The Experts below are selected from a list of 63 Experts worldwide ranked by ideXlab platform
Heiko U. Wittmer - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.
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Use of Simulation Modeling to Evaluate Management Strategies for Reintroduced Riparian Brush Rabbits in California
Journal of Fish and Wildlife Management, 2016Co-Authors: Heiko U. Wittmer, Da Kelt, Patrick A. Kelly, Daniel F. WilliamsAbstract:Abstract The riparian Brush Rabbit Sylvilagus bachmani riparius is restricted to areas of dense cover along rivers and tributaries in the Central Valley of California, USA, and is considered endangered under the U.S. Endangered Species Act. An approved recovery plan for this subspecies recommended establishment of three additional self-sustaining populations within its historical range. Concurrent with habitat restoration efforts that included revegetation of levees and provision of flood refugia, we reintroduced 325 captive-bred individuals to the San Joaquin River National Wildlife Refuge between July 2002 and July 2005, and monitored their survival with radiotelemetry. Using available survival estimates and estimated reproductive parameters, we developed a population viability analysis model to determine the risk of extinction of the reintroduced population under a series of alternate scenarios including different release strategies. All model scenarios resulted in high probabilities of extinction over...
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Factors associated with survival of reintroduced riparian Brush Rabbits in California
Biological Conservation, 2010Co-Authors: Laurissa P. Hamilton, Da Kelt, Daniel F. Williams, Patrick A. Kelly, Heiko U. WittmerAbstract:The riparian Brush Rabbit (Sylvilagus bachmani riparius) is an endangered species found in dense, Brushy habitat in the California’s Central Valley. We implemented a reintroduction program to bolster populations at a Federal Wildlife Refuge and to assess factors influencing mortality and subsequent survival of released individuals. Between July 2002 and July 2005, we reintroduced 325 captive-bred individuals to unoccupied habitat within their historic range using a soft-release strategy and monitored their subsequent survival with radiotelemetry. Longer time in soft-release pens resulted in increased monthly survival. Rabbits were most susceptible to post-release mortality during the first 4 weeks following reintroduction and both body mass and length of time in the soft-release enclosure influenced this relationship. When we controlled for release mortality during this acclimation period, subsequent monthly survival probabilities were most strongly influenced by release year (year 1 vs. years 2 and 3) and by a catastrophic flooding event; length of time in the soft-release enclosure remained an important variable in longer-term survival. Cause of mortality was unknown for the majority of deaths (61.9%), but predation (including presumptive predation) was the greatest known cause of death in translocated Rabbits (26.4%). Reintroduction programs should employ an adaptive management approach with ongoing monitoring of target animals and concurrent analysis to allow managers to adjust methods as conditions dictate.
Daniel F. Williams - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.
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Use of Simulation Modeling to Evaluate Management Strategies for Reintroduced Riparian Brush Rabbits in California
Journal of Fish and Wildlife Management, 2016Co-Authors: Heiko U. Wittmer, Da Kelt, Patrick A. Kelly, Daniel F. WilliamsAbstract:Abstract The riparian Brush Rabbit Sylvilagus bachmani riparius is restricted to areas of dense cover along rivers and tributaries in the Central Valley of California, USA, and is considered endangered under the U.S. Endangered Species Act. An approved recovery plan for this subspecies recommended establishment of three additional self-sustaining populations within its historical range. Concurrent with habitat restoration efforts that included revegetation of levees and provision of flood refugia, we reintroduced 325 captive-bred individuals to the San Joaquin River National Wildlife Refuge between July 2002 and July 2005, and monitored their survival with radiotelemetry. Using available survival estimates and estimated reproductive parameters, we developed a population viability analysis model to determine the risk of extinction of the reintroduced population under a series of alternate scenarios including different release strategies. All model scenarios resulted in high probabilities of extinction over...
