Education
Ph.D. Ecology, Evolution and Conservation Biology
Expected January 2023, Advisors: Dr. Marjorie Matocq and Dr. Kevin Shoemaker
University of Nevada, Reno, NV
Dissertation title: Down the rabbit hole: demography, relatedness, and extinction-colonization dynamics for the pygmy rabbit (Brachylagus idahoensis) at multiple spatial scales
M.S. Natural Resource Sciences, Major: Wildlife Ecology
May 2015, Advisor: Dr. Lisa Shipley
Washington State University, Pullman, WA
Thesis Title: Food and Fearscapes: Responses of Specialist and Generalist Rabbits to Food and Predation Risks
B.S. Natural Resource Sciences, Major: Wildlife Ecology
May 2013
Washington State University, Pullman, WA
Expected January 2023, Advisors: Dr. Marjorie Matocq and Dr. Kevin Shoemaker
University of Nevada, Reno, NV
Dissertation title: Down the rabbit hole: demography, relatedness, and extinction-colonization dynamics for the pygmy rabbit (Brachylagus idahoensis) at multiple spatial scales
M.S. Natural Resource Sciences, Major: Wildlife Ecology
May 2015, Advisor: Dr. Lisa Shipley
Washington State University, Pullman, WA
Thesis Title: Food and Fearscapes: Responses of Specialist and Generalist Rabbits to Food and Predation Risks
B.S. Natural Resource Sciences, Major: Wildlife Ecology
May 2013
Washington State University, Pullman, WA
Peer-Reviewed Publications
- Crowell, M.M., N. LaHue, E. Heath, K. Shoemaker, and M. Matocq. In Review at Journal of Wildlife Diseases. Detection of RHDV2 in the pygmy rabbit (Brachylagus idahoensis), Nevada, USA, February 2022.
- Dilts, T.E., K.A. Zeller, S.A. Cushman, E.S. Larrucea, M.M. Crowell, N.W. Byer, K.T. Shoemaker, P.J. Weisberg, and M.D. Matocq. In Review at Landscape Ecology. Building detailed habitat and connectivity baselines for species over large geographic areas: the pygmy rabbit of the Great Basin, U.S.A.
- Byer, N.W., M.L. Holding, M.M. Crowell, T.W. Pierson, T.E. Dilts, E.S. Larrucea, K.T. Shoemaker, and M.D. Matocq. 2021. Adaptive divergence despite low effective population size in a peripherally isolated population of the pygmy rabbit, Brachylagus idahoensis. Molecular Ecology 30: DOI: 10.1111/mec.16040
- Byer, N.W., T.E. Dilts, E.S. Larrucea, M.M. Crowell, K.T. Shoemaker, P.J. Weisberg, and M.D. Matocq. 2021. Holocene-era landscape conditions affect genetic connectivity is a sagebrush obligate species, the pygmy rabbit (Brachylagus idahoensis). Landscape Ecology 36: 3575-3590.
- Crowell, M.M., K.T. Shoemaker, and M.D. Matocq. 2020. Ideal conditions for increased trapping success of pygmy rabbits (Brachylagus idahoensis) across the Great Basin. Journal of Mammalogy. https://doi.org/10.1093/jmammal/gyaa114
- Nobler, J.D., M.J. Camp, M.M. Crowell, L.A. Shipley, C. Dadabay, J.L. Rachlow, L. James, and J.S. Forbey. 2019. Preferences of specialist and generalist mammalian herbivores for mixtures versus individual plant secondary metabolites. Journal of Chemical Ecology 45: 74-85.
- Crowell, M.M., L.A. Shipley, J.S. Forbey, J.L. Rachlow, and R.G. Kelsey. 2018. Dietary partitioning of toxic leaves and fibrous stems differs between sympatric specialist and generalist mammalian herbivores. Journal of Mammalogy 99: 565-577. doi: 10.1093/jmammal/gyy018
- Crowell, M.M., L.A. Shipley, M.J. Camp, J.L. Rachlow, J.S. Forbey, and T.R. Johnson. 2016. Selection of food patches by sympatric herbivores in response to concealment and distance from a refuge. Ecology and Evolution 6: 2865-2876. doi:10.1002/ece3.1940.
