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A Global Synthesis Of The Relative Impacts Of Habitat Amount, Fragmentation, And Matrix Quality On Forest Biodiversity, Antoinette Esposito

Masters Theses

Aim To assess the relative impact of different landscape variables on species richness and to determine whether species richness declines more rapidly below an extinction threshold of remaining habitat. The results of this study will help to better inform future conservation strategies. Location Global Time period 1997 – 2013 Major taxa studied Amphibians, birds, invertebrates, mammals, and reptiles Methods Data from 71 studies published in the global BioFrag database were used to determine species richness across multiple landscapes and biomes. The Hansen dataset was used to collect data on habitat amount (forest area), fragmentation (patch density), and matrix quality (mean …

A Comparative Study Of Biocrusts On Gypsum And Non-Gypsum Soils In The Northern Chihuahuan And Eastern Mojave Deserts, Usa: Biocrust Mosses Respond To Soil, Environmental, And Climatic Conditions, Katelyn Gobbie

Masters Theses

Biological soil crust communities (biocrusts) growing on gypsum soils have been well- documented for their prolific appearance and rich diversity of lichens and bryophytes. However, studies characterizing gypsum biocrusts have primarily occurred outside of the U.S., most of which lack comparisons to other soil types. We conducted intensive field surveys to evaluate the cover and frequency of biocrust functional groups and moss species on gypsum and non-gypsum soils in the U.S. regions with the most extensive gypsum outcrops, the northern Chihuahuan and eastern Mojave Deserts. We employed canonical correspondence analysis (CCA) to relate the observed differences in biocrust abundance and …

Use Of Thermal Microhabitats By Herpetofauna In A Fragmented Rainforest Landscape In Colombia, Catalina Valderrama

Masters Theses

No abstract provided.

Investigating The Role Of Nf-Kb Inhibition On Müller Glia Proliferation Following Injury In The Zebrafish Retina, Danielle Baffa

Celebration of Scholarship 2023

No abstract provided.

Determination Of Taxonomic Placement Of Falsely-Branched Taxa In Soils Of San Nicolas Island And Reassessment Of The Tolypothrichaceae, Natalie Soliman

Celebration of Scholarship 2023

No abstract provided.

Climate Refugia For Neotropical Snakes: Implications Of Microhabitat Use And Diet Specialization, Consuelo Alarcon

Masters Theses

Aim: The aims of this study were to compare the locations of climate refugia and diversity patterns of the Neotropical tribe Pseudoboini and to provide critical analysis of the potential role of climatic stability and ecological specialization in the contemporary and historical distribution of this group of snakes. We expected species with narrow ecological requirements to occupy climatically stable areas, whereas generalists and arboreal species would occupy areas with more variable climate.

Location: South America

Methods: We compiled observations from the scientific literature and herpetological notes (1844-2019) with additional data from museum collections throughout South America to …

A Biodiversity Survey Of The Soil Crusts Of The Geographically Isolated San Nicholas Island, California, Usa And Description Of Species In Three Genera (Atlanticothix, Pycnacronema, Konicacronema) Previously Restricted To Brazil Using A Polyphasic Approach To Cyanobacterial Taxonomy, Brian Jusko

Masters Theses

San Nicholas Island, California, USA is a geographically-isolated island that experiences a semiarid climate and exhibits significant topographic and geologic diversity. Access to the island is restricted to the public and, as a result, only one previous study has been done on the algal biodiversity of its biological soil crusts. The previous study used morphology as the sole basis of species identification, and it was the aim of this study to corroborate and expand upon the results by including molecular data. Using 16S rRNA and 16S–23S ITS sequences and phylogenetic analyses, a diverse set of taxa were identified and are …

Feedback In Batesian Mimetic Systems, David Kizirian Kizirian, Jose Manuel Padial, Nicole Povlikin, Isaac Overcast, Maureen A. Donnelly, Marta Quitian, Marion Segall, Arianna Kuhn, Gwyneth Campbell, Ralph Saporito

2023 Faculty Bibliography

We propose a feedback model for Batesian mimetic trophic system dynamics that integrates evolutionary and ecological processes including those not directly related to mimicry such as nutrient transfer. The proposed feedback circuit includes a previously overlooked link, specifically: selection for predation on the mimetic phenotype, which results when predators consume palatable mimics, and which perpetuates predation on the mimetic phenotype that drives mimicry. Preservation of variation throughout the feedback loop may also explain polymorphism, suboptimal mimicry, and other aspects of mimetic trophic system evolution.

