A5067359301- Genetic diversity and population structure
- Wildlife Ecology and Conservation
- Genetic and phenotypic traits in livestock
- Fish Ecology and Management Studies
- Amphibian and Reptile Biology
- Animal Behavior and Reproduction
- Environmental DNA in Biodiversity Studies
- Identification and Quantification in Food
- Animal Behavior and Welfare Studies
- Rangeland and Wildlife Management
- Molecular Biology Techniques and Applications
- Avian ecology and behavior
- Plant and animal studies
- Genomics and Phylogenetic Studies
- Species Distribution and Climate Change
- Primate Behavior and Ecology
- Vector-borne infectious diseases
- Parasite Biology and Host Interactions
- Genetic Mapping and Diversity in Plants and Animals
- Helminth infection and control
- Bird parasitology and diseases
- Ecology and biodiversity studies
- Rangeland Management and Livestock Ecology
- Coccidia and coccidiosis research
- Marine animal studies overview
University of Missouri
2015-2024
Versiti Blood Center of Wisconsin
2016
Smithsonian Conservation Biology Institute
2012-2013
National Zoological Park
2007-2012
National Museum of Natural History
2004-2010
Smithsonian Institution
2004-2009
University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa
2009
University of California, San Diego
1996-2004
Landscape genetics has seen tremendous advances since its introduction, but parameterization and optimization of resistance surfaces still poses significant challenges. Despite increased availability resolution spatial data, few studies have integrated empirical data to directly represent ecological processes as genetic surfaces. In our study, we determine the landscape factors affecting gene flow in western slimy salamander (Plethodon albagula). We used field derive representing abundance...
The Pecorans (higher ruminants) are believed to have rapidly speciated in the Mid-Eocene, resulting five distinct extant families: Antilocapridae, Giraffidae, Moschidae, Cervidae, and Bovidae. Due rapid radiation, Pecoran phylogeny has proven difficult resolve, 11 of 15 possible rooted phylogenies describing ancestral relationships among Bovidae each been argued as representations true phylogeny. Here we demonstrate that a genome-wide single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) genotyping platform...
Studies of species with continental distributions continue to identify intraspecific lineages despite continuous habitat. Lineages may form due isolation by distance, adaptation, divergence across barriers, or genetic drift following range expansion. We investigated lineage diversification and admixture within American black bears (Ursus americanus) their using 22 k single nucleotide polymorphisms mitochondrial DNA sequences. identified three subcontinental nuclear clusters which we further...
Recent genetic results support the recognition of two African elephant species: Loxodonta africana, savannah elephant, and cyclotis, forest elephant. The study, however, did not include populations West Africa, where taxonomic affinities elephants have been much debated. We examined mitochondrial cytochrome b control region sequences four microsatellite loci to investigate differences between Central Africa. then combined our data with published from across Africa examine patterns at...
An isolated population of dark-eyed juncos, Junco hyemalis, became established on the campus University California at San Diego (UCSD), probably in early 1980s. It now numbers about 70 breeding pairs. Populations across entire natural range subspecies J. h. thurberi are weakly differentiated from each other five microsatellite loci (FST = 0.01). The UCSD is significantly different these populations, closest which km away. has 88% genetic heterozygosity and 63% allelic richness populations...
Spatial capture-recapture (SCR) models have advanced our ability to estimate population density for wide ranging animals by explicitly incorporating individual movement. Though these are more robust various spatial sampling designs, few studies empirically tested different large-scale trap configurations using SCR models. We investigated how extent of coverage and spacing affects precision accuracy parameters, implementing the R package secr. two trapping scenarios, one spatially extensive...
Crop raiding is one of the most common forms human–elephant conflict. Deterring elephants from crops requires an understanding factors influencing behavior individuals involved. We collected fecal samples five group ranches in southern Kenya where crop-raiding incidents had occurred (n=10) and two protected areas, Amboseli National Park (n=24) Maasai Mara Reserve (n=20). used molecular sexing to sex radioimmunoassay kits determine level glucocorticoid metabolites (i.e. stress hormones) their...
