A5056826659- Ion channel regulation and function
- Venomous Animal Envenomation and Studies
- Neurobiology and Insect Physiology Research
- Nicotinic Acetylcholine Receptors Study
- Neural dynamics and brain function
- Plant and animal studies
- Insect and Pesticide Research
- Animal Ecology and Behavior Studies
- Reproductive biology and impacts on aquatic species
- Species Distribution and Climate Change
- Insect and Arachnid Ecology and Behavior
- Animal Vocal Communication and Behavior
- Neuroscience and Neuropharmacology Research
- Connexins and lens biology
- GABA and Rice Research
- Neuroscience and Neural Engineering
- Animal and Plant Science Education
- Animal Behavior and Reproduction
- Physiological and biochemical adaptations
- Visual perception and processing mechanisms
- Regulation of Appetite and Obesity
- Zebrafish Biomedical Research Applications
- Olfactory and Sensory Function Studies
- Genetic and Clinical Aspects of Sex Determination and Chromosomal Abnormalities
- Fish Ecology and Management Studies
University of Oklahoma
2018-2023
Michigan State University
2015-2021
The University of Texas at Austin
2011-2013
North Carolina State University
2005-2008
Painful venoms are used to deter predators. Pain itself, however, can signal damage and thus serves an important adaptive function. Evolution reduce general pain responses, although valuable for preying on venomous species, is rare, likely because it comes with the risk of reduced response tissue damage. Bark scorpions capitalize protective pathway predators by inflicting intensely painful stings. However, grasshopper mice regularly attack consume bark scorpions, grooming only briefly when...
An ex vivo preparation was developed to record from single sensory fibres innervating the glabrous skin of mouse forepaw. The density mechanoreceptor innervation forepaw found be three times higher than that hindpaw skin. Rapidly adapting mechanoreceptors innervate Meissner's corpuscles were severalfold more responsive slowly moving stimuli in compared those We a distinct group small hairs centre exclusively innervated by directionally sensitive D-hair receptors. directional sensitivity, but...
Addressing climate change and biodiversity loss will be the defining ecological, political, humanitarian challenge of our time. Alarmingly, policymakers face a narrowing window opportunity to prevent worst impacts, necessitating complex decisions about which land set aside for preservation. Yet, ability make these is hindered by limited capacity predict how species respond synergistic drivers extinction risk. We argue that rapid integration biogeography behavioral ecology can meet challenges...
Aromatase cytochrome P450 (P450arom) is the enzyme complex responsible for conversion of androgens to estrogens in vertebrates. Consequently, some fishes its activity appears critical ovarian differentiation. Southern flounder (Paralichthys lethostigma) a commercially important flatfish which females grow larger than males and sex determination temperature sensitive. Through cloning P450arom gene ovary quantitative reverse transcription–polymerase chain reaction, we developed biomarker early...
Studies of venom variability have advanced from describing the mechanisms action and relative potency medically important toxins to understanding ecological evolutionary causes itself. While most studies focused on differences in venoms among taxa, populations, or age-classes, there may be intersexual effects as well. Striped bark scorpions (Centruroides vittatus) provide a good model for examining sex composition efficacy, this species exhibits dramatic sexual dimorphism both size defensive...
Among scorpion species, the Buthidae produce most deadly and painful venoms. However, little is known regarding venom components that cause pain their mechanism of action. Using a paw-licking assay (Mus musculus), this study compared pain-inducing capabilities venoms from two species New World (Centruroides vittatus, C. exilicauda) belonging to neurotoxin-producing family with one non-neurotoxin producing (Vaejovis spinigerus) in Vaejovidae. A α-toxin (CvIV4) was isolated vittatus tested on...
Mammalian neocortical circuits are functionally organized such that the selectivity of individual neurons systematically shifts across cortical surface, forming a continuous map. Maps sensory space exist in cortex, as retinotopic maps visual system or tonotopic auditory system, but other functional response properties also may be similarly organized. For example, many carnivores and primates possess map for orientation primary cortex (V1), whereas mice, rabbits, gray squirrel lack maps. In...
Pain, though unpleasant, is adaptive in calling an animal’s attention to potential tissue damage. A long list of animals representing diverse taxa possess venom-mediated, pain-inducing bites or stings that work by co-opting the pain-sensing pathways enemies. Typically, such venoms include toxins cause damage disrupt neuronal activity, rendering painful honest indicators harm. But could pain alone be sufficient for deterring a hungry predator? Some venomologists have argued “no”; predators,...
Behavioral barriers to gene flow often evolve faster than intrinsic incompatibilities and can eliminate the opportunity for hybridization between interfertile species. While acoustic signal divergence is a common driver of premating isolation in birds insects, its contribution speciation mammals less studied. Here we characterize incidence of, potential to, among three closely related species grasshopper mice (genus Onychomys). All use long-distance signals attract localize mates; Onychomys...
What is Neuroecology? Animal behavior mediates many critical ecological processes that, in turn, have implications for the evolution of organismal interactions. Because peripheral and central nervous systems ultimately control behavior, research neuroecology seeks to link neural basis with behavioral interactions, determine how specific (e.g., environmental genetic constraints, evolutionary forces) operating alter system function might constrain or facilitate adaptive behavior. Our goal this...
Voltage-gated sodium channel NaV1.8 regulates transmission of pain signals to the brain. While has potential serve as a drug target, molecular mechanisms that shape gating are not completely understood, particularly couple activation inactivation. Interactions between toxin producing animals and their predators provide novel approach for investigating NaV structure-function relationships. Arizona bark scorpions produce Na+ toxins initiate signaling. However, in predatory grasshopper mice,...
The voltage-gated sodium channel Nav1.8 is linked to neuropathic and inflammatory pain, highlighting the potential serve as a drug target. However, biophysical mechanisms that regulate activation inactivation gating are not completely understood. Progress has been hindered by lack of biochemical tools for examining mechanisms. Arizona bark scorpion (Centruroides sculpturatus) venom proteins inhibit block pain in grasshopper mice (Onychomys torridus). These provide structure–activity...
Abstract Rodents use their forepaws to actively interact with tactile environment. Studies on the physiology and anatomy of glabrous skin that makes up majority forepaw are almost non-existent in mouse. Here we developed a preparation record from single sensory fibers compared anatomical physiological receptor properties those hind paw hairy skin. We found mouse is equipped very high density mechanoreceptors; >3 fold more than In addition, rapidly adapting mechanoreceptors innervate...
Abstract The voltage-gated sodium channel Nav1.8 is linked to neuropathic and inflammatory pain, highlighting the potential serve as a drug target. However, biophysical mechanisms that regulate activation inactivation gating are not completely understood. Progress has been hindered by lack of biochemical tools for examining mechanisms. Arizona bark scorpion ( Centruroides sculpturatus ) venom proteins inhibit block pain in grasshopper mice Onychomys torridus ). These provide...
SUMMARYExtreme environments drive the evolution of adaptations that underlie tolerance to painful stimuli. However, stimuli provide valuable warnings animals about conditions could damage tissues or cause death. Thus, reduced pain sensitivity should evolve as part a phenotype includes physiological resistance lethal Interactions between Arizona (AZ) bark scorpions and southern grasshopper mice an ideal system investigate complex phenotypes across multiple levels biological organization....