Wildlife

PLOS Pathogens: Temperature affects susceptibility of newts to skin-eating fungus

Eastern newt populations in the northeastern United States and southeastern Canada are at greatest risk of infection with a new skin-eating fungus, Batrachochytrium salamandrivorans (Bsal), according to a study published February 18 in the open-access journal PLOS Pathogens by Matthew Gray of the University of Tennessee Institute of Agriculture, and colleagues.

Step Outside: Investigating the Life History of the Laurel Dace through a Surrogate Species

MS student and Tennessee Aquarium employee Shawna Fix explains how studying the life history of a closely related species gives scientists more information on the endangered Laurel Dace. Listen to…

Step Outside: Prevention and Mitigation of a Dangerous Amphibian Pathogen

In this episode of Step Outside, David Carter and Adri Tompros discuss their research on Bsal, a recently discovered pathogen that eats away at amphibian skin. Bsal has been found across Europe, and Davis and Adri are part of a concerted effort to prevent further spread and transmission in the US.

Matt Gray, Deb Miller Work to Prevent Amphibian Pathogen Spread

Professors Matt Gray and Deb Miller’s work in the Amphibian Disease Lab centers on preventing the spread of an amphibian pathogen, Bsal, to the United States. Bsal is currently spreading across Europe, and many fear that international pet trade will bring pathogen here. With the Appalachian region being a hotspot for salamander diversity, the Miller-Gray Lab is focused on prevention, detection, and transmission pathways for the pathogen.

Step Outside: Can Native Grasses Benefit Bobwhite Populations?

In this episode, PhD student Doug Mitchell explains how replacing fescue with native warm-season grasses could benefit bobwhite populations across the Southeast.