A5055850162- Amphibian and Reptile Biology
- Species Distribution and Climate Change
- Animal Behavior and Reproduction
- Turtle Biology and Conservation
- Zoonotic diseases and public health
- Plant and animal studies
- Parasite Biology and Host Interactions
- Aquaculture disease management and microbiota
- Vector-borne infectious diseases
- Animal and Plant Science Education
- Wildlife Ecology and Conservation
- Fish Ecology and Management Studies
- Insect symbiosis and bacterial influences
- Insect and Arachnid Ecology and Behavior
- Environmental DNA in Biodiversity Studies
- Animal Disease Management and Epidemiology
- Wildlife-Road Interactions and Conservation
- Insect and Pesticide Research
- Evolution and Genetic Dynamics
- Genetics, Bioinformatics, and Biomedical Research
- Bat Biology and Ecology Studies
- Identification and Quantification in Food
- Coastal wetland ecosystem dynamics
- Microbial infections and disease research
- Land Use and Ecosystem Services
Allegheny College
2016-2025
University of South Florida
2011-2024
John Wiley & Sons (United States)
2020
Ecological Society of America
2020
University of Memphis
2009-2011
John Carroll University
2006-2008
Abstract Parasites typically have broader thermal limits than hosts, so large performance gaps between pathogens and their cold‐ warm‐adapted hosts should occur at relatively warm cold temperatures, respectively. We tested this mismatch hypothesis by quantifying the temperature‐dependent susceptibility of amphibian species to fungal pathogen Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis ( Bd ) using laboratory experiments field prevalence estimates from 15 410 individuals in 598 populations. In both field,...
Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis , a pathogenic chytrid fungus implicated in worldwide amphibian declines, is considered an specialist. Identification of nonamphibian hosts could help explain the virulence, heterogeneous distribution, variable rates spread, and persistence B. freshwater ecosystems even after extirpations. Here, we test whether mosquitofish ( Gambusia holbrooki) crayfish Procambarus spp. Orconectes virilis ), which are syntopic with many species, possible for . Field surveys...
Climate change might drive species declines by altering interactions, such as host-parasite interactions. However, few studies have combined experiments, field data, and historical climate records to provide evidence that an interaction between disease caused any host declines. A recently proposed hypothesis, the thermal mismatch could identify are vulnerable under because it predicts cool- warm-adapted hosts should be at unusually warm cool temperatures, respectively. Here, we conduct...
Summary The dilution effect, the hypothesis that biodiversity reduces disease risk, has received support in many systems. However, few effect studies have linked mechanistic experiments to field patterns establish both causality and ecological relevance. We conducted a series of laboratory tested an amphibian‐ B atrachochytrium dendrobatidis ( d ) system for consistency between our amphibian species richness, host identity prevalence. In experiments, we show tadpoles can filter feed...
1 When studying speciation, researchers commonly examine reproductive isolation in recently diverged populations. Polymorphic species provide an opportunity to the role of populations that may be process divergence. 2 We examined a polymorphic population Plethodon cinereus (red-backed salamanders) for evidence sympatric ecological separation by colour morphology. Recent studies have correlated temperature and climate with morphology this species, but no looked at differences diet or mate...
ABSTRACT Chytridiomycosis, caused by the pathogenic fungus Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis ( Bd ), is one of largest threats to wildlife and putatively linked extirpation numerous amphibians. Despite over a decade research on , conflicting results from number studies make it difficult forecast where future epizootics will occur how manage this pathogen effectively. Here, we emphasize resolving these conflicts advance management amphibian conservation efforts. We synthesize current knowledge...
ABSTRACT Examination of environmental DNA (eDNA) is a non‐invasive conservation tool that has been used for the detection aquatic organisms. When coupled with quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR), eDNA sampling may be to infer seasonal or diel activities target species. To survey status eastern hellbenders ( Cryptobranchus a. alleganiensis ), fully cryptic salamanders concern, through analyses, we collected water samples monthly from 13 sites across 8 tributaries West Branch...
