Life Sciences Commons^™

The Status Of Invasive Dusky Slug (Arion) Species In The Upper Great Lakes: A Molecular Approach, Olivia W. Hall

All NMU Master's Theses

I update the distribution of two cryptic slug species, Arion fuscus and Arion subfuscus, in the Upper Great Lakes of the United States using molecular identification methods. Arion fuscus has not previously been reported in the literature in this region, and Arion subfuscus has previously been reported as abundant. However, all previous distribution studies were determined using visual identification tools, which can result in misidentification between cryptic species. To molecularly re-examine these distribution maps, I used a mitochondrial ribosomal subunit 16S PCR amplification and subsequent SSpI and MfeI restriction enzyme digest to identify slug specimens. I collected slugs in …

An Annotated Checklist Of The Dung Beetles (Coleoptera: Geotrupidae And Scarabaeidae, Subfamilies Aphodiinae And Scarabaeinae) Of Oaxaca, Mexico, Burt Kohlmann, Alfonsina Arriaga-Jiménez, Eder F. Mora-Aguilar

Insecta Mundi

Abstract. A checklist of the dung beetles (Coleoptera: Geotrupidae; Scarabaeidae: Aphodiinae and Scara­baeinae) of Oaxaca, Mexico, is presented for the first time. The checklist contains 252 taxa, 15 Geotrupidae, 77 Aphodiinae, and 160 Scarabaeinae. The state includes 58 genera and 15 tribes, where Onthophagus is the most species-rich genus with 49 taxa, followed by Ataenius with 22, Canthon with 17 and Phanaeus with 15 taxa. Valid names, as well as synonyms, are provided. First records, notes on presently recognized spe­cies, nomenclatural problems, and biodiversity comparisons are included. Phanaeus dionysius Kohlmann, Arriaga-Jiménez and Rös, 2018 (Coleoptera: Scarabaeidae: Scarabaeinae) is re-established as …

Mystifying Mimics: The Influence Of Distribution On Mimicry, Taylor Probst, Dallin Kohler, Alison Whiting, Jacob Searcy

Library/Life Sciences Undergraduate Poster Competition 2023

Many animals display bright colors or patterns to advertise or warn predators that they are dangerous. Coral snakes effectively use bright red and yellow bands to warn of their venom. There are also many harmless snakes which try to copy or mimic the color patterns of the coral snakes to gain that same protection from predators without the venom. This is known as Batesian mimicry. It has long been thought that for mimicry to be effective, both the dangerous animals and their mimics need to be found in the same geographic area. This study focuses on two species of kingsnake, …

Seasonal Habitat Preference And Foraging Behaviour Of Post-Moult Weddell Seals In The Western Ross Sea, Kimberly T. Goetz, Michael S. Dinniman, Luis A. Hückstädt, Patrick W. Robinson, Michelle R. Shero, Jennifer M. Burns, Eileen E. Hofmann, Sharon E. Stammerjohn, Elliott L. Hazen, David G. Ainley, Daniel P. Costa

CCPO Publications

Weddell seals (Leptonychotes weddellii) are important predators in the Southern Ocean and are among the best-studied pinnipeds on Earth, yet much still needs to be learned about their year-round movements and foraging behaviour. Using biologgers, we tagged 62 post-moult Weddell seals in McMurdo Sound and vicinity between 2010 and 2012. Generalized additive mixed models were used to (i) explain and predict the probability of seal presence and foraging behaviour from eight environmental variables, and (ii) examine foraging behaviour in relation to dive metrics. Foraging probability was highest in winter and lowest in summer, and foraging occurred mostly in …

Origin, Distribution And Domestication Of The Carob Tree (Ceratonia Siliqua L.), Yassine Moustafa Mahdad, Semir Bechir Suheil Gaouar

Turkish Journal of Botany

The carob tree, which is a member of the Fabaceae family, is an agrosilvopastoral tree whose pre-Mediterranean tropical origin appears well established on the basis of genetic, fossil and physiological data. C. siliqua has recently been successfully introduced from the Mediterranean basin to other parts of the world that have a Mediterranean climate. In terms of its domestication, there is paleobotanical, philological, ecological and historical evidence to suggest that the species was spread by people from Arabia, where it took refuge during the Ice Age, to Mesopotamia and then on to the western Mediterranean. This ?eastern refugium hypothesis? (ERH) postulates …

