ecology and management of southeastern wildlife 3018...2018/08/23 · rnr 3018 – ecology and...
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Ecology and Management of Southeastern Wildlife RNR 3018 (4 cr.): Spring 2018
Lecture: Tue/Thur 12:30–1:20, RNR 206
Lab: Tue/Thur 1:30–4:30, RNR 206/TBA
INSTRUCTOR: Dr. Kevin Ringelman
Office: 310 RNR
Office Hours: Open; take your chances I’m in the office or make
an appointment
Email: kringelman@agcenter.lsu.edu (best method)
Office Phone: 225-578-4212
Cell Phone: 701-471-1987
TA: Mr. Vitek Jirinec
Office: RNR 324
Email: vjirin1@lsu.edu
Cell phone: 707-832-6330
COURSE DESCRIPTION AND GOALS RNR 3018 – Ecology and Management of Southeastern Wildlife is focused on
identification, taxonomy, life history, and ecology of birds, mammals, reptiles, and
amphibians commonly found in Louisiana. The goal of this course is to provide you with
a primer in comparative vertebrate zoology and teach you the natural history of common
wildlife, effectively serving as a “light” version of ornithology, mammalogy, and
herpetology.
This class will provide you with a background in:
Identification of common wildlife species by sight and sound
Natural history and ecology of common wildlife species
Field observational skills, sampling techniques, and formal field note-taking
Comparative morphology as shaped by adaptive evolutionary processes
Scientific research and writing
You cannot be a wildlife professional without knowing your wildlife.
READINGS:
The Sibley Guide to Birds of Eastern North America (2nd edition)
Peterson Guide to Reptlies and Amphibians of Eastern and Central North America (4th
edition)
OTHER COURSE MATERIALS
If you do not have a pair of binoculars and boots, get some; you will need them for
class, and they are integral to your education and career in field biology, and you can’t
share them easily. We have a few older loaner binoculars.
We will be using eBird to log our avian observations. Please create an account and
download the app to your phone.
Merlin bird ID is another useful app to have; please download that as well, along with the
Southeastern pack.
Some very kind students who came before you designed a Quizlet for use with this class.
You can access it here: https://quizlet.com/join/Bbsmu2cXb
GRADING:
A+ (97.00–100); A (93.00–96.99); A- (90.00–92.99); B+ (87.00–89.99); B (83.00–86.99);
B- (80.00–82.99); C+ (77.00–79.99); C (73.00–76.99); C- (70.00–72.99); D+ (67.00-69.99);
D (63.00–66.99); D- (60.00–62.99); F (<60.00)
Only two decimal places shown, but grades will not be rounded. I.e., 79.999999999999999 < 80
100 Midterm lecture exam
50 Midterm field exam
50 each 3 species accounts
100 Field observations
150 Final lecture exam
50 Final field exam
Lab exercises and homework as assigned (nothing huge)
150 Quizzes
720ish (subject to change)
______________________________________________________________________________
Anyone who approaches or attempts to handle an alligator
or venomous snake will instantly fail the course.
Re-grades: Must be submitted directly to Dr. Ringelman, in person, within one week
after exams are returned. The entire test will be re-graded; that is, there is the potential to
both gain and lose points. Do not change your answers and ask for a re-grade.
Late work: Unexcused late assignments will lose 10% per day (weekends count).
CLASSROOM RESPECT
This is an experience-based course, and you must come to class; please email me if you
are unable to attend class on any given day.
Class will begin on time, and field trips will depart on time. Do not be late.
We will take several field trips in this class. It is paramount that you act in a respectful
manner when we visit these places. Unprofessional conduct will be not be tolerated.
We will go outside often to view wildlife. Stay together, and keep talking to a minimum
to maximize the chances of seeing wildlife. Ask questions!
***** Plagiarism will not be tolerated. ***** Students that plagiarize will be reported to Student Affairs and Advocacy. It is your
responsibility to understand what constitute plagiarism.
FIELD TRIPS AND FIELD OBSERVATIONS
During each field trip, you will be required to log your bird observations in eBird, and email
them to Dr. Ringelman at the conclusion of the trip. Other observations of herps and mammals
can be appended to the email, and we will keep a separate notebook for trips specifically
targeting herps. Because absences are unavoidable, I will forgive lack of field data from two
trips.
