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Trading Resistance For Vigor: A Potential Mechanism For Invasion By The Asian Grass Microstegium Vimineum, Matthew Dickinson

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The Evolution of Increased Competitive Ability (EICA) hypothesis predicts that subsequent to introduction, non-native plants escape enemies and selection favors genotypes that invest more in growth and reproduction and less in resistance. Here, I evaluated if the invasive Asian grass Microstegium vimineum has developed decreased resistance in its introduced range of the eastern US, as predicted by the EICA hypothesis. Asian and US genotypes were evaluated for differences in enemy damage, leaf toughness, specific leaf area (SLA), and flowering in a common garden experiment. Leaf damage, SLA, and flower production were greater and leaf toughness lower in US plants. These …

Powdery Mildew (Erysiphe Cruciferarum) Affects The Allelopathic And Competitive Abilities Of Invasive Garlic Mustard (Alliaria Petiolata), Andrew Russell Officer

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Garlic mustard (Alliaria petiolata) has been previously found to be significantly affected negatively by powdery mildew (Erysiphe cruciferarum). While we could not significantly corroborate those findings we did find evidence that E. cruciferarum does inhibit A. petiolata's allelopathic and competitive effects which benefits some target neighbor species such as Impatiens capensis and Elymus canadensis. We also found that the inhibition of A. petiolata by E. cruciferarum had negative consequences on another neighboring invasive species (Lonicera maackii) compared to those grown next to uninfected A. petiolata. Acer saccharum, a slow-growing species had no effect between neighbors. Sterilization treatments had variable effects …

Improved Ex Vivo Method For Microbiocidal Activity Across Vertebrate Species, Susannah S. French, Lorin A. Neuman-Lee

Biology Faculty Publications

The field of ecoimmunology is currently undergoing rapid expansion, whereby biologists from a wide range of ecological disciplines are increasingly interested in assessing immunocompetence in their study organisms. One of the key challenges to researchers is determining what eco-immune measures to use in a given experiment. Moreover, there are limitations depending on study species, requirements for specific antibodies, and relevance of the methodology to the study organism. Here we introduce an improved ex vivo method for microbiocidal activity across vertebrate species. The utility of this assay is that it determines the ability of an organism to remove a pathogen that …

Methodological Tools, Ethan P. White, Xiao Xiao, J. B. Nick, Richard M. Sibly

Biology Faculty Publications

Methodological approaches for comparing metabolic theory predictions to empirical data fall into two general categories: 1) determining if the general functional form of a relationship predicted by the theory is valid; and 2) determining whether the observed values of the parameters match the specific quantitative predictions made by the theory. Both of these categories of analysis rely on being able to accurately determine the best fitting form of a model with the same general functional form as that of MTE, so we will begin by discussing how this has typically been done using OLS regression on appropriately transformed data. Potential …

Investigating Human Impact In The Environment With Faded Scaffolded Inquiry Supported By Technologies, D. T. Longhurst, M. Longhurst, A. M. Duffy, Paul G. Wolf

Biology Faculty Publications

Teaching science as inquiry is advocated in all national science education documents and by leading science and science teaching organizations. In addition to teaching science as inquiry, we recognize that learning experiences need to connect to students’ lives. This article details how we use a sequence of faded scaffolded inquiry supported by technologies to engage students meaningfully in science connected to their lives and schoolyards. In this approach, more teacher guidance is provided earlier in the inquiry experiences before this is faded later in the sequence, as students are better prepared to complete successful inquiries. The sequence of inquiry experiences …

The Effects Of Spatial Configuration Of Populations On The Maintenance Of The Sexes In A Clonal Organism, Christopher Stieha

Theses and Dissertations--Biology

Despite the two-fold advantage to asexual reproduction and its prevalence in a variety of organisms, sexual reproduction is prevalent across all taxa. The maintenance of two sexes is required to ensure genetic diversity and to prevent “evolutionary dead ends,” especially in clonal organisms. Many mechanisms have been proposed for the maintenance of two sexes, ranging from environmental variation and stochasticity, parasites and predators, and mutation rates. Spatial configuration, the size and location of populations with respect to other populations, can allow two competitors to coexist when one would normally be lost. This is especially important when the two competitors are …

Ecosystem Impacts Of The Invasive Shrub Lonicera Maackii Are Influenced By Associations With Native Tree Species, Megan Marie Poulette

Theses and Dissertations--Biology

Invasive species are significant drivers of global environmental change, altering the stability and functioning of numerous ecosystems. The exotic shrub Lonicera maackii is an aggressive invader throughout much of the eastern United States. While much is known about its population and community impacts, little is known about effects on ecosystem processes.

