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Scorpions Of The Horn Of Africa (Arachnida: Scorpiones) Part Xxxi. Two New Genera From Somaliland: Sanaag Gen. N. And Sahil Gen. N. (Buthidae), František Kovařík

Euscorpius

Two new monotypic buthid genera are described: Sanaag gen. n. and Sahil gen. n. from Somaliland, both belonging to the ‘Buthus’ group. Sanaag gen. n. (type species Gint maidensis Kovařík et al., 2018) differs from Gint Kovařík et al., 2013 in the structure of its hemispermatophore, which has a large, tall, subtriangular hook-like basal lobe, and in the shape of its telson which is rather bulbous. Sahil gen. n. (type species Sahil elmii sp. n.) differs from all morphologically similar small-sized genera of the Horn of Africa in having the ventral aspect of cheliceral fixed finger with two denticles, …

A Survey Of Mussels In Small Tributaries Of The Ouachita River Headwaters, Aaron J. Huckeba, Seth Drake, Kendall Moles, Risa Mccollough, Nathan Mansor

ATU Scholars Symposium

Understanding species distributions is of utmost importance for effective conservation of aquatic resources. Freshwater mussels are among the most imperiled taxonomic groups as they are experiencing rapid declines in the southeastern United States. Standard mussel surveys are typically conducted on larger streams and rivers, leaving small headwater tributaries unsampled. Our study looked to document mussels in headwater tributaries of the Ouachita River watershed. We conducted standardized time-based surveys at 19 sites across nine tributaries using snorkeling, grubbing, and raking methodologies in the summer of 2023. Furthermore, we collected measurements on water quality (pH, conductivity, salinity, total dissolved solids, and temperature) …

Length-Weight Relationship Of Flier (Centrarchus Macropterus) In Moro Creek, Jeffrey G. Phillips

ATU Scholars Symposium

Length-weight relationships provide foundational knowledge for managing fisheries populations. However, there are many species where the length-weight relationships are not widely understood. The Flier (Centrarchus macropterus) is one species where there is a lack of information regarding its length-weight relationship and spatial variation associated with this relationship. A new study was needed to assess the length-weight relationship for this species. Fliers were collected from upper Moro Creek during October 2023. Multiple gears (backpack electrofishing and seining) were employed to increase detection of this species. Length (mm), and weight (g) were recorded for every individual observed. A total of 85 Flier …

Changes In Animal Vocalizations In Response To A Total Solar Eclipse, Colton W. Morris

ATU Scholars Symposium

My proposed research project will study the changes in animal vocalizations in response to the total solar eclipse that will take place in Russellville, Arkansas, on April 8, 2024. I will use audio recordings before, during, and after the eclipse to quantify changes in animal vocalizations. Most recordings will be in the range of normal hearing, and will primarily detect birds, frogs, and insects. Additionally, I will deploy one ultrasonic recorder capable of detecting bats. From these recordings I will be able to quantify overall and species-specific call rates. Audio recordings will be paired with continuous measurements of light intensity …

Metabolic Scaling Of Aquatic Macroinvertebrates, Jacob Woelber

Honors Thesis

The common assumption in regard to metabolic rate scaling with body size is the 3/4 law, which predicts a scaling exponent of 0.75 between log metabolic rate and log body size. Supporting evidence exists for this theory on a large, general scale. However, factors such as temperature, predation, and environment can cause the scaling exponent to deviate from 0.75. This paper takes a closer look at the effects of temperature and predation on metabolic rates via oxygen consumption in freshwater macroinvertebrate populations. To do this, 24 tanks were filled with water to allow natural populations of macroinvertebrates (predominantly Chironomidae) to …

Does Behavior Evolve First? Correlated Responses To Selection For Voluntary Wheel-Running Behavior In House Mice, Rahim H. Khan, Justin S. Rhodes, Isabelle A. Girard, Nicole E. Schwartz, Theodore Garland Jr.

