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Cathy Richter, PhD

Dr. Cathy Richter is a Research Molecular Biologist at the Columbia Environmental Research Center.

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CERC researchers collecting eDNA

Threatened, Endangered or Rare Species Detection

The non-invasive nature of eDNA methods for species detection is a great advantage for monitoring of rare, threatened, or endangered species.
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Columbia Environmental Research Center
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Threatened, Endangered or Rare Species Detection

The non-invasive nature of eDNA methods for species detection is a great advantage for monitoring of rare, threatened, or endangered species.
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Flat Creek in Missouri

Searching for Shiners in Missouri

Researchers from the University of Central Missouri (UCM), in collaboration with the Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC) and Columbia Environmental Research Center (CERC), implement environmental DNA (eDNA) methods to identify and manage Topeka Shiner populations in Missouri.
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Columbia Environmental Research Center
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Searching for Shiners in Missouri

Researchers from the University of Central Missouri (UCM), in collaboration with the Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC) and Columbia Environmental Research Center (CERC), implement environmental DNA (eDNA) methods to identify and manage Topeka Shiner populations in Missouri.
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CERC researchers collecting eDNA

Molecular Section: eDNA Research

Environmental DNA (eDNA) research at CERC focuses on the development and utility of eDNA tools as well as interpretation of eDNA data in real-world management applications. We work with academic, state, federal and international partners in developing standards and best practices for eDNA technology and exploring the factors that affect eDNA detection in the field. Our lab's eDNA research covers...
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Columbia Environmental Research Center
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Molecular Section: eDNA Research

Environmental DNA (eDNA) research at CERC focuses on the development and utility of eDNA tools as well as interpretation of eDNA data in real-world management applications. We work with academic, state, federal and international partners in developing standards and best practices for eDNA technology and exploring the factors that affect eDNA detection in the field. Our lab's eDNA research covers...
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Scientist holding a brook trout with gloved hands

Fishing and Hunting Integrated Science Team

The Fishing and Hunting integrated science team focuses on contaminant and pathogen exposures in the environment that could impact the presence and vitality of fish and wildlife populations that drive commercial, recreational and subsistence activities such as hunting and fishing. If actual risks are identified this project will inform how to economically and effectively minimize risk by providing...
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Ecosystems Mission Area, Contaminant Biology, Environmental Health Program, Toxic Substances Hydrology
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Fishing and Hunting Integrated Science Team

The Fishing and Hunting integrated science team focuses on contaminant and pathogen exposures in the environment that could impact the presence and vitality of fish and wildlife populations that drive commercial, recreational and subsistence activities such as hunting and fishing. If actual risks are identified this project will inform how to economically and effectively minimize risk by providing...
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Filter Total Items: 15

Alternative complement pathway assay data for adult largemouth bass exposed in outdoor ponds to 17alpha-ethinylestradiol or an estrone-atrazine mixture

Alternative complement pathway assay data observed in adult largemouth bass plasma in response to an EE2 (17alpha-ethinylestradiol) or mixture of estrone and atrazine exposure under laboratory pond conditions, with associated fish identification information.
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Columbia Environmental Research Center

Water chemistry and molecular eDNA data observed in experimental laboratory mesocosms exposed to different nitrogen amendments in the presence or absence of a nitrifier enriched microbial community

Data describe the results of a controlled laboratory mesocosm experiment evaluating the influence of a nitrifier enriched microbial community on silver carp (Hypophthalmichthys molitrix) milt eDNA degradation. Parameters described include the concentration results, limit of detection, and limit of quantification of two silver carp specific quantitative PCR assays and water chemistry results of exp
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Columbia Environmental Research Center

Data on the detection of Epioblasma capsaeformis using a designed environmental DNA (eDNA) survey upstream and downstream of known populations in the Clinch River, Tennessee (2019 to 2021)

Data describe a designed environmental DNA (eDNA) survey for the detection of oyster mussel (Epioblasma capsaeformis) from field collected water samples. Parameters described include the limit of detection and limit of quantification of the assay; a list of freshwater mussel species tissue samples that were used to test specificity of the assay; and field collected water samples that were tested t
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Columbia Environmental Research Center

