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Articles 1 - 30 of 43
Full-Text Articles in Life Sciences
Estimating Steelhead Smolt Abundance From A Mixed Resident/Anadromous Oncorhynchus Mykiss Population, Gabriel Temple
Estimating Steelhead Smolt Abundance From A Mixed Resident/Anadromous Oncorhynchus Mykiss Population, Gabriel Temple
All Master's Theses
Effective management of fish populations in inland waters requires, at the most fundamental level, a basic understanding of population abundance. This is especially important for critically depressed species having high conservation value. Unfortunately, due to their critically depressed abundance, the anadromous form of Oncorhynchus mykiss, known as Steelhead Trout, has high conservation value in the upper Yakima Basin located in central Washington State. However, the resident form of O. mykiss, known as Rainbow Trout, are numerous in the watershed. We used a juvenile tagging study coupled with a long-term population monitoring study to disaggregate this mixed O. mykiss …
Quantifying The Ecological Effects Of Salix Fragilis On Riparian Habitat In Kittitas County, Washington, Landon Shaffer
Quantifying The Ecological Effects Of Salix Fragilis On Riparian Habitat In Kittitas County, Washington, Landon Shaffer
All Master's Theses
Invasive species threaten plant community structure and function globally. Riparian areas, the zone near streams where water influences vegetation, are especially sensitive to invasive species colonization, suffering large-scale shifts in community composition. Salix fragilis (crack willow) is a nonnative riparian species abundant in the lower elevation tributaries of central Washington. Some speculate whether this willow should be listed as invasive in Washington, despite a lack of regional supporting evidence. I studied riparian communities dominated by either S. fragilis or native species in the Kittitas Valley and measured biodiversity, quantified differences in solar attenuation, and compared leaf decomposition rates to learn …
Effects Of Solar Arrays On Southwestern Desert Thermal Landscapes: Consequences For Terrestrial Ectotherms, Adrian Slade
Effects Of Solar Arrays On Southwestern Desert Thermal Landscapes: Consequences For Terrestrial Ectotherms, Adrian Slade
All Master's Theses
Solar energy development in the Southwestern United States coincides with habitat for many sensitive and endemic species, including reptiles such as Mojave Fringe-toed Lizards and Mojave Desert Tortoises who are threatened by a warming and drying climate. While utility-scale solar energy reduces carbon emissions and should ultimately benefit climate-sensitive species, it locally destroys fragile desert habitat, displaces wildlife, and has been shown to incur local air and surface temperature changes. Mitigation-based translocation of wildlife species in the face of solar development yields mixed results, and the unprecedented pace of solar expansion in the desert highlights the need for alternative practices …
Evaluation Of Leishmanicidal Activities Of 4-Thiazolidinones Against Leishmania Major, The Causative Agent Of Human Cutaneous Leishmaniasis, Kiera Bush
All Master's Theses
The leishmaniases are a group of vector-borne parasitic diseases that affect many developing countries including parts of Africa, India, and the Middle East in addition to Southern Europe and the Americas. It is estimated that worldwide, there are about 3 million new cases of leishmaniases each year leading to as many as 50,000 fatalities annually. The parasites that cause leishmaniasis belong to the genus Leishmania spp and are transmitted by the female phlebotomine sand fly. There are three clinical forms of the infection: visceral, mucocutaneous, and cutaneous. However, the focus of this paper is on cutaneous leishmaniasis that causes skin …
Longitudinal Patterns Of Microplastic Abundance And Potential For Food Web Uptake In The Yakima River, Janell Shah
Longitudinal Patterns Of Microplastic Abundance And Potential For Food Web Uptake In The Yakima River, Janell Shah
All Master's Theses
Microplastic (MP) pollutes environments worldwide, but the ecological consequences remain largely unknown. While MP research has historically focused on marine environments, recent work has increasingly investigated rivers as transporters of MP from terrestrial sources to the ocean. Some studies have documented instances of MP consumption in a river food web, but few have investigated multiple consumers at different points along a river continuum. This study enumerated the MP abundance in the water column, biofilm, and four macroinvertebrate families from different functional feeding groups across nine sites spanning 344 kilometers from the headwaters to the mouth of the Yakima River in …
