Hey there! We’ve got some cool stories to share with you today. We’ll dive into new research about some unique animals from Madagascar, give a shout-out to our awesome volunteers in the bird prep lab, and explore the fascinating story of a historical scientist whose work still impacts us today. Let’s jump right in!
Tenrecs are fascinating little creatures that look like a mix between a shrew, an opossum, and a hedgehog. Some even have quills! These mammals are found in Africa and Madagascar. Recently, a Field Museum biologist named Steve Goodman and his team discovered something interesting about the Tailless tenrec. They found that these animals can carry a bacterial disease called Leptospira mayottensis.
The Tailless tenrec is native to Madagascar but has also been introduced to Mayotte, an island in the Comoros Archipelago. This bacterium can be passed from animals to humans and causes a disease called Leptospirosis. People can catch it through contact with contaminated urine, blood, water, soil, or food from infected animals. It’s especially a concern for farmers and people who work with animals.
Leptospirosis can be serious. Some people might not show symptoms, but others can experience fever, headache, vomiting, and in severe cases, liver failure or meningitis. While it was known to come from animals like cattle and pigs, Steve’s research shows that tailless tenrecs, along with dogs and rats, can also carry the bacteria. Understanding how this bacteria spreads helps doctors and researchers diagnose and treat the disease better.
To stay safe, the Centers for Disease Control recommends avoiding swimming or wading in water that might be contaminated with animal urine. This greatly reduces the risk of getting sick.
Now, let’s travel back in time to learn about a scientist named Doctor Elias Francis Shipman. In 1872, he was a student at Northwestern University Preparatory School and loved studying natural history, especially plants. On one of his trips to northwestern Indiana, he discovered a new and rare species called the Hoosier frog. This discovery was published in 1878, but there was a mystery: where and when did Shipman find the frog?
The only clue was the name Benton County, Indiana. Alan, the collections manager of reptiles and amphibians, and his coauthor Donna Resetar, worked hard to solve this mystery. They looked through old records and school newsletters to track Shipman’s movements and narrowed down the year to 1876. They also found out that Shipman, who liked to be called Shippy, was good at sports. Sadly, Shippy passed away not long after graduation, leaving many questions unanswered.
Perhaps Shippy’s spirit still roams Benton County, reminding young scientists to record exact locations when they make discoveries. Using GPS technology today can help prevent such mysteries in the future.
Let’s talk about something unique that our Museum volunteers do: bird preparation! Every year, about 6,000 to 7,000 birds are donated to the Field Museum by a group called the Chicago Bird Collision Monitors. These volunteers collect birds that are injured or die after flying into skyscrapers in downtown Chicago. The injured birds go to a wildlife rehabilitation center, while the deceased ones come to the Museum.
Each bird is carefully documented with information about where and when it was found. Before preparation, the birds are frozen to eliminate pests. Parasites are collected, and the bird is weighed. It can become a study skin or be skeletonized by flesh-eating beetles. A part of its tissue is preserved for future DNA analysis.
In the last 30 years, the Museum has received over 75,000 birds that died from window strikes. In just one square mile of downtown Chicago, more than 170 different bird species have been recovered. These birds provide valuable information about migration patterns and how they change due to climate change.
Researchers worldwide use these birds to study everything from bird age by looking at their feathers to the types of diseases they carry. It’s amazing to have a team of volunteers helping these birds reach their research potential.
If you’re interested in this kind of work, check if any museums near you accept birds for their collections. With the right permits, you could be part of this important scientific work!
Thanks for tuning in to this episode of Natural News from the Field Museum! If you enjoyed the topics we discussed, be sure to check out the articles linked in the description. Don’t forget to subscribe so you can catch our next episode in two weeks. See you then!
Imagine you’re a biologist like Steve Goodman. Create a diorama of a tenrec’s habitat in Madagascar. Use materials like shoeboxes, clay, and natural elements to depict the environment. Include features like trees, water sources, and other animals that might share the habitat. Present your diorama to the class and explain how the tenrec fits into its ecosystem.
