A5051812138- Amphibian and Reptile Biology
- Species Distribution and Climate Change
- Genetic diversity and population structure
- Turtle Biology and Conservation
- Plant and animal studies
- Vector-borne infectious diseases
- Genomics and Phylogenetic Studies
- Wildlife Ecology and Conservation
- Fish Ecology and Management Studies
- Dermatological diseases and infestations
- Plant Pathogens and Fungal Diseases
- Evolution and Paleontology Studies
- Evolution and Genetic Dynamics
- Paleontology and Evolutionary Biology
- Marine Bivalve and Aquaculture Studies
- Animal and Plant Science Education
- Insect and Arachnid Ecology and Behavior
- Plant and Fungal Interactions Research
- Coral and Marine Ecosystems Studies
- Microbial Natural Products and Biosynthesis
- Environmental DNA in Biodiversity Studies
- Legume Nitrogen Fixing Symbiosis
- Marine and fisheries research
- Bat Biology and Ecology Studies
- Aquatic Invertebrate Ecology and Behavior
Texas State University
2015-2025
Cornell University
2010-2017
National Zoological Park
2012
Universidade de Santiago de Compostela
2007-2012
Hospital Universitario Virgen del Rocío
2009
Texas Tech University
2008
Understanding the evolutionary history of microbial pathogens is critical for mitigating impacts emerging infectious diseases on economically and ecologically important host species. We used a genome resequencing approach to resolve an pathogen, chytrid Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis (Bd), which has been implicated in amphibian declines worldwide. sequenced genomes 29 isolates Bd from around world, with emphasis North, Central, South America because devastating effect that had populations...
The recent global spread of the amphibian-killing fungus [Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis (Bd)] has been closely tied to anthropogenic activities; however, regional patterns are not completely understood. Using historical samples, we can test whether Bd was a spreading or endemic pathogen in region within particular time frame, because those two disease states provide different predictions for demographic dynamics and population genetics Bd. Testing prevalence under these is key understanding...
Chytridiomycosis, caused by the fungus Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis (Bd), is emerging infectious disease implicated in recent population declines and extinctions of amphibian species worldwide. Bd strains from regions disease-associated decline to date have all belonged a single, hypervirulent clonal genotype (Bd-GPL). However, earlier studies Atlantic Forest southeastern Brazil detected novel, putatively enzootic lineage (Bd-Brazil), indicated hybridization between Bd-GPL Bd-Brazil. Here,...
Genomic studies of the amphibian-killing fungus (Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis, [Bd]) identified three highly divergent genetic lineages, only one which has a global distribution. Bd strains within these linages show variable genomic content due to differential loss heterozygosity and recombination. The current quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) protocol detect from amphibian skin swabs targets intergenic transcribed spacer 1 (ITS1) region using TaqMan fluorescent probe specific...
Habitat loss and chytridiomycosis (a disease caused by the chytrid fungus Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis - Bd) are major drivers of amphibian declines worldwide. regulates host-pathogen interactions altering biotic abiotic factors directly linked to both host pathogen fitness. Therefore, studies investigating links between natural vegetation require integrative approaches control for multitude possible biological environmental variables in spatial epidemiology. In this study, we quantified...
The 'dilution effect' (DE) hypothesis predicts that diverse host communities will show reduced disease. underlying causes of pathogen dilution are complex, because they involve non-additive (driven by interactions and differential habitat use) additive (controlled species composition) mechanisms. Here, we used measures complementarity selection traditionally employed in the field biodiversity-ecosystem function (BEF) to quantify net effect diversity on disease dynamics amphibian-killing...
Abstract Detecting and quantifying hybridization between endangered or threatened taxa can provide valuable information with regards to conservation management strategies. Hybridization members of the genus Crocodylus has been known occur in captivity some wild populations. We tested for among populations American crocodile ( C. acutus ) Morelet's moreletii Yucatan Peninsula by comparing Bayesian assignment tests, based on microsatellite data, mitochondrial morphological assignments. Skin...
Abstract The American crocodile ( Crocodylus acutus ) and the Morelet's C. moreletii are broadly sympatric in Belize Mexico. presence of morphologically anomalous individuals overlapping range area suggests possible hybridization between these species. Analysis 477 base pairs mitochondrial tRNA Pro ‐tRNA Phe ‐Dloop region revealed pure C . N= 43) 56), as well a high proportion interspecific hybrids 17, 14.6%) Yucatan Peninsula, Although all could be assigned to one species or other based on...
