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Full-Text Articles in Life Sciences

Annotation Of Non-Model Species’ Genomes, Taiya Jarva Jul 2023

Annotation Of Non-Model Species’ Genomes, Taiya Jarva

Master's Theses

The innovations in high throughput sequencing technologies in recent decades has allowed unprecedented examination and characterization of the genetic make-up of both model and non-model species, which has led to a surge in the use of genomics in fields which were previously considered unfeasible. These advances have greatly expanded the realm of possibilities in the fields of ecology and conservation. It is now possible to the identification of large cohorts of genetic markers, including single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) and larger structural variants, as well as signatures of selection and local adaptation. Markers can be used to identify species, define population …


Variations In Thermoregulation Strategies Of Northern And Southern Populations Of Mischocyttarus Mexicanus, Taylor Guild May 2023

Variations In Thermoregulation Strategies Of Northern And Southern Populations Of Mischocyttarus Mexicanus, Taylor Guild

Honors Theses

Mischocyttarus mexicanus is a species of eusocial paper wasp that is found across much of the Southeastern coastal region of the United States. Contrasting wintering strategies have been seen in northern versus southern populations. Anecdotally, northern populations overwinter by clustering on top of palmetto fronds, their preferred nesting substrate, in a sort of "taco" shape, while southern populations stand on their nests that hang on the underside of the palmetto frond throughout the year. I tested three hypotheses related to the adaptive value of northern over-frond clustering behavior: 1) Over-frond clustering is thermoregulation related, meaning it would be temperature driven. …


Hide And Seek: An Exploration Of Antipredator And Predator Avoidance Mechanisms In Orthopodomyia Signifera In Response To Predation From Toxorhynchites Rutilus, Nathaniel Dahlberg Apr 2023

Hide And Seek: An Exploration Of Antipredator And Predator Avoidance Mechanisms In Orthopodomyia Signifera In Response To Predation From Toxorhynchites Rutilus, Nathaniel Dahlberg

Master's Theses

There have been many observations of larval Orthopodomyia signifera coexisting with the predator Toxorhynchites rutilus. There are three hypotheses that could explain how Or. signifera resists predation from Tx. rutilus. The first hypothesis states that larvae adapt behavioral changes that limit predation. The second hypothesis states thoracic setae serve as a physical defense that prevents Tx. rutilus from grasping Or. signifera. The third hypothesis states Or. signifera possess a chemical defense indicated by aposematic coloration. To test the first hypothesis larval Or. signifera were exposed to conspecific and heterospecific predation cues and their behavior was observed. Both cues …


Biomass And Productivity Of Thalassia Testudinum In Estuaries Of The Florida Panhandle, Laura A. Yarbro, Paul R. Carlson, Ken L. Heck, Dorothy Byron, Sandra Brooke, Linda Fitzhugh, Sheila Scolaro, Barbara Albrecht, Rachel Presley, Jane M. Caffrey Jan 2023

Biomass And Productivity Of Thalassia Testudinum In Estuaries Of The Florida Panhandle, Laura A. Yarbro, Paul R. Carlson, Ken L. Heck, Dorothy Byron, Sandra Brooke, Linda Fitzhugh, Sheila Scolaro, Barbara Albrecht, Rachel Presley, Jane M. Caffrey

Gulf and Caribbean Research

Thalassia testudinum often dominates seagrass meadows of the Florida panhandle but few measurements of productivity, biomass, density, turnover or leaf area index in this region have been made. We targeted 5 estuaries located at similar latitudes, 30⁰ ± 0.3⁰N: Big Lagoon, Santa Rosa Sound, St. Andrew Bay, St. Joseph Bay, and St. George Sound. This study was one component of a collaborative partnership of state and local researchers examining factors preventing recovery in panhandle estuarine areas that had historically contained seagrass in the 1940s and 1950s. Measurements were made twice in 2016, once in June and then again in summer …


Identifying Stable Isotope Patterns Among Taxa, Sites, And Environmental Variables In The Eastern Mississippi Sound, Evan C. Marth, Carl S. Cloyed, Ruth H. Carmichael Jan 2023

Identifying Stable Isotope Patterns Among Taxa, Sites, And Environmental Variables In The Eastern Mississippi Sound, Evan C. Marth, Carl S. Cloyed, Ruth H. Carmichael

Gulf and Caribbean Research

No abstract provided.


Assessment Of Living Shorelines For Restoring Fish Habitats: A Case Study From Coastal Alabama, Claire Legaspi, Matheus De Barros, Alexandra Rodriguez, Ronald Baker Jan 2023

Assessment Of Living Shorelines For Restoring Fish Habitats: A Case Study From Coastal Alabama, Claire Legaspi, Matheus De Barros, Alexandra Rodriguez, Ronald Baker

Gulf and Caribbean Research

No abstract provided.


A Preliminary Assessment Of The Spawning Potential Ratio Of Five Target Species Of The Coastal Gillnet Fishery In Guyana And Suriname, Tomas Willems, Elford Liverpool, Michael Hiwat Jan 2023

A Preliminary Assessment Of The Spawning Potential Ratio Of Five Target Species Of The Coastal Gillnet Fishery In Guyana And Suriname, Tomas Willems, Elford Liverpool, Michael Hiwat

Gulf and Caribbean Research

Data—limited stock assessment methods have the potential to positively impact livelihoods of fishermen around the world by providing management recommendations that aim to optimize sustainable yields from fisheries. Some years ago, a novel length— based (LB) method was developed for the assessment of spawning potential ratio (SPR), a measure of the reproductive capacity of fish stocks. We applied the LB—SPR method to 5 important target species of the coastal gillnet fishery in Guyana and Suriname. Nebris microps (Smalleye Croaker; 32% SPR) and Macrodon ancylodon (King Weakfish; 34% SPR) had the highest spawning potential, but remained below the 40% target level …


Detecting Trends In Abundance And Distribution Of Seagrasses In Lake Worth Lagoon, Palm Beach County, Florida, James R. Kerfoot Jr., Samantha N. Jones, Michael H. Schiebout, Beth Orlando Jan 2023

Detecting Trends In Abundance And Distribution Of Seagrasses In Lake Worth Lagoon, Palm Beach County, Florida, James R. Kerfoot Jr., Samantha N. Jones, Michael H. Schiebout, Beth Orlando

Gulf and Caribbean Research

Over the past 15 years, seagrass community stability has varied in estuaries throughout Florida. This study sought to model potential patterns of physiochemical parameters and community composition that may correlate with the fluctuation of seagrass populations in Lake Worth Lagoon (LWL), Palm Beach County, FL over time (2007–2019). Seven transects and 4 polygon areas throughout the LWL were established and stratified along a north—south gradient. Sites were sampled annually (May–August) for water quality, seagrass and macroalgal abundance, and community composition. Models developed to explain macrophyte abundance and composition were assessed using Akaike Information Criterion. Interaction between year and site best …


Intraspecific Potency Of Predation Risk Cues, Delbert Lee Smee, Benjamin Belgrad Jan 2023

Intraspecific Potency Of Predation Risk Cues, Delbert Lee Smee, Benjamin Belgrad

Gulf and Caribbean Research

No abstract provided.