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GROUSE NEWS
Newsletter of the Grouse Group of the
IUCN-SSC Galliformes Specialist Group
Galliformes Specialist Group
IUCN-SSC Galliformes Specialist Group
Issue 47
May 2014
Grouse News 47
Newsletter of the Grouse Group
Contents
From the Editor
From the Chair
News from the Galliformes Specialist Group
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Conservation News
In My Opinion: Conservation plans and the future of sage-grouse in Colorado, USA
Experts recommend limiting ravens, owls to save sage grouse from extinction
Comments to the Canadian Press article
Lesser Prairie-chicken (Tympanuchus pallidicinctus) was federally-listed as Threatened in the USA
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Research Reports
A translocation experiment for improving the genetic diversity of an isolated population of
Pyrenean rock ptarmigan (Lagopus muta pyrenaica)
Aggressive encounters of Chinese Grouse Tetrastes sewerzowi in autumn at Lianhuashan natural
reserve, Gansu, China
Non-invasive genetic monitoring of capercaillie in the wild: individual tracking and breeding
success
Successful semen collection from wild capercaillie
Biology and conservation of the capercaillie (Tetrao urogallus) in a Mediterranean environment
Greater Prairie-Chicken Thermal Habitat use in Heterogeneous Grasslands
Conferences
13th International grouse symposium ˗˗ Iceland 2015. First announcement
7th International Black Grouse Conference, Pechoro-Ilych reserve, Russia, 24-29.05.2014.
Third circular
IUCN World Parks Congress 2014: Newsletter & Registration Information
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Recent grouse literature
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Snippets
Capercaillie special issue of the German journal ‘Die Vogelwelt’
The first whole grouse genome is now sequenced and published
Long-extinct heath hen comes to life in archival film
Information on wind power sites in grouse habitats
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From the Editor
With joint efforts we will still make Grouse News a good newsletter for grouse people all over the world
where they may find interesting things and be updated of what is going on in grouse research. But to fill
the intension of being a connection between grouse people around the world it is important that all of you
report on your research and other things about grouse that may be of interest in Grouse News. The more
you write to grouse News, the better it will be. If you have anything that can be of interest to other grouse
people around the world, please send it. We welcome articles, reports from projects, conservation news,
abstracts from papers (if permitted by the journal) and also other things you think may be of interest to
grouse people.
Under conservation news you will find plans for sage grouse and also a text from Canadian Press
with comments from researchers. And a text telling that lesser prairie-chicken is federally-listed as
threatened. Research reports have articles about translocation of Pyrenean rock ptarmigan and aggressive
encounters in Chinese grouse. Three articles on capercaillie dealing with genetic monitoring, semen
collection of wild birds and biology and conservation in a Mediterranean environment are also published.
The effect of climate change on greater prairie-chicken is also found. Snippets have short info about a
special capercaillie issue of Die Vogelwelt, the first whole grouse genome sequenced, an archival film of
the long-extinct heath hen and information on wind power sites in grouse habitats.
If any of you change your employment or if there are other changes of interest, please send a
short note to be put under snippets in Grouse News. It is especially important that you send your new email address if you still want to receive Grouse News. Each time GN is sent, too many are returned with
address unknown.
The 13th International Grouse Symposium will be held in Iceland 4-7 September 2015 and
hosted by the Icelandic Institute of Natural History with Olafur Nielsen as chair. The 7th International
Black Grouse Conference will be in Pechoro-Ilych reserve, Russia, 24-29 May 2014. In Sidney, Australia,
the IUCN World Parks Congress will be arranged 12-19 November 2014.
Tor Kristian Spidsö, Editor Grouse News
Skilsøtoppen 33, N-4818 Færvik, Norway, [email protected]
Don Wolfe, Co-editor North America
G. M. Sutton Avian Research Center, University of Oklahoma, P.O. Box 2007, Bartlesville, OK 74005,
[email protected]
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From the Chair
Major news from the Grouse Group relate to one past and one upcoming conference. A selection of
papers from the 12th International Grouse Symposium (IGS) in Japan (2012) have been published in
Wildlife Biology (www.wildlifebiology.org/) and are available for free download at
http://www.bioone.org/toc/wbio/19/4.
The upcoming conference I want to draw your attention to is the 7th International Black
Grouse Conference. The story behind this conference began in May 1994, when a group of capercaillie
enthusiasts from various European countries visited the Pechora-Ilyich Zapovednik in the Ural
Mountains. A Zapovednik is the Russian word for a strict nature reserve. The Pechora-Ilyich Zapovednik
was founded in 1930 and it is huge – it covers >7000 km² of virgin boreal forest. At the time of our visit, I
worked parts of the year out of Vladivostok in the Russian Far East, coordinating (or rather: trying to
coordinate) a project on Siberian Tiger conservation. In Moscow, I joined up with Emmanuel Ménoni
from France, David Baines, David Jenkins, Robert Moss, and Jimmy Oswald from the UK. Together we
took a plane to Syktyvkar, the capital of Komi Republic. After a long overnight train ride through endless
boreal forests and a few scattered villages we got to the town of Troitsk, the district capital. There, we
changed into an old army truck that drove us along sandy forest roads to the village of Yaksha. At
Yaksha, a small timer town at the shore of the Pechora river, we met with Russian grouse biologists
Alexei and Vladimir, with whom we spent several days in the vast pristine forest - on foot, and by boat,
truck, and airplane. To us visitors, all coming from parts of Europe where every hectare of forest has been
manipulated by humans for centuries if not millennia, the landscape of the Pechora-Ilyich Nature Reserve
was a true eye-opener to the spatial and temporal patterns and dynamics of boreal forest and their grouse
habitats. David Jenkins reported on the visit in Grouse News 07 (June 1994), which is available here:
http://www.galliformes-sg.org/grousg/gnpdf/gnews07.pdf.
Exactly 20 years later, in the last week of May 2014, I will return to Yaksha, participating in the
7th International Black Grouse Conference. The conference is hosted by the Pechoro-Ilychskii Nature
Biosphere Reserve and the Institute of Biology, Komi Science Centre, Russian Academy of Sciences, and
organised by Andrey Korolev, Leonid Simakin, and Juri Kurhinen. I am excited to refresh my
impressions from 20 years ago, and again share them with a group of international colleagues. We will
report in the GN. For last-minute participants interested in joining the conference: email Andrey Korolev
at [email protected].
Ilse Storch, Chair, Grouse Group within the IUCN-SSC Galliformes SG (GSG),
Co-Chair, IUCN-SSC Galliformes SG.
Professor, Wildlife Ecology and Management, University of Freiburg, D-79085 Freiburg, Germany,
[email protected].
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NEWS FROM GALLIFORMES SG
In October 2012, IUCN held its four-yearly World Conservation Congress, triggering the dissolution and
reformation of its Commissions, and thus all Specialist Groups under the Species Survival Commission
(IUCN-SSC), such as the GSG. With the membership’s support, we were soon invited by the SSC Chair,
Simon Stuart, to continue as the GSG Co-Chairs for 2013-16.
There then followed a long period of discussion about our precise identity with the World
Pheasant Association (WPA) and the SSC. At length it became clear that from now on we can only
operate under the sole auspices of SSC. The previous arrangement giving SSC and WPA joint oversight
for the GSG has been cancelled, because it is no longer consistent how Specialist Groups can be set up as
fully independent scientific advisory bodies under the current SSC constitutional guidelines. In particular
Specialist Groups, as organisations, must be independent from NGOs. Individual SG members of course
remain free to work with and receive project funds from NGOs (and government sources). It is only when
such activities are to be carried out in the name of the GSG (and therefore SSC) that they require our
approval or endorsement. We are, as ever, happy to receive project proposals for peer-review: our process
is designed to be constructive in improving proposals and can involve extensive mentoring by reviewers.
In addition, we know that supportive letters from us on a letterhead bearing the IUCN-SSC logo do often
help to persuade donors to provide project funds.
It is worth reflecting on some history at this point. Very soon after WPA was founded in 1975, it
started to encourage and fund surveys and other research on pheasants in Asia. Subsequently it became
involved in fostering work on other Galliformes species elsewhere in the world, and in running symposia,
including the International Grouse Symposia. It was on these foundations that, in the early 1990’s, the
five SGs covering all the Galliformes came into existence. Over the past 20 years WPA has given these
SGs and then the GSG much support, including time from their scientific staff and the handling of
donated funds for projects that the SGs endorsed. WPA and IUCN were the joint publishers of three
Action Plans in 1995 and five in 2000, with WPA contributing substantially to the costs of editing and
production. Many people who have been able to run projects with funds provided through WPA remain
extremely grateful for all this support: it helped them to build their careers whilst carrying out important
work on our threatened species. Long may this continue.
Given that the wellbeing of the birds must be our top priority, we expect members of the GSG to
work with people in any other organisations sharing this common interest. A current case in point is the
international effort going into establishing the whereabouts of any remaining Edwards’s Pheasants
Lophura edwardsi in the fragmented forests of central Vietnam, along with work to establish a robust new
International Studbook population after DNA-screening of birds currently held in captivity across the
world (see report in G@llinformed #8; page 10 and page 30).
So what precisely needs to be done to stabilise or improve the situation of the quarter of our 290
or so species that are currently featured as Vulnerable or worse on the IUCN Red List? Of course the
requirements of each species are different, and previously we had our five-year Action Plans as consensus
documents to guide our priorities, but these have now expired (including Grouse, 2006-10). For over 25
years now, we have been engaged with BirdLife International, as the Red List Authority for all birds, in
their annual review of species categorisations. The species accounts which provide the evidence for this
process are published on the web at http://www.birdlife.org/datazone/species/search and on the main
IUCN Red List site at http://www.iucnredlist.org/. These accounts include fields for status, threats and
both current and proposed future conservation actions, the latter outlining what is being done and is still
required, to reduce perceived stresses on threatened populations and species. We intend to conduct a full
audit to check that the information given is fully up to date, and that conservation action is based on
evidence and consensus. We will be looking for gaps anywhere in knowledge, plans and action: these will
become our new priorities. Peter will lead this initiative, but he needs the help of anyone (and not just
GSG members) who has detailed knowledge relating to our threatened species. Please help if you
possibly can.
Note: This is a slightly edited version of a text that first appeared in G@llinformed 8, the newsletter of
the IUCN-SSC Galliformes Specialist Group.
Peter Garson and Ilse Storch
Co-Chairs,IUCN-SSC/WPA Galliformes Specialist Group (GSG)
http://www.galliformes-sg.org.
[email protected].
[email protected].
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CONSERVATION NEWS
In My Opinion: Conservation plans and the future of sage-grouse in
Colorado, USA
Clait E. Braun
I became involved with sage-grouse (Centrocercus spp.) in Colorado starting in 1973 on an official basis
continuing into late June 1999. During this period I was involved with management and research
activities which led to discovery and description of the Gunnison sage-grouse (C. minimus) (Young et al.
2000). Research on sage-grouse throughout southwestern Colorado revealed a pattern of discontinuous
distribution and small scattered populations outside of the Gunnison Basin (Braun 1995). This led to joint
efforts starting in 1994-1995 to develop the first conservation plans (Hemker and Braun 2001) for specific
areas to identify what could be done to benefit Gunnison sage-grouse as it was clear that species would be
petitioned for listing under the Endangered Species Act, once it was formally described. This led to
formal conservations plans for this species in the Gunnison Basin, Crawford, Dove Creek, MiramonteDry Creek Basin, Pinon Mesa-Glade Park, and Poncha Pass in Colorado.
The situation with populations of greater sage-grouse (C. urophasianus) in north-central and
northwestern Colorado was also of concern as populations were becoming more fragmented and smaller
(Eagle-Yampa, Piceance Basin, western Routt County, Moffat County, Middle Park, and even North
Park). It was clear the same pattern observed in southwest Colorado with disappearance of Gunnison
sage-grouse, from county after county, was well underway. Thus, attempts were initiated to get Working
Groups to develop conservation plans for North Park, Moffat County, Middle Park, and Eagle-Yampa.
These efforts were well ahead of where maintenance of populations was going to become problematic,
except at Eagle-Yampa and the Piceance Basin where it was too late. These conservation planning efforts,
for the most part, were well ahead of public recognition and acceptance of the problems.
The goal of research and management in Colorado during the 1970s and 1980s was to measure
the impact of hunting (Braun and Beck 1985) on sage-grouse as well as the impact of coal mining (Braun
1986) and other disturbances and projects (Braun 1987) that fragmented sagebrush (Artemisia spp.)
habitats. The impacts of hunting were not measurable even with thousands of bandings, hunting by permit
only (North Park for 3 years), collections of thousands of wings from hunter-harvested sage-grouse, and
thousands of hours counting numbers of sage-grouse on leks in spring (Braun and Beck 1985, Zablan et
al. 2003). However, research demonstrated that disturbance from coal mining activities had a local impact
on recruitment of first-year birds to leks, greatly decreasing the number of males on leks in the local area
(Remington and Braun 1991). It also became clear that activities that fragmented or destroyed sagebrush
habitats including oil and gas development activities had negative impacts for sage-grouse (Braun 1998,
Braun et al. 2002).
The goal for research and management on sage-grouse in the 1990s in Colorado was to inform
local residents and the public at large as to where management of sage-grouse would be in the 2000s
(Braun et al. 1994). Thus, focus continued on research on Gunnison sage-grouse with the largest
emphasis placed on informing the public and local residents of the immediate need for conservation plans
so they would not be ‘shocked’ by petitions to list sage-grouse under the Endangered Species Act. This
was not well accepted anywhere as few could envision that sage-grouse were truly in trouble. Thus many
people, including administrators in the then Colorado Division of Wildlife, were not totally on board for
the need for local Working Groups and area specific conservation plans.
This provides the backdrop of where we are today. Both species of sage-grouse have been
petitioned for listing under the Endangered Species Act. There are conservation plans for specific
populations of sage-grouse as well as state-wide plans. No population of sage-grouse in Colorado is doing
particularly well as populations continue to fluctuate. Conservation plans overall have been ineffective
(no measurable success in terms of increases in distribution and abundance; Connelly and Braun 2007)
and all but one population of Gunnison sage-grouse are functionally extirpated and are being ‘maintained’
by releases from the back of a truck. Sage-grouse have not expanded their range into former habitats
anywhere in Colorado, hunting opportunity has been greatly reduced, and the Gunnison sage-grouse may
be listed under the Endangered Species Act early in 2014. This listing is likely to happen but that of
greater sage-grouse may not occur for 10 years and litigation will continue over the status of both species.
Could what has happened have been prevented? Possibly. But there would have been very little support
from political representatives, citizens, or from within the then Colorado Division of Wildlife for the
dramatic actions that would have been needed in 1995. Gradual loss of species is tolerated until it is
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usually too late. Only catastrophic collapses of populations are noticed and followed by the regulatory
changes that are needed to prevent total extinction of a species.
The future for both species of sage-grouse is bleak. Gunnison sage-grouse will be listed under
the Endangered Species Act as it is only a matter of time. We can logically expect Gunnison sage-grouse
will likely no longer be viable as a species by 2030 as all that is needed is one or two cataclysmic events
in the Gunnison Basin. Greater sage-grouse will also likely be listed under the Endangered Species Act as
populations in most, if not all states, will be very limited or functionally extirpated by 2050. Several
major cataclysmic events may be needed but, as with Gunnison sage-grouse, the foundations for
cataclysmic events are already in place.
References
Braun, C. E. 1986. Changes in sage grouse lek counts with advent of surface coal mining. - Proceedings,
Issues and Technology in the Management of Impacted Western Wildlife 2: 227-231.
Braun, C. E. 1987. Current issues in sage grouse management. - Proceedings of the Western Association
of Fish and Wildlife Agencies 67: 134-144.
Braun, C. E. 1995. Distribution and status of sage grouse in Colorado. - Prairie Naturalist 27: 1-9.
Braun, C. E. 1998. Sage grouse declines in western North America: what are the problems? - Proceedings
of the Western Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies 78: 139-156.
Braun, C. E. and T. D. I. Beck. 1985. Effects of changes in hunting regulations on sage grouse harvest
and populations. - Pages 335-343 in S. L. Beasom and S. F. Roberson, Editors. Game Harvest
Management. Proceedings of the Third International Symposium, Caesar Kleberg Research
Institute, Kingsville, Texas, USA.
Braun, C. E., K. Martin, T. E. Remington, and J. R. Young. 1994. North American grouse: issues and
strategies for the 21st century. - Transactions of the North American Wildlife and Natural
Resources Conference 59: 428-438.
