Animal Sciences Commons^™

Developmental Plasticity Of Stress Tolerance And Life-History Strategy To Artificial Light At Night, Alyssa M. Bonfoey

University of the Pacific Theses and Dissertations

Artificial light at night (ALAN), or ecological light pollution, is increasingly prevalent worldwide. Exposure to ALAN tends to negatively impact animals—particularly, nocturnal animals—but life-history strategies may mitigate these costs. Animals in many regions are also increasingly exposed to climate-related stressors, such as heat and drought. Yet, interactions among ALAN, life-history strategy, and stress tolerance are unknown. Therefore, I determined if developmental ALAN exposure (1) affects development, (2) affects adult phenotype, including heat and desiccation tolerance, and (3) affects and/or interacts with life-history strategy. To address my aims, I used the variable field cricket (Gryllus lineaticeps) because its geographic range is …

How Do They Do It? Using Omics Approaches To Explore Metabolic Responses Associated With Hypoxia And Exercise Tolerance In The Deepest Diving Pinniped, Elizabeth R. Piotrowski

University of the Pacific Theses and Dissertations

Marine mammals such as northern elephant seals (NES) routinely experience hypoxemia and ischemia-reperfusion events to many tissues during deep dives with no apparent adverse effects. Adaptations to diving include increased antioxidants and elevated oxygen storage capacity associated with high hemoprotein content in blood and muscle. Despite experiencing decreased oxygen tensions during diving, NES likely rely on the mobilization of large lipids stores and catabolism of fatty acids to provide energy to exercising muscle while diving. To identify potential regulatory mechanisms that may underly hypoxia and exercise tolerance in diving mammals, this study used system-wide approaches to characterize changes in genes …

Impacts Of Plastic Pollution On A Pelagic Marine Mammal, The Northern Elephant Seal, Lauren M. Kashiwabara

University of the Pacific Theses and Dissertations

As plastic pollution increases, top marine predators such as marine mammals are becoming increasingly susceptible to plastic particles and their additives. Plastic particles have been found in gastrointestinal tracts and scat of many marine mammals, and quantifying plastic pollution in those that are pelagic can provide insight into plastic pollution in mesopelagic ecosystems that are just beginning to be analyzed. Adapting well-developed laboratory techniques for microplastic (MP) isolation (i.e. density separation and chemical digestion), I isolated MPs from the scat of the deepest diving pinniped, the northern elephant seal (NES), and found that100% of scat samples (n=11) contained high counts …

Stressed Out: Life-History Strategy And The Costs Of Multiple Stressors In Gryllus Crickets, Sugjit S. Padda

University of the Pacific Theses and Dissertations

The frequency, duration, and co-occurrence of several environmental stressors are increasing globally. Multiple stressors may have compounding or interactive effects on animals, resulting in either additive or non-additive costs, but animals may mitigate these costs through various strategies of resource conservation or shifts in resource allocation. Thus, through two related factorial experiments, I measured a range of traits—from those related to life history and behavior to underlying physiology— to investigate the nature of costs (additive, non-additive, or neither additive nor non-additive), cost-mitigating strategies (resource conservation or allocation), and life-history strategy related to multiple stressors. First, I leveraged life-history strategy differences …

Blubber Transcriptome And Proteome Responses To Repeated Adrenocorticotropic Hormone Administration In A Marine Mammal, Jared Deyarmin

University of the Pacific Theses and Dissertations

Chronic physiological stress impacts animal fitness by catabolizing metabolic stores and suppressing reproduction and immunity. This can be especially deleterious for capital breeding carnivores, such as marine mammals, which rely on lipid stores accrued during intensive foraging to sustain prolonged periods of fasting associated with reproduction. Therefore, chronic stress may cause a decrease in fitness in these animals, leading to population declines and potentially detrimental shifts in food web dynamics as a result. However, the impacts and indicators of chronic stress in animals are currently poorly understood. To identify downstream mediators of repeated stress responses in marine mammals, adrenocorticotropic hormone …

