Publications

Paoli, J. E., O. Aung, A. A. Lilak, M. T. Maw, N. G. Cleary, E. Watto, J. Hassell, Y. T. Win, W. Z. Thein, T. S. Evans, M. Valitutto, T. Goldstein, C. K. Johnson, J. A. Mazet, R. Fleischer, N. VanTassel, K. Subramaniam, B. D. Anderson, M. E. von Fricken, C. N. Mavian, and S. Murray. 2026. Detection of Wencheng shrew virus and cardiovirus from small mammals in Myanmar. Scientific Reports 16(1):8885.

Weyer, E., A. N. Theodosopoulos, V. Palinauskas, S. Bensch, H. Westerdahl, M. Duc, A. Ciloglu, X. Huang, K. S. Kim, Y. Tsuda, C. T. Atkinson, P. Zehtindjiev, R. C. Fleischer, N. M. VanTassel, S. A. Taylor, O. Hellgren, and V. A. Ellis. 2026. Phylogenomic analyses reveal introgression and cryptic speciation in the globally distributed, vector-transmitted pathogen Plasmodium relictum. Molecular Phylogenetics and Evolution 222:108642.

Keretz, S.S., Woolnough, D.A., VanTassel, N.M., Powell, D.T., Sanfilippo, G.E., Wright, A., Morris, T.J., Elgin, A.K., Roseman, E.F., & Zanatta, D.T. 2025. Freshwater gastropod (Mollusca: Gastropoda) assemblages, habitat, and the first detection of an invasive gastropod species in two large, dreissenid-influenced, connecting rivers. Journal of Great Lakes Research, 102497. Link

Zehnpfennig, J. R., M. R. Graham, N. M. VanTassel, K. M. Halanych, & A. R. Mahon, 2025. I Am Your Father: Investigating the Genetic Mating System in the Antarctic Sea Spider Nymphon australe. The Biological Bulletin : 000–000. https://doi.org/10.1086/736843.

Bucholz, J.R., N.M. Sard, N.M. VanTassel, J.D. Lozier, T.M. Morris, A. Paquet, and D.T. Zanatta. 2022. RAD-tag and mitochondrial DNA sequencing reveal the genetic structure of a widespread and regionally imperiled freshwater mussel, Olivaria olivaria (Bivalvia: Unionidae). Ecology and Evolution. 12(1): e8560. Link

VanTassel, N.M., T.J. Morris, C. Wilson, and D.T. Zanatta. 2021. Genetic diversity maintained in comparison of wild and propagated populations of at-risk freshwater mussels. Canadian Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences. 78(9): 1312-1320. Link

Janosik A.M., Whitaker J.M., VanTassel N.M., Rider SJ. 2021. Improved environmental DNA sampling scheme for Alamama sturgeon provides new insight into a species once presumed extinct. Journal of Applied Icthyology. 37(2): 178-185. Link

VanTassel, N.M., C. Beaver, D.A. Watkinson, T.J. Morris, and D.T. Zanatta. 2020. Absence of genetic structure reflects post-glacial history and present-day host use in Mapleleaf (Quadrula quadrula) mussel from Manitoba, Canada. Canadian Journal of Zoology. 98(8): 551-556. Link

VanTassel N.M., Janosik, J.M. 2018. A compendium of coastal dune lakes in Northwest Florida. Journal of Coastal Conservation. 23: 385-416. Link

Publications In Press & Under Review

In Press at PNAS. Campana, M.G., M.X. Venkatraman, M.T.N. Tsuchiya, A.M. Kearns, N.M. VanTassel, A.E. Henschen, N.A.S. Przelomska, N. Rotzel-McInerney, M.E. Ochirbata, H.R.L. Lernera, T.E. Callicratea, M. Hagemann, E.H. Paxton, L. Cassin-Sackett, H.F. James , R.C. Fleischer. Reticulated adaptive radiation and phylogenomic diversity loss in the Hawaiian honeycreepers.

Under Review at the Journal of Heredity (Original Article). VanTassel, N.M., B. Fisher, W. Haag, T.L. Hewitt, T.J. Morris, N.M. Sard, D.T. Zanatta. Phylogeography and post-Pleistocene dispersal of the Kidneyshell (Ptychobranchus fasciolaris)

Under Review at Ecology and Evolution (Genetic Note). VanTassel, N.M., D.T. Powell, D.W. Hall, and A.M. Janosik. Environmental DNA metabarcoding reveals baseline fish inventory in northwest Florida’s Coastal Dune Lakes.

Presentations & Posters

N.M. VanTassel, B.E. Fisher, W.R. Haag, T.L. Hewitt, T.J. Morris, N.M. Sard, D.T. Zanatta. RAD-seq generated single nucleotide polymorphisms resolve patterns of genetic diversity and structure of the freshwater mussel Ptychobranchus fasciolaris across its distribution. Society of Freshwater Sciences annual meeting, Spokane, WA, May 17-21, 2026.

Led by: Darden, T. & H. Evans. Assistance by: D. Farrae, J. Allen, M. Walker, N.M. VanTassel. How to Incorporate Genetic Tagging into Stock Enhancement Programs. Workshop at Southern Division of AFS annual meeting. New Orleans, LA, March 8, 2026.

