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2010

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Articles 1051 - 1072 of 1072

Full-Text Articles in Biology

The Effects Of Anoxic Conditions On Thermal Tolerance And Stress Protein Levels In Four Local Bivalves, Rachel Allee Jan 2010

The Effects Of Anoxic Conditions On Thermal Tolerance And Stress Protein Levels In Four Local Bivalves, Rachel Allee

WWU Graduate School Collection

Areas of oxygen depletion in the world's oceans have been on the rise, with the main culprits being anthropogenic causes such as eutrophication and pollution. Coastal marine areas, such as estuaries, are some of the more impacted ecosystems and they have been the focus of recent studies. This study focused on the effects of anoxia and the interactions it has with thermal tolerance in four local intertidal bivalves: Nuttallia obscurata, Venerupis phillipinarum, Leukoma staminea, and Mytilus trossulus. Nuttallia obscurata is a recent invader on which little physiological research has been conducted. Both V. phillipinarum and L. staminea are commercially important …


How Does Spatial Variation In Climate Cause Spatiotemporal Patterns In Lizard Energetics?, Sean D. Powers Jan 2010

How Does Spatial Variation In Climate Cause Spatiotemporal Patterns In Lizard Energetics?, Sean D. Powers

WWU Graduate School Collection

Sceloporus occidentalis occurs in two locales near the northern end of its geographic range that contrast markedly in climate. Both locales are in Washington state; one is cool, moist coastal temperate forest and the other is warm, dry pine-oak woodland in the state's interior. The focus of this thesis was to investigate differences in lizard production and population structure between these locales by correlating daily and seasonal patterns of temperature, precipitation, and cloud cover with the measured and estimated patterns of lizard activity, energy expenditure, feeding rates and food availability. Based on air temperature records, the estimated activity season length …


Predicting Cyanobacteria Blooms In 50 Lakes Of Northwest Washington, Chandra T. (Chandra Terezina) Llewellyn Jan 2010

Predicting Cyanobacteria Blooms In 50 Lakes Of Northwest Washington, Chandra T. (Chandra Terezina) Llewellyn

WWU Graduate School Collection

Eutrophication is one of the foremost problems affecting our freshwater resources. Excessive nutrient loading impacts freshwater lakes by altering ecosystem processes and degrading water quality, often resulting in human-induced eutrophication. Worldwide, cyanobacteria blooms occur in many anthropogenically eutrophic lakes. Such blooms are of increasing concern in the Pacific Northwest because they negatively affect lake system and function. A major concern is their unpredictable production of toxins, which can be deadly to animals, including humans. Therefore, an improved understanding of the incidence and persistence of cyanobacteria blooms is a critical aspect of protecting our water supply. The goal of this thesis …


The Relationship Between Native Richness And Exotic Success Depends On The Index Of Exotic Success And Environmental Gradients, Daniel Slakey Jan 2010

The Relationship Between Native Richness And Exotic Success Depends On The Index Of Exotic Success And Environmental Gradients, Daniel Slakey

WWU Graduate School Collection

The theory of resource use pre-emption suggests that diverse communities may be more resistant to invasion than simple communities due to lack of niche space for invaders. Studies examining the relationship of native species richness to exotic success have provided mixed support for this idea. To test this theory, I measured plant diversity and cover across topographic gradients differing in resource availability in a California serpentine grassland, and measured exotic success as either species richness, absolute cover, or dominance of exotic species. I then evaluated models predicting these different measures of exotic success, using either native richness alone or in …


The Effects Of Planting Methods And Granivory On Seedling Emergence In A Tallgrass Prairie Reconstruction, Justin Vernon Huisman Jan 2010

The Effects Of Planting Methods And Granivory On Seedling Emergence In A Tallgrass Prairie Reconstruction, Justin Vernon Huisman

Dissertations and Theses @ UNI

This study investigates effects of various seed incorporation methods (none, cultipack, rake, rake and culti-pack) and seed predation on prairie species emergence and establishment over two growing seasons. To assess seed incorporation, seed was coated with a fluorescent orange powder and sampled with a black light the night of seeding. Powder coated seed was broadcast seeded in early November 2007. Seed was incorporated into the soil by culti-packing, raking, or a combination of raking followed by culti-packing. Seed was not incorporated into the soil in control plots. Granivore exclosures in the research plots were used to determine the effect of …


Analysis Of Eurycea Hybrid Zone In Eastern Missouri, Bonnie Jean Beasley Jan 2010

