Carl Ostberg, Ph.D.
Carl is a Research Fish Biologist at the Western Fisheries Research Center.
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.
Professional 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
Education and Certifications
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
Affiliations and Memberships*
American Fisheries Society, Genetics section
Science and Products
Filter Total Items: 17
The ontogeny of eDNA shedding during early development in Chinook Salmon The ontogeny of eDNA shedding during early development in Chinook Salmon
We conducted a lab study to explore eDNA shedding during early life history (from fertilized eggs until near yolk sac absorption) in Chinook Salmon at three biomasses: 10 eggs, 100 eggs, and 1,000 eggs, and each egg biomass was replicated (indicated as replicates 1 and 2). Water samples were collected at several time points before, during, and after hatch for detection of Chinook Salmon...
Environmental DNA (eDNA) is an Effective Tool to Track Recolonizing Migratory Fish Following Large-Scale Dam Removal, field data Environmental DNA (eDNA) is an Effective Tool to Track Recolonizing Migratory Fish Following Large-Scale Dam Removal, field data
We collected environmental DNA (eDNA) data from the Elwha River, home to the world?s largest dam removal project, to track the spatial and temporal patterns of species responses following dam removal. In total, we collected data for 11 different fish taxa, sampled at 25 sites ranging across 56 river kilometers in a wilderness river for 4 years following dam removal. We show that eDNA can
Detection of invasive aquatic plants Myriophyllum spicatum and Egeria densa in lakes using eDNA, field and mesocosm data Detection of invasive aquatic plants Myriophyllum spicatum and Egeria densa in lakes using eDNA, field and mesocosm data
We conducted a study to test the factors related to detectability of two invasive aquatic plants (Egeria densa and Myriophyllym spicatum) using environmental DNA (eDNA), over extended periods of time, and specifically examined how plant growth stage and abundance relates to eDNA detection in semi-natural and natural conditions. This dataset is from sampling performed in summer of 2018 in...
2015 environmental DNA surveys for lampreys in Chehalis River tributaries, Washington 2015 environmental DNA surveys for lampreys in Chehalis River tributaries, Washington
Columns of data representing Chehalis River tributary, sample reach locations, dates of water sampling, quantitative PCR results, and whether lamprey were sampled by electrofishing in each sample reach. ***Please note that the title of this data release used to be "Environmental DNA surveys for lampreys in Chehalis River tributaries, Washington, from 2015 and 2017," but was updated for...
Distribution and seasonal differences in Pacific Lamprey and Lampetra spp eDNA across 18 Puget Sound watersheds, 2014 and 2015 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.
Filter Total Items: 41
Use of environmental DNA to detect the invasive aquatic plants Myriophyllum spicatum and Egeria densa in lakes Use of environmental DNA to detect the invasive aquatic plants Myriophyllum spicatum and Egeria densa in lakes
Environmental DNA (eDNA) analysis offers a promising tool for rapid and early detection of aquatic plant invasive species, but currently suffers from substantial unknowns that limit its widespread use in monitoring programs. We conducted the first study to test the factors related to eDNA-based detectability of 2 invasive aquatic plants, Egeria densa and Myriophyllum spicatum, over...
Authors
Lauren M Kuehne, Carl O. Ostberg, Dorothy M. Chase, Jeffrey J. Duda, Julian D. Olden
Juvenile Lost River and shortnose sucker year-class formation, survival, and growth in Upper Klamath Lake, Oregon, and Clear Lake Reservoir, California—2018 monitoring report Juvenile Lost River and shortnose sucker year-class formation, survival, and growth in Upper Klamath Lake, Oregon, and Clear Lake Reservoir, California—2018 monitoring report
Executive Summary Populations of federally endangered Lost River (Deltistes luxatus) and shortnose suckers (Chasmistes brevirostris) in Upper Klamath Lake, Oregon, and Clear Lake Reservoir (hereinafter Clear Lake), California, are experiencing long-term decreases in abundance. Upper Klamath Lake populations are decreasing not only because of adult mortality, which is relatively low, but...
Authors
Ryan J. Bart, Summer M. Burdick, Marshal S. Hoy, Carl O. Ostberg
Development of a quantitative PCR assay for detecting Egeria densa in environmental DNA samples Development of a quantitative PCR assay for detecting Egeria densa in environmental DNA samples
Brazilian elodea (Egeria densa) is an invasive freshwater plant that demonstrates widespread ecological impacts in freshwater ecosystems and causes substantial economic damage. Here, we developed an environmental DNA assay for detection of E. densa to provide resource managers with a tool for early detection, identification, and monitoring of invasive populations.
