Publications and On-Going Research

On-Going and Future Research

As detailed throughout these web pages, the dynamic nature of the Pinaleno ecosystem requires frequent monitoring. These monitoring efforts chronicle fluctuations in squirrel abundance, food availability, vegetation composition, and weather. In addition, the Red Squirrel Monitoring Program (RSMP) is conducting basic and applied research on various aspects of the Pinaleño ecosystem. Current and future research projects will examine the impacts of introduced Abert's squirrels (Sciurus aberti) in the mountains and assess the mammalian community associated with the nutrient rich middens characteristic of red squirrels in coniferous forests. Furthermore, we endeavor to monitor survival, reproductive performance, and space use of the endangered red squirrels at a fine scale by carefully marking and observing squirrels from a distance and via radio telemetry. These data promise to provide critical insight on the demography and habitat use of Mt. Graham red squirrels in the ever-changing, high elevation forests of the Piñalenos. Revisit our web page for periodic updates on the status of these projects and to download reprints of research articles as they become available. Also visit John L. Koprowski's (Director of the RSMP) personal web page for a list of his current graduate students and their project titles.

Hot off the press!

Sanderson and Koprowski 2009. The Last Refuge of the Mt. Graham Red Squirrel. University of Arizona Press, Tucson, AZ.

click image below to go to University of Arizona press

Publications

Edelman, A. J., J. L. Koprowski, and S. R. Bertelsen. 2009. Potential for nest site competition between native and exotic tree squirrels. Journal of Mammalogy 90: 167-174. PDF of Article

Edelman, A. J. and J. L. Koprowski. 2007. Communal nesting in asocial Abert's squirrels: the role of social thermoregulation and breeding strategy. Ethology 113: 147-154. Contact us for a PDF

Edelman, A. J. and J. L. Koprowski. 2006. Seasonal changes in home ranges of Abert's squirrels: Impact of mating season. Canadian Journal of Zoology 84: 404-411. PDF of Article

Edelman, A. J. and J. L. Koprowski. 2006. Characteristics of Abert's squirrel (Sciurus aberti) cavity nests. The Southwestern Naturalist 51(1): 64-70. PDF of Article

Edelman, A. J. and J. L. Koprowski. 2005. Selection of drey sites by Abert's squirrels in an introduced population. Journal of Mammalogy 86(6): 1220-1226. PDF of Article

Edelman, A. J., J. L. Koprowski, and J. L. Edelman. 2005. Kleptoparasitic behavior and species richness at Mt. Graham red squirrel middens. USDA Forest Service Proceedings RMRS-P-36: 395 - 398. PDF of Article

Edelman, A. J. and J. L. Koprowski. 2005. Diet and tree use of Abert's squirrels (Sciurus aberti) in a mixed-conifer forest. The Southwestern Naturalist 50(4): 461-465. PDF of Article

Harrison, R. L., M. J. Patrick, and C. G. Schmitt. 2003. Foxes, fleas, and plague in New Mexico. The Southwestern Naturalist 48(4): 720- 722. PDF of Article

Hutton, K. A., J. L. Koprowski, V. L. Greer, M. I. Alanen, C. A. Schauffert and P. J. Young. 2002. Use of Spruce-Fir and Mixed-Conifer Forests by an Introduced Population of Abert's Squirrels (Sciurus Aberti). The Southwestern Naturalist 48: 257-260. PDF of Article

Koprowski, J. L. and R. Nandini. 2008. Global hotspots and knowledge gaps for tree and flying squirrels. Current Science 95: 851-856. PDF of Article

Koprowski, J. L., S. R. B. King, and M. J. Merrick. 2008. Expanded home ranges in a peripheral population: space use by endangered Mt. Graham red squirrels. Endangered Species Research, 4:227-232. Click here for online access

Koprowski, J. L., N. Ramos, B. S. Pasch, and C. A. Zugmeyer. 2006. Observations on the ecology of the endemic Mearns's squirrel (Tamiasciurus mearnsi). The Southwestern Naturalist 51(3): 426-430. PDF of Article