Analysis Of Eurycea Hybrid Zone In Eastern Missouri, Bonnie Jean Beasley

Masters Theses

"Evolutionary mechanisms are often difficult to observe in action because evolution generally works slowly over time. Hybrid zones provide a unique opportunity to observe many evolutionary processes, such as reinforcement, because of the rapid changes that tend to occur in these zones. Salamanders provide an ideal model for examining the rapid changes in populations that result from hybridization because many closely-related species lack reproductive barriers. In Missouri, a well-documented hybridization zone exists among the two subspecies Eurycea longicauda longicauda (long-tailed salamander) and E. L. melanopleura (dark-sided salamander). These salamanders inhabit caves, limestone creek beds, and abandoned mine shafts. A closely …


Laryngeal Apparatus And Call Structure In North American Hylids, Barbara Ann Catherine Fears Jan 2010

Laryngeal Apparatus And Call Structure In North American Hylids, Barbara Ann Catherine Fears

Masters Theses

"Although the ecological implications and structure of frog calls have been the subject of much study, little is known about the association between the laryngeal apparatus morphology and call structure in North American hylids. In this study linear measurements of the laryngeal apparatus were captured and compared to the call structures of thirteen species of North American hylids. Species examined included: Pseudacris crucifer, P. triseriata, P. ocularis, Acris crepitans blanchardi, Hyla avivoca, H. cinerea, H. gratiosa, H. chrysoscelis, H. versicolor, H. squirella, H. femoralis, H. arenicolor, and H. eximia. Six homologous landmark points were identified, and the lengths between them …


Female Humpback Whale (Megaptera Novaeangliae) Reproductive Class And Male-Female Interactions During The Breeding Season, Meagan E. Jones Jan 2010

Female Humpback Whale (Megaptera Novaeangliae) Reproductive Class And Male-Female Interactions During The Breeding Season, Meagan E. Jones

Antioch University Dissertations & Theses

This study examined whether female reproductive class (i.e., presence or absence of a calf) in humpback whales (Megaptera novaeangliae) affects female behavior and male-female interactions on the Hawaiian breeding grounds. From 2003-2008, 295 female-calf groups (with or without a male escort) and 256 female no-calf groups (with a male) were observed. Forty-one female no-calf groups were confirmed male-female pairs by genetic sexing or photo-identification. Focal follows of 36 male-female pairs and 50 female-calf groups (29 escorted and 21 unescorted female-calf groups) were analyzed for time budget and movement estimates. Relative fluke size (fluke photogrammetry, n=30) and sighting histories …


Root Contraction Helps Protect The "Living Rock" Cactus Ariocarpus Fissuratus From Lethal High Temperatures When Growing In Rocky Soil, Gretchen North, T.Y. Garrett, C.V. Huynh Dec 2009

Root Contraction Helps Protect The "Living Rock" Cactus Ariocarpus Fissuratus From Lethal High Temperatures When Growing In Rocky Soil, Gretchen North, T.Y. Garrett, C.V. Huynh

Gretchen North

• Premise of the study: We investigated how the “living rock” cactus Ariocarpus fissuratus, like other low-growing desert plants, can endure potentially lethal high temperatures at the soil surface. Specifically, we examined how shoot descent by root contraction in the presence or absence of soil rocks influences shoot temperatures and transpiration. • Methods: Root contraction was identified by measuring shoot descent and anatomical analysis. Temperatures and transpiration were measured for plants at two heights in sandy and rocky soil, and temperature tolerances were determined by vital staining. • Key results: Plants embedded in rocky soil survived an extreme heat episode, …


Functional Anatomy Of Penaeid Shrimp, Gary Martin, Jo Hose Dec 2009

Functional Anatomy Of Penaeid Shrimp, Gary Martin, Jo Hose

Gary Martin

A comprehensive source of information on all aspects of shrimp production, this reference covers not only the global status of shrimp farming, but also examines shrimp anatomy and physiology. From nutrition to health management and harvesting issues to biosecurity, this well-researched volume evaluates existing knowledge, proposes new concepts, and questions common practices. With an extensive review on worldwide production systems, this compilation will be highly relevant to research scientists, students, and shrimp producers.


Biological Stoichiometry Of Plant Production: Metabolism, Scaling, And Ecological Response To Global Change, Andrew Kerkhoff, J.J. Elser, W.F. Fagan, B.J. Enquist Dec 2009

Biological Stoichiometry Of Plant Production: Metabolism, Scaling, And Ecological Response To Global Change, Andrew Kerkhoff, J.J. Elser, W.F. Fagan, B.J. Enquist

Andrew J Kerkhoff

No abstract provided.