Redescription Of A Little-Known Species, Cryptocephalus Surdus Rapilly, 1980 (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae: Cryptocephalinae), With Notes On New Distribution Localities And Habitat Preference In Türkiye, Ali̇ Gök, Abdullah Hasbenli̇, İsmai̇l Şen

Turkish Journal of Zoology

Cryptocephalus surdus Rapilly, 1980 is a little-known species which was described based on specimens collected from Iran. Due to the fact that the species was described very briefly in its original description, the taxonomic features of the species are redescribed in here. In addition, information about additional taxonomic characters, habitats and distribution in Türkiye of this little-known species are given for the first time in this study. Habitus and genital features of the species are photographed. Habitat preference and a map showing the previous and new distribution localities of the species are provided.

New Records Of Gastropods (Caenogastropoda And Heterobranchia) From The Turkish Coasts With Observations On Some Poorly Known Species, Bi̇lal Öztürk, Nesli̇han Türkçü, Banu Bi̇tli̇s

Turkish Journal of Zoology

This work presents information about 19 taxa recorded from different habitats at depths between 0.2 and 508 m in the last two decades, which are new records or poorly known species along the Turkish coasts. Among the identified species, Epitonium vaillanti, Melanella cf. lubrica, Melanella monterosatoi, Pelseneeria minor, Setia amabilis, Kurtziella serga, Rissoella diaphana, Rissoella inflata, and Spirolaxis clenchi are new records for the Turkish mollusc fauna, Eatonina pumila is new report for the Turkish coast of the Aegean Sea, and Eatonina ochroleuca, Acirsa subdecussata, Lamellaria latens, Setia pulcherrima, Setia valvatoides, and Turbonilla cangeyrani are species with rare distribution …

Fauna And Distribution Of Algerian Ichneumonidae (Hymenoptera, Ichneumonidae), Khalida Djouama, Santiago Bordera

Turkish Journal of Zoology

In the present paper, 14 species of Ichneumonidae collected in Biskra region (Algeria) are reported. The species Trathala hierochontica (Schmiedeknecht, 1910), Diplazon laetatorius Fabricius, 1781, Ophion obscuratus Fabricius, 1798, Enicospilus tournieri (Vollenhoven, 1879), Dichrogaster schimitcheki (Fahringer, 1935), Dichrogaster longicaudata (Thomson, 1884), Gelis imitatus (Schwarz, 2016) and Lysibia nana (Gravenhorst, 1829) are reported as new records for the Algerian fauna.

Methods For Drone Trajectory Analysis Of Bottlenose Dolphins (Tursiops Truncatus), Jillian D. Bliss

Theses and Dissertations

With the increase in the use of UAS (Unmanned Aerial Systems) for marine mammal research, there is a need for the development of methods of analysis to transform UAS high resolution video into quantitative data. This study sought to develop a preliminary method of analysis that would quantify and present a way to visualize the dynamics and relative spatial distribution and changes in distribution of bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops truncatus) in the waters of Turneffe Atoll, Belize. This approach employs a previously developed video tracking program ‘Keypoint Tracking’ that enables manual tracking of individual dolphins and the creation of …

Geographic Distribution: Anolis Sagrei (Brown Anole). Usa: Arizona., Addie Leimroth, Louis A. Somma, Dyrana N. Russell, Logan P. Cutts, Mason Ryan, Randall D. Babb, Karen E. Hajek, Andrew T. Holycross

Papers in Herpetology

We discovered the first distributional records for the exotic, Caribbean lizard, Anolis sagrei (Brown Anole), in Arizona.

