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Mark A Davis

@markdavis79.bsky.social

830 followers 1.6K following 55 posts

Conservation Biologist Illinois Natural History Survey Prairie Research Institute University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign

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Environmental science 45%

Biology 18%

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Mark A Davis @markdavis79.bsky.social · 20d

You like to squeeze fish? Come squeeze fish with us! blogs.illinois.edu/view/7426/33...

Assistant Research Scientist, Vertebrate Curator - Illinois Natural History Survey/PRI - Deadline to Apply: 6 PM September 29, 2025

blogs.illinois.edu

Reposted by Mark A. Davis

Eric R. Larson @ericrlarson.bsky.social · Jul 3

Another example of the power of environmental DNA (eDNA): a positive eDNA detection led to the rediscovery of a freshwater mussel not found live in Illinois for over a century. New student-led, open access paper in Ecology with @markdavis79.bsky.social at doi.org/10.1002/ecy....

A four panel figure showing (a) a biologist wading in a turbid river with a water sample, (b) a real-time or quantitative PCR amplification plot with a positive environmental DNA detection, (c) a biologist searching concrete riprap on a river bank, and (d) two freshwater mussels that have been marked for future monitoring and recapture.

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Mark A Davis @markdavis79.bsky.social · Jul 3

esajournals.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/...

Environmental DNA reveals the Salamander Mussel Simpsonaias ambigua alive in Illinois, USA, after a century in obscurity

Click on the article title to read more.

esajournals.onlinelibrary.wiley.com

Reposted by Mark A. Davis

International Biodiversity @ibioconsultants.com · Jun 23

Comparing innovative #eDNA technology with traditional ecology methods 🌍

#Ecology #Surveys #Biodiversity #Monitoring

nsojournals.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/pdf/10.1...

A systematic review evaluating the performance of eDNA methods relative to conventional methods for biodiversity monitoring

The rapid adoption of environmental DNA (eDNA) methods has drastically changed biodiversity monitoring efforts. It is often claimed that eDNA methods are more sensitive and efficient than conventiona...

nsojournals.onlinelibrary.wiley.com

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Reposted by Mark A. Davis

Ellie Snyder @snydcomments.bsky.social · Jun 3

New paper out today!!

We know warming speeds up eDNA removal in lakes and ponds, but what about streams and rivers where physical removal may obscure the impact of decay?
onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/...

Warming Increases Environmental DNA (eDNA) Removal Rates in Flowing Waters

This study experimentally investigated how warmer water temperatures impact eDNA removal rates in flowing waters. Using recirculating mesocosms with varying water temperatures (20°C, 23°C, and 26°C) ...

onlinelibrary.wiley.com

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Reposted by Mark A. Davis

debpaul.bsky.social @debpaul.bsky.social · Apr 15

Join us to discuss #eDNA opportunities and needs with @markdavis79.bsky.social at #TWT2025 on May 8th! Registration is open (and free)! together.taxonworks.org

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Mark A Davis @markdavis79.bsky.social · Jan 10

The snow is falling in the Greater Chambana Metropolitan Area, I’m writing about Eastern Indigo Snakes, and listening Waxahatchee. It’s a good day.

youtu.be/ps1f7p720FA?...

Waxahatchee: Tiny Desk Concert

YouTube video by NPR Music

youtu.be

Mark A Davis @markdavis79.bsky.social · Jan 8

It IS the Year of the Snake, after all…

onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10....

Persistence of Reptile DNA in a Terrestrial Substrate: A Case Study Using the Eastern Indigo Snake

We use eastern indigo snakes to study eDNA deposition and persistence in terrestrial substrates to inform the application of terrestrial eDNA sampling at broader landscape scales. We used a species-s....

onlinelibrary.wiley.com

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Mark A Davis @markdavis79.bsky.social · Dec 31

Nothing like a little NYE eDNA sampling with @jhhartman.bsky.social
Training in some new “techs,” to boot! #eDNA

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Reposted by Mark A. Davis

Marine eDNA Dude @marinednadude.bsky.social · Dec 30

Check out our latest paper on #eDNA and metabarcoding data reporting standards 🤓🧬🧪

These minimum reporting guidelines for metabarcoding workflows extend from the physical layout of laboratories through to data archiving enhance trust and reliability in data

mbmg.pensoft.net/article/1286...

The MIEM guidelines: Minimum information for reporting of environmental metabarcoding data

Environmental DNA (eDNA) and RNA (eRNA) metabarcoding has become a popular tool for assessing biodiversity from environmental samples, but inconsistent documentation of methods, data and metadata make...

mbmg.pensoft.net

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Mark A Davis @markdavis79.bsky.social · Dec 19

blogs.illinois.edu/view/7447/54...

Toad discovery brings together Syrian, Illinois scientists

blogs.illinois.edu

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Reposted by Mark A. Davis

Titus Seilheimer @drfishsg.bsky.social · Dec 13

Nominate your favorite Great Lakes hero for an @iaglr.bsky.social award!

Due February 1, 2025

Help recognize excellence in large lake research.

• IAGLR Lifetime Achievement Award
• John R. (Jack) Vallentyne Award
• IAGLR Large Lake Champion Award

iaglr.org/awards-schol...

Awards & Scholarships

IAGLR offers many awards and scholarships to recognize and support excellence.

iaglr.org

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Mark A Davis @markdavis79.bsky.social · Dec 12

Two manuscripts accepted within 15 minutes of one another. I’ll take all of that you got!!!

