Digital Commons Network^™

Tracing The Human-Avian Relationship In Iceland, Melanie Sua

Theses and Dissertations

An in-depth investigation explores the history of birds in Iceland and the interaction between birds and humans from the 9th through the 19th century, with the help of archaeological evidence, traditional and historical materials.

Limitations On Inferring Shark Vulnerability From Spatial Habitat Protection. Response To Shark Conservation Hindered By Lack Of Habitat Protection, Matias Braccini, Stephen J. Newman

Fisheries Research Articles

Birkmanis et al. (2020a) used occurrence data obtained from commercial fisheries to infer the suitable habitat for eight shark species within the Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) of Australia, and quantify the amount of suitable habitat contained within existing no-fishing Marine Protected Areas (MPAs). The authors state that shark conservation is hindered because suitable habitat is mostly unprotected from commercial fishing, therefore increasing the vulnerability of the assessed species. In doing so, the authors imply that shark conservation depends predominantly on establishing MPAs in highly suitable habitats; this, unfortunately, would disregard the broad range of other measures available in the fisheries …

Analyzing The Longevity Of Sperm Within The Female Japanese Quail By Assessing Sperm Penetration Of The Perivitelline Layer Under Optimal And Suboptimal Conditions., Garret G. Ashabranner, Joey L. Bray

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

After mating, birds have the ability to store semen within the female reproductive tract. The sperm storage tubules will store and subsequently release semen to travel up the oviduct. Sperm cells that make the trek up the oviduct have a chance to fertilize the ovum. These sperm cells will bind to the perivitelline layer of the ovum and hydrolyze a hole in the perivitelline layer, where it has the possibility to fertilize the female sex cell. Analyzing the number of penetration points on the perivitelline layer is an effective way to analyze reproductive efficiency. Many environmental factor has its effect …

A Test Of The Sexually Selected Egg Color Hypothesis In Eastern Bluebirds (Sialia Sialis), Annabelle Mckie-Voerste

Student Theses and Dissertations

The broad array of colors represented in avian eggshells has promoted extensive investigations into its evolutionary significance. Although many hypotheses exist that explain conspicuous egg colors, including egg recognition against brood parasitism, protection from UV rays, and thermoregulation, they fail to adequately explain the adaptive function of vivid blue eggs. The Sexually Selected Egg Color Hypothesis (SSECH) states that blue-green eggshell coloration is a post-mating, sexually selected signal that conveys female quality, and male birds that observe more pigmented eggs would increase their care accordingly, resulting in higher quality chicks. Using a population of eastern bluebirds (Sialia sialis) in northeast …

Exploring The Effects Of Geographic And Landscape Variation On Avian Communities And Species, Joseph Youtz

Student Theses and Dissertations

Ongoing and intensive anthropogenic change has modified the globe across multiple scales, yet the influence of these modifications on wildlife communities and individuals remain region and species specific. Here I explored the influence of a biogeographical pattern as it relates to climate and geography, and the effects of historic habitat loss and fragmentation on a diverse avian community. I first explored the adherence to Bergmann’s rule within a migratory songbird, the Prothonotary Warbler (Protonotaria citrea), across all life stages and time. The pattern was present from the young nestling stage through adulthood, although contemporary eggs followed a reverse relationship with …

Cerulean Warbler Habitat Selection, Breeding Biology, Survival, And Space Use In The Ozark Region, Jacob Louis Wessels

Student Theses and Dissertations

For many declining migratory birds, gaps in information on their ecology can impede conservation efforts. Cerulean Warblers (Setophaga cerulea; hereinafter ceruleans) are one such rapidly declining species and have regional ecological variation, so more comprehensive information may benefit their effective conservation. We studied ceruleans in the Ozark region of Arkansas to increase the scientific knowledge of this species in an understudied region that likely supports a ‘natural population’ of ceruleans. We assessed habitat selection, breeding biology, survival, and space use of ceruleans. Consistent with other regions, ceruleans at our study sites selected areas with large trees across spatial scales. Males …

Photovoltaic Systems On Dairy Farms: Financial And Renewable Multi-Objective Optimization (Farmoo) Analysis, Michael Breen, J. Upton, Michael D. Murphy

Publications

No abstract provided.

