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Full-Text Articles in Animal Sciences

New Body Mass Estimates For Canis Dirus, The Extinct Pleistocene Dire Wolf, William Anyonge, Christopher Roman Mar 2016

New Body Mass Estimates For Canis Dirus, The Extinct Pleistocene Dire Wolf, William Anyonge, Christopher Roman

Christopher Roman

Quantitative study of the body mass of Canis dirus. Results indicate a mean body mass comparable to the extant gray wolf, suggesting larger individual animals probably exceed the body mass range of extant gray wolves.


Body Mass And Feeding Behaviour In The Extinct Pleistocene Dire Wolf, Canis Dirus, Christopher Roman Mar 2016

Body Mass And Feeding Behaviour In The Extinct Pleistocene Dire Wolf, Canis Dirus, Christopher Roman

Christopher Roman

Published abstract of paper presented at the Sixty-Third Annual Meeting Society of Vertebrate Paleontology Science Museum of Minnesota St. Paul, Minnesota October 15-18, 2003.


Pre-Settlement History May Obscure The Effect Of Forest Fragmentation On Genetic Variation In Eastern Red-Backed Salamanders, Mark Jordan, Douglas Morris, Scott Gibson Nov 2012

Pre-Settlement History May Obscure The Effect Of Forest Fragmentation On Genetic Variation In Eastern Red-Backed Salamanders, Mark Jordan, Douglas Morris, Scott Gibson

Mark A. Jordan

No abstract provided.


The Effects Of Water And Habitat Quality On Amphibian Assemblages In Two Midwest Watersheds, Abel Castaneda, Mark Jordan Nov 2012

The Effects Of Water And Habitat Quality On Amphibian Assemblages In Two Midwest Watersheds, Abel Castaneda, Mark Jordan

Mark A. Jordan

No abstract provided.


A Cluster-Based Approach For Biological Hypothesis Testing And Its Application, Ahmed Mustafa Jun 2012

A Cluster-Based Approach For Biological Hypothesis Testing And Its Application, Ahmed Mustafa

Ahmed Mustafa Dr.

No abstract provided.


Teaching Stress Physiology Using Zebrafish (Danio Rerio), Michael Cooper, Shree Dhawale, Ahmed Mustafa Apr 2012

Teaching Stress Physiology Using Zebrafish (Danio Rerio), Michael Cooper, Shree Dhawale, Ahmed Mustafa

Ahmed Mustafa Dr.

A straightforward and inexpensive laboratory experiment is presented that investigates the physiological stress response of zebrafish after a 5 °C increase in water temperature. This experiment is designed for an undergraduate physiology lab and allows students to learn the scientific method and relevant laboratory techniques without causing significant stress to animals. An additional experimental design and a set of additional questions for lab report are also included.


Potential Parthenogenesis In A Viperid Snake, Mark Jordan, Natasha Perrine Mar 2012

Potential Parthenogenesis In A Viperid Snake, Mark Jordan, Natasha Perrine

Mark A. Jordan

No abstract provided.


Assessment Of The Hemorheological Profile Of Koala And Echidna, Oguz Baskurt, Sonya Marshall-Gradisnik, Michael Pyne, Michael Simmonds, Ekua Brenu, Rhys Christy, Herbert Meiselman Feb 2012

Assessment Of The Hemorheological Profile Of Koala And Echidna, Oguz Baskurt, Sonya Marshall-Gradisnik, Michael Pyne, Michael Simmonds, Ekua Brenu, Rhys Christy, Herbert Meiselman

Sonya Marshall-Gradisnik

Koala, a marsupial, and echidna, a monotreme, are mammals native to Australia. Blood viscosity (62.5-1250 s-1), red blood cell (RBC) deformability, RBC aggregation, aggregability and surface charge, and hematological parameters were measured in blood samples from six koalas and six echidnas and compared to adult human blood. Koala had the largest RBC mean cell volume (107.7±2.6 fl) compared to echidna (81.3±2.6 fl) and humans (88.4±1.2 fl). Echidna blood exhibited the highest viscosity over the entire range of shear rates. Echidna RBC were significantly less deformable than koala RBC but more deformable than human RBC. Echidna RBC had significantly lower aggregability …


