Myotis septentrionalis (Northern Long-eared Bat) is widely distributed in North America, from the Appalachians to the Maritime Provinces and west to British Columbia. In November 2016, we captured 2 non-reproductive Northern Long-eared Bats, 1 female and 1 male, in nets set in Beaufort County, coastal South Carolina. Previous records for the species indicate its nearest breeding colonies are >350 km away, and it had not been documented in South Carolina outside the Blue Ridge region. Although the Northern Long-eared Bat is known to move between summer roosts and winter hibernacula, it is not considered a long-distance migrant. Our records potentially represent an unrecognized coastal population rather than stray individuals. Such a population may be important for the survival of the species, which has been severely impacted elsewhere in its range by white-nose syndrome, a disease that is caused by the introduced fungal pathogen, Pseudogymnoascus destructans, which has not yet been recorded in coastal South Carolina.

We report 3 new state crayfish records from the Tennessee River drainage in Tishomingo County, Mississippi: 1 is a re-identification of previously published material, and 2 are from unpublished collections. Faxonius yanahlindus (Spinywrist Crayfish), recently described from the middle Tennessee River drainage in northwest Alabama and southern Tennessee, is closely related to F. spinosus (Coosa River Spiny Crayfish) and F. putnami (Phallic Crayfish). In light of the new species description, we re-examined crayfish collected in southern tributaries of the Tennessee River in northeast Mississippi that were previously identified as F. spinosus or F. putnami. We reassigned the specimens to F. yanahlindus, extending the species' range into northeast Mississippi. We also report new state records of 2 other crayfishes. Faxonius placidus (Bigclaw Crayfish) was collected from Whetstone Branch, a tributary of Pickwick Reservoir on the Tennessee River, and F. erichsonianus (Reticulate Crayfish) was collected from Cedar Creek, a tributary of Bear Creek in the Tennessee River basin.

Selenops submaculosus, a species of flattie spider distributed in the Bahamas, Cuba, and Florida, was collected in New Orleans, LA. Selenopids are large, but they often go undetected due to their speed and secretive lifestyles. Thus, although not previously found in the area, it is possible selenopids naturally occur in the region. However, because some selenopids can travel long distances on ocean flotsam and other items transported by humans, we compared molecular data from this specimen with sequences of other specimens and closely related species from throughout its range. Results indicate that the specimen represents a distinct population. Future efforts will be aimed at locating more specimens from Louisiana and the area between Louisiana and the northernmost record of the family in Florida.

Selenops submaculosus, a species of flattie spider distributed in the Bahamas, Cuba, and Florida, was collected in New Orleans, LA. Selenopids are large, but they often go undetected due to their speed and secretive lifestyles. Thus, although not previously found in the area, it is possible selenopids naturally occur in the region. However, because some selenopids can travel long distances on ocean flotsam and other items transported by humans, we compared molecular data from this specimen with sequences of other specimens and closely related species from throughout its range. Results indicate that the specimen represents a distinct population. Future efforts will be aimed at locating more specimens from Louisiana and the area between Louisiana and the northernmost record of the family in Florida.

There is renewed interest in inventory and monitoring projects, due in part to mandates to evaluate the effects of surrounding development and climate change on the biotic communities of public lands. We inventoried an understudied area, Wormsloe State Historic Site, near Savannah, GA. We directly observed or trapped 21 herpetofaunal (i.e., amphibian and reptile) species. Chao estimates predicted that <1 additional amphibian species and 3–4 additional reptile species might occur with further trapping. Most species had low abundance: <10 individuals for 75% of species. Species richness on Wormsloe was about ⅓ that recorded on the adjacent mainland (<1 km distance). Some species not detected required specific habitats lacking at Wormsloe. Other undetected species may have been extirpated by past land-uses. Also, the changing landscape context, caused by development of surrounding areas, has likely diminished both landscape connectivity and available freshwater, shortening the hydroperiod of breeding ponds. Of import to breeding amphibians, each of the depressions on Wormsloe has a drainage ditch connecting it to salt-water tides but the water-control structures preventing tidal flux are no longer in place. Resources management can improve amphibian breeding habitat simply by eliminating tidal influxes along drainage ditches. Maintaining existing populations of common species should be a priority for all public lands.

