s
591.7
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2001
A Faunal Survey of the
Centennial Valley Sandhills,
Beaverhead County, Montana
STATE DOCUMENTS COLLECTION
uuM 0 4 2001
Prepared for: wo^^sis Hel^'^l^"^'
HELENA, MONTANA 59620
U.S. Bureau of Land Management
and
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
Prepared by:
Paul Hendricks and Michael Roedel
April 2001
# i U' MONTANA
[y^j Natural Heritage
^^^^ Program
MONTANA STATE LIBRARY
3 0864 0015 5801 7
A Faunal Survey of the
Centennial Valley Sandhills,
Beaverhead County, Montana
© 2001 Montana Natural Heritage Program
State Library Building • P.O. Box 20 1 800 • 1 5 1 5 East Sixth Avenue • Helena, MT 59620- 1 800 • 406^44-3009
USBLM Agreement Number 1 422E 930A 9600 1 5
U.S. Bureau of Land Management- Dillon Field Office
1005 Selway Drive
Dillon, MT 59725
USFWS Agreement Number 1 448-601 8 1 -99-J976
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
Red Rock Lakes National Wildlife Refuge
Box 1 5, Monida Star Route
Lima, MT 59739
This document should be cited as follows:
Hendricks, R, and M. Roedel. 2001 . Afaunal survey of the Centennial Valley Sandhills,
Beaverhead County, Montana. Report to the U.S. Bureau of Land Management and U.S. Fish
and Wildlife Service. Montana Natural Heritage Program, Helena. 44 pp.
Executive Summary
The Montana Natural Heritage Program, in
partnership with Red Rock Lakes National
Wildlife Refuge and the Bureau of Land
Management — Dillon Field Office, has completed
a terrestrial faunal survey of the Centennial Valley
Sandhills of southeastem Beaverhead County. No
previous comprehensive animal survey has been
conducted in these Sandhills, the second largest
sandhills complex in Montana. This work
compliments previous studies of the plants and
vegetation dynamics in the Centennial Sandhills by
associating a number of animal species to specific
physical features and successional stages at this
site. Maintaining the current diversity of animals
will depend upon the controlled introduction of
disturbance processes such as fire and grazing to
create a mosaic of vegetation in various stages of
succession. Disturbances should be conducted at
scales appropriate for the entire Centennial Valley
as well as the Sandhills specifically.
The Sandhills support a diverse array of
vertebrates and invertebrates with affinities to
shrub-steppe habitats more representative of the
entire Centennial Valley. Eighteen mammal
species, 29 bird species, 3 amphibian and reptile
species, 4 tiger beetle species, and 14 butterfly
and skipper species were documented in the
Sandhills during the 1 999 survey.
Three state mammal species of special concem
were documented: Preble's Shrew (Sorex
preblei). Black-tailed Jackrabbit {Lepus
californicus), and Great Basin Pocket Mouse
{Perognathus parvus). Preble's Shrew is
collectively the twentieth state record and the first
for Beaverhead County, Black-tailed Jackrabbit is
the fourteenth state record, and Great Basin
Pocket Mouse is the first record for the Centennial
Valley and the first record for Montana since
1 96 1 . The shrew appeared to be widespread at
low density, the jackrabbit was observed in
stabilized sandflats with scattered sagebrush cover,
and the pocket mouse was associated with
scattered sagebrush in stabilized low-dune habitat.
A fourth species of special concem, Pygmy Rabbit
(Brachylagus idahoensis) was not seen in 1 999
but has been reported recently in the Sandhills in
stands of dense big sagebrush.
Three Montana Partners In Flight (PIF) Priority 11
bird species (Sage Thrasher, Brewer's Sparrow
and Grashopper Sparrow) were present daily.
The thrasher was associated only with tall and
mature big sagebrush, the Brewer's Sparrow also
was associated with sagebrush, but in a variety of
size classes. Grasshopper Sparrow, a rare
transient species in the Centennial Valley, was
present in a localized site of grassy habitat with
little shrub cover. Defensive behavior by a pair of
Long-billed Curlews, and discovery of an old nest
of Ferruginous Hawk, both PIF Priority II species,
indicated these species bred in the Sandhills.
Two tiger beetle species, Cicindelaformosa and
C. decemnotata, were common in sandy
blowouts or other early-seral sites, but in different
parts of the Sandhills. C. tranquebarica, was
localized on or near sites where sandy or pebbly
soil was somewhat moist. C. longilabris, was
encountered only twice in sandy sites with
moderate shrub and grass cover. The rare Idaho
Dunes Tiger Beetle (C arenicold), endemic to
Idaho and present 64 km (40 miles) south in the
St. Anthony Dunes (Fremont County), was not
encountered but may occur.
As opportunities present themselves, additional
surveys of selected groups/species with specific
habitat or food needs (small mammals, songbirds,
ground beetles, butterflies) may be warranted. In
addition, surveys of all animal groups should be
conducted throughout the Centennial Valley to
identify the significance of the sandhill-associated
fauna to the entire valley system.
Acknowledgements
We are especially grateful to Jim Roscoe (BLM
Dillon Field Office) and Danny Gomez (Red Rock
Lakes National Wildlife Refuge) for their interest
and support of this project on BLM and USFWS
lands. Through their guidance and on-the-spot
orientation, field work was more productive than it
might otherwise have been. We thank Stan
Vlahovich (Montana DNRC) and Bill and Judy
Staudenmeyer for permission to visit state and
private lands, respectively, under their steward-
ship. Tim Swanson(TNC) provided useflil
landowner contacts for the Centennial Valley
Sandhills area.
For help with specimen identification we thank
Dave Dyer (University of Montana: shrews),
Kerry Foresman (University of Montana: shrews),
Mike Ivie (Montana State University: tiger
beetles). Will Kerling (Missoula: butterflies), and
Steve Kohler (Montana DNRC: butterflies). For
permission to examine museum collections of tiger
beetles we thank Frank Merikel (University of
Idaho) and Rich Zack (Washington State Univer-
sity). Ryan Rauscher (Montana FWP) provided
records of Pygmy Rabbit in the sandhills area, and
Dennis Flath (Montana FWP) shared his knowl-
edge of small mammal records (especially shrews
and pocket mice) from the Centennial Valley and
elsewhere in Beaverhead County.
We benefited from the assistance of Montana
Natural Heritage Program staff, including Cedron
Jones who produced the maps for this report, and
Martin Miller who entered field data into Heritage
Program databases. John Carlson, Joy Lewis,
and Sue Crispin made many useful editorial
suggestions on earlier versions of this report,
making the final product more readable. We are
also indebted to Jim Roscoe (BLM), Danny
Gomez (USFWS), Randy Gazda (USFWS), and
Brian Martin (TNC) for their comments on a near-
final draft that helped rectify any factual errors or
oversights. Katrina Scheuerman (Montana State
Library, NRIS) patiently guided the transformation
of this report from an ugly draft into a professional
final product. We thank them all.
Table of Contents
I. Introduction 1
II. Study Area 2
Cenntennial Valley 2
Centennial Sandhills 2
III. Methods 5
Mammals 6
Birds 7
Amphibians and Reptiles 7
Insects 7
IV. Results 9
Mammals 9
Birds 13
Amphibians and Reptiles 13
Insects 14
V. Discussion 16
VI. Recommendations and Conclusions 18
Sagebrush Manipulation 19
Fire 19
Livestock Grazing 19
Concluding Remarks 20
Future Work 20
VII. Literature Cited : 22
Figure 1. Centennial Sandhills study area 3
Figure 2. Photograph of sparsely vegetated blowout 4
Figure 3. Photograph of stabilized dunes 4
Figure 4. Photograph of drift fence array 8
Figure 5. Photograph of a tiger beetle Cicindela formosa 8
Table 1. Total trapping effort 6
Table 2. Standard skull measurements from shrews {Sorex) 10
Table 3. Skulls recovered from raptor pellets 12
Table 4. Counts of tiger beetles {Cicindela) 15
Appendix 1 . Global and State Rank Guidelines
Appendix 2. Small mammal species of special concern from the Centennial Sandhills
Appendix 3 . Descriptions of trapping locations
Appendix 4. Small mammals captured on live trap/snap lines
Appendix 5. Small mammals captured on pitfall trap lines
Appendix 6. Small mammals captured at drift fence arrays
Appendix 7. Mammal, amphibian, and reptile species documented in the Centennial Sandhills
Appendix 8. Bird species documented
Appendix 9. Tiger Beetles and butterflies documented
iii
Introduction
Extensive sandhills are rare in Montana. The
state's 2 major areas of sandhills lie at extreme
opposite comers of the state - the largest in
northeastem Montana near the Medicine Lakes in
Sheridan County, and the second largest in south-
westem Montana in the Centennial Valley of
Beaverhead County — both partially within
National Wildlife Refuges. While the flora of these
areas has been studied recently (Cooper et al.
1999, Lesica and Cooper 1999, Heidel et al.
2000), the fauna has not been as well docu-
mented, especially that of the Centennial Sandhills.
Sandhills terrain is a product of wind and sand.
Sandhills occur in wind corridors where blowing
sand might be ftinneled, in the windward foothills
of mountain ranges, and in areas where wind
speeds are no longer sufficient to move sand any
farther or where improved growing conditions
increase the probability of dune stabilization by
plants. Sandhills are characterized by erodible,
well-drained soils that are very susceptible to
disturbances such as fire, grazing, and burrowing
(Knight 1 994). Sandhills often occur as isolated
patches across a regional landscape, and contrib-
ute significantly to local biodiversity by supporting
distinctive species and communities. Because
disturbance can easily alter these sites, sandhill
complexes support vegetation in various stages of
succession, often harboring early-succession
species and communities that are rare at local,
regional or global scales and dependent on distur-
bance for survival (Lesica and Cooper 1999).
For example, the Centennial Sandhills support 4
rare plant species that are restricted to early
succession sites (Lesica and Shelly 1991, Lesica
and Cooper 1999): Idaho painted milkvetch
(Astragalus ceramicus var. apus), Idaho pale
evening-primrose (Oenothera pallida var.
idahoensis), Fendler's cat's-eye (Cryptantha
fendleri), and sand wildrye (Elymusflavescens).
Sandhills habitats also support animal species of
limited distribution, some of which (usually inverte-
brates) are sand-obligate species (Rumpp 1967,
Knisley 1979, Rust 1986).
The flora and fauna of Beaverhead County, which
includes the Centennial Sandhills, have affinities to
the Great Basin (Dom 1978, Lesica et al. 1984,
Hofl&nann and Pattie 1968, Hoffinann et al.
