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Summary: A new genus and species of anguinid nematode, Cotylenchus cleo gen. n., sp. n., was recovered from leaves of the western sword fern, Polystichum munitum , growing in rainforests in several locations of Olympic National Park, Washington State, USA. This new anguinid nematode induced distinct necrotic and chlorotic symptoms on fern leaves characterised by yellowing, light to brown areas between veins. The new species is characterised by a long and slender body, six incisures in the lateral field, robust stylet (12.0-13.5 μ m) with large and rounded knobs, pyriform to elongate and abutting basal pharyngeal bulb, and long conical tail with pointed terminus; females having posteriorly located vulva (V = 74-80%) and well-developed post-vulval uterine sac (26-59 μ m) and males having spicules 20-23 μ m long. Phylogenetic analysis of the partial 18S rRNA and the D2-D3 expansion segments of the 28S rRNA genes showed that this anguinid nematode formed a separate evolutionary lineage different from all other Anguinidae taxa. The new species was also characterised by sequencing the ITS rRNA and COI genes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Ecosystem structure and processes of coastal temperate rainforests of the Pacific Northwest are thought to be strongly influenced by herbivory primarily of Roosevelt elk (Cervus elaphus roosevelti) and secondarily of Columbian black‐tailed deer (Odocoileus hemionus columbianus). Two large (0.5‐ha) exclosures were built in old‐growth coniferous rainforest communities in Olympic National Park, Washington, during 1979 to study these effects. Cover of shrubs, ferns, herbs, and graminoids and numbers of tree seedlings were described over 36 yr. Results show a sequence following ungulate exclusion of early release of shrubs, ferns, and herbs followed by eventual dominance of shrubs as other vegetation layers become shaded. Short‐term responses of individual species reflected functional traits related to ability to avoid or tolerate herbivory. Over the longer term, effects reflected changing competitive relationships among vegetation layers and other ecosystem dynamics such as the provision of fallen trees in the appropriate decay class to serve as establishment substrate for tree seedlings. In aggregate, vegetation composition shifted after 36 yr from a system dominated by herbaceous cover with a major graminoid component to one dominated by shrubs (5‐ to 6‐fold absolute increase) and ferns (5–7% increase in absolute cover), less absolute herb cover (15–20% loss), and almost no graminoids (<1.5% cover remaining in any plot) after 36 yr. These changes represented a substantial loss in plant community diversity with a loss of 46 of 74 species. Elk abundance outside of the exclosures began to decline in the 1990s leading to parallel changes in plant community trajectories outside of exclosures to those initially seen inside. While this suggests plant community responses inside the exclosures were also driven by elk exclusion, the strength of this response depends on elk abundance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Knowledge of diet composition can inform management strategies and efforts to recover endangered carnivore populations in vacant portions of their historic ranges. One such species, the Fisher (Pekania pennanti), was extirpated in Washington State prior to any formal documentation of its food habits in the coastal coniferous forests of western Washington. Fisher recovery efforts in Washington, based on translocating Fishers from extant populations, have been ongoing since 2008, beginning with the release of 90 Fishers on Washington's Olympic Peninsula from 2008 to 2010. We collected fecal samples or digestive tracts from 13 Fishers opportunistically on the Olympic Peninsula from 2009 through 2013. Subsequently, we identified the species composition of each sample's contents to determine the primary foods consumed by the reintroduced Fishers. Fisher diets were diverse and dominated by mammalian prey. Contents of feces and digestive tracts of Fishers were composed primarily of Snowshoe Hare (Lepus americanus) remains, followed by lesser proportions of Mountain Beavers (Aplodontia rufa), Northern Flying Squirrels (Glaucomys sabrinus), Douglas Squirrels (Tamiasciurus douglasii), Southern Red-backed Voles (Myodes gapperi), shrews (Sorex spp.), and unidentified ungulate species. The diet of Fishers comprised species that occur across a wide range of land uses and management prescriptions, including previously logged forests and mature forests that have been set aside for retention of old-growth forest characteristics. Additional study of prey abundance and Fisher foraging behaviors related to structural habitat characteristics across a gradient of land uses would provide useful insights for enhancing the effectiveness of conservation efforts to benefit Fishers in Pacific Northwest coastal forests. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Thousands of yeasts have the potential for industrial application, though many were initially considered contaminants in the beer industry. However, these organisms are currently considered important components in beers because they contribute new flavors. Non- Saccharomyces wild yeasts can be important tools in the development of new products, and the objective of this work was to obtain and characterize novel yeast isolates for their ability to produce beer. Wild yeasts were isolated from environmental samples from Olympic National Park and analyzed for their ability to ferment malt extract medium and beer wort. Six different strains were isolated, of which Moniliella megachiliensis ONP131 displayed the highest levels of attenuation during fermentations. We found that M. megachiliensis could be propagated in common yeast media, tolerated incubation temperatures of 37 °C and a pH of 2.5, and was able to grow in media containing maltose as the sole carbon source. Yeast cultivation was considerably impacted (p < 0.05) by lactic acid, ethanol, and high concentrations of maltose, but ONP131 was tolerant to high salinity and hop acid concentrations. This is one of the first physiological characterizations of M. megachiliensis , which has potential for the production of beer and other fermented beverages. • Yeast strains were isolated from environmental samples from Olympic National Park. • Moniliella megachiliensis was the most promising yeast after fermentation tests. • M. megachiliensis tolerates 37 °C, ethanol up to 6%, 5% NaCl, and metabolizes maltose. • High concentrations of α-acids from hops had no impact on M. megachiliensis growth. • M. megachiliensis is a novel yeast for beer production. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]