conservation.arizona.edu - Threatened and Endangered Species

Unraveling parasite identification in invasive and endangered squirrel species: potential for parasite spillover

aburnett93 — Wed, 25 Sep 2024 21:53:59 +0000

Authors

Deandra Jones

Patricia S. Stock

Emilie Lefoulon

Maria Vittoria Mazzamuto

W. Eugene Hall

David L. Bergman

John L. Koprowski

Additional Information

Biological Invasions

Date of publication:

2023

Topics

parasites

Research Categories

Invasive Species Threatened and Endangered Species

Modeling a hot, dry future: Substantial range reductions in suitable environment projected under climate change for a semiarid riparian predator guild

aburnett93 — Wed, 25 Sep 2024 21:50:00 +0000

Authors

Brian R. Blais

John L. Koprowski

Additional Information

Plos One

Date of publication:

2024

Topics

climate change

Research Categories

Disturbance Ecology Spatial Ecology Threatened and Endangered Species

The high cost of movement in an arid working landscape for an endangered amphibian

aburnett93 — Wed, 25 Sep 2024 21:47:49 +0000

Authors

Colin W. Brocka

Maria Vittoria Mazzamuto

John L. Koprowski

Additional Information

Ecology and Evolution

Date of publication:

2024

Research Categories

Spatial Ecology Threatened and Endangered Species

Foraging Behavior Response of Small Mammals to Different Burn Severities

aburnett93 — Mon, 25 Sep 2023 21:26:18 +0000

Authors

Marina Morandini

Maria Vittoria Mazzamuto

John L. Koprowski

Additional Information

Fire

Date of publication:

2023

Topics

wildfire

wildfire effects

behavior

behavioral response

GUD

predation

Mt. Graham red squirrel

Research Categories

Disturbance Ecology Sky Islands Threatened and Endangered Species

Use of drone technology to monitor and map endangered marmot populations in Mongolian grasslands.

aburnett93 — Wed, 16 Aug 2023 17:24:28 +0000

Authors

Enkhmaa Enkhbat

Ulam-Urnukh Bayanmunkh

Altanbagana Yunden

Sukhchuluun Gansukh

Adiya Yansanjav

John L. Koprowski

Maria Vittoria Mazzamuto

Additional Information

Hystrix

Date of publication:

2023

Research Categories

Spatial Ecology Threatened and Endangered Species

Using a substitute species to inform translocation of an endangered territorial mammal

aburnett93 — Mon, 06 Mar 2023 19:59:14 +0000

Authors

Marina Morandini

John Koprowski

Substitute species can inform management strategies without exposing endangered species to unacceptable risk. Furthermore, experimental approaches may help to identify the causes of translocation failures, improving the chances of success. We used a surrogate subspecies, Tamiasciurus fremonti fremonti to test different translocation techniques to inform on potential management actions with regards to the endangered Mt. Graham red squirrel (Tamiasciurus fremonti grahamensis). Individuals of both subspecies defend year-round territories in similar mixed conifer forests at elevations between 2650–2750 m, where they store cones to survive over winter. We fitted VHF radio collars to 54 animals, and we monitored their survival and movements until individuals settled on a new territory. We considered the effect of season, translocation technique (soft or hard release), and body mass on survival, distance moved after release, and time to settlement of translocated animals. Survival probability averaged 0.48 after 60 days from the translocation event and was not affected by season or translocation technique. 54% of the mortality was caused by predation. Distance moved and number of days to settlement varied with season, where winter was characterized by shorter distances (average of 364 m in winter versus 1752 m in fall) and a smaller number of days (6 in winter versus 23 in fall). The data emphasized on the potential of substitute species to provide valuable information for possible outcomes of management strategies to closely related endangered species.

Additional Information

PLOS One

Date of publication:

2023

Research Categories

Behavioral Ecology Threatened and Endangered Species

Adaptive management in a conservation breeding program: Mimicking habitat complexities facilitates reproductive success in narrow-headed gartersnakes (Thamnophis rufipunctatus)

aburnett93 — Thu, 05 Jan 2023 18:46:47 +0000

Authors

Brian Blais

Stuart Wells

Bradley Poynter

John Koprowski

Michael Garner

Ruth Allard

Mimicking natural parameters and complexities in zoo conservation breeding programs can facilitate natural physiological and behavioral traits, which in turn can inform more effective species reintroduction efforts. To curtail population declines of threatened narrow-headed gartersnakes (Thamnophis rufipunctatus), the Arizona Center for Nature Conservation/Phoenix Zoo partnered with a multiagency conservation working group to develop an ex situ propagation-for-release program. Initially, Zoo staff followed common snake husbandry protocols of manually inducing brumation (i.e., winter dormancy). Copulation was observed during the first few years, but no births resulted. Also, some older individuals developed post-brumation health abnormalities, prompting a strategic reassessment. To facilitate propagation and improve health, Zoo staff applied ecological knowledge of T. rufipunctatus and an adaptive management strategy to implement key parameters for success: sociality, refugia, breeding and foraging behaviors, and natural brumation. Zoo staff developed a large multisnake enclosure that mimicked natural ecological and habitat complexities including a hibernaculum to stimulate natural brumation. Gartersnakes were left mostly unimpeded to conduct natural behaviors across seasons in the enriched environment. We referenced change in body mass after ten brumation periods as a proxy for health. Under natural brumation, gartersnakes did not lose body mass, and this shift resulted in fully ex situ parturition events—the first for this imperiled species. We highlight the efficacy of adaptive management and incorporation of natural parameters and environmental complexities into conservation breeding programs. These actions can improve the health and success of animals under managed care—processes applicable to a range of taxa targeted for conservation translocations.