Data on the detection of Cumberlandia monodonta using a designed environmental DNA (eDNA) survey upstream and downstream of known populations in the Big Piney River, Missouri (2020 – 2022)

Data describe a designed environmental DNA (eDNA) survey for the detection of Spectaclecase (Cumberlandia monodonta, also referred to as Margaritifera monodonta) from field collected water samples. Parameters described include the limit of detection and limit of quantification of the assay; a list of freshwater mussel species tissue samples that were used to test specificity of the assay; and fiel
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Columbia Environmental Research Center

Degradation of Cumberlandia monodonta environmental DNA over time in laboratory conditions using the C.monCOI assay

Data describe a designed environmental DNA (eDNA) experiment for the estimation of eDNA degradation rates for the spectaclecase (Cumberlandia monodonta) from water samples collected in the laboratory. Parameters described include laboratory collected water samples that were tested to estimate concentration of spectaclecase DNA and associated quality assurance data. Samples were collected from expe
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Columbia Environmental Research Center

Thiaminase activity measurements in whole zebrafish

Data describe results of a set of laboratory experiments using a previously described quantitative thiaminase I activity assay to test the thiaminase activity of whole zebrafish homogenates. Parameters described include the thiaminase activity data, dilution factors, incubation time, and tissue weight assayed. Experiments were conducted at the USGS Columbia Environmental Research Center, Columbia,
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Columbia Environmental Research Center

Water chemistry and fish metrics data for adult largemouth bass exposed in outdoor ponds to 17alpha-ethinylestradiol or an estrone-atrazine mixture

Physiological endpoints observed in adult largemouth bass in response to an EE2 (17 alpha-ethinylestradiol) or mixture of estrone and atrazine exposure under laboratory pond conditions. Also included are water quality and chemical concentration data. Adult LMB were exposed in outdoor pond mesocosms from post-spawning to early gonad recrudescence to either EE2 (2.4 nanograms per liter), or a mixtur
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Columbia Environmental Research Center

Physiological and molecular endpoints observed in juvenile largemouth bass in response to an estrogen (17α-ethinylestradiol) and subsequently a bacterial challenge (Edwardsiella piscicida) exposure under laboratory conditions.

Physiological and molecular endpoints observed in juvenile largemouth bass in response to an estrogen (17α-ethinylestradiol) and subsequently a bacterial challenge (Edwardsiella piscicida) exposure under laboratory conditions. Also included are water quality and chemical concentration data.
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Columbia Environmental Research Center, Western Fisheries Research Center, Fish Health Program (FHP)

Polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis results with thiaminase activity stain of recombinant putative thiaminases expressed in E. coli

Data describe results of a set of laboratory experiments using polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis with a thiaminase activity stain to test the solubility and thiaminase activity of recombinant putative thiaminases expressed in E. coli. Parameters described include the presence and relative mobility of thiaminases, and the presence and relative mobility of recombinant proteins. Experiments were con
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Columbia Environmental Research Center

Longnose darter (Percina nasuta) eDNA survey results from the St. Francis River, Missouri 2018

Data describe a designed environmental DNA (eDNA) survey for the detection of longnose darter (Percina nasuta) in field collected water samples. Parameters described include the limit of detection and limit of quantification of the assay; a list of freshwater fish species tissue samples that were used to test specificity of the assay; and field collected water samples that were tested to detect th
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Columbia Environmental Research Center

Metabarcoding data from freshwater mussel eDNA collected in Clinch River, Virginia 2017

Data from metabarcoding assays to detect a suite of mussel species using mitochondrial DNA regions of the cytochrome c oxidase subunit I (COI) and NADH dehydrogenase subunit (ND1) genes sequences.
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Ecosystems Mission Area, Contaminant Biology, Environmental Health Program, Toxic Substances Hydrology, Columbia Environmental Research Center

