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Articles 31 - 60 of 112

Full-Text Articles in Life Sciences

Vitellogenin Receptor As A Target For Tick Control: A Mini-Review, Robert D. Mitchell Iii, Daniel E. Sonenshine, Adalberto A. Pérez De León Jan 2019

Vitellogenin Receptor As A Target For Tick Control: A Mini-Review, Robert D. Mitchell Iii, Daniel E. Sonenshine, Adalberto A. Pérez De León

Biological Sciences Faculty Publications

While much effort has been put into understanding vitellogenesis in insects and other organisms, much less is known of this process in ticks. There are several steps that facilitate yolk formation in developing oocytes of which the vitellogenin receptor (VgR) is a key component. The tick VgR binds vitellogenin (Vg) circulating in the hemolymph to initiate receptor-mediated endocytosis and its transformation into vitellin (Vn). The conversion of Vg into Vn, the final form of the yolk protein, occurs inside oocytes of the female tick ovary. Vn is critical to tick embryos since it serves as the nutritional source for their …

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Aspects Of The Reproductive Biology And Growth Of The Mississippi Silvery Minnow, Hybognathus Nuchalis (Agassiz, 1855) (Teleostei: Cyprinidae) From The Pearl River, Louisiana., Arely Ramírez-García, Kyle R. Piller Nov 2018

Aspects Of The Reproductive Biology And Growth Of The Mississippi Silvery Minnow, Hybognathus Nuchalis (Agassiz, 1855) (Teleostei: Cyprinidae) From The Pearl River, Louisiana., Arely Ramírez-García, Kyle R. Piller

Southeastern Fishes Council Proceedings

The reproductive biology and growth of the Mississippi Silvery Minnow, Hybognathus nuchalis, is described from multiple sites in the Pearl River, Louisiana. Individuals were collected from August 2011 to August 2012. Ovarian weights, expressed as a percentage of body weights, peaked in December. Size structure ranged from 29.0 to 60.0 mm SL for females and 25.0 to 56.0 mm SL for males. Mature ova were found from November to January. Females reached first maturity (L50) at 37.0 mm SL and L50 for males is at 41.0 mm SL. Sex ratio (females:males) is biased towards females (X2= 18.57 p …

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Predators Modify The Temperature Dependence Of Life-History Trade-Offs, Thomas M. Luhring, Janna M. Vavra, Clayton E. Cressler, John Delong Jun 2018

Predators Modify The Temperature Dependence Of Life-History Trade-Offs, Thomas M. Luhring, Janna M. Vavra, Clayton E. Cressler, John Delong

School of Biological Sciences: Faculty Publications

Although life histories are shaped by temperature and predation, their joint influence on the interdependence of life-history traits is poorly understood. Shifts in one life-history trait often necessitate shifts in another—structured in some cases by trade-offs— leading to differing life-history strategies among environments. The offspring size–number trade-off connects three traits whereby a constant reproductive allocation (R) constrains how the number (O) and size (S) of offspring change. Increasing temperature and size-independent predation decrease size at and time to reproduction which can lower R through reduced time for resource accrual or size-constrained fecundity. We investigated how O, S, and R in …

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Do Seasonal Glucocorticoid Changes Depend On Reproductive Investment? A Comparative Approach In Birds, S. Casagrande, L. Z. Garamszegi, W. Goymann, Jeremy W. Donald, C. D. Francis, M. J. Fuxjager, Jerry F. Husak, Michele A. Johnson, Bonnie K. Kircher, R. Knapp, L. B. Martin, E. T. Miller, L. A. Schoenle, Maren N. Vitousek, T. D. Williams, M. Hau May 2018

Do Seasonal Glucocorticoid Changes Depend On Reproductive Investment? A Comparative Approach In Birds, S. Casagrande, L. Z. Garamszegi, W. Goymann, Jeremy W. Donald, C. D. Francis, M. J. Fuxjager, Jerry F. Husak, Michele A. Johnson, Bonnie K. Kircher, R. Knapp, L. B. Martin, E. T. Miller, L. A. Schoenle, Maren N. Vitousek, T. D. Williams, M. Hau

