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Amy Vandergast

   Geneticist

Amy Vandergast
San Diego Field Station
4165 Spruance Road Suite 200
San Diego, CA 92101
Phone: (619) 225-6445
Fax: (619) 225-6436
Email: avandergast@usgs.gov 		Amy Vandergast
Bio

Research Interests

 

·    Landscape genetics

·    Population genetics

·    Conservation biology

·    Habitat fragmentation

·    Habitat modeling

·    Terrestrial invertebrate ecology and evolution

·    Linkage design and monitoring

 

Education

 

·    Ph.D.,  Environmental Science, Policy & Management: Division of Insect Biology, University of California, Berkeley (2002)

·    M.S., Department of Zoology; Ecology, Evolution & Conservation Biology, University of Hawaii, Manoa (1998)

·    B.S., Ecology, Behavior and Evolution, University of California, San Diego (1995)

 

 

Professional Experience

 

·    Geneticist.  USGS Western Ecological Research Center, San Diego Field Station  (2004-Present)

·    Adjunct Research Professor.  San Diego State University, Department of Biology (2002-Present)

·    Lecturer.  San Diego State University, Department of Biology and Cuyamaca College Department of Biology  (2002)

All Products
Journal_Article
2013 Vandergast, AG, RD Inman, KR Barr, KE Nussear, TC Esque, SA Hathaway, DA Wood, PA Medica, JW Breinholt, CL Stephen, AD Gottscho, SB Marks, WB Jennings, RN Fisher. 2013. Evolutionary hotspots in the Mojave Desert. Diversity 5(2): 293-319. doi: 10.3390/d5020293 [Journal_Article]
2013 Richmond, JQ, KR Barr, AR Backlin, AG Vandergast, RN Fisher. 2013. Evolutionary dynamics of a rapidly receding southern range boundary in the threatened California Red-Legged Frog (Rana draytonii). Evolutionary Applications. doi: 10.1111/eva.12067 [Journal_Article]
2013 Inman, RD, TC Esque, KE Nussear, P Leitner, MD Matocq, PJ Weisberg, TE Dilts, AG Vandergast. 2013. Is there room for all of us? Renewable energy and Xerospermophilus mohavensis. Endangered Species Research 20: 1–18. doi: 10.3354/esr00487 [Journal_Article]
2012 Wood, DA, AG Vandergast, KR Barr, RD Inman, TC Esque, KE Nussear, RN Fisher. 2012. Comparative phylogeography reveals deep lineages and regional evolutionary hotspots in the Mojave and Sonoran Deserts. Diversity and Distributions. doi: 10.1111/ddi.12022 [Journal_Article]
2012 Roderick, G, P Croucher, A Vandergast, R Gillespie. 2012. Species differentiation on a dynamic landscape: shifts in metapopulation genetic structure using the chronology of the Hawaiian Archipelago. Evolutionary Biology 39(2): 192-206. doi: 10.1007/s11692-012-9184-5 [Journal_Article]
2011 Wood, DA, AG Vandergast, JA Lemos Espinal, RN Fisher, AT Holycross. 2011. Refugial isolation and divergence in the Narrowheaded Gartersnake species complex (Thamnophis rufipunctatus) as revealed by multilocus DNA sequence data. Molecular Ecology 20: 3856–3878. doi: 10.1111/j.1365-294X.2011.05211.x [Journal_Article]
2011 Bohonak, AJ, AG Vandergast. 2011. The value of DNA sequence data for studying landscape genetics. Molecular Ecology 20(12): 2477-2479. doi: 10.1111/j.1365-294X.2011.05122.x [Journal_Article]
2010 Vandergast, A. G., W. M. Perry, R. V. Lugo, S. A. Hathaway. 2011.  Genetic landscapes GIS Toolbox: tools to map patterns of genetic divergence and diversity. Molecular Ecology Resources 11: 158-161.
doi: 10.1111/j.1755-0998.2010.02904.x  [Journal_Article]
2010 Steele, A.N., M.A. Simovich, D. Pepino, K. McNamara Schroeder, A.G. Vandergast, and A.J. Bohonak. 2009. Optimized DNA extraction methods for encysted embryos of the endangered fairy shrimp, Branchinecta sandiegonensis. Consevartion genetics 10:1777-1781. [Journal_Article]
2009 Vandergast, A. G., E. A. Lewallen, J. Deas, A. J. Bohonak, D. B. Weissman, and R. N. Fisher. 2008. Loss of genetic connectivity and diversity in urban microreserves in a southern California endemic Jerusalem cricket (Orthoptera: Stenopelmatidae: Stenopelmatus “santa monica”) Journal of Insect Conservation DOI 10.1007/s10841-008-9176-z. [Journal_Article]
