I am
broadly interested in evolutionary ecology. Since my arrival at Penn
State - Altoona in the fall of 2001, I have had over 30 different
undergraduate students work with me on various projects, most for
academic credit. I am always looking for more talented students
to work with. My current research has branched into four different
areas.
The
influence of trematode
parasitism and fish predation on the behavior and morphology of
gastropod mollusks
Many parasites influence the behavior or morphology
of their hosts. Many of these cases are situations where the
parasite actively manipulates the behavior of its host for the benefit
of the parasite. I have primarily studied the interaction between
a trematode (Microphallussp.)
and its snail host, Potamopyrgus
antipodarum. This research has taken me to the home of this
interaction, sub-alpine lakes on the South Island of New Zealand.
The parasite appears to alter the behavior of the snail so as to make
infected snails more vulnerable to predation by their final host,
waterfowl.
Work with undergraduates in my lab on the Potamopyrgus-Microphallus system
has shown that:
• infection by the parasite results in significant
shape and defense morphological changes in the snail.
• Microphallus
appears to manipulate the behavior of the snail in a time-dependent
manner by altering light-dependent behaviors.
• Snails exhibit avoidance responses to the presence
of predators, and the responses are strongest when they detect
predators from their home lake.
Relevant Publications:
Levri, E. P., Lunnen, S.*, Itle, C.*, Martin, T.*, Kincade, B.*,
DeLisser, M.*, and Mosquea, L.* 2007 Parasite-induced
alteration of
diurnal rhythms in a freshwater snail. Journal of Parasitology
93(2): 231-237. pdf
Levri, E. P., Dillard, J.* and Martin, T.* 2005 Trematode
infection correlates with shell shape and defense morphology in a
freshwater snail. Parasitology.
130:
699-708. pdf
Krist, A. C., Lively,
C. M., Levri, E. P. and Jokela,
J. 2000
Further evidence for local adaptation and unidirectional gene flow in a
snail-trematode interaction. Parasitology
121: 395-401. pdf
Levri, E. P. and * Fisher, L. 2000 The effect of a
trematode (Microphallus sp.)
on the response of the freshwater snail, Potamopyrgus antipodarum. to light
and gravity. Behaviour
137: 1141-1151. pdf
Levri, E. P. 1999 Parasite-induced changes in host behavior
of a freshwater snail: manipulation or byproduct of parasitism. Behavioral Ecology 10(3):
234-241. pdf
Levri, E. P. 1998 The influence of non-host predators on
parasite-induced behavioral changes in a freshwater snail. Oikos 81: 531-537. pdf
Levri, E. P. 1998 Perceived predation risk, parasitism and
the foraging behaviour of a freshwater snail. Canadian Journal of Zoology
76: 1878-1884. pdf
Levri, E. P. and Lively,
C. M. 1996 The effects of size,
reproductive condition, and parasitism on the foraging behaviour in a
freshwater snail, Potamopyrgus
antipodarum. Animal
Behaviour 51: 891-901. pdf
The
evolution of a clonal
invasive gastropod mollusk
I am also interested in studying the impact of
invasive Potamopyrgus in the
North America in
collaboration with Dr. Mark
Dybdahl. Many species are introduced
into new environments every year, yet only a subset of these establish
and expand in their ranges to become invasive. What makes some
species better invaders than others? It is hypothesized that
generalist genotypes are better at establishment and invasion than
specialist genotypes. Potamopyrgus has
established populations in the Great Lakes and rivers of the Western
U.S. Potamopyrgus
was introduced into Lake Ontario in the late 1980's. The snail is
an excellent species to test theories of invasiveness because all
introduced populations of the snail are clonal (all female and
genetically identical), the snail is small in size, and population
sizes are large. We are approaching the problem by comparing
clones that have invades the Great Lakes, the western US,
Europe,
Australia, and Japan to non-invasive clones in New Zealand.
Results from this area of research include:
• Potamopyrgus
in Lake Ontario is depth limited, being found in water deeper than 4
meters and less than 45 meters.
• Potomopyrgus
has established a population in Lake Erie.
• Potamopyrgus has
established a population in a stream in upstate NY.
• Invasive populations of Potamopyrgus appear to be more
salt-tolerant than populations of the snail found in the native range
in New Zealand.
Known distribution of the invasive New Zealand mud snail (Potamopyrgus antipodarum) in the
Great Lakes.
