Michaela R Grossklaus
I am an Ecologist at the U.S. Geological Survey Forest and Rangeland Ecosystem Science Center.
I work on projects related to wildlife conservation across western North America. Current projects include collaborative efforts to detect rare and endangered species using environmental DNA, population modeling using mark-recapture data, and occupancy modeling using environmental DNA data. My work involves a variety of taxonomic groups, including insects, amphibians, and small mammals.
Professional Experience
2024-Present: Ecologist, USGS Forest and Rangeland Ecosystem Science Center, Boise, ID
2023-2024: Biological Science Technician, USGS Forest and Rangeland Ecosystem Science Center, Boise, ID
2020-2023: Graduate Teaching Assistant, Boise State University, Boise, ID
Education and Certifications
M.S., Biology, Boise State University, Boise, ID (2023)
B.S., Biology, Boise State University, Boise, ID (2019)
Science and Products
Detection of Dakota skipper eDNA from inflorescences in the Upper Midwest, June and July 2022 (ver. 1.1, November 2025) Detection of Dakota skipper eDNA from inflorescences in the Upper Midwest, June and July 2022 (ver. 1.1, November 2025)
This dataset contains environmental DNA (eDNA) data for two separate tests of a novel quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) assay for detection of Dakota skipper (Hesperia dacotae) from inflorescences. One test was conducted in a controlled setting, and the other was conducted in a field setting. Also included are qPCR data for negative controls and standard dilutions of Dakota...
Comparison of environmental DNA sampling protocols for detection of stream fishes in the Pacific Northwest, 2019 (ver. 2.0, November 2025) Comparison of environmental DNA sampling protocols for detection of stream fishes in the Pacific Northwest, 2019 (ver. 2.0, November 2025)
This dataset contains environmental DNA (eDNA) data (field, extraction, and qPCR) for rainbow trout sampling efforts conducted in the Pacific Northwest in 2019. Samples were collected using three eDNA sampling methods. Also included are qPCR data for extraction negatives, no-template controls (NTC), and standard dilutions of rainbow trout gBlock. NTC and gBlock qPCR data were used to...
eDNA and visual encounter survey detection of amphibians and chytrid fungus in Colorado canyonlands, 2019-2022 (ver. 1.1, November 2025) eDNA and visual encounter survey detection of amphibians and chytrid fungus in Colorado canyonlands, 2019-2022 (ver. 1.1, November 2025)
This dataset contains environmental DNA (eDNA) and visual encounter survey (VES) data collected between 2019 and 2022 in Colorado canyonlands. eDNA data (field, extraction, and qPCR) is for three target species: American bullfrog, northern leopard frog, and Great Basin spadefoot. VES data is for six target species: American bullfrog, northern leopard frog, Great Basin spadefoot, red...
Amphibian diversity of the western Colorado canyonlands including potential threats from nonnative bullfrogs and disease Amphibian diversity of the western Colorado canyonlands including potential threats from nonnative bullfrogs and disease
Throughout the canyons of the Colorado and Uncompahgre Plateaus, water is a limited resource for wildlife, with patchy distribution and seasonal availability. Tributary creeks within these canyons drain into mainstem rivers, providing habitat and breeding sites for native amphibians. Yet, little is known about the diversity and distribution of amphibians that live in these harsh, dynamic...
Authors
Denita M Weeks, David Pilliod, Madeline (Nikki) Grant-Hoffman, Anjelica F Quintana Spencer, Daniel Neubaum, Paul Hampton, Michaela Grossklaus, Matthew B Laramie, Erin L. Muths
A 21st Century butterfly net: Using eDNA to detect the imperiled Dakota skipper A 21st Century butterfly net: Using eDNA to detect the imperiled Dakota skipper
The development of environmental DNA (eDNA) methods for terrestrial arthropods could be transformative for the difficult task of assessing the status of species of conservation concern. The primary goal of this study was to investigate the efficacy of detecting the Dakota skipper (Hesperia dacotae) from its DNA left behind on inflorescences as a means of inferring species presence. We...
