Dr. FIO's
E
COLOGICAL PARASITOLOGY LAB
GOT WORMS?....We do!

       


Students  


Publications        


Abstracts


Collaborators


Graduate Assistantship
Opportunity


TREMATODE PHOTOS

 

I am interested in ecological parasitology, especially the ecology of helminth parasites of aquatic organisms. Students in my lab work on projects that examine host-parasite interactions, parasite population and community structure/dynamics, and helminth life cycles. 

Current Efforts :
Seasonal dynamics of an undescribed Microphallid trematode in its intermediate host, the grass shrimp Palaemonetes kadiakensis.
  
Effects of an undescribed Microphallid trematode on grass shrimp behavior and fitness

Helminth community structure of fishes in Northeast Louisiana.

Hemoparasites of snakes in Black Bayou Lake National Wildlife Refuge

Relationship between Intrauterine testosterone exposure and parasitism in rodents.

I am also interested in the natural history, ecology and conservation of fish, amphibians and reptiles. Specifically, how spacio-temporal variability influence life history, population and assemblage structure and dynamics. 





 

 


 

 

 

 

 




 

 

 


 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

PUBLICATIONS

Lutterschmidt, W. I., J. F. Shaffer, and R. A. Fiorillo. 2007. The ecological significance of helminth endoparasites on the physiological performance of two sympatric fishes. Comparative Parasitology 74(2):194-203.

Peterson, A., R. A. Fiorillo, and C. M. Taylor. 2007. Does predator experience affect mating behavior in male Gambusia affinis? Journal of Freshwater Ecology 22:41-48

Christopher M. Taylor, Thomas L. Holder, Riccardo A. Fiorillo, Lance R. Williams, R. Brent Thomas, and Melvin L. Warren, Jr. 2006. Distribution, abundance, and diversity of stream fishes under variable environmental conditions. Canadian Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences 63(1): 43-54

Fiorillo, R. A., R. B. Thomas, M. L. Warren and C. M. Taylor. 1999. Structure of the helminth assemblage of an endemic madtom catfish (Noturus lachneri). Southwestern Naturalist 44:523-527.

Fiorillo, R. A. and W. F. Font. 1999. Seasonal dynamics and community structure of helminths of spotted sunfish, Lepomis miniatus (Osteichthyes: Centrarchidae) from an oligohaline estuary in southeastern Louisiana. Journal of the Helminthological Society of Washington 66(2):101-110.

Fiorillo, R. A. and W. F. Font. 1996. Helminth community structure of four species of Lepomis (Osteichthyes: Centrarchidae) from an oligohaline estuary in southeastern Louisiana. Journal of the Helminthological Society of Washington 63(1): 24-30.

Doody, J. S., Brauman, R. J., Young, J. E. and R. A. Fiorillo. 1996. Death feigning in the Mud snake Farancia abacura in captivity. Herpetological Review 27(2): 82-83.

Brauman, R. J. and R. A. Fiorillo. 1995. Lampropeltis getula holbrooki (Speckled kingsnake). Oophagy. Herpetological Review 26(2): 101-102.


 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 


ABSTRACTS (student author italicized )

Battaglia, C. and Riccardo Fiorillo.  2009.  Seasonal dynamics of an undescribed Microphallid metacercaria (Platyhelminthes:Trematoda) in its intermediate host, the grass shrimp Palaemonetes kadiakensis, in Black Bayou Lake NWR in Northeast Louisiana.   Association of Southeastern Biologists, 70th Annual Meeting, Birmingham, AL.  Southeastern Biology 56(3): 346

Kody Chase and Riccardo Fiorillo.  2009.  Hemogregarines of Northeast Louisiana snakes.  Association of Southeastern Biologists, 70th Annual Meeting, Birmingham, AL.  Southeastern Biology 56(3): 346

Amanda Antee, Charles Battaglia, Loren Hayes, and Riccardo Fiorillo. Effect of Maritreminoides sp. (Trematoda: Microphallidae) infection on the activity of its intermediate host, the grass shrimp Palaemonetes kadiakensis.  Association of Southeastern Biologists, 70th Annual Meeting, Birmingham, AL.  Southeastern Biology 56(3): 346-347

Holladay, Chase G.  and Riccardo Fiorillo.  2008.  Fish assemblage of Sicily Island Hills Wildlife Management Area in central Louisiana.  Association of Southeastern Biologists, 69th Annual Meeting, Spartanburg, SC.  Southeastern Biology 55(3): 309

Michot, Allen III, Chris Adams and Riccardo Fiorillo.   2008.   Seed germination ecology of Xanthium strumarium in a vernal pond habitat.  Association of Southeastern Biologists, 69th Annual Meeting, Spartanburg, SC.  Southeastern Biology 55(3): 272

Colvin, Matt , Fiyin Sokoya and Riccardo Fiorillo.  2008.  Helminth Parasites of Longear sunfish, Lepomis megalotis, and Juvenile Largemouth bass, Micropterus salmoides (Centrarchidae) from Bayou DeSiard.  University of Louisiana Monroe Student Research Symposium. (1st Place, Biology Undergraduate Poster Competition.)

