Digital Commons Network^™

Evaluation Of Three Potential Methods For Preventing The Spread Of The Salmon Louse, Lepeophtheirus Salmonis (Kreyer, 1837), Micheal Pietrak

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Lepeophtheirus salmonis or salmon lice infections are one of the most prevalent parasitic infections in the salmon aquaculture industry. Salmon lice cause an estimated loss of 3% of the production of Maine's salmon industry annually. Within the State of Maine only a portion of the farm sites experience salmon lice infections on an annual basis, while some sites have never had infections of Lepeophtheirus salmonis. Because of the potential impact that salmon lice infections could mean to those areas that to date have been fiee of L. salmonis infections, there has been concern both on the part of the State …

Evolution Of Lake Malawi Cichlid Fishes (Perciformes: Teleostei), Peter F. Smith

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The cichlid fish species flocks of East Africa provide a compelling model system in which to study the process of speciation. In Lake Malawi, greater than 1000 species of cichlids have emerged since the filling of the lake basin about 1 million years ago. Over 99% of the Lake Malawi haplochromine cichlids are endemic, suggesting that most of this diversification has taken place within the temporal and spatial boundaries set by the Lake's shores. Moreover, many of these species are endemic to small areas within the lake, indicating that speciation has occurred very recently or perhaps is in progress in …

Two Bioeconomic Studies On Haddock Culture: Live Feed And Juvenile Production, Kate M. Waning

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The State of Maine is reliant upon its natural resources. Wild catches of marine finfish, especially ground fish such as cod and haddock, are declining. In addition, several new restrictions have been placed on the culture of Atlantic salmon due to its listing under the Endangered Species Act. These issues serve as an impetus to explore the development of alternative species for cold-water marine aquaculture. This research focuses on early haddock culture. The two areas where haddock culture varies from production of other species are the need for live feeds and proximity to seawater. Unlike salmon, haddock spend their entire …

The Effect Of Temperature On The Development, Growth And Survival Of Atlantic Cod (Gadus Morhua) During Early Life-Histories, Adrian Jordaan

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

For poikilothennic animals, and in particular those that inhabit aquatic habitats, temperature has a significant effect on all life processes. The purpose of this research was to investigate the contribution of temperature on embryonic development and survival and its effect on vital rates. Of particular interest was what aspect(s) of egg and larval life-histories are most affected by temperature and what consequence temperature effects may have on cumulative mortality. Three batches of Atlantic cod (Gadus morhua) eggs were acquired from a Newfoundland source of adult broodstock held at 4555°C. The eggs were divided andacclimated to four constant temperature regimes at …

Modeling The Role Of No-Take Marine Reserves In Fisheries Management, Deidre F. Gilbert

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

In recent years there has been increasing interest in the potential of no-take marine reserves to benefit fisheries management. Scientific reviews have shown that reserves often lead to substantial increases in the density, biomass, size and diversity of marine fishes inside their boundaries. However, little empirical work has been done to determine the effect of reserves on the fisheries outside their boundaries, such as potential changes in yield, size of fleet, or variability in catch. In order to explore the interaction between the biological growth and dispersion processes of the harvested stock and the changing economic incentives of harvesters created …

A New Apex Predator In The Gulf Of Maine? Large, Mobile Crabs (Cancer Borealis) Control Benthic Community Structure, Amanda V. Leland

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Apex predators can control community structure by preying on strongly interacting species at lower trophic levels. Fishing of apex predators in the marine realm often results in herbivore dominated systems. In the Gulf of Maine, coastal subtidal communities became dominated by grazing green sea urchins (Strongylocentrotus droehachiensis) following the extirpation of large, predatory groundfish from coastal zones. Subsequent depletion of sea urchins since the late 1980s functionally eliminated this dominant herbivore from vast regions. Sea urchin recruitment is low or nonexistent in communities dominated by fleshy algae that have developed since the decline of sea urchin populations. We hypothesized that …

