Showing papers in "American Midland Naturalist in 1947"

The Boletoideae of Florida with Notes on Extralimital Species III.

Abstract: The Boletoideae are the central group of the Boletaceae, the most typical representatives ofwhat we commonly call boletes. In general appearance, they resemble most closely Boletus edulis Bull. ex. Fr., the type of the genus Boletus which in its turn is the nomenclatoral type of the family Boletaceae and the subfamily Boletoideae. The preceding papers on the Boletineae of Florida dealt with the less typical "boletes," i.e., forms that are aberrant in important characters either of the spores and hymenium (Strobilomycetaceae), or in having clamped hyphal septa (Gyrodontoideae), or forms belonging to that characteristic type of obligatory symbionts of conifers (Suilloideae), or to a group with atypical tramal structure. The Boletoideae are, as far as the number of species is concerned, by far the largest subfamily of the Boletaceae in Florida. This is in striking contrast with such boreal regions as most of Canada, the northern part of the Rocky Mountains, or Siberia where the Suilloideae undoubtedly maintain the first place in abundance and in importance. On the other hand, the genus Boletus and allied genera are supposed to be rare in tropical regions. Actually there seems to be a belt reaching from New Jersey south to North Florida where the number of boletoid species is unusually high, only to diminsh both southward and northward without, however, disappearing wholly in either the tropical or in the boreal zone. The number of species is much higher in this continent than in Europe. Florida alone has 39 species of Boletoideae, not counting the species which are imperfectly known, and omitting the subspecies and varieties. As for the determination of the genera (Phlebopus, Pulveroboletus, Boletus, Xanthoconium, Tylopilus, Leccinum) the reader is referred to the keys in part 112 of Boletineae of Florida (Farlowia 2:225-230. 1945).

Torpidity in Birds

Abstract: On October 14, 1902, a date later than the bird had been previously reported from the State, I found a chimney swift clinging to the bark of a tree in Bloomington, Indiana. Though quite numb when picked up, it quickly recovered and became active in a warm room. That experience gave me an interest in avian torpidity which stimulated the collection of references on the subject. The results of these are summarized in the present paper.

Distribution of Seeds by Birds

Abstract: The ways by which seeds may be distributed by birds, though susceptible to considerable subdivision, are essentially three, namely, by external adhesion, through alimentation, and in transport for storage. Birds are not as often involved in the distribution of burs as are the hairy-coated mammals but they infrequently have been noted in this role. Dissemination by simple adherence is far more common as in the case of waterfowl which rise with floating seeds attached to their feathers and carry them varying distances, frequently to favorable environments. The birds chiefly involved in this regard are the gallinules, coots, ducks, and geese. Some remarkable instances have been noted of the transport of seeds in mud which had become stuck to the feet and legs of shore birds. These cases, however, are exceptional. Characteristically these parts of birds, even of the waders, upon examination in the field prove very clean.

Homology and Analogy. A Critical Review of the Meanings and Implications of these Concepts in Biology

Abstract: The biological concepts of homology and analogy have been discussed in recent years by several authors, among them being De Beer (1928, 1938), Huxley (1928), Wright (1934), Boyden (1935, 1943), Hubbs (1944), Moment (1945), and Haas and Simpson (1946). Morphology's "central conception" is once more receiving the consideration which its importance deserves. The views presented by these authors are, as could be expected, somewhat divergent and the attention of biologists has therefore been called to "the need for the best possible appraisal," (Hubbs, 1944). The recent account of Haas and Simpson is most critical and scholarly but it is still possible to present and support another point of view with regard to the use of homology which does not place upon that concept the exacting specification of proof of common origin. The very nature of the data so often makes the satisfaction of that prerequisite impossible. The present account is an attempt to sketch the minimum considerations preliminary to gaining that "best possible appraisal" desired by all of us.

Limblessness and Correlated Changes in the Girdles of a Comparative Morphological Series of Lizards

Abstract: Although valuable contributions to the osteology of the Sauria had been made previous to the opening of this century by a number of investigators (Cuvier, 1825; Dumeril and Bibron, 1835; Gegenbaur, 1864, 1865; Furbringer, 1870, 1900; Sabatier, 1880; Cope, 1892a, 1892b; Siebenrock, 1895), it was still necessary for Noble (1921) to say, "Altogether too little is known about the osteology of the Lacertilia to be entirely certain about the direction in which evolution has progressed." The value to the paleontologist of more precise information concerning the osteology of modern lizard forms is patent.

