Rangewide genetic analysis of Lesser Prairie-Chicken reveals population structure, range expansion, and possible introgression

Oyler‐McCance, Sara J.; DeYoung, Randall W.; Fike, Jennifer A.; Hagen, Christian A.; Johnson, Jeff; Larsson, Lena C.; Patten, Michael A.

doi:10.1007/s10592-016-0812-y

Cited by 19 publications

(14 citation statements)

References 91 publications

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“…Recent genetic data show movement of genes from the Mixed Grass Ecoregion and Sand Sagebrush Prairie Ecoregion northward to the Short‐Grass Prairie/CRP Mosaic Ecoregion but negligible movement of genes southward (Oyler‐McCance et al. ), consistent with our results. Climate change is expected to reduce vital rates below that required for population persistence in the Southern High Plains of Texas and New Mexico (Grisham et al.…”

Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 92%

“…There is currently a narrow range of sympatry between lesser and greater prairie‐chickens ( Tympanuchus cupido ) with low rates of hybridization in northwest Kansas (Bain and Farley , Oyler‐McCance et al. ). It is unclear whether interactions between the two species will affect further northward movements by lesser prairie‐chickens or lead to introgression.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Characteristics of lesser prairie‐chicken (Tympanuchus pallidicinctus) long‐distance movements across their distribution

et al. 2016

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Abstract. Long-distance movements are important adaptive behaviors that contribute to population, community, and ecosystem connectivity. However, researchers have a poor understanding of the characteristics of long-distance movements for most species. Here, we examined long-distance movements for the lesser prairie-chicken (Tympanuchus pallidicinctus), a species of conservation concern. We addressed the following questions: (1) At what distances could populations be connected? (2) What are the characteristics and probability of dispersal movements? (3) Do lesser prairie-chickens display exploratory and round-trip movements? (4) Do the characteristics of long-distance movements vary by site? Movements were examined from populations using satellite GPS transmitters across the entire distribution of the species in New Mexico, Oklahoma, Kansas, and Colorado. Dispersal movements were recorded up to 71 km net displacement, much farther than hitherto recorded. These distances suggest that there may be greater potential connectivity among populations than previously thought. Dispersal movements were displayed primarily by females and had a northerly directional bias. Dispersal probabilities ranged from 0.08 to 0.43 movements per year for both sexes combined, although these movements averaged only 16 km net displacement. Lesser prairie-chickens displayed both exploratory foray loops and round-trip movements. Half of round-trip movements appeared seasonal, suggesting a partial migration in some populations. None of the long-distance movements varied by study site. Data presented here will be important in parameterizing models assessing population viability and informing conservation planning, although further work is needed to identify landscape features that may reduce connectivity among populations.

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Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 92%

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Characteristics of lesser prairie‐chicken (Tympanuchus pallidicinctus) long‐distance movements across their distribution

et al. 2016

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“…The longdistance movements we recorded suggest connectivity exists for LEPCs in our study area and individuals in sand shinnery oak prairie in southern Cochran and Yoakum counties, Texas, and eastern New Mexico. Movement of LEPCs out of CRP into sand shinnery oak prairie, and genetic evidence presented in Oyler-McCance et al (2016), indicate the two groups constitute one population of LEPCs across the Southern High Plains of Texas and eastern New Mexico. Therefore, CRP fields may provide additional habitat for LEPCs throughout the Sand Shinnery Oak Prairie Ecoregion and not just on the study area in Bailey and Cochran counties.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 96%

“…Lesser prairie-chickens are known to inhabit CRP fields in the Sand Shinnery Oak Prairie Ecoregion and are part of a larger metapopulation across the Southern High Plains of Texas and eastern New Mexico (Oyler-McCance et al 2016). However, information is lacking regarding LEPC selection of CRP fields in context of their availability on the landscape in this ecoregion.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Multiscale Habitat Selection of Lesser Prairie-Chickens in a Row-Crop and Conservation Reserve Program Land Matrix

