Nevada Department of Wildlife - Game Division ANNUAL PREDATION MANAGEMENT PROJECT REPORTING FORM Reporting Period: Due Date: 8/1/2015 Current Date: ######## 1) Project Name 2) Project Number 35 5) Project Type (Check all that apply): Lethal Predator Management Non-Lethal Predator Management Management Activity Research Program Education Program 6) Project Description: Dr. Benjamin N. Sacks Physical Address: Mammalian Ecology and Conservation Unit, Center for Veterinary Genetics, Dept. Population Phone Email 530-754-9088 bnsacks@ucdavis.edu Introduct ion: In March of 2010, the Greater sage grouse (Centrocercus urophasianus) was designated a candidate species for listing under the US Endangered Species Act, currently pending decision to be rendered by September 2015. Sagebrush habitat loss and conversion(through fire, grazing, and pinyonjuniper invasion) may be the most significant factor threatening sage-grouse, both directly and potentially by exposing sage-grouse to novel sources of predation. Both ravens and terrestrial carnivores can be locally significant predators of sage grouse. Among the terrestrial predators in the Great Basin, coyotes (Canis latrans) are the most numerous. However, coyotes tend to prey preferentially on small mammals and rarely pose a significant threat to threatened and endangered ground-nesting birds (Lockyer et al. 2013). In contrast, the red fox (Vulpes vulpes) can be a significant predator of ground-nesting birds and is known to impact several endangered ground-nesting bird species, including Greater sage grouse, in the western US (Sargeant et al. 1984; Lewis et al. 1999; Bunnell et al. 2000). As of 1996, the numbers appeared to be expanding in Northeastern Nevada and were presumed to be nonnative in origin (Kamler and Ballard 2003). Recent trapping activity in this part of the state suggests that the expansion has increased rapidly in the past two years and preliminary data from some locations support the suggestion that these are likely to be nonnative (R. Stoeberl, personal communication; B. N. Sacks, unpublished data). Red foxes occurred historically at low abundance among sky island mountain ranges of the Great Basin (Hall 1946; Heaton 1990). However, red foxes have increased significantly in abundance and range, and currently occur in many areas of Nevada that overlap sage-grouse lekking and nesting habitat where they were not formerly known to occur. Thus, it is likely that this novel and efficient avian predator could pose a significant and growing threat to sage-grouse in Nevada. The source of these suddenly abundant foxes is unknown. Most native red foxes of western North America occur in relictual populations in high montane zones of the Rocky, Cascade, Sierra Nevada, and highelevation Great Basin Mountain ranges, where cooler habitats more closely resemble those that were widespread during the Pleistocene (Hall 1946; 7) Project Grantee/Contractor Contact Info: Primary Contact Name: 8) Project Goals: Using genetics to identify the source of an increasing Great Basin sage-grouse predator, the red fox. 3) Project Area (attach map) Elko, White Pine, Lander, Nye, and Eureka counties (Areas 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13). 4) Project Duration to date 12/24/2014 present 1) Determine origins of nonnative red foxes expanding into sage-grouse lekking areas. 2) Assess hybridization between native and nonnative red foxes. TARGET QUESTIONS: 1) Distributions of non-native and native red foxes. 2) Population genetic distinctiveness of native and non-native red foxes. 9) Description of anticipated results: We anticipate to find potential relictual populations of native montane red foxes in the highest elevations of some of the major mountain ranges in Nevada. In addition, we also expect to find nonnative red foxes in the lower elevations of the state. The extent of the nonnative red fox population is not well understood, therefore, we don't expect to make accurate predictions with such limited information. We expect that there is potential for hybridization between these two groups of foxes, native and nonnative, in areas where they cooccur, e.x. Elko and the Ruby Mountains. Predation Project Report Form - 1
10) Anticipated Project End 6/1/2018 11) Predator and Prey Wildlife Species that may be impacted by Project: Native montane red fox may be influenced by the expansion of nonnative red fox into the Great Basin. A major threat to the endemic population is the potential for genetic swamping resulting from hybridization. In addition, nonnative red foxes may pose competition conflicts with other native mesocarnivores such as the gray fox, coyote, and kit fox. Red fox are also known to be predate on ground naesting birds such as the the greater sage-grouse. Other small mammal species should 12) Assessment of Habitat Condition of Project Area: Improved understanding of influences of mesocarnivores on native ecosystems will give managers more and better tools to manage predation issues and wildlife populations in the future. 13) Habitat Category of Project Area (Check all that apply) migratory corridor summer range winter range hibernation den 14) Itemized costs incurred during previous Fiscal Year(s): fawning calving nesting natal den brood rearing year round habitat Processing of genetic samples, 65 samples @ $150/sample = $9,750 Predation Project Report Form - 2
Specific to Lethal and Non-Lethal Predator Control Projects 15) If applicable (in Contract/Sub-Contract language), attach copies of quarterly lethal removal reports. 16) Description of population control methods: 17) Description of population control results: 18) If applicable (in Contract/Sub-Contract language), estimated predator and prey population and demographic indices before and after treatrment in Control/Treatment Program areas: 19) If applicable (in Contract/Sub-Contract language), estimated predator and prey population and demographic indices in Control/Treatment Program areas and othe area(s): 20) Describe any other data sets pertinent to the analysis and interpretation of the Control Program (i.e. sport harvest data, climate patterns, fire regime, nonnative floral and/or faunal influences on predator and prey populations and their habitats, etc): Predation Project Report Form - 3
