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Articles 1 - 30 of 114
Full-Text Articles in Life Sciences
The Role Of Artificial Structures In Facilitating Range Expansion Of The Introduced Barnacle Megabalanus Coccopoma In The Southeastern U.S.A., Alicia M. Reigel
The Role Of Artificial Structures In Facilitating Range Expansion Of The Introduced Barnacle Megabalanus Coccopoma In The Southeastern U.S.A., Alicia M. Reigel
Electronic Theses and Dissertations
The barnacle Megabalanus coccopoma is a recent invader of the southeastern U.S.A. from the tropical eastern Pacific. In Georgia, M. coccopoma populations along the immediate coastline often suffer extensive mortality during the winter, but population rebuilding is common after these events suggesting that there may be nearby larval sources. I investigated the hypothesis that artificial structures (i.e., buoys, towers), occurring far enough offshore of Georgia for water temperatures to be moderated by the Gulf Stream, provide refuges for breeding adults of M. coccopoma and can serve as the larval source. I investigated this hypothesis by first developing thirteen microsatellite primer …
Body Image Self-Discrepancies And Compulsive Exercise: Exploring The Role Of Approach And Avoidance Motivational Selves, Kristin A. Chandler
Body Image Self-Discrepancies And Compulsive Exercise: Exploring The Role Of Approach And Avoidance Motivational Selves, Kristin A. Chandler
Electronic Theses and Dissertations
According to Brewer, Davis, Kalmbach, Kaptein, Katzman and Kirsch (1997), problematic exercise occurs in approximately 80% of anorexia nervosa patients and 55% of bulimia nervosa patients. Thus, a comprehensive understanding of unhealthy exercise is necessary for its assessment as well as eating disorder prevention and intervention. One term used to describe unhealthy exercise is compulsive exercise. Although compulsive exercise has been regarded as problematic in the development, treatment, and outcome of eating disorders, little research has investigated the risk factors for this behavior. Given the influence of body image disturbances on disordered eating and the relationship between compulsive exercise and …
Helping To Resolve Taxonomic Conflicts Within The Genus Amblyomma (Acari:Ixodidae) From A Molecular Perspective, Paula Lado
Electronic Theses and Dissertations
This work sought to reassess the taxonomic status of Amblyomma parvum Aragao, 1908 and of the A. maculatum group of ticks Camicas, 1998. By using different molecular markers, 12SrDNA, 16SrDNA, DL, COI, COII (mitochondrial) and ITS2 (nuclear), I analyzed the systematic relationships between these taxa and their closest relatives. Phylogenetic analyses by maximum parsimony, maximum likelihood, and Bayesian analysis were performed in order to determine relationships among species and populations, and to determine the evolutionary history of these ixodids. The data obtained supported the hypothesis of cryptic speciation occurring within A. parvum, with the northern populations of Central America being …
Female Social Rank And Steroid Production In Semi-Free Ranging Lemur Catta On St. Catherines Island, Georgia, Tiffany Burgess
Female Social Rank And Steroid Production In Semi-Free Ranging Lemur Catta On St. Catherines Island, Georgia, Tiffany Burgess
Electronic Theses and Dissertations
Many mammalian species live in complex social groups that profoundly affect the behavior and ecology of their members. In ring-tailed lemurs (Lemur catta) these groups are characterized by female dominance, where females have priority over males for food, grooming, and space. Among females there is also a linear dominance hierarchy. L. catta have a strong matrilineal social core due to females staying within their natal group and males dispersing at sexual maturity. Daughters “inherit” their mother’s social rank. However, it is not known if the matrilineal lines are maintained through learned dominant/aggressive behavior or inherited via genetically determined hormonal …
Myosin 10 Is Required For Spinal Motor Axon Growth And Guidance In Zebrafish Embryos, Crystal Ivey
Myosin 10 Is Required For Spinal Motor Axon Growth And Guidance In Zebrafish Embryos, Crystal Ivey
Electronic Theses and Dissertations
