Julie E. Groce

Persistent Controversy in Statistical Approaches in Wildlife Sciences: A Perspective of Students

Abstract The controversy over the use of null hypothesis statistical testing (NHST) has persisted for decades, yet NHST remains the most widely used statistical approach in wildlife sciences and ecology. A disconnect exists between those opposing NHST and many wildlife scientists and ecologists who conduct and publish research. This disconnect causes confusion and frustration on the part of students. We, as students, offer our perspective on how this issue may be addressed. Our objective is to encourage academic institutions and advisors of undergraduate and graduate students to introduce students to various statistical approaches so we can make well-informed decisions on the appropriate use of statistical tools in wildlife and ecological research projects. We propose an academic course that introduces students to various statistical approaches (e.g., Bayesian, frequentist, Fisherian, information theory) to build a foundation for critical thinking in applying statistics. We encourage academic advisors to become familiar with the statistical approaches available to wildlife scientists and ecologists and thus decrease bias towards one approach. Null hypothesis statistical testing is likely to persist as the most common statistical analysis tool in wildlife science until academic institutions and student advisors change their approach and emphasize a wider range of statistical methods.

Is False Spike, Quadrula mitchelli (Bivalvia: Unionidae), Extinct? First Account of a Very Recently Deceased Individual in Over Thirty Years

Abstract A recent survey of the San Saba River in San Saba County, Texas, has yielded the first record in >30 years of a very recently deceased individual (i.e., with tissue present within the shell) of the unionid mussel Quadrula mitchelli (false spike). This very recently dead individual suggests that living populations of Q. mitchelli might still exist in the San Saba River. Our results provide evidence that surveys in remote areas may help to locate populations of rare species of unionid mussels. Resumen Un muestreo recién del río San Saba en el condado de San Saba, Texas, ha dado el primer registro en >30 años de un individuo de mejillón unionido Quadrula mitchelli recientemente fallecido (es decir, con el tejido aún presente dentro de la concha). El encuentro sugiere que aún podrían existir más poblaciones actuales de Q. mitchelli dentro del río San Saba. Nuestros resultados rinden evidencia que muestreos realizados dentro de áreas remotas podrían ayudar a localizar poblaciones de especies raras del mejillón unionido.

False Spike, Quadrula mitchelli (Bivalvia: Unionidae), is Not Extinct: First Account of a Live Population in Over 30 Years

Abstract. During a recent survey a small population of Quadrula mitchelli (Simpson, 1895), a species thought to have been extinct, was discovered in Texas. In total, 7 live individuals were collected from the Guadalupe River near Gonzales, Gonzales County, Texas. Our finding represents the only known population for this species in Texas and the first record of live specimens in over 30 y, which is significant because this species is currently under review for protection under the Endangered Species Act.

Occurrence of Bats in Highly Impacted Environments: The Lake Tahoe Basin

past 150 y (Murphy and Knopp 2000) requiring the need for wildlife restoration. Many of the species that have declined use or inhabit ecologically important ecosystems such as marshes, bogs, fens, aspen groves, meadows, and riparian areas. Because marshes and meadows currently encompass a small proportion of the Basin and support a disproportionate number of species (Manley and others 2000; Schlesinger and Romsos 2000), there is interest in restoring these areas. Planning and evaluating restoration projects can be difficult for managers because they often lack information regarding historical conditions of areas in need of restoration. Bats are a good group of species to evaluate because they typically represent a relatively large portion of mammal species found in most marsh and meadow systems, including those within the Basin. Moreover, their diverse foraging and roosting requirements, plus the relative ease of acoustic sampling, make them good candidates for monitoring (Medellin and others 2000). Bats within the Basin are particularly important to monitor in the context of restoration because 3

Land Use Relationships for a Rare Freshwater Mussel Species Endemic to Central Texas

Abstract We assessed the influence of geology, land use, and other features on the occurrence of the rare freshwater mussel smooth pimpleback, Quadrula houstonensis, in the Leon River, Texas. Boost...