Zoology Commons^™

Primate Tnf Promoters Reveal Markers Of Phylogeny And Evolution Of Innate Immunity, Andres Baena, Alan R. Mootnick, James V. Falvo, Alla V. Tsytsykova, Filipa Ligeiro, Ousmane M. Diop, Claudia Brieva, Pascal Gagneux, Stephen J. O'Brien, Oliver A. Ryder, Anne E. Goldfeld

Biology Faculty Articles

Background. Tumor necrosis factor (TNF) is a critical cytokine in the immune response whose transcriptional activation is controlled by a proximal promoter region that is highly conserved in mammals and, in particular, primates. Specific single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) upstream of the proximal human TNF promoter have been identified, which are markers of human ancestry.

Methodology/Principal findings. Using a comparative genomics approach we show that certain fixed genetic differences in the TNF promoter serve as markers of primate speciation. We also demonstrate that distinct alleles of most human TNF promoter SNPs are identical to fixed nucleotides in primate TNF promoters. Furthermore, …

Spring Field Report, March–May 2007, W. Ross Silcock

Nebraska Bird Review

INTRODUCTION

Extremes of weather conditions and resulting variation in water conditions were noteworthy this spring. The west was very dry, but the Rainwater Basin had ample rains resulting in excellent breeding conditions for various waterbirds, notably Eared Grebe and American Coot. Shorebird numbers were unremarkable, although there was plenty of variation between species. Indeed, Dunlin, with record numbers, and Ruddy Turnstones were numerous. Arrival dates were pushing early but not record early. Species earlier than average were American Golden-Plover, Mountain Plover, Black-necked Stilt, White-rumped Sandpiper, and Stilt Sandpiper.

Increasingly associated with wetlands, albeit unrelated to water levels, Greater Prairie-Chicken continued …

A Preliminary Survey Of Southeast Nebraska Grassland Habitat And Potential Henslow’S Sparrow Habitat, W. Ross Silcock

Nebraska Bird Review

INTRODUCTION

The decline in numbers of Henslow’s Sparrows in North America (Sauer et al. 2001) is generally considered to be due to reduction in the extent of its preferred breeding habitat, “relatively large fields consisting of tall, dense grass, a well-developed litter layer, standing dead vegetation, and sparse or no woody vegetation” (Herkert et al. 2002). Since 1985, however, the Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) has allowed payments to landowners by the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) through the Farm Service Agency (FSA) to idle croplands and to seed them to various grasses. This has provided habitat that appears to …

Masthead From Nebraska Bird Review (June 2007)

Nebraska Bird Review

The Nebraska Bird Review is published quarterly by the Nebraska Ornithologists' Union, Inc., as its official journal, and is sent to members not in arrears of dues. Annual subscription rates (on a calendar-year basis only): $15 in the United States, $18 in Canada, and $30 in all other countries, payable in advance. Single copies are $4 each, postpaid, in the United States, $5 in Canada, and $8 elsewhere. Send orders for back issues to Mary Lou Pritchard, NOU Librarian, c/o University of Nebraska State Museum, W-436 Nebraska Hall, Lincoln, NE 68588-0514.

Memberships in the NOU (on a calendar-year basis only): …

Spring Field Report, March-May 2007, W. Ross Silcock

Nebraska Bird Review

Extremes of weather conditions and resulting variation in water conditions were noteworthy this spring. The west was very dry, but the Rainwater Basin had ample rains resulting in excellent breeding conditions for various waterbirds, notably Eared Grebe and American Coot. Shorebird numbers were unremarkable, although there was plenty of variation between species. Indeed, Dunlin, with record numbers, and Ruddy Tumstones were numerous. Arrival dates were pushing early, but not record early. Species earlier than average were American Golden-Plover, Mountain Plover, Black-necked Stilt, White-rumped Sandpiper, and Stilt Sandpiper.

Increasingly associated with wetlands, albeit unrelated to water levels, Greater Prairie-Chicken continued to …

Nebraska Bird Review Whole Issue (June 2007) 75(2)

Nebraska Bird Review

Spring Field Report, March–May 2007 ... 34

A Preliminary Survey of Southeast Nebraska Grassland Habitat and Potential Henslow’s Sparrow Habitat ... 53

Remembering Sue Amiotte, Mildred Gross, and Izen Ratzlaff ... 61

NOU Annual Meeting at North Platte, May 18–20, 2007 ... 63

Subscription and Organization Information [masthead] ... 67

[Nou] Annual Meeting At North Platte [May 18-20, 2007]

Nebraska Bird Review

The 108th Annual Meeting of the Nebraska Ornithologists' Union was held in North Platte at the Sandhills Convention Center/Quality Inn on May 18–20, 2007. Field trips to surrounding counties for the 60 members and friends in attendance were organized by T. J. Walker and led by Robin Harding. Lanny Randolph, Wayne Mollhoff, and T. J. Walker.

