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Articles 1 - 12 of 12
Full-Text Articles in Animal Sciences
A Taxonomic Study Of The Morphological Variation And Intergradation Of Chrysemys Picta (Schneider) (Emydidae, Testudines) In West Virginia, Melissa R. Mann
A Taxonomic Study Of The Morphological Variation And Intergradation Of Chrysemys Picta (Schneider) (Emydidae, Testudines) In West Virginia, Melissa R. Mann
Theses, Dissertations and Capstones
Two subspecies of Chrysemys picta (C. p. picta and C. p. marginata) occur in West Virginia. The Allegheny Mountains have historically separated the distribution of C. p. picta and C. p. marginata; however, intergrades occur where ranges overlap. These intergrades display morphological characteristics that are often intermediate to the original subspecies. Morphological variation of C. picta was examined by comparing specimens from possible areas of C. p. picta x C .p. marginata intergradation in West Virginia to geographic areas that are not exposed to subspecies distribution overlap. Characters traditionally used to separate C. p. picta and C. p. marginata were …
Acquiring Three-Dimensional Data From Small Mammalian Teeth : Laser Scanning Eocene Marsupials, Nicholas E. Smith
Acquiring Three-Dimensional Data From Small Mammalian Teeth : Laser Scanning Eocene Marsupials, Nicholas E. Smith
Theses, Dissertations and Capstones
Three-dimensional laser scanning is an effective method of digitization in paleontology, but has traditionally been restricted to larger specimens. The goal of this study was to develop a laser scanning technique applicable to small mammalian (< 5 mm) dentition. Modeling protocols were developed, and a morphometric error study showed the system highly accurate (percent error = 1D- 0.4%, 2D- 0.05%, 3D- 1.74%). Automation and standardization were accomplished by implementation of a multiscan platform and autosurfacing macro reducing modeling time by 60%. To highlight one morphometric application, 3D models (n=61) of three sympatric Eocene marsupials were digitized, and traditionally qualitative diagnostic characters were quantified and assessed. All but two of the 19 characters examined proved diagnostic (p < 0.05), and exploratory canonical discriminant analysis confirmed three distinct species. Incorporating type specimens revealed a familial overlap, therefore, this novel modeling technique can be employed in a full revision of early Eocene marsupials.
Distribution And Conservation Genetics Of The Cow Knob Salamander, Plethodon Punctatus Highton (Caudata: Plethodontidae), Matthew R. Graham
Distribution And Conservation Genetics Of The Cow Knob Salamander, Plethodon Punctatus Highton (Caudata: Plethodontidae), Matthew R. Graham
Theses, Dissertations and Capstones
Being lungless, plethodontid salamanders respire through their skin and are especially sensitive to environmental disturbances. Habitat fragmentation, low abundance, extreme habitat requirements, and a narrow distribution of less than 70 miles in length, makes one such salamander, Plethodon punctatus, a species of concern (S1) in West Virginia. To better understand this sensitive species, day and night survey hikes were conducted through ideal habitat and coordinate data as well as tail tips (10 to 20 mm in length) were collected. DNA was extracted from the tail tips and polymerase chain reaction (PCR) was used to amplify mitochondrial 16S rRNA gene fragments. …
Chronic Acetaminophen Treatment Influences Indices Of Reactive Oxygen Species Accumulation In The Aging Fisher 344 X Brown Norway Rat Aorta, Sarath Meduru
Theses, Dissertations and Capstones
We have previously reported that aging in the Fisher 344 X Brown Norway (FBN) rat aorta is characterized by increased levels of ROS and alterations in cell signaling. Acetaminophen was found to scavenge free radicals in recent ischemia-reperfusion studies. Here we examined if chronic treatment with a therapeutic dose of acetaminophen attenuates age-associated increase in aortic ROS accumulation and signaling. FBN rats (27 month old; n=8) were subjected to 6 months of treatment with a therapeutic dose of acetaminophen (30mg/kg/day), with age-matched untreated FBN rats as controls. Protein oxidation levels were altered in control and treated aortae compared to aortae …
Turtle Assemblages In The Eastern Panhandle Of West Virginia With An Emphasis On Pseudemys Rubriventris (Leconte), Ashley Renea Fisher
Turtle Assemblages In The Eastern Panhandle Of West Virginia With An Emphasis On Pseudemys Rubriventris (Leconte), Ashley Renea Fisher
Theses, Dissertations and Capstones
Little is known about turtle assemblages in West Virginia, especially in the eastern panhandle. The only published work on Pseudemys rubriventris (Le Conte) in the state is by Green and Pauley (1987). Pseudemys rubriventris are considered an S2 species by the West Virginia Division of Natural Resources which means they are considered rare and imperiled in the state (WVDNR, Wildlife Diversity Program). Their range includes the Coastal Plains rivers of the mid-Atlantic region, from northern North Carolina to central New Jersey (Ernst et al. 1994). In West Virginia, they inhabit the Ridge and Valley physiographic province, which is the only …
A Taxonomic Investigation Of The Black Ratsnake, Elaphe O. Obsoleta (Say) [Reptilia, Squamata, Colubridae], In West Virginia Using Morphometric Analyses, Adam M. Mann
Theses, Dissertations and Capstones
A recent genetic study by Frank T. Burbrink (2000) determined that the common Black Ratsnake, Elaphe o. obsoleta, evolved from three separate evolutionary lineages and can no longer be classified under a single species name. The newly assigned species, which possess ranges that are separated into three regions of the eastern United States by geologic features such as rivers and mountains, are also said to possess distinct morphologic characteristics (Burbrink, 2001). This thesis study was initiated to mirror Burbrink’s previous morphometric study and augment a previous lack of specimen data from West Virginia. Black Ratsnake museum specimens, collected from ranges …