21) Description of Management Activity methods: Specific to Management Activity Projects 22) Description of project results: 23) If applicable, a complete analysis of acreages treated and habitat enhancement responses to date: 24) Estimated predator and prey population and demographic indices before and after treatment in the Management Activity area: 25) Estimated predator and prey population and demographic indices in treatment and other area(s): 26) Describe any other data sets pertinent to the analysis and interpretation of the Management Activities (i.e. sport harvest data, climate patterns, fire regime, nonnative floral and/or faunal influences on predator and prey populations and their habitats, etc): Predation Project Report Form - 4
27) Description of Research Program methods: Specific to Research Programs We genotype these fox samples with 33 high-resolution nuclear loci to compare among these samples and with historical and modern reference samples previously published (Sacks and Louie 2008; Sacks et al. 2009, 2010, 2011; Statham et al. 2012a,b). We analyze genotypes to determine (1) native vs. nonnative ancestry, (2) genetic affinities of native and nonnative samples to assess hybridization, (3) genetic affinities of nonnative northeastern Nevada genotypes with those from populations in western Utah and southern Idaho to assess source of origin. 28) Description of Research Program results and conclusions to date: Red foxes have been identified across a range of elevations and habitats in Nevada (77 analyzed samples). Both native (60) and nonnative (17) red fox haplotypes have been identified. To date it appears that red fox found in the highest elevations of ranges such as the Snake Range contain unique isolated populations of pure native montane red fox. Additional surveys in the highest elevations must be conducted in additional ranges to identify other native montane red fox populations. In the center of the state, including the Monitor, Toiyabe, and Toquima ranges, there are a mix of both native and nonnative red fox haplotypes with the majority of samples coming from the mid to lower elevations. These results are indicative of potential hybridization between native and nonnative red foxes. This pattern has also been found in the lower elevation areas around Elko and the Ruby Mountains. Results are extremely preliminary and additional surveys, sample collection, and 29) Estimated predator and prey population and demographic indices before and after treatment (if applicable) in the Research Program area: N/A 30) Estimated predator and prey population and demographic indices in treatment and other areas within designated Project areas (if applicable): N/A 31) Describe any other data sets pertinent to the analysis and interpretation of the Research Program (i.e. sport harvest data, climate patterns, fire regime, nonnative floral and/or faunal influences on predator and prey populations and their habitats, etc): N/A Predation Project Report Form - 5
32) Description of Education Program methods: Specific to Education Programs 33 ) Description of Education Program results and conclusions to date: 34) A complete analysis of Education Program efforts to date including but not limited to how many citizens, schools and/or civic groups benefited directly to date: Predation Project Report Form - 6
Required For All Projects 35) Literature Cited (Complete and Comprehensive) Bunnell,. D., D. J. Bambough, J. T. Flinders. 2000. Strawberry Valley sage grouse recovery project. Utah Division of Wildlife Resources, Salt Lake City. Heaton T.H. 1990. Quaternary mammals of the great basin: extinct giants, Pleistocene relicts, and recent immigrants. Chapter 15 in Causes of Evolution: a Paleontological Perspective, Ross, R. M., and Allmon, W. D. (eds.), Univ. Chicago Press, pp. 422-465 Kamler, J. F., W. B. Ballard. 2003. Range expansion of red foxes in eastern Nevada and western Utah. Journal of the Arizona-Nevada Academy of Science 36:18-20. Lockyer, Z. B., Coates, P. S., Casazza, M. L., Espinosa, S., Delehanty, D. J. 2013. Greater Sage-Grouse Nest Predators in the Virginia Mountains of Northwestern Nevada. Journal of Fish and Wildlife Management 4:242-255. Moore M., S. K. Brown, B. N. Sacks. 2010. Thirty-one short red fox (Vulpes vulpes) microsatellite markers. Molecular Ecology Resources 10:404-408. Sacks, B. N., and S. Louie. 2008. Using the dog genome to find SNPs in red foxes and other distantly related members of the Canidae. Molecular Ecology Resources 8:35-49. Sacks, B. N., Moore M., Statham, M. J., Wittmer H. U. 2011. A restricted hybrid zone between native and introduced red fox (Vulpes vulpes) populations suggests reproductive barriers and competitive exclusion. Molecular Ecology 20:326-341. Sacks, B. N., M. J, Statham, J. D. Perrine, S.M. Wisely, Aubry, K. A. 2010. North American montane red foxes: expansion, fragmentation, and the origin of the Sacramento Valley red fox. Conservation Genetics 11:1523-1539. Sacks, B. N., D. I. Våge, M. J, Statham. 2009. A medium-throughput SNP assay for detecting genetic variation in coding and non-coding portions of the red fox genome. Conservation Genetics Resources 1:459-463. Sargeant, A. B., S. H. Allen, and R. T. Eberhard. 1984. Red fox predation on breeding ducks in midcontinent North America. Wildlife Monographs 89. Statham, M. J., Sacks, B. N., Aubry, K. A., Perrine, J. D., Wisely, S.M. 2012a. The origin of recently established red fox populations in the contiguous United States: Translocations or natural range expansions? Journal of Mammalogy, 93:52-65. Statham, M. J., Rich, A. C., Lisius, S. K., Sacks, B. N. 2012b. Discovery of a remnant population of Sierra Nevada red fox (Vulpes vulpes necator). Northwest Science 86:122-132. (If necessary, use additional pages anywhere in the document) Table 1. Number of samples collected from different mountain ranges across Nevada. Native and Nonnative haplotypes were identified use mitochondrial DNA haplo Predation Project Report Form - 7