Systematics Of The Cumacea (Crustacea), Pilar A. Haye

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Cumaceans are small benthic crustaceans. They have a marine cosmopolitan distribution with diversity increasing with depth. There are approximately 1,400 described species of cumaceans. Despite the fact that they offer a good model for the study of morphological evolution and biogeography, the studies on the Order Cumacea are almost restricted to work at the alpha taxonomy level. This thesis contributes to the systematics of Cumacea. The phylogenetic relationships within the Cumacea were studied using newly obtained partial amino acid sequences from the mitochondria1 gene Cytochrome Oxidase I. Among other findings, phylogenetic analyses revealed that the families Bodotriidae, Leuconidae, and Nannastacidae, …

The Effect Of A Predator Gradient On Female Oviposition Site Selection And Larval Performance, Josef F. Rieger

Biological Sciences Theses & Dissertations

Patterns of larval amphibian distribution and abundance have historically been ascribed to direct predation. However, adult oviposition site selection is an alternative mechanism that can produce identical patterns and significantly influence community assembly. Although such behavioral habitat selection has been documented in several amphibian species whose larvae lack particular anti-predator defenses, the sensitivity of adult amphibians in detecting predator cues and avoiding these habitats has not yet been determined. If larval survivorship is greatly reduced in sites containing predatory fish, selection to detect and avoid habitats with low fish densities should be strong. I conducted three experiments which, (1) evaluated …

A Pilot Study To Test Ventless Traps As A Means To Quantify Populations Of The American Lobster (Homarus Americanus), Carin Louise Poeschel

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The American lobster, Homarus americanus, is Maine's most valuable marine fishery. The state of Maine has an economic interest in the protection of this resource. The health of this industry depends on effective management for sustainability. However, there is little quantitative information on American lobsters less than harvestable size. A study was conducted to evaluate the utility of traps modified to catch sublegal lobsters. With the aid of fishernlen fiom six of the eight Maine coastal counties over a four-month time period (July through October, 2000), data were recorded to compare catch rates in experimental traps with no escape vents …

An Examination Of The Georges River Clam Management Program, Kristin E. Togue Brawn

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

This thesis examines the Georges River Clam Management Program, a multi-town interlocal harvesting and management plan in mid-coast Maine. It discusses relevant economic and communal action theory, and examines their application to the development of the program. Chapter 1 reviews the purposes and methods of the study. Chapter 2 reviews the relevant clam biology necessary to understand the principles of soft-shell clam management. Chapters 3 and 4 provide the history and background of clam harvesting and management in Maine. Chapter 5 discusses the Georges River Program, including the factors that led to its development and the details of its organization …

Relationships Between Stream Geomorphology And Fish Community Structure And Diversity In Maine, Emily Gaenzle

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Predicting patterns in species distribution and abundance for resource management and conservation is a major focus of applied ecology. The primary objective of this study was to determine if there is a predictable relationship between stream geomorphology and fish community structure, native species richness, and native salmonid abundance in Maine. Specifically, I examined relationships between fish assemblages and geomorphic stream types, as delineated by the Rosgen classification system (Rosgen 1996). Fifty-three stream reaches in Maine were classified, and fish communities within the reaches were characterized using backpack electrofishing. Species richness was lowest in A-type streams (i.e., steep, entrenched, confined), which …

An Assessment Of Methods For Testing The Reliability Of Wildlife Occurrence Models Used In Gap Analysis, Sandra M. Schaefer

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Habitat association models designed to predict species occurrence are often tested by comparing predictions to field observations. Two types of error are then reported, omission (Yo of species not predicted but present on a site) and commission (% of species predicted but not present on a site). The purpose of this research was to assess the Maine Gap Analysis vertebrate predictions using the traditional site-specific approach and to determine what factors influence the amounts of error reported. I also developed a species-specific approach for testing the accuracy of the vertebrate predictions and compared these results to the site-specific method. When …

