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Hunting By Expectation Or Optimal Foraging: A Study Of Patch Use By Chickadees, John Krebs, John Ryan, Eric Charnov

Biology Faculty & Staff Publications

When a predator exploits an environment in which food is patchily distributed, it has to continually make the decision of how long to stay in a patch. In this paper we examine this question using black-capped chickadees foraging in a large aviary for small pieces of mealworm hidden in artificial pine cones. The results of our experiments show the following: (a) when the birds encounter a long sequence of patches (groups of pine cones) each containing the same number of prey, they do not learn to expect a fixed number of prey per patch (Gibb's hypothesis of hunting by expectation); …

Studies On The Structural Polypeptides Of Bacteriophage N1, Jeffry J. Leary

Biology ETDs

The structural proteins of Micrococcus lysodeikticus bacteriophage N1 were studied by SDS-urea polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. Electrophoretic analysis of highly purified virions revealed that N1 phage is composed of six structural polypeptides which were designated VP1 through VP6. Molecular weights of the virion polypeptides were estimated to be 103,000 (VP1), 76,000 (VP2), 66,000 (VP3), 51,000 (VP4), 26,000 (VP5), and 16,750 (VP6) daltons. Quantitative analysis of electropherograms of N1 indicated that VP4, VPS, and VP6 are major components of the virion representing 46%, 29%, and 19% of the weight of the virion protein, respectively. The three minor polypeptides VP1, VP2, and VP3 …

Comments On "The Evolutionary Theories Of Charles Darwin And Herbert Spencer" By Derek Freeman, Carl J. Bajema

Other Scholarly Publications

In this paper certain crucial differences between the evolutionary theories of Charles Darwin and Herbert Spencer are explored. Particular attention is given to the Lamarckian basis of Spencer's evolutionary doctrine.

Age At Menarche: Accuracy Of Recall After Thirty-Nine Years, Albert Damon, Carl J. Bajema

Peer Reviewed Publications

Among 143 women whose menarcheal age was documented during a longitudinal growth study, recall 39 years after the even gave the following results: menarche was recalled as 0.2 years after earlier than the actual date (p<0.05), the standard deviation of recalled age was 0.3 years larger (p<0.01), and the coefficient of correlation, r, between actual and recalled age was 0.60 +/- s.e. 0.05.

A Study Of Rna Bacteriophage 7s Infection Of Pseudomonas Aeruginosa, Deanne Benson

Dissertations and Theses

A study was conducted to find the effect of magnesium, calcium, manganese and zinc ions on the infection of Psudomonas aeruginosa strain 1C by RNA bacteriophage 7s. When an 18 hour progeny experiment was performed, it was found that magnesium, calcium and manganese had different effects on bacteriophage production and was dependent on the bacterial growth conditions. RNA bacteriophage 7s progeny production was significantly enhanced by the addition of magnesium to cultures of Psudomonas aeruginosa 1C grown in a magnesium deficient medium. Under these environmental conditions there was a slight increase in progeny in the presence of calcium. When Psudomonas …

Enzyme Reactions Using Ureidosuccinate As A Substrate During Pyrimidine Biosynthesis And Degradation In Cl. Oroticum, Penny Amy

Dissertations and Theses

Cells of Clostridium oroticum, an anaerobic bacterium, were grown on orotate as a carbon and energy source. Ureidosuccinase, an inducible enzyme in the pathway for pyrimidine degradation has been shown to convert ureidosuccinate to aspartate, CO₂ and NH₃ as reported by Liebenmm and Kornberg (7). Aspartate and CO₂ were formed in approximately a 1:1 ratio from ureidosuccinase activity.

