Life Sciences Commons^™

Restoration Of Intertidal Oyster Reefs Affected By Intense Recreational Boating Activity In Mosquito Lagoon, Florida, Andrea Barber

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

In recent years, intertidal reefs of Crassostrea virginica (eastern oyster) along central Florida's east coast have suffered extensive losses due to wakes from recreational boats. These wakes have caused extensive shell movement and sediment resuspension which results in large piles of disarticulated shells along the seaward edges of reefs. Dead margins extend up to one meter above mean high water. The creation and enforcement of "no wake" zones in the area are unlikely. Thus, there is an urgent need for an alternative restoration strategy before these oyster reefs decline any further. The goal of this project was to develop a …

Effects Of Isolation On Metapopulation Dynamics In Small-World Networks, Alaina Brooke Bernard

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Simulation models are valuable for making predictions that may be tested in natural systems and for understanding observed patterns. The simulation model developed for this thesis evaluates the effects of spatial network architecture, including organism dispersal patterns and isolation of habitats, on metapopulations. Two fields were merged throughout this project: metapopulation biology and small-world network theory. Small-world networks are characterized in their extremes as scale-free or single-scale. These models potentially simulate the networks of habitats and corridors in which metapopulations operate. Small-world network theory has been used to describe systems as diverse as rivers, the world-wide-web, and protein interactions, but …

Genetic And Phenotypic Evolution In The Ornate Chorus Frog (Pseudacris Ornata): Testing The Relative Roles Of Natural Selection,, Jacob Degner

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Understanding how migration, genetic drift, and natural selection interact to maintain the genetic and phenotypic variation we observe in natural populations is a central goal of population genetics. Amphibians provide excellent model organisms for investigating the interplay between these evolutionary forces because amphibians are generally characterized by limited dispersal abilities, high philopatry, and are obligately associated with the areas around suitable habitats (e.g. breeding ponds). Thus, on relatively small geographic scales, the relative effects of all of these evolutionary forces can be studied together. Here, we study the interaction of migration, genetic drift, natural selection, and historical process in the …

Life History And Reproductive Biology Of Clitoria Fragrans Relative To Fire History On The Avon Park Air Force Range, Michelle Nicole Lewis

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The southeastern coastal plain of the United States is a center of endemism for plants in temperate North America and second only to California among the states. In the southeast, Florida has the largest number of these endemic plants. The largest number of these Florida endemics can be found in the fire maintained scrub and sandhill communities located on sandy ridges in Central Florida. One such endemic is Clitoria fragrans, a rare perennial herb. C. fragrans reproduces via a mixed mating system. It produces both open, chasmogamous flowers and closed, selfed, cleistogamous flowers. Little else is known about its biology. …

Demographic Consequences Of Managing For Florida Scrub-Jays (Aphelocoma Coerulescens) On An Isolated Preserve., Casey Lyon

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Many species naturally occupy discrete habitat patches within a mosaic of habitats that vary in quality. The Florida scrub-jay (Aphelocoma coerulescens) is endemic to Florida scrub, a habitat that is naturally patchy and greatly reduced in area over recent decades owing to development and urbanization. Because of this habitat loss, future management of Florida scrub-jays will focus on smaller, fragmented tracts of land. My study examines such a tract, Lyonia Preserve, southwest Volusia County, FL. This preserve was unoccupied by scrub-jays prior to habitat restoration. The preserve is now frequently managed exclusively for scrub-jays as a habitat island surrounded by …

Characterization Of Pigment Cell Specific Genes In The Sea Urchin Embryo (Strongylocentrotus Purpuratus), Tricia Stephens

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

In sea urchin development, cell fate specification appears by the 60-cell stage embryo when several embryonic territories are recognized: the small micromeres, the large micromeres which will generate primary mesenchyme cells, the vegetal2 layer that will give rise to pigment cells, immunocytes, and muscle cells, the vegetal1 layer, as well as the oral and aboral ectoderm. A Delta-Notch signaling event is required for the differential specification of mesodermal cells that will give rise to secondary mesenchyme cells (SMCs). SMCs produce four cell types: pigment cells, blastocoelar cells, circumesophageal muscle cells, and coelomic pouch cells. Pigment cells are the first to …

