Digital Commons Network^™

Breeding Biology Of Cassin’S Finch, Carpodacus Cassinii, F. John Erickson Jr.

All Master's Theses

The present study was undertaken in an effort to increase our understanding of this species' life history, with special reference to the functional significance of delayed plumage development in males. Field studies were conducted throughout the breeding season, and efforts were made to determine whether or not sub-adult males were successful in acquiring mates. In conjunction with consideration of the function of delayed plumage development in males of this species, a general review of this phenomenon has been undertaken in the order Passeriformes.

The Effect Of Stable Yttrium Concentration On The Distribution And Excretion Of Inhaled Radioyttrium In The Rat, Walter Jay Wenzel

Biology ETDs

These investigations were designed to assess the alterations in tissue distribution and excretion of inhaled radioyttrium in rats as a function of various concentrations of stable yttrium. One experiment utilized ⁹¹Y and three experiments utilized ⁸⁸Y as the radioactive isotope. Stable yttrium was added to achieve various ratios of radioactive to non-radioactive yttrium in the inhaled particles. In experiment 1, Sprague-Dawley female rats were exposed by inhalation of aerosolized carrier-free ⁹¹Y and by inhalation of aero­solized ⁸⁹Y labeled with ⁹¹Y. Other rats were injected intravenously with carrier-free ⁹¹Y (ionic) or with various concentrations of …

The Effects Of Solubility On The Deposition And Elimination Of Three Cerium Compounds In Mice Following Exposure By Inhalation, Barbara Nylund Morgan

Biology ETDs

Ce144 is an important radioisotope of cerium because it is formed as the result of uranium fission. Consequently, it is a predominant fission product in a reactor inventory after a period of sustained reactor operation as well as a major isotope released following nuclear accidents. The energy released during a nuclear explosion is sufficient to bond 144Ce to several anionic species depending upon the immediate environment. Among those anions are included citrates, oxides, halides and inorganic debris such as clay particles from earth or structural materials. Because the major route of entry of contaminated materials is by inhalation, it is …

The Ecology And Herptiles Of The Rio Hondo And Rio Bonito Valleys, John E. Kimmons

Biology ETDs

Twenty-two transects were made across the Rio Bonito and Rio Hondo valleys, Lincoln County, New Mexico, to determine the slope of the land, exposure, and elevation for the vegetational associations. The plant associations are the riparian, mesquite-grassland, cholla-grassland, cliff and talus, mountain-mahogany, pinyon-juniper, and hilltop. The elevation of the area ranges from 4,640 to 6,940 feet. The study includes the streams, valley floors, hillsides, and hilltops.

Most of the 314 herptile specimens collected were in the riparian, cliff and talus, and grassland associations. Twenty-four species were collected. Sceloporus poinsetti was frequently collected, providing a range extension for this species.

The …

Factors Affecting Mourning Dove Use Of Water In Artificial Catchment Basins In A Dryland Farming Area Of Utah, Norman A. Slade

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

The mourning dove population of the Howell-Blue Creek Watershed in northern Utah was studied by Norman Slade in an effort to determine why many more doves frequented certain of the 20 fiberglass catchment basins installed in the area.

More doves used basins on the west side of the valley, probably as a result of temperature differences. More doves used those basins surrounded by more land in summer fallow and with fewer basins nearby. Areas in sagebrush were used for nesting.

The number of doves drinking in a particular hour was affected by the presence of predators or antagonists but not …

Waterfowl Production On A Spring-Fed Salt Marsh In Utah, Donald E. Mcknight

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

Results of past studies on the spring-fed salt marshes of Utah indicated that waterfowl production on these areas was much lower than on Utah's river-fed marshes. Waterfowl production on the newly-established Fish Springs National Wildlife Refuge, a spring-fed marsh, increased considerably, however, after its waters were impounded. It was believed that by determining what caused this increased production at Fish Springs it would be possible to obtain greater waterfowl production at other spring-fed marshes. Consequently waterfowl populations and factors affecting waterfowl production on this marsh were studied during the summers of 1966, 1967, and 1968.

Populations of breeding ducks averaged …

The Social Organization Of Wild Turkeys On The Welder Wildlife Refuge, Texas, Charles Robert Watts

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

This study is of the social organization of the wild turkey (Meleagris gallopavo intermedia Sennett) on the Welder Wildlife Refuge in southern Texas.

