Animal Sciences Commons^™

A Diet And Reproductive Study For Selected Species Of Malaysian Turtles, Colleen E. Kimmel

Masters Theses

Batagur baska, Callagur borneoensis, Cuora amboinensis, Cyclemys dentata, Orlitia borneensis, Siebenrockiella crassicollis, and Trionyx cartilagineus are suggested to be omnivorous by diet analysis. Cyclemys and Orlitia are the more herbivorous of the seven species examined. Batagur and Callagur are two closely related sympatric species that appear to have diverged sufficiently to eliminate competition for food resourses, as indicated by Morista's Index of Niche Overlap. Along the Perak River and it's tributaries in West Malaysia, Batagur and Callagur feed primarily upon the fruit of the berembang tree. In Trengganu (eastern Malaysia), the berembang is absent …

Notes On Seasonal Variation And Infectivity Of Haemogamasus Reidi, A Vector Of Hepatozoon Griseisciuri, On Eastern Gray Squirrels, Sciurus Carolinensis, Mohammed Bashiru

Masters Theses

Five hundred and twenty-two squirrels were trapped and retrapped from a population in Montgomery County, Maryland during 1974-1975. One hundred and forty-one squirrels were found to harbor an average of 10.6 mites (Range 175-1). While male squirrels outnumbered females (79 vs 62) females harbored more mites than males (829 vs 666). During the spring the average number of mites per captured squirrel increased to an average of 18.1 per squirrel. The average declined to 6.8, 4.8 and 3.3 per squirrel in summer, fall and winter respectively. Throughout the collection period adult female mites were by far more numerous on hosts …

Histology Of Dichromatic And Seasonal Color Change Of The Cranial Region Of Callagur Borneoensis, Kevin William Matson

Masters Theses

Male Callagur borneoensis exihibit sexual dichromatism and seasonal coloration which is rare among turtles. In the breeding season male's heads are colored white with a scarlet stripe from the occiput to the tip of the snout. After the breeding season they change to drab charcoal-gray to black with a dull orange-yellow stripe. Females and juveniles are a drab brown throughout the year.

This study was performed to determine the mechanisms of this color change at the histological level. Histological preparation of the head revealed a significant increase in vascular tissue just below the epidermis of the stripe area with increased …

Coccidian Parasites Of Wild Turkeys, Meleagris Gallopavo Silvestris, In Illinois, D. Michael Watkins

Masters Theses

Fecal samples from 124 wild turkeys (Meleagris gallopavo silvestris), collected in three southern Illinois counties, were examined for coccidia. Three and two tenths percent (4) of the birds sampled were infected with Eimeria of apparently four different species. These species were tentatively designated as: E. meleagridis, E. adendeides, E. meleagrimitis and E. subrotunda.

The Ecology Of Invertebrate Drift And Feeding Chronology Of The Striped Shiner, Notropis Chrysocephalus (Rafinesque) In Polecat Creek, Illinois, Dennis L. Newman

Masters Theses

The downstream drift of macroinvertebrates and the daily feeding cycle of the striped shiner, Notropis chrysocephalus (Rafinesque), were studied during the spring and summer of 1978 in Polecat Creek, Illinois. The purpose of the study was to: investigate the drift phenomenon of an entire lotic community, determine the pattern of diel periodicity for several important benthic populations, make qualitative and quantitative assessments of the relation of drift to benthos, and examine drift in relation to the daily feeding ecology of a cyprinid carnivore.

Polecat Creek at the sampling site was a relatively fast-flowing third-order stream, with frequent riffles. Drift sampling …

Feeding Habits And Behavior Of The Whiptail Lizard Cnemidophorus Tigris On Partida Island, Patrick Alan Malone

Masters Theses

The feeding habits of the whiptail lizard Cnemidophorus tigris were studied from May 25 until July 23, 1977 on the Partida Island in the Gulf of California. Analysis of the stomach contents of 91 lizards revealed that during this period the eggs and young of the least and black petrel are a primary food source while tenebrionid beetles become a major food source after bird products become unavailable.

