| BIRDS OF A FEATHER DO NOT ALWAYS LEK TOGETHER: GENETIC DIVERSITY AND KINSHIP STRUCTURE OF GREATER SAGE-GROUSE (CENTROCERCUS UROPHASIANUS) IN ALBERTA | Bush, Krista L. | 2010 |
KeywordsCentrocercus urophasianus, dispersal, genetic diversity, Greater Sage-Grouse, kin selection, population genetics, relatedness AbstractAcr Endangered species are sensitive to the genetic effects of fragmentation, small population size, and inbreeding, so effective management requires a thorough understanding of their breeding systems and genetic diversity. The Greater Sage-Grouse (Centrocercus urophasianus) is a lekking species that has declined by 66-92% during the past 35 years in Alberta. Our goals were to assess the genetic diversity of Greater Sage-Grouse in Alberta and to determine the degree of sex-specific relatedness within and among leks. Six hundred and four individuals sampled in 1998-2007 were genotyped at 13 microsatellite loci. Levels of genetic diversity were high, with the exception of one recently founded lek, and did not change over time. Overall, we did not observe isolation-by-distance among leks, and most leks were not differentiated from one another, which suggests that gene flow occurs across the study area. Males and females exhibited similar patterns of isolation-by-distance, so dispersal was not sex-specific. Overall relatedness was close to zero for both sexes at the level of the province, lek, and year, which suggests that neither sex forms strong kin associations. However, we found relatedness within leks at the year level to be greater than zero, which indicates interannual variation. We also found no evidence that Greater Sage-Grouse follow the typical avian pattern of male philopatry. Although the species is endangered in Alberta and occurs in fragmented habitat, it has maintained genetic diversity and connectivity. Received 8 September 2008, accepted 22 September 2009. AuthorsBush, Krista L.; Aldridge, Cameron L.; Carpenter, Jennifer E.; Paszkowski, Cynthia A.; Boyce, Mark S.; Coltman, David W. Year Published2010 PublicationThe Auk: Ornithological Advances LocationsDOI10.1525/auk.2009.09035 |
| Blood parasites in sage-grouse from Nevada and Oregon | Dunbar, MR | 2003 |
Blood parasites in sage-grouse from Nevada and OregonKeywordsblood parasites, Centrocercus urophasianus, Leucocytozoon lovatt, Nevada, Oregon, Plasmodium, sage-grouse AbstractPeripheral blood smears from 196 adult and yearling female greater sage-grouse (Centrocercus urophasianus) were examined for blood parasites (167 from the breeding and 29 from the brood-rearing season) to determine prevalence of blood parasites, to attempt to correlate infection with chick survival, and to establish base-line values of prevalence in sage-grouse from Nevada and Oregon (USA). Birds were captured and released on two study areas during 19992001; Sheldon National Wildlife Refuge (SNWR) in northwestern Nevada, and Hart Mountain National Antelope Refuge (HMNAR) in southeastern Oregon. Birds from a third study area, Beaty's Butte grazing allotment (BB) in southeastern Oregon, were sampled in 2000 and 2001. Overall, 19 birds (10%) were positive for Leucocytozoon lovati (=L. bonasae), 1 (0.5%) for Plasmodium pedioecetii, and 2 (1%) for microfilariae. Although prevalence of L. lovati on HMNAR was 39% during the breeding season in 1999 and 100% during the brood-rearing season in 2000, statistically, prevalence of L. lovati among study areas and years was not different. However, there were statistical differences between capture periods. Overall, 31% of the hens were positive for L. lovati during the brood-rearing season compared to 6% during the breeding season. There was no difference in packed cell volume between infected and non-infected birds and no difference between age-classes. However, mean sage-grouse productivity on HMNAR was higher (1.6 chicks/hen) for non-infected (n=10) compared to infected hens (0.7 chicks/hen; n=7), during 1999. Based on these limited observations on HMNAR in 1999, the possible effects that L. lovati may have on young sage-grouse could be detrimental to sage-grouse populations in Nevada and Oregon. AuthorsDunbar, MR; Tornquist, S; Giordano, MR Year Published2003 PublicationJournal of Wildlife Diseases Locations |
| Breeding Season Movements and Habitat Selection of Male Sage Grouse | WALLESTAD, R | 1974 |
KeywordsNo keywords available AbstractMovements
and
habitat
requirements
of
sage
grouse
(Centrocercus
urophasianus)
cocks
were
studied
in
central
Montana
during
the
breeding
seasons
of
1968
and
1972.
