Four Northeast Texas Community College biology students wrapped up their fall semester research with new discoveries during a field trip to East Texas creeks and watersheds Nov. 6-7.
Students Ireland Fite, Emely Chavelas, Jordan Krumrie and Stephany Fuentes were joined by former NTCC students José Fuentes and Michael Rodriguez and their research mentor, Dr. Chris McAllister.
The group collected several species of fish, including warmouth, yellow bullhead, grass pickerel, green sunfish and bluegill sunfish, from Boggy Creek in Morris County. Their research revealed the presence of myxosporean parasites from the genera Myxobolus and Henneguya on the gills and skin of several fish species.
These findings are particularly significant because they represent the first reported occurrence of myxosporean parasites in fish from this region of Texas.
The students plan to continue their research in Biology 2389 during the Spring 2027 semester, with the goal of presenting their findings at a scientific conference in April and eventually publishing their work in scientific journals.
The project provides NTCC students with valuable hands-on research experience while contributing new information to the scientific understanding of fish parasites in East Texas. For more information about biology research opportunities at NTCC, contact Dr. McAllister at (903) 434-8286.
