Office: Biology 430
Phone: (970) 491-1911
Google Scholar: https://scholar.google.com/citations?user=9zKxzIwAAAAJ&hl=en
Education
- BA: University of Pennsylvania; MSc: University of Alberta, Canada; PhD: Florida State University
About
My laboratory group focuses on the effects of patchy or fragmented habitats on the population genetics of animals and plants. Most of my work has been on the genetics of sex ratio, life-history variation, and mating systems of parasitic wasps. For the last 18 years we have conducted studies of the population ecology, genetics, and epidemiology of the Black-tailed prairie dog (Cynomys ludovicianus), whose populations are severely affected by local outbreaks of plague (Yersinia pestis). Besides studying metapopulation dynamics of prairie dogs, we study plague in the context of climate variability and the rodent communities surrounding prairie dog colonies, transmission of the plague bacterium by fleas, and genetic analyses of the plague bacterium. Our study sites have been on the the USDA Central Plains Experimental Range and on the US Forest Service Pawnee National Grasslands, located 40 miles northeast of Fort Collins, and on the Vermejo Ranch, owned by Turner Enterprises, in northern New Mexico. Recently we have been working with a large interdisciplinary group of researchers on the NSF-funded Laramie Foothills Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD) Project. CWD is a transmissible spongiform encephalopathy caused by misfolding of prions, or proteins of infectious origin. This same protein is naturally expressed in all vertebrates, the misfolded form is the prion, and causes disease like scapie in sheep, bovine spongiform encephalopathy ("mad cow disease"), and Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease in humans (e.g. the infamous kuru of the South Fore tribe of New Guinea). We study the genetics of CWD in mule deer in relation to spatial epidemiology and genetics http://www.nrel.colostate.edu/projects/modelingCWD/. In our studies we employ a variety of molecular genetic markers, including microsatellites, mitochondrial DNA, SSCP, and DNA sequencing.
Publications
- Effects of chronic wasting disease on the fecundity on female mule deer (from birth to weaning)
- Perspective: From outbreaks to endemic disease. Science, 6592, 2022.
- Ecological fallacy and aggregated data: a case-study of fried chicken restaurants, obesity and Lyme disease Ecohealth, 2020.
- Population projections and resistance gene frequencies in the presence of white pine blister rust: A population genetic model for high elevation five-needle pinesProceedings of the IUFRO Joint Conference: Genetics of five-needle pines, rusts of forest trees, and Strobusphere; 2014 June 15-20; Fort Collins, CO. Proc. RMRS-P-76. Fort Collins, CO: US Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Rocky Mountain Research Station. Rocky Mountain Research Station, 2018.
- Yersinia pestis Survival and Replication in Potential Ameba Reservoir EMERGING INFECTIOUS DISEASES, 2, 2018.
- Transmission pathways and spillover of an erythrocytic bacterial pathogen from domestic cats to wild felids. Ecology and evolution, 19, 2018.
- Responsible RAD: Striving for best practices in population genomic studies of adaptation Molecular Ecology Resources, 2017.
- Using Evolutionary Biology in the Medical SciencesENCYCLOPEDIA OF LIFE SCIENCES (eLS) John Wiley & Sons, Ltd, 2017.
- Breaking RAD: evaluating the utility of restriction site associated DNA sequencing for genome scans of adaptation Molecular Ecology Resources, 2, 2017.
- Genomic Approaches in Landscape GeneticsLandscape Genetics: Concepts, Methods, Applications Wiley-Blackwell, 2016.
- Intra-host mathematical model of chronic wasting disease dynamics in deer (Odocoileus) Prion, 2016.
- Finding the Genomic Basis of Local Adaptation: Pitfalls, Practical Solutions, and Future Directions The American Naturalist, 4, 2016.
- Intra-host mathematical model of chronic wasting disease dynamics in deer (Odocoileus). Prion, 5, 2016.
- Droughts may increase susceptibility of prairie dogs to fleas: incongruity with hypothesized mechanisms of plague cycles in rodents Journal of Mammalogy, 2016.
