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Articles 61 - 85 of 85
Full-Text Articles in Life Sciences
Gray Bat Migration In Missouri, Cheyenne Leigh Gerdes
Gray Bat Migration In Missouri, Cheyenne Leigh Gerdes
MSU Graduate Theses
Migration is an important and understudied aspect of the life histories of many species, particularly bats. Migration impacts conservation efforts, including efforts to manage the impacts of wildlife disease. The federally endangered gray bat (Myotis grisescens) is a migratory species with documented infections by Pseudogymnoascus destructans, the fungus that causes White-nose Syndrome (WNS). To better understand migration as it might relate to WNS, I quantified the timing and location of gray bat movements in Missouri using acoustic detectors and bat banding. I recorded calls at 4 maternity sites from January to May 2015, and used the R package PVAClone to …
Behavioral Responses Of Ringed And Spotted Salamanders To Diet-Related Cues From Predators, Kayla Shelton
Behavioral Responses Of Ringed And Spotted Salamanders To Diet-Related Cues From Predators, Kayla Shelton
MSU Graduate Theses
Multiple species of Ambystoma can sometimes coexist in ponds, often forming a prey guild. In the Ozarks, ringed salamanders (Ambystoma annulatum) can coexist with marbled salamanders (A. opacum) and spotted salamanders (A. maculatum). Ringed and marbled salamanders lay their eggs in ponds in the fall and overwinter as larvae, whereas spotted salamanders breed in the spring. Ringed and marbled salamander larvae can be cannibalistic and can prey upon larvae of the other two species. Larvae should experience increased survival if they can discriminate between predators that have recently consumed another salamander (high risk) versus those that have not (low risk). …
Effectiveness Of The Qar Reading Strategy On Science Reading, Courtney Anne Broser
Effectiveness Of The Qar Reading Strategy On Science Reading, Courtney Anne Broser
MSU Graduate Theses
The Questions-Answer Relationship (QAR) is a reading strategy that guides student comprehension by allowing the student to demonstrate their ability to determine importance, make inferences, and monitor comprehension through questions. The study was conducted on high school students in physical science to determine if the implementation of the QAR would improve content area literacy knowledge and confidence from pre-test and post-test data. Pedagogies included modeling, collaboration, independent work, guided practice, direct instruction, and inquiry laboratories. Through the implementation of the QAR method, the researcher found that students that learned new reading strategies gained confidence and were more engaged in the …
Natural History And Conservation Of Bolitoglossine Salamanders In Central Panama, Leslie Caren Brinkman
Natural History And Conservation Of Bolitoglossine Salamanders In Central Panama, Leslie Caren Brinkman
MSU Graduate Theses
I conducted a mark-recapture study to assess the natural history of a Neotropical salamander community in three discrete 4–6 week sampling periods at Chorro Las Yayas, a protected natural area of about 8000 m2 in central Panama, during an extended drought. I captured 87 Bolitoglossa biseriata, 17 Oedipina complex, and 15 O. parvipes. Bolitoglossa biseriata, had a mean mass of 0.8 ± 0.4 g with a mean snout-vent length (SVL) of 31.45 ± 5.30 mm. Bolitoglossa biseriata was active throughout the night, and its detection rate varied with season, air temperature, and amount of precipitation in the previous 24 h. …
The Effectiveness Of Visits To Dickerson Park Zoo On Guests' Conservation Mindedness And Behavior, Sarah K. Foster
The Effectiveness Of Visits To Dickerson Park Zoo On Guests' Conservation Mindedness And Behavior, Sarah K. Foster
MSU Graduate Theses
Today, there are more than 10,000 zoos worldwide that provide the public with opportunities to observe and learn about endangered and threatened species from ecosystems all over the world. Through direct and emotional interactions with wildlife at zoos, more than 600 million guests a year have a chance to evolve from spectators to participants of conservation. A mixed-method survey strategy took place at Dickerson Park Zoo in Springfield Missouri about the Species Survival Plan to understand guest’s conservation mindedness and behavior changes after a visit. Initial surveys were given in the zoo and the follow-up surveys were given online a …
Friends In Low Places: Responses Of A Benthic Stream Fish To Intra-Guild Alarm Cues, Kelsey Ann Anderson
Friends In Low Places: Responses Of A Benthic Stream Fish To Intra-Guild Alarm Cues, Kelsey Ann Anderson
