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Chemical Evidence For Dietary Toxin Sequestration In The Asian Snake Rhabdophis Tigrinus, Deborah A. Hutchinson

Biological Sciences Theses & Dissertations

Rhabdophis tigrinus (Colubridae: Natricinae) is an oviparous, bufophagous (toad-eating) snake from eastern Asia that possesses defensive integumentary glands on the neck known as nuchal glands. These glands are used in antipredator displays and typically contain bufadienolide toxins. Whereas toads are known to synthesize bufadienolide steroids from cholesterol precursors, we found that chemically undefended R. tigrinus must sequester bufadienolides from ingested toads in order to exhibit these compounds in their nuchal glands. Chemically defended females are capable of provisioning their embryos with these toxins so their unfed hatchlings possess defensive bufadienolides prior to consuming toads themselves. All of the hatchling R. …

Negative Effect Of Zebra Mussels On Foraging And Habitat Use By Lake Sturgeon (Acipenser Fulvescens), D. J. Mccabe, Mark Beekey, A. Mazloff, I. E. Marsden

Biology Faculty Publications

1. Lake sturgeon (Acipenser fulvescens) are threatened or endangered throughout much of their range. Juvenile sturgeon utilize sandy and silty habitats extensively during their growth. Invasive zebra mussels change the nature of sandy and silty habitats because they settle on and coat the habitat with the shells of living and dead individuals. The potential impacts of this increased habitat complexity on lake sturgeon is unknown. 2. Juvenile lake sturgeon habitat choice was assessed in laboratory experiments, and zebra mussel impact on the foraging success of juvenile lake sturgeon on three different prey species was measured. 3. Sturgeon foraging on chironomids …

Lake Mead National Recreation Area Sensitive Wildlife Species Monitoring And Analysis: Quarterly Progress Report, Period Ending June 30, 2006, Margaret N. Rees

Wildlife Monitoring

• Tortoise and tortoise habitat monitoring was conducted on the Northshore Road construction project, on the Southern Nevada Water Authority intake pipe project, the Frontier Telephone-Willow Beach project and the movie film at Temple Bar.
• A total of 25 tortoise education classes were given to 90 individuals.
• Evaluation of 3 potential sites for relict leopard frog translocations conducted but sites were not recommended.
• Head-starting and translocation efforts for relict leopard frogs continued. 1183 animals translocated so far this year.
• Relict Leopard Frog Conservation Team meeting held and yearly report completed.
• Continuation of data management and QA of GPS collar information from …

Anadromous Rainbow Smelt And Tomcod In Connecticut: Assessment Of Populations, Conservation Status, And Need For Restoration Plan, Heather A. Fried, Eric T. Schultz

EEB Articles

(beginning of rainbow smelt executive summary)

Evidence indicates that anadromous rainbow smelt (Osmerus mordax) populations in Connecticut and elsewhere in the northeast United States have severely declined. Several sampling programs have documented declines in Connecticut’s smelt populations over the last three decades (Marcy 1976a, Marcy 1976b, Millstone Environmental Laboratory 2005). Similar declines have also been documented in the Hudson River (ASA Analysis & Communication 2005) and in Massachusetts (personal communication, Brad Chase, MA Division of Marine Fisheries 2004). Recreational and commercial fisheries in the region for this species have virtually ceased (Blake and Smith 1984). The Connecticut Fish Advisory Committee …

Red Rock Desert Learning Center: Evaluation Of Curriculum: Final Report, Lori Olafson, Gregory Schraw

Reports (RRLC)

The UNLV Center for Evaluation and Assessment developed an assessment instrument to evaluate curriculum for the proposed Red Rock Desert Learning Center science school’s fifth grade program. A 25-item Likert-type scale was created and administered before and after 68 pre-service and in-service teachers participated in each of five curriculum pilot sessions. The survey consisted of questions related to knowledge, pedagogy, and attitudes. Two open-ended questions were included on the post-survey.