1969b). These natural similarities distinguish this
sandhill complex from the Medicine Lake
Sandhills in northeastem Montana. Five mammal
species on the state special concern or watch lists
are limited to southwestern Montana (Black-tailed
Jackrabbit, Pygmy Rabbit, Wyoming Ground
Squirrel, Great Basin Pocket Mouse, Western
Spotted Skunk), and two other species of concern
(Preble's Shrew, Merriam's Shrew) are associated
with habitats found in the Centennial Valley,
especially sagebrush-steppe (Armstrong and
Jones 1971, Comely etal. 1992).
In addition, the rare Idaho Dunes Tiger Beetle
(Cicindela arenicola), currently known only from
Idaho, occurs in the St. Anthony Dunes of Fre-
mont County (Rumpp 1967, Logan 1995,
Pearson et al. 1997) only 64 km (40 miles) south
of the Centennial Valley Sandhills. Because the
valley is remote and near the edge of several
species' distributions, and has not been well
surveyed, there is good potential to find this or
other species new to Montana, as well as, an
opportunity to document significant range exten-
sions of more common species. This is especially
true for small mammal and tiger beetle communi-
ties, since these groups contain species that are
habitat specific and/or are relatively obscure and
pooriy documented in Montana, particularly in
sandhills and shrub-grassland habitats.
Because of the very limited distribution of sandhills
habitat in Montana and the distinctive nature of its
plants and animals, documenting the fauna is an
important first step toward effective management
of the biological diversity associated with these
habitats. The objectives of this study were to:
1 ) document the vertebrate species present in the
Centennial Sandhills;
2) document selected groups of invertebrates
(especially tiger beetles);
3) identify relationships between species distribu-
tions, stages of vegetation succession and
sandhills physiognomy; and
4) provide information to assist managers in
maintaining the faunal diversity of this unique
area.
Study Area
Centennial Valley
The Centennial Valley of Beaverhead County,
located about 80 km west of Yellowstone National
Park, is a relatively undeveloped area of Montana
and a biodiversity "hot spof (Povilitis and Mahr
1998). The valley is about 75% public and 25%
private ownership. Public lands include units
administered by the U. S. Fish and Wildlife
Service, U. S. Bureau of Land Management, U.
S. Forest Service, and State of Montana. Live-
stock grazing and livestock-related agriculture are
the principal land uses.
The valley is an east- west trending basin about 60
km in length of 1 600 km^ within the "Southwest
Montana Intermontane Basin and Valleys" subsec-
tion of the Beaverhead Section (Nesser et al.
1997). The climate is cold and continental, with
warm dry summers and cold dry winters, and is
characterized by 22-50 cm of precipitation, of
which 10% falls as snow. The steep-sloped
Centennial Mountains form the valley's southem
boundary, with several summits between 2850 and
3087 meters in elevation. The Continental Divide
runs along the crest of the Centennial Mountains,
which form the north rim of the broad Snake River
basin to the south. The less rugged Gravelly and
Snowcrest ranges lie to the north of the valley,
each with elevations exceeding 3 1 80 m. This
broad, flat-bottomed basin was likely formed both
by^ erosion and by downfaulting which has oc-
curred here since the Miocene (Alden 1953). The
gradient of the valley floor is very slight, and there
is little evidence of downcutting at the outflow of
the Red Rock Lakes (Banko 1 960).
The valley supports over 700 plant species and at
least 20 major vegetation community types,
including the rare three-tip sagebrush-Idaho fescue
{Artemisia tripartita-Festuca idahoensis) type
that forms the climax vegetation of the Centennial
Sandhills (Lesica and Cooper 1 999). Over 26 1
bird species have been documented for the valley,
including the Trumpeter Swan (Cygnus buccina-
tor), which Red Rock Lakes National Wildlife
Refuge was established to protect. The valley also
hosts one of the two remaining native populations
of Montana Arctic Grayling (772ywo//M5 arcticus
montanus), and one of three known native
populations of Lake Trout {Salvelinus
namaycush). In addition, the eastern portion of
the valley offers a movement corridor and year-
round habitat for larger carnivores such as Lynx
{Felis lynx). Wolverine {Gulo gulo). Gray Wolf
{Canis lupus), and Grizzly Bear ( Ursus actos
horribilis).
Centennial Sandhills
The Centennial Sandhills, which lie in the northeast
comer of the Centennial Valley, are a unique
feature of the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem.
They form a band approximately 2-3 km wide and
14 km long (between 44°40'N, 1 1 1 °42' Wand
44°42'N, 1 1 1°49'W) and cover about 3200 ha in
1 8-20 legal sections north of Lower and Upper
Red Rock lakes. The sandhills consist of small
and generally stabilized dunes created by sands
deposited probably during the late Pleistocene.
They are in various stages of activity, with the most
active and tallest lying north of Lower Red Rock
Lake (in Tl 3S R2W) and the lower and most
stable dunes present in the eastern portion of the
sandhills (in T 1 3 S R 1 W), east of Tepee Creek
(see Figure 1). Average elevation of the sandhills
is about 2030 m.
The Sandhill vegetation is a mixture of succes-
sional types (Lesica and Cooper 1999) dominated
by shrubs (big sagebrush, ^rtemw/o tridentata;
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Figure 2: Sparsely vegetated blowout in the West Hills. Individual is
netting the tiger beetle Cicindela formosa.
Figure 3: Stabilized dunes with shrub and grass cover in the West Hills
4
three-tip sagebmsh, A. tripartita; common
rabbitbrush, Chrysothamnus nauseosus; green
rabbitbrush, C viscidiflorus), forbs (silvery
lupine, Lupinus argenteus; silky lupine, L
sericeus; brittle prickly-pear, Opuntiafragilis;
slender-flowered scurf-pea, Psoralea tenuiflora),
and grasses (thick-spiked wheatgrass, ^gro/7yra«
dasystachyum; Idaho fescue, Festuca
idahoensis; prairie junegrass, Koeleria cristata;
needle-and-thread, Stipa comata). Sandhill sites
occur in 3 classes based on topography and
effects of sand movement: lower-slope erosion
blowouts, (Figure 2), upper-slope deposition, and
stabilized (both upper and lower slopes), (Figure
3). Lesicaand Cooper (1999) identified three
successional stages (early-, mid-, and late-seral)
from the previous classes.
During our 1 999 field work we used the Lesica-
Cooper succession classification as a reference for
documenting animal detections. We found that
four physiognomic types (inter-dune trough, dune
crest, low dunes, and sand flats) were also usellil
for our purposes in categorizing trapline and
driftfence locations (see Appendix 3 ). Inter-dune
troughs were elongate depressions between
parallel dune ridges of the West Hills. They were
equivalent to the stabilized class but often sup-
ported denser stands of sagebrush than were
found on dune slopes; troughs also covered more
extensive and relatively flat terrain. Dime crests
were equivalent to either deposition or stabilized
classes, but sometimes occurred as lengthy and
wide ridge tops that gently sloped along the main
dune axis. The low dunes category was generally
equivalent to the stabilized class, but contained
small sparsely vegetated sandy depressions
intermixed among dune swales; this category was
most extensive east of Tepee Creek. Sand flats
were extensive expanses of low-relief terrain
supporting sagebrush and grasslands in various
degrees of cover; an area roughly 6 km wide east-
to-west bracketing Tepee Creek fit into this
physiognomic category.
Survey Methods
We visited the Centennial Sandhills four times
during the summer of 1999: 24-28 May, 28 June-
3 July, 26-30 July, and 20-23 September Daily
temperature minima and maxima were recorded
with a Taylor minimum-maximum thermometer to
characterize weather conditions during the periods
of daily sampling. We employed a variety of
techniques to sample a diverse array of animal
groups. In some cases we actively searched for
animals or their spoor, while in other cases we
used a variety of passive trapping methods. These
are described below for each animal group. In
many cases we attempted to systematize sampling
procedures, but opportunistic sampling was also
employed to increase our survey coverage of the
Sandhills. We also searched the Heritage data-
bases, pubhshed and gray literature, and museum
records for documented historical occurrences of
target species, especially for mammals, amphib-
ians, reptiles, and tiger beetles. Tiger beetle
collections at the University of Idaho and Wash-
ington State University were examined for speci-
mens collected in Beaverhead County and adja-
cent localities in Idaho.
Common and/or scientific names in tables and text
throughout follow Jones et al. ( 1 986) for mam-
mals, American Ornithologists' Union (1998) for
birds, Stebbins ( 1 985) for amphibians and rep-
tiles, Pearson et al. ( 1 997) for tiger beetles, and
Opler ( 1 999) for diurnal butterflies. Statistical
analyses, where used, follow standard procedures
presented in Sokal and Rohlf ( 1 98 1 ). Statistical
significance of tests is assumed when p < 0.05,
although we recognize that statistical significance is
not the same thing as biological significance.
Throughout the text "West Hills refers to that
portion of the sandhills west of Tepee Creek and
"East Hills" is that portion of the sandhills east of
Tepee Creek (see Figure 1 ).
Mammals
We documented large and medium-sized mam-
mals (lagomorphs or larger) whenever encoun-
tered, but made no attempt to sample them
systematically. We inspected dens for evidence of
recent or current occupancy and sampled prey
remains if available, and we traversed the densest
and most extensive stands of big sagebrush
{Artemisia tridentata) looking for sign (pellets,
burrows) of Pygmy Rabbit (Brachylagus
idahoemis). When traversing areas of moderate
to dense cover, two observers followed separate
routes to increase the likelihood of flushing cotton-
tails or jackrabbits.
Our intensive small mammal sampling involved
systematic trapping and examination of r^tor
pellets for skulls. We deployed 3 trap types (live
traps, snap traps, and pitfall traps) along line
transects or drift arrays to sample small mammals.
Different species of small mammals are more or
less likely to be captured using any single trapping
method (Jones etal. 1996, Allen etal. 1997), so
we used a variety of trapping techniques to
increase the probability of detecting the complete
small mammal fauna Shrews (Soricidae) in
particular are most likely to be captured using
pitfall traps. We placed trap transects selectively
(Appendix 3) to sample a variety of terrain repre-
senting different succession classes, rather than
distributing them randomly or systematically Total
trapping effort included 2772 live and snap trap
nights and 8380 pitfall trap nights (Table 1 ).
