Ryan Monello, Ph.D.
Candidate Advisor: Matt Gompper The primary objective of my
dissertation research is to determine whether and how the shift from a
solitary, low-contact lifestyle to one with high contact rates alters
parasite community structure. Theoretical models predict a positive
correlation between the contact rate of hosts and parasite burden until the
latter plateaus. Few empirical studies have been conducted and
contact rate and threshold densities for parasite establishment are
difficult to quantify due to differing routes of parasite transmission,
dilution effects, immunity, and altered social behavior of the host.
I am addressing this question by experimentally aggregating populations of
free-ranging raccoons (Procyon lotor) via resource additions while their micro-
and macroparasite communities are
monitored. Related projects include the relationship between parasite
infection and genetic diversity, interaction of parasitism and stress
hormone levels of hosts, and influence of abiotic
and biotic factors on parasite prevalence and abundance. Monello, R.J., and M.E. Gompper. 2007. Biotic and Abiotic
Predictors of Tick (Dermacentor variabilis) Abundance and Engorgement on
Free-Ranging Raccoons (Procyon lotor). Parasitology. In Press. Iripunkaw, C.S.,
C. Kongrit, K.M. Faries,
R .J. Monello, M.E. Gompper, and L.S. Eggert. 2007. Isolation and
characterization of polymorphic microsatellite
loci in the raccoon (Procyon lotor). Molecular Ecology Notes.
In Press. Monello, R.J., J.J. Dennehy,
D.L. Murray, and A.J. Wirsing. 2006. Differential responses of native frog tadpoles
to an exotic competitor, the bullfrog (Rana
catesbeiana). Journal of
Herpetology. 40:403-407. Monello, R.J., D.L. Murray, and F. Cassirer. 2001. Ecological correlates of pneumonia epizootics
in bighorn sheep. Canadian Journal of Zoology 79:1423
1432. Monello, R.J., and R.G. Wright. 2001. Predation by goldfish (Carassius
auratus) on eggs and larvae of the eastern
long-toed salamander (Ambystoma macrodactylum columbianum).
Journal of Herpetology 35:350-353. Monello, R.J., and R.G. Wright. 1999. Amphibian habitat preferences in artificial
ponds in the Palouse region of northern Monello, R.J., and R.G. Wright. 1997. Geographic Distribution. Taricha granulosa. Herpetological Review 28:155.