Integrative Species Delimitation And Taxonomic Status Of The Scorpion Genus Vaejovis Koch, 1836 (Vaejovidae) In The Santa Catalina Mountains, Arizona, Emma E. Jochim, Lillian-Lee M. Broussard, Brent E. Hendrixson

Euscorpius

Scorpions belonging to the Vaejovis vorhiesi species complex are widely distributed throughout the southwestern United States and northern Mexico. Most species are endemic to single mountain ranges but two species, Vaejovis deboerae Ayrey, 2009 and V. brysoni Ayrey & Webber, 2013, have been documented from the Santa Catalina Mountains in Arizona. We reevaluated the taxonomic diversity of these scorpions by integrating data from several different sources. Phylogenetic analyses indicate that scorpions in the Santa Catalina Mountains are monophyletic but comprise two divergent mitochondrial lineages that overlap at the type locality of V. deboerae. We failed to detect congruence between …

Annotated Checklist Of Invertebrate Species Observed At The Gordon Natural Area (West Chester University, Pa) 2007-2020. Version I, Nur Ritter

Gordon Natural Area Biodiversity Studies Documents

Summary Data Number of Taxa: 250 Species, in 170 Genera, 113 Families, and 33 Orders. Description As with some of the other biotic groups, the research pattern for invertebrates at the GNA might best be described as ‘intermittent.’ Former WCU professor Win Fairchild and his students conducted research on aquatic invertebrates in Plum Run, both inside and outside of the boundaries of the GNA. To date, the only data from that work that we’ve been able to obtain are from the 2007 MS thesis of Danielle DiFederico. Since that time, the only ‘directed’ invertebrate research at the GNA has been …

Annotated Checklist Of The Avian Species Observed At The Gordon Natural Area (West Chester University, Pa) 2004-2020. Version Ix. Data From Ebird (Through 7/20/2020) And From The 2004 West Chester Bird Club Survey Of The Gna.Ersion Ix., Nur Ritter, Josh R. Auld

Gordon Natural Area Bird Survey Documents

Summary Data Number of Surveys: 108 'Site Visits' by 28 Birders. Note: this does not count the birders who participated in the 2004 West Chester Bird Club Survey as they were not identified on the species checklist. Number of Taxa: 125 Species, in 86 Genera and 38 Families. Abundances The color of each month's 'box' represents the average number of individuals observed during all surveys during that month (see key at the bottom of the page). The first number within the 'box' for each month represents the number of days in which that species was observed during the month; the …

Annotated Checklist Of The Mammal Species Observed At The Gordon Natural Area West Chester University, Pa) 2011-2020. Version I, Nur Ritter

Gordon Natural Area Biodiversity Studies Documents

Summary Data Number of Taxa: 12 Species, in 12 Genera, 9 Families, and 5 Orders. Description No formal investigations of the mammals of the GNA have been conducted. And, until 2016, no system was in place for tracking annual observations of mammal species. Hence, this checklist represents a somewhat haphazard collection of data. GNA staff observations from 2016 onwards represent a significant portion of the data. These observations have been augmented by data from various reports and from photos from the GNA that were posted to Facebook. Status/Threats IUCN Status: Data are from the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species …

Annotated Checklist Of The Fish Species Observed At The Gordon Natural Area (West Chester University, Pa) 1997-2019. Version I, Nur Ritter

Gordon Natural Area Biodiversity Studies Documents

Summary Data Number of Taxa: 14 Species, in 13 Genera, 6 Families, and 5 Orders. Description Investigation of the ichthyofauna (i.e., fish) of the GNA began has a fairly long-history, but has been sporadic and the findings have been poorly archived. The earliest known research was undertaken by former WCU Biology Professor Win Fairchild. Regrettably, we only have his data from a single study (Butler & Fairchild 2005). WCU graduate student Danielle DiFederico (one of Win Fairchild's students) conducted her Master's research in Plum Run in the early 2000. Following this, there was a long fallow period (with just a …

The Role Of Spine In Causing Lameness In Horses, Raja Zabeeh Ullah Khan

International Programs

Lameness is one of the most important problems of horses. It influences all communities who keep horses. Recent studies have shown the significance of spinal muscles and vertebrae in inducing lameness in horses. The field has not been explored much and requires application of biomechanics to define the role of spine in inducing lameness in horses. This presentation highlights the importance of spine in inducing lameness in horses by relating the solution with biomechanics.

