Digital Commons Network^™

Identification And Manipulation Of Resistance To Tomato Spotted Wilt Virus Derived From Solanum Peruvianum, Luis F. Gordillo Jr.

Theses and Dissertations

The domesticated tomato Solanum lycopersicum (L.), formerly known as Lycopersicon esculentum is a genetically well-studied crop species with high-density linkage and molecular maps based on crosses done between cultivated tomato and its distant related wild species. Wild tomato species harbor a wealth of resistance to many pathogens that have been introgressed into domesticated tomato for genetic control of diseases and pests and for improvement of many agronomic traits. The wild tomato S. peruvianum (L.) is the source of the Sw-5 gene, characterized and mapped to chromosome 9 of the tomato genome and introgressed into elite tomato germplasm, providing resistance to …

Mapping The Dorsal Skin Pigmentation Patterns Of Two Sympatric Populations Of Ambystomatid Salamanders, Ambystoma Opacum And A. Maculatum From Northeast Tennessee., Lok Raj Pokhrel

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Because of growing concern of habitat fragmentation and its adverse effects on salamander communities in Appalachian region, sympatric populations of ambystomatid salamanders A. opacum and A. maculatum were studied in Northeast Tennessee to address a number of questions: i) the extent of sexual size dimorphism (SSD) in both species, ii) what traits influence the dorsal skin pigmentation and how, iii) whether gender differences in developmental stability occur, and iv) the extent of phenotypic variation within each species. The findings of this study revealed SSD in both species of salamanders. The most parsimonious statistical model was developed that explained the influence …

Song Of The North Wind: A Story Of The Snow Goose, Paul A. Johnsgard, Paul Geraghty

Papers in Ornithology

As a boy in North Dakota, Paul Johnsgard measured his winters, not by conventional time units, but in the days it took for the snow geese to return from their wintering grounds to Lake Traverse. In early April, with hip boots, camera, and binoculars, he awaited the arrival of the first flocks from the Gulf of Mexico. Johnsgard was not alone in admiring the beauty and strength of the snow goose. For centuries this bird has signified the passing seasons to the Indians—its white feathers a symbol of the breath of life and a reminder of the roles the birds …

Biofuels: Cultivating Energy, Not Invasive Species, Invasive Species Advisory Committee

National Invasive Species Council

Biofuels: Cultivating Energy, not Invasive Species, approved by ISAC on August 11, 2009

ISSUE

To provide alternatives to petroleum-based energy, the United States government has mandated a greater proportion of plant-based biofuels be integrated into its energy portfolio. However, certain plant species being proposed for biofuel production in the United States are invasive species or are likely to escape cultivation and become invasive. United States Executive Order (EO) 131121 defines invasive species as “alien [non-native] species whose introduction does or is likely to cause economic or environmental harm or harm to human health” and states: “Each Federal agency whose actions …

Stable Carbon Isotope Evidence Of Ancient Maya Agriculture At Tikal, Guatemala, Richard Lee Burnett

Theses and Dissertations

Stable carbon isotope analyses of the humin fraction of the soil organic matter were conducted on more than 160 soil profiles from Tikal, Guatemala. The profiles were collected from near areas associated with the earthworks of Tikal; an ancient ditch and parapet construction hypothesized to have formed ancient boundaries of the polity. In addition to the isotope analyses, the physical and chemical characteristics of the horizons were determined. Maize, a C4 plant, formed an integral part of the ancient Maya diet and is the only known C4 plant cultivated by the Maya. Prior to and subsequent to the ancient Maya …

Preference And Usage Of Pasture Versus Free-Stall Housing By Lactating Dairy Cattle, A. L. Legrand, M. A. G. Von Keyserlingk, D. M. Weary

Housing and Confinement of Farm Animals Collection

The aim of the current study was to assess if cows preferred pasture or indoor housing, and how diurnal and environmental factors affected this preference. Lactating dairy cows (n = 5 groups, each containing 5 cows) were sequentially housed either in a free-stall barn on pasture, or given the choice between the 2 environments. Each group was tested 3 times under each condition, for a total of 21 d, to assess the effects of varying climatic conditions (outdoor temperature ranged from 9.9 to 28.2°C and daily rainfall from 0 to 65 mm/d over the course of the experiment). When provided …

Fisheries Research Report No. 194 - Conceptual Models For Ecosystem Based Fisheries Management (Ebfm) In Western Australia, Sarah J. Metcalf, D J. Gaughan, Jennifer Shaw

