Craig Stihler - Academia.edu (original) (raw)

Papers by Craig Stihler

Research paper thumbnail of Long‐term changes in occurrence, relative abundance, and reproductive fitness of bat species in relation to arrival of White‐nose Syndrome in West Virginia, USA

Research paper thumbnail of Area occupancy and detection probabilities of the Virginia northern flying squirrel (Glaucomys sabrinus fuscus) using nest-box surveys

The Virginia northern flying squirrel (Glaucomys sabrinus fuscus) is a disjunct northern flying s... more The Virginia northern flying squirrel (Glaucomys sabrinus fuscus) is a disjunct northern flying squirrel subspecies that occurs in the Allegheny Mountains portion of the central Appalachians in east-central and extreme northwestern Virginia south of the species' continuous distribution on the North American continent (Wells-Gosling and Heaney 1984). Along with the endangered Carolina northern flying squirrel (G. s. coloratus), which occurs in the Blue Ridge Mountains portion of the southern Appalachians, the Virginia northern flying squirrel is an arboreal, cavitynesting, and hypogeal fungal-feeding specialist largely restricted to red spruce (Picea rubens) and red sprucenorthern hardwood forest communities at higher elevations (>900 m) (Ford et al. 2004). The Virginia northern flying squirrel was listed as endangered by the U.

Research paper thumbnail of Status of and Potential Impacts to the Freshwater Bivalves (Unionidae) in Patterson Creek, West Virginia

Northeastern Naturalist, 2001

Research paper thumbnail of Cellular Slime Molds in West Virginia Caves including Notes on the Occurrence and Distribution of Dictyostelium rosarium

Mycologia, 1992

... In what ap-parently represents the only published study of CSM in caves, Waddell (1982) repor... more ... In what ap-parently represents the only published study of CSM in caves, Waddell (1982) reported the dis-covery of a new species, Dictyostelium caveatum Waddell, Raper, & Rahn, in Blanchard Springs Cavern in Arkansas. ... Arbogasta Tucker 790 Hb Greenbrier Limestone ...

Research paper thumbnail of Developing a habitat model for the endangered Virginia northern flying squirrel (Glaucomys sabrinus fuscus) in the Allegheny Mountains of West Virginia

We examined occurrence patterns and habitat data for the Virginia northern flying squirrel (Glauc... more We examined occurrence patterns and habitat data for the Virginia northern flying squirrel (Glaucomys sabrinus fuscus) in the central Appalachian Mountains of West Virginia, USA with the intent to develop a habitat model. Topographic conditions (elevation, landform index, surface ...

Research paper thumbnail of Frequent Arousal from Hibernation Linked to Severity of Infection and Mortality in Bats with White-Nose Syndrome

PLoS ONE, 2012

White-nose syndrome (WNS), an emerging infectious disease that has killed over 5.5 million hibern... more White-nose syndrome (WNS), an emerging infectious disease that has killed over 5.5 million hibernating bats, is named for the causative agent, a white fungus (Geomyces destructans (Gd)) that invades the skin of torpid bats. During hibernation, arousals to warm (euthermic) body temperatures are normal but deplete fat stores. Temperature-sensitive dataloggers were attached to the backs of 504 free-ranging little brown bats (Myotis lucifugus) in hibernacula located throughout the northeastern USA. Dataloggers were retrieved at the end of the hibernation season and complete profiles of skin temperature data were available from 83 bats, which were categorized as: (1) unaffected, (2) WNS-affected but alive at time of datalogger removal, or (3) WNS-affected but found dead at time of datalogger removal. Histological confirmation of WNS severity (as indexed by degree of fungal infection) as well as confirmation of presence/absence of DNA from Gd by PCR was determined for 26 animals. We demonstrated that WNS-affected bats aroused to euthermic body temperatures more frequently than unaffected bats, likely contributing to subsequent mortality. Within the subset of WNS-affected bats that were found dead at the time of datalogger removal, the number of arousal bouts since datalogger attachment significantly predicted date of death. Additionally, the severity of cutaneous Gd infection correlated with the number of arousal episodes from torpor during hibernation. Thus, increased frequency of arousal from torpor likely contributes to WNS-associated mortality, but the question of how Gd infection induces increased arousals remains unanswered.

Research paper thumbnail of Status of and Potential Impacts to the Freshwater Bivalves (Unionidae) in Patterson Creek, West Virginia

Northeastern Naturalist, 2001

Research paper thumbnail of Intraspecific comparison of population structure, genetic diversity, and dispersal among three subspecies of Townsend’s big-eared bats, Corynorhinus townsendii townsendii, C. t. pallescens, and the endangered C. t. virginianus

