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Identification Of Anopheles (Nyssorhynchus) Marajoara (Diptera: Culicidae) In Bolivia Using Polymerase Chain Reaction And A Restriction Endonuclease, Gary Fritz, C. L. Brelsfoard, R. Rodriguez Jul 2006

Identification Of Anopheles (Nyssorhynchus) Marajoara (Diptera: Culicidae) In Bolivia Using Polymerase Chain Reaction And A Restriction Endonuclease, Gary Fritz, C. L. Brelsfoard, R. Rodriguez

Faculty Research & Creative Activity

Anopheles (Nyssorhynchus) marajoara Galvão & Damasceno (Diptera: Culicidae) is a member of the Albitarsis cryptic species complex and is a primary vector of human Plasmodium in parts of Brazil. We report the first record of An. marajoara in the department of Cochabamba and confirm its presence in the department of Santa Cruz, Bolivia. We also describe a PCR protocol producing a single amplicon (≈340 bp) of a section of the internal transcribed spacer 2 specific for members of the Albitarsis species complex; the polymerase chain reaction protocol did not amplify the DNA of 17 other species in the subgenus Nyssorhynchus. …


Identification Of Anopheles (Nyssorhynchus) Marajoara (Diptera: Culicidae) In Bolivia Using Polymerase Chain Reaction And A Restriction Endonuclease, Gary Fritz, C. Brelsfoard, R. Rodriguez Jul 2006

Identification Of Anopheles (Nyssorhynchus) Marajoara (Diptera: Culicidae) In Bolivia Using Polymerase Chain Reaction And A Restriction Endonuclease, Gary Fritz, C. Brelsfoard, R. Rodriguez

Faculty Research & Creative Activity

Anopheles (Nyssorhynchus) marajoara Galvão & Damasceno (Diptera: Culicidae) is a member of the Albitarsis cryptic species complex and is a primary vector of human Plasmodium in parts of Brazil. We report the first record of An. marajoara in the department of Cochabamba and confirm its presence in the department of Santa Cruz, Bolivia. We also describe a PCR protocol producing a single amplicon (≈340 bp) of a section of the internal transcribed spacer 2 specific for members of the Albitarsis species complex; the polymerase chain reaction protocol did not amplify the DNA of 17 other species in the subgenus Nyssorhynchus. …


Sequence Analysis Of The Rdna Internal Transcribed Spacer 2 And Polymerase Chain Reaction Identification Of Anopheles Fluminensis (Diptera: Culicidae: Anopheles) In Bolivia, Corey Brelsfoard, Gary Fritz, Roberto Rodriguez May 2006

Sequence Analysis Of The Rdna Internal Transcribed Spacer 2 And Polymerase Chain Reaction Identification Of Anopheles Fluminensis (Diptera: Culicidae: Anopheles) In Bolivia, Corey Brelsfoard, Gary Fritz, Roberto Rodriguez

Faculty Research & Creative Activity

Anopheles fluminensis Root is a member of the Arribalzagia Series in the subgenus Anopheles. We report the first record of this species in the department of Cochabamba, Bolivia. This species was sampled from two locations in the foothills of the eastern Andes Mountains within the Chapare Valley. Larvae were collected in fast-flowing, shaded streams at the edges of rocky pools. We provide the first sequence data for the rDNA of An. fluminensis, a partial sequence of the 5.8S and the internal transcribed spacer 2 (ITS2). The ITS2 of An. fluminensis, sequenced from two individuals at one site, was at least …


Selective Male Mortality In The Red Imported Fire Ant, Solenopsis Invicta, Gary Fritz, Robert Vander Meer, Catherine Preston May 2006

Selective Male Mortality In The Red Imported Fire Ant, Solenopsis Invicta, Gary Fritz, Robert Vander Meer, Catherine Preston

