Our research lies at the intersection of wildlife physiology, behavior, ecology, and conservation, with a particular emphasis on understanding the mechanisms that allow animals to cope with environmental change. The lab is tackling many projects, most focusing on bats and rodents in the southeastern US. These projects include:
Impacts of humidity and hibernaculum substrate on growth of the WNS fungusThis research aims to study the growth behavior of the fungus responsible for white-nose syndrome (WNS) (Pseudogymnoascus destructans) under controlled laboratory conditions. The experiments focus on understanding how this pathogen thrives under varying relative humidities and on different substrates, particularly those mimicking natural and non-natural cave environments (gypsum, sandstone, graphite) and bat wings. This work is critical to better understand how the continue spread of the pathogen will impact bat populations in less humid and mad-made environments. This work is lead by graduate student Logan Young.
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Effects of handling time, bat bag type, and air temperature on stress hormones in batsThis study examines how handling time, bag type, and ambient air temperature affect physiological stress responses in bats, as measured by glucocorticoid hormone levels. We are using plasma cortisol measurements before and after handling to assess stress of processing. We will also include the impact of air temperature to assess any potential overheating of bats. The results will provide implications for animal welfare and the design of field sampling and handling protocols. Optimizing handling conditions may help reduce stress in bats during research and conservation activities. This work is led by graduate student Gabrielle Tomboc.
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Selection of forage habitats of endangered gray bats on Fort Campbell Army BaseThis project investigates forage site selection of the endangered gray bat (Myotis grisescens) using a combination of acoustic monitoring and habitat assessments. The gray bat, a cave-dwelling species endemic to the southeastern United States, forages primarily over water bodies and forested areas. Understanding their foraging behavior is critical for effective conservation, particularly in regions facing habitat loss and land-use change. This study will contribute to the growing body of research on gray bat ecology and will offer practical recommendations for land managers aiming to conserve foraging habitats essential to the species’ recovery. This project is led by graduate student Macee Roberts.
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Monitoring impacts of southeastern grassland restoration on small mammal communitiesExtensive habitat loss and degradation have altered native grasslands in the southeastern United States. Restoration efforts, such as those in grasslands managed by the Southeastern Grasslands Initiative, may provide the necessary resources for historical wildlife communities. We are assessing restoration efforts by estimating the small mammal community composition between a restored grassland, an unrestored grassland, and a remnant grassland in Tennessee. We are using a combination of small mammal live-trapping, camera trapping, and acoustic monitoring to assess small mammal species diversity among the treatments. This project has lots of help from volunteers, including Manav Patel, L. Martin, Julia Gambill, Stacy Murphy, Sydney Bansemer, Hunter Conaty, and Maranda Halstead.
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