Michael R. Pelton

Muskrats, Ondatra zibethicus, (360) were collected from river and creek study areas in East Tennessee from July, 1972 to June, 1973. Data were recorded on reproductive parameters. Maximum values for testis length and width occurred in August, whereas maxima for testis volume and weight were in May and August, respectively. Evidence indicated that sperm were present in the adult males year-round. Maturation of follicles began in January in adult females; mature follicles were present in late February and March, and the first corpora lutea of pregnancy were found in April. Maximum...

The occurrence and extent of European wild hog (Sus scrofa) rooting at different elevations and vegetation types in the mountains of East Tennessee were studied along trails and roads in three watersheds in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park and in three watersheds in the Tellico Wildlife Management Area, Cherokee National Forest, from April 1971 through March 1972. Rooting was greatest at higher elevations in the wanner months and at lower elevations in the cooler months. The location of rooting in different \\/egetation types appeared to be related to elevational movement in...

Fat from the marrow tissue of the femuf (FMl) of white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus) was found to be a poor standard with which to verify that the fat in the tissue of the mandibular cavity (Men was an indicator of condition. Fat from the tissue of the mandibular cavity (MCT) was found to separate into more distinguishable condition classes than was fat from the femur marrow tissue (FMT). MCT fat appeared to be utilized prior to the utilization of FMT fat. Percent MCT fat was found to vary between the right and left mandibles of the same animal. Animals 2.5 years or older had much...

Nightlight counts and daytime observations were utilized in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park to measure the effects of hemorrhagic disease on a high density white-tailed deer (Odocolieus virginianus) population. Deer utilization of 1,846 acres of pasture in the Cades Cove area appeared to be greatest during February, 1971. Following the availability of spring browse, the number of deer utilizing the pastures stabilized at approximately one deer per ten acres until the die-off. During the period of mortality (August through October) utilization of pastures by deer decreased by 84...

An 88-question survey was conducted on 15 beagle clubs in Tennessee, Club history and membership, lands and enclosures, predator control, cottontail introduction, hahitat management, and field trial management are summarized. Results revealed that clubs expend significant amounts of money annually to perpetuate their sport, continue to introduce large numbers of rabbits, conduct predator control programs, and practice highly varying degrees of habitat management. Characteristics of a "typical" beagle club are described. Based on the club responses an evaluation is made of the relative "...

Between October, 1965 and April, 1968, 446 adult female cottontail rabbits (Sylvilagus fioridanus) were collected from the Mountain, Pied. mont, and Coastal Plain physiographic regions of Georgia. Prevalence of pregnancy and litter sizes were determined from data on dissected specimens. Although average litter size exhibited a peak of 3.53 in April, no significant differences were noted among months. Also, no significant differences in litter sizes were observed among physiographic regions. Data on prevalence of pregnancy revealed a high percentage of pregnant females in March, April, and...

Body weight and basic body measurements were recorded on 395 adult cottontails collected from three physiographic regions in Georgia. Eight different skull measurements were taken on 65 individuals. Little variation was noted in the percentage change of paunched weights as compared to the animals' total body weight. No significant seasonal variations were noted in total body weight. Coastal Plain adults exhibited significantly greater hind foot length, ear length, total length, and body weight than Piedmont or Mountain rabbits. Six of eight Coastal Plain skull measurements were...

Collection of 135 young females revealed a very low incidence of breeding by this segment of the cottontail populations in Georgia. These data question the significance of early adult breeding as a major factor in contributing to a higher incidence of young-of-the-year breeding. The influence of other parameters in the Southeast was suggested; soil fertility and hot, dry summer weather were most significant.

A total of 500 male cottontail rabbits were collected over a two year period from the Coastal Plain, Piedmont, and Mountain physiographic regions of Georgia. Adult testes weight, volume, length, and diameter were recorded, epididymides checked for convolutions and presence of viable sperm, and relative condition of the testes noted as to flaccidity or turgidity and ascended or descended. Regression analysis was performed on young of the year testes growth (volume and weight) and increasing age (eye lens weight). The data revealed that weight and volume were more sensitive indicators of...