Photographs from a Western gull (Larus occidentalis) in California, USA. (A) On the intestinal serosa are multifocal 1-mm diameter firm white nodules (arrows). A white fungal plaque (white arrow) also overlies the serosa.
Julia S Lankton
Julia Lankton is a wildlife pathologist at the USGS National Wildlife Health Center.
She attended veterinary school at Virginia-Maryland College of Veterinary Medicine, completed her pathology residency at the University of Tennessee, and worked as clinical instructor and pathology fellow at the University of Florida and Disneyworld, before joining USGS in 2013. Her interests include environmental toxicology and the relationship between contaminants and disease in wildlife health.
Science and Products
Application of a systems approach for management of chronic wasting disease
The USGS National Wildlife Health Center, Montana Cooperative Wildlife Research Unit, Ventana Systems, Inc. , and the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (WIDNR) are applying a systems approach to map and model the complex relationships among ecological, epidemiological, social, and political processes affecting CWD. Through a participatory modeling process, we gathered subject matter...
Review of Wildlife Health Outcomes and Potentially Toxic Algal Blooms in the Chesapeake Bay
Scientists provide resources that review algal toxin data, explore links between avian mortality and toxin exposure, and identify future research needs to predict algal toxin health hazards and risks for birds and other wildlife in the Chesapeake Bay.
Necropsy & Pathology
The Necropsy and Pathology services are performed by board-certified veterinary pathologists and necropsy technical staff whose principal role is to determine the cause of death for animals submitted to the USGS National Wildlife Health Center.
Photographs from a Western gull (Larus occidentalis) in California, USA
Photographs from a Western gull (Larus occidentalis) in California, USA. (A) On the intestinal serosa are multifocal 1-mm diameter firm white nodules (arrows). A white fungal plaque (white arrow) also overlies the serosa.
Photomicrographs of the small intestine from a Western gull (Larus occidentalis) from California, USA
linkPhotomicrographs of the small intestine from a Western gull (Larus occidentalis) from California, USA. H & E stain. (A) Expanding the small intestinal lumen and distorting intestinal villi are multiple adult metazoan parasites (arrow); similar parasites are within cavitations in the intestinal wall or serosa (arrowhead).
Photomicrographs of the small intestine from a Western gull (Larus occidentalis) from California, USA
linkPhotomicrographs of the small intestine from a Western gull (Larus occidentalis) from California, USA. H & E stain. (A) Expanding the small intestinal lumen and distorting intestinal villi are multiple adult metazoan parasites (arrow); similar parasites are within cavitations in the intestinal wall or serosa (arrowhead).
Photographs from an eastern massasauga rattlesnake with snake fungal disease
Photographs from an eastern massasauga rattlesnake (Sistrurus catenatus) found lethargic in Wisconsin, U.S.A. (A) There is a 15 x 12 mm area with firm, misshapen, and discolored scales (arrows) on the ventral neck. (B) There is a 10 x 6 focal area of depression with tan to dark red scale discoloration (arrow) on the ventral body.
Photographs from an eastern massasauga rattlesnake (Sistrurus catenatus) found lethargic in Wisconsin, U.S.A. (A) There is a 15 x 12 mm area with firm, misshapen, and discolored scales (arrows) on the ventral neck. (B) There is a 10 x 6 focal area of depression with tan to dark red scale discoloration (arrow) on the ventral body.
Photomicrographs from an eastern massasauga rattlesnake (Sistrurus catenatus) from Wisconsin
Photomicrographs from an eastern massasauga rattlesnake (Sistrurus catenatus) from Wisconsin, U.S.A. Periodic acid-Shiff. (A) On the ventral neck are multifocal areas of superficial to mid-epidermal necrosis (arrows). (B) Areas of necrosis often contain ~5-µm diameter branching, septate, PAS-positive fungal hyphae (arrowheads).
Photomicrographs from an eastern massasauga rattlesnake (Sistrurus catenatus) from Wisconsin, U.S.A. Periodic acid-Shiff. (A) On the ventral neck are multifocal areas of superficial to mid-epidermal necrosis (arrows). (B) Areas of necrosis often contain ~5-µm diameter branching, septate, PAS-positive fungal hyphae (arrowheads).