Exceptional Larval Morphology Of Nine Species Of The Anastrepha Mucronota Species Group (Diptera: Tephritidae), Erick J. Rodriguez, Gary J. Steck, Matthew R. Moore, Allen L. Norrbom, Jessica Diaz, Louis A. Somma, Raul Ruiz-Arce, Bruce D. Sutton, Norma Nolazco, Alies Muller, Marc A. Branham

Papers in Evolution

Anastrepha is the most diverse and economically important genus of Tephritidae in the American tropics and subtropics. The striking morphology of the third instars of Anastrepha caballeroi Norrbom, Anastrepha crebra Stone, Anastrepha haplacantha Norrbom & Korytkowski, Anastrepha korytkowskii Norrbom, Anastrepha nolazcoae Norrbom & Korytkowski, and three newly discovered and as yet formally unnamed species (Anastrepha sp. Peru-82, Anastrepha sp. nr. protuberans, and Anastrepha sp. Sur-16), and the more typical morphology of Anastrepha aphelocentema Stone, are described using light and scanning electron microscopy. To contribute to a better understanding of the interspecific and intraspecific variation among species in the mucronota …

Distribution And Ecological Function Of Pacific Lamprey In The San Luis Obispo Creek Watershed, Parker Kalan

Master's Theses

Pacific lamprey (Entosphenus tridentatus) is an endemic species to coastal watersheds along the Pacific Rim in North America and Asia. The species' geographic distribution is retracting and has not been mapped precisely, and the ability for the species to provide ecosystem services, such as water filtration, for supporting watershed management has not been tested. The San Luis Obispo Creek watershed, California, USA is at the southern end of Pacific lamprey’s retracting distribution, and the San Luis Obispo watershed is impacted by degraded water quality, making investigation of Pacific lamprey in the San Luis Obispo Creek watershed of direct …

A New Species And New Records For Two Other Exotic Species Of Dirrhagofarsus Fleutiaux, 1935 (Coleoptera: Eucnemidae: Melasinae: Dirhagini) In The United States, Robert L. Otto

Insecta Mundi

New records for a new species and other exotic Dirrhagofarsus Fleutiaux (Coleoptera: Eucnemidae: Melasinae: Dirhagini) species are reported from throughout much of the northeastern and southern areas of the United States. Dirrhagofarsus brevis, new species, is hereby described in this study. Two other exotic spe­cies, Dirrhagofarsus modestus (Fleutiaux) and Dirrhagofarsus unicolor (Hisamatsu), new country records, are redescribed and diagnosed as they were compared with other Dirrhagofarsus species present in the Nearctic region. All Dirrhagofarsus species in this study are imaged, highlighting essential character states to facilitate better diagnosis in conjunction to the new identification key provided in …

New State Records For 33 Species Of Nearctic False Click Beetles (Coleoptera: Eucnemidae), Robert L. Otto

Insecta Mundi

New state records for 33 species of Eucnemidae (Coleoptera) are reported from the eastern United States based on the examination and identifications of specimens from four institutional and personal collections over the past several years. Images of 12 eucnemid species are also provided.

Recently, opportunities were presented to identify more than 880 Eucnemidae from four institutional and personal collections. Most of the specimens came from the Carnegie Museum of Natural History and were collected during the national bark beetle surveys conducted by the United States Department of Agriculture. The survey has been instrumental in providing more state records of Eucnemidae …

Rediscovery Of Gnoriste Macra Johannsen In Wisconsin (Diptera: Mycetophilidae: Gnoristinae), Daniel K. Young

The Great Lakes Entomologist

Gnoriste macra Johannsen was described from Whitefish Bay, Wisconsin in 1912. The type locality is now a highly residential region a few miles north of the center of Milwaukee. Herein, collection events are reported for G. macra from Sauk County in southcentral Wisconsin. These new records, nearly a century after the only other literature record, indicate the species still thrives in Wisconsin though likely extirpated from the type locality. The specimens were recovered from unbaited Townes Malaise traps during mid- to late May, 2006 and 2020. Cranial anatomy and functional morphology of the head suggests G. macra may be a …

New State And Provincial Records For Some Nearctic True Bugs (Hemiptera: Heteroptera) From The Illinois Natural History Survey Insect Collection, Daniel R. Swanson

