Joshua Hull Ph.D.

Post-doctoral Researcher

Education
Ph.D. in Ecology, University of California, Davis, CA
M.A. in Biology 2002, Sonoma State University, Rohnert Park, CA.
B.S. in Biology 1998, Dominican University, San Rafael, CA.

Wildlife & Ecology Unit office phone: (530) 754-5186
Contact Josh
C.V.

Research Interests

In a broad sense, I am interested in the evolutionary and landscape forces that shape population differentiation.  Of particular interest to me are 1) describing genetically and morphologically distinct populations, 2) identifying specific landscape features, life history characteristics, and historic geological factors that influence population structure and, 3) understanding how distinct populations within migratory populations differentially utilize landscapes. To address these questions I study raptor populations using a variety of tools including field mark-recapture methods, molecular genetics, and morphometric analyses.

Current Projects:

• Population genetics and historical demography of Red-shouldered Hawks (Buteo lineatus)
• Population genetics and conservation of Great Gray Owls (Strix nebulosa) in the Yosemite region
• Migration timing and behavior of distinct Red-tailed Hawk (Buteo jamaicensis) populations along the Pacific coast
• Population genetics and phylogenetic relationships of B. j. calurus, B. j. borealis, and B. j. harlani
• Population genetic analysis of North American of Swainson's Hawks (Buteo swainsonii)
• Prevalence of West Nile Virus antibodies in wild raptor population
• Population Genetics of Sharp-shinned Hawks (Accipiter striatus) in North America

Publications

• Hull JM, Savage WK, Bollmer JL, Kimball RT, Parker PG, Whiteman NK, Ernest HB. On the origin the Galápagos hawk: An examination of phenotypic differentiation and mitochondrial paraphyly. In press, Biological Journal of the Linnean Society.
• Hull JM, Hull AC, Sacks BN, Smith JP, Ernest HB. 2008 Landscape characteristics influence morphological and genetic differentiation in a widespread raptor (Buteo jamaicensis). Molecular Ecology, 17:810-824.
• Hull J, J Keane, L Tell, and H Ernest. Published Online First 2008.  Development of 37 microsatellite loci for Great Gray Owls (Strix nebulosa) with cross amplification in Spotted Owls (Strix occidentalis) and Barred Owls (Strix varia). Conservation Genetics   Online First. DOI 10.1007/s10592-007-9489-6.
• Pitzer S, Hull J, Ernest H, Hull A. Sex determination of three raptor species using morphology and molecular techniques. 2008, Journal of Field Ornithology. 79(1):71–79.
• Hull J.M., R. Anderson, M. Bradbury, J. Estep, H. B. Ernest. Published Online First 2007. Population structure and genetic diversity in Swainson’s Hawks (Buteo swainsoni), implications for conservation. Conservation Genetics. DOI 10.1007/s10592-007-9342-y
• Hull J.M., W. Savage, J.P. Smith, N. Murphy, L. Cullen, A.D. Hutchins, H.B. Ernest. 2007. Hybridization among Buteos: Swainson's Hawks (Buteo swainsoni) × Red-tailed Hawks (Buteo jamaicensis). The Wilson Journal of Ornithology,.119(4):579–584.
• Hull J.M., D. Tufts, J.R. Topinka, B.P. May, H.B. Ernest. 2007.Development of 19 microsatellite loci for Swainson’s Hawks (Buteo swainsoni) and other Buteos. Molecular Ecology Notes 7 (2), 346–349.
• Hull J.M., A. Hull, H.B. Ernest. 2006. West Nile Virus Antibody Prevalence in Free-ranging California Raptors. Condor. 108:435–439.
• Hull, JM and DJ Girman. 2005. Effects of Holocene climate change on the historical demography of migrating Sharp-shinned Hawks (Accipiter striatus velox) in North America. Molecular Ecology 14:159-170. (Link to pdf)

Presentations and Posters:

West Nile Virus antibody prevalence in California raptors; 2006 Annual Conference of the Western Section of the Wildlife Society, February 2006

West Nile Virus antibody prevalence in California raptors; Cooper Ornithological Society Meeting, June 2005

Historical Demography and Population Genetic Structure in Migrating Sharp-shinned Hawks (Accipiter striatus velox) in North America; Raptor Research Foundation, September 2003

Identification of Genetic Structure in Migrating Sharp-shinned Hawks in North America; North American Ornithological Conference, September 2002 Molecular Systematics of the Genus Accipiter; North American Ornithological Conference, September 2002.

Identification of Genetic Structure and Natal Origin in Migrating Sharp-shinned Hawks in North America; Sonoma State University Biology Colloquium,September 2002.

Identification of Genetic Structure in Migrating Sharp-shinned Hawks in North America; Association of North Bay Scientists, April 2002.