Life Sciences Commons^™

Eight-Legged Encounters—Arachnids, Volunteers, And Art Help To Bridge The Gap Between Informal And Formal Science Learning, Eileen Hebets, Melissa Welch-Lazoritz, Pawl Tisdale, Patricia Wonch Hill

Eileen Hebets Publications

Increased integration and synergy between formal and informal learning environments is proposed to provide multiple benefits to science learners. In an effort to better bridge these two learning contexts, we developed an educational model that employs the charismatic nature of arachnids to engage the public of all ages in science learning; learning that aligns with the Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS Disciplinary Core Ideas associated with Biodiversity and Evolution). We created, implemented, and evaluated a family-focused, interactive science event—Eight-Legged Encounters (ELE)—which encompasses more than twenty modular activities. Volunteers facilitated participant involvement at each activity station and original …

16s And Coi Barcoding Sequences For Crustaceans Collected From The Northern Gulf Of Mexico For Cruises Dp02, Dp03, And Dp04 From August 2015 - August 2016, Heather Bracken-Grissom Dr.

DEEPEND Datasets

These are the 16S and COI barcoding sequences for crustaceans collected on cruises DP02, DP03, and DP04. These barcodes, obtained from the species we collected, will be used to aid in species identification efforts, evolutionary relationships analyses, adult-larval linkages, and new species discoveries. Samples were taken from animals collected during cruises that took place in the northern Gulf of Mexico from August 2015 - August 2016.

An Engineer Cantonment Bestiary: The Art Of Titian Ramsay Peale, Hugh H. Genoways, Thomas E. Labedz

University of Nebraska State Museum: Mammalogy Papers

Includes an overview of the work of American nature artist Titian Ramsay Peale as part of the Stephen H. Long Expedition, 1819-1820, at Engineer Cantonment in eastern Nebraska, USA.

Includes textual descriptions and/or reproductions of watercolors and lined drawings by Peale of banded killifish (Fundulus diaphanous), American White Pelican (Pelecanus erythrothynchos), Wood Duck (Aix sponsa), Rough-legged Hawk (Buteo lagopus/Falco lagopus), Sandhill Crane (Grus canadensis tabida), Pectoral Sandpiper (Calidris melanotos), Scarlet Tanager (Piranga olivacea), American Tree Sparrow (Spizella arborea), Yellow-headed Blackbird (Xanthocephalus …

Pennsylvania Planthoppers (Hemiptera: Auchenorrhyncha: Fulgoroidea): Relative Abundance And Incidental Catch Using Novel Trapping Methods, Lawrence Barringer, Charles R. Bartlett

Insecta Mundi

We present an abundance-based checklist of Pennsylvania planthoppers (Hemiptera: Auchenorrhyncha: Fulgoroidea) compiled from available literature and 13,718 specimens. A substantial portion of the latter were bycatch from Lindgren funnel and panel traps intended to intercept wood-boring beetle species, and a directed survey for the spotted lanternfly (Lycorma delicatula (White)). The known planthopper fauna of Pennsylvania consists of 10 families, 54 genera and 139 species including 34 new state species records (and 12 new genera). In an attempt to assess the level of completeness of this survey, we compiled an abundance-based checklist of planthopper species found in states adjacent to …

Cyclocephala Labidion Ratcliffe, A New Report For The Fauna Of Nicaragua (Scarabaeidae: Dynastinae: Cyclocephalini), Jean Michel Maes, Brett C. Ratcliffe

Department of Entomology: Faculty Publications

Se redescribe e ilustra Cyclocephala labidion Ratcliffe, nuevo reporte para la fauna de Nicaragua. Se compara con otras especies de aspecto similar, principalmente Cyclocephala lunulata Burmeister, con quien es casi idéntica.

Cyclocephala labidion Ratcliffe is reported for first time from Nicaragua, described, illustrated, and compared with other species similar in appearance, especially Cyclocephala lunulata Burmeister with which it is nearly identical externally.