- Ecological Traits Driving the Outbreaks and Emergence of Zoonotic Pathogens BioScience, 2, 2016.
- Intra-host mathematical model of chronic wasting disease dynamics Not decided.
- Age and repeated biopsy influence antemortem PRPCWD testing in mule deer (Odocoileus hemionus) in Colorado, USA Journal of Wildlife Diseases, 4, 2015.
- Age and repeated biopsy influence antemortem PRPCWD testing in mule deer (Odocoileus hemionus) in Colorado, USA Journal of Wildlife Diseases, 4, 2015.
- Bayesian Modeling of Prion Disease Dynamics in Mule Deer Using Population Monitoring and Capture-Recapture Data PloS one, 10, 2015.
- Bayesian Modeling of Prion Disease Dynamics in Mule Deer Using Population Monitoring and Capture-Recapture Data PloS one, 10, 2015.
- Prevalence of the Generalist Flea Pulex simulans on Black-tailed Prairie Dogs (Cynomys ludovicianus) in New Mexico, USA: The Importance of Considering Imperfect Detection Journal of Wildlife Diseases, 2, 2015.
- Prion Amplification and Hierarchical Bayesian Modeling Refine Detection of Prion Infection Scientific Reports, 8358, 2015.
- Public health perspective on patterns of biodiversity and zoonotic disease Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, 46, 2015.
- Single-nucleotide polymorphisms reveal spatial diversity among clones of Yersinia pestis during plague outbreaks in Colorado and the western United States Vector-Borne and Zoonotic Diseases, 5, 2015.
- AGE AND REPEATED BIOPSY INFLUENCE ANTEMORTEM PRP(CWD) TESTING IN MULE DEER (ODOCOILEUS HEMIONUS) IN COLORADO, USA. Journal of wildlife diseases, 4, 2015.
- Prion amplification and hierarchical Bayesian modeling refine detection of prion infection. Scientific reports, 2015.
- Duration of plague (Yersinia pestis) outbreaks in black-tailed prairie dog (Cynomys ludovicianus) colonies of Northern Colorado EcoHealth, 3, 2013.
- Persistence of black-tailed prairie-dog populations affected by plague in northern Colorado, USA Ecology, 7, 2013.
- Phylogeography, postglacial gene flow, and population history of North American northern goshawks (Accipiter Gentilis) The Auk, 2, 2013.
- Using occupancy models to investigate the prevalence of ectoparasitic vectors on hosts: an example with fleas on prairie dogs International Journal for Parasitology: Parasites and Wildlife, 2013.
- Genetic basis of differences in myxospore count between whirling disease-resistant and -susceptible strains of rainbow trout DISEASES OF AQUATIC ORGANISMS, 2, 2012.
- Demographic projection of high-elevation white pines infected with white pine blister rust: a nonlinear disease model Ecological Applications, 1, 2012.
- Evolution and medicine in undergraduate education: a prescription for all biology students Evolution, 6, 2012.
- Genetic basis of differences in myxospore count between whirling disease-resistant and-susceptible strains of rainbow trout Diseases of aquatic organisms, 2, 2012.
- Resistance to plague among black-tailed prairie dog populations Vector-Borne and Zoonotic Diseases, 2, 2012.
- Space use and territoriality in swift foxes (Vulpes velox) in northeastern Colorado Canadian Journal of Zoology, 3, 2012.
- Urban habitat fragmentation and genetic population structure of bobcats in coastal southern California The American Midland Naturalist, 2, 2012.
- Black-tailed Prairie Dog Habitat Suitability Modeling for the Southern Great Plains: Cross-scale Analysis of Soils, Topography and Climate: Summary Great Plains Landscape Conservation Cooperative, 2012.
- A population genetic model for high-elevation five-needle pines: Projecting population outcomes in the presence of white pine blister rust The future of high-elevation, five-needle white pines in Western North America: Proceedings of the High Five Symposium. 28-30 June 2010; Missoula, MT. Proceedings RMRS-P-63, 2011.
