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Fleas (Siphonaptera) Associated With Small Mammals Of Morocco Their Distribution And Host-Specificity, Michael W. Hastriter

Theses and Dissertations

A total of 9,936 fleas, representing 27 species, have been processed for study and identified. They were associated with 2,011 small mammals, representing 38 species, collected throughout Morocco from October 12, 1969 to July 20, 1970 by personnel of the Smithsonian Institution. Two species, Synosternus cleopatrae pyramidis (Rothschild and Xenopsylla ramesis (Rothschild), comprised 68 percent of the fleas collected. Two subspecies are described: Ctenophthalmus andorrensis opistolatus, ssp. n. and Ctenophthalmus russulae tangerensis, ssp. n.. There are three ecological subdivisions of Morocco: the coast and coastal plains, the Atlas Mountains, and the pre-saharan desert. Even though there is some overlap, the …

Factors Affecting The Population Of Raptorial Birds On Sauvie Island, Oregon, Jeffry Gottfried

Dissertations and Theses

This study is an analysis of the various factors affecting the population of raptorial birds on Sauvie Island, Oregon. A census of diurnal and nocturnal raptors was carried out along with an analysis of food habits. Once the major prey species were determined they were censused, and the effects of the land management practices on their numbers was investigated. In addition, 100 randomly selected nest boxes were sampled so as to determine the extent to which raptors were making use of them. Red-tailed hawk and Great Horned Owl nests were located.

It was found that four diurnal raptors and three …

The Hazards Of Secondary Poisoning From Zinc Phosphide To Selected Vertebrate Species, Herbert B. Bell

Masters Theses

The objectives of this study were to determine: (1) the effects of weather upon toxicity of grains treated with zinc phosphide, (2) the acceptance by prairie voles of weathered bait, (3) the LD₅₀ of zinc phosphide on selected rodent species, and (4) the potential hazard of secondary poisoning to predators fed prey poisoned with zinc phosphide.

The rate of loss of zinc phosphide from the bait vehicle was significantly greater during the first week of exposure than in the succeeding three weeks; approximately 34 and 31 percent of the toxic material was lost in April and November, respectively, during …

Geographic Variation In The Primary Burrowing Crayfish, Cambarus Dubius Faxon And Cambarus Carolinus (Erichson) (Decapoda: Astacidae) In Tennessee With Notes On Ecology And Life History, Joel P. Dewees

Masters Theses

An investigation of Cambarus dubius and Cambarus carolinus was made in Tennessee to evaluate morphological Variation found in populations of these species and to determine aspects of life history and ecology. Taxonomic position and history of C. carolinus and C. dubius was reviewed and discussed. Three clines or possible subspecies in C. dubius were indicated in Tennessee based on both qualitative and quantitative evidence including: width and length of areola, shape and size of chelae, rostrum, central projection, mesial process, and color.

C. dubius populations from northern West Virginia and southern Pennsylvania were significantly different from populations to the south. …

Morphologic Time Series From A Submarine Sand Ridge On The South Virginia Coast, John F. Mchone Jr.

OES Theses and Dissertations

Submarine sand ridges several km long locally merge southward into the U. S. Atlantic coastline. Shallow (< 8m) observations of -such a ridge at False Cape, Virginia, favor a modern hydraulic origin. Time series maps show the ridge to be paralleled by a landward trough of approximately equal volume. Ridge flanks are usually steeper on the trough side.

Northeasterly winds and waves generate a coast-parallel current which funnels southward into the trough scouring it out and providing sediments for ridge aggradation. The current may be organized as a helical flow cell or cells. Bottom currents converge southward along the ridge crest causing landward transport of traction load along the crest. The trough current eventually breaches the confining ridge at the head of the trough, cutting saddles with steeper seaward slopes and producing outlying sediment fans.

