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It's A Mollusk, Dorothea S. Franzen

Honorees for Teaching Excellence

No abstract provided.

A Systematic Study Of The Genus Castilleja In New Mexico, Mary Carol Olsen

Biology ETDs

A critical field and herbarium study in Castilleja provides sufficient evidence for recognizing 20 species, 19 perennials and one annual of this genus in New Mexico. Castilleja species are found in a variety of habitats throughout New Mexico and flower from early April to late October. The yellow-bracted taxa are limited to the high mountains of the northern part of the state; others are more generally distributed. One taxon apparently is endemic to the White and Sacramento Mountains. One variety, described from the Charleston Mountains of Nevada, is now reported from the Chuska Mountains of New Mexico also. The scarlet-bracted …

Cesium And Sodium Metabolism By The New Mexico Whiptail Lizard, Margaret Flory

Biology ETDs

The effect of temperature on electrolyte metabolism in the lizard Cnemidophorus perplexus was studied. The biological half-time and tissue distribution were the aspects of cesium and sodium metabolism noted. Increased temperature results in a higher metabolic rate. Measurements were made of the extent oxygen consumption increased with raised temperature in C. perplexus. Radioisotopes sodium-22 and cesium-137 were injected intraperitoneally into lizards kept at several environmental temperatures. Whole body radioactivity counts were taken twice daily on the live animals to determine the retention curves. At 50% retention and 80% retention lizards were sacrificed and tissue radioactivity counts taken to determine electrolyte …

The Effects Of Ambient Pressure On The Biological Response Of Mice To Air Blast., Edward G. Damon

Biology ETDs

The extensive use of high-energy fuels and the development of a wide variety of high explosives have led to increased accidental and wartime exposure of men to detonations. furthermore, with the advent of the development of nuclear weapons, the need for a better under­standing of the biological effects of blast has been greatly increased.

Some Movements Of Black-Tailed Jackrabbits In Northern Utah, Donald H. Rusch

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

This work describes the extent and pattern of some black-tailed jackrabbit (Lepus californicus) movements and areas of activity in northern Utah and their relationship to sex and age, and season of the year.

Black-tailed jackrabbits are the most common lagomorphs in much of the western United States, particularly in that vegetational association described by McDougal (1908) as the sagebrush desert. Furthermore, Adams and Adams (1959) have suggested a correlation between sagebrush (Artemisia tridentata) incidence and jackrabbit density.

Farmers often regard this species as a liability because of its depredations on alfalfa (Medicago sativa), crested …

Some Morphological And Histological Effects Of The Poison Of Lophopodella Carteri (Hyatt) On Young Ambystoma Opacum (Gravenhorst) And Carassius Auratus (Linnaeus), Eric Justin Collins

Master's Theses

Larvae of the marbled salamander, Ambystoma onscum, and the goldfish, Carassius auratus, were subjected to poi­ soning by homogenates of Lonhopodella carteri. Stock homogenates were prepared by grinding specimens of frozen L. carteri in a rotary blender and adding distilled water to give a 20 percent concentration (wt./vol.); the stock was used to prepare working solutions.

Homogenates from bryozoans collected in 1964 were approximately twice as poisonous as those from the 1963 col­ lection. It ls possible that chemical changes during stor­ age and bacterial action prior to freezing caused deterioration of the poisonous principle in the material from 1963. …

The Origin Of The Grassland Amphibian, Reptilian, And Mammalian Faunas Of The San Juan-Chaco River Drainage, Arthur H. Harris

Biology ETDs

Grasslands of the San Juan-Chaco Drainage are separated from grasslands of other New Mexican drainages by plant associations characteristic of higher altitudes. Connection with other grasslands in the Colorado Drainage is restricted to a narrow corridor in the northwest.

Grassland habitat of the present type was absent from the basin during the last major Pleistocene pluvial as were those amphibians, reptiles, and mammals closely associated with this habitat. An effort has been made to determine which of these vertebrates invaded the area from the northwest in post-pluvial time and which have entered the basin via relatively low-lying areas along the …

Percina Notogramma Montuosa Hogarth, A New Subspecies Of A Percid Fish From The Upper James River, William Thomas Hogarth

Master's Theses

Percina notogramma montuosa is described from 50 specimens taken in the tributaries of the upper James River. It is best separated from Percina notogramma notogramma, which inhabits the lower James, Rappahannock, York, Potomac and Patuxent rivers, on the basis of lateral-line scales (average difference 89%) and scales around the caudal peduncle (average difference 79%). A comparison of the meristic indices resulted in an average difference of 89%. A total of 18 out of 31 meristic and proportional characters were found to give significant differences.

