scholarly journals First Genome Sequence of the Gunnison’s Prairie Dog (Cynomys gunnisoni), a Keystone Species and Player in the Transmission of Sylvatic Plague

2020 ◽  
Vol 12 (5) ◽  
pp. 618-625 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mirian T N Tsuchiya ◽  
Rebecca B Dikow ◽  
Loren Cassin-Sackett
Keyword(s):  
Large Body ◽  
Keystone Species ◽  
Single Copy ◽  
Ground Squirrels ◽  
Prairie Dogs ◽  
Prairie Dog ◽  
Ecological Processes ◽  
Sylvatic Plague ◽  
Avian Predators ◽  
Cynomys Gunnisoni

Abstract Prairie dogs (genus Cynomys) are a charismatic symbol of the American West. Their large social aggregations and complex vocalizations have been the subject of scientific and popular interest for decades. A large body of literature has documented their role as keystone species of western North America’s grasslands: They generate habitat for other vertebrates, increase nutrient availability for plants, and act as a food source for mammalian, squamate, and avian predators. An additional keystone role lies in their extreme susceptibility to sylvatic plague (caused by Yersinia pestis), which results in periodic population extinctions, thereby generating spatiotemporal heterogeneity in both biotic communities and ecological processes. Here, we report the first Cynomys genome for a Gunnison’s prairie dog (C. gunnisoni gunnisoni) from Telluride, Colorado (USA). The genome was constructed using a hybrid assembly of PacBio and Illumina reads and assembled with MaSuRCA and PBJelly, which resulted in a scaffold N50 of 824 kb. Total genome size was 2.67 Gb, with 32.46% of the bases occurring in repeat regions. We recovered 94.9% (91% complete) of the single copy orthologs using the mammalian Benchmarking Universal Single-Copy Orthologs database and detected 49,377 gene models (332,141 coding regions). Pairwise Sequentially Markovian Coalescent showed support for long-term stable population size followed by a steady decline beginning near the end of the Pleistocene, as well as a recent population reduction. The genome will aid in studies of mammalian evolution, disease resistance, and the genomic basis of life history traits in ground squirrels.

Effects of habitat quality on growth, age of first reproduction, and dispersal in Gunnison's prairie dogs (Cynomys gunnisoni)

1985 ◽  
Vol 63 (12) ◽  
pp. 2835-2840 ◽  
Author(s):  
Linda S. Rayor
Keyword(s):  
Sexual Maturity ◽  
Growing Season ◽  
Ground Squirrels ◽  
Prairie Dogs ◽  
Prairie Dog ◽  
Adult Weight ◽  
Cynomys Gunnisoni ◽  
South Central ◽  
Younger Age ◽  
Gunnison's Prairie Dogs

Populations of the highly social Gunnison's prairie dog (Cynomys gunnisoni) were studied at two sites in south central Colorado. The sites differed in availability of water, duration of the growing season, and the diversity and quantity of edible vegetation. At the lusher site, Quartz Creek, all age- and sex classes weighed significantly more than their counterparts at the more barren site, Blue Mesa. Growth rates and overwinter survival of Quartz Creek young were higher than at Blue Mesa. Two of 5 yearling females raised litters at Quartz Creek, whereas none of 15 yearling females weaned litters at Blue Mesa. Quartz Creek females produced larger litters [Formula: see text] than Blue Mesa females [Formula: see text]. At Quartz Creek, 6 of 17 yearlings dispersed from their natal harem, but none of the 31 yearlings at Blue Mesa dispersed. Thus, in a favorable habitat, Gunnison's prairie dogs were heavier, reached sexual maturity more rapidly, and dispersed at a younger age than in a less favorable habitat. These results provide intraspecific support for Armitage's hypothesis that delayed sexual maturity and dispersal in the large-bodied, social ground squirrels is associated with the age at which immatures attain adult weight.

