Life Sciences Commons^™

Nesting And Brooding Characteristics Of Sharp-Tailed Grouse (Pedioecetes Phasianellus Jamesi Lincoln) In Southwestern North Dakota, Carter Drew Christenson

Theses and Dissertations

A study of the nesting and brood habitat preferences of sharp-tailed grouse (Pedioecetes phasianellus jamesi Lincoln) was conducted in southwestern North Dakota during the reproductive seasons of 1969 and 1970. Radio telemetry was used to monitor the spring and summer activities of seventeen sharp-tail hens. Eight brooding hens were semi-continuously radio-tracked for movement and cover selection. A quantitative and qualitative analysis of seventeen nests and eight renests was made to determine the preferred nesting cover and the effects of intensive grazing upon it .. Nests were established either in non-use areas or in areas of light to moderate grazing. These …

A Taxonomic Comparison To Uta Stansburiana Of The Great Basin And The Upper Colorado River Basin In Utah, Lloyd C. Pack

Theses and Dissertations

The lack of a comparative study between the Uta stansburiana of the Great Basin and Upper Colorado River Basin, and the fact that several reptile species have developed distinct populations in the Upper Colorado River Basin prompted this study. Twenty-one external characteristics of these lizards were compared, including several which had not been previously used in the separation of Uta stansburiana into subspecies. All of the statistical data were obtained from preserved specimens. Twelve of the twenty-one characteristics show significant differences between the Great Basin and Upper Colorado River Basin populations. The characteristics of back pattern and throat color show …

A Flora From The Dakota Sandstone Formation Near Westwater, Grand County, Utah, Samuel R. Rushforth

Theses and Dissertations

A cretaceous (Cenomanian) flora from the Dakota Sandstone Formation near Westwater, Grand County, Utah contains an admixture of ferns and angiosperms. The ferns of this flora are representative of an older Jurassic-Wealden vegetational type, whereas the angiosperms are typical of the modern vegetational type. Species of Gleichenia and Matonidium and Astralopteris coloradica represent the dominant forms in this flora. The Westwater flora contains fourteen genera including nineteen species and one variety. New species described from this flora include Asplenium dakotensis, Coniopteris westwaterensis and Ilex serrata.

The Effect Of The Parasite Hymenolepis Diminuta On Iodine Economy In The Rat, David Gourdon Holmes

Theses and Dissertations

A balance of iodine within the rats is important for the maintenance of normal thyroid function. Because of Hymenolepis d[imi]nuta's affinity for certain nutrients, it may upset norma[l] iodine balance in the rat. To determine this, tapeworm-infected and non-infected rats were given 125Iodide orally and the percent uptake of iodide by the thyroid and the amount of radioac[tiv]ity in the tapeworms was determined. The percent distribution of the radio-iodinated compounds in the thyroid, tapeworms and feces was also determined. These procedures were repeated except 125Thyroxine was administered orally. There was a decrease in percent iod[id]e uptake by thyroids of tapeworm-infected …

Asexual Reproduction In Planaria Characteristics Of The Inhibitor(S), Linda Gail Sheffield

Theses and Dissertations

A study was made of the postulated fission-inhibiting substance located in the cephalic region of Dugesia dorotocephala. Rearing decapitated planaria in four different concentrations (25, 50, 75 or 100 ug/ml) of head or whole body extract resulted in a positive correlation between the inhibition of fission rate and the concentration of extract. The difference in inhibitory activity between the two types of extracts was three percent at maximum. The inhibitory substance was partially inactivated at 60° C. There was a direct correlation between the length of time that the extract was heated and the inactivation of inhibitor. The active substance …

Asexual Reproduction In Planaria Studies On Inhibition, Hal R. Fitzgerald

Theses and Dissertations

The invertebrates display several methods of asexual reproduction, such as fission and gemnule formation and budding (Hay, 1966). Planaria reproduce asexually only by fission.

The Effects Of Herbicide Applications On The Animal Populations Of Aspen Communities, Carl Eugene Wadsworth

Theses and Dissertations

Approximately 475 acres of aspen, oak brush, and grass-forb-shrub communities were treated with herbicides. The populations of arthropods, birds, and mammals were investigated on treated and untreated areas and the results were compared. There was no difference between soil arthropod populations on treated and untreated aspen plots but a significant increase in these populations on treated meadow plots. The foliage insect populations were significantly lower on the treated aspen plots but were significantly higher on the treated meadow plots. The aquatic invertebrates were not affected by the treatments. Bird populations ware lower in the treated area during the nesting season …

A Study Of The Electrophoretic Patterns Of Blood Serum Proteins From Two Populations Of Mountain Whitefish (Prosopium Williamsoni), Fred Richard Hansen

Theses and Dissertations

Electrophoretic patterns on polyacrylamide gels of blood serum proteins from 74 mountain whitefish (Prosopium williamsoni Girard) were examined for differences as they pertained to two geographically isolated populations, age, and sex. Serum samples were acquired from two supposedly isolated populations, the lower Provo River and the lower Weber River. Comparisons among gels were made on the basis of protein distribution as indicated by number of fractions and their density. Serum proteins showed marked intraspecific differences between the males as well as the females of each population. No variations were found which could be attributed to degree of maturity. Definite pattern …

