- Room 423, Portland Square, Drake Circus, Plymouth, PL4 8AA
- +44 1752 584658
- robert.puschendorf@plymouth.ac.uk
Profiles
Dr Robert Puschendorf
Lecturer in Conservation Biology
School of Biological and Marine Sciences (Faculty of Science and Engineering)
Dr Robert Puschendorf can be contacted through arrangement with our Press Office, to speak to the media on these areas of expertise.
- Climate change
- Biodiversity
- Conservation
- Tropical biology
- Emerging infectious diseases
- Amphibians
Email publicrelations@plymouth.ac.uk to enquire.
Biography
Biography
I am a Lecturer in Conservation Biology, originally from Costa Rica, but having spent 10 years in Australia before moving to the UK.
My research addresses the ecological and evolutionary consequences of emerging infectious diseases and climate change on biodiversity loss. A lot of my work has focused on the importance of environmental conditions in the frequency and likelihood of frog disease outbreaks, and the impacts on populations across different environmental gradients. Interestingly and significantly, this work has uncovered a pattern of dry forests as environmental refugia from disease driven amphibian extinctions, which is consistent across continents; in Costa Rica and tropical Australia. These refugia allow for powerful comparison to be made with non-refugial areas (rainforest), in which recovery is starting to build up, but the mechanisms by which this occurs can be elucidated.
BUT, I'm generally interested in all aspects of conservation biology, ecology and evolution, especially in tropical ecosystems.
Qualifications
Lecturer in Conservation Biology
Postdoctoral Research Fellow, Australian Research Council (2010-2013). JamesCook University, Queensland. Australia.
Ph.D (2009) James Cook University, Townsville, Queensland.
M.Sc. (2005) University of Costa Rica. San Pedro, SanJosé, Costa Rica.
B.Sc Hons (1998) EARTH University, Limón, Costa Rica.
Roles on external bodies
- Technical advisor for the Guanacaste Dry Forest Conservation Fund (GDFCF)
- Review editor EcoHealth Journal
- Editorial board member journal Diversity
- Associate Editor, Physiology and Health, Frontiers in Amphibian and Reptile Science
Key publications
(2023) 'Prey resources are equally important as climatic conditions for predicting the distribution of a broad-ranged apex predator' Diversity and Distributions , DOI Open access
Teaching
Teaching
Teaching interests
I lead the following modules:
- BIOL219 Ecology field course
- BIOL308 Applied Conservation Biology
- BIOL314/315 Project Module
I also teach in:
- ANIM5008 - Conservation Ecology and Society
- BIOL123Z - Field Biology
- BIOL129Z - Professional Development in Biological Sciences 1
- BIOL130Z - Biological Sciences Field Biology
- BIOL132Z - Ecology and the Diversity of Life
- BIOL134Z - Introduction to Animal Behaviour and Welfare
- BIOL135Z - Introduction to Conservation Biology
- BIOL136Z - Behaviour and Ecology Field Biology
- BIOL137Z - Introduction to Zoology
- BIOL219Z - Ecology Field Course
- BIOL225Z- Professional Development in Biological Sciences 2
- BIOL232Z - Comparative Zoology
- BIOL234Z - Methods in Biology
- BIOL307 - Advanced Skills and Concepts, GIS podule
- BIOL307Z - Advanced Skills and Concepts
- BIOL308 - Applied Conservation Biology
- BIOL308Z - Applied Conservation Biology
- BIOL310 - Global Change Biology
- BIOL310Z - Global Change Biology
Research
Research
Research interests
My research interests surround the ecological and evolutionary consequences of the emerging infectious diseases and climate change on biodiversity loss.
Research degrees awarded to supervised students
PhD (co-supervisor): Katrin Schmidt (2011-2016 ), ‘The ecological role of tadpoles in rainforest streams’, James Cook University
PhD (co-supervisor): Sofia Rodriguez (2012-2018), ‘Effects of Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis on the behavior and development of Túngara frogs’, The University of Texas at Austin.
