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标题：Bison selection of prairie dog colonies on shortgrass steppe
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作者：Chipault, Jennifer G. ; Detling, James K.
期刊名称：Western North American Naturalist
印刷版ISSN：1527-0904
出版年度：2013
卷号：73
期号：2
页码：5
出版社：Brigham Young University
摘要：American bison (Bison bison L.) preferentially use black-tailed prairie dog (Cynomys ludovicianus L.) colonies over uncolonized range in the mixed-grass prairie of North America. To assess bison use of prairie dog colonies in a different ecosystem, the shortgrass steppe, this study was conducted at the Vermejo Park Ranch, New Mexico. Driving surveys were conducted in summer 2007 to determine the number of bison on and off prairie dog colonies in 2 pastures. Prairie dogs occupied 25.5% and 48.5% of the 2 pastures surveyed. Bison of both sexes used prairie dog colonies more than expected compared to a scenario of bison using colonies based on colony availability (P < 0.001). With the exception of bulls in one pasture, bison observed off-colony were more likely to be grazing than bison observed on-colony (P < 0.04). When selection of prairie dog colonies was assessed for only those bison observed grazing, bulls in both pastures and cows in one pasture used prairie dog colonies more than expected based on availability (P ≤ 0.001). Forage quality was superior on prairie dog colonies, with crude protein higher (P < 0.001) and acid detergent fiber lower (P < 0.001) in blue grama (Bouteloua gracilis [Willd. ex Kunth] Lag. ex Griffiths) collected on-colony than offcolony. Further studies under a variety of conditions are still needed, but selection for prairie dog colonies by bison at Vermejo, combined with findings from previous studies, suggests that during the growing season, bison and cattle (Bos taurus L.) might select prairie dog colonies over uncolonized range in both the northern and southern extents of North American grasslands.El bisonte americano (Bison bison L.) utiliza preferentemente las colonias de los perritos de la pradera de cola negra (Cynomys ludovicianus L.) en lugar del hábitat no colonizado de las praderas mixtas de Norteamérica. Con el fin de analizar el uso de las colonias de los perritos de las praderas por el bisonte en un ecosistema diferente, la estepa de pastos cortos, este estudio se realizó en Vermejo Park Ranch,New Mexico. En el verano del 2007 se realizaron monitoreos desde vehículos para establecer la cantidad de bisontes que había dentro y fuera de estas colonias en dos pastizales. Los perritos de la pradera ocupaban el 25.5% y el 48.5% de los dos pastizales que se analizaron. Los bisontes de ambos sexos utilizaban estas colonias más de lo esperado, en comparación con la situación hipotética de que los