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Download Date 26/09/2021 13:04:41 The Socioecology, Mating System and Behavior of Round- Tailed Ground Squirrels (Xerospermophilus tereticaudus) Item Type Electronic Dissertation; text Authors Munroe, Karen Elizabeth Publisher The University of Arizona. Rights Copyright © is held by the author. Digital access to this material is made possible by the University Libraries, University of Arizona. Further transmission, reproduction or presentation (such as public display or performance) of protected items is prohibited except with permission of the author. Download date 26/09/2021 13:04:41 Link to Item http://hdl.handle.net/10150/145437 THE SOCIOECOLOGY, MATING SYSTEM AND BEHAVIOR OF ROUND-TAILED GROUND SQUIRRELS (XEROSPERMOPHILUS TERETICAUDUS) by Karen Elizabeth Munroe _____________________ A Dissertation Submitted to the Faculty of the THE SCHOOL OF NATURAL RESOURCES AND THE ENVIRONMENT In Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements For the Degree of DOCTOR OF PHILOSOPHY WITH A MAJOR IN WILDLIFE AND FISHERIES SCIENCE In the Graduate College THE UNIVERSITY OF ARIZONA 2011 2 THE UNIVERSITY OF ARIZONA GRADUATE COLLEGE As members of the Dissertation Committee, we certify that we have read the dissertation prepared by Karen E. Munroe entitled: The socioecology, mating system and behavior of round-tailed ground squirrels (Xerospermophilus tereticaudus) and recommend that it be accepted as fulfilling the dissertation requirement for the Degree of Doctor of Philosophy _______________________________________________________________________ Date: 9 May 2011 John L. Koprowski _______________________________________________________________________ Date: 9 May 2011 William J. Matter _______________________________________________________________________ Date: 9 May 2011 Guy. R McPherson _______________________________________________________________________ Date: 9 May 2011 Robert J. Steidl Final approval and acceptance of this dissertation is contingent upon the candidate’s submission of the final copies of the dissertation to the Graduate College. I hereby certify that I have read this dissertation prepared under my direction and recommend that it be accepted as fulfilling the dissertation requirement. ________________________________________________ Date: 9 May 2011 Dissertation Director: John L. Koprowski 3 STATEMENT BY AUTHOR This dissertation has been submitted in partial fulfillment of requirements for an advanced degree at the University of Arizona and is deposited in the University Library to be made available to borrowers under rules of the Library. Brief quotations from this dissertation are allowable without special permission, provided that accurate acknowledgment of source is made. Requests for permission for extended quotation from or reproduction of this manuscript in whole or in part may be granted by the head of the major department or the Dean of the Graduate College when in his or her judgment the proposed use of the material is in the interests of scholarship. In all other instances, however, permission must be obtained from the author. SIGNED: Karen E. Munroe 4 ACKNOWLEDGMENTS I am deeply indebted and grateful for many people who have fortified, encouraged, promoted, bolstered and inspired me along this extensive journey. I wish to thank Dr. Michael Steele for becoming my undergraduate advisor, taking me under his wing, teaching me to question assumptions, showing me what science was all about (acorns and squirrels, of course!), and continuing to be a source of inspiration; Dr. Morris Levy for taking me into his lab, his home and his heart, serving as a mentor, advisor and a continual supporter with an eloquence and humor that only he could; Maria Mercedes Maya Levy for teaching me all the genetic techniques I know with grace, elegance and an artistic flair! I am immensely grateful to John Koprowski for serving as my major advisor, for pushing me to do my best, having patience with me as I learn, opening doors to amazing opportunities that will serve me well into my career, seeing my potential when I couldn’t. Although I hope to follow in his footsteps, I doubt I’ll ever be able to fill his shoes!! I also wish to thank my dissertation committee William Matter, Guy McPherson and Robert Steidl (and William Birky), whose generous support and guidance was always provided expediently and with appropriate sarcastic wit. Funding for this project was provided by the Western National Parks Association, T&E Incorporation Conservation Biology Research Grant, American Society of Mammalogists Grants-in-Aid Award, the Wildlife Foundation Scholarship, Sigma Xi Grant-in-Aid of Research, and the Alton A. Lindsey Award and Grant. The staff and volunteers of the Casa Grande Ruins National Monument not only made this project possible but