Knutie Lab in the Galapagos!
Main research projects:
Research in the Knutie lab spans both fundamental and applied ideas in disease ecology and evolution. We are experimental biologists who explore whether and how animals defend themselves against parasites, especially in response to environmental change. Current research includes the following topics and questions:
Research in the Knutie lab spans both fundamental and applied ideas in disease ecology and evolution. We are experimental biologists who explore whether and how animals defend themselves against parasites, especially in response to environmental change. Current research includes the following topics and questions:
- Effects of the invasive avian vampire fly Philornis downsi on Galapagos birds.
- How do birds defend themselves against vampire flies and can they evolve resistance to the parasite?
- Does urbanization reduce or exacerbate the effect of vampire flies on Darwin's finches?
- What are the effects of human debris, such as plastics and cigarette butts, on Darwin's finches?
- Can we use self-fumigation to help reduce the damage of vampire flies?
- Understanding the mechanisms that mediate the effects of local ecology on geographic mosaics of host-nest parasite interactions using the Nest Parasite Community Science Project.
- What environmental factors explain host-parasite geographic mosaics?
- Does nest microclimate during the developmental stage of birds affect host-parasite geographic mosaics?
- Does early-life parasitism have a net positive affect on overall host fitness?
- Do invasive hosts indirectly affect native hosts by serving as reservoir hosts of nest parasites?
Interested in donating to help our conservation efforts in the Galapagos?
All donations are tax deductible through the UConn Foundation (501(c)(3))
and all funds are applied directly to our Galapagos work.
For information, please contact me at sarah.knutie@uconn.edu. See more info here.
All donations are tax deductible through the UConn Foundation (501(c)(3))
and all funds are applied directly to our Galapagos work.
For information, please contact me at sarah.knutie@uconn.edu. See more info here.
Knutie Lab
University of Connecticut, Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology
75 N. Eagleville Rd., Unit 3043, Storrs, CT 06269-3043
E-mail: saknutie AT gmail.com or sarah.knutie AT uconn.edu
Updated May 2022
University of Connecticut, Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology
75 N. Eagleville Rd., Unit 3043, Storrs, CT 06269-3043
E-mail: saknutie AT gmail.com or sarah.knutie AT uconn.edu
Updated May 2022
