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.
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, Graduate Degree Program in Ecology, Colorado State University
Science and Products
Year Published: 2014
Genetic tools for wildlife management
Granted interim status in November, 2013, The Wildlife Society’s (TWS) Molecular Ecology Working Group aims to promote scientific advancement by applying molecular techniques to wildlife ecology, management, and conservation. The working group—composed of sci - entists from diverse backgrounds—met for the first time in Pittsburgh at the TWS Annual...
Latch, Emily; Crowhurst, Rachel S.; Oyler-McCance, Sara J.; Robinson, StacieAttribution: Fort Collins Science Center, Ecosystems
Year Published: 2014
Hierarchical spatial genetic structure in a distinct population segment of greater sage-grouse
Greater sage-grouse (Centrocercus urophasianus) within the Bi-State Management Zone (area along the border between Nevada and California) are geographically isolated on the southwestern edge of the species’ range. Previous research demonstrated that this population is genetically unique, with a high proportion of unique mitochondrial DNA (...
Oyler-McCance, Sara J.; Casazza, Michael L.; Fike, Jennifer A.; Coates, Peter S.Attribution: Fort Collins Science Center, Ecosystems, Sage-grouse & Sagebrush Ecosystem, United States of America
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Hierarchical spatial genetic structure in a distinct population segment of greater sage-grouse; 2014; Article; Journal; Conservation Genetics; Oyler-McCance, Sara J.; Casazza, Michael L.; Fike, Jennifer; Coates, Peter S.
Year Published: 2014
The historical distribution of Gunnison Sage-Grouse in Colorado
The historical distribution of Gunnison Sage-Grouse (Centrocercus minimus) in Colorado is described based on published literature, observations, museum specimens, and the known distribution of sagebrush (Artemisia spp.). Historically, Gunnison Sage-Grouse were widely but patchily distributed in up to 22 counties in south-central and southwestern...
Braun, Clait E.; Oyler-McCance, Sara J.; Nehring, Jennifer A.; Commons, Michelle L.; Young, Jessica R.; Potter, Kim M.Attribution: Fort Collins Science Center, Ecosystems
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The historical distribution of Gunnison Sage-Grouse in Colorado; 2014; Article; Journal; Wilson Journal of Ornithology; Braun, Clait E.; Oyler-McCance, Sara J.; Nehring, Jennifer A.; Commons, Michelle L.; Young, Jessica R.; Potter, Kim M.
Year Published: 2013
Genetic characterization of the Pacific sheath-tailed bat (Emballonura semicaudata rotensis) using mitochondrial DNA sequence data
Emballonura semicaudata occurs in the southwestern Pacific and populations on many islands have declined or disappeared. One subspecies (E. semicaudata rotensis) occurs in the Northern Mariana Islands, where it has been extirpated from all but 1 island (Aguiguan). We assessed genetic similarity between the last population of E. s. rotensis and 2...
Oyler-McCance, Sara J.; Valdez, Ernest W.; O'Shea, Thomas J.; Fike, Jennifer A.Attribution: Fort Collins Science Center, Ecosystems
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Genetic characterization of the Pacific sheath-tailed bat (Emballonura semicaudata rotensis) using mitochondrial DNA sequence data; 2013; Article; Journal; Journal of Mammalogy; Oyler-McCance, Sara J.;Valdez, Ernest W.;O'Shea, Thomas;Fike, Jennifer
Year Published: 2013
Summary of science, activities, programs, and policies that influence the rangewide conservation of Greater Sage-Grouse (Centrocercus urophasianus)
The Greater Sage-Grouse, has been observed, hunted, and counted for decades. The sagebrush biome, home to the Greater Sage-Grouse, includes sagebrush-steppe and Great Basin sagebrush communities, interspersed with grasslands, salt flats, badlands, mountain ranges, springs, intermittent creeks and washes, and major river systems, and is one of the...