This dissertation documents changes in ecosystem processes associated with L. maackii growing beneath three native tree species (Fraxinus quadrangulata, Quercus muehlenbergii, Carya ovata) in a savanna in Kentucky. Like many invasive plants, L. maackii litter decomposed and lost nitrogen (N) rapidly, especially in comparison with …

Empirical And Conceptual Approaches To Life-History Trade-Offs: The Size And Number Of Offspring In Broods Of A Parasitoid Wasp, Yoriko Saeki

Theses and Dissertations--Biology

Trade-offs in resource allocation underlie key life history traits of organisms. My dissertation focuses on the size-number trade-off in clonal broods of offspring using the polyembryonic wasp, Copidosoma bakeri parasitizing immature stages of the moth Agrotis ipsilon. I aim to characterize responses of wasp brood size and individual body mass by manipulating the environments in order to understand the allocation pattern in the size number trade-off. In reviewing the functional forms of trade-off relationships in relation to resource constraints, I distinguish among three main trade-off types based on graphical representations of the relationship between the trade-off variables: linear, convex …

Ecology Of Mating Patterns And Sexual Selection In Dickcissels Breeding In Managed Prairie, Bridget Frances Sousa

Theses and Dissertations--Biology

Males of many species have elaborate phenotypes that are absent in females and that are thought to be the result of sexual selection. Sexual selection requires: (i) variance in male mating success, (ii) variation in male phenotype, and (iii) covariation between male mating success and male phenotype. Environmental conditions influence these factors, and management practices that alter environmental conditions have the potential to shape mating patterns and sexual selection. I investigated the hypothesis that the frequency of fire, used to manage tallgrass prairie, affects the mating patterns and process of sexual selection in the organisms breeding in managed prairies.

I …

The Ecological And Evolutionary Effects Of Endocrine Disrupting Compounds On Sexually Selected Traits In Male Guppies, Kausalya Shenoy

Theses and Dissertations--Biology

Male mating signals convey important mate-quality information to females and are regulated by androgens. Endocrine disrupting compounds (EDCs) are chemicals that interfere with proper hormonal functioning in exposed animals, causing altered hormone levels and resulting in changed reproductive characteristics, including mating signals. Altered signals can have ecological implications by influencing population and community dynamics and evolutionary implications via trans-generational reduction in signal reliability leading to reduced preference and eventual loss of the signal trait. I examined the effects of exposure to environmentally relevant concentrations of atrazine, a widely used herbicide and EDC, on mating signals and behaviors in male guppies, …

Examining The Relationship Between Garlic Mustard (Alliaria Petiolata) And European Earthworms, Alexandra M. Zelles

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Our goal was to characterize the interactive feedback between garlic mustard (Alliaria petiolata) and European earthworm species in southwest Ohio. Earthworm community composition, abundance and biomass were compared between 0.1 m² plots of garlic mustard, cut-leaved toothwort (Cardamine concatenate), wild ginger (Asarum canadense), or no plant cover. Exotic earthworms were present in the study site. Earthworm abundance and biomass did not correlate with garlic mustard percent cover. There was a greater density of earthworms in the fall than in the spring. Worm abundance differed between garlic mustard and wild ginger plots and cut-leaved …

Atx1-Generated H3k4me3 Is Required For Efficient Elongation Of Transcription, Not Initiation, At Atx1- Regulated Genes, Yong Ding, Ivan Ndamukong, Zaoshi Xu, Hanna Lapko, Michael E. Fromm, Zoya Avramova

