National Wildlife Research Center (NWRC)

Within the field of wildlife genetics, a variety of genetic approaches can be applied to wildlife management. Such approaches include wildlife forensics, population genetic and phylogenetic studies, kinship/relatedness studies, gender determination, and identification of individuals or species through non-invasively collected samples. Wildlife genetic techniques may be particularly useful in addressing questions that have historically been difficult to address with traditional wildlife management techniques.

Wildlife genetics research was initiated at NWRC in late 2000. Research needs were identified through a survey of Center scientists, stakeholders, and Wildlife Services operations personnel . Initial studies focused on coyotes and blackbirds, which were seen as high priority species. Today, research encompasss a broad range of taxa including wolves, coyotes, vampire bats, raccoons, mountain beavers, beavers, and even avian influenza viruses. The lab investigates questions at many spatial scales, from metapopulation dynamics to the identity of an individual predating on livestock, and temporal scales, from estimating historical gene flow to elucidating kinship among contemporary individuals.

The NWRC Wildlife Genetics Lab works with a diverse collection of collaborators including scientists in other programs at the Center and at NWRC field stations, Wildlife Service Operations specialists, and International Services, university, state and federal agency, and foreign government researchers.

DNA in the NWRC lab is collected using direct sampling (i.e., tissue or blood) or non-invasive sampling (samples that are available from an animal without having to handle it). Scientists have developed techniques to sample coyotes through collecting their saliva from chewed, scented lures placed in the field. This is a unique opportunity to monitor and count coyotes in areas where trapping in unacceptable or unnecessary.

Please contact the scientists below if you have any questions, potential collaborations, etc. Also, please use the links to view National Wildlife Research Center sample collection protocols, including sample collection data sheets. The address for submitting samples and contact information is included under each protocol.

Fecal Collection Protocol PDF 16K
Whatman FTA Blood Card Collection Protocol PDF 60K
Hair Collection Protocol PDF 15K
Tissue Collection Protocol PDF 14K
Carcass Swab Protocol PDF 16K

Please contact us before sending samples and for ordering relevant supplies.

Publications:

2012

Piaggio, A.J., Shriner, S.A., VanDalen, K.K., Franklin, A.B., Anderson., T.D., et al. 2012. Molecular surveillance of low pathogenic avian influenza viruses in wild birds across the United States: inferences from the hemagglutinin gene. PLoS ONE 7(12): e50834. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0050834

Savidge, J. A., M. W. Hopken, G. W. Witmer, S. M. Jojola, J. J. Pierce, P. W. Burke, and A. J. Piaggio. 2012. Genetic evaluation of an attempted Rattus rattus eradication on Congo Cay, U.S. Virgin Islands, identifies importance of eradication units. Biological Invasions 14:2343-2354.

2011

11-PIAGGIO, A. J., D. A. SAUGEY, AND D. B. SASSE. 2011. Phylogenetic and population genetic assessment of Rafinesque's big-eared bat (Corynorhinus rafinesquii). Pages 85-99 in S. C. Loeb, M. J. Lacki,and D. A. Miller, editors. Conservation and management of eastern big-eared bats: a symposium. USDA Forest Service Southern Research Station, General Technical Report SRS-145, Asheville, North Carolina.

2010

10-FISCHER, J. W., R. E. JOOS, M. A. NEUBAUM, J. D. TAYLOR, D. L. BERGMAN, D. L. NOLTE, AND A. J. PIAGGIO. 2010. Locating North American beavers (Castor canadensis) sharing dens in the southwestern United States. Southwestern Naturalist 55:273-277. 74K

2009

09-PELZ-SERRANO, K., A. MUNGUIA-VEGA, A. J. PIAGGIO, M. A. NEUBAUM, P. MUNCLINGER, C. VAN RIPER III, AND M. CULVER. 2009. Development of nine microsatellite loci for the American beaver, Castor canadensis (Rodentia: Castoridae). Molecular Ecology Resources 9:551-554.

09-PIAGGIO, A. J., J. A. FIGUEROA, AND S. L. PERKINS. 2009. Development and characterization of 15 polymorphic microsatellite loci isolated from Rafinesque's big-eared bat, Corynorhinus rafinesquii. Molecular Ecology Resources 9:1191-1193. 57K

09-PIAGGIO, A. J., K. E. G. MILLER, M. D. MATOCQ, AND S. L. PERKINS. 2009. Eight polymorphic microsatellite loci developed and characterized from Townsend's big-eared bat, Corynorhinus townsendii. Molecular Ecology Resources 9:258-260. 61K

09-PIAGGIO, A. J., M. A. NEUBAUM, H. YUEH, C. E. RITLAND, J. J. JOHNSTON, AND S. L. PERKINS. 2009. Development of 10 polymorphic microsatellite loci isolated from the mountain beaver, Aplodontia rufa rufa (Rafinesque). Molecular Ecology Resources 9:323-325. 63K

09-PIAGGIO, A. J., K. W. NAVO, AND C. W. STIHLER. 2009. Intraspecific comparison of population structure, genetic diversity, and dispersal among three subspecies of Townsend's big-eared bats, Corynorhinus towsendii townsendii, C. t. pallescens, and the endangered C. t. virginianus. Conservation Genetics 10:143-159. 423K

09-ROOT, J. J., R. B. PUSKAS, J. W. FISCHER, C. B. SWOPE, M. A. NEUBAUM, S. A. REEDER, AND A. J. PIAGGIO (early online) Landscape genetics of raccoons (Procyon lotor) associated with ridges and valleys of Pennsylvania: implications for oral rabies vaccination programs. Vector-Borne and Zoonotic Diseases.

2008

08-CARIAPPA, C. A., W. BALLARD, S. BRECK, A. J. PIAGGIO, AND M. NEUBAUM. 2008. Estimating population size of Mexican wolves noninvasively (Arizona). Ecological Restoration 26:14-16. 361K

08-PETERS, M. B., K. H. BEARD, C. HAGEN, E. M. O'NEILL, K. E. MOCK, W. C. PITT, AND T. C. GLENN. 2008. Isolation of microsatellite loci from the coqui frog, Eleutherodactylus coqui. Molecular Ecology Resources 8:139-141. 79K

08-PIAGGIO, A. J., J. J. JOHNSTON, AND S. L. PERKINS. 2008. Development of polymorphic microsatellite loci for the common vampire bat, Desmodus rotundus (Chiroptera: Phylostomidae). Molecular Ecology Resources 8:440-442. 65K

08-VANDALEN, K. K., T. D. ANDERSON, M. L. KILLIAN, J. C. PEDERSEN, A. B. FRANKLIN, AND A. J. PIAGGIO. 2008. Increased detection of influenza A H16 in the United States. Archives of Virology 153:1981-1983. 155K

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Wildlife Genetics
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