Mucket eDNA detection in Wallen's Bend, Clinch river, Tennessee, September 2019

The data describe the technical performance of a designed qPCR assay for the detection of mucket (Actinonaias ligamentina) eDNA from field collected water samples. Parameters described include the sequences of the primers and probes used; the limit of detection and limit of quantification for the assay; a list of freshwater mussels species that were used to test specificity of the assay; and in si
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Ecosystems Mission Area, Contaminant Biology, Environmental Health Program, Toxic Substances Hydrology, Columbia Environmental Research Center
Filter Total Items: 40

Toward invasive mussel genetic biocontrol: Approaches, challenges, and perspectives

Invasive freshwater mussels, such as the zebra (Dreissena polymorpha), quagga (Dreissena rostriformis bugensis), and golden (Limnoperna fortunei) mussel have spread outside their native ranges throughout many regions of the North American, South American, and European continents in recent decades, damaging infrastructure and the environment. This review describes ongoing efforts by multiple groups
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Victor H. Hernandez Elizarraga, Scott Ballantyne, Lindsey Gengelbach, Juliana A. Americo, Steven T. Suhr, Marie-Claude Senut, Ben Minerich, Christopher M. Merkes, Thea Margaret Edwards, Katy E. Klymus, Catherine A. Richter, Diane L. Waller, Yale J. Passamaneck, Mauro de F. Rebelo, Daryl M. Gohl
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Ecosystems Mission Area, Columbia Environmental Research Center, Upper Midwest Environmental Sciences Center

A nitrifier-enriched microbial community contributes to the degradation of environmental DNA

Environmental DNA (eDNA) surveys are a promising alternative to traditional monitoring of invasive species, rare species, and biodiversity. Detecting organism-specific eDNA reduces the need to collect physical specimens for population estimates, and the high sensitivity of eDNA assays may improve detection of rare or cryptic species. However, correlating estimated concentrations of eDNA with speci
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Rachelle Elaine Beattie, Caren C. Helbing, Jacob J. Imbery, Katy E. Klymus, Jonathan Lopez Duran, Catherine A. Richter, Anita A. Thambirajah, Nathan Thompson, Thea Margaret Edwards
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Ecosystems Mission Area, Columbia Environmental Research Center

When are environmental DNA early detections of invasive species actionable?

Environmental DNA (eDNA) sampling provides sensitive early detection capabilities for recently introduced taxa. However, natural resource managers struggle with how to integrate eDNA results into an early detection rapid response program because positive eDNA detections are not always indicative of an eventual infestation. We used a structured decision making (SDM) framework to evaluate appropriat
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Adam J. Sepulveda, Christine E. Dumoulin, Denise L. Blanchette, John Mcphedran, Colin Holme, Nathan Whalen, Margaret Hunter, Christopher M. Merkes, Catherine A. Richter, Matthew Neilson, Wesley Daniel, Devin Nicole Jones, David R. Smith
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Ecosystems Mission Area, Eastern Ecological Science Center, Northern Rocky Mountain Science Center, Upper Midwest Environmental Sciences Center, Wetland and Aquatic Research Center

Genetic basis of thiaminase I activity in a vertebrate, zebrafish Danio rerio

Thiamine (vitamin B1) metabolism is an important driver of human and animal health and ecological functioning. Some organisms, including species of ferns, mollusks, and fish, contain thiamine-degrading enzymes known as thiaminases, and consumption of these organisms can lead to thiamine deficiency in the consumer. Consumption of fish containing thiaminase has led to elevated mortality and recruitm
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Catherine A. Richter, Allison N. Evans, Scott A. Heppell, James L. Zajicek, Donald E. Tillitt
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Ecosystems Mission Area, Columbia Environmental Research Center

Grass carp reproduction in small tributaries of Truman Reservoir, Missouri: Implications for establishment in novel habitats

Substantial work has been conducted to estimate the river length required for recruitment of invasive Grass Carp Ctenopharyngodon idella and bigheaded carps (Bighead Carp Hypophthalmichthys nobilis and Silver Carp H. molitrix); however, the distance upstream and size of stream required for spawning remain unclear. Adult Grass Carp are regularly captured in Harry S. Truman Reservoir, Missouri, alth
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Cari-Ann Hayer, Michael F. Bayless, Catherine A. Richter, Amy E. George, Duane Chapman
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Ecosystems Mission Area, Contaminant Biology, Environmental Health Program, Toxic Substances Hydrology, Columbia Environmental Research Center

