January-01 February 2015.	January 2015	Unmanned aerial systems (UAS) have recently gained increasing attention in natural resources management due to their versatility and demonstrated utility in collection of high-resolution, temporally-specific geospatial data. The four case studies we describe represent an initial step toward assessing the full range of UAS applications in aquatic resources management, including their ability to offer potential cost savings, time efficiencies, and higher quality data over traditional survey methods.
MULLICAN, S. D., and C. W. BOAL. American Kestrel (Falco sparverius) Survival and Productivity in the Llano Estacado of Texas. 51st Meeting of the Raptor Research Foundation, Salt Lake City, UT.	November 2017	Kestrels populations are declining across North America except in our study region. Our study is an attempt to try to understand how and why the local population is increasing.
MITCHELL, N., C. BOAL, D. STAHLECKER, R. MURPHY, and B. SKIPPER. Dispersal and Survival of Fledgling Golden Eagles in the Southern Great Plains and Trans Pecos Regions of North America. 51st Meeting of the Raptor Research Foundation, Salt Lake City, UT.	November 2017	Eagles are species of high conservation priority but for which little information is available in NM and TX. We provide documented survival, dispersal, and habitat associations for juvenile eagles in the region.
Lucas J. Schilder, L.J., C. Borgman, R. Cox, and C.W. Boal. Changes in Avian Community Composition Following Prescribed Thinning of Pinyon-Juniper Woodlands. North American Ornithological Conference VII, San Juan, Puerto Rico, 10-15 August 2020	August 2020	This paper documents the change in avian community composition associated with prescribed thinning of pinyon-juniper woodlands.
Lucas J. Schilder, L.J., C. Borgman, C. Portillo-Quintero, R. Cox, and C.W. Boal. 2021. Changes in Avian Community Composition Following Prescribed Thinning of Pinyon-Juniper Woodlands. Meeting of the Texas Chapter of the Wildlife Society, Online. 25 February 2021.	February 2021	This paper documents the change in avian community composition associated with prescribed thinning of pinyon-juniper woodlands.
Linner, K., and C.W. Boal. 2014. Season-Specific Selection of Land-Use Types by Birds of Prey in the Southern High Plains: Implications for Wind Energy Development. 2014 Annual Meeting of The Raptor Research Foundation, Corpus Christi, TX, September 2014	September 2014	This work assesses species-specific associations of raptors with different landuse types on a season-specific basis. This information will be useful for wind energy center siting plans with the goal of minimizing wildlife conflict.
Linner, K., and C. Boal. 2014. Season-specific land-use by birds of prey in the Llano Estacado. 50th Annual Meeting of the Texas Chapter of The Wildlife Society, Austin, TX, Feb. 2014.	February 2014	Wind energy development poses risk to raptors and financial risk to industry. We have identified season-specific and species-specific patterns of cover-type use that can inform industry when planning new site construction.
Kumari, N., Zak, J.C., Patiño, R. 2017. The community structure of freshwater golden alga microbiome and importance of abiotic conditions. Annual Meeting of the Ecological Society of America, Portland, Oregon.	August 2017	Describes the association between various abiotic conditions and the microbiome of golden alga. Results may provide insights for better understanding of toxic blooms of golden alga in the context of changes in microbial community structures.
Kumakura, N., Sena, J.A., Wright, S.T., Patiño, R., and Liu, Z. 2007. Expression of cyclooxygenases and production of prostaglandins during ovulation in Xenopus ovarian follicles. Keystone Symposium ? Reproduction: Advances and Challenges, Santa Fe, New Mexico.	January 2007
Kumakura, N., Pati�o, R., and Thomas, P. 2004. Role of cyclooxygenase-1 and -2 during ovulation in ovarian follicles of Atlantic croaker. Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada	August 2004
Kost, O.A., C.W. Boal, and T. Blankenship. Avian community response to brush management efforts on the Welder Wildlife Refuge. Annual Meeting of the Texas Chapter of The Wildlife Society, San Antonio TX, February 2017.	February 2017	Brush control is an important habitat management tool, but effective approaches have not been widely assessed in Gulf Coast prairies. We are assessing the success of brush control in facilitating the establishment of grassland birds.
Kost, O.A., C.W. Boal, and T. Blankenship. Avian Response to Brush Management on the Welder Wildlife Refuge. Annual Meeting of the Texas Chapter of The Wildlife Society, Corpus Christi, TX.	February 2015	This is a preliminary report of a research project in progress examining avian community response to brush control under a Before-After, Control-Treatment study design in the coastal prairie of Texas.
Kost, O.A., C.W. Boal and T. Blankenship. Avian response to brush management on the Welder Wildlife Refuge. Annual Meeting of the Texas Chapter of the Wildlife Society, San Antonio, TX.	February 2016	This is a presentation documenting progress on the project and early evidence of brush control success and resulting changes in the avifaunal community.
Kost, O.A.*, Boal, C.W., Blankenship, T.L., and Cox, R.D. 2016. Avian Community Response to Brush Management Efforts on the Welder Wildlife Refuge. Annual Meeting of the Texas Society for Ecological Restoration, Livingston, TX.	November 2016	This research evaluates efficacy of herbicidal brush control to restore coastal prairie grasslands and the associated grassland bird communities.
Karube, M., Strussmann, C.A., Yoshizaki, G., and Pati�o. R. 2004. Cloning and expression of ovarian P-450 aromatase during the critical period of thermolabile sex determination in pejerrey Odontesthes bonariensis. 5th International Symposium on Fish Endocrinology, Castellon, Spain.	September 2004
Kane, D.F., M. Actkinson, W.P. Kuvlesky, C.W. Boal, L.A. Brennan, and F. Hernandez. 2006. Resource partitioning and productivity of a South Texas raptor assemblage. 42nd Annual Meeting of the Texas Chapter of The Wildlife Society, South Padre Island, TX.	February 2006
Kane, D., W.P. Kuvlesky, Jr., C.W. Boal, L.A. Brennan, and J.Eagan. 2005. Community assembly and ecology of a raptor guild in the Tamaulipan Biotic Province of south Texas. 40th Annual Meeting of the Texas Chapter of The Wildlife Society, Amarillo, TX	February 2005
Jenkins, J.A., T.S. Gross, R. Pati�o, R.D. Dale and S. Goodbred. 2000. The utility of male gamete quality tests as adjunct biomarker assays for endocrine disruption. Fish Health Section, American Fisheries Society. Gulf Breeze, Florida	August 2000
Jenkins, J.A., Draugelis-Dale, R., Eilts, B.E., Orsak, E., Patiño, R., Goodbred, S. 2009. Assessment of reproductive condition of two fish species in Lake Mead National Recreation Area. 30th Annual Meeting of the Society of Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry, New Orleans, Louisiana	November 2009
Ivey, K., K. Wright, J. Rogosch, H.I.A. Boehm, R. W. Tingley III, and C. P. Paukert. 2021. Exploring the relationship between assessment metrics and perceived success of river and stream restoration projects. Missouri Natural Resources Conference, Virtual Meeting. February 2-4, 2021	February 2021	This work will help managers identify what restoration actions have been successful in meeting challenges facing conservation and sustainability of inland fishes and assist researchers in selecting appropriate measures to assess restoration effectiveness.
Israel, N., VanLandeghem, M.M., Rogowski, D., Patiño, R. 2013. Relationships between surface water quality and golden alga blooms in the Pecos River basin, Texas and New Mexico, USA. Association for the Sciences of Limnology and Oceanography, 2013 Aquatic Sciences Meeting, New Orleans, Louisiana.	February 2013	Study aims to determine water quality variables that associate with or are responsible for toxic blooms of golden alga in the Pecos River, New Mexico and Texas.
Israel, N., VanLandeghem, M.M., Rogowski, D., Patiño, R. 2013. Relationships between surface water quality and golden Alga blooms in the Pecos River basin, Texas and New Mexico, USA. Texas Chapter of the American Fisheries Society, Lake Conroe, Texas.	January 2013	Study aims to determine water quality variables that associate with or are responsible for toxic blooms of golden alga in the Pecos River, New Mexico and Texas.
Israel, N., VanLandeghem, M.M., Rogowski, D., Patiño, R. 2013. Relationships between surface water quality and golden Alga blooms in the Pecos River basin, Texas and New Mexico, USA. 12th Annual Graduate Student Poster Competition, Texas Tech University , Lubbock, Texas.	April 2013	Study aims to determine water quality variables that associate with or are responsible for toxic blooms of golden alga in the Pecos River, New Mexico and Texas.
Hull, J.M., B.N. Stobel, C.W. Boal, H.B. Ernest, A.M. Irish, A.C. Hull, A.M. Fish, and C.R. Dykstra. 2008. Conservation, taxonomic status, and genetic differentiation among red-shouldered hawk subspecies. 2008 Annual Meeting of the Raptor Research Foundation, Missoula, MT.	August 2008
Huber, C.G., Pope, K.L., Pati�o, R., Blankinship, D.R. 2006. Habitat preferences of juvenile common snook in the lower Rio Grande, Texas. International Conference on Water in Arid and Semiarid Lands, Texas Tech University International Center for Arid and Semiarid Land Studies, Lubbock, Texas.	October 2006
Huber, C.G., Pope, K.A., and Patiño, R. 2009. Habitat preferences of juvenile common snook in the lower Rio Grande/Bravo del Norte. Second International Symposium on the Biology and Culture of Snooks, Villahermosa, Tabasco, Mexico.	July 2009
Heath, K.M., J.S. Beauchamp, C.W. Boal, D.P. Collins, W.C. Conway, G. Hensley, W.P. Johnson, and S.T. Saalfeld. 2020. Population Trends of Snowy Plovers on the Southern Great Plains. Meeting of the Texas Chapter of the Wildlife Society, Corpus Christi, TX, 14 February 2020.	February 2020	Previous research from 2007-2009 estimated that breeding snowy plovers at saline lakes in Texas experienced a ~75% population decline in the preceding decade. Based on our analyses of a 20-year survey data from New Mexico, annual survey data from Oklahoma, and weekly distance-sampling surveys in Texas, we found snowy plovers have continued to decline over the last 2 decades, with a 44% decline at 2 saline lakes in Texas and a 63% decline in New Mexico.
Heath, K.M., J.S. Beauchamp, C.W. Boal, D.P. Collins, W.C. Conway, G. Hensley, W.P. Johnson, and S.T. Saalfeld. 2019. 20-year population trends of breeding snowy plovers on the southern Great Plains of Texas, New Mexico, and Oklahoma. Annual Meeting of the Texas Chapter of The Wildlife Society, Montgomery, TX, 20-23 February 2019	February 2019	Previous research from 2007-2009 estimated that breeding snowy plovers at saline lakes in Texas experienced a ~75% population decline in the preceding decade. Based on our analyses of a 20-year survey data from New Mexico, annual survey data from Oklahoma, and weekly distance-sampling surveys in Texas, we found snowy plovers have continued to decline over the last 2 decades, with a 44% decline at 2 saline lakes in Texas and a 63% decline in New Mexico.
Heath, K.M., J.S. Beauchamp, C.W. Boal, D.P. Collins, W.C. Conway, B.A. Grisham, G. Hensley, W.P. Johnson, S.T. Saalfeld. Population Trends and Connectivity of Snowy Plovers on the Southern Great Plains. Annual Meeting of the American Ornithological Society, Anchorage, AK 24 – 28 June 2019.	June 2019	Snowy plover breeding habitat in the southern great plains can be 10-600 km apart. We detected within breeding season movements between isolated plover habitats 12 to > 600 km apart, indicating that SGP population connectivity exists.
Heath, K. M., J. S. Beauchamp, C. W. Boal, D. P. Collins,W. C. Conway, G. Hensley, W. P. Johnson, S. T. Saalfeld. 2019. Using Automated Telemetry to Investigate Population Connectivity of Snowy Plovers on the Southern Great Plains. Annual Meeting of the Texas Colonial Waterbird Society, Austin, TX. 19-20 November, 2019.	November 2019	Research conducted in 2007-2009 estimated that breeding Snowy Plovers (Charadrius nivosus) at saline lakes in the northwestern portion of Texas experienced a ~75% population decline in the preceding decade. We used the Motus Wildlife Tracking Network to track Snowy Plover movements across 6 sites on the SGP of Texas, New Mexico, and Oklahoma in 2017 and 2018; performed breeding season surveys in Texas; and used 20-year survey data from 2 National Wildlife Refuges (NWR; one in New Mexico, one in Oklahoma) to assess current population trends, relative abundances, and detection probability across the SGP landscape.
