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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

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european green crab

Development and Refinement of Methods for Early Detection of European Green Crab

European green crabs are one of the most widespread marine invasive species on the planet. Where they are abundant, green crabs compete with other crabs and disturb sediment which can lead to loss of eelgrass and associated habitat essential for commercial, cultural, and ecologically important fish and invertebrate species. Green crab also are a major predator of clams, mussels, and oysters.
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Ecosystems Mission Area, Biological Threats and Invasive Species Research Program, Western Fisheries Research Center, Columbia River Research Laboratory (CRRL)
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Development and Refinement of Methods for Early Detection of European Green Crab

European green crabs are one of the most widespread marine invasive species on the planet. Where they are abundant, green crabs compete with other crabs and disturb sediment which can lead to loss of eelgrass and associated habitat essential for commercial, cultural, and ecologically important fish and invertebrate species. Green crab also are a major predator of clams, mussels, and oysters.
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Lahontan Cutthroat Trout

Cutthroat Trout (Oncorhynchus clarkii)

Species Studied - Cutthroat trout (Oncorhynchus clarkii)
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Ecosystems Mission Area, Species Management Research Program, Western Fisheries Research Center
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Cutthroat Trout (Oncorhynchus clarkii)

Species Studied - Cutthroat trout (Oncorhynchus clarkii)
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Anadromous Bull trout (Salvelinus confluentus)

Bull Trout (Salvelinus confluentus)

Species Studied - Bull Trout (Salvelinus confluentus)
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Ecosystems Mission Area, Species Management Research Program, Western Fisheries Research Center
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Bull Trout (Salvelinus confluentus)

Species Studied - Bull Trout (Salvelinus confluentus)
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Data relating to the development of a quantitative PCR assay for detecting Northwest salamander (Ambystoma gracile) in environmental DNA samples

The data support a study that describes the development and validation of a primer and probe based quantitative PCR (qPCR) assay for use with environmental DNA to detect Northwest salamander (Ambystoma gracile), a species endemic to the temperate Pacific coastal region of North America. The metadata includes qPCR quantification cycle (Cq) values from testing the A. gracile assay on DNA extracted f
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Western Fisheries Research Center

Spatial and temporal surveys of salmon eDNA in Seattle urban creeks, Washington, 2018 - 2020

The data support a study that surveyed the spatial and temporal distribution of salmon eDNA in Seattle urban creeks, Washington, 2018 - 2020. The metadata represent qPCR quantification cycle (Cq) values for Chinook salmon, coho salmon, and coastal cutthroat trout assays performed on water samples collected on specific days at specific sites on Thornton Creek, Taylor Creek, and Mapes Creek, which a
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Western Fisheries Research Center

Information tables associated with a risk assessment for bull trout introduction into Sullivan Lake, northeastern, Washington including population donor sources and resident species

Introduction and translocation programs require thoughtful planning to increase the likelihood of success and to understand the benefits, risks, and constraints of such programs. A risk assessment was completed for bull trout introduction into the Sullivan Lake and Harvey Creek watershed, northeastern Washington. The risk assessment was designed to evaluate potential risks to resident fish species
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Species Management Research Program, Western Fisheries Research Center, Columbia River Research Laboratory (CRRL), Fish Health Program (FHP)

Spatial and temporal survey of waterborne myxozoan parasites in the Lake Sammamish watershed, Washington, from 2019 - 2021

There is a fundamental knowledge gap on the distribution, prevalence, intensity, and ecology of salmonid myxozoan parasites in the Lake Sammamish watershed, Washington. To address this knowledge gap, we tested water samples for Ceratonova shasta, Parvicapsula minibicornis and Tetracapsuloides bryosalmonae DNA from 84 sites distributed throughout the Lake Sammamish watershed in fall 2019 and 74 sit
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Biological Threats and Invasive Species Research Program, Western Fisheries Research Center, Fish Health Program (FHP)

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 DNA. On da
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Biological Threats and Invasive Species Research Program, Species Management Research Program, Western Fisheries Research Center

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 effective
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Ecosystems Mission Area, Species Management Research Program, Western Fisheries Research Center

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 lakes wit
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Biological Threats and Invasive Species Research Program, Western Fisheries Research Center

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 version 2.
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Ecosystems Mission Area, Species Management Research Program, Western Fisheries Research Center

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.
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Ecosystems Mission Area, Species Management Research Program, Western Fisheries Research Center
Sampling for European green crab eDNA
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Sampling for European green crab environmental DNA (eDNA) in Pauls Slough in Willapa Bay, Washington
Sampling for European green crab eDNA
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Sampling for European green crab environmental DNA (eDNA) in Pauls Slough in Willapa Bay, Washington
Sampling for European green crab eDNA
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Sampling for European green crab environmental DNA (eDNA) in a tide channel at Tokeland in Willapa Bay, Washington
Filter Total Items: 36

Growth performance of Rainbow Trout in reservoir tributaries and implications for steelhead growth potential above Skagit River dams

ObjectiveIn the Pacific Northwest (USA), Pacific salmon Oncorhynchus spp. populations have been declining significantly for decades, prompting stakeholders to respond with a variety of conservation and restoration measures. One such measure being considered in the Skagit River basin (Washington, USA) is the introduction of steelhead Oncorhynchus mykiss (anadromous Rainbow Trout) above the impassab
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Benjamin Lorenz Jensen, Rachelle Carina Johnson, Jeffrey J. Duda, Carl Ostberg, Tessa Julianne Code, Jonathan H Mclean, Karl D. Stenberg, Kimberly Larsen, Marshal Hoy, David Beauchamp
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Ecosystems Mission Area, Western Fisheries Research Center

