Todd Atwood, Ph.D.
Todd is a Research Wildlife Biologist for the Alaska Science Center.
Professional Experience
2012 - Present Research Wildlife Biologist and Project Leader, USGS Alaska Science Center, Anchorage, AK
2008 - 2012 Research Wildlife Biologist, USDA/APHIS/WS/National Wildlife Research Center, Fort Collins, CO
2006 - 2008 Research Biologist, Research Branch, Arizona Game and Fish Department, Phoenix, AZ
2006 Biological Technician, USDA/National Wildlife Research Center, Fort Collins, CO
Education and Certifications
Ph.D. 2006 Utah State University Wildlife Biology
M.S. 2002 Purdue University Wildlife Ecology
B.S. 1999 Purdue University Wildlife Ecology
Affiliations and Memberships*
The Wildlife Society
International Association for Bear Research and Management
American Society of Mammalogists
Science and Products
Filter Total Items: 27
Genetic structure of American black bear populations in the American Southwest and northern Mexico, 1994-2014 Genetic structure of American black bear populations in the American Southwest and northern Mexico, 1994-2014
Microsatellite genotypes for American black bears collected by Gould et al. 2002 and used to assess the genetic structure of American black bear populations in the American Southwest and northern Mexico. Genotypes are for Ursus americanus individuals.
Polar Bear Fall Coastal Survey Data from the Southern Beaufort Sea of Alaska, 2010-2013 Polar Bear Fall Coastal Survey Data from the Southern Beaufort Sea of Alaska, 2010-2013
This data set is one table with observations of polar bears located during aerial surveys along the coast and barrier islands of the southern Beaufort Seas during fall, 2010-2013. Survey flights were conducted using A-Star B2 and Bell 206 helicopters at an average altitude of 300 feet AGL and an average speed of 50 miles per hour. Survey crews searched for polar bears using coastal and...
Mapping Data of Polar Bear (Ursus maritimus) Maternal Den Habitat, Arctic Coastal Plain, Alaska Mapping Data of Polar Bear (Ursus maritimus) Maternal Den Habitat, Arctic Coastal Plain, Alaska
This data package includes 3 child items with mapping data of polar bear den habitat on the Arctic Coastal Plain of Alaska. Child Item 1: "Data Used to Compare Photo-Interpreted and IfSAR-Derived Maps of Polar Bear Denning Habitat for the 1002 Area of the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge, Alaska, 2006-2016" Child Item 2: "Polar Bear Maternal Den Habitat on the Coastal Plain of Northern...
Pathogen and Contaminant Exposure Data from Southern Beaufort Sea Polar Bears, 2007-2014 Pathogen and Contaminant Exposure Data from Southern Beaufort Sea Polar Bears, 2007-2014
These were data collected from polar bears from the Southern Beaufort Sea during the spring between 2007 and 2014. Data include individual ID, capture date, sex and age class, whether individuals visited bowhead whale carrion sites, exposure status relative to five pathogens, and concentrations of certain persistent organic pollutants.
Polar Bear Continuous Time-Correlated Random Walk (CTCRW) Location Data Derived from Satellite Location Data, Southern Beaufort Sea, 1986–2016 Polar Bear Continuous Time-Correlated Random Walk (CTCRW) Location Data Derived from Satellite Location Data, Southern Beaufort Sea, 1986–2016
This dataset consists of one table with predicted locations of adult female polar bears. Locations were derived by a Continuous Time-Correlated Random Walk (CTCRW) model using satellite tracking radio-collared adult female polar bears captured and instrumented in the southern Beaufort Sea, 1986–2016.
Innate Immunity and Stress and Reproductive Hormone Metrics for Southern Beaufort Sea Polar Bears, 2013-2015 Innate Immunity and Stress and Reproductive Hormone Metrics for Southern Beaufort Sea Polar Bears, 2013-2015
These were data collected from polar bears from the Southern Beaufort Sea during the spring between 2013 and 2015. Data include individual identification, demographic characteristics, year, status for the current and prior year regarding use of land, concentrations of stress response and reproductive hormones, blood-based biomarker measures indicative of fasting, body mass index, and...
Serum Urea and Creatinine Levels of Spring-Caught Polar Bears (Ursus maritimus) in the Southern Beaufort and Chukchi Seas Serum Urea and Creatinine Levels of Spring-Caught Polar Bears (Ursus maritimus) in the Southern Beaufort and Chukchi Seas
These data are serum urea nitrogen and creatinine levels for polar bears captured in the southern Beaufort Sea 1983-2016 and the Chukchi Sea 1987-1993 and 2008-2017. The dataset includes relevant information about the bears that were captured including the latitude and longitude of their capture location, capture date, age class and sex, the age and number of cubs accompanying an adult...
Multistate Capture and Search Data from the Southern Beaufort Sea Polar Bear Subpopulation in Alaska, 2001-2016 Multistate Capture and Search Data from the Southern Beaufort Sea Polar Bear Subpopulation in Alaska, 2001-2016
This data release contains two tables of information on polar bear distributions in the southern Beaufort Sea during spring, from 2001 to 2016. One table provides location (classified into 5 broad regions) of individual bears during the spring. The other table presents the aerial search effort by year and area.
