A5085380659- Environmental DNA in Biodiversity Studies
- Identification and Quantification in Food
- Wildlife Ecology and Conservation
- Fish Ecology and Management Studies
- Species Distribution and Climate Change
- Aquatic Invertebrate Ecology and Behavior
- Microbial Community Ecology and Physiology
- Molecular Biology Techniques and Applications
- Ecology and biodiversity studies
- Genetic and phenotypic traits in livestock
- Ecology and Vegetation Dynamics Studies
- Animal Behavior and Welfare Studies
- Rangeland and Wildlife Management
- Genetic diversity and population structure
- Amphibian and Reptile Biology
- Impact of Light on Environment and Health
- Animal Behavior and Reproduction
- Botany and Plant Ecology Studies
- Animal Ecology and Behavior Studies
- Genomics and Phylogenetic Studies
- Forensic and Genetic Research
- Architecture and Computational Design
- Ecology, Conservation, and Geographical Studies
- Bat Biology and Ecology Studies
- Peatlands and Wetlands Ecology
Utah State University
2015-2023
Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute
2014-2017
Goodwin College
2015
University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign
2012-2015
Smithsonian Institution
2015
Metabarcoding of vertebrate DNA derived from carrion flies has been proposed as a promising tool for biodiversity monitoring. To evaluate its efficacy, we conducted metabarcoding surveys on Barro Colorado Island (BCI), Panama, which well-known mammal community, and compared our results against diurnal transect counts camera trapping. We collected 1,084 in 29 sampling days, with mammal-specific (16S) vertebrate-specific (12S) primers, sequenced amplicons Illumina MiSeq. For taxonomic...
Environmental DNA (eDNA) sampling has proven to be a valuable tool for detecting species in aquatic ecosystems. Within this rapidly evolving field, promising application is the ability obtain quantitative estimates of relative abundance based on eDNA concentration rather than traditionally labor-intensive methods. We investigated relationship between and Arctic char (Salvelinus alpinus) five well-studied natural lakes; additionally, we examined effects different temporal (e.g., season)...
Abstract Information on the distribution of multiple species in a common landscape is fundamental to effective conservation and management. However, data are expensive obtain often limited high‐profile system. A recently developed technique, environmental DNA ( eDNA ) sampling, has been shown be more sensitive than traditional detection methods for many aquatic species. second perhaps underappreciated benefit sampling that sample originally collected determine presence one can re‐analyzed...
Estimates of population density are essential for the effective conservation and management any threatened species. Accurately estimating elusive carnivores can be a challenge, however. One approach to this challenge is integration DNA collected noninvasively from feces with capture-recapture modeling. To date, bias precision technique have seldom been evaluated in field. We compared estimates ocelots ( Leopardus pardalis) derived fecal noninvasive genetic techniques camera trapping same...
Environmental DNA (eDNA) offers a sensitive tool for detecting aquatic species, including those at low population densities. However, effective use of eDNA in conservation and monitoring efforts requires an understanding detection probabilities optimal replication effort necessary to minimize false negatives. This study assessed the probability Anodonta nuttalliana, native freshwater mussel, two Utah populations with contrasting densities (medium low). We conducted traditional visual...
Kin selection theory predicts that under certain conditions animals will tolerate related individuals in their home ranges. We examined the relationship between spatiotemporal overlap and genetic relatedness ocelots (Leopardus pardalis) to determine if kin plays a role structuring ocelot populations. used 3 years of camera trapping examine spatial organization an population on Barro Colorado Island Panama. also placed traps latrines match photographs individual with microsatellite genotypes...
Four freshwater mussel species native to western North America, Gonidea angulata, Margaritifera falcata, Anodonta nuttalliana, and oregonensis, have experienced dramatic declines over the last century are currently threatened in many portions of their ranges. Therefore, improved tools for detecting monitoring these needed. We developed multiplexed, species-specific, quantitative PCR assays detection from environmental DNA (eDNA). empirically tested specificity sensitivity lab, we also...
