Amy ClementMy master’s research involves an examination of both ecological concepts and conservation challenges in amphibian systems. The first part of my thesis is an examination of the current state of amphibian monitoring in Canada. Within Canada, there are numerous citizens science programs that have been developed with the purpose of collecting location data for amphibians, a globally declining group of vertebrates. The aim of my thesis is to examine the state of the data available to scientists, and the effectiveness of the programs, as well as to offer insights on possible improvements for monitoring.
Having recently completed an undergraduate thesis examining the physiological responses of rainbow trout to toxic metal mixtures, I became interested in whether or not the responses we observe in lab studies accurately reflect those of organisms in natural settings. My second component of master’s research thus involves the examination of tadpole perception to predation in lab-controlled experiments and experiments held in natural ponds. It has been well document that perceived predation via chemical cues induces morphological changes in tadpoles – tadpoles exposed to predation have been shown to increase the depth of their tails. Although this response has been shown among a variety of species, the response of tadpoles to varying predator densities in lab and natural settings has not been well studied. My project will address these issues by examining the morphological response of wood frog tadpoles exposed to varying densities of predators (dragonfly nymphs) in lab settings, mesocosms and enclosures in natural ponds. |
Education |
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Publications:
Hossie, T.J., MacFarlane, S., Clement, A., Murray, D.L. (In press - ECE-2017-08-01067) Threat of predation alters aggressive interactions among spotted salamander (Ambystoma maculatum) larvae. Ecology and Evolution.
Hossie, T.J., MacFarlane, S., Clement, A., Murray, D.L. (In press - ECE-2017-08-01067) Threat of predation alters aggressive interactions among spotted salamander (Ambystoma maculatum) larvae. Ecology and Evolution.
Contact:
email: amyclement[at]trentu[dot]ca
email: amyclement[at]trentu[dot]ca