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Home range size and habitat selection of reintroduced Sylvilagus bachmani riparius
Journal of Mammalogy, 2014Co-Authors: Da Kelt, Patrick A. Kelly, Scott E. Phillips, Daniel F. WilliamsAbstract:Abstract Effective restoration of threatened or endangered species requires understanding of basic ecological requirements such as habitat selection and home range needs. The endangered riparian Brush Rabbit (Sylvilagus bachmani riparius) occupies areas of dense, Brushy cover along streamside communities in the San Joaquin Valley of California, but over 93% of this habitat has been lost to urban and agricultural development. We released over 325 captive-born Rabbits at the San Joaquin River National Wildlife Refuge (Refuge) between July 2002 and July 2005, and we monitored 312 of these Rabbits via radiotelemetry to assess spatial and habitat selection. Home ranges and core areas were similar among males and females, and were larger in the breeding season than during the nonbreeding season. Perhaps reflecting a growing population, home range estimates decreased in size over the duration of the study. Animals moved in response to a wildfire in July 2004, but home range area was similar in 90-day pre- and po...
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Factors associated with survival of reintroduced riparian Brush Rabbits in California
Biological Conservation, 2010Co-Authors: Laurissa P. Hamilton, Da Kelt, Daniel F. Williams, Patrick A. Kelly, Heiko U. WittmerAbstract:The riparian Brush Rabbit (Sylvilagus bachmani riparius) is an endangered species found in dense, Brushy habitat in the California’s Central Valley. We implemented a reintroduction program to bolster populations at a Federal Wildlife Refuge and to assess factors influencing mortality and subsequent survival of released individuals. Between July 2002 and July 2005, we reintroduced 325 captive-bred individuals to unoccupied habitat within their historic range using a soft-release strategy and monitored their subsequent survival with radiotelemetry. Longer time in soft-release pens resulted in increased monthly survival. Rabbits were most susceptible to post-release mortality during the first 4 weeks following reintroduction and both body mass and length of time in the soft-release enclosure influenced this relationship. When we controlled for release mortality during this acclimation period, subsequent monthly survival probabilities were most strongly influenced by release year (year 1 vs. years 2 and 3) and by a catastrophic flooding event; length of time in the soft-release enclosure remained an important variable in longer-term survival. Cause of mortality was unknown for the majority of deaths (61.9%), but predation (including presumptive predation) was the greatest known cause of death in translocated Rabbits (26.4%). Reintroduction programs should employ an adaptive management approach with ongoing monitoring of target animals and concurrent analysis to allow managers to adjust methods as conditions dictate.
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Hematologic and Biochemistry Reference Values for the Endangered Riparian Brush Rabbit (Sylvilagus Bachmani Riparius)
Journal of wildlife diseases, 2009Co-Authors: Dorothy M. Black, Kirsten V. K. Gilardi, Laurissa P. Hamilton, Elizabeth Williams, Daniel F. Williams, Patrick A. Kelly, Ian A. GardnerAbstract:The objective of this study was to establish reference hematologic and biochemistry values for adult riparian Brush Rabbits (Sylvilagus bachmani riparius). Between February 2002 and December 2003, complete blood cell counts and serum biochemistry panels were done on blood samples collected for 252 healthy, adult riparian Brush Rabbits that were bred in captivity and released to the wild in the California, USA, San Joaquin Valley. Significant differences in mean values of some analytes were found among males, nonpregnant females, and pregnant females and among seasons. However, when reference values for each subgroup (sex, pregnancy status, and season) were compared with reference values for all riparian Rabbits combined, differences were not sufficiently relevant clinically to warrant the adoption of separate subgroup-specific reference values. The reference ranges reported herein will be of value to veterinarians and wildlife biologists assessing the health of riparian Brush Rabbits and other wild Sylvil...
Da Kelt - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.
