Mark Wildhaber, PhD
Dr. Mark Wildhaber is a Research Ecologist at the Columbia Environmental Research Center.
Mark has worked at USGS, Columbia Environment Research Center since 1991. His major responsibilities include research in all areas of aquatic ecology, fish biology, behavioral ecology, ecological modeling, and climate change in understanding for and support of conservation and recovery efforts. His expertise includes: at-risk, threatened, and endangered fishes, reproductive ecology, bioenergetics and population, community, and ecosystem modeling and forecasting, population monitoring and experiment designs, and Bayesian and non-Bayesian approaches to analyzing fisheries data. Mark's research includes reproductive behavior and physiology and abiotic and biotic requirements for reproductive success of commercially valuable and/or federally-listed as threatened or endangered fishes; effects of heavy metals and acidic contamination on riverine ecosystems; effects of water management on the benthic fish community of riverine ecosystems; effects of organic and inorganic contamination on aquatic benthic invertebrate communities; and spatial and temporal hierarchical fish population modeling using spatially-explicit individual-based models that incorporate bioenergetics, foraging theory, and other models of habitat choice under varying environmental conditions in the context of global climate to guide conservation and recovery efforts.
Professional Experience
1997-present Research Ecologist/Quantitative Ecology Section Leader, USGS Columbia Environmental Research Center
1991-1997 Statistician, USFWS/NBS National Fisheries Contaminant Research Center
1989-1991 Research Associate and Tutor, Department of Zoology, North Carolina State University
1983-1989 Research and Teaching Assistant, Department of Zoology, North Carolina State University
1981-1983 Teaching Assistant, Department of Wildlife and Fisheries, Texas A&M University
1979 Laboratory Assistant, Department of Biology, Southeast Missouri State University
Education and Certifications
Ph.D. Zoology and Biomathematics, Southeast Missouri State University 1989
M.S. Wildlife and Fisheries Science, Southeast Missouri State University 1985
B.S. Zoology and Mathematics, Minor in Chemistry, Southeast Missouri State University 1981
Affiliations and Memberships*
2017-presesent, International Union for Conservation of Nature, Sturgeon Specialty Group Commission Member
2009-present Member, World Sturgeon Conservation Society
2002-present Fellow, American Institute of Fishery Research Biologists
1993-present Member, North Central Division of the American Fisheries Society
1993-1994 Continuing Education Coordinator, North Central Division of the American Fisheries Society
1993-present Member, Missouri Chapter of the American Fisheries Society
1993-1995 Continuing Education Coordinator, Missouri Chapter of the American Fisheries Society
1990-present Member, American Society of Ichthyologists and Herpetologists
1988-present Member, Animal Behavior Society
2004-present Member, Conservation Committee, Animal Behavior Society
1984-present, Member, American Fisheries Society
1994-1995 Member Publications Award Committee, American Fisheries Society
1994-1998 Associate Editor, The Progressive Fish Culturist, American Fisheries Society
Science and Products
Projecting Future Impacts to River Systems and Large River Fish: Missouri River Sturgeon Example
Captures and habitat classification of benthic fishes along the Missouri and Lower Yellowstone Rivers, 1996-1998
Occupancy model coefficients and observed co-occurrence simulations for sicklefin chub, sturgeon chub, and associated fishes in the Missouri River
Crayfish morphometric measurements, burrow attributes and occupancy in response to physical burrow barriers
Human use and activities at two urban riparian forest restoration sites in Indiana, USA, May-Sept, 2016
Survival, behavior, reproduction, morphometric measurements, and tissue analyses of crayfish, mussels, and fish from acute pesticide toxicity tests
Electro-olfactory responses of Grass Carp, Bighead Carp, and Silver Carp to the amino acids L-alanine, L-arginine, L-aspartic acid, L-asparagine, L-glutamine, and L‑glutamic acid
Missouri River juvenile sturgeon and adult chub fish weight and behavior
Terrestrial Invertebrate Diversity and Occurrence in Restored Hardwood Forest Floodplains, Indiana, United States, June – August 2016
Simulated impacts of feather oiling on avian energetics and migration: R environment model code and raw output
Neosho Madtom (Noturus placidus) short read archive and whole genome sequence data
Brecchia pipe uranium mine bird survey data, Grand Canyon region, 2014-2015
Mammalian biodiversity data for four bottomland hardwood restoration sites in Northeastern Indiana USA May 2015-August 2016
Sicklefin Chub (Macrhybopsis meeki) and Sturgeon Chub (M. gelida) temporal and spatial patterns from extant population monitoring and habitat data spanning 23 Years
Visitor use and activities detected using trail cameras at forest restoration sites
A review of grass carp and related species literature on diet, behavior, toxicology, and physiology focused on informing development of controls for invasive grass carp populations in North America
