People
Meet the faculty, staff, and students involved with LECG. Click on their names to learn more about the research they are doing.
Dr. Cort Anderson, UI - LCEG Manager & Research Assistant Professor
Dr. Steven J. Brunsfeld, Professor, Department of Forest Resources
- Thor Hanson, Ph.D Student
- Tyson Kemper, Masters Student
- Todd Ott, Masters Student
Dr. Lisette Waits, Associate Professor, Department of Fish & Wildlife Resources
Dr. Ernest Brannon, Professor Emeritus, Aquaculture Research Institute
Dr. Janet Rachlow, Assistant Professor, Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources
- Wendy Estes-Zumpf, Masters Student
Summaries (in alphabetical order)
Jennifer Adams, Ph.D.
Department of Fish & Wildlife Resources
adam2483@uidaho.edu
Mail:
Jennifer Adams
Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources
University of Idaho
Moscow, ID 83844-1136
(208) 885-5005
Using Molecular Approaches to Evaluate Hybridization Between Two Closely Related Species Canis rufus and Canis latrans
In the late 1970's growing concern over the fate of the red wolf led the Fish and Wildlife Service to adopt a recovery plan. At that time it was believed that the last remaining red wolves were hybridizing with coyotes extensively. In an attempt to save the species, every suspected red wolf was removed from the wild by the early 1980's. A captive breeding program was started from 14 founding individuals with the hope that their offspring would eventually be released into the wild. Currently there is a population of released wolves in the Alligator River National Wildlife Refuge in North Carolina. They have been surviving and reproducing in the wild for several years now. Unfortunately it is believed that red wolves are once again hybridizing with coyotes along the edges of the refuge. As part of my project I am working to design a species-diagnostic test to distinguish between red wolves, coyotes and their hybrids. I am also developing a non-invasive sampling technique using scat. By combining the the diagnostic test with the non-invasive sampling technique, I hope to sample the scat on the refuge to get an idea of where and how many coyotes are located on the refuge. It is hoped that these projects will help to gain a better understanding of hybridization between red wolves and coyotes.
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Dr. Cort L. Anderson
Research Scientist and UI - LECG Manager,
College of Natural Resources
cla@uidaho.edu
Mail:
Cort Anderson
College of Natural Resources
University of Idaho
P.O. Box 1136
Moscow, ID 83844-1136
208-885-8914
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Jocelyn Aycrigg
Ph.D. Student
Department of Fish & Wildlife Resources
aycr@uidaho.edu
Mail:
Jocelyn Aycrigg
Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources
University of Idaho
Moscow, ID 83844-1136
Using the metapopulation concept to understand the spatial and temporal dynamics of elk in Idaho.
My goal is to use the metapopulation concept to understand the spatial and temporal patterns of elk populations in Idaho. Using a hierarchical approach for both local and large spatial extents, I aim to delineate populations based on demographic and genetic characteristics, investigate demographic and environmental factors influencing populations, and identify factors which best explain temporal and spatial patterns of elk populations. Elk subpopulations and metapopulations will be assessed based on patterns of similar population growth rates and genetic similarity between adjacent local populations. The influence of demographic factors, including harvest levels, density dependent responses, and predatory impacts, as well as environmental factors including vegetation change, weather patterns, habitat fragmentation by roads, and nutrient availability on spatial and temporal elk population dynamics will be investigated. Using the metapopulation concept brings a regional perspective to elk management and reveals the patterns and factors that influence the survival and sustainable use of elk across the state and into the future.
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Dr. Steven J. Brunsfeld
Professor, Department of Forest Resources
sbruns@uidaho.edu Department Homepage
Mail:
Dr. Steven Brunsfeld
Dept of Forest Resources
University of Idaho
Moscow, ID 83844-1133
208-885-7211
Specialty Areas of Interest:
- Molecular systematics of woody plants
- Conservation biology
- Ecogenetics
Courses Taught at University of Idaho:
- Natural Resources Ecology - UGrad
- Dendrology - UGrad
- Conservation Genetics - Grad
- Forest Community Ecology - UGrad
Recent and Current Research:
- Hybridization and evolution in North American willows
- Phylogeography of Clearwater ecosystem endemics and coastal disjuncts
- Conservation genetics of Asarum and Botrychium
- Population genetics and biogeography of whitebark pine
- Regional hybridization between grand and concolor fir
Selected Publications:
- Brunsfeld, S.J., Sullivan, J., Soltis, D.E., and Soltis, P.S. 2001. Comparative phylogeography of Northwestern North America: A synthesis. In Integrating ecological and evolutionary processes in a spatial context. (eds. J. Silvertown and J. Antonovics), pp. 319-339. Blackwell Science, Oxford.