Biology, Chemistry, and Environmental Sciences Faculty Articles and Research

How traits at multiple levels of biological organization evolve in a correlated fashion in response to directional selection is poorly understood, but two popular models are the very general “behavior evolves first” (BEF) hypothesis and the more specific “morphology-performance-behavior-fitness” (MPBF) paradigm. Both acknowledge that selection often acts relatively directly on behavior and that when behavior evolves, other traits will as well but most with some lag. However, this proposition is exceedingly difficult to test in nature. Therefore, we studied correlated responses in the high-runner (HR) mouse selection experiment, in which four replicate lines have been bred for voluntary wheel-running behavior …

Spring Burns And Its Effects On Vernal Forbs, Liam Poitra, Miriam Gieske, Stuart Wagenius

Undergraduate Research Symposium 2024

Grasslands are the least protected ecosystem on earth. In North America, protected native grasslands are typically burned in the spring, when native warm-season grasses are dormant, to reduce growth of invasive cool-season grasses; burn seasons historically included summer burns. This study aims to find how spring burns affect early spring flowering forbs (non-woody, non-grass plants).

Rescape: Transforming Coral-Reefscape Images For Quantitative Analysis, Zachary Ferris, Eraldo Ribeiro, Tomofumi Nagata, Robert Van Woesik

Ocean Engineering and Marine Sciences Faculty Publications

Ever since the first image of a coral reef was captured in 1885, people worldwide have been accumulating images of coral reefscapes that document the historic conditions of reefs. However, these innumerable reefscape images suffer from perspective distortion, which reduces the apparent size of distant taxa, rendering the images unusable for quantitative analysis of reef conditions. Here we solve this century-long distortion problem by developing a novel computer-vision algorithm, ReScape, which removes the perspective distortion from reefscape images by transforming them into top-down views, making them usable for quantitative analysis of reef conditions. In doing so, we demonstrate the …

Reproductive Characteristics Of The Stripetail Darter (Etheostoma Kennicotti) Relative To Monogenean Gill Parasite Infection In Estill Fork In North Alabama, Joy L. Garcia, Zeina Celine Sleiman, Corinne N. Preacher, Bruce Stallsmith

Southeastern Fishes Council Proceedings

What relationship exists between Aethycteron sp. gill parasite infection and the reproductive characteristics of stripetail darters, Etheostoma kennicotti? 450 E. kennicotti were collected over 11 months from Estill Fork in Jackson County, Alabama. Gonads were removed and photographed. All oocytes were counted and then classified into one of four developmental stages based on size and appearance. Gill parasites belonging to the monogenean genus Aethycteron were excised, photographed, and counted. Sexual dimorphism in length and mass was observed in E. kennicotti. The number of males found at the 25> mm SL range far outnumbered the females while almost all …

Age Estimation And Validation In Otoliths, Spines, And Fin Rays From Four Central Texas Fishes, Meredith B. Pfennig, Derek P. Crane, Nate G. Smith, Dave L. Buckmeier

Biology

Age estimation methods have not been validated for many species. Thus, we focused this age estimation study on four species from central Texas: the Guadalupe Bass Micropterus treculii, Channel Catfish Ictalurus punctatus, Gray Redhorse Moxostoma congestum, and Redbreast Sunfish Lepomis auritus. Our objectives for each species were to (1) investigate whether increments form annually in otoliths, fin rays, or spines; (2) determine the seasonal timing of zone deposition in each calcified structure; and (3) compare age estimates between otoliths and fin rays or spines.

