Thesis (Ph. D.)--University of Texas at Austin, 2000. / Vita. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 366-391). Available also in a digital version from Dissertation Abstracts.

Thesis (Ph. D.)--University of North Texas, May, 2007. / Title from title page display. Includes bibliographical references.

Thesis (Ph. D.)--University of Alberta, 2009. / Title from pdf file main screen (viewed on July 23, 2009). "A thesis submitted to the Faculty of Graduate Studies and Research in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy in Ecology, Department of Biological Sciences, University of Alberta." Includes bibliographical references.

The black-tailed prairie dog (Cynomys ludovicianus) has experienced dramatic declines over much of its historical range due to habitat loss, plague, poisonings, and shootings. Many populations now occur as isolated genetic relicts. A multiple locus genetic profile was obtained using microsatellite analyses of six polymorphic nucleotide repeats from 319 black-tailed prairie dogs collected from 16 colonies throughout the state of Texas. This assessment revealed that existing populations have sufficient variation at all six loci to verify the usefulness of this approach as a primary genetic tool in conservation and preservation. The data reveals regional-dependent frequency patterns as well as support for founder/bottleneck effects for several of the 16 sites. Although the prairie dog population in Texas as a whole may appear genetically diverse, considerable genetic divergence has already occurred among the subpopulations (FST = 0.164). Isolation by distance is supported by genic differentiation analysis (P < 0.001) and pairwise correlation analysis between genetic distance and geographic distance (P < 0.001). Prairie dogs from six (COC, LUBA, LUBC, LUBD, LUBE, and TAR) of the original 16 sites have been relocated or exterminated, or were in the process of being relocated. Results indicated the following colonies (COT, DAL, HOW, and HUD) are of sufficient size and possess ample genetic diversity to be characterized as candidate foundation populations for future preservation efforts. The proximity of small colonies (< 20 hectares) such as HEMB, LUBB, and PEC, to other colonies should be examined to determine if they are isolated or part of a metapopulation. Colonies (HAR, HEMA, and SCH) with low genetic diversity would be ideal candidates for supplementation. Alternatively, these colonies could be relocated or blended with other similar but genetically distinct colonies. Baselines for healthy, pet prairie dog hematology and blood chemistries were also established. Results signify that data gathered from pet prairie dog blood analyses should be referenced against hematology and blood chemistry baselines established using pet prairie dog subjects.

The Utah prairie dog (Cynomys parvidens) was listed by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service as an endangered species in 1973 because of range-wide population declines. The species was reclassified as threatened in 1984 because of population increases on private lands. Habitat fragmentation coupled with a lack of suitable habitat has impeded species recovery. Desired species habitat conditions include 0-8% shrub cover, 12-40% cool-season grass cover, and 1-10% perennial forb cover. Cool-season grasses are critical for Utah prairie dogs because of high spring energy requirements. Past research suggested that reducing shrub cover may increase cover of desired grasses and forbs. From 2008-2010, I evaluated the effects of high intensity fall sheep grazing and low application of herbicide (tebuthiuron) as tools to reduce shrub cover and enhance grass and forb cover on the Awapa Plateau Utah prairie dog recovery area in south-central Utah. I placed 1700 ewes in 4 ha stratified and randomly selected plots until >70% vegetation utilization was achieved. Five additional randomly-selected plots were treated with tebuthiuron at a rate of ~1.68 kg/ha. Percent cover of grass, forbs, and shrubs was recorded on treatments and paired control plots in June 2009 and 2010 to determine treatment vegetation responses. I also affixed 22 juvenile Utah prairie dogs with radio transmitters to determine if over-winter survival differed relative to treatment. Live shrub cover was lower on grazed plots in year 1 (P<0.001) and in year 2 (P=0.015). Dead shrub cover in grazed plots was higher in year 1 (P<0.001). Grazed plots exhibited increased forb cover from year 1 (P=0.104) to year 2 (P=0.008). Live shrub cover was lower in herbicide plots in year 2 (P=0.002). Dead shrub cover in herbicide plots was higher in year 2 (P=0.006). Tebuthiuron and grazed plots exhibited a reduction in shrub height (P=0.010, P=0.026, respectively). Tebuthiron plots exhibited less grass cover (P=0.034). Intensive sheep grazing and a low application of tebuthiuron reduced both shrub cover and vertical structure, but failed to increase the percent of grass cover when compared to the control plots. All plots exhibited reduced grass cover in 2010 in response to below normal precipitation. However, percent grass cover was higher on the grazed plots. It is possible that low inherent site productivity in combination with below normal average precipitation compromised treatment effects. Because of radio transmitter failure, I was not able to obtain survival data after hibernation. Prairie dog counts and weights did not differ by treatment type. If climate change reduces overall precipitation on the Awapa Plateau, recovery of the Utah prairie dog on this site will be problematic.