The earliest turkey nests hatched in April, with the peak of hatching a month or more later. These poults may remain with their mother until winter. This brood flock, however, often combined with other brood flocks to form composite brood flocks when the poults were a few weeks old. Hens not successful in rearing young combined into broodless flocks.

The juvenile males left the brood flocks in late fall or winter. They remained a distinct unit, …

An Analysis Of Gene-Enzyme Variability In Natural Populations Of Drosophila Melanogaster And D. Simulans, Stephen J. O'Brien, Ross J. Macintyre

Biology Faculty Articles

Nine populations of D. melanogaster and two populations of D. simulans were analyzed for polymorphism in 10 gene-enzyme systems by the technique of gel electrophoresis. In the eight natural populations of D. melanogaster, an average of 54% of the enzymes were polymorphic, and the average heterozygosity was 22.7%. An experimental population of D. melanogaster, which has been maintained in a laboratory cage for 20 years, showed levels of polymorphism equivalent to those of natural populations. The D. simulans populations had much less variability. The possible factors involved in maintaining these polymorphisms are discussed.

A Microscopic Study Of Dorsal Guard Hairs Of Fifty-Eight Species Of Kentucky Mammals, Leslie E. Meade

Morehead State Theses and Dissertations

A thesis presented to the faculty of the School of Sciences and Mathematics at Morehead State University in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the Degree of Master of Science in Biology by Leslie E. Meade on January 16, 1969

An Ultrastructural Investigation On The Origin Of Murine Langerhans Cells, Stanley Powell Tompkins

Master's Theses

The mammalian epidermis has been described as consisting of three different cell populations: keratinocytes, pigment cells, and Langerhans cells. Ultrastructural investigations of mamalian skin within the last decade have resulted in criteria whereby these cell types can be differentiated upon electron microscopic examination.

The present study was undertaken to investigate the occurrence of epidermal Langerhans cells in both neural crest-free and normal PET mouse skin, and to present evidence for a possible origin of the epidermal Langerhans cells of murine skin.

Plants For Classroom Use, Elizabeth Wagner Reed

Journal of the Minnesota Academy of Science

The importance of having living plants in the classroom is emphasized. Ways of coping with environmental problems of classroom heal and dryness are outlined, including the making of terraria. Varieties of plants found suitable for the classroom and laboratory are described.

A Discussion Of The Cytherinae (Ostracoda) With Description Of Two New Species, Leslie Edward Watling

University of the Pacific Theses and Dissertations

This paper is concerned with the description of two new ostracod species, and the discussion of their affinities with other species in the subfamily Cytherinae. In this discussion reference is made to the morphological features of several genera. At this point it must be made clear that although the original type descriptions were used, the author has never seen the type specimens. Thus, all discussion is based on these original descriptions as well as on available supplementary material.

Structure And Function Of The Alimentary Tract Of Batillaria Zonalis And Cerithidea Californica, Style-Bearing Mesogastropods, Andrew Locke Driscoll

University of the Pacific Theses and Dissertations

This study describes the structure and function of the alimentary tracts of B. zonalis and C. californica with particular emphasis on the stomach and style sac region. Both species were found to be generally similar to other styles bearing mesogastropods in that they have little or no development of glandular tissue in the esophageal region and a functional style is present in the stomach. The stomachs of both species are specialized to transport and digest a continuous supply of detritus by means of complex ridges, grooves and ciliary currents. C. californica appears more highly specialized for feeding on fine, highly …

A Study Of The Effects Of Sitosterol Ingestion On The Serum Cholesterol Concentrations Of Two Genetically Different Strains Of Laboratory Mice, Marie Nichols Goldberg

University of the Pacific Theses and Dissertations

A possible interrelationship between serum cholesterol level and atherosclerosis has long interested investigators in the fields of physiology and biochemistry. Cholesterol is found in very high concentrations in the plaques that occlude coronary arteries in man and laboratory animals. It is generally agreed that hypercholesterolemia favors the appearance of atherosclerotic lesions.^1<1

In recent years, much information has been accumulated regarding the factors which affect the serum cholesterol level. Exact and detailed biochemical mechanisms are still not clearly understood. However, it has been demonstrated that the serum cholesterol levels of man and several experimental animals can be lowered significantly by …

Gammaridean Amphipods From Tomales Bay, California, Walter Scott Gray

University of the Pacific Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this study is to describe the sediment-dwelling, infaunal gammaridean amphipods of Tomales Bay and to relate their distribution to known variations in the physical environment. Also, the Tomales Bay amphipod fauna is compared to the faunas of other West Coast bays.

