Digital Commons Network^™

No Evolutionary Response To Four Generations Of Laboratory Selection On Antipredator Behavior Of Aedes Albopictus: Potential Implications For Biotic Resistance To Invasion, Banugopan Kesavaraju, Steven A. Juliano

Faculty Publications – Biological Sciences

Aedes albopictus (Skuse) is an invasive container-dwelling mosquito and an important disease vector that co-occurs with the native mosquito, Aedes triseriatus (Say), and the predatory midge, Corethrella appandiculata (Grabham). Larval Ae. triseriatus show significantly greater antipredatory responses when compared to larval Ae. albopictus in the presence of predation cues from C. appendiculata. The potential for evolution of antipredatory behavioral responses to C. appendiculata in Ae. albopictus is unknown. We used a controlled laboratory selection experiment to test whether Ae. albopictus could evolve antipredatory behavioral responses to C. appendiculata predation. We subjected replicate Ae. albopictus populations to four generations of predation …

The Influence Of Environmental Factors On The Activity And Movement Of Bufo Nebulifer (Coastal Plain Toad) In A Disturbed Area, Crystal Salinas

Theses and Dissertations - UTB/UTPA

Toads in the family Bufonidae are poorly studied in southern Texas. Bufo nebulifir, a native bufonid, has been studied in its northern and southern range limits (east Texas and northern Mexico). South Texas' sub-tropical climate could impact the length of the activity period for B. nebulifer in yet unrecorded ways. This study resolves whether environmental factors correlate to Bufo nebulifer's activity, presence, and movement, using a mark-recapture method. The study was conducted for one year during February 2008 to March 2009. Environmental factors, especially rainfall and temperature were significantly correlated (PB. nebulifer . The active period of B. …

Modulation Of Lps-Induced Activation Of Hepatic Map Kinases, Oliver Surriga

Seton Hall University Dissertations and Theses (ETDs)

Lipopolysaccharide (LPS) is a potent inflammagen that has been found to be primarily responsible for many symptoms caused by gram-negative bacterial infections. The LPS-initiated signal transduction pathways involve several terminal kinases, mainly p42/44 mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK), p38 MAPK and c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK), ultimately leading to increased expression of genes encoding such inflammatory cytokines as interleukin (IL )-1 �. IL-6 and tumor necrosis factors (TNF)-u. In this study, the effects of age on LPS-induced activation of MAPKs in the liver of rats were examined. Results show that the basal level of phosphorylated p42/44 MAPK was increased in postnatal day …

Liana Communities In Three Tropical Forest Types In Xishuangbanna, South-West China, Zhi-Quan Cai, Stefan A. Schnitzer, Yu-Long Zheng, Frans Bongers

Biological Sciences Faculty Research and Publications

Lianas are an important growth form in tropical forests around the world. However, they are relatively unknown in south-east Asia. We identified, measured and determined the climbing and dispersal modes for lianas in five 0.1-ha plots in three common forest types at the tropical-temperate transitional zone in Xishuangbanna, SW China, namely, montane forest, evergreen broad-leaved forest and seasonally wet forest. Liana diversity in the three forests combined was high; we found a total of 147 liana species, representing 48 families and 75 genera. The mean density of lianas was 3407 ha-1 and varied significantly between the three forests, with 445, …

Biotic And Abiotic Characteristics Influencing Nest Location And Trophic Relationships Of The Fungus-Growing Ant Trachymyrmex Septentrionalis (Formicidae: Attini), Jonathan Paul Howell

Biological Sciences Theses & Dissertations

Trachymyrmex septentrionalis represents the only species of fungus-growing ant in the southeastern United States. T. septentrionalis cultivates a symbiotic fungus on which the ants feed. Worker ants collect plant and animal debris to feed the fungus. These ants are common in Florida, but increasingly scarce as they near the northern extent of their range in New Jersey. Colonies of T. septentrionalis occur in patches throughout Blackwater Ecological Preserve, a longleaf pine forest in southeastern Virginia. Blackwater Ecologic Preserve is a 129 hectare tract of land, located in Isle of Wight county, that is undergoing a regimen of controlled burning to …

Rational Design Of Improved Pharmabiotics, Roy D. Sleator, Colin Hill

Department of Biological Sciences Publications

Herein we review the most recent advances in probiotic research and applications with particular emphasis on the novel concept of patho-biotechnology: the application of pathogen-derived (ex vivo and in vivo) stress survival strategies for the design of more technologically robust and effective probiotic cultures with improved biotechnological and clinical applications.