Human Health And Economic Costs Of Air Pollution In Utah: An Expert Assessment, Isabella Errigo

Undergraduate Honors Theses

Recent scholarship has found that air pollution damages our health and economy more than previously understood, with approximately one in four deaths associated with exposure to air pollution globally. However, translating these research findings into policy and behavior change at local levels remains a major challenge, partially because of mismatch between the scale of air pollution research (often national or global) and governance frameworks (typically local to regional). Here, we used an expert assessment to bridge this research-policy divide in Utah, USA. We combined quantitative and qualitative input from 23 Utah-specific researchers and specialists, asking for estimates of human health …

Functional Morphology Of Gliding Flight I. Modeling Reveals Distinct Performance Landscapes Based On Soaring Strategies, Lindsay D. Waldrop, Yanyan He, Tyson L. Hedrick, Jonathan Rader

Biology, Chemistry, and Environmental Sciences Faculty Articles and Research

The physics of flight influences the morphology of bird wings through natural selection on flight performance. The connection between wing morphology and performance is unclear due to the complex relationships between various parameters of flight. In order to better understand this connection, we present a holistic analysis of gliding flight that preserves complex relationships between parameters. We use a computational model of gliding flight, along with analysis by uncertainty quantification, to 1) create performance landscapes of gliding based on output metrics (maximum lift-to-drag ratio, minimum gliding angle, minimum sinking speed, lift coefficient at minimum sinking speed); and 2) predict what …

Association Between Single Nucleotide Polymorphisms In Sirt1 And Sirt2 Loci And Growth In Tibetan Sheep, Lin-Sheng Gui, Sayed Haidar Abbas Raza, Li Zhou, Matthew Garcia, Ayman Hassan Abd El-Aziz, Dawei Wei, Shengzhen Hou, Jianlei Jia, Zhiyou Wang

Animal, Dairy, and Veterinary Science Faculty Publications

Silent information regulator 1 and 2 (SIRT1, 2) were NAD+-dependent histone or non-histone deacetylase, which emerged as key metabolic sensors in several tissues of mammals. In the present study, the search for polymorphisms within the ovine SIRT1 and SIRT2 loci as well as association analyses between SNPs and growth-related traits were performed in Tibetan sheep. To determine the expression pattern of SIRT1 and SIRT2 genes in Tibetan sheep, the quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) analysis revealed that those two genes were widely expressed in diverse tissues. Expression of SIRT1 was less in abomasum of lamb, whereas it …

Transcriptome Analysis And Expression Of Selected Cationic Amino Acid Transporters In The Liver Of Broiler Chicken Fed Diets With Varying Concentrations Of Lysine, Collins N. Khwatenge, Boniface M. Kimathi, Samuel N. Nahashon

Agricultural and Environmental Sciences Faculty Research

Amino acids are known to play a key role in gene expression regulation. Amino acid signaling is mediated via two pathways: the mammalian target of rapamycin complex 1 (mTORC1) and the amino acid responsive (AAR) pathways. Cationic amino acid transporters (CATs) are crucial in these pathways due to their sensing, signaling and transport functions. The availability of certain amino acids plays a key role in the intake of other amino acids, hence affecting growth in young birds. However, the specific mechanism for regulating lysine transport for growth is not clear. In this study, we analyze the transcriptome profiles and mRNA …

Algal Coverage Detection And Classification Using Envi: Correlation With Dissolved Oxygen Levels In Elkhorn Slough, Ca, Jason Dawson

All HCAS Student Capstones, Theses, and Dissertations

Estuaries are exposed to varying stressors, whether they be physical, chemical, or environmental. The most notable of stressors is eutrophication of coastal and inland ecosystems. This is a result of increased supply of nutrients fueling production within the system. One outcome of this increased nutrient load to the system is that of algal blooms. These blooms can impact the aesthetic appearance and degrade the quality of health of the system. Many of these coastal zones and waterways are critical habitats for many biological (some endangered) species and serve as recreational areas for human populations. Elkhorn Slough, California is one of …