MSU Graduate Theses
Many aquatic species produce chemical alarm cues that serve as a warning to nearby conspecifics. In mixed-species aggregations, individuals may also benefit by “eavesdropping” on the chemical alarm cues of other species that are in the same prey-guild. Rainbow Darters (Etheostoma caeruleum) are benthic fish that co-occur with native Ozark Minnows (Notropis nubilus), recently-introduced Western Mosquitofish (Gambusia affinis), and native Oklahoma Salamanders (Eurycea tyrnerensis), all of whom are vulnerable to the same predators. We tested the responses of darters to the damage-released alarm cues of conspecifics (positive control), minnows, and mosquitofish; alarm cues from Bumblebee Gobies (Brachygobius doriae) served as …
Yeast Dynamin Functions With Escrt-Ii At The Late Endosome And Potential Roles With Novel Binding Partners, Bryan Thien Banh
Yeast Dynamin Functions With Escrt-Ii At The Late Endosome And Potential Roles With Novel Binding Partners, Bryan Thien Banh
MSU Graduate Theses
Yeast dynamin, Vps1, is a dynamic protein implicated in multiple trafficking pathways and at several cellular locations including the Golgi, endosome, and vacuole. Previous studies have found that Vps1 genetically and physically interacts with several ESCRT-II (Vps22, Vps36) and ESCRT-III (Vps2, Vps24) components. In light of these findings, little is known about how Vps1 functions with the ESCRT system. In my study, I have mapped the interaction domains between Vps1 and Vps22/Vps36 as well as explored the potential roles of these proteins during the targeting of vacuolar hydrolase, Cps1. My results support the idea of Vps1 working at the endosomal …
Behavioral Responses By Cottonmouths (Agkistrodon Piscivorus) To Chemical And Visual Predator Cues, Kristen Lee Kohlhepp
Behavioral Responses By Cottonmouths (Agkistrodon Piscivorus) To Chemical And Visual Predator Cues, Kristen Lee Kohlhepp
MSU Graduate Theses
Predator detection and assessment of predation risk have important survival consequences for animals. However, responses to predatory threats can vary with different stimuli. Chemical cues are important for predator recognition but visual cues may elicit defensive responses. Cottonmouths (Agkistrodon piscivorus) exhibit an array of antipredatory behaviors that have been thoroughly characterized in response to human aggressors, but their responses to cues from other predators are poorly known. I conducted three experiments to evaluate cottonmouth responses to visual and chemical stimuli from predators and non-predators. Snakes exposed to predator chemical cues exhibited elevated tongue-flick rates compared to controls but did not …
Trophic Interactions And The Efficacy Of Milfoil Weevils For Biocontrol Of Eurasian Watermilfoil In Wisconsin Lakes, Kristopher Andrew Maxson
Trophic Interactions And The Efficacy Of Milfoil Weevils For Biocontrol Of Eurasian Watermilfoil In Wisconsin Lakes, Kristopher Andrew Maxson
MSU Graduate Theses
Eurasian water-milfoil (Myriophyllum spicatum L., henceforth “EWM”) is the most heavily managed nuisance submersed aquatic plant in the United States. EWM’s rapid spring growth and formation of dense surface mats inhibits native macrophyte communities, serves as poor-quality habitat for fish and macroinvertebrates, impacts recreation, and can clog water supply infrastructure. The milfoil weevil (Euhrychiopsis lecontei Dietz) has been associated with EWM declines in several states, though natural weevil densities are generally too small to effect control. Augmentative biocontrol has had varied success and fish predation may account for high weevil mortality. Weevils were augmented in 4 northern Wisconsin lakes in …
Size-Selective Predation By Ringed Crayfish (Orconectes Neglectus) On Native And Invasive Snails, Whitney Marie Kelley
Size-Selective Predation By Ringed Crayfish (Orconectes Neglectus) On Native And Invasive Snails, Whitney Marie Kelley
MSU Graduate Theses
As invasive species are introduced into new habitats, predator-prey interactions can be altered. Cipangopaludina chinensis is a large snail that has been introduced into numerous waterbodies throughout the United States, where it coexists with native snails and their crayfish consumers. This study examined the relative susceptibility of C. chinensis and two native snails (Elimia potosiensis and Physella gyrina) to predation by the ringed crayfish (Orconectes neglectus). I conducted field surveys of snails and crayfish in three Ozark streams, plus a series of four lab experiments to determine feeding rates and prey preference by O. neglectus on these three snail species. …
