@booklet {KNZ001600, title = {Environmental impacts of wind power development on the population biology of Greater Prairie-Chickens. U.S. Department of Energy, Final Project Report for Award DOE/EE0000526 (technical report)}, journal = {Final Project Report for Award DOE/EE0000526}, year = {2013}, keywords = {LTER-KNZ}, author = {Sandercock, B.K. and Wisely, S.M. and McNew, L.B. and Gregory, A.J. and Winder, V.L. and Hunt, L.M.} } @article {KNZ001485, title = {Demography of Greater Prairie-Chickens: regional variation in vital rates, sensitivity values, and population dynamics}, journal = {Journal of Wildlife Management}, volume = {76}, year = {2012}, pages = {987 -1000}, abstract = {

Intensification of rangeland management has coincided with population declines among obligate grassland species in the largest remaining tallgrass prairie in North America, although causes of declines remain unknown. We modeled population dynamics and conducted sensitivity analyses from demographic data collected for an obligate grassland bird that is an indicator species for tallgrass prairie, the greater prairie-chicken (Tympanuchus cupido), during a 4-year study in east-central Kansas, USA. We examined components of reproductive effort and success, juvenile survival, and annual adult female survival for 3 populations of prairie-chickens across an ecological gradient of human landscape alteration and land use. We observed regional differences in reproductive performance, survivorship, and population dynamics. All 3 populations of prairie-chickens were projected to decline steeply given observed vital rates, but rates of decline differed across a gradient of landscape alteration, with the greatest declines in fragmented landscapes. Elasticity values, variance-scaled sensitivities, and contribution values from a random-effects life-table response experiment all showed that the finite rate of population change was more sensitive to changes in adult survival than other demographic parameters in our declining populations. The rate of population change was also sensitive to nest survival at the most fragmented and least intensively grazed study site; suggesting that patterns of landscape fragmentation and land use may be affecting the relative influences of underlying vital rates on rates of population growth. Our model results indicate that 1) populations of prairie-chickens in eastern Kansas are unlikely to be viable without gains from immigration, 2) rates of population decline vary among areas under different land management practices, 3) human land-use patterns may affect the relative influences of vital rates on population trajectories, and 4) anthropogenic effects on population demography may influence the regional life-history strategies of a short-lived game bird. \© 2012 The Wildlife Society.

}, keywords = {LTER-KNZ, contributions, elasticity, land use and land cover change (LULCC), Leslie matrix, life-table response experiment (LTRE), population viability, prospective analysis, variance-scaled sensitivities}, doi = {10.1002/jwmg.369}, url = {https://wildlife.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1002/jwmg.369}, author = {McNew, L.B. and Gregory, A.J. and Wisely, S.M. and Sandercock, B.K.} } @article {KNZ001337, title = {Genetic parentage and local population structure in the socially monogamous Upland Sandpiper}, journal = {Condor}, volume = {113}, year = {2011}, pages = {119 -128}, abstract = {

For a single lineage of birds, the diversity of mating systems and parental care among shorebirds (Charadrii) is high, which has made them an important group for investigations of the evolution of social mating systems. From 2003 to 2007, we studied a population of the Upland Sandpiper (Bartramia longicauda) at Konza Prairie Biological Station in northeastern Kansas. Our objectives were to determine the genetic mating system of this socially monogamous shorebird and to determine whether spatial patterns of philopatry and nest placement might affect opportunities for extra-pair mating. We used six microsatellite markers to estimate rates of extra-pair paternity in 58 family groups (107 parents, 184 offspring). We found that 30\% of broods contained extra-pair offspring, representing 15\% of chicks, the highest rate of extra-pair paternity ever reported in a socially monogamous shorebird. High rates of extra-pair paternity were not due to the degree of relatedness between partners in mated pairs, and they did not result in greater diversity among broods with extra-pair young. We used a spatial genetic-autocorrelation analysis and found evidence for relatedness among females nesting \<1 km apart. The Upland Sandpiper might have a high rate of extra-pair paternity because related females nest synchronously and in close proximity, but the probability of extra-pair young was not related to nest density or distance to nearest nest. Female-biased natal philopatry is unusual among birds but is consistent with the mate-defense mating system of the Upland Sandpiper.