School of Biological Sciences: Faculty Publications

Tri-methylated H3 lysine 4 (H3K4me3) is associated with transcriptionally active genes, but its function in the transcription process is still unclear. Point mutations in the catalytic domain of ATX1 (ARABIDOPSIS TRITHORAX1), a H3K4 methyltransferase, and RNAi knockdowns of subunits of the AtCOMPASS–like (Arabidopsis Complex Proteins Associated with Set) were used to address this question. We demonstrate that both ATX1 and AtCOMPASS–like are required for high level accumulation of TBP (TATA-binding protein) and Pol II at promoters and that this requirement is independent of the catalytic histone modifying activity. However, the catalytic function is critically required for transcription as H3K4me3 levels …

The Epigenetics Of Emerging And Nonmodel Organisms, Vett K. Lloyd, Jennifer A. Brisson, Kathleen A. Fitzpatrick, Lori A. Mceachern, Eveline C. Verhulst

School of Biological Sciences: Faculty Publications

Genetic model organisms have gifted researchers with a breathtakingly detailed understanding of the most intimate aspects of their genomes, cells, and development. And yet there is a problem—model organisms have been selected because they have simple life histories and happily inhabit laboratories. In short, they make a virtue of being boring. But the diversity of the natural world is not fully captured by yeast, flies, or mice. To truly appreciate the variety of biological mechanisms underlying this remarkable diversity, one must study the often inconvenient but fascinating non model organism. Experimental and descriptive approaches in non model organisms have become …

Purification And Properties Of An Endoglucanase From Aspergillus Niger Vtcc-F021, Thi Hoa Pham, Dinh Thi Quyen, Ngoc Minh Nghiem

Turkish Journal of Biology

An extracellular endoglucanase (EG) from Aspergillus niger VTCC-F021 was purified 2.09-fold to homogeneity with a yield of 18.4%. The enzyme had a molecular mass of 31 kDa and a specific activity of 14.122 U/mg protein. Optimum temperature was observed at 55 °C and optimum pH at 5. The enzyme was stable up to 50 °C and from pH 5 to 6 with residual activity >80% and 60%, respectively. The kinetic constants K_m and V_{max} determined for EG, with carboxyl methyl cellulose as a substrate, were 8.5815 mg CMC/mL and 20.121 U/mg protein, respectively. EDTA increased EG activity by 35% at …

Evaluation Of Antiinflammatory And Antinociceptive Effects Of Some Juniperus Species Growing In Turkey, Ni̇lüfer Orhan, Esra Akkol, Fatma Ergun

Turkish Journal of Biology

Different parts and products of Juniperus species have been used as folk medicine for various infectious diseases, rheumatism, and wounds in Turkey. In order to evaluate this traditional usage, antiinflammatory and antinociceptive activities of leaf and berry extracts of 3 Juniperus species (J. excelsa, J. foetidissima, and J. sabina) were investigated. Additionally, antiinflammatory and antinociceptive activities of subextracts of J. oxycedrus subsp. oxycedrus (Joso) berries and leaves were evaluated. The p-benzoquinone-induced writhing test for antinociceptive activity and the carrageenan-induced hind paw edema model for antiinflammatory activity in mice were employed. Ethanol extract prepared from berries of J. foetidissima provided a …

Identification Of 23 Specific Nucleotide Patterns In The Hn Gene Of Newcastle Disease Viruses Isolated From Iran, Majid Esmaelizad, Mehdi P. Ashtiani, Saber Jelokhani Niaraki, Khadije Hashemnejad

Turkish Journal of Biology

Newcastle disease is considered the most contagious poultry disease and may cause severe economic loss in the poultry industry. The present study was undertaken to focus on molecular and phylogenetic analyses of the hemagglutinin-neuraminidase (HN) gene in the Iranian isolates. The nucleotide sequence of the HN (780-903 nt) coding region of 6 Newcastle disease viruses (NDVs), isolated from various outbreaks in Iran, was determined and aligned with previously published sequences of 26 NDV isolates in GenBank; the resulting alignment was then analyzed in terms of genetic variation. The number of nucleotide sequence variations presented by each of the isolates indicated …

Hepatoprotective Effect Of Vitamins C And E Against Gasoline Vapor-Induced Liver Injury In Male Rats, Friday Effiong Uboh, Patrick Ekong Ebong, Henry Dan Akpan, Itoro Friday Usoh

