Steven H. Ferguson

Habitat discontinuity and fidelity to migratory routes shape narwhal genetic structure and diversity

This study uses genomic data from narwhals to show that habitat discontinuities and migration fidelity shape population structure, with low genetic diversity and inbreeding in small populations.

Exploring contemporary and historic effective population sizes in Atlantic beluga whale populations

This study estimates historical and contemporary effective population sizes of Atlantic beluga whales using whole genome data, revealing population declines and varying levels of genetic diversity across six genetic populations.

Tracing the drivers of range-wide bowhead whale genomic structure and diversity

This study identifies three genetically distinct bowhead whale populations and links past habitat connectivity to current genetic structure, showing high genetic diversity despite historical whaling.

Four centuries of commercial whaling eroded 11,000 years of population stability in bowhead whales

This study uses fossil data and modeling to show that commercial whaling caused genetic diversity loss in bowhead whales, threatening their resilience to future climate change.

Climate change introduces threatened killer whale populations and conservation challenges to the Arctic

The paper identifies two genetically distinct killer whale populations in the Arctic, highlights their vulnerability, and discusses conservation challenges due to climate change and human activities.

Elucidating the sustainability of 700 years of Inuvialuit beluga whale hunting in the Mackenzie River Delta, Northwest Territories, Canada

This study uses paleogenomics and isotope analysis to examine 700 years of Inuvialuit beluga hunting, finding no significant genetic impact on contemporary beluga populations.

Unraveling the genetic legacy of commercial whaling in bowhead whales and narwhals

This study examines the genetic impacts of commercial whaling on bowhead whales and narwhals, finding that bowhead populations experienced a sharp decline in effective population size while narwhals showed recent growth.

Universal DNA methylation age across mammalian tissues

The paper develops universal epigenetic clocks that accurately estimate age across mammalian tissues using DNA methylation data from 185 species.

Sex identification of ancient pinnipeds using the dog genome

The paper tests the use of the dog genome for sex identification in ancient pinnipeds by analyzing X chromosome read ratios and applies it to archaeological samples.