Haemorheology Of The Eastern Grey Kangaroo And The Tasmanian Devil, Michael Simmonds, Oguz Baskurt, Herbert Meiselman, Michael Pyne, Michael Kakanis, Ekua Brenu, James Keane, Rhys Christy, Sonya Marshall-Gradisnik Feb 2012

Haemorheology Of The Eastern Grey Kangaroo And The Tasmanian Devil, Michael Simmonds, Oguz Baskurt, Herbert Meiselman, Michael Pyne, Michael Kakanis, Ekua Brenu, James Keane, Rhys Christy, Sonya Marshall-Gradisnik

Sonya Marshall-Gradisnik

The blood of two Australian marsupials, the eastern grey kangaroo (Macropus giganteus) and the Tasmanian devil (Sarcophilus harrisii), has been reported to have greater oxygen-carrying capacity (i.e. haemoglobin content) when compared with that of placental mammals. We investigated whether alterations of blood rheological properties are associated with the increased oxygen-carrying capacity of these marsupials. Eastern grey kangaroos (n = 6) and Tasmanian devils (n = 4) were anaesthetised for blood sampling; human blood (n = 6) was also sampled for comparison. Laboratory measurements included blood and plasma viscosity, red blood cell (RBC) deformability, RBC aggregation and the intrinsic tendency of …


Effects Of Capsaicin Supplemented Feed On The Growth And Immune Response Of Coho Salmon, Oncorhynchus Kisutch., Ahmed Mustafa, Paul Mccain, Devin Carr Dec 2011

Effects Of Capsaicin Supplemented Feed On The Growth And Immune Response Of Coho Salmon, Oncorhynchus Kisutch., Ahmed Mustafa, Paul Mccain, Devin Carr

Ahmed Mustafa Dr.

No abstract provided.


Population Genetics Of A Tolerant Fish In An Agriculturally Dominated Watershed, Mark Jordan, Deepal Patel, Matthew Richardville, Kathryn Sanders, Robert Gillespie Dec 2011

Population Genetics Of A Tolerant Fish In An Agriculturally Dominated Watershed, Mark Jordan, Deepal Patel, Matthew Richardville, Kathryn Sanders, Robert Gillespie

Mark A. Jordan

No abstract provided.


Effects Of Vitamin C On Expression Of Stress Genes In Tilapia, Oreochromis Niloticus., Ahmed Mustafa, Sharif Hayat, Jessica Eash Dec 2011

Effects Of Vitamin C On Expression Of Stress Genes In Tilapia, Oreochromis Niloticus., Ahmed Mustafa, Sharif Hayat, Jessica Eash

Ahmed Mustafa Dr.

No abstract provided.


Survey Of Antibiotic Resistant Bacteria In Fish Gut Collected From Selected Sites., Ahmed Mustafa, Hasina Karki, Arlis Lamaster, Bob Gillespie, Shree Dhawale Dec 2011

Survey Of Antibiotic Resistant Bacteria In Fish Gut Collected From Selected Sites., Ahmed Mustafa, Hasina Karki, Arlis Lamaster, Bob Gillespie, Shree Dhawale

Ahmed Mustafa Dr.

No abstract provided.


Effects Of Capsaicin Supplemented Feed On The Growth And Immune Response Of Tilapia, Oreochromis Niloticus, Ahmed Mustafa, Paul Mccain, Devin Carr Dec 2011

Effects Of Capsaicin Supplemented Feed On The Growth And Immune Response Of Tilapia, Oreochromis Niloticus, Ahmed Mustafa, Paul Mccain, Devin Carr

Ahmed Mustafa Dr.

