Life History. Xxxxxxxx has been documented in September, November, and late January through March (Xxxxxxxx et al. in press, NPS unpublished data). Water temperature, which differs significantly among springs, does not appear to influence breeding season. However, because eggs and tadpoles can be difficult to locate, particularly in the more complex habitat of the Northshore springs, oviposition timing and preferred location require more research. Eggs are deposited in roughly spherical clusters 4 - 6 cm in diameter, containing up to 250 eggs (NPS unpublished data). It is not known how many clutches female relict leopard frogs produce in 1 breeding season. The clusters are attached to stems of living or dead vegetation near the bottom of shallow, low-velocity pools 5 - 7 cm deep. Although failure to find eggs in dense cover may be due to sampling difficulty, sites with little to moderate cover seem to be preferred. In February 2000, thinning of native vegetation in pool habitat resulted in egg deposition in the thinned portion of that habitat (NPS unpublished data). Time from egg deposition to hatching is unknown. Limited field observations at Blue Point Spring indicate hatching occurs in approximately 1 week (NPS unpublished data). Eggs collected in the field at Gosner stage <14, and maintained in the lab at room temperature, hatched in 5 - 7 days (NPS unpublished data, NDOW unpublished data). Eggs laid by a captive population of relict leopard frogs began hatching after 5 days (Xxxxxxxx 1998). Captive tadpoles metamorphose approximately 6.5 months after hatching (NPS unpublished data). Age of females at maturity is unknown. Male relict leopard frogs may reach reproductive maturity at 42 mm SUL based on the appearance of pigmented thumb pads, within the first year following metamorphosis (Xxxxxxxx et al. in press). In captivity, the relict leopard frogs collected as juveniles bred after 1 year (Xxxxxxxx 1998). Skeletochronology using toe clips has been inconclusive in determining age distributions of adult relict leopard frogs (X. Xxxxxxxx pers. comm.), but skeletochronology analysis of a population of lowland leopard frogs in central Arizona indicates that adults do not live more than 3 years (Sredl in press). Based on a mark-recapture study at a Northshore spring (Blue Point Spring) adult relict leopard frogs may be short-lived, surviving about 2 years. Population turnover in relict leopard frogs may be correspondingly high with average survivorship of 0.27 per year ...
Life History. The beluga whale is a small, toothed whale in the family Monodontidae, the only other member of which
Life History. The gopher tortoise is slow to reach sexual maturity, has low fecundity, and has a long-life span. Females reach sexual maturity at 9–21 years of age, depending on local resource abundance and latitude; males mature at a slightly younger age. The breeding season is generally April– November. Nests are constructed (often in xxxxxx mounds) from mid-May to mid-June, and only one clutch is produced annually. Clutch size is usually five to nine eggs, with an average of six. Predation on nests and hatchlings is heavy. Gopher tortoises feed primarily on broadleaf grasses, wiregrass, grass-like asters, legumes, and fruits, but they are known to eat more than 300 species of plants. Tortoise densities and movements are affected by the amount of herbaceous ground cover. Generally, feeding activity is confined to within 50 meters of the xxxxxx, but a tortoise may travel up to 100 meters from its xxxxxx for specific forage requirements. Home range size varies with habitat type, season, and sex of the tortoise; moreover, considerable individual variation has been found. Reported annual average home ranges for males have varied from 0.5 to 1.9 hectares. Females generally have smaller home ranges, with reported averages ranging from 0.1 to 0.6 hectares. Multiple xxxxxxx are typically used, which complicates estimates of population density.
Life History. Maturing at between four and five years of age, Grey Crowned Cranes are monogamous once they develop their pair bonds. In Kenya, however, pair bonds are formed at two to three years of age and after a year of monogamy, the pair will start to breed (Gichuki 1996). Xxxxxxx (1987) though suggests that Grey Crowned Cranes first breed at between 4 and 6 years old. Pair bonds are strengthened by unison calling, mutual preening of the neck and elaborate dancing (Xxxxxxx 1980), even when within a flock. Although Xxxxxxx (1993) witnessed divorces between pairs, this was unusual and he found that pairs usually stayed together. Grey Crowned Cranes are territorial in the breeding season, using an average home range of 23.3 km2 (2 330 ha) in South Africa (Tarboton 1992), and 6 km2 (600 ha) in Kenya (Gichuki 2000). Home ranges though do differ in size dependent on food availability, and breeding pairs and families have smaller home ranges than non-breeding flocks. Gichuki (2000) found that breeding birds moved on average
Life History. Nothing is known about the spawning habits or life history of the Xxxxxx Xxxxxx (Xxxxxx 1983; Xxxxxxx 2017). Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (WDNR 2021) lists the fishes’ spawning period between May 15 and July 15 in a temperature range of 64 to 72 ºF.
