Coyotes (Canis latrans) have been rapidly expanding into the Northeastern Region of the United States since the mid 1900's most likely due to anthropogenic changes in their habitat. Several studies suggest that in addition to being top predators, coyotes are opportunistic feeders and are able to switch prey based on availability and density. Their generalist predation approach allows variation in their diets, and a widespread impact on the ecosystems in which they reside. In this paper, one hundred and seventy seven coyote stomachs were obtained throughout Pennsylvania from 2009-2012 and were dissected to define coyote winter diet. The contents were identified using ad hoc reference bone collections and a set of SEM hair images. Stomach contents were used to identify any correlation between sexual dimorphism and winter diets. It is hypothesized that if Pennsylvania's coyotes show sexual dimorphism, male diets may differ from females. Being able to hunt larger animals may provide males the benefit of a higher caloric return. As a by-product of this research we are detailing a list of prey items found in the winter diet of C. latrans arranged by sex and location.

The female of eastern Nearctic Leuctra moha Ricker, 1952 is formally described for the first time. The identity of the female was confirmed with tree- and genetic distance-based phylogenetic methods. An emended description is also provided for the male. Digital images for both sexes are provided with scanning electronic and standard light microscopy. The female once tentatively associated with the male of L. moha is illustrated using standard light microscopy and refers to L. hicksi Harrison & Stark, 2010. An updated distribution map is provided for both species.

Leuctra Stephens, 1836 is the fourth most speciose genus of Plecoptera (Leuctridae) east of the Rocky Mountains with 31 recognised species, trailing only Isoperla Banks, 1906 (58), Allocapnia Claassen, 1928 (47), and Perlesta Banks, 1906 (34). Although Leuctra females are described in taxonomic literature, they are difficult to morphologically distinguish among regional congeners, and identifications are often made through inference only (i.e., presence of males). This is particularly problematic in the Appalachian Mountains of the United States of America, which host numerous Leuctra species. We sampled the stonefly fauna of Mount Mitchell, western North Carolina, United States of America, from April to October 2019. The mitochondrial cytochrome C oxidase subunit 1 gene was sequenced for 39 adult males and 239 adult females of Leuctra. This allowed us to confidently place species names on all of the latter individuals. Phylogenetic tree- and genetic distance–based methods consistently grouped females with males for nine recognised species. Two separate L. ferruginea (Walker, 1852) operational taxonomic units were recognised, albeit with low divergence values, and an additional undetermined Leuctra was identified based solely on females. Digital stereomicroscope images were taken from females of each species unit to identify variation among and between species. This approach allowed for a more robust assessment of regional biogeographic patterns.

Protected areas are relatively free of human disturbance, are especially common in montane regions, and provide opportunities to study native fauna and flora. Stoneflies are model organisms to assess present and future environmental changes. While stoneflies inhabit cold lakes and a wide size range of lotic systems, diversity is greatest in streams draining mountain landscapes. This study addressed seasonal and elevation patterns of a stonefly fauna inhabiting a protected landscape draining the eastern flank of Mount Mitchell, the highest point of the Appalachian Mountains, USA. In total, 58 species were collected with estimated richness values ranging from 63 to 65. Species determinations were assisted with an integrative molecular approach using the mitochondrial barcode gene. Sampling during spring yielded the most species seasonally. Although certain species were only found at lower or higher sites, several were collected from across a broad range of elevations. Roughly 1/3 (21 = 36%) of the fauna present is known only from the southern Appalachian Highlands region, including one species described as new during this study. The assemblage reported here, however, did not closely align with other Appalachian fauna. Overall, well-structured faunal research continues to be important in light of continuing habitat modifications and climate change.