Conduct research on Leptospirosis and how it affects both animals and humans. Create a presentation or poster that explains the symptoms, transmission, and prevention methods. Share your findings with the class, and discuss how understanding this disease can help prevent outbreaks in communities.
Work in groups to create a short skit about Doctor Elias Francis Shipman’s discovery of the Hoosier frog. Include details about his life, his passion for natural history, and the mystery surrounding his discovery. Perform your skit for the class, highlighting the importance of recording scientific data accurately.
Design a campaign to raise awareness about bird collisions with buildings. Create posters, social media posts, or a short video explaining the impact of these collisions and how people can help reduce them. Share your campaign with the school or community to spread awareness and encourage action.
Find out if there are any local museums or wildlife centers that accept volunteers. Learn about the different roles volunteers play, such as preparing specimens or assisting with research. Share your experience with the class, and discuss how volunteering can contribute to scientific knowledge and conservation efforts.
**Sanitized Transcript:**
Hey, welcome back to Natural News from the Field Museum! We’ve got some interesting stories in today’s episode! New research on a few of Madagascar’s unique mammals, a shout-out to our volunteers in the bird prep lab, and a fascinating story about a historical scientist’s contributions that continue to impact our researchers today. Let’s get to it!
Tenrecs are interesting little mammals – they look sort of like a mix between a shrew, an opossum, and a hedgehog – some of them even have quills! There are several species throughout Africa and the island of Madagascar, and recently one of these – the Tailless tenrec — was discovered by Field biologist Steve Goodman and his collaborators to be carriers of a bacterial disease.
Tailless tenrecs are native to Madagascar but have been introduced to Mayotte, an island that’s part of the Comoros Archipelago. With them, they’ve brought Leptospira mayottensis, a bacterial disease that can be transmitted from animals to humans. The illness caused by this bacteria is called Leptospirosis, and it’s passed on to humans through contact with contaminated urine, blood, water, soil, or food from infected hosts, making it a concern for farmers and those who work with animals.
Contracting the disease can have serious consequences: while some infected individuals may not show symptoms, others can experience fever, headache, vomiting, and in severe cases, liver failure or meningitis. While it was known to come from certain livestock animals like cattle and pigs, Steve and his colleagues report in a recent PLOS paper that the tailless tenrec also carries the bacteria, along with dogs and rats. Understanding how different species of the Leptospira bacteria travel between wild animals, livestock, and humans can help healthcare professionals and medical researchers diagnose and treat the disease.
The good news is that the Centers for Disease Control recommends limiting your time swimming or wading in water that may be contaminated with animal urine, which greatly reduces your risk of exposure. So, it’s best to avoid swimming in potentially contaminated water.
Now, let me share a historical story about a scientist who left behind some incomplete notes. Doctor Elias Francis Shipman was a student at Northwestern University Preparatory School in 1872 when he became interested in natural history, specifically botany. On one collecting trip in northwestern Indiana, he discovered a new and rare species: the Hoosier frog. This find was published six years later in the 1878 edition of the Manual of the Vertebrate Animals of the Northern United States, and his specimen went to the Chicago Academy of Sciences. However, there was a mystery to solve: where and when exactly did Shipman find the frog? The only clue he left was a single name: Benton County, Indiana.
Collections manager of reptiles and amphibians Alan and coauthor Donna Resetar detail in their recent paper how they combed through records to try and pinpoint the specimen’s origins. They tracked his movements based on digitized school newsletters and the dates on plants he collected as a student. They narrowed down a year: 1876. During the process, they revealed that Shipman enjoyed going by the name Shippy and excelled at intramural sports. While these details didn’t help pinpoint the frog’s location, they were interesting to learn. Unfortunately, Shippy passed away not long after graduation, and there’s no record of his death, leaving his legacy with even more questions to answer.
