Efficiency of Two Black-tailed Prairie Dog Rodenticides and Their Impacts on Non-target Bird Species

<p>In 1983 zinc phosphide, strychnine with prebait, and strychnine without prebait were applied to black-tailed prairie dog (Cynomys ludovicianus) colonies in west-central South Dakota. Short-term (4 days later) and long-term (1 year later) poison efficiency and impact (short-term and long-term) on horned larks (Eromophila alpestrus) and other seed-eating birds of the prairie dog colonies were evaluated. Prairie dog burrow densities ranged from 54-187 burrows/ha with an average burrow density of 114 ±8 (± SE) burrows/ha. Rodenticide short-term control reduced active burrows by 95% with zinc phosphide, 42% with only strychnine, and 78% with prebaited strychnine. More zinc phosphide was consumed after poisoning than strychnine. Long-term control was maintained with prebaited strychnine and zinc phosphide but not with strychnine only. Fifty species of birds were observed. Immediate impacts with poisons reduced horned lark relative densities 66% with strychnine only and 45% with prebaited strychnine. No measurable reduction was found with zinc phosphide. No direct long-term impacts on horned larks were found. Indirect impacts occurred on horned larks through habitat changes from prairie dog control. No short-term or long-term poison impacts were found on the seed-eating avian group.</p>

Name thesis:degree_name

Master of Science (MS)

Level thesis:degree_level

Thesis - Open Access

Discipline thesis:degree_discipline

Wildlife and Fisheries Science

Year

1985

Author dc:creator

• Apa, Anthony Dean

Contributors dc:contributor

• Daniel Uresk

• Natural Resources and Conservation

Statement dc:rights

• <p>No Copyright - Non-Commercial Use Only<br /><a href="http://rightsstatements.org/vocab/InC-EDU/1.0/">http://rightsstatements.org/vocab/NoC-NC/1.0/</a></p>

Language dc:language

en

Repository record dc:identifier

https://openprairie.sdstate.edu/etd/8

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:openprairie.sdstate.edu:etd-1008