@article{maurer_v. cove_siegal_lashley_2022, title={Urbanization affects the behavior of a predator-free ungulate in protected lands}, volume={222}, ISSN={["1872-6062"]}, DOI={10.1016/j.landurbplan.2022.104391}, abstractNote={Natural habitats have been converted to urban areas across the globe such that many landscapes now represent matrices of developed and protected lands. As urbanization continues to expand, associated pressures on wildlife will increase, including effects on animals in adjacent protected habitats. For prey species (e.g., ungulates), an understanding of the ecological impacts of urbanization is typically confounded by coincident effects from co-occurring predators. Yet, understanding how urbanization affects prey behaviors in the absence of predators is becoming increasingly relevant as many top predators face extirpation. We placed camera traps at varying distances from urban areas within protected areas in the Florida Keys, USA, to evaluate the influence of urbanization on the behavior of the key deer (Odocoileus virginianus clavium), an endangered species that has been without non-human mammalian predators for ∼ 4000 years. We predicted that as distance to urban areas decreased, key deer would use sites at the same rate, exhibit bigger group sizes, and shift activity patterns to be more nocturnal. Our results indicate that intensity of site use decreased with proximity to urban areas, potentially reflecting human avoidance. Group size increased closer to urban areas, consistent with other studies relating this behavior to anthropogenic subsidies and vigilance for humans. Activity patterns changed but did not become more nocturnal near urban areas as predicted by global analyses relating human disturbance to wildlife nocturnality. Our results have important implications for ungulate behavioral ecology and, taken together, suggest that influences on protected species from adjacent land uses are an important consideration when planning land use and designing protected areas.}, journal={LANDSCAPE AND URBAN PLANNING}, author={Maurer, Andrew S. and V. Cove, Michael and Siegal, Olivia M. and Lashley, Marcus A.}, year={2022}, month={Jun} }
 @article{jacobs_lashley_cove_2021, title={Fawn Counts and Adult Female Site Use Are Mismatched Indicators of Habitat Quality in an Endangered Deer}, volume={13}, ISSN={["1424-2818"]}, DOI={10.3390/d13020092}, abstractNote={Many ungulates are spotted as neonates. This trait is unique to individuals, making their identification feasible from remote cameras. Key deer (Odocoileus virginianus clavium) are an endangered subspecies of white-tailed deer endemic to the lower Florida Keys, U.S.A. Habitat loss and hunting were historical drivers of population decline but recent studies report positive associations of key deer with urbanization. Using opposing camera traps at 56 sites throughout the National Key Deer Refuge on Big Pine Key, we used spot patterns to uniquely identify and estimate fawn abundance with N-mixture models. We further compared those inferences to models informed by adult doe counts to see how well tracking adult females alone corresponded with fawn habitat associations. Our results indicated that fawn abundance was negatively associated with increasing elevation and human trails, contrary to models based on adult female observations alone. The lowest elevations where fawns were most abundant were associated with dense wetland plant communities, which were likely selected for thermal cover and warrant further investigation given that those areas are most vulnerable to sea-level rise. Our methods showcase the utility of identifying neonates from camera trap photos and draw attention to possible misaligned inferences when tracking adult females in isolation.}, number={2}, journal={DIVERSITY-BASEL}, author={Jacobs, Julia G. and Lashley, Marcus A. and Cove, Michael V}, year={2021}, month={Feb} }
 @article{willis_schnake_deperno_lashley_wetzstein_yow_2021, title={Tree encroachment impacts on seed predator selection and seedling establishment in degraded pine woodlands}, volume={24}, ISSN={1402-2001 1654-109X}, url={http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/avsc.12570}, DOI={10.1111/avsc.12570}, abstractNote={Abstract}, number={1}, journal={Applied Vegetation Science}, publisher={Wiley}, author={Willis, John L. and Schnake, David K. and DePerno, Christopher S. and Lashley, Marcus A. and Wetzstein, Branson and Yow, Justin}, editor={Acosta, Alicia Teresa RosarioEditor}, year={2021}, month={Jan} }