Coyote (Canis latrans) predation of colonial rodents facilitated by Golden Eagles (Aquila chrysaetos)

2021 ◽  
Vol 135 (2) ◽  
pp. 120-123
Author(s):  
Thomas S. Jung
Keyword(s):  
National Park ◽  
Canis Latrans ◽  
Cynomys Ludovicianus ◽  
Prairie Dogs ◽  
Scientific Interest ◽  
Prairie Dog ◽  
Aquila Chrysaetos ◽  
Avian Predators ◽  
Large Colony ◽  
Golden Eagles

Interactions between Coyote (Canis latrans) and Golden Eagle (Aquila chrysaetos) are complex and likely not yet fully documented or understood. I observed a Coyote prey on a Black-tailed Prairie Dog (Cynomys ludovicianus) at the edge of a large colony in Grasslands National Park, Saskatchewan. The prairie dogs were vigilant toward three Golden Eagles circling above, and the Coyote apparently used this to its advantage. As such, the eagles appeared to facilitate the ability of the Coyote to rush in virtually undetected and prey on a prairie dog that was distracted by the avian predators. This observation is of scientific interest because it is another example of the varied interactions between Coyotes and Golden Eagles, which is competitive and includes kleptoparasitism.

A comparison of hibernation in the black-tailed prairie dog, white-tailed prairie dog, and Wyoming ground squirrel

1986 ◽  
Vol 64 (3) ◽  
pp. 793-796 ◽  
Author(s):  
Henry J. Harlow ◽  
George E. Menkens Jr.
Keyword(s):  
Ambient Temperature ◽  
Related Species ◽  
Ground Squirrel ◽  
Water Shortage ◽  
Ground Squirrels ◽  
Prairie Dogs ◽  
Winter Survival ◽  
Laboratory Studies ◽  
Prairie Dog ◽  
Closely Related Species

Black-tailed prairie dogs have been reported to be active above ground during periods throughout the year and have, therefore, been described as being incapable of hibernation. Previous laboratory studies, however, have suggested that this may not be true. We have found that during the winter when maintained under identical conditions, Wyoming ground squirrels and white-tailed prairie dogs will enter torpor at an ambient temperature of 7 °C, while black-tailed prairie dogs will not. However, when deprived of food and water, black-tailed prairie dogs can be induced into a state of torpor that is characterized by a shorter duration of continuous dormancy than that of the ground squirrels or white-tailed prairie dogs. A comparison of these sciurid rodents offers a good example of alternate strategies for winter survival among closely related species. While two of these species readily utilize torpor, black-tailed prairie dogs may rely on alternate physiological capacities to cope with food and water shortage as a partial substitute for winter torpor.

scholarly journals Prairie dogs increase fitness by killing interspecific competitors

2016 ◽  
Vol 283 (1827) ◽  
pp. 20160144 ◽  
Author(s):  
John L. Hoogland ◽  
Charles R. Brown
Keyword(s):  
Interspecific Competition ◽  
Ground Squirrels ◽  
Prairie Dogs ◽  
Serial Killers ◽  
Prairie Dog ◽  
Natural Conditions ◽  
First Case ◽  
Cynomys Leucurus ◽  
In The Wild ◽  
Interspecific Killing

Interspecific competition commonly selects for divergence in ecology, morphology or physiology, but direct observation of interspecific competition under natural conditions is difficult. Herbivorous white-tailed prairie dogs ( Cynomys leucurus ) employ an unusual strategy to reduce interspecific competition: they kill, but do not consume, herbivorous Wyoming ground squirrels ( Urocitellus elegans ) encountered in the prairie dog territories. Results from a 6-year study in Colorado, USA, revealed that interspecific killing of ground squirrels by prairie dogs was common, involving 47 different killers; 19 prairie dogs were serial killers in the same or consecutive years, and 30% of female prairie dogs killed at least one ground squirrel over their lifetimes. Females that killed ground squirrels had significantly higher annual and lifetime fitness than non-killers, probably because of decreased interspecific competition for vegetation. Our results document the first case of interspecific killing of competing individuals unrelated to predation (IK) among herbivorous mammals in the wild, and show that IK enhances fitness for animals living under natural conditions.

scholarly journals Amphibians and reptiles associated with the prairie dog grasslands ecosystem and surrounding areas at the janos casas grandes complex, Northwestern Chihuahua, México