- Camp, M.J., L.A. Shipley, T.R. Johnson, J.S. Forbey, J.L. Rachlow, and M.M. Crowell. 2015. Modeling tradeoffs between plant fiber and toxins: A framework for quantifying risks perceived by foraging herbivores. Ecology 96: 3292-3302.
Other Publications
- Shipley, L.A., J.S. Forbey, J.L Rachlow, M.J. Camp, M.M. Crowell, T. Johnstone-Yellin, and J. Utz. 2017. Tough choices for a pygmy rabbit: bad food or a warm and risky place to eat? Natural History 125: 9-11.
- Crowell, M.M., M.J. Camp, and L.A. Shipley. 2013. The role of fiber and toxins in diet preference by a specialist and generalist herbivore. A.S.K. Volume 1: Spring 2013.
Grants, Scholarships, and Travel
American Society of Mammalogists (ASM)
Elmer C. Birney Award, 2021, $2000
Travel Grant, 2019, $500
Annie M. Alexander Award, 2015, $2000
Travel Grant, 2014, $300
The Wildlife Society, Western Section (TWS-WS)
Best poster, 2017, $150
Washington State University (WSU)
Graduate and Professional Student Association (GPSA) Travel and Registration Grant, 2014, $786
College of Arts and Sciences (CAS) Undergraduate Research Grant, 2012 - 2013, $1,135
Elmer C. Birney Award, 2021, $2000
Travel Grant, 2019, $500
Annie M. Alexander Award, 2015, $2000
Travel Grant, 2014, $300
The Wildlife Society, Western Section (TWS-WS)
Best poster, 2017, $150
Washington State University (WSU)
Graduate and Professional Student Association (GPSA) Travel and Registration Grant, 2014, $786
College of Arts and Sciences (CAS) Undergraduate Research Grant, 2012 - 2013, $1,135
Presentations
- M.M Crowell, N.W. Byer, K.T. Shoemaker, and M.D. Matocq. Down the rabbit hole: habitat correlates of population density and relatedness in a semi-fossorial mammal. Elmer C. Birney Award, ASM Virtual Conference. (Oral)
- N.W. Byer, M.L. Holding, M.M. Crowell, T.W. Pierson, T.E. Dilts, E.S. Larrucea, K.T. Shoemaker, and M.D. Matocq. Maintenance of adaptive divergence despite limited gene flow and low effective population size in the pygmy rabbit, Brachylagus idahoensis. ASM Virtual Conference. (Oral)
- N.W. Byer, M.L. Holding, M.M. Crowell, T.W. Pierson, T.E. Dilts, E.S. Larrucea, K.T. Shoemaker, and M.D. Matocq. Maintenance of adaptive divergence despite limited gene flow and low effective population size in the pygmy rabbit, Brachylagus idahoensis. IALE, Virtual Conference. (Oral)
- M.M. Crowell, K.T. Shoemaker, and M.D. Matocq. 15 August 2020. Are sagebrush toxicity and nutrition driving pygmy rabbit (Brachylagus idahoensis) burrow use and colony movement across the landscape. GUTT symposium. (Virtual poster)
- N.W. Byer, M.M. Crowell, T.W. Pierson, M. Holding, K.T. Shoemaker, T. Dilts, and M.D. Matocq. 15 August 2020. Geographic patterns in neutral and adaptive genetic variation in a sagebrush specialist, the pygmy rabbit (Brachylagus idahoensis). GUTT symposium. (Virtual poster)
- M.M. Crowell, K.T. Shoemaker, and M.D. Matocq. 4 March 2020. Fantastic pygmy rabbits and where to find them: understanding colony shifts and burrow use. Nevada Chapter of The Wildlife Society, Reno, NV. (Oral)
- M.D. Matocq, T.E. Dilts, E. Larrucea, P. Weisberg, M.M. Crowell, and K.T. Shoemaker. 3 October 2019. Landscape genetics of the pygmy rabbit (Brachylagus idahoensis) across the sagebrush sea of the Great Basin. National meeting of The Wildlife Society, Reno, NV. (Oral)
