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The Life History, Behavior, And Ecology Of Etheostoma Sagitta (Jordan And Swain), John Eldon Lowe Jr

Masters Theses

The life history, behavior, and ecology of Etheostoma sagitta (Jordan and Swain) were studied in the Cumberland River system in Tennessee. Diving equipment was utilized in making observations on macrohabitat, microhabitat, distribution, seasonal and diurnal activity, feeding behavior, migration, territoriality, associated species, competition, and population density and structure. Courtship, reproductive behavior, and diurnal activity were studied primarily in an experimental raceway. Feeding behavior and territoriality were studied in the raceway and in a 77.5-1. (20-gal.) aquarium. Parasites, longevity, age and growth, ova numbers and maturation, sex ratios, and food habitats were examined in the laboratory.

Etheostoma sagitta was found in …

Structure Of A Subtidal Benthic Community Near Cape Charles, Virginia, R. Michael Ewing

Biological Sciences Theses & Dissertations

Species composition, distribution, and abundance of benthic invertebrates of a subtidal community were examined at a location on the lower Delmarva Peninsula near Cape Charles, Virginia. Macrobenthos was sampled quarterly between June, 1977 and June, 1978 at nine sites along a transect in Old Plantation Creek and the adjacent offshore area. Spatial and temporal patterns of numerically important species are discussed.

Sampling sites and species were grouped by a numerical classification strategy which consisted of the Bray-Curtis similarity measure and group-average clustering. Three faunal assemblages were identified with the aid of constancy and fidelity nodal analyses: (1) a tidal creek …

Plant Response Parameters To General Patton's Armored Maneuvers In The Eastern Mojave Desert Of California, Randall J. Iwasiuk

Loma Linda University Electronic Theses, Dissertations & Projects

The purpose of this study, which was undertaken from September, 1977 through June, 1978 was to survey the response of perennial vegetation to General Patton's World War II armored maneuvers. This information will be used to help construct a basis for predicting recovery rates on the effects of off-road vehicle impacts in the California Desert Conservation Area (CDCA). These impacts were assessed in three usage categories: tank tracks in the maneuvers areas; roadways, which were used primarily by jeeps and trucks; and tent areas, cleared areas in which tents and other semi-permanent structures were erected. The data generated from these …

Effects Of Fraser Fir Death On Population Dynamics In Southern Appalachian Boreal Ecosystems, Rex Randall Boner

Masters Theses

High elevation fir and spruce-fir forests of the Southern Appalachians were sampled in the Black Mountains, North Carolina and in the Great Smoky Mountains, Tennessee and North Carolina. Both absolute and relative data were collected on the composition of the overstory and understory strata; the ground cover stratum was sampled for relative data. Both stands infested by the balsam woolly aphid and un-infested stands were sampled to determine the effects of the opened canopy caused by the death of Fraser fir on the population dynamics of these boreal ecosystems. Comparison of stand composition and use of correlation and regression analysis …

The Plant Tension Zone In Michigan, Margaret Thompson Mccann

Masters Theses

No abstract provided.

Distributional Ecology Of Vegetation In The Vernal Pools Of The Santa Rosa Plateau, California, John A. Rosario

Loma Linda University Electronic Theses, Dissertations & Projects

Interpool distribution studies of 10 vernal pools on the Santa Rosa Plateau found area to be the best single predictor of species richness in each type of regression model evaluated. Area predicted most accurately in a mixed linear-curvilinear regression model (y = a + b log x). Area appeared to reflect ecologic diversity, because multiple linear regression models provided better predictions of species richness using combinations of physical characteristics which excluded area from the regression equation. In addition, species turnover was demonstrated in a single vernal pool that was evaluated.

Intrapool distribution was studied along a soil moisture/microtopographic gradient in …

The Spatial And Temporal Distribution Of Fish Eggs And Larvae In Hempstead Bay Estuary, Joseph Adelard Lessard

OES Theses and Dissertations

The ichthyoplankton of Hempstead Bay estuary was sampled from December 1972 to mid March 1974. Eleven stations were sampled by towing a 0.5 meter diameter plankton net. Eggs were most abundant during June and July with an average concentration calculated to be above 5,500/100m³. Egg densities were the lowest during the fall and winter. Larvae were most frequently taken from March through July with densities varying greatly among the samples. The eggs of Brevoortia tyrannus, Anchoa mitchilli, Tautoga onitis, Tautogolabrus adspersus, and Scophthalmus aguosus and the larvae of Menidia menidia, Ammodvtes hexapterus and Pseudopleuronectes americanus constituted most …