Use of physical blockers to control invasive red swamp crayfish in burrows
Incorporating metapopulation dynamics to inform invasive species management: Evaluating bighead and silver carp control strategies in the Illinois River
Herbivorous grass carp (Ctenopharyngodon idella) exhibit greater olfactory response to amino acids than filter-feeding bighead (Hypophthalmichthysnobilis) and silver carp (Hypophthalmichthys molitrix)
Terrestrial invertebrate diversity and occurrence in restored hardwood forest floodplains, Indiana, United States, June–August 2016
Laboratory studies of potential competition for food and substrate among early juvenile Missouri River sturgeon and sympatric chub species
Efficient mammal biodiversity surveys for ecological restoration monitoring
Interaction between transect design and animal distribution in distance sampling of deer
Migration and energetics model predicts delayed migration and likely starvation in oiled waterbirds
Exploring genetic variation and population structure in a threatened species, Noturus placidus, with whole-genome sequence data
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
- Science
Projecting Future Impacts to River Systems and Large River Fish: Missouri River Sturgeon Example
In collaboration with the University of Missouri and Iowa State University, this project advanced efforts to understand and accommodate uncertainty by applying to Missouri River sturgeon population dynamics the tools of multi-scale climate models and hierarchical Bayesian modeling frameworks, linking models for system components together by formal rules of probability. While a complete climate pre - Data
Filter Total Items: 13
Captures and habitat classification of benthic fishes along the Missouri and Lower Yellowstone Rivers, 1996-1998
In 1995, the Missouri River Benthic Fishes Study was initiated to provide improved information on Missouri River fish populations and how alterations might affect them. Missouri River Benthic Fishes Study (MRBFS) documented annual patterns, habitat, and water quality associations of 21 Missouri River benthic fish species based on relative abundance, including sicklefin and sturgeon chub from 1996Occupancy model coefficients and observed co-occurrence simulations for sicklefin chub, sturgeon chub, and associated fishes in the Missouri River
Extant population monitoring and habitat assessment data sets of benthic species were used as inputs for occupancy models focused on Sicklefin and Sturgeon chub with the goals of describing temporal, spatial, and environmental factors associated with occupancy patterns of each chub species, assessing co-occurrence of the two species, and determining relationships between co-occurrence and environmCrayfish morphometric measurements, burrow attributes and occupancy in response to physical burrow barriers
Data were collected in association with the application of two physical barrier treatments, bentonite clay (a sealing agent) and expanding foam (an insulation sealant), in natural pond-burrows to suppress or kill the invasive red swamp crayfish (Procambarus clarkii). Data include burrow diameter and depth, crayfish sex and size, and determination of the treatment reaching the burrow chamber.Human use and activities at two urban riparian forest restoration sites in Indiana, USA, May-Sept, 2016
The data consists of date and time of use, activity and number of individuals visiting specific sites. This data was collected by using camera traps to monitor visitors of two mitigation areas that are being restored to riparian forests.Survival, behavior, reproduction, morphometric measurements, and tissue analyses of crayfish, mussels, and fish from acute pesticide toxicity tests
Survival, behavior, reproduction, morphometric measurements, and tissue analyses of crayfish, mussels, and fish from acute toxicity tests with pyrethroid pesticides. Exposure and recovery water quality data are also included for quality assurance purposes.Electro-olfactory responses of Grass Carp, Bighead Carp, and Silver Carp to the amino acids L-alanine, L-arginine, L-aspartic acid, L-asparagine, L-glutamine, and L‑glutamic acid
Using juvenile individuals of 3 species of carp (Family: Cyprinidae), we tested the potential for six amino acids to elicit an extracellular electro-olfactory response within the naris using gelatin-based electrodes. The amino acids L-alanine, L-arginine, L-aspartic acid, L-asparagine, L-glutamine, and L‑glutamic acid were tested on Grass Carp (Ctenopharyngodon idella), Bighead Carp (HypophthalmicMissouri River juvenile sturgeon and adult chub fish weight and behavior
The study was designed to assess the strength of the innate linkage of substrate and food in foraging by early juvenile Pallid and Shovelnose Sturgeon and their hybrids and adult Sicklefin and Shoal Chub. The data include information on the fish weights throughout the duration of the experiment as well as observed fish behavior data. Wet weights from fish were recorded to monitor feeding consumptiTerrestrial Invertebrate Diversity and Occurrence in Restored Hardwood Forest Floodplains, Indiana, United States, June – August 2016