- Hardig, T.M., S.J. Brunsfeld, R.S. Fritz, M. Morgan, and C.M. Orians. 2000. Morphological and molecular evidence for hybridization and introgression in a willow (Salix) hybrid zone. Molecular Ecology 9: 9-24.
- Koontz, J.A., P.S. Soltis, and S.J. Brunsfeld. 2001. Genetic diversity and tests of the hybrid origin of the endangered yellow larkspur. Conservation Biology 15: 1-12.
- Richardson, B.A., S.J. Brunsfeld, and N.B. Klopfenstein. 2001. DNA from bird-dispersed seed and wind-disseminated pollen provides insights into the postglacial colonization and population genetic structure of whitebark pine (Pinus albicaulis). Molecular Ecology (accepted for publication).
- Swartz, L.M. and S.J. Brunsfeld. 2001. The morphological and genetic distinctness of Botrychium minganense and B. cremulatum as assessed by morphometric analysis and DNA markers. American Fern Journal (accepted for publication).
- Brochmann, C., Q. Yiang, S.J. Brunsfeld, D.E. Soltis, and P.S. Soltis. 1998. Molecular evidence for polyploid origins in Saxifraga (Saxifragaceae): The narrow endemic S. svalbardensis and its widespread allies. American Journal of Botany 85(1): 135-143.
- Cook, L.M., P.S. Soltis, S.J. Brunsfeld, and D.E. Soltis. 1998. Multiple independent formations of Trapopogon tetraploids (Asteraceae): Evidence from RAPD markers. Molecular Ecology 7: 1293-1302
- Fritz, R.S., B.M. Roche, and S.J. Brunsfeld. 1998. Genetic variation in resistance of hybrid willows to herbivores. OIKOS 83:117-128..
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Marta De Barba
Ph.D. Student, Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources
martabis@hotmail.com
Mail:
Marta De Barba
Dept of Fish & Wildlife
University of Idaho
Moscow, ID 83844-1136
208-885-5005
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Wendy Estes-Zumpf
Ph.D. Student, Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources
este1021@uidaho.edu
Mail:
Wendy Estes-Zumpf
Dept of Fish & Wildlife
University of Idaho
Moscow, ID 83844-1136
208-885-5005
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Kara Gebhardt
Masters Student, Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources
gebh@uidaho.edu
Mail:
Kara Gebhardt
Dept of Fish & Wildlife
University of Idaho
Moscow, ID 83844-1136
208-885-5005
The evaluation of genetic diversity is important for conservation efforts because levels of genetic diversity can affect individual fitness and the ability of a species or population to evolve with environmental change. Many studies have documented decreases in genetic diversity levels when animal and plant populations are fragmented due to human activities, presumably because fragmentation disrupts gene flow across the landscape. Knowledge of historic gene flow rates and genetic structure is therefore useful when attempting to maintain or restore natural gene flow patterns and diversity levels in fragmented landscapes. Many current studies lack data from contiguous populations necessary to assess the effects of fragmentation. The combined areas of Tambopata Research Center and Los Amigos Conservancy Area in Peru offer a unique opportunity to conduct scientific research in pristine, intact landscapes, collecting baseline genetic diversity data to compare with areas facing fragmentation. It also provides the opportunity to collect baseline data to monitor change within the connected reserves. I am examining the genetic diversity and structure of 3 macaw species, Ara macao, Ara chloroptera, and Ara ararauna, as well as Amazona farinosa in the landscape surrounding the Peruvian Amazon. These large parrots, found in Central and South America, require extensive tracts of habitat to thrive. Because of their habitat requirements, they are an ideal umbrella species whose conservation can result in the preservation of many other sympatric species.
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Caren Goldberg
Ph.D. Student
careng8@yahoo.com
IGERT Program in Biodiversity Conservation and Sustainable Production
Effects of land-use policies on forest biodiversity in northern Idaho.
The forested landscape of the interior northwestern United States is a focal point of controversy due to the competing interests of timber production, biodiversity conservation, and exurban development. As a member of an interdisciplinary team, I am working on predicting the effects of potential land-use policies on the forest biodiversity of northern Idaho, focusing upon amphibian populations. Amphibian populations around the world are declining for various reasons, including habitat destruction and the spread of novel pathogens. In order to predict the impact o future lansdcape changes on amphibian populations in this area, I am studying the population genetics of spotted frogs (Rana luteiventris) and long-toed salamanders (Ambystoma macrodactylum) in relation to landscape configuration, using microsatellites, refining habitat models for amphibians in the study area using field surveys and GIS, and using PCR to test for Bd (a chytrid fungal pathogen of amphibians) in samples from amphibian populations throughout the study area.
