Zoology Commons^™

Zur Populationsökologie Und Raumnutzung Der Steppenwühlmaus Microtus Brandti (Radde, 1861) In Der Fortpflanzungsperiode, Ulrich Zöphel, N. Dawaa

Erforschung biologischer Ressourcen der Mongolei / Exploration into the Biological Resources of Mongolia, ISSN 0440-1298

During the growing season between 1988 and 1990 the population biology of Brandt’s vole (Microtus brandti) was observed in a population near Ulaanbaatar. Mark-recapture techniques (1,438 markings, 19,606 recaptures in total) and complementary methods were used. The density maximum was observed in July with 98 (1988); 169 (1989) and 94 (1990) individuals/ha and the population fluctuated by a factor of 7.4.

At the beginning of reproductive period the males disperse over a minimum distance of one female home range whereas the females do not migrate after winter. The typical mating system is promiscuity. Youngsters have been recorded from …

Biodiversity And Ecology Of Soil Oribatid Mites (Acari: Oribatida) In The Grassland Habitats Of Eastern Mongolia, Badamdorj Bayartogtokh

Erforschung biologischer Ressourcen der Mongolei / Exploration into the Biological Resources of Mongolia, ISSN 0440-1298

Composition, abundance, distribution, and diversity of oribatid mite communities were investigated at five study areas in Eastern Mongolia. A total of 88 species of oribatid mites were recorded from the studied areas. The largest number of species (51 spp.) was found in the habitats of river valleys, while the plain steppe which covers the largest area contained the lowest species richness (24 spp.). Three other sub-regions with similar landscape types show approximately the same species richness (39 to 45 spp.), although they are located relatively far from each other. The oribatid mite faunas of all sub-regions were essentially similar to …

A Study Of The Effects Of Probait On Chuditch, Dasyurus Geoffroii, Within The Julimar Conservation Park With Notes On The General Ecology, Melissa York

Theses : Honours

Broad scale fox baiting programs have been underway in Western Australia since 1996 when the Western Shield fauna recovery program commenced with the aim of recovering many fauna species that are under threat of extinction. Until recently, effective fox control for fauna recovery has been achieved with dried meat baits impregnated with the poison 1080. The Department of Conservation and Land Management (CALM) has developed more readily available and cost effective sausage meat baits, termed Probait. As bait acceptability trials in the laboratory indicated a potential risk from Pro bait ingestion by chuditch (Dasyurus geoffroii), assessment of the likely risk …

The Ecology And Relationships Of Chiropteran Ectoparasitic Communities Of Indiana, Christopher Michael Ritzi

All-Inclusive List of Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The ectoparasites of bats are an important and largely unstudied area of mammalian ecology. The structure of ectoparasitic communities on bats, and their interactions with their hosts, may help in the understanding of roosting ecology, pa1iurition, and other aspects of host natural history. In this study, a vigorous survey of the ectoparasitic fauna of the bats ofindiana was undertaken, to determine if changes in species composition has occurred over the past 30 years. This survey resulted in the recovery of 51,980 parasites of 13 families from 2,816 host individuals of l O species, documenting 16 new host records and 14 …

Use Of Cre Recombinase And Sb Transposase To Engineer Transgenic Zebrafish, Jie Dong

All-Inclusive List of Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Current transgenesis has become easier for certain species due to the recent development of exogenous non site-specific recombination systems such as Sleeping Beauty (SB) transposon, and site-specific recombination systems such as Cre-loxP. Such recombination systems overcame two major problems caused by conventional transgenesis, position effect and copy number effect. SB is a reconstructed fish transposon that has shown to efficiently insert transgenes into heterologous mammalian chromosomes. The Cre-loxP system is frequently used to delete a given sequence from the genome or to target the integration of foreign DNA. The use of both systems in combination, however, has not yet been …

Cheloniidae (Marine Turtle) Nest Predation, John Woolard, Richard M. Engeman, Henry T. Smith, John Griner

United States Department of Agriculture Wildlife Services: Staff Publications

On 19 June 2003 at 0217 h, an opossum (Didelphis virginiana) was observed for 10 min while digging into a marine turtle nest and eating 4 eggs on the beach at St. Lucie Inlet Preserve State Park (SLIPSP) on Jupiter Island, Florida. The predation event was observed using night vision equipment as part of nightly patrols to protect turtle nests from raccoon (Procyon lotor) and armadillo (Dasypus noverncinctus) predation during the nesting season. After verification of an ongoing predation event, the opossum was euthanized and removed. Prior to implementing predator removal on this beach, …