Authors
Dorothy M. Chase, Lauren M Kuehne, Julian D. Olden, Carl O. Ostberg
Juvenile Lost River and shortnose sucker year-class formation, survival, and growth in Upper Klamath Lake, Oregon and Clear Lake Reservoir, California—2017 Monitoring Report Juvenile Lost River and shortnose sucker year-class formation, survival, and growth in Upper Klamath Lake, Oregon and Clear Lake Reservoir, California—2017 Monitoring Report
Executive Summary Populations of federally endangered Lost River (Deltistes luxatus) and shortnose suckers (Chasmistes brevirostris) in Upper Klamath Lake, Oregon, and Clear Lake Reservoir (hereinafter referred to as Clear Lake; fig. 1), California, are experiencing long-term declines in abundance. Upper Klamath Lake populations are decreasing because juvenile suckers are not surviving...
Authors
Ryan J. Bart, Summer M. Burdick, Marshal S. Hoy, Carl O. Ostberg
A round-robin evaluation of the repeatability and reproducibility of environmental DNA assays for dreissenid mussels A round-robin evaluation of the repeatability and reproducibility of environmental DNA assays for dreissenid mussels
Resource managers may be hesitant to make decisions based on environmental (e)DNA results alone since eDNA is an indirect method of species detection. One way to reduce the uncertainty of eDNA is to identify laboratory‐based protocols that ensure repeatable and reproducible results. We conducted a double‐blind round‐robin analysis of probe‐based assays for DNA of dreissenid (Dreissena...
Authors
Adam J. Sepulveda, Patrick R. Hutchins, Craig Jackson, Carl O. Ostberg, Matthew Laramie, Jon Amberg, Timothy D. Counihan, Andrew B. Hoegh, David S. Pilliod
Development of two quantitative PCR assays for detection of several Cottus species from environmental DNA in Pacific coast watersheds of North America 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 assays by field testing eDNA samples...
Authors
Marshal S. Hoy, Carl O. Ostberg
Non-USGS Publications**
Ristow, S.S., L.D. Grabowski, C.O. Ostberg, B. Robison, and G.H. Thorgaard. 1998. Development of long-term cell lines from homozygous clones of rainbow trout. Journal of Aquatic Animal Health 10(1): 75-82. DOI: 10.1577/1548-8667(1998)010<0075:DOLTCL>2.0.CO;2.
Peek, A.S., P.A. Wheeler, C.O. Ostberg, and G.H. Thorgaard. 1997. A minichromosome carrying a pigmentation gene and brook trout DNA sequences in transgenic rainbow trout. Genome 40(5): 594-599. DOI: 10.1139/g97-778.
**Disclaimer: The views expressed in Non-USGS publications are those of the author and do not represent the views of the USGS, Department of the Interior, or the U.S. Government.
Science and Products
Filter Total Items: 17
The ontogeny of eDNA shedding during early development in Chinook Salmon The ontogeny of eDNA shedding during early development in Chinook Salmon
We conducted a lab study to explore eDNA shedding during early life history (from fertilized eggs until near yolk sac absorption) in Chinook Salmon at three biomasses: 10 eggs, 100 eggs, and 1,000 eggs, and each egg biomass was replicated (indicated as replicates 1 and 2). Water samples were collected at several time points before, during, and after hatch for detection of Chinook Salmon...
Environmental DNA (eDNA) is an Effective Tool to Track Recolonizing Migratory Fish Following Large-Scale Dam Removal, field data Environmental DNA (eDNA) is an Effective Tool to Track Recolonizing Migratory Fish Following Large-Scale Dam Removal, field data
We collected environmental DNA (eDNA) data from the Elwha River, home to the world?s largest dam removal project, to track the spatial and temporal patterns of species responses following dam removal. In total, we collected data for 11 different fish taxa, sampled at 25 sites ranging across 56 river kilometers in a wilderness river for 4 years following dam removal. We show that eDNA can
Detection of invasive aquatic plants Myriophyllum spicatum and Egeria densa in lakes using eDNA, field and mesocosm data Detection of invasive aquatic plants Myriophyllum spicatum and Egeria densa in lakes using eDNA, field and mesocosm data
We conducted a study to test the factors related to detectability of two invasive aquatic plants (Egeria densa and Myriophyllym spicatum) using environmental DNA (eDNA), over extended periods of time, and specifically examined how plant growth stage and abundance relates to eDNA detection in semi-natural and natural conditions. This dataset is from sampling performed in summer of 2018 in...
2015 environmental DNA surveys for lampreys in Chehalis River tributaries, Washington 2015 environmental DNA surveys for lampreys in Chehalis River tributaries, Washington
Columns of data representing Chehalis River tributary, sample reach locations, dates of water sampling, quantitative PCR results, and whether lamprey were sampled by electrofishing in each sample reach. ***Please note that the title of this data release used to be "Environmental DNA surveys for lampreys in Chehalis River tributaries, Washington, from 2015 and 2017," but was updated for...
Distribution and seasonal differences in Pacific Lamprey and Lampetra spp eDNA across 18 Puget Sound watersheds, 2014 and 2015 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.