The Relation of the Spartinetum glabrae Near Beaufort, North Carolina, to Certain Edaphic Factors

Abstract: The origin of the tidal marshes and the development of their vegetative cover have received the attention of several American investigators. Shaler (1885) and Knight (1934) ascribed the origin of marginal marshes that are protected from the direct action of waves by bars or by their location along the borders of estuaries to the silting up of quiet bodies of water to a little above the low-tide level. Such deposition permits the invasion and ecesis of the salt marsh grasses. The first marsh grass to colonize an aggraded substratum along the Atlantic and Gulf coasts is usually Spartina glabra alternifora2, occuring in nearly pure stand. Conard (1935) named this association the Spartinetum glabrae, a more precise designation than the "sedge association", or Spartinetum of Ganong (1903). This association has been recognized or described floristically from Nova Scotia, southward along the Atlantic coast, to North Carolina (Kearney 1900-1901, Ganong 1903, Davis 1910, Shreve et al. 1910, Harshberger 1909-1916, Johnson and York 1915, Nichols 1920, Wells 1928, Knight 1934, Conard 1935, Chapman 1940). It is known in the Gulf Coast region from the work of Penfound and O'Neil (1934) and Penfound and Hathaway (1938).

Observations on Some Helminths Parasitic in Ohio Turtles

Abstract: The distribution of Ohio reptiles was worked out by Conant (1938), and the host names used below are those given by him. Ten species of turtles have been recorded from Ohio. Of these, the Cumberland terrapin, Pseudemys scripta troostii (Holbrook), and the brown soft-shelled turtle, Amyda mutica (Le Sueur), are rare, and local in distribution. In addition to these, we were unable to obtain specimens of the musk turtle, Sternotherus odoratus (Latreille), which, while not common, is rather widely distributed over the State. The seven species of turtles examined were as follows: spiny soft-shelled turtle, Amyda spinifera (Le Sueur); snapping turtle, Chelydra serpentina, (Linne); painted turtle, Chrysemys bellii marginata Agassiz; spotted turtle, Clemmys guttata (Schneider); Blanding's turtle, Emys blandingii (Holbrook); geographic terrapin, Graptemys geographica Le Sueur; and the land turtle Terrapene carolina (Linne). The number of host specimens examined of certain species is not adequate, but since there is no probability that additional specimens will be obtained from this area, the data are presented with these inadequacies. A summary of the results is shown in table 1. While we realize that our material cannot be considered sufficient in amount to allow for an ecological study, it seems desirable, nevertheless, to present short descriptions of the major habitats from which the animals were collected. This may be of value to someone doing work of a similar nature in the future. It is hoped that future workers will attempt to correlate distribution of the parasite with the ecology of the host, since little is known of the epidemiology of the helminths parasitic in wildlife. The locations from which collections were made are indicated by number on the map (Fig. 1.), and descriptions of these habitats are given below.

The Winter Foods of Some Indiana Owls

Abstract: The well-known writings of Errington and his colleagues on predator-prey relationships, summarized by the great horned owl report (Errington et at, 1940), are so comprehensive that little can be added to the subject particularly as regards the food habits of owls based upon pellet analyses. Nevertheless, the present report may be of general interest since it demonstrates the emphasis received by a single prey species, Microtus o. ochrogaster,* from four species of owls occurring in Tippecanoe County, Indiana. The fall and winter of 1946-47 have been seasons of ochrogaster abundance if not peak population levels. Irrespective of the different habits of the four owl species, their foraging has carried them universally into the habitat of ochrogaster which was the %most frequently encountered prey item in the pellets of all owls, although in total bulk this prey may not be the greatest in case of the great horned owl. The data reported here are of particular local interest in view of the dearth of facts regarding the food habits of Indiana raptors. The information will be useful in the defense of raptors which are sometimes unjustly persecuted due to public misuderstanding concerning the effect of raptors on agricultural activities and upon populations of small game. The discovery of roosting sites of long-eared owls, short-eared owls, and great horned owls within the space of a few weeks led us to exploit these sources of pellet material. All pellets excepting some from the barn owl were collected during the winter of 1946-47. The technique of analysis was in general that described by Errington (1930). Some specific methods are included under the owl species discussed.

Bees of a Limited Area in Southern Mississippi (Hymenoptera; Apoidea)

Abstract: The collection in the Hattiesburg area was made during the period May, 1943 to November, 1944. In all probability the collection is reasonably complete for the autumnal species, since the period of collection included two autumn seasons, and since the weather at that time of year is reasonably good. The single spring season included in the collecting period was rainy and poor for bee study, so that the vernal species are relatively poorly represented in the collection.

Growth and Environmental Conditions in Southern California Chaparral

Abstract: Introduction . 379 Review of Literature ---------------380 The Area .-------------380 Location and Topography 380 Sites of Stations 381 The Vegetation 381 Environmental Conditions 385 Rainfall . .385 Evaporation 387 Air Temperature . 391 Soil Temperature -395 Soil Moisture 399 Wilting Points 399 Summary Concerning the Environmental Conditions 405 Growth -.------------------------407 Relation of Environmental Conditions to Growth 409 Environmental Conditions on Dates of Inception of Growth -412 Environmental Conditions on Dates of Cessation of Growth 416 Summary 418 Ackcnowledgments -.---------------419 References -.. 419

Nesting of Birds in the Marshes of Northwest Iowa

Abstract: During duck studies in the Ruthven Area (Clay and Palo Alto counties) of northwest Iowa, information was gathered on the nesting of other marsh birds. The observations were made from March to June, 1942, mostly on three State-owned preserves: (1) Dewey Pasture, a 402-acre tract of upland blue-grass pasture with 38 small kettleholes and enclosing some shoreline of Mud Lake, (2) East Mud Lake Slough, a 98-acre marsh, and (3) the Outlet of Lost Island Lake, a 1000-acre marsh.

