Digital Commons Network^™

Wildlife Disease Research At The Aphis National Wildlife Research Center, R. G. Mclean, L. Clark, M. R. Dunbar, K. C. Vercauteren, T. A. Campbell

United States Department of Agriculture Wildlife Services: Staff Publications

Research on wildlife diseases at the newly formed Wildlife Disease Program (WDP) at the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS), Wildlife Services (WS), National Wildlife Research Center (NWRC) concentrates on wildlife diseases of importance to domestic animal and human health. We are conducting studies on wildlife rabies, bovine tuberculosis (TB), chronic wasting disease (CWD), West Nile virus (WNV), pathogenic bacteria of birds, and pseudorabies (PR). The goal of the research is to develop innovative methods for surveillance, intervention, prevention, and control of these diseases.

Historic And Current Status Of The American White Pelican Breeding At Chase Lake National Wildlife Refuge, North Dakota, Marsha A. Sovada, D. Tommy King, Michael Erickson, Cheryl Gray

United States Department of Agriculture Wildlife Services: Staff Publications

Chase Lake National Wildlife Refuge currently supports the largest breeding colony of the American White Pelican ( Pelecanus erythrorhynchos ) in North America. The first written account of the colony’s status was in 1905, when approximately 500 pelicans nested on two islands in Chase Lake. The colony grew to nearly 34,000 breeding birds by 2002. Surveys of breeding pelicans in the colony were sporadic from 1905 until 1972. Because the availability of foraging areas affects recruitment, pond counts from south-central North Dakota were used as an index of the relative availability of foraging areas. Pond counts varied widely in the …

Interactions Between The American White Pelican And Aquaculture In The Southeastern United States: An Overview, D. Tommy King

United States Department of Agriculture Wildlife Services: Staff Publications

The eastern metapopulation of the American White Pelican ( Pelecanus erythrorhynchos ) breeds mainly in the Northern Great Plains, migrates through the Great Plains and along the Mississippi River and winters in the lower Mississippi River Valley and along the Gulf of Mexico. The production of farm-raised Channel Catfish ( Ictalurus punctatus ) in the southeastern United States has increased dramatically in the last 25 years. In 1990, U.S. Department of Agriculture Wildlife Services offices in Arkansas, Louisiana and Mississippi began receiving complaints concerning the foraging of pelicans in commercial Channel Catfish ponds. Because of the relatively shallow depth and …

Recent Population Status Of The American White Pelican: A Continental Perspective, D. Tommy King, Daniel W. Anderson

United States Department of Agriculture Wildlife Services: Staff Publications

Breeding bird surveys were conducted at most American White Pelican ( Pelecanus erythrorhynchos ) colonies in North America from 1979-81 and the number of American White Pelicans was estimated at >109,000 breeding individuals in 55 colonies. Although many pelican colonies have not been surveyed since the early 1980s, we present the most current survey numbers available for North American colonies. Using available data (1998-2001) and the North American Continental Divide to delineate eastern from western metapopulations, 27 colonies and 48,240 nests in the East and 15 colonies and 18,790 nests in the West were documented, giving a total of about …

Introduction: Biology And Conservation Of The American White Pelican, Daniel W. Anderson, D. Tommy King

United States Department of Agriculture Wildlife Services: Staff Publications

Two separate, large-scale management units for the American White Pelican ( Pelecanus erythrorhynchos ) in North America are proposed: the eastern and western metapopulations, separated by the North American Continental Divide. The populations on either side of this barrier are subject to contrasting ecological conditions, movement patterns suggest strong geographic separation and each is likely demographically distinct. Subdivisions within these demographic units need to be more precisely defined in the future. Yet, because of the highly colonial nesting habits of the American White Pelican, conservation can still be effective if directed toward separate breeding colonies. Our intent is to provide …

Developing Relative Abundance Techniques (Rats) For Monitoring Rodent Populations, Desely A. Whisson, Richard M. Engeman, Kellie Collins

United States Department of Agriculture Wildlife Services: Staff Publications

Accurate density estimates of rodents are frequently difficult or cost-prohibitive to determine. Thus, a number of techniques (track plates, monitoring blocks, chew cards/sticks, apple slice index, trapping) are often used to index rodent populations. Theoretically, the sensitivity of these indexing techniques could be improved if they applied continuous measurements rather than simple binary measurements (presence/absence). Development of a relative abundance technique that is simple to apply and sensitive to changes in population density is critical for the operational management of rodent pests. In addition to providing a quantitative measure of abundance with statistical parameters, an indexing technique that does not …

