Life Sciences Commons^™

A Study Of The Seasonal Incidence Of The Arthropod & Helminth Parasites Of The Prairie Vole, Microtus Ochrogaster, & The Wood Mouse, Peromyscus Leucopus, In An Area Of Warren County, Kentucky, Richard Buckner

Masters Theses & Specialist Projects

One-hundred and fifty Microtus ochrogaster and one-hundred and fifty-five Peromyscus leucopus were examined for arthropod and helminth parasites during a study from November, 1970 through November, 1971. The mean monthly burdens, per host, of each species of parasite and observations on the seasonal incidence of each species are reported.

Nineteen species of arthropod parasites were found; these include eight species of mites, two of chiggers, one of ticks, two of lice, five of fleas, and one of hots. Most of these species exhibited very little host specificity, although there was a definite host preference. Heavier ectoparasite burdens were found on …

The Comparative Histochemistry Of The Infective Oncospheres Of Oochoristica Osheroffi Meggitt, 1934, And Oochoristica Scelopori Voge And Fox, 1950, (Cyclophyllidea: Linstowiidae) With Notes On The Origins Of The Egg Membranes, Gary R. Coulter

Loma Linda University Electronic Theses, Dissertations & Projects

Infective oncospheres of Oochorlstica osheroffi and Oochoristica scelopori were compared using fifteen histochemical tests. Vital stains were also used.

Carnoy’s-fixed gravid proglottids were vacuum-embedded in a paraffin-piccolyte mixture and cut transversely at 6 microns. Sections were tested for the presence of phosphatases, proteins, sclerotin precursors, nucleic acids, carbohydrates and acid mucopolysaccharides.

Oncospheres were histochemlcally very similar. Heavy concentrations of mucoproteins and glycoproteins were detected in the oncospheral coat of O. scelopori. Acid phosphatase was found in the embryophore of O. osheroffi, but could not be demonstrated in O. scelopori. No evidence of a sclerotized egg capsule was …

Factors Affecting Calcification Processes In The Hermatypic Corals Pocillopora Damicornis And Porites Compressa, Conrad D. Clausen

Loma Linda University Electronic Theses, Dissertations & Projects

Temperature affects coral distribution and it also affects rates of physiological processes. Little attention has been given through, to the relation between the basic effect of temperature on reaction rates at the molecular level and its effect on coral distribution at the organismic level. Incubating coral samples in sea water containing ⁴⁵Ca incorporation as a measure of calcification rate, I studied the effects of temperature on calcification in two coral species, P. damicornis and P. compressa. CaCO₃ deposition was chosen because of its basic importance in reef formation. Immediate effects of temperature on calcification rates were studied, as …

A Survey Of The Incidence Of Salmonella Among Small Mammals In Central New Mexico, Robert S. Stinson

Biology ETDs

A twelve-month survey of the incidence of Salmonella among small mammals was conducted in central New Mexico, utilizing a direct fecal plating on both selective and enrichment media. Collections were made at the following locations: Albuquerque, Bernardo, Cuba, Isleta Indian Pueblo, Juan Tabo Park, and Moriarty. Locations selected characterize three major types of terrain: mountain, mesa, and river valley. The predominant genera caught in the mountains, in order of their frequency, were Peromyscus, Dipodomys, and Neotoma. The predominant genera caught on the mesas, in order of their frequency, were Peromyscus, Spermophilus, and Dipodomys. The predominant genera caught long the Rio …

Investigation Of Barbel Regeneration In The Catfish Ameiurus Nebulosus, Ruth-Marie E. Griswold

Senior Scholar Papers

It has been clearly demonstrated that the barbels of Ameiurus nebulosus regenerate completely following amputation. The current investigations involve experimentation dealing primarily with determination of the mechanisms by which regeneration occurs. However, prior to conducting a series of experiments designed to elucidate the processes which initiate regeneration, several preliminary investigations to determine normal barbel structure and regeneration were made.