 @article{chitwood_lashley_higdon_deperno_moorman_2020, title={Raccoon Vigilance and Activity Patterns When Sympatric with Coyotes}, volume={12}, ISSN={1424-2818}, url={http://dx.doi.org/10.3390/d12090341}, DOI={10.3390/d12090341}, abstractNote={Nonconsumptive effects of predators potentially have negative fitness consequences on prey species through changes in prey behavior. Coyotes (Canis latrans) recently expanded into the eastern United States, and raccoons (Procyon lotor) are a common mesocarnivore that potentially serve as competitors and food for coyotes. We used camera traps at baited sites to quantify vigilance behavior of feeding raccoons and used binomial logistic regression to analyze the effects of social and environmental factors. Additionally, we created raccoon and coyote activity patterns from the camera trap data by fitting density functions based on circular statistics and calculating the coefficient of overlap (Δ). Overall, raccoons were vigilant 46% of the time while foraging at baited sites. Raccoons were more vigilant during full moon and diurnal hours but less vigilant as group size increased and when other species were present. Raccoons and coyotes demonstrated nocturnal activity patterns, with coyotes more likely to be active during daylight hours. Overall, raccoons did not appear to exhibit high levels of vigilance. Activity pattern results provided further evidence that raccoons do not appear to fear coyotes, as both species were active at the same time and showed a high degree of overlap (Δ = 0.75) with little evidence of temporal segregation in activity. Thus, our study indicates that nonconsumptive effects of coyotes on raccoons are unlikely, which calls into question the ability of coyotes to initiate strong trophic cascades through some mesocarnivores.}, number={9}, journal={Diversity}, publisher={MDPI AG}, author={Chitwood, M. Colter and Lashley, Marcus A. and Higdon, Summer D. and DePerno, Christopher S. and Moorman, Christopher E.}, year={2020}, month={Sep}, pages={341} }
 @article{michel_strickland_demarais_belant_kautz_duquette_beyer_chamberlain_miller_shuman_et al._2020, title={Relative reproductive phenology and synchrony affect neonate survival in a nonprecocial ungulate}, volume={34}, ISSN={0269-8463 1365-2435}, url={http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/1365-2435.13680}, DOI={10.1111/1365-2435.13680}, abstractNote={Abstract}, number={12}, journal={Functional Ecology}, publisher={Wiley}, author={Michel, Eric S. and Strickland, Bronson K. and Demarais, Stephen and Belant, Jerrold L. and Kautz, Todd M. and Duquette, Jared F. and Beyer, Dean E., Jr and Chamberlain, Michael J. and Miller, Karl V. and Shuman, Rebecca M. and et al.}, editor={Crocker, DanielEditor}, year={2020}, month={Sep}, pages={2536–2547} }
 @article{willis_schnake_wetzstein_yow_guinto_ulrich_deperno_lashley_2019, title={Seed depredation negates the benefits of midstory hardwood removal on longleaf pine seedling establishment}, volume={27}, ISSN={["1526-100X"]}, DOI={10.1111/rec.12951}, abstractNote={Midstory hardwoods are traditionally removed to restore longleaf pine on fire‐excluded savannas. However, recent evidence demonstrating midstory hardwood facilitation on longleaf pine seedling survival has brought this practice into question on xeric sites. Also, midstory hardwoods could facilitate longleaf pine seedling establishment, as hardwood litter may conceal seeds from seed predators or improve micro‐environmental conditions for seedling establishment. However, little is known about these potential mechanisms. In this study, we tracked longleaf pine seed depredation and germination in artificially seeded plots (11 seeds/m2) in a factorial design fully crossing hardwood retention or removal with vertebrate seed predator access or exclusion in the Sandhills Ecoregion of North Carolina, U.S.A. Seed depredation averaged 78% across treatments and was greatest in unexcluded plots. Hardwood retention did not affect seed depredation. Longleaf pine averaged 3.6 germinants/4 m2 across treatments, and was six times more abundant where vertebrates had been excluded. Hardwood removal had a strong positive effect on seedling germination, likely due to the removal of litter, but only when vertebrates were excluded. Our results indicated midstory hardwoods are not facilitating longleaf pine seedling establishment. Nevertheless, our results indicated that hardwood removal may not increase longleaf pine seedling establishment, as seed depredation diminished the effectiveness of hardwood removal under mast seed availability. Collectively, these results demonstrate the underlying complexity of the longleaf pine ecosystem, and suggest that planting may need to be part of the restoration strategy on sites where seed depredation limits longleaf pine natural regeneration.}, number={5}, journal={RESTORATION ECOLOGY}, author={Willis, John L. and Schnake, David K. and Wetzstein, Branson and Yow, Justin and Guinto, Daniel and Ulrich, Stacy and DePerno, Christopher S. and Lashley, Marcus A.}, year={2019}, month={Sep}, pages={1064–1072} }