Relevant Publications:
Levri, E. P., Dermott, R. M., Lunnen, S. J.*, Kelly, A. A.*, and
Ladson, T.* 2008. The distribution of the invasive New Zealand
mud snail (Potamopyrgus antipodarm) in Lake Ontario. Aquatic Ecosystem
Health and Management 11(4): 412-421. pdf
Levri, E. P., Kelly, A.*, Love, E.* 2007 The Invasive New
Zealand
Mud Snail (Potamopyrgus antipodarum)
in Lake Erie. Journal
of
Great
Lakes Research 33(1): 1-6. pdf
The
evolution of drug resistance in malarial parasites
I have recently begun work with Dr. Andrew Read and his lab at Penn State
University Park to study the evolution of antimalarial drug resistance
in malarial parasites. My focus in the research will be to
determine the influence of immunosuppression on the evolution of drug
resistance in rodent malaria.
The effect
of herbivory on
the mating success of mountain laurel
Maureen Levri and I are
also supervising the research of several other
undergraduates on the effect of herbivory on the growth, recruitment
and mating system of mountain laurel (Kalmia
latifolia) in central Pennsylvania.
Relevant Publications:
Levri, E. P., Helsel, M.*, and Levri, M. A. Deer herbivory reduces
offspring recruitment in mountain laurel (Kalmia latifolia). Journal of the Pennsylvania
Academy of Science in press. Othe
Publications
Levri, E. P. and Coppola, B.* 2004 First Report of the
Acanthocephalan Parasite Plagiorhynchus
cylindraceus in the Terrestrial Isopod Porcelio scaber. Comparative Parasitology
71(1): 90-91. pdf
Levri, E. P. and Levri, M. A.
2003 Hot salsa: a
laboratory exercise exploring the scientific method. The American Biology Teacher
65 (5): 372-377. pdf
Haswell-Elkins,
M. R. and Levri, E. P. 2003 Food-Borne
Trematodes. In: Manson’s Tropical Diseases
– 21st Edition. Cook, G. and Zumla, A. Eds. W. B. Saunders
Publ. London. Flury, B. and Levri, E.
P. 1999 Periodic logistic
regression. Ecology
80(7): 2254-2260. pdf
(* undergraduate)
STUDENT
PRESENTATIONS
“The effect of predators on the response of an aquatic snail to
light.” Andrea Dubensky,* Ashley Mears,* Carol Opiela,* and
Edward P. Levri. Pennsylvania Academy of Science Meeting. Camp Hill, PA
– March 2009.
“A survey of streams in New York and Pennsylvania for the presence of
the invasive New Zealand mud snail (Potamopyrgus antipodarum).”
Jonathan Guth* and Edward P. Levri. Pennsylvania Academy of Science
Meeting. Camp Hill, PA – March 2009.
“The effect of inflorescence size on the pollination success of
mountain laurel, Kalmia latifolia.” Janel L. Huffman,* Edward P. Levri,
and Maureen A. Levri. Pennsylvania Academy of Science Meeting. Camp
Hill, PA – March 2009.
“The effect of predators on the response of an aquatic snail to
light.” Andrea Dubensky,* Ashley Mears,* Carol Opiela,* and
Edward P. Levri. Penn State-Altoona, Undergraduate Research Symposium,
- April, 2009.
“A survey of streams in New York and Pennsylvania for the presence of
the invasive New Zealand mud snail (Potamopyrgus antipodarum).”
Jonathan Guth* and Edward P. Levri. Penn State-Altoona, Undergraduate
Research Symposium, - April, 2009.
“The effect of inflorescence size on the pollination success of
mountain laurel, Kalmia latifolia.” Janel L. Huffman,* Edward P. Levri,
and Maureen A. Levri. Penn State-Altoona, Undergraduate Research
Symposium, - April, 2009.
“The invasive New Zealand mud snail in the Great Lakes region.”
Edward P. Levri, Warren J. Jacoby,* Shane J. Lunnen,* Ashley A. Kelly,*
and Thomas Ladson.* Ecology Society of America National Meeting.
Milwaukee, WI – August, 2008.
“The phototactic response of a freshwater snail in response to the
presence of fish predators.” Andrea N. Dubensky,* Ashley S.
Mears,* Jonathan Guth,* Carol A. Opiela,* and Edward P. Levri.
Pennsylvania Academy of Science Meeting, Grantville, PA – April 2008.
“The effect of fish predator presence on the response of a freshwater
snail to gravity.” Carol A. Opiela,* Ashley S. Mears,* Andrea N.
Dubensky,* and Edward P. Levri. Pennsylvania Academy of Science
Meeting, Grantville, PA – April 2008.
“The invasive New Zealand mud snail in the Great Lakes region.”
Edward P. Levri, Warren J. Jacoby,* Shane J. Lunnen,* Ashley A. Kelly,*
and Thomas Ladson.* Pennsylvania Academy of Science Meeting,
Grantville, PA – April 2008.
“The phototactic response of a freshwater snail in response to the
presence of fish predators.” Andrea N. Dubensky,* Ashley S.