New Terrestrial Cyanobacteria From The Azores Islands: Description Of Venetifunis Gen. Nov. And New Species Of Albertania, Kovacikia And Pegethrix, Ruben Luz, Rita Cordeiro, Jan Kastovsky, Jeffrey R. Johansen, Elisabete Dias, Amelia Fonseca, Vitor Vasconcelos, Vitor Goncalves

2023 Faculty Bibliography

The taxonomy of cyanobacteria has advanced quickly with the use of molecular methods in combination with well-defined morphological and ecological characters. Using this approach, many taxonomical changes have occurred in the Synechococcales and Oscillatoriales, with the description of new families, genera and species. Here we present the study of four cyanobacterial strains from the Bank of Algae and Cyanobacteria of the Azores (BACA) culture collection, all isolated from the Azores Archipelago. The strains were genetically characterized through the amplification of the 16S rRNA gene and 16S-23S rRNA internal transcribed spacer (ITS) region, as well as morphologically by light and transmission …

Reliability And Validity Of A Flume-Based Maximal Oxygen Uptake Swimming Test, Elizabeth F. Nagle, Takashi Nagai, Anne Beethe, Mita Lovalekar, Meghan S. Tuite, Meaghan E. Beckner, Jacquelyn N. Zera, Mary E. Sanders, Chris Connaboy, John P. Abt, Kim Beals, Scott M. Lephart, Robert J. Robertson, Bradley C. Nindl

2023 Faculty Bibliography

A mode-specific swimming protocol to assess maximal aerobic uptake (VO2maxsw) is vital to accurately evaluate swimming performance. A need exists for reliable and valid swimming protocols that assess VO2maxsw in a flume environment. The purpose was to assess: (a) reliability and (b) “performance” validity of a VO2maxsw flume protocol using the 457-m freestyle pool performance swim (PS) test as the criterion. Nineteen males (n = 9) and females (n = 10) (age, 28.5 ± 8.3 years.; height, 174.7 ± 8.2 cm; mass, 72.9 ± 12.5 kg; %body fat, 21.4 ± 5.9) performed two flume VO2maxsw tests (VO2maxswA and VO2maxswB) and …

Disruption Of Minor Intron Splicing By Disease-Associated Mutations In U12 Snrna, Kyra Jancik

Celebration of Scholarship 2023

In eukaryotic gene expression, the removal of introns from pre-mRNA is an essential function carried out by spliceosomes. Human cells have two distinct spliceosomes: U2-dependent and U12-dependent. U2- dependent spliceosomes, or major spliceosomes, remove over 99% of introns, whereas U-12 dependent spliceosomes remove less than 0.5% of introns. Mutations in spliceosome machinery are a notable cause of human disease. In particular, mutations to components unique to the minor spliceosome demonstrate that it plays a vital role in human development. Mutations in the gene encoding the minor spliceosomal small nuclear RNA (snRNA) U12, RNU12, are associated with two rare developmental disorders: …

Determination Of Taxonomic Placement Of Falsely-Branched Taxa In Soils Of San Nicolas Island And Reassessment Of The Tolypothrichaceae., Natalie Soliman

Senior Honors Projects

This study was conducted to determine the taxonomic placement of falsely-branched taxa in the soil crusts of San Nicolas Island, which is the largest of the Channel Islands lying off the coast of California. After microscopic analysis of the strains collected from the island, a phylogenetic analysis of 16S rRNA genes, and an analysis of the 16S-23S ITS region, we have identified that these strains belong to the soil genus Spirirestis, which is in the Tolypothrichaceae family. The Tolypothrichaceae is a wellcharacterized monophyletic lineage of non-attenuated, false-branching heteropolar types containing the genera Spirirestis, Hassallia, Tolypothrix, Coleodesmium, and Rexia. The strains …

Hypoxia-Inducible Factor 1 Alpha Mediated Regulation Of Mitochondrial Function And Homeostasis In Normoxia, Matthew Lunkis

Celebration of Scholarship 2023

During normal levels of oxygenation, also known as normoxia, the transcription factor hypoxia-inducible factor (HIF) 1α is produced and broken down in a continuous manner. Previous studies of HIF1α function(s) in hypoxia demonstrate restricted oxygen uptake and decreased protein synthesis but data regarding this transcription factor in normoxia is limited. We determined the functional aspects of HIF1α in normoxia in differentiated myotubes and with transgenic mice. Higher expression of sirtuin 3 along with higher concentrations of many TCA cycle intermediates were identified in multiple studies. Additionally, phenotypic and morphological implications of HIF1α in normoxia were identified.