Abstract Across much of North America, river otter ( Lontra canadensis ) populations were extirpated or greatly reduced by the early 20th century. More recently, reintroductions have resulted in restored and recommencement managed trapping. Perhaps best example these occurred Missouri, regarded as one most successful carnivore recovery programs history. However, abundance estimates for are difficult to obtain often contentious when used underpin management activities. We assessed value...
Bottlenecks, founder events, and genetic drift often result in decreased diversity increased population differentiation. These events may follow abundance declines due to natural or anthropogenic perturbations, where translocations be an effective conservation strategy increase size. American black bears (Ursus americanus) were nearly extirpated from the Central Interior Highlands, USA by 1920. In effort restore bears, 254 individuals translocated Minnesota, USA, Manitoba, Canada, into...
In population or landscape genetics studies, an unbiased sampling scheme is essential for generating accurate results, but logistics may lead to deviations from the sample design. Such come in form of multiple life stages. Presently, it largely unknown what effect different stages can have on genetic inference, how mixing affect parameters being measured. Additionally, removal siblings a data set considered best-practice, direct comparisons inferences made with and without are limited. this...
Abstract The gut microbiome, or the community of microorganisms inhabiting digestive tract, is often unique to its symbiont and, in many animal taxa, highly influenced by host phylogeny and diet. In this study, we characterized microbiome African savanna elephant ( Loxodonta africana ) forest cyclotis ), sister taxa separated 2.6–5.6 million years independent evolution. We examined effect on composition. Additionally, influence habitat types (forest versus savanna) diet (crop‐raiding...
ABSTRACT Recently, a number of papers have addressed the use pedigrees in study wild populations, highlighting value conservation management. We used to horses ( Equus caballus ) Assateague Island National Seashore, Maryland, USA, one small free‐ranging animal populations that been subject long‐term studies. This population grew from 28 1968 175 2001, causing negative impacts on island ecosystem. To minimize these effects, an immunocontraception program was instituted, and horse numbers are...
Biodiversity conservation strategies are increasingly focused on regions outside national protected areas, where animals face numerous anthropogenic threats and must coexist with human settlements, livestock, agriculture. The effects of these potential not always clear, but they could have profound implications for population viability. We used savannah elephants (Loxodonta africana) as a case study to assess the physiological stress associated living in human-livestock-dominated landscape....
Understanding factors that determine heterogeneity in levels of parasitism across individuals is a major challenge disease ecology. It known genetic makeup plays an important role infection likelihood, but the mechanism remains unclear as does its relative importance when compared to other factors. We analyzed relationships between diversity and macroparasites outbred, free-ranging populations raccoons (Procyon lotor). measured heterozygosity at 14 microsatellite loci modeled effects both...
As species evolve, they become adapted to their local environments. Detecting the genetic signature of selection and connecting that phenotype organism, however, is challenging. Here we report using an integrative approach combines DNA sequencing with structural biology analyses assess effect on residues in mitochondrial two African elephants. We detected evidence positive acting complexes I V, used homology protein structure modeling biochemical properties selected enzyme structure. Given...
Spatial patterns of relatedness within animal populations are important in the evolution mating and social systems, have potential to reveal information on species that difficult observe wild. This study examines fine-scale genetic structure connectivity groups African forest elephants, Loxodonta cyclotis, which often due habitat. We tested hypothesis similarity will decline with increasing geographic distance, as we expect kin be closer proximity, using spatial autocorrelation analyses Tau...
We describe the identification of polymorphic microsatellite loci in pathogenic yeast, Candida albicans. A search for all coding-region microsatellites with more than four repeats that can be found sequences GenBank was conducted. Nine such consisting trinucleotide motifs were found. Three these perfect while remaining six one imperfect and two compound microsatellites. Because close proximity some repeats, could assayed PCR primer pairs. All five nuclear genes, ZNF1, CCN1, CPH1, EFG1, MNT2....
Abstract The endangered Asian elephant is found today primarily in protected areas. We characterized 18 dinucleotide microsatellite loci this species. Allelic diversity ranged from three to eight per locus, and observed heterozygosity 0.200 0.842 a wild population. All were Hardy–Weinberg equilibrium, but linkage disequilibrium was detected between two the wild, not zoo elephants. These will be useful for population‐level studies of