Dr. Sara J. Oyler-McCance is a research geneticist at the Fort Collins Science Center, where she leads the Molecular Ecology Lab.
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 and Certifications
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 and Memberships*
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
Contributions to the development of the Western Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies Sagebrush Conservation Strategy
Genomic Scans for Local Adaptation in Greater Sage-Grouse
Incorporating Genetic Information Into Population Monitoring and Assessment Tools
Integration of Genetic and Demographic Data to Assess the Relative Importance of Connectivity and Habitat in Sage-Grouse Populations
Using Genetic Analyses To Inform On-The-Ground Conservation for Multiple Sagebrush-Associated Wildlife Species
Environmental DNA (eDNA)
Fort Collins Science Center Labs and Facilities
Real-World Applications of Molecular Genetics
Molecular Genetics
Incorporating Genetic Data into Spatially-explicit Population Viability Models for Gunnison Sage-grouse
Molecular Ecology Lab (MEL)
Conservation Genomics
Microsatellite data, boundaries of subpopulation centers, and estimated effective migration for greater sage-grouse collected in western North America between 1992 and 2015 (ver. 2.0, December 2022)
Genetic variation in hoary bats (Lasiurus cinereus) assessed from archived samples
Sample collection information and SNP data for Gunnison Sage-grouse across the species range generated in the Molecular Ecology Lab during 2015-2018
Sample collection information and microsatellite data for Gunnison sage-grouse pre and post translocation
Sample collection information and whole genome data for Greater and Gunnison Sage-grouse range generated in the Molecular Ecology Lab during 2015-2018
Genetic data and genetic network attributes for rangewide Greater Sage-grouse network constructed in 2018 (ver. 2.0, December 2022)
Sample collection information, single nucleotide polymorphism, and microsatellite data for white-tailed ptarmigan across the species range generated in the Molecular Ecology Lab during 2016
Metagenetic analysis of stream community composition based on environmental DNA
Genetic and functional connectivity data for greater sage-grouse across the species range generated 2005-2015 (ver. 2.0, December 2022)
Indiana Bat fecal DNA study, Indianapolis, IN Summer 2008
Genetic analyses provide new insight on the mating strategies of the American Black Swift (Cypseloides niger)
New strategies for characterizing genetic structure in wide-ranging, continuously distributed species: a Greater Sage-grouse case study
Population genetics reveals bidirectional fish movement across the Continental Divide via an interbasin water transfer
Scale-dependent influence of the sagebrush community on genetic connectivity of the sagebrush obligate Gunnison sage-grouse
Functional connectivity in a continuously distributed, migratory species as revealed by landscape genomics
Using fecal DNA and closed-capture models to estimate feral horse population size
Historical effective population size of North American hoary bat (Lasiurus cinereus) and challenges to estimating trends in contemporary effective breeding population size from archived samples
Feral horse space use and genetic characteristics from fecal DNA
Environmental gradients of selection for an alpine-obligate bird, the white-tailed ptarmigan (Lagopus leucura)
An empirical comparison of population genetic analyses using microsatellite and SNP data for a species of conservation concern
The transformative impact of genomics on sage-grouse conservation and management
Characterizing range-wide population divergence in an alpine-endemic bird: A comparison of genetic and genomic approaches
Non-USGS Publications**
**Disclaimer: The views expressed in Non-USGS publications are those of the author and do not represent the views of the USGS, Department of the Interior, or the U.S. Government.
