Brian Tornabene, Ph.D.
Brian’s research interests focus on the occurrence, fate, and physiological effects of emerging contaminants including mercury, trace metals from historic phosphate mining (e.g., selenium), per-and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), and cyanotoxins from harmful algal blooms (HABs). He is also broadly interested in the ecology and habitat use of amphibians, reptiles, and fish.
Brian’s research interests focus on the occurrence, fate, and physiological effects of emerging contaminants including mercury, trace metals from historic phosphate mining (e.g., selenium), per-and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), and cyanotoxins from harmful algal blooms (HABs). Brian’s research integrates ecotoxicology, physiology, and disease ecology and he is also broadly interested in the ecology and habitat use of amphibians, reptiles, and fish.
Professional Experience
Biologist, USGS Northern Rocky Mountain Science Center, Bozeman Montana October 2022 – Present
Education and Certifications
Ph.D. Fish and Wildlife Biology, University of Montana, Missoula, Montana
M.S. Fish and Wildlife Management, Montana State University, Bozeman, Montana
B.S. Biology, Baldwin Wallace University, Berea, Ohio
Science and Products
Filter Total Items: 17
Decoupling the roles of corticosterone in mediating effects of methylmercury and chytrid fungus on amphibian survival Decoupling the roles of corticosterone in mediating effects of methylmercury and chytrid fungus on amphibian survival
Amphibians have suffered widespread declines caused by many interacting factors whose effects are often difficult to isolate. We used complementary analyses to decouple effects of methylmercury (MeHg) and amphibian chytrid fungus (Bd) on survival of Columbia Spotted Frogs (Rana luteiventris) during a 5-year capture-mark-recapture study. We also evaluated whether effects on apparent...
Authors
Brian J. Tornabene, Morgan P. Kain, Creagh W. Breuner, Collin Eagles-Smith, Lisa A. Eby, Ross K. Hinderer, Kelly L. Smalling, Blake Hossack
Independent and interactive effects of disease and methylmercury on demographic rates across multiple amphibian populations Independent and interactive effects of disease and methylmercury on demographic rates across multiple amphibian populations
Disease, alone or combined with other stressors such as habitat loss and contaminants, affects wildlife populations worldwide. However, interactions among stressors and how they affect demography and populations remain poorly understood. The amphibian chytrid fungus (Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis; Bd) is a sometimes-lethal pathogen linked with population declines and extirpations of...
Authors
Morgan P. Kain, Blake R. Hossack, Kelly L. Smalling, Brian J. Halstead, Daniel A. Grear, David A. Miller, Michael J. Adams, Adam R. Backlin, William J. Barichivich, Collin A. Eagles-Smith, Colleen Emery, Jillian Elizabeth Fleming, Robert N. Fisher, Elizabeth Gallegos, Duoa J. Lor, Patrick M. Kleeman, Erin L. Muths, Ty Pan, Christopher Pearl, Charles W. Robinson, Caitlin Teresa Rumrill, Brian J. Tornabene, J. Hardin Waddle, Susan C. Walls, Evan H. Campbell Grant
Methylmercury in subarctic amphibians: Environmental gradients, bioaccumulation, and estimated flux Methylmercury in subarctic amphibians: Environmental gradients, bioaccumulation, and estimated flux
Rapid warming in polar regions is causing large changes to ecosystems, including altering environmentally available mercury (Hg). Although subarctic freshwater systems have simple vertebrate communities, Hg in amphibians remains unexplored. We measured total Hg (THg) in wetland sediments and methylmercury (MeHg) in multiple life-stages (eggs to adults) of wood frogs (Rana sylvatica) and...
Authors
Blake R. Hossack, Jon M. Davenport, C. Kabryn Mattison, Collin A. Eagles-Smith, LeeAnn Fishback, Brian J. Tornabene, Kelly L. Smalling
Broad-scale assessment of methylmercury in adult amphibians Broad-scale assessment of methylmercury in adult amphibians
Mercury (Hg) is a toxic contaminant that has been mobilized and distributed worldwide and is a threat to many wildlife species. Amphibians are facing unprecedented global declines due to many threats including contaminants. While the biphasic life history of many amphibians creates a potential nexus for methylmercury (MeHg) exposure in aquatic habitats and subsequent health effects, the...
