Life Sciences Commons^™

Life History Tactics Of The Sailfin Molly (Poecilia Latipinna) In Contrasting Environments, Helen L. Large

Retrospective Theses and Dissertations

Life history tactics of three Central Florida populations of Poecilia latipinna were compared to those predicted by life history selection theory. The three populations were sampled monthly for one year. At each sampling period a series of physicochemical measurements were taken to determine the degree of spatial and temporal environmental heterogeneity within each site. Life history traits determined for each population included size at maturity, size specific fecundity, reproductive effort, and length, weight, and condition of offspring. The population inhabiting the most variable environment was characterized by smaller size at maturity, lower size specific fecundity, lower overall reproductive output, and …

Breeding Biology Of The Great Crested Flycatcher, Myiarchus Crinitus, (Linnaeus) In Central Florida, Mark A. Kershner

Retrospective Theses and Dissertations

No abstract provided.

Reproductive Biology Of Thamnophis Sauritus Sackenii (Kennicott) (Reptilia:Serpentes:Colubridae) From East-Central Florida, Steven. Myers

Retrospective Theses and Dissertations

Peninsula ribbon snakes, Thamnophis sauritus sackenii, were collected for 14 months. Of 90 individuals collected and examined, 42 were females, 29 were males, and 19 were neonates. Females had a larger body length than did males. The smallest, sexually mature female had a snout-vent length of 428 mm. Mating occurred from March through May. Parturition occurred from June through October. Vitellogenesis began in spring and ovulation occurred between April and May. Spermatogenic activity occurred from August through December and testes were regressed during other months.

A Biosystematic Study Of The Fern Genus Lygodium In Eastern North America, Violet M. Brown

Retrospective Theses and Dissertations

The mainly tropical genus Lygodium differs from other ferns in that the fronds are indeterminate and are vine-like. A single species, L. palmatum is native in temperate North America. The temperate Asian L. japonicum is naturalized throughout much of the southeastern United States. About twenty years ago, L. microphyllum was introduced into South Florida and is now naturalized in several counties. The present study documents differences among spores and their generation, development of sporophytes from the fertilized egg, and in flavonoid chemistry. Hybridization experiments showed a strong possibility for cross fertility between species. Experiments with prothallial development and differentiation revealed …

The Isolation And Identification Of Flavonoids In Zygocactus, Jacqueline M. Wade

Retrospective Theses and Dissertations

No abstract provided.

The Effects Of Beach Restoration On Marine Turtles' Nesting In South Brevard County, Florida, Paul W. Raymond

Retrospective Theses and Dissertations

The south Brevard coast of Florida is a major nesting ground for the Atlantic loggerhead turtle (Caretta caretta). A beach restoration project was completed in the winter of 1980-81 at Indialantic and Melbourne Beach. A study was conducted to investigate the effects of beach restoration on marine turtle nesting during the summer months of 1981 and 1982. A 3.1 km restored beach study area and two control beach study areas, each 3.1 km in length and consisting of natural beach sands, were established. The entire study area (9.3 km) was monitored for nesting and non-nesting emergences (false crawls) and a …

Factors That Influence Plant Species Richness On Habitat Islands Of Sand Pine Scrub, Cindy B. Connery

Retrospective Theses and Dissertations

No abstract provided.

The Reproductive Biology Of Sternotherus Minor Minor (Reptilia: Testudines: Kinosternidae) From The Southern Part Of Its Range In Central Florida, Cory R. Etchberger

Retrospective Theses and Dissertations

Variation in chelonian reproductive patterns is well documented. Previous studies of loggerhead musk turtles (Sternotherus minor) reproduction have not attempted to control for variation in latitude, local population differences, and seasonal variation. The present study attempts to control for these variables by collecting turtles from one population for one reproductive season. The reproductive pattern of S. minor at the southern limit of its range (Central Florida) is compared to those of S. minor studied elsewhere. Both male and female musk turtles mature after five to six years and at approximately 60mm plastron length. No sexual dimorphism in overall body size …

Food Supplementation Of Small Rodents In The Sand Pine Scrub, Brenda L. Young

Retrospective Theses and Dissertations

No abstract provided.