We placed both live traps (folding Sherman traps
7.6 X 8.9 X 22.9 cm, model LFATDG) and snap
traps (Museum Special) together on transects of
30 stations, with stations spaced approximately 10
m apart in roughly a straight line. One live trap
and 2 snap traps were placed at each station
within one meter of the station. Live traps were
baited with a commercial seed mixture of millet,
cracked com, and sunflower seed; a small wad of
polyester fiber material was placed in the back of
traps to provide insulation for potential trapped
animals. Snap traps were baited with a mixture of
rolled oats and peanut butter. Traps were placed
late on one day and left in place for 3 or 4 nights,
with daily morning visits to document captures.
We closed snap traps during the day to minimize
capture of diurnal birds and recaptures of chip-
munks {Eutamias minimus), live traps remained
open. Atotalof 11 live/snap trap transects were
run during summer (Figure 1 ), 3 during each visit
except two in September During the last 2
sample periods (late July, late September) only
snap traps were deployed, as live traps were more
time consuming to use and captures in live traps
were very low.
We established 6 pitfall transects (Figure 1 ) on 25
and 26 May. Pitfall traps used were coffee cans
(15x17 cm) buried with the rim flush to the
ground surface. Pitfall transects consisted of 1 0
cans, one per station, placed in a relatively straight
line approximately 30 m apart. We checked pitfall
traps daily when we were at the site and left them
TABLE 1 . Total trapping effort (trap nights) in the Centennial Sandhills,
Beaverhead County, Montana in 1999.
Sampling period
Live trap
Snap trap
Pitfall (transect)
Pitfall (drift array)
Period 1 (late May-Jun)
300
600
2020
384
Period 2 (late Jun-Jul)
270
522
1740
348
Period 3 (late Jul-Sep)
720
3240
648
Period 4 (late Sep)
360
Total trap nights
570
2202
7000
1380
in place between sample periods until retrieved on
22 September.
We also installed 3 drift fence pitfall arrays (Figure
1 ) on 27 May. Drift fence arrays increase the area
effectively sampled and generally are more pro-
ductive than lone pitfall traps (Com 1994, Jones et
al. 1 996), but they require additional materials and
are more time consuming to install. Drift arrays
were arranged with three 2.5 m long masonite fins
radiating out fi"om a central pitfall can (Figure 4).
Masonite fins were held in place with wooden lath.
An additional pitfall can was placed at the end of
each fin. Thus, 4 pitfall cans were associated with
each drift fence array. Drift fence arrays were
checked following the protocol for pitfall transects
and left in place until retrieved on 22 September.
Captured mammals were identified to species,
when necessary using keys in Hoffmann and Pattie
(1968) and Clark and Stromberg(1987) as well
as more detailed literature. Individuals were
weighed and measured, and sexed if possible.
Vouchers of some species (especially shrews)
were preserved for additional study and determi-
nation by Dr. Kerry Foresman, and deposited in
the Philip L. Wright Vertebrate Museum at the
University of Montana. We also routinely
searched for regurgitated raptor pellets below
wooden fence posts and other potential perches in
the sandhills. Pellets were collected and dissected
for small mammal skulls and other vertebrate
remains. Small mammals recovered fi^om pellets
were identified to species based on skull charac-
teristics.
Birds
We conducted no systematic counts of birds, but
maintained daily lists of bird species detected
during other work, recording the area where they
where detected, and any additional striking
behavior or habitat notes (such as singing or
association with a particular habitat feature).
Although we conducted no nest searches, we
documented all nests located, recording stage of
nesting, nest contents, and nest position.
Amphibians and Reptiles
We found virtually no wetland areas in the
Sandhills during our visits, and so devoted little
time to active searches for amphibians. We
identified itogs by call and visually as we encoun-
tered them. We sought reptiles as we drove roads
and traversed the study area during other activi-
ties.
Systematic sampling was limited to the earlier-
described pitfall transects and drift fence arrays,
which are standard sampling techniques for these
vertebrate groups (Com 1994), especially for
adult salamanders and lizards that may be over-
looked using other techniques. Vouchers were
collected and deposited in the herpetological
collection at the Idaho Museum of Natural His-
tory, Idaho State University.
Insects
We focused our insect sampling on 2 groups, tiger
beetles (genus Cicindela) and diurnal butterflies
(Lepidoptera: Papilionoidea and Hesperioidea).
We chose these groups because they are visible
and often tied to local habitat conditions. Cap-
tured individuals were subdued with ethyl acetate
in a killing] ar and pinned for later examination, or
identified in the field.
We sampled figer beetles (Figure 5) in two ways:
active searching/sweep-netting, and pitfall trap-
ping. As with many other small terrestiial organ-
isms, tiger beetles are readily captiared in pitfall
ti-aps (Morrill etal. 1990, Clark and Blom 1992,
Berghe 1992), and drift fences improve capture
success (Knisley and Schultz 1997). Because our
primary objective was to document habitat use
and species presence, rather than relative abun-
dance, we did not place preservative in the pitfall
cans to kill insects. Nevertheless, our pitfall traps
were successfijl in capturing about 200 individual
tiger beeties.
During our first 3 visits to the Sandhills, we docu-
mented relative abundance at 4 sites by walking
1 00 m road ti-ansects and counting numbers of
each species, noting habitat adjacent to the road.
• '%r^
A>%
Figure 4: Drift fence array showing radiating fins around a central pitfall can, with
an additional pitfall can at the end of each fin.
Figure 5: The tiger beetle Cicindelaformosa, the common species in West Hills
blowouts.
time of day, and air temperature (tiger beetles are
very temperature sensitive: Knisley and Schlutz
1997). We also noted mating or nesting behavior,
and documented general habitat features and
succession class of sites where beetles were
encountered.
Tiger beetle specimens were identified under a
dissecting microscope using the key developed by
Willis (1968) and descriptions in other sources,
such as Knisley and Schultz ( 1 997) and Leonard
and Bell ( 1 999). Dr. Mike Ivie verified identifica-
tions of voucher specimens for all species docu-
mented; vouchers were deposited in the Entomol-
ogy Museum at Montana State University.
We sampled diurnal Lepidoptera (butterflies and
skippers) only on 29 and 30 July, during the peak
of the summer Because our survey did not focus
on this insect group, the sampling was brief and
opportunistic, and the list we generated is only
preliminary. No effort was made to estimate
relative abundance. Species were netted and
identified in the field using Opler ( 1 999). Notes
on habits and habitat were made at the time of
capture. Vouchers were collected and papered
for later examination and determination by state
experts Steve Kohler and Will Kerling (Missoula).
Results
Between late May and late September 1999 our
surveys documented 18 species of mammals, 29
species of birds, two amphibian and one reptile
species, four species of tiger beetles, and 14
species of diurnal butterflies (Appendices 7-9).
Most of these were found both east and west of
Tepee Creek, but there were some noticeable
differences in distribution patterns, discussed
below.
Mammals
Bats: We did not sample for bats, since the
sandhills offer few sites that would concentrate
activity, and there appears to be few suitable sites
for roosting or raising young. However, bats
probably forage over the Sandhills during summer
Few bat species have been documented from the
Centennial Valley; only Little Brown Bat {Myotis
lucifugus) is on the refuge list. However,
Townsend's Big-eared bat (Plecotus
[-Corynorhinus] towmendii), a Montana
species of special concern, has also been docu-
mented on the reflige (Hoffinann et al. 1 969a); 2
specimens were collected on 25 August 1965
(UMZ 12776 and 12777; University of Montana
Philip L. Wright Vertebrate Museum).
Shrews: We captured shrews only in pitfall traps
(Appendices 5 and 6) at the low rates (0.30/1 00
trap nights) not unusual for shrews (Kirkland et al.
1997). However, success in the drift arrays (0.80/
1 00 trap nights) was 4 times greater than for pitfall
transects (0.20/ 1 00 trap nights), even though there
were only one fifth as many trap nights. This
suggests that drift arrays may be the most suitable
method for fiiture monitoring of shrew abundance
and habitat use in the Sandhills.
We captured 25 individual shrews, including 8
Dusky Shrews {Sorex monticolus), 6 Masked
Shrews (S. cmereus), and 2 Preble's Shrews (5.
preblei). Nine shrews were not identifiable to
species (they were either Masked or Preble's)
because skulls were incomplete and did not have
enough measurable traits for reliable determina-
tion. However, palatal length and interorbital
breadth measurements (Table 2) indicate at least
some of the unidentified shrews were probably
Preble's (Hofl&nann et al. 1 969b, Hofimann and
Fisher 1978, Tomasi and Hoffinann 1984, Long
and Hoffinann 1992).
Our collection of Preble's Shrew is new for the
Centennial Valley and Beaverhead County, the
nearest previous collection being 40 km to the
northeast at Quake Lake in Gallatin County
( 1 968), Preble's Shrew is a species of concern in
Montana (Appendix 2). Our collections of Dusky
Shrew {Sorex monticolus) and Preble's Shrew
{S. preblei) are new species records for the
Refuge.
TABLE 2. Standard skull measurements from shrews {Sorex) collected in the Centennial
Sandhills, Beaverhead County, Montana in 1999. All measurements (in mm) were made with
a microscope fitted with an optical micrometer. Sample size varies where skulls are Incomplete.
Species
n
Palatal length
Condylobasal length
Interorbital
breadth
S. cinereus
4
6.6, 6.7, 6.6, 6.6
15.84,16.08
2.7,2.7,2.8,2.6
S. preblei
2
5.9,6.0
14.16,14.52
2.45, 2.6
S. species
3
5.8, 5.9, 6.2
no measurements
2.4, 2.6
The majority of shrews — 72% ( 1 8 of 25 cap-
tured) — were trapped in the East Hills. Equal
numbers of shrews were captured on pitfall
transects in the West and East Hills (7 individuals
each), even though there were twice as many trap
nights of effort in the West Hills (4680 vs. 2320).
This suggests that shrews are much more abundant
in the southern areas of the East Hills. This pattem
also holds for the drift array results (Appendix 6).
The 2 confirmed Preble's Shrews came from
pitfall line 3, and the 3 potential Preble's speci-
mens from drift array 3 in the East Hills and pitfall
line 4 in the West Hills. These results suggest that
this rare shrew may be widespread at low density
in the Sandhills.
There was no clear correlation between pitfall trap
captures and habitat types. More shrews were
captured on lines with moderately dense shrub
cover than where shrub cover was sparse (see
Appendix 3). The difference, however, was not
statistically significant (binomial probability P=
0.338), partly because of small sample size.
Complicating the situation were the drift array
results: no shrews were captured in array 1 (a
blowout with sparse cover) but 6 were captured in
array 3 (also a blowout with sparse cover), and 5
in array 2 (low depression with sparse cover).
