OK, as an update, I just ran 2 models, one under 2.1.0 and most updated MARK with a long covariate name (canhtmean100) and the same model under 2.1.1. and most updated MARK with a short covariate name (chm). Same model in both cases (simple single season occupancy model)
occurrence=BaseCC + canhtmean100
detection=SurveyDayn
BaseCC and canhtmean100/chm are both continuous covariates, SurveyDayn is a time-specific covariate for day of sampling from a start date. Other than my changing the column name in .csv from canhtmean100 to chm, everything else was the same. As far as I can tell, all values for beta, reals, -2LL, AIC, etc. match up the same in both cases, output files look identical other than covariate names.
So, if it does not change the parameter estimates (granted this is only one test), what is going on? One thing it will change is that I am using short names in the future unless Gary decides to lengthen it
Bret