Kylle's research interests include environmental DNA (eDNA) genetics and metagenomics, particularly developing new techniques to improve environmental management strategies.
Kylle is currently working on understanding the movement of fungi that cause Rapid ‘Ōhi‘a Death (ROD). She has worked on developing new tools for identifying and sampling ROD, such as the portable lab-in-a-suitcase and wind spore samplers.
Education and Certifications
M.S. 2015 Tropical Conservation Biology and Environmental Science, University of Hawai‘i at Hilo, Hilo, HI
B.S. 2013 Biological Sciences minor Environmental Science, Chapman University, Orange, CA
Science and Products
Building Resilience to Invasive Species in Ohia Forests
ʻŌhiʻa (Metrosideros polymorpha) is the dominant tree in Hawaiian forests, but Rapid ʻŌhiʻa Death (ROD), a newly emerging disease that stands to cause high mortality of this ecologically important tree, may lead to invasions by exotic plants as gaps open in the forest. To better understand if planting of ʻōhiʻa seedlings can be used as a restoration tool, we investigated the survival of ʻōhiʻa...
Pathways for Movement and Rate of Spread of Rapid ‘Ōhi‘a Death on the Island of Hawai‘i
Rapid ‘Ōhi‘a Death (ROD) is an emerging and rapidly spreading disease of ‘ōhi‘a (Metrosideros polymorpha), a keystone native forest tree in the Hawaiian Islands. The disease is highly pathogenic in native ‘ōhi‘a and can lead to significant mortality once symptoms become evident. This emerging pathogen is a significant threat to native forests throughout the state because of its potential impacts...
Environmental DNA (eDNA): a New Tool for Monitoring Status and Trends of Ecosystems and Taxa in Hawaii and Pacific Islands
Remote locations, rugged topography, extreme weather conditions, high numbers of threatened and endangered taxa, and widespread degradation of native ecosystems by invasive species makes routine monitoring to determine status and trends of ecosystems and native and invasive taxa difficult and expensive in the Hawaiian Islands. There is a need to supplement existing monitoring protocols with more...
Hawaii Island airborne detection of fungal pathogens of Ohia, 2016-2017
This data release includes metadata and tabular datasets that document (1) Austropuccina, Ceratocystis and Myrtaceae qPCR (quantitative polymerase chain reaction) DNA detections in Passive Environmental Samplers (PES), (2) wind speed, wind gust speed, and wind direction measurements collected at two sites in the Kahuku Unit of Hawai'i Volcanoes National Park (HAVO) where paired PES were located, (
Waipunalei ROD Management 2017-2018
This data release includes metadata and tabular datasets that document (1) Ceratocystis qPCR DNA detections in Passive Environmental Samplers (PES), (2) Ceratocystis qPCR DNA detections after pre-amplification, (3) wood and frass particle counts detected in PES (4) location of individual PES within the study area (5) ambrosia beetle gallery counts on felled 'ohi'a (6) ambrosia beetle gallery count
Hawai'i Island Rapid 'Ohi'a Death Ambrosia Beetle Communities and Frass 2018-2019
This data release includes data and metadata containing (1) study site locations and elevation where bolts (tree stem sections) infected with Ceratocystis lukuohia and/or C. huliohia were collected on Hawai'i Island, (2) the ambrosia beetle (Coleoptera: Scolytinae) species that were reared from bolts, (3) Ceratocystis spp. viability results from culturing tests of the beetles' frass, (4) frass pro
Hawai'i Rapid 'Ohi'a Death Decontamination 2019-2020
Rapid 'Ohi'a Death is a fatal disease caused by Ceratocystis lukuohia and C. huliohia that are decimating Hawai'i's keystone trees species, 'ohi'a (Metrosideros polymorpha). We developed practical and effective decontamination practices for both cultured C. lukuohia and C. huliohia as well as Ceratocystis spores embedded in ambrosia beetle frass (fine particles of macerated wood or boring dust, be
Keaukaha Military Reservation Ohia Restoration under ROD-infected Trees 2019-2020
This data release includes data and metadata containing (1) Ohia (Metrosideros polymorpha) tree locations tested for Rapid Ohia Death (ROD) at Keaukaha Military Reserve, Hilo, HI (2) out-planted Ohia seedling information and survival status and (3) raw quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) results for all Ceratocystis lukuohia and huliohia testing. Data were used in the analysis for the ma
Hawaii Island Environmental Sampler Comparison 2016-2018
These data include metadata and associated data files associated with the manuscript, "Economical Environmental Sampler Designs for Detecting Airborne Spread of Fungi Responsible for Rapid Ohi'a Death." These data include a total of 8 datasets used for both controlled and field studies evaluating the use of Active (with battery operated fan) and Passive (dependent on wind) USGS
Effectiveness of rapid 'ōhi'a death management strategies at a focal disease outbreak on Hawai'i Island
