Faculty
Professors
Janet L. Loxterman, Ph.D.
Professor & Department Chair
Evolutionary Biology
Office: Life Sciences 230
Chair Office
Office: Life Sciences 227
(208) 282-4150
Research
Lab: Life Sciences 434
Teaching
BIOL 1101 Biology I
BIOL 1191 Wonder About Biology
BIOL 3358 Genetics
BIOL 4417/5517 Organic Evolution
Biographical Sketch
My main research interests involve the combination of population genetics with conservation biology and ecology. Specifically, I am interested in the application of molecular genetic techniques to questions of conservation and ecological importance. I have worked with a variety of vertebrate species from both aquatic and terrestrial ecosystems.
Both ecological and genetic studies can have limitations when applied to questions of conservation importance. I try to overcome these limitations by combining ecological data with genetic information. Using both demographic and genetic data provides a more complete picture of the geographic population structure of a species, which is important in designing effective management plans. Hence, the unification of ecology, genetics, and conservation in the field of conservation genetics has unlimited applications to future problems facing biologists, including species protection, reintroduction programs, and habitat restoration.
Interests
Evolutionary Biology
I am interested in the application of molecular genetic techniques to questions of conservation and evolutionary importance. I have worked with a variety of vertebrate species from both aquatic and terrestrial ecosystems.
My recent work has focused on examining patterns of gene flow, hybridization, and intraspecific variation. Students in my lab examine questions related to evolutionary relationships and factors that organize variation in species with large geographic distributions. These students pair field sampling of populations with genomic data collection and analysis, with the hope to expand our understanding of evolutionary diversification of species and informing conservation of important genetic variation. My research focuses on species native to the Intermountain West.
Education
2001, Ph.D. Biology, Conservation Genetics, Idaho State University, Pocatello, ID
1995, M.S. Biology, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA
1992, B.S. Behavioral Neuroscience, Lehigh University, Bethlehem, PA
2002-2003, Postdoctoral fellow, Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife, Fish Conservation Genetics Unit, Olympia, WA
2001-2002, Postdoctoral fellow, University of Alaska, Fairbanks, AK
Selected Publications
Zambie, A.D., J. L Loxterman, T. M. Breech, S. R. Narum, and E. R. Keeley. 2026. Extent of stream habitat and hybridization influence levels of genetic diversity in Redband Trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss gairdneri) populations. Conservation Genetics 27, 1. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10592-025-01734-x
Smith, B. A, E. R. Keeley, T. B. Hallbert, and J. L. Loxterman. Linking genetic and morphological data to identify closely related and co-occurring catostomid fishes. 2025. North American Journal of Fisheries Management 45:431-444.
Hargrove, J.S., M. R. Campbell, B. High, C. Johnson, K. Gunnell, P. A. Kennedy, J. L. Loxterman, M. B. Ptacek, S. M. Seiler and E. R. Keeley. 2024. Interspecific hybridization in a large-river population of Yellowstone Cutthroat Trout: A 20-year programmatic evaluation. North American Journal of Fisheries Management 44:747-762.
Chen, Z., L. Grossfurthner, J. L. Loxterman, J. Masingale, B. Richardson, T. Seaborn, B. Smith, L. Waits, and S. Narum. 2022. Applying genomics in assisted migration under climate change: empirical applications, case studies and guidelines. Evolutionary Applications 15:3-21.
Keeley, E.R., J. L. Loxterman, S. L. Matsaw, Z. M. Njoroge, M. B. Seiler, and S. M. Seiler. 2021. Morphological and genetic concordance of cutthroat trout (Oncorhynchus clarkii) diversification from western North America. Canadian Journal of Zoology 99:235-248.
Eaton, K.R, J.L Loxterman, and E.R. Keeley. 2018. Connections and containers: Using genetic data to understand how watershed evolution and human activities influence cutthroat trout biogeography. PLoS ONE 13(8): e0202043. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone. 0202043.
Loxterman, J. L., E. R. Keeley, and Z. M. Njoroge. 2014. Evaluating the influence of barriers to movement and stocking history on the spatial extent of hybridization between westslope cutthroat trout and rainbow trout. Canadian Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences,71:1050-1058.
Blakney, J. R., Loxterman, J. L., and E. R. Keeley. 2014. Range-wide comparisons of northern leatherside chub populations reveal historical and contemporary patterns of genetic variation. Conservation Genetics, 15:757-770.
Loxterman, J. L. and E. R. Keeley. 2012. Watershed boundaries and geographic isolation: diversification in cutthroat trout in the Intermountain West. BMC Evolutionary Biology,12:38.
Loxterman, J. L. 2011. Fine scale population genetic structure of pumas in the Intermountain West. Conservation Genetics, 12:1049-1059.
Cook, J. A, A. A. Eddingsaas, J. L. Loxterman, S. Ebbert, and S. O. MacDonald. 2010. InsularArctic ground squirrels (Spermophilus parryii) of the North Pacific: Indigenous or Exotic? Journal of Mammalogy, 91:1401-1412.
Hill, R, J. L. Loxterman, and K. Aho. 2017. Insular biogeography and population genetics of dwarf mistletoe (Arceuthobium americanum). Ecosphere 8:1-17.