Margaret Hunter, Ph.D.
Margaret Hunter is a Research Geneticist at the USGS Wetland and Aquatic Research Center.
Margaret Hunter attended the University of Florida where she received a B.Sc. in Microbiology and Cellular Sciences and minored in Chemistry and Plant Molecular and Cellular Biology. Following her bachelor degree, she received a PhD in Veterinary Medical Sciences researching Sirenia (manatee and dugong) cytogenetics and conservation genetics. Affiliations: USGS Sirenia Project USGS Genetics and Genomics Research Courtesy Assistant Professor, University of Florida, College of Veterinary Medicine, Department of Large Animal Clinical Sciences Affiliated faculty member, University of Florida Aquatic Animal Health Program Affiliated faculty member, University of Florida Genetics Institute.
Education and Certifications
Ph.D., Veterinary Medical Sciences, University of Florida
B.S., Microbiology and Cell Sciences (Minor: Chemistry, Plant Molecular and Cellular Biology), University of Florida
Science and Products
Environmental DNA (eDNA) detection of nonnative bullseye snakehead in southern Florida
Reporting the limits of detection and quantification for environmental DNA assays
Life history, genetics, range expansion and new frontiers of the lionfish (Pterois volitans, Perciformes: Pteroidae) in Latin America
Efficacy of eDNA as an early detection indicator for Burmese pythons in the ARM Loxahatchee National Wildlife Refuge in the Greater Everglades Ecosystem
Environmental DNA sampling reveals high occupancy rates of invasive Burmese pythons at wading bird breeding aggregations in the central Everglades
Improving eDNA yield and inhibitor reduction through increased water volumes and multi-filter isolation techniques
Novel ecological and climatic conditions drive rapid adaptation in invasive Florida Burmese pythons
Cytonuclear discordance in the Florida Everglades invasive Burmese python (Python bivittatus) population reveals possible hybridization with the Indian python (P. molurus)
A novel technique for isolating DNA from Tempus™ blood RNA tubes after RNA isolation
Next‐generation conservation genetics and biodiversity monitoring
The Florida manatee (Trichechus manatus latirostris) T cell receptor loci exhibit V subgroup synteny and chain-specific evolution
Surveys of environmental DNA (eDNA): a new approach to estimate occurrence in Vulnerable manatee populations
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Environmental DNA (eDNA) detection of nonnative bullseye snakehead in southern Florida
Bullseye Snakehead Channa marulius (Hamilton 1822) was first detected in the southern Florida town of Tamarac in 2000 and has been expanding its geographic range since. Environmental DNA (eDNA) analysis is a newly-developed technique used to noninvasively detect cryptic or low-density species or those that are logistically difficult-to-study. Genetic material shed into the environment through tisAuthorsMargaret Hunter, Pam Schofield, Gaia Meigs-Friend, Mary Brown, Jason FerranteReporting the limits of detection and quantification for environmental DNA assays
BackgroundEnvironmental DNA (eDNA) analysis is increasingly being used to detect the presence and relative abundance of rare species, especially invasive or imperiled aquatic species. The rapid progress in the eDNA field has resulted in numerous studies impacting conservation and management actions. However, standardization of eDNA methods and reporting across the field is yet to be fully establisAuthorsKaty E. Klymus, Christopher M. Merkes, Michael J. Allison, Caren S. Goldberg, Caren C. Helbing, Margaret Hunter, Craig Jackson, Richard F. Lance, Anna M. Mangan, Emy M. Monroe, Antoinette J. Piaggio, Joel P. Stokdyk, Chris C. Wilson, Catherine A. RichterLife history, genetics, range expansion and new frontiers of the lionfish (Pterois volitans, Perciformes: Pteroidae) in Latin America
Pterois volitans (lionfish) is a midsize predatory fish commonly found in waters of the western Pacific and Indian Ocean. The species was first documented in Dania Beach, Florida (northwestern Caribbean) in 1985. Since that time the species has expanded its range rapidly to the Northwestern Atlantic Ocean, Gulf of Mexico, and Caribbean Sea. Since its introduction P. volitans has changed communityAuthorsEdgardo Díaz-Ferguson, Margaret HunterEfficacy of eDNA as an early detection indicator for Burmese pythons in the ARM Loxahatchee National Wildlife Refuge in the Greater Everglades Ecosystem
Environmental DNA (eDNA) detection of invasive species can be used to delimited occupied ranges and estimate probabilities to inform management decisions. Environmental DNA is shed into the environment through skin cells and bodily fluids and can be detected in water samples collected from lakes, rivers, and swamps. In south Florida, invasive Burmese pythons occupy much of the Greater Everglades iAuthorsMargaret Hunter, Gaia Meigs-Friend, Jason Ferrante, Brian Smith, Kristen HartEnvironmental DNA sampling reveals high occupancy rates of invasive Burmese pythons at wading bird breeding aggregations in the central Everglades