Fifteen
sage
grouse
cocks
were
captured
and
radio-equipped.
Movements
of
up
to
0.8
mile
(1.3
km)
from
the
strutting
grounds
were
common,
with
82
percent
of
the
locations
falling
beyond
0.2
mile
(0.3
km).
Sagebrush
(Artemisia
tridentata)
with
a
canopy
coverage
of
20-50
percent
occurred
at
80
percent
of
the
110
locations
mea-
sured.
Average
sagebrush
canopy
coverage
at
these
sites
was
32
percent.
Strutting
grounds
are
key
ac-
tivity
areas
within
wintering-nesting
complexes
which
can
be
readily
identified
and
delimited,
and
should
be
given
complete
protection
from
sagebrush
removal
projects.
Results
of
this
and
previous
studies
in
this
area
indicate
that
this
protection
should
extend
to
a
radius
of
no
less
than
1.5
miles
(2.4
km)
from
strutting
grounds AuthorsWALLESTAD, R; SCHLADWEILER, P Year Published1974 PublicationThe Journal of Wildlife Management LocationsDOI10.2307/3800030 |
| BROOD HABITAT USE BY SAGE GROUSE IN OREGON | DRUT, MS | 1994 |
BROOD HABITAT USE BY SAGE GROUSE IN OREGONKeywordsNo keywords available AbstractHabitat use by Sage Grouse (Centrocercus urophasianus) hens with broods was examined at Jackass Creek and Hart Mountain, Oregon, from 1989 through 1991. Sage Grouse hens initially selected low sagebrush (Artemisia spp.) cover types during early brood-rearing, big sagebrush cover types later in the brood-rearing period, and ultimately concentrated use in and near lakebeds and meadows. Areas used by Sage Grouse broods typically had greater forb frequency than did random sites. Hens at Jackass Creek selected sites with forb cover similar to that generally available to broods at Hart Mountain, but home ranges were larger at Jackass Creek because of lower availability of suitable brood-rearing habitat. Differences in habitat use by broods on the two areas were reflected in dietary differences; at Hart Mountain, chicks primarily ate forbs and insects, whereas at Jackass Creek most of the diet was sagebrush. Larger home ranges, differences in diets, and differences in availability of forb-rich habitats possibly were related to differences in abundance and productivity between areas. AuthorsDRUT, MS; CRAWFORD, JA; GREGG, MA Year Published1994 PublicationGreat Basin Naturalist Locations |
| Brood Habitats of Sympatric Sage Grouse and Columbian Sharp-Tailed Grouse in Wyoming | KLOTT, JH | 1990 |
KeywordsNo keywords available AbstractHabitats used by sympatric sage grouse (Centrocercus urophasianus) and Columbian sharp-tailed grouse (Tympanuchus phasianellus columbianus) were compared. Sage grouse broods occurred most often
(68%) in sagebrush (Artemisia spp.)-grass and sagebrush-bitterbrush (Purshia tridentata) habitats, whereas sharp-tailed grouse broods occurred most often (73%) in mountain shrub and sagebrush-snowberry (Symphoricarpos oreophilus) habitats. Mountain shrub and sagebrush-snowberry habitats were used by sharp-
tailed grouse more (P < 0.05) than expected based on their availability. Broods of both species used areas
within each habitat with less shrub cover than average for that habitat. Sharp-tailed grouse broods were
associated with mountain snowberry, oniongrass (Melica spp.), and sulphur buckwheat (Eriogonum umbellatum). Sites used by sage grouse contained needle-and-thread (Stipa comata) and desert alyssum (Alyssum
desertorum). AuthorsKLOTT, JH; LINDZEY, FG Year Published1990 PublicationThe Journal of Wildlife Management LocationsDOI10.2307/3808905 |
| Burning and mowing Wyoming big sagebrush: Do treated sites meet minimum guidelines for greater sage‐grouse breeding habitats? | Hess, J.E. | 2012 |