Abstract Background: Malignant pleural mesothelioma (MPM) results from malignant transformation of mesothelial cells. Past asbestos exposure represents a major risk factor for MPM and other benign disease. Soluble mesothelin-related peptides (SMRP) have been regarded as promising serum biomarker MPM. The aim this study was to investigate levels SMRP in nonmalignant asbestos-related Patients: Four groups patients were investigated: group 1 composed 48 healthy subjects, 2 177 with previous no...
The Amazon forest is known for its astonishing amphibian diversity, yet the potential distribution and underlying impacts of most important pathogen unknown Amazonia. In this retrospective survey preserved Leptodactylus frogs, collected over a 119 yr period, we used quantitative PCR to detect fungal Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis ( Bd ) performed spatial scan analyses identify spatiotemporal clusters . We also quantified effect environmental factors on likelihood occurrence generated an...
Wildlife disease dynamics are strongly influenced by the structure of host communities and their symbiotic microbiota. Conspicuous amphibian declines associated with waterborne fungal pathogen Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis (Bd) have been observed in aquatic-breeding frogs globally. However, less attention has given to cryptic terrestrial-breeding amphibians that also declining tropical regions. By experimentally manipulating multiple assemblages harbouring natural microbial communities, we...
Abstract There is a surprising lack of genetic data for the Cuban crocodile ( Crocodylus rhombifer ), especially given its status as critically endangered species. Samples from captive individuals were used to genetically characterize this species in comparison with other New World crocodilians. Partial mitochondrial sequence generated cyt‐ b (843 bp) and tRNA Pro ‐ Phe ‐D‐loop region (442 bp). Phylogenetic analyses performed by generating maximum parsimony, likelihood, Bayesian‐based...
By altering the abundance, diversity, and distribution of species-and their pathogens-globalization may inadvertently select for more virulent pathogens. In Brazil's Atlantic Forest, a hotspot amphibian biodiversity, global trade has facilitated co-occurrence previously isolated enzootic panzootic lineages pathogenic amphibian-chytrid (Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis, 'Bd') generated new recombinant genotypes ('hybrids'). Epidemiological data indicate that declines are most severe in hybrid...
Gaps in dispersal data limit habitat protection efforts. We sought to characterize such gaps and compare the utility of from demographic genetic methods making decisions. Here, we used a search string retrieve studies for amphibians, reptiles, birds, mammals. included based on set selection criteria. this sample selected assess persistence taxonomic geographic biases. extracted non-effective (i.e., demographic) effective genetic) rates. weighted these rates by associated size standard...
Competition between genotypes is likely to be a key driver of pathogen evolution, particularly following geographical invasion by distant strains. Theory predicts that competition disease strains will result in the most virulent strain persisting. Despite its evolutionary implications, role shaping populations remains untested for pathogens. We experimentally investigated vivo competitive differences two divergent lineages amphibian-killing chytrid fungus ( Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis ,...
Abstract The amphibian chytrid fungus Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis ( Bd ) is a cosmopolitan pathogen with numerous distinct lineages. global panzootic lineage -GPL) the most widespread and virulent responsible for many recorded declines. Mapping extent of -GPL other more established lineages important predicting disease dynamics in communities. Ecuador biodiverse country per unit area taxa and, thus, priority studies on genotypic diversity . In this study, we tested skin swab samples...
Abstract Microsatellite data were generated from hatchlings collected ten nests of Morelet's Crocodile ( Crocodylus moreletii ) New River Lagoon and Gold Button in Belize to test for evidence multiple paternity. Nine microsatellite loci genotyped 188 individuals the 10 nests, alongside 42 nonhatchlings Lagoon. Then mitochondrial control region sequences one individual each nest presence C. acutus ‐like haplotypes. Analyses five nine revealed that progeny sired by at least two males. These...
Pathophysiological effects of clinical chytridiomycosis in amphibians include disorders cutaneous osmoregulation and disruption the ability to rehydrate, which can lead decreased host fitness or mortality. Less attention has been given physiological responses hosts where enzootic infections Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis (Bd) do not cause apparent population declines wild. Here, we experimentally tested whether an strain Bd causes significant mortality alters water balance (evaporative loss,...