Carl Ostberg, Ph.D.
Biography
Education:
Ph.D. 2014. University of Washington, School of Aquatic and Fishery Sciences, Seattle, WA
M.S. 1997. Washington State University, Zoology, Pullman, WA
B.S. 1989. Washington State University, Biology, Pullman, WA
Research Interests:
Carl’s research interests focus on evolutionary and conservation genetics. Current research projects include several studies directed at generating a greater understanding of intrinsic and extrinsic factors associated with hybridization between rainbow and cutthroat trout, using next generation sequencing to develop species-specific markers that differentiate endangered suckers endemic to the Klamath Lake basin, developing eDNA tool to evaluate recolonization extent of native and non-native fishes in the Elwha River following dam removal, and investigating morphological and genetic diversity of Dolly Varden in the Russian Far East.
Experience:
2008 to Present - Research Fish Biologist, U.S. Geological Survey, Western Fisheries Research Center, Seattle, WA
2004-2008 - Fishery Biologist, U.S. Geological Survey, Western Fisheries Research Center, Seattle, WA
1997-2004 - Laboratory Technician, U.S. Geological Survey, Western Fisheries Research Center, Seattle, WA
1995-1997 - Graduate Teaching Assistant, Department of Zoology, Washington State University, Pullman, WA
Professional Societies:
American Fisheries Society, Genetics section
Science and Products
Distribution and seasonal differences in Pacific Lamprey and Lampetra spp eDNA across 18 Puget Sound watersheds, 2014 and 2015
These data contain all the raw results needed to support the conclusions for the final product. These data are water sampling locations (latitude and longitude), date of water sampling, quantitative PCR values for each water sample, and stream flow at USGS stream gauging stations on sampling day.
Development of two quantitative PCR assays for detection of several Cottus species from environmental DNA in Pacific coast watersheds of North America
We developed two quantitative PCR assays for use with environmental DNA (eDNA) to detect numerous species in the genus Cottus that are indigenous to the Pacific coast watersheds of North America. We conducted in vitro assay validations on ten Cottus species and 32 potentially co-occurring non-Cottus species. We demonstrate the efficacy of these...
Hoy, Marshal; Ostberg, CarlEvaluation of environmental DNA surveys for identifying occupancy and spatial distribution of Pacific Lamprey (Entosphenus tridentatus) and Lampetra spp. in a Washington coast watershed
Surveys of environmental DNA (eDNA) have become an important and multifaceted tool for monitoring and identifying distributions and occupancy of aquatic species. This tool is attractive because it is powerful, easy to apply, and provides an alternative to traditional field survey methods. However, validating eDNA survey methods against traditional...
Ostberg, Carl; Chase, Dorothy Murphy; Hoy, Marshal; Duda, Jeff; Hayes, Michael; Jolley, Jeffrey; Silver, Gregory S; Cook-Tabor, CarrieJuvenile Lost River and shortnose sucker year class strength, survival, and growth in Upper Klamath Lake, Oregon, and Clear Lake Reservoir, California—2016 Monitoring Report
Executive SummaryThe largest populations of federally endangered Lost River (Deltistes luxatus) and shortnose suckers (Chasmistes brevirostris) exist in Upper Klamath Lake, Oregon, and Clear Lake Reservoir, California. Upper Klamath Lake populations are decreasing because adult mortality, which is relatively low, is not being balanced by...
Burdick, Summer M.; Ostberg, Carl O.; Hoy, Marshal S.Distribution and seasonal differences in Pacific Lamprey and Lampetra spp eDNA across 18 Puget Sound watersheds
Lampreys have a worldwide distribution, are functionally important to ecological communities and serve significant roles in many cultures. In Pacific coast drainages of North America, lamprey populations have suffered large declines. However, lamprey population status and trends within many areas of this region are unknown and such information is...
Ostberg, Carl O.; Chase, Dorothy M.; Hayes, Michael C.; Duda, Jeffrey J.Health and condition of endangered young-of-the-year Lost River and Shortnose suckers relative to water quality in Upper Klamath Lake, Oregon, 2014–2015
Most mortality of endangered Lost River (Deltistes luxatus) and shortnose (Chasmistes brevirostris) suckers in Upper Klamath Lake, Oregon, occurs within the first year of life. Juvenile suckers in Clear Lake Reservoir, California, survive longer and may even recruit to the spawning populations. In a previous (2013–2014) study, the health and...
