Digital Commons Network^™

Primate Tnf Promoters Reveal Markers Of Phylogeny And Evolution Of Innate Immunity, Andres Baena, Alan R. Mootnick, James V. Falvo, Alla V. Tsytsykova, Filipa Ligeiro, Ousmane M. Diop, Claudia Brieva, Pascal Gagneux, Stephen J. O'Brien, Oliver A. Ryder, Anne E. Goldfeld

Biology Faculty Articles

Background. Tumor necrosis factor (TNF) is a critical cytokine in the immune response whose transcriptional activation is controlled by a proximal promoter region that is highly conserved in mammals and, in particular, primates. Specific single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) upstream of the proximal human TNF promoter have been identified, which are markers of human ancestry.

Methodology/Principal findings. Using a comparative genomics approach we show that certain fixed genetic differences in the TNF promoter serve as markers of primate speciation. We also demonstrate that distinct alleles of most human TNF promoter SNPs are identical to fixed nucleotides in primate TNF promoters. Furthermore, …

Evidence For Disease Mediated Extinction: Correlation Between An Introduced Pathogen And Extinction Of Rattus Macleari On Christmas Island, Kelly B. Wyatt

Biological Sciences Theses & Dissertations

The Durham Collection and the Cambridge and Oxford University Museums provided the materials to investigate the possibility that the extinction of indigenous rats of Christmas Island was a result of disease introduced by infected ship rats (R. rattus) in 1899. The collections of H.E. Durham in 1901-1902 reveal that R. macleari was present on Christmas Island up to then and includes specimens of R. rattus together with specimens that exhibit characteristics of both R. rattus and R. macleari. Durham's notes indicate both R. rattus and R. macleari specimens were heavily infected with trypanosomes at the time of collection. In …

Improvement And Evaluation Of Greenlip Abalone Hatchery And Nursery Production. Final Frdc Report - Project 2003/203, Sabine Daume

Fisheries Research Contract Reports

A range of experiments aimed at optimizing broodstock performance and nursery culture of greenlip abalone (Haliotis laevigata) were undertaken in Western Australia. Factors investigated that can potentially influence broodstock performance were natal source (wild-caught or farm-grown) and broodstock diets (red algal diet or formulated diet varying in levels of an important fatty acid). Wild-caught broodstock, feeding mainly on a red seaweed diet, produced eggs with higher concentrations of an important fatty acid, arachidonic acid, whereas farm-grown broodstock, feeding on a commercial formulated diet, altered the concentration of fatty acids of the eggs. Feeding farm-grown broodstock natural diets like …

Lifetime Reproductive Success Of Female Eastern Kingbirds (Tyrannus Tyrannus): Influence Of Lifespan, Nest Predation And Body Size, Michael T. Murphy

Biology Faculty Publications and Presentations

I report on the lifetime reproductive success (LRS) of female Eastern Kingbirds (Tyrannus tyrannus) in central New York. I investigated the major correlates of LRS and specifi cally tested the hypothesis that small body size yields reproductive benefi ts. Lifetime reproductive success varied widely: 15–20% of females failed to fledge young over their life, whereas 50% of young were fledged by 20% of females. Female lifespan varied between one and eight years, and females that died after one breeding season tended to be smaller-bodied than long-lived females (≥2 seasons). I therefore conducted analyses of LRS for the entire sample and …

Detection Of Panulirus Argus Virus 1 In Caribbean Spiny Lobsters, Megan M. Montgomery-Fullerton, Roland Cooper, Kathryn M. Kauffman, Jeffrey D. Shields, Robert E. Ratzlaff

Collected Faculty Scholarship

Panulirus argus Virus 1 (PaV1) is a pathogenic virus that infects Caribbean spiny lobsters P. argus in the Florida Keys. We have developed a PCR detection assay for PaV1 for the purpose of studying the natural history of the virus and for monitoring the prevalence of infection. The detection of the virus in hemolymph and other tissues is based on the PCR amplification of a 499 bp product using specific primers designed from a cloned fragment of the PaV1 genome. The sensitivity limit for the assay was 1.2 fg of purified viral DNA. The PaV1 primers did not react with …

Inhibition Of Nitric Oxide And Soluble Guanylyl Cyclase Signaling Affects Olfactory Neuron Activity In The Moth, Manduca Sexta, Caroline H. Wilson, Thomas A. Christensen, Alan J. Nighorn

