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Ecology and Evolutionary Biology Commons™
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- Keyword
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- Speciation (5)
- Drosophila (4)
- Mate choice (3)
- Climate change (2)
- Cyanobacteria (2)
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- Immunity (2)
- Lake (2)
- Lake Erie (2)
- Mercury (2)
- Metabarcoding (2)
- Migration (2)
- Nitrogen (2)
- Post-zygotic isolation (2)
- Sperm (2)
- Spermatogenesis (2)
- Temperature (2)
- Warming (2)
- 11-ketotestosterone (1)
- 15N (1)
- Aboveground-belowground linkages (1)
- Adaptation (1)
- Alternative reproductive tactics (1)
- Androgens (1)
- Arabidopsis thaliana (1)
- Aristotle (1)
- Atlantic salmon (1)
- Atmospheric deposition (1)
- Bank Swallows (1)
- Behavioural Partitioning (1)
- Behavioural isolation (1)
Articles 1 - 30 of 39
Full-Text Articles in Ecology and Evolutionary Biology
Investigating The Soil Mycobiome Of American Ginseng, Rachel Amelia Rajsp
Investigating The Soil Mycobiome Of American Ginseng, Rachel Amelia Rajsp
Electronic Thesis and Dissertation Repository
American ginseng (Panax quinquefolius L.) is a perennial herbaceous plant cultivated for its medicinal properties. Growers report that when ginseng is replanted in a field previously used to cultivate ginseng, it soon succumbs to disease, known as ginseng replant disease. I examined changes in composition in the ginseng mycobiome throughout cultivation in a newly planted garden and beyond (i.e., 3–14 years post-harvest) with a third-generation metabarcoding approach (Pacific Biosciences, single-molecule real-time sequencing). Amplicons of about 600 nucleotides from the nuclear ribosomal internal transcribed spacer (ITS) region and translation elongation factor 1-α gene were chosen to help discriminate between closely …
Short-Term Versus Long-Term Effects Of Nitrogen Addition And Warming On Ecosystem N Dynamics In A Grass-Dominated Temperate Old Field, Benjamin F. A. Souriol
Short-Term Versus Long-Term Effects Of Nitrogen Addition And Warming On Ecosystem N Dynamics In A Grass-Dominated Temperate Old Field, Benjamin F. A. Souriol
Electronic Thesis and Dissertation Repository
Increased atmospheric nitrogen (N) deposition and climate warming are both anticipated to influence the ecosystem N dynamics of northern temperate ecosystems substantially over the next century. Nevertheless, in field experiments with N addition and warming treatments, temporal scale can play an important role in determining the extent of treatment effects on N dynamics, and it is unclear to what extent the results of short-term studies can be extrapolated to responses over longer time scales. I compared the short-term versus long-term effects of N addition and warming on net N mineralization, N leaching, and N retention in a grass-dominated old field. …
The Detectability Of Atlantic Salmon (Salmo Salar) Microsatellite And Mitochondrial Environmental Dna, Simone N. Miklosi
The Detectability Of Atlantic Salmon (Salmo Salar) Microsatellite And Mitochondrial Environmental Dna, Simone N. Miklosi
Electronic Thesis and Dissertation Repository
Little is known about what information can be gathered from microsatellite eDNA. It is important to gain a deeper understanding of the detectability and analysis of microsatellite eDNA because it could provide information about population size that mitochondrial eDNA cannot. Water samples were collected from tank and river experiments, and rivers known to contain Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar) and analyzed for Atlantic salmon mitochondrial and microsatellite eDNA. Mitochondrial eDNA was detected from all the tank experiments and 10 out of 15 rivers known to contain Atlantic salmon. Microsatellite eDNA was detected from all the tank experiments and none …
Root-Inhabiting And Rhizosphere Mycobiomes And Crop Yield Of Corn And Wheat, Marianna E. Wallace
Root-Inhabiting And Rhizosphere Mycobiomes And Crop Yield Of Corn And Wheat, Marianna E. Wallace
Electronic Thesis and Dissertation Repository
The root mycobiome plays a direct role in plant productivity, and the study of its community composition allows for identification of organisms that influence plant health. To better understand the role of fungal community composition in crop productivity, the root-associated mycobiomes of historically high and low yield sites of corn and wheat planted in rotation were characterized and analyzed along with soil physicochemical variables and crop yield. In each field studied, root and rhizosphere mycobiomes reflected significant differences in fungal species composition. Several soil variables were found to be predictors of differences in composition of sample types including soil texture …
From Individuals To Communities: The Effect Of Climate Change On Ectothermic Predators, Matthew Lawrence Meehan
