Sylvatic plague vaccine and management of prairie dogs Finally, we explore the implications of keystone status for the conservation of prairie dogs. We examine ecosystem processes at colony-sites, and then assess whether the prairie dog is a legitimate keystone species. We then document both vertebrates and invertebrates that associate with prairie dogs and their colony-sites. They maintain short vegetation by their grazing and by selective removal of tall plants and shrubs provide shelter, foraging grounds, and nesting habitat for a diverse array of animals serve as prey for many predators and alter soil chemistry.Do these impacts mean that the prairie dog is a keystone species? To investigate, we first scrutinize the definition for a keystone species. 1994 Society for Conservation Biology 1994 Wuerthner 1997 Johnsgard 2005).
The prairie dog has a pronounced impact on its grassland ecosystem (King 1955 Uresk and Bjugstad 1983 Miller et al. Because ferrets used areas with burrow densities similar to densities available at the colony level and because of the potential energetic benefits for ferrets using areas with high burrow densities, releasing ferrets on colonies with high burrow densities might increase reintroduction success. It was hypothesized that ferrets would select areas of high burrow densities within colonies however, burrow densities in areas used by ferrets were generally similar to the available burrow densities. Spatial statistics accounted for autocorrelation in the burrow densities in areas used by ferrets. For 2 months, fine-scale habitat use was quantified by mapping all burrow openings within a 30-m radius of each ferret location. Some maturing ferret kits were subsequently translocated to areas of low and high burrow densities on nearby prairie dog colonies.
Ferret kits experimentally released in areas of comparatively low and high prairie dog burrow densities were located via spotlight surveys. In September 2007, captive-born ferrets were released on a black-tailed prairie dog (Cynomys ludovicianus) colony at the Vermejo Park Ranch, New Mexico. Reintroductions of captive-born ferrets onto prairie dog (Cynomys spp.) colonies are crucial to the conservation of the species. Reich, Robin M.īlack-footed ferrets (Mustela nigripes) are among the most endangered animals in North America. PMID:20587156įine-scale habitat use of reintroduced black-footed ferrets on prairie dog colonies in New MexicoĬhipault, Jennifer G.
These results reflect the use of multiple measurements from species- and age-matched prairie dogs and likely will be useful to ecologists, scientists interested in using this animal model in research, and veterinarians caring for pet prairie dogs. Here we present physiologic data on serum chemistry and hematology profiles, as well as weight, core body temperature, and daily activity patterns for black-tailed prairie dogs. Baseline measurements were used to establish the mean for each animal, which then were compiled and analyzed to determine the reference ranges. In addition, hematologic and serum chemistry analyses were performed. Telemetry data were analyzed to establish circadian rhythms for activity and temperature. To establish baseline physiologic reference ranges, we designed a study using 18 wild-caught black-tailed prairie dogs. Despite increasing numbers of prairie dogs used in research and kept as pets, few data are available on their baseline physiology in animal facility housing conditions. This species is used as an animal model for human gallbladder disease and diseases caused by infection with Clostridium difficile, Yersinia pestis, Francisella tularensis, and most recently, Orthopoxvirus. Ecologically, prairie dogs are a keystone species in prairie ecology.
The black-tailed prairie dog (Cynomys ludovicianus) is a member of the order Rodentia and the family Sciuridae. Keckler, M Shannon Gallardo-Romero, Nadia F Langham, Gregory L Damon, Inger K Karem, Kevin L Carroll, Darin S Physiologic Reference Ranges for Captive Black-Tailed Prairie Dogs (Cynomys ludovicianus)
0 kommentar(er)
