The Adrenocortical Response of Greater Sage Grouse (
Centrocercus urophasianus
) to Capture, ACTH Injection, and Confinement, as Measured in Fecal Samples
| Jankowski, M. D. | 2009 |
KeywordsNo keywords available AbstractInvestigators of wildlife populations often utilize demographic indicators to understand the relationship between habitat characteristics and population viability. Assessments of corticosterone may enable earlier detection of populations at risk of decline because physiological adjustments to habitat disturbance occur before reproductive diminutions. Noninvasive methods to accomplish these assesments are important in species of concern, such as the greater sage grouse (GRSG). Therefore, we validated a radioimmunoassay that measures immunoreactive corticosterone metabolites (ICM) in fecal samples and used it to characterize the adrenocortical response of 15 GRSG exposed to capture, intravenous injection of 50 IU/kg adrenocorticotrophic hormone (ACTH) or saline, and 22 h of confinement. Those animals injected with ACTH exhibited a more sustained (P = 0.0139) and less variable (P = 0.0012) response than those injected with saline, indicating different levels of adrenocortical activity. We also found that potential field-collection protocols of fecal samples did not alter ICM concentrations: samples held at 4 degrees C for up to 16 h contained similar levels of ICM as those frozen (-20 degrees C) immediately. This study demonstrates a multiphasic adrenocortical response that varied with the level of stimulation and indicates that the assay used to measure this phenomenon is applicable for studies of wild GRSG. AuthorsJankowski, M. D.; Wittwer, D. J.; Heisey, D. M.; Franson, J. C.; Hofmeister, E. K. Year Published2009 PublicationPhysiological And Biochemical Zoology LocationsDOI10.1086/596513 |
A NEW SPECIES OF SAGE-GROUSE (PHASIANIDAE: CENTROCERCUS ) FROM SOUTHWESTERN COLORADO | Young, JR | 2000 |
KeywordsNo keywords available AbstractThe Gunnison Sage-Grouse (Centrocercus minimus) is described as a new species from southwestern Colorado and contrasted with the Sage-Grouse (Centrocercus urophasianus) from northern Colorado and western North America. Gunnison Sage-Grouse differ from all other described sage-grouse (C. u. urophasianus. C. u. phaios) in morphological measurements, plumage, courtship display, and generics. The species currently is limited to 8 isolated populations in southwestern Colorado and adjacent San Juan County, Utah. Total estimated spring breeding population is fewer than 5000 individuals with the largest population (<3000) in the Gunnison Basin (Gunnison and Saguache counties), Colorado. AuthorsYoung, JR; Braun, CE; Oyler-McCance, SJ; Hupp, JW; Quinn, TW Year Published2000 PublicationThe Wilson Bulletin LocationsDOI10.1676/0043-5643(2000)112[0445:ANSOSG]2.0.CO;2 |
A COMPARATIVE BEHAVIORAL STUDY OF THREE GREATER SAGE-GROUSE POPULATIONS | Taylor, SE | 2006 |
KeywordsNo keywords available AbstractWe compared male strut behavior of the genetically distinct Lyon, Nevada/Mono, California Greater Sage-Grouse (Centrocercus urophasianus) population with that of two proximal populations: Nye, Nevada, and Lassen, California. We measured strut rates and nine acoustic components of the strut display in all three populations. Male strut rates did not differ among populations. Acoustic components of the Lyon/Mono and Lassen populations were similar, whereas the Nye population was distinct. The genetically distinct Lyon/ Mono population was more similar behaviorally to the Nye population than the genetically similar Nye and Lassen populations were to each other. Overall, the Lyon/Mono population did not exhibit detectable differences in male strut behavior. Reproductive isolation through sexual selection does not appear to have occurred in the Lyon/Mono population. AuthorsTaylor, SE; Young, JR Year Published2006 PublicationThe Wilson Journal of Ornithology LocationsDOI10.1676/1559-4491(2006)118[0036:ACBSOT]2.0.CO;2 |
A comparison of sample types varying in invasiveness for use in DNA sex determination in an endangered population of greater Sage-Grouse (Centrocercus uropihasianus) | Bush, KL | 2005 |
KeywordsDNA extraction, endangered species, noninvasive samples, Sage-Grouse, sex determination AbstractNo abstract available AuthorsBush, KL; Vinsky, MD; Aldridge, CL; Paszkowski, CA Year Published2005 PublicationConservation Genetics LocationsDOI10.1007/s10592-005-9040-6 |
A Currency for Offsetting Energy Development Impacts: Horse-Trading Sage-Grouse on the Open Market | Doherty, Kevin E. | 2010 |
KeywordsNo keywords available AbstractBackground: Biodiversity offsets provide a mechanism to compensate for unavoidable damages from new energy development as the U. S. increases its domestic production. Proponents argue that offsets provide a partial solution for funding conservation while opponents contend the practice is flawed because offsets are negotiated without the science necessary to backup resulting decisions. Missing in negotiations is a biologically-based currency for estimating sufficiency of offsets and a framework for applying proceeds to maximize conservation benefits.Methodology/Principal Findings: Here we quantify a common currency for offsets for greater sage-grouse (Centrocercus urophasianus) by estimating number of impacted birds at 4 levels of development commonly permitted. Impacts were indiscernible at 1-12 wells per 32.2 km(2). Above this threshold lek losses