Life Sciences Commons^™

New Data About Ptyctimous Mites (Acari, Oribatida) In Polish Palm Houses, Wojciech Niedbala

Turkish Journal of Zoology

In samples collected in 2012 at the palm house in Poznan, 5 species of ptyctimous mites were found; 3 of them were native species (Mesotritia nuda, Euphthiracarus cribrarius, Acrotritia ardua) and 2 were exotic species, pantropical Microtritia tropica and neotropical Phthiracarus phoxos. In the samples from the palm house in Lodz, 3 species were found; 2 of them were known from the palm house in Poznan (Acrotritia ardua and Phthiracarus ferrugineus), and the third has not been reported from Poland before: the very rare species Mesoplophora michaeliana, known so far from the southern part of the Western Palearctic. Some juvenile …

Checklist Of Bryozoa On The Coasts Of Turkey, Ferah Koçak, Si̇nem Önen

Turkish Journal of Zoology

The phylum Bryozoa includes a total of 185 species reported from the Turkish coasts of the Levantine Sea, the Aegean Sea, the Sea of Marmara, and the Black Sea. The class Gymnolaemata is represented by 159 species, followed by the class Stenolaemata (26 species). While the Aegean Sea had the highest species richness (139 species), the lowest bryozoan diversity (8 species) was reported from the Black Sea coast of Turkey. Only 2 alien species, Celleporaria brunnea and Rhynchozoon larreyi, were recorded from the Turkish coasts.

Checklist Of Echinodermata From The Coasts Of Turkey, Başak Öztoprak, Alper Doğan, Ertan Dağli

Turkish Journal of Zoology

According to the benthic studies on echinoderms inhabiting the coasts of Turkey, a total of 91 echinoderm species belonging to 5 classes have been reported. The Aegean Sea coast is represented by the highest number of species (76 species), followed by the Sea of Marmara (64 species), the Levantine Sea (51 species), and the Black Sea (17 species). Sixty-six echinoderm species were found on soft substrata, while 8 species were reported on hard substrata and 17 species on both soft and hard substrata. The majority of the echinoderm species (83 species) were found at depths ranging from 11 to 50 …

The Marine Arthropods Of Turkey, Ahmet Kerem Bakir, Tuncer Katağan, Hali̇m Vedat Aker, Tahi̇r Özcan, Murat Sezgi̇n, Abdullah Suat Ateş, Cengi̇z Koçak, Fevzi̇ Kirkim

Turkish Journal of Zoology

This recent checklist of marine arthropods found on the coasts of Turkey represents a total of 1531 species belonging to 7 classes: Malacostraca (766 species), Maxillopoda (437 species), Ostracoda (263 species), Pycnogonida (27 species), Arachnida (26 species), Branchiopoda (7 species), and Insecta (5 species). Seventy-five species were classified as alien species in the region. This paper also includes the first record of the amphipod Melita valesi from the Levantine coast of Turkey (Kaş, Gulf of Antalya).

Temporal Variation In The Reproductive Pattern Of Blood Cockle Anadara Antiquata From Pakistan (Northern Arabian Sea), Shahnaz Jahangir, Ghazala Siddiqui, Zarrien Ayub

Turkish Journal of Zoology

Sex ratios, size frequency, and reproductive patterns of blood cockle Anadara antiquata were studied from Sonmiani and Phitti Creek, Pakistan, from May 2004 to April 2005. At both sites, the overall sex ratio was significantly in favor of females. The population of A. antiquata at Sonmiani consisted of cockles of 31-80 mm in size and that at Phitti Creek of 21-100 mm in size; however, the majority of specimens were of 51-70 mm in size at both sites. Four stages of gametogenesis were identified in male and female cockles: 1) developing, 2) ripe, 3) spawned out, and 4) resorbing. No …

Birds And Small Urban Parks: A Study In A High Plateau City, Salvador Peris, Tinguaro Montelongo

Turkish Journal of Zoology

The goal of the present study was to assess which variables influence the distribution of birds in urban parks. Twenty parks were studied in a city on the Spanish high plateau during the breeding season, and relationships among park characteristics, bird richness, and individual bird presences were established. The park area and tree cover accounted for 73.1% of the variation in bird richness. Although area size was the best predictor of species richness (65% of the variation), some species did not seem to be related to this variable but rather to others, such as vegetation and the degree of park …

Length-Weight Relationships Of 14 Fish Species From The Gulf Of Antalya (Northeastern Mediterranean Sea, Turkey), Yaşar Özvarol

