Life Sciences Commons^™

The Succession Of Vegetation On A Southern Utah Sand Dune, Elias S. Castle

Theses and Dissertations

The sand dunes lying ten miles northwest of Kanab in Kane County, Utah, support a sparse plant cover with four species dominating the vegetation: Psoralea stenostachys, Sophora stenophylla, Oryzopsis hymenoides, and Wyethia scabra var. attenuata. Of these Psoralea and Wyethia are endemic to the dunes or to a limited area which includes the dunes. The pineer species gain a start in the valleys between dunes and occupy the area only until sand covers them or until sand is blown away from their roots. Stabilization of the soils is not permanently in the interdune valleys and the dunes continue to wander. …

The Chromatographic Purification Of Human Red Blood Cell Acetylcholinesterase, Richard P. Dunkley

Theses and Dissertations

A process of column chromatography of human erythrocyte acetylcholinesterase, using a cationic exchange resin, was investigated as a possible method for the primary partial purification of the enzyme on a large scale. The investigation was based, first; on a detailed study of the enzymatic stability to variation in hydrogen-ion and salt concentrations for periods of time extending to forty eight hours and, second; on an investigation of the degree of adsorption by the resin of the enzyme at various pH values within the pH range of enzyme stability. A method for the analysis of the enzyme activity of large numbers …

Biological Oxidation Of Copper Sulfide Minerals, Delmar Boyd Davis

Theses and Dissertations

This work represents a study of the biological oxidation of copper sulfide minerals. The principal objective of the study was to determine the extent of bacterial oxidation on copper containing sulfide minerals. It was also desired to determine if the bacteria could oxidize copper sulfides in the absence of iron. A better understanding of the nitrogen requirements of the organisms was desired. Minerals used in this study were Bingham Canyon Float Concentrate, chalcopyrite, covellite, calcocite, bornite, tetrahedrite, and reagent grade copper sulfide. The bacteria used were obtained from the mine waters of Bingham Canyon, Utah. To study the problem the …

The Skeletal Anatomy Of Several Species Of Salamanders With Special Reference To Bolitoglossa Rufescens (Cope), Afton M. Hansen

Theses and Dissertations

This paper deals with the complete skeletal anatomy ot Bolitoglossa rufescena (Cope). All parts are figured and described. In addition to this many of the main skeletal parts of Bolitoglossa platydactyla (Cuvier) Bolitoglossa occidentalis Taylor, and Bolitoglossa flaviventris (Schmidt) are described and figured. A comparison of the following parts of the above mentioned salamanders is presented: skull, atlas, ninth trunk vertebra, sixth caudal vertebra, carpals, tarsals and digits. The similarities and differences are pointed out as they appeared to the author. The relationship and specialization ot these species is discussed rather briefly.

Some Preliminary Studies Of Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever Vectors In Utah, Marvin Dale Coffey

Theses and Dissertations

That the tick, Dermacentor andersoni Stiles, was the vehicle of transmission for the disease Rocky Mountain spotted fever was first suggested by Wilson and Chowning (1902). The disease itself has been recognized since 1873, being first known from the Bitter Root Valley of Montana. The first medical record, however, was reported from Idaho by Wood (1896).

A Preliminary Study Of The Effect Of Thyroxin On The Transport Of Glucose Across The Tubule Cells Of The Dog Kidney, Hayle Buchanan

Theses and Dissertations

The graduate studies of the writer began at Brigham Young University in the Autunm of 1951, at which time he filed his intention of majoring in Zoology and minoring in Chemistry. During the first three quarters he received instruction under his committee chairman in a sequence of courses entitled: "Body Fluids", "Neurology", and "Endocrinology". During the first of these three courses the role of the kidneys in the maintenance of a relatively constant internal environment was discussed. During the course in Endocrinology the following statement was found in the text which suggested that the thyroid hormone might have an influence …

The Spermatheca As A Taxonomic Aid In The Study Of Some Families Of Coleoptera, Lenord Daniel Moore

Theses and Dissertations

In this study, the spermathecae of sixty-eight species of Coleoptera, representing fifty-one genera and twenty-three families, were examined and are listed in the order they appear in Leng's Catalogue of the North American Coleoptera. An examination was made of ninety-five specimens of four different species to check for variation within the species. In only one species was there a departure from the pattern characteristic of the genus. Ther spermatheca is differentiated into the cornu, the nodulus and ramus. It is a sac in the female for the reception and storage of the spermatozoa until used for fertilizing the eggs. Among …