Pityopsis ruthii, Ruth's Golden Aster, is an endangered herbaceous perennial that is endemic to small sections of the Hiwassee and Ocoee Rivers in the southeastern US. Our objective was to test the effect of bonded fiber matrix (BFM) on establishment and fecundity of Ruth's Golden Aster in order to develop a robust restoration protocol. We augmented existing populations with plants grown from achenes collected at each restoration location. We monitored plantings through 3 growing seasons by measuring stem number, stem height, leaf number, flowering incidence, and number of flower heads per plant in the spring and fall of each season. We assessed survival at 1 month post-planting. We randomly assigned plants at each location to a treatment (BFM vs. no BFM) for analysis as a randomized complete-block design. Germination rate of filled seeds, number of acclimated seedlings, and percent of seedlings planted after 14 days of acclimatization differed significantly across sites. Survival was significantly higher at 1 month, fall year 1, spring/fall year 2, and spring year 3 for the plants mulched with BFM compared to the control. However, there were no significant differences between treatment for stem number, stem height, leaf number, flowering incidence, or final 3-year survival. The methods developed herein represent a major step towards meeting the recovery-plan objective of developing the ability to establish Ruth's Golden Aster on suitable habitat. Herein, we provide a framework for augmentation or restoration of critical populations threatened by extirpation.

Knowledge of Alabama's Araneae fauna is limited, with estimates ranging from 580 to 1000 species within the state. Until now, the most recent surveys were conducted in the 1940s and focused on 3 families. Studies elsewhere indicate that spider diversity is correlated to habitat and plant diversity. Alabama's diversity of ecoregions and flora should therefore support a highly diverse spider fauna. This study focused on spiders inhabiting a xeric upland and a mesic ravine area in Pike County, AL. The xeric area is a fire-maintained Pinus palustris (Longleaf Pine) plantation dominated by herbaceous vegetation. The ravine is relatively undisturbed and is dominated by hardwoods with little herbaceous growth. We employed a variety of techniques to collect a total of 1224 spiders from October 2015 until May 2016. Mature individuals represented 82 species in 24 families. About 16% of these species are new records for Alabama. Over half of the spiders collected were from the xeric area, and 61.0% of all specimens were male. Abundant prey and a varied understory in the xeric area appears to support a more diverse spider fauna compared to that found in the ravine.

Nest association is a symbiotic reproductive strategy in North American minnows in which a species spawns in the nest substrate of a host species. Host specificity is unknown for the vast majority of nest associates, and presence of a spawning aggregation over a particular nest site has is assumed to be evidence of egg deposition. In this study, we surveyed multiple streams for spawning aggregations throughout the ranges of 3 nestassociate species—Notropis baileyi (Rough Shiner), N. rubricroceus (Saffron Shiner), and N. chlorocephalus (Greenhead Shiner). We paired direct observation of spawning behavior with molecular verification of egg deposition. We observed all spawning aggregations in association with a host nest. We identified eggs from a number of species not directly observed over a particular aggregation site, although all species were known to aggregate as nest associates. On 2 occasions, we documented Saffron Shiner males in aggregations over Semotilus atromaculatus (Creek Chub) pit—ridge nests; however, we recovered no Saffron Shiner eggs from the nests. Our findings demonstrate that field observations of nuptial aggregations alone are not sufficient to confirm spawning associati on.

Each year, temperate deciduous forests produce a layer of litter comprised primarily of leaves. Two common and diverse taxa found in the litter layer are ground beetles (Coleoptera: Carabidae) and ground spiders (Araneae: Gnaphosidae). We collected and identified these groups on a monthly basis from April 2014 to March 2015 at 4 sites in Northwest Arkansas to determine their abundance and diversity across the following 3 variables: season, litter depth, and site location. A total of 480 litter samples and 208 pitfall-trap samples were collected and processed. These samples resulted in 645 carabids representing 47 species and 421 gnaphosids representing 15 species. Statistical analyses detected significant differences in species richness, average number of individuals, and species diversity of gnaphosids among sites. In contrast, leaf-litter depth had no significant effect on the number of individuals collected, species richness (except at one site), or species diversity of carabids and gnaphosids. Both carabids and gnaphosids were most abundant and diverse during the spring.