}, keywords = {LTER-KNZ, Bartramia longicauda, dispersal, Extra-pair paternity, genetic structure, mating systems, natal philopatry, shorebirds, Upland Sandpiper}, doi = {10.1525/cond.2011.100100}, url = {https://doi.org/10.1525/cond.2011.100100}, author = {Casey, A.E. and Sandercock, B.K. and Wisely, S.M.} } @article {KNZ001297, title = {Hierarchical modeling of lek habitats of Greater Prairie-Chickens}, journal = {Studies in Avian Biology}, volume = {39}, year = {2011}, pages = {21 -32}, keywords = {LTER-KNZ}, url = {https://www.fws.gov/southwest/es/documents/R2ES/LitCited/LPC_2012/Gregory_et_al_2011.pdf}, author = {Gregory, A.J. and McNew, L.B. and Prebyl, T.J. and Sandercock, B.K. and Wisely, S.M.} } @article {KNZ001441, title = {Historical processes and landscape context influence genetic structure in peripheral populations of the collared lizard (Crotaphytus collaris)}, journal = {Landscape Ecology}, volume = {26}, year = {2011}, pages = {1125 -1136}, abstract = {

Populations at the periphery of a species\’ range often show reduced genetic variability within populations and increased genetic divergence among populations compared to those at the core, but the mechanisms that give rise to this core-periphery pattern in genetic structure can be multifaceted. Peripheral population characteristics may be a product of historical processes, such as founder effects or population expansion, or due to the contemporary influence of landscape context on gene flow. We sampled collared lizards (Crotaphytus collaris) at four locations within the northern Flint Hills of Kansas, which is at the northern periphery of their range, to determine the genetic variability and extent of genetic divergence among populations for ten microsatellite loci (n = 229). We found low genetic variability (average allelic richness = 3.37 \± 0.23 SE; average heterozygosity = 0.54 \± 0.05 SE) and moderate population divergence (average FST = 0.08 \± 0.01 SE) among our sample sites relative to estimates reported in the literature at the core of the species\’ range in Texas. We also identified differences in dispersal rates among sampling locations. Gene flow within the Flint Hills was thus greater than for other peripheral populations of collared lizards, such as the Missouri glade system where most of the mesic grasslands have been converted to forest since the last glacial retreat, which appears to have greatly impeded gene flow among populations. Our findings signify the importance of considering landscape context when evaluating core-peripheral trends in genetic diversity and population structure.

}, keywords = {LTER-KNZ, Collared lizard, Flint Hills, Microsatellites, tallgrass prairie}, doi = {10.1007/s10980-011-9631-1}, url = {https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007\%2Fs10980-011-9631-1}, author = {Blevins, E. and Wisely, S.M. and With, K.A.} } @article {KNZ001299, title = {Human-mediated selection on life-history traits of Greater Prairie-Chickens}, journal = {Studies in Avian Biology}, volume = {39}, year = {2011}, pages = {255 -266}, keywords = {LTER-KNZ}, url = {https://alaska.usgs.gov/science/biology/landbirds/pdfs/McNew_etal_2011_sab2.pdf}, author = {McNew, L.B. and Gregory, A.J. and Wisely, S.M. and Sandercock, B.K.} } @phdthesis {KNZ001428, title = {The influence of behavioral and landscape ecology on Greater Prairie-Chicken (Tympanuchus cupido) genetic structure and evolution}, volume = {PhD Dissertation}, year = {2011}, pages = {1 -129}, school = {Kansas State University}, type = {Ph.D. Thesis}, address = {Manhattan, KS}, keywords = {LTER-KNZ}, url = {http://krex.k-state.edu/dspace/handle/2097/8530}, author = {Gregory, A.J.} } @article {KNZ001444, title = {Population genetic structure and landscape connectivity of the Eastern Yellowbelly Racer (Coluber constrictor flaviventris) in the contiguous tallgrass prairie of northeastern Kansas, USA}, journal = {Landscape Ecology}, volume = {26}, year = {2011}, pages = {281 -294}, abstract = {

The tallgrass prairie of North America has undergone widespread habitat loss and fragmentation (\<4\% remains). The Flint Hills region of Kansas and Oklahoma is the largest tallgrass prairie remaining and therefore provides an opportunity to study the population genetic structure of grassland species in a relatively contiguous landscape and set a baseline for evaluating changes when the habitat is fragmented. We adopted a landscape genetics approach to identify how landscape structure affected dispersal, population genetic structure, and landscape connectivity of the Eastern Yellowbelly Racer (Coluber constrictor flaviventris) across a 13,500-km2 landscape in northeastern Kansas, USA. The racer population had high allelic diversity, high heterozygosity, and was maintaining migration-drift equilibrium. Autocorrelation between genetic and geographic distance revealed that racers exhibited restricted dispersal within 3 km, and isolation-by-distance. Significant isolation-by-distance occurred at broad regional scales (\>100 km), but because of sufficient gene flow between locations, we were unable to define discrete subpopulations using Bayesian clustering analyses. Resistance distance, which considers the permeability of habitats, did not explain significant variation in genetic distance beyond Euclidean distance alone, suggesting that racers are not currently influenced by landscape composition. In northeastern Kansas, racers appear to be an abundant and continuously distributed snake that perceives the landscape as well connected with no cover type currently impeding snake dispersal or gene flow.