SPECIES ACCOUNT
A species account is a detailed description of a species’ distribution, physical characteristics,
natural/life history, and conservation/management status. There is an example posted on
moodle, though your version will be shorter in length. You will be required to write three
species accounts, one each for a bird, mammal, and reptile/amphibian. We will draw for species
randomly in class.
Your species accounts should be >2 pages long, single-spaced Times New Roman font with 1”
margins. Length requirement excludes pictures, range maps, and literature cited.
Your species account must include:
Scientific name (common name) e.g., Zenaida asiatica (White-winged dove)
Author's name…which is you
Picture (meaning include a picture of your species on the front page)
Distribution: A detailed, written account which outlines the distribution of the species.
Inclusion of maps are appropriate and suggested.
Identifying characteristics: Includes a detailed description of the physical appearance of
the species, including information on size, length, height, color, individual markings, etc.
Inclusion of sex and age differences may be appropriate, as well as other identifying traits
(e.g., vocalizations).
Natural history
o Food habits
o Habitat types used (focus on habitats it uses in Louisiana)
o Reproduction (e.g., time of breeding, number of offspring, age at first
reproduction, breeding site selection)
o Behavioral information (e.g., courtship, migration, diurnal/nocturnal,
coloniality/group size)
Conservation and management status – estimates of population size, IUCN Red List
status, state and federal protection, etc. If the species is actively being managed, describe
those activities.
In-text citations and literature cited follows Journal of Wildlife Management guidelines.
Additional guidelines are posted on moodle, but here is an example of a full citation:
Journal – general format Miller, M. R. 1986. Molt chronology of northern pintails in California. Journal of Wildlife Management 50:57–64.
It will be tempting to plagiarize existing online species accounts. Do not
do this. You are expected to track down primary sources and cite them
in your species account.
UNIVERSITY POLICY STATEMENTS
Attendance: LSU policy statements 22 and 24 and Faculty Senate resolution 12-3 state that individual
faculty determine excuse and unexcused absences, and that attendance can be graded by randomly taking
attendance during 12 randomly selected lectures. An unexcused absence during any graded activity will
result in a 0 for the activity. Excused absences and make-up opportunities will be granted for university-
approved off-campus activities, religious holidays, professional development activities, job interviews,
and severe illnesses. Please contact me before course activities if possible to schedule a make-up.
Academic integrity: Cheating and plagiarism will not be tolerated in any form; it damages the integrity
of the student, the department, and university, and can far-reaching effects into the future (e.g. “I don’t
hire RNR grads anymore because I had one who cheated his (her) way through and was an awful
employee”). We use plagiarism detection software. Students violating the Academic Dishonesty policy
of the LSU Code of Student Conduct will be referred to Student Advocacy & Accountability.
Disability statement: Louisiana State University is committed to providing reasonable accommodations
for all persons with disabilities. The syllabus is available in alternate formats upon request. If you have a
disability that may have some impact on your work in this class and for which you may require
accommodations, please see a staff member in Disability Services (115 Johnston Hall) so that such
accommodations can be considered. Students that receive accommodation letters, please meet with me to
discuss the provisions of those accommodations as soon as possible.
Credit expectations: For each earned credit, students must spend a minimum of 1 hour per week in
lecture class or 3 hours per week in lab, and a minimum of 2-3 hours per week of studying/homework
outside of class. That means, for this class, expect between 8-12 hours of homework and studying
each week.
Week 1 1/11 Lecture: Introduction
Lab: Field guides, eBird, practice ID, campus walk
Week 2
1/16 Lecture: Vertebrates
Lab: CANCELLED
Kevin NSF review
panel 10:00-2:00
1/18 Lecture: CANCELLED
Lab: CANCELLED
Week 3
1/23 Lecture: Introduction to birds
Lab: LSU Museum of Natural Science
1/25 Lecture: Galliformes–Anseriformes
Lab: Capitol Lakes
White, burgundy
Week 4
1/30 Lecture: [Quiz 1] Podicipediformes–Pelecaniformes
Lab: Avian anatomy and dissections
2/1 Lecture: [Quiz 2] Accipitriformes–Charadriiformes
Lab: Aquaculture
White, burgundy
2/2-
2/3
OVERNIGHT TO ROCKEFELLER REFUGE White, red, green
Week 5
2/6 Lecture: [Quiz 3] Charadriiformes–Caprimulgiformes
Lab: CANCELLED
2/8 Lecture: [Quiz 4] Strigiformes–Falconiformes
Lab: Build and install nest boxes at aquaculture
White, burgundy
Week 6
2/13 NO CLASS – MARDI GRAS
2/15 Lecture: [Quiz 5] Passeriformes I
Lab: Bluebonnet swamp
Bird species account
due White, burgundy
Week 7
2/20 Lecture: Passeriformes II
Lab: ? Review ?