Findings revealed significant gains in knowledge, pedagogy, and attitudes in each of five events from pre- to post-test. Gains over time were greatest for knowledge. Some events were rated more …

The Effect Of Male Competition On Female Choice In Brandt’S Vole, Lasiopodomys Brandti, Jianjun Zhang, Dazhao Shi, Lixing Sun

All Faculty Scholarship for the College of the Sciences

The effect of male competition on female choice in the Brandt’s vole (Lasiopodomys brandti) was studied in the laboratory. Using a two-way choice test, we showed that when males did not compete, estrous females preferred and mated with the dominant males, but non-estrous females preferred subordinate males. However, when males competed, all dominant males gained the priority to mate, and the amicable behaviour between males, regardless of their dominant status, and between non-estrous females increased, compared with the behaviour between males and the estrous females. These results showed that interactions among Brandt’s voles were not only influenced by …

Female Preference For Complex/Novel Signals In A Spider, Damian O. Elias, Eileen Hebets, Ronald R. Hoy

Eileen Hebets Publications

Identifying the various factors that influence complex signal evolution is a difficult task, yet it is fundamental to understanding the evolution of animal communication. Here we explore the evolution of complex courtship signaling by taking advantage of a system in which sexual selection on male courtship traits has driven the diversification of geographically isolated populations of the jumping spider Habronattus pugillis Griswold. Using 2 populations (Santa Rita [SR] and Atascosa [AT]) in which SR females show xenophilic mating preferences for foreign (AT) over local males (SR), we examine the mechanisms driving this preference. Both AT and SR males produce multimodal …

Genetic And Maternal Determinants Of Effective Dispersal: The Effect Of Sire Genotype And Size At Birth In Side-Blotched Lizards, Barry Sinervo, Ryan Calsbeek, Tosha Comendant, Christiaan Both

Dartmouth Scholarship

We assessed genetic factors on progeny dispersal due to sire color morph genotypes in a field pedigree and lab crosses, and we measured maternal effects by studying both natural and experimentally induced egg size variation. Progeny were released into nature upon hatching, but we recorded dispersal distance at maturity, which reflects effective dispersal after viability selection has run its course. Progeny dispersal was significantly affected by sire genotype. Progeny from orange sires dispersed the farthest. Progeny from blue sires dispersed intermediate distances. Progeny from yellow sires were the most philopatric. Sire genotype effects interacted with egg size. In particular, enlarged …

(Review) Green Fluorescent Proteins, Marc Zimmer

Chemistry Faculty Publications

Reviews the book:Green Fluorescent Protein: Properties, Applications, and Protocols. Second Edition. Methods of Biochemical Analysis, Volume 47. Edited by Martin Chalfie and Steven R Kain.Green Fluorescent Protein: Properties, Applications, and Protocols. Second Edition. Methods of Biochemical Analysis, Volume 47. Edited by Martin Chalfie and Steven R Kain. Hoboken (New Jersey): Wiley-Interscience. $89.95. xv + 443 p + 24 pl; ill.; index. ISBN: 0–471–73682–1. 2006.

Fisheries Management Paper 213: A Five Year Management Strategy For The Recreational Marron Fishing, Rfac Recreational Freshwater Fisheries Stakeholder Subcommittee

Fisheries Management Papers

In its discussion paper (Fisheries Management Paper No.198), which was widely distributed and publicised, the Recreational Freshwater Fisheries Stakeholder Sub-Committee (RFFSS) of the Recreational Fishing Advisory Committee (RFAC) put forward a range of proposals for community discussion. These proposals were developed after an assessment of historic catch information and the consideration of scientific advice. The proposals also took into account the outcomes and recommendations of the previous review of the recreational marron fishery that was undertaken in 2002. The discussion paper attracted reasonable comment, with 78 written submissions being received from recreational fishers and other stakeholders. The RFFSS would like …

Fisheries Management Paper 217: Five Year Management Strategy For The Recreational Marron Fishery - The Minister For Fisheries’ Decisions In Response To The Final Report Of The Rfac Recreational Freshwater Fisheries Stakeholder Sub-Committee (Fisheries Management Paper No. 213), Jon Ford (Minister For Fisheries; The Kimberley, Pilbara And Gascoyne)

Fisheries Management Papers

The review of the Recreational Marron Fishery is now complete and I would like to thank all members of the RFAC Recreational Freshwater Fisheries Stakeholder Sub-Committee (RFFSS) for their efforts in what has been a challenging task. I would also like to thank those members of the community who made submissions on the draft discussion paper.

After careful consideration of the Recreational Freshwater Fisheries Stakeholder Sub-Committee’s recommendations and the wide range of issues raised in submissions, I have made my decisions in respect to the future management arrangements for recreational marron fishing.

Christmas Bird Counts For North Dakota 2005, Robert N. Randall

The Prairie Naturalist

Twenty areas were included in the North Dakota Christmas Bird Counts. One area that had been included during the previous four years was canceJled due to extreme icy conditions and could not be rescheduled.