To Feed Or Not To Feed: Examining The Effects Of Provisioning Tourism On Nurse Sharks In Caye Caulker, Belize, Carlee Jackson

All HCAS Student Capstones, Theses, and Dissertations

Wildlife tourism is increasing in popularity around the world, creating the need to understand alterations in animal behavior and spatial distributions that may occur due to associated anthropogenic disturbances. Nurse sharks (Ginglymostoma cirratum, Bonnaterre 1788) are commonly used for wildlife tourism within the Caye Caulker Marine Reserve in Belize. Shark and Ray Village (SRV) is a site within the reserve where nurse sharks are consistently fed by tour/snorkel boats to create an interactive experience with tourists, termed provisioning tourism. Prior to this experiment, no studies had been conducted in SRV to evaluate the impact of provisioning tourism (tourism …

Mammals Of Cedar Breaks National Monument, S. Nicole Frey, Natalie D'Souza, Ethan Hammer, Bryan Larsen, Jake Nielson

All Current Publications

This document is the result of a study of the terrestrial mammals found at Cedar Breaks National Monument from 2017-2019. During this time, we conducted a survey of mammals using a series of trail cameras. We used survey results to provide an index of terrestrial mammals (excluding bats) within the park. Our goal is to provide a beginner’s guide to the mammals at Cedar Breaks National Monument. We include information regarding appearance, diet, habitat, and population status according to the International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN). The guide represents the species a visitor to Cedar Breaks National Monument …

Imidacloprid Movement Into Fungal Conidia Is Lethal To Mycophagous Beetles, Robin A. Choudhury, Andrew M. Sutherland, Matt J. Hengel, Michael P. Parrella, W. Douglass Gubler

School of Earth, Environmental, & Marine Sciences Faculty Publications

Applications of systemic pesticides can have unexpected direct and indirect effects on nontarget organisms, producing ecosystem-level impacts. We investigated whether a systemic insecticide (imidacloprid) could be absorbed by a plant pathogenic fungus infecting treated plants and whether the absorbed levels were high enough to have detrimental effects on the survival of a mycophagous beetle. Beetle larvae fed on these fungi were used to assess the survival effects of powdery mildew and imidacloprid in a factorial design. Fungal conidia were collected from treated and untreated plants and were tested for the presence and concentration of imidacloprid. The survival of beetles fed …

Porcine Cytokines, Chemokines And Growth Factors: 2019 Update, Harry D. Dawson, Yongming Sang, Joan K. Lunney

Agricultural and Environmental Sciences Faculty Research

Pigs are a major food source worldwide as well as major biomedical models for human physiology and therapeutics. A thorough understanding of porcine immunity is essential to prevent and treat infectious diseases, and develop effective vaccines and therapeutics. The use of pigs as biomedical models is dependent on the growing molecular and immune toolbox. This paper summarizes current knowledge of swine cytokines, chemokines and growth factors, identifying 289 pig proteins, characterizing knowledge of their gene structures and families. It identifies areas in the current swine genome build that need to be clarified. A broad-based literature and vendor search was conducted …

Evaluation Of A Novel Shallow Aggregate Ebb-And-Flood Culture System And Transplant Size Effects On Hydroponic Basil Yield, Samuel Doty, Ryan W. Dickson, Michael Evans

Horticulture Faculty Publications and Presentations

Ornamental bedding plant operations transitioning to leafy greens and herb production must decide whether to invest in new hydroponic equipment or modify existing culture systems for edible crops. In addition, common practices used to increase space-use and production efficiencies during bedding plant production may be modified for hydroponic leafy greens and herbs, such as purchasing large seedlings for transplant. The objective of the first experiment was to evaluate plant growth in a modified and novel shallow aggregate ebb-and-flood (SAEF) system intended for bedding plant growers with an emphasis on comparing yield across four basil (Ocimum basilicum) cultivars grown …

