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Food Habits Of Dicamptodon Ensatus And Associated Fish Species Of Maratta Creek, Washington, Authur L. Antonelli

All Master's Theses

Three cold-blooded vertebrates, Dicamptodon ensatus, Cottus tenuis, and Salmo gairdneri were investigated as to food habits for a period of one year. The existence of competition between these animals for food was determined by means of stomach analysis. The results were compared relative to each vertebrate and the bottom fauna procurred from the stream. It was shown that the food habits of D. ensatus and S. gairdneri were diverse enough to warrant partial exclusion on the basis of food. C. tenuis demonstrated selectivity and was shown to be under competitive stress from the other two species.

A Preliminary Investigation Of The Incidence Of Acanthocephalans In Freshwater Fish From Two Similar Streams In Rowan County, Kentucky, Langston D. Smith

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 Langston D. Smith on July 23, 1969.

The Food Habits Of The Gila Mountain-Sucker, Pantosteus Clarki (Baird And Girard), Gail C. Kobetich

Biology ETDs

Intestinal contents of postlarval to adult Gila mountain-suckers, Pantosteus clarki (Baird and Girard), collected from the upper Gila River system, were examined using a slightly modified Sedgewick-Rafter counting technique. From the analysis of the intestinal material it was found that the diet of Pantosteus clarki consisted of 97.4% plant material, 2.4% animal material, and 0.2% organic detritus. In order of importance the plant material consisted of filamentous green algae, filamentous blue-green algae, and diatoms. The animal material consisted of aquatic invertebrates with the following groups being most important: Tendipedidae, Epherneroptera, Simuliidae, and Pyralididae. Other algal types and invertebrates groups occurred …

A Comparison Of The Vibratory Muscle, Tail Epaxial Muscle, And Body Epaxial Muscle Respiratory Activities In Sistrurus Miliarius, Coluber Constrictor, And Natrix Fasciata, Craig Todd Kerins

Master's Theses

The rattlesnake can be distinguished from other types of snakes by its rattling apparatus. Klauber (1956) describes the rattle as an apparatus consisting of varying numbers of three lobed keratin segments. The segments arc arranged in a string by the loose interlocking of the segment lobes. The rattle is attached to tho. snake by the style, the modified terminal vertebra of the rattlesnake. The style is distally branched, forming a rigid core for the proximal rattle segments. A sound, unique to the rattlesnake, is produced when the segments arc vibrated at great frequencies by the snake's posterior tail musculature (Klauber, …

The Effect Of Estradiol On Protein And Nucleic Acids Of The Liver Of Natrix Fasciata, Alex Jordan

Master's Theses

The effects of estradiol on RNA, DNA, and protein concentrations in the liver of Natrix fasciata (southern banded water snake) were investigated. Nucleic acid and protein concentrations were determined spectrophotometrically and expressed as mg/gm wet weight tissue.

Significant increases in both RNA and protein occured 48 hours after a single injection of estradiol. After 72 hours the mean RNA level in estradiol treated snakes had decreased significantly from the 48 hour level. The mean protein level at 72 hours, although lower than the 48 hour level, did not decrease significantly.

Liver DNA concentrations in experimental and control snakes were the …

Effects Of Photoperiod On The Occurrence Of Symbiotic Rotifers, Nematodes And Branchiobdellids Of Two Orconectid Species Of Crayfishes, Edward Van Metre

Masters Theses & Specialist Projects

Representative specimens of O. immunis and O. pellucidus were brought to the laboratory in order to investigate the influence of light on the occurrence of the symbionts encountered during the preliminary field study. After one week of acclimating the crayfishes they were distributed among environments control chambers that permitted exposure of the hosts and symbionts to 1) continuous light (C.L.), 2) a daily cycle of 12 hours of light and 12 hours of darkness (12L-12D) and 3) continuous darkness (C.D.).

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.

Habitat And Food Habits Of Eutamias Minimus Scrutator In The Semi-Desert Regions Of Central Washington, Gary L. Hall

All Master's Theses

This paper presents the results of a food habit study on Eutamias minimus scrutator in the sagebrush-bunch grass zone of Central Washington. The major objective of the research is to relate the availability of plant species within the local habitat to the food habit biology of the species.

The Biological Properties Of Pseudomonas Aeruginosa Bacteriophage 7v, Shirley Phillips Schnider

Dissertations and Theses

The present study was undertaken to define the standard conditions for growth of bacteriophage 7V on its host Pseudomonas aeruginosa strain PS-7 and to determine the factors which affect the quantity and quality of plaques in the plaque count assay. Observations from the single-step growth experiment and single-burst experiment are also included.

Plaque count assays were performed under various environmental conditions. Conditions were selected as "standard" if they yielded: 1) relative maximum number of infective centers per ml of stock 7V phage, 2) clear, haloed plaques at least 2.0 mm in diameter, and 3) reproducible assays limited only by the …

Seasonal Variations Of Certain Air-Borne Allergens Of Fungal Origin, Kathleen Dillon

Biology ETDs

In this study, the number of viable mold spores trapped by a power-assisted sampling device was counted to determine the number of spores per cubic foot of air. Mold colonies were then sub-cultured and identified to genus.

Meteorological data for the times of sampling and for the entire year were furnished by the Environmental Sciences Service Administration.

It was determined that certain spore types did show a seasonal variation, with different types predominating at different times of the year.