Investigation Into The Use Of Bait Stations For The Control Of The European Wild Rabbit (Oryctolagus Cuniculus) In The Urban Bushland Reserve Of Bold Park, Perth, Western Australia, Malin Kordes

Theses : Honours

European rabbits in Australia have a significant impact on the environment and the economy. It is therefore necessary to implement control programs. In rural areas a number of methods including warren ripping and poisoning are frequently used. In urban areas though, rabbit control is not as easily accomplished because the use of many control methods is not appropriate. For example, the poison 1080 often cannot be used due to public health concerns and warren ripping cannot be used in conservation areas. Poisoning with pindone, an anticoagulant, is therefore one of few options available to the managers of urban reserves. However, …

The Effects Of Environmentally Relevant Doses Of Perchlorate (Clo4-) On Rana Pipiens Metamorphosis And Development, Andrea N. Golli

UNLV Theses, Dissertations, Professional Papers, and Capstones

The purpose of this study was to assess the effects of environmentally relevant concentrations of perchlorate on the development and growth of Rana pipiens. Ammonium perchlorate is a rocket fuel oxidizer that is known to interfere with the function of the thyroid gland and some of the highest United States surface water concentration exists in the Las Vegas Wash, NV. Perchlorate not only blocks the body’s ability to incorporate iodine into T3 and T4 hormones through the sodium iodine symporter system, but also depletes the thyroid glands’ internal stores of iodine. Many of the steps that regulate metamorphosis in amphibians …

The Role Of Facial Pits In The Thermoregulatory Behavior Of Pitvipers (Viperidae: Crotalinae) Behavioral, Ecological And Phylogenetic Perspectives, Aaron R. Krochmal

All-Inclusive List of Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Pitvipers (Viperidae: Crotalinae) possess unique sensory organs, the facial pits, capable of sensing subtle fluctuations in thermal radiation. Prey acquisition has long been regarded as the sole function of the facial pits. However, the ability to sense thermal radiation could also direct thermoregulatory behavior by remotely sensing nearby surface temperatures. Using a series ofbehavioral arenas of varying spatial complexity and ecological relevance, I surveyed the ability of western diamondback rattlesnakes (Crotalus atrox) to direct successful thermoregulatory movements with either functional or disabled facial pits. I found that western diamondback rattlesnakes could base thermoregulatory decisions on thermal radiation cues when their …

Geographic Variation In The Morphology Of Crotalus Horridus (Serpentes: Viperidae), John Robert Allsteadt

Biological Sciences Theses & Dissertations

The Timber Rattlesnake (Crotalus horridus) occurs in discontinuous populations throughout the eastern and central United States. The species exhibits high levels of polymorphism in morphological traits, especially in coloration and pattern. Previous studies recognized either distinct northern and southern subspecies or three regional morphs (northern, southern, and western), but conflicting data sets and limited geographic sampling of previous studies have left the relationships among those regional variants unclear. In this study, univariate and multivariate statistics, together with a geographic information system, were used to analyze geographic variation in 36 morphological characters recorded from 2,420 specimens of C. horridus …

Habitat Use And Partitioning Between The Evening Bat, Nycticeius Humeralis, And The Big Brown Bat, Eptesicus Fuscus, In Indiana, Joseph E. Duchamp

All-Inclusive List of Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to look at possible methods of prey-resource partitioning between two sympatric species of bat that have similar diets: the evening bal, Nycticeius humeralis, and the big brown bat, Eptesicus fuscus. Thirty-four adult female bats were radio tracked during this study: 11 evening bats and 11 big brown bats near a suburb oflndianapolis, IN in 2001, and 11 evening bats and l big brown bat in the bottomland forest of Prairie Creek, IN in 1999 and 2000. Habitat use and foraging patterns were evaluated using radio-telemetry and a geographic information system (GIS). Habitat selection was …

Australia: An Integrated Curriculum Unit, Grades 2-4, Institute For The Development Of Gifted Education, Ricks Center For Gifted Children, University Of Denver

