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Full-Text Articles in Ecology and Evolutionary Biology

Genetic Effects Of Anthropogenic Disturbance On Native Charrs, Brad Erdman Aug 2023

Genetic Effects Of Anthropogenic Disturbance On Native Charrs, Brad Erdman

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Artificial propagation has been utilized for over a century to offset anthropogenic declines of abundance for many fishes. Complex and poorly documented histories of habitat degradation and stockings have resulted in considerable uncertainty regarding whether contemporary populations are of native, hatchery, or mixed origins. This uncertainty is problematic as it precludes prioritizing the conservation of native populations that are postulated to possess local adaptations and greater evolutionary potential. Population genetics can assess the relative reproductive contributions of previous stocking events and in this dissertation I apply these methods to four empirical studies of native charr (genus Salvelinus) that have …


Monarch Butterfly (Danaus Plexippus) Roost Site-Selection And Viability East Of The Appalachian Mountains, Brandon Boxler Dec 2020

Monarch Butterfly (Danaus Plexippus) Roost Site-Selection And Viability East Of The Appalachian Mountains, Brandon Boxler

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The Monarch butterfly is a flagship species and pollinator whose populations have declined by approximately 85% in the last two decades. Their largest population overwinters in Mexico, then disperses across the eastern United States and Canada during April to August. Between September-December, the butterflies return south using two migratory flyways, one spanning the central United States and another following the Atlantic coast. They fly during the day and at night roost in large groups. Roosting habitat is essential to the continuation of the Monarchs’ migration, however, threats such as anthropogenic habitat disturbance and climate change potentially endanger sustainability of these …