2011 MEETING HIGHLIGHTS

Transcription

1 Photo from MEETING HIGHLIGHTS MW PARC held its Annual Meeting at the Wilderness Lodge Resort, Lesterville, Missouri, from 5-7 August, The meeting was attended by 47 participants from across the Midwest, representing a wide range of professions as summarized below. State Number Profession Number Missouri 23 Students 6 Illinois 5 State and Government Agency 14 Ohio 5 Academic Research 13 Indiana 4 Federal Government Agency 5 Minnesota 3 Zoo and Museum 3 Maryland 1 Private Consultant 1 Iowa 1 Hobbyist/Amateur 3 Arkansas 1 Nongovernmental Organization 2 Nebraska 1 South Carolina 1 Colorado 1 Washington, D.C. 1 This year s meeting focused on Successful Training for Conservation of Midwestern Amphibians and Reptiles and featured a keynote address bydr.kurt Buhlmann, who presented information on habitat restoration, reintroductions, and other ideas for recovering our herpetofauna with specific case examples on turtles. Included in the program were 11 invited talksfocused mainly on training events by specific speakers for both managers and citizen science projects. Speakers shared their knowledge and expertise related to how they conduct trainings and use volunteers to collect data. In addition, a draft copy of the Midwest PARC HMG (Habitat Management Guideline) by Bruce Kingsbury and Joanna Gibson was previewed by the attendees. Kurt Buhlmann photographing a W. Slimy Salamander

2 New Midwest PARC HMG Cover Also, presentations were provided on commercial turtle harvest projects occurring in the Midwest (Missouri and Iowa), as well as National PARCand current MW PARC working groups/task team updates. Five poster presentations focused on various amphibian and reptile topics (i.e., herbicides, tracking, genetics, reproduction, etc.).numerous MW PARC states provide a brief summary of amphibian and reptile conservation efforts occurring with their state.meeting agenda and abstracts, as well as state update summaries, are included at the end of this document. Priya Nanjappa giving National PARC update Rich King moderating a session

3 Numerous participates attended the Friday afternoon (5 th August 2011) afternoon field trip on the surrounding land (Ozark forested hills and Black River floodplain) owned by Wilderness Lodge. Even with the drought conditions that had been occurring, 18 species (60 individuals) were observed. Copperhead by Jeff Briggler No. Common Name Scientific Name No. Observed 1 Long-tailed Salamander Eurycealongicaudalongicauda/melanopleura 2 2 W. Slimy Salamander Plethodonalbagula 4 3 S. Red-backed Salamander Plethodonserratus 1 4 American Toad Anaxyrusamericanus 4 5 Northern Cricket Frog Acriscrepitans 3 6 Cope s Gray Treefrog Hylachrysoscelis 2 calling 7 American Bullfrog Lithobatescatesbeianus 7 8 Green Frog Lithobatesclamitan 4 9 Southern Leopard Frog Lithobatessphenocephalus 3 10 Three-toed Box Turtle Terrapenecarolinatriunguis 4 11 Prairie Lizard Sceloporusconsobrinus 7 12 Five-lined Skink Plestiodonfasciatus 5 13 Broad-headed Skink Plestiodonlaticeps 1 14 Little Brown Skink Scincellalateralis 3 15 Prairie Ring-necked Snake Diadophispunctatusarnyi 4 16 Midland Watersnake Nerodiasipedonpleuralis 2 17 Eastern Gartersnake Thamnophissirtalissirtalis 1 18 Copperhead Agkistrodoncontortrixcontortrix 3 The majority of the Sunday morning session focused on breakout teams to synthesis the meeting theme information and how to move forward with action items. Two task teams were created. One team focused on workshop training, especially management training, while the other team focused more on how to get involved with amphibian and reptile management on private lands by working closely with NRCS and other private land conservations. Task teams will be developing specific objectives and timetables for completion in the comings months. Task team progress will be monitored during monthly advisory board conference calls. Terry Riley discussing partners

