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Using Environmental Dna And Occupancy Modeling To Examine Drivers Of Eastern Hellbender Extirpation And Sampling Method Efficiency In West Virginia, Sean Michael Wineland Jan 2018

Using Environmental Dna And Occupancy Modeling To Examine Drivers Of Eastern Hellbender Extirpation And Sampling Method Efficiency In West Virginia, Sean Michael Wineland

Theses, Dissertations and Capstones

Amphibian population declines and range constrictions are widespread but poorly understood. Effective conservation planning relies on accurate distribution data to develop a fundamental understanding of causal changes in species distributions. However, conventional detection methods for cryptic and elusive amphibians suffer from imperfect detection. Environmental DNA (eDNA) has emerged as an innovative and powerful conservation tool for detecting aquatic species presence; however comparative studies aimed at fully understanding eDNA detection probabilities are lacking. In this study, I used environmental DNA (eDNA) sampling methods and detailed historical records to identify drivers of extirpation and sampling method efficiency for an imperiled, long-lived giant …


Influence Of Developmental Stage, Habitat, And Captivity On Thecutaneous Bacterial Communities Of Eastern Hellbenders (Cryptobranchus Alleganiensis Alleganiensis) In West Virginia, Rachel Fern Arrick Jan 2018

Influence Of Developmental Stage, Habitat, And Captivity On Thecutaneous Bacterial Communities Of Eastern Hellbenders (Cryptobranchus Alleganiensis Alleganiensis) In West Virginia, Rachel Fern Arrick

Theses, Dissertations and Capstones

Microbes inhabit virtually all surfaces of multicellular animal hosts, with microbial cells outnumbering the hosts’ own cells 10:1. Symbiont microbes, collectively referred to as the microbiome, can have profound impacts on the metabolism, development, behavior, and disease resistance of their multicellular hosts. Because the community structure of symbiont bacteria can influence host health, the characterization of amphibian microbiomes is becoming an increasingly important tool for future conservation in the face of global amphibian declines. Eastern hellbenders are good candidates for a microbiome study because they have seen substantial declines in recent decades and learning more about the environmental and physiological …


A New Species Of Euscorpius Thorell, 1876 From Peloponnese, Greece (Scorpiones: Euscorpiidae, Gioele Tropea, Victor Fet, Aristeidis Parmakelis, Panayiota Kotsakiozi, Iasmi Stathi Jan 2016

A New Species Of Euscorpius Thorell, 1876 From Peloponnese, Greece (Scorpiones: Euscorpiidae, Gioele Tropea, Victor Fet, Aristeidis Parmakelis, Panayiota Kotsakiozi, Iasmi Stathi

Euscorpius

A new scorpion species, Euscorpius (Euscorpius) erymanthius sp. n., is described from Peloponnese, Greece (Erymanthos Mts.), based on genetic and morphological evidence. It is characterized by small size, light brown to reddish color, and a standard trichobothrial pattern (Pv = 8–9, et = 7–6, em = 4 and eb = 4). In a phylogeny based on multiple DNA markers, the new species groups close with E. corcyraeus Tropea et Rossi, 2012 from Corfu (Kerkyra) Island.


On Two Syntopic Species Of Euscorpius Thorell, 1876 (Scorpiones: Euscorpiidae) In And Nearby San Marco Fortress (Veneto, Italy): A Preliminary Investigation, Marco Colombo Jan 2016

On Two Syntopic Species Of Euscorpius Thorell, 1876 (Scorpiones: Euscorpiidae) In And Nearby San Marco Fortress (Veneto, Italy): A Preliminary Investigation, Marco Colombo

Euscorpius

The author found syntopic specimens of Euscorpius italicus and E. tergestinus inside and nearby an abandoned fortress in Verona Province, Veneto, Italy. This discovery highlights a possibility of coexistence of congeneric species not only in the same territory, as already observed, but also in the same habitat and microhabitat, bringing some interesting questions about interspecific competition within the genus Euscorpius.