Grey, Nicole, Riccardo Fiorillo, Kody Chase and Thomas McElroy.  2007.  Genetic structure and parentage analysis of the marbled salamander, Ambystoma opacum, in Marshall Forest, Rome, GA.  Association of Southeastern Biologists, 68th Annual Meeting, Columbia, SC.  Southeastern Biology 54(3): 287

Chase, Kody and Ricky Fiorillo.  2007. Life history and reproductive ecology of Ambystoma opacum in a seasonal pond.  Association of Southeastern Biologists, 68th Annual Meeting, Columbia, SC.  Southeastern Biology 54(3): 289

Michot, Allen, III, Christopher Adams and Riccardo Fiorillo.  2007.  Seed germination of ecology of common cocklebur, Xanthium strumarium (Asteraceae), a weedy species with dimorphic seeds. Association of Southeastern Biologists, 68th Annual Meeting, Columbia, SC.  Southeastern Biology 54(3): 199

Hamilton, Terrell , Nicole Schaferkotter, Loren Hayes, and Riccardo Fiorillo.  2007.  The Relationship Between Intrauterine Position and Endo-parasites in Wild House Mice (Mus musculus).  University of Louisiana Monroe Student Research Symposium.

Abercrombie, Victor, R. Fiorillo and B. Lutterschmidt. 2006.  Habitat characteristics and movement of Copperhead, Agkistrodon contortrix. Association of Southeastern Biologists, 67th Annual Meeting, Gatlinburg, TN.

Chase, Kody, V. Abercrombie, C.  O’Connor, Z. Burkhalter, S. Gardner and R. Fiorillo.  2006.  Amphibian breeding phenology and reproductive ecology of Ambystoma opacum in a seasonal pond in Marshall Forest, Rome, Georgia.  Association of Southeastern Biologists, 67th Annual Meeting, Gatlinburg, TN.  

Michot, Allen III, R. Fiorillo and C. Adams.  2006.  Over-wintering germination rate of two seed phenotypes of the Rough Cockleburr, Xanthium strumarium.  Association of Southeastern Biologists, 67th Annual Meeting, Gatlinburg, TN.

Renteria, Robin, R. Fiorillo, K. Chase and T.  McElroy.  2006.  Genetic Structure and parentage analysis of the marbled salamander, Ambystoma opacum, in Marshall Forest, Rome, GA. Association of Southeastern Biologists, 67th Annual Meeting, Gatlinburg, TN.

Campbell, S. and R. Fiorillo.  2005. Effects of predation risk on activity and substrate choice of Eurycea cirrigera larvae.  Association of Southeastern Biologists, 66th Annual Meeting, Florence, AL.

Abercrombie, V., J.  Singleton, and R. Fiorillo. 2005. Amphibian diversity and reproduction in a vernal pond in Northwest Georgia. Association of Southeastern Biologists, 66th Annual Meeting, Florence, AL.

Kaylor, D. and R. Fiorillo.   2004.  Diet of Eurycea cirrigera larvae in a woodland stream.  Association of Southeastern Biologists, 65th Annual Meeting, Memphis, TN.

Ferguson, H. and R. Fiorillo.   2003.  Macroinvertebrate community structure of an urban creek in Northwest Georgia.  Association of Southeastern Biologists, 64th Annual Meeting, Washington, DC.

Jones, M. and R. Fiorillo.   2003.  Helminth community structure of the northern slimy salamander, Plethodon glutinosus, from Floyd County in Northwest Georgia.  Association of Southeastern Biologists, 64th Annual Meeting, Washington, DC.

Peterson, A., Fiorillo, R. A. and C. Taylor.  2002.  Effects of predation on mating behavior in male Gambusia affinis.  Animal Behavior Society, 39th Annual Meeting, Indiana University, Bloomington, IN.

Peterson, A., Fiorillo, R. A. and C. Taylor.  2002.  Effects of predation on mating behavior in male Gambusia affinis.  Ecology and Evolutionary Ethology of Fishes, Annual Meeting, Quebec City, Canada.
 
J. Stephens, B. Dockery, R. A. Fiorillo and M. Hodges.  2002.  Herpetofauna of a nature preserve in Northwest Georgia.  Association of Southeastern Biologists, 63rd Annual Meeting, Boone, NC.

Fiorillo, R. A. and C. M. Taylor.  2001.  Effects of size-selective predation on life-history strategy in western mosquitofish, Gambusia affinis. Association of Southeastern Biologists, 62nd Annual Meeting,  New Orleans, LA.  

Taylor, C. M., L. R. Williams, R. A. Fiorillo, R. B. Thomas, and M. L. Warren, Jr. 2001. Fish assemblage structure and stability under variable environmental conditions in the Ouachita Mountains. Annual Meeting of the American Society of Ichthyologists and Herpetologists, State College, Pennsylvania.

Taylor, C. M., L. R. Williams, R. A. Fiorillo, R. B. Thomas, and M. L. Warren, Jr. 2001. Fish assemblage structure and stability under variable environmental conditions in the Ouachita Mountains. Annual Meeting of the Southwestern Association of Naturalists, Hays, Kansas.

