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David Kazyak, Ph.D.

Dave Kazyak is a Supervisory Research Fish Biologist at the USGS Eastern Ecological Science Center in Kearneysville, WV.

Dave Kazyak is a Supervisory Research Fish Biologist at the USGS Eastern Ecological Science Center leads a conservation genetics and genomics research team. His research applies quantitative approaches in conservation genetics and population dynamics to provide decision-relevant information for imperiled species. Dave Kazyak's current projects use cutting-edge genetics tools to identify biologically-appropriate management units, measure rates of gene flow, and characterize how isolation, genetic drift, and hatchery supplementation impact wild populations. He also is working to develop novel approaches to census imperiled fishes, including techniques using combinations of acoustic telemetry, side-scan sonar, and genetics. 

Professional Experience

  • 2017-Present. U.S. Geological Survey, Eastern Ecological Science Center. Research Fish Biologist.

  • 2015-2017. U.S. Geological Survey, Leetown Science Center (Integrated Statistics Contractor) - Postdoctoral Scientist. 

Education and Certifications

  • Ph.D. 2015. University of Maryland (Marine Estuarine and Environmental Science)

  • M.S. 2011. University of Maine (Wildlife Ecology)

  • B.S. 2008. Frostburg State University (Wildlife and Fisheries)

Affiliations and Memberships*

  • American Fisheries Society

  • North American Sturgeon and Paddlefish Society

Science and Products

Filter Total Items: 27

Utilization of genetic data to inform native Brook Trout conservation in North Carolina

As North Carolina’s only native salmonid, Brook Trout Salvelinus fontinalis is a fish of considerable ecological and cultural significance in the state, but anthropogenic alterations to the landscape and introductions of nonnative salmonids have fragmented and reduced its native range. As a result, the North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission (NCWRC) has enacted numerous efforts to help conser
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Ecosystems Mission Area, Eastern Ecological Science Center

Decades of global sturgeon conservation efforts are threatened by an expanding captive culture industry

After centuries of overexploitation and habitat loss, many of the world's sturgeon (Acipenseridae) populations are at the brink of extinction. Although significant resources are invested into the conservation and restoration of imperiled sturgeons, the burgeoning commercial culture industry poses an imminent threat to the persistence of many populations. In the past decade, the number and distribu
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Eastern Ecological Science Center

Multispecies approaches to status assessments in support of endangered species classifications

Multispecies risk assessments have developed within many international conservation programs, reflecting a widespread need for efficiency. Under the United States Endangered Species Act (ESA), multispecies assessments ultimately lead to species-level listing decisions. Although this approach provides opportunities for improved efficiency, it also risks overwhelming or biasing the assessment proces

Evaluating sources of bias in pedigree-based estimates of breeding population size

Applications of genetic-based estimates of population size are expanding, especially for species for which traditional demographic estimation methods are intractable due to the rarity of adult encounters. Estimates of breeding population size (NS) are particularly amenable to genetic-based approaches as the parameter can be estimated using pedigrees reconstructed from genetic data gathered from di
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Eastern Ecological Science Center

Population genetics of three at-risk tiger beetles Habroscelimorpha dorsalis dorsalis, H. d. media, and Ellipsoptera puritana

Many tiger beetles (Family Cicindelidae) are critically imperiled due to their dependence on small patches of suitable habitat that are frequently threatened by natural and anthropogenic disturbances. In the eastern United States, conservation of three tiger beetles - Habroscelimorpha dorsalis dorsalis, H. dorsalis media, and Ellipsoptera puritana - has been inhibited by the absence of population

Using genetic data to advance stream fish reintroduction science: A case study in brook trout

Widespread extirpation of native fish populations has led to a rise in species reintroduction efforts worldwide. Most efforts have relied on demographic data alone to guide project design and evaluate success. However, the genetic characteristics of many imperiled fish populations including low diversity, local adaptation, and hatchery introgression emphasize the importance of genetic data in the
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Ecosystems Mission Area, Eastern Ecological Science Center

Landscape and stocking effects on population genetics of Tennessee Brook Trout

Throughout their range, Brook Trout (Salvelinus fontinalis) occupy thousands of disjunct drainages with varying levels of disturbance, which presents substantial challenges for conservation. Within the southern Appalachian Mountains, fragmentation and genetic drift have been identified as key threats to the genetic diversity of the Brook Trout populations. In addition, extensive historic stocking

