College of Veterinary Medicine

Education:

D.V.M., University of Florida, 1985
Resident, Anatomic Pathology, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, 1987
Postdoctoral Study, Wildlife Diseases, University of Florida, 1991

Honors and Awards:

C. E. Cornelius Young Investigator Award, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Florida, 1997

Research Interests:

Epidemiology and Pathogenesis of Diseases Affecting Wetland Birds I am involved in the study of diseases of free-ranging wetland birds. Of particular interest are diseases that have population wide or regional effects and those that can be related to habitat alteration and management.

A survey of diseases of wading birds led me to two research areas. The first is a nematode (Eustrongylides ignotus) infection of herons and egrets that is particularly significant to nestlings. The epidemiology of this disease is focused around sources of nutrient pollution. Research into the life cycle of this parasite and habitat characteristics import to its transmission are ongoing. Mercury contamination of the food resources of the Everglades ecosystem has been another focus of research. I was able to document the effects of ecosystem relevant concentrations of methylmercury on various physiologic parameters.

Currently, most of my research revolves around the experimental introduction of whooping cranes (Grus americana) in central Florida. Background study of the diseases of sandhill cranes (Grus canadensis) in Florida and monitoring of diseases in released whooping cranes is underway. Of particular interest here is the epidemiology of eastern equine encephalitis, infectious bursal disease, and disseminated visceral

Selected Publications:

For Publications Extracted From Medline Click HERE

Kenow, K., K. Grasman, R. Hines, M. Meyer, A. Gendron-Fitzpatrick, M. Spalding, and B. Gray. 2007. Effects of methylmercury exposure on the immune function of juvenile common loons. Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry Volume 26, Number 7 in press. (July 2007).

Forrester, D. J., and M. G. Spalding. 2003. Parasites and diseases of wild birds in Florida. University Press of Florida, Gainesville, Florida, 1132 pp.

Spalding, M.G. and D. J. Forrester. 1993. Disease monitoring of free-ranging and released wildlife. Journal of Zoo and Wildlife Medicine 24: 271-280.

Coyner, D.F., M.G. Spalding, and D.J. Forrester. 2003. Epizootiology of Eustrongylides ignotus in Florida: transmission and development of larvae in intermediate hosts. Journal of Parasitology 89(2): 290-298.

Spalding, M.G., R. D. Bjork, G. V. N. Powell, and S. F. Sundlof. 1994. Mercury and cause of death in free-ranging great white herons. Journal of Wildlife Management 58: 735-739.

Spalding, M.G., C. T. Atkinson, and R. E. Carleton. 1994. Sarcocystis sp. in wading birds (Ciconiiformes) from Florida. Journal of Wildlife Diseases 30: 29-35.

Spalding, M.G., J.M. Kinsella, S.A. Nesbitt, M.J. Folk, and G.W. Foster. 1996. Helminth and arthropod parasites of experimentally introduced whooping cranes in Florida. Journal of Wildlife Diseases 32(1): 44-50.

Spalding, M. G., P. C. Frederick, H. C McGill, S. N. Bouton, and L. R. McDowell. 2000. Methylmercury accumulation in tissues and its effects on growth and appetite in captive great egrets. Journal of Wildlife Diseases 36(3): 411-422.

Spalding, M. G., P. C. Frederick, H. C. McGill, S. N. Bouton, L. Richey, I. M. Schumacher, C. G. M. Blackmore, and J. Harrison. 2000. Histologic, neurologic, and immunologic effects of methylmercury in captive great egrets. Journal of Wildlife Diseases 36(3): 423-435.

Spalding, M.G., C.A. Yowell, D.S. Lindsay, E.C. Greiner and J.B. Dame. 2002. Sarcocystis meningoencephalitis in a Northern Gannet (Morus bassanus). Journal of Wildlife Diseases 38(2): 432-437.