The Great Lakes Entomologist

157 state records for 133 heteropteran species in 99 genera in 33 different families from 40 states are newly-reported based on material housed in the Illinois Natural History Survey Insect Collection. Families represented by new records include Acanthosomatidae, Alydidae, Anthocoridae, Aradidae, Blissidae, Belostomatidae, Coreidae, Corixidae, Cymidae, Gelastocoridae, Geocoridae, Hebridae, Hydrometridae, Largidae, Lasiochilidae, Lygaeidae, Mesoveliidae, Miridae, Nabidae, Naucoridae, Nepidae, Notonectidae, Piesmatidae, Pleidae, Reduviidae, Rhopalidae, Rhyparochromidae, Saldidae, Schizopteridae, Scutelleridae, Thyreocoridae, Tingidae, and Veliidae, and the following 9 records represent new family records: Acanthosomatidae (West Virginia), Cymidae (Kentucky), Hebridae (Tennessee), Lygaeidae (Delaware), Naucoridae (Georgia), Piesmatidae (Mississippi, North Dakota), Pleidae (North Dakota), and Schizopteridae …

An Updated Checklist To The Non-Biting Midges (Chironomidae) Of Illinois, Daniel R. Swanson, Erika E. Bilger

The Great Lakes Entomologist

The Chironomidae, or non-biting midges, of Illinois have been untreated since the early 20^th century, and the high level of taxonomic flux in the family necessitates an update, particularly for a group with importance as bio-indicators of freshwater ecosystem health. Herein, 181 species of Chironomidae in 76 genera are recorded from the state of Illinois. Each species entry is annotated with the first Illinoisan record of the species. Two genera, Brillia Kieffer, 1913 and Prodiamesa Kieffer, 1906, are recorded for the first time from Illinois, as are three species: Xenochironomus xenolabis (Kieffer in Thienemann and Kieffer, 1916) (Chironominae); Brillia …

Ecology And Conservation Of Grey Crowned Cranes (Balearica Regulorum) In Tanzania, Bridget Amulike

Doctoral Dissertations

Grey-crowned cranes (Balearica regulorum) are listed as endangered and their population throughout Africa has declined by 50% from the period of 1985–2004. The major causes for their population loss are mainly linked to habitat loss and the illegal capture of live birds and collection of their eggs and other parts. Currently, throughout Africa, little has been done to study and protect grey crowned cranes. In this study, I incorporated local people’s knowledge, using survey questionnaires to investigate the distribution of grey crowned cranes in Arusha, Kilimanjaro, Singida, and Mbeya Region in Tanzania. I also investigated the perception and attitudes …

Natural History Of The Guatemalan Copper Iophanus Pyrrhias (Godman And Salvin, 1887) (Lepidoptera: Lycaenidae) In Guatemala, José Monzón-Sierra, Gregory C. Ballmer

The Taxonomic Report of the International Lepidoptera Survey

Abstract

Detailed information including photographs about the natural history of Iophanus pyrrhias (Godman and Salvin 1887) in Guatemala is presented. Information includes geographic and altitudinal distribution and phenology. We reconfirm the immatures stages use Muehlenbeckia tamnifolia (Kunth) Meisn., 1841 (Polygonaceae) as the host plant.

Reusmen

Se presenta información detallada incluyendo fotografías de la historia natural de Iophanus pyrrhias (Godman y Salvin 1887) en Guatemala. La información incluye distribución geográfica y altitudinal y fenología. Confirmamos que los estados inmaduros se alimentan de Muehlenbeckia tamnifolia (Kunth) Meisn., 1841 (Polygonaceae).

Distribution And Molecular Differentiation Of Culex Pipiens Complex Species In Themiddle And Eastern Black Sea Regions Of Turkey, Muhammet Mustafa Akiner, Murat Öztürk, Fati̇h Şaban Beri̇ş, Çağaşan Karacaoğlu, Fati̇h Mehmet Şi̇mşek, Aytül Uzun Akgeyi̇k

Turkish Journal of Zoology

Culex pipiens species complex is commonly found in tropical and subtropical areas. Identification of species complexes and their spatial distribution patterns are fundamental steps needed to improve our understanding of arboviral disease circulation and their control. The specimens were differentiated using the Ace-2 gene, and the ecological forms of Culex pipiens were identified by analysis of the CQ11 microsatellite locus. Results showed that all sample points comprised of Culex pipiens s.s., and seven points contained Culex torrentium. Further, we determined that 22 haplotypes from five haplogroups were identified within the Ace-2 marker, and three haplotypes were contained within the CQ11 …

