Seed dispersal is a crucial phase of plant lifecycles. Effective dispersal is important to the ecosystem as a whole because it affects composition of the community, ecological succession, and response to climate change. Given the importance of seed dispersal, understanding the factors that contribute to the evolution of varied dispersal modes and promote convergence on specific dispersal strategies is particularly important to understanding plant ecology. We think habitat might be one of these important factors. Here, to explore the relationship between habitat and dispersal mode, we are studying the onion grasses (Melica), a small genus of perennial grasses primarily distributed in temperate regions, and their relatives. These grasses are found in a wide variety of habitats and possess a remarkable diversity of seed dispersal strategies. These traits make them a useful case study for better understanding the factors that influence the evolution of dispersal strategy. We are testing the hypothesis that evolution in traits associated with seed dispersal is correlated with changes in habitat. In particular, we hypothesize that the evolution of wind dispersed seeds follows transitions into open habitats. Seed dispersal structures (diaspores) were collected from 28 grass species (14 Melica and 14 outgroup). To assess wind dispersal potential, we quantify falling velocity by filming seed descent at 1000 fps. Lower falling velocities are associated with higher wind dispersal potential. Diaspores were photographed and the images were used to measure surface roughness, which is associated with adhesive dispersal potential. Habitat data were obtained for each species via a literature survey. These data, along with several other traits associated with seed dispersal processes, were mapped onto the evolutionary tree of the onion grasses. Initial results indicate that convergence upon wind dispersal may be in part driven by convergence upon disturbed habitat types.

After an 80-year absence, gray wolves have been returning to Washington state over the last decade. Mapping their population growth and reproductive activity is key to understanding their recovery and to assisting wildlife conservation management. Recognizing an established pack requires identification of the presence of breeding females. Accurate noninvasive identification of pregnant wolves through scat could greatly assist such efforts. A reliable index of pregnancy in most mammals is progesterone levels (ng/g) in feces; progesterone rises post-ovulation, but will only be elevated above a “pregnancy-threshold” level among pregnant females. However, this metric is less definitive in canids. Progesterone levels remain elevated in all post-ovulatory females, regardless of whether the females become pregnant or not. Since gut microbiome diversity has also been shown to differ between pregnant and non-pregnant large mammals, in this study I examined whether the combination of progesterone levels and gut microbiome diversity can refine this pregnancy metric in free-ranging wolves. Fecal samples from female wolves (n=62) with known progesterone levels were provided by the Center for Conservation Biology from a 2015-2017 study in Northeast Washington. Samples with progesterone levels above 2000 ng/g were defined to be from potentially pregnant females. I generated gut microbiome profiles by amplifying and sequencing the V4 16S rRNA gene region in each sample. I analyzed the sequences using Qiime 2 and R with the Silva reference database for microbial taxonomy classification. Gut microbiome profiles were compared to progesterone levels. Pregnant wolves are expected to have a different phyla diversity in bacterial communities from non-pregnant wolves. Results may guide future studies to focus on identifying a particular bacteria species or a certain proportion of diversity combined with progesterone levels to further refine pregnancy diagnosis. Accurate identification of pregnancies in wolf packs can improve population growth estimates, leading to informed Washington wildlife conservation policies.