Though the effects of introduced wood on fishes is widely studied for salmonids in upland coldwater streams, there are few studies on this topic conducted in the Coastal Plain of the southeastern US. This research gap is problematic because the introduction of wood is a critical component of efforts aimed at conserving the threatened fish diversity of the Coastal Plain, but managers lack data on the effects of installed wood on fish communities. Over a nearly 4-year study period, we contrasted the effects of introduced, small, wood bundles on the fish community in a channelized and deeply incised sand-bed Coastal Plain stream with an unmanipulated reference treatment. The central question was whether or not stream reaches with introduced wood had greater taxonomic and functional diversity than unmanipulated reference reaches within the same stream. The introduction of modest amounts of small wood had measurable and biologically significant positive impacts on fish community composition and perhaps functional diversity relative to stream reaches lacking wood. However, species-specific responses varied among treatments, suggesting the design of wood installations has an impact on whether or not managemen t goals are achieved.

Reproductive success is highly influenced by nest-site selection for avian species in breeding habitats, and variation in the physical environment can drive small-scale changes in the nest-site selection process. We examined the influence of temperature on Vireo atricapilla (Black-capped Vireo; hereafter Vireo) nest-site selection at Kerr Wildlife Management Area (KWMA) in Kerr County, TX (March–July 2013 and 2014). We measured ambient temperature across points that represented the continuum of vegetation characteristics used by Vireos at our study sites during the breeding season. We also found and monitored 181 Vireo nests, collected vegetation data, and compared vegetation characteristics between areas used and not used by Vireos. Finally, we investigated whether Vireo nest-site characteristics changed over the course of the breeding season in relation to the temperature profile of vegetation at our study sites. As expected, temperature increased over the course of the breeding season. Vireo nest sites had higher percent shrub cover than areas not used for nesting by Vireos. Vireos selected different vegetation characteristics for nesting as the breeding season progressed, but we did not find differences in temperature across vegetation types, suggesting that temperature is not the driving factor in Vireo nest-site selection in locations where temperatures remain consistently high throughout the breeding season. However, we could not directly measure temperature at nest-site locations. Therefore, Vireos may exhibit some degree of thermal preference at smaller spatial scales. Additionally, our results suggest that Vireos may require nesting habitat with more shrub cover than previously recommended.

Peucaea aestivalis (Bachman's Sparrow), a songbird endemic to the southeastern US, has experienced long-term population declines and a northern range-boundary retraction. Habitat loss and degradation, largely related to fire suppression, are believed to be the major causes of population declines, but these relationships are less studied at the northern range-extent. Hence, we investigated habitat selection of Bachman's Sparrow on Fort Bragg Military Installation, where vegetation is characterized by extensive fire-maintained Pinus palustris (Longleaf Pine) uplands. We surveyed breeding male sparrows using repeat-visit point-counts. We visited 182 points 3 times from April to July during the 2014 and 2015 breeding seasons. We measured vegetation and distance to other habitat features (e.g., wildlife openings, streams) at each point. We recorded presence or absence of Bachman's Sparrows and fit encounter histories into a single-season occupancy model in program Unmarked, including a year effect on detection. Occupancy probability was 0.52 and increased with greater grass-cover and at intermediate distances from wildlife openings, and decreased with years-since-fire and with greater shrub height. Predictors of Bachman's Sparrow occupancy were similar to those reported for other portions of the range, supporting the importance of frequent prescribed fire to maintain herbaceous groundcover used by birds for nesting and foraging. However, our study indicated that other habitat features (e.g., canopy openings) provided critical cover within extensive upland Longleaf Pine-Aristida stricta (Wiregrass) forest.

