Life Sciences Commons^™

Effects Of Roads On Behavior And Survival Of Black Bears In Coastal North Carolina, David M. Brandenburg

Masters Theses

I studied the effects of roads on the behavior and survival of black bears (Ursus americanus) at Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune in Coastal North Carolina from May 1990 to December 1992. I used mark-recapture methods, radiotelemetry, and a Geographic Information System (GIS) for the study.

I estimated there were 16 bears on the study area in 1990. By 1992, the population likely was reduced to ≤6 bears (3.3 bears/100 km²), primarily from vehicle-kills. Since 1988, vehicle-kills accounted for 20 of 28 (71 %) of the total known mortality. The annual female survival rate was 71 …

Comparison Of The Effects Of Aerobic Dance To Water Aerobic Training On Maximal Oxygen Consumption, Terri L. Bedford, Tamara A. Dusterwinkle, Darcy J. Hoppman

Masters Theses

Water aerobics is one mode of exercise that is gaining popularity. Water aerobics allows adults who participate in an exercise program to improve their cardiorespiratory fitness. The purpose of this study was to determine if water aerobic training is as effective as land dance aerobic training in improving cardiorespiratory fitness in sedentary healthy adults. Eighteen subjects participated in this study; nine in dance aerobics and nine in water aerobics. Before and after eight weeks of training, subjects performed a graded maximal exercise test on a Schwinn Air-Dyne while maximal oxygen uptake was measured via a Beckman Metabolic Cart. ANCOVA was …

Growth Of Bluegill, Largemouth Bass, And Channel Catfish In Relation To Fish Abundances, Food Availability, And Other Limnological Variables, Sean P. Callahan

Masters Theses

Bluegill, largemouth bass, and channel catfish are widely distributed and popular sports species. We assessed growth of sympatric populations of these species in 14 reservoirs throughout Illinois, and attempted to relate growth to environmental factors. Principal components analysis (PCA) classified the lakes using 20 morphometric and limnological variables. We examined growth rate relationships with the principal components, via correlations, and also developed simple and multiple regression models using individual variables. Using size-specific growth for two size classes, percent littoral zone of a lake was correlated with growth of both channel catfish (300 and 450 mm) and small bluegill (50 mm). …

Parental Investment In The Red-Eared Slider Turtle, Trachemys Scripta, Michael D. Marlen

Masters Theses

This study was conducted to determine egg and hatchling components of the red-eared slider (Trachemys scripta). In addition, energy components transferred from egg to hatchling were used to determine the level of parental investment in embryogenesis and hatchling care. Eggs of the red-eared slider, collected from central Illinois ponds, were obtained by inducing gravid females to lay by an injection of oxytocin. Egg and hatchling lipids were extracted with petroleum ether while egg and hatchling protein content was determined using the micro-Kjeldahl procedure. Eggs averaged 70.7% water by mass, and dry mass of whole eggs and egg yolks averaged 2.4g …

Ecology And Community Relationships Of The River Cooter, Pseudemys Concinna In A Southern Illinois Backwater, Michael J. Dreslik

Masters Theses

In Illinois the River cooter, Pseudemys concinna, is an enigmatic endangered species. Even throughout its range, ecological studies on the River cooter are rare. During 1994 and 1995 I quantified the: growth rates and trends, population size and structure and dietary habits of a population from floodplain lake in Gallatin county, Illinois. Population estimation (Schnabel method) predicted 136 individuals at a density of 4.6 turtles/ha with a biomass of 3.6 Kg/ha. The sex ratio is slightly male biased (1:1.14). From back-calculated growth data, the von Bertalanffy growth model (Fabens' method) estimates males with a higher growth rate (k) and …