The ridge and trough rest obliquely …

A Contribution To The Knowledge Of Tennessee Crayfish, Raymond William Bouchard

Doctoral Dissertations

The state of Tennessee has 60 nominal species or sub-species of crayfish within its political boundary or in nearby tributaries that flow into the state. These crayfish reresent five genera. The genera Procambarus and Cambarus are further subdivided into subgenera to show phylogenetic relationships within the genus. Each species is listed under its generic or infrageneric category with the following information: (1) type locality, (2) location of type specimens, (3) range, (4) crayfish associates, (5) life history notes, (6) ecological data, and as needed (7) notes on taxonomic status or information not covered in any of the above six sections. …

Rooting And Wallowing Activities Of The European Wild Hog (Sus Scrofa) In The Mountains Of East Tennessee, Robert Christopher Belden

Masters Theses

European wild hog rooting and wallowing were studied in the mountains of East Tennessee in order to determine its seasonal, ecological, and altitudinal occurrence and extent.

From April, 1971, through March, 1972, the monthly occurrence and extent of European wild hog rooting and wallowing at different elevations and in different vegetation types were studied along established trails, and roads in three watersheds in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park (65.7 miles) and in three watersheds in the Tellico Wildlife Management Area, Cherokee National Forest (34.4 miles).

European wild hog rooting and wallowing were found to occur most frequently and most …

Helminths Of Sceloporus Lizards In The Great Basin And Upper Colorado Plateau Of Utah, Richard Carlyle Pearce

Theses and Dissertations

This study was prompted by the scarcity of information on helminths in Sceloporus lizards of Utah. It reports these worms and includes references to parasites of reptiles in the appendix. A microscopic examination of the coelom, mesenteries, liver, lungs, esophagus, stomach, and intestines of 55 lizards was made, but helminths were recovered only from stomachs and intestines. Examination of S. graciosus yielded Opchoristica scelopori, a cestode found in the duodenum, and Cyrtosomum penneri, C. readi, and C. heynemani, three nematodes of the cecum. The latter two are new nematodes for this host species. Examination of S. undulatus yielded three new …

Characterization Of Field Populations Of Magarites Pupillus (Gould) (Gastropoda, Prosobranchia), Stephen Craig Schroeter

Theses and Dissertations

Field populations of Margarites pupillus (Gould), a numerically abundant prosobranch mollusc occuring on rocky shores in Puget Sound, Washington, have previously received little autecological attention. Seawater table studios and SCUBA observations led to the following conclusions: Populations of Margarites are primarily subtidal. Population density and growth are directly related to algal canopy density. Algal canopy may function in reducing predator efficiency, Margarites populations have a 1:1 sex-reatio and no size dimorphism. Sexually mature individuals live for at least two years, and possibly more than four years.

Progesterone Levels In Cows Suspected Of Embryonic Mortality, Henry Hamilton Dowlen

Masters Theses

The competitive protein binding assay without chromatography was used to quantitate progesterone in the peripheral plasma of cows. The objective of this experiment was to estimate progesterone concentrations in cows suspected of experiencing embryonic mortality. Samples from 19 cows were assayed. The cows were divided into the following groups according to their estrous cycle length: (1) 20-22 days, (2) 26-32 days, (3) 40-69 days, and (4) pregnant.

Jugular vein blood samples were taken beginning 12 days after insemination. The blood sampling schedule was as follows: 12, 15, 17, 19, 21, 23, 26, 29, 32, 35, 38, 41, 44, 47, 58, …

The Effect Of The Number Of Pigs Per Pen On The Performance Of Growing-Finishing Swine, John Hodges Iii

Masters Theses

Data collected on 140 market hogs at the Knoxville Experiment Station, Knoxville, Tennessee, were used to determine the effect of the number of pigs per pen on performance of growing-finishing swine. In Trial I pigs were fed for an average of 108 days and in Trial II pigs were fed for an average of 91 days. In both trials pigs were fed in groups of 4, 6, 8, or 10 pigs per pen with space allowances of 23.8 square feet, 15.8 square feet, 11.9 square feet, or 9.5 square feet per pig, respectively.

Average daily gains in Trial I were …

Spiny Lobster Mariculture In The State Of Florida, W. Richard Boehmer

Theses and Major Papers

The purpose of this paper is to introduce the reader to the Florida spiny lobster, Panuluris argus; to show the economic potential for the mariculture of this species by exposing value and size of the U. S. spiny lobster market; to present Florida’s legal provisions for mariculture and how spiny lobster farming would be acceptable; to indicate the biological considerations for the rearing of spiny lobster larva and postlarva; and to introduce a general plan for the mariculture of spiny lobster, that considers the legal provisions of leasing wetlands in Florida and incorporates the biological considerations of spiny lobster.

