Life Sciences Commons^™

Parents Don’T Dictate The Menu: Lack Of Strong Host-Specific Parental Effects May Help Maintain Dietary Generalism, Emma J. Sellers, Mayra C. Vidal, Dhaval K. Vyas, Mykaela Tanino-Springsteen, Gina M. Wimp, Mattheau S. Comerford, Mariana Abarca, Shannon M. Murphy

Biological Sciences: Faculty Publications

The environment or experiences of a parent generation can impact the fitness of the next generation, a phenomenon known as parental effects. While a high-quality diet can directly benefit an individual and a low-quality diet can reduce fitness, a parental effect occurs only when there is a transgenerational response to these stimuli that manifests in the individual’s offspring. In dietary generalists, a parental effect could play an important role for offspring performance if the species experiences considerable variation in quality across host plants; posi- tive parental effects may result from host matching between parents and offspring on high-quality host plants, …

Silverleaf Nightshade (Solanum Elaeagnifolium) Undergoes Guild-Specific Transcriptomic Reprogramming Against Chewing Versus Piercing Sucking Herbivory, Arunsaikumar Karrem, Matthew Terry, Jagdish Jaba, Rupesh R. Kariyat

School of Integrative Biological & Chemical Sciences Faculty Publications

Solanum elaeagnifolium (silverleaf nightshade, SLN) is a globally invasive perennial weed with reproductive plasticity and complex defence systems that significantly impact crop yields by invading fields of staple, commercial and ornamental crops. Despite being a host to multiple insect herbivores, the molecular programming enabling its rapid adaptation to defend against diverse feeding guilds remains poorly resolved. Here, we report a comprehensive de novo transcriptomic assembly and comparative analysis of S. elaeagnifolium challenged by two distinct herbivores: the piercing-sucking generalist cowpea aphid, Aphis craccivora and the chewing specialist tobacco hornworm, Manduca sexta. Differential gene expression analysis revealed a massive difference …

Exploring The Significance Of Kenya's Indigenous And Emerging Blue Foods For Sustainable Aquaculture Development. A Review, Jonathan Munguti, Mavindu Muthoka, Domitila Kyule, Esther Magondu, Kevin Obiero, Jimmy Mboya, Menaga Meenakshisundaram, Tanga M. Chrysantus, Gerald Kwikiriza, Francis K. Njonge

All Peer-Reviewed Publications

Kenya's aquaculture sector is at a pivotal stage, transitioning from a historical reliance on Nile tilapia and African catfish toward a more diversified production portfolio that integrates indigenous and emerging freshwater and marine species. This shift is increasingly recognized as essential to enhance climate resilience, food security, and ecosystem health. This systematic review synthesizes more than two decades (2000 to 31st January, 2026) of peer-reviewed literature to evaluate the biological suitability, culture performance, and socio-ecological roles of underutilized native taxa, including Ningu (Labeo victorianus), Jipe tilapia (Oreochromis jipe), freshwater prawns (Macrobrachium spp.), rabbitfish (Siganus sutor), marine-acclimatized Nile tilapia, mud crab …

Genomic Vulnerability Of A Threatened Possum In A Biodiversity And Climate Change Hotspot, Grace I. Marsh, Sean James Buckley, Daniel J. White, Adrian F. Wayne, Bryony J. Palmer, Nicola J. Mitchell

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

Spatial variation in the magnitude and pace of climate change impacts means some species will be more affected than others. This includes those occurring within global biodiversity hotspots, regions with exceptional concentrations of endemic species that have often been shaped by long-term climatic stability. Disproportionate levels of human-induced pressure in these areas are threatening much of the biodiversity values that make these biodiversity hotspots exceptional. Southwest Western Australia is a highly fragmented temperate biodiversity hotspot experiencing rapid climate change and supporting many species of threatened mammals. One Critically Endangered arboreal folivore, the western ringtail possum (ngwayir; Pseudocheirus occidentalis), has contracted …

Keys To The Families Of Vascular Plants In Northwestern California, James P. Smith Jr, John O. Sawyer Jr

Botanical Studies

No abstract provided.

A Checklist Of Vascular Plants Endemic To California, James P. Smith Jr

Botanical Studies

No abstract provided.

An Annotated List Of The Native And Naturalized Grasses Of Hawaii, James P. Smith Jr

Botanical Studies

No abstract provided.

