Julia S Lankton
Julia Lankton is the Deputy Center Director at the USGS National Wildlife Health Center.
She attended veterinary school at Virginia-Maryland College of Veterinary Medicine, completed her pathology residency at the University of Tennessee, and worked as clinical instructor and pathology fellow at the University of Florida and Disneyworld, before joining USGS in 2013. Her interests include environmental toxicology and the relationship between contaminants and disease in wildlife health.
Professional Experience
2013-present: Wildlife Pathologist, USGS National Wildlife Health Center
2012-2013: Clinical Instructor, Anatomic Pathology, University of Florida and Disney's Animal Kingdom
Education and Certifications
Residency, Anatomic Pathology, University of Tennessee, 2009-2012
DVM, Virginia-Maryland College of Veterinary Medicine, 2009
BA English, University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill, 1996
Affiliations and Memberships*
Diplomate, American College of Veterinary Pathologists
Science and Products
Filter Total Items: 38
Highly pathogenic avian influenza A(H5N1) virus clade 2.3.4.4b infections in wild terrestrial mammals, United States, 2022 Highly pathogenic avian influenza A(H5N1) virus clade 2.3.4.4b infections in wild terrestrial mammals, United States, 2022
We describe the pathology of natural infection with highly pathogenic avian influenza A(H5N1) virus of Eurasian lineage Goose/Guangdong clade 2.3.4.4b in 67 wild terrestrial mammals throughout the United States during April 1‒July 21, 2022. Affected mammals include 50 red foxes (Vulpes vulpes), 6 striped skunks (Mephitis mephitis), 4 raccoons (Procyon lotor), 2 bobcats (Lynx rufus), 2...
Authors
E. J. Elsmo, A. Wunschmann, Kimberlee B. Beckmen, L. B. Broughton-Neiswanger, E. L. Buckles, J. Hugh Ellis, S. D. Fitzgerald, Robert Gerlach, S. Hawkins, Hon S. Ip, Julia S. Lankton, E. M. Lemley, J. B. Lenoch, M. L. Killian, K. Lantz, L. Long, R. Maes, M. Mainenti, J. Melotti, M. E. Moriarty, S. Nakagun, R. M. Ruden, Valerie I. Shearn-Bochsler, D.A. Thompson, M. K. Torchetti, A. J. Van Wettere, A. G. Wise, A. L. Lim
Paranannizziopsis spp. infections in wild snakes and a qPCR assay for detection of the fungus Paranannizziopsis spp. infections in wild snakes and a qPCR assay for detection of the fungus
The emergence of ophidiomycosis (or snake fungal disease) in snakes has prompted increased awareness of the potential effects of fungal infections on wild reptile populations. Yet, aside from Ophidiomyces ophidiicola, little is known about other mycoses affecting wild reptiles. The closely related genus Paranannizziopsis has been associated with dermatomycosis in snakes and tuataras in...
Authors
Jeffrey M. Lorch, Megan Winzeler, Julia S. Lankton, Stephen Raverty, Heindrich N Snyman, Helen M. Schwantje, Caeley Thacker, Susan Knowles, Hugh Y Cai, Daniel A. Grear
Effects of lead exposure on birds breeding in the Southeast Missouri Lead Mining District Effects of lead exposure on birds breeding in the Southeast Missouri Lead Mining District
Lead mining in the Southeast Missouri Lead Mining District began in the 1700s and continued for nearly 300 years; the waste piles associated with smelting, mining, and milling of lead ores have released metal residues that have contaminated soil and water in the region. Previous studies in the district have indicated potential harm to wildlife, including birds, because of elevated lead
Authors
Rebecka Brasso, Danielle M. Cleveland, Frank R. Thompson, David E. Mosby, Kathy Hixson, Melissa Roach, Barnett A. Rattner, Natalie Karouna-Renier, Julia S. Lankton
A cross inoculation experiment reveals Ophidiomyces ophiodiicola and Nannizziopsis guarroi can each infect both snakes and lizards A cross inoculation experiment reveals Ophidiomyces ophiodiicola and Nannizziopsis guarroi can each infect both snakes and lizards
Host range and specificity are key concepts in the study of infectious diseases. However, both concepts remain largely undefined for many influential pathogens, including many fungi within the Onygenales order. This order encompasses reptile-infecting genera (Nannizziopsis, Ophidiomyces, and Paranannizziopsis) formerly classified as the Chrysosporium anamorph of Nannizziopsis vriesii...