No abstract provided.


Psychology (Addiction: Biology, Psychology And Society), Ahmed Mustafa, Sharon Morgillo, Shree Dhawale Dec 2011

Psychology (Addiction: Biology, Psychology And Society), Ahmed Mustafa, Sharon Morgillo, Shree Dhawale

Ahmed Mustafa Dr.

No abstract provided.


Phenotypic Divergence Despite High Levels Of Gene Flow In Galapagos Lava Lizards (Microlophus Albemarlensis), Mark Jordan, H. Snell, H. Snell, W. Jordan Jul 2011

Phenotypic Divergence Despite High Levels Of Gene Flow In Galapagos Lava Lizards (Microlophus Albemarlensis), Mark Jordan, H. Snell, H. Snell, W. Jordan

Mark A. Jordan

The extent of evolutionary divergence of phenotypes between habitats is predominantly the result of the balance of differential natural selection and gene flow. Lava lizards (Microlophus albemarlensis) on the small island of Plaza Sur in the Galápagos archipelago inhabit contrasting habitats: dense vegetation on the western end of the island thins rapidly in a transitional area, before becoming absent on the eastern half. Associated with these habitats are phenotypic differences in traits linked to predator avoidance (increased wariness, sprint speed, and endurance in lizards from the sparsely vegetated habitat). This population provides an opportunity to test the hypothesis that reduced …


The Influence Of Historical Landscape Change On Genetic Variation And Population Structure Of A Terrestrial Salamander ( Plethodon Cinereus ), Mark Jordan, Douglas Morris, Scott Gibson Jul 2011

The Influence Of Historical Landscape Change On Genetic Variation And Population Structure Of A Terrestrial Salamander ( Plethodon Cinereus ), Mark Jordan, Douglas Morris, Scott Gibson

Mark A. Jordan

Forest loss and fragmentation is expected to shape the genetic structure of amphibian populations and reduce genetic variation. Another factor widely understood to have impacted these same parameters in North America is the range expansion that occurred following glacial retreat at the end of the Pleistocene. The Eastern Red-Backed Salamander (Plethodon cinereus) has been subjected to both processes. In this context, we investigated the historical events that are likely to have shaped genetic variation in this species using a panel of six microsatellite markers screened on individuals sampled across ten localities in northeastern Indiana, USA. We found low genetic diversity …


Historical Fragmentation And Genetic Drift In Populations Of Galápagos Lava Lizards (Microlophus Albemarlensis Complex), Mark Jordan, H. Snell Jul 2011

Historical Fragmentation And Genetic Drift In Populations Of Galápagos Lava Lizards (Microlophus Albemarlensis Complex), Mark Jordan, H. Snell

Mark A. Jordan

No abstract provided.


Mexican Axolotls ( Ambystoma Mexicanum ) Appear To Be Resistant To Ambystoma Tigrinum Virus (Atv), Crystal Paulson, Robert Visalli, Mark Jordan Jul 2011

Mexican Axolotls ( Ambystoma Mexicanum ) Appear To Be Resistant To Ambystoma Tigrinum Virus (Atv), Crystal Paulson, Robert Visalli, Mark Jordan

Mark A. Jordan

No abstract provided.


Effects Of Indian Herbs On The Modulation Of Stress And Immune Response In Tilapia., Ahmed Mustafa, Brittany Byerley, Paul Mccain Dec 2010

Effects Of Indian Herbs On The Modulation Of Stress And Immune Response In Tilapia., Ahmed Mustafa, Brittany Byerley, Paul Mccain

Ahmed Mustafa Dr.

No abstract provided.


