ruthiggr@grinnell.edu
Campus Phone: 
641-269-4695
Unit (Dept., Office, Center, etc.): 
Biology
Position: 
Assistant Professor of Biology
On-Campus Address: 
Science 1202
Education / Degrees: 
Ph.D. 2006, University of Virginia
Postdoctoral Researcher 2006-08, Arizona State University
Publications: 
TitleURLSynopsis
Water molds of the genera Saprolegnia and Leptolegnia are pathogenic to the North American frogs, Rana catesbeiana and Pseudacris crucifer, respectivelyRuthig, G. R. 2009. Water molds of the genera Saprolegnia and Leptolegnia are pathogenic to the North American frogs, Rana catesbeiana and Pseudacris crucifer, respectively. Diseases of Aquatic Organisms 84: 173-178.
The interaction between road salt and water molds on amphibian egg mortalityKarraker, N. E. and G. R. Ruthig. 2009. The interaction between road salt and water molds on amphibian egg mortality. Environmental Research 109: 40-45.
The influence of temperature and spatial distribution on the susceptibility of southern leopard frog eggs to diseaseRuthig, G. R. 2008. The influence of temperature and spatial distribution on the susceptibility of southern leopard frog eggs to disease. Oecologia 156: 895-903.
Versatility of habitat use in three sympatric species of Plethodontid salamandersPasachnik, S. and G. R. Ruthig. 2004. Versatility of habitat use in three sympatric species of Plethodontid salamanders. Journal of Herpetology 38: 434-437.
Courses Taught: 
BIO-373: Mechanisms of Evolution, with Lab (Fall 2009)
BIO-252: Organisms, Evolution, and Ecology, with Lab (Spring 2010)
BIO-395: Advanced Special Topic "Biology of Infectious Diseases" (Spring 2010)
Primary Academic Interest: 
Conservation and evolutionary consequences of ecological interactions between amphibians and their pathogens

FAX: 641-269-4285;

Research

My research focuses on the conservation and evolutionary consequences of ecological interactions between amphibians and their pathogens. I have conducted research in Costa Rica, Panama, New York, Virginia, South Carolina, and Arizona. Some of my current projects include: (1) community ecology of amphibian hosts that share the chytrid pathogen, Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis (Bd) and the potential for reservoir hosts; (2) the dynamics of amphibian and non-amphibian hosts of oomycetes that infect amphibian eggs; (3) environmental factors, such as temperature and pollutants, that can change the dynamics between hosts and pathogens; (4) surveying viral and fungal pathogens of amphibians in northern Canada.