Oyler-McCance, S.J. 1999. Genetic and habitat factors underlying conservation strategies for Gunnison sage grouse [Dissert]. Fort Collins, CO: Colorado State University. 162 p.
Sara Oyler-McCance, Ph.D.
Dr. Sara J. Oyler-McCance is a research geneticist at the Fort Collins Science Center, where she leads the Molecular Ecology Lab.
Biography
Dr. Sara J. Oyler-McCance is a research geneticist with the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) at the Fort Collins Science Center (FORT). She has worked for USGS since 1999 as a conservation geneticist leading the Molecular Ecology Lab at FORT. She applies genetic and genomic technologies to address a variety of complex questions and conservation issues facing the management of the Nation's fish and wildlife resources. Current and past studies have provided information to assess taxonomic boundaries, inform listing decisions made under the Endangered Species Act, identify unique or genetically depauperate populations, estimate population size or survival rates, develop management or recovery plans, breed wildlife in captivity, relocate wildlife from one location to another, and assess the effects of environmental change.
Education
- Ph.D. in Fish, Wildlife, and Conservation Biology, Colorado State University, 1999
- M.S. in Wildlife Biology, University of Maine, 1993
- B.S. in Biology, University of Michigan, 1991
Affiliations
- Affiliate Faculty, Ecosystem Science and Sustainability, Colorado State University
- Affiliate Faculty, Fish Wildlife and Conservation Biology, Colorado State University
- Affiliate Faculty, Graduate Degree Program in Ecology, Colorado State University
- Affiliate Faculty, Department of Integrative Biology, University of Colorado, Denver
Science and Products
Date published: June 5, 2018
Status: Completed Environmental DNA (eDNA)
Environmental DNA (eDNA) is organismal DNA that can be found in the environment. Environmental DNA originates from cellular material shed by organisms (via skin, excrement, etc.) into aquatic or terrestrial environments that can be sampled and monitored using new molecular methods. Such methodology is important for the early detection of invasive species as well as the detection of rare and...
Attribution: Water Resources
Date published: October 18, 2016
Status: Active Molecular Genetics
The use of molecular genetics has become increasingly important in addressing wildlife conservation issues. In the Fort Collins Science Center Molecular Ecology Lab, scientists answer complex questions and conservation issues facing the management of the Nation's fish and wildlife resources. For example, FORT scientists can now locate genes that may contribute to a species' ability to respond...
Attribution: Energy & Wildlife, Fort Collins Science Center
Date published: August 31, 2016
Incorporating Genetic Data into Spatially-explicit Population Viability Models for Gunnison Sage-grouse
This goal of this study is to develop a spatially explicit habitat-population modeling framework to assess the viability of Gunnison Sage-grouse and each of the seven populations (Gunnison Basin and six satellite populations).
Contacts: Sara Oyler-McCance, Ph.D., Julie Heinrichs, Cameron Aldridge
Attribution: Fort Collins Science Center
Date published: August 10, 2016
Status: Active Molecular Ecology Lab (MEL)
The Molecular Ecology Laboratory applies genetic and genomic technologies to address a variety of complex questions and conservation issues facing the management of the Nation's fish and wildlife resources. Together with our partners, we design and implement studies to document genetic diversity and the distribution of genetic variation among individuals, populations, and species. Information...
Date published: August 9, 2016
Conservation Genomics
Conservation genomics is a new field of science that applies novel whole-genome sequencing technology to problems in conservation biology. Rapidly advancing molecular technologies are revolutionizing wildlife ecology, greatly expanding our understanding of wildlife and their interactions with the environment. In the same way that molecular tools such as microsatellites revolutionized wildlife...
Attribution: Region 7: Upper Colorado Basin, Fort Collins Science Center
Date published: August 8, 2016
Landscape Genetics
Landscape genetics is a recently developed discipline that involves the merger of molecular population genetics and landscape ecology. The goal of this new field of study is to provide information about the interaction between landscape features and microevolutionary processes such as gene flow, genetic drift, and selection allowing for the understanding of processes that generate genetic...
Contacts: Sara Oyler-McCance, Ph.D., Jennifer Fike
Attribution: Region 7: Upper Colorado Basin, Fort Collins Science Center
Date published: August 7, 2016
Population Genetics
Population genetics is an area of research that examines the distribution of genetic variation and levels of genetic diversity within and between populations. This information provides insights into the level of connectedness of populations throughout a species’ range and can be used to identify unique populations or those with low levels of genetic diversity.
Attribution: Fort Collins Science Center
Date published: August 6, 2016
Molecular Tagging
Molecular tagging is a new application of molecular genetic techniques to traditional mark-recapture methodology designed to address situations where traditional methods fail. In such studies, non-invasively collected samples (such as feces, feathers, or fur) are used as a source of DNA that is then genotyped at multiple loci such that each individual animal can be uniquely identified. Thus,...
