Sarah A Sonsthagen, PhD
Assistant Unit Leader - Nebraska Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Unit
Sarah joined the Nebraska Cooperative Unit in 2020 from the U.S. Geological Survey Alaska Science Center where she studied the evolutionary relationships among Arctic vertebrate populations. Her research focuses on investigating ecological drivers of connectivity and adaptive capacity of species of conservation concern using both field- and laboratory-based methods. Movement underlies many key processes in ecology and evolution and is critical for species response to environmental change, as such, she applies population and community driven approaches to evaluate genomic and demographic connectivity across the landscape, adaptive capacity, and the influence of species biology in shaping spatial and temporal genomic diversity to inform management decisions. Sarah has taught Population genetics, Application of genomics in conservation, and Ornithology.
Sarah was a post-doctoral fellow at the Smithsonian Institution, National Museum of Natural History and National Zoo, awarded her Ph.D. in Biological Sciences from University of Alaska Fairbanks, M.S. in Zoology from Brigham Young University, and B.S. in Biology from University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point.
Professional Experience
2013 - 2021, Research Geneticist, USGS Alaska Science Center
2015 - Present, Research Associate, University of Wisconsin Stevens Point
2009 - Present, Affiliate Faculty, University
Education and Certifications
Ph.D. 2006 University of Alaska Fairbanks, Fairbanks, AK
M.S. 2002 Brigham Young University, Provo, UT
B.S. 2000 University of Wisconsin Stevens Point, Stevens Point, WI
Affiliations and Memberships*
Sea Duck Joint Venture Continental Technical Team Member
Wilson Ornithological Society Research Grants Review Committee Member
Science and Products
Filter Total Items: 20
Genetic Data from Arctic, Polar, and Saffron Cod and Walleye Pollock, Alaska and Canada, 2011-2017 Genetic Data from Arctic, Polar, and Saffron Cod and Walleye Pollock, Alaska and Canada, 2011-2017
Fragment data from 11 nuclear microsatellite loci and sequence data from the mitochondrial cytochrome b gene were gathered from Arctic cod (Boreogadus saida) in the Beaufort and Chukchi seas. Mitogenomic analyses of Arctic cod and three other co-distributed gadoids (Polar cod [Arctogadus glacialis], Saffron cod [Eleginus gracilis], Walleye Pollock [Gadus chalcogrammus]) were also...
Larus Gull Microsatellite DNA Data, 2006-2009 Larus Gull Microsatellite DNA Data, 2006-2009
This data set describes nuclear microsatellite genotypes derived from eleven autosomal loci (Hg16, Hg18, Hg25, K16, Lar12, Lar19, Lar24, Lar26, Rbg13, Rbg18, and Rbg29). A total of 651 Larus gulls were examined for this study with samples collected throughout North America, Europe, Russia, and South America.
Filter Total Items: 76
Detection of Splendidofilaria sp. (Onchocercidae:Splendidofilariinae) Microfilaria within Alaskan ground-dwelling birds in the grouse subfamily tetraoninae using taqman probe-based real-time PCR Detection of Splendidofilaria sp. (Onchocercidae:Splendidofilariinae) Microfilaria within Alaskan ground-dwelling birds in the grouse subfamily tetraoninae using taqman probe-based real-time PCR
Grouse and ptarmigan (Galliformes) harbor fairly diverse helminth faunas that can impact the host's health, including filarial nematodes in the genus Splendidofilaria. As host and parasite distributions are predicted to shift in response to recent climate change, novel parasites may be introduced into a region and impose additional stressors on bird populations. Limited information is...
Authors
Stephen E. Greiman, Robert E. Wilson, Briana Sesmundo, Jack Reakoff, Sarah A. Sonsthagen
Species-specific responses to landscape features shaped genomic structure within Alaska galliformes Species-specific responses to landscape features shaped genomic structure within Alaska galliformes
Aim Connectivity is vital to the resiliency of populations to environmental change and stochastic events, especially for cold-adapted species as Arctic and alpine tundra habitats retract as the climate warms. We examined the influence of past and current landscapes on genomic connectivity in cold-adapted galliformes as a critical first step to assess the vulnerability of Alaska ptarmigan...
Authors
Sarah A. Sonsthagen, Robert E. Wilson, Sandra L. Talbot
Dynamic landscapes in northwestern North America structured populations of wolverines (Gulo gulo) Dynamic landscapes in northwestern North America structured populations of wolverines (Gulo gulo)
Cyclic climatic and glacial fluctuations of the Late Quaternary produced a dynamic biogeographic history for high latitudes. To refine our understanding of this history in northwestern North America, we explored geographic structure in a wide-ranging carnivore, the wolverine (Gulo gulo). We examined genetic variation in populations across mainland Alaska, coastal Southeast Alaska, and...
