Raymond L. Linder

Effects of Polychlorinated Biphenyls on Pheasant Reproduction, Behavior, and Survival

Cock pheasants (Phasianus colchicus) were given single capsules weekly containing either 0 or 25 mg polychlorinated biphenyls (PCB) for 17 weeks in the spring of 1970. Hen pheasants mated to these cock groups were given single capsules weekly containing 0, 12.5, or 50 mg PCB (Aroclor 1254). Among groups receiving PCB, egg production was depressed significantly ( P < 0.05), and the number of eggs that were pipped but not hatched was increased significantly (P < 0.05). Even though weekly weight changes of hens, fertility and hatchability of eggs, mortality of adults, and eggshell thickness did not appear to be affected by PCB, total reproductive success was depressed. Behavior, on a visual cliff, of chicks hatched from hens given 50 mg weekly was significantly different (P < 0.01), more of them jumped to the visually deep side or made no choice of sides than chicks from other groups. Mortality of chicks from hatching to 6 weeks of age was significantly greater (P < 0.01) in the offspring of hens receiving 50 mg PCB weekly, and surviving chicks of this group were significantly lighter (P < 0.05) in weight than other groups at 6 weeks of age. EFFECTS OF PCB S ON PHEASANTS * Dahlgren and Linde} 315 tivity of Heterakis gallinae eggs with Histomonas meleagridis. Exptl. Parasitol. 6(2):189193. , AND ANNE M. CHUTE. 1970. Relative importance of young and mature turkeys and chickens in contaminating soil with Histomonas-bearing Heterakis eggs. Avian Diseases 14(2):342-348. , AND . 1971. The ring-necked pheasant ( Phasian1ls colchicus torquatus ) as a host for Heterakis gallinarum and Histomonas meleagridis. Am. Midland Naturalist. ( In press. ) PHILLIPS, J. C. 1928. Wild birds introduced or transplanted in North America. U. S. Dept. Agr. Tech. Bull. 61. 64pp. Received for publication October 10, 1970. Polychlorinated biphenyls have been detected in wildlife in Europe (The New Scientist 1966, Holden and Marsden 1967, Holmes et al. 1967, Jensen et al. 1a9, Koeman et al. 1969) and in the United States ( Risebrough et al. 1968, Anderson et al. 1969, Bagley et al. 1970, Risebrough 1970). This chlorinated hydrocarbon was found as a residue in tissues of both seabirds and land-dwelling species. The induction of steroid enzymes in the liver by PCB has been demonstrated in both laboratory rats ( Street et al. 1969 ) and in pigeons (Risebrough et al. 1968); and 1 Supported jointly by the South Dakota Department of Game, Fish and Parks, U. S. Bureau of Sport Fisheries and Wildlife, South Dakota State University) and The Wildlife Management Institute. since the capacity of PCB to induce these enzymes is as potent as or more potent than DDT, PCBs have been implicated in eggshell thinning. Sax ( 1963:596) indicated that the liver of man could be injured by PCB; liver damage has been shown for guinea pigs, laboratory rats, and domestic rabbits by Miller (1944). McCune et al. (1962) and Flick et al. (1N5) found that PCB fed to young chickens produced edema and pathological changes in internal organs. The objective of our study was to evaluate the effects of PCB on reproduction, survival, and behavior of pheasants. We are grateful to W. L. Tucker, Statistician, Agricultural Experiment Station, South Dakota State University, for statistical advice. This study was conducted with This content downloaded from 157.55.39.147 on Wed, 18 May 2016 06:25:18 UTC All use subject to http://about.jstor.org/terms 316 Journal of Wildlife Management, Vol. 35, No. 2, April 1971 funds supplied by the U. S. Bureau of Sport Fisheries and Wildlife.

Wildlife response to stand structure of deciduous woodlands

Deciduous woodlands provide important habitat for wildlife but comprise < 1% of the land area in the northern Great Plains. We sampled vegetation, birds, and mammals in 1983 and 1984 in 2 stand types of green ash (Fraxinus pennsylvanica) woodlands in northwestern South Dakota. Closed-canopy stands were multilayered communities with dense overstories of several age classes and sizes of trees and a variety of shrubs. Open-canopy stands lacked foliage layers and had sparse overstories of decadent trees. Fifteen birds and mammals occurred in significantly greater numbers (P < .05) in closed-canopy stands compared to open stands; numbers of 2 species were higher (P < .05) in open stands. Nearly 2x as many birds were observed in closed-canopy stands than were observed in open-canopy woodlands. The absence of tree reproduction in these riparian-like woodlands results in a loss of wildlife habitat and will eventually lead to the loss of this community.