Faculty Research & Creative Activity

Males in polygyne populations of Solenopsis invicta are primarily sterile diploids and thought to not express the Gp-9 gene coding for a pheromone-binding protein affecting complex social behavior.We examined an aspect of the breeding system hitherto not considered—male Gp-9 genotypes in relation to sperm stored in queens. Four sites with varying frequencies of sympatric monogyne and polygyne colonies were sampled, including sexuals, workers, and broods from four colonies. Most queens were heterozygotes storing B sperm. Although predicted to be common, only 14 of 504 males were B or BB genotypes, suggesting strong selection. Increased frequency of polygyne colonies at each …


Selective Male Mortality In The Red Imported Fire Ant, Solenopsis Invicta, Gary N. Fritz, Robert K. Vander Meer, Catherine A. Preston May 2006

Selective Male Mortality In The Red Imported Fire Ant, Solenopsis Invicta, Gary N. Fritz, Robert K. Vander Meer, Catherine A. Preston

Faculty Research & Creative Activity

Males in polygyne populations of Solenopsis invicta are primarily sterile diploids and thought to not express the Gp-9 gene coding for a pheromone-binding protein affecting complex social behavior.We examined an aspect of the breeding system hitherto not considered—male Gp-9 genotypes in relation to sperm stored in queens. Four sites with varying frequencies of sympatric monogyne and polygyne colonies were sampled, including sexuals, workers, and broods from four colonies. Most queens were heterozygotes storing B sperm. Although predicted to be common, only 14 of 504 males were B or BB genotypes, suggesting strong selection. Increased frequency of polygyne colonies at each …


Sequence Analysis Of The Rdna Internal Transcribed Spacer 2 And Polymerase Chain Reaction Identification Of Anopheles Fluminensis (Diptera: Culicidae: Anopheles) In Bolivia, Corey L. Brelsfoard, Gary Fritz, Roberto Rodriguez May 2006

Sequence Analysis Of The Rdna Internal Transcribed Spacer 2 And Polymerase Chain Reaction Identification Of Anopheles Fluminensis (Diptera: Culicidae: Anopheles) In Bolivia, Corey L. Brelsfoard, Gary Fritz, Roberto Rodriguez

Faculty Research & Creative Activity

Anopheles fluminensis Root is a member of the Arribalzagia Series in the subgenus Anopheles. We report the first record of this species in the department of Cochabamba, Bolivia. This species was sampled from two locations in the foothills of the eastern Andes Mountains within the Chapare Valley. Larvae were collected in fast-flowing, shaded streams at the edges of rocky pools. We provide the first sequence data for the rDNA of An. fluminensis, a partial sequence of the 5.8S and the internal transcribed spacer 2 (ITS2). The ITS2 of An. fluminensis, sequenced from two individuals at one site, was at least …


Sequence Analysis Of Nuclear Rdna Of Anastrepha Suspensa, Ann H. Fritz Jan 2006

Sequence Analysis Of Nuclear Rdna Of Anastrepha Suspensa, Ann H. Fritz

Faculty Research & Creative Activity

No abstract provided.


Element Levels In Snakes In South Carolina: Differences Between A Control Site And Exposed Site On The Savannah River Site, J. Burger, S. Murray, K. F. Gaines, James M. Novak, T. Punshon, C. Dixon, M. Gochfeld Jan 2006

Element Levels In Snakes In South Carolina: Differences Between A Control Site And Exposed Site On The Savannah River Site, J. Burger, S. Murray, K. F. Gaines, James M. Novak, T. Punshon, C. Dixon, M. Gochfeld

Faculty Research & Creative Activity

Levels of 18 elements, including lead, mercury, selenium, and uranium, were examined in three species of snakes from an exposed and reference site on the Department of Energy’s Savannah River Site in South Carolina. We tested the hypotheses that there were no differences as a function of species, and there were no difference between the exposed and control site for blood and muscle (tail) samples for banded water snake (Nerodia fasciata), brown water snake (N. taxispilota) and cottonmouth (Akistrodon piscivorous). The banded water snakes collected were significantly smaller than the other two species. For blood, there were significant species differences …


Spatial Learning In Dragonflies, Perri K. Eason, Paul Switzer Jan 2006

Spatial Learning In Dragonflies, Perri K. Eason, Paul Switzer

Faculty Research & Creative Activity

No abstract provided.


