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Articles 31 - 60 of 10493
Full-Text Articles in Animal Sciences
The Mayfly Newsletter, Donna Giberson
The Mayfly Newsletter, Donna Giberson
The Mayfly Newsletter
The Mayfly Newsletter is the official newsletter of the Permanent Committee of the International Conferences on Ephemeroptera.
Compsobuthus Hadeki Sp. N. From Iraq (Scorpiones: Buthidae), František Kovařík, František Šťáhlavský
Compsobuthus Hadeki Sp. N. From Iraq (Scorpiones: Buthidae), František Kovařík, František Šťáhlavský
Euscorpius
A new species, Compsobuthus hadeki sp. n. from Iraq is described and fully complemented with color photographs and compared with morphologically the most similar species, C. matthiesseni (Birula, 1905). The two species can be unequivocally separated by the following morphological features: in C. hadeki sp. n., movable finger of pedipalp bears 9 rows of granules; telson with aculeus shorter than vesicle, and metasoma III with 10 carinae. Cytogenetic analysis was performed, revealing a diploid chromosome count of 22 in C. hadeki sp. n.
Bat Species Acoustic Detections And Mist Net Captures 2017, 2018, 2019, 2022, 2023, 2025., Laroy Brandt
Bat Species Acoustic Detections And Mist Net Captures 2017, 2018, 2019, 2022, 2023, 2025., Laroy Brandt
Faculty Peer-Reviewed Publications
No abstract provided.
Patterns And Drivers Of Cladocera Community Structure In The Black Sea, Elena Bisinicu, Luminita Lazar
Patterns And Drivers Of Cladocera Community Structure In The Black Sea, Elena Bisinicu, Luminita Lazar
Turkish Journal of Zoology
Cladoceran community dynamics were examined in the Romanian sector of the Black Sea during the warm seasons of 2013– 2020, using Marine Reporting Units (MRUs) to evaluate spatial heterogeneity across transitional, coastal, and marine waters. Analyses of density, biomass, mean individual biomass (MIB), and species composition revealed interannual fluctuations superimposed on strong nearshore–offshore gradients, with higher values in transitional and coastal MRUs. The assemblage was consistently dominated by Pleopis polyphemoides and Penilia avirostris, which together accounted for most of the total abundance and biomass. Multivariate analysis identified significant differences in taxonomic composition across MRUs and years, while correlation analyses highlighted …
Endemism Patterns Of Leaf Beetles (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae) In Türkiye, İsmai̇l Şen, Ali̇ Gök
Endemism Patterns Of Leaf Beetles (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae) In Türkiye, İsmai̇l Şen, Ali̇ Gök
Turkish Journal of Zoology
In this study, the distribution of endemic leaf beetles in Türkiye was analyzed holistically at the provincial scale using species richness (ENR), corrected weighted endemism (CWE), and range-restricted endemism (RRE) indices. A total of 95 endemic taxa were found in Türkiye and these taxa exhibited significant spatial heterogeneity in terms of richness and extent of distribution. The Western and Central Taurus Mountains and the Eastern Black Sea Region were found to be the main centers of endemism, with high densities of narrowly distributed and geographically restricted species. These patterns clearly demonstrate that key biogeographic factors, such as steep elevation gradients, …
Dynamics Of Ant Activity Under Extreme Climatic Changes In 2024: Effects Of Temperature And Humidity On Formica Rufa And Lasius Fuliginosus Behavior, Stanislav Stukalyuk, Mykola Kozyr, Vira Balabukh
Dynamics Of Ant Activity Under Extreme Climatic Changes In 2024: Effects Of Temperature And Humidity On Formica Rufa And Lasius Fuliginosus Behavior, Stanislav Stukalyuk, Mykola Kozyr, Vira Balabukh
Turkish Journal of Zoology
Global warming and extreme heatwaves, which can alter species distribution and ecosystem dynamics, have profound effects on forest ants. This study investigated the impact of summer and autumn 2024 heatwaves on the activity, prey transport, and nest-building of Formica rufa Linnaeus, 1761 and Lasius fuliginosus (Latreille, 1798) in deciduous forests of Kyiv, Ukraine. Fieldwork was conducted from June to September 2024 in Holosiyivo Forest and the Feofaniya tract. Ant colonies were assigned to experimental plots, where logs were placed along foraging trails, or to control plots with unmanipulated ground-floor trails. The study included 10 F. rufa anthills for activity monitoring …