Polar Bear Microsatellite Data Southern Beaufort Sea 2010-2013 Polar Bear Microsatellite Data Southern Beaufort Sea 2010-2013
This data set provides Polar Bear microsatellite genotypes derived from twenty loci (G1A, G10B, G10C, CXX110, G1D, G10H, G10J, G10L, G10M, MSUT2, MU59, G10P, 145P07, CPH9, CXX20, MU50, MU51, G10X, CXX173, G10U). Samples for microsatellite genetic analysis were collected from polar bears from the southern Beaufort Sea during the spring and fall, 2010-2013. Tissue samples were collected...
Polar Bear Hair Mercury Concentrations Southern Beaufort Sea 2004-2011 Polar Bear Hair Mercury Concentrations Southern Beaufort Sea 2004-2011
These are data collected from polar bears from the southern Beaufort Seas during the spring and fall between 2004 and 2011. Data include individual ID, sex and age class, presence of dependent young, season of sample collection, total mercury concentration derived from a hair sample, estimate of annual diet proportion, and indices of body condition.
Satellite Location and Tri-Axial Accelerometer Data from Adult Female Polar Bears (Ursus Maritimus) in the Southern Beaufort Sea, April-October 2014 Satellite Location and Tri-Axial Accelerometer Data from Adult Female Polar Bears (Ursus Maritimus) in the Southern Beaufort Sea, April-October 2014
This data package includes 2 child items with location and activity data from adult female polar bears in the southern Beaufort Sea, April-October 2014. Child Item 1: "GPS and Argos Location Data from Adult Female Polar Bears (Ursus maritimus) in the Southern Beaufort Sea, April-October 2014" Child Item 2: "Tri-axial Accelerometer and Conductivity Sensor Data from Adult Female Polar...
Locations Collected 1985-2015 from Female Polar Bears (Ursus maritimus) with Dependent Young Instrumented in the Southern Beaufort Sea with Satellite-linked Transmitters by the USGS Locations Collected 1985-2015 from Female Polar Bears (Ursus maritimus) with Dependent Young Instrumented in the Southern Beaufort Sea with Satellite-linked Transmitters by the USGS
This dataset contains a select subset of Argos and GPS locations collected by satellite data collection systems from collared adult female polar bears that were instrumented in the southern Beaufort Sea between 1985-2015.
Filter Total Items: 88
Long-term assessment of relationships between changing environmental conditions and the physiology of southern Beaufort Sea polar bears (Ursus maritimus) Long-term assessment of relationships between changing environmental conditions and the physiology of southern Beaufort Sea polar bears (Ursus maritimus)
Climate change is influencing polar bear (Ursus maritimus) habitat, diet, and behavior but the effects of these changes on their physiology is not well understood. Blood-based biomarkers are used to assess the physiologic health of individuals but their usefulness for evaluating population health, especially as it relates to changing environmental conditions, has rarely been explored. We...
Authors
Tricia Fry, Kristen Friedrichs, Alison Ketz, Colleen Duncan, Timothy Van Deelen, Tony Goldberg, Todd Atwood
Serum virome of southern Beaufort Sea polar bears (Ursus maritimus) during a period of rapid climate change Serum virome of southern Beaufort Sea polar bears (Ursus maritimus) during a period of rapid climate change
Climate change affects the behavior, physiology and life history of many Arctic wildlife species. It can also influence the distribution and ecology of infectious agents. The southern Beaufort Sea (SB) subpopulation of polar bears (Ursus maritimus) has experienced dramatic behavioral changes due to retreating sea ice and other climate-related factors, but the effects of these changes on...
Authors
Tricia Fry, Leah Owens, Alison Ketz, Todd Atwood, Emily Dunay, Tony Goldberg
Forecasts of polar bear (Ursus maritimus) land use in the southern Beaufort and Chukchi Seas, 2040–65 Forecasts of polar bear (Ursus maritimus) land use in the southern Beaufort and Chukchi Seas, 2040–65
This report provides analysis to extend the 2040 forecasts of polar bear (Ursus maritimus) land use for the southern Beaufort and Chukchi Sea populations presented in a recent publication (Rode and others, 2022) through the year 2065. To inform long-term polar bear management considerations, we provide point-estimate forecasts and 95-percent prediction intervals of the proportion of...
Authors
Karyn Rode, David C. Douglas, Todd Atwood, Ryan R. Wilson
High winds and melting sea ice trigger landward movement in a polar bear population of concern High winds and melting sea ice trigger landward movement in a polar bear population of concern
Some animal species are responding to climate change by altering the timing of events like mating and migration. Such behavioral plasticity can be adaptive, but it is not always. Polar bears (Ursus maritimus) from the southern Beaufort Sea subpopulation have mostly remained on ice year-round, but as the climate warms and summer sea ice declines, a growing proportion of the subpopulation...
Authors
Annie Kellner, Todd Atwood, David Douglas, Stewart Breck, George Wittemyer
Fecal DNA metabarcoding shows credible short-term prey detections and explains variation in the gut microbiome of two polar bear subpopulations Fecal DNA metabarcoding shows credible short-term prey detections and explains variation in the gut microbiome of two polar bear subpopulations
This study developed and evaluated DNA metabarcoding to identify the presence of pinniped and cetacean prey DNA in fecal samples of East Greenland (EG) and Southern Beaufort Sea (SB) polar bears Ursus maritimus sampled in the spring of 2015-2019. Prey DNA was detected in half (49/92) of all samples, and when detected, ringed seal Pusa hispida was the predominant prey species, identified...
