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TEACHING: Anatomy and Physiology I, Anatomy and Physiology II RESEARCH INTERESTS: I am currently working in Dr. John Hatle’s lab, http://www.unf.edu/~jhatle/,on a project designed to further understand the relationship between aging and reproduction. Reduced reproduction is well known to extend lifespan in many animals. Recently, the mechanism(s) of this life extension has been called into question. To test for a possible direct effect of reproduction on lifespan, I am measuring hemolymph vitellogenin levels in ovariectomized and sham operated females. This will allow us to determine the allocation of proteins (the limiting nutrient in grasshoppers) to reproduction. I am also beginning work on a project involving the ecology, behavior, and unique physiology of hognose snakes, Heterdon sp. Members of this genus are known by herpetologists for their death-feigning and other bizarre behaviors and are unique in their ability to eat toads. Toads produce a deadly toxin that is similar to the cardiac medication, digitalis, which is naturally occurring in certain plants. Digitalis toxicity is a common problem in patients prescribed these medications and most animals suffer extreme cardiac abnormalities, and even death, after ingesting or “mouthing” toads. Some have speculated that the ability of hognose snakes to ingest and tolerate toads is physiologically related to their death-feigning behavior, however there has been no research to substantiate this. I am interested in determining the biochemical and physiological mechanisms behind toad toxin resistance and death-feigning behavior in these snakes and plan to explore the possible relationship between the two. My current level of effort in this project is to locate populations of these snakes locally so that they can be used for future study. |
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