Spatio-Temporal Movement Patterns Of Sub-Adult Adfluvial Bull Trout, Aimee Taylor
Spatio-Temporal Movement Patterns Of Sub-Adult Adfluvial Bull Trout, Aimee Taylor
All Master's Theses
Bull Trout in the Yakima River basin of Washington are primarily adfluvial, often using managed lakes as habitat. Kachess Lake, composed of Big and Little Kachess Lakes, is managed by the Bureau of Reclamation (BOR) for water storage. BOR plans to build a structure that can withdraw an additional 200,000 acre-feet of water in drought years, which would disconnect the two basins for multiple years. This study examined the spatio-temporal movement of sub-adult Bull Trout in Kachess Lake to understand distribution patterns and the effects of environmental variables. We sought to answer 1) does time (week of the year), diel …
Patterning And Quality Of Male-Male Interactions In Hamadryas Baboons (Papio Hamadryas), John Calcitrai
Patterning And Quality Of Male-Male Interactions In Hamadryas Baboons (Papio Hamadryas), John Calcitrai
All Master's Theses
The social structure of a primate group is defined as the content, quality, and patterning of interactions and relationships among the members of the social group. Ecological variables, stress physiology, and phylogenetic inertia play a role in regulating measures of interactions and relationships between non-human primates. To examine social dynamics among male hamadryas baboons, video recordings of focal follows of this species were coded for three behavioral categories: self-directed behaviors (SDB), socio-positive behaviors, and agonistic behaviors. The analysis of self-directed behaviors revealed no differences in SDB across males of differing sex classes (i.e., Leader Male, Follower Male, or Solitary Male), …
Development Of Environmental Metabarcoding Analysis For Use In Ecological Studies Of Aquatic Fungal And Oomycete Communities Using Nanopore Sequencing, Douglas Bennett
Development Of Environmental Metabarcoding Analysis For Use In Ecological Studies Of Aquatic Fungal And Oomycete Communities Using Nanopore Sequencing, Douglas Bennett
All Master's Theses
One of several factors contributing to amphibian decline are organisms called water molds (oomycetes), which parasitize and kill amphibian and fish eggs, larvae, and occasionally adults. Amphibian decline is one of the most difficult issues facing ecologists and conservationists to date; half of amphibian species are in severe decline and one third of amphibian species are facing extinction, threatening the stability of ecosystems globally. Multiple oomycete species are known to cause the disease saprolegniasis and contribute to amphibian decline; however, the full range of species involved is not presently known. This study evaluated the Oxford Nanopore minION DNA sequencer (R9.2 …
The Effects Of Induced Polycystic Ovary Syndrome In Nag-1 Transgenic Mice, Nicholas Werner
The Effects Of Induced Polycystic Ovary Syndrome In Nag-1 Transgenic Mice, Nicholas Werner
All Master's Theses
Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is the leading cause of infertility among women in the US and the most common endocrine disorder among women. PCOS is characterized by cystic ovaries, hyperandrogenism (heightened levels of male sex hormones), altered menstrual cycles and various metabolic dysfunctions. The metabolic symptoms associated with PCOS are difficult to treat, as they are a result of hormonal imbalances, rather than diet. The human Non-Steroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drug Activated Gene (NAG-1) been shown to prevent diet-induced metabolic disorders and weight gain in mice. We hypothesized that the expression of NAG-1 may also prevent hormonal-induced metabolic disorders. To test this …
Floral Trait Architecture In Crop Sunflower (Helianthus Annuus) Under Drought Conditions, Lauren Segarra
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 …
Group Differences In Mother-Infant Macaca Fascicularis Behavior, Parasite Load, And Body Condition Within An Anthropogenically Altered Forest, Elizabeth M.C. Coggeshall
Group Differences In Mother-Infant Macaca Fascicularis Behavior, Parasite Load, And Body Condition Within An Anthropogenically Altered Forest, Elizabeth M.C. Coggeshall
All Master's Theses