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Factors associated with survival of reintroduced riparian Brush Rabbits in California
2020Co-Authors: L Hamilton, Pa Kelly, Da Kelt, Df Williams, Heiko WittmerAbstract:The riparian Brush Rabbit (Sylvilagus bachmani riparius) is an endangered species found in dense, Brushy habitat in the California's Central Valley. We implemented a reintroduction program to bolster populations at a Federal Wildlife Refuge and to assess factors influencing mortality and subsequent survival of released individuals. Between July 2002 and July 2005, we reintroduced 325 captive-bred individuals to unoccupied habitat within their historic range using a soft-release strategy and monitored their subsequent survival with radiotelemetry. Longer time in soft-release pens resulted in increased monthly survival. Rabbits were most susceptible to post-release mortality during the first 4 weeks following reintroduction and both body mass and length of time in the soft-release enclosure influenced this relationship. When we controlled for release mortality during this acclimation period, subsequent monthly survival probabilities were most strongly influenced by release year (year 1 vs. years 2 and 3) and by a catastrophic flooding event; length of time in the soft-release enclosure remained an important variable in longer-term survival. Cause of mortality was unknown for the majority of deaths (61.9%), but predation (including presumptive predation) was the greatest known cause of death in translocated Rabbits (26.4%). Reintroduction programs should employ an adaptive management approach with ongoing monitoring of target animals and concurrent analysis to allow managers to adjust methods as conditions dictate. © 2010 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.
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Use of simulation modeling to evaluate management strategies for reintroduced riparian Brush Rabbits in California
2020Co-Authors: Heiko Wittmer, Da Kelt, Pa Kelly, Df WilliamsAbstract:© 2016, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. All rights reserved. The riparian Brush Rabbit Sylvilagus bachmani riparius is restricted to areas of dense cover along rivers and tributaries in the Central Valley of California, USA, and is considered endangered under the U.S. Endangered Species Act. An approved recovery plan for this subspecies recommended establishment of three additional self-sustaining populations within its historical range. Concurrent with habitat restoration efforts that included revegetation of levees and provision of flood refugia, we reintroduced 325 captive-bred individuals to the San Joaquin River National Wildlife Refuge between July 2002 and July 2005, and monitored their survival with radiotelemetry. Using available survival estimates and estimated reproductive parameters, we developed a population viability analysis model to determine the risk of extinction of the reintroduced population under a series of alternate scenarios including different release strategies. All model scenarios resulted in high probabilities of extinction over 20 y in the absence of either ongoing supplementations or significant improvements to vital rates. Extinction risks over 20 y appeared independent of initial release strategies. The risk of extinction remained high (>99%) even when the initial founder population was supplemented with captive-bred Brush Rabbits for up to 10 y. Supplementing the population annually for the entire 20-y period would be required for the population to persist given current estimates of vital rates. These results suggest that the reintroduced population is not self-sustaining and continued releases will not provide the anticipated longterm benefits. Additionally, our understanding of the integral components of habitat and potential limiting factors should be refined to address their influence on demographics and the cause of Brush Rabbit declines at the release site in a comprehensive way. These results underscore the importance of viability analyses and developing testable hypotheses about potential limiting factors early in reintroduction efforts to more efficiently guide data-gathering and monitoring criteria, identify data deficiencies, and refine reintroduction techniques in the early stages of management.
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Use of Simulation Modeling to Evaluate Management Strategies for Reintroduced Riparian Brush Rabbits in California
Journal of Fish and Wildlife Management, 2016Co-Authors: Heiko U. Wittmer, Da Kelt, Patrick A. Kelly, Daniel F. WilliamsAbstract:Abstract The riparian Brush Rabbit Sylvilagus bachmani riparius is restricted to areas of dense cover along rivers and tributaries in the Central Valley of California, USA, and is considered endangered under the U.S. Endangered Species Act. An approved recovery plan for this subspecies recommended establishment of three additional self-sustaining populations within its historical range. Concurrent with habitat restoration efforts that included revegetation of levees and provision of flood refugia, we reintroduced 325 captive-bred individuals to the San Joaquin River National Wildlife Refuge between July 2002 and July 2005, and monitored their survival with radiotelemetry. Using available survival estimates and estimated reproductive parameters, we developed a population viability analysis model to determine the risk of extinction of the reintroduced population under a series of alternate scenarios including different release strategies. All model scenarios resulted in high probabilities of extinction over...