Harryman

Grisham

Boal

et al. 2019

Journal of Fish and Wildlife Management

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The lesser prairie-chicken Tympanuchus pallidicinctus has received considerable attention in recent years, as a result of population decline and the uncertainty of its status under the 1973 U.S. Endangered Species Act. Substantial effort has been exerted studying the life history of the species and effects of some management practices on its ecology. However, information is lacking regarding lesser prairie-chicken use and selection of Conservation Reserve Program fields in the Southern High Plains of Texas. To fill in this knowledge gap, we assessed habitat selection by lesser prairie-chickens within Conservation Reserve Program fields, native grassland, and row-crop agriculture in Texas, 2015–2017. We assessed habitat selection using a Type II design at the second order of selection (home range placement within the landscape) and a Type III design at the third order (Global Positioning System locations within the home range). At the second order of selection, lesser prairie-chickens selected Conservation Reserve Program fields seeded in nonnative grasses (wi = 3.99, 95% CI = 1.60–6.39) and native grasses and forbs (wi = 3.25, 95% CI = 1.99–4.52) year-round. Row-crop agriculture (wi = 0.17, 95% CI = 0.06–0.28) and native grassland (wi = 0.30, 95% CI = 0.06–0.55) were avoided. Native grass Conservation Reserve Program fields were used in proportion to their availability (wi = 1.33, 95% CI = 0.81–1.85) year-round. Only Conservation Reserve Program fields seeded in native grasses and forbs were selected at the third order of selection (wi = 1.32, 95% CI = 1.16–1.47). Based on our results, Conservation Reserve Program fields provide habitat for lesser prairie-chickens, and as such, may be beneficial to persistence of the species on the High Plains of Texas.

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“…Based on differences in land use and vegetation community, these surveys were categorized into four ecoregions: 1) Sand Shinnery Oak Prairie Ecoregion (SOPR) located in eastern New Mexico-West Texas; 2) Sand Sagebrush Prairie Ecoregion located in southeastern Colorado, southwestern Kansas, and western Oklahoma Panhandle; 3) Mixed-Grass Prairie Ecoregion located in the northeast Texas Panhandle, western Oklahoma, and south central Kansas; and 4) Short-Grass Prairie/Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) Prairie Ecoregion located in northwestern Kansas. Of these regions, the SOPR is geographically separated and distinct from these other regions in climate and vegetation community (Oyler-McCance et al 2016). Aerial surveys from 2012 to 2016 by the Western Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies have shown that populations declining from 2012 to 2013 in Kansas and Oklahoma did not appear to decline further from 2013 to 2016, although these estimates are associated with a large degree of uncertainty and should be considered cautiously.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 98%

Temporal Variation in Breeding Season Survival and Cause-Specific Mortality of Lesser Prairie-Chickens

Meyers

Carleton

Gould

et al. 2018

Journal of Fish and Wildlife Management

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The lesser prairie-chicken Tympanuchus pallidicinctus has experienced significant declines in distribution and abundance since the early 1900s. A severe and prolonged drought from 2009 to 2013 resulted in further declines in population numbers and despite improved environmental and habitat conditions since 2013, populations of lesser prairie chickens have shown little improvement. To investigate whether breeding season survival of lesser prairie-chickens in eastern New Mexico could be driving this response, we developed the following objectives: 1) estimate male and female breeding-season survival; 2) determine whether male and female survival varies temporally among lekking, nesting, and brood-rearing periods; and 3) determine cause-specific mortality during the breeding season. We captured and radiocollared 76 lesser prairie-chickens (50 male, 26 female) during spring of 2014 and 2015 and estimated their survival throughout the breeding season (15 March–31 August). Male survival was nearly double that of females in both years (0.79–0.81 and 0.38–0.45, respectively). Males had similar survival across all periods (lekking, postlekking, late summer: 0.89–0.95). Females had the greatest period-specific survival during lekking and brood rearing (0.87 ± 0.08 and 0.85 ± 0.10, respectively) relative to the nesting period (0.58 ± 0.11). Mammalian predation was the primary cause of mortality in both years. Our results indicate that in New Mexico 1) lesser prairie-chicken breeding season survival was consistent with geographically similar studies, 2) females have lower survival during the nesting period, and 3) female lesser prairie-chicken survival was lower than male survival regardless of time period. Management actions that provide and protect high-quality nesting habitat may help ensure that female survival is maximized during the nesting period.

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Rangewide genetic analysis of Lesser Prairie-Chicken reveals population structure, range expansion, and possible introgression

Cited by 19 publications

References 91 publications

Characteristics of lesser prairie‐chicken (Tympanuchus pallidicinctus) long‐distance movements across their distribution

Characteristics of lesser prairie‐chicken (Tympanuchus pallidicinctus) long‐distance movements across their distribution

Multiscale Habitat Selection of Lesser Prairie-Chickens in a Row-Crop and Conservation Reserve Program Land Matrix

Temporal Variation in Breeding Season Survival and Cause-Specific Mortality of Lesser Prairie-Chickens

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