Newly published paper addresses transmission of the pathogen Bsal and how mathematical models are used to predict how the pathogen would spread among eastern newts.
Frequency-dependent Transmission of Bsal in Eastern Newts
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.
MS Assistantship Available to Study Bog Turtles in Tennessee
Professor Charles Kwit is offering a two-year MS Research/Teaching Assistantship.
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.
Are Bushmeat Hunters Aware of Zoonotic Disease? Yes, But That’s Not the Issue
Study Provides Insights into Gathering, Preparation Patterns and Meat Preferences
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.
NBCI Video Accepted for International Fire Ecology Film Fest
The National Bobwhite Conservation Initiative’s (NBCI) Fire Up Your Beef Production – A Ranchers’ Perspective of Prescribed Burning for Range Management is one of 23 documentaries from nine countries accepted…
Researchers Find that Experimental Methodologies Affect Pathogenicity of Bsal Fungus
With the recent discovery of the fungal pathogen Batrachochytrium salamandrivorans (Bsal) in Europe, numerous studies are attempting to understand its pathogenicity, and hopefully, ward off infections in other locations. However, there is no standard set of methodologies for studying the pathogen.