Graduate Student: Payton Phillips
My research focuses on the impact of plague on the genetic diversity of wild black-footed ferrets. Sylvatic plague represents one of
the primary obstacles to ferret reintroduction, as ferrets have no immunity to the disease. With the help of Prairie Wildlife Research,
the ATCG lab has been studying the genetics of a population of reintroduced ferrets in Conata Basin, South Dakota. My project has two
primary goals: 1) I seek to compare genetic diversity at seven microsatellite loci in ferrets captured before and after the detection of
plague in the area in 2008. This will allow us to better understand how well genetic diversity is maintained in the face of a drastic,
disease-caused population crash. 2) I hope to use AFLP genetic markers to determine parentage of wild born kits during different periods
of population rise and fall. This research will provide insight into the mating system of this endangered mammal and allow managers to
better understand the impact that plague, and vaccinations against plague, have on family lines. As a whole, my research will provide
insight into the conservation and management of an endangered species.
Funding provided by:
Prairie Biotic Research, Friends of the Sunset Zoo
Collaboration with:
Smithsonian's Nation Zoo
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