Young professional development: Mammalian and herptofauna inventory of the Z Bar Ranch with notes on natural history

Young professional development: Mammalian and herptofauna inventory of the Z Bar Ranch with notes on natural history
Principle Investigators
  • Dr. Keith Geluso, University of Nebraska Kearney
  • Dr. Carter Kruse, Turner Institute of Ecoagriculture
Rationale.

Small mammal and herptofaunal communities are often overlooked and under-studied on the landscape, including Turner Ranches.  Dr. Keith Geluso, an instructor in the Biology Program at University of Nebraska Kearney has a passion for and track record of mentoring young (undergraduate) professionals through field experience.  This effort was a collaboration between the Institute and the University to build and develop the skillsets of young professionals interested in careers in biology and ecology through work on field projects.  These projects targeted basic surveys and natural history observations of small mammal and herptofaunal communities across Turner Ranches.  This inventory and natural history work will not only provide an understanding of which species reside on the ranches, seasonality in which they occur and reproduce, and habitats used by them, but also result in student-led publications and presentations as part of their professional development as young scientists.

Outcomes.

 Six undergraduate students conducted several small inventory and natural history-related projects on Turner Ranches in Kansas and Nebraska from 2021-2025.  These projects included observations on the use of soapweed yucca by rodents; vertebrate use of muskrat structures; submergence behavior by box turtles; mortalities of grassland herptofauna during prescribed fires; great horned owl predation on free-tailed bats; as well as other projects.  These students have published 15 scientific papers and notes to date, as well as presented their findings at 15 different scientific conferences.  Several of these undergraduate students have gone on to graduate school.

  • Bajelan, J.L., K. Geluso, C. Kruse, and M.J. Harner.  2022. Natural History Notes: Chrysemys picta (Painted Turtle) and Chelydra serpentina (Snapping Turtle) interspecific basking.  Herpetological Review 53:666.   

  • Mittman, N.D., K. Geluso, C. Kruse, and M.J. Harner.  2023.  Vertebrate use of muskrat (Ondatra zibethicus) structures in wetlands of the Nebraska Sandhills.  Western North American Naturalist 83:462-471. 

  • Paysen, J.W., C. Kruse, and K. Geluso.  2023. Foraging behaviors of watersnakes (Nerodia) and garter-snakes (Thamnophis) at a drying pond in southern Kansas.  Prairie Naturalist 55:143-151. 

  • Smith, M.J., J.W. Paysen, C. Kruse, and K. Geluso. 2023. Natural History Notes: Thamnophis Proximus (Western Ribbonsnake). Diet.  Herpetological Review 54:500. 

  • Smith, M.J., J.W. Paysen, C. Kruse, and K. Geluso.  2023.  Natural History Notes: Coluber (Masticophis) flagellum (Coachwhip). Diet and Scavenging.  Herpetological Review 54:679. 

  • Smith, M.J., J.W. Paysen, C. Kruse, and K. Geluso.  2023. Natural History Notes: Lampropeltis holbrooki (Speckled Kingsnake).  Diet and scavenging.  Herpetological Review 54:687. 

  • Kosmicki, D.V., J.W. Paysen, C. Kruse, and K. Geluso.  2024.  Submergence behavior for female ornate box turtles (Terrapene ornata) in June from southern Kansas.  Western North American Naturalist 84:528-534. 

  • Kosmicki, D.V., J.W. Paysen, C. Kruse, and K. Geluso.  2024. Geographic Distribution: Nerodia rhombifer (Diamond-backed watersnake).  Comanche, Co. KS.  Herpetological Review 55:220. 

  • Paysen, J.W., M.J. Smith, C. Kruse, and K. Geluso.  2024. Natural History Notes: Thamnophis sirtalis (Common Gartersnake). Diet.  Herpetological Review 55:125. 

  • Paysen, J.W., M.J. Smith, C. Kruse, and K. Geluso.  2024. Natural History Notes: Nerodia rhombifer (Diamond-backed Watersnake). Diet.  Herpetological Review 55:122. 

  • Paysen, J.W., M.J. Smith, C. Kruse, and K. Geluso.  2024. Geographic Distribution: Pseudacris clarkia (Spotted Chorus Frog): Woods Co., OK.  Herpetological Review 55:216. 

  • Paysen, J.W., C. Kruse, and K. Geluso.  2024. Geographic Distribution: Tropidoclonion lineatum (Lined Snake): Woods Co., OK. Herpetological Review 55:522-523. 

  • Kosmicki, D.V., C.G. Kruse, and K. Geluso.  2025.  Great horned owl (Bubo virginianus) predation on Brazilian free-tailed bats (Tadarida brasiliensis) and insects in northern Oklahoma.  Western North American Naturalist 85:677-682. 

  • Paysen, J.W., P.M. Huss, J.C. Cooper, L.J. Bernal, C. Kruse, and K. Geluso.  2025.  Terrestrial gartersnake (Thamnophis elegans) consuming a western meadow vole (Microtus drummondii) in the Sangre de Cristo Mountains of New Mexico.  Transactions of the Nebraska Academy of Sciences 45:139-141. 

  • Smith, M.J., J.W. Paysen, D.V. Kosmicki, C. Kruse, and K. Geluso.  2025. Mortalities of grassland herpetofauna in warm season prescribed fires. Prairie Naturalist 57:50-59. 

varied
amphibians, habitat, reptiles, small mammals, survey/inventory
Nebraska Kearney
Geluso, Kruse
Ongoing
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