Fisheries Research Reports

The Department of Fisheries, Western Australia is currently developing a framework to assess the most appropriate methodologies for the implementation of Ecosystem Based Fisheries Management (EBFM) in Western Australia. The implementation of EBFM can be considered as an operational extension of Ecologically Sustainable Development (ESD), the principles of which were adopted by Western Australia for application in the management of fisheries in 2002. EBFM aims to assess and manage ecological impacts as well as social and economic outcomes related to fish and fisheries at a regional level. The degree to which EBFM will be implemented in terms of activities or …

Fisheries Management Paper No.245 - Aquaculture Of Coral, Live Rocks And Associated Products. Aquaculture Policy, Department Of Fisheries, Western Australia

Fisheries Management Papers

Aquarium enthusiasts use corals, live rock and associated products (e.g. live sand) for display and to maintain healthy water quality conditions in their marine aquariums. There is a large and growing market for these products. While the wild harvest fisheries for aquarium products in Western Australia are sustainably managed, output is capped, so increased product is needed to meet the market demand. With a trend towards the capping of wild harvest and additional pressures, such as the introduction of Marine Parks and other marine protected areas, the aquaculture of these products is set for industry development and expansion.

The large …

10th International Mammalogical Congress Abstracts: Mendoza, Argentina, 9-14 August 2009, Eviatar Nevo, Michael Mares, Christopher Johnson, Gabriel Marroig, Pablo A. Marquet

International Theriological Congress Abstracts of Papers

Abstracts of the 10th International Mammalogical Congress held in Mendoza, Argentina, August 9-14, 2009.

Projected Climate Change Effects On Nuthatch Distribution And Diversity Across Asia, Shaily Menon, M. Zafar-Ul Islam, A. Townsend Peterson

Peer Reviewed Publications

We used ecological niche modeling approaches to explore climate change implications for one family of birds, the Sittidae, in Asia. Quantitative niche models based on present-day distributions for each of 13 species were projected onto future climate change scenarios. Species’ potential distributional areas tended to be predicted to retract along their fringes, and at lower elevations along mountain ranges. As observed in other studies, montane systems were relatively more robust to the horizontal effects of climate change on species’ distributions compared to flatland systems, so range contractions were focused in Southeast Asia and peninsular India.

The Mineralization Front Of The Eastern Oyster Is Cellular, Andrew S. Mount, Neeraj V. Gohad, Mary Beth Johnstone, Karolyn Hansen, Douglas C. Hansen

Biology Faculty Publications

Abstract of Technical Paper Presented at the 101^st Annual Meeting National Shellfisheries Association Savannah, Georgia March 22–26, 2009

Towards Biomimetic Ceramic Coatings: Cellular Aspects Of Oyster Shell Biomineralization, Mary Beth Johnstone, Karolyn Hansen, Neeraj V. Gohad, Douglas C. Hansen, Andrew S. Mount

Biology Faculty Publications

Abstract of Technical Paper Presented at the 101^st Annual Meeting National Shellfisheries Association Savannah, Georgia March 22–26, 2009

Assessment Of Oyster Shell Structural Properties For The Development Of 'Green' Composite Materials, Yuhchae Yoon, Andrew S. Mount, Douglas C. Hansen, Karolyn Hansen

Biology Faculty Publications

Abstract of Technical Paper Presented at the 101^st Annual Meeting National Shellfisheries Association Savannah, Georgia March 22–26, 2009

Odontometric Patterns In The Radiation Of Extant Ground-Dwelling Squirrels Within Marmotini (Sciuridae: Xjrini), H. Thomas Goodwin

Faculty Publications

I document odontometry variation across ground-dwelling squirrels of the Holarctic tribe Marmotini. Dental size, which correlates well with published average body mass values across species, accounts for most odontometric variation across the clade. Dental shape variation primarily reflects relative size of P3 (upper cheek teeth) and relative width of p4-ml + length of m3 (lower cheek teeth). Shape variables and relative tooth crown height covary significantly across species, suggesting a common functional complex or shared genetic control. When dental morphology is mapped on published DNA-based phytogenies, Sciurotamias (Chinese rock squirrels), Ammospermophilus (antelope squirrels), and basal subgenera within Spermophilus (ground squirrels …

A Nebraska Bird-Finding Guide, Paul A. Johnsgard

Papers in Ornithology

Persons living in Nebraska often feel that they are living in a cultural wasteland; its citizenry preoccupied with violent sports such as hunting and football. Yet many are unaware that they are actually residing in one of the prime locations in the entire world for observing and enjoying some of the most aesthetically appealing of all the world's biological attractions. The area around Kingsley Dam and Lake McConaughy, for example, is known to have attracted more than 330 bird species, including 104 breeders (plus 17 probable breeders) making it the third-most species-rich bird location in the interior U.S.A. (after Laguna …

Fecal-Sac Ingestion By Spotted Towhees, Jenny E. Mckay, Michael T. Murphy, Sarah Bartos Smith, Jennifer K. Richardson