Life History. Asclepias uncialis is a long-lived perennial herb. The plant is typically found in xxxxx or rocky semi-arid shortgrass prairies on plains, open hills, or low slopes. The plant has also been found scattered in pinyon-juniper woodlands. Most often, the milkweed is found on bare soil between patches of vegetation, or even in areas with noticeable disturbance. Asclepias uncialis may have a dormant phase in which the root system is alive, but does not produce any above-ground growth for many years. Asclepias uncialis is most likely self-incompatible. Flowers produce a strong, sweet odor, and are insect-pollinated. The specific pollinators are unknown. Following pollination, seeds mature quickly, possibly as an adaptation to avoid summer drought. Fruit set is low. The haired seeds are dispersed by the wind. Germination requirements for the plant are currently unknown. Overall rates of successful sexual reproduction are low. Some vegetative reproduction may occur from fragmentation of the underground stems (Xxxxxxx 1954, Great Plains Flora Association 1989, Oklahoma Natural Heritage Inventory 1999, Arizona Game and Fish Department, 2006, Xxxxxx 2006, Wyoming Natural Diversity Database 2006).
Life History. Trillium pusillum var. ozarkanum is typically found on thin, cherty, acidic soils of oak-hickory or hardwood-pine forests. Although it is typically found on slopes, a particular slope aspect is not preferred. Canopy associates may include Quercus alba, Q. rubra, Q. velutina, Carya texana, C. tomentosa, Pinus echinata, Prunus serotina, Nyssa sylvatica, and Acer saccharum. Sub- canopy and herbaceous associates may include Rhamnus caroliniana, Amelanchier arborea, Vaccinium spp., Antennaria plantaginifolia, Carex meadii, Nothoscordum bivavle, and Woodsia obtusa. The number of plants at a single site can vary dramatically, with populations numbering from four to several thousand individuals. Trillium pusillum var. ozarkanum is a perennial herb that may blooms from March to early May. The plant is one of the earliest blooming in the Oklahoma Spring flora, avoiding shading by the forest canopy. There are typically three stages of growth found within a population of Trillium pusillum var. ozarkanum: one-leaved plants, three-leaved plants, and flowering plants. Flowering occurs when the plant is three to six years of age, varying with environmental factors such as soil type and the degree of shading. Fruits mature within a few weeks following bloom. A large number of viable seeds are produced, although up to two years may be required for seed germination. Seeds are likely dispersed by ants. Little vegetative reproduction occurs. Plants senesce in June and July (Cabe and Worth 1995, Oklahoma Natural Heritage Inventory 1999, Missouri Department of Conservation 2004, Andre et al. 2006, NatureServe 2006).
Life History. The life expectancy of the Houston toad is at least three years, but may be longer (Price 1993). Males reach sexual maturity at about one year of age, but females require one to two years to achieve reproductive maturity (Xxxxx 1981, Xxxxx and Xxxxxxx 1984). In xxxx-recapture surveys of Houston toads in Bastrop County, observed sex ratios of males to females have been highly skewed in favor of males ranging from 3:1 to 10:1 (Xxxxx et al. 1990, Forstner 2002a, 2002b, 2003, 2006). The Houston toad is an “explosive” breeder, appearing in large numbers at breeding ponds where the males call to attract females over a period of a few nights throughout the breeding season, beginning as early as January 18 (Xxxxxx et al. 1984, Xxxxx et al. 1990). Houston toads typically breed from late January to June (Xxxxxxx 1962, Xxxxxx et al. 1984). Reported egg-laying dates in the field range from February 18 to June 26 (Xxxxxxx 1962, Xxxxx 1982, Xxxxxx et al. 1984). Breeding is believed to be triggered in part by rainfall and warm night time temperatures (Xxxxxxx 1962). Other factors may also play a role in the timing of chorusing activity. For example, Price (1992) found that Houston toads do not generally call during 7 to 10 days prior to a full moon. However, all cues that may stimulate Houston toad breeding activity are not known. This species tends to concentrate their reproductive efforts into producing large numbers of eggs, but each egg has less than one percent probability of survival (Seal 1994). Eggs are laid in strings in the water and hatch into tadpoles that metamorphose into juvenile toadlets approximately 60 days after egg deposition (Xxxxxx et al. 1984). After metamorphosis, juvenile Houston toads move into the surrounding terrestrial habitats where they grow and develop into adults (Forstner 2003).
