The natural history of tassel-eared squirrels [electronic resource] / Sylvester Allred.

Format:

Book

Author/Creator:

Allred, Sylvester, 1946-

Contributor:

Northern Arizona University.

Language:

English

Subjects (All):

Abert's squirrel.

Physical Description:

1 online resource (282 p.)

Place of Publication:

Albuquerque : University of New Mexico Press, 2010.

Language Note:

English

Summary:

"I live in the middle of an almost two-million-acre ponderosa pine forest--the largest in the world. In moments I can leave my home and be in the habitat of the tassel-eared squirrel, which I have studied for more than twenty-five years. From my dining table I can watch these tassel-eared rascals climb along a branch of a ponderosa pine, clip terminal pine shoots for inner bark, gather pollen cones for their rich golden pine pollen, and consume the seeds from developing ovulate cones. Any of us in Flagstaff, Arizona, or Boulder, Colorado, or Santa Fe, New Mexico, who live in houses placed in the habitat of these squirrels have the opportunity to see these animals whose relationship with the ponderosa pine forest is so unique, since with rare exception these animals live only in ponderosa habitat. Tassel-eared squirrels can bring both endless entertainment and numerous frustrations to homeowners. Some encourage them by placing foods out for them to eat, and others desperately try to keep these one and one-half-pound acrobats from raiding their bird feeders. --.

"I receive phone calls from concerned homeowners because a tassel-eared squirrel has decided to use their ponderosa pine trees for feeding: clipping the upper terminal branches, stripping the needles, and creating piles of cone scales below. I assure these worried folks that the tree will not be killed though it will be pruned to some extent, and I urge them to feel fortunate that their trees were selected by the squirrel, because this activity so perfectly demonstrates the unique relationship between the tassel-eared squirrel and the ponderosa pine. --.

"These little tassel-eared creatures are so charismatic that anyone seeing them for the first time must smile with surprise. Photographers and artists wish to capture their essence. Backyard naturalists are able to see a special ecological relationship. Scientists now recognize the tassel-eared squirrels as critical indicators of thehealth of the forest."--Sylvester Allred, Author's Notes --Book Jacket.

Contents:

Machine generated contents note: ch. 1. Introduction: References for chapter one

ch. 2. Physical characteristics of tassel-eared squirrels: Tassels ; Physical characteristics-pelage and the colors ; Physical characteristics-body measurements ; Determining the differences between juveniles and adults by physical characteristics ; Do tassel-eared squirrels conform to Allen's and Bergmann's rules? ; Temperatures of tassel-eared squirrels ; Future research ; References for chapter two

ch. 3. Habitat, home range, and distribution: Introduction ; Habitat ; Home range ; Geographical distribution of tassel-eared squirrels ; Natural range expansions of tassel-eared squirrels ; Transplants of tassel-eared squirrels ; Summary ; Future research ; References for chapter three

ch. 4. Food and feeding activities: Introduction

Inner bark of ponderosa pine terminal shoots ; Selection of feeding trees ; Seeds from ovulate ponderosa pine cones ; Mycophagy ; Other foods obtained from ponderosa pine trees ; Other foods used by tassel-eared squirrels ; Water ; Food caching ; Summary ; References for chapter four

ch. 5. Nests: Introduction

Types of Nests

Bolus Nests

Other Types of nests

Nest tree characteristics ; Summary ; References for chapter five ; ch. 6. Behavior and social interactions: Introduction ; Daily activity ; Social interactions ; Mating ; Nesting behavior ; Movement within the forest ; Activities during storms ; Other behaviors demonstrated by tassel-eared squirrels ; Summary ; Future research ; References for chapter six

ch. 7. Reproduction, embryology, and development: Introduction ; Estrus ; Copulation ; Gestation and postnatal development ; Lactation ; Female reproduction ; Male reproduction ; Reproductive anomalies ; Future research ; References for chapter seven

ch. 8. Mortality and parasites: Introduction ; Predation ; Mortality from habitat loss ; Season and mortality ; Highway mortalities ; Hunting ; Parasites ; Other causes of mortality ; Life span ; Summary ; Future research ; References for chapter eight

ch. 9. Genetics: Introduction ; Karyotypes and chromosomes ; Serum Proteins ; T-cell receptor genes ; Major histocompatibility complex ; Genetics and pelage color ; Nucleotide diversity using mitochondrial DNA ; Cytochrome b gene ; Microsatellites ; Summary ; Future research ; References for chapter nine

ch. 10. The Kaibab squirrel ; Introduction ; Historical overview of Kaibab squirrel protection ; The controversy of the status : endangered or threatened? ; Transplants of Kaibab squirrels ; Summary ; Future research

References for chapter ten

Color plates

ch. 11. Ecology: Introduction ; Ecology of tassel-eared squirrels and ponderosa pines ; Nitrogen cycling ; Ecology of tassel-eared squirrel digs ; Ecology of tassel-eared squirrels and fungi ; Tassel-eared squirrel interactions with other animals ; Population ecology ; summary ; Future research ; References for chapter eleven

ch. 12. Census and monitoring methods and techniques: Introduction ; Squirrel census methods

Evidence of Feeding Activities

Hunter Success

Forest Characteristics ; Methods of determining age ; Techniques for marking squirrels in the field ; Trapping squirrels ; Radio tracking ; Planning for squirrel monitoring ; Summary ; Future research ; References for chapter twelve

ch. 13. Management and conservation of tassel-eared squirrels: Introduction ; Basal area and tree density ; Landscape models ; Forest restoration ; Timber harvest and management considerations ; Ecological considerations in management ; Conservation

Management conclusions ; Future research ; References for chapter thirteen.

Notes:

"This book was made possible by a generous contribution from Northern Arizona University."

Includes bibliographical references and index.

ISBN:

1-283-63705-7

0-8263-4657-X

OCLC:

817819517