Authors
Brian J. Tornabene, Blake R. Hossack, Brian J. Halstead, Collin A. Eagles-Smith, Michael J. Adams, Adam R. Backlin, Adrianne Brand, Colleen Emery, Robert N. Fisher, Jillian Elizabeth Fleming, Brad Glorioso, Daniel A. Grear, Evan H. Campbell Grant, Patrick M. Kleeman, David Miller, Erin L. Muths, Christopher Pearl, Jennifer Rowe, Caitlin Teresa Rumrill, J. Hardin Waddle, Megan Winzeler, Kelly L. Smalling
By
Ecosystems Mission Area, Water Resources Mission Area, Contaminant Biology, Environmental Health Program, Toxic Substances Hydrology, Eastern Ecological Science Center, Forest and Rangeland Ecosystem Science Center, Fort Collins Science Center, National Wildlife Health Center, New Jersey Water Science Center, Northern Rocky Mountain Science Center, Western Ecological Research Center (WERC), Wetland and Aquatic Research Center
Assay validation of saliva glucocorticoids in Columbia spotted frogs and effects of handling and marking Assay validation of saliva glucocorticoids in Columbia spotted frogs and effects of handling and marking
Non-invasive methods are important to the field of conservation physiology to reduce negative effects on organisms being studied. Glucocorticoid (GC) hormones are often used to assess health of individuals, but collection methods can be invasive. Many amphibians are imperiled worldwide, and saliva is a non- or semi-invasive matrix to measure GCs that has been partially validated for only...
Authors
Brian J. Tornabene, Blake R. Hossack, Creagh W. Breuner
Energy-related wastewater contamination alters microbial communities of sediment, water, and amphibian skin Energy-related wastewater contamination alters microbial communities of sediment, water, and amphibian skin
To inform responsible energy development, it is important to understand the ecological effects of contamination events. Wastewaters, a common byproduct of oil and gas extraction, often contain high concentrations of sodium chloride (NaCl) and heavy metals (e.g., strontium and vanadium). These constituents can negatively affect aquatic organisms, but there is scarce information for how...
Authors
Brian J. Tornabene, Kelly L. Smalling, Carrie E. Givens, Emily Bea Oja, Blake R. Hossack
Testing whether adrenal steroids mediate phenotypic and physiologic effects of elevated salinity on larval tiger salamanders Testing whether adrenal steroids mediate phenotypic and physiologic effects of elevated salinity on larval tiger salamanders
Salinity (sodium chloride, NaCl) from anthropogenic sources is a persistent contaminant that negatively affects freshwater taxa. Amphibians can be susceptible to salinity, but some species are innately or adaptively tolerant. Physiological mechanisms mediating tolerance to salinity are still unclear, but changes in osmoregulatory hormones such as corticosterone (CORT) and aldosterone...
Authors
Brian J. Tornabene, Creagh W Breuner, Erica J Crespi, Blake R. Hossack
Low occurrence of ranavirus in the Prairie Pothole Region of Montana and North Dakota (USA) contrasts with prior surveys Low occurrence of ranavirus in the Prairie Pothole Region of Montana and North Dakota (USA) contrasts with prior surveys
Ranaviruses are emerging pathogens that have caused mortality events in amphibians worldwide. Despite the negative effects of ranaviruses on amphibian populations, monitoring efforts are still lacking in many areas, including in the Prairie Pothole Region (PPR) of North America. Some PPR wetlands in Montana and North Dakota (USA) have been contaminated by energy-related saline...