Linking Predator Responses To Alkaloid Variability In Poison Frogs Language:, J P. Lawrence, Bibiana Rojas, Annelise Blanchett, Ralph Saporito, Johanna Mappes, Antoine Fouquet, Brice P. Noonan

2023 Faculty Bibliography

Many chemically-defended/aposematic species rely on diet for sequestering the toxins with which they defend themselves. This dietary acquisition can lead to variable chemical defenses across space, as the community composition of chemical sources is likely to vary across the range of (an aposematic) species. We characterized the alkaloid content of two populations of the Dyeing Poison Frog (Dendrobates tinctorius) in northeastern French Guiana. Additionally, we conducted unpalatability experiments with naive predators, Blue Tits (Cyanistes caeruleus), using whole-skin secretion cocktails to assess how a model predator would respond to the defense of individuals from each population. While there was some overlap …

Maternal Chemical Defenses Predict Ofspring Defenses In A Dendrobatid Poison Frog, Olivia L. Brooks, Jessie J. James, Ralph Saporito

2023 Faculty Bibliography

Within and among populations, alkaloid defenses of the strawberry poison frog (Oophaga pumilio) vary spatially, temporally, and with life history stage. Natural variation in defense has been implicated as a critical factor in determining the level of protection aforded against predators and pathogens. Oophaga pumilio tadpoles sequester alkaloids from nutritive eggs and are, thus, entirely dependent on their mothers for their defense. However, it remains unclear how tadpole alkaloid composition relates to that of its mother and how variation in maternally provisioned defenses might result in varying levels of protection against predators. Here, we demonstrate that natural variation in the …

A Long‐Term Obesogenic High‐Fat Diet In Mice Partially Dampens The Anti‐Frailty Benefts Of Late‐Life Intermittent Fasting, Yoko Henderson, Nazmin Bithi, Jie Yang, Christopher Link, Aili Zhang, Benjamin Baron, Eran Maina, Christopher Hine

Senior Honors Projects

The global obesity pandemic coupled with ever-growing life expectancies equates to hundreds of millions of individuals with potentially longer but not healthier lives. Aging is one of the risk factors for numerous maladies such as metabolic dis- order and frailty, which are exacerbated under obesity. Thus, therapeutic approaches that address obesity to ultimately improve afected individuals’ quality of life and extend their lifespan are needed. We previously reported that the every other day (EOD) fasting initiated late-life improved metabolic, musculoskeletal, and cognitive endpoints in standard rodent diet-fed mice. In the present study, using the same dietary intervention methodology, we tested …

“Albertania” And “Egbenema”, Expanding Biodiversity In The Oculatellaceae (Cyanobacteria)., Mildred Akagha

Masters Theses

To conduct molecular studies of cyanobacteria of Lagos, Nigeria, a total of eight soil/subaerial samples were collected in Lagos State, Nigeria, and used to isolate cyanobacterial cultures that were characterized microscopically, sequenced, and phylogenetically analyzed. Within the resulting set of cultures, a number of Synechococcales were observed, particularly belonging to Oculatellaceae. “Egbenema” and two new putative species of the recently described genus Albertania were found. Both genera belong to a supported clade within the Oculatellaceae that includes Trichotorquatus and Komarkovaea. The two new putative species of Albertania, “A. egbensis” and “A. latericola”, were from the same sample, but phylogenetically were …

Species Responses To Habitat Edges And Fragmentation Per Se: A Cross Taxa Meta-Analysis, Rachel Snyder

Masters Theses

Aim We examined the scale equivalency of fragmentation effects at the patch scale and landscape scale to determine if patch level effects scale up to landscape level effects. First, we examined species responses to fragmentation effects at the patch scale and landscape scale. Second, we evaluated whether there is a difference in response between taxonomic groups and across latitudes. Finally, we analyzed the data at the level of individual species in order to determine how species respond to edge effects and fragmentation effects. Location Data for 71 studies were gathered from the BioFrag database. Studies used were located in 48 …

Mate Recognition In Genetically Distinct Populations Of The Eastern Red-Backed Salamander (Plethodon Cinereus), Courtney Thomas