This study aimed to establish preliminary health and behavioral data, as well as understand group variation for a large population of Macaca fascicularis individuals within an anthropogenically altered monkey forest. A parasitic analysis of 40 mother and infant individuals showed that M. fascicularis carried 13 different parasitic taxa, and that there was parasitic variation between groups. Body condition scores were determined using a newly created and adapted body condition scale from 146 sampled mother macaques. Body condition scores were significantly different between groups, specifically the pond group when compared to the three other groups. Mother-infant behavioral differences were seen between …
Effects Of Western Spruce Budworm Herbivory On Forest Soils And Litter Decomposition In Central Washington, Izak R. Neziri
Effects Of Western Spruce Budworm Herbivory On Forest Soils And Litter Decomposition In Central Washington, Izak R. Neziri
All Master's Theses
Disturbances by herbivores can drive nutrient cycling in forest ecosystems by adding frass, carcasses, and molts to the forest floor which are broken down into nitrogen, phosphorous, and other elements to be recycled into biomass. Western spruce budworms are defoliators native to the central Cascades and their herbivory could increase the decomposition rate of forest materials by adding essential nutrients and/or by increasing light and rainfall penetration to the forest floor by thinning the forest canopy during outbreaks. Budworm defoliation events are expected to increase in severity as the climate warms, potentially altering forest ecosystem function. The purpose of this …
The Gut Microbiome: Is Fecal Matter Microbial Composition A Proxy For Intestinal Microbial Composition In Studies Of The Microbiome, Enique Reyes
All Master's Theses
As many health phenomena seem to be affected directly and indirectly by the microbiome, gut microbiome research has increased in the last decade. Issues such as allergies, cancer, obesity, and other health complications have been shown to be influenced by the microbiome. Most of gut microbiome research is done by collecting and sequencing the DNA of the microbiome of the fecal matter from model organisms or human subjects. Studies that use this method of sample collection and analysis assume that fecal matter microbiomes are similar to intestinal microbiomes, and that it can be used as a proxy. At present, no …
Cold Tolerance, Temperature Mediated Discontinuous Gas Exchange, And Emergence Of The Blue Orchard Mason Bee (Osmia Lignaria), Logan Kral
All Master's Theses
The relationship between low temperatures, emergence and supercooling point of Osmia lignaria were the subject of this study. One hundred sixty-eight bees were subjected to 5 pre-wintering temperature treatments (two constant temperature controls - 22oC, 14oC, one of which with and one without a 12h photoperiod, and three 12h:12h thermoperiod treatments – 14:10oC, 14:5oC, and 14:0oC) and were then evaluated in terms of emergence time and post-emergence vigor. An additional 70 bees were tested for metabolic rate and discontinuous gas exchange in response to test temperature conditions. An additional sample …
Are Highways Stressful For Pikas?: Analysis Of Stress Hormones Of The American Pika (Ochotona Princeps) Living Adjacent To Interstate 90 In The Cascade Range Of Washington State, Thomas J. Mcintyre Iii
Are Highways Stressful For Pikas?: Analysis Of Stress Hormones Of The American Pika (Ochotona Princeps) Living Adjacent To Interstate 90 In The Cascade Range Of Washington State, Thomas J. Mcintyre Iii
All Master's Theses
Roads often disrupt ecosystem connectivity, harming many wildlife populations. Wildlife crossing structures perforate the barrier-effect of roads, providing safe passage for species dispersing across roads, thereby reconnecting ecosystems. Some wildlife species live in modified habitats along roads and in habitat features within wildlife crossing structures, but their fitness in these potentially stressful environments is poorly understood. Chronic stress alters behavior, reduces reproduction, and has been linked to reduced survival. Animals affected by chronic stress in road-adjacent habitats could reduce the ability of wildlife crossing structures to improve connectivity across roads. I assessed stress hormone concentrations in a low-mobility species, the …
Single And Pair Housed Chacma Baboons’ (Papio Ursinus) Response To Caregivers’ Use Of Species-Specific Behavior, Josefine Holm
Single And Pair Housed Chacma Baboons’ (Papio Ursinus) Response To Caregivers’ Use Of Species-Specific Behavior, Josefine Holm
