Biology Commons^™

Nonfish Prey Of Wintering Bald Eagles In Lilinois, Given Harper, D. Hopkins, Thomas Dunston

Scholarship

Many Bald Eagles (Haliaeetus leucocephalus) winter in Illinois (Fawks 1979), where they feed primarily on fish (e.g., Southern 1966, Fischer 1982, Harper 1983). However, few reports have been published documenting their use of mammalian and avian prey in the midwestern United States (Lingle and Krapu 1986, Stalmaster 1987). This paper describes the almost exclusive use of nonfish prey in an upland population of Bald Eagles, and discusses related management implications.

Isolation & Characterization Of Dna Polymerase Alpha And Gamma From Turnips (Brassica Rapa) And Etiolated Soybeans (Glycine Max), Donna Hill

Masters Theses & Specialist Projects

DNA polymerase alpha, the enzyme involved in nuclear DMA replication, and DNA polymerase gamma, the enzyme involved in organellular DNA replication, were isolated and purified from soybean and turnip. The enzymes were characterized following ammonium sulfate precipitation, DEAF-cellulcse, phosphocelluloca, and hydroxylapatite chromatography, and by non-denaturing polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. Protein banct were electropluted and the enzymes characterized using kinetic studies and sensitivity to divalent cations and inhibitors. Molecular weight and subunit composition studies indicated a molecular weight for the catalytic subunit of DNA polymerase alpha in soybean and turnip to be 46kDa. DNA polymeraqe gamma was composed of a catalytic subunit …

Effect Of Conidia Germination On Infection Of Brown Planthopper (Bph) By Insect Fungi, M. C. Rombach, R. M. Aguda, Donald W. Roberts

Biology Faculty Publications

Conidia of insect fungi actively invade BPH [brown planthopper]. After a conidium lands on the insect cuticle, germination takes about 8 to 16 h, depending on the temperature and relative humidity. After the germination, tuber is formed, the conidium produces specific chitinase enzymes to dissolve the insect cuticle. This allows the fungus to enter the insect body cavity, where further fungus growth occurs. At the end of the infection cycle, the mycelium sporulates on the outside of the insect. Conidia produced on the cadaver can infect healthy BPH initiating epizootics of the fungus. To test infection, 50 adult alate BPH …

The Formation And Function Of Dnase I Hypersensitive Sites In The Process Of Gene Activation, Sarah C.R. Elgin

Biology Faculty Publications & Presentations

No abstract provided.

The Short Term Effects Of Manganese Toxicity On Isocitrate Dehydrogenase In Wheat & Tobacco, Juergen Pfeiffer

Masters Theses & Specialist Projects

The short term effects of high manganese levels (80 mg/L) on wheat and tobacco isocitrate dehydrogenase (IDH) activity were compared. The change in activity was then compared to the concentrations of manganese in the tissues.

As the time of manganese exposure increased, the fresh weight IDH activities in wheat and tobacco decreased. In contrast both control groups had similar enzyme activities every 6 hr over the 24 hr test period. The decrease in IDH activity of wheat and tobacco plants in experimental groups seemed to be related to an increase of the manganese in the leaf tissue. The slower decrease …

Probing The Alpha-Sarcin Region Of Escherichia-Coli 23s Rrna With A Cdna Oligomer, Gary A. White, Ted Wood, Walter E. Hill

Biological Sciences Faculty Publications

The cause of 50S ribosomal subunit collapse reportedly triggered by hybridization of a 14-base cDNA probe to the alpha-sarcin region of 23S rRNA was investigated by physical measurement of probe-subunit complexes in varying buffer conditions. The results reported here show that this probe was unable to hybridize to its target site in the intact 50S subunit and the physical characteristics of 50S subunits remained unchanged in its presence. Subunit collapse was induced in buffer containing 20mM Tris-HCl (pH 7.5), 600 mM NH4Cl, 1 mM MgCl2, 1 mM DTT, and 0.1 mM EDTA in the absence of probe. The probe bound …

