Road Mortality of Reptiles and Other Wildlife at the Ojibway Prairie Complex and Greater Park Ecosystem in Southern Ontario

The Ojibway Prairie Complex in Windsor contains the largest protected tallgrass prairie ecosystem in Ontario and supports numerous species at risk. Despite its ecological significance, it is crossed by multiple high-traffic roads. Road mortality is a major threat to endangered species in Canada, particularly reptiles. The main goal of this study was to describe the nature and extent of vertebrate road mortality, with a focus on reptiles, on roads bisecting the Ojibway Prairie Complex, and the Greater Park Ecosystem, in Windsor and Lasalle, Ontario. A systematic road mortality survey was conducted by bicycle along seven roads (12.5 km) in 2010, 2012, and 2013. Also, opportunistic observations (n = 103) spanning over 30 years were assembled from a variety of sources. In total, 2083 vertebrates (49 species), including 446 reptiles (11 species), were recorded “dead onroad” during systematic surveys. The highest diversity of reptiles was recorded on Matchette Road, whereas the highest rate of reptile mortality was recorded on Malden Road. Reptile species at risk were killed on all roads surveyed. Combining systematic and opportunistic data, we found seven reptile species at risk: Butler’s Gartersnake (Thamnophis butleri), Eastern Foxsnake (Pantherophis vulpinus), Eastern Massasauga (Sistrurus catenatus catenatus), Blanding’s Turtle (Emydoidea blandingii),Eastern Musk Turtle (Sternotherus odoratus), Northern Map Turtle (Graptemys geographica), and Snapping Turtle (Chelydra serpentina). Reptile road mortality “hotspots” occurred where each road is intersected by a naturalized utility right-of-way. Our results can be used to focus mitigation efforts in space and time to reduce mortality rates and enhance connectivity in the Ojibway Prairie Complex and Greater Park Ecosystem.

Genetic Analysis and Captive Breeding Program Design for the Eastern Massasauga Sistrurus catenatus catenatus

The eastern massasauga Sistrurus catenatus catenatus is a declining species for which a captive breeding program was established in 2006. To effectively manage wild and captive populations, an understanding of genetic diversity within the species is necessary. We analyzed mitochondrial DNA sequences of 186 individuals: 109 wild snakes from 34 U.S. and Canadian counties and districts, all 52 breeding program members (23 of known and 29 of unknown origin), 18 other captives of unknown origin, and 7 outgroup representatives of desert massasauga S. c. edwardsii, and western massasauga, S. c. tergeminus. Statistical parsimony, maximum likelihood, and maximum parsimony analyses all identified eastern massasaugas as divergent from western and desert massasaugas. We found 18 different haplotypes among eastern massasaugas, comprising three geographically and genetically differentiated NADH dehydrogenase II (ND2) subunits that potentially reflect post-Pleistocene range expansion from unglaciated into formerly glaciated regions. Snakes of unknown origin could all be assigned unambiguously to these ND2 subunits. To maintain natural genetic variation, preserve diversity in captive lineages, and allow future augmentation or reintroduction, the Association of Zoos and Aquariums is managing these three geographic ND2 subunits separately within the Eastern Massasauga Species Survival Plan breeding program.

Assessment of Allelic Variation Among Massasauga Rattlesnake Populations via Microsatellite Analysis

The decline in populations of the eastern massasauga rattlesnake (Sistrurus catenatus catenatus) across its range is of concern to conservation managers and the species is currently a candidate for federal listing. Because only four eastern massasauga populations are known to occur in Missouri, the species is on the Missouri Endangered Species List. We sought to produce a molecular genetic data set that could be used to inform conservation management decisions about three of these populations. Our method was to collect and analyze data from three microsatellites sites in an effort to provide insight into the genetic health of the populations and into relationships between them. Our method was controlled by inclusion of two populations of the western massasauga (Sistrurus catenatus tergeminus) from southeastern Nebraska. The final data set included 111 individuals from Missouri and Nebraska populations. Although a significant portion (92%) of alleles were shared between each population, low levels of heterozygosity were detected, indicating local inbreeding. Tests of population differentiation suggested that little to no gene flow between these populations has occurred, giving rise to unique allele frequencies and combinations which may be of high conservation value. Most notably, significant differentiation was observed between putative subpopulations at the Squaw Creek National Wildlife Refuge that are in close proximity to one another. Our results illustrate the value of molecular genetics analysis in conservation management and have important implications for the management of Missouri massasauga populations.