Koprowski, J. L., K. M. Leonard, C. A. Zugmeyer, and J. L. Jolley. 2006. Direct effects of fire on endangered Mount Graham red squirrels. The Southwestern Naturalist 51(1): 59-63. PDF of Article

Koprowski, J. L., M. I. Alanen, and A. M. Lynch. 2005. Nowhere to run and nowhere to hide: Response of endemic Mt. Graham red squirels to catastrophic forest damage. Biological Conservation 126: 491-498. PDF of Article

Koprowski, J. L. 2005. Annual cycles in body mass and reproduction of endangered Mt. Graham red squirrels. Journal of Mammalogy 86(2): 309-313. PDF of Article

Koprowski, J. L. 2005. Management and conservation of tree squirrels: The importance of endemism, species richness, and forest condition. USDA Forest Service Proceedings RMRS-P-36: 245-250.
PDF of Article

Koprowski, J. L., A. J. Edelman, B. S. Pasch, and D. C. Buecher. 2005. A dearth of data on the mammals of the Madrean archipelago: What we think we know and what we actually know. USDA Forest Service proceedings RMRS-P-36: 412- 415. PDF of Article

Koprowski, J. L. 2005. The response of tree squirrels to fragmentation: A review and synthesis. Animal Conservation 8: 369-376. PDF of Article

Koprowski, J. L. and M. C. Corse. 2005. Time budgets, activity periods, and behavior of mexican fox squirrels. Journal of Mammalogy 86(5): 947-952. PDF of Article

Koprowski, J. L. 2002. Handling tree squirrels with a safe and efficient restraint. Wildlife Society Bulletin 30: 101-103. PDF of Article (1.3 MB)

Koprowski, J. L. and M. C. Corse. 2001. Food habits of the Chiricahua fox squirrel (Sciurus nayaritensis chiricahuae). The Southwestern Naturalist 46(1): 62-65. PDF of Article

Koprowski, J. L. 1996. Natal philopatry, communal nesting, and kinship in fox squirrels and gray squirrels. Journal of Mammalogy 77(4): 1006-1016. PDF of Article

Koprowski, J. L. 1994. Sciurus niger. Mammalian Species 479: 1-9 . PDF of Article

Koprowski, J. L. 1994. Sciurus carolinensis. Mammalian Species 480: 1-9. PDF of Article

Koprowski, J. L. 1993. Alternative reproductive tactics in male eastern gray squirrels: "making the best of a bad job". Behavioral Ecology 4(2): 165-171. PDF of Article

Koprowski, J. L. 1993. The role of kinship in field interactions among juvenile gray squirrels (Sciurus carolinensis). Canadian Journal of Zoology 71: 224-226. PDF of Article

Koprowski, J. L. 1993. Behavioral tactics, dominance, and copulatory success among male fox squirrels. Ethology Ecology & Evolution 5: 169-176. PDF of Article

Koprowski, J. L. 1992. Removal of copulatory plugs by female tree squirrels. Journal of Mammalogy 73(3): 572-576. PDF of Article

Koprowski, J. L. 1991. Response of fox squirrels and gray squirrels to a late spring-early summer food shortage. Journal of Mammalogy 72(2): 367-372. PDF of Article

Koprowski, J. L. 1988. Longevity records for the fox squirrel. Journal of Mammalogy 69(2): 383-384 PDF of Article

Leonard, K. M. and J. L. Koprowski. 2009. A comparison of habitat use and demography of red squirrels at the southern edge of their range. American Midland Naturalist 162: 132-145. PDF of Article

Leonard, K. M. and J. L. Koprowski. 2009. Effects of fire on endangered Mt. Graham red squirrels (Tamiasciurus hudsonicus grahamensis): responses of individuals with known fates. Southwestern Naturalist 54: In press.

Lurz, P. W. W., J. L. Koprowski, and D. J. Wood. 2008. The use of GIS and modelling approaches in squirrel population management and conservation: a review. Current Science 95(7): 918-922. PDF of Aricle

Merrick, M. J., S. R. Bertelsen, and J. L. Koprowski. 2007. Characteristics of Mount Graham red squirrel nest sites in a mixed conifer forest. The Journal of Wildlife Management 71(6): 1958-1963. PDF of Article.