Organ-Specific And Development Regulation Of The Nopaline Synthase Promoter In Transgenic Tobacco Plants, Gynheung An, Michael A. Costa, Amitava Mitra, Sam-Bong Ha, László Márton

Faculty Publications

Control regions of the nopaline synthase (nos) gene have been widely used to express foreign genes in plants since the promoter is active in a wide variety of plant tissues. We report here the characteristics of the nos promoter activity in transgenic tobacco (Nicotiana tabacum) plants at various developmental stages. The promoter was highly active in the lower parts of a plant and gradually decreased in the upper parts. This vertical gradient was maintained throughout plant growth until the flowering stage when the overall promoter strength decreased significantly in the vegetative organs. However, in various flower …

Trypanosoma Lewisi: Effects Of Trace Metal Contaminants On Immunological Responses, Yvonne Hogan, Clarence Lee

Department of Biology Faculty Publications

The effects of trace metal contaminants (lead, cadmium, and mercury) on the immunologic responses of rats infected with Trypanosoma lewisi were investigated to determine whether chronic exposures to subclinical levels of these metals have adverse effects on the host's ability to respond to an infective agent.Earlier and higher levels of parasitemia were detected in animals exposed to cadmium, lead, and mercury. The variability in length of trypanosome cells in metal-exposed animals became constant at a later time and persisted for a longer time, indicating a delay in antibody synthesis. Serum levels of IgG and IgM were increased in infected animals …

Sulfur Accumulation In Xylem Tissue Of Forest Trees From Kentucky & Tennessee & Its Relation To Yearly Growth, Jennifer Sharp

Masters Theses & Specialist Projects

The levels of sulfur present in xylem tissue of Quercus alba (white oak) show a statistically significant increase from 1970 to 1983. This increase was found in trees from three different sites in Kentucky and Tennessee. The levels of sulfur present in Tsuga canadensis (hemlock) show a statistically significant increase from 1955 to 1970. Sensitivity, growth response to the tree's environment, decreased in oaks from 1933 to 1968 but increased slightly in hemlocks during the same time period. The data tend to support a direct relationship between increasing sulfur levels and a reduction in growth. Physiological and ecological studies of …

Crystallization Of Trimeric Recombinant Human Tumor Necrosis Factor (Cachectin), M. J. Eck, B. Beutler, G. Kuo, J. P. Merryweather, S. R. Sprang

Biological Sciences Faculty Publications

Crystals of tumor necrosis factor (TNF) have been obtained in two forms. Rhombohedral crystals grow in 1.8 to 2.0 M ammonium sulfite, pH 7.8 at 21°C, and tetragonal crystals grow in 2.6 M magnesium sulfate, pH 5.5 at 25°C. Analysis of TNF by isoelectric focusing under native and denaturing conditions indicates that TNF molecules exist as trimers in solution. The rhombohedral cachectin crystals belong to space group R3 and have unit cell constants a = b = c = 47.65 Å and α = β = γ = 88.1°. Density determinations and the space group indicate that the unit cell …

Sequence Of The Psba Gene From Wild Type Triazin-Resistant Nicotiana Plumbaginifolia, Anikó Páy, Marvin A. Smith, Ferenc Nagy, László Márton

Faculty Publications

No abstract provided.

Drosophila Has A Single Copy Of The Gene Encoding A Highly Conserved Histone H2a Variant Of The H2a.F/Z Type, Angela Van Daal, E White, M Gorovsky, Sarah C.R. Elgin

Biology Faculty Publications & Presentations

The Tetrahymena histone H2A variant designated hv1 is localized exclusively in the transcriptionally active macronucleus and is absent from the quiescent micronucleus (1). A cDNA clone of the hv1 gene (2) was used to screen a Drosophila cDNA library. A cross-hybridizing clone was recovered and shown by sequence analysis to code for a protein homologous to hv1 as well as to the chicken H2A variant, H2A.F (3), the sea urchin H2A variant, H2A.F/Z (4) and the mammalian H2A variant H2A.Z (5). Southern analysis of Drosophila genomic DNA indicates that the H2AvD (H2A variant Drosophila) gene is present in one copy. …

