Ecology and Evolutionary Biology Commons^™

Gis Modeling Of Forest Cover Distributions In A Southern Appalachian Watershed, Daniel Thomas Rutledge

Masters Theses

This study develops a method to model forest cover distributions in the Little Tennessee River Watershed in Macon County, North Carolina using a geographic information system (GIS). The model employs common environmental variables, e.g. elevation, aspect, and slope, and a newly developed metric called a topographic index. The topographic index quantifies landscape form to reflect the degree of site convexity or concavity. To generate index values, the GIS sums relative aspect differences between all adjacent cells and the center cell in a neighborhood analysis. To determine predominant community types and their environmental ranges in the study area, I surveyed canopy …

Feeding And Nesting Ecology Of The Great Kiskadee, Pitangus Sulphuratus Texanus (Passeriformes: Tyrannidae) In The Lower Rio Grande Valley, Texas, Robert Luis Gorena

Theses and Dissertations - UTB/UTPA

The foraging and nesting ecology of the Great Kiskadee was studied in the Lower Rio Grande Valley, Texas during 1994 and 1995. Adult kiskadees were found to be omnivorous, feeding mainly on fleshy fruits, fish, and dragonflies, and capturing animal prey mainly by surface gleaning into water or hawking prey out of midair. Nests are constructed mainly during March and April and are built at heights between 6 and 10 meters apparently without preference to tree species. Of 29 nests observed, 66% (19) were active during at least part of the breeding season. Nestlings are fed a diet very similar …

Nutritional Condition Of Striped Bass (Morone Saxatilis) Larvae As Determined By Constituent Lipid Analysis, William Frank Patterson Iii

Biological Sciences Theses & Dissertations

Larval striped bass were reared in the laboratory from 6 days post-hatch (dph) to 21 dph under four different feeding regimes to assess the effect of food concentration on triacylglycerol to sterol ratios (TG:ST) of larvae. Larvae were fed Peru strain Artemia salina nauplii in concentrations of 0, 10, 100, and 10001·1^-1, with three replicate tanks within each feeding treatment. Larvae were sampled on 14 and 21 dph and frozen in liquid nitrogen. Lipids were extracted from larvae in a 90:10:1 solution of dichlormethane:hexane:formic acid and analyzed with thin-layer chromatography/flameionization detection. Analysis of larval constituent lipids, and calculation …

The Distribution Of Rice Rats (Oryzomys Palustris) And Meadow Voles (Microtus Pennsylvanicus) In Tidal Marsh Communities On The Eastern Shore Of Virginia, Allison L. Sowell

Biological Sciences Theses & Dissertations

Two tidal marsh sites were selected for live trapping of small mammals on the Eastern Shore of Virginia. Trap grids were established at site and animals were trapped and tagged each month for one year. Habitat variables were measured at the peak of the growing season and again in late winter when vegetation was at its least luxuriant. ANOVA and multiple regressions were used to analyze the relationships between rice rats and meadow voles and associated variables related to habitat structure.

ANOVA revealed where rice rats and meadow voles differed in habitat preferences. Meadow voles were consistently captured in association …

Movement Patterns And Habitat Use Of The Copperhead Snake (Agkistrodon Contortrix) In Southeastern Virginia, Christopher Edwin Petersen

Biological Sciences Theses & Dissertations

Radiotelemetry was used to study seasonal movement patterns, habitat use, and thermal relations of nine copperhead snakes, Agkistrodon contortrix, in southeastern Virginia from May 1993 to May 1995. Daily movements ranged from 0-450 m, with 0-5 m movements accounting for 65% of the observations. The seasonal movements of males were more extensive than those of females. Differences in seasonal movements between the sexes may be due to reproductive activity of the snakes. Both males and females significantly reduced their movements prior to shedding. More time was spent using upland deciduous forests than lowland river swamps or anthropogenic habitat. Copperheads …

The Effect Of Nitrogen And Phosphorus Fertilization On Grayson Lake, Kentucky, Timothy W. Spier

Morehead State Theses and Dissertations

A thesis presented to the faculty of the College of Science and Technology at Morehead State University in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the Degree of Master of Science by Timothy W. Spier on July 31, 1995.

Water Quality Analysis Of Eastern Kentucky Reservoirs, Stephen E. Davis Iii

Morehead State Theses and Dissertations

A thesis presented to the faculty of the College of Science and Technology at Morehead State University in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the Degree of Master of Science in Biology by Stephen E. Davis III on July 19, 1995.

