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Reproductive Costs In Female, Island-Dwelling Eastern Diamondback Rattlesnakes (Crotalus Adamanteus), Emily R. Gray

Theses, Dissertations and Capstones

Eastern Diamondback Rattlesnakes (Crotalus adamanteus; EDBs) are a declining species endemic to the Southeastern Coastal Plain. Reproduction is costly for females, which are ovoviviparous, slow to mature, reproduce infrequently, and are often emaciated after parturition. Yet, we have a limited understanding of the trade-offs associated with their reproductive biology. Thus, I had three objectives: 1) assess reproduction-associated water stress and determine how female EDBs respond to altered water budgets in situ (Chapter 1), 2) evaluate the interactive effects of body condition and rainfall on female hydration, with a special focus on musculature as a condition index (Chapter 1), …

Measuring Spatial And Temporal Variation In Species Composition Of Ephemeral Pond Amphibian Assemblages Using Metabarcoding, Elizabeth Strasko

Masters Theses & Specialist Projects

Amphibian populations worldwide face severe threats, heightening the need for reliable monitoring methods. In this thesis, I explored and tested environmental DNA (eDNA) metabarcoding protocols to survey amphibian assemblages in ephemeral ponds of the the Green River Preserve in central Kentucky, USA. First, I evaluated whether the commonly used mitochondrial cytochrome c oxidase subunit I (COI) gene could effectively capture species-level variation in local amphibians for eDNA metabarcoding. Extensive primer design and testing revealed significant challenges in amplifying fragmented eDNA from water samples. In a second study, I applied a metabarcoding approach using the mitochondrial 12S ribosomal RNA (12S) gene …

A Phylogeographic Study Of The Kentucky Endemic Cave Beetle Neaphaenops Tellkampfii Erichson (1844), Mahamad Miya

Masters Theses & Specialist Projects

Cave beetles are an excellent group to study evolutionary history and speciation by isolation within cave habitats. However, they are underrepresented in such studies, particularly in North America, one of the hotspots of cave biodiversity where beetles account for a significant proportion. The present research addresses this issue by focusing on the Kentucky endemic cave beetle, Neaphaenops tellkampfii, a species hypothesized to comprise four subspecies. Based on allozyme data, previous studies have noted high genetic variation within and high similarity among local populations of this beetle, suggesting complex evolutionary dynamics. In this regard, this study aims to elucidate the evolutionary …

Investigating Drivers In Phytoplankton Between Lentic And Lotic Ecosystems Within Twelvepole Creek Watershed, Devin Lee Farmer

Theses, Dissertations and Capstones

Harmful Algal Blooms (HABs) threaten aquatic ecosystems, local economies, and water quality. While extensively studied in lakes (lentic systems), their impact on flowing waters (lotic systems) remains underexplored. This study examined algal drivers in both ecosystems within the same watershed, focusing on Beech Fork Lake (lentic) and Twelve Pole Creek (lotic). Key environmental factors, including pH, turbidity, dissolved oxygen, and nutrient levels, were measured using in situ sensors and laboratory analysis. Water samples were analyzed for nitrogen, phosphorus, and algal biomass for comparison to environmental conditions. Phytoplankton was preserved for identification in future research. By comparing these environments, this study …

Ms Environmental Biology Capstone Project, Emily A. Patton

Regis University Student Publications (comprehensive collection)

This is a masters Thesis for MS in Environmental Biology containing four chapters including a literature review, grant proposal, journal manuscript, and stakeholders report on a current environmental issue. (1) Noise Pollution and Avian Communication in Urban Ecosystems: When the Natural World Struggles to Hear Itself. Urban noise masks essential bird vocalizations, which harms avian fitness. Most species are displaced, and those few urban birds which counteract this noise with song adaptations likely experience trade-offs. America's noise policy remains undeveloped, threatening the health of both humans and avian wildlife (2) Application of Noise Barrier Technology for the Restoration of Urban …

Ms Environmental Biology Capstone: Evaluating Environmental Risks And Conflicts In Golf Course Landscapes, Meredith Boos

Regis University Student Publications (comprehensive collection)

1) This review investigates the relationship between pesticide use on golf courses and in agriculture to determine whether the adverse health effects documented in agricultural settings also apply to golf course environments. While the negative health effects from agricultural pesticide use are well established, golf courses use pesticides with greater frequency and intensity, suggesting a potentially higher exposure risk for both workers and players.