Aspects Of The Biology Of Aeromonas Hydrophilia With Respect To The Striped Mullet, Mugil Cephalus L. In The St. Johns River, Gerald E. Fensch

Retrospective Theses and Dissertations

The aspects of the biology of Aeromonas hydrophila with respect to a striped mullet (Mugil cephalus L.0 nursery were examined. A. hydrophila density in the natural water was found to be strongly correlated with turbidity and weakly correlated with water temperature. No correlations were found between A. hydrophila density and water depth, dissolved oxygen, pH, total alkalinity, specific conductivity, or phytoplankton chlorophyll concentration. A. hydrophila density/g dry weight of stomach content were found to be correlated with chlorophyll concentration/g dry weight stomach content. The survivability of striped mullet after capture was found to be primarily related to stress. Stressed striped …

Comparison Of Hybrid Grass Carp And Grass Carp, Janine L. Callahan

Retrospective Theses and Dissertations

The hybrid grass carp, a cross between the male bighead carp (Hypothalmichthys nobilis) and the female grass carp (Ctenopharyngodonidella), was first produced in the United States in 1979 for biocontrol purposes. Unlike the fish produced in 1979 and 1980, the hybrid grass carp spawned in 1981 were assumed to be uniform, triploid, and to have growth and feeding rates comparable to those of grass carp. A comparison study to determine differences in the morphology of the 1979, 1980, and 1981 hybrid grass carp revealed that the hybrid grass carp spawned in 1981 have a longer relative gut length, fewer deformities …

Effects On Iron And Cobalt On Methane Production From Dairy Cattle Manure, Mark E. Himes

Retrospective Theses and Dissertations

The effects of iron and cobalt on methanogenesis from dairy cattle manure were studied. Four-liter digestors with 3-liter working volumes were charged daily with dairy manure (4.5% W/V volatile solids) to achieve a 3-day retention time. Digestors were incubated at 37°C and pH 7.0 on a rotary shaker. Duplicate digestors were maintained under the following parameters: controls (no ions added), Co⁺⁺ at 4.958 mg/liter, Fe⁺⁺ at 20.64 mg/liter and Fe⁺⁺ and Co⁺⁺ at above stated final digestor concentrations.

Significantly higher production of biogas and methane occurred with the addition of iron (p = .05). Iron-amended digestors …

The Influence Of Somatic Investment On The Patterns Of Reproduction In Poecilia Latipinna (Pisces: Poeciliidae), Jeffrey D. Wetherington

Retrospective Theses and Dissertations

In Poecilia latipinna size-specific reproductive and survivorship patterns were correlated with changes in habitat availability. Of the numerous physical, chemical, and biological parameters associated with a reduction in available habitat, probably the most important was reduced food availability. Large (old) females, theoretically with a low reproductive value, allocated energy to reproduction regardless of habitat and, presumably, food availability. When reproductive activities were initiated in March, habitat availability was modest. In association with a severe reduction in available habitat in April, large females were subject to a substantial loss of body weight during the yolk-loading phase of the reproductive cycle. This …

Differences Associated With Mating Type Alleles In Myxomycetes, Robert M. Queen

Retrospective Theses and Dissertations

Differences associated with the mating type alleles of Didymium iridis and Physarum polycephalum were examined with fluorescent antibody and sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. Heteroabsorption of each anti-myxamoebal serum followed by testing serum activity using immunofluorescence showed there is no strain-specific activity in any of the anti-myxamoebal sera, but the sera was shown, to be genera specific. Intergeneric differences and similarities were shown in the electrophoretic patterns of the myxamoebal protein extracts from P. polycephalum, D. iridis, and Dictyostelium discoideum when compared. Intraspecific differences were noted in D. iridis.

The Effect Of Ph On Methane Production From Dairy Cattle Manure, Mary G. Stafford

Retrospective Theses and Dissertations

The effects of pH upon methane production from anaerobic digestion of dairy cattle manure were investigated. One liter digesters were maintained by daily adjustment at the following pH levels: 7.6, 7.0, 6.0, 5.5, and 5.0. After 33 weeks of incubation the working volume of the digesters was increased to 3 liters. Digesters were incubated on a rotary shaker at 37°C. Digesters were loaded at the desired volatile solids concentrations, without an inoculum, and maintained from day one by daily additions and withdrawals to achieve a 3 day retention time. After 50 weeks of operation the manure from a second dairy …

Compartments In The Imaginal Wing Disc Of Drosophila Melanogaster, Scott C. Fogerty

Retrospective Theses and Dissertations

No abstract provided.

Developmental Analysis Of The Tumorous-Head Eye-Antennal Disc In Drosophila Melanogaster: Fate Map And In Vivo Culture, Deborah J. Andrew

Retrospective Theses and Dissertations

No abstract provided.