The Grasses Of Oklahoma, James P. Smith Jr

Botanical Studies

No abstract provided.

Poisonous And Mechanically Injurious Grasses, James P. Smith Jr

Botanical Studies

No abstract provided.

Understanding Ecosystem Responses To Recurrent Marine Heatwaves, Emily Lester, Stanley Mastrantonis, Sharyn M. Hickey, Anna Lafratta, Jessica A. Benthuysen, Eben Afrifa-Yamoah, Arani Chandrapavan, Martial Depczynski, Richard D. Evans, David V. Fairclough, Christopher J. Fulton, Marthe Monique Gagnon, Nicole L. Jones, Sina Pinter, Claire L. Ross, William D. Robbins, Zoe T. Richards, Karina L. Ryan, Simone Strydom, James R. Tweedley, Fred Wells, Hollie Williams, Shaun K. Wilson, Kathryn Mcmahon

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

Marine heatwaves (MHWs) have emerged as an increasingly severe disturbance to global marine ecosystems, with documented intensifications in both frequency and magnitude over the past century. Western Australia has experienced some of the most severe MHWs on record, causing widespread ecological impacts, including coral bleaching and mortality, local species extinctions, and socioeconomic impacts such as fishery closures, making the region a critical case study of climate-driven change in the marine domain. Most recently, a severe MHW during summer 2024/2025 has caused widespread disruption to marine life, reinforcing the region's vulnerability to repeated extreme events. While extensive research has documented the …

Aleurone Layer Multi-Omics Reveals Constitutive Enzyme-Inhibitor Imbalance In Lma-Contrasting Wheat Cultivars, Utpal Bose, Angéla Juhász, Nicolas Daneri-Castro, Shoko Okada, James A. Broadbent, Keren Byrne, Sally Stockwell, Ronald Yu, Jean-Philippe Ral, Michelle L. Colgrave

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

Late maturity amylase (LMA) is a genetic defect in wheat causing premature accumulation of high-pI alpha-amylase isoforms in the aleurone during grain development, which reduces falling number, resulting in flour downgrading and price penalties. Yet, the aleurone layer proteome and metabolome remain poorly characterised across LMA-contrasting cultivars. We measured the proteome and central carbon metabolome of aleurone from three wheat cultivars differing in LMA-phenotype: Seri (susceptible), Kennedy (intermediate), and Hartog (resistant) – under abscisic acid (ABA), abscisic acid plus gibberellic acid (GA), or untreated conditions. Cultivar identity explained 65.7% of proteome variance, exceeding hormone treatment effects (13.1%), with no significant …

Structural Attributes Of Dominant Seagrass Species Modulate Invertebrate Assemblages Within The Shark Bay World Heritage Area, Inês Leal, Daniel Gorman, Lauren Mukheibir, Keisha Desmond, Simone Strydom

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

The structural complexity of seagrass meadows plays a central role in shaping the diversity and composition of associated invertebrate assemblages. In the Shark Bay World Heritage Area of Western Australia, the dominant species Amphibolis antarctica and Posidonia australis differ markedly in their above- and below-ground morphology, yet the invertebrate assemblages they support remain poorly characterised. This study provides the first contemporary assessment of these habitat–invertebrate relationships, a timely contribution given the region’s increasing exposure to frequent and extreme climatic events. We identified 13,124 invertebrates from 7 phyla, 16 classes and 55 orders/families and highlight marked differences between epifaunal assemblage structure …

Resource Assessment Report No. 10: Southern Nearshore And Estuarine Scalefish Resource: Sandy Sprat (Whitebait) 2026 Assessment, Daniel E. Yeoh, Brett Crisafulli, Rubie Evans-Powell, Sybrand A. Hesp

Resource Assessment Reports

Sandy sprat Hyperlophus vittatus (‘whitebait’) is a small-bodied clupeid which occurs in temperate nearshore marine and estuarine waters throughout southern Australia. In Western Australia, this species is almost exclusively caught by the commercial sector on the lower west coast, between Perth and Geographe Bay, where it is considered to comprise a single biological stock. Since 2010, sandy sprat has primarily been caught by the South West Beach Net Fishery (SWBN) in the Bunbury region. This is a shore-based fishery which utilises beach seine nets to target a variety of finfish species in shallow nearshore waters.