Ricks Curriculum Units Series

An integrated curriculum is an instructional approach that connects the disciplines to an underlying theme or topic. Immersing students in an integrated-thematic unit provides the backdrop for experiences to occur across the disciplines. Shaping coursework around integrated themes is especially appropriate for gifted students, however using an integrated-thematic curriculum is appropriate for all learners as it develops students' abilities to make connections, to solve problems by looking at multiple perspectives, and to integrate information from different fields of experience. An integrated-thematic curriculum permits students to be active participants in their own learning as they design their own explorations and take …

Natural History And Roosting Ecology Of The Eastern Pipistrelle, Pipistrellus Subflavus, Jacques Pierre Veilleux

All-Inclusive List of Electronic Theses and Dissertations

A study concerning the natural history and roosting ecology of the eastern pipistrelle, Pipistrellus subtlavus, was conducted from 1997 to 2000, in southern Vigo County, Indiana. 111 Females began forming pre-maternity colonies during early May, and parturition began during late June. Pre-maternity colonies averaged 3.7 ± 1.9 individuals, and maternity colonies averaged 4.4 ± 2.4 individuals. Young pipistrelles first became volant during the third and fourth weeks of July. Pipistrelles were located in 59 roost trees. All roosts were located in foliage, either in clusters of dead leaves (n = 40) or in live foliage (n = 19). Oaks (Ouercus …

Effects Of Fire Ants (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) On Hatching Turtles And Prevalence Of Fire Ants On Sea Turtle Nesting Beaches In Florida, Craig R. Allen, Elizabeth A. Forys, Kenneth G. Rice, Daniel P. Wojcik

Nebraska Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Unit: Staff Publications

Red imported fire ants (Solenopsis invicta Buren) have increasingly been observed in loggerhead (Caretta caretta L.) and green (Chelonia mydas L.) sea turtle nests in Florida, and in the nests of freshwater turtles. They may be attracted to the disturbance, mucous and moisture associated with turtle nesting and establish foraging tunnels into turtle nests shortly after egg-laying, thus increasing the vulnerability of hatchlings to fire ant predation. We conducted experiments on a freshwater turtle (Pseudemys nelsoni Carr) to determine the potential impacts of S. invicta on turtle hatchlings. Over 70% of hatchlings were killed by …

Life History Of The River Shiner, Notropis Blennius (Cyprinidae), In The Arkansas River Of Western Arkansas, Laura Hudson, Thomas M. Buchanan

Journal of the Arkansas Academy of Science

The reproductive cycle, food habits, and age and growth of the river shiner, Notropis blennius (Girard), in the Arkansas River of western Arkansas were studied from May 1996 through October 1997. Based on gonadosomatic indices and mean ovumd iameters of females, tubercle development in males, and the first appearance of young-of-year in samples, the breeding season extended from June through August in both 1996 and 1997. The river shiner is a diurnal, generalist feeder that forages on a wide variety of food items. In all four seasons, detritus dominated the diets of adults and juveniles in terms of volume and …

Extralimital Records Of The Mexican Free-Tailed Bat (Tadarida Brasilensis Mexicana) In The Central United States And Their Biological Significance, Hugh H. Genoways, Patricia W. Freeman, Cary Grell

School of Natural Resources: Faculty Publications

Two new records of Tadarida brasiliensis mexicana are reported from Nebraska. The literature records of this taxon from the central United States are summarized. In this region of North America, these bats occupy a “natal range” where the species carries on regular reproductive activities and the populations are relatively stable, including California, Arizona, New Mexico, Texas, and Oklahoma. To the north of the natal range of T. b. mexicana is a “pioneering zone” where, under favorable conditions, the species is capable of reproducing and conducting its normal activities. The pioneering zone of the Mexican free-tailed bat includes Barber and Comanche …

Shifting Distributional Patterns Of Mammals In Nebraska, Russell A. Benedict, Hugh H. Genoways, Patricia W. Freeman

School of Natural Resources: Faculty Publications

New distributional records are presented for 20 species of mammals in Nebraska. The majority of these records appear to represent changes in geographic distribution rather than just better sampling in poorly known areas. One group of mammals, including the opossum, northern myotis, evening bat, red bat, woodchuck, white-footed mouse, and gray fox, is expanding westward, probably in response to increasing woodlands along river systems. Another group, including the meadow vole, masked shrew, and least weasel, is expanding southward, possibly in response to new prey species and changing microclimates. The eastern woodrat appears to be expanding northward in eastern Nebraska. The …

Black-Tailed Deer Habitat Changes In A Portion Of The Mount St. Helens Blast Zone, Ronald W. Davis