Biology Faculty Research

Animals go through different life history stages such as reproduction, moult, or migration, of which some are more energy-demanding than others. Baseline concentrations of glucocorticoid hormones increase during moderate, predictable challenges and thus are expected to be higher when seasonal energy demands increase, such as during reproduction. By contrast, stress-induced glucocorticoids prioritize a survival mode that includes reproductive inhibition. Thus, many species down-regulate stress-induced glucocorticoid concentrations during the breeding season. Interspecific variation in glucocorticoid levels during reproduction has been successfully mapped onto reproductive investment, with species investing strongly in current reproduction (fast pace of life) showing higher baseline and lower …

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Reproductive Correlates Of A Perineal Gland In The Hispid Cotton Rat, Robert K. Rose, Julie A. Winchell Apr 2018

Reproductive Correlates Of A Perineal Gland In The Hispid Cotton Rat, Robert K. Rose, Julie A. Winchell

Virginia Journal of Science

During studies of the annual cycle of reproduction in the hispid cotton rat (Sigmodon hispidus) in southeastern Virginia, we discovered an anal (more specifically, perineal) gland that is present only in males during the breeding season. The perineal gland encircles the lower end of the rectum and has ductal connections to the urethra, through which its secretions likely are delivered. This fatty gland is highly developed in breeding males but, like the testes and seminal vesicles, regresses during the winter non-breeding season. The prominence and cyclicity of the perineal gland suggests that it somehow facilitates normal reproduction. The …

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Synchronization Of Reproduction In Deertoe Mussel (Truncilla Truncata), Kendell R. Loyd Dec 2017

Synchronization Of Reproduction In Deertoe Mussel (Truncilla Truncata), Kendell R. Loyd

MSU Graduate Theses

Freshwater mussels, Order Unionoida, are diverse and widespread in North America but have suffered general decline and many extinctions in recent decades. The reproductive biology of Unionoida is complex and may be vulnerable to human impacts. Male mussels release aggregates of sperm called spermatozeugmata that drift downstream. Females obtain spermatozeugmata from the water and brood the fertilized eggs internally during development. Many aspects of general reproductive biology are poorly understood, including the mechanisms that coordinate spawning and the route by which sperm meet eggs in the female. The present study focuses on reproduction in the Deertoe (Truncilla truncata), …

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Reproductive Performance Of The Marine Green Porcelain Crab Petrolisthes Armatus Gibbes, 1850 In Its Introduced Range Favors Further Range Expansion, Ann Wassick, J. Antonio Baeza, Amy Fowler, Dara Wilber Oct 2017

Reproductive Performance Of The Marine Green Porcelain Crab Petrolisthes Armatus Gibbes, 1850 In Its Introduced Range Favors Further Range Expansion, Ann Wassick, J. Antonio Baeza, Amy Fowler, Dara Wilber

Publications

Invasive marine crustaceans can exhibit population-level variation in reproductive traits that are consistent with a response to stressful conditions near the range edge, or alternatively, that may favor establishing new exotic populations. Reproductive characteristics of the green porcelain crab Petrolisthes armatus Gibbes, 1850 were not previously known in its invasive range in the Atlantic waters of the southeastern USA. We compared fecundity estimates, size at sexual maturity, and various other morphological aspects among crabs collected from two sites at each of four locations spanning approximately 230 km from North Inlet, South Carolina (SC), to Savannah, Georgia (GA), USA. Reproductive output …

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Novel Species-Specific Glycoprotein On The Surface Of Mytilus Edulis And M. Trossulus Eggs, Fiona M. Harper, Kasandra J. Riley, R. D. Rawson Aug 2017

Novel Species-Specific Glycoprotein On The Surface Of Mytilus Edulis And M. Trossulus Eggs, Fiona M. Harper, Kasandra J. Riley, R. D. Rawson

Faculty Publications

Protein–protein interactions play a central role in the gamete attraction, binding, and fusion stages of gamete interactions and fertilization for broadcast spawning species, such as marine mussels in the Mytilus edulis species complex. Although assortative gamete interaction has been implicated in the level of reproductive isolation among the three species in this complex, the molecular basis of these interactions has not been elucidated. Using mass spectrometry peptide sequencing, cDNA sequencing, and bioinformatics approaches, we have investigated species-level variation in the proteins expressed on the surface of mussel eggs. We herein describe an extracellular protein, MESP-1, from the surface of the …