Systematics Of Northeastern Meadow Vole (Microtus Pennsylvanicus) Subspecies, With Empasis On The Island Endemic (M. P. Shattucki, Howe 1901) In Penobscot Bay, Maine, Jennifer Marie Lowry

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The Penobscot meadow vole (Microtus pennsylvanicus shattucki) (PMV) is an insular subspecies of meadow vole (M. pennsylvanicus) inhabiting the islands of North Haven, Islesboro, and Tumbledown Dick in Penobscot Bay, Maine. It is one in a suite of island meadow vole subspecies which has been described from southern New England through eastern Canada. The subspecific recognition of M. p. shattucki, along with the others in this group, was solely based on a univariate analysis of a few morphological characters, which has fostered debate about the validity of the subspecies. Despite this uncertainty, the taxonomy is …

Evaluation Of Carfentanil And Xylazine For Immobilization Of White-Tailed Deer, Bradley F. Miller

Masters Theses

From October 2001 until January 2002 captive wild white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus) held at the University of Georgia Daniel B. Warnell School of Forest Resources Whitehall Deer Research Facility were immobilized with a combination of carfentanil (carfentanil citrate) and xylazine (xylazine hydrochloride) to 1) determine and evaluate an optimum and safe dose for carfentanil/xylazine in white-tailed deer and 2) compare immobilization parameters and physiological effects of carfentanil/xylazine to Telazol®/xylazine. Animals were given intramuscular injections of 10 mg of xylazine and one of four different levels of carfentanil 0.5, 1.0, 1.5, and 2.0 mg. A carfentanil dose of 1.2 …

Ruffed Grouse Nesting Ecology And Brood Habitat In Western North Carolina, Jennifer L. Fettinger

Masters Theses

Ruffed grouse (Bonasa umbellus) population densities are lower in the southern Appalachians compared to more northern parts of grouse range. Southern forests lack an aspen (Populus spp.) forest component, which provides year-round habitat in the North. The absence of aspen and low productivity have been cited as possible causes for low grouse densities in the southern Appalachians. In addition, habitat quality in the eastern United States may be decreasing as forests mature. These factors contribute to concerns that the region may be experiencing long-term ruffed grouse population declines. Productivity and breeding habitat must be characterized to foster …

The Effects Of Raw Soybeans, T-2 Mycotoxin And Their Interaction On The Performance, Immunocompetence, And Reproduction Of Bobwhite Quail (Colineus Virginianus), Clarivel Hernandez-Bobonis

Masters Theses

These experiments were conducted to determine if there is a negative effect of raw soybeans, T-2 toxin and their interaction on performance, immunocompetence and reproduction of bobwhite quail. Birds were fed diets, containing 0, 20, 40 or 60% raw soybeans and orally dosed with 0, 9 or 12 mg T-2 toxin per kg body weight. Mortality, food consumption and body weight gain were recorded for performance analysis. Birds were bled seven days before first T-2 toxin treatment, 24 hours after each treatment and two weeks after last treatment. Total white blood cells (WBC) and percentage WBC were counted from this …

Status Of The Black Bear In Southwestern Alabama, Andrew Sean Edwards

Masters Theses

Black bears (Ursus americanus floridanus) once were abundant throughout Alabama (Hall 1981), but today sightings of bears are common only in the extreme southwestern portion of the state. The objectives of my study were to determine the distribution of black bears in southwestern Alabama, estimate basic demographic parameters, and evaluate their habitat needs. To determine bear distribution I established and monitored 168 bait stations within the study area from 1998 to 2000. Baits were checked for bear activity at approximately weekly intervals. In areas where bear presence was detected I trapped from 22 October--20 November 1998, 22 June--4 …

The Effects Of Egg Positioning On Broiler Breeder Eggs During Incubation On Hatchability And Chick Weight, Brian Tyler Thompson

Honors Theses

No abstract provided.

