IOWA NATURAL HISTORY ASSOCIATION

NEWSLETTER

4 April 2003

SPRING MEETING

The spring meeting of the INHA will be held on Friday, April 25 in conjunction with the Iowa Academy of Science meetings in Des Moines. The meeting will be held at the microbrewery next to the Hotel Ft. Des Moines and the meeting will begin following the Friday evening speaker.

Sylvan Runkel Biography Available

Sylvan T. Runkel: Citizen of the Natural World

Naturalist and teacher Sylvan T. Runkel shared the joys of nature with thousands of Iowans. His stories of the plant and animal “citizens” of our natural communities captivated two generations.

Although Sylvan died in 1995, his legacy endures. He was coauthor of three books: Wildflowers of Iowa Woodlands, Wildflowers of the Tallgrass Prairie, and Wildflowers and Other Plants of Iowa Wetlands. The Runkel-Roosa Scholarship is given by the INHA in honor of Sylvan and Dean M. Roosa, of Ames, who worked with Sylvan on the prairie book, and completed the wetlands book after Sylvan’s death.

A new biography, Sylvan T. Runkel: Citizen of the Natural World, by Larry A. Stone and Jon W. Stravers, will be available at the Iowa Academy of Science meeting April 25-26. Stone will give a presentation on Sylvan Runkel in the conservation section at 9 a.m. on April 26.

The cost of the book is $15, including tax. INHA members who cannot attend the IAS meeting may order in advance, with no additional postage charge. Books will be mailed in late April. After April 30, please add $3 for shipping.

For details, contact Larry A. Stone, 23312 295th St., Elkader, IA 52043, phone

563.245.1517, email lstone@alpinecom.net

PROPOSED LEGISLATION THAT WOULD AFFECT IOWA’S T & E SPECIES LIST

Earlier this week, the Iowa State Senate passed a bill (SF 344) that contains an amendment (Senate Amendment 3121) stating that the Iowa DOT does not have to consider the impact of a potential road project on state endangered species if at least some of the funding comes from federal sources. The DOT would only have to consider state endangered species if state money were the only source of funds for a potential road project. Since the majority of DOT projects have at least some federal funding, in most cases the DOT would not have to consider the impacts of potential road projects on state listed species. This exemption applies only to the DOT and would not affect local projects with state funding or private projects.

SF 344 was originally offered as a way to "improve Iowa's business climate” and included provisions such as placing a cap on damages awarded for pain and suffering in lawsuits and eliminating 13 additional weeks of unemployment, which is automatically granted after a business closes. The original provision in the bill would have amended Section 481.b3, which relates to the Iowa threatened an endangered species list, and would have allowed the state list to include only federally listed species. Thereby, reducing the state list from 238 species to 13 federally listed species.

Lobbyists (for Sierra Club and other organizations) had received assurances earlier that the provision regarding threatened and endangered species was taken out of the bill, but Senator Wieck from NW Iowa (who is also the floor manager for the bill) offered the amendment to address the issue again and include it in the bill.

The bill will now go to the Iowa House of Representatives for debate and a vote and may have a good chance of passing. If you would like to contact your state representative regarding your views on the bill, but do not know who represents your house district, you can find their name at http://www.legis.state.ia.us/

INHA Web Page

Message from Jeff Parmelee: I have been working on an INHA web page
(http://www.simpson.edu/~parmelee/INHA.html).  Please look it over and email any suggestions to me (parmelee@simpson.edu).  Also, I would welcome any images of natural history subjects to include on the page, as my photo collection is heavy on the herps!  Another issue and important part of the page is the membership directory (this needs to be updated!).  Terry has brought up to me the issue of putting contact information on the web.  I personally have no problem including all of my information on there, but if anyone does not want their phone number, address, or anything else on the web page just email me and I will include only the information you want included.

Please email me any changes in your information, any publications to include, natural history links, and your major field of interest so we can have general categories of research.

MUSSEL SYMPOSIUM

Dave Lyon has organized a symposium entitled, "The Natural History, Conservation and
Restoration of Freshwater Mussels in the Upper Midwest" for the IAS meetings this year. The symposium is tentatively scheduled for Friday, April 25 8:00 am - 10:30 am in the Capital Room. If possible, plan to attend.

DECLINE OF GENERALIST SPECIES

At the last INHA meeting, discussion was held concerning the apparent loss of generalist species, from all groups of flora and fauna, in Iowa. Does anyone have any further thoughts on the loss of generalist species? Do we have enough data to make up a list establishing a baseline? Are we able to put forward a small proposal to get enough data to demonstrate that enough of a problem exists that we can obtain big money from the state to look into the question? Jim Christiansen would like everyone to bring their list of species, and any supporting evidence they have, to the spring meeting. If you are unable to attend the meeting, please send the information to Jim.

