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Evolutionary Linkage Of Mimetic And Non-Mimetic Color Traits In A Coral Snake Mimicry Complex, John D. Curlis Jr
Evolutionary Linkage Of Mimetic And Non-Mimetic Color Traits In A Coral Snake Mimicry Complex, John D. Curlis Jr
Electronic Theses and Dissertations
Color polymorphism in aposematic mimicry systems is a perplexing phenomenon for evolutionary biologists, as theoretically the benefits of converging on a model phenotype should constrain the evolution of phenotypic diversity in these systems (i.e., color polymorphism should not occur). Nevertheless, color polymorphism in mimicry systems is prevalent throughout many taxa. In some of these systems, the evolution of color polymorphism results in the existence of non-mimetic morphs, such as those that are cryptic. The case of ground snakes (Sonora semiannulata) is unique in that color polymorphism encompasses both mimetic and cryptic morphs, as well as individual mimetic and …
Development Of A Molecular Assay For Caribbean Coral Identification, Elijah D. O'Cain
Development Of A Molecular Assay For Caribbean Coral Identification, Elijah D. O'Cain
Electronic Theses and Dissertations
As coral cover has declined throughout the Caribbean, interest in the role that recruitment processes play in reef recovery has increased. Studies investigating these processes have been hampered by the inability to identify many species of coral larvae or recently settled recruits using morphology. In this study, the utility of targeting the non-coding internal transcribed spacer (ITS) regions with a multiplex PCR assay to identify common Caribbean coral species was explored. To design this assay, a database of ITS sequences was developed for 17 Caribbean scleractinian coral species that are important reef builders and/or common in the Florida Keys. It …