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Characterizing The Developmental And Reproductive Toxicities Of Cannabidiol And Δ9-Tetrahydrocannabinol, Dennis Ray Carty Jan 2017

Characterizing The Developmental And Reproductive Toxicities Of Cannabidiol And Δ9-Tetrahydrocannabinol, Dennis Ray Carty

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Medical marijuana is legal in twenty-nine of the United States and an additional nineteen states have passed legislation for cannabidiol (CBD) treatment of drug-resistant epilepsy, such as Dravet Syndrome (DS) which is diagnosed in children as young as two months. While CBD has shown anecdotal and recently clinical trial efficacy in reducing seizure frequency in DS patients, little is known about the potential adverse side-effects on child physiology, brain development, adult disease, or subsequent generations. Moreover, CBD is rarely administered without including low concentrations of Δ9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC). The goal of this project is to characterize the relative morphological, behavioral, reproductive, …

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The Biological Flora Of Coastal Dunes And Wetlands: Avicennia Germinans (L.) L., Robert I. Lonard, Frank W. Judd, Kenneth R. Summy, Hudson R. Deyoe, Richard Stalter Jan 2017

The Biological Flora Of Coastal Dunes And Wetlands: Avicennia Germinans (L.) L., Robert I. Lonard, Frank W. Judd, Kenneth R. Summy, Hudson R. Deyoe, Richard Stalter

Biology Faculty Publications and Presentations

Avicennia germinans (L.) L. is a pantropical, subtropical, and occasionally warm-temperate mangrove species that occurs on shorelines that have a broad horizontal tidal range. Also known as black mangrove, stands typically develop under anoxic, water-logged conditions in substrates of silt or clay. Black mangrove can tolerate salinity values ranging from 0 to 90 parts per thousand. Salt is excreted from salt glands on both leaf epidermal surfaces, and aerosol salt spray and salt crystals are frequently observed on the upper leaf epidermis. Avicennia germinans is viviparous. The embryos have no dormancy requirements, and there is no seed bank. This mangrove …

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Determining The Reproductive Patterns Of The Titan Acorn Barnacle (Megabalanus Coccopoma) In Its Introduced Range, Isabel L. Moran Ms. Jan 2017

Determining The Reproductive Patterns Of The Titan Acorn Barnacle (Megabalanus Coccopoma) In Its Introduced Range, Isabel L. Moran Ms.

Honors College Theses

Invasive species are a significant conservation concern given their contribution to native species decline. The barnacle, Megabalanus coccopoma, is a common invasive species in tropical and subtropical regions of both the Pacific and Atlantic oceans. Little is known about the life history and ecology of M. coccopoma, and data on reproductive biology could provide valuable insight into its propensity to establish introduced populations. Most species of barnacle (including M. coccopoma) are hermaphroditic, but self-fertilization is rare in species studied to date. A recent genetic study of introduced M. coccopoma populations in the southeastern US showed high levels of …

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Profiling The Macrofilaricidal Effects Of Flubendazole On Adult Female Brugia Malayi Using Rnaseq, Maeghan O'Neill, Cristina Ballesteros, Lucienne Tritten, Erica Burkman, Weam I. Zaky, Jianguo Xia, Andrew Moorhead, Steven A. Williams, Timothy G. Geary Oct 2016

Profiling The Macrofilaricidal Effects Of Flubendazole On Adult Female Brugia Malayi Using Rnaseq, Maeghan O'Neill, Cristina Ballesteros, Lucienne Tritten, Erica Burkman, Weam I. Zaky, Jianguo Xia, Andrew Moorhead, Steven A. Williams, Timothy G. Geary

Biological Sciences: Faculty Publications

The use of microfilaricidal drugs for the control of onchocerciasis and lymphatic filariasis (LF) necessitates prolonged yearly dosing. Prospects for elimination or eradication of these diseases would be enhanced by the availability of a macrofilaricidal drug. Flubendazole (FLBZ), a benzimidazole anthel- mintic, is an appealing candidate. FLBZ has demonstrated potent macrofilaricidal effects in a number of experimental rodent models and in one human trial. Unfortunately, FLBZ was deemed unsatisfactory for use in mass drug administration campaigns due to its limited oral bioavailability. A new formulation that enables sufficient bioavailability following oral administration could render FLBZ an effective treatment for onchocerciasis …

