Life Sciences Commons^™

Factors Contributing To The Conservation Of Phacelia Submutica (Boraginaceae), A Threatened Species In Western Colorado: Reproductive Biology And Seed Ecology, Alicia M. Langton

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

Conservation and recovery plans for rare species require biological and ecological information to discern how they may be susceptible to human disturbances. Phacelia submutica is a threatened annual species in western Colorado. Human activities including energy development, recreation, and livestock grazing are occurring within the species’ range. To provide conservation practitioners with a scientific basis for management, this research aimed to elucidate elements of the species’ ecology. Chapter 2 describes the reproductive biology of P. submutica. Potential insect pollinators were not observed during two years of observations. Floral traits and development ensure self-pollination and reduce the likelihood that insects …

Estimating Total Phosphorus And Total Suspended Solids Loads From High Frequency Data, Amber Spackman Jones

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

Frequently measured turbidity was examined as a surrogate for total phosphorus (TP) and total suspended solids (TSS) loads at two locations in the Little Bear River, Utah, USA. Using regression techniques, equations were developed for TP and TSS as functions of turbidity. The equations accounted for censored data, and additional explanatory variables to represent hydrological conditions were considered for inclusion in the equations. By using the resulting surrogate relationships with high frequency turbidity measurements, high frequency estimates of TP and TSS concentrations were calculated. To examine the effect of sampling frequency, reference loads were determined from the concentration records for …

Reproductive Biology Of The Coyote (Canis Latrans): Integration Of Behavior And Physiology, Debra Anne Carlson

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

Wild Canis species possess a unique suite of reproductive traits including social monogamy, copulatory lock/tie, and biparental care. Females are seasonally monestrous and experience an obligatory pseudopregnancy after spontaneous ovulation. While these characteristics have been ascribed to coyotes, an integrated profile of behavior and physiology has not yet been described. In this study, temporal correlations between steroid hormone levels and socio-sexual mating behaviors were documented, as were changes in vaginal epithelium. Pseudopregnancy was compared to pregnancy by contrasting hormone (progesterone, estradiol, prolactin and relaxin) profiles of unmated females to patterns obtained in alternate years when they bred. Meanwhile, social interactions …

The Reproductive Biology And Edaphic Characteristics Of A Rare, Gynodioecious Saxifage: Saxifraga Bryophora Var. Tobiasiae (Saxifragaceae), Kimberly Pierson

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

I examined the reproductive biology and general ecology of Saxifraga bryophora var. tobiasiae, a rare saxifrage endemic to the West Salmon River Mountains of central Idaho. Saxifraga bryophora var. tobiasiae combines asexual reproduction via bulbils with a sexual mixed-mating system. Flower production occurred in 1996 only, whereas bulbil production occurred in 1995, 1996, and 1997. Bulbil production precedes floral bud formation and is the dominant form of reproduction. When flowering occurs, outcrossing is promoted by protandry and the gynodioecious mating system found in all populations. No autogamous or agamospermous seed set was observed in either female or hermaphrodite flowers, …

A Revision Of The North American Species In The Genus Euodynerus (Hymenoptera: Eumenidae), Ali Shallan Moalif

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

Twenty-eight species of Euodynerus Dalla Torre are recognized from the Nearctic Region, of which one is Holarctic. Literature on the biology of fourteen species is reviewed and new biological information discussed for four species. The phylogenetic relationships of the genus Euodynerus to other genera and the classification and relationships of the species of Euodynerus are discussed. Seven subgenera are recognized of which four are new: Euodynerus, Pareuodynerus Bluethgen, Leucodynerus Bohart, Annodynerus new subgenus, Gonodynerus n. subgenus, Holodynerus n. subgenus and Plecodynerus n. subgenus. Their comparative morphology, phylogeny, and distrubution are discussed. Larval instars of E. hidalgo (Saussure), E. scutellaris …

Biology, Reproductive Potential And The Impact Of Fishing Pressure On The Bluegill Fishery Of Pelican Lake, Uintah County, Utah, Bob D. Burdick

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

Certain aspects of the biology of two species of fish, bluegill (Lepomis macrochirus) and largemouth bass (Micropterus salmoides), and the assessment of fishing pressure upon the sport fishery of Pelican Lake, Uintah County, Utah, a 680 ha warmwater lake, were studied between April 1, 1976 and June 30, 1978. The growth rate of bluegills (sexes combined) was fairly rapid; the mean back-calculated total lengths from ages one through nine were 55, 112, 166, 194, 211, 229, 245, 256 and 259 mm. The growth of largemouth bass was 104, 194, 271, 316, 350, 405 and 416 mm …

Spawning Biology Of Channel Catfish Ictalurus Punctatus (Rafinesque) In Willard Bay Reservoir, Utah, Stuart Terry Shipman

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

This study was conducted on Willard Bay Reservoir, Utah, during the summers of 1972 and 1973, to study the spawning biology of the channel catfish (Ictalurus Punctatus), and to evaluate potential reproduction for this species in the reservoir. Potential reproduction was evaluated through examination of available natural habitat and use of artificial habitat provided for this study.

Channel catfish were found to mature by the end of their fourth year and spawn from mid-June through August. A total of 12 nesting channel catfish were observed along 15, 0.8 kilometer (0.5 mile) sections of dike. Ten of these 12 …

A Study Of The Biology Of The Species Of Protocalliphora In The Northern Wasatch Range, Terry L. Whitworth

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

A total of 733 bird nests, representing 55 species from 23 habitats, was examined. Forty-nine percent of the nests of 39 bird species were infested with 16 species of Protocalliphora.

Infestation of bird nests by Protocalliphora is believed to be related to a number of factors, which are discussed. Loosely constructed nests, nests heavily saturated with feces, and nests occupied early in the season had low rates of infestation. Nests of colonial birds were more frequently infested than those of solitary birds. Nests of some birds were rarely or never infested.

Sixteen species of Protocalliphora are differentiated and their …

The Biology And Seasonal Distribution Of Eucalliphora Lilaea (Walker) In Cache County, Utah, Robert P. Olson

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

The association of: flies with man has been recorded through many centuries. In nearly all of these records the association is one of discord rather than harmony. In the Book of Exodus, 8:24, in the King James version of the Old Testament, we can read, "...and there came grievous swarms of flies into the house of Pharaoh, and into his servants' houses; and in all the land of Egypt the land was corrupted by reason of the swarms of flies." Centuries later the "grievous swarms of flies" 'were associated with a particular disease by Mercurialis. In 1577 he expressed the …

Biology Of The Boxelder Bug In Cache Valley, Arab Bakir Al-Tikrity

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

The boxelder bug, Leptocoria trivittatue (say), is a hanipterous insect belonging to the family corisidae. Although it rarely is a pest of agricultural crops, its habit of invading homes and other buildings for hibernation and to warm itself has made it an annoying household pest. It has proven to be a difficult insect to control. Only a few of the contact insecticides, useful in control of related insect pests, have given satisfactory control of the Boxelder Bug. Because it has not been considered a critical problem, it has not received detailed attention from the scientific investigators. Its close association with …

A Curriculum Study Of The Biological Science Courses In The Secondary Schools And College Of Utah During 1947-48, Merrill H. Gunnell

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

At the present time there is a feeling among biologists in Utah that there should be improvement in biological science courses and course sequence to better fill the needs of the non technical student. There are many students filling group requirements with an accumulation of courses which may not provide them with the more important fundamental concepts and principles in biology. Information concerning these courses in high schools and colleges in necessary to provide a basis for curriculum revision in the field. Such information should be useful in evaluating the present system and suggesting modifications. Because of the need for …