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Full-Text Articles in Life Sciences
Sexual Dimorphism Within Canine Dimensions Of Didelphis Virginiana, David Patterson, Alfred J. Mead
Sexual Dimorphism Within Canine Dimensions Of Didelphis Virginiana, David Patterson, Alfred J. Mead
Georgia Journal of Science
Sexual dimorphism in canine size was analyzed from a sample of the Baldwin County, Georgia population of Didelphis virginiana (Virginia opossum). Where possible 6 measurements were obtained from 59 (47 males, 12 females) individuals collected as roadkill. Although range overlap exists for all measurements, males were found to be significantly larger for upper and lower canine length, width and height. The observed sexual dimorphism agrees with previously published analyses of cranial and post-cranial sexual dimorphism in this species and is likely related to intrasexual aggression between males during mating season.
Determining The Prevalence Of Trypanosoma Cruzi In Road-Killed Opossums (Didelphis Virginiana) From Baldwin County, Georgia, Using Polymerase Chain Reaction, Emily Parrish, Alfred J. Mead
Determining The Prevalence Of Trypanosoma Cruzi In Road-Killed Opossums (Didelphis Virginiana) From Baldwin County, Georgia, Using Polymerase Chain Reaction, Emily Parrish, Alfred J. Mead
Georgia Journal of Science
Twenty-nine road-killed opossums (Didelphis virginiana) collected from Baldwin County, central Georgia, were tested for the presence of Trypanosoma cruzi with polymerase chain reaction (PCR) analysis. Utilizing a cell culture containing T. cruzi epimastigotes, a positive control was established by injecting parasites into opossum heart tissue. DNA was extracted from both the control and sample heart tissues using a proteinase K protocol. PCR analysis of the isolated DNA with T. cruzi-specific primers indicated the presence of parasite DNA in at least 10.3% of the opossums in the Baldwin County sample. This study demonstrates that PCR of extracted DNA …