Fish were sampled from central Texas waters and injected with oxytetracycline (OTC) quarterly in 2021. In …

The Descent Of Anolis: Assemblages, Convergence, And Ecomorphological Evolution, Christopher G. Anderson

Biology ETDs

The evolutionary outcomes we observe in modern organisms, particularly associations between phenotypes and environments, have been and remain an invaluable tool in interpreting the biological phenomena that shape our world. In the following chapters, I leverage a comprehensive phylogenetic and morphological dataset for 351 species comprising a diverse group of arboreal lizards, the Anolis clade, to explore how communities and morphologies evolve. First, I characterized patterns among coexisting lineages of Anolis to reveal a general pattern of phylogenetic relatedness among lineages comprising assemblages and identify differences attributable to a biogeographic variable. Then I examined the morphological consequences associated with the …

Hgs-3 The Influence Of A Tandem Cycling Program In The Community On Physical And Functional Health, Therapeutic Bonds, And Quality Of Life For Individuals And Care Partners Coping With Parkinson’S Disease, Leila Djerdjour, Jennifer L. Trilk

SC Upstate Research Symposium

Purpose Statement: Several studies have shown that aerobic exercise can have a positive impact on alleviating symptoms experienced by individuals with Parkinson's disease (PD). Despite this evidence, the potential benefits of exercise for both PD patients and their care partners (PD dyad) remain unexplored. This research project investigates the effectiveness, therapeutic collaborations, and physical outcomes of a virtual reality (VR) tandem cycling program specifically designed for PD dyads.

Methods: Following approval from the Prisma Health Institutional Review Board, individuals with PD were identified and screened by clinical neurologists. The pre-testing measures for PD dyads (N=9) included emotional and cognitive status …

An Ecology Against The Right. Learning Uncertainty And Humility From Ecosystems, Pierre L. Ibisch, Mona Eikel-Pohen, Elias Iceman, Jake Snelling

Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics - All Scholarship

This article is a translation from the German to English. The title of the original is:

Ibisch, P.L. (2020): Eine Ökologie gegen rechts. Von Ökosystemen Unsicherheit und Demut lernen. In: Leitschuh, H., A. Brunnengräber, P.L. Ibisch, R. Loske, M. Müller, J. Sommer & E.-U. v. Weizsäcker (eds. J. Sommer, P.L. Ibisch, A. Brunnengräber): Ökologie und Heimat. Jahrbuch Ökologie 2021. Hirzel-Verlag, Stuttgart, 191-205.

Effects Of Fungal Biopesticide Doses On Mortality In Bumble Bees, Colton Burris

Undergraduate Research Symposium

Agricultural practices often include the use of pesticides to produce meaningful crop yields. While the pesticide may be used to target “pest” insects (e.g. thrips, aphids, whiteflies), it can also have negative effects on important pollinating insects such as bees. Neonicotinoid pesticides have been found responsible for widespread decline in bee biodiversity, and were even banned in Europe (Sgolastra et al. 2020) . Beauveria bassiana, sold as Botanigard, on the other hand, is a fungal biopesticide that is marketed to be a safer alternative for bees, and has been found to have other possibly harmful effects to the inner …

Genomic Population Structure Of Great Hammerhead Sharks (Sphyrna Mokarran) Across The Indo-Pacific, Naomi L. Brunjes, Samuel M. Williams, Alexis L. Levengood, Matt K. Broadhurst, Vincent Raoult, Alastair V. Harry, Matias Braccini, Madeline E. Green, Julia L. Y. Spaet, Michael J. Travers, Bonnie J. Holmes

Fisheries Research Articles

Context

Currently, little information exists describing the population structure of great hammerhead sharks (Sphyrna mokarran) in Australian waters. Aims

This study used single nucleotide polymorphisms to investigate fine-scale population structure in S. mokarran across the Indo-Pacific. Methods

DNA was extracted from 235 individuals across six Australian locations and a Red Sea outgroup. Population parameters were calculated and visualised to test structuring across locations. Key results

No fine-scale population structuring was observed for S. mokarran across the Indo-Pacific. However, population structuring occurred for all Australian locations when compared to the Red Sea outgroup. Conclusions

Findings suggest a single stock …

A Novel Study Of Cliff Swallow (Petrochelidon Pyrrhonota) Feather Coloration In Relation To Habitat Characteristics, Colony Size, And Body Condition, Sonja Brandt, Medhavi Ambardar