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Home range size and habitat selection of reintroduced Sylvilagus bachmani riparius
Journal of Mammalogy, 2014Co-Authors: Da Kelt, Patrick A. Kelly, Scott E. Phillips, Daniel F. WilliamsAbstract:Abstract Effective restoration of threatened or endangered species requires understanding of basic ecological requirements such as habitat selection and home range needs. The endangered riparian Brush Rabbit (Sylvilagus bachmani riparius) occupies areas of dense, Brushy cover along streamside communities in the San Joaquin Valley of California, but over 93% of this habitat has been lost to urban and agricultural development. We released over 325 captive-born Rabbits at the San Joaquin River National Wildlife Refuge (Refuge) between July 2002 and July 2005, and we monitored 312 of these Rabbits via radiotelemetry to assess spatial and habitat selection. Home ranges and core areas were similar among males and females, and were larger in the breeding season than during the nonbreeding season. Perhaps reflecting a growing population, home range estimates decreased in size over the duration of the study. Animals moved in response to a wildfire in July 2004, but home range area was similar in 90-day pre- and po...
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Factors associated with survival of reintroduced riparian Brush Rabbits in California
Biological Conservation, 2010Co-Authors: Laurissa P. Hamilton, Da Kelt, Daniel F. Williams, Patrick A. Kelly, Heiko U. WittmerAbstract:The riparian Brush Rabbit (Sylvilagus bachmani riparius) is an endangered species found in dense, Brushy habitat in the California’s Central Valley. We implemented a reintroduction program to bolster populations at a Federal Wildlife Refuge and to assess factors influencing mortality and subsequent survival of released individuals. Between July 2002 and July 2005, we reintroduced 325 captive-bred individuals to unoccupied habitat within their historic range using a soft-release strategy and monitored their subsequent survival with radiotelemetry. Longer time in soft-release pens resulted in increased monthly survival. Rabbits were most susceptible to post-release mortality during the first 4 weeks following reintroduction and both body mass and length of time in the soft-release enclosure influenced this relationship. When we controlled for release mortality during this acclimation period, subsequent monthly survival probabilities were most strongly influenced by release year (year 1 vs. years 2 and 3) and by a catastrophic flooding event; length of time in the soft-release enclosure remained an important variable in longer-term survival. Cause of mortality was unknown for the majority of deaths (61.9%), but predation (including presumptive predation) was the greatest known cause of death in translocated Rabbits (26.4%). Reintroduction programs should employ an adaptive management approach with ongoing monitoring of target animals and concurrent analysis to allow managers to adjust methods as conditions dictate.
Patrick A. Kelly - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.
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Use of Simulation Modeling to Evaluate Management Strategies for Reintroduced Riparian Brush Rabbits in California
Journal of Fish and Wildlife Management, 2016Co-Authors: Heiko U. Wittmer, Da Kelt, Patrick A. Kelly, Daniel F. WilliamsAbstract:Abstract The riparian Brush Rabbit Sylvilagus bachmani riparius is restricted to areas of dense cover along rivers and tributaries in the Central Valley of California, USA, and is considered endangered under the U.S. Endangered Species Act. An approved recovery plan for this subspecies recommended establishment of three additional self-sustaining populations within its historical range. Concurrent with habitat restoration efforts that included revegetation of levees and provision of flood refugia, we reintroduced 325 captive-bred individuals to the San Joaquin River National Wildlife Refuge between July 2002 and July 2005, and monitored their survival with radiotelemetry. Using available survival estimates and estimated reproductive parameters, we developed a population viability analysis model to determine the risk of extinction of the reintroduced population under a series of alternate scenarios including different release strategies. All model scenarios resulted in high probabilities of extinction over...
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Home range size and habitat selection of reintroduced Sylvilagus bachmani riparius
Journal of Mammalogy, 2014Co-Authors: Da Kelt, Patrick A. Kelly, Scott E. Phillips, Daniel F. WilliamsAbstract:Abstract Effective restoration of threatened or endangered species requires understanding of basic ecological requirements such as habitat selection and home range needs. The endangered riparian Brush Rabbit (Sylvilagus bachmani riparius) occupies areas of dense, Brushy cover along streamside communities in the San Joaquin Valley of California, but over 93% of this habitat has been lost to urban and agricultural development. We released over 325 captive-born Rabbits at the San Joaquin River National Wildlife Refuge (Refuge) between July 2002 and July 2005, and we monitored 312 of these Rabbits via radiotelemetry to assess spatial and habitat selection. Home ranges and core areas were similar among males and females, and were larger in the breeding season than during the nonbreeding season. Perhaps reflecting a growing population, home range estimates decreased in size over the duration of the study. Animals moved in response to a wildfire in July 2004, but home range area was similar in 90-day pre- and po...