Ureidosuccinase was found to be a Mn+² requiring enzyme with a pH optimum of approximately pH 6.5. Enzyme activity is labile to O₂, temperature, pH, dilution and high ionic strength. The optimum conditions for storage …

Circadian Rhythm In Dugesia Tigrina And Its Correlation With Regeneration, Mary Michael Brandt

Theses & Dissertations

Plant and animal rhythms have caught the attention of astute observers throughout history, but it was not until the eighteenth century that research in the area really began. Of the many rhythms we casually observe in the creatures around us, the most familiar is the daily rhythm of activity and rest. Ordinarily, the cues of daylight and darkness help to keep plants and animals synchronized with the environment. But neither honeybees, plants, nor man depend entirely upon such cues—all will show their "time sense" even when isolated from the outside world in a deep mine, cavern, or similar situation. In …

Accumulative Coliform Population In A Five-Mile Section Of The Cibolo Creek, Norman Merrill Brown

Theses & Dissertations

A study of the accumulative coliform population in a five-mile section of Cibolo Creek near Schertz, Texas.

The greatest danger associated with water is that it may recently have been contaminated by sewage or by human excrement. Therefore, the protection of public water supplies from intestinal contamination is a necessary obligation of the public health authorities. If there happens to be a break in the protective chain (adequate treatment, disinfection, and protection of water supply), a chance exposure to fecal contamination could trigger an explosive outbreak of disease within a community. Modern technology and more sophisticated bacteriological methods have made …

The Production Of Epoxysuccinic Acid By Fungi, John Dibble

Masters Theses & Specialist Projects

Seven strains of Aspergillus fumigatus and five strains of Paecilomyces varioti known to produce trans-l-epoxysuccinic acid (ESA) in a fermentation medium were compared for total acid production. It was found that A. fumigatus NRRL 2327 accumulated the greatest concentration of total acid determined by titration for soluble calcium.

Using a method of gas -liquid chromatography developed for this study, it was found that P. varioti NRRL 1123 accumulated significant quantities of ESA and succinic acid and a trace of an unidentified acid in a fermentation medium. The maximum accumulation of ESA was not reached by the 9th day of …

The Ultrastructure Of Carteria Olivieri G.S. West (Chlorophyceae: Chlamydomonadaceae), Sharon Moore

Masters Theses & Specialist Projects

Carteria olivieri West (CHLOROPHYCEAE:CHLAMYDOMONADACEAE) is a quadriflagellated unicellular green alga similar to representatives of the genus Chlamydomonas. There exists within the genus morphological variation in reference to the chloroplast, pyrenoid(s), and stigma. The purpose of this study was to investigate the ultrastructure of Carteria olivieri.

Carteria olivieri was found to be ultrastructurally similar to other species of the genus which have been investigated. Major differences include the shape of the apical papilla and the diameter and origin of the pyrenoid tubules.

Some Aspects Of The Life History Of The Southern Redbelly Dace, Chrosomus Erythrogaster Rafinesque, In Ivy Creek, Warren County, Kentucky, William Settles

Masters Theses & Specialist Projects

Various aspects of the biology of the southern redbelly dace, Chrosomus erythrogaster Rafinesgue, were intensively studied on a population in Ivy Creek, Warren County, Kentucky from 1971 to 1972. Reproduction in the southern redbellv dace occurred from May through June. Older, sexually mature individuals spawned early in the reproductive period while those in their first year of life spawned during late June. The number of eggs shed annually ranged from 140 to 681 with an average of 385. A positive correlation existed between the number of eggs shed and standard length.

Differences between the sexes of the species were marked …

Reproductive Status Of Alligator Juniper In Bandelier National Monument, New Mexico, Graham A. Mark

Biology ETDs

The primary object of this study was to determine the reproductive status of Juniperus deppeana Steud. In Bandelier National Monument, New Mexico. Due to the apparent scarcity of seedlings and young trees, eventual local extinction seemed likely.

Information about the population—its distributions in space and time, its fecundity and mortality rates—was gathered in the Monument. This, together with reported demographic traits of Juniperus spp., indicates that reproduction has indeed recently declined. However, due to the longevity of its members, the population could withstand at least a century of no reproduction before becoming seriously endangered.

Since reproduction has been generally poor …

Discharge Responses Of The Nematocysts Of The Stinging Nettle Chrysaora Quinquecirrha To External Stimuli, Christa Merz Hubbard

Master's Theses

Chrysaora quinquecirrha nematocysts and isolated in suspension were systematically exposed to a wide range of chemical and mechanical stimuli to determine which ones would initiate discharge.