made me part of their family and made every day in the field interesting and full of surprises. I am so grateful for my friends for providing assistance, support, and nourishment both scientifically and personally: Adam Boyko, Joseph Busch, Cori Carveth, Carina Eizmendi, Jessica Gwinn, Sara Jensen-O’Brien, Jim Kellam, Maureen McColgin, Cathy Mossman, Adrian Munguia-Vega, Monica Munoz-Torrez, Kerry Nicholson, Karla Pelz-Serrano, Lon Porter, Nancy Regens, Jay Turner, Cora Varas-Nelson, Tamara Wilson, and Carolina Yaber-Tenjo. I am indebted to and inspired by the entire Koprowski lab including: Seafha Blount, Debbie Buecher, Hsiang Ling Chen, Nichole Cudworth, Jonathan Derbridge, Sandy Doumas, Andrew Edelman, R. Nathan Gwinn, Vicki Greer, Sarah Hale Rosa Jessen, Tim Jessen, Yeong-Seok Jo, Shari Ketcham Kate Leonard-Pasch, Melissa Merrick, Rebecca Minor, Geoff Palmer, Bret Pasch, Erin Posthumus, Nicolas Ramos, Margaret Rheude, and Claire Zugmeyer. I also have my chosen family to thank, for without them I would not have had the strength to continue along the path and whose flamboyant pride never ceases to amaze me. Jean and Bob took me in at age 16, and not only gave me a place to come home to, but a (crazy) family. My sister Briget and nieces Abbigail and Gabrielle have given me a preposterous amount of unconditional love, support and cheerleading. And lastly, to my husband, partner and best friend, Jim, who has gone above and beyond in encouraging and funding my work, explains to people what I do (proudly, succinctly and with a straight face!), makes me laugh until I cry and always brings me joy. 5 TABLE OF CONTENTS LIST OF TABLES .................................................................................................. 6 LIST OF FIGURES ................................................................................................. 8 ABSTRACT .......................................................................................................... 10 INTRODUCTION ................................................................................................. 12 Literature review ....................................................................................... 13 Study organism .......................................................................................... 18 Explanation of dissertation format ............................................................ 20 PRESENT STUDY ............................................................................................... 21 REFERENCES ...................................................................................................... 24 APPENDIX A. ANNUAL CYCLES IN THE DESERT: BODY MASS, ACTIVITY AND REPRODUCTION IN ROUND-TAILED GROUND SQUIRRELS (XEROSPERMOPHILUS TERETICAUDUS) ................................ 29 Abstract ..................................................................................................... 30 Introduction ............................................................................................... 31 Materials and methods ............................................................................... 35 Results ....................................................................................................... 40 Discussion ................................................................................................. 44 Acknowledgments ..................................................................................... 52 Literature cited .......................................................................................... 54 APPENDIX B. SOCIALITY AND GENETIC STRUCTURE IN A POPULATION OF ROUND-TAILED GROUND SQUIRRELS (XEROSPERMOPHILUS TERETICAUDUS): MODEL SPECIES OR OUTLIER? ............................................................................................................................... 90 Abstract ..................................................................................................... 91 Introduction ............................................................................................... 92 Methods ..................................................................................................... 97 Results ..................................................................................................... 103 Discussion ............................................................................................... 105 Acknowledgments ................................................................................... 111 Literature cited ........................................................................................ 112 APPENDIX C. SOCIALITY, BATEMAN’S GRADIENTS AND THE POLYGYNANDROUS GENETIC MATING SYSTEM OF ROUND-TAILED GROUND SQUIRRELS (XEROSPERMOPHILUS TERETICAUDUS) ...........
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