Pygmy rabbits and the sagebrush ecosystem

In ongoing work we are examining the genomics of pygmy rabbits, a species endemic to the American West that is of conservation concern, including one population segment in the Columbia Basin of Washington that is listed as Endangered. Pygmy rabbits rely on sagebrush, and we are also working to understand the genetic relationships among sagebrush subspecies. Building on this work, we are seeking to understand the consequences of past management actions in Columbia Basin pygmy rabbits, and the capacity of pygmy rabbits to adapt to climate change across the species range.

Publications

  • Nerkowski SA, Hohenlohe PA, Rachlow JL, Warheit KI, Gallie JA, Waits LP. 2025. Long-term noninvasive genetic monitoring guides recovery of the endangered Columbia Basin pygmy rabbits. Genes 16: 956. 
  • DeMay SD, PA Becker, JL Rachlow, LP Waits (2017) Genetic monitoring of an endangered species recovery: demographic and genetic trends for reintroduced pygmy rabbits (Brachylagus idahoensis). Journal of Mammalogy 98: 350-364