Robert N Fisher
Dr. Robert Fisher is a conservation biologist with the U.S. Geological Survey’s Western Ecological Research Center and works as part of a large integrated team.
His focus has been on how natural systems are responding to the Anthropocene, and what types of resiliency they have or lack as it relates to maintaining ecological integrity and biodiversity. Additionally, through understanding individual species and community responses to perturbations through modern monitoring techniques, he and his team can determine appropriate management experiments or options to possibly recover resiliency. Geographically they have two foci, the first is southern California where urbanization and conservation planning bring various direct and indirect drivers of ecological change, and climate variability is currently extreme and drives landscape level drought and wildfires. Their second foci are the tropical islands of the Pacific Basin, from Palau and Papua New Guinea east to Hawai’i. These islands have also been driven by human change and are on the front line as extreme recent weather variability in the cyclone belt impact terrestrial ecosystems. Understanding how biodiversity was generated in this ecoregion is critical to managing its loss, and their team focuses across time and space (biogeography) to understand these processes utilizing molecular tools tied to expeditions of discovery in this poorly studied ecoregion.
RESEARCH INTERESTS
- Conservation biology
- Biogeography
- Modelling
- Natural history
- Speciation
- Invasive species
- Climate variability
- Anthropocene
Education and Certifications
Ph.D., Population Biology, University of California, Davis, CA 1995
M.S., Zoology, University of California, Davis, CA 1991
B.S., Biology, University of California, Irvine, CA 1988
Science and Products
Data release for persistence of historical population structure in an endangered species despite near-complete biome conversion in Californias San Joaquin Desert
Assembly of the largest squamate reference genome to date: The western fence lizard, Sceloporus occidentalis
Elevated road segment (ERS) passage design may provide enhanced connectivity for amphibians, reptiles, and small mammals
Reference genome of an iconic lizard in western North America, Blainville’s horned lizard Phrynosoma blainvillii
Taxonomic reassessment of the Little pocket mouse, Perognathus longimembris (Rodentia, Heteromyidae) of southern California and northern Baja California
Skinks of Oceania, New Guinea, and Eastern Wallacea: An underexplored biodiversity hotspot
Habitat connectivity and host relatedness influence virus spread across an urbanising landscape in a fragmentation-sensitive carnivore
Harnessing island–ocean connections to maximize marine benefits of island conservation
Longman's Beaked Whale (Indopacetus pacificus) in Fiji
Genetic structure and historic demography of endangered unarmoured threespine stickleback at southern latitudes signals a potential new management approach
Internal structural cover and ledges facilitate the use of large underpasses by multiple wildlife species and groups
Quantitative SWOT analysis: A structured and collaborative approach to reintroduction site selection for the endangered Pacific pocket mouse
Updates for Wake Atoll biosecurity management, biological control, survey, and management, and integrated pest management plans
Science and Products
- Science
- Data
Filter Total Items: 13
Data release for persistence of historical population structure in an endangered species despite near-complete biome conversion in Californias San Joaquin Desert
The recency of large-scale land conversion in Californias San Joaquin Desert raises the probability that the regions numerous endemic species still retain genetic signatures of historical population connectivity. If so, genomic data can serve as a guidance tool for conserving lands that once supported habitat for gene movement. We studied the genetic structuring of the endangered blunt-nosed leopa - Multimedia
- Publications
Filter Total Items: 279
Assembly of the largest squamate reference genome to date: The western fence lizard, Sceloporus occidentalis
Spiny lizards (genus Sceloporus) have long served as important systems for studies of behavior, thermal physiology, dietary ecology, vector biology, speciation, and biogeography. The western fence lizard, Sceloporus occidentalis, is found across most of the major biogeographical regions in the western United States and northern Baja California, Mexico, inhabiting a wide range of habitats, from graAuthorsAnusha P. Bishop, Erin P. Westeen, Michael L. Yuan, Merly Escalona, Eric Beraut, Colin Fairbairn, Mohan P. A. Marimuthu, Oanh Nguyen, Noravit Chumchim, Erin Toffelmier, Robert N. Fisher, H. Bradley Shaffer, Ian J. WangElevated road segment (ERS) passage design may provide enhanced connectivity for amphibians, reptiles, and small mammals
Introduction: Designs for safe and effective road crossing structures for small animals are typically under-road microtunnels and culverts which have varying levels of effectiveness reported in the scientific literature. Many species, particularly migratory amphibians, may have limited ability to find and use passages if they are too far apart, resulting in substantial barrier effects.Methods: WeAuthorsCheryl S. Brehme, Stephanie Barnes, Brittany Ewing, Philip Robert Gould, Cassie Vaughan, Michael Hobbs, Charles Tornaci, Sarah Holm, Hanna Sheldon, Jon Fiutak, Robert N. FisherReference genome of an iconic lizard in western North America, Blainville’s horned lizard Phrynosoma blainvillii
Genome assemblies are increasingly being used to identify adaptive genetic variation that can help prioritize the population management of protected species. This approach may be particularly relevant to species like Blainville’s horned lizard, Phrynosoma blainvillii, due to its specialized diet on noxious harvester ants, numerous adaptative traits for avoiding predation (e.g. cranial horns, dorsoAuthorsJonathan Q. Richmond, Jimmy A. McGuire, Merly Escalona, Mohan P. A. Marimuthu, Oanh Nguyen, Samuel Sacco, Eric Beraut, Erin Toffelmier, Robert N. Fisher, Ian J. Wang, H.B. ShafferTaxonomic reassessment of the Little pocket mouse, Perognathus longimembris (Rodentia, Heteromyidae) of southern California and northern Baja California