Seasonal Feeding Habits Of The River Otter (Lutra Canadensis) In Ditches Of The Great Dismal Swamp, Ronnie M. Pierce

Biological Sciences Theses & Dissertations

To determine the seasonal feeding habits of the river otter (Lutra canadensis) in the Great Dismal Swamp 209 scats were collected, from May 1977 to May 1978, and analyzed for content. Remains of crayfish were found with a frequency of occurrence of 82% while fish remains occurred in 62% of the scat. This is in direct contrast to previous studies (from other areas) which found fish with a greater frequency than crayfish. Fish consumption was believed to increase during periods of low water or low temperatures. Sunfish were represented most frequently and may be the preferred fish. Amphiuma remains …

Swimming As A Determinate To Immigration For Two Small Mammals In Coastal Virginia, Jeffrey Lewis Carter

Biological Sciences Theses & Dissertations

Small mammals were live trapped on the mainland and on an island located in the southeast corner of Virginia. The area was characterized by a mid-Atlantic coastal climate. White-footed mice (Perompsous fsucopus) were trapped on the mainland but not on the island, whereas meadow voles (Microtus psnnsylvimious) inhabited only the island. A series of swimming tests were performed in both the field and in the laboratory on both of these species to determine if swimming abilities could be the factor preventing Pszomysous from colonizing the island.

Both species of small mammals showed good swimming endurance in …

The Density, Distribution, And Activity Patterns Of Woodchucks In Cades Cove, Great Smoky Mountains National Park, Cathy A. Taylor

Masters Theses

The purpose of this study was to delineate certain population characteristics and behavioral aspects of the woodchuck (Marmota monax) in the southeastern extremity of its range. Random quadrants from a grid system of the Cades Cove area, GSMNP, were systematically searched for active woodchuck burrow systems during the summers of 1976, 1977, and 1978. All burrow systems, topographical features, and buildings were marked on a scaled drawing and various burrow dimensions and land usage were recorded. Twice weekly between 7 July 1977 and 11 July 1978, observations were made of woodchucks to assess behavioral responses to the environment. …

Interrelationships Between Benthic Macroinvertebrates And Habitat In A Mountain Stream, John M. Payne

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

A study to determine habitat differences of benthic macroinvertebrates was conducted on the upper Strawberry River, Utah. The investigation was part of a large scale project to determine minimum stream flow requirements for trout. The effects of time, habitat, depth and velocity on the distribution of benthic fauna were evaluated.

Samples of benthic invertebrates (146 total) were collected every 2 months at 8 stations on the river from November, 1975 through August, 1976. Representatives of 59 taxa were collected. Eight taxa comprised 90 percent of the mean annual community standing crop in numbers. Biomass was not dominated by any group …

Biology, Reproductive Potential And The Impact Of Fishing Pressure On The Bluegill Fishery Of Pelican Lake, Uintah County, Utah, Bob D. Burdick

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

Certain aspects of the biology of two species of fish, bluegill (Lepomis macrochirus) and largemouth bass (Micropterus salmoides), and the assessment of fishing pressure upon the sport fishery of Pelican Lake, Uintah County, Utah, a 680 ha warmwater lake, were studied between April 1, 1976 and June 30, 1978. The growth rate of bluegills (sexes combined) was fairly rapid; the mean back-calculated total lengths from ages one through nine were 55, 112, 166, 194, 211, 229, 245, 256 and 259 mm. The growth of largemouth bass was 104, 194, 271, 316, 350, 405 and 416 mm …

Changes In Spider Community Attributes Along A Subalpine Successional Gradient, Gerald Norman Waagen

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

The spider communities of four stages of a successional sere leading to and including spruce forests were studied in northern Utah. Four seral stages were recognized. These include: meadows, aspen (Populus tremuloides) stands, subalpine fir (Abies lasiocarpa) forest, and the climax Engelmann spruce (Pica engelmanii) forests.

During the snow-free periods of 1976, 1977 and 1978, 15,987 spiders were collected by three methods including: pitfall traps, by beating vegetation, and with sweep-net samples. Additionally, 1600 15-second intervals of behavioral observations, and measurements of 182 web locations were made.