Haukos, D., C. Boal, S. Carleton, and B. Grisham. 2015. Roles of Cooperative Research Units in contemporary conservation of natural resources. North American Wildlife & Natural Resources Conference, Omaha, NE.	March 2015	As part of a Special Session at the North American Conference, we presented a case study of Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Units. We demonstrated that the Unit Model remains relevant in contemporary natural resource research.
Harryman, S.W.H., B.A. Grisham, C.W. Boal, S.S. Kahl, and C.A. Hagen. Movements and Habitat Selection of Lesser Prairie-Chickens in Conservation Reserve Program-Dominated Landscapes in the Southern High Plains of Texas. Annual Meeting of the Texas Chapter of The Wildlife Society, San Antonio, TX. February 2016.	February 2016	Lesser prairie-chickens are a priority for conservation efforts among prairie grasslands. This paper is the first examination of the value of CRP as a substitute for native prairie for the species.
Harryman, S.W.H., B.A. Grisham, C.W. Boal, S.S. Kahl, and C.A. Hagen. Evaluation of the conservation reserve program as a conservation practice for lesser prairie-chickens in the southern High Plains of Texas. Annual Meeting of the Texas Chapter of The Wildlife Society, San Antonio, TX.	February 2017	CRP is important as habitat for prairie-chickens in the northern extent of their range, but the grass species and growth are quite different from the southern part of their range. This study is the first to assess CRP practices in providing habitat for the species in the southern extent of its range.
Harryman, S., B. Grisham, S. Kahl, C. Boal, R. Martin, and C. Hagen. 2017. Multiscale habitat selection of lesser prairie-chickens in an agriculture/conservation reserve program land matrix. 32nd Prairie Grouse Technical Council Meeting, Dickinson, ND.	October 2017	We assessed habitat selection of lesser prairie-chickens within CRP fields in Texas using selection ratios after quantifying the amount and arrangement of different cover types across the study area. Based on our results, CRP fields were habitat for lesser prairie-chickens in our study area, and as such, beneficial to the species on the High Plains of Texas.
Harris, J.R., and C.W. Boal. 2021. Comparative Productivity of American Kestrels in a Nest Box Program and Natural Nests in Lubbock County, Texas. Meeting of the Texas Chapter of the Wildlife Society, Online. 25 February 2021.	February 2021	Little information is available regarding productivity differences between nest box programs and natural nest sites for American kestrels. We examined this, and found similar rates of nest success, but lower productivity among natural nests.
Harris, J.R., and C.W. Boal. 2020. Comparative Productivity of American Kestrels in a Nest Box Program and Natural Nests in Lubbock County, Texas. Meeting of the Texas Chapter of the Wildlife Society, Corpus Christi, TX, 14 February 2020.	February 2020	Little information is available regarding productivity differences between nest box programs and natural nest sites for American kestrels. We examined this, and found similar rates of nest success, but lower productivity among natural nests.
Harris, J.R., and C.W. Boal. 2019. Seasonal and annual variation in raptor species presence and abundance in the southern Great Plains of Texas. Annual Meeting of the Texas Chapter of The Wildlife Society, Montgomery, TX, 20-23 February 2019	November 2019	We examined raptor species abundances, and community diversity and overlap on a seasonal and annual basis across 7 years. These data will be examined in context of weather patterns and prey densities.
Harris, J.R., and C.W. Boal. 2019. Seasonal and annual variation in raptor species presence and abundance in the southern Great Plains of Texas. Annual Meeting of the Texas Chapter of The Wildlife Society, Montgomery, TX, 20-23 February 2019	February 2019	We examined raptor species abundances, and community diversity and overlap on a seasonal and annual basis across 7 years. These data will be examined in context of weather patterns and prey densities.
Haralson, C.L., C.W. Boal, and C. Farquhar. 2008. Breeding ecology of white-tailed hawks on the Texas barrier islands. 43rd Annual Meeting of the Texas Chapter of The Wildlife Society, San Antonio, TX.	February 2008
Haralson, C.L., C.W. Boal, and C. Farquhar. 2008. Breeding ecology of white-tailed hawks on the Texas barrier islands. 2008 Annual Meeting of the Raptor Research Foundation, Missoula, MT.	September 2008
Haralson, C.L. and C.W. Boal. 2007. Breeding ecology of the white-tailed hawk on Texas barrier islands. 42nd Annual Meeting of the Texas Chapter of The Wildlife Society, Beaumont, TX.	February 2007
Hailu, T., Jeter, R., Zak, R., Patiño, R. 2015. Interactions Among Environmental Variables and Microbial Communities in Reservoirs of the Upper Colorado and Brazos Rivers, Texas, as a potential proximate cause of Golden Alga Blooms. 2015 Meeting, Texas Branch of the American Society for Microbiology, New Braunfels, Texas.	March 2015	This study examined the association between the composition of microbial communities and the presence or absence of the toxic algal species, golden alga. Results could inform management for the control of toxic blooms.
Hailu, T., Jeter, R., Zak, J., Patiño, R. 2017. Seasonal association of golden algal abundance with microbial community composition and structure in lakes of semi-arid west Texas. Ecological Society of America 2017 Annual Meeting, Portland, Oregon.	August 2017	This is one of very few studies describing the association between microbial community composition and structure and the abundance of the harmful algal species, golden alga. Results described may help understand the regulation of golden alga blooms by biotic environmental factors.
Hailu, T, Jeter, R., Zak, J., Patiño, R. 2015. Interactions among environmental variables and microbial communities in reservoirs of the Upper Colorado and Brazos Rivers, Texas, as a potential proximate cause of Golden Alga blooms. Graduate Student Research Poster Competition, Texas Tech University Graduate School, Lubbock, Texas.	April 2015	This study examined the association between the composition of microbial communities and the presence or absence of the toxic algal species, golden alga. Results could inform management for the control of toxic blooms.
Hailu, T, Jeter, R., Zak, J., Patiño, R. 2015. Interactions among environmental variables and microbial communities in reservoirs of the Upper Colorado and Brazos Rivers, Texas, as a potential proximate cause of Golden Alga blooms. Annual Conference, Texas Tech University Association of Biologists, Lubbock, Texas.	April 2015	This study examined the association between the composition of microbial communities and the presence or absence of the toxic algal species, golden alga. Results could inform management for the control of toxic blooms.
Gulick, C.K., and C.W. Boal. Nest Box Use and Productivity of American Kestrels on the High Plains of Texas. Annual Meeting of the Texas Chapter of the Wildlife Society, San Antonio, TX.	February 2016	This presentation will provide an analysis of nesting success and nest box use by American kestrels in terms of environmental and landscape level variables. This is in relation to a nest box program initiated 3 years ago as a student training tool by the TX Coop Unit.
Gulick, C., B. Skipper, and C. Boal. 2014. Occupancy estimates of ferruginous hawks in the Snake River Bird of Prey Area. 50th Annual Meeting of the Texas Chapter of The Wildlife Society, Austin, TX, Feb. 2014.	February 2014	We found that detection and occupancy of ferruginous hawks were consistent between years despite substantial environmental difference in the years. This was possibly due to the species association with utility poles.
Groeschel JR, TB Grabowski, & GP Garrett. Evaluations of the growth and habitat use of Guadalupe Bass at a landscape scale in the South Llano River, Texas. 2013 Annual Meeting of the Texas Chapter of the American Fisheries Society. Lake Conroe, Texas. 17-19 January 2013.	January 2013	We will discuss the age-specific habitat use and habitat-specific growth rates of Guadalupe bass in the South Llano River. Our results suggest age-specific Guadalupe bass habitat associations that may increase the effectiveness of restoration efforts directed at the species.
Groeschel JR, TB Grabowski, & GP Garrett. Evaluations of the growth and habitat use of Guadalupe Bass at a landscape scale in the South Llano River, Texas. 2013 Annual Meeting of the Texas Chapter of the American Fisheries Society. Lake Conroe, Texas. 17-19 January 2013.	February 2013	We will discuss the age-specific habitat use and habitat-specific growth rates of Guadalupe bass in the South Llano River. Our results suggest age-specific Guadalupe bass habitat associations that may increase the effectiveness of restoration efforts directed at the species.
Groen, L., C.W. Boal, J.D. Ray, and J. Walker. Modeling wind turbine collision risk for migrating Swainson’s hawks at an international scale. Annual meeting of the Texas Chapter of The Wildlife Society, Corpus Christi, TX.	February 2015	Each autumn, Swainson’s hawks migrate en masse from North America to their wintering grounds in Argentina, and returns in the spring for a round trip distance that may exceed 22,000 km. We are using data from GPS tagged Swainson’s hawks to construct Brownian Bridge movement models to determine the potential for Swainson’s hawks to encounter, and potentially be at risk of, wind energy centers along their international migration route.
Groen, L., C.W. Boal, J. Ray, and J. Walker. 2014. Movement Rates of Swainson’s Hawks from the Plains of Texas to the Pampas of Argentina. 2014 Annual Meeting of the Raptor Research Foundation, Corpus Christi, TX, September 2014.	September 2014	This study reports gender- and season-specific migration and movement rates for Swainson's hawks between Texas USA, and Argentina. It provides new information and identifies migratory corridors through Central America.
Groen, L., C. Boal, J. Ray, and J. Walker. 2014. Movement rates of Swainson's hawks migrating from Texas to Argentina. 50th Annual Meeting of the Texas Chapter of The Wildlife Society, Austin, TX, Feb. 2014.	February 2014	Many ecological questions remain regarding the migration ecology of Swainson's hawks. We are using GPS Platform Transmitter Terminals to assess environmental factors influence gender-specific and pair-specific movement rates during migration.
GrishamG, B., C.W. Boal, and D. Haukos. 2012. The predicted influence of climate change on Lesser Prairie-Chicken reproductive ecology. 48th Annual Meeting of the Texas Chapter of The Wildlife Society, Fort Worth, TX. Feb. 2012.	February 2012
Grisham, B.A., J. Zavaleta, C.W. Boal, and D.A. Haukos. 2013. Management of lesser prairie-chicken populations in shinnery oak-grasslands: priorities and future directions. 49th Annual Meeting of the Texas Chapter of The Wildlife Society, Houston, TX. Feb. 2013.	February 2013	We drew on a 10 year data set and broadbased analysis of lesser prairie-chicken research in shinnery-oak habitat in west Texas and New Mexico. We provide our insights as to priorities for future research of the species regionally in context of what data and information are lacking.
Grisham, B.A., C.W. Boal, C. Coldren, P.S. Gipson, J.D. Ray, R. Stubblefield, and W.C. Conway. 2021. A Paradigm Shifting Without a Clutch: A Six Year Evaluation of Student Engagement and Degree Pride in the Department of Natural Resources Management. Meeting of the Texas Chapter of the Wildlife Society, Online. 25 February 2021.	February 2021	Undergraduate enrollment in the Department of Natural Resources Management at Texas Tech University nearly tripled between 2008 and 2020, a growth far outpacing that of both college and university. We review end-of-degree evaluations indicating above average growth may be attributed to 1) engaged, active faculty, 2) hands-on experience inside and outside the classroom, 3) development of degree pride, 4) and active professional organizations.
Grisham, B., and C.W. Boal. 2011. Limiting factors affecting population persistence of lesser prairie-chicken populations in shinnery-oak communities on the Southern High Plains. 29th Meeting of the Prairie Grouse Technical Council, Hays, KS. Oct. 2011.	October 2011
Grisham, B., N. Pirius, C.W. Boal, H. Whitlaw, and D. Lucia. Reproductive ecology and survival of lesser prairie-chickens in the Southern High Plains of Texas. Prairie Grouse Working Group Meeting, Portales, NM. Oct. 2009.	October 2009
Grisham, B., J. Lautenbach, R. Plumb, J. Kraft, J. Reitz, D. Sullins, C. Conring, A. Godar, C. Griffin, C. Boal, and D. Haukos. 2014. Does microclimate explain spatial variation in lesser prairie-chicken nest survival? 50th Annual Meeting of The Texas Chapter of The Wildlife Society, Austin, Texas, Feb 2014	February 2014	We found maximum daily temperature and minimum daily relative humidity were negatively correlated to nest survival of lesser prairie-chickens for all study areas. Preliminary analyses indicate support for our hypothesis that abiotic conditions appear to exert strong influences on lesser prairie-chicken nest survival in the southwestern region, but reduced influences in the northern and northeastern extents of their distribution.
