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Full-Text Articles in Life Sciences

The Effect Of Altitude On Thyroid Function Of The Uinta Ground Squirrel (Citellus Armatus), Wendell Lee Wells Aug 1975

The Effect Of Altitude On Thyroid Function Of The Uinta Ground Squirrel (Citellus Armatus), Wendell Lee Wells

Theses and Dissertations

Thyroid uptake and distribution of 125I, concentrations of T4 and T3 in serum and thyroids and concentrations of TSH in serum and pituitaries were measured to determine thyroid function of Uinta Ground Squirrels (Citellus armatus) native to 5,400 and 9,000 feet elevations to evaluate alterations in the state of the thyroid due to increased altitude. Uptake of 125I was 60 percent lower by squirrels from 9,000 feet. Incorporation of 125I into T3 was greater at the higher elevation, but absolute thyroid T3 concentrations were similar at both elevations. No significant differences were found in serum T3 concentrations, but squirrels living …


Habitat Partitioning In A Community Of Passerine Birds, Robert C. Whitmore Aug 1975

Habitat Partitioning In A Community Of Passerine Birds, Robert C. Whitmore

Theses and Dissertations

Habitat partitioning was studied in a community of passerine birds in the Virgin River Valley of southwestern Utah. Ten habitat structure variables were measured for each of 24 species of passerine birds and several multivariate statistical techniques were used to determine the extent of habitat partitioning. Ordinations of species distributions along known environmental gradients were constructed using Principal Component Analysis and Stepwise Discriminant Analysis. Stepwise Discriminant Analysis was also used to determine which habitat variables were important in species separation. It was found that percent canopy cover was the most important variable. Two hundred seventy six pairs of species were …


Raptor Temperature Regulation And Energetics, James Arthur Mosher May 1975

Raptor Temperature Regulation And Energetics, James Arthur Mosher

Theses and Dissertations

A review of energetics studies of raptorial species introduces four separate studies of temperature regulation by raptors. Golden Eagle (Aquila chrysaetos) nest site selection, as influenced by direction of exposure, is discussed. The data show strong directional preferences to the NNW by southern populations and SSE by northern populations. The tarsometatarsus is shown to have a thermoregulatory function in large falcons, and adaptations of this mechanism to varied habitats are examined. Color phase in Screech Owls (Otus asio) is shown to be related to metabolic differences that may explain the distributions of the color morphs. Development of thermoregulation in Flammulated …


Small Mammal Survey In Two Geographically Separated Aspen Areas, Apichart Thammaruxs Apr 1975

Small Mammal Survey In Two Geographically Separated Aspen Areas, Apichart Thammaruxs

Theses and Dissertations

Small mammal surveys were conducted in two geographically separated aspen areas, in the Chicken Creek Watershed Management Unit, Utah, and Break Neck Flat, Wyoming. Four small mammal species, Peromyscus maniculatus, Clethrionomys gapperi, Zapus princeps and Eutamias minimus were caught most often in both areas of the aspen ecosystem. Peromyscus maniculatus was usually the most abundant animal trapped at all locations indicating the success of this species in aspen communities. The proportion of each species trapped, however, fluctuated, likely in accordance with responses to periodic biotic and abiotic factors. This data will serve as baseline information for the U.S. Forest Service …


A Comparative Study Of Some Population Characteristics Of Calyptraea Fastigiata Gould, Crepidula Lingulata Gould, And Crepidula Nummaria Gould (Gastropoda, Prosobranchia), Roger Harold Goodwill Apr 1975

A Comparative Study Of Some Population Characteristics Of Calyptraea Fastigiata Gould, Crepidula Lingulata Gould, And Crepidula Nummaria Gould (Gastropoda, Prosobranchia), Roger Harold Goodwill

Theses and Dissertations

A comparative study of the field populations of Crepidula lingulata, Crepidula nurnmaria, and Calyptraea fastigiata indicated all three preferred a rocky substrate but favored different size rocks. Their positions on the rocks varied but the greatest numbers were found attached to the undersides. Crepidula lingulata and C. nummaria preferred larger rocks and were found in intraspecific associations more often than C. fastigiata which preferred smaller rocks. These associations occurred with a 1:1 sex ratio; however, the overall population did not. Crepidula lingulata had a high female count and C. fastigiata a high male count. Males, of all three species, were …


Ecology Of The Ferruginous Hawk (Buteo Regalis) In Central Utah Population Dynamics And Nest Site Selection, Neil D. Woffinden Apr 1975

Ecology Of The Ferruginous Hawk (Buteo Regalis) In Central Utah Population Dynamics And Nest Site Selection, Neil D. Woffinden

Theses and Dissertations

Research was conducted to determine the effect of prey numbers on the nesting success of the Ferruginous Hawk (Buteo regalis). Conditions associated with nest site selection were also established. Frequent visits were made to active nests to determine clutch sizes, hatching dates and fledging success. Prey remains were collected from nests and analyzed. Kilometer square transects were made throughout the study area in 1974 to determine jackrabbit densities. A drastic decline in numbers of Ferruginous Hawks occurred. The number of young fledged also declined throughout the study while nestling mortality increased. Jackrabbit numbers were high in 1972 and then declined …