The Gradient Effect Of Homoeotic Transformations In The Tumorous-Head Mutant Of Drosophila Melanogaster, Julia L. Cook

Retrospective Theses and Dissertations

Abnormalities in the eye of tumorous-head Drosophila melanogaster were compositely mapped to their respective positions in an archetypal eye. A dorso-ventrally oriented restriction line in the posterior eye, similar to that observed by Campos-Ortega and Waitz (1978) and Baker (1978) through clonal analysis, was observed. Restrictive areas that parallel and probably coincide with hose previously disclosed by Campos-Ortega (1978) were also demonstrated in both the dorsal and ventral eye. Transformation of tumorous-head Drosophila melanogaster were examined in order to investigate region specific correlations between head structure and their homoeotic replacements. Five different tumorous-head strains were analyzed and compared for maximum …

Summer-Season Populations Of Epibenthic Marine Fishes In The Indian River Lagoon System, Florida, Timothy J. Mulligan

Retrospective Theses and Dissertations

Epibenthic marine fish populations were sampled in order to establish quantitative base-line data for use in long term monitoring of the northern Indian River lagoon system, Florida. Fish samples were taken by trawling monthly at 8 fixed stations from June through September, 1979 and 1980. Fifty-seven fish species representing 29 families were collected. The fish community was numerically dominated by a very few species. Anchoa mitchilli alone accounted for 87% of the 105,853 individuals collected. Abundance, domin ance, and species diversity were compared among the three lagoon subdivisions, Mosquito Lagoon, Indian River, and Banana River. Greater numbers of fishes were …

The Microbial Biochemical Potential Of Two Detention-Retention Marshes In The Kissimmee River Valley Watershed, Douglas A. Winkelmann

Retrospective Theses and Dissertations

One of the major programs to abate the deterioration of water quality in the Lake Okeechobee watershed was the addition of detention-retention facilities. The microbial biochemical potential of two different detention-retention marshes in the Kissimmee River Valley were examined to determine their effectiveness to improve water quality. The kinetics of decomposition and nutrient mineralization and assimilation, as mediated by microorganisms, and the enumeration of microorganisms capable of utilizing various substrates were studied. Various communities within each marsh were studied during a 2-year period. The decomposition rates of 3 plant substrates were determined. Chitin was used as a standard for organic …

Movements And Feeding Ecology Of Immature Green Turtles (Chelonia Mydas) In Mosquito Lagoon, Florida, Mary T. Mendonca

Retrospective Theses and Dissertations

The seasonal and diel movements of fourteen immature green turtles (Chelonia mydas) in Mosquito, Lagoon, Florida were monitored using sonic telemetry. The feeding ecology of this turtle population was also studied using dissection and stomach flushing techniques. An attempt was made to relate the movement patterns of the turtles to their feeding habits. The immature green turtles were found to make seemingly random, long distance movements (X╠äkm moved/day=7.79) and to remain in deeper waters (X╠ädepth=1.63m), apparently not feeding, when water temperatures fell below 19┬░C. When average water temperatures ranged between 19-25┬░C, the turtles were found primarily in shallow waters (X╠ädepth=1.1m) …

Population Structure And Reproduction In The Introduced Florida Population Of The Pike Killifish, Belonesox Belizanus (Pisces: Poeciliidae), James S. Turner

Retrospective Theses and Dissertations

The pike killifish, Belonesox belizanus Kner, is the largest member of the live-bearing family Poeciliidae. The species is native to Central America, and was introduced into Dade County, Florida in 1957. B. belizanus is primarily piscivorous, and has been identified as a potential ecological "problem" species for Florida due to its heavy predation on small native fishes, especially the mosquitofish (Gambusia affinis). The population structure and reproduction of the Florida population were investigated in this study from field samples and aquarium observations. The mean standard length (SL) of mature females was about 103 mm. Most females larger than 75 mm …

Opportunistic Species Of Macrobenthos In A Sewage-Polluted Lagoon, And An Analysis Of The Indicator Concept, Raymond E. Grizzle

Retrospective Theses and Dissertations

No abstract provided.

Seasonal Periodicity Of Periphytic Algae In Relation To Water Quality In Three Florida Experimental Ponds, Michael J. Gilbrook

Retrospective Theses and Dissertations

Periphytic algae biomass, periphyton taxonomic composition and water quality were monitored from October, 1978 through October, 1979 in three experimental ponds on the University of Central Florida campus, Orlando, Florida. Differences in the abundance and seasonal periodicity of phytoplankton in the ponds presumably arose from intrinsic differences in the nature of the pond sediments. Ceramic tile and pressboard wood artificial substrates were sampled at two-month intervals to provide estimates of periphyton biomass and productivity; there was no significant difference in algal biomass on wood and tile substrates. Algal productivity on continuous-immersion (cumulative) substrates which supported a large accumulation of periphyton …

An Experimental Study Of Dispersal Of The Cotton Rat, Sigmodon Hispidus, Stephen R. Stafford