Neurodevelopmental disorders are disabilities caused by malfunctioning mechanisms within the developing nervous tissue. These abnormalities often result in conditions such as autism spectrum disorders, Attention Deficient Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), motor dysfunctions, learning disabilities and mental retardation. Recent surveys indicate that there will be a 12% increase of children in the United States alone who are affected by neurodevelopmental disorders. Thus, it is important to understand both the normal and abnormal mechanisms of neural development. Neural development involves specification of new neurons and formation of neural circuits that connect the nervous system to every organ of the developing embryo. Neural circuits …
Myosinx Is Required For Craniofacial Development In Danio Rerio, Cole Yancey
Myosinx Is Required For Craniofacial Development In Danio Rerio, Cole Yancey
Electronic Theses and Dissertations
Craniofacial development is the process of laying early cartilage and bone patterns in the anterior region of the embryo, which ultimately results in shaping the structure of the face and head of an organism. Craniofacial abnormalities in humans, such as cleft lip and palate, are among the most common of all birth defects. Therefore, investigating the molecular mechanisms involved in craniofacial development will help us understand both evolutionary processes and genetic diseases. Craniofacial cartilage and bone structures are almost entirely derived from neural crest cells. Neural crest are a pluripotent migratory stream of cells that originate from the early developing …
An Examination Between High And Low Optimistic Ncaa Division I Student-Athletes' Perceptions Of Preferred Leadership Behavior In Sport: A Qualitative Investigation, Alexander C. Roorda
An Examination Between High And Low Optimistic Ncaa Division I Student-Athletes' Perceptions Of Preferred Leadership Behavior In Sport: A Qualitative Investigation, Alexander C. Roorda
Electronic Theses and Dissertations
Numerous researchers have examined preferred sport leadership behaviors from both the coach and athlete perspectives (Beam, Serwatka, & Wilson, 2004; Chelladurai, & Carron, 1983; Freakley, Czech, Harris, & Burdette, 2012; Turman, 2013; Weinburg, & Gould, 2010). However, there is limited research in student-athlete personality dispositions and how those might influence student-athlete perceptions of preferred leadership behaviors. The purpose of the present study was to examine views of leadership in light of certain personality dispositions. This research examined the potential influence of optimism (Abramson, et al, 2000) on qualitative descriptions of preferred leadership behaviors using the Revised Leadership Scale for Sport …
Sessile Invertebrate Colonization On Rocky Outcrops At Gray's Reef National Marine Sanctuary, Brittany Poirson
Sessile Invertebrate Colonization On Rocky Outcrops At Gray's Reef National Marine Sanctuary, Brittany Poirson
Electronic Theses and Dissertations
Documenting patterns of sessile invertebrate community development is important for predicting recovery patterns after disturbance and designing effective marine reserves. In the South Atlantic Bight, invertebrate assemblages can differ significantly from one rocky outcrop to another, but the factors driving these differences are not well understood. I tracked community development for fourteen months at four rocky outcrops at Gray’s Reef National Marine Sanctuary (GRNMS) to address the predictions that (i) developing sessile invertebrate communities in this system do not exhibit a predictable pattern of succession and (ii) recolonization patterns for small patches of open space that become available are influenced …
Epistasis In Predator-Prey Relationships, Iuliia Inozemtseva
Epistasis In Predator-Prey Relationships, Iuliia Inozemtseva
Electronic Theses and Dissertations
Epistasis is the interaction between two or more genes to control a single phenotype. We model epistasis of the prey in a two-locus two-allele problem in a basic predator- prey relationship. The resulting model allows us to examine both population sizes as well as genotypic and phenotypic frequencies. In the context of several numerical examples, we show that if epistasis results in an undesirable or desirable phenotype in the prey by making the particular genotype more or less susceptible to the predator or dangerous to the predator, elimination of undesirable phenotypes and then genotypes occurs.