Research Protocol For The Atlantic Bottlenose Dolphin (Tursiops Truncatus): Mirage Click Collection Study, Adrienne M. Cardwell

UNLV Theses, Dissertations, Professional Papers, and Capstones

Past research on dolphin echolocation has shown that dolphins can adaptively control the frequency and amplitude of echolocation clicks. The degree to which click production is controlled and the relationship between click variation and echolocation task remains uncertain. This thesis describes a research protocol for studying the adaptive control of dolphin echolocation. The protocol builds on past studies to investigate the manner in which the spectral characteristics of clicks and the overall number of clicks produce for a given task vary in relation to the type of task being performed.

The Effects Of Albumen Removal On Broiler Breeder Eggs Prior To Incubation On Hatchability And Chick Weight, Charles Sutcliffe

Honors Theses

No abstract provided.

Movement Patterns Of Phrynosoma Mcallii And Phrynosoma Platyrhinos In Response To Substrate Texture, Daniel H. Foley Iii

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

During the summers of 1999 and 2000 the apparent habitat partitioning of two species of sympatric horned lizards was investigated at the Barry M. Goldwater Bombing Range near Yuma, Arizona. The flat-tailed horned lizard, Phrynosoma mcallii, and the desert horned lizard, P. platyrhinos, overlap in range in portions of the Sonora desert in the southwestern United States. However, upon finer scale examination, it appeared that these horned lizards were partitioning the available habitat according to soil substrate texture. Phrynosoma mcallii appeared to be exclusively found in areas of fine, loose, wind-blown sands, in contrast to P. platyrhinos, …

Coyote Foraging Ecology, Vigilance, And Behavioral Cascades In Response To Gray Wolf Reintroduction In Yellowstone National Park, T. Adam Switalski

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

Vigilance behavior can aid in the detection of predators and may also play a role in observation of conspecifics, in food acquisition, and in the prevention of kleptoparasitism. However, in most occasions, vigilance is most important as an antipredator function. Generally, factors that increase the risk of predation also increase the amount of vigilance. We examined whether the reintroduction of the large predator, the wolf, in Yellowstone National Park (YNP) would influence coyote vigilance and foraging ecology. From December 1997 to July 2000, we collected 1743 h of coyote activity budgets. Coyote home ranges occurred within wolf territories (termed high-use …

Factors Affecting The Harvest Vulnerability Of Trumpeter Swans, Heidi L. Tangermann

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

Two species of swan are regularly found in Utah, tundra swans (Cygnus columbianus) and trumpeter swans (Cygnus buccinator). Tundra swans migrate through Utah. During the fall migration period they are hunted in the state under guidelines established by the United States Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS). Trumpeter swans are occasional visitors to Utah during the same migration period. Because trumpeter swans are difficult to distinguish from tundra swans in flight, they 11 are at risk of being harvested during the swan hunt. In my thesis, I examine the factors that may influence trumpeter swan vulnerability to …

Physiological Importance Of 1,25(Oh)2D3 Membrane-Initiated And Nuclear Actions In Chickens As A Function Of Growth, And Maturation In Male And Female Chickens, Birgitta Larsson

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

It is well established that l,25(OH)₂D₃ is a major regulator of calcium homeostasis. The steroid exerts its effects on its target organs by two mechanisms, a slow mechanism mediated by nuclear vitamin D receptors (nVDR), and a rapid mechanism mediated by the l,25(OH)₂D₃ membrane-associated rapid response steroid binding protein (l,25D₃-MARRS bp). In this dissertation, the physiological relevance of membrane initiated steroid signaling was investigated by studying the correlation of age in male and female chickens with the magnitude of responses to l,25(OH)₂D₃ in duodena from 7-, 14-, 28-, and …

Rapid Actions Of 1,25-Dihydroxyvitamin D3 On Phosphate Uptake In Isolated Chick Intestinal Cells, Bin Zhao

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D₃ [1,25(OH)₂D₃] has been shown to promote phosphate transport rapidly in the perfused duodenal loop, relative to controls, reaching treated/av basal at T = 40 min = 1.82 ± 0.42 and 1.11 ± 0.21, respectively.

