Firooza Pavri,1 James S. Aber,2 Juliet A. Wallace3 and Matthew C. Nowak.4
D.F. Merriam. Kansas Geological Survey, University of Kansas, Lawrence, KS 66047 (dmerriam@kgs.ukans.edu).
The Worden Fault is a 6-km long, northeast-trending fault located in southwestern Douglas County, Kansas. The fault has a displacement of about 6 m with the downthrown side to the northwest. The fault probably is the surface reflection of adjustments of Precambrian basement fault blocks.
D.F. Merriam. Kansas Geological Survey, University of Kansas, Lawrence, KS 66047 (dmerriam@kgs.ukans.edu).
The southern extent of the Kansan glacier in Douglas County, Kansas is marked by a series of discontinuous outcrops of boulder beds, comprised of erratics in a modified terminal-like morainal topography. The Clearfield tongue (SW¼ sec. 16, T14 S, R21E) extended as far south as 38° 51' latitude. Most of the material left by the glacier is outwash or reworked till and this material along with the boulder beds is definitive for marking the southern extent of the glacier. Although subdued, the Pleistocene deposits modify the local landscape and are important in piecing together the late geologic history of the region.
John Charlton and Dan Merriam. Kansas Geological Survey, University of Kansas, Lawrence, KS 66047 (charlton@kgs.ukans.edu).
Before and after photographs taken many years apart show historic changes to some of the more notable topographic features of Kansas. Recently, several prominent erosional remnants have been modified or destroyed, including the Indian petroglyphs (Ellsworth County), Natural Bridge (Barber County), and Castle Rock, Cobra Rock, and the Sphinx (all in Gove County). These unique and interesting topographic forms were carved by water and modified by wind erosion. Although erosion rates are slow by human standards, catastrophic events can change or modify features rather drastically by any time standard.
James W. Rivers,1,4 Ted T. Cable,2 and Jeffrey S. Pontius.3
W. Geyer, K. Brooks and T. Neppl. Forestry Division and Landscape Architecture, Kansas State University, Manhattan KS 66506 USA (Wgeyer@oznet.ksu.edu).
Streambank changes were examined after the Kansas flood of 1993. Aerial photography was used to determine the relationship of streambank stability to natural riparian vegetation, stream channel morphology, and soil type. The flooding that occurred that summer along river courses in the central plains of the United States was considered in the magnitude of a 100- to 500-year flood. Water flooded riverbanks and farmlands for a 2-month period. Lateral streambank erosion was related significantly to vegetative cover and soil types. Erosion was greatest on cropland and minimal on the forested streambanks, and was greater on sandy than on silty soils. Channel configuration or the interaction of soils with either cover type or channel configuration influenced lateral erosion on one river system but not the other. The flood was so large that the water flowed over the banks for great distances much of the time.
Kenshu Shimada1,2 and Bruce A. Schumacher.2,3
Cody M. Walters1 and Michael C. Martin.2
Albert J. Robb III. ExxonMobil de Venezuela, S.A., Av. Blandin, Centro San Ignacio, Torre Kepler, Piso 7, La Castellana, Caracas 1060, Venezuela (al.j.robb@exxonmobil.com).
Three Petalodus teeth are described from the Upper Pennsylvanian rocks of northeastern Kansas. Specimens from the Merriam Limestone Member of the Plattsburg Limestone (Lansing Group, Missourian) and the Brownville Limestone Member of the Wood Siding Formation (Wabaunsee Group, Virgilian) are assigned to P. ohioensis. The third specimen, too fragmentary to assign beyond genus level, was recovered from the Ervine Creek Limestone Member of the Deer Creek Limestone (Shawnee Group, Virgilian). Previous references to petalodonts from Kansas are cited, and the reported occurrences of P. ohioensis document its range throughout almost the entire Upper Pennsylvanian Series of Kansas.
Iralee Barnard. KSU Herbarium, Division of Biology, Ackert Hall, Kansas State University, Manhattan, Kansas 66506 (iralee@ksu.edu).