From Individuals To Communities: The Effect Of Climate Change On Ectothermic Predators, Matthew Lawrence Meehan
Electronic Thesis and Dissertation Repository
The living components of ecological systems exist within a nested hierarchy, consisting of individuals, populations, and communities. Because of this nestedness, climate change can greatly impact ecological systems, as whole-organism metabolic and physiological demands change for ectotherms under warming, the effects of which may compound with every succeeding level. Therefore, a multi-level approach can better isolate how climate change will reshape ecological systems. In my doctoral research, I used feeding and mesocosm experiments to examine how climate change affects ectothermic predators at the individual-, population-, and community-level, using mesostigmatic mites (Arachnida: Parasitiformes) as my model predator. My research objectives were …
Food Caching Decisions In Canada Jays (Perisoreus Canadensis), Robert J. Martin
Food Caching Decisions In Canada Jays (Perisoreus Canadensis), Robert J. Martin
Electronic Thesis and Dissertation Repository
Food scarce periods pose serious challenges for birds, particularly when those periods coincide with demanding life history stages such as overwintering. For resident birds in the Northern hemisphere, resource scarcity typically occurs simultaneously with winter conditions. In order to combat these compounded stressors, some species cache food to ensure a reliable supply of resources. Food caching is the storing of food items for subsequent retrieval and consumption after some delay. Canada Jays (Perisoreus canadensis) are year-round residents of the North American boreal forest and some high elevation areas in the United States, and cache food to combat resource …
Genetic Basis Of Hybrid Sterility Between Drosophila Pseudoobscura And D. Persimilis, Alannah J.P. Mattice
Genetic Basis Of Hybrid Sterility Between Drosophila Pseudoobscura And D. Persimilis, Alannah J.P. Mattice
Electronic Thesis and Dissertation Repository
Speciation is the underlying process that leads to formation of new species, and therefore is the basis of biodiversity. Genes involved in each stage of speciation, such as those involved in interspecies sterility, remain elusive. Male hybrid sterility and postzygotic isolation between Drosophila pseudoobscura and D. persimilis was examined in this study through backcrossing of female hybrids into each parental line (introgression), selecting for a sterile sperm phenotype, needle-eye sperm. Sperm phenotypes did not separate through backcrossing; instead, males presented with multiple sperm phenotypes. A relationship between the phenotypes observed and the potential genes involved was examined through whole genome …
Characterizing The Diversity Of The Eukaryotic Microbiome In Marine Crustacean Zooplankton., Rose-Lynne Savage
Characterizing The Diversity Of The Eukaryotic Microbiome In Marine Crustacean Zooplankton., Rose-Lynne Savage
Electronic Thesis and Dissertation Repository
Understanding zooplankton productivity is critical for modeling marine food web function, of which one poorly known factor is the influence of zooplankton symbionts. Zooplankton protist symbiont diversity is underestimated due to the limited surveys and techniques previously used. Using 18S V4 metabarcoding, I characterized the eukaryotic microbiomes associated with crustacean zooplankton from the northern Strait of Georgia, BC. Apostome ciliates were most abundant in all hosts except for cyclopoid copepods, which were dominated by Syndiniales. Most symbiont lineages were more abundant in one or two hosts, suggesting some degree of host preference. Microbiome data also provided information on diet, confirming …
Chemical Communication In Songbirds, Leanne A. Grieves
Chemical Communication In Songbirds, Leanne A. Grieves
Electronic Thesis and Dissertation Repository
Avian chemical communication has been understudied due to the misconception that olfaction is unimportant or even lacking in birds. Early work focused on the olfactory foraging capabilities of seabirds because of their ecology (open ocean foraging) and large olfactory bulbs. In contrast, olfaction in passerine birds, comprising over half of all extant avian taxa, was long overlooked due to their relatively small olfactory bulbs. It is now well established that passerines can smell, and their olfactory acuity is comparable to that of macrosmatic mammals such as rats. Much of our theory on communication and mate choice has involved studying visual …
Diet Composition And Mercury Exposure In Bank Swallows (Riparia Riparia) Breeding At Lakeshore And Aggregate Pits, Corrine S. V. Génier
Diet Composition And Mercury Exposure In Bank Swallows (Riparia Riparia) Breeding At Lakeshore And Aggregate Pits, Corrine S. V. Génier
Electronic Thesis and Dissertation Repository