Flowering Dogwood Survives Exotic Attack, W. John Hayden

Biology Faculty Publications

It has been said that loss of native biodiversity from the effects of invasive exotic species is second only to that caused by outright habitat destruction. In the world of plants, some of the worst offenders are exotic species that actively invade intact natural habitats and, by their aggressive tendencies, crowd out native species. Attack by lianas (woody climbing plants) such as Japanese Honeysuckle (Lonicera japonica) and Oriental Bittersweet (Celastrus orbiculatus) can include effects similar to strangulation, brought on by twining around their host plant’s stems. It is not always the host, however, for which the …

New Contributions To The Turkish Ascomycota, Abdullah Kaya, Yasi̇n Uzun

Turkish Journal of Botany

Nine discomycete and one sordariomycete (Ascomycota) species are reported for the first time from Turkey. The genera Coccomyces, Kompsoscypha, Pseudopithyella, Strobiloscypha, and Lasiosphaeris have not been reported before in the country. Anthracobia, Plicaria, Sclerotinia, and Pithya species are new records added to the previous knowledge. Macro- and micromorphological descriptions and illustrations for each new taxon are provided.

Spatial Variability In The Diversity And Structure Of Faunal Assemblages Associated With Kelp Holdfasts (Laminaria Hyperborea) In The Northeast Atlantic, Harry Teagle, Pippa J. Moore, Helen Jenkins, Dan A. Smale

Research outputs 2014 to 2021

Kelp species are ecologically-important habitat-formers in coastal marine ecosystems, where they alter environmental conditions and promote local biodiversity by providing complex biogenic habitat for an array of associated organisms. While it is widely accepted that kelps harbour significant biodiversity, our current understanding of spatiotemporal variability in kelp-associated assemblages and the key environmental drivers of variability patterns remains limited. Here we examined the influence of ocean temperature and wave exposure on the structure of faunal assemblages associated with the holdfasts of Laminaria hyperborea, the dominant habitat-forming kelp in the northeast Atlantic. We sampled holdfasts from 12 kelp-dominated open-coast sites nested …

Morphological, Chemical, And Genetic Diversity Of Gypsophila L. (Caryophyllaceae) Species And Their Potential Use In The Pharmaceutical Industry, Barbara Kolodziej, Sylwia Okon, Aleksandra Nucia, Tomasz Ociepa, Katarzyna Luchowska, Danuta Sugier, Reneta Gevrenova, Max Henry

Turkish Journal of Botany

The aim of this study was to evaluate the morphological, chemical, and genetic similarity of species belonging to the genus Gypsophila L. The analysis included 7 Gypsophila species with potential use in the pharmaceutical industry for saponin production. In order to assess the variation of the morphological traits, a number of morphological characteristics have been determined (including the number of lateral roots, diameter and total root length, average plant height, number of shoots and their diameter, number of branches on the shoot, length and width of leaves, and fresh and air-dried weight of aerial and underground parts of plants), while …

New Additions To The Turkish Pezizales, Yasi̇n Uzun, Semi̇ha Yakar, İbrahi̇m Hali̇l Karacan, Abdullah Kaya

Turkish Journal of Botany

Twelve members of the order Pezizales are recorded for the first time from Turkey: Ascobolus carbonarius P.Karst.; A. crenulatus P.Karst.; A. foliicola Berk. & Broome; A. immersus Pers.; Saccobolus glaber (Pers.) Lambotte; Thecotheus holmskioldii (E.C.Hansen) Eckblad (Ascobolaceae Boud. ex Sacc.); Lasiobolus cuniculi Velen. (Ascodesmidaceae J.Schröt.); Barssia hellenica Kaounas, Agnello, P.Alvarado & Slavova (Helvellaceae Fr.); Marcelleina atroviolacea Brumm.; M. rickii (Rehm) Graddon (Pezizaceae Dumort.); Cheilymenia pulcherrima (P.Crouan & H.Crouan) Boud.; and Sepultariella semi-immersa (P.Karst.) Van Vooren, U.Lindem. & Healy (Pyronemataceae Corda). Three of them, S. glaber (Pers.) Lambotte; B. hellenica Kaounas, Agnello, P.Alvarado & Slavova; and S. semi-immersa (P.Karst.) Svrcek, are …

