Sara J Oyler-McCance, PhD
Dr. Sara Oyler-McCance is a Supervisory Research Geneticist at the Fort Collins Science Center. She is a conservation geneticist studying a wide variety of taxa.
As a research geneticist and director of the Fort Collins Science Center’s Molecular Ecology Lab, Dr. Oyler-McCance’s research is dedicated to the application and advancement of genetic theory and techniques to address a variety of complex questions and conservation issues facing the management of the Nation's fish and wildlife resources and their habitats. Much of her research involves questions concerning threatened and endangered species, yet some involves detection of invasive species. She uses genetic and genomic methods to investigate connectivity and to identify adaptive genetic diversity, both of which are important for ensuring persistence of species of conservation concern. She explores how species are impacted by land use change and changing climates and how to give them the best chance of surviving in a changing world. Her work also explores how to optimally manage the genetic diversity within a species (for example, through translocations) and how to best inventory what species are present and the state of species well-being, persistence, or risk (that is, population size, levels of genetic diversity).
Professional Experience
March 2023 - Present: Acting Branch Chief, Ecosystem and Organismal Ecology Branch, US Geological Survey, Fort Collins Science Center, Fort Collins, Colorado
February 1999 - Present: Research Geneticist, US Geological Survey, Fort Collins Science Center, Fort Collins, Colorado
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
Effects of climate change on nutrition and genetics of White-tailed Ptarmigan
Genetic consequences of trumpeter swan (Cygnus buccinator) reintroductions
Molecular insights into the biology of Greater Sage-Grouse
Characterization of ten microsatellite loci in midget faded rattlesnake (Crotalus oreganus concolor)
A population genetic analysis of the midget faded rattlesnake in Wyoming
Regional Variation in mtDNA of the Lesser Prairie-Chicken
Rapid evolution in lekking grouse: Implications for taxonomic definitions
Characterization of small microsatellite loci for use in non invasive sampling studies of Gunnison Sage-grouse (Centrocercus minimus)
Characterization of microsatellite loci isolated in Mountain Plover (Charadrius montanus)
A rangewide population genetic study of trumpeter swans
Characterization of microsatellite loci isolated in trumpeter swan (Cygnus buccinator)
A multilocus population genetic survey of greater sage-grouse across their range
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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Effects of climate change on nutrition and genetics of White-tailed Ptarmigan
White-tailed Ptarmigan (Lagopus leucura) are well suited as a focal species for the study of climate change because they are adapted to cool, alpine environments that are expected to undergo unusually rapid climate change. We compared samples collected in the late 1930s, the late 1960s, and the late 2000s using molecular genetic and stable isotope methods in an effort to determine whether White-tAuthorsSara J. Oyler-McCance, Craig A. Stricker, Judy St. John, Clait E. Braun, Gregory T. Wann, Cameron L. AldridgeGenetic consequences of trumpeter swan (Cygnus buccinator) reintroductions
Relocation programs are often initiated to restore threatened species to previously occupied portions of their range. A primary challenge of restoration efforts is to translocate individuals in a way that prevents loss of genetic diversity and decreases differentiation relative to source populations-a challenge that becomes increasingly difficult when remnant populations of the species are alreadyAuthorsF.A. Ransler, T.W. Quinn, S.J. Oyler-McCanceMolecular insights into the biology of Greater Sage-Grouse
Recent research on Greater Sage-Grouse (Centrocercus urophasianus) genetics has revealed some important findings. First, multiple paternity in broods is more prevalent than previously thought, and leks do not comprise kin groups. Second, the Greater Sage-Grouse is genetically distinct from the congeneric Gunnison sage-grouse (C. minimus). Third, the Lyon-Mono population in the Mono Basin, spanningAuthorsSara J. Oyler-McCance, Thomas W. QuinnCharacterization of ten microsatellite loci in midget faded rattlesnake (Crotalus oreganus concolor)
Primers for 10 microsatellite loci were developed for midget faded rattlesnake (Crotalus oreganus concolor), a small bodied subspecies of the Western Rattlesnake, which is found in the Colorado Plateau of eastern Utah, western Colorado and southwestern Wyoming. In a screen of 23 individuals from the most northern portion of the subspecies range in southwestern Wyoming, the 10 loci were found to haAuthorsSara J. Oyler-McCance, Joshua M. ParkerA population genetic analysis of the midget faded rattlesnake in Wyoming
Little is known about the population biology of midget faded rattlesnakes, a sensitive subspecies of the Western Rattlesnake, despite conservation efforts to protect them. We conducted a molecular genetic study of midget faded rattlesnakes in southwestern Wyoming to investigate population genetic structure in this area, particularly with reference to Flaming Gorge Reservoir and its associated humaAuthorsSara J. Oyler-McCance, J.M. ParkerRegional 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 the distribution of mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) variatiAuthorsChristian A. Hagen, James C. Pitman, Brett K. Sandercock, Don H. Wolfe, Robel J. Robel, Roger D. Applegate, Sara J. Oyler-McCanceRapid 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 questions has led some to suggest that molecular genetic meAuthorsSara J. Oyler-McCance, Judy St. John, Thomas W. QuinnCharacterization 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 to have levels of variability ranging from two toAuthorsSara J. Oyler-McCance, Judy St. JohnCharacterization 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 to be linked, although one locus revealed significanAuthorsJ. St John, R.F. Kysela, S.J. Oyler-McCanceA 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 management decisions regarding the two populations and flockAuthorsS.J. Oyler-McCance, F.A. Ransler, L.K. Berkman, T.W. QuinnCharacterization 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 significant departures from Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium. AAuthorsJ. St John, F.A. Ransler, T.W. Quinn, S.J. Oyler-McCanceA 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 from seven nuclear microsatellites. Nested clade andAuthorsSara J. Oyler-McCance, S.E. Taylor, T.W. QuinnNon-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