Effects Of Organic And Conventional Agricultural Practices On Soil Microbial Communities And Molecular Detection Of Soil Borne Disease, Holli K. Milner
Effects Of Organic And Conventional Agricultural Practices On Soil Microbial Communities And Molecular Detection Of Soil Borne Disease, Holli K. Milner
Electronic Theses and Dissertations
Agricultural practices affect soil microbial communities and health through the input of pesticides, herbicides, fertilizers, and cycling of crop rotation. By examining the microbial community structure, we analyzed how microbial species respond to the environment that individual farms create. Early detection of soil borne disease is essential for agricultural success. However, monitoring incidence of disease based on plant growth response to pathogenic inoculation may not reveal the amount of pathogenic DNA in soil. A comparative study of tomato production systems was conducted by analysis of soil microbial community structure from four farms in Southeast Georgia for the years 2012 and …
An Examination Of Behavioral And Temporal Consistency Of Pre-Performance Routines In Ncaa Division I Basketball Free Throw Shooting – A Naturalist Observational Investigation, Jacob Blumberg
Electronic Theses and Dissertations
Research has shown that pre-performance routines positively influence performance of closed and self-paced skills (Boutcher & Crews, 1987; Cohn, 1990; Otto et al., 2011). Boutcher and Crews (1987) suggested that pre-performance routines improve performance by helping reduce anxiety along with helping athletes’ retain mental sharpness and focus. Furthermore, several quantitative studies have examined the influence of both behavioral and temporal consistency of pre-performance routines on the success of a skill, yielding inconsistent results (Boutcher & Crews, 1987; Lobmeyer & Wasserman, 1986; Lonsdale & Tam, 2008; Jackson, 2003). However, research examining this phenomenon from a qualitative and naturalistic observational perspective is …
Phenotypic Variation In Native North American And Invasive Chinese Populations Of Plantago Virginica, Teresa E. Popp
Phenotypic Variation In Native North American And Invasive Chinese Populations Of Plantago Virginica, Teresa E. Popp
Electronic Theses and Dissertations
Alien plant species can cause significant economic and biological destruction by invading new environments and outcompeting native species. Through experimental research, the mechanisms by which these species invade can be better understood and applied to their management. Plantago virginica is a perennial herb, native to North America that has recently invaded China. It has been known to reduce crop growth and harbor diseases in the introduced range. A common garden study was conducted at the Georgia Southern University greenhouse, comparing twenty populations of P. virginica from both the native North American and invasive Chinese ranges. I examined if there were …
Molecular Phylogenetic Relationships Of North American Dermacentor Ticks Using Mitochondrial Gene Sequences, Kayla L. Perry
Molecular Phylogenetic Relationships Of North American Dermacentor Ticks Using Mitochondrial Gene Sequences, Kayla L. Perry
Electronic Theses and Dissertations
Dermacentor is a recently evolved genus of hard ticks (Family Ixodiae) that includes 36 known species worldwide. Despite the importance of Dermacentor species as vectors of human and animal disease, the systematics of the genus remain largely unresolved. This study focuses on phylogenetic relationships of the eight North American Nearctic Dermacentor species: D. albipictus, D. variabilis, D. occidentalis, D. halli, D. parumapertus, D. hunteri, and D. andersoni, and the recently re-established species D. kamshadalus, as well as two of the Neotropical Dermacentor species D. nitens and D. dissimilis (both formerly Anocentor). We sequenced portions of the mitochondrial …
Soil Microbial Community Distributions And Disease Suppressiveness In The Coastal Plain Of Georgia, Michael J. Sabula
Soil Microbial Community Distributions And Disease Suppressiveness In The Coastal Plain Of Georgia, Michael J. Sabula
Electronic Theses and Dissertations
This study compared the soil microbial communities of three vegetation types in the coastal plain of Georgia: 1. crop land actively in use for agricultural production, 2. transitional grassland in early stages of secondary succession, and 3. pristine unmanaged forest land. Microbial species diversity and quantities of microbial DNA were determined from each of these vegetation types at three separate locations near Statesboro, Georgia. Length heterogeneity PCR(LH-PCR) methods and subsequent analysis of fungal, bacterial, and metazoan communities by analysis of similarity (ANOSIM) revealed high within-group similarity by vegetation type, indicating land management intensity and vegetation cover is a strong determining …
The Prevalence And Effect Of Wolbachia Infection On The Brown Widow Spider (Latrodectus Geometricus), Brittany Dane' Arrington