Authors
Savannah L Gentry, Jeffrey M. Lorch, Julia S. Lankton, Anne Pringle
Haliaeetus leucocephalus (bald eagle) and Aquila chrysaetos (golden eagle) mortality and exposure to lead, mercury, and anticoagulant rodenticides in eight western and midwestern States, 2014–17 Haliaeetus leucocephalus (bald eagle) and Aquila chrysaetos (golden eagle) mortality and exposure to lead, mercury, and anticoagulant rodenticides in eight western and midwestern States, 2014–17
The U.S. Geological Survey National Wildlife Health Center measured environmental contaminants in Haliaeetus leucocephalus (bald eagles) and Aquila chrysaetos (golden eagles) to evaluate dietary exposure to lead, mercury, and anticoagulant rodenticides (AR), all of which were identified by U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service as a priority issue of concern for Mountain Prairie Region 6. Data...
Authors
Barbara L. Bodenstein, Julia S. Lankton, Robin E. Russell, Matthew S. Schwarz
Review of harmful algal blooms effects on birds with implications for avian wildlife in the Chesapeake Bay region Review of harmful algal blooms effects on birds with implications for avian wildlife in the Chesapeake Bay region
The Chesapeake Bay, along the mid-Atlantic coast of North America, is the largest estuary in the United States and provides critical habitat for wildlife. In contrast to point and non-point source release of pesticides, metals, and industrial, personal care and household use chemicals on biota in this watershed, there has only been scant attention to potential exposure and effects of...
Authors
Barnett A. Rattner, Catherine E. Wazniak, Julia S. Lankton, Peter C. McGowan, Serguei Vyacheslavovich Drovetski, Todd A. Egerton
Filter Total Items: 26
Wildlife mortality events in counties surrounding the Chesapeake Bay recorded in the Wildlife Health Information Sharing Partnership Event Reporting System (WHISPers) from 2000-2020 Wildlife mortality events in counties surrounding the Chesapeake Bay recorded in the Wildlife Health Information Sharing Partnership Event Reporting System (WHISPers) from 2000-2020
This data set is composed of all events in the Wildlife Health Information Sharing Partnership Event Reporting System (WHISPers) between 1/1/2000 and 12/31/2020 from counties bordering the Chesapeake Bay. Relevant fields include WHSPers ID number, estimated number of animals affected, event start and end dates, states, counties, species involved, event diagnoses, etiological category of...
Viral loads, histology, and adverse events in transgenic mice after passive transfer of serum from black-footed ferrets (Mustela nigripes) used to assess the anti-viral efficacy of a subunit SARS-CoV-2 vaccine candidate Viral loads, histology, and adverse events in transgenic mice after passive transfer of serum from black-footed ferrets (Mustela nigripes) used to assess the anti-viral efficacy of a subunit SARS-CoV-2 vaccine candidate
This data set provides biological information from of a captive study of transgenic mice that received either passive serum transfers from black-footed ferrets (BFFs) that were vaccinated against SARS-CoV-2 or BFFs that were unvaccinated, or a monoclonal antibody against SARS-CoV-2 or lastly a placebo. After these treatments mice were challenged with SARS-CoV-2. The data included here...
Histopathology of little brown bats (Myotis lucifugus) collected from a maternity roost in Leelanau County, Michigan, USA, in June 2014 Histopathology of little brown bats (Myotis lucifugus) collected from a maternity roost in Leelanau County, Michigan, USA, in June 2014
This work is part of a study investigating the movement of microcystin from aquatic to terrestrial ecosystems via trophic transfer. Little brown bats (Myotis lucifugus), feeding opportunistically on aquatic insects including Hexagenia mayflies, were collected from a maternity roost near Little Traverse Lake (Leelanau County, Michigan, USA). Bats and fecal samples were collected for...
Histopathology of tri-colored bats (Perimyotis subflavus) exposed to the fungus Pseudogymnoascus destructans under varying temperature and humidity conditions Histopathology of tri-colored bats (Perimyotis subflavus) exposed to the fungus Pseudogymnoascus destructans under varying temperature and humidity conditions
This work is part of an experimental trial investigating the effects of microclimate conditions of temperature and humidity on a fungal pathogen, Pseudogymnoascus destructans (Pd), that causes white-nose syndrome (WNS) disease in hibernating bats. As part of the trial, tri-colored bats (Perimyotis subflavus) were exposed to Pseudogymnoascus destructans (Pd) and allowed to hibernate in...
Results of algal toxin testing from wildlife mortality submissions to the National Wildlife Health Center Results of algal toxin testing from wildlife mortality submissions to the National Wildlife Health Center
This data set is composed of all animals received as a diagnostic submission to the USGS National Wildlife Health Center for which algal toxin testing was performed from November 1998 to January 2018. Birds with a histologic diagnosis of avian vacuolar myelinopathy, a disease caused by the algal toxin aetokthonotoxin, are also included. Algal toxins tested for include brevetoxin
Data from pathology of Lagovirus europaeus GI.2/RHDV2/b (rabbit hemorrhagic disease virus 2) in native North American lagomorphs Data from pathology of Lagovirus europaeus GI.2/RHDV2/b (rabbit hemorrhagic disease virus 2) in native North American lagomorphs
Rabbit hemorrhagic disease, a notifiable foreign animal disease in the USA, was reported for the first time in wild native North American rabbits and hares in April 2020 in the southwestern USA. Affected species included the Desert Cottontail (Sylvilagus audubonii), Mountain Cottontail (S. nutallii), Black-tailed Jackrabbit (Lepus californicus), and Antelope Jackrabbit (L. alleni)...
