Ernest Valdez, PhD
Ernie Valdez is a Research Wildlife Biologist at the Fort Collins Science Center, and works at the New Mexico Landscapes Field Station in Albuquerque, New Mexico.
Ernie received his doctorate degree in Biology, during 2006, at the University of New Mexico. His research interests span a variety of topics but are focused on conservation and ecology of insects and small mammals, with an emphasis on bats in temperate and tropical ecosystems. Ernie specializes in the feeding ecology and movement of insectivorous bats but also includes research on the ectoparasites of bats. His current projects include research related to white-nose syndrome, wind energy, and habitat use by bats at uranium mines in the Southwest.
Professional Experience
U.S. Geological Survey, Fort Collins Science Center, New Mexico Landscapes Field Station, Albuquerque, New Mexico. 1997-present
National Biological Survey (NBS), Albuquerque, New Mexico. 1994-1996
U.S. Fish & Wildlife, Mid-continent Ecological Science Center, Fort Collins, Colorado. 1991-1993
Education and Certifications
Ph.D. in Biological Sciences, University of New Mexico (Advisor: Dr. J. Scott Altenbach)
M.S. in Biological Sciences, Fort Hays State University (Advisor: Dr. Jerry Choate)
Affiliations and Memberships*
Adjunct faculty member in Dept. of Biology at University of New Mexico 2007-present
Museum Research Associate in Division of Mammals at the Museum of Southwestern Biology 2007-present
Museum Research Associate in Division of Arthropods at the Museum of Southwestern Biology 2009-present
American Society of Mammalogists 1994-Life Member
Southwestern Association of Naturalists 1995-Life Member
Research Associate of Indiana State University Center for North American Bat Research Center and Conservation 2005 to present
Western Bat Working Group 2003 to present (President 2015 to present)
New Mexico Bat Working Group 1997 to present (co-chair 2008-2009)
Arizona Bat Working Group 2003 to present
Colorado Bat Working Group 2002 to present
USGS Colorado Plateau Science Strategy Team 2015
Science and Products
Geographic variation in morphology, diet, and ectoparasites of Myotis occultus in New Mexico and southern Colorado
Western crevice and cavity-roosting bats
Food habits of Nyctinomops macrotis at a maternity roost in New Mexico, as indicated by analysis of guano
Western crevice and cavity-roosting bats
New host and locality records of bat ectoparasites from Arizona and New Mexico
Systematics of Myotis occultus (Chiroptera: Vespertilionidae) inferred from sequences of two mitochondrial genes
Additional records of bats from the middle Rio Grande Valley, New Mexico
Taxonomic status of Myotis occultus
Science and Products
Geographic variation in morphology, diet, and ectoparasites of Myotis occultus in New Mexico and southern Colorado
Western crevice and cavity-roosting bats
Food habits of Nyctinomops macrotis at a maternity roost in New Mexico, as indicated by analysis of guano
Western crevice and cavity-roosting bats
New host and locality records of bat ectoparasites from Arizona and New Mexico
Systematics of Myotis occultus (Chiroptera: Vespertilionidae) inferred from sequences of two mitochondrial genes
Additional records of bats from the middle Rio Grande Valley, New Mexico
Taxonomic status of Myotis occultus
*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