Science and Products
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Filter Total Items: 24
Contributions to the development of the Western Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies Sagebrush Conservation Strategy
USGS scientists are contributing to the development of the Western Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies Sagebrush Conservation Strategy, a strategy intended to provide guidance so that efforts to conserve the iconic greater sage-grouse can be expanded to the entire sagebrush biome to benefit the people and wildlife that depend on it.Genomic Scans for Local Adaptation in Greater Sage-Grouse
USGS scientists are identifying local adaptation in sage-grouse by modeling allelic variation at large numbers of single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in relation to environmental and climate variables.Incorporating Genetic Information Into Population Monitoring and Assessment Tools
To better inform and prioritize management decisions for greater sage-grouse, USGS scientists are leading a range-wide population trend assessment for sage-grouse.Integration of Genetic and Demographic Data to Assess the Relative Importance of Connectivity and Habitat in Sage-Grouse Populations
Using the existing rangewide genetic and demographic data, scientists from the USGS, USDA Forest Service, and University of Waterloo will assess the relative contributions of habitat and genetic connectivity to lek size and stability.Using Genetic Analyses To Inform On-The-Ground Conservation for Multiple Sagebrush-Associated Wildlife Species
Recent analyses of greater sage-grouse genetics have delineated areas of key genetic connectivity for this species and provided a prioritization tool for conservation and restoration of habitats essential for genetic exchange.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...Fort Collins Science Center Labs and Facilities
The Fort Collins Science Center has scientists working in several diverse locations as well as three in house highly specialized laboratories, studying subjects from molecular ecology to brown treesnakes, dendroecology to streamflows, and macroinvertebrate species to Burmese pythons. Our extraordinary scientists work in each of these locations advancing studies in their particluar areas of study...Real-World Applications of Molecular Genetics
Recent advances in molecular biology allow us to develop and apply the tools and concepts of molecular genetics to the conservation of biological resources. Working with our partners, we design and implement studies that provide genetic and genomic information for a broad range of applications, as detailed below.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 to...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).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 from...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... - Data
Microsatellite data, boundaries of subpopulation centers, and estimated effective migration for greater sage-grouse collected in western North America between 1992 and 2015 (ver. 2.0, December 2022)
Greater Sage-grouse were sampled for genetic analysis with the goal of quantifying genetic structure and gene flow across the entire species range in the U.S. and Canada. Data presented here consist of two data sets both including genetic data from 15 microsatellite markers. Most samples were collected between 2005 and 2015 (feathers collected non-invasively off the ground) yet some samples were bGenetic variation in hoary bats (Lasiurus cinereus) assessed from archived samples
Hoary bats are among the bat species most commonly killed by turbine strikes in the midwestern United States. The impact of this mortality on species census size is not understood, due in part to the difficulty of estimating population size for this highly migratory and elusive species. Genetic effective population size (Ne) could provide an index of census population size if other factors affectiSample collection information and SNP data for Gunnison Sage-grouse across the species range generated in the Molecular Ecology Lab during 2015-2018
This dataset contains sample collection information and SNP genotypes for populations of Gunnison Sage-grouse across the species' range. This data was collected in order to examine patterns of adaptive genetic variation in Gunnison Sage-grouse. The data is archived in GenBank at the following URL https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/bioproject/517770.Sample collection information and microsatellite data for Gunnison sage-grouse pre and post translocation
Maintenance of genetic diversity is important for conserving species, especially those with fragmented habitats and/or ranges. In the absence of natural dispersal, translocation can be used to achieve this goal. However, the long-term impacts from translocation can be expensive and difficult to evaluate. This dataset is used to evaluate genetic change as a result of translocation and represents saSample collection information and whole genome data for Greater and Gunnison Sage-grouse range generated in the Molecular Ecology Lab during 2015-2018
This dataset contains sample collection information for whole genome sequences of Gunnison and Greater Sage-grouse. These data were collected in order to examine patterns of adaptive genetic variation in Greater and Gunnison Sage-grouse. The data is archived in GenBank at the following URL https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/bioproject/531321.Genetic data and genetic network attributes for rangewide Greater Sage-grouse network constructed in 2018 (ver. 2.0, December 2022)
Genetic networks can characterize complex genetic relationships among groups of individuals, which can be used to rank nodes most important to the overall connectivity of the system. Ranking allows scarce resources to be guided towards nodes integral to connectivity. The greater sage-grouse (Centrocercus urophasianus) is a species of conservation concern that breeds on spatially discrete leks thatSample collection information, single nucleotide polymorphism, and microsatellite data for white-tailed ptarmigan across the species range generated in the Molecular Ecology Lab during 2016
This data release comprises a dataset that contains sample collection information and microsatellite genotypes, and another dataset that contains single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) genotypes with sample collection information for populations of white-tailed ptarmigan across the species' range. There is also an additional file (accession numbers.xlsx) linking samples to accession numbers in GenbaMetagenetic analysis of stream community composition based on environmental DNA
A survey of environmental DNA was performed in Tunison Creek downstream of the USGS Tunison Aquatic Laboratory. The goal of the survey was to characterize the source ecological community at multiple trophic or taxonomic levels by associating DNA fragments with reference databases. Three taxonomically informative genetic loci were used: the mitochondrial cytochrome oxidase 1 locus, the mitochondriaGenetic and functional connectivity data for greater sage-grouse across the species range generated 2005-2015 (ver. 2.0, December 2022)
Functional connectivity, quantified using landscape genetics, can inform conservation through the identification of factors linking genetic structure to landscape mechanisms. We used breeding habitat metrics, landscape attributes, and indices of grouse abundance, to compare fit between structural connectivity and genetic differentiation within five long-established Sage-Grouse Management Zones (MZIndiana Bat fecal DNA study, Indianapolis, IN Summer 2008
The endangered Indiana bat (Myotis sodalis) has declined dramatically and continuing threats have made it necessary to understand population dynamics and life history throughout the year. Specifically, demographic information (e.g., population size, reproductive success, survival) from the summer range where females raise their young in maternity colonies is difficult to estimate precisely using t - Multimedia
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Genetic analyses provide new insight on the mating strategies of the American Black Swift (Cypseloides niger)
Avian mating strategies play a vital role in the demographic and genetic dynamics of a species and understanding avian reproductive tactics is important to conservation, population management and restoration. Classifications of avian mating strategies have historically been based on direct physical observations and tend to be rigid population-level generalizations that overlook the variations inheNew strategies for characterizing genetic structure in wide-ranging, continuously distributed species: a Greater Sage-grouse case study
Characterizing genetic structure across a species’ range is relevant for management and conservation as it can be used to define population boundaries and quantify connectivity. Wide-ranging species residing in continuously distributed habitat pose substantial challenges for the characterization of genetic structure as many analytical methods used are less effective when isolation by distance is aPopulation genetics reveals bidirectional fish movement across the Continental Divide via an interbasin water transfer
Interbasin water transfers are becoming an increasingly common tool to satisfy municipal and agricultural water demand, but their impacts on movement and gene flow of aquatic organisms are poorly understood. The Grand Ditch is an interbasin water transfer that diverts water from tributaries of the upper Colorado River on the west side of the Continental Divide to the upper Cache la Poudre River onScale-dependent influence of the sagebrush community on genetic connectivity of the sagebrush obligate Gunnison sage-grouse
Habitat fragmentation and degradation impacts an organism's ability to navigate the landscape, ultimately resulting in decreased gene flow and increased extinction risk. Understanding how landscape composition impacts gene flow (i.e., connectivity) and interacts with scale is essential to conservation decision-making. We used a landscape genetics approach implementing a recently developed statistiFunctional connectivity in a continuously distributed, migratory species as revealed by landscape genomics
Maintaining functional connectivity is critical for the long-term conservation of wildlife populations. Landscape genomics provides an opportunity to assess long-term functional connectivity by relating environmental variables to spatial patterns of genomic variation resulting from generations of movement, dispersal and mating behaviors. Identifying landscape features associated with gene flow atUsing fecal DNA and closed-capture models to estimate feral horse population size
Accurate population estimates provide the foundation for managing feral horses (Equus caballus ferus) across the western United States. Certain feral horse populations are protected by the Wild and Free-Roaming Horses and Burros Act of 1971 and managed by the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) or the United States Forest Service on designated herd management areas (HMAs) or wild horse territories, reHistorical effective population size of North American hoary bat (Lasiurus cinereus) and challenges to estimating trends in contemporary effective breeding population size from archived samples
BackgroundHoary bats (Lasiurus cinereus) are among the bat species most commonly killed by wind turbine strikes in the midwestern United States. The impact of this mortality on species census size is not understood, due in part to the difficulty of estimating population size for this highly migratory and elusive species. Genetic effective population size (Ne) could provide an index of changing cenFeral horse space use and genetic characteristics from fecal DNA
Feral horses (Equus ferus caballus) in the western United States are managed by the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) and United States Forest Service in designated areas on public lands with a goal of maintaining populations in balance with multiple uses of the landscape. Small, isolated populations can be at risk of extirpation from stochastic events and deleterious genetic effects resulting fromEnvironmental 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 climate change in the long-term. Adaptive genetic vaAn 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 in population genetic parameter estimates and identThe 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 transformed by dramatic improvements in sequencing techCharacterizing 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 unprecedented ability to utilize information aboutNon-USGS Publications**
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.**Disclaimer: The views expressed in Non-USGS publications are those of the author and do not represent the views of the USGS, Department of the Interior, or the U.S. Government.
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*Disclaimer: Listing outside positions with professional scientific organizations on this Staff Profile are for informational purposes only and do not constitute an endorsement of those professional scientific organizations or their activities by the USGS, Department of the Interior, or U.S. Government