Bank Swallows (Riparia riparia), a threatened species in Ontario, breed primarily in banks at lakeshores and in artificial aggregate pits. Inland pits may be ecological traps for this species, but the relative tradeoffs between these two nesting habitats are unknown. Availability of aquatic emergent insects at lakeshores may have associated nutritional benefits (e.g. Omega-3 fatty acids) and contaminants (e.g. mercury) that can directly influence juvenile growth. This study compares these breeding habitats to evaluate dietary differences as revealed by fatty acids, stable isotopes (δ13C, δ15N, δ2H), fecal DNA barcoding, and mercury. Lakeshore-nesting …
The Stability Of Temperate Lakes Under The Changing Climate, Aleksey Paltsev
The Stability Of Temperate Lakes Under The Changing Climate, Aleksey Paltsev
Electronic Thesis and Dissertation Repository
There is a collective prediction among ecologists that climate change will enhance phytoplankton biomass in temperate lakes. Yet there is noteworthy variation in the structure and regulating functions of lakes to make this statement challengeable and, perhaps, inaccurate. To generate a common understanding on the trophic transition of lakes, I examined the interactive effects of climate change and landscape properties on phytoplankton biomass in 12,644 lakes located in relatively intact forested landscapes. Chlorophyll-a (Chl-a) concentration was used as a proxy for phytoplankton biomass. Chl-a concentration was obtained via analyzing Landsat satellite imagery data over a 28-year period (1984-2011) and using …
The Cost Of Protection: Frost Avoidance And Competition In Herbaceous Plants, Frederick Curtis Lubbe
The Cost Of Protection: Frost Avoidance And Competition In Herbaceous Plants, Frederick Curtis Lubbe
Electronic Thesis and Dissertation Repository
Perennial herbaceous plants in regions that experience winter freezing must survive using belowground structures that can tolerate or avoid frost stress. Soil and plant litter can insulate plant structures from frost exposure, but plants must invest into growth to penetrate through these layers to reach the surface in the spring. The overall goal of my thesis was to test the hypothesis that the protection of overwintering clonal structures by soil or plant litter (frost avoidance) comes at the expense of subsequent reduced growth and competitive ability in absence of freezing stress. I first explored this trade-off with a suite of …
Major Histocompatibility Complex Does Not Affect Mating Patterns In Bluegill Sunfish (Lepomis Macrochirus), Lucas Silveira
Major Histocompatibility Complex Does Not Affect Mating Patterns In Bluegill Sunfish (Lepomis Macrochirus), Lucas Silveira
Electronic Thesis and Dissertation Repository
In many species, individuals prefer mates that are genetically dissimilar at the major histocompatibility complex (MHC). This is likely because it improves offspring resistance to pathogens. Here I provide the first genotypic characterization of the MHC class II peptide binding region in bluegill (Lepomis macrochirus), a species of sunfish, and examine its effect on mating patterns. I hypothesized females would choose to mate with MHC dissimilar males leading to an increase in the resulting offspring’s fitness. I captured females and males during spawning and sequenced the DNA of these fish at the MHC class II putative peptide binding …
Hitchhiker's Guide To Migration: Effects Of Experimental Parasitic Infection And Other Immune Challenges On Migratory Traits Of Sparrows, Tosha R. Kelly
Hitchhiker's Guide To Migration: Effects Of Experimental Parasitic Infection And Other Immune Challenges On Migratory Traits Of Sparrows, Tosha R. Kelly
Electronic Thesis and Dissertation Repository
Seasonal migration exposes animals to a variety of habitats and parasites, and if infected migratory birds migrate successfully there is great potential for birds to transport infectious diseases long distances. Our current understanding of whether birds contribute to the spread of disease relies upon observational field studies that are limited in their ability to discern cause from effect. Using captive and field-based experiments for my doctoral research, I answered three research questions: (1) are nocturnal migratory restlessness (Zugunruhe) and body condition affected by mounting an acute phase immune response during migration; (2) what are the impacts of parasitic …
Plant Stimuli-Responsive Biodegradable Polymers For The Use In Timed Release Fertilizer Coatings, Spencer Heuchan
Plant Stimuli-Responsive Biodegradable Polymers For The Use In Timed Release Fertilizer Coatings, Spencer Heuchan
Electronic Thesis and Dissertation Repository