All Master's Theses
Most captive primates suffer from stereotypical or abnormal behavior which can be reduced by implementing enrichment protocols. There is, however, often spatial or economic limitations to facilities’ enrichment programs, and implementing the most beneficial and cost-effective enrichment is therefore crucial to ensure the best welfare for captive primates. Social enrichment has been designated as the most effective type of enrichment, but often captive primates cannot be housed in social groups. Through this study, I wanted to determine if species-specific behavioral interactions between human caregivers and captive chacma baboons (Papio ursinus)would alter the baboons’ behaviors, and if these interactions could …
Cold Tolerance, Diapause And Winter Survival Of The Brown Marmorated Stink Bug (Halyomorpha Halys), Naomi Sibayan
Cold Tolerance, Diapause And Winter Survival Of The Brown Marmorated Stink Bug (Halyomorpha Halys), Naomi Sibayan
All Master's Theses
The brown marmorated stink bug, Halyomorpha halys, is native to eastern Asia and is an invasive pest in the United States. Limited research has been done regarding the factors influencing this species’ winter survival within invaded northern regions. Cold tolerance has been previously evaluated in the eastern United States, bot nut within western populations. Winter diapause. Along with any potential links between diapause and cold tolerance remain unstudied. I examined characteristics of cold tolerance, diapause and overwintering sites to evaluate the factors contributing to the winter survival and, ultimately, persistence of this pest within central Washington. This study measured seasonal …
Modeling The Psychiatric Aspects Of Polycystic Ovary Syndrome And Induced Stress, Danielle Peecher
Modeling The Psychiatric Aspects Of Polycystic Ovary Syndrome And Induced Stress, Danielle Peecher
All Master's Theses
Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is an endocrine disorder in women that is characterized by excess testosterone and is associated with increased risk of infertility. Women with PCOS also show higher rates of depression and anxiety. Modeling PCOS in mice via administration of dihydrotestosterone (DHT) results in physiological alterations that are consistent with the physiological symptoms of PCOS in women. While some studies have investigated behavioral changes in PCOS mouse models, findings have varied. Thus, the current research examined whether a PCOS model with an additional stress factor resulted in behavioral changes. To create a stress condition, subjects were implanted with …
Coloration, Camouflage, And Sexual Dichromatism In The Northern Pacific Rattlesnake (Crotalus Oreganus), Jefferson Brooks
Coloration, Camouflage, And Sexual Dichromatism In The Northern Pacific Rattlesnake (Crotalus Oreganus), Jefferson Brooks
All Master's Theses
In some viperid snakes, natural selection has shaped coloration and patterning to match local habitats, and for males to show greater warning coloration than females due to a less sedentary lifestyle. The Northern Pacific Rattlesnake (Crotalus oreganus) is likely the most abundant ambush predator in eastern Washington, yet little is known about its color variation, how color patterns interact with their habitats, and if male and female snakes show differences in patterning or color. To explore how snake color might interact with the colors of their environment, I used standardized digital photography to record both snake and substrate coloration. …
Effects Of Wildfires On Rattlesnake (Crotalus Oreganus) Growth And Movement In Washington State, Joseph Chase
Effects Of Wildfires On Rattlesnake (Crotalus Oreganus) Growth And Movement In Washington State, Joseph Chase
All Master's Theses
Fire is a dominant force in the Pacific Northwest that shapes ecosystems and influences wildlife, yet little is known of its effects on local predators. Northern Pacific rattlesnakes (Crotalus oreganus) comprise an excellent model to investigate how fire may influence wildlife because they are important predators that contribute to controlling prey populations, but are also unable to readily escape from wildfires. We developed a novel technique to assess growth rates of rattlesnakes by using digital photography to analyze differences in widths of their rattle segments laid down over time. We compared growth rates of rattlesnakes in habitats that …
Thermal And Behavioral Ecology Of The Mexican Beaded Lizard (Heloderma Horridum), Kerry Holcomb
Thermal And Behavioral Ecology Of The Mexican Beaded Lizard (Heloderma Horridum), Kerry Holcomb