4 T-shirts and the silent auction raised over $1,300 for MW PARC! Also, a special thanks to the Saint Louis Zoo, U.S Fish & Wildlife Service-Columbia, MO, and Missouri Department of Conservation for generously helping to support this meeting. The formal meeting ended with the announcement of co-chair and advisory board election results. Bruce Kingsbury was elected co-chair, joining Rich King (elected at the 2010 meeting). Jeff Briggler, Katy Greenwald, Erica Hoaglund, Chris Smith, and Carrie Zelman were elected to the advisory board, joining Kent Bekker (past co-chair), Bob Brodman, Trisha Crabill, Bill Flanagan, Greg Lipps, Alison Sacerdote, and Kristin Stanford. Co-chair elect, Bruce Kingsbury Midwest PARC's goal is to conserve amphibians, reptiles and their habitats as integral parts of our ecosystem and culture through proactive and coordinated public/private partnerships in the Midwest.

5 Agenda Successful Training for Conservation of Midwestern Amphibians and Reptiles Wilderness Lodge Resort, Lesterville, Missouri (5-7 August 2011) Friday, 5 August: 12:30 pm Check-in (field trip participants) 1:30 pm Field trip participates depart to surrounding Ozark Forested Hills and Black River floodplain 5:00 pm Check-in 6:00 pm Dinner at Wilderness Lodge 7:30 pm Opening Reception Saturday, 6 August: 7:30 am Breakfast at Wilderness Lodge Morning Session Kent Bekker, moderator 8:30 am Welcome and Introductions- Jeff Briggler Election of Co-chair and Advisory Broad Members Kent Bekker 9:00 am Year-of-the-Turtle: Commercial Turtle Harvest Projects: Jeff Briggler and Karen Kinkead 9:30 am PARC's Habitat Management Guidelines: Origins, Development and Application: Bruce Kingsbury 10:00 am Amphibian and Reptile Conservation and Management Trainings in Missouri: Jeff Briggler 10:30 am Break/Silent Auction Bidding 11:00 am Is training undergraduates as volunteers for amphibian surveys a "best of both worlds" approach?: Bob Brodman 11:30 am Rattlin an image: using human dimensions insights to conserve rattlesnakes : Rebecca Christofel 12:00 Lunch

6 Afternoon Session Rich King, moderator 1:15 pm 1:45 pm 2:15 pm 2:45 pm 3:15 pm 3:45 pm 4:15 pm 4:45 pm 5:00 pm 6:30 pm Data Collection and Quality, Bias, and Common Approaches: Considerations for Using Volunteers in Sampling: Priya Nanjappa and Yu Man Leee Croaks, peeps, and tweets: citizen science training examples from frog and bird monitoring programs: Linda Weir Population Studies of Frogs in a Mitigated Wetland in NW Ohio: Undergradu uate Research and Community Services: Terry Schwaner Break/Poster Session/Silent Auction Bidding Amphibian Conservation and Education Project: Developing a Sustainable Program: Emily Brown Volunteers Working for Herps The Missouri Master Naturalist Program: Syd Hime Use of Volunteer Data in Missouri: Chris Riggert Break Keynotee Address: Habitat Restoration, Reintroductions, and Other Ideas for Recovering Our Herpetofauna: Kurt Buhlmann Dinner Sunday, 7 August: 7:00 am Breakfast Morning Session Kent Bekker, Rich King, & Jeff Briggler, moderators 8:00 am 8:30 am 9:00 am 9:30 am 11:30 am 11:50 am 12:00 pm National PARC Update: Priya Nanjappaa State Updates: Around the room Working Group Updates: Breakout Session: : Management Training and Citizen Sciencee Training Working Group Reports: Announcement of Election Results/2012 Meeting- Kent Bekker and Rich King Lunch Sponsorship provided by:

