Aaron Shafer, PhD
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The primary focus of my research is to characterize the genetic structure of mountain goats across North America using a landscape genetic approach. The spatial integration of genetics and ecology will then be used to identify key habitat corridors and the appropriate scale to delineate management units. The secondary aim of my thesis involves characterizing the phylogeographic pattern of mountain goats spanning their entire North American range. Understanding the phylogeography and patterns of genetic structure at the species level will provide a broader context in which to identify geographic areas and populations of special concern. Finally, I will be examining the mountain goats phylogenetic position within the Caprinae, as various placements have been suggested. This aspect of my project will have important evolutionary implications, as there remains the possibility of morphological convergence between rupicaprins and mountain goats, or mitochondrial introgression with mountain goats and sheep (Ovis spp.).
Co-Supervisor: Steeve Côté
Publications:Shafer, A.B.A., Williams, G.R., Shutler, D., Rogers, R.E.L. and D.T. Stewart. Cophylogeny of Nosema (Microsporidia: Nosematidae) and bees (Hymenoptera: Apidae) suggests both cospeciation and a host-switch. Journal of Parasitology: DOI: 10.1645/GE-1724.1
Dawe, K.L., Shafer, A.B.A., Herman, T.B. and D.T. Stewart. Diffusion of nuclear and mitochondrial genes across a zone of secondary contact in the maritime shrew, Sorex maritimensis: implications for the conservation of a Canadian endemic mammal. Conservation Genetics: DOI 10.1007/s10592-008-9645-7.
Shafer, A.B.A., Scott, F.W., Petersen, S.D., Rhymer, J.M. and D.T. Stewart. 2008. Following the SINEs: a taxonomic revision of the of the long-tailed shrew complex, Sorex dispar and S. gaspensis. Journal of Mammalogy In press (December 2008 issue).
Shafer, A.B.A. and D.T. Stewart. 2008. A population crash of the red-backed vole (Myodes gapperi) in Nova Scotia inferred from bycatch of the long-tailed shrew (Sorex dispar). Northeastern Naturalist 15: In press
Williams, G.R., Shafer, A.B.A., Rogers, R.E.L., Shutler, D. and D.T. Stewart. 2008. First detection of Nosema ceranae, a microsporidian parasite of European honey bees (Apis mellifera), in Canada and central U.S.A. Journal of Invertebrate Pathology 97: 189-192.
Shafer, A.B.A. and D.T. Stewart. 2007. Phylogenetic relationships of Nearctic shrews within the genus Sorex (Insectivora, Soricidae) inferred from combined cytochrome b and inter-SINE fingerprint data using Bayesian analysis. Molecular Phylogenetics and Evolution 44: 192-203.
Shafer, A.B.A. and D.T. Stewart. 2006. A disjunct population of Sorex dispar (long-tailed shrew) in Nova Scotia. Northeastern Naturalist 13: 603-608.
Contact information:
Aaron B.A. Shafer
PhD Candidate
Department of Biological Sciences
CW 405, Biological Sciences Building
University of Alberta
Edmonton, Alberta
CANADA, T6G2E9
Ph: (780) 492-8368
Fax: (780) 492-9234
shafer@ualberta.ca
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Last Modified:2008-09-23 |