Life Sciences Commons^™

Influence Of 17-B-Estradiol And Progesterone On The In Vitro Cultured Mouse Preimplantation Embryos, Matthew L. Offutt

Morehead State Theses and Dissertations

A thesis presented to the faculty of the College of Arts and Sciences at Morehead State University in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the Degree of Master of Science in Biology by Matthew L. Offutt on December 10, 1992.

Coyotes In Great Smoky Mountains National Park: Evaluation Of Methods To Monitor Relative Abundance, Movement Ecology, And Habitat Use, Barron Allen Crawford

Masters Theses

Introduction: In North America, coyotes (Canis latrans) are the most primitive members of the genus Canis and are believed to have evolved from the ancestral coyote (C. leophagus) (Nowak 1978). During the late Pleistocene period, coyotes were found throughout North America. However, until the 1900's the range of modern coyotes only extended as far east as Wisconsin and south to central Texas (Nowak 1978). It appears that wolf populations were the major factor limiting coyotes in Eastern North America (Nowak 1978, Parker 1988).

Coyotes are adaptable carnivores that have survived human persecution and expanded their range …

Seasonal Changes In Brown Adipose Tissue And Pelage Of The Southern Short-Tailed Shrew Blarina Carolinensis, Elisa Michelle Dew

Biological Sciences Theses & Dissertations

Winter survival mechanisms in the southern short-tailed shrew, Blarina carolinensis, were studied by examining cellular changes in interscapular brown adipose tissue (ISBAT) and pelage characteristics in specimens collected each month of the year in eastern Virginia. On capture, each specimen was anesthetized with ether and then perfused with a 2.5% glutaraldehyde-2% formaldehyde solution. ISBAT tissues were examined histologically with the transmission electron microscopy. Because BAT is know to produce heat by nonshivering thermogenesis and is more developed in winter animals than summer animals, it was hypothesized that mitochondrial area of BAT would be relatively greater in winter than in summer. …

Desert Bighorn Sheep And Riverboat Interactions In Cataract Canyon, Utah, Mark C. Stanger

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

I studied desert bighorn sheep (Ovis canadensis nelsoni) behavior and habitat use in response to boating activities during 1985. The percent of total observed time in attention behavior before the boating season, during the boating season, and while riverboats were< 0.8 km from bighorn sheep groups was 1, 1.4, and 12.2, respectively. Estimated energy expenditure did not significantly differ for high riverboat pressures (2 > 0.2) or seasonal comparisons (2 > 0.1). Habitat use significantly differed for proximity to the river, which was probably related to the summer use of the river for drinking. Moderate, minor, and no responses to passing riverboats were observed 3, 39, and 58%, respectively. Responses to riverboats did not significantly differ according to time of day (2 > 0.15) or …

Relationships Among Birds, Willows, And Native Ungulates In And Around Northern Yellowstone National Park, Sally Graves Jackson

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

Although the impacts of livestock and human activities on riparian zones and associated wildlife have been well documented, little is known about the impacts that browsing by large native ungulates such as elk and moose may have. In the northern Yellowstone area, some willow stands experience intense browsing by elk and moose whereas others experience medium or very low amounts of browsing. The objectives of this study were (1) to compare the species and densities of birds among willow stands that have experienced different intensities of browsing by native ungulates, (2) to measure the relationship between five species of birds …

Reintroduction Of River Otters Into Great Smoky Mountains National Park, Mary C. Miller

Masters Theses

Beginning in December 1988, 14 river otters were obtained from South Carolina and Louisiana, implanted with radio transmitters, and released on Little River in Great Smoky Mountains National Park (GSMNP). A total of 896 radio locations were obtained. There were four mortalities.

Five otters established home ranges in Little River. Four otters traveled out of Little River. Of those otters, three established home ranges on the North Carolina side of GSMNP. One otter established a home range in the French Broad River outside of GSMNP. The remaining otter has not been located since its release.

After a brief period of …

Comparative Economics Of Cattle And Wildlife Ranching In The Zimbabwe Midlands, Urs P. Kreuter

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

The economics of ranches in the Zimbabwe Midlands, generating income from cattle, or wildlife, or both, were compared during 1989/90 to test the claim that wildlife ranching can generate greater profits than cattle ranching on semi-arid African savannas. Both financial (market) prices and economic prices (opportunity cost) were used.