The use of nitrogen-based fertilizers continues to accelerate with human population growth and increases in global food requirements. Enhanced efficiency fertilizers (EEFs) have been developed to improve the synchronization between nutrient supply and crop nutrient demand. However, many of the current controlled release fertilizers are coated with non-degradable polymers that contribute to accumulation of microplastics within ecosystems. This thesis describes research towards the development of a new class of fertilizer coatings using a self-immolative polymer known as poly (ethyl glyoxylate) (PEtG). PEtG itself does not have suitable properties to produce a viable coating but once blended with another degradable polyester …
Trophic And Competitive Interactions Among Egg Parasitoids Of Stink Bugs, Joanna K. Konopka
Trophic And Competitive Interactions Among Egg Parasitoids Of Stink Bugs, Joanna K. Konopka
Electronic Thesis and Dissertation Repository
The intra- and inter-trophic interactions in ecosystems can be disrupted by invasive species, with lasting effects on population dynamics of native organisms. An invasive species may be attractive as a prey or host to native species, but if unsuitable for consumption or for development of the natural enemy’s progeny, it constitutes an ‘evolutionary trap’. A possibility of such a trap for native egg parasitoids (Hymenoptera: Scelionidae) exists with the introduction of the exotic brown marmorated stink bug, Halyomorpha halys (Hemiptera: Pentatomidae). The objective of this thesis is to enhance the understanding of Pentatomidae-Scelionidae host-parasitoid interactions from a behavioural ecology perspective, …
The Genetic And Environmental Basis For Chc Biosynthesis In Drosophila, Heather Ke Ward
The Genetic And Environmental Basis For Chc Biosynthesis In Drosophila, Heather Ke Ward
Electronic Thesis and Dissertation Repository
Cuticular hydrocarbons (CHCs) are produced by insects and primarily used to prevent desiccation. In Drosophila, certain compounds have secondary roles as infochemicals that may act during courtship to influence mate choice. Certain CHCs may stimulate courtship with heterospecifics or act to repel conspecifics. The CHC profile produced by an individual is the result of the interaction between its genetic background and the environment, though the genes that underlie species differences in CHC production and how the environment can modulate the abundance of individual compounds within a species is not well known. Here, candidate gene CG5946 was found to be …
Cellular/Molecular Analysis Of Interspecies Sterile Male Hybrids In Drosophila, Rachelle L. Kanippayoor
Cellular/Molecular Analysis Of Interspecies Sterile Male Hybrids In Drosophila, Rachelle L. Kanippayoor
Electronic Thesis and Dissertation Repository
Over time, genetic differences can accumulate between populations that are geographically separated. This genetic divergence can lead to the evolution of reproductive isolating mechanisms that reduce gene flow between the populations and, upon secondary contact, result in distinct species. The process of speciation is, thus, what accounts for the multitude of species that contribute to the rich biodiversity on Earth. Interspecies hybrid sterility is a postzygotic isolating mechanism that affects the development of hybrids, rendering them sterile. A notable trend, known as Haldane's Rule, describes that heterogametic individual (e.g. males in Drosophila) are more susceptible to sterility than homogametic …
Genetics Of Female Interspecific Mate Rejection In Species Of Drosophila, Ryan Calhoun
Genetics Of Female Interspecific Mate Rejection In Species Of Drosophila, Ryan Calhoun
Electronic Thesis and Dissertation Repository
Speciation can occur when accumulated differences in mating behavior force diverging species to remain reproductively isolated from one another. A key determinant of behavioural isolation is the evolution of female mating preferences that prevent interspecific males from mating. However, no individual genes involved in species-specific preferences of females have yet been identified. Using various genetic mapping techniques available for studying strains and species of Drosophila, I identify candidate genes involved in D. simulans female discrimination against D. melanogaster males. One candidate gene in particular, Katanin-60, was selected for further characterization. Katanin-60 is a gene encoding a microtubule severing …
The Effects Of Sex, Energy, And Environmental Conditions On The Movement Ecology Of Migratory Bats, Kristin A. Jonasson
The Effects Of Sex, Energy, And Environmental Conditions On The Movement Ecology Of Migratory Bats, Kristin A. Jonasson
Electronic Thesis and Dissertation Repository
Lack of knowledge about the behaviour of migratory species during the migratory period is a major barrier to conservation efforts. In this thesis I focus primarily on differences between the sexes of the bat Lasionycteris noctivagans, during spring migration. Females are pregnant during spring migration and this overlap between migration and reproduction may affect the time and energy management of females as compared to males. In Chapter 2 I examine spring migration phenology of bats at a stopover site. Females arrived earlier than males, likely to give their pups a long growing season. Fat stores appeared to reflect a …
