Digital Commons Network^™

Floristic Composition And Management Of East Texas Pitcher Plant Bogs, E. S. Nixon, J. R. Ward

Faculty Publications

No abstract provided.

Physiological And Anatomical Aspects Of Photosynthesis Of Two Agrostis Species At A Sub‐Antarctic Island, Philippa M. Drennan

Biology Faculty Works

Leaf anatomy, rates of photosynthesis, leaf N, chlorophyll, RuBP carboxylase and nitrate reductase were studied on the indigenous Agrostis magellanica Lam. and the invasive alien Agrostis stolonifera L. on Marion Island (46° 54′ S, 37° 45′ E). Leaves of A. magellanica were more deeply ridged, thicker and more sclerophyllus than those of A. stolonifera. Mesophyll cells of A. magellanica were larger but the number of cells per unit leaf area and the total area of chloroplast per unit leaf area were the same for the two species. Maximum CO2 assimilation rates for the two species did not differ (mean maxima …

Field Behavior Comparison Of 8 Species Of California Desert Ants, Jack S. Neal

Loma Linda University Electronic Theses, Dissertations & Projects

Replicate colonies were observed at three study sites in southern California. Hourly activity was monitored during winter and spring.

The time outside the nest ranged from strictly diurnal in Pogonomyrmex californicus to bimodal to nocturnal in Pheidole barbata. Four aspects of surface activity, foraging, nest work, patrolling, and convening, also differed among species in hour and/or in relative proportion of such activity. Finally, interesting species differences were seen in climbing ability, running time between stops, and response to air blasts (Messor oergandei and Pheidole barbata were the least aggressive). Solenopsis maniosa was one of the three worst glass climbers, along …

Reproductive Biology Of Thamnophis Sauritus Sackenii (Kennicott) (Reptilia:Serpentes:Colubridae) From East-Central Florida, Steven. Myers

Retrospective Theses and Dissertations

Peninsula ribbon snakes, Thamnophis sauritus sackenii, were collected for 14 months. Of 90 individuals collected and examined, 42 were females, 29 were males, and 19 were neonates. Females had a larger body length than did males. The smallest, sexually mature female had a snout-vent length of 428 mm. Mating occurred from March through May. Parturition occurred from June through October. Vitellogenesis began in spring and ovulation occurred between April and May. Spermatogenic activity occurred from August through December and testes were regressed during other months.

Resource Partitioning In Seven Species Of Sympatric Intertidal Chitons (Mollusca: Polyplacophora), Richard D. Piercy

Loma Linda University Electronic Theses, Dissertations & Projects

Space (intertidal height and location/exposure on the rock surface), and food {gut contents) were partitioned among 7 species of sympatric intertidal chitons: Mopaliidae - Mopalia hindsii, M. ciliata, ~· lignosa, M. muscosa, and Katharina tunicata; and Ischnochitonidae - Tonicella lineata and Cyanoplax dentiens. Species distribution relative to intertidal height (-0.3m to +0.9m) showed significant differences. M. hindsii, ~· ciliata, M. lignosa, and T. lineata preferred slopes or undersides of rocks while ~· muscosa, K. tunicata, and c. dentiens occurred on the top horizontal surfaces or in more exposed habitats. Chitons differed significantly in their associations with Lithothamnion, macrophytic algae, Ulva, …

A Study Of Cladonia Cryptochlorophaea And Morphologically Similar Species In Illinois, Indiana, And Wisconsin, Scott S. Wilcer

Masters Theses

Collections of Cladonias with cup-shaped podetia were made in Illinois, Indiana, and Wisconsin in order to determine the distribution of an atranorin-containing variant of Cladonia cryptochlorophaea, which was discovered in 1982 in Coles County, Illinois by Cheryl Cunningham. A second objective was a distributional study of the Cladonias having cup-shaped podetia in the same three state area.

A total of 591 specimens were collected from the three states. The collection areas for Illinois were: Jackson Hollow in Pope County, Giant City State Park and Touch of Nature Interpretive Center in Jackson and Williamson Counties, Starved Rock State Park in …

Seasonal Shifts Of Photosynthesis In Portulacaria Afra (L.) Jacq., Lonnie J. Guralnick, Patricia A. Rorabaugh, Zac Hanscom