Health Sciences and Kinesiology Faculty Articles

Nitric oxide is emerging as an important modulator of many physiological processes including olfaction, yet the function of this gas in the processing of olfactory information remains poorly understood. In the antennal lobe of the moth, Manduca sexta, nitric oxide is produced in response to odor stimulation, and many interneurons express soluble guanylyl cyclase, a well-characterized nitric oxide target. We used intracellular recording and staining coupled with pharmacological manipulation of nitric oxide and soluble guanylyl cyclase to test the hypothesis that nitric oxide modulates odor responsiveness in olfactory interneurons through soluble guanylyl cyclase-dependent pathways. Nitric oxide synthase inhibition resulted …

Effect Of Competition On Gain In Feedlot Bulls From Hereford Selection Lines, L. Dale Van Vleck, L. V. Cundiff, R. M. Koch

Department of Animal Science: Faculty Publications

This study examined competition effects on ADG in the feedlot of 1,882 Hereford bulls representing 8 birth years from a selection experiment. Each year, 8 feedlot pens were used to feed bulls in groups, with 2 pens nested within each of the 4 selection lines. Gains were recorded for up to 8 periods of 28 d. Models for analyses included pen effects (fixed or random), fixed effects such as year and line, and random direct genetic, competition genetic (and in some analyses competition environmental), and environmental effects. Each pen mate as a competitor affected the records of all others in …

Phylogenetics And Phylogeography Of The Artibeus Jamaicensis Complex Based On Cytochrome-B Dna Sequences, Peter A. Larsen, Steven R. Hoofer, Matthew C. Bozeman, Scott C. Pedersen, Hugh H. Genoways, Carleton J. Phillips, Dorothy E. Pumo, Robert J. Baker

University of Nebraska State Museum: Mammalogy Papers

The phylogenetics and phylogeography of the Jamaican fruit-eating bat (Artibeus jamaicensis) were examined based on analysis of DNA sequence variation in the mitochondrial cytochrome-b gene for 176 individuals representing all 13 subspecies of A. jamaicensis (sensu Simmons 2005). Results document that A. jamaicensis (sensu Simmons 2005) comprises 3 monophyletic assemblages that are separated phylogenetically by the presence of A. obscurus, A. lituratus, and . amplus. According to the mitochondrial DNA sequence variation, A. jamaicensis, A. schwartzi, and A. planirostris are appropriate species-level names for these lineages. Haplotypes identifiable as A. jamaicensis were absent east …

Bilateral Gynandromorphy In A White-Ruffed Manakin (Corapipo Altera), Jeffrey M. Dacosta, Garth M. Spellman, John Klicka

Ornithology Program (HRC)

We report bilateral gynandromorphy in a White-ruffed Manakin (Corapipo altera) collected near Santa Fé, Panamá in 2004. The specimen had an oviduct and ovary on the left side and a single testis on the right. The plumage was phenotypically female on the right side and male on the left. The weight and genetic affinity of the specimen were characteristically female. Both Z and W chromosomes were detected in genetic samples from multiple tissue types and toe pads from both feet. This report is a novel record of gynandromorphy in a suboscine passerine.

Plant Growth-Promoting Rhizobacteria Do Not Pose Any Deleterious Effect On Cowpea And Detectable Amounts Of Ethylene Are Produced, Olubukola O. Babalola, Abiodun I. Sanni, George D. Odhiambo, Baldwyn Torto

All Peer-Reviewed Publications

The use of trap crops such as cowpea could reduce the effects of the root parasitic weed, Striga hermonthica and its subsequent constraints on the growth of cereals. Certain bacteria could augment the trap crop stimulatory effect. We studied the effect of three bacteria introduced to the rhizosphere of three cowpea varieties at planting. Number of days to cowpea flowering was noted and at harvest, data were collected on pod characteristics and biomass. Means of data subjected to ANOVA were compared using Tukey's Studentized Range Test. We analysed bacterial headspace volatiles for ethylene by gas chromatography and gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. …

Relationships Between Motility, Fertility And Cellular Characteristics Of Spermatozoa, And The Ability Of Platelet-Activating Factor To Influence Porcine Productivity, Jennifer Mook

