NWRC Research Scientists: Dr. Natalie Claunch
Dr. Natalie Claunch (PhD) is broadly interested in the intersections between invasion ecology, herpetology, eco-physiology, disease ecology, and wildlife damage.
This has included investigating rattlesnake stress ecology; immune and hormonal responses to novel and stressful environments that accompany introduction in curly-tailed lizards, rock agamas, Burmese pythons, and brown treesnakes; thermal ecology of panther chameleons, curly-tailed lizards, and fence lizards; and susceptibility to Bsal chytrid infection in salamanders. Her research focuses on creative strategies to: 1) mitigate the impacts and forecast the spread of introduced species, and 2) mitigate the impacts of invasive wildlife on herpetofauna of conservation concern.
Research Project
This project focuses on developing new information and methods for managing vulture populations; evaluating potential impacts of climate change on invasive species; devising control techniques to reduce or eliminate invasive species; investigating genetic and other approaches to detect and monitor invasive species; and developing methods to quantify resources impacted by invasive and over-abundant species.
Current Research
- Agricultural, Ecological, Economic and Infrastructure Impacts of Invasive Green Iguanas
- Methods development for control of Peters’ Rock Agama
- Ecological impacts of invasive parasites from Burmese Python
Education
- Ph.D., Interdisciplinary Ecology, Physiological Legacy of Invasive Reptiles, University of Florida School of Natural Resources and Environment
- M.S., Biological Sciences, Stress Ecology of the Pacific Rattlesnakes, California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo
- B.S., Zoology, North Carolina State University
International Experience
- Co-leader of River Ecology and Conservation Workshop in Guatemala
- Collaboration with scientists in Mexico, Germany, and Australia to maintain a database on global amphibian thermal biology
- Collaborator and consultant for thermal ecology research development in Canada
Affiliations
- Courtesy Faculty, University of Florida Department of Biology
- Board Member, The Wildlife Society Invasive Species Working Group
- Governor, American Society of Ichthyologists and Herpetologists
- Section Editor, Reptiles & Amphibians
Natalie Claunch
Wildlife Biologist
Email: natalie.claunch@usda.gov
Phone: 352-448-2145
Florida Field Station
2820 East University Avenue
Gainesville, Florida 32641