Grisham, B., E.W. Boal, D. Lucia, H.A. Whitlaw, and K. Boydston.2009. Reproductive ecology and survival of lesser prairie-chickens on the Southern High Plains. Meeting of the Lesser Prairie-chicken Interstate Working Group, Lubbock TX.	January 2009
Grisham, B., D. Greene, R. Cox, S. Fritts, C. Boal, D. Haukos, and W. Heck. 2017. Lesser prairie-chicken brood ecology in the sand shinnery oak prairie ecoregion. 32nd Prairie Grouse Technical Council Meeting, Dickinson ND.	October 2017	We evaluated brood-site selection and brood survival of lesser prairie-chickens among control sites and four combinations of treatments with tebuthiuron (0.60kg/ha) and a short-duration, rotational-grazing system used to restore sand shinnery oak prairies. Our results indicated starvation and thermal cover are two proximate mechanisms limiting brood recruitment on the Southern High Plains.
Grisham, B., C.W. Boal, and D. Haukos. 2011. Thermal ecology of nesting lesser prairie-chickens and the potential implications of climate change. Annual Meeting of The Wildlife Society, Waikoloa, HI. Nov. 2011.	November 2011
Grisham, B., C.W. Boal, and D. Haukos. 2011. Thermal ecology of nesting lesser prairie-chickens and the potential implications of climate change. 29th Meeting of the Prairie Grouse Technical Council, Hays, KS. Oct. 2011.	October 2011
Grisham, B., C.W. Boal, and D. Haukos. 2011. A ten year assessment of herbicide treatment and grazing on nest site selection and daily nest survival of lesser prairie-chickens in New Mexico. 29th Meeting of the Prairie Grouse Technical Council, Hays, KS. Oct. 2011	October 2011
Grisham, B., C.W. Boal, W. Ballard, B. Dabbert, D. Haukos, K. Boydston, and H.A. Whitlaw. 2008. Reproductive ecology of lesser prairie-chickens in relation to wind energy development in the Southern High Plains of Texas. Wildlife Diversity Conference, Houston, TX.	January 2008
Grisham, B., C. Boal, and D. Haukos. Understanding the thermal tolerance of nesting lesser prairie-chickens to predict population level influences of climate change. 47th Annual meeting of the Texas Chapter of The Wildlife Society, San Antonio, TX Feb 2011	February 2011
Grisham, B., C. Boal, and D. Haukos. Thermal tolerances of nesting lesser prairie-chickens and the potential population level influence of climate change. 2011 Joint Meeting of the Association of Field Ornithologists, Cooper Ornithological Society, and the Wilson Ornithological Society, Kearney, NE. Mar. 2011.	March 2011
Griffin, C.P., A.J. Godar, S.R. Fritts, D.U. Greene, B.A. Grisham, C.W. Boal, D.A. Haukos, J.C. Pitman, G.M. Beauprez, M.A. Patten, and C.A. Hagen. 2016. A range-wide assessment on the influence of anthropogenic structure dispersion and land cover patch size on lesser prairie-chicken lek attendance. NAOC, Washington, D.C.	October 2016	Lesser prairie-chickens require landscapes free of anthropomorphic structures. The response differs spatially and was related to habitat quality.
Griffin, C.P., A.J. Godar, S.R. Fritts, B.A. Grisham, C.W. Boal, D.A. Haukos, J.C. Pitman, G.M. Beauprez, M.A. Patten, and C.A. Hagen. 2016. A range-wide assessment of the influence of anthropogenic features and landcover patterns on lesser prairie-chicken lek attendance. Annual Meeting of the Texas Chapter of The Wildlife Society, San Antonio, TX.	February 2016	Lek density of lesser prairie-chickens was related to a number of landcover and anthropogenic variables. Oil/gas wells and transmission lines had the greatest impact on lek density.
Griffin, C.P., A.J. Godar, B.A. Grisham, C.W. Boal, D.A. Haukos, J.C. Pitman, C.A. Hagen. A Range-Wide Assessment of the Influence of Weather on Lesser Prairie-Chicken Demographic Parameters. Annual meeting of the Texas Chapter of The Wildlife Society, Corpus Christi, TX, February 2015	February 2015	To assess the role of environmental conditions on Lesser Prairie-Chicken nest and female survival, we analyzed demographic data in 2007-2012 in the sand shinnery oak (SSOP) from 1997-2002 in the sand sagebrush prairie (SSBP) ecoregions. Our results suggest environmental conditions influenced nest survival more than female survival, disproportionately influenced nest survival in the SSOP, and corroborate our earlier findings that suggest environmental variables are a contributing factor that influence Lesser Prairie-Chickens population dynamics on the Southern High Plains.
Griffin, C., A. Godar, D. Greene, B. Grisham, C. Boal, D. Haukos, G. Beauprez, J. Pitman, and C. Hagen. 2018. A range–wide assessment on the influence of anthropogenic structure dispersion and land cover patch size on lesser prairie-chicken lek attendance. International Grouse Symposium, Logan, Utah.	September 2018	Establishment of leks is critical to lesser prairie-chicken populations. Our results suggested that lesser prairie-chicken’s response to anthropogenic structure varied depending on the ecoregion and structure type.
Grier, H.J., Uribe, M.C., and Patiño, R. 2009. Saltwater Perciformes: from oogonia to pelagic eggs. Fourth International Workshop on Gonadal Histology of Fishes, Cadiz, Spain.	June 2009
Grier, H.J., Quagio-Grassiotto, I., Uribe, M.C., and Patiño, R. 2009. Switching "postovulatory follicle complex" for postovulatory follicle". Fourth International Workshop on Gonadal Histology of Fishes, Cadiz, Spain.	June 2009
Greene, D.U., B.A. Grisham, C.W. Boal, D.A. Haukos, and R.D. Cox. Brood Survival of Lesser Prairie Chickens in the Sand Shinnery Oak Ecoregion of Texas and New Mexico. Annual Meeting of the Texas Chapter of The Wildlife Society, San Antonio TX, February 2017.	January 2017	There is currently little information on brood ecology and survival of Lesser Prairie-Chickens in the sand shinnery oak prairie ecoregion. We evaluated brood site selection and survival regarding vegetation structure, invertebrate abundance and richness, and management practices at control sites (TX, NM) and grazing (short-duration, rotational) and herbicide (shrub control) treatments (NM).
Greene, D.U., B.A. Grisham, C.W. Boal, D.A. Haukos, and R.D. Cox. 2017. Brood survival of lesser prairie-chickens in the sand shinnery oak ecoregion of Texas and New Mexico. Annual Meeting of The Wildlife Society, Albuquerque, NM.	September 2017	Brood ecology of lesser prairie-chickens is poorly understood, yet critical to population viability. A variety of factors influenced brood survival and habitat selection with considerable variation among study sites.
Gray, O., C. Skidmore, C. Boal, B. Skipper, and R. Martin. 2020. Nest Success and Productivity of State Threatened Raptor Species in the Trans Pecos Region of Texas. Meeting of the Texas Chapter of the Wildlife Society, Corpus Christi, TX, 14 February 2020.	February 2020	Little information is available as to status of three state listed threatened raptors occupying riparian systems. We assess nesting success and productivity of these species in 2018 and 2019.
Grabowski, K., Dawson, D., Betsill, B., Patiño, R. 2012. Land use practices in the Upper Colorado River and Concho River Basins: associations with golden algal blooms. Texas Chapter of the American Fisheries Society, Galveston, Texas.	February 2012
Grabowski TB, T Birdsong, PT Bean, BD Cheek, & J Groeschel. Endemic black basses as drivers of watershed conservation and restoration: combining emerging technologies and traditional fisheries techniques to evaluate the use of Guadalupe Bass as a keystone species in Texas streams. 2013 Spring Meeting of the Southern Division of the American Fisheries Society. Nashville, Tennessee. 7-10 February 2013.	February 2013	We will discuss the potential of Guadalupe bass as an indicator of stream health in central Texas streams based on the results of on-going studies. Further, we will describe how combining emerging technologies, such as low-cost side scan sonar mapping and unmanned aerial vehicle surveys, with traditional fisheries techniques and surveys can provide insights into the effectiveness of restoration efforts at multiple spatial scales.
Grabowski TB, Q Chen, B Ogola, & R Vega. Characterization of the function of different call types in the acoustic repertoire of spawning Spotted Seatrout. Southern Division of the American Fisheries Society Spring Meeting 2015. Savannah, GA. 29 January-01 February 2015.	January 2015	Spotted Seatrout is an ecologically and recreationally important estuarine-dependent finfish along the coast of the Gulf of Mexico that exhibits a relatively complex mating system, of which sound production is an important component. This information may enable for higher resolution in-situ monitoring of Spotted Seatrout aggregations both in the wild and in production facilities.
Grabowski TB, Q Chen, B Ogola, & R Vega. Characterization of the function of different call types in the acoustic repertoire of spawning Spotted Seatrout. 2015 Annual Meeting of the Texas Chapter of the American Fisheries Society. 15-17 January 2015.	January 2015	Spotted Seatrout is an ecologically and recreationally important estuarine-dependent finfish along the coast of the Gulf of Mexico that exhibits a relatively complex mating system, of which sound production is an important component. This information may enable for higher resolution in-situ monitoring of Spotted Seatrout aggregations both in the wild and in production facilities.
Grabowski TB, PT Bean, B Grisham, and JR Groeschel. Linking low-cost side scan sonar habitat data with occupancy-based population models. 145th Annual Meeting of the American Fisheries Society. Portland, Oregon. 16-20 August 2015.	August 2015	The use of low-cost side scan sonar has provided a wealth of fine-scale habitat data, but have not been fully integrated into assessments of stream fish demographics or occupancy patterns. Instream habitat data collected using low-cost side scan sonar provided additional insights into the population dynamics of our study species that would not have been available using other approaches.
Grabowski TB, JE Pease, & JR Groeschel. Intraspecific differences in morphology corresponds to differential spawning habitat use in two riverine catostomid species. 144th Annual Meeting of the American Fisheries Society. Quebec City, Quebec, Canada. 17-21 August 2014.	August 2014	We evaluated the relationship between morphology and habitat measures, such as current velocity, slope, and substrate particle size, in spawning Robust Redhorse and Notchlip Redhorse from the lower Savannah River, South Carolina-Georgia.These differences suggest that ensuring spawning habitat heterogeneity may be an important component to conserving intraspecific diversity.
Grabowski TB, BJ McAdam, V Thorsteinsson & G Marteinsdóttir. Evidence of segregated spawning in a single marine fish stock: sympatric divergence of ecotypes in Icelandic cod? 141st Annual Meeting of the American Fisheries Society. Seattle, WA. 4-8 September 2011.	September 2011
Grabowski TB, BD Cheek, JR Groeschel, PT Bean, & S Magneila. Evaluating the habitat associations of a stream fish assemblage at multiple spatial scales using low-cost side scan sonar. Southern Division of the American Fisheries Society Spring Meeting 2015. Savannah, GA. 29 January-01 February 2015.	January 2015	We used a combination of side scan sonar surveys, imagery collected by an unmanned aerial vehicle, and instream surveys of fishes and physicochemical conditions to evaluate the effect of physicochemical and habitat variables at various spatial scales on fish assemblage habitat associations in the South Llano River, a spring-fed second order stream on the Edwards Plateau in central Texas. Side-scan sonar proved to be a cost-effective means of acquiring information on the habitat availability of the entire river length and allowed for the assessment of how a full suite of riverscape-level variables influenced local fish assemblage structure.
Goodbred, S.L., Patiño, R., Rosen, M.R., Jenkins, J.A., Orsak, E., Torres, L., Sharma, P., Wieser, C., Ruessler, S. Has Fish Health in Lake Mead Improved Since 1995? 2012 Lake Mead Symposium, Las Vegas, Nevada.	March 2012
Godar, A.J., C.P. Griffin, B.A. Grisham, D.A. Haukos, S.R. Fritts, B.E. Ross, C.W. Boal, C.A. Hagen, M.A. Patten, and J.C. Pitman. 2017. Combining weather data and climate projections: a case study with Lesser Prairie-Chickens. Annual meeting of the Midwest Fish and Wildlife Agencies, Lincoln, NE.	February 2017	Use of climate change projections is important to predict future conditions for grassland birds. Using lesser prairie-chickens as a case study, we demonstrate how climate data can be used in an integrated population model.