Of 99 species collected, 44 were considered …

Two Basic Methodological Choices In Wildland Vegetation Inventories: Their Consequences And Implications, Donald Alan Shute

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

In designing inventories of wildland vegetation, two of the many basic methodological choices are: 1) whether data are collected, reduced, and stored in discrete classes or as continuous variables, and 2) whether data are gathered as general purpose variables to bear upon many questions, or as specific purpose variables optimized for only one type of prediction. The effects of these two choices on accuracy of vegetation inventories to predict plant community production were examined by comparing regression models built upon differing sets of independent variables "inventoried" from a common data base. Contrary to expectations, discrete variables of classified community types …

Some Effects Of A Grazer, Hyalella Azteca On Ecosystem Level Properties In Aquatic Microcosms, Martin D. Werner

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

A study to determine some ecosystem level effects of an aquatic invertebrate grazer, Hyalella azteca, was performed in aquatic ix microcosms. Impact of the grazer was assessed in three general areas: 1) inorganic nutrient levels of the microcosm water column, 2) productivity and respiration of the biotic community, and 3) plant community composition in the microcosms.

The grazing amphipod caused inorganic phosphorus and nitrogen (except ammonia) levels to be elevated in the microcosms. The increase was due, at least partially, to excretion of nutrients into the water by the amphipod. The presence of H. azteca did not significantly …

Spectral Signature Studies For Application In Deer Census Using Remote Sensing Techniques, Maran C. Pate

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

This study was performed to determine the spectral signatures of deer and their natural background elements for censusing purposes. Consideration was given to atmospheric transmittance, acceptable flying weather, and terrain. Possible spectral bands between 0.3 and 14.0 μm were obtained (over a pathlength of 1500 feet at an altitude of 5000 feet) based upon atmospheric transmittance using the LOWTRAN 3B computer program. They are: 0.30 - 1.33, 1.49 - 1.79, 2.00 - 2.50, 3.00 - 3.16, 3.38 - 4.10, 4.59 - 5.05, and 8.00 - 13.33 μm, for transmittance greater than 75%. Weather conditions are favorable for flying and taking …

Effects Of Forage Availability On Voluntary Intake And Feeding Behavior Of Grazing Heifers, Anastasios S. Nastis

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

Forage intake by animals is an important factor in determining production of livestock products from rangelands. However, relatively little is known of effects of such forage variables as availability and distribution in space upon intake. Even less is known about how the grazing animal modifies its feeding tactics when confronted with diminishing or limited supplies of available forage and how such altered behavior may affect the animal's energetic cost for existence. Forage intake, body weight gain, grazing time and biting rate of Angus heifers was related to forage availability and plant height on semiarid crested wheatgrass rangeland during the late …

An Investigation Of Salinity Fluctuations In Soils Of A Northern Utah Marshland, Gary Roy Newman

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

Ogden Bay Waterfowl Management Area is one of many marshlands bordering the Great Salt Lake that are extremely important as breeding habitats for North American waterfowl. Salinity, both of surface and interstitial waters, is an important factor in maintaining a suitable habitat within the marsh. For this reason, a study was undertaken to determine the factors affecting the salinity of surface and interstitial waters. A small (approx. 100 acre) subunit was studied extensively to determine; 1) variations in surface water salinity with flowrate and water level; and 2) variation in interstitial water salinity with depth and location within the subunit. …

Growth Of Phytophthora Infestans Race 1.2.4 And Synthesis Of Steroid Glycoalkaloids By The Fungus In Synthetic Media, Melanie R. Maas

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

A chemically defined synthetic medium was developed in which Phytophthora infestans (Mont.) de Bary race 1.2.4 grew extensively. This medium consisted of: 90.0 grams maltose, 20.0 grams DL-alanine, 20.0 grams L-proline, 1.0 gram KNO₃, 0.5 gram KH₂PO₄, 0.25 gram MgSO_4. 7H₂O, 1.0 milligram thiamin per liter of distilled water. The average level of growth in this medium was 0.5864 gram dry weight mycelium per 50 milliliters medium.

The glycoalkaloids, solanidine and solanine, were synthesized by Phytophthora infestans in the above medium with 62.5 percent of the samples positive and an overall …

Development And Validation Test Of A Mule Deer Habitat Rule, Glenn Gephart

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

A mathematical description of Rocky Mountain mule deer (Odocoileus hemionus hemionus) habitat was developed and subjected to validation testing using correlation and multiple regression statistical techniques. Data were collected on a central Utah study area, which was divided into mountain and desert regions.