The Population Structure Of Mesobuthus Gibbosus (Scorpiones: Buthidae) On Koufonisi Island (Central Aegean Archipelago, Greece), Dimitris Kaltsas, Moysis Mylonas Jan 2016

The Population Structure Of Mesobuthus Gibbosus (Scorpiones: Buthidae) On Koufonisi Island (Central Aegean Archipelago, Greece), Dimitris Kaltsas, Moysis Mylonas

Euscorpius

The population structure of Mesobuthus gibbosus was studied over 261 night-hours of sampling during 29 consecutive nights on Koufonisi Island (central Aegean Archipelago, Greece) using the capture-recapture method. The studied population proved to be the densest of all studied scorpion populations in chaparral or intertidal habitats of Mediterranean type ecosystems and even comparable to some populations of desert scorpion species. The negative influence of moon phase on the general activity of the species and synchronization in parturition were the main factors that caused the fluctuations in population density and therefore in the percentage of active scorpions.


The Effect Of Insularity On The Seasonal Population Structure Of Mesobuthus Gibbosus (Scorpiones: Buthidae), Dimitris Kaltsas, Iasmi Stathi, Moysis Mylonas Dec 2015

The Effect Of Insularity On The Seasonal Population Structure Of Mesobuthus Gibbosus (Scorpiones: Buthidae), Dimitris Kaltsas, Iasmi Stathi, Moysis Mylonas

Euscorpius

We compared the population structure of Mesobuthus gibbosus from autumn to mid-summer at two similar phryganic ecosystems, one in continental Greece (Thessalia, near Volos city) and one in insular Greece (eastern Crete). Data were collected monthly using the capture-recapture method. At both sites, density was low during the cold period and increased towards summer. During the samplings, only a small percentage of each population was present. Population density and co-occurrence of scorpions with scorpions or other animals was higher in Crete than in Volos, probably due to the higher inter- and intraspecific competition in Volos. The population structure of the …


Population Level Responses To Direct Application Liming In Gyrinophilus Porphyriticus, Shelby Renea Timm Jan 2015

Population Level Responses To Direct Application Liming In Gyrinophilus Porphyriticus, Shelby Renea Timm

Theses, Dissertations and Capstones

Direct application liming (DAL) has been used to neutralize acidified streams to restore aquatic biota. This mitigation technique has been used globally for decades, yet little data exist on its effects on amphibian populations. My study investigated the effects of liming on amphibians by measuring variability in life histories of larval Gyrinophilus porphyriticus. I collected larvae from six streams in the Monongahela National Forest, West Virginia. I examined the effects of DAL on age structure, and I failed to detect a treatment effect. I used ANCOVAs to examine differences in body condition, body size, and gape size. I observed that …


Sampling Considerations For Amphibian Surveys: Evaluating Risks Of Committing Type I And Type Ii Errors, Kelli Marie Herrick Jan 2015

Sampling Considerations For Amphibian Surveys: Evaluating Risks Of Committing Type I And Type Ii Errors, Kelli Marie Herrick

Theses, Dissertations and Capstones

Global amphibian declines pose a major threat to the world’s biodiversity. We examined the observation bias associated with volunteer based anuran surveys, such as the North American Amphibian Monitoring Protocol (NAAMP). We followed NAAMP protocol to examine if variation in the persons (1-3) in an observer unit affected observer error. We hypothesized that observation units with multiple observers have less observer bias and would better report anuran assemblages compared to single observers. Larger observer units had fewer incidences of false positive observations. Additionally, we attempted to determine which sampling method for the eastern hellbender (Cryptobranchus a. alleganiensis) had the highest …


Examining The Effects Of Liming On Gyrinophilus Porphyriticus With A Comparison Of Multiple Sampling Methods, Elise Marie Edwards Jan 2014