Godar, A.J., B.A. Grisham, C.W. Boal, and D.A. Haukos. 2015. Does Microclimate Explain Regional Variation in Lesser Prairie-Chicken Nest Survival? Kansas Natural Resource Conference, Wichita.	January 2015	These are results of a comparison of the influence of weather on lesser prairie-chicken nest success. Relative humidity has the greatest influence of tested variables on nest success.
Godar, A.J., B.A. Grisham, C.W. Boal, D.A. Haukos. Does Microclimate Explain Regional Variation in Lesser Prairie-Chicken Nest Survival? Annual meeting of the Texas Chapter of The Wildlife Society, Corpus Christi, TX, February 2015.	February 2015	The range of the lesser prairie-chicken (LEPC) exists along diverse longitudinal precipitation and latitudinal temperature gradients, but data allowing assessment of these influence are lacking across the distribution of the species. We monitored 26 nests in sand shinnery oak prairie, 30 in short-grass/CRP prairie and 49 in mixed-grass prairie ecosystems and our results indicated model selection uncertainty among our a priori candidate models, but found 1) nest survival increased as relative humidity increased and 2) nests in sand shinnery oak prairies were more susceptible to environmental conditions during incubation, which may explain regional variation in nest survival for the species
Godar, A.J., B.A. Grisham, C.P. Griffin, S.R. Fritts, C.W. Boal, D.A. Haukos, J.C. Pitman, M.A. Patten, and C.A. Hagen. 2016. The influence of weather parameters on lesser prairie-chicken rangewide nest survival. Annual Meeting of the Texas Chapter of The Wildlife Society, San Antonio, TX.	February 2016	Environmental conditions influence nest success of lesser prairie-chickens. Combinations of precipitation and extreme temperatures that varied among ecoregions were dominant models related to nest success.
Godar, A.J., B.A. Grisham, B.E. Ross, C.W. Boal, S.R. Fritts, C.P. Griffin, C.A. Hagen, D.A. Haukos, M.A. Patten, and J.C. Pitman. 2016. Rangewide assessment of the influence of climate change on lesser prairie-chicken population persistence. North American Ornithological Congress, Washington, D.C.	August 2016	Climate change will greatly affect lesser prairie-chicken population demography. This affect will be greatest in the sand shinnery oak prairie of the southwest portion of the species range.
Godar, A.J., B.A. Grisham, B.E. Ross, C.W. Boal, S.R. Fritts, C.P. Griffin, C.A. Hagen, D.A. Haukos, M.A. Patten, and J.C. Pitman. 2016. Incorporating contemporary statistical methods into long-term ecological data: A case study using Lesser Prairie-Chickens. Kansas Natural Resources Conference, Wichita, KS	February 2016	Understanding population demography of lesser prairie-chickens requires long-term monitoring to incorporate all of the potential variables influencing population growth. An integrated population model was developed and tested to assess relationships among weather and and demographic data, landscape characteristics, use patterns, lek persistence, and other variables.
Giovanni, M.D., C.W. Boal, and H.A. Whitlaw. 2008. Ferruginous hawk nest survival in the Texas panhandle: addressing observer-based disturbance and other sources of uncertainty. 2008 Annual Meeting of the Raptor Research Foundation, Missoula, MT.	September 2008
Giovanni, M.D., C.W. Boal, and H.A. Whitlaw. 2005. Prey use and partitioning by sympatric ferruginous hawks and Swainson's hawks on the Southern Great Plains. 40th Annual Meeting of the Texas Chapter of The Wildlife Society, Amarillo, TX	February 2005
Giovanni, M., C.W. Boal, and H. Whitlaw. 2004. Prey use of ferruginous and Swainson's hawks in a short-grass prairie and agricultural community: a preliminary report. Texas Chapter of The Wildlife Society 39th Annual Meeting, Kerrville, TX	February 2004
Gicklhorn, T.S., P.K. Borsdorf, C.W. Boal, and M. VanLandeghem. Assessing Predator-Prey Use and Interactions at Man-Made Water Sources on the Southern High Plains of Texas. Annual Meeting of the Texas Chapter of the Wildlife Society, San Antonio, TX.	February 2016	This presentation will document timing and frequency of both predator and prey species visiting stock tanks for water, and examines the potential for predator avoidance or increased mortality risk.
Gicklhorn, T., P.K. Borsdorf, N. Pirius, and C.W. Boal. 2013. Seasonal use of artificial water-sources by lesser prairie-chickens (Tympanuchus pallidicinctus). 49th Annual Meeting of the Texas Chapter of The Wildlife Society, Houston, TX. Feb. 2013.	February 2013	We examined seasonal patterns of water use by lesser prairie-chickens at stock tanks. Our study is the first to rigorously assess free water use by the species and provides insights as to water as a conservation tool during periods of drought.
Gicklhorn, T., N. Pirius, and C. Boal. Analysis of motion-captured pictures located on man-made water sources in the Southern High Plains of West Texas. Annual meeting of the Texas Chapter of The Wildlife Society, Corpus Christi, TX.	February 2015	Given the loss of natural springs and the projected decline in yearly average precipitation due to climate change, the benefits or detriments of man-made water sources for wildlife is a contemporarily relevant conservation issue, but little research has addressed wildlife use of man-made water sources in the arid Southern Great Plains. We deployed motion-activated camera traps at 12 locations in Cochran, Hockley, Yoakum, and Terry Counties, Texas from March 2009 through February 2013 to assess seasonal and temporal patters of wildlife use of man-made water sources.
Gicklhorn, T., C. Boal, and P. Borsdorf. 2014. Assessment of lesser prairie-chicken use of wildlife water guzzlers. 50th Annual Meeting of the Texas Chapter of The Wildlife Society, Austin, TX, Feb. 2014.	February 2014	No information is available documenting lesser prairie-chicken use of wildlife water guzzlers. We found they will use guzzlers and have distinct preferences for a design type.
Gicklehorn, T., P.K. Borsdorf, N. Pirius and C.W. Boal. 2012. Seasonal use of artificial water-sources by lesser prairie-chickens (Tympanuchus pallidicinctus). 48th Annual Meeting of the Texas Chapter of The Wildlife Society, Fort Worth, TX. Feb. 2012.	February 2012
Gale, W.L., Z. Xia, R. Pati�o and A.G. Maule. 2000. Characterization of recombinant and native estrogen receptors in channel catfish. Western Regional Conference on Comparative Endocrinology. Corvallis, Oregon	March 2000
Gale, W.L., Z. Xia, R. Pati�o and A.G. Maule. 2000. Binding of xenoestrogens to channel catfish estrogen receptor alpha and beta. Fourth International Symposium on Fish Endocrinology. Seattle, Washington	July 2000
Fritts, S.R., B.A. Grisham, R.D. Cox, C.W. Boal, D.A. Haukos, and P. McDaniel. 2016. Influence of vegetation structure and composition on lesser prairie-chicken abundance, survival, and recruitment following an intense drought. Annual Meeting of the Texas Chapter of The Wildlife Society, San Antonio, TX.	February 2016	Lesser prairie-chicken response to drought is important to deciphering the population dynamics of the species. Based on contemporary time lags for recovery from drought, climate change may be detrimental to lesser prairie-chicken populations in the Southern High Plains.
Fritts, S.R., B.A. Grisham, R.D. Cox, C.W. Boal, D.A. Haukos, and P. McDaniel. 2016. Assessing potential synergies between drought and grazing on lesser prairie-chicken demography. Annual Meeting of The Wildlife Society, Raleigh, North Carolina.	October 2016	Grazing and drought interact to influence population demography of lesser prairie-chicken populations. It is critical to reduce grazing pressure for up to 3 years post drought to facilitate population recovery.
Fritts, S.F., B.A. Grisham, C.W. Boal, D.A. Haukos, M.A. Patten, D.H. Wolfe, C.E. Dixon, W.R. Heck. Lesser prairie-chicken nest site selection and nest survival at two spatial scales in a cattle-dominated landscape. 2015 Annual meeting of The Wildlife Society, Winnipeg, Manitoba.	October 2015	We examined lesser prairie-chicken nest site selection and nest survival from 2001–2010 at two spatial scales in Roosevelt County, New Mexico in context of shrub control and grazing management. Overall, no consistent patterns of nest survival among treatments were detected, which suggests reduced rates of herbicide and short-duration grazing treatments are not detrimental to LPC nesting ecology
East J, TB Grabowski, T Birdsong. Assessment and monitoring of newly established public river access and conservation areas. 2016 Annual Meeting of the Texas Chapter of the American Fisheries Society. Kerrville, Texas. 21-23 January 2016.	January 2016	Understanding the potential impacts to the newly accessible river segments and how to manage them sustainably requires precise estimates of how the public is using these sites. These results will be used to develop protocols for conducting baseline assessments and monitoring of riparian and instream habitats, biological resources, and public use at newly acquired public access lease sites, and to determine the best management practices to apply at these sites to both ensure healthy rivers and streams and public satisfaction.
Dylan, D.R., Rashel, R., Patiño, R. 2018. Spatiotemporal distribution of harmful golden alga in Lubbock’s Canyon Lake System. Texas Tech University Undergraduate Research Conference, Lubbock, Texas	March 2018	This project is part of ongoing survey of golden alga in Lubbock's Canyon Lake System. Objective is to determine the spatiotemporal development of toxic blooms.
De Selle, H., Waterson, R., Richardson, E.T., Patiño, R. 2019. The effects of Roundup on golden alga growth. Texas Tech University Undergraduate Research Conference, Lubbock, Texas.	April 2019	This study determined the minimum concentration of glyphosphate that can inhibit growth of golden alga.
Dawson, D., VanLandeghem, M.M., Patiño, R. 2012. Use of trend and classification tree analyses of historical water quality data to identify drivers of toxic golden algal blooms in reservoirs of the Brazos and Colorado River basins. Texas Chapter of the American Fisheries Society, Galveston, Texas.	February 2012
Dawson, D., Reza, A., Patiño, R., Asquith, W., Hayhoe, K., Taylor, C., Bailey, M., Burley, T., Gelca, R., and Grabowski, K. 2011. Integrated analysis of climate change and land cover change factors impacting water quality characteristics associated with golden algal blooms in selected Texas reservoirs. 47th Annual Water Resources Conference, Albuquerque, New Mexico.	November 2011
Dabney, B., Patiño, R. 2019. Low-dose stimulation of growth of the harmful alga, Prymnesium parvum, by glyphosate and glyphosate-based herbicides. ASLO 2019 Aquatic Sciences Meeting, Puerto Rico, February 23-March 2, 2019.	February 2019	Results of this study demonstrated that environmentally relevant, low doses of glyphosate and glyphosate-based herbicides (GBHs) stimulate growth of golden alga, a harmful algal species. Management plans for this species may need to consider the possibility that runoff discharge or direct application (e.g., to control aquatic plant infestations) of GBHs to surface waters could contribute to the development of harmful algal blooms.
Dabney, B., Patiño, R. 2019. Low-dose stimulation of growth of the harmful alga, Prymnesium parvum, by glyphosate and glyphosate-based herbicides. 2019 Southern Division – American Fisheries Society, Galveston, Texas, January 2019.	January 2019	Results of this study demonstrated that environmentally relevant, low doses of glyphosate and glyphosate-based herbicides (GBHs) stimulate growth of golden alga, a harmful algal species. Management plans for this species may need to consider the possibility that runoff discharge or direct application (e.g., to control aquatic plant infestations) of GBHs to surface waters could contribute to the development of harmful algal blooms.
Dabney, B., Patiño, R. 2018. Glyphosate and glyphosate-based herbicides stimulate growth of Prymnesium parvum, a toxic bloom-forming microalga. International Aridlands Conference, Lubbock, Texas, August 13-14, 2018.	August 2018	Results of this study demonstrated hormetic effect of glyphosate and glyphosate-based herbicides (GBHs) in golden alga, a harmful bloom forming species. Management strategies for golden alga may need to consider the possibility that runoff discharge or direct application (e.g., to control aquatic plant infestations) of GBHs to surface waters could contribute to the development of harmful algal blooms and the degradation of aquatic habitats.
