Ecology and Management of Southeastern Wildlife RNR 3018 (4 cr.): Spring 2018

Lecture: Tue/Thur 12:30–1:20, RNR 206

Lab: Tue/Thur 1:30–4:30, RNR 206/TBA

INSTRUCTOR: Dr. Kevin Ringelman

Office: 310 RNR

Office Hours: Open; take your chances I’m in the office or make

an appointment

Email: kringelman@agcenter.lsu.edu (best method)

Office Phone: 225-578-4212

Cell Phone: 701-471-1987

TA: Mr. Vitek Jirinec

Office: RNR 324

Email: vjirin1@lsu.edu

Cell phone: 707-832-6330

COURSE DESCRIPTION AND GOALS RNR 3018 – Ecology and Management of Southeastern Wildlife is focused on

identification, taxonomy, life history, and ecology of birds, mammals, reptiles, and

amphibians commonly found in Louisiana. The goal of this course is to provide you with

a primer in comparative vertebrate zoology and teach you the natural history of common

wildlife, effectively serving as a “light” version of ornithology, mammalogy, and

herpetology.

This class will provide you with a background in:

Identification of common wildlife species by sight and sound

Natural history and ecology of common wildlife species

Field observational skills, sampling techniques, and formal field note-taking

Comparative morphology as shaped by adaptive evolutionary processes

Scientific research and writing

You cannot be a wildlife professional without knowing your wildlife.

READINGS:

The Sibley Guide to Birds of Eastern North America (2nd edition)

Peterson Guide to Reptlies and Amphibians of Eastern and Central North America (4th

edition)

OTHER COURSE MATERIALS

If you do not have a pair of binoculars and boots, get some; you will need them for

class, and they are integral to your education and career in field biology, and you can’t

share them easily. We have a few older loaner binoculars.

We will be using eBird to log our avian observations. Please create an account and

download the app to your phone.

Merlin bird ID is another useful app to have; please download that as well, along with the

Southeastern pack.

Some very kind students who came before you designed a Quizlet for use with this class.

You can access it here: https://quizlet.com/join/Bbsmu2cXb

GRADING:

A+ (97.00–100); A (93.00–96.99); A- (90.00–92.99); B+ (87.00–89.99); B (83.00–86.99);

B- (80.00–82.99); C+ (77.00–79.99); C (73.00–76.99); C- (70.00–72.99); D+ (67.00-69.99);

D (63.00–66.99); D- (60.00–62.99); F (<60.00)

Only two decimal places shown, but grades will not be rounded. I.e., 79.999999999999999 < 80

100 Midterm lecture exam

50 Midterm field exam

50 each 3 species accounts

100 Field observations

150 Final lecture exam

50 Final field exam

Lab exercises and homework as assigned (nothing huge)

150 Quizzes

720ish (subject to change)

______________________________________________________________________________

Anyone who approaches or attempts to handle an alligator

or venomous snake will instantly fail the course.

Re-grades: Must be submitted directly to Dr. Ringelman, in person, within one week

after exams are returned. The entire test will be re-graded; that is, there is the potential to

both gain and lose points. Do not change your answers and ask for a re-grade.

Late work: Unexcused late assignments will lose 10% per day (weekends count).

CLASSROOM RESPECT

This is an experience-based course, and you must come to class; please email me if you

are unable to attend class on any given day.

Class will begin on time, and field trips will depart on time. Do not be late.

We will take several field trips in this class. It is paramount that you act in a respectful

manner when we visit these places. Unprofessional conduct will be not be tolerated.

We will go outside often to view wildlife. Stay together, and keep talking to a minimum

to maximize the chances of seeing wildlife. Ask questions!

***** Plagiarism will not be tolerated. ***** Students that plagiarize will be reported to Student Affairs and Advocacy. It is your

responsibility to understand what constitute plagiarism.

FIELD TRIPS AND FIELD OBSERVATIONS

During each field trip, you will be required to log your bird observations in eBird, and email

them to Dr. Ringelman at the conclusion of the trip. Other observations of herps and mammals

can be appended to the email, and we will keep a separate notebook for trips specifically

targeting herps. Because absences are unavoidable, I will forgive lack of field data from two

trips.