Nematocysts in situ were found to be highly responsive to stimuli and showed well-marked, immediate discharge when treated with acid, base and electrical stimuli. Slight discharge occurred with salt solutions, beef extract, beef extract and contact, human hair and change in temperature.

Discharge increased with the concentration of the reagent or the strength of the mechanical stimuli. A significant increase in discharge occurred in isolated nematocysts treated with HCl, acetic acid and sodium hydroxide. …

Coastal Vegetational Communities Of The Two Texas Barrier Islands, Boca Chica And Brazos, Baltazar Cisneros

Theses and Dissertations - UTB/UTPA

Two Texas barrier islands, Boca Chica and Brazos, have unique coastal vegetational communities that may be Influenced by several environmental factors. These environmental factors include temperature, precipitation, wind speed, sunshine exposure, day length, and dune height. The purpose of this investigation was to determine the total number of coastal plant species per station, season, and year and to consider environmental factors that may significantly affect the number and pattern of coastal species. Coverage comparison between aerial and land sampling and aerial vegetational zonation was also considered.

Results indicated the presence of 21 angiosperm families and a total of 54 species. …

The Effects Of Dilute Copper Sulphate Concentrations On Selected Aquatic Invertebrates, Michael D. Campbell

Masters Theses

No abstract provided.

The Benthic Communities Of The Eastern Rocky Shore Areas Of Goshen Bay, Utah Lake, Thomas Whitney Toole

Theses and Dissertations

Information about the benthic macroinvertebrate populations along the eastern shore of Goshen Bay, Utah Lake, Utah, can be used, in part, to determine future management of the lake. In the project herein reported, cement artificial substrate samplers were used to sample two types of substrate: rubble and compacted calcareous tufa. Monthly samples were obtained from each type of substrate from March 1972 to May 1973. An amphipod, Hyalela azteca and a chironomid, Dicrotendipes fumidus were the dominant organisms in numbers and tiomass. Amphipod numbers were dependent upon the amount of algal standing crop. Elimination of this area could affect the …

Effects Of The Nerve During The Dedifferentiative Phase Of Limb Regeneration In The Mexican Axolotl, Ambystoma Mexicanum, Roberta Gail Wald

Dissertations and Theses

It is known that nerves are particularly critical during the early or dedifferentiative phase of limb regeneration. During this period in the innervated limb, cells just proximal to the amputation surface dedifferentiate, migrate to the limb tip, and undergo mitosis. These processes give rise to a population of undifferentiated mesenchymatous cells capable of redifferentiating into the missing components of the newly forming regenerate. The consequences of denervation stand in stark contrast to the normal events occurring in the innervated limb, because neither a blastema nor a regenerate forms.

Results from this study indicate that during the early portion of the …

Isolation Of Hypoxanthine-Guanine Phosphoribosyl Transferase Deficient Mutants In A Mammalian Cell Line, Winston M. Sanford

Biology ETDs

The isolation of hypoxanthine-guanine phosphoribosyl transferase deficient mutants of Swiss mouse fibroblast cells was accomplished by exposure of large numbers of normal cells to the toxic antimetabolic agent 8-Azaguanine. Cell lines resistant to 0.1, 0.5 and 1.0 μg/ml of 8-Azaguanine were obtained. Enzyme studies of these cell lines revealed an inverse correlation between the level of resistance to 8-Azaguanine and the activity of the hypoxanthine-guanine phosphoribosyl transferase enzyme. One exceptional mutant has been isolated with a resistance to 8-Azaguanine and an enzyme activity two-fold higher than the parent cell. These mutants are discussed in terms of genetic and biochemical defects …

