Overwintering habitat modeling and eDNA detection for the Eastern Massasauga (Sistrurus catenatus) in a southwestern mesic prairie

As global biodiversity declines, long-term and complete datasets become increasingly important for wildlife conservation. Collecting sufficient data can be difficult, especially for rare or endangered species. Many snake species face extinction, but due to their cryptic nature, limited activity patterns, and often inaccessible habitat, snakes represent one of the most data-deficient groups. Traditional monitoring methods, such as capture-recapture surveys, can be costly and time-consuming and may miss hard-to-detect species. Consequently, new surveying methods should be considered to reduce data deficiencies for snake species. To assess new surveying methods, I studied Eastern Massasauga (Sistrurus catenatus) overwintering sites in Carlyle, Clinton County, Illinois. The Eastern Massasauga is a small to medium-sized rattlesnake distributed throughout the Great Lakes region and is facing range-wide declines due to habitat loss, fragmentation, and synergistic effects. Extirpation rates are exceptionally high in southwestern populations because of the loss of important prairie and wetland habitats. To provide methods for reducing data deficiencies, I assessed habitat niche modeling and eDNA detection for the Eastern Massasauga in the southern portion of their range. I developed a habitat suitability model to identify vital overwintering sites in the Carlyle Lake region. I found soil characteristics and distance to water and medium-height vegetation were the strongest environmental predictors of species presence. I identified locations to prioritize for protection, restoration, and future surveys. My results provide information on the effectiveness of non-traditional survey methods and guide future conservation for Eastern Massasaugas in other southwestern mesic prairies. I also optimized an eDNA assay to detect target DNA in sediment and water samples collected from crayfish burrows. Due to low detections in my results and previous studies, I found eDNA is not as effective as visual surveys for monitoring the species.

Name thesis:degree_name

M.S.

Level thesis:degree_level

Thesis

Discipline thesis:degree_discipline

Natural Res & Env Sciences

Grantor

University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

Year dc:date

2023

Author dc:creator

• Sunnucks, Emily

Contributors dc:contributor

• Dreslik, Michael J
• Larson, Eric R
• Spear, Stephen F

• Rattlesnake
• Maxent Model
• Suitable Habitat
• Environmental Dna
• Endangered Species Detection

Statement dc:rights

• Copyright 2023 Emily Sunnucks

Language dc:language

en, eng

Handle dc:identifier

https://hdl.handle.net/2142/121531

OAI record oai:identifier

https://www.ideals.illinois.edu/oai-pmh?verb=GetRecord&metadataPrefix=etdms&identifier=oai%3Awww.ideals.illinois.edu%3A2142%2F121531