SACAD: Scholarly Activities

Feather coloration is used for social signaling in many avian species, and can be associated with their ability to live and breed in habitats with high quality resources (Jenkins et al. 2013, Saino et al. 2013). It can signify individual quality, (Saino et al. 2013) and influence mate choice (Bennet et al. 1996). We analyzed different aspects of Cliff Swallow (Petrochelidon pyrrhonota) feather coloration in relation to morphology and habitat characteristics. We measured luminance, hue (theta and phi), and saturation for four different color patches on the swallows. We predicted that individuals in brighter coloration would be able to settle …

Preliminary Analysis Of Native Bee Community Adjacent To Sorghum And Wheat Fields In Western Kansas, Katelyn Strack, Sarah Elzay

SACAD: Scholarly Activities

Agricultural practices have significant and often negative effects on native bee populations. It is imperative that we understand how current agricultural practices affect native bees. Sorghum (Sorghum bicolor) is cultivated heavily in western Kansas and is grown in rotation with winter wheat. This analysis presents preliminary results from a study conducted in summer 2023 in which pan traps were placed adjacent to two sorghum and two wheat fields in Ellis Co. Kansas. This data is part of a larger study examining the relationship between native bees and sorghum in western Kansas.

Preliminary Analysis of Native Bee Community Adjacent …

Continuous Mowing Differentially Affects Floral Defenses In The Noxious And Invasive Weed Solanum Elaeagnifolium In Its Native Range, Alejandro Vasquez, Alexa Alaniz, Robert K. Dearth, Rupesh R. Kariyat

School of Integrative Biological & Chemical Sciences (Formerly Dept. of Biology)

In weeds, disturbance has been found to affect life history traits and mediate trophic interactions. In urban landscapes, mowing is an important disturbance, and we previously showed that continuous mowing leads to enhanced fitness and defense traits in Solanum elaeagnifolium, Silverleaf Nightshade (SLN). However, most studies have been focused on foliar defenses, ignoring floral defenses. In this study we examined whether continuous mowing affected floral defenses in SLN using mowed and unmowed populations in South Texas, their native range. We found flowers of mowed SLN plants larger but lighter than unmowed plants. Additionally, flowers on plants that were mowed …

Scorpions Of The Horn Of Africa (Arachnida: Scorpiones). Part Xxx. Parabuthus (Buthidae) (Part Iii), With Description Of Three New Species From Somaliland And Occurrence Of Parabuthus Eritreaensis Kovařík, 2003, František Kovařík, Graeme Lowe, Hassan Sh A. Elmi, František Šťáhlavský

Euscorpius

A new record of an adult female of Parabuthus eritreaensis Kovařík, 2003 in Somaliland confirms true distribution of this species, already discussed in Kovařík et al. (2016: 19–21). Three new species are described from Somaliland, P. dorisae sp. n., P. evae sp. n., and P. quincyae sp. n.. The hemispermatophore of P. dorisae sp. n. is illustrated and described. In addition to the analyses of external morphology and hemispermatophore, we have provided descriptions of the karyotypes of P. dorisae sp. n. and P. quincyae sp. n. Despite the presence of multivalents (CVIII and CXIV), both species exhibit karyotypes with 2n=16 …

The Identification Of The Flower Thrips, Frankliniella Karny (Thysanoptera: Thripidae) Intercepted At U. S. Ports Of Entry, Thomas L. Skarlinsky Ii

Insecta Mundi

United States port of entry interception data revealed that Frankliniella Karny (Thysanoptera: Thripidae) was the most frequently intercepted genus of Thripidae. No published identification resource for intercepted Frankliniella is available to United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) port of entry entomology identifiers. A morphological review of intercepted species was conducted. A dichotomous key for the identification of intercepted slide mounted adult females was created. Morphological diagnosis, description of each species with their geographic region(s) of origin and frequency of interception is provided.