- T.E. Dilts, K. Zeller, S.A. Cushman, P. Weisberg, E. Larrucea, M.M. Crowell, K.T. Shoemaker, and M.D. Matocq. 30 September 2019. Multi-scale and replicate landscape modeling of pygmy rabbit habitat in the Great Basin, U.S.A. National meeting of The Wildlife Society, Reno, NV. (Oral)
- M.M.Crowell, K.T. Shoemaker, and M.D. Matocq. 30 September 2019. Estimating densities of a patchily distributed, sagebrush specialist across the Great Basin. National meeting of The Wildlife Society, Reno, NV. (Oral)
- M.M.Crowell, K.T. Shoemaker, and M.D. Matocq. 30 June 2019. Estimating densities of a patchily distributed, sagebrush specialist across the Great Basin. American Society of Mammalogists, District of Columbia. (Oral)
- M.M. Crowell, K.T. Shoemaker, and M.D. Matocq. 8 February 2019. Estimating densities of pygmy rabbits in the Great Basin. Western Section of TWS, Fish Camp, CA. (Oral)
- M.M. Crowell, K.T. Shoemaker, and M.D. Matocq. 22 January 2019. Estimating densities of pygmy rabbits in the Great Basin. Nevada Chapter of TWS, Reno, NV. (Oral)
- M. Crowell, M. Matocq, K. Shoemaker, T. Dilts, and P. Weisberg. 13 July 2018. Ecology and demography of pygmy rabbits in the Great Basin. Bristlecone Audubon Society, Elko, NV. (Oral)
- M.M. Crowell, K.T. Shoemaker, and M.D. Matocq. February 2018. Best of the BUN-ch! Recaptured rabbits provide essential information for estimating population densities and individual movement. Nevada Chapter of The Wildlife Society, Reno, NV. (Oral)
- M.M. Crowell, K.T. Shoemaker, and M.D. Matocq. February 2018. Been there, trapped that! Trap success of pygmy rabbits in the Great Basin. Western Section of The Wildlife Society, Santa Rosa, CA. (Poster)
- T. Dilts, M.D. Matocq, K.T. Shoemaker, M.M. Crowell, P. Weisberg, and E. Larrucea. February 2018. Habitat selection by pygmy rabbits at regional and landscape scales. Western Section of The Wildlife Society, Santa Rosa, CA. (Oral)
- M.M. Crowell, K.T. Shoemaker, and M.D. Matocq. June 2017. I'd trap that! Trapping and density estimates of pygmy rabbits across the Great Basin. American Society of Mammalogists, Moscow, ID. (Oral)
- M.M. Crowell, K. Shoemaker, T. Dilts, P. Weisberg, and M. Matocq. February 2017. I'd trap that! Trap success and densities of pygmy rabbits in the Great Basin. Great Basin and Range Symposium, Lakeview, OR. (Poster)
- M.M. Crowell, K. Shoemaker, T. Dilts, P. Weisberg, and M. Matocq. February 2017. I'd trap that! Trap success and densities of pygmy rabbits in the Great Basin. Western Section of The Wildlife Society, Reno, NV. (Poster)
- T. Dilts, P. Weisberg, M. Crowell, M. Matocq, K. Shoemaker, and E. Larrucea. February 2017. Habitat selection by pygmy rabbit at three Great Basin landscapes. Western Section of The Wildlife Society, Reno, NV. (Poster)
- M. Matocq, K. Shoemaker, M. Crowell, T. Dilts, P. Weisberg, E. Larrucea and J. Kasbohm. December 2016. Landscape connectivity of a sagebrush obligate: functional continuity of habitat for the pygmy rabbit. GBLCC outreach presentation. Online. (Oral).
- M.M. Crowell, L.A. Shipley, J.S. Forbey, and J.L. Rachlow. June 2015. A matter of toxins and fiber: selection of plant parts by sympatric herbivores. Annie M. Alexander Award, American Society of Mammalogists Meeting, Jacksonville, FL. (Oral).