Human Sperm Antigens And Antisperm Antibodies, Carol K. Dudley

Biology ETDs

An immune response to spermatozoa may result in the production of autoantibodies to sperm. Most studies of antisperm antibody have depended on sperm agglutination or sperm immobilization which only detect antibodies reacting with cell surface antigen. In the study reported here indirect immunofluorescence was used to examine antisperm antibodies to all components of sperm in vasectomized males. These antibodies were used to study the nature of sperm­specific antigens, located in subcellular regions of the human spermatozoa. The incidence of antisperm antibodies in vasectomized patients rises from 61% before surgery to 90% nine months after surgery. The antibodies present before surgery …

On The Effects Of Reduced Competition Between Species Of Eleutherodactylus., Kirkland Lee Jones

Biology ETDs

To elucidate the changes in the trophic and microhabitat portions of the niche under various degrees of competitive pressure, four species of Eleutherodactylus were studied on five Caribbean islands. Approximately 100 specimens of each species occurring on each island were collected. Five measurements were used to characterize the microhabitat at the collection site. Five morphological measurements were taken from each specimen. All stomach contents were measured, counted, and categorized. Feeding rates were obtained from stomach contents and direct observation.

Agonistic Behaviour In Gila Woodpeckers, Gene L. Brenowitz

Biology ETDs

Agonistic behaviour of Gila Woodpeckers (Centurus uropygialis), including vocalizations, visual displays and other related behaviours, is described. Aggressive interactions with both con- and hetero-specifics were analyzed by stochastic processes. Results indicate that Gila Woodpeckers are far less aggressive than qualitative descriptions suggest and reasons for this discrepancy are presented.

The ecological correlates of Gila Woodpecker aggression were investigated and it appears that most aggression is related to defense of areas both intraspecifically and interspecifically. The effects of the two types of territoriality on the distribution of the species involved were compared and found to be significantly different. A model is …

A Study Of The Enteric Bacterial Population Of The Rio Grande From Cochiti Dam To Bernalillo, New Mexico And Of The Water Systems Of Cochiti, Santo Domingo And San Felipe Villages, Linda K. Fogleman

Biology ETDs

A bacterial survey of fecal coliforms, fecal streptococci, Arizona and Salmonella was made of the waters of the Rio Grande, its adjoining canals and ditches, and of the well water of three pueblos along the Rio Grande in New Mexico. The river and ditch survey consisted of sampling 11 sites from Cochiti Bridge south to the Bernalillo Acequia at Bernalillo, and took place between September, 1971 and November, 1972. Water was collected from six sites in Cochiti Village, five sites in Santo Domingo Village, and seven sites from San Felipe Village between May 25, 1972 and November 14, 1972. Six …

A Spectrographic Analysis Of Pinon Jay Vocalizations, Lyle Rae Berger

Biology ETDs

Vocalizations and behavior of banded pairs of adult Pinon Jays were recorded during 1972. Jays were housed in large outdoor aviaries. Fifteen distinct vocalizations were isolated in this study. During 1973 individual adult Pinon Jays were observed, and their vocal responses to other individuals were recorded under various circumstances in an attempt to quantify the functions of the calls iso­lated in the initial study. Six pairs of Pinon Jays were tested in this manner. A wild flock of unhanded Pinon Jays also was observed during 1972 and part of 1973.

The fifteen Pinon Jay vocalizations were examined with the aid …

Department Emphasis Week Lectures, Al Mennega

Pro Rege

No abstract provided.

Biosystematics Of The Heermanni Subgroup A Of The Genus Dipodomys (Rodentia: Heteromyidae), Anthony G. Futcher

Loma Linda University Electronic Theses, Dissertations & Projects

This study investigates the taxonomic status of members of the heermanni subgroup of the genus Dipodomys.

Karyotypes were prepared for 12 populations of this subgroup, using in vivo cultures of bone marrow prepared by a modified colchicine-hypotonic citrate method. The 2n ranges from 52 - 72.

Electropherograms were prepared for 11 populations, and data derived from the tracings were subjected to stepwise discriminant function analysis, resulting in scattergrams which were used to indicate closeness of relationships between populations.