Potential Of Pompano Mariculture In Florida, James Anthony Elias

Theses and Major Papers

Pompano mariculture is not an attempt to bridge the protein gap, but it has been initiated to provide a constant source of this highly desired marine fish. The current market for pompano is small, however, this has been attributed basically to its supply. It appears from the literature that T. carolinus has the most dominant market position since it has an excellent flavor and sports fishermen prefer it due to its fighting ability when hooked on light tackle. It appears from the published history of attempts to raise pompano, by Berry and Iversen, that one of the major problems in …

Some Aspects Of Conditioning Behavior In Rainbow Trout, Salmo Gairdneri, Reed E. Harris

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

Effects of exercise, social facilitation, and delayed conditioning after vi exercise on the learning behavior of 5 to 6-inch rainbow trout, Salmo gairdneri, was measured in a conditioned avoidance response apparatus. The conditioning schedule contained an intertrial interval between alternate presentations of conditioned (light) and unconditioned (shock) stimuli. This randomization eliminated learning losses found in a previous study. Mean percentage avoidance, the measurement of learning, did not decrease significantly during conditioning trials. Exercised fish learned avoidance better than did non-exercised fish. Mean percentage avoidance for fish exercised at 0.5 ft/sec was 66.3; at 1.0 ft/ sec, 1.5 ft/sec, and …

Tissue Mineral Imbalances In Cattle With Brisket Disease, Patricia H. Field

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

Twenty four cattle, six each of healthy cows and calves, and cows and calves with brisket disease, were obtained, examined and slaughtered. The concentrations of calcium, chloride, cobalt, copper, iron, magnesium, molybdenum, phosphorus, potassium, sodium and zinc; and percent absolute dry matter and percent ash were determined in tissues selected from the following: cardiac, hepatic, renal, osseous, whole blood and blood serum. In addition, certain physical and biological parameters were recorded for each animal. The results were analyzed as a 2 x 2 factorial, segregating the effects of age and brisket disease, and the age-disease interaction.

The following statistically significant …

An Analysis Of Stock Densities And Harvest Of The Cutthroat Trout Of The Snake River, Teton County, Wyoming, John W. Kiefling

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

An intensive creel census and marking program was conducted in 1969 and 1970 to make possible population estimates and estimates of harvest of cutthroat trout in the Snake River in Teton County, Wyoming. Stock density determinations made in one of the five study areas provided an estimate of 400 and 992 cutthroat trout, eight inches or more in length, per mile of stream in 1969 and 1970 respectively.

Harvest data provide an estimate of 5,207 and 5,903 cutthroat trout harvested in 1969 and 1970 respectively. The harvest estimates obtained in this study are not comparable to those made in 1967 …

A Taxonomic Study Of The Western Collared Lizard (Crotaphytus Collaris), Nathan M. Smith

Theses and Dissertations

The marked pattern and coloration which distinguish members of Crotaphytus collaris baileyi in its western range indicated a need to compare it to the collaris-complex consisting of C.c. auriceps, C.c. baileyi, and C.c. fuscus. Thirty-two external and sixteen cranial characters were measured on preserved specimens. Blood serum proteins were compared by disc gel electrophoresis. Cluster, canonical, and discriminant analyses were used to define population characteristics and areas of intergradation. Disc electrophoresis did not reveal consistent population differences. The western range of C.c. baileyi is restricted to Central Arizona. The Great Basin form from western Arizona, western Utah, southern Idaho, southeastern …

The Reproductive Biology Of The Leech Helobdella Stagnalis (Linnaeus) In Utah Lake, David L. Tillman

Theses and Dissertations

The reproductive biology of the brooding leech Helobdella stagnalis (Linnaeus) in Utah Lake was studied for an 18 month period from June 1970 to December 1971. In determining the annual reproductive cycle, the number of adult leeches carrying eggs or young were counted at weekly intervals during the reproductive season and monthly during the rest of the year. Gonadal staging data from histological sections were correlated with the field collection data. It was found that two broods of young were produced by the adult animals during the reproductive season. Continuous water temperatures were recorded at the study site throughout the …

The Effect Of Cow Weight , Fat Thickness And Body Measurements On The Subsequent Performance Of Her Calf, James Farley Murphey Iii

Masters Theses

The production of the maximum pounds of beef at weaning is a subject of utmost importance to Tennessee cattlemen. They have been striving to achieve this goal mainly through increased cow size. Therefore, the objectives of this study were to determine the relationship between cow size as measured by weight, fat and body dimension and the performance of her calf.