The ongoing spread of rapid ‘ōhi‘a death (ROD) in the Hawaiian Islands threatens the long-term sustainability of ‘ōhi‘a lehua (Metrosideros polymorpha) forests throughout the state. First identified in the Puna district of Hawai‘i Island in 2014, the disease caused by the novel fungi Ceratocystis lukuohia and Ceratocystis huliohia has now spread island-wide and was recently detected on Kaua‘i, O‘a
Decontamination of Ceratocystis pathogens responsible for rapid ʻŌhiʻa Death
Rapid ʻōhiʻa death (ROD) is caused by two recently described species of Ceratocystis, C. lukuohia and C. huliohia. These fungi are decimating ʻōhiʻa lehua (Metrosideros polymorpha), the keystone native tree species of Hawaiʻi. Viable Ceratocystis propagules can persist in ambrosia beetle frass (Coleoptera: Scolytinae), and movement of the frass may play a key role in the spread of the disease. In
Ambrosia beetle (Coleoptera: Curculionidae) communities and frass production in ʻŌhiʻa (Myrtales: Myrtaceae) infected with Ceratocystis (Microascales: Ceratocystidaceae) fungi responsible for Rapid ʻŌhiʻa Death
Rapid ʻŌhiʻa Death (ROD) is a deadly disease that is threatening the native Hawaiian keystone tree species, ʻōhiʻa lehua (Metrosideros polymorpha Gaudich). Ambrosia beetles (Curculionidae: Scolytinae) and their frass are hypothesized to play a major role in the spread of ROD, although their ecological niches and frass production within trees and across the landscape are not well understood. We cha
Successful restoration of Metrosideros polymorpha (ʻōhiʻa) is possible in forest sites with active Rapid ‘Ōhiʻa Death infections
Rapid ʻŌhiʻa Death (ROD), caused by the fungal pathogen Ceratocystis, is killing large numbers of ʻōhiʻa trees (Metrosideros polymorpha) in Hawaiʻi. ʻŌhiʻa are a dominant tree in Hawaiian forests, have a range that goes from arid to wet forest climates, and are important for endangered species habitat and ecosystem function. To test whether actively planting ʻōhiʻa seedlings is a viable restoratio
Economical environmental sampler designs for detecting airborn spread of fungi responsible for rapid `Ōhi` death
We designed two new samplers for monitoring airborne particulates that rely on either natural wind currents (Passive Environmental Sampler) or a battery-operated fan (Active Environmental Sampler). Both samplers are significantly less expensive than commercial devices such as Rotorod® and Burkard Samplers that are used in the agricultural and health science industries. They are economical enough t
A rapid diagnostic test and mobile "lab in a suitcase" platform for detecting Ceratocystis spp. responsible for Rapid ‘Ōhi‘a Death
We describe a field compatible molecular diagnostic test for two new species of Ceratocystis that infect `ōhi`a (Metrosideros polymorpha) and cause the disease commonly known as Rapid `Ōhi`a Death. The diagnostic is based on amplification of a DNA locus within the internal transcribed spacer region that separates fungal 5.8S ribosomal genes. The assay uses forward and reverse primers, recombinase
Science and Products
- Science
Building Resilience to Invasive Species in Ohia Forests
ʻŌhiʻa (Metrosideros polymorpha) is the dominant tree in Hawaiian forests, but Rapid ʻŌhiʻa Death (ROD), a newly emerging disease that stands to cause high mortality of this ecologically important tree, may lead to invasions by exotic plants as gaps open in the forest. To better understand if planting of ʻōhiʻa seedlings can be used as a restoration tool, we investigated the survival of ʻōhiʻa...Pathways for Movement and Rate of Spread of Rapid ‘Ōhi‘a Death on the Island of Hawai‘i
Rapid ‘Ōhi‘a Death (ROD) is an emerging and rapidly spreading disease of ‘ōhi‘a (Metrosideros polymorpha), a keystone native forest tree in the Hawaiian Islands. The disease is highly pathogenic in native ‘ōhi‘a and can lead to significant mortality once symptoms become evident. This emerging pathogen is a significant threat to native forests throughout the state because of its potential impacts...Environmental DNA (eDNA): a New Tool for Monitoring Status and Trends of Ecosystems and Taxa in Hawaii and Pacific Islands
Remote locations, rugged topography, extreme weather conditions, high numbers of threatened and endangered taxa, and widespread degradation of native ecosystems by invasive species makes routine monitoring to determine status and trends of ecosystems and native and invasive taxa difficult and expensive in the Hawaiian Islands. There is a need to supplement existing monitoring protocols with more... - Data
Hawaii Island airborne detection of fungal pathogens of Ohia, 2016-2017
This data release includes metadata and tabular datasets that document (1) Austropuccina, Ceratocystis and Myrtaceae qPCR (quantitative polymerase chain reaction) DNA detections in Passive Environmental Samplers (PES), (2) wind speed, wind gust speed, and wind direction measurements collected at two sites in the Kahuku Unit of Hawai'i Volcanoes National Park (HAVO) where paired PES were located, (Waipunalei ROD Management 2017-2018
This data release includes metadata and tabular datasets that document (1) Ceratocystis qPCR DNA detections in Passive Environmental Samplers (PES), (2) Ceratocystis qPCR DNA detections after pre-amplification, (3) wood and frass particle counts detected in PES (4) location of individual PES within the study area (5) ambrosia beetle gallery counts on felled 'ohi'a (6) ambrosia beetle gallery countHawai'i Island Rapid 'Ohi'a Death Ambrosia Beetle Communities and Frass 2018-2019
