Rebecca A Cole
Rebecca Cole is the Section Head of the Parasitology Laboratory in the Laboratory Sciences Branch at the USGS National Wildlife Health Center.
Rebecca earned her PhD in Pathobiology from Auburn University, Alabama with a research focus in parasitology. Most of her research has focused on invasive or introduced parasites and parasites of invasive species.
Professional Experience
Research Zoologist, National Wildlife Health Center
Education and Certifications
Ph.D Pathobiology/Parasitology, Auburn University, AL 1994
MSc Biology, Murray State University, Murray KY, 1987
B.A. Biology Minor Chemistry, Maryville College, Maryville, TN
Science and Products
Acanthocephaliasis
Emerging diseases in southern sea otters
The identification and characteristics of Echinoparyphium rubrum (Cort. 1914) new comb. (Trematoda, Echinostomatidae) based on experimental evidence of the life cycle
Helminth parasites of the bald eagle, Haliaeetus leucocephalus, in Florida
Acanthocephala of the bald eagle (Haliaeetus leucocephalus) in North America
New records with examples of potential host colonization events for hypopi (Acari: Hypoderatidae) from birds
The risk of disease and threats to the wild population. Special Issue: Conservation and Management of the Southern Sea Otter
Helminth parasites of the osprey, Pandion haliaetus, in North America
Bothrigaster variolaris (Trematoda: Cyclocoelidae) infection in two Florida snail kites (Rostrhamus sociabilis plumbeus)
First report of an hypopus (Acari: Hypoderatidae) from a jaeger (Aves: Charadriiformes: Stercorariidae)
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.
Science and Products
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Filter Total Items: 70
Acanthocephaliasis
The phylum Acanthocephala contains parasitic worms referred to as thorny-headed worms because both the larval and adult parasites have a retractable proboscis or a tubular structure at the head, which has sharp, recurved hooks or spines. Much like the cestodes or tapeworms, they lack digestive tracts and absorb nutrients from the bird’s intestinal canal. This may weaken the bird and may make it moAuthorsRebecca A. ColeEmerging diseases in southern sea otters
No abstract available.AuthorsN. J. Thomas, L. H. Creekmore, Rebecca A. Cole, C.U. MeteyerThe identification and characteristics of Echinoparyphium rubrum (Cort. 1914) new comb. (Trematoda, Echinostomatidae) based on experimental evidence of the life cycle
The life cycle of Echinoparyphium rubrum (Cort, 1914) comb. n. has been completed experimentally. All of the developmental stages egg, miracidium, sporocyst, mother and daughter rediae, cercaria, metacercaria, and adult were examined and described. The miracidia infected freshwater snails of the genus Physa , P. gyrina and P. occidentalis. Attempts to infect snails of the genera Lymnaea, L. auricuAuthorsI. Kanev, R. Sorensen, M. Sterner, Rebecca A. Cole, B. FriedHelminth parasites of the bald eagle, Haliaeetus leucocephalus, in Florida
Twenty species of helminths (9 trematodes, 9 nematodes, and 2 acanthocephalans), including 9 new host records, were collected from 40 bald eagles (Haliaeetus leucocephalus) from Florida. Intensities of infection were low and no lesions were attributed to the parasites. No species were considered specialists in bald eagles; 5 species were considered raptor generalists and the remainder, generalistsAuthorsJ. M. Kinsella, Garry W. Foster, Rebecca A. Cole, Donald J. ForresterAcanthocephala of the bald eagle (Haliaeetus leucocephalus) in North America
Examination of bald eagles (Haliaeetus leucocephalus) collected from several locations in North America contributed new information concerning the acanthocephalan fauna of this host. Representatives of Arythmorhynchus brevis, representing a new host record, were collected from eagles in Florida, New Hampshire, and Wisconsin. Plagiorhynchus sp. was collected from an eagle in Florida. Corynosoma strAuthorsD.J. Richardson, Rebecca A. ColeNew records with examples of potential host colonization events for hypopi (Acari: Hypoderatidae) from birds
