Katy Klymus, PhD
Dr. Katy Klymus is a Research Biologist at the Columbia Environmental Research Center.
Since joining the USGS in 2016, Katy’s research focus has been on using genetic and genomic methods to inform wildlife species management. Currently she is studying environmental DNA methods, how they can be used to assess current levels of and changes in biodiversity, and development of standards for eDNA analyses. Additionally, she has a background in ecology, animal behavior and phylogenetics/ systematics.
Professional Experience
2016 - Present: Research Biologist, U.S. Geological Survey, Columbia Environmental Research Center
2014 - 2016: Post-Doctoral Fellow, Lake Erie Center, University of Toledo
2012 - 2014: Post-Doctoral Researcher, Missouri Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Unit, University of Missouri
Education and Certifications
Ph.D. Evolutionary Biology and Ecology, University of Missouri, 2011
B.S. Zoology, University of Texas, 2000
Science and Products
Advanced molecular tools for detection and monitoring of invasive carp
Molecular Section: eDNA Research
READI-Net: Providing Tools for the Early Detection and Management of Aquatic Invasive Species
Threatened, Endangered or Rare Species Detection
Development and optimization of species-specific qPCR assays for eDNA detection of the mucket (Ortamannia ligamentina) and spectaclecase (Cumberlandia monodonta) mussels’ male mitotype Development and optimization of species-specific qPCR assays for eDNA detection of the mucket (Ortamannia ligamentina) and spectaclecase (Cumberlandia monodonta) mussels’ male mitotype
Method comparison for the detection of environmental DNA from three species of unionid mussels in a mesocosm Method comparison for the detection of environmental DNA from three species of unionid mussels in a mesocosm
Detection of Ortmanniana ligamentina male mitotype DNA from a mesocosm during a natural spawning event Detection of Ortmanniana ligamentina male mitotype DNA from a mesocosm during a natural spawning event
eDNA shedding rates for juvenile and subadult black carp fed a commercial diet or a Corbicula mussel diet in a laboratory setting eDNA shedding rates for juvenile and subadult black carp fed a commercial diet or a Corbicula mussel diet in a laboratory setting
Detection of Cumberlandia monodonta male mitotype eDNA from an outdoor raceway tank during a spawning event Detection of Cumberlandia monodonta male mitotype eDNA from an outdoor raceway tank during a spawning event
Detection of exogenous lake trout and endogenous spectaclecase DNA in the Big Piney River from an experimental release of lake trout slurry to study eDNA transport, September 2023 (ver.1.1, May 2025) Detection of exogenous lake trout and endogenous spectaclecase DNA in the Big Piney River from an experimental release of lake trout slurry to study eDNA transport, September 2023 (ver.1.1, May 2025)
Environmental DNA qPCR detection results and covariates from Idaho, Missouri, Montana, and New York rivers sampled in 2023 Environmental DNA qPCR detection results and covariates from Idaho, Missouri, Montana, and New York rivers sampled in 2023
Complete female and male mitogenomes of the mucket mussel (Ortmanniana ligamentina) Complete female and male mitogenomes of the mucket mussel (Ortmanniana ligamentina)
Environmental DNA (eDNA) Metabarcoding assessment of dead-end hollow fiber ultrafiltration (D-HFUF) and polyethylstyrene (PES) filters filtration methods on detection of freshwater mussel eDNA from Flint River and Spring Creek, Georgia and Big Piney River Environmental DNA (eDNA) Metabarcoding assessment of dead-end hollow fiber ultrafiltration (D-HFUF) and polyethylstyrene (PES) filters filtration methods on detection of freshwater mussel eDNA from Flint River and Spring Creek, Georgia and Big Piney River
Laboratory estimates of eDNA degradation rates for Actinionais ligamentina eDNA Laboratory estimates of eDNA degradation rates for Actinionais ligamentina eDNA
Development and testing of a qPCR assay for Lampsilis siliquoidea eDNA Development and testing of a qPCR assay for Lampsilis siliquoidea eDNA
Development, testing and use of four species-specific qPCR assays for freshwater mussel eDNA detection in the Niobrara River Development, testing and use of four species-specific qPCR assays for freshwater mussel eDNA detection in the Niobrara River
Spatial distribution and relative biomass of bigheaded carps in Lake Balaton, Hungary estimated from an environmental DNA survey Spatial distribution and relative biomass of bigheaded carps in Lake Balaton, Hungary estimated from an environmental DNA survey
A metadata checklist and data formatting guidelines to make eDNA FAIR (Findable, Accessible, Interoperable and Reusable) A metadata checklist and data formatting guidelines to make eDNA FAIR (Findable, Accessible, Interoperable and Reusable)
The complete mitochondrial genomes of the freshwater mussel Ortmanniana ligamentina (Lamarck, 1819): male and female mitotypes The complete mitochondrial genomes of the freshwater mussel Ortmanniana ligamentina (Lamarck, 1819): male and female mitotypes
What is eDNA method standardization and why do we need it? What is eDNA method standardization and why do we need it?
