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Full-Text Articles in Life Sciences
Analysis Of Gut Microbiota From Aedes Albopictus Mosquitoes Collected In Central Illinois, Megan E. Cooper
Analysis Of Gut Microbiota From Aedes Albopictus Mosquitoes Collected In Central Illinois, Megan E. Cooper
Undergraduate Honors Theses
Aedes albopictus, Asian tiger mosquitoes, are vectors of a wide number of human viral diseases including, West Nile virus, Dengue virus, Chikungunya virus and (recently) Zika virus. A large body of evidence has suggested that microbiomes of mosquito midguts are closely associated with specific mosquito life processes such as nutrition, reproduction, aggregation and defense against toxins. In this study we characterize the bacterial flora of the midguts of adult female Ae. albopictus collected from woodlots and residential areas in Champaign and Coles Counties of Central Illinois (40 samples in each category). After extraction of DNA from dissected midguts, we …
An Examination Of Keratinophilic Fungal On Eastern Bluebird Eggshells, Edward Anthony Hillman Iii
An Examination Of Keratinophilic Fungal On Eastern Bluebird Eggshells, Edward Anthony Hillman Iii
Undergraduate Honors Theses
This study was designed to evaluate the mycobiota of Eastern Bluebird eggshells and assess the abundance of keratinophilic fungi. Samples of fungi taken from Eastern Bluebird eggshells were subcultured for identification using macroscopic and microscopic characteristics. The occurrence of a significant number of keratinophilic fungi on Eastern Bluebird eggshells poses a potential threat to developing chicks.
Plant-Microbial Interactions Change Along A Prairie Restoration Chronosequence, Anna Herzberger
Plant-Microbial Interactions Change Along A Prairie Restoration Chronosequence, Anna Herzberger
Undergraduate Honors Theses
Soil microbial communities are critical in determining the performance and density of species in plant communities. However, their role in regulating the success of restorations is much less clear. This study assessed the ability of soil microbial communities to regulate the growth and performance of two potentially dominant grasses and two common forbs in prairie restorations. Specifically, I examined the effects of soil microbial communities along a restoration chronosequence from agricultural fields to remnant prairies using experimentally inoculated soils. The two grass species, Andropogon gerardii and Sorghastrum nutans, produced larger biomass with the agricultural inoculates and experienced a decline …
Using Polymerase Chain Reaction To Detect Nifh And Vnfdgk In A Novel Acidophilic Microbial Community, Samantha L. Flowers
Using Polymerase Chain Reaction To Detect Nifh And Vnfdgk In A Novel Acidophilic Microbial Community, Samantha L. Flowers
Undergraduate Honors Theses
Acidophiles are widely known for their ability to exploit harsh environments, typically consisting of high temperatures, dissolved metal concentrations, and acidic conditions. Consequently, different acidophilic species are employed industrially in applications such as biomining and bioleaching. However, their full potential in bioremediation, and in industrial practices, has yet to be fully explored because many of these acidophiles are difficult to culture in laboratory conditions or have yet to be properly identified. This investigation focuses on a novel community sampled from the Richmond Mine site in Iron Mountain, California, consisting of a filamentous fungus and prokaryotes. This consortium can be cultured …