7 Poster Abstracts THE AFFECT OF THE HERBICIDE GLYPHOMATE41 ON THE EGGS AND LARVAE OF FIVE SPECIES OF AMBYSTOMA SALAMANDERS.- Robert Brodman, Amanda Rousseau, Laurinda Cockerham, Alan Austin, and Ken Scoffield.Biology Department, Saint Joseph s College, Indiana. Some herbicides (e.g. Atrazine, Round-up) are threats to amphibians. The EPA has not approved Atrazine and Round-up for aquatic use; however these herbicides have negative effects on amphibians when they reach wetlands. We need more research, especially longterm studies, to determine if aquatic approved herbicides are safe for amphibians. We applied a 5% solution of the aquatic-approved glyphosate herbicide Glyphomate41 to the eggs of five species of Ambystoma and then raised the embryos and larvae in the lab. We monitored time to hatching, survival, growth, development, and behaviors for three months. Herbicide treatment reduced survival, altered development, altered activity and microhabitat use, and increased fluctuating asymmetry in all five species. Overall, about 44% of the herbicide treated eggs survived through the larval period compared to 88% of the control larvae. Our conclusion is that the application of an aquatic herbicide has long-term lethal and sub-lethal impacts on Ambystoma larvae during development that can affect their fitness. USE OF HARMONIC RADAR TRACKING TECHNOLOGY TO STUDY PLAINS HOG-NOSED SNAKES (HETERODON NASICUS) IN MINNESOTA. - Erica P. Hoaglund and Liz Harper, Minnesota Department of Natural Resources, Division of Ecological and Water Resources, Nongame Program, St. Paul, Minnesota; Amy Kizer, DVM, Lexington Pet Clinic, Eagan, Minnesota. Habitat use and movement in Plains Hog-nosed Snakes on two public lands in Minnesota are being studied using harmonic radar tracking technology. This species small size and secretive habitats have previously made it difficult to study. Because harmonic radar tags are passive devices, they do not require batteries. This allows for a very small size (<0.5 grams) and theoretically unlimited functional life. The first of two field seasons was completed in Two tag styles were tested. The tags were implanted subcutaneously using a customized surgical procedure. The tags were implanted in 13 snakes ranging from 19 to 240 grams. Snakes were tracked throughout the active season of 2010 using the RECCO harmonic radar detection system. This system was successfully used to determine the locations of snakes a maximum of 41 times per snake, detect movements of up to 200 meters, and locate snakes at known depths of 3 to 45 cm below the surface. The data collected were used to calculate preliminary minimum convex polygon home range estimates for snakes with sufficient locations. Home range estimates varied from 1059 to 7068 m 2. Field protocols were established for using harmonic radar in tracking a fossorial snake species. The use of this new tracking technique will help to broaden our knowledge and understanding of Plains Hog-nosed Snakes in Minnesota, and can help inform the study of other small species. Work will continue throughout the 2011 active season. TWO NATURALLY OCCURING INTERGENERIC HYBRID SNAKES (SQUAMATA: COLUBRIDAE) FROM THE MIDWESTERN UNITES STATES. - Christopher e. Smith, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN; Erica P. Hoaglund, Minnesota Department of Natural Resources, Division of Ecological and Water Resources Nongame Program, Saint

8 Paul, MN; Jeffrey b. LeClere, Saint Paul, MN; Jim Scharosch, Center Paoint, IA; Tony Gamble, University of Minesota, Minneapolis, MN. Intergeneric hybridization among naturally occurring squamate species appears to be uncommon, with only three cases reported in the literature. Two of which involved snakes, and both instances were based solely on morphology with no genetic data to confirm the morphological hypotheses. Henceforth, two specimens of intergeneric hybrid snakes (Pituophiscatenifersayi x Pantherophisvulpinus) are described. Morphologically the two specimens both demonstrate intermediate features between the putative parental species Pituophis c. sayi and Pantherophisvulpinus. Both originated from the midwestern United States, with one specimen collected from southeastern Minnesota and the other from southern Iowa. The two specimens hybrid status was verified by comparison of DNA sequence data from each collected specimen to the likely parental species. DNA was extracted from tissues using the QiagenDNeasy Blood and Tissue kit. Both hybrid specimens were found to possess Pituophis c. sayi mitochondrial DNA haplotypes. Further support for the specimen s hybrid status was obtained by the examination of a nuclear gene fragment (Vimentin intron 5) which showed that the hybrid specimens were heterozygous at most variable sites. Morphometric and meristic data was also collected from 12 P. vulpinus and 12 P. c. sayiand compared to the same data from the two hybrid specimens. The hybrid specimens were found to be morphologically intermediate between the parental species as confirmed by the principal component analysis. This find is significant because these two animals represent only the second and third confirmed specimens of naturally occurring intergeneric hybrids among squamate reptile species. LOW GENETIC VARIATION IN A MIDWESTERN ENDEMIC SNAKE. - Collin Jaeger, Jesse Ray, Jace Robinson, Richard King, Melvin Duvall. Department of Biological Sciences, Northern Illinois University, DeKalb, IL Kirtland's Snake (Clonophiskirtlandii) is a small, secretive Natricine snake restricted to the Midwestern United States. It is the only extant member of the genus Clonophisand is listed as threatened or endangered throughout its range. In contrast, most other sympatric Natricines are more widely distributed and lack special conservation status. To compare genetic variation in Kirtland's Snake to that of other Natricines, we obtained tissue samples and sequence data for Kirtland s Snake, Northern Watersnake (Nerodiasipedon), Common Gartersnake (Thamnophissirtalis), Dekay sbrownsnake (Storeriadekayi), and Red-bellied Snake (Storeriaoccipitomaculata). We examined DNA sequence variation at two mitochondrial loci: NADH dehydrogenase subunit-ii (ND2) and cytochrome B (CytB).To facilitate direct comparison, we restricted our analysis to include only samples collected from within the range of Kirtland's Snake. Further, we used rarefaction to estimate haplotype richness corrected for differences in sample size. Lastly, we calculated haplotype diversity and nucleotide diversity for each species. By all measures, Kirtland's Snake exhibited markedly lower genetic variation than other Midwestern Natricines. This low genetic variation may be related to Kirtland s Snake endemism and range restriction or to recent fragmentation and population decline. Results presented here provide baseline data for future genetic monitoring and management.

