Richardson’s ground squirrels (Urocitellus richardsonii) are associated primarily with intermediate levels of grassland, clay loam soils, and human development in Canadian mixed-grass prairies

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ryan J Fisher ◽  
Ashley N. Vass ◽  
C. M. Somers ◽  
Ray G. Poulin
Keyword(s):  
Great Plains ◽  
Ground Squirrel ◽  
Large Scale ◽  
Habitat Associations ◽  
Ground Squirrels ◽  
Northern Great Plains ◽  
Clay Loam ◽  
Habitat Features ◽  
Important Habitat ◽  
Urocitellus Richardsonii

Richardson’s ground squirrel (Urocitellus richardsonii, Sabine 1822) is a widespread burrowing mammal on the Northern Great Plains. This species is a prominent prey item for a variety of predators, and its burrows provide important habitat for other wildlife; however, Richardson’s ground squirrel is also considered an economically damaging agricultural pest. Despite the ecological importance of Richardson’s ground squirrels and their status as pests, there are gaps in our knowledge about large-scale habitat associations for this species. In 2011 and 2012, we conducted 1840 road-side surveys in a 130,000-km2 area of southern Saskatchewan, Canada to understand which habitat features are associated with Richardson’s ground squirrel occurrence. Ground squirrels were observed on 8% of the surveys. Probability of ground squirrel occurrence was highest in areas with moderate amounts of grassland (approximately 30%), areas that were developed by humans (>30%), and had a high proportion of clay loam soils, presumably for burrowing. Our study highlights the importance of heterogeneous landscapes and that areas disturbed by humans may provide suitable vegetation structure for ground squirrels. This information can help to identify important habitat for species that rely on Richardson’s ground squirrels and identify areas where Richardson’s ground squirrels could come into conflict with agriculture.

Ancient DNA reveals northwest range extension of Richardson’s ground squirrel (Urocitellus richardsonii) into northeastern British Columbia, Canada, during the Late Pleistocene

2020 ◽  
Vol 57 (7) ◽  
pp. 855-866
Author(s):  
Thomas C.A. Royle ◽  
Dongya Y. Yang ◽  
Jonathan C. Driver
Keyword(s):  
British Columbia ◽  
Ancient Dna ◽  
Ground Squirrel ◽  
Mitochondrial Control Region ◽  
Archaeological Site ◽  
Ground Squirrels ◽  
Vegetation Communities ◽  
Peace River ◽  
River Region ◽  
Urocitellus Richardsonii

Ancient DNA was extracted from 12 500 to 10 500 year old ground squirrel bones from Tse’K’wa, an archaeological site in the Peace River region of northeastern British Columbia, Canada. Analysis of mitochondrial DNA from seven individuals demonstrates that all are Urocitellus richardsonii (Richardson’s ground squirrel), a species not found in the region today. Phylogenetic and sequence analyses indicate these individuals share a previously undocumented mitochondrial control region haplotype that is most closely related to haplotypes observed in modern specimens from Saskatchewan and Montana. At the end of the Pleistocene these ground squirrels extended their range north and west into open vegetation communities that developed when ice sheets melted and glacial lakes drained. They were subsequently extirpated from the Peace River region when forests replaced earlier pioneering vegetation communities.

Diversity dynamics of mammals in relation to tectonic and climatic history: comparison of three Neogene records from North America

Paleobiology ◽  
10.1666/12024 ◽  
2013 ◽  
Vol 39 (3) ◽  
pp. 373-399 ◽  
Author(s):  
Catherine Badgley ◽  
John A. Finarelli
Keyword(s):  
North America ◽  
Pacific Northwest ◽  
Great Plains ◽  
Large Scale ◽  
Landscape History ◽  
Northern Great Plains ◽  
Faunal Composition ◽  
Topographic Complexity ◽  
Depositional Processes ◽  
Climatic Optimum