SPECIES ACCOUNT

A species account is a detailed description of a species’ distribution, physical characteristics,

natural/life history, and conservation/management status. There is an example posted on

moodle, though your version will be shorter in length. You will be required to write three

species accounts, one each for a bird, mammal, and reptile/amphibian. We will draw for species

randomly in class.

Your species accounts should be >2 pages long, single-spaced Times New Roman font with 1”

margins. Length requirement excludes pictures, range maps, and literature cited.

Your species account must include:

Scientific name (common name) e.g., Zenaida asiatica (White-winged dove)

Author's name…which is you

Picture (meaning include a picture of your species on the front page)

Distribution: A detailed, written account which outlines the distribution of the species.

Inclusion of maps are appropriate and suggested.

Identifying characteristics: Includes a detailed description of the physical appearance of

the species, including information on size, length, height, color, individual markings, etc.

Inclusion of sex and age differences may be appropriate, as well as other identifying traits

(e.g., vocalizations).

Natural history

o Food habits

o Habitat types used (focus on habitats it uses in Louisiana)

o Reproduction (e.g., time of breeding, number of offspring, age at first

reproduction, breeding site selection)

o Behavioral information (e.g., courtship, migration, diurnal/nocturnal,

coloniality/group size)

Conservation and management status – estimates of population size, IUCN Red List

status, state and federal protection, etc. If the species is actively being managed, describe

those activities.

In-text citations and literature cited follows Journal of Wildlife Management guidelines.

Additional guidelines are posted on moodle, but here is an example of a full citation:

Journal – general format Miller, M. R. 1986. Molt chronology of northern pintails in California. Journal of Wildlife Management 50:57–64.

It will be tempting to plagiarize existing online species accounts. Do not

do this. You are expected to track down primary sources and cite them

in your species account.

UNIVERSITY POLICY STATEMENTS

Attendance: LSU policy statements 22 and 24 and Faculty Senate resolution 12-3 state that individual

faculty determine excuse and unexcused absences, and that attendance can be graded by randomly taking

attendance during 12 randomly selected lectures. An unexcused absence during any graded activity will

result in a 0 for the activity. Excused absences and make-up opportunities will be granted for university-

approved off-campus activities, religious holidays, professional development activities, job interviews,

and severe illnesses. Please contact me before course activities if possible to schedule a make-up.

Academic integrity: Cheating and plagiarism will not be tolerated in any form; it damages the integrity

of the student, the department, and university, and can far-reaching effects into the future (e.g. “I don’t

hire RNR grads anymore because I had one who cheated his (her) way through and was an awful

employee”). We use plagiarism detection software. Students violating the Academic Dishonesty policy

of the LSU Code of Student Conduct will be referred to Student Advocacy & Accountability.

Disability statement: Louisiana State University is committed to providing reasonable accommodations

for all persons with disabilities. The syllabus is available in alternate formats upon request. If you have a

disability that may have some impact on your work in this class and for which you may require

accommodations, please see a staff member in Disability Services (115 Johnston Hall) so that such

accommodations can be considered. Students that receive accommodation letters, please meet with me to

discuss the provisions of those accommodations as soon as possible.

Credit expectations: For each earned credit, students must spend a minimum of 1 hour per week in

lecture class or 3 hours per week in lab, and a minimum of 2-3 hours per week of studying/homework

outside of class. That means, for this class, expect between 8-12 hours of homework and studying

each week.

Week 1 1/11 Lecture: Introduction

Lab: Field guides, eBird, practice ID, campus walk

Week 2

1/16 Lecture: Vertebrates

Lab: CANCELLED

Kevin NSF review

panel 10:00-2:00

1/18 Lecture: CANCELLED

Lab: CANCELLED

Week 3

1/23 Lecture: Introduction to birds

Lab: LSU Museum of Natural Science

1/25 Lecture: Galliformes–Anseriformes

Lab: Capitol Lakes

White, burgundy

Week 4

1/30 Lecture: [Quiz 1] Podicipediformes–Pelecaniformes

Lab: Avian anatomy and dissections

2/1 Lecture: [Quiz 2] Accipitriformes–Charadriiformes

Lab: Aquaculture

White, burgundy

2/2-

2/3

OVERNIGHT TO ROCKEFELLER REFUGE White, red, green

Week 5

2/6 Lecture: [Quiz 3] Charadriiformes–Caprimulgiformes

Lab: CANCELLED

2/8 Lecture: [Quiz 4] Strigiformes–Falconiformes

Lab: Build and install nest boxes at aquaculture

White, burgundy

Week 6

2/13 NO CLASS – MARDI GRAS

2/15 Lecture: [Quiz 5] Passeriformes I

Lab: Bluebonnet swamp

Bird species account

due White, burgundy

Week 7

2/20 Lecture: Passeriformes II

Lab: ? Review ?

