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Christine M. Custer

Position title:  Wildlife Biologist (Research)

Email: ccuster@usgs.gov
Phone: 608.781.6247
Fax: 608.783.6066

Education: 
1991 Ph.D., Fisheries and Wildlife, Louisiana State Univ., Baton Rouge, Louisiana
1986 M.S., Biology, Corpus State Univ., Corpus Christi, Texas
1973 B.A., Anthropology, Univ. Colorado, Boulder, Colorado

Primary Responsibilities/Activities: 
My research focuses on investigating contaminant effects on wildlife populations.  I conduct mainly field studies across the U.S. with an emphasis on assisting DOI and other State and Federal partners in filling their information voids. Data are collected, statistically analyzed, and published on source, bioavailability, transfer, and especially effects of environmental contaminants on wildlife species, primarily migratory birds. 

Research Interests:

• Develop techniques for, and use swallows, as a national indicator species of contaminant exposure and effects.
• Use and refine endpoints in ecotoxicological research.
• Understand the effects of chlorinated hydrocarbons (PCBs, dioxins/furans, etc) and trace metal contamination on birds.

Active Projects: 

• Exposure and effects of PCB contamination on tree swallows nesting along the upper Hudson River, NY (Wildlife Toxicology Team)
• PCB effects on adult tree swallow survival on the Hudson River, New York (Wildlife Toxicology Team)
• Effect of egg-laying order on contaminant concentrations (Wildlife Toxicology Team)
• Bioavailability of trace metals from abandoned mine tailings in Colorado (Wildlife Toxicology Team)

Select Publications: 
Custer, Christine M., Thomas W. Custer, James E. Hines, James D. Nichols, and Paul M. Dummer.  2007. Adult tree swallow (Tachycineta bicolor) survival on the polychlorinated biphenyl-contaminated Housatonic River, Massachusetts, USA.. Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry 26:1056-1065.

Custer, Christine M., Thomas W. Custer, and Elwood F. Hill.  2007. Mercury exposure and effects on cavity-nesting birds from the Carson River, Nevada.  Archives of Environmental Contamination and Toxicology 52:129-136.

Custer, Christine M.  and Lorraine B. Read.  2006. Polychlorinated biphenyl congener patterns in tree swallows (Tachycineta bicolor) nesting along the Housatonic River, western Massachusetts, USA, using a novel statistical approach.   Environmental Pollution 142:235-245.  

Custer, Christine M., Thomas W. Custer, Cornell J Rosiu, Paul M. Dummer, Mark J. Melancon, and J. W. Bickham.  2005.  Exposure and effects of dioxins, furans, and other organochlorine chemicals on tree swallows (Tachycineta bicolor) nesting along the Woonasquatucket River, Rhode Island. Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry 24:93-109.

Custer, Christine M., Thomas W. Custer, Michael J. Anteau, Alan D. Afton, and David . E. Wooten.  2003. Trace elements in lesser scaup (Aythya affinis) from the Mississippi Flyway. Ecotoxicology 12:47-54.

Links:
Contaminant effects on tree swallows: A nationwide indicator species

Bioaccumulation and effects of PCBs on tree swallows nesting along the Housatonic River, Massachusetts

Contaminants in tree swallows in relation to water level management

Exposure of nontarget birds to DRC-1339 avicide in fall baited sunflower fields

Adult tree swallow (Tachycineta bicolor) survival on the PCB-contaminated Housatonic River, Massachusetts

Exposure and effects of dioxins and other organochlorine chemicals on tree swallows (Tachycineta bicolor) nesting along the Woonasquatucket River, Rhode Island