Massasauga Home Range Patterns in the Midwest

Abstract

The massasauga (Sistrurus catenatus) has drastically declined throughout its range mainly due to habitat loss and human persecution. Populations of the massasauga that occur north and east of the Missouri River, USA, are currently candidates for listing under the United States Endangered Species Act. In areas where land managers wish to improve habitat for existing populations or create habitat for repatriation efforts, an understanding of massasauga spatial ecology is necessary to ensure that adequate sized blocks of habitat are created and properly managed. We studied spatial ecology of massasaugas at 2 sites in Wisconsin and 3 sites in Missouri over an 11‐year period. Our results indicated that male massasaugas had larger spatial requirements than all other cohorts. Our study sites supporting viable populations indicated that managers interested in restoring or enhancing massasauga habitat should use 100 ha as a minimum restoration or management target. (JOURNAL OF WILDLIFE MANAGEMENT 72(3):754–759; 2008)

Water and nutrient discharge to a high‐value terrace–floodplain fen: resilience and risk

“…The habitat requirements for massasaugas are considered to be 100 ha in size and consist of a mosaic of xeric and mesic habitats within this space (Durbian et al, 2008), and fens are considered prime conservation targets (Marshall et al, 2006). Water level dynamics are known to be a critical habitat characteristic, as fluctuating water levels during the overwintering period are known to cause mortalities (Johnson et al, 2000).…”

“…The terrace-floodplain fens that occur along the Cedar River in southeast Iowa (Figure 1) are recognized as highvalue ecosystems for amphibians and reptiles (Sutherland and deMaynadier, 2012) and provide critical habitat to threatened species such as the eastern massasauga rattlesnake (Sistrurus catenatus catenatus). The habitat requirements for massasaugas are considered to be 100 ha in size and consist of a mosaic of xeric and mesic habitats within this space (Durbian et al, 2008), and fens are considered prime conservation targets (Marshall et al, 2006). Water level dynamics are known to be a critical habitat characteristic, as fluctuating water levels during the overwintering period are known to cause mortalities (Johnson et al, 2000).…”

Spatial Ecology and Habitat Use of the Western Massasauga (Sistrurus Tergeminus) in Nebraska

“…The active season of 180 days in Nebraska was comparable to 192 days in Pennsylvania (Reinert, 1978), 197.3 days in Missouri (Seigel, 1986), and 158.1 days in New York (Johnson, 1995). The average total distance moved in Nebraska (2329 m) was comparable to three Missouri populations (2325-2753 m) (Durbian et al, 2008), a New York population (2751.3 m) (Johnson, 2000), and an Ontario population (1823.6 m) (Weatherhead and Prior, 1992) but was greater than two Wisconsin populations (548.6-1252.5 m) (Durbian et al, 2008). Males in Missouri on average moved greater total distances (3101 m) and had larger activity areas (95 KD = 25.3 ha; 50 KD = 5.0 ha) (Durbian et al, 2008) than those in Nebraska (total distance = 2463 m; 95 KD = 14.7 ha; 50 KD = 2.8 ha), which could be a factor of habitat quality, habitat size, resource availability, or variation in land management practices.…”

“…We undertook a radiotelemetry study because it allowed us to repeatedly locate free-ranging animals that would normally be impossible to consistently relocate (Reinert, 1992). Radiotelemetry allowed us to identify variations in spatial ecology resulting from life history events, land management practices, and resource availability (Dodd, 1993;Macartney et al, 1988;Durbian et al, 2008).…”

Assessment of Allelic Variation Among Massasauga Rattlesnake Populations via Microsatellite Analysis

“…The Missouri populations are thought to be geographically distant enough from one another that gene flow does not take place, but genetic evidence of this has not been available. Finally, we sought to learn (Durbian et al 2008). If the large population at SCNWR carries unique alleles or genotypes, conservationists need to know if these unique genetic markers are equally distributed among each putative subpopulation, so as to preserve sustainable levels of genetic diversity.…”