Biology Faculty Publications and Presentations

Altricial nestlings encase excrement in fecal sacs that parents remove by either ingesting them or transporting them away from the nest. Ingestion may allow energetically or nutritionally deprived parents to recapture energy or nutrients that might be lost because of nestlings' inefficient digestion (the "parental-nutrition hypothesis"), but ingestion may also permit parents to avoid flights from the nest that interfere with parental care (e.g., brooding young; the "economic-disposal hypothesis"). We used a hypothetico-deductive approach to test the two hypotheses' ability to account for fecal-sac ingestion by the Spotted Towhee (Pipilo maculatus). We confirmed the parental-nutrition hypothesis' predictions that …

Predicting Leptodactylus (Amphibia, Anura, Leptodactylidae) Distributions: Broad-Ranging Versus Patchily Distributed Species Using A Presence-Only Environmental Niche Modeling Technique, Miguel Fernández, Daniel Cole, W. R. Heyer, Stephen Reichle, Rafael O. De Sá

Biology Faculty Publications

Locality data available for many, if not most, species of Neotropical frogs are based on written descriptions of the collecting sites, not on GPS device determined coordinate data. The pre-GPS device data are imprecise relative to GPS data. Niche modeling is a powerful technique for predicting geographic distributions that provides the best results when the locality data are precise. The purpose of this study is to determine whether imprecise historical locality data are sufficient such that niche modeling techniques can yield realistic new insights to species-level distributions. Two sets of frogs of the genus Leptodactylus that have known different kinds …

Sheep Updates 2009, Brown Besier, L. J. E. Karlsson, J. C. Greeff, A. C. Schlink, Mark Ferguson, Greg Lee, Sue Hatcher, Bruce Michael, Rob Woodgate, Darren Michael, Mandy Curnow, Julia Smith, John Young, Andrew Thompson, Chris Oldham

Sheep Updates

This session covers seven papers from different authors:

1. Scouring Management and Worm Control, Brown Besier, Department of Agriculture and Food, Western Australia

2.Breeding sheep for resistance to breech strike:- Selection results in WA, LJE Karlsson, JC Greeff & AC Schlink, Department of Agriculture and Food, Western Australia

3.Future Ewe - matching genetics to the production system, Mark Ferguson, Department of Agriculture and Food, Western Australia

4. Within-flock selection of ewes: opportunities for gains in reproduction, Greg Leeand Sue Hatcher, NSW Department of Primary Industries & Australian CRCforSheep Industry Innovation (Orange)

5. Managing Merinos …

Physiological Assessment Of Chenopodium Quinoa To Salt Stress, Arturo Jason Morales

Theses and Dissertations

The physiological responses to salt stress were measured in Chenopodium quinoa. In a greenhouse experiment, salt water was applied to the quinoa varieties, Chipaya and KU-2, and to the model halophyte Thellungiella halophila to assess their relative responses to salt stress. Height and weight data from a seven-week time course demonstrated that both cultivars exhibited greater tolerance to salt than T. halophila. In a growth chamber experiment, three quinoa cultivars, Chipaya, Ollague, and CICA 17 were hydroponically grown and physiological responses were measured with four salt treatments. Tissues collected from the growth chamber treatments were used to obtain …

The Grass Seed Pathogen Pyrenophora Semeniperda As A Biocontrol Agent For Annual Brome Grasses, Thomas E. Stewart

Theses and Dissertations

Bromus tectorum and other annual brome grasses have invaded many ecosystems of the western United States, and because of an annual-grass influenced alteration of the natural fire cycle on arid western range lands near monocultures are created and conditions in which the native vegetation cannot compete are established. Each year thousands of hectares become near monocultures of annual brome grasses. Pyrenophora semeniperda, a generalist seed pathogen of annual grasses, shows major potential as a possible mycoherbicide that could help in reducing the monocultures created by annual grasses. The purpose of this research was to identify the requirements for isolating …

Fisheries Research Report No. 186 - A Preliminary Investigation Of The Potential Impacts Of The Proposed Kwinana Quay Development On The Commercially And Recreationally Important Fish And Crab Species In Cockburn Sound, C. Wakefield, Danielle Johnston, D C. Harris, Paul Lewis

Fisheries Research Reports

Prepared for Fremantle Ports

Cockburn Sound is the largest of the very few protected marine embayments along the lower west coast of Western Australia. It has been recognised as playing an integral role in the life history strategies of many marine species, including the highly valued snapper Pagrus auratus and blue swimmer crab Portunus pelagicus. Currently, the adult stocks of snapper in the West Coast Bioregion and blue swimmer crabs in Cockburn Sound are at depleted levels, most likely a result of high fishing pressure and below average recruitment in recent years for both species.