Braun, C. E., O. O. Oedekoven, and C. L. Aldridge. 2002. Oil and gas development in western North
America: effects on sagebrush steppe avifauna with particular emphasis on sage grouse. Transactions of the North America Wildlife and Natural Resources Conference 67: 337-349.
Connelly, J. W. and C. E. Braun. 2007. In our opinion: measuring success of sage-grouse conservation
plans. - Grouse News 33: 4-6.
Hemker, T. P. and C. E. Braun. 2001. Innovative approaches for development of conservation plans for
sage grouse: examples from Idaho and Colorado. - Transactions of the North American Wildlife
and Natural Resources Conference 66: 456-463.
Remington, T. E. and C. E. Braun. 1991. How surface coal mining affects sage grouse, North Park,
Colorado. - Proceedings, Issues and Technology in the Management of Impacted Western
Wildlife 5: 128-132.
Young, J. R., C. E. Braun, S. J. Oyler-McCance, J. W. Hupp, and T. W. Quinn. 2000. A new species of
sage-grouse (Phasianidae: Centrocercus) from southwestern Colorado. - Wilson Bulletin 112:
445-453.
Zablan, M. A., C. E. Braun, and G. C. White. 2003. Estimation of greater sage-grouse survival in North
Park, Colorado. - Journal of Wildlife Management 67: 144-154.
Clait E. Braun, Grouse Inc., 5572 North Ventana Vista Road, Tucson, Arizona 85750 USA,
[email protected].
Experts recommend limiting ravens, owls to save sage grouse from
extinction
By The Canadian Press February 6, 2014
CALGARY - Conservation experts are making five main recommendations to protect one of Canada's
most highly endangered birds from extinction. One suggestion is to protect the sage grouse by potentially
reducing the number of predators, such as ravens. The ideas come from a workshop by the Calgary Zoo
that brought together biologists, ranchers, government and energy industry representatives.
Axel Moehrenschlager, head of the zoo's Centre for Conservation Research, says what's
surprising is that many of the predators are other birds. "There's expansions by ravens, if you can believe,
into the Prairie landscape and as such Alberta Fish and Wildlife is looking at ways of reducing the raven
numbers, for example, so that predation on eggs or even young chicks goes down," said
Moehrenschlager. Moehrenschlager said great horned owls are also affecting sage grouse.
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Moehrenschlager said reducing numbers doesn't mean a cull is necessary. "One of the things that the
provincial government is looking at is, for instance, limiting the number of roosting sites that raptors can
use," he said.
"There are some old abandoned buildings that raptors are using, such as owls are using, to hatch
their young. And so basically making those buildings inaccessible, so that they have fewer chances to
breed in that landscape and as such have a lower impact on the greater sage grouse as well."
Moehrenschlager says other options include fencing off areas where there are sage grouse nests so
predators can't get to them. Other recommendations include setting up a captive breeding centre for sage
grouse and establishing a group to help guide recovery efforts of the northern silver sagebrush ecosystem.
The sage grouse population has dropped by 98 per cent over the last 25 to 45 years; there are
fewer than 138 birds remaining in Canada. And the Calgary Zoo says models suggest current
reproduction and survival rates are too low to sustain the wild population and extinction is likely within
two to five years if action isn't taken immediately. The federal government issued an emergency order to
protect the bird across 1,700 square kilometres of Crown land in Alberta and Saskatchewan.
Moehrenschlager said the workshop's recommendations could help save the species from
extinction if they're implemented immediately. "The trajectory has been downwards for a long time. The
numbers are critically low. And the numbers of birds that are presently on the ground are not all in the
same place, they're spread over a larger landscape," he said. "I think that the recommendations that came
out of the workshop from all the experts, both in Canada and the United States, are comprehensive and if
they're all acted on, as we intend that they will be, I think the species really does stand a good chance of
still making a comeback in Canada."
Reprinted from the Montreal Gazette published 6 February 2014.
— By Jennifer Graham in Regina
Comments to the Canadian Press article
Clait Braun gave a talk at a sage grouse symposium in which he explained that the grouse evolved with
ravens, predatory birds, drought, etc. and can still live with them in suitable habitat. He pointed out that
the grouse did NOT evolve with repetitive grazing. That is a lesson the agencies do not want to hear or to
learn.
Stan Moore
Adam - this is enough to give the term EXPERT a bad name. I will remember never to call myself one.
Meanwhile I would like to see who could have made these recommendations. No Canadian ecologist I
know would have done such a crazy thing (I would hope....).
Charles Krebs
I wonder if any of the ‘experts’ at the workshop thought of asking what all those ravens and owls are
living on between their meals of sage grouse eggs and chicks. I guess these ‘experts’ think owls and
ravens just bide their time in abandoned buildings until the next sage grouse comes within reach.
Art Lance
Of course they never do, Art! It stands to reason and common-sense. Predators eat prey and must be a
menace.
Adam Watson
The enmity between humans who raise livestock (sheep, cattle, etc) against predators in general runs very
deep and it seems to be true everywhere. I met a local rancher who very vocally and enthusiastically
campaigns against wolves, even though they were extirpated in California a hundred years ago. I am part
of a coalition of wolf advocates for the state of Utah where one wolf wandered in from Idaho and caused
an uproar among even "outdoorsmen" who fear that recolonization of that state by wolves will ruin all
hunting for deer, elk, etc. Sage Grouse have been impacted locally in a few places by Golden Eagles,
which use large electrical transmission towers for nesting and the conflict occurs when those towers are
near leks. But Sage Grouse would not be seriously affected if they had appropriate nesting cover. The
cattlemen want to eradicate the sage brush through chemicals or mechanical means and graze the
understory grasses and forbs down to bare dirt by their cattle. That is why campaigners in the Western
US have tried and are trying to get the grouse listed under our Endangered Species Act AND to remove
domestic livestock from the vast areas owned and administered by the Federal Government through such
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entities as the Bureau of Land Management and the US Forest Service. It is a long and difficult struggle
and difficult to make progress. Clait Braun tells me the Federal Government will not list the Sage Grouse
under the Endangered Species Act until it is absolutely forced to. Considering that sage grouse have lost
80% of their population and 90% of their habitat with no end in sight, the predicament is very bad. In
Canada, the situation is even worse. So few grouse remain that the lives of every single individual are
precious enough now for the effort to remove even marginal predators is serious. It is a failure to conserve
that has caused this. Preservation of every individual is extreme -- the species is in dire condition in
Canada. And the band plays on and most of the public is totally unaware and remarkably indifferent to the
status of wild things that used to be so numerous as to darken the skies for days when a huge flock went
past...
I gather that a captive-breeding and release project is envisioned for Sage Grouse via a local zoo.
My observation is that such breeding projects tend to produce young birds with reduced or inhibited
survival instincts, and sometimes in marginal or reduced habitat. To the zookeepers putting such birds
into the wild environment, I suspect that the risk of predators is magnified and the need to eliminate
predators is enhanced. That said, the prospect of predator reduction/elimination has been raised
previously for Sage Grouse when no captive breeding was planned or considered in areas where grouse
populations were particularly at risk. Such is the mindset of "wildlife management" "experts", who can't
bring themselves to manage people to conserve wildlife the evolutionary way.
Stan Moore
It gets worse and worse, Stan. There is a widespread desire of zoos to look good by captive breeding,
when in fact the money and attention should be for people to create the right environment where
gardening and tinkering such as captive breeding, killing predators, making predator sites unusable etc are
unnecessary and indeed counter-productive.
Adam Watson
Lesser Prairie-chicken (Tympanuchus pallidicinctus) was federallylisted as Threatened in the USA
The U. S. Fish and Wildlife Service, 27 March 2014.
In response to the rapid and severe decline of the lesser prairie-chicken, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife
Service today announced the final listing of the species as threatened under the Endangered Species Act
(ESA), as well as a final special rule under section 4(d) of the ESA that will limit regulatory impacts on
landowners and businesses from this listing. Under the law, a "threatened" listing means the species is
likely to become in danger of extinction within the foreseeable future; it is a step below "endangered"
under the ESA and allows for more flexibility in how the Act's protections are implemented.
In recognition of the significant and ongoing efforts of states and landowners to conserve the
lesser prairie-chicken, this unprecedented use of a special 4(d) rule will allow the five range states to
continue to manage conservation efforts for the species and avoid further regulation of activities such as
oil and gas development and utility line maintenance that are covered under the Western Association of
Fish and Wildlife Agencies' (WAFWA) range-wide conservation plan. This range-wide conservation plan
was developed by state wildlife agency experts in 2013 with input from a wide variety of stakeholders.
The special rule also establishes that conservation practices carried out through the USDA's Natural
Resources Conservation Service's Lesser Prairie-Chicken Initiative and through ongoing normal
agricultural practices on existing cultivated land are all in compliance with the ESA and not subject to
further regulation.
"The lesser prairie-chicken is in dire straits," said U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Director Dan
Ashe. "Our determination that it warrants listing as a threatened species with a special rule acknowledges
the unprecedented partnership efforts and leadership of the five range states for management of the
species. Working through the WAFWA range-wide conservation plan, the states remain in the driver's
seat for managing the species - more than has ever been done before - and participating landowners and
developers are not impacted with additional regulatory requirements."
The Service has considered the lesser prairie-chicken, a species of prairie grouse commonly
recognized for its colorful spring mating display and stout build, to be a species in trouble for the past 15
years. Its population is in rapid decline, due largely to habitat loss and fragmentation and the ongoing
drought in the southern Great Plains. Once abundant across much of the five range states of Texas, New
Mexico, Oklahoma, Kansas and Colorado, the lesser prairie-chicken's historical range of native
grasslands and prairies has been reduced by an estimated 84 percent. Last year, the range-wide population
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declined to a record low of 17,616 birds, an almost 50 percent reduction from the 2012 population
estimate. The states' conservation plan has a population goal of 67,000 birds range-wide.
"To date, we understand that oil and gas companies, ranchers and other landowners have signed
up over 3 million acres of land for participation in the states' range-wide conservation plan and the NRCS'
Lesser Prairie Chicken Initiative," said Ashe. "We expect these plans to work for business, landowners
and the conservation of prairie-chickens."
In addition to the range-wide conservation plan and the Lesser Prairie Chicken Initiative, a
number of other on-the-ground programs have been implemented over the last decade across the bird's
five-state range to conserve and restore its habitat and improve its status. Key programs such as the
USDA's Farm Service Agency's Conservation Reserve Program, the Bureau of Land Management's New
Mexico Candidate Conservation Agreement, the Service's Partners for Fish and Wildlife Program and
Candidate Conservation Agreements with Assurances in Oklahoma, Texas and New Mexico, are
engaging state and federal agencies, landowners and industry in these efforts.
Collectively, these programs - and in particular, the range-wide conservation plan - serve as a
comprehensive framework within which conservation of the lesser prairie-chicken can be achieved. The
various efforts are similar to a recovery plan, something that the Service normally prepares after a species'
listing. This early identification of a strategy to conserve the lesser prairie-chicken is likely to speed its
eventual delisting.
However, threats impacting the species remain and are expected to continue into the future. After
reviewing the best available science and on-the-ground conservation efforts focused on the species, the
Service determined that the lesser prairie-chicken is likely to become endangered in the foreseeable future
and warrants listing as threatened under the ESA. The agency is under a court-ordered deadline to make a
listing determination on the species by March 31.
The final rule to list the lesser prairie-chicken as threatened and the final special rule will publish
in the *Federal Register* and will be effective 30 days after publication. Copies of the final rules may be
found at the Service's website at http://www.fws.gov/southwest.
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RESEARCH REPORTS
A translocation experiment for improving the genetic diversity of an
isolated population of Pyrenean rock ptarmigan (Lagopus muta
pyrenaica)
Claude Novoa, Nicolas Bech, Jean Resseguier, Ramon Martinez-Vidal, Diego
Garcia Ferré, Jordi Sola de la Torre and Jérôme Boissier.
Abstract
A recent study of rock ptarmigan population genetics in Europe found that the Pyrenean ptarmigan had a
very low genetic diversity compared with that found in the Alps and Scandinavia. This genetic
impoverishment is particularly marked at the eastern limit of the Pyrenean range where the population is
small and isolated from the main mountain chain. To improve the genetic diversity of this population at
risk, an experimental translocation program has recently been carried out as part of the European project
“Gallipyr”. From 2008 to 2011, 12 rock ptarmigan were transferred from the main chain to the isolated
population and radio-monitored. Subsequently, we did not find any differences in either survival rates or
dispersion distances between transferred and resident birds. Out of 9 reproductive attempts involving at
least one transferred female or male, 5 were successful and resulted in a total of 23 fledged young. We are
monitoring the allelic richness and heterozygosity of the ptarmigan in the isolated population to see if the
translocation results in an increase in genetic diversity.
Introduction
Following the last glacial retreat (about 10,000–15,000 years ago), many cold-climate species shifted
their ranges north or became ice age relics in mountaintop refugia, the only zones which meet their
ecological requirements in temperate latitudes (McCarty 2001). Among tetraonids, the rock ptarmigan is
likely the most relevant example of this postglacial distribution pattern, with most populations inhabiting
subarctic or arctic lands above 60°N. Below this latitude rock ptarmigan occur high in the mountains of
southern Europe, central Asia and Japan.
In Europe, this species has survived only in mountaintop refugia of the Alps and the Pyrenees,
where suitable habitat became contracted and fragmented into “sky island” patches above 2,000 m a.s.l.
For species with moderate dispersal ability, this “sky island” distribution may increase the vulnerability of
small isolates by reducing gene flow and demographic rescue between patches. Without gene flow among
them, small and isolated populations risk inbreeding depression and increased vulnerability to extinction
(Frankham et al. 2002). Indeed, there is now good evidence that reduced genetic variability might be an
additional problem for the survival of small grouse populations (Westemeier 1998).
A loss of genetic variability has been documented in Pyrenean ptarmigan Lagopus muta
pyrenaica compared with ptarmigan found in the Alps and Scandinavia (Caizergues et al. 2003). This
genetic impoverishment could result from a genetic bottleneck associated with the progressive habitat
fragmentation that occurred during the Holocene (Bech et al. 2009, 2013). These studies showed that a
valley only 18 km wide constituted a barrier to gene flow and split the Pyrenean rock ptarmigan range
into two distinct units: the main chain (from the central Pyrenees to Andorra) and the eastern chain
(Puigmal-Canigou massif) (Figure 1). Data also showed that the genetic impoverishment was higher in
the easternmost part of the massif (Canigou), which therefore required special conservation attention.
In agreement with the recommendations of the Grouse Action Plan 2006-2010, which stated that
“…in the future translocations should likely to be used more to increase genetic heterogeneity and
fertility of small isolated populations…” (Storch 2007), Bech et al. (2009) proposed to improve the
genetic diversity of the rock ptarmigan population of the eastern chain by transferring birds from the main
chain.
This translocation program was carried out from 2008 to 2011 as part of the “Gallipyr” project, a
European program involving Andorra, Spain and France, and dedicated to the conservation of Pyrenean
mountain galliformes. In this paper, we present the preliminary results obtained during this experiment
and discuss briefly the potential benefits and risks of this project.
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Figure 1. (A) Location of the rock ptarmigan translocations in the Pyrenees. The Sègre valley splits the
species distribution range (darker areas) into two distinct units: the Main chain and the Eastern chain.
(B) Altitudinal profile of the cross section linking the two chains (dashed line on map A). (Source of
elevation map: SRTM 90 m Digital Elevation Model).
Field work
In the initial project, we had planned to transfer 15 – 20 birds from the main chain (“source population”)
to the eastern chain (“focal population”). To limit the impact on the “source population”, we chose to
transfer juvenile birds caught just before the onset of their post-natal dispersion. Nevertheless, we also
allowed the transfer of a few adult males given that the sex-ratio in rock ptarmigan populations is often
skewed in their favour.
In a first step, we searched for brood-rearing females in July with the help of pointing dogs and
caught the hens by luring them toward a net with a tape-recorded chick distress call (Brenot et al. 2002).
Afterwards, the full-grown chicks were caught in September by driving the radio-monitored hens and
their broods towards a long barrage of nets set above the brood locations. All birds were fitted with 7–9-g
necklace radio tags (Holohil System Ltd.) with an expected lifespan of 24 months and including a
mortality sensor. Some of the birds were immediately released at the capture site as “control” birds, the
others were transferred by helicopter to the “focal” population and released in their new place after a 30min helicopter flight.
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A rock ptarmigan has been driven towards a net barrage. The bird is hesitating in front of this unusual
obstacle. Last and crucial instants before its capture. (photo Pere Ignasi Isern).