Cruz-Li, E.I., Wainscott, M.R., Collie, N., Cobb, G.P., and Pati�o, R. 2001. Effects of ammonium perchlorate, 4-(tert octyl) phenol, and their mixture on the survival and development of zebrafish (Danio rerio) embryos and juveniles. Society for Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry, Baltimore, Maryland.	November 2001
Cruz-Li, E.I., M. Wainscott, C. McMurry, N. Collie, G.P. Cobb and R. Pati�o. 2000. Effects of ammonium perchlorate, 4-(tert octyl) phenol, and their mixture on the survival and development of zebrafish (Danio rerio) embryos and juveniles Aquaria Fish Models of Human Disease (Conference and Workshop). San Marcos, Texas	September 2000
Cruz-Li, E., La Point, T.W., Pati�o, R., and Cobb, G.P. 2003. Effects of ammonium perchlorate, 4-(tert octyl) phenol, and their mixture on zebrafish (Danio rerio). Society of Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry, Austin, Texas	November 2003
Cooke, A.N., A.J. Roberts, and C.W. Boal. 2008. Invertebrate response to wildfires in the Texas panhandle. 43rd Annual Meeting of the Texas Chapter of The Wildlife Society, San Antonio, TX.	February 2008
Community response to use of prescribed grazing and herbicide for restoration of sand shinnery oak grasslands. 2012. 48th Annual Meeting, Texas Chapter of The Wildlife Society, Fort Worth, Texas. J.C. Zavaleta presenting.	February 2012
Cody P. Griffin, Alixandra J. Godar, Blake A. Grisham, Clint W. Boal, David A. Haukos, Jim C. Pittman, and Christian A. Hagen. Does Weather Influence Lesser Prairie-Chicken Demographic Parameters Disproportionately in the Sand Shinnery Oak Prairie Compared to the Sand Sagebrush Prairie? 48th Joint Annual Meeting of the New Mexico and Arizona Chapters of The Wildlife Society, Las Cruces, NM.	February 2015	To assess the role of environmental conditions on Lesser Prairie-Chicken nest and female survival, we analyzed demographic data in 2007-2012 in the sand shinnery oak (SSOP) from 1997-2002 in the sand sagebrush prairie (SSBP) ecoregions. Our results suggest environmental conditions influenced nest survival more than female survival, disproportionately influenced nest survival in the SSOP, and corroborate our earlier findings that suggest environmental variables are a contributing factor that influence Lesser Prairie-Chickens population dynamics on the Southern High Plains.
Chizinski, C., Sharma, B., Mukhi, S., Pope, K., and Pati�o, R. 2006. Development of bioenergetics model for zebrafish and application in toxicology research. Texas Chapter of the American Fisheries Society Annual Meeting, San Antonio, Texas.	February 2006
Chen Q, TB Grabowski, & R Vega. Relationship between acoustic behavior and egg production in Spotted Seatrout Cynoscion nebulosus. Texas Tech Annual Biological Sciences Symposium. Lubbock, Texas. 29 March 2014.	March 2014	Our objective was to assess the relationship between sound production and egg production in two captive breeding populations of Spotted Seatrout. Our study provides a more detailed analysis of Spotted Seatrout acoustic behavior and potentially lead to non-invasive methods to evaluate reproductive output in the field
Chen Q, B Ogola, & TB Grabowski. Mating system and reproductive behavior of southern flounder on the Texas Gulf Coas. 2013 Spring Meeting of the Southern Division of the American Fisheries Society. Nashville, Tennessee. 7-10 February 2013.	February 2013	We describe the mating system of southern flounder in captivity using video analysis and molecular markers. Our results provide insights on the potential impacts of skewed sex ratios on the reproductive behavior and success of southern flounder and also allow for the refinement of production techniques for the species.
Cheek BD & TB Grabowski. Evaluating habitat associations of a fish assemblage at multiple scales in a minimally disturbed stream on the Edwards Plateau. 2013 Spring Meeting of the Southern Division of the American Fisheries Society. Nashville, Tennessee. 7-10 February 2013.	February 2013	We used a low-cost side scan sonar system to map and classify substrate and other instream habitat features, then established sampling stations stratified by meso- and microhabitat classes which were sampled seasonally. Our findings will help provide data on the habitat use patterns of a fish assemblage in a relatively undisturbed system and could potentially help prioritize future restoration efforts for other streams in the region
Capps, T.V., Pati�o, R., and Blazer, V.S. 2003. Kidney lesions induced by perchlorate in adult zebrafish. Society of Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry, Austin, Texas	November 2003
Cameron F, SS Árnason, B McAdam, B Gunnarsson, TB Grabowski, G Marteinsdottir. Cod lunacy: hormonal identification of spawning rhythms in Atlantic Cod Gadus morhua. 144th Annual Meeting of the American Fisheries Society. Quebec City, Quebec, Canada. 17-21 August 2014.	August 2014	We explored the circulating levels of the primary sex steroids in both males and females of a captive population of Atlantic cod throughout a full spawning season. This data provides a unique insight into the poorly understood spawning rhythms of an otherwise intensively studied marine species.
C.W. BOAL* and T. GICKLHORN. Environmental Factors Associated with Lesser Prairie-Chicken Use of Surface Water. 31st Prairie Grouse Technical Council, Nevada, Missouri. Sept. 2015.	September 2015	We used motion-activated camera traps at 12 water sources in West Texas from March 2009 through February 2013 to assess temporal (diel, seasonal, and annual) patterns of free water use by lesser prairie-chickens, and to examine correlations between water use and temperature, precipitation, and presence of potential predators. Lesser prairie-chicken use of surface water was correlated more strongly with low precipitation rather than high temperature, and there was little overlap in timing of water source visits between lesser prairie-chickens and predators.
C. P. GRIFFIN*, A.J. GODAR, S.R.FRITTS, B. A. GRISHAM, C.W. BOAL, D.A. HAUKOS, and J. C. PITMAN. A Range-wide Assessment of the Influence of Anthropogenic Features on Lesser Prairie-Chicken Lek Attendance. 31st Prairie Grouse Technical Council, Nevada, Missouri. Sept. 2015.	September 2015	We identified relationships between anthropogenic feature densities and lesser prairie-chicken lek attendance. Preliminary results suggest increasing anthropogenic feature densities negatively influenced male lek attendance, and we speculate this was likely due to decreased quality in available nesting habitat around leks for hens.
Byerly, M.T., Pati�o, R., and Betsill, R. 2003. Temperature effects on gonadal and somatic growth in channel catfish. American Fisheries Society, Texas Chapter, Juntion, Texas.	January 2003
Byerly, M.T., Fat-Halla, S., Betsill, R., Pati�o, R. 2004. Short-term exposures to high temperature as means to control the reproductive development and somatic growth of juvenile channel catfish. 134th Annual Meeting of the American Fisheries Society, Madison, Wisconsin (invited symposium presentation).	August 2004
Brewer, SK, TA Worthington, TB Grabowski, and J Mueller. 2012. Evaluating the efficiency of the Moore egg-sampler. Oklahoma Chapter of the American Fisheries Society Annual Meeting, October 22, Stillwater, OK	October 2012
Brewer, SK, TA Worthington, TB Grabowski, and J Mueller. 2012. Evaluating the efficiency of a quantitative egg-sampling gear. American Fisheries Society Annual Meeting, Minneapolis	August 2012
Brewer, S.K., T.A. Worthington, T.B. Grabowski, and J. Mueller. 2013. Evaluating the reproductive success of Arkansas River shiner by assessing early life-history stage dispersal and survival at the landscape level. Great Plains Conservation Cooperative Steering Committee Meeting, Edmond, Oklahoma, January 17.	January 2013	This talk summarizes the integration of lanscape alterations and interactive environmental factors related to changes in early life stage survival and distributional shifts in a federally-endangered species.
Bosman B, TB Grabowski, & A Pease. Predicting the vulnerability of Texas reservoirs to Zebra Mussel invasion. 144th Annual Meeting of the American Fisheries Society. Quebec City, Quebec, Canada. 17-21 August 2014.	August 2014	Significant economic and ecological costs are expected from the continued south and westward expansion of Zebra Mussel into the reservoirs of Texas. Our results will allow resource managers to prioritize the most immediately threatened reservoirs and focus limited resources to prevent colonization and spread.
Borsdorf, P.K., B.A. Grisham, and C.W. Boal. 2013. Habitat selection and home range size of lesser prairie-chickens on the Southern High Plains of Texas. 49th Annual Meeting of the Texas Chapter of The Wildlife Society, Houston, TX. Feb. 2013.	February 2013	We examined sex-specific home range and habitat use by lesser prairie-chickens. Identifying vegetation cover types and amoutn of space used will facilitate conservation efforts for this species.
Bondo, K., M. Whitson, C. Boal, M. Peterson, B. Simpson, C. Hagen, and B. Grisham. 2020. Detecting Helminth Eggs in a Gallinaceous Bird: Fecal vs. Cecal Droppings. Meeting of the Texas Chapter of the Wildlife Society, Corpus Christi, TX, 14 February 2020.	February 2020	Lesser prairie-chickens are a species of substantive conservation concern. This study is the first to document difference in detectability of helminth parasites between cecal and fecal sampling methods.
Bondo, K., M. Whitson, C. Boal, M. Peterson, B. Simpson, C. Hagen, and B. Grisham. 2019. Parasitological survey of lesser prairie-chickens in Texas and New Mexico. Annual Meeting of the Texas Chapter of The Wildlife Society, Montgomery, TX, 20-23 February 2019	February 2019	Lesser prairie-chickens are a grassland species of considerable conservation concern. This is one of the first studies assessing parasites of the species and possible implications for conservation.
Boal, C.W., and R.W. Mannan. 2002. Birds of Prey in urban landscapes. Defenders of Wildlife's Carnivores 2002: a conference on carnivore biology and conservation. Monterey, CA	November 2002
Boal, C.W., and R. Perkins. The use of trained raptors in field research. 2019 Meeting of The Raptor Research Foundation, Fort Collins, CO.	November 2019	This is an invited presentation to demonstrate the novel and contemporary application of trained raptors as a research tool.
Boal, C.W., and B.D. Bibles. Weather Influenced Survival and Recruitment of Bananaquits: a glimpse at the potential influence of climate change on Caribbean avifauna. 2019 Meeting of The Wildlife Society, Reno, NV.	October 2019	We used a long-term data set to model survival and population growth of bananaquits in relation to environmental conditions. We found population growth was 1.1 during normal conditions, but dropped to 0.76 during years with Caribbean storm events.
Boal, C.W., and B.D. Bibles. Long-term Banding Provides Insights to Weather Influenced Survival and Recruitment of Bananaquits. North American Ornithological Conference VII, San Juan, Puerto Rico, 10-15 August 2020	August 2020	This paper documents how drought and storm events can substantively reduce survival and recruitment of Bananaquits, and effects are compounded when storms occur in subsequent years.
Boal, C.W., T. Kingston, and K. Boydston. 2008. Wind energy development, wildlife conservation, research, and stakeholder cooperation: a call to facilitate wildlife conservation with wind energy development. Wildlife Diversity Conference, Houston, TX.	January 2008
Boal, C.W., S.A. Morris, D.A. Haukos, and B.A. Grisham. 2021. Variance in clutch size and egg morphology of lesser prairie-chickens across a climate gradient. 28th Annual Converence of The Wildlife Society (virtual), 1-5 Nov. 2021.	November 2021	Lesser prairie-chickens occupy a range that has a temperature and precipitation gradient from SW to NE. We found strong evidence that lesser prairie-chickens in the southwestern extent of their distribution may be responded to the hotter and drier climate through modification of clutch sizes and egg morphology.
Boal, C.W., M.D. Giovanni, and H.A. Whitlaw. 2005. Comparative breeding ecology of ferruginous hawks and Swainson's hawks in the Southern Great Plains. 40th Annual Meeting of the Texas Chapter of The Wildlife Society, Amarillo, TX	February 2005
Boal, C.W., M.D. Giovanni, and H. Whitlaw. 2005. Nesting habitat selection and partitioning by ferruginous hawks and Swainson's hawks in the Southern Great Plains. 75th Annual Meeting of the Cooper Ornithological Society, Arcata, CA.	June 2005
Boal, C.W., M.A. Thornley, and S.D. Mullican. American Kestrel food habits: surprises and unintended consequences of conservation actions. 2019 Meeting of The Raptor Research Foundation, Fort Collins, CO.	November 2019	We documented substantively high depredation rates on reptiles, including a state-threatened species, by kestrels associated with a nest box program. This suggests consideration of potential impacts of conservation actions are warranted.