Turkish Journal of Zoology

Length-weight relationships (LWRs) were determined for 14 fish species from the Gulf Antalya along the northeastern Mediterranean Sea coast of Turkey. Samples were collected using bottom trawl at depths varying from 25 to 150 m. The parameters a and b from the LWR formula W = aL^b were estimated. The values of the exponent b of the length-weight relationships ranged from 2.513 to 3.465. Seven species (Pagrus pagrus, Pagellus erythrinus, Nemipterus randalli, Merluccius merluccius, Citharus linguatula, Chelidonichthys lastoviza, Spicara flexuosa) indicated negative allometries, 5 species (Serranus cabrilla, Mullus surmuletus, Mullus barbatus barbatus, Upeneus moluccensis, Saurida undosquamis) indicated positive allometries, and …

Morphological Differentiation Among Species Of The Genus Mugil Linnaeus, 1758 (Mugilidae) From Côte D'Ivoire, Kouakou Theodore Konan, Abouo Beatrice Adepo-Gourene, Koffi Mexmin Konan, Germain Gourene

Turkish Journal of Zoology

A study on the morphological diversity of the genus Mugil of the lagoons Ebrié and Grand-Lahou was carried out in order to differentiate species of Mugilidae in Côte d'Ivoire. Univariate and multivariate analyses of 40 metric and 11 meristic characters identified 3 homogeneous groups. This phenotypic plasticity within the genus Mugil allowed differentiating the species Mugil curema, M. bananensis, and M. cephalus. Contrary to the overlap presented by the metric parameters, meristic characters, in this case the number of branchiospines on the superior and inferior parts and the number of microbranchiospines on the first branchial arch, were very clearly discriminating …

The Response Of Eurasian Kestrel Falco Tinnunculus To Falconry At Deblin Military Airfield, East Poland, Ignacy Kitowski

Turkish Journal of Zoology

Birds, including kestrels, constitute a serious impediment to air traffic and are considered pests when they disrupt aviation operations. This study investigated the behaviour of kestrels at Deblin Military Airfield (eastern Poland) in response to bird strike risk management by means of falconry. Trained raptors changed the behaviour of kestrels. During the period when trained raptors worked at the airfield, kestrels were less often found there compared to the control period. During falconry sessions, kestrels perched less often compared to the control period. Kestrels also hovered less during falconry sessions compared to the control period. Falconry reduced the risk of …

Seasonal Distribution Of Trachurus Mediterraneus (Steindachner, 1868) In The Golden Horn Estuary, İstanbul, Nazli Demi̇rel, Ahsen Yüksek

Turkish Journal of Zoology

Seasonal changes in the distribution of an important commercial and recreational fish species, Trachurus mediterraneus (Steindachner, 1868), from the family Carangidae were investigated in the Golden Horn Estuary of İstanbul. Environmental conditions were also considered to evaluate distributional patterns in the region. Sampled fish size ranged between 7.5 and 20.1 cm in total length and 3.4 and 86.2 g in total weight during the sampling period. Adult individuals (>12.5 cm) preferred not to be in the estuary during the summer period, while only immature adults were found with a 7.5-12.5 cm total length size range from May to August …

Effects Of Salinity Tolerances On Survival And Life History Of 2 Cladocerans, Di̇dem Gökçe, Duygu Özhan Turhan

Turkish Journal of Zoology

Salinity alterations in freshwater ecosystems greatly affect the survival and life history of zooplankton and, therefore, have an effect on higher trophic levels. Salinity is an essential and critical factor in determining the presence, dominance, and succession of organisms. After being collected in the field, Scapholeberis mucronata and Simocephalus vetulus were brought to the laboratory in water. Under laboratory conditions (24 ± 1 °C; 16:8 h photoperiod), we evaluated the effect of different salt concentrations on the neonates. The LC_{50} values were determined at different halotolerance levels for S. mucronata (0.375 g L^{-1}) and S. vetulus (0.250 g L^{-1}). Results …

Deer On The Railway Line: Spatiotemporal Trends In Mortality Patterns Of Roe Deer, Tomas Kusta, Michaela Hola, Zdenek Keken, Milos Jezek, Tomas Zika, Vlastimil Hart

Turkish Journal of Zoology

Traffic-related mortality of free-ranging animals is among the most commonly observed human-wildlife conflicts. These conflicts pose serious threats to human safety as well as having great economic consequences. Although considerable attention has been paid to the role of roads in affecting free-ranging animals, the effects of railways have been less studied. Our study provides initial insights into the spatial and temporal variability of the roe deer-train collisions at 4 selected railway sections in the Czech Republic. Using data on 69 roe deer-train collisions collected during 2009, we tested the effects of railway section length, train frequency, relative abundance of roe …