Five of 6 Masked Shrews (5. cinereus) were
caught in sparse shrub/grass cover, but total
captures were too few to identify with confidence
any microhabitat association. The 2 confirmed
and 2 of the potential Preble's Shrews were also
captured in sparse shrub/grass cover Dusky
Shrew (S. monticolus) captures were evenly
divided between habitats with moderate and
sparse cover The lack of obvious microhabitat
association, especially for Masked Shrew, has
been noted at other sandhills and shrub-steppe
locations (Wrigley 1974, Kirklandetal. 1997). In
other areas, each species has been found in shrub-
steppe habitats (Ports and George 1990, Kirkland
etal. 1997, Sutter etal. 1999), sometimes occur-
ring together in the same habitats as they do in the
Sandhills. However, Dusky and Masked shrews
are often considered montane species associated
with mesic habitats.
Lagomorphs: We encountered 2 Lagomorph
species during our surveys. White-tailed Jackrab-
bit {Lepus townsendii) was seen only once, on 2 1
September in the West Hills, but fresh remains
were also foimd in the West Hills on 25 May and
in the East Hills on 30 July, indicating a wide-
spread distribution but at relatively low density.
Jackrabbits are apparently less common now in
the Centennial Valley than they were 10-15 years
ago (D. Gomez, personal communication). Black-
tailed Jackrabbit was seen once, on 27 July west
of Tepee Creek in sparse low-stature sagebrush
(T13S,R1W,S19SW). This species has not yet
been reported on Refuge lands, but could occur in
the Sandhills portion of the Refuge. Davis ( 1 937)
10
first reported the species in Montana, but there
have been few additional records (13 total in the
Heritage databases, including one in 1969 from an
unknown locality in the Centennial Valley).
We failed to detect Pygmy Rabbit in our survey,
but there is a recent record ( 1 9 August 1 997)
from the West Hills (T13S,R2W,S14SW)ina
stand of dense big sage (Rauscher 1997, personal
communication). Both Black-tailed Jackrabbit and
Pygmy Rabbit may have entered the state follow-
ing an increase in sagebrush cover in southwestern
Montana since the late nineteenth century
(Hofl&nannetal. 1 969b, Amo and GrueU 1983,
Lesica and Cooper 1 997), as there are no Mon-
tana records for either species prior to 1 9 1 8.
Both are species of special concern in Montana
(Appendix 2).
Rodents: We captured 137 individuals of 6 rodent
species (Appendices 4-6): 1 9 Least Chipmunk
{Tamias minimus), 17 Northern Pocket Gopher
{Thomomys talpoides), 6 Great Basin Pocket
Mouse (Perognathus parvus), 57 Deer Mouse
(Peromyscus maniculatus), 39 Montane Vole
{Microtus montanus), 1 Meadow Vole (M
pennsylvanicus), and 5 unidentifiable Microtus.
Deer Mouse was the most abundant small mam-
mal captured (1.84 captures/ 1 00 trap nights) and
occurred throughout the sandhills in most habitats
except in relatively dense low-stature sagebrush
froughs (frap line 3) and mesic grass/sedge bottom
(frap line 4). In these sites Montane Vole was the
only small rodent captured. Typically, where one
species was captured the other species was
caught far less or not at all (Appendix 4); only one
frap line (line 7) produced nearly equal numbers.
However, voles were more likely to be caught in
pitfalls (Appendix 5), and our collective data show
that Montane Vole was also widely distributed in
all habitats in the Sandhills. Meadow Vole,
however, was captured only once, on pitfall line 5
in the East Hills.
Least Chipmunk {Eutamias minimus) and
Northern Pocket Gopher {Thomomys talpoides)
were captured in both the East and West Hills.
Most captures were from dune crests and dune
slopes in erosion and deposition sites where
evidence of thefr burrows was also most evident,
consist L-tit with the observations of Lesica and
Cooper (1999). Chipmunks were rarely captured
(one of 1 9 individuals) on "flat" terrain (frap lines
4, 6, and 10: see Appendix 3). The same pattern
was evident with the pocket gopher; 1 2 of 1 3
captured (all juveniles) were on dune slopes, and
the one individual that wasn't was less than 20 m
from a dune slope.
Great Basin Pocket Mouse {Perognathus
parvus) was captured 6 times, only in the East
Hills (Appendices 5 and 6) and perhaps related to
the late successional stage of the East Hills dunes.
Pocket mice dig burrows at the base of sagebrush
plants (Clark and Sfromberg 1985), which are
larger and more mature (making burrows more
stable) in the East Hills. Lower grazing intensities
in the East Hills also make available more forb and
grass seeds (Lesica and Cooper 1999), the
primary foods of the Great Basin Pocket Mouse
( Verts and Kirkland 1988).
Great Basin Pocket Mouse has been reported in
Montana fewer than ten times, with the bulk of
these records from 1961 (Hofl&nannetal. 1969b)
and no reports since then unril our 1999 collec-
tions. Our 1 999 collections also represent the first
documented occurrence for the Centennial Valley,
and a range extension about 60 km east from
Sage Creek near Dell. Great Basin Pocket
Mouse is a species of concern in Montana (Ap-
pendix 2).
We did not trap Wyoming Ground Squirrel
{Spermophilus elegans) and observed few in the
Sandhills, although we found some skulls at
Coyote dens and in raptor pellets. Three were
observed in the East Hills at a cattle guard along
theroadinT13S,RlW,S28NEon 1 July,and2
were seen in the West Hills along the road in
T13S,R2W,S22NE. Both sightings were near
small stands of big sagebrush. This species was
formerly considered a race of Richardson's
Ground Squirrel {S. richardonii), and is found in
11
TABLE 3. Individual skulls recovered from raptor pellets collected
throughout the Centennial Sandhills, Beaverhead County, in 1999.
Species
n
%
Microtus pennsylvanicus
56
47.1
Microtus montanus
33
27.7
Spermophilus species
11
9.2
Microtus species
5
4.2
Thorn omys talpoides
4
3.4
Peromyscus maniculatus
3
2.5
other mammal
4
3.4
bird
3
2.5
Montana in valley bottom and foothill sage plains
and grasslands only in the southwestern part of the
state (Hoflfinanetal. 1969b, Zegers 1984).
Raptor pellets contained remains of 1 1 9 individu-
als (Table 3) of which 112 represented 6 mammal
"species". Birds and "other mammal" made up
the remaining 7 individuals. Proportions of Micro-
tus, Peromyscus, and Tiiomomys in pellet
samples differed significantly from our trapping
results (G = 77.6 l,df= 2, P<0.001). Almost
half of the trap captures were Peromyscus, while
this species represented only 3% of the pellet
sample. Also striking was the ratio of Microtus
montanus to M. pennsylvanicus in the two
samples (G = 50.362, df= !,/'< 0.001). Nearly
all of the 40 identified voles in our traps were M.
montanus, but this species made up less than
40% of the pellet sample.
Where the 2 microtine species co-occur, M
pennsylvanicus prefers moist areas while M.
montanus is found more often in drier sites
(Hodgson 1 972); our trap results identify this as
the pattern for the Centennial Sandhills, with M.
pennsylvanicus present only infrequently near the
perimeter of the sandhills proper Raptors (owls,
harriers, buteos: Appendix 8) probably hunted
most frequently over the extensive wetlands to the
south of the sandhills, capturing M
pennsylvanicus where it is likely more abundant.
and returned to perches in the sandhills to digest
their meals and cast pellets. This hypothesis is
supported by the presence of three Muskrat
(Ondatra zibethicus) skulls in the pellet sample.
Peromyscus tends to avoid wet habitats (Clark
and Stomberg 1985), explaining its low represen-
tation in raptor pellet samples and providing
additional support for the above hypothesis.
Carnivores: We detected 3 carnivore species
during our survey. Coyotes (Canis latrans) were
often heard in both portions of the sandhills, and 2
dens were found (one each in the East and West
hills). We noted little sign of Badger {Taxidea
taxus), but found a skull in the West Hills. Red
Fox (Vulpes vulpes) was seen once, on 2 July in
the East Hills. Coyote and/or Red Fox probably
raided some of our frap lines, as there was evi-
dence that a carnivore had disturbed fraps on a
few occasions. We failed to find any sign of
Striped Skunk {Mephitis mephitis) in the
sandhills, but anticipate that this species is some-
times present, especially along the southern
margins adjacent to wetlands.
Ungulates: Our survey documented 3 ungulate
species in the Sandhills. A small band of Prong-
hom (Antilocapra americana) was observed
daily in the West Hills (2 fawns on 28 July) and
another small band was seen less frequently in the
East Hills. We observed a single cow Elk
12
(Cervus elaphus) on 26 May in the big sagebrush
flats west of Tepee Creek, apparently heading for
the lush vegetation adjacent to the southern edge
of the sandhills. A lone doe Mule Deer
{Odocoileus hemionus) was seen in dense big
sage in the East Hills on 1 July.
Birds
We observed 29 bird species in the sandhills
(Appendix 8), of which 7 were recorded only as
flyovers. Most resident species (those encoun-
tered daily in the sandhills) were typical of shrub
steppe-grassland habitat elsewhere in Montana
(Feist 1968, Best 1972, Bock and Bock 1987),
and included two Montana Partners In Flight
(PIF) Priority II species, both sagebrush obligates:
Sage Thrasher and Brewer's Sparrow (Paige and
Ritterl999). Of particular note were daily
observations of at least 3 singing Grasshopper
Sparrows in the West HiUs (T13S,R2W,S22 and
23) fi-om late May to early July, in extensive
patches of grass with little low-shrub cover. This
species is listed on the refuge checklist as rare or
accidental in the Centennial Valley, but our obser-
vations indicate a small breeding population may
be established in the Sandhills. Grasshopper
Sparrow is a ranked as a Priority n grassland
species by Montana PIF, experiencing range-wide
declines.
We observed Sage Thrasher only in stands of
mature (ca. 100 cm tall or taller) big sage. Al-
though we saw this species daily, it was present
only in low densities and we found no nests.
Much more abundant was Brewer's Sparrow,
which we found widely associated with sagebrush.
We found four nests of Brewer's Sparrow (on 28
May a nearly completed nest in a 72 cm tall big
sage; on 29 June with 4 eggs in a 45 cm tall three-
tip sage; on 30 June with 1 egg [later 3] in a 9 1
cm tall big sage; on 2 July with 3 eggs in a 42 cm
tall three-tip sage).