 @article{chitwood_lashley_kilgo_cherry_conner_vukovich_ray_ruth_warren_deperno_et al._2017, title={Are camera surveys useful for assessing recruitment in white-tailed deer?}, volume={2017}, ISSN={0909-6396 1903-220X}, url={http://dx.doi.org/10.2981/wlb.00178}, DOI={10.2981/wlb.00178}, abstractNote={Camera surveys commonly are used by managers and hunters to estimate white‐tailed deer Odocoileus virginianus density and demographic rates. Though studies have documented biases and inaccuracies in the camera survey methodology, camera traps remain popular due to ease of use, cost‐effectiveness, and ability to survey large areas. Because recruitment is a key parameter in ungulate population dynamics, there is a growing need to test the effectiveness of camera surveys for assessing fawn recruitment. At Savannah River Site, South Carolina, we used six years of camera‐based recruitment estimates (i.e. fawn:doe ratio) to predict concurrently collected annual radiotag‐based survival estimates. The coefficient of determination (R2) was 0.445, indicating some support for the viability of cameras to reflect recruitment. We added two years of data from Fort Bragg Military Installation, North Carolina, which improved R2 to 0.621 without accounting for site‐specific variability. Also, we evaluated the correlation between year‐to‐year changes in recruitment and survival using the Savannah River Site data; R2 was 0.758, suggesting that camera‐based recruitment could be useful as an indicator of the trend in survival. Because so few researchers concurrently estimate survival and camera‐based recruitment, examining this relationship at larger spatial scales while controlling for numerous confounding variables remains difficult. Future research should test the validity of our results from other areas with varying deer and camera densities, as site (e.g. presence of feral pigs Sus scrofa) and demographic (e.g. fawn age at time of camera survey) parameters may have a large influence on detectability. Until such biases are fully quantified, we urge researchers and managers to use caution when advocating the use of camera‐based recruitment estimates.}, number={1}, journal={Wildlife Biology}, publisher={Wildlife Biology}, author={Chitwood, M. Colter and Lashley, Marcus A. and Kilgo, John C. and Cherry, Michael J. and Conner, L. Mike and Vukovich, Mark and Ray, H. Scott and Ruth, Charles and Warren, Robert J. and DePerno, Christopher S. and et al.}, year={2017}, month={Jan}, pages={wlb.00178} }
 @article{chitwood_lashley_sherrill_sorenson_deperno_moorman_2017, title={Macroarthropod response to time-since-fire in the longleaf pine ecosystem}, volume={391}, ISSN={["1872-7042"]}, DOI={10.1016/j.foreco.2017.02.038}, abstractNote={Fire is an important disturbance worldwide, and literature supports the use of prescribed fire to restore and maintain fire-dependent ecosystems. However, fire could alter the abundance and persistence of some arthropods, in turn influencing vertebrate taxa that depend on those arthropods as a food source. We used replicated prescribed fire treatments to evaluate macroarthropod response to time-since-fire in the fire-maintained longleaf pine (Pinus palustris) ecosystem. We sampled macroarthropod assemblages using vinyl gutter pitfall traps for 5 consecutive days in each month of the study (May-August 2014) in each replicate burn block. We identified macroarthropods to Order and dried and weighed the samples to determine biomass (g) of all taxa detected. We focused our analyses on 4 macroarthropod taxa important as food for wild turkey (Meleagris gallopavo): Araneae, Coleoptera, Hymenoptera, and Orthoptera. We used standard least squares regression to evaluate the effect of time-since-fire on total biomass of the 4 Orders (and we also evaluated those Orders independently). The analysis indicated that time-since-fire had no effect (p = 0.2616) on combined biomass of these 4 taxa. Analyzing the 4 Orders separately, biomass of Araneae (p = 0.0057) and Orthoptera (p = 0.0004) showed significant effects of time-since-fire, while Coleoptera (p = 0.9465) and Hymenoptera (p = 0.1175) did not. Parameter estimates (Araneae = 0.0084; SE = 0.0029; Orthoptera = 0.0137; SE = 0.0036) indicated that greater time-since-fire resulted in greater biomass for those 2 Orders. Overall, time-since-fire did not appear to have substantial effects on macroarthropod biomass. However, responses by Araneae and Orthoptera provided evidence that longer time-since-fire may result in greatest levels of biomass for some taxa. Our results indicate the use of frequent prescribed fire to restore and maintain longleaf forests is unlikely to pose risks to overall macroarthropod biomass, particularly if heterogeneity in fire frequency and spatial extent occurs on the landscape.}, journal={FOREST ECOLOGY AND MANAGEMENT}, author={Chitwood, M. Colter and Lashley, Marcus A. and Sherrill, Brandon L. and Sorenson, Clyde and DePerno, Christopher S. and Moorman, Christopher E.}, year={2017}, month={May}, pages={390–395} }
 @article{jones_cove_lashley_jackson_2016, title={Do coyotes Canis latrans influence occupancy of prey in suburban forest fragments?}, volume={62}, ISSN={["1674-5507"]}, DOI={10.1093/cz/zov004}, abstractNote={Abstract With the extirpation of apex predators from many North American systems, coyotes Canis latrans have become the de facto top predator and are ubiquitous members of most ecosystems. Keystone predators aid in maintaining ecosystem function by regulating the mammal community through direct predation and instilling the landscape of fear, yet the value of coyotes regulating systems to this capacity is understudied and likely variable across environments. Since coyotes are common in the Midwestern United States, we utilized camera traps and occupancy analyses to assess their role in regulating the distribution of mammalian herbivores in a fragmented suburban ecosystem. Forest cover was a strong positive predictor of white-tailed deer Odocoileus virginianus detection, while coyote occurrence had a negative effect. Coyotes exerted a negative effect on squirrel (Sciurus spp.) and eastern cottontail rabbit Sylvilagus floridanus occurrence, while urban cover was a positive predictor for the prey species’ occurrence. These results suggest all 3 species behaviorally avoid coyotes whereby deer seek denser forest cover and squirrels and cottontails mitigate risk by increasing use of urban areas. Although previous studies reveal limited influence of coyote on the rest of the carnivore guild in suburban systems, we suggest coyotes play an important role in regulating the herbivorous mammals and hence may provide similar ecological benefits in urban/suburban forest fragments through trophic cascades. Furthermore, since hunting may not be allowed in urban and suburban habitats, coyotes might also serve as the primary regulator of nuisance species occurring at high abundance such as white-tailed deer and squirrels.}, number={1}, journal={CURRENT ZOOLOGY}, author={Jones, Brandon M. and Cove, Michael V. and Lashley, Marcus A. and Jackson, Victoria L.}, year={2016}, month={Feb}, pages={1–6} }
 @article{prince_chitwood_lashley_deperno_moorman_2016, title={Resource selection by southeastern fox squirrels in a fire-maintained forest system}, volume={97}, ISSN={["1545-1542"]}, DOI={10.1093/jmammal/gyv210}, abstractNote={Abstract}, number={2}, journal={JOURNAL OF MAMMALOGY}, author={Prince, Annemarie and Chitwood, M. Colter and Lashley, Marcus A. and DePerno, Christopher S. and Moorman, Christopher E.}, year={2016}, month={Apr}, pages={631–638} }
 @article{stevenson_chitwood_lashley_pollock_swingen_moorman_deperno_2016, title={Survival and Cause-Specific Mortality of Coyotes on a Large Military Installation}, volume={15}, ISSN={["1938-5412"]}, DOI={10.1656/058.015.0307}, abstractNote={Abstract 