2009 Vandergast, A. G., D. A. Wood, M. A. Simovich, and A. J. Bohonak. 2009. Species identification of co-occurring Branchinecta fairy shrimp from encysted embryos using multiplex polymerase chain reaction. Molecular Ecology Resources 9:767-770. [Journal_Article]
2008 Steele, AN, MA Simovich, D Pepino, K McNamara Schroeder, AG Vandergast, AJ Bohonak. 2008. Optimized DNA extraction methods for encysted embryos of the endangered fairy shrimp, Branchinecta sandiegonensis. Conservation Genetics 10(6): 1777-1781. doi: 10.1007/s10592-008-9733-8 [Journal_Article]
2008 Wood, D. A., J. M. Meik, A. T. Holycross, R. N. Fisher, and A. G. Vandergast. In Press. Molecular and phenotypic diversity in the Western Shovel-nosed snake, with emphasis on the status of the Tucson Shovel-nosed snake (Chionactis occipitalis klauberi). Conservation Genetics DOI: 10.1007/s10592-007-9482-0. [Journal_Article]
2008 Vandergast, A. G., A. J. Bohonak, S. A. Hathaway, J. Boys, and R. N. Fisher. 2008. Are hotspots of evolutionary potential adequately protected in southern California? Biological Conservation 141:1648-1664. [Journal_Article]
2008 Steele, A. N., M. A. Simovich, D. Pepino, K. McNamara Schroeder, A. G. Vandergast, and A. J. Bohonak. 2008. Optimization of DNA extraction methods for encysted embryos of the endangered fairy shrimp, Branchinecta sandiegonensis. Conservation Genetics 10:1777-1781. [Journal_Article]
2008 Pendleton, E. C., A. G. Vandergast, and T. L. King. 2008. Conservation genetics and species recovery. Endangered Species Bulletin 33:57-59. [Journal_Article]
2007 Vandergast, A. G., J. Bohonak Andrew, D. B. Weissman, and R. N. Fisher. 2007. Understanding the genetic effects of recent habitat fragmentation in the context of evolutionary history: phylogeography and landscape genetics of a southern California endemic Jerusalem cricket (Orthoptera: Stenopelmatidae: Stenopelmatus). Molecular Ecology 16:997-992. [Journal_Article]
2004 Vandergast, AG, RG Gillespie. 2004. Effects of natural forest fragmentation on a Hawaiian spider community. Environmental Entomology 33(5): 1296-1305. doi: 10.1603/0046-225X-33.5.1296 [Journal_Article]
2004 Vandergast AG, RG Gillespie, GK Roderick. 2004. Influence of volcanic activity on the population genetic structure of Hawaiian Tetragnatha spiders: fragmentation, rapid population growth and the potential for accelerated evolution. Molecular Ecology 13:1729-1743. doi: 10.1111/j.1365-294X.2004.02179.x [Journal_Article]
2003 Vandergast AG, GK Roderick. 2003. Mermithid parasitism of Hawaiian Tetragnatha spiders in a fragmented landscape. Journal of Invertebrate Pathology 84(2): 128-136. doi: 10.1016/j.jip.2003.08.004 [Journal_Article]
Technical_Report
2011 Richmond, J. Q., D. A. Wood, C. Hoang, and A. G. Vandergast. 2011. Quantitative assessment of population genetic structure and historical phylogeography of the Alameda Whipsnake Masticophis lateralis euryxanthus.  U. S. Geological Survey, Western Ecological Research Center. Data Summary prepared for USFWS Sacramento FWO. 81pp. [Technical_Report]
2010 Lahti, M. E., A. G. Vandergast, Y. Matta, A. J. Bohonak, K. Davis, and M. Simovich.  2010.  Data summary for the 2010 field and genetic surveys of the Riverside fairy shrimp (Streptocephalus woottoni) in southern California.  U. S. Geological Survey Data Summary prepared for the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Carlsbad, CA 47 pp. [Technical_Report]
2006 Wood, D. A., Vandergast, A. G., and R. N. Fisher (2006) Assessment of genetic diversity in the Western Shovel-nosed snake (Chionactis occipitalis), with special emphasis on the subspecific status of the Tucson Shovel-nosed snake (C. o. klauberi). Prepared for Arizona Game and Fish Department. U.S. Geological Survey, San Diego Field Station. [Technical_Report]
Publication_Brief