New Teratological Cases In Platygastridae And Pteromalidae (Hymenoptera), Ovidiu Alin Popovici, Mircea Dan Mitroiu, David G. Notton

Turkish Journal of Zoology

Very few cases of teratological specimens, i.e. specimens displaying morphological abnormalities, have been cited among Platygastridae and Pteromalidae. From the Platygastridae we present 5 cases of symphysocery [A8-A9 in Metaclisis sp.; A3-A5 and A7-A9 in Sceliomorpha sp.; A5-A6 in Scelio sp. 1; A9-A10 in Idris sp., and a completely modified antenna in Gryon monspeliense (Picard 1924)]; a helicomery in Opisthacantha sp.; a hypertrophied interantennal prominence and central keel in Triteleia peyerimhoffi (Kieffer 1906); a schistocery concerning A5 in Apegus sp.; and a gynandromorph specimen of Scelio sp. 2. In the Pteromalidae we found 2 cases of symphysocery in Systasis parvula …

Does Light Duration (Photoperiod) Have An Effect On The Mortality And Welfare Of Cultured Oreochromis Niloticus And Clarias Gariepinus?, Moshood Keke Mustapha, Olatoyosi Taofeek Oladokun, Mubarak Mayowa Salman, Idris Adewale Adeniyi, Dele Ojo

Turkish Journal of Zoology

One hundred and eighty juveniles of Oreochromis niloticus with a respective smean total length and weight of 7.30 ± 0.5 cm and 7.05 ± 0.5 g and 180 fry of Clarias gariepinus with a mean total length and weight of 14.90 ± 0.1 cm and 32.10 ± 0.5 g were separately cultured in 3 replicates in 18 plastic tanks (1 × 1 × 0.5 m; 200 L), 9 for O. niloticus and 9 for C. gariepinus, for photoperiods of 24 L: 0 D, 0 L: 24 D, and 12 L: 12 D for 13 weeks. Mortality and welfare impairment were …

One-Pot Heteroconjugate Addition-Diels-Alder Reactions And Acetate-Catalyzed Aldol Reactions Of Α-Silyl Nitriles, Carly Mueller

Honors Theses

1. A one-pot three-step Diels–Alder reaction sequence of ethyl propiolate and thiols can be performed to produce high yields of complex bicyclic products. A KOt-Bu-catalyzed thioconjugate addition of thiols to enoates, oxidation of the generated thioenoate by mCPBA, and Li-catalyzed Diels–Alder addition of cyclopentadiene occur in situ, without any purification of intermediates.
2. Stereoselectivity of the Diels–Alder product was examined by utilizing a chiral sulfone substrate. It was determined that these substrates were unable to provide significant stereochemical control.
3. Silylation of 3-phenylpropionitrile is achieved at the α-position with trimethylsilyl trifluoromethanesulfonate and trialkylamine base. Catalyzed by tetrabutylammonium acetate (2.5 mol%), …

A Conservative Isoleucine To Leucine Mutation Of Klentaq1 Dna Polymerase 1 Induces Conformational Change For Cold-Sensitive Phenotype, Emma Caroline Materne

Honors Theses

Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) typically employs the Taq or Klentaq1 DNA polymerase from Thermus aquaticus to elongate short sequences of DNA during DNA amplification. Both Taq and Klentaq1 retain activity at room temperature. During assembly of PCR at room temperature, the activity of Taq and Klentaq1 can result in spurious products due to elongation of primers bound to non-target sequences. A mutation of isoleucine to leucine at position 707 of Klentaq1 results in slowing of the enzyme at room temperature without compromising the fidelity of the enzyme. To understand how a mutation over 20Å from the active site can affect …

Agalychnis Dacnicolor—Predation., Víctor H. Jiménez-Arcos, Eric Centenero-Alcala, Leopoldo D. Vázquez Reyes, Christopher Blair, Samuel A. Santa Cruz-Padilla

Publications and Research

No abstract provided.

Do The Inter-Nucleotide Domain Loops Act As An Entropic Sink In The Catalytic Activity Of 3-Phosphoglycerate Dehydrogenase (3pgdh)?, Cristina Adelia Meeham

Honors Theses

In protein science the relationship between protein dynamics and catalytic activity are the subject of considerable contemporary interest. Although protein motions are frequently observed during ligand binding and release steps, the contribution of protein motions to the catalysis of bond making/breaking processes is more difficult to probe and verify. Currently, the field of protein science is trying to uncover the deeper role that dynamics plays in the catalytic activity and allosteric regulation of proteins and to better understand how to more effectively and efficiently target proteins in cancer therapeutics and other metabolic pathways.