All Dissertations

Differences between manual and machine motility analysis was determined for total motility (MOT) of bull semen samples (N=117) three ways: manual analysis on a microscope and on computer-assisted semen analysis (CASA) systems: Hamilton-Thorne IVOS and Minitube SpermVision (SV). CASA analysis includes progressive motility (PRO) and related kinematic parameters. Analysis indicated differences between MOT: 83.06 (IVOS), 75.84 (manual), 65.48 (SV), and PRO: 44.25 (IVOS) and 60.07(SV). Relationships existed between manual MOT and both IVOS MOT (r=0.32) and SV MOT (r=0.59). The relationships between IVOS and SV MOT and PRO was notable (r=0.70 for both MOT and PRO).
The ability of platelet-activating …

The Valuation Of Nature: An Examination Of Benefits And Costs Associated With Duck Nesting Structures And The Marginal Duck Recruit, Tessa Haagenson

Honors Capstones

Capstone submitted as a graduation requirement for the BSU Honors Program.

A Comparison Of Pyronin Y-Methyl Green Stain And Methylene Blue Stain For Somatic Cell Count In Sheep Milk, Emily Mirek, Stacey O’Donnell

Senior Honors Projects

Somatic cell count is a key method used to evaluate the quality of milk in today’s growing dairy sheep industry. Somatic cells are body cells, primarily the white blood cells, found in a milk sample. If an infection such as mastitis is present, the number of somatic cells in the milk increases (Gonzalo, et al. 1992). Producers routinely perform somatic cell counts on cow and goat milk. For dairy cattle in the United States, the somatic cell count can not exceed 750,000 cells per milliliter, for commercial milk. For dairy goats the accepted limit is 1,000,000 cells per mL of …

Mechanics Of Suction Generation During Feeding In Little Skates, Danielle Duquette

Senior Honors Projects

Feeding mechanisms of aquatic vertebrates has been extensively studied in the past, while that of elasmobranchs remains limited. Skates and rays are believed to have evolved from a shark ancestor, thus they represent the most derived group. All skates are dorsoventrally compressed, have a unique jaw suspension type and head skeleton and live in benthic environments. It is unknown whether these derived features of skates have altered the ancestral shark feeding mechanism. Comparing feeding mechanisms in skates and sharks may shed light on morphological transformations that have arisen after the evolutionary split of these two groups. In this study prey …

Environmental Assessment Bird Damage Management In The Wyoming Wildlife Services Program, United States Department Of Agriculture, Animal And Plant Health Inspection Service, Wildlife Services

All U.S. Government Documents (Utah Regional Depository)

The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS), Wildlife Services (WS), U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS), Federal Aviation Administration (FAA); Wyoming Game and Fish Department (WGFD), and Wyoming Department of Health (WDH) propose to continue the current bird damage management program in Wyoming. WS, USFWS, FAA, WGFD, and WDH use an adaptive integrated wildlife damage management (IWDM) approach to reduce bird damage to property, agricultural resources, natural resources, and to protect human health and safety. In addition, under the current program, the USFWS would continue to issue depredation permits based on need and …

Relationships Of Body Condition, Blood Glucose And Insulin Concentration Of Grazing Horses, Ashley Montfort

Masters Theses & Specialist Projects

A recent study has reported that blood glucose levels and founder in horses consuming forage/concentrate mixed diets are positively correlated (Pass et al., 1998). Other studies have reported body fat and insulin resistance are also positively correlated in horses and humans (Hoffman et al., 2003; Boshell et al., 1968; DeFonzo et al, 1991; Kahn et al., 2000). Few studies have monitored these relationships in horses consuming forage only diets, even though the incidence of grass founder is quite high in obese horses and ponies Four thin, four moderate, and four obese horses were grouped two mares and two geldings per …

Lpe Center News, May 2007

Livestock and Poultry Environmental Learning Center: Newsletters

In this issue:

• June Webcast is Value-Added Processing of Manure

• Webcast Planning Underway

• Alternative Technologies Web Resources Available

• FPPC Program Offers Cost Share for Innovative Manure Technologies

• Iowa State to Host Conference on Anaerobic Treatment of Ag Waste

Spawning Chronology Of Native And Introduced Striped Bass (Morone Saxatilis) In Two Gulf Of Mexico Drainages, Matthew Noad

All Theses

In this study, I investigated the potential for temperature to serve as a mechanism for maintenance of reproductive isolation in a sympatric population of Atlantic and Gulf striped bass in the Apalachicola and Ochlockonee rivers, Florida. Adult striped bass (n= 66, mean weight = 8.3 kg, mean total length = 780.6 mm) were collected from February to May below Jim Woodruff Lock and Dam, on the Apalachicola River, and below Jackson Bluff Lock on the Ochlockonee River, Florida. Ancestry (Gulf or Atlantic) of specimens was determined based upon the methods of Wirgin et al. (2005) using three diagnostic microsatellite loci: …