Development Of A Prediction Equation For The Placement Of Students In Seventh-Grade Life Science, Lloyd Harley Barrow

Dissertations and Theses @ UNI

It was the purpose of this investigation to: (1) determine the relative value of intelligence quotient, Iowa Tests of Basic Skills composite standard score, Iowa Tests of Basic Skills reading comprehension standard score, final sixth-grade science mark, and the Reed General Science Test score in predicting the life science mark; (2) present the findings that would provide the bast possible estimate of success in life science; and (3) compare the prediction equation for the enrichment group with the non-enrichment group's prediction equation. The study involved students of seventh-grade life science for the school years 1963 through 1968, who were enrolled …

Aortic Cannulation As An Experimental Tool In ¹³⁷Cs Metabolic Studies, Lyman B. Spaulding

Biology ETDs

Tissue accumulations of cesium-137 by the white laboratory rat, Rattus norvegicus, were studied by varying the length of time between isotope introduction and sacrifice, the temperature of the animal, and the route of administration of the radioisotope. Most tissues from animals in the normothermic and hypothermic condition accumulated their major ¹³⁷Cs component within the first minute of isotope introduction. The temperature of the animal (18 C) was observed to influence tissue accumulation. Hypothermia limited uptake of radiocesium by peripheral tissues but enhanced uptake by internal tissues. Route of administration (i.a. and i.p.) differences were observed for only the heart …

An Ecotypic Differentiation Of Human And Bovine Fecal Streptococci, With Application To Human Pollution In The Yakima River, Harlen Harvey Johnson

All Master's Theses

It was the purpose of this study to report on the development of a technique for distinguishing human fecal streptococci from bovine fecal streptococci, and to make application of this technique in describing some of the sources of pollution in the Yakima River as contributed by the Wilson Creek drainage system, in the Ellensburg area of Washington.

Ecological Determination Of The Hour Of Nest Opening By An Ant, A. Dwight Smith

Loma Linda University Electronic Theses, Dissertations & Projects

The timing of daily opening of the nest entrance by the red harvester ant Popnomyrmex californicus was studied during all four seasons. Multiple regression analysis of several , environmental variables shows that the variation from day to day in mean opening time can be attributed to temperature differences, with the time that a given temperature was reached being the most important single variable for the autumn days studied. An equation incorporating this and the minimum temperature was sufficient to specify the mean opening time to within a few minutes. For the spring days, it was necessary to combine sunrise time …

Electrophoretic Demonstration Of The Hybrid Origin Of The Gynogenetic Teleost Poecilia Formosa, Peter Abramoff, Rezneat M. Darnell, Joseph Silvio Balsano

Biological Sciences Faculty Research and Publications

No abstract provided.

The Effects Of Exercise On The Response Of Rats To Air Blast, Kabby Mitchell Jr.

Biology ETDs

The mortality of rats exposed to the combined effects of air blasts and exhaustive exercise was investigated. Five hundred rats were ex­posed to sharp rising air blasts of 300 to 400 msec durations in a shock tube after which 250 rats were swum at different times and for varying periods post blast. There were 250 blast controls and 95 swim controls.