Both transferred and control birds were located at least once every 15 days from the ground
using a portable receiver and a handheld Yagi antenna. Aerial surveys by fixed-wing aircraft equipped
with an antenna were undertaken if any transmitter signals were lost.
We collected feathers on each captured bird for genetic analysis. These samples were stored in
absolute ethanol. To investigate changes in genetic variability after translocations on both populations, a
total of 143 individuals were genotyped, 50 from source population (31 before and 19 after translocation),
and 93 from the focal population (46 before and 47 after) using 11 microsatellites (see Bech et al. 2013
for laboratory methods).
Results
Capture and translocation
From 2008 to 2011, we captured 16 brood-rearing females in July-August from which we captured 16
full-grown chicks in September. In addition, 3 adult males roaming near the broods were also driven
towards the net and captured. From these 19 birds, 12 (10 juveniles and 2 adult males) were transferred to
the eastern chain and 7 (6 juveniles and 1 adult male) were released in the capture site. The birds
transferred were released on sites where rock ptarmigan traditionally gather for moulting. Some juvenile
birds radio-monitored in the focal population before translocation were also considered as “control” birds
in survival and dispersion analysis.
Survival and dispersion
Among the 12 birds transferred, one was predated within 15 days following the translocation, one was
predated two months after translocation, one was censored (radio-tag failure) 5 months after and the 9
others survived at least until the next breeding season. The two adult males survived respectively 17 and
30 months after translocation. Survival rates of juvenile birds were estimated by modelling individual
encounter histories from September of year n to July of year n+1 with program Mark (known fate
procedure). Estimations of survival rates were 0.78 [95% CI = 0.37 – 0.94] for transferred birds and 0.54
[95% CI = 0.27 – 0.74]) for control birds (n=15). Obviously, the small sample size prevents concluding
that the survival of transferred birds was greater than that of control birds, but at a first glance it seems at
least that translocation did not affect survival.
The dispersal distance was defined as the straight-line distance between release site in September
(year n) and the reproductive site in June-July (year n+1). For females, the reproductive site was defined
as the nest and for males as the median value of radio-locations recorded in June-July. For transferred
birds, dispersal distances averaged 4.8 km [2.7-6.2] for 4 juvenile hens and 1.1 km [0.5-1.8] for 3 juvenile
males. These distances may be compared with the natal dispersal distances observed in the eastern chain
for 20 juveniles, 6.4 km [0.7-17.7] for 8 hens and 4.5 km [0.2-18.5] for 12 cocks. For the 2 adult males,
the dispersal distances were 5.1 and 4.5 km. Hence, we may conclude that, at least for the juveniles,
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translocation did not result in an over-dispersion of birds, which may sometimes be a cause of
translocation failure (Dickens et al. 2009).
A young rock ptarmigan male in early November, two months after his translocation. His winter plumage
is almost complete but snow cover is only patchy (photo Pere Ignasi Isern).
Breeding
Nine of the 12 birds transferred in autumn reached the following breeding season. Seven of these 9 birds
paired with a native mate (2 did not pair) and a total of 9 reproductive attempts were observed from 2009
through 2011. One point to emphasize is the good mating success of the transferred juvenile males. Two
of the 3 juvenile males found a mate the spring following their transfer whereas only 3 out of 14 resident
juvenile males radio-monitored in the Canigou massif succeeded in pairing in their first breeding season
(Novoa, unpublished data).
Among the 9 reproductive attempts, 5 were successful resulting in one brood of 2 full-grown
chicks in 2010, 4 broods of respectively 3, 5, 5 and 8 full-grown chicks in 2011. In short, we could
ascertain that the 7 “mixed” pairs (source male or female x focal male or female) produced a minimum of
23 full-grown chicks to the age of dispersal. This last result is likely the most unexpected outcome of this
translocation experiment.
Genetics
No statistically significant changes in the genetic variability of the focal population were found after
translocation (table 1), likely because the number of birds transferred was small and the duration of this
experiment was short. As the translocation allowed us to add only 5 new alleles to the 47 pre-existing in
the "focal" population, we would not expect a dramatic improvement in the genetic variability of the
eastern chain. Nevertheless, genetic analysis revealed that a part of the transferred gene pool has been
already incorporated into the “focal” population. Indeed, while all birds analysed on the Canigou massif
before translocation were homozygous (fixed allele) regarding the microsatellite loci “BG15” (see table 1
in Bech et al. 2009), in 2012 and 2013, 6 birds caught in the same massif were heterozygote for this loci,
suggesting that a new allele was added to the gene pool of the “focal” population.
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Table 1. Genetic diversity of two populations of Pyrenean rock ptarmigan before (< 2008) and after
(2008-2013) translocation. The Allelic richness (Ar) and heterozygosity (He) of the focal population were
calculated including or not the 12 transferred birds. (n = number of birds genotyped and used for
calculating Ar and He).
Genetic
Populations
Before
After
P value
diversity
translocation
translocation
(Wilcoxon test)
Ar
5.088
(n = 31)
0.650
4.503
(n = 46)
0.623
4.503
(n = 46)
0.623
4.944
(n = 19)
0.656
4.768
(n = 47)
0.623
4.293
(n = 35)
0.589
0.575
1
“Source”
He
Ar
With transferred birds
“Focal”
Without transferred
birds
He
Ar
He
0.328
0.424
0.894
0.424
0.286
Discussion
In this study we tried to improve the genetic diversity of an isolated rock ptarmigan population by
translocating birds from a neighbouring population. A total of 12 birds were transferred from a “source”
population to a “focal” population located at the easternmost part of the Pyrenean rock ptarmigan range.
Both populations are separated by the Segre valley whose low altitude and the 18-km width represent a
barrier to gene flow between the two massifs (Bech et al. 2009). By forcing the birds to cross the Sègre
valley, this translocation attempt may be viewed as a kind of assisted dispersion.
Birds transferred survived well, mated with native birds and these “mixed” pairs produced a
minimum of 23 full-grown chicks. The good survivorship and low dispersal rate of transferred birds was
perhaps associated with the timing of the translocation on the one hand and with the choice of release
sites on the other hand.
A view of the rock ptarmigan habitat in the eastern part of the Pyrenees (Canigou massif) (photo Pere
Ignasi Isern).
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Birds were captured in mid-September, i.e. just a few days before the breakup of broods and
dispersion of juveniles. Hence, our translocations took place at an appropriate time in the rock ptarmigan
life cycle and birds were transported quickly to the release site, two common features of successful
translocations (Reese and Connelly 1997). Furthermore, as aforementioned birds were released near
traditional moulting sites where rock ptarmigan gather from August to October, the presence of
conspecifics near the release sites likely favoured the establishment of transferred birds on their new sites
and reduced their dispersion. In addition, birds did not suffer any change in environmental conditions
because these were very similar between main and eastern chains.
Despite these encouraging results, the number of transferred birds involved in this experiment
was likely too small to achieve a significant change in the genetic diversity of the isolated population. So,
at this stage, the translocation attempt reported here must be viewed as a feasibility study which provided
valuable returns in terms of rock ptarmigan translocation practices. Indeed, this kind of project is rather
scarce or nonexistent in European countries and more often limited to forest grouse (Unger and Klaus
2008, Ewen et al. 2009). While in North America translocations of wild-caught animals have been widely
used to augment or reintroduce populations of ptarmigan (Hoffman and Giesen 1983, Kaler et al. 2010,
Braun et al. 2011) or prairie grouse (Connelly 1997, Reese and Connelly 1997, Baxter et al., 2008,
Schroeder et al., 2008), this management option has been rarely used in Europe where the release of
captive bred birds has been more frequent for restoring or enhancing grouse populations (Ludwig and
Storch 2011). Furthermore, projects dedicated to rock ptarmigan translocation are even rarer worldwide.
The best documented example is the reestablishment of the species in Agattu island (Aleutian
Archipelago, Alaska) by the translocation of 75 birds caught in the neighbouring Attu island (Kaler et al.
2010). In Italy, 16 hand-reared rock ptarmigan from the Alpenzoo d’Innsbruck were released in Monte
Baldo (Trento province) in 2002-2003, but this reintroduction attempt failed (Brugnoli et al. 2012).
Although the innovative nature of our project yielded many technical achievements, it has also
raised several questions. A fundamental assumption underlying translocation projects is that loss of
genetic variability and inbreeding increase the extinction risks of small populations (Frankham 1995,
Storch 2007). As an example, the low fertility observed in a decreasing population of greater prairie
chickens (Tympanuchus cupido pinnatus) in Illinois, USA was associated with its reduced genetic
diversity. Afterwards, the egg viability was restored in this remnant population by transferring birds from
more genetically diverse populations. However, effects of reduced genetic variation on the viability of
wild animal populations remain controversial. Indeed, other authors consider that the effects of
demographic or environmental stochasticity may be more detrimental than the genetic issues for the
persistence of small populations (Shaffer 1981, Lande 1988). Some populations may persist at least in the
short term with a high level of homozygosity by purging the population of deleterious alleles.
Furthermore, genetic mixture of populations that are adapted to different local conditions can
result in outbreeding depression. Indeed, translocations may reduce the fitness of the resident population
due to introgression of poorly adapted gene complexes (Storfer 1999). In our study, given that
environmental conditions were very similar between source and focal populations, it is unlikely that rock
ptarmigan of the eastern chain developed specific local adaptations that were absent in the translocated
birds.
To conclude, this rock ptarmigan translocation experiment was carried out according to the
assumption that sufficient genetic resources appear to be critical for maintaining small and isolated
populations of grouse. The preliminary results of this experiment are encouraging since transferred rock
ptarmigan found their place in the focal population and participated in the reproduction. The monitoring
of both genetic diversity and demography of the focal population will be continued to track the possible
changes due to the translocation. In the mid-term, a next step could be also to renew this experiment with
birds coming from other Pyrenean source populations.
Acknowledgements
Josep Blanch Casadesús, Jordi Gràcia Moya, Daniel Olivera Aguilà, Marc Mossoll Torres, Josep Maria
Sanchez, Jean-François Brenot, the agents of the Office National de la Chasse et de la Faune Sauvage
(Eastern Pyrenees Departemental Service) and the agents of Generalitat de Catalunya (Cerdanya &
Ripolles) helped with collecting the field data. We are especially grateful to L.N. Ellison who kindly
reviewed the manuscript. The project "Gallipyr" was financially supported by the European Union
(POCTEFA 2007-2013) and coordinated by the GEIE FORESPIR.
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Ewen, M. K., Warren, P. K. & D. Baines. 2009. Preliminary results from a translocation trial to stimulate
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Claude Novoa, Office national de la Chasse et de la Faune Sauvage, Espace Alfred Sauvy, 66500 Prades,
France. [email protected]
Nicolas Bech, Université de Poitiers, Laboratoire Ecologie et Biologie des Interactions, Rue Albert
Turpin, 86022 Poitiers, France. [email protected]
Jean Resseguier, Office national de la Chasse et de la Faune Sauvage, Espace Alfred Sauvy, 66500
Prades, France. eanedith oran e fr
Ramon Martinez-Vidal, Generalitat de Catalunya, Departament d'Agricultura, Ramaderia, Pesca,
Alimentació i Medi Natural, Doctor Roux, 80; 08017 Barcelona, España,
[email protected]
Diego Garcia Ferré, Generalitat de Catalunya, Departament d'Agricultura, Ramaderia, Pesca,
Alimentació i Medi Natural, Doctor Roux, 80; 08017 Barcelona, España, [email protected]
Jordi Sola de la Torre, Govern d'Andorra, C. Prat de la creu, 62-64, AD500 Andorra la Vella, Andorra,
[email protected]
Jérôme Boissier, Université de Perpignan Via Domitia, Labo Ecologie et Evolution des Interactions, 52
Avenue Paul Alduy, 66860 Perpignan, France [email protected]
Aggressive encounters of Chinese Grouse Tetrastes sewerzowi in
autumn at Lianhuashan natural reserve, Gansu, China
Siegfried Klaus¹, Yingqiang Lou, Yun Fang, Wolfgang Scherzinger & Yue-Hua
Sun
Key words: Chinese grouse, Tetrastes sewerzowi, aggressive behaviour, Lianhuashan reserve.
Running title: Encounters in Chinese Grouse
¹) corresponding author
Introduction
The Chinese grouse Tetrastes sewerzowi inhabits the coniferous forests mixed with willow (Salix spec.),
the dominant food, and other deciduous trees in the high mountains of Gansu, Qinghai, Sichuan, Yunnan
and Eastern Tibet. The territorial and mating behaviour of the Chinese grouse in spring has been
described earlier (Klaus et al. 1996, Sun & Fang 1997, Scherzinger et al. 2003). Both hazel grouse
Tetrastes bonasia and Chinese grouse defend territories in spring and autumn (Swenson 1991, Bergmann
et al. 1996 for a review). The aggressive behaviour in autumn as a part of the territorial activity has been
studied in October 2000, 2006 and 2013. The territorial behaviour during the mating time in spring was
studied yearly (1995 -2013) allowing comparison between spring and autumn. Results of observations in
only one season (in October 2000) have been described earlier (Klaus et al. 2009). From our telemetry
studies (Sun et al. 2003), we have learned that both males and females establish territories in autumn and
that both sexes enter flocks in winter (Sun & Fang 1997) similar to northern and eastern populations of
hazel grouse (Swenson 1993, Swenson et al. 1995). Consequently, the territorial activities are interrupted
while they lived in flocks. Studying a subpopulation of Chinese grouse partially colour-banded and
equipped with transmitters, we describe
1. the aggressive behaviour in autumn
2. differences between autumn and spring.
Study area and methods
Study area
The study of Chinese grouse was conducted in the Lianhuashan Natural Reserve in Gansu Province,
central China (34o56’ - 58’N, 103o44’-48’ E). The highest peak is 3,578 m a.s.l. About 30% of the reserve
(11,691 ha in total) is forested, but only 1,170 ha were mature coniferous forests growing on limestonederived soils, mainly on northern slopes (Klaus et al. 2001, 2013). The tree canopy is dominated by Abies
fargesii, Picea asperata, P. purpurea, P. wilsonii, three species of Betula and about 24 species of Salix.
The optimal habitats of Chinese grouse are characterised by the close vicinity of coniferous forests with a
shrub layer of different species (Berberis, Lonicera, Rhododendron, Rosa, Viburnum, Crataegus, Spirea,
Cotoneaster, Rubus etc.) that provided cover, and groups of deciduous trees and shrubs (Salix spp., Betula
spp., Sorbus khoeniana, Hippophaea rhamnoides) that provided food in winter. The dense ground cover
of bamboo Sinarundinaria nitida disappeared after intensive flowering in 2007. The study area is
described more thoroughly in Klaus et al. (1996, 2001, 2009a), Sun et al. (2003, 2006) and Wang et al.
(2012).
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Methods
Foraging and territorial activity of the grouse were observed during 12 field days in October 2000, 22
field days in October 2006 and 17 field days in October 2013, when territorial activity culminated. During
a 2-month stay of L. Y. (September –October) in 2013 the beginning and end of aggressive behaviour
was determined. Entire-day observations were concentrated on foraging males and females and the
territorial activities of males (flutter jumps, noisy drumming flights, encounters). The data were corrected
to realize equal observation times during the light hours of the day and during the decades of September
and October. Here only the behaviour involved in encounters between males is described, based on the
analysis of our video and sound recordings. Times given are local times in Gansu province / China. In the
description of the grouse behaviour, we follow the terminology of Hjorth (1965).
Results
General features
In Table 1 some general features are summarized. In 38 aggressive encounters 77 males were involved. In
one case 3 males were seen together. The duration of encounters varied in a wide range (2-77 min, mean
18.7 min). Most of the aggressions occurred on ground (n=24, 63%). 37% in trees (including willow and
mountain ash). In willows, aggressive males were more often recorded (n=18) as in mountain ash (n=7).
During fructification in autumn, mountain ash fruits are a very preferred food. In a short time interval,
Sorbus berries are a clearly preferred food. Our study of tree species composition on 30 plots distributed
over the study area has shown that 23% of all tree species was willow, only 1% was mountain ash (Klaus
et al. 1996). In most cases, aggressions started in preferred food trees visited by two neighbours.
Sometimes, (n=6) males moved to both tree species or moved from ground to trees and vice versa. 38
aggressions were recorded at 22 sites, indicating that some neighbour males came together repeatedly at
the same site. During n=11 aggressions females were present also. They continued feeding and were not
involved in aggressions. Sometimes alarm calls (figure 3d) of both sexes were noticed.