Venom Expelled By Cottonmouths (Agkistrodon Piscivorus) Across Different Prey Sizes, Prey Taxa, And Snake Body Temperatures, Kari Lynn Spivey
Venom Expelled By Cottonmouths (Agkistrodon Piscivorus) Across Different Prey Sizes, Prey Taxa, And Snake Body Temperatures, Kari Lynn Spivey
MSU Graduate Theses
Pit vipers possess a sophisticated venom delivery system enabling them to efficiently disable prey. To avoid retaliatory countermeasures, pit vipers typically release envenomated prey which are then trailed and consumed after succumbing to venom effects. Successful retrieval of released prey should vary with venom resistance and trail ability of prey types. The effects of prey size and prey type (mice, lizards, and frogs) on foraging behavior and venom expenditure in a cohort of juvenile cottonmouths was examined. Venom expenditure did not vary significantly among prey sizes or prey types. However, lizard prey were held significantly more often than mice. The …
Sex-Associated Mitochondrial Genes: Tools For Understanding Unionid Reproduction And Development, Amy Louise Maynard
Sex-Associated Mitochondrial Genes: Tools For Understanding Unionid Reproduction And Development, Amy Louise Maynard
MSU Graduate Theses
Gonochoristic species of the bivalve order Unionida possess two types of mitochondria. The female-inherited mitochondria (F-mt) is found in the somatic cells of both sexes, while male-inherited mitochondria (M-mt) is found in the male gonad. These mitochondria possess different open reading frames (M-ORF or F-ORF respectively). Previous studies suggested that two types of sperm might exist, each carrying one or the other mitochondrial haplotype, and it was hypothesized that the presence of either F-mt or M-mt in sperm may be involved in determination of offspring sex. I investigated this hypothesis in Bleedingtooth (Venustaconcha pleasii). Sperm samples were obtained from field-collected …
Investigation Of Nocifensive And Cellular Effects Of Dihydroergotamine In A Model Of Chronic Migraine, Jennifer Elise Denson
Investigation Of Nocifensive And Cellular Effects Of Dihydroergotamine In A Model Of Chronic Migraine, Jennifer Elise Denson
MSU Graduate Theses
The goal of my study was to investigate the nocifensive behavioral and cellular effects of dihydroergotamine (DHE) and sumatriptan in a model of sustained trigeminal activation. Trigeminal nerves provide sensory innervation to the head and face and their activation has been implicated in migraine pathology. The most commonly prescribed medications for migraine treatment are the triptan class of drugs. However, triptans are not an effective therapy for all migraine patients and some develop triptan resistance. Ergot-derivatives, including DHE, could be a potential alternative for this subpopulation of patients. To cause activation of the trigeminal system, adult male Sprague Dawley rats …
Examination Of The Cytotoxicity Of Carboxyl Functionalized Single-Walled Carbon Nanotubes On Escherichia Coli, Brittany Linn Twibell
Examination Of The Cytotoxicity Of Carboxyl Functionalized Single-Walled Carbon Nanotubes On Escherichia Coli, Brittany Linn Twibell
MSU Graduate Theses
The growing use of carbon nanotubes (CNTs) in industrial and consumer products raises important questions about their environmental fate and impact on prokaryotes. In the environment, CNTs are exposed to a variety of conditions (e.g. UV light) that could lead to decomposition and changes in their chemical properties. Therefore, the potential cytotoxic effect of both pristine and artificially aged carboxyl functionalized single-walled CNTs at neutral and acidic conditions on Escherichia coli K12 was analyzed using a minimal inhibitory concentration (MIC) assay, which also allowed monitoring of non-lethal growth effects. However, there were no observable MIC or significant changes in growth …
Evaluation Of Anti-Migraine Drugs In An In Vivo Rat Model Of Chronic Migraine, Shannon Nicole Stiles
Evaluation Of Anti-Migraine Drugs In An In Vivo Rat Model Of Chronic Migraine, Shannon Nicole Stiles
MSU Graduate Theses
Approximately 2% of the US population is affected by chronic migraine (CM). CM is a recurring, neurological disorder characterized by painful headache, along with autonomic, gastrointestinal, and other somatic symptoms. Prolonged sensitization of the trigeminal system, which is implicated in CM, is comprised of peripheral primary trigeminal ganglion neurons that provide sensory innervation of the head and face and second order neurons in the spinal trigeminal nucleus (STN). The goal of my study was to evaluate anti-migraine drugs for their ability to inhibit ongoing peripheral and central sensitization of trigeminal nociceptors. An in vivo animal model was used to determine …