Filter Total Items: 13
Science and Products
Filter Total Items: 38
Highly pathogenic avian influenza A(H5N1) virus clade 2.3.4.4b infections in wild terrestrial mammals, United States, 2022 Highly pathogenic avian influenza A(H5N1) virus clade 2.3.4.4b infections in wild terrestrial mammals, United States, 2022
We describe the pathology of natural infection with highly pathogenic avian influenza A(H5N1) virus of Eurasian lineage Goose/Guangdong clade 2.3.4.4b in 67 wild terrestrial mammals throughout the United States during April 1‒July 21, 2022. Affected mammals include 50 red foxes (Vulpes vulpes), 6 striped skunks (Mephitis mephitis), 4 raccoons (Procyon lotor), 2 bobcats (Lynx rufus), 2...
Authors
E. J. Elsmo, A. Wunschmann, Kimberlee B. Beckmen, L. B. Broughton-Neiswanger, E. L. Buckles, J. Hugh Ellis, S. D. Fitzgerald, Robert Gerlach, S. Hawkins, Hon S. Ip, Julia S. Lankton, E. M. Lemley, J. B. Lenoch, M. L. Killian, K. Lantz, L. Long, R. Maes, M. Mainenti, J. Melotti, M. E. Moriarty, S. Nakagun, R. M. Ruden, Valerie I. Shearn-Bochsler, D.A. Thompson, M. K. Torchetti, A. J. Van Wettere, A. G. Wise, A. L. Lim
Paranannizziopsis spp. infections in wild snakes and a qPCR assay for detection of the fungus Paranannizziopsis spp. infections in wild snakes and a qPCR assay for detection of the fungus
The emergence of ophidiomycosis (or snake fungal disease) in snakes has prompted increased awareness of the potential effects of fungal infections on wild reptile populations. Yet, aside from Ophidiomyces ophidiicola, little is known about other mycoses affecting wild reptiles. The closely related genus Paranannizziopsis has been associated with dermatomycosis in snakes and tuataras in...
Authors
Jeffrey M. Lorch, Megan Winzeler, Julia S. Lankton, Stephen Raverty, Heindrich N Snyman, Helen M. Schwantje, Caeley Thacker, Susan Knowles, Hugh Y Cai, Daniel A. Grear
Effects of lead exposure on birds breeding in the Southeast Missouri Lead Mining District Effects of lead exposure on birds breeding in the Southeast Missouri Lead Mining District
Lead mining in the Southeast Missouri Lead Mining District began in the 1700s and continued for nearly 300 years; the waste piles associated with smelting, mining, and milling of lead ores have released metal residues that have contaminated soil and water in the region. Previous studies in the district have indicated potential harm to wildlife, including birds, because of elevated lead
Authors
Rebecka Brasso, Danielle M. Cleveland, Frank R. Thompson, David E. Mosby, Kathy Hixson, Melissa Roach, Barnett A. Rattner, Natalie Karouna-Renier, Julia S. Lankton
A cross inoculation experiment reveals Ophidiomyces ophiodiicola and Nannizziopsis guarroi can each infect both snakes and lizards A cross inoculation experiment reveals Ophidiomyces ophiodiicola and Nannizziopsis guarroi can each infect both snakes and lizards
Host range and specificity are key concepts in the study of infectious diseases. However, both concepts remain largely undefined for many influential pathogens, including many fungi within the Onygenales order. This order encompasses reptile-infecting genera (Nannizziopsis, Ophidiomyces, and Paranannizziopsis) formerly classified as the Chrysosporium anamorph of Nannizziopsis vriesii...
Authors
Savannah L Gentry, Jeffrey M. Lorch, Julia S. Lankton, Anne Pringle
Haliaeetus leucocephalus (bald eagle) and Aquila chrysaetos (golden eagle) mortality and exposure to lead, mercury, and anticoagulant rodenticides in eight western and midwestern States, 2014–17 Haliaeetus leucocephalus (bald eagle) and Aquila chrysaetos (golden eagle) mortality and exposure to lead, mercury, and anticoagulant rodenticides in eight western and midwestern States, 2014–17
The U.S. Geological Survey National Wildlife Health Center measured environmental contaminants in Haliaeetus leucocephalus (bald eagles) and Aquila chrysaetos (golden eagles) to evaluate dietary exposure to lead, mercury, and anticoagulant rodenticides (AR), all of which were identified by U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service as a priority issue of concern for Mountain Prairie Region 6. Data...