Conservation Genetics, 2009

Townsend's big-eared bat, Corynorhinus townsendii, is distributed broadly across western North Am... more Townsend's big-eared bat, Corynorhinus townsendii, is distributed broadly across western North America and in two isolated, endangered populations in central and eastern United States. There are five subspecies of C. townsendii; C. t. pallescens, C. t. australis, C. t. townsendii, C. t. ingens, and C. t. virginianus with varying degrees of concern over the conservation status of each. The aim of this study was to use mitochondrial and microsatellite DNA data to examine genetic diversity, population differentiation, and dispersal of three C. townsendii subspecies. C. t. virginianus is found in isolated populations in the eastern United States and was listed as endangered under the Endangered Species Act in 1979. Concern also exists about declining populations of two western subspecies, C. t. pallescens and C. t. townsendii. Using a comparative approach, estimates of the genetic diversity within populations of the endangered subspecies, C. t. virginianus, were found to be significantly lower than within populations of the two western subspecies. Further, both classes of molecular markers revealed significant differentiation among regional populations of C. t. virginianus with most genetic diversity distributed among populations. Genetic diversity was not significantly different between C. t. townsendii and C. t. pallescens. Some populations of C. t. townsendii are not genetically differentiated from populations of C. t. pallescens in areas of sympatry. For the western subspecies gene flow appears to occur primarily through male dispersal. Finally, geographic regions representing significantly differentiated and genetically unique populations of C. townsendii virginianus are recognized as distinct evolutionary significant units.

Research paper thumbnail of Developing a habitat model for the endangered Virginia northern flying squirrel (Glaucomys sabrinus fuscus) in the Allegheny Mountains of West Virginia

Biological Conservation, 2001

We examined occurrence patterns and habitat data for the Virginia northern flying squirrel (Glauc... more We examined occurrence patterns and habitat data for the Virginia northern flying squirrel (Glaucomys sabrinus fuscus) in the central Appalachian Mountains of West Virginia, USA with the intent to develop a habitat model. Topographic conditions (elevation, landform index, surface ...

Research paper thumbnail of Predation by the Caddisfly Banksiola dossuaria on Egg Masses of the Spotted Salamander Ambystoma maculatum

American Midland Naturalist, 1992

... AND CRAIG W. STIHLER Department of Natural Resources, PO Box 67, Elkins, West Virginia 26241 ... more ... AND CRAIG W. STIHLER Department of Natural Resources, PO Box 67, Elkins, West Virginia 26241 ... Early instar Banksiola crotchi Banks fed mostly on algae in Marion Lake, British Columbia, but switched entirely to animal tissue during the final instar (Winterbourne, 1977). ...

Research paper thumbnail of Disease alters macroecological patterns of North American bats

Global Ecology and Biogeography, 2015

We investigated the effects of disease on the local abundances and distributions of species at co... more We investigated the effects of disease on the local abundances and distributions of species at continental scales by examining the impacts of white-nose syndrome, an infectious disease of hibernating bats, which has recently emerged in North America.

Research paper thumbnail of Long‐term changes in occurrence, relative abundance, and reproductive fitness of bat species in relation to arrival of White‐nose Syndrome in West Virginia, USA

Research paper thumbnail of Area occupancy and detection probabilities of the Virginia northern flying squirrel (Glaucomys sabrinus fuscus) using nest-box surveys

The Virginia northern flying squirrel (Glaucomys sabrinus fuscus) is a disjunct northern flying s... more The Virginia northern flying squirrel (Glaucomys sabrinus fuscus) is a disjunct northern flying squirrel subspecies that occurs in the Allegheny Mountains portion of the central Appalachians in east-central and extreme northwestern Virginia south of the species' continuous distribution on the North American continent (Wells-Gosling and Heaney 1984). Along with the endangered Carolina northern flying squirrel (G. s. coloratus), which occurs in the Blue Ridge Mountains portion of the southern Appalachians, the Virginia northern flying squirrel is an arboreal, cavitynesting, and hypogeal fungal-feeding specialist largely restricted to red spruce (Picea rubens) and red sprucenorthern hardwood forest communities at higher elevations (>900 m) (Ford et al. 2004). The Virginia northern flying squirrel was listed as endangered by the U.

Research paper thumbnail of Status of and Potential Impacts to the Freshwater Bivalves (Unionidae) in Patterson Creek, West Virginia

Northeastern Naturalist, 2001

Research paper thumbnail of Cellular Slime Molds in West Virginia Caves including Notes on the Occurrence and Distribution of Dictyostelium rosarium

Mycologia, 1992

... In what ap-parently represents the only published study of CSM in caves, Waddell (1982) repor... more ... In what ap-parently represents the only published study of CSM in caves, Waddell (1982) reported the dis-covery of a new species, Dictyostelium caveatum Waddell, Raper, & Rahn, in Blanchard Springs Cavern in Arkansas. ... Arbogasta Tucker 790 Hb Greenbrier Limestone ...

Research paper thumbnail of Developing a habitat model for the endangered Virginia northern flying squirrel (Glaucomys sabrinus fuscus) in the Allegheny Mountains of West Virginia

We examined occurrence patterns and habitat data for the Virginia northern flying squirrel (Glauc... more We examined occurrence patterns and habitat data for the Virginia northern flying squirrel (Glaucomys sabrinus fuscus) in the central Appalachian Mountains of West Virginia, USA with the intent to develop a habitat model. Topographic conditions (elevation, landform index, surface ...