9 SNAKE REPRODUCTIVE ECOLOGY AND CONSERVATION IN NORTHERN ILLINOIS. Samantha Melton, Patrick Larson, Michael Blackowicz, Andrew Moore, and Richard King. Department of Biological Sciences, Northern Illinois University, DeKalb, IL The Common Gartersnake (Thamnophissirtalis), DeKay sbrownsnake (Storeriadekyai), and Red-bellied Snake (Storeriaoccipitomaculata) are probably the most common snake species in Northern Illinois. Despite this, key aspects of their life history remain poorly known. To address this data deficit, and to provide NIU undergraduates with training in wildlife ecology, a capturemark-recapture study of these species was initiated at Potawatomi Woods Forest Preserve in northern DeKalb County, Illinois. In fall 2008, an array of rubber mats (cut from used conveyer belt) was deployed in suitable grassland and sedge-meadow habitat. These mats are used by snakes as retreat sites, providing a passive means of population monitoring. Upon capture, snakes were measured and individually marked by clipping a unique combination of ventral scales. Field work during 2008, 2009, and 2010 resulted in 609 captures of 392 individual snakes (353 captures of 225 Common Gartersnakes, 168 captures of 96 Brownsnakes, 88 captures of 71 Red-bellied snakes). Analyses presented here focus on the reproductive ecology of these species. All three species are live-bearing and gravid females were captured from May to August. Estimated minimum size of female sexual maturity was 460 mm snoutvent length (SVL) for T. sirtalis, 227 mm SVL for S. dekyai, and 193 mm SVL for S. occipitomaculata. Proportions of gravid vs. non-gravid adult females were nearly equal for the three species, ranging from 86-88%. Information on reproductive parameters allows demographers to better model population growth, aiding in wildlife management decisions.

