Davis – Research Experiences for Undergraduates in the Ecology and Evolution of Infectious Disease

Evaluating the transmission mode of a nematode parasite within horned passalus beetles, Odontotaenius disjunctus

3JanuaryAlex Strauss2023 ProjectsDavis, Empirical, Wildlife

Cecilia Pumpelly, a student at University of Georgia, worked with Dr. Andy Davis to evaluate transmission mode of a nematode parasite infecting beetles. Abstract: Within the estimated one million species of nematodes, there are just as many variations in life cycles. While parasitic nematodes rely on their host for primary development, many will exit their host

Sensing Your Friends Getting Eaten is Stressful, Having a Parasite Makes it Worse

13JanuaryNikki Solano-Asamoah2022 ProjectsBenchwork, Davis, Empirical, Fieldwork, Wildlife

Helen Gloege, a student in Mount Holyoke College, worked in the lab of Dr. Andy Davis Abstract Daphnia and other animals face a multitude of different stressors in their daily lives. Parasites can cause various physiological changes in animals, yet few prior studies have looked at the combination of parasitism and stress in animal models.

Scared stiff: Effects of a nematode parasite on fearfulness in bess beetles

18NovemberAndrea Silletti2021 ProjectsDavis, Empirical, Wildlife

Anna Shattuck, a student from Tulane University, worked in the lab of Dr. Andy Davis. Abstract Freezing is a defensive behavior seen in many different animals as a response to extreme threats such as predators. While research on freezing behavior is widespread, there is little known about how parasites may influence it. A non-lethal nematode

Effects of parasites and predators on heart rates of Daphnia laevis using an innovative electronic stethoscope

18SeptemberAndrea Silletti2019 ProjectsDavis, Empirical

Lutchie M. Carrasquillo, a student at the University of Puerto Rico at Arecibo, worked with Christian Hurd and Dr. Andy Davis to study the effects of parasitism on Daphnia heart rate using a new methodology. Abstract: Daphnia are a model organism often used in investigations of chemical toxicity, and for biology classes. Measuring changes in

Nematode parasite reduces the fight or flight reaction in its host

18DecemberAndrea Silletti2018 ProjectsDavis, Empirical

Felicia Ebot-Ojong, a junior from the University of Georgia, worked with Dr. Andy Davis to study the effect of nematode parasites on the fight-or-flight reaction of infected beetles. Abstract: Parasites cause a range of unfavorable effects on host fitness, including reducing available energy. This could be detrimental in situations where the host needs to escape

A protozoan parasite weakens the stress reaction of monarch butterflies

8NovemberAndrea Silletti2017 ProjectsAltizer, Davis

Jovani Raya, a student from Abaraham Baldwin Agricultural College, worked with Dr. Sonia Altizer and Dr. Andy Davis to study the effect of infection on the stress reaction of monarch butterflies. Abstract: The protozoan parasite Ophryocystis elektroscirrha (OE) affects the adult mortality, longevity, body size, and flight ability of monarch butterflies (Danaus plexippus). However, very

Can Internal Parasites Affect Wound-healing Rates in Insects?

19DecemberAndrea Silletti2015 ProjectsDavis, Empirical

Lexi Calderon, a student from the University of Redlands, worked with Dr. Andy Davis and members of his lab to study parasites affect wound-healing in bess beetles. Abstract: By definition, parasites depend on the resources of their host to survive. This relationship can result in a decrease of energy and fitness for the host. The

Do Parasite Infections Effect Fighting Ability in Beetles

20DecemberAndrea Silletti2014 ProjectsDavis, Empirical

David Vasquez, a student from Virginia Tech, worked with Andy Davis in the Odum School of Ecology to examine the effect that parasite infections have on the fighting ability of beetles. David Vasquez1, Andy Davis2 1Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, 2Odum School of Ecology, University of Georgia Parasites, by definition, subsist off their hostâ€™s