Fort Hays State University FHSU Scholars Repository Master's Theses Graduate School Spring 2014 Possible Effects of Black-Tailed Prairie Dogs (Cynomys Ludovicianus) on Abundance and Diversity of Raptors and Small Mammals in Mixed and Shortgrass Prairie of Western Kansas Nina M. Luna Fort Hays State University, [email protected] Follow this and additional works at: https://scholars.fhsu.edu/theses Part of the Biology Commons Recommended Citation Luna, Nina M., "Possible Effects of Black-Tailed Prairie Dogs (Cynomys Ludovicianus) on Abundance and Diversity of Raptors and Small Mammals in Mixed and Shortgrass Prairie of Western Kansas" (2014). Master's Theses. 66. https://scholars.fhsu.edu/theses/66 This Thesis is brought to you for free and open access by the Graduate School at FHSU Scholars Repository. It has been accepted for inclusion in Master's Theses by an authorized administrator of FHSU Scholars Repository. POSSIBLE EFFECTS OF BLACK-TAILED PRAIRIE DOGS (CYNOMYS LUDOVICIANUS) ON ABUNDANCE AND DIVERSITY OF RAPTORS AND SMALL MAMMALS IN MIXED AND SHORTGRASS PRAIRIE OF WESTERN KANSAS being A Thesis Presented to the Graduate Faculty of the Fort Hays State University in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree of Master of Science by Nina M. Luna B.S., University of California, Santa Barbara Date_____________________ Approved____________________________ Major Professor Approved____________________________ Chair, Graduate Council This thesis for The Master of Science Degree By Nina M. Luna Has been approved ______________________________ Chair, Supervisory Committee ______________________________ Supervisory Committee ______________________________ Supervisory Committee ______________________________ Supervisory Committee _________________________________ Chair, Department of Biological Sciences i PREFACE This thesis is written in the style of The Southwestern Naturalist, where a portion will be submitted for publication. ii ABSTRACT The black-tailed prairie dog (Cynomys ludovicianus) is a burrowing rodent native to the Great Plains currently experiencing large population declines. It is debated whether prairie dogs are keystone species; however, areas with prairie dogs have higher levels of biodiversity and presumably increased biotic interactions. The goal of this study is to quantify the importance of black-tailed prairie dogs, hereafter prairie dog, by comparing abundance and diversity of raptors and small mammals on prairie dog (PD) and non- prairie dog (NON) inhabited prairie. A significant difference was detected between the two treatments (PD and NON) in the number of raptors counts; the PD treatment observed a greater abundance of individuals (n = 192) in contrast to the NON treatment (n = 115). Small mammal richness was low with only the following species detected on each treatment; 2 species (Onychomys leucogaster and Ictidomys tridecemlineatus) on the PD treatment and 5 species (Chaetodipus hispidus, Onychomys leucogaster, Perognathus flavus, Peromyscus maniculatus, and Reithrodontomys montanus) on the NON treatment. Although I did not detect abundance or all species caught in both treatments, other studies have reported higher abundances of small mammals, including Onychomys leucogaster, on prairie dog inhabited land. These data have the potential to influence prairie dog conservation efforts, as well as our knowledge of other vertebrate prairie- specialist species. Species in need of conservation, including ferruginous hawk (Buteo regalis) and burrowing owl (Athene cunicularia), rely on prairie dogs for food, shelter, or nesting sites. These species and others will be forced elsewhere as prairie dog distribution continues to decrease, and might be pushed out of their historical distribution, or towards extinction. It is essential for landowners and agencies to understand the complex iii ecological associations occurring on the prairie, and realize the black-tailed prairie dog is a “Species of Greatest Concern” in Kansas. iv ACKNOWLEDGMENTS I thank my husband, Anthony Luna, who stood by my side and encouraged me from the first moment I mentioned moving to Kansas and throughout obtaining this degree. I also acknowledge Margarita Echavarria, who has been my role model and taught me education is the key to my success. I thank my grandmas, Esperanza Gonzalez and Maxine Haro, for always lifting my spirits. I can never overlook the help I received from fellow graduate students during data collection. Anthony Luna was there every step of the way and helped me through every new challenge. I thank the many students who helped during small mammal trapping: Chelsea Ives, for making bait and checking traps so I would be ready to start sampling; Tessa Luke for help in the summer when I needed it the most; Jeff Carter for assistance with identifying invertebrates; Brian Zinke for showing me how to handle small mammals most efficiently; Jessica Casey for identifying plants during vegetation sampling; Clint Helms for his field advice and setting up during some of the hottest days; Ian Cost for photography and assistance with raptor surveys. Lisa Prowant has been a great colleague to have these past three years and experienced Logan County by getting stuck in the mud . twice, within four hours. She also helped me identify reptiles and make maps. Frances Owen took time out of her day to help with maps for this project. Sana Cheema, a high school student, checked bait and traps at the animal ecology lab. I thank Dr. Greg Farley who took me on as a graduate student and helped me succeed throughout the process. He has been patient, understanding, and motivating during this strenuous journey. Thank you to my thesis committee for their time on this project. I also acknowledge Dr. Bill Stark and Dr. Jordana “Jordge” LaFantasie for their v time and efforts, especially Dr. LaFantasie for her review of an earlier draft of my thesis, as well as Terry Mannell who contributed to my committee as well as to raptor surveys. I thank Dr. Elmer and LaVonne Finck who opened up their home and to Dr. Finck who has been important to my education in the field of mammalogy. A big thank you to Kacie Vogt who is always there to help fill out paperwork and assist with grants in a timely manner. I am especially grateful to Aubudon of Kansas for funding the majority of this research project. I also thank the Eugene Fleharty family for their Graduate Fellowship and generous scholarship contributions, as well the Kansas Ornithological Society for their student research grant. I also thank the private landowners, because without permission to access their properties this project would not have been possible. Finally, I thank The Nature Conservancy at Smoky Valley Ranch, particularly Matt Bain and Billy Beckman, for all their help and hospitality. vi TABLE OF CONTENTS Page GRADUATE COMMITTEE APPROVAL ......................................................................... i PREFACE ........................................................................................................................... ii ABSTRACT ....................................................................................................................... iii ACKNOWLEDGMENTS ...................................................................................................v TABLE OF CONTENTS .................................................................................................. vii LIST OF TABLES ............................................................................................................. ix LIST OF FIGURES .............................................................................................................x LIST OF APPENDIXES................................................................................................... xii INTRODUCTION ...............................................................................................................1 Historical and Functional North American Grassland Ecosystem ...................1 Black-tailed Prairie Dogs ......................................................................................2 Objectives................................................................................................................4 METHODS ..........................................................................................................................5 Study Area ..............................................................................................................5 Raptor Counts ........................................................................................................6 Small Mammal Trapping ......................................................................................8 Vegetation Surveys.................................................................................................9 Statistical Analyses...............................................................................................10 RESULTS ..........................................................................................................................11 Raptor Point-Count Assessment .........................................................................11 Bird-in-transit Comparison ................................................................................12 vii Ferruginous Hawk ...............................................................................................13 Golden Eagle.........................................................................................................14