2) This study proposes methods to quantify pesticide bioaccumulation on golf courses and adjacent lands. We hypothesize that areas surrounding golf courses will exhibit a spatial gradient of pesticide accumulation, increasing with proximity to treated sites …

A Systematic Study Of The Highly Endemic Spider Beetle Fauna (Coleoptera: Ptinidae: Ptininae) Found In The Coastal Deserts Of Perú, Marlena Askren

Masters Theses & Specialist Projects

Spider beetles are small, often flightless insects that occur in hyperarid environments around the world. They exhibit interesting morphology and behavior that allows them to conserve water they obtain from plant material, dung, and other detritus. One hyperarid region in which they are found is the Pacific coast of Perú and northern Chile. The Sechura Desert, Peruvian Coastal Desert, and Atacama Desert make up the arid coast where spider beetles occur from north to south. Through multiple years of field work and museum collections, populations of spider beetles were found along the coast in isolated pockets of vegetation, separated by …

Diversity And Phylogeny Of Spider Beetles (Ptinidae: Ptininae) In Coastal Chile And Peru, Jacob Bowen

Masters Theses & Specialist Projects

Spider beetles of South America have historically received little systematic study, though now they are the subject of recent diversity surveys and documentation. This investigation contributes to the ongoing exploration of spider beetle diversity in South America by adding records for the recently described Cordielytrum and the yet to be described Furcillifer, as well as constructing phylogenies with new genetic material. MaxEnt was used to create an ecological niche model revealing habitat suitability in Chile and Peru for Cordielytrum, a genus of flightless spider beetles currently known only from Peru. Even with few occurrence records, a model with …

Learning In Nonleafcutting Fungus-Gardening Ants, Elizabeth D. Boshers

Biology Theses

Social complexity influences learning and other cognitive behaviors, but for insects, this influence is not well understood. Delayed rejection is an aversive learning behavior previously studied exclusively in leafcutting ant species, the most socially complex of the fungus-gardening ants. Fungus-gardening ants are unique in that they do not directly consume the material they forage, using it instead as substrate to cultivate a symbiotic fungus on which the ants are obligately dependent. Here, I attempt to induce delayed rejection in several fungus-gardening ant species that exhibit a range of social complexity, then compare the characteristics of delayed rejection behavior among species. …

Acoustic Monitoring Of Oak Toads (Anaxyrus Quercicus), A Longleaf Pine (Pinus Palustris) Ecosystem Endemic Amphibian, Alex Ward Foote

Theses, Dissertations and Capstones

The Longleaf pine ecosystem is one of the most endangered ecosystems in the world with only 3% remaining. Many endemic species to the longleaf pine ecosystem are also in decline and suffer from habitat loss resulting from fire exclusion, urbanization, agriculture, and industrial silviculture. Oak Toads (Anaxyrus quercicus) are a longleaf pine ecosystem obligate; the species is experiencing declines across its range and only has protections in Virginia and North Carolina. We used data from an array of Automated Recoding Units across four years (2013, 2014, 2015, 2019) at three state-owned wildlife management areas to capture audio files …

A Metadata Analysis Of Unionid Mussels Of The Greenup Pool Of The Ohio River Using Occupancy Modeling And Species Area Curves, Tyler Mitchell Annarino

Theses, Dissertations and Capstones

Although North America contains the largest diversity of freshwater mussels in the world, only ~24% of species in the United States and Canada have stable populations. This group provides unique hurdles for surveying, and current unionid survey protocols include neither longitudinal studies nor randomization of sites. This project conducts a metadata analysis of freshwater mussels in the Greenup Pool of the Ohio River (GPOR) to answer three questions: 1. Does a combination of longitudinal scope, randomization of sites, and historic methodology of surveying result in useful occupancy/detection models (ODMs) of unionids in large streams at the family level? 2. Does …

Effects Of In-Stream Large Woody Debris Management On Riparian Salamander Population Dynamics, Sydney Hermann

Theses, Dissertations and Capstones

The addition of large woody debris (LWD) into streams is an increasingly common habitat restoration method used to support brook trout populations and other sensitive freshwater species. Wood jams create localized reductions of water velocity, increase organic matter retention, intensify overbank flows, and promote habitat heterogeneity. These changes enhance interaction between the floodplain and the stream which can influence forest habitat variables such as leaf litter, soil pH, moisture, and invertebrate abundance. Salamander demographics reflect the stability of these forest habitat variables, and population declines can be indicative of environmental disturbance, stress, or change. Evaluating how this trout-targeted management effects …

