THE CLOTFELTER LAB @ AMHERST COLLEGE
LAB NEWS
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July 2024
New paper led by Luis de Pablo '23E
We published a new paper on the hydrodynamics of the crayfish escape response in Integrative Organismal Biology! The project was led by former thesis student Luis de Pablo '23E and graduate student Adrian Carleton from the Fluid-Structure Interaction Lab at the University of Massachusetts, Amherst. Using particle image velocimetry we found that vortex formation (as well as force generation) was similar in animals held varying distances from substrate. Thus, there was no evidence of a hydrodynamic boost from ground effects. We did, however, find differences in vortex formation between tethered and free-swimming crayfish. Luis is currently a doctoral student in the Dee Lab in the Department of Ecology and Evolution at CU Boulder
May 2024
Congratulations to the Class of 2024!
This May saw the graduation of some great students, including Lori Alarcon '24, Agustina Gonzalez '24, and Zoe Strothkamp '24. We are sad that you're leaving, but can't wait to hear what you do next!
March 2024
Sam Rothberg '21 publishes new paper in Animal Behaviour
Samantha Rothberg '21, along with Ethan Clotfelter and Sarah Wolf (Indiana University), published the results of her senior thesis research in Animal Behaviour. Sam used social network analysis to test the hypothesis that winter flocks of chickadees are more closely connected on cold days than warm days, presumably due to the need to share information about food resources. Spoiler alert: her results didn't conform to expectations, so check out the paper!
August 2023
Derek Benson '21 publishes senior thesis work
Derek Benson '21 and Ethan Clotfelter were co-authors on the paper entitled "Size, but not sex, predicts pinch force and exoskeleton mechanical properties in crayfish of the genus Faxonius" published recently in the journal Invetebrate Biology. Derek investigated the potential for sexual dimorphism in the material properties of structures used in combat and display, namely the major chelae of freshwater crayfish. Derek is now a 3rd year graduate student at Arizona State University, studying the physiological ecology of rattlesnakes.
(Photo credit: Missouri Department of Conservation)
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March 2023
New lab paper in Ecology & Evolution
Ethan Clotfelter and Sam Zhang '21 are co-authors, along with lead author Sarah Wolf, on a new paper entitled "Experimental ectoparasite removal has a sex-specific effect on nestling telomere length" published in Ecology & Evolution. The paper, which is based on Zhang's senior thesis, shows how ectoparasites can accelerate shortening of the telomeres in the red blood cells of tree swallows. (Photo credit: Sam Zhang)
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March 2023
Clotfelter lab contributes to large-scale insect study
A paper recently published in Ecology, on which Ethan Clotfelter is a co-author and included samples collected by lab alumni Isabel Davis '24, Callie Hundley '24, and Kailey Tobin, showed evidence of regional and taxonomic variation in the effect of temperature on aerial insect abundance. We plan to continue sampling insects at our site and collaborate with regional and national partners to better understand insect responses to climate change.