Stephen Saltamachia- Master of Science
- University of Louisiana at Lafayette
Stephen Saltamachia
- Master of Science
- University of Louisiana at Lafayette
About
5
Publications
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Introduction
See "Projects"
Current institution
Education
August 2016 - August 2018
Publications
Publications (5)
We will present and support through existing literature, the hypothesis that a parasite population can functionally manipulate gene frequencies within its host population as a mechanism to maintain host susceptibility in subsequent generations. The hypothesis is based on observations made of a particular parasite-host system during ad hoc pathogeni...
Certain parasites improve their fitness by manipulating their host’s behaviour. Some evidence suggests that parasites exploit innate pathways in the host to manipulate their behaviour. Furthermore, phylogenetically unrelated parasites can generate similar behavioural changes in hosts from the same taxonomic group. Spiders are hosts for several para...
Members of the Fusarium solani species complex are common in the environment and are known pathogens of plants and animals, including humans. Some species have been shown to possess opportunistic nutritional modes as both endophytes and entomopathogens, even conferring a protective service against herbivory for their host plants. The Fusaria are al...
Parasite induced changes in host behavior is considered adaptive if it provides a reproductive advantage to the parasite. The entomopathogenic fungi are a fascinating group of arthropod parasites that exhibit enormous diversity in terms of both host choice and reproductive strategy, some of which actively manipulate the behavior of their host as a...
The genus Ophiocordyceps contains the most diverse assemblage of fungi that attack ants worldwide and are remarkably well adapted to the specific ecologies of their hosts. Desmidiospora myrmecophila Thaxt. is closely related to other ant-pathogenic species within Ophiocordyceps, possibly specific to queens, but the sheer infrequency of encounters a...
Questions
Questions (6)
Resistance is futile. The AI revolution is undoubtedly underway but its unclear how much to rely on it in scientific research. Is it acceptable to use chatgpt to, for example, generate a mathematical model to support an idea since I'm not knowledgeable enough in mathematics to do it myself? It does an awesome job and seems to understand exactly what I need. Truly and impressive tool, but can I use it in something I intend to publish and to whom would I give credit? TIA
How do I prepare a segment of vascular plant stem for free hand cross sectioning? I want to make slides of thin cross-sections to look for varying concentrations of fungal hyphae at different points along a continuous plant stem.
Thanks in advance for your replies.
I have a few strains of Fungi which produce pigmented droplets on top of the plated colony. I am trying to get some basic information about the possible constituents and have been having a lot of fun testing their separation with different solvents by TLC. However, I'm not sure which solvents to use for separation on TLC or for extraction of metabolites from broth culture. I have used acetone, acetone +10% methanol, ethyl acetate, and water for separation on TLC plates with acetone performing the best but no real complete separation. I also tried extracting from broth with ethyl acetate with virtually no success. Any suggestions on some particular literature that I might consult would be very helpful also.
I am familiar with several publications regarding extended phenotypes in Ophiocordyceps species infecting ants, but I am wondering if anyone knows of similar work done with the genus Gibellula on jumping spiders?
I have managed to isolate and culture an extremely rare entomopathogenic fungus called Desmidiospora myrmecophila. It has never been successfully cultured until now and it is only the fourth North American specimen found since its discovery in Connecticut in 1891, fifth specimen globally. I plan to publish my findings but I have a serious problem; there are no mycologists here at UL or anyone who can verify that my descriptions of in vitro characteristics are accurate. I am an undergraduate, so I am not well connected to any colleagues in this field and I have relied entirely on what little literature exists on this fungus. I am only just becoming acquainted with the relevant terminology and I need someone with some experience to read over what I have written. The paper is still in the draft phase. I have never published anything before but I have been after this for some time now and I am thoroughly determined to contribute to the extreme dearth of literature on the subject. I have tried reaching out by email to a few outsiders, but with no success. Help!