Examining The Effects Of Liming On Gyrinophilus Porphyriticus With A Comparison Of Multiple Sampling Methods, Elise Marie Edwards

Theses, Dissertations and Capstones

Environmental acidification is affecting stream-associated species around the globe. As a result, different management strategies have been implemented to deal with acidification resulting from acid rain and acid mine drainage. Adding limestone to streams attempts to reverse the effects of acidification. While liming increases the pH of many acidic environments, studies involving the effects of liming on different animal species have shown mixed results. In this study, I examined the effects of liming on Gyrinophilus porphyriticus (the Spring Salamander) abundance and I also determined the best method of detection for G. porphyriticus. From June 10th to September 1st 2013, I …


Filling In The Gaps In Phenology And Life History Of The Cumberland Plateau Salamander (Plethodon Kentucki), Robert C. Bowers Jan 2013

Filling In The Gaps In Phenology And Life History Of The Cumberland Plateau Salamander (Plethodon Kentucki), Robert C. Bowers

Theses, Dissertations and Capstones

The Cumberland Plateau Salamander, Plethodon kentucki, is a member of the Plethodon glutinosus complex comprising 16 sibling species, which are best differentiated by range. Few studies have been conducted to gain information on the natural history of P. kentucki. To alleviate this, two sites at Beech Fork State Park in Wayne County, West Virginia were used to study the salamander’s general life history with emphasis on reproduction, phenology, and population size. At each site, three 20m x 20m sample plots were arranged based on viability of the habitat for P. kentucki. Ground searches of all cover objects …


Dietary Preference Of The Queensnake (Regina Septemvittata), Timothy J. Brust Jan 2013

Dietary Preference Of The Queensnake (Regina Septemvittata), Timothy J. Brust

Theses, Dissertations and Capstones

The Queensnake (Regina septemvittata) is a small secretive water snake found throughout the eastern United States. Once common, their numbers have declined to the extent that they are now threatened throughout most of their range, largely the result of pollutant-based reduction in prey species. These snakes are assumed to eat molted crayfish exclusively. For some common crayfish species, molting happens only twice a summer during a two- week period. It has not been documented if Queensnakes eat anything besides crayfish on a regular basis. The purpose of this study was to determine the prey preference of Queensnakes with particular focus …


In Situ Infrared Videography Of Sand Scorpion Nighttime Surface Activity, Douglas D. Gaffin Aug 2011

In Situ Infrared Videography Of Sand Scorpion Nighttime Surface Activity, Douglas D. Gaffin

Euscorpius

Sand scorpions make burrows from which they emerge at night to seek mates and prey. Previous ecological studies have documented scorpion activities on the sand surface. Few studies, however, have videotaped scorpion movements in the context of understanding their sensory neurobiology. Our objective is to understand which signals guide scorpions as they emerge from and return to their burrows. Candidate stimuli include chemical trails, footsteps, celestial patterns, geomagnetic cues, humidity and/or temperature gradients, distinctive scents from the burrow, seismic echolocation, memory, or landmark orientation. We videotaped scorpions to learn whether they return to their burrows by the same path they …


The Importance Of Fallback Foods In Primate Ecology And Evolution, Paul J. Constantino, Barth W. Wright Nov 2009

The Importance Of Fallback Foods In Primate Ecology And Evolution, Paul J. Constantino, Barth W. Wright

Biological Sciences Faculty Research

The role of fallback foods in shaping primate ranging, socioecology, and morphology has recently become a topic of particular interest to biological anthropologists. Although the use of fallback resources has been noted in the ecological and primatological literature for a number of decades, few attempts have been made to define fallback foods or to explore the utility of this concept for primate evolutionary biologists and ecologists. As a preface to this special issue of the American Journal of Physical Anthropology devoted to the topic of fallback foods in primate ecology and evolution, we discuss the development and use of the …


