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.