Michael K. Schwartz, Ph.D.
Conservation Genetics Team Leader
Wildlife Ecology Research Unit
Rocky Mountain Research Station
800 E. Beckwith Ave.
Missoula MT 59801
Phone: 406.542.4161
Fax: 406.543.2663
E-mail: mkschwartz [at] fs.fed.us
Genetics Lab Website: www.fs.fed.us/rm/wildlife/genetics/
Education Publications Projects Students
B.A. Colby College, Waterville ME 1991
M.S. American University, Washington, D.C. 1996
Ph.D. University of Montana, Missoula MT 2001
Schwartz_Research_Interests.pdf
Schwartz_Grad_Student_Philosophy.pdf
McKelvey, K.S., S.A. Cushman, and M.K. Schwartz. In press. Chapter 17. Landscape Genetics. In: Spatial Complexity, Informatics, and Wildlife Conservation. Springer.
Schwartz, M.K., G. Luikart, K.S. McKelvey, and S.A Cushman. In press. Chapter 9. Landscape Genomics: A Brief Perspective. In: Spatial Complexity, Informatics, and Wildlife Conservation. Springer.
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Luikart, G., K. Pilgrim, J. Visty, V. Ezenwa, and M.K. Schwartz. In Press. Parasite-mediated heterozygote advantage in wild bighorn sheep detected via noninvasive fecal sampling. Biology Letters 4:228-231.
Cushman, S.A., K.S. McKelvey, and M.K. Schwartz. 2009. Evaluating habitat connectivity and mapping of corridors between Yellowstone National Park and the Canadian Border with landscape genetics and least cost path analysis. Conservation Biology 23:368-376.
Brinkman, T., M.K. Schwartz, D.K. Person, K.L. Pilgrim, K.J. Huntertmark. 2009. Effects of time and rainfall on PCR success using DNA extracted from deer fecal pellets. Conservation Genetics. DOI 10.1007/s10592-009-9928-7
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Francesca Marucco, Daniel H. Pletscher, Luigi Boitani, Michael K. Schwartz, Kristy L. Pilgrim and Jean-Dominique Lebreton 2009. Wolf survival and population trend using non-invasive
capture–recapture techniques in the Western Alps. Journal of Applied Ecology. doi: 10.1111/j.1365-2664.2009.01696.x
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Beja-Pereira, Albano Rita Oliveira, Paulo C. Alves, Michael K. Schwartz and Gordon Luikart. 2009. Advancing ecological understandings through technological transformations in noninvasive genetics. Molecular Ecology Resources 9, 1279–1301
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Schwartz, M.K., J. P. Copeland, N. J. Anderson, J.R. Squires, R.M. Inman, K.S. Mckelvey, K.L. Pilgrim, L.P. Waits, and S. A. Cushman. 2009. Wolverine gene flow across a narrow climatic niche. Ecology, Vol. 90, No. 11.
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McKelvey, K.S., S.A. Cushman, M.K. Schwartz, and L. F. Ruggiero. 2009. Wildlife sampling across multiple spatial scales using grid-based sampling. Pgs. 137-142 in: R. E. McRoberts, G. A. Reams, P. C. Van Deusen, and W. H. McWilliams editors. Eighth annual Forest Inventory and Analysis symposium. USDA Forest Service General Technical Report WO-79. 404 pgs.
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Homyack JA, Vashon JH, Libby C, Lindquist EL, McAlpine DF, Pilgrim KL, and Schwartz MK. 2008. Canada lynx-bobcat (Lynx canadensis x L. rufus) hybrids at the southern periphery of lynx range in Maine, Minnesota and New Brunswick.
Am. Midl. Nat. 159:504–508.
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Cushman, S.A., K.S. McKelvey, and M.K. Schwartz. 2008. Case Study 6.1: DNA survey for fisher in Northern Idaho. Pgs. 173-174 in: R.A. Long, P. MacKay, J.C. Ray, and W.J. Zielinski, Editors. Noninvasive Survey Methods for North American Carnivores. Island Press, Washington D.C.
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Schwartz M. K. and Monfort S. L. 2008. Genetic and Endocrine Tools for Carnivore Surveys.
In: Long RA, MacKay P, Ray JC, Zielinski WJ (eds) Noninvasive survey methods for North American carnivores. Island Press, Washington D.C.