Authors
Megan Franz, L Whyte, Todd Atwood, Damian Menning, Sarah Sonsthagen, Sandra Talbot, Kristin Laidre, Emmanuel Gonzalez, Melissa McKinney
Polar bear research in a changing arctic Polar bear research in a changing arctic
No abstract available
Authors
Todd Atwood
Efficacy of bear spray as a deterrent against polar bears Efficacy of bear spray as a deterrent against polar bears
Although there have been few attempts to systematically analyze information on the use of deterrents on polar bears (Ursus maritimus), understanding their effectiveness in mitigating human-polar bear conflicts is critical to ensuring both human safety and polar bear conservation. To fill this knowledge gap, we analyzed 19 incidents involving the use of bear spray on free-ranging polar...
Authors
James Wilder, Lindsey Mangipane, Todd Atwood, Anatoly A. Kochnev, Tom Smith, Dag Vongraven
Observed and forecasted changes in land use by polar bears in the Beaufort and Chukchi Seas, 1985–2040 Observed and forecasted changes in land use by polar bears in the Beaufort and Chukchi Seas, 1985–2040
Monitoring changes in the distribution of large carnivores is important for managing human safety and supporting conservation. Throughout much of their range, polar bears (Ursus maritimus) are increasingly using terrestrial habitats in response to Arctic sea ice decline. Their increased presence in coastal areas has implications for bear-human conflict, inter-species interactions, and...
Authors
Karyn Rode, David Douglas, Todd Atwood, George Durner, Ryan R. Wilson, Anthony Pagano
A serological survey of Francisella tularensis exposure in wildlife on the Arctic Coastal Plain of Alaska A serological survey of Francisella tularensis exposure in wildlife on the Arctic Coastal Plain of Alaska
Tularemia is an infectious zoonotic disease caused by one of several subspecies of Francisella tularensis bacteria. Infections by F. tularensis are common throughout the northern hemisphere and have been detected in more than 250 wildlife species. In Alaska, US, where the pathogen was first identified in 1938, studies have identified F. tularensis antibodies in a diverse suite of taxa...
Authors
Matthew Smith, Caroline Van Hemert, Todd Atwood, David Sinnett, Jerry Hupp, Brandt W Meixell, David Gustine, Layne G. Adams, Andrew Ramey
Pleistocene–Holocene vicariance, not Anthropocene landscape change, explains the genetic structure of American black bear (Ursus americanus) populations in the American Southwest and northern Mexico Pleistocene–Holocene vicariance, not Anthropocene landscape change, explains the genetic structure of American black bear (Ursus americanus) populations in the American Southwest and northern Mexico
The phylogeography of the American black bear (Ursus americanus) is characterized by isolation into glacial refugia, followed by population expansion and genetic admixture. Anthropogenic activities, including overharvest, habitat loss, and transportation infrastructure, have also influenced their landscape genetic structure. We describe the genetic structure of the American black bear in...
Authors
Matthew Gould, James Cain, Todd Atwood, Larisa Harding, Heather Johnson, Dave Onorato, Frederic Winslow, Gary W. Roemer
Diet energy density estimated from isotopes in predator hair associated with survival, habitat, and population dynamics Diet energy density estimated from isotopes in predator hair associated with survival, habitat, and population dynamics
Sea ice loss is fundamentally altering the Arctic marine environment. Yet there is a paucity of data on the adaptability of food webs to ecosystem change, including predator-prey interactions. Polar bears (Ursus maritimus) are an important subsistence resource for Indigenous people and an apex predator that relies entirely on the under-ice food web to meet their energy needs. Here, we...
Authors
Karyn Rode, Brian Taras, Craig Stricker, Todd Atwood, Nicole Boucher, George Durner, Andrew Derocher, Evan Richardson, Seth Cherry, Lori Quakenbush, Lara Horstmann, Jeffrey Bromaghin
Modeling the spatial and temporal dynamics of land-based polar bear denning in Alaska Modeling the spatial and temporal dynamics of land-based polar bear denning in Alaska
Although polar bears (Ursus maritimus) of the Southern Beaufort Sea (SBS) subpopulation have commonly created maternal dens on sea ice in the past, maternal dens on land have become increasingly prevalent as sea ice declines. This trend creates conditions for increased human–bear interactions associated with local communities and industrial activity. Maternal denning is a vulnerable...
Authors
Vijay Patil, George Durner, David Douglas, Todd Atwood
Non-USGS Publications**
Algeo, T. P., D. Slate, R. M. Caron, T. C. Atwood, S. Recuenco, M. Ducey, R. B. Chipman, and M. Palace. 2017. Modeling raccoon (Procyon lotor) habitat connectivity to identify potential corridors for rabies spread. Tropical Medicine and Infectious Diseases 44. doi:10.3390/tropicalmed203044.
Atwood, T. C., E. Peacock, K. M. Lillie, R. R. Wilson, and S. Miller. 2015. Demographic composition and behavior of polar bears summering on shore in Alaska. USGS Administrative Report, 26 p.
Beasley, J. C., T. C. Atwood, M. E. Byrne, K. C. VerCauteren, S. R. Johnson, and O. E. Rhodes, Jr. 2015. A behaviorally-explicit approach for evaluating vaccine baits to mesopredators to control epizootics in fragmented landscapes. PLoS One 10:e0113206. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0113206.