Authors
Barbara L. Bodenstein, Julia S. Lankton, Robin E. Russell, Matthew S. Schwarz
Review of harmful algal blooms effects on birds with implications for avian wildlife in the Chesapeake Bay region Review of harmful algal blooms effects on birds with implications for avian wildlife in the Chesapeake Bay region
The Chesapeake Bay, along the mid-Atlantic coast of North America, is the largest estuary in the United States and provides critical habitat for wildlife. In contrast to point and non-point source release of pesticides, metals, and industrial, personal care and household use chemicals on biota in this watershed, there has only been scant attention to potential exposure and effects of...
Authors
Barnett A. Rattner, Catherine E. Wazniak, Julia S. Lankton, Peter C. McGowan, Serguei Vyacheslavovich Drovetski, Todd A. Egerton
Filter Total Items: 26
Wildlife mortality events in counties surrounding the Chesapeake Bay recorded in the Wildlife Health Information Sharing Partnership Event Reporting System (WHISPers) from 2000-2020 Wildlife mortality events in counties surrounding the Chesapeake Bay recorded in the Wildlife Health Information Sharing Partnership Event Reporting System (WHISPers) from 2000-2020
This data set is composed of all events in the Wildlife Health Information Sharing Partnership Event Reporting System (WHISPers) between 1/1/2000 and 12/31/2020 from counties bordering the Chesapeake Bay. Relevant fields include WHSPers ID number, estimated number of animals affected, event start and end dates, states, counties, species involved, event diagnoses, etiological category of...
Viral loads, histology, and adverse events in transgenic mice after passive transfer of serum from black-footed ferrets (Mustela nigripes) used to assess the anti-viral efficacy of a subunit SARS-CoV-2 vaccine candidate Viral loads, histology, and adverse events in transgenic mice after passive transfer of serum from black-footed ferrets (Mustela nigripes) used to assess the anti-viral efficacy of a subunit SARS-CoV-2 vaccine candidate
This data set provides biological information from of a captive study of transgenic mice that received either passive serum transfers from black-footed ferrets (BFFs) that were vaccinated against SARS-CoV-2 or BFFs that were unvaccinated, or a monoclonal antibody against SARS-CoV-2 or lastly a placebo. After these treatments mice were challenged with SARS-CoV-2. The data included here...
Histopathology of little brown bats (Myotis lucifugus) collected from a maternity roost in Leelanau County, Michigan, USA, in June 2014 Histopathology of little brown bats (Myotis lucifugus) collected from a maternity roost in Leelanau County, Michigan, USA, in June 2014
This work is part of a study investigating the movement of microcystin from aquatic to terrestrial ecosystems via trophic transfer. Little brown bats (Myotis lucifugus), feeding opportunistically on aquatic insects including Hexagenia mayflies, were collected from a maternity roost near Little Traverse Lake (Leelanau County, Michigan, USA). Bats and fecal samples were collected for...
Histopathology of tri-colored bats (Perimyotis subflavus) exposed to the fungus Pseudogymnoascus destructans under varying temperature and humidity conditions Histopathology of tri-colored bats (Perimyotis subflavus) exposed to the fungus Pseudogymnoascus destructans under varying temperature and humidity conditions
This work is part of an experimental trial investigating the effects of microclimate conditions of temperature and humidity on a fungal pathogen, Pseudogymnoascus destructans (Pd), that causes white-nose syndrome (WNS) disease in hibernating bats. As part of the trial, tri-colored bats (Perimyotis subflavus) were exposed to Pseudogymnoascus destructans (Pd) and allowed to hibernate in...
Results of algal toxin testing from wildlife mortality submissions to the National Wildlife Health Center Results of algal toxin testing from wildlife mortality submissions to the National Wildlife Health Center
This data set is composed of all animals received as a diagnostic submission to the USGS National Wildlife Health Center for which algal toxin testing was performed from November 1998 to January 2018. Birds with a histologic diagnosis of avian vacuolar myelinopathy, a disease caused by the algal toxin aetokthonotoxin, are also included. Algal toxins tested for include brevetoxin
Data from pathology of Lagovirus europaeus GI.2/RHDV2/b (rabbit hemorrhagic disease virus 2) in native North American lagomorphs Data from pathology of Lagovirus europaeus GI.2/RHDV2/b (rabbit hemorrhagic disease virus 2) in native North American lagomorphs
Rabbit hemorrhagic disease, a notifiable foreign animal disease in the USA, was reported for the first time in wild native North American rabbits and hares in April 2020 in the southwestern USA. Affected species included the Desert Cottontail (Sylvilagus audubonii), Mountain Cottontail (S. nutallii), Black-tailed Jackrabbit (Lepus californicus), and Antelope Jackrabbit (L. alleni)...
Filter Total Items: 13
*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