A5016991581- Wildlife Ecology and Conservation
- Genetic diversity and population structure
- Evolution and Paleontology Studies
- Genetic and phenotypic traits in livestock
- Bat Biology and Ecology Studies
- Species Distribution and Climate Change
- Animal Ecology and Behavior Studies
- Environmental DNA in Biodiversity Studies
- Identification and Quantification in Food
- Genomics and Phylogenetic Studies
- Yersinia bacterium, plague, ectoparasites research
- Marine animal studies overview
- Primate Behavior and Ecology
- Animal Behavior and Reproduction
- Human-Animal Interaction Studies
- Forensic and Genetic Research
- Isotope Analysis in Ecology
- Archaeology and ancient environmental studies
- Gut microbiota and health
- Ecology and Vegetation Dynamics Studies
- Fish Ecology and Management Studies
- Animal Behavior and Welfare Studies
- Mediterranean and Iberian flora and fauna
- Animal Vocal Communication and Behavior
- Amphibian and Reptile Biology
Smithsonian Conservation Biology Institute
2016-2025
National Zoological Park
2016-2025
Conservation Biology Institute
2020-2025
George Mason University
2015-2024
Stanford University
2024
Smithsonian Institution
2010-2021
Saint Joseph University
2021
University of California, Davis
2019
University of British Columbia
2019
Griffith University
2019
Globally, tidal marshes are found in small pockets or narrow bands totaling only approximately 45,000 square kilometers. The combination of salinity, low floristic and structural complexity, regular inundation, as well unpredictable catastrophic flooding, provides a unique selective environment that shapes local adaptations, including those morphological, physiological, demographic, behavioral. Although support diversity nonaquatic vertebrate species, high proportion these inhabitants, at...
Understanding the patterns of gene flow an endangered species metapopulation occupying a fragmented habitat is crucial for landscape-level conservation planning and devising effective strategies. Tigers ( Panthera tigris ) are globally their populations highly exist in few isolated metapopulations across range. We used multi-locus genotypic data from 273 individual tigers four tiger Satpura–Maikal landscape central India to determine whether corridors this functional. This 45 000 km 2...
Even with global support for tiger (Panthera tigris) conservation their survival is threatened by poaching, habitat loss and isolation. Currently about 3,000 wild tigers persist in small fragmented populations within seven percent of historic range. Identifying securing linkages that connect source maintaining landscape-level gene flow an important long-term strategy endangered carnivores. However, corridors link regional are often lost to development projects due lack objective evidence on...
Abstract The evolutionary mechanisms generating the tremendous biodiversity of islands have long fascinated biologists. Genetic drift and divergent selection are predicted to be strong on both could drive population divergence speciation. Alternatively, genetic may preclude adaptation. We conducted a genomic analysis test roles in causing differentiation among populations island fox ( Urocyon littoralis ). This species consists six subspecies, each which occupies different California Channel...
We present the first comprehensive taxonomic revision and review biology of olingos, endemic Neotropical procyonid genus Bassaricyon, based on most specimens available in museums, with data derived from anatomy, morphometrics, mitochondrial nuclear DNA, field observations, geographic range modeling. Species Bassaricyon are primarily forest-living, arboreal, nocturnal, frugivorous, solitary, have one young at a time. demonstrate that four olingo species can be recognized, including Central...
Age-associated DNA-methylation profiles have been used successfully to develop highly accurate biomarkers of age ("epigenetic clocks") in humans, mice, dogs, and other species. Here we present epigenetic clocks for African Asian elephants. These were developed using novel DNA methylation 140 elephant blood samples known age, at loci that are conserved between mammalian species, a custom Infinium array (HorvathMammalMethylChip40). We elephants (Elephas maximus), (Loxodonta africana), both...
Abstract Specially trained detection dogs have been used to locate faeces (scats) for faecal analyses but their effectiveness has not quantified. We evaluated and accuracy rates of find scats endangered San Joaquin kit foxes ( Vulpes macrotis mutica ). Four found from 0.43 5.37 presumptive fox per km transect searched in two field sites where coyotes Canis latrans ) non‐native red V. vulpes were present. The unusually low rate (0.43 km) by one dog (probably due excessive panting hot weather)...
All previously obtained wolf (Canis lupus) and dog familiaris) mitochondrial (mt) DNA sequences fall within an intertwined shallow clade (the 'wolf–dog' clade). We sequenced mtDNA of recent historical samples from 45 wolves throughout lowland peninsular India 23 the Himalayas Tibetan Plateau compared these with all available sequences. Indian have one four closely related haplotypes that form a well–supported, divergent sister lineage to wolf–dog clade. This unique may been independent for...