In modern ecosystems, regions of topographic heterogeneity, when compared with nearby topographically homogeneous regions, support high species densities of mammals and other groups. This biogeographic pattern could be explained by either greater diversification rates or greater accommodation of species in topographically complex regions. In this context, we assess the hypothesis that changes in landscape history have stimulated diversification in mammals. Landscape history includes tectonic and climatic processes that influence topographic complexity at regional scales. We evaluated the influence of changes in topographic complexity and climate on origination and extinction rates of rodents, the most diverse clade of mammals.We compared the Neogene records of rodent diversity for three regions in North America. The Columbia Basin of the Pacific Northwest (Region 1) and the northern Rocky Mountains (Region 2) were tectonically active over much of the Cenozoic and are characterized by high topographic complexity today. The northern Great Plains (Region 3) have been tectonically quiescent, with low relief, throughout the Cenozoic. These three regions have distinctive geologic histories and substantial fossil records. All three regions showed significant changes in diversification and faunal composition over the Neogene. In the montane regions, originations and extinctions peaked at the onset and close, respectively, of the Miocene Climatic Optimum (17–14 Ma), with significant changes in faunal composition accompanying these episodes of diversification. In the Great Plains, rodents showed considerable turnover but infrequent diversification. Peak Neogene diversity in the Great Plains occurred during cooling after the Miocene Climatic Optimum. These histories suggest that climatic changes interacting with increasing topographic complexity intensify macroevolutionary processes. In addition, close tracking of diversity and fossil productivity with the stratigraphic record suggests either large-scale sampling biases or the mutual response of diversity and depositional processes to changes in landscape history.

Effects of food and predators on the home-range sizes of Arctic ground squirrel (Spermophilus parryii)

1998 ◽  
Vol 76 (3) ◽  
pp. 592-596 ◽  
Author(s):  
Anne H Hubbs ◽  
Rudy Boonstra
Keyword(s):  
Home Range ◽  
Ground Squirrel ◽  
Large Scale ◽  
Yukon Territory ◽  
Ground Squirrels ◽  
Home Ranges ◽  
Spermophilus Parryii ◽  
Mammalian Predators ◽  
Core Areas ◽  
Arctic Ground Squirrels

We used radiotelemetry to study the effects of food addition and predator reduction on the home-range sizes of adult Arctic ground squirrels (Spermophilus parryii) on large-scale experimental grids in the boreal forest of the southwestern Yukon Territory. Home ranges were 2-7 times smaller on food-supplemented grids than on nonsupplemented grids, regardless of whether large mammalian predators were present. Similarly, core areas (where 50% of activities occur) were 8-11 times smaller on food-supplemented grids. Food availability rather than predator presence primarily determined the sizes of home ranges and core areas of Arctic ground squirrels.

scholarly journals Blackberry Propagation Limitations When Using Floricane Cuttings

2019 ◽  
Vol 29 (3) ◽  
pp. 276-282 ◽  
Author(s):  
Abigail R. Debner ◽  
Harlene Hatterman-Valenti ◽  
Fumiomi Takeda
Keyword(s):  
United States ◽  
Great Plains ◽  
Production System ◽  
Adventitious Root ◽  
Large Scale ◽  
Root Formation ◽  
The United States ◽  
Annual Production ◽  
Root Production ◽  
Northern Great Plains

