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Full-Text Articles in Life Sciences
Novelty Interactions Between Herbivorous Fish And Sargassum: Insight Into Macroalgal Phase Shifts, Christopher Pickens
Novelty Interactions Between Herbivorous Fish And Sargassum: Insight Into Macroalgal Phase Shifts, Christopher Pickens
Independent Study Project (ISP) Collection
Herbivores play a key role in the maintenance of algal and coral communities. A reduction in herbivory has been shown to result in a shift to a macroalgae dominated system, which can have significant effects on the biodiversity and restorative capabilities of coral reefs. Several studies have been done to better understand how herbivorous communities respond to macroalgae. These have shown that only certain herbivorous taxa are capable of removing macroalgae and there are several factors (depth, density, etc.) that affect the susceptibility of macroalgae to herbivory. However, few studies have yet to determine if the novelty of the resource …
Who Else Would Plant The Trees? A Status Update On The Pemba Flying Fox, Hannah “Hawa” Grose, Catherine Grace “Rahma” Clemmens
Who Else Would Plant The Trees? A Status Update On The Pemba Flying Fox, Hannah “Hawa” Grose, Catherine Grace “Rahma” Clemmens
Independent Study Project (ISP) Collection
This study assesses the current population of Pemba Flying Fox, Pteropusvoeltzkowi, at four key locations on Pemba Island off the coast of Tanzania previously noted as highly populated roost sites: Ngezi National Forest, Wete, Kidike, and MsituwaMbiji. We evaluate local knowledge, perceptions, and practices of communities surrounding the Pemba Flying Fox. This study also documents roosting and migratory patterns of the bats. We hypothesize a growth in bat population, an overall positive community perception of the bats, and a greater amount of conflict between fruit farmers and Pteropusvoeltzkowi. Results showed a decrease in estimated population. Additionally, reverse correlation was found …
Effect Of Light Level On Feeding Behavior In A Lemur Species (Eulemur Rubriventer) With A Color Vision Polymorphism., Ainsley Lockhart
Effect Of Light Level On Feeding Behavior In A Lemur Species (Eulemur Rubriventer) With A Color Vision Polymorphism., Ainsley Lockhart
Independent Study Project (ISP) Collection
Understanding the visual capabilities and correlated behavior of prosimians provides vital information regarding the evolution of color vision. Feeding behavior in particular is often modified based on color vision status in various primate taxa. The present study examined feeding behavior under various light conditions in Eulemur rubriventer, a lemur species with a color vision polymorphism in which only females can have trichromatic vision. Behavioral observations were conducted for a single E. rubrventer group over a 13 day study period in April 2012. Results found no significant difference in rates of frugivory or exploitation of green vs. non-green food between male …
Effects Of A Cymothoid Ectoparasite On The Turning Behavior (Lateralization) Of The Bridled Monocle Bream Scolopsis Bilineata, Laura Strong
Effects Of A Cymothoid Ectoparasite On The Turning Behavior (Lateralization) Of The Bridled Monocle Bream Scolopsis Bilineata, Laura Strong
Independent Study Project (ISP) Collection
Lateralization, or behavioral asymmetry, is the tendency to favor one side of the body over the other, and exists in humans and animals including in mammals, birds, and fishes. It has been found to increase performance in certain behaviors such as escape from predators by lowering reation time. Lateralization has predominantly genetic bases, but can also be influenced by environmental factors. For example, lateralization has been observed to increase in populations of fish subject to high predation pressure as it decreases their response time to predatory attacks. Parasitism may also have important effects on lateralization. In particular, increased drag from …
Paleoecological Study Of Unguja: Can Past Environments Be Inferred From Fossilized Corals And Mollusks?, Meredith Burger, Jory Lerback
Paleoecological Study Of Unguja: Can Past Environments Be Inferred From Fossilized Corals And Mollusks?, Meredith Burger, Jory Lerback
Independent Study Project (ISP) Collection
A study was conducted on Unguja, an island off the eastern coast of Tanzania, to provide an overview of the paleoecology found in the cliff shelves across the island. It is known that Zanzibar was a submerged reef from the Neogene, approximately 23 million years ago (Ma). Two tests were carried out in 16 sites around the island. One test looked at coral fossils, while the other studied fossilized shells. Both tests measured biodiversity, with one specifically studying patterns of ocean currents, and the other studying nutrient levels and deposition rates. Biodiversity tests were inconclusive but coral diversity showed a …
Coarse Woody Debris In A Tropical Rainforest In North Queensland, Australia: Relationships With Stand Structure And Disturbance, Nadine Rea
Independent Study Project (ISP) Collection
Coarse woody debris (CWD) refers to the woody material on the forest floor, including fallen stems, large branches, coarse roots, wood pieces, and standing dead trees (snags) (Harmon et al. 1986). CWD is an essential but often overlooked aspect of ecosystems. It plays many key ecosystem roles and is instrumental in overall ecosystem functionality. While a piece of CWD decomposes, it provides key habitat for many different species, minimizes soil erosion, affects soil development, stores nutrients and water, and influences the global carbon cycle (Harmon and Hua 1991). In some forests, CWD can exist on the forest floor for hundreds …