Research Projects

Ecological Genetics for Wildlife Population Health
Laboratory of Holly Ernest

Mammals

Black Bears: Ecological/population genetics. Sarah Brown and Holly Ernest
Bobcats - ecological genetics and population health. Megan Jennings, Rebecca Lewison, Holly Ernest.
Domestic Ferrets, genetics, and cancer. Holly Ernest, Michelle Hawkins, Tracy Drazenovich, and Jay Well.
Deer: kinship genetics and forensic applications (collaborations with Service and Forensic Units of Veterinary Genetics Laboratory). Jay Well, Megan Caulder and Holly Ernest
Feral Pigs: Ecological/population genetics. Holly Ernest and Jay Well. Elizabeth Heeg completed Genetics MS in feral pig genetics.
Mountain Lions (Puma concolor, cougars) in California: Ecological/population genetics, development and application of DNA tests to identification of individuals, parents, and kin. Holly Ernest and Jay Well.
Sierra Nevada Bighorn Sheep: Captive Breeding Plan. Holly Ernest
Southern (California) Sea otters: development and application of DNA tests to identification of individuals, parents, and kin; population genetics and disease ecology. Holly Ernest and Jay Well.

Yellow-billed Magpies: Ecology, Effects of West Nile virus, population genetics, development and application of DNA tests to identification of individuals, parents, and kin; and Citizen Science Program to monitor their numbers: Magpie Monitor and Bicycle Bird Biologist Program. Scott Crosbie, Jay Well, Levi Souza, and Holly Ernest
American Crows in California: Ecological/population genetics, development and application of DNA tests to identification of individuals, parents, and kin. Jay Well, and Holly Ernest.
Western Scrub Jays and other corvids in California: Ecological/population genetics, development and application of DNA tests to identification of individuals, parents, and kin. Jay Well and Holly Ernest

Coopers Hawks: Gender determination by DNA and morphological markers; Exposure to West Nile virus (antibody levels). Joshua Hull, Sarah Pitzer, and Holly Ernest
Great Gray Owls: Conservation genetics, development and application of DNA tests to identification of individuals, parents, and kin; Exposure to West Nile virus (antibody levels). Joshua Hull, and Holly Ernest. Eric Jepsen is working with USDA Forest Service on owl habitat modeling.
Red-shouldered Hawks: Population genetics, development and application of DNA tests to identification of individuals, parents, and kin; gender determination by DNA and morphological markers; Exposure to West Nile virus (antibody levels). Joshua Hull, Sarah Pitzer, Amanda Irish, and Holly Ernest
Red-tailed Hawks: Population genetics, development and application of DNA tests to identification of individuals, parents, and kin; gender determination by DNA and morphological markers; Exposure to West Nile virus (antibody levels). Joshua Hull, Sarah Pitzer, and Holly Ernest
Swainson’s Hawks: Conservation genetics, development and application of DNA tests to identification of individuals, sex (gender), parents, and kin; Exposure to West Nile virus (antibody levels). Joshua Hull and Holly Ernest
Spotted Owls in Sierra Nevada mountains: Exposure to West Nile virus (antibody levels). Joshua Hull, and Holly Ernest
Northern Goshawks in Sierra Nevada mountains: Exposure to West Nile virus (antibody levels). Joshua Hull, and Holly Ernest

Hummingbirds of California: Population health, genetics, and ecology. Holly Ernest and collaborators