Effects of Dieldrin in Penned Pheasants through the Third Generation

In 1968 and 1969, single capsules containing lactose or lactose and dieldrin were given weekly to pheasants (Phasianus colchicus); hens received 0, 6, or 10 mg and cocks received 0, 4, or 6 mg. Offspring of these birds were bred in 1969 and 1970, and offspring of second generation birds were bred in 1970 and 1971. Direct mortality occurred in breeders at all levels of dieldrin administered, but weights of breeders were not affected by dieldrin. Egg production, fertility, hatchability, viability of chicks at hatching, and weights of chicks from 4 to 6 weeks of age exhibited no relationship to treatment, and were erratic among groups and years. Survival of chicks to 4, 5, or 6 weeks of age was affected (P 0.05). Offspring of parents given dieldrin chose the deep side of a visual cliff more often than control chicks (P < 0.05), as did their progeny in the second and third generations. Offspring of parents given dieldrin were more easily caught by hand (P < 0.01); this effect was also found in the second and third generation. Behavior, both on the visual cliff and in response to hand catching, was generally most affected where both parents or ancestors had been given dieldrin, and less, but still affected, where either parent or ancestor had been given dieldrin. A genetic mechanism may have been involved in effecting aberrant behavior patterns. J. WILDL. MANAGE. 38(2):320-330 Previous research on effects of dieldrin in hen pheasants was reported by Lamb et al. (1967) and Atkins and Linder (1967). Limited work on firstand second-generation hens was reported by Baxter et al. (1969). In order to elucidate possible effects of dieldrin on second and third generations, to continue work through the third generation, and to determine the role of the cock in reproductive and behavioral effects, we initiated the treatment of both cocks and hens with measured doses of dieldrin in 1968. Behavioral effects in first-generation birds have been reported (Dahlgren et al. 1970). This paper reports effects of dieldrin on reproduction, behavior, and survival through the third generation. We are grateful to W. L. Tucker, Agricultural Experiment Station Statistician, for statistical advice, and to C. W. Carlson, Animal Science Department, South Dakota State University, for use of incubator faciliti s. Use of trade names in this paper does not imply endorsement. MATERIALS AND METHODS Breeding stock was purchased from the Ringneck Ranch, Frederick, South Dakota, in the fall of 1967; other stock was purchased from the South Dakota Pheasant Co., Canton, for research in 1969. Breeding hens about 1 year of age were kept in individual cages and pool-mated to cocks kept in larger breeding cages (Atkins and Linder 1967). Birds were placed on 16 hours of artificial light in late January. Treatment was begun in February and eggs were collected beginning in early March. Technical-grade dieldrin, supplied by Shell Chemical Co., was ground, mixed with lactose, and administered in No. 5 gelatin 1 Funds for this study were supplied to the South Dakota Cooperative Wildlife Research Unit by the U.S. Bureau of Sport Fisheries and Wildlife. The Unit is supported jointly by the South Dakota Department of Game, Fish and Parks, U.S. Bureau of Sport Fisheries and Wildlife, South Dakota State University, and the Wildlife Management Institute. 2 Present address: Iowa Coop. Wildlife Res. Unit, I.S.U., Ames 50010. 320 J. Wildl. Manage. 38 (2):1974 This content downloaded from 157.55.39.153 on Mon, 19 Sep 2016 04:59:40 UTC All use subject to http://about.jstor.org/terms EFFECTS OF DIELDRIN IN PHEASANTS * Dahlgren and Linder 321 capsules via a glass tube inserted into the esophagus. Pure lactose was given to control birds. For 17 weeks, in 1968, 0, 4, or 6 mg dieldrin was administered in single weekly doses to cocks and 0, 6, or 10 mg was given to hens. Progeny of these cocks and hens were designated as 0-0, 0-6, 0-10, 4-0, 4-6, 4-10, 6-0, 6-6, and 6-10. (The first number is the weekly dieldrin level given to the cock, and the second is that given to the hen.) In 1969, newly purchased breeding stock was treated in a similar fashion, but for only 16 weeks. Also, in 1969, progeny of birds treated the previous year were either bred without further treatment or were given 6 mg dieldrin once a week for 16 weeks so that progeny were produced as follows: 0-0/0-0, 0-0/6-0, 0-0/6-6, 0-0/10-0, 6-0/0-0, 6-0/6-0, 6-0/6-6, 6-6/0-0, 6-6/6-0, and 6-6/ 6-6. (The first number to the left of the slash indicates the level given to both parents of the cocks in the previous year, and the second number the level of dieldrin currently given the cock, while the first number to the right of the slash indicates the level given to both parents of the hen the year previous except that hens in the 0-0/ 10-0 group were offspring of cocks given 6 mg and hens given 10 mg and the last number the level given to the hen the second or current year.) Second-generation work was similar in 1970 except that progeny of parents given 10 mg dieldrin did not survive to breeding age. For third-generation work in 1970, only controls and offspring of ancestors given 6 mg dieldrin were available as breeders. Part of the birds that had both parents given 6 mg dieldrin for 2 years previous were again given 6 mg dieldrin for 16 weeks so offspring produced were designated 0-0-0/0-0-0, 6-6-0/6-6-0, and 6-6-6/ 6-6-6. In 1971 no dieldrin was administered and offspring in the third generation were designated 0-0-0/0-0-0, 0-0-0/6-6-0, 6-6-0/ 0-0-0, and 6-6-0/6-6-0. Adult cocks and hens were weighed weekly to the nearest gram at the time capsules were administered. Cock breeding groups ranged from 2 to 5 individuals, so that each cock would not have to service more than 4 hens per season. Hen groups were from 4 to 10 for any category of treat-

