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Full-Text Articles in Life Sciences
The Collection Of Baseline Data On Insect And Plant Communities Across Multiple Salinity Zones Within Louisiana's Tidal Marshes, Benjamin G. Aker
The Collection Of Baseline Data On Insect And Plant Communities Across Multiple Salinity Zones Within Louisiana's Tidal Marshes, Benjamin G. Aker
LSU Master's Theses
Tidally influenced coastal marshes provide numerous important ecosystem services, but these habitats are experiencing extreme habitat loss. Louisiana’s coastal marshes in particular are vulnerable to land loss resulting from both anthropogenic and natural causes, but especially to subsidence and relative sea-level rise. In response, the Louisiana Coastal Restoration and Protection Authority has outlined and is currently implementing the largest ever attempt at habitat restoration. A major component of this habitat restoration attempt is the use of freshwater and sediment diversions to increase the input of low salinity water, sediment, and nutrients needed to slow marsh loss and build land. Coastal …
Taxonomy And Systematics Of The New Zealand Pselaphini (Coleoptera: Staphylinidae: Pselaphinae), Brittany Elin Owens
Taxonomy And Systematics Of The New Zealand Pselaphini (Coleoptera: Staphylinidae: Pselaphinae), Brittany Elin Owens
LSU Doctoral Dissertations
The New Zealand (NZ) Pselaphini was revised at the species level, a phylogenetic analysis was performed using morphological data, and first steps were taken towards the construction of a molecular analysis of the tribe. Eight new genera and 33 new species were discovered from specimens collected from the NZ mainland, offshore islands, Chatham Islands and the Subantarctic Islands. Of the 13 species originally described in the genus Pselaphus by Thomas Broun during the late 19th and early 20th centuries, all were either reassigned to the genera Pselaphaulax and Pselaphogenius, or were placed into new genera. Three names …
Investigations Into Aspergillus Flavus Infection Of Corn And Regulation Of Aflatoxin Production By Volatiles And Biocontrol Strains, Rebecca R. Sweany
Investigations Into Aspergillus Flavus Infection Of Corn And Regulation Of Aflatoxin Production By Volatiles And Biocontrol Strains, Rebecca R. Sweany
LSU Doctoral Dissertations
Aspergillus flavus is an ascomycete fungus impacting agriculture, public and environmental health due to production of acutely-toxic, carcinogenic aflatoxins in oil seed crops, especially corn in Louisiana, and lung infections of immunocompromised patients resulting in a leading cause of AIDS patients’ deaths globally. The most effective aflatoxin mitigation strategy, biocontrol by atoxigenic A. flavus presents several concerns including: dissemination of a human pathogen, possible sexual reproduction and reliance on precise environmental conditions. Several aspects of A. flavus biology were investigated to potentially improve treatments. Studies investigated how genotypically diverse members within the A. flavus population interact with other population members …
Changing Land-Use From Pinus Elliottii To Eucalyptus Bentamii In Southwest Louisiana Affects Understory Vegetation Richness, Diversity, And Functional Diversity Patterns, Andrea De Stefano
Changing Land-Use From Pinus Elliottii To Eucalyptus Bentamii In Southwest Louisiana Affects Understory Vegetation Richness, Diversity, And Functional Diversity Patterns, Andrea De Stefano
LSU Doctoral Dissertations
In the Western Gulf region of the United States cold-tolerant eucalyptus have been explored as pulpwood feedstock. However, non-native plantations may alter understory species diversity, modifying environmental conditions and soil characteristics. Few studies have compared eucalyptus plantations with other ecosystems to understand the impacts of converting these land uses on understory vegetation in the United States. Three plantations were selected: (1) slash pine (Pinus elliottii) established in 2008, (2) slash pine established in 2013, and (3) and Camden white gum (Eucalyptus benthamii) established in 2013. The objectives of this study were to: (1) investigate potential changes …
A Survey Of Ballistosporic Phylloplane Yeasts In Baton Rouge, Louisiana, Sebastian Albu
A Survey Of Ballistosporic Phylloplane Yeasts In Baton Rouge, Louisiana, Sebastian Albu
LSU Master's Theses
A study documenting basidiomycete yeast biodiversity was conducted in Baton Rouge, Louisiana during 2010 and 2011. Using the spore-fall method, the leaf surfaces of seven ferns were sampled at biweekly intervals. Maximum likelihood phylogenetic analyses of the internal transcribed spacer (ITS) region and the D1/D2 domain of the large subunit (LSU) of nuclear ribosomal DNA were used to identify 463 isolates representing 81 species spanning 12 orders within six classes in Basidiomycota. Nearly 30 of these isolates appear to be species new to science. Data indicate fern leaf developmental stage has an effect on the number of yeasts present. A …
Introduction And Establishment Of Cyrtobagous Salviniae Calder And Sands (Coleoptera: Curculionidae) For The Control Of Salvinia Minima Baker (Salviniaceae), And Interspecies Interactions Possibly Limiting Successful Control In Louisiana, Katherine A. Parys
LSU Doctoral Dissertations
Common salvinia, Salvinia minima Baker, is a floating aquatic invasive macrophyte that obstructs waterways and causes problems in wetlands across Louisiana and Texas. The salvinia weevil, Cyrtobagous salviniae Calder and Sands, has been released in over 14 countries around the world for the biological control of Salvinia spp. We successfully monitored the introduction and establishment of C. salviniae on S. minima in southern Louisiana between 2006 and 2010. Cyrtobagous salviniae significantly lowered the biomass of S. minima and increased the number of terminal buds damaged but had no significant impact on pH, dissolved oxygen, conductivity, surface temperature, percent of surface …
Species Diversity And Biogeography Of Ants (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) In Louisiana With Notes On Their Ecology, Shawn T. Dash
Species Diversity And Biogeography Of Ants (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) In Louisiana With Notes On Their Ecology, Shawn T. Dash
LSU Master's Theses
Over three decades have passed since the completion of Moser and Blum's (1960) treatment of the ants of Louisiana. This research represents a significant contribution to and update of their work. I report the first-ever comprehensive assessment of the Louisiana Formicid fauna. More than 100 species from 38 genera and eight subfamilies are covered. This faunistic survey gives valuable data of biodiversity and macro/microhabitat selection of ant species. Included are keys to all subfamilies, genera, and species with illustrations photographs, and a regional map for each species.
Effects Of Fire Frequency And The Red Imported Fire Ant On Native Insects In A Louisiana Longleaf Pine Savanna, Deanna M. Colby
Effects Of Fire Frequency And The Red Imported Fire Ant On Native Insects In A Louisiana Longleaf Pine Savanna, Deanna M. Colby
LSU Doctoral Dissertations
Ants and ground beetles were collected in pitfall traps from a longleaf pine savanna in the early stages of restoration. Insect abundance and species richness were compared among four treatment combinations of two fire frequencies and presence and absence of an exotic ant, Solenopsis invicta, the red imported fire ant. Amdro® was used to suppress S. invicta. Fire treatments consisted of a single fire in a two year period or two fires in a two year period, one applied each year. Fires were applied late in the growing season both years. Ten of the 28 ground beetle species …