Burgundy, silver

2/22 Lecture: Lecture exam

Lab: Lab exam at aquaculture

Week 8

2/27 Lecture: Introduction to mammals

Lab: Place camera traps at aquaculture

3/1 Lecture: Deer through bats

Lab: Richfield River Silt Reproductive Biology

Week 9

3/6 Lecture: [Quiz 6] Johnathon Bordelon –deer management

Lab: Skull lab

3/8 Lecture: Pick up camera traps, download and view data

Lab: Waterfowl wing ID

3/9-

3/10

OVERNIGHT TO SHREVEPORT Red, white, green

Week 10

3/13 Lecture: Rabbits through squirrels

Lab: Band recovery analysis

3/15 Lecture: [Quiz 7] Intro to herps

Lab: Reproductive biology

Week 11

3/20 Lecture: Herps 1

Lab: Burden

Mammal account due

3/22 Lecture: Herps 2 [Quiz 8]

Lab: Drone demo at aquaculture

Aquaculture

Week 12 3/26 NO CLASS – SPRING BREAK

3/28 NO CLASS – SPRING BREAK

Week 13

4/3 Lecture: Woodcock wing bee (RNR 142) [Quiz 9]

Lab: Campus bird walk

4/5 Lecture: Jeff Boundy (RNR 142)

Lab: Ben Hur tract

White, burgundy

Week 14

4/10 Lecture: Brad Glorioso

Lab: Frenchtown Rd.

VITEK GONE

4/12 Lecture: Sensory ecology [point buyback]

Lab: Skull lab

VITEK GONE

Week 15

4/17 Lecture: Vitek lecture TBA [point buyback]

Lab: Herp dissections

Herp account due

4/19 Lecture: Vitek & Jazmyn telemetry update [point buyback]

Lab: Telemetry at aquaculture

Week 16

4/24 Lecture:

Lab: Baton Rouge Zoo

White, burgundy

4/26 Lecture: Final lecture exam

Lab: Final lab exam

RNR 3018 Species List – Spring 2018

1

CLASS AVES - 130 Order Galliformes 2

Wild Turkey Meleagris gallopavo

Northern Bobwhite Colinus virginianus

Order Anseriformes 19

Black-bellied Whistling-Duck Dendrocygna autumnalis

Canada Goose Branta canadensis

Greater White-fronted Goose Anser albifrons

Snow Goose Chen caerulescens

Wood Duck Aix sponsa

Hooded Merganser Lophodytes cucullatus

Gadwall Mareca strepera

American Wigeon Mareca americana

Mallard Anas platyrhynchos

Mottled Duck Anas fulvigula

Blue-winged Teal Spatula discors

Northern Shoveler Spatula clypeata

Northern Pintail Anas acuta

Green-winged Teal Anas crecca

Canvasback Aythya valisineria

Redhead Aythya americana

Ring-necked Duck Aythya collaris

Lesser Scaup Aythya affinis

Ruddy Duck Oxyura jamaicensis

Order Podicipediformes 1

Pied-billed Grebe Podilymbus podiceps

Order Suliformes 2

Double-crested Cormorant Phalacrocorax auritus

Anhinga Anhinga anhinga

Order Pelecaniformes 14

American White Pelican Pelecanus erythrorhynchos

Brown Pelican Pelecanus occidentalis

Great Blue Heron Ardea herodias

Great Egret Ardea alba

Snowy Egret Egretta thula

Little Blue Heron Egretta caerula

Tricolored Heron Egretta tricolor

Cattle Egret Bubulcus ibis

Green Heron Butorides virescens

Black-crowned Night-Heron Nycticorax nycticorax

Yellow-crowned Night-Heron Nyctanassa violacea

White Ibis Eudocimus albus

RNR 3018 Species List – Spring 2018

2

White-faced Ibis Plegadis chihi

Roseate Spoonbill Platalea ajaja

Order Accipitriformes 10

Swallow-tailed Kite Elanoides forficatus

Black Vulture Coragyps atratus

Turkey Vulture Cathartes aura

Osprey Pandion haliaetus

Mississippi Kite Ictinia mississippiensis

Bald Eagle Haliaeetus leucocephalus

Northern Harrier Circus cyaneus

Cooper’s Hawk Accipiter cooperii

Red-shouldered Hawk Buteo lineatus

Red-tailed Hawk Buteo jamaicensis

Order Gruiformes 6

Sora Porzana carolina

Purple Gallinule Porphyrio martinicus

Common Gallinule Gallinula galeata

American Coot Fulica americana

Sandhill Crane Grus canadensis

Whooping Crane Grus americana

Order Charadriiformes 18

Killdeer Charadrius vociferus

Black-necked Stilt Himantopus mexicanus

American Avocet Recurvirostra americana

Greater Yellowlegs Tringa melanoleuca

Lesser Yellowlegs Tringa flavipes

Willet Tringa semipalmata

Least Sandpiper Calidris minutilla

Long-billed Dowitcher Limnodramus scolopaceus

Wilson’s Snipe Gallinago delicata

American Woodcock Scolopax minor

Herring Gull Larus argentatus

Laughing Gull Leucophaeus atricilla

Ring-billed Gull Larus delawarensis

Least Tern Sternula antillarum

Caspian Tern Hydroprogne caspia

Forster’s Tern Sterna forsteri

Royal Tern Thalasseus maximus

Black Skimmer Rynchops niger

Order Columbiformes 4

Rock Pigeon Columba livia

Eurasian Collared-Dove Streptopelia decaocto

RNR 3018 Species List – Spring 2018

3

White-winged Dove Zenaida asiatica

Mourning Dove Zenaida macroura

Order Caprimulgiformes 1

Common Nighthawk Chordeiles minor

Order Strigiformes 2

Great Horned Owl Bubo virginianus

Barred Owl Strix varia

Order Apodiformes 2

Ruby-throated Hummingbird Archilochus colubris

Chimney Swift Chaetura pelagica

Order Coraciiformes 1

Belted Kingfisher Megaceryle alcyon

Order Piciformes 7

Red-headed Woodpecker Melanerpes erythrocephalus

Red-bellied Woodpecker Melanerpes carolinus

Yellow-bellied Sapsucker Sphyrapicus varius

Downy Woodpecker Picoides pubescens

Red-cockaded Woodpecker Picoides borealis

Northern Flicker Colaptes auratus

Pileated Woodpecker Dryocopus pileatus

Order Falconiformes 2

American Kestrel Falco sparverius

Peregrine Falcon Falco peregrinus

Order Passeriformes 39

Eastern Phoebe Sayornis phoebe

Great Crested Flycatcher Myiarchus crinitus

Eastern Kingbird Tyrannus tyrannus

Loggerhead Shrike Lanius ludovicianus

Blue Jay Cyanocitta cristata

American Crow Corvus brachyrhynchos

Purple Martin Progne subis