The KSU Herbarium had a modest beginning and grew slowly during the first 20 years. Early campus political turmoil and inadequate funding created difficult circumstances and a high faculty turnover. Dedicated individuals, who recognized the value of a botany reference collection, persisted. These individuals and others who followed made the KSU Herbarium the largest in the state throughout its first century and primary in providing applied research and public service. The extensive historical holdings (pre-1900) are unique in the state and significant in supplying solid data for measuring floristic changes as well as for fundamental botanical studies. Today the KSU Herbarium contains collections of bryophytes, seeds, algae, pollen, and fossil plants. The vascular plant collection numbers ca. 185,000 specimens.
S.M. Wissmann. Shawnee Mission West High School, 8800 W. 85th Street, Overland Park, KS 66212 (wissmannda@mail.avila.edu).
What effects will elevated ultraviolet B radiation and/or elevated temperature have on the loss of zooxanthellae from Aiptasia pallida? The hypothesis of this study was: if Aiptasia pallida are exposed to elevated ultraviolet radiation and/or elevated water temperatures, then the number of zooxanthellae expelled from the Aiptasia pallida will increase. Sea anemones (Aiptasia pallida) containing symbiotic zooxanthellae (Symbiodinium bermudense) were maintained in 3 L salt-water aquariums on a 10:14 hour light:dark cycle. In addition to a control aquarium, one aquarium was exposed to elevated water temperature, another aquarium was exposed to elevated UVB radiation, and the fourth aquarium was exposed to elevated levels of both UVB radiation and water temperature. The number of zooxanthellae expelled from the sea anemones was measured with a hemacytometer once every three days over a fifteen-day period. The number of zooxanthellae expelled per sea anemone was lowest in the control aquarium. The number of zooxanthellae expelled per sea anemone was greatest in the aquarium that was exposed to elevated levels of both UVB radiation and water temperature. Aquariums that were exposed to elevated levels of either UVB radiation or water temperature experienced moderate levels of expulsion. In conclusion, elevated levels of both UVB radiation and water temperature had a greater effect on the loss of symbiotic zooxanthellae than the effect of either variable individually or the control.
Will M. O’Donnell. Trailridge Middle School, 7500 Quivira, Lenexa, KS 66216.
Since antibiotic resistance of bacteria is becoming such a large and frequent problem, this research was conducted to determine if resistance in Escherichia coli could be induced by repeated exposure to ampicillin.
The procedure was based on a standardized method of testing resistance called the Kirby-Bauer (KB) Disk Diffusion Test. Brain-Heart Infusion (BHI) broth was labeled CØ for control and T1-5 for tests. The broths were inoculated with E. coli. Ampicillin disks were added to the Test Group’s BHI broths. After incubation, the BHI broths were sub-cultured to blood agar plates and Mueller-Hinton agar plates for the KB test. The plates were incubated, and the zones of inhibition read. The E. coli was then sub-cultured from the blood agar to the BHI, and the process was repeated until the E. coli showed significant resistance to the ampicillin.
The average rate of resistance of the CØ Group was 0 mm per day, because the zone diameters of the CØ Group stayed at 20 mm. The average rate of resistance of the Test Group was 3.2 mm per day. This data indicated that the CØ Group remained susceptible to the ampicillin throughout the experiment. The Test Group, however, did become resistant to the ampicillin.
Hank Guarisco1 and Bruce Cutler.2
Michael S. Engel. Division of Entomology, Natural History Museum, and Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, Snow Hall, 1460 Jayhawk Boulevard, University of Kansas, Lawrence, Kansas 66045-7523 (msengel@ku.edu).
The earwigs occurring in Kansas are summarized, figured, and a key to aid their identification is provided. The biology and general evolution of the order is briefly overviewed and the higher classification of Dermaptera summarized, with the following new names proposed: Neodermaptera (= Forficulina auctorum), †Eodermaptera, Epidermaptera, Metadermaptera, Eteodermaptera, Plesiodermaptera, †Turanodermidae, and †Turanoviidae. A key to dermapteran genera occurring north of Mexico is provided.