A New Andean Species Of The Hypsiboas Pulchellus Group: Adults, Calls, And Phylogenetic Relationships, Edgar Lehr, Julian Faivovich, Karl-Heinz Jungfer Dec 2009

A New Andean Species Of The Hypsiboas Pulchellus Group: Adults, Calls, And Phylogenetic Relationships, Edgar Lehr, Julian Faivovich, Karl-Heinz Jungfer

Edgar Lehr

We describe a new species of the Hypsiboas pulchellus Group from the eastern Andes of central Peru (Region Pasco). Calls of both H. melanopleura and the new species are described. The new species is more similar to H. melanopleura and H. palaestes but differs in morphological characters and in coloration pattern. The new species and H. melanopleura are included in a molecular phylogenetic analysis of the H. pulchellus Group that shows them to be sister species and forming a second, independent, Andean clade within the group. New collecting sites for H. melanopleura are provided with the first record in the …


Genetic Variation For Susceptibility To Storm-Induced Stem Breakage In Solidago Altissima: The Role Of Stem Height And Morphology, M. Wise, W. Abrahamson Dec 2009

Genetic Variation For Susceptibility To Storm-Induced Stem Breakage In Solidago Altissima: The Role Of Stem Height And Morphology, M. Wise, W. Abrahamson

Warren G. Abrahamson, II

While storms can have obvious ecological impacts on plants, plants’ potential to respond evolutionarily to selection for increased resistance to storm damage has received little study. We took advantage of a thunderstorm with strong wind and hail to examine genetic variation for resistance to stem breakage in the herbaceous perennial Solidago altissima. The storm broke the apex of nearly 10% of 1883 marked ramets in a common-garden plot containing 26 genets of S. altissima. Plant genets varied 20-fold in resistance to breakage. Stem height was strongly correlated with resistance to breakage, with taller stems being significantly more susceptible. A stem’s …


Video: Body Languages: Choreographing Biology, Katja Kolcio Dec 2009

Video: Body Languages: Choreographing Biology, Katja Kolcio

Katja Kolcio Ph.D.

Co-taught by professors Manju Hingorani and Katja Kolcio at Wesleyan University, this course was an introduction to human biology. From scientific and choreographic perspectives, students practiced movement awareness and learned basic principles of choreography, and applied these skills to the exploration of human biology. Manju Hingorani, Professor of Molecular Biology and Biochemistry Katja Kolcio, Associate Professor of Dance and Environmental Studies


Spatiotemporal Variation Of Fruit Digestible-Nutrient Production In Florida's Uplands, J. Layne, W. Abrahamson Dec 2009

Spatiotemporal Variation Of Fruit Digestible-Nutrient Production In Florida's Uplands, J. Layne, W. Abrahamson

Warren G. Abrahamson, II

We examined annual total digestible nutrient (TDN) production by fruits of eight species (Quercus chapmanii, Q. geminata, Q. inopina, Q. laevis, Q. myrtifolia, Carya floridana, Sabal etonia, Serenoa repens) that account for the major proportion of TDN production by fruits and seeds in Florida’s xeric upland associations (southern ridge sandhill, sand pine scrub, scrubby flatwoods). Mean annual fruit TDN of all species combined over a 27-year span in sandhill and scrub and 24 years in scrubby flatwoods was highest (45.4 kg/ha) in sandhill, intermediate in scrubby flatwoods (28.8 kg/ha), and lowest in scrub (14.2 kg/ha). Sandhill fruit TDN production was …


Dc Expressing Transgene Foxp3 Are Regulatory Apc, Michael Lipscomb Dec 2009

Dc Expressing Transgene Foxp3 Are Regulatory Apc, Michael Lipscomb

Michael Lipscomb

Tolerogenic DC and suppressive Foxp3(+) Treg play important roles in preventing autoimmunity and allograft rejection. We report that (adenovirus mediated) ectopic expression of Foxp3 in human DC (i.e. DC.Foxp3) yields an APC that severely limits T-cell proliferation and type-1 immune responses from the naïve, but not memory, pool of responder T cells in vitro. In marked contrast, the frequencies of type-2 and Treg responses were dramatically increased after stimulation of naïve T cells with DC.Foxp3 versus control DC. DC.Foxp3-induced CD4(+)CD25(+) Treg cells potently suppressed the proliferation of, and IFN-gamma production from, CD4(+) and CD8(+) responder T cells. Notably, the immunosuppressive …


Nomenclatural Changes For Some Grasses In California And The Muhlenbergia Clade (Poaceae), James Payne Smith Jr. Dec 2009

Nomenclatural Changes For Some Grasses In California And The Muhlenbergia Clade (Poaceae), James Payne Smith Jr.

