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Full-Text Articles in Life Sciences
Next-Generation Sequencing Shows Increasing Temperatures Affect Stream Fungal Communities, Regan Hodgson
Next-Generation Sequencing Shows Increasing Temperatures Affect Stream Fungal Communities, Regan Hodgson
Electronic Theses and Dissertations
Under climate change predictions, surface air temperature is expected to continue to rise and will likely affect functioning of stream ecosystems and microbial communities. Aquatic hyphomycetes are key fungal decomposers of plant litter in headwater streams controlling carbon, energy, and nutrient flows to higher trophic levels. This project addressed the effects of temperature on stream fungal communities in two recently conducted experiments (microcosm and streamside channel studies) using Illumina sequencing. The objectives were to determine (1) if temperature affects community structure of stream fungi based on relative abundances of ITS2 rDNA sequences, (2) if the effects of temperature on aquatic …
Hydrodynamic Characteristics Of The Shortfin Mako Shark (Isurus Oxyrinchus) For Two Caudal Fin Morphologies, Matthew C. Rodriguez
Hydrodynamic Characteristics Of The Shortfin Mako Shark (Isurus Oxyrinchus) For Two Caudal Fin Morphologies, Matthew C. Rodriguez
Electronic Theses and Dissertations
No abstract provided.
Testing The Potential Of Environmental Dna: Genetic Monitoring Of Estuarine And Coastal Bottlenose Dolphin (Tursiops Truncatus) Stocks In South Carolina, Kathryn Greiner-Ferris
Testing The Potential Of Environmental Dna: Genetic Monitoring Of Estuarine And Coastal Bottlenose Dolphin (Tursiops Truncatus) Stocks In South Carolina, Kathryn Greiner-Ferris
Electronic Theses and Dissertations
Environmental DNA (eDNA) analysis is a non-invasive monitoring technique that can detect and potentially monitor elusive marine mammals. To date, the majority of eDNA studies have been performed in freshwater environments, partially due to methodological challenges posed by higher salinities and increased dilution effects of large water masses in marine environments. The objective of this study was to design and optimize species-specific oligonucleotide PCR primers to accurately detect and quantify common bottlenose dolphin (Tursiops truncatus) eDNA collected from the marine environment and to evaluate potential trends between eDNA concentration and dolphin abundance and seasonality. Primer pairs were designed to target …
A Comparison Of Whole Body Mercury Concentrations Of Mummichogs (Fundulus Heteroclitus) And Atlantic Silversides (Menidia Menidia), Daniel P. Ferons
A Comparison Of Whole Body Mercury Concentrations Of Mummichogs (Fundulus Heteroclitus) And Atlantic Silversides (Menidia Menidia), Daniel P. Ferons
Electronic Theses and Dissertations
Few studies have focused on mercury cycling within salt marsh estuaries. Mummichogs (Fundulus heteroclitus) and Atlantic silversides (Menidia menidia) are two species of forage fish that live year round in South Carolina salt marshes. During high tide, mummichogs feed from the water column, sediment, and off of smooth cordgrass while Atlantic silversides prey upon zooplankton. In this study, total and methyl mercury within mummichogs and Atlantic silversides from Dunn Sound, SC were quantified and compared over four seasons throughout 2014. Gut contents were also quantified and compared to determine if there was a dietary impact on the concentrations of total …