Longer holding times decrease dispersal but increase mortality of translocated scaled quail
Links
- More information: Publisher Index Page (via DOI)
- Open Access Version: Publisher Index Page
- Download citation as: RIS | Dublin Core
Abstract
Scaled quail (Callipepla squamata) decline caused by habitat loss and fragmentation increased interest in translocation to reestablish populations. Yet factors determining translocation success are poorly understood. We tested hypotheses concerning the influence of source population and variation in delayed release strategy (1–9 weeks) on mortality and dispersal of wild-caught, translocated scaled quail. We trapped and translocated quail from 2016–2017 from source populations in the Edwards Plateau and Rolling Plains ecoregions to a large contiguous (>40,000 ha) release site in Knox County, Texas, USA. We evaluated mortality and dispersal of translocated females as a function of source population, holding time prior to release, age, release location, and year using a multi-state mark-recapture model with state uncertainty. Scaled quail translocated within the Rolling Plains were more likely to exhibit philopatry to the release site. Quail with longer holding times had higher mortality but lower dispersal rates. The Edwards Plateau is a suitable source site for translocation in the Rolling Plains. The reduced dispersal but higher mortality of translocated scaled quail associated with longer holding times creates a decision tradeoff for managers.
Study Area
| Publication type | Article |
|---|---|
| Publication Subtype | Journal Article |
| Title | Longer holding times decrease dispersal but increase mortality of translocated scaled quail |
| Series title | Journal of Wildlife Management |
| DOI | 10.1002/jwmg.22498 |
| Volume | 88 |
| Issue | 1 |
| Publication Date | September 25, 2023 |
| Year Published | 2024 |
| Language | English |
| Publisher | The Wildlife Society |
| Contributing office(s) | Coop Res Unit Seattle |
| Description | e22498, 16 p. |
| Country | United States |
| State | Texas |
| County | Knox County |
| Other Geospatial | South Wichita River Basin |