Taxonomic Survey Of The Eggs And Larvae Of Some Species Of Utah Amphibia, Don B. Skousen

Theses and Dissertations

How the eggs and larbae of the Utah amphibians differ from each other is the problem to be considered in this paper. Certain problems are yet to be answered. One problem is that the larvae of Rana pretiosa subsp. From utah fit the description of the Nevada form, Rana pretiosa luteiventris, as described by Thompson (1913) and not the description of Rana pretiosa pretiosa as set forth by Svihla (1935). Another problem is that the adults, tadpoles, and eggs of Rana pipiens brachycephala and Rana onca are strikingly similar. Rana fisheri of the Las Vegas Valley in nevada and Rana …

A Preliminary Study Of The Genus Carex In Utah County, Utah, William R. Liechty

Theses and Dissertations

It has been the purpose of the author in this study to determine, as far as possible in the available tim.e, the number and kinds of Carex which occur in Utah County; their distribution in relation to region, soil, moisture and other factors, and to provide keys to the species and a description of each one that occurs in this natural area.

A Study Of The Fleshy Fungi Of Utah, Kent Howell Mcknight

Theses and Dissertations

It is the purpose of this study to further the ends of Mycology by presenting the fleshy fungi which are known to grow in Utah. The term fleshy fungi as used here shall include those Ascomycetes and Basidiomycetes which produce large or otherwise conspicuous sporocarps and their closely related forms. This includes portions of the sub-classes Pyrenomycetes and Discomycetes of the Ascomycetes; and portions of the Heterobasidiao and Eubasidiae of the Basidiomycetes (4). The sporocarps may be fleshy, woody, papery, leathery, carbonous or waxy in texture. This would exclude the Myxomycetes. However, since there have been no extensive studies of …

A Preliminary Study Of The Vegetation In An Exclosure In The Chaparral Of The Wasatch Mountains, Utah, Verl Phillips Allman

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to determine the ecological factors existing within the chaparral community. The present status of the vegetation in a one-acre exclosure was analyzed and recorded so that subsequent improvement or eterioration might be noted. A brief history of the area, the weather, and the geology are presented. Many other aspects of the problems enumerated in the introduction need to be studied. This study provides a foundation for a more detailed study of the vegetation which may be undertaken at a future date.

The Taxonomy Of Utah Orthoptera With Notes On Distribution, Andrew H. Barnum

Theses and Dissertations

To an entomologist, the Orthoptera1 is in a state of confusion with respect to the available literature. Work has been done, and is now being done on the orthopteran fauna, but manuals tor identification of most species are not available for all sections or the country. Exclusive of a few lim-ited groups, Utah is among the areas that has no complete keys for taxonomic workers. In biological ivenstigations identification is essential: The species being studied must be definitely known. The primary purpose of this study, therefore, is to list the Utah Orthoptera and provide the keys necessary to their critical …

Some Studies On The Consortes Of The Norway Rat In Utah County, Utah, Roy J. Myklebust

Theses and Dissertations

This study of the Norway rat, Rattus norvegicus (Erxleben) and its consortes was undertaken in Utah County to determine : (1} the frequency of infection of Trichinella spiralis (Owen) Railliet, the causative organism of trichinosis in humans, (2) the populations of fleas, lice and mites on the rat, and (3) the occurence of other consortes. This study covered a period from January 1951 through June, 1951. Additional records were made available from studies being made by the Department of Zoology and Entomology, Brigham Young University on parasitic arthropods (listed as Project Ten). The species ot fleas, and those mites which …

A Taxonomic Study Of The Catostomidae Of Utah Lake With Notes On The Fish Population, Lyle Junior Lowder

Theses and Dissertations

During the period from October 1950 to March 1951 a study of the taxonomy of the Catostomidae of Utah Lake was undertaken. Throughout this study information was collected on the numbers of suckers taken by some of the fisherman. From the data gathered it appears that the three species of Catostomidae cringinally named from Utah Lake are still there. The external morphological features of these fish are not recognizable unless they are observed very carefully. The most outstanding external characteristics used to differentiate the species are the mouth, lips, papillae on the lips and the general shape of the head. …