Commercial catch is monitored and …

Multi-Omic Characterization Of The Hispanic/Latino Blood Lipidome Reveals An Additional Locus And Attenuated Genetic Prediction, Wanying Zhu, Hung-Hsin Chen, Heather M. Highland, Corey Giles, Peter J. Meikle, Joanne Curran, Joseph B. Mccormick, Susan P. Fisher-Hoch, Kari E. North

Human Genetics Publications

While lipids have been extensively investigated, genetic regulation of the circulating lipidome in diverse populations remains poorly understood. We conducted a lipidome-wide genome-wide association study (GWAS) of 830 lipid species in 2,287 Hispanic/Latino participants and performed predictive modeling across omics layers. We identified 7,593 genome-wide significant SNPs mapping to 208 genes. Conditional analysis disentangled the long-range linkage disequilibrium artifacts from the pleiotropic FADS1/2/3 cluster. Separately, we discovered an association at the GPLD1 locus for a circulating ceramide. Colocalization revealed shared genetic architecture with conventional lipids alongside distinct, species-specific pathways. Incorporating Native/Indigenous American expression quantitative trait loci …

Obsessive-Compulsive Subtraits And Self-Agency, Jacob Nelson, Cody Barton, Carissa Phillipi Phd

Undergraduate Research Symposium

Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD) is categorized by persistent, unwanted thoughts, called obsessions. and repetitive behaviors, called compulsions. The Obsessive-Compulsive Inventory-Revised (OCI-R) is a valid measure of OCD, and breaks the condition into six subtraits: Checking, Hoarding, Obsessing, Ordering, Neutralizing, & Washing. Prior research has suggested that one’s sense of agency, measured through the Sense of Agency Scale (SoAS), is lower in those with higher overall OCI-R scores compared to those with lower scores and controls. Additionally, sub-clinical checking has been negatively correlated with sense of agency, and sub-clinical hoarding and ordering have been positively correlated with sense of agency. However, there …

Phenotypic Variation Between Surface And Cave-Adapted Poeciliids And Its Effect On Metabolism, Karch Knipp, Michael Tobler, Soren Johnson

Undergraduate Research Symposium

Cave-adapted organisms often exhibit pronounced morphological changes relative to their surface counterparts, a phenomenon known as troglomorphy. In Poecilia mexicana (Atlantic molly), these differences include variation in coloration between surface and cave populations. Troglobitic organisms also typically exhibit reduced metabolic rates, likely as an adaptation to environments with low primary productivity. This makes P. mexicana an ideal system for investigating the evolution of metabolic traits. In this study, we leveraged variation in coloration among cave-dwelling mollies to examine potential associations with resting metabolic rate (RMR). Coloration was quantified using PCR values, and individuals were categorized as “yellow” or “non-yellow.” We …

The Impact Of Caffeine On Bumble Bee Hunger, Hallie Chapman, Becky Hansis-O'Neill, Aimee Dunlap Phd

Undergraduate Research Symposium

Bumble bees (Bombus impatiens) are crucial pollinators, responsible for pollinating multiple native plants and agricultural crops. Caffeine, which is classified as a stimulant, is present in some of these plant species at varying levels. Alterations in bumble bee cognition, including motivation, learning, and hunger, have been associated with caffeine intake. This study explored the impacts of caffeine on the bumble bee behavior on a biological level. While previous research has examined caffeine’s effects on cognition and learning, fewer studies have investigated its effects on hunger at the level of individual bees. Bumble bees, identified with numerically labeled tags, …

Caffeine Concentration: An Analysis On Bumble Bee Foraging Efficiency, Carson Leonard, Becky Hansis-O’Neill, Aimee Dunlap Phd

Undergraduate Research Symposium

Caffeine (trimethylxanthine) is a synthetically and naturally produced stimulant that has been shown to elicit an effect on the central nervous system of humans as well as invertebrates. Although the exact mechanisms by which caffeine alters biological processes in invertebrates are still being investigated, its physiological and behavioral effects have been extensively documented. Naturally occurring caffeine is produced by certain flowering plants, including cocoa and tea species, and has been shown to influence invertebrate behavior, particularly cognitive performance and foraging patterns. In pollinating insects, the exposure to caffeine in floral nectar may affect how pollinators evaluate, select, and revisit food …

Tarantulas Can Use Black And White Cues In A Discrimination Learning Task, Jordan Kolinski, Becky Hansis O'Neill, Amiee Dunlap