Anderson, A., S. A. Shwiff, R. B. Chipman, T. C. Atwood, T. Cozzens, F. Fillo, R. Hale, B. Hatch, J. Maki, O. E. Rhodes, Jr, E. E. Rees, C. E. Rupprecht, R. Tinline, K. C. VerCauteren, and D. Slate. 2014. Forecasting the spread of raccoon rabies using a purpose-specific group decision-making process. Human-Wildlife Interactions 8(1):130-138.
Slate, D., R. B. Chipman, T. P. Algeo, S. A. Mills, K. M. Nelson, C. K. Croson, E. J. Dubovi, R. W. Renshaw, K. C. VerCauteren, T. C. Atwood, S. Johnson, and C. E. Rupprecht. 2014. Safety and immunogenicity in the first field trial with ONRAB in raccoons in the United States. Journal of Wildlife Diseases 50(3):582-595. doi:10.7589/2013-08-207.
Kunkel, K. E., T. K. Ruth, T. C. Atwood, D. H. Pletscher, and M. G. Hornocker. 2013. Assessing the value of wolves and cougars as conservation surrogates by linking carnivore hunting success with landscape characteristics. Animal Conservation 16:32-40. doi:10.1111/j.1469-1795.2012.00568.x.
Beasley, J. D., W. S. Beatty, T. C. Atwood, S. Johnson, and O. E. Rhodes, Jr. 2012. A comparison of methods for estimating raccoon abundance: Implications for disease vaccination programs. Journal of Wildlife Management 76(6):1290-1297. doi:10.1002/jwmg.379.
Atwood, T. C. and S. W. Breck. 2012. Carnivores, Conflict, and Conservation: Defining the Landscape of Conflict. Pages 99-118 in F. I. Álvares and G. E. Mata, (eds.). Carnivores: Species, Conservation, and Management. Nova Publishers.
Atwood, T. C., T. L. Fry, and B. R. Leland. 2011. Partitioning of a limited resource by sympatric carnivores in the Chihuahuan Desert and the implications for disease transmission. Journal of Wildlife Management 75:1609-1615.
Atwood, T. C., J. K. Young, J. P. Beckmann, S. W. Breck, O. E. Rhodes, Jr, J. A. Fike, and K. D. Bristow. 2011. Modeling connectivity of black bears in a desert sky island archipelago. Biological Conservation 144(12):2851-2862. doi:10.1016/j.biocon.2011.08.002.
Fry, T. L., T. C. Atwood, and M. R. Dunbar. 2010. Utility of rhodamine B as a biomarker in raccoons. Human-Wildlife Interactions 4:275-282.
Atwood, T. C. and E. M. Gese. 2010. Importance of resource selection and social behaviour to partitioning of hostile space by sympatric canids. Journal of Mammalogy 91:490-499.
Atwood, T. C., T. J. DeLiberto, H. J. Smith, J. Stevenson, and K. C. VerCauteren. 2009. Raccoon spatial ecology related to cattle and bovine tuberculosis. Journal of Wildlife Management 73:647-654.
Atwood, T. C., E. M. Gese, and K. E. Kunkel. 2009. Spatial decomposition of predation risk in a multiple-predator multiple-prey system. Journal of Wildlife Management 73:876-884.
Atwood, T. C. and E. M. Gese. 2008. Coyotes (Canis latrans) and recolonizing wolves (Canis lupus): Social rank mediates risk-conditional behaviour at ungulate carcasses. Animal Behaviour 75:753-762.
VerCauteren, K. C., T. C. Atwood, T. J. DeLiberto, H. J. Smith, J. Stevenson, T. Gidlewski, and B. V. Thomsen. 2008. Sentinel-based surveillance of coyotes to detect bovine tuberculosis in Michigan. Emerging Infectious Diseases 14:1862-1869.
Atwood, T. C., K. C. VerCauteren, T. J. DeLiberto, H. J. Smith, and J. Stevenson. 2007. Coyotes as a potential sentinel species to detect bovine tuberculosis (Mycobacterium bovis) infection in white-tailed deer in Michigan. Journal of Wildlife Management 71:1545-1554.
Atwood, T. C., E. M. Gese, and K. E. Kunkel. 2007. Comparative patterns of predation by cougars and recolonizing wolves. Journal of Wildlife Management 71:1098-1106.
Atwood, T. C. 2006. The influence of habitat patch attributes on coyote group size and interaction in a fragmented landscape. Canadian Journal of Zoology 84:80-87.
Atwood, T. C. 2006. Behavioral interactions between wolves, Canis lupus, and coyotes, Canis latrans, at ungulate carcasses in southwest Montana. Western North American Naturalist 66:390-394.
Atwood, T. C., H. P. Weeks, Jr., and T. M. Gehring. 2004. Spatial ecology of coyotes along a suburban-to-rural gradient. Journal of Wildlife Management 85:1000-1009.
Swihart, R. K., T. C. Atwood, J. R. Goheen, D. A. Scheiman, K. E. Munroe, and T. M. Gehring. 2003. Patch occupancy in North American mammals: Is patchiness in the eye of the beholder? . Journal of Biogeography 30:1259-1279.