2013 WERC Publication Brief: Proposed energy project footprints may overlap with evolutionary hotspots in Mojave Desert. Updated April 2013 [Publication_Brief]
2013 WERC Publication Brief: Genetic diversity of California red-legged frogs in the receding southern edge of their range. Updated April 2013. [Publication_Brief]
2013 WERC Publication Brief: Modeling potential habitat in the Mojave Desert for the Mohave ground squirrel. Updated February 2013. [Publication_Brief]
2012 WERC Publication Brief: Identifying evolutionary hotspots and gaps in land protection in the Mojave and Sonoran deserts. Updated December 2012. [Publication_Brief]
2012 WERC Publication Brief: Narrowheaded Gartersnake Species Complex Comprised of Three Divergent Lineages. Updated February 2012. [Publication_Brief]
2008 Vandergast, AG. 2008. Loss of Genetic Connectivity and Diversity in Urban Microreserves in a Southern California Endemic Jerusalem Cricket.  Publication Brief for Resource Managers.  USGS Western Ecological Research Center.  Sacramento, CA. [Publication_Brief]
2008 Vandergast, A. G. 2008.  Evolutionary Hotspots for Conservation Planning in Southern California.  Publication Brief for Resource Managers. USGS Western Ecological Research Center. Sacramento, CA. [Publication_Brief]
2007 Vandergast, A.G., Genetic Effects of Recent Habitat Fragmentation on the Mahogany Jerusalem Cricket (March 2007) [Publication_Brief]
2007 Vandergast, A. 2007. Genetic effects of recent habitat fragmentation on the mahogany jerusalem cricket. Publication Brief for Western Ecological Research Center. [Publication_Brief]
Presentation
2012 Richmond, J.Q., K.R. Barr, A.R. Backlin, A.G. Vandergast, and R.N. Fisher. Conservation genetics at the margin of a species distribution: a case study on the California Red-legged Frog (Rana draytonii) in Southern California. California/Nevada Amphibian Population Task Force 2012 Meeting (12-13Jan2012) . Placerville, CA. [Presentation]
2011 Wood, DA, AG Vandergast, JL Espinal, RN Fisher, AT Holycross. 2011. Estimating the distribution of genetic variation within the narrow-headed gartersnake species complex and its utility in informing conservation management practices. The Wildlife Society Annual Conference.  Waikoloa, HI. [Presentation]
2011 Vandergast, AG, K Nussear, TC Esque, RN Fisher, KR Barr, RD Inman, SA Hathaway and DA Wood. 2011. Hotspots of genetic diversity and differentiation in the desert southwest and potential impacts of renewable energy development. The Wildlife Society Annual Conference.  Waikoloa, HI. [Presentation]
2011 Vandergast, AG.  2011.  Evolutionary Processes in Volcanic Systems.  International Seminar on the Geological and Ecological Values of Protected Volcanic Fields.  China Association for Volcanology, Chinese Academy of Sciences and Northeast Forestry University.  Harbin, China. [Presentation]
2011 Vandergast, AG, M Lahti, Y Matta, AJ Bohonak, K Davis and M Simovich. 2011.  Range-wide Genetic Assessment of the Riverside Fairy Shrimp.  Western Section of the Wildlife Society 2011 Annual Conference.  Riverside, CA. [Presentation]
2010 Nussear, KE, TC Esque, AG Vandergast, RN Fisher. 2010.  Potential impacts of renewable energy development to wildlife movement and population persistence in the desert southwest. The Wildlife Society Conference.  Snowbird, UT.  [Presentation]
2008 Vandergast, A. G. and D. Weissman 2008. Multiple origins of Channel Island Jerusalem crickets. Oral Presentation. 7th California Islands Symposium. Oxnard. CA. [Presentation]
2007 Vandergast, A.G. 2007. Landscape characteristics shape population genetic structure in Jerusalem crickets (Orthoptera: Stenopelmatidae: Stenopelmatus sp.) Invited Talk. Annual Meeting of the Entomological Society of America. San Diego, CA. [Presentation]
