Symbiotic Salamanders
My current postdoctoral research in the Bishop Laboratory at St. Francis Xavier University aims to understand how algal photosynthesis impacts embryonic development and physiology of salamanders.
The Yellow Spotted Salamander, Ambystoma maculatum, forms a symbiotic relationship with a green alga, Oophila amblystomatis, during embryonic development. Native to Eastern North America, and common here in Nova Scotia, the embryos of these salamanders turn a vivid green shortly after being laid as algae blooms within them.
The nature of this relationship, in terms of the benefits for both host and algae, has fascinated biologists for over 100 years since it was first documented. Algae provide oxygen and fixed carbon from photosynthesis, which is used in salamander respiration. Conversely, the salamanders produce carbon dioxide and nitrogenous waste products, which are in turn utilized by the algae. This leads to a micro-environment within the individual egg capsules, characterized by hypoxia during sunlight hours, hypoxia during the night, and large changes in oxygen concentrations in between.
My personal interest in this relationship comes from a physiological point of view. I am asking questions such as;
"What effect does photosynthetically produced oxygen, and subsequent oxygen changes in concentrations, have on embryo development?"
"How does photosynthetically produced oxygen impact upon embryo thermal tolerance?"
"What effect does the presence of symbiotic algae have on the resistance/sensitivity of the embryos to disease and climate change?"
These questions are becoming increasingly relevant due to the worldwide decline in amphibian populations, the ever impending threat of increasing global temperatures, and the continuos spread of amphibian disease. With the 2015 salamander breeding season fast approaching, I am hoping that this research will be able further our understanding of how amphibians will respond to future change.
During my stay here in St. FX so far, I have also been very fortunate to work with Dr. A. Miller, who has introduced me to the fascinating world of algal photo physiology. Over the up coming salamander breeding season, this collaboration will lead to some fascinating insights into no only salamander physiology, but also algal physiology, and potentially how the two interact in relation to environmental variables such as temperature.
The Yellow Spotted Salamander, Ambystoma maculatum, forms a symbiotic relationship with a green alga, Oophila amblystomatis, during embryonic development. Native to Eastern North America, and common here in Nova Scotia, the embryos of these salamanders turn a vivid green shortly after being laid as algae blooms within them.
The nature of this relationship, in terms of the benefits for both host and algae, has fascinated biologists for over 100 years since it was first documented. Algae provide oxygen and fixed carbon from photosynthesis, which is used in salamander respiration. Conversely, the salamanders produce carbon dioxide and nitrogenous waste products, which are in turn utilized by the algae. This leads to a micro-environment within the individual egg capsules, characterized by hypoxia during sunlight hours, hypoxia during the night, and large changes in oxygen concentrations in between.
My personal interest in this relationship comes from a physiological point of view. I am asking questions such as;
"What effect does photosynthetically produced oxygen, and subsequent oxygen changes in concentrations, have on embryo development?"
"How does photosynthetically produced oxygen impact upon embryo thermal tolerance?"
"What effect does the presence of symbiotic algae have on the resistance/sensitivity of the embryos to disease and climate change?"
These questions are becoming increasingly relevant due to the worldwide decline in amphibian populations, the ever impending threat of increasing global temperatures, and the continuos spread of amphibian disease. With the 2015 salamander breeding season fast approaching, I am hoping that this research will be able further our understanding of how amphibians will respond to future change.
During my stay here in St. FX so far, I have also been very fortunate to work with Dr. A. Miller, who has introduced me to the fascinating world of algal photo physiology. Over the up coming salamander breeding season, this collaboration will lead to some fascinating insights into no only salamander physiology, but also algal physiology, and potentially how the two interact in relation to environmental variables such as temperature.