The Impact Of Disease In The American White Pelican In North America, Tonie Rocke, Kathryn Converse, Carol Meteyer, Bob Mclean

United States Department of Agriculture Wildlife Services: Staff Publications

Records of reported die-offs of the American White Pelican ( Pelicanus erythrorhynchos ) held by the U.S. Geological Survey National Wildlife Health Center from 1978 through 2003 indicate that type C botulism (caused by Clostridium botulinum ) was the major cause of mortality. In 1996, over 15,000 birds, including 8,500 American White Pelicans, were estimated to have died from type C botulism at the Salton Sea in California. This was the largest documented die-off of any pelican species and was estimated to represent 15-20% of the western metapopulation. This event was also notable in that it was the first time …

Husbandry Of Wild-Caught Greater Sage-Grouse, Paul Oesterle, Robert Mclean, Michael Dunbar, Larry Clark

United States Department of Agriculture Wildlife Services: Staff Publications

This study reports the first successful husbandry and breeding in captivity of wild-caught greater sage-grouse (Ccntroccrcus urophasianus). In October 2003, 2 1 hatch-year greater sage-grouse were trapped in northwestern Nevada and transported to Fort Collins, Colorado. We held grouse in pens at the United States Department of Agriculture's National Wildlife Research Center for 8 months. We offered a varied diet, including native food items such as sagebrush (Arternisia tridentata and A. tripartita) and yarrow (Achilles millefolium). We housed grouse in a large flight pen and allowed to them freerange as one flock. Mortdlity rate was 16.7%. Several of the grouse …

U.S. Army Corps Of Engineers Omaha District Monthly Drought Report, August 2005

United States Army Corps of Engineers, Omaha District

Missouri River Basin Drought Overview

Pre-Settlement Drought

Drought Since 1895

Current Conditions

Drought Outlook 1

Ft. Peck, Montana

Reservoir Elevation Overview

Water Intake Overview

Access Overview

Noxious Weeds Overview

Cultural Resources Overview

Garrison, North Dakota

Reservoir Elevation Overview

Water Intake Overview

Access Overview

Boat Ramp Information

Noxious Weeds Overview

Cultural Resources Overview

Other Areas of Interest/Concern

Oahe, South Dakota

Reservoir Elevation Overview

Water Intake Overview

Access Overview

Noxious Weeds Overview

Cultural Resources Overview

Mainstem Reservoir Information, Weekly Elevation Comparison 27 JUN 2005 through 1 AUG 2005

Mainstem Reservoir Storage Comparison Water Year 2004 vs. Water Year 2005

Ft. Peck, MT …

Coyote Movements And Social Structure Along A Cryptic Population Genetic Subdivision, Benjamin N. Sacks, Brian R. Mitchell, Christen L. Williams, Holly B. Ernest

United States Department of Agriculture Wildlife Services: Staff Publications

A recent region-wide study determined that the central California coyote ( Canis latrans ) population was genetically subdivided according to habitat bioregions, supporting the hypothesis that coyotes exhibit a dispersal bias toward their natal habitat type. Here, we further investigated this hypothesis using radio-collared coyotes captured on a 150-km 2 study site on the border of (i.e. overlapping) two bioregions (Great Valley and Cascade Mountains). As predicted, most coyotes were assigned (based on a priori genetic criteria) to genetic clusters corresponding to one of these two bioregions. All of those assigned to the Great Valley genetic cluster were caught in …

U.S. Army Corps Of Engineers Omaha District Monthly Drought Report, July 2005

United States Army Corps of Engineers, Omaha District

Drought Monitor Overview

Latest Seasonal Assessment

U.S. Seasonal Drought Outlook

U.S. Drought Monitor

National Drought Summary July 12, 2005

Current Drought Impacts in the United States

Drought Severity Index by Division

Mainstem Reservoir Information

Reservoir Control Center Predictions

Basic Simulation

Lower Basic Simulation

Upper Basic Simulation

Ft. Peck, Montana

Reservoir Elevation Overview

Water Intake Overview

Access Overview

Noxious Weeds Overview

Cultural Resources Overview

FY 05 Action Items

Garrison, North Dakota

Reservoir Elevation Overview

Water Intake Overview

Access Overview

Boat Ramp Information

Noxious Weeds Overview

Cultural Resources Overview

Other Areas of Interest/Concern

Oahe Assessment

Reservoir Elevation Overview

Water Intake Overview

Access …

Gnrh Irnmunocontraception Of Male Cats, Megan K. Ross, Julie K. Levy, Lowell A. Miller, Cynda Crawford, Jerry W. Ritchey, Kathleen A. Fagerstone