Boal, C.W., M. Thornley, and S. Mullican. American kestrel (Falco sparverius) food habits and delivery rates during the brood rearing period in the southern plains. Joint Meeting of the Association of Field Ornithologists and the Wilson Ornithological Society. Chattanooga, TN. 7-9 June 2018.	June 2018	We demonstrate that establishing/increasing populations of kestrels can result in unintended consequences by increasing rates of predation on local prey species, with implications for state species of conservation concern.
Boal, C.W., L. Groen, and J.D. Ray. Migration Rates of Swainson’s Hawks Through Regions of Different Wind Energy Potentials Between Texas and Argentina. Annual Meeting of the Texas Chapter of The Wildlife Society, San Antonio, TX. February 2016.	February 2016	We examined season and gender specific patterns in timing and duration of autumnal and vernal migrations of Swainsons Hawks. We are (and will report) on time spent and speed of crossing areas with different wind energy development potential between Texas and Argentina.
Boal, C.W., D.E. Andersen, and P.L. Kennedy. 2006. Habitat use and home range patterns of northern goshawks in the Western Great Lakes region of North America. International Symposium on the Goshawk. 2006 Meeting of Raptor-Japan, Tokyo, Japan (Invited Presentation)	January 2006
Boal, C.W., D.E. Andersen, and P.L. Kennedy. 2002. Northern goshawk: status, conservation and Minnesota overview. Annual Meeting of the Minnesota Chapter of the Society of American Foresters, Cass Lake, MN	September 2002
Boal, C.W., D.E. Andersen, and P.L. Kennedy. 2001. Breeding season foraging habitat of male northern goshawks in Minnesota. 8th Annual Meeting of the Wildlife Society, Reno, NV	September 2001
Boal, C.W., D.E. Andersen, and P.L. Kennedy. 2000. Habitat use of northern goshawks in Minnesota. Annual meeting of the Raptor Research Foundation, Jonesboro, AR	November 2000
Boal, C.W., D.E. Andersen and P.L. Kennedy. 2003. Productivity and nesting habitat of northern goshawks (Accipiter gentilis) in Minnesota. International Symposium on the Ecology and Management of Northern Goshawks, Anchorage, AK	September 2003
Boal, C.W., C.L. Haralson, and William H. Howe. 2007. Occupancy changes of golden eagles in the Texas panhandle. The Wildlife Society 14th Annual Conference, Tucson, AZ.	September 2007
Boal, C.W., C.L. Haralson, and W.H. Howe. 2007. Status of golden eagles in the Texas panhandle. Annual Meeting of the Raptor Research Foundation, Allentown, PA.	September 2007
Boal, C.W., B. A. Grisham, D. Haukos, and W. Heck. 2013. Population demography of lesser prairie-chicken populations in shinnery-oak grassland communities of New Mexico and Texas. Society for Range Management 66th Annual Meeting, Oklahoma City, OK. Feb. 2013.	February 2013	This presentation will be an overview and update on prairie chicken demography in the southwestern part of their distribution. It is an invited presentation for a prairie chicken symposium being arranged for the Society of Range Management.
Boal, C.W., A. Miller, B. Grisham, M. Butler and W. Ballard. 2009. Influences of wind power development on wildlife in Texas: looking before you leap. Blowin' in the Wind: The Future of Wind Turbine Farms, 2 day conference at Texas Tech Univeristy, Lubbock Texas, June 2009	June 2009
Boal, C.W. 2021. Raptors of the Trans Pecos Rios. Keynote Presentation for the 2021 Birding the Border Festival, Del Rio TX.	April 2021	This is an invited guest lecture for the 2021 Birding the Border Festival in Del Rio TX. It provides festival attendees an introduction to the community ecology of riparian obligate raptors of the Trans Pecos region of Texas.
Boal, C.W. 2021. Raptors of the Southern Great Plains: an exploration of how birds of prey have responded to a 150 years of landscape change. Keynote Presentation, Annual Meeting of the New Mexico Ornithological Society. Virtual Meeting, 2021.	March 2021	This is a review of the history of landscape change of the southern High Plains region of Texas and New Mexico, and the corresponding changes in presence of birds of prey.
Boal, C.W. 2021. Patterns of water use by raptors in the Southern Great Plains. Annual Meeting of The Raptor Research Foundation, Boise, ID. 8-14 October 2021.	October 2021	Water use by birds of prey is an unstudied topic. I demonstrate that raptors will use free water and that the availability may be important in arid regions.
Boal, C.W. 2016. The Influence of Size, Habitat, and Diet on Urban Raptor Communities. Annual Meeting of the Raptor Research Foundation, Cape May, NJ.	October 2016	This presentation is part of a symposium on urban raptors. The presentations are based on chapters that will be part of a published book on the topic of Ecology and Management of Urban Birds of Prey.
Boal, C.W. 2016. Punctuated Equilibrium of Methods, Gradualism of Means, and Quantum Evolution of Restrictions and Responses: the Evolution of Raptor Research Methods and the Advent of Animal Welfare Concerns. Annual Meeting of the Raptor Research Foundation, Cape May, NJ, October 2016	October 2016	This is an invited contribution to a review of 50 years of the Raptor Research Foundation as a professional society. My paper is a review of the strides made in development of methods and approaches of research consistent with the Animal Welfare Act.
Boal, C.W. 2011. Field researcher influences on non-target animals. IACUC/Wildlife 101, Albuquerque, NM. Oct. 2011 Workshop on Animal Welfare Act compliance for studies of wildlife in the field and captivity. American Society of Mammalogists and the Ornithological Council, Albuquerque, NM. Oct. 2011. (INVITED).	October 2011
Boal, C.W. 2011. A review of the awards and grants given by the Raptor Research Foundation and the people for which they are named. 2011 Annual Meeting of the Raptor Research Foundation, Duluth, MN. Oct. 2011.	October 2011
Boal, C.W. 2009. Capture rates and condition of autumn migrant blackpoll warblers in the British Virgin Islands. Annual meeting of the Cooper Ornithological Society, Tucson, AZ. April 2009.	April 2009
Boal, C.W. 2008. Research needs to better understand the influences of wind power development on wildlife in Texas. Partners in Flight 2008 Meeting, McAllen, TX.	February 2008
Boal, C.W. 2002. Distribution and procutivity of ferruginous hawks and Swainson's hawks in Dallam County, Texas. Annual Meeting of the Texas Chapter of the Wildlife Society, Corpus Christi, TX	March 2002
Boal, C.W. 2001. Strategies for monitoring common black-hawk (Buteogallus anthracinus) populations in North America. Annual meeting of the Raptor Research Foundation, Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada. (presentation made by Jeff Smith in C. Boals absence)	October 2001
Boal, C.W. 2001. Occurrence and distribution of ferruginous hawks and Swainson's hawks in Dallam County, Texas. Llano Estacado Audubon Society, Lubbock, TX	November 2001
Boal, C.W. 2001. Ecology of northern goshawks in Minnesota. Llano estacado Audubon Society, Lubbock, TX	April 2001
Boal, C., N. Mitchell, D. Stahlecker, R. Murphy, and B. Skipper. Comparative Dispersal and Survival of Fledgling Golden Eagles in Two Arid Regions of North America. International Aridlands Conference, Lubbock TX, USA. August 2018.	August 2018	This presentation compares differential survival and movement patterns of juvenile Golden Eagle in the 1) southern plains and 2) trans pecos regions. These are new data for the species in an often overlooked region of its distribution.
Bentley, J.P.D., and C.W. Boal. 2019. Assessing weather condition influences on annual variance in breeding populations of a grassland passerine community. Annual Meeting of the Texas Chapter of The Wildlife Society, Montgomery, TX, 20-23 February 2019	February 2019	Grassland bird species are in decline across prairie ecosystems. This report is an analysis of weather associations with annual variance in a grassland bird community across six breeding seasons.
Behney, A.C., C.W. Boal, C.W., H.A. Whitlaw, and D.R. Lucia. Predator-prey relationship of raptors and lesser prairie-chickens in west Texas. Annual Meeting of the Raptor Research Foundation, Fort Collins, CO. Sept. 2010.	September 2010
Behney, A., C.W. Boal, H.A. Whitlaw, and D. Lucia. 2008. Predation on lesser prairie-chickens at leks in West Texas. Wildlife Diversity Conference, Houston, TX,	January 2008
Behney, A., C.W. Boal, H.A. Whitlaw, and D. Lucia. 2008. Predation on lesser prairie-chickens at leks in West Texas. 43rd Annual Meeting of the Texas Chapter of The Wildlife Society, San Antonio, TX.	February 2008
Behney, A., C.W. Boal, H.A. Whitlaw and D. Lucia. Predation on lesser prairie-chickens at leks in west Texas. Meeting of the lesser prairie-chicken interstate working group, Lubbock, TX. Jan. 2009.	January 2009
Bean PT, TB Grabowski, and D. Lutz-Carrillo. 2015. Contribution and integration of hatchery-reared Guadalupe Bass to a native population in the South Llano River, Texas. 145th Annual Meeting of the American Fisheries Society. Portland, Oregon. 16-20 August 2015.	August 2015	Stocking of hatchery-propagated Guadalupe Bass is used as a management tool to combat introgression with non-native Smallmouth Bass. Our results suggest that hatchery-propagated individuals disperse from release sites and are integrated into the resident population.
Bean PT and TB Grabwski. 2013. Age and growth of gray redhorse in the South Llano River, Texas. 143rd Annual Meeting of the American Fisheries Society. Little Rock, Arkansas. 8-12 September 2013.	September 2013	Populations of gray redhorse are stable across much of its range, but habitat degradation associated with dewatering of streams has lead to the decline of some populations in the western portion of its range. These results will aid in predicting responses of native fishes to modifications to streamflow as demand on water resources continues to grow in the region.
Bean PT & TB Grabowski. Age and growth of Gray Redhorse in the South Llano River, Texas. Joint Meeting of the Texas and Oklahoma Chapters of the American Fisheries Society, Pottsborro, Texas. 13-15 February 2014.	February 2014	We evaluated age structure and growth of a Gray Redhorse population in the South Llano River, Texas and evaluated the relationship between residuals from a Von Bertalanffy growth curve and annual streamflow parameters. Correlations between streamflow characteristics and residuals from the von Bertalanffy growth curve were weak and indicate little influence of streamflow variation on Gray Redhorse growth.
Beall, B.N., and C.W. Boal. 2005. Diet of a bald eagle pair nesting in short grass prairie of the Texas panhandle. 40th Annual Meeting of the Texas Chapter of The Wildlife Society, Amarillo, TX	February 2005
Barry, C.E., Wainscott, M.R., and Pati�o, R. 2001. Gonadal macrophage aggregates: novel biomarker of exposure to environmental contaminants in male carp. Texas Tech University Honors College Science Day, Lubbock, Texas	July 2001
Barry, C.E., Wainscott, M.R., Foott, J.S., and Pati�o, R. 2001. Gonadal macrophage aggregates: novel biomarker of exposure to environmental contaminants in male carp. Society for Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry, Baltimore, Maryland.	November 2001
B.A. GRISHAM, A.J. GODAR, C.W. BOAL, and D.A. HAUKOS. An Assessment of Lesser Prairie-Chicken Nest Microclimate and Nest Survival Among Three Ecoregions. 31st Prairie Grouse Technical Council, Nevada, Missouri. Sept. 2015.	August 2015	We used data loggers to assess correlation between microclimate and nest survival of lesser prairie-chickens. Microclimate received more model support for nest survival compared to visual obstruction, and our results suggest conservation of the species would benefit from the identification of thermal landscapes that promote cooler, more humid conditions during nest incubation.
Atkinson, M.A., W.P. Kuvlesky, Jr., C.W. Boal, D. Kane, and A. Ortega-Santos, Jr. 2004. Productivity and nesting habitat preferences of white-tailed hawks, red-tailed hawks, and crested caracaras in the Wild Horse Desert. Texas Chapter of The Wildlife Society 39th Annual Meeting, Kerrville, TX	February 2004
Andersen, D.E., J.E. Bruggeman, J.E. Woodford, and C.W. Boal. 2011. Northern goshawk population size in the western Great Lakes region. Annual Meeting of the Raptor Research Foundation. Duluth, Minnesota.	September 2011
Alejandrez C, TB Grabowski, & SP Young. Can passive acoustic monitoring provide estimates of Burbot spawning activity? 2016 Annual Meeting of the Texas Chapter of the American Fisheries Society. Kerrville, Texas. 21-23 January 2016.	January 2016	Burbot is a difficult species to effectively manage due to its preference for deep-water habitats and that its spawning and other aspects of its early life history are completed under the ice in winter. This study suggests that while it may be feasible to use passive acoustic monitoring to locate Burbot spawning grounds and identify periods of activity, it does not seem to hold much promise for quantifying spawning activity.
