Eastern Yellow-Bellied Racer Populations on the Canadian Prairies

Gardiner, Laura E.; Martino, Jessica A.; Poulin, Ray G.; Somers, Christopher M.

doi:10.29173/bluejay6079

Cited by 4 publications

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“…The racer is an elusive, non‐venomous colubrid with an extremely limited known range on the Canadian prairies (Gardiner et al ). Closely related subspecies of racers to those found in Canada have been studied extensively in the USA (Hirth et al ; Fitch and Shirer ; Brown and Parker ; Klug et al , ), but only 1 study exists in Canada (Martino et al ).…”

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Hibernacula contain a combination of racers, bullsnakes, and rattlesnakes, in addition to plains garter snakes. The number of snakes varies by site with some sites containing hundreds of individuals (e.g., Gardiner et al ), which may indicate hibernacula vary in quality. We collected snakes from 3 known dens within Grasslands National Park, and 2 known dens within the AESB community pasture.…”

Section: Study Areamentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Southwestern Saskatchewan contains a unique (for Canada) snake community where eastern yellow‐bellied racers ( Coluber constrictor flaviventris ), prairie rattlesnakes ( Crotalus viridis ), bullsnakes ( Pituophis catenifer sayi ), western hognose ( Heterodon nasicus ), and plains ( Thamnophis radix ) and terrestrial ( T. elegans ) garter snakes coexist. Eastern yellow‐bellied racers (hereafter racers) are a Threatened species in Canada (Committee on the Status of Endangered Wildlife in Canada [COSEWIC] ), with their range confined to a few river valleys in southern Saskatchewan and southeastern Alberta (Gardiner et al ). Racers meet the criteria for an Endangered species in Canada, but are currently listed as Threatened because the majority of their known range is protected by Grasslands National Park (COSEWIC ).…”

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Balancing the dumbbell: Summer habitats need protection in addition to winter dens for northern snake communities

et al. 2013

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The grasslands of southwestern Saskatchewan, Canada are home to several snake species of conservation concern at the northern extreme of their geographic range. To aid conservation assessment and management planning for these snakes, we used radio‐telemetry, a geographic information system, and multivariate modeling to identify and compare macrohabitat selection by eastern yellow‐bellied racers (n = 33; Coluber constrictor flaviventris), bullsnakes (n = 16; Pituophis catenifer sayi), and prairie rattlesnakes (n = 23; Crotalus viridis). All 3 species shared communal hibernacula in the inactive winter season, but dispersed into different macrohabitats across the landscape during the spring and summer. Their home ranges varied in size by species and were dumbbell‐shaped with activity centers near hibernacula and in well‐defined summer grounds; activity centers were connected by narrow movement corridors. Racers strongly selected for riparian areas, bullsnakes selected for valley grassland habitats, and rattlesnakes selected for areas associated with prairie dog colonies. Some rattlesnakes traveled great distances (over 11 km) from the dens compared to the other species (bullsnake max. = 4 km; racer max. = 5 km), which may be a result of their selected macrohabitat being more patchily distributed in the landscape. Our results indicate that management plans for these snakes must consider the den area, corridors, and separate summering grounds, as well as differences in home range size and movement patterns for each species. © 2013 The Wildlife Society.

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Section: Study Areamentioning

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Balancing the dumbbell: Summer habitats need protection in addition to winter dens for northern snake communities

et al. 2013

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“…However, recent confirmation of racers in the east block of Grasslands National Park between the FRV and BMRV (R.G. Poulin, unpublished data), and a confirmed hibernaculum in extreme south-eastern Alberta hint at the possibility of a broader Canadian distribution (see [ 29 ]). Thus, at this time we cannot make a firm recommendation about racer DUs.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Our study sites were located in southwestern Saskatchewan, where these species appear to be concentrated in three large river valleys: (1) the Frenchman River Valley (FRV; both species), (2) the Big Muddy River Valley (BMRV; both species), and (3) the South Saskatchewan River Valley (SSRV; bullsnakes only; Fig 1b ). These river valleys represent almost the complete known Canadian range of racers [ 29 ], and a large portion of the Canadian range for bullsnakes [ 25 ]. Our study species are sympatric in the grasslands of Saskatchewan, hibernating communally in dens located in bluffs of river valleys.…”

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Conservation genetics of the eastern yellow-bellied racer (Coluber constrictor flaviventris) and bullsnake (Pituophis catenifer sayi): River valleys are critical features for snakes at northern range limits

et al. 2017

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On the North American Great Plains, several snake species reach their northern range limit where they rely on sparsely distributed hibernacula located in major river valleys. Independent colonization histories for the river valleys and barriers to gene flow caused by the lack of suitable habitat between them may have produced genetically differentiated snake populations. To test this hypothesis, we used 10 microsatellite loci to examine the population structure of two species of conservation concern in Canada: the eastern yellow-bellied racer (Coluber constrictor flaviventris) and bullsnake (Pituophis catenifer sayi) in 3 major river valleys in southern Saskatchewan. Fixation indices (FST) showed that populations in river valleys were significantly differentiated for both species (racers, FST = 0.096, P = 0.001; bullsnakes FST = 0.045–0.157, P = 0.001). Bayesian assignment (STRUCTURE) and ordination (DAPC) strongly supported genetically differentiated groups in the geographically distinct river valleys. Finer-scale subdivision of populations within river valleys was not apparent based on our data, but is a topic that should be investigated further. Our findings highlight the importance of major river valleys for snakes at the northern extent of their ranges, and raise the possibility that populations in each river valley may warrant separate management strategies.

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Habitat selection by grassland snakes at northern range limits: Implications for conservation

et al. 2011

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Animal populations at northern range limits may use habitat differently from those at range cores, requiring distinct conservation plans. Snakes are ectotherms that often have very specific requirements, but few studies have focused on the effect of northern latitudes on habitat selection by grassland snakes. We studied movement and habitat selection of 2 sympatric snake species at their northern range limits on the North American Great Plains: the eastern yellow‐bellied racer (Coluber constrictor flaviventris, hereafter racer), a Threatened species in Canada, and the bullsnake (Pituophis catenifer sayi), which is listed as Data Deficient. Both of these species are potentially vulnerable to extinction in Canada because of habitat loss. Snakes from our study populations traveled up to 10‐times farther from winter dens and occupied home ranges 3–104 times larger than populations further south. Both snake species moved from winter dens in the slopes of a major river valley to habitat in adjacent lowlands, including riparian zones (racers) and hilly areas with native grass species (bullsnakes). Multivariate modeling revealed that proximity to retreat sites was a significant predictor of snake site use for both species. Considering the need for winter dens and summering areas, our data suggest that snakes in northern latitudes should ideally have much larger protected areas compared to snakes near the core of their range. An alternative strategy is to conserve corridors linking wintering dens and summer habitats. Retreat sites such as burrows and shrubs are critical components of local habitat and should be included in conservation plans. © 2011 The Wildlife Society.

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Eastern Yellow-Bellied Racer Populations on the Canadian Prairies

Cited by 4 publications

References 0 publications

Balancing the dumbbell: Summer habitats need protection in addition to winter dens for northern snake communities

Balancing the dumbbell: Summer habitats need protection in addition to winter dens for northern snake communities

Conservation genetics of the eastern yellow-bellied racer (Coluber constrictor flaviventris) and bullsnake (Pituophis catenifer sayi): River valleys are critical features for snakes at northern range limits

Habitat selection by grassland snakes at northern range limits: Implications for conservation

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