Atwood, T. C. and H. P. Weeks, Jr.. 2003. Sex-specific patterns of mineral lick preference in white-tailed deer. Northeastern Naturalist 10:409-414.
Atwood, T. C. and H. P. Weeks, Jr.. 2002. Sex- and age-specific patterns of mineral lick use by white-tailed deer. American Midland Naturalist 148:289-296.
Atwood, T. C. and H. P. Weeks, Jr.. 2002. Facultative dyad formation in adult male coyotes. Northeastern Naturalist 9:353-358.
**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: 27
Genetic structure of American black bear populations in the American Southwest and northern Mexico, 1994-2014 Genetic structure of American black bear populations in the American Southwest and northern Mexico, 1994-2014
Microsatellite genotypes for American black bears collected by Gould et al. 2002 and used to assess the genetic structure of American black bear populations in the American Southwest and northern Mexico. Genotypes are for Ursus americanus individuals.
Polar Bear Fall Coastal Survey Data from the Southern Beaufort Sea of Alaska, 2010-2013 Polar Bear Fall Coastal Survey Data from the Southern Beaufort Sea of Alaska, 2010-2013
This data set is one table with observations of polar bears located during aerial surveys along the coast and barrier islands of the southern Beaufort Seas during fall, 2010-2013. Survey flights were conducted using A-Star B2 and Bell 206 helicopters at an average altitude of 300 feet AGL and an average speed of 50 miles per hour. Survey crews searched for polar bears using coastal and...
Mapping Data of Polar Bear (Ursus maritimus) Maternal Den Habitat, Arctic Coastal Plain, Alaska Mapping Data of Polar Bear (Ursus maritimus) Maternal Den Habitat, Arctic Coastal Plain, Alaska
This data package includes 3 child items with mapping data of polar bear den habitat on the Arctic Coastal Plain of Alaska. Child Item 1: "Data Used to Compare Photo-Interpreted and IfSAR-Derived Maps of Polar Bear Denning Habitat for the 1002 Area of the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge, Alaska, 2006-2016" Child Item 2: "Polar Bear Maternal Den Habitat on the Coastal Plain of Northern...
Pathogen and Contaminant Exposure Data from Southern Beaufort Sea Polar Bears, 2007-2014 Pathogen and Contaminant Exposure Data from Southern Beaufort Sea Polar Bears, 2007-2014
These were data collected from polar bears from the Southern Beaufort Sea during the spring between 2007 and 2014. Data include individual ID, capture date, sex and age class, whether individuals visited bowhead whale carrion sites, exposure status relative to five pathogens, and concentrations of certain persistent organic pollutants.
Polar Bear Continuous Time-Correlated Random Walk (CTCRW) Location Data Derived from Satellite Location Data, Southern Beaufort Sea, 1986–2016 Polar Bear Continuous Time-Correlated Random Walk (CTCRW) Location Data Derived from Satellite Location Data, Southern Beaufort Sea, 1986–2016
This dataset consists of one table with predicted locations of adult female polar bears. Locations were derived by a Continuous Time-Correlated Random Walk (CTCRW) model using satellite tracking radio-collared adult female polar bears captured and instrumented in the southern Beaufort Sea, 1986–2016.
Innate Immunity and Stress and Reproductive Hormone Metrics for Southern Beaufort Sea Polar Bears, 2013-2015 Innate Immunity and Stress and Reproductive Hormone Metrics for Southern Beaufort Sea Polar Bears, 2013-2015
These were data collected from polar bears from the Southern Beaufort Sea during the spring between 2013 and 2015. Data include individual identification, demographic characteristics, year, status for the current and prior year regarding use of land, concentrations of stress response and reproductive hormones, blood-based biomarker measures indicative of fasting, body mass index, and...
Serum Urea and Creatinine Levels of Spring-Caught Polar Bears (Ursus maritimus) in the Southern Beaufort and Chukchi Seas Serum Urea and Creatinine Levels of Spring-Caught Polar Bears (Ursus maritimus) in the Southern Beaufort and Chukchi Seas
These data are serum urea nitrogen and creatinine levels for polar bears captured in the southern Beaufort Sea 1983-2016 and the Chukchi Sea 1987-1993 and 2008-2017. The dataset includes relevant information about the bears that were captured including the latitude and longitude of their capture location, capture date, age class and sex, the age and number of cubs accompanying an adult...
Multistate Capture and Search Data from the Southern Beaufort Sea Polar Bear Subpopulation in Alaska, 2001-2016 Multistate Capture and Search Data from the Southern Beaufort Sea Polar Bear Subpopulation in Alaska, 2001-2016
This data release contains two tables of information on polar bear distributions in the southern Beaufort Sea during spring, from 2001 to 2016. One table provides location (classified into 5 broad regions) of individual bears during the spring. The other table presents the aerial search effort by year and area.
Polar Bear Microsatellite Data Southern Beaufort Sea 2010-2013 Polar Bear Microsatellite Data Southern Beaufort Sea 2010-2013
This data set provides Polar Bear microsatellite genotypes derived from twenty loci (G1A, G10B, G10C, CXX110, G1D, G10H, G10J, G10L, G10M, MSUT2, MU59, G10P, 145P07, CPH9, CXX20, MU50, MU51, G10X, CXX173, G10U). Samples for microsatellite genetic analysis were collected from polar bears from the southern Beaufort Sea during the spring and fall, 2010-2013. Tissue samples were collected...