Influence Of Supramammary Lymph Node Extract On Cell Growth In Vitro, Danelle Duffy

All Theses

ABSTRACT The bovine supramammary lymph node, located on the dorso-caudal surface of the udder, is a protein rich organ that is discarded on a regular basis during slaughter. Experiments were conducted to evaluate whether or not the lymph node extract could be used as a substitute for bovine growth serum in cell media. Two different preparations of lymph node extract were made and tested. Three different cell lines (MDA-MB-435, MAC-T, and 1C6) were used in assays to evaluate the lymph node extract as a supplement. The first extract yielded a protein concentration of 3.0 mg/ml (heat inactivated) and the second …

Age, Growth, And Fecundity Of Alabama Shad (Alosa Alabamae) In The Apalachicola River, Florida , Travis Ingram

All Theses

Age and growth of Alabama shad Alosa Alabamae were estimated by examining scales and otoliths from 203 adult fish collected on their spawning run in the upper Apalachicola River from 2005 and 2006. Ages of Alabama shad ranged from 1 - 4 years. Scales and otoliths both gave similar age estimates. Age distributions from this study differed from those of previous studies for both males and females. Female Alabama shad, on average, were found to be larger than males at age 2 and age 3. Alabama shad demonstrated a positive correlation of length to fecundity, with fecundity estimates ranging from …

Importance Of Early Successional Forest For Wildlife In Southern New England, Amy Wynia

Senior Honors Projects

Many bird species that require early successional forest are declining in the Northeast U.S. because such habitat is relatively rare and when they inhabit the more common mature forests or suburban areas they are less successful. Early successional forest is maintained by regular disturbance (wind, fire, clear-cutting, and flooding) which has been happening less frequently during the past 50 years. Bird species that have declined during this time and which inhabit early successional forest include ruffed grouse (Bonasa umbellus), blue jay (Cyanocitta cristata), chestnut-sided warbler (Dendroica pensylvanica), gray catbird (Dumetella carolinensis), field sparrow (Spizella pusilla), golden-winged warbler (Vermivora chrysoptera), eastern …

The Tadpole Of Eupsophus Queulensis (Anura, Cycloramphidae), Diana R. Cárdenas-Rojas, Alberto Veloso, Rafael O. De Sá

Biology Faculty Publications

The genus Eupsophus is characterized by endotrophic larvae that inhabit water-filled cavities. The larvae feed from large yolk reserves during metamorphosis. The external morphology has been described for four of the ten known species and data on larval chondrocranial morphology are available only for one. We describe the extema1 morphology, oral disc and chondrocranial anatomy of the larvae of Eupsophus queulensis. The characteristics of E. queulensis tadpoles are compared with those of other Eupsophus larvae.

The Public Perception Of Enrichment For Captive Animals, Elizabeth Marie Webb

All Master's Theses

The effects of providing participants with educational information on enrichment as measured by the looking time at and ratings of zoo photographs were examined. One hundred and seventeen participants viewed photographs of zoo exhibits, 10 from each of the following categories: artificial exhibit with artificial enrichment, artificial exhibit with naturalistic enrichment, naturalistic exhibit with naturalistic enrichment, and naturalistic exhibit with artificial enrichment. Participants rated the photographs on exhibit aesthetic appeal, perceived animal happiness, and effectiveness of the enrichment. Pre- and posttest ratings of the importance of zoo roles were also collected. Results showed support for the hypothesis that participants provided …

Clouded Leopard Phylogeny Revisited: Support For Species Recognition And Population Division Between Borneo And Sumatra, Andreas Wilting, Valerie A. Buckley-Beason, Heike Feldhaar, Jurgen Gadau, Stephen J. O'Brien, K. Eduard Linsenmair

Biology Faculty Articles

Background

The clouded leopard (Neofelis nebulosa) is one of the least known cat species and depletion of their forested habitats puts it under heavy pressure. Recently reclassification of Bornean clouded leopards (N. nebulosa diardi) to species level (N.diardi) was suggested based on molecular and morphological evidence. Since the genetic results were based solely on three Bornean samples we re-evaluated this partition using additional samples of Bornean clouded leopards (N = 7) and we were also able to include specimens from Sumatra (N = 3), which were lacking in previous analysis.