These data show that: a) Dipodomys stephensi (Merriam) and Dipodomys ingens (Merriam) are well defined species with 2n = 70 for D. …

Nocturnal Flights Of Triatoma (Hemiptera: Reduviidae) In Sabino Canyon, Arizona, David B. Ekkens

Loma Linda University Electronic Theses, Dissertations & Projects

Three species of Triatorna were studied in this investigation: T. rubida uhleri (Neiva), _T. protracta protracta (Uhler), and T. recurva (Stal) (Hemiptera:Reduviidae). These blood-sucking bugs are ectoparasites of vertebrate animals. Triatoma rubida uhleri (Neiva) is the most common conenose bug in southern Arizona.

At certain seasons of the year Triatoma bugs enter homes and bite people causing an allergic reaction in sensitized individuals. The purpose of this study was to determine cause of flight, time of day and r season of the year most individuals fly, effects of various physical factors on flights and distances flown.

This research was conducted …

The Effect Of Beta Radiation From Inhaled Yttrium-90 In Fused Clay Particles On Immunity To Listeria Monocytogenes In Mice, Ambrosio Sanchez

Biology ETDs

The author is greatly indebted to the Inhalation Toxicology Research Institute, Lovelace Foundation for Medical Education and Research for af­fording the opportunity to undertake this study. Research was performed under U. S. Atomic Energy Commission Contract AT (29-2) -1013. Particular gratitude is given to Drs. Roger O. McClellan and David L. Lundgren without whose advice, help and encouragement this endeavor would not have been accomplished. Further appreciation is given to Drs. Paul H. Silverman, Ronda F. Cooper and the late John W, Beakley, members of my graduate committee; Ann C. Ferris, Katherine R. Baca and Mildred B. organ for their …

Partial Purification & Kinetic Studies Of Nicotinamide Adenine Dinucleotide Phosphate-Specific Isocitrate Dehydrogenase Of Phycomyces Blakesleeanus, Michael Meredith

Masters Theses & Specialist Projects

The nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate -specific isocitrate dehydrogenase (threo-Ds(+) isocitrate: NADP⁺: oxidoreductase [decarboxylating]; E.C. 1.1.1.42.) of Phycomyces blakesleeanus was partially purified. The method used to purify the enzyme was a combination of protamine sulphate precipitation, ammonium sulphate fractionation, and ion exchange and gel filtration chromatography. The NADP⁺ -specific IDH was purified from an initial specific activity of 0.05 units/mg of protein to a final specific activity of 1.5 units/mg protein in solution.

Molecular and reaction characteristics were explored. Employing gel filtration the molecular weight of the enzyme was determined to be 88,000. The forward reaction was found …

The Effects Of Temperature & Photoperiod On Molting In Seasonal Populations Of The Crayfish Orconectes Rusticus Rusticus (Girard), Steven Sadewasser

Masters Theses & Specialist Projects

Immature Orconectes rusticus rusticus (Girard) were collected from Doe Run, Meade Co., Ky. on January 16, June 1, and October 21, 1972, for the purpose of examining the effects of three different temperatures (14C, 18C, and 22C) and three different photo, eriods (6L:18D, 15L:9D, and 24LL) on seasonal molting patterns. For each seasonal experiment, 144 crayfish were placed in 3 x 3 experimental units and maintained for a 90-day period.

In Experiment 1 (January 18-April 18), 98 molts were attempted with 98% of the molts being successfully completed. Arrangement of these molts within the separate treatments of this experiment indicated …

Lesion Formation In The Liver Of Mice Caused By Metabolic By-Products Of Hymenolepsis Microstoma, Gary Simpson

Masters Theses & Specialist Projects

The presence of lesions in the liver of mice is associated with the infection of these mice with the common bile duct -dwelling cestode, Hymenolepis microstoma. Lesions develop even though there is no direct contact between the cestodes and the liver. It was found in this investigation that administration to mice of Tyrode's solution, in which cestodes had been incubated for 24 hr, resulted in liver lesions comparable to those observed in normal infections. The administration of the causative substance by either per os intubation or intraperitoneal injection produced similar lesions. Further studies revealed that the active lesion - …