Turkish Journal of Biology

The protective effect of vitamins C and E against gasoline vapor-induced liver injury was investigated in rats. Liver injury was assessed from the activities of liver function diagnostic indices including serum alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), gamma glutamyl transferase (\gamma-GT), alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activities, total serum protein (TSP), albumin concentrations, and the histological architectures of the liver tissues of the experimental animals. The results showed that gasoline vapors caused a significant (P = 0.05) higher than that of vitamin C. The results of our study suggest a protective effect of vitamin C and vitamin E against gasoline vapor-induced liver …

Fatty Acid Composition Of The Seeds Of Some Species Of Peucedanum (Kral Otu) From Turkey, Nükhet Akpinar, Sali̇h Görgün, Hüseyi̇n Aşkin Akpulat, Mehmet Ali̇ Akpinar, Apdurahman Aktümsek, Ali̇ Emre Akpinar

Turkish Journal of Biology

The fatty acid compositions of the seeds of Peucedanum ruthenicum, Peucedanum chryseum, Peucedanum palimbioides, Peucedanum obtusifolium, and Peucedanum zedelmeierianum were investigated by gas chromatography (GC). The main fatty acids in the species were found to be palmitic acid (C 16:0, 5.78%-14.68%), oleic acid (C 18:1 \omega-9, 31.28%-68.06%), and linoleic acid (C 18:2 \omega-6, 15.99%-33.74%). Trace amounts of cis-vaccenic acid (C 18:1 \omega-7, 0.82%-1.40%) were found in the seed oils of all of the species investigated.

Calcium Oxalate Crystal Types In Three Oak Species (Quercus L.) In Turkey, Bedri̇ Serdar, Hati̇ce Demi̇ray

Turkish Journal of Biology

Crystal types from 3 oak species representing 3 different sections of the genus Quercus were identified. Crystals were studied with scanning electron microscopy after localisation by light microscopy. The crystals were composed of calcium oxalate silicates as whewellite (calcium oxalate monohydrate) composites. In Quercus macranthera Fisch. et Mey. subsp. syspirensis (C.Koch) Menitsky (İspir oak) from the white oaks (section Quercus: Leucobalanus), whewellite and trihydrated weddellites coexisted. Axial parenchyma cells included 30 crystal chains with walls as chambers in uniseriate ray cells; some cells had many crystals without any chambers and were small. Long thin crystals were found adherent to the …

Genetic Diversity Of Natural Cyclamen Alpinum Populations, Belgi̇n Göçmen Taşkin, Ni̇lden Vardareli̇, Ersi̇n Doğaç, Ramazan Mammadov, Vatan Taşkin

Turkish Journal of Biology

The focus of this study was Cyclamen alpinum (formerly C. trochopteranthum). Habitat fragmentation, environmental degradation, and overharvesting of tubers have exerted pressure on native populations of this valuable ornamental species. Although the entire Cyclamen genus is in the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora-Appendix II (CITES II), no species has yet been red-listed. Estimating the level and distribution of genetic variation in populations of rare and endemic species is important for conserving genetic diversity within a species in the context of well-developed conservation strategies. Currently, DNA markers are the most effective means used to …

Investigation Of Genetic Variation In Tunisian Date Palm (Phoenix Dactylifera L.) Cultivars Using Issr Marker Systems And Their Relation With Fruit Characteristics, Hammadi Hamza, Mohamed Ali Benabderrahim, Mokhtar Elbekkay, Guasmi Ferdaous, Tebra Triki, Ali Ferchichi

Turkish Journal of Biology

Phoenix dactylifera L. was introduced in Tunisia a very long time ago and plays an important socioeconomic role, especially in the south of the country. Genetic diversity and relationships among 26 cultivars were assessed with 7 ISSR primers. A total of 43 amplified bands were obtained. Principal component analyses based on Nei genetic distances showed no geographical separation with the exception of the Dhahbi cultivar, which has a limited geographical distribution. A group of cultivars that are also phonetically clustered was distinguished. These cultivars have a common maturity period and a common fruit consistency. The Mantel test emphasizes a significant …