Species Pluralism: Conceptual, Ontological, And Practical Dimensions, Justin Bzovy
Species Pluralism: Conceptual, Ontological, And Practical Dimensions, Justin Bzovy
Electronic Thesis and Dissertation Repository
Species are central to biology, but there is currently no agreement on what the adequate species concept should be, and many have adopted a pluralist stance: different species concepts will be required for different purposes. This thesis is a multidimensional analysis of species pluralism. First I explicate how pluralism differs monism and relativism. I then consider the history of species pluralism. I argue that we must re-frame the species problem, and that re-evaluating Aristotle's role in the histories of systematics can shed light on pluralism. Next I consider different forms of pluralism: evolutionary and extra-evolutionary species pluralism, which differ in …
Hemolytic Activity In The Euryhaline Fish-Killing Phytoflagellate Prymnesium Parvum Under Environmental Stresses, Christine Dulal-Whiteway
Hemolytic Activity In The Euryhaline Fish-Killing Phytoflagellate Prymnesium Parvum Under Environmental Stresses, Christine Dulal-Whiteway
Electronic Thesis and Dissertation Repository
Harmful algal blooms (HABs) are vast expanses of noxious or toxic phytoplankton that periodically dominate coastal ocean waters or freshwater systems. An especially damaging type of HAB are the species that kill fish. In this thesis, a potentially invasive marine fish-killing flagellate, Prymnesium parvum, was investigated for its tolerance to freshwater conditions. This species has invaded some freshwater systems in the southern United States. The thesis examines if the growth rate and toxicity of Prymnesium parvum remain high under low salinities similar to freshwater systems. A hemolytic lysis assay was used as a proxy for toxicity. The findings presented …
A Test Of The Effects Of Androgens On Immunity: No Relationship Between 11-Keto Testosterone And Immune Performance In Bluegill Sunfish (Lepomis Macrochirus), John W. Loggie
Electronic Thesis and Dissertation Repository
The posited immunosuppressive effects of androgens are a key component of the immunocompetence handicap hypothesis (ICHH). My thesis uses bluegill sunfish (Lepomis macrochirus) to test two predictions arising from this hypothesis: (1) natural concentrations of the androgen 11-keto testosterone (11-KT) will be negatively related with immunity, and (2) an immunochallenge will lower 11-KT concentration. I found no evidence for a relationship between natural 11-KT concentration and measures of immunity (leukocyte counts, respiratory burst, cytokine gene expression), and an immunochallenge with Vibrio vaccine did not affect 11-KT concentration. I performed a meta-analysis of immunochallenge studies to help interpret my …
Ecosystem Level Effects Of Climate Change On Northern Peatlands, Catherine M. Dieleman
Ecosystem Level Effects Of Climate Change On Northern Peatlands, Catherine M. Dieleman
Electronic Thesis and Dissertation Repository
Northern peatlands are the world’s most efficient terrestrial ecosystems at storing carbon. The effects of global climate change are expected to be intensified in high latitude regions of the northern hemisphere, where peatlands are a dominant landscape feature. Accordingly, there is concern that climate change will change peatlands from carbon sinks into carbon sources. In order to better understand the impacts of climate change on peatland ecosystems, the research presented in this dissertation focuses on several mesocosm experiments conducted to develop a better understanding of the interactive effects of three key climate change stressors (increased atmospheric CO2, increased …
Seasonal And Long-Term (1995-2009) Changes In The Distribution And Abundance Of Submerged Aquatic Vegetation And Dreissenid Mussels In Inner Long Point Bay, Lake Erie, Robin Tj Churchill
Seasonal And Long-Term (1995-2009) Changes In The Distribution And Abundance Of Submerged Aquatic Vegetation And Dreissenid Mussels In Inner Long Point Bay, Lake Erie, Robin Tj Churchill
Electronic Thesis and Dissertation Repository
Invasion by mussels can cause rapid increases in the abundance of submerged aquatic vegetation (SAV) by increasing water clarity and altering nutrient cycling, but rapid expansion of the mussel population is often followed by a decline until a new regional carrying capacity is reached. I sampled Long Point Bay (LPB), Lake Erie, in 2009 to quantify changes in SAV communities and densities of zebra mussels (Dreissena polymorpha) since the peak of the latter in the early 1990s, and modeled influences of year, water depth, and substrate type on the probability of SAV detection. I detected a 96% decrease …
