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Floral Trait Architecture In Crop Sunflower (Helianthus Annuus) Under Drought Conditions, Lauren Segarra

All Master's Theses

Longer and more intense droughts are predicted to become more common in the coming century due to anthropogenic climate change. Drought can reduce crop yield and decrease food security. In order to mitigate the negative effects of drought on crop production, it is important to elucidate the underlying mechanisms that promote drought stress resistance in crop plants. Floral traits impact yield, especially in oilseed crops such as sunflower (Helianthus annuus), but their susceptibility to drought stress is understudied. The goal of this study was to describe the floral trait architecture of H. annuus crop lines under drought versus …

Transgenerational Plasticity Is Sex-Dependent And Persistent In Yellow Moneyflower (Mimulus Guttatus), Kayla Akkerman

All Master's Theses

Transgenerational phenotypic plasticity, whereby environmental cues experienced by parents alter the phenotype of their progeny, has now been documented in diverse organisms. Transmission of environmentally determined responses is known to occur through both maternal and paternal gametes, but the underlying mechanisms have rarely been compared. In addition, the persistence of induction over multiple generations appears to vary widely but has been characterized for relatively few systems. Yellow monkeyflower (Mimulus guttatus) is known to exhibit transgenerational induction of increased glandular trichome production in response to simulated insect damage. Here we test for differences between maternal and paternal transmission of …

Characterizing Low Nutrient Stress Resistance In Crop Sunflowers (Helianthus Annus), Casey Croshaw

All Master's Theses

Historically agriculture has met global food production demands, but abiotic stresses are predicted to decrease crop yield in the context of climate change. In order to prevent losses in crop yield under conditions of increasing environmental stress and to reduce environmental damage from unsustainable farming practices, improvements must be made in crop breeding and bioengineering. However, these improvements require insight into the mechanisms of abiotic stress resistance. In this study, 60 different genetic sunflower (Helianthus annuus) lines were grown in the field under fertilized and unfertilized treatments to assess phenotypic traits associated with low nutrient stress resistance. Sunflowers …

The Effect Of Arginine Vasotocin On Cryoprotectant Production During Freezing In The Pacific Chorus Frog, Pseudacris Regilla, Ben Ingels

All Master's Theses

Freeze Tolerance is an adaptation seen amongst several species of amphibians as a way of surviving during wintering months. Use of cryoprotectants is seen in all freeze tolerant species (glucose/glycerol). Synthesis and transportation mechanisms that regulate this process are not yet fully understood. Arginine vasotocin is a neurohypophyseal peptide known to have glycogenolytic effects as well as regulate several key processes involved in fluid and solute transportation. Although one prior study suggested that AVT is not involved in responses to freezing, I measured AVT levels during freezing and injected an AVT antagonist to see if it would affect the production …

The Riparian Vegetation Of Swauk Creek, Edward L. Schneider

All Master's Theses

An investigation was made to document the structure and composition of the flora along Swauk Creek, a riparian transect into Central Washington's Cascade Range. Distributions of the major species are discussed and a key has been constructed to facilitate identification of the riparian associations.

Effects Of The Cle Elum Reservoir On The Ephemeroptera (Mayflies) Of The Cle Elum River, David Bruce Ainsworth

All Master's Theses

The purpose of this study was to determine the physical and chemical effects of the Cle Elum Reservoir on the Cle Elum River and to evaluate these effects in respect to the Ephemeroptera of the Cle Elum River. Specific objectives were: (1) To determine the effects of the reservoir on current velocity, volume of flow, turbidity, and temperature. (2) To determine the effects of the reservoir on alkalinity, hardness, dissolved oxygen, and pH. (3) To evaluate the effects of the reservoir on the Ephemeroptera of the Cle Elum River.

The Effects Of Cs Habituation And Duration Of The Directional Modification Of The Cardiac Response In The Guinea Pig (Cavia Procellus), Ray Charles Larson

All Master's Theses

The present experiment examined the effects of CS habituation and two different levels of CS duration (60 versus 6 sec) on the directional modification of the conditioned cardiac response in the guinea pig. The results indicated that the only reaction to the CS, regardless of prior habituation or CS duration, was a decelerative conditioned HR response. However, habituation to a CS prior to classical aversive conditioning was found to attenuate the magnitude of the bradycardia CR that developed. The bradycardia CR was discussed in terms of being a cardiac component of the orienting response.

Breeding Biology Of The Sage Thrasher, John Wayne Gooding

All Master's Theses

The sage thrasher, Oreoscontes montanus (Townsend), is a common bird that breeds throughout the sage brush areas of the Great Basin and from northern Arizona to southern Saskatchewan. Although it is a fairly common and conspicuous bird, almost nothing about its life history has been published. This study was conducted in central Washington during the spring and summer of 1969 and the spring and early summer of 1970. During the 1969 season, emphasis was placed on finding and tracing the phenologies of as many nests as possible in order to determine the timing of the nesting cycle. During the 1970 …

An Evaluation Of Three Techniques For The Quantitative Sampling Of Marsh Invertebrates, John T. Falkenbury

All Master's Theses

The present study was designed to develop, compare, and evaluate three methods for quantitatively sampling the invertebrate standing crop on the water surface of dense cattail (Typha latifolia) marshes at 19 sites around the periphery of Caliche Lake in Grant County, Washington.