PhD (principal supervisor): Felicity Wynne (2013-2019), ‘Disease ecology of emerging pathogens of amphibians and reptiles in Costa Rica’, University of Plymouth
PhD (principal supervisor): Luke Sutton (2017-2020), ‘Distribution Ecology of the Harpy Eagle: Spatial patterns and processes to direct conservation planning’, University of Plymouth
Publications
Publications
Key publications
(2023) 'Prey resources are equally important as climatic conditions for predicting the distribution of a broad-ranged apex predator' Diversity and Distributions , DOI Open access
Key publications are highlighted
Journals
Articles
(2023) 'Drivers of Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis infection load, with evidence of infection tolerance in adult male toads (Bufo spinosus)' Oecologia , DOI
(2023) 'Prey resources are equally important as climatic conditions for predicting the distribution of a broad-ranged apex predator' Diversity and Distributions , DOI Open access
(2022) 'Cold water and harmful algal blooms
linked to coral reef collapse in the Eastern
Tropical Pacific' PeerJ – the Journal of Life & Environmental Sciences , DOI Open access
(2022) 'Ecological correlates of extinction risk and persistence of direct-developing stream-dwelling frogs in Mesoamerica' Global Ecology and Conservation 38, , DOI Open access
(2022) 'Range-wide habitat use of the Harpy Eagle indicates four major tropical forest gaps in the Key Biodiversity Area network' Ornithological Applications 124, (3) , DOI Open access
(2022) 'Reduced range size and Important Bird and Biodiversity Area coverage for the Harpy Eagle (
Harpia harpyja
) predicted from multiple climate change scenarios' Ibis , DOI Open access
(2021) 'Current Status and Natural History of the Critically Endangered Variable Harlequin Toad (Atelopus varius) in Costa Rica' Reptiles&Amphibians 28, (3) 374-388 , DOI Open access
(2021) 'Bioclimatic and anthropogenic variables shape the occurrence of Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis over a large latitudinal gradient' Scientific Reports 11, (1) , DOI Open access
(2020) 'Geographic range estimates and environmental requirements for the harpy eagle derived from spatial models of current and past distributio' Ecology and Evolution 11, (1) 481-497 Publisher Site , DOI Open access
(2020) 'Choice of molecular assay determines ranavirus detection probability and inferences about prevalence and occurrence' Diseases of Aquatic Organisms 141, 139-147 , DOI Open access
(2019) 'Seasonal, annual and decadal change in tadpole populations in tropical Australian streams' Amphibia-Reptilia 40, (4) 447-459 , DOI Open access
(2019) 'Molecular Detection of Leishmania spp. in Skin and Blood of Stray Dogs from Endemic Areas of Cutaneous Leishmaniasis in Saudi Arabia' Iranian Journal of Parasitology 14, (2) 231-239 , DOI Open access
(2019) 'Effects of historic and projected climate
change on the range and impacts of an
emerging wildlife disease' Global Change Biology , DOI Open access
(2019) 'Cryptic diversity and ranavirus infection of a critically endangered Neotropical frog before and after population collapse' Animal Conservation , DOI Open access
(2019) 'Cryptic diversity in Lithobates warszewitschii (Amphibia, Anura, Ranidae)' ZooKeys 838, , DOI Open access
(2019) 'Morphological divergence and reduced ectoparasite
prevalence in an introduced population of a Caribbean anole' Journal of Zoology , DOI Open access
(2019) 'Tadpole species have variable roles in litter breakdown, sediment removal, and nutrient cycling in a tropical stream' Freshwater Science , DOI
(2018) 'Climatic niche of the Saker Falcon Falco cherrug: predicted new areas to direct population surveys in Central Asia' IBIS: The International Journal of Avian Science , DOI Open access
(2018) 'Tick-Borne Pathogens in Ticks and Blood Samples Collected from
Camels in Riyadh Province, Saudi Arabia' International Journal of Zoological Research 14, (1) 30-36 , DOI Open access
(2018) 'Molecular detection of equine trypanosomiasis in the Riyadh Province of Saudi Arabia' Journal of Veterinary Diagnostic Investigation 30, (6) , DOI Open access
(2018) 'Ticks (Acari: Ixodidae) Infesting Domestic and Wild Mammalians
on the Riyadh Province, Saudi Arabia' Journal of Entomology , DOI Open access
(2018) 'MOLECULAR EPIDEMIOLOGICAL STUDIES ON TRYPANOSOMA EVANSI TYPE A AND TYPE B IN CAMELS (CAMELUS DROMEDARIES) FROM FIVE DIFFERENT REGIONS OF SAUDI ARABIA USING THE ITS1 RDNA AND ROTAT 1.2 VSG GENE' Journal of the Egyptian Society of Parasitology 48, (2) 241-250 , DOI Open access
(2017) 'Tropidechis carinatus (Rough-scaled Snake) and Pseudechis poryphryriacus (Red-bellied Black Snake). Predation/ Diet' Herpetological Review 48, (1) 221-222 Open access
(2017) 'Characterisation of microsatellites for Litoria nannotis
(Amphibia : Hylidae), an endangered waterfall frog
endemic to the Australian Wet Tropics' Australian Journal of Zoology Open access