Outdoor production of floricane-fruiting (FF) blackberry (Rubus subgenus Rubus) is problematic in the Northern Great Plains region of the United States because cane injury and plant death will occur from exposure to temperatures −15 °C and colder. An annual FF blackberry production system using hardwood floricane cuttings would overcome some of the existing limitations of traditional production methods. Several experiments were performed to induce adventitious root formation from one-node hardwood floricane blackberry cuttings taken in winter for the purpose of subsequent growth of a floral shoot. One-node hardwood cuttings of multiple blackberry cultivars (Apache, Arapaho, Kiowa, Osage, Ouachita, Siskiyou, and Triple Crown) were evaluated for rooting potential with and without auxin treatments. Root formation was virtually nonexistent for ‘Apache’, ‘Kiowa’, and ‘Triple Crown’ regardless of the auxin treatment. In general, lower auxin concentrations and the powder formulation produced more roots and had higher root ratings. However, rooting success of cuttings and plant development was low regardless of the rooting method used. Adventitious root production of one-node dormant hardwood FF blackberry cuttings for use in an annual production system had low success regardless of the cultivar, auxin application, rate, and formulation. The variable propagation success rates using single-node hardwood cuttings from ‘Apache’, ‘Arapaho’, ‘Kiowa’, ‘Osage’, ‘Ouachita’, ‘Siskiyou’, and ‘Triple Crown’ plants grown in containers in North Dakota suggested insufficient rooting success for the recommendation of this practice. Additionally, the results suggested these cultivars are not suitable using this method for an annual production system or as a means for large-scale propagation. Although this approach to developing plants from cuttings is of great interest, without a more effective FF blackberry cutting rooting method that can progress through fruit production, an annual blackberry production system in the Northern Great Plains region of the United States is unlikely.

scholarly journals Aspen parkland pasture altered by Richardson’s Ground Squirrel (Urocitellus richardsonii Sabine) activity: the good, the bad, and the not so ugly?

2016 ◽  
Vol 129 (4) ◽  
pp. 331 ◽  
Author(s):  
Levi J. Newediuk ◽  
Isobel Waters ◽  
James F. Hare
Keyword(s):  
Plant Community ◽  
Ground Squirrel ◽  
Trifolium Pratense ◽  
Red Clover ◽  
Ground Squirrels ◽  
Community Diversity ◽  
Nitrate Content ◽  
Ammonia Content ◽  
Aspen Parkland ◽  
Urocitellus Richardsonii

Although Richardson’s Ground Squirrels (Urocitellus richardsonii) are considered pests throughout their North American range, their impact on forage in Canadian aspen parkland has not been explored. We investigated the effect of Richardson’s Ground Squirrel density on forage quality and plant community composition in an intensely grazed cattle pasture in the aspen parkland region of Manitoba, Canada. We detected no significant differences in forage protein content or legume, grass, and litter biomass among ground squirrel density levels. However, ground squirrel density did influence the abundance of invasive and forage plant species; greater squirrel density reduced the prevalence of Smooth Brome (Bromus inermis Leysser) and Red Clover (Trifolium pratense L.) and increased the abundance of Quackgrass (Elymus repens (L.) Gould) and Black medick (Medicago lupulina L.). Plant community diversity also increased with ground squirrel density. There were no differences in soil bulk density or ammonia content among squirrel density levels; however, soil nitrate content was highest at low ground squirrel density. Changes in available soil nitrogen and relative abundances of forage species on this pasture may affect cattle diet by altering both the availability and quality of forage. Our findings highlight the need for further investigation of the role of Richardson’s Ground Squirrel on rangeland in the aspen parkland region to ascertain the generality of the effects documented in our study. Until such effects and their implications for cattle production are understood, land managers should refrain from exterminating colonies of Richardson’s Ground Squirrel.

scholarly journals High Spring Mortality of Adult Richardson’s Ground Squirrels, Urocitellus richardsonii, Associated with a Severe Rainstorm in Southwestern Saskatchewan

2012 ◽  
Vol 126 (2) ◽  
pp. 148
Author(s):  
Gilbert Proulx
Keyword(s):  
Mortality Rate ◽  
Ground Squirrel ◽  
Mortality Rates ◽  
Ground Squirrels ◽  
Natural Mortality ◽  
The Mean ◽  
Strong Winds ◽  
Heavy Rains ◽  
Urocitellus Richardsonii

