Dr. Chris McAllister and four NTCC biology students recently traveled to western Arkansas to conduct field research on vertebrate parasites, making several noteworthy discoveries along the way.
McAllister, NTCC Professor of Biology, was joined by Biology 2289 students Ireland Fite, Emely Chavelas, Stephany Fuentes and Jordan Krumrie for the Sept. 23-25 research trip to the Ouachita Mountains and surrounding watersheds.
During the trip, the group discovered a myxosporean parasite in a northern hogsucker, a freshwater fish native to the region. They also recovered two fleas from a road-killed groundhog that could potentially represent a new finding.
The trip also gave students an opportunity to gain hands-on experience with field research techniques. Fite and Fuentes learned to use a backpack electrofisher, a tool researchers use to temporarily stun fish so they can be safely collected, studied and released.
The Arkansas trip is part of the group's ongoing research on vertebrate parasites in the region. McAllister and the students plan to continue their fieldwork in watersheds of southeastern Oklahoma in about a month. For more information about biology research opportunities at NTCC, contact Dr. McAllister at (903) 434-8286.