Evaluating Methods Of Obtaining Male Pheromone From Hymenochirus Sp. Using Analytical Chemistry, Vincent Wing-Kun Leung

University of the Pacific Theses and Dissertations

Male Hymenochirus sp. frogs are known to release pheromone that attracts females of the same species. Four methods for collecting secretions containing pheromone in Hymenochirus sp. were tested: norepinephrine injection, gonadotropin-releasing hormone injection, homogenization of gland tissue, and electrostimulation of the skin over the breeding gland area. The samples collected were analyzed using high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) and mass spectrometry. The HPLC chromatograph for the male norepinephrine sample contained a peak at 6.4 min that was not in the female norepinephrine sample HPLC chromatograph. The male norepinephrine sample mass spectrum had a peak of m/z 292.0 not in the female …

Neuromuscular Control Of The Calling Apparatus In The Túngara Frog (Engystomops Pustulosus), Kiran Kaur Grewal

University of the Pacific Theses and Dissertations

Male túngara frogs can add a distinctive note ("chuck”) to their mating call. Production of the chuck involves vibrating a pair of laryngeal fibrous masses that is attached to the vocal cords. The muscular control of this mechanism remains unknown. Recent studies revealed a split in the laryngeal dilator muscle, which unveiled the deep dilator as a novel laryngeal muscle with unique attachments, innervation, and (likely) function. The deep dilator may position the fibrous masses for chuck production. The goals of this study were 1) to confirm the innervation of the novel muscle through electrophysiology; and 2) to determine the …

Vector Competence Of Aedes Sierrensis And Culex Pipiens Complex (Diptera: Culicidae) For Dirofilaria Immitis (Spirurida: Onchocercidae) In Northern California, Jeffrey Allan Kurosaka

University of the Pacific Theses and Dissertations

Dirofilaria immitis Leidy (dog heartworm) is a life-threatening parasite transmitted by mosquitoes to domestic dogs. Endemic in the eastern United States, cases have become more prevalent over the last few decades. While prevalence in California is generally low, Lake and San Joaquin Counties have reported rates comparable to the East Coast at 3.73% and 0.71%(CAPC 2017), respectively. Aedes sierrensis is thought to be responsible for transmission in California, but in some cases, it exists in inadequate quantities and temporal ranges to explain parasite activity. Based on Huang et al. (2013) and Tran (2016), bloodfeeding patterns, and other vector criteria, Culex …

Optimization Of Porcine Buccal Mucosa For In Vitro Evaluation, Upendra D. Kulkarni

University of the Pacific Theses and Dissertations

Porcine buccal mucosa has been extensively used as in vitro model to study the permeability of drugs and assess their potential to deliver through buccal route. Porcine buccal mucosa is found to be very similar to human oral mucosa in structure and function. However, the in vitro permeation studies across porcine buccal mucosa show high variability which is mostly due to the various experimental and biological variables that are often overlooked while conducting such studies.

The precise nature of the permeability barrier offered by the various tissue layers of buccal mucosa was investigated in this study. It was observed that …

The Aquatic Insects Of Mill Creek, California, Eugene J. Bisagno

University of the Pacific Theses and Dissertations

The study of insects has been a hobby for me for more than twenty years. Their diversity and adaptation to many habitats has been of particular interest. Ever since the removal of my first aquatic nymph from the crashing waters of the American River, I have been especially fascinated, with these insects. Since I had access to a relatively undisturbed year round stream, I chose to study the aquatic insects of this stream. The purpose of this study was to survey the aquatic insect fauna of Mill Creek during the course of a year and relate these findings to the …

Behavioral Variability In Captive Slow Lorises, Nycticebus Coucang (Lorisidae, Primates), Shan Dustin Duncan

University of the Pacific Theses and Dissertations

This is a quantitative analysis of individual and sex-related variability in selected activities of captive slow lorises (Nyctivebus coucang).