Masters Theses

Lineages that have undergone genetic divergence and subsequently experience secondary contact present fascinating situations related to the potential for reproductive isolation. Within species hybrid zones provide unique opportunities to test the strength of reproductive barriers through behavioral experiments when genetic relatedness between groups is established. Among the complex interactions that operate to maintain species boundaries, mate recognition and mate choice are two behaviors that serve to promote evolutionary independence across diverse taxonomic lineages. I explored mate recognition in genetically distinct populations of the Eastern Red-backed Salamander, Plethodon cinereus, a small, abundant, terrestrial salamander with a widespread distribution throughout northeastern United …

Changes In Health Behaviors By Gender During A Global Pandemic, Anthony Costarella

Celebration of Scholarship 2022

As we emerge from Covid-19 pandemic, many people struggle to return to normal, leading us to ask what changes have occurred as a result of the virus and social distancing. We have observed 471 million people suffer with Covid-19, lost 6.08 million lives to the virus, and learned how the virus works as well as how to fight it, yet very little is known about the impact of the virus and its countermeasures on our health habits. PURPOSE: To examine the effect of gender on changes in health behaviors during the COVID-19 pandemic. METHODS: Eight hundred and sixty-six subjects (70.8% …

Notch3 Expression In Zebrafish With Inherited Degeneration Vs. Inflicted Damage, Meghan Graeca

Celebration of Scholarship 2022

While mammals possess a limited capacity for retinal regeneration, teleosts such as Danio rerio (zebrafish) can recover from retinal injury or cell death through stimulation of glia to induce reprogramming into neural stem-like cells.

1 In zebrafish, retinal Müller glia engage in regeneration in response to an injury-derived signal. It was previously shown2,3 that the regenerative response to retinal damage in zebrafish is regulated by the Notch signaling pathway. Persistent Notch signaling causes Müller glia to remain in a quiescent state in the undamaged retina, and Notch signaling repression causes Müller glia to reenter the cell cycle3 , reprogramming them …

Om92, A Glp-1 Enhancer Mutation, Is An Allele Of Ekl-1, Samantha A. Stein, Olivia F. Zucaro, Harold E. Smith, Kevin F. O'Connell, Jill M. Spoerke, Eleanor M. Maine, James L. Lissemore

2022 Faculty Bibliography

Germline stem cell proliferation in C. elegans requires activation of the GLP-1/Notch receptor, which is located on the germline plasma membrane and encoded by the glp-1 gene. We previously identified several genes whose products directly or indirectly promote activity of the GLP-1 signaling pathway by finding mutations that enhance the germline phenotype of a glp-1(ts) allele, glp-1(bn18) . Here, we report phenotypic and molecular analysis of a new ekl-1 allele, ekl-1(om92) , that enhances the glp-1(bn18) phenotype. ekl-1(om92) is a 244 bp deletion predicted to generate a frameshift and premature termination codon, yielding a severely truncated protein, suggesting it is …

Assessment Of Repeatability And Behavioral Syndromes In Genetically Distinct Clades Of Eastern Red-Backed Salamanders (Plethodon Cinereus), Kelsey Garner

Masters Theses

Animal personality implies limited behavioral plasticity and behavioral traits which are correlated across contexts. Correlated behaviors, sometimes referred to as behavioral syndromes, have the potential to inhibit behavioral traits from evolving independently. Limits on behavioral variation can influence a population’s ability to invade new geographic areas and exploit new niches. One way to explore such variation is to examine behavioral syndromes in genetically distinct populations of wide-ranging species that exhibit different dispersal pathways and distances. The personality-dependent dispersal syndrome suggests that certain traits, such as exploratory and risk-taking behavior, are correlated with dispersal success. The Eastern Red-backed Salamander (Plethodon …

Gender Differences And The Influence Of Body Composition On Land And Pool-Based Assessments Of Anaerobic Power And Capacity, Jacquelyn N. Zera, Elizabeth F. Nagle, Emma Connell, Erin Curtin, Wilmina Marget, Anna P. Simonson, Takashi Nagai, John Abt, Scott Lephart

2022 Faculty Bibliography

No abstract provided.

