Using habitat, morphological, and genetic characteristics to delineate the subspecies of Sharp-Tailed Grouse in south-central Wyoming

Identifying species and subspecies is the foundation for focusing conservation efforts and studying evolutionary ecology. Subspecies delineation has occurred using multiple data types, including ecological, morphological, and genetic data. There are currently seven recognized Sharp-tailed Grouse (Tympanuchus phasianellus, Linnaeus, 1758) subspecies, with two of these subspecies occurring in Wyoming: Columbian Sharp-tailed Grouse (T. p. columbianus) and plains Sharp-tailed Grouse (T. p. jamesi). There is a third population of Sharp-tailed Grouse in south-central Wyoming with an unknown subspecific identification. Historically, this population has been classified as Columbian Sharp-tailed Grouse; however, previous genetic evidence questioned this classification. To better understand the subspecific status of this south-central Wyoming population, our study used habitat characteristics, morphological characteristics, and genetic data (microsatellite loci and single-nucleotide variants) col..., , , # Using habitat, morphological, and genetic characteristics to delineate the subspecies of Sharp-Tailed Grouse in south-central Wyoming

Dryad DOI: https://doi.org/10.5061/dryad.gf1vhhmzz

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Data Prepared by:

Jonathan D. Lautenbach, Department of Ecosystem Science and Management, University of Wyoming, 1000 E University Ave, Laramie, WY 82071.

Email: [[e-mail]](mailto:[e-mail])

Associated manuscript: Lautenbach, J.D., A.J. Gregory, S. Galla, A.C. Pratt, M.A. Schroeder, and J.L. Beck. For Review. Using ecological, morphological, and genetic data to delineate the subspecies of Sharp-tailed Grouse (Tympanuchus phasianellus, Linnaeus, 1758) in south-central Wyoming

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Contains data on Sharp-tailed Grouse habitat association at eBird observation locations; data on Sharp-tailed Grouse morphological features collected at capture sites across different study areas; and microsatellite loci data from genetic samples collected from capture locatio...,