Population Dynamics Of Oryzomys Palustris And Microtus Pennsylvanicus On The Eastern Shore Of Virginia, John A. March Jr.

Biological Sciences Theses & Dissertations

The population dynamics of Oryzomys palustris, the marsh rice rat, and of Microtus pennsylvanicus, the meadow vole, were determined during a year-long mark-and-recapture study on the Eastern Shore of Virginia. Three nights of trapping per month were conducted on two live trap grids totaling 5456 total trap nights. The grids were located on Nature Conservancy land, one in Oyster, and the second at Steelman's Landing, which is east of Townsend in Northampton County Virginia. Trapped animals were evaluated using established criteria. Reproductive activity, age and sex composition, and density of the population, capture probability, survival rate, and recruitment were determined. …

Demography, Reproduction, Diet And Crop Depredation In Three Species Of Rodents In Natural And Irrigated Fields In Nigeria, Safianu Rabiu

Biological Sciences Theses & Dissertations

Rodent populations of Arvicanthis, Mastomys and Tatera were studied during July 1990 to August 1992 in both natural and irrigated savannah fields of northern Nigeria. Tatera was entirely absent from the irrigated fields. Irrigation enhanced higher rodent population densities in the magnitude of three to four times over densities in the natural field. Arvicanthis was the most abundant of the three species in both sites. Tatera was the least common in the natural site. Adult survival rates in Arvicanthis and Tatera were significantly higher than Mastomys. Survival rates of both adult and young differed between the wet and dry …

Zooplankton Community Dynamics In The Elizabeth River, Virginia, William C. Sharp

Biological Sciences Theses & Dissertations

Zooplankton community structure and dynamics were studied over a 12 month period in the Elizabeth River, an industrially polluted tidal river in the Chesapeake Bay estuarine system. An additional site in this estuary (Hampton Roads) was sampled for comparative purposes. Multivariate analysis indicated five distinct temporal groups occurred during the year, but there were no significant differences in spatial composition within the river. Maximum zooplankton concentrations were observed in July and lowest abundances were observed in February, March, and November. Copepods, especially Acartia species, were the most abundant components of the zooplankton community, comprising 67 to 93% of the total …

Green River Foodweb: Colorado Squawfish Nursery Habitat Near Ouray National Wildlife Refuge, Utah, Linden Hamer Alder

Undergraduate Honors Capstone Projects

Effects of fish introductions are relatively well studied in lentic habitats, and apparently range from extremely disruptive to notably benign (Kruegger and May 1991). Though researched less completely, fish introductions may also alter native faunas in lotic habitats. Ptychocheilus lucius, commonly known as the Colorado squawfish (C. squawfish), is a fish species endemic to the Colorado river system. The population is currently experiencing dramatically reduced recruitment successes relative to historical rates. Introduced fishes such as channel catfish, smallmouth bass, and green sunfish are prevalent in the Upper Colorado River. The introduced fish presence is increasingly suspected by researchers as a …

Behavioral Characteristics Affect Habitat Selection Of Domestic Ruminants, Cody B. Scott

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

I evaluated some of the factors affecting livestock distribution by conducting experimental (Chapters II and III) and observational (Chapter IV) studies. In Chapter II, I described the effect of locations of familiar foods and social interactions on choice of feeding location by lambs. Lambs were exposed to a pasture as subgroups of strangers and companions with different dietary habits (i.e., three lambs that preferred milo with three lambs that preferred wheat). Milo was placed on one end and wheat on the other, about 100 m apart. Strangers typically fed in different locations, reflecting dietary preferences. Conversely, companions fed in both …

Winter Habitat Selection By American Marten (Martes Americana) In Newfoundland: Why Old Growth?, Gary S. Drew

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

Although the American marten (Martes americana) generally is recognized as an obligate late-seral species, the factors dictating this association are poorly understood. Martens were studied in Newfoundland, Yellowstone National Park, and in a captive setting. As expected, use of habitat types was not proportional to availability P < 0.001). Defoliated and late-seral conifer stands were used more than expected, while all other types indicated expected or less than expected use. Habitat selection by martens was detectable at spatial scales greater than 80 m (P < 0.001).