United States Department of Agriculture Wildlife Services: Staff Publications

The develop~llenot f nonsurgical co~ltraceptivesf or cats may facilitate population control of the species. The purpose of this study was to investigate the utility of GI&H for iinillu~locontraceptioo~fl male cats. Male cats (11=12) were divided into groups of tlxee and were inunuilized once with 0 (sham), 50, 200, or 400 i g synthetic GI&H coupled to keyhole limpet hernocyanin and combined with a nlycobacterial adjuvant to e~lhance inullunogenicity. GI&H ailtibody titer, serunl testostero~lec oncentration, and scrota1 size were detenniiled monthly. At 6 1110, semen was collected by electroejaculation and testes were examined histologically. GnRH antibodies were detected in all cats …

From The Field: Field Searches Versus Vaginal Implant Translocating Elk Calves, Nathan W. Seward, David S. Maehr, Jonathan W. Gassett, John J. Cox, Jeffrey L. Larkin

United States Department of Agriculture Wildlife Services: Staff Publications

We compared the utility of vaginal implant transmitters (VITs) and field searches for locating elk (Cervus elaphus) calves in southeastern Kentucky during the spring of 2001. Retention of VITs among 40 adult females ranged from 1–276 days (x - =61.6±8.4 [SE] days). Approximately half of the transmitters (n=19) were expelled prematurely or malfunctioned. Two of 37 (5%) transmitters in translocated females performed as designed and led to calf capture. We captured more calves (n=9 in 2001; n=16 in 2002) by searching areas where elk exhibited parturition behavior. We suggest that manufacturers refine the current VIT design to increase its application …

Causes Of Wolf Depredation Increase In Minnesota From 1979-1998, Elizabeth K. Harper, William J. Paul, L. David Mech

United States Geological Survey, Northern Prairie Wildlife Research Center: Publications

Wolf (Canis lupus) depredations on livestock in Minnesota have been increasing over the last 20 years. A major explanation cited for this increase is wolf range expansion, but no studies have tested this explanation. Additional reasons could include 1) wolf colonization of new areas within long-existing wolf range, 2) learning by wolves in established range, and 3) increased wolf density. We did not assess increasing wolf density as a factor because estimated wolf density in Minnesota has not increased. To assess how each of the other factors might have affected depredations, we created and analyzed a database of …

U.S. Army Corps Of Engineers Omaha District Monthly Drought Report, November 2005

United States Army Corps of Engineers, Omaha District

Current Conditions

Drought Outlook

Ft. Peck, Montana

Reservoir Elevation Overview

Water Intake Overview

Access Overview

Noxious Weeds Overview

Cultural Resources Overview

Garrison, North Dakota

Reservoir Elevation Overview

Water Intake Overview

Access Overview

Boat Ramp Information

Noxious Weeds Overview

Cultural Resources Overview

Other Areas of Interest/Concern

Oahe, South Dakota

Reservoir Elevation Overview

Water Intake Overview

Access Overview

Noxious Weeds Overview

Cultural Resources Overview

Mainstem Reservoir Information, Weekly Elevation Comparison 3 OCT 2005 through 31 OCT 2005

Mainstem Reservoir Storage Comparison Water Year 2004 vs. Water Year 2005

Ft.Peck, MT

Garrison, ND

Oahe, SD

Foraging Behavior And Monetary Impact Of Wading Birds At Arkansas Baitfish Farms, Scott J. Werner, J. Brett Harrel, David E. Wooten

United States Department of Agriculture Wildlife Services: Staff Publications

WP rnnrlurted fnraging ob,ervations, food habits studie~, and producer aurveys to determine the foraging behavior and monetary impact of great blue herons Ardca hr.rodia5, great egrets A. alba, and little blue heron5 E m t r a cnurulua lora-g in-e at Arkansas haiffish farms. Although great egrets captured most baitfishlminute, captureslstrike were nearlj identical among the three wadine bird snecies. American eizzard shad Dorosoma crordinnum. eoldfish Carossius nuratul. D - . - and giant water bugs Hemiplera: Beloston~atidaew ere collected from the gastro-intestinal tract of grent blue herons. Only golden shiners ,Votrrni~onuc,~ry soleucur and goldfish were found in great egrets. …

