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David Berg

Biographical Information

Research in the Aquatic Biodiversity & Conservation (ABC) Laboratory focuses on the evolution and conservation of biodiversity, and the geographic distribution of this diversity across freshwater ecosystems. Our study organisms include amphipods, snails, and other invertebrates inhabiting springs in the Chihuahuan Desert and Great Basin, and freshwater mussels (the most imperiled group of animals in the United States) from throughout North America. The evolutionary forces we study are natural selection, isolation and dispersal among populations, and random changes in genetic diversity and community composition. Desert springs provide ideal systems for this work because they contain unique assemblages of invertebrates. Stark landscapes, wide-open spaces, and beautiful sunsets are added bonuses for working in this part of the world.

Our work with freshwater mussels has focused on the geographic distribution of genetic diversity within species. We are interested in understanding the mechanisms by which populations of mussels re-inhabited northern rivers following the recessions of Pleistocene glaciers. We also are estimating the degree of gene flow among declining populations when isolation of such populations becomes greater due to habitat fragmentation, climate change, and other anthropogenic causes.

In addition to basic research, we have used molecular genetic tools to answer questions of conservation interest. The National Science Foundation has funded our surveys of desert springs to uncover cryptic biodiversity: new species that are genetically distinct from, but outwardly similar to, known species. Because most of our study organisms are at risk of extinction—largely due to human alteration of habitat—our research is of interest to agencies that manage endangered species. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, the New Mexico Department of Game and Fish, the World Wildlife Fund, and other agencies and NGOs provide funding for research that informs their efforts at conservation. Our research has provided critical information leading to decisions to list three species of invertebrates under the US Endangered Species Act.

We now use next-generation sequencing tools to investigate the population genomics, evolution, and distribution of diversity in target organisms. These approaches genotype organisms at thousands of loci per individual via Restriction site-Associated DNA Sequencing (so-called RADseq) and sequencing of ultra-conserved elements (UCEs). We are developing these tools for both freshwater mussels and a variety of desert spring invertebrates. Our research focuses on the evolution of biodiversity in aquatic invertebrates and on the use of this information for developing conservation strategies.

Education

• Ph.D., Zoology, Ohio State University
• M.S., Zoology, Northwestern State University of Louisiana
• B.S., Biology, University of Notre Dame

Courses Taught

• Conservation Biology (BIO 467/567)
• Invertebrate Zoology (BIO 312)
• Fundamentals of Ecology (BIO 209)
• Environmental Biology (BIO 121)

Selected Publications

• Burns, M. P. A., P. J. Schaeffer, and D. J. Berg.  2022.  Metabolic rate and osmoregulation in desert spring amphipods.  Canadian Journal of Zoology doi:  10.1139/cjz-2021-0195.
• Cannizzaro, A. G., J. D. Daniels, and D. J. Berg.  2022.  Phylogenetic analyses of a new freshwater amphipod reveal polyphyly within the Holarctic family Crangonyctidae, with revision of the genus Synurella.  Zoological Journal of the Linnean Society 195:  1100-1115.
• Walters, A. D., D. A. Trujillo, and D. J. Berg.  2022.  Micro-endemic species of snails and amphipods show population genetic structure across very small geographic ranges.  Heredity 128:  325-337.
• Hou, Z., P. Jin, H. Liu, H. Qiao, B. Sket, A. G. Cannizzaro, D. J. Berg, and S. Li.  2022.  Climate cooling promoted global dispersal of amphipods from Tian Shan montane lakes to circumboreal lakes.  Global Change Biology 28:  3830-3845.
• Cannizzaro, A. G. and D. J. Berg.  2022.  Gone with Gondwana: amphipod diversification in freshwaters followed the breakup of the supercontinent.  Molecular Phylogenetics and Evolution 171: 107464.
• Burns, M. P. A., M. J. O’Connell, P. J. Schaeffer, and D. J. Berg.  2022.  Elevated salinity and temperature associated with climate change threaten survival and conservation of desert spring amphipods.  Aquatic Conservation:  Marine and Freshwater Ecosystems 32:  457-465.
• Walters, A. D., A. Arp, G. M. Cerbie, D. A. Trujillo, A. J. Kiss, and D. J. Berg.  2022.  Comparative analysis of microbiome communities inhabiting sympatric, micro-endemic gastropods of conservation concern.  Journal of Molluscan Studies 88: eyac002.  Featured article in Volume 88(1) “chosen by the Editor-in-Chief for its unusual interest or potentially wide appeal.”
• Al-Saffar, M. A., A. J. Alwash, and D. J. Berg.  2021.  Identifying and prioritizing aquatic habitats for conservation in a poorly studied region.  Journal for Nature Conservation 63:  126043.
• Walters, A. D., A. G. Cannizzaro, D. A. Trujillo, and D. J. Berg.  2021.  Addressing the Linnean shortfall in a cryptic species complex.  Zoological Journal of the Linnean Society 192:  277-305.
• Walters, A. D., K. N. Taynor, and D. J. Berg.  2021.  Genetic diversity in the threatened freshwater mussel Lampsilis powellii.  Freshwater Mollusk Biology and Conservation 24:  26-33.
• Inoue, K., A. L. Pohl, M. Sei, B. K. Lang, and D. J. Berg.  2020.  Use of species delimitation approaches to assess biodiversity in freshwater planaria (Platyhelminthes: Tricladida) from desert springs.  Aquatic Conservation:  Marine and Freshwater Ecosystems 30:  209-218.
• Walters, A. D., M. A. Brown, G. M. Cerbie, M. G. Williams, J. A. Banta, L. R. Williams, N. B. Ford, and D. J. Berg.  2019.  Do hotspots fall within protected areas? A Geographic Approach to Planning analysis of regional freshwater biodiversity.  Freshwater Biology 64:  2046-2056.