Dieldrin Effects on Susceptibility of Penned Pheasants to Hand Capture

The offspring of pheasants (Phasianus colchicus) which were given 16 capsules once a week of lactose or combinations of lactose and 4, 6, or 10 mg technical grade dieldrin were placed in outdoor pens when 5 weeks of age. In July, August, October, December, and January, these young pheasants were caught by hand. They were more easily caught if both parents had received dieldrin, followed in order by those where hens only and cocks only had received dieldrin. In conducting studies of the effects of dieldrin on pheasants, we observed that chicks produced by parents given dieldrin appeared to be more readily caught by hand than those hatched from parents not given dieldrin. All of the chicks were then caught by hand several times over a 6nlonth period to document differences in susceptibility to capture. Baxter et al. (1969) reported that pheasant chick behavior in a visual cliff test was apparently affected by dieldrin given their parents. Effects of dieldrin on the relearning of visual discrimination and vigilance behavior by sheep have been reported by VanGelder et al. ( 1969). James and Davis ( 196S) reported DDT effects on discrimination ability of the bobwhite quail (Colinus vir. . gtnzanus . We are grateful to W. L. Tucker, South Dakota State University Agricultural Experiment Station Statistician, for his advice on data analysis. The South Dakota Cooperative Wildlife Research Unit is jointly supported by the South Dakota Department of Games, Fish and Parks, Bureau of Sport Fisheries and Wildlife, South Dakota State University and Wildlife Management Institute. METHODS AND PROCEDURES First generation stock used in this study vt7as purchased from South Dakota Pheasant Company, Canton, South Dakota, in the winter of 1969. Second generatioln birds were offspring we raised from birds purchased from Ringneck Ranch, Frederick, South Dakota, which were given capsules vv-eekly containing 0, 4, 6, or 10 mg dieldrin for 17 weeks from February-June, 1968. From February-June, 1969, all of these yearling birds were given 16 weekly doses of 0, 4, 6, or 10 mg dieldrin. Technical grade dieldrin (furnished by Shell Chemical Company) was administered with lactose in No. 5 gelatin capsules; pure lactose capsules were given to control birds. Based on average food consumption, a 6-mg capsule would correspond to approximately 20 ppm in the diet (Baxter et al. 19699. The general regimen of diet and care followed in this study was that described by Baxter et al. ( 1969 ) . Individually numbered eggs were incubated in pedigree cages; chicks were wing banded at hatching. Chicks used in this study were from 14 hatches betw7een April S-July 12, 1969. They were kept in brooders for 5 weeks and each weekly hatch was then placed outside in a 16x 16-ft pen. On July 14, lS, and 24, all the chicks in pens were caught for the first time. Chicks were again caught on August 18 and October 1. In December, birds were separated