Manier, D.J.; Wood, David J.A.; Bowen, Z.H.; Donovan, R.M.; Holloran, M.J.; Juliusson, L.M.; Mayne, K.S.; Oyler-McCance, S.J.; Quamen, F.R.; Saher, D.J.; Titolo, A.J.Attribution: Fort Collins Science Center, Ecosystems, Sage-grouse & Sagebrush Ecosystem, United States of America
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Summary of science, activities, programs, and policies that influence the rangewide conservation of Greater Sage-Grouse (Centrocercus urophasianus); 2013; OFR; 2013-1098; Manier, D.J.; Wood, D.J.A.; Bowen, Z.H.; Donovan, R.M.; Holloran, M.J.; Juliusson, L.M.; Mayne, K.S.; Oyler-McCance, S.J.; Quamen, F.R.; Saher, D.J.; Titolo, A.J.
Year Published: 2013
Development and characterization of thirteen microsatellite loci in Clark's nutcracker (Nucifraga columbiana)
Clark’s nutcrackers are important seed dispersers for two widely-distributed western North American conifers, whitebark pine and limber pine, which are declining due to outbreaks of mountain pine beetle and white pine blister rust. Because nutcracker seed dispersal services are key to maintaining viable populations of these imperiled pines,...
Oyler-McCance, Sara J.; Fike, Jennifer A.; Castoe, Todd A.; Tomback, Diana F.; Wunder, Michael B.; Schaming, Taza D.Attribution: Fort Collins Science Center, Ecosystems
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Development and characterization of thirteen microsatellite loci in Clark's nutcracker (Nucifraga columbiana); 2013; Article; Journal; Conservation Genetics Resources; Oyler-McCance, Sara J.; Fike, Jennifer A.; Castoe, Todd A.; Tomback, Diana F.; Wunder, Michael B.; Schaming, Taza D.
Year Published: 2012
The genetic structure of a relict population of wood frogs
Habitat fragmentation and the associated reduction in connectivity between habitat patches are commonly cited causes of genetic differentiation and reduced genetic variation in animal populations. We used eight microsatellite markers to investigate genetic structure and levels of genetic diversity in a relict population of wood frogs (Lithobates...
Scherer, Rick; Muths, Erin; Noon, Barry; Oyler-McCance, SaraAttribution: Fort Collins Science Center, Ecosystems
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The genetic structure of a relict population of wood frogs; 2012; Article; Journal; Conservation Genetics; Scherer, Rick; Muths, Erin; Noon, Barry; Oyler-McCance, Sara
Year Published: 2012
Sample design effects in landscape genetics
An important research gap in landscape genetics is the impact of different field sampling designs on the ability to detect the effects of landscape pattern on gene flow. We evaluated how five different sampling regimes (random, linear, systematic, cluster, and single study site) affected the probability of correctly identifying the generating...
Oyler-McCance, Sara J.; Fedy, Bradley C.; Landguth, Erin L.Attribution: Fort Collins Science Center, Ecosystems
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Sample design effects in landscape genetics; 2012; Article; Journal; Conservation Genetics; Oyler-McCance, Sara J.; Fedy, Bradley C.; Landguth, Erin L.
Year Published: 2012
Effects of sample size, number of markers, and allelic richness on the detection of spatial genetic pattern
The influence of study design on the ability to detect the effects of landscape pattern on gene flow is one of the most pressing methodological gaps in landscape genetic research. To investigate the effect of study design on landscape genetics inference, we used a spatially-explicit, individual-based program to simulate gene flow in a spatially...
Landguth, Erin L.; Gedy, Bradley C.; Oyler-McCance, Sara J.; Garey, Andrew L.; Emel, Sarah L.; Mumma, Matthew; Wagner, Helene H.; Fortin, Marie-Josée; Cushman, Samuel A.Attribution: Fort Collins Science Center, Ecosystems
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Effects of sample size, number of markers, and allelic richness on the detection of spatial genetic pattern; 2012; Article; Journal; Molecular Ecology Resources; Landguth, Erin L.; Gedy, Bradley C.; Oyler-McCance, Sara J.; Garey, Andrew L.; Emel, Sarah L.; Mumma, Matthew ; Wagner, Helene H.; Fortin, Marie-Josee ; Cushman, Samuel A.