Photomicrographs from a Fisher (Pekania pennanti) found dead in Wisconsin, USA
Photomicrographs from a Fisher (Pekania pennanti) found dead in Wisconsin, USA. (A) Blood vessels in the brain are surrounded by low numbers of lymphocytes and plasma cells (arrows). H&E stain. (B) A blood vessel in the brain is surrounded by low numbers of lymphocytes and plasma cells (black arrow).
Photomicrographs from a Fisher (Pekania pennanti) found dead in Wisconsin, USA. (A) Blood vessels in the brain are surrounded by low numbers of lymphocytes and plasma cells (arrows). H&E stain. (B) A blood vessel in the brain is surrounded by low numbers of lymphocytes and plasma cells (black arrow).
Photograph and photomicrographs from a Pacific loon (Gavia pacifica) found dead in Alaska
Photograph and photomicrographs from a Pacific loon (Gavia pacifica) found dead in Alaska, USA (A) The proventriculus (arrows) is enlarged and the serosal aspect contains many raised serpentine tracts. An asterisk (*) indicates the ventriculus.
Photograph and photomicrographs from a Pacific loon (Gavia pacifica) found dead in Alaska, USA (A) The proventriculus (arrows) is enlarged and the serosal aspect contains many raised serpentine tracts. An asterisk (*) indicates the ventriculus.
Photograph and photomicrographs from a bottlenose dolphin (Tursiops truncatus) found dead in Florida
linkPhotograph and photomicrographs from a bottlenose dolphin (Tursiops truncatus) found dead in Florida, USA. (A) On the right cranial cerebrum is a 3 x 2.5 cm area of hemorrhage and cavitation. (B) There is focal marked cerebral meningeal cavitation and hemorrhage, with fibrin accumulation, neutrophils, and triangular to ovoid trematode eggs (arrows).
Photograph and photomicrographs from a bottlenose dolphin (Tursiops truncatus) found dead in Florida
linkPhotograph and photomicrographs from a bottlenose dolphin (Tursiops truncatus) found dead in Florida, USA. (A) On the right cranial cerebrum is a 3 x 2.5 cm area of hemorrhage and cavitation. (B) There is focal marked cerebral meningeal cavitation and hemorrhage, with fibrin accumulation, neutrophils, and triangular to ovoid trematode eggs (arrows).
Photomicrographs from a Trumpeter Swan (Cygnus buccinator) found dead in Indiana
Photomicrographs from a Trumpeter Swan (Cygnus buccinator) found dead in Indiana, U.S.A. (A) Within the small intestine is an area of transmural necrosis (arrow) with abundant luminal necrotic debris and hemorrhage containing few trematode eggs (arrowhead), and an adjacent trematode (*). H&E stain. (B) Detail of A.
Photomicrographs from a Trumpeter Swan (Cygnus buccinator) found dead in Indiana, U.S.A. (A) Within the small intestine is an area of transmural necrosis (arrow) with abundant luminal necrotic debris and hemorrhage containing few trematode eggs (arrowhead), and an adjacent trematode (*). H&E stain. (B) Detail of A.
Photographs from a Trumpeter Swan (Cygnus buccinator) found dead in Indiana
Photographs from a Trumpeter Swan (Cygnus buccinator) found dead in Indiana, U.S.A. (A) The majority of the intestinal serosa is dark red. (B) The lumen contains gelatinous dark red material and many <1 mm diameter white structures (trematodes) (arrows). (C) On the serosal surface are two 2 to 5 mm discrete ulcers (arrow).
Photographs from a Trumpeter Swan (Cygnus buccinator) found dead in Indiana, U.S.A. (A) The majority of the intestinal serosa is dark red. (B) The lumen contains gelatinous dark red material and many <1 mm diameter white structures (trematodes) (arrows). (C) On the serosal surface are two 2 to 5 mm discrete ulcers (arrow).