10 State Updates Illinois Eastern Massasauga Recovery Team Plan is in review Blanding s Turtles they are writing a recovery plan Indiana Conducting surveys for Eastern Hellbenders in rivers/streams that either have historical records or were part of surveys conducted for a master s thesis by William Kern in Will be using hellbender traps in deep water this winter. These surveys are being conducted in conjunction with the research by Purdue University. Ornate Box Turtle assessment at 8 locations with historical records. Conducting surveys for Green Salamanders in three counties. Proposed changes to the endangered species list for reptiles and amphibians in Indiana include: o Add mole salamander and plains leopard frog to endangered list o Reclassify four-toed salamander from endangered to special concern o Delist Eastern spadefoot from special concern Nongame fund purchased two tracts of land that will be transferred to TNC. These tracts occur in the Knobs region of southeastern Indiana. Iowa Our volunteer based frog and toad call monitoring program continues, and we have added additional volunteers for the NAAMP route (we have our own long-standing program in addition to NAAMP). Our Wildlife Diversity Program newsletter has tried to have a link to Year of the Turtle with each edition this year. One of our DNR Wildlife Management Units is in the process of building and installing some turtle bunkers following the NRCS plans, at a stream restoration site with known Blandings Turtles.the hope being to provide additional overwintering habitat. The DNR Fisheries Bureau will be recommending some changes to Iowa s Commercial Turtle Harvest Program public meetings will be held in October before these recommendations are made. 2 new Iowa amphibian and reptile books may be at the publishers now or very soon. Kansas Habitat Associations and Ecological Niche Modeling in Eastern Forest Species University of Kansas Center for Research, Inc.: This proposal addresses the need for habitat and occurrence data in a group of four GCN species that are also listed as threatened and occur in the Eastern Deciduous Forest zone in Kansas: Smooth Earth Snake (Virginia valeriae), Redbelly Snake (Storeriaoccipitomaculata), Broadhead Skink (Eumeceslaticeps), and Spring Peeper (Pseudacris crucifer) A Field Survey of the longnose snake in Kansas - Joseph T. Collins and Suzanne L. Collins JTC Enterprises, Inc. The information collected from this study will assist in the establishment of habitat suitability modeling for the Longnose Snake (Rhinocheiluslecontei). These efforts,

11 coupled with GIS-based habitat modeling currently in progress, will afford KDWP greater precision and accuracy in making decisions affecting the habitat of this species. Evaluating data quality for species distribution modeling - Dr. Rob Channell, Fort Hays State University Assess the quality of existing datasets of terrestrial vertebrates in Kansas (species of greatest conservation need tier I) for species distribution modeling. Tier I herp species include: Crawfish Frog, Grotto Salamander, Timber Rattlesnake, Checkered Garter Snake, Redbelly Snake, Lesser Earless Lizard, Common Map Turtle, Alligator Snapping Turtle Conservation Implications for Sensitive Herpetofauna in Southwestern Kansas - Dr. Bill Stark, Fort Hays State University This project will involve intensive medium-timeframe sampling efforts that will 1) determine the most effective detection methods for 8 target SGCN species 2) development of precise population models based on the most contemporary techniques and remote sensing data, and 3) provide for testing and ground truthing of model predictions, 4) allow objective and supported determinations of state conservation status for target species, 6) provide predictive insight into the impacts of regional-tolocal scale habitat modification associated with a variety of development enterprises, and 7) provide a plausible estimate of the effects of global climate change on these faunal elements. Minnesota Production and distribution of Turtles of Minnesota poster (MN DNR, Carmelita Nelson) Production of Roadways and Turtles Solutions for Safety (MN DNR, Carmelita Nelson) Continuation of Blanding s Turtle tracking in southcentral Minnesota (MN DNR, Lisa Gelvin-Innvaer) Ratsnake Surveys in SE MN (MN DNR, Jeff LeClere) Continuation of Timber Rattlesnake Population Monitoring and Habitat Improvement (MN DNR, Jaime Edwards) Softshell Turtle tracking and DNA analysis on Mississippi River (St. Olaf College, Steve Freedburg) Painted Turtle trapping and tracking in NW MN (MN State Univ-Moorhead, Donna Stockrahm); and St. Paul (Ramsey County, John Moriarty and Univ. of St. Thomas, Tim Lewis) Western Hog-nosed Snake research in Anoka Sandplain (MN DNR, Erica Hoaglund) Mudpuppy Population Sampling throughout Minnesota (MN DNR, Krista Larson) Continuation of Wood Turtle Surveys and GPS tracking (MN DNR, Maya Hamady and Carol Hall) Racer and Gophersnakedensite searches at selected sites in MN (MN DNR, Carol Hall) Turtle trapping in the St. Croix River, targeting Smooth Softshells (MN DNR, Carol Hall) Four-toed Salamanders surveys in northern Minnesota (MN DNR, MCBS) Binational Monitoring initiative of herps in the Lake Superior Basin (Gary Casper)