Financial data were obtained from 15 cattle, 7 wildlife and 13 mixed ranches in four areas with wildlife and from 15 cattle ranches in two areas with sparse wildlife. Estimates of economic prices were obtained from official data.

In the first paper, gross revenues, costs, net revenues, and capital investments of …

The Behavioral Responses Of Utah Prairie Dogs (Cynomys Parvidens) To Translocation, Steven H. Ackers

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

In cases where refuge acquisition or captive breeding programs are not practical or justifiable, wild caught animals are frequently translocated into areas of suitable habitat. Such management programs seldom are designed to account for the behavioral responses of translocated animals to an unfamiliar habitat, breakup of social units, and/or interactions with existing social units in the new habitat. Ongoing efforts to translocate threatened Utah prairie dogs (Cynomys parvidens) from areas where conflicts with other land uses are occurring to public land sites have met with limited success. This could be due, in part, to behavioral responses associated with …

Marten Use Of Subnivean Access Points In Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming, Stuart Scott Sherburne

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

Subnivean prey appeared to be the primary reason for subnivean access point use by martens. A logistic regression was used to create a predictive model for differential access point use. Prey biomass in grams and percent ground cover of coarse woody debris (CWD) were used as variables in the model. Goodness of fit of the multivariate model was 0.216; biomass was significant al p = 0.0003, CWD was significant at p = 0.0718. Mean values for prey biomass at used and unused access points were 174.2 g and 81 g, respectively, while mean values of CWD were 24.7% and 18.5%, …

The Influence Of Redd Distribution And Microhabitat Availability On The Distribution And Abundance Of Young-Of-The-Year Trout In The Green River, Utah, Michael J. Buntjer

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

Redd distribution, redd density, and physical habitat were used to explain the distribution and abundance of young-of-the-year (YOY) brown trout (Salmo trutta) and rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) in the Green River, Utah. The importance of variables at both a microhabitat and macrohabitat scale were assessed using stepwise regression analysis. Availability of cover (rock and vegetation) and proximity to spawning sites were the most important variables used to explain the distribution and abundance of YOY brown trout and rainbow trout. In addition, YOY brown trout and rainbow trout occupied specific microhabitats and showed patterns of use for …

Effects Of Rumen Protein Degradability On Rumen Characteristics, Milk Production And Reproductive Performance In Holstein Dairy Cows, Mario Raul Figueroa

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

Three non-lactating Holstein cows fitted with rumen cannula were used to determine crude protein and dry matter rate of disappearance of two protein supplements: 1) soybean meal and 2) bypass protein blend by using the in situ bag technique. Rate disappearance (%/hr) was higher for soybean meal. Two collection periods were completed using 6 cows with a minimum of 21 d adaptation to the treatment top dressed on to the total mixed ration. Ruminal concentration of ammonia N, blood ammonia, and urea did not differ between treatments. Total concentration of volatile fatty acids was higher for bypass protein blend-fed cattle …

Effect Of Feeding A Viable Yeast Culture With Or Without Aspergillus Oryzae On Milk Production, Apparent Nutrient Digestibility, Ruminal Fermentation, And Nutrient Degradability In Holstein Cows, Daeyoon Kim

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

Twenty-four early to midlactation Holstein cows were allocated to one of three treatments. Treatments consisted of: 1) basal ration plus 60 g wheat bran per day per head (control); 2) basal ration plus 57 g yeast culture per day per head; 3) basal ration plus 57 g yeast culture plus 3 g Aspergillus oryzae per day per head. Feed intake and milk yield were recoreded daily and milk composition and body weights were recorded weekly. Feed and fecal samples were recorded weekly. Feed and fecal samples were collected to determine apparent nutrient digestibility. No statistical difference was observed in milk …

The Heart Rate Responses Of Dairy Cows To Two Types Of Disturbances--Transportation And Aircraft Noises, Hoon M. Ahn