The Effect Of Spatial Scale Of Habitat On Abundance Of Roe Deer (Capreolus Pygargus) And Water Deer (Hydropotes Inermis Argyropus) During Summer In South Korea, Naeyoung Kim, Hyejin Kim, Hyoun-Gi Cha, Hyun-Su Hwang
The Effect Of Spatial Scale Of Habitat On Abundance Of Roe Deer (Capreolus Pygargus) And Water Deer (Hydropotes Inermis Argyropus) During Summer In South Korea, Naeyoung Kim, Hyejin Kim, Hyoun-Gi Cha, Hyun-Su Hwang
Turkish Journal of Zoology
Understanding species-specific habitat preferences provides essential ecological information about interactions among habitat components. In South Korea, roe deer (Capreolus pygargus) and water deer (Hydropotes inermis argyropus) are the dominant large herbivorous mammals of the family Cervidae. The increasing populations of these species have led to ecological and economic challenges. Therefore, we investigated the effects of spatial scale characteristics on the habitat preferences of roe deer and water deer. From June to August each year between 2021 and 2023, we calculated the relative abundance index (RAI) using camera-trap data and analyzed patch characteristics in the study area using remote sensing techniques, …
The Ecotoxicological Impact Of Polystyrene On Lissachatina Fulica: A Study Of Growth, Pedal Mucus Histological Changes, And Protein Mucus Analysis, Atin Supiyani, Wasmen Manalu, Lina Noviyanti Sutardi, Mawar Subangkit, Andriyanto Andriyanto
The Ecotoxicological Impact Of Polystyrene On Lissachatina Fulica: A Study Of Growth, Pedal Mucus Histological Changes, And Protein Mucus Analysis, Atin Supiyani, Wasmen Manalu, Lina Noviyanti Sutardi, Mawar Subangkit, Andriyanto Andriyanto
Turkish Journal of Zoology
Lissachatina fulica mucin can be used as a nutraceutical agent depending on the quality of their feed. Polystyrene (PS) waste harms soil and plants consumed by snails, potentially affecting the quality of mucin production. This study investigated the impact of PS on growth and mucus-producing cell characteristics as well as the network pharmacology of mucin protein components. Fifty 5–6 cm L. fulica snails (20–24 g) were fed organic waste (OW) and organic waste with PS (OWPS). After 28 days of ad libitum access to food, the snails’ mucus, meat, and shells were collected and weighed. Tissue samples from the anterior …
A Reassessment Of “Tityus” Tenuimanus Banks, 1910, As A Misidentified Leiurus Sp. (Scorpiones: Buthidae), Mohamed Mousaid, Ersen A. Yağmur, Zoe Flores, Alana Rivera, Aziza Lansari, Abdellah Bouazza
A Reassessment Of “Tityus” Tenuimanus Banks, 1910, As A Misidentified Leiurus Sp. (Scorpiones: Buthidae), Mohamed Mousaid, Ersen A. Yağmur, Zoe Flores, Alana Rivera, Aziza Lansari, Abdellah Bouazza
Euscorpius
This study re-examines the holotype of “Tityus” tenuimanus Banks, 1910, previously synonymized with Buthus atlantis Pocock, 1889 by Lourenço & Francke (1984). Our results indicate that the specimen is a misidentified representative of Leiurus Ehrenberg, 1828, as it exhibits the diagnostic characters of this genus: the central lateral and posterior median carinae of the carapace fused into a lyre-shaped configuration, and tergites I–II bearing five granular carinae (a character absent in the genus Buthus Leach, 1815). Moreover, the holotype lacks one of the most distinctive characters of the genus Tityus Koch, 1836, namely the presence of a subaculear tubercle. The …
Scorpions In Brazilian Caves And Other Subterranean Habitats, Jonas E. Gallão, Bruno D, Lenhare, Misael Oliveira-Neto, Maria E. Bichuette
Scorpions In Brazilian Caves And Other Subterranean Habitats, Jonas E. Gallão, Bruno D, Lenhare, Misael Oliveira-Neto, Maria E. Bichuette
Euscorpius
Arachnids have successfully colonized subterranean environments. Compared to spiders, harvestmen, and pseudoscorpions, scorpions have a moderate number of subterranean species, including troglophiles and troglobites. Among the four families and 184 species and three subspecies of scorpions found in Brazil, three families and at least 33 species and one subspecies have been documented in subterranean habitats. This study presents a faunistic list of scorpion occurrences in caves and other types of subterranean habitats in Brazil, along with distribution maps and an attempt to classify species based on their use of and dependence on subterranean environments.