Burgundy, silver
2/22 Lecture: Lecture exam
Lab: Lab exam at aquaculture
Week 8
2/27 Lecture: Introduction to mammals
Lab: Place camera traps at aquaculture
3/1 Lecture: Deer through bats
Lab: Richfield River Silt Reproductive Biology
Week 9
3/6 Lecture: [Quiz 6] Johnathon Bordelon –deer management
Lab: Skull lab
3/8 Lecture: Pick up camera traps, download and view data
Lab: Waterfowl wing ID
3/9-
3/10
OVERNIGHT TO SHREVEPORT Red, white, green
Week 10
3/13 Lecture: Rabbits through squirrels
Lab: Band recovery analysis
3/15 Lecture: [Quiz 7] Intro to herps
Lab: Reproductive biology
Week 11
3/20 Lecture: Herps 1
Lab: Burden
Mammal account due
3/22 Lecture: Herps 2 [Quiz 8]
Lab: Drone demo at aquaculture
Aquaculture
Week 12 3/26 NO CLASS – SPRING BREAK
3/28 NO CLASS – SPRING BREAK
Week 13
4/3 Lecture: Woodcock wing bee (RNR 142) [Quiz 9]
Lab: Campus bird walk
4/5 Lecture: Jeff Boundy (RNR 142)
Lab: Ben Hur tract
White, burgundy
Week 14
4/10 Lecture: Brad Glorioso
Lab: Frenchtown Rd.
VITEK GONE
4/12 Lecture: Sensory ecology [point buyback]
Lab: Skull lab
VITEK GONE
Week 15
4/17 Lecture: Vitek lecture TBA [point buyback]
Lab: Herp dissections
Herp account due
4/19 Lecture: Vitek & Jazmyn telemetry update [point buyback]
Lab: Telemetry at aquaculture
Week 16
4/24 Lecture:
Lab: Baton Rouge Zoo
White, burgundy
4/26 Lecture: Final lecture exam
Lab: Final lab exam
RNR 3018 Species List – Spring 2018
1
CLASS AVES - 130 Order Galliformes 2
Wild Turkey Meleagris gallopavo
Northern Bobwhite Colinus virginianus
Order Anseriformes 19
Black-bellied Whistling-Duck Dendrocygna autumnalis
Canada Goose Branta canadensis
Greater White-fronted Goose Anser albifrons
Snow Goose Chen caerulescens
Wood Duck Aix sponsa
Hooded Merganser Lophodytes cucullatus
Gadwall Mareca strepera
American Wigeon Mareca americana
Mallard Anas platyrhynchos
Mottled Duck Anas fulvigula
Blue-winged Teal Spatula discors
Northern Shoveler Spatula clypeata
Northern Pintail Anas acuta
Green-winged Teal Anas crecca
Canvasback Aythya valisineria
Redhead Aythya americana
Ring-necked Duck Aythya collaris
Lesser Scaup Aythya affinis
Ruddy Duck Oxyura jamaicensis
Order Podicipediformes 1
Pied-billed Grebe Podilymbus podiceps
Order Suliformes 2
Double-crested Cormorant Phalacrocorax auritus
Anhinga Anhinga anhinga
Order Pelecaniformes 14
American White Pelican Pelecanus erythrorhynchos
Brown Pelican Pelecanus occidentalis
Great Blue Heron Ardea herodias
Great Egret Ardea alba
Snowy Egret Egretta thula
Little Blue Heron Egretta caerula
Tricolored Heron Egretta tricolor
Cattle Egret Bubulcus ibis
Green Heron Butorides virescens
Black-crowned Night-Heron Nycticorax nycticorax
Yellow-crowned Night-Heron Nyctanassa violacea
White Ibis Eudocimus albus
RNR 3018 Species List – Spring 2018
2
White-faced Ibis Plegadis chihi
Roseate Spoonbill Platalea ajaja
Order Accipitriformes 10
Swallow-tailed Kite Elanoides forficatus
Black Vulture Coragyps atratus
Turkey Vulture Cathartes aura
Osprey Pandion haliaetus
Mississippi Kite Ictinia mississippiensis
Bald Eagle Haliaeetus leucocephalus