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

Three experiments were conducted using implanted heart rate (HR) transmitters. In the first experiment three lactating Holstein cows' HR signals were monitored telemetrically for three successive days under the normal herd management. Overall mean and standard error for these cows was 76.1 ± 0.46 bpm. In the second experiment the same three cows' HR signals were monitored with a portable computer and receiver. The cows were transported 400 kilometers one way over various road surface conditions. The HR signals were monitored consecutively at the beginning of the trip and at hourly intervals during travel. The cows stayed overnight and were …

Use Of The Polymerase Chain Reaction In The Detection Of Bovine Leukosis, Emma Jane Kelly

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

A diagnostic test for bovine leukosis was developed using the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) to amplify a 375 base pair region in the gag gene of the proviral genome.

Blood samples were collected from 3 adult Holstein cows shown to be infected with bovine leukosis virus (BLV) by the agar-gel immunodiffusion (AGID) technique. The 3 samples were mixed and the composite blood was used to inoculate 10 cows. Five of the cows were inoculated with 0.1 ml of blood, and the other cows were inoculated with 1 ml of blood. Five of the cows were negative for BLV by AGID …

The Effects Of Feeding A High Level Of Rumen Protected Fat With Rumen Undegradable Protein With Or Without Niacin On Rumen Fermentation Characteristics, Apparent Nutrient Digestibility, And Milk Production In The Early To Mid Lactation Holstein Cow, Carlos Eduardo Batallas

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

Forty high producing early to mid lactation Holstein cows were blocked according to stage of lactation and previous two-week milk yield (experiment 1). Eight ruminally and duodenally cannulated nonlactating Holstein cows were used for experiment 2. The objective was to determine the effects of the ration's high fat content (11.53%) when rumen degradable or rumen undegradable protein is fed with or without added niacin. Cows received one of five treatments: 1) basal ration (TMR); 2) basal ration with added rumen undegradable fat (RUF) (1.6 kg); soybean meal (SBM) (1.73 kg), and niacin (12 g); 3) same as treatment 2, without …

Equine Operant Conditioning: Autoshaping, Observational Learning, And Discriminative Stimulus Intensity, Paul H. Stewart

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

This thesis is compromised of three studies in which basic principles of operant conditioning were applied to horses. Autoshaping was examined as a method for horse training. Observational learning was investigated to confirm that naive horses can, in fact,

acquire novel behavior by observing experienced horses, and the rate of acquisition with observation is more rapid than spontaneous responding without observation. A third study examined the effect of discriminative stimulus intensity on the acquisition rate of novel behavior.

All subjects learned to use an operant conditioning device. Subjects in the first study autoshaped. Observational learning was also demonstrated to be …

Effect Of Various Growth-Promoting Factors On Preimplantation Bovine Embryo Development In Vitro, Mark Randall Flood

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

The purpose of this research was to define the effects of various growth-promoting factors on in vitro embryonic development of in vitro matured and in vitro fertilized bovine embryos. The control medium was a chemically defined medium which improves the possibility of closely determining the in vivo conditions the embryo is actually exposed to. The growth-promoting factors tested in this experiment included transferrin, IGF-I (insulin-like growth factor-one), IGF-II (insulin-like growth factor-two), TGF-𝛼 (transforming growth factor-alpha), TGF-𝛽1 (transforming growth factor-beta1), PDGF (platelet derived growth factor), EGF (epidermal growth factor), NGF (nerve growth factor), and bFGF (basic fibroblast growth factor). Transferrin was …

The Use Of Animal Behavior As A Tool For Biological Control, Melissa Biscornet

Undergraduate Honors Capstone Projects

Animal behavior, the way that an animal acts, is a combination of instinctive traits and learned responses to particular situations (Robinson and Bolen 1984). Behavior in young animals involves several different learning mechanisms, including the following: generalization, social facilitation, neophobia, cue-consequence specificity, and harvesting skills. Preferences instilled in young animals through learning can influence diet selection, grazing patterns, and habitat selection later in life (Squibb et al. 1990)

Population Status And Characteristics Of Macrhybopsis Gelida, Platygobio Gracilis And Rhinichthys Cataractae In The Missouri River Basin, Selena J. Werdon

