In the northern Gulf of Mexico (GOM), whale sharks ( Rhincodon typus ) form large aggregations at continental shelf-edge banks during summer; however, knowledge movements once they leave aggregation sites is limited. Here we report on seasonal occurrence in GOM based over 800 shark sightings from 1989 to 2016, as well 42 tagged with satellite-linked and popup satellite archival transmitting tag...

This study describes the current status of the small fish community in Niushan Lake in China, and examines the spatial and seasonal variations of the community in relation to key environmental factors. Based on macrophyte cover conditions, the lake was divided into three major habitat types: (1) Potamogeton maackianus habitat, (2) Potamogeton maackianus and Myriophyllum spicatum habitat, and (3...

Food habits of the tuatara (Sphenodon punctatus) on Stephens Island, in north-western Cook Strait, were studied by field observations and faecal analysis. The tuatara is a selective predator, feeding on a wide range of small animals, mainly large insects. Its diet shows seasonal changes and habitat differences, related to local conditions: the coastal broadleaf forest habitat, which predominate...

Invasive wildlife often causes serious damage to the economy and agriculture as well as environmental, human and animal health. Habitat models can fill knowledge gaps about species distributions and assist planning to mitigate impacts. Yet, model accuracy and utility may be compromised by small study areas and limited integration of species ecology or temporal variability. Here we modelled seas...

This thesis was an interdisciplinary investigation with the goal of balancing the conservation of wildlife habitat with road access for subsistence hunting in Yakutat, Alaska. The problem posed by land managers and subsistence moose hunters revolved around the use of offhighway vehicles (OHVs; e.g. “four-wheelers”) for subsistence moose hunting and the potential disturbance OHVs have on moose. ...

Electronic tags were used to examine the seasonal movements, aggregations and diving behaviors of Atlantic bluefin tuna (Thunnus thynnus) to better understand their migration ecology and oceanic habitat utilization. Implantable archival tags (n = 561) were deployed in bluefin tuna from 1996 to 2005 and 106 tags were recovered. Movement paths of the fish were reconstructed using light level and ...

Cattle go through a regular seasonal cycle of hair growth and shedding, which is presumably adapted to the climate prevailing in their habitat, and which has been shown by Yeates (1955) to be influenced by light in Shorthorns. There is reason to believe that the process of shedding can also be influenced by other things such as the nature of the food supply and the condition of the animal. Hamm...

The way in which animals move and use the landscape is influenced by the spatial distribution of resources, and is of importance when considering species conservation. We aimed at exploring how landscape-related factors affect a large herbivore's space-use patterns by using a combined approach, integrating movement (displacement and recursions) and habitat selection analyses. We studied the end...

Anthropogenic landscape change (i.e., disturbance) is recognized as an important factor in the decline and extirpation of wildlife populations. Understanding and monitoring the relationship between wildlife distribution and disturbance is necessary for effective conservation planning. Many studies consider disturbance as a covariate explaining wildlife behavior. However, we propose that there a...