The Prevalence And Effect Of Wolbachia Infection On The Brown Widow Spider (Latrodectus Geometricus), Brittany Dane' Arrington
Electronic Theses and Dissertations
Wolbachia was recently identified in the Brown Widow Spider (Latrodectus geometricus). This symbiont has not previously been found in this genus, therefore the consequences on the host’s population dynamics are unknown. The frequency of endosymbiont infection can provide insight into the population dynamics of the host as this bacteria is known to alter host life history. In my 1st chapter I determine the prevalence of Wolbachia pipentis infection in in the Brown Widow Spider (Latrodectus geometricus) from five locations in the Southeastern United States. Infection frequency differed significantly among sampling locations, ranging from 20% to …
Cellular Coping Mechanisms To Hypoxia In The Longhorn Sculpin (Myoxocephalus Octodecemspinosus) Brain, Kelly Heino
Cellular Coping Mechanisms To Hypoxia In The Longhorn Sculpin (Myoxocephalus Octodecemspinosus) Brain, Kelly Heino
Electronic Theses and Dissertations
The loss of neurological function due to hypoxia remains to be a challenge in many species due to the lack of knowledge and understanding of cellular responses. To investigate cellular responses and survival strategies of the brain during hypoxia and post-hypoxia recovery in a moderate hypoxia-tolerant species, with the hopes of identifying possible therapeutic remedies, thirty Longhorn sculpin, Myoxocephalus octodecimspinosus, were challenged with acute hypoxia (40% O2 saturation for 1 h) and twelve additional sculpin were used as controls (~90% O2 saturation). Fish were sampled at each of the following time points: control/normoxic conditions (T=0 h); hypoxic conditions …
Antecedents Of Athletes’ Achievement Goal Orientations, Matthew Lachman
Antecedents Of Athletes’ Achievement Goal Orientations, Matthew Lachman
Electronic Theses and Dissertations
Theorized by Nicholls (1984), achievement goal theory describes the interaction of one’s perceived ability and two goal orientations, known as “task” and “ego,” that an athlete employs when setting goals. These goal orientations are what athletes employ when playing their sport. The result of this interaction is an athlete’s achievement behavior. Previous research has examined this theory extensively (Newton & Duda, 1999; Chin, Khoo, & Low, 2012; Smoll, Smith, & Cumming, 2007; White & Zellner, 1996). However, few studies have solely looked at factors that predict one’s achievement goal orientations. The purpose of this study is to address which demographic …
Water Column Ammonium Concentration And Salinity Influence Nitrogen Uptake And Growth Of Spartina Alterniflora, Rachel Mactavish
Water Column Ammonium Concentration And Salinity Influence Nitrogen Uptake And Growth Of Spartina Alterniflora, Rachel Mactavish
Electronic Theses and Dissertations
Salt marsh macrophytes, such as Spartina alterniflora, play a critical role in uptake and transformation of inorganic nitrogen before it reaches coastal waters, thereby reducing the potential for eutrophication. Although nitrogen availability typically limits S. alterniflora growth, it may be possible to exceed the nitrogen uptake capacity of S. alterniflora. Increasing either nitrogen concentrations or salinity are key factors regulating S. alterniflora nitrogen uptake. Investigating the effects of nutrients and salinity on S. alterniflora is important given that increases in inorganic nitrogen supply to surface waters from agriculture and urbanization occur simultaneously with freshwater withdrawals that reduce flow and increase …
The Effects Of Herbicide On The Endangered Herb Baptisia Arachnifera And Preliminary Nutrient Survey Of Leaf Tissue And Soil, Ruth Ann C. Steinbrecher
The Effects Of Herbicide On The Endangered Herb Baptisia Arachnifera And Preliminary Nutrient Survey Of Leaf Tissue And Soil, Ruth Ann C. Steinbrecher
Electronic Theses and Dissertations
Baptisia arachnifera (Hairy Rattleweed) is an endangered herbaceous legume that only occurs in Wayne and Brantley Counties of Georgia, United States. Many of the remaining populations exist in areas now managed for timber. This study investigated the effects of Imazapyr, an herbicide commonly used in timber management, on health and vitality of B. arachnifera under both field and greenhouse conditions. This study also analyzed leaf and soil samples from six populations of B. arachnifera to determine the nutrient content of the leaves. A recensus of a B. arachnifera population was also conducted in a site without commercial timber management. In …
Phenology Of A Relict Population Of The Pitcher Plant Mosquito, Wyeomyia Smithii (Diptera: Culicidae), In Tattnall Co., Ga, Rachel L. Morreale
Phenology Of A Relict Population Of The Pitcher Plant Mosquito, Wyeomyia Smithii (Diptera: Culicidae), In Tattnall Co., Ga, Rachel L. Morreale
Electronic Theses and Dissertations