Due to increasing shipping operations …

Fallow Bucks Get Hoarse: Vocal Fatigue As A Possible Signal To Conspecifics, Elisabetta Vannoni, Alan G. Mcelligott

Veterinary Science and Medicine Collection

Many studies of sexually selected vocal communication assume that calls remain stable throughout the breeding season. However, during this period, physiological and social factors change and these can have strong effects on the structure of calls and calling rates. During the rut, fallow bucks, Dama dama, reduce their feeding and increase the time and energy spent on vocalizing and fighting to gain matings, and consequently their body condition declines greatly. The availability of matings and intensity of competition between males also change. Therefore, we predicted that male vocal signalling would vary over time in response to the changing intersexual and …

Puncture-Resistance Of Gloves For Handling Bats, Patricia W. Freeman, Cliff A. Lemen

University of Nebraska State Museum: Mammalogy Papers

We quantified protection given by a variety of gloves against bat bites by using steel indenters to simulate teeth and measuring forces needed to puncture the gloves. Level of protection given by gloves was compared to expected bite forces and tooth sharpness of bats. Cotton, plastic-coated synthetic fabric, and proprietary materials advertised as puncture- and cut-resistant were easy to penetrate compared to leather gloves. Split leather gives the highest level of protection, but with reduced dexterity. These are best for handling larger bats (>40 g) or if higher safety is preferred. Deerskin gives reasonable protection without much loss in …

Wpa News 83 (2009), World Pheasant Association

Galliformes Specialist Group and Affiliated Societies: Newsletters

WPA News (Summer 2009), number 83

Published by the World Pheasant Association

Use Of Co2 Concentration Difference Or Co2 Balance To Assess Ventilation Rate Of Broiler Houses, Hongwei Xin, Hong Li, Robert T. Burns, Richard S. Gates, Douglas G. Overhults, John W. Earnest

Biosystems and Agricultural Engineering Faculty Publications

Ventilation rate (VR) is one of the two key elements for quantifying aerial emissions from animal production facilities. Direct, continuous measurement of building VR can be challenging and impractical under certain circumstances,e.g., naturally ventilated animal housing or a large number of ventilation fans in the building. This study examined the suitability of estimating VR of broiler houses with built‐up litter (mixture of manure and bedding), when supplemental heating was not in use, through either carbon dioxide (CO₂) balance or the relationship of VR to CO₂ concentration difference between exhaust and inlet air. The reference VR was based …

Section Abstracts: Agriculture, Forestry And Aquaculture Science

Virginia Journal of Science

Abstracts of the Agriculture, Forestry and Aquaculture Section for the 87th Annual Meeting of the Virginia Academy of Science, May 27-29, 2009, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA.

Applications And Potentials For Biogenic Methane Recovery Operations In Nebraska Agriculture, Industry, And Economic Development, David Micheal Dingman

Department of Environmental Studies: Undergraduate Student Theses

ABSTRACT: This thesis report illustrates the applications and potentials of biogenic methane recovery in Nebraska’s agricultural and industrial sectors and as a means for increasing sustainable economic development in the state’s rural communities. As the nation moves toward a new green economy, biogenic methane recovery as a waste management strategy and renewable energy resource presents significant opportunities for Nebraska to be a national and world leader in agricultural and industrial innovation, advanced research and development of renewable energy technology, and generation of new product markets. Nebraska’s agricultural economy provides a distinct advantage to the state for supporting methane recovery operations …

Effects Of Creep Supplementation While Grazing Improved Irrigated Pastures, A. F. Summers

All Current Publications

This publication describes results of a study of creep supplementation versus grazing among calves.

State Of The Fisheries Report 2008/2009 Summary, W J. Fletcher, Karen Santoro

Status Reports of the Fisheries and Aquatic Resources

The complete State ofthe Fisheries Report 2008/09 is published annually to provide a detailed level of reporting on the management of fisheries resources and their environment undertaken by the Department of Fisheries. The State ofthe Fisheries Report summarises the outcomes of many departmental activities undertaken during 2008/09 including management changes, compliance work and research to assess stock levels, monitor breeding stocks and undertake environmental assessments. It therefore provides a valuable reference point for the status of Western Australian fisheries of major importance to the commercial and recreational sectors, the aquaculture industry and for those interested in aquatic management. This annual …

Slides: Next Evolutionary Steps In State Instream Flow Programs, Lawrence J. Macdonnell

Western Water Law, Policy and Management: Ripples, Currents, and New Channels for Inquiry (Martz Summer Conference, June 3-5)

Presenter: Lawrence J. MacDonnell, attorney and consultant, Boulder, CO

27 slides