Allometry Of The Duration Of Flight Feather Molt In Birds, Sievert Rohwer, Robert Ricklefs, Vanya Rohwer, Michelle Copple

Biology Department Faculty Works

No abstract provided.

Role Of Inn1 And Its Interactions With Hof1 And Cyk3 In Promoting Cleavage Furrow And Septum Formation In S. Cerevisiae, R. Nishihama, J. H. Schreiter, M. Onishi, Elizabeth A. Vallen, J. Hanna, K. Moravcevic, Margaret Flynn Lippincott , '01, Haesun Han , '08, M. A. Lemmon, J. R. Pringle, E. Bi

Biology Faculty Works

Cytokinesis requires coordination of actomyosin ring (AMR) contraction with rearrangements of the plasma membrane and extracellular matrix. In Saccharomyces cerevisiae, new membrane, the chitin synthase Chs2 (which forms the primary septum [PS]), and the protein Inn1 are all delivered to the division site upon mitotic exit even when the AMR is absent. Inn1 is essential for PS formation but not for Chs2 localization. The Inn1 C-terminal region is necessary for localization, and distinct PXXP motifs in this region mediate functionally important interactions with SH3 domains in the cytokinesis proteins Hof1 (an F-BAR protein) and Cyk3 (whose overexpression can restore PS …

A New Brevicipitid Species (Brevicipitidae: Callulina) From The Fragmented Forests Of The Taita Hills, Kenya, Simon P. Loader, G. John Measey, Rafael O. De Sá, Patrick K. Malonza

Biology Faculty Publications

A new species Callulina dawida is described from the Taita Hills, Kenya. It is distinguished from other members of the genus on the basis of the degree of digital expansion. The species further differs from other members of the genus based on molecular sequence comparisons and on its call. The morphological variation in the new species is described, including a comparison of internal and external characters and sexual dimorphism with other species of Callulina. The conservation status of the species, on the basis of its restricted distribution and land use changes in the area, is considered to be of …

Identifying Sleep Regulatory Genes Using A Drosophila Model Of Insomnia, Laurent Seugnet, Yasuko Suzuki, Matthew S. Thimgan, Jeffrey Donlea, Sarah I. Gimbel, Laura Gottschalk, Stephen P. Duntley, Paul J. Shaw

Biological Sciences Faculty Research & Creative Works

Although it is widely accepted that sleep must serve an essential biological function, little is known about molecules that underlie sleep regulation. Given that insomnia is a common sleep disorder that disrupts the ability to initiate and maintain restorative sleep, a better understanding of its molecular underpinning may provide crucial insights into sleep regulatory processes. Thus, we created a line of flies using laboratory selection that share traits with human insomnia. After 60 generations, insomnia-like (ins-l) flies sleep 60 min a day, exhibit difficulty initiating sleep, difficulty maintaining sleep, and show evidence of daytime cognitive impairment. ins-l flies …

Occurrence Of Camponotus Pennsylvanicus (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) In Trees Previously Infested With Enaphalodes Rufulus (Coleoptera: Cerambycidae) In The Ozark Mountains Of Arkansas, Robin M. Verble, Fred M. Stephen

Biological Sciences Faculty Research & Creative Works

Black carpenter ants, Camponotus pennsylvanicus (DeGeer), are nearly ubiquitous in North American forests. These ants are documented as predators of red oak borer, Enaphalodes rufulus (Haldeman), a native longhorn beetle that experienced an unprecedented population increase synonymous with an oak decline event in the oak hickory forests of the Ozark Mountains of Arkansas from the late 1990s until 2005. We examined previous red oak borer emergence holes, tree crown conditions, and site aspects in 13 pre-established vegetation monitoring plots and correlated these forest and tree attributes with the presence or absence of black carpenter ants. At each site, all red …

Biology Of Ultramafic Rocks And Soils: Research Goals For The Future, Robert S. Boyd, Arthur R. Kruckeberg, Nishanta Rajakaruna

Biological Sciences

In absence of a text abstract the introduction of the article is provided.