Authors
Brian J. Tornabene, Erica J Crespi, Bernardo A. Traversari, Kenzi M Stemp, Creagh W Breuner, Caren S. Goldberg, Blake R. Hossack
Effects of salinity and a glucocorticoid antagonist, RU486, on waterborne aldosterone and corticosterone of northern leopard frog larvae Effects of salinity and a glucocorticoid antagonist, RU486, on waterborne aldosterone and corticosterone of northern leopard frog larvae
Increased salinity is an emerging contaminant of concern for aquatic taxa. For amphibians exposed to salinity, there is scarce information about the physiological effects and changes in osmoregulatory hormones such as corticosterone (CORT) and aldosterone (ALDO). Recent studies have quantified effects of salinity on CORT physiology of amphibians based on waterborne hormone collection...
Authors
Brian J. Tornabene, Creagh W Breuner, Blake R. Hossack, Erica J Crespi
Comparative effects of energy-related saline wastewaters and sodium chloride on hatching, survival, and fitness-associated traits of two amphibian species Comparative effects of energy-related saline wastewaters and sodium chloride on hatching, survival, and fitness-associated traits of two amphibian species
Salinity (sodium chloride [NaCl]) is a prevalent and persistent contaminant that negatively affects freshwater ecosystems. Although most studies focus on effects of salinity from road salts (primarily NaCl), high-salinity wastewaters from energy extraction (wastewaters) could be more harmful because they contain NaCl and other toxic components. Many amphibians are sensitive to salinity...
Authors
Brian J. Tornabene, Creagh Breuner, Blake R. Hossack
Corticosterone mediates a growth-survival tradeoff for an amphibian exposed to increased salinity Corticosterone mediates a growth-survival tradeoff for an amphibian exposed to increased salinity
Life-history tradeoffs are common across taxa, but growth-survival tradeoffs—usually enhancing survival at a cost to growth—are less frequently investigated. Increased salinity (NaCl) is a prevalent anthropogenic disturbance that may cause a growth-survival tradeoff for larval amphibians. Although physiological mechanisms mediating tradeoffs are seldom investigated, hormones are prime...
Authors
BJ Tornabene, Blake R. Hossack, EJ Crespi, CW Breuner
Evaluating corticosterone as a biomarker for amphibians exposed to increased salinity and ambient corticosterone Evaluating corticosterone as a biomarker for amphibians exposed to increased salinity and ambient corticosterone
Physiological biomarkers are commonly used to assess the health of taxa exposed to natural and anthropogenic stressors. Glucocorticoid (GC) hormones are often used as indicators of physiological stress in wildlife because they affect growth, reproduction and survival. Increased salinity from human activities negatively influences amphibians and their corticosterone (CORT; the main...
Authors
Brian J. Tornabene, Blake R. Hossack, Erica J Crespi, Creagh W Breuner
Non-USGS Publications**
**Disclaimer: The views expressed in Non-USGS publications are those of the author and do not represent the views of the USGS, Department of the Interior, or the U.S. Government.
Visual encounter and environmental DNA (eDNA) surveys for amphibians in the Western United States Visual encounter and environmental DNA (eDNA) surveys for amphibians in the Western United States
We used visual encounter surveys (VES) and environmental DNA (eDNA) surveys for amphibians in the western united states. Data are results of both VES and eDNA surveys for all amphibian species that occur in the locations surveyed.
Mercury concentrations in amphibian tissues and egg masses, fish tissues and sediment in subarctic, freshwater systems near Churchill, Manitoba, 2015-2019 Mercury concentrations in amphibian tissues and egg masses, fish tissues and sediment in subarctic, freshwater systems near Churchill, Manitoba, 2015-2019
Comma-separated values (.csv) files containing data related to amphibian, fish, and sediment sampling near Churchill, Manitoba between 2015-2019. Data files contain mercury concentrations in amphibian and fish tissues, amphibian egg masses, and sediment, as well as amphibian and fish morphometrics, life stage, site distance to coast and biome where the samples were collected.
Mercury concentrations in amphibian tissues across the United States, 2016-2021 Mercury concentrations in amphibian tissues across the United States, 2016-2021
Comma-separated values (.csv) file containing data related to amphibian sampling across the United States between 2016 and 2021. Data files contain mercury concentrations in amphibian and dragonfly tissues, mercury concentrations in sediment, as well as amphibian morphometrics, and habitat and climate characteristics where the samples were collected.