were 2-5 times greater inside than outside of development and bird abundance at remaining leks declined by -32 to -77%. Findings reiterated the importance of time-lags as evidenced by greater impacts 4 years after initial development. Clustering well locations enabled a few small leks to remain active inside of developments.Conclusions/Significance: Documented impacts relative to development intensity can be used to forecast biological tradeoffs of newly proposed or ongoing developments, and when drilling is approved, anticipated bird declines form the biological currency for negotiating offsets. Monetary costs for offsets will be determined by true conservation cost to mitigate risks such as sagebrush tillage to other populations of equal or greater number. If this information is blended with landscape level conservation planning, the mitigation hierarchy can be improved by steering planned developments away from conservation priorities, ensuring compensatory mitigation projects deliver a higher return for conservation that equate to an equal number of birds in the highest priority areas, provide on-site mitigation recommendations, and provide a biologically based cost for mitigating unavoidable impacts. AuthorsDoherty, Kevin E.; Naugle, David E.; Evans, Jeffrey S. Year Published2010 PublicationPLOS One LocationsDOI10.1371/journal.pone.0010339 |
A Landscape Approach for Ecologically Based Management of Great Basin Shrublands | Wisdom, Michael J. | 2009 |
Keywordscheatgrass; disturbance; resistance; sagebrush; Sage-grouse; woodlands AbstractNative shrublands dominate the Great Basin of western of North America, and most of these communities are at moderate or high risk of loss from non-native grass invasion and woodland expansion. Landscape-scale management based on differences in ecological resistance and resilience of shrublands can reduce these risks. We demonstrate this approach with an example that focuses on maintenance of sagebrush (Artemisia spp.) habitats for Greater Sage-grouse (Centrocercus urophasianus), a bird species threatened by habitat loss. The approach involves five steps: (1) identify the undesired disturbance processes affecting each shrubland community type; (2) characterize the resistance and resilience of each shrubland type in relation to the undesired processes; (3) assess potential losses of shrublands based on their resistance, resilience, and associated risk; (4) use knowledge from these steps to design a landscape strategy to mitigate the risk of shrubland loss; and (5) implement the strategy with a comprehensive set of active and passive management prescriptions. Results indicate that large areas of the Great Basin currently provide Sage-grouse habitats, but many areas of sagebrush with low resistance and resilience may be lost to continued woodland expansion or invasion by non-native annual grasses. Preventing these losses will require landscape strategies that prioritize management areas based on efficient use of limited resources to maintain the largest shrubland areas over time. Landscape-scale approaches, based on concepts of resistance and resilience, provide an essential framework for successful management of arid and semiarid shrublands and their native species. AuthorsWisdom, Michael J.; Chambers, Jeanne C. Year Published2009 PublicationRestoration Ecology LocationsDOI10.1111/j.1526-100X.2009.00591.x |
A Method for Obtaining Sage Grouse Age and Sex Ratios from Wings | ENG, ROBERT L. | 1955 |
KeywordsNo keywords available Abstract247 sage grouse wings from birds of known sex and/or age were used in establishing aging and sexing criteria. Depending on the molt stage of the bird, age determination is based on the condition of the outer two primaries or the difference in length between primaries 8 and 9. Sex determination is based on the length of individual primaries. || ABSTRACT AUTHORS: R. L. Eng AuthorsENG, ROBERT L. Year Published1955 PublicationThe Journal of Wildlife Management LocationsDOI10.2307/3796862 |
A new cestode Raillietina centrocerci, from the sage grouse Centrocercus urophasianus. | Simon, F. | 1937 |
A new cestode Raillietina centrocerci, from the sage grouse Centrocercus urophasianus.KeywordsNo keywords available AbstractNo abstract available AuthorsSimon, F. Year Published1937 PublicationTransactions of The American Microscopical Society Locations |
A new species of nematode worm from the sage grouse | WEHR, EVERETT E. | 1931 |
A new species of nematode worm from the sage grouseKeywordsNo keywords available AbstractHabronema urophasiana* (p. 1), Montana, from gizzard of a sage grouse, Centro-cercus urophasianus. Key to North American spp. of Habronema in birds. AuthorsWEHR, EVERETT E. Year Published1931 PublicationProc U S Nation Mus Locations |
A note on the food of sage grouse in the Madeline Plains area of California | LEACH, HOWARD R. | 1958 |
A note on the food of sage grouse in the Madeline Plains area of CaliforniaKeywordsNo keywords available AbstractEighty-five sage grouse stomachs were collected September 3-4, 1955 from hunter-killed birds. Of the total volume of food, 98.2% was vegetable origin and 1.8% was animal. Flowers and buds of Lactuca scariola made up 50%, and Artemisia tridentata leafage and flowers amounted to 31.6% of the total. The bulk of animal food consisted of ants. || ABSTRACT AUTHORS: C. M. Ferrel AuthorsLEACH, HOWARD R.; BROWNING, BRUCE M. Year Published1958 PublicationCalifornia Fish And Game Locations |