Digital Commons Network^™

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 …

Effects Of Estrogen On Muscle Damage In Response To An Acute Resistance Exercise Protocol, Megan R. Wolf

Honors Scholar Theses

Creatine Kinase (CK) is used as a measure of exercise-induced muscle membrane damage. During acute eccentric (muscle lengthening) exercise, muscle sarcolemma, sarcoplasmic reticulum, and Z-lines are damaged, thus causing muscle proteins and enzymes to leak into the interstitial fluid.

Strenuous eccentric exercise produces an elevation of oxygen free radicals, which further increases muscle damage. Muscle soreness and fatigue can be attributed to this membrane damage. Estradiol, however, may preserve membrane stability post-exercise (Brancaccio, Maffulli, & Limongelli, 2007; Carter, Dobridge, & Hackney, 2001; Tiidus, 2001). Because estradiol has a similar structure to Vitamin E, which is known to have antioxidant properties, …

Towards A New Developmental Synthesis: Adaptive Developmental Plasticity And Human Disease, P. D. Gluckman, M. A. Hanson, P. Bateson, A. S. Beedle, C. M. Law, Z. A. Bhutta, K. V. Snokhin, P. Bougneres, G. R. Chandak, P. Dasgupta, G. D. Smith, P. T. Ellison, T. E. Forrester, Scott F. Gilbert, E. Jablonka, H. Kaplan, A. M. Prentice, S. J. Simpson, R. Uauy, M. J. West-Eberhard

Biology Faculty Works

The Lancet has rightly drawn attention to the goals of reducing the burden of maternal and childhood undernutrition,¹ focusing mainly on short-term outcomes such as infant survival and stunting.² However, the longer term effects on adult health³ of a poor start to life suggest a further perspective. Developmental effects have been viewed traditionally in the context of major disruptions such as caused by teratogens, prematurity and growth retardation, but there is increasing appreciation of the role of developmental plasticity, which provides individuals with the flexibility to adjust their trajectory of development to match their environment.

An Examination Of The Correlation Between Shoot Apical Meristem Size And Leaf Heterophylly In Pisum Sativum, Cynthia Mary Halfman

Undergraduate Honors Thesis Collection

This study is a quantitative examination of the ramifications of leaf development as influenced by the size of the shoot apical meristem. I wish not to delve into a genetic examination of the shoot apical meristem but rather into the possible correlation between the apical meristem size and leaf heterophylly. If changes in shoot apical meristem size influence heterophylly in leaves, then as shoot apical meristem changes, leaf characteristics will change. This change may result from two different relationships.

Apicomplexan Parasites Co-Opt Host Calpains To Facilitate Their Escape From Infected Cells, Rajesh Chandramohanadas, Paul H. Davis, Daniel P. Beiting, Michael B. Harbut, Claire Darling, Geetha Velmourougane, Ming Yeh Lee, Peter A. Greer, David S. Roos, Doron C. Greenbaum

Biology Faculty Publications

Apicomplexan parasites, including Plasmodium falciparum and Toxoplasma gondii (the causative agents of malaria and toxoplasmosis, respectively), are responsible for considerable morbidity and mortality worldwide. These pathogenic protozoa replicate within an intracellular vacuole inside of infected host cells, from which they must escape to initiate a new lytic cycle. By integrating cell biological, pharmacological, and genetic approaches, we provide evidence that both Plasmodium and Toxoplasma hijack host cell calpain proteases to facilitate parasite egress. Immunodepletion or inhibition of calpain-1 in hypotonically lysed and resealed erythrocytes prevented the escape of P. falciparum parasites, which was restored by adding purified calpain-1. Similarly, efficient …

Analysis And Classification Of Sounds Produced By Asian Elephants (Elephas Maximus), Sharon Stuart Glaeser

Dissertations and Theses

Relatively little is known about the vocal repertoire of Asian elephants (Elephas maximus), and a categorization of basic call types and modifications of these call types by quantitative acoustic parameters is needed to examine acoustic variability within and among call types, to examine individuality, to determine communicative function of calls via playback, to compare species and populations, and to develop rigorous call recognition algorithms for monitoring populations.

This study defines an acoustic repertoire of Asian elephants based on acoustic parameters, compares repertoire usage among groups and individuals, and validates structural distinction among call types through comparison of manual and automated …

Isolation And Characterization Of A Spontaneously Immortalized Bovine Retinal Pigmented Epithelial Cell Line, Thomas E. Liggett, T. Daniel Griffiths, Elizabeth R. Gaillard

Biological Sciences Faculty Research and Publications

Background

The Retinal Pigmented Epithelium (RPE) is juxtaposed with the photoreceptor outer segments of the eye. The proximity of the photoreceptor cells is a prerequisite for their survival, as they depend on the RPE to remove the outer segments and are also influenced by RPE cell paracrine factors. RPE cell death can cause a progressive loss of photoreceptor function, which can diminish vision and, over time, blindness ensues. Degeneration of the retina has been shown to induce a variety of retinopathies, such as Stargardt's disease, Cone-Rod Dystrophy (CRD), Retinitis Pigmentosa (RP), Fundus Flavimaculatus (FFM), Best's disease and Age-related Macular Degeneration …

Thyroid Hormone Regulation Of Mrnas Encoding Thyrotropin Β-Subunit, Glycoprotein Α-Subunit, And Thyroid Hormone Receptors Α And Β In Brain, Pituitary Gland, Liver, And Gonads Of An Adult Teleost, Pimephales Promelas, Sean C. Lema, Jon T. Dickey, Irvin R. Schultz, Penny Swanson

Biological Sciences

Thyroid hormones (THs) regulate growth, morphological development, and migratory behaviors in teleost fish, yet little is known about the transcriptional dynamics of gene targets for THs in these taxa. Here, we characterized TH regulation of mRNAs encoding thyrotropin subunits and thyroid hormone receptors (TRs) in an adult teleost fish model, the fathead minnow (Pimephales promelas). Breeding pairs of adult minnows were fed diets containing 3,5, 3^,-triiodo-_L-thyronine (T₃) or the goitrogen methimazole for 10 days. In males and females, dietary intake of exogenous T₃ elevated circulating total T₃, while methimazole …

The Effect Of Breeding Herd Parity Structure On Genetic Improvement Of The Sow Herd, Caitlyn E. Abell

Mahurin Honors College Capstone Experience/Thesis Projects

This study focuses on the value of the genetic lag associated with maintaining sows for additional parities in a commercial swine herd. Three traits were included in this study: number born alive (NBA), 21 day litter weight (W21), and days to market (D250). The economic values assigned to these traits were $22.00/pig, $0.70/lb., and $0.17/day, respectively. The genetic improvement per generation made for each trait was assumed to be 0.3 pigs, 3.0 lbs., and 3.0 days, respectively. It was estimated that the value of the genetic lag associated with retaining a sow to P3, P5, and P7 was $24.80, $46.89, …

Common Garden Comparisons Of Native And Introduced Plant Populations: Latitudinal Clines Can Obscure Evolutionary Inferences, Robert I. Colautti, John L. Maron, Spencer C.H. Barrett

Biological Sciences Faculty Publications

Common garden studies are increasingly used to identify differences in phenotypic traits between native and introduced genotypes, often ignoring sources of among-population variation within each range. We re-analyzed data from 32 common garden studies of 28 plant species that tested for rapid evolution associated with biological invasion. Our goals were: (i) to identify patterns of phenotypic trait variation among populations within native and introduced ranges, and (ii) to explore the consequences of this variation for how differences between the ranges are interpreted. We combined life history and physiologic traits into a single principal component (PC_ALL) and also compared …