Current Research:
I am utilizing non-invasive genetic sampling within a mark-recapture framework to assess the population status of both kit foxes and coyotes. The non-invasive genetic sampling will be extended to contribute to occupancy modeling approaches to model co-occurrence and examine competition between the kit fox and coyote. I also intend to evaluate population genetic structure and investigate the influence of natural and anthropogenic landscape features on population genetic structure and connectivity for these species. This study is being conducted in the West Desert of Utah.
I am currently in the process of conducting pilot studies that will provide valuable information necessary to finalize project design. I have been working in the lab on extracting DNA from scat samples of both kit fox and coyotes. These samples are the result of a pilot winter degradation study that aims to assess degradation rates within the study system. I have also been collecting samples as part of an equivalent study on summer degradation rates. Information on degradation rates along with scat deposition rates will be used in simulation models to identify the most appropriate temporal sampling scheme, balancing the two to maximize target species detections.
I am utilizing non-invasive genetic sampling within a mark-recapture framework to assess the population status of both kit foxes and coyotes. The non-invasive genetic sampling will be extended to contribute to occupancy modeling approaches to model co-occurrence and examine competition between the kit fox and coyote. I also intend to evaluate population genetic structure and investigate the influence of natural and anthropogenic landscape features on population genetic structure and connectivity for these species. This study is being conducted in the West Desert of Utah.
I am currently in the process of conducting pilot studies that will provide valuable information necessary to finalize project design. I have been working in the lab on extracting DNA from scat samples of both kit fox and coyotes. These samples are the result of a pilot winter degradation study that aims to assess degradation rates within the study system. I have also been collecting samples as part of an equivalent study on summer degradation rates. Information on degradation rates along with scat deposition rates will be used in simulation models to identify the most appropriate temporal sampling scheme, balancing the two to maximize target species detections.
