Vertebrate behavior and ecology. Progress report, June 1, 1980-May 31, 1981

Technical Report · Mon Jun 01 04:00:00 EDT 1981

OSTI ID:6504638

Tester, J R; Siniff, D B

This report details progress on two subprojects: 1. Engineering design and development and 2. Ecological aspects of sea otters, grouse and fish. Engineering design and development focused on the refinement and adaptation of existing technology. This included the design of two types of implantable transmitters, the development of a more efficient sonic tag, the development of a computer compatable data recorder, and the support of ongoing projects. This recorder is designed to take data of a general nature, record it on cassette tape, allow the user to examine the data in the field and then transfer it to any general purpose computer for data analysis. Field efforts presented under Subproject II resulted in further information on activity patterns, movements and feeding behavior of sea otters in Alaska. California sea otter activity patterns were found to be highly variable among individuals and within an individual over time. A catalogue of sea otter behavior was developed and analyzed. Spruce grouse exhibited strong seasonal habitat preferences; winter habitat preference consisted of jack pine uplands, whereas, during the summer most females preferred coniferous lowlands. Ruffed grouse varied considerably in habitat utilization patterns in north-central Minnesota, with trembling aspen used extensively during winter months.

• Research Organization: Minnesota Univ., Minneapolis (USA)
• DOE Contract Number: AC02-76EV01332
• OSTI ID: 6504638
• Report Number(s): DOE/EV/01332-T1; COO-1332-132; ON: DE81024905
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

510100* -- Environment
Terrestrial-- Basic Studies-- (-1989)
54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES
550100 -- Behavioral Biology
59 BASIC BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES
ANIMALS
BEHAVIOR
BIRDS
COMMUNICATIONS
DATA TRANSMISSION
DESIGN
DIET
ELECTRICAL EQUIPMENT
EQUIPMENT
HABITAT
MAMMALS
PREDATOR-PREY INTERACTIONS
RESEARCH PROGRAMS
TELEMETRY
VERTEBRATES