Corey Roberts-Reynolds, a masters student at Thompson Rivers University in the environmental science program gave a talk, Thursday night, Nov. 8 at Scout Island Nature Centre on parasites endangering two species of frogs near Kamloops.
He explained how the life cycle of wormy parasites causes deformities like extra limbs, skin webbings, and twisted limbs on Pacific tree frogs and Spotted frogs, which affect the ability of the frogs to survive.
He also noted that deformities are a natural phenomenon in nature, not necessarily caused by contamination of the environment.
The study conducted at Isobel Lake near Kamloops tracked the flat worm parasite moving through three hosts, including migratory birds, snails and frogs.
Roberts-Reynolds said he did his research under guidance of TRU’s Dr. Tom Dickinson, but outside the masters program.
He said his study is a good example of high level civilian science. “Dr Tom Dickinson helped me get the permits for the work,” he said.
Roberts-Reynolds did his first two years of university at TRU’s Williams Lake campus before getting his BSc and taking the graduate program in Kamloops.