The Genus Nebo Simon, 1878 (Scorpiones: Diplocentridae) In Oman, Graeme Lowe
The Genus Nebo Simon, 1878 (Scorpiones: Diplocentridae) In Oman, Graeme Lowe
Euscorpius
No abstract provided.
Membrane Progestin Receptors Α And Β (Paqr7 And 8) Are Necessary For Oogenesis In Zebrafish, Md. Almamun Farid, Md. Razain Tanvir, Takumi Mouri, Eisei Tsutsumi, Md. Sohanur Rahman Sohan, Md. Ekramul Hasan, Md Saydur Rahman, Chihiro Yamamoto, Akiteru Maeno, Toshinobu Tokumoto
Membrane Progestin Receptors Α And Β (Paqr7 And 8) Are Necessary For Oogenesis In Zebrafish, Md. Almamun Farid, Md. Razain Tanvir, Takumi Mouri, Eisei Tsutsumi, Md. Sohanur Rahman Sohan, Md. Ekramul Hasan, Md Saydur Rahman, Chihiro Yamamoto, Akiteru Maeno, Toshinobu Tokumoto
School of Integrative Biological & Chemical Sciences Faculty Publications
Paqr7 and paqr8 are genes encoding membrane progestin receptor αand β (mPRα and mPRβ, respectively), which are currently classified as members of the progestin and adipoQ receptor (PAQR) family. For mPRα, the first identified mPR gene, there are two paralogs in zebrafish, paqr7a and paqr7b. In order to elucidate the physiological functions of the mPR subtypes, we created gene knockout (KO) fish by editing seven paqr genes in zebrafish and analyzing their phenotypes. The null-mutant strains of paqr7a, paqr7b, and paqr8 presented no significant abnormalities in reproductive functions. Thus, we generated a triple-gene knockout (TKO) strain of …
Mammalian Biodiversity Of The Easley Conservation Stewardship Area, Grayson C. Belt
Mammalian Biodiversity Of The Easley Conservation Stewardship Area, Grayson C. Belt
Honors College Theses
Monitoring wildlife is an important part of conservation and is particularly vital for newly acquired conservation areas to provide a baseline of what is present. In 2025, the 22 ha Murray State University Easley Conservation Stewardship Area (MSU ECSA) was established following a donation to the university by Melissa Easley. I conducted a survey using trail cameras at the ECSA in fall 2025 and winter 2025/26 to record mammalian diversity. The survey consisted of two subprojects: a mesomammal subproject of 18 knee height trail cams and a small mammal subproject using 15 custom small mammal bucket cameras. I uploaded all …
The Beat Behind The Bark: Investigating The Effects Of Music Tempo On Canine Physiological And Psychological States, Marley Lanier
The Beat Behind The Bark: Investigating The Effects Of Music Tempo On Canine Physiological And Psychological States, Marley Lanier
Poster Presentations
Music is a universal component of human culture that has been demonstrated influencing emotional, cognitive, and physiological responses, specifically heart rate and hormonal responses (Mehr et al., 2019; Trappe, 2012). Recently, this research has expended to explore how music may affect non-human animals, particularly dogs, due to their roles as therapy animals, service animals, and human companions (Lindig et al., 2020; Gee et al., 2021). Being able to understand how music influences canine stress and relaxation hold important applications in environments such as shelters, veterinary clinics, and at home. One important feature of music is tempo, or beats per minute …
Monitoring Biodiversity Growth In An Oyster Reef Restoration: Understanding How Oyster Reef Life Cycle May Impact Biodiversity., Gabriel A. Roses
Monitoring Biodiversity Growth In An Oyster Reef Restoration: Understanding How Oyster Reef Life Cycle May Impact Biodiversity., Gabriel A. Roses
Theses and Dissertations
Oyster reefs are vital to marine ecosystem health, improving water quality and providing food and habitat for diverse species. We assessed biodiversity changes for a proposed oyster reef restoration site to help guide management, future assessment, and deepen understanding of how oyster reefs function and their ecosystems dynamics.