Notes on the Natural History of the Bat, Myotis yumanensis, in California, with a Description of a New Race

Abstract: Myotis yumanensis (H. Allen) is a species of bat that is common over much of the western United States and is especially widespread in California. In spite of this, relatively little is on record concerning its natural history, and some of the published information is misleading or erroneous. It has been the writer's good fortune to collect and observe a large number of bats of this species in the last three years. A planned life history study was not made, but the field notes accumulated in the course of other work offer a considerable amount of new information.

Distribution of Aquatic Mollusks in Minnesota

Abstract: Although Minnesota is a state abounding in lakes and rivers of all sizes which contain a varied molluscan fauna, no general survey of its fresh-water mollusks has as yet been published. Such a survey is of interest from a geographical point of view because the waters of Minnesota drain in three directions, namely south through the Mississippi River to the Gulf of Mexico, east through Lake Superior to the St. Lawrence River, and north through the Red and Rainy Rivers to Hudson Bay. Moreover the rivers as well as the lakes, of which there are more than 10,000, present a wide range of size and of chemical and physical characteristics which make the distribution of mollusks interesting from an ecological standpoint.

A Synoptic Key to the Salientian Eggs of the United States

Abstract: Data for the present paper were gleaned from the examination of what preserved material has been available, almost entirely in the museum of Cornell University, a few specimens of fresh egg masses that the writers have been able to collect, and primarily, from the literature of previous authors. In the past only scattered notes on the eggs of the Salientians of this country were published and to date no comprehensive work has been done along this line. It is hoped that such an organization of information as is here presented will be of some use to other workers in the field. Furthermore, by pointing out a few of the difficulties, discrepancies, and lack of information regarding the eggs and egg laying habits of frogs and toads of the United States, it is hoped that others may find it worth their while to attempt to correct the existing state of affairs.

Mosquitoes of a Limited Area in Southern Mississippi

Abstract: It is the purpose of this paper to list the mosquitoes observed during about thirty consecutive months (including three summer seasons) of intensive mosquito collecting and survey work in and near Camp Shelby, Mississippi, and to provide data on the seasonal abundance and bionomics of these insects. This work was carried on by the United States Army to provide data for mosquito control activities. During the period mentioned above the collecting and survey work was continued throughout the year by interested persons and the survey methods remained the same. It is therefore believed that the collection data obtained in different seasons are comparable.

Introgression in Sugar Maples II.

Abstract: In a study of leaf variation in Acer saccharophorum K. Koch and Acer nigrum Michx. f. from colonies in Massachusetts, Michigan, Illinois and Missouri, Anderson and Hubricht (4) infer that even when these two maples grow intermingled and flower at the same time, there are no intermediate individuals. Consequently there would be no hybridization. A subsequent study in the Laurentian range of Acer saccharophorum by Dansereau and Lafond (11) points out that at least in this region, there is not only hybridization, but also introgression.

Nests of the Florida Flying Squirrel

Abstract: Only within the last twenty-five years has it been known to science that North American flying squirrels may infrequently build outside nests of leaves and twigs as is common practice with regard to fox and gray squirrels. Such discerning field naturalists of the last century as John Bachman (1846, p. 221) and Robert Kennicott (1857, p. 70) stated that flying squirrels do not build outside nests. Some years after the turn of the century, however, examples of such nests began to be reported from the northern states and Canada. Stupka (1935, p. 4) found an outside nest of the northern species Glaucomys sabrinus in Maine, and Cowan (1936, p. 60) and Rust (1946, p. 319) added records of outside nests of this species from British Columbia and northern Idaho. Of the southern species Glaucomys volans, Snyder (1921, p. 171) discovered an outside nest in Ontario, Landwer also (1935, p. 67) found one and Burt (1940, p. 48) recorded two in Michigan. The writer observed one in Harmony hollow about four miles from Front Royal, Virginia, on August 25, 1933, against the trunk near the top of a twentyfive-foot red oak. Roughly spherical in shape, this nest was composed ex. ternally of leafy twigs from the nest tree, and upon climbing to it the writer frightened from it three young which were about forty-five days old. The tree stood in an open pasture just barely within gliding distance of a mature mixed hardwood forest. During the most extensive study of the breeding habits of a North American flying squirrel, Sollberger (1943, p. 169) in New York and Pennsylvania found more than thirty-five females with young in tree hollows but only one in an outside nest. He entertained serious doubts that flying squirrels actually build outside nests.