Mears,* Jonathan Guth,* Carol A. Opiela,* and Edward P. Levri. .
Penn State-Altoona, Undergraduate Research Symposium, - April, 2008.
“The effect of fish predator presence on the response of a freshwater
snail to gravity.” Carol A. Opiela,* Ashley S. Mears,* Andrea N.
Dubensky,* and Edward P. Levri. . Penn State-Altoona,
Undergraduate Research Symposium, - April, 2008.
“Temporal variation in population densities of the invasive New Zealand
mud snail (Potamopyrgus antipodarum)
in Lake Ontario.” Thomas Ladson,* Shane J. Lunnen,* Ashley A.
Kelly,* and Edward P. Levri. International Association of Great Lakes
Research Meeting, State College, PA – May 2007.
“Further evidence of invasion by the New Zealand mud snail (Potamopyrgus antipodarum) in Lake
Erie.” Ashley A. Kelly,* Eric Love,* and Edward P. Levri.
International Association of Great Lakes Research Meeting, State
College, PA – May 2007.
“Deer herbivory reduces juvenile recruitment in mountain laurel (Kalmia latifolia).” Mary A.
Helsel,*,Diane Rhone,* Maureen A. Levri, and Edward P. Levri.
Pennsylvania Academy of Science Meeting, Monroeville, PA – April 2007.
“Temporal variation in population densities of the invasive New Zealand
mud snail (Potamopyrgus antipodarum)
in Lake Ontario.” Thomas Ladson,* Shane J. Lunnen,* Ashley A.
Kelly,* and Edward P. Levri. Pennsylvania Academy of Science Meeting,
Monroeville, PA – April 2007.
“Further evidence of invasion by the New Zealand mud snail (Potamopyrgus antipodarum) in Lake
Erie.” Ashley A. Kelly,* Eric Love,* and Edward P. Levri.
Pennsylvania Academy of Science Meeting, Monroeville, PA – April 2007.
“Further evidence of invasion by the New Zealand mud snail (Potamopyrgus antipodarum) in Lake
Erie.” Ashley A. Kelly,* Eric Love,* and Edward P. Levri.
Penn State-Altoona, Undergraduate Research Symposium, - April, 2007.
“Deer herbivory reduces juvenile recruitment in mountain laurel (Kalmia latifolia).” Mary A.
Helsel,*,Diane Rhone,* Maureen A. Levri, and Edward P. Levri. .
Penn State-Altoona, Undergraduate Research Symposium, - April, 2006.
“The distribution of the invasive New Zealand mud snail (Potamopyrgus
antipodarum) in Lake Ontario” Edward P. Levri, Shane J.
Lunnen*,
and Ashley A. Kelly*. International Association of Great Lakes
Research Meeting, Windsor, ON, Canada - May 2006.
“An examination of the interaction between an invasive snail and native
mollusk biodiversity in Lake Ontario.” Ashley A. Kelly*, Shane
Lunnen*, and Edward P. Levri. Pennsylvania Academy of Science
Meeting, Grantville, PA - April, 2006
“The effect of the number of flowers per inflorescence and number of
inflorescences per plant on the pollination success of Kalmia
latifolia.” Tara Mahyew*, Maureen A. Levri, and Edward P.
Levri.
Pennsylvania Academy of Science Meeting, Grantville, PA - April, 2006
“An examination of the interaction between an invasive snail and native
mollusk biodiversity in Lake Ontario.” Ashley A. Kelly*, Shane
Lunnen, S*. and Edward P. Levri. Penn State-Altoona,
Undergraduate Research Symposium, - April, 2006
“The effect of the number of flowers per inflorescence and number of
inflorescences per plant on the pollination success of Kalmia
latifolia.” Tara Mahyew*, Maureen A. Levri, and Edward P.
Levri.
Penn State-Altoona, Undergraduate Research Symposium, - April, 2006
“The effect of predator presence on the geotactic response in the
freshwater snail Potamopyrgus
antipodarum.” Monique DeLisser*, Pramod
Gadam*, and Edward P. Levri. Penn State-Altoona, Undergraduate
Research Symposium, - April, 2006
“Trematode parasite infection influences the photokinetic response of a
freshwater snail.” Monique DeLisser*, Chelsea Burkett*,
Leocadia Mosquea*, and Edward P. Levri. Penn State – Altoona
Undergraduate Research Symposium. Altoona, PA – April, 2005
"The distribution and abundance of an invasive snail species in Lake
Ontario" Shane Lunnen* and Edward P. Levri. Pennsylvania Academy of
Sciences Meeting. Camp Hill, PA – April, 2005
“Trematode parasite infection influences the photokinetic response of a
freshwater snail.” Monique DeLisser*, Chelsea Burkett*,
Leocadia Mosquea*, and Edward P. Levri. .Pennsylvania Academy of
Sciences Meeting. Camp Hill, PA – April, 2005
“The effect of parasitism on the shape and shell ornamentation of a
freshwater snail.” Levri, E. P.,* Martin, T.*, and Dillard, J.*
Ecological Society of America National Meeting. Portland,
OR - August 2004
“The effect of parasitism on shell morphology in the New Zealand mud
snail, Potamopyrgus antipodarum.”