Eye Movement Related Single-Unit Recording In The Nucleus Reticularis Tegmenti Pontis In The Alert Monkey, William Franklin Crandall Jr.

University of the Pacific Theses and Dissertations

Nucleus Reticularis Tegmenti Pontis (NRTP) is a structure which lies in the mid-brain ventral to the oculomotor complex. Anatomical studies strongly implicate it in oculomotor function as most of its inputs and outputs are to systems previously shown to be intimately involved in eye movement generation--superior colliculus (SC) and cerebellum. These reports show an integrative structure with inputs and outputs distributed in a way well suited for performing relay and feedback tasks. Physiological data in the alert, trained monkey has been gathered in an attempt to characterize these neurons and to classify them in functional terms. Three monkeys were trained …

Feeding Studies On Three Species Of Fish From Tomales Bay, California, John Brezina

University of the Pacific Theses and Dissertations

The study of fish diets or feeding behavior is an important aspect in ecology. Analysis of fish stomach contents often provides data for determining resource utilization, feeding strategies, and overlaps in food items among and between species. Studies of fish diets could also be used for testing ecological theory or provide management procedures for fisheries if methods could be developed for minimizing competitive food utilizations by other fish and enhancing growth of exloited fish populations (Obrebski and Sibert 1977). In order to understand more about ecological communities and competitive predatory relationships of fish, more data are required on their diets …

Vocal Communication, Nesting, And Territoriality In The California Scrub Jay (Aphelocoma Coerulescens), Nancy Donehue Dodson

University of the Pacific Theses and Dissertations

This report evaluates vocal communication, nesting, territoriality, and other social behaviors of the California Scrub Jay.

Some Helminths From Salamanders Of California, José Joaquín Castro

University of the Pacific Theses and Dissertations

Studies on the helminth parasites of salamanders from California have been very limited.

Between September 1975 and April 1977, 340 salamander belonging to seven species, Aneides flavipunctatus (7), A. lugubris (7), Batrachoceps attenuatus attenuatus (250), Ensatina eschscholtzii eschscholtzii (52), E. e. sierrae (17), Taricha torosa (6), and Dicamptodon ensatus (1), were examined for helminths and found to harbor 10 species, four of which are new. The parasites found are: Cestoda: Distoichometra ensatinae sp. nov. from Ensatina e. eschscholtzii and E. e. sierrae; and Baerietta diana (Helfer, 1948) Douglas, 1958 from Batrachoceps a. attenuatus. Nematoda: Dibulbiger caballeroi sp. nov. from Dicamptodon …

Correlations Of Some Physico-Chemical Factors With Cladocerans, Copepods, And Rotifers In Fourteenmile Slough, Stockton, California, John Kenneth Frey

University of the Pacific Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to examine correlations between physico-chemical factors; between factors and particular species of zooplankton; between species of zooplankton; and between different locations in a dead-end slough. Fourteenmile Slough, located in northwest Stockton, California) was chosen as the location for this study.

The Functional Development Of The Adrenal-Sympathetic Nervous System In Neonatal And Adolescent Swine, Sidney Koon Hung Woo

University of the Pacific Theses and Dissertations

The development of the animal after birth is marked by complex changes. Certain periods are particularly important and have been defined as "critical periods" (Krecek, 1971). Two processes are important to the survival of the animals during these times. The process of "adaptation" involves the maturation of specific physiological systems according to the needs of the neonatal animal, and is dictated by the external environment. The process of "tolerance" renders the neonate relatively unresponsive to a stressor as compared to the adult and protects the animals from over-responding the depleting vital resources until it is physiologically mature. An example of …

Solubilization Of Acetylcholinestrerae From Subcellular Components Of Mammalian Brain Tissue, John E. Taylor