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Thor Hanson
IGERT Program in Biodiversity Conservation and Sustainable Production
Mail to:
Thor Hanson
Dept of Forest Resources
University of Idaho
Moscow, ID 83844-1133
208-885-4286
Reproductive ecology and ecological genetics of Dipteryx panamensis.
I am interested in the reproductive ecology and ecological genetics of Dipteryx panamensis, an emergent rainforest tree in the fragmented landscapes of northeastern Costa Rica. Considered a keystone species, for its copious fruit production during the dry season, D. panamensis provides habitat for numerous taxa, including the endangered Great Green Macaw (Ara ambigua). It is also a valuable timber species. I will use molecular markers to address questions regarding gene flow through pollen and seed dispersal, as well as the genetic structure of isolated populations.
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William B. Leacock
Ph.D. Student, Department of Fish & Wildlife Resources
leac3397@uidaho.edu
Mail to:
William B. Leacock
Dept of Fish & Wildlife
University of Idaho
Moscow, ID 83844-1136
Patterns of habitat use and a geographic interpretation of genetic patterns of the Kamchatka brown bear (Ursus arctos).
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Dr. Madison Powell
Adjunct Assistant Professor in Fishery Resources,
Center for Salmonid and Freshwater Species at Risk,
Aquaculture Research Institute
mpowell@uidaho.edu
Mail:
Dr. Madison Powell
Center for Salmonid and Freshwater Species at Risk
Hagerman Fish Culture Experiment Station
3059 F National Fish Hatchery Road
Hagerman, ID 83332
Phone: 208-837-9096
Fax: 208-837-6047
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Dr. Janet Rachlow
Assistant Professor, Department of Fish & Wildlife Resources
jrachlow@uidaho.edu
Department Homepage
Mail to:
Dept of Fish & Wildlife
University of Idaho
Moscow, ID 83844-1136
Phone:(208) 885-9328
Fax: (208) 885-9080 Research Interests: Conservation of fragmented populations; behavior and reproductive ecology of mammals.
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David A. Roon
Instructor, Department of Fish & Wildlife Resources
roon8505@uidaho.edu
Mail to:
David Roon
Dept of Fish & Wildlife
University of Idaho
Moscow, ID 83844-1136
Non-invasive genetic sampling and the landscape ecology of black and brown bears (Ursus americanus and Ursus arctos)in the Northern Continental Divide Ecosystem (NCDE)
The hairy end of the Glacier Bear DNA project!
Bears are charismatic and politically contentious animals, yet aspects of their demography and landscape level ecology are often highly difficult to assess through traditional metrics. Within Glacier National Park and the surrounding area (part of the Northern Continental Divide Ecosystem- NCDE-, one of six grizzly bear recovery zones under the Endangered Species Act), all existing assessments of population abundance have been index based.
The recent advent of PCR technology has facilitated the reliable analysis of DNA from 'poor' quality sources. Hair, in particular, serves as an easily obtainable source of template. Within a protected ecosystem like the NCDE, barbed wire 'hair traps' and rub trees offer the prospect of a temporally and spatially comprehensive sampling regime, while causing a minimum of disturbance to the bears (as well as any two-legged visitors). Through the amplification of the appropriate genetic markers, bears can be typed for species (mitochondrial DNA), sex ('X' and 'Y' chromosomes), and individual identity (microsatellites).
The Glacier Bear DNA project was instituted in 1997 by Kate Kendall (USGS) and Dr. Lisette Waits (University of Idaho). I'm analyzing samples collected across 10000 km2 of the NCDE. In addition to providing a minimum count of Ursus arctos and Ursus americanus within the NCDE, the genetic information I obtain will be applied to a mark-recapture model (across the 1998 and 2000 trapping seasons). We will also assess patterns of intra-population genetic structure, and test for the impact of landscape variation (across space and time) and human presence on the distribution of both bear species.
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Dr. Lisette Waits
Associate Professor, Department of Fish & Wildlife Resources
lwaits@uidaho.edu Departmental homepage
Mail to:
Dr. Lisette Waits
Dept of Fish & Wildlife
University of Idaho
Moscow, ID 83844-1136
Phone:(208) 885-7823
Fax: (208) 885-9080
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