Are Highways Stressful for Pikas? Analysis of Stress Hormones of Ochotona princeps Living Adjacent to Interstate 90
Document Type
Oral Presentation
Campus where you would like to present
Ellensburg
Event Website
https://digitalcommons.cwu.edu/source
Start Date
15-5-2019
End Date
15-5-2019
Abstract
Human-modified landscapes disrupt ecosystem connectivity, harming wildlife populations. Some wildlife species live in modified habitats along roads, but their fitness in these stressful environments is poorly understood. Chronic stress alters behavior, reduces reproduction rates, and has been linked to reduced survival. In the Cascade Range of central Washington, American pikas (Ochotona princeps) have colonized anthropogenic rock embankment used for stabilization along Interstate 90 (I-90), but no research to date has determined the fitness or success of this population. To measure basal stress levels of this population, we extracted fecal glucocorticoid metabolites (GCM) from fresh fecal samples. We compared chronic stress levels in pikas adjacent to I-90 with those living in similar rock embankment in a rails-to-trails state park, and in natural talus patches. We also assessed the correlation between fecal GCM concentrations and potential stressors at a subset of sites by measuring environmental temperatures, elevation, and noise levels. A generalized linear mixed model was used to determine differences in GCM concentrations among habitats and assess the potential effects of these environmental variables on stress. Fecal GCM concentrations varied among the 3 habitats. Animals in the I90 habitat had the lowest fecal GCM levels, potentially indicating a suppressed stress response due to their chronic exposure to stressors.
Recommended Citation
McIntyre, Thomas, "Are Highways Stressful for Pikas? Analysis of Stress Hormones of Ochotona princeps Living Adjacent to Interstate 90" (2019). Symposium Of University Research and Creative Expression (SOURCE). 71.
https://digitalcommons.cwu.edu/source/2019/Oralpres/71
Department/Program
Biological Sciences
Slides for SOURCE 2019 presentation McIntyre
Additional Files
TomMcintyre_SOURCE2019.pptx (42108 kB)Slides for SOURCE 2019 presentation McIntyre
Are Highways Stressful for Pikas? Analysis of Stress Hormones of Ochotona princeps Living Adjacent to Interstate 90
Ellensburg
Human-modified landscapes disrupt ecosystem connectivity, harming wildlife populations. Some wildlife species live in modified habitats along roads, but their fitness in these stressful environments is poorly understood. Chronic stress alters behavior, reduces reproduction rates, and has been linked to reduced survival. In the Cascade Range of central Washington, American pikas (Ochotona princeps) have colonized anthropogenic rock embankment used for stabilization along Interstate 90 (I-90), but no research to date has determined the fitness or success of this population. To measure basal stress levels of this population, we extracted fecal glucocorticoid metabolites (GCM) from fresh fecal samples. We compared chronic stress levels in pikas adjacent to I-90 with those living in similar rock embankment in a rails-to-trails state park, and in natural talus patches. We also assessed the correlation between fecal GCM concentrations and potential stressors at a subset of sites by measuring environmental temperatures, elevation, and noise levels. A generalized linear mixed model was used to determine differences in GCM concentrations among habitats and assess the potential effects of these environmental variables on stress. Fecal GCM concentrations varied among the 3 habitats. Animals in the I90 habitat had the lowest fecal GCM levels, potentially indicating a suppressed stress response due to their chronic exposure to stressors.
https://digitalcommons.cwu.edu/source/2019/Oralpres/71
Faculty Mentor(s)
Kristina Ernest