To determine the progress of restoration, insect populations were sampled at four mitigation sites using walking butterfly transects and Malaise/pitfall insect traps. The data consists of date, time, type and placement of traps, as well as number and order of species found.Simulated impacts of feather oiling on avian energetics and migration: R environment model code and raw output
This dataset represents a modeling effort intended to explore the impacts of oiling on migratory birds. The purpose of this model is to provide a first principles approach to predict potential biological impacts of altered energetics dynamics in north American migratory birds due to oiling of feathers. This data includes predicted theoretical impacts on migration timing, wintering latitude, starvaNeosho Madtom (Noturus placidus) short read archive and whole genome sequence data
Whole genome sequence data from ten Neosho madtom originating from three geographically separated populations. A Neosho madtom genome was de novo assembled and genome size and content were assessed. Genomic DNA was used to construct one small insert paired-end library per fish with an approximate insert size of 300 bp. The library was constructed following the manufacturer's protocol with reagentsBrecchia pipe uranium mine bird survey data, Grand Canyon region, 2014-2015
Containment ponds at uranium mines in the Grand Canyon region have been suspected to pose an attractive nuisance to local wildlife in this arid landscape. To determine the presence of bird species at uranium mine openings, we surveyed the bird community in the area surrounding the mines repeatedly within one year and summarized species occurrence. We observed 35 species of birds directly using theMammalian biodiversity data for four bottomland hardwood restoration sites in Northeastern Indiana USA May 2015-August 2016
Mammalian biodiversity data for four bottomland hardwood restoration sites in northeastern Indiana utilizing various sampling methods and level of effort - Multimedia
- Publications
Filter Total Items: 89
Sicklefin Chub (Macrhybopsis meeki) and Sturgeon Chub (M. gelida) temporal and spatial patterns from extant population monitoring and habitat data spanning 23 Years
Sicklefin (Macrhybopsis meeki) and sturgeon chub (M. gelida) historically occurred throughout the Missouri River (MR), in some tributaries, and Mississippi River downstream of the MR. They have been species of U.S. state-level conservation concern and U.S. Endangered Species Act listing candidates since the 1990s. We applied analytical approaches from occupancy modeling to correlation to monitorinAuthorsMark L. Wildhaber, Benjamin M West, Kendell Ray Bennett, Jack Howard May, Janice L. Albers, Nicholas S. GreenVisitor use and activities detected using trail cameras at forest restoration sites
We used trail cameras to monitor human visits and activities at two sites in northeast Indiana being restored to bottomland hardwood forests. These sites, managed as nature preserves, are close to cities, where trails and parking lots have been added for ease of access. In this study, trail cameras were successfully used to capture visitation rates and activity types. The two sites had median visiAuthorsJanice L. Albers, Mark L. Wildhaber, Nicholas S. Green, Matthew Struckhoff, Michael J. HooperA review of grass carp and related species literature on diet, behavior, toxicology, and physiology focused on informing development of controls for invasive grass carp populations in North America
Grass carp (Ctenopharyngodon idella) are globally important in aquaculture and aquatic vegetation control. However, escaped grass carp have established invasive populations. A targeted keyword search was performed on a carp (order: Cypriniformes) literature database maintained by the U.S. Geological Survey to identify literature relevant to grass carp. Additional sources cited in reviewed documentAuthorsMark L. Wildhaber, Benjamin M West, Karlie K Ditter, Adrian Parr Moore, Alex S. PetersonUse of physical blockers to control invasive red swamp crayfish in burrows
The red swamp crayfish Procambarus clarkii is native to the southeast United States but has successfully invaded nearly every continent around the world. Although physical, biological, and chemical controls are employed to reduce or eliminate populations in open-water systems, terrestrial burrows provide a potential refuge from aquatic control treatments. We conducted burrow trials to test whetherAuthorsBenjamin Lee Bates, Ann Allert, Mark L. Wildhaber, Jim StoeckelIncorporating metapopulation dynamics to inform invasive species management: Evaluating bighead and silver carp control strategies in the Illinois River
1. Invasive species management can benefit from predictive models that incorporate spatially explicit demographics and dispersal to guide resource allocation decisions. 2. We used invasive bigheaded carps (Hypophthalmichthys spp.) in the Illinois River, USA as a case study to create a spatially explicit model to evaluate the allocation of future management efforts. Specifically, we compared additiAuthorsJahn Kallis, Richard A. Erickson, David P. Coulter, Alison A. Coulter, Marybeth K. Brey, Matt Catalano, John M. Dettmers, James E. Garvey, Kevin Irons, Elizabeth A. Marschall, Kenneth A Rose, Mark L. Wildhaber, David C. GloverHerbivorous grass carp (Ctenopharyngodon idella) exhibit greater olfactory response to amino acids than filter-feeding bighead (Hypophthalmichthysnobilis) and silver carp (Hypophthalmichthys molitrix)