Friday evening’s speaker was John Sidle, Threatened and Endangered Species Specialist with the United States Forest Service in Chadron, who spoke about efforts to monitor populations of Burrowing Owls and associated species, such as Ferruginous Hawks and Black-footed Ferrets.

Saturday evening, Dr. Josef Kren, …

Remembering Sue Amiotte, Mildred Gross, And Izen Ratzlaff

Nebraska Bird Review

This past spring the NOU lost three longtime members whose contributions to the organization are noteworthy. In March, Amelia "Sue" Amiotte passed away in Kearney. In April, we lost another loyal member in the person of Mildred Gross. Mildred was born in 1920 and, with her husband Everett, was a familiar sight at NOU meetings for decades. In May, Izen Ratzlaff lost her battle with cancer.

Phylogenetics And Phylogeography Of The Artibeus Jamaicensis Complex Based On Cytochrome-B Dna Sequences, Peter A. Larsen, Steven R. Hoofer, Matthew C. Bozeman, Scott C. Pedersen, Hugh H. Genoways, Carleton J. Phillips, Dorothy E. Pumo, Robert J. Baker

University of Nebraska State Museum: Mammalogy Papers

The phylogenetics and phylogeography of the Jamaican fruit-eating bat (Artibeus jamaicensis) were examined based on analysis of DNA sequence variation in the mitochondrial cytochrome-b gene for 176 individuals representing all 13 subspecies of A. jamaicensis (sensu Simmons 2005). Results document that A. jamaicensis (sensu Simmons 2005) comprises 3 monophyletic assemblages that are separated phylogenetically by the presence of A. obscurus, A. lituratus, and . amplus. According to the mitochondrial DNA sequence variation, A. jamaicensis, A. schwartzi, and A. planirostris are appropriate species-level names for these lineages. Haplotypes identifiable as A. jamaicensis were absent east …

The Tadpole Of Eupsophus Queulensis (Anura, Cycloramphidae), Diana R. Cárdenas-Rojas, Alberto Veloso, Rafael O. De Sá

Biology Faculty Publications

The genus Eupsophus is characterized by endotrophic larvae that inhabit water-filled cavities. The larvae feed from large yolk reserves during metamorphosis. The external morphology has been described for four of the ten known species and data on larval chondrocranial morphology are available only for one. We describe the extema1 morphology, oral disc and chondrocranial anatomy of the larvae of Eupsophus queulensis. The characteristics of E. queulensis tadpoles are compared with those of other Eupsophus larvae.

Clouded Leopard Phylogeny Revisited: Support For Species Recognition And Population Division Between Borneo And Sumatra, Andreas Wilting, Valerie A. Buckley-Beason, Heike Feldhaar, Jurgen Gadau, Stephen J. O'Brien, K. Eduard Linsenmair

Biology Faculty Articles

Background

The clouded leopard (Neofelis nebulosa) is one of the least known cat species and depletion of their forested habitats puts it under heavy pressure. Recently reclassification of Bornean clouded leopards (N. nebulosa diardi) to species level (N.diardi) was suggested based on molecular and morphological evidence. Since the genetic results were based solely on three Bornean samples we re-evaluated this partition using additional samples of Bornean clouded leopards (N = 7) and we were also able to include specimens from Sumatra (N = 3), which were lacking in previous analysis.

Results

We found strong …

Identification And Control Of Pest Slugs And Snails For Broadacre Crops In Western Australia, Svetlana Micic, Ken Henry, Paul Horne

Bulletins 4000 -

The numbers of slugs and snails have increased in broadacre cropping in Western Australia with the use of minimum tillage and stubble-retention practices. The organic content of paddocks increases under such systems, providing an increased food source especially to young slugs and snails. Soil moisture content is greater over summer leading to higher survival levels of slugs and snails.

Slug and snail pests in Australia have come from other countries, mainly the Mediterranean region. They damage plant seeds (mainly legumes), recently germinated seeds, seedlings and leaves and can be a contaminant of grain at harvest.