Radar And Visual Observations Of Autumnal (Southward) Shorebird Migration On Guam, Timothy C. Williams , '64, J. M. Williams

Biology Faculty Works

Several species of shorebirds migrate between eastern Asia and the southern Pacific islands, Australia, and New Zealand. Observations made from Guam (13°25′N, 144°45′E) during autumn 1983 indicate that a significant number of birds take a direct route over the western Pacific Ocean. Radar observations and ground counts of migrants on Guam showed two periods of autumnal migratory activity. The first, largely adult birds, was in August and September. The second, largely juveniles, was in late September and October. Radar indicated that large numbers of birds passed over the island to the south with no evidence of compensation for drift by …

Ua66/6/2 Bionews From The Hill, Wku Biology

WKU Archives Records

Newsletter created by and about the WKU Biology department highlighting students, faculty and alumni activities.

Comparative Analysis Of The Effects Of Visual And Auditory Stimuli On Avian Mobbing Behavior, C. Ray Chandler, Robert K. Rose

Biological Sciences Faculty Publications

Both visual and auditory stimuli elicit avian mobbing behavior, but there is little comparative information on their isolated and additive effects. Using three combinations of two experimental stimuli (mount and tape of an Eastern Screech-Owl, Otus asio) we tested the effects of stimuli on the frequency, intensity, and duration of avian mobbing behavior. Of 169 mount-only trials, only 11 (6.5%) were successful in attracting birds. Tape-only (n = 169) and mount-and-tape (n = 170) were equally successful in attracting birds (approximately 85% of all trials), but mount-and-tape trials were more likely to initiate mobbing behavior. Birds responding …

Energetics Of The Lizard Cnemidophorus Tigris And Life History Consequences Of Food-Acquisition Mode, Roger A. Anderson, William H. Karasov

Biology Faculty and Staff Publications

Energy budgets for the wide-foraging "arthropodivorous" lizard Cnemi­dophorus tigris were constructed for the reproductive season using doubly labeled water measurements of field metabolic rate (FMR). Rates of body mass change, clutch sizes, and clutch intervals were also investigated. FMRs of both sexes (males, 298 J·g^{- 1}·d^-1 ; females, 247 J·g^{- 1}·d- ¹) were greater in the reproductive season than during the postreproductive season. This was not due to differences in resting metabolism, but, instead, was due to higher activity costs during the reproductive season. Although males had signficantly higher FMR than females, males …

Characterization Of The Aquatic Environment In Lake Mead Near The Proposed Spring Canyon Pumped-Storage Project, And Assessment Of Potential Aquatic Impacts, Charles R. Liston, Stephen J. Grabowski, Bureau Of Reclamation

Publications (WR)

A pumped storage system consists of an upper reservoir and lower reservoir separated by an elevation difference. During low demand energy periods such as nights and weekends water is pumped from the lower to the upper reservoir using available energy from conventional steam electric power plants. During high energy demand periods, such as mornings and afternoons of weekdays, upper reservoir water is allowed to drop back down through the same system of water conduits and turbines, generating electricity to conveniently meet abrupt electrical energy requirements. The same water turbines thus act both as pumps and as conventional hydroelectric turbines.

Because …

Histology Of The Ovaries And Fat Bodies Of Chthonerpeton Indistinctum, Rafael O. De Sá, Nibia Berois

Biology Faculty Publications

Histological analysis revealed three different stages in the development of ovarian follicles of Chthonerpeton indistinctum. These stages are identified by (1) location of the oocyte in the ovary wall, (2) oocyte morphology and staining characteristics, (3) development of the zona pellucida, and (4) organization of the follicular layer. Atretic follicles and corpora lutea also were found. Fat bodies are composed of well-developed adipose tissue.