Galls And Gall Insects Of Artemisia Tridentata Nutt, Solomon Lander

Theses and Dissertations

Galls of Artemisia tridentata Nutt. of Utah County were collected and described in detail. Of the ten galls collected, seven were caused by members of the Itonididae, two by members of the Trypetidae, and one by a member of the Curculionidae. Of the seven Itonid galls, six were caused by species of Diarthronomyia, and one by a species of Rhopalomyia. Two of the galls were caused by new species of Diarthronomyia. Three genera of the Scelionidae (Hymenoptera) and four genera of the Chalcidoidea (Hymenoptera) were also reared from the galls. A key to the ten galls was constructed, but does …

Ecology Of Passerine Birds Wintering At Utah Lake, Joseph R. Murphy

Theses and Dissertations

During the period of October to April of the winter of 1950-51, an ecological study was undertaken of a population or passerine birds wintering in a segment of the Utah Lake Shore. Available winter weather data indicated that although such factors as precipitation, temperature, and wind may often be severe, they are not critical enough to prevent a fairly large population of passerine birds from spending the winter months in the study locale. Five fairly distinct plant communities can be recognized in the area. There is evidence which indicates that certain passerine bird species are especially dependent on a particular …

An Ecological Study Of A Sphagnum Lake In The Subalpine Forest Of The Uinta Mountains Of Utah, Howard C. Stutz

Theses and Dissertations

A study was made of the ecology and floristics of a small bog lake referred to as Moss Lake, in the Grandaddy lakes region of the Uinta Mountains , Utah . Three consecutive summers, 1948, 1949, and 1950, were spent in collecting the data presented in this study. Throughout the study the following ecological measurements were made: 1. Water 2. Soil 3. Macroscopic vegetation 4. Plankton 5. Macroscopic animal forms.

A Preliminary Study Of The Distribution Of Fleas In Utah Known To Be Capable And Potential Vectors Of Plague, Dorald M. Allred

Theses and Dissertations

Plague outbreaks in the past have been disastrous where domestic rats and their fleas of certain species were common. Plague has been known to occur in most parts of the world (Robertson 1923), and has occurred as human epidemics for many centuries (Dubos 1948).

A Taxonomic And Distributional Study Of The Subspecies Of The Iguanid Lizard Uta Stansburiana In The Eastern Great Basin 1950-1951, Dale D. Parker

Theses and Dissertations

This study is concerned with a critical analysis of species and subspecies of Uta stansburiana as it occurs in the Eastern Great Basin. In this study Urosaurus ornatus wrighti is also briefly discussed since it was until recently considered a member of the genus Uta and since it extends in the area which has been dealt with in this thesis. This problem necessitated study of large series of lizards in order to work out subspeciation. The material from the Brigham Young University collection and the specimens collected by the author total 520. After recording dorsal scale counts, prefrontal scales, keelation …

Alpine Plant Succession Near Mount Emmons, Uinta Mountains, Utah, Joseph R. Murdock

Theses and Dissertations

It was to provide some detailed information about the alpine flora , particularly as it relates to successional aspects , that the present study was undertaken . The environmental conditions of weather and soil , as they effect floral composition , are important factors in the plant succession or alpine communities . The investigation was designed to uncover such information about the alpine flora and environment necessary to establish the pattern of succession .

The Female Genitalia And Spermathecae Of Some Of The Rhynchophora, Herman O. Sanders

Theses and Dissertations

In this study of the genitalia and spermathecae of the Rhynohophora, eighty-two species, representing sixty genera, were examined as listed in Leng's Catalogue of Coleoptera of North America North of Mexico, together with seven species from the Phillippine Islands and one from China. By using the external female genitalia and spermathecae the Rhynochophora studied may be divided into eight and possibly nine well-defined groups. They are separated into these groups on the basis of the development of the nodulus and ramus and upon the degree of crenulation that occurs in the spermatheca. The spermatheca of all species studied has been …

A Comparative Study Of The Osteology And Myology Of The Thoracic Limb Of The Pocket Gopher And Kangaroo Rat, Leland R. Allen

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to determine the morphological differences in the osteology and musculature of the thoracic limb of the pocket gopher and kangaroo rat. This was accomplished by first, collection of specimens, second, the preservation and preparation of bones and muscles tor study and illustration, third, sketching and photograph­ing the sketches, fourth, noting and recording origins and insertions as well as any differences in the modification of anatomy with relation to habitat requirements. These two closely related families, Geomyide and Heteromyidae, show great morphological differences. Comparative volumetric measurements show that the forelimb of the pocket gopher is …

The Staphylinoid And Dascilloid Aquatic Coleoptera Of The Nevada Area, Ira La Rivers

Great Basin Naturalist

No abstract provided.