The relatively few specimens from the Rappahannock, Potomac and Patuxent rivers precluded an intensive investigation of …

Ultraviolet Induction Properties Of Salmonella Potsdam Bacteriophages, Berney Roy Neufeld

Loma Linda University Electronic Theses, Dissertations & Projects

Three lysogenic strains of Salmonella potsdam were studied to determine whether or not they were inducible by ultraviolet light under certain conditions. The strains examined were SP3, SP4, and SP9. SP3 and SP4 contained a single prophage each and SP9 contained two prophages P9a and P9c. The ultraviolet light sensitivities of each of these lysogenic strains and the indicator strain SP2 were also examined.

All three lysogenic strains were found to be inducible. SP3 was induced an average of 3.59% and SP4 an average of 2.21%. The difference between the induction percentages of SP3 and SP4 was not statistically significant. …

A Comparative Study Of Gross Pelvic Anatomy And Renal Histology Of Two Species Of Sparrows, Shirley Ann Hoskins

University of the Pacific Theses and Dissertations

While in no way passing judgments on the quality of the investigations which have been published, there is one conclusion that must be reached and this is that there is room for further investigations. The studies which form the basis of this paper were undertaken to widen the general range of information on the avian kidney and its associated osseous cradle. In addition to the discussion, numerous photographs and diagrams are submitted to clarify and support the text. The present paper deals with with kidney and pelvic girdle of two species of sparrow: Zonotrichia leucophrys and Passer domesticus.

Parental Care Of The Eastern Kingbird And The Great Crested Flycatcher, Elmer L. Morehouse

Masters Theses

Introduction

The objective of this investigation was to obtain information regarding parental care in the Eastern Kingbird, Tyrannus tyrannus (L.), especially during post-hatching phases of the nesting cycle. In addition, some comparative observations were made on the Great Crested Flycatcher, Myiarchus crinitus (L.).

Paper Chromatography Of Proteins And Amino Acids Of Pandorina And Morphologically Distinct Forms Of Eudorina, Margaret Dean Davis

Dissertations and Theses @ UNI

Preliminary observations of Eudorina cultures verified the presence of morphologically distinct forms of these colonial flagellates. Colonies were observed which contained fewer than the sixteen, thirty-two or sixty-four cells given as the definitive taxonomic characteristic of Eudorina. Some of these colonies were more compactly arranged with a reduction in the amount of inter-cellular matrix present. It was the purpose of this study (1) to determine whether differences could be detected in the biochemical composition of small compact Eudorina species and of Pandorina species and (2) to determine whether biochemical differences could be detected between the small and the larger forms …

Sleep Movements In Oxalis, Charles A. Campman

Biology ETDs

This work was done to explore the causes of sleep movements in Oxalis. Several methods were employed to discover the answers to speific questions concerning Oxalis nyctinasty.

The question of the control of Oxalis leaf movement by a typical biological clock and problems of the parameters of photic control are answered with the help of light control chambers and time-lapse photography. An anatomical study of the pulvinus, or motile organ, is described. Physiological studies consisted of tests for the site of activity of light and color of light active, as well as comparisons of the action on pulvini of externally …

Some Effects Of Photoperiodicity On The Temperatures And Weights Of Bobwhites, Bernard J. Cripps

Masters Theses

Introduction

In recent years there have been a number of studies that have dealt with body temperature and body weight variations in gallinaceous birds under various field or controlled conditions. Wilson (1948) studied the reactions of pullets to different environmental temperatures. In a laboratory experiment Bajpai (1962) observed that a change in the cloacal temperature of adult Rhode Island Red males was effected by manipulating the photo-period. In a report on the sexual maturation of Coturnix quail Wilson et al. (1962) discussed several aspects of variation in body weight, which resulted from changes in photo-period. Hamilton (1957) studied the weights …

An Investigation Of The Influence Of The Suprapharyngeal Ganglia Upon Water Balance And On Osmoregulation In Lumbricus Terrestris, Richard M. Dennany

Masters Theses

Chapter I

Introduction

In the central nervous system of most animals which have been examined some neurons show cytological characteristics of gland cells. These cells are now recognized as a specialized cell type and designated neurosecretory cells.