Notes On The Genus Frondaria (Orchidaceae) With Description Of New Species, Dariusz Szlachetko, Marta Kolanowska, Max Rykaczewski

Turkish Journal of Botany

The specific diversity of Neotropical orchid genus Frondaria is evaluated based on morphological data. Frondaria was considered a monospecific taxon for years; however, our recent studies on Andean orchids indicated that it is actually much more variable. Within Colombian material, we found a species which does not fit the morphological description of F. caulescens and described it here as a new species named F. colombiana . The novelty is characterized by inflorescence being three times as long as the ramicaul, the tridentate leaf apex with middle tooth as long as lateral ones, papillate apices of sepals, and oblong-ligulate lip middle …

Biodiversity And Evolution In The Guiana Shield, South America, Andrew Michael Snyder

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The neotropics are characterized as the most species rich region in the world. Unfortunately, the region's unparalleled biodiversity has not protected it from ongoing threats such as agriculture, mining, logging, oil extraction, and climate change. I studied the biodiversity and evolution of the herpetofauna of South America in order to investigate the influence of historical geological and climatological events in shaping extant neotropical diversity, particularly the Guiana shield. For my research, I set out to explore the processes involved in shaping the remarkable extant diversity using anuran amphibians as models. With my dissertation, I provide a comprehensive review of the …

Impacts Of Strategic Grazing And Fire On Soil Seed Bank Heterogeneity In Mixed-Grass Prairie, Kassidy Weathers, Lan Xu, Patricia Johnson

Natural Resource Management Faculty Publications

Native plant communities in the Northern Great Plains evolved under periodic fire and substantial grazing pressure from native herbivores, two main drivers maintaining the heterogeneity of grassland ecosystems. However, contemporary management practices focus on maximizing livestock production through fire suppression and uniform grazing strategies, resulting in decreased vegetation heterogeneity, species richness, wildlife habitat, and biodiversity. Objectives of this study were to evaluate and compare the effectiveness of patch-burn grazing (PBG) and winter-patch grazing (WPG) managements on soil seed bank heterogeneity in terms of species 1) richness, 2) composition, 3) abundance, and 4) diversity. Two soil cores (10-cm dia × 10-cm …

Additional Records Of Acanthocephalan Parasites From Arkansas Fishes, With New Records From Missouri Fishes, Chris T. Mcallister, Michael A. Barger, Henry W. Robison

Journal of the Arkansas Academy of Science

Over the last decade, our research consortium has provided information on acanthocephalan parasites of Arkansas vertebrates, including records from some of the state’s fishes. Here, we continue to provide data on new geographic and new host records of acanthocephalans from Arkansas fishes. In addition, for the first time, we report records of acanthocephalans for some Missouri fishes. We document 2 new state records as well as 10 new host records for some fish acanthocephalans.

Additional County Records Of Invertebrates From Arkansas, Chris T. Mcallister, Henry W. Robison, Renn Tumlison

Journal of the Arkansas Academy of Science

No abstract provided.

Evaluating Wildlife Vulnerability To Mercury Pollution From Artisanal And Small-Scale Gold Mining In Madre De Dios, Peru, K. E. Markham, Florencia Sangermano

Geography

Illegal, artisanal and small-scale gold mining (ASGM) often occurs in remote highly biodiverse areas, such as the Madre de Dios region of Peru. Mercury used in gold mining bioaccumulates in the environment and poses developmental, hormonal, and neurological threats to wildlife. The impact of ASGM on biodiversity remains largely unknown. We used geographic information science to create a spatial model of pollution risk from mining sites, in order to predict locations and species assemblages at risk. Multicriteria evaluation was used to determine how flow accumulation, distance from mining areas, total suspended sediment load, and soil porosity influenced the vulnerability of …

New Species And New Records Of Lichenized Ascomycota From Tropicaldeciduous Forests Of The Western Ghats Biodiversity Hotspot, India, Sumesh Dudani, Sanjeeva Nayaka, Komal Ingle, Siljo Joseph

