Distribution of Giant Gartersnakes (Thamnophis gigas) in the Sacramento–San Joaquin Delta, California, 2018–2019
Links
- Document: Report (23.5 MB pdf)
- Download citation as: RIS | Dublin Core
Summary
- We examined the occurrence of giant gartersnakes in the Sacramento–San Joaquin Delta, California, in 2018 and 2019.
- We made eight captures of seven giant gartersnakes (three females, four males) in 2018, and six captures of six giant gartersnakes (four females, two males) in 2019.
- Detection probabilities were exceedingly low despite using methods that achieve much higher detection probabilities in the rice-growing regions of the Sacramento Valley, California.
- Our results indicated negative effects of salinity and prey abundance and positive effects of percent emergent vegetation on giant gartersnake occurrence in the Delta, but credible intervals of effect sizes broadly overlapped zero.
- Estimates of giant gartersnake probability of occurrence were characterized by substantial uncertainty.
- Additional study with a larger sample of randomly selected but accessible sites would help to further resolve the distribution of giant gartersnakes in the Delta and clarify how the physical and biotic environment in the Delta affects where giant gartersnakes exist.
- Methodological development to increase detection probabilities in the Delta also would improve inference about giant gartersnake occupancy in the region.
Suggested Citation
Fouts, K.J., Kim, R., Jordan, A.C., Fulton, A.M., Rose, J.P., Ersan, J.S. M., and Halstead, B.J., 2020, Distribution of giant gartersnakes (Thamnophis gigas) in the Sacramento–San Joaquin Delta, California, 2018–2019: U.S. Geological Survey Open-File Report 2020–1119, 26 p., https://doi.org/10.3133/ofr20201119.
ISSN: 2331-1258 (online)
Study Area
Table of Contents
- Acknowledgments
- Introduction
- Methods
- Results
- Discussion
- Summary
- References Cited
- Appendix 1 Supplemental Figures
Publication type | Report |
---|---|
Publication Subtype | USGS Numbered Series |
Title | Distribution of giant gartersnakes (Thamnophis gigas) in the Sacramento–San Joaquin Delta, California, 2018–2019 |
Series title | Open-File Report |
Series number | 2020-1119 |
DOI | 10.3133/ofr20201119 |
Year Published | 2020 |
Language | English |
Publisher | U.S. Geological Survey |
Publisher location | Reston, VA |
Contributing office(s) | Western Ecological Research Center |
Description | vi, 26 p. |
Country | United States |
State | California |
Other Geospatial | Sacramento–San Joaquin Delta |
Online Only (Y/N) | Y |
Google Analytic Metrics | Metrics page |