Spatiotemporal And Bioecological Distribution Of Four Commercial Mullid Species In An Ultraoligotrophic Mediterranean Gulf, Erhan Mutlu, Claudia Miglietta, Ilaria De Meo, Mehmet Cengi̇z Deval

Turkish Journal of Zoology

This study provides baseline data on the mullid fish assemblages based on their morphometries on a shelf of the most oligotrophic water of the Mediterranean Sea, Antalya Gulf. The distribution of fish abundances, biomasses, total length, sex composition, growth parameters, and ecological fish assemblages was studied along three transects (each had a series of bottom depths of 10, 25, 75, 125, and 200 m) between spring 2014 and winter 2015, representing the winter, spring, summer and autumn seasons. Four different species of the Mullidae family: the red mullet (Mullus barbatus), the striped red mullet (M. surmuletus), …

Three New Species Of Cyclocephala (Coleoptera: Scarabaeidae: Dynastinae) From Amazonian Peru And A Checklist Of Cyclocephala Species In Peru, Fernando Paz, Brett C. Ratcliffe, Luis Figueroa

Faculty Publications: Department of Entomology

The following new species of Cyclocephala Dejean, 1821 (Coleoptera: Scarabaeidae: Dynastinae: Cyclocephalini) are described from Peru: C. mateoi Paz & Ratcliffe, C. ukuku Paz & Ratcliffe, and C. hylaea Ratcliffe & Paz. A description, diagnosis, geographic distribution, notes on natural history, and illustrations are provided for each new species. Six Cyclocephala species are reported for the first time from Peru: C. emarginata Endrödi, 1964, C. guianae Endrödi, 1969, C. kuntzeniana Höhne, 1923, C. malyi Dupuis, 2014, C. ovulum Bates, 1888, and C. sylviae Dechambre, 1995. An updated, annotated list of the 81 Peruvian species of Cyclocephala is provided.

Adult Female Grizzly Bear (Ursus Arctos Horribillis) Abundance And Distribution In Montana Fish, Wildlife, And Parks Region 2, Emily E. Ruta

Undergraduate Theses, Professional Papers, and Capstone Artifacts

Grizzly bears (Ursus arctos horribilis) are currently listed as threatened under the Endangered Species Act. Their status makes it crucial to understand the population status and trends of grizzly bears in Western Montana. The question we aimed to answer was: How many adult female grizzlies were there in Montana Fish, Wildlife, and Parks (FWP) Region 2 during 2021? To answer this, we conducted an estimate of adult female grizzly bears in Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks Region 2 in 2021 using photos and confirmed reports. Our study focused on females because they are readily identifiable and are an important indicator …

An Updated And Annotated Checklist Of The Malacostraca (Crustacea) Species Inhabitedturkish Inland Waters, Mehmet İpek, Murat Özbek

Turkish Journal of Zoology

The current status and annotated checklist of fresh- and brackish-water amphipod species inhabiting the inland waters (streams, lakes, ponds, lagoons, subterranean waters, etc.) of Turkey is presented. Totally, 171 papers, 3 books, 3 book chapters, 5 conference papers, 2 projects, 3 PhD and 3 MSc thesis were examined in the present study. As the result of the previous records, 201 taxa comprising 121 amphipods (16 families, 31 genera), 27 isopods (9 families, 13 genera), 9 mysids (1 family, 5 genera), 4 tanaids (3 families, 4 genera) and 40 decapods (16 families, 18 genera) were compiled. All the previously recorded localities …

A New Neotropical Predaceous Midge In The Genus Parabezzia Malloch From Guerrero, Mexico, And A Second Mexican Record Of P. Alexanderi Wirth (Diptera: Ceratopogonidae: Ceratopogoninae: Ceratopogonini), Herón Huerta, Gustavo R. Spinelli, William L. Grogan Jr.