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McKelvey KS, Aubry KB, and Schwartz MK. 2008. The use of anecdotal occurrence data for rare or elusive species: the illusion of reality and a call for evidentiary standards. Bioscience. Vol. 58 No. 6:549-555.
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Luikart G, Pilgrim K, Visty J, Ezenwa V, and Schwartz MK. 2008. Candidate gene microsatellite variation is associated with parasitism in wild bighorn sheep. Biol. Lett. (2008) 4, 228–231.
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Schwartz, M.K. and K.S. McKelvey. 2008. Why sampling scheme matters: the effect of sampling scheme on landscape genetic results. Conservation Genetics 10:441–452.
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Cushman, S.A., K.S. McKelvey, and M.K. Schwartz. 2008. Use of empirically derived source-destination models to map regional conservation corridors. Conservation Biology.
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Jordan, Mark J. , J . Mark Higley, Sean M. Matthews, Olin E. Rhodes, Michael K. Schwartz, Reginald H. Barrett and Per J. Palsbøll. 2007. Development of 22 new microsatellite loci for fishers (Martes pennanti) with variability results from across their range. Molecular Ecology Notes.
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Squires, J.R., J.P. Copeland, T.J. Ulizio, M.K. Schwartz, and L.F. Ruggiero. 2007. Sources and Patterns of Wolverine Mortality in Western Montana. Journal of Wildlife Management 71:2213–2220.
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Schwartz MK, Aubry KB, McKelvey KS., Pilgrim KL, Copeland JP, Squires JR, Inman RM, Wisely SM and Ruggiero LF. 2007. Inferring Geographic Isolation of Wolverines in California
Using Historical DNA. The Journal of Wildlife Management 71:2170–2179.
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Schwartz MK. 2007. Ancient DNA confirms native rocky mountain fisher Martes pennanti avoided early 20 th century extinction. Journal of Mammalogy 88:921-925.
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Schwartz MK, Luikart G, and Waples RS. 2007. Genetic monitoring as a promising tool
for conservation and management. Trends in Ecology and Evolution 22: 25-33.
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Schwartz, M. K., K. L. Pilgrim, K. S. McKelvey, P. T. Rivera, L. F. Ruggiero. 2007. DNA Markers for Identifying Individual Snowshoe Hares Using field-collected Pellets. Northwest Science, Vol. 81, No.4.
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Michael K. Schwartz, Samuel A. Cushman, Kevin S. McKelvey, Jim Hayden, and Cory Engkjer. 2006. Detecting genotyping errors and describing American black bear movement in northern Idaho. Ursus 17(2):138–148.
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Ray S. Vinkey, Michael K. Schwartz, Kevin S. Mckelvey, Kerry R. Foresman, Kristine L. Pilgrim, Brian J. Giddings, and Eric C. Loth. 2006. When Reintroductions are Augmentations: The Genetic Legacy of Fishers. (Martes Pennanti) in Montana. Journal of Mammalogy, 87(2):265–271.
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Todd J. Ulizio, John R. Squires, Daniel H. Pletscher, Michael K. Schwartz, James J. Claar, and Leonard F. Ruggiero. 2006. The Efficacy of Obtaining Genetic-Based Identifications from Putative Wolverine Snow Tracks. Wildlife Society Bulletin 34:1326-1334.
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Biek R, Akaime N, Schwartz MK, Ruth TK, Murphy KM, and Poss M. 2006. Female philopatry leads to stable genetic population structure in wide-ranging Yellowstone cougars (Felis concolor). Biology Letters 2: 312-315.
Roman Biek, Naomi Akamine, Michael K. Schwartz, Toni K. Ruth, Kerry M. Murphy and Mary Poss. 2006. Genetic consequences of sex-biased dispersal in a solitary carnivore: Yellowstone cougars. Biol. Lett. (2006) 2, 312–315.
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McKelvey, Kevin S., von Kienast, Jeffrey, Aubry, Keith B., Koehler, Gary M.; Maletzke, Bejamin T., Squires, John R., Lindquist, Edward L., Loch, Steve, Schwartz, Michael K. 2006. DNA Analysis of Hair and Scat Collected Along Snow Tracks to Document the Presence of Canada Lynx. Wildlife Society Bulletin, Vol. 34(2): 451-455
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Biek, R., N. Akamine, M.K. Schwartz, T.K. Ruth, K.M. Murphy, and M. Poss. 2006. Long-term genetic effects of sex-biased dispersal in a solitary carnivore: Yellowstone cougars. Biology Letters 2: 312-315.