Polar Bear Hair Mercury Concentrations Southern Beaufort Sea 2004-2011 Polar Bear Hair Mercury Concentrations Southern Beaufort Sea 2004-2011
These are data collected from polar bears from the southern Beaufort Seas during the spring and fall between 2004 and 2011. Data include individual ID, sex and age class, presence of dependent young, season of sample collection, total mercury concentration derived from a hair sample, estimate of annual diet proportion, and indices of body condition.
Satellite Location and Tri-Axial Accelerometer Data from Adult Female Polar Bears (Ursus Maritimus) in the Southern Beaufort Sea, April-October 2014 Satellite Location and Tri-Axial Accelerometer Data from Adult Female Polar Bears (Ursus Maritimus) in the Southern Beaufort Sea, April-October 2014
This data package includes 2 child items with location and activity data from adult female polar bears in the southern Beaufort Sea, April-October 2014. Child Item 1: "GPS and Argos Location Data from Adult Female Polar Bears (Ursus maritimus) in the Southern Beaufort Sea, April-October 2014" Child Item 2: "Tri-axial Accelerometer and Conductivity Sensor Data from Adult Female Polar...
Locations Collected 1985-2015 from Female Polar Bears (Ursus maritimus) with Dependent Young Instrumented in the Southern Beaufort Sea with Satellite-linked Transmitters by the USGS Locations Collected 1985-2015 from Female Polar Bears (Ursus maritimus) with Dependent Young Instrumented in the Southern Beaufort Sea with Satellite-linked Transmitters by the USGS
This dataset contains a select subset of Argos and GPS locations collected by satellite data collection systems from collared adult female polar bears that were instrumented in the southern Beaufort Sea between 1985-2015.
Filter Total Items: 88
Long-term assessment of relationships between changing environmental conditions and the physiology of southern Beaufort Sea polar bears (Ursus maritimus) Long-term assessment of relationships between changing environmental conditions and the physiology of southern Beaufort Sea polar bears (Ursus maritimus)
Climate change is influencing polar bear (Ursus maritimus) habitat, diet, and behavior but the effects of these changes on their physiology is not well understood. Blood-based biomarkers are used to assess the physiologic health of individuals but their usefulness for evaluating population health, especially as it relates to changing environmental conditions, has rarely been explored. We...
Authors
Tricia Fry, Kristen Friedrichs, Alison Ketz, Colleen Duncan, Timothy Van Deelen, Tony Goldberg, Todd Atwood
Serum virome of southern Beaufort Sea polar bears (Ursus maritimus) during a period of rapid climate change Serum virome of southern Beaufort Sea polar bears (Ursus maritimus) during a period of rapid climate change
Climate change affects the behavior, physiology and life history of many Arctic wildlife species. It can also influence the distribution and ecology of infectious agents. The southern Beaufort Sea (SB) subpopulation of polar bears (Ursus maritimus) has experienced dramatic behavioral changes due to retreating sea ice and other climate-related factors, but the effects of these changes on...
Authors
Tricia Fry, Leah Owens, Alison Ketz, Todd Atwood, Emily Dunay, Tony Goldberg
Forecasts of polar bear (Ursus maritimus) land use in the southern Beaufort and Chukchi Seas, 2040–65 Forecasts of polar bear (Ursus maritimus) land use in the southern Beaufort and Chukchi Seas, 2040–65
This report provides analysis to extend the 2040 forecasts of polar bear (Ursus maritimus) land use for the southern Beaufort and Chukchi Sea populations presented in a recent publication (Rode and others, 2022) through the year 2065. To inform long-term polar bear management considerations, we provide point-estimate forecasts and 95-percent prediction intervals of the proportion of...
Authors
Karyn Rode, David C. Douglas, Todd Atwood, Ryan R. Wilson
High winds and melting sea ice trigger landward movement in a polar bear population of concern High winds and melting sea ice trigger landward movement in a polar bear population of concern
Some animal species are responding to climate change by altering the timing of events like mating and migration. Such behavioral plasticity can be adaptive, but it is not always. Polar bears (Ursus maritimus) from the southern Beaufort Sea subpopulation have mostly remained on ice year-round, but as the climate warms and summer sea ice declines, a growing proportion of the subpopulation...
Authors
Annie Kellner, Todd Atwood, David Douglas, Stewart Breck, George Wittemyer
Fecal DNA metabarcoding shows credible short-term prey detections and explains variation in the gut microbiome of two polar bear subpopulations Fecal DNA metabarcoding shows credible short-term prey detections and explains variation in the gut microbiome of two polar bear subpopulations
This study developed and evaluated DNA metabarcoding to identify the presence of pinniped and cetacean prey DNA in fecal samples of East Greenland (EG) and Southern Beaufort Sea (SB) polar bears Ursus maritimus sampled in the spring of 2015-2019. Prey DNA was detected in half (49/92) of all samples, and when detected, ringed seal Pusa hispida was the predominant prey species, identified...