Introduction

At this, the 6th International Conference on Serpentine Ecology, it seems timely to review briefl y the present status of the fi eld and to project the needs for future research. Although a great deal of serpentine research was done prior to 1960, as summarized by Krause (1958) and discussed briefl y by Brooks (1987), much of our progress in learning how serpentine geology affects plant and animal life occurred in the mid- to late 20th century. In that era, it was the landmark studies of …

Phylogeography Of The North American Red Fox: Vicariance In Pleistocene Forest Refugia, Keith B. Aubry, Mark J. Statham, Benjamin N. Sacks, John D. Perrine, Samantha M. Wisely

Biological Sciences

Fossil, archaeological, and morphometric data suggest that indigenous red foxes in North America were derived from vicariance in two disjunct refugia during the last glaciation: one in Beringia and one in the contiguous USA. To test this hypothesis, we conducted a phylogeographical analysis of the North American red fox within its presettlement range. We sequenced portions of the mitochondrial cytochrome b (354 bp) gene and D-loop (342 bp) from 220 historical red fox specimens. Phylogenetic analysis of the cytochrome b gene produced two clades that diverged c. 400 000 years before present (bp): a Holarctic and a Nearctic clade. …

Finfish Aquaculture In Western Australia. Final Esd Management Report For Marine Finfish Aquaculture., Department Of Fisheries Western Australia.

Fisheries Management Papers

It has been recognized that there are a number of potential impediments to achieving continued growth of this industry. These include the need for increased investment, an expansion in markets and ensuring environmental sustainability. One of the most important however, is meeting the growing expectations of the community that all aquaculture sectors can clearly demonstrate that they are operating within the principles of Ecologically Sustainable Development (ESD). Western Australia’s Department of Fisheries is responsible for the management of aquaculture in the State and is committed to implementing ESD. These principles are contained within the objectives of the Fish Resources Management …

Investigating The Roles Of Ndj1 And Tid1 In Distributive Segregation Using Non-Exchange Chromosomes, Jonathan V. Henzel

Master's Theses

Meiosis is a specialized cell division that leads to a reduction of ploidy in sexually reproducing organisms through segregation of homologous chromosomes at the first meiotic division. Improper segregation of chromosomes during meiosis results in anueploidy, which is usually fatal during embryonic development. The meiotic process is therefore tightly regulated. Typically, proper segregation of homologs at meiosis I requires pairing of homologous chromosomes, followed by crossover recombination between homologs. Crossovers enable proper chromosomal segregation during the first meiotic division in part by establishing tension in the meiotic spindle. However, in the absence of crossovers, some cells maintain the ability to …

The Relationship Between Plasma Steroid Hormone Concentrations And The Reproductive Cycle Of The Northern Pacific Rattlesnake, Crotalus Oreganus, Craig Michael Lind

Master's Theses

To gain a better understanding of the role of steroid hormones in vertebrate reproduction, we quantified steroid hormone concentrations in a free ranging population of the Northern Pacific rattlesnake, Crotalus oreganus. Plasma steroid hormone concentrations were quantified for both male and female snakes throughout the active season (Mar-Oct). We measured testosterone (T), 5α-dihydrotestosterone (DHT), and corticosterone (B) concentrations in male and female snakes. 17β-estradiol (E2) and progesterone (P) were measured in females only. We also observed breeding behaviors (e.g. consortship, courtship, and copulation) in the field and measured testis and follicle size in male and female snakes from museum collections. …

Fisheries Occasional Publication No. 68 - A Quota Management System For The Western Rock Lobster Fishery, Rock Lobster Industry Advisory Committee (Rliac), Department Of Fisheries, Western Australia

Fisheries Occasional Publications

There has been much debate over the past two decades on the most appropriate long-term management framework for Western Australia’s Western Rock Lobster Fishery. More recently a debate over whether the fishery would be best managed under a Quota Management System (QMS) or the continuation of the current Input Control Management System (ICMS) culminated in an industry vote coordinated by the Western Rock Lobster Council (WRLC) in 2006 . The outcome of this vote resulted in industry support to retain the existing management system based on input controls2 , however, shortly after the vote there was a renewed level of …

Fisheries Occasional Publication No. 69 - An Input Control Management System For The Western Rock Lobster Fishery, Rock Lobster Industry Advisory Committee (Rliac), Department Of Fisheries Western Australia

Fisheries Occasional Publications

The Rock Lobster Industry Advisory Committee (RLIAC), the Hon. Minister for Fisheries and the Department of Fisheries, Western Australia have commenced a process of assessing the options for future management of the Western Rock Lobster Fishery. As part of this assessment, an expert Panel has previously prepared an analysis of an optimal quota management system (QMS) suitable for the fishery. As the next step in the assessment of management options, RLIAC requested that an expert panel also advise them on the design characteristics of an improved input control management system (ICMS) for the fishery and to provide advice on the …

Unlocking The Secrets Of The Genome, Susan Celniker, Laura Dillon, Mark Gerstein, Kristin Gunsalus, Steven Henikoff, Gary Karpen, Manolis Kellis, Eric Lai, Jason Lieb, David Macalpine, Gos Micklem, Fabio Piano, Michael Snyder, Lincoln Stein, Kevin White, Robert Waterston, Sarah C.R. Elgin

Biology Faculty Research

Despite the successes of genomics, little is known about how genetic information produces complex organisms. A look at the crucial functional elements of fly and worm genomes could change that.