2008 ◽  
Vol 24 (3) ◽  
Author(s):  
Georgina Santos-Barrera ◽  
Jesús Pacheco ◽  
Gerardo Ceballos
Keyword(s):  
North America ◽  
Chihuahuan Desert ◽  
Keystone Species ◽  
Cynomys Ludovicianus ◽  
Prairie Dogs ◽  
Prairie Dog ◽  
Casas Grandes ◽  
Combined System ◽  
Conservation Concern ◽  
Surrounding Areas

Prairie dogs (Cynomys ludovicianus) are considered a keystone species that forms extensive colonies in the grasslands of western and central North America. These colonies are characterized byhigh diversity of associated vertebrates. The largest colonies in North America are located in the Janos region, northwestern Chihuahua, Mexico. In this study we present an inventory of the amphibians and reptiles inhabiting at prairie dog grasslands and surrounding mesquite scrublands in the Janos region. Methods to assess the herpetofauna included the use of a combined system of pitfall traps and visual encounter surveys (VES). We found 9 species of amphibians and 35 of reptiles. Of these species, 28 were closely related to prairie dog colonies, and 18 were exclusively recorded in this habitat. Additionally, 13 species were restricted to the mesquite scrubland. The Janos amphibian and reptile communities are of conservation concern, because 16 of the included species (1 amphibian and 15 reptiles) are considered at some risk of extinction. The diversity of amphibians and reptiles in the Janos region is clearly high in comparison with other grasslands. Our results strongly support the assumption that prairie dog grasslands are important for maintaining the mammal and avian diversity in the ecosystems of the Chihuahuan desert.

Age at Vaccination May Influence Response to Sylvatic Plague Vaccine (SPV) in Gunnison’s Prairie Dogs (Cynomys gunnisoni)

EcoHealth ◽  
2015 ◽  
Vol 12 (2) ◽  
pp. 278-287 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tonie E. Rocke ◽  
Dan Tripp ◽  
Faye Lorenzsonn ◽  
Elizabeth Falendysz ◽  
Susan Smith ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Prairie Dogs ◽  
Sylvatic Plague ◽  
Cynomys Gunnisoni ◽  
Gunnison's Prairie Dogs ◽  
Plague Vaccine

scholarly journals A Novel Retrovirus (Gunnison’s Prairie Dog Retrovirus) Associated With Thymic Lymphoma in Gunnison’s Prairie Dogs in Colorado, USA

Viruses ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 12 (6) ◽  
pp. 606
Author(s):  
Molly D. Butler ◽  
Karen Griffin ◽  
Connie D. Brewster ◽  
Marylee L. Kapuscinski ◽  
Mark D. Stenglein ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Disease Surveillance ◽  
Cynomys Ludovicianus ◽  
Prairie Dogs ◽  
Prairie Dog ◽  
Thymic Lymphoma ◽  
Type D ◽  
Cynomys Gunnisoni ◽  
Cynomys Leucurus ◽  
Free Ranging ◽  
Gunnison's Prairie Dogs

As part of research and wildlife disease surveillance efforts, we performed necropsy examinations of 125 free-ranging (n = 114) and captive (n = 11) prairie dogs in Colorado from 2009 to 2017. From these cases, we identified three cases of thymic lymphoma in free-ranging Gunnison’s prairie dogs (Cynomys gunnisoni), and we identified a novel retroviral sequence associated with these tumors. The viral sequence is 7700 nucleotides in length and exhibits a genetic organization that is consistent with the characteristics of a type D betaretrovirus. The proposed name of this virus is Gunnison’s prairie dog retrovirus (GPDRV). We screened all 125 prairie dogs for the presence of GPDRV using PCR with envelope-specific primers and DNA extracted from spleen samples. Samples were from Gunnison’s prairie dogs (n = 59), black-tailed prairie dogs (Cynomys ludovicianus) (n = 40), and white-tailed prairie dogs (Cynomys leucurus) (n = 26). We identified GPDRV in a total of 7/125 (5.6%) samples including all three of the prairie dogs with thymic lymphoma, as well as spleen from an additional four Gunnison’s prairie dogs with no tumors recognized at necropsy. None of the GPDRV-negative Gunnison’s prairie dogs had thymic lymphomas. We also identified a related, apparently endogenous retroviral sequence in all prairie dog samples. These results suggest that GPDRV infection may lead to development of thymic lymphoma in Gunnison’s prairie dogs.