Brain dissection of an adult catfish confirmed that innervation of the barbels is by both the fifth and seventh cranial nerves, and not solely by the seventh cranial nerve as suggested by Olmstead (1920). Further information regarding normal barbel innervation and …

Psychological Mechanisms In Learning Mathematical Concepts, Louis Fallon

Senior Scholar Papers

Psychological Mechanisms in learning Mathematical Concepts: Jean Piaget, the Swiss psychologist, did theoretical and experimental work based on the idea that there is an invariant heirarchy of responses by which everyone acquires mathematical concepts. Basically we tried to use the geometric symmetry concept as a vehicle for studying this process of concept acquisition using subjects ranging in age from three to 25. They were asked to reproduce a series of stimulus "pictures," simple geometric patterns, which could be used without major alteration for each age group. Symmetric responses were divided into four types which were set up into a heirarchy …

Some Aspects Of The Role Of Usnic Acid In Forest Ecology, Yvonne C. Rogers

Biology ETDs

Usnea tillandsioides, an aboreal lichen, was observed in great numbers on spruce and fir at an elevation of 11,200 feet in the Sangre de Cristo Range, New Mexico. The amount of fallen lichen material per hectare was estimated. When usnic acid was extracted from lichen thallus, it was demonstrated that the quantity of usnic acid was less in summer lichens than in fall lichens. By soaking lichens in water, it was possible to extract a small amount of usnic acid. However, an examination of rainwater did not indicate that usnic acid was being leached from lichens by rainfall. Soil and …

Spatial Distribution & Temporal Occurrence Of Rotifers In The Main Pool & Tailwater Of Barren Lake, Kentucky, David Abel

Biology Graduate Theses

A study of the spatial distribution and temporal occurrence and diversity of rotifers in relation to certain chemicophysical parameters was conducted in Barren Lake, Kentucky, a flood control lake, from January, 1970, through January, 1970. Paired samples were collected from six depths in the main pool area of the reservoir and from an automatic plankton sampler installed in the tailwater area where, from April through September, the effluent was derived from the upper 3 m of the pool . Diel studies were conducted in April, July, 1970, and January, 1971.

Barren Lake began to stratify in late April, was completely …

The Effects Of Age And Induction On Cockroach Mixed Function Oxidase Activity And Cell Morphology, Richard L. Turnquist

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

Female American cockroaches showed definite age-dependent changes in levels of activity of the microsomal mixed function oxidase chain. Cytochrome P-450 levels, EPN-detoxication, and p-nitroanisole O-demethylation activities were very low in young adult insects but increased steadily reaching a peak at about 100 days in fat body and at about 90 days in midgut and hindgut. The activities then declined rapidly reaching levels of young insects at about 130 to 140 days of age. NADPH-NT-reductase activity was high in young insects and declined during the first few weeks of adult life. This activity too showed a peak at about …

A Cytological, Morphological, And Anatomical Study Of Elymus Simplex, Stephan L. Hatch

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

The purpose of this paper is to clarify the taxonomy, report the chromosome number, report meiotic chromosome behavior, and give the anatomy of Elymus simplex Scribner and Williams. The isotype of Elymus simplex and the type description were used to compare this and other species that have been confused.

Cytological and anatomical methods are reported as an aid in clarification of the taxonomic problem that has been associated with this species.

The Effect Of Adrenalectomy And Corticosterone Therapy On The Incidence Of Gastric Ulcers In The Rat, Steven Paul Lorton

Historical Dissertations & Theses

It was the purpose of this investigation to study the effects of adrenalectomy on gastric ulceration and to attempt to clarify the mechanism of ulcer formation in the rat. The effect of corticosterone therapy on the incidence of ulcers in nonstressed and stressed, adrenalectomized rats was studied to determine whether glucocorticoids play a role in the formation of gastric ulcers.