The Burmese python (Python bivittatus) is now established as a breeding population throughout south Florida, USA. However, the extent of the invasion, and the ecological impacts of this novel apex predator on animal communities are incompletely known, in large part because Burmese pythons (hereafter “pythons”) are extremely cryptic and there has been no efficient way to detect them. Pythons are reAuthorsSophia C. M. Orzechowski, Peter C. Frederick, Robert M. Dorazio, Margaret HunterImproving eDNA yield and inhibitor reduction through increased water volumes and multi-filter isolation techniques
To inform management and conservation decisions, environmental DNA (eDNA) methods are used to detect genetic material shed into the water by imperiled and invasive species. Methodological enhancements are needed to reduce filter clogging, PCR inhibition, and false-negative detections when eDNA is at low concentrations. In the first of three simple experiments, we sought to ameliorate filter cloggiAuthorsMargaret Hunter, Jason Ferrante, Gaia Meigs-Friend, Amelia UlmerNovel ecological and climatic conditions drive rapid adaptation in invasive Florida Burmese pythons
Invasive species provide powerful in situ experimental systems for studying evolution in response to selective pressures in novel habitats. While research has shown that phenotypic evolution can occur rapidly in nature, few examples exist of genome‐wide adaptation on short ‘ecological’ timescales. Burmese pythons (Python molurus bivittatus) have become a successful and impactful invasive species iAuthorsDaren C. Card, Blair W. Perry, Richard H. Adams, Drew R. Schield, Acacia S. Young, Audra L. Andrew, Tereza Jezkova, Giulia I.M. Pasquesi, Nicole R. Hales, Matthew R. Walsh, Michael R. Rochford, Frank J. Mazzotti, Kristen M. Hart, Margaret Hunter, Todd A. CastoeCytonuclear discordance in the Florida Everglades invasive Burmese python (Python bivittatus) population reveals possible hybridization with the Indian python (P. molurus)
The invasive Burmese python (Python bivittatus) has been reproducing in the Florida Everglades since the 1980s. These giant constrictor snakes have caused a precipitous decline in small mammal populations in southern Florida following escapes or releases from the commercial pet trade. To better understand the invasion pathway and genetic composition of the population, two mitochondrial (mtDNA) locAuthorsMargaret E. Hunter, Nathan A. Johnson, Brian J. Smith, Michelle C. Davis, John S. Butterfield, Ray W. Snow, Kristen M. HartA novel technique for isolating DNA from Tempus™ blood RNA tubes after RNA isolation
ObjectiveWe use Tempus blood RNA tubes (Applied Biosystems) during health assessments of American moose (Alces alces spp.) as a minimally invasive means to obtain RNA. Here we describe a novel protocol to additionally isolate high-quality DNA from the supernatant remaining after the RNA isolation methodology. Metrics used to qualify DNA quality included measuring the concentration, obtaining a DNAAuthorsJason A. Ferrante, Michelle R. Giles, Emily Benzie, Margaret HunterNext‐generation conservation genetics and biodiversity monitoring
This special issue of Evolutionary Applications consists of 10 publications investigating the use of next‐generation tools and techniques in population genetic analyses and biodiversity assessment. The special issue stems from a 2016 Next Generation Genetic Monitoring Workshop, hosted by the National Institute for Mathematical and Biological Synthesis (NIMBioS) in Tennessee, USA. The improved acceAuthorsMargaret E. Hunter, Sean M. Hoban, Michael W. Bruford, Gernot Segelbacher, Louis BernatchezThe Florida manatee (Trichechus manatus latirostris) T cell receptor loci exhibit V subgroup synteny and chain-specific evolution
The Florida manatee (Trichechus manatus latirostris) has limited diversity in the immunoglobulin heavy chain. We therefore investigated the antigen receptor loci of the other arm of the adaptive immune system: the T cell receptor. Manatees are the first species from Afrotheria, a basal eutherian superorder, to have an in-depth characterization of all T cell receptor loci. By annotating the genomeAuthorsBreanna Breaux, Margaret Hunter, Maria Paula Cruz-Schneider, Leonardo Sena, Robert K. Bonde, Michael F. CriscitielloSurveys of environmental DNA (eDNA): a new approach to estimate occurrence in Vulnerable manatee populations
Environmental DNA (eDNA) detection is a technique used to non-invasively detect cryptic, low density, or logistically difficult-to-study species, such as imperiled manatees. For eDNA measurement, genetic material shed into the environment is concentrated from water samples and analyzed for the presence of target species. Cytochrome bquantitative PCR and droplet digital PCR eDNA assays were developAuthorsMargaret Hunter, Gaia Meigs-Friend, Jason A. Ferrante, Aristide Takoukam Kamla, Robert Dorazio, Lucy Keith Diagne, Fabia Luna, Janet M. Lanyon, James P. Reid - News