Certain local climatic conditions prevailing at the time of sampling tended to select for the predominance of a particular type of …

Measurement And Affect Of Ecologically Significant Factors Within A Thermally-Stratified Lake On Bacterial Utilization Of A Humic Acid, Herbert E. Schmidt

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 Herbert E. Schmidt on May 19, 1969.

The Response Of Atriplex Canescens And Eurotia Lanata To Sub-Freezing Temperatures, William C. Fry

Biology ETDs

Frost hardiness was investigated in seedlings of Atriplex canescens and Eurobia lanata.Exosmosis, of electrolytes and reduction of triphenyl tetrazolium chloride (T.T.C.) by tissue exposed to sub-freezing temperatures were investigated as objective methods for determining the frost killing temperature of the seedlings as compared to actual seedling survival. The relationship of a seedling age and the influence of a brief preconditioning at a reduced temperature were studied as to their effect on the frost killing temperature. The seedling age best suited to the investigation of the influence of temperature and photoperiod preconditioning on the frost killing temperature was determined. The influence …

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 …

Reproduction In Cnemidophorus Inornatus And C. Neomexicanus, James L. Christiansen

Biology ETDs

Cnemidophorus inornatus, a species composed of males and females, is closely related to Cnemidophorus neomexicanus, a parthenogenetic species. The two occur more or less sympatrically but differ in several factors which may provide either species with an advantage. Preference for different microhabitats and antagonistic behavior between the two species tend to prevent interspecific contact and interbreeding. Disruption of the habitat may destroy these isolating mechanisms and sterile hybrids may result. Adults and juveniles of both species are active from mid-April to mid-August but juveniles are more active than adults during the colder months. The reproductive cycle of males begins in …

The Effect Of Coxiella Burnetii Parasitism On The Fertile Chieken Egg Injected With Glucose-14c, Oswald G. Baca

Biology ETDs

The effect of parasitism by the rickettsia Coxiella burnetii on the chicken embryo was studied by extracting rickettsiae separated from infected yolk sacs and examining the extracts for radioactivity arising from D-glucose-U-¹⁴C injected into the embryonated eggs. The rickettsiae were separated from the yolk sacs with a cation exchange resin and differential centrifugation. The purified rickettsiae were then extracted for various components. The extracts 4 were subjected to radioactivity determination with an internal sample liquid scintillation counter. The extracts were also chromatographed and superimposed on X-ray film for radioautography. No significant differences in radioactivity were found be tween …

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 …

The Ecological Distribution Of Lizards In The Blue River Valley, Terence P. Boyle

Biology ETDs

The problem presented is the ecological distribution of seven species of lizards in the Blue River Valley of Greenlee County, Arizona. Field work was done May to July, 1967 and 1968 in the mountains, and July to September 1968 in the valley. Lizards were collected with a hand-gun and are preserved in the Museum of Southwestern Biology, Division of Eerpetology, University of New Mexico. A plant collection was made and seven plant communities are described. Seven species of lizards are compared by plant-community affiliation and habitat.

Urosaurus ornatus was the most euryecious species found. It inhabited every plant community where …

Vascularization In Seedlings Of Four Species Of Opuntia, Benjamin Lee Pilcher

Biology ETDs

No abstract provided.

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, …

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 …

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.

Effect Of Relative Humidity At 23 C On Egg Eclosion In Two Species Of Pyralid Moths, William P. Morrison

Biology ETDs

Desiccation resistance in eggs of the Indian-meal moth, Plodia interpunctella, and the bluegrass webworm, Crambus teterrellus, was compared. Decapitation was used to obtain eggs for humidity studies. In both species decapitated females showed a slightly higher incidence of infertile eggs, as well as of fertile eggs which did not eclose, than occurred in eggs collected from nondecapitated females. Eggs of P. interpunctella are relatively resistant to desiccation. This moth is a pest of stored grains and tends to oviposit in areas of low humidity. In laboratory tests more than 95% of the fertile eggs eclosed at each of the nine …

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

Aphanizomenon Elenkinii Kissel In Minnesota Lakes, Hibbert Hill

Journal of the Minnesota Academy of Science

Aphanizomenon Elenkinii Kissel., heretofore described only from the Black Sea area of Russia, has been observed during four summers in lakes near Minneapolis, Minn. A description of the Minnesota alga is given. It has features not noted in previous descriptions.

Quantitative Plating Of Gamma-Irradiated Cultures Of A Blue-Green Alga, Michael J. Bazin

Journal of the Minnesota Academy of Science

A method for quantitative recovery of the blue-green alga, Anacystis nidulans, after treatment with gamma rays is described, and data for the survival of the alga after exposure to a gamma source is presented. No conclusions could be drown by applying a "multi-target" model relating dosage to survival. Application of the data lo a revised target-theoretical expression which included the effects of a dose-dependent repair mechanism indicates that such a mechanism is present in A. nidulans. The validity of these dose-response models is discussed.

Myxobacterial Columns, Walter Fluegel

Journal of the Minnesota Academy of Science

The soil myxobacterium, Myxococcus fulvus, will produce clavate columns of slime and cells in certain static liquid cultures. The cells protrude from the thicker end of the column like pins in a pincushion. The column's distribution is in an even array. An hypothesis is suggested for the origin of these formations. The columns are not fruiting bodies. Column formation in other fruiting myxobacteria suggests that it is not a unique feature. Only one other fruiting myxobacterium which produced columns has been reported, and that more than two decades ago.

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.