Ecology And Morphological Comparison Between Rough Greensnakes (Opheodrys A. Aestivus) And Eastern Smooth Greensnakes (Opheodrys V. Vernalis) In West Virginia, Timothy Earl Baldwin Jan 2007

Ecology And Morphological Comparison Between Rough Greensnakes (Opheodrys A. Aestivus) And Eastern Smooth Greensnakes (Opheodrys V. Vernalis) In West Virginia, Timothy Earl Baldwin

Theses, Dissertations and Capstones

Since 1971, documented Rough Greensnake (Opheodrys aestivus) occurrences in West Virginia have declined from approximately 100 to less than 20 occurrences in the last 10 years. In contrast to the decline of Rough Greensnakes in WV, Smooth Greensnake (O. vernalis) populations appear to be stable over the same period of time. Historic sites from the West Virginia Biological Survey were cross referenced with habitat descriptions in published literature to establish research locations. One hundred nineteen Rough and Smooth Greensnakes were measured for snout-vent length and total body length, and of these, 78 were measured in detail for external head morphology …


The Natural History And Thermal Ecology Of A Population Of Spotted Turtles (Clemmys Guttata) And Wood Turtles (Glyptemys Insculpta) In West Virginia, Ariana N. Breisch Jan 2006

The Natural History And Thermal Ecology Of A Population Of Spotted Turtles (Clemmys Guttata) And Wood Turtles (Glyptemys Insculpta) In West Virginia, Ariana N. Breisch

Theses, Dissertations and Capstones

An ecological study was conducted from 19 March 2001 to 2 April 2003 on a population of Spotted Turtles (Clemmys guttata) and Wood Turtles (Glyptemys insculpta) in West Virginia. Live-trapping, mark-recapture, radio telemetry and temperature data logging techniques were used to gather information on morphometrics, capture success, movements, home range, behavior, and thermal regime during activity and over-wintering seasons. Twenty-one Spotted Turtles were captured 260 times. Population structure was 42.9% juvenile, 38.1% male, and 19.0% female. Mean home range was 0.52 ha. Fifty Wood Turtles were captured 230 times. Juveniles were 36%, and males and females were 32% each. Mean …


Natural History And Conservation Biology Of A Southern West Virginia Contour Surface Mine Reptile And Amphibian Community, Zachary James Loughman Jan 2005

Natural History And Conservation Biology Of A Southern West Virginia Contour Surface Mine Reptile And Amphibian Community, Zachary James Loughman

Theses, Dissertations and Capstones

During the 2004-2005 field seasons, natural history of a herpetofaunal community was studied on an abandoned contour surface mine in Eccles, Raleigh County, West Virginia. This study is the first natural history investigation of amphibian and reptile populations present on an abandoned mine site. Specific natural history parameters for each order on the mine were investigated to determine what effect the post mining landscape had on herpetofaunal communities. Pond breeding caudates population success was dependent on life history parameters. Anurans were efficient at re-colonization, with 12 of a possible 14 species collected on the mine site. Anuran diversity was linked …


An Ecological Study Of The Spotted Salamander, Ambystoma Maculatum, And Jefferson Salamander, A. Jeffersonianum, In West Virginia, Seth J. Myers Jan 2003

An Ecological Study Of The Spotted Salamander, Ambystoma Maculatum, And Jefferson Salamander, A. Jeffersonianum, In West Virginia, Seth J. Myers

Theses, Dissertations and Capstones

The movements of Spotted Salamanders, Ambystoma maculatum, and Jefferson Salamanders, A. jeffersonianum, in and out of an ephemeral wetland in West Virginia were monitored for one breeding season using a drift fence lined with funnel traps. Significant movements of A. jeffersonianum coincided with rainfall and maximum daily air temperatures reaching a minimum of 5° C. Significant movements of A. maculatum coincided with rainfall and maximum daily air temperatures of at least 10° C. A. jeffersonianum preceded A. maculatum to the breeding site. Males of both species preceded females. The mark-recapture estimate of A. maculatum is 67 males and 25 females. …