Table 1. Encounters in Chinese Grouse Tetrastes sewerzowi.
Year
n
On
ground
In
Sorbus
In
Salix
Ground
& tree
n males
involved
Mean
duration
(min)
24
17
18
Sites
Trill
song
Squeak
song
37
14
26
n
females
present
3
2
6
2000
2006
2013
18
7
13
13
4
4
3
1
4
4
6
11
2
2
2
9
4
9
0
3
3
18
4
10
Sum
38
21
8
21
6
77
11
19.7
22
6
32
The trill phrase was uttered in 6 cases (16%). More frequently the squeak phrase (n=32, 84%)
was noticed. During the whole duration of an encounter the type of vocalization did not change.
Monthly and daily distribution
Figure 1 shows the frequency distribution of encounters during September and October. A pronounced
peak is seen in the second decade of October. At the end of October flock formation starts, depending on
weather conditions (snow cover) and fructification of sand buckthorn (where flocks prefer feeding in late
autumn and winter), resulting in a strong decline of aggressions during the 3 rd decade of October.
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Newsletter of the Grouse Group
Encounters in autumn
30
25
20
N
15
10
5
0
IX-5
IX-15
IX-25
X-5
X-15
X-25
XI-5
Date (September-October)
Figure 1. Monthly distribution of encounters in Chinese grouse (n=38) during September – October.
The diurnal pattern of aggression behaviour is demonstrated in figure 2 with a smaller peak in
the morning (at 7 a.m., local time) and a somewhat higher peak in the afternoon (around 4 p.m.). Between
9 a.m. and 2 p.m. aggressions occurred rarely. During intensive feeding to fill the crop before darkness,
aggression behaviour is finished.
Encounters in Chinese grouse
14
12
10
N
8
6
4
2
0
0
2
4
6
8
10
12
14
16
18
Day time (hours)
Figure 2. Biphasic distribution of encounters (n=38) in Chinese grouse in autumn. Day time corresponds
to the local time in Gansu province
20
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Two different vocal displays
For territorial advertisement the hazel grouse utters a unique, extremely high-pitched cantus (8 kHz,
Bergmann et al. 1996) not comparable with other grouse vocalizations. In the sibling species, the Chinese
grouse, the main territorial display is the flutter jump. During border conflicts only, two types of vocal
displays at much lower frequency the trill or the squeak phrases are uttered, not comparable to the
vocalizations of hazel grouse.
Trill phrase
The trill is a sharply rising very short (duration 0.16 s) note, composed of 3 very short and densely packed
sub elements (figure 3a). The interval between two trills was about 3 s in this sonogram. The mean
interval within a longer sequence of an intensive dispute averaged 5.8 s (n = 25). The trill sounds like a
short and clear "trrit" or “britt”. The frequency range is between 1 and 4 kHz with the main energy output
at the lower frequency level. As in the squeak phrase, the overall energy is low. The trill can be noticed
by the human ear on a distance of about 20-30 m. In all cases observed, the trill was uttered by only one
of the rivals. The other (intruder?) was sitting silent and/or feeding at a distance (>10 m). During trilling
the male contracted the neck rapidly, ruffed the neck and throat feathers and the tail is fanned and erected
shortly and lowered afterwards. The crest feathers were never erected in this situation (figure 4).
Sometimes a cackling sound was interrupting the trills, accompanied by a little different behaviour: a
male sitting on a stump was bowing, than erecting his neck, turning around, and fanning the tail more
conspicuously. In a longer sequence during a 7 min lasting encounter we noticed 14 times the trill,
interrupted by 7 cackling phrases. During running after a rival, the male stopped, trilled and continued its
chasing.
Figure 3. Sonograms of vocalizations of Chinese grouse (a, b, c –males; d – female), a – trill phrase, b –
squeak phrase , c- squeak phrases of two males singing in duet, d- warning call of a female (after a video
of S.K., October 13 (3a) and 14 (3b,c,d) 2013)
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Figure 4. Typical posture of a
male uttering the trill cantus:
crest feathers flat, tail fanned
and enhanced at the beginning
and lowered at the end of the
phrase. The bird is turning
around, sometimes bowing (after
a video of Y.F., May 8, 2012).
Squeak phrase
The duration of the squeak
phrase is about 1 s and the
phrase is composed by up to 4 or
7 elements. When starting, two
elements of lower-frequency can
be
regarded
as
intention
elements. As shown in the
sonogram
(figure
3b),
a
conspicuous harmonic spectrum
of the main elements is
responsible for the special nasalsqueaking sound. The mean interval between single phrases within a longer sequence of high activity
averaged 15 s (n = 14). The overall sound energy is low, the low-pitched signal (2-4 kHz) can be noticed
by the human ear on a distance of about 30-50 m. Nevertheless, the sound production seems to be an
energy-consuming event: the male’s breast is expanded; the first element is produced by a rapid head
bowing and opening the bill for 0.33 s. During the whole encounter - during calling, running and even
feeding - the crest feathers are fully erected (figure 5). This posture is the same as during fighting (see
figs. in Klaus et al. 2009a). Often, two rivals are using this species-specific phrase in the sense of counter
singing. Figure 3c shows an example. The squeak phrase is uttered in most aggressive situations when the
rivals are close to each other or in intervals during fighting (in spring).
Figure 5. Male during the first element of the squeak phrase: head bowing with bill open, head up and
bill closing during the following elements of the phrase (single pictures of a video, October 14, 2013)
Alarm
A sonogram of a longer alarm sequence (like: tetetetete…) uttered by a female during an encounter of
nearby males is shown in figure 3d. This long lasting stereotypic phrase contains 9-10 elements / s. The
alarm note can be used by males and females as well. The hazel grouse has a very similar note in the
same situation (“plittern”, in Bergmann et al. 1996, Scherzinger et al. 2003).
Discussion
In Chinese grouse and hazel grouse, both males and females defend year-round territories throughout
most of its range, with peaks of activity in spring and autumn (Swenson 1993, Bergmann et al. 1996).
Territorial activity (whistling in hazel grouse only - flutter-jumping, territorial flights and encounters in
both species) increases markedly just after the breaking-up of broods in early September/October, when
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yearlings start to find their own territories. As reported earlier for Chinese grouse (Klaus et al. 2009b),
flutter jumps were the dominating territorial performance in spring (87% of all performances versus 34%
in autumn, p<0.001, Chi2-test), whereas in autumn noisy territorial flights were dominant (45% vs. 9.3%
in spring, p<0.05, Chi2-test), followed by encounters (21% vs. 3.7% in spring, p<0.01, Chi2-test).
As shown in figure 1 the frequency of encounters rises slowly during September and culminates
in the second decade of October. At the end of this month flock formation starts resulting in a strong
decline of aggressions during the 3rd decade of October. Depending on weather situation (snow cover), in
November the grouse normally live in flocks (Sun & Fang 1997, Wang et al. 2012). The daily activity
pattern of Chinese grouse both in autumn and in spring was biphasic, with peaks in the morning and in
the afternoon (Klaus et al .2009b). This is valid for encounters too (figure 2).
When neighbour males approached each other, conflicts followed. These were accompanied by
two types of vocalizations, the trill and the squeak phrase. Encounters were observed on the ground (more
frequent) and/or in feeding trees, mainly in willows. The rivals often change from ground to tree and vice
versa with very loud flights. The signal effect of these territorial flights is greatly enhanced by noisy
hitting twigs with their hard primaries. During the encounter, the males produced their vocalizations often
in duet on the ground within the shrubs at distances of 1-20 m from each other. If both rivals ran on the
ground, one was chasing the other or they run in parallel at distances of 1-20 m. When the chasing was
interrupted, they started feeding and/or uttered one type of the cantus. During the most intensive phase of
encounter, the males were pecking on ground or on twigs in a ritualized way. When intensity of
aggression declined, true feeding dominated.
The conflict culminated when males approached each other and stood in an erect pose in front of
each other. Synchronous head-bowing follows. Actual fights in Chinese grouse occurred rarely. They
consisted of jumping into the air, pecking and loud wing-beating. The crest feathers are always erected
during fights. We observed serious fights and long-lasting chasing runs mainly in spring, very rarely in
autumn. The fighting behaviour in Chinese grouse resembles that of Hazel grouse which was very seldom
observed. Few examples were described by Pynnönen (1954), Teidoff (1952) and Scherzinger (1981),
summarized in Bergmann et al. (1996).
The development of two different types of vocalization used in border disputes seems
remarkable. Both types are uttered by males only. Despite the overall low sound energy and limited
distance it seems the energy input of males is high. In addition, the disputes –sometimes lasting 10-40
min may attract predators. We noticed several attacks of goshawk and sparrow hawk, the most effective
predators in the study area on the calling grouse. Because most of the encounters took place in the dense
cover of shrubby habitat only a part of the attacks were successful.
Summary
In 38 aggressive encounters observed in autumn 77 males were involved. The duration of encounters
varied in a wide range (2-77 min, mean 18.7 min). Most of the aggressions occurred on ground (n=24,
63%) and 37% in trees (including willow and mountain ash).
In most cases, aggressions started in preferred food trees visited by two neighbours. Sometimes,
(n=6) males moved to both tree species or moved from ground to trees and vice versa. A total of 38
aggressions were recorded at 22 sites, indicating that some neighbour males came together repeatedly at
the same site. Two different types of vocalizations of the males were observed.
The trill phrase was uttered in 6 cases (16%). More frequently the squeak phrase (n=32, 84%)
was noticed. During the whole duration of an encounter the type of vocalization did not change. The
frequency of encounters rises slowly during September and culminates in the second decade of October.
At the end of this month flock formation starts resulting in a strong decline of aggressions during the 3 rd
decade of October.
The diurnal pattern of aggression behaviour showed a smaller peak in the morning (at 7 a.m.)
and a somewhat higher peak in the afternoon (around 4 p.m.). Between 9 a.m. and 2 p.m. aggressions
occurred rarely. Sonograms of the trill and the squeak phrases were described and the accompanying
behaviour characterized. Differences between aggressive behaviour in spring versus autumn are
discussed.
Acknowledgements
The work was supported by Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) and Max-Planck-Gesellschaft
(MPG), by the Chinese Academy of Sciences and by the National Natural Sciences Foundation of China
(No. (No. 31372210, 31071931). We are grateful to Hans-Heiner Bergmann, Tor Kristian Spidsö and Jon
Swenson for their comments on the manuscript and to Martin Päckert for the production of sonograms of
our video recordings.
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References
Bergmann, H.-H., Klaus, S., Müller, F., Scherzinger, W., Swenson, J. E. & Wiesner, J. 1996. - Die
Haselhühner. Magdeburg, 278 pp.
Hjorth, I. 1970. Reproductive behaviour in Tetraonidae. - Viltrevy, 7: 181-596.
Klaus, S., Scherzinger, W. & Sun, Y.-H. 1996. Ökologie und Verhalten des Chinahaselhuhns Bonasa
sewerzowi. - Der Ornithologische Beobachter 93: 343-365.
Klaus, S., Scherzinger, W. & Sun, Y.-H. 1998. Territorial- und Werbeverhalten des Chinahaselhuhns
(Bonasa sewerzowi). - Journal für Ornithologie 139: 185-186.
Klaus S., Selsam, P., Y.-H. Sun & Fang, Y. (2001) Analyse von Satellitenbildern zum Schutz bedrohter
Arten. Fallbeispiel Chinahaselhuhn (Bonasa sewerzowi). - Naturschutz und Landschaftsplanung
33: 281-285.
Klaus, S. , W. Scherzinger, Y.-H. Sun, J. Swenson & Y. Fang 2009a. Das Chinahaselhuhn Tetrastes
sewerzowi – Akrobat im Weidengebüsch. - Limicola 23: 1-57.
Klaus, S., Y.-H. Sun, Y. Fang & W. Scherzinger 2009b. Autumn territoriality of Chinese Grouse Bonasa
sewerzowi at Lianhuashan Natural Reserve, Gansu, China. - International Journal of Galliformes
Conservation 1: 44-48.
Pynnönen 1954. Beiträge zur Kenntnis der Lebensweise des Haselhuhns, Tetrastes bonasia (L.). - Papers
Game Research 12: 1-90.
Scherzinger, W., S. Klaus, Y.-H. Sun & Y. Fang 2003. Ethological and acoustical characters of the
Chinese grouse (Bonasa sewerzowi) compared with sibling hazel grouse (B. bonasa) and ruffed
grouse (B. umbellus). - Acta Zoologica Sinica 52 (Supplement): 293-297.
Sun, Y.-H. & F. Yun 1997. Winter flocking behaviour of Chinese grouse Bonasa sewerzowi. - Wildlife
Biology 3: 290.
Sun Y.-H., Swenson, Y. E., Fang, Y., Klaus, S. & Scherzinger, W. 2003. Population ecology of the
Chinese grouse in a fragmented landscape. – Biological Conservation 110: 177-184.
Sun, Y.-H., , F. Yun, S. Klaus, & J. Martens, W. Scherzinger & J. Swenson 2008. Nature of the
Lianhuashan Natural Reserve (in Engl. & Chines.). - Liaoning Sci. Publ. House, P.R. China, 100
pp.
Sun, Y.-H., Klaus,S., Fang, Y., Selsam, P. & Jia, C. X. 2006. Habitat isolation and fragmentation of the
Chinese grouse (Bonasa sewerzowi) at Lianhuashan Mountains, Gansu, China. - Acta Zoologica
Sinica 52 (Supplement): 202-204.
Swenson, J. E. 1991. Social organization of the hazel grouse and ecological factors influencing it. - PhD
thesis. University of Alberta, 185 pp.
Swenson, J. E. 1993. Hazel grouse (Bonasa bonasia) pairs during the non-breeding season: mutual
benefit of a cooperative alliance. - Behavioural Ecology 4: 14-21.
Swenson, J. E., Andreev, A. V. and Drovetskij, S. V. 1995. Factors shaping winter social organisation in
hazel grouse Bonasa bonasia: a comparative study in the eastern and western palearctic. –
Journal of Avian Biology 26: 4-12.
Teidoff, E. 1952. Das Haselhuhn. - Neue Brehmbücherei Nr. 77. Wittenberg-Lutherstadt.
Wang, J., Y. Fang, S. Klaus & Y.-H. Sun 2012. Food selection of the Chinese grouse Bonasa sewerzowi
in winter: the role of food density, predation risk, food quality and intake rate. – J. Orn. 153:
257-264.
Siegfried Klaus, Max Planck Institute of Biogeochemistry 07745 Jena, Hans –Knöll-Str. 10, Germany;
[email protected].
Yue-Hua Sun, Yingqiang Lou, Yun Fang, Key Laboratory of Animal Ecology and Conservation Biology,
Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, P. R. China, box 215, Beichen Wet
Rd. No.1, [email protected].
Wolfgang Scherzinger, D-83483 Bischofswiesen, Germany, [email protected].
Non-invasive genetic monitoring of capercaillie in the wild: individual
tracking and breeding success
Francesco Foletti, Arnaud Hurstel & Gwenaël Jacob
Abstract
Reliable data on species dynamics are of major importance to design conservation areas and implement
management measures, yet this data is difficult to obtain for elusive species like capercaillie (Tetrao
urogallus). In this master project we present preliminary results on the monitoring of the capercaillie
24
Grouse News 47
Newsletter of the Grouse Group
population in the Vosges Mountains (France). From 2010 to 2012, a network of volunteers collected
faecal samples in the field, mostly during early spring, when birds aggregate around displaying grounds
(leks). Samples were genotyped at 21 microsatellite loci to allow for individual identification. A large
majority of the individuals observed more than once during the three years of the study stayed within a
restricted area. Most movements were detected between neighbouring sub-populations, with the exception
of one female visiting three sub-populations within a month for a total distance of nearly 50 km.
Parentage analyses conducted on a subset of sub-populations allowed us to identify parents–offspring
trios with 80 % confidence. The amplification of additional markers will allow us to reliably assess (> 95
% confidence) individual breeding success in this population.
Context
As quoted in the IUCN Grouse action plan 2006-2010 (Storch 2007): “Although genetic studies have
confirmed that central and western European capercaillie show metapopulation patterns (e.g. Segelbacher
et al. 2003), information is almost completely lacking on juvenile dispersal rates and dispersal distances
(Storch and Segelbacher 2000), and their roles in population genetics, dynamics and persistence.”
The present communication summarises the results of the Master thesis of Francesco Foletti
(contact information [email protected]). Our aim was to develop and test the performance of
genetic tools required to identify juveniles and track juvenile movements.