Inorganic Mercury Uptake And Mercury Tolerance Demonstrated By Several Species Of Algae, Daniel S. Filip

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

The inhibition by low concentrations of inorganic mercury has been established for several species of freshwater algae, and a method has been developed to determine mercury levels in algal cells, having good precision at levels as low as one hundred parts per billion.

Rapid sorption of inorganic mercury by glassware was minimized by using heavy algal cultures and short term incubations. The rates and extent of mercury uptake by three species of freshwater green algae were delineated under laboratory conditions. Replicate mercury containing cultures yielded slightly different mercury concentrations upon analysis due to analytical errors and glass sorption. Therefore, percent …

Host-Parasite Relationship Studies Of The Larval Alfalfa Weevil And The Ichneumonid Parasite Bathyplectes Curculionis (Thomson), Yeboa A. Duodu

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

The parasitic effects of the ichneumonid Bathyplectes curculionis (Thomson) on the larval alfalfa weevil, Hypera postica (Gyllenhal), were studied.

Results of experiments on the rates of parasitism of the four host larval instars indicated that the first three are either preferred by the parasite over the fourth instar larvae or are more susceptible to the parasite's attack. Survival of the younger weevil larvae after their exposure to female parasites was markedly poorer than that of unparasitized larvae. Premature death of host larvae was probably from both the puncturing by the parasite's ovipositor and the feeding and other activities of parasite …

Radioimmuno Detection Of Virus, John Carlos Perez

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

The commonly used techniques for viral detection are tedious, time consuming and in many cases inadequate. As a consequence, a rapid, sensitive radioimmunoassay has been developed for detecting viruses. Reovirus is reacted with homologous ¹²⁵I labeled antibody after which the antigen-antibody complexes are separated from unreacted labeled antibody by density gradient ultracentrifugation. After centrifugation, the density gradient is fractionated and the radioactivity counted in a liquid scintillation spectrometer.

The amount of activity in the lower fractions of the density gradient is directly proportional to the virus concentration. The radioimmunoassay developed has several advantages over other viral assay procedures; the …

An Analysis Of Flock Organization In Black-Capped Chickadees, John Ivan Mosher

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

An analysis was made of individual behavior and flock organization among 33 color-banded Black-capped Chickadees (Parus atricapillus) on a woodland tract in wester New York State, from December 1967 to June 1970. Also, three of these flocks were confined at various periods for an average aviary tenure of 26 days. From these observations I concluded that the hierarchy and interindividual relationship of a flock remain as observed in the field; testosterone propionate causes an increase in injected subordinate bird's activity; but did not effect a change in its rank.

From the observations in the aviary, it was found …

Nitrification Potential In Arid Western Soils, Hasumati R. Patel

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

Nitrification rates were determined by perfusion method in Southern Curlew Valley (Utah) soils from 0 to 1.3 meter profiles as a function of seasons. Ammonification rates were determined at various moisture contents and seasonal variations of ammonium concentration in the same soils were estimated.

Rate of nitrification was higher in warm showery periods (May and June) than in colder periods (September, October and November). In the top 3 cm layer, nitrifying activity was several fold higher than in the rest of the profile. Cultivation increased the nitrification rate.

Considerable ammonium fixation by soil particles, volatilazation of ammonia and nitrite accumulation …

Low Temperature Germination Of Tomato Seeds, Dawn M. Gatherum

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

The purpose of this study was to determine the pattern of inheritance of low temperature germination of tomato. This was accomplished by crossing a tomato (P.I. 341988) that germinates at a low temperature (10 C) with a commercial mechanical harvest cultivar (VF 145-B-7879). The parents, F₁, F_2, and F₃ progenies were tested for low temperature germination responses at 10 C for 15 days. The results show that a single recessive gene is responsible for the low temperature germination character.