There were 216 observers in the field and 41 additional participants counting the birds, which visited their feeders. The field observers were out for about 522.25 hours, 109.75 on foot and 412.5 in cars. Feeder watchers added 97.5 hours to the total. The field observers covered 121.2 miles on foot and 5,648.7 miles in vehicles. Some additional effort was spent in six of the areas where …

Book Reviews: Raptors In Your Pocket: A Guide To Great Plains Birds Of Prey; Dakota Flora: A Seasonal Sampler; The National Grasslands, Paul M. Konrad, Bonnie Heidel, F. L. Knopf

The Prairie Naturalist

Reviews of:

Raptors in Your Pocket: A Guide to Great Plains Birds of Prey, Dana Gardner, 2006, University of Iowa Press, 16 pages (laminated).

Dakota Flora: A Seasonal Sampler, David J. Ode, 2006, South Dakota State Historical Society Press, Pierre, South Dakota, 260 pages.

The National Grasslands, Francis Moul, 2006, University of Nebraska Press, Lincoln, Nebraska, 153 pages.

Population Biology Of Pumpkinseed In Enemy Swim Lake, South Dakota, Eric J. Weimer, Michael L. Brown

The Prairie Naturalist

Little information is available regarding the biology and population characteristics of pumpkinseed (Lepomis gibbosus), especially in South Dakota, a state at the western edge of the species native range. South Dakota Department of Game, Fish and Parks summer trap net survey data, collected 1998 to 2003, suggests the Enemy Swim Lake population has low abundance (0.4-2.9 per trap net night) and moderately high size structure (proportional stock density [PSD] ranges between 71 and 91). To further examine the biological characteristics of the Enemy Swim Lake population, pumpkinseed was collected from Indian Bay with trap nets during May 2003. …

Reproductive Development In The Sicklefin Chub In The Missouri And Lower Yellowstone Rivers, Douglas J. Dieterman, Eric Roberts, Patrick J. Braaten, David L. Galat

The Prairie Naturalist

We describe aspects of sicklefin chub (Macrhybopsis meeki) reproductive development from three study areas encompassing greater than 2,700 km of the Missouri and Lower Yellowstone rivers. The sicklefin chub was collected between late July and early October in 1996 and 1997. A total of 193 sicklefin chub was collected and examined for reproductive characteristics. Twenty-nine sicklefin chub were found to be reproductively mature females. Some sicklefin chub matured at age 2, but most matured at age 3 and all matured by age 4. Females first became mature at 70 to 79 mm total length (TL) in the Upper …

First Record Of Hairy Woodrush From South Dakota, Katherine A. Zacharkevics

The Prairie Naturalist

Hairy woodrush (Luzula acuminata (Juncaceae)), a native perennial graminoid, has recently been recorded for the first time from South Dakota.

Brood Break-Up And Juvenile Dispersal Of Lesser Prairie-Chicken In Kansas, James C. Pitman, Brent E. Jamison, Christian A. Hagen, Robert J. Robel, Roger D. Applegate

The Prairie Naturalist

Natal dispersal is critical for genetic interchange between subpopulations of birds and little is known about the timing and extent of lesser prairiechicken (Tympanuchus pallidicinctus) dispersal movements. We monitored movements of 51 transmitter-equipped female lesser prairie-chicken known to have hatched a nest. Average minimum daily brood movements differed (t = -2.94, df = 829, P < 0.01) between the early (273 m; 0 to 14 days post-hatch) and late (312 m; 15 to 60 days post-hatch) brood rearing periods. We captured 71 juvenile lesser prairie-chicken from 10 broods at 3 to 11 days post-hatch and marked them with passive integrated transponder (PIT) tags. We subsequently captured 41 chicks from 20 different broods and fitted them with necklace-style transmitters. Transmitter- equipped brood hens and individual chicks were monitored daily and the average date of brood break-up was September 13 (85 to 128 days post-hatch). Both males and females exhibited bimodal dispersal movements in the fall and spring. Autumn dispersal movements peaked between late October and early November for both sexes. Spring dispersal movement of males peaked during late February. Female dispersal movements in the spring peaked in late March and were much more extensive than fall dispersal movements. Natal dispersal distance for all marked males averaged 1.4 km (SE= 0.2, n = 9). The approximate dispersal distances of three transmitter-equipped females ranged from 1.5 to 26.3 km. Because of greater dispersal distances, females will contribute more to genetic exchanges between fragmented subpopulations. To ensure genetic connectivity, we recommend that a distance of less …

Morphologic And Ontogenetic Patterns In Elasmosaur Neck Length, With Comments On The Taxonomic Utility Of Neck Length Variables, F. Robin O’Keefe, Norton Hiller