Comparative Vegetative Anatomy And Systematics Of The Angraecoids (Vandeae, Orchidaceae) With An Emphasis On The Leafless Habit, Barbara S. Carlsward, William Louis Stern, Benny Bytebier Jan 2006

Comparative Vegetative Anatomy And Systematics Of The Angraecoids (Vandeae, Orchidaceae) With An Emphasis On The Leafless Habit, Barbara S. Carlsward, William Louis Stern, Benny Bytebier

Faculty Research & Creative Activity

The vegetative anatomy and morphology of 142 species of the angraecoid orchids (Angraecinae + Aerangidinae) and 18 species of Aeridinae were examined using light and scanning electron microscopy. Leafless members of Vandeae were of particular interest because of their unique growth habit. Leafy and leafless members of Angraecinae and Aerangidinae were examined and compared with specimens of Aeridinae. Vandeae were homogeneous in both leaf and root anatomy. A foliar hypodermis and fibre bundles were generally absent. Stegmata with spherical silica bodies were found associated with sclerenchyma and restricted to leaves in almost all specimens examined. Distinct inner tangential wall thickenings …


Comparative Vegetative Anatomy And Systematics Of Oncidiinae (Maxillarieae, Orchidaceae), William Louis Stern, Barbara S. Carlsward Jan 2006

Comparative Vegetative Anatomy And Systematics Of Oncidiinae (Maxillarieae, Orchidaceae), William Louis Stern, Barbara S. Carlsward

Faculty Research & Creative Activity

Subtribe Oncidiinae comprises a vegetatively heterogeneous assemblage of species that has persistently been incapable of organization. Anatomy was considered to be a possible means to resolve the perplexity of relationships amongst the constituent taxa. The consistent occurrence of a foliar hypodermis, homogeneous mesophyll, conical silica bodies in stegmata, and ubiquitous fibre bundles in leaves provides a matrix for linking the taxa, as do the parenchymatous pith and O-thickened endodermal cell walls in roots. However, the strict consensus of the 40 genera studied was completely unresolved, suggesting that vegetative characters alone are insufficient to assess the relationships amongst these taxa, a …


Eastern Bluebirds Eject Brown-Headed Cowbird Eggs, Brian Peer, Lyndon Hawkins, Edwin Steinke, Patricia Bollinger, Eric Bollinger Jan 2006

Eastern Bluebirds Eject Brown-Headed Cowbird Eggs, Brian Peer, Lyndon Hawkins, Edwin Steinke, Patricia Bollinger, Eric Bollinger

Faculty Research & Creative Activity

The relationship between the Brownheaded Cowbird (Molothrus ater) and its cavitynesting hosts has received little attention because of the assumption that cowbirds rarely parasitize these hosts. We tested the Eastern Bluebird (Sialia sialis), a host that is sometimes heavily parasitized by cowbirds, for egg ejection behavior. Bluebirds ejected 65% of experimentally added cowbird eggs (n = 20), but ejected no experimentally added conspecific eggs (n = 66). This suggests that cowbird parasitism, not conspecific brood parasitism, is the selective pressure responsible for egg ejection in this species. This level of rejection may be conservative because bluebirds nest in dark cavities, …


Comparative Vegetative Anatomy And Systematics Of The Angraecoids (Vandeae, Orchidaceae) With An Emphasis On The Leafless Habit, Barbara Carlsward, William Stern, Benny Bytebier Jan 2006

Comparative Vegetative Anatomy And Systematics Of The Angraecoids (Vandeae, Orchidaceae) With An Emphasis On The Leafless Habit, Barbara Carlsward, William Stern, Benny Bytebier