Declines in reproductive condition of male largemouth bass (Micropterus salmoides) following seasonal exposure to estrogenic endocrine-disrupting compounds

Reproductive abnormalities, that could lead to possible effects at the population level, have been observed in wild fish throughout the United States, with high prevalence in largemouth bass (LMB; Micropterus salmoides) and smallmouth bass (Micropterus dolomieu). Estrone (E1) and atrazine (ATR) are common environmental contaminants often associated with agricultural land use. 17alpha-ethinylestrad
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Jessica Kristin Leet, Catherine A. Richter, Robert Gale, Donald E. Tillitt, Jill Jenkins
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Ecosystems Mission Area, Columbia Environmental Research Center, Wetland and Aquatic Research Center

Exposure to 17α-ethinylestradiol results in differential susceptibility of largemouth bass (Micropterus salmoides) to bacterial infection

Disease outbreaks, skin lesions, mortality events, and reproductive abnormalities have been observed in wild populations of centrarchids. The presence of estrogenic endocrine disrupting compounds (EEDCs) has been implicated as a potential causal factor for these effects. The effects of prior EEDC exposure on immune response were examined in juvenile largemouth bass (Micropterus salmoides) exposed
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Jessica Kristin Leet, Justin Greer, Catherine A. Richter, Luke R. Iwanowicz, Edward Spinard, Jacquelyn McDonald, Carla M. Conway, Robert W. Gale, Donald E. Tillitt, John Hansen
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Ecosystems Mission Area, Columbia Environmental Research Center, Eastern Ecological Science Center, Western Fisheries Research Center, Fish Health Program (FHP)

Using structured decision making to evaluate potential management responses to detection of dreissenid mussel (Dreissena spp.) environmental DNA

Environmental (e)DNA tools are sensitive and cost-effective for early detection of invasive species. However, the uncertainty associated with the interpretation of positive eDNA detections makes it challenging to determine appropriate natural resource management responses. Multiple sources of error can give rise to positive detections of eDNA in a sample when individuals of that species are not pr
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Adam J. Sepulveda, David R. Smith, Katherine M O'Donnell, Nathan Owens, Brittany White, Catherine A. Richter, Christopher M. Merkes, Skylar Wolf, Mike Rau, Matthew Neilson, Wesley Daniel, Christine E. Dumoulin, Margaret Hunter
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Ecosystems Mission Area, Eastern Ecological Science Center, Columbia Environmental Research Center, Northern Rocky Mountain Science Center, Upper Midwest Environmental Sciences Center, Wetland and Aquatic Research Center

A comparison of eDNA and visual survey methods for detection of longnose darter Percina nasuta in Missouri

The longnose darter Percina nasuta is a rare and cryptic fish that recently disappeared from much of its historic range. We developed and used an environmental DNA (eDNA) assay for longnose darter paired with visual surveys to better determine the species’ range and compare detection probability between sampling approaches in an occupancy modeling framework. We detected longnose darter eDNA furthe
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Jacob Thomas Westhoff, Leah K. Berkman, Katy E. Klymus, Nathan Thompson, Catherine A. Richter
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Ecosystems Mission Area, Columbia Environmental Research Center

Reproduction

Lake charr Salvelinus namaycush are typically fall spawners although one ecotype has populations that spawn during spring and fall (siscowets in Lake Superior). Lake charr are iteroparous (reproduce more than once in a lifetime) with group-synchronous ovarian development and typically spawn once per year. However, lake charr may not reproduce every year, a phenomenon known as skipped spawning. Fre
Authors
Frederick W. Goetz, J. Ellen Marsden, Catherine A. Richter, Donald E. Tillitt, Shawn P. Sitar, Stephen Riley, Charles C. Krueger
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Ecosystems Mission Area, Columbia Environmental Research Center, Great Lakes Science Center