Source Data: Evaluation Of Batch Fraction, Corn Silage Inclusion Level, And Mixing Duration On Long Particle Distribution Of Finishing Diets For Beef Cattle, Elizabeth Buckhaus, Dathan Smerchek, Zachary K. Smith

Animal Science Data Sets

This data set was used for the project titled “Evaluation of batch fraction, corn silage inclusion level, and mixing duration on long particle distribution of finishing diets for beef cattle”

Corresponding author: Zachary K. Smith ([email protected])

File type: .xlsx
File size: 265 KB

Comparative Spatial And Behavioral Ecology Of The Prairie Lizard Sceloporus Consobrinus In The Arkansas River Valley, E. A. Free Kashon

Theses and Dissertations from 2020

Habitat-driven differences in reptile life-histories have been observed in many species. Prairie lizards, Sceloporus consobrinus, in the Arkansas River Valley inhabit rocky, forested, and intermediate habitat types that exhibit different thermal resource availabilities and habitat structures. I studied prairie lizard space usage and antipredator responses to examine whether lizards exhibit habitat-driven differences in ecology, and whether these differences are influenced, in part, by individual personality. I utilized radio telemetry to track lizards in each of these habitat types and established estimates of space usage and daily linear movements. I used behavioral approaches to quantify lizard antipredator responses to a simulated …

Effects Of Management Efforts On Fledging Success Of Endangered Interior Least Terns (Sternula Antillarum Athalassos) On The Mcclellan-Kerr Arkansas River Navigation System In Arkansas, Trevor N. Jensen

Theses and Dissertations from 2020

The Interior Least Tern (Sternula antillarum athalassos) is an endangered shorebird that primarily nests in colonies on barren riverine sandbars on many major river systems throughout the central United States. Water resource development projects such as damming and channelization have altered the natural flow regimes of these systems leading to a decrease in sandbar quality and quantity, and as a result this species is dependent on management to ensure their recovery. Managers within Arkansas have been applying a variety of management approaches to improve sandbar nesting habitat and success of this population intermittently since 2002, with increased intensity since 2015. …

Kentucky Warbler (Vol. 96, No. 3), Kentucky Library Research Collections

The Kentucky Warbler

No abstract provided.

Movements Of White-Headed And White-Backed Vultures, Teague K. Scott

Boise State University Theses and Dissertations

Vultures are the only obligate vertebrate scavengers, and as such provide crucial services as keystone species and support the health and function of ecosystems in which they live. African vultures are a diverse group, with nine species found throughout Sub-Saharan Africa, many with overlapping distributions. Unfortunately, African vultures are faced with numerous threats throughout their range that have led to significant population declines, some greater than 90%, in only three generations. Four of these species are currently listed as critically endangered, and three as endangered.

Despite the significant perils faced by African vultures, there are still significant knowledge gaps and, …

The Potential Impacts Of Soy Protein On Fish Gut Health, Vikas Kumar, Sakhawat Hossain, Janice A. Ragaza, Marina Rubio Benito

Biology Faculty Publications

Soy protein is the major source of protein as fishmeal replacement in fish feed because of its worldwide availability and low price. However, the presence of high carbohydrate content along with saponins, lectins, and phytates can have a negative impact on fish gut health. Based on the literature and our lab studies, dietary soybean meal can cause a dose-dependent type of distal intestine inflammation called enteritis in commercial fish species including salmonids. This leads to reduced absorptive capacity, increased mucus secretion, hyperpermeability, and leucocyte infiltration in the lamina propria and submucosa, also inducing the pro-inflammatory cytokine genes expression, including Il-1β, …

2019 (31st) Report Of The Nou Records Committee, Mark A. Brogie

Nebraska Bird Review

The functions and methods of the Nebraska Ornithologists’ Union Records Committee (NOURC) are described in its bylaws (NOURC 2010). The committee’s purpose is to provide a procedure for documenting unusual bird sightings and to establish a list of all documented birds for Nebraska. Species for which the NOURC seeks documentation (NOURC Review List) can be found at the NOU website www.NOUbirds.org. Starting in 2020, the NOURC will deal mainly with those species deemed as Accidental on the “Official List of the Birds of Nebraska”. Casual species and out-ofrange species will continue to be summarized in the “Seasonal Reports” of the …