Intraintestinal Sites Of Infection For The Trematode Species Plagitura Salamandra Holl 1928 And Plagitura Parva Stunkard 1933 In Red-Spotted Newts Notopthalmus V. Viridescens (Rafinesque), Jeremy T. Clay Jan 2000

Intraintestinal Sites Of Infection For The Trematode Species Plagitura Salamandra Holl 1928 And Plagitura Parva Stunkard 1933 In Red-Spotted Newts Notopthalmus V. Viridescens (Rafinesque), Jeremy T. Clay

Theses, Dissertations and Capstones

The red-spotted newt, Notopthalmus v. viridescens (Rafinesque) is a common salamander in the eastern United States. Studies on the parasites are available, however these studies examined total parasite fauna. This study examines two species, Plagitura salamandra Holl 1928 and Plagitura parva Stunkard 1933 found in the small intestine of the red-spotted newt. A total of 225 newts was collected and examined for the two Plagitura species. No difference was found in prevalence of infection, mean intensity, SVL, and weight between male and female newts. Plagitura parva was found in 24.4 % of the newts while P. salamandra was found in …


Ecology And Natural History Of The Cow Knob Salamander, Plethodon Punctatus Highton, In West Virginia, Robert B. Tucker Jan 1998

Ecology And Natural History Of The Cow Knob Salamander, Plethodon Punctatus Highton, In West Virginia, Robert B. Tucker

Theses, Dissertations and Capstones

Very little has been written on the ecology and natural history of the Cow Knob salamander, Plethodon punctatus Highton, since it was described by Highton (1971). Plethodon punctatus is known only from the higher elevations of Great North (above 2,800 ft) and Shenandoah (above 3,000 ft.) Mountains in Virginia and West Virginia (Highton, 1972; Conant and Collins, 1991). The type locality is Cow Knob, Pendleton County, West Virginia. Plethodon punctatus is a large (up to 75 mm snout-to-vent length) dorso-ventrally flattened salamander with creamish iridiophore spots on the back and sides, webbed feet for a fossorial lifestyle, and large …


Life History, Ecology, And Low Ph Tolerance Of The Freshwater Prawn, Palaemonetes Kadiakensis Rathbun, In A Mitigated Wetland Of The Green Bottom Wildlife Management Area, West Virginia, Jennifer Ann Aderman Jan 1998

Life History, Ecology, And Low Ph Tolerance Of The Freshwater Prawn, Palaemonetes Kadiakensis Rathbun, In A Mitigated Wetland Of The Green Bottom Wildlife Management Area, West Virginia, Jennifer Ann Aderman

Theses, Dissertations and Capstones

An ecological life history study of the freshwater prawn Palaemonetes kadiakensis was conducted at the mitigated wetland of the Green Bottom Wildlife management Area (GBWMA). Monthly samples were collected from November 1996 through November 1997. In addition, weekly samples were collected from May through November for growth and reproductive analysis. Monthly samples yielded 520 prawns. Palaemonetes kadiakensis had a one-year life cycle, with all adults dying by September. Males averaged 23.82 mm (range = 14.15 to 36.75 mm) and females averaged 26.78mm (range = 15.06 to 38.60 mm) in length. Males averaged 0.087g (range = 0.014to 0.293 g) and females …


Ecological Life History Of Crangonyx Pseudogracilis Bousfield (Crustacea: Amphipoda) In The Green Bottom Wildlife Management Area, Cabell County, West Virginia, Andrea Leigh Henry Jan 1997

Ecological Life History Of Crangonyx Pseudogracilis Bousfield (Crustacea: Amphipoda) In The Green Bottom Wildlife Management Area, Cabell County, West Virginia, Andrea Leigh Henry