Workflow and analysis for per-and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in water and dragonfly larvae in United States protected areas Workflow and analysis for per-and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in water and dragonfly larvae in United States protected areas
This code release provides the workflow and analysis code for a study that addresses the prevalence of PFAS on Federally protected lands in water and dragonfly larvae. This study quantifies the prevalence of PFAS in protected areas across the US, identifies ecologically relevant PFAS mixtures, and assesses the potential drivers of PFAS concentration in an effort to better understand...
Science and Products
Filter Total Items: 17
Decoupling the roles of corticosterone in mediating effects of methylmercury and chytrid fungus on amphibian survival Decoupling the roles of corticosterone in mediating effects of methylmercury and chytrid fungus on amphibian survival
Amphibians have suffered widespread declines caused by many interacting factors whose effects are often difficult to isolate. We used complementary analyses to decouple effects of methylmercury (MeHg) and amphibian chytrid fungus (Bd) on survival of Columbia Spotted Frogs (Rana luteiventris) during a 5-year capture-mark-recapture study. We also evaluated whether effects on apparent...
Authors
Brian J. Tornabene, Morgan P. Kain, Creagh W. Breuner, Collin Eagles-Smith, Lisa A. Eby, Ross K. Hinderer, Kelly L. Smalling, Blake Hossack
Independent and interactive effects of disease and methylmercury on demographic rates across multiple amphibian populations Independent and interactive effects of disease and methylmercury on demographic rates across multiple amphibian populations
Disease, alone or combined with other stressors such as habitat loss and contaminants, affects wildlife populations worldwide. However, interactions among stressors and how they affect demography and populations remain poorly understood. The amphibian chytrid fungus (Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis; Bd) is a sometimes-lethal pathogen linked with population declines and extirpations of...
Authors
Morgan P. Kain, Blake R. Hossack, Kelly L. Smalling, Brian J. Halstead, Daniel A. Grear, David A. Miller, Michael J. Adams, Adam R. Backlin, William J. Barichivich, Collin A. Eagles-Smith, Colleen Emery, Jillian Elizabeth Fleming, Robert N. Fisher, Elizabeth Gallegos, Duoa J. Lor, Patrick M. Kleeman, Erin L. Muths, Ty Pan, Christopher Pearl, Charles W. Robinson, Caitlin Teresa Rumrill, Brian J. Tornabene, J. Hardin Waddle, Susan C. Walls, Evan H. Campbell Grant
Methylmercury in subarctic amphibians: Environmental gradients, bioaccumulation, and estimated flux Methylmercury in subarctic amphibians: Environmental gradients, bioaccumulation, and estimated flux
Rapid warming in polar regions is causing large changes to ecosystems, including altering environmentally available mercury (Hg). Although subarctic freshwater systems have simple vertebrate communities, Hg in amphibians remains unexplored. We measured total Hg (THg) in wetland sediments and methylmercury (MeHg) in multiple life-stages (eggs to adults) of wood frogs (Rana sylvatica) and...
Authors
Blake R. Hossack, Jon M. Davenport, C. Kabryn Mattison, Collin A. Eagles-Smith, LeeAnn Fishback, Brian J. Tornabene, Kelly L. Smalling
Broad-scale assessment of methylmercury in adult amphibians Broad-scale assessment of methylmercury in adult amphibians
Mercury (Hg) is a toxic contaminant that has been mobilized and distributed worldwide and is a threat to many wildlife species. Amphibians are facing unprecedented global declines due to many threats including contaminants. While the biphasic life history of many amphibians creates a potential nexus for methylmercury (MeHg) exposure in aquatic habitats and subsequent health effects, the...