Two nests of Vesper Sparrow, found on 30 June,
contained 4 eggs and 4 young, respectively. Both
nests were built on the ground, one at the base of
a 24 cm tall rabbitbrush (Chrysothamnus) and
the other in a small bunch of grass. One Homed
Lark nest was found on 25 May, containing 3
eggs; the cup was sunk in the ground next to a
thick tuft of grass in an early-seral site with sparse
grass and no shrub cover
Other shrub-steppe grassland species fi^equently
noted included Short-eared Owl, Savannah
Sparrow, and Westem Meadowlark; we failed to
find nests of any of these species. Pairs of Long-
billed Curlew also appeared twice; one was very
vocal near drift array 2 in the East Hills on 29 June
and probably had a chick nearby. Ferruginous
Hawks were seen on two occasions, and an old
ground nest atop a high dune in the West Hills
indicated this species sometimes nests in the
sandhills. All five species are on the reftige list as
confirmed breeders. Ferruginous Hawk and
Long-billed Curlew are Montana PIF Level II
Priority grassland species.
Amphibians and Reptiles
We documented 2 amphibian species. Tiger
Salamander (Ambystoma tigrinum) and Striped
Chorus Frog {Pseudacris triseriata), and one
species of reptile, Westem Terrestrial Garter
Snake (Thamnophis elegans), in the Centennial
Sandhills in 1999 (Appendix 7). The Nahiral
Heritage Program database had no previous
records of these species for the sandhills (Roedel
and Hendricks 1 998), but each has been docu-
mented previously on refiige lands and elsewhere
in the upper Centennial Valley It seems likely that
the chorus fi"og and garter snake have been
encountered previously in the sandhills but not
reported. None of these species is of special
concern in Montana, as all are widespread in the
state.
Tiger Salamanders were captured in pitfall traps in
the East Hills. On 28 June, 2 adults were recov-
ered fi-om pitfall line 5 and a single adult fi-om
pitfall line 6 (see Figure 1 and Appendix 3 for
locations). Another adult salamander was recov-
ered from drift array 3 on 22 September These
animals belong to the group called mole sala-
manders, named for their use of burrows as adults.
13
Following breeding in nearby wetlands to the
south. Tiger Salamanders probably return to the
sandhills in search of underground refugja The
population in the upper Centennial Valley may
persist because of the Sandhills' proximity to
extensive breeding habitat nearby in the wetlands.
Striped Chorus Frog was heard calling in many
wetland locations in and near the sandhills in May
and June, especially along Tepee Creek and from
the wetlands immediately south of the West Hills.
Two dispersing adults were recovered from drift
array 2 on 22 September; another two were
recovered at drift array 3 on the same date.
These individuals may have been seeking burrows
(Koch and Peterson 1995), as they are often
found far from permanent water elsewhere in
Montana (personal observation) and sometimes
breed in temporary ponds in road fracks.
Most observations of Western Terrestrial Garter
Snake, in June and July, were in sandy roads in
both the East and West Hills. This species was
also observed ofi-road in the West Hills
(T13S,R2W,S23SW)on 1 July This widespread
species is often associated with wetland and
aquatic habitats in the Greater YeUowstone Eco-
system (Koch and Peterson 1995).
Insects
Tiger Beetles: We documented 4 tiger beetle
species in the Centennial Sandhills in 1 999:
Cicindela decemnotata, C. formosa, C.
longilabris, and C. tmnquebarica (Appendix 9).
We had hoped to find the globally rare Idaho
Dunes Tiger Beetle (C arenicold), but did not.
The Centennial Mountains are a formidable barrier
between the Centennial Sandhills and the nearest
population of this Idaho endemic, in the St.
Anthony Dunes of Fremont County (Rumpp
1967, Logan 1995). Nevertheless, fiirther
searching would be worthwhile, and might also
yield other species of tiger beetle new to the
Centennial Sandhills fauna
Transect counts (Table 4) and pitfall data show
that Cicindela formosa was the most abundant
tiger beetle in the West Hills, and C. decemnotata
was the most abundant species in the East Hills.
Both species were especially prevalent in sandy
sites with sparse vegetation cover (early-seral
vegetation in erosion and deposition sites). Our
data support the observation of Lesica and
Cooper (1999) that C. formosa is mostly con-
fined to this kind of habitat. It was captured in pit
fall traps on pitfall lines 1,2, and 3, and at drift
array 1 , all in the West Hills. C. decemnotata
was captured in on pitfall line 5 and at drift array
3, both in the East Hills. However, both species
occurred outside their areas of concentration. We
counted a few C. formosa on road fransects in
the East Hills (Table 4) but never saw or captured
them there off of the road. During a 25 May
fraverse of the West Hills (T13S,R2W,S22 and
S23) we noted 2 C. decemnotata among about
160 C. formosa in 14 blowouts and deposition
sites.
Cicindela tranquebarica, was seen almost
exclusively on the road near Tepee Creek (Table
4), where the water table was probably near the
ground surface and the sand sometimes slightly
damp. This was the only tiger beetle known to
occur with the Idaho Dunes Tiger Beetle at some
sites (Rumpp 1967, Logan 1995) and tends to be
a habitat generalist (Pearson et al. 1997, Leonard
and Bell 1999). C longilabris was seen only in
the East Hills (T13S,R1 W,S35SWSW), twice on
27 May in the presence of C decemnotata on a
sandy game frail in mid-seral habitat. C
longilabris is less associated with sandy habitats
and more often found in forested or alpine sites
(Pearson et al. 1 997, Leonard and Bell 1 999).
We saw all tiger beetle species, with the exception
of Cicindela longilabris, throughout the summer
from late May to late September, though all were
more abundant between late May and early July.
All species, again with the exception oi Cicindela
longilabris, were observed copulating between
27 May and 1 July.
The presence of C. formosa in the Centennial
Sandhills is noteworthy. This location is well
14
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15
beyond the range limit east of the mountains that is
depicted in the latest distribution map (Pearson et
al. 1997). This species has not yet been reported
for Idaho (Shook 1984).
Diurnal butterflies: Butterflies and skippers were
collected only on 29 and 30 July in an effort to
begin a list of species associated with the sandhills
(Appendix 9). The list is nowhere near complete,
and the collecting conducted was not sufficient to
identify specific microhabitat associations in the
sandhills, if in fact they occur. Most of the species
collected associate primarily or exclusively with
open grasslands or shrub-steppe habitats (Opler
1999); grasses, lupines, stonecrops, and asters are
the larval food plants for several species. In the
latest published state list (Kohler 1980)
Beaverhead County is not listed as a location for
four of the species (Satyriumfuliginosum,
Icahcia lupini, Oarisma garita, and Hesperia
juba). Considerable collecting has been under-
taken throughout the state since then, and there
now are coimty records for each (W. Kerling and
S. Kohler personal communication). However,
only limited collecting has been conducted in the
Centennial Sandhills, and these may be new
records for this specific locality.
Discussion
We found a variety of vertebrate and invertebrate
species using the Centennial Sandhills during our
1 999 inventory. It is likely that a few additional
vertebrate species will be discovered in the
sandhills when more surveys are undertaken.
The list of invertebrates is in its infancy; we expect
sand obligate species (Rust 1 986) to be identified
when additional invertebrate groups are studied.
For now, the species of tiger beetles identified
represent the only invertebrate group that is
probably nearly complete. For all vertebrate and
invertebrate species identified, several stand apart
as having restricted distributions tied to physical
featijres or vegetation within the Centennial
Sandhills.
Several mammal species in the Centennial
Sandhills have specific habitat requirements,
although their microhabitat relationships are not
clear. Perhaps of greatest interest are the four
manmial species of special concem that are now
known to occur in tiie sandhills. Both Pygmy
Rabbit and Black-tailed Jackrabbit are associated
with moderate or dense stands of sagebrush
(MacCracken and Hansen 1982, Katzner and
Parker 1997), which provide food for the former
species and shelter for both; Black-tailed Jackrab-
bit is more abundant in ungrazed habitat where
grass cover is greater Currently both species are
present in very low number in the sandhills, and
this probably is related to the limited availability of
preferred sagebrush habitat. However, low
jackrabbit density throughout the Centennial Valley
is reflected in their low fi^equency of occurrence in
raptor {Buteo) diets (Restani 1 99 1 ), and other
factors may be limiting their abundance. In the
sandhills. Great Basin Pocket Mouse appears to
be restricted to stabilized low dunes, as they were
captured only in the East Hills, despite intensive
trapping in the West Hills. This partem might be
explained by a greater availability of grass and
forb seed (Lesica and Cooper 1999) and better
burrow stability afforded by more mature sage-
brush. Preble's Shrew, unlike the pocket mouse,
appears to be more widespread at low density
(assuming the unidentified shrews indicated in
Table 2 were this species) and not tied to any
particular succession stage or physionomic class,
so long as sagebrush cover is present. For both
species, additional systematic trapping to define
distributions and microhabitat associations is
desirable.
Of the other small mammals. Least Chipmunk and
Northern Pocket Gopher are found where tiiere is
significant topographical relief in the sandhills,
associated with dune slopes and crests regardless
of the succession stage (early to late serai).
However, pocket gopher activity is most evident in
16
early serai sites, as noted by Lesica and Cooper
( 1 999). Both species are virtually absent in sand
flats or broad inter-dune troughs. Meadow Vole
is restricted to the edges and small depressions of
the sandhills where more mesic habitat is available
or nearby. Masked Shrew, Dusky Shrew, Mon-
tane Vole, and Deer Mouse are widespread,
although the latter species apparently is uncommon
in expansive sandflats and broad inter-dune
troughs.
Five bird species noted in the sandhills are state
PIF Priority II species. For one of these. Ferrugi-
nous Hawk, there is no evidence of current
breeding, but the species was observed hunting in
the area and an old ground nest was found in the
West Hills. Presence of this hawk in the sandhills
is probably determined by prey availability and
landscape structure (nest sites), although habitat
availability could affect its presence indirectly
through influences on its favored prey (Bechard
and Schmutz 1 995 ), which in the Centennial Valley
are voles, ground squirrels, and pocket gophers
(Restani 1991). Our observations on the other 4
PIF Priority species (Long-billed Curlew, Sage
Thrasher, Brewer's Sparrow, Grasshopper
Sparrow) indicate confirmed or likely breeding in
the sandhiUs. Long-billed Curlews seek breeding
sites with short dense grass usually < 25 cm in
height (Allen 1 980, Pampush and Anthony 1993,
Paige and Ritter 1999). This species is currently
uncommon in the sandhills, but behavior of one
pair indicated the presence of young. Sage
Thrasher and Brewer's Sparrow are sagebrush
obligates, closely associated with sagebiiish of
different structure and negatively associated with
grass cover (Paige and Ritter 1 999, Reynolds et
al. 1999,Rotenberryetal. 1999). Populations of
these species drop where sagebrush cover is
below 1 0% over large areas. Sage Thrasher is
most closely associated with tall dense sage, while
Brewer's Sparrow occurs in sage < 1 .5 m tall and
in less dense stands. Brewer's Sparrow is wide-
spread and relatively abundant in the Centennial
Sandhills wherever sagebrush is present; Sage
Thrasher is restricted to small patches of taller big
sage and dense stands of the same. Grasshopper
Sparrow occurs in the Centennial Sandhills in a
small and possibly isolated breeding population (at
least 3 singing males) in relatively dense grass with
low sagebrush cover, so far known only fi-om the
West Hills. Grasshopper Sparrow settles in sites
with taller grasses and generally avoids grasslands
with extensive shrub cover, although some shrub
cover is favored ( Vickery 1 996); in sagebrush-
grassland in southcentral Montana, this species
was significantly less abundant on plots that
experienced fire eradicating all sagebrush cover
(Bock and Bock 1987).
