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Population structure and genetic diversity of greater sage-grouse (Centrocercus urophasianus) in fragmented landscapes at the northern edge of their range

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Abstract

Range-edge dynamics and anthropogenic fragmentation are expected to impact patterns of genetic diversity, and understanding the influence of both factors is important for effective conservation of threatened wildlife species. To examine these factors, we sampled greater sage-grouse (Centrocercus urophasianus) from a declining, fragmented region at the northern periphery of the species’ range and from a stable, contiguous core region. We genotyped 2,519 individuals at 13 microsatellite loci from 104 leks in Alberta, Saskatchewan, Montana, and Wyoming. Birds from northern Montana, Alberta, and Saskatchewan were identified as a single population that exhibited significant isolation by distance, with the Milk River demarcating two subpopulations. Both subpopulations exhibited high genetic diversity with no evidence that peripheral regions were genetically depauperate or highly structured. However, river valleys and a large agricultural region were significant barriers to dispersal. Leks were also composed primarily of non-kin, rejecting the idea that leks form because of male kin association. Northern Montana sage-grouse are maintaining genetic connectivity in fragmented and northern peripheral habitats via dispersal through and around various forms of fragmentation.

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Acknowledgments

We thank the following agencies for molted feather collection: Alberta Fish and Wildlife, Alberta Conservation Association, Saskatchewan Environment, Parks Canada, Montana BLM, and Montana FWP. We thank Pat Fargey, Sue McAdam, Al Rosgaard, Kelvin Johnson, Craig Miller, Mark Sullivan, Fritz Prellwitz, and Randy Matchett for coordinating sample collection. We thank Jennifer Carpenter for 2005/6 Alberta sample collection. We thank Tara Cessford, Brad Necyk, and Andrew Wong for sample preparation, Corey Davis, Lindsey Carmichael, Bryan Stevens, and Greg Wilson for technical and statistical advice, and Curtis Strobeck for lab space in 2003/4. We thank Michael Schroeder for discussions on grouse dispersal and Donna Bush, Robert Gibson, Randy Matchett, Tom Rinkes, and four anonymous reviewers for comments on earlier drafts. This research was funded by WWF Canada ESRF, ACA Grant Eligible Conservation Fund, Parks Canada SARRAEF, the Nature Conservancy, ACA and ACCRU Challenge Grants in Biodiversity, ASRPWF Development Initiatives Program, Montana BLM, WWF USA, APWS Leslie Tassel Fund, SCO Taverner Award, and POPWA. Krista Bush was supported by NSERC Postgraduate Doctoral and Masters Scholarships, Walter H. Johns Fellowships, McAfee Estate Scholarship in Zoology, SERM Scholarships, GCA Frances Peacock Scholarship for Native Bird Habitat, APWS Charles Sivelle Scholarship, CWF Orville Erickson Memorial Scholarship, and a COPandGA Bob Landon Bursary.

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Author notes

  1. Brendan J. Moynahan

    Present address: National Park Service, 3100 National Park Road, Juneau, AK, 99801, USA

  2. Cameron L. Aldridge

    Present address: NREL, Colorado State University and U.S. Geological Survey, 2150 Centre Avenue, Building C, Fort Collins, CO, 80526, USA

  3. Brett L. Walker

    Present address: Colorado Division of Wildlife, Grand Junction, CO, 81505, USA

  4. Kevin E. Doherty

    Present address: United States Fish and Wildlife Service, Bismarck, ND, 58501, USA

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Biological Sciences, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB, T6G 2E9, Canada

    Krista L. Bush, Cameron L. Aldridge, Mark S. Boyce, Cynthia A. Paszkowski & David W. Coltman

  2. Faculty of Medicine, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB, T6G 2B7, Canada

    Christopher K. Dyte

  3. Wildlife Biology Program, University of Montana, Missoula, MT, 59812, USA

    Brendan J. Moynahan, Heather S. Sauls, Angela M. Battazzo, Brett L. Walker, Kevin E. Doherty, Jason Tack & David E. Naugle

  4. Bureau of Land Management, Glasgow Field Station, 5 Laser Drive, Glasgow, MO, 59230, USA

    John Carlson

  5. Fish and Wildlife Division, Sustainable Resource Development, Medicine Hat, AB, T1A 0G7, Canada

    Dale Eslinger & Joel Nicholson

  6. Krista Bush, 703 North Howard Street, Kellogg, ID, USA

    Krista L. Bush

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  1. Krista L. Bush
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Correspondence to Krista L. Bush.

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Appendix

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Table 6 Proportion of individual birds assigning to the most likely structure defined K or populations for (a) ∆K at the population level, (b) Pr(XlK) at the population level, (c) ∆K at the subpopulation level, and (d) Pr(XlK) at the subpopulation level
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Bush, K.L., Dyte, C.K., Moynahan, B.J. et al. Population structure and genetic diversity of greater sage-grouse (Centrocercus urophasianus) in fragmented landscapes at the northern edge of their range. Conserv Genet 12, 527–542 (2011). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10592-010-0159-8

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