Gain hands-on research experience in the tropics!

Landscape Ecology and Population Genetics

The semi-perennial and ephemeral stream systems (ghauts) in Montserrat are naturally isolated aquatic habitats in a terrestrial matrix, that vary in their connectivity to marine environments, with some ghauts offering unobstructed ocean access to organisms while others have become landlocked systems (due to volcanic activity). Students will investigate the population genetics of a variety of focal organisms in ghauts, including amphidromous decapods, fish, and molluscs, as well as non-migratory species. The amphidromous life history provides a mechanism for recolonization of populations extirpated by the volcano but there is also evidence of reproduction in landlocked systems. This study will shed light on how volcanic activity has impacted gene flow for focal organisms and biodiversity within and among these systems.

A similar model to the Ghaut study will also be used to investigate how habitat fragmentation in terrestrial habitats, due to volcanic and anthropogenic disturbance, has impacted tree frog and toad genetics across the island. In addition to smaller-scale disturbances like ashfall and lahar flows, volcanic eruptions in the mid-late 90’s created a belt of decimated landscape running east/west through the center of the island. The south belt has been effectively cut off from the rest of the island in terms of gene flow for multiple organisms. Students will use frogs as a focal group to investigate how habitat fragmentation at a variety of scales has impacted population structure in terrestrial communities.

Disease and Microbial Ecology

Students will investigate the skin microbiomes of amphibians collected from various locations throughout the island. Emphasis will be placed on understanding the distribution and prevalence of the devastating chytrid fungus, Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis, how disease is impacted by other members in the skin microbial community, and how environmental factors influence disease and microorganism community dynamics. This investigation will inform conservation management of the critically endangered Mountain Chicken Frog, Leptodactylus fallax, which was extirpated from the island due in part to chytrid fungus infection. 

Animal Behavior and Habitat Use

The Saba black iguana (Iguana melanoderma), an endemic species restricted to Montserrat and Saba, frequently uses agricultural landscapes, leading to crop damage and increasing conflict with farmers. Despite its conservation importance, key aspects of the species’ spatial ecology and behavior in human-modified environments remain poorly understood. Students will have the opportunity to address these knowledge gaps by examining habitat use and responses to deterrence alternatives to inform practical, evidence-based strategies that reduce conflict while supporting the persistence of this range-restricted species.

Recently, partners with the Montserratian Department of Environment received a Darwin Local Grant to deploy GPS tracking devices on iguanas across multiple habitat types. As part of her scholarship responsibilities, Dr. Milling will lead the analysis of these telemetry data to quantify home range size, movement dynamics, and overlap with agricultural areas. These analyses will provide a foundation for evaluating management approaches such as deterrence or translocation, while also creating opportunities for students to engage in ongoing research from campus through spatial analysis and interpretation of movement data. This structure ensures continuity of the project beyond fieldwork and facilitates contributions that are both educationally meaningful and directly relevant to community needs.

Other species, including red-rumped agouti (Dasyprocta leporina) and feral chickens (Gallus gallus), are also abundant across Montserrat and have been identified as crop-raiding species as well. Unlike the iguanas, the agouti and chickens are not native to Montserrat, nor are they imperiled. These species provide alternative research systems for students interested in human-wildlife conflict or simply those students with alternative taxonomic interests (i.e., mammals or birds).

Your research project idea!

Students may have the opportunity to conduct research on a topic of their choice under the guidance and mentorship of EWU faculty.