Faculty Research & Creative Activity

The vegetative anatomy and morphology of 142 species of the angraecoid orchids (Angraecinae + Aerangidinae) and 18 species of Aeridinae were examined using light and scanning electron microscopy. Leafless members of Vandeae were of particular interest because of their unique growth habit. Leafy and leafless members of Angraecinae and Aerangidinae were examined and compared with specimens of Aeridinae. Vandeae were homogeneous in both leaf and root anatomy. A foliar hypodermis and fibre bundles were generally absent. Stegmata with spherical silica bodies were found associated with sclerenchyma and restricted to leaves in almost all specimens examined. Distinct inner tangential wall thickenings …


Molecular Phylogenetics Of Vandeae (Orchidaceae) And The Evolution Of Leaflessness, Barbara Carlsward, W. Whitten, Norris Williams, Benny Bytebier Jan 2006

Molecular Phylogenetics Of Vandeae (Orchidaceae) And The Evolution Of Leaflessness, Barbara Carlsward, W. Whitten, Norris Williams, Benny Bytebier

Faculty Research & Creative Activity

Members of tribe Vandeae (Orchidaceae) form a large, antropical clade of horticulturally important epiphytes. Monopodial leafless members of Vandeae have undergone extreme eduction in habit and represent a novel adaptation to the canopy environment in tropical Africa, Asia, and America. To study the evolution of monopodial leaflessness, molecular and structural evidence was used to generate phylogenetic hypotheses for Vandeae. Molecular analyses used sequence data from ITS nrDNA, trnL-F plastid DNA, and matK plastid DNA. Maximum parsimony analyses of these three DNA regions each supported two subtribes within monopodial Vandeae: Aeridinae and a combined Angraecinae þ Aerangidinae. Adding structural characters to …


Comparative Vegetative Anatomy And Systematics Of Oncidiinae (Maxillarieae, Orchidaceae), William Stern, Barbara Carlsward Jan 2006

Comparative Vegetative Anatomy And Systematics Of Oncidiinae (Maxillarieae, Orchidaceae), William Stern, Barbara Carlsward

Faculty Research & Creative Activity

Subtribe Oncidiinae comprises a vegetatively heterogeneous assemblage of species that has persistently been incapable of organization. Anatomy was considered to be a possible means to resolve the perplexity of relationships amongst the constituent taxa. The consistent occurrence of a foliar hypodermis, homogeneous mesophyll, conical silica bodies in stegmata, and ubiquitous fibre bundles in leaves provides a matrix for linking the taxa, as do the parenchymatous pith and O-thickened endodermal cell walls in roots. However, the strict consensus of the 40 genera studied was completely unresolved, suggesting that vegetative characters alone are insufficient to assess the relationships amongst these taxa, a …


Spatial Learning In Dragonflies, Perri Eason, Paul Switzer Jan 2006

Spatial Learning In Dragonflies, Perri Eason, Paul Switzer

Faculty Research & Creative Activity

No abstract provided.


Flora And Vegetation Of Coneflower Glacial Drift Hill Prairie Natural Area, Moultrie County, Illinois, Gordon Tucker, Nicholas Owens, John Ebinger Jan 2006

Flora And Vegetation Of Coneflower Glacial Drift Hill Prairie Natural Area, Moultrie County, Illinois, Gordon Tucker, Nicholas Owens, John Ebinger

Faculty Research & Creative Activity

The vascular flora of Coneflower Glacial Drift Hill Prairie Natural Area in Moultrie County, east-central Illinois, was studied during the growing seasons of 2002 and 2003. The prairie is located on a steep SW-facing hillside of the Cerro Gordo Glacial Moraine, overlooking the Kaskaskia River Valley and Lake Shelbyville. The flora was documented by general reconnaissance, and the structure of the vegetation was sampled in September 2003 using 0.25 m2 plots placed along two transects. The site supported 164 vascular plant species (including one named hybrid). The native grasses with the highest importance values were Andropogon gerardii (big bluestem) and …


Sequence Analysis Of Nuclear Rdna Of Anastrepha Suspensa, Ann Fritz Jan 2006

Sequence Analysis Of Nuclear Rdna Of Anastrepha Suspensa, Ann Fritz

Faculty Research & Creative Activity

No abstract provided.