These neurosecretory cells are capable of elaborating secretory material which is accumulated as granules in the body of the nerve cell and in the axon-endings. They release complex organic substances, neurohormones, which act as hormones and are often liberated into the blood stream (Welsh, 1958). These specialized neurons are capable of receiving impulses from other neurons although their axons do not end in …

Comparative Myology Of The Pectoral Girdle Of Microtus Pennsylvanicus And Pedomys Ochrogaster, Marie Hagerman

Masters Theses

Introduction

The meadow vole Microtus pennsylvanicus (Ord) and the prairie vole, Pedomys ochrogaster (Wagner) are two species of grassland-dwelling, slightly fossorial rodents which are very similar in appearance and general body size and proportions. The objective of this study was to prepare a detailed description of the muscles of the pectoral girdle of M. pennsylvanicus and to compare them to P. ochrogaster. It was hoped that the study might indicate similarities and dissimilarities in the ways in which the two species have adapted to their mode of life and show whether or not they share common adaptations of the pectoral …

Studies Of Cs137 Metabolism In Several Mammals During Cold Exposure And Hibernation, Yu-Chong Lin

Biology ETDs

Experiments were conducted to define the extent to which lowered body temperature changes biological half-time and distribution of radiosotopes in tissues.

Metabolism of radioisotopes may be expected to be temperature dependent as the metabolism of many electrolytes has been demonstrated to involve temperature dependent mechanisms such as enzymatic transfer.

The effect of temperature on Cs 137 distribution in the mammalian hibernator, Citellus lateralis (Golden mantled ground squirrels) was studied. Experiments were conducted at the whole body and tissue levels. Radioactivity was measured with a small animal gamma scintillation detector. Whole body counts of animals given a single intraperitoneal injection of …

Phytosociological Study Of The Picuris Grant And Ethnobotanical Study Of The Picuris Indians., John C. Krenetsky

Biology ETDs

The objective of this study was to make a vegetative map and phytosociological study of the Picuris Grant, Taos County, New Mexico, and an ethnobotanical study of the Picuris Indians. The ethnobotanical study consists of a lid of commonly used plants and their uses.

The vegetation of the Grant is divided into five types: pinyon-juniper, ponderosa pine-pinyon-juniper, ponderosa pine, mixed conifer, and domestic. The first four types were subjected to intensive sampling using the line-strip method of Woodin and Lindsey modified to 400-foot elbs. Six elbs per slope exposure in each type were attempted.

Due to more favorable temperature and …

Geographic Variation Of The Pocket Gopher Thomomys Bottae In The Rio Grande Valley Of New Mexico, Thomas H. Follingstad

Biology ETDs

The geographic variation of the pocket gopher Thomomys bottae in the Rio Grande Valley of New Mexico and Conejos County, Colorado were studied. The pocket gophers were collected and prepared as standard museum skins and skulls. Various dimensions of the pocket gophers are measured, treated statistically, and plotted as Dice squares. Four groups of geographically related and like-sized animals were noted. These groups could be associated with four previously described subspecies of T. bottae. It was possible to observe a correlation between the mean size of each sample of gophers and the soil type in which they were found. The …

Relation Between Use Of Lincomycin And Outgrowth Of Yeast, Howard W. Clapp

Masters Theses

Introduction

The use of antibiotics has increased the average life expectancy of mankind. They have prevented and cured infectious diseases that previously terminated in death. Consequently, recovery is often prompt and complete.

Though a benefit to mankind, the use of antibiotics in the treatment of infectious disease has also been accompanied by new problems. For example, treatment of a primary infection such as a bacterial pneumonitis with a broad spectrum antibiotic, may result in the death of some of the bacteria. More than one species of bacteria, however, are often found in the infected area. If such be the situation, …

Some Factors Involved In Growth And Sporulation Of Pilobolus Crystallinus Tode And Pilobolus Umbonatus Buller, Kenneth L. Poff

Master's Theses

Pilobolus umbonatus Buller and P. crystallinus Tode grew normally in a nitrogen atmosphere but their sporagnia were non-pigmented. When palced in anaerobic jars along with obligately anaerobic and obligately aerobic bacteria, the fungi grew in the range of oxygen concentrations too low for growth of the aerobic bacterium, but high enough to prevent growth of the anaerobe. The fungi did not grow when the oxygen was depleted to the point that allowed growth of the anaerobic bacterium. Catalase was not produced by the hyphae and trophocysts which normally grow beneath the surface of the medium, but was present in the …

Investigation Of Possible Autotoxicity In Daucus Carota L., Carole Greer Smith

Masters Theses

Section I

Introduction

Results of recent research indicate the probable existence of plant-produced chemical substances which affect the behavior of other plants. Germination-inhibiting, and growth-inhibiting substances have been found to be widely distributed throughout the Plant Kingdom (Garb, 1960). Although the presence of inhibitors has been demonstrated in laboratory experiments, their ecological significance has not been clearly defined.