}, keywords = {LTER-KNZ, Autocorrelation, conservation, dispersal, Fragmentation, Gene flow, grassland, Isolation-by-distance, Landscape genetics, Microsatellites, Snake}, doi = {10.1007/s10980-010-9554-2}, url = {https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007\%2Fs10980-010-9554-2}, author = {Klug, P.E. and Wisely, S.M. and With, K.A.} } @article {KNZ001298, title = {Reproductive biology of a southern population of Greater Prairie-Chickens}, journal = {Studies in Avian Biology}, volume = {39}, year = {2011}, pages = {209 -221}, keywords = {LTER-KNZ}, url = {https://alaska.usgs.gov/science/biology/landbirds/pdfs/McNew_etal_2011_sab1.pdf}, author = {McNew, L.B. and Gregory, A.J. and Wisely, S.M. and Sandercock, B.K.} } @article {KNZ001334, title = {Comparative genome scan detects host-related divergent selection in the grasshopper Hesperotettix viridis}, journal = {Molecular Ecology}, volume = {19}, year = {2010}, pages = {4012 -4028}, abstract = {

In this study, we used a comparative genome scan to examine patterns of population differentiation with respect to host plant use in Hesperotettix viridis, a Nearctic oligophagous grasshopper locally specialized on various Asteraceae including Solidago, Gutierrezia, and Ericameria. We identified amplified fragment length polymorphism (AFLP) loci with significantly elevated FST (outlier loci) in multiple different-host and same-host comparisons of populations while controlling for geographic distance. By comparing the number and identities of outlier loci in different-host vs. same-host comparisons, we found evidence of host plant-related divergent selection for some population comparisons (Solidago- vs. Gutierrezia-feeders), while other comparisons (Ericameria- vs. Gutierrezia-feeders) failed to demonstrate a strong role for host association in population differentiation. In comparisons of Solidago- vs. Gutierrezia-feeding populations, a relatively high number of outlier loci observed repeatedly in different-host comparisons (35\% of all outliers and 2.7\% of all 625 AFLP loci) indicated a significant role for host-related selection in contributing to overall genomic differentiation in this grasshopper. Mitochondrial DNA sequence data revealed a star-shaped phylogeny with no host- or geography-related structure, low nucleotide diversity, and high haplotype diversity, suggesting a recent population expansion. mtDNA data do not suggest a long period of isolation in separate glacial refugia but are instead more compatible with a single glacial refugium and more recent divergence in host use. Our study adds to research documenting heterogeneity in differentiation across the genome as a consequence of divergent natural selection, a phenomenon that may occur as part of the process of ecological speciation.

}, keywords = {LTER-KNZ}, doi = {10.1111/j.1365-294X.2010.04792.x}, url = {https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1111/j.1365-294X.2010.04792.x}, author = {Apple, J.L. and Grace, T. and Anthony Joern and Amand, P. and Wisely, S.M.} } @article {KNZ001335, title = {Divergent host plant adaptation drives the evolution of reproductive isolation in the grasshopper Hesperotettix viridis (Orthoptera: Acrididae)}, journal = {Biological Journal of the Linnaean Society}, volume = {100}, year = {2010}, pages = {866 -878}, abstract = {

Early stages of lineage divergence in insect herbivores are often related to shifts in host plant use and divergence in mating capabilities, which may lead to sexual isolation of populations of herbivorous insects. We examined host preferences, degree of differentiation in mate choice, and divergence in cuticular morphology using near-infrared spectroscopy in the grasshopper Hesperotettix viridis aiming to understand lineage divergence. In Kansas (USA), H. viridis is an oligophagous species feeding on Gutierrezia and Solidago host species. To identify incipient mechanisms of lineage divergence and isolation, we compared host choice, mate choice, and phenotypic divergence among natural grasshopper populations in zones of contact with populations encountering only one of the host species. A significant host-based preference from the two host groups was detected in host-paired feeding preference studies. No-choice mate selection experiments revealed a preference for individuals collected from the same host species independent of geographic location, and little mating was observed between individuals collected from different host species. Female mate choice tests between males from the two host species resulted in 100\% fidelity with respect to host use. Significant differentiation in colour and cuticular composition of individuals from different host plants was observed, which correlated positively with host choice and mate choice. No evidence for reinforcement in the zone of contact was detected, suggesting that divergent selection for host plant use promotes sexual isolation in this species.