Life History. The life history of the Virgin spinedace was described by Rinne (1971). Having a life-span of about three years, the fish reaches sexual maturity at about one year. Populations typically are comprised mostly of young-of-the-year (YOY) and one-year-old fish. Because of the mild climate of Virgin spinedace habitat, age determination after one year can be difficult. However, Rinne (1971) indicated that fairly accurate estimates could be made using SL: young-of-the-year <55 mm, age 1 55-76 mm, age 2 77-85 mm, age 3 >85 mm. Although sexual dimorphism is not apparent most of the year, sexes can be distinguished during peak breeding season. Females tend to be more robust and plump, while males remain streamlined. Furthermore, the vent of the female becomes swollen and the ovipositor becomes a reddish color (Rinne, 1971). Both sexes exhibit the reddish-orange coloration at the bases of the paired fins. Annual spawning of the Virgin spinedace has been observed from April through June at mean daily water temperatures of 13-17°C and day lengths of about 13 hrs. Rinne (1971) found that one- year-old females had the lowest mean relative fecundity averaging 459 eggs, while two and three-year-old females averaged a 42% and 34% increase in mean relative fecundity over one-year-olds, respectively. Since populations are comprised primarily of one year olds, they often comprise 90% of the spawning population (Addley and Hardy, 1993). Virgin spinedace are typically found in clear, cool, swift streams that have interspersed pools, runs, and riffles (Deacon et al., 1979; Xxxxxx et al., 1991). Upper thermal preferences have been reported as 23.1°C (Deacon et al, 1987). Rinne (1971) found Virgin spinedace most frequently in pools with some type of protection such as undercut banks, boulders or debris; however, variations in habitat preferences have been noted. For example, in Beaver Dam Wash, Virgin spinedace utilize narrow, shallow runs with large amounts of emergent vegetation, while in North Fork of the Virgin River, they most often occupy quiet pools (Rinne, 1971). Virgin spinedace have also been documented to prefer shear zones between high (100 cm/sec) and low (10 cm/sec) velocities containing cover (Deacon et al., 1979; Deacon et al., 1991; Hardy et al, 1989). Nursery habitat preferences, however, remain unclear. Virgin spinedace are primarily insectivorous, feeding on a wide range of insects and occasionally plant material and organic debris (Angradi et al., 1991; Gregor ...
Life History. The beluga whale is a small, toothed whale in the family Monodontidae, the only other member of which is the narwhal. Beluga whales may reach lengths of 16 feet, although adult size is more often 12-14 feet. Native hunters report some whales may reach 20 feet. Males may weigh about 1,500 kg (3,307 pounds) and females 1,360 kg (2,998 pounds) (Xxxxx, 1991). Beluga whales lack a dorsal fin and do not typically produce a visible “blow” on surfacing. Native hunters report these whales often surface with only the blowhole out of the water. For these reasons, they are often obscure and difficult to see from the water. Beluga whales typically give birth to a single calf every two to three years after a gestation period of approximately 14 months. Xxxxxx are born dark gray to brownish gray and become lighter with age. In CI, xxxxxxx is assumed to occur from mid-May to mid-July (Xxxxxxx, 1983), although Native hunters have observed calving from April through August (Huntington, 1999). Alaska Natives described calving areas within CI as the northern side of Kachemak Bay in April and May, off the mouths of the Beluga and Susitna Rivers in May and in Chickaloon Bay and Turnagain Arm during the summer. The warmer waters from these freshwater sources may be important to newborn calves during their first few days of life (Katona, Rough, and Xxxxxxxxxx, 1983; Xxxxxxxx, 1989). Adults are white to yellow-white upon sexual maturity, although Xxxxx and Xxxxxx (1986) report females may retain some gray coloration for as long as 21 years. Mating shortly follows the calving period. Reports on the age of sexual maturity vary from ten years for females and 15 for males (Xxxxxx, Xxxxx, and Xxxxxxx, 1999), to four to seven years for females and eight to nine years for males (Xxxxx, 1991). Beluga whales may live more than 30 years (Xxxxx and Xxxxxx, 1986). Beluga whales are covered with a thick layer of blubber, which accounts for as much as 40 percent of its body mass (Sergeant and Xxxxxx, 1969). This fat provides thermal protection and stores energy. Native hunters in CI report beluga whale blubber is thinner in spring than late summer, suggesting that summer feeding in the northern Inlet is important to the energetics of these animals. NMFS has measured blubber thickness to be in excess of 9 cm on CI beluga whales. Beluga whales are extremely social animals which typically migrate, xxxx, and interact together. Xxxxx (1991) reports average pod size as ten animals, although belugas m...
