A5034087494- Amphibian and Reptile Biology
- Gut microbiota and health
- Species Distribution and Climate Change
- Insect symbiosis and bacterial influences
- Clostridium difficile and Clostridium perfringens research
- Tryptophan and brain disorders
- Animal and Plant Science Education
- Antimicrobial Peptides and Activities
- Turtle Biology and Conservation
- Genomics and Phylogenetic Studies
- Dermatological diseases and infestations
- Vector-borne infectious diseases
- Zoonotic diseases and public health
- Aquaculture disease management and microbiota
- Dermatology and Skin Diseases
- Mosquito-borne diseases and control
- Plant Pathogens and Fungal Diseases
- Insect and Arachnid Ecology and Behavior
- Plant and animal studies
- Rabies epidemiology and control
- Allelopathy and phytotoxic interactions
- Bat Biology and Ecology Studies
- Environmental DNA in Biodiversity Studies
- Genomics, phytochemicals, and oxidative stress
- Primate Behavior and Ecology
University of Massachusetts Boston
2017-2025
University of Massachusetts Amherst
2022-2024
United States Geological Survey
2024
Eastern Ecological Science Center
2024
Pennsylvania State University
2024
Western Ecological Research Center
2024
Ghent University Hospital
2023
Clemson University
2023
The University of Melbourne
2023
University of Florida
2023
Microbial symbionts of vertebrate skin have an important function in defense the host against pathogens. In particular, emerging chytrid fungus Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis , causes widespread disease amphibians but can be inhibited via secondary metabolites produced by many different skin‐associated bacteria. Similarly, fungal pathogens terrestrial salamander eggs Mariannaea elegans and Rhizomucor variabilis are also a variety Indeed, probiotic therapy diseases is recent approach...
Abstract Complex microbial communities inhabit vertebrate digestive systems but thorough understanding of the ecological dynamics and functions host-associated microbiota within natural habitats is limited. We investigate role environmental conditions in shaping gut skin under by performing a field survey reciprocal transfer experiments with salamander larvae inhabiting two distinct (ponds streams). show that are habitat-specific, demonstrating factors mediate community structure. Reciprocal...
Resistance is not futile The fungal disease chytridiomycosis has wreaked havoc on amphibians worldwide. caused by the organism Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis and was first identified in late 1990s. Voyles et al. revisited protected areas Panama where catastrophic amphibian losses were recorded a decade ago (see Perspective Collins). Although theory predicts that epidemics should result reduced pathogenicity, they found no evidence for such reduction. Despite this, community displaying signs...
Emerging fungal diseases can drive amphibian species to local extinction. During 2010-2016, we examined 1,921 urodeles in 3 European countries. Presence of the chytrid fungus Batrachochytrium salamandrivorans at new locations and different expands known geographic host range underpins its imminent threat biodiversity.
Biodiversity loss is one major outcome of human-mediated ecosystem disturbance. One way that humans have triggered wildlife declines by transporting disease-causing agents to remote areas the world. Amphibians been hit particularly hard disease due in part a globally distributed pathogenic chytrid fungus ( Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis [ Bd ]). Prior research has revealed important insights into biology and distribution ; however, there are still many outstanding questions this system....
Abstract Background Host-associated microbiomes, the microorganisms occurring inside and on host surfaces, influence evolutionary, immunological, ecological processes. Interactions between microbiome affect metabolism contribute to adaptation changing environments. Meta-analyses of host-associated bacterial communities have potential elucidate global-scale patterns microbial community structure function. It is possible that surface-associated (external) microbiomes respond more strongly...
Host-associated microbiotas of vertebrates are diverse and complex communities that contribute to host health. In particular, for amphibians, cutaneous microbial likely play a significant role in pathogen defense; however, our ecological understanding these is still its infancy. Here we take advantage the fully endemic locally species-rich amphibian fauna Madagascar investigate factors structuring skin microbiota on large scale. Using amplicon-based sequencing, evaluate how multiple species...
We describe a new species of arboreal microhylid frog from northern Madagascar. The is assigned to the genus Cophyla based on molecular phylogeny and morphological similarities other this genus. Molecular phylogenetic analysis resolved fortuna sp. nov. as closely related C. noromalalae. However, two were reciprocally monophyletic both in tree reconstructed combination mitochondrial genes, nuclear RAG-1 gene. species, previously identified candidate Ca4, occurs lowland bamboo forests around...
Habitat fragmentation and wildlife disease are two widespread drivers of biodiversity loss, yet few empirical studies have explored their interactions. In this study, we utilized a naturally fragmented island system to examine the impacts on genetic diversity amphibian infection dynamics. We determined at immunity locus MHC IIB, hypothesized predictor susceptibility. Contrary expectations, populations lost while simultaneously experiencing positive selection IIB. then used Next-Generation...
Abstract Amphibian chytridiomycosis, an emerging infectious disease caused by the fungus Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis ( Bd ), has been a significant driver of amphibian declines. While globally widespread, had not yet reported from within Madagascar. We document surveys conducted across country between 2005 and 2014, showing 's first record in 2010. Subsequently, was detected multiple areas, with prevalence reaching up to 100%. Detection appears be associated mid high elevation sites have...
We describe a new frog species of the Spinomantis bertini complex based on congruent genetic evidence from mitochondrial and nuclear DNA sequences as well minor morphological differences. A molecular phylogeny derived 16S rRNA gene revealed that mirus sp. nov. is sister to clade containing other two described complex, S. beckei, but strongly differentiated these by 8.1–9.8% pairwise distances in this gene. genes shares no alleles with species. Phenotypically, differs its larger size some...
How host mucosal defenses interact, and influence disease outcome is critical in understanding against pathogens. A more detailed needed of the interactions between functioning its pathogen defense.
Abstract Batrachochytrium salamandrivorans ( Bsal ) is a fungal pathogen of amphibians that emerging in Europe and could be introduced to North America through international trade or other pathways. To evaluate the risk invasion amphibian biodiversity, we performed dose-response experiments on 35 American species from 10 families, including larvae five species. We discovered caused infection 74% mortality 35% tested. Both salamanders frogs became infected developed chytridiomycosis. Based...
Abstract Human‐induced climate change, land use changes, and urbanization are predicted to dramatically impact landscape hydrology, which can have devastating impacts on aquatic organisms. For amphibians that rely environments breed develop, it is essential understand how the larval environment development, condition, performance later in life. Two important of urbanization, changes reduced hydroperiod variable density. Here, we explored density affect morphology, physiology, immune defenses...
The emerging infectious disease chytridiomycosis is one of the major factors triggering global amphibian declines. A recently discovered species chytrid fungus, Batrachochytrium salamandrivorans ( Bsal ), likely originated in East Asia, has led to massive declines populations fire salamanders Salamandra salamandra ) after its apparent introduction Netherlands and Belgium. Here, we report first detection this pathogen Germany where it caused mass mortality a captive collection. Salamanders...