We found no sign of Greater Sage-Grouse
{Centrocerciis urophasianus) in the sandhills
during our survey. Absence could be due in part
to a lack of adequate density and height of sage-
brush favored as summer habitat (J. Roscoe
personal communication).
Only three amphibian and reptile species were
observed in the sandhills. None appear closely
associated with any habitat other than the various
adjacent wetlands. However, the population of
tiger salamander that exists in the upper Centennial
Valley may persist largely because of the close
proximity of the sandhills to extensive wetlands,
providing it ideal habitat in which to find refuge in
burrows during non-breeding periods.
Our survey of diumal butterflies was so brief that
we could not identify pattems of landscape use.
Nevertheless, we can predict areas where some
species are likely to occur, based on their larval
food plant preferences (Opler 1 999). Larvae of
the 3 skipper species feed on grasses and sedges,
so we would expect them to occur widely in the
Sandhills. Riding's Saytr feeds on grasses, espe-
cially blue grama [Bouteloua gracilis), and will
probably be most prevalent in the East Hills where
it was commonly seen in 1999. Both Boisduval's
Blue and Sooty Hairstreak specialize on lupines
{Lupinus spp.), so we expect these butterfly
species to occur throughout the sandhills in all
successional stages, but more commonly in
17
stabilized late-seral areas of the East Hills where
lupines are most abundant (Lesica and Cooper
1999). Rocky Mountain Parnassian specializes on
stonecrop (Sedum) and will likely be found where
this plant is most abundant, probably the East
Hills. For butterfly species requiring specific larval
food plants, such as some of the above, additional
survey work might reveal correlations between the
predicted distributions and various successional
stages of Sandhills vegetation.
Tiger beetles provide the best examples of
Sandhills animal species that are closely associated
with early-seral vegetation and unstable sites, like
the 4 rare plant species studied by Lesica and
Cooper (1999). Indeed, tiger beetles were one of
the &st animal groups in which different species
were found to favor specific successional stages
(Shelford 1907). In our surveys, two of the
Centermial Sandhills species, Cicmdelaformosa
and C. decemnotata, were most common in
early-seral erosional or depositional sites with
sandy soil and low vegetation cover These
habitats closely match those described for C
formosa at other locations (Shelford 1 907, Wallis
1961,Knisleyl979).
C decemnotata, however, is not considered a
sand dunes and blowouts specialist like C
formosa, but is found throughout its range in
upland grassland, arid shrubland, and clay banks
habitats (Pearson et al. 1997). For example, the
species is listed as an uncommon species of the
Idaho National Engineering Laboratory northwest
of Idaho Falls (Stafford et al. 1 986), where it is
found on sandy loams and loess (Aridisols) in
sagebrush-grasslands. In western Canada it has
been collected on dry, gravelly clay soils (Wallis
1 96 1 , Hooper 1 969 ) . Its broader range of habitat
associations might explain why C decemnotata
was the prevalent tiger beetle in the East Hills,
where the dunes are more stabilized with in-
creased vegetative cover (Lesica and Cooper
1999). Overall, however, this species too was
more strongly associated with low-cover sandy
sites in the Sandhills.
Competition may offer further explanation for the
distribution patterns we found of these respective
tiger beetle species in the Centennial Sandhills.
Because the local distribution of tiger beetles is
determined by preferred oviposition substrates
(Shelford 1907), Cicmdelaformosa and C.
decemnotata may be competing for similar egg-
laying habitat in the SandhiUs. C. formosa, being
the larger of the two species, may be dominant at
breeding sites in the West Hills and exclude C
decemnotata fi-om the more extensive early-seral
habitat that is available there. Further study might
clarify whether such competitive interaction
accounts for their respective distribution patterns
in the Sandhills.
Recommendations
and Conclusions
Most habitats support plant and animal species
that are generalists-those found across a wide
array of habitats, and specialists-those with
restricted distributions and specific habitat require-
ments (Cody 1974). This complicates multi-
species management because habitat manipula-
tions for the benefit of one species will likely be at
the expense of others. The challenge, then, is to
design management strategies that are effective in
maintaining and/or restoring the full range of plant
and animal species native to an area. Perhaps the
best management approach for the Centennial
Sandhills fauna is to focus on disturbance pro-
cesses under which these species evolved, and
which maintain a diverse array of cover conditions
and stages of plant succession (Lesica and Coo-
per 1999) at specific spatial and temporal scales.
In pursuing this approach, it should be kept in
mind that the Sandhills themselves are but one site,
albeit unique, in the larger Centennial Valley
system. Adaptive management should include
larger-scale disturbances, since small-scale
disturbances alone probably do not replicate
former patch dynamics across the entire Centen-
nial Valley.
18
Lesica and Cooper ( 1 999) recommended a
number of measures for returning natural distur-
bance cycles to the Sandhills at appropriate time
intervals (their recommendations do not address
the question of spatial scale and patchiness of
disturbance that are optimal for the Sandhills). We
discuss these recommendations below, emphasiz-
ing their implications for the Sandhills' animal
species. Additional guidelines appropriate to the
Centennial Sandhills are presented in Peterson
(1995), Saab etal. (1995), and Paige and Ritter
(1999).
Sagebrush manipulation
Sagebrush encroachment has contributed to the
stabilization of the Sandhills. Sagebrush removal
has complex impacts on the plants and animals
associated with it (Peterson 1995), but there is
good evidence of the immediate and short-term
effects on several animal species. Extensive
clearing of sagebrush (especially mature big sage)
will have negative impacts on Pygmy Rabbit,
Black-tailed Jackrabbit, Sage Thrasher, Brewer's
Sparrow, and possibly Great Basin Pocket Mouse
and Preble's Shrew (Best 1 972, Bock and Bock
1987, Verts and Kirkland 1988, Comely et al.
1992, Rauscher 1997, Paige and Ritter 1999,
Reynolds et al. 1999). However, conversion of
sagebrush to grassland benefits Lx)ng-billed
Curlew, and Grasshopper Sparrow as long as
scattered shrubs are left at low density (Bock and
Bock 1987, Vickery 1996).
Sagebrush manipulation, if conducted, should be
limited and dispersed to maintain large expanses of
sagebrush cover (over 10%) in various ages and
size classes. Stands of dense mature sagebrush
should probably be left undisturbed, as they are
especially important sites for Pygmy Rabbit and
Sage Thrasher (Rauscher 1 997, Paige and Ritter
1 999) and are uncommon in the Sandhills.
Fire
Fire is a natural process of the Sandhills land-
scape. Fire suppression leads to a decline in
diversity of successional habitats through vegeta-
tion encroachment; in the eastern U. S . , loss of
some tiger beetle species requiring open habitat
has been linked to fire suppression (Knisley and
Schultz 1997). The effects of fire will probably be
similar to mechanical/chemical removal of sage-
brush, producing a decrease in overall shrub cover
for several years. However, because fire bums
unevenly it creates a mosaic of successional
habitats leaving some shrub cover if properly
managed. Sage Thrasher and Brewer's Sparrow
persist following prescribed fire, if the bum pattem
leaves a patchwork of stmctural and cover condi-
tions (Rotenberry etal. 1999). Absence of
Greater Sage-Grouse in the Sandfiills and else-
where in the Centennial Valley may relate to fire, in
that spring-cool bums enhance the abundance of
three-tip sage. Threetip sage tends to be avoided
in summer by sage-grouse because it offers less
cover of the appropriate height and density (J.
Roscoe personal communication).
Fire could benefit species like the Grasshopper
Sparrow by stimulating increased growth in
grasses, thereby providing more nesting cover
Some increased availability of grasses is also
beneficial to Black-tailed Jackrabbit and Great
Basin Pocket Mouse, providing increased cover
and food for each. Controlled fire may also be
used to reactivate dune dynamics by removing
bunchgrasses that stabilize the Sandhills (Lesica
and Cooper 1999). However, as Lesica and
Cooper ( 1 999) pointed out, effectiveness of fire in
creating early and mid-seral conditions will vary
depending on a large variety of conditions, includ-
ing dune topography and current cover conditions.
Invasion of exotic grasses (especially cheatgrass)
could affect intensity and fi-equency of natural fires
and damage native species habitat, through
indefinite loss of sagebrush cover (Paige and Ritter
1 999). Close monitoring for invasion of exotic
grasses should be a priority.
Livestock grazing
Livestock grazing can have many direct impacts
on the Sandhills fauna (Saab et al 1995, Lesica
and Cooper 1999); these include trampling,
competition for food, and mechanical alteration or
removal of cover. Cattle compete for food with
19
native herbivores such as Black-tailed Jackrabbit
and Great Basin Pocket Mouse, which tend to be
more abundant on ungrazed sites (MacCracken
and Hansen 1982, Verts and Kirkland 1988).
Moderate to heavy livestock grazing reduces
habitat quality for Grasshopper Sparrow (Saab et
al. 1 995, Vickery 1 999) by removing nesting
cover On the other hand, this type of grazing may
benefit Long-billed Curlew and more common
species like Homed Lark by reducing vegetation
height and cover if grazing occurs before the onset
of nesting (Paige and Ritter 1 999). In the
Sandhills area, nesting commences for many bird
species before cattle are introduced (personal
observation).
Heavy grazing should benefit tiger beetle species
associated with early-seral disturbance by creating
more early and mid-seral habitat. Lesica and
Cooper ( 1 999) suggested that heavy grazing will
also help maintain early-seral vegetation on slopes
where trampling in significant. However, livestock
can destroy tiger beetle larvae by trampling their
burrows (Knisley and Sdchultz 1 997), especially if
livestock are concentrated in small areas or are
grazed at high densities.