Antioxidant Enzymes And Gst Activity In Natural Populations Of Holandriana Holandrii From The Bosna River, Jelena Vrankovic, Svetlana Labus-Blagojevic, Bela Csanyi, Jarmila Makovinska, Olga Cvetkovic, Zoran Gacic, Dusko Blagojevic, Momir Paunovic

Turkish Journal of Biology

Specimens of the freshwater snail Holandriana holandrii affected by different levels of contamination were collected from 3 sites within the Bosna River Basin, i.e. Visoko, Doboj, and Modrica. The activities of antioxidant enzymes such as superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), glutathione peroxidase (GPx), glutathione reductase (GR), and glutathione-S-transferase (GST) were investigated in order to understand their variation with respect to the pollution status of the sampling locations. The results revealed a significant increase in CAT, GPx, and GST activities in the snails collected from Modrica, suggesting that the animals at this location are exposed to a higher level of oxidative …

Colonization Of Mycobacterium Phlei In The Rhizosphere Of Wheat Grown Under Saline Conditions, Dilfuza Egamberdieva

Turkish Journal of Biology

One of the natural reservoirs of potentially human-pathogenic bacteria is believed to be the rhizosphere. The aim of the present work was to test nontuberculous mycobacterium Mycobacterium phlei MbP18 for its ability to colonize the rhizosphere of wheat and to evaluate its effect on plant growth under saline conditions. In competitive wheat root tip colonization assays, M. phlei MbP18 showed poor competitive colonization of the wheat rhizosphere compared to the reference strain. The strain produced lipase, amylase, cellulase, and pectinase and grew well in the presence of high salt (up to 4% NaCl) and at high temperatures (up to 40 …

Biomarkers Of Petroleum Contamination In The Digestive Gland Of Perna Viridis (L.), Xivanand Narayan Verlecar, Karmabeer Jena, Somshekher Raghoba Desai, Priya Brata Das, Gagan Bihari Nityananda Chainy

Turkish Journal of Biology

Oxidative stress responses were evaluated in the digestive gland tissue of Perna viridis exposed to water-accommodated fractions (WAFs) of petrol and diesel at 0.5% and 5% concentrations over 5-, 10-, and 15-day periods. Increased lipid peroxidation, protein carbonyl, DNA integrity, and hydrogen peroxide in WAF-exposed specimens are indicative of oxidative damage due to dissolved petroleum extracts. A consistent increase in superoxide dismutase, catalase, glutathione peroxidase, glutathione reductase, glutathione-S-transferase, reduced glutathione, and ascorbic acid in WAF-exposed specimens signify the importance of antioxidants in protecting the cell against the oxidative damage arising from petroleum contamination. The responses of field specimens collected from …

Characterization Of Affinity Tag Features Of Recombinant Tetrahymena Thermophila Glutathione-S-Transferase Zeta For Tetrahymena Protein Expression Vectors, Cem Özi̇ç, Muhi̇tti̇n Arslanyolu

Turkish Journal of Biology

Glutathione S-transferase (GST) is the one of most widely used affinity tags in biotechnology applications. The present study named a GST gene as the TtGSTz1 gene, characterized with the conserved glutathione binding motif (SSTSWRVRIAL) under a GST zeta subfamily from Tetrahymena thermophila. Phylogenetic analysis of the TtGstz1p protein sequence, with its orthologs from different GST classes, showed that it is a member of the unicellular GSTz monophyletic clade, which is positioned close to the bacterial GSTz clade. Seven codons of the TtGSTz1 gene were first engineered by introducing silent mutations (TAA > CAA or TAG > CAG) to the code for glutamine …

Phytase Production From Lactobacillus Brevis, Meli̇s Sümengen, Sadik Di̇nçer, Ayşenur Kaya

Turkish Journal of Biology

In this study, the phytase from Lactobacillus brevis strains isolated from fermented food products was produced and characterized. Phytase production of this strain was determined by production of clear zones around the colonies on the sodium phytate containing medium, after 48 h of incubation at 30 °C. The molecular weight of the phytase from Lactobacillus brevis was estimated as 73 kDa and 34 kDa on SDS-PAGE. The optimum activity of Lactobacillus brevis extracellular and intracellular enzymes emerged at 120 °C, pH 3.4 and at 110 °C, pH 3.4, respectively. The extracellular enzyme from Lactobacillus brevis was 91% stable for 5 …

