| rapid antigen-capture assay to detect west nile virus in dead corvids. | the utility of the vectest antigen-capture assay to detect west nile virus (wnv) in field-collected dead corvids was evaluated in manitoba and ontario, canada, in 2001 and 2002. swabs were taken from the oropharynx, cloaca, or both of 109 american crows, 31 blue jays, 6 common ravens, and 4 black-billed magpies from manitoba, and 255 american crows and 28 blue jays from ontario. the sensitivity and specificity of the antigen-capture assay were greatest for samples from american crows; oropharyng ... | 2003 | 14718083 |
| bumpus in the snake den: effects of sex, size, and body condition on mortality of red-sided garter snakes. | huge breeding aggregations of red-sided garter snakes (thamnophis sirtalis parietalis) at overwintering dens in manitoba provide a unique opportunity to identify sources of mortality and to clarify factors that influence a snake's vulnerability to these factors. comparisons of sexes, body sizes, and body condition of more than 1000 dead snakes versus live animals sampled at the same time reveal significant biases. three primary sources of mortality were identified. predation by crows, corvus bra ... | 2001 | 11327166 |