Seasonal shifts in vegetation-masting events may alter resource availability and influence habitat selection. Crotalus adamanteus (Eastern Damondback Rattlesnake; hereafter, EDB) is an imperiled, ambush predator endemic to southeastern pine savannas and woodlands of the US. Eastern Diamondback Rattlesnakes prey on small mammals that feed on hard and soft mast (e.g., nuts and fruits). In this study, we hypothesized that intra-seasonal shifts in masting vegetation would cause intra-season shifts in ambush-site selection in EDBs as the result of a bottom-up trophic effect. We quantified EDB ambush-site selection using radio-telemetry data and vegetation analysis within a naturalized study site. When we encountered EDBs in ambush posture, we quantified vegetation structure at the selected location and at 2 random locations. We measured understory and overstory structure and masting characteristics within each vegetation plot. Over the June–August study period, we quantified vegetation structure at 35 ambush sites and 70 paired random locations. We used conditional logistic regression to model ambush-site selection. We constructed 5 a priori models to examine ambush-site selection, with soft-mast presence, hard-mast presence, and canopy cover as predictors. The top models supported our hypothesis, indicating a significant association with soft-mast—producing vegetation during times when soft mast was present. Hard-mast presence was also an important predictor of EDB ambush sites. The results of this study indicate that EDB foraging-site selection reflects mast availability, which may be an indication of a bottom-up trophic effect. We should consider mast presence and absence in efforts to manage EDB populations and their prey.

We monitored the breeding performance (territory occupancy, nest success, productivity) of a reintroduced hybrid population of Falco peregrinus anatum (Peregrine Falcon) in western North Carolina during the 13-y post-delisting period of 2003–2015. Peregrine Falcons nested at 18 sites (17 cliffs, 1 building), 6 of which were newly discovered sites. Eight to 13 territories were occupied annually. We documented 139 nesting attempts and production of 171 young. Mean nest success (55%) during the period 2003–2015 fell below the 1999–2002 national average, but was more than double earlier (1987–1992) efforts in western North Carolina. Likewise, mean productivity (1.23 young/year/pair) was more than double earlier efforts in North Carolina, but reflects the disproportionately high contribution of ~5 sites. Throughout the study, subadult birds were members of a pair (13.7% of nesting attempts) and had lower nest success than adult pairs. High variability in nest success and productivity underscore the need for continued monitoring and protection from disturbance and other threats, especially at the most vulnerable and least productive sites.

There are currently no quantitative studies describing the habitat of Desmognathus organi (Northern Pygmy Salamander) and D. wrighti (Southern Pygmy Salamander). We investigated the relative abundance and microhabitat selection of Northern Pygmy Salamander and Southern Pygmy Salamander in 3 forest types of different elevations across the mountains of North Carolina during the summer of 2015. We conducted 2-h time-constrained searches at 4 sites in Picea rubens (Red Spruce) —Abies fraseri (Fraser Fir) forests, northern hardwood forests, and mountain cove forests for each species. We quantified microhabitat characteristics at each pygmy salamander location and at a corresponding random location 2–30 m away. We captured a total of 98 pygmy salamanders (D. organi = 41, D. wrighti = 57): 52 in spruce—fir forests, 26 in northern hardwood forests, and 20 in cove forests, and recorded 655 other salamanders representing 15 species. Relative abundance of pygmy salamanders was greater in spruce—fir forests than in cove forests, but was not significantly different between spruce—fir and northern hardwood forests. Microhabitat did not differ between Northern Pygmy Salamander and Southern Pygmy Salamander for any of the variables examined, except for soil moisture, which was greater at Northern Pygmy Salamander locations and may have been a spurious result. We observed pygmy salamanders almost exclusively beneath wood cover-objects, and size of cover objects did not differ from the size available in the surrounding environments. Total area of small-sized down woody debris (DWD) and total area of large-sized DWD were the only variables associated with the presence of pygmy salamanders, suggesting that pygmy salamanders avoid predation and interspecific competition by selecting sites that minimize encounters with larger salamanders.

Progressive salinization of freshwater wetlands is likely to trigger significant changes in associated animal communities. Understanding how salinization affects fundamental natural history characteristics, like diet, is necessary to predict consequences of environmental change. We analyzed dietary patterns of Hyla cinerea (Green Treefrog), a generalist frog species known to inhabit freshwater and brackish wetlands. The stomach contents of coastal (e.g., brackish) and inland (e.g., freshwater) H. cinerea differed in both species variety and abundance of prey items. We also observed nematodes, a common anuran gut parasite, in inland individuals but did not observe any nematodes in coastal individuals. Our study shows differences in resource use and parasite load in H. cinerea, suggesting that wetland salinization may impact trophic dynamics and infectious disease in anuran amphibians.