Metabarcoding assays for the detection of freshwater mussels (Unionida) with environmental DNA

Freshwater mussels of the order Unionida are a widely distributed taxon that are important in maintaining freshwater ecosystems and are also highly imperiled throughout the world. Monitoring of mussel populations with environmental DNA (eDNA) is an attractive alternative to traditional methods because it is noninvasive and requires less labor and taxonomic knowledge from field personnel. We develo
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Katy E. Klymus, Catherine A. Richter, Nathan Thompson, Jo Ellen Hinck, Jess W. Jones
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Ecosystems Mission Area, Contaminant Biology, Environmental Health Program, Toxic Substances Hydrology, Columbia Environmental Research Center

Development and testing of species-specific quantitative PCR assays for environmental DNA applications

New, non-invasive methods for detecting and monitoring species presence are being developed to aid in fisheries and wildlife conservation management. The use of environmental DNA (eDNA) samples for detecting macrobiota is one such group of methods that is rapidly becoming popular and being implemented in national management programs. Here we focus on the development of species-specific targeted as
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Katy E. Klymus, Dannise Vannesa Ruiz Ramos, Nathan Thompson, Catherine A. Richter
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Ecosystems Mission Area, Contaminant Biology, Environmental Health Program, Toxic Substances Hydrology, Columbia Environmental Research Center

Non-USGS Publications**

Taylor, J.A., Richter, C.A., Suzuki, A., Watanabe, H., Iguchi, T., Coser, K.R., Shioda, T., and vom Saal, F.S., 2012, Dose-related estrogen effects on gene expression in fetal mouse prostate mesenchymal cells: PLOS ONE, v. 7, no. 10, p. e48311
Taylor, J.A., Richter, C.A., Ruhlen, R.L., and vom Saal, F.S., 2011, Estrogenic environmental chemicals and drugs: Mechanisms for effects on the developing male urogenital system: The Journal of Steroid Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, v. 127, no. 1, p. 83-95
Richter, C.A., Taylor, J.A., Ruhlen, R.L., Welshons, W.V., and vom Saal, F.S., 2007, Estradiol and Bisphenol A stimulate androgen receptor and estrogen receptor gene expression in fetal mouse prostate mesenchyme cells: Environmental Health Perspectives, v. 115, no. 6, p. 902-908
vom Saal, F.S., Richter, C.A., Mao, J., and Welshons, W.V., 2005, Commercial animal feed: Variability in estrogenic activity and effects on body weight in mice: Birth Defects Research Part A: Clinical and Molecular Teratology, v. 73, no. 7, p. 474-475
Timms, B.G., Howdeshell, K.L., Barton, L., Bradley, S., Richter, C.A., and vom Saal, F.S., 2005, Estrogenic chemicals in plastic and oral contraceptives disrupt development of the fetal mouse prostate and urethra: Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America, v. 102, no. 19, p. 7014-7019
Richter, C., Timms, B., and vom Saal, F., 2005, Prostate development: mechanisms for opposite effects of low and high doses of estrogenic chemicals, in Naz, R., ed., Endocrine Disruptors: Effects on Male and Female Reproductive Systems: New York, CRC Press, p. 379-410.
vom Saal, F.S., Richter, C.A., Ruhlen, R.R., Nagel, S.C., Timms, B.G., and Welshons, W.V., 2005, The importance of appropriate controls, animal feed, and animal models in interpreting results from low-dose studies of bisphenol A: Birth Defects Research Part A: Clinical and Molecular Teratology, v. 73, no. 3, p. 140-145
vom Saal, F.S., Richter, C.A., Ruhlen, R.R., Nagel, S.C., and Welshons, W.V., 2004, Disruption of laboratory experiments due to leaching of Bisphenol A from polycarbonate cages and bottles and uncontrolled variability in components of animal feed, in National Research Council, ed., The Development of Science-based Guidelines for Laboratory Animal Care: Proceedings of the November 2003 International Workshop: The National Academies Press, p. 65-69.

**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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