Michael S. Engel. Division of Entomology, Natural History Museum, and Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, Snow Hall, 1460 Jayhawk Boulevard, University of Kansas, Lawrence, Kansas 66045-7523 (msengel@ku.edu).
A new species of raphidiid snakefly (Raphidioptera: Raphidiomorpha) is described and figured from the Eocene-Oligocene Florissant Formation of Colorado. Raphidia funerata, new species, is most similar to R. mortua Rohwer but can be distinguished by details of forewing venation.
Stephen L. Winter,1 Jack F. Cully, Jr.2 and Jeffrey S. Pontius.3
Michael J. Everhart. Sternberg Museum of Natural History, Fort Hays State University, Hays, Kansas, 67601 (meverhar@fhsu.edu).
Although plesiosaurs are known to occur in the Upper Cretaceous Smoky Hill Chalk Member of the Niobrara Formation, their remains are uncommon, rarely complete and unequally distributed in the unit. There are only three reasonably complete plesiosaur skeletons (all Dolichorhynchops osborni) known from the Smoky Hill Chalk in Kansas. All three are from the upper one-third (Early Campanian) of the chalk. Other remains are fragmentary and, in most cases, consist of body parts that could have been readily removed by predators or scavengers. Many of these specimens have teeth marks or appear to be partially digested. In spite of observations to the contrary by Williston and others, reliable stratigraphic and locality information for museum specimens exists only for plesiosaur remains in the upper portions of the Smoky Hill Chalk (Santonian - Lower Campanian). Recent discoveries reported here suggest that plesiosaurs were present throughout the deposition of the chalk, albeit in small numbers.
Jason M. Goeckler,1,3 Michael C. Quist,1,4 John A. Reinke2 and Christopher S. Guy.1,5
James W. Rivers1,3 and Ted T. Cable.2
Dennis M. Dudley and Walter H. Fick. Department of Agronomy, Kansas State University, Manhattan, KS 66506 (whfick@ksu.edu).
Sericea lespedeza (Lespedeza cuneata [Dumont] G. Don) has shown allelopathic properties in tame pastures but no studies have been done on its allelochemical effects on grasses in eastern Kansas rangelands where it is currently invading. Big bluestem (Andropogon gerardii Vitman), little bluestem (Andropogon scoparious Michx.), indiangrass (Sorghastrum nutans (L.) Nash), and Kentucky bluegrass (Poa pratensis L.) were exposed to sericea lespedeza stem and leaf residues and their germination and growth responses studied. Compared to the checks, germination rates were reduced for big bluestem (15 to 27%), indiangrass (25 to 39%), and Kentucky bluegrass (47 to 60%). These grasses also exhibited shorter radicle lengths and shorter coleoptile lengths. However, none of these grasses had any growth reductions. Little bluestem was not affected in any way.
Kenshu Shimada1,2 and Michael J. Everhart.2
Jane P. Davidson. Art Department (224), University of Nevada, Reno, Reno, NV 89557 (Jdhexen@aol.com).
William E. Webb’s 1872 book Buffalo Land, written for the Kansas Pacific Railroad, was a typical railroad advertising publication with one exception. Webb’s fictional story of a group of Kansas adventurers included a paleontologist probably based on the person of Webb’s friend, Edward Drinker Cope. The book also includes most of a scientific paper written by Cope and given to Webb for use in Buffalo Land. Cope may be seen as a co-author of Webb’s book. Cope’s contributions to Buffalo Land and his association with Webb are discussed in detail.
Roger D. Applegate,1 Brian E. Flock1,2,3 and Elmer J. Finck.2,4
Johanna Foster1,2 and Jeannine Lovett.1
Many features appear to influence avian nest success, and nest concealment and distance to habitat edge are among the most influential. We placed simulated bird nests baited with House Sparrow (Passer domesticus) eggs in two riparian grasslands to document the influence of these two habitat characteristics on nest depredation rates. Over three trials, 49% of nests (n = 105) were depredated with a mean daily survival rate of 0.908 (± 0.012 SE). Side and overhead concealment of depredated and undisturbed nests did not differ in any consistent manner, and logistic regression models indicated that nest fate was not influenced by the amount of vegetative concealment surrounding a nest. Depredated simulated nests were closer to habitat edges than undisturbed nests during only one of three trials, suggesting nest depredation was not strongly influenced by habitat edges. Our results indicate that in simulated grassland bird nests baited with sparrow eggs, concealment may be more influential on nest fate than distance to habitat edges. We recommend that future studies of simulated songbird nests use songbird-sized eggs to insure that the potential suite of nest predators is sampled by simulated nests.