- Climate, soils, and connectivity predict plague epizootics in black-tailed prairie dogs (Cynomys ludovicianus) Ecological Applications, 8, 2011.
- Evolution and medicine Evolution: Education and Outreach, 4, 2011.
- Evolution, medicine, and the Darwin family Evolution: Education and Outreach, 4, 2011.
- Land fragmentation under rapid urbanization: A cross-site analysis of Southwestern cities Urban Ecosystems, 3, 2011.
- Rock Pigeon Use Of Livestock Facilities In Northern Colorado: Implications For Improving Farm Bio-Security. Human-Wildlife Interactions Journal , 2011.
- Rock Pigeon Use Of Livestock Facilities In Northern Colorado: Implications For Improving Farm Bio-Security.2011.
- Transient sensitivity analysis for nonlinear population models Methods in Ecology and Evolution, 5, 2011.
- Transmission shifts underlie variability in population responses to Yersinia pestis infection PloS one, 7, 2011.
- Evolution of resistance in natural hosts of plague Vector-Borne and Zoonotic Diseases, 1, 2010.
- Flea loads on black-tailed prairie dogs (Cynomys ludovicianus) during plague epizootics in Colorado VECTOR-BORNE AND ZOONOTIC DISEASES, 1, 2010.
- Metapopulation dynamics of prairie dogs and plague: implications for persistence VECTOR-BORNE AND ZOONOTIC DISEASES, 1, 2010.
- Phylogeny and biogeography of the eastern Asian–North American disjunct wild-rice genus (Zizania L., Poaceae) Molecular Phylogenetics and Evolution, 3, 2010.
- Population genetic structure of black-tailed prairie dogs, a highly interactive species, in fragmented urban habitat Journal of Mammalogy, 2, 2010.
- RESPONSE BY SWIFT FOXES TO PLAGUE EPIZOOTICS IN BLACK-TAILED PRAIRIE DOGS Vector-Borne and Zoonotic Diseases, 1, 2010.
- Sensitivity analysis for nonlinear population models2010.
- SINGLE NUCLEOTIDE POLYMORPHISM DISCOVERY TO DETERMINE YERSINIA PESTIS POPULATION STRUCTURE IN THE WESTERN UNITED STATES Vector-Borne and Zoonotic Diseases, 1, 2010.
- Symposium on the ecology of plague and its effects on wildlife: a model for translational research Vector-borne and Zoonotic Diseases, 1, 2010.
- THE ROLE OF ALTERNATIVE RODENT HOSTS IN THE DYNAMICS OF PLAGUE IN BLACK-TAILED PRAIRIE DOG COLONIES Vector-Borne and Zoonotic Diseases, 1, 2010.
- The role of carnivores in plague ecology and surveillance Vector-Borne and Zoonotic Diseases, 1, 2010.
- Using Evolutionary Biology in the Medical SciencesEncyclopedia of Life Sciences John Wiley & Sons, 2010.
- WHAT IS A PLAGUE FOCUS? Vector-Borne and Zoonotic Diseases, 1, 2010.
- Colorado animal-based plague surveillance systems: relationships between targeted animal species and prediction efficacy of areas at risk for humans Journal of Vector Ecology, 1, 2009.
- Estimating abundance using mark–resight when sampling is with replacement or the number of marked individuals is unknown Biometrics, 1, 2009.
- Evidence for the involvement of an alternate rodent host in the dynamics of introduced plague in prairie dogs Journal of Animal Ecology, 4, 2009.
- Evolutionary biology of disease and Darwinian medicineEvolution: the First Four Billion Years. Harvard Univ. Press, 2009.
- Flea abundance on black-tailed prairie dogs (Cynomys ludovicianus) increases during plague epizootics Vector-Borne and Zoonotic Diseases, 3, 2009.
- Metabolic Similarity Despite Striking Behavioral Divergence: Aerobic Performance in Low-and High-Density Forms of the Mormon Cricket Physiological and Biochemical Zoology, 5, 2009.
- An improved extraction method to increase DNA yield from molted feathers The Condor, 4, 2008.