Evaluating The Condition Of Age-0 Burbot In Relation To Diet, Cian Verbridge

Journal of Earth and Life Science

Burbot are becoming more and more popular for angling and aquaculture. However, populations have been declining across the world. Very little information is available about their early life and their interactions in the ecosystem due to challenges in sampling. Condition estimates and diet metrics were used to better understand the status of burbot in Lake Bemidji. Using backpack electrofishing, 45 young of the year burbot were collected. The lengths ranged from 86 to 146 mm and the wet weights ranged from 4.29 to 24.36 g. The stomach contents were removed and stored in ethanol for later analysis. The burbot were …

Modeling Wild Rice Bed Health: A Dual Metric Approach For Bed Strength And Invasive Impact, Seth Sisneros-Martinez

Journal of Earth and Life Science

Wild rice (mannoomin; Zizania palustris) is an aquatic grain that grows in slow-moving rivers and shallow bays throughout northern Minnesota. In Headquarters Bay on Leech Lake, wild rice has served as a cultural staple for Indigenous communities for centuries. However, its population has declined in recent years due to multiple environmental issues. One potential contributor is Eurasian watermilfoil (Myriophyllum spicatum; EWM), an invasive species that forms dense mats capable of outcompeting native aquatic vegetation, including wild rice. EWM was first recorded on the southern shoreline of Leech Lake in 2005 and has since become widespread. This study …

René Dubos: An Annotated Bibliography, Carol L. Moberg

René Dubos: An Annotated Bibliography

René Dubos (1901–1982), a prominent 20th century scientist, humanist, and philosopher, was a prolific author. Affiliated for more than 50 years with The Rockefeller Institute for Medical Research/The Rockefeller University, his studies ranged from antibiotics and the role of bacteria in human diseases to formulating broad ecological and environmental questions affecting human health and disease. His seminal writings explore a lifelong belief that a living organism—whether microbe, human being, society, or the Earth itself—could be understood only through its relationships with everything else.

This comprehensive bibliography of more than a thousand works by René Dubos includes brief annotations for each …

The Effect Of Zebra Mussels On Minnesota Fish Communities, Benjamin D. Strei

Journal of Earth and Life Science

Zebra mussels Dreissena polymorpha are an aquatic invasive species that has been spreading quickly throughout Minnesota water bodies since 1989. Zebra mussels are known to change certain morphological conditions in lakes such as turbidity, phytoplankton abundance, and aquatic invertebrate populations. However, studies showing impacts of the infestation of zebra mussels on the health of a fish community have been hard to prove due to a lack of repeated surveys and a suite of other confounding variables such as natural and seasonal variability, plant community, and lake morphometry. Therefore, the objective of this study is to determine whether zebra mussels have …

How Individual Traits Predict Distribution Patterns And Community Convergence, Zachary K. Lange

Biology Dissertations - Archive

One of the fundamental questions in biology is whether natural conditions lead species and communities toward predictable outcomes. Answering this question requires understanding how traits of individual organisms are connected to species- and community-level patterns. In Chapter 2, I examined how thermal physiology and environmental temperatures interact to determine the distribution patterns of Anolis lizards on the Greater Antilles. I combined lab-measured thermal traits (critical thermal minimum: CT_min, critical thermal maximum: CT_max, thermal preference: T_pref) with occurrence and abundance data from 21 species of Anolis lizards collected from extensive mark-resight surveys of communities across …

Size Of Age-0 Sander Vitreus Pre And Post Dreissena Polymorpha Infestation On Brainerd And Bemidji Area Lakes, Quady Bernu

Journal of Earth and Life Science

Walleye Sander vitreus is the Minnesota state fish and a vital predator fish in lake ecology. Zebra mussels, Dreissena polymorpha were first found in Minnesota inland lakes in the 1980’s. These mussels have had huge impacts on water clarity as well as phytoplankton and zooplankton population levels which affect how age-0 fish feed, especially a low light feeding predator fish like walleye. A study took place on age-0 walleye size and it supported the conclusion that age-0 walleye were negatively impacted by zebra mussels in Minnesota’s large lakes. The goals of this study were to determine how the size of …

Microsatellites Reveal The Population Genetic Structure Of Yellow Perch In Minnesota, Megan Boche