Molecular Phylogenetics Of Vandeae (Orchidaceae) And The Evolution Of Leaflessness, Barbara S. Carlsward, W. Mark Whitten, Norris H. Williams, Benny Bytebier Jan 2006

Molecular Phylogenetics Of Vandeae (Orchidaceae) And The Evolution Of Leaflessness, Barbara S. Carlsward, W. Mark Whitten, Norris H. Williams, Benny Bytebier

Faculty Research & Creative Activity

Members of tribe Vandeae (Orchidaceae) form a large, antropical clade of horticulturally important epiphytes. Monopodial leafless members of Vandeae have undergone extreme eduction in habit and represent a novel adaptation to the canopy environment in tropical Africa, Asia, and America. To study the evolution of monopodial leaflessness, molecular and structural evidence was used to generate phylogenetic hypotheses for Vandeae. Molecular analyses used sequence data from ITS nrDNA, trnL-F plastid DNA, and matK plastid DNA. Maximum parsimony analyses of these three DNA regions each supported two subtribes within monopodial Vandeae: Aeridinae and a combined Angraecinae þ Aerangidinae. Adding structural characters to …


Effect Of In Ovo Exposure To Pcbs And Hg On Clapper Rail Bone Mineral Chemistry From A Contaminated Salt Marsh In Coastal Georgia, Alejandro Rodriquez-Navarro, Christopher S. Romanek, Pedro Alvarez-Lloret, Karen F. Gaines Jan 2006

Effect Of In Ovo Exposure To Pcbs And Hg On Clapper Rail Bone Mineral Chemistry From A Contaminated Salt Marsh In Coastal Georgia, Alejandro Rodriquez-Navarro, Christopher S. Romanek, Pedro Alvarez-Lloret, Karen F. Gaines

Faculty Research & Creative Activity

The effect of Hg and PCBs (Aroclor 1268) on bone characteristics was investigated in a population of Clapper Rails (Rallus longirostris) inhabiting contaminated and unimpacted estuarine marsh systems in coastal Georgia. Exposure to contaminants did not affect the length or weight of leg bones, but it significantly altered the chemical composition of the bone. Specifically, bone in the contaminated site had a higher Ca to P, and lower carbonate and acid phosphate content. These characteristics are typical of more mature bone mineral and indicate that toxicants have accelerated bone maturation. FTIR spectroscopy data revealed a dose dependent change in the …


The Clapper Rail As An Indicator Species Of Estuarine Marsh Health, James N. Novak, Karen F. Gaines, James C. Cumbee Jr., Gary L. Mills, Alejandro Rodriguez-Navarro, Christopher S. Romanek Jan 2006

The Clapper Rail As An Indicator Species Of Estuarine Marsh Health, James N. Novak, Karen F. Gaines, James C. Cumbee Jr., Gary L. Mills, Alejandro Rodriguez-Navarro, Christopher S. Romanek

Faculty Research & Creative Activity

Clapper Rails (Rallus longirostris) can potentially serve as an indicator species of estuarinemarsh health because of their strong site fi delity and predictable diet consisting predominantly of benthic organisms. These feeding habits increase the likelihood of individuals accumulating signifi - cant amounts of contaminants associated with coastal sediments. Moreover, since Clapper Rails are threatened in most of their western range, additional study of the effects of potential toxins on these birds is essential to conservation programs for this species. Here we present techniques (DNA strand breakage, eggshell structure, and human-consumption risk) that can be used to quantify detrimental effects to …


Trehalose Uptake Through P2x7 Purinergic Channels Provides Dehydration Protection, Gloria D. Elliott, Jennifer L. Cusick, Xiang-Hong Liu, Michael A. Menze, Trudy Witt, Steven C. Hand, Mehmet Toner Jan 2006

Trehalose Uptake Through P2x7 Purinergic Channels Provides Dehydration Protection, Gloria D. Elliott, Jennifer L. Cusick, Xiang-Hong Liu, Michael A. Menze, Trudy Witt, Steven C. Hand, Mehmet Toner