Burdick, Summer M.; Conway, Carla M.; Elliott, Diane G.; Hoy, Marshal S.; Dolan-Caret, Amari; Ostberg, Carl O.Juvenile sucker cohort tracking data summary and assessment of monitoring program, 2015
Populations of federally endangered Lost River (Deltistes luxatus) and shortnose suckers (Chasmistes brevirostris) in Upper Klamath Lake, Oregon, are experiencing long-term declines in abundance. Upper Klamath Lake populations are decreasing because adult mortality, which is relatively low, is not being balanced by recruitment of young adult...
Burdick, Summer M.; Ostberg, Carl O.; Hereford, Mark E.; Hoy, Marshal S.Predation on larval suckers in the Williamson River Delta revealed by molecular genetic assays—A pilot study
Predation of endangered Lost River suckers (Deltistes luxatus) and shortnose suckers (Chasmistes brevirostris) during larval egress to Upper Klamath Lake from the Williamson River is poorly understood but may be an important factor limiting recruitment into adult spawning populations. Native and non-native piscivores are abundant in nursery...
Hereford, Danielle M.; Ostberg, Carl O.; Burdick, Summer M.Health and condition of endangered juvenile Lost River and shortnose suckers relative to water quality and fish assemblages in Upper Klamath Lake, Oregon, and Clear Lake Reservoir, California
Executive Summary Most mortality of endangered Lost River (Deltistes luxatus) and shortnose (Chasmistes brevirostris) suckers in Upper Klamath Lake, Oregon, appears to occur within the first year of life. However, juvenile suckers in Clear Lake Reservoir, California, appear to survive longer and may even recruit to the spawning populations. Our...
Burdick, Summer M.; Elliott, Diane G.; Ostberg, Carl O.; Conway, Carla M.; Dolan-Caret, Amari; Hoy, Marshal S.; Feltz, Kevin P.; Echols, Kathy R.Hybridization between Yellowstone cutthroat trout and rainbow trout alters the expression of muscle growth-related genes and their relationships with growth patterns
Hybridization creates novel gene combinations that may generate important evolutionary novelty, but may also reduce existing adaptation by interrupting inherent biological processes, such as genotype-environment interactions. Hybridization often causes substantial change in patterns of gene expression, which, in turn, may cause phenotypic change....
Ostberg, Carl O.; Chase, Dorothy M.; Hauser, LorenzDevelopment of 20 TaqMan assays differentiating the endangered shortnose and Lost River suckers
Accurate species identification is vital to conservation and management of species at risk. Species identification is challenging when taxa express similar phenotypic characters and form hybrids, for example the endangered shortnose sucker (Chasmistes brevirostris) and Lost River sucker (Deltistes luxatus). Here, we developed 20 Taqman assays that...
Hoy, Marshal S.; Ostberg, Carl O.Chromosome rearrangements, recombination suppression, and limited segregation distortion in hybrids between Yellowstone cutthroat trout (Oncorhynchus clarkii bouvieri) and rainbow trout (O. mykiss)
Background Introgressive hybridization is an important evolutionary process that can lead to the creation of novel genome structures and thus potentially new genetic variation for selection to act upon. On the other hand, hybridization with introduced species can threaten native species, such as cutthroat trout (Oncorhynchus clarkii) following...
Ostberg, Carl O.; Hauser, Lorenz; Pritchard, Victoria L.; Garza, John C.; Naish, Kerry A.Spatial segregation of spawning habitat limits hybridization between sympatric native Steelhead and Coastal Cutthroat Trout
Native Coastal Cutthroat Trout Oncorhynchus clarkii clarkii and Coastal Steelhead O. mykiss irideus hybridize naturally in watersheds of the Pacific Northwest yet maintain species integrity. Partial reproductive isolation due to differences in spawning habitat may limit hybridization between these species, but this process is...
Buehrens, T.W.; Glasgow, J.; Ostberg, Carl O.; Quinn, T.P.Pre-USGS Publications
Western Fisheries Science News, April 2018 | Issue 6.4
Using Environmental DNA (eDNA) to Detect Lamprey
Western Fisheries Science News, April 2014 | Issue 2.4
Genetic Tools Help Managers Do More With Less