Turkish Journal of Botany

Stirtonia ghattensis Sumesh N. Dudani, Nayaka, Komal K. Ingle & S. Joseph sp. nov. having UV+ white thallus, 4-6-spored asci, and 5(-7)-septate ascospores and lacking lichen substances is described as new to science. Pertusaria mesotropa Müll. Arg. is reported for the first time from India. Bacidia subannexa (Nyl.) Zahlbr., Graphis caesiella Vain., G. handelii Zahlbr., Hemithecium scariosum Makhija & Adaw., and Pertusaria coccodes (Ach.) Nyl. are new records for Western Ghats. Arthothelium aphanocarpum (Nyl.) Zahlbr., which had a restricted distribution in the Andaman Islands, is collected from the mainland of India for the first time. An updated world key for …

Local Loss And Spatial Homogenization Of Plant Diversity Reduce Ecosystem Multifunctionality, Yann Hautier, Forest Isbell, Elizabeth T. Borer, Eric W. Seabloom, W. Stanley Harpole, Eric M. Lind, Andrew S. Macdougall, Carly J. Stevens, Peter B. Adler, Juan Alberti, Jonathan D. Bakker, Lars A. Brudvig, Yvonne M. Buckley, Marc Cadotte, Maria C. Caldeira, Enrique J. Chaneton, Chengjin Chu, Pedro Daleo, Christopher R. Dickman, John M. Dwyer, Anu Eskelinen, Philip A Fay, Jennifer Firn, Nicole Hagenah, Helmut Hillebrand, Oscar Iribarne, Kevin P. Kirkman, Johannes M. H. Knops, Kimberly J. La Pierre, Rebecca L. Mcculley

Plant and Soil Sciences Faculty Publications

Biodiversity is declining in many local communities while also becoming increasingly homogenized across space. Experiments show that local plant species loss reduces ecosystem functioning and services, but the role of spatial homogenization of community composition and the potential interaction between diversity at different scales in maintaining ecosystem functioning remains unclear, especially when many functions are considered (ecosystem multifunctionality). We present an analysis of eight ecosystem functions measured in 65 grasslands worldwide. We find that more diverse grasslands—those with both species-rich local communities (α-diversity) and large compositional differences among localities (β-diversity)—had higher levels of multifunctionality. Moreover, α- and β-diversity synergistically affected …

Can Increasing Grass-Fungal Endophyte Symbiotic Diversity Enhance Grassland Ecosystem Functioning?, Mahtaab Bagherzadeh

Theses and Dissertations--Plant and Soil Sciences

The relationship between biodiversity and ecosystem functioning is important in maintaining agroecosystem sustainability. Plant-microbe symbioses, such as exists between the grass tall fescue (Schedonorus arundinaceum) and the asexual fungal endophyte Epichloë coenophiala, can be utilized to enhance agroecosystem functions, such as herbivore resistance. “Novel” E. coenophiala strains that vary in the production of mammal- and insect-toxic compounds have been identified, inserted into tall fescue cultivars, and are planted in pastures globally. Novel fungal endophyte-tall fescue associations may have divergent ecosystem function effects. This study assessed effects of different fescue-endophyte symbiotic combinations on pasture ecosystem function, including aboveground …

The Ability Of Phyllospadix Spp., A Pair Of Intertidal Foundation Species, To Maintain Biodiversity And Ameliorate Co2 Stress In Rocky Shore Tidepools, Tayler M. Tharaldson

Cal Poly Humboldt theses and projects

Ocean acidification (OA) is often demonstrated to have negative effects on marine organisms, but less is known about whether marine organisms can mediate OA effects. I examined relationships between surfgrass (Phyllospadix spp.), a foundation species and tidepool biodiversity, and its ability to mediate fluctuations in pH and dissolved oxygen (OA; DO) which are stressors in tidepools. I surveyed tidepools in northern California, where I quantified biodiversity, pH, and DO, and related those variables to surfgrass abundance. Laboratory and field experiments manipulating CO₂ and surfgrass presence were done to examine surfgrass effects on day/night pH and DO fluctuations …

