Special Publications
Proceedings of the Second Symposium on Southeastern Fox Squirrels, Sciurus niger N. D. Moncrief, J. W. Edwards, and P. A. Tappe, Editors
In the 1980s, research on the biology and management of southeastern fox squirrels increased substantially. This increased research activity prompted John W. Edwards and Philip A. Tappe to organize the Southeastern Fox Squirrel Study Group, which met at Clemson University in August 1990 and 1992. Nancy D. Moncrief, VMNH Curator of Mammals, collaborated with them in 1992 to edit this volume and compile the abstracts. VMNH Special Publication Number 1 is a collection of peer-reviewed manuscripts that provides a comprehensive overview of southeastern fox squirrel biology. The subject areas are diverse, ranging from nomenclature to aging techniques, and reflect the diverse interests of the study group. Amphibians and Reptiles of Assateague and Chincoteague Islands Joseph C. Mitchell and John M. Anderson
This book provides information on some of the islands' most secretive inhabitants, the amphibians and reptiles. Each of the seven species of amphibians and eighteen species of reptiles can be readily identified using the keys, color photographs, and descriptions in this book. Many interesting aspects of their biology are summarized in highly readable form. Within these pages we discover why the islands are inhabited by far fewer species than are known to occupy the Delmarva mainland. We also learn about measures proposed to insure their long-term conservation, and how to observe these animals in their natural habitats. This book is the only source available that provides a window into the biology and ecology of two fascinating groups of animals on these barrier islands. About the Authors Joseph C. Mitchell is an adjunct professor of environmental and conservation biology at the University of Richmond and is a research associate of the Virginia Museum of Natural History. He is the author of The Reptiles of Virginia (Smithsonian Institution Press, 1994). John M. Anderson, a curatorial assistant at the Virginia Museum of Natural History, participated in a herpetological survey of Assateague Island funded by the National Park Service Scale Insects of Northeastern North America: Identification, Biology, and Distribution Michael Kosztarab
Both adult sexes and immature stages are described for all of the 254 species of this group occurring from Virginia to Newfoundland and west to the Mississippi River, with information on general biology, host plants and parasite/predator species. Four separate indices provide quick access to both the insects and their host plants. Introductory chapters discuss collection and preparation of material for study, and suggestions for control of economically important species Developing Staff Resources for Managing Collections Edited by Paisley S. Cato, R. Robert Waller, Llyn Sharp, John Simmons, Stephen L. William
Institutions are facing increased pressures to provide services with decreasing resources and increasing accountability. Similarly, pressures and trends both within institutions and society are causing the field of collections management to evolve rapidly. To meet their responsibilities for collections management, institutions must plan strategically for professional development of staff involved in the collection management system. Recognizing this, the Canadian Museum of Nature and the Virginia Museum of Natural History implemented a project to establish a framework for developing staff resources for collections management. The result of this project as reported in this publication include a clarification of the knowledge and skills required for collection management as well as recommendations to address professional development needs of the institution and its staff. Tiger Beetles C. Barry Knisley and Tom D. Schultz
This richly illustrated book provides a comprehensive review of research on the natural history, systematics, behavior, physiology, ecology, and conservation of tiger beetles. The authors draw upon past and recent studies and their own extensive research experience to provide a synthesis of current knowledge on tiger beetle biology. Moreover, they apply this knowledge to a detailed description of the rich fauna of the south Atlantic coastal states (Delaware to Georgia); a region where tiger beetle populations have been little studied but heavily affected by change. Accounts of 30 species include descriptions (with color photos), adult and larval habitats, distributions (with maps and county records), and extensive summaries of what is known about the biology of each species. A key to the species is provided as well as methods for collecting, preserving, studying, and caring for both larval and adult tiger beetles. Ecology and Evolutionary Biology of Tree Squirrels Edited by Michael A. Steele, Joseph F. Merritt, and David A. Zegers
Proceedings of the Appalachian Biogeography Symposium Edited by Ralph P. Eckerlin
25 chapters describing the distribution, ecology, and evolution of plants and animals in the Appalachian mountains. The Symposium was held at Virginia Polytechnic and State University in June, 1995. Building on the foundation provided by a series of symposia convened 1969-1976 on The Distributional History of the Biota of the Southern Appalachians, these contributions provided new knowledge of the flora and fauna of this region as well as new information gained from the recent application of methodologies not included in the previous volumes. Checklist of the Millipeds of North and Middle America By Richard Hoffman
Checklist of the Millipeds of North and Middle America by VMNH curator of Recent Invertebrates Dr. Richard Hoffman, provides a complete summary of 2,167 species considered valid. It not only incorporates the numerous taxonomic innovations of the past 30 years, but presents complete bibliographic information on the nearly equal number of names provisionally considered to be invalid synonyms. Each entry encapsulates data about original description, major subsequent changes in status or affiliation, location of type material, brief statements of distribution, and references to published maps. Those species of still-uncertain status are grouped under specific categories, often with hints concerning their possible identities. Special Publication #9 - To be Published Identification of Waterfowl Breastbones and Avian Osteology (Sterna) of North American Anseriformes By David W. Oates, Ed D. Boyd, and Jennifer S. Ramaekers
Morphological features of duck breastbones provide a means for identification to genus, and certain measurements and observations may allow for further identification to the species level. In an attempt to identify duck breastbones, observations were made on over 2,300 specimens, of which 1,350 were actually measured and morphological characteristics tables created (Appendix). To assist field and museum personnel, a dichotomus key, along with an identification table, were prepared (Figure 11). A Classification and Checklist of the Genus Psudanophthalmus Jeannel (Coleoptera: Carabidae: Trechinae) Thomas C. Barr, Jr.