Albers, E., Oldham, J., Carr, J., Pati�o, R., Dixon, K. 2001. A PBTK model for predicting the effects of perchlorate on an aquatic food chain. Society for Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry, Baltimore, Maryland.	November 2001
Acre MR, TB Grabowski, & NG Smith. Can river-reservoir interfaces serve as surrogate Nurseries for riverine fishes? Southern Division of the American Fisheries Society Spring Meeting 2015. Savannah, GA. 29 January-01 February 2015.	January 2015	We sampled the ichthyoplankton assemblage in off-channel and main channel habitats of the Lake Livingston RRI and the middle Trinity River to: 1) compare ichthyoplankton abundance and species composition in different habitat types (off-channel RRI, main channel RRI, off-channel riverine, and main channel riverine), and 2) evaluate the influence of lateral connectivity and physicochemical characteristics on abundance and species composition of the ichthyoplankton assemblage in these habitats. Our results suggest that RRI habitat may act as a surrogate nursery for some species.
Acre MR, TB Grabowski, & NG Smith. Can river-reservoir interfaces serve as surrogate Nurseries for riverine fishes? 2015 Annual Meeting of the Texas Chapter of the American Fisheries Society. 15-17 January 2015.	January 2015	We sampled the ichthyoplankton assemblage in off-channel and main channel habitats of the Lake Livingston RRI and the middle Trinity River to: 1) compare ichthyoplankton abundance and species composition in different habitat types (off-channel RRI, main channel RRI, off-channel riverine, and main channel riverine), and 2) evaluate the influence of lateral connectivity and physicochemical characteristics on abundance and species composition of the ichthyoplankton assemblage in these habitats. Our results suggest that RRI habitat may act as a surrogate nursery for some species.
Acre MR, TB Grabowski, & N Smith. Do river-reservoir interface habitats serve as surrogate nursery habitats for floodplain-dependent riverine fishes? Texas Tech Annual Biological Sciences Symposium. Lubbock, Texas. 29 March 2014.	March 2014	We sampled the ichthyoplankton assemblage in off-channel and main channel habitats of the Lake Livingston RRI and the middle Trinity River to: 1) compare ichthyoplankton abundance and species composition in different habitat types (off-channel RRI, main channel RRI, off-channel riverine, and main channel riverine), and 2) evaluate the influence of lateral connectivity and physicochemical characteristics on abundance and species composition of the ichthyoplankton assemblage in these habitats. Our results suggest that RRI habitat may act as a surrogate nursery for some species.
Acre MR, TB Grabowski, & N Smith. Do river-reservoir interface habitats serve as surrogate nursery habitats for floodplain-dependent riverine fishes? Joint Meeting of the Texas and Oklahoma Chapters of the American Fisheries Society. Pottsborro, Texas. 13-15 February 2014.	February 2014	We sampled the ichthyoplankton assemblage in off-channel and main channel habitats of the Lake Livingston RRI and the middle Trinity River to: 1) compare ichthyoplankton abundance and species composition in different habitat types (off-channel RRI, main channel RRI, off-channel riverine, and main channel riverine), and 2) evaluate the influence of lateral connectivity and physicochemical characteristics on abundance and species composition of the ichthyoplankton assemblage in these habitats. Our results suggest that RRI habitat may act as a surrogate nursery for some species.
Acre MR, TB Grabowski, & N Smith. Do river-reservoir interface habitats serve as surrogate nursery habitats for floodplain-dependent riverine fishes? Ecological Integration Symposium. College Station, Texas. 21-22 March 2014.	March 2014	We sampled the ichthyoplankton assemblage in off-channel and main channel habitats of the Lake Livingston RRI and the middle Trinity River to: 1) compare ichthyoplankton abundance and species composition in different habitat types (off-channel RRI, main channel RRI, off-channel riverine, and main channel riverine), and 2) evaluate the influence of lateral connectivity and physicochemical characteristics on abundance and species composition of the ichthyoplankton assemblage in these habitats. Our results suggest that RRI habitat may act as a surrogate nursery for some species.
Acre MR, TB Grabowski, & D Geeslin. Spawning movements and habitat use of the Blue Sucker Cycleptus elongatus in the lower Colorado River, TX. 2016 Annual Meeting of the Texas Chapter of the American Fisheries Society. Kerrville, Texas. 21-23 January 2016.	January 2016	Blue Sucker Cycleptus elongatus is a state-listed threatened species in Texas and considered vulnerable throughout its range due to a combination of its habitat requirements and life history traits.Results from this project will inform water management policy decisions affecting the lower Colorado River with implications to instream flows and freshwater inflows to coastal bays and estuaries.
Acre MR, L Smith, & TB Grabowski. Do river-reservoir interface habitats serve as surrogate nursery habitats for floodplain-dependent riverine fishes? 38th Annual Larval Fish Conference. Quebec City, Quebec, Canada. 17-21 August 2014.	August 2014	We sampled the ichthyoplankton assemblage in off-channel and main channel habitats of the Lake Livingston RRI and the middle Trinity River to: 1) compare ichthyoplankton abundance and species composition in different habitat types (off-channel RRI, main channel RRI, off-channel riverine, and main channel riverine), and 2) evaluate the influence of lateral connectivity and physicochemical characteristics on abundance and species composition of the ichthyoplankton assemblage in these habitats. Our results suggest that RRI habitat may act as a surrogate nursery for some species.
Acktinson, M.A., W.P. Kuvlesky, Jr., C.W. Boal, D. Kane, L.A. Brennan, and A. Ortega-Santos, Jr. Productivity and nesting habitat preferences of white-tailed hawks, red-tailed hawks, and crested caracaras in the Wild Horse Desert. 40th Annual Meeting of the Texas Chapter of The Wildlife Society, Amarillo, TX	February 2005
A.J. Godar, B.A. Grisham, B.E. Ross, C.W. Boal, D. Greene, C.P. Griffin, C.A. Hagen, D.A. Haukos, M.A. Patten, and J.C. Pitman. 2018. Rangewide lesser prairie-chicken population persistence with climate change. International Grouse Symposium, Logan, Utah.	September 2018	Weather events influence nearly all vital rates for lesser prairie-chickens though their effects vary by ecoregion. Our assessment of the effect of environmental conditions on population trends across the distribution of the species indicates southern populations in the MGP and SOP will have severe declines resulting in extinction for most climate projections unless managers take sufficient conservation efforts.
A.J. GODAR*, C.P. GRIFFIN, S.R. FRITTS, B. A. GRISHAM, C.W. BOAL, D.A. HAUKOS, J.C. PITMAN, and C.A. HAGEN. The Influence of Weather Parameters on Lesser Prairie-Chicken Nest Survival. 31st Prairie Grouse Technical Council, Nevada, Missouri. Sept. 2015.	September 2015	We used the nest survival model and known fate model in Program MARK to assess the effect size of biologically relevant environmental variables on nest survival for four ecoregions and to assess the effect size on hen survival, respectively. Combined, our results suggest LEPCs respond similarly to environmental conditions across the distribution of the species, but weather impacts to nest survival are exacerbated in the shinnery oak prairies.
S.R. FRITTS*, B.A. GRISHAM, R.D. COX, C.W. BOAL, D.A. HAUKOS, and P. MCDANIEL. Hierarchical Modeling of Lesser Prairie-Chicken Lek Attendance, Survival, and Recruitment in Responseto Grazaing and Weather. 31st Prairie Grouse Technical Council, Nevada, Missouri. Sept. 2015.	September 2015	We examined impacts of grazing and weather on lesser prairie-chicken lek attendance, survival, and recruitment. Weather appears to affect reproduction efforts more greatly than adult male survival during lekking.

Theses and Dissertations

Theses and Dissertations	Publication Date
Zavaleta, J. Effects of grazing and herbicide treatments to restore degraded sand shinnery oak grasslands. Texas Tech University, Lubbock, Texas.	May 2012
Welch, Brandi C. 2016. The breeding ecology and predicted influence of climate change on urban-nesting Mississippi Kites. MS Thesis, Texas Tech University, Lubbock TX	May 2016
Welch, Brandi C. 2011. Provisioning rates of urban nesting Mississippi kites in the Texas Panhandle. M.S. Thesis, Texas Tech University, Lubbock, TX.	December 2011
Watson, K. 2021. A bird of two hemispheres: an examination of Swainson’s hawk (Buteo swainsoni) ecology across a landscape of increasing wind energy development. PhD dissertation, Texas Tech University, Lubbock, TX.	August 2021
VanLandeghem, M.M., 2013. Environmental factors regulating toxic blooms of golden alga (Prymnesium parvum) and their effects on fisheries resources. A dissertation in Fisheries Science, Texas Tech University, Lubbock, Texas, USA.	December 2013
Tábora-Sarmiento, S.D. 2021. Long-term trends in water quality, land cover, and pesticide use in watersheds of the Southern Great Plains and their association with Prymnesium parvum. Masters Thesis, Texas Tech University, Lubbock, Texas.	August 2021
Toé, Seydou J. 2017. Distribution of Golden Alga in the Brazos River and Rio Grande Basins. MS Thesis, Texas Tech University, Lubbock, TX.	August 2017
Torres, L. 2011. Laboratory and field assessments of brominated flame retardants and other contaminants: effects in fishes. A Dissertation in Biology, Texas Tech University, Lubbock, Texas.	December 2011
Timmer, Jennifer M. 2012. Relationship of lesser prairie-chicken density to landscape characteristics in Texas. M.S. Thesis, Texas Tech University, Lubbock, TX.	May 2012
Thompson, T.R. 2003. The effectiveness of the Conservation Reserve Program's native seeding requirement in providing breeding and wintering habitat for grassland birds in the Southern High Plains of Texas. MS Thesis, Texas Tech University, Lubbock, TX.	December 2003
Suski, J. 2012. Gastropods in a changing and stressful environment: Impacts on life history and interspecies interactions. A Dissertation in Biology, Texas Tech University, Lubbock, Texas.	December 2012
Strobel, B.N. 2011. Reproductive success and annual habitat preference by red-shouldered hawks in southern Texas. Ph.D. Dissertation, Texas Tech University, Lubbock, TX.	May 2011
Strobel, B.N. 2007. Nest site selection and nestling diet of the Texas red-shouldered hawk Buteo lineatus texanus in South Texas. MS Thesis, Texas Tech University.	August 2007
Smithers, B.L. 2003. Northern goshawk food habits in Minnesota: an analysis using time-lapse recording systems. MS Thesis, Texas Tech University, Lubbock, TX.	December 2003
Smithers, B.L. 2003. Northern goshawk food habits in Minnesota: an analysis using time-lapse recording systems. M.S. thesis, Texas Tech University, Lubbock, Texas.	December 2003
Skipper, B. 2013. Urban ecology of Mississippi kites. PhD dissertation, Texas Tech University, Lubbock TX	August 2013
Skidmore, C.K. 2020. Community ecology of riparian avifauna and nesting riparian raptors in the Trans Pecos region of Texas. M.S. Thesis, Texas Tech University, Lubbock TX.	June 2020
Sharma, P. 2012. Role of thyroid hormones in the development of gonadal sex, external morphology and intestinal system of zebrafish (Danio rerio). A Dissertation in Biology, Texas Tech University, Lubbock, Texas.	December 2012
Sharma, B. 2008. Effects of cadmium at low concentrations on anuran growth and development. A PhD Dissertation in Fisheries, Texas Tech University, Lubbock Texas.	December 2008
Schwalm DL. 2012. Processes influencing genetic structure and diversity in spatially disjunct swift fox populations. Ph.D. dissertation. Texas Tech University, Lubbock, Texas.	August 2012
Schroeder, Evonne. 2010. Annual productivity and survival of birds in different vegetation communities of the Welder Wildlife Refuge. M.S., Texas Tech University.	May 2010