Variations In Afrolaophonte Pori Masry, 1970 (Copepoda: Harpacticoida: Laophontidae): A Contribution Towards The Revision Of The Genus, Serdar Sönmez, Süphan Karaytuğ, Serdar Sak, Alp Alper

Turkish Journal of Zoology

Afrolaophonte pori was originally described from the interstitial habitats of Israel and subsequently reported from Italy and the Aegean coasts of Turkey. It is the only representative of the genus in the Mediterranean Sea. The aim of this study is to present a detailed redescription of A. pori based on extensive material from different parts of the species' range to provide geographic distributional data and to reveal variations within and between the populations. We have examined numerous specimens collected from the Aegean and Mediterranean Turkish coasts and have presented a detailed redescription of both sexes. Despite the fact that the …

The First Annotated Checklist Of Mayflies (Ephemeroptera: Insecta) Of Georgia With New Distribution Data And A New Record For The Country, Sophio Gabelashvili, Levan Mumladze, Ani Bikashvili, Pavel Sroka, Roman J. Godunko, Bella Japoshvili

Turkish Journal of Zoology

The first comprehensive checklist of mayflies (Ephemeroptera) of Georgia is provided based on literature data supplemented by our unpublished data, including extensive samples in 2013-2017, works with the collections and types, faunistic observations, and taxonomical contributions. Records of 75 species are provided, with one species reported as a new finding for the country. Notes about the taxonomic status of several species are given. The present contribution represents the first publication of this kind for mayflies within the whole Caucasus area.

Benthic Invertebrates Associated With Subfossil Cold-Water Coral Frames And Hardgrounds In The Albanian Deep Waters (Adriatic Sea), Ina Nasto, Frine Cardone, Francesco Mastrototaro, Piero Panetta, Antonietta Rosso, Rosanna Sanfilippo, Marco Taviani, Angelo Tursi

Turkish Journal of Zoology

The fauna collected associated with subfossil Lophelia pertusa and Dendrophyllia cornigera coral samples and hardgrounds from Albanian waters between 190?230 m is discussed. Eighty-three benthic species are recorded: 2 Foraminifera, 22 Porifera, 6 Cnidaria, 25 Mollusca, 14 Annelida, 1 Arthropoda, 12 Bryozoa, and 1 Echinodermata. Seventy-four species are new records for the poorly investigated Albanian deep waters.

Subcontinental Heat Wave Triggers Terrestrial And Marine, Multi-Taxa Responses, Katinka X. Ruthrof, David D. Breshears, Joseph B. Fontaine, Ray H. Froend, George Matusick, Jatin Kala, Ben P. Miller, Patrick J. Mitchell, Shaun K. Wilson, Mike Van Keulen, Neal J. Enright, Darin J. Law, Thomas Wernberg, Giles E. St. J. Hardy

Research outputs 2014 to 2021

Heat waves have profoundly impacted biota globally over the past decade, especially where their ecological impacts are rapid, diverse, and broad-scale. Although usually considered in isolation for either terrestrial or marine ecosystems, heat waves can straddle ecosystems of both types at subcontinental scales, potentially impacting larger areas and taxonomic breadth than previously envisioned. Using climatic and multi-species demographic data collected in Western Australia, we show that a massive heat wave event straddling terrestrial and maritime ecosystems triggered abrupt, synchronous, and multi-trophic ecological disruptions, including mortality, demographic shifts and altered species distributions. Tree die-off and coral bleaching occurred concurrently in response …

Are Miami Blues In Cuba? A Review Of The Genus Cyclargus Nabokov (Lepidoptera: Lycaenidae) With Implications For Conservation Management, Deborah L. Matthews, Jacqueline Y. Miller, Andrew D. Warren, James K. Toomey, Roger W. Portell, Terry A. Lott, Nick V. Grishin

