{
	"event_id": "1107032",
	"eventinstance_id": "4104547",
	"calendar": {
		"id": 1954,
		"title": "Biology Department Calendar",
		"slug": "biology-department-calendar",
		"url": "https://events.ucf.edu/calendar/1954/biology-department-calendar/"
	},
	"id": "4104547",
	"title": "Carbaryl Exposure Alters Gut Microbiome Composition Without Affecting Morphometrics in Eastern Purple Martin (Progne subis subis) Nestlings",
	"subtitle": null,
	"description": "\u003Cp\u003EEastern purple martins (Progne subis subis) rely exclusively on human\u002Dprovided nesting structures, where landlords often apply the carbamateinsecticide, carbaryl, to control haematophagous mites.\u0026nbsp\u003B While effective against pests, the unintended physiological consequences of carbaryl exposure on developing nestlings remain poorly understood. This study investigated the impacts of carbaryl on the gut microbiome and morphometric condition of wild nestlings across three field seasons. Using 16S rRNA DNA metabarcoding, I analyzed 134 fecal samples to compare microbial diversity and composition. While alpha diversity (richness and evenness) did not differ significantly between groups, beta diversity analyses revealed significant shifts in microbial community composition associated with carbaryl exposure. Notably, treated birds exhibited a 12.3% increase in the relative abundance of opportunistic pathogens within the family Mycoplasmoidaceae. Conversely, linear mixed\u002Deffects models showed no significant differences in body mass, wing chord, or head\u002Dbill length between treatment groups. These results indicate that carbaryl exposure induces sublethal shifts in microbial community structure that do not appear to obstruct short\u002Dterm structural growth or body condition at 19 days post\u002Dhatch. This research highlights the importance of evaluating the broader biological impacts of insecticide use in wildlife management.\u003C/p\u003E\u000A\u003Cp\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u000A\u003Cp\u003EStephanie A. Gaspar\u003Cbr\u003EDr. Robert Fitak, Advisor\u003C/p\u003E",
	"location": "Bio 415: BIO 415",
	"location_url": "https://www.ucf.edu/location/biological\u002Dsciences\u002Dbuilding/",
	"virtual_url": null,
	"registration_link": null,
	"registration_info": null,
	"starts": "Tue, 07 Apr 2026 14:30:00 -0400",
	"ends": "Tue, 07 Apr 2026 16:30:00 -0400",
	"ongoing": "False",
	"category": "Speaker/Lecture/Seminar",
	"tags": ["Thesis Defense"],
	"contact_name": "Dr. Robert Fitak",
	"contact_phone": null,
	"contact_email": "Robert.Fitak@ucf.edu",
	"url": "https://events.ucf.edu/event/4104547/carbaryl-exposure-alters-gut-microbiome-composition-without-affecting-morphometrics-in-eastern-purple-martin-progne-subis-subis-nestlings/"
}