Newfoundland martens were radio-collared and monitored for diet activity during the winters of 1990 and 1991. A regression of the percent active fixes on temperature had a negative slope (b = -4.45, P = 0.084, n = 12), indicating that martens did not minimize their exposure to low temperatures. A log-linear model suggested …

Disease And Habitat Change As Factors Associated With Mourning Dove Population Decline, William D. Ostrand

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

The western mourning dove (Zenaida macroura) population has been declining since 1966. Data collected in 1951-52, in Fillmore, Utah, provided us a baseline for comparison with our study in the same area. Our approach was to determine whether a local population decline had occurred since the original data were collected, assess if trichomoniasis has impacted the local population, determine if changes in habitat structure affect foraging site selection, quantify changes in habitat, identify which habitats doves preferred, ascertain whether doves had responded to habitat change by changing food habits, and assess if changes in habitat were responsible in …

The Impact Of A Mountain Pine Beetle Epidemic On Wildlife Habitat And Communities In Post-Epidemic Stands Of A Lodgepole Pine Forest In Northern Utah, William E. Stone

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

Natural disturbance events influence the patterns and processes in many forest ecosystems. Ecosystem management of coniferous forests in western North America requires the recognition of the importance that natural disturbance regimes have in achieving sustainable resource production and maintaining biological diversity . Mountain pine beetle epidemics have played an historic role in the succession and structure of lodgepole pine forests in this region. Their effects on wildlife habitat and communities are undocumented, but are presumed to be substantial. I sought to quantify these effects in forty 1-ha stands of monotypic, even-aged, mature lodgepole pine forest in northern Utah approximately 3-8 …

Fine Root Biomass Distribution And Production Along A Barrier Island Chronosequence, Mark Jeffrey Stevenson

Biological Sciences Theses & Dissertations

Fine roots play an important role in community development on barrier islands. Fine roots can influence nutrient losses from the soil environment along with regulating water loss based on their distribution and concentration (Nobel et al., 1989; Gleeson and Tilman, 1990). A sequential coring method was used to determine fine root biomass and total biomass along a chronosequence of barrier island dunes and swales on the Virginia Coast Reserve - Long Term Ecological Research Site. Fine root production and the effects of nitrogen fertilization were also examined using an ingrowth core method along the chronosequence. Live fine root biomass, total …

The Distribution, Ecology And Natural History Of Shrews (Insectivora: Soricidae) In Southern West Virginia, Jeffrey Jerome Hajenga

Theses, Dissertations and Capstones

A survey of the soricid (shrew) fauna of southern West Virginia was conducted between May 16, 1994 and May 27, 1995. Twenty-five sites were established in Mercer and Summers counties within seven habitat types. Pitfall traps were used and through a limitation of fluid depth within the trap the selectivity for soricids was increased to over 83% of the total capture. Overall, a total of 653 shrews comprising seven species (Sorex cinereus, S. /ongirostris, S. fumeus, S. dispar, S. hoyi, 8/arina brevicauda, and Cryptotis parva) was captured. Two of the species taken (S. hoyi and S. dispar) are new county …

Reproductive Biology Of The Grass Pickerel Esox Americanus Vermiculatus Lesueur, From The Green Bottom Wildlife Management Area, Cabell County, West Virginia, Ronald Clifton Tipton

Theses, Dissertations and Capstones

The grass pickerel, Esox american us vermiculatus LeSueur, is listed as Undetermined on the Vertebrate Species List of Concern in West Virginia. The reason for the West Virginia status is that lentic, vegetated habitats required for spawning by the grass pickerel are limited within the state and are being reduced by agricultural, residential, and industrial developments. Green Bottom Swamp, a naturally occurring wetland of 58 hectares, provides habitat for the grass pickerel. A proposed habitat alteration to add marshland by building dykes prompted this study. Information from this investigation will establish a baseline for reproductive activities of the grass pickerel …

Reproductive And Feeding Biology Of Selected Syngnathids (Pisces: Teleostei) Of The Western Atlantic, Rogerio Luiz Teixeira

Dissertations, Theses, and Masters Projects

The reproductive and feeding biology of five syngnathid species of the western Atlantic were studied: the pipefishes Syngnathus fuscus, S. floridae, the lined seahorse Hippocampus erectus of Chesapeake Bay; and the pipefishes S. folletti and Oostethus lineatus, from southern and southeast Brazil, respectively. Male syngnathids incubate eggs received from females in a ventral brood pouch, females do not play any additional role in parental care after mating. This natural sex role reversal is a unique characteristic that all male syngnathids have. In other fishes, parental care is usually a female prerogative. Most pipefishes are polygamous, while seahorses are monogamous. Syngnathus …

Finfish Communities Of Two Intertidal Marshes Of The Goodwin Islands, York River, Virginia, Lisa Ann Ayers