Filter Total Items: 41
Use of environmental DNA to detect the invasive aquatic plants Myriophyllum spicatum and Egeria densa in lakes Use of environmental DNA to detect the invasive aquatic plants Myriophyllum spicatum and Egeria densa in lakes
Environmental DNA (eDNA) analysis offers a promising tool for rapid and early detection of aquatic plant invasive species, but currently suffers from substantial unknowns that limit its widespread use in monitoring programs. We conducted the first study to test the factors related to eDNA-based detectability of 2 invasive aquatic plants, Egeria densa and Myriophyllum spicatum, over...
Authors
Lauren M Kuehne, Carl O. Ostberg, Dorothy M. Chase, Jeffrey J. Duda, Julian D. Olden
Juvenile Lost River and shortnose sucker year-class formation, survival, and growth in Upper Klamath Lake, Oregon, and Clear Lake Reservoir, California—2018 monitoring report Juvenile Lost River and shortnose sucker year-class formation, survival, and growth in Upper Klamath Lake, Oregon, and Clear Lake Reservoir, California—2018 monitoring report
Executive Summary Populations of federally endangered Lost River (Deltistes luxatus) and shortnose suckers (Chasmistes brevirostris) in Upper Klamath Lake, Oregon, and Clear Lake Reservoir (hereinafter Clear Lake), California, are experiencing long-term decreases in abundance. Upper Klamath Lake populations are decreasing not only because of adult mortality, which is relatively low, but...
Authors
Ryan J. Bart, Summer M. Burdick, Marshal S. Hoy, Carl O. Ostberg
Development of a quantitative PCR assay for detecting Egeria densa in environmental DNA samples Development of a quantitative PCR assay for detecting Egeria densa in environmental DNA samples
Brazilian elodea (Egeria densa) is an invasive freshwater plant that demonstrates widespread ecological impacts in freshwater ecosystems and causes substantial economic damage. Here, we developed an environmental DNA assay for detection of E. densa to provide resource managers with a tool for early detection, identification, and monitoring of invasive populations.
Authors
Dorothy M. Chase, Lauren M Kuehne, Julian D. Olden, Carl O. Ostberg
Juvenile Lost River and shortnose sucker year-class formation, survival, and growth in Upper Klamath Lake, Oregon and Clear Lake Reservoir, California—2017 Monitoring Report Juvenile Lost River and shortnose sucker year-class formation, survival, and growth in Upper Klamath Lake, Oregon and Clear Lake Reservoir, California—2017 Monitoring Report
Executive Summary Populations of federally endangered Lost River (Deltistes luxatus) and shortnose suckers (Chasmistes brevirostris) in Upper Klamath Lake, Oregon, and Clear Lake Reservoir (hereinafter referred to as Clear Lake; fig. 1), California, are experiencing long-term declines in abundance. Upper Klamath Lake populations are decreasing because juvenile suckers are not surviving...
Authors
Ryan J. Bart, Summer M. Burdick, Marshal S. Hoy, Carl O. Ostberg
A round-robin evaluation of the repeatability and reproducibility of environmental DNA assays for dreissenid mussels A round-robin evaluation of the repeatability and reproducibility of environmental DNA assays for dreissenid mussels
Resource managers may be hesitant to make decisions based on environmental (e)DNA results alone since eDNA is an indirect method of species detection. One way to reduce the uncertainty of eDNA is to identify laboratory‐based protocols that ensure repeatable and reproducible results. We conducted a double‐blind round‐robin analysis of probe‐based assays for DNA of dreissenid (Dreissena...
Authors
Adam J. Sepulveda, Patrick R. Hutchins, Craig Jackson, Carl O. Ostberg, Matthew Laramie, Jon Amberg, Timothy D. Counihan, Andrew B. Hoegh, David S. Pilliod
Development of two quantitative PCR assays for detection of several Cottus species from environmental DNA in Pacific coast watersheds of North America 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 assays by field testing eDNA samples...
Authors
Marshal S. Hoy, Carl O. Ostberg
Non-USGS Publications**
Ristow, S.S., L.D. Grabowski, C.O. Ostberg, B. Robison, and G.H. Thorgaard. 1998. Development of long-term cell lines from homozygous clones of rainbow trout. Journal of Aquatic Animal Health 10(1): 75-82. DOI: 10.1577/1548-8667(1998)010<0075:DOLTCL>2.0.CO;2.
Peek, A.S., P.A. Wheeler, C.O. Ostberg, and G.H. Thorgaard. 1997. A minichromosome carrying a pigmentation gene and brook trout DNA sequences in transgenic rainbow trout. Genome 40(5): 594-599. DOI: 10.1139/g97-778.
**Disclaimer: The views expressed in Non-USGS publications are those of the author and do not represent the views of the USGS, Department of the Interior, or the U.S. Government.
*Disclaimer: Listing outside positions with professional scientific organizations on this Staff Profile are for informational purposes only and do not constitute an endorsement of those professional scientific organizations or their activities by the USGS, Department of the Interior, or U.S. Government