VanTassel, N.M., R.C. Harrington, R.W. Phelps, Z.A. Ramsey, D.P. Crane. Genetic structure of the Sandhills Chub (Semotilus lumbee)- a geographically restricted headwater species. Southern Division of AFS annual meeting. New Orleans, LA, March 5-8, 2026.

VanTassel, N.M., T. Darden, D. Farrae, M. Walker, E. Beason, R. Self, Freshwater Fisheries Staff, Genetics Staff. “qPCR & eDNA: A Dynamic Duo for Rapid Zebra Mussel Detection”, SCDNR MRD Conference, Charleston, SC, December 12-13, 2024.

Allen, J.A., T. Darden, C. Doll, D. Farrae, R. Harrington, E. Reiber, N.M. VanTassel, M. Walker, and L. Yong. “Harnessing population genetics and genomics for the conservation and management of marine natural resources in the southeastern USA.” American Genetic Association Meeting, Tahoe, CA, October 6-9, 2024. (Presented by L. Yong)

Campana, M.G., M.X. Venkatraman, M.T.N. Tsuchiya, A.M. Kearns, N.A.S. Przelomska, N. McInerney, M.E. Orchibat, N.M. VanTassel, H.R.L. Lerner, T.E. Callicrate, M. Hagemann, L. Cassin-Sackett, H.F. James, R.C. Fleischer. "How do we construct a phylogeny when more than half the species are extinct? — A case study using the Hawaiian honeycreepers" International Society for Biomolecular Archaeology conference in Tartu, Estonia, September 13-16, 2023. Presented by M.G. Campana.

VanTassel N.M. "Genetic diversity assessment of captive-reared Wavy-rayed lampmussels" NZCBI Rock Creek Seminar, September 12, 2023.

Van Tassel N.M., T.J. Morris, N.M. Sard, and D.T. Zanatta. “Phylogenomics of unionid genus Ptychobranchus” Joint Aquatic Sciences Meeting, Grand Rapids, MI, May 14-20, 2022.

Van Tassel N.M. and D.T. Zanatta. “Are all captive-reared juveniles created equal? A comparison of genetic diversity in twelve Lampsilis fasciola families” 82nd Midwest Fish and Wildlife Conference, Des Moines, IA, February 13-16, 2022.

Van Tassel N.M. and D.T. Zanatta. “Genetic diversity maintenance in captive-reared Lampsilis fasciola" Canadian Mollusc Research Meeting , Virtual via Teams, December 7-8, 2021.

Van Tassel N.M. and D.T. Zanatta. "Phylogenomics of the unionid mussel genus Ptychobranchus" Great Lakes Annual Meeting of Evolutionary Genomics, Virtual via Zoom & Slack, August 1-6, 2021.

VanTassel N.M., T.J. Morris, C.G. Wilson, N.M. Sard, and D.T. Zanatta. “Genetic diversity maintained in comparison of captive-propagated and wild populations of Lampsilis fasciola and Ptychobranchus fasciolaris (Bivalvia: Unionidae)” Freshwater Mollusk Conservation Society 12th Biennial Symposium, Virtual via Zoom, April 12-14, 2021.

VanTassel N.M. and D.T. Zanatta. “Genetic diversity maintained in comparison of wild and propagated populations of imperilled freshwater” The American Malacological Society 86th Annual Meeting, Virtual via Zoom, July 13-14, 2020.

VanTassel, N.M. and D.T. Zanatta. “Development of empirically driven genetic guidelines for captive propagation of imperiled freshwater mussel” Annual Meeting of the Michigan Chapter of the American Fisheries Society, Mount Pleasant, MI, March 11-13, 2020

VanTassel N.M., C.E. Beaver, D.A. Watkinson, T.J. Morris, and D.T. Zanatta. “Absence of genetic structure reflects post-glacial history and present-day host use in Quadrula quadrula (Mapleleaf mussel) from Manitoba, Canada” Canadian Freshwater Mollusc Research Meeting, Burlington, Ontario, December 3-4, 2019

VanTassel, N.M. and D.T. Zanatta. “Development of empirically driven genetic guidelines for captive propagation of imperiled freshwater mussel” Canadian Freshwater Mollusc Research Meeting, Burlington, Ontario, December 3-4, 2019

VanTassel, N.M., Janosik, A.M. “eDNA Metabarcoding Reveals NWFLCDL Baseline Fish Communities” Student Scholars Symposium, University of West Florida, Pensacola Florida, April 19, 2018.

Bonfil, R., Janosik, A.M., Mendoza-Vargas, O.U., Ricaño-Soriano, M.,Valladolid-Salaza, I.,VanTassel, N.M. “High–tech genetic methods applied to saving sawfishes in Mexico.” 21st European Elasmobranch Association Meeting. Amsterdam, The Netherlands. Oct 12-14, 2017. Presented by R. Bonfil.

VanTassel, N.M., Janosik, A.M. “Characterizing Fish Communities of NWFLCDL using eDNA and Metabarcoding.” Student Scholars Symposium, University of West Florida, Pensacola Florida, April 20, 2017.

Bonfil, R., Janosik, A.M., Mendoza-Varga, O.U., Ricano-Sorian, M., Valladolid-Salazar, I., VanTassel, N.M.“Needle in a haystack: preliminary results of using eDNA to find the last sawfishes in Mexico.” American Society of Ichthyologist and Herpetologists, Austin Texas, July 12-16, 2017. Presented by R. Bonfil.