As with fire, grazing is most beneficial and usefii
as a management tool when it creates a mosaic of
cover types and disturbance regimes. The most
reasonable grazing system for the Sandhills is
probably some form of rest or deferred rotation
grazing (Saab et al. 1 995 ), where portions of the
Sandhills are left undisturbed while others are
grazed. These grazing systems distribute the
disturbance across the landscape in an uneven
pattern. Currently, early-seral habitat is most
abundant in the West Hills where grazing and
disturbance is also greatest. There is an obvious
correlation here between grazing and the presence
of early-seral vegetation in the Sandhills.
Concluding remarks
Lesica and Cooper ( 1 999) recommended that
prescribed fire be used every 20-30 years to
remove bunchgrasses and sagebrush in patches of
some unspecified patch size. Controlled fire
followed by intense livestock grazing for 1-2 years
could significantly reduce vegetation cover,
reinitiating blowout development in the East Hills
and maintaining successional dynamics in the West
Hills. Through use of natural and controlled fire
and grazing, early-seral conditions to which the
rarest species are linked should increase in the
Sandhills. This approach appears most appropri-
ate for sandhills invertebrates and small mammals,
such as tiger beetles, shrews, and pocket mice,
with specific small patch requirements. However,
as Lesica and Cooper ( 1 999) prudently pointed
out, their recommendations should first be tested
by means of replicated demonstration areas
spread through the Sandhills. Demonstration
areas would be used to determine the relationships
between scale, fi^equency, and intensity of distur-
bances that will maintain the mosaic of early- to
late-seral vegetation "capable of supporting the fioll
spectrum of native species (Lesica and Cooper
1999, p. 300)."
We concur with the suggestions of Lesica and
Cooper ( 1 999), with an additional comment. The
most effective management program will also
involve coordinating the activities of all owners
(Fish and Wildlife Service, Bureau of Land Man-
agement, State, and Private) with lands in the
Sandhills, as the entire site should be managed as
an integrated unit with a unified goal. Extending
this reasoning one additional step, the Sandhills
should also be managed as but one unit, albeit
unique, within the larger sagebrush-grassland
system of the entire Centennial Valley.
Future work
It remains to be determined how unusual the
Sandhills fauna is for the entire Centennial Valley,
especially the distributions and associations of
invertebrates, small mammals, and songbirds, as
few concentrated surveys have been conducted
elsewhere in the valley. We therefor recommend
additional surveys for sagebrush obligate and
grassland associated vertebrates (e.g.. Sage
Thrasher, Brewer's Sparrow, Grasshopper
Sparrow, Preble's Shrew, Great Basin Pocket
Mouse, Pygmy Rabbit) and invertebrates (e.g..
20
tiger beeties, grasshoppers, butterflies) throughout
the entire Centennial Valley. This survey work
would help place the significance of the Sandhills-
associated fauna in the larger landscape context.
In conjunction with habitat modeling, valley- wide
surveys could further inform management regard-
ing patch size requirements and distribution across
the landscape. Because the Centennial Valley is
an integrated system, management of special
concern species should be conducted across the
entire valley rather than at specific sites within the
valley. Species such as early-succession sandhills
obligate plants and invertebrates, restricted to
unique sites and requiring special management
attention, are the exceptions.
Finally, we also recommend additional survey
work be conducted in the Sandhills themselves for
two reasons. First, Sandhills distribution and
status for vertebrate species of special concern or
high conservation interest including Preble's
Shrew, Pygmy Rabbit, Black-tailed Jackrabbit,
Great Basin Pocket Mouse, Sage Thrasher, and
Grasshopper Sparrow are still uncertain, and
microhabitat relationships remain largely unknown.
To understand how these species will respond to
prescribed disturbance in the Sandhills requires
better information about their habitat requirements
and distributions. Second, there are groups of
invertebrates that were not tiioroughly surveyed
but which are known to contain sandhills-obligate
species (spiders, ground beetles, grasshoppers)
closely tied to early stages of succession (Rust
1986), or species with specific food plant require-
ments (butterflies) that serve as indicators of the
spectrum of sandhills habitats. These groups
probably are the best animal indicators of the
overall health of the Centennial Sandhills because
their requirements are quite specific.
21
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(Coleoptera: Cicindelidae). Cicindela
29:33-84.
24
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25
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Mammalian Species No. 214:1-7.
26
APPENDIX 1. Global
and State Rank
Guidelines
For state ranks, substitute S for G in these defini-
tions
G 1 = Critically imperiled globally because of
extreme rarity (typically five or fewer
occurrences or very few remaining acres)
or because of some factor(s) making it
extremely vulnerable to exptirpation.
G2 = Imperiled globally because of extreme
rarity (typically six to 20 occurrences or
few remaining acres) or because of some
factor(s) making it very vulnerable to
extirpation.
G3 = Vulnerable; either very rare and local
throughout its range or found locally (even
abundantly at some of its locations) in a
restricted range (e.g. a single Great Plains
state, a single physiographic or
ecoregional unit) or because of other
factors making it vulnerable to extirpation
throughout it's range.
G4 = Apparently Secure; Uncommon, but not
rare (although it may be quite rare in parts
of its range, especially at the periphery).
Apparently not vulnerable in most of its
range.
G5 = Secure; Common, widespread, and
abundant (though it may be quite rare in
parts of its range, especially at the periph-
ery). Not vulnerable in most of its range.
GU = Unrankable; Status cannot be determined
at this time.
G? = Unranked; Status has not yet been as-
sessed.
**Modifiers and Rank Ranges**
? A question mark added to a rank ex-
presses an uncertainty about the rank in
the range of 1 either way on the 1 -5 scale.
G#G# Greater uncertainty about a rank is ex-
pressed by indicating the fioll range of
ranks which may be appropriate.
Q A "Q" added to a rank denotes question-
able taxonomy. It modifies the degree of
imperilment and is only used in cases
where the type would have a less imper-
iled rank if it were not recognized as a
valid name (i.e. if it were combined with a
more common type).
CRITERIA USED FOR RANKING
The criteria for ranking are based on a set of
quantitative and qualitative factors. These factors
are listed below in order of their general impor-
tance:
a. Number of Element Occurrences
(EOs);
the estimated number of EOs
throughout the Element's global
range;
b. Abundance:
the estimated global abundance of
the Element (measured by number
of individuals, or area, or stream
length covered);
c. Size of Range:
the estimated size of the Element's
global range;
27
d. Distribution trend:
the trend in the Element's distribu
tion over it's global range;
e. Number of protected EOs:
the estimated number of ad-
equately protected EOs through-
out the Element's global range;
f Degree of threat:
the degree to which the Element is
threatened globally;
g. Fragility:
the fragility or susceptibility of the
Element to intrusion;
h. Other global considerations:
for example, the quality or condi-
tion of EOs that affect or may
aflFect endangerment status;
unexplained population fluctua-
tions; reproductive strategies that
are dependent on specific habitat;
etc.
28
APPENDIX 2.
Small mammal
species of special
concern from the
Centennial
Sandhills.
29
Sorexpreblei (Jackson,1922)
Preble's Shrew
Insectivora: Soricidae
Global Rank: G4; State Rank: S3
DESCRIPTION: Preble's Shrew resembles other long-tailed shrews in Montana, although it is quite small
(2.1-4.1 grams). The tail is bi-colored: dark above and pale below. Dorsal fur is grayish to brownish, with
silvery pelage on the belly. Sexes are similar in appearance. This species is virtually impossible to identify
using extemal criteria, however. One must examine the teeth and skull to properly distinguish this shrew
from other species. There are medial tines on the first upper incisors well within the pigmented portion of
the teeth, and the third unicuspid is larger than, or about equal in size to, the fourth unicuspid, placing this
shrew in the cinereus group. A series of skull measurements is necessary to differentiate S. preblei from S.
cinereus and S. haydeni where the species overlap. Condylobasal length is usually < 1 4.8 mm, cranial
breadth is usually < 7.5 mm.
DISTRIBUTION: Preble's Shrew ranges from northeastern California, northern Nevada, northern Utah,
and southwestem Wyoming through eastern Oregon, southeastem Washington, central Idaho and across
Montana, appearing as several disjunct populations, partly a resuh of unequal sampling across the geo-
graphical range. In Montana Preble's Shrew has previously been confirmed in Big Hom, Dawson, Fergus,
Gallatin, Glacier, Judith Basin, Ravalli, Silver Bow, and Sweet Grass counties (14 total locations), and
reported from Carbon, Phillips, Valley, and Wheatland counties. The 1 999 records (this study) are the first
for the Centennial Valley and Beaverhead County.
30
HABITAT: Recorded habitats of Preble's Shrew include arid and semi-arid shrub-grass associations,
openings in montane coniferous forests dominated by sagebrush (Washington), willow-fringed creeks,
marshes (Oregon), bunchgrass associations, sagebrush-aspen associations (California), sagebrush-grass
associations (Nevada), and alkaline shrubland (Utah). In Montana, most sites where this species has been
recorded are arid or semi-arid foothill sagebrush {Artemisia)-grass\and associations; a few collection
localities have been from similar vegetation associations within montane coniferous forest clearings.
COMMENTS: Status and habitat afiinities of Preble's Shrew need further attention and review. This
species is difficult to distinguish from sympatric Masked (S. cinereus) and Hayden's (5. haydeni) shrews,
and generally requires extensive pitfall frapping over many days to detect. At most localities where this
species has been captured it is apparently rare.
REFERENCE:
Comely, J. E., L.N. Carraway, and B.J. Verts. 1992. Sorex preblei. Mammalian Species No. 416:1-3.
HoSmann, R. S., P. L. Wright, and F. E. Newby 1969. The distribution of some mammals in Montana. I.
Mammals other than bats. Journal of Mammalogy 50:579-604.
31
Brachylagus idahoensis (Merriam, 1891)
Pygmy Rabbit
Lagomorpha: Leporidae
Global Rank: G4; State Rank: S2S3
DESCRIPTION: The Pygmy Rabbit is smaller than any other North American leporid (averaging about
400-450 grams), with very short hind legs and short rounded ears. The tail is small and inconspicuous with
a buff-colored underside, rather than white as in cottontails (Sylvilagus). The upper parts are gray, with
cinnamon buff on the nape and anterior surfaces of the legs. The skull is small, with a relatively large brain-
case and auditory bullae. Supraorbital processes are long compared with those of members in the genus
Sylvilagus. Postorbital extensions of the supraorbitals are broadest distally, instead of tapering to a blunt
end as in Sylvilagus. Molariform teeth are relatively small. The anterior surface of the first upper molari-
form tooth possesses but a single re-entrant angle while those of Sylvilagus have two or three re-entrant
angles. The two pair of unpigmented incisors distinguish lagomorph skulls from all rodents.