Maximum Entropy Modeling Of Indiana Bat (Myotis Sodalis) Maternity Roost Habitat, Joseph Robert Lemen
Maximum Entropy Modeling Of Indiana Bat (Myotis Sodalis) Maternity Roost Habitat, Joseph Robert Lemen
MSU Graduate Theses
Since 1967, the Indiana bat (Myotis sodalis) has been on the U.S. Endangered Species list due to disruption of hibernating bats in caves, summer habitat degradation, and more recently, the onset of White-nose Syndrome. The purpose of this study is to evaluate landscape variables associated with Indiana bat maternity roost trees in an attempt to better understand what factors play a role in their distribution in north central Missouri. I tracked reproductive female Indiana bats to 20 different primary and secondary roost trees; these are roosts that had multiple bats visit them on multiple occasions. GPS location data for these …
Functional Connection Between Yeast Dynamin And Retromer At The Endosome, Christopher Robert Trousdale
Functional Connection Between Yeast Dynamin And Retromer At The Endosome, Christopher Robert Trousdale
MSU Graduate Theses
Intracellular trafficking from the late endosome to Golgi in cells is termed retrograde transport, essential for recycling of important macromolecules including cell membrane receptors. Retrograde transport is regulated by a family of proteins known as the "Retromer” composed of 5 VPS proteins (Vps5, Vps17, Vps26, Vps29, and Vps35). Retromer acts as the coat proteins for vesicles emerging from late endosomes. Loss of Retromer function has been previously implicated in both Parkinson's and Alzheimer's disease. Vps1, a yeast dynamin-like protein, plays a role in intracellular trafficking. Vps1 has been shown to localize at the endocytic sites to promote pinching off of …
Dynamin Association With Clathrin And Its Physiological Roles At The Golgi And Targeting Mechanism To The Golgi, Shiva Kumar Goud Gadila
Dynamin Association With Clathrin And Its Physiological Roles At The Golgi And Targeting Mechanism To The Golgi, Shiva Kumar Goud Gadila
MSU Graduate Theses
Vps1 (Vacuole protein sorting 1), a dynamin-like protein in yeast, is implicated in diverse membrane trafficking pathways and localized to many organelles, including the Golgi. It has been proposed that Vps1 is functionally linked to clathrin heavy chain 1 (Chc1), but the question of how, where, and when they function together remains unknown. Lines of evidence suggest that Chc1 and Vps1 are located at the late Golgi. Therefore, I hypothesized that Vps1 binds to Chc1 and functions together at the Golgi for efficient Golgi-to-endosome membrane trafficking. Using the yeast-two hybrid assay, I present evidence that Vps1 binds to the C-terminal …
Nesting Success And Parental Behavior Of The Prothonotary Warbler (Protonotaria Citrea) In Southwestern Missouri, Kathryn Marie Siverly
Nesting Success And Parental Behavior Of The Prothonotary Warbler (Protonotaria Citrea) In Southwestern Missouri, Kathryn Marie Siverly
MSU Graduate Theses
The breeding biology and singing rates of Prothonotary Warblers (Protonotaria citrea) were studied in southwestern Missouri in 2014 and 2015, using wooden nesting boxes. Data were collected on clutch and brood sizes, the numbers of young fledged, parental care and male singing rates. Five pairs were studied over the course of the two summers. Of 28 eggs laid, 14 young fledged. In 2015, significant flooding resulted in the loss of all young and eggs for that year. First clutches were larger than second clutches. Observations suggest females may contribute more to the care of offspring, in terms of foraging and …
Effects Of Low Concentrations Of Carbon Nanotubes On Growth And Gas Exchange In Arabidopsis Thaliana, Rajeeva Voleti
Effects Of Low Concentrations Of Carbon Nanotubes On Growth And Gas Exchange In Arabidopsis Thaliana, Rajeeva Voleti
MSU Graduate Theses
The effect of pure single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWCNTs) on plant growth and gas exchange was investigated in Arabidopsis thaliana. To date there has been no research on the effects of SWCNTs on whole plant physiology. A. thaliana seeds were directly grown in growth medium containing SWCNTs concentrations of 24.93micrograms/ml and 53.55 micrograms/ml. control plants were grown in media containing distilled water. I determined growth by measuring dry mass of plants. I determined gas exchange by measuring photosynthetic rates, stomatal conductance, transpiration rates, and water use efficiency. I also examined the following physiological mechanisms that would limit plant growth: ATP and …
