SPECIES ASSESSMENT FOR PREBLE ’S MEADOW JUMPING MOUSE (ZAPUS HUDSONIUS PREBLEI ) IN WYOMING prepared by 1 2 3 HAMILTON SMITH , DR. GARY P. BEAUVAIS , AND DOUGLAS A. KEINATH 1 Wyoming Natural Diversity Database, University of Wyoming, 1000 E. University Ave, Dept. 3381, Laramie, Wyoming 82071; 307-766-3023 2 Director, Wyoming Natural Diversity Database, University of Wyoming, 1000 E. University Ave, Dept. 3381, Laramie, Wyoming 82071; 307-766-3027; [email protected] 3 Zoology Program Manager, Wyoming Natural Diversity Database, University of Wyoming, 1000 E. University Ave, Dept. 3381, Laramie, Wyoming 82071; 307-766-3013; [email protected] Rebekah Smith 2001 prepared for United States Department of the Interior Bureau of Land Management Wyoming State Office Cheyenne, Wyoming October 2004 Smith, Beauvais, and Keinath – Zapus hudsonius prebleii October 2004 Table of Contents INTRODUCTION ................................................................................................................................. 3 NATURAL HISTORY ........................................................................................................................... 4 Morphological Description ...................................................................................................... 4 Genus Zapus ....................................................................................................................................4 Species - Zapus hudsonius ..............................................................................................................5 Subpecies Zapus hudsonius preblei ................................................................................................6 Taxonomy and Distribution ..................................................................................................... 7 Genus Zapus ....................................................................................................................................7 Species Zapus hudsonius .................................................................................................................7 Subspecies Zapus hudsonius preblei ...............................................................................................8 Biogeography ..................................................................................................................................9 Genus Zapus .............................................................................................................................9 Species - Zapus hudsonius ........................................................................................................9 Subspecies Zapus hudsonius preblei ......................................................................................12 Habitat Requirements............................................................................................................14 General ..........................................................................................................................................14 Genus Zapus ...........................................................................................................................14 Species Zapus hudsonius ........................................................................................................14 Subspecies Zapus hudsonius preblei ......................................................................................15 Breeding ........................................................................................................................................15 Winter............................................................................................................................................16 Area Requirements........................................................................................................................16 Landscape Pattern .........................................................................................................................17 Movement and Activity Patterns ............................................................................................18 Daily Activity................................................................................................................................18 Day Nests................................................................................................................................19 Broad-scale Movement Patterns....................................................................................................19 Reproduction and Survivorship..............................................................................................20 Breeding Behavior.........................................................................................................................20 Breeding Phenology ......................................................................................................................20 Fecundity and Survivorship ..........................................................................................................20 Population Demographics......................................................................................................21 Metapopulation Dynamics ............................................................................................................21 Genetic Concerns ..........................................................................................................................21 Genetics: Genus Zapus ...........................................................................................................21 Species Zapus hudsonius ........................................................................................................22 Subspecies Zapus hudsonius preblei ......................................................................................23 Food Habits...........................................................................................................................23 Food Items.....................................................................................................................................23 Foraging Stategy ...........................................................................................................................24 Foraging Variation ........................................................................................................................24 Community Ecology...............................................................................................................25 Predators and Competitors ............................................................................................................25 Parasites and Disease ....................................................................................................................25 Page 1 of 53 Smith, Beauvais, and Keinath – Zapus hudsonius prebleii October 2004 CONSERVATION .............................................................................................................................. 26 Conservation Status ..............................................................................................................26 Federal Endangered Species Act...................................................................................................26 Bureau of Land Management........................................................................................................26 Forest Service................................................................................................................................27 State Wildlife Agencies.................................................................................................................28 Heritage Ranks and WYNDDs Wyoming Significance Rank ......................................................28 Biological Conservation Issues..............................................................................................28 Abundance and Trends..................................................................................................................29 Range Context...............................................................................................................................29 Extrinsic Threats ...........................................................................................................................30 Development...........................................................................................................................30 Agriculture..............................................................................................................................31 Invasive Species......................................................................................................................31 Alteration of Hydrography .....................................................................................................32 Fire Suppression .....................................................................................................................32 Intrinsic Vulnerability ...................................................................................................................33 Protected Areas .............................................................................................................................33 CONSERVATION ACTION ................................................................................................................ 33 Existing or Future