Dissertations, Theses, and Masters Projects

The finfish communities using the intertidal surfaces of a bay-exposed marsh and a sheltered, channel marsh of the Goodwin Islands, York River, Virginia were studied from May to November 1994. Samples were taken approximately twice monthly using a flume weir at three stations in each marsh. Species composition, abundance and biomass were estimated, and growth patterns and production rates were described for the dominant species. A total of 3001 fish were collected from 11 species and 8 families. Fundulus heteroclitus dominated both marshes and accounted for 83.07% of the total number of fish caught, and 84.83% of the total biomass …

Effects Of Substrate On Hatching Success In Black Skimmers, Rynchops Niger, At The Hampton Roads Bridge-Tunnel, Hampton, Virginia, Crystal Dawn Matthews

Dissertations, Theses, and Masters Projects

No abstract provided.

Determinants Of Great Blue Heron (Andea Herodias) Colony Size And Location Along The James And Chickahominy Rivers In Virginia, Kristine Elise Holoman Clements

Dissertations, Theses, and Masters Projects

No abstract provided.

Spawning And Ecology Of Early Life Stages Of Black Drum, Pogonias Cormis, In Lower Chesapeake Bay, Louis Broaddus Daniel Iii

Dissertations, Theses, and Masters Projects

During spring 1990 and 1991, ichthyoplankton surveys were conducted in lower Chesapeake Bay to estimate seasonal egg production, population biomass and the impact of predation by gelatinous zooplankton on early life stages of black drum, Pogonias cromis. Rearing experiments indicated that at least three species of sciaenid (silver perch, Bairdiella chrysoura; weakfish, Cynoscion regalis and P. cromis) were spawning in the survey area during both years. Specific identification of eggs based on previously published ranges of outside egg diameter (OED) were not reliable due to considerable overlap in diameter distributions. Analysis of weekly OED frequency revealed the presence of three …

Movements And Ecology Of Summer Flounder, Paralichthys Dentatus, Tagged In The Southern Mid-Atlantic Bight, Joseph C. Desfosse

Dissertations, Theses, and Masters Projects

A total of 12,323 summer flounder were tagged and released in Chesapeake Bay, the coastal waters off Virginia Beach, and the Eastern Shore during 1987-89. Excluding immediate recaptures, a total of 675 were recaptured for an overall return rate of 5.5%. Returns from the commercial fishery (56.2%) outnumbered those from the recreational fishery (35.7%). The majority of returns (47.1%) came from either Virginia waters or areas to the south, while only 12.8% were from areas to the north of Virginia. offshore returns accounted for 8.5% of the total. Returns with insufficient location data made up the remaining 31.5%. of the …

Tidepool Value As Foraging Patches For Breeding And Migrating Birds In Tidal Salt Marshes In The Lower Chesapeake Bay, Amanda Susan Allen

Dissertations, Theses, and Masters Projects

No abstract provided.

Temporal Variation Of Esterase Activity Associated With Three Amplified Esterase Genes In A Field Population Of Culex Quinquefasciatus, Janine Marie Milligan

Theses Digitization Project

No abstract provided.

Egg Removal By Brown-Headed Cowbirds: A Field Test Of The Host Incubation Efficiency Hypothesis, Douglas R. Wood

Masters Theses

Obligate brood parasites, like the Brown-headed Cowbird (Molothrus ater), lay their eggs in the nests of host species, usually to the detriment of the host's reproductive effort. In addition, Brown-headed Cowbirds often remove one or more host eggs near the time of parasitism. Although several hypotheses exist, the adaptive significance of egg removal has not been clearly established. Peer and Bollinger (in press) proposed the host incubation efficiency hypothesis which states that the number and size of host eggs influences the incubation efficiency of a parasitic egg. Thus, host egg removal by cowbirds should increase the parasitic egg's …

Reproductive Success Of Grassland Birds At East-Central Illinois Airports, Eric L. Kershner

Masters Theses

We determined the densities and reproductive success of birds on airport grasslands in east-central Illinois. Seven airports were sampled between 10 April and 15 August 1994 in Clark, Coles, Crawford, Douglas, Edgar, Macon and Richland counties. Nineteen species were detected on the airport grasslands and 147 nests were found representing six different species. Eastern meadowlarks (Sturnella magna) were the most abundant nesting species found; 105 out of the 147 nests (71%). Other nesting species included: grasshopper sparrow (Ammodramus savannarum), savannah sparrow (Passerculus sandwichensis), red-winged blackbird (Agelaius phoeniceus), song sparrow (Melospiza melodia) and horned lark (Eremophilia alpestris). Overall nest success was …