Study site and sampling
The study area was situated in the southern part of the Vosges Mountains (Regions Alsace and Lorraine,
France). The capercaillie population in the Vosges Mountains declined from more than 2500 individuals
in the 1930’s to less than 100 in 2005 (Lefranc and Preiss 2008). The demographic decline of this
population was accompanied by its fragmentation into seven geographically isolated sub-populations
(Hurstel, unpublished). Faecal samples were collected at lek sites during the breeding season. A total of
266 samples were collected in 2010, 177 in 2011 and 221 in 2012.
Genotyping
We extracted DNA using the DNA Stool Mini Kit (Qiagen) or the PSP Spin Stool DNA Kit (Stratec)
following a modified protocol, including negative controls to test for cross-sample contaminations (Jacob
et al. 2010). Extracted DNAs were amplified at 21 microsatellite loci and a modified primer pair to
determine the sex of the individuals (genotyping details in the Master thesis). All the samples have been
replicated at least four times to control for genotyping errors (Taberlet et al. 1999). For each sample, we
identified a consensus genotype, i.e. the most probable genotype, extrapolated from the analysis of the
PCR replicates. Samples showing a maximum of three missing loci (no consensus genotype at a locus)
were re-analysed. The aim was to amplify the missing markers and, if necessary, to correct these
genotypes.
We found 237 genotypes with a maximum of two missing loci in 2010 (genotyping success =
89.1%), 141 (79.7%) in 2011 and 160 (72%) in 2012. After re-analysing samples showing missing loci,
the number of samples with a maximum of two missing loci (those used in the subsequent analyses)
increased from 498 samples (74.8%) to 538 (80.8%). This step also allowed us to correct genotyping
errors. Of the 132 unique genotypes first identified, 128 unique genotypes remained after the second step
of amplification, the number of genotypes identified only once decreased from 53 to 49 after and the
number of genotypes identified twice from 19 to 14. This step allowed us to increase the reliability of the
genotypes identified.
Among the 128 unique genotypes (= individuals), 73 were observed only once: 38 individuals
(19 males and 19 females) in 2010, 21 individuals (18 male and 3 females) only in 2011 and 14
individuals (6 males and 8 females) only in 2012. A total of 49 individuals were recaptured: 17
individuals (11 males and 6 females) were observed in 2010 and 2011, 9 individual (1 male and 8
females) in 2010 and 2012, 11 individuals (5 males and 6 females) in 2011 and 2012, and 12 individuals
(10 males and 2 females) were detected in 2010, 2011 and 2012. The date of sampling was uncertain for 6
individuals.
Individual movements
The distance moved by individuals was estimated as the Euclidean distance between the locations of
samples assigned to a particular individual. Most of the individuals stayed in the sub-population where
they were first identified. Eleven individuals (8.6 %) moved across larger distances (2–33 km) and visited
one or more other sub-populations. Most long-distance movements were due to females (figure 1). The
large majority of dispersal events are concentrated along the southern and eastern ridge of the Vosges
Mountains, which can be seen as a dispersal corridor (figure 2).
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8
7
6
5
males
females
4
3
2
1
0
2.0-5.0 Km
5.0-10.0 Km
10.0-15.0 Km
15.0-20.0 Km
20.0-33.0 Km
Figure 1. Individual movements among sub-populations by four males and seven females.
Figure 2. Illustration of individual movements among sub-populations.
Genetic variability in the population
We observed low levels of genetic variability in the capercaillie population in the Vosges Mountains,
with a mean of 3.4 alleles per locus, compared to 6.1 alleles per locus in the Swiss Alps (Jacob et al.,
2010). We estimated the proportion of the genetic variance among populations, among individuals within
sub-populations and within individuals using an analysis of variance (AMOVA). Most of the molecular
variance is found within individuals (71% for females and 87% for males; figure 3). Within subpopulations, genetic variation among individuals is 23% for females (FIS = 0.240) and 0% for males (FIS
= -0.006). Genetic differentiation among sub-populations is lower for females (6%, FST = 0.063) than for
males (13%, FST = 0.132). This result suggests that males are philopatric and females are the dispersing
sex, as already described in capercaillie by Regnaut et al. (Regnaut et al. 2006). Indeed, few individuals,
mostly females, visited more than one sub-population. Thus, female dispersal along dispersal corridors is
essential to maintain the genetic connectivity among sub-populations.
26
Grouse News 47
Among
Pops
6%
Newsletter of the Grouse Group
Males
Females
Among
Indiv
23 %
Within
Indiv
87 %
Within
Indiv
71 %
Among
Pops
13 %
Among
Indiv
0%
Figure 3. Partition of the molecular variance for females and males in the Vosges population
Parentage analysis
We conducted parentage analyses to reconstruct parent–offspring trios and to assess individual breeding
success in the population. We used Cervus 3.0 (Field Genetics; Marshall et al 1998) to estimate allele
frequencies and other genetic parameters and to run simulations to estimate the power of our set of
microsatellite loci to identify parent–offspring trios. The simulation step allowed us to identify a critical
LOD score (the likelihood of a potential father–mother duo being the true parents of an offspring) at
which we can be 80 % or 95 % certain to identify the true parents of an offspring. Any candidate parent
pair with a LOD score exceeding the critical LOD score for 95% confidence can be assigned with 95%
confidence (it is the true parent at 95%). We ran simulations using different genotyping error and
proportions of candidate parents sampled to assess the impact of these factors on the LOD score. Due to
the low genetic variance in the population, assignment of parents was only possible with 80 %
confidence. As a consequence there is a risk that some parent–offspring triplets may be incorrect. We
currently work at increasing the number of markers to avoid this risk.
In our study, it was not possible to determine the year of birth of the individuals and we therefore
considered all the 128 individuals as candidate offspring. We selected as potential parents 88 individuals
from the sub-populations where sampling effort was highest (Gazon du Faing, n = 39, Ventron, n = 24,
Saint-Antoine, n = 8, Haute-Meurthe, n = 7 and four satellite sub-populations). We ran simulations
(estimation of the threshold LOD scores) and conducted parentage analyses assuming that 60% of the
mothers and 80% of the fathers were sampled (more females than males are not detected at lek sites). A
total of 30 parents–offspring trios were identified with a confidence of 80%. We present the results for
one of the largest sub-population, Ventron, where all but six individuals were identified as potential
parent or offspring, and two females observed in a neighbouring sub-population (but never in Ventron)
reproduced (figure 4).
Figure 4. Pedigree of the Ventron sub-population as inferred from parentage analysis. The six individuals
not involved in reproduction are indicated on the lower left corner. The two immigrants from the subpopulation of Haute-Meurthe are also indicated.
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Discussion
In the present study we showed that the genetic monitoring of a population based on non-invasive
samples is suitable to identify dispersal corridors among sub-populations and, potentially, to assess
breeding success of individuals in some sub-populations.
The sampling effort at lek sites, done by volunteers in Vosges Mountains, seems suitable for the
monitoring of this population. Our results confirmed that at least four replicates are needed to control for
genotyping errors (Taberlet et al. 1999). We detected 128 single individuals during these three years,
which is most probably an underestimation of the true census size. Indeed, sampling was mostly restricted
to lekking grounds and may have missed individuals not attending the leks. In addition, sampling effort
was lower in the central part of the study area.
We could reconstruct parent–offspring trios in the sub-populations of Saint-Antoine, Ventron
and Gazon du Faing. We observed evidence of direct inbreeding (two events of reproduction of a father
with its daughter), which increases the risk of inbreeding depression in these sub-populations. Five
females and two males reproduced after dispersal, thus promoting gene flow among sub-populations
(effective dispersal). This observation further demonstrates the importance of dispersal in the dynamics of
the population. Offspring of parents from the large sub-populations were observed in satellite subpopulations.
The present study demonstrates that the genetic monitoring of a wild population based on noninvasive samples is suitable to study the role of juvenile dispersal in the dynamics of the capercaillie
population in the Vosges Mountains, and in other grouse population worldwide.
Acknowledgements
This project was financed in the frame of the LIFE+ project “Des forêts pour le Grand Tétras” (2010 and
2011), and in the frame of Natura 2000 network (2012). This study would not have been feasible without
the contribution of all the volunteers who collected samples during these three years.
References
Griffiths, R., Double, M.C., Orr, K. & Dawson R.J.G. 1998. A DNA test to sex most birds. - Molecular
Ecology 7: 1071-1075.
Jacob, G., Debrunner, R., Gugerli, F., Schmid B. & Bollmann K. 2010. Field surveys of Capercaillie
(Tetrao urogallus) in the Swiss Alps underestimated local abundance of the species as revealed
by genetic analyses of non-invasive samples. - Conservation Genetics 11: 33-44.
Lefranc, N. & Preiss, F. 2008. Le Grand Tétras Tetrao urogallus dans les Vosges: historique et statut
actuel; Ornithos 15-4: 244-255.
Marshall, T.C., Slate, J., Kruuk, L.E.B. & Pemberton, J.M. 1998. Statistical confidence for likelihoodbased paternity inference in natural populations. - Molecular Ecology 7: 639-655.
Regnaut, S., Christe, P., Chapuisat, M. & Fumagalli, L. 2006. Genotyping faeces reveals facultative kin
association on capercaille’s lek. - Conservation Genetics 7: 665-674
Segelbacher, G., Höglund, J. & Storch, I. 2003. From connectivity to isolation: genetic consequences of
population fragmentation in capercaillie across Europe. - Molecular Ecology 12: 1773-1780.
Storch, I. 2007. Grouse Status Survey and Conservation Action Plan 2006-2010. IUCN, Gland,
Switzerland and Cambridge, UK and the World Pheasant Association, Reading, UK.
Storch, I. & Segelbacher, G. 2000. Genetic correlates of spatial population structure in central European
Capercaillie and Black Grouse: a project in progress. - Wildlife Biology 6: 239-243.
Taberlet, P. & Luikart, G. 1999. Non-invasive genetic sampling and individual identification. - Biological
Journal of the Linnean Society 68:41-55.
Francesco Foletti, Department of Biology, Unit of Ecology and Evolution, University of Fribourg,
Switzerland.
Arnaud Hurstel, GroupeTétras Vos es, 1 Cour de l’Abbaye, 68140 Munster, France,
[email protected].
Gwenaël Jacob, Department of Biology, Unit of Ecology and Evolution, University of Fribourg,
Switzerland, [email protected].
Successful semen collection from wild capercaillie
Ewa Łukaszewicz, Artur Kowalczyk and Zenon Rzońca
In Grouse News 43 (Rzońca et al. 2012) we presented shortly the history of capercaillie Tetrao urogallus
population in Poland and the initial results of collaborative efforts of Wisla Forest District at Silesian
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Newsletter of the Grouse Group
Beskids in Southern Poland and Wroclaw University of Environmental and Life Sciences, aimed to
improve the reproductive success and effectiveness of capercaillie captive breeding by applying the
artificial insemination and semen cryopreservation techniques, as well as to create gene pool reservoirs ex
situ in vitro. Animals kept in captivity, in zoological gardens or closed breeding centers, often serve as the
reproductive basic flocks to multiply the number of progeny further introduced to natural environment, or
as donors of the reproductive cells, further frozen and stored in liquid nitrogen as gene pools. One of the
most serious problems occurring in captive-breeding and small population in natural habitats is a risk of
inbreeding.
Currently, the basic reproductive flock of capercaillie located in Capercaillie Aviary Breeding
Center in Wisla Forestry consists of 16 males at the age ranging from 2 to 12 years and 40 females, aged
from 2 to 10 years. Some of these birds descend already from the parents born in captivity. Establishing
the “family” in every reproductive season we are trying to avoid the relatedness at least up to three
generations back. However, soon there can be a problem with the selection of unrelated birds. To
overcome or minimize the inbreeding problems, a very important task is to increase the diversity of the
basic reproductive flock. Hence, the effective semen collection from capercaillie living in the wild can be
recognized as a huge and important success. In May 2013 thanks to very friendly cooperation with Slovak
colleagues from Tatra National Park and in April 1, 2014
from Great Fatra National Park, we were able to collect
ejaculates with live, motile sperm. In both cases we have
got the information from National Park Guards that
capercaillie appear in area frequented by tourists. Within
three hours we were there. In the first case the male was
walking on the tourist path. When the capercaillie male saw
us he was trying to attack. During the attacking we caught
him the same way as we do in the breeding center (see the
movie http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tiib4SjtLH0).
We repeated this procedure after two days. In
2014 the male displayed and showed courtship behavior in
the presence of two ladies – the forest guards, in the forest.
They caught him during courtship, just before our arrival.
After a short dorso-abdominal massage (Łukaszewicz et al.,
2011), both males responded with semen ejaculation. The
males were released immediately after semen collection.
The first ejaculate has been frozen at the spot (see photo)
by previously described method and will be used for
insemination in this year, in Capercaillie Breeding Center,
while the second was diluted with EK diluent (Kowalczyk
et al., 2012), transported in +40C temperature and then after
four hours two females, also from our Center were inseminated. Successful insemination will result in
increased biodiversity of our basic flock.
Acknowledgments
Described experiments are performed within NN 311 081040 project financially supported by Polish
National Research Centre.
References
Kowalczyk A, Łukaszewicz E, Rzońca Z. 2012. Successful preservation of Capercaillie (Tetrao urogallus
L.) semen in liquid and frozen states. - Theriogenology 77: 899-907.
Łukaszewicz, E., Kowalczyk, A. & Rzońca, Z. 2011. Successful semen collection from Capercaillie
(Tetrao urogallus L.) kept in an aviary system. - Ornis Fennica 88: 110-115.
Rzońca, Z., Łukaszewicz, E. & Kowalczyk, A. 2012. Protection, reproduction and reintroduction of
capercaillie in the Forestry Wisła, Poland. – Grouse News 43: 17-20.
Ewa Łukaszewicz, Wrocław University of Environmental and Life Sciences, Institute of Animal Breedin ,
Division
of
Poultry
Breedin ,
Chełmońskie o
38a,
51-630
Wrocław,
Poland,
[email protected]
Artur Kowalczyk, Wrocław University of Environmental and Life Sciences, Institute of Animal Breedin ,
Division
of
Poultry
Breedin ,
Chełmońskie o
38a,
51-630
Wrocław,
Poland,
[email protected]
Zenon Rzońca, Forestry Wisła, Czarne 6, 43-460 Wisla, Poland, [email protected]
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Newsletter of the Grouse Group
Biology and conservation of the capercaillie (Tetrao urogallus) in a
Mediterranean environment
Manuel Antonio González
Thesis summary.
Supervisors: Ena, V. and Olea, P. P.
[Biología y conservación del urogallo (Tetrao urogallus) en un hábitat mediterráneo.]
Abstract
Populations residing at the rear-edge of the species’ range are often at a high risk of extinction, due to
their isolation, fragmentation, small population sizes and existing under suboptimal habitat conditions.
However, these populations also play a relevant role in the conservation of biodiversity since they may
represent a valuable genetic resource and cope differently with the future global warming than core
populations. The capercaillie is strongly associated with wide forests and declining throughout most of its
historical range due to human alterations. It is considered an umbrella species of the forests wherever it
inhabits because of its extended habitat requirements and consequently its occurrence involves the
maintenance of a high forest biodiversity. The Cantabrian subspecies (Tetrao urogallus cantabricus) is
the most threatened population. The Cantabrian capercaillie inhabits deciduous forests of the Cantabrian
Mountains of Spain, at the southwest limit of the species’ range. Recently, nine previously unknown
Cantabrian capercaillie leks were described in Mediterranean forests of the southern slope of the
Cantabrian range, where the subspecies historically occurred.
The origin of these birds, their genetic status and relationship with the core population inhabiting
northern Eurosiberian forests remain unknown. We described an extension of the known distribution
range of the Cantabrian capercaillie into an atypical area and habitat for the species. In an effort to
genetically characterize the population genetic diversity and structure of the endangered Cantabrian
capercaillie across its whole diversity of habitats, we performed genetic analyses using microsatellites of
all known leks in the newly described marginal Mediterranean forests and the adjacent Eurosiberian core
range. We also describe the habitat and anthropogenic factors threatening these Mediterranean forests.