Retrospective Theses and Dissertations

Dispersal of cotton rats was examined over an annual cycle of abundance by removal trapping in pine flatwoods. All cotton rats live-trapped at biweekly intervals on two 0.49 ha grids were removed, whereas rats on an adjacent control grid were tagged an released alive on site. The null hypothesis was that dispersing cotton rats would represent a random sample of sex and weight (age) classes from source populations, e.g. the control grid. Likewise, it was assumed that dispersal rates would be proportional to numerical changes in abundance on the control grid. Dispersing animals were clearly most prevalent on the removal …

The Diversity And Abundance Of The Benthic Macroinvertebrates In An Oligo-Mesotrophic Central Florida Lake, Jeffrey F. Spence

Retrospective Theses and Dissertations

Benthic macroinvertebrates and physicochemical parameters were sampled monthly in Spring Lake, Florida from July, 1978, to June, 1979. Spring Lake is a slightly acidic, sand bottom lake located in the sandhill region of the Central Highlands. While submersed vegetation is not dense, the lake does contain an abundance of the endemic submersed plant Mayaca aubletii. The littoral zone is dominated by plants belonging to the genera Panicum, Nuphar, Hydrocotyle, Nymphaea, Satittaria, and Typha. The benthic macroinvertebrates collected consisted of 51 species; approximately 50 percent were in the family Chironomidae. The annual mean number of individuals was 947/m2. The mayfly Hexagenia …

Zooplankton Abundance And Diversity In Spring Lake, Florida, 1973-1976, Barry D. Billets

Retrospective Theses and Dissertations

Seasonal variation in zooplanton abundance and diversity in Spring Lake, Florida was studies between 1973 - 1976. This clear, sand bottom lake is considered among the most oligotrophic in central Florida. Sixty rotifer species, sixteen cladoceran species, and seven copepod species were collected during the three year study. Annual mean zooplanton abundances ranged between 70 individuals/l and 80 individuals/l. Rotifers were more abundant than either cladocerans or adult copepods. Rotifers and immature crustaceans comprised nearly 75% of the annual mean zooplankton abundance. There was no significant difference (P < 0.05) between years for the annual mean abundance of zooplankton. The monthly mean abundance of cladocerans and adult copepods was generally less than 5 individuals/l. The greater abundance of rotifers in comparison to other zooplankton was mainly responsible for the variation in the values of the Shannon and Simpson Indices. The monthly mean Shannon Index was usually between 3.0 and 4.0. Seasonal differences in zooplankton abundance were apparently due to water temperature and specific conductivity for the 1974 - 1975 and 1975 - 1976 study years. Shannon diversity was significantly correlated with dissolved oxygen for the 1973 - 1974 and 1974 - 1975 study years.

The Effects Of Grass Carp (Ctenopharyngodon Idella Val.) Upon The Submersed Macrophytic Vegetation In Central Florida Lakes, Winston K. Borkowski

Retrospective Theses and Dissertations

The biomass of the submersed macrophytic vegetation in four hydrilla (Hydrilla verticillata Royle) infested lakes in central Florida was monitored for one year. Lake Orienta and Little Lake Fairview received 2,320 and 960 grass carp, respectively, while Clear Lake and Lake Mann did not receive grass carp. Hydrilla was eliminated in Lake Orienta within six months of stocking; the lake was stocked at 19 grass carp/mt hydrilla (45 fish/ha). Hydrilla was not eliminated from Little Lake Fairview which contained 9 grass carp/mt hydrilla (30 fish/ha). The growth of hydrilla was restricted in Little Lake Fairview which produced 0.380 mt hydrilla, …

The Hatching And Emergence Of Loggerhead Turtle (Caretta Caretta) Hatchlings, Richard J. Demmer

Retrospective Theses and Dissertations

Loggerhead turtle (Caretta caretta) eggs were collected at the time of laying during the summer of 1977 on the beaches of Canaveral National Seashore and the Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge in Brevard County, Florida. The eggs were placed in land-lines buckets and maintained at ambient temperature in a house trailer hatchery. After 50 to 55 days of incubation whole or partial clutches were transferred to glass observation containers and covered to a depth of 20 cm. Hatching and emergence behavior were visually observed and activity was timed on an event recorder that was activated by four motion switches placed …

Nutrient Retention In Shallow Reservoirs Using Selected Aquatic Macrophytes, Phillip D. Sacco

Retrospective Theses and Dissertations

A field experiment was conducted to evaluate the possibility of using shallow reservoirs containing aquatic plants to reduce excess nutrient levels of agricultural drainage effluent from organic soils. The reservoir systems consisted of three small reservoirs in series, containing separate stands of Eichhornia crassipes, Egeria densa and Typha sp., and a single large reservoir containing equal areas of all three aquatic plants. A control reservoir without plants was included. Drainage water from organic soils was pumped through each reservoir at 39.6 l/sec., 6 hours per day, 6 days per week. the major nutrients monitored in theses flow-through systems included nitrate-N, …