Also, a study of the seed coat thickness of the tomatoes VF 145-B-7879 and P.I. 341988 was …

Effects Of Several Solutes And Water Stress On Succinic Dehydrogenase Activity, Rex Alton Richards

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

The influence of the concentration of several solutes on the activity of succinic dehydrogenases from acetone powders of several species was studied spectrophotometrically. The plants used were: Cauliflower (Brassica oleracea var. botrytis, L.) sugarbeet (Beta vugaris, L.) sunflower (Helianthus annus, L.), Halogeton glomeratus (M. Bieb) C.A. Mey., and Samphire (Salicornia rubra, A. Nels.). Sodium chloride, potassium chloride, mannitol, sucrose, glycerol, glucose, and Hoagland's solution, at increasing concentrations, were used.

Decreased (more negative) osmotic potential produced by sodium chloride, potassium chloride, and Hoagland's solution resulted in a slight increase in enzyme activity at low …

Cynipid Gall Anatomy And Distribution Of The Causal Organism, David E. Murray

Morehead State Theses and Dissertations

A thesis presented to the faculty of the School of Sciences and Mathematics at Morehead State University in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the Degree of Master of Science in Biology by David E. Murray on April 28, 1972.

The Relationship Of Soil Temperature And Cytokinin Production In Aspen Invasion, Kristen R. Williams

Biology ETDs

Quaking aspen (Populus tremuloides Michx.) primarily reproduce by suckering (i.e., root sprouting). Numerous environmental variables have been suggested as causes of this phenomenon, the most notable of which is soil temperature. Studies demonstrating thermal regulation of sprouting indicate the involvement of growth hormones. The only class of hormones to elicit a response similar to sprouting is the cytokinins. Other hormones, no doubt, function in this process as well (e.g., auxins). To substantiate the idea that thermal regulation of sprouting is primarily a function of thermal regulation of cytokinin activity, and to determine the importance of other environmental factors in this …

Altitudinal Variation Of Chlorophyll Concentration And Reflectance Of The Bark Of Populus Tremuloides, William W. Covington

Biology ETDs

Chlorophyll concentration and reflectance of bark samples of Populus tremuloides Michx. growing at various elevations in the Sangre de Cristo mountain range of New Mexico indicate the appearance of greener barked trees at higher elevations is due to the reflectance characteristics of a bloom of dead periderm cells and not to increased chlorophyll concentrations. Chlorophyll concentration in aspen bark were, in fact, inversely correlated (p=.001) with altitude.

The higher concentration of chlorophyll at lower elevations is effectively masked by a white bloom which is also characteristic of exposed site trees. At higher elevations the bloom is yellow-brown and more translucent …

Some Aspects Of The Ecology Of Perognathus Flavus, Dipodomys Ordi, And Dipodomys Merriami, L. Gwen Britt

Biology ETDs

A total of 3331 animals was trapped from August 1966 to September 1969. Three hundred and eighty-five marked P. flavus were captured 2058 times and 173 marked Dipodomys were captured 950 times. The mean population estimate for a year of study was 5.6 Dipodomys (two species) and 13.4 P. flavus per acre. There was an estimated biomass per acre of 97.8g for P. flavus and 262g for Dipodomys. Perognathu and Dipodomys hewed similar persistence curves with about half of the animals persisting for only 2 months. About 75% of the animals were gone after 6 months with a few persisting …

The Algal Flora (Excluding Class Bacillariophyceae) Of Foster's Pond, Allen County, Kentucky, Linda Garrett

Masters Theses & Specialist Projects

A systematic survey of the algal flora (excluding Class Bacillariophyceae) of Foster's Pond, Allen County, Kentucky, was conducted from January 29, 1970, to March 25, 1971. Physical and chemical data were taken in order to characterize the quality of the water and examine its relationships to floral composition and periodicity insofar as the level of discrimination employed permitted.

A total of 119 taxa representing five divisions were identified. Twenty-five of these were previously unreported for the State of Kentucky.