University of the Pacific Theses and Dissertations

Since all chemical and electrical input into the cell / occurs via its plasma membrane, many pharmacological agents and hormones initiate their effects by interacting with receptor sites on the plasma membrane or by passing through the cell membrane and interacting with other membranes within the cell. Generally, the precise mechanisms by which these events occur remain relatively unclear. It was thought for many years that the cell membrane was a relatively static structure which allowed molecules to enter the cell at a rate dependent upon their degree of lipid solubility. However, more recently an increasing body of evidence suggests …

The Effects Of Effort And Day Of Exposure On Imprinting, Jean Elizabeth Van Dyke

University of the Pacific Theses and Dissertations

24 pairs of newly-hatched Leghorn chicks were randomly divided into 3 groups. Ss in one group followed a moving object for 30 min on Day 1 of life; Ss in another group followed for 30 min on Day 2; Ss in the remaining group followed for 15 min on Day 1 and 15 min on Day 2. One S in each pair followed by his own effort, while the other S rode behind the object in a transparent box. On Day 4, Ss were tested for the duration of following of the object. No important differences among groups were observed. …

The Predatory Behavior Of Pisaster Ochraceus (Brandt), David A. Jillson

University of the Pacific Theses and Dissertations

The persistence of predator-prey systems in evolutionar time is a function of the efficiency with which the predator obtains its food, and the ability of the prey to avoid ex- tinction. One of the important components of survival of the system is environmental heterogeneity (Huffaker 1958).

Along rocky intertidal regions of the northern Pacific coast of North America, a major predator, the starfish Pisast ochraceus has a dominant effect upon patterns of distribution of many intertidal organisms (Paine 1966). Likewise, the distribution of intertidal fauna exert an effect upon the activities of Pisaster. Other biological interactions such an grazing activities …

Some Aspects Of Mercury Accumulation By The Purple Shore Crab Hemigrapsus Nudus Dana (Crustacea: Decapoda), Ralph Gene Swanson

University of the Pacific Theses and Dissertations

The present study has attempted to investigate some of the more basic questions concerning the toxicity and accumulation of mercury in the purple shore crab, Hemigrapsus nudus. This rocky intertidal denizen is found in abundance along the entire Pacific coast of the United States from Sitka, Alaska, to the Gulf of California where it dominates the mid-tide pool region. Local specimens were collected just north of the Pacific Marine Stations, Dillon Beach, Marin County, California. The animal is hearty and can be kept in a state of good health for long periods of time in the laboratory with minimum care …

Reproductive Biology Of Thais Emarginata (Deshayes, 1839) And Thais Canaliculata (Dulcos, 1832), Roy Seamands Houston

University of the Pacific Theses and Dissertations

Thais emarginata (Deshayes, 1839) and Thais canaliculata (Dulcos, 1832), are two common Pacific coast gastropods (Family: Muricidae). T. emarginata is found in semi-protected rocky areas from Alaska to Baja California, while T. canaliaulata occurs in quiet bays from Alaska to Monterey Bay, California (Ricketts and Calvin, 1966). Both species occur on rocks and jetties where they can be seen feeding upon barnacles and young mussels. Despite the abundance of these species their reproductive biology has not been examined.

In the present study, the following aspects of the reproductive biology of T. emarginata and T. canalieulata are presented: Relationship of gonadal …

Minor Constituents Of The Essential Oil Of Anemopsis Californica, Dilip Ramrau Sanvordeker

University of the Pacific Theses and Dissertations

Anemonala californica (Nutt.) Hook and Arn.(family Saururaceae), commonly known as Yerba del Hanza, is widely distributed in the United States and northern provinces of Mexico. The extract of the roots and rhizomes is used by the natives of Mexico in the treatment of rheumatic disorders, for asthma and also as a blood purifier.

Digenetic Trematodes From Embiotocid Fishes Of Tomales And Bodega Bays, California, Thomas David Rodella

University of the Pacific Theses and Dissertations

The present paper deals solely with parasites of marine fishes of the family Enbiotocidae represented in the American Pacific according to Special Publications no. 2, American Fisheries Society, 1960, by 20 species, all of which are marine except the Tule perch, Hysterocarpus traski (Gibbons) from fresh water. In Tomales and Bodega Bays 174 fishes representing 9 embiotocid species were examined and found to harbor 6 species of digenetic trem todes, including one here in described as new.

