We investigated mtDNA sequence variation in five populations of the loggerhead shrike Lanius ludovicianus , representing four subspecies, including San Clemente L. l. mearnsi a critically endangered California Channel Island endemic. Variability 200 bp control region and cytochrome b was extremely low, defined haplotypes. Strong structure apparent among all three southern Californian with one haplotype predominating each subspecies. Although potential levels gene flow between neighbouring...

ABSTRACT Successful conservation plans are not solely achieved by acquiring optimally designed reserves. Ongoing monitoring and management of the biodiversity in those reserves is an equally important, but often neglected or poorly executed, part process. In this paper we address one first most important steps designing a program – deciding what to monitor. We present strategy for prioritizing species multispecies plans. use existing assessments threatened status, degree spatial temporal...

Polymorphic nuclear microsatellite loci were used to characterize genetic variation in contemporary and historic populations of the San Clemente Island loggerhead shrike (Lanius ludovicianus mearnsi), an endangered bird with a current population 30 individuals that is endemic one California Channel Islands. We also compared two still abundant subspecies, L. l. gambeli, which live 120 km away on adjacent mainland. The mearnsi has 60 per cent mainland strongly differentiated from them....

Predation by feral cats (Felis catus) is recognized as a major threat to native fauna worldwide, but the competitive effects of on species have not been extensively studied. Cats occur San Clemente Island, California, in sympatry with endemic island foxes (Urocyon littoralis clementae). We examined diets and between years, seasons, habitats assess potential for resource competition 2 species. Analysis 602 cat 958 fox feces revealed high level dietary overlap (O ¼ 0.93) relatively narrow...

We report the presence of a 128 bp tandem repeat in mitochondrial control region loggerhead shrike (Ayes: Lanius ludovicianus). All individuals examined had either two or three copies were heteroplasmic for and copies. This is first direct demonstration associated with heteroplasmy bird. A novel model duplication, which involves an inverted located adjacent to tandemly repeated sequence, presented. Individuals repeats are absent from endangered population San Clemente southern California,...

Habitat use by snowshoe hares (Lepus americanus) of several montane forest types was studied at 2 locations in northern Utah from 1973 to 1978. Vegetation were: quaking aspen (Populus tremuloides) with sparse and dense understory conditions; dry, subalpine meadow; fir (Abies lasiocarpa); Engelmann spruce (Picea engelmannii); Douglas-fir (Pseudotsuga menziesii). During the study, portions stands on 1 area were clear-cut small (1-4 ha) blocks. Results hare fecal pellet counts showed...

Summary 1. Live‐trapping is a fundamental tool in the study of wildlife species and populations. Capture nontarget an inherent side‐effect trapping animals that inefficient potentially detrimental to individuals Reducing recapture will increase efficiency long‐term studies projects, minimize unwanted impacts. 2. During initial stages 3‐year feral cat Felis catus control programme on San Clemente Island, California, USA, we experienced high rates endangered Island foxes Urocyon littoralis...

Abstract Most species face multiple anthropogenic disruptions. Few studies have quantified the cumulative influence of threats on conservation concern, and far fewer potential relative value interventions in light these threats. We linked spatial distribution population viability models to explore under projected climate change, urbanization, changes fire regime a long‐lived obligate seeding plant sensitive high frequencies, dominant functional type many fire‐prone ecosystems, including...

In many parts of the world, combined effects habitat fragmentation and altered disturbance regimes pose a significant threat to biodiversity. This is particularly true in Mediterranean-type ecosystems (MTEs), which tend be fire-prone, species rich, heavily impacted by human land use. Given spatial complexity overlapping threats species' vulnerability along with limited conservation budgets, methods are needed for prioritizing areas monitoring management these regions. We developed...

Abstract: Habitat Conservation Plans are a widely used strategy to balance development and preservation of species concern have been in southern California, USA, protect the coastal California gnatcatcher (Polioptila californica). Few data exist on abundance distribution, existing problems with issues closure (i.e., sampling occurs short enough time period such that or distribution not changing), detectability, proper attention probability‐based schemes. Thus, habitat model has relied upon...

Abstract Predation by marine birds has resulted in substantial losses to runs of Pacific salmon Oncorhynchus spp., some cases necessitating management action. Recovery PIT tags on a seabird breeding colony (Año Nuevo Island) indicated that western gulls Larus occidentalis prey upon federally listed Coho Salmon kisutch and steelhead O. mykiss central California. Whereas salmonid populations California have decreased recent decades, the gull population Año Island increased. We observed spp....

Habitat Conservation Plans (HCPs) are a mechanism used for conserving land and often have an umbrella species associated with them. We conducted occupancy surveys species, the Coastal California Gnatcatcher (Polioptila californica californica), from 2004 to 2009 in San Diego County, California, focusing on preserve lands HCPs. investigated effects of habitat quality classification, elevation, distance coast, heat load gnatcatcher occupancy, extinction, colonization probabilities. Our work...

One goal of Habitat Conservation Plans is to protect viable populations animal species. Management actions included in such plans often focus on vegetation restoration benefit the target Yet, activities are uninformed by fine-scale survey data. Using California Gnatcatcher (Polioptila californica californica), we demonstrate how data can guide toward improving gnatcatcher viability identifying habitat conditions most favorable for occupancy. We found that presence and colonization...

Improving the efficiency of monitoring protocols prescribed by conservation plans can release typically limited funding for other management and activities. We present an approach optimizing that considers precision parameter estimates, costs implementation, broader monitoring-program goals. In a case study Coastal California Gnatcatcher (Polioptila californica californica), we compared point-count surveys (with without playbacks vocalizations) area-search playbacks) estimating site...

Abstract The San Bernardino flying squirrel (SBFS) is an isolated subspecies of Humboldt's squirrel, occurring in montane sky islands the and Jacinto Mountains Southern California, USA. Recent small mammal surveys suggest extirpated. Our objectives were (1) determine habitat features, including forest metrics topographical factors, that influence SBFS presence, Mountains; (2) use information collected to confirm occurrence preference (3) assess climatic differences between two mountain...

The San Bernardino flying squirrel (Glaucomys oregonensis californicus) is a California Species of Special Concern restricted to montane forests southern California. We confirmed the distribution this species in residential areas and Jacinto Mountains with assistance citizen scientist volunteers. Project participants placed motion sensor camera traps near bird feeders on their property uploaded results project webpage associated iNaturalist project. Flying squirrels were documented at all...

Conversion of natural habitats to urban landscapes is happening at a rapid pace around the globe. Establishing preserve system and restoring lands within these preserves one way offset loss habitats. However, often when are being developed little data exists outlining distribution species habitat parameters on which they depend. We used populations Cactus Wren (Campylorhynchus brunneicapillus sandiegensis) inhabiting coastal slope California demonstrate how refine general gestalt conditions...

Conservation translocations, the human-mediated movement and release of a living organism for conservation benefit, are increasingly recommended in species’ recovery plans as technique mitigating population declines or augmenting genetic diversity. However, translocation protocols species with broad distributions may require regionally specific considerations to increase success, environmental gradients pose different constraints on establishment persistence parts range. Here we report...