Shannon Gaukler   M.S. Student (Dr. William Bleier) Office: Stevens 115 Phone: (701) 231-8055 Shannon.Gaukler@ndsu.edu   B.A. Minnesota State University Moorhead, Biology (2005)

Current Research:

Kansas is a major producer of livestock and has an abundance of over-wintering European starlings (Sturnus vulgaris). Roost sizes for over-wintering starlings can be up to several million individuals. Starlings cause a substantial amount of economic damage to farmers. Escherichia coli O157:H7 and Salmonella can cause illness in both livestock and humans and cattle with Johne’s disease resulting from Mycobacterium avium subsp. paratuberculosis must be culled. Crohn’s disease in humans is suspected to be caused from Mycobacterium avium subsp. paratuberculosis. We banded, leg-flagged, and radio-tagged starlings using feedlots in the Great Bend, Kansas area. Our objectives were to track daily movements of starlings visiting feedlots in the Great Bend, KS area, screen starlings for E. coli O157:H7, Salmonella spp. and Mycobacterium avium subsp. paratuberculosis (Johne’s disease) and to determine how flock size influences the amount of time spent in feedlot microhabitats. The results may be used to develop plans for the management of transmissible diseases carried by starlings. Preliminary data show that starlings in Kansas are moving among feedlots rather than remaining at one feedlot. Pathogens were detected at a low prevalence and flock size does influence the amount of time starlings spend in feedlot microhabitats.

Future Plans:

E. coli was detected in approximately half of the samples however, E. coli O157:H7 was detected at a low prevalence . To determine if the E. coli isolates are pathogenic, PCR will be used to detect for 6 different virulence factors such as toxins and attachment proteins. Cattle are often given antimicrobial drugs to prevent illness and with constant exposure, bacteria can become resistant to antibiotics. Bacteria that are resistance to antibiotics can complicate the necessary treatments. E. coli isolates will be examined for antimicrobial resistance using the methods from the National Antimicrobial Resistance Monitoring System (NARMS). The low detection of these pathogenic bacteria in the starling population sampled may be due to an ingredient (distillers' grain) in the cattle rations. Distillers’ grain is a byproduct of ethanol fermentation. The grain is highly acidic and often contains a high content of Lactobacillus, which is considered as a probiotic. To determine if the grain suppresses the growth of these pathogenic bacteria, a lab experiment will be conducted. In addition, we will create an epidemiological model to assess the risk of starlings spreading disease.

Presentations: 

Gaukler, S. M., W. J. Bleier, A. M. Galle, H. L. A., Ladd, G. M. Linz and J. H. Homan. 2008. Pathogenic diseases and movements of wintering European starlings using feedlots in central Kansas. 5th Annual Northern Plains Biological Symposium, North Dakota State University, Fargo ND, April. (Poster).

Gaukler, S. M., W. J. Bleier, A. M. Galle, G. M. Linz and J. H. Homan. 2008. Pathogenic diseases and movements of wintering European starlings using feedlots in central Kansas. Vertebrate Pest Conference, San Diego, CA. March. (Poster).

Gaukler, S. M., W. J. Bleier, A. M. Galle, G. M. Linz and J. H. Homan. 2007. Pathogenic diseases and movements of wintering European starlings using feedlots in central Kansas. Managing Invasive Species Symposium, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO, August. (Poster).

Gaukler, S. M. 2007. Monitoring migration patterns of European starlings to better understand the spread of potential diseases to livestock near Great Bend, Kansas. Guest lecturer for Organismal Biology 115, Minnesota State University Moorhead, Moorhead MN, April. (Oral). 

Gaukler, S. M. 2007. Monitoring migration patterns of European starlings to better understand the spread of potential diseases to livestock near Great Bend, Kansas. Mid-project review USDA/APHIS/WS National Wildlife Research Center, North Dakota State University, Fargo, ND, March. (Oral).  

Bothum, J. R., J. Campbell, S. Gaukler, B. Smith, and D. M. Bruns Stockrahm. 2006. Small mammal response to red fox (Vulpes vulpes) and raccoon (Procyon lotor) urine.  8th Annual Minnesota State University Student Academic Conference, Minnesota State University Moorhead, Moorhead MN, April. (Poster).

Hektner, L., R. Larson, S. Gaukler, H. Ladd, M. Kramer, J. Carlson, and D. M. Bruns Stockrahm. 2006. Relationship between size of adult female painted turtles (Chrysemys picta bellii) and numbers of younger turtles in two sloughs in Clay County, MN.  8th Annual Minnesota State University Student Academic Conference, Minnesota State University Moorhead, Moorhead MN, April. (Poster).

Hektner, L., R. Larson, S. Gaukler, H. Ladd, M. Kramer, J. Carlson, D. M. Bruns Stockrahm, and J. Stockrahm. 2006.  Relationship between size of adult female painted turtles (Chrysemys picta bellii) and numbers of younger turtles in two sloughs in Clay County, MN.  1st Minnesota Natural Resources Conference, Brainerd, MN, February. (Poster).

Hektner, L., R. Larson, S. Gaukler, H. Ladd, M. Kramer, J. Carlson, D. M. Bruns Stockrahm, and J. Stockrahm. 2006.  Relationship between size of adult female painted turtles (Chrysemys picta bellii) and numbers of younger turtles in two sloughs in Clay County, Minnesota.  3rd Annual Northern Plains Biological Symposium, North Dakota State University, Fargo, ND, April. (Poster).

Kramer, M., L. Hektner, R. Larson, S. Gaukler, H. Ladd, J. Carlson, and D. M. Bruns Stockrahm. 2006. Relationship between size of adult female painted turtles and numbers of younger turtles in two sloughs in Clay County, Minnesota. 13th Annual Conference of The Wildlife Society, Anchorage, AK, September (Poster). 

Academic Honors / Achievements: 

The Sheila Kath Award, NDSU 2008

Member of The Honor Society of Phi Kappa Phi, NDSU 2008

Vice President of Biological Sciences Graduate Student Association (BSGSA), NDSU 2007-2008

Member of the Omega Mu Chapter of Biological Honor Society of Tri-Beta, MSUM 2003-2005

Other Interests: 

Triathlons, Triathlons and more Triathlons! I love training and competing in several distances, from sprints to the ½ ironman. I also enjoy camping, hiking, sky diving, scuba diving, traveling, bird watching, wildlife photography and spending time with family and friends.