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Samuel A. Cushman, Kevin S. McKelvey, Jim Hayden, and Michael K. Schwartz. 2006. Gene Flow in Complex Landscapes: Testing Multiple Hypotheses with Causal Modeling. Am. Nat. 2006. Vol. 168, pp. 486–499.
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Kristine L. Pilgrim, William J. Zielinski, Mary J. Mazurek, Fredrick V. Schlexer and Michael K. Schwartz 2006. Development and characterization of microsatellite markers in the Point Arena mountain beaver Aplodontia rufa nigra. Molecular Ecology Notes (2006).
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William J. Zielinski, Fredrick V. Schlexer, Kristine L. Pilgrim and Michael K. Schwartz 2006. The Efficacy of Wire and Glue Hair Snares in Identifying Mesocarnivores. The Wildlife Society Bulletin 34(4):1152-1161.
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Schwartz MK. 2005. Guidelines on the use of molecular genetics in reintroduction programs. European Union LIFE Nature Program, Caraminico, Italy
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McKelvey KS and Schwartz MK. 2005. DROPOUT: a program to identify problem loci and samples for noninvasive genetic sampling in a capture-mark-recapture framework. Molecular Ecology Notes 5: 716-718.
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Michael K. Schwartz, Katherine Ralls, Dan F. Williams, Brian L. Cypher, Kristine L. Pilgrim and Robert C. Fleischer. 2005. Gene flow among San Joaquin kit fox populations in a severely changed ecosystem. Conservation Genetics 6: 25–37.
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Michael K. Schwartz L. Scott Mills. 2005. Gene flow after inbreeding leads to higher survival in deer mice. Biological Conservation 123 413–420.
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K. L. Pilgrim, K . S. McKelvey, A . E. Riddle And M. K. Schwartz. 2005. Felid sex identification based on noninvasive genetic samples. Molecular Ecology Notes. 5, 60–61.
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Holthausen, R. Czaplewski RL, DeLorenzo D, Hayward G, Kessler WB, Manley P, McKelvey KS, Powell DS, Ruggiero LF, Schwartz MK, Van Horne B, and Vojta CD. 2005. Strategies for Monitoring Terrestrial Animals and Habitats. Gen. Tech. Rep. RMRS-GTR-161. Fort Collins, CO: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Rocky Mountain Research Station. 34p.
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McKelvey KS and Schwartz MK. 2004. Providing reliable and accurate genetic capture–mark–recapture estimates in a cost-effective way. Journal of Wildlife Management 68(3): 453-456.
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Inman RM, Wigglesworth RR, Inman KH, Schwartz MK, Brock BL, and Rieck JD. 2004. Wolverine makes extensive movements in the greater Yellowstone ecosystem. Northwest Science 78: 261-266.
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Neil J. Gemmell, Michael K. Schwartz, and Bruce C. Robertson. 2004. Moa were many. Proc Biol Sci. 2004 Dec 7;271 Suppl 6:S430-2.
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McKelvey, K. S. and M. K. Schwartz. 2004. Genetic Errors Associated with Population Estimation Using Non-Invasive Molecular Tagging: Problems and New Solutions. J. Wildl. Manage. 68(3):439–448.
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Michael K. Schwartz, Kristine L. Pilgrim, Kevin S. McKelvey, Edward L. Lindquist, James J. Claar, Steve Loch and Leonard F. Ruggiero. 2004. Hybridization between Canada lynx and bobcats: Genetic results and management implications. Conservation Genetics 5: 349–355.
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Mills LS, Schwartz MK, Tallmon DA, and Lair KP. 2003. Measuring and interpreting changes in connectivity for mammals in coniferous forests. In: Zabel C, Anthony RG (eds.) Mammal community dynamics in Western coniferous forests: management and conservation in the new millennium. Island Press, Washington D.C., pp 587-613.
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Manel S, Schwartz MK, Luikart G, and Taberlet P. 2003. Landscape genetics: combining landscape ecology and population genetics. Trends in Ecology and Evolution 18: 1807-1816.