Journal of Earth and Life Science

When analyzing a population’s genetic makeup, looking at variation of individuals and populations is a crucial factor. The management of yellow perch will be aided by this information particularly in regard to stocking or relocation. Microsatellite loci were used to analyze the genetic population structure of yellow perch Perca flavescens within and among 29 sampling areas throughout Minnesota’s basins. Seven microsatellite DNA loci were evaluated, with heterozygosities ranging from 0.41 to 0.78. The Lower Mississippi basin samples showed higher numbers of alleles per locus and greater expected heterozygosities compared to other basins, with Lake Pepin (PEP) exhibiting the highest average …

Marine Heatwave Response Plan For Western Australia’S Wild Capture Fisheries And Aquaculture, Department Of Primary Industries And Regional Development, Western Australia

Fisheries Management Papers

The purpose of the Western Australian wild capture fisheries and aquaculture marine heatwave response plan (the Plan) is to document the Department’s approach for identifying and responding to the hazard of a marine heatwave on wild catch fisheries (commercial, recreational, charter and customary) and aquaculture resources within the geographic boundaries of WA. It provides risk reduction strategies and establishes best-practice processes for each stage of the hazard management and response continuum, ensuring that DPIRD is able to adequately prepare for, respond to, and recover from marine heatwave events. This Plan operates in conjunction with WA’s existing aquatic resource management framework, …

Living A Lie: The Truth Behind Isohydnocera Curtipennis (Newman) And Other Historically Confused Species Of Phyllobaenus Dejean, With The Description Of The New Genus Neohydnocera (Coleoptera: Cleridae: Clerinae: Hydnocerini: Hydnocerina), John M. Leavengood Jr.

Insecta Mundi

Taxonomic changes in the New World Hydnocerina (Coleoptera: Cleridae: Clerinae: Hydnocer­ini) at the species and genus level are presented. Phyllobaenus suturalis (Klug, 1842) and Hydnocera limbata Spinola, 1844 are designated junior synonyms of P. pallipennis (Say, 1825), new synonymy. Phyllobaenus nigrescens (Schaeffer, 1909) is designated a junior synonym of P. verticalis (Say, 1835), new synonymy. Iso­hydnocera curtipennis (Newman, 1840), P. lineaticollis Spinola, 1844, and Clerus brachypterus Klug, 1842, are re-established as junior synonyms of P. verticalis (Say, 1835), status reinstated, and I. curtipennis is accordingly reassigned to Phyllobaenus Dejean as P. curtipennis …

Distributional Records Of False Click Beetles (Coleoptera: Eucnemidae) From Western North Carolina, John M. Leavengood Jr., Robert L. Otto, Mary Kait Brown

Insecta Mundi

Two new state records (North Carolina) and eight total species of false click beetles (Coleoptera: Eucnemidae) are reported from a survey site in western North Carolina. Updated distributions are provided for each species.

Snake Venoms As Models For Understanding The Origins And Evolution Of Gene Regulatory Networks, Siddharth S. Gopalan

Biology Dissertations - Archive

Understanding the relationship between genotype and phenotype is a fundamental goal of biology. However, the vastly complex nature of eukaryotic gene regulation can make deriving precise relationships between genotype and phenotype challenging. The gene regulatory architecture of snake venom systems provide an opportunity to study this problem in a phenotypic system with immense variation in phenotypes and the underlying genetics. Using a set of integrated functional genomic approaches with snake venoms as a central model, in this dissertation, I provide several examples of the regulatory mechanisms by which diversity in phenotypes arises. Specifically, I identify how gene expression heterogeneity between …

The Evolution Of The Stress Response In The Trinidadian Killifish: Ecological Drivers And Maternal Mediation, Mikaela E. Feder

Biology Dissertations - Archive

Ecological variables can induce the stress response in organisms. Yet, few studies have tested for evolutionary shifts in stress responses across ecological gradients. In these studies, we used Trinidadian killifish found in sites with predators (high predation, HP) and sites where they are the only fish present (killifish only, KO). HP and KO populations differ in a suite of behavioral and life-history traits, making the Trinidadian killifish an excellent model to examine evolutionary physiology. My dissertation addresses the knowledge gap by examining: (1) how baseline cortisol differs in wild-caught Trinidadian killifish found in HP and KO sites, (2) the influence …

Unveiling The Bacterial Communities Of Aphaenogaster: Taxonomic Composition, Developmental And Species Influences, And The Impact Of Climate Change, Lily Kelleher

