Anne brilliantly defended her dissertation titled Investigating the effects of urbanization on the life history of an invasive amphibian. Her research investigated how urbanization and pollutants affect invasive Cuban tree frogs. She measured life history traits and telomere length (cellular aging marker) in frogs from different habitats and found no effect. She also tested the effects of carbon nanoparticles and microplastics on tadpole development and telomere length. Overall, Cuban tree frogs appear to be very resilient to the tested stressors. The study highlights the complexity of amphibian telomere dynamics and the need for further research on more amphibian species. Congrats Dr. Sabol!
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The E. O. Wilson Biodiversity Foundation named Alessandro as the next Half-Earth Chair, succeeding Dr. Piotr Naskrecki. The Half-Earth Chairs and Scholars program aims to support scientific research on biodiversity around the world. They achieve this by selecting experienced scientists (Chairs) to mentor and collaborate with emerging researchers (Scholars) in different regions. This program provides funding and fosters a global network of scientists dedicated to biodiversity conservation. Half-Earth Chairs & Scholars are nominated and selected by an Advisory Board of individuals with unique insight into global biodiversity science and conservation efforts. Cara passed her qualifying exams today, after taking her written and oral exams, and is now a PhD candidate. Congratulations Cara!
Anne published one of the chapters of her dissertation, titled Carbon nitride dots do not impair the growth, development, and telomere length of tadpoles, in the journal Science of the Total Environment. The study investigated if carbon dots, nanoparticles with potential benefits, might harm wildlife if they enter wastewater. Tadpoles, sensitive to pollutants, were exposed to different carbon dot concentrations for an extended period, mimicking potential real-world exposure. The experiment found no negative effects on tadpole growth, development, or telomere length, suggesting carbon dots at these levels don't disrupt tadpole development. Congrats Anne! Citation: Sabol, A., Y. Zhou, W. Zhang, B. C. L. B. Ferreira, J. Chen, R. M. Leblanc, A. Catenazzi. 2024. The impact of carbon nitride dots on the growth, development, and telomere length of tadpoles. Science of the Total Environment 916: 170176.
doi: doi.org/10.1016/j.scitotenv.2024.170176 Gustavo presented a talk on his dissertation research titled Bromeligenous Amphibians in Suboptimal Habitats: A Case Study of Phyllodytes gyrinaethes and its Environmental Interactions during our annual Biosymposium at the BBC campus.
Congrats to Jon for passing his qualifying exams! Jon is now a PhD candidate.
Anne presented at the Society for Integrative and Comparative Biology 2024 annual meeting in early January in Seattle, WA. She presented a poster about her work investigating the effects of microplastics on tadpoles titled “Investigating the impacts of microplastics as a potential vector for chemicals on tadpoles”. The last taxonomic contribution of the lab in 2023 is a collaboration with the description of two new species of lizards in the genus Petracola from Peru, led by Luis Mamani. The two new species are Petracola amazonensis and P. shrugojalcapi (shown in the picture by V. Vargas). The two new species increase the diversity of Petracola to seven species. However, like other genera of gymnophthalmids, the diversity is still underestimated. Citation: Mamani, L. , V. J. Vargas, J.C. Chaparo, A. Catenazzi. Two new species of gymnophthalmid lizards (Squamata: Cercosaurinae) from the Andes of Peru and their phylogenetic relationships. Amphibian and Reptile Conservation 17(1-2): : 161–173 (e328).
Lab collaborator Valia Herrera-Alva published today the description of a new species of terrestrial-breeding frog, Pristimantis similaris from the montane forests of southern Peru. The species is cryptic (hence the name) with P. rhabdolaemus and P. pharangobates, also distributed in southern Peru, but molecular analyses and careful examination of their external morphology allowed Valia to set them apart. Pristimantis similaris is a member of the family Strabomantidae, a group of small, ground-dwelling frogs found throughout the tropical Americas. The new species is distinguished by its small size (less than an inch in length), rough skin, and long, slender legs. It also has a distinctive oval-shaped tongue, which it uses to snatch insects from the leaf litter. The discovery of Pristimantis similaris highlights the incredible biodiversity of the Peruvian cloud forests, a hotspot for amphibian endemism. These fragile ecosystems are home to hundreds of frog species, many of which are found nowhere else on Earth. "The cloud forests of Peru are a treasure trove of undiscovered life," said Valia. "This new frog is a reminder that there is still so much we don't know about the natural world, and that even the most common-looking creatures can hold hidden secrets." The scientists who discovered Pristimantis similaris are calling for increased conservation efforts in the Peruvian cloud forests. These irreplaceable ecosystems are threatened by deforestation, climate change, and other human activities. "We need to do more to protect these cloud forests," said Valia. "They are not only home to a wealth of biodiversity, but they also play an important role in regulating the climate and providing clean water. By protecting the cloud forests, we are protecting the future of our planet." The discovery of Pristimantis similaris is a testament to the power of scientific curiosity and the importance of protecting our planet's biodiversity. With continued research and conservation efforts, we can ensure that these remarkable creatures continue to thrive for generations to come. Citation: Herrera-Alva, V., A. Catenazzi, C. Aguilar-Puntriano. 2023. A new cryptic species of terrestrial breeding frog of the Pristimantis danae Group (Anura, Strabomantidae) from montane forests in Ayacucho, Peru. ZooKeys 1187: 1-29.
doi: 10.3897/zookeys.1187.104536 Alessandro was host to Emanuele Biggi's live TV show Geo, and spoke about amphibian declines, their ecological consequences, and the paradox of species discoveries (and rediscoveries) as many more are lost due to habitad destruction, disease, and climate change. The interview (in italian) can be seen online at https://www.raiplay.it/programmi/geo. |
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