Populations of eastern red-backed salamanders, Plethodon cinereus, exhibit color polymorphism, and two morphs are common: the red-striped morph lead-phase morph. A recent hypothesis attributes maintenance polymorphism to selection on behavior physiology. We conducted a series laboratory experiments field study determine whether striped salamanders different antipredator responses predators differentially attacked forms. In predation trials, spent significantly more time in an "all trunk...
Pathogens can alter host life-history traits by affecting feeding activities. In anuran tadpoles, keratinized mouthparts (teeth and jaw sheaths) are essential for feeding. Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis (Bd) is a pathogenic fungus of amphibians that infect these reduce tadpole survival. However, the precise way Bd-induced changes in impact unknown. We use high-speed (500 frames/sec) videography to study how mouthpart deformities affect kinematics Fowler's toad (Anaxyrus [ = Bufo] fowleri)...
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...
Some species have insufficient defenses against climate change, emerging infectious diseases, and non-native because they not been exposed to these factors over their evolutionary history, this can decrease likelihood of persistence. Captive breeding programs are sometimes used reintroduce individuals back into the wild; however, successful captive reintroduction be difficult or populations often cannot coexist with pathogens herbivores without artificial selection. In programs, breeders...
Recent studies have explored feeding kinematics in tadpoles with intact labial teeth; however, it is unknown how missing teeth impacts foraging. We the impact of on mechanics and foraging performance Southern leopard frog (Lithobates sphenocephalus [= Rana sphenocephala]) by controlling pattern tooth loss; that is, surgically removing one row teeth. then used high-speed (500 frames/second) videography to test hypothesis loss reduces time attach graze upon an algal-covered substrate. next...
The keratinized mouthparts of tadpoles are complex structures that play a significant role in feeding. Recent evidence has shown the labial teeth function two ways: to anchor oral disc substrate and rake material from it. Reports with missing or deformed have increased. Yet, impact on feeding remains unexplored. Here we use high speed videography (500 frames per second) Southern Leopard Frog (Lithobates sphenocephalus [ = Rana sphenocephala]) study how affect Specifically, test hypothesis...
Abstract Polymorphic species provide an excellent system to study population divergence because different phenotypes often face diverse selection pressures within their shared environment. Previous studies have demonstrated that color morphs of P lethodon cinereus (striped and unstriped), which vary in degree melanin‐based coloration, temporally seasonal activity differ metrics associated with stress physiology. Despite the known association between coloration disease resistance among...
Differences in host behavior and resistance to disease can influence the outcome of host-pathogen interactions. We capitalized on variation aggregation Fowler's toads (Anaxyrus [ = Bufo] fowleri) grey treefrogs (Hyla versicolor) tadpoles tested for differences transmission Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis (Bd) host-specific fitness consequences (i.e., life history traits that imply fitness) infection single-species amphibian mesocosms. On average, A. fowleri mesocosms supported higher Bd...
Anuran larvae, which are otherwise simple in shape, typically have complex keratinized mouthparts (i.e. labial teeth and jaw sheaths) that allow them to graze upon surfaces. The diversity these structures among species presumably reflects specializations for maximal feeding efficiency on different types of food. However, we lack a general understanding how oral function during feeding. We used high-speed digital imaging (500 Hz) observe tadpoles six from the anuran family Hylidae grazing...
Host responses to pathogens include defenses that reduce infection burden (i.e., resistance) and traits the fitness consequences of an tolerance). Resistance tolerance are affected by organism's physiological status. Corticosterone ("CORT") is a hormone associated with regulation many processes, including metabolism reproduction. Because its role in stress response, CORT also considered primary vertebrate hormone. When secreted at high levels, generally thought be immunosuppressive. Despite...
Fever is an evolutionarily conserved and effective organismal response used to reduce infection burden. Although ectotherms are unable induce a fever endogenously because they only produce negligible heat from their metabolism, can increase body temperature in by selecting warm microclimates ("behavioral fever"). For amphibians, behavioral hypothesized be critical defense against pathogens many amphibian immune parameters more at temperatures. We explored this topic using the pathogenic...