The Effects Of 2-Chloro-4-Ethylamino-6-Isopropylamino-S-Triazine (Atrazine) On The Activities Of Certain Calvin Cycle Enzymes In Barley And Corn, L. Chris Harrison

Theses and Dissertations

Atrazine (2-chloro-4, ethylamino-6-isopropylaminos- triazine) applied to Hordium vulgare L. variety barbless in low concentrations (0.001, 0.01, 0.1 uM) was shown to in--­ crease the activity of D-ribulose-1, 5-diphosphate carboxylase (RuDPCase) and phosphoribulokinase (PRuK) up to 23% and 30% respectively and increase the amount of chlorophyll and extractable protein up to 18% and 21% respectively over the control plants. These results indicate that sub-toxic levels of atrazine significantly stimulate plant growth. Barley plants given higher concentrations of atrazine (1.0 and 10 uM) showed up to a 78% and 42% decrease in the activity of RuDPCase and PRuK respectively as well as …

Effects Of X-Irradiation On The Brain Of White Rats, Bernell K. Dalley

Theses and Dissertations

With the advent of the atomic age, a great deal of attention has been given to the effects of radiation of various types on the living organism. Some emphasis was placed also on the particular effects damaging radiation has on the central nervous system. Of particular importance was the dis -covery of the high resistance to irradiation exhibited by the central nervous system, and the observation of a latent period after exposure, during which the individual appears normal, followed by deterioration and death. Explan - ations of this unique reaction have caused some controversy and, currently, one of two theories …

The Weevil Genus Tychius Germar In America North Of Mexico (Coleoptera: Curculionidae), Wayne Elden Clark

Theses and Dissertations

Weevil species assigned to the genus Tychius Germar, 1817, have been described from North and South America, Europe, Africa, Asia and Australia. The majority of approximately 266 species occur in the Mediterranean region (Klima, 1934). Fourteen native and one introduced species are known to occur in North America.

Evolution Of The Iguanine Lizards (Sauria, Iguanidae) As Determined By Osteological And Myological Characters, David F. Avery

Theses and Dissertations

The family Iguanidae is almost completely restricted to the Western Hemisphere with its main radiations occurring in North and South America. There are also representatives on Fiji, Tonga and the Galapagos Islands, in the Pacific Ocean. Distantly related forms are also found on Madagascar off the Southeastern Coast of Africa. Although the iguanid lizards are familiar to most scientists interested in the tropics, their anatomy and evolution is poorly understood.

Aquatic And Semi-Aquatic Plant Communities Of Utah Lake, Robert E. Coombs

Theses and Dissertations

The aquatic and semi-aquatic plant communities of Utah Lake, Utah County, Utah are discussed. This discussion includes the methods of describing and delimiting the major vascular plant communities, the descriptions of the present existent communities, and the determination of the vegetational changes, particularly since 1925. The vegetation around Utah Lake is divided into plant communities. Each community is discussed using: (a) quantitative data, (b) field observations, (c) general and specific locations of the community, and (d) interrelationships and trends of the community. Historical vegetational changes of Utah Lake plant communities are discussed. In this discussion, the plant communities described by …

A Comparative Study Of The Head And Thoracic Osteology And Myology Of The Skinks, Eumeces Gilberti Van Denburgh And Eumeces Skiltonianus (Baird And Girard), David F. Nash

Theses and Dissertations

Further clarification of the taxonomic and phylogenetic relationships of Eumeces gilberti and Eumeces skiltonianus is achieved by the comparisons of the skull, mandible elements, and the anterior myology of these two species. Figures are provided to compliment the descriptions. The study confirms their close relationship and few differences are observed. E. skiltonianus, however, appears to have more anatomical plasticity which suggests that E. gilberti may have arisen from the former.

Calorigenic Effects Of Thyroxine And Triiodothyronine On Rat Diaphragm., Robert Lee Chambers

Theses and Dissertations

Since the isolation of triiodothyronine (T3) by Pitt-Rivers and Gross (1953) several questions as to its role as a thyroid hormone arose. Does T3 have the same or different actions than that of thyroxine (T4 )? Is T3 an emergency hormone, since its synthesis relative to T4 is greatly increased during periods of low iodine intake and its response time is I/5th that of T4 (Ackerman and Arons, 1958)? Are there any interactions modifying their respective actions?

