Janet Loxterman, an assistant professor of biological sciences at Idaho State University, does what many would consider unthinkable. Loxterman is an evolutionary biologist and part of her research involves handling and collaring wild mountain lions.
“I use DNA to look at patterns of genetics in populations,” said Loxterman.
Loxterman’s work in both the lab and the field provides her with the opportunity to get outside in the wilderness of the Mountain West while having lab work year-round, a combination that she said allows her to get the best of both worlds.
Loxterman has worked with several species of concern and uses her background in population genetics to address issues of conservation. In the past she has participated in research regarding sex-specific dispersal patterns of wolverines, fine-scale population structure of rainbow trout and range size of female mountain lions.
“With the mountain lions, I was involved with radio collaring them,” said Loxterman.
After the mountain lions were radio collared, a small tissue sample would be obtained for lab purposes. Loxterman said that the small tissue sample for mountain lions tended to be blood while in rainbow trout and other fish it tends to be the clipping of a fin.
Once the samples were in the lab, Loxterman extracts the DNA and it is examined for molecular markers that identify characteristics for each population.
“We use genotypes to see how connected different populations are,” said Loxterman.
In the case of the mountain lions, it was found that the interaction between the animals in northern Idaho and those in southern Idaho was minimal.
“That was a surprise to me,” said Loxterman of the findings.
In order to get the most accurate results, many samples have to be obtained to examine populations. Loxterman said that in the cases like those of rainbow trout this is not difficult, but with larger, more solitary animals like mountain lions it becomes a challenge.
Much of Loxterman’s field work with the mountain lions was done in the winter months and early in the morning.
“[The work] is glamorous but also very hard,” said Loxterman, “but at the end of the day you got to handle a mountain lion.”
Loxterman said that the mountain lions were her favorite species to work with overall. “They are just beautiful creatures,” she said.
While mountain lions are powerful predators, Loxterman said that she feels that their awareness of people in their territory allows them to avoid researchers.
“I am totally not afraid of mountain lions,” she said.
Loxterman’s field of population genetics is growing, she said. In issues of conservation, analyzing population features and interactions is vital to addressing the problems facing threatened species.
Like most research at ISU, Loxterman’s lab works with other facilities on campus.
“I send samples to the [Molecular] Core Facility,” she said. “They’re just three doors from my lab.”
ISU is a research university, and Loxterman wants undergraduates to know that they can always get involved in research, even if they feel too inexperienced.
“We do the training,” said Loxterman.
Nearly every faculty member in the sciences has students working in their labs. Research opportunities for all students at ISU abound.
“I think that all students, in the sciences particularly, should participate in undergraduate research,” said Loxterman.