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Stable Isotopes And The Ecology And Physiology Of Reptiles, Andrew M. Durso May 2016

Stable Isotopes And The Ecology And Physiology Of Reptiles, Andrew M. Durso

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

When animals don’t have enough food, they have to “choose” between “spending” their limited energy on themselves or on their offspring. Biologists think that reptiles can make this choice quickly in response to different environments. But, it can be hard to study these choices because it is hard to convert between, for example, the number of eggs laid and the speed of healing a wound. By using stable isotope chemistry, we can collect more detailed and comparable information about how lizards and other animals spend their limited resources than with any other method. For example, lizards in the wild have …

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Effects Of Researcher-Induced Disturbance On American Kestrels Breeding In Nest Boxes In Northwestern New Jersey, John Smallwood Mar 2016

Effects Of Researcher-Induced Disturbance On American Kestrels Breeding In Nest Boxes In Northwestern New Jersey, John Smallwood

Department of Biology Faculty Scholarship and Creative Works

Nest boxes for American Kestrels Falco sparverius may alleviate local nest site limitation, but there is concern that periodically opening nest boxes or handling adults may negatively affect nesting success. I monitored 536 kestrel breeding attempts ≥1 egg laid in about 100 nest boxes in northwestern New Jersey, 1995-2012. To study return rates, I opportunistically captured adults in nest boxes and marked them with U.S.G.S. leg bands and patagial tags. To examine possible effects of this disturbance, I compared nesting success ≥1 nestling surviving to banding age of marked and unmarked adults. Nesting success was 67% for 270 unmarked pairs, …

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Macgillivray's Seaside Sparrow (Ammodramus Maritimus Macgillivraii) Breeding Biology & Population Density At Tom Yawkey Wildlife Center, Yianni P. Laskaris Jan 2016

Macgillivray's Seaside Sparrow (Ammodramus Maritimus Macgillivraii) Breeding Biology & Population Density At Tom Yawkey Wildlife Center, Yianni P. Laskaris

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

MacGillivray's Seaside Sparrow (Ammodramus maritimus macgillivraii) is a coastal marsh species sensitive to habitat alteration and threatened by coastal wetland loss. Data on seaside sparrow distribution, breeding success, and critical habitats are lacking in South Carolina. To better understand the demographics and incubation behavior of the species, I monitored breeding success, densities, song output, and presence of predators at three 7-hectare plots at the densest known population in the state. I also placed temperature data-loggers in a subset of nests to discern any links between incubation behavior and nest fate. Densities varied from a low of 5 birds/ha in a …

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Neural And Neuroendocrine Processing Of A Non-Photic Cue In An Opportunistically Breeding Songbird, Darcy K. Ernst, G. E. Bentley Jan 2016

Neural And Neuroendocrine Processing Of A Non-Photic Cue In An Opportunistically Breeding Songbird, Darcy K. Ernst, G. E. Bentley

Biology Faculty Publications

Recent studies of the onset of breeding in long-day photoperiodic breeders have focused on the roles of type 2 and 3 iodothyronine deiodinases (DIO2 and DIO3) in the conversion of thyroxine (T4) to triiodothyronine (T3) and subsequent activation of the reproductive axis. It has been hypothesized that an increase in DIO2 and a reciprocal decrease in DIO3 causes the release of gonadotropinreleasing hormone (GnRH) from the hypothalamus, setting off a reproductive cascade, and that this DIO mechanism for GnRH release is conserved across vertebrate taxa. We sought to test whether social cues that are known to stimulate reproductive behaviors can …

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Evidence Of Female Sex Pheromones And Characterization Of The Cuticular Lipids Of Unfed, Adult Male Versus Female Blacklegged Ticks, Ixodes Scapularis, Ann L. Carr, Daniel E. Sonenshine, John B. Strider Jr., R. Michael Roe Jan 2016

Evidence Of Female Sex Pheromones And Characterization Of The Cuticular Lipids Of Unfed, Adult Male Versus Female Blacklegged Ticks, Ixodes Scapularis, Ann L. Carr, Daniel E. Sonenshine, John B. Strider Jr., R. Michael Roe