Does The Thermal Mismatch Hypothesis Predict Disease Outcomes In Different Morphs Of A Terrestrial Salamander?, Matthew Venesky, Joseph Alan Demarchi, Cari-Ann M. Hickerson, Carl D. Anthony

2022 Faculty Bibliography

Many aspects of ectotherm physiology are temperature‐dependent. The immune system of temperate‐dwelling ectothermic host species is no exception and their immune function is often downregulated in cold temperatures. Likewise, species of ectothermic pathogens experience temperature‐mediated effects on rates of transmission and/or virulence. Although seemingly straightforward, predicting the outcomes of ectothermic host−pathogen interactions is quite challenging. A recent hypothesis termed the thermal mismatch hypothesis posits that cool‐adapted host species should be most susceptible to pathogen infection during warm temperature periods whereas warm‐adapted host species should be most susceptible to pathogens during periods of cool temperatures. We explore this hypothesis using two …

Sulfated Flavonoids In The Asteraceae, Alyssa Rice

Senior Honors Projects

Gypsum soils are a unique soil type with high levels of calcium and sulfur, which creates a harsh living environment for plants. To survive these conditions, plants have evolved a suite of mechanisms to survive these excess minerals, such as sulfur. In this study we aimed to determine if gypsum status was related to sulfated flavonoid production in plants of the Asteraceae. Flower and leaf tissues were collected from herbarium specimens representing gypsophiles, gypsovags, and gypsofuges. These tissues were analyzed for the presence of sulfated flavonoids using Thin Layer Chromatography (TLC). We observed sulfated flavonoid production in leaf and flower …

Hybridization Between The Woodland Salamanders Plethodon Cinereus And P. Electromorphus Is Not Widespread, Shawn R. Kuchta, Maggie M. Hantak, Brian P. Waldron, Cari-Ann M. Hickerson, Richard M. Lehtinen, Carl Anthony

2022 Faculty Bibliography

A recent study reported widespread hybridization between the Eastern Red-backed Salamander (Plethodon cinereus) and the Northern Ravine Salamander (P. electromorphus) in northern Ohio. In this study, DNA sequence data were obtained from three nuclear loci and 20 single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) were identified from the sequences. They found that 48 out of 90 individuals from 13 populations were hybrids, and in some localities every individual possessed an admixed genotype. As these results contradict our observations, and because levels of hybridization impact our interpretation of past and ongoing studies, we revisited the data. First we reanalyzed the original SNPs using STRUCTURE, …

“Albertania” And “Egbenema”, Panding Biodiversity In The Oculatellaceae (Cyanobacteria)., Mildred Akagha

Masters Theses

To conduct molecular studies of cyanobacteria of Lagos, Nigeria, a total of eight soil/subaerial samples were collected in Lagos State, Nigeria, and used to isolate cyanobacterial cultures that were characterized microscopically, sequenced, and phylogenetically analyzed. Within the resulting set of cultures, a number of Synechococcales were observed, particularly belonging to Oculatellaceae. “Egbenema” and two new putative species of the recently described genus Albertania were found. Both genera belong to a supported clade within the Oculatellaceae that includes Trichotorquatus and Komarkovaea. The two new putative species of Albertania, “A. egbensis” and “A. latericola”, were from …

Dose-Dependent Alkaloid Sequestration And N-Methylation Of Decahydroquinoline In Poison Frogs, Adriana M. Jeckel, Sarah K. Bolton, Katherine R. Waters, Marta M. Antoniazzi, Carlos Jared, Kunihiro Matsumura, Keisuke Nishikawa, Yoshiki Morimoto5, Taran Grant, Ralph Saporito

2022 Faculty Bibliography

Sequestration of chemical defenses from dietary sources is dependent on the availability of compounds in the environment and the mechanism of sequestration. Previous experiments have shown that sequestration efficiency varies among alkaloids in poison frogs, but little is known about the underlying mechanism. The aim of this study was to quantify the extent to which alkaloid sequestration and modification are dependent on alkaloid availability and/or sequestration mechanism. To do this, we administered different doses of histrionicotoxin (HTX) 235A and decahydroquinoline (DHQ) to captive‐bred Adelphobates galactonotus and measured alkaloid quantity in muscle, kidney, liver, and feces. HTX 235A and DHQ were …

Effects Of Chronic Oral Administration Of Midazolam On Memory And Circadian Rhythms In Rats, Helen M. Murphy, Anastasiya I. Kalinina, Cyrilla H. Wideman

2022 Faculty Bibliography

Studies have shown the ability of benzodiazepine drugs to cause memory loss in animals and humans. Midazolam is a benzodiazepine commonly administered intravenously during surgical procedures because it reacts rapidly, causes anterograde amnesia, and has few side effects. It has also been used in palliative medicine where, among others, an oral route has been employed for chronic administration of the drug. The current study evaluated the effects of chronic orally administered midazolam on spatial working memory and procedural memory in control and experimental female rats over a threeweek experimental period utilizing the Morris water maze. Sample and test run times …