A preliminary study by the writer indicated the probability of autotoxicity in Daucus carota L., a biennial common to fields and roadsides in the northeastern United States. This study suggested the following investigation which was undertaken to determine more specifically the effects …

Some Aspects Of Kangaroo Rat Locomotion, Gerald G. Wheeler

Biology ETDs

Two species of kangaroo rats, Dipodomys merriami and D. ordi, were compared as to speed of locomotion in an experimental situation. They were timed as they moved through a hardware cloth tunnel with an electrified floor. Measurements of body parts especially those associated with a salutatory mode of locomotion were made, analyzed statistically, and their relation to the results discussed. The morphological data suggest that D. merriami can be expected to move more rapidly. Under laboratory conditions, however, D. ordi was faster (at the 95% confidence level). Possible reasons are discussed.

The Water-Bath As A Tool In Evaluating Responses Of Small Mammals To Thermal Stress, John T. Yelverton

Biology ETDs

The rate of heat loss from an animal to the environment is dependent upon multiple factors. External or environmental factors include the temperature gradient between the animal end the environment, humidity, and air velocity. With a water-bath technique these variables are eliminated by keeping the skin temperature of the animal nearly equal to that of the water.

In this study Citellus lateralis vas the only animal able to endure hypothermic conditions (25 C water) in either swimming or confined states by increasing metabolic rate. It is apparent that Mesocricetus auratus and Dipodomys ordi are more dependent upon passive temperature regulation …

The Effects Of Cobalt-60 On A Desert Root System, Mary G. Mayes

Biology ETDs

Tribulus terrestris L. (T. terrestris) is a late summer annual inhabiting relatively dry areas of southwestern United States. In the more northern latitudes of the Southwest, seeds do not germinate until about the middle of July when both day and night temperatures are high and the seasonal rains have started. The vinelike plant grows prostrate with a prominent deep penetrating taproot and even-numbered, pinnately compound leaves. The leaflets vary from three to seven pairs, are oblong, entire, folding together along the leaf axis at night or in windy or unusually cool weather. The flowers are usually lemon yellow, solitary, and …

Modern Pollen Rain And Fossil Profiles, Sandia Mountains, New Mexico, James Edward King

Biology ETDs

The modern pollen rain from each forest association on the east slope of the Sandia Mountains, new Mexico was sampled by the means of byrophytic pollsters. These modern pollen spectra were then compared to the diagrams of four fossil pollen profiles collected at 10,000, 8,000, 8,100, and 7,300 feet. It was found that the modern pollen rain of Picea and Abies is limited to the association in which these taxa are found and that down-slope, wind-borne drifting of Picea pollen is less than 400 feet. Since the only Picea found in the Sandia Mountains grow in the spruce-fir association, the …

Plant Distribution Of The Sandia Mountains Area, New Mexico, James N. Naylor

Biology ETDs

The Sandia Mountains are a block-fault range which attained the present height and topography during the Pleistocene epoch. The mountains are located just east of the Rio Grande in north-central New Mexico between 35° 05' N and 35° 18' N and between 106° 22' W and 106° 30' W. The general climate of the area is arid continental but there is much variation between the climate at the foot of the mountains and the climate at the crest ridge. There are four U. S. Weather Bureau weather stations within the area and a comparison is made among the weather records …

Distribution And Ecology Of The Bats Of The Mogollon Mountains Area, Clyde Jones

Biology ETDs

The purpose of this investigation is to record information concerning distribution, ecology, and natural history, and to determine, if possible, the factor or group of factors that may influence distribution and activity of bats in the Mogollon Mountains area of southwestern New Mexico and extreme northwestern Arizona. A total of 1595 specimens of bats were collected on 101 occasions from 44 localities within the study area. Most of the specimens assembled for study were collapsed by mist nets placed over water tanks, over ponds and streams, or over entrances to mines and caves. A few specimens were shot. For nearly …

A Comparative Analysis Of Amino Acids In Tetrahymena Pyriformis Under Feeding And Starvation Conditions, Jeanne Whitaker Clabough

Theses & Honors Papers

No abstract provided.

On The Behavioral Responses Of Free Uinta Ground Squirrels To Trapping, David F. Balph

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

Biologists often trap animals to obtain information on them. If trapping is selective toward some animals, the information may be inaccurate. Most mammalogists know or suspect that their trapping techniques (reviewed by Hayne, 1949; and Stickel, 1954) contain sources of bias. Since trapping remains the only feasible way to obtain information on many animals, researchers have tried to discover sources of sampling error and refine their techniques. They have found that one major source of difficulty may lie in the behavior of animals. Individual animals seem to respond differently to trapping, both initially and through learning (Geis, 1955; Crowcroft and …