Biological Sciences Faculty Publications

Copulation in I. scapularis involves physical contact between the male and female (on or off the host), male mounting the female, insertion/maintenance of the male chelicerae in the female genital pore (initiates spermatophore production), and the transfer of the spermatophore by the male into the female genital pore. Bioassays determined that male mounting behavior/chelicerae insertion required direct contact with the female likely requiring non-volatile chemical cues with no evidence of a female volatile sex pheromone to attract males. Unfed virgin adult females and replete mated adult females elicited the highest rates of male chelicerae insertion with part fed virgin adult …

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Comparing Reproductive Capacity Of Nearshore And Offshore Red Snapper, Lutjanus Campechanus, On Artificial Reefs In The Western Gulf Of Mexico, Ricky J. Alexander Dec 2015

Comparing Reproductive Capacity Of Nearshore And Offshore Red Snapper, Lutjanus Campechanus, On Artificial Reefs In The Western Gulf Of Mexico, Ricky J. Alexander

Theses and Dissertations

Red snapper collected quarterly from four artificial reefs in south Texas were examined to compare total length, total weight, age, and the proportion of male to female red snapper, calculate gonadosomatic index values, batch fecundity, annual spawning frequency, and annual fecundity, and estimate size and age at maturity. Spawning occurred from April to September, with most active spawning observed in June (58%). Despite larger red snapper producing more eggs, and fish being larger offshore, most active spawning (68%) and egg production (74%) was observed nearshore. Female red snapper reached 50% maturity (L50) between 350-550 mm, and L75 by 600 mm. …

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The Reproductive Ecology Of The Timber Rattlesnake, Crotalus Horridus, In Northwestern Arkansas: Interactions Between Environment, Steroid Hormones, And Life History, Craig Michael Lind May 2015

The Reproductive Ecology Of The Timber Rattlesnake, Crotalus Horridus, In Northwestern Arkansas: Interactions Between Environment, Steroid Hormones, And Life History, Craig Michael Lind

Graduate Theses and Dissertations

In this dissertation I examined the relationship between individual energetic status, hormone production, and life history trait expression in field-active Timber Rattlesnakes, Crotalus horridus. In chapter one I reviewed what is known regarding these relationships in snakes and defined major research goals. In chapter two I described the seasonal profile of testosterone (T) and corticosterone (CORT) in relation to the breeding season and to individual energetic status in males. Results showed that the seasonal pattern of T production in C. horridus was different than other pit viper species with similar mating patterns. Testosterone was elevated in the months leading up …

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Biological Flora Of Coastal Dunes And Wetlands: Borrichia Frutescens (L.) Dc., Robert I. Lonard, Frank W. Judd, Richard Stalter May 2015

Biological Flora Of Coastal Dunes And Wetlands: Borrichia Frutescens (L.) Dc., Robert I. Lonard, Frank W. Judd, Richard Stalter

Biology Faculty Publications and Presentations

Borrichia frutescens (L.) DC. is a New World warm-temperate, subtropical, and tropical zone, perennial subshrub that is an important species in hypersaline coastal sites. Also known as sea ox-eye, it tolerates salinities ranging from less than 20 ppt to 130 ppt. It occurs in substrates low in organic matter and deficient in nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium. Nearly all reproduction is vegetative from an extensive rhizome system. Populations of this species recover quickly after coverage by wrack. Stands of B. frutescens often dominate the landward border of salt marshes.

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Parasite Infection Mediates Trait Tradeoffs In Fundulus Heteroclitus, Sarah Dunn May 2015

Parasite Infection Mediates Trait Tradeoffs In Fundulus Heteroclitus, Sarah Dunn

Honors College Theses

To be successful, an animal must eat, grow, and reproduce. With limited resources, there are tradeoffs between these critical life history parameters but the direction of the tradeoffs is largely unknown in a changing environment. To determine whether environmental context affects life-history tradeoffs, I surveyed and quantified investment into reproduction, growth, and a proxy for immunity (parasitism), in the mummichog, Fundulus heteroclitus, a common inhabitant of salt marshes in Georgia. Three salt marsh sites along coastal Georgia (Shellman Bluff, Skidaway Island, and Tybee Island) were selected using a proxy for anthropogenic disturbance (impervious surface), which also fell along a …