By using isolated chick enterocytes, studies were undertaken to determine whether 1,25(OH)₂D₃ has a direct effect on isolated intestinal cells that is manifested by either enhanced uptake or extrusion of phosphate.

In time course studies, with 4- to 8-wk-old chicks, ³²P uptake in enterocytes at 10 min after addition of test substance was 0%, 130%, …

Overcoming Transaction Cost Impediments To Resolving The Dilemma Of Collective Action In The New England Fisheries, William J. Brennan

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Management of many global marine fisheries have faltered under science-based government-sponsored management regimes. While the result has often been biological stock failures and consequent socio-economic problems, there are instances where enhanced conservation efforts have led to fishery management success. Studies of New England fisheries reveal that the relative success of fishery management can be explained in terms of the interaction between the fishing industry and the government, the relative power of each in the fishery management exchange, the degree to which information and perceptions about the fishery are comparable, the scale and complexity of the fishery to be managed, and …

Marine Protected Areas In The Gulf Of Maine: Policy For A Common Resource, Carolyn F. Skinder

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

In the wake of 25 years of unsuccessful single-fisheries management in the Gulf of Maine, there has been growing support for reform. Ecosystem management has been proposed as one alternative, but the information needed to manage whole ecosystems is greatly lacking. Implementing fully-protected marine protected areas (MPAs) is one way to preserve habitat while at the same time acquiring data for future ecosystem management. Under the current institutional arrangement in the Gulf, engineering agreement for MPAs is difficult due to the differing goals of varied user groups. The situation is reflective of a common property resource problem in that there …

Characterizing The Transfer Of Bacterial Antibiotic Resistance Genes Across Generations Of Swine, Kimberly Nakia Garner

Masters Theses

Sows and pigs were used to characterize the origin, transfer and persistence of bacterial resistance in swine. Effects of sow’s previous exposure to antibiotics and subsequent use of antibiotics in their pigs on antibiotic resistance of Salmonella enterica Typhimurium, Enterococcus faecalis, and E. coli were determined. Eight pregnant sows were divided into two groups, with four sows receiving oxytetracycline and four sows receiving no antibiotics. Fecal samples were obtained from sows prior to antibiotic exposure, and at 1- week intervals until pigs were weaned. Weaned pigs were challenged with Salmonella Typhimurium containing a nalidixic acid. Pigs from each sow …

Abundance And Density Of Florida Black Bears In Okefenokee National Wildlife Refuge And Osceola National Forest, Steven T. Dobey

Masters Theses

The Florida black bear (Ursus americanus floridanus) exists as 7 relatively disjunct populations in Alabama, Florida, Georgia, and possibly Mississippi. In 1974, the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission listed the Florida black bear as threatened statewide because of habitat loss and illegal killing. Although the species has not been afforded federal protection, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is currently involved in a lawsuit over this issue. Although a judge's decision is still pending in the case, the earlier ruling by the USFWS could be reversed and the Florida black bear would be granted federal protection as …

Winter Ecology Of Cooper’S Hawks On Ames Plantation, Tennessee, Laura A. Lake

Masters Theses

Cooper’s hawks (Accipiter cooperii) were listed by Ganier (1933) as fairly common permanent residents of western Tennessee during the early 1900’s, but populations declined during the 20th Century presumably because of habitat changes, shooting, and effects of pesticides on reproduction (Newton 1979). Breeding bird survey data for Tennessee suggest that Cooper’s hawk populations are increasing (+4.6% increase/year, 1966-2000), although sample sizes are too small for significant trends (P = 0.39, Sauer et al. 2001). Nicholson (1997), in the Tennessee Breeding Bird Atlas completed during the early 1990's, still described Cooper’s hawks as uncommon permanent residents.

At the …