Images

The USGS Wetland and Aquatic Research Center (WARC) conducts relevant and objective research, develops new approaches and technologies, and disseminates scientific information needed to understand, manage, conserve, and restore wetlands and other aquatic and coastal ecosystems and their associated plant and animal communities throughout the nation and the world.&nbs

Pipeline for Brown Treesnake (BTS) environmental DNA detection using a combined LAMP-CRISPR-Cas assay. 1. Terrestial samples are collected by swabbing multiple surfaces where BTS is suspected to be present. 2.

Map of the western United States illustrating lands under BLM management as well as locations of Next Generation Weather Surveillance Radars (NEXRAD Stations) and Motus Wildlife Tracking Network stations (Motus Stations) that will be leveraged to understand migratory bird movements and distributions.

USGS scientists install a remote Motus Wildlife Tracking System on Santa Catalina Island off southern California. Motus is an international collaborative network that uses coordinated, automated radio‐telemetry stations to study movements of small flying organisms, including landbirds and bats.

Dan Slone (USGS) and Wes Daniel (USGS) stand on a boat during the May 2026 Fish Slam. Daniel hold a large tilapia (Oreochromis sp.) while Jelks stand in the background holding a dipnet (Credit: Howard Jelks, USGS).

Matt Neilson (USGS) teaching Augusta University students about nonnative fish identification (Credit: Dan Slone, USGS).

Rob Robins and Jordy Chen from the Florida Museum preserving a Clown Knifefish (Chitala ornata)(Credit: Dan Slone, USGS).

A flock of Roseate Spoonbills stand in shallow water at the TM Goodwin Waterfowl Management Area (Credit: Howard Jelks, USGS).

May 2026 Fish Slam Day 1 check-in with the Florida Museum and Augusta University crew processing specimens as participants from other agencies share stories of the day’s catch in the background (Credit: Rob Robins, Florida Museum).

Dan Slone (USGS) and Chelsea Bohaty (USACE) electrofishing during May 2026 Fish Slam (Credit: Arthur Bernhardt, FWC).

USGS participants at the May 2026 Fish Slam from left to right: Mary Brown, Dan Slone, Wes Daniel, Howard Jelks (Retired USGS), and Matt Neilson.

Nonnative fish are checked in at the May 2026 Fish Slam. The species shown include sailfin catfish (Pterygoplichthys sp.), Clown Knifefish (Chitala ornata), tilapia (Oreochromis sp.), and Mayan Cichlid (Mayaheros urophthalmus) (Credit: Dan Slone, USGS).

Fish collected during the May 2026 Fish Slam being processed by the Florida Museum, including Redhead Cichlid (Vieja melanurus), Mayan Cichlid (Mayaheros urophthalmus), sailfin catfish (Pterygoplichthys sp.), and a Striped Mojarra (Eugerres plumieri) (Credit: Dan Slone, USGS).

Dan Slone (USGS) and Chelsea Bohaty (USACE) dipnetting on an electrofishing boat during the May 2026 Fish Slam (Credit: Arthur Bernhardt, FWC).

Dan Slone (USGS) with an exceptionally large sailfin catfish, Pterygoplichthys sp., at the Fish Slam in May 2026 (Credit: Wes Daniel, USGS)

USGS boat electrofishing crew captain Matt Neilson, Wes Daniel, and Dan Slone during the Fish Slam in May 2026 (Credit: Dan Slone, USGS).

Ryan Weeks (FWC) with a Rio Grande Cichlid (Herichthys cyanoguttatus) (Credit: Kelly Gestring, FWC).

A Wood stork is photographed in T.M. Goodwin Waterfowl Management Area during the May 2026 Fish Slam (Credit: Dan Slone, USGS).

USGS WARC researcher Adam Perez testing the CRISPR-Cas12b – LAMP assay.

This image shows a prototype of the rapid-use DNA detection test that would be optimal for use in detecting Brown Treesnake (BTS) eDNA in the field. The glowing samples on the left show evidence of BTS DNA while the control samples on the right show do not. 

Marsh edge, with blooming marsh spider lilies, in a freshwater area of Barataria Estuary.