Undergraduate Research Symposium

Animals use vision to perceive light, shapes, colors, and movement. Many animals that have poor vision are understudied. The purpose of this experiment was to study color vision in tarantulas (Brachypelma hamorii). Researchers have found genes associated with color vision tarantulas, but no behavioral experiments have been done on this topic. Previous research has also shown that tarantulas can see polarized light. In this experiment, we wanted to know if tarantulas could use visual cues to move away from a noxious stimulus - vibration. There were twelve tarantulas being tested in this experiment for between twelve and fifteen …

Relationship Between Morphological And Behavioral Laterality In Astyanax Mexicanus, Allison Lendman, Michael Tobler, Erik Johnson

Undergraduate Research Symposium

Populations within the Astyanax genus have experienced extreme differences in environment, leading to distinct morphological adaptations. The cave populations of these fish are eyeless and have acquired fixed, cranial asymmetries. We explored a possible relationship between this physical asymmetry and behavioral laterality. We tested 28 adult fish, 14 male and 14 female, from the Pachón cave in controlled behavioral trials. We found that both sexes demonstrated behavioral laterality, observed as a consistent left-turn bias in these trials. This supports the hypothesis that these populations display behavioral laterality that is correlated to their physical asymmetries. Ongoing research comparing behavioral patterns in …

Under The Surface: Human Disturbance Reduces Species Richness In Glade Microhabitats, Maddie Smith, Becky Hansis-O'Neill, Aimee Dunlap Phd

Undergraduate Research Symposium

Human disturbance can alter microhabitats in ways that affect biodiversity, especially in sensitive ecosystems like glades where many animals rely on rocks for thermoregulation and refuge. This study examined how rock displacement by human activity influences species richness and community composition in glade habitats at Shaw Nature Reserve and Victoria Glades Conservation Area. We hypothesized that disturbed rocks would be less suitable for wildlife and would support fewer species. From September to November 2025, about 30 rocks per site were pseudo-randomly selected and monitored. Each rock was classified as displaced or nondisplaced, and all organisms found beneath them were recorded. …

Enantioselectivity Of The Photochemical Continuous-Flow Isomerization Of Humulones, Gregory M. Giovine, Trevor Smith, Bruce Hamper

Undergraduate Research Symposium

Humulones, the primary natural product present in the historically significant hop flower, represent a largely unexplored candidate for structure-based pharmaceutical design.  Showing promising biological activity as an anti-bacterial and anti-inflammatory agent, humulones are of interest both for their bioactive properties and for their long-established tolerability and natural abundance.  Humulones undergo a characteristic isomerization reaction, where the six-membered substituted phloroglucinol ring contracts to a five-membered ring isohumulone, under a variety of conditions, including those enabled by brewing conditions (thermal, metal-catalyzed) and by exposure to UV light.  Optimization of the photocatalyzed isomerization of n-humulone to n-isohumulone in flow conditions resulted in a …

Wasps Survive Tornadoes, But It Impacts Nest Growth, Natalie Cummins, Sara E. Miller

Undergraduate Research Symposium

As the climate becomes more variable, extreme weather events become more common. Last May, St. Louis was hit by an EF-3 tornado. Many areas of the city suffered 90-150 mph winds and severe property damage. We knew there were established paper wasp populations in the affected areas, and so we took this opportunity to monitor emerging nests throughout the summer and fall in both tornado-affected and non-affected areas to observe any possible effect on their nest growth rate and overall size. There is currently very little literature investigating the response of insects to natural disturbances, like tornadoes. Additionally, most studies …

Building Genetic And Culturing Tools For The Understudied Soil Bacterium E. Flagellatus, Aaron Butler, Brenda Pratte, Lon Chubiz

Undergraduate Research Symposium

Soil bacteria play essential roles in nutrient cycling, yet many abundant groups remain poorly characterized due to challenges in cultivation and genetic manipulation. One such organism is Edaphobacter flagellatus, a member of the Acidobacteriota frequently detected in soil environments but lacking well-developed experimental tools. To address this limitation, our laboratory has generated a genome-wide mutant library using the Tn5 transposon, enabling random disruption of genes across the population.