A Field Guide to Moths of Eastern North America By Charles V. Covell, Jr.
The Hispine Beetles of America North of Mexico (Chrysomelidae: Cassidinae) C. L. Staines
A key is presented to the 14 genera and 74 species and subspecies of hispines (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae: Cassidinae) known to occur in America north of Mexico. Each genus and species is described and illustrated. The known larvae are described and the known biology is summarized. Baliosus ferrugineus from Arizona and Microrhopala inermis from British Columbia, Montana, and Oregon, are described as new. Sumitrosis arnetti Butte is synonymized with S. inaequalis (Weber); Microrhopala rubrolineata signaticollis LeConte, M. rubrolineata militaris Van Dyke, and M. rubrolineata vulnerata Horn are synonymized under M. rubrolineata (Mannerheim). The holotype of Platocthispa lateritia (Smith) has been located making the neotype designation of Staines (1997) invalid. Pentispa morio (Fabricius) is reported from the United States for the first time. Geology and Paleontology of the Lee Creek Mine, North Carolina, IV Edited by Clayton E. Ray, David J. Bohaska, Irina A. Koretsky, Lauck W. Ward, and Lawrence G. Barnes
The Lee Creek series of four volumes describes the spectacular array of fossils found at that site. Lee Creek I illustrates the microfossils; Lee Creek II addresses the larger invertebrates; and Lee Creek III is a study of the lower vertebrates, fish, sharks, and reptiles. Lee Creek IV (VMNH Special Publication 14) is a study by ten different authors of marine and terrestrial mammals found at the site. Included are the whales, porpoises, walruses, seals, and land mammals such as cats, bears, camels, tapirs, horses, and mastodons. This is a massive work consisting of eight chapters with hundreds of illustrations of these vertebrates. One chapter includes an illustrated key to the index invertebrates that enable the age of the vertebrates to be determined. A chart illustrating all of the 12 fossil-bearing strata in the pit in their stratigraphic (age) order is included. No paleontological site on the Atlantic Coastal Plain or east of the Mississippi has received as much study and attention as the Lee Creek Mine near Aurora, North Carolina. Proceedings of the 14th International Bryozoology Association Conference, Boone, North Carolina, July 1-8, 2007 Edited by Steven J. Hageman, Marcus M. Key Jr., and Judith E. Winston
This volume contains thirty-six papers from the presentations at the 14th International Conference of the International Bryozoology Association, held at Appalachian State University, Boone, North Carolina, July 1-6, 2007. Nestled in a valley in the Blue Ridge Mountains, the picturesque town of Boone has been a center for bryozoan studies for the last 40 years. First Ken McKinney and now Steve Hageman have been paleontology faculty at Appalachian State University (ASU), making Boone a most appropriate (and, for some attendees, exotic) site for an IBA conference. This superb conference was hosted by Steve Hageman and enjoyed by some 70 scientists from 25 different countries. Conference host Steve Hageman thanks, especially, Wendy May and Beth Higley, Office of Conference and Institutes and Lauri Miller, Department of Geology at Appalachian State University for their hard work in ensuring that everything ran smoothly. Edited by Steven M. Roble and Joseph C. Mitchell
Richard Hoffman is a native Virginian who has devoted most of his life to the natural history of Virginia and the southern Appalachians, while also earning an international reputation as the leading authority on the world's milliped fauna. He has published 485 scholarly papers and books, and more than 50 popular articles on such diverse taxa as millipeds, amphibians, reptiles, worms, mollusks, arachnids, beetles, and true bugs. He has described more than 600 new taxa and has had nearly 50 taxa named in his honor. Prior to his retirement on April 1, 2009, Dr. Hoffman served as the Curator of Recent Invertebrates at the Virginia Museum of Natural History for 20 years. In celebration of his 80th birthday and career achievements, numerous colleagues, coworkers, friends, and family participated in a symposium and banquet at the museum on September 22, 2007. This collection of 32 papers from 41 authors on four continents is representative of Hoffman's broad taxonomic interests, and includes species ranging from salamanders, millipeds, centipeds, and crustaceans to insects, plants, and fossil mammals. Descriptions are presented for one new genus and 32 new species, 11 of which are named in honor of Hoffman. Several of these species occupy highly threatened habitats and are potentially threatened with extinction. |
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