Authors
Megan Franz, L Whyte, Todd Atwood, Damian Menning, Sarah Sonsthagen, Sandra Talbot, Kristin Laidre, Emmanuel Gonzalez, Melissa McKinney
Polar bear research in a changing arctic Polar bear research in a changing arctic
No abstract available
Authors
Todd Atwood
Efficacy of bear spray as a deterrent against polar bears Efficacy of bear spray as a deterrent against polar bears
Although there have been few attempts to systematically analyze information on the use of deterrents on polar bears (Ursus maritimus), understanding their effectiveness in mitigating human-polar bear conflicts is critical to ensuring both human safety and polar bear conservation. To fill this knowledge gap, we analyzed 19 incidents involving the use of bear spray on free-ranging polar...
Authors
James Wilder, Lindsey Mangipane, Todd Atwood, Anatoly A. Kochnev, Tom Smith, Dag Vongraven
Observed and forecasted changes in land use by polar bears in the Beaufort and Chukchi Seas, 1985–2040 Observed and forecasted changes in land use by polar bears in the Beaufort and Chukchi Seas, 1985–2040
Monitoring changes in the distribution of large carnivores is important for managing human safety and supporting conservation. Throughout much of their range, polar bears (Ursus maritimus) are increasingly using terrestrial habitats in response to Arctic sea ice decline. Their increased presence in coastal areas has implications for bear-human conflict, inter-species interactions, and...
Authors
Karyn Rode, David Douglas, Todd Atwood, George Durner, Ryan R. Wilson, Anthony Pagano
A serological survey of Francisella tularensis exposure in wildlife on the Arctic Coastal Plain of Alaska A serological survey of Francisella tularensis exposure in wildlife on the Arctic Coastal Plain of Alaska
Tularemia is an infectious zoonotic disease caused by one of several subspecies of Francisella tularensis bacteria. Infections by F. tularensis are common throughout the northern hemisphere and have been detected in more than 250 wildlife species. In Alaska, US, where the pathogen was first identified in 1938, studies have identified F. tularensis antibodies in a diverse suite of taxa...
Authors
Matthew Smith, Caroline Van Hemert, Todd Atwood, David Sinnett, Jerry Hupp, Brandt W Meixell, David Gustine, Layne G. Adams, Andrew Ramey
Pleistocene–Holocene vicariance, not Anthropocene landscape change, explains the genetic structure of American black bear (Ursus americanus) populations in the American Southwest and northern Mexico Pleistocene–Holocene vicariance, not Anthropocene landscape change, explains the genetic structure of American black bear (Ursus americanus) populations in the American Southwest and northern Mexico
The phylogeography of the American black bear (Ursus americanus) is characterized by isolation into glacial refugia, followed by population expansion and genetic admixture. Anthropogenic activities, including overharvest, habitat loss, and transportation infrastructure, have also influenced their landscape genetic structure. We describe the genetic structure of the American black bear in...
Authors
Matthew Gould, James Cain, Todd Atwood, Larisa Harding, Heather Johnson, Dave Onorato, Frederic Winslow, Gary W. Roemer
Diet energy density estimated from isotopes in predator hair associated with survival, habitat, and population dynamics Diet energy density estimated from isotopes in predator hair associated with survival, habitat, and population dynamics
Sea ice loss is fundamentally altering the Arctic marine environment. Yet there is a paucity of data on the adaptability of food webs to ecosystem change, including predator-prey interactions. Polar bears (Ursus maritimus) are an important subsistence resource for Indigenous people and an apex predator that relies entirely on the under-ice food web to meet their energy needs. Here, we...
Authors
Karyn Rode, Brian Taras, Craig Stricker, Todd Atwood, Nicole Boucher, George Durner, Andrew Derocher, Evan Richardson, Seth Cherry, Lori Quakenbush, Lara Horstmann, Jeffrey Bromaghin
Modeling the spatial and temporal dynamics of land-based polar bear denning in Alaska Modeling the spatial and temporal dynamics of land-based polar bear denning in Alaska
Although polar bears (Ursus maritimus) of the Southern Beaufort Sea (SBS) subpopulation have commonly created maternal dens on sea ice in the past, maternal dens on land have become increasingly prevalent as sea ice declines. This trend creates conditions for increased human–bear interactions associated with local communities and industrial activity. Maternal denning is a vulnerable...
Authors
Vijay Patil, George Durner, David Douglas, Todd Atwood
Non-USGS Publications**
Algeo, T. P., D. Slate, R. M. Caron, T. C. Atwood, S. Recuenco, M. Ducey, R. B. Chipman, and M. Palace. 2017. Modeling raccoon (Procyon lotor) habitat connectivity to identify potential corridors for rabies spread. Tropical Medicine and Infectious Diseases 44. doi:10.3390/tropicalmed203044.
Atwood, T. C., E. Peacock, K. M. Lillie, R. R. Wilson, and S. Miller. 2015. Demographic composition and behavior of polar bears summering on shore in Alaska. USGS Administrative Report, 26 p.
Beasley, J. C., T. C. Atwood, M. E. Byrne, K. C. VerCauteren, S. R. Johnson, and O. E. Rhodes, Jr. 2015. A behaviorally-explicit approach for evaluating vaccine baits to mesopredators to control epizootics in fragmented landscapes. PLoS One 10:e0113206. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0113206.
Anderson, A., S. A. Shwiff, R. B. Chipman, T. C. Atwood, T. Cozzens, F. Fillo, R. Hale, B. Hatch, J. Maki, O. E. Rhodes, Jr, E. E. Rees, C. E. Rupprecht, R. Tinline, K. C. VerCauteren, and D. Slate. 2014. Forecasting the spread of raccoon rabies using a purpose-specific group decision-making process. Human-Wildlife Interactions 8(1):130-138.
