Deutschman Lab Projects
The Laguna Mountains Skipper is a federally listed endangered species which was historically found in the Laguna Mountains and on Mount Palomar, only in San Diego County. This skipper occupied meadows between 4000 and 6000 feet in elevation and almost exclusively feeds on Cleveland's Horkelia (Horkelia clevelandii) as larvae.
We conducted surveys in suitable Laguna Mountains Skipper habitat on Palomar and Laguna Mountains to evaluate the species' status and provide future site management recommendations and inform possible acquisition opportunities. Survey sites are based on historic survey data, including comparatively intensive research conducted by the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service during the 2007 and 2008 field seasons. In addition to basic presence/absence surveys, habitat variables were measured as a follow up to this previous study at consistently occupied sites.
Research Tasks
1. Determine current Laguna Mountains Skipper occupancy on Palomar Mountain and the Laguna Mountains
2. Collect habitat data
3. Analyze covariate data to identify likely important microhabitat requirements
Lead Biologist: Daniel Marschalek
The current distribution of the Laguna Mountains Skipper within each meadow is consistent with past data. This includes along edges of the meadows and along stream. Overall, adult skippers preferred areas with more bare soil and flowers compared to unoccupied areas within the same meadow. Grazing exclosures previously installed to protect skipper habitat restricted livestock grazing and resulted in high grass and leaf litter cover. There were few areas of bare soil and flowers, and adult skippers tended to avoid these areas.
This project is funded by a grant from the California Department of Fish & Wildlife and United States Fish & Wildlife Service.
Laguna Mountains Skipper (Pyrgus ruralis lagunae) Monitoring and Habitat Assessment