Local Ecology And Multiple Mating In A Natural Population Of Drosophila Melanogaster, R. W. Marks, Robert D. Seager, L. G. Barr

Faculty Publications

The measurement of fitness components in natural populations is among the most important problems of population genetics. Much effort has been devoted to the measurement of one aspect of the reproductive component of fitness, the storage and use of sperm by females.

Patterns Of Sulfur Deposition In The Wood Of Pinus Echinatia Mill. From The Cumberland Plateau In Kentucky, Darrell Ray

Masters Theses & Specialist Projects

Air pollution and acid precipitation have long had an influence on plant and animal life. In this study, the level of sulfur in the stem tissue of Pinus echinata Mill. was measured in trees from various sites along the western edge of the Cumberland Plateau to determine the presence and pattern of sulfur deposition in this species. Overall, a 40.28% increase in sulfur levels was observed from four sites along the plateau with levels increasing from 0.072 mgS/gdwt in the 1962-66 growth increment to 0.101 mg in the 1982-86 increment. According to a computer generated analysis of variance, the differences …

Chromosome Studies In Asteraceae From The United States, Mexico, The West Indies, And South America, David J. Keil, Melissa A. Luckow, Donald J. Pinkava

Biological Sciences

Chromosome counts of Asteraceae are reported from Mexico, the United States, the West Indies, Peru, and Bolivia. First counts are reported for 27 species, eight infraspecific taxa, and three interspecific hybrids in Brickellia , Chrysanthellum, Cirsium, Egletes, Erigeron, Flaveria, Gnaphalium, Heterotheca, Hieracium, Hymenothrix, Koanophyllon, Layia, Lessingia, Pectis, Sclerocarpus, Stuessya, Tagetes and Wedelia. Counts are also reported for 196 taxa or hybrids for which chromosome numbers have been published previously. Of these, nine are new numbers. Taxonomic implications of certain counts are discussed.

Sensory Stimuli Involved In Eliciting Agonistic Behavior In The Northern Fence Lizard, Sceloporus Undulatus Hyacinthinus, Laura Taylor

Masters Theses & Specialist Projects

Comparisons among sequence analyses of actions in response to various treatments of visual and olfactory cues were carried out in the lizard, Sceloporus undulatus hyacinthinus, to determine the relative roles of these cues in eliciting agonistic behavior. Visual cues were tested using mirrors, models and clear partitions between cages. Chemical cues were tested using the secretion from the cloaca of males. A combination of visual and olfactory cues was tested by streaking a mirror with the substance from the cloaca of a male. The responses to these treatment conditions were videotaped, and the transition frequencies between the most frequently …

Transformation Of Tetrahymena Thermophila With Hypermethylated Rrna Genes, Kathleen M. Karrer, Meng-Chao Yao

Biological Sciences Faculty Research and Publications

The extrachromosomal rRNA genes (rDNA) of Tetrahymena thermophila contain 0.4% N6-methyladenine. C3 strain rDNA was isolated, hypermethylated in vitro, and microinjected into B strain host cells. Clonal cell lines were established, and transformants were selected on the basis of resistance to paromomycin, conferred by the injected rDNA. The effects of methylation by three enzymes which methylate the sequence 5'-NAT-3', the dam, EcoRI, and ClaI methylases, were tested. Hypermethylation of the injected rDNA had no effect on transformation efficiency relative to mock-methylated controls. The injected C3 strain rDNA efficiently replaced host rDNA as the major constituent of the population of rDNA …

Makaira Sp., Cf. M. Nigricans Lacepede, 1802 (Teleostei: Perciformes: Istiophoridae) From The Eastover Formation, Late Miocene, Virginia, And A Reexamination Of Istiophorus Calvertensis Berry, 1917, Harry L. Fierstine

