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Papers by barbara Tigar

Annals of The Entomological Society of America, May 1, 2004

Prostephanus truncatus (Horn) is an important insect pest on stored maize, Zea mays L., and cassa... more Prostephanus truncatus (Horn) is an important insect pest on stored maize, Zea mays L., and cassava, Manihot esculenta Crantz, in Africa, but weekly pheromone-baited trap catches in West and East Africa exceeding 1000 individuals suggest that this insect is also well established in nonagricultural areas. The magnitude of pheromone-baited trap catches on the African continent emphasizes the importance of looking into the nonagricultural hosts of P. truncatus, because "wild" P. truncatus populations may be a threat to nearby food storage systems. In this study, we used a combination of 1) laboratory no-choice rearing tests on forest branches, roots, and seeds; 2) a behavioral experiment; 3) a review of published studies on the spatial ecology and host range of P. truncatus; and 4) a comparison of estimated P. truncatus production from potential forest hosts with the magnitude of pheromone trap catches, to discuss the possible role of different hosts in the P. truncatus ecology in West Africa. In no-choice tests, we evaluated the ability of P. truncatus to attack and reproduce on 1) fresh branches from 26 plant species, 2) dry branches from 13 species, 3) fresh roots from 18 species, 4) dry roots from two species, and 5) seeds from four species. Heavy attacks occurred on fresh branches from 11 tree species and fresh roots from four tree species. High reproductive rate was found on branches from four species and on roots from two species, and P. truncatus reproduction was also observed on teak, Tectona grandis Linn. F., seeds. We provided rough estimates of P. truncatus populations from different forest hosts and compared them with the spatial distribution pattern and the magnitude of pheromone-baited trap catches in a West African forest. The results from this study underscored the importance of further research into the possible role of girdled branches of Lannea nigritana (Sc. Elliot) Keay (Anacardiaceae), forest seeds, and roots in the P. truncatus ecology in West Africa.

Animal Biodiversity and Conservation, 2018

Jaguar (Panthera onca) and puma (Puma concolor) diets in Quintana Roo, Mexico. A study was carrie... more Jaguar (Panthera onca) and puma (Puma concolor) diets in Quintana Roo, Mexico. A study was carried out for two years in Northwest Quintana Roo, México, using scat analysis to determine the diet and prey preferences of pumas and jaguars. Cat species and gender were determined using molecular techniques (rapid classificatory protocol: polymerise chain reaction, RCP-PCR), and prey abundance was estimated from camera trapping. The scats contained remains from 16 wild mammal species, but there was no evidence of livestock or other taxa. The diet breadths of jaguar (0.32) and puma (0.29) indicated a high degree of prey specialization, which combined with their dietary overlap (Pianka index 0.77) suggested competition between them. However, both felids showed a preference for red brocket deer Mazama temama, and frequently consumed collared peccaries Pecari tajacu. The importance of such large ungulates in the felids' diets is similar to the expected patterns of wild meat consumption in rural areas of the Northern Yucatan Peninsula. Therefore, future conservation management plan initiatives should involve local rural communities in the management of sustainable hunting, considering these ungulates are also the felid prey species.

Animal Biodiversity and Conservation, 2019

Temporal overlap in the activity of Lynx rufus and Canis latrans and their potential prey in the ... more Temporal overlap in the activity of Lynx rufus and Canis latrans and their potential prey in the Pico de Orizaba National Park, Mexico. Species of the same trophic guild are thought to coexist through their differential use of resources, including food, space and time. Time understood as the pattern of activity is highly dynamic. Fourteen camera-traps were set up in the Pico de Orizaba National Park and active for 12 months. Frequency histograms were used to analyze their activity patterns (AP) and a coefficient of overlap (Δ) was used to determine the temporal overlap between two predators, Lynx rufus and Canis latrans, and the predators and their potential prey. A sampling effort of 5,110 traps/night obtained 217 independent records of L. rufus (45), C. latrans (27) and eight potential prey species (145). The predators were cathemeral and four potential prey mainly lagomorphs and rodents were nocturnal. The temporal overlap between the predators Δ = 0.80, and the highest overlap between predators and prey were for C. latrans and rodents (Δ = 0.80), and L. rufus and lagomorphs (Δ = 0.58), with differences between the degree of overlap in dry and rainy seasons. The cathemeral habits of the predators likely increase their likelihood of hunting success, particularly for prey with variable activity patterns. The APs support information on dietary breadth and the differential use of resources and temporal differences as strategies for coexisting predators, continually adapting to a highly dynamic and changing environment.

Ecography, Dec 1, 1997

... was among the first 1988) Temporal vanability may also be marked, occur-to descnbe the ecolog... more ... was among the first 1988) Temporal vanability may also be marked, occur-to descnbe the ecology of the United Arab Emirates nng ... nr Saprinus chalciles 0 14% Scarabaeus chr is talus Fabnaus 0 11% Aphodius spp 0 20% Apentanodes/Arthrodibius 0 70% Akis elevata Koch 0 ...

