Dr. Chris McAllister, NTCC Biology, and Biol. 2389 students, Xenia Esparza, Estefani Garcia, Cecilia Phan, and José Fuentes traveled to the Ouachita Mountains Biological Station in Big Fork, Arkansas, Feb. 13-15, 2026 and conducted research on vertebrate parasites.
Some noteworthy findings from the very cold spring-fed streams included a new myxosporean on the gills of a northern hogsucker (host photo below), a potentially new myxosporean on the gills of a largemouth bass, a new state record for a leech species from a stoneroller (photo), and miscellaneous parasites from other fishes. Students will have the opportunity to go Black Rock, Arkansas, over spring break to conduct parasitological research on big river fishes from the Black River collected by a local commercial fisherman.
For more information about biology research opportunities at NTCC, contact Dr. McAllister at (903) 434-8286.