- Analysis of the sensitivity properties of a model of vector-borne bubonic plague Journal of The Royal Society Interface, 26, 2008.
- Exposure of small rodents to plague during epizootics in black-tailed prairie dogs Journal of Wildlife Diseases, 3, 2008.
- Oropsylla hirsuta (Siphonaptera: Ceratophyllidae) can support plague epizootics in black-tailed prairie dogs (Cynomys ludovicianus) by early-phase transmission of Yersinia pestis Vector-Borne and Zoonotic Diseases, 3, 2008.
- Transmission efficiency of two flea species (Oropsylla tuberculata cynomuris and Oropsylla hirsuta) involved in plague epizootics among prairie dogs EcoHealth, 2, 2008.
- Unpacking β: within-host dynamics and the evolutionary ecology of pathogen transmission!!! Annual Review of Ecology, Evolution, and Systematics, 2008.
- Where lies the future of the shortgrass steppe?Ecology of the Shortgrass Steppe: A Long-Term Perspective Oxford University Press, 2008.
- Capturing genetic diversity of wild populations for ex situ conservation: Texas wild rice (Zizania texana) as a model Genetic Resources and Crop Evolution, 4, 2007.
- Effects of prairie dogs on livestock gains in shortgrass steppeSociety for Range Management Meeting Abstracts2007.
- Mark-resight methodology for estimating population densities for prairie dogs The Journal of Wildlife Management, 6, 2007.
- Phenotypic and molecular characterizations of Yersinia pestis isolates from Kazakhstan and adjacent regions Microbiology, 1, 2007.
- Pirate ants (Polyergus breviceps) and sympatric hosts (Formica occulta and Formica sp. cf. argentea): host specificity and coevolutionary dynamics Biological Journal of the Linnean Society, 4, 2007.
- The potential role of swift foxes (Vulpes velox) and their fleas in plague outbreaks in prairie dogs Journal of Wildlife Diseases, 3, 2007.
- Are livestock weight gains affected by black-tailed prairie dogs? Frontiers in Ecology and the Environment, 9, 2006.
- Classic flea-borne transmission does not drive plague epizootics in prairie dogs Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, 16, 2006.
- Early-phase transmission of Yersinia pestis by unblocked fleas as a mechanism explaining rapidly spreading plague epizootics Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, 42, 2006.
- Extreme plasticity in thermoregulatory behaviors of free-ranging black-tailed prairie dogs Physiological and Biochemical Zoology, 3, 2006.
- Forage preferences in two species of prairie dog (Cynomys parvidens and Cynomus ludovicianus): implications for hibernation and facultative heterothermy Journal of Zoology, 2, 2006.
- Host usage and seasonal activity patterns of Ixodes kingi and I. sculptus (Acari: Ixodidae) nymphs in a Colorado prairie landscape, with a summary of published North American host records for all life stages Journal of Vector Ecology, 1, 2006.
- Host-related fitness trade-offs in a presumed generalist parasitoid, Diaeretiella rapae (Hymenoptera: Aphidiidae) Ecological Entomology, 3, 2006.
- Landscape features influence genetic structure of black-tailed prairie dogs (Cynomys ludovicianus) Landscape Ecology, 6, 2006.
- Parasite virulence and host resistance in a slave-making ant community Evolutionary Ecology Research, 6, 2006.
- Raiding activity of an obligate (Polyergus breviceps) and two facultative (Formica puberula and F. gynocrates) slave-making ants Journal of Insect Behavior, 4, 2006.
- Variation in vector competence for dengue 2 virus among collections of Aedes Aegypti from the Yucatan and Vera Cruz regions of Mexico American Journal of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene, 5, 2006.
- Variation in vector competence for dengue 2 virus among collections of Aedes aegypti from the Yucatan and Vera Cruz regions of Mexico American Journal of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene, 5, 2006.
- Identifying sources of human exposure to plague Journal of Clinical Microbiology, 2, 2005.
- Population genetics and genotyping for mark-recapture studies of Northern Goshawks (Accipiter gentilis) on the Kaibab Plateau, Arizona Journal of Raptor Research , 2005.