Effects of food resource distribution on the social system of Gunnison's prairie dog (Cynomys gunnisoni)

1993 ◽  
Vol 71 (6) ◽  
pp. 1186-1192 ◽  
Author(s):  
Steven E. Travis ◽  
C. N. Slobodchikoff
Keyword(s):  
Social System ◽  
Resource Distribution ◽  
Food Resource ◽  
Prairie Dogs ◽  
Prairie Dog ◽  
Distributed Resources ◽  
Resource Abundance ◽  
Habitat Variability ◽  
Cynomys Gunnisoni ◽  
The Social

We tested the predictions of Slobodchikoff s habitat variability – mating system model using the social system of Gunnison's prairie dog (Cynomys gunnisoni). The model predicts that when resources are abundant and patchily distributed, social groups will include several females, while scarce, uniformly distributed resources will lead to smaller groups with single females. Gunnison's prairie dogs form family groups consisting of a single adult male and female(s), and their young of the year, which occupy fixed spatial territories within a colonial framework. Resource abundances and distributions were characterized and compared at two colonies in northern Arizona. Resource abundance did not vary between colonies, while two separate measures showed resource distribution to be significantly more patchy at one colony than at the other. As predicted, there were significantly more territories with multiple females at the patchy colony, while single-female territories predominated at the uniform colony. While the differences in resource abundance between colonies were not significant from a statistical standpoint, sizable differences were observed, with the direction of the difference opposite to that predicted by the model.

Influence of motilin and cholecystokinin on sphincter of Oddi and duodenal mobility

1987 ◽  
Vol 253 (5) ◽  
pp. G679-G683 ◽  
Author(s):  
E. L. Muller ◽  
P. A. Grace ◽  
R. L. Conter ◽  
J. J. Roslyn ◽  
H. A. Pitt
Keyword(s):  
Sphincter Of Oddi ◽  
Prairie Dogs ◽  
Prairie Dog ◽  
Cholecystokinin Octapeptide ◽  
Side Hole ◽  
Hole Pressure ◽  
Duodenal Motility ◽  
Sphincter Of Oddi Motility ◽  
Duodenal Lumen ◽  
Distal Port

The sphincter of Oddi and the duodenum exhibit cyclical activity in phase with the migrating myoelectric complex. Both motilin and cholecystokinin have been shown to modulate gastrointestinal and sphincter of Oddi motility. However, previous studies have not monitored the effects of these hormones on simultaneously recorded sphincter of Oddi and duodenum pressures. The present investigation was undertaken, therefore, to determine the influence of both motilin and cholecystokinin on simultaneously recorded sphincter of Oddi and duodenal motility. In seven anesthetized prairie dogs, a triple-lumen, side-hole, pressure-monitored perfusion catheter was positioned with the proximal port in the sphincter of Oddi and the distal port in the duodenal lumen. Sphincter of Oddi and duodenal motility was recorded before and during 20-min infusions of motilin and cholecystokinin octapeptide (CCK-8) at 1, 10, and 100 ng.kg-1.min-1. Both hormones produced dose-related increases in sphincter of Oddi and duodenal motility. No response was observed with either hormone at 1 ng.kg-1.min-1. At 10 ng.kg-1.min-1, the duodenum was slightly more sensitive to motilin than to CCK-8, while the sphincter of Oddi was equally affected by both hormones. At 100 ng.kg-1.min-1, both hormones stimulated the sphincter of Oddi and the duodenum equally. These data indicate that in the prairie dog, both motilin and cholecystokinin stimulate sphincter of Oddi and duodenal motility.

Interrelationship of soil moisture and temperature to sylvatic plague cycle among prairie dogs in the Western United States

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Cassandra D. PAULING ◽  
Deborah L. FINKE ◽  
Deborah M. ANDERSON
Keyword(s):  
United States ◽  
Soil Moisture ◽  
Prairie Dogs ◽  
Western United States ◽  
Sylvatic Plague
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