 Canis latrans (Coyote) recently expanded into the southeastern United States, creating ecologically novel interactions with other species. However, relatively few studies have examined vital rates of southeastern Coyotes or estimated vital rates where individuals are protected from hunting and trapping. In 2011, we captured and attached GPS radiocollars to 31 Coyotes at Fort Bragg Military Installation, NC, where Coyote harvest was restricted. We used a 12-month period (February 2011–January 2012) and known-fate modeling in Program MARK to estimate annual survival. Model-selection results indicated the time-varying model (S[t]) was the most parsimonious model, and. annual survival was 0.80 (95% CI = 0.60–0.91). We documented 7 mortalities, including 2 from vehicles, 2 from offsite trapping, and 3 from unknown causes. Estimated Coyote survival rates at Fort Bragg were similar to most other estimates from the southeastern US. Anthropogenic causes of mortality were important even though hunting and trapping were restricted locally.}, number={3}, journal={SOUTHEASTERN NATURALIST}, author={Stevenson, Elizabeth R. and Chitwood, M. Colter and Lashley, Marcus A. and Pollock, Kenneth H. and Swingen, Morgan B. and Moorman, Christopher E. and DePerno, Christopher S.}, year={2016}, month={Sep}, pages={459–466} }
 @article{chitwood_lashley_kilgo_pollock_moorman_deperno_2015, title={Do Biological and Bedsite Characteristics Influence Survival of Neonatal White-Tailed Deer?}, volume={10}, ISSN={1932-6203}, url={http://dx.doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0119070}, DOI={10.1371/journal.pone.0119070}, abstractNote={Coyotes recently expanded into the eastern U.S. and potentially have caused localized white-tailed deer population declines. Research has focused on quantifying coyote predation on neonates, but little research has addressed the potential influence of bedsite characteristics on survival. In 2011 and 2012, we radiocollared 65 neonates, monitored them intensively for 16 weeks, and assigned mortality causes. We used Program MARK to estimate survival to 16 weeks and included biological covariates (i.e., sex, sibling status [whether or not it had a sibling], birth weight, and Julian date of birth). Survival to 16 weeks was 0.141 (95% CI = 0.075-0.249) and the top model included only sibling status, which indicated survival was lower for neonates that had a sibling. Predation was the leading cause of mortality (35 of 55; 64%) and coyotes were responsible for the majority of depredations (30 of 35; 86%). Additionally, we relocated neonates for the first 10 days of life and measured distance to firebreak, visual obstruction, and plant diversity at bedsites. Survival of predation to 10 days (0.726; 95% CI = 0.586-0.833) was weakly associated with plant diversity at bedsites but not related to visual obstruction. Our results indicate that neonate survival was low and coyote predation was an important source of mortality, which corroborates several recent studies from the region. Additionally, we detected only weak support for bedsite cover as a covariate to neonate survival, which indicates that mitigating effects of coyote predation on neonates may be more complicated than simply managing for increased hiding cover.}, number={3}, journal={PLOS ONE}, publisher={Public Library of Science (PLoS)}, author={Chitwood, M. Colter and Lashley, Marcus A. and Kilgo, John C. and Pollock, Kenneth H. and Moorman, Christopher E. and DePerno, Christopher S.}, editor={Roca, Alfred L.Editor}, year={2015}, month={Mar}, pages={e0119070} }
 @article{chitwood_swingen_lashley_flowers_palamar_apperson_olfenbutte_moorman_depernol_2015, title={PARASITOLOGY AND SEROLOGY OF FREE-RANGING COYOTES (CANIS LATRANS) IN NORTH CAROLINA, USA}, volume={51}, ISSN={["1943-3700"]}, DOI={10.7589/2015-01-002}, abstractNote={Abstract Coyotes (Canis latrans) have expanded recently into the eastern US and can serve as a source of pathogens to domestic dogs (Canis lupus familiaris), livestock, and humans. We examined free-ranging coyotes from central North Carolina, US, for selected parasites and prevalence of antibodies against viral and bacterial agents. We detected ticks on most (81%) coyotes, with Amblyomma americanum detected on 83% of those with ticks. Fifteen (47%) coyotes were positive for heartworms (Dirofilaria immitis), with a greater detection rate in adults (75%) than juveniles (22%). Serology revealed antibodies against canine adenovirus (71%), canine coronavirus (32%), canine distemper virus (17%), canine parvovirus (96%), and Leptospira spp. (7%). We did not detect antibodies against Brucella abortus/suis or Brucella canis. Our results showed that coyotes harbor many common pathogens that present health risks to humans and domestic animals and suggest that continued monitoring of the coyote's role in pathogen transmission is warranted.}, number={3}, journal={JOURNAL OF WILDLIFE DISEASES}, author={Chitwood, M. Colter and Swingen, Morgan B. and Lashley, Marcus A. and Flowers, James R. and Palamar, Maria B. and Apperson, Charles S. and Olfenbutte, Colleen and Moorman, Christopher E. and DePernol, Christopher S.}, year={2015}, month={Jul}, pages={664–669} }
