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Articles 1 - 21 of 21
Full-Text Articles in Animal Sciences
Ecology And Conservation Of Diamondback Terrapins In Virginia, Cypress Ambrose
Ecology And Conservation Of Diamondback Terrapins In Virginia, Cypress Ambrose
Undergraduate Honors Theses
The diamondback terrapin (Malaclemys terrapin) is the only turtle species native to North America with specific morphological and physiological adaptations to estuarine environments. Along with many other pressures contributing to population declines, terrapins frequently become trapped and drown as bycatch in crab pots used in the commercial and recreational blue crab (Callinectes sapidus) fishery. A wealth of evidence supports the use of inexpensive bycatch reduction devices (BRDs) that can be attached to the entrances of these traps, which leads to a marked decrease in terrapin bycatch while not reducing crab catch dramatically. Virginia is the only …
Investigation Of The Role Of Dax-1 In The Hpa Axis In Human Adrenal Cells, Katerina N. Fargas
Investigation Of The Role Of Dax-1 In The Hpa Axis In Human Adrenal Cells, Katerina N. Fargas
Undergraduate Honors Theses
DAX-1 is a nuclear hormone orphan receptor that plays a key role in the development of reproductive tissues and steroid hormone production. The hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis is the pathway for steroid hormone production, primarily glucocorticoids, mineralocorticoids, and adrenal androgens, in the human body. The mechanisms of DAX-1 in hormone production in the adrenal cortex of the HPA axis are not completely understood and, therefore, were the focus of this honors thesis research project. Due to the high level of DAX-1 expression, SW13 adrenal carcinoma cells were conducted for these experiments. We investigated whether glucocorticoids, specifically the synthetic glucocorticoid dexamethasone, had any …
Life History Of Two Goatfishes In Hawaii And Alternative Methodologies In Life History Research, Duncan Campbell
Life History Of Two Goatfishes In Hawaii And Alternative Methodologies In Life History Research, Duncan Campbell
Undergraduate Honors Theses
Data-driven management of fisheries requires information on the life history of the species being managed. I provide new information on the life histories of two goatfish species in Hawaiʻi, Parupeneus insularis and Parupeneus cyclostomus. Fish were collected using spearfishing from the reefs of Oʻahu between 2020 and 2023. Macroscopic and microscopic methods of assigning maturity and reproductive stage were used to estimate size at maturity and seasonality. Parapeneus insularis females are estimated to reach 50% maturity at 188 mm fork length (95% CI: 177mm, 197mm), and 95% maturity at 245 mm FL (95% CI: 226mm, 287mm). P. cyclostomus females reach …
Fecal Pellet Production By North Atlantic Zooplankton, Michael Gibson
Fecal Pellet Production By North Atlantic Zooplankton, Michael Gibson
Undergraduate Honors Theses
Fecal pellet carbon (FPC) production by zooplankton is a significant component of the ocean’s biological carbon pump: the suite of biological processes that mediate export of carbon to the deep ocean, ultimately leading to the sequestration of atmospheric carbon dioxide in the ocean. In this study, mesozooplankton (zooplankton 0.2 mm to ~2 cm) were collected from the epipelagic zone in the temperate North Atlantic Ocean during day and night in May 2021. Zooplankton were live separated into five size fractions and incubated on board ship in natural surface seawater to measure fecal pellet production rate of the mixed mesozooplankton community. …
Porifera: Biology And Medicinal Properties, Emma L. Rayfield
Porifera: Biology And Medicinal Properties, Emma L. Rayfield
Undergraduate Honors Theses
The focus of this thesis is the possibility of oceanic medicine through understanding the general biology of poriferans, their symbionts, medicinal properties, and how we could harvest sponges conservatively. It was necessary to understand the basic biology of poriferans regarding their structures, differences in their classes, and how they obtain nutrition, develop, and reproduce. The ecology of the poriferans was also researched including their larval and sessile stages and how their environment determines where they settle. Additionally, ecology was examined including how poriferans interact with symbionts and other organisms. This then was utilized to seek whether poriferans had useful medical …