We note the occurrence of the Late Cretaceous teleostean genus Thryptodus from the Lincoln Limestone Member (upper Middle Cenomanian) of the Greenhorn Limestone in Russell County, Kansas. The specimen, here referred to Thryptodus cf. T. zitteli Loomis, is represented by fused premaxillae. The specimen is noteworthy because it marks the oldest record of the genus.
The effects of grazing on vegetative biomass and richness and various soil parameters in the tallgrass prairie were examined at the Tallgrass Prairie National Preserve (TPNP) and the Konza Prairie Biological Station (KPBS). It is hypothesized that grazing will exert significant influence on vegetative biomass and native species richness, and soil depth, moisture content, pH, nutrient levels (total Kjeldahl nitrogen and total phosphorus), and organic matter content. To test this hypothesis, four sets of samples were gathered: 10 from an ungrazed portion of TPNP and 10 from a grazed portion, 10 from an ungrazed area of KPBS and 10 from a grazed area. Results indicate that grazing decreased vegetative biomass density, increased soil nutrient levels, and increased soil organic matter content. Mixed results were found on the effects of grazing on available soil moisture and soil pH. Soil moisture content was significantly higher in the ungrazed area of TPNP, but significantly higher in the grazed area at KPBS. Soil pH was significantly higher in the ungrazed area of TPNP, but no significant differences were observed at KPBS. Grazing did not significantly influence soil depth or species richness, though differences in the taxa of species observed were evident as native grass species richness decreased in grazed areas and invasive species richness increased in grazed areas.
Populations of Crossopriza lyoni (Blackwall), a common synanthropic spider in many tropical and subtropical regions of the world, were discovered at two locations in Lawrence, Douglas County, Kansas. These records represent a significant northward range extension of the species in the western hemisphere and document its presence within the state.
Avian assemblages of black-tailed prairie dog (Cynomys ludovicianus) colonies were compared to those present at two types of non-colonized grassland, during the breeding season, in southwestern Kansas and southeastern Colorado. Relative abundances were quantified in 1996 during a period of drought and in 1997 during a period of above average precipitation. We detected fewer bird species at all sites in 1996 than in 1997, and the total number of bird species detected on prairie dog colonies was lower than that detected on both types of non-colonized areas during both years. Horned larks (Eremophila alpestris) had higher relative abundances on non-colonized sites in 1996, but were more abundant on prairie dog colonies in 1997. Lark buntings (Calamospiza melanocorys) and grasshopper sparrows (Ammodramus savannarum) were not recorded at the study sites in 1996, but appeared in high numbers in 1997. These two species, and western meadowlarks (Sturnella neglecta), had higher relative abundances on non-colonized sites in 1997 than on prairie dog colonies. A comparison of our results with those of other studies suggest that the effects of prairie dogs on associated biota might not be identical in all regions of the Great Plains, or under all environmental conditions.
We examined trends in abundance, size and age structure, and growth rates of blue catfish, Ictalurus furcatus, in Milford Reservoir, Kansas. Trends in abundance and size structure were assessed using fall gill net data collected during 1990-2001. Pectoral spines were collected from fish (N = 30) captured during 2001 for age and growth analysis. Catch per unit effort was less than 5 fish per net night from 1990 to 1999. Catch per unit effort in 2000 was significantly (P = 0.01) higher than in previous years and samples were dominated by fish <300 mm total length (TL). Seventy-four percent of blue catfish collected in 2001 were from the 1999 and 1998 year-classes, indicating natural reproduction. Mean back-calculated lengths at age indicated that fish require approximately 3 years to reach stock length (300 mm TL) and 5 years to reach quality length (510 mm TL). Growth of blue catfish in Milford Reservoir was similar to that of other populations throughout the midwestern and southeastern U.S. These data suggest that the blue catfish population in Milford Reservoir has increased in abundance and that natural reproduction is occurring. These data provide important baseline information for future comparisons of blue catfish population characteristics in Kansas reservoirs.