Faculty Research & Creative Activity

The tetra-anionic form of ATP (ATP4-) is known to induce monovalent and divalent ion fluxes in cells that express purinergic P2X7 receptors (Steinberg et al., 1987; Sung et al., 1985), and with sustained application of ATP it has been shown that dyes as large as 831 daltons can permeate the cell membrane (Steinberg et al, 1987). The current study explores the kinetics of loading α,α-trehalose (342 daltons) into ATP stimulated J774.A1 cells, which are known to express the purinergic P2X7 receptor (Steinberg et al., 1987). Cells that were incubated at 37 ̊C in a 50 mM phosphate buffer (pH 7.0) …


Survey Of The Illinois Endangered Kankakee Mallow, Iliamna Remote, In Kankakee County, April L. Mcdonnell, Henry R. Owen, Sean C. Jones, Vincent P. Gutowski, John E. Ebinger Jan 2006

Survey Of The Illinois Endangered Kankakee Mallow, Iliamna Remote, In Kankakee County, April L. Mcdonnell, Henry R. Owen, Sean C. Jones, Vincent P. Gutowski, John E. Ebinger

Faculty Research & Creative Activity

Iliamna remota Greene (Malvaceae), endemic only to Langham Island in the Kankakee River, Kankakee County, Illinois, is a state endangered species. During the present study, the size of the population was determined, the habitat structure in and around the individual colonies analyzed, and management recommendation made to potentially increase the size of the population. During the summer of 2005, the I remota population consisted of 1,074 stems in 12 colonies, located along the northwest side of the island. In late June, flowering appeared to be prolific, where means and standard deviations of floral buds and open flowers were 1.6 :t …


Fungal Spore Dispersal By The Eastern Box Turtle (Terrapene Carolina Carolina), S. C. Jones, W. J. Jordan, Scott J. Meiners, A. N. Miller, A. S. Methven Jan 2006

Fungal Spore Dispersal By The Eastern Box Turtle (Terrapene Carolina Carolina), S. C. Jones, W. J. Jordan, Scott J. Meiners, A. N. Miller, A. S. Methven

Faculty Research & Creative Activity

Although spores from most macrofungi are wind- or water-dispersed, dispersal may also occur via biotic vectors. The Eastern box turtle (Terrapene carolina carolina) is a facultative mycovore that may play an important role in fungal spore dispersal although, to date, no information exists on fungi occurring in fecal samples of box turtles or on the ecological significance of box turtles as spore dispersal vectors. Consequently, a study of the potential for Eastern box turtles to act as vectors for spore dispersal was initiated by capturing wild turtles and collecting fecal samples. Serial dilutions from fecal samples were made to enumerate …


Survey Of The Illinois Endangered Kankakee Mallow, Iliamna Remota, In Kankakee County, April L. Mcdonnell, Henry R. Owen, Sean C. Jones, Vincent P. Gutowski, John E. Ebinger Jan 2006

Survey Of The Illinois Endangered Kankakee Mallow, Iliamna Remota, In Kankakee County, April L. Mcdonnell, Henry R. Owen, Sean C. Jones, Vincent P. Gutowski, John E. Ebinger

Faculty Research & Creative Activity

Iliamna remota Greene (Malvaceae), endemic only to Langham Island in the Kankakee River, Kankakee County, Illinois, is a state endangered species. During the present study, the size of the population was determined, the habitat structure in and around the individual colonies analyzed, and management recommendation made to potentially increase the size of the population. During the summer of 2005, the I remota population consisted of 1,074 stems in 12 colonies, located along the northwest side of the island. In late June, flowering appeared to be prolific, where means and standard deviations of floral buds and open flowers were 1.6 :t …


Flora And Vegetation Of Coneflower Glacial Drift Hill Prairie Natural Area, Moultrie County, Illinois, Gordon C. Tucker, Nicholas L. Owens, John E. Ebinger Jan 2006