DISTRIBUTION: The geographic range of the Pygmy Rabbit includes most of the Great Basin in eastern
California and Oregon, northern Nevada, western Utah, southern Idaho, isolated populations in southeast-
em Washington and southwestern Wyoming, and extends into southwestern Montana. In Montana the
Pygmy Rabbit occurs throughout Beaverhead (many locations), extreme southern Deer Lodge ( 1 location),
and extreme southwestern Madison (2 locations) counties, with a questionable 1 937 record from Ravalli
County. There are only three records from the Centennial Valley, one of which (in 1 997) was from the
sandhills area
32
HABITAT: The Pygmy Rabbit is closely associated with aggregations of sagebrush (Artemisia) throughout
their range, especially preferring tall dense clumps of big sage {A. thdentata) growing in loose soils; sage-
brush is the major component of the diet. In Idaho it also occupies areas supporting greasewood
{Sarcobatus). In southwestern Wyoming, the pygmy rabbit selectively uses dense and structurally diverse
stands of sagebrush that accumulate a relatively large amount of snow; the subnivean environment provides
access to a relatively constant supply of food while providing protection from predators and extreme cold
weather. The Pygmy Rabbit makes extensive use of burrows largely of their own construction, with en-
trances usually located at the base of sagebrush plants; burrows may have three or more entrances.
COMMENTS : The Pygmy Rabbit may be locally abundant but unevenly distributed. It may have moved
into Montana as sagebrush habitat increased in Beaverhead County following fire suppression during the late
nineteenth century. The known distribution in Montana apparently has not changed much during the last 1 00
years.
REFERENCES:
Green, J. S., and J. T. Flinders. 1980. Brachylagus idahoensis. Mammalian Species No. 125:1-4.
Rauscher, R. L. 1997. Status and distribution of the Pygmy Rabbit in Montana Montana Fish, Wildlife &
Parks Nongame Program, Bozeman, MT. 1 9 pp. + appendices.
33
Lepus californicus (Gray, 1837)
Black-tailed Jackxabbit
Lagomorpha: Leporidae
Global Rank: G5; State Rank: S2S3
DESCRIPTION: The Black-tailed Jackrabbit is a large (1 ,300-3,300 grams), slender hare with long legs
and ears. The tail has a black dorsal surface that may continue as a line onto the lower back, distinguishing
it from the larger White-tailed Jackrabbit (L. townsendii) which has a white tail. The upper parts may
range from brown to dark gray; the belly and underside of tail are usually a pale gray. The ears are edged
and sometimes tipped with black. Unlike the Snowshoe Hare and White-tailed Jackrabbit, Black-tailed
Jackrabbits molt only once annually and do not take on a white winter coat. The interparietal bone is ftised
with the parietals, distinguishing the skulls of hares from the cottontails (Sylvilagus) and Pygmy Rabbit
(Brachylagus idahoensis). Presence of an anterior projection of the supraorbital process differentiates the
skull of the two jackrabbit species from the congeneric Snowshoe Hare (L. americanus). The first upper
incisors have a bi- or triflircate groove resulting in a complex fold on the anterior surface; L townsendii has
a simple groove on the anterior surface of the first upper incisors.
DISTRIBUTION: The Black-tailed Jackrabbit is widespread in the western and central United States, from
westem Missouri and Arkansas west to the Pacific Coast, and from Washington and Idaho south to Hidalgo
and Queretaro in central Mexico. In Montana the Black-tailed Jackrabbit has been documented only in
Beaverhead ( 1 1 locations) and extreme westem Madison (2 locations) counties, with only two reports from
the Centennial Valley (one from 1999 during this study).
34
HABITAT: The Black-tailed Jackrabbit inhabits open plains, fields and deserts, and open country with
scattered thickets or patches of shrubs; ideal habitat includes short grasses and herbs for food and ease of
locomotion, with scattered brush for cover This species often becomes abundant on overgrazed land
because grazing encourages this type of vegetation, hi the Great Basin, the Black-tailed Jackrabbit often
inhabits sagebrush (Artemisia) desert and semi-desert.
COMMENTS: Black-tailed Jackrabbits may have entered Montana after 1900, following a widespread
increase in sagebrush following fire suppression in Beaverhead County. This species is probably more
abundant than the relatively few records indicate, although populations undergo dramatic fluctuations; the
earliest record was published in 1937.
REFERENCES:
Hofimann, R. S., R L. Wright, and F. E. Newby 1969. The distribution of some mammals in Montana. I.
Mammals other than bats. Journal of Mammalogy 50:579-604.
North, G. J., and R. E. Marsh. 1999. Black-tailed jackrabbit, Lepus califomicus. Pp. 699-701 In The
Smithsonian Book ofNorth American Mammals (D. E. Wilson and S. Rufl", eds.). Smithsonian Institution
Press, Washington, D.C.
35
Perognathus parvus (Peale, 1848)
Great Basin Pocket Mouse
Rodentia: Heteromyidae
Global Rank: G5; State Rank: S2S4
DESCRIPTION: Pocket mice are distinguished by their soft pelage, absence of spines or bristles, some-
what hairy soles on the hind feet, greatly developed mastoids that extend beyond the occipital plane, audi-
tory bullae meeting or nearly so anteriorly, and breadth of the interparietal less than the breadth of the
interorbital. The skull has a perforated nasal septum. Grooved upper incisors and external fur-lined cheek
pouches are shared by other members of the genus. Diagnostic characteristics of the Great Basin Pocket
Mouse include a lobed antitragus, length of the hind foot > 20 mm, occipitonasal length > 24 mm, ears not
clothed with white hairs, tail dark above and neither crested nor conspicuously tufted, and the presence of
an olivaceous lateral line on the body. The Great Basin Pocket Mouse is the largest member of the genus
( 1 6.5-3 1 .0 grams); tail length is 1 1 0-1 20% of the length of the head and body.
DISTRIBUTION: Great Basin Pocket Mice occupy almost the entire Great Basin Region of North
America, fi-om south-central British Columbia southward through central and eastern Washington and
Oregon, southern Idaho, southwestem Wyoming, most of Nevada and Utah, to northem Arizona and
northeast and east-central California. In Montana, Great Basin Pocket Mice are documented only fi-om
Beaverhead (8 locations) and Jefferson counties (1 location); the 1 999 records (this study) are the first fi-om
the Centennial Valley.
36
HABITAT: The Great Basin Pocket Mouse inhabits arid and semi-arid sandy shrub-steppe covered with
short grasses, sagebrush (especially ^A-Zeww/a tridentata), bitterbrush {Purshia tridentata), and rabbit
brush {Chrysothamnus), and also is found in pinyon-juniper woodlands. Usually this species is found in
habitats with light-textured loose and deep soils where it can burrow, but it also is sometimes present among
rocks. The diet includes a variety of grass and forb seeds; this species may be diminished in areas with
heavy livestock grazing because of reduced food availability. Loss of sagebrush cover also diminishes
abundance.
COMMENTS : The 1 999 records from the Centennial Sandhills are the first in Montana since 1 96 1 . The
status of the Great Basin Pocket Mouse needs further attention and review. Intensive trapping using pitfall
arrays could reveal many additional populations and define in finer detail the distribution, status, and habitat
associations of the species in the state.
REFERENCES:
Hoffmann, R. S., P. L. Wright and F. E. Newby. 1969. Distribution of some mammals inMontana. I.
Mairmials other than bats. Journal of Mammalogy 50:579-604.
Verts, B. J. and G. L. Kirkland, Jr. 1 988. Perognathus parvus. Mammalian Species No. 318:1-8.
37
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41
APPENDIX 7. Mammal, amphibian, and reptile species documented in the Centennial
Sandhills, Beaverhead County, Montana during May-September 1 999. West Hills is that
portion west of Tepee Creek, East Hills that portion east of Tepee Creek.
Common Name
Scientific Name
West Hills
East Hills
MAMMALS
Masked Shrew
Dusky Shrew
Preble's Shrew
Black-tailed Jackrabbit
White-tailed Jackrabbit
Least Chipmunk
Wyoming Ground Squirrel
Northern Pocket Gopher
Great Basin Pocket Mouse
Deer Mouse
Montane Vole
Meadow Vole
Coyote
Red Fox
Badger
Elk or Wapiti
Mule Deer
Prong horn
Sorex cinereus
Sorex monticolus
Sorex preblei
Lepus califomicus
Lepus tovmsendii
Tamias minimus
Spermophilus elegans
Thomomys talpoides
Perognathus pan/us
Peromyscus maniculatus
Microtus montanus
Microtus pennsylvanicus
Canis latrans
Vulpes vulpes
Taxidea taxus
Cen/us elaphus
Odocoileus hemionus
Antilocapra americana
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
AMPHIBIANS
Tiger Salamander
Striped Chorus Frog
Ambystoma tigrinum
Pseudacris triseriata
X
X
X
REPTILES
Western Terrestrial Garter Snake
Thamnophis elegans
X
X
42
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43
APPENDIX 9. List of tiger beetles (Coleoptera: Carabidae) and diurnal butterflies
(Lepidoptera: Papilionoidea and Hesperioidea) documented in the Centennial
Sandhills, Beaverhead County, Montana in 1 999 (buttlerflies late July only). West Hills
is that portion west of Tepee Creek, East Hills is that portion east of Tepee Creek.
TIGER BEETLES
Species
Habitat
West Hills
East Hills
Cicindela decemnotata
blowout, sandy road
X
X
Cicindela formosa
blowout, sandy road
X
X
Cicindela longilabris
grassy stabilized dune
X
Cicindela tranquebarica
moist sandy/pebbly road
X
BUTTERFLIES
Common Name
Scientific Name
West Hills
East Hills
Rocky Mountain Parnassian
Parnassius smintheus
X
X
Blue Copper
Lycaena heteronea
X
X
Dorcas Copper
Lycaena dorcas
X
Sooty Hal rstreak
Satyrium fuliginosum
X
X
Melissa Blue
Lycaeides melissa
X
X
Boisduval's Blue
Icaricia icariodes
X
Lupine Blue
Icaricia lupini
X
Zerene Fritillary
Speyeria zerene
X
X
Northern Crescent
Phyciodes cocyta
X
Small Wood-Nymph
Cercyonis oetus
X
X
Riding's Satyr
Neominois ridingsii
X
X
Garita Skipperling
Oarisma garita
X
Juba Skipper
Hesperia juba
X
Common Branded Skipper
Hesperia comma
X
X
44
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