West Chester University Master’s Theses

Ants are vital keystone species in many ecosystems because they provide ecosystem services such as: seed dispersal, soil bioturbation, and pest control. However, ant bacterial symbioses remain largely unstudied, but these interactions are crucial because microbes play a vital role in the ants’ overall health. Today, global climate change is impacting our biodiversity, and we can use information about how changing temperatures impact the symbiotic bacterial communities associated with ants to predict future impact. Aphaenogaster rudis and A. fulva remain understudied in terms of their bacterial community and are important North American species. For this study, ants from several colonies …

Wild Horse Overpopulation- Consequences And Environmental Effects, Tessa M. Eslick Ms.

Undergraduate Theses, Professional Papers, and Capstone Artifacts

When considering wild horse overpopulation, there are many different facets of the issue that need to be addressed. Wild horse overpopulation is a significant issue across the American West, particularly on lands managed by the Bureau of Land Management( BLM). The largest populations are often found in Nevada, other states include California, Oregon, Utah, Wyoming, Washington, and Arizona. Whether there are thousands of horses on many acres of land, or hundreds spread across smaller reservations or public lands, the effects of their overpopulation remain as imminent as ever. Overpopulation is causing ecological damage and strain on resources leading to concerns …

Exploring The Reproductive Phenology Of Feral Horses In North America, Mattie Budine

Undergraduate Theses, Professional Papers, and Capstone Artifacts

Feral horses (Equus ferus caballus) are a prolific species in western North America. Due to their life history traits and history of domestication, they have a longer foaling period compared to native ungulates, such as elk (Cervus canadensis) and mule deer (Odocoileus hemionus). I examined the observed foaling seasons of different regional herds throughout North America to identify if foaling seasons are uniform across latitudes or if they present a latitudinal shift similar to ungulates. My dataset (n=523 foals) consisted of various research studies and unpublished observations of different feral horse herds throughout North America. The results are graphs comparing …

Aquatic Invertebrate Populations In Roadside Wetlands In Relation To Water Characteristics, Ellen P. Isakson

Journal of Earth and Life Science

The continual habitat destruction and draining of wetland systems makes the need to understand the ecology of roadside wetlands all the more necessary. Roadside wetlands provide valuable habitat to countless aquatic invertebrates, which can provide insight into the health of the wetland system due to their diversity. The objective of this study was to analyze the populations of aquatic invertebrates in roadside wetlands in relation to water characteristics such as pH, salinity, conductivity, water depth and temperature, and dissolved oxygen. This was done by collecting samples of invertebrate populations from roadside wetlands, in addition to data on water quality characteristics …

Diversification Of Avifauna In The Darién Highland Region: Ecological Niche Modeling, Phylogeography And Morphology To Explore Speciation In The Montane Species Myadestes Coloratus, Chlorospingus Tacarcunae And Margarornis Bellulus., Jorge L. Garzon Vasquez Mrs

Theses and Dissertations

Montane regions in the Neotropics are hotspots of endemism and biodiversity, yet their species are especially vulnerable to the impacts of climate change and geographic isolation. This thesis investigates the evolutionary and ecological dynamics of three bird species endemic to the Darién Highlands of eastern Panama: Myadestes coloratus, Chlorospingus tacarcunae, and Margarornis bellulus. Through an integrative approach combining ecological niche modeling, morphometric analysis, and genomic data from ultraconserved elements (UCEs) and mitochondrial DNA, the study explores the historical biogeography, current distribution patterns, population structure, and phenotypic differentiation of these montane taxa. Ecological niche models revealed that suitable habitat …

Predicting Capture And Survival Probabilities Of The Arizona Tiger Salamander: A Comparison Of Capture-Recapture Models, Brittney Nelson

Murray State Theses and Dissertations

Capture-recapture models are essential tools for estimating population dynamics in ecological studies. A fundamental component of these models is the capture history matrix, which records individual detection over time and serves as the basis for estimating survival and capture probabilities. This presentation explores three statistical approaches to these estimations: the Cormack-Jolly-Seber (CJS) model, the Hidden Markov Model (HMM) for CJS, and the Bayesian CJS model. The CJS model provides a likelihood-based framework for estimation, and the HMM CJS incorporates latent states into the model to account for uncertainty in detection. The Bayesian CJS extends this same analysis by integrating prior …