ZooBank registration. urn:lsid:zoobank.org:pub:403B362E-9A7F-4385-A0F1-9DB87FE09AD2

Predicting The Potential Distribution Of Pseudococcus Longispinus (Targioni-Tozzetti) (Hemiptera: Pseudococcidae) In South Korea Using A Climex Model, Su Bin Kim, Soo-Jung Suh

Insecta Mundi

Pseudococcus longispinus (Targioni-Tozzetti) (Hemiptera: Pseudococcidae) is a widely-distributed pest that feeds on many economically important hosts, particularly tropical fruits and ornamentals. The potential distribution of this mealybug pest in South Korea remains a primary concern because of its high incidence of interceptions screened during inspection. Hence, this species prompted a modelling effort to assess its potential risk of introduction. Potential risk maps were developed for this pest with a CLIMEX model based on occurrence records under environmental data. The potential distribution of these pests in South Korea in the 2020s, 2050s and 2090s was projected based on the RCP 8.5 …

A Taxonomic Review Of The Genus Psephenops Grouvelle Of The Lesser Antilles With Description Of New Species Psephenops Trini, And Reassignment Of Peruvian Species Psephenus Robacki Spangler (Coleoptera: Psephenidae: Psepheninae), Cheryl B. Barr, William D. Shepard

Insecta Mundi

An overview of the genus Psephenops Grouvelle (Coleoptera: Psephenidae: Psepheninae) is provided with geographic distributions of the species. The taxonomic history of Psephenops smithi Grouvelle, the type species from Grenada and St. Vincent, and junior synonym Xexanchorinus latus Grouvelle from Grenada, is discussed, and lectotypes and paralectotypes are designated for both. Photographs of the type series and a non-type specimen with illustrated male genitalia, along with new distributional information for the species, are provided. The male, female, and associated larva of Psephenops trini Barr and Shepard, new species, are described and illustrated, as is the habitat of this species …

The Genus Centris Fabricius In Cuba, With A New Record And The Description Of A New Species (Hymenoptera: Apoidea: Anthophila), Julio A. Genaro, Dayron Breto

Insecta Mundi

Members of the genus Centris Fabricius (Hymenoptera: Apoidea: Anthophila) constitute a significant component of the Neotropical (including insular) bee fauna, exhibiting high species richness, a moderate to large body size, and extensive interactions with various important plant groups. Females of most species possess specialized morphology adapted for collecting oils from flowers. This study documents the presence of the genus in Cuba, recognizing six species: C. aethiops Cresson, C. cornuta Cresson, C. fulviventris Cresson, C. poecila Lepeletier, C. taina Genaro and Breto new species, and C. tarsata F. Smith. Detailed information is provided for …

Notes On The Tribe Chlorocorini With The Description Of A New Species Of Chlorocoris Spinola (Hemiptera: Heteroptera: Pentatomidae) From Panama, Donald B. Thomas

Insecta Mundi

A new species, Chlorocoris charluzae Thomas (Hemiptera: Heteroptera: Pentatomidae), is described from Panama. Eludocoris grandis Thomas is reported from Panama for the first time. The distribution of Chlorocoris rufispinus Dallas to include Panama is confirmed. Arawacoris Thomas, described as a subgenus of Chlorocoris Spinola, is elevated to full genus.

ZooBank registration. urn:lsid:zoobank.org:pub:F4E45B6C-5BD8-4B3E-B599-3BB61855B392

Historical And Morphological Review Of The Subgenus Indonthophagus Kabakov, 2006 Of Onthophagus Latreille, 1802 (Coleoptera: Scarabaeidae: Scarabaeinae: Onthophagini), Stefano Ziani

Insecta Mundi

The subgenus Indonthophagus Kabakov, 2006 of Onthophagus Latreille, 1802 (Coleoptera: Scarabaeidae: Scarabaeinae: Onthophagini) is reviewed. A morphological definition of it is provided. A diagnosis, based both on external and internal characters, of the seven species deemed to belong to the group according to literature, is supplied. As a result, Onthophagus spinifex (Fabricius, 1781), previously placed with some uncertainty in the subgenus, is definitively excluded. A key to Indonthophagus species is also provided, as well as images of male, aedeagus and endophallus for each species. New country records of Onthophagus turbatus Walker, 1858 for Pakistan, Nepal, and Bhutan are given.