Attribution: Fort Collins Science Center
Date published: August 5, 2016
Status: Active Environmental DNA (eDNA)
Environmental DNA (eDNA) is organismal DNA that can be found in the environment. Environmental DNA originates from cellular material shed by organisms (via skin, excrement, etc.) into aquatic or terrestrial environments that can be sampled and monitored using new molecular methods. Such methodology is important for the early detection of invasive species as well as the detection of rare and...
Contacts: Sara Oyler-McCance, Ph.D., Jennifer Fike
Attribution: Invasive Species Program, Fort Collins Science Center
Date published: August 4, 2016
Taxonomic Uncertainty
Taxonomic uncertainty can be assessed using genetic data, along with other lines of evidence (such as morphological and behavioral characteristics). Such data can be used to identify and assess taxonomic boundaries (species, subspecies, hybrids) and in many cases redefine them. Such delineations are highly relevant for species status determinations (endangered, threatened, or at-risk).
Contacts: Sara Oyler-McCance, Ph.D., Jennifer Fike
Attribution: Fort Collins Science Center
Date published: August 3, 2016
Family Relationships and Mating Systems
Family relationships and mating systems can be investigated and defined using genetic data. This information is potentially important for conservation and management as it may influence effective population size and levels of genetic diversity.
Contacts: Sara Oyler-McCance, Ph.D., Jennifer Fike
Attribution: Fort Collins Science Center
Date published: January 1, 2011
Status: Completed Contribution of Landscape Characteristics and Vegetation Shifts from Global Climate Change to Long-Term Viability of Greater Sage-grouse
Greater sage-grouse (Centrocercus urophasianus) is a candidate for listing under the Endangered Species Act because of population and habitat fragmentation combined with inadequate regulatory mechanisms to control development in critical areas. In addition to the current threats to habitat, each 1 degree celsius increase in temperature due to climate change is expected to result in an...
Contacts: Sara Oyler-McCance, Ph.D.
Year Published: 2021
Environmental gradients of selection for an alpine-obligate bird, the white-tailed ptarmigan (Lagopus leucura)
The warming climate will expose alpine species adapted to a highly seasonal, harsh environment to novel environmental conditions. A species can shift their distribution, acclimate, or adapt in response to a new climate. Alpine species have little suitable habitat to shift their distribution, and the limits of acclimation will likely be tested by...
Zimmerman, Shawna J; Aldridge, Cameron L.; Langin, Kathryn M.; Wann, Gregory T; Cornman, Robert S.; Oyler-McCance, Sara J.Attribution: Fort Collins Science Center, Ecosystems
Year Published: 2020
An empirical comparison of population genetic analyses using microsatellite and SNP data for a species of conservation concern
BackgroundUse of genomic tools to characterize wildlife populations has increased in recent years. In the past, genetic characterization has been accomplished with more traditional genetic tools (e.g., microsatellites). The explosion of genomic methods and the subsequent creation of large SNP datasets has led to the promise of increased precision...
Zimmerman, Shawna J; Aldridge, Cameron L.; Oyler-McCance, Sara J.Attribution: Fort Collins Science Center, Ecosystems
Year Published: 2020
The transformative impact of genomics on sage-grouse conservation and management
For over two decades, genetic studies have been used to assist in the conservation and management of both Greater Sage-grouse (Centrocercus urophasianus) and Gunnison Sage-grouse (C. minimus), addressing a wide variety of topics including taxonomy, parentage, population connectivity, and demography. The field of conservation genetics has been...
Oyler-McCance, Sara J.; Oh, Kevin P; Zimmerman, Shawna J; Aldridge, Cameron L.Attribution: Fort Collins Science Center, Ecosystems
Year Published: 2020
Genetic mark‐recapture analysis of winter faecal pellets allows estimation of population size in Sage Grouse Centrocercus urophasianus
The Sage Grouse Centrocercus urophasianus is a species of conservation concern throughout its range in western North America. Since the 1950s, the high count of males at leks has been used as an index for monitoring populations. However, the relationship between this lek‐count index and population size is unclear, and its reliability for...
Shyvers, Jessica E; Walker, Brett L; Oyler-McCance, Sara J.; Fike, Jennifer A.; Noon, Barry R.Attribution: Fort Collins Science Center, Ecosystems
Year Published: 2019
Characterizing range-wide population divergence in an alpine-endemic bird: A comparison of genetic and genomic approaches
The delineation of intraspecific units that are evolutionarily and demographically distinct is an important step in the development of species-specific management plans. Neutral genetic variation has served as the primary data source for delineating “evolutionarily significant units,” but with recent advances in genomic technology, we now have an...