The MIEM guidelines: Minimum information for reporting of environmental metabarcoding data The MIEM guidelines: Minimum information for reporting of environmental metabarcoding data
Field trials of an autonomous eDNA sampler in lotic waters Field trials of an autonomous eDNA sampler in lotic waters
Detection and transport of environmental DNA from two federally endangered mussels Detection and transport of environmental DNA from two federally endangered mussels
Species richness and distribution of Sphaeriidae surveyed with Environmental DNA metabarcoding Species richness and distribution of Sphaeriidae surveyed with Environmental DNA metabarcoding
Environmental DNA dynamics of three species of unionid freshwater mussels Environmental DNA dynamics of three species of unionid freshwater mussels
Toward invasive mussel genetic biocontrol: Approaches, challenges, and perspectives Toward invasive mussel genetic biocontrol: Approaches, challenges, and perspectives
Dead-end hollow fiber ultrafiltration capture of environmental DNA for freshwater mussel (Unionidae) species detection with metabarcoding Dead-end hollow fiber ultrafiltration capture of environmental DNA for freshwater mussel (Unionidae) species detection with metabarcoding
A nitrifier-enriched microbial community contributes to the degradation of environmental DNA A nitrifier-enriched microbial community contributes to the degradation of environmental DNA
Non-USGS Publications**
**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.
Spiked qPCR primary analysis Spiked qPCR primary analysis
Science and Products
Advanced molecular tools for detection and monitoring of invasive carp
Molecular Section: eDNA Research
READI-Net: Providing Tools for the Early Detection and Management of Aquatic Invasive Species
Threatened, Endangered or Rare Species Detection
Development and optimization of species-specific qPCR assays for eDNA detection of the mucket (Ortamannia ligamentina) and spectaclecase (Cumberlandia monodonta) mussels’ male mitotype Development and optimization of species-specific qPCR assays for eDNA detection of the mucket (Ortamannia ligamentina) and spectaclecase (Cumberlandia monodonta) mussels’ male mitotype
Method comparison for the detection of environmental DNA from three species of unionid mussels in a mesocosm Method comparison for the detection of environmental DNA from three species of unionid mussels in a mesocosm
Detection of Ortmanniana ligamentina male mitotype DNA from a mesocosm during a natural spawning event Detection of Ortmanniana ligamentina male mitotype DNA from a mesocosm during a natural spawning event
eDNA shedding rates for juvenile and subadult black carp fed a commercial diet or a Corbicula mussel diet in a laboratory setting eDNA shedding rates for juvenile and subadult black carp fed a commercial diet or a Corbicula mussel diet in a laboratory setting
Detection of Cumberlandia monodonta male mitotype eDNA from an outdoor raceway tank during a spawning event Detection of Cumberlandia monodonta male mitotype eDNA from an outdoor raceway tank during a spawning event
Detection of exogenous lake trout and endogenous spectaclecase DNA in the Big Piney River from an experimental release of lake trout slurry to study eDNA transport, September 2023 (ver.1.1, May 2025) Detection of exogenous lake trout and endogenous spectaclecase DNA in the Big Piney River from an experimental release of lake trout slurry to study eDNA transport, September 2023 (ver.1.1, May 2025)
Environmental DNA qPCR detection results and covariates from Idaho, Missouri, Montana, and New York rivers sampled in 2023 Environmental DNA qPCR detection results and covariates from Idaho, Missouri, Montana, and New York rivers sampled in 2023
