Ecology, evolution, and behavior
Amphibians are the most threatened group of vertebrates, yet we know very little about most species because they are small, secretive, and difficult to study. I use detailed field studies and lab experiments to investigate the ecology, evolution, and behavior of rare and common species, and make recommendations to improve conservation efforts for these species. My research has focused on the gopher frog (Lithobates capito) in Florida and the dusky gopher frog (Lithobates sevosus) in Mississippi, which have both declined due to habitat loss and degradation, Australian rainforest frogs (Litoria spp.) that are threatened by the disease chytridiomycosis, and treefrogs (Hyla spp.) that are adversely affected by the introduced Cuban treefrog (Osteopilus septentrionalis) in Florida.

Disease ecology
The disease chytridiomycosis is responsible for the greatest loss of biodiversity caused by disease in recorded history. During the past two decades, this emerging fungal disease has caused catastrophic declines or extinctions in hundreds of amphibian species around the world. I am interested in the drivers of chytridiomycosis, including the influences of frog behavior, environmental conditions, and their interactions with habitat structure. My goals are to understand (1) how the thermal and hydric preferences of frogs influence their infection risk, (2) how infected frogs alter their behavior, and the consequences of these changes, (3) how natural thermal regimes affect pathogen growth and reproduction, (4) how canopy openings, such as those created by severe storms, influence frog microclimates and infection risk, (5) how infections influence frog reproduction, and (6) how infections interact with climate change.

Introduced species
​Some of my latest research focuses on understanding the impacts of introduced species. The Cuban treefrog was accidentally introduced to the Florida Keys in the 1920s, and has been spreading north ever since. I am using a landscape experiment in conjunction with lab experiments to investigate the impacts of this invasive species on native treefrogs (Hyla spp), and differential impacts of shared parasites on performance, growth, and survival. I am also evaluating behavioral and physiological traits of Cuban treefrogs that are undergoing natural selection in their introduced range. This information will help us understand how this invasive species is impacting native ecosystems, how it is adapting to its introduced range, and where range expansion may occur in the future.


Collaborators
Ross Alford - James Cook University
Steve Johnson - University of Florida
David Pike - Rhodes College
Steve Reichling - Memphis Zoo
Jason Rohr - University of South Florida
Lin Schwarzkopf - James Cook University

Green treefrog (Litoria caerulea)

Gopher frog (Lithobates capito)

Green-eyed treefrog (Litoria serrata)

Cuban treefrog (Osteopilus septentrionalis)