Efficacy of Zinc Phosphide and Strychnine for Black-tailed Prairie Dog Control

Three rodenticide treatments, zinc phosphide (prebrited) and strychnine (both with and without prebrit), were evaluated immediately following treatment for efficacy of controlling bircktailed prairie dogs in western South Dakota. Active prairie dog burrows were reduced 95% with zinc phosphide, 83% with strychnine (prebaited), and 45% with strychnine without prebait. Zinc phosphide was the most effective in reducing active burrows of prairie dogs. The black-tailed prairie dog (Cynomys ludovicianus) inhabits prairie regions of the western United States from Canada to Mexico, east of the Rocky Mountains and west of the tall grass prairie (Hal1 198 1). Prairie dog towns often encompass vast areas. Because prairie dog feeding and burrowing activities conflict directly with interests of ranchers and range managers, widespread control programs using rodenticides were begun in the late 1800’s on the Great Plains (Merriam 1902). Prairie dogs are still considered a problem when they compete with cattle for forage plants (Hansen and Gold 1977). Most recent prairie dog control programs on federal, state, and private lands consist of poisoning prairie dogs with zinc phosphide on rolled oats after prebaiting with rolled oats (Schenbeck 1982). Zinc phosphide has been widely used as a rodenticide since 1942-43 when strychnine supplies became limited during World War II (Timm 1983). More recently, zinc phosphide formulation and application rates have been developed for use in prairie dog control (Tietjen 1976). Strychnine has been used for prairie dog control since the late 1800’s (Merriam 1902). These two rodentitides are widely used for prairie dog control throughout the western United States. However, comparative information of these two rodenticides for effective control of black-tailed prairie dogs has not been reported. This investigation was undertaken to compare the efficacy of rodenticides zinc phosphide (pre-baited) and strychnine with and without prebaiting for controlling black-tailed prairie dogs in western South Dakota. Study Area

Percentage of Raccoons and Skunks Reached by Egg Baits

Chicken eggs containing demethylchlortetracycline (I)MGT) were distributed on a 25-squaremile study area during August and September 1970. Eighty-seven percent of the raccoons ( Procy071 lotor ) and 29 percent of the skunks (Mephitis mephitis) collected during the follonving 7 months had consumed treated eggs. BAITS FOR RACCOONS AND SKUNKS * Nelson and Linder 1327 predation on experimental cotton rat populations. J. Wildl. Mgmt. 32( 4 ) :69S711. WATSON, A., AND R. Moss. 1970 ( 1969 ) . Dominance, spacing behaviour and aggression in relation to population limitation in vertebrates. Pages 167-218. In A. Watson [Editor], Animal populations in relation to their food resources Symp. British Ecol. Soc. X. 47Tpp. WIEGERT, R. G. 1972a. Animal populations in relation to their food resources. Edited by A. Watson. Blackwell Scientific Publications, Oxford and Edinburgh. 1970. 477pp. g 5 net. J. Wildl. Mgmt. 36(2):676477. 1972b. Population dynamics of cotton rats ( Sigmodon h. hispidt4s ) and meadow voles ( Microtus p. pennsylvanicus ) in field enclosures in South Carolina. Bull. Georgia Acad. Sci. 30. ( In press. ) Received for publication April 13, 1972. Many people believe that lethal toxicants should not be used to reduce animal populations that cause damage. A substitute technique that has received attention is the use of chemosterilants to limit reproduction ( Balser 1964 ) . One of the problems in using chemosterilants for animal control is getting the baits containing the chemical to the target species. Preliminary studies in South Dakota indicated iat severe weather 1 Funds were provided by Federal Aid to Wildlife Restoration Project W-75-R in South Dakota through the Cooperative Wildlife Research Unit ( South Dakota Department of Game, Fish and Parks; Bureau of Sport Fisheries and Wildlife South Dakota State University; and Wildlife Management Institute, cooperating). conditions and limited movements of skunks and raccoons precluded studies of bait distribution during winter and early spring ( Nelson 1972 ) . The objective of the present study was to evaluate the efficiency of eggs for baits during summer and fall for skunks and raccoons. METHODS AND MATERIALS C:hicken eggs containing 50 mg DMCT, a physiological marker masked in 1 ml of cherry flavored syrup, were distributed in a 25-square-mile study area in Brookings and Lake counties in east-central South Dakota. The study area is located in an agricultural region with wetland areas found among a li ited movements of skunks IITERATURE CITED CALDWELL, L. D. 1964. An in^restigation of competition in natural populations of mice. J. Mammal. 45(1):12-30. PETRUSEWICZ, K. 1963. Population growth induced by disturbance in the ecological structure of the population. Ekologia Polska Seria A 11 ( 3 ): 87-125. ( Polish summary. ) PROVO, M. 1962. The role of energy utilization, habitat selection, temperature and light in the regulation of a Sigmodon population. Ph.D. Thesis. Univ. of Georgia. 73pp. SCHNELL, J. H. 1964. An experimental study of carrying capacity based on the disappearance rates of cotton rats ( Sigmodon hispidis Komareki) introduced into enclosed areas of natural habitat. Ph.D. Thesis. Univ. of Georgia. 45pp. 1968. The limiting effects of natural This content downloaded from 207.46.13.64 on Sat, 03 Sep 2016 04:51:17 UTC All use subject to http://about.jstor.org/terms