(2016) 'DERMOPHIS GLANDULOSUS (Glandular Caecilian) DIET' The Herpetological Bulletin 126, 31-31 Open access
(2016) 'Endemicity of chytridiomycosis features pathogen overdispersion' Journal of Animal Ecology 85, (3) 806-816 , DOI Open access
(2016) 'Boa constrictor (Common Boa). Reproduction / Courtship' Herpetological Review 47, (4)
(2015) 'Context-dependent conservation responses to emerging wildlife diseases' Frontiers in Ecology and the Environment 13, (4) 195-202 , DOI
(2015) 'A new species of glassfrog, genus Hyalinobatrachium (Anura: Centrolenidae), from the Caribbean foothills of Costa Rica' Zootaxa 3920, (1) 69-84 , DOI
(2014) 'Extremely low prevalence of Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis in frog populations from neotropical dry forest of Costa Rica supports the existence of a climatic refuge from disease' Ecohealth 11, (4) 593-602 , DOI
(2014) 'Moving Beyond Too Little, Too Late: Managing Emerging Infectious Diseases in Wild Populations Requires International Policy and Partnerships' EcoHealth 1-4 , DOI Open access
(2013) 'Do pathogens become more virulent as they spread? Evidence from the amphibian declines in Central America' Proc Biol Sci 280, (1766) , DOI
(2013) 'Underestimated ranges and overlooked refuges from amphibian chytridiomycosis' Diversiy and Distributions 19, (8) , DOI
(2012) 'Where are the survivors? Tracking relictual populations of endangered frogs in Costa Rica' Diversity and Distributions 18, (2) 204-212 , DOI
(2012) 'There is no evidence for a temporal link between pathogen arrival and frog extinctions in north-eastern Australia' PLoS One 7, (12) , DOI Open access
(2011) 'Environmental refuge from disease-driven amphibian extinction' Conserv Biol 25, (5) 956-964 , DOI
(2011) 'Mitigating amphibian disease: strategies to maintain wild populations and control chytridiomycosis' Front Zool 8, (1) , DOI Open access
(2011) 'Assessing spatial patterns of disease risk to biodiversity: implications for the management of the amphibian pathogen, Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis' Journal of Applied Ecology 48, (1) 163-173 , DOI
(2011) 'Issues with modelling the current and future distribution of invasive pathogens' Journal of applied ecology 48, 177-180
(2011) 'Fresh waters and fish diversity: distribution, protection and disturbance in tropical Australia' PLoS One 6, (10) , DOI Open access
(2011) 'Short-term exposure to warm microhabitats could explain amphibian persistence with Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis' PLoS One 6, (10) , DOI Open access
(2010) 'The distribution and host range of the pandemic disease chytridiomycosis in Australia, spanning surveys from 1956–2007' Ecology 91, (5) 1557-1558 , DOI
(2010) 'The distribution and host range of the pandemic disease chytridiomycosis in Australia, spanning surveys from 1956-2007: Ecological Archives E091-108' Ecology 91, 1557-1558
(2009) 'Distribution models for the amphibian chytrid Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis in Costa Rica: proposing climatic refuges as a conservation tool' Diversity and Distributions 15, (3) 401-408 , DOI
(2009) 'Preserving pathogens for wildlife conservation: a case for action on amphibian declines' Oryx 43, 527-529
(2007) 'Global warming and amphibian losses; The proximate cause of frog declines? (Reply)' Nature 447, (7144) E5-E6 , DOI
(2007) 'Eleutherodactylus ranoides (NCN). Distribution. Eleutherodactylus ranoides (NCN). Distribución' Herpetological Review. 38, 184-185
(2007) 'PLANT CONSUMPTION IN AUSTRALIAN GECKOS: SAP FEEDING BY THE OCELLATED VELVET GECKO OEDURA MONILIS' Naturalist 21, 207-208
(2006) 'The amphibian chytrid fungus along an altitudinal transect before the first reported declines in Costa Rica' Biological Conservation 132, (1) 136-142 , DOI
(2006) 'Chytridiomycosis in Wild Frogs from Pico Bonito National Park, Honduras' EcoHealth 3, (3) 178-181 , DOI
(2006) 'Detection of Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis in Eleutherodactylus fitzingeri: effects of skin sample location and histologic stain' J Wildl Dis 42, (2) 301-306 , DOI
(2006) 'Widespread amphibian extinctions from epidemic disease driven by global warming' Nature 439, (7073) 161-167 , DOI
(2006) 'Amphibian Chytrid Fungus Broadly Distributed in the Brazilian Atlantic Rain Forest' EcoHealth 3, (1) 41-48 , DOI
(2005) 'Catastrophic Population Declines and Extinctions in Neotropical Harlequin Frogs (Bufonidae: Atelopus)1' Biotropica 37, (2) 190-201 , DOI
(2005) 'Eleutherodactylus ranoides (NCN). Dry forest population, refuge from decline?. Eleutherodactylus ranoides (NCN). Población del bosque seco, refugio en disminución?' Herpetological Review. 36, 53-53
(2004) 'Cochranella albomaculata (NCN)' Herpetological Review 35, 52-52
(2003) 'Atelopus varius (Harlequin Frog) fungal infection. Atelopus varius (Rana arlequín) infección fungosa' Herpetological Review. 34, 355-355
'Patterns of species richness and turnover in endemic amphibians of the Guineo-Congolian
rainforest' Diversity and Distributions
Letters