Theses, Dissertations and Capstones

Although the genus Crangonyx has been studied in the Appalachian area, most of this work has concentrated on subterranean species. A Crangonyx pseudogracilis population from the Green Bottom Wildlife Management Area (GBWMA), Cabell County, West Virginia was sampled weekly from March 1995 through July 1996 to investigate the ecological life history of the amphipod. A total of 1508 amphipods were collected. Amphipods were present in the study sites from November through July, at which time they migrated to deeper waters. Crangonyx pseudogracilis had a one year life cycle and bred from November to May. Adult amphipods began to die off …


Diet And Growth Of Larval And Juvenile Grass Pickerel, Esox Americanus Vermiculatus, And Central Mudminnow, Umbra Limi, In The Green Bottom Wildlife Management Area, Cabell County, West Virginia, Erica Midkiff Jan 1997

Diet And Growth Of Larval And Juvenile Grass Pickerel, Esox Americanus Vermiculatus, And Central Mudminnow, Umbra Limi, In The Green Bottom Wildlife Management Area, Cabell County, West Virginia, Erica Midkiff

Theses, Dissertations and Capstones

The grass pickerel, Esox americanus vermiculatus, is listed as Undetermined on the Vertebrate Species List of Concern in West Virginia. The central mudminnow, Umbra limi, is a disjunct population in Green Bottom Swamp. The lentic, vegetated areas that are required for spawning for the grass pickerel and the central mudminnow have been reduced by residential, agricultural, and industrial developments. Green Bottom Swamp, a naturally occurring wetland of 58 ha, and a nearby mitigated wetland of 29 ha, provides spawning habitat for the grass pickerel and the mudminnow. Fishes were collected in beds of Potamogetan crispus and Ceratophyllum demursum …


Aspects Of The Ecology Of The Wood Turtle, Clemmys Insculpta (Leconte), In West Virginia, Allan J. Niederberger Jan 1993

Aspects Of The Ecology Of The Wood Turtle, Clemmys Insculpta (Leconte), In West Virginia, Allan J. Niederberger

Theses, Dissertations and Capstones

An ecological study of the wood turtle, Clemmys insculpta (LeConte), was conducted in West Virginia from May 1991 to March 1993. Population structure at the primary study area (WV #1) was estimated to be 46% juvenile (H-8 yrs. old), 26% female and 28% male. Total population estimate for WV #1 was 337 wood turtles, with an aquatic density of 1,980 turtles per Hectare of river and a terrestrial density of 22.5 turtles per ha of terrestrial habitat. Growth measurements and estimates indicate rapid initial growth tapering off at year 8 and gradually declining through year 16. Males grow slightly faster …


An Ecological Study Of The Cumberland Plateau Salamander, Plethodon Kentucki Mittleman, In West Virginia, Jeffrey E. Bailey Jan 1992

An Ecological Study Of The Cumberland Plateau Salamander, Plethodon Kentucki Mittleman, In West Virginia, Jeffrey E. Bailey

Theses, Dissertations and Capstones

A study was conducted to determine various aspects of the ecology of Plethodon kentucki in West Virginia. Results of studies on range and distribution revealed that P. kentucki is limited to southwestern counties in West Virginia. A population of P. kentucki at Beech Fork State Park was extremely seasonal with regard to activity. Seasonal activity was not significantly correlated with air temperature, soil temperature, air relative humidity, or soil pH. Seasonal activity was significantly correlated with soil moisture. Critical Thermal Maxima and dehydration values were not significantly different between f· kentucki and its congener, P. glutinosus, thus each is equally …


A Taxonomic And Distributional Study Of The Adult Caddisflies Of The Family Leptoceridae (Insecta: Trichoptera) Of West Virginia, James B. Glover Jan 1988

A Taxonomic And Distributional Study Of The Adult Caddisflies Of The Family Leptoceridae (Insecta: Trichoptera) Of West Virginia, James B. Glover