Arts & Sciences Faculty Publications

Portulacaria afra (L.) Jacq., a perennial facultative Crassulacean acid metabolism (CAM) species, was studied under natural photoperiods and temperatures in San Diego, California. The plants were irrigated every fourth day throughout the study period. Measurements of ¹⁴CO₂ uptake, stomatal resistance, and titratable acidity were made periodically from July 1981 through May 1982. P. afra maintained C₃ photosynthesis during the winter and the spring. Diurnal acid fluctuations were low and maximal ¹⁴CO₂ uptake occurred during the day. The day/night ratio of carbon uptake varied from 5 to 10 and indicated little nocturnal CO₂ uptake. CAM …

An Evaluation Of Small Rodents In Four Dismal Swamp Plant Communities, F. Elizabeth Breidling, Frank P. Day Jr., Robert K. Rose

Biological Sciences Faculty Publications

Diversity and density of small rodents in the Dismal Swamp are believed to be low. Reasons for this may be excessive predation, heavy interspecific pressure from large rodents, lack of suitable habitat, low food availability or flooding.

Rodent populations were evaluated using live-traps and pitfall traps in four different Dismal Swamp plant communities. Habitat was compared on the basis of phytomass studies previously reported. Flood levels were recorded during live-trapping sessions. Mast from trees was collected in modified mast collectors, and fed to Peromyscus leucopus in the laboratory.

Only two small rodent species were captured: Ochrotomys nuttalli and Peromyscus leucopus …

An Ecological Succession Model Applied To Environmental Management, Diane Rosenberg

Master's Theses

No abstract provided.

Habitat Selection Related To Resource Availability Among Cavity-Nesting Birds, Timothy Brush

School of Integrative Biological & Chemical Sciences (Formerly Dept. of Biology)

Variation in snag species and abundance appeared to explain most of the habitat selection patterns observed in five cavity-nesting riparian species over a three-year period. All species except Ash-throated Flycatchers were most common in areas with cottonwood or willow snags, which have relatively soft wood and are preferred nest sites. Classification of habitats on the basis of nest-site characteristics was useful and should be considered in other habitat selection studies.

Differences Associated With Mating Type Alleles In Myxomycetes, Robert M. Queen

Retrospective Theses and Dissertations

Differences associated with the mating type alleles of Didymium iridis and Physarum polycephalum were examined with fluorescent antibody and sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. Heteroabsorption of each anti-myxamoebal serum followed by testing serum activity using immunofluorescence showed there is no strain-specific activity in any of the anti-myxamoebal sera, but the sera was shown, to be genera specific. Intergeneric differences and similarities were shown in the electrophoretic patterns of the myxamoebal protein extracts from P. polycephalum, D. iridis, and Dictyostelium discoideum when compared. Intraspecific differences were noted in D. iridis.

Blackbird & Starling Roosts In Warren County, Kentucky, Wayne Mason

Masters Theses & Specialist Projects

Blackbird and Starling roosts of the 1979-80 winter season were observed in order to obtain as much information as possible concerning roosts in this area. Five species were found to comprise the local roosts: The Common Grackle (Quiscalus quiscula), Red-winged Blackbird (Agelaius phoeniceus), Brown-headed Cowbird (Molothrus ater), Rusty Blackbird (Euphagus carolinus), and the Starling (Sturnus vulgaris).

Seven categories of activities were observed in roost species: predeparture vocalizations; predeparture staging; roost departure; daily activities; roost return; preroost staging; and settlement into the roost. The Common Grackle appeared to be the species around which …

The Effects Of Grass Carp (Ctenopharyngodon Idella Val.) Upon The Submersed Macrophytic Vegetation In Central Florida Lakes, Winston K. Borkowski

Retrospective Theses and Dissertations

The biomass of the submersed macrophytic vegetation in four hydrilla (Hydrilla verticillata Royle) infested lakes in central Florida was monitored for one year. Lake Orienta and Little Lake Fairview received 2,320 and 960 grass carp, respectively, while Clear Lake and Lake Mann did not receive grass carp. Hydrilla was eliminated in Lake Orienta within six months of stocking; the lake was stocked at 19 grass carp/mt hydrilla (45 fish/ha). Hydrilla was not eliminated from Little Lake Fairview which contained 9 grass carp/mt hydrilla (30 fish/ha). The growth of hydrilla was restricted in Little Lake Fairview which produced 0.380 mt hydrilla, …

Macroinvertebrates And Reservoir Discharge: Effects Of The Cave Run Lake On Tailwater Communities, Stephen James Jordan

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 Stephen James Jordan on May 2, 1980.

Distribution And Ecology Of Cavernicolous Coleoptera In Bat Cave, Carter County, Kentucky, David Bruce Conn

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 by David Bruce Conn on April 28, 1980.