Journal of Arid Environments, Oct 1, 1999

Insects were sampled with a light-trap at five desert sites for 2 years around each new moon. The... more Insects were sampled with a light-trap at five desert sites for 2 years around each new moon. The total catch contained 90,001 invertebrates, and their abundance followed an annual cycle with lower catches during the cooler winter and extreme heat of summer. Lepidoptera and Coleoptera were especially numerous, and the latter contributed'46% biomass (dry weight) captured. There were significant differences in invertebrate abundance and diversity between trapping sites. Although these trends were similar to those observed for ground-dwelling invertebrates at the same sites, relationships were not strong. The mobility of aerial insects may enable them to exploit habitats too arid for some ground-dwelling species. Flying insects form a significant part of the desert community and should be included in biodiversity studies.

Animal Biodiversity and Conservation, 2020

The biological ranges of the jaguar (Panthera onca) and puma (Puma concolor) overlap in the Yucat... more The biological ranges of the jaguar (Panthera onca) and puma (Puma concolor) overlap in the Yucatan Peninsula, corresponding to the most important population of jaguars in Mexico. The goal of this study in the El Eden Ecological Reserve (EER) was to investigate the factors that permit these two predators to coexist in the dense vegetation of medium–stature tropical forest and secondary forest in the north–eastern Yucatan Peninsula. We assessed their spatial and temporal overlap using Pianka’s index, and evaluated their habitat use by applying occupancy models. A total sampling effort of 7,159 trap–nights over 4 years produced 142 independent photographic records of jaguars, and 134 of pumas. The felids showed high to very high overlap in their use of different vegetation (0.68–0.99) and trail types (0.63–0.97) and in their activity patterns (0.81–0.90). However, their peak activity patterns showed some temporal separation. Time of day, particularly for peak activity time, was the be...

Ethnobiology Letters, 2020

This study evaluates the relationship between people and birds in Mexico, a country where high cu... more This study evaluates the relationship between people and birds in Mexico, a country where high cultural and biological diversity are reflected in the close associations between people and natural resources, recorded since preHispanic times. It systematically reviews 1041 records of cultural use of wild birds in Mexico published between 1996–2017 and analyzes patterns of contemporary use of avifauna. It classifies information for 252 birds by grouping uses of species and families into 11 categories and quantifies overall use with a Cultural Value Index (CVI). The data show that birds have a high cultural value as food, pets, and for medicinal uses (312, 235, and 119 records, respectively), particularly in the state of Chiapas. Large edible birds had the highest CVIs and included Plain chachalacas (Ortalis vetula; 9.72), Black-bellied whistlingducks (Dendrocygna autumnali; 6.65), Crested guams (Penelope purpurascens; 6.25), and Great currasows (Crax rubra; 6.23), with the Cracidae fam...

Revista Mexicana de Biodiversidad

The study was carried out in a median stature tropical forest in the north of Quintana Roo during... more The study was carried out in a median stature tropical forest in the north of Quintana Roo during 2008, 2010-2012, using camera traps to record activity and habitat use by jaguar and other vertebrates. Spatial and temporal variations in habitat use, activity patterns, and species associations were analyzed using a chi-squared test (x 2). Generalized linear models (GLM) were used to determine which variables influenced the presence of jaguars in the study area. Jaguars were most frequently recorded in acahual (80%) and on roads (66.9%). There were significant differences between years, with selection for particular habitat and trail types in 2008 and 2011 (all χ 2 p <0.001). Jaguars were mainly crepuscular-nocturnal (68.5% records). They showed spatial associations with Meleagris ocellata, Dasypus novemncinctus, Mazama temama, Nasua narica, Odocoileus virginianus, Leopardus pardalis, Didelphis spp., and Pecari tajacu. Generalized linear models based on prey, co-predators, and human activity gave the best fit with jaguar occurrence. The felids responded to environmental changes (hurricanes and fires) by modifying their spatial and temporal use of resources.

Ethnobiology Letters

Research Communica ons decisions, particularly where cultural usage of a species is high (Alves a... more Research Communica ons decisions, particularly where cultural usage of a species is high (Alves and Souto 2015). Wild mammals remain an important and widely used natural resource by indigenous and rural communities (Happold 1995; Alves et al. 2016). They provide a major source of protein, and have many other uses including ornamental, handicraft, medicinal, magical-religious symbolism, pets, trophy hunting, and commercial trading (Alves 2012). The benefits associated with each animal and the methods used to capture it are usually highly valued aspects of traditional cultures and vary with locality and ethnic group (Alves et. al. 2016; Robinson and Bennett 2000). In addition to being associated with benefits, some wild animals have a negative cultural