KeywordsArtemisia tridentata; Centrocercus urophasianus; early brood-rearing; greater sage-grouse; habitat management; mowing; nesting; prescribed burning; Wyoming; Wyoming big sagebrush AbstractWyoming big sagebrush (Artemisia tridentata wyomingensis) treatments are often implemented to improve breeding habitat for greater sage-grouse (Centrocercus urophasianus), a species of considerable conservation concern. In 2008 and 2009, we measured vegetation structure available to sage-grouse for breeding at 19 sites that were prescribed burned during 1990–1999 and 2000–2006, 6 sites that were mowed during 2000–2006, and 25 paired, untreated reference sites in the Bighorn Basin of north-central Wyoming, USA. We compared minimum guidelines for canopy cover and height of Wyoming big sagebrush and perennial grass in arid greater sage-grouse breeding habitat (Connelly et al. 2000b) to measurements at our sampling sites. Sagebrush canopy cover and height at reference sites met the minimum guidelines. Sagebrush canopy cover at burned and mowed sites did not meet the minimum guideline, except for sites mowed on aridic soils measured during 2009. Burned and mowed (3 of 4 cases) sagebrush did not meet minimum height for breeding up to 19 yr and 9 yr post-treatment, respectively. Perennial grass canopy cover and height met the minimum guidelines for breeding habitat at reference, burned, and mowed sites. Burning increased grass canopy cover, but not height, compared to reference sites in 2 of 8 instances. Because burning, but not mowing, infrequently enhanced grass cover, but not height, and sagebrush structure was reduced by both practices for long periods, managers should consider how treatments may negatively affect Wyoming big sagebrush communities for sage-grouse and consider other practices, including continued nontreatment and improved livestock grazing, to increase grass cover and height. AuthorsHess, J. E., & Beck, J. L. Year Published2012 PublicationWildlife Society Bulletin LocationsDOI10.1002/wsb.92 |
| CARCASS COMPOSITION AND ENERGY RESERVES OF SAGE GROUSE DURING WINTER | REMINGTON, TE | 1988 |
KeywordsSage Grouse; carcass composition; Centrocercus urophasianus; Colorado; fat content; energy reserves; winter AbstractCarcass composition of Sage Grouse (Centrocercus urophasianus) was measured to assess the size and variation of energy reserves during winter in North Park, Colorado. Fat content ranged from 0.8 to 8.4%. Adults had higher (P=0.001) fat content than yearlings (4.7 v. 2.9%); birds collected in 1982 had more (P<0.05) when diethyl ether, rather than petroleum ether, was used as a solvent (4.0 v. 3.6%). Fat comprised 85 to 93% of estimated energy reserves which equaled 9.6, 5.1, 7.0, and 5.3 times standard metabolic rate for adult and yearling males and adult and yearling females, respectively. All age and sex classes gained or maintained weight and fat over winter. Relatively small energy reserves of Sage Grouse are probably most important during breeding and nesting activities. AuthorsREMINGTON, TE; BRAUN, CE Year Published1988 PublicationThe Condor: Ornithological Applications LocationsDOI10.2307/1368427 |
| Changes in the distribution and abundance of sage grouse in Washington. | Schroeder, Michael A. | 2000 |
KeywordsSage grouse, Centrocercus urophasianus, abundance, distribution, shrub-steppe, survey, Washington habitat fragementation AbstractSage grouse (Centrocercus urophasianus) historically occurred in shrub-steppe and meadow-steppe communities throughout much of eastern Washington. The decline in distribution has been dramatic; 73% of 67 lek complexes documented since 1960 are currently vacant. Many vacant lek complexes (53%) are in areas where sage grouse have been recently extirpated. The current range is about 8% of the historic range, occurring in 2 relatively isolated areas. Based on changes in number of males counted on lek complexes, the sage grouse population size in Washington declined at least 77% from 1960 to 1999; the 1999 spring population was estimated to be about 1,100 birds. Historic and recent declines of sage grouse are linked to conversion of native habitat for production of crops and degradation of the remaining native habitat. Although declines in populations of sage grouse appear to be slowing, the small size and isolated nature of the 2 remaining populations may be a long-term problem. Management should be directed toward protecting, enhancing, expanding, and connecting the existing populations. AuthorsSchroeder, Michael A.; Hays, David W.; Livingston, Michael F.; Stream, Leray E.; Jacobson, John E.; Pierce, D. John Year Published2000 PublicationNorthwestern Naturalist LocationsDOI10.2307/3536821 |