Responses Of Small Rodents To Restoration And Management Techniques Of Florida Scrub At Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, Florid, Alexis Suazo

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Proper habitat management is essential for the survival and reproduction of species, especially those listed under state or federal laws as endangered, threatened or of special concern, and those with small local populations. Land managers use a combination of mechanical cutting and prescribed burning to manage and restore degraded scrub habitat in east central Florida. This approach improves habitat for the endangered Florida scrub-jay (Aphelocoma coerulescens), but little is known about its effects on other taxa, especially the threatened southeastern beach mouse (Peromyscus polionotus niveiventris). This single species approach may not be beneficial to other taxa, and mechanical cutting and …

Genmapp 2: New Features And Resources For Pathway Analysis, Nathan Salomonis, Kristina Hanspers, Alexander C. Zambon, Karen Vranizan, Steven C. Lawlor, Kam D. Dahlquist, Scott W. Doniger, Josh Stuart, Bruce R. Conklin, Alexander R. Pico

Biology Faculty Works

Background: Microarray technologies have evolved rapidly, enabling biologists to quantify genome-wide levels of gene expression, alternative splicing, and sequence variations for a variety of species. Analyzing and displaying these data present a significant challenge. Pathway-based approaches for analyzing microarray data have proven useful for presenting data and for generating
testable hypotheses.

Results: To address the growing needs of the microarray community we have released version 2 of Gene Map Annotator and Pathway Profiler (GenMAPP), a new GenMAPP database schema, and integrated resources for pathway analysis. We have redesigned the GenMAPP database to support multiple gene annotations and species as well …

Hyena Societies, Heather E. Watts

Biology Faculty Works

No abstract provided.

Enod40 Gene Expression And Cytokinin Responses In The Nonnodulating, Nonmycorrhizal (Nod-Myc-) Mutant, Masym3, Of Melilotus Alba Desr., Michelle Lum

Biology Faculty Works

Several nonnodulating, nonmycorrhizal (Nod-Myc-) mutants of Melilotus alba Desr. (white sweetclover) have been described. However, the details of their responses to Sinorhizobium meliloti have not been fully elucidated. We investigated rhizobial entry and colonization using Confocal Scanning Laser Microscopy on the Masym1-5 mutants and isolated an early nodulin (ENOD40) gene from wild-type M. alba. We focused on Masym3, the least responsive of the mutants to S. meliloti and VA-fungi, to determine its response to cytokinin. Cytokinin appears to be a downstream signal in the nodule developmental pathway based not only on our previous observations whereby Nod-Myc- alfalfa roots treated with …

Risk Assessment For Invasive Exotic Plants Using Multi-Criteria Risk Models, Lindsey Marie Shartell

Dissertations, Master's Theses and Master's Reports - Open

Invasive exotic plants have altered natural ecosystems across much of North America. In the Midwest, the presence of invasive plants is increasing rapidly, causing changes in ecosystem patterns and processes. Early detection has become a key component in invasive plant management and in the detection of ecosystem change. Risk assessment through predictive modeling has been a useful resource for monitoring and assisting with treatment decisions for invasive plants.

Predictive models were developed to assist with early detection of ten target invasive plants in the Great Lakes Network of the National Park Service and for garlic mustard throughout the Upper Peninsula …

Heterozygosity And Fitness In A California Population Of The Labyrinth Spider Metepeira Ventura (Araneae, Araneidae)., Martina G. Ramirez, Sarah S. Eiman, Melissa M. Wetkowski, Miranda K. Mooers, Luningning A. Ocampo