Effects of Surface Mining on the Vesper Sparrow in the Northern Great Plains

A 2-year study was conducted to compare density of vesper sparrow (Pooecetes gramineus) during the breeding season on various aged bentonite clay mine spoils and unmined areas in the Northern Great Plains. The vesper sparrow was one of the most common breeding species with highest densities in grass-sagebrush habitat. Reclaimed and unreclaimed mined spoils had lower sparrow densities which were related to loss of sagebrush habitat. Reserving areas with shrubs between mine spoils, around equip ment storage areas, and along haul roads may be necessary during mining and reclamation to attract vesper sparrows in regions where natural regeneration or transplanting of shrubs is difftcult. The Northern Great Plains has been subjected to an increasing amount of surface mining within recent years. One important facet of planning mining operations is the re-establishment of wildlife habitat. Quantitative plant ecology-environmental studies (Copeland 1973) are required for planning effective restoration of wildlife habitat. Although several studies deal with the effects of mining on birds in the forested regions of the U.S. (Karr 1968, Copeland and Packer 1972, Terre1 and French 1975, Yahner et al. 1975, Authors are graduate research assistant. South Dakota State University, Brookings (present address is: Burns & McDonnell. P.O. Box 173, Kansas City. MO. 64141): research scientist. Rocky Mountain Forest and Range Experiment Station. Rapid City. S. Dak. 57701: experiment station statistician. South Dakota State Univ.. Brooking% and Unit leader, South Dakota Cooperative Wildlife Research Unit.

Adoptive Behavior of Caged Pheasants Exposed to Chicks and Dieldrin

Adoption studies in 1969 and 1970 showed respectively that 37 and 49% of confined hen pheasants (Phasianus colchicus) adopted and brooded introduced chicks, 38 and 26% intentionally killed chicks, and 18 and 11% neither adopted nor killed chicks. The hens were exposed to only sound stimulus or sight-and-sound stimuli from chicks 8 to 22 days just prior to adoption tests. There was no difference in rates of adoption or killing of chicks by hens subjected to the two treatments. Stublethal doses of dieldrin had no apparent effect on chick adoption under conditions of this study. INTRODUCTION Many workers have attempted to induce parental behavior in gallinaceous birds. Stanford (1952) studied chick adoption in bobwhite quail (Colinus virginianus) for the purpose of propagation and release of adult quail with adopted broods. Most studies of parental behavior in pheasants have involved administration of hormones, especially prolactin, in an attempt to induce broodiness for stocking purposes. Breitenbach and Meyer (1959) studied pituitary prolactin levels at different stages of the reproductive cycle, and Crispens (1956) and Nelson (1963) gave injections of prolactin to hen pheasants for the purpose of propagation and subsequent release of hens and adopted broods. Goodale (1916) induced broody behavior in capons by introduction of chicks, and Burrows and Byerly (1938) were able to stimulate broodiness in domestic hens by placing them singly in cages with chicks. Ramsay (1953) stated that visual and auditory stimuli alone may trigger broodiness in fowl. He also induced broodiness in 14 bantam hens by introducing small chicks. A field study by Linder and Agee (1965) demonstrated that stimuli provided by pheasant chicks caused nesting pheasant hens to abandon their clutches. They theorized that in areas of high pheasant density the total number of young produced may be limited by the number of unattached chicks which come in contact with nesting hens. During recent years emphasis has been placed on testing effects of sublethal levels of insecticides on behavior. Sheep exposed to dieldrin exhibited a decrement in the performance of a vigilance task (Sandler et al., 1969). However, a significant effect on detour behavior in sheep could not be detected (Sandler et al., 1968). Jackson et al. (1970), studying salmon parr (Salmo salar) and yearling speckled trout (Salvalinus fontinalis), concluded that sublethal doses of DDT, per se, 1 South Dakota Agricultural Experiment Station Journal Series No. 1006. 2 Present address: Lt. Kay L. Cool, 504-52-5128, Co. A 2132 Armor, APO 09045, New York.