Climate-Related Declines In Reproductive Output In A High-Elevation Population Of Ground Squirrels, Kayleigh Little
Climate-Related Declines In Reproductive Output In A High-Elevation Population Of Ground Squirrels, Kayleigh Little
Undergraduate Honors Theses
Beginning in the 1900s, changes in climate have resulted in an increase in global temperatures. This warming has driven behavioral and demographic changes within a multitude of species worldwide. Historically, small mammal populations have responded to changes in temperature by adjusting their geographic ranges. As temperatures rise, high-elevation populations may no longer be able to adjust as they have before. In this study, we evaluated possible effects of climate change on a high-elevation population of Belding’s ground squirrels (Urocitellus beldingi) at Tioga Pass in Northern California. We used local climate data and long-term population data from 1994 to …
Lymphocyte Proteomics For Monitoring Long Term Immune System Dynamics, Michaela Mccown
Lymphocyte Proteomics For Monitoring Long Term Immune System Dynamics, Michaela Mccown
Undergraduate Honors Theses
Time dependent change in lymphocytes provides a necessary background for monitoring the development of Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia from asymptomatic to malignant. Several bulk proteomics studies characterize differences between tumor cells and healthy B cells, yet the transition to symptomatic disease is not well understood. This could be shown by a longitudinal study beginning with asymptomatic patients if the rare tumor cells in early stages can be isolated from small volume blood draws and effectively characterized with few cells, such as was done here using healthy B cells to provide a baseline for such studies to discriminate routine fluctuation from pathogenic …
Human Health And Economic Costs Of Air Pollution In Utah: An Expert Assessment, Isabella Errigo
Human Health And Economic Costs Of Air Pollution In Utah: An Expert Assessment, Isabella Errigo
Undergraduate Honors Theses
Recent scholarship has found that air pollution damages our health and economy more than previously understood, with approximately one in four deaths associated with exposure to air pollution globally. However, translating these research findings into policy and behavior change at local levels remains a major challenge, partially because of mismatch between the scale of air pollution research (often national or global) and governance frameworks (typically local to regional). Here, we used an expert assessment to bridge this research-policy divide in Utah, USA. We combined quantitative and qualitative input from 23 Utah-specific researchers and specialists, asking for estimates of human health …
The Effects Of Total Body Proton Irradiation On Mouse Myometrium, Lillith Bulawa
The Effects Of Total Body Proton Irradiation On Mouse Myometrium, Lillith Bulawa
Undergraduate Honors Theses
The boundaries of human space exploration continue to expand with new technology and discoveries making it even more important to investigate the effects of space on biological systems. Although humans have explored space in small increments, reproductive studies must be conducted to determine if stable short- or long-term residences for humans can exist in space. This study explored the effects of whole-body proton radiation on uterine smooth muscle known as the myometrium. Two types of mice utilized in this study were C57BL/6 and B6.129S6Cybbtm1Din/J NOX2 knockout mice. C57BL/6 mice are standard laboratory mice that were used to represent the wildtype …
The Role Of Dopamine In Decision Making Processes In Drosophila Melanogaster, Michelle C. Bowers
The Role Of Dopamine In Decision Making Processes In Drosophila Melanogaster, Michelle C. Bowers
Undergraduate Honors Theses
Understanding the neural processes that mediate decision making is a relatively new field of investigation in the scientific community. With the ultimate goal of understanding how humans decide between one path and another, simpler models such as Drosophila Melanogaster, the common fruit fly, are often utilized as a way of determining the neural circuits involved in these decision-making processes. One of the most important decisions flies make is the decision of where to lay their eggs (oviposit). Choosing the proper substrate upon which to lay eggs is a crucial decision that can ultimately impact their fecundity. This paper investigates the …