The Hitchhiker's Guide To The Host: Fleas And The History Of Pikas In North America, Josh Pletcher
The Hitchhiker's Guide To The Host: Fleas And The History Of Pikas In North America, Josh Pletcher
All NMU Master's Theses
Parasite phylogenetics can offer windows into the cryptic evolutionary history of hosts, often highlighting events that are not recorded by the phylogenetics of the host. Pikas (small lagomorphs) host a diverse parasite community comprising endoparasites (e.g., coccidians, nematodes, and cestodes) and ectoparasites (e.g., fleas and mites). Phylogenetic analysis of pika endoparasites has revealed pikas evolved in Asia and colonized North America in two waves, and that contact between these two pika lineages allowed parasites to be transferred from one lineage to another and to survive the extinction of their original host. To uncover these cryptic histories, understanding the biogeography of …
Ontogeny And The Effects Of Perinatal Stress In The First Immature Skeleton Of Teleoceras Aepysoma (Perissodactyla, Rhinocerotidae), Joe Gajewski
Electronic Theses and Dissertations
Recovery of an immature fossil rhinoceros (Teleoceras aepysoma) skeleton (ETMNH 32999) from the Gray Fossil Site in Tennessee offers the first insights into the ontogeny of the species. ETMNH 32999 is interpreted to be a subadult male in an age class equivalent to ~17-20% of potential lifespan. Comparative analyses support the hypothesis that subadults of related taxa are typically ~91% of average adult size in most dimensions. However, certain cranial dimensions are substantially lower than expected in ETMNH 32999, averaging only ~74% of the average conspecific adult. Such departure from typical growth rates is suggested to be attributable …
2nd Place Research Paper: Shaping The Ape: Storytelling, Cultural Reflection, And Boundary Negotiation In Human-Ape Zoo Encounters, Abigail Bond Halling
2nd Place Research Paper: Shaping The Ape: Storytelling, Cultural Reflection, And Boundary Negotiation In Human-Ape Zoo Encounters, Abigail Bond Halling
Kevin and Tam Ross Undergraduate Research Prize
The typical Western zoo functions as a unique environment in which animals are frequently positioned as subjects of education and entertainment through the medium of storytelling. In this sense, the zoological institution can also be read as an extension of popular Western constructions surrounding nonhuman animals, particularly those who are symbolically charged characters in our collective imaginary– the great apes. Given the morphological, behavioral, and psychological similarities between humans and other great apes (chimpanzees, gorillas, and orangutans), nonhuman great ape enclosures at the Western zoo become spaces where humans are most radically confronted with navigating the boundaries of the “human-animal …
Feeding Ecology In Coastal Systems, Randi L. Cannon
Feeding Ecology In Coastal Systems, Randi L. Cannon
Graduate Theses and Dissertations (2019 - present)
Oysters (Crassostrea virginica) are critical foundation species in estuaries, providing numerous ecological and economic benefits. However, oyster populations have diminished worldwide. Effective oyster restoration and aquaculture require a mechanistic understanding of the physiological and environmental factors that govern oyster feeding, growth, and resilience under changing coastal conditions. We investigated how oyster ploidy and environmental conditions influenced oyster feeding and investigated how changes in abiotic conditions affected behavioral performance of oyster drills (Stramonita spp.), a key oyster predator. To better understand feeding responses and behaviors of both predator and prey we 1) used in-situ filter feeding assays to determine if feeding …
Aggression And Fish Welfare: Challenges And Opportunities, Christine M. Soper, Peter D. Dijkstra
Aggression And Fish Welfare: Challenges And Opportunities, Christine M. Soper, Peter D. Dijkstra
Animal Sentience
Oldfield & Bonano’s (2024) [O&B] target article discusses the wellbeing and sociality of bony fishes. Many fish species, such as cichlids, are not only social but territorial. Aggression is normal, but territorial aggression in a captive environment can have a negative impact on welfare. Aggression-related injuries and deaths are prevalent in pet stores as well as research settings. We discuss the need to develop effective methods to minimize the negative consequences of aggression.