Development of a quantitative PCR assay for detecting northwest salamander (ambystoma gracile) in environmental DNA samples

We developed a primer and probe based quantitative PCR assay for use with environmental DNA to detect Northwest salamander (Ambystoma gracile), a species endemic to the temperate Pacific coastal region of North America. The assay targets a region in the mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) D-loop gene. Tests of the assay were performed in silico (using the NCBI BLAST tool), in vitro (using DNA extracted from
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Marshal Hoy, Carl Ostberg
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Ecosystems Mission Area, Western Fisheries Research Center

Risk assessment for bull trout introduction into Sullivan Lake and Harvey Creek, northeastern Washington

The Kalispel Tribe of Indians (KT), U. S. Fish and Wildlife Service, and Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife are engaged in conservation of bull trout (Salvelinus confluentus) in the Lake Pend Oreille (LPO) Core Area. The LPO is a complex habitat core area which falls within three states (Montana, Idaho, and Washington) and a tribal entity. As part of the conservation process, KT worked in
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Jill M. Hardiman, Rachel B. Breyta, Carl O. Ostberg
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Ecosystems Mission Area, Species Management Research Program, Western Fisheries Research Center, Columbia River Research Laboratory (CRRL), Fish Health Program (FHP)

Growth, survival, and cohort formation of juvenile Lost River (Deltistes luxatus) and shortnose suckers (Chasmistes brevirostris) in Upper Klamath Lake, Oregon, and Clear Lake Reservoir, California—2019 Monitoring Report

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 due to adult mortality, which is relatively low, but also because they are not being
Authors
Ryan J. Bart, Caylen M. Kelsey, Summer M. Burdick, Marshal S. Hoy, Carl O. Ostberg
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Ecosystems Mission Area, Species Management Research Program, Western Fisheries Research Center, Klamath Falls Field Station (KFFS)

Ontogeny of eDNA shedding during early development in Chinook Salmon (Oncorhynchus tshawytscha)

Knowledge of the timing of major life history events in aquatic species is important for informing conservation and resource management planning. Accordingly, surveys of environmental DNA (eDNA) have been performed to determine the efficacy of eDNA for providing information on life history events, primarily focusing on the timing of events associated with spawning, and these studies have proved su
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Carl Ostberg, Dorothy M. Chase
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Ecosystems Mission Area, Species Management Research Program, Western Fisheries Research Center

Survival and growth of suckers in mesocosms at three locations within Upper Klamath Lake, Oregon, 2018

Executive SummaryDue to high mortality in the first year or two of life, Lost River (Deltistes luxatus sp.) and Shortnose suckers (Chasmistes brevirostris sp.) in Upper Klamath Lake, Oregon rarely reach maturity. In 2015, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service began the Sucker Assisted Rearing Program (SARP) to improve early life survival before releasing the fish back into Upper Klamath Lake. Surviva
Authors
Summer M. Burdick, Carla M. Conway, Carl O. Ostberg, Ryan J. Bart, Diane G. Elliott
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Ecosystems Mission Area, Species Management Research Program, Western Fisheries Research Center, Fish Health Program (FHP), Klamath Falls Field Station (KFFS)

Environmental DNA is an effective tool to track recolonizing migratory fish following large‐scale dam removal

Environmental DNA (eDNA) has emerged as a potentially powerful tool for use in conservation and resource management, including for tracking the recolonization dynamics of fish populations. We used eDNA to assess the effectiveness of dam removal to restore fish passage on the Elwha River in Washington State (USA). Using a suite of 11 species‐specific eDNA polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assays, we
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Jeffrey J. Duda, Marshal Hoy, Dorothy M. Chase, George R. Pess, Samuel J. Brenkman, Michael M McHenry, Carl Ostberg
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Ecosystems Mission Area, Species Management Research Program, Western Fisheries Research Center

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 extended period
Authors
Lauren M Kuehne, Carl Ostberg, Dorothy M. Chase, Jeffrey J. Duda, Julian D. Olden
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Ecosystems Mission Area, Western Fisheries Research Center

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 SummaryPopulations 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 also becaus
Authors
Ryan J. Bart, Summer M. Burdick, Marshal S. Hoy, Carl O. Ostberg
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Ecosystems Mission Area, Western Fisheries Research Center, Klamath Falls Field Station (KFFS)

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 Ostberg
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Ecosystems Mission Area, Western Fisheries Research Center

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 SummaryPopulations 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 and recruiti
Authors
Ryan J. Bart, Summer M. Burdick, Marshal S. Hoy, Carl O. Ostberg
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Ecosystems Mission Area, Species Management Research Program, Western Fisheries Research Center, Klamath Falls Field Station (KFFS)

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 spp.) mussel
Authors
Adam J. Sepulveda, Patrick R. Hutchins, Craig Jackson, Carl Ostberg, Matthew Laramie, Jon Amberg, Timothy Counihan, Andrew B. Hoegh, David Pilliod
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Ecosystems Mission Area, Species Management Research Program, Forest and Rangeland Ecosystem Science Center, Northern Rocky Mountain Science Center, Western Fisheries Research Center, Columbia River Research Laboratory (CRRL), Pacific Northwest Environmental DNA Laboratory

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.

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Western Fisheries Science News, April 2018 | Issue 6.4

Using Environmental DNA (eDNA) to Detect Lamprey

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Western Fisheries Science News, April 2014 | Issue 2.4

Genetic Tools Help Managers Do More With Less

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Science and Products

*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