Flora And Vegetation Of Coneflower Glacial Drift Hill Prairie Natural Area, Moultrie County, Illinois, Gordon C. Tucker, Nicholas L. Owens, John E. Ebinger

Faculty Research & Creative Activity

The vascular flora of Coneflower Glacial Drift Hill Prairie Natural Area in Moultrie County, east-central Illinois, was studied during the growing seasons of 2002 and 2003. The prairie is located on a steep SW-facing hillside of the Cerro Gordo Glacial Moraine, overlooking the Kaskaskia River Valley and Lake Shelbyville. The flora was documented by general reconnaissance, and the structure of the vegetation was sampled in September 2003 using 0.25 m2 plots placed along two transects. The site supported 164 vascular plant species (including one named hybrid). The native grasses with the highest importance values were Andropogon gerardii (big bluestem) and …


Additions To The Flora Of Rhode Island, Gordon C. Tucker Jan 2006

Additions To The Flora Of Rhode Island, Gordon C. Tucker

Faculty Research & Creative Activity

The recent checklist of Rhode Island plants (Gould et al. 1998) provides an excellent documentation of the state's vascular flora. Although geographically distant, I have continued to maintain an interest in the flora of my home state since my first publication on the subject (Tucker 1978). Over the past several years, I have made a few collections that are new records for the state flora. Most are non-native species, and are enumerated below by family.


Fungal Spore Dispersal By The Eastern Box Turtle (Terrapene Carolina Carolina), S. Jones, W. Jordan, Scott Meiners, A. Miller, A. Methven Jan 2006

Fungal Spore Dispersal By The Eastern Box Turtle (Terrapene Carolina Carolina), S. Jones, W. Jordan, Scott Meiners, A. Miller, A. Methven

Faculty Research & Creative Activity

Although spores from most macrofungi are wind- or water-dispersed, dispersal may also occur via biotic vectors. The Eastern box turtle (Terrapene carolina carolina) is a facultative mycovore that may play an important role in fungal spore dispersal although, to date, no information exists on fungi occurring in fecal samples of box turtles or on the ecological significance of box turtles as spore dispersal vectors. Consequently, a study of the potential for Eastern box turtles to act as vectors for spore dispersal was initiated by capturing wild turtles and collecting fecal samples. Serial dilutions from fecal samples were made to enumerate …


Additions To The Flora Of Rhode Island, Gordon Tucker Jan 2006

Additions To The Flora Of Rhode Island, Gordon Tucker

Faculty Research & Creative Activity

The recent checklist of Rhode Island plants (Gould et al. 1998) provides an excellent documentation of the state's vascular flora. Although geographically distant, I have continued to maintain an interest in the flora of my home state since my first publication on the subject (Tucker 1978). Over the past several years, I have made a few collections that are new records for the state flora. Most are non-native species, and are enumerated below by family.


Eastern Bluebirds Eject Brown-Headed Cowbird Eggs, Brian D. Peer, Lyndon R. Hawkins, Edwin P. Steinke, Patricia Blair Bollinger, Eric K. Bollinger Jan 2006

Eastern Bluebirds Eject Brown-Headed Cowbird Eggs, Brian D. Peer, Lyndon R. Hawkins, Edwin P. Steinke, Patricia Blair Bollinger, Eric K. Bollinger

Faculty Research & Creative Activity

The relationship between the Brownheaded Cowbird (Molothrus ater) and its cavitynesting hosts has received little attention because of the assumption that cowbirds rarely parasitize these hosts. We tested the Eastern Bluebird (Sialia sialis), a host that is sometimes heavily parasitized by cowbirds, for egg ejection behavior. Bluebirds ejected 65% of experimentally added cowbird eggs (n = 20), but ejected no experimentally added conspecific eggs (n = 66). This suggests that cowbird parasitism, not conspecific brood parasitism, is the selective pressure responsible for egg ejection in this species. This level of rejection may be conservative because bluebirds nest in dark cavities, …