 @article{lashley_chitwood_harper_moorman_deperno_2015, title={Poor soils and density-mediated body weight in deer: forage quality or quantity?}, volume={21}, ISSN={["1903-220X"]}, DOI={10.2981/wlb.00073}, abstractNote={Cervid studies have demonstrated body weight and lactation may be limited in areas with poor‐quality soils, with the underlying mechanism often attributed to poor forage quality resulting from poor soil quality. However, if highly nutritious foods are produced but in limited quantities, selective foraging may alleviate nutritional stressors associated with poor soil productivity when adequate quantities of high‐quality forage are obtained. We tested whether poor soil productivity limits forage from being high quality or conversely limits the abundance of high‐quality forages. To do so, we determined whether nutrient concentrations in selected and non‐selected forages on our poor soil study site met the nutritional requirements of lactating white‐tailed deer Odocoileus virginianus assuming adequate amounts of forage are obtained. Also, we compared body weight of yearling males at a high density (13–17 deer km‐2) and low density (3–5 deer km‐2), because previous studies concluded soils on the study site were too poor for morphometrics (e.g. body weight) to be density‐mediated. Deer selected plant species from each of five forage classes that would meet their nutritional requirements (i.e. assuming adequate forage intake) but also selected for different nutrients across forage classes. Phosphorus was limited in most forages, but deer selected forages that met P‐requirements 10 times more than expected. We demonstrated body weight was 7.3% greater when deer density was low than high. Contrary to previous reports from poor productivity soil regions, deer on our study site should be able to meet lactation requirements when the quantity of high‐quality forage is not limiting, and similarly body weight should be density‐mediated. Hence, management strategies that alter the amount of forage per animal (i.e. decreasing animal density and/or increasing forage abundance) are viable options to promote desirable ungulate morphometrics in poor soil regions.}, number={4}, journal={WILDLIFE BIOLOGY}, author={Lashley, Marcus A. and Chitwood, M. Colter and Harper, Craig A. and Moorman, Chris E. and DePerno, Chris S.}, year={2015}, month={Aug}, pages={213–219} }
 @article{lashley_chitwood_kays_harper_deperno_moorman_2015, title={Prescribed fire affects female white-tailed deer habitat use during summer lactation}, volume={348}, ISSN={0378-1127}, url={http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.foreco.2015.03.041}, DOI={10.1016/j.foreco.2015.03.041}, abstractNote={Prescribed fire commonly is used to manage habitat for white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus). Although the effects of fire on forage availability for deer have been studied, how female deer use burned areas is not well known, particularly as it relates to fire season and the years-since-fire. We used GPS tracking data from 16 adult female white-tailed deer to assess the effects of fire season and years-since-fire on habitat use during summer lactation. Females selected unburned drainages and older (>1 yr-since-fire) burned areas, and avoided recently burned areas. Individuals with a greater percentage of their summer core area burned expanded the size of their summer home range but did not change summer core area size. Furthermore, summer core area site fidelity (i.e., % overlap between 2011 and 2012 core areas) decreased as the percentage of the 2011 summer core area burned in 2012 increased. Female deer increased selection of burned areas as years-since-fire increased, likely because there was a temporary loss of cover immediately following fire with plants slowly regenerating the subsequent growing seasons. Likewise, to avoid areas depleted of cover, females shifted their core areas away from recent burns when possible but increased their core area size when burned areas were unavoidable (i.e., a large portion of their home range was burned). Burning large contiguous areas may initially have a negative effect on female deer during lactation because of the depletion of cover.}, journal={Forest Ecology and Management}, publisher={Elsevier BV}, author={Lashley, Marcus A. and Chitwood, M. Colter and Kays, Roland and Harper, Craig A. and DePerno, Christopher S. and Moorman, Christopher E.}, year={2015}, month={Jul}, pages={220–225} }