All-Inclusive List of Electronic Theses and Dissertations

This study utilized Landsat TM imagery to evaluate black-tailed deer habitat changes in a portion of the Mount Saint Helens blast zone in western Washington. The purpose of this study was to compare the post eruption vegetation changes with population trends for black tailed deer. The 55,000-acre study area comprises a Washington Department of Game Management unit (GMU 524) located to the northnorthwest of Mount St. Helens. Approximately 80% ofthe mostly forested study area was affected by lateral blast from the 1980 eruption. The area is predominantly private land managed for timber production but a small portion falls within the …

Avian Communities Of Large Reclaimed Mine Grasslands In Southwestern Indiana, Travis L. Devault

All-Inclusive List of Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Many bird species native to the tallgrnss prairie region oCthc central U.S. have declined drastically since European settlement due lo the destruction and alteration of grassland habitat. In this study, the breeding bird communities or 21 large reclaimed surface coal mine grasslands in a seven-county area or southwestern Indiana were examined with respect to species and guild composition, density, variation among sites, and grassland size. In addition, the vegetation characteristics of nine large mine grasslands were described and related to the presence and abundance or eight grasslund bird species common to the study areas. The immense size of mine grasslands …

Effect Of Human Disturbance On Small Mammal Communities In Itasca State Park, Minnesota, Nancy L. Staus, Kathleen Conforti, Leslie N. Clapper, Jennifer A. Longhenry, C. C. Schoenbauer, Michael S. Rentz, John R. Tester

Journal of the Minnesota Academy of Science

We determined effects of different levels of human disturbance on small mammal richness and relative abundance from live-trapping data obtained in Itasca State Park in northwestern Minnesota. We developed a quantitative measure of human disturbance based on disturbance units and trapped small mammals on three study sites, each reflecting a different level of disturbance. Our data revealed that small mammal diversity decreased with increasing human disturbance. Amount of ground cover and litter depth also appeared to be important in explaining differences in the demographic patterns of small mammals among sites.

Effects Of Predation On Two Species Of Stream-Dwelling Crayfish (Orconectes Marchandi And Cambarus Hubbsi) In Pool And Riffle Microhabitats, Heidi Dukat, Daniel D. Magoulick

Journal of the Arkansas Academy of Science

Community structure may be governed by many abiotic and biotic factors. Of the biotic factors, predation is often considered to be critical in structuring freshwater stream communities. In the Warm Fork of the Spring River, the crayfish Cambarus hubbsi is found mainly in riffles, whereas the crayfish Orconectes marchandi is found in high numbers in pools. We hypothesized that predation, mainly by fish, is a factor causing this segregation. Higher predation rates for C. hubbsi than 0. marchandi in the pools and higher predation rates for 0. marchandi than C. hubbsi in the riffles were expected. A transplant tethering experiment …

Survey Of Mollusks Of The Niobrara River: Final Report, Patricia W. Freeman, Keith Perkins

School of Natural Resources: Faculty Publications

We surveyed the mollusks of the Niobrara River in Nebraska from 1992–1996. We found two species of unionid clams and ten species of snails that either must live in water or near water. Both clams and snails are poorly sampled in the state, however we attribute the low number of species of unionid clams in the Niobrara to its cold, fast flow and rocky bottom. In contrast, the Platte River is slower moving with a muddy bottom and has at least 11 species of unionid clams. Each species has been mapped with latitude/longitude coordinates. Specimens have been curated and are …

Systematics Of The Freshwater Amphipod Genus Crangonyx (Crangonyctidae) In North America, Jun Zhang

Biological Sciences Theses & Dissertations

The systematics of the amphipod genus Crangonyx of North America (north of Mexico) is revised, based on available collections (ca. 2240) and literature dealing with the genus. A grand total of 42 North America species of Crangonyx are recognized in the present study, 24 of them new to science. All species are described or redescribed and figured, utilizing external morphological features. Keys to both species groups and individual species are given. Phylogenetic trees are built using computer programs (PAUP, Hennig86, MacClade) based on 26 characters. Wagner parsimony produced 18 parsimonious trees and Fitch parsimony produced 45 trees. The consensus tree …

Ecology Of The Early Life History Of The Caribbean Spiny Lobster, Panulirus Argus: Recruitment, Predation, And Habitat Requirements, Charles A. Acosta