James Payne Smith

No abstract provided.


3hsds1和17hsds7基因5'上游区转录活性研究.Pdf, Xinxing Dong, Yi Xin, Ying Bai, Yunzhou Yang, Jibin Zhang, Meiying Fang, Gang Chen Dec 2009

3hsds1和17hsds7基因5'上游区转录活性研究.Pdf, Xinxing Dong, Yi Xin, Ying Bai, Yunzhou Yang, Jibin Zhang, Meiying Fang, Gang Chen

Jibin Zhang

3β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenases (HSDs) and 17βHSDs are pivotal enzymes involved in synthesis, activation and deactivation of steroid hormones. Therefore, they play an important role to maintain homeostasis of hormone and regulate the synthesis and metabolism of hormones, and they are also related to metabolism of androstenone which can cause boar taint in male pigs. Through ligation of different PCR fragments of these genes from Large White pigs to pGL3-basic plasmid and subsequent transient transfection of constructed vectors into HepG2 cell culture, we found that the fragment from -1038bp to 45bp in porcine 3βHSD gene and the fragment from -966bp to 39bp …


Ducking As The Means Of Resistance In "Candy-Cane" Stems Of Goldenrod: Straightened Stems Lose Their Edge, M. J. Wise, W. G. Abrahamson, J. A. Cole Dec 2009

Ducking As The Means Of Resistance In "Candy-Cane" Stems Of Goldenrod: Straightened Stems Lose Their Edge, M. J. Wise, W. G. Abrahamson, J. A. Cole

Warren G. Abrahamson, II

Herbivores are among the most pervasive selective forces acting on plants, and the number of plant chemicals that presumably evolved for defense against herbivory is immense. In contrast, biologists are only beginning to appreciate the important roles that architectural traits can play in antiherbivore defense. One putative architectural-resistance trait is the nodding stem apex of some goldenrods (Solidago ; Asteraceae). Individuals of S. altissima genets that undergo temporary nodding in the late spring (i.e., “candy-cane ramets) have been shown to be more resistant than individuals of erect-stemmed genets to certain apex-attacking” herbivores. We tested the hypothesis that the greater resistance …


Nutrition As A Facilitator Of Host-Race Formation: The Role Of Food Quality In The Shift Of A Stem-Boring Beetle To A Gall Host, C. P. Blair, R. V. Schlanger, S. E. Diamond, W. G. Abrahamson Dec 2009

Nutrition As A Facilitator Of Host-Race Formation: The Role Of Food Quality In The Shift Of A Stem-Boring Beetle To A Gall Host, C. P. Blair, R. V. Schlanger, S. E. Diamond, W. G. Abrahamson

Warren G. Abrahamson, II

1. The importance of host-race formation to herbivorous insect diversity depends on the likelihood that successful populations can be established on a new plant host. A previously unexplored ecological aid to success on a novel host is better nutritional quality. The role of nutrition was examined in the shift of the stem-boring beetle Mordellistena convicta to fly-induced galls on goldenrod and the establishment there of a genetically distinct gall host race. 2. First, larvae of the host race inhabiting stems of Solidago gigantea were transplanted into stems and galls of greenhouse-grown S. gigantea plants. At the end of larval development, …


Children In Jeopardy: Anthropogenic Toxins And Childhood Exposure, Russell Butkus, Steve Kolmes Dec 2009

Children In Jeopardy: Anthropogenic Toxins And Childhood Exposure, Russell Butkus, Steve Kolmes

Steve Kolmes

No abstract provided.


Polyphyly Of The Pikeminnows (Teleostei: Cyprinidae) Inferred Using Mitochondrial Dna Sequences, T. Heath Ogden Dec 2009

Polyphyly Of The Pikeminnows (Teleostei: Cyprinidae) Inferred Using Mitochondrial Dna Sequences, T. Heath Ogden

T. Heath Ogden

The phylogenetic relationships of the Colorado pikeminnow Ptychocheilus lucius, northern pikeminnow P. oregonensis, Sacramento pikeminnow P. grandis, Umpqua pikeminnow P. umpquae, and hardhead Mylopharodon conocephalus were examined by using molecular data to investigate monophyly of the genus Ptychocheilus. Phylogenies generated using DNA sequence data from the cytochrome b and 16S ribosomal DNA genes of the mitochondrial genome reveal that Ptychocheilus is a polyphyletic genus and suggest that the taxonomy of the group is in need of further revision. These data yield insights into the evolution of the pikeminnows and help place the significant evolutionary events in context with the geological …