Photomicrographs from an eastern gray squirrel (Sciurus carolinensis) found dead in Wisconsin
Photomicrographs from an eastern gray squirrel (Sciurus carolinensis) found dead in Wisconsin, U.S. (A) On low magnification, the cerebrum exhibits areas of hypercellularity (arrows). H&E stain. (B) Detail of A: There is mild lymphoplasmacytic perivascular cuffing (arrowhead) and areas of gliosis (arrow) within the cerebrum.
Photomicrographs from an eastern gray squirrel (Sciurus carolinensis) found dead in Wisconsin, U.S. (A) On low magnification, the cerebrum exhibits areas of hypercellularity (arrows). H&E stain. (B) Detail of A: There is mild lymphoplasmacytic perivascular cuffing (arrowhead) and areas of gliosis (arrow) within the cerebrum.
Chondroma mass on the hock of a sandhill crane
Photographs from a sandhill crane (Antigone canadensis) found dead in Indiana, U.S.A. (A) There is a firm mass on the right cranial hock with a roughened black and tan surface. (B) On cut section, the mass is gelatinous, mottled light pink to gray, and extends to the joint space (arrow).
Photographs from a sandhill crane (Antigone canadensis) found dead in Indiana, U.S.A. (A) There is a firm mass on the right cranial hock with a roughened black and tan surface. (B) On cut section, the mass is gelatinous, mottled light pink to gray, and extends to the joint space (arrow).
Photomicrographs from a sandhill crane found dead in Indiana U.S.A.
Photomicrographs from a sandhill crane (Antigone canadensis) found dead in Indiana, U.S.A. (A) The mass is composed of islands of well-differentiated chondrocytes separated by fibrovascular connective tissue. There is minimal cellular pleomorphism and no mitotic figures are seen (inset).
Photomicrographs from a sandhill crane (Antigone canadensis) found dead in Indiana, U.S.A. (A) The mass is composed of islands of well-differentiated chondrocytes separated by fibrovascular connective tissue. There is minimal cellular pleomorphism and no mitotic figures are seen (inset).
Digestive gland from a freshwater snail (Lymnaea stagnalis)
National Wildlife Health Center — Madison, Wisconsin. Digestive gland from a freshwater snail (Lymnaea stagnalis)
National Wildlife Health Center — Madison, Wisconsin. Digestive gland from a freshwater snail (Lymnaea stagnalis)
Science and Products
Application of a systems approach for management of chronic wasting disease
The USGS National Wildlife Health Center, Montana Cooperative Wildlife Research Unit, Ventana Systems, Inc. , and the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (WIDNR) are applying a systems approach to map and model the complex relationships among ecological, epidemiological, social, and political processes affecting CWD. Through a participatory modeling process, we gathered subject matter...
Review of Wildlife Health Outcomes and Potentially Toxic Algal Blooms in the Chesapeake Bay
Scientists provide resources that review algal toxin data, explore links between avian mortality and toxin exposure, and identify future research needs to predict algal toxin health hazards and risks for birds and other wildlife in the Chesapeake Bay.
Necropsy & Pathology
The Necropsy and Pathology services are performed by board-certified veterinary pathologists and necropsy technical staff whose principal role is to determine the cause of death for animals submitted to the USGS National Wildlife Health Center.
Photographs from a Western gull (Larus occidentalis) in California, USA
Photographs from a Western gull (Larus occidentalis) in California, USA. (A) On the intestinal serosa are multifocal 1-mm diameter firm white nodules (arrows). A white fungal plaque (white arrow) also overlies the serosa.
Photographs from a Western gull (Larus occidentalis) in California, USA. (A) On the intestinal serosa are multifocal 1-mm diameter firm white nodules (arrows). A white fungal plaque (white arrow) also overlies the serosa.
Photomicrographs of the small intestine from a Western gull (Larus occidentalis) from California, USA
linkPhotomicrographs of the small intestine from a Western gull (Larus occidentalis) from California, USA. H & E stain. (A) Expanding the small intestinal lumen and distorting intestinal villi are multiple adult metazoan parasites (arrow); similar parasites are within cavitations in the intestinal wall or serosa (arrowhead).