The Little pocket mouse (Perognathus longimembris) encompasses 15 to 16 currently recognized subspecies, six of which are restricted to southern California and adjacent northern Baja California. Using cranial geomorphometric shape parameters and dorsal color variables we delineate six regional groups of populations from this area that we recognize as valid, but these differ in name combination anAuthorsJames L. Patton, Robert N. FisherSkinks of Oceania, New Guinea, and Eastern Wallacea: An underexplored biodiversity hotspot
Context: Skinks comprise the dominant component of the terrestrial vertebrate fauna in Oceania, New Guinea, and Eastern Wallacea (ONGEW). However, knowledge of their diversity is incomplete, and their conservation needs are poorly understood.Aims: To explore the diversity and threat status of the skinks of ONGEW and identify knowledge gaps and conservation needs.Methods: We compiled a list of allAuthorsAlex Slavenko, Allen Allison, Christopher C. Austin, Aaron Bauer, Rafe M. Brown, Robert N. Fisher, Ivan Ineich, Bulisa Iova, Benjamin R. Karin, Frederick Kraus, Sven Mecke, Shai Meiri, Clare Morrison, Paul M. Oliver, Mark O'Shea, Jonathan Q. Richmond, Glenn M. Shea, Oliver J. S. Tallowin, David G. ChappleHabitat connectivity and host relatedness influence virus spread across an urbanising landscape in a fragmentation-sensitive carnivore
Spatially heterogeneous landscape factors such as urbanisation can have substantial effects on the severity and spread of wildlife diseases. However, research linking patterns of pathogen transmission to landscape features remains rare. Using a combination of phylogeographic and machine learning approaches, we tested the influence of landscape and host factors on feline immunodeficiency virus (FIVAuthorsChristopher P. Kozakiewicz, Christopher P. Burridge, Justin S. Lee, Simona J Kraberger, Nicholas M Fountain-Jones, Robert N. Fisher, Lisa M. Lyren, Megan K. Jennings, Seth P D Riley, Laurel E K Serieys, Meggan E. Craft, W Chris Funk, Kevin R. Crooks, Sue VandeWoude, Scott CarverHarnessing island–ocean connections to maximize marine benefits of island conservation
Islands support unique plants, animals, and human societies found nowhere else on the Earth. Local and global stressors threaten the persistence of island ecosystems, with invasive species being among the most damaging, yet solvable, stressors. While the threat of invasive terrestrial mammals on island flora and fauna is well recognized, recent studies have begun to illustrate their extended and dAuthorsStuart A. Sandin, Penny A. Becker, Ceiba Becker, Kate Brown, Natalia G. Erazo, Cielo Figuerola, Robert N. Fisher, Alan M. Friedlander, Tadashi Fukami, Nicholas A. J. Graham, Daniel S. Gruner, Nick D. Holmes, Wieteke A. Holthuijzen, Holly P. Jones, Mariela Rios, Araceli Samaniego, Wes Sechrest, Brice X. Semmens, Hazel E. Thornton, Rebecca Vega Thurber, Christy Wails, Coral A. Wolf, Brian J. ZgliczynskiLongman's Beaked Whale (Indopacetus pacificus) in Fiji
Beaked whales (Ziphidae) are the second largest family of cetaceans with 23 currently recognized species, and the Longman's beaked whale (Indopacetus pacificus) is one of the least known globally (Reeves et al., 2003; Yamada et al., 2019). Longman's beaked whales occur in tropical waters from the western Indian Ocean to the eastern Pacific (Jefferson et al., 2015), with strandings in the Pacific rAuthorsSam R Fisher, Steve Anstey, Isikeli Nasaunivalu, Robert N. FisherGenetic structure and historic demography of endangered unarmoured threespine stickleback at southern latitudes signals a potential new management approach
Habitat loss, flood control infrastructure, and drought have left most of southern California and northern Baja California's native freshwater fish near extinction, including the endangered unarmoured threespine stickleback (Gasterosteus aculeatus williamsoni). This subspecies, an unusual morph lacking the typical lateral bony plates of the G. aculeatus complex, occurs at arid southern latitudes iAuthorsRachel Turba, Jonathan Q. Richmond, Sorel Fitz-Gibbon, Marco Morselli, Robert N. Fisher, Camm C. Swift, Gorgonio Ruiz-Campos, Adam R. Backlin, Chris Dellith, David K. JacobsInternal structural cover and ledges facilitate the use of large underpasses by multiple wildlife species and groups
No abstract available.AuthorsCheryl S. Brehme, Jeff A. Tracey, Philip Robert Gould, Carlton J. Rochester, Robert N. FisherQuantitative SWOT analysis: A structured and collaborative approach to reintroduction site selection for the endangered Pacific pocket mouse
Species extinction and loss of biodiversity are major crises in the Anthropocene. Translocations of threatened and endangered species, the movement of individuals to augment existing or establish new populations, are increasingly important conservation tools, but have historically had limited success. Selection of a suitable receiver site is essential to translocation success, with poor site suitaAuthorsRachel Y. Chock, William B Miller, Shauna N D King, Cheryl S. Brehme, Robert N. Fisher, Hans Sin, Peggy Wilcox, Jill Terp, Scott Tremor, Matthew R Major, Korie Merrill, Wayne D Spencer, Sherri Sullivan, Deborah M ShierUpdates for Wake Atoll biosecurity management, biological control, survey, and management, and integrated pest management plans
Pests and invasive species have been defined as any organism that can have real or perceived adverse effects on operations, or the well-being of personnel, native plants, animals, their environment and ecosystem processes; attack or damage real property, supplies, equipment, or are otherwise undesirable (paraphrased from many sources including 53 Federal Register [FR] 15975, May 4, 1988, as amendeAuthorsStacie A. Hathaway, James D. Jacobi, Robert Peck, Robert N. Fisher - News
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