La Kretz Center postdoctoral researcher Dr. Devon DeRaad plans to use genomic approaches to characterize the genetic diversity and relatedness of scrub-jays throughout the state of California. This includes a conservation genomics assessment for the Island Scrub-Jay, the most range restricted U.S. endemic bird species, a state-wide landscape genomics approach for the California Scrub-Jay, and the first genomic sequencing of the California Scrub-Jay California endemic subspecies Aphelocoma californica cana. These projects will guide conservation priorities for scrub-jays and reveal broadly relevant evolutionary mechanisms and landscape features that have shaped biodiversity and conservation needs for taxa throughout the state of California.
Research Project | 2024