Wyeomyia smithii Coquillett lives only within the pitchers of the purple pitcher plant, Sarracenia purpurea L. An isolated population of Wy. smithii occurs in Tattnall Co., GA isolated from other populations by over 300 km in all directions. In order to monitor the stability, phenology, and behavior of this population, fluctuations of the larval and pupal abundances (number/pitcher) were monitored over time. The density (number/mL) of Wy. smithii larvae present within pitchers was recorded from June 2012 until April 2014. Fluid volume contained in pitchers had a strong positive effect on larval abundance within the pitcher (r2 = 0.624). …
Water And Nutrient Reuse Within Closed Hydroponic Systems, Emerson Christie
Water And Nutrient Reuse Within Closed Hydroponic Systems, Emerson Christie
Electronic Theses and Dissertations
Currently, little research exists on the maintenance of individual nutrient balance within the nutrient solutions of closed hydroponic systems and how this maintenance may result in reductions in water and nutrient consumption. In this study, a nutrient solution management procedure was developed to maintain outputs while minimizing inputs. Lactuca sativa (lettuce) crops were grown in six closed hydroponic systems utilizing the nutrient film technique. Electrical conductivity was used as the primary indicator of nutrient solution quality and determined if the nutrient solution was discarded and replaced (control systems) or restored (test systems). Restorations in test systems were made individually to …
Temporal Patterns Of Aquatic Macroinvertebrate Communities And Organic Matter Standing Stock Availability In A Coastal Floodplain (Altamaha River, Georgia), Erica L. Johnson
Temporal Patterns Of Aquatic Macroinvertebrate Communities And Organic Matter Standing Stock Availability In A Coastal Floodplain (Altamaha River, Georgia), Erica L. Johnson
Electronic Theses and Dissertations
River floodplain habitats of the Southeastern United States are sites of high biological productivity that rely on a predictable flooding event as a keystone process. This study took place in a river-floodplain area of the Altamaha River, an unimpounded large-order river in the Coastal Plains region of the US. This study aims to investigate how aquatic macroinvertebrate communities changed over the course of the annual flood pulse. I predicted that the communities would be different and that the differences would be driven by hydrology at the main stem and organic matter standing stock availability. I took quantitative samples of benthic …
Microbial Communities Colonizing Leaves During Early Decomposition Stages, Stephanie Harper
Microbial Communities Colonizing Leaves During Early Decomposition Stages, Stephanie Harper
Electronic Theses and Dissertations
Microbial communities associated with decaying leaves play an important role in the cycling of nutrients in stream ecosystems. In headwater streams that are deemed as heterotrophic, bacteria and fungi are main drivers of organic matter decomposition and thus partly responsible for facilitating the cycling of nutrients from leaves that fall into the stream. The main objective of this study was to compare microbial community composition between different leaf types during breakdown in stream ecosystems. To achieve this objective, I used a combination of field and laboratory trials. Field experiments were performed at the Luquillo Experimental Forest using Dacryodes excelsa and …
Tactical Escape Behavior And Performance Of A Small Sceloporine Lizard In Two High Risk Habitats, Seth Parker
Tactical Escape Behavior And Performance Of A Small Sceloporine Lizard In Two High Risk Habitats, Seth Parker
Electronic Theses and Dissertations
The negotiation of uneven and complex terrain has implications for many small terrestrial vertebrates. Variation in the running surface due to obstacles like woody debris or vegetation can alter escape paths and running performance. Additionally, these microhabitat features can influence behavioral tactics in complex environments. The ability to negotiate physical barriers in dense environments likely influences survivorship through important ecological tasks, such as finding mates, foraging, and evading predators. The Florida scrub lizard (Sceloporus woodi) is a small, rare species endemic to two distinct and structurally complex environments in Florida, i.e. sand-pine scrub and longleaf pine-wiregrass sand-hills. The …
The Effects Of Beaver Dams On The Structure And Function Of Invertebrate Communities In A Southeastern Coastal Plain Stream, Damon L. Mullis
The Effects Of Beaver Dams On The Structure And Function Of Invertebrate Communities In A Southeastern Coastal Plain Stream, Damon L. Mullis
Electronic Theses and Dissertations