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Few sturgeon chub (Macrhybopsis gelida: Cyprinidae) have been collected in the last decade, therefore their status, habitat selection and morphology were investigated at 172 previous collection sites. Data on two ecologically similar species, Platygobio gracilis and Rhinichthys cataractae, were also collected. Macrhvbopsis gelida were collected at 28 sites on the Powder River (n = 158) in Wyoming and Montana, and at one site on the Yellowstone River (n = 1) in Montana. Age-I, Age-II and Age-III M. gelida were collected. Specimens were 37 to 95 mm in total length. Macrhvbopsis gelida were ripe in mid-June, at water temperatures of 18.3-22. …

Fisheries Under The Extended Jurisdiction Of Sri Lanka, Hewawasan S.G. Fernando

Theses and Major Papers

Fishing has been an important economic activity in Sri Lanka for generations. Firstly, the fisheries sector provides employment to a substantial portion of the population particularly in the coastal area. Secondly, it provides 65 percent of animal protein consumed by the people of Sri Lanka. Thirdly, the fishing industry has proved its capabilities as an earner of foreign exchange through the export of marine product such as prawns, lobsters and other varieties. In 1977 Sri Lanka declared its 200 miles Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) under the new regime for the Law of the Sea. The government of Sri Lanka formulated …

Effects Of The Hol Chan Marine Reserve (Belize) On Associated Coral Reef Finfish Populations, Pamela Barrick Baker

Theses and Major Papers

People throughout the Caribbean depend on fishery resources for subsistence and income. Overfishing is a concern in many areas and the need for resource management is apparent. Coral reef protected areas are being used to maintain sustainable tropical reef fisheries. This research examined the effectiveness of the Hol Chan marine Reserve (HCMR), Belize, in meeting fisheries management objectives. Fishes were surveyed within the HCMR and in a comparable non-protected site to examine changes in fish community structure over time in the HCMR and between protected and non-protected sites. Results show that abundance, mean length, biomass, and species richness of commercially …

Sea-Surface Temperature Related Fisheries And Resource Markets, Jeffrey Michael Rasinski

Theses and Major Papers

This thesis addresses the potential application of sea-surface temperature (SST) data to economic resource markets. It considers the revolution in technology and the accessibility of timely, accurate SST observations for resource markets. Specifically, it addresses issues related to pelagic fisheries and the fish meal industry. The thesis presents a discussion and overview of the upwelling ecosystem of Peru and the Peruvian anchovy (Engraulis ringens) including quantitative analysis and forecasts for the fishery and fish meal prices. This analysis is used to demonstrate the commercial application and relationship between SST and related resource markets. The thesis establishes a bioeconomic statistical model …

An Ecological Study Of The Cumberland Plateau Salamander, Plethodon Kentucki Mittleman, In West Virginia, Jeffrey E. Bailey

Theses, Dissertations and Capstones

A study was conducted to determine various aspects of the ecology of Plethodon kentucki in West Virginia. Results of studies on range and distribution revealed that P. kentucki is limited to southwestern counties in West Virginia. A population of P. kentucki at Beech Fork State Park was extremely seasonal with regard to activity. Seasonal activity was not significantly correlated with air temperature, soil temperature, air relative humidity, or soil pH. Seasonal activity was significantly correlated with soil moisture. Critical Thermal Maxima and dehydration values were not significantly different between f· kentucki and its congener, P. glutinosus, thus each is equally …

Comparison Of The Level Of Female Induced Reproductive Inhibition In White-Footed Mice (Peromyscus Leucopus Noveboracensis) From Michigan And Virginia, Timothy Sterling Boyer

Dissertations, Theses, and Masters Projects

No abstract provided.