Research paper thumbnail of Frequent Arousal from Hibernation Linked to Severity of Infection and Mortality in Bats with White-Nose Syndrome

PLoS ONE, 2012

White-nose syndrome (WNS), an emerging infectious disease that has killed over 5.5 million hibern... more White-nose syndrome (WNS), an emerging infectious disease that has killed over 5.5 million hibernating bats, is named for the causative agent, a white fungus (Geomyces destructans (Gd)) that invades the skin of torpid bats. During hibernation, arousals to warm (euthermic) body temperatures are normal but deplete fat stores. Temperature-sensitive dataloggers were attached to the backs of 504 free-ranging little brown bats (Myotis lucifugus) in hibernacula located throughout the northeastern USA. Dataloggers were retrieved at the end of the hibernation season and complete profiles of skin temperature data were available from 83 bats, which were categorized as: (1) unaffected, (2) WNS-affected but alive at time of datalogger removal, or (3) WNS-affected but found dead at time of datalogger removal. Histological confirmation of WNS severity (as indexed by degree of fungal infection) as well as confirmation of presence/absence of DNA from Gd by PCR was determined for 26 animals. We demonstrated that WNS-affected bats aroused to euthermic body temperatures more frequently than unaffected bats, likely contributing to subsequent mortality. Within the subset of WNS-affected bats that were found dead at the time of datalogger removal, the number of arousal bouts since datalogger attachment significantly predicted date of death. Additionally, the severity of cutaneous Gd infection correlated with the number of arousal episodes from torpor during hibernation. Thus, increased frequency of arousal from torpor likely contributes to WNS-associated mortality, but the question of how Gd infection induces increased arousals remains unanswered.

Research paper thumbnail of Status of and Potential Impacts to the Freshwater Bivalves (Unionidae) in Patterson Creek, West Virginia

Northeastern Naturalist, 2001

Research paper thumbnail of Intraspecific comparison of population structure, genetic diversity, and dispersal among three subspecies of Townsend’s big-eared bats, Corynorhinus townsendii townsendii, C. t. pallescens, and the endangered C. t. virginianus

Conservation Genetics, 2009

Townsend's big-eared bat, Corynorhinus townsendii, is distributed broadly across western North Am... more Townsend's big-eared bat, Corynorhinus townsendii, is distributed broadly across western North America and in two isolated, endangered populations in central and eastern United States. There are five subspecies of C. townsendii; C. t. pallescens, C. t. australis, C. t. townsendii, C. t. ingens, and C. t. virginianus with varying degrees of concern over the conservation status of each. The aim of this study was to use mitochondrial and microsatellite DNA data to examine genetic diversity, population differentiation, and dispersal of three C. townsendii subspecies. C. t. virginianus is found in isolated populations in the eastern United States and was listed as endangered under the Endangered Species Act in 1979. Concern also exists about declining populations of two western subspecies, C. t. pallescens and C. t. townsendii. Using a comparative approach, estimates of the genetic diversity within populations of the endangered subspecies, C. t. virginianus, were found to be significantly lower than within populations of the two western subspecies. Further, both classes of molecular markers revealed significant differentiation among regional populations of C. t. virginianus with most genetic diversity distributed among populations. Genetic diversity was not significantly different between C. t. townsendii and C. t. pallescens. Some populations of C. t. townsendii are not genetically differentiated from populations of C. t. pallescens in areas of sympatry. For the western subspecies gene flow appears to occur primarily through male dispersal. Finally, geographic regions representing significantly differentiated and genetically unique populations of C. townsendii virginianus are recognized as distinct evolutionary significant units.

Research paper thumbnail of Developing a habitat model for the endangered Virginia northern flying squirrel (Glaucomys sabrinus fuscus) in the Allegheny Mountains of West Virginia

Biological Conservation, 2001

We examined occurrence patterns and habitat data for the Virginia northern flying squirrel (Glauc... more We examined occurrence patterns and habitat data for the Virginia northern flying squirrel (Glaucomys sabrinus fuscus) in the central Appalachian Mountains of West Virginia, USA with the intent to develop a habitat model. Topographic conditions (elevation, landform index, surface ...

Research paper thumbnail of Predation by the Caddisfly Banksiola dossuaria on Egg Masses of the Spotted Salamander Ambystoma maculatum

American Midland Naturalist, 1992

... AND CRAIG W. STIHLER Department of Natural Resources, PO Box 67, Elkins, West Virginia 26241 ... more ... AND CRAIG W. STIHLER Department of Natural Resources, PO Box 67, Elkins, West Virginia 26241 ... Early instar Banksiola crotchi Banks fed mostly on algae in Marion Lake, British Columbia, but switched entirely to animal tissue during the final instar (Winterbourne, 1977). ...

Research paper thumbnail of Disease alters macroecological patterns of North American bats

Global Ecology and Biogeography, 2015

We investigated the effects of disease on the local abundances and distributions of species at co... more We investigated the effects of disease on the local abundances and distributions of species at continental scales by examining the impacts of white-nose syndrome, an infectious disease of hibernating bats, which has recently emerged in North America.