Previous Research Topics
Identification of coyotes along an urban-wildland gradient, Pinellas County, Florida
We are monitoring a population of coyotes in Pinellas County, Florida via non-invasive genetic techniques. We are identifying individual coyotes based upon the genotype of fecal samples in an attempt to determine relatedness and population-genetic structure. Fecal samples have been collected since 2005 and DNA has been extracted from fecal samples using a commercially available extraction kit, with some modifications. Since there is the possibility of collecting non-coyote scat, we are verifying species identification of each sample using PCR with primers specific to the cytochrome β region of mitochondrial DNA. A restriction digest is then used to distinguish between domestic dog, bobcat, and coyote. Non-coyote samples are identified and removed from further analysis. Individual coyotes are identified from fecal samples by amplifying microsatellite loci. We are using a commercially available set of microsatellite primers from Applied Biosystems specific to canids in order to determine individual genotyopes. These data will enable us to monitor the movements of individuals between Brooker Creek Preserve (wildland) and the more urbanized areas of Pinellas County.
Invitation to collaborate
I wish to emphasize that these research topics are just a few examples of questions that interest me. My research endeavors are broad and are certainly not limited to these topics of inquiry. I am excited about exploring a wide range of questions and to collaborate with students and the diverse faculty in the Department of Biology at Hofstra University.
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