Foraging Ecology Of The Blue Crab, Callinectes Sapidus Rathbun, In Lower Chesapeake Bay, Randa A. Mansour

Dissertations, Theses, and Masters Projects

This study concurrently quantified blue crab feeding habits and preference, and examined the inter-relationships between diet, predator preference, and predator and prey abundance and distribution in three subestuaries of lower Chesapeake Bay--the James, York and Rappahannock Rivers, Virginia. Complementary laboratory investigations estimated the combined effect of the functional, aggregative and interference responses upon prey and predator survival and predator foraging rates for blue crabs and a common bivalve prey, Macoma balthica, in this system. Crab abundance, prey abundance and diet were correlated such that blue crabs aggregated in areas of highest preferred (i.e., bivalve) prey abundance, as determined through electivity …

Larvae And Relationships Of Epinepheline Serranids (Teleostei: Percoidei), Carole Christine Baldwin

Dissertations, Theses, and Masters Projects

Morphology is described for larvae of Diploprion bifasciatus, Belonoperca chabanaudi, Jeboehlkia gladifer, and Grammistes sexlineatus of the serranid subfamily Epinephelinae. Known larvae of all epinephelines are compared. Larval epinephelines differ in patterns of pigmentation, head spination, sequence of fin formation and morphology of elongate (often spectacularly so!) dorsal-fin spines. Relationships among epinepheline genera are investigated based on phylogenetic analysis of larval and adult morphology. Five monophyletic tribes are cladistically delineated, and relationships among tribes and among genera of the tribe Grammistini are hypothesized. Generic composition of tribes differs from Johnson's (1983) classification only in the allocation of Jeboehlkia to the …

A Study Of The Summer Steelhead, Oncorhynchus Mykiss In Several Intermittent Tributaries Of The Satus Creek Basin, Washington, Joel Denney Hubble

All Master's Theses

The summer steelhead, Oncorhynchus mykiss population was studied in three intermittent tributaries in the Satus Creek Basin. There was a strong tendency for post emergent fry, resulting from redds located in intermittent reaches to move downstream. However, survival to perennial flow conditions was very low. Steelhead production in Dry Creek appears to be lower than in Logy Creek, because of elevated water temperatures and minimal spring and summer stream flow.

Investigations Of Forage Fish And Lake Trout Salvelinus Namaycush Interactions In Flaming Gorge Reservoir, Wyoming-Utah, Daniel L. Yule

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

I investigated the interaction of lake trout (Salvelinus namaycush) and their dominant forage fish populations, Utah chub (Gila atraria) and kokanee salmon (Oncorhynchus nerka), in Flaming Gorge Reservoir, Wyoming-Utah. Through bioenergetics modeling, I quantified the consumption dynamics of the lake trout population. From hydroacoustics analyses, I quantified the density and biomass of the two dominant forage fish populations.

In Chapter II, I report the results of the energetics analysis. The objective of this chapter was to understand the role of lake trout predation in recent changes in fish assemblage structure of the reservoir. Through …

Comparative Biology And Population Dynamics Of Searobins (Genus Prionotus) With Emphasis On Populations In The Northwestern Gulf Of Mexico, James G. Hoff Jr

Dissertations, Theses, and Masters Projects

Eight species of Prionotus, collected from 5-100 m in the Gulf of Mexico along a cross-shelf transect off Freeport, Tx during October 1977-August 1981, were studied to determine life history patterns and how they partition resources. Only four species were abundant: P. tribulus, P. paralatus, P. longispinosus, and P. stearnsi. Prionotus spp. mature at 80 mm (P. stearnsi and P. rubio), 85 mm (P. tribulus and P. paralatus), 100 mm (P. ophryas), 105 mm (P. roseus), and 120 mm (P. longispinosus). Sizes at Age 1 were 99-140 mm (P. tribulus), 99-138 mm (P. longispinosus), 98-122 mm (P. paralatus), 75-125 mm …

River Channel Stability And The Implications For Fish Habitat, John T. Beebe

Theses and Dissertations (Comprehensive)

The purpose of this project was to investigate various aspects of river channel stability as they relate to fish habitat. Two headwater creeks of the Credit River system, Black and Silver Creeks, and their confluent stream, the West Credit River in Southern Ontario were used in the study. Thirty-five cross-sections were established and revisited during four flow regimes, summer base flow, fall secondary peak flow, spring melt-high flow and post-spring high flow. Measurements of width, depth and temperature were taken at these times. Water samples were taken for determination of suspended sediment concentration. Channel stability was investigated in relation to …