Ticks On Lizards: Parasite-Host Interactions Of The Southern Alligator Lizard (Elgaria Multicarinata) In Washington State, Emma Houghton
Ticks On Lizards: Parasite-Host Interactions Of The Southern Alligator Lizard (Elgaria Multicarinata) In Washington State, Emma Houghton
Undergraduate Honors Theses
I investigated interactions between ectoparasites (ticks) and their host, the southern alligator lizard (Elgaria multicarinata). Alligator lizards are capable of complement-mediated killing of the Lyme disease spirochete carried by ticks and may potentially reduce Lyme disease prevalence by cleansing pathogenic organisms from ticks. Despite this, little is known about host-parasite dynamics in alligator lizards. My goals were to 1) assess patterns of tick presence (i.e. parasite load) on alligator lizards and 2) investigate potential negative effects of ticks on alligator lizards. I sampled lizards during the summer of 2019 near Catherine Creek, along the Columbia River Gorge in southern Washington. …
Investigating The Avian Species Composition, Diversity, And Abundance Of Engelhorn Pond, Kiana Rose
Investigating The Avian Species Composition, Diversity, And Abundance Of Engelhorn Pond, Kiana Rose
Undergraduate Honors Theses
Central Washington University’s Engelhorn Pond contains important habitats for many organisms, particularly migratory birds, and is a valuable resource for students. However, little information is available about the wildlife inhabiting the pond. The pond’s discrete location means that many people are unaware of its existence. In addition, the pond is threatened by a number of anthropogenic sources, including chemical runoff, garbage, and feral cats. By using point counts, a common ornithological survey technique, I recorded the bird species present at the pond during all seasons of the year. I collected data using point counts during 13 visits from June of …
Exploration Of Sonic Hedgehog Gene Expression In Fathead Minnows (Pimephales Promelas), Brooke Renee Greiner
Exploration Of Sonic Hedgehog Gene Expression In Fathead Minnows (Pimephales Promelas), Brooke Renee Greiner
Undergraduate Honors Theses
Pollutants, as a result of wastewater treatments, have been shown to have negative impacts on aquatic ecosystems. To better understand the possible consequences caused by effluents on ecosystems, it is important to examine ecotoxicology data. One of the most commonly used species for water quality testing is the fathead minnow, Pimephales promelas. Ecotoxicology can then be taken one step further to understand the effects of pollutants on a molecular level. Previous research had identified effluents as causes for abnormal minnow fin morphology. In order to collect additional data on development, tanks with fathead minnows were placed at the Charleston …
Anthropogenic Influence On Falco Sparverius Populations Within Washington State, Jesse Squibb
Anthropogenic Influence On Falco Sparverius Populations Within Washington State, Jesse Squibb
Undergraduate Honors Theses
American Kestrel (Falco sparverius) populations have been fluctuating throughout the United States. A primary focus in studying these birds has been on the decline of the small raptor along the East Coast of the United States. This project focuses on the American Kestrel populations within Washington State between 2005 and 2011. The goal of this project was to determine whether or not the trend in Washington are similar to those along the East Coast. This study uses data from Global Biodiversity Information Facility, Christmas Bird Count, and North American Breeding Bird Survey for American Kestrel Sightings. The United …
Investigation Into The Mechanism Of Ion Transport In Rio Negro Characiformes, Vineza D. Reduta
Investigation Into The Mechanism Of Ion Transport In Rio Negro Characiformes, Vineza D. Reduta
Undergraduate Honors Theses
Four fish species within the Characiform Order [(Rosy tetras (Hyphessobrycon rosaceus), Serpae tetras (Hyphessobrycon eques), Emperor tetras (Nematobrycon palmeri) and Penguin tetras (Thayeria obliqua)] are native to the ion-poor, acidic waters of the Rio Negro. In this paper, we focus on Wood’s revised Na+/NH4+ exchange model to gain better insight into the mechanisms of ion transport within the Characids. We exposed each species to two experimental treatments: (i) 1mM ammonia (high external ammonia [HEA]), to test coupling of Na+ uptake and ammonia excretion, and (ii) 100μM Acetazolamide …