Biology Faculty Works

The relationship between individual heterozygosity and characteristics likely to be associated with fitness was investigated in the labyrinth spider Metepeira ventura. Adult females and their egg sacs were collected at a coastal site in southern California, and three measures of bodily condition (carapace width, weight, residual index) and six measures of reproductive output (number of egg sacs, variation in egg number among sacs [coefficient of variation], total number of eggs, mean eggs/sac, mean eggs/sac divided by carapace width, mean eggs/sac divided by weight) were determined for each spider. The sample was polymorphic at three allozyme loci that were in Hardy-Weinberg …

Phenological Variations In The Surface Flavonoids Of Artemisia Vulgaris L. And Artemisia Absinthium L., Milena Nikolova, Dragan Velickovic

Turkish Journal of Botany

Qualitative and quantitative variations in the surface flavonoids in relation to phenological development of Artemisia vulgaris L. and Artemisia absinthium L. were examined. Plant material was harvested at different phenological stages (vegetative, before budding, floral budding, flowering, and fruiting) of the life cycle of the species. In A. vulgaris and A. absinthium acetone exudates, 6 and 4 flavonoid aglycones were identified, respectively, by TLC analysis. Quercetin 3,7,3'-trimethyl ether is the main flavonoid in the exudates of A. vulgaris while quercetagetin 3,6,7,3',4'-pentamethyl ether is the predominant flavonoid in A. absinthium. Qualitative variations in the flavonoid composition of A. vulgaris were established. …

A New Genus Record For The Freshwater Algal Flora Of Turkey, Fatma Çevi̇k, Brian A. Whitton, Okan Öztürk

Turkish Journal of Botany

The genus Hydrurus C.Agardh 1824 and a species belonging to this genus, Hydrurus foetidus (Villars) Trevisan 1848, are reported for the first time for Turkish inland waters. The morphological characteristics of this species are described and information about its ecological distribution is given.

Effect Of Red Imported Fire Ant (Solenopsis Invicta Buren) On The Nesting Success Of Northern Bobwhite (Colinus Virginianus L.), Michael Andrew Seymour

LSU Master's Theses

The Northern Bobwhite (Colinus virginianus L.) has experienced average yearly decline of 3% in the United States from 1966-2005. Factors implicated in decline include habitat destruction, alteration of farm practices, and red imported fire ant (RIFA) (Solenopsis invicta Buren). Effect of RIFA on bobwhites has been a hot topic leading to formation of polarized camps – those who believe RIFA have little effect and those who believe the effect will further threaten the species’ survival. The main objective of this study was to determine if RIFA affect nesting of bobwhites and at what stage in nesting birds are most vulnerable. …

4th International Galliformes Symposium (October 14-21, 2007 : Gengdu, Sichuan, China): Abstracts, World Pheasant Association

Galliformes Specialist Group and Affiliated Societies: Conference Proceedings

Introduction

Scientific programme committee chairman's introduction, Stephen J. Browne

Conserving Asia's Galliformes: Progress and challenges, Philip J. K. McGowan

An introduction to research and conservation of China's Galliformes, Zhang Zhengwang and Zheng Guangmei

China talks: session 1

Conservation hotspots and gap analysis of Galliformes in China, Ding Changqing, Zhang Cheng’an and Philip J. K. McGowan

Roosting behavoiur of buff-throated partridge Tetraophasis szechenyii, Xu Yu, Ran Jianghong, Zhou Xin, Yang Nan, Yue Bisong, and Wang Ying

A study of the genetic structure and molecular phylogeography of the Tibetan snowcock Tetraogallus tibetanus in Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau, An Bei, Zhang Lixun, Ruan Luzhang, …

Nest Reuse By Eastern Kingbirds: Adaptive Behavior Or Ecological Constraint?, Lucas J. Redmond, Michael T. Murphy, Amy C. Dolan

Biology Faculty Publications and Presentations

The reuse of old nests by open-cup nesting passerines is a seemingly rare but potentially adaptive behavior if, as a consequence, females begin to breed earlier, lay larger clutches, or fledge more young. We report an unusually high rate of nest reuse (~10% of 341 nests) for Eastern Kingbirds (Tyrannus tyrannus) breeding at Malheur National Wildlife Refuge, Oregon. We found no difference in availability of nesting habitat or food abundance in territories in which nests were and were not reused. We also found no support for the hypotheses that kingbirds benefited from nest reuse by breeding earlier, laying …

Samambaia - The Future Focus For Indian Researchers In The Treatment Of Psoriasis, Kuntal Das, John Wiiking Einstein

The Thai Journal of Pharmaceutical Sciences

Psoriasis is an issue of global and national public health concern. The traditional use of medicinal plants to treat this disease is widespread throughout India. The present review is an attempt for the beneficial effect of the South American originated ...