Authors
Dianna M Krejsa, Sandra L. Talbot, George K. Sage, Sarah A. Sonsthagen, Thomas S Jung, Audrey J Magoun, Joseph A. Cook
Implications of historical and contemporary processes on genetic differentiation of a declining boreal songbird: The rusty blackbird Implications of historical and contemporary processes on genetic differentiation of a declining boreal songbird: The rusty blackbird
The arrangement of habitat features via historical or contemporary events can strongly influence genomic and demographic connectivity, and in turn affect levels of genetic diversity and resilience of populations to environmental perturbation. The rusty blackbird (Euphagus carolinus) is a forested wetland habitat specialist whose population size has declined sharply (78%) over recent...
Authors
Robert E. Wilson, Steven M. Matsuoka, Luke L. Powell, James A. Johnson, Dean W. Demarest, Diana Stralberg, Sarah A. Sonsthagen
Record fledging count from a seven-egg clutch in the Cooper’s Hawk (Accipiter cooperii) Record fledging count from a seven-egg clutch in the Cooper’s Hawk (Accipiter cooperii)
Cooper's Hawks (Accipiter cooperii) typically lay 3–5 eggs per clutch, rarely 6 eggs, and there are 2 accounts of 7-egg clutches and 1 record of a maximum 8-egg clutch for the species. Brood sizes of 3–5 young are common and the previous maximum brood count is 6 young. However, in 2019, we found an urban nest in Stevens Point, Wisconsin, with 7 eggs that resulted in a record high of 7...
Authors
Robert N. Rosenfield, Sarah A. Sonsthagen, Ann Elizabeth Riddle-Berntsen, Evan Kuhel
Isolation and characterization of microsatellite loci in merlins (Falco columbarius) and cross-species amplification in gyrfalcons (F. rusticolus) and peregrine falcons (F. peregrinus) Isolation and characterization of microsatellite loci in merlins (Falco columbarius) and cross-species amplification in gyrfalcons (F. rusticolus) and peregrine falcons (F. peregrinus)
I. Background: Merlins, Falco columbarius, breed throughout temperate and high latitude habitats in Asia, Europe, and North America. Like peregrine falcons, F. peregrinus, merlins underwent population declines during the mid-to-late 20th century, due to organochlorine-based contamination, and have subsequently recovered, at least in North American populations. II. Methods and Results: To
Authors
Joshua M. Hull, George K. Sage, Sarah A. Sonsthagen, Megan C. Gravley, Breanna L. Martinico, Travis L. Booms, Ted Swem, Sandra L. Talbot
Non-USGS Publications**
Pons, J.-M., S.A. Sonsthagen, C. Dove, P.A. Crochet. 2014. Extensive mitochondrial introgression in North American Great Black-backed Gulls (Larus marinus) from the American Herring Gull (Larus smithsonianus) with little nuclear DNA impact. Heredity. 112:226–239. doi:10.1038/hdy.2013.98
Wilson, R.E., M.D. Eaton, S.A. Sonsthagen, J.L. Peters, K.P. Johnson, B. Simarra, and K.G. McCracken. 2011. Speciation and subspecies divergence in Cinnamon Teal and Blue-winged Teal. Condor. 13:747–761.
Cibois, A., J.S. Beadell, G.R. Graves, E. Pasquet, B. Slika, S.A. Sonsthagen, J.-C. Thibault, and R.C. Fleischer. 2011. Charting the course of reed-warblers across the Pacific islands. Journal of Biogeography. 38:1963–1975.
Driskell, A.C., J.A. Norman, S. Pruett-Jones, E. Mangall, S.A. Sonsthagen, L. Christidis. 2011. A multigene phylogeny examining evolutionary and ecological relationships in the Australo-Papuan wrens of the subfamily Malurinae (Aves). Molecular Phylogenetics and Evolution. 60:480–485.
McCracken, K.G., C.P. Barger, M. Bulgarella, K.P. Johnson, S.A. Sonsthagen, T.H. Valqui, R.E. Wilson, K. Winker, and M.D. Sorenson. 2009. Parallel adaptation to high-altitude hypoxia in the major hemoglobin of eight Andean duck species. Molecular Ecology. 18:3992–4005.
Cooper, S.J., and S. Sonsthagen. 2007. Heat production from foraging activity contributes to thermoregulation in Black-capped Chickadees. Condor. 109:446–451.
Wilson, R.E., S.A. Sonsthagen, C.P. Barger, and K.G. McCracken. 2007. Asymmetric molt or feather wear in Flying Steamer Ducks (Tachyeres patachonicus) from coastal habitats in Argentina. Ornitologia Neotropical. 18:293–300.
Sonsthagen, S.A., R. Rodriguez, and C.M. White. 2006. Satellite telemetry of Northern Goshawks breeding in Utah–I. Annual movements. Studies in Avian Biology. 31:239–251.
