Katy Klymus, PhD
Dr. Katy Klymus is a Research Biologist at the Columbia Environmental Research Center.
She has a background in evolutionary biology, animal behavior and genetics. Since joining the USGS in 2016, my research focus is on using genetic methods to inform wildlife species management. Currently I am studying environmental DNA methods and how they can be used to assess current levels of and changes in biodiversity.
Education and Certifications
Ph.D. Evolutionary Biology and Ecology, The University of Missouri, 2011
B.S. Zoology, The University of Texas, 2000
Science and Products
eDNA sampling sites in the Grand Canyon region near breccia pipe uranium mines_2015_2016
Experimental observations on the decay of environmental DNA from bighead and silver carps
Critical considerations for the application of environmental DNA methods to detect aquatic species
Environmental DNA calibration study interim technical review report December 2014
A reply to Iversen et al.'s comment “Monitoring of animal abundance by environmental DNA - An increasingly obscure perspective”
Quantification of eDNA shedding rates from invasive bighead carp Hypophthalmichthys nobilis and silver carp Hypophthalmichthys molitrix
Environmental DNA calibration study. Interim technical review report
ECALS: Loading studies interim report October 2013
ECALS: Loading studies interim report July 2013
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.
Science and Products
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Filter Total Items: 13
eDNA sampling sites in the Grand Canyon region near breccia pipe uranium mines_2015_2016
Geospatial locations of eDNA sampling sites in the Grand Canyon region near breccia pipe uranium mines - Publications
Filter Total Items: 20
Experimental observations on the decay of environmental DNA from bighead and silver carps
Interest in the field of environmental DNA (eDNA) is growing rapidly and eDNA surveys are becoming an important consideration for aquatic resource managers dealing with invasive species. However, in order for eDNA monitoring to mature as a research and management tool, there are several critical knowledge gaps that must be filled. One such gap is the fate of eDNA materials in the aquatic environmeAuthorsRichard F. Lance, Katy E. Klymus, Catherine A. Richter, Xin Guan, Heather L. Farrington, Matthew R. Carr, Nathan Thompson, Duane Chapman, Kelly L. BaerwaldtCritical considerations for the application of environmental DNA methods to detect aquatic species
Species detection using environmental DNA (eDNA) has tremendous potential for contributing to the understanding of the ecology and conservation of aquatic species. Detecting species using eDNA methods, rather than directly sampling the organisms, can reduce impacts on sensitive species and increase the power of field surveys for rare and elusive species. The sensitivity of eDNA methods, however, rAuthorsCaren S. Goldberg, Cameron R. Turner, Kristy Deiner, Katy E. Klymus, Philip Francis Thomsen, Melanie A. Murphy, Stephen F. Spear, Anna McKee, Sara J. Oyler-McCance, Robert S. Cornman, Matthew B. Laramie, Andrew R. Mahon, Richard F. Lance, David S. Pilliod, Katherine M. Strickler, Lisette P. Waits, Alexander K. Fremier, Teruhiko Takahara, Jelger E. Herder, Pierre TaberletEnvironmental DNA calibration study interim technical review report December 2014
The Environmental DNA Calibration Study (ECALS) is a multi-year study to improve the understanding and interpretation of the detection of Asian carp DNA in environmental samples (eDNA) used in early detection monitoring. eDNA surveillance programs seek to detect the presence of genetic material (DNA in cells sloughed off in slime, feces, urine, etc.) extracted from water samples; the detection ofAuthorsKelly Baerwaldt, Meredith L. Bartron, Kurt Schilling, Debbie Lee, Edmond Russo, Trudy Estes, Richard Fischer, Beth Fleming, Michael P. Guilfoyle, Jack Killgore, Richard Lance, Edward Perkins, Martin Schultz, David Smith, Jon J. Amberg, Duane Chapman, Mark P. Gaikowski, Katy E. Klymus, Catherine A. RichterA reply to Iversen et al.'s comment “Monitoring of animal abundance by environmental DNA - An increasingly obscure perspective”