Biological Sciences Faculty Research

Elasmosaur cervical vertebrae are common fossils, but their taxonomic utility is limited due to a lack of understanding concerning their shape within and among taxa. In this paper, we analyze data from complete elasmosaur necks in an attempt to quantify and understand the variation in centrum dimensions. In accord with previous studies, variation in cervical centrum shape is found to stem from at least three sources: ontogeny, intracolumn variation, and intercolumn or taxonomic variation. Ontogenetic variability seems reminiscent of that seen in Cryptoclidus, with an overall positive allometry in the length of all centra that is accentuated in the mid-cervical …

Coexistence Of The Niche And Neutral Perspectives In Community Ecology, Mathew A. Leibold, Mark A. Mcpeek

Dartmouth Scholarship

The neutral theory for community structure and biodiversity is dependent on the assumption that species are equivalent to each other in all important ecological respects. We explore what this concept of equivalence means in ecological communities, how such species may arise evolutionarily, and how the possibility of ecological equivalents relates to previous ideas about niche differentiation. We also show that the co-occurrence of ecologically similar or equivalent species is not incompatible with niche theory as has been supposed, because niche relations can sometimes favor coexistence of similar species. We argue that both evolutionary and ecological processes operate to promote the …

Feeding Habitats Of Spring-Migrating Blackbirds In East-Central South Dakota, Richard S. Sawin, George M. Linz, William J. Bleier, H. Jeffrey Homan

The Prairie Naturalist

Between March 27 and April 21, 1998, we monitored blackbird (Icteridae) activity and habitat selection at a migratory staging area in east-central South Dakota. We used fixed-area observation points located within 20 l-km² circular plots centered on four wetland basins that were used as night roosts. Each roost was surveyed four times, with the surveys spread evenly throughout the blackbird migration. We recorded the number of blackbird flocks, flock size and composition, habitat used, and behavior (e.g., loafing and feeding). Fifty percent (n = 242) of the 482 flocks recorded in the quadrats was observed loafing in trees …

The Prairie Naturalist, Volume 38, Number 2, June 2006, Elmer J. Finck, Hilary Gillock

The Prairie Naturalist

The Prairie Naturalist (June 2006) Volume 38, Issue 2, full issue.

Feeding Habitats of Spring-Migrating Blackbirds in East-central South Dakota, by Richard S. Sawin, George M. Linz, William J. Bleier, and H. Jeffrey Homan, pages 73-84.

Brood Break-up and Juvenile Dispersal of Lesser Prairie-chicken in Kansas, by James C. Pitman , Brent E. Jamison, Christian A. Hagen, Robert J. Robel, and Roger D. Applegate, pages 74-99.

Population Biology of Pumpkinseed in Enemy Swim Lake, South Dakota, by Eric J. Weimer and Michael L. Brown, pages 101-111.

Reproductive Development in the Sicklefin Chub in the Missouri and Lower Yellowstone Rivers, by …

Education In The Environment: A Hands-On Student Research And Outdoor Learning Experience: Quarterly Progress Report, Period Ending May 31, 2006, Margaret N. Rees

Reports (PLI Education)

During the past three months, the focus of the university’s efforts has included the following highlights:

• Forever Earth was scheduled for 18 days and benefited more than 400 individuals.
• Curricula for 5th, 6th, and 7th grades were created for the Forever Earth program; pre- and post-trip activities were also written.
• Activities for 5th and 6th grades were field tested on 7 Forever Earth trips.
• A 1000-gallon fuel donation was contributed to the Forever Earth program by Overland Petroleum Company, St. George, Utah.
• The Forever Earth marketing plan was completed.
• 12 Discover Mojave Outdoor World events were conducted for 104 participants; …

Odonates At The Clark County Wetlands Nature Preserve: A Look At Habitat And Relative Abundance, Erin Jolley

UNLV Theses, Dissertations, Professional Papers, and Capstones

The purpose of this study is to identify the various species, relative abundance and habitat of dragonfly and damselfly larvae at the Clark County Wetlands Park Nature Preserve (WPNP). An accurate assessment of these insects can be useful in interpreting potential indications of environmental problems at the Wetlands. From this data, necessary improvements can be made to the dragonfly habitat as well as the habitat of other surrounding organisms. Habitat identification is considered especially important because it is "structured by instream and surrounding topographical features, and is a major determinant of aquatic community potential" (Southwood, 1977). For purposes of this …

The Effects Of Nitrate Levels On The Response Of Pimephales Promelas To Conspecific Chemical Alarm Cues, Lucas J. Borgstrom

Honors Capstones

Capstone submitted as a graduation requirement for the BSU Honors Program.