Over a five-year period, records were obtained on 411 Angus and 328 Hereford cows and their calves. In Analysis I, included data were taken in 1967 through 1970 on each cow and her calf. These data were used to determine …

The Relationship Of Intramuscular And Subcutaneous Fat To The Physical And Chemical Composition And The Organoleptic Properties Of Beef, Kadhim Abdul Ruhman Khalil

Doctoral Dissertations

One hundred and thirty-five steer and heifer carcasses were used to study the relationship of intramuscular and subcutaneous fat to the physical and chemical composition and to the organoleptic properties of beef. Steer carcasses ranging in USDA grade from high standard to high choice and heifer carcasses ranging from low to good to high choice were included.

A significant (P < 0.05) positive relationship existed between USDA carcass grade and taste-panel tenderness scores of 6-7-8th rib roasts. Grade, marbling and percent ether extract of longissimus dorsi muscle were each significantly (P < 0.05) related to juiciness scores of 6-7-8th rib roasts and club steaks. These relationships were not generally high and were somewhat inconsistent. Overall grade marbling or percent ether extract of l. dorsi muscle had almost the same influence on the east quality of beef. Eating quality was not significantly (P < 0.05) affected by fat thickness. For the 9-10-11th rib roasts from both sexes, percent separable fat was influenced more by fat thickness than by grade.

Percent protein content of cooked rib roasts had a significant positive influence on …

Reproduction And Hematology Of The Cache Elk Herd, Thomas B. Follis

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

The initial three years of a 10-year reproductive study of elk involved three major phases. A fourth was added because of convenience. Objective 1 was to ascertain pregnancy rates in yearling and mature elk by rectal palpation, associate these rates with subsequent fall cow/calf ratios, and to test concurrently an ultrasonic fetal heart detector. Rectally observed anatomical changes in gravid uteri of cattle were directly applicable to elk. Ultrasonic detections of pregnancies in elk and deer were unsuccessful.

Pregnancy rates in the 1969-70 winter of 100 and 0 percent, respectively, for 19 adult and five yearling elk were associated with …

The Effects Of Age And Induction On Cockroach Mixed Function Oxidase Activity And Cell Morphology, Richard L. Turnquist

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

Female American cockroaches showed definite age-dependent changes in levels of activity of the microsomal mixed function oxidase chain. Cytochrome P-450 levels, EPN-detoxication, and p-nitroanisole O-demethylation activities were very low in young adult insects but increased steadily reaching a peak at about 100 days in fat body and at about 90 days in midgut and hindgut. The activities then declined rapidly reaching levels of young insects at about 130 to 140 days of age. NADPH-NT-reductase activity was high in young insects and declined during the first few weeks of adult life. This activity too showed a peak at about …

An Economic Analysis Of Nitrogen And Phosphorus Fertilization On Several Utah Range And Meadow Sites, Thomas M. Quigley

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

Previous research has shown that rangeland forage production can be increased through fertilization. A study was conducted to determine if fertilization of various Utah range sites was economically feasible. Six range sites were selected for analysis. The addition of nitrogen increased forage production on three sites. Phosphorus had no effect in increasing production. Production functions of the form, Y = a + bN - cN² , where Y is pounds of forage per acre and N is pounds of nitrogen per acre, were estimated for both fall and spring applications. Using current prices of Y and N the optimum …

Ecology Of Aroga Websteri Clarke In Curlew Valley, Utah-Idaho, Reed L. Kirkland

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

The ecology, life history, and population dynamics of the sagebrush defoliator, Aroga websteri Clarke, were studied in the field and laboratory. The defoliator has one generation a year at the Curlew Valley site. It overwintered in the egg stage and passed through five larval instars. Ten parasite species attacked the defoliator at the study site. Four species, Orgilus ferus, Phaeogenes sp., Spilochalcis leptis, and Apanteles cacoeciae, contributed over 75 percent of the total incidence of parasitism. Parasitism ranged from 20 to 76 percent in 1971, but only ranged from 6 to 29 percent in 1972. This decrease …