Insecta Mundi

We describe and illustrate a new Neotropical predaceous midge, Parabezzia carlae Huerta, Spinelli and Grogan, new species (Diptera: Ceratopogonidae) from males collected by Malaise trap in La Union, Ayutla de los Libres, state of Guerrero, Mexico. We also report a second record of P. alexanderi Wirth from Veracruz, Mexico. A key to the known species in Mexico is included.

Se describe e ilustra una especie nueva de mosquita predadora de la región Neotropical, Parabezzia carlae Huerta, Spinelli y Grogan, nueva especie (Diptera: Ceratopogonidae) sobre la base de machos colectados con trampa Malaise procedentes de La Unión, Ayutla de Los Libres, …

Regional Expansion And Evaluation Of Potential Chemical Control For Invasive Apple Snails (Pomacea Maculata) In Southwest Louisiana, Julian M. Lucero

LSU Master's Theses

The integration of monitoring and chemical control is an efficient strategy for managing invasive apple snails, Pomacea maculata, in the rice (Oryza sativa L.) and crawfish systems of southwest Louisiana. However, their current distribution, expansion rates, and susceptibility to chemical control methods in this area are not well known. This study evaluated the expansion of P. maculata in southwest Louisiana and assessed potential chemical control for P. maculata among toxicity assays using various application rates. The effects of potential chemical control were also assessed on a non-target species, the red swamp crawfish (Procambarus clarkii). P. maculata …

New Record Of Idana Marginata (Say) (Diptera: Tephritoidea: Ulidiidae) From Wisconsin, Daniel K. Young

The Great Lakes Entomologist

Idana marginata (Say) was previously known from northeastern North America: Canada and the United States, west to northeastern Illinois and south to North Carolina. Herein, collection events are reported from Richland County in southwestern Wisconsin. This new state record significantly increases the known geographical distribution of the species to the west. The specimens were recovered from an unbaited Lindgren funnel trap during two intervals between 26 June and 28 July 2019.

Redescription Of The Allomyia Renoa (Milne) Female And Association And Description Of The Male And Larva (Trichoptera: Apataniidae), David E. Ruiter, Donald R. Givens, Hiroyuki Nishimoto

Insecta Mundi

Allomyia renoa (Milne, 1935) (Trichoptera: Apataniidae) was described from six females. The male association is verified in this paper. The original type locality information is limited: “Reno, Nev., ‘78, Morrison”. An Allomyia Banks population found at Mount Rose in Washoe County, Nevada, was compared to the A. renoa type material and found to be the conspecific. Figures, descriptions and distribution of male, female, pupal and larval A. renoa are provided.

Abundance And Distribution Of The Forest Cockroaches In Different Algerian Ecosystems, Zakaria Hedjouli, Wafa Habbachi, Fatiha Masna, Saliha Benhissen, Sarra Habbachi, Abdelmadjid Yagoub Asloum, Abdelkrim Tahraoui

Journal of Bioresource Management

Forests have many insect species that are unique to biodiversity and play a crucial role in the functioning of ecosystems. Forest cockroaches are the best example of forest litter insects, which also help decompose fallen leaves. The composition of the Blattoptera fauna can vary from one region to another, depending on the habitat and numerous biotic and abiotic factors In order to study the diversity, abundance, and distribution of forest cockroaches in different Algeria ecosystems, we have selected four sites from three Wilayas: Senalba (Djelfa), Ain achir (Annaba), Seraidi (Annaba), and Lehnaya (El-taref). These sites are classified into two distinct …

The Impacts Of Climate Change On The Gulf Of Maine Northern Shrimp (Pandalus Borealis) Distribution, Reproduction, And Life, Hsiao-Yun Chang

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The Gulf of Maine northern shrimp (Pandalus borealis) once supported a significant winter fishery for the Gulf of Maine (GOM). Although the shrimp fishery is not comparable to the lobster business, it provided fishermen and many coastal communities jobs and incomes in winters after lobster seasons. However, a moratorium has been put on the shrimp fishery since 2014 due to record low population abundance and perceived recruitment failures. The recruitment failures have been correlated with warming water temperatures over the past decade. The GOM has been recognized as experiencing rapid warming as a result of global climate change. …