U.S. Army Corps Of Engineers Omaha District Monthly Drought Report, September 2005

United States Army Corps of Engineers, Omaha District

Missouri River Basin Drought Overview

Pre-Settlement Drought

Drought Since 1895

Current Conditions

Drought Outlook

Ft. Peck, Montana

Reservoir Elevation Overview

Water Intake Overview

Access Overview

Noxious Weeds Overview

Cultural Resources Overview

Garrison, North Dakota

Reservoir Elevation Overview

Water Intake Overview

Access Overview

Boat Ramp Information

Noxious Weeds Overview

Cultural Resources Overview

Other Areas of Interest/Concern

Oahe, South Dakota

Reservoir Elevation Overview

Water Intake Overview

Access Overview

Noxious Weeds Overview

Cultural Resources Overview

Mainstem Reservoir Information, Weekly Elevation Comparison 27 JUN 2005 through 31 AUG 2005

Mainstem Reservoir Storage Comparison Water Year 2004 vs. Water Year  2005

Ft. Peck, MT

Garrison, …

Chlorovirus: A Genus Of Phycodnaviridae That Infects Certain Chlorella-Like Green Algae, Ming Kang, David Dunigan, James L. Van Etten

Department of Plant Pathology: Faculty Publications

Taxonomy: Chlorella viruses are assigned to the family Phycodnaviridae, genus Chlorovirus, and are divided into three species: Chlorella NC64A viruses, Chlorella Pbi viruses and Hydra viridis Chlorella viruses. Chlorella viruses are large, icosahedral, plaque-forming, dsDNA viruses that infect certain unicellular, chlorella-like green algae. The type member is Paramecium bursaria chlorella virus 1 (PBCV-1).

Physical properties: Chlorella virus particles are large (molecular weight ~1 × 10⁹ Da) and complex. The virion of PBCV-1 contains more than 100 different proteins; the major capsid protein, Vp54, comprises ~40% of the virus protein. Cryoelectron microscopy and three-dimensional image reconstruction of PBCV-1 virions …

The Interplay Of Traits And Motives On Volunteering: Agreeableness, Extraversion And Prosocial Value Motivation, Gustavo Carlo, Morris A. Okun, George Knight, Maria Rosario T. De Guzman

Department of Psychology: Faculty Publications

Social psychology and personality theorists have proposed that our understanding of prosocial behavior will be enhanced by examining the interplay of traits and motives. The present study was designed to test several pathways by which agreeableness, extraversion, and prosocial value motivation to volunteer influence volunteerism. A sample of 796 college students completed measures of the Big Five traits, prosocial value motivation to volunteer, and volunteering. Results of path analyses showed that prosocial value motivation to volunteer partially mediated the relations between agreeableness and extraversion, and volunteering. Furthermore, as agreeableness decreased, extraversion was more strongly related to prosocial value motivation to …

Chlorella Virus Marburg Topoisomerase Ii: High Dna Cleavage Activity As A Characteristic Of Chlorella Virus Type Ii Enzymes, Jennifer S. Dickey, Tae-Jin Choi, James L. Van Etten, Neil Osheroff

Department of Plant Pathology: Faculty Publications

Although the formation of a covalent enzyme-cleaved DNA complex is a prerequisite for the essential functions of topoisomerase II, this reaction intermediate has the potential to destabilize the genome. Consequently, all known eukaryotic type II enzymes maintain this complex at a low steady-state level. Recently, however, a novel topoisomerase II was discovered in Paramecium bursaria chlorella virus-1 (PBCV-1) that has an exceptionally high DNA cleavage activity [Fortune et al. (2001) J. Biol. Chem. 276, 24401-24408]. If robust DNA cleavage is critical to the physiological functions of chlorella virus topoisomerase II, then this remarkable characteristic should be …

Role Of The Hypervariable Hinge Region Of Phosphoprotein P Of Vesicular Stomatitis Virus In Viral Rna Synthesis And Assembly Of Infectious Virus Particles, Subash C. Das, Asit K. Pattnaik