Effects Of Dietary Supplementation Of The Acidifier Vitoxal-Mionix On Growth, Survival, Immune Response And Gut Microbiota Of The Pacific White Shrimp, Litopenaeus Vannamei, Ahmed Mustafa, Davies Anuta, Alehandro Buentello, Susmita Patnaik, Addison Lawrence, Michaele Hume, Delbert Gatlin, Maurice Kemp Dec 2010

Effects Of Dietary Supplementation Of The Acidifier Vitoxal-Mionix On Growth, Survival, Immune Response And Gut Microbiota Of The Pacific White Shrimp, Litopenaeus Vannamei, Ahmed Mustafa, Davies Anuta, Alehandro Buentello, Susmita Patnaik, Addison Lawrence, Michaele Hume, Delbert Gatlin, Maurice Kemp

Ahmed Mustafa Dr.

No abstract provided.


Molecular Anatomy Of The Developing Limb In The Coqu ́I Frog, Eleutherodactylus Coqui, Joshua Gross, Ryan Kerney, James Hanken, Clifford Tabin Dec 2010

Molecular Anatomy Of The Developing Limb In The Coqu ́I Frog, Eleutherodactylus Coqui, Joshua Gross, Ryan Kerney, James Hanken, Clifford Tabin

Ryan Kerney

The vertebrate limb demonstrates remark- able similarity in basic organization across phylogenetically disparate groups. To gain further insight into how this mor- phological similarity is maintained in different developmental contexts, we explored the molecular anatomy of size-reduced embryos of the Puerto Rican coqu ́ı frog, Eleutherodactylus coqui. This animal demonstrates direct development, a life- history strategy marked by rapid progression from egg to adult and absence of a free-living, aquatic larva. Nonethe- less, coqu ́ı exhibits a basal anuran limb structure, with four toes on the forelimb and five toes on the hind limb. We in- vestigated the extent to …


Effects Of Indian Herbs On The Modulation Of Stress And Immune Response In Tilapia., Ahmed Mustafa, Brittany Byerley, Hasina Karki Dec 2010

Effects Of Indian Herbs On The Modulation Of Stress And Immune Response In Tilapia., Ahmed Mustafa, Brittany Byerley, Hasina Karki

Ahmed Mustafa Dr.

No abstract provided.


Levels Of Biological Organization And The Origin Of Novelty, Brian Hall, Ryan Kerney Dec 2010

Levels Of Biological Organization And The Origin Of Novelty, Brian Hall, Ryan Kerney

Ryan Kerney

The concept of novelty in evolutionary biology pertains to multiple tiers of biological organization from behavioral and morphological changes to changes at the molecular level. Identifying novel features requires assessments of similarity (homology and homoplasy) of relationships (phylogenetic history) and of shared developmental and genetic pathways or networks. After a brief discussion of how novelty is used in recent literature, we discuss whether the evolutionary approach to homology and homoplasy initially formulated by Lankester in the 19th century informs our understanding of novelty today. We then discuss six examples of morphological features described in the recent literature as novelties, and …


Feasibility Of Farming Nile Tilapia, Oreochromis Niloticus (L.), In Suboptimal Water Temperature, Ahmed Mustafa, Laura Randolph, Shree Dhawale Dec 2010

Feasibility Of Farming Nile Tilapia, Oreochromis Niloticus (L.), In Suboptimal Water Temperature, Ahmed Mustafa, Laura Randolph, Shree Dhawale

Ahmed Mustafa Dr.

No abstract provided.


Effects Of Indian Herbs On The Modulation Of Stress And Immune Response In Tilapia, Ahmed Mustafa, Brittany Byerley, Paul Mccain Dec 2010

Effects Of Indian Herbs On The Modulation Of Stress And Immune Response In Tilapia, Ahmed Mustafa, Brittany Byerley, Paul Mccain

Ahmed Mustafa Dr.

No abstract provided.