Photomicrographs of the small intestine from a Western gull (Larus occidentalis) from California, USA
linkPhotomicrographs of the small intestine from a Western gull (Larus occidentalis) from California, USA. H & E stain. (A) Expanding the small intestinal lumen and distorting intestinal villi are multiple adult metazoan parasites (arrow); similar parasites are within cavitations in the intestinal wall or serosa (arrowhead).
Photographs from an eastern massasauga rattlesnake with snake fungal disease
Photographs from an eastern massasauga rattlesnake (Sistrurus catenatus) found lethargic in Wisconsin, U.S.A. (A) There is a 15 x 12 mm area with firm, misshapen, and discolored scales (arrows) on the ventral neck. (B) There is a 10 x 6 focal area of depression with tan to dark red scale discoloration (arrow) on the ventral body.
Photographs from an eastern massasauga rattlesnake (Sistrurus catenatus) found lethargic in Wisconsin, U.S.A. (A) There is a 15 x 12 mm area with firm, misshapen, and discolored scales (arrows) on the ventral neck. (B) There is a 10 x 6 focal area of depression with tan to dark red scale discoloration (arrow) on the ventral body.
Photomicrographs from an eastern massasauga rattlesnake (Sistrurus catenatus) from Wisconsin
Photomicrographs from an eastern massasauga rattlesnake (Sistrurus catenatus) from Wisconsin, U.S.A. Periodic acid-Shiff. (A) On the ventral neck are multifocal areas of superficial to mid-epidermal necrosis (arrows). (B) Areas of necrosis often contain ~5-µm diameter branching, septate, PAS-positive fungal hyphae (arrowheads).
Photomicrographs from an eastern massasauga rattlesnake (Sistrurus catenatus) from Wisconsin, U.S.A. Periodic acid-Shiff. (A) On the ventral neck are multifocal areas of superficial to mid-epidermal necrosis (arrows). (B) Areas of necrosis often contain ~5-µm diameter branching, septate, PAS-positive fungal hyphae (arrowheads).
Photomicrographs from a Fisher (Pekania pennanti) found dead in Wisconsin, USA
Photomicrographs from a Fisher (Pekania pennanti) found dead in Wisconsin, USA. (A) Blood vessels in the brain are surrounded by low numbers of lymphocytes and plasma cells (arrows). H&E stain. (B) A blood vessel in the brain is surrounded by low numbers of lymphocytes and plasma cells (black arrow).
Photomicrographs from a Fisher (Pekania pennanti) found dead in Wisconsin, USA. (A) Blood vessels in the brain are surrounded by low numbers of lymphocytes and plasma cells (arrows). H&E stain. (B) A blood vessel in the brain is surrounded by low numbers of lymphocytes and plasma cells (black arrow).
Photograph and photomicrographs from a Pacific loon (Gavia pacifica) found dead in Alaska
Photograph and photomicrographs from a Pacific loon (Gavia pacifica) found dead in Alaska, USA (A) The proventriculus (arrows) is enlarged and the serosal aspect contains many raised serpentine tracts. An asterisk (*) indicates the ventriculus.
Photograph and photomicrographs from a Pacific loon (Gavia pacifica) found dead in Alaska, USA (A) The proventriculus (arrows) is enlarged and the serosal aspect contains many raised serpentine tracts. An asterisk (*) indicates the ventriculus.
Photograph and photomicrographs from a bottlenose dolphin (Tursiops truncatus) found dead in Florida
linkPhotograph and photomicrographs from a bottlenose dolphin (Tursiops truncatus) found dead in Florida, USA. (A) On the right cranial cerebrum is a 3 x 2.5 cm area of hemorrhage and cavitation. (B) There is focal marked cerebral meningeal cavitation and hemorrhage, with fibrin accumulation, neutrophils, and triangular to ovoid trematode eggs (arrows).
Photograph and photomicrographs from a bottlenose dolphin (Tursiops truncatus) found dead in Florida
linkPhotograph and photomicrographs from a bottlenose dolphin (Tursiops truncatus) found dead in Florida, USA. (A) On the right cranial cerebrum is a 3 x 2.5 cm area of hemorrhage and cavitation. (B) There is focal marked cerebral meningeal cavitation and hemorrhage, with fibrin accumulation, neutrophils, and triangular to ovoid trematode eggs (arrows).
