Dr. Spencer Hall, Indiana University

Seminar Abstract: Increased outbreaks of disease in wildlife populations have enticed ecologists to ask fundamental questions at the eco-epidemiological interface. To what extent do species interactions influence occurrence and extent of wildlife disease? Can other species (such as competitors or predators) exacerbate or diminish epidemics in host populations? To tackle these questions, this talk explores three interrelated ideas using a combination of field surveys of fungal epidemics in lake plankton, experiments, and development of theory. The "healthy herds" story (covered briefly) focuses on how combinations of selective predation, temperature changes, and/or rapid evolution can determine timing of epidemics. The "friendly competition" idea centers on species which compete for resources with host Daphnia (a negative effect) but also clear infective spores of the fungus (a positive "dilution" effect). These other species may strongly influence the magnitude and time course of epidemics. Finally, the third theme forges links between algal food resources of hosts and transmission rate ("eating yourself sick...") and virulence (" ... and sicker") of the parasite. Each thread accentuates roles for ecology and species interactions as vital drivers of epidemics in wildlife populations.

Research Interests: Dr. Hall is interested in the intersection of species interactions (community ecology) and disease in wildlife populations. He approaches these questions with a combination of observations of disease dynamics in lake plankton systems, experiments in the lab and field, and development of mathematical models.

Host: Drs. Amy Burgin & Terry Loecke