An Integrative Description Of Euscorpius Diagorasi Sp. N. From Rhodes, Greece (Scorpiones: Euscorpiidae), Konstantinos Kalaentzis, Francesco Frigioni, Eliza Kaitetzidou, Alessio Iannucci, Alexandros Triantafyllidis
An Integrative Description Of Euscorpius Diagorasi Sp. N. From Rhodes, Greece (Scorpiones: Euscorpiidae), Konstantinos Kalaentzis, Francesco Frigioni, Eliza Kaitetzidou, Alessio Iannucci, Alexandros Triantafyllidis
Euscorpius
The genus Euscorpius Thorell, 1876 comprises a diverse and taxonomically challenging group of scorpions in the Mediterranean, with Greece representing one of its principal centers of diversity. In this study, we provide an integrative description of Euscorpius diagorasi sp. n., a new species from Rhodes Island, Greece. The new species is described on the basis of adult male and female morphology and mitochondrial COI sequence data. It is a small oligotrichous species characterized by a total length of approximately 21–25 mm, pale yellow to light brown coloration with darker reddish-brown pedipalps, pectinal tooth count of 8 in the male …
Exploring Decision-Making In Caenorhabditis Elegans: Navigating Dichotomous Envrionmental Cues, Hunarmeet K. Gill
Exploring Decision-Making In Caenorhabditis Elegans: Navigating Dichotomous Envrionmental Cues, Hunarmeet K. Gill
Caroliniana Undergraduate Research Journal
All living organisms thrive off the survival choices they make and the factors they prioritize, but the mechanisms guiding these choices remain unclear. This study investigates decision-making in Caenorhabditis elegans, aiming to understand how they navigate dichotomous environments that contain both attractive and aversive cues. Despite possessing a simple nervous system, C. elegans express behaviors indicating a level of advanced sensory-processing abilities, making them ideal models for studying decision-making processes. The experiment consisted of five separate petri-dish tests, each with three sections: side A and side B (containing natural or UV light and/or E.coli or ethanol), and a neutral …
Hot Cities, Cool Lizards: Do College Campuses Create Urban Oases For Wildlife?, Ethan Heck, Javier Monzon Phd
Hot Cities, Cool Lizards: Do College Campuses Create Urban Oases For Wildlife?, Ethan Heck, Javier Monzon Phd
Seaver College Research And Scholarly Achievement Symposium
Urban wildlife may experience stress due to the Urban Heat Island Effect. On the other hand, urban wildlife may experience relief, especially in arid ecosystems, due to the Urban Oasis Effect. The objective of this study was to test whether college campuses in southern California act as heat islands or oases for wildlife. We analyzed how temperature and water availability of microhabitats relate to the physiology of a widespread and common cold-blooded animal, the Western Fence Lizard (Sceloporus occidentalis). We logged environmental conditions in lizard hotspots at 11 university campuses across southern California and measured the hydration of lizards at …
Fish Community Assessment Of Goose Pond Natural Area, Macy Sparks
Fish Community Assessment Of Goose Pond Natural Area, Macy Sparks
ATU Scholars Symposium
Natural areas play an integral role in the preservation and conservation of unique ecosystems (i.e., natural wetlands). However, many natural areas have never had a biological inventory of species utilizing these areas. Goose Pond Natural Area (Conway County and Pope County, Arkansas) is one of those natural areas lacking species occurrence data. We addressed this data gap by sampling fish species across multiple habitat types (shallow woody wetland, open grassy wetland, and stream). We employed multiple gear types (mesh umbrella minnow traps, seines, gill nets, mini-fyke nets, and backpack electrofishing) in hopes of increasing species detection. Sites within the natural …
Ratfish (Chimaera Monstrosa) Chondocranium, Riley B. Glogowski, David W. Kerstetter
Ratfish (Chimaera Monstrosa) Chondocranium, Riley B. Glogowski, David W. Kerstetter
All Scans: Kerstetter Fisheries and Avian Ecology 3D Scan Series
No abstract provided.