Due to their invasiveness in North America, grass (Ctenopharyngodon idella), bighead (Hypophthalmichthys nobilis), and silver carp (Hypophthalmichthys molitrix) are management priorities. Comparing electrophysiological responses to olfactory cues, such as amino acids, could help identify stimuli to facilitate management efforts (i.e., repellants or baits). We assessed olfactory response magnitudeAuthorsMark L. Wildhaber, Benjamin M West, Karlie K Ditter, Alex S. Peterson, Robin Calfee, Zachary D BeamanTerrestrial invertebrate diversity and occurrence in restored hardwood forest floodplains, Indiana, United States, June–August 2016
This report provides a summary of terrestrial invertebrates collected at old field, mature, and restored hardwood forest floodplain sites in northeast Indiana. Invertebrate populations were sampled at selected sites using walking butterfly transects, pitfall-enhanced Malaise invertebrate traps (PEMITs), and sweep nets. We identified a total of 19 taxonomic groups of butterflies, with 1, 11, and 18AuthorsJanice L. Albers, Mark L. Wildhaber, Matthew A. Struckhoff, Daniel J. Westrich, Nicholas S. Green, Barry C. Poulton, Michael J. HooperLaboratory studies of potential competition for food and substrate among early juvenile Missouri River sturgeon and sympatric chub species
Juvenile Pallid Sturgeon Scaphirhynchus albus predominantly consume midges (family Chironomidae) and other macroinvertebrates, while Shovelnose Sturgeon S. platorynchus, Sicklefin Chub Macrhybopsis meeki, and Shoal Chub M. hyostoma feed on those same macroinvertebrates throughout life. The primary objective of this study was to assess the substrate component of habitat selection, specifically seleAuthorsMark L. Wildhaber, Janice L. AlbersEfficient mammal biodiversity surveys for ecological restoration monitoring
Efficient biodiversity surveys are critical for successful restoration monitoring and management. We studied the effect of varying sampling effort on the observed species richness of surveys of small mammals (trapping transects), bats (passive acoustic detection), and medium to large mammals (trail cameras). Field studies provided mammalian biodiversity data for 4 bottomland hardwood restoration sAuthorsNicholas S. Green, Mark L. Wildhaber, Janice L. Albers, Thomas W. Pettit, Michael J. HooperInteraction between transect design and animal distribution in distance sampling of deer
We conducted a simulation study to evaluate the consequences of violating statistical assumptions of distance sampling (DS) on the bias and precision of population estimates of white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus). Distance sampling is a method for estimating the density of organisms using a distribution of observed distances to individuals. A key assumption of DS is that sampling transectsAuthorsNicholas S. Green, Mark L. Wildhaber, Janice L. AlbersMigration and energetics model predicts delayed migration and likely starvation in oiled waterbirds
Oil spills can inflict mortality and injury on bird populations; many of these deaths involve starvation resulting from thermoregulatory costs incurred by oiling of birds’ feathers. However, the fates and responses of sublethally oiled birds are poorly known. Due to this knowledge gap and the potential for birds to die far from the spill site, resource risk and injury assessors need tools to makeAuthorsBenjamin M West, Mark L. Wildhaber, Kevin J. Aagaard, Wayne E. Thogmartin, Adrian Parr Moore, Michael J. HooperExploring genetic variation and population structure in a threatened species, Noturus placidus, with whole-genome sequence data
The Neosho madtom (Noturus placidus) is a small catfish, generally less than 3 inches in length, unique to the Neosho-Spring River system within the Arkansas River Basin. It was federally listed as threatened in 1990, largely due to habitat loss. For conservation efforts, we generated whole-genome sequence data from 10 Neosho madtom individuals originating from 3 geographically separated populatioAuthorsLynsey K. Whitacre, Mark L. Wildhaber, Gary S. Johnson, Harly J. Durbin, Troy N. Rowan, Robert D. Schnabel, Tendai Mhlanga-Mutangadura, Vernon M. Tabor, Daniel Fenner, Jared E. DeckerNon-USGS Publications**
Wildhaber, M.L., and Neill, W.H., 1992, Activity and distribution of northern and Florida largemouth bass in a Texas impound: Journal of Freshwater Ecology, v. 7, no. 3, p. 293-302
Wildhaber, M.L., and Crowder, L.B., 1991, Mechanisms of patch choice by bluegills (Lepomis macrochirus) foraging in a variable environment: Copeia, v. 1991, no. 2, p. 445-460Wildhaber, M.L., Green, R.F., and Crowder, L.B., 1994, Bluegills continuously update patch giving-up times based on foraging experience: Animal Behaviour, v. 47, no. 3, p. 501-513.W. Westerman, P., M. Losordo, T., and L. Wildhaber, M., 1996, Evaluation of Various Biofilters in an Intensive Recirculating Fish Production Facility: Transactions of the ASAE, v. 39, no. 2, p. 723-727.**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.
*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