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8 results for “eastern massasauga rattlesnake”
Data for: Inferring population connectivity in Eastern Massasauga Rattlesnakes (Sistrurus catenatus) using landscape genetics
<p>Assessing the environmental factors that influence the ability of a threatened species to move through the landscape can be used to identify conservation actions that connect isolated populations. However, direct observations of species' movement are often limited making the development of alternate approaches necessary. Here we use landscape genetic analyses to assess the impact of landscape features on the movement of individuals between local populations of a threatened snake, the Eastern Massasauga Rattlesnake (<em>Sistrurus catenatus</em>). We linked connectivity data with habitat information from two landscapes of similar size: a large region of unfragmented habitat and a previously studied fragmented landscape consisting of isolated patches of habitat. We used this analysis to identify features of the landscape where modification or acquisition would enhance population connectivity in the fragmented region. We found evidence that current connectivity is impacted by both contemporary landcover features, especially roads, and inherent landscape features such as elevation. Next, we derived estimates of expected movement ability using a recently developed pedigree-based approach and Least Cost Paths through the unfragmented landscape. We then used our pedigree and resistance map to estimate resistance polygons of the potential extent for <em>S. catenatus</em> movement in the fragmented landscape. These polygons identify possible sites for future corridors connecting currently isolated populations in this landscape by linking the impact of future habitat modification or land acquisition to dispersal ability in this species. Overall, our study shows how modeling landscape resistance across differently fragmentated landscapes can identify habitat features that affect contemporary movement in threatened species in fragmented landscapes and how this information can be used to guide mitigation actions whose goal is to connect isolated populations.</p>
Data for: Inferring population connectivity in Eastern Massasauga Rattlesnakes (Sistrurus catenatus) using landscape genetics
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Diet of a threatened rattlesnake (eastern massasauga) revealed by DNA metabarcoding
<p>Characterizing the diet of imperiled species using minimally invasive methods is crucial to understanding their ecology and conservation requirements. Here, we apply a DNA metabarcoding approach to study the diet of the eastern massasauga rattlesnake (<em>Sistrurus</em> <em>catenatus</em>), a Federally Threatened snake found throughout the Great Lakes region. Eighty-three fecal samples collected across 10 different massasauga populations located in Michigan, USA, were sequenced, with 70 samples containing prey DNA. We used universal metazoan primers and developed a host-specific oligonucleotide blocker to characterize their diet. We identified at least 12 different prey species, with eastern massasaugas exhibiting opportunistic feeding and a strong preference towards small mammals. Meadow voles (<em>Microtus</em> <em>pennsylvanicus</em>) were the most common prey item (70% of diet) followed by the northern short-tailed shrew (<em>Blarina</em> <em>brevicauda</em>) and masked shrew (<em>Sorex</em> <em>cinereus</em>; 15.7% of diet each), along with occasional bird and snake prey. Adult individuals exhibited a more generalized diet, consuming a larger number of prey taxa on average. Younger snakes consumed a smaller variety of prey items and tended to consume smaller-sized mammals such as masked shrews (<em>Sorex</em> <em>cinereus</em>) and northern short-tailed shrews (<em>Blarina</em> <em>brevicauda</em>). We conclude that small mammals are a crucial part of eastern massasauga rattlesnake diet and recommend this be taken into consideration when conservation strategies are developed. The methods developed in this study can be applied to other reptile species, providing an accurate, minimally invasive, and thorough diet assessment for at-risk reptile species.</p>
Diet of a threatened rattlesnake (eastern massasauga) revealed by DNA metabarcoding
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Data from: The influence of landscape on gene flow in the eastern massasauga rattlesnake (Sistrurus c. catenatus): insight from computer simulations
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Data from: Low bottleneck detection in long-lived species despite lost genetic diversity: a case study of tuatara and eastern massasauga rattlesnakes
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Data from: Microsatellite and major histocompatibility complex variation in an endangered rattlesnake, the Eastern Massasauga (Sistrurus catenatus)
Genetic diversity is fundamental to maintaining the long-term viability of populations, yet reduced genetic variation is often associated with small, isolated populations. To examine the relationship between demography and genetic variation, variation at hypervariable loci (e.g., microsatellite DNA loci) is often measured. However, these loci are selectively neutral (or near neutral) and may not accurately reflect genomewide variation. Variation at functional trait loci, such as the major histocompatibility complex (MHC), can provide a better assessment of adaptive genetic variation in fragmented populations. We compared patterns of microsatellite and MHC variation across three Eastern Massasauga (Sistrurus catenatus) populations representing a gradient of demographic histories to assess the relative roles of natural selection and genetic drift. Using 454 deep amplicon sequencing, we identified 24 putatively functional MHC IIB exon 2 alleles belonging to a minimum of six loci. Analysis of synonymous and nonsynonymous substitution rates provided evidence of historical positive selection at the nucleotide level, and Tajima's D provided support for balancing selection in each population. As predicted, estimates of microsatellite allelic richness, observed, heterozygosity, and expected heterozygosity varied among populations in a pattern qualitatively consistent with demographic history and abundance. While MHC allelic richness at the population and individual levels revealed similar trends, MHC nucleotide diversity was unexpectedly high in the smallest population. Overall, these results suggest that genetic variation in the Eastern Massasauga populations in Illinois has been shaped by multiple evolutionary mechanisms. Thus, conservation efforts should consider both neutral and functional genetic variation when managing captive and wild Eastern Massasauga populations.
Data from: Microsatellite and major histocompatibility complex variation in an endangered rattlesnake, the Eastern Massasauga (Sistrurus catenatus)
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