Life Sciences Commons^™

Behavioral Interactions In A Fixed Aggregation Of Bobwhites, Jack Pierce

Masters Theses

Introduction

Many observations have been made on the behavior in the field of the bobwhite (Colinus virginianus) and of other gallinaceous birds. Stoddard (1950) has described in some detail various aspects of bobwhite behavior. Stokes (1963) conducted a laboratory study on the agonistic and sexual behavior of the chukar partridge. No behavioral studies, to the writer's knowledge, however, have been conducted on bobwhites under controlled environmental conditions. The birds used in the present study were housed in individual cages and were arranged in an artificially fixed aggregation (Fig. 1). The birds were maintained in this condition through the experimental period …

Microenvironmental Conditions Of The Day Resting Places Of Cottontail Rabbits, Orin Gelderloos

Masters Theses

This investigation was concerned with the microenvironment of the daytime resting places of cottontail rabbits (Sylvilagus floridanus) in southwestern Michigan. Many studies have been made of the habitat (Friley, 1955), cover (Hendrickson, 1938; Leopold, 1942; Linduska, 1947), food (Trippensee, 1938; Dice, 1945), and home ranges (Haugen, 1942) of cottontail rabbits. The purpose of this investigation was to search for possible correlations between various physical factors and the daytime activity and resting places of cottontails.

The Scientific Interests Of Robert Wilson Gibbes As Revealed In The Gibbes-Morton Correspondence, Phillip S. Swartz

Masters Theses

No abstract provided by author.

On The Use Of Tris (Hydroxymethyl) Aminomethane As A Diluent In Quantitative Analyses Of Soil Bacteria, Barry L. Keller

Masters Theses

Introduction

Many investigations have been conducted in the field of soil microbiology during the past.six decades. Most notable among the contributors is S. A. Waksman whose voluminous works have established many of the procedures used in microbial analyses of soil. Yet, the one fact that is foremost to any reviewer of the literature covering this field is that no standardization of techniques for soil analyses exists. The following presentation deals with one method used to estimate the number of bacteria and actinomycetes in soil.

The use of Tris(hydroxymethyl)aminomethane (hereafter referred to as "Tris") is not new. Tris currently is used …

An Investigation Of The Genetic Basis Of Alcoholism, Daniel F. Malamud

Masters Theses

Introduction

Alcoholism: The Disease

"Alcoholism is a chronic disease manifested by repeated implicative drinking so as to cause injury to the drinker's health or to his social or economic functioning" (53). Such a definition of alcoholism points to the disease concept which went unrecognized until recent years. In addition to its medical implications, alcoholism has been the subject of considerable writing and research by academicians in such diverse fields as sociology, psychology, physiology, psychiatry, theology, and law.

At the outset it should be noted that the writer is aware of the arguments and opinions expressed by the advocates of the …

Fluctuations Of Abundance Of Planktonic Rotifers In A Polluted Portion Of The Kalamazoo River, Rudolph Prins

Masters Theses

Introduction

The two objectives of this study were to determine the kinds and numbers of rotifers in the plankton in a portion of the Kalamazoo River and to ascertain the effects of various chemical constituents of the river water on the rotifers.

The Kalamazoo River is located in southwestern Michigan and flows westward into Lake Michigan. The study was conducted along a section of the river extending from Comstock, Kalamazoo County, to Plainwell, Allegan County (Fig. 1). About 90 per cent of this section is heavily polluted with wastes from several paper industries, a few other industries, and one municipal …

A Study Comparing Two Isometric Contraction Training Methods For Increasing Strength, William Ray Bockwitz

Masters Theses

No abstract provided.

Comparative Analysis Of Specific Training And Conditioning Methods Pertaining To Competitive Swimming, Donald Dean Oberg

Masters Theses

No abstract provided.

Introducing Aquatic Ecology To Ninth Graders, Inez P. Sutton

Masters Theses

Chapter I

Introduction

In discussing the basis for teaching high school biology, Van Deventer¹ states, "...the present typical course in high school biology serves adequately neither the terminal student nor the college entrance student." He holds that today's courses present watered-down versions of college courses to the student before the intelligence of the student has matured enough to grasp such subject matter. As a result there is very little carry-over value from such courses, and the students may even develop a dislike for biology. This study constitutes an effort to understand these problems and to devise ways of solving …

Evaluation Of Hydroxyprogesterone Acetate In The Prevention Of Canine Estrus, Kenneth B. Haas

Masters Theses

Foreword

Thirty years ago, endocrinology was a laboratory curiosity appreciated by few veterinarians. In those rare instances when the new science escaped from the laboratory and reached the clinic, the endocrine preparations used were extremely crude and often ineffective. In the growth of endocrinology as a science, availability of pure crystalline hormones has played an essential role, and to chemical synthesis must be credited the preparations which make specific endocrine therapy possible today.