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Reproductive Performance Of Kittlitz's Murrelet In A Glaciated Landscape, Icy Bay, Alaska, Usa, Michelle L. Kissling, Scott M. Gende, Stephen B. Lewis, Paul Lukacs Apr 2015

Reproductive Performance Of Kittlitz's Murrelet In A Glaciated Landscape, Icy Bay, Alaska, Usa, Michelle L. Kissling, Scott M. Gende, Stephen B. Lewis, Paul Lukacs

Wildlife Biology Faculty Publications

Kittlitz's Murrelet (Brachyramphus brevirostris) is a dispersed-nesting seabird endemic to Alaska and eastern Russia that may have experienced considerable population declines in some parts of its range in the past few decades. Poor reproduction has been suggested as the demographic bottleneck, yet there are no direct estimates of reproduction in a glaciated area where this species reaches its highest densities at sea during the breeding season. The lack of demographic information in glacial habitats has limited our ability to interpret population trends and to clarify whether the presence of glaciers affects reproductive performance. Between 2007 and 2012, we …

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The Evolution Of Copulation Frequency And The Mechanisms Of Reproduction In Male Anolis Lizards, Michele Johnson, Maria Lopez, Tara Whittle, Bonnie Kircher, A Dill, Divina Varghese, Juli Wade Jan 2015

The Evolution Of Copulation Frequency And The Mechanisms Of Reproduction In Male Anolis Lizards, Michele Johnson, Maria Lopez, Tara Whittle, Bonnie Kircher, A Dill, Divina Varghese, Juli Wade

Michele A Johnson

The evolution of many morphological structures is associated with the behavioral context of their use, particularly for structures involved in copulation. Yet, few studies have considered evolutionary relationships among the integrated suite of structures associated with male reproduction. In this study, we examined nine species of lizards in the genus Anolis to determine whether larger copulatory morphologies and higher potential for copulatory muscle performance evolved in association with higher copulation rates. In 10–12 adult males of each species, we measured the size of the hemipenes and related muscles, the seminiferous tubules in the testes, and the renal sex segments in …

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The Reproductive Biology Of The Finetooth Shark, Carcharhinus Isodon, In The Northwest Atlantic Ocean, Amanda N. Brown Jan 2015

The Reproductive Biology Of The Finetooth Shark, Carcharhinus Isodon, In The Northwest Atlantic Ocean, Amanda N. Brown

UNF Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Shark fisheries are a multimillion dollar industry in the United States and have significant contributions both recreationally and commercially. In order to maintain this industry, fisheries must be properly managed. An understanding of life history and reproduction is crucial in order to adequately manage shark fisheries. The finetooth shark, Carcharhinus isodon, is a member of the small coastal shark (SCS) fishery complex. It is found in Atlantic waters from South Carolina to Florida and throughout the Gulf of Mexico. This species has recently come under increased fishing pressure and has previously been overfished. New data is needed in order …

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Maximum Entropy Modeling Of Indiana Bat (Myotis Sodalis) Maternity Roost Habitat, Joseph Robert Lemen Jan 2015

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 …

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Viability Costs Of Reproduction And Behavioral Compensation In Western Mosquitofish (Gambusia Affinis), Clinton T. Laidlaw, Jacob M. Condon, Mark C. Belk Nov 2014

Viability Costs Of Reproduction And Behavioral Compensation In Western Mosquitofish (Gambusia Affinis), Clinton T. Laidlaw, Jacob M. Condon, Mark C. Belk

Faculty Publications

The cost of reproduction hypothesis suggests that current reproduction has inherent tradeoffs with future reproduction. These tradeoffs can be both in the form of energy allocated to current offspring as opposed to somatic maintenance and future reproduction (allocation costs), or as an increase in mortality as a result of morphological or physiological changes related to reproduction (viability costs). Individuals may be able to decrease viability costs by altering behavior. Female western mosquitofish, Gambusia affinis experience a reduction in swimming ability as a consequence of pregnancy. We test for a viability cost of reproduction, and for behavioral compensation in pregnant female …

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The Evolution Of Copulation Frequency And The Mechanisms Of Reproduction In Male Anolis Lizards, Michele A. Johnson, Maria Veronica Lopez, Tara K. Whittle, Bonnie K. Kircher, A K. Dill, Divina Varghese, J. Wade Oct 2014

