Research Interests:
Research Interests:
Research Interests:
Research Interests:
Research Interests:
Research Interests:
Research Interests:
Research Interests:
The female sex pheromone has potential a s a control tool for the Brown Treesnake, Boiga irregularis Merrem, a pest introduced into Guam. We conducted male-guided bioassays to determine whether potency of the female pheromone varied... more
The female sex pheromone has potential a s a control tool for the Brown Treesnake, Boiga irregularis Merrem, a pest introduced
into Guam. We conducted male-guided bioassays to determine whether potency of the female pheromone varied
according to reproductive state and during vitellogenesis. In weekly simultaneous choice tests, we presented males with
skin lipid samples from vitellogenic females, non-vitellogenic females, conspecific males, and carrier controls. The total
time each sample was tongue-flicked was recorded: mean total tongue-flick time was highest for samples from vitellogenic
females followed by samples from non-vitellogenic females. Pair-wise comparisons of male tongue-flick time for samples
of non-vitellogenic females versus males and vitellogenic females versus non-vitellogenic females revealed differences in
some weeks, but the greatest and most frequent differences were between vitellogenic females versus males. We observed
no trend in the potency of the pheromone during vitellogenesis. Pheromone potency was greatest during vitellogenesis,
with lesser potency retained while non-reproductive. Efforts at chemical identification of the pheromone and development
of control tools should focus on material obtained from vitellogenic females.
into Guam. We conducted male-guided bioassays to determine whether potency of the female pheromone varied
according to reproductive state and during vitellogenesis. In weekly simultaneous choice tests, we presented males with
skin lipid samples from vitellogenic females, non-vitellogenic females, conspecific males, and carrier controls. The total
time each sample was tongue-flicked was recorded: mean total tongue-flick time was highest for samples from vitellogenic
females followed by samples from non-vitellogenic females. Pair-wise comparisons of male tongue-flick time for samples
of non-vitellogenic females versus males and vitellogenic females versus non-vitellogenic females revealed differences in
some weeks, but the greatest and most frequent differences were between vitellogenic females versus males. We observed
no trend in the potency of the pheromone during vitellogenesis. Pheromone potency was greatest during vitellogenesis,
with lesser potency retained while non-reproductive. Efforts at chemical identification of the pheromone and development
of control tools should focus on material obtained from vitellogenic females.
Research Interests:
Three population monitoring methods were evaluated in support of a trap/vaccinate/release program for controlling a bat variant of rabies virus in skunks (Mephitis mephitis) in Flagstaff, Arizona (USA). Skunks were the primary species... more
Three population monitoring methods were evaluated in support of a trap/vaccinate/release program for controlling a bat variant
of rabies virus in skunks (Mephitis mephitis) in Flagstaff, Arizona (USA). Skunks were the primary species targeted for population monitoring during the program, but feral cats were also monitored as they represented an abundant secondary vector species capable of rabies transmission. Skunks were vaccinated and released, except for a subset tested for rabies. All captured
cats were placed in the local animal shelter. Spotlight surveys essentially did not detect skunks, and were not able to detect reductions in the cat nonulation. Catch-per-unit-effort marginally tracked population trends, but a passive track index adapted for an urban setting was most sensitive for detecting changes in skunk
and cat populations. Mark-recapture population estimates could not be validlv calculated from the data on captures and recaptures due to multiple violations of analybcal assumptions.
of rabies virus in skunks (Mephitis mephitis) in Flagstaff, Arizona (USA). Skunks were the primary species targeted for population monitoring during the program, but feral cats were also monitored as they represented an abundant secondary vector species capable of rabies transmission. Skunks were vaccinated and released, except for a subset tested for rabies. All captured
cats were placed in the local animal shelter. Spotlight surveys essentially did not detect skunks, and were not able to detect reductions in the cat nonulation. Catch-per-unit-effort marginally tracked population trends, but a passive track index adapted for an urban setting was most sensitive for detecting changes in skunk
and cat populations. Mark-recapture population estimates could not be validlv calculated from the data on captures and recaptures due to multiple violations of analybcal assumptions.