Year Published: 2012
Rapid microsatellite identification from Illumina paired-end genomic sequencing in two birds and a snake
Identification of microsatellites, or simple sequence repeats (SSRs), can be a time-consuming and costly investment requiring enrichment, cloning, and sequencing of candidate loci. Recently, however, high throughput sequencing (with or without prior enrichment for specific SSR loci) has been utilized to identify SSR loci. The direct "Seq-to-SSR"...
Castoe, Todd A.; Poole, Alexander W.; de Koning, A. P. Jason; Jones, Kenneth L.; Tomback, Diana F.; Oyler-McCance, Sara J.; Fike, Jennifer A.; Lance, Stacey L.; Streicher, Jeffrey W.; Smith, Eric N.; Pollock, David D.Attribution: Fort Collins Science Center, Ecosystems
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Rapid microsatellite identification from Illumina paired-end genomic sequencing in two birds and a snake; 2012; Article; Journal; PLoS ONE; Castoe, Todd A.; Poole, Alexander W.; de Koning, A. P. Jason; Jones, Kenneth L.; Tomback, Diana F.; Oyler-McCance, Sara J.; Fike, Jennifer A.; Lance, Stacey L.; Streicher, Jeffrey W.; Smith, Eric N.; Pollock, David D.
Year Published: 2012
Rapid microsatellite identification from illumina paired-end genomic sequencing in two birds and a snake
Identification of microsatellites, or simple sequence repeats (SSRs), can be a time-consuming and costly investment requiring enrichment, cloning, and sequencing of candidate loci. Recently, however, high throughput sequencing (with or without prior enrichment for specific SSR loci) has been utilized to identify SSR loci. The direct "Seq-to-SSR"...
Castoe, T.A.; Poole, A.W.; de Koning, A. P. J.; Jones, K.L.; Tomback, D.F.; Oyler-McCance, S.J.; Fike, J.A.; Lance, S.L.; Streicher, J.W.; Smith, E.N.; Pollock, D.D.View Citation
Rapid microsatellite identification from illumina paired-end genomic sequencing in two birds and a snake; 2012; Article; Journal; PLoS ONE; Castoe, T. A.; Poole, A. W.; de Koning, A. P. J.; Jones, K. L.; Tomback, D. F.; Oyler-McCance, S. J.; Fike, J. A.; Lance, S. L.; Streicher, J. W.; Smith, E. N.; Pollock, D. D.
Year Published: 2011
Genetic applications in avian conservation
A fundamental need in conserving species and their habitats is defining distinct entities that range from individuals to species to ecosystems and beyond (Table 1; Ryder 1986, Moritz 1994, Mayden and Wood 1995, Haig and Avise 1996, Hazevoet 1996, Palumbi and Cipriano 1998, Hebert et al. 2004, Mace 2004, Wheeler et al. 2004, Armstrong and Ball 2005...
Haig, Susan M.; Bronaugh, Whitcomb M.; Crowhurst, Rachel S.; D'Elia, Jesse; Eagles-Smith, Collin A.; Epps, Clinton W.; Knaus, Brian; Miller, Mark P.; Moses, Michael L.; Oyler-McCance, Sara; Robinson, W. Douglas; Sidlauskas, BrianAttribution: Forest and Rangeland Ecosystem Science Center (FRESC), Fort Collins Science Center, Ecosystems, Environmental Health, , Contaminant Biology Program, United States of America
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Genetic Applications in Avian Conservation; 2011; Article; Journal; The Auk; Haig, Susan M.; Bronaugh, Whitcomb M.; Crowhurst, Rachel S.; D'Elia, Jesse ; Eagles-Smith, Collin A.; Epps, Clinton W.; Knaus, Brian ; Miller, Mark P.; Moses, Michael L.; Oyler-McCance, Sara ; Robinson, W. Douglas; Sidlauskas, Brian