School of Veterinary and Biomedical Sciences: Faculty Publications

The phosphoprotein (P protein) of vesicular stomatitis virus (VSV) is an essential subunit of the viral RNAdependent RNA polymerase and has multiple functions residing in its different domains. In the present study, we examined the role of the hypervariable hinge region of P protein in viral RNA synthesis and recovery of infectious VSV by using transposon-mediated insertion mutagenesis and deletion mutagenesis. We observed that insertions of 19-amino-acid linker sequences at various positions within this region affected replication and transcription functions of the P protein to various degrees. Interestingly, one insertion mutant was completely defective in both transcription and replication. Using …

Genome Of Deerpox Virus, C. L. Afonso, Gustavo A. Delhon, E. R. Tuhlman, Z. Lu, A. Zsak, V. M. Becerra, L. Zsak, G. F. Kutish, D. L. Rock

Nebraska Center for Virology: Faculty Publications

Deerpox virus (DPV), an uncharacterized and unclassified member of the Poxviridae, has been isolated from North American free-ranging mule deer (Odocoileus hemionus) exhibiting mucocutaneous disease. Here we report the genomic sequence and comparative analysis of two pathogenic DPV isolates, W-848-83 (W83) and W-1170-84 (W84). The W83 and W84 genomes are 166 and 170 kbp, containing 169 and 170 putative genes, respectively. Nucleotide identity between DPVs is 95% over the central 157 kbp. W83 and W84 share similar gene orders and code for similar replicative, structural, virulence, and host range functions. DPV open reading frames (ORFs) with putative …

Epidemiological Characteristics Of Human Herpesvirus-8 Infection In A Large Population Of Antenatal Women In Zambia, W. Klaskala, B. P. Brayfield, C. Kankasa, G. Bhat, J. T. West, C. D. Mitchell, Charles Wood

Nebraska Center for Virology: Faculty Publications

Comprehensive data describing epidemiological characteristics of the human herpesvirus-8 or Kaposi’s sarcoma-associated herpesvirus (HHV-8 or KSHV) infection among pregnant women in a central sub-Saharan Africa are not available. This study determined virus prevalence estimates and the risk factors associated with HHV-8 infection. Cross-sectional, enrollment visit data were analyzed from a prospective cohort study of perinatal transmission of HHV-8 in Lusaka, Zambia. Exposure data were obtained via structured interview, physical examination, medical chart review, and laboratory testing. Among 3,160 antenatal women serologically screened for HHV-8 between September 1998 and October 2000, 40.2% were seropositive. The HHV-8 positive women were more likely …

Compartmentalization Of Hiv-1 In The Central Nervous System: Role Of The Choroid Plexus, Evan J. Burkala, Jun He, John T. West, Charles Wood, Carol K. Petito

Nebraska Center for Virology: Faculty Publications

Objectives: To determine the genetic and phenotypic composition of HIV-1 found in the choroid plexus (CPx) and its relationship to virus in the brain and peripheral lymphoid tissue. Design: Phenotypic and molecular comparisons of HIV-1 found in autopsy brain, CPx, and spleen tissues. Methods: HIV-1 was co-cultured from matched postmortem brain (basal ganglia), CPx, and spleen tissues of AIDS patients with and without HIV-associated encephalitis and dementia. Viral phenotypes were determined by infection of monocyte-derived macrophages, MT-2 or co-receptor-specific cell lines. Viral env and pol sequences were determined from genomic DNA isolated directly from tissues or co-cultures, and phylogenetic comparisons …

Dichotomy In Cross-Clade Reactivity And Neutralization By Hiv-1 Sera: Implications For Active And Passive Immunotherapy, Lisa A. Cavacini, Mark Duval, Ajay Patil, Charles Wood, Kanneth H. Mayer, Ruth M. Ruprecht, Marshall L. Posner

Nebraska Center for Virology: Faculty Publications

The identification of broadly reactive and cross-clade neutralizing antibodies will facilitate the development of a more universally effective vaccine for human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). Antibodies in sera from individuals infected with Clade B HIV bind native primary viral isolates, and virus binding correlates with neutralization and stable clinical disease. In this study, we quantified cross-clade antibody reactivity and neutralization by Clades B and C sera. Primary viral isolates were captured by serum IgG bound to anti-human IgG and quantitated as p24 released by lysis of captured virus. Neutralization was determined using PHA-stimulated PBMC. Clade B antibodies reacted more frequently with …