Beaver were at the brink of extinction in the early 20th century, but over the past century populations have been rebounding. This increase in range and population size has raised new concerns over possible impacts on aquatic ecosystems. Beaver are considered ecosystem engineers because they change the physical structure of aquatic systems through the construction of dams, which turn naturally flowing sections of rivers and streams into standing water. Such changes are known to influence habitat heterogeneity, influence organic matter transport and storage, and consequentially influence biological diversity. To my knowledge, no studies of the effects of beaver impoundments …
Attraction To Physical Activity Of Generation Z - A Mixed Methodological Approach, David Biber
Attraction To Physical Activity Of Generation Z - A Mixed Methodological Approach, David Biber
Electronic Theses and Dissertations
The prevalence of obesity in Generation Z, which includes individuals born after the year 2000, has tripled that of Generation Xers of 1980 (Ogden et al., 2010). Rising levels of obesity have been associated with increased physical inactivity (WHO, 2013). Attraction to physical activity can be grounded in the Self-Determination Theory (SDT; Deci & Ryan, 1985), which defines intrinsic and extrinsic motivation and the roles each type of motivation plays in social and cognitive development. The purpose of the current research was to use a mixed-methodological approach to understand attraction to physical activity of a Generation Z sample via semi-structured …
Enjoyment Based Motivation And The Enjoyable Exercise Experience In A Generation Y Sample: A Mixed Methods Approach, Jonathan Stewart
Enjoyment Based Motivation And The Enjoyable Exercise Experience In A Generation Y Sample: A Mixed Methods Approach, Jonathan Stewart
Electronic Theses and Dissertations
Individuals who choose to live a healthy lifestyle often have different preferences for a variety of exercise activities, exercise settings and eating plans. In fact, numerous researchers have examined the preferences of individuals in diet and exercise programs from past generations (Daley, Copeland, Wright, & Wales, 2008; Ekkekakis, Hall, & Petruzzello, 2005). Numerous research studies have examined the correlation between exercise adherence and exercise enjoyment (Bartlett, Close, Maclaren, Gregson, Drust, & Morton, 2011; Ebben & Brudzynski, 2008; Fleig, Lippke, Pomp, & Schwarzer, 2011; Frederick-Recascino, 2002; Leslie, Owen, Salmon, Bauman, Sallis, & Lo, 1999). However, little research has been found investigating …
Acute Alterations Of Scapular Upward Rotation Following A Functional Fatiguing Protocol In Male Tennis Players, R. Lyndsey Ingram
Acute Alterations Of Scapular Upward Rotation Following A Functional Fatiguing Protocol In Male Tennis Players, R. Lyndsey Ingram
Electronic Theses and Dissertations
Context: Alterations in scapular kinematics, specifically upward rotation, are associated with a variety of chronic shoulder conditions. Fatigue may exacerbate the mechanisms potentially resulting in microtrauma and impingement syndrome. Objective: To identify acute alterations of scapular upward rotation following a functional fatigue protocol. Design: Prospective longitudinal. Setting: Biomechanics research laboratory. Patients or Other Participants: Twenty healthy, male competitive tennis players with no history of shoulder injury participated in this study: 10 experimental subjects(19.4 ± 1.07 yrs., 180.09 + 8.92 cm 72 + 11.56 kg) and 10 control subjects (19.6 ± 1.17 yrs., 181.1 + 6.56 …
In Vitro Cultivation Of The Microphallid Trematode Gynaecotyla Adunca, Jenna West
In Vitro Cultivation Of The Microphallid Trematode Gynaecotyla Adunca, Jenna West
Electronic Theses and Dissertations
It is important to study the cultivation of parasites in vitro for many reasons, such as to aid in developing antihelminthic drugs and vaccines, to eliminate the need for vertebrate hosts in parasite culture, and to more easily study the genetics and the biology of parasites. Trematodes have complex life cycles with multiple hosts which makes them difficult to grow in vitro. However, microphallid trematodes are excellent candidates for parasite in vitro cultivation because they are short lived and progenetic. The goal of my study was to optimize in vitro culture conditions for the microphallid trematode, Gynaecotyla adunca. …
Assortative Mating In Ixodes Scapularis (Acari: Ixodidae) Ticks? And Ixodes Scapularis Infest Male Deer More Often Than Female Deer At Savannah River Site, (Aiken, Sc), Jenny Dickson
Electronic Theses and Dissertations
In this study we explored the hypothesis that the mitochondrial genetic diversity observed in Ixodes Scapularis ticks in the Southeastern United States is maintained through assortative mating. The study of 319 couples of ticks collected in copula from deer at the Savannah River Site (Aiken, SC) showed that ticks assigned to mitochondrial (12SrDNA and d-loop genes) phylogenetic monophyletic clades do not chose their mating partner based on genetic similarity or genetic diversity. The genetic composition of couples did not differ significantly from random choice. Our data indicate that if genetic diversity is maintained in this tick population, this cannot be …