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Mark A Davis @markdavis79.bsky.social · Dec 11

Cool eDNA tech gig at Auburn.

www.auemployment.com/postings/50282

Research Associate/Research Fellow (Environmental DNA Lab Technician)

The Southeast Conservation Genetics Lab (SECGL) at Auburn University is seeking a highly qualified individual to serve in the role as a technician in a new environmental DNA (eDNA) lab. This is a full...

www.auemployment.com

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Reposted by Pieter De Frenne, Mark A. Davis

Jonathan Lenoir 🌳🌲🌴 @jonlen.bsky.social · Dec 3

🌳 New findings 🌳

Phylogenetic diversity cannot be used as a proxy for functional diversity in vascular plant communities 🌲🌳🌴🌵🌱🍀🌾🌼 We used the #sPlot database & found a pronounced decoupling between phylogenetic & functional diversity ⬇️

🧪🌐🌏🍁

@natureecoevo.bsky.social
shorturl.at/Bf5IK

Global decoupling of functional and phylogenetic diversity in plant communities - Nature Ecology & Evolution

Functional diversity and phylogenetic diversity are expected to be positively correlated. Here the authors show that the covariation between these metrics in vascular plant communities around the worl...

shorturl.at

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Reposted by Mark A. Davis

Lilian Lieber @lilianlieber.bsky.social · Dec 4

I'm very excited to offer this #PhD on the majestic Atlantic bluefin #tuna in Southwest UK waters using #drones, remote sensing, #ocean profiling & eDNA! Working with #anglers & this fantastic team: @bd-stew.bsky.social @peterimiller.bsky.social @marinemicrobes.bsky.social 🧪🌊🦑 tinyurl.com/mrxyh62t

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Mark A Davis @markdavis79.bsky.social · Nov 20

For eDNA Metabarcoding, particulary for pollinators, curating robust sequences libraries is essential. Partnerships like ours a providing a roadmap for success. #conservationgenetics

blog.desertmuseum.org/2024/11/01/b...

Bees, Barcodes, and Biodiversity

Desert Museum Volunteers Build Barcode Reference Library of Native Bees By Kim Franklin Eight years ago I launched a small study of the native bee diversity in Las Mipiltas de Cottonwood, a small u…

blog.desertmuseum.org

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Reposted by Mark A. Davis

Nicolas Dussex @nicolasdussex.bsky.social · Nov 19

Calling for your paper for the upcoming collection:
Genomics of endangered species
🐬🐒🐸🐍🫎🐧🦉🌴🌿

#consgen
#conservationgenetics
#conservationgenomics

I’m very happy to be serving as Guest Editor and eager to read your submission.

Deadline: 13 August 2025
More info:
bit.ly/48VA9l6
@BioMedCentral

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Mark A Davis @markdavis79.bsky.social · Nov 17

With snow set to fly later this week, a Sunday Salameander was very necessary.

Mark A Davis @markdavis79.bsky.social · Nov 17

Add me and @jhhartman.bsky.social

Mark A Davis @markdavis79.bsky.social · Nov 17

And here I thought Nada Surf’s cover of There is a Light That Never Goes Out was the best version. Hot damn!

Mark A Davis @markdavis79.bsky.social · Nov 17

Not a to be confused with Snow’s “informer” (1992)

Mark A Davis @markdavis79.bsky.social · Nov 16

One of the most terrifying things I ever encountered doing field work was pulling a seine and finding one of those systematically dismantling and consuming a northern leopard frog. It haunts my dreams to this day.

Reposted by Mark A. Davis

Anthony Ricciardi @ecoinvasions.bsky.social · Nov 16

I suspect many researchers have been tempted to send off a letter like this. Below is one that I modified from a published example: journals.biologists.com/jcs/article/...

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Reposted by Mark A. Davis

Dezene Huber 🍁 🌻 @dezene.me · Nov 16

Every summer I get questions about giant water bugs – a different species than this in my neck of the woods.

They’re such big, dramatic creatures!

“…L. maximus grows to nearly 12 cm long and can take down a vertebrate many times its size.”

🧪🌎🪲🪳

www.discoverwildlife.com/animal-facts...

Meet the world's largest, deadliest bug that can suck the life out of fish many times its size - effectively turning its prey into one giant protein smoothie

All you need to know about the deadly giant water bug that attacks anything that moves - even humans, hence its nickname 'toe-biter'.

www.discoverwildlife.com

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Reposted by Mark A. Davis

Dezene Huber 🍁 🌻 @dezene.me · Nov 16

“…I have work calls at 11, 11:30, 12, 1:30, 3, and 5. At least there are a couple of blocks in there when I might be able to sneak a little more writing in.”

www.mcsweeneys.net/articles/if-...

If Jack Kerouac Tried to Write On the Road Now

I first met Dean after my wife and I had split up—dude, why is everyone freaking out, it was just a small earthquake. We get it. Move on. Look at e...

www.mcsweeneys.net

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Mark A Davis @markdavis79.bsky.social · Nov 16

Throw in some “future considerations?

Mark A Davis @markdavis79.bsky.social · Nov 16

No cap.

Reposted by Ana Delicado, Mark A. Davis, Stephanie E. Hampton

Dr. Dawn Wright @deepseadawn.bsky.social · Nov 16

In the wake of the U.S. election, Natl Academy of Sciences President Marcia McNutt has authored a spot-on editorial in Science, stressing the apolitical nature of science and how it remains vital to informing a lot of public policy. Best read all week!! www.science.org/doi/10.1126/...
#scipol 🧪

Photo of National Academy of Sciences President Marcia McNutt

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Mark A Davis @markdavis79.bsky.social · Nov 16

Nooooooo…I mean yes. Absolutely yes.