Cell and Developmental Biology Commons^™

Analysis Of E. Coli Dna From Selected Source(S) Using Pulsed-Field Gel Electrophoresis, Sheema Doshi

Theses, Dissertations and Capstones

The presence of fecal coliforms in surface waters is a public health issue throughout the United States and Canada. The presence of Escherichia coli (E. coli) indicates recent fecal contamination from either animal or human sources. To solve this growing problem one must identify the source(s) of such contamination by creating a database of DNA profiles of£. coli isolates. Hence, tracking the source(s) of E. coli can help link water contamination to animal source(s) of contamination. In this study, pulsed field gel electrophoresis (PFGE) was used to analyze DNA from E. coli isolates from known animals. For PFGE, the bacterial …

Factors Influencing Spatial Variability In Soil Nitrogen (N) Dynamics In N-Treated And Untreated Watersheds Of The Fernow Experimental Forest, West Virginia, Nikki Lenore Lyttle

Theses, Dissertations and Capstones

The central Appalachian region of the United States receives some of the highest inputs of nitrogen (N) due to acidic deposition in the nation. It is believed that these high could levels contribute to a decline in forest soils within the next 50 to 70 yrs. This study examines factors that influence spatial variability in N-treated and untreated watersheds of the Fernow Experimental Forest, Parsons, West Virginia. Within each of the two watersheds [WS4 untreated control, > 100 yr.; WS3 N-treated, acidified, clear cut, ~ 31 yr.], two 0.04 ha plots, one high N and one low N, were selected for …

The Life History Of The Cave Salamander, Eurycea Lucifuga Rafinesque, In West Virginia, Andrew James Longenecker

Theses, Dissertations and Capstones

In West Virginia, as throughout its range, there is limited information about the life history of the cave salamander (Eurycea lucifuga). The purpose of this study was to describe the natural history of this species in West Virginia. The objectives of this study were to determine habitat selection of the cave salamander, to ascertain its environmental characteristics, and to study its reproductive and non-reproductive biology. Three study caves were located in Greenbrier County, West Virginia. All sites were examined at least once each month from May 1999 through April 2000. Caves were divided into three zones: entrance, twilight, …

Ecology And Sympatric Relations Of Crevice Salamanders In Randolph County, West Virginia, Jayme Linn Waldron

Theses, Dissertations and Capstones

By implementing a mark-recapture study, I investigated the ecology of three species of sympatric plethodontid salamanders (Aneides aeneus, Desmognathus ochrophaeus, and Plethodon glutinosus) on rock outcrops in the Westvaco Wildlife and Ecosystem Research Forest, Randolph County, West Virginia. By examining activity patterns, vertical stratification, and habitat preference for A. aeneus, D. ochrophaeus, and P. glutinosus, I attempted to offer some insight into how these sympatric species avoid competition on small, isolated rock outcrops. Twenty-one surveys, both nocturnal and diurnal, were performed between 11 May and 17 October, 1999. During this time, 89 salamanders, encompassing five species ( …

Response Properties Of Tibial Campaniform Sensilla On The Cockroach Leg In Restrained Preparations And Freely Moving Animals, Angela L. Ridgel

Theses, Dissertations and Capstones

The ability to detect changes in forces is important for effective use of a leg in posture and locomotion. This thesis examines how forces are detected in the legs of cockroaches by tibial campaniform sensilla. Campaniform sensilla are mechanoreceptors that encode forces through ovoid cuticular caps embedded in the exoskeleton. The tibial sensilla are unique in that they consist of two subgroups with mutually perpendicular cap orientations.

We characterized the responses of the tibial receptors in restrained preparations by applying forces to the leg at controlled magnitudes and rates. The tibial sensilla, as a group, were sensitive to increasing and …

Clarification Of The Hybrid Origin Of Carex X Deamii Herm. (Cyperaceae) Based On Macro And Micro Morphological Characters, Paul B. Marcum

Theses, Dissertations and Capstones

The origin of Carex x deamii Herm. has been in question ever since it was named to science in 1938. Collections of the hybrid have always been associated with C. shortiana Dewey and either C. typhina Michx. or C. squarrosa L.. C. typhina and C. squarrosa are closely related taxa (Section Squarrosae) and often are morphologically similar. Because of this similarity, determining the correct parental species to the hybrid has been extremely difficult. It is known that the hybrid is sterile and only reproduces asexually. Pollen was analyzed to ascertain the viability of all four taxa. This study utilizes both …

Postnatal Development Of The Neural Retina In A South American Opossum: Monodelphis Domestica, Tracy L. Soltesz

Theses, Dissertations and Capstones

Postnatal retinal development was studied in a marsupial opossum, Monodelphis domestica using light microscopy and 3H-thymidine autoradiography. For the light microscopic study, opossum neonates at 1, 3, 7, 14, 21, 25 and 28 days of age were euthanized, fixed and processed into paraffin sections for hematoxylin and eosin staining. The distinct ganglion cell layer, first observed on postnatal day (P) 7, was separated from the outer neuroblasts by the inner plexiform layer. The neuroblast layer was divided into inner and outer nuclear layers on P25 by the presumptive outer plexiform layer, indicated by discrete intercellular spaces located between the nuclear …

Geographic And Nongeographic Variation In The Genus Microtus (Mammalia: Rodentia) In West Virginia, Tina M. Savage

Theses, Dissertations and Capstones

Geographic and nongeographic variation was assessed on 12 cranial and 4 external characters in approximately 400 specimens of Microtus (M. ochrogaster, M. chrotorrhinus, M. pinetorum, M. pennsylvanicus) in West Virginia. Univariate and multivariate statistical analyses were used to examine age-related variation, sexual dimorphism, elevation and geographic variation and litter size for each species of Microtus in the state. Cranial characters were more beneficial than external in detecting variation. Examination of data for each species of Microtus studied demonstrated that values and trends in variation is a specific rather than a generic trait. Age-related variation was present in some, …