All Master's Theses
Previous investigations in the field of biological thermoregulation have primarily focused on small organisms that inhabit ecosystems that are not as strongly seasonal as the tropical dry forests found along the Pacific Coast of Jalisco, Mexico. Small organisms have little or no appreciable thermal inertia, and thus, reach thermal equilibrium with their immediate surroundings relatively rapidly. In this investigation, we describe the behavioral and thermal ecology of the Mexican beaded lizard (Heloderma horridum), which commonly weighs more than 1kg. This large body size means that this species has significant thermal inertia, which, depending on the characteristics of the …
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 …
Behavioral Response Of Pacific Lamprey (Entosphenus Tridentatus) To Predator Odors, Laurie L. Porter
Behavioral Response Of Pacific Lamprey (Entosphenus Tridentatus) To Predator Odors, Laurie L. Porter
All Master's Theses
Pacific lamprey (Entosphenus tridentatus), a species facing serious threats to their existence, experience a number of challenges in reaching their desired spawning grounds during the adult migratory phase, and predators are suspected to be one of these challenges. Understanding if Pacific lamprey respond to predator odorants may provide a management tool for use in conjunction with attractants in guiding lamprey to suitable spawning habitat and deterring them from poor habitat. Previous research has failed to explore Pacific lamprey response to predator odorants, although much research exists on attractant odorants. In our study, we tested Pacific lamprey response to …
Chemical And Behavioral Ecology Of The Coastal Giant Salamander (Dicamptodon Tenebrosus), David Reavill
Chemical And Behavioral Ecology Of The Coastal Giant Salamander (Dicamptodon Tenebrosus), David Reavill
All Master's Theses
Intraspecific interactions are an important factor in shaping the population structure of terrestrial salamanders. Both physical interactions and scent-marking are vital components to the establishment of territories and influence dispersion of individuals. However, little is known about the terrestrial interactions of many salamander species, particularly that of the Coastal Giant Salamander (Dicamptodon tenebrosus). In this study, I observed the first evidence for the use chemical cues by terrestrial D. tenerosus in regards to shelter selection. I also observed the first accounts of agonistic and display behavior of terrestrial D. tenebrosus. These results suggest that terrestrial D. tenebrosus …
Occurrence And Characteristics Of Nonfruiting Myxobacteria Isolated From Pine Forest Soils, Paul M. Kulvi
Occurrence And Characteristics Of Nonfruiting Myxobacteria Isolated From Pine Forest Soils, Paul M. Kulvi
All Master's Theses
A study was conducted to contribute to the taxonomy of the nonfruiting myxobacteria and to determine the effects of fire on the occurrence and characteristics of nonfruiting myxobacteria isolated from pine forest soil Three years after a prescribed burn, the population of nonfruiting myxobacteria was decreased in the burn site. The organisms isolated were distinct from any of the known species of nonfruiting myxobacteria, and apparently are new species.
An Investigation Of The Behavior Of Citellus Townsendii Townsendii (Bachman) In Central Washington, Mark Roy Fuller
An Investigation Of The Behavior Of Citellus Townsendii Townsendii (Bachman) In Central Washington, Mark Roy Fuller
All Master's Theses
This study of the behavior of Citellus townsendii townsendii was based on field observations of animals at their northern most distribution. The squirrels' seasonal activity and behavioral repertoire, when considered with environmental parameters, suggest important adaptations for survival. The animals were in torpor from about July to February. Activity generally occurred during the midmorning hours, allowing them to avoid temperature extremes. Quantitative analysis of behavioral observations indicated that most activities occurred in a non-random order.
The Riparian Vegetation Of Swauk Creek, Edward L. Schneider
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
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.
Breeding Biology Of The Sage Thrasher, John Wayne Gooding
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 …
Food Habits Of Dicamptodon Ensatus And Associated Fish Species Of Maratta Creek, Washington, Authur L. Antonelli
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.