Roesler EL. 2016. Development of habitat use data, detection, and survey methods for the endangered gastropod, Pecos assiminea (Assiminea pecos) at Bitter Lake National Wildlife Refuge. MS thesis. Texas Tech University, Lubbock, Texas	May 2016
Roberts, A.J. 2009. Avian community response to large-scale wildfires in the Texas panhandle. MS Thesis, Texas Tech University	August 2009
Richardson, E.T. 2019. Salinity adaptation in the harmful alga, Prymnesium parvum. MS Thesis, Texas Tech University.	May 2019
Rashel, R.H. 2020. Influence of Water Quality and Climate Variables on Growth of the Harmful Alga, Prymnesium parvum. A Dissertation in Biology, Texas Tech University.	May 2020
Pruett, A.L. 2004. Black-tailed prairie dog association with playa lakes in the Southern High Plains and a new approach to estimating colony population sizes. MS Thesis, Texas Tech University, Lubbock, TX.	August 2004
Perkins, Rebecca N. 2012. Anti-predatory behavior of northern bobwhite in the Rolling Plains of Texas. M.S. Thesis, Texas Tech University, Lubbock, TX.	May 2012
Perkins, R. 2019. Impact of transmitter weight and attachment on raptor agility and survival. Dissertation, Texas Tech University, Lubbock, TX.	August 2019
Munyaho, A.T. 2014. Anthropogenic and environmental impacts on the abundance and distribution of commercial fish stocks in Lake Victoria, East Africa. Ph.D. dissertation. University of Iceland, Reykjavik, Iceland. 159 pp.	March 2014
Mullican, S.D. 2018. Breeding ecology of American kestrels on the Llano Estacado of Texas. Thesis, Texas Tech University, Lubbock, TX.	December 2018
Mukhi, S. 2006. Reproductive and developmental toxicity of highly energetic compounds in zebrafish (Danio rerio). A PhD Dissertation in Environmental Toxicology, Texas Tech University, Lubbock, Texas.	August 2006
Mueller, J.S. 2013. Effects of temperature, salinity, and suspended solids on the early life history stages of Arkansas River shiner. M.S. thesis. Texas Tech University. Lubbock, Texas.	May 2013
Miyazono, S. 2014. Fish metacommunity dynamics and threatened species ecology in a desert river system. A dissertation in Fisheries Science, Texas Tech University, Lubbock, Texas, USA	June 2014
Mitchell, Natasia R. 2017. Assessment of Golden Eagles in the Southern Great Plains and Trans Pecos Regions. MS Thesis, Texas Tech University, Lubbock, TX	May 2017
Miller, A. 2008. Patterns of avian and bat mortality at a utility scaled wind farm on the Southern High Plains. MS Thesis, Texas Tech University, Lubbock, TX.	August 2008
Meyer, M.D. 2009. Development and validation of a fish embryo bioassay for studies of surface water quality in the Brazos River. A Master's Thesis in Biology, Texas Tech University, Lubbock, Texas.	December 2009
Merriman, J.W. 2003. Raptors associated with black-tailed prairie dog colonies and directional manipulation of prairie dog colony expansion using visual barriers in shortgrass prairie. MS Thesis, Texas Tech University, Lubbock, TX.	December 2003
Mannan, R.N. 2008. An assessment of survey mehtodology, calling activity, and habitat associations of wood frogs (Rana sylvatica) and boreal chorus frogs (Pseudacris maculata) in a tundra biome. MS Thesis, Texas Tech University, Lubbock, TX.	May 2008
Malone, D. 2021. Avian and vegetation community response to coastal prairie restoration. MS thesis, Texas Tech University, Lubbock, TX.	May 2021
Linner, K. 2014. Assessing the influence of wind turbines and land-use on mortality risk of avian species on the Llano Estacado with emphasis on birds of prey. Thesis, Texas Tech University, Lubbock TX.	December 2014
Kost, Olivia A. 2017. Avian Response to Herbicide-induced Brush Management on the Welder Wildlife Refuge. MS Thesis, Texas Tech University, Lubbock TX.	May 2017
Jiang, Shengjian. 2017. Evidence of exposure to hypoxia and acidification in otoliths of Atlantic Croaker from the Gulf of Mexico. MS Thesis, Texas Tech University, Lubbock, TX.	August 2017
Jansen, E. W. 2013. Grassland bird distribution and raptor flight patterns in the competitive renewable energy zones of the Texas panhandle. MS Thesis, Texas Tech University, Lubbock, TX	August 2013
Israël, N.M.D., 2013. Surface water quality in the Pecos River basin: associations with golden alga presence and unplugged oil/gas well densities. A Thesis in Wildlife, Aquatic, and Wildlands Science and Management, Texas Tech University, Lubbock, Texas, USA.	December 2013
Huber, C.G. 2007. Habitat preferences of juvenile common snook in the lower Rio Grande, Texas. An MS Thesis in Fisheries Science, Texas Tech University, Lubbock, Texas.	December 2007
Harryman, Samuel W.H. 2017. Understanding the ecology of lesser prairie-chickens in conservation reserve program-dominated landscapes, with implications towards lesser prairie-chicken management in Texas. Texas Tech University, Lubbock TX.	December 2017
Haralson, C.L. 2008. Breeding ecology, nest site selection, and human influence on white-tailed hawks on the Texas barrier islands. MS Thesis, Texas Tech University, Lubbock, TX.	May 2008
Gudmundsdóttir LO. 2013. Intra-stock diversity in egg specific gravity of Atlantic Cod in Icelandic waters. MS thesis. University of Iceland, Reykjavik, Iceland.	May 2013
Groeschel, J. 2013. Evaluations of growth and habitat use by Guadalupe bass at a riverscape scale in the South Llano River, Texas. M.S. thesis. Texas Tech University, Lubbock, Texas. 75 p.	December 2013
Groen, L.M. 2015. Risk of wind turbine encounters and migration patterns of Swainson's hawks (Buteo swainsoni) migrating from the plains of Texas to the pampas of Argentina. M.S. Thesis. Texas Tech University, Lubbock, TX.	December 2015
Grisham, Blake N. 2012. The ecology of lesser prairie-chickens in shinnery oak-grassland communities in New Mexico and Texas with implications toward habitat management and future climate change. Ph.D. Dissertation, Texas Tech University, Lubbock, TX.	August 2012
Giovanni, M.D. 2005. Prey partitioning between sympatric grassland raptors. MS Thesis, Texas Tech University, Lubbock, TX	May 2005
Gicklhorn, T.S. 2015. Analysis of motion-captured pictures located on man-made water sources in the Southern High Plains of west Texas. M.S. Thesis. Texas Tech University, Lubbock, TX.	December 2015
Funkhouser, C. 2014. Captive propagation techniques for an endangered species of freshwater snail from a West Texas spring. A Thesis in Wildlife, Aquatic, and Wildlands Science and Management, Texas Tech University, Lubbock, Texas, USA.	May 2014
Dabney, B. 2018. Hormetic effects of glyphosate and glyphosate-based herbicides on growth of Prymnesium parvum, a harmful alga. MS Thesis, Texas Tech University.	August 2018
Chen Q. 2014. Reproductive behavior and mating system of Spotted Seatrout Cynoscion nebulosus. MS thesis. Texas Tech University, Lubbock, Texas.	December 2014
Borsdorf, P. 2013. Lesser prairie-chicken habitat use across varying land-use practices in west Texas and eastern New Mexico. MS thesis, Texas Tech University, Lubbock TX.	August 2013
Behney, A.C. 2009. Predation and reproductive behavior of lesser prairie-chickens at leks in the Texas Southern High Plains. MS Thesis, Texas Tech University	August 2009
Acre, M.R. 2015. Can a river-reservoir interface serve as nursery habitat for riverine fishes? M.S. thesis. Texas Tech University, Lubbock, Texas. 51 pp.	August 2015

Technical Publications

Technical Publications	Publication Date
Patino, R. and P. Thomas. 2003. Down regulation of gap junctions in the ovarian follicle: Is it required for maturation or ovulation? Final report submitted to USDA.	December 2002
Patino, R. and D. Bolamba. 2002. Management of the physiological stress response of juvenile largemouth bass as a means to improve the efficiency of stocking programs in Texas reservoirs. Supplement to Final Report submitted to USGS/BRD and Texas Parks and Wildlife.	December 2002
Patino, R. June 2000. Ecological Risk Assessment - Progress Report. The Institute of Environmental and Human Health, Texas Tech University, Lubbock, TX.	January 2000
Patino, R. 2003. Endocrine disruption of common carp on National Wildlife Refuges along the Colorado River. Final report submitted to US Fish and Wildlife Service - R2.	June 2002
Patino, R. 2002. Endocrine disruption of common carp in National Wildlife Refuges along the Colorado River. Final Report submitted to the US Fish and Wildlife Service (R2).	December 2002
Patino, R. 2000. Ecological Risk Assessment - Progress Report. The Institute of Environmental and Human Health, Texas Tech University, Lubbock, TX.	January 2000
Patino, R. 1999. Ecological Risk Assessment - Progress Report. The Institute of Environmental and Human Health, Texas Tech University, Lubbock, TX.	January 2000
Nishida, C., S. DeStefano, and C. Boal. 2001. Status of Swainson's hawks in southeastern Arizona. Final Report Arizona Game and Fish Department Heritage Grant Project I98013.	May 2001
Miller, A. and C.W. Boal. 2009. Red Canyon Wind Energy Center 2006-2007 Post-Construction Monitoring Final Report. TXCFWRU and Texas Tech University.	January 2009
Mannan, R.N. 2008. An assessment of survey methodology, calling activity, and habitat associations of wood frogs (Rana sylvatica) and boreal chorus frogs (Pseudacris maculata) in a tundra biome. M.S. thesis, Texas Tech Univeristy, Lubbock, Texas. Final Report to Wapusk National Park of Canada, Churchill, Manitoba, Canada.	December 2008
Boal, C.W., and Pirius, N.E., 2012, Winter ecology and habitat use of lesser prairie-chickens in west Texas, 2008–11: U.S. Geological Survey Open-File Report 2012–1073, 9 p.	May 2012
Boal, C.W., and B.C. Welch. 2016. An Annotated Bibliography of Survey Methods for Golden Eagles, Ver. 1.0 (30 March 2016). (http:// pending)	March 2016
Boal, C.W., D.E. Andersen, and P.L. Kennedy. 2001. Home range and habitat use of northern goshawks (Accipiter gentilis) in Minnesota. Final Report. Minnesota Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Unit.	May 2001
Boal, C.W., D.E. Andersen, and P.L. Kennedy. 2000. Home range and habitat use of breeding northern goshawks in north-central Minnesota. 1999 Progress Report. Minnesota Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Unit. St. Paul, MN. 1 January 2000.	January 2001
Boal, C.W., B.L. Smithers, and D.E. Andersen. 2003. Northern goshawk food habits in Minnesota: an analysis using time-lapse video recording systems. USGS-BRD TX Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Unit Final Report to USFS Chippewa National Forest (TXCFWRU RO No. 46) and Minnesota Forest Industries (TXCFWRU OA No. 45). 9 July 2003.	July 2003
Boal, C.W., B.A. Grisham, D.A.Haukos, J.C.Zavaleta, and C. Dixon. 2013. Lesser Prairie-Chicken Nest Site Selection, Microclimate, and Nest Survival in Association with Vegetation Responses to a Grassland Restoration Program. U.S. Geological Survey Open-File Report 2013-1235, 48p.	January 2014
Boal, C.W. and C. Haralson. 2005. Assessment of the temporal and spatial stability of the golden eagles in the panhandle of Texas. USGS Texas Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Unit Final Report RWO 56.	September 2005
Boal, C.W. 2008. Standard Operating Procedure: Raptor Research Methods. Texas Tech University Animal Care and Use Committee SOP 074.	January 2008
Boal, C.W. 2001. Strategies for monitoring common black-hawk (Buteogallus anthracinus) populations in North America. USGS-North American Raptor Monitoring Strategy.	March 2001
Andersen, D.E., C.W. Boal, G. Perry, R.N. Mannan, and M.E. Reiter. 2010. Factors affecting distribution and detection of boreal chorus frogs and wood frogs at Cape Churchill, Manitoba. Pages 309-311 In L. Chow and K. McKay, eds. Hudson Bay regional research. Aboriginal Issues Press, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada.	January 2011
Andersen, D.E. and C.W. Boal. 2001. Inventory of northern goshawks on the Superior National Forest. Final Project Report to Superior National Forest.	September 2001

Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Units Program: Texas Education, Research and Technical Assistance for Managing Our Natural Resources

Texas Research Activities

Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Units Program: Texas
Education, Research and Technical Assistance for Managing Our Natural Resources