Seasonal Sexual Cycle Of Nerodia Taxispilota (Serpentes: Colubridae) At The Northeastern Edge Of Its Range, David Roland White

Master's Theses

The seasonality of the sexual cycle of Nerodia taxispilota at the northeastern edge of its range was elucidated from specimens collected over a two-year period (1978-1979) from the Appomattox River near Hopewell, Virginia. The investigation centered on morphological changes in the testis of males and vitellogenesis and embryo development in females. Related reproductive parameters also studied were body size differences, seasonal sex ratios, comparative tail lengths, and tail mutilation.

Male and female cycles closely resembled those of other temperate zone colubrids. Spermatogenesis began in May and testis size peaked in late August. Testis length showed a time lag when compared …

Association Of Aquatic Insects To Macrophytes In An Agricultural Drainage Ditch, Kevin King, John Flypaa, Henry W. Quade

Journal of the Minnesota Academy of Science

The aquatic insects associated with five species of aquatic macrophytes were collected and identified from a drainage ditch in Le Suer County. A total of 21,160 specimens from eight orders were recovered with Diptera being the dominant. Tests of association, using the Coefficient of Community and Percent Similarity revealed a unique community associated with Potamogeton nodosus. Further, the authors found that the same information generated from the study could have been accomplished without the detailed taxonomy.

Communication And Social Behavior Of Captive Slow Lorises (Nycticebus Coucang), Roberta N. Chinn

University of the Pacific Theses and Dissertations

Communication and. social behavior of a prosimian primate, Nycticebus coucang, were studied to gain a better understanding of communication and social behaviors of the Order Primates. Four adult females, two adult males, and one juvenile male were the subjects for the study. The focal animal technique was used to observe communicative and social behavior. Vocal behaviors were sonagraphically analyzed. Probability of occurrence was calculated for all behavior categories observed. Conditional probabilities were calculated for the eight most frequently occurring behaviors in a lag sequential analysis. Results of the probability of occurrence analysis showed that agonistic behaviors occurred rarely or …

Distributional Ecology Of Vegetation In The Vernal Pools Of The Santa Rosa Plateau, California, John A. Rosario

Loma Linda University Electronic Theses, Dissertations & Projects

Interpool distribution studies of 10 vernal pools on the Santa Rosa Plateau found area to be the best single predictor of species richness in each type of regression model evaluated. Area predicted most accurately in a mixed linear-curvilinear regression model (y = a + b log x). Area appeared to reflect ecologic diversity, because multiple linear regression models provided better predictions of species richness using combinations of physical characteristics which excluded area from the regression equation. In addition, species turnover was demonstrated in a single vernal pool that was evaluated.

Intrapool distribution was studied along a soil moisture/microtopographic gradient in …

A Vegetational Analysis Of A Tropical Cloud Forest In Southern Tamaulipas, Mexico, Robert I. Lonard, R. G. Ross

School of Integrative Biological & Chemical Sciences (Formerly Dept. of Biology)

The vegetation of a tropical cloud forest in northern Mexico was analyzed by the point- quarter and line intercept methods to determine the relative density, relative dominance, relative frequency and importance values of the woody and herbaceous species. The flora of the study site, near Gomez Farias, Tamaulipas, Mexico, represents a unique mixture of temperate and tropical taxa. Based on importance values, the upper woody stratum was dominated by oak (Quercus sartorii Liebm.), sweet gum (Liquidambar styraciflua L.), Turpinia occidentalis (Swartz) Don and Clethra macrophylla Mart, and Gal. The lower woody stratum consisted largely of Solarium nudum H.B.K. and Ampelopsis …

Some Aspects Of The Ecology Of Larval Fishes In Rough River Lake, Kentucky, Greg Allen Kindschi

Masters Theses & Specialist Projects

In Rough River Lake, Kentucky, some aspects of the ecology of larval and juvenile fishes were investigated from April – August, 1978. Larval fishes were collected weekly from the upper reaches of the lake from the surface and bottom, during daylight and dark periods.

Twenty-three species and three categories of unknown larval and juvenile fishes, represented by 177,119 individuals, were collected. White bass and logperch larvae were the first to appear on April 15 with surface water temperatures of 18.5 C. Gizzard shad larvae dominated net collection while Lepomis spp. were the second most abundant. Larvae were primarily concentrated …

Information From The Elephant Interest Group Questionnaire, Elephant Editors

Elephant

Elephant-related activities of answering respondents to the newsletter's questionnaire.

Bibliography, Elephant Editors

Elephant

Updates to the selected bibliography covering references from 1970 - mid-1979.