Prairie dog control was found to be economically feasible on the Conata basin in South Dakota with future annual maintenance control to prevent re-invasions. The large difference between the present net worth values of the two viewpoints ($2587 for the U.S. Forest Service acting as an agent of the sovereign and $109,011 for the ranchers ) was due to the added costs of environmental considerations included in the U.S. Forest Service control program, but assumed not to be included in control by ranchers. In order for prairie dog control to remain economically feasible, annual maintenance control for the U.S. Forest Service must be below 5 percent of the total initially controlled acreage in the control program (9 percent for the rancher viewpoint). Sun sedge (Carex heloiphila) constituted the major cattle forage increase from control in this study while western wheatgrass (Agropyron smithii), the dominant mid-grass in the area, showed no increase in production after five years of prairie dog elimination. Overall, 84 pounds per acre of usable cattle forage was gained from control.

Vegetation and soils were evaluated on a black-tailed prairie dog (Cynomys ludovicianus) colony and adjacent non-disturbed mixed-grass prairie in central South Dakota. The study’s objectives were 1) determine differences in plant species diversity and richness, and selected soil quality parameters between prairie dog colonies and adjacent non-disturbed sites, and 2) evaluate impacts of prairie dogs on water infiltration rates. Three soil series were evaluated representing three ecological sites (Opal, Cabba, and Wayden). Plant species richness was higher on the Control on Opal soils, while being lower on the Control on Cabba soils. Lower soil pH and higher nitrate concentrations were found on the prairie dog town for Opal and Cabba soils near the soil surface, close to the prairie dog mounds. These findings show prairie dog impacts on soil parameters can vary across different soil types, which can affect the diversity and richness of vegetative communities within prairie dog colonies.

Utah prairie dogs (Cynomys parvidens) have been extirpated in 90% of their historical range. Because most of the population occurs on private land, this threatened species is continually in conflict with landowners. The Utah Division of Wildlife Resources has been relocating prairie dogs from private to public land since the 1970s, but relocations have been largely unsuccessful due to high mortality. Prairie dogs are highly social animals, but they are usually relocated without regard to their family group (coterie). I hypothesized that relocating Utah prairie dogs with their social structure intact may positively affect their survival rates and behavior. Utah prairie dogs were relocated from the golf course in Cedar City, Utah to two prepared sites near Bryce Canyon National Park, Utah in 2010 and 2011. Trapped animals were individually marked, and released at the new sites. Prairie dogs were relocated as coteries, or in a control group as randomly trapped individuals. To compare the two sites, vegetation transects were established at each site to document differences in composition and structure. Two months after relocation, traps were set to recapture released animals. Activity budgets were collected prior to, and following, relocation. Activity data were also collected on wild prairie dog populations for comparison. The best predictor of survival and recapture rate was the animal’s weight at initial capture. Larger animals had higher survival, but lower recapture rates. More research is needed to determine if this is due to better body condition, older animals having more experience, or both. Analysis showed no evidence of an advantage to relocating Utah prairie dogs by coteries. There was no benefit to survival, and no difference in behavior between coterie and control relocation strategies. Relocated animals behaved differently from non-relocated prairie dogs. While still significantly different, relocated individuals behaved more like wild prairie dogs than the animals at the urban source population. The vegetation at the two sites was significantly different. One site had significantly less grass cover, more invasive plant cover, and rockier soils. The sites also had different soil structures, which affect burrowing, and long-term retention rates. More research is needed to determine how site selection influences long-term success of a relocation site.

Thesis (M.S.)--Montana State University--Bozeman, 2008. / Typescript. Chairperson, Graduate Committee: Mark Taper. Includes bibliographical references.

Thesis (M.S.)--University of Wyoming, 2008. / Title from PDF title page (viewed on Mar. 4, 2010). Includes bibliographical references (p. 65-72).