New host, geographic records, or both are established for 14 species of hypoderatid deutonymphs from 14 species of birds in North America. Ten of these records are regarded as examples of a potential host colonization event where these hypopi have become established in hosts other than those with which they are normally associated. Herein, potential host colonization events by hypoderatid deutonymAuthorsDanny B. Pence, M. G. Spalding, J.F. Bergan, Rebecca A. Cole, Scott Newman, Paul N. GrayThe risk of disease and threats to the wild population. Special Issue: Conservation and Management of the Southern Sea Otter
The growth of the southern sea otter population has been steady, but slow in comparison to Alaskan subspecies, and range expansion in California has faltered. Slower growth is occurring in California despite birth rates comparable to those in Alaska, so biologists have reasoned that mortality is hindering the growth of the California population (Riedman and Estes 1990; see Estes et al., this issueAuthorsNancy J. Thomas, Rebecca A. ColeHelminth parasites of the osprey, Pandion haliaetus, in North America
A total of 28 species of helminths (17 trematodes, 3 cestodes, 7 nematodes, and 1 acanthocephalan) was recovered from 17 ospreys (Pandion haliaetus) from the United States. Intensities of infection were low and no lesions were attributed to the parasites. Seven species appear to be specialists in ospreys, 2 species generalists in raptors, and the remainder generalists in other orders of fish-eatinAuthorsJ. M. Kinsella, Rebecca A. Cole, Donald J. Forrester, Constance L. RoderickBothrigaster variolaris (Trematoda: Cyclocoelidae) infection in two Florida snail kites (Rostrhamus sociabilis plumbeus)
Two Florida snail kites (Rostrhamus sociabilis plumbeus, Say) collected in August and December 1993 from Osceola County (28°15′N, 81°17′W) and Glades County (26°45′N, 81°10′W), Florida (USA), respectively, were infected with Bothrigaster variolaris (Trematoda: Cyclocoelidae); this parasite has not been reported previously from birds in the United States. One bird, a fledgling female, harbored 270AuthorsRebecca A. Cole, Nancy J. Thomas, Constance L. RoderickFirst report of an hypopus (Acari: Hypoderatidae) from a jaeger (Aves: Charadriiformes: Stercorariidae)
Thalassornectes (Alcidectes) aukletae, originally described from two species of auklets (Charadriiformes: Alcidae) from maritime eastern Russia, is reported from a third species of pelagic charadriiform (Stercorariidae), the pomarine jaeger, Stercorarius poinarinus (Temminck), from Florida. The specimens from the jaeger are slightly smaller, the genital apodeme is more heavily sclerotized, pairedAuthorsDanny B. Pence, Rebecca A. ColeNon-USGS Publications**
Shoop, W. L., R. A. Cole and K. C. Corkum, 1987. The use of frozen carcasses in parasite surveys. J. Parasitol. 73: 109.Cole, R. A. and W. L. Shoop, 1987. Helminths of the raccoon (Procyon lotor) in Western Kentucky. J. Parasitol. 73:762768.Hoffnagle, T. L., R. A. Cole and W. L. Shoop, 1987. Gastrointestinal parasites of the blue catfish (Ictalurus furcatus) in Kentucky Lake, TN. J. Helminthol. Soc. Wash. 57: 4043.Cole, R. A., D. S. Lindsay, B. L. BIagburn and J. P. Dubey, 1993. Detection of Neospora caninum in tissues using a murine monoclonal antibody. J. Vet. Diagn. Invest. 5: 579-584Lindsay, D. S., J. P. Dubey, R. A. Cole, L. P. Nuehring and B. L. Blagburn. 1993. Neospora induced protozoal abortions in cattle. Comp. Cont. Educ. Prac. Vet. 15:882-889.Gasser, R. B., B. G. Edwards and R. A. Cole, 1993. Neosporosis in a dog in Victoria. Aust. Vet. Practit. 23: 190-193.Lindsay, D. S., N. S. Rippey, R. A. Cole, L. C. Parsons, J. P. Dubey, R. R. Tidwell and B. L. Blagburn, 1994. Examination of the activities of 43 chemotherapeutic agents against Neospora caninum tachyzoites in cultured cells. Am. J. Vet. Res. 55: 976-981.Cole, R. A., D. S. Lindsay, B. L. Blagburn and J. P. Dubey, 1994. Characterization of a murine monoclonal antibody against Neospora caninum tachyzoites by Western blot analysis and immunoelectron microscopy. Amer. J. Vet. Res. 55:1717-1721.Cole, R. A., D. S. Lindsay, J. P. Dubey, B. L. Blagburn, 1995. Canine vertical transmission of Neospora caninum. J. Parasitol. 81: 208-211.Lindsay, D. S., S. Lenz, R. A. Cole, J. P. Dubey and B. L. Blagburn, 1995. Neospora caninum infections in BALB-C mice, J. Parasitol. 81: 313-315.Cole, R. A., D. S. Lindsay, B. L. Blagburn, and J. P. Dubey, 1995. Vertical transmission of Neospora caninum in mice. J. Parasitol. 81: 730-732.**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.