Stock composition of the historical New York Bight Atlantic sturgeon (Acipenser oxyrinchus oxyrinchus) intercept fishery revealed through microsatellite analysis of archived spines

A targeted commercial fishery for Atlantic Sturgeon Acipenser oxyrinchus oxyrinchus once operated in the New York Bight, where it was assumed that most harvested Atlantic Sturgeon were natal to the Hudson River population. However, more recent evidence suggests that the fishery may have been targeting a mixed-stock aggregation, in which case harvested Atlantic Sturgeon could have been comprised of

Population genetics of Brook Trout (Salvelinus fontinalis) in the southern Appalachian Mountains

Broad-scale patterns of genetic diversity for Brook Trout remain poorly understood across their endemic range in the eastern United States. We characterized variation at 12 microsatellite loci in 22,020 Brook Trout among 836 populations from Georgia, USA to Quebec, Canada to the western Great Lakes region. Within-population diversity was typically lower in the southern Appalachians relative to the
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Chesapeake Bay Activities

Phenotypic variation in Brook Trout Salvelinus fontinalis (Mitchill) at broad spatial scales makes morphology an insufficient basis for taxonomic reclassification of the species

It was recently proposed that there are three new species of Salvelinus with microendemic distributions in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, Tennessee, USA. The three species of Salvelinus were hypothesized to be distinct from their congener Brook Trout S. fontinalis based on three meristic traits—pored lateral-line scales, vertebral counts, and number of basihyal teeth. After analyses that

Optimization of a suite of flathead catfish (Pylodictis olivaris) microsatellite markers for understanding the population genetics of introduced populations in the northeast United States

Flathead catfish are rapidly expanding into nonnative waterways throughout the United States. Once established, flathead catfish may cause disruptions to the local ecosystem through consumption and competition with native fishes, including species of conservation concern. Flathead catfish often become a popular sport fish in their introduced range, and so management strategies must frequently bala
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Chesapeake Bay Activities

Establishment of a microsatellite genetic baseline for North American Atlantic sturgeon (Acipenser o. oxyrhinchus) and range-wide analysis of population genetics

Atlantic sturgeon (Acipenser oxyrinchus oxyrinchus) is a long-lived, anadromous species that is broadly distributed along the Atlantic coast of North America. Historic overharvest and habitat degradation resulted in significant declines to Atlantic sturgeon populations and, following decades of limited recovery, the species was listed under the Endangered Species Act of the United States in 2012.

Non-USGS Publications**

Hilderbrand RH, Kazyak DC. 2017. Spatiotemporal patterns of Brook Trout abundance and implications for stream monitoring. North American Journal of Fisheries Management 37:353-362.
Kazyak DC, Hilderbrand RH, King TL, Keller SR, Chhatre VE. 2016. Hiding in plain sight: a case for cryptic metapopulations in Brook Trout (Salvelinus fontinalis). PLOS ONE 11(1): e0146295. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0146295
Kazyak DC, Sell MT, Cooper R, Hilderbrand RH. 2016. A comparison of catchability and mortality with circle and J hooks for stream-dwelling Brook Trout Salvelinus fontinalis. North American Journal of Fisheries
Management 36:259-266
Sell MT, Kazyak DC, Hilderbrand RH, Heft AA, Cooper RM. 2016. A comparison of circle hook size on hooking success, deep hooking rate, and post release mortality of hatchery-reared Rainbow Trout Oncorhynchus mykiss. North American Journal of Fisheries Management 36:254-258
Kazyak DC, Hilderbrand RH, Keller SK, Colaw M, Holloway AE, Morgan RP, King TL. 2015. Spatial structure of morphological and neutral genetic variation in Brook Trout Salvelinus fontinalis. Transactions of the American Fisheries Society 144:480-490
Kazyak DC, Hilderbrand RH, Sell MT. 2014. Growth variation in a Mid-Atlantic Brook Trout population. Proceedings of Wild Trout XI. Supplement:350-356
Sell MT, Heft AA, Kazyak DC, Hilderbrand RH, Morgan RP. 2014. Short-term and seasonal movements of eastern Brook Trout (Salvelinus fontinalis) in the upper Savage River watershed, Garrett County, Maryland. Proceedings of Wild Trout XI. Supplement:357-362
Stranko SA, Ashton MJ, Hilderbrand RH, Weglein SL, Kazyak DC, Kilian JV. 2014. Fish and benthic macroinvertebrate densities in small streams with and without American Eels. Transactions of the American Fisheries Society 143:700-708
Kazyak DC, Letcher BH, Zydlewski J, O'Donnell MJ. 2013. Growth variability of brook charr (Salvelinus fontinalis) in coastal Maine. Ecology of Freshwater Fish. doi: 10.1111/eff.12105
Kazyak DC, Hilderbrand RH, Holloway AE. 2013. Rapid visual assessment to determine sex in Brook Trout. North American Journal of Fisheries Management 33:665-668
Kazyak DC, Zydlewski J. 2012. High-density polyethylene: a new material for pass-over PIT antennas. North American Journal of Fisheries Management 32:49-52
Strain, GF, Kazyak DC. Raesly R. 2012. Headwaters and headlamps: a comparison of nocturnal and diurnal surveys to estimate richness, abundance, and detection of streamside salamanders. Herpetological Review 43:26-30