Insecta Mundi

We review the genus Cyclargus Nabokov (Lepidoptera: Lycaenidae) based on detailed comparative analyses of wing patterns, genitalia, and mitochondrial COI DNA barcode sequences, and suggest that Cyclargus is composed of four species: C. thomasi (Clench), C. woodruffi (W. Comstock and Huntington), C. ammon (Lucas), and C. dominica (Möschler). The following new subjective synonyms are proposed: C. erembis Nabokov syn. n. and C. kathleena K. Johnson and Matusik syn. n. are C. thomasi noeli (W. Comstock and Huntington); C. sorpresus K. Johnson and Matusik syn. n. and C. shuturn K. Johnson and Bálint syn. n. are C. ammon; and Cyclargus …

Agroforestry Standards For Regenerative Agriculture [Review], Craig R. Elevitch, D. Niki Mazaroli, Diane Ragone

United States Department of Agriculture, Forest Service / University of Nebraska-Lincoln: Faculty Publications

Agroforestry is increasingly being recognized as a holistic food production system that can have numerous significant environmental, economic, and social benefits. This growing recognition is paralleled in the USA by the budding interest in regenerative agriculture and motivation to certify regenerative practices. Current efforts to develop a regenerative agriculture certification offer an opportunity to consider agroforestry’s role in furthering regenerative goals. To understand this opportunity, we first examine how agroforestry practices can advance regenerative agriculture’s five core environmental concerns: soil fertility and health, water quality, biodiversity, ecosystem health, and carbon sequestration. Next, we review a subset of certification programs, standards, …

Science At Engineer Cantonment, Hugh H. Genoways, Brett C. Ratcliffe, Carl R. Falk, Thomas E. Labedz, Paul R. Picha, John R. Bozell

University of Nebraska State Museum: Mammalogy Papers

Conclusions

It is our contention that Thomas Say, Titian Peale, Edwin James, and their colleagues of the Stephen Long Expedition of 1819–1820 were heavily engaged in scientific research, which took the form of the first biodiversity inventory undertaken in the United States. This accomplishment has been overlooked both by biologists and historians, but it should rank among the most significant accomplishments of the expedition. The results of this inventory continue to inform us today about environmental, faunal, and floral changes along the Missouri River in an area that is known to be an ecotone between the deciduous forests of the …

Historical Observations And Identifications Of Plants And Animals In The Vicinity Of Engineer Cantonment In 1819-1820, Hugh H. Genoways, Brett C. Ratcliffe, Carl R. Falk, John R. Bozell

University of Nebraska State Museum: Mammalogy Papers

Historical observations and identifications of plants and animals in the vicinity of Engineer Cantonment in 1819–1820 (James 1822) are shown below in Roman and Roman italic print. Specimens identified through phytoarcheological and zooarcheological analysis of materials and believed to be reasonably associated or contemporaneous with the Long Expedition use of the site (AU4) are shown in boldface. Species present in both the historical and archeological data are marked by an asterisk (*). References used in this compilation include Benedict (1996), Brewer (1970 [1840]), Conant and Collins (1991), Ducey (2000), Evans (1997), Falk et al. (this volume), Genoways et al. (2008), …

Saving The Planet Begins With Saving The Coral Reefs, Marla Maconochie

Honors Projects

This honors project uses a children’s book format to aid in explaining the importance of saving the coral reefs. This book will be informing the younger generations about important, yet complicated issues at hand in a way that they can understand and relate to. The book explains how coral reefs are important for oxygen production, biodiversity, research opportunities, protection of coastal environments and for the economy. The children’s book explains how human activities and natural stressors can impact coral survivorship. The book explains how overfishing allows for excessive algal growth that smothers corals and tackles how coral bleaching occurs and …

Fungi Of Forests: Examining The Diversity Of Root-Associated Fungi And Their Responses To Acid Deposition, Donald Jay Nelsen

Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Global importance of forests is difficult to overestimate, given their role in oxygen production, ecological roles in nutrient cycling and supporting numerous living species, and economic value for industry and as recreational zones. Fitness of the forest-forming trees strongly depends on microbial communities associated with tree roots. In particular, fungi impact tree fitness: mycorrhizal species provide water and nutrients for the trees in exchange for C, endophytic fungi play key roles in host defense against pathogenic organisms, and saprotrophic fungi decompose dead organic matter and facilitate nutrient cycling. In addition, pathogenic fungal species strongly affect forest fitness. Despite their importance, …