An Unexpected Journey: Greater Prairie-chicken Travels Nearly 4000 km after Translocation to Iowa

Vogel, Jennifer A.; Shepherd, Stephanie E.; Debinski, Diane M.

doi:10.1674/0003-0031-174.2.343

Cited by 12 publications

(7 citation statements)

References 13 publications

(7 reference statements)

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“…Greater prairie‐chickens have also been shown to exhibit exploratory movements when translocated to other areas, although the movement patterns are consistent with spiral search, not foray loops (Vogel et al. ).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 98%

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: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 98%

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

et al. 2016

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“…Greater sage‐grouse ( Centrocercus urophasianus ) translocations with a similar methodology to our study have shown a range of mortality (4–9%; Musil et al 1993, Baxter et al 2008, Gruber‐Hadden et al 2016) and the inability to relocate released birds (13–18.2%; Gruber‐Hadden et al 2016, Musil et al 1993, respectively) 2 to 3 weeks post release. Greater prairie‐chickens translocated to Iowa and Missouri, USA, showed similar initial mortality patterns to translocated lesser prairie‐chickens, with 24% of translocated birds dying during initial dispersal movements following release and a single bird moving >4,000 km before settling (Kemink and Kesler 2013, Vogel et al 2015). Similarly, 13% of translocated greater prairie‐chickens in Missouri were not found after release (Carrlson et al 2014).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Assessment of lesser prairie‐chicken translocation through survival and lek surveys

Teige,

Berigan,

Aulicky

et al. 2023

Wildlife Society Bulletin

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Translocation is a management tool used to restore or augment wildlife populations, but outcomes of translocations are often poorly documented and can have varying levels of success for improving wildlife population declines. The lesser prairie‐chicken (Tympanuchus pallidicinctus) is a prairie grouse endemic to the southern Great Plains. In response to declining abundance and distribution, in 2023 lesser prairie‐chickens were listed as threatened or endangered under the Endangered Species Act in different states. Translocation is a potential management response to population declines when there is an availability of unoccupied habitats, but translocation efficacy has not been evaluated for lesser prairie‐chickens. We translocated 411 lesser prairie‐chickens seasonally from 2016‐2019 and monitored the translocated lesser prairie‐chicken population from 2017–2022. To assess translocation as a management tool for lesser prairie‐chickens, we estimated survival for 2017–2020 and conducted lek surveys during 2017–2022. Over a fifth (22.8%, n = 94) of translocated birds either died or went missing within the first 2 weeks following release. Survival rates of translocated birds during the breeding (0.44 ± 0.02 [SE]) and nonbreeding (0.55 ± 0.03 [SE]) seasons were relatively low compared to nontranslocated lesser prairie‐chickens in other studies (0.63–0.93 for breeding season; 0.43–0.87 for non‐breeding season). Twenty‐seven percent of translocated birds survived to the breeding season after release (i.e., >1 year). Translocated lesser prairie‐chickens initiated 28 lekking sites over the study period. We estimated 77% of males available >2 weeks post release participated in lekking activity. The number of leks and male high counts on leks in the study area increased after translocation, peaking one year post‐translocation (an overall increase of 250% and 340%, respectively). However, both the number of leks and male high counts decreased (48% and 39%, respectively) within 3 years after translocation cessation. Establishment of leks and increasing lek attendance directly following translocation initially suggested that translocation could be a viable management tool. However, survival rates after translocation and declining lek counts following translocation indicates that the increased population abundance and occupied range from this translocation effort may be unsustainable. Our results highlight the necessity of monitoring to determine outcomes of a large lesser prairie‐chicken translocation. Other management strategies, such as targeted grassland restoration and management in areas of greatest lesser prairie‐chicken density, could be more beneficial for conservation of lesser prairie‐chicken populations.

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“…In contrast, Frith (1962a) reported that most Malleefowl struggle to colonize new areas when their habitat is heavily cleared and perish. Seasonal movements and (predominantly female) long‐range dispersal in other medium‐sized ground‐dwelling birds that live in similarly fragmented habitats highlight the importance of dispersal in population connectivity and resulting gene flow (Earl et al, 2016; Vogel, 2015).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Patch size and breeding status influence movement patterns in the threatened Malleefowl (Leipoa ocellata)

Stenhouse

Moseby

2023

Austral Ecology

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Information on the movement ecology of species can assist with identifying barriers to dispersal and appropriate management actions. We focus on the threatened Malleefowl (Leipoa ocellata) whose ability to move and disperse within fragmented landscapes is critical for their survival. We also investigate the possible effects of climate change on Malleefowl movement. We used solar‐powered GPS telemetry to collect movement data and determine the influence of breeding status, remnant vegetation patches and environmental variables. Seven Malleefowl were tracked between 1 and 50 months, resulting in 20 932 fixes. While breeding, Malleefowl had significantly smaller home ranges (92 ± 43 ha breeding; 609 ± 708 ha non‐breeding), moved shorter daily distances (1283 ± 605 breeding; 1567 ± 841 non‐breeding) and stayed closer to the incubation mound (349 ± 324 m breeding; 3293 ± 2715 m non‐breeding). Most Malleefowl effectively disassociated from the mound once breeding stopped, with two birds dispersing up to 10.2 km. Movement patterns were significantly correlated with the size of the remnant native vegetation patch, with smaller home ranges being utilized in small patches than in large patches. One male almost exclusively remained within a 107‐ha patch for over 4 years, but a female crossed between closely spaced uncleared patches. Long‐range movements of nearly 10 km daily displacement were recorded in large remnants almost exclusively when not breeding. Temperature and rain had a significant effect on movement: modelling suggests daily distances decline from 1.3 km at 25°C to 0.9 km at 45°C, with steeper declines over 30°C. The influence of patch size on movement patterns suggests that Malleefowl movement may be governed by the size of remnant patches and that habitat continuity may be important for facilitating recolonization after catastrophic events and maintaining genetic diversity. Climate change may reduce Malleefowl movement during hot, dry periods possibly affecting breeding success.

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An Unexpected Journey: Greater Prairie-chicken Travels Nearly 4000 km after Translocation to Iowa

Cited by 12 publications

References 13 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

Assessment of lesser prairie‐chicken translocation through survival and lek surveys

Patch size and breeding status influence movement patterns in the threatened Malleefowl (Leipoa ocellata)

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