The Bottom Fauna Of Fish Lake, Utah And Its Relationship To The Trout Fishery, Dennis L. Shirley

Theses and Dissertations

One-hundred and three bottom samples taken at Fish Lake, Utah from July, 1969 to June, 1970 were analyzed to determine the abundance, distribution, and standing crop of the bottom fauna species and to relate their availability to the amount of food eaten by the trout. Twenty-three taxa, representing three phyla and 19 families were collected. An amphipod, Gammarus limnaeus, in the littoral zone, and a tubificid worm, Rhyacodrilus coccineus, in the sublittoral and profundal zones, were the most abundant species. All 23 species were unevenly distributed in the littoral zone, whereas, only eight were found in the sublittoral and five …

Analysis Of Asexual Reproduction Dugesia Dorotocephala, Harvey Dee Mecham

Theses and Dissertations

Genetic control of decapitation-induced fission in planaria is mediated by stimulator and inhibitor molecules. Resolution of the two factors was accomplished by filtration chromatography of whole planaria extract. The stimulator (M.W. 2500 to 3500) was purified with ion exchange chromatography and increases the multiple fission rate. The inhibitor (M.W. 20,000 to 50,000) is non-dialyzable, heat labile and is inactivated unless kept frozen. Storage at 4°C results in a loss of inhibitory capacity with a concomitant stimulator increase, suggesting a protein-stimulator complex as the inhibitor. In light of a demonstrated animal intercommunication system, the inhibitor-stimulator complex is hypothesized as part of …

Nesting Of The White-Faced Ibis (Plegadis Chihi) Of Utah Lake, Kenichi David Kaneko

Theses and Dissertations

Information on the nesting of the White-faced Ibis (Plegadis chihi) in Utah County is presented for the first time. Nests built in hardstem bulrush (Sciprus acutus) settled from an average height of 120.8cm on June 9 to 93.6cm on June 27, 1971. Nest spacing ranged from 2m to 9m, averaging 4.6m. Invertebrates of the class Arachnida and the insect orders Coleoptera, Homoptera, Lepidoptera, and Thysanoptera were collected in a Berlese funnel. Average clutch size was 3.17. Egg length and width averaged 51.40mm X 36.75mm. Average volume was 36.93cc. In 21 study nests, 45.8 percent of the eggs hatched, beginning on …

Effects Of Initial Subcutaneous Fat, Grade, And Weight Of Feeder Heifers On Their Subsequent Feedlot Performance And Carcass Characteristics, David M. Rowland

Masters Theses

One hundred-eighty feeder heifers (150 Hereford, 29 Angus and one crossbred) of Choice, Good and Medium feeder grades were fed to determine the effects of initial subcutaneous fat thickness, feeder grade and initial weight on their feedlot performances and carcass quality and cutability. Heifers were purchased at graded feeder calf sales in East Tennessee.

After an adjustment period of three weeks, the heifers were fed corn silage ad libitum, treated at the time of ensiling with 10 pounds each of urea and ground limestone plus six pounds of concentrate per head per day, for 110 days, and then full-fed …

Small Rodent Populations And Biomass In Three Sagebrush Communities Of Rush Valley, Utah, David W. Nichols

Theses and Dissertations

Three desert Artemisia tridentata communities in Rush Valley, Utah were trapped for small rodents during the summer of 1970 in a mark-recapture study. Population densities were estimated using several indices for each population category. Animals were weighed and rodent biomass calculated for each species throughout the summer. Populations, biomass, and other data were then analyzed to gain a better understanding of A. tridentata community types of the Great Basin. Peromyscus maniculatus, Eutamias minimus, and Reithrodontomys megalotis were common to area 1. Peromyscus maniculatus, E. minimus, and Perognathus parvus were common to areas 2 and 3. The peak estimated standing crops …

Effects Of Hippocampal Lesions On Performance In A Shock Escape Task, George L. Reuthebuck

Morehead State Theses and Dissertations

Submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Arts in Psychology in the Graduate School of Morehead State University by George L. Reuthebuck on January 21, 1972.