Palmer, G. H., J. L, Koprowski, and T. Pernas. 2008. Tree squirrels as invasive species: conservation and management implications. Pp 273 - 282 in G. L. Witmer, W. C. Pitt, K.A. Fagerstone (eds.), Managing vertebrate invasive species: proceedings of an international symposium. USDA/APHIS Wildlife Services, National Wildlife Research Center, Fort Collins, Colorado. PDF of Article.

Pasch, B. and J. L. Koprowski. 2006. Sex differences in space use of Chiricahua fox squirrels. Journal of Mammalogy 87(2): 380-386. PDF of Article

Pasch, B. S. and J. L. Koprowski. 2005. Correlates of vulnerability in Chiricahua fox squirrels. USDA Forest Service proceedings RMRS-P-36: 426-428. PDF of Article

Rushton, S. P., D. J. A. Wood, P. W. W. Lurz, and J. L. Koprowski. 2006. Modelling the population dynamics of the Mt. Graham red squirrel: Can we predict its future in a changing environment with multiple threats? Biological Conservation 131: 121-131. PDF of Article

Sanderson, H. R. and J. L. Koprowski, editors. 2009. The last refuge of the Mt. Graham red squirrel: ecology of endangerment. University of Arizona Press, Tucson. Order here!

Schauffert, C. A., J. L. Koprowski, V. L. Greer, M. I. Alanen, K. A. Hutton, and P. J. Young. 2002. Interactions Between Predators and Mt. Graham Red Squirrels (Tamiasciurus hudsonicus grahamensis). The Southwestern Naturalist 47: 498-501. PDF of Article

Steele, M. A., and J. L. Koprowski. 2001. North American Tree Squirrels. Smithsonian Institution Press: Washington, DC. 224 p.

Wood, D. J. A., S. Drake, S. P. Rushton, D. Rautenkranz, P. W. Lurz, and J. L. Koprowski. 2007. Fine-scale analysis of Mount Graham red squirrel habitat following disturbance. The Journal of Wildlife Management 71(7): 2357-2364. PDF of Article

Wood, D. J. A., J. L. Koprowski, and P. W. W. Lurz. 2007. Tree squirrel introductions: A theoretical approach with population viability analysis. Journal of Mammalogy 88(5): 1271-1279. PDF of Article

Wood, D. J. A. 2007. Forest disturbance and the long term population persistence of the Mt. Graham red squirrel: a spatially explicit modeling approach. M. S. Thesis. University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ. 119pp. Contact John L. Koprowski for more information.

Young, P. J. 1999. Red Squirrel, Tamiasciurus hudsonicus. In: Wilson, D.E., and S. Ruff, editors. The Smithsonian Book of North American Mammals. Smithsonian Institution Press: Washington, London. Pp. 460-461.

Young, P. J. 1994. Monitoring the Mount Graham Red Squirrel. In: Istock, C. A., and R. S. Hoffman, editors. Storm Over a Mountain Island. University of Arizona Press, Tucson. Pp. 227-246.

Young, P. J., V. L. Greer, and S. K. Six. 2002. Characteristics of Bolus Nests of Red Squirrels in the Pinaleño and White Mountains of Arizona. The Southwestern Naturalist 47: 267-275. PDF of Article (1.5 MB)

Zugmeyer, C. A. and J. L. Koprowski. 2009. Severely insect-damaged forest: A temporary trap for red squirrels? Forest Ecology and Management 257: 464-470. PDF of Article

Zugmeyer, C. A. and J. L. Koprowski. 2009. Habitat selection is unaltered after severe insect infestation: Concerns for forest-dependent species. Journal of Mammalogy 90: 175-182. PDF of Article

Zugmeyer, C. A. and J. L. Koprowski. 2007. Avian nestling predation by endangered Mt. Graham red squirrel. The Southwestern Naturalist 52(1): 155-157. PDF of Article

Zugmeyer, C. A. 2007. Trailblazers in the forest: response of endangered Mt. Graham red squirrels to severe insect infestation. M.S. Thesis. University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ. 73 pp. PDF available through the U of A library, or contact John L. Koprowski for more information.

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If you have any questions or comments please email us at:RSMP@ag.arizona.edu