We appreciate the conversation put forward by Iversen et al. (2015) in their response to our article “Quantification of eDNA shedding rates from invasive bighead carp Hypophthalmichthys nobilis and silver carp Hypophthalmichthys molitrix” in the 2015 environmental DNA special issue of Biological Conservation.We agree with Iversen et al.'s concern about overly optimistic conclusions that could be dAuthorsKaty E. Klymus, Catherine A. Richter, Duane Chapman, Craig P. PaukertQuantification of eDNA shedding rates from invasive bighead carp Hypophthalmichthys nobilis and silver carp Hypophthalmichthys molitrix
Wildlife managers can more easily mitigate the effects of invasive species if action takes place before a population becomes established. Such early detection requires sensitive survey tools that can detect low numbers of individuals. Due to their high sensitivity, environmental DNA (eDNA) surveys hold promise as an early detection method for aquatic invasive species. Quantification of eDNA amountAuthorsKaty E. Klymus, Catherine A. Richter, Duane Chapman, Craig P. PaukertEnvironmental DNA calibration study. Interim technical review report
Invasive aquatic nuisance species pose a major threat to aquatic ecosystems worldwide. Invasive Asian carps, including bighead carp (Hypophthalmichthys nobilis) and silver carp (H. molitrix) have been steadily dispersing upstream through the Mississippi, Illinois, and Des Plaines Rivers since the 1990s. To prevent further movement up the Illinois River into the Chicago Area Waterway System (CAWS,AuthorsK. Baerwaldt, Meredith L. Bartron, K. Schilling, Debbie Lee, Edmond Russo, Trudy Estes, Richard Fischer, Beth Fleming, Michael P. Guilfoyle, K. Jack Kilgore, Richard Lance, Edward Perkins, Martin Schultz, David Smith, Jon J. Amberg, Duane Chapman, Mark P. Gaikowski, Katy E. Klymus, Catherine A. RichterECALS: Loading studies interim report October 2013
Here we follow up the loading studies interim report from July 2013 and include results from laboratory studies assessing the effects of diet on eDNA shedding rates by bigheaded carps(silver and bighead carp). In order to understand how eDNA behavesin the environment, we must understand how it enters the system. In our July interim report, we addressed three of our four hypotheses that could iAuthorsKaty Klymus, Cathy Richter, Duane Chapman, Craig P. PaukertECALS: Loading studies interim report July 2013
Since the initial detection of Asian carp moving up the Mississippi Basin, the potential for invasion of the Great Lakes by Silver Carp and Bighead Carp has been a major concern to stakeholders. To combat this problem, sampling for environmental DNA (eDNA) is used to monitor the waterways near Lake Michigan. This monitoring area includes the Chicago Area Waterways System (CAWS) and the Des PlainesAuthorsKaty E. Klymus, Catherine A. Richter, Duane Chapman, Craig P. PaukertNon-USGS Publications**
Soamiarimampionona, J., Sam, S.S., Dolch, R., Klymus, K., Rabemananjara, F., Robsomanitrandrasana, E., Rakotoarisoa, J.C., and Edmonds, D., 2015, Effects of three diets on development of Mantidactylus betsileanus larvae in captivity: Alytes, v. 32, p. 7-15Klymus, K.E., and Carl Gerhardt, H., 2012, AFLP markers resolve intra-specific relationships and infer genetic structure among lineages of the canyon treefrog, Hyla arenicolor: Molecular Phylogenetics and Evolution, v. 65, no. 2, p. 654-667Klymus, K.E., Humfeld, S.C., and Gerhardt, H.C., 2012, Geographical variation in male advertisement calls and female preference of the wide-ranging canyon treefrog, Hyla arenicolor: Biological Journal of the Linnean Society, v. 107, no. 1, p. 219-232
Klymus, K.E., Humfeld, S.C., Marshall, V.T., Cannatella, D., and Gerhardt, H.C., 2010, Molecular patterns of differentiation in canyon treefrogs (Hyla arenicolor): evidence for introgressive hybridization with the Arizona treefrog (H. wrightorum) and correlations with advertisement call differences: Journal of Evolutionary Biology, v. 23, no. 7, p. 1425-1435
**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.