Nine capercaillie leks and 14 cocks were recorded in 2009 in Mediterranean Quercus pyrenaica forests in
an area of 1,500 km2, of which 4,500 forest hectares were surveyed. No significant genetic differentiation
between Eurosiberian and Mediterranean forests was detected and, contrary to expected, gene flow
mainly occurred from southern Mediterranean to northern Eurosiberian forests. At present, this
population represents both the southern-most distribution for capercaillie and the only one inhabiting
Mediterranean Q. pyrenaica forests, suggesting a wider adaptation of this subspecies than previously
thought. This population and its habitat need to be better studied, as well as to be considered in
conservation planning for Cantabrian capercaillie. The Mediterranean capercaillie forest population faces
a high risk of extinction not only because of its peripheral location but also due to its small population
size, low genetic diversity, and low incoming gene flow. Of most immediate concern is that wind farms
are quickly being constructed and the number of turbines has increased from 0 to 65 in two years within
the Mediterranean distribution of the capercaillie. Eighteen operative wind farms are within the average
capercaillie home range of 3-4 km around each lek that is strongly recommended to be preserved. This
could potentially negatively affect the capercaillie local population. As long as the effects of wind farms
on capercaillie are not concretely known but disturbances continue to happen, wind farms should be
excluded from this grouse distribution as part of the precautionary principle as is implemented with other
threatened bird species. The policy against fires is effective when applied, hence it should be applied
wherever the capercaillie resides. We recommend including the Mediterranean capercaillie distribution
within Natura 2000 as a first step to consider the area in the local conservation planning for this grouse. If
capercaillie is to be preserved in the Cantabrian Mountains, permanent monitoring of its population trends
and distribution and the control of anthropogenic activities within the entire capercaillie distribution
should be implemented.
Manuel Antonio Gonzáles C/ El Escubio, n3 Lugueros 24843 LeóN, Spain, [email protected].
30
Grouse News 47
Newsletter of the Grouse Group
Greater Prairie-Chicken Thermal Habitat use in Heterogeneous
Grasslands
Torre J. Hovick and R. Dwayne Elmore
Introduction
Climate driven change has accelerated biodiversity loss and increased extinction risk for many organisms
(Maclean and Wilson 2011). Average temperatures and extreme heat events are both predicted to increase
in future decades (IPCC 2013). Research that takes a proactive approach to understanding how
management can mitigate the effects of climate change is necessary to decrease species loss and improve
future conditions for imperiled populations.
Despite the knowledge that temperature plays an important role in ecology, many aspects of
thermal ecology have gone unstudied (Begon et al. 2006). The few studies that have examined the
influence of thermal environments on habitat use typically measure air temperature alone and fail to
incorporate other parameters that can influence how the environment is perceived by an organism.
Operative temperature, which incorporates aspects of air temperature, solar radiation, wind, and humidity,
can give a more accurate representation of energy flow between an animal and their environment. Limited
evidence measuring operative temperatures suggests that thermal environments can limit habitat use in
gallinaceous birds and it has been speculated that high temperatures in the near ground environment are a
limiting factor in Northern Bobwhite populations of the southern United States (Guthery et al. 2005).
We examined Greater Prairie-Chicken (Tympanuchus cupido; hereafter prairie-chicken) thermal
habitat use in tallgrass prairie that is managed in a way that restores the interaction of fire and grazing.
The prairie-chicken represents an ideal case study for examining thermal habitat use because of its
conservation status, potential role as an indicator species, and evolutionary lineage from cold adapted
ancestors thereby leaving it potentially sensitive to rising global temperatures and thermal extremes
(Johnsgard 1983, Pruett et al. 2009). Our main objective was to measure thermal environments at nest
sites and sites within two meters of the nest (i.e., micro-sites) relative to the broader landscape. This was
done across a range of available vegetation patches that result from the spatio-temporal variation of the
fire-grazing interaction at The Nature Conservancy’s Tallgrass Prairie Preserve located in Osage County,
Oklahoma in the southern extent of the Flint Hills.
Methods
We trapped prairie-chickens using walk-in funnel traps during the springs of 2011-2012 (Schroeder and
Braun 1991). Trapping started in mid-March and concluded in early May. We attached necklace-style
radio transmitters to hen prairie-chickens at
the time of capture. We used series A4100
transmitters weighing approximately 16 g
(~1.5 % of the bird’s body weight) and
having an expected life span of 900 days
(Advanced Telemetry Systems, Isanti,
MN). Females were then monitored every
one to three days with daily checks after
localizing at a nest site. We flushed females
intentionally after they localized in the
same area for three consecutive days to
observe nest contents and record exact nest
locations using a handheld GPS unit.
To quantify thermal environments
at the landscape scale, we recorded
operative temperature by measuring air
temperature inside the center of a black
steel sphere (15 cm diameter) placed at
Photo 1. Black sphere arrangement used to measure
ground level (Guthery et al. 2005).
operative temperatures at nest sites, micro-sites, and the
Sampling periods were weeklong and
broader landscape at the Tallgrass Prairie Preserve, OK.
conducted twice during the breeding season
(i.e., early May and mid-July) in 2011 and
2012. To capture spatial variation, we used three 50 m transects that varied in landscape features (e.g.,
time since fire, topography). Within each transect, two by two meter plots were established at 0, 25, and
50 m; operative temperature was recorded at every corner of each plot resulting in 12 sampling points per
transect. This allowed us to quantify the variation in operative temperature available across the landscapes
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Grouse News 47
Newsletter of the Grouse Group
based on landscape features. Additionally, we measured operative temperature at each nest site on the
forecasted hatch date (i.e., known start of incubation plus 25 days) by placing one black sphere in the nest
bowl and three spheres at random locations in the immediate area (<2 m) around the nest bowl to examine
micro site operative temperature variation near the nest. Operative temperature was recorded every five
minutes for a 24 hour period at 32 nests.
We modeled operative temperature at prairie-chicken locations and across the landscape based
on the interactive effects of air temperature and solar radiation. Both air temperature (°C) and solar
radiation (watts/m2) were recorded every five minutes at an onsite Oklahoma Mesonet station (Brock et
al. 1995). We limited our model to temperatures above 25˚C to only examine thermal environments at
warmer temperatures. Because operative temperatures were not all recorded on the same dates, we used
the developed models to predict operative
temperatures at prairie-chicken locations and
across the landscape on the days that operative
temperatures were measured at prairie-chicken
nests and loafing sites. This modeled data was
used when comparing operative temperatures and
trends between prairie-chicken locations and
across the landscape. We also recorded vegetation
parameters such as grass, forb, bare ground, and
litter coverage in a 0.5 m2 quadrat centered over
black spheres both at the nest bowl and the
surrounding micro-sites.
Photo 2. Greater Prairie-Chicken nest.
Results
We found that heterogeneous grasslands have high thermal variability with operative temperature ranging
as much as 23°C across the landscape when air temperatures are > 30°C (figure 1A). Operative
temperatures in all environments increased linearly with air temperature, but the rate of increase varied
among patches, micro-sites, and nests (figure 1B). On average, prairie-chicken nests were in
environments that averaged 21.4 (SE ± 1.8) months post fire.
Thermal environments were cooler at nest sites than any other locations measured across the
landscape (figure 1B). Modeled nest site environments were 4° C cooler than micro-sites within 2 m of
the nest when air temperatures reached 38° C (figure 1C). Additionally, measurements of vegetation at
nest sites and the micro-sites were similar for all parameters with the exception of vegetation height,
which was significantly taller at nests than micro-sites (F1,126 = 4.53, p < 0.05) and suggests that shading
from vegetation could be driving operative temperatures at nest sites. Furthermore, thermal environments
were significantly cooler at successful nests than failed nests (figure 1D), with successful nests being up
to 6° C cooler at higher air temperatures. However, there were no statistical differences in vegetation
height (F1,29 = 0.84, p = 0.37) or any of the other vegetation parameters measured at nests with different
fates, indicating that thermal environments at nests may be influencing survival rather than predator
avoidance through nest concealment. Successful nests also had a more moderate rate of operative
temperature increase with air temperature (i.e., flatter slope) when compared to unsuccessful nests (figure
1D).
32
Grouse News 47
Newsletter of the Grouse Group
Figure 1. A) Modeled data showing range of operative temperatures that result when air temperatures
are ≥ 25˚C in tall rass prairie mana ed with interactin fire and grazing. B) Linear models of landscape
patches resulting from time since focal disturbance (i.e., fire and grazing), micro-site, and nest operative
temperatures using modeled data. C) Differences between nests and micro-sites within two meters of the
nest bowl Nests were nearly 4˚C cooler at 36˚C than the surroundin micro-sites. D) Linear models of
successful and failed prairie-chicken nests at the Tallgrass Prairie Preserve, Oklahoma, USA (20112012). Successful nests experienced operative temperatures that were 6˚C cooler at 36˚C and had more
moderate operative temperatures (i.e., flatter slope) than failed nests. Apparent survival trends were
reported to show general relationships and because all nests were found at the onset of incubation by
tracking marked individuals. Gray areas surrounding modeled lines represent 95% confidence intervals.
Discussion
These results elevate our understanding of the importance of heterogeneity of thermal environments
across multiple scales and demonstrate the importance of understanding habitat heterogeneity from a
thermal perspective in the face of climate change. Our results show that heterogeneous prairie with
interacting fire and grazing had high amounts of variation in the thermal environment and that
reproduction of imperiled grouse is correlated with thermal properties. Additionally, we illustrated the
complexity of thermal environments in plant communities that are often viewed as structurally simplistic
(i.e., grasslands).
Our research demonstrates that habitat selection may be driven, at least in part, by thermal
environments rather than simply being a predator avoidance strategy. It has been reported that egg
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Grouse News 47
Newsletter of the Grouse Group
temperatures > 38˚C may kill embryos if exposed for prolonged periods and that the eggs of most species
can withstand exposure up to 41˚C for short intervals (Webb 1987). Therefore, at some level it is
necessary for prairie-chickens to select nesting areas that minimize thermal loads if eggs are to maintain
viability, and it appears that they are capable of doing this at fine spatial scales (i.e., within 2 m; figure
1C). Additionally, high temperatures likely increase stress on incubating females potentially causing more
frequent nest departures and increased potential for predation events. Subsequently, selection for cooler
thermal environments may reduce the frequency with which females leave nests thereby decreasing the
opportunity for predators to detect nest locations.
In conclusion, managing for heterogeneity in grasslands can increase the range of available
thermal environments providing thermal refugia, and allows organisms to select for areas that improve
thermal regulation and afford energy for other metabolic processes (Gabrielsen et al. 1991). By improving
our understanding of how disturbances impact thermal environments we can improve conservation
efforts. This research emphasizes the need for more investigation of thermal environments and questions
past research that has operated under the assumption that biomass manipulations largely influences fauna
as a result of predator avoidance. We believe future research should emphasize the thermal aspect of
ecology to determine the cues that fauna use in selection and how and when predator avoidance and
thermal refugia act alone or in synergy to influence survival. Despite broadly recognizing the role of
temperature (Begon et al. 2006), few studies actually investigate the role of temperature in determining
habitat use or the dynamic interplay of thermal environments and natural disturbances. If we hope to
conserve biodiversity as global changes become more extreme, it is necessary to take a proactive
approach that maximizes species’ opportunities for survival by recognizing a major role of landscapes is
to function as a moderator of thermal extremes and it appears this is maximized by restoring ecological
processes that create focal disturbance and hence landscape heterogeneity across broad scales.
For complete details on this research please view the published manuscript:
Hovick, T.J., R.D. Elmore, B.W. Allred, S.D. Fuhlendorf, and D.K. Dahlgren. Landscapes as a Moderator
of Thermal Extremes: A Case Study of an Imperiled Grouse. Ecosphere 5:1-12.
References
Begon, M., C.R. Townsend, and J.L. Harper 2006. Ecology: from individuals to ecosystems 4 th edition.
Malden, MA. Blackwell Publishing Ltd.
Brock, F.V., K.C. Crawford, R.L. Elliott, G.W. Cuperus, S.J. Stadler, H.L. Johnson, and M.D. Eilts 1995.
The Oklahoma Mesonet: a technical overview. Journal of Atmospheric and Oceanic Technology
12:5–19.
Gabrielsen G.W., F. Mehlum, H.E. Karlsen, O. Andersen, and H. Parker. 1991. Energy cost during
incubation and thermoregulation in the female Common Eider, Somateria mollissima. Norsk
Polarinstitutt Skrifter 195:51-62.
Guthery, F.S., A.R. Rybak, S.D. Fuhlendorf, T.L. Hiller, S.G. Smith, W.H. Puckett, Jr., and R.A. Baker.
2005. Aspects of the thermal ecology of Northern Bobwhites in north Texas. Wildlife
Monographs 159:1-36.
IPCC, 2013: Climate Change 2013: The physical science basis. Contributions of working group I to the
fifth assessment report of the intergovernmental panel on climate change [Stocker, T.F., D. Quin,
G-K Plattner, M. Tignor, S.K. Allen, J. Boschung, A. Nauels, Y. Xia, V. Bex, and P.M. Midgley
(eds.)]. Cambridge University Press, Cambridge, United Kingdom and New York, NY, USA.
Johnsgard, P.A. 1983. The grouse of the world. Lincoln, Nebraska. University of Nebraska Press.
Maclean, I.M.D. and R.J. Wilson. 2011. Recent ecological responses to climate change support
predictions of high extinction risk. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences
108:12337–12342.
Pruett, C.L., M.A. Patten, and D.H. Wolfe. 2009. Avoidance behavior of prairie grouse: implications for
development of wind energy. Conservation Biology 23:1253-1259.
Schroeder, M.A. and C.E. Braun. 1991. Walk-in traps for capturing Greater Prairie-Chickens on leks.
Journal of Field Ornithology 62: 378-385.
Webb, D.R. 1987. Thermal tolerance of avian embryos: a review. Condor, 89, 874-898.
Torre J. Hovick and R. Dwayne Elmore, Natural Resource Ecology and Management, Oklahoma State
University, Stillwater, OK 74078, USA, [email protected].
34
Grouse News 47
Newsletter of the Grouse Group
CONFERENCES
13th International grouse symposium ˗˗ Iceland 2015
First announcement
The 13th International Grouse Symposium will be held in Iceland on 4-7 September 2015. The conference
site will be the Hilton Reykjavík Nordica Hotel. The focus will be on grouse biology and topics addressed
will include population ecology, genetics, phylogeny, conservation and
management. The conference language will be English. A one day, preconference field trip will be on 3 September and a four day postconference field trip on 8-11 September. The theme of the preconference field trip will be rock ptarmigans and habitats in the
mountains north of Reykjavik (Mount Esja and adjacent alpine areas).
The post-conference field trip will be to northeast Iceland and the
theme will be rock ptarmigan, gyrfalcon, vegetation and geology.
The conference is hosted by the Icelandic Institute of Natural
History. Members of the organizing committee are Ólafur K. Nielsen
(chairman), Icelandic Institute of Natural History, María Harðardóttir,
Icelandic Institute of Natural History, Arne Sólmundsson, The Icelandic
Hunting Association, Arnór Þ. Sigfúson, Verkís, Consulting Engineers, Jakob Sigurðsson, BirdLife
Iceland, Karl Skírnisson, Laboratory of
Parasitology, Keldur, University of Iceland, and
Tómas G. Gunnarsson, University of Iceland.
Practical organizing is by Iceland Travel
Conferences: [email protected].
The conference home page will open in
April. (https://events.artegis.com/event/IGS2015).
Registration will start in January 2015.
Territorial rock ptarmigan cock. The ptarmigan is
the only grouse found in Iceland. It is common but
numbers fluctuate in a regular fashion with peaks
approximately every 10 years. Photo: Sindri
Skúlason.
Olafur Nielsen, [email protected].
35
Grouse News 47
Newsletter of the Grouse Group
7th International Black Grouse Conference, Pechoro-Ilych reserve,
Russia, 24-29.05.2014.
Third circular
Dear conference participants, this letter contain bank details of Institute of Biology Komi Science Centre
(RAS) for remittance the registration fee. The registration fee includes registration documentation and
correspondence, conference materials (abstract publication), coffee breaks, banquet, accommodation and
meals in Pechoro-Ilych Nature Reserve and field excursion. We remind you that the fee for participants is
200 euro, and for students and accompanying persons – 100 euro. The deadline for payment of the
registration fee – May 1, 2014. Scanned copy of the payment documents in the JPEG-file please send at
the address [email protected].
For participation in the 7th International Black Grouse Conference 23 grouse researchers from 8
countries are registered. In addition to reporting there will be an interesting program of field trips,
including visits to two grouse lekking sites.