Biological Sciences Theses & Dissertations

Recruitment variability of the early life history stages of marine benthic organisms can have profound consequences on population dynamics. I studied factors affecting recruitment success of postlarvae and early juveniles of the Caribbean spiny lobster. I examined patterns in postlarval supply, investigated wind forcing as a potential transport mechanism for recruiting postlarvae, and quantified predation on postlarvae in south Florida, USA. In an eight-year time series, spiny lobster postlarval supply occurred year-round between the new and first quarter lunar phases. The major annual peak occurred around March corresponding to spawning activity ten months earlier, and a smaller non-seasonal peak occurred …

Distribution Of Free Marine Viruses Of Lower Chesapeake Bay And Their Effects On Life-History Parameters Of The Estuarine Copepod Acartia Tonsa Dana, Lisa A. Drake

OES Theses and Dissertations

Naturally occurring viruses are very abundant in fresh, estuarine, and marine waters, with densities on the order of 10⁵-10⁸ viruses ml^-1. Research has focused on virus effects on bacteria, cyanobacteria, and phytoplankton, as well as mechanisms of virus production and decay. However, little is known about the distribution of viruses in benthic environments or virus effects on organisms in higher trophic levels.

To determine the distribution of virus-like particles (VLPs) and bacteria in the lower Chesapeake Bay, vertical profiles of VLPs and bacteria were determined through the water column and 15-25 cm into the sediment …

Diversity Of Arkansas Water Resources Research, Kenneth F. Steele

Arkansas Water Resources Center Technical Reports

In order to understand, protect, and manage our water resources effectively knowledge is required from many diverse areas of science, engineering, economics, and sociology. These proceedings of the conference on the Diversity of Arkansas Water Resources Research reflect this need and demonstrate how researchers in the state are responding to water issues and problems in Arkansas. The papers in these proceedings are representative of the research in Arkansas, but are only a sample of the work being conducted by universities and government agencies in Arkansas. We are grateful that Arkansas has the expertise available to provide the information necessary to …

Captive Environmental Influences On Behavior In Zoo Drills And Mandrills (Mandrillus), A Threatened Genus Of Primate, Erik Terdal

Dissertations and Theses

Drills (Mandrillus leucophaeus) are an endangered species of African monkey (Cercopithecidae), and their sole congener the mandrill (Mandrillus sphinx) is vulnerable to extinction. Both species are threatened in the wild by deforestation and hunting.

Drills have a poor record of captive reproduction. Many individuals appear to have behavioral deficiencies which interfere with reproduction. Thus, the zoo population of drills does not serve as a “hedge” against the species’ total extinction: drills are endangered in captivity as well as in the wild. Mandrills, by contrast, reproduce well in captivity. Information on the behavior of mandrills in captivity may help zoo managers …

Biological Processes: Relationships Between Earthworms And Soil Temperature, Edwin C. Berry, Jerry K. Radke

Journal of the Minnesota Academy of Science

Soil fauna play important roles in many soil processes and conditions which relate to agricultural systems. Earthworms are credited with enhancing soil fertility and soil physical properties by their feeding and burrowing activities. Most research on earthworms has focused on the warmer seasons of the year and relatively little is known about earthworm activity and survival during the portion of the year with frozen soils. Earthworms may survive winter by acclimatization, aestivation, or by burrowing to deeper depths where the soil is not frozen. More research is needed on the fate of earthworms in frozen soils. Suggested research areas include: …

Turtles, James F. Fowler, Jimmy L. Avery

Prevention and Control of Wildlife Damage Handbook

Turtles (Terrapene carolina) occur on all continents except Antarctica. Any permanent body of water is a potential home for turtles. Turtles are seldom a pest to people. Most turtles are not protected by state laws.

Ecology Of The State Endangered Yellow Mud Turtle, Kinosternon Flavescens In Henry Co., Illinois, Michael W. Tuma

Masters Theses

Illinois populations of the state endangered yellow mud turtle (Kinosternon flavescens) persist in scattered locations on sand prairies. The largest population occurs on a remnant sand prairie of the former Green River Marsh in Henry Co. A study was conducted during 1992 to determine important criteria for preserve design. These criteria included extent of turtle movements within the site and habitat use. Turtles were captured by aquatic hoop traps, drift fence, and by hand from May 11 to August 31. A total of 16 adults, four juveniles, and eight hatchlings were captured. Population size was estimated at 44.80 adults using …