Dr. Mary M. Peacock
Assistant Professor
Population viability and Conservation Genetics

Arizona State University, 1995, Ph.D., Zoology
University of Nevada, Reno 1987 M.S. Biology
University of California, Davis 1980 B.A. Biology

Research Interests
My research program focuses primarily on population viability questions. I am especially interested in the effect of habitat fragmentation on population dynamics. This general interest acts as an umbrella for a variety of research projects that range from basic research on metapopulation dynamics in pikas (Ochotona princeps) and toads (Bufo boreas) to viability modeling of Lahontan cutthroat trout (Oncorhynchus clarki henshawi) populations in both fragmented and non-fragmented systems. I use a variety of research tools to address these questions including molecular genetic techniques, population viability modeling, and traditional behavioral ecology methods. I have used a combination of mark-recapture and genetic methods, such as multilocus DNA fingerprinting, to examine mating and dispersal patterns, population genetic structure and the maintenance (or loss) of genetic variation in spatially heterogenous habitats. Recently, I have expanded my research program to include phylogeographic and phylogenetic approaches to species conservation issues.

Selected Publications

Peacock, E., M. M. Peacock and K. Titus. In press. Black bears (Ursus americanus) in southeast Alaska: the fate of two ancient lineages in the face of contemporary movement. Journal of Zoology.

Neville, H., J. B. Dunham and M. M. Peacock. 2006. Genetic assessment of population dynamics and connectivity at various spatial scales in Lahontan cutthroat trout (Oncorhynchus clarki henswawi). In: Maintaining Connections for Nature: The Importance of Connectivity for Conservation, eds K. Crooks and S. Muttulingam. Cambridge University Press.

Neville, H. M., J. B. Dunham, and M. M. Peacock. 2006. Landscape attributes and life history variability shape genetic structure of trout populations in a stream network. Landscape Ecology 21:901-916.

Simandle, E. T., M. M. Peacock, L. Zirelli, and C. R. Tracy. 2006. Sixteen microsatellite loci for the Bufo boreas group. Molecular Ecology Notes.

Gustin, M., L. Saito and M. Peacock. 2005. Anthropogenic impacts on mercury concentrations and 15 N and 13 C values in fish of the Truckee River Watershed, Nevada, USA. Science of the Total Environment 347:282-294.

Peacock, M. M., H. Neville-Arsenault and V. S. Kirchoff. 2004. Ten species specific microsatellite loci for Lahontan cutthroat trout, Oncorhynchus clarki henshawi. Molecular Ecology Notes 4: 557-559.

Peacock, M. M. and V. S. Kirchoff. 2004. Assessing the conservation value of hybridized cutthroat trout populations. Transactions of the American Fisheries Society 133:309-325.

Peacock, M. M., V. S. Kirchoff and S. J. Merideth. 2002. Identification and characterization of nine polymorphic microsatellite loci in the North American pika, Ochotona princeps. Molecular Ecology Notes 2(3): 360-362.

Peacock, M. M. and C. Ray. 2001. Dispersal in Pikas (Ochotona princeps): combining genetic and demographic approaches to reveal spatial and temporal patterns. In: The Evolution of Dispersal, eds J. Clobert, A. Dhondt, E. Danchin, and J. Nichols. Oxford University Press.

Dunham, J. B., M. M. Peacock, B. E. Rieman, R. E. Schroeter, and G. L. Vinyard. 1999. Conservation implications of local and geographic variability in the distribution of stream-living Lahontan cutthroat trout. Transactions of the American Fisheries Society 128:875-889.

Dunham, J. J., M. M. Peacock, C. R. Tracy, J. L. Nielsen, and G. L. Vinyard. 1998. Extinction risk assessment: integrating genetic information. Conservation Ecology, in review.

Dunham, J. B., M. M. Peacock, B. E. Rieman, R. E. Schroeter, and G. L. Vinyard. 1998. Conservation implications of local and geographic variability in the distribution of stream-living Lahontan cutthroat trout. Transactions of the American Fisheries Society, in review.

University of Nevada Reno
Biology Department m/s 314
Reno, NV 89557

email Dr. Mary Peacock

Office phone
775-784-1958
FAX number
775-784-1302

Additional Links

Conservation Genetics Center

Ecology Evolution and Conservation Biology Graduate Program