Playa wetlands contribute to the biological diversity of the southern Great Plains, yet many are modified by current farming practices. We surveyed 12 farmed playa wetlands from 1998-99 to (1) document seasonal avian use of these habitats and (2) assess the performance of two rapid assessment techniques, the Habitat Assessment Technique and the Wetland Evaluation Technique. Thirty-six bird species were observed on farmed playa wetlands, 42% of which are dependent on wetland habitats. In contrast, only 5 species were observed on upland reference sites in 1999, and none were dependent on wetlands. Collectively, both rapid assessment techniques rated farmed playa wetlands as poor habitats because of the physical characteristics of study sites. Based on field observations and published work, we conclude that farmed playa wetlands provide habitat for many avian species and the rapid assessment techniques examined are unsuitable for assessing playa wetlands as avian habitat in Kansas.
Vertebrate fossils are rare components of the Fort Hays Limestone Member (uppermost Turonian - Lower Coniacian) of the Upper Cretaceous Niobrara Chalk. Herein, two fish taxa are described that are new to the unit: Ptychodus mammillaris Agassiz and Enchodus cf. E. shumardi Leidy. These additions increase the total number of documented vertebrate species to 11 for the Fort Hays Limestone and provide additional insights into the paleoecology (e.g. community structure) of the Western Interior Seaway during the deposition of the Fort Hays Limestone.
Populations of ring-necked pheasant (Phasianus colchicus), northern bobwhite (Colinus virginianus), cottontails (Sylvilagus sp.), greater prairie-chicken (Tympanuchus cupido), and black-tailed jackrabbit (Lepus californicus), have been declining in eastern Kansas for 40+ years. During the same timeframe populations of wild turkey (Melagris gallopavo) and tree squirrels (Sciurus sp.) have increased. We measured change in land use based on Landsat Thematic Mapper images for spring, summer, and fall of 1984, 1992, and 2000. Open water (lakes, watershed ponds) and woodland increased 17% and 23% respectively during the 16 year period. Cropland declined 6% during the 16-year period. Grassland increased < 1% due to CRP, and urbanization permanently removed 26% of all other land uses in the study area. Loss of open land habitat due to increases in woodland, open water, and urbanization has modified habitat for brushland and grassland species such as ring-necked pheasant, northern bobwhite, cottontails, greater prairie-chicken, and black-tailed jackrabbit. At the same time, the increase in woodland area along with increases in timber volume have created additional habitats for wild turkey and squirrels.
A six-year-old restored prairie plant community at Johnson County Community College (JCCC) was monitored for changes in species number and plant cover. It was hypothesized that haying would successfully establish a prairie plant community, and that all seeded species would grow. In 1994 a 0.5 ha area was sprayed to remove weeds, and then seeded with eleven forb and six grass species. The seed mix included generalists that do not require high-quality habitats, and conservatives that do. Beginning in late fall 1995 the area was annually mowed and litter removed (hayed). By 1998 species number was 28, but dropped to 24 in 2001. Species composition included only some of the seeded species, and additional species not in the original mix. Seven of the original forb species were generalists, yet were absent. All six grasses were present. Total cover for all forbs decreased, but not significantly. Cover of the invasive weed Lespedeza cuneata increased in 2001, albeit not significantly. Total cover of all grasses increased, and cover of six native grass species significantly increased between 1998 and 2001 (p < 0.03). JCCC’s goal to restore a plant community dominated by perennial tall grasses via haying was met, but expected species composition was not. Problems may include soil that cannot support these missing species, and a need for additional restoration methods. Spraying is necessary to control L. cuneata, and other studies have demonstrated that burning retards non-native weedy grass growth while encouraging conservative native species. Adding methods to solve these problems may be necessary.