Tree Swallow Tachycineta bicolor

Barn Swallow Hirundo rustica

Carolina Chickadee Poecile carolinensis

Tufted Titmouse Baeolophus bicolor

Carolina Wren Thryothorus ludovicianus

Blue-gray Gnatcatcher Polioptila caerulea

Ruby-crowned Kinglet Regulus calendula

Eastern Bluebird Sialia sialis

American Robin Turdus migratorius

Northern Mockingbird Mimus polyglottos

Brown Thrasher Toxostoma rufum

RNR 3018 Species List – Spring 2018

4

European Starling Sturnus vulgaris

Cedar Waxwing Bombycilla cedrorum

Yellow-rumped Warbler Setophaga coronata

Prothonotary Warbler Protonotaria citrea

Orange-crowned Warbler Oreothlypis celata

Common Yellowthroat Geothlypis trichas

Savannah Sparrow Passerculus sandwichensis

Chipping Sparrow Spizella passerina

White-throated Sparrow Zonotrichia albicollis

Dark-eyed Junco Junco hyemalis

Indigo Bunting Passerina cyanea

Painted Bunting Passerina ciris

Northern Cardinal Cardinalis cardinalis

Red-winged Blackbird Agelaius phoeniceus

Eastern Meadowlark Sturnella magna

Common Grackle Quiscalus quiscula

Boat-tailed Grackle Quiscalus major

Great-tailed Grackle Quiscalus mexicanus

Brown-headed Cowbird Molothrus ater

House Finch Haemorhous mexicanus

American Goldfinch Spinus tristis

House Sparrow Passer domesticus

CLASS MAMMALIA - 25 Order Artiodactyla

Feral Pig Sus scrofa

White-tailed Deer Odocoileus virginianus

Order Didelphimorphia

Virginia Opossum Didelphis virginiana

Order Cingulata

Nine-banded Armadillo Dasypus novemcinctus

Order Carnivora

Bobcat Lynx rufus

Coyote Canis latrans

Red Fox Vulpes vulpes

Striped Skunk Mephitis mephitis

Northern River Otter Lontra canadensis

American Mink Mustela vison

Common Raccoon Procyon lotor

Black Bear Ursus americanus

Order Soricomorpha

Eastern Mole Scalopus aquaticus

RNR 3018 Species List – Spring 2018

5

Order Chiroptera

Eastern Red Bat Lasiurus borealis

Hoary Bat Lasiurus cinereus

Evening Bat Nycticeius humeralis

Order Lagomorpha

Swamp Rabbit Sylvilagus aquaticus

Eastern Cottontail Sylvilagus floridana

Order Rodentia

Nutria Myocastor coypus

American Beaver Castor canadensis

Golden Mouse Ochrotomys nuttali

Common Muskrat Ondatra zibethicus

White-footed Mouse Peromyscus leucopus

Eastern Woodrat Neotoma floridana

Eastern Chipmunk Tamias striatus

Eastern Gray Squirrel Sciurus carolinensis

Eastern Fox Squirrel Sciurus niger

CLASS AMPHIBIA - 13 Order Anura

Fowler’s Toad Anaxyrus fowleri

Gulf Coast Toad Incilius nebulifer

Eastern Cricket Frog Acris crepitans

Spring Peeper Pseudacris crucifer

Cajun Chorus Frog Pseudacris fouquettei

Cope’s Gray Treefrog Hyla chrysoscelis

Green Treefrog Hyla cinerea

Squirrel Treefrog Hyla squirella

Southern Leopard Frog Lithobates sphenocephalus

Bronze Frog Lithobates clamitans

Bullfrog Lithobates catesbeianus

Order Caudata

Marbled Salamander Ambystoma opacum

Three-toed Amphiuma Amphiuma tridactylum

CLASS REPTILIA - 23 Order Crocodilia

American Alligator Alligator mississippiensis

Order Squamata

Green Anole Anolis carolinensis

Mediterranean Gecko Hemidactylus turcicus

RNR 3018 Species List – Spring 2018

6

Five-lined Skink Plestiodon fasciatus

Broad-headed Skink Plestiodon laticeps

Little Brown Skink (Ground Skink) Scincella lateralis

Dekay’s Brown Snake Storeria dekayi

Diamond-backed Water Snake Nerodia rhombifer

Broad-banded Water Snake Nerodia fasciata

Western Ribbon Snake Thamnophis proximus

Racer Coluber constrictor

Rough Green Snake Opheodrys aestivus

Western Rat Snake Pantherophis obsoletus

Speckled Kingsnake Lampropeltis getula

CopperheadV Agkistrodon contortrix

CottonmouthV Agkistrodon piscivorus

Timber RattlesnakeV Crotalus horridus

Order Testudines

Eastern Spiny Softshell Apalone spinifera

River Cooter Pseudemys concinna

Red-eared Slider Trachemys scripta

Common Box Turtle Terrapene carolina

Gopher Tortoise Gopherus polyphemus

Snapping Turtle Chelydra serpentina

Alligator Snapping Turtle Macrochelys temminckii

Common Musk Turtle Sternotherus odoratus