John M. Pearce, Ph.D.
I am the Program Manager for marine and terrestrial ecosystems research at the USGS Alaska Science Center. I also coordinate the USGS Changing Arctic Ecosystems Initiative and provide outreach to the public about our research. I have been a research biologist in Alaska for 25 plus years studying migratory birds, avian disease, and population genetics.
Professional Experience
2011 - Present Associate Center Director for Ecosystems, USGS Alaska Science Center
1999 - 2011 Research Wildlife Biologist, USGS Alaska Science Center
1997 - 1999 Geneticist, USGS Alaska Biological Science Center
1990 - 1997 Biological Science Technician, U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service and National Biological Service
Education and Certifications
Ph.D. 2008 University of Alaska Fairbanks, Fairbanks, AK Biology
M.S. 1996 University of Idaho, Moscow, ID Zoology
B.S. 1990 Lewis and Clark College, Portland, OR Biology
Science and Products
A genetic evaluation of morphology used to identify harvested Canada geese
Molecular genetic status of Aleutian Canada Geese from Buldir and the Semidi Islands, Alaska
Microsatellites: Evolutionary and methodological background and empirical applications at individual, population, and phylogenetic levels
Status and biology of the Steller's eider in Yakutia, Russia
Nesting ecology of Spectacled Eiders Somateria fischeri on the Indigirka River Delta, Russia
Birds of the Indigirka River Delta, Russia: Historical and biogeographic comparisons
Dinucleotide repeat polymorphisms in waterfowl (family Anatidae): Characterization of a sex-linked (Z-specific) and 14 autosomal loci
Nest materials as a source of genetic data for avian ecological studies
Identifying injury by wildlife to trees and shrubs in northeastern forests
Science and Products
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A genetic evaluation of morphology used to identify harvested Canada geese
Using maximum likelihood estimators (in genetic stock identification), we used genetic markers to evaluate the utility of 2 morphological measures (culmen length and plumage color) to correctly identify groups of hunter-harvested dusky (Branta canadensis occidentalis) and dusky-like Canada geese on the wintering grounds within the Pacific Flyway. Significant levels of genetic differentiation wereAuthorsJohn M. Pearce, Barbara J. Pierson, Sandra L. Talbot, Dirk V. Derksen, Donald K. Kraege, Kim T. ScribnerMolecular genetic status of Aleutian Canada Geese from Buldir and the Semidi Islands, Alaska
We conducted genetic analyses of Aleutian Canada Geese (Branta canadensis leucopareia) from Buldir Island in the western Aleutians and the Semidi Islands in the eastern portion of their breeding range. We compared data from seven microsatellite DNA loci and 143 base pairs of the control region of mitochondrial DNA from the two populations of Aleutian Canada Geese and another small-bodied subspecieAuthorsBarbara J. Pierson, John M. Pearce, Sandra L. Talbot, Gerald F. Shields, Kim T. ScribnerMicrosatellites: Evolutionary and methodological background and empirical applications at individual, population, and phylogenetic levels
The recent proliferation and greater accessibility of molecular genetic markers has led to a growing appreciation of the ecological and evolutionary inferences that can be drawn from molecular characterizations of individuals and populations (Burke et al. 1992, Avise 1994). Different techniques have the ability to target DNA sequences which have different patterns of inheritance, different modes aAuthorsKim T. Scribner, John M. PearceStatus and biology of the Steller's eider in Yakutia, Russia
No abstract available.AuthorsAndrei G. Degtyarev, S.M. Sleptsov, S.P. Troev, John M. Pearce, Margaret R. PetersenNesting ecology of Spectacled Eiders Somateria fischeri on the Indigirka River Delta, Russia
In 1994 and 1995 we investigated breeding biology and nest site habitat of Spectacled Eiders on two study areas within the coastal fringe of the Indigirka River Delta, Russia (71°20' N, 150°20' E). Spectacled Eiders were first observed on 6 June in both years and nesting commenced by mid-June. Average clutch size declined with later nest initiation dates by 0.10 eggs per day; clutches were largerAuthorsJohn M. Pearce, Daniel Esler, Andrei G. DegtyarevBirds of the Indigirka River Delta, Russia: Historical and biogeographic comparisons
We documented the breeding status and relative abundance of all avian species on the coastal portion of the Indigirka River Delta during spring and summer 1993-95. Data on avifaunal composition were then compared to data from adjacent areas from Eastern Siberia to the Chukotka Peninsula to evaluate how species composition changes longitudinally within the arctic and typical tundra zones of northerAuthorsJohn M. Pearce, Daniel Esler, Andrei G. DegtyarevDinucleotide repeat polymorphisms in waterfowl (family Anatidae): Characterization of a sex-linked (Z-specific) and 14 autosomal loci
Canada goose (Branta Canadensis) and harlequin duck (Histrionicus histrionicus) DNAs were digested with Sau3AI, and size selected (300-700 bp) fragments were ligated into BamHI-digested pBluscriptII KS+. The enrichment protocol of Ostrander et al.1 was followed. The resulting libraries were screened using a [ƴ-32P]ATP end-labelled (CA)20 oligonucleotides as a hybridization probe. Positive clones wAuthorsW.G. Buchholz, John M. Pearce, Barbara J. Pierson, Kim T. ScribnerNest materials as a source of genetic data for avian ecological studies
We examined the utility of feathers and egg shell membranes, deposited in the nests of Spectacled Eiders (Somateria fischeri), as a source of DNA for genetic studies at both the population and individual level. The potential for feather DNA contamination as a result of female behavioral interactions (e.g. nest parasitism), reuse of nest sites from previous years, or other unknown occurrences was aAuthorsJohn M. Pearce, R.L. Fields, Kim T. ScribnerIdentifying injury by wildlife to trees and shrubs in northeastern forests
No abstract available.AuthorsJohn Pearce - News