Members of the Division Chlorophyta, which composed 66.4% of all the identified taxa, dominated the flora throughout the year. Desmid and …

An Electron Microscopical Study Of The Ultrastructure And Classification Hemocyte Of The Grasshopper, Melanoplus Differentials (Thomas) (Orthoptera: Acrididae), Andrejs Liepins

Masters Theses

The hemocytes of the fifth instar nymphs of the grasshopper Melanoplus differentialis (Thomas) (Orthoptera: Acrididae) have been the subject of this study. The hemocytes of this insect, based on the fine structures of its cells, have been found to fall into four main categories or groups: Nucleocytes, Plasmatocytes, Granulocytes and Coagulocytes. The bases for their classification are differences in the ultrastructure of the cytoplasmic organelles as well as cytoplasmic inclusions are revealed as revealed by electron microscopy.

A Survey Of Fresh-Water Oligochaeta And Their Commensal Ciliates From The Richmond, Virginia Area, Elsa Queen Falls

Master's Theses

The distribution of North American aquatic oligochaetes and the ciliates inhabiting their guts have received very limited attention. For this reason, the present study was initiated to survey fresh ­water oligochaetes of the families Aeolosomatidae, Naididae, Opistocystidae, and Lumbriculidae in four bodies of water of the Richmond, Virginia area and to determine the incidence of commensal ciliates within the gut .

The Effects Of The Cyclic 3'5'-Monophosphate Of Adenosine And Its Dibutyryl Derivative On The In-Vitro Immunization Of Mouse Spleen Cell Suspensions, James A. Blanks

Biological Sciences Theses & Dissertations

Abstract unavailable.

Captan-Induced Reversions In Bacteria, Gayle M. Nii Lopiccolo

Masters Theses

No abstract provided.

Protein Catabolism And Urea Utilization In Water-Deprived And Fasted Ground Squirrels And Rats, Gerald L. Rigler

Biology ETDs

The objective of this study was to examine a specific metabolic adaptation, namely, the extent to which protein catabolism was changed in long-term water-deprived and starved Spennophilus lateralis, S. spilosoma, and laboratory rats. It was thought from previous studies that the relative amount of protein and fat catabolism affects water balance and thus determines how long an animal will survive water deprivation. Hibernators may possess unique metabolic flexibility in adapting to water deprivation as they apparently adapt to dehydration when they are hibernating.

In the first series of experiments animals· were water deprived for 6 days at 2 seasons and …

The Effect Of Hibernation On Memory In Spermophilus Lateralis, Mary Colleen Mcnamara

Biology ETDs

Spermophilus lateralis, were trained to solve a black-white discrimination task in order to escape from a water filled tank. Following the attainment of criterion, the ground squirrels were trained on the reversal task of the original discrimination problem. Twenty-four hours after reaching criterion on the reversal training, all subjects were placed in a hibernaculum at 7-10 C for a period of 11 days. The animals were returned to the laboratory after the 11-day

cold exposure period, and 24 hr later were tested for retention of the learned behavior. The animals were returned to the hibernaculum for an additional 11 days …

Induced Changes In The Rates Of Uridine-3H Uptake And Incorporation During The G1 And S Periods Of Synchronized Chinese Hamster Cells, Peter J. Stambrook, Jesse E. Sisken

Biology Faculty Publications

The rates of uridine-5-³H incorporation into RNA and the rates of uridine uptake into the acid-soluble pool during the cell cycle of V79 Chinese hamster cells were examined. Cells cultured on Eagle's minimal essential medium supplemented with fetal calf serum, lactalbumin hydrolysate, glutamine, and trypsin displayed rates of incorporation and uptake which increased only slightly during G₁ and accelerated sharply as DNA synthesis commenced. In contrast, cells cultured on minimal essential medium supplemented only with calf serum exhibited rates of incorporation and uptake which increased linearly through both G₁ and S. The transition from one pattern …