 @article{chitwood_lashley_kilgo_moorman_deperno_2015, title={White-Tailed Deer Population Dynamics and Adult Female Survival in the Presence of a Novel Predator}, volume={79}, ISSN={["1937-2817"]}, DOI={10.1002/jwmg.835}, abstractNote={ABSTRACT}, number={2}, journal={JOURNAL OF WILDLIFE MANAGEMENT}, author={Chitwood, Michael C. and Lashley, Marcus A. and Kilgo, John C. and Moorman, Christopher E. and Deperno, Christopher S.}, year={2015}, month={Feb}, pages={211–219} }
 @article{chitwood_lashley_moorman_deperno_2014, title={Confirmation of Coyote Predation on Adult Female White-tailed Deer in the Southeastern United States}, volume={13}, ISSN={["1938-5412"]}, DOI={10.1656/058.013.0316}, abstractNote={Abstract The recent expansion of Canis latrans (Coyote) into the eastern United States has generated interest among wildlife managers because of the potential impacts on Odocoileus virginianus (White-tailed Deer) populations. Coyotes have been reported as predators of adult and neonate White-tailed Deer in some parts of their range, but recent studies in the Southeast have documented only Coyote predation on neonates. We report 4 confirmed Coyote predation events on adult female White-tailed Deer that were radiocollared, implanted with vaginal implant transmitters, monitored every 4–8 hours, and apparently healthy. Field necropsies confirmed killing-bite wounds to the upper throat and base of the mandible, and feeding behavior on the carcasses was consistent with what has been observed for Coyotes. Further, we used swabs from bite wounds to confirm the presence of predator DNA, and the 3 carcasses that were swabbed tested positive for the presence of Coyote DNA. To our knowledge, our results represent the first scientifically documented Coyote predations on adult female White-tailed Deer in the Southeast.}, number={3}, journal={SOUTHEASTERN NATURALIST}, author={Chitwood, M. Colter and Lashley, Marcus A. and Moorman, Christopher E. and DePerno, Christopher S.}, year={2014}, month={Sep}, pages={N30–N32} }
 @article{chitwood_phillips_whisnant_tyndall_lashley_deperno_2014, title={Serum Leptin as an Indicator of Fat Levels in White-tailed Deer (Odocoileus virginianus) in the Southeastern USA}, volume={50}, ISSN={["1943-3700"]}, DOI={10.7589/2013-08-223}, abstractNote={Abstract Leptin is a hormone that plays a key role in regulating energy intake, appetite, and metabolism. In some mammals, leptin has been shown to circulate at levels proportional to body fat, which could make it useful for nonlethal evaluation of body condition. Leptin's usefulness for estimating fat levels (i.e., body condition) of white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus) is unknown. We quantified serum leptin concentrations in a sample of free-ranging, female deer collected in July 2008 and March 2009 from coastal North Carolina, USA. We compared leptin concentrations with kidney fat index, femur marrow fat index, and kidney fat mass. Additionally, we assessed differences in leptin concentrations between the two seasons, lactating and nonlactating females, and gestating and nongestating females. Leptin concentrations were similar between seasons but were lower in lactating and gestating females. We did not detect significant relationships between leptin and the body fat metrics, indicating that leptin may have limited value for estimating fat reserves in white-tailed deer.}, number={4}, journal={JOURNAL OF WILDLIFE DISEASES}, author={Chitwood, M. Colter and Phillips, Shannon P. and Whisnant, Scott and Tyndall, James and Lashley, Marcus A. and DePerno, Christopher S.}, year={2014}, month={Oct}, pages={887–890} }
 @article{lashley_chitwood_prince_elfelt_kilburg_deperno_moorman_2014, title={Subtle effects of a managed fire regime: A case study in the longleaf pine ecosystem}, volume={38}, ISSN={["1872-7034"]}, DOI={10.1016/j.ecolind.2013.11.006}, abstractNote={Land managers often use fire prescriptions to mimic intensity, season, completeness, and return interval of historical fire regimes. However, fire prescriptions based on average historical fire regimes do not consider natural stochastic variability in fire season and frequency. Applying prescribed fire based on averages could alter the relative abundance of important plant species and structure. We evaluated the density and distribution of oak (Quercus spp.) and