{"id":33974,"date":"2024-10-28T13:56:20","date_gmt":"2024-10-28T17:56:20","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/sciences.ucf.edu\/news\/?p=33974"},"modified":"2024-10-28T14:14:27","modified_gmt":"2024-10-28T18:14:27","slug":"phd-students-research-on-snakes-is-helping-protect-floridas-ecosystem","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/sciences.ucf.edu\/news\/phd-students-research-on-snakes-is-helping-protect-floridas-ecosystem\/","title":{"rendered":"PhD. Student\u2019s Research on Snakes is Helping Protect Florida\u2019s Ecosystem\u00a0"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Jenna Palmisano was awarded multiple research grants to expand her research on parasites affecting pygmy rattlesnakes and Florida ecosystems<\/strong>\u00a0<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

By: Emily Dougherty |<\/strong> October 28, 2024<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"A
Jenna Palmisano, PhD. student, in the field researching how infectious diseases affect pygmy rattlesnakes.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Florida has diverse ecosystems that are made up of an array of species, all of which play an important role in the beauty of Florida. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Jenna Palmisano, a doctoral Biology student, has spent her higher educational journey studying reptiles, such as snakes, and the dangers that pose disruption to their natural impact on the environment.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cDuring my undergraduate career, I conducted experimental infections<\/a> to understand the life <\/s>cycle of the invasive snake lung parasite, Raillietiella orientalis<\/em><\/a>, and how it was pervading Florida ecosystems after being introduced by the Burmese pythons in South Florida,\u201d Palmisano says. \u201cMy interest was sparked by the parasite\u2019s tremendous ability to expand host taxa and successfully invade the entire peninsula.\u201d\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Palmisano shared that she took a particular interest in a specific type of reptile that is seen across the state in various habitats. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cPygmy rattlesnakes are strikingly beautiful ambush predators facing significant challenges from emerging infectious diseases. I am particularly interested in exploring the molecular influences on their susceptibility to these threats,\u201d she says. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"
A close-up of a pygmy rattlesnake taken by Jenna Palmisano. <\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Palmisano says the population of pygmy rattlesnakes play a large role in the lives of other species in state and infectious diseases, such as the lung parasite, and can have ramifications that affect more than just the snakes themselves.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThe lung parasite has been associated with mortality events and population declines in pygmy rattlesnakes. These declines can disrupt ecological balance, highlighting the necessity of maintaining biodiversity and understanding species interdependence,\u201d she says. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Palmisano explained exactly how other species will be affected by this disease.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cAs once the most common venomous snake in Florida, pygmy rattlesnakes play a vital role as mesopredators,\u201d Palmisano says. \u201cTheir decline can disrupt the balance of the food web, affecting not only their prey but also larger predators that rely on them.\u201d <\/p>\n\n\n\n

She shared how she intersected her passion for photography with her research. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cMy passion for wildlife photography began as a child, but it truly merged with my scientific work when I started my dissertation on pygmy rattlesnakes. I aimed to capture their beauty and the clinical signs of disease in high resolution to raise awareness of their conservation needs,\u201d Palmisano says. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"
A close-up of a pygmy rattlesnake with a penta, a worm-like parasite, in its mouth. <\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

During the course of her research, Palmisano was awarded a mentorship award from UCF\u2019s Biology department for her work with undergraduate students. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cWorking with undergraduate students has enriched my research experience, allowing me to share my passion and learn from their fresh perspectives,\u201d she says. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Along with winning the mentorship award, Palmisano has won multiple grants to continue her research. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThe grants I\u2019ve received have been instrumental for my research on pygmy rattlesnakes,\u201d she says. \u201cThey have enabled extensive data collection across Florida, which is essential for developing effective conservation strategies for pygmy rattlesnakes.\u201d <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Palmisano hopes others will contribute to preserving Florida\u2019s ecosystem. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cI encourage everyone to appreciate and coexist with Florida\u2019s diverse wildlife,\u201d she says. \u201cGaining a deeper understanding of these creatures, including snakes, is essential for fostering conservation efforts and maintaining ecological balance.\u201d <\/p>\n\n\n\n

To see Jenna Palmisano\u2019s wildlife photography, please visit her <\/em>Instagram page<\/em><\/a>. <\/em> <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Jenna Palmisano was awarded multiple research grants to expand her research on parasites affecting pygmy rattlesnakes and Florida ecosystems\u00a0 By: Emily Dougherty | October 28, 2024 Florida has diverse ecosystems that are made up of an array of species, all of which play an important role in the beauty of Florida.  Jenna Palmisano, a doctoral […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":250,"featured_media":33975,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":"","_links_to":"","_links_to_target":""},"categories":[34,40,28],"tags":[437,736,2856,6496],"class_list":["post-33974","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-biology-departments","category-graduate-student-news","category-top-news","tag-biology","tag-college-of-sciences","tag-research","tag-student-success"],"yoast_head":"\nPhD. 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