Bioremediation Of Endosulfan-Contaminated Soil By Using Bioaugmentation Treatment Of Fungal Inoculant Aspergillus Niger, Tejomyee Sadashiv Bhalerao

Turkish Journal of Biology

The persistence of endosulfan and intermediate metabolite endosulfan sulfate in the environment and their toxic effects on biota necessitate their removal. This study investigated the bioaugmentation of endosulfan-contaminated soil by fungal inoculant Aspergillus niger ARIFCC 1053. The influence of bioaugmentation by A. niger on endosulfan-contaminated soil was evaluated with the help of change in pH and released chloride, and by thin layer chromatography and gas chromatography analysis. Its effects on soil functionality were monitored by estimating dehydrogenase and arylsulfatase enzyme activities. The endosulfan degradation reached an undetectable level on day 15. The pH of the medium was nearly neutral (6.9) …

Antihyperglycemic, Antioxidant And Cytotoxic Activities Of Alocasia Macrorrhizos (Linn.) Rhizomes Extract, Md Masudur Rahman, Md. Aslam Hossain, Saiful Alam Siddique, Kaishar Parvej Biplab, Md. Helal Uddin

Turkish Journal of Biology

Alocasia macrorrhizos (L.) (Araceae), a coarse and erect plant that is widely cultivated to be eaten as a vegetable throughout Bangladesh, has been reported to possess a number of medicinal properties. The antihyperglycemic, antioxidant, and cytotoxic effects of the methanol extract of A. macrorrhizos rhizomes were investigated. The extract was given at a single dose (250 and 500 mg/kg) in alloxan-induced hyperglycemic mice. The extract at 500 mg/kg produced a significant (P < 0.05) decrease in the blood glucose level (55.49%) at 8 h of treatment when compared with the control and was comparable with the reference drug, metformin. The extract was also subjected to antioxidant potentiality and brine shrimp lethality bioassays. The IC_{50} value of the extract was 693.0 \mug/mL and the LC_{50} was 188.14 \mug/mL.

Genetic Characterization Of Turkish Bread Wheat Landraces Based On Microsatellite Markers And Morphological Characters, Özlem Ateş Sönmezoğlu, Betül Bozmaz, Ahmet Yildirim, Nejdet Kandemi̇r, Nevzat Aydin

Turkish Journal of Biology

Wheat landraces could be unique sources of favorable genes for agronomic traits like yield and insect, pest, and disease resistances, as well as quality characteristics that are important for breeding programs. Molecular marker systems offer great opportunities to characterize wheat accessions, which in particular are not morphologically identifiable. In this study, 20 bread wheat landraces collected from different regions of Turkey were characterized by using microsatellite markers (SSRs) and morphological characters. Seventeen morphological characters were used. Fifteen SSR primers were prescreened and the 7 most polymorphic primers were employed in characterization. The most polymorphic SSR loci were Xgwm 95 and …

Cardioprotective Effect Of Diazepam On Ischemia-Reperfused Isolated Hyperthyroid Rat Heart, Dareuosh Shackebaei, Atefeh Asadmobini, Mahvash Hesari, Maryam Vaezi, Siamak Shahidi

Turkish Journal of Biology

Hyperthyroidism increases the vulnerability of the heart to ischemia-reperfusion (I/R) injury. Regarding the fact that diazepam also affects cardiac I/R injury, the current study was conducted to investigate the effect of diazepam on ischemia-reperfused isolated hyperthyroid rat heart. The animals were divided into 6 groups: the control, hyperthyroid, control diazepam (1 mg/kg), hyperthyroid diazepam (1 mg/kg), control diazepam (5 mg/kg), and hyperthyroid diazepam (5 mg/kg) groups. Langendorff-perfused rat hearts underwent 40 min of global ischemia and 45 min of reperfusion. Different cardiac parameters, including the left ventricular developed pressure, heart rate, coronary flow, and rate pressure product (RPP), were measured. …