Northern Harrier Circus cyaneus
Cooper’s Hawk Accipiter cooperii
Red-shouldered Hawk Buteo lineatus
Red-tailed Hawk Buteo jamaicensis
Order Gruiformes 6
Sora Porzana carolina
Purple Gallinule Porphyrio martinicus
Common Gallinule Gallinula galeata
American Coot Fulica americana
Sandhill Crane Grus canadensis
Whooping Crane Grus americana
Order Charadriiformes 18
Killdeer Charadrius vociferus
Black-necked Stilt Himantopus mexicanus
American Avocet Recurvirostra americana
Greater Yellowlegs Tringa melanoleuca
Lesser Yellowlegs Tringa flavipes
Willet Tringa semipalmata
Least Sandpiper Calidris minutilla
Long-billed Dowitcher Limnodramus scolopaceus
Wilson’s Snipe Gallinago delicata
American Woodcock Scolopax minor
Herring Gull Larus argentatus
Laughing Gull Leucophaeus atricilla
Ring-billed Gull Larus delawarensis
Least Tern Sternula antillarum
Caspian Tern Hydroprogne caspia
Forster’s Tern Sterna forsteri
Royal Tern Thalasseus maximus
Black Skimmer Rynchops niger
Order Columbiformes 4
Rock Pigeon Columba livia
Eurasian Collared-Dove Streptopelia decaocto
RNR 3018 Species List – Spring 2018
3
White-winged Dove Zenaida asiatica
Mourning Dove Zenaida macroura
Order Caprimulgiformes 1
Common Nighthawk Chordeiles minor
Order Strigiformes 2
Great Horned Owl Bubo virginianus
Barred Owl Strix varia
Order Apodiformes 2
Ruby-throated Hummingbird Archilochus colubris
Chimney Swift Chaetura pelagica
Order Coraciiformes 1
Belted Kingfisher Megaceryle alcyon
Order Piciformes 7
Red-headed Woodpecker Melanerpes erythrocephalus
Red-bellied Woodpecker Melanerpes carolinus
Yellow-bellied Sapsucker Sphyrapicus varius
Downy Woodpecker Picoides pubescens
Red-cockaded Woodpecker Picoides borealis
Northern Flicker Colaptes auratus
Pileated Woodpecker Dryocopus pileatus
Order Falconiformes 2
American Kestrel Falco sparverius
Peregrine Falcon Falco peregrinus
Order Passeriformes 39
Eastern Phoebe Sayornis phoebe
Great Crested Flycatcher Myiarchus crinitus
Eastern Kingbird Tyrannus tyrannus
Loggerhead Shrike Lanius ludovicianus
Blue Jay Cyanocitta cristata
American Crow Corvus brachyrhynchos
Purple Martin Progne subis
Tree Swallow Tachycineta bicolor
Barn Swallow Hirundo rustica
Carolina Chickadee Poecile carolinensis
Tufted Titmouse Baeolophus bicolor
Carolina Wren Thryothorus ludovicianus
Blue-gray Gnatcatcher Polioptila caerulea
Ruby-crowned Kinglet Regulus calendula
Eastern Bluebird Sialia sialis
American Robin Turdus migratorius
Northern Mockingbird Mimus polyglottos
Brown Thrasher Toxostoma rufum
RNR 3018 Species List – Spring 2018
4
European Starling Sturnus vulgaris
Cedar Waxwing Bombycilla cedrorum
Yellow-rumped Warbler Setophaga coronata
Prothonotary Warbler Protonotaria citrea
Orange-crowned Warbler Oreothlypis celata
Common Yellowthroat Geothlypis trichas
Savannah Sparrow Passerculus sandwichensis
Chipping Sparrow Spizella passerina
White-throated Sparrow Zonotrichia albicollis
Dark-eyed Junco Junco hyemalis
Indigo Bunting Passerina cyanea
Painted Bunting Passerina ciris
Northern Cardinal Cardinalis cardinalis