persimmon (Diospyros virgiana) stems and mast after 22 yr of a historical-based growing-season fire prescription that failed to consider the variability in historical fire regimes. We randomly established 30 25-m transects in each of 5 vegetation types and counted reproductively mature oak and persimmon stems and their fruits. In upland longleaf pine (Pinus palustris) stands, this fire regime killed young hardwood trees, thereby decreasing compositional and structural heterogeneity within the upland pine vegetation type and limiting occurrence of the upland hardwood vegetation type. Acorns and persimmons were disproportionately distributed near firebreaks within low intensity fire transition zones. Mast was maintained, though in an unnatural distribution, as a result of an elaborate firebreak system. Our data indicate managed fire regimes may fail to mimic spatial distribution, frequency, and intensity of historical disturbances even when the fire prescription is based on empirical reference fire regimes. To maximize structural heterogeneity and conserve key ecosystem functionality, fire prescriptions should include variations in frequency, season, application method, and fire weather conditions rather than focusing on an average historical fire regime.}, journal={ECOLOGICAL INDICATORS}, author={Lashley, Marcus A. and Chitwood, M. Colter and Prince, Annemarie and Elfelt, Morgan B. and Kilburg, Eric L. and DePerno, Christopher S. and Moorman, Christopher E.}, year={2014}, month={Mar}, pages={212–217} }
 @article{chitwood_lashley_moorman_deperno_2014, title={Vocalization Observed in Starving White-tailed Deer Neonates}, volume={13}, ISSN={["1938-5412"]}, DOI={10.1656/058.013.0202}, abstractNote={Abstract 
 We observed loud, frequent vocalizations by 5 Odocoileus virginianus (White-tailed Deer) neonates that ultimately died of starvation due to abandonment. We did not observe this behavior by other neonates, regardless of survival or cause of mortality. Thus, we believe that neonate vocalization could serve as a useful field indicator of abandonment. Additionally, estimates of predation rates may be inflated because they are masking high rates of undetected abandonment.}, number={2}, journal={SOUTHEASTERN NATURALIST}, author={Chitwood, M. Colter and Lashley, Marcus A. and Moorman, Christopher E. and DePerno, Christopher S.}, year={2014}, month={Jun}, pages={N6–N8} }
 @article{lashley_chitwood_biggerstaff_morina_moorman_deperno_2014, title={White-Tailed Deer Vigilance: The Influence of Social and Environmental Factors}, volume={9}, ISSN={1932-6203}, url={http://dx.doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0090652}, DOI={10.1371/journal.pone.0090652}, abstractNote={Vigilance behavior may directly affect fitness of prey animals, and understanding factors influencing vigilance may provide important insight into predator-prey interactions. We used 40,540 pictures taken withcamera traps in August 2011 and 2012to evaluate factors influencing individual vigilance behavior of white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus) while foraging at baited sites. We used binary logistic regression to determine if individual vigilance was affected by age, sex, and group size. Additionally, we evaluated whether the time of the day,moon phase,and presence of other non-predatorwildlife species impacted individual vigilance. Juveniles were 11% less vigilant at baited sites than adults. Females were 46% more vigilant when fawns were present. Males and females spent more time feeding as group size increased, but with each addition of 1 individual to a group, males increased feeding time by nearly double that of females. Individual vigilance fluctuated with time of day andwith moon phase but generally was least during diurnal and moonlit nocturnal hours, indicating deer have the ability to adjust vigilance behavior to changing predation risk associated with varyinglight intensity.White-tailed deer increased individual vigilance when other non-predator wildlife were present. Our data indicate that differential effects of environmental and social constraints on vigilance behavior between sexes may encourage sexual segregation in white-tailed deer.}, number={3}, journal={PLoS ONE}, publisher={Public Library of Science (PLoS)}, author={Lashley, Marcus A and Chitwood, M. Colter and Biggerstaff, Michael T. and Morina, Daniel L. and Moorman, Christopher E. and DePerno, Christopher S.}, editor={Moreira, NeiEditor}, year={2014}, month={Mar}, pages={e90652} }