Additional Information

Zoo Biology

Date of publication:

2022

Research Categories

Natural History Threatened and Endangered Species

Bridging conservation across the ex situ‐in situ spectrum: Insights into the reproductive ecology of the threatened narrow‐headed gartersnake (Thamnophis rufipunctatus)

aburnett93 — Mon, 02 Jan 2023 17:51:07 +0000

Authors

Brian Blais

Stuart Wells

Bradley Poynter

Tara Harris

Ruth Allard

John Koprowski

Zoo‐based (ex situ) conservation breeding programs provide invaluable opportunities to uncover enigmatic behaviors and traits of focal species under managed care, which can support research and conservation management efforts. A suite of factors and a limited range have yielded population declines in the threatened narrow‐headed gartersnake (Thamnophis rufipunctatus). Better understanding its cryptic ecology and life history (e.g., reproductive ecology) offers conservation benefits. We analyzed data on courtship behavior, parity and litter size, offspring size, and neonatal growth from an ex situ T. rufipunctatus population at the Phoenix Zoo from 2009 to 2018. Courtship behavior and parturition phenology are likely linked with the North American monsoon season, yet the courtship window may be wider than realized. We document the first instances of interannual iteroparity and multigenerational rearing of successful breeders at the ex situ level. Litter sizes varied but were relative to maternal body mass, suggesting that fecundity may be driven by intrinsic condition (e.g., age and size) of breeding females. Mean offspring body masses were equivalent between sexes, and neonate growth trends were quadratic during their first 9 months. Sexual dimorphism became apparent around 4–5 months age. Much of these data are novel for T. rufipunctatus and provide insight into their reproductive ecology. Phenology of reproductive ecology and body size metrics can guide field surveillance, age estimations, and population ecology monitoring, as well as inform ex situ adaptive management practices. Strategies spanning the ex situ‐in situ spectrum are applicable to other imperiled taxa to better inform conservation management decisions.

Additional Information

Zoo Biology

Date of publication:

2022

Research Categories

Natural History Threatened and Endangered Species

Multiscale effects of habitat loss and degradation on occurrence and landscape connectivity of a threatened subspecies

aburnett93 — Fri, 22 Oct 2021 21:47:19 +0000

Authors

Kira Hefty

John Koprowski

Land use change can result in complex environments of varying habitat quality and permeability that directly and indirectly influence the effectiveness of natural areas for wildlife conservation. To assess how isolation and degradation of protected natural areas may affect long-term conservation efforts across the range of a sensitive subspecies, we used multiscale occupancy analysis, species distribution modeling, and circuit theory to identify hotspot areas of occurrence and potential landscape connectivity among areas of high quality habitat within and between protected natural areas. Big Cypress fox squirrels (Sciurus niger avicennia: BCFS) are state-threatened subspecies of fox squirrel endemic to forested wetlands in southwest Florida, which have been highly altered by human activities. Probability of occupancy of BCFS among conservation areas varied widely due to differences in environmental features (Hedge's g = 1.4705, 95% CI: 1.074–1.763). Fine-scale features indicative of habitat degradation, such as increasing midstory vegetation cover and decreasing bromeliad cover, negatively influenced BCFS occurrence. Home-range-level tree canopy cover differentially affected probability of occupancy dependent on proximity to urban areas. Additionally, home-range-level high summer temperature differentially affected probability of occupancy dependent on proximity to cypress domes. Habitat was distributed patchily both within and among conservation areas, separated by large areas of unsuitable vegetation communities and urbanized features that were barriers to movement. Considering the threat of increasing isolation of conservation areas due to continued development as well as current and impending degradation caused by land use and climate change within conservation area boundaries, we suggest a strong need for interagency coordination to improve, maintain, and acquire rights for protection of additional remaining habitat.

Additional Information

Conservation Science and Practice

Date of publication:

2021

Topics

small mammal

Research Categories

Disturbance Ecology Spatial Ecology Threatened and Endangered Species

What’s on the menu? A presumed attack of Andean bear on a Mountain tapir at the Puracé National Natural Park, Colombia

mmerrick — Thu, 14 Jan 2021 18:28:52 +0000

Authors

Gustavo Adolfo Pisso-Florez

Ignacio Gómez-Lora

I. Mauricio Vela-Vargas

Héctor Pizo

Isaac Bedoya Dorado

Héctor E. Ramírez-Chaves

Two iconic and charismatic species that inhabit the northern Andes of South America are the Andean bear (Tremarctos ornatus) and the Mountain tapir (Tapirus pinchaque). Both species can be found sympatrically in several areas of Colombia, Ecuador, and northern Peru. Despite their overlap in distribution, little is known about interactions between both species, with few reported cases of Andean bear attacks on the Mountain tapir. Here, we report a possible attack by an Andean bear on a Mountain tapir in the northern part of Puracé National Natural Park, Colombia based on strong wounds and marks on a tapir’s back and rump. The wounds match typical attack patterns generated by Andean bears and corroborates previous camera traps records of bears attacking tapirs in this locality.

Additional Information

Neotropical Biology and Conservation

Date of publication:

2021

Topics

Neotropical mammals

Andean bear

Andean forest

mountain tapir

protected areas

Research Categories

Behavioral Ecology Natural History Threatened and Endangered Species