- Does temperature affect diploid male production in Habrobracon hebetor (Say)(Hymenoptera: Braconidae) Journal Hymenopteran Research, 2004.
- First reported prairie dog-to-human tularemia transmission, Texas, 2002 Emerging Infectious Diseases, 3, 2004.
- Microsatellite primers for Texas wild rice (Zizania texana), and a preliminary test of the impact of cryogenic storage on allele frequency at these loci Conservation Genetics, 6, 2004.
- Patterns of extinction in prairie dog metapopulations: plague outbreaks follow El Nini events Frontiers in Ecology and the Environment, 5, 2004.
- Phylogeography of a parasitoid wasp (Diaeretiella rapae): no evidence of host-associated lineages Molecular Ecology, 7, 2004.
- Population structure, mating system, and sex-determining allele diversity of the parasitoid wasp Habrobracon hebetor Heredity, 4, 2003.
- Sex DeterminationEncyclopedia of Insects Academic Press, 2003.
- A cryopreservation protocol for embryos of the endangered species Zizania texana CryoLetters, 5, 2002.
- The Influence of Sylvatic Plague on North American Wildlife at the Landscape Level, with Special Emphasis on Black-footed Ferret and Prairie Dog Conservation Transactions North American Wildlife and Natural Resources Conference, 2002.
- Effective population size and genetic structure of a Piute ground squirrel (Spermophilus mollis) population Canadian Journal of Zoology, 1, 2001.
- Genes, Description ofEncyclopedia of Biodiversity Academic Press, 2001.
- Genetic structure of a metapopulation of black-tailed prairie dogs Journal of Mammalogy, 4, 2001.
- Perspective: Evolution’s struggle for existence in America’s public schools Evolution, 12, 2001.
- Population genomics: genome-wide sampling of insect populations Annual Review of Entomology, 1, 2001.
- Population genomics: genome-wide sampling of insect populations. Annual review of entomology, 2001.
- Linkage analysis of sex determination in Bracon sp. near hebetor (Hymenoptera: Braconidae) Genetics, 1, 2000.
- The Agricultural Paradox Conservation Biology, 2000.
- Linkage analysis of sex determination in Bracon sp. near hebetor (Hymenoptera: Braconidae). Genetics, 1, 2000.
- A genetic perspective on mating systems and sex ratios of parasitoid wasps Researches on Population Ecology, 1, 1999.
- Diversity of sex-determining alleles in Bracon hebetor Heredity, 3, 1999.
- Survival of diploid males in Braconsp. near hebetor (Hymenoptera: Braconidae) Annals of the Entomological Society of America, 1, 1999.
- Differential dispersal and female-biased sex allocation in a parasitic wasp Ecological Entomology, 3, 1998.
- Does time until mating affect progeny sex ratio? A manipulative experiment with the parasitoid wasp Aphelinus asychis Journal of Evolutionary Biology, 5, 1998.
- Evolutionary relationships among the Braconidae (Hymenoptera: Ichneumonoidea) inferred from partial 16S rDNA gene sequences Insect Molecular Biology, 2, 1998.
- Genetic assessment of strains, varieties and ecotypesChallenges in Rye Germplasm Conservation: Proceedings of an International Conference on Crop Germplasm Conservation with Special Emphasis on Rye, and an ECP/GR Workshop 2-6 July, Warsaw, Konstancin-Jeziorna, Poland International Plant Genetic Resources Institute, 1998.
- Population genetics of an opportunistic parasitoid in an agricultural landscape Heredity, 2, 1998.
- Constrained oviposition and female-biased sex allocation in a parasitic wasp Oecologia, 4, 1997.
- Environmental and genetic determinants of ovicide in parasitic wasp Bracon hebetor Behavioral Ecology, 6, 1997.
- Reproductive Isolation and Genetic Variation between Two “Strains” ofBracon hebetor (Hymenoptera: Braconidae) Biological Control, 3, 1997.
