A recent publication titled, “Defining population structure and genetic signatures of decline in the giant garter snake (Thamnophis gigas): implications for conserving threatened species within highly altered landscapes,” breaks some new ground on Giant garter snake populations in California. Authorized by Dustin Wood, Brian Halstead, Michael Casazza and Eric Hansen, the article notes Giant garter snake gene sharing taking place in the San Joaquin and Sacramento Valley Giant garter snake populations. It also notes that the Natomas Basin has among the highest genetic diversity of all studied populations. The article contains some fascinating charts, tables and graphs.
New land acquisition
The latest Conservancy land acquisition, the “Richter tract,” adds 80 acres to the organization’s Central Basin Reserve Area. This is the portion of the Natomas Basin where rice production is the dominant land use.