Langin, Kathryn; Aldridge, Cameron L.; Fike, Jennifer A.; Cornman, Robert S.; Martin, Kathy M; Wann, Greg T; Seglund, Amy E; Schroeder, Michael A; Benson, David P; Fedy, Brad C.; Young, Jessica R.; Wilson, Scott D.; Wolfe, Don H; Braun, Clait E.; Oyler-McCance, Sara J.Attribution: Fort Collins Science Center, Ecosystems
Year Published: 2019
Signatures of adaptive divergence among populations of an avian species of conservation
Understanding the genetic underpinning of adaptive divergence among populations is a key goal of evolutionary biology and conservation. Gunnison sage‐grouse (Centrocercus minimus) is a sagebrush obligate species with a constricted range consisting of seven discrete populations, each with distinctly different habitat and climatic conditions. Though...
Zimmerman, Shawna J; Aldridge, Cameron L.; Oh, Kevin P; Cornman, Robert S.; Oyler-McCance, Sara J.Attribution: Fort Collins Science Center, Ecosystems
Year Published: 2019
Conservation genomics in the sagebrush sea: Population divergence, demographic history, and local adaptation in sage-grouse (Centrocercus spp.)
Sage-grouse are two closely related iconic species of the North American West, with historically broad distributions across sagebrush-steppe habitat. Both species are dietary specialists on sagebrush during winter, with presumed adaptations to tolerate the high concentrations of toxic secondary metabolites that function as plant chemical defenses...
Oh, Kevin P; Aldridge, Cameron L.; Forbey, Jennifer S.; Dadabay, Carolyn; Oyler-McCance, Sara J.Attribution: Fort Collins Science Center, Ecosystems
Year Published: 2019
Mismatches between breeding phenology and resource abundance of resident alpine ptarmigan negatively affect chick survival
1. Phenological mismatches – defined here as the difference in reproductive timing of an individual relative to the availability of its food resources – occur in many avian species. Mistiming breeding activities in environments with constrained breeding windows may have severe fitness costs due to reduced opportunities for repeated breeding...
Wann, Gregory T; Aldridge, Cameron L.; Seglund, Amy E; Oyler-McCance, Sara J.; Kondratieff, Boris C.; Braun, Clait E.Attribution: Fort Collins Science Center, Ecosystems
Year Published: 2019
Development of microsatellite loci for two New World vultures (Cathartidae)
ObjectiveUse next-generation sequencing to develop microsatellite loci that will provide the variability necessary for studies of genetic diversity and population connectivity of two New World vulture species.ResultsWe characterized 11 microsatellite loci for black vultures (Coragyps atratus) and 14 loci for turkey vultures (Cathartes aura). These...
Wostenberg, Darren J; Fike, Jennifer A.; Oyler-McCance, Sara J.; Avery, Michael L.; Piaggio, Antoinette J.Attribution: Fort Collins Science Center, Ecosystems
Year Published: 2019
Evaluation of a Chicken 600K SNP genotyping array in non-model species of grouse
The use of single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) arrays to generate large SNP datasets for comparison purposes have recently become an attractive alternative to other genotyping methods. Although most SNP arrays were originally developed for domestic organisms, they can be effectively applied to wild relatives to obtain large panels of SNPs. In...
Minias, Piotr; Dunn, Peter O.; Whittingham, Linda A.; Johnson, Jeff A.; Oyler-McCance, Sara J.Attribution: Fort Collins Science Center, Ecosystems
Year Published: 2018
Post-release breeding of translocated sharp-tailed grouse and an absence of artificial insemination effects
Context: Translocation has become a widely used method to restore wildlife populations following extirpation. For some species, such as lekking grouse, which breed at traditional mating grounds, reproduction is linked to culturally established geographic locations. Cultural centres are lost upon extirpation, making restoration into otherwise...
Mathews, Steven R.; Coates, Peter S.; Fike, Jennifer A.; Schneider, Helena; Fischer, Dominik; Oyler-McCance, Sara J.; Lierz, Michael; Delehanty, David J.
Year Published: 2018
An experimental comparison of composite and grab sampling of stream water for metagenetic analysis of environmental DNA
Use of environmental DNA (eDNA) to assess distributions of aquatic and semi-aquatic macroorganisms is promising, but sampling schemes may need to be tailored to specific objectives. Given the potentially high variance in aquatic eDNA among replicate grab samples, compositing smaller water volumes collected over a period of time may be more...
Cornman, Robert S.; McKenna, James E.; Fike, Jennifer A.; Oyler-McCance, Sara J.; Johnson, RobinAttribution: Fort Collins Science Center, Ecosystems
Pre-USGS Publications
Date published: February 11, 2021
Next Generation of Women in Science
As part of International Day of Women and Girls in Science, Fort Collins Science Center scientists volunteered to pass along personal and professional advice to the next generation of women and girls in science.