Mapping Sensory Landscapes: Distribution And Arrangement Of The Anterior Lateral Line System In Texas Catfish, Tatiana Flores, Ruben Tovar
Mapping Sensory Landscapes: Distribution And Arrangement Of The Anterior Lateral Line System In Texas Catfish, Tatiana Flores, Ruben Tovar
Research Papers
Fish have a system of sensory organs known as the lateral line system. This system contains numerous mechanoreceptive neuromasts and electroreceptive ampullary organs (Northcutt et al, 2000). Neuromasts are small, hair-like structures located within canals in the lateral line system just under the fish’s skin and are open to the environment through small pores visible on its skin (Parker, 2025). Water flows into these canals through the pores which stimulates the sensitive hair cells, resulting in electrical signals sent to the fish’s brain. The brain interprets these signals and creates “images” of the fish’s surroundings, helping it to see even …
Beluga Buddies: The Preferred Social Network Of Belugas In Managed Care, Valery Marinelarena, Diamond Garcia
Beluga Buddies: The Preferred Social Network Of Belugas In Managed Care, Valery Marinelarena, Diamond Garcia
Posters - 2026
Belugas societies are not fixed and group composition is everchanging. Group composition can also influence behavior. This study aims to examine the preferred social networks and the role age plays in the behavioral diversity within a group of managed care belugas housed at Sea World San Antonio. Results Supported TYO had a preferred, non-random social network and ATL performing more chinslaps than TYO.
Does Social Grouping Influence Object Play By Belugas?, Javier Obiltas, Phillip Clayton
Does Social Grouping Influence Object Play By Belugas?, Javier Obiltas, Phillip Clayton
Posters - 2026
Play is defined as voluntary behavior that differs from functional behaviors and typically occurs in low-stress environments. In cetaceans, object play has been linked to development, motor skill practice, and social learning. Play behavior is an important factor of development in belugas, because belugas are social animals that live and interact within groups, the composition of these groups or "groupings" might influence their play behaviors. Understanding how said groupings may affect the play rates may help researchers better understand the development of behavior and social dynamics of the beluga groupings. The purpose of this study was to see whether grouping …
Does Shape Matter?: How Salamander Head Morphology Shifts Based On Environment, Caitlyn Pinaga, Naomi Ramirez, Sonia Cerrillo
Does Shape Matter?: How Salamander Head Morphology Shifts Based On Environment, Caitlyn Pinaga, Naomi Ramirez, Sonia Cerrillo
Posters - 2026
Groundwater salamanders of the genus Eurycea represent a diverse group of amphibians inhabiting the aquifer systems of central Texas, where both surface-dwelling and fully subterranean species coexist. Subterranean habitats impose extreme selective pressures, including complete darkness, limited nutrient availability, and stable environmental conditions, which drive convergent morphological traits such as eye reduction or loss, decreased pigmentation, and elongation of appendages. A key evolutionary pattern seen in these systems is sensory compensation, in which the reduction of one sensory modality, in this case vision, is accompanied by the enhancement of others. In aquatic salamanders, this often involves expansion of the lateral …
Smell Over Sight: Determining Levels Of Olfactory Gene Expression Between Surface And Subterranean Eurycea Salamanders, Sonia Cerrillo, Iliana Melendez, Naomi Ramirez
Smell Over Sight: Determining Levels Of Olfactory Gene Expression Between Surface And Subterranean Eurycea Salamanders, Sonia Cerrillo, Iliana Melendez, Naomi Ramirez
Posters - 2026
In the karst aquifers of central Texas, including the Edwards and Trinity systems, organisms live in an environment defined by constant temperatures, total darkness, and scarce food resources. These conditions have driven the evolution of salamanders in the genus Eurycea, particularly those that have adapted to subterranean life. Cave-dwelling species like Eurycea rathbuni exhibit hallmark “blind salamander” traits, including educed eyes, loss of pigmentation, and flattened head morphology. In contrast, surface-dwelling relatives such as Eurycea nana and Eurycea sosorum retain fully developed eyes and pigmentation, while some species like Eurycea latitans display both surface and subterranean forms across different populations.