Abstract Metabarcoding of vertebrate DNA derived from carrion flies has been proposed as a promising tool for biodiversity monitoring. To evaluate its efficacy, we conducted metabarcoding surveys on Barro Colorado Island (BCI), Panama, which well-known mammal community, and compared our results against diurnal transect counts camera-trapping. We collected 1084 in 29 sampling days, were pooled into 102 extractions. then with mammal-specific (16S) vertebrate-specific (12S) primers targeting...
Abstract Background Relative to temperate regions, little is known about bobcats ( Lynx rufus ) in the Sonoran Desert portion of their range, part due difficulty sampling an elusive carnivore harsh desert environments. Here, we quantify habitat selection and evaluate diet at Kofa National Wildlife Refuge, Arizona, USA, using multiple techniques including GPS telemetry, camera traps, DNA metabarcoding. Results Home ranges during hot season were smaller than cool season. Camera trapping failed...
Relationships of mammals to habitat edges is a continuing concern for conservation as fragmentation continues and ratios edge interior increase. Mammal species that respond negatively may be at greater risk extirpation, whereas are attracted cause unanticipated ecological problems such increased depredation songbird nests. Proximity contrasting habitats also result in unique small mammal assemblages, including components both or providing opportunities specialists (ecotonal effects). We...
Abstract The North Slope of Alaska contains arctic fish populations that are important for subsistence local human populations, and under threat from natural resource extraction climate change. We designed evaluated four quantitative PCR assays the detection environmental DNA five Alaskan species present on Alaska: burbot ( Lota lota ), char Salvelinus alpinus Dolly Varden malma grayling Thymallus arcticus slimy sculpin Cottus cognatus ). All were tested specificity sensitivity, all detected...
Abstract Species‐specific, probe‐based quantitative PCR (qPCR) assays are now commonly used to detect aquatic species from environmental DNA . However, qPCR alone does not always provide the specificity needed distinguish closely related, congeneric species, which may result in amplification of non‐target , causing false positives eDNA samples. Here, we developed species‐specific using RN ase H‐dependent (rh ) for detecting related fish We found that rh allowed us achieve was possible with...
We report a record of the endangered Central American little spotted cat (Leopardus tigrinus oncilla) from Volcán Barú National Park in state Chiriquí, Panama, scat identified through noninvasive genetics. This record, just below summit Panama's highest peak, represents highest-elevation for species Panama. Additionally, we designed new DNA primers identification L. oncilla samples.
Metabarcoding of environmental DNA (eDNA) has revolutionized the detection aquatic species across large geographic scales. However, effectiveness eDNA metabarcoding taxa is marker-dependent, often requiring multiple markers to detect divergent taxonomic groups. Here, we introduce a novel marker designed simultaneously amphibians, turtles, and fish from samples. We initially optimized this match central southern California, USA, conducted validation on 525 field-collected samples while also...
Abstract We developed multiplexed, species-specific, quantitative PCR assays for the detection of four freshwater mussel species native to western North America, Gonidea angulata, Margaritifera falcata , Anodonta nuttalliana and oregonensis from environmental DNA (eDNA). These have experienced dramatic declines over last century are currently threatened in many portions their ranges. Therefore, improved tools detecting monitoring these needed. Species-specificity sensitivity were empirically...
Abstract We developed species-specific quantitative PCR assays for the detection of two freshwater mussel species native to western North America, Anodonta nuttalliana and oregonensis, from environmental DNA. These have experienced dramatic declines over last century, are currently threatened in many portions their range. Improved tools detecting monitoring these needed. Species-specificity sensitivity was empirically tested lab, both were also validated with field collected eDNA samples....
Mejillones de agua dulce nativos han visto reducciones dramáticas en el oeste norteamericano; sin embargo, pueden ser difícil detectar debido a su comportamiento críptico. Usamos ADN del ambiente, una técnica genética sensitiva y no invasiva, para examinar la distribución contemporánea 2 especies mejillones dulce, Anodonta nuttalliana Margaritifera falcata, los estados Utah Oeste Wyoming. Muestreamos masas con presencias históricas, así como adicionales hábitat las especies. Detectamos A....