Bats Of Saint Martin, French West Indies/Sint Maarten, Netherlands Antilles, Hugh H. Genoways, Scott C. Pedersen, Peter A. Larsen, Gary G. Kwiecinski, Jeffrey J. Huebschman

University of Nebraska State Museum: Mammalogy Papers

Six species of bats have been previously reported from the Antillean island of Saint Martin/Sint Maarten—Artibeus jamaicensis, Brachyphylla cavernarum, Molossus molossus, Tadarida brasiliensis, Noctilio leporinus, and Myotis nigricans nesopolus. Our field research reported herein documents an additional three species of bats from the island for the first time—Monophyllus plethodon, Ardops nichollsi, and Natalus stramineus. Re-examination of the single voucher of Myotis nigricans nesopolus has led us to exclude this species from the fauna of Saint Martin/Sint Maarten. Based on our field research and the study of specimens housed in museum collections, we present information …

The Tadpole Of Leptodactylus Notoaktites Heyer, 1978 (Anura, Leptodactylidae), Rafael O. De Sá, José A. Langone, Magno V. Segalla

Biology Faculty Publications

The external morphology and oral disc of the tadpole of Leptodactylus notoaktites Heyer, 1978, are described and illustrated for Gosner’s stage 33. The internal oral anatomy was analyzed under SEM at Gosner’s stage 36 whereas chondrocranial anatomy is reported for Gosner’ stage 38. The morphology of this tadpole is compared with those available for other species of the L. mystaceus complex. The overall characteristics do not depart from those known for the genus Leptodactylus and they particularly agree for those of the fuscus species group. The labial tooth row formula is 2(2)/3.

Henslow’S Sparrow Status In Nebraska, W. Ross Silcock, Joel G. Jorgensen

Nebraska Bird Review

Henslow's Sparrow (Ammodramus henslowii) is a grassland species of considerable conservation concern endemic to southern and eastern North America (Herkert et al. 2002; Reinking 2002). Annual declines of about 7.5% from 1966 to 2000 (Sauer et al. 2001) and the extirpation of breeding birds from large portions of the historic range have led to the sparrow being listed as a species of "Highest Concern"' on the Partners in Flight National Watch List (PIFNWL:http://www.partnersinflight.org/cont_plan/PIF3_Part2WEB.pdf).

While the Henslow's Sparrow is not listed as federally threatened or endangered, most species on this list are prime candidates for such consideration. The Nebraska …

2006–2007 Christmas Bird Counts In Nebraska

Nebraska Bird Review

Despite snow and ice storms which forced postponement of several counts and prevented participation by a number of birders, all 14 counts which were held last winter took place again this winter. The total number of species (131) was two more than last year's 129, and the total number of individuals was 177,590, down some 30,000.

Waterfowl numbers were about normal. Canada Goose numbers were down 16,000 from last year, but this is a number which fluctuates on that scale from year to year. Northern Pintails are becoming more abundant on Christmas Counts. Their tallies in the early 1990s were …

Nebraska Bird Review Whole Issue (March 2007) 75(1)

Nebraska Bird Review

NOU Annual Treasurer’s Report for 2006 ... 2

Winter Field Report, December 2006 to February 2007 ... 4

Henslow’s Sparrow Status in Nebraska ... 13

2006–2007 Christmas Bird Counts in Nebraska ... 17

Subscription and Organization Information [masthead] ...31

Masthead From Nebraska Bird Review (March 2007)

Nebraska Bird Review

The Nebraska Bird Review is published quarterly by the Nebraska Ornithologists' Union, Inc., as its official journal, and is sent to members not in arrears of dues. Annual subscription rates (on a calendar-year basis only): $15 in the United States, $18 in Canada, and $30 in all other countries, payable in advance. Single copies are $4 each, postpaid, in the United States, $5 in Canada, and $8 elsewhere. Send orders for back issues to Mary Lou Pritchard, NOU Librarian, c/o University of Nebraska State Museum, W-436 Nebraska Hall, Lincoln, NE 68588-0514.

Memberships in the NOU (on a calendar-year basis only): …

Winter Field Report, December 2006 To February 2007, W. Ross Silcock

Nebraska Bird Review

INTRODUCTION

Although temperatures varied substantially during the winter, the winter average temperature was above normal. There were noticeably more individuals of "half-hardy" species reported, possibly as a consequence. These included Yellow-bellied Sapsucker, Mourning Dove, Loggerhead Shrike, Hermit Thrush, and Yellow-rumped Warbler. Otherwise, the period was unremarkable ornithologically.

…

SPECIES ACCOUNTS

Greater White-fronted Goose: Unexpectedly late were 2 at LO 28 Dec (SJD) and 5 at Desoto NWR 3 Jan (BB). First arrivals reported were in Gage and Lancaster