**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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Dr. Dave Kazyak prepares to release an adult Atlantic Sturgeon prior to release as part of a collaborative research effort.

Conservation Genetics of Atlantic Sturgeon

Atlantic sturgeon genetic assignment testing assigns individuals to populations and is combined with life history data to present a comprehensive view of the species.
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Ecosystems Mission Area, Fisheries Program (unpublished), Eastern Ecological Science Center
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Conservation Genetics of Atlantic Sturgeon

Atlantic sturgeon genetic assignment testing assigns individuals to populations and is combined with life history data to present a comprehensive view of the species.
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American Shad

Alosine Genetic Stock Identification and Tissue Repository

American Shad (Alosa sapidissima), Blueback Herring (Alosa aestivalis), and Alewife (Alosa pseudoharengus; collectively “alosines”) once supported large fisheries along the U.S. Atlantic Coast. However, impassable migration barriers, declines in habitat quality, and exploitation have led to declines in many spawning populations. Substantial resources have been invested to support the recovery of...
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Ecosystems Mission Area, Species Management Research Program, Eastern Ecological Science Center
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Alosine Genetic Stock Identification and Tissue Repository

American Shad (Alosa sapidissima), Blueback Herring (Alosa aestivalis), and Alewife (Alosa pseudoharengus; collectively “alosines”) once supported large fisheries along the U.S. Atlantic Coast. However, impassable migration barriers, declines in habitat quality, and exploitation have led to declines in many spawning populations. Substantial resources have been invested to support the recovery of...
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Population genetic data for three at-risk tiger beetles Habroscelimorpha dorsalis dorsalis, H. d. media, and Ellipsoptera puritana

This dataset includes microsatellite genotypes for 16 collections of tiger beetles (Ellipsoptera puritana) distributed in Connecticut and Maryland, United States and 44 collections of Habroscelimorpha dorsalis dorsalis and 14 collections of H. d. media distributed from Massachusetts to Florida, United States.
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Eastern Ecological Science Center

Population genetic data for flathead catfish from the Susquehanna and Delaware River basins in Pennsylvania and Maryland, USA

This dataset includes microsatellite genotypes for 137 flathead catfish from the Susquehanna River and Delaware River basins in Pennslyvania and Maryland, USA. Each individual was genotyped at 13 loci. Additional information about sex, capture date, and size are also provided for most individuals.
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Eastern Ecological Science Center

Population genetic data for wild Brook Trout (Salvelinus fontinalis) from the Midwestern United States and selected domestic strains

This dataset includes microsatellite genotypes for 8,454 brook trout from 188 wild Midwestern populations and 26 hatchery strains of both Midwest and eastern (Atlantic seaboard) origin. Each individual was genotyped at either 5 or 7 loci.
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Eastern Ecological Science Center

Genotypes of Atlantic Sturgeon collected from Canada to Georgia used in the development of a genetic baseline

This dataset includes microsatellite genotypes for 2510 Atlantic sturgeon from 18 different populations distributed from Canada to Georgia. Each individual was genotyped at 12 loci. Additional information about sex, capture date, and size are also provided.
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Eastern Ecological Science Center
American Shad capture in the Penobscot river (Credit: Joe Zydlewski)
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Headwater stream
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Friday's Findings - May 21 2021

USGS Research to Support the Recovery of Endangered Atlantic Sturgeon 

Date: May 21, 2021 from 2-2:30 p.m. eastern time

Speaker: David Kazyak, Research...

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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