The Structure And Fate Of Germinal Plasm In The Asiatic Fire-Bellied Frog, Bombina Orientalis (Anura-Discoglossidae), Ted W. Odom

Masters Theses

Lehman's polychrome stain was used to follow the fate of germinal plasm in early development of Bombina orientalis embryos. Islets of germinal plasm approximately 6 um in diameter were observed in the vegetal pole region of the 2-cell embryo. By the 4-cell stage, some of these islets had coalesced to form larger ones so that two size classes of islets were present (approximately 7.5 and 19.5 um in diameter).

As cleavage continued to the 16-cell stage, the islets were moved further up the cleavage furrow and were always observed to remain in close association with the cleavage membrane. The islets …

A Histochemical Study Of Tooth Development In The Chinese Hamster (Cricetulus Griseus), Robert B. Daszkiewicz

Masters Theses

The normal morphological development of the Chinese hamster (Cricetulus griseus) during the last week of gestation was studied. A review of the literature reveals no distinct study of tooth development in this species. An identical gestation period is found in the mouse (Mus musculus) making direct comparison between the embryos of the same age of the two species feasible. During this investigation, it was found that morphological tooth development in the Chinese hamster lagged behind that of the mouse by about 2 days. On day 14 of gestation in the Chinese hamster, the oral epithelium is …

Capillaria Sp. From Cryptotis Parva, Joseph N'Dong

Masters Theses

Twenty-nine Cryptotis parva were trapped at Lincoln Log Cabin State Park in Coles County Illinois between 22 December 1976 and 31 January 1978. Trapped specimens were necropsied and examined for the presence of helminth parasites. Nematode infections were found to be present in eight (27.2%) of the shrews collected with five (17.2%) of the males and three (10.3%) of the females infected. Three adult female nematodes were recovered from the small intestines of the host specimens, described and identified as the genus Capillaria. No male Capillaria were obtained and therefore species identification was impossible. However, the general appearance of …

Utilization Of Heat Sensitivity In Crotalidae, James Cordrey Miller

Masters Theses

Specimens of five genera of snakes (Crotalus, Agkistrodon, Bitis, Epicrates, and Elaphe) were tested for use of thermal cues in food selection. Results indicate that pit vipers (Crotalus and Agkistrodon) and boas (Epicrates) utilize thermal radiation in selection of food. It was also indicated that Crotalus (rattlesnakes) do not invariably show a reflexive strike before food is investigated or ingested.

A Study Of Symbiosis Involving The Fish-Eating Bat (Myotis Vivesi), The Least Petrel (Halocyptera Microsoma), The Black Petrel (Oceanodroma Melania), And The Lizard (Cnemidophorus Tigris), Joel King

Masters Theses

A field study was conducted on Partida Island in the Gulf of Mexico on the dates May 26 through July 26, 1977, inclusive.

Field observations were made of the lizard (Cnemidophorus tigris) preying on eggs and hatchlings of the least petrel (Halocyptena microsoma), and the black petrel (Oceanodroma melania). The petrels roost among rock slides with the fish-eating bat (Myotis vivesi).

In 24 trials of experimental boxes with lizards, bats, and petrels as subjects, 16 trials resulted in aggression of bats to lizards.

A symbiosis is postulated between bats and petrels.

Epizoic Protozoa Of Planktonic Copepoda And Cladocera From A Small Eutrophic Lake, And Their Possible Use As Indicators Of Organic Water Pollution, Michael Stevens Henebry

Masters Theses

The epizoic protozoa of planktonic copepoda and cladocera from a eutrophic lake (Ashmore Lake, Coles County, Illinois) were studied over a 13-week period in the summer and fall of 1975. All organisms were collected with a 125 micron mesh plankton net. Epizoans (all peritrichs and suctorians) were hosted by three of four species of copepods and four of the ten species of cladocerans. The percentage of total organisms hosting epizoans varied significantly (0.001 alpha level) by month, but averaged 11.6 percent. This high occurrence of epizoans was thought to be related to the highly-eutrophic conditions existing in the lake. If …

Studies On The Grooming Behavior And Morphology Of The Freshwater Prawn, Palaemonetes Kadiakensis, Bruce E. Felgenhauer

Masters Theses

No abstract provided.