The Evolution Of Copulation Frequency And The Mechanisms Of Reproduction In Male Anolis Lizards, Michele A. Johnson, Maria Veronica Lopez, Tara K. Whittle, Bonnie K. Kircher, A K. Dill, Divina Varghese, J. Wade

Biology Faculty Research

The evolution of many morphological structures is associated with the behavioral context of their use, particularly for structures involved in copulation. Yet, few studies have considered evolutionary relationships among the integrated suite of structures associated with male reproduction. In this study, we examined nine species of lizards in the genus Anolis to determine whether larger copulatory morphologies and higher potential for copulatory muscle performance evolved in association with higher copulation rates. In 10–12 adult males of each species, we measured the size of the hemipenes and related muscles, the seminiferous tubules in the testes, and the renal sex segments in …

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Reproduction And Nesting In Teleost Fish, With A Focus On Reproduction In Centrarchids And Specific Analysis Of Nesting In Lepomis Megalotis, Rebecca Irene Allee May 2014

Reproduction And Nesting In Teleost Fish, With A Focus On Reproduction In Centrarchids And Specific Analysis Of Nesting In Lepomis Megalotis, Rebecca Irene Allee

Undergraduate Honors Thesis Collection

Fish represent the most diverse and oldest living class of vertebrates, making up approximately 48% of all known members of the subphylum Vertebrata (Bolis, et al. 2001). They are able to live in a wide variety of habitats, from salt water to fresh water and from cold polar seas to areas of intense pressure in the depths of the ocean (Moyle and Cech 1996). Because of this overwhelming diversity, the evolution and ecology of fishes has been a dynamic field of study (Moyle and Cech 1996). Researchers have generally divided fish into three distinct groups: jawless fishes (Class Agnatha), …

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Life History Tradeoffs And The Costs Of Reproduction In Arizona Bark Scorpions (Centruroides Sculpturatus), Michael Marie Webber May 2014

Life History Tradeoffs And The Costs Of Reproduction In Arizona Bark Scorpions (Centruroides Sculpturatus), Michael Marie Webber

UNLV Theses, Dissertations, Professional Papers, and Capstones

Tradeoffs in life history evolution result from conflicts in the time and energy that can be simultaneously invested in activities such as growth, reproduction, and survival. Reproduction is an energetically costly activity for organisms, and is known to elicit alterations in the daily activity patterns of individuals. I investigated reproductive tradeoffs in the Arizona Bark Scorpion,Centruroides sculpturatus. To better understand the nature of tradeoffs in this species, I examined the influence of reproductive state on the predatory efficiency and thermal preference of reproductive females. Further, I examined the influence of reproductive activities (i.e. gestation) on the ability of reproductive females …

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Variation In Arabidopsis Flowering Time Associated With Cis-Regulatory Variation In Constans, Ulises Rosas, Yu Mei, Qiguang Xie, Joshua A. Banta, Royce W. Zhou, Gabriela Seufferheld, Silvia Gerard, Lucy Chou, Naeha Bhambhra, Jennifer Deane Parks, Jonathan M. Flowers, C. Robertson Mcclung, Yoshie Hanzawa, Michael D. Purugganan Apr 2014

Variation In Arabidopsis Flowering Time Associated With Cis-Regulatory Variation In Constans, Ulises Rosas, Yu Mei, Qiguang Xie, Joshua A. Banta, Royce W. Zhou, Gabriela Seufferheld, Silvia Gerard, Lucy Chou, Naeha Bhambhra, Jennifer Deane Parks, Jonathan M. Flowers, C. Robertson Mcclung, Yoshie Hanzawa, Michael D. Purugganan

Dartmouth Scholarship

The onset of flowering, the change from vegetative to reproductive development, is a major life history transition in flowering plants. Recent work suggests that mutations in cis-regulatory mutations should play critical roles in the evolution of this (as well as other) important adaptive traits, but thus far there has been little evidence that directly links regulatory mutations to evolutionary change at the species level. While several genes have previously been shown to affect natural variation in flowering time in Arabidopsis thaliana, most either show protein-coding changes and/or are found at low frequency (<5%). Here we identify and characterize natural variation in the cis-regulatory sequence in the …

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