This project aims to establish culture conditions necessary to support the use of this library for functional genomic studies. In particular, defined minimal media can impose selective pressures that reveal …

Winter Contents Of Tree Cavities In Oak Woodland Habitats, Lucy V. Roth, Addy Yoder, Jalene M. Lamontagne Phd

Undergraduate Research Symposium

Woodpeckers create cavities in dead and decaying trees and branches of live trees, many of which are used by a range of other animals, and are thus called “ecosystem engineers”. A species of conservation concern in the midwest is the red-headed woodpecker (RHWO). RHWO in the upper midwest are facultative migrators meaning some individuals stay in their territories over winter and others migrate south. Most tree-cavity research is done during the breeding season, leading to a knowledge gap of their use in the non-breeding season; therefore, studying them in winter could help us understand their ecological impact. RHWO require food …

Novel Chitosan-Pyrazole Derivatives: Synthesis, Characterization, And Antimicrobial Potential Assessment, Samar A. Salim, Elrefaie S. Kenawy, Mohamed G. Altamami, Ahmed A. Safaan, Manar M. Emara, Elbadawy A. Kamoun, Atif A. Elgharably

Nanotechnology Research Centre

Double novel chitosan Schiff-base series (I and II) based on heterocyclic moieties were synthesized to improve the pristine antibacterial capabilities of chitosan. Series (I) chitosan Schiff bases were prepared by reacting chitosan with six derivatives of 4-formyl-1H-pyrazole in an acidic medium, whereas series (II) was prepared by reacting chitosan with six derivatives of 1-(4-vinylbenzyl)-3-aryl-1H-pyrazole-4-carbaldehyde in an acidic medium. The chemical configurations of the twelve manufactured Schiff bases were verified using FTIR analysis & TGA measurements. We assessed the antimicrobial efficacy of chitosan and its Schiff base derivatives against four standard bacterial species, Staphylococcus aureus, Enterococcus faecalis, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and Escherichia …

Economic Costs For Three Selected Water Quality Treatment Technologies, Dawoon Jeong, Debabrata Sahoo, Heather Nix, Sarah White

Forestry and Natural Resources

Maintaining water quality in surface waters, including ponds and irrigation reservoirs, is essential for safe water use and is challenging. Mitigating and reducing nutrient levels is critical for managing risks of harmful algal blooms for agricultural operations, municipal drinking water suppliers, stormwater managers, and other water resource professionals. This article presents economic information about three best management practices (BMPs) treatment technologies well-suited to improving water quality for agricultural operations and small pond owners.

Nontarget Analysis Of The Volatile And Semivolatile Chemical Profile Of Wildland Firefighter Gear: Insight Into Occupational Exposure And Health Implications, Patrica Ivy Agorsor, Husam Kafeenah, Margaret D. Taiwo, Robin M. Verble, Michael O. Eze

Biological Sciences Faculty Research & Creative Works

Prescribed fire releases a complex mixture of volatile and semivolatile organic compounds to the environment. Firefighters are directly exposed to these hazardous mixtures through occupational activities. This study investigated the volatile and semivolatile chemical contamination profile of firefighter protective gear and the effectiveness of laundering as a decontamination strategy. Our results revealed that firefighter gear accumulated a broad spectrum of combustion-derived contaminants, predominantly composed of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons and derivatives, phenolic compounds, and aromatic hydrocarbons. Representative compounds identified included toluene, biphenyl, naphthalene, 1-methynaphthalene, 2-methylnaphthalene, acenaphthene, phenol, alkylated phenols, and chlorinated phenols. Quantitative analysis revealed representative combustion-derived compounds at concentrations (mean …

Construction And Use Of Strawberry Planting Tools For Transplanting Bare Root Strawberry Transplants, Justin Ballew, Zachary Snipes, Christiana Paige Huss, Brittney King

Horticulture

Planting strawberries requires a degree of attention and skill to ensure that transplants are set at the correct depth and that their roots are not folded or bunched in the planting holes. This article describes how to construct and use a simple, cost-effective planting tool that makes proper planting easier for workers. Plans for constructing the tools are included, as are links to English and Spanish training videos.

Home On The Range: Where Deer And Antelope Compete With Feral Horses For Limited Resources, Katelyn Davies, Hannah B. Klugman, Kathryn A. Schoenecker, David C. Stoner

All Current Publications

Given projections for continued drought conditions in the West, a better understanding of how native wildlife respond to competition with feral horses will be critical for developing effective conservation programs in the future. This fact sheet provides information on feral horses and presents study data comparing their use of water resources with that of native wildlife.