Bank details of Institute of Biology Komi Science Centre (RAS)
Intermediary: RAIFFEISEN ZENTRALBANK OESTERREICH AG, Vienna, Austria, RZBAATWW
Beneficiary bank: ACC 000-55.042.253 SCBMRUMM METALLINVESTBANK, 2, Slavyanskaya pl.,
Moscow, Russia
Beneficiary: ACC 30109978200000000270, SEVERNY NARODNY BANK, 68, Pervomayskaya str.,
Syktyvkar, Russia
Details of payment: F/O ACC 40503978416420030024, Institute of Biology, 28, Communisticheskaya
str., Syktyvkar, Russia
P.S. Dear conference participants, we would like to remind you of the need to send your personal
data to obtain a Russian visa. Please, give us this information as quick as possible. These data will be
used for the preparation of official personal invitations.
Juri Kurhinen, [email protected].
IUCN World Parks Congress 2014: Newsletter & Registration
Information
Held once every 10 years, the IUCN World Parks Congress provides a unique opportunity to bring about
change, not only for today, or tomorrow, but for the decade ahead. It will be a gathering not just for
protected area professionals but for everyone who cares about the health of humanity and our natural
world hosted by the IUCN and its partners, Parks Australia and NSW National Parks and Wildlife
Services. The congress will be in Sidney, Australia 12th – 19th November 2014.
Congress registration is now open online. The ‘Early Bird’ registration fee is available until 30
June, and you can also benefit from the preferential rates for IUCN Members, Commission members and
staff. An excellent way to keep up to date is to visit the World Parks Congress website and to subscribe to
the Congress newsletter.
For further details and information about the IUCN World Parks Congress, please contact Helen
Noble, World Parks Congress Executive Officer, [email protected].
36
Grouse News 47
Newsletter of the Grouse Group
RECENT GROUSE LITERATURE
For a complete bibliography on grouse, go to: http://www.suttoncenter.org/pages/publications (please
note that the link in previous editions may not be current).
Åhlen, P.-A., T. Willebrand, K. Sjoberg, and M. Hornell-Willebrand. 2013. Survival of female
Capercaillie Tetrao urogallus in northern Sweden. Wildlife Biology 19:368-373.
Arkle, R. s., D. S. Pilliod, S. E. Hanser, M. L. Brooks, J. C. Chambers, J. B. Grace, K. C. Knutson, D. A.
Pyke, J. L. Welty, and T. A. Wirth. 2014. Quantifying restoration effectiveness using multiscale habitat models: implications for sage-grouse in the Great Basin. Ecosphere 5(3):31.
http://dx.doi.org/10.1890/ES13-00278.1
Baxter, J. J., J. P. Hennefer, R. J. Baxter, R. T. Larsen, and J. T. Flinders. 2013. Evaluating survival of
Greater Sage-Grouse chicks in Strawberry Valley, Utah, by use of microtransmitters: does
handling time negatively influence survival rates? Western North American Naturalist 73:419425.
BenDor, T. K., and S. Woodruff. 2014. Moving targets and biodiversity offsets for endangered species
habitat: is Lesser Prairie Chicken habitat a stock or flow? Sustainability 6:1250-1259.
Bird, K. L. 2013. Observation of polyandry in endangered Greater Sage-Grouse (Centrocercus
urophasianus) in Alberta, Canada. Northwestern Naturalist 94:247-252.
Blanco-Fontao, B., B. K. Sandercock, J. R. Obeso, L. B. McNew, and M. Quevedo. 2013. Effects of
sexual dimorphism and landscape composition on the trophic behavior of Greater PrairieChicken. PLoS One 8.11:e79986.
Blomberg, E. J., D. Gibson, J. S. Sedinger, M. L. Casazza, and P. S. Coates. 2013. Intraseasonal
variation in survival and probable causes of mortality in Greater Sage-Grouse Centrocercus
urophasianus. Wildlife Biology 19:347-357.
Blomberg, E. J., S. R. Poulson, J. S. Sedinger, and D. Gibson. 2013. Prefledging diet is correlated with
individual growth in Greater Sage-Grouse (Centrocercus urophasianus). Auk 130:715-724.
Boal, C. W., B. A. Grisham, D. A. Haukos, J. C. Zavaleta, and C. Dixon. 2013. Lesser Prairie-Chicken
nest site selection, microclimate, and nest survival in association with vegetation responses to a
grassland restoration program. U. S. Geological Survey Open-File Report 2013-1235.
Bollmann, K., P. Mollett, and R. Ehrbar. 2013. Das Auerhuhn Tetrao urogallus im Alpinen
Lebensraum: Verbreitung, Bestand, Lebensraumansprüche und Förderung. [The Capercaillie
Tetrao urogallus in Alpine habitats: distribution, population size, habitat use and management.
Vogelwelt 134:19-28. (in German with English abstract).
Boyd, C. S., J. L. Beck, and J. A. Tanaka. 2014. Livestock grazing and sage-grouse habitat: impacts and
opportunities. Journal of Rangeland Applications 1:58-77.
Braun, C. E., W. P. Taylor, and S. E. Ebbert. 2014. Changes in Evermann's Rock Ptarmigan density on
an eastern portion of Attu Island, Alaska, 2003–2009. Northwestern Naturalist 95:28-34.
Braunisch, V., and R. Suchant. 2013. Aktionsplan Auerhuhn Tetrao urogallus im Schwarzwald: Ein
integratives Konzept zum Erhalt einer überlebensfähigen Population. [The Capercaillie Tetrao
urogallus Action Plan in the Black Forest: An integrative concept for the conservation of a
viable population.] Vogelwelt 134:29-41. (in German with English abstract).
Broome, A., T. Connolly, and C. P. Quine. 2014. An evaluation of thinning to improve habitat for
Capercaillie (Tetrao urogallus). Forest Ecology and Management 314:94-103.
Carlson, A. 2013. Mapping seasonal habitat suitability for the Gunnison Sage-Grouse in southwestern
Colorado, USA: species distribution models using maximum entropy modelling and
autoregression. M. Sc. Thesis. University of Edinburgh.
Carrlson, K. M., D. C. Kesler, and T. A. Thompson. 2014. Survival and habitat use in translocated and
resident Greater Prairie-Chickens. Journal for Nature Conservation XXX:XXX-XXX (online
early).
Caudill, D., T. A. Messmer, B. Bibles, and M. R. Guttery. 2013. Winter habitat use by juvenile Greater
Sage-Grouse on Parker Mountain, Utah: implications for sagebrush management. HumanWildlife Interactions 7:250-259.
Connelly, J. W. 2014. Federal agency responses to Greater sage-Grouse and the ESA: getting nowhere
fast. Northwest Science 88:61-64.
Cowles, S. A. 2013. Trade-offs in male lek behavior. M. Sc. Thesis. University of Nebraska, Lincoln.
65pp. (Sharp-tailed Grouse)
Dinkins, J. B., M. R. Conover, C. P. Kirol, J. L. Beck, and S. N. Frey. 2014. Greater Sage-Grouse
(Centrocercus urophasianus) hen survival: effects of raptors, anthropogenic and landscape
features, and hen behavior. Canadian Journal of Zoology 92:319-330.
37
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Dinkins, J. B., M. R. Conover, and S. T. Mabrey. 2013. Do artificial nests simulate nest success of
Greater Sage-Grouse? Human-Wildlife Interactions 7:299-312.
Dunn, P. O., Z. Bateson, J. A. Johnson, A. Henschen, and L. A. Whittingham. 2013. Genetic analysis of
a translocation of Greater Prairie-Chickens into Wisconsin. Unpublished Report, Wisconsin
Department of Natural Resources. Madison, WI.
Duvuvuei, O. V. 2013. Vital rates, population trends, and habitat-use patterns of a translocated Greater
Sage-Grouse population: implications for future translocations. M. Sc. Thesis. Utah State
University. 168pp.
Emery, N. G. 2013. Seasonal resource selection, site-specific brood predictors, and nest characteristics
of Greater Prairie-Chicken hens in northwestern Minnesota. M. Sc. Thesis. University of North
Dakota.
Fletcher, K., D. Howarth, and D. Baines. 2013. The status of Ptarmigan in Scotland: results of a survey
questionnaire of land managers. Scottish Birds 33:291-297.
Forbey, J. S., N. L. Wiggins, G. G. Frye, and J. W. Connelly. 2013. Hungry grouse in a warming world:
emerging risks from plant chemical defenses and climate change. Wildlife Biology 19:374-381.
Franceschi, S., L. Nelli, C. Pisani, A. Franzoi, and L. Fattorini. 2014. A monte carlo appraisal of plot
and distance sampling for surveys of Black Grouse and Rock Ptarmigan populations in alpine
protected areas. Journal of Wildlife Management 78:359-368.
Frey, S. N., R. Curtis, and K. Heaton. 2013. Response of a small population of Greater Sage-Grouse to
tree removal: implications of limiting factors. Human-Wildlife Interactions 7:260-272.
Galla, S. J. 2013. Exploring the evolutionary history of North American prairie grouse (genus:
Tympanuchus) using multi-locus coalescent analysis. M. Sc. Thesis. University of North Texas.
74pp.
Gibson, D., E. J. Blomberg, G. L. Patricelli, A. H. Krakauer, M. T. Atamian, and J. S. Sedinger. 2013.
Effects of radio collars on survival and lekking behavior of male Greater Sage-Grouse. Condor
115:769-776.
Gonzalez, C. A. 2014. Changes in mass of the preen gland in Rock Ptarmigans (Lagopus muta) in
relation to sex, age and parasite burden 2007-2012. M. Sc. Thesis. University of Iceland.
Green, A. R. 2013. Greater Sage-Grouse (Centrocercus urophasianus) habitat selection in northwestern
Wyoming and stable isotope analysis of fecal material. Ph. D. Dissertation. University of
Arkansas. 114pp.
Gregersen, H., and F. Gregersen. 2014. Wildlife cameras effectively survey Black Grouse Lyrurus tetrix
leks. Ornis Norvegica 37:1-6.
Harju, S. M., C. V. Olson, M. R. Dzialak, J. P. Mudd, and J. B. Winstead. 2013. A flexible approach for
assessing functional landscape connectivity, with application to Greater Sage-Grouse
(Centrocercus urophasianus). PLoS ONE 8(12): e82271. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0082271.
Harju, S. M., C. V. Olson, L. Foy-Martin, S. L. Webb, M. R. Dzialak, J. B. Winstead, and L. D. HaydenWing. 2013. Occurrence and success of Greater Sage-Grouse broods in relation to insectvegetation community gradients. Human-Wildlife Interactions 7:214-229.
Hazelwood, K. 2013. Factors affecting Red Grouse (Lagopus lagopus scoticus) nesting success and
chick survival at Langholm Moor. M. Sc. Thesis. Imperial College, London. 53pp.
Hess, J. E., and J. L. Beck. 2014. Forb, insect, and soil response to burning and mowing Wyoming big
sagebrush in Greater Sage-Grouse breeding habitat. Environmental Management 53:813-822.
Hornell-Willebrand, M., T. Willebrand, and A. A. Smith. 2014. Seasonal movements and dispersal
patterns: implications for recruitment and management of Willow Ptarmigan (Lagopus lagopus).
Journal of Wildlife Management 78:194-201.
Hovick, T. J., R. D. Elmore, B. W. Allred, S. D. Fuhlendorf, and D. K. Dahlgren. 2014. Landscapes as a
moderator of thermal extremes: a case study from an imperiled grouse. Ecosphere 5(3):35.
http://dx.doi.org/10.1890/ES13-00340.1. (Greater Prairie-Chicken).
Hull, S., D. Drake, L. Kardash, C. Pollentier, D. Sample, and B. Sadler. 2013. Nesting success and
survival of translocated Minnesota and local Wisconsin Greater Prairie-Chicken hens in Central
Wisconsin. Unpublished Report, Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources. Madison, WI.
Imperio, S., R. Bionda, R. Viterbi, and A. Provenzale. 2013. Climate change and human disturbance can
lead to local extinction of alpine Rock Ptarmigan: new insight from the Western Italian Alps.
PLoS One 8.11:e81598.
Irvine, R. J., M. H. Moseley, F. Leckie, J. Martinez-Padilla, D. Donley, A. Miller, M. Pound, and F.
Mougeot. 2013. Investigating the loss of recruitment potential in Red Grouse (Lagopus lagopus
scoticus): the relative importance of hen mortality, food supply, tick infestation and louping-ill.
European Journal of Wildlife Research 60:313-322.
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Jankowski, M. D., R. E. Russell, J. C. Franson, R. J. Dusek, M. K. Hines, M. Gregg, and E. K.
Hofmeister. 2014. Corticosterone metabolite concentrations in Greater Sage-Grouse are
positively associated with the presence of cattle grazing. Rangeland Ecology & Management
XXX:XXX-XXX (online early).
Janusz, A., G. Stanczak, and M. Piszczen. 2013. Źródła finansowania i analiza kosztów hodowli
wolierowej głuszca Tetrao urogallus (L.) w Nadleśnictwie Wisła (RDLP Katowice). [The
sources of financing and cost analisys of aviary breeding of Capercaillie Tetrao urogallus L. in
Wisla Forest District (RDSF Katowice).] Studia i Materiały CEPL w Rogowie R. 15. Zeszyt 36
/ 3 / 2013:148-157. (in Polish with English abstract).
Kardash, L. H. 2013. 2013 Greater Prairie-Chicken survey in Central Wisconsin. Final Report.
Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources, Wisconsin Rapids, WI.
Kemink, K. M. 2012. Survival, habitat use, and movement of resident and translocated Greater PrairieChickens. M. Sc. Thesis. University of Missouri – Columbia.
Kervinen, M. 2013. Fitness in male Black Grouse (Tetrao tetrix) - Effects of life histories and sexual
selection on male lifetime mating success. Ph. D. Dissertation. University of Jyväskylä. 48pp.
Knapp, C. N. 2013. Engaging local perspectives for improved conservation and climate change
adaptation. Ph. D. Dissertation. University of Alaska, Fairbanks. 213 pp. (Gunnison SageGrouse)
Knapp, C. N., J. Cochran, F. S. Chapin III, G. Kofinas, and N. Sayre. 2013. Putting local knowledge and
context to work for Gunnison Sage-Grouse conservation. Human-Wildlife Interactions 7:195213.
Kobayashi, A., and H. Nakamura. 2013. Chick and juvenile survival of Japanese Rock Ptarmigan
Lagopus muta japonica. Wildlife Biology 19:358-367.
Kobielski, J., D. Merta, D. Zawadzka, A. Krzywiński, G. Myszczyński, T. Wilczyński, Z. Rzońca, K.
Jamroz, J. Holubowicz, and R. Czokajlo. 2013. Realizacja projektu LIFE11 NAT/PL/428
„Aktywna ochrona nizinnych populacji Głuszca w Borach Dolnośląskich i Puszczy
Augustowskiej”. [Implementation of the Project LIFE11 NAT/PL/428 “Active protection of
lowland populations of Capercaillie in the Bory Dolnośląskie Forest and Augustowska Primeval
Forest”. Studia i Materiały CEPL w Rogowie R. 15. Zeszyt 36 / 3 / 2013:271-278.
Lande, U. S., I. Herfindal, T. Willebrand, P. F. Moa, and T. Storass. 2013. Landscape characteristics
explain large-scale variation in demographic traits in forest grouse. Landscape Ecology 29:127139. (Black Grouse, Capercaillie).
Langdon, J. G. R. 2013. Forecasting the impact of climate change on terrestrial biodiversity and
protected areas in the Pacific Northwest. M. Sc. Thesis. University of Washington. 105pp.
(Greater Sage-Grouse).
LeBeau, C. W., J. L. Beck, G. D. Johnson, and M. J. Holloran. 2014. Short-term impacts of wind energy
development on Greater Sage-Grouse fitness. Journal of Wildlife Management 78:522-530.
Lees, J. J. 2013. Seasonal adaptations in the energetics and biomechanics of locomotion in the Svalbard
Rock Ptarmigan (Lagopus muta hyperborea). Ph. D. Dissertation. University of Manchester.
Lees, J. J., L. P. Folkow, J. R. Codd, and R. L. Nudds. 2014. Seasonal differences in jump performance
in the Svalbard Rock Ptarmigan (Lagopus muta hyperborea). Biology Open (2014) 000, 1–7
doi:10.1242/bio.20147930
Lees, J., J., L. P. Folkow, R. L. Nudds, and J. R. Codd. 2014. The effects of season and sex upon the
morphology and material properties of keratin in the Svalbard Rock Ptarmigan (Lagopus muta
hyperborea). Journal of Thermal Biology XXX:XXX-XXX (online early).
Lockyer, Z. B., P. S. Coates, M. L. Casazza, S. Espinosa, and D. J. Delehanty. 2013. Greater SageGrouse nest predators in the Virginia Mountains of northwestern Nevada. Journal of Fish and
Wildlife Management 4:242-254.