}, keywords = {LTER-KNZ, allopatry, ecological speciation, feeding preference, genetic divergence, host-associated divergence, mate choice, Microsatellites, near-infrared spectroscopy, reproductive isolation, secondary contact zones, sexual isolation, sympatry}, doi = {10.1111/j.1095-8312.2010.01458.x}, url = {https://academic.oup.com/biolinnean/article/100/4/866/2450537}, author = {Grace, T. and Dowell, F. and Anthony Joern and Wisely, S.M. and Brown, S.J. and Maghirang, E.} } @article {KNZ001288, title = {Estimating the stage of incubation for nests of Greater Prairie-chickens using egg flotation: a float curve for grousers}, journal = {Grouse News}, volume = {38}, year = {2009}, pages = {12 -14}, abstract = {Introduction Researchers often require accurate estimates of incubation stage for back-calculating the timing of nest initiation or predicting the date of hatching to capture young, to determine the durations of egg-laying, incubation and the construction of breeding phenologies, and to calculate nest productivity. Estimates of nest age are also critical for assessment of the influence of temporal variation in nest survival, and to model daily nest survival as a function of individual-or time-specific covariates (Dinsmore et al. 2002). For example, the timing of nest losses is often related to nest success and the probability of renesting (Schroeder 1997, Pitman et al. 2006, McNew et al. in press). Egg flotation is one of the most common methods employed for estimating stage of embryo development with egg flotation-development relationships documented for many species of birds (Hays \& LeCroy 1971, Dunn et al. 1979, Fisher and Sengel 1991, Custer et al. 1992, Brua \& Machin 2000, Liebezeit et al. 2007). To our knowledge, there are no published techniques to estimate stage of incubation for nests of grouse. Field biologists estimating stage of incubation for eggs of grouse nests have often used a modified version of an egg flotation technique developed for captive ring-neck pheasants Phasianus colchicus and gray partridges Perdix perdix (Westerskov 1950, Martin \& Cooke 1987). It is unknown whether egg flotation can be used to accurately assess age of grouse nests under field conditions. As part of a larger study on the breeding ecology of greater prairie-chickens Tympanuchus cupido; (hereafter "prairie-chickens"), McNew et al. (in press) developed a regression model to accurately predict the stage of incubation for nests from egg flotation angles and egg buoyancy. Methods Prairie-chickens were captured with walk-in traps and drop-nets at leks during March{\textendash}May of 2006{\textendash}2008 at three study sites in eastern Kansas, USA (Schroeder \& Braun 1991, Silvy et al. 1990). Females were fitted with radio transmitters and located via triangulation >4 times/week during the nesting period (April{\textendash}July), and daily once it was determined from movement patterns that a female was nesting. Once a female had localized in an area for 3 successive days, we located and flushed the bird so that the eggs could be counted and the nest location recorded with a GPS unit. Females with nests were monitored daily from a distance of >100 m. Nest sites were revisited during incubation to assess clutch size and incubation stage. Figure 1. Estimating the float angle or height of a greater prairie-chicken egg. This egg is floating at ~90{\textdegree} and is not yet buoyant. }, keywords = {LTER-KNZ}, url = {https://www.researchgate.net/publication/228517269_Estimating_the_stage_of_incubation_for_nests_of_Greater_Prairie-Chickens_using_egg_flotation_a_float_curve_for_grousers}, author = {McNew, L.B. and Gregory, A.J. and Wisely, S.M. and Sandercock, B.K.} } @article {KNZ001194, title = {Heteroduplex molecules cause sexing errors in a standard molecular protocol for avian sexing}, journal = {Molecular Ecology Resources}, volume = {9}, year = {2009}, pages = {61 -65}, abstract = {