This data release includes data and metadata containing (1) study site locations and elevation where bolts (tree stem sections) infected with Ceratocystis lukuohia and/or C. huliohia were collected on Hawai'i Island, (2) the ambrosia beetle (Coleoptera: Scolytinae) species that were reared from bolts, (3) Ceratocystis spp. viability results from culturing tests of the beetles' frass, (4) frass proHawai'i Rapid 'Ohi'a Death Decontamination 2019-2020
Rapid 'Ohi'a Death is a fatal disease caused by Ceratocystis lukuohia and C. huliohia that are decimating Hawai'i's keystone trees species, 'ohi'a (Metrosideros polymorpha). We developed practical and effective decontamination practices for both cultured C. lukuohia and C. huliohia as well as Ceratocystis spores embedded in ambrosia beetle frass (fine particles of macerated wood or boring dust, beKeaukaha Military Reservation Ohia Restoration under ROD-infected Trees 2019-2020
This data release includes data and metadata containing (1) Ohia (Metrosideros polymorpha) tree locations tested for Rapid Ohia Death (ROD) at Keaukaha Military Reserve, Hilo, HI (2) out-planted Ohia seedling information and survival status and (3) raw quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) results for all Ceratocystis lukuohia and huliohia testing. Data were used in the analysis for the maHawaii Island Environmental Sampler Comparison 2016-2018
These data include metadata and associated data files associated with the manuscript, "Economical Environmental Sampler Designs for Detecting Airborne Spread of Fungi Responsible for Rapid Ohi'a Death." These data include a total of 8 datasets used for both controlled and field studies evaluating the use of Active (with battery operated fan) and Passive (dependent on wind) USGS - Publications
Effectiveness of rapid 'ōhi'a death management strategies at a focal disease outbreak on Hawai'i Island
The ongoing spread of rapid ‘ōhi‘a death (ROD) in the Hawaiian Islands threatens the long-term sustainability of ‘ōhi‘a lehua (Metrosideros polymorpha) forests throughout the state. First identified in the Puna district of Hawai‘i Island in 2014, the disease caused by the novel fungi Ceratocystis lukuohia and Ceratocystis huliohia has now spread island-wide and was recently detected on Kaua‘i, O‘aDecontamination of Ceratocystis pathogens responsible for rapid ʻŌhiʻa Death
Rapid ʻōhiʻa death (ROD) is caused by two recently described species of Ceratocystis, C. lukuohia and C. huliohia. These fungi are decimating ʻōhiʻa lehua (Metrosideros polymorpha), the keystone native tree species of Hawaiʻi. Viable Ceratocystis propagules can persist in ambrosia beetle frass (Coleoptera: Scolytinae), and movement of the frass may play a key role in the spread of the disease. InAmbrosia beetle (Coleoptera: Curculionidae) communities and frass production in ʻŌhiʻa (Myrtales: Myrtaceae) infected with Ceratocystis (Microascales: Ceratocystidaceae) fungi responsible for Rapid ʻŌhiʻa Death
Rapid ʻŌhiʻa Death (ROD) is a deadly disease that is threatening the native Hawaiian keystone tree species, ʻōhiʻa lehua (Metrosideros polymorpha Gaudich). Ambrosia beetles (Curculionidae: Scolytinae) and their frass are hypothesized to play a major role in the spread of ROD, although their ecological niches and frass production within trees and across the landscape are not well understood. We chaSuccessful restoration of Metrosideros polymorpha (ʻōhiʻa) is possible in forest sites with active Rapid ‘Ōhiʻa Death infections
Rapid ʻŌhiʻa Death (ROD), caused by the fungal pathogen Ceratocystis, is killing large numbers of ʻōhiʻa trees (Metrosideros polymorpha) in Hawaiʻi. ʻŌhiʻa are a dominant tree in Hawaiian forests, have a range that goes from arid to wet forest climates, and are important for endangered species habitat and ecosystem function. To test whether actively planting ʻōhiʻa seedlings is a viable restoratioEconomical environmental sampler designs for detecting airborn spread of fungi responsible for rapid `Ōhi` death
We designed two new samplers for monitoring airborne particulates that rely on either natural wind currents (Passive Environmental Sampler) or a battery-operated fan (Active Environmental Sampler). Both samplers are significantly less expensive than commercial devices such as Rotorod® and Burkard Samplers that are used in the agricultural and health science industries. They are economical enough tA rapid diagnostic test and mobile "lab in a suitcase" platform for detecting Ceratocystis spp. responsible for Rapid ‘Ōhi‘a Death
We describe a field compatible molecular diagnostic test for two new species of Ceratocystis that infect `ōhi`a (Metrosideros polymorpha) and cause the disease commonly known as Rapid `Ōhi`a Death. The diagnostic is based on amplification of a DNA locus within the internal transcribed spacer region that separates fungal 5.8S ribosomal genes. The assay uses forward and reverse primers, recombinase - News