Blood Parasites Of Squirrels From Coles And Lake Counties In Illinois, Nicholas I. Obiri

Masters Theses

Hepatozoon and microfilariae are described from the blood of fox and gray squirrels captured in Coles and Lake Counties in Illinois during 1976 and 1977. The hepatozoon species is identified as Hepatozoon griseisciuri on the basis of parasite morphology and hosts. A higher rate of infection (35.7% : 11.1%) was observed in gray squirrels than in fox squirrels and more adults were infected than juveniles. No microfilariae were found in gray squirrels but fox squirrels had a 57.1% infection rate with no difference based on age. The observed microfilariae are similar to that described by Davidson from Maryland gray squirrels …

Production And Utilization Of Sunflower Food Plots At Shelbyville Wildlife Management Area, Illinois, Duane T. Dust

Masters Theses

Three sunflower (Helianthus annuus) fields from 3.2 ha to 1.0 ha in size, planted on the Shelbyville Wildlife Management Area, Illinois were analyzed for seed production and utilization by birds. Seed in heads and on the ground were sampled and species and numbers of birds in the fields were censused at two week intervals from September, 1976 to February, 1977. Decline in seed availability was most rapid in the smallest field and least rapid in the largest field. Fields and portions of fields adjacent to wooded cover were also utilized more rapidly. American goldfinch (Spinus tristis) …

Analysis Of The Capture-Recapture Method Of Determining Fish Population Size In A Pond Community, Richard E. Hall

Masters Theses

No abstract provided.

The Effects Of Superovulation On The Reproductive Cycle Of Mature Female Mus Musculus, David F. Grace

Masters Theses

A total of 38 Mus musculus were used to compare superovulation to normal ovulation in three different areas of the reproductive cycle. The areas studied include the fertilization and abortion rates, alternation of ovarian function, and normalization of estrus cycling. No statistically significant differences were noted between the two groups in either fertility rates or abortion rates. A distinct difference was noted in alternation of ovarian function. Normally ovulating mice showed a distinct right or left preference in the number of ova ovulated from each ovary. Animals showing a left preference exhibited approximately a 2:1 ratio and animals with a …

Ecology Of The Pirate Perch, Leslie D. Frankland

Masters Theses

No abstract provided.

A Cytogenetic Study Of Xx/Xy Chimerism And Other Anomalies Of Bos Taurus In A Sampled Dairy Herd, Ferne M. Rogers

Masters Theses

The establishment of normal chromosomal patterns for a wide range of plants and animals has led to the recognition of abnormalities as well as their relationship to phenotypic irregularities. Research dealing with the expression of human karyotype is of prime interest; but, closely rivaling that is the genetic study of domestic animals which are of economic importance to man.

One observed anomaly which has come under scrutiny by cytogeneticists is that of the female member of a heterogeneous bovine twin pair, the freemartin. This is a sterile animal with internal morphology showing varying degrees of intersex. Cytogenetic studies reveal XX/XY …

Breeding Birds And Vegetation Of The Central Illinois Floodplain Forest, Daniel Edward Varland

Masters Theses

No abstract provided.

A Comparison Of Age And Growth Of Largemouth Bass (Micropterus Salmoides) In Two Ponds In East-Central Illinois, Mark Fevold Nelson

Masters Theses

No abstract provided.