2007 Vandergast, A. G., D. Weissman, A. J. Bohonak and R. N. Fisher 2007. Phylogeography and landscape genetics of a southern California endemic Jerusalem cricket (Orthoptera: Stenopelmatidae: Stenopelmatus). Invited Talk. Pacific Branch Meeting of the Entomological Society of America. Portland, OR. [Presentation]
2006 Vandergast, A. G., E. Lewallen, J. Deas Jr, A. J. Bohonak and R. N. Fisher. 2006. Multi-taxa assessment of the genetic impacts of fragmentation and urbanization in southern California: Jerusalem crickets (Orthoptera Stenopemelmatidae). Oral Presentation. The Society for Conservation Biology Annual Meeting. San Jose, CA. [Presentation]
2004 Vandergast, A. G., R. G. Gillespie and G. K. Roderick. 2004. Lava flow versus gene flow: habitat fragmentation and diversification in Hawaiian Tetragnatha Spiders. Oral Presentation. 16th International Congress of Arachnology. Gent, Belgium. [Presentation]
2003 Vandergast, A. G. and R. N. Fisher 2003. Phylogeography of the mahogany Jerusalem cricket. Oral Presentation. California Population and Evolutionary Genetics Meeting. Irvine, CA [Presentation]
2003 Vandergast, A. G., D. Weissman, M. Caterino and R. N. Fisher 2003. Phylogeography of the mahogany Jerusalem cricket in Southern California. Oral Presentation. The Society for the Study of Evolution. Chico, CA. [Presentation]
2001 Vandergast, A. G., R. G. Gillespie and G. K. Roderick. 2001. The genetic impacts of habitat fragmentation: lessons from Hawaiian kipuka. Oral Presentation. The Society for Conservation Biology. Hilo, HI [Presentation]
Presentation_with_Abstract
2012 Wood, DA and AG Vandergast. 2012. Assessing population structure and subspecific status of the Western Shovel-nosed snake across the Colorado and Sonoran desert scrub valleys of California and Arizona. Oral Presentation.  The Wildlife Society Annual Conference. Portland, OR. 14 October 2012. [Presentation_with_Abstract]
2012 Barr, KR, BE Kus, K Preston, AG Vandergast. 2012.  Urban landscape genetics of a protected song bird. Oral Presentation. 5th North American Ornithological Conference. Vancouver, Canada. 18 August, 2012. [Presentation_with_Abstract]
2012 Inman, RD, AG Vandergast, KE Nussear, TC Esque, RN Fisher, SA Hathaway, KR Barr, M Lahti, DA Wood.  2012. Renewable energy in the desert southwest: assessing the impacts on habitat and genetic hotspots.  Western Section of the Wildlife Society 2012 Annual Conference.  Sacramento, CA [Presentation_with_Abstract]
2006 Fisher, R., A. Backlin, C. Brehme, D. Clark, S. Hathaway, C. Hitchcock, T. Matsuda, M. Mendelsohn, C. Rochester, S. Schuster, D. Stokes, G. Turschak, and A. Vandergast. 2006. Differential animal responses to the 2002-2003 wildfires in southern California. Third International Fire Management Congress, November 13-17, San Diego, California. [Presentation_with_Abstract]
2005 Vandergast, A.G., and D.B. Weissman. 2005. Evolution of acoustic behaviour and diversification within the Jerusalem crickets (Orthoptera Stenopelmatidae). Presented at the Ninth International Conference of the Orthopterist' Society August 14-19, 2005, University of Lethbridge. [Presentation_with_Abstract]
Fact_Sheet_OutreachComputer_ModelPoster
2010 Perry, W.M., R.V. Lugo, S.A. Hathaway, and A.G. Vandergast. 2010. Genetic Landscapes GIS Toolbox - Using Modelbuilder and Python to Create Custom Tools. ESRI International Users Conference. San Diego, Ca July 12-16 2010. [Poster]
2007 Bohonak, A.J., J. Boys, S. A. Hathaway, R. N. Fisher and A. G. Vandergast. 2007. Comparative phylogeography in southern California: evolutionary processes and current reserve design. Poster Presentation. Evolutionary Change in Human Altered Environments: An International Summit. University of California, Los Angeles, CA [Poster]
2005 Vandergast, A. G. and D. Weissman. 2005. Evolution of acoustic behavior and diversification within the Jerusalem crickets (Orthoptera Stenopelmatidae). Orthopterist’s Society Meeting, Canmore CA. Poster Presentation. [Poster]
Book_Chapter


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