Columbia Basin Pygmy Rabbit Winter Field Sampling and Genetic Monitoring
Additional Funding Sources
The project described was supported by a student grant from the UI Office of Undergraduate Research.
Presentation Date
7-2019
Abstract
The pygmy rabbit (Brachylagus idahoensis) population in central Washington, United States, has declined significantly in response to habitat loss and fragmentation. The goal of my research was to assist the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife in determining the number of active burrow sites in the sampling area, collecting fecal samples, and performing genetic analysis to determine the number of individuals in the sampling area. I then began to determine the ratio of active burrow sites to number of individuals on the landscape. This research is a continuation of the pygmy rabbit recovery program overseen by the WDFW and will provide insight into population estimation methods using burrow numbers as well as into the success of the program as it is currently operating. My research seeked to answer the following questions: How many burrows are detected in the focal sampling area? How many pygmy rabbits are identified from fecal pellets collected in this area? What is the ratio between the number of rabbits detected and the number of active burrows detected? We performed transect searches to locate active burrows and collected fecal samples for genetic analysis. Individual identification to determine the number of rabbits in the sample area is ongoing.
Columbia Basin Pygmy Rabbit Winter Field Sampling and Genetic Monitoring
The pygmy rabbit (Brachylagus idahoensis) population in central Washington, United States, has declined significantly in response to habitat loss and fragmentation. The goal of my research was to assist the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife in determining the number of active burrow sites in the sampling area, collecting fecal samples, and performing genetic analysis to determine the number of individuals in the sampling area. I then began to determine the ratio of active burrow sites to number of individuals on the landscape. This research is a continuation of the pygmy rabbit recovery program overseen by the WDFW and will provide insight into population estimation methods using burrow numbers as well as into the success of the program as it is currently operating. My research seeked to answer the following questions: How many burrows are detected in the focal sampling area? How many pygmy rabbits are identified from fecal pellets collected in this area? What is the ratio between the number of rabbits detected and the number of active burrows detected? We performed transect searches to locate active burrows and collected fecal samples for genetic analysis. Individual identification to determine the number of rabbits in the sample area is ongoing.
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