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M. K. Schwartz, L . S . Mills, Y. Ortega, L. F. Ruggiero and F. W. Allendorf. 2003. Landscape location affects genetic variation of Canada lynx (Lynx canadensis). Molecular Ecology (2003) 12, 1807–1816.
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Michael K. Schwartz, L. Scott Mills, Kevin S. McKelvey. 2002. DNA reveals high dispersal synchronizing the population dynamics of Canada lynx. Nature Vol 415, 520-522.
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Ralls, K. K. L. Pilgrim, P. J. White, E. E. Paxinos, M. K. Schwartz, and R. C. Fleischer. 2001. Kinship, social relationships, and den sharing in kit foxes. Journal of Mammalogy 82(3):858-866.
Pletscher DH and Schwartz MK. 2001. Rearranging the deck chairs on the Malthusian ship: Reply to Phifer and Roebuck. Conservation Biology 15. T
Mills, L. S., K. L. Pilgrim, M. K. Schwartz, and K. McKelvey. 2000. Identifying lynx and other North American felids based on MtDNA analysis. Conservation Genetics 1(3):285-288.
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Pletscher DH and Schwartz MK. 2000. The tyranny of popluation growth. Conservation Biology 14: 1918-1919. T
Mills LS, Citta JJ, Lair KP, Schwartz MK, and Tallmon DA. 2000. Estimating animal abundance using non-invasive DNA sampling: promise and pitfall. Ecological Applications 10: 283-294.
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Ruggiero LF, Schwartz MK, Buskirk SF, Krebs CJ, and Stanley A. 2000. Ecotypic variation and conservation. In: Ruggiero LF, Aubry, K.B., Buskirk, S.F., Krebs, C.J., McKelvey, K.S., Squires, J.R. (ed) The Ecology and Conservation of Lynx. University of Colorado Press, Denver, CO.
Schwartz MK, Tallmon DA, and Luikart G. 1999. Using genetics to estimate the size of wild populations: many methods, much potential, uncertain utility. Animal Conservation 2: 320-322.
Schwartz MK, Boness DJ, Majluf P, Schaeff C, and Fleischer R. 1999. Extra-pair mating: an epiphenomenon for the Humboldt penguin? Behavioral Ecology 10: 242-250
Hiruki LM, Schwartz MK, and Boveng PL. 1999. Social and hunting behavior of the leopard seal on Seal Island, Antarctica. Journal of Zoology 249: 97-109.
Ruggiero, Leonard F. , Michael K. Schwartz, Keith B. Aubry, Charles J. Krebs, Amanda Stanley, Steven W. Buskirk 1999. Species Conservation and Natural Variation Among Populations. Pp. 101-116. In L.F. Ruggiero, K.B. Aubry, S.W. Buskirk, G.M. Koehler, C.J. Krebs, K.S. McKelvey, and J.R. Squires (eds.) Ecology and conservation of lynx in the United States. RMRS-GTR-30WWW. Fort Collins, CO: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Rocky Mountain Research Station.
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Michael K. Schwartz, David A. Tallmon and Gordon Luikart. 1998. Review of DNA-based census and effective population size estimators. Animal Conservation (1998) 1, 293-299.
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Schwartz MK, Tallmon DA, and Luikart G. 1998. Using non-invasive genetic sampling methods and new analytical tools to detect population declines and minimize extinctions. Animal Conservation 1: 293-299.
Boveng PL, Hiruki LM, Schwartz MK, and Bengston JL. 1998. The effect of leopard seal predation upon Antarctic fur seals at Seal Island, Antarctica. Ecology 8: 2863-2877.
Zeller NK and Schwartz MK. 1996. General Biology Laboratories: evolution and the kingdoms. Kendall/Hunt Publishing Company, Iowa.
Bengston JL, Jansen JK, Meyer WR, Miller RV, Schwartz MK, and Walker BW. 1993. AMLR Program: fur seal and seabird studies at Seal Island, South Shetland Islands during the 1992/93 austral summer. Antarctic Journal 14: 21-24.
Jenny Woolf, University of Montana, Wildlife Biology - Ph.D. (Co-advised with Fred Allendorf) : Project Website
Jody Tucker, University of Montana, Wildlife Biology - M.S. (Co-advised with Fred Allendorf)