Jim would also like opinions on the prospect of creating a proposal funded for $20,000 by Global & Regional Environmental Research and $20,000 from The Cooperative Ecosystems Studies Unit, of which, both Drake and ISU are members. That would give us $40,000 to focus on areas where we have clusters of data in the Loess Hills to show trends there and to isolate critical areas in need of help. Please send any thoughts you might have on the subject to Jim at james.christiansen@drake.edu

WETLANDS COMMITTEE

A committee was formed at the last INHA meeting to look at developing a research project and possible funding relating to wetlands in Iowa, specifically wildlife use of created (including farm ponds and mitigation sites) versus restored or natural wetlands, value to T & E species, what works what does not, etc.

The committee has had some discussion on the subject and is still working on a specific research approach. Since the meeting, Kelly Poole has been added to the committee. Kelly is an aquatic ecologist, and mussel expert, with the Iowa DOT’s Wetlands Unit. Terry VanDeWalle works closely with the DOT Wetlands Unit and has had several conversations with Kelly regarding developing a project in conjunction with the Wetlands Unit using DOT mitigation sites as study sites and possible funding. The DOT is enthusiastic about working with the INHA to develop research projects. Kelly recently indicated that some money might be available in the near future to fund a project. The committee is continuing to work with Kelly to develop a project and funding.

FALL MEETING

Even though spring is just arriving, we should start thinking about the fall meeting. The fall meeting is typically held in November, includes an evening speaker and is hosted by an INHA member. We are looking for suggestions for a location to hold the meeting and a possible speaker. If anyone has a suggestion for a speaker or would like to host the meeting, please contact Jim Christiansen. We have not been to UNI for a long time, so maybe someone from up that way would be interested.

INHA Members Current Research, Grants and Publications

Neil Bernstein, Mount Mercy College

Current Research

Ornate box turtle behavior.

Jim Christiansen, Drake University

Grants

Mid America Energy - Monitoring study of the Small Animals of Big Sand Mound. This study involves recapture of turtles marked and recaptured every three years since 1973 south of Muscatine. $15,182.40

Iowa Space Grant Consortium (NASA) Mechanisms of Reptilian Melanomacrophages in combating infection at low temperatures. $10,000.

Studies in Progress

Survey of Wildlife Areas along the Wapsipinicon River in Scott and Clinton Counties.

Senescence in the Yellow Mud Turtle, Kinosternon flavescens.

Recent Publications

Christiansen J.L. and J. Leclere 2002. Nerodia erithrogaster neglecta in Iowa with

comments on ontogenesis of color and pattern. Herpetological Review.

33(2):152-154.

Bill Gilbert, Simpson College

Bill retired at the end of December 2002. He and his wife plan to spend winters in the Seattle area and summers in Nova Scotia where they run the Osprey and the Loon Bed & Breakfast.

Laura Jackson, University of Northern Iowa

Recent Publications
Dana L. Jackson and Laura L. Jackson, editors.  2002.  The Farm as Natural Habitat:

Reconnecting Food Systems with Ecosystems. Island Press: Washington D.C.

Current Research

Ongoing experiment since 1999 on longevity of prairie forbs using permanently marked plants.

Recently completed Masters study with Dave Williams on use of frequent mowing to increase forb diversity in a species-poor grassland.

Steve Johnson, William Penn University

Current Research
An investigation of population dynamics of the state threatened orchid Spiranthes ovalis at Big Rock Park, Pella, Iowa with Dr. Mary Stark, Central College.

A long-term investigation into amphibian die-offs in ponds around Pella Iowa with Melissa Meng, Student at William Penn University.

An investigation of dynamics of ambystoma tigrinum populations in Marion and Mahaska Counties. with Victoria Lewis, student at William Penn University. 

Deb Lewis, Iowa State University

Research Interests
Floristics -- Flora of Iowa (including as collaborator on current projects on the Flora of Hamilton County, Flora and ecology of Bixby State Park and Preserve and Mossy Glen State Preserve)

Revisionary plant taxonomy -- revisions of  Scrophulariaceae, Tribe Gratioleae of North America; Burmanniaceae of North America

Herbarium curation techniques and philosophy -- archival storage and pest control methods; increased utilization of herbaria

Botanical history, especially biographical studies of Iowa botanists
Recent Publications
Lewis, D.Q. and R.O. Pope. 2001. An overview and management plan of Iowa's non-native,

invasive, terrestrial forbs. Journal of the Iowa Academy of Science 108: 116-123.
Norris, W.R., D.Q. Lewis, M.P. Widrlechner, J.D. Thompson and R.O. Pope. 2001. Lessons from

an inventory of the Ames, Iowa, flora (1859-2000). Journal of the Iowa Academy of Science 108: 34-63.