Slate, D., R. B. Chipman, T. P. Algeo, S. A. Mills, K. M. Nelson, C. K. Croson, E. J. Dubovi, R. W. Renshaw, K. C. VerCauteren, T. C. Atwood, S. Johnson, and C. E. Rupprecht. 2014. Safety and immunogenicity in the first field trial with ONRAB in raccoons in the United States. Journal of Wildlife Diseases 50(3):582-595. doi:10.7589/2013-08-207.
Kunkel, K. E., T. K. Ruth, T. C. Atwood, D. H. Pletscher, and M. G. Hornocker. 2013. Assessing the value of wolves and cougars as conservation surrogates by linking carnivore hunting success with landscape characteristics. Animal Conservation 16:32-40. doi:10.1111/j.1469-1795.2012.00568.x.
Beasley, J. D., W. S. Beatty, T. C. Atwood, S. Johnson, and O. E. Rhodes, Jr. 2012. A comparison of methods for estimating raccoon abundance: Implications for disease vaccination programs. Journal of Wildlife Management 76(6):1290-1297. doi:10.1002/jwmg.379.
Atwood, T. C. and S. W. Breck. 2012. Carnivores, Conflict, and Conservation: Defining the Landscape of Conflict. Pages 99-118 in F. I. Álvares and G. E. Mata, (eds.). Carnivores: Species, Conservation, and Management. Nova Publishers.
Atwood, T. C., T. L. Fry, and B. R. Leland. 2011. Partitioning of a limited resource by sympatric carnivores in the Chihuahuan Desert and the implications for disease transmission. Journal of Wildlife Management 75:1609-1615.
Atwood, T. C., J. K. Young, J. P. Beckmann, S. W. Breck, O. E. Rhodes, Jr, J. A. Fike, and K. D. Bristow. 2011. Modeling connectivity of black bears in a desert sky island archipelago. Biological Conservation 144(12):2851-2862. doi:10.1016/j.biocon.2011.08.002.
Fry, T. L., T. C. Atwood, and M. R. Dunbar. 2010. Utility of rhodamine B as a biomarker in raccoons. Human-Wildlife Interactions 4:275-282.
Atwood, T. C. and E. M. Gese. 2010. Importance of resource selection and social behaviour to partitioning of hostile space by sympatric canids. Journal of Mammalogy 91:490-499.
Atwood, T. C., T. J. DeLiberto, H. J. Smith, J. Stevenson, and K. C. VerCauteren. 2009. Raccoon spatial ecology related to cattle and bovine tuberculosis. Journal of Wildlife Management 73:647-654.
Atwood, T. C., E. M. Gese, and K. E. Kunkel. 2009. Spatial decomposition of predation risk in a multiple-predator multiple-prey system. Journal of Wildlife Management 73:876-884.
Atwood, T. C. and E. M. Gese. 2008. Coyotes (Canis latrans) and recolonizing wolves (Canis lupus): Social rank mediates risk-conditional behaviour at ungulate carcasses. Animal Behaviour 75:753-762.
VerCauteren, K. C., T. C. Atwood, T. J. DeLiberto, H. J. Smith, J. Stevenson, T. Gidlewski, and B. V. Thomsen. 2008. Sentinel-based surveillance of coyotes to detect bovine tuberculosis in Michigan. Emerging Infectious Diseases 14:1862-1869.
Atwood, T. C., K. C. VerCauteren, T. J. DeLiberto, H. J. Smith, and J. Stevenson. 2007. Coyotes as a potential sentinel species to detect bovine tuberculosis (Mycobacterium bovis) infection in white-tailed deer in Michigan. Journal of Wildlife Management 71:1545-1554.
Atwood, T. C., E. M. Gese, and K. E. Kunkel. 2007. Comparative patterns of predation by cougars and recolonizing wolves. Journal of Wildlife Management 71:1098-1106.
Atwood, T. C. 2006. The influence of habitat patch attributes on coyote group size and interaction in a fragmented landscape. Canadian Journal of Zoology 84:80-87.
Atwood, T. C. 2006. Behavioral interactions between wolves, Canis lupus, and coyotes, Canis latrans, at ungulate carcasses in southwest Montana. Western North American Naturalist 66:390-394.
Atwood, T. C., H. P. Weeks, Jr., and T. M. Gehring. 2004. Spatial ecology of coyotes along a suburban-to-rural gradient. Journal of Wildlife Management 85:1000-1009.
Swihart, R. K., T. C. Atwood, J. R. Goheen, D. A. Scheiman, K. E. Munroe, and T. M. Gehring. 2003. Patch occupancy in North American mammals: Is patchiness in the eye of the beholder? . Journal of Biogeography 30:1259-1279.
Atwood, T. C. and H. P. Weeks, Jr.. 2003. Sex-specific patterns of mineral lick preference in white-tailed deer. Northeastern Naturalist 10:409-414.
Atwood, T. C. and H. P. Weeks, Jr.. 2002. Sex- and age-specific patterns of mineral lick use by white-tailed deer. American Midland Naturalist 148:289-296.
Atwood, T. C. and H. P. Weeks, Jr.. 2002. Facultative dyad formation in adult male coyotes. Northeastern Naturalist 9:353-358.
**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