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Population Distribution And Abundance Of The Blackfin Sucker (Thoburnia Atripinnis) In The Upper Barren River System, Kentucky And Tennessee., Cory Daniel Stringfield

Online Theses and Dissertations

The blackfin sucker (Thoburnia atripinnis) is a relatively small species of fish (~155mm) endemic to the headwaters of the Barren River System (UBR) in Kentucky and Tennessee. Due to its isolated distribution and relatively small geographic inhabitance, the blackfin sucker is considered a Species of Greatest Conservation Need (SGCN) in Kentucky by the Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources. In addition, it is included in Tennessee's list of rare wildlife as a Species of Special Concern. This study focused on determining the distribution and abundance of the blackfin sucker in those tributaries that comprise the UBR system, as well …

Breeding Biology Of Chuck-Will's-Widows: Incubation, Brooding, And Provisioning Behavior And Characteristics Of Nest Sites, Ryan Sean O'Connor

Online Theses and Dissertations

Chuck-will's-widows (Antrostomus carolinensis) are cryptically colored grounding-nesting nightars that breed throughout much of the eastern United States, primarily in mixed-forest habitat. Because of their cryptic plumage and nocturnal habits, little is known about their behavior, particularly their breeding and nesting behavior. Thus, my objectives were to: (1) quantify patterns of incubation behavior (e.g., on bouts vs. off bouts) and the respective roles of males and females, (2) quantify the brooding and provisioning behavior of males and females, and, (3) compare the characteristics of nest sites and randomly selected unused sites to determine those features important in nest site selection.

My …

Validation Of Kentucky Wetlands Rapid Assessment Method (Ky-Wram) Metrics Using Macroinvertebrate Communities Of Forested Depressional Wetlands, Britney Yvonne Garrison

Online Theses and Dissertations

The Kentucky Wetlands Rapid Assessment Method (KY-WRAM) is currently being developed by the collaborative efforts of the Kentucky Division of Water and Eastern Kentucky University as a tool to measure the function and condition of wetlands. To ensure the rapid assessment method properly evaluates wetland condition, the KY-WRAM needs to be validated by comparison to intensive biological data. This project initiated such a comparison using macroinvertebrate communities. Macroinvertebrates play a critical role in wetland ecosystem functioning, thus it is imperative to have an understanding of the macroinvertebrate community responses to degradation of wetlands. Whereas indices of wetland invertebrate communities have …

Effects Of Thermal Acclimation On The Critical Thermal Maxima Of The Tropical Cockroaches: Blaptica Dubia, Eublaberus Posticus And Blaberus Discoidalis (Blaberidae), Lauren Michelle Goode

Online Theses and Dissertations

The Critical Thermal Maxima (CTMax) is a measure of upper thermal tolerance. The physiological response upon reaching CTMax is similar across taxa, making CTMax useful in comparative studies. The CTMax defines the ecological lethal temperature of an organism and has been used to predict the effects of global climate change. CTMax was determined for adults and first instar nymphs of three species of tropical cockroaches: Blaptica dubia, Eublaberus posticus, and Blaberus discoidalis. Adult cockroaches were acclimated to temperatures of 10°C, 15°C, 20°C, 25°C, 31°C and 37°C for a period of seven days. Blaptica dubia was the only species to survive …