Photomicrographs from a Trumpeter Swan (Cygnus buccinator) found dead in Indiana
Photomicrographs from a Trumpeter Swan (Cygnus buccinator) found dead in Indiana, U.S.A. (A) Within the small intestine is an area of transmural necrosis (arrow) with abundant luminal necrotic debris and hemorrhage containing few trematode eggs (arrowhead), and an adjacent trematode (*). H&E stain. (B) Detail of A.
Photomicrographs from a Trumpeter Swan (Cygnus buccinator) found dead in Indiana, U.S.A. (A) Within the small intestine is an area of transmural necrosis (arrow) with abundant luminal necrotic debris and hemorrhage containing few trematode eggs (arrowhead), and an adjacent trematode (*). H&E stain. (B) Detail of A.
Photographs from a Trumpeter Swan (Cygnus buccinator) found dead in Indiana
Photographs from a Trumpeter Swan (Cygnus buccinator) found dead in Indiana, U.S.A. (A) The majority of the intestinal serosa is dark red. (B) The lumen contains gelatinous dark red material and many <1 mm diameter white structures (trematodes) (arrows). (C) On the serosal surface are two 2 to 5 mm discrete ulcers (arrow).
Photographs from a Trumpeter Swan (Cygnus buccinator) found dead in Indiana, U.S.A. (A) The majority of the intestinal serosa is dark red. (B) The lumen contains gelatinous dark red material and many <1 mm diameter white structures (trematodes) (arrows). (C) On the serosal surface are two 2 to 5 mm discrete ulcers (arrow).
Photomicrographs from an eastern gray squirrel (Sciurus carolinensis) found dead in Wisconsin
Photomicrographs from an eastern gray squirrel (Sciurus carolinensis) found dead in Wisconsin, U.S. (A) On low magnification, the cerebrum exhibits areas of hypercellularity (arrows). H&E stain. (B) Detail of A: There is mild lymphoplasmacytic perivascular cuffing (arrowhead) and areas of gliosis (arrow) within the cerebrum.
Photomicrographs from an eastern gray squirrel (Sciurus carolinensis) found dead in Wisconsin, U.S. (A) On low magnification, the cerebrum exhibits areas of hypercellularity (arrows). H&E stain. (B) Detail of A: There is mild lymphoplasmacytic perivascular cuffing (arrowhead) and areas of gliosis (arrow) within the cerebrum.
Chondroma mass on the hock of a sandhill crane
Photographs from a sandhill crane (Antigone canadensis) found dead in Indiana, U.S.A. (A) There is a firm mass on the right cranial hock with a roughened black and tan surface. (B) On cut section, the mass is gelatinous, mottled light pink to gray, and extends to the joint space (arrow).
Photographs from a sandhill crane (Antigone canadensis) found dead in Indiana, U.S.A. (A) There is a firm mass on the right cranial hock with a roughened black and tan surface. (B) On cut section, the mass is gelatinous, mottled light pink to gray, and extends to the joint space (arrow).
Photomicrographs from a sandhill crane found dead in Indiana U.S.A.
Photomicrographs from a sandhill crane (Antigone canadensis) found dead in Indiana, U.S.A. (A) The mass is composed of islands of well-differentiated chondrocytes separated by fibrovascular connective tissue. There is minimal cellular pleomorphism and no mitotic figures are seen (inset).
Photomicrographs from a sandhill crane (Antigone canadensis) found dead in Indiana, U.S.A. (A) The mass is composed of islands of well-differentiated chondrocytes separated by fibrovascular connective tissue. There is minimal cellular pleomorphism and no mitotic figures are seen (inset).
Digestive gland from a freshwater snail (Lymnaea stagnalis)
National Wildlife Health Center — Madison, Wisconsin. Digestive gland from a freshwater snail (Lymnaea stagnalis)
National Wildlife Health Center — Madison, Wisconsin. Digestive gland from a freshwater snail (Lymnaea stagnalis)
*Disclaimer: Listing outside positions with professional scientific organizations on this Staff Profile are for informational purposes only and do not constitute an endorsement of those professional scientific organizations or their activities by the USGS, Department of the Interior, or U.S. Government