The Arthropod Ectosymbionts Of The Fox Squirrel In Coles County, Illinois, Jeanine L. Stanis

Masters Theses

The body surface areas of 18 squirrels (Sciurus niger) were calculated by regions, and the numbers and densities of the ectoparasite populations present on each region determined. Four species representing four genera of arthropods were recovered. The louse, Neohaematopinus antennatus was the most abundant organism with Orchopeas howardii, Haemagamasus reidi, and Dermacentor variabilis being also present. The average population density of all parasite species combined was highest on the back and decreased on the belly, tail, legs, and the head respectively. Body regions showing greatest average total population densities were different for males and females. The …

Land Snail Diversity At Rocky Branch Nature Preserve, Clark County, Illinois, Daniel J. Mott

Masters Theses

Terrestrial, shell-bearing gastropods were collected at Rocky Branch Nature Preserve, Clark County, Illinois. A total of three hundred nineteen specimens were collected representing five families and fifteen species. Two species of the family Endodontidae, eight species of the family Polygyridae, three species of the family Zonitidae, and one species in each of the families Pupillidae and Succineidae were collected.

In addition, an attempt was made to find the relationship between species diversity and dominant woody vegetation and soil quality. The land at Rocky Branch Nature Preserve ranges from lowland flood plain to high second growth forest. The dominant trees of …

Ecological Comparisons Of Four Plethodontid Salamanders In A Ravine In West Central Indiana, Stephen L. Reinbold

Masters Theses

No abstract provided.

Food Habits Of The Steelcolor Shiner, Notropis Whipplei (Girard), Mark A. Dyer

Masters Theses

Specimens of the steelcolor shiner, Notropis whipplei (Girard) were seined at irregular intervals from Polecat Creek (Coles County, Illinois) from October 1974 to September 1975. Drift and benthic samples were taken in conjunction with fish collections. The stomach contents of the fish were analyzed and compared to organisms found in the drift and benthos. More food taxa were represented in the fish collected during the summer. Aquatic insect forms, primarily chironomid larvae, amounted to 75.6% of the total percentage of foods eaten during the winter as compared to 18.8% for the summer. Adult insects, mainly coleopterans and dipterans, were the …

April Foods Of The Wild Turkey In Southern Illinois, David K. Fleenor

Masters Theses

A total of 95 gizzards and 106 crops were collected from 120 wild turkeys (Meleagris gallopavo silvestris Vieillot) at hunter check stations located in Alexander, Jackson, Union, and Pope Counties during April 1970, and 1972-1974 inclusive. Results are presented using total aggregate volume and per cent occurrence. The analyses indicated that during April, 96.6% of the foods eaten were of plant origin. Important plant foods in decreasing order by volume included corn, acorns, grasses and sedges, clover, miscellaneous plant materials, Jack-in-the-pulpit, hickory nuts, black gum, swamp buttercup, spring beauty, soybeans, hill blueberry, hawthorn, and ash. Animal foods were …

The Effect Of Social Rank Of Male Swordtails (Xiphophorus Helleri) On Sexual Behavior, Janet N. Marum

Masters Theses

The relationship between social rank and sexual behavior of the male swordtail (Xiphophorus helleri) was studied. Initially three tanks were established with three males and two females in each. Social rank, aggressive and sexual levels were recorded by observation of the interactions which occurred in the tanks. A second series of observations were made with the fish regrouped according to their initial rank, that is, dominant males grouped together, middle ranking males together and the lowest ranking males together. Aggressive and sexual levels were the highest for the highest ranking males in all tanks and in both trials, …

Mercury Levels In Muscle Tissue Of Stream-Dwelling Fish, Tom Frost

Masters Theses

No abstract provided.

Blood Parasites Of Illinois Wild Turkeys, Ulrike G. Guenthner

Masters Theses

Blood smears, from 152 wild turkeys (Meleagris gallopavo silvestris) killed during hunting seasons in southern Illinois, were examined for blood parasites. Haemoproteus meleagridis infected 34% of the 83 adult and 19% of the 69 immature turkeys. Of the infected birds, 54% had one or two infected cells per 5000 erythrocytes and 78% had one to five. Infection rates were significantly higher in counties along the Mississippi River than in Pope County, located about 40 miles east of the river. Other parasites specifically searched for but not found were Leucocytozoon, Plasmodium, Trypanosoma and microfilaria.

Feeding Selectivity Of Young-Of-The-Year Smallmouth Bass, Micropterus Dolomieui Lacepede, In Four Rearing Ponds, Gordon Brent Manning

Masters Theses

No abstract provided.