Phase 1 Complete: Samples Collected!

We returned from the field yesterday having successfully collected all of our Lake Erie watersnake samples, including 40 plasma samples for the innate immunity project. Over the course of 2 weeks, we captured and collected health data on over 200 individual snakes. Unfortunately, most of them had signs of snake fungal disease and more than a few were severely affected with large crusts on their face and/or body. 

 

The process of collecting the samples is no mean feat! First, we searched for snakes in trees, rock piles, and in the water. It was an enormous team effort by an amazing group of dedicated biologists, students, and snake enthusiasts from across the country.

 

Once the snakes were caught, we drew blood from a vein in their tail.

 

Finally, we separated the plasma (the liquid fraction of the blood) from the cells using a centrifuge and special blood tubes. The plasma will be stored in the freezer until its processed.

 

Now that we have all our samples, we're ready to measure immune function using our two assays: sheep red blood cell lysis and chitotriosidase. Stay tuned for a future note about the assays!

This is disease is only one of the challenges faced by Lake Erie watersnakes, which are also impacted by human persecution, habitat destruction, and climate change. Our work on the prevalence of the disease and the immune response to infection will enable us to protect this species and the many others impacted by snake fungal disease. 

Thanks for reading,

Ellen