- Behavioral and physiological responses of Diaeretiella rapae to semiochemicals Entomologia experimentalis et applicata, 2, 1996.
- Courtship behavior, reproductive relationships, and allozyme patterns of three North American populations of Eretmocerus nr. californicus (Hymenoptera: Aphelinidae) parasitizing the whitefly Bemisia sp., tabaci complex (Homoptera: Aleyrodidae) Proceedings of the Entomological Society of Washington (USA), 1996.
- Host-searching and mating in an outbreeding parasitoid wasp Ecological Entomology, 1, 1996.
- Intensive linkage mapping in a wasp (Bracon hebetor) and a mosquito (Aedes aegypti) with single-strand conformation polymorphism analysis of random amplified polymorphic DNA markers Genetics, 4, 1996.
- Sex allocation and sexual asymmetries in intra-brood competition in the parasitic wasp Bracon hebetor Journal of Animal Ecology, 1996.
- The Origin of Gregarious Muscidifurax (Hymenoptera: Pteromalidae) in North America: An Analysis Using Molecular Markers Biological Control, 1, 1996.
- Intensive linkage mapping in a wasp (Bracon hebetor) and a mosquito (Aedes aegypti) with single-strand conformation polymorphism analysis of random amplified polymorphic DNA markers. Genetics, 4, 1996.
- Brood-mate avoidance in the parasitic wasp Bracon hebetor Say Animal Behaviour, 5, 1995.
- Mate finding via a trail sex pheromone by a parasitoid wasp Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, 3, 1995.
- Variable sex ratios and ovicide in an outbreeding parasitic wasp Animal Behaviour, 3, 1995.
- Molecular taxonomy using single-strand conformation polymorphism (SSCP) analysis of mitochondrial ribosomal DNA genes Insect molecular biology, 3, 1994.
- Review of Evolution and Diversity of Sex Ratio in Insects and Mites, by DL Wrensch & MA Ebbert; Biotic Interactions and Global Change, by PM Kareiva, JG Kingsolver & RB Huey; The Evolution of Life Histories: Theory and Analysis, by DA Roff; A Queen Number and Sociality in Insects, by L. Keller and Asking Questions in Biology: Design, Analysis and Presentation in Practical Work, by C. Barnard F. Gilbert & P. McGregor Animal Behaviour, 1994.
- Molecular taxonomy using single-strand conformation polymorphism (SSCP) analysis of mitochondrial ribosomal DNA genes. Insect molecular biology, 3, 1994.
- Genetics of biased sex ratios in subdivided populations: models, assumptions, and evidence Oxford Surveys in Evolutionary Biology, 1993.
- Mating system of Bracon hebetor (Hymenoptera: braconidae) Ecological entomology, 1, 1992.
- Sex ratio variation in a parasitic wasp I. Reaction norms Evolution, 1992.
- Sex ratio variation in a parasitic wasp. II. Diallel cross. Evolution, 1992.
- Zoology Lab Manual Colorado State University, 1992.
- Colonization, among shoot movement, and local population neighborhoods of two aphid species Oikos, 1991.
- A Quantitative Genetic Study of Sex Ratio Variation in a Parasitic Wasp, Muscidifurax Raptor, Girault and Sanders,(Hymenoptera: Pteromalidae) University Microfilms , 1990.
- Genetic considerations in the study of attack behavior of parasitoids, with reference to Muscidifurax raptor (Hymenoptera: Pteromalidae) Florida Entomologist, 1989.
- Host feeding and egg production in Muscidifurax zaraptor (Hymenoptera: Pteromalidae) Florida Entomologist, 1989.
- Habitat selection and colony survival of Macrosiphum valeriani Clarke (Homoptera: Aphididae) Annals of the Entomological Society of America, 2, 1988.
- Ecological neighborhoods: scaling environmental patterns Oikos, 1987.
- Long-distance dispersal by a parasitoid (Anagrus delicatus, Mymaridae) and its host Oecologia, 2, 1987.
- Host selection by two aphid species National Library of Canada, 1985.
- The population genetics of somatic mutation in plants American Naturalist, 1985.