Molecular methods are a necessary tool for sexing monomorphic birds. These molecular approaches are usually reliable, but sexing protocols should be evaluated carefully because biochemical interactions may lead to errors. We optimized laboratory protocols for genetic sexing of a monomorphic shorebird, the upland sandpiper (Bartramia longicauda), using two independent sets of primers, P2/P8 and 2550F/2718R, to amplify regions of the sex-linked CHD-Z and CHD-W genes. We discovered polymorphisms in the region of the CHD-Z intron amplified by the primers P2/P8 which caused four males to be misidentified as females (n = 90 mated pairs). We cloned and sequenced one CHD-W allele (370 bp) and three CHD-Z alleles in our population: Z\° (335 bp), Z\′ (331 bp) and Z\″ (330 bp). Normal (Z\°Z\°) males showed one band in agarose gel analysis and were easily differentiated from females (Z\°W), which showed two bands. However, males heterozygous for CHD-Z alleles (Z\′Z\″) unexpectedly showed two bands in a pattern similar to females. While the Z\′ and Z\″ fragments contained only short deletions, they annealed together during the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) process and formed heteroduplex molecules that were similar in size to the W fragment. Errors previously reported for molecular sex-assignment have usually been due to allelic dropout, causing females to be misidentified as males. Here, we report evidence that events in PCRs can lead to the opposite error, with males misidentified as females. We recommend use of multiple primer sets and large samples of known-sex birds for validation when designing protocols for molecular sex analysis.

}, keywords = {LTER-KNZ, 2550F/2718R, Bartramia longicauda, CHD-Z, molecular sexing, P2/P8, Upland Sandpiper}, doi = {10.1111/j.1755-0998.2008.02307.x}, url = {https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1111/j.1755-0998.2008.02307.x}, author = {Casey, A.E. and Jones, K.L. and Sandercock, B.K. and Wisely, S.M.} } @article {KNZ001273, title = {Highly polymorphic microsatellites in the North American snakeweed grasshopper, Hesperotettix viridis}, journal = {Journal of Orthoptera Research}, volume = {18}, year = {2009}, pages = {19 -21}, abstract = {

Microsatellite markers are preferred for fine-scale population genetic studies requiring high resolution. The grasshopper Hesperotettix viridis (Thomas) is an oligophagous species that feeds on composites and often exhibits locally restricted diets. Divergence in host plant use in some localities is seen where co-occurring subpopulations select alternate plant species, as expected with the evolution of host shifts and associated lineage divergence. To characterize the host-associated divergence patterns among populations of H. viridis, we developed markers from two microsatellite-enriched genomic libraries. Here we report the characterization and optimization of seven polymorphic di- and tri-nucleotide microsatellite loci for this species. One hundred and six individuals from 5 populations were tested for polymorphism. The number of alleles varied from 4 to 38 in all the populations. Ho ranged from 0.339 to 0.790. Homozygote excess was observed across loci, perhaps due to inbreeding. This is the first report of microsatellite markers for the subfamily Melanoplinae.

}, keywords = {LTER-KNZ, Hesperotettix viridis, host-associated divergence, local adaptation, microsatellite markers, snakeweed grasshopper}, doi = {10.1665/034.018.0111}, url = {https://bioone.org/journals/Journal-of-Orthoptera-Research/volume-18/issue-1/034.018.0111/Highly-Polymorphic-Microsatellites-in-the-North-American-Snakeweed-Grasshopper-iHesperotettix/10.1665/034.018.0111.full}, author = {Grace, T. and Anthony Joern and Brown, S.J. and Apple, J.L. and Wisely, S.M.} } @article {KNZ001244, title = {Polymorphic microsatellite markers for the striped skunk, Mephitis mephitis, and other mephitids}, journal = {Molecular Ecology Resources}, volume = {9}, year = {2009}, pages = {383 -385}, abstract = {

We report 10 polymorphic microsatellite loci primers developed for striped skunks (Mephitis mephitis), a widespread mesocarnivore in North America. Numbers of alleles in these loci ranged from seven to 14 and the observed heterozygosity ranged from 0.76 to 1.0. These primers will be useful for studying population dynamics of skunks where rabies is endemic and will be useful to estimate genetic relatedness among females sharing winter dens. Most of these primers amplify across species within the Mephitidae.

}, keywords = {LTER-KNZ, hog-nosed skunk, hooded skunk, Mephitis mephitis, microsatellite primers, spotted skunk, striped skunk}, doi = {10.1111/j.1755-0998.2008.02463.x}, url = {https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1111/j.1755-0998.2008.02463.x}, author = {Dragoo, J.W. and Coan, K.E. and Moore, K.A. and Henke, S.E. and Fleisher, R.C. and Wisely, S.M.} }