ZooBank …

Diagnosis Of Spilococcus Pacificus (Borchsenius, 1949) And An Updated List Of Scale Insects (Hemiptera: Coccomorpha) On Pears (Pyrus L.: Rosaceae) In South Korea, Jungyoun Ji, Soo-Jung Suh

Insecta Mundi

Pears, Pyrus pyrifolia (Burm.f.) Nak. (Rosaceae) are one of the most widely grown fruit trees in South Korea. Approximately 11% of the total pear production in 2022 was exported to countries such as the United States and Vietnam. Exported pears must be free of pest species that are considered of quarantine importance by the importing countries. Herein, a list of scale insects (Hemiptera: Coccomorpha) associated with pear trees is updated. Additionally, Spilococcus pacificus (Borchsenius) is added to the list of mealybugs affecting pears in South Korea and is briefly diagnosed based on non-type specimens and illustrated using photographs. Information on …

Review Of Pharaxonotha Reitter (Coleoptera: Erotylidae: Pharaxonothinae) Inhabiting Cones Of The Cycad Zamia L. (Cycadales) In Panama, With Descriptions Of Five New Species, William Tang, Paul E. Skelley, Alberto S. Taylor R., Shayla Salzman

Insecta Mundi

The beetle genus Pharaxonotha Reitter (Coleoptera: Erotylidae: Pharaxonothinae) is found in the cones of cycad genera in the New World, including species of Ceratozamia Brongn., Dioon Lindl., Microcycas (Miq.) A.DC, and Zamia L. Its presence and diversity are analyzed for the 17 species of Zamia known to occur in Panama. Nine species are recognized, and five new species are described: Pharaxonotha clarkorum Pakaluk, P. confusa Pakaluk, P. fortunensis Tang, Skelley and Taylor new species, P. holzmani Tang, Skelley and Taylor new species, P. kirschii Reitter, P. manicatae Tang, Skelley and Taylor new species …

Acalyptomerus Asiaticus Crowson (Coleoptera: Clambidae: Acalyptomerinae) New To The Faunae Of The United States, Dominican Republic And Vietnam, Michael A. Ivie, Susan E. Halbert

Insecta Mundi

Acalyptomerus asiaticus Crowson (Coleoptera: Clambidae: Acalyptomerinae) is recorded for the first time from the United States (Florida), Dominican Republic, and Vietnam.

ZooBank registration. urn:lsid:zoobank.org:pub:F05EE9D0-7305-4C6B-BE7F-8D9E86C66AA7

Spatial Mapping Of The Benthic Community And How It Is Used To Research Effects Of Dredging In Louisiana's Lake Borgne., Meghan Johnson

LSU Master's Theses

Benthic communities are vitally important for healthy aquatic ecosystems across Louisiana’s coast. Specifically in Lake Borgne, ecologically important species of fish like the Gulf Sturgeon (Acipenser oxyrinchus desotoi) rely on benthic macrofauna as their main food source. The purpose of this study was to determine the spatial landscape of biodiversity and abundance of the benthic macrofauna community in Lake Borgne. Environmental conditions played a key role in community structure during the study period (fall 2021 through summer 2023) with a major drought occurring in 2023. In 2023, the decline in the abundance of most benthic invertebrates and in …

Settling Preference Of Nipponaclerda Biwakoensis (Hemiptera: Aclerdidae) On Phragmites Australis Stems, Alexia Catherine Desoto

LSU Master's Theses

Phragmites australis, a wetland grass that stabilizes the Louisiana coastline, has been undergoing a major die-off near the Mississippi River Delta (MRD) since the autumn of 2016. One suspected cause for this plant decline is the attack of an invasive scale insect, Nipponaclerda biwakoensis. We lack information on the host preference of the crawlers, the life stage that decides where to settle and when to start feeding on the plant. The objectives of this study were to identify what positions along the vertical stem N. biwakoensis prefers to settle and what host-plant traits may be influencing this choice. We recorded …