Impact Of Environmental Disturbance On The Stability And Benefits Of Individual Status Within Dominance Hierarchies, Lynne U. Sneddon, Sophie Hawkesworth, Victoria A. Braithwaite, Julia Yerbury

Ethology Collection

Changes in environmental conditions affect social interactions and thus may modify an individual’s competitive ability within a social group. We subjected three-spined sticklebacks, Gasterosteus aculeatus, housed in groups of four individuals, to environmental perturbations to assess the impact on dominance hierarchy stability. Hierarchy stability decreased during increased turbulence or lowered water levels (‘simulated drought’) whereas control hierarchies became more stable in a constant environment. The dominant individual either became more aggressive and remained dominant during the environmental manipulation or was usurped by a lower rank member. Only simulated drought affected rates of aggression where levels of aggression were higher after …

Rapid Assimilation Of Yolk Enhances Growth And Development Of Lizard Embryos From A Cold Environment, Melissa Ann Blake

All-Inclusive List of Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Selection for rapid growth in cold environments results in a geographic pattern known as countergradient variation. The eastern fence lizard, Sceloporus undulatus, exhibits countergradient variation in growth rate across latitudinal clines. In a common-garden experiment, S. undulatus embryos from cold environments grew more efficiently than embryos warm environments, even when the energetic contents of eggs were equalized. To examine the physiological mechanisms of higher growth efficiency, I measured the energetics of embryos during the first 49 days of incubation. Specifically, I recorded body mass, residual yolk, total respiration, and developmental stage for embyos from two populations (Virginia and South Carolina). …

Natural Disturbances And The Physiognomy Of Pine Savannas : A Phenomenological Model, Frank S. Gilliam, William J. Platt, Robert K. Peet

Biological Sciences Faculty Research

Abstract. Question: The decline of the Pinus palustris ecosystems has resulted from anthropogenic influences, such as conversion to pine plantation forestry, agriculture and land development, all of which are closely related to increases in human populations. Other effects, however, have arisen from alterations in disturbance regimes that maintain the structure and function of these ecosystems. How have alterations of the disturbance regime altered the physiognomy of ‘old-growth’ stands, and what are the implications for ecosystem conservation and restoration?

Methods: In contrast to models that emphasize close interactions among the vertically complex strata, we develop a conceptual phenomenological model for the …

Conservation And Restoration Of The Pinus Palustris Ecosystem, Frank S. Gilliam, William J. Platt

Biological Sciences Faculty Research

The well-documented decline of the Pinus palustris ecosystem has resulted from several anthropogenic influences, such as forest clearing (e.g. pine plantation forestry, agriculture) and urban development, both of which are closely related to increases in human populations. Other impacts have arisen from alterations in disturbance regimes responsible for maintaining the structure and function of these ecosystems. Restoration and management of degraded pine savanna ecosystems is critical. Identification of ecological processes that determine the structure and function of the intact system are important because successful restoration efforts should be based on sound scientific understanding. In this paper, we introduce this special …

The Contribution Of Environmental Variables On Small Mammal Species Richness And Relative Abundance In Eastern Nevada, Stephanie Harris

UNLV Theses, Dissertations, Professional Papers, and Capstones

The purpose of this study is to determine how four environmental variables: elevation, latitude, soil type, and vegetation impact the relative abundance of Peromyscus maniculatus and the species richness of small mammal populations in Eastern Nevada. In order to complete this study, a survey of small mammals was completed in the following 8 Eastern Nevada valleys: Delamar, Dry Lake, Dry Lake- Muleshoe,Cave, Lake, Snake, Spring, White River. In each valley, transects of Sherman live traps will be set up for 3 consecutive nights (O'Farrell et al 1977). Data on elevation, latitude, soil type, and vegetation were taken at each trap …

The Fate And Transport Of Nitrogen (N) And The Effect Of Emergent Plants On Natural Treatment Of N-Species At Las Vegas Wash, Nevada, Tanju Kiriscioglu

UNLV Theses, Dissertations, Professional Papers, and Capstones

The purpose of this study is to analyze the effect of emergent plant communities at Las Vegas Wash (the System) using a system dynamics modeling approach. Understanding the dynamics of nitrogen (N —major polluting nutrient in the Wash) that enters the System is important because it occasionally causes algal blooms, choking Lake Mead through excessive eutrophication. Emergent plant communities are an integral part of wetland ecosystems and they play a crucial role in natural treatment of nutrients. This study is intended to test this hypothesis.

The study makes use of Wash data from reliable sources (Las Vegas Valley Water District, …