Small-Mammal Microhabitat Associations and Response to Grazing in Oregon

Abstract: Livestock grazing is common and widespread throughout North America, yet few studies have evaluated its effects on small mammals. We studied small mammals in mixed-conifer forests and oak woodlands on the Cascade-Siskiyou National Monument in southern Oregon, USA, to 1) evaluate small-mammal microhabitat associations, 2) identify riparian-associated species, and 3) test the hypothesis that grazing does not influence small mammals after accounting for microhabitat associations. We live-trapped small mammals at 16 study sites and used logistic regression to model probability of capture on measured habitat characteristics at each trap station and to evaluate effects of grazing. Over 2 years, we trapped 1,270 individual small mammals representing 18 species. Odds of capturing western harvest mice (Reithrodontomys megalotis), dusky-footed woodrats (Neotoma fuscipes), and long-tailed voles (Microtus longicaudus) were lower (P < 0.05) on heavily versus lightly grazed sites. Odds of capture for deer mice (Peromyscus maniculatus) were lower (P < 0.05) on heavily versus lightly grazed sites in woodlands, but there was less difference in the odds of capture between grazing intensities in conifer forests. Odds of capturing Townsend's vole (Microtus townsendii) were lower on heavily versus lightly grazed riparian areas. Western harvest mice, long-tailed voles, and Townsend's voles were associated with, but not obligated to, riparian areas. Deer mice were ubiquitous, but captures were also higher (P < 0.05) in riparian areas compared with uplands. Siskiyou chipmunks (Tamias siskiyou) and piñon mice (Peromyscus truei) were associated with uplands (P < 0.05) rather than riparian areas. Trowbridge's shrews (Sorex trowbridgii), Siskiyou chipmunks, and bushy-tailed woodrats (Neotoma cinerea) were positively associated with coarse woody debris. Land managers should anticipate that small mammals associated with herbaceous or shrub cover, particularly in riparian areas, will decline when cattle remove this cover.     

Galanthus trojanus: a new species of Galanthus (Amaryllidaceae) from north-western Turkey

Galanthus trojanus , a new species endemic to north-western Turkey, is described and illustrated. The morphological differences between the new species and two similar species, G. nivalis and G. rizehensis , are discussed.     

On the systematic status of the desert plated lizard (Angolosaurus skoogi): phylogenetic inference from DNA sequence analysis of the African Gerrhosauridae

The desert plated lizard ( Angolosaurus skoogi ), a 'sand sea' endemic of the northern Namib Desert, exhibits remarkable morphological convergence with other dune-dwelling lizards worldwide. This distinct ecomorphic condition sets Angolosaurus apart from the remaining genera in the family Gerrhosauridae. Indeed, a morphological phylogeny addressing generic relationships within the Cordyliformes (Cordylidae + Gerrhosauridae) identified Angolosaurus as the earliest diverging taxon among African gerrhosaurids. We re-evaluated the basal status of Angolosaurus , conducting a molecular phylogenetic analysis of the African and Madagascan gerrhosaurid genera. Our survey involved a comprehensive species-level comparison among the four nominal genera of mainland Africa ( Angolosaurus , Cordylosaurus , Tetradactylus and Gerrhosaurus ). Mitochondrial DNA sequence data from the cytochrome b , ND2, 12S and 16S rRNA genes were combined for analysis using both parsimony and maximum likelihood procedures. In contrast to the morphological hypothesis, our results do not depict Angolosaurus as the sister taxon to other African gerrhosaurids. Rather, the molecular analyses consistently place Angolosaurus within Gerrhosaurus , rendering the latter genus paraphyletic.  © 2003 The Linnean Society of London, Biological Journal of the Linnean Society , 2003, 78 , 253–261.     

Regulation of cyclic electron flow in C3 plants: differential effects of limiting photosynthesis at ribulose‐1,5‐bisphosphate carboxylase/oxygenase and glyceraldehyde‐3‐phosphate dehydrogenase

Cyclic electron flow around photosystem I (CEF1) is thought to augment chloroplast ATP production to meet metabolic needs. Very little is known about the induction and regulation of CEF1. We investigated the effects on CEF1 of antisense suppression of the Calvin–Benson enzymes glyceraldehyde‐3‐phosphate dehydrogenase (gapR), and ribulose‐1,5‐bisphosphate carboxylase/oxygenase (Rubisco) small subunit (SSU), in tobacco (Nicotiana tabacum cv. Wisconsin 38). The gapR, but not ssuR, mutants showed substantial increases in CEF1, demonstrating that specific intermediates, rather than slowing of assimilation, induce CEF1. Both types of mutant showed increases in steady‐state transthylakoid proton motive force (pmf) and subsequent activation of the photoprotective q_E response. With gapR, the increased pmf was caused both by up‐regulation of CEF1 and down‐regulation of the ATP synthase. In ssuR, the increased pmf was attributed entirely to a decrease in ATP synthase activity, as previously seen in wild‐type plants when CO₂ levels were decreased. Comparison of major stromal metabolites in gapR, ssuR and hcef1, a mutant with decreased fructose 1,6‐bisphosphatase activity, showed that neither the ATP/ADP ratio, nor major Calvin–Benson cycle intermediates can directly account for the activation of CEF1, suggesting that chloroplast redox status or reactive oxygen species regulate CEF1.     

Clarifying the Taxonomic Identity of a Phylogenetically Important Group of Eukaryotes: Planomonas is a Junior Synonym of Ancyromonas

ABSTRACT. Ancyromonas was first described in 1882 by Saville Kent, with the modern concept of the genus dating from 1979 with the work of Hänel. Since then, organisms assigned to Ancyromonas have been found to be common in diverse ecosystems, and the group's isolated phylogenetic placement renders it of considerable evolutionary interest. However, in 2008 Cavalier‐Smith et al. concluded that all modern accounts of Ancyromonas were of a different organism from that described by Saville Kent, and erected the new genus Planomonas to encompass modern observations of Ancyromonas, and several new species. We critique the rationale for creating this new genus, reexamining the original sources and making additional observations using light and electron microscopy. We find that almost all the differences between the genera are mistaken or insubstantial. In particular, (1) Cavalier‐Smith et al. characterized Ancyromonas sensu Saville Kent as anchoring and Planomonas as gliding, while we find that each type of organism actually does both, and (2) it was claimed that Planomonas is flattened while Ancyromonas sensu Saville Kent is not, but this argument is inconsistent. We treat Planomonas as a junior synonym of Ancyromonas, and Planomonas mylnikovi as a junior synonym of Ancyromonas sigmoides. We transfer Planomonas cephalopora, Planomonas micra, Planomonas howeae and Planomonas limna to Ancyromonas. The genus Ancyromonas therefore includes: A. sigmoides, Ancyromonas cephalopora n. comb., Ancyromonas melba, Ancyromonas sinistra, Ancyromonas micra n. comb., Ancyromonas howeae n. comb., and Ancyromonas limna n. comb.     

A new Mantalania species (Rubiaceae) from Madagascar

Mantalania longipedunculata De Block & A.P. Davis, a new species of Rubiaceae (Gardenieae) from Île Sainte Marie, Madagascar, is described, illustrated, and compared with the three other species in the genus. An extinction risk assessment is given, using the categories and criteria of the World Conservation Union (IUCN).  © 2006 The Linnean Society of London, Botanical Journal of the Linnean Society , 2006, 151 , 421–424.