Dillard, James,* Travis Martin*, and Edward P. Levri. Penn State –
Altoona Undergraduate Research Symposium. Altoona, PA – April 2004
“Phototactic responses in infected and uninfected New Zealand
snails.” Kinkade, Brian*, Erica Meyers*, Leocadia Mosquea*,
Carolyn Itle*, and Edward P. Levri. Penn State – Altoona Undergraduate
Research Symposium. Altoona, PA – April 2004
“The influence of parasitism on shell ornamentation in a freshwater New
Zealand snail” Martin, Travis G.*, and Edward P. Levri. Penn
State – Altoona Undergraduate Research Symposium. Altoona, PA –
April 2004
“The effect of a trematode parasite on a New Zealand snail’s behavioral
response to gravity.” Lunnen, Shane*, Carolyn Itle*, Travis
Martin*, and Edward P. Levri. Pennsylvania Academy of Sciences
Meeting. Monroeville, PA – March, 2004
“The effect of parasitism on shell morphology in the New Zealand mud
snail, Potamopyrgus antipodarum.”
Dillard, James,* Travis Martin*, and Edward P. Levri. Pennsylvania
Academy of Sciences Meeting. Monroeville, PA – March, 2004
“The influence of parasitism on shell ornamentation in a freshwater New
Zealand snail” Martin, Travis G.*, and Edward P. Levri.
Pennsylvania Academy of Sciences Meeting. Monroeville, PA –
March, 2004
“Phototactic responses in infected and uninfected New Zealand
snails.” Kinkade, Brian*, Erica Meyers*, Leocadia Mosquea*,
Carolyn Itle*, and Edward P. Levri. Pennsylvania Academy of Sciences
Meeting. Monroeville, PA – March, 2004
“The effect of a trematode parasite on the response of a snail to light
and gravity.” Levri, E. P., Itle, C.*, Lunnen, S.*, Winters, J.*,
and Platt, R.* Ecology Society of America National Meeting.
Savannah, GA – August, 2003
The effect of a trematode parasite on the response of a New Zealand
snail to gravity. Itle,C.*, Lunnen,S.*, Winters,J.*, Platt, R.*, and
Levri, E. P. Penn State – Altoona Undergraduate Research
Symposium. Altoona, PA – April 2003
“The effect of a trematode parasite on the behavior of a New Zealand
snail in Lake Peorua, New Zealand.” Lunnen, S.*, Itle, C.* and
Levri, E. P. Penn State – Altoona Undergraduate Research
Symposium. Altoona, PA – April 2003
“The Influence of Deer Herbivory on Establishment and Reproductive
Success of Mountain Laurel (Kalmia
latifolia).” Rhone, D. M.*, Levri, M. A., and Levri, E. P. Penn
State – Altoona Undergraduate Research Symposium. Altoona, PA –
April 2003
“The effect of a trematode parasite on the behavior of a New Zealand
snail in Lake Peorua, New Zealand.” Lunnen, S.*, Itle, C.* and
Levri, E. P. Pennsylvania Academy of Sciences Meeting.
Harrisburg, PA – April, 2003
“The Influence of Deer Herbivory on Establishment and Reproductive
Success of Mountain Laurel (Kalmia
latifolia).” Rhone, D. M.*, Levri, M. A., and Levri, E. P.
Pennsylvania Academy of Sciences Meeting. Harrisburg, PA – April,
2003
“The effect of a trematode parasite on shell morphology in a New
Zealand Snail.” Levri, E. P., Strittmatter, T.,* Carson, B.* and
Levri, M. A. Ecology Society of America National Meeting.
Tucson, AZ – August, 2002
“An examination of the patterns of infection of the acanthocephalan Plagiorhynchus cylindraceus in
terrestrial isopod populations.” Coppola, B. P., * Laskin, K. B.* and
Levri, E. P. Pennsylvania Academy of Sciences Meeting. Pocono
Manor, PA – April, 2002
“The effect of a trematode parasite (Microphallus
sp.) on the response of the freshwater snail Potamopyrgus antipodarum to light
and gravity.” Fisher, L. M.* and Levri, E. P., Annual
Midwest Conference of Parasitologists, Terre Haute, Indiana - May, 1998