Reintroduction Biology Of Head-Started Ornate Box Turtles, Eric R. Sievers
Reintroduction Biology Of Head-Started Ornate Box Turtles, Eric R. Sievers
MSU Graduate Theses
The ornate box turtle (Terrapene ornata) is a prairie-dwelling species that has experienced population declines, especially near the northern edge of its range. In order to provide supporting research for a reintroduction program at the Upper Mississippi River National Wildlife and Fish Refuge in northwestern Illinois, I compared the relative success of different approaches to reintroduction. Specifically, I tested the null hypothesis that reintroduced turtles exhibited equal reintroduction success when, 1) released at a site that is known to support a viable ornate box turtle population, 2) ‘soft-released' in a fenced enclosure at a site where very few ornate box …
Calcitonin Gene-Related Peptide Promotes Peripheral And Central Trigeminal Sensitization, Lauren Elise Cornelison
Calcitonin Gene-Related Peptide Promotes Peripheral And Central Trigeminal Sensitization, Lauren Elise Cornelison
MSU Graduate Theses
Temporomandibular joint disorder is characterized by peripheral and central sensitization of trigeminal nociceptive neurons. Although CGRP is implicated in the development of central sensitization by stimulating glial activation via its receptor, the mechanism by which CGRP promotes and maintains sensitization of trigeminal nociceptive neurons is not well understood. The goal of my study was to investigate the role of calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP) on the initiation and maintenance of a nocifensive withdrawal response to mechanical stimulation following activation of primary trigeminal sensory neurons. For my studies, I used adult male Sprague Dawley rats that were injected with CGRP alone or …
Effect Of Ingestion By Alligator Snapping Turtles (Macrochelys Temminckii) On Seeds Of Riparian Vegetation, Jean Pierre Elbers
Effect Of Ingestion By Alligator Snapping Turtles (Macrochelys Temminckii) On Seeds Of Riparian Vegetation, Jean Pierre Elbers
MSU Graduate Theses
The alligator snapping turtle (Macrochelys temminckii) is a large freshwater turtle that inhabits many lotic water bodies in the Southeastern United States. The species consumes primarily fish but also consumes large amounts of vegetation including seeds of common persimmon (Diospyros virginiana), tupelos (Nyssa sp.), willow oak (Quercus phellos), and pecan (Carya illinoensis). Captive specimens of M. temminckii were fed samples of the above-mentioned seeds to assess how the species affects ingested seeds in order to evaluate the potential role this species may play as a seed disperser. The proportion of seeds defecated intact varied with species (57−99 %), was lowest …
Growth And Population Assessment Of Spotted Bass (Micropterus Punctulatus) In Beaver, Table Rock, And Bull Shoals Lakes, Northern Arkansas-Southern Missouri, Jeremy Troy Risley
Growth And Population Assessment Of Spotted Bass (Micropterus Punctulatus) In Beaver, Table Rock, And Bull Shoals Lakes, Northern Arkansas-Southern Missouri, Jeremy Troy Risley
MSU Graduate Theses
Little research has been conducted on spotted bass, Micropterus punctulatus, even though it is a popular recreational fish. Most previous research was on young-of-the-year fish and interactions among other species in reservoirs, with little research on adult spotted base in the Ozarks region or other regions of the United States. The objective of this study was to compare the growth and population characteristics of spotted bass within and among Beaver, Bull Shoals and Table Rock Lacks. Growth, abundance, and conditions within and among reservoirs were similar. However, spotted bass in Beaver Lake did not reach as great lengths as those …
Habitat Use Of Urban Bats In Springfield, Missouri, Sarah Jane Robertson
Habitat Use Of Urban Bats In Springfield, Missouri, Sarah Jane Robertson
MSU Graduate Theses
During the summers of 1998-2000, the Anabat II bat detector system was placed in a mosaic of habitats within Springfield, Missouri and surrounding rural areas in southern Missouri to compare the activity indices of nine bat species between urban and rural environments. A total of 1,876 echolocation call sequences was recorded, identified to species and analyzed; 1,066 were from 42 Springfield sites, and 810 were from 22 rural locations. For all species combined, urban bat activity tended to be higher than rural activity, but those differences were only significant at the reading taken 3 hours after sunset. Eptesicus fuscus activity …