Norris, W.R., M.P. Widrlechner, D.Q. Lewis, J.D. Thompson and R.O. Pope. 2001. More than a

century of change in the Ames, Iowa flora (1859-2000). Journal of the Iowa Academy of Science 108: 124-141.

Welsh, S.L. and D.Q. Lewis. 2001. Duane Isely (1918-2000): A tribute. Journal of the Iowa

Academy of Science 108: 64-69.
Lewis, D.Q. 2001. Ada Hayden: Champion of Iowa prairies. Proceedings of the 17th North

American Prairie Conference 215-219.
Lewis, D.Q. 2002. Burmanniaceae. pp. 486-489. In: Flora of North America, Vol. 26:

Magnoliophyta: Liliidae: Liliales and Orchidales. Flora of North America Editorial Committee, Eds.  Oxford University Press, New York.

David Lyon, Cornell College

David returned last fall from University of Wollongong, Wollongong, New South Wales, Australia where he and Bob Cruden from University of Iowa have been working on a pollination ecology problem involving the genus Grevillea, a member of the Proteaceae virtually unique to Australia.  This was their third trip there in the past 8 years and they now have enough data to analyze.  They are interested in the relationship between stigma size, interflower distance, kind of pollinator, pollen grain size, pollen bearing area on the pollinator and pollen/ovule ratios.  A number of the Grevillea species are rare and highly localized and we hope our findings may be helpful in the conservation of some of these species.

Steve Main, Wartburg College

Steve is spending a sabbatical year (2002-03) analyzing and preparing publications on the diatoms of Hawaii.  So far one manuscript has been submitted and three are in preparation. By next summer, Steve hopes to be ready to tackle a long-postponed analysis of the published algae of Iowa.

David McCullough, Wartburg College

Research Interests

Evolutionary and conservation genetics - By using molecular approaches to answer genetic questions, David hopes to broaden our knowledge of the evolutionary history and genetic structure of natural populations. Understanding the genetic components of population structure allows us to make informed decisions concerning the protection and management of both wild and captive populations of organisms.

Current Research

1. Examination of the effects that intensely managed public green spaces can have on populations of mammals living on or adjacent to them. In many urban and suburban areas, golf courses, along with public parks, provide the only remaining large green spaces available to endemic and migratory wildlife. As such, an understanding of their ecology and how it is managed should provide us with information as to their importance as refugia within regions of declining natural habitat.

2. The effect on fire management regimes on populations of the threatened Bailey's woodrat. This subspecies of the Eastern woodrat is restricted to a narrow region of the Niobrara river valley in N. Central Nebraska. This area has historically been shaped by fires sweeping across the north central and sand-hill mixed grass prairies flanking the valley. Until recently fire has been suppressed in the area. The purpose of this study is to examine the response and adaptation of woodrats to a renewed fire regime and assess any impact fire has on population morbidity and stability.

3. Assessment of public lands for their ability to support stable vertebrate populations. Often times public lands serve as multi-use recreation areas and thus their management can drastically impact natural populations of organisms. This is particularly true for species sensitive to perturbation. Conversely, these public parks and reserves are often times the only adequate habitat for miles around in a severely fragmented ecosystem. Thus, assessment of the role they play in maintaining native populations is critical in our understanding the ecology of such areas and the role they play in modern ecosystems.

Connie Mutel, University of Iowa

Current Project

Working on a book on the environmental history of eastern Iowa, with emphasis on Johnson County. Partially funded by a grant from the University of Iowa's Center for Global and Regional Environmental Research.

Recent Publications

Cornelia F Mutel, "Review of 'The Guide to Iowa's State Preserves' " by Ruth Herzberg and John

Pearson, JIAS 109:42.

Frank Olsen

Current Studies

Study of the butterflies and skippers at the Rock Island State Preserve in Cedar Rapids.

Upcoming Studies

In 2003, a study of moths at a site in Linn County -- a daunting task, since they fly at all times of the night as well as during daytime, and there are ten times as many species of moths as there are butterflies and skippers.

Jeff Parmelee, Simpson College

Research Interests

Jeff enjoys all aspects of natural history, but specializes in the ecology and behavior of amphibians and reptiles. His thesis and dissertation concerned the community ecology of salamanders in southern Illinois and frogs in Peru.