Two New Species Of Freshwater Crabs From Mt. Elgon, East Africa With A Redescription Of Potamonautes Niloticus And Notes On Their Natural History" >, Neil Cumberlidge

Journal Articles

No abstract provided.

" A Conservation Assessment Of The Freshwater Crabs Of Southern Africa" , Neil Cumberlidge, Savel R. Daniels

Journal Articles

No abstract provided.

Habitat Use By Juvenile Gag, Mycteroperca Microlepis (Pisces: Serranidae), In Subtropical Charlotte Harbor, Florida (Usa), J. Patrick Casey, Gregg R. Poulakis, Philip W. Stevens

Gulf and Caribbean Research

Estuaries play a key role in the juvenile stage of gag (Myeteroperca microlepis). The use of estuarine habitats by juvenlle gag has been examined in temperate estuaries, which are at the northern limits of the range of this species, but the importance of subtropical estuaries during the early life history of this species has not been studied extensively. Gag were collected in subtropical Charlotte Harbor, Florida, during routine monthiy sampling from January 1996 to Decemher 2002. Juvenlle gag were collected using a 21.3-m seine, a 183-m haul seine, and a 183-m purse seine. A total of 738 individuals …

Strategic Investments In Large Pelagic Research, Nancy B. Thompson, Eric D. Prince

Gulf and Caribbean Research

The Southeast Fisheries Science Center (SEFSC) of the US NOAA Fisheries provides much of the US science advice for the management of Highly Migratory Species (HMS) in the Atlantic, Gulf of Mexico and US Caribbean Sea. These stocks include the tunas, sharks, billfishes and swordfish all of which are targeted either commercially or recreationally or both in US waters. These species are managed internationally through membership to the International Commission for the Conservation of Atlantic Tunas (ICCAT); however, while the US is an ICCAT member, few Caribbean nations are members.

Observations Of A Feeding Aggregation Of Whale Sharks, Rhincodon Typus, In The North Central Gulf Of Mexico, Eric R. Hoffmayer, James S. Franks, William B. Driggers Iii, Kenneth J. Oswald, Joseph M. Quattro

Gulf and Caribbean Research

On 26 June 2006 an aggregation of 16 whale sharks was observed for a period of 4 hr in the north central Gulf of Mexico (GOM). The sharks remained within an area about 1.0 km² in size and continuously ram filter fed at the surface. Visual analysis of a plankton sample collected from the study site revealed the presence of copious amounts of fish eggs in mid-embryonic development and a minor amount of other zooplankton. A second plankton sample (control) collected about 3.5 km from the study site in an area where no whale sharks were present contained few …

Nocturnal Depth Distribution Of Western North Atlantic Swordfish (Xiphias Gladius, Linnaeus, 1758) In Relation To Lunar Illumination, Joshua K. Loefer, George R. Sedberry, John C. Mcgovern

Gulf and Caribbean Research

Swordfish are known to undergo large diel vertical movements from surface waters at night to > 300 m depth during the day. Evidence presented over the past several deeades suggests the lunar cycle affects these vertical migrations. This study collected data concurrently from 7 swordfish throughout 3 consecutive lunar cycles using pop-up satellite archival tags. All individuals demonstrated an inverse relationship between recorded nocturnal depths and lunar illumination.

