Life Sciences Commons^™

Ecosystem Metabolism Modeling Of Estuaries In Maine: Using Dissolved Oxygen As A Tool For Aquaculture Site Assessment, Katherine Miller

Honors College

The net primary productivity (NPP), also known as the net ecosystem metabolism, of an estuary is a value indicative of the growth and activity of an estuary’s primary producers, relative to the metabolic activity of its consumers. When NPP is high, estuaries exhibit autotrophic conditions that have the capacity to support fruitful bivalve aquaculture. For oyster farmers, the ability to monitor an estuary’s NPP would allow them to predict and prepare for seasonal changes to oyster growth that result from changes to their phytoplankton food source and access to dissolved oxygen (DO). Not only would this aid farmers on site …

Interspecies Communication In Homo Sapiens And Canis Lupis Familiaris: A Meta Analysis, Karissa Panzino

Honors College

Interspecies communication is a fundamental aspect of many creatures. Knowing what another animal is saying could not only prove interesting, it could quite literally save a life. For humans, human-canine communication is arguably the most prevalent form of interspecies communication, and is important not only because of the close proximity of humans to dogs, but also because of the co-evolutionary aspects that have driven humans closer to “man’s best friend”. While there are some sources that allow for a consistent analysis of results in this field, it is still developing and constantly changing. A meta-analysis was performed to identify sources …

Success Of Artificial Insemination In Two Breeds Of Maine Sheep Is Not Hindered By Breed Differences, Dominic Barra

Honors College

The use of artificial insemination (AI) on sheep is an emerging field of research in the United States. Rates of AI success for frozen-thawed semen have been consistently lower than 30%; this makes long-term sperm storage for commercial use difficult. The method and semen extender used in this study were developed in Iceland and has consistently achieved success rates of 60% or higher. This study was designed to examine the effectiveness of this Icelandic method of AI in both Icelandic and East Friesian breeds of sheep. The results of our study show that East Friesian ewes achieved a success rate …

Do Insulating Characteristics Of Feathers Vary Among Color Phases Of Ruffed Grouse (Bonasa Umbellus)?, Nicole Keefner

Honors College

Ruffed grouse (Bonasa umbellus) occupy a wide distribution in North America, from Georgia in the south to Alaska in the north, as well as southern and central Canada. Color phases in ruffed grouse range from red to gray with gray phase birds found more frequently at higher latitudes than red birds. Gray and red morphs become exclusive at northern and southern range margins, respectively. This pattern is generally attributed to increased ability of gray morphs to survive northern winters. Although a number of mechanisms have been proposed for these relationships, recent studies on tawny owls have suggested that …

Antioxidants In Atlantic Salmon On A Diurnal Basis, Alexa Grissinger

Honors College

Atlantic salmon is a common aquaculture species that is now greatly impacted by sea lice and amoebic gill disease. Currently, one of the treatments uses hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) because it breaks down safely in water, leaving no toxic residues like some of the previous treatments. Hydrogen peroxide was an effective treatment previously, but now resistance seems to be developing amongst the disease organisms and, if too high a dose is used, it can harm the salmon. Antioxidants, specifically superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), and both independent and dependent glutathione peroxidase (GPx), are present in organisms to break down reactive oxygen …

Perception Of The Horizon Predicts Bird Abundance Better Than Habitat Patch Size In A Tidal Marsh Species Of Conservation Concern, Hallie Marshall

Honors College

The Saltmarsh Sparrow (Ammodramus caudacutus) is a tidal marsh bird species facing rapid population decline throughout its range. A major cause of this decline is degradation and loss of breeding habitat, and thus there is a need to preserve coastal marshes in the northeastern United States. To do so requires an understanding of the habitat features that support robust populations. Previous studies have shown increases in Saltmarsh Sparrow abundance with marsh size increases. In other grassland bird species, habitat patches with low horizons are preferred to those with tall objects (e.g., trees, telephone poles, wind turbines). This study tests how …

The Importance Of Social Science In Biomedical Education, Kathryn Asalone

Honors College

This study proposes an intervention in undergraduate education that could enhance doctor-patient interactions. This intervention would provide evidence, to pre-medical students, that social science training is important during medical school. Semi-structured interviews were conducted of six doctors from hospitals in the Maine. The goal was to determine whether or not taking more social science courses during an MD’s undergraduate education would result in better reported doctor satisfaction with their patient interactions. The interview questions were designed to encourage doctors to explain how they interact with patients and coworkers and to describe their undergraduate education. This information and the impressions that …

Hydrology And Aquatic Invertebrate Communities Of Riverine Rock Pools: Effects Of Seasonality And The Penobscot River, Chase Gagne

Honors College

Small pools on rock outcrops are a common feature on the banks of Maine rivers, however the unique aquatic insects inhabiting these rock pools have been little studied. This is problematic, as climate change is altering seasonal river flooding and rainfall patterns that may control pool filling and drying. These changes may impact potentially unique species in these pools, or make them more susceptible to invasion by disease vectors such as mosquitos. This project surveyed the insect communities of 40 natural pools in a rocky outcrop on the Penobscot River near Milford. The pools were spread between four zones: two …

The Effect Of The Absence Of Gaffkemia On Homarus Americanus In The Gulf Of Maine, Samantha O'Gorman

Honors College

A dynamic model originally developed to model lobster shell shedding mortality was used to describe the impacts of Gaffkemia, a disease previously common in American lobster (Homarus americanus). The model illustrated that as the mortality due to Gaffkemia increased, annual lobster catch and the net income per fisherman would decrease.

This model was also used to estimate the impact that the absence of Gaffkemia had on the lobster population boom in the Gulf of Maine. With the removal of 6% Gaffkemia mortality, the model estimates a 2016 catch of approximately 146 million pounds of lobster from the population. …

Ash Decline: An Opportunity For Young Forest Wildlife, Bianca Beland

Honors College

The overall decline of ash tree health presents an opportunity for landowners to salvage dying trees, thus contributing to state and federal efforts to create young forest habitat for a wide variety of wildlife species, in addition to benefitting from the financial and recreational opportunities that come following salvage operations. This case study examines the results of a decision made by the Metropolitan District Commission (MDC, Hartford, CT) to conduct a timber salvage operation on its public water supply watershed land to remove dying white ash (Fraxinus americana) trees and at the same time meet the goals of the …

Developing Learning Models To Teach Equine Anatomy And Biomechanics, Zandalee E. Toothaker

Honors College

Animal owners and professionals benefit from an understanding of an animal’s anatomy and biomechanics. This is especially true of the horse. A better understanding of the horse’s anatomy and weight bearing capabilities will allow people to treat and prevent injuries in equine athletes and work horses. Currently, teaching anatomy is based on dissection of cadavers and study of figures in textbooks. Dissection is expensive and presents logistical difficulties associated with sourcing, storage, and disposal of cadavers. Also, post mortem tissue changes obscure how the muscles support the bones and make the specimens unsuitable for representing biomechanical principles. Cadavers may also …