Authors
Brian J. Tornabene, Blake R. Hossack, Brian J. Halstead, Collin A. Eagles-Smith, Michael J. Adams, Adam R. Backlin, Adrianne Brand, Colleen Emery, Robert N. Fisher, Jillian Elizabeth Fleming, Brad Glorioso, Daniel A. Grear, Evan H. Campbell Grant, Patrick M. Kleeman, David Miller, Erin L. Muths, Christopher Pearl, Jennifer Rowe, Caitlin Teresa Rumrill, J. Hardin Waddle, Megan Winzeler, Kelly L. Smalling
By
Ecosystems Mission Area, Water Resources Mission Area, Contaminant Biology, Environmental Health Program, Toxic Substances Hydrology, Eastern Ecological Science Center, Forest and Rangeland Ecosystem Science Center, Fort Collins Science Center, National Wildlife Health Center, New Jersey Water Science Center, Northern Rocky Mountain Science Center, Western Ecological Research Center (WERC), Wetland and Aquatic Research Center
Assay validation of saliva glucocorticoids in Columbia spotted frogs and effects of handling and marking Assay validation of saliva glucocorticoids in Columbia spotted frogs and effects of handling and marking
Non-invasive methods are important to the field of conservation physiology to reduce negative effects on organisms being studied. Glucocorticoid (GC) hormones are often used to assess health of individuals, but collection methods can be invasive. Many amphibians are imperiled worldwide, and saliva is a non- or semi-invasive matrix to measure GCs that has been partially validated for only...
Authors
Brian J. Tornabene, Blake R. Hossack, Creagh W. Breuner
Energy-related wastewater contamination alters microbial communities of sediment, water, and amphibian skin Energy-related wastewater contamination alters microbial communities of sediment, water, and amphibian skin
To inform responsible energy development, it is important to understand the ecological effects of contamination events. Wastewaters, a common byproduct of oil and gas extraction, often contain high concentrations of sodium chloride (NaCl) and heavy metals (e.g., strontium and vanadium). These constituents can negatively affect aquatic organisms, but there is scarce information for how...
Authors
Brian J. Tornabene, Kelly L. Smalling, Carrie E. Givens, Emily Bea Oja, Blake R. Hossack
Testing whether adrenal steroids mediate phenotypic and physiologic effects of elevated salinity on larval tiger salamanders Testing whether adrenal steroids mediate phenotypic and physiologic effects of elevated salinity on larval tiger salamanders
Salinity (sodium chloride, NaCl) from anthropogenic sources is a persistent contaminant that negatively affects freshwater taxa. Amphibians can be susceptible to salinity, but some species are innately or adaptively tolerant. Physiological mechanisms mediating tolerance to salinity are still unclear, but changes in osmoregulatory hormones such as corticosterone (CORT) and aldosterone...
Authors
Brian J. Tornabene, Creagh W Breuner, Erica J Crespi, Blake R. Hossack
Low occurrence of ranavirus in the Prairie Pothole Region of Montana and North Dakota (USA) contrasts with prior surveys Low occurrence of ranavirus in the Prairie Pothole Region of Montana and North Dakota (USA) contrasts with prior surveys
Ranaviruses are emerging pathogens that have caused mortality events in amphibians worldwide. Despite the negative effects of ranaviruses on amphibian populations, monitoring efforts are still lacking in many areas, including in the Prairie Pothole Region (PPR) of North America. Some PPR wetlands in Montana and North Dakota (USA) have been contaminated by energy-related saline...
Authors
Brian J. Tornabene, Erica J Crespi, Bernardo A. Traversari, Kenzi M Stemp, Creagh W Breuner, Caren S. Goldberg, Blake R. Hossack
Effects of salinity and a glucocorticoid antagonist, RU486, on waterborne aldosterone and corticosterone of northern leopard frog larvae Effects of salinity and a glucocorticoid antagonist, RU486, on waterborne aldosterone and corticosterone of northern leopard frog larvae
Increased salinity is an emerging contaminant of concern for aquatic taxa. For amphibians exposed to salinity, there is scarce information about the physiological effects and changes in osmoregulatory hormones such as corticosterone (CORT) and aldosterone (ALDO). Recent studies have quantified effects of salinity on CORT physiology of amphibians based on waterborne hormone collection...