In the primary experiment, rats were swum to exhaustion begin­ning 15 min after exposure to graded levels of air blast. In the three other series of experiments, animals were swum to exhaustion at 5 min after blast; swum to …

Uptake And Retention Of Tritiated Water By Tissues Of Laboratory Rats And Citellus Lateralis, Gary L. Bintz

Biology ETDs

Tritiated water was employed to study selective absorption and retention of water by different tissues of laboratory rats and C. lateralis. Control (hydrated) and water deprived (dehydrated) animals of both species were studied. Tissues analyzed included large tissues capable of water storage (skin, blood, muscle, liver, white fat) and tissues involved in exchange of water with the environment (small intestine, kidney, lung). The data demonstrated considerable variability in tritium contents, both in different tissues of the same animal, and in the same tissues of different animals of the same group. There appeared to be no selective uptake nor retention of …

The Effect Of Follicle-Stimulating Hormone And Testosterone Propionate On The Reproduction Of The Bull Snakes, Pituophis Melanoleucus Catenifer And Pituophis Melanoleucus Affinis; Accompanied With Analysis Of Changes In Blood Protein Constituents Following Stimulation, Jack Bradford

All Master's Theses

The bull snake, Pituophis melanoleucus, was chosen for this experimentation for several reasons; (1) it is relatively abundant in Central Washington (2) it is a large snake, well able to withstand the effects of the frequent blood samplings which were necessary in this experimentation ... (3) the bull snake is an oviparous snake and ova development is rapid and after dissection, obvious.

Ecological Factors Controlling Population Distribution Of The Burying Beetle, Nicrophorus Orbicollis Say, Gerald L. Demoss

Morehead State Theses and Dissertations

A thesis presented to the faculty of the School of Sciences and Mathematics at Morehead State University in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the Degree of Master of Science in Biology by Gerald L. DeMoss on July 11, 1968.

Population Dynamics Of Peromyscus Leucopus, Maxwell S. Sanders Jr.

Morehead State Theses and Dissertations

A thesis presented to the faculty of the School of Science and Mathematics at Morehead State University in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the Degree of Master of Science by Maxwell S. Sanders Jr. in July of 1968.

Geographic Variation In Dicamptodon Ensatus (Eschscholtz) With Notes On Life History And Zoogeography, Ronald A. Nussbaum

All Master's Theses

The purpose of this paper is to present information concerning geographic variation between three northern populations of Dicamptodon, and to add to the meager store of information concerning the life history and biology of the species.

Refractoriness Of Pet Mouse Integument To The Nerve Growth Factor, Walter Hollified Dorman

Master's Theses

This paper deals with the refractoriness of PET mouse integument to the subcutaneous administration of nerve growth factor. Newborn mice were injected once daily with NGF through ten injections. Gross and histological examination showed that the skin of the experimental animals was completely unresponsive to this agent. No alterations in the hair growth cycle or pattern were observed.

The Effects Of Estradiol Benzoate On Protein Synthesis By The Isolated Perfused Snake Liver, William Ralph Boone

Master's Theses

The effect s of estradios benzoate on protein synthesis by the isolated perfused liver of Natrix fasciata fasciata (Linnaeus, 1766), the southern banded water snake, were investigated. The incorpora­tion of carbon-14 labeled leucine into plasma protein of the liver perfusate was used as an index of protein synthesis by the perfused liver.

Both control and experimental livers demonstrated incorporation of the labeled leucine into plasma protein. However, estrogen treated livers expressed significantly greater incorporation of the amino acid into plasma protein giving an almost linear response. Total plasma protein levels were also significantly higher in the perfusions involving estrogen treated …

Colonial Independence Of Feeding Among Zooids Of The Ectoproct Lophodella Carteri (Hyatt), Leonard M. Bahr

Master's Theses

Possible interactions of feeding between zooids of colonies of the freshwater ectoproct Lophopodella carter! were investigated. Suspensions of Euglena gracilis at a concentration of 558x10³ cells ml^-1 were cleared by L. carter at a rate of 2.7 x 10^-3 ml min^-1 zooid^-1 for15 minute periods. The rate of ingestion of E. gracilis by L. carter was independent of the size of colony and decreased exponentially with time, declining to about one third the original rate in 60 minutes.

Niche Differentiating Mechanisms In Two Sympatric Species Of Swallows, David Thomas Moody

All Master's Theses

The present study considers certain aspects of the ecologies of cliff swallows (Petrochelidon pyrrhonota) and bam swallows (Hirundo rustica) in an area of overlap, where both species are found nesting together and foraging over the same fields. Careful attention was given to foraging flight patterns, foraging elevations, and food consumed by each species in an effort to determine whether or not there is any evidence of competition for food resources. Aggressive interactions between the species were recorded, and the general timing of their nesting cycles was noted.