To examine whether chemical cues from intraguild predators may affect microhabitat selection by plethodontid salamanders of the genus Eurycea, we tested metamorphosed individuals for the ability to discriminate among odors from 3 larger salamander species. Metamorphosed individuals of Eurycea and 2 of the larger species (Gyrinophilus porphyriticus [Spring Salamander] and Pseudotriton ruber [Red Salamander]) are semiaquatic and often inhabit streamside environments, whereas individuals of the third of the larger species, Plethodon glutinosus (Northern Slimy Salamander), are strictly terrestrial and primarily inhabit woodlands. In the lab, we placed each Eurycea individual in a petri dish with 2 substrate choices. One substrate had chemical cues (i.e., skin secretions and wastes deposited for 6 d) from an adult individual of 1 of the 3 large salamander species, whereas the other substrate had chemical cues from an adult individual of a small Plethodon species (P. dorsalis [Northern Zigzag Salamander] or P. ventralis [Southern Zigzag Salamander]). We recorded the location of each individual on either substrate at 3-min intervals for 2 h. For individuals of both Eurycea cirrigera (Southern Two-lined Salamander) and E. longicauda (Long-tailed Salamander), we tested different experimental groups with the odor of 1 large salamander species. Our results indicate that Southern Two-lined Salamander individuals in Kentucky avoid chemical cues from Spring Salamander and Red Salamander, but not Northern Slimy Salamander. Individuals of both Southern Two-lined Salamander and Long-tailed Salamander in Alabama avoid chemical cues from Red Salamander, but not Northern Slimy Salamander. Spring Salamander and Red Salamander often prey on salamanders, whereas Plethodon rarely do; thus, we conclude that individuals of different Eurycea species and populations distinguish the odors of salamander species that are potential predators.

Species richness and diversity of Phytophthora spp. (water molds) in urban riparian-forest ecosystems, which serve as primary drainage passageways for surface-water runoff, may be attributed to surrounding landscape management, associated vegetation, and environmental conditions. These riparian areas, although generally small, are always flooded during wet seasons and almost completely dry during the hottest parts of each year when there is limited precipitation. Little is known about Phytophthora spp. diversity within these heavily impacted sites. We sampled water, soil, and vegetation (phenology dependent) across 14 dates, over ~2 y at a site containing a drainage ditch that enters Hog Creek, in Rankin County, MS. We cultured all Phytophthora spp. using 4 published protocols to ensure maximum isolation potential. Across all sampling dates, 65 isolations were positive for Phytophthora spp., 12 of which were recovered from vegetation. We employed morphological and internal transcribed sequence (ITS) data to confirm taxa. We determined a total of 11 taxa on the basis of their phylogenetic clustering with known species of Phytophthora in a bayesian analysis. The most common taxa were P. chlamydospora, P. mississippiae, and P. cinnamomi at frequencies of 12.5%, 11.0%, and 10%, respectively. We verified morphologically and by sequence similarity an undescribed species, Phytophthora oaksoil taxon, which has been reported previously in the Western US, as well as other countries, such as Australia. Overall, the bottle-of-bait (BOB) intact-leaf and water-filtration methods had numerically greater frequencies (P ≤ 0.05) than BOB leaf disks, soil-baiting leaf disks, or vegetationsampling protocols. Overall frequency (14%) of Phytophthora spp. was significantly greater (P ≤ 0.05) for the 17 December 2014 sampling date. Even though several taxa identified in this study are reported to be pathogenic to riparian forest trees and vegetation at the Hog Creek site, symptoms on surrounding trees and vegetation was generally limited to foliar lesions, and we observed no visible damage or decline during the study period. It would be judicious to visit different, similar urban habitats to determine if common Phytophthora in this study are present in other central and southern Mississippi riparian habitats.