Investigating Microplastic in Clapper Rails
In late September, our Schubot members were out on an exciting field mission.
Ecology and Evolutionary Biology (EEB) graduate student Keith Andringa is investigating microplastic and contaminant burdens in Clapper Rails (Rallus crepitans) along the Texas coast as part of his PhD research. These secretive marsh birds are notoriously hard to catch, but with the help and expertise of fellow Schubot members Mycha Van Allen (VIBS PhD student) and Tabitha Olsen (EEB PhD student), they were able to capture, band, and take physiological samples from three Clapper Rails during this trip!
Disclaimer: all birds were captured, sampled, and released under the proper state, federal, and university permits and approvals. Do not handle birds without proper permitting.