An Annotated Check List Of The Land Mammals Of Curry County, Oregon, Paul Emerson Sherrell

All Master's Theses

Curry County merits study for several reasons. Very little work has been done on its mammalian fauna resulting in a limited number of specimens. In turn there is a sparsity of literature; that written is chiefly concerned with the genera Arborimus and Phenacomys. The location of the county places it in an area of scrambled geological history resulting in a diverse mixture of faunal and floral elements. Logging, agriculture, and grazing activities have altered and continue to alter the natural habitats. These interests have permanently changed both the floristic and faunistic composition of the county.

The aims of this study …

Food Habits Of Dicamptodon Ensatus And Associated Fish Species Of Maratta Creek, Washington, Authur L. Antonelli

All Master's Theses

Three cold-blooded vertebrates, Dicamptodon ensatus, Cottus tenuis, and Salmo gairdneri were investigated as to food habits for a period of one year. The existence of competition between these animals for food was determined by means of stomach analysis. The results were compared relative to each vertebrate and the bottom fauna procurred from the stream. It was shown that the food habits of D. ensatus and S. gairdneri were diverse enough to warrant partial exclusion on the basis of food. C. tenuis demonstrated selectivity and was shown to be under competitive stress from the other two species.

A Biological Investigation On Plethodon Larselli, Charles Oliver Holmes

All Master's Theses

The purpose of this study is to increase the presently-lacking biological knowledge of P. larselli. A study was made, therefore, on this species relative to its geographical distribution, habitat, dehydration and rehydration rates, response to induction with varying concentrations of a gonadotropic hormone, and blood serum analysis by cellulose acetate electrophoresis. In addition, the findings of this investigation will help elucidate the relationship between P. larselli and P. vehiculum.

Habitat And Food Habits Of Eutamias Minimus Scrutator In The Semi-Desert Regions Of Central Washington, Gary L. Hall

All Master's Theses

This paper presents the results of a food habit study on Eutamias minimus scrutator in the sagebrush-bunch grass zone of Central Washington. The major objective of the research is to relate the availability of plant species within the local habitat to the food habit biology of the species.

An Ecotypic Differentiation Of Human And Bovine Fecal Streptococci, With Application To Human Pollution In The Yakima River, Harlen Harvey Johnson

All Master's Theses

It was the purpose of this study to report on the development of a technique for distinguishing human fecal streptococci from bovine fecal streptococci, and to make application of this technique in describing some of the sources of pollution in the Yakima River as contributed by the Wilson Creek drainage system, in the Ellensburg area of Washington.

The Effect Of Follicle-Stimulating Hormone And Testosterone Propionate On The Reproduction Of The Bull Snakes, Pituophis Melanoleucus Catenifer And Pituophis Melanoleucus Affinis; Accompanied With Analysis Of Changes In Blood Protein Constituents Following Stimulation, Jack Bradford

All Master's Theses

The bull snake, Pituophis melanoleucus, was chosen for this experimentation for several reasons; (1) it is relatively abundant in Central Washington (2) it is a large snake, well able to withstand the effects of the frequent blood samplings which were necessary in this experimentation ... (3) the bull snake is an oviparous snake and ova development is rapid and after dissection, obvious.

The Development Of The Embryo Sac In Ranunculus Glaberrimus Hook, Chung-Ping Chin

All Master's Theses

A comparative study of embryological and morphological characters of the ovule in the family Ranunculaceae indicates that considerable variation exists within this family.

Geographic Variation In Dicamptodon Ensatus (Eschscholtz) With Notes On Life History And Zoogeography, Ronald A. Nussbaum

All Master's Theses

The purpose of this paper is to present information concerning geographic variation between three northern populations of Dicamptodon, and to add to the meager store of information concerning the life history and biology of the species.

Niche Differentiating Mechanisms In Two Sympatric Species Of Swallows, David Thomas Moody

All Master's Theses

The present study considers certain aspects of the ecologies of cliff swallows (Petrochelidon pyrrhonota) and bam swallows (Hirundo rustica) in an area of overlap, where both species are found nesting together and foraging over the same fields. Careful attention was given to foraging flight patterns, foraging elevations, and food consumed by each species in an effort to determine whether or not there is any evidence of competition for food resources. Aggressive interactions between the species were recorded, and the general timing of their nesting cycles was noted.

Biological Studies On Various Strains Of Trypanosoma Avium, Wayne Gordon Cordell

All Master's Theses

The purpose of this study was to further investigate avian trypanosomids, relative to the Magpie, Steller's Jay, and Sparrowhawk, and to initiate work for a newer aspect of trypanosome study; the effects of radiation upon trypanosome growth in vitro.

The Distribution Of Three Taxa Of Peromyscus In Central Washington, Gay Harold Engelsen

All Master's Theses

One aspect of the study was to define the present ranges of all types of Peromyscus in the study area; the other to determine the extent of interfertility of the groups.

Home Range Analysis Of The Montane Vole, Don Rogers Toews

All Master's Theses

This study on Microtus montanus was divided into three major sections: 1) An examination of nests, burrows, and runways, 2) A comparison of two methods of home range analysis--live trapping and radio-isotope tracing, and 3) A comparison of the home range of Microtus montanus with other species of Microtus as published in the literature.

How Teachers Of High School Biology May Introduce Heredity And Birds Through The Use Of Doves, Donald Hood Dickinson

Graduate Student Research Papers

It was the purpose of this study (1) to present a method of teaching principles of heredity at a level understandable to students of a high school biology class, (2) to present a list of resource materials for use in a heredity unit, and (3) to show how the use of live animals might intensify student interest in this subject as well as in other phases of bird life such as nest building, incubation of eggs, hatching of eggs, voice and communication, and effects of nutrition on chick development.