Two Spotted Spider Mite (Tetranychus Urticae) Selection To Arabidopsis Thaliana, Huzefa Ratlamwala
Two Spotted Spider Mite (Tetranychus Urticae) Selection To Arabidopsis Thaliana, Huzefa Ratlamwala
Electronic Thesis and Dissertation Repository
Spider mite feeding on A. thaliana induces the production of indole glucosinolates (IGs), plant secondary metabolites that negatively affect mite performance. In this study I conducted selection experiments on A. thaliana with varying levels of IGs, to determine if mites could adapt to IGs and other defense compounds. After 12 months, mites reared on host with IGs performed significantly better on A. thaliana than mites maintained on beans. However, an adaptation cost was detected between selected mite lines and their ancestral host. The qRT-PCR data on different mite lines revealed that the detoxification genes previously identified may only be involved …
Nitrogen Fixation By The Cyanobacterium Nostoc Punctiforme In Response To Variation In Nitrogen Availability, Temperature, And Atmospheric Co2 Concentrations, Danielle A. Griffith
Nitrogen Fixation By The Cyanobacterium Nostoc Punctiforme In Response To Variation In Nitrogen Availability, Temperature, And Atmospheric Co2 Concentrations, Danielle A. Griffith
Electronic Thesis and Dissertation Repository
The predominant input of available nitrogen (N) in boreal forest ecosystems originates from moss-associated cyanobacteria, which fix unavailable atmospheric N2, contribute to the soil N pool, and thereby support forest productivity. Although increases in N availability, temperature, and atmospheric CO2 concentrations are expected in Canada’s boreal region over the next century, little is known about the combined effects of these factors on N2 fixation by axenic cyanobacteria or the associated mechanisms. I assessed changes in N2 fixation by Nostoc punctiforme under different global environmental change scenarios and examined correlations between the response and changes in …
Identifying The Role Of Non-Native Species In The Enhanced Trophic Transfer Of Mercury In The Food Web Of Lake Erie, A North American Great Lake, Kaylin M.S. Liznick
Identifying The Role Of Non-Native Species In The Enhanced Trophic Transfer Of Mercury In The Food Web Of Lake Erie, A North American Great Lake, Kaylin M.S. Liznick
Electronic Thesis and Dissertation Repository
Increasing mercury (Hg) concentrations in top predatory fish is concerning for human and wildlife health. This study examined the amount of Hg available to the food web of Lake Erie, and explored the role that two recently established non-native species, dreissenid mussels and round goby, have played in the trophic transfer of Hg to sport fish. A comprehensive sampling of total Hg (THg) and methylmercury (MeHg) within Lake Erie water, sediment and seston with high temporal and spatial resolution describes environmental concentrations. In addition, biotic THg and MeHg are quantified in benthic invertebrates and three fish species. A steep spatial …
Testing For Positive Edge Responses In A Fragmented Landscape In The Eastern Tiger (Papilio Glaucus) And The Spicebush (P. Troilus) Swallowtail Butterflies, Jenna C. Siu
Electronic Thesis and Dissertation Repository
Landscape changes such as habitat fragmentation and habitat loss are contributing to a global decline in biodiversity. While habitat fragmentation research has mainly focused on species that avoid edges, or the boundaries between different landcover types (negative edge response), a hypothesized resource distribution model predicts that species that require complementary resources in different landcovers will be most abundant at edges (positive edge response). Adults of Eastern Tiger (Papilio glaucus) and Spicebush (P. troilus) swallowtail butterflies require forests for oviposition sites and meadows for nectar resources. I examined the relative abundance and flight orientation of both species …
Population Genetic Structure In The Pitcher Plant Flesh Fly Fletcherimyia Fletcheri, John R. O'Leary
Population Genetic Structure In The Pitcher Plant Flesh Fly Fletcherimyia Fletcheri, John R. O'Leary
Electronic Thesis and Dissertation Repository
The study of population genetic structure in the pitcher plant flesh fly, Fletcherimyia fletcheri, is an important step in bettering our understanding of dispersal abilities, gene flow, and behavior in the species. In this paper, an extended sampling of populations across Algonquin Provincial Park was performed to elucidate an effective scale of genetic differentiation in F. fletcheri. Genetic differentiation between sites was compared to interceding landscape composition, and digital dispersal models were developed, testing the hypothesis that F. fletcheri uses aquatic tributaries for dispersal between peatlands. Data were collected on 613 specimens from 15 populations, and population differentiation …