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Factors associated with survival of reintroduced riparian Brush Rabbits in California
Biological Conservation, 2010Co-Authors: Laurissa P. Hamilton, Da Kelt, Daniel F. Williams, Patrick A. Kelly, Heiko U. WittmerAbstract:The riparian Brush Rabbit (Sylvilagus bachmani riparius) is an endangered species found in dense, Brushy habitat in the California’s Central Valley. We implemented a reintroduction program to bolster populations at a Federal Wildlife Refuge and to assess factors influencing mortality and subsequent survival of released individuals. Between July 2002 and July 2005, we reintroduced 325 captive-bred individuals to unoccupied habitat within their historic range using a soft-release strategy and monitored their subsequent survival with radiotelemetry. Longer time in soft-release pens resulted in increased monthly survival. Rabbits were most susceptible to post-release mortality during the first 4 weeks following reintroduction and both body mass and length of time in the soft-release enclosure influenced this relationship. When we controlled for release mortality during this acclimation period, subsequent monthly survival probabilities were most strongly influenced by release year (year 1 vs. years 2 and 3) and by a catastrophic flooding event; length of time in the soft-release enclosure remained an important variable in longer-term survival. Cause of mortality was unknown for the majority of deaths (61.9%), but predation (including presumptive predation) was the greatest known cause of death in translocated Rabbits (26.4%). Reintroduction programs should employ an adaptive management approach with ongoing monitoring of target animals and concurrent analysis to allow managers to adjust methods as conditions dictate.
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Hematologic and Biochemistry Reference Values for the Endangered Riparian Brush Rabbit (Sylvilagus Bachmani Riparius)
Journal of wildlife diseases, 2009Co-Authors: Dorothy M. Black, Kirsten V. K. Gilardi, Laurissa P. Hamilton, Elizabeth Williams, Daniel F. Williams, Patrick A. Kelly, Ian A. GardnerAbstract:The objective of this study was to establish reference hematologic and biochemistry values for adult riparian Brush Rabbits (Sylvilagus bachmani riparius). Between February 2002 and December 2003, complete blood cell counts and serum biochemistry panels were done on blood samples collected for 252 healthy, adult riparian Brush Rabbits that were bred in captivity and released to the wild in the California, USA, San Joaquin Valley. Significant differences in mean values of some analytes were found among males, nonpregnant females, and pregnant females and among seasons. However, when reference values for each subgroup (sex, pregnancy status, and season) were compared with reference values for all riparian Rabbits combined, differences were not sufficiently relevant clinically to warrant the adoption of separate subgroup-specific reference values. The reference ranges reported herein will be of value to veterinarians and wildlife biologists assessing the health of riparian Brush Rabbits and other wild Sylvil...
Pedro J. Esteves - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.
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Evolutionary Insights into IL17A in Lagomorphs.
Mediators of inflammation, 2015Co-Authors: Fabiana Neves, Joana Abrantes, Tereza Almeida, Paulo Costa, Pedro J. EstevesAbstract:In leporids, IL17A had been implicated in the host defense against extracellular pathogens, such as Francisella tularensis that infects hares and Rabbits and causes the zoonotic disease tularemia. Here, we studied IL17A from five lagomorphs, European Rabbit, pygmy Rabbit, Brush Rabbit, European brown hare, and American pika. We observed that this protein is highly conserved between these species, with a similarity of 97–99% in leporids and ~88% between leporids and American pika. The exon/intron structure, N-glycosylation sites, and cysteine residues are conserved between lagomorphs. However, at codon 88, one of the interaction sites between IL17A and its receptor IL17RA, there is an Arg>Pro mutation that only occurs in European Rabbit and European brown hare. This could induce critical alterations in the IL17A structure and conformation and consequently modify its function. The differences observed between leporids and humans or rodents might also represent important alterations in protein structure and function. In addition, as for other interleukins, IL17A sequences of human and European Rabbit are more closely related than the sequences of human and mouse or European Rabbit and mouse. This study gives further support to the hypothesis that European Rabbit might be a more suitable animal model for studies on human IL17.