Median Fin Patterning In Bony Fish: Caspase-3 Role In Fin Fold Reabsorption, Kaitlyn Ann Hammock
Median Fin Patterning In Bony Fish: Caspase-3 Role In Fin Fold Reabsorption, Kaitlyn Ann Hammock
Undergraduate Honors Theses
Fish larvae develop a fin fold that will later be replaced by the median fins. I hypothesize that fin fold reabsorption is part of the initial patterning of the median fins, and that caspase-3, an apoptosis marker, will be expressed in the fin fold during reabsorption. I analyzed time series of larvae in the first 20-days post hatch (dph) to determine timing of median fin development in a basal bony fish - sturgeon- and in zebrafish, a derived bony fish. I am expecting the general activation pathway to be conserved in both fishes but, the timing and location of cell …
Effects Of Turbidity On The Vision And Behavior Of Longear Sunfish, Lindsey Denea Caudle
Effects Of Turbidity On The Vision And Behavior Of Longear Sunfish, Lindsey Denea Caudle
Undergraduate Honors Theses
Fish are known to use vision in many essential behaviors, including foraging, intraspecific communication and predator avoidance. Turbidity is one of the many environmental factors potentially affecting vision quality. I examined the behavior of interacting conspecific fish in varying levels of turbidity to determine how this environmental variable affects vision and behavior. Experiments were designed to observe how longear sunfish, Lepomis megalotis, reacted to visual cues - in this case a conspecific fish in a glass jar - in the presence or absence of turbidity. My hypothesis is that sunfish will display territorial behavior when introduced to another fish …
The Suitability Of Habitats And The Effects Of Human Activities In Osupuko And Olepolos Wildlife Sanctuaries On Maasai Giraffes, Sydney P. Davis
The Suitability Of Habitats And The Effects Of Human Activities In Osupuko And Olepolos Wildlife Sanctuaries On Maasai Giraffes, Sydney P. Davis
Undergraduate Honors Theses
Habitat quality and resource availability within wildlife dispersal areas in the Amboseli ecosystem are experiencing degradation due to pastoralism and agriculture by humans, which negatively affects the wildlife species that utilize these dispersal areas. Maasai giraffes are a common species that utilize these areas, but information on how human activities and the presence of domestic livestock affects the Maasai giraffe is limited. This study was conducted in two wildlife sanctuaries: Osupuko and Olepolos. Habitat condition assessment was done to determine the quality of habitats found within each sanctuary. The Point-Centered Quadrat Method was used to determine the number of five …
The Integration Of Google Maps Into American Kestrel, Falco Sparvarius, Nest Trail Programs, Dylan M. Harper
The Integration Of Google Maps Into American Kestrel, Falco Sparvarius, Nest Trail Programs, Dylan M. Harper
Undergraduate Honors Theses
American Kestrel Nest Box Programs have been established since the mid 1960’s. The population of American Kestrels (Falco sparverius) along nest box trails has decreased by 47 percent since their original implementation. There are existing technologies that can help in the location of prime kestrel habitat (open fields with conspicuous perching locations) along highways, which reduces the amount of labor in searching for new box locations. These technologies can also help increase the efficiency of monitoring and maintaining kestrel nest trail programs. This study provides an example of how Google Maps can be implemented into a kestrel trail …
Taking The Road Most Travelled: Understanding Patterns Of Snake (Colubridae; Storeria) Movement And Road Mortality In A State Park, Iwo P. Gross
Undergraduate Honors Theses
No abstract provided.
Skeletal Development In Oviparous And Viviparous Populations Of Saiphos Equalis., Melia Baker
Skeletal Development In Oviparous And Viviparous Populations Of Saiphos Equalis., Melia Baker
Undergraduate Honors Theses
This study examines ossification at different embryonic stages to develop a pattern of ossification and to look at differences between oviparous and viviparous populations of the same species.