Fish Assemblages In Manistee River Tributaries: Longitudinal Distribution Analysis, Seasonal Variation, And Riparian Improvement Evaluation, Nicholas J. Gressick

Masters Theses

Sedimentation affects both stream physical and biological integrity. Improperly designed stream passage accompanied with sedimentation and altered hydrology can impede fish passage and reduce fish assemblage integrity. The purpose of this study was to: 1) quantify impacts of poorly constructed road stream crossings and eroding banks on fish assemblages, and 2) assess these sites as sediment sources and connectivity breaks on entire fish assemblages and individual fish species. Electrofishing was conducted during spring and fall 2004 and 2005. A total of 29 electrofishing reaches were sampled which included 5 road-stream and streambank restoration sites. Sickle Creek (1st order) had reduced …

What Drives Long-Distance Dispersal? A Test Of Theoretical Predictions, Winsor H. Lowe

Biological Sciences Faculty Publications

Long-distance dispersal (LDD) may contribute disproportionately to species persistence in fragmented landscapes, non-native invasions, and range shifts in response to climate change. However, direct data on LDD are extremely limited, leaving us with little understanding of why it occurs. I used six years of mark–recapture data on the stream salamander Gyrinophilus porphyriticus to test theoretical predictions of how variation in habitat quality affects LDD. Frequency of LDD was quantified using the kurtosis of yearly movement distributions from recaptured animals in a 1-km headwater stream. Temporal and spatial variation in habitat quality were quantified with spatially explicit data on the body …

Molecular Data Are Transforming Hypotheses On The Origin And Diversification Of Eukaryotes, Yonas I. Tekle, Laura Wegener Parfrey, Laura A. Katz

Biological Sciences: Faculty Publications

The explosion of molecular data has transformed hypotheses on both the origin of eukaryotes and the structure of the eukaryotic tree of life. Early ideas about the evolution of eukaryotes arose through analyses of morphology by light microscopy and, later, electron microscopy. Though such studies have proven powerful at resolving more recent events, theories on origins and diversification of eukaryotic life have been substantially revised in light of analyses of molecular data including gene and, increasingly, whole-genome sequences. By combining these approaches, progress has been made in elucidating the origin and diversification of eukaryotes. Yet many aspects of the evolution …

Guided Inquiry Lab Exercises In Development And Oxygen Consumption Using Zebrafish, Brian Bagatto

Biology Faculty Research

Zebrafish have become a model organism in many areas of research and are now being used with more frequency in the classroom to teach important biological concepts. The two guided inquiry exercises in this article are each aimed at a different level of instruction, but each can be modified to fit the needs of many high school or college-level courses. The "Zebrafish Development and Environment'' exercise teaches high school students about zebrafish development by presenting a series of embryos at different ages. Without access to visual references, students are asked to rank developing zebrafish by age and explain their choices. …

Phylogeographic And Phylogenetic Exploration Of Plethodon (Plethodontidae, Caudata) Salamanders In The Pacific Northwest, Tara Anne Pelletier

Dissertations and Theses

Genetic studies of amphibians often reveal substantial population structure due to either historical demographics from changing climate and geographic features over varying timeframes. Eight species of terrestrial salamanders (Family: Plethodontidae, Genus: Plethodon) reside in forests of the Pacific Northwest (PNW). Plethodon vehiculum is the most widespread and abundant terrestrial salamander in the PNW yet evolutionary studies are lacking. Using mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) sequence data (D-loop and cytb) questions regarding the phylogeography of P. vehiculum and phylogenetics of western Plethodons are explored. Two major clades were defined in P. vehiculum, a southern clade in the Klamath-Siskiyou region and a …

Spatial, Seasonal, And Size-Dependent Variation In The Diet Of Sacramento Pikeminnow In The Main Stem Of Chorro Creek, Central Coast California, Brian G. Dugas