Abstract The costs of inbreeding depression, as well the opportunity avoidance, determine whether and which mechanisms avoidance evolve. In African elephants, sex‐biased dispersal does not lead to complete separation male female relatives, so individuals may experience selection recognize kin avoid inbreeding. However, because estrous females are rare male–male competition for mates is intense, be high, particularly males. Here we combine 28 years behavioural demographic data on wild...
Island endemics are typically differentiated from their mainland progenitors in behavior, morphology, and genetics, often resulting long-term evolutionary change. To examine mechanisms for the origins of island endemism, we present a phylogeographic analysis whole mitochondrial genomes endangered fox (Urocyon littoralis), endemic to California's Channel Islands, gray foxes (U. cinereoargenteus). Previous genetic studies suggested that first appeared on islands >16,000 years ago, before human...
Sloth bears (Melursus ursinus) are endemic to the Indian subcontinent. As a result of continued habitat loss and degradation over past century, sloth bear populations have been in steady decline now exist only isolated or fragmented across entire range. We investigated genetic connectivity meta-population five tiger reserves Satpura-Maikal landscape central India. used noninvasively collected fecal hair samples obtain genotypic information using panel seven polymorphic loci. Out 194 field...
The taxonomy of American deer has been established almost entirely on the basis morphological data and without use explicit phylogenetic methods; hence, analyses including for all currently recognized species, even if based a single gene, might improve current understanding their taxonomy. We tested monophyly morphology-defined genera species New World (Odocoileini) with mitochondrial DNA sequences. This is first such test conducted using extensive geographic taxonomic sampling. Our results...
Abstract Aim Pleistocene environmental fluctuations had well‐characterized impacts on the patterns of within‐species divergences and diversity in temperate habitats. Here we examine impact widely distributed forest vertebrates a tropical system where distribution habitat was affected by those fluctuations. Location Sundaland, Southeast Asia. Methods We conducted comparative phylogeographical analysis 28 non‐migratory, forest‐dependent vertebrates, for which constructed rooted, intraspecifc...
High-throughput sequencing methods have facilitated obtaining large amounts of data from degraded DNA, thus resulting in a dramatic increase destructive sampling requests to museums. Because the tissues taken museum specimens as sources DNA are destroyed during analysis, consideration costs and benefits loss valuable specimen material relative knowledge gained is required for any project utilizing sampling. Variation exists preservation historical due age type preparation, among other...
Abstract Background Tree squirrels (Sciuridae, Sciurini), in particular the highly diverse Neotropical lineages, are amongst most rapidly diversifying branches of mammal tree life but also some least known. Negligence this group by systematists is likely a product difficulties assessing morphological informative traits and scarcity or unavailability fresh tissue samples for DNA sequencing. The discrepant taxonomic arrangements consequence lack phylogenies exclusive phenotypic-based...
Abstract Nonrandom patterns of mating and dispersal create fine‐scale genetic structure in natural populations — especially social mammals with important evolutionary conservation consequences. Such is well‐characterized for typical mammalian societies; that is, societies where group composition stable, male‐biased, males form permanent breeding associations just one or a few groups over the course their lives. However, not well understood differ from this pattern, including elephants. In...
This article documents the addition of 396 microsatellite marker loci to Molecular Ecology Resources Database. Loci were developed for following species: Anthocidaris crassispina, Aphis glycines, Argyrosomus regius, Astrocaryum sciophilum, Dasypus novemcinctus, Delomys sublineatus, Dermatemys mawii, Fundulus heteroclitus, Homalaspis plana, Jumellea rossii, Khaya senegalensis, Mugil cephalus, Neoceratitis cyanescens, Phalacrocorax aristotelis, Phytophthora infestans, Piper cordulatum,...
We investigated the spatial genetic structure of tiger meta-population in Satpura-Maikal landscape central India using population- and individual-based clustering methods on multilocus genotypic data from 273 individuals. The is classified as a global-priority Tiger Conservation Landscape (TCL) due to its potential for providing sufficient habitat that will allow long-term persistence tigers. found has high variation very low subdivision. Individual-based Bayesian algorithms reveal two...
Abstract Aim Habitat loss and fragmentation can influence the genetic structure of biological populations. Large terrestrial predators often avoid subdivision due to because they have high rates dispersal‐mediated gene flow. Leopards ( Panthera pardus ) are found in a variety habitats most widely distributed large middle‐sized felids. We investigated diversity population substructure leopards P.p fusca fragmented meta‐population comprised four populations from five protected areas...
The Indonesian island of Sulawesi has a complex geological history. It is composed several landmasses that have arrived at near modern configuration only in the past few million years. largest biodiversity hotspot Wallacea—an area demarcated by biogeographic breaks between Wallace's and Lydekker's lines. mammal fauna transitional Asian Australian faunas. Sulawesi's three genera squirrels, all endemic (subfamily Nannosciurinae: Hyosciurus, Rubrisciurus Prosciurillus), are origin evolved...