Genetic Analysis Of Blue Marlin (Makaira Nigricans) Stock Structure In The Atlantic Ocean, Jan R. Mcdowell, Jeanette E.L. Carlsson, John E. Graves

Gulf and Caribbean Research

The genetic basis of stock structure of blue marlin (Makaira nigricans Lacepède 1802) in the Atlantic ocean was inferred from analyses of mitochondrial control region sequences. Blue marlin were collected in 1998 from 4 major geographic locations: western North Atlantic, Caribbean Sea, western South Atlantic and eastern Atlantic. Haplotype diversity (h) ranged from 0.99-1.0 and nucleotide sequence diversity (π) ranged from 0.11-0.13 within samples indicating that the control region harbors a significant amount of genetic variation. However, no significant differences were found in the spatial partitioning of genetic variation among the 4 collections; all pairwise ϕ_{ST …}

Patterns Of Vertical Habitat Use By Atlantic Blue Marlin (Makaira Nigricans) In The Gulf Of Mexico, Richard T. Kraus, Jay R. Rooker

Gulf and Caribbean Research

We examined data from pop-up archival transmitting (PAT) tags (n = 18) to characterize aspects of vertical habitat use by blue marlin (Makaira nigricans) from the Gulf of Mexico (GOM). Two of these tags were recovered and provided fine-scale information about diving patterns and the relationship between time at depth and temperature. Similar to previous studies, blue marlin in the GOM spent most of their time at the surface and at temperatures within 3° C of surface temperatures. Time at depth was multimodal and the magnitude of the smaller modes was dependent upon the strength and depth …

Large Pelagics In The Southern Section Of The Seaflower Marine Protected Area, San Andres Archipelago, Colombia: A Fishery In Expansion, Erick Castro, Heins Bent, Carlos Ballesteros, Martha Prada

Gulf and Caribbean Research

Isolated and sparse reef atolls comprising the southern section of the Seaflower MPA have been traditionally exploited by artisanal fishers using handlines. These practices have severely depleted the demersal fish stock and now fishers have shifted their efforts to the pelagic stock. The pelagic fishery included the extraction of more than 25 species, with Thunnus atlanticus, Acanthocybium solandri, Coryphaena hippurus, and Katsuwonus pelamis being the most common. Three years of fishery-dependent data (2004–2006) were used to describe traditional fishing methods and techniques, and to document, for the first time, a declining trend in the large pelagic stock. …

Tree Calls Of Three Treefrogs (Hyla Femoralis, H. Gratiosa, And H. Squirella): Analysis Of Environmental, Behavioral, And Acoustic Characteristics, Kristine Schad

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Male frogs typically call near water at dusk to attract females for breeding. During the breeding season, male treefrogs also emit diurnal "tree calls" or "rain calls" from the tops of trees. Very little is known about tree calls, although many treefrogs use them. Tree calls may be used to attract females, deter males or be triggered by weather conditions favorable for breeding: high temperature and relative humidity, and a drop in barometric pressure. As dusk approaches, male treefrogs continue tree calls from lower in the trees, and if conditions are favorable, jump to the ground and travel to a …

Healing Our Hazardous Environment, K V. Hall, B M. Afzal, Barbara Sattler

Nursing and Health Professions Faculty Research and Publications

No abstract provided.

Alternative Exon Usage Selectively Determines Both Tissue Distribution And Subcellular Localization Of The Acyl-Coa Thioesterase 7 Gene Products., Mary Hunt, Sinead Greene, Kjell Hultenby, L. Thomas Svensson, Susanna Engberg, Stefan E H Alexson

Articles

Acyl-CoA thioesterases (ACOTs) catalyze the hydrolysis of acyl-CoAs to free fatty acids and coenzyme A. Recent studies have demonstrated that one gene named Acot7, reported to be mainly expressed in brain and testis, is transcribed in several different isoforms by alternative usage of first exons. Strongly decreased levels of ACOT7 activity and protein in both mitochondria and cytosol was reported in patients diagnosed with fatty acid oxidation defects, linking ACOT7 function to regulation of fatty acid oxidation in other tissues. In this study, we have identified five possible first exons in mouse Acot7 (Acot7a-e) and show that all five first …