Some Observations On The Embryology And The Weberian Apparatus Of Catostomus Ardens (Jordan And Gilbert), H. Ronald Frogley

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this study is to add to our knowledge of the embryology and osteology of the Weberian apparatus as found in the sucker, Catostamus ardens J. & G. ot Utah Lake. Observations were made on the embryological development for twenty one days. This information has been discussed and pictures showing the development included. The literature on the osteology ot the Weberian apparatus was reviewed and it is believed that this study presents the first descriptions of the bones of this species. The ossicles were found to be comparatively stable within species indicating some taxonomic value. More study is …

A Comparative Histological Study Of The Adrenal Gland Of Native Rabbits, Ernest I. Gonzalez

Theses and Dissertations

A review of the literature shows that extensive work has been done on the morphology and histology of the adrenal gland of the domesticated rabbit, but it appears that little or no work has been done on other members of the order Lagomorpha. Approximately one hundred specimens of rabbits of various ages and sizes, and of both sexes, were collected over a period of nine months. All adrenal glands were fixed by immersion and were embedded in paraffin. The majority or the glands were sectioned at eight or twelve miora, and were stained with Mallory's triple stain. This investigation shows …

A Comparative Anatomical Study Of The Digestive Systems Of The Desert Jack Rabbit And The Pika, Dale Stanley Rupert

Theses and Dissertations

It is the purpose of this study to make gross and histological comparisons of the various segments of the intestinal tracts of the jack rabbit and the pika. The two animals used for this study were the desert jack rabbit (Lepus Californicus deserticola Mearns), and the pika (Ochotona princepts uinta Hollister). The jack rabbits were found only in the desert valleys and low foothills in the areas studied. These areas are typically open bush or sage brush types of communities. The pikas were restricted to certain high rockslides in this region. These areas are described more completely in the section …

A Preliminary Study Of The Siphonapterous Ectoparasites Found On The Mammals Of The Families Cricetidae And Muridae In Utah County, Vernon J. Tipton

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to determine the species of fleas infesting the mammals of the families Cricetidae and Muridae in Utah County. This was accomplished by establishing twelve collecting stations throughout the county from which 198 mammals were collected. From these hosts, 392 fleas were collected representing three families, nineteen genera , and twenty-four species. Four species are new to the State of Utah and twenty-two species are recorded from Utah County for the first time.

Life History Studies Of The Mouse, Peromyscus Truei Nevadensis, Lowell S. Miller

Theses and Dissertations

Peromyscus truel's a fairly common inhabitant of the upper sonaranlife zone of the Western States. It is an excellent laboratory anlmal with the limitation that captivity must be accompanied by forced activlty, in order to keep the animals within the limits of normal activity. This mouse is polyestrous and breeds from early spring to late fall. Observations have shown pregnancy in late September and in early February. It is the writer's belief that ovulation in the ovary occurs only when copulation has taken lace, because corpora lutea has only been found in pregnant or lactating females. The evidence is scanty …

A Seasonal Study Of Food Of Some Birds Of The Wasatch Chaparral, Herbert H. Frost

Theses and Dissertations

A seasonal change occurred in the type of food consumed by the birds studied. Plant food was more important in the winter than in the summer. Animal food, except in one species, was found to be more important during the summer months. The most important plant foods determined by frequency and listed in order of their abundance were: Helianthus annuus, Celtis sp., Quercus sp., Polygonum convolvulus, Amaranthus blitoides, Chenopodium album, and Amaranthus graecizans. The most important animal foods based on occurance in stomachs examined were: Coleoptera, Hymenoptera, Lepidoptera larvae, Orthoptera, Undetermined larvae, Diptera, Homoptera, Coleoptera larvae, Araneae, and Hemiptera. Seventeen …

Mammals Of Utah County, James W. Bee

Student Works

Based on the premises that an accurate determination and description of the mammals of Utah County is a prerequisite for subsequent research in ecology, geographic distribution and evolutionary taxonomy, this thesis is submitted. While it is essentially taxonomic, there are included related subjects to permit a more thorough interpretation of the subject as a whole.

Summarizing, the objectives are:

• a. To list and key the known mammals of Utah County with descriptions and measurements.
• b. To ascertain their geographic range within the county.
• c. To present significant ecological and geological data for the proper appreciation of the problems of evolutionary …