Peterson, A., Taylor, C. M., and R. A. Fiorillo.  2001.  Does past predator experience influence courtship behavior in male Gambusia affinis?  Annual Meeting of the American Society of Ichthyologists and Herpetologists, State College, Pennsylvania.

Peykova, D.  2000.  A survey of the intestinal parasites of a madtom catfish.  Alpha Chi Honor Society National Convention, Savannah, GA.

Fiorillo, R. A. and W. F. Font.  2000.  Temporal variability in helminth community structure of spotted sunfish Lepomis miniatus from an oligohaline estuary in Southeastern Louisiana.  Association of Southeastern Biologists, 61st Annual Meeting, University of Tennessee at Chattanooga, Chattanooga, TN.  

Fiorillo, R. A., R. B. Thomas, M. L. Warren, and C. M. Taylor.  2000.  Helminth community structure of the Ouachita madtom, Noturus lachneri.  Association of Southeastern Biologists, 61st Annual Meeting, University of Tennessee at Chattanooga, Chattanooga, TN.  

Lutterschmidt, W. I., J. F. Shaefer, and R. A. Fiorillo.  1999.  Effects of endoparasites on the physiological performance of the sympatric centrarchid species, Lepomis megalotis and L. macrochirus.  Southwestern Association of Naturalists, 46th Annual Meeting.  Universidad Autonoma de Nuevo Leon.  Monterrey, Nuevo Leon, Mexico.

Fiorillo, R. A.  and W. F. Font. 1991. 
Survey of the helminth parasites of four species of Lepomis in an oligohaline estuary.  Southeastern Society of Parasitologists, Mobile AL.  

 

 

 

CURRENT STUDENTS

GRADUATE

Kody Chase        
      Hemoparasites of snakes in Black Bayou Lake National Wildlife Refuge

Tracy Hooks               Effects of habitat quality on the helminth community structure in fishes

Chase Holladay         Fishes of Sicily Island Hills WMA

 

UNDERGRADUATE

Charles Battaglia      
Seasonal dynamics of an undescribed microphallid trematode in its intermediate host, the grass shrimp                                         Palaemonetes kadiakensis

Jada freeman            Helminth community Structure of the Western Mosquitofish, Gambusia affinis

Amanda Antee           Effect of helminth infection on the behavior of the grass shrimp Palaemonetes kadiakensis

Katie Davis                Fitness consequences of parasitic infection in the grass shrimp Palaemonetes kadiakensis
 

 Luca Fiorillo (Pre-K)
Luca is interested in "wearing gloves",
looking at fish with the "telescope",
Sponge-Bob, the Wicked Fairy, and
any Walt-Disney character with a "mean face"

 

 

 

 

 

FORMER UNDERGRADUATE STUDENTS
 Ashley McLawchlin                 Amanda Antee

 

 


 

Fiyin Sokoya                            Matt Colvin
 

 

 


 

In litter bearing species, an individual’s intrauterine position (IUP) affects adult physiology, behavior, and reproduction. However, little is known about the influence of IUP and an individual's immune response. Ashley and Amanda (AKA, the Rat Pack) are examining the relationship between IUP and helminth parasite infection in M. musculus collected at farms in the Monroe, LA. area. Fyn and Matt are collecting baseline data on the helminths of local centrarchid fishes.  We are conducting a basic survey of the gastrointestinal helminth parasites of juvenile largemouth bass Micropterus salmoides, collected in Bayou DeSiard.

 

 

 

TREMATODE PICS

 

 

 

 

 

Collaborators

   

Loren Hayes
Behavioral Ecologist
ULM

 

Bill Lutterschmidt
Physiological Ecologist
Sam Houston State University

 

Thom McElroy
Molecular Ecologist
Kennesaw State University

Rats and worms!
Loren and I are examining the helminth community structure of house mice, Mus musculus at ULM. 
  Bill is advising Kody Chase and I on the intricacies of snake telemetry!  We are examining spatiotemporal variation in the home range of cottonmouth   We are examining the genetic structure of a population of marbled salamanders and trying to identify fitness correlates using parentage analysis.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

M.S. Teaching Assistantship available--Ecological Parasitology    
   I am seeking a highly motivated student interested in ecological parasitology to join my lab and develop a thesis project that complements our current research effort.  I am seeking someone who is energetic, motivated, resourceful, and most importantly is passionate about ecological research and worms!!  ULM is located minutes from Black Bayou Lake National Wildlife Refuge.  This beautiful 4,600-acre refuge with its 1,600 acre scenic lake is a tremendous resource as a field site for lots of projects. 


Competitive students are eligible for a Teaching Assistantship which includes a 9-month stipend ($8,000) and a full tuition waiver. Information about the ULM biology graduate program and application materials are available online at: http://www.ulm.edu/biology/index.htm

If you are interested in the position or have any questions, please contact me via phone or email, or send a letter of interest to:

Dr. Ricky Fiorillo, Dept. of Biology, University of Louisiana Monroe, Monroe, LA 71209
Tel: 318-342-1797
Email: fiorillo@ulm.edu