Authors
Brian J. Tornabene, Creagh W Breuner, Blake R. Hossack, Erica J Crespi
Comparative effects of energy-related saline wastewaters and sodium chloride on hatching, survival, and fitness-associated traits of two amphibian species Comparative effects of energy-related saline wastewaters and sodium chloride on hatching, survival, and fitness-associated traits of two amphibian species
Salinity (sodium chloride [NaCl]) is a prevalent and persistent contaminant that negatively affects freshwater ecosystems. Although most studies focus on effects of salinity from road salts (primarily NaCl), high-salinity wastewaters from energy extraction (wastewaters) could be more harmful because they contain NaCl and other toxic components. Many amphibians are sensitive to salinity...
Authors
Brian J. Tornabene, Creagh Breuner, Blake R. Hossack
Corticosterone mediates a growth-survival tradeoff for an amphibian exposed to increased salinity Corticosterone mediates a growth-survival tradeoff for an amphibian exposed to increased salinity
Life-history tradeoffs are common across taxa, but growth-survival tradeoffs—usually enhancing survival at a cost to growth—are less frequently investigated. Increased salinity (NaCl) is a prevalent anthropogenic disturbance that may cause a growth-survival tradeoff for larval amphibians. Although physiological mechanisms mediating tradeoffs are seldom investigated, hormones are prime...
Authors
BJ Tornabene, Blake R. Hossack, EJ Crespi, CW Breuner
Evaluating corticosterone as a biomarker for amphibians exposed to increased salinity and ambient corticosterone Evaluating corticosterone as a biomarker for amphibians exposed to increased salinity and ambient corticosterone
Physiological biomarkers are commonly used to assess the health of taxa exposed to natural and anthropogenic stressors. Glucocorticoid (GC) hormones are often used as indicators of physiological stress in wildlife because they affect growth, reproduction and survival. Increased salinity from human activities negatively influences amphibians and their corticosterone (CORT; the main...
Authors
Brian J. Tornabene, Blake R. Hossack, Erica J Crespi, Creagh W Breuner
Non-USGS Publications**
**Disclaimer: The views expressed in Non-USGS publications are those of the author and do not represent the views of the USGS, Department of the Interior, or the U.S. Government.
Visual encounter and environmental DNA (eDNA) surveys for amphibians in the Western United States Visual encounter and environmental DNA (eDNA) surveys for amphibians in the Western United States
We used visual encounter surveys (VES) and environmental DNA (eDNA) surveys for amphibians in the western united states. Data are results of both VES and eDNA surveys for all amphibian species that occur in the locations surveyed.
Mercury concentrations in amphibian tissues and egg masses, fish tissues and sediment in subarctic, freshwater systems near Churchill, Manitoba, 2015-2019 Mercury concentrations in amphibian tissues and egg masses, fish tissues and sediment in subarctic, freshwater systems near Churchill, Manitoba, 2015-2019
Comma-separated values (.csv) files containing data related to amphibian, fish, and sediment sampling near Churchill, Manitoba between 2015-2019. Data files contain mercury concentrations in amphibian and fish tissues, amphibian egg masses, and sediment, as well as amphibian and fish morphometrics, life stage, site distance to coast and biome where the samples were collected.
Mercury concentrations in amphibian tissues across the United States, 2016-2021 Mercury concentrations in amphibian tissues across the United States, 2016-2021
Comma-separated values (.csv) file containing data related to amphibian sampling across the United States between 2016 and 2021. Data files contain mercury concentrations in amphibian and dragonfly tissues, mercury concentrations in sediment, as well as amphibian morphometrics, and habitat and climate characteristics where the samples were collected.
Workflow and analysis for per-and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in water and dragonfly larvae in United States protected areas Workflow and analysis for per-and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in water and dragonfly larvae in United States protected areas
This code release provides the workflow and analysis code for a study that addresses the prevalence of PFAS on Federally protected lands in water and dragonfly larvae. This study quantifies the prevalence of PFAS in protected areas across the US, identifies ecologically relevant PFAS mixtures, and assesses the potential drivers of PFAS concentration in an effort to better understand...