Seasonal Gonadal Changes Of Adult Oviparous Oysters In Tomales Bay, Carl John Berg

University of the Pacific Theses and Dissertations

Two species of oviparous oysters, Crassostrea virginica (Gmelin, 1790), the Eastern oyster, and Crassostrea gigas (Thunbert, 1793), the Japanese oyster, were introduced into Tomales Bay, California, for commercial purposes. Because these oysters do not propagate in Tomales Bay, new shipments of adult oysters or oyster spat must be periodically sent from the east coast of the United States or from Japan. It is the purpose of this study to compare the seasonal gonadal changes which occur in the two species of adult oysters in Tomales Bay with one another, and to compare them with the seasonal gonadal changes which occur …

Overtraining In Two-Cue Discrimination Learning In Rats, Douglas Neil

University of the Pacific Theses and Dissertations

The present experiment was designed to produce additional experimental evidence on the effects of overtraining on attention in a two-cue discrimination problem. It was the contention of the present study that Sutherland and Holgate's failure to obtain equal mastery of cues was due to insufficient training. If training had been prolonged far enough equal mastery of cues should result. That is, if Ss were overtrained on a two-cue discrimination problem and tested for level of performance on each cue separately at the end of overtraining Ss would perform at near 100% on the test.

Survey Of The Fishes Of Tomales Bay With Notes On The Life History Of The White Seaperch, Phanerodon Furcatus Girard, Tapan Banerjee

University of the Pacific Theses and Dissertations

Tomales Bay is situated in Marin County, about 40 miles north-west of San Francisco. This shallow bay averages about 1.5 miles in width and is about 12.6 miles in length, with an average depth of 12 feet (Johnson, Bryant and Hedgpeth, 1961). Oyster and herring comprise the main fishing industry, although the bay contributes a great amount of perch, smelt, halibut, and shark. Gill and seine nets are the most common gear used by fishermen.

The primary objectives of this study were: (1) to determine the species composition of the bay, and the relation between seining success at different localities …

A Comparative Study Of Gross Pelvic Anatomy And Renal Histology Of Two Species Of Sparrows, Shirley Ann Hoskins

University of the Pacific Theses and Dissertations

While in no way passing judgments on the quality of the investigations which have been published, there is one conclusion that must be reached and this is that there is room for further investigations. The studies which form the basis of this paper were undertaken to widen the general range of information on the avian kidney and its associated osseous cradle. In addition to the discussion, numerous photographs and diagrams are submitted to clarify and support the text. The present paper deals with with kidney and pelvic girdle of two species of sparrow: Zonotrichia leucophrys and Passer domesticus.

Annotated Checklist Of The Birds Of San Joaquin County, California, James Leroy Tate Jr.

University of the Pacific Theses and Dissertations

Evaluation of many records is the only way valid judgments can be made on abundance and status. The necessity of obtaining exact dates, localities, numbers, and special weather conditions cannot be overemphasized. For this reason, records in supplement to this list are freely solicited.

The present checklist includes all species and subspecies for which specimens exist. In some instances sight records have been adequate reason for including a species on the list when no specimen existed. Sight records for species which are difficult to identify have been admitted upon careful editing. The author has followed the policy outlined by Griscom …

Studies Of The Haematozoa Of Some Birds Of Northern California, Wayland Lee Ezell

University of the Pacific Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of the work leading to the writing of the thesis was two fold: (1) to survey birds of Northern California for hemoprotozoa of the genera Haemoproteus, Leucocytozoon, and Trypanosoma, and (2) to construct an up-to-date check-list of the Haemoproteus, Leucocytozoon, and Trypanosoma parasites of birds of North America.