Environmental Cues In The Seasonal Development Of The Southern California Annual Grassland, George E. Johnson

Loma Linda University Electronic Theses, Dissertations & Projects

Annual grasslands characteristically experience a succession of seasonal phases which provide for the coexistence of various species by allowing them to make their major demands upon environmental resources at different times. Thus, an ecosystem furnishing certain resources at a limited rate is enabled to support a larger total biomass.

The grasslands of southern California consist principally of annual grasses coexisting with the few remaining native perennial grasses. Characteristic also is the inclusion of forbs which are distinctly either early spring or late summer plants. Many spring forbs, annual grasses, and summer forbs are observed to germinate in approximAte unison shortly …

The Role Of Vegetation Architecture In Determining Spider Community Organization, Cynthia L. Hatley

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

The relationships between vegetation architecture and spider community attributes were examined in a big sage (Artemisia tridentata) community. Spiders were separated into guilds using similarities of species' hunting behavior. Shrub architecture was experimentally manipulated in the field by either clipping 50% of a shrub's foliage to decrease foliage density or tying together a shrub's branches to increase foliage density.

Temporal patterns of spider species density, diversity (H') and evenness (J') showed midsummer peaks in both 1974 and 1975. Seasonal spider guild trends reflected the temporal prominence of a member species or genus. These temporally abundant species appeared to …

A Study Of Sedge-Dominated Areas In The Uinta Mountains, George Murchie Briggs

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

Twenty-six sedge-dominated sites in the Uinta Mountains of northeastern Utah were studied. These sites could be placed into two categories, wetland sites (those with water-saturated soils) and alpine tundra sites.

The alpine sites had above-ground standing crops between 37 and 206 g/m². The soils were sandy and low in nutrients. Indirect gradient analysis of the alpine sites showed a relationship between soil stability and vegetation. No other factors were found to be related to overall vegetation patterns.

The wetland sites were dominated by different Carex species than the alpine sites. These wetlands were often patches of monotypic stands. …

Feeding Habits And Reproduction Of Three Sympatric Lizard Species From West-Central Utah, John B. Andre

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

The feeding habits and reproduction of Uta stansburiana, Crotaphytus collaris and Cnemidophorus tigris during spring and summer 1976 are described. Feeding habits are expressed in percent total number and volume of prey items and frequency of occurrence of each prey category. Importance Values are also calculated. These values better illustrate the feeding habits of the lizard species than either percent total number and volume and frequency of prey category occurrence.

Lizards consume a variety of food items throughout the growing season. Hymenoptera, Coleoptera, Orthoptera and Arachnida are the major prey categories of U. stansburiana. The major prey categories …

The Columnar Junipers Of Western North Dakota (An Investigation Into The Cause Of Their Columnarity), James M. Murphy

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The objective of this report is to focus on the evaluation of the presence and amount of ethylene in the burning lignite fumes and to search for morphogenetic factors in the lignite at the Slope County site. The former was considered to be more important and was investigated more thoroughly.

Iowa Environmental Education Needs Assessment: An Evaluation By Teachers And Administrators In Grades K-12, Debra Elaine Mcrae

Dissertations and Theses @ UNI

An environmental education needs assessment of the Iowa public schools (K-12) was conducted during the spring of 1976. The assessment was conducted via mailed questionnaire to a randomly selected sample of 2128 teachers, principals and superintendents. The proportionately stratified sample was divided into eight sub-groups1 elementary teachers, elementary principals, secondary science teachers, secondary social science teachers, secondary other teachers (all other types of secondary teachers), secondary principals, superintendents and other administrators. The response rate was 53.8 percent. Responses were made on modified Likert scales. Statistical Package for the Social Sciences was used for data recording and computer analysis. Information obtained …

The Distribution Of Orcuttia Californica (Poaceae) In The Vernal Pools Of The Santa Rosa Plateau, Riverside County, California, Cluney M. Stagg

Loma Linda University Electronic Theses, Dissertations & Projects

Ecological studies were conducted on the rare annual grass Orcuttia californica (Vasey), an endemic to California, from April to September, 1976 in 11 vernal pools located on the Santa Rosa Plateau in Riverside County. To help determine why Orcutt grass occurs in only 6 of the 11 pools and more specifically why it only occurs in patches within a given pool, biweekly measurements of frequency, density and phenology were taken within each of a total of 28 circular plots (r = 10 meters) in 5 pools. This data was related to concurrent biweekly measurements of soil moisture, soil texture and …