We are beginning to explore the efficacy of different environmental DNA (eDNA) sampling methods in accurately detecting local terrestrial mammal biodiversity. We will simultaneously collect eDNA from 1) bloodmeals from trapped mosquitoes, 2) water samples from the Connecticut River and its tributaries, and 3) local soil samples to compare the diversity, accuracy, and geographic scale of mammals detected across sample types. Western Massachusetts is an ecosystem with well-known and well-studied mammalian community members, making it an excellent site for this methodology-focused study.

We are currently investigating the genetic mechanism(s) that regulate sexually dichromatic hair in primates. More specifically, by using the blue-eyed black lemur (Eulemur flavifrons) as a model organism, we are researching how varying expression levels of genes associated with pigmentation and/or melanin production might influence the color of hair expressed by individual lemurs. We work with RNA (isolated from hair samples) and use RT-qPCR to estimate relative expression of key pigmentation genes. We are interested to see if variation in relative gene expression between male and female E. flavifrons regulate the differences we see in adult coloration (males are black; females are brown-orange). We are also investigating to see if there is any temporal variation in gene expression since these lemurs change coloration during key developmental stages.

We recently investigated how the hair, oral, and gut microbiota of nine wild and captive lemur species are determined by host phylogenetic relationships and host environment. We found that host species identity appeared to explain most of the variation in microbiome composition: lemurs in the same genus had similar microbiomes, even across different environments. Our results also suggest that captivity has a Westernizing and homogenizing effect on the microbiome. This effect was more strongly observed in the gut and hair microbiome than the oral microbiome. Based on the results of this study, the oral microbiome appears to be a conserved and highly filtered microbial community. Conversely, the hair microbiome is most subject to external effects and can serve as an indicator of the environmental microbes to which the host is exposed. The effect of host environment on the microbiome was also more strongly observed in folivorous lemurs (Propithecus spp.) compared to the other generalist and frugivorous lemurs in the study. This project is the most comprehensive comparative full-body analysis of the lemur microbiome to date.