Data on deer utilization and several habitat components from 86 study plots visited in 1976 were used to develop a habitat rule. Data from 46 study plots visited in 1977 were used to test the accuracy of the rule. Deer utilization was determined from pellet group counts on 20 0.001 ha pellet plots at each …

Information Transfer And Regulation In A Model Ecosystem With Environmental Stochasticity, M. Mckee

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

The concept of regulation in ecosystems has been given considerable attention in the ecological literature, but no formal treatment has been offered. This study proposes a rigorous definition of regulation which is derived from the mathematics of information and communication theory. A theoretical, mathematical equivalent of the definition is also offered which implies serious limitations as to the value of most traditional laboratory population studies and deterministic population models in understanding regulation in ecosystems. The empirical validity of this theoretical equivalence is tested through use of a competition model of two diatoms. Other observations concerning the relationship between environmental variability …

Population Limitation Of Jackrabbits: An Examination Of The Food Hypothesis, William R. Clark

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

The study was conducted to examine the importance of forage resources in limiting peak population density of black-tailed jackrabbits (Lepus californicus). The research design combined field studies of jackrabbit diet and vegetation impact with computer simulation of herbivore nutrition and population dynamics. The relationships between available forage, dietary intake, energy and protein balance and population changes were compared for high and low population density. Hypotheses tested were : (1) Dietary composition is unaffected by availability above 10 kg/ha; (2) Jackrabbits do not require more forage than is available at high population densities; (3) Dietary composition is not significantly …

The White Pine-Hardwood Vegetation Types Of The Great Smoky Mountains National Park, Harry R. Deyoung

Masters Theses

The white pine-hardwood type was described by Miller in 1938; however, subsequent researchers of the vegetation of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park have not described this type. A field study of white pine-hardwood vegetation was conducted in the Park from June to October, 1977. The objectives were to relocate and plot sample the white pine-hardwood stands to 1) group samples into vegetation types based upon the importance of white pine and its associated taxa, 2) use quantitative vegetation analysis procedures to describe the white pine-hardwood vegetation types, 3) assess the relationship of the vegetation types to environmental characteristics, 4) …

The Life History And Ecology Of Ptilostomis Postica (Walker) (Trichoptera: Phryganeidae) In Greenbottom Swamp, Cabell County, West Virginia, Mary Beth Roush

Theses, Dissertations and Capstones

The life histoy and ecology of Ptilostomis postica (Walker) from Greenbottom swamp in Cabell County, West Virginia were investigated from December 1977 to December 1978, Length-frequency histograms indicate the life cycle is uriivoltine. Larvae achieved their greatest growth rate (75%) from fall to winter. Case length showed its greatest increase (70.3%) for this same period. There was high correlation between case length and body length in fall (r=0.72) and winter (r=0.87), however, a low correlation (r=0.18) was found in spring. The diet of the larvae changed from carnivorous in fall and winter to omnivorous in spring. Pupation began at the …

Proposed Environmental Impacts Of The Gallipolis Locks And Dam Replacement, Ohio River Mile 279.2, On The Benthic Macroinvertebrates And Fishes Of Flatfoot Creek, Mason County, West Virginia, William L. Cremeans Jr.

Theses, Dissertations and Capstones

The Gallipolis Locks and Dam at Ohio River Mile 279.2 is soon to be modified or replaced. Construction in the area will effect the lower portion of the small drainage basin (14.61 km) of Flatfoot Creek. Depending on the action taken, a large proportion of Flatfoot Creek and/or a tributary of Mud Run will have severe ecological alterations. For this reason, Flatfoot Creek was investigated for water quality, benthic macroinvertebrates, fish populations and the feeding requirements of the fishes.

A physio-chemical analysis was made of Flatfoot creek. With the exception of five parameters, the creek met guidelines set by state …

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 …

Some Physical And Biological Factors Affecting Red-Tailed Hawk Productivity, Stewart Wayne Janes

Dissertations and Theses

Various physical and biological factors affecting annual productivity in a Red-tailed Hawk population in north-central Oregon were investigated. The percentage of the population successfully fledging one or more young was the most important factor in determining the number of young fledged per pair in a given year. Neither clutch size nor the number of young fledged per successful nest varied significantly. Percent pair success was correlated with several January weather variables. A cold and dry January is positively correlated with Red-tailed Hawk productivity. This is apparently related to the onset of rapid vegetative growth and this in turn is positively …

A Comparison Of The Herpetofauna Of Four Different-Aged Wooded Stands, George Joseph Rosa

Dissertations, Theses, and Masters Projects

No abstract provided.

Characterization And Identification Of An Isolate Of Halobacterium From Soda Springs Mojave Desert, Abayomi Odubela

Theses Digitization Project

No abstract provided.

A Floristic And Vegetational Analysis In The Lytle Creek Drainage Area Of The San Gabriel Mountains, California, Roy W. Martin

Theses Digitization Project

No abstract provided.