Theses, Dissertations and Capstones

A survey of the adult Leptoceridae of West Virginia revealed 27 species, 25 of which were state records. The most abundant genus in the state was Ceraclea which had ten different species. Triaenodes had six different species, while Oecetis had five. The most common species in the state included C. cancellatus, C. maculate, O. avara, and O. inconspicua. Species that were abundant only in the larger rivers of the western portion of the state included C. flava, C. maculata, Nectopsyche pavida, and T. ignita. C. neffi seemed to be most abundant in the higher elevations of the east. Ceraclea ophioderus, …


A Taxonomic And Distributional Study Of The Crayfishes (Decapoda: Cambaridea) Of West Virginia With Diagnostic Keys To Species Of The Genera Cambarus And Orconectes, Steven M. Lawton Jan 1979

A Taxonomic And Distributional Study Of The Crayfishes (Decapoda: Cambaridea) Of West Virginia With Diagnostic Keys To Species Of The Genera Cambarus And Orconectes, Steven M. Lawton

Theses, Dissertations and Capstones

This thesis is the first extensive investigation of West Virginia's crayfishes since Newcombe (1929) surveyed the state's fauna 50 years ago. Records, collections, and specimens were obtained from the 7 drainage areas of the state. Crayfish were collected from early spring through the fall of 1978. Both aquatic species and burrowers were included in the study. Presently, seventeen species and subspecies are known to exist in West Virginia. The genus Cambarus contains 10 of the total species of which three are primary burrowers. Cambarus nerterius, from the cavernous Greenbrier and Pocahontas counties of the Greenbrier River drainage, is the state's …


The Intestinal Platyhelminths Of Southwestern And Central West Virginia Amphibia And Relationships Between The Degree Of Infestation And Habitat Of Amphibians And Sex Of Host, Stanley B. Mills Jan 1977

The Intestinal Platyhelminths Of Southwestern And Central West Virginia Amphibia And Relationships Between The Degree Of Infestation And Habitat Of Amphibians And Sex Of Host, Stanley B. Mills

Theses, Dissertations and Capstones

In April and May, 1977, 397 (14 species) amphibians were collected from southwestern and central West Virginia and examined for parasites. Five species of trematodes and two species of cestodes were found from 93 hosts. The total of 397 amphibians was subdivided, for convenience, into six categories of amphibians; aquatic male and female, terrestro-aquatic male and female, and terrestrial male and female. Nine of 24 (37.5%). female aquatic amphibians was the highest incidence found, while terrestro-aquatic females contained the highest mean number (6.0) worms per incidence, and parasite loads of host. Hosts, each platyhelminth specimen are given.


Comparative Ecological, Morphological, And Behavioral Studies Of The Southern Blacknose Dace, Rhinichthys Atratulus Obtustjs Agassiz, And The Eastern Blacknose Dace, Bhinichtbis Atbatulus Atra'fulus (Hermann), In High And Low Altitude Streams In West Virginia And Virginia, Michael L. Little Jan 1972

Comparative Ecological, Morphological, And Behavioral Studies Of The Southern Blacknose Dace, Rhinichthys Atratulus Obtustjs Agassiz, And The Eastern Blacknose Dace, Bhinichtbis Atbatulus Atra'fulus (Hermann), In High And Low Altitude Streams In West Virginia And Virginia, Michael L. Little

Theses, Dissertations and Capstones

Comparative ecological, aorphological, and behavioral studies of the southern blaeknose dace, Rhiniohthys atratulus obtusus Agassiz, and the eastern blaokaose dace, B.hiniohtpys atratulus atratulus (Heraann), were made in high and low altitude streaas in West Virginia and Virginia. Statistical comparisons of the morphology of a. a.atratulus and R-.a.-obtusus showed no reliable body character that differentiated the two subspecies. Statistical tests indicated an intergrading population in Gandy Creek, a tributary of the Cheat River, in West Virginia. This was further substantiated by collecting males of the atratulus phenotype along with males of the native obtusus phenotype in adjacent sections of Gandy Creek. …