Current Research Projects

Ecology and conservation of the Timber Rattlesnake in Iowa

Scent trailing in snakes

Reproductive behavior of Crawfish frogs

Anatomy of amphibian eggs and larvae

Recent Grants

Iowa Science Foundation Grant (with Paul Frese), Ensuring the survival of a species: the ecology of juvenile timber rattlesnakes (Crotalus horridus) in Iowa. 2002 ($2080)

Maytag Grant for student/faculty research, The ecology and conservation of the timber rattlesnake (Crotalus horridus) in an agricultural landscape. 2001 ($2000).

Iowa Science Foundation Grant (with Paul Frese) ($4701), Iowa Department of Natural Resources Wildlife Diversity Grant (with Paul Frese) ($1425), The ecology and conservation of the timber rattlesnake (Crotalus horridus) in an agricultural landscape. 2001.

Recent Publications

Christiansen, J. L. and J. R. Parmelee. A key to the eggs and nests of Iowa turtles. J. Iowa

Academy of Science. In Prep.

Knutson, M. G., J. E. Lyon, and J. R. Parmelee. 2002. Resources for monitoring pond-breeding

amphibians in the Midwest. USGS publication.

Parmelee, J. R., M. G. Knutson, and J. E. Lyon. 2002. A field guide to amphibian larvae and

eggs of Minnesota, Wisconsin, and Iowa . U.S. Geological Survey, Biological Resources Division, Information and Technology Report USGS/BRD/ITR-2002-004, Washington, D. C. iv + 38pp.

Emerman, S. H. and J. R. Parmelee. 2002. The control of infiltration as a mechanism for the

self-regulation of prairie ecosystems: Preliminary studies at Rolling Thunder

Prairie Preserve, Warren County, Iowa. Proceedings of the 22^nd annual American

Geophysical Union Hydrology Days.

C. R. Bursey, S. R. Goldberg, and J. R. Parmelee. 2001. Helminths of fifty one species of

anurans from Reserva Cuzco Amazónico, Peru. Comp. Parisitol. 68(1):21-35.

Keith Summerville, Drake University

Current Research

Plan to begin an inventory of the moths of Neal Smith National Wildlife Refuge in May 2003. Grants with the Iowa Science Foundation and the National Geographic Society are pending.

Recent Publications

Summerville, K. S., M. J. Boulware, J. A. Veech, and T. O. Crist.  (in press).  Spatial patterns of

lepidopteran biodiversity in eastern deciduous forests and implications for conservation.  Conservation Biology.

Summerville, K. S. and T. O. Crist.  (in press).  Determinants of lepidopteran species diversity

and composition in eastern deciduous forests: roles of season, region, and patch size.  Oikos.

Terry VanDeWalle

Research Interest

Distribution and ecology of amphibians, reptiles and mammals in Iowa

Wetland restoration and mitigation

Current Research

Survey of the amphibians, reptiles, mammals and birds of Rock Island State Preserve in Cedar Rapids.

Radio telemetry study of eastern massasauga rattlesnakes (Sistrurus catenatus catenatus) in northeast Iowa.

Paul Weihe, Central College

Central's Vermeer Science Center construction is nearly complete.  The old building is completely renovated, and with new addition nearly triples previous space.  A number of innovations are incorporated, and we are pleased to welcome interested visitors.

The Biology Department now has a new zoologist, Dr. Russ Benedict, whose research includes various small mammals (especially shrews and bats).

The Biology Department added a new Earth/Environmental Scientist position, filled by Dr. Anya Butt.  She is interested in GIS, geomorphology, and especially water resources.  We are establishing a GIS course and are setting up new computer and earth science labs to
support our new offerings.

Paul has several research interests and would enjoy discussing these with interested colleagues:

1. I would like to sample streams for transport of seeds (hydrochory). I believe this might be an important mechanism for establishment of wetland vegetation, for gene flow, and spread of exotic and other plants/weeds.

2. The Department has a small boat and I am surveying Lake Red Rock to assess its overall functioning.  I am especially curious about the potential affects of Zebra Mussel (Dreissena polymorpha) invasion.  No sign of this mollusk yet, although it has been spotted on at least one boat hull that was about to be put into the Lake.

3. Central has a new study-abroad program in Kenya.  I have been working with a Wildlife Biologist colleague at Moi University there.  We are interested in using modern molecular techniques (DNA amplification and electrophoresis) to assess population ecology/genetics of the Sitatunga (Tragelaphus spekii; Bovidae), an aquatic(!) Antelope.

4. I am still learning midwestern flora/fauna/ecology, and am interested in local natural history, especially plant communities and management. I am Director of the College’s Field Station, and welcome advice on managing our prairie, oldfield, savannah, and pond.

Terry VanDeWalle, Vice-Chair/Secretary