Martinez-Padilla, J., L. Perez-Rodriguez, F. Mougeot, S. C. Ludwig, and S. M. Redpath. 2014. Intrasexual competition alters the relationship between testosterone and ornament expression in a
wild territorial bird. Hormones and Behavior XXX:XXX-XXX (online early). (Red Grouse).
McNew, L. B., L. M. Hunt, A. J. Gregory, S. M. Wisely, and B. K. Sandercock. 2014. Effects of wind
energy development on nesting ecology of Greater Prairie-Chickens in fragmented grasslands.
Conservation Biology XXX:XXX-XXX (online early).
Ménoni, E., V. Favre-Ayala, R. Cantegrel, J. Revenga, J. Camprodon, J., Garcia, D., Campion, D.
Afonso, I. et Riba, L. 2012. Réflexion technique pour la prise en compte du Grand tétras dans la
gestion forestière pyrénéenne. [Pyrenean technical reflection for taking account of the
Capercaillie in forest management.] FORESPIR, Union Européenne, DREAL-Midi-Pyrénées.
Pau. (in French).
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Merta, D., J. Kobielski, A. Krzywiński, and Z. Rzonca. 2013. Czynna ochrona głuszca Tetrao urogallus
na terenie Borów Dolnośląskich. [Active protection of Capercaillie Tetrao urogallus in the Bory
Dolnośląskie Forest.] Studia i Materiały CEPL w Rogowie R. 15. Zeszyt 36 / 3 / 2013:195-209.
(in Polish with English abstract).
Messmer, T. A., R. Hasenyager, J. Burruss, and S. Liquori. 2013. Stakeholder contemporary knowledge
needs regarding the potential effects of tall structures on sage-grouse. Human-Wildlife
Interactions 7:273-298.
Mignatti, A. 2014. Models of the spatio-temporal dynamics of the high altitude alpine fauna in the
climate change context. Ph. D. Dissertation. University of Milano. 202 pp. (Black Grouse).
Mikoláš, M., I. Kalafusová, M. Tejkal, I. Černajová, Z. Michalová, T. Hlásny, I. Barka, K. Zrníková, R.
Bače, and M. Svoboda. 2013. Stav habitatu jadrovej populácie hlucháňa hôrneho (Tetrao
urogallus) v Západných Karpatoch: Je ešte pre hlucháňa na Slovensku miesto? [Habitat
conditions of the core population of the Western Capercaillie (Tetrao urogallus) in the Western
Carpathians: Is there still place for the species in Slovakia?] Silvia 49:79-98. (In Slovakian with
English summary).
Nelli, L., A. Meriggi, and A. Franzoi. 2013. Habitat selection by breeding Rock Ptarmigan Lagopus
muta Helvetica males in the western Italian Alps. Wildlife Biology 19:382-389.
Norvell, R. E., T. C. Edwards JR., and F. P. Howe. 2014. Habitat management for surrogate species has
mixed effects on non-target species in the sagebrush steppe. Journal of Wildlife Management
XXX:XXX-XXX (online early). (Greater Sage-Grouse).
Paule, L., P. Klinga, M. Mikoláš, and P. Zhelev. 2013. Genetic diversity of the Capercaillie (Tetrao
urogallus L.) along the Carpathians. Pp. 197-203 IN: Beukovic, M. (Ed.). 2013. Proceedings
of the International Symposium on Hunting - Modern aspects of sustainable management of
game population. Novi Sad, Serbia, 17-20 October, 2013.
Pedersen, A. O., E. M. Soininen, S. Unander, M. H. Willebrand, and E. Fuglei. 2014. Experimental
harvest reveals the importance of territoriality in limiting the breeding population of Svalbard
Rock Ptarmigan. European journal of Wildlife Research 60:201-212.
Pekkola, M., R. Alatolo, H. Poysa, and H. Siitari. 2014. Seasonal survival of young and adult Black
Grouse females in boreal forests. European Journal of Wildlife Research XXX:XXX-XXX
(online early).
Petras, T. 2014. Concept for the monitoring of climate induced impacts on Rock Ptarmigan (Lagopus
muta) in Triglav National Park, Slovenia. Advances in Global Change Research 58:185-195.
Pirius, N. E., C. W. Boal, D. A. Haukos, and M. C. Wallace. 2013. Winter habitat use and survival of
Lesser Prairie-Chickens in West Texas. Wildlife Society Bulletin XXX:XXX-XXX (online
early).
Poor, E. E., A. Jakes, C. Loucks, and M. Suitor. 2014. Modeling fence location and density at a regional
scale
for
use
in
wildlife
management.
PLoS
ONE
9(1):
e83912.
doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0083912.
Reinhart, J. S., T. A. Messmer, and T. Black. 2013. Inter-seasonal movements in tri-state Greater SageGrouse: implications for state-centric conservation plans. Human-Wildlife Interactions 7:172181.
Robinson, J. D., and T. A. Messmer. 2013. Vitals rates and seasonal movements of two isolated Greater
Sage-Grouse populations in Utah’s West Desert. Human-Wildlife Interactions 7:182-194.
Rosner, S., E. Mussard-Forster, T. Lorenc, and J. Muller. 2014. Recreation shapes a "landscape of fear"
for a threatened forest bird species in Central Europe. Landscape Ecology 29:55-66.
(Capercaillie).
Scallan, D. 2013. Ballydangan Bog Red Grouse Project. Report for Roscommon County Council under
the terms of the Community Heritage Bursary. 26pp.
Sitzia, T., M. Dainese, T. Clementi, and S. Mattedi. 2014. Capturing cross-scalar variation of habitat
selection with grid sampling: an example with Hazel Grouse (Tetrastes bonasia L.). European
Journal of Wildlife Research 60:177-186.
Smith, K. T., C. P. Kirol, J. L. Beck, and F. C. Blomquist. 2014. Prioritizing winter habitat quality for
Greater Sage-Grouse in a landscape influenced by energy development. Ecosphere 5(2):15.
http://dx.doi.org/10.1890/ES13-00238.1.
South Dakota Department of Game, Fish and Parks, Division of Wildlife. 2014. Sage-grouse
management plan for South Dakota 2014-2018. Wildlife Division Report Number 2014-02.
South Dakota Department of Game, Fish and Parks, Pierre, South Dakota. 39pp.
Stader, P., C. Ebel, and M. I. Förschler. 2013. Verhalten und Nahrungswahl eines Auerhahns Tetrao
urogallus im Nordschwarzwald. [Behaviour and diet of a male Capercaillie Tetrao urugallus in
the Northern Black Forest.] Vogelwelt 134:75-82. (in German with English abstract).
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Storch, I. 2013. Human disturbance of grouse - why and when? Wildlife Biology 19:390-403.
Suzuki, A., A. Kobayashi, H. Nakamura, and F. Takasu. 2013. Population viability analysis of the
Japanese Rock Ptarmigan Lagopus muta japonica in Japan. Wildlife Biology 19:339-346.
Tape, K. D., and D. D. Gustine. 2014. Capturing migration phenology of terrestrial wildlife using
camera traps. BioScience 64:117-124. (Rock Ptarmigan, Willow Ptarmigan).
Timmer, J. M., M. J. Butler, W. B. Ballard, C. W. Boal, and H. A. Whitlaw. 2014. Spatially explicit
modeling of Lesser Prairie-Chicken lek density in Texas. Journal of Wildlife Management
78:142-152.
Vik, A. M. 2013. Terrestrial locomotion in the Svalbard ptarmigan (Lagopus muta hyperborea). How
does treadmill running compare with running overground? M. Sc. Thesis. University of
Tromsø. 39pp.
Vogler, T. 2013. Predicting hunting success on Willow Ptarmigan using bag statistics and distance
sampling estimates. M. Sc. Thesis. Hedmark University College. 33pp.
Wegge, P., J. Rolstad, and K. O. Storaunet. 2013. On the spatial relationship of males on “exploded”
leks: the case of Capercaillie grouse Tetrao urogallus examined by GPS satellite telemetry.
Ornis Fennica 90:222-235.
Wills, H. D. 2013. The relationship between wind turbines and corticosterone and testosterone levels in
lekking male Greater Prairie Chickens in Nebraska. M. Sc. Thesis. University of Nebraska at
Omaha. 81pp.
Winder, V. L., L. B. McNew, A. J. Gregory, L. M. Hunt, S. M. Wisely, and B. K. Sandercock. 2014.
Space use by female Greater Prairie-Chickens in response to wind energy development.
Ecosphere 5(1):3. http://dx.doi.org/10.1890/ ES13-00206.1
Yang, C., J. Fang, Y. Fang, Y.-H. Sun. 2013. Is sexual ornamentation an honest signal of male quality in
the
Chinese
Grouse
(Tetrastes
sewerzowi)?
PLoS
One
8.2:
e82972
doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0082972
Zellweger, F., F. Morsdof, S. S. Purves, V. Braunusch, and K. Bollman. 2014. Improved methods for
measuring forest landscape structure: LiDAR complements field-based habitat assessment.
Biodiversity & Conservation 23.2:289-307. (Hazel Grouse).
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SNIPPETS
Capercaillie special issue of the German journal ‘Die Vogelwelt’
In December 2012 a capercaillie conference was held in the Lower Lusatia, in the eastern part of
Germany. Main aim of that meeting was to present first results from a release project which was started as
a pilot study in this region. Moreover an exchange with other grouse professionials from Germany and
other European countries should be achieved, including guests from Poland, Switzerland and Sweden. As
a result many of the presentations given at the conference have been
summarised in a special capercaillie issue of the German
ornithological journal ‘Die Vogelwelt’. The focus is on capercaillie
release projects – including problems, methods and results of
different release attempts in central Europe. Most of the articles are
in German, but have a comprehensive English summary and English
subtitles of tables and graphs. Beyond that, there are two English
papers.
In the beginning, Siano & Klaus give a detailed overview on
all capercaillie release projects realized in Germany since 1950,
including project descriptions as well as a critical discussion of the
use of captive-reared grouse. Moreover the authors tried to evaluate
the project success. Colleagues from Poland describe a promising
new release method called ‘born to be free’ (Krzywiński et al.) which
is already practised in a release project in Western Poland (Merta et
al.) and seems to be much more successful than the release of reared
grouse in the usual way. Unger & Klaus present results from a
translocation study which took place in Thuringia.
Two articles deal with capercaillie research in the Black Forest. Braunisch & Suchant presented
the capercaillie action plan for that region, which should support a viable population in the Black Forest.
Stader et al. show results from a study dealing with behaviour and diet of an abnormally behaving
capercaillie male (tame). Bollmann et al. give a comprehensive overview of the status of the capercaillie
in Switzerland, containing distribution, population size, habitat requirements and protection measures.
Last but not least Lindner & Thielemann presented details of the pilot study in the Lower
Lusatia, which includes the translocation of wild capercaillies from Sweden. Their article describes the
aim of that study and beyond presents preliminary results.
Ralf Siano: Schubertstrasse 6, 01307 Dresden, Germany. [email protected].
Georg Grothe (publishing company): AULA-Verlag GmbH, Industriepark 3, 56291 Wiebelsheim,
Germany. [email protected].
The first whole grouse genome is now sequenced and published
The first whole grouse genome is now sequenced and accepted for publication in BMC Genomics. In this
study, the draft genome of black grouse, which was developed using a reference-guided assembly
strategy, is presented.
The different regions of a genome do not evolve at the same rate. The advent of the next
generation sequencing technologies has made it possible to study which genomic regions are evolutionary
liable to change and which are static, as well as enabling an increasing number of genome studies of nonmodel species.
One hundred and thirty three Gbp of sequence data from one black grouse male by the SOLiD
platform were generated. The draft genome well covers the main chicken chromosomes 1~28 and Z
which have a total length of 1001Mb. The draft genome is fragmented, but has a good coverage of the
homologous chicken genes. Especially, 33.0% of the coding regions of the homologous genes have more
than 90% proportion of their sequences covered. In addition, ~1M SNPs from the genome and 106
genomic regions which had a high nucleotide divergence between black grouse and chicken or between
black grouse and turkey were identified.
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Grouse News 47
Newsletter of the Grouse Group
The results support the hypothesis that the chromosome X (Z) evolves faster than the autosomes
and the data are consistent with the MHC regions being more liable to change than the genome average.
This study demonstrates how a moderate sequencing effort can be combined with existing genome
references to generate a draft genome for a non-model species.
The full text is found in the following reference:
Wang, B., Ekblom, R., Bunikis, I., Siitari, H. and Höglund J. 2014. Whole genome sequencing of the
black grouse (Tetrao tetrix): reference guided assembly suggests faster -Z and MHC evolution. BMC-Genomics, in press.
http://www.biomedcentral.com/1471-2164/15/180/abstract.
Long-extinct heath hen comes to life in archival film
State officials from the Massachusetts Department of Fish and Game have found, restored and finally
released a silent black-and-white film that is believed to be the only footage of something not seen for
nearly a century: the extinct Heath Hen (Tympanuchus cupido cupido), a subspecies of Greater Prairiechicken. The agency had commissioned the film nearly a century ago as part of an effort to preserve and
study the game bird, once abundant in the scrubby heathland barrens of coastal North America from
Southern New Hampshire to Northern Virginia. Then, like the Heath Hen, the film was largely
forgotten. Rediscovered in 2011, the film has been digitally restored and is now available for public
viewing. This early film was taken in Martha’s Vineyard, a large island off the coast of Massachusetts
where the last known Heath Hens were protected in a state preserve. But the last Heath Hen, named
"Booming Ben", vanished in 1932. By releasing this rare video, conservationists hope that people will be
reminded of the bird and the lessons that can be learned for the benefit of extant species of grouse. Jim
Cardoza, a retired wildlife biologist, said that for him, the film holds many lessons. “It’s always kind of
an emotional thing to watch an extinct species on film, because on one hand you feel an enormous
privilege . . . but on the other hand, you can’t help but feel the loss.”
http://www.bostonglobe.com/metro/2014/03/07/long-extinct-heath-hen-comes-life-archivalfilm/X9zKEdB6dvH71Pt6rB2tFL/story.html
Stephanie Manes, [email protected].
Information on wind power sites in grouse habitats
For our research project on the influence of wind turbines on grouse (introduced in Grouse News 45, May
2013) we are currently setting up a website combining available information on grouse and wind power.
On this website we would like to display as much on this topic as possible. This will range from sites
where wind turbines have been or will be constructed in grouse habitats to summaries of papers or
reports. We would also like to include anecdotes or small findings. Here coincidental found collisions
victims or observations of lekking sites near wind turbines are of interest. With this website we would
like to facilitate knowledge exchange and gather data which is not internationally published and make this
available to the public. Attached you find a recording sheet regarding grouse collisions with wind turbines
on which you will find a short section with most important facts and an optional section with more
detailed information. This sheet will also be made available through the website.
We would be grateful if you could spread this sheet and would contact us when knowing
anything about sites where wind turbines are present or will be constructed in grouse habitats or about
other findings such as collisions victims. Please do not hesitate to contact us for questions or further
information!
Joy Coppes, Forstliche Versuchs- und Forschungsanstalt Baden-Wuerttemberg, Germany,
[email protected]. +49 7614018 171
43
Recording sheet
Grouse collisions with wind turbines
Most important information (if available)
Name: _____________________________ E-mail:__________________________________________________
Species: _____________________________________________________________________________________
Date of locating bird: __________________________________________________________________________
Position (coordinates, WGS84): northing y: ______________ easting x: _________________ m a.s.l.: __________
Nearest place / region: _________________________________________________________________________
Optional information
Species
Sex:
male
female
unsure
Age:
adult
juvenile
unsure
Condition of the body when found:
fresh /
intact
pitted /
decayed
only remnants
existing
prairie
other
Habitat
Turbine in:
forest
tundra
pasture
Short description habitat: (Examples: Old growth pine forest/ Moorland/ Alpine pasture) ___________________
___________________________________________________________________________________________
Wind farm
Presumably collision with:
base / tower
rotor blades
Tower painted (Y/N): ____________
Distance to tower (found, in meters): ____________________________________________________________
Manufacturer wind turbine:_____________________________________________________________________
Hub-height wind turbine: _______________________________________________________________________
Capacity (mw): _______________________________________________________________________________
Number of wind turbines in wind farm: ___________________________________________________________
Total area wind farm (ha): ______________________________________________________________________
Comments:__________________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________________________
Forest Research Institute of Baden Württemberg, Germany
Joy Coppes, Tel.: 0049-7614018-171, Fax: 0049-7614018-497
E-mail: [email protected]