Biological Sciences

An incomplete, disarticulated skull (USNM 375733) is described and referred to Makaira sp., d. M. nigricalls, and a rostrum, tIstiophonls call'ertensis Berry. 1917 (USNM 9344. holotype). is re-identified as IstiopllOrus sp., cf. I. platypterus. Both specimens are from the Eastover Formation (early late Miocene, Virginia) and are the oldest records in. deposits bordering the western North Atlantic Ocean. Istioplwrus sp.. cf. I. p/atvpterus (= tlstiophorus ca/vertensls ) IS the oldest record of the specIes. Based on ecological requirements of Recent species. the prescnce of Istiophorus sp., cL I. p/arypterus and Makaira sp., cf. M. nigricans in the Eastover Formation indicates …

Dna Probe Method For The Detection Of Specific Microorganisms In The Soil Bacterial Community, William Holben, Janet K. Jansson, Barry K. Chelm, James M. Tiedje

Biological Sciences Faculty Publications

We developed a protocol which yields purified bacterial DNA from the soil bacterial community. The bacteria were first dispersed and separated from soil particles in the presence of polyvinylpolypyrrolidone, which removes humic acid contaminants by adsorption to this insoluble polymer. The soil bacteria were then collected by centrifugation and lysed by using a comprehensive protocol designed to maximize disruption of the various types of bacteria present. Total bacterial DNA was purified from the cell lysate and remaining soil contaminants by using equilibrium density gradients. The isolated DNA was essentially pure as determined by UV spectral analysis, was at least 48 …

Identification Of Defined Sequences In Domain V Of E.Coli 23s Rrna In The 50s Subunit Accessible For Hybridization With Complementary Oligodeoxyribonucleotides, Richard T. Marconi, Walter E. Hill

Biological Sciences Faculty Publications

The accessibility of specific sequences in domain V of E. coli 23s rRNA in the 50S subunit to complementary oligodeoxyribonucleotides (cDNA) has been investigated. The apparent percentage of subunits engaged in complex formation was determined by incubation of radiolabeled cDNA probe with 50S subunits, followed by nitrocellulose membrane filtration of the reaction mixtures and measurement of the bound radiolabeled cDNA probes by liquid scintillation counting of the filters. The site(s) of hybridization were determined by digestion of the RNA in the RNA/DNA heteroduplex by RNase H. The results of this study indicated that single-stranded sequences, 2058-2062, 2448-2454, 2467-2483, and 2497-2505 …

Leafcutting And Diet Selection: Relative Influence Of Leaf Chemistry And Physical Features, Jerome J. Howard

Biological Sciences Faculty Publications

The effects of leaf toughness, trichome characteristics, nutrient and water availability, and secondary chemistry on diet selection by the leafcutting ant Atta cephalotes were determined using individuals of 49 woody plant species from a tropical deciduous forest in Costa Rica. The palatability of plants was measured by presenting whole leaves to leafcutting ant foragers on trails and counting the number of pieces cut from leaves. The effectiveness of physical barriers to leaf cutting was evaluated by measuring the speed with which ants were able to cut leaves of varying toughness, trichome densities, and trichome lengths. Plant secondary chemistry was highly …

A Late Miocene Marlin, Makaira Sp. (Perciformes, Osteichthyes) From San Diego County, California, U.S.A., Harry L. Fierstine, Bruce J. Welton

Biological Sciences

Fossil bones collected in the latest Miocene (= either late Clarendonian or early Hemphillian North American Land IvIammal Age), San Mateo Formation, near Oceanside, San Diego County, California, C. S.A., belong to a single specimen of the genus Makaira, species undetermined, and is part of the San Luis Rey River Local Fauna. For the genus, this represents the fifth discovery in fossil deposits bordering or within the Pacific Ocean region, and the third discovery in southern California, The specimen is within the known geochronological distribution of the genus (Late Miocene to Recent), provides further evidence that the coastal palaeoclimate of …

How Fundamental Are Fisherian Sex Ratios?, J.J. Bull, Eric Charnov

Biology Faculty & Staff Publications

No abstract provided.

On The Evolution Of Host Selection In Solitary Parasitoids, Eric Charnov, David Stephens

Biology Faculty & Staff Publications

No abstract provided.