| Changes in the distribution and status of sage-grouse in Utah | Beck, JL | 2003 |
Changes in the distribution and status of sage-grouse in UtahKeywordssage-grouse, sagebrush habitats, habitat loss, Utah, Centrocercus urophasianus, Centrocercus minimus, greater sage-grouse, Gunnison sage-grouse, Artemisia tridentata AbstractSage-grouse (Centrocercus spp.) were abundant in all of Utah's 29 counties at the time of European settlement wherever sagebrush (Artemisia spp.) occurred. Greater Sage-Grouse (C. urophasianus) inhabited areas north and west of the Colorado River, and Gunnison Sage-Grouse (C. minimus) occupied suitable habitat south and east of the Colorado River. The largest Greater Sage-Grouse populations in Utah are currently restricted to suitable habitats in Box Elder, Garfield, Rich, Uintah, and Wayne Counties. A remnant breeding population of Gunnison Sage-Grouse occurs in eastern San Juan County. We stratified Greater Sage-Grouse populations (1971-2000) by counties where the 1996 to 2000 moving average for estimated spring breeding populations was >500 (GT500) or <500 (LT500). Males per lek declined in all populations from 1971 to 2000; however, there were consistently more males observed on GT500 than on LT500 leks. Juveniles per adult lien (including yearling hens) Greater Sage-Grouse in the 1973-2000 fall harvest in Box Elder, Rich, and Wayne Counties did not differ from 2.25, a ratio suggesting sustainable or increasing sage-grouse populations. Declines are attributed to loss, fragmentation, and degradation of sagebrush habitat. Sage-grouse conservation ultimately depends on management and enhancement of remaining sagebrush rangelnads in Utah. AuthorsBeck, JL; Mitchell, DL; Maxfield, BD Year Published2003 PublicationWestern North American Naturalist Locations |
| Chapter 3: Potential acoustic masking of Greater Sage-Grouse (Centrocercus urophasianus) display components by chronic industrial noise | Blickley, J.L. | 2012 |
KeywordsNo keywords available AbstractAnthropogenic noise can limit the ability of birds to communicate by masking their acoustic signals. Masking, which reduces the distance over which the signal can be perceived by a receiver, is frequency dependent, so the different notes of a single song may be masked to different degrees. We analyzed the individual notes of mating vocalizations produced by Greater Sage-Grouse ( Centrocercus urophasianus ) and noise from natural gas infrastructure to quantify the potential for such noise to mask Greater Sage-Grouse vocalizations over both long and short distances. We found that noise produced by natural gas infrastructure was dominated by low frequencies, with substantial overlap in frequency with Greater Sage-Grouse acoustic displays. Such overlap predicted substantial masking, reducing the active space of detection and discrimination of all vocalization components, and particularly affecting low-frequency and low-amplitude notes. Such masking could increase the difficulty of mate assessment for lekking Greater Sage-Grouse. We discuss these results in relation to current stipulations that limit the proximity of natural gas infrastructure to leks of this species on some federal lands in the United States. Significant impacts to Greater Sage-Grouse populations have been measured at noise levels that predict little or no masking. Thus, masking is not likely to be the only mechanism of noise impact on this species, and masking analyses should therefore be used in combination with other methods to evaluate stipulations and predict the effects of noise exposure. AuthorsBlickley, J.L. & Patricelli, G.L. Year Published2012 PublicationOrnithological Monographs LocationsDOI10.1525/om.2012.74.1.23 |
