UROP Project | Center for Undergraduate Research and Academic Engagement

Reproduction, Embryonic development, marine, energetics

Research Mentor: Ms. Annais Muschett-Bonilla, She/her/ella
Department, College, Affiliation: Biological Sciences, Arts and Sciences
Contact Email: amuschettbonilla@bio.fsu.edu
Research Assistant Supervisor (if different from mentor):
Research Assistant Supervisor Email:
Faculty Collaborators:
Faculty Collaborators Email:

Looking for Research Assistants: No
Number of Research Assistants: 2
Relevant Majors: Open to all majors, but prefer students who's long term goals align with research, reproductive physiology, veterinarian science, or marine sciences
Project Location: FSU Coastal and Marine Laboratory
Research Assistant Transportation Required: Yes
Remote or In-person: In-person
Approximate Weekly Hours: 10 ,
Roundtable Times and Zoom Link: September 3 4:30 - 5:00 pm

Topic: Maternal Investment RoundTable
Time: Sep 3, 2024 04:30 PM Eastern Time (US and Canada)
https://fsu.zoom.us/j/99601247509
Meeting ID: 996 0124 7509

September 6 12:30 - 1:00 pm

Topic: Maternal Investment RoundTable
Time: Sep 6, 2024 12:30 PM Eastern Time (US and Canada)
https://fsu.zoom.us/j/95544312583
Meeting ID: 955 4431 2583

Project Description

Elasmobranchii’ s diverse reproductive strategies pose an unknown amount of risk to pregnant females from the level of embryonic maternal investment. This study aims to investigate the frequency and nutritional content of intrauterine histotroph secretions of Matrotrophic stingrays in Eastern Gulf of Mexico and assess the effects of embryonic maternal investment on the physical performance of gravid females throughout gestation.
Mature female Hypanus sabinus have been collected throughout all stages of gestation with seines, gillnets, and otter-trawls independently just outside the FSU Coastal and Marine Laboratory. Histotroph secreted in their uterus has been collected and will be assayed for total energic content, carbohydrates, fatty acids, proteins, and lipids through a combination of assays in the laboratory.

15 H. sabinus in late to postpartum stages of gestation will undergo respirometry trials at Florida State University Coastal and Marine Laboratory facilities. The individual’s average oxygen consumption rate will be measured over a 24-hour trial period and repeated every three weeks for till the end of September and early October to identify changes in physical performance at as gestation progresses.
Identifying intraspecific and interspecific variation in fluids that provide embryonic nourishment is integral to understanding how these reproductive strategies contribute to elasmobranch fitness. Negative physiological effects during gestation would directly impact a female and her litters ‘ability to survive in the wild during their most vulnerable life stage.

Research Tasks: animal husbandry, water quality, water exchanges, system maintenance and cleaning, statistical analysis of data, data entry, data organization, biochemical assays, reading of primary literature, project construction, and presenting project verbally.

Work will take place 30% at FSU's main campus, 30% at FSU Coastal and Marine laboratory, and 40% virtually. Most work will take place during normal business hours, however there is the occasional tasks that may need to be completed outside. Hour will vary by week, some weeks may be light, while other weeks may be heavy. Leading up to the end of september/early october all work hours will be completed at the marine lab. After early October, most work will be performed virtually or on main campus performing biological assays.

Skills that research assistant(s) may need: required:
1) attention to detail
2) commitment
3) own transportation
4) time management
5) Dependable (some animals will rely on you to eat and live)
6) Communication
7) Passion and desire to learn new skills and knowledge
8) Willingness to handle dead and live specimens (with safe methods taught to you)
9) Lift 20 lbs

Recommended
1) at least one, uninterrupted 5 hour gap in your schedule between monday and friday. (starting between 7 am and 12 pm)

Mentoring Philosophy

My mentoring philosophy is to provide opportunities for the students to learn the skills and knowledge they desire that will assist them in their career goals. To do this, I begin by learning about them, their background, career goals, and what they hope to achieve/learn by the end of the project. My method when teaching students how to perform methods is to have them read up on the background, watch it be completed, and have them perform the methods with supervision until they have proven dependable and accurate in their performance. Mutual respect is important, as in science, we all mess up. Once this has been established along with trust, I hope that students will feel comfortable will relaying if something undesirable happened so we can adjust the experiment and use it as a learning opportunity for when science goes unexpectedly. Although I learn and teach in a way desirable to me, I am open to suggestions and learning other ways of teaching and relaying methods. I am adamant in giving the mentee ownership of their work and am open to a collaborative relationship rather than authoritative.

Additional Information

If this project interests you and you do not feel you have the skills required, but you are capable and willing to learn, please apply.

However do not apply if you do not have a desire to apply this experience to research, veterinarian science, marine sciences, or reproductive physiology careers. If you do not know yet what you want to do, I do encourage you to apply. The research and skills must be directly applicable to your long term goals.

Link to Publications

https://news.fsu.edu/news/science-technology/2024/03/20/florida-state-university-doctoral-student-awarded-inaugural-guy-harvey-fellowship/

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