Molecular studies:

Queen Charlotte Island (Haida Gwaii) endemic animals exhibit extensive morphological differentiation from conspecifics on the adjacent mainland and this has led many to suspect that the endemics, including stickleback, carabid beetles, weasel, marten, black bear and caribou are glacial relicts. Alternatively, island biota  may represent postglacial colonists with subsequent rapid morphological differentiation and adaptation to the unique biophysical attributes that characterize these remote archipelago. We have tried to resolve these two opposing hypotheses using molecular markers and results from these have led to several new insights (see publication list- Gach and Reimchen 1989, O'Reilly et al, 1993, Orti et al. 1994, Deagle et al. 1996, Byun et al 1997, 1999, Reimchen and Byun, 2005) into Quaternary biogeography of western North America.
    Current molecular studies include collaboration with Dr. J. Nelson to examine colonization rates of introduced Sitka deer among islands of Haida Gwaii.

Funding: Thanks to Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada (NRC Operating Grant #2354 to T Reimchen) and Parks Canada .