Sonsthagen, S.A., R. Rodriguez, and C.M. White. 2006. Satellite telemetry of Northern Goshawks breeding in Utah–II. Annual habitats. Studies in Avian Biology. 31:252–259.
Gustavson, K.E., S.A. Sonsthagen, R. Crunkilton, and J.M. Harkin. 2000. Groundwater toxicity assessment using bioassay, chemical, and TIE analyses. Environmental Toxicology. 15:421–430.
Rosenfield, R.N., J. Bielefeldt, S. Sonsthagen, and T. Booms. 2000. Comparable reproductive success at conifer plantation and non-plantation nest sites for Cooper’s Hawks in Wisconsin. Wilson Bulletin. 112:417–421.
**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
Filter Total Items: 20
Genetic Data from Arctic, Polar, and Saffron Cod and Walleye Pollock, Alaska and Canada, 2011-2017 Genetic Data from Arctic, Polar, and Saffron Cod and Walleye Pollock, Alaska and Canada, 2011-2017
Fragment data from 11 nuclear microsatellite loci and sequence data from the mitochondrial cytochrome b gene were gathered from Arctic cod (Boreogadus saida) in the Beaufort and Chukchi seas. Mitogenomic analyses of Arctic cod and three other co-distributed gadoids (Polar cod [Arctogadus glacialis], Saffron cod [Eleginus gracilis], Walleye Pollock [Gadus chalcogrammus]) were also...
Larus Gull Microsatellite DNA Data, 2006-2009 Larus Gull Microsatellite DNA Data, 2006-2009
This data set describes nuclear microsatellite genotypes derived from eleven autosomal loci (Hg16, Hg18, Hg25, K16, Lar12, Lar19, Lar24, Lar26, Rbg13, Rbg18, and Rbg29). A total of 651 Larus gulls were examined for this study with samples collected throughout North America, Europe, Russia, and South America.
Filter Total Items: 76
Detection of Splendidofilaria sp. (Onchocercidae:Splendidofilariinae) Microfilaria within Alaskan ground-dwelling birds in the grouse subfamily tetraoninae using taqman probe-based real-time PCR Detection of Splendidofilaria sp. (Onchocercidae:Splendidofilariinae) Microfilaria within Alaskan ground-dwelling birds in the grouse subfamily tetraoninae using taqman probe-based real-time PCR
Grouse and ptarmigan (Galliformes) harbor fairly diverse helminth faunas that can impact the host's health, including filarial nematodes in the genus Splendidofilaria. As host and parasite distributions are predicted to shift in response to recent climate change, novel parasites may be introduced into a region and impose additional stressors on bird populations. Limited information is...
Authors
Stephen E. Greiman, Robert E. Wilson, Briana Sesmundo, Jack Reakoff, Sarah A. Sonsthagen
Species-specific responses to landscape features shaped genomic structure within Alaska galliformes Species-specific responses to landscape features shaped genomic structure within Alaska galliformes
Aim Connectivity is vital to the resiliency of populations to environmental change and stochastic events, especially for cold-adapted species as Arctic and alpine tundra habitats retract as the climate warms. We examined the influence of past and current landscapes on genomic connectivity in cold-adapted galliformes as a critical first step to assess the vulnerability of Alaska ptarmigan...
Authors
Sarah A. Sonsthagen, Robert E. Wilson, Sandra L. Talbot
Dynamic landscapes in northwestern North America structured populations of wolverines (Gulo gulo) Dynamic landscapes in northwestern North America structured populations of wolverines (Gulo gulo)
Cyclic climatic and glacial fluctuations of the Late Quaternary produced a dynamic biogeographic history for high latitudes. To refine our understanding of this history in northwestern North America, we explored geographic structure in a wide-ranging carnivore, the wolverine (Gulo gulo). We examined genetic variation in populations across mainland Alaska, coastal Southeast Alaska, and...
Authors
Dianna M Krejsa, Sandra L. Talbot, George K. Sage, Sarah A. Sonsthagen, Thomas S Jung, Audrey J Magoun, Joseph A. Cook
Implications of historical and contemporary processes on genetic differentiation of a declining boreal songbird: The rusty blackbird Implications of historical and contemporary processes on genetic differentiation of a declining boreal songbird: The rusty blackbird
The arrangement of habitat features via historical or contemporary events can strongly influence genomic and demographic connectivity, and in turn affect levels of genetic diversity and resilience of populations to environmental perturbation. The rusty blackbird (Euphagus carolinus) is a forested wetland habitat specialist whose population size has declined sharply (78%) over recent...