Embryonic Staging Table For A Direct- Developing Salamander, Plethodon Cinereus (Plethodontidae), Ryan Kerney Dec 2010

Embryonic Staging Table For A Direct- Developing Salamander, Plethodon Cinereus (Plethodontidae), Ryan Kerney

Ryan Kerney

This work presents a refined staging table for the direct-developing red-backed salamander Plethodon cinereus, which is based on the incom- plete staging system of James Norman Dent (J Morphol 1942; 71:577– 601). This common species from eastern North America is a member of the species-rich lungless salamander family Plethodontidae. The stag- ing table presented here covers several stages omitted by Dent and reveals novel developmental features of P. cinereus embryos. These include putative Leydig cells and open gill clefts, which are found in lar- vae of metamorphosing species but were previously reported as absent in direct-developing Plethodon. Other features found …


Regulatory Elements Of Xenopus Col2a1 Drive Cartilaginous Gene Expression In Transgenic Frogs, Ryan Kerney, Brian K. Hall, James Hanken Dec 2009

Regulatory Elements Of Xenopus Col2a1 Drive Cartilaginous Gene Expression In Transgenic Frogs, Ryan Kerney, Brian K. Hall, James Hanken

Ryan Kerney

This study characterizes regulatory elements of collagen 2α1 (col2a1) in Xenopus that enable transgene expression in cartilage-forming chondrocytes. The reporters described in this study drive strong cartilage-specific gene expression, which will be a valuable tool for further investigations of Xenopus skeletal development. While endogenous col2a1 mRNA is expressed in many embryonic tissues, its expression becomes restricted to tadpole and adult chondrocytes. This chondrocyte-specific expression is recapitulated by col2a1 reporter constructs, which were tested through I-SceI meganuclease-mediated transgenesis. These constructs contain a portion of the Xenopus tropicalis col2a1 intron, which aligns to a cartilage-specific intronic enhancer that has been well characterized …


Skeletal Advance And Arrest In Giant Non-Metamorphosing African Clawed Frog Tadpoles (Xenopus Laevis: Daudin), Ryan Kerney, Richard Wassersug, Brian Hall Dec 2008

Skeletal Advance And Arrest In Giant Non-Metamorphosing African Clawed Frog Tadpoles (Xenopus Laevis: Daudin), Ryan Kerney, Richard Wassersug, Brian Hall

Ryan Kerney

This study examines the skeletons of giant non-metamorphosing (GNM) Xenopus laevis tadpoles, which arrest their development indefinitely before metamorphosis, and grow to excessively large sizes in the absence of detectable thyroid glands. Cartilage growth is isometric; however, chondrocyte size is smaller in GNM tadpoles than in controls. Most cartilages stain weakly with alcian blue, and several cartilages are calcified (unlike con- trols). However, cartilages subjacent to periosteum-derived bone retain strong affinities for alcian blue, indicat- ing a role for periosteum-derived bone in the retention of glycosaminoglycans during protracted larval growth. Bone formation in the head, limb, and axial skeletons is …


Cranial Ontogeny In Philautus Silus (Anura: Ranidae: Rhacophorinae) Reveals Few Similarities With Other Direct-Developing Anurans, Ryan Kerney, Madhava Meegaskumbura, Kelum Manamendra-Arachchi, James Hanken Dec 2006

Cranial Ontogeny In Philautus Silus (Anura: Ranidae: Rhacophorinae) Reveals Few Similarities With Other Direct-Developing Anurans, Ryan Kerney, Madhava Meegaskumbura, Kelum Manamendra-Arachchi, James Hanken

Ryan Kerney

Direct development has evolved in rhaco- phorine frogs independently from other anuran lineages, thereby offering an opportunity to assess features associ- ated with this derived life history. Using a developmen- tal series of the direct-developing Philautus silus (Ranidae: Rhacophorinae) from Sri Lanka, we examine features of cranial morphology that are part of a suite of adaptations that facilitate feeding in free-living tadpoles, but have been changed or lost in other direct-developing lineages. Larval-specific upper jaw cartilages, which are absent from many non-rhacophorine direct-developing species (such as Eleutherodactylus coqui), develop in embryos of P. silus. Similarly, lower jaw cartilages ini- tially …