Authors
David Pilliod, Michaela Grossklaus, Stacie Kageyama, Cale Nordmeyer, Jerry Reinisch, Erik Runquist, Stephen Spear
Spatial patterns of seed removal by harvester ants in a seed tray experiment Spatial patterns of seed removal by harvester ants in a seed tray experiment
Using a selection of native grass and forb seeds commonly seeded in local restoration projects, we conducted a field experiment to evaluate the effects of seed species, distance of seed patches from nests, and distance between patches on patterns of seed removal by Owyhee harvester ants, Pogonomyrmex salinus (Olsen) (Hymenoptera: Formicidae). To provide context for ants’ seed preferences...
Authors
Michaela Grossklaus, David S. Pilliod, T. Caughlin, Ian Robertson
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
Detection of Dakota skipper eDNA from inflorescences in the Upper Midwest, June and July 2022 (ver. 1.1, November 2025) Detection of Dakota skipper eDNA from inflorescences in the Upper Midwest, June and July 2022 (ver. 1.1, November 2025)
This dataset contains environmental DNA (eDNA) data for two separate tests of a novel quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) assay for detection of Dakota skipper (Hesperia dacotae) from inflorescences. One test was conducted in a controlled setting, and the other was conducted in a field setting. Also included are qPCR data for negative controls and standard dilutions of Dakota...
Comparison of environmental DNA sampling protocols for detection of stream fishes in the Pacific Northwest, 2019 (ver. 2.0, November 2025) Comparison of environmental DNA sampling protocols for detection of stream fishes in the Pacific Northwest, 2019 (ver. 2.0, November 2025)
This dataset contains environmental DNA (eDNA) data (field, extraction, and qPCR) for rainbow trout sampling efforts conducted in the Pacific Northwest in 2019. Samples were collected using three eDNA sampling methods. Also included are qPCR data for extraction negatives, no-template controls (NTC), and standard dilutions of rainbow trout gBlock. NTC and gBlock qPCR data were used to...
eDNA and visual encounter survey detection of amphibians and chytrid fungus in Colorado canyonlands, 2019-2022 (ver. 1.1, November 2025) eDNA and visual encounter survey detection of amphibians and chytrid fungus in Colorado canyonlands, 2019-2022 (ver. 1.1, November 2025)
This dataset contains environmental DNA (eDNA) and visual encounter survey (VES) data collected between 2019 and 2022 in Colorado canyonlands. eDNA data (field, extraction, and qPCR) is for three target species: American bullfrog, northern leopard frog, and Great Basin spadefoot. VES data is for six target species: American bullfrog, northern leopard frog, Great Basin spadefoot, red...
Amphibian diversity of the western Colorado canyonlands including potential threats from nonnative bullfrogs and disease Amphibian diversity of the western Colorado canyonlands including potential threats from nonnative bullfrogs and disease
Throughout the canyons of the Colorado and Uncompahgre Plateaus, water is a limited resource for wildlife, with patchy distribution and seasonal availability. Tributary creeks within these canyons drain into mainstem rivers, providing habitat and breeding sites for native amphibians. Yet, little is known about the diversity and distribution of amphibians that live in these harsh, dynamic...
Authors
Denita M Weeks, David Pilliod, Madeline (Nikki) Grant-Hoffman, Anjelica F Quintana Spencer, Daniel Neubaum, Paul Hampton, Michaela Grossklaus, Matthew B Laramie, Erin L. Muths
A 21st Century butterfly net: Using eDNA to detect the imperiled Dakota skipper A 21st Century butterfly net: Using eDNA to detect the imperiled Dakota skipper
The development of environmental DNA (eDNA) methods for terrestrial arthropods could be transformative for the difficult task of assessing the status of species of conservation concern. The primary goal of this study was to investigate the efficacy of detecting the Dakota skipper (Hesperia dacotae) from its DNA left behind on inflorescences as a means of inferring species presence. We...
Authors
David Pilliod, Michaela Grossklaus, Stacie Kageyama, Cale Nordmeyer, Jerry Reinisch, Erik Runquist, Stephen Spear
Spatial patterns of seed removal by harvester ants in a seed tray experiment Spatial patterns of seed removal by harvester ants in a seed tray experiment
Using a selection of native grass and forb seeds commonly seeded in local restoration projects, we conducted a field experiment to evaluate the effects of seed species, distance of seed patches from nests, and distance between patches on patterns of seed removal by Owyhee harvester ants, Pogonomyrmex salinus (Olsen) (Hymenoptera: Formicidae). To provide context for ants’ seed preferences...
Authors
Michaela Grossklaus, David S. Pilliod, T. Caughlin, Ian Robertson
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.