Results

We found strong …

Identification And Control Of Pest Slugs And Snails For Broadacre Crops In Western Australia, Svetlana Micic, Ken Henry, Paul Horne

Bulletins 4000 -

The numbers of slugs and snails have increased in broadacre cropping in Western Australia with the use of minimum tillage and stubble-retention practices. The organic content of paddocks increases under such systems, providing an increased food source especially to young slugs and snails. Soil moisture content is greater over summer leading to higher survival levels of slugs and snails.

Slug and snail pests in Australia have come from other countries, mainly the Mediterranean region. They damage plant seeds (mainly legumes), recently germinated seeds, seedlings and leaves and can be a contaminant of grain at harvest.

Fecundity And Survival Of The Calanoid Copepod Acartia Tonsa Fed Isochrysis Galeana (Tahitian Strain) And Chaetoceros Mulleri, Angelos Apeitos

Master's Theses

Historically, red snapper (Lutjanus campechanus) larviculture at the Gulf Coast Research Lab (GCRL) used 25 ppt artificial salt water and mixed, wild zooplankton composed primarily of Acartia tonsa, a calanoid copepod. Acartia tonsa was collected from the estuarine waters of Davis Bayou and bloomed in outdoor tanks from which it was harvested and fed to red snapper larvae. We are developing a more controlled copepod mass culture system to support finfish larviculture. To that end, I examined the effect of single species versus mixed species of algae as food for the copepods. Wild A. tonsa were isolated and reared in …

Population Size And Passage Efficiency Of Alabama Shad Reaching Jim Woodruff Lock And Dam, Patrick Ely

All Theses

In this study, I estimated the population size of migrating Alabama shad below Jim Woodruff Lock and Dam (JWLD) in the Apalachicola River located in the central panhandle of Northwest Florida using mark recapture and relative abundance techniques. The number of marked fish was adjusted for tag loss, emigration and mortality. The population size of migrating Alabama shad near JWLD was estimated at 26,029 (95% C.I. = 15,174 - 49,040) in 2005 and as 972 (95% C.I. = 270 - 9,720) in 2006. Due to the small sample size, a relative abundance method was used to independently estimate a population …

The Proliferative Response Of Equine Chondrocytes To Bovine Lymph Node Proteins In Vitro , Alison Reed

All Theses

Osteoarthritis is a leading cause of chronic lameness in horses. Many treatment options for osteoarthritis have limited effectiveness and are expensive. Treatments that stimulate cartilage development may promote cartilage healing. Bovine supramammary lymph nodes are available at no cost and contain bioactive growth factors that could promote cartilage healing. The purpose of this study was to measure the proliferative response of equine chondrocytes to bovine lymph node proteins. Chondrocytes were harvested from adult horses. Lymph node extract (LNE) was prepared by mixing freeze-dried lymph node powder with PBS. Experiments compared BGS and LNE on equal and unequal protein bases. Additional …

Bats And Mines: Evaluating Townsend's Big-Eared Bat Maternity Colony Response To Reclamation, Gabrielle F. Diamond

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

With the loss or modification of natural roosting habitat afforded by caves, abandoned mines have assumed increased importance as surrogate roosting sites for Townsend's big-eared bats (Corynorhinus townsendii) and other chiropteran species. However, increasing concerns for human safety have led to accelerated programs for mine closure. In efforts to protect roosting sites in mines showing significant bat activity, "bat compatible" gates are installed, thus allowing continued access to mine workings. Aside from ensuring public safety, these structures afford protection from disturbance to roosting bats. To date few posting-gating studies have been conducted to obtain information on the effects …

Factors Influencing Epiphytic Lichen Communities In Aspen-Associated Forests Of The Bear River Range, Idaho And Utah, Paul C. Rogers

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

In western North America, quaking aspen (Populus tremuloides Michx.) is the most common hardwood in montane landscapes. Fire suppression, grazing, wildlife management practices, and climate patterns of the past century are some of the threats to aspen coverage in this region. Researchers are concerned that aspen-dependent species may be losing habitat, thereby threatening their long-term local and regional viability. Though lichens have a rich history as air pollution indicators, I believe that they may also be useful as a metric of community diversity associated with habitat change. To date, few studies have specifically examined the status of aspen's epiphytic lichen …