In the last two decades endocrinology has come into its own in veterinary medicine, especially in regard to sex endocrinology. But only in the last ten years …

A Review Of The Status Of The Teaching Of Genetics And Evolution In High School Biology Courses With Suggestions For Improving The Teaching Of These Subjects, Carl Jay Bajema

Masters Theses

Introduction

It is the purpose of this thesis to: (1) discuss the place of genetics and evolution in high school biology courses; (2) specify the objectives that should be attained in teaching genetics and evolution; (3) discuss the current status of the teaching of genetics and evolution in high school biology courses; (4) suggest means of overcoming the three problems which have resulted in the poor teaching of genetics and evolution on the high school level -- first, the problem of religious opposition to the teaching of evolution; second, the problem of a lack of knowledge on the part of …

Factors Of The Microclimate Affecting The Activity Of Fox Squirrels In Southwestern Michigan, Frederick K. Courville

Masters Theses

The fox squirrel, Sciurus niger rufiventer, is an important small game animal throughout much of the Midwest. Within the last thirty years several scientific investigations have been focused on this animal, the result being that its life history and ecology are fairly well known.

Concerning the range of the fox squirrel, D. L. Allen (1943:33) states that, in Michigan, the range began to increase with the advent of the pioneers. Baumgartner (1940) and J. M. Allen (1952) noted similar occurrences in their respective states, Ohio and Indiana. In Kansas, the fox squirrel, aided by agricultural land-use, has spread westward throughout …

Studies On The Role Of The Seed Coat In The Germination Of Rhodotypos Kerrioides, Glenn H. Campbell

Masters Theses

Introduction

The propagation of plants by seeds is often made difficult by dormancy in seeds. A dormant seed is one that will not germinate when it is exposed to conditions favorable for germination. Such seeds will begin growth, however, after they have been subjected to the proper after-ripening conditions. Therefore, the grower must wait several months in many cases before his seeds will germinate. Since it is often desirable to determine the viability of seeds at an early date, seed dormancy has presented a major problem to the farmer. The testing of dormant seeds (4,6,44,56,64,) is widely practiced and rules …

Notes On The Tardigrades Of Southwestern Michigan, James J. Sawtell

Masters Theses

Introduction

Tardigrades, comprising fewer than 350 species, are microscopic animals which inhabit mosses, lichens, and algae. Tardigrades or "water bears" are distributed throughout the world. These invertebrates are found in fresh-water substrates (Cooke, 1959; Marcus, 1939, Moore, 1939; Pennak, 1940), marine substrates (Chitwood, 1951; Green, 1950; Jeannel et al., 1940; Marcus, 1927, 1946; Pennak, 1953:240; Wieser, 1959) and terrestrial habitats (Cuenot, 1929; Marcus, 1960; Rodriguez-Roda, 1948; Pennak, 1953:240). The "water bears" have also been found in the psammolittoral zone where they live between grains of sand, (Pennak, 1940) and there feed on algal cells (Marcus, 1929). Tardigrades puncture the cell …

Description Of Elements Of The Life Cycle Of A New Species Of Leucochloridiomorpha (Trematode: Brachylaemidae) From Southwestern Michigan, Jon Shoemaker

Masters Theses

Introduction

During the period extending from September, 1959 to July, 1960, 553 snails, of the species Campeloma decisum, were collected from Portage Creek in the southeast corner of the SE 1/4, Sec. 34, T. 2 S., R. 11 W., Kalamazoo County, Michigan. Metacercariae, closely related to Leucochloridiomorpha constantiae of the monotypic genus, Leucohloridiomorpha, were found in the uteri of several snails. Subsequent studies showed the metacercariae to be an undescribed species. Life history studies showed that this form developed experimentally in the chicken and domestic duck. In this paper stages in the life cycle are described.

Allison (19430, after his …

A Survey Of Management Opinions Of Noise In The Pulp And Paper Industry, Carola Trittin

Masters Theses

Introduction

The pulp and paper industry is the fifth largest in the United States, dollar-wise, and is also the third fastest growing industry in the United States (1). There are between 375,000 and 400,000 people employed directly in the pulp and paper mills in the United States and Canada. A nation-wide survey on the importance of noise in this industry is needed to help clarify the effects, if any, that noise has upon its employees.

By definition, noise is non-harmonious sound. When the subject of noise is mentioned, many suggestions are given on places where such a study should be …

An Ecological Survey Of Maple Products As A Natural Resource Of Athens Township, Calhoun County, State Of Michigan, Ralph P. Gies

Masters Theses

I. The Problem

Statement of the problem. It was the purpose of this investigation to undertake a field study in Athens Township, Calhoun County, State of Michigan in order to (1) determine the ecological factors necessary for maple sap production; (2) relate the extent to which the natural resource is being used; and (3) determine economic and social values to the syrup producers. The information was compiled through the sue of interviews, questionnaires, research, and participation in a community project.

Physical Fitness And Health Status, Jack Robert Howell

Masters Theses

No abstract provided.

A Study Of Poverty And Dependency In Phelps County For 1931, Arthur Royal Powell

Masters Theses

"The Ozark Region of Missouri is rapidly undergoing a definite social and economic change. thru markedly improved methods of communication and transportation the eighteenth century culture of this region is being metamorphosed into a twentieth century culture. Where the Ozarker of a generation ago was a strongly individualistic frontiersman in his outlook on life, he is now in the process of becoming a citizen of a larger and more complex society. The telephone, the radio, and the concrete highway, together with the cheap automobile, have made the customs and many of the folkways and mores of the Ozark people obsolete, …