Authors
Robert E. Wilson, Steven M. Matsuoka, Luke L. Powell, James A. Johnson, Dean W. Demarest, Diana Stralberg, Sarah A. Sonsthagen
Record fledging count from a seven-egg clutch in the Cooper’s Hawk (Accipiter cooperii) Record fledging count from a seven-egg clutch in the Cooper’s Hawk (Accipiter cooperii)
Cooper's Hawks (Accipiter cooperii) typically lay 3–5 eggs per clutch, rarely 6 eggs, and there are 2 accounts of 7-egg clutches and 1 record of a maximum 8-egg clutch for the species. Brood sizes of 3–5 young are common and the previous maximum brood count is 6 young. However, in 2019, we found an urban nest in Stevens Point, Wisconsin, with 7 eggs that resulted in a record high of 7...
Authors
Robert N. Rosenfield, Sarah A. Sonsthagen, Ann Elizabeth Riddle-Berntsen, Evan Kuhel
Isolation and characterization of microsatellite loci in merlins (Falco columbarius) and cross-species amplification in gyrfalcons (F. rusticolus) and peregrine falcons (F. peregrinus) Isolation and characterization of microsatellite loci in merlins (Falco columbarius) and cross-species amplification in gyrfalcons (F. rusticolus) and peregrine falcons (F. peregrinus)
I. Background: Merlins, Falco columbarius, breed throughout temperate and high latitude habitats in Asia, Europe, and North America. Like peregrine falcons, F. peregrinus, merlins underwent population declines during the mid-to-late 20th century, due to organochlorine-based contamination, and have subsequently recovered, at least in North American populations. II. Methods and Results: To
Authors
Joshua M. Hull, George K. Sage, Sarah A. Sonsthagen, Megan C. Gravley, Breanna L. Martinico, Travis L. Booms, Ted Swem, Sandra L. Talbot
Non-USGS Publications**
Pons, J.-M., S.A. Sonsthagen, C. Dove, P.A. Crochet. 2014. Extensive mitochondrial introgression in North American Great Black-backed Gulls (Larus marinus) from the American Herring Gull (Larus smithsonianus) with little nuclear DNA impact. Heredity. 112:226–239. doi:10.1038/hdy.2013.98
Wilson, R.E., M.D. Eaton, S.A. Sonsthagen, J.L. Peters, K.P. Johnson, B. Simarra, and K.G. McCracken. 2011. Speciation and subspecies divergence in Cinnamon Teal and Blue-winged Teal. Condor. 13:747–761.
Cibois, A., J.S. Beadell, G.R. Graves, E. Pasquet, B. Slika, S.A. Sonsthagen, J.-C. Thibault, and R.C. Fleischer. 2011. Charting the course of reed-warblers across the Pacific islands. Journal of Biogeography. 38:1963–1975.
Driskell, A.C., J.A. Norman, S. Pruett-Jones, E. Mangall, S.A. Sonsthagen, L. Christidis. 2011. A multigene phylogeny examining evolutionary and ecological relationships in the Australo-Papuan wrens of the subfamily Malurinae (Aves). Molecular Phylogenetics and Evolution. 60:480–485.
McCracken, K.G., C.P. Barger, M. Bulgarella, K.P. Johnson, S.A. Sonsthagen, T.H. Valqui, R.E. Wilson, K. Winker, and M.D. Sorenson. 2009. Parallel adaptation to high-altitude hypoxia in the major hemoglobin of eight Andean duck species. Molecular Ecology. 18:3992–4005.
Cooper, S.J., and S. Sonsthagen. 2007. Heat production from foraging activity contributes to thermoregulation in Black-capped Chickadees. Condor. 109:446–451.
Wilson, R.E., S.A. Sonsthagen, C.P. Barger, and K.G. McCracken. 2007. Asymmetric molt or feather wear in Flying Steamer Ducks (Tachyeres patachonicus) from coastal habitats in Argentina. Ornitologia Neotropical. 18:293–300.
Sonsthagen, S.A., R. Rodriguez, and C.M. White. 2006. Satellite telemetry of Northern Goshawks breeding in Utah–I. Annual movements. Studies in Avian Biology. 31:239–251.
Sonsthagen, S.A., R. Rodriguez, and C.M. White. 2006. Satellite telemetry of Northern Goshawks breeding in Utah–II. Annual habitats. Studies in Avian Biology. 31:252–259.
Gustavson, K.E., S.A. Sonsthagen, R. Crunkilton, and J.M. Harkin. 2000. Groundwater toxicity assessment using bioassay, chemical, and TIE analyses. Environmental Toxicology. 15:421–430.
Rosenfield, R.N., J. Bielefeldt, S. Sonsthagen, and T. Booms. 2000. Comparable reproductive success at conifer plantation and non-plantation nest sites for Cooper’s Hawks in Wisconsin. Wilson Bulletin. 112:417–421.
**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