GARY
BUCCIARELLI
Ecologist
Evolutionary Biologist
CHEMICAL ECOLOGY
Phenotypic variation of chemical defenses in newts
Newts of the genus Taricha possess a neurotoxin, tetrodotoxin (TTX) that is considered to have evolved as a means of chemical defense. However, very little is known about newt TTX, such as how they maintain it, if they produce it, and whether it varies not only between populations, but also within individuals over time. Over the last five years, I have used this system as a model to explore potential ecological roles of chemical defenses. I have also characterized the phenotypic variation of TTX in newts across most of California and experimentally manipulated environments to test the stability of the trait.
Sampling newts in the wild
I modified and improved a previous sampling method so that individuals could be sampled non-destructively from their breeding site. As a result, I can track individual TTX levels through time.
Collecting a skin sample from an adult newt
I use this method to take a non-destructive 2mm skin sample from a newt. The animal is released at the point of capture in the stream and is never brought into the laboratory.
Field notes
I take a lot of observational notes, from densities of newts to newt morphological characteristics and abiotic data like water temperature and pH.
Tail damage
A field observation of tail damage that is caused by nonnative crayfish that have spread into this site.
Water quality data
Waiting as the water quality meter logs data at a newt breeding site. Unfortunately, no newts.
Emaciated newts
Sadly, a more common site as California progresses through the drought. At this specific site, there was no water and approximately 25 newts looking for a stream.