Andrew Rubio (Master student) was awarded a research grant from the Sigma Xi Grants-in-Aid of Research Program for his master thesis project. Andrew will investigate the ecosystem consequences of reduced grazing abilities in stream tadpoles infected by fungal disease. We have known for a while that some organisms can play disproportionate roles in ecosystems, and if their abundances vary in response to variation in prey or predator abundances, cascading effects can occur. Less known is the effect of disease on ecosystem function, and Andrew is proposing to study larval stages of amphibians that, when infected by fungal disease, have reduced grazing ability. This reduced ability in turn influences ecosystem processes such as nutrient cycling and trophic interactions.

Chris Smaga (Freshman) was awarded a research grant from the Chicago Herpetological Society Undergraduate Research in Herpetology program. He will be studying the impact of snake fungal disease (Ophidiomyces ophiodiicola) in Southern Illinois. Although still relatively unknown, this disease could become a substantial threat to native snakes species. Other fungal diseases, such as chytridiomycosis in amphibians and white nose syndrome in bats, have caused dramatic numerical losses, and in some cases local and regional extinction of wildlife. It is thus crucial to understand the potential for snake fungal disease to cause epizootics similar to those associated with these and other emerging fungal diseases. Chris’s proposal is very timely and a necessary first step towards this goal. 

Congratulations to Chris and Andrew and best wishes for fun & productive times in the field!