|
 Back
Document Title:
Prairie Dogs, Pesticides, and Protected Species: Concerns for Anticoagulant Use in a Sensitive Ecosystem. : Proceedings of the 24th Vertebrate Pest Conference (R.M. Timm and K.A. Fagerstone, Eds.).
AUTHOR(S):
Nancy H. Golden Joy Gober
PAGES:
181 - 185
PUBLICATION DATE:
2010
ABSTRACT:
The black-tailed prairie dog occupies an estimated 2.4 million acres in the western U.S and is considered to be a
keystone species of the Great Plains due to its influence on biological diversity and ecosystem function. Over 200 vertebrate
species are known to associate with prairie dog colonies, and there is documentation that at least 9 species exhibit dependence on
prairie dogs either for habitat and shelter or as a prey species. Unlike many other burrowing mammals, the prairie dog relies on an
open burrow system that results in a significant amount of time spent above ground, rendering them more easily accessible to
predatory species. Many species that use the prairie dog as a food source are protected under the Endangered Species Act, the
Migratory Bird Treaty Act, and the Bald and Golden Eagle Protection Act, and include the black-footed ferret, both species of
eagle, and several species of raptors. The registration and use of the anticoagulant rodenticides chlorophacinone and diphacinone
for prairie dog control presents risks to these protected species due to the potential for secondary poisoning. Anticoagulant rodenticides
have caused secondary poisoning in laboratory studies and have been responsible for mortality incidents in the field. Since
geographically limited registrations began in 2005, a limited number of such incidents associated with prairie dog control have been
documented, and these elicit concern for the more widespread use of these rodenticides that would accompany registrations
covering the entire range of the black-tailed prairie dog.
PUBLICATION:
Proceedings of the Vertebrate Pest Conference
PUBLISHED BY:
University of California, Davis
DOCUMENT LINK:
http://ucanr.org/sites/VPC/Proceedings_of_the_Vertebrate_Pest_Conference/View_Table_of_Contents_of_Proceedings/
NOTE: This link will take you to a site outside of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.
We do not control the content or policies of the site you are about to visit. You should always check site policies before providing personal information or reusing content.
|