Morphological And Molecular Analyses Of The Blacknose Dace Species Complex (Genus Rhinichthys) In A Large Zone Of Contact In West Virginia, Geoffrey D. Smith
Morphological And Molecular Analyses Of The Blacknose Dace Species Complex (Genus Rhinichthys) In A Large Zone Of Contact In West Virginia, Geoffrey D. Smith
Theses, Dissertations and Capstones
The blacknose dace species complex (Rhinichthys atratulus, Rhinichthys obtusus obtusus, and Rhinichthys obtusus meleagris) are among the most common freshwater fishes in eastern North American. Despite this fact, the taxonomy of this group is still in question. This study focuses on the relationship of the members of this species complex along an unusually large zone of contact in the high Appalachian Mountains of West Virginia. Morphological, distributional, and molecular analysis of the relationships of this complex were conducted in this area to try to shed light on the systematics of this group. Morphological analysis of coloration patterns of nuptual males …
Ecology And Morphological Comparison Between Rough Greensnakes (Opheodrys A. Aestivus) And Eastern Smooth Greensnakes (Opheodrys V. Vernalis) In West Virginia, Timothy Earl Baldwin
Ecology And Morphological Comparison Between Rough Greensnakes (Opheodrys A. Aestivus) And Eastern Smooth Greensnakes (Opheodrys V. Vernalis) In West Virginia, Timothy Earl Baldwin
Theses, Dissertations and Capstones
Since 1971, documented Rough Greensnake (Opheodrys aestivus) occurrences in West Virginia have declined from approximately 100 to less than 20 occurrences in the last 10 years. In contrast to the decline of Rough Greensnakes in WV, Smooth Greensnake (O. vernalis) populations appear to be stable over the same period of time. Historic sites from the West Virginia Biological Survey were cross referenced with habitat descriptions in published literature to establish research locations. One hundred nineteen Rough and Smooth Greensnakes were measured for snout-vent length and total body length, and of these, 78 were measured in detail for external head morphology …
A Study Of The Genus Desmognathus In West Virginia, With Emphasis On Desmognathus Welteri, The Black Mountain Salamander, Tristan Bond
A Study Of The Genus Desmognathus In West Virginia, With Emphasis On Desmognathus Welteri, The Black Mountain Salamander, Tristan Bond
Theses, Dissertations and Capstones
The Black Mountain Salamander, Desmognathus welteri, is listed as S2 by the WVDNR. Given the threat of extirpation, this species is in need of studies to facilitate a conservation effort. The following studies were completed as part of this work: Comparative morphology of the genus Desmognathus in West Virginia; Distribution of D. welteri in West Virginia; Habitat partitioning of Desmognathine salamanders; and Phenology of Desmognathus spp. Ratios of morphometrics of the tail were found to be most useful for distinguishing Desmognathus spp. D. welteri was found in three of 22 streams searched, meaning there are now 21 documented occurrences of …
New Microanatomical Characters For Scorpion Taxonomy (Arachnida: Scorpiones), Michael Brewer
New Microanatomical Characters For Scorpion Taxonomy (Arachnida: Scorpiones), Michael Brewer
Theses, Dissertations and Capstones
Morphological characters used in scorpion systematics are limited to a few reliable structures. The most recent high-level, comprehensive revision of scorpion phylogeny, 38 of the 105 morphological characters were based on trichobothria – socketed mechanosensory seta (Soleglad & Fet, 2003). Other microstructures such as granules, setae, spines, etc. have been found in scorpions but their use for taxonomy was limited. In an effort to better understand the complex relationships among these ancient but similar looking animals, we attempted to first locate new microstructures and then assess their reliability and variability thus determining the levels at which they are diagnostic. The …
Arsenic Toxicity In Plhc-1 Cell Line And The Distribution Of Arsenic In Central Appalachia, Yeong Nam Jeong
Arsenic Toxicity In Plhc-1 Cell Line And The Distribution Of Arsenic In Central Appalachia, Yeong Nam Jeong
Theses, Dissertations and Capstones
Our ecosystem has geobiophysical relationships. Environmental pollution can lead to immediate consequences like organism death or lack of reproduction. It can also lead to long-range consequences through mutations and DNA damage. Fish can be affected very directly by environmental contamination in water but the study of fish is not performed well. We are developing a quantitative assay to assess DNA damage in vitro due to heavy metal contamination using a tissue culture line of Poeciliopsis lucida, the desert pupfish, which is used for other toxicology assays. To detect DNA damage, Single Cell Gel Electrophoresis (Comet Assay) is very useful. …
Habitat Preferences Of The Eastern Hellbender In West Virginia, S. Conor Keitzer
Habitat Preferences Of The Eastern Hellbender In West Virginia, S. Conor Keitzer
Theses, Dissertations and Capstones
The Eastern Hellbender, Cryptobranchus alleganiensis alleganiensis, is a species of concern in West Virginia and is in need of management. An important component of conservation efforts will involve identifying suitable habitat for protection. The goal of this research was to locate populations and examine hellbender habitat preferences to help managers identify habitat for protection. Populations were located using rock turning surveys from May through November, 2006. Hellbenders may be sensitive to water chemistry, so the dissolved oxygen, pH, turbidity, specific conductivity, and water temperature were measured. Substrate composition may influence populations, so substrate was characterized with Wolman pebble counts. …