Red-winged Blackbird Agelaius phoeniceus
Eastern Meadowlark Sturnella magna
Common Grackle Quiscalus quiscula
Boat-tailed Grackle Quiscalus major
Great-tailed Grackle Quiscalus mexicanus
Brown-headed Cowbird Molothrus ater
House Finch Haemorhous mexicanus
American Goldfinch Spinus tristis
House Sparrow Passer domesticus
CLASS MAMMALIA - 25 Order Artiodactyla
Feral Pig Sus scrofa
White-tailed Deer Odocoileus virginianus
Order Didelphimorphia
Virginia Opossum Didelphis virginiana
Order Cingulata
Nine-banded Armadillo Dasypus novemcinctus
Order Carnivora
Bobcat Lynx rufus
Coyote Canis latrans
Red Fox Vulpes vulpes
Striped Skunk Mephitis mephitis
Northern River Otter Lontra canadensis
American Mink Mustela vison
Common Raccoon Procyon lotor
Black Bear Ursus americanus
Order Soricomorpha
Eastern Mole Scalopus aquaticus
RNR 3018 Species List – Spring 2018
5
Order Chiroptera
Eastern Red Bat Lasiurus borealis
Hoary Bat Lasiurus cinereus
Evening Bat Nycticeius humeralis
Order Lagomorpha
Swamp Rabbit Sylvilagus aquaticus
Eastern Cottontail Sylvilagus floridana
Order Rodentia
Nutria Myocastor coypus
American Beaver Castor canadensis
Golden Mouse Ochrotomys nuttali
Common Muskrat Ondatra zibethicus
White-footed Mouse Peromyscus leucopus
Eastern Woodrat Neotoma floridana
Eastern Chipmunk Tamias striatus
Eastern Gray Squirrel Sciurus carolinensis
Eastern Fox Squirrel Sciurus niger
CLASS AMPHIBIA - 13 Order Anura
Fowler’s Toad Anaxyrus fowleri
Gulf Coast Toad Incilius nebulifer
Eastern Cricket Frog Acris crepitans
Spring Peeper Pseudacris crucifer
Cajun Chorus Frog Pseudacris fouquettei
Cope’s Gray Treefrog Hyla chrysoscelis
Green Treefrog Hyla cinerea
Squirrel Treefrog Hyla squirella
Southern Leopard Frog Lithobates sphenocephalus
Bronze Frog Lithobates clamitans
Bullfrog Lithobates catesbeianus
Order Caudata
Marbled Salamander Ambystoma opacum
Three-toed Amphiuma Amphiuma tridactylum
CLASS REPTILIA - 23 Order Crocodilia
American Alligator Alligator mississippiensis
Order Squamata
Green Anole Anolis carolinensis
Mediterranean Gecko Hemidactylus turcicus
RNR 3018 Species List – Spring 2018
6
Five-lined Skink Plestiodon fasciatus
Broad-headed Skink Plestiodon laticeps
Little Brown Skink (Ground Skink) Scincella lateralis
Dekay’s Brown Snake Storeria dekayi
Diamond-backed Water Snake Nerodia rhombifer
Broad-banded Water Snake Nerodia fasciata
Western Ribbon Snake Thamnophis proximus
Racer Coluber constrictor
Rough Green Snake Opheodrys aestivus
Western Rat Snake Pantherophis obsoletus
Speckled Kingsnake Lampropeltis getula
CopperheadV Agkistrodon contortrix
CottonmouthV Agkistrodon piscivorus
Timber RattlesnakeV Crotalus horridus
Order Testudines
Eastern Spiny Softshell Apalone spinifera
River Cooter Pseudemys concinna
Red-eared Slider Trachemys scripta
Common Box Turtle Terrapene carolina
Gopher Tortoise Gopherus polyphemus
Snapping Turtle Chelydra serpentina
Alligator Snapping Turtle Macrochelys temminckii
Common Musk Turtle Sternotherus odoratus
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