12 Missouri On-going research related to hellbender recovery o Propagation efforts Expansion of hellbender propagation space at the St. Louis Zoo. Conducted 2 nd release of captive-reared hellbenders into the wild o Sperm assessments and cryopreservation (USFWS & MDC) Initiated sperm assessment and cryopreservation techniques of wild hellbenders o Disease testing Assessing amphibian chytrid fungus and Ranavirus on wild hellbenders Chytrid fungus occurs on most hellbender rivers with 4% to 20% of hellbenders testing positive per river Ranavirushas so far been negative o Monitoring Assessing long-term population status (abundance) and distribution (occupancy) o Nest boxes Success has occurred in obtaining hellbender eggs in artificial nest boxes o MDC/MoDOT agreement for hellbender conservation and habitat augmentation o Federal Listing update for the Ozark Hellbender Key land acquisition occurred that should benefit massasauga rattlesnake recovery Missouri populations of massasauga rattlesnakes will likely be classified as western massasaugas due to recent manuscripts Evaluation of commercial turtle harvest on the Missouri River started this summer Conducted a six county calling survey for the Illinois Chorus Frog (Species of Conservation Concern) in March Populations appear to be doing well since previous surveys in 2001 and In addition, we obtained numerous records for Eastern Spadefoots (Species of Conservation Concern) while conducting Illinois Chorus Frog surveys. Amphibian Chytrid Fungus testing has been occurring throughout the state o Many cave amphibians have tested positive o Mudpuppies have low prevalence rates o Throughout the state, Central Newts seem to be a major carrier of the fungus Re-assessment of Alligator Snapping Turtle population in SE Missouri Nebraska Citizen Science studies Eastern Tiger Salamander species of concern being reintroduced, currently quarantined (found in Iowa) and breeding in captivity Ohio Lake Erie Watersnake has been delisted due to being recovered Blanding s Turtle surveys throughout the state Great Lakes restoration GPS monitoring of Blanding s Turtles and Spotted Turtles Fox Snake recapture Copperbelly surveys Plains Gartersnake radio telemetry Massasauga work 3 new populations found last year, one new one this year Building hellbender nest boxes modeled off of Missouri s

13 South Dakota SDGFP is supporting current herpetological research through State Wildlife Grants funding: o Population estimates, habitat relationships, and movement patterns of turtles in southeastern South Dakota - University of South Dakota; Dr. David Swanson, PI, Aaron Gregor, PhD student o Prevalence of an emerging disease in South Dakota amphibian populations University of South Dakota; Dr. Jacob Kerby, PI o Faunal survey of the delta habitat of Upper Lewis and Clark Lake, South Dakota University of South Dakota; Dr. Jacob Kerby and Dr. David Swanson, PIs o Distribution, abundance, and seasonal habitat use patterns in ornate box turtles in South Dakota Oglala Lakota College; Alessandra Higa and Dr. Hugh Quinn, PIs A few recent scientific publications on South Dakota herp work: o Burdick, S.L. and D.L. Swanson Status, distribution and microhabitats of Blanchard s cricket frog Acrisblanchardi in South Dakota. Herpetological Conservation and Biology 5:9-16. o Swanson, D.L. and S.L. Burdick Overwintering physiology and hibernacula microclimates of Blanchard s cricket frogs at their northwestern range boundary. Copeia 2010: o Dinsmore, S., II, and D.L. Swanson Temporal patterns of tissue glycogen, glucose and glycogen phosphorylase activity prior to hibernation in freezetolerant chorus frogs, Pseudacristriseriata. Canadian Journal of Zoology 86: o Sarver, S.K., C.M. Anderson, F. Cain, and B. Smith Development of polymorphic microsatellite markers for the smooth green snake Opheodrysvernalis. Molecular Ecology Resources, Database I.D. # , 7 pp. SDGFP has also funded herp work through its Wildlife Diversity Small Grants Program. Dr. Hugh Quinn recently began a compilation of published work on South Dakota herps, including scientific publications and gray literature. SDGFP submitted a proposal for State Wildlife Grants funds to support an analysis of threats to South Dakota herps to be conducted by Dr. Brian Smith, Black Hills State University and Dr. Hugh Quinn, Oglala Lakota College. This analysis will be appended to the South Dakota Wildlife Action Plan revision, which is in progress. Website link for: Dakota Amphibian and Reptile Network DARN - The Best DARN Amphibian and Reptile Network in the Dakotas