Developing and Applying Molecular Tools to Natural Resource Problems in Alaska

Molecular genetic tools comprise one facet of a diverse research program capable of addressing emerging as well as long-term issues involving the understanding, restoration, conservation, and monitoring of biological resources.

Abstract

The Developing and Applying Molecular Tools project is conducted by five staff members of the Alaska Science Center and includes a variety of research directions and methods that inform our partners. Recent research objectives include: (1) genetic characterization of wolf, bears, invasive species and migratory birds for the National Park Service, Alaska Department of Fish and Game and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, (2) research on modeling future distributions of high-arctic vertebrates in the tundra ecosystem, (3) population genetics on high latitude bird species such as the three loon species, Pacific black brant, Steller’s eiders, and raptors, (4) genomic assessment of Artic cod in the Southern Beaufort Sea, (5), use of environmental DNA (eDNA) to survey terrestrial and marine ecosystems for native and invasive species, and (6) development of genetic markers for conducting research on species of management agency interest.

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Products

Title	Type
Dictionary of Microsatellite Loci from the U.S. Geological Survey, Alaska Science Center, Molecular Ecology Laboratory	Data
Molecular Sexing of Birds Using Quantitative PCR (qPCR) of Sex-Linked Genes and Logistic Models	Data
Brant (Branta bernicla) Genetic Data from North America, Europe, and Asia	Data
Harlequin Duck Genetic Data, North America, Greenland and Iceland, 1945-2006	Data
DNA Microsatellite and Sex Identification Marker Screening for Mexican Spotted Owl (Strix occidentalis lucida)	Data
Gavia Species Identification and Diet Composition from Feces, Central North Slope, Alaska, 2012-2014	Data
Detection of Multiple Fish Species Using Environmental DNA (eDNA), Alaska 2018	Data
Genetic Microsatellite Data from Sorex, Based on Holarctic Sampling	Data
Genetic Data from Wolverine (Gulo gulo) of North America	Data
Sequence Information from the Mitogenome and Four Nuclear Genes from Holarctic Ermine (Mustela spp.)	Data
Extrinsically reinforced hybrid speciation within Holarctic ermine (Mustela spp.) produces an insular endemic	Publication
Genetic Data from Cooper's Hawks, North America, 2009-2019	Data
Genetic Data for Merlin (Falco columbarius) and Cross-Species Microsatellite Amplification in Select Falco Species, North America	Data
Genetic Data from Three Accipiter Species, North America, 1996-2014	Data
Shrew (Sorex sp.) Gut Contents Identified by DNA Metabarcoding, North America, 1968-2016	Data
Scoter (Melanitta sp.) ddRAD SNP and Microsatellite Genetic Data, North America and Europe, 1977-2012	Data
Genetic Data From Nesting Stellers Eiders (Polysticta stelleri), Near Utqiaġvik, Alaska, 1995-2016	Data
Detection of Seagrass Pathogens Using Environmental DNA (eDNA), North Pacific, 2016-present	Data
DNA Microsatellite Markers for Northern Fulmar (Fulmaris glacialis) and Cross-species Amplification in Select Seabird Species	Data
Spectacled Eider (Somateria fischeri) Microsatellite and Mitochondrial DNA Data, 2014-2018, Alaska and Russia	Data
Sequence Information from the Mitogenome and Ten Nuclear Genes from Martes Species (Martes americana, M. caurina) of North America, 1972-2010	Data
Development of Single Nucleotide Polymorphisms (SNPs) in Greater-White Fronted Geese (Anser albifrons) for Genetic Stock Identification on Wintering Grounds, 2019	Data
Python scripts for Bioinformatics, 2017	Data
Frullania nisquallensis Species Confirmation, Attu Island, Alaska, 2018	Data
Microsatellite Genetic Data for Sea Sandwort (Honckenya peploides) and Merckia (Wilhelmsia physodes), Alaska, 2009-2016	Data
Genetic Data from Arctic, Polar, and Saffron Cod and Walleye Pollock, Alaska and Canada, 2011-2017	Data
Enteroctopus Sampling Effects on Genetic Data, Prince William Sound, Alaska, 2012-2015	Data
Peregrine Falcon (Falco peregrinus) mtDNA and Microsatellite Genetic Data, Alaska, Canada and Russia, 1880-2012	Data
DNA Microsatellite and Sex Identification Markers for Emperor Goose (Chen canagica) and Cross-Species Amplification of Microsatellites in Select Goose Species, Alaska 2016	Data
Coho salmon (Oncorhynchus kisutch) Genetic Data, Glacier Bay National Park, Alaska (1994-1999)	Data
Greater White-Fronted Goose Genetic Data, Circumpolar, 1988-2009	Data
Specimen and Genetic Information for Phylogeny of Blue-winged Ducks (Anas spp.), 2001-2011	Data
Larus Gull Microsatellite DNA Data, 2006-2009	Data
Molecular Ecology Laboratory	Project Website

Contacts

Gravley, Megan C., 907-786-7016
Menning, Damian M., 907-786-7466
Sage, George , 907-786-7189
Sonsthagen, Sarah A., 907-786-7054
Talbot, Sandra L., 907-786-7188
Wilson, Robert E., 907-786-7066

Status: onGoing
Start Year: 2000
End Year: 2022

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Collaborators

Alaska Department of Fish and Game
Bureau of Ocean Energy Management
FWS - Alaska Region
NPS - Alaska Area Region

USGS Mission Area and Program

Ecosystems → Wildlife Program

Major Initiatives

FWS - Migratory Bird Management Program
FWS - Science Support Program
USGS - Changing Arctic Ecosystems Initiative

Keywords

Biological Classification > Animals/Invertebrates > Mollusks > Cephalopods
Biological Classification > Animals/Vertebrates > Birds
Biological Classification > Animals/Vertebrates > Fish
Biological Classification > Animals/Vertebrates > Mammals
Biological Classification > Plants