Journal of Environmental Studies

The application of geochemical screening for tracking insects and other organisms is poorly under... more The application of geochemical screening for tracking insects and other organisms is poorly understood. We explored multi-elemental profiles of an insect pest and its food from different locations in order to identify intrinsic markers of geographic origin. ICP-AES screening was completed for soil, maize grains and Prostephanus truncatus of different geographic origin, with insects collected in the field or reared on maize under controlled conditions. Background level geochemical data are presented with concentrations of Cu, S and Sr in maize, and Al, Ba, Ca, Fe, S, Si, Sr, Ti and Zn in insects differing according to their origin, or that of their food. Cu, Fe and Zn determinations of insects were 20, 6.5 and 11.5 times the concentrations of the maize they were reared on. A Linear Discriminant Analysis (LDA) based on Al, Fe, Sr and Zn successfully assigned 78% of laboratory-reared P. truncatus and 94% of field-caught insects to their origin 2 (68% and 75% respectively after jacknifing). There was excellent discrimination between insects reared on maize from Guanajuato and Nuevo Léon, and Guanajuato and Michoacán, good separation between Sonora and Nuevo Léon but overlap for Sonora, Guanajuato and Michoacán, and Michoacán and Nuevo Léon. The same LDA for field-caught insects gave complete separation between Michoacán and Sonora, but some overlap between Michoacán and Nuevo Léon. This robust ICP-AES technique successfully identified a combination of elements able to classify insects according to their origin. The model was restricted to elements showing a normal distribution but non-parametric tests suggest other elements may act as intrinsic markers. This shows the potential of atomic spectroscopy for remotely tracing insects and other biological materials, with applications including providing provenance data for species routinely captured for surveillance and to track natural enemies and wildlife.

Entomologia Experimentalis et Applicata, 2016

Detecting sources of insects attacking grain stores can help to develop more effective pest manag... more Detecting sources of insects attacking grain stores can help to develop more effective pest management tools. This study considers combinations of chemical elements as intrinsic markers for tracing resource use by Prostephanus truncatus (Horn) (Coleoptera: Bostrichidae), a pest of stored maize (Zea mays L., Poaceae) which occurs in natural environments where alternative hosts may support reservoirs of infestation. Prostephanus truncatus were laboratory-reared on maize or field-caught in pheromone-baited flight-traps. Beetles and hosts were screened for multiple elements using inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectrometry. For elements above detection limits we tested relationships between determinations for various host plants, and for beetles according to environment where captured. An alternative host, Spondias purpurea L. (Anacardiaceae), contained more Al, B, Ca, Cu, Fe, Mg, Si, and Sr than maize, and less P and Zn. In maize and beetles infesting maize, levels of P were similar, but Ca and Mg levels were reversed. Elemental profiles of beetles were associated with environment, with significantly lower Al, Ca, Cu, Cr, Fe, P, S, Si, Sr, Ti, and Zn determinations in maize-reared beetles than in beetles captured in agricultural or natural environments. Additionally, Al, Ba, K, P, Sr, and Ti determinations of field beetles captured in agricultural vs. natural environments were significantly different. This suggests Al, Sr, and Ti as candidate markers for environment, and possibly others as elemental concentrations (except B, Ba, Ni, and P) were significantly different in comparisons of all field-collected vs. maize-reared beetles. We present a robust practical solution which successfully identified combinations of elemental markers for remotely tracing resource-use and dispersal by P. truncatus. We discuss the application of chemical characterisation for identifying intrinsic markers of pests, particularly species with alternative hosts. We discuss how to manage the low replication and unbalanced sample sizes inherent in insect elemental screening, particularly when rarer elements are potential markers.

Pestic Sci, 1989

... Gervais Barbara J. Tigar & David B. Pinniger ... laboratory. The wheat was conveyed by au... more ... Gervais Barbara J. Tigar & David B. Pinniger ... laboratory. The wheat was conveyed by auger into two 20 tonne circular weldmesh/Kraft paper bins (bins 1 and 2) and held in an unheated, open-fronted barn. 2.2 Method of treatment ...

Invasive insects pose a risk to biosecurity and detecting their source supports effective pest ma... more Invasive insects pose a risk to biosecurity and detecting their source supports effective pest management. Elemental and isotopic profiling techniques are increasingly used to verify the origin of biological materials and animals 1. Here, we consider multi-elemental profiles as intrinsic markers of natal origin for a bostrichid beetle, Prostephanus truncatus. Its adult and immature stages can live in different environments consuming different hosts, with woody hosts acting as potential reservoirs of infestation for stored maize 2. The aim of this study was to find unique combinations of biogeochemical markers that identify the resource-use or geographic origin of this insect.

> variation (McCutchan et al., 2003)  Can track dispersal by insects with spatially and isotopic... more > variation (McCutchan et al., 2003)  Can track dispersal by insects with spatially and isotopically distinct diets  Can detect larval isotopic diet in adults Funding: B. Tigar CF-IRMS @ Funding: M. Train