Cutting Edge: Cd4+Cd25+ Regulatory T Cells Contribute To Gender Differences In Susceptibility To Experimental Autoimmune Encephalomyelitis, Jay Reddy, Hanspeter Waldner, Xingmin Zhang, Zsolt Illes, Kai W. Wucherpfennig, Raymond A. Sobel, Vijay K. Kuchroo

Jay Reddy Publications

Female B10.S mice are highly resistant to proteolipid protein (PLP) 139–151-induced experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE) and depletion of PLP 139–151- reactive CD4+CD25+regulatory T (Treg) cells can slightly increase their EAE susceptibility. Although male B10.S mice are moderately susceptible to EAE, we report that depletion of Treg cells in male B10.S mice before immunization with PLP 139–151 renders them highly susceptible to severe EAE with more CNS neutrophil infiltrates than nondepleted controls. Increased susceptibility is associated with an enhanced PLP 139–151-specific T cell response and greater production of IFN-γ, IL-6, and IL-17. Male CD4+CD25+ effector cells depleted of Treg cells proliferate …

Latency-Related Gene Encoded By Bovine Herpesvirus 1 Promotes Virus Growth And Reactivation From Latency In Tonsils Of Infected Calves, Sandra Perez, Melissa Inman, Alan R. Doster, Clinton J. Jones

School of Veterinary and Biomedical Sciences: Faculty Publications

Infection of calves with bovine herpesvirus 1 (BHV-1) results in transient immunosuppression that may lead to bacterium-induced pneumonia and, occasionally, death. Although sensory neurons in the trigeminal ganglia (TG) are the primary site of BHV-1 latency, viral genomes are detected in the tonsils of latently infected calves. Dexamethasone (DEX) consistently induces reactivation from latency, and viral gene expression is detected in TG and tonsils. In sensory neurons of latently infected calves, the latency-related (LR) gene is abundantly expressed and is required for reactivation from latency. In the present study, we compared the abilities of wild-type (wt) BHV-1 and a strain …

Factors Associated With The Presence Of Coliforms In The Feed And Water Of Feedlot Cattle, Michael W. Sanderson, Jan M. Sargeant, David G. Renter, Dicky Dee Griffin, Robert A. Smith

School of Veterinary and Biomedical Sciences: Faculty Publications

The objective of this study was to investigate coliform counts in feedlot cattle water and feed rations and their associations with management, climate, fecal material, and water Escherichia coli O157 using a cross-sectional study design. Coliform counts were performed on feed samples from 671 pens on 70 feedlots and on water samples from 702 pens on 72 feedlots in four U.S. states collected between May and August 2001. Management and climate factors were obtained by survey and observation. Month of sampling (higher in May and June), presence of corn silage in the ration (negative association), temperature of the feed 1 …

Serologic Survey Of Select Infectious Diseases In Coyotes And Raccoons In Nebraska, Richard Bischof, Douglas G. Rogers

School of Veterinary and Biomedical Sciences: Faculty Publications

To obtain data about select zoonotic and other infectious diseases in free-ranging predators in five ecoregions in Nebraska, sera were collected from 67 coyotes (Canis latrans) and 63 raccoons (Procyon lotor)) from November 2002 through January 2003. For coyotes, antibodies were detected against canine distemper virus (CDV, 61%), Francisella tularensis) (32%), Rickettsia rickettsi) (13%), and flaviviruses (48%). None of the coyote sera had antibodies to Borrelia burgdorferi, Brucella canis), or six serovars of Leptospira interrogans). Because serologic cross-reactivity exists among flaviviruses, 14 sera from flavivirus-positive coyotes were also tested for St. Louis …

A Multilocus Population Genetic Survey Of The Greater Sage-Grouse Across Their Range, S. J. Oyler-Mccance, S.E. Taylor, T. W. Quinn

United States Geological Survey: Staff Publications

The distribution and abundance of the greater sage-grouse (Centrocercus urophasianus) have declined dramatically, and as a result the species has become the focus of conservation efforts. We conducted a range-wide genetic survey of the species which included 46 populations and over 1000 individuals using both mitochondria1 sequence data and data from seven nuclear microsatellites. Nested clade and STRUCTURE analyses revealed that, in general, the greater sage-grouse populations follow an isolation-by-distance model of restricted gene flow. This suggests that movements of the greater sage-grouse are typically among neighboring populations and not across the species, range. This may have important …