- Nobler, J.D., L.A. Shipley, M.M. Crowell, M.J. Camp, J.L. Rachlow, and J.S. Forbey. March 2015. Evaluating herbivore preferences for mixed versus single plant toxins. Idaho Chapter of the Wildlife Society, Pocatello, ID. (Oral)
- M.J. Camp, L.A. Shipley, T.R. Johnson, M.M. Crowell, J.S. Forbey, and J.L. Rachlow. August 2014. Evaluating tradeoffs in risky diets by specialist and generalist herbivores. Comparative Nutrition Society, Flat Rock, NC. (Oral).
- M. M. Crowell, M. J. Camp, L. A. Shipley, J. L. Rachlow, and J. S. Forbey. June 2014. Perceived risk of predation: Behavioral responses to concealment and distance from a refuge. American Society of Mammalogists Meeting, Oklahoma City, OK. (Oral).
- M.J. Camp, L.A. Shipley, T.R. Johnson, M.M. Crowell, J.S. Forbey, and J.L. Rachlow. March 2014. Evaluating tradeoffs in risky diets by specialist and generalist herbivores. Idaho Chapter of the Wildlife Society, Boise, ID. (Oral).
- Shipley, L., M. Crowell, M. Camp, B. Elias, R. Sayler, N. Thines, J. Rachlow, C. Wilson, A. Price, W. Estes-Zumpf, D. Sanchez, J. Forbey, J. Nobler, and A. Ulappa. February 2014. An obligate burrower under the sagebrush sea: the pygmy rabbit. Washington Chapter of The Wildlife Society and Burrowing Owl Symposium, Pasco, WA. (Oral).
- Crowell, M.M., M.J. Camp, and L.A. Shipley. March 2013. The role of fiber and toxicity in the diets of a sagebrush specialist and a sagebrush generalist. Showcase for Undergraduate Research and Creative Activities (SURCA), Washington State University, Pullman, WA. (Poster).
- Crowell, M.M., M.J. Camp, and L.A. Shipley. March 2013. The role of fiber and toxicity in the diets of a sagebrush specialist and a sagebrush generalist. Washington State University 2013 Academic Showcase, Pullman, WA. (Poster).
- Wiggins, N.L., L.A. Shipley, M.M. Crowell, and J.S. Forbey. March 2013. Not all sagebrush is created equal: Chemistry influences diet preferences of the pygmy rabbit (Brachylagus idahoensis). Idaho Chapter of The Wildlife Society, Coeur d’Alene, ID. (Poster).
Teaching Experience
Teaching Assistant, Washington State University
Methods in Wildlife Ecology, NATRS 310, Fall 2013, 2014
Ornithology, Biol 423, Spring 2014
Mammalogy, Biol 428, Spring 2015
Methods in Wildlife Ecology, NATRS 310, Fall 2013, 2014
Ornithology, Biol 423, Spring 2014
Mammalogy, Biol 428, Spring 2015
Outreach
Wild Ungulate Facility Tours, 2013-2015
Small Mammal Research Facility Tours, 2013-2015
Hawk Watch International outreach to various visiting groups, 2015
Guest Co-Lecturer, Leadore School, 2016
Small Mammal Research Facility Tours, 2013-2015
Hawk Watch International outreach to various visiting groups, 2015
Guest Co-Lecturer, Leadore School, 2016
Professional Associations
American Society of Mammalogists (ASM)
Student Member, 2014 - Present
The Wildlife Society (TWS)
Student Member, 2014 - Present
Washington Chapter, 2014 - Present
Nevada Chapter, 2016 - Present
World Lagomorph Society (WLS)
2016 - Present
Animal Behavior Society
Student Member, 2017 - 2018
Student Member, 2014 - Present
The Wildlife Society (TWS)
Student Member, 2014 - Present
Washington Chapter, 2014 - Present
Nevada Chapter, 2016 - Present
World Lagomorph Society (WLS)
2016 - Present
Animal Behavior Society
Student Member, 2017 - 2018