Heavy rains with strong winds in southwestern Saskatchewan from 20 to 29 May 2010 flooded fields where adult Richardson’s Ground Squirrels (Urocitellus richardsonii) had recently been live–trapped. Natural mortality rates in six marked populations (n = 11 to 29 animals) ranged from 9.1 to 42.9%. The mean mortality rate of populations (28.9%) was significantly greater than that estimated for four populations (8.5%) studied in April and May 2007 and 2008 during drought periods. This finding is in agreement with past studies on other ground squirrel species which showed that spring snowstorms and heavy rains caused an increase in natural mortality rates.

scholarly journals Observations of Nocturnal Hunting Behaviour of American Badgers, Taxidea taxus, in Southwestern Saskatchewan

2013 ◽  
Vol 126 (3) ◽  
pp. 226
Author(s):  
Gilbert Proulx ◽  
Neil MacKenzie
Keyword(s):  
Ground Squirrel ◽  
Ground Squirrels ◽  
Taxidea Taxus ◽  
Hunting Behaviour ◽  
Urocitellus Richardsonii

This study describes the nocturnal hunting behaviour of American Badgers (Taxidea taxus) in areas inhabited by Richardson’s Ground Squirrels (Urocitellus richardsonii) in southwestern Saskatchewan. Adult American Badgers searched for prey by zigzagging through clusters of Richardson’s Ground Squirrel burrows or by going back and forth between one enlarged Richardson’s Ground Squirrel burrow and other adjacent burrows. American Badgers’ movements were not random and they were oriented to encounter prey.

Clomazone Dissipation in Two Montana Soils

1989 ◽  
Vol 3 (1) ◽  
pp. 146-150 ◽  
Author(s):  
Eric R. Gallandt ◽  
Peter K. Fay ◽  
William P. Inskeep
Keyword(s):  
Great Plains ◽  
Cropping System ◽  
Northern Great Plains ◽  
Silty Clay ◽  
Clay Loam ◽  
Silty Clay Loam ◽  
First Order ◽  
Residual Properties ◽  
Loam Soil ◽  
Chemical Fallow

Clomazone is effective as a chemical fallow herbicide; however, its soil residual properties in the Northern Great Plains are unknown. Clomazone was applied to soil at 0.6, 1.1, and 2.2 kg ai/ha at two locations in Montana in the spring of 1986. Soil samples were taken at each location at monthly intervals for 6 months. Residual levels of the herbicide were estimated by measuring the percent chlorosis by height in oat leaves. Clomazone at 2.2 kg ai/ha applied to a loam soil dissipated to levels below 0.1 mg/kg in 3 months and applied to a silty clay loam soil dissipated to 0.2 mg/kg 6 months after application. Half-lives (t½), determined from first-order rate plots, were 33 and 37 days in the Willow Creek loam and Bozeman silty clay loam, respectively. Thus, clomazone residue from labeled-use rates should not inhibit wheat in a wheat-fallow-wheat cropping system in Montana.

scholarly journals Pathology of Ground Squirrels in a Research Colony

2020 ◽  
Vol 70 (6) ◽  
pp. 542-550
Author(s):  
Patrick N Nation
Keyword(s):  
Microscopic Examination ◽  
Retrospective Review ◽  
Ground Squirrel ◽  
Ground Squirrels ◽  
Chronic Nephritis ◽  
Pathologic Findings ◽  
Gross Lesions ◽  
Chronic Interstitial Nephritis ◽  
Rodent Diseases ◽  
Urocitellus Richardsonii

This paper presents a retrospective review of the postmortem findings in a colony of wild-caught ground squirrels used in medical research. The species included in this study were Richardson's ground squirrel Urocitellus richardsonii, Columbian ground squirrel Urocitellus columbianus and golden-mantled ground squirrel Callospermophilus lateralis. The pathologic findings in 160 ground squirrels from this colony demonstrated a wide variety of conditions, with chronic nephritis and hepatic adenomas being the most frequent overall. All animals with gross lesions of chronic interstitial nephritis had both glomerular and tubulointerstitial disease upon microscopic examination. As the first review of pathology in a research colony of ground squirrels. this study provides data for use in comparative studies about rodent diseases and important information for those who maintain such animals for research.

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