Complete female and male mitogenomes of the mucket mussel (Ortmanniana ligamentina) Complete female and male mitogenomes of the mucket mussel (Ortmanniana ligamentina)
Environmental DNA (eDNA) Metabarcoding assessment of dead-end hollow fiber ultrafiltration (D-HFUF) and polyethylstyrene (PES) filters filtration methods on detection of freshwater mussel eDNA from Flint River and Spring Creek, Georgia and Big Piney River Environmental DNA (eDNA) Metabarcoding assessment of dead-end hollow fiber ultrafiltration (D-HFUF) and polyethylstyrene (PES) filters filtration methods on detection of freshwater mussel eDNA from Flint River and Spring Creek, Georgia and Big Piney River
Laboratory estimates of eDNA degradation rates for Actinionais ligamentina eDNA Laboratory estimates of eDNA degradation rates for Actinionais ligamentina eDNA
Development and testing of a qPCR assay for Lampsilis siliquoidea eDNA Development and testing of a qPCR assay for Lampsilis siliquoidea eDNA
Development, testing and use of four species-specific qPCR assays for freshwater mussel eDNA detection in the Niobrara River Development, testing and use of four species-specific qPCR assays for freshwater mussel eDNA detection in the Niobrara River
Spatial distribution and relative biomass of bigheaded carps in Lake Balaton, Hungary estimated from an environmental DNA survey Spatial distribution and relative biomass of bigheaded carps in Lake Balaton, Hungary estimated from an environmental DNA survey
A metadata checklist and data formatting guidelines to make eDNA FAIR (Findable, Accessible, Interoperable and Reusable) A metadata checklist and data formatting guidelines to make eDNA FAIR (Findable, Accessible, Interoperable and Reusable)
The complete mitochondrial genomes of the freshwater mussel Ortmanniana ligamentina (Lamarck, 1819): male and female mitotypes The complete mitochondrial genomes of the freshwater mussel Ortmanniana ligamentina (Lamarck, 1819): male and female mitotypes
What is eDNA method standardization and why do we need it? What is eDNA method standardization and why do we need it?
The MIEM guidelines: Minimum information for reporting of environmental metabarcoding data The MIEM guidelines: Minimum information for reporting of environmental metabarcoding data
Field trials of an autonomous eDNA sampler in lotic waters Field trials of an autonomous eDNA sampler in lotic waters
Detection and transport of environmental DNA from two federally endangered mussels Detection and transport of environmental DNA from two federally endangered mussels
Species richness and distribution of Sphaeriidae surveyed with Environmental DNA metabarcoding Species richness and distribution of Sphaeriidae surveyed with Environmental DNA metabarcoding
Environmental DNA dynamics of three species of unionid freshwater mussels Environmental DNA dynamics of three species of unionid freshwater mussels
Toward invasive mussel genetic biocontrol: Approaches, challenges, and perspectives Toward invasive mussel genetic biocontrol: Approaches, challenges, and perspectives
Dead-end hollow fiber ultrafiltration capture of environmental DNA for freshwater mussel (Unionidae) species detection with metabarcoding Dead-end hollow fiber ultrafiltration capture of environmental DNA for freshwater mussel (Unionidae) species detection with metabarcoding
A nitrifier-enriched microbial community contributes to the degradation of environmental DNA A nitrifier-enriched microbial community contributes to the degradation of environmental DNA
Non-USGS Publications**
**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.