Perhaps Shippy’s spirit still wanders Benton County in search of other specimens of the Hoosier Frog, reminding young students to record exact collecting coordinates. Investing in global positioning systems can help avoid future mysteries.
The Chicago Tribune recently highlighted one of the unique activities Museum volunteers participate in: bird preparation! Every year, around 6-7,000 new birds are donated to The Field Museum by a group called the Chicago Bird Collision Monitors. Throughout the year, volunteers pick up any birds that are injured or die as a result of flying into downtown skyscrapers. The injured birds are taken to a wildlife rehabilitation center, while the deceased ones come to the Museum.
Each bird is accompanied by information about when and where it was found before going into a freezer to eliminate any pests. Before the bird is prepped, the parasites are collected and stored in vials, the bird is weighed, and it either becomes a study skin or is skeletonized by flesh-eating beetles. A portion of its tissue is preserved in a tube and cryogenically frozen for future DNA analysis.
In the last thirty years, our Museum has received more than 75,000 birds that have died from window strikes alone. In a single square mile in downtown Chicago, over 170 different species of birds have been recovered. There’s a wealth of information that can be learned from these birds, such as migration patterns and how they change from year to year due to climate change.
Researchers from around the world use these birds to answer questions about everything from how the age of a bird can be determined by studying its plumage to the types of pathogens and parasites found on them, and how those may be transmitted between birds and potentially to humans. Regardless of how these specimens are used in the future, it’s great to have a team of volunteers who help them reach their research potential.
If you’re interested in this kind of work, be sure to check in your area for any museums that might be interested in accepting birds for their collections! With the correct permits, you too could be involved in this important scientific work.
Thanks for watching this episode of Natural News from The Field Museum! If you’re interested in the topics we discussed, we’ve got links to articles in the description that you should check out. Make sure to subscribe so you can get a notification every time we post another video! The next episode of ‘Natural News’ is coming out in two weeks. See you!
Tenrecs – Small mammals found in Madagascar and parts of Africa, known for their diverse adaptations to different environments. – Tenrecs have adapted to various habitats, from rainforests to dry savannas, showcasing their incredible versatility.
Leptospira – A type of bacteria that can cause disease in humans and animals, often spread through water contaminated by animal urine. – Scientists are studying how leptospira bacteria spread in tropical regions to prevent outbreaks of the disease.
Disease – A disorder or malfunction in an organism that affects its normal functioning, often caused by infections, genetics, or environmental factors. – The spread of disease in a population can be influenced by factors such as climate change and habitat destruction.
Bacteria – Microscopic single-celled organisms that can be found in various environments, some of which can cause infections or aid in processes like digestion. – Bacteria play a crucial role in breaking down organic matter in ecosystems, recycling nutrients back into the soil.
Frogs – Amphibians known for their jumping abilities, croaking sounds, and life cycle that includes a metamorphosis from tadpole to adult. – Frogs are important indicators of environmental health, as they are sensitive to changes in their habitats.
Birds – Warm-blooded vertebrates characterized by feathers, beaks, and typically the ability to fly. – Birds play a vital role in ecosystems by pollinating plants, dispersing seeds, and controlling insect populations.
Migration – The seasonal movement of animals from one region to another, often for breeding or to find food. – The migration of birds is an incredible natural phenomenon that scientists study to understand patterns in climate change.
Volunteers – Individuals who offer their time and effort to help with projects or causes without receiving payment. – Volunteers are essential in conservation efforts, helping to plant trees and clean up natural habitats.
Research – The systematic investigation into and study of materials and sources to establish facts and reach new conclusions. – Research on the effects of pollution on marine life has led to important discoveries about ocean health.
Climate – The long-term pattern of weather conditions in a particular area, including temperature, precipitation, and wind. – Changes in climate can have significant impacts on biodiversity and the distribution of species worldwide.