A Survey Of The Helminth Parasites And Coccidia Of Cattle And Sheep In Utah Valley, Joseph Carl Fox

Theses and Dissertations

A survey of gastro-intestinal parasites in cattle and sheep in Utah Valley was conducted. Cattle in the valley were not seriously parasitized by helminths, whereas sheep usually had heavy helminth infections. Ten genera of helminths and 8 species of coccidia were identified in cattle in the valley, and 14 genera of helminths and 8 species of coccidia were identified in sheep. In conjunction with the survey, meteorologic studies were conducted May through September, 1909, to ascertain the effects which irrigation had upon micro-environments on grass pastures in relation to the development of free-Iiving stages of gastro-intestinal nematodes of ruminants. The …

A Comparison Of Vegetation Changes In A Mountain Brush Type After Grazing And Protection From Grazing During Thirty-Seven Years, Jerry William Thomas

Theses and Dissertations

The mountain brush type in Utah was studied in 1932, 1942, and 1969 to determine the vegetation changes and trends after grazing and protection from grazing for 37 years. Analyses for cover, frequency and composition percentages, production and plant counts were made on fifty 100 square-foot plots in a ten-acre exclosure and on a five-acre grazed area adjacent to the exclosure. Production, cover and composition percentages for good and fair forage species of grasses and browse have decreasesed on the grazed plots whereas they generally increased in the ungrazed plots. Forbs of intermediate forage value have increased in production, cover …

The Effect Of Alternate Year Rest Rotation Grazing On Carbohydrate And Nitrogen Reserves In Crested Wheatgrass, James B. Wood

Theses and Dissertations

A field and laboratory study was made to determine the effect of alternate year rest rotation grazin in stem bases and root crowns of crested wheatgrass. Analyses for carbohydrate reserves and total nitrogen were made for the following treatments: (1) exclosures; (2) open range; (3) agronomy cages. Both carbohydrate concentration and total nitrogen content showed differences between sampling dates but did not show differences as a result of grazing treatment on individual dates. Differences between sampling dates were associated with season and growth stage of plants. Although differences due to grazing teatment were not shown for individual dates the combined …

The Effects Of Euploid Changes In Chromosome Number On Various Physiological Factors In Tomatoes, Barley And Rye, Larry Wayne Peterson

Theses and Dissertations

Leaf tissue of diploid, triploid, and tetraploid tomatoes (var. UF-36) and diploid and tetraploid barley (var. Steel and Midsummer) were analyzed for total chlorophyll, soluble protein, dry weight, ribulose-1,5-diphosphate carboxylase, phosphoribulokinase, and peroxidase. Polyploidy caused a slight increase of all factors in Midsummer rye, had a variable effect on Steel rye and Everest barley, and caused a reduction in tomatoes and Barbless barley when the factors were determined on a fresh weight basis. In tomatoes, if the ribulose-1,5-diphosphate carboxylase activity was determined on protein content, dry weight or cell number the tetraploid form had higher activity than the diploid form. …

Changes With Growth In Selected Body Proportions Of The Woundfin Minnow (Plagopterus Argentissimus Cope: Cyprinidae), Edward James Peters

Theses and Dissertations

In this study 883 specimens of the woundfin minnow (Plagopterus argentissimus Cope) from the Virgin River in Utah, were weighed and measured. Ratios of body measurements to standard length, and gonad weight to total weight were calculated. From the gonad weight:total weight ratios it was determined that woundfins spawn during a period from April through June, and that the first significant gonad development is during the third year of life. Several body proportions such as, snout length, gape, upper jaw length and peduncle depth grew nearly isometrically. Growth of other body proportions was more or less allometric. Head length, body …

Taxonomy And Ecology Of Fungi Imperfecti From Four Locations In Utah Lake, Utah Co., Utah, Laird Max Hartman

Theses and Dissertations

Fungi imperfecti were cultured from water and bottom sediment samples collected at four locations of Utah Lake. These study sites included: (a) The mouth of Provo River, the largest fresh-water tributary entering Utah Lake, (b) Mud Lake, a large shallow area known for its high nitrogen content, (c) the entrance of the Spanish Fork River into the lake, a large fresh-water tributary containing wastes from industry and agricultural enterprises, (d) Jordan River, the only natural outlet of Utah Lake. One hundred and thirty-eight species of fungi imperfecti were identified. A total of 89 species were isolated from the Spanish Fork …

Evaluation Of The Essentiality Of Dextran In The Dental Caries Process, William Redman Grigsby

Theses and Dissertations

In summary, the main points to support the view that dextran synthesis is unessential to the dental caries process are presented below:

1 . Dextran-fed, microbe-bearing rats do not experience dental caries.

2 . Lactobacillus casei 4646 has no extracellular dextransucrase enzyme or other extracellular enzymes which release glucose or fructose from sucrose .

3. L. casei 4646 does not synthesize extracellular polysaccharide of the dextran class when grown on sucrose-containing medium.

4. L. casei 4646 does not exhibit in vitro, adherent growth on stainless-steel wire when grown on sucrose-containing medium .

5. L. casei 4646 does not cause dental …

The Effects Of Alcohol On Three Levels Of Complex Human Behavior, Grady Vancil Maraman

Theses and Dissertations

That alcohol affects human behavior has been known for centuries. However, how and why it affects behavior has not been precisely established despite extensive research and study. The inconsistent action of alcohol at different doses on different tissue systems and on different response systems has been well documented (Kalant 1 referenced in 39). The exact sites of action of alcohol in the central nervous system and the relative influence of each of these sites in cognitive and motor behavior are not known. The primary purpose of this experiment was to study the effects of blood alcohol concentrations below 0.100 percent …