Research Geneticist
National Museum of Natural History / National Zoological Park
Smithsonian Institution
PO Box 37012
NZP MGL MRC 551
Washington, D.C. 20013-7012
Email: maldonadoj at si.edu
Research Interests
I am a research geneticist at the Smithsonian's Genetics Program, a research group directed by Robert Fleischer. The lab is dedicated to molecular genetic studies in evolution and animal behavior including population genetics, behavioral ecology, and systematics. A sizable portion of our research is directly applicable to concerns of conservation biology, and most of our basic research is relevant to endangered species or biodiversity issues.
My broad interests lie in the evolutionary biology and population genetics of mammals, using genetic techniques in conservation biology. I am interested in studying the genetic basis of adaptation and its importance in the process of speciation in mammals. I am working on research projects dealing with conservation genetics, systematics, and the evolution and genetic diversity of a variety of mammals.
Current Research Projects
Assessement of genetic variation and development of a management plan for the wild horses of Assateague Island.
Collaborators: Dr. R. Fleischer, Dr. Lori Eggert (Genetics program, NMNH) Dr. D. M. Powell and Jon Ballou, (DCB SNZP) and Carl Zimmerman, National Park Service, Assateague Island National Seashore.
Status survey and phylogenetic analysis of the endangered Buena Vista Lake Shrew.
Collaborators: Dr. Patrick Kelly and Daniel F. Williams (Endangered Species Recovery Program-ESRP), and Dr. Jorge Ortega (Instituto de Ecologia, UNAM).
Squirrel diversity of the Malayan region: The puzzling case of Sundasciurus.
Collaborators: Dr. Richard Thorington (Division of Mammals, NMNH) and Dr. Jennifer Leonard (Genetics Program, NMNH).
Estimating population size and extra-pair fertilization rates in the endangered Kit Foxes.
Collaborators: Dr. Kathy Ralls (DCB-SNZP), Dr. Brian Cypher (ESRP) Ms. Deborah Smith (University of Washington)
Population estimates of South American Cervids in conservation areas in the state of Sao Paulo, Brazil, using non-invasive genetic techniques.
Collaborators: Dr. S. Gonzalez (IIBCE-Uruguay), Dr. M. Barbanti Duarte (FCAVJ/UNESP-Brazil) Dr. M. Merino (Estacion de Cria de Animales Silvestres-Argentina).
Genetic variability of the maned wolf (Chrysocyon brachyurus).
Collaborators: Dr. L. Emmons (SI-NMNH), Dr. S. Deem (SI-NZP), Dr. S. Gonzalez, (IIBCE-Uruguay), M. Rodden (SI-NZP), Dr. M. Merino (Estacion de Cria de Animales Silvestres-Argentina).
Conservation genetics of endangered Indian carnivores.
Collaborators: Dr. R. Fleischer (MGL-NMNH) and Dr. Y. Jhala (Wildlife Institute of India)
Conservation genetics of the threatened Arizona Shrew (Sorex arizonae).
Collaborators: Dr. L. Simons (Wildife Biologist, Trinity National Forest).
Genetic and Morphological Adaptations in birds and mammals of South American Tidal Marshes: Convergence with Eastern North America?
Collaborators: Dr. Russell Greenberg (SI-Migratory Bird Center), Juan Pablo Isacch and Alejandro D. Canepuccia (Universidad Nacional de Mar del Plata)
Recent Publications
Greenberg, R., J. E. Maldonado, S. Droege, and M. V. McDonald. 2006. Tidal Marshes: A Global Perspective on the Evolution and Conservation of Their Terrestrial Vertebrates. Bioscience. 56(8) 675-685.
Smith D. A., K. Ralls, B. L. Cypher, H. O. Clark, Jr., P. A. Kelly, D. F. Williams, and J. E. Maldonado. 2006. Relative abundance of endangered San Joaquin kit foxes (Vulpes macrotis mutica) based on scat-detection dog surveys. The Southwestern Naturalist. 51 (2):210-219.
Maldonado, J.E., J. Leonard, G.A. Miranda, J. Ortega, R. K. Wayne, and R. J. Aguilera. 2006. Ten polymorphic microsatellite loci for the endangered Buena Vista Lake shrew (Sorex ornatus relictus). Molecular Ecology Notes. 6:349-352
Márquez A., J. E. Maldonado, S. González, M. D. Beccaceci, J. E. Garcia and J. M. B. Duarte. 2006. Phylogeography and Pleistocene demographic history of the endangered marsh deer (Blastocerus dichotomus) from the Río de la Plata Basin. Conservation Genetics. DOI 10.1007/s10592-005-9067-8
Smith, D. A., K. Ralls, A. Hurt, B. Adams, M. Parker and J. E. Maldonado. 2006. Assessing reliability of microsatellite genotypes from kit fox fecal samples using genetic and GIS analyses. Molecular Ecology. 15 387-406
Arroyo-Cabrales, J., E. K. V. Kalko, R. K. LaVal, J. E. Maldonado, R. A. Medellín, O. J. Polaco, and B. Rodríguez-Herrera. 2005. Rediscovery of the Mexican flat-headed bat Myotis planiceps (Vespertilionidae). Acta Chiropterologica. 7(2): 309-318.
Ortega, J., S. Young, L.H. Simons, J. E. Maldonado. 2005. Characterization of six microsatellite DNA loci for Sorex arizonae. Molecular Ecology Notes. 5: 851-853.
Smith, D.A., K. Ralls, B. Cypher and J. E. Maldonado. 2005. Assessment of scat-detection dog surveys to determine kit fox distribution. Wildlife Society Bulletin 33(3): 897-904.
Ortega, J., M. R. Franco, B. A. Adams, K. Ralls, and J. E. Maldonado. 2004. A reliable noninvasive method for sex determination in the endangered San Joaquin kit fox (Vulpes macrotis mutica) and other canids. Conservation Genetics 5:715-718.
Maldonado, J. E., F. Hertel and C. Vilà. 2004. Discordant patterns of morphological variation in genetically divergent populations of ornate shrews (Sorex ornatus). Journal of Mammalogy 85: 886-896.
Updated -11/13/07
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