Master's Theses

This study examined the diet composition of ninety-nine Sacramento pikeminnow (150-410 mm [5.9-16 in] fork length [FL]) collected from the upper and lower main stem of Chorro Creek, Morro Bay Watershed, California in 2006. The goal of this study was to characterize the spatial and seasonal variability in the diet of Sacramento pikeminnow within Chorro Creek and to determine what proportion of the diet is represented by rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) and their anadromous form (steelhead). Prey was identified in 88% of the samples collected in the early season and 84% of the samples collected in the late season. Fish …

Effects Of Experience On Maternal Behavior In Belding’S Ground Squirrels (Spermophilus Beldingi): Older And Wiser?, Mikael Langner

Master's Theses

Maternal behavior is an important behavior because it influences whether or not raising one’s offspring is successful. Maternal experience is positively correlated with successful maternal behavior. This association is evident when comparing first-time mothers with mothers who have prior experience raising young. Life experience not related to raising young can also positively influence maternal behavior. In this work, the hypothesis that is tested is whether or not maternal experience enhances the ability of a female to assess the threat level of a situation. The model species used to conduct the study is the Belding ground squirrel (Spermophilus beldingi), …

Immunodeficient Mouse Strains Display Marked Variability In Growth Of Human Melanoma Lung Metastases, Beatriz M. Carreno, Joel R. Garbow, Grant R. Kolar, Erin N. Jackson, John A. Engelbach, Michelle Becker-Hapak, Leonidas N. Carayannopoulos, David Piwnica-Worms, Gerald P. Linette

Biological Sciences Faculty Research & Creative Works

Purpose: Immunodeficient mice serve as critical hosts for transplantation of xenogeneic cells for in vivo analysis of various biological processes. Because investigators typically select one or two immunodeficient mouse strains as recipients, no comprehensive study has been published documenting differences in human tumor engraftment. Taking advantage of the increased metastatic potential of RhoC-expressing human (A375) melanoma cells, we evaluate four immunodeficient mouse strains: severe combined immunodeficiency (scid), nonobese diabetic (NOD)-scid, NOD-scid β2m^null, and NOD-scid IL2Rγ;^null as xenograft tumor recipients. Experimental Design: Bioluminescence, magnetic resonance imaging, and histopathology were used to monitor serial tumor growth. Natural killer (NK) …

Identification Of Potentially Pathogenic Yeast Species In Seagull Guano By Molecular Techniques, Tobias L. Banks

Honors Theses

Although studies have been performed identifying bacteria present in seagull guano, limited studies have been done with fungi, leaving a significant gap in our knowledge of a potentially significant reservoir of human disease. If pathogenic fungi are being deposited by seagulls in their feces then it is possible that the Department of Health might elect to monitor sand, as well as water, for a broad spectrum of disease-causing microbes. Currently only water is tested for the presence of coliform bacteria. It is hypothesized that there are pathogenic yeast-like fungi present in the guano of seagulls, that these fungi are deposited …

Assesment Of Florida Bass, (Micropterus Floridanus), Stocking In Several Arkansas Lake Largemouth Bass, (M. Salmoides), Populations Using Microsatellite Analysis, Ryan Martin Allen

Student Theses and Dissertations

Arkansas largemouth bass populations have been stocked with the exotic Florida bass for several decades to enhance lake fisheries. This study sampled 1,474 bass from eight Arkansas lakes to determine the success of introducing Florida bass alleles and hybridization events between bass species. Microsatellite data was then compared to historical allozyme data. Additionally, relationships were identified between Florida bass allele frequencies and lake characteristics as well as phenotypes and condition and length at age. A wide range of Florida bass allele frequencies were identified between lakes (10 - 70%), with the most highly correlated variable for successful stocking being reservoir …

Closing The Seed Dispersal Loop For Guettarda Viburnoides (Rub.): Connecting Patterns Of Avian Seed Dispersal With Population Growth In A Neotropical Savanna, Andrea Patricia Loayza

Dissertations

This study connects data on frugivore activity, post-dispersal seed fate and plant population demography using stage-specific demographic modeling to examine the role of individual dispersers for plant population dynamics of the fleshy-fruited Neotropical tree Guettarda viburnoides (Rubiaceae) in northeastern Bolivian savannas. Detailed information on frugivory and seed dispersal of G. viburnoides reveals that the endocarps of this plant are dispersed mainly by two species of birds: Cyanocorax cyanomelas and Pteroglossus castanotis, which are defined as the quantitatively important dispersers of G. viburnoides. These two species differ in several qualitative aspects of seed dispersal: 1) They select fruits of …