Large-bodied marine predators, such as sharks, often occupy home ranges that span entire ocean basins; however, the habitat of these highly mobile animals also extends hundreds of meters below the ocean surface. Understanding patterns of vertical habitat use is essential to assess how species interact with ecosystems and interact with fisheries. The advent of satellite telemetry, small computers which remotely track and record fine scale accounts of animal movement, have led to a considerable increase in the amount and quality of movement data. While many studies have used telemetry to qualitatively examine the vertical ranges of individual species, still relatively little is known about the patterns of vertical habitat use among sharks and other fishes, nor how environmental and spatial factors influence behavior. Using satellite telemetry data, I identify unique patterns of vertical habitat use among two pelagic species, blue shark (Prionace glauca) and shortfin mako (Isurus oxyrinchus). I use multinomial logistic regression to explore how eleven environmental factors influence the frequency of these behaviors. My results show that, while mako sharks generally occupied deeper waters than blue sharks, both species share three common behavior types. These patterns varied in frequency relative to spatial and oceanographic conditions among both species. This research demonstrates a case of behavioral convergence, whereby vastly different physiological adaptations allow blue and mako sharks to exploit similar vertical ranges using similar behaviors. Within the northwest Atlantic, both blue and mako sharks are heavily exploited; blue sharks represent the most frequently bycaught species of shark and populations of shortfin mako shark were recently categorized as endangered by the International Union for the Conservation of Nature. A consideration of the large spatial overlap between blue and mako sharks will be critical to their successful management in this ocean region. 

 Understanding complex and dynamic inter-specific relationships is key for informing and developing conservation policies. Accurately identifying the diet of various predators across Washington can provide insight into these relationships in terms of resource needs and predator-prey dynamics. DNA metabarcoding studies present a comprehensive way to surmise the complete diet profile of the American black bear (Ursus americanus), an opportunistically omnivorous predator that provides several important ecosystem services. As one of the only large omnivores in Washington, they also require large home ranges, making them an umbrella species that can be used as a guideline for overall conservation efforts. Our preliminary metabarcoding study with scat comparing the American black bear’s diet in northeastern and central Washington using a mitochondria-specific marker suggested their diet could be greatly influenced by human activity and that diet preference could delineate along geographic and ecological means. As the samples containing atypical food sources were within proximity to anthropogenic structures, these results suggest the pervasiveness of human-based food source availability to wildlife. These results were corroborated in our comprehensive study using both mitochondria and chloroplast specific markers. Analysis of the herbivorous portion identified the native and introduced plant species and their frequency of occurrence. This allowed us to understand the American black bear’s reliance on specific native species, as well as the extent of how local bear populations have incorporated non-native plant species into their diet, thus identifying their ecosystem intrusion. Additionally, the study’s sample collection spans a multiyear period, providing information on the seasonality of the American black bear’s diet, giving insight into seasonal prey switching and prey partitioning. This total diet profile allows for the examination of the influence of the wildlife-urban interface on food availability and resource selection in the Washington American black bear population, increasing our understanding of Washington predator dynamics.

 Long-toed salamanders (Ambystoma macrodactylum) are common amphibians throughout the Pacific Northwest, making them an ideal species to use for restoration assessment. A successful wetland restoration project would be expected to have a healthy long-toed salamander population, but it was not previously known whether long-toed salamanders were present in the Union Bay Natural Area (UBNA), a Seattle park with many ongoing restoration efforts. The Amphibian Corridor restoration project in UBNA, installed in 2015, aimed to provide amphibian migration habitat. To assess its efficacy, I examine long-toed salamander movements and woody debris microhabitat preferences within and around the corridor. The study also acts as an inventory of amphibians present in the corridor and throughout UBNA. The corridor and surrounding areas are being monitored throughout the 2021 breeding season (January through May) for adults, larvae, and egg masses. To find larvae and egg masses, dip net aquatic surveys are conducted once per week, alternating between day or night surveys. To find adults, visual encounter terrestrial surveys are conducted once per week, alternating between day or night surveys. Individual salamanders are photographed and identified by their unique spot patterns so that individual movement can be tracked using a mark-recapture method. The location and microhabitat of all amphibians are recorded . My surveys have shown that long-toed salamanders use the corridor. To date, 18 individuals have been recorded in the corridor with up to 10 recaptures per individual, and 11 individuals have been recorded in other parts of UBNA with up to 8 recaptures per individual. Three egg masses have also been found in UBNA. UBNA management and future restoration could be informed by this study’s insights about long-toed salamander microhabitat preference and movement strategies. Given this information, similar restoration projects to the Amphibian Corridor in other urban parks may be effective for amphibian conservation.