Heat Shock Protein 90 Inhibitors Prevent Lps-Induced Endothelial Barrier Dysfunction By Disrupting Rhoa Signaling, Atul D. Joshi, Christiana Dimitropoulou, Gagan S. Thangjam, Connie Snead, Sara Feldman, Nektarios Barabutis, David Fulton, Yali Hou, Sanjiv Kumar, Vijay Patel, Boris Gorshkov, Alexander D. Verin, Stephen M. Black, John D. Catravas

Bioelectrics Publications

Permeability of the endothelial monolayer is increased when exposed to the bacterial endotoxin LPS. Our previous studies have shown that heat shock protein (Hsp) 90 inhibitors protect and restore LPS-mediated hyperpermeability in bovine pulmonary arterial endothelial cells. In this study, we assessed the effect of Hsp90 inhibition against LPS-mediated hyperpermeability in cultured human lung microvascular endothelial cells (HLMVECs) and delineated the underlying molecular mechanisms. We demonstrate that Hsp90 inhibition is critical in the early phase, to prevent LPS-mediated hyperpermeability, and also in the later phase, to restore LPS-mediated hyperpermeability in HLMVECs. Because RhoA is a well known mediator of endothelial …

Global Priorities For Marine Biodiversity Conservation, Elizabeth R. Selig, Will R. Turner, Sebastian Troëng, Bryan P. Wallace, Kristin Kaschner, Ben G. Lascelles, Kent E. Carpenter, Russell A. Mittermeier

Biological Sciences Faculty Publications

In recent decades, many marine populations have experienced major declines in abundance, but we still know little about where management interventions may help protect the highest levels of marine biodiversity. We used modeled spatial distribution data for nearly 12,500 species to quantify global patterns of species richness and two measures of endemism. By combining these data with spatial information on cumulative human impacts, we identified priority areas where marine biodiversity is most and least impacted by human activities, both within Exclusive Economic Zones (EEZs) and Areas Beyond National Jurisdiction (ABNJ). Our analyses highlighted places that are both accepted priorities for …

Host-Specialization Of Bartonella In Flea Vectors Collected From Black-Tailed Prairie Dogs, Mark D. Massaro

Honors Theses

At least 22 species of Bartonella bacteria have been named and many are associated with one of a list of potential mammalian reservoirs and arthropod vectors. One example of such a system is the parasitism of black-tailed prairie dogs (Cynomys ludovicianus) of the Western U.S. by Oropyslla hirsuta and Pulex simulans fleas. These vectors are thought to maintain B. washoensis infection in these mammals, but little is known about their role in the specialization of this strain to this reservoir. We found that the more specialist O. hirsuta fleas were much more likely to be infected with B. washoensis than …

"Mining" For A Reference Condition In Southern West Virginia Streams, Matthew Rouch

Theses and Dissertations

Quarterly samples were used to estimate assemblage-level (all species combined) fish production within three minimally-impacted, southern West Virginia streams. The total annual fish production estimate was highest in Slaunch Fork (37.52 kg∙ha^-1∙y^-1), a tributary of the Tug Fork River, and lowest in Cabin Creek (10.59 kg∙ha^-1∙y^-1), a Guyandotte River tributary. Creek Chub Semotilus atromaculatus, Mottled Sculpin Cottus bairdii and Blacknose Dace Rhinicthys atratulus were the most abundant species among sites, accounting for >90% of all sampled individuals. Reference condition criteria were also selected and metrics calculated for each of the three …

Methanol And Ethanol Modulate Responses To Danger- And Microbe- Associated Molecular Patterns In Tomato, Tobacco And Arabidopsis, Claire Teresa Hann

Theses and Dissertations

Methanol is a byproduct of cell wall modification. It is released through the action of pectin methylesterases (PMEs), which demethylate cell wall pectins. Plant PMEs play not only a role in developmental processes but also in responses to herbivory and infection by fungal or microbial pathogens, resulting in increased methanol release. To break down the cell wall barrier, pathogens employ their own PMEs. Interestingly, the infection process also regulates the expression of certain plant PMEs. Methanol is toxic to a number of herbivores and reduces their fitness. At high concentrations, it upregulates signaling and defense genes. However, molecular mechanisms that …

Population Analysis And Protein Stability Assays Illustrate Xenobiotic Metabolizing Enzymes Have No Detectable Effect On Breast Cancer Development And Progression, Thomas Daniel Crowder

Theses and Dissertations

Xenobiotic Metabolizing Pathway works to detoxify the cell from numerous carcinogenic, mutagenic, and toxic hydrophobic compounds. As a member of the phase I enzymes (the first phase in the Xenobiotic Metabolizing Pathway) the Cytochrome P-450 Family 1 Sub-family B Protein 1 (Cyp1B1) works to attach an oxygen molecule to its hydrophobic substrate. In performing this reaction, Cyp1B1 often increases the reactivity of the xenobiotic compound. If these reactive Cyp1B1 products migrate into the nucleus and they can cause damage by reacting with DNA. However, the Glutathione S-Transferase Theta 1 (GSTT1) and Glutathione S-Transferase Mu 1 (GSTM1), members of the phase …

Parenteral Nutrition Web-Based Order Writing: Educating Prescribers Utilizing A Network-Wide Computerized E-Learning Tool, Judy Holaska Rd, Ms, Cnsc , Ldn

Clinical Nutrition Service

No abstract provided.

Resistance To Iris Yellow Spot Virus And Onion Thrips Among Onion Varieties Grown In Kenya, R. K. Birithia, S. Subramanian, J. W. Muthomi, R. D. Narla

All Peer-Reviewed Publications

Iris yellow spot virus (IYSV) vectored by Thrips tabaci threatens profitable onion production in eastern Africa. Host plant resistance is considered to be the first line of defence against insect-transmitted virus diseases. Hence, information on resistance to IYSV and T. tabaci among common onion cultivars in Kenya is crucial for the development of integrated pest management strategies. This study evaluated the resistance to thrips and IYSV among widely grown onion cultivars in Kenya, viz. Red Pinoy, Red Creole, Bombay Red, Green Bunching and Texas Grano, over two growing seasons. Straw-coloured, diamond-shaped necrotic lesions typical of IYSV infection were observed 2 …

Adaptive Wetland Management In An Uncertain And Changing Arid Environment, Rebekah Downward, Joanna Endter-Wada, Karin M. Kettenring

Environment and Society Faculty Publications

Wetlands in the arid western United States provide rare and critical migratory bird habitat and constitute a critical nexus within larger social-ecological systems (SES) where multiple changing land-use and water-use patterns meet. The Bear River Migratory Bird Refuge in Utah, USA, presents a case study of the ways that wetland managers have created adaptive management strategies that are responsive to the social and hydrological conditions of the agriculture-dominated SES within which they are located. Managers have acquired water rights and constructed infrastructure while cultivating collaborative relationships with other water users to increase the adaptive capacity of the region and decrease …

Studying The Complexity Of Change: Toward An Analytical Framework For Understanding Deliberate Social-Ecological Transformations, Michele-Lee Moore, Ola Tjornbo, Elin Enfors, Corrie Knapp, Jennifer Hodbod, Jacopo A. Baggio, Albert Norström, Per Olsson, Duan Biggs

Environment and Society Faculty Publications

Faced with numerous seemingly intractable social and environmental challenges, many scholars and practitioners are increasingly interested in understanding how to actively engage and transform the existing systems holding such problems in place. Although a variety of analytical models have emerged in recent years, most emphasize either the social or ecological elements of such transformations rather than their coupled nature. To address this, first we have presented a definition of the core elements of a social-ecological system (SES) that could potentially be altered in a transformation. Second, we drew on insights about transformation from three branches of literature focused on radical …

Predictable And Predictive Emotions: Explaining Cheap Signals And Trust Re-Extension, Eric Schniter, Roman M. Sheremeta

ESI Publications

Despite normative predictions from economics and biology, unrelated strangers will often develop the trust necessary to reap gains from one-shot economic exchange opportunities. This appears to be especially true when declared intentions and emotions can be cheaply communicated. Perhaps even more puzzling to economists and biologists is the observation that anonymous and unrelated individuals, known to have breached trust, often make effective use of cheap signals, such as promises and apologies, to encourage trust re-extension. We used a pair of trust games with one-way communication and an emotion survey to investigate the role of emotions in regulating the propensity to …

The Distance From Necessity: A Bourdieusian Analysis Of Gathering Practices In Vermont, Alan Robert Pierce

Antioch University Dissertations & Theses

This study examines why contemporary Americans continue to gather wild plants and fungi. Vermont, a state with a rich history of gathering, serves as a study site. I interviewed twenty-four gatherers using ethnographic methods. I applied a Bourdieusian framework to analyze the differences between gathering practices as they related to gathering knowledge, views of nature, and uses of gathered products. The interviews indicated that gathering is important to the physical and mental well-being of its practitioners and instills a connection to nature as well as to place. Interviewees cited spending time in nature and enjoyment of engaging the senses as …