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
Regional Variation in mtDNA of the Lesser Prairie-Chicken
Cumulative loss of habitat and long-term decline in the populations of the Lesser Prairie-Chicken (Tympanuchus pallidicinctus) have led to concerns for the species' viability throughout its range in the southern Great Plains. For more efficient conservation past and present distributions of genetic variation need to be understood. We examined...
Hagen, Christian A.; Pitman, James C.; Sandercock, Brett K.; Wolfe, Don H.; Robel, Robel J.; Applegate, Roger D.; Oyler-McCance, Sara J.Characterization of small microsatellite loci for use in non invasive sampling studies of Gunnison Sage-grouse (Centrocercus minimus)
Primers for 10 microsatellite loci were developed specifically to amplify low quantity and quality DNA for Gunnison Sage-grouse (Centrocercus minimus), a species that has been petitioned for listing under the US Endangered Species Act. In a screen of 20 individuals from the largest population in the Gunnison Basin, Colorado, the 10 loci were found...
Oyler-McCance, Sara J.; St. John, JudyRapid evolution in lekking grouse: Implications for taxonomic definitions
Species and subspecies delineations were traditionally defined by morphological and behavioral traits, as well as by plumage characteristics. Molecular genetic data have more recently been used to assess these classifications and, in many cases, to redefine them. The recent practice of utilizing molecular genetic data to examine taxonomic...
Oyler-McCance, Sara J.; St. John, Judy; Quinn, Thomas W.Gender identification of white-winged doves
White-winged doves (Zenaida asiatica) are migratory game birds with an expanding distribution. Reasons for the range expansion are largely unknown as are characteristics of populations in newly occupied areas. This species is avidly sought in states having large white-wing populations and where it is hunted with specific hunting seasons designed...
Oyler-McCance, Sara J.; Braun, Clait E.A rangewide population genetic study of trumpeter swans
For management purposes, the range of naturally occurring trumpeter swans (Cygnus buccinator) has been divided into two populations, the Pacific Coast Population (PP) and the Rocky Mountain Population (RMP). Little is known about the distribution of genetic variation across the species' range despite increasing pressure to make difficult...
Oyler-McCance, S.J.; Ransler, F.A.; Berkman, L.K.; Quinn, T.W.Characterization of microsatellite loci isolated in Mountain Plover (Charadrius montanus)
Primers for 15 microsatellite loci were developed for Mountain Plover, a species whose distribution and abundance have been reduced drastically in the past 30 years. In a screen of 126 individuals collected from four breeding locales across the species' range, levels of polymorphism ranged from two to 13 alleles per locus. No two loci were found...
John, J. St; Kysela, R.F.; Oyler-McCance, S.J.Characterization of microsatellite loci isolated in trumpeter swan (Cygnus buccinator)
Primers for 16 microsatellite loci were developed for the trumpeter swan (Cygnus buccinator), a species recovering from a recent population bottleneck. In a screen of 158 individuals, the 16 loci were found to have levels of variability ranging from two to seven alleles. No loci were found to be linked, although two loci repeatedly revealed...
John, J. St; Ransler, F.A.; Quinn, T.W.; Oyler-McCance, S.J.A multilocus population genetic survey of greater sage-grouse across their range
The distribution and abundance of the greater sage-grouse (Centrocercus urophasianus) have declined dramatically, and as a result the species has become the focus of conservation efforts. We conducted a range-wide genetic survey of the species which included 46 populations and over 1000 individuals using both mitochondrial sequence data and data...
Oyler-McCance, Sara J.; Taylor, S.E.; Quinn, T.W.Characterization of microsatellite loci isolated in midget-faded rattlesnakes (Crotalus viridis concolor)
Primers for five polymorphic microsatellite loci were developed for the midget faded rattlesnake (Crotalus viridis concolor), a rare subspecies of western rattlesnake (Crotalus viridus) found only in parts of Wyoming, Colorado, and Utah. Five polymorphic microsatellites were isolated, four of which had relatively high levels of diversity (eight to...
Oyler-McCance, Sara J.; St. John, J.; Parker, J.M.; Anderson, S.H.Population genetic analysis of Mountain Plover using mitochondrial DNA sequence data
Mountain Plover (Charadrius montanus) distribution and abundance have been reduced drastically in the past 30 years and the conversion of shortgrass prairie to agriculture has caused breeding populations to become geographically isolated. This, coupled with the fact that Mountain Plovers are thought to show fidelity to breeding grounds, leads to...
Oyler-McCance, S.J.; St. John, J.; Knopf, F.L.; Quinn, T.W.Population genetics of Gunnison sage-grouse: Implications for management
The newly described Gunnison sage-grouse (Centrocercus minimus) is a species of concern for management because of marked declines in distribution and abundance due to the loss and fragmentation of sagebrush habitat. This has caused remaining populations to be unusually small and isolated. We utilized mitochondrial DNA sequence data and data from 8...
Oyler-McCance, S.J.; St. John, J.; Taylor, S.E.; Apa, A.D.; Quinn, T.W.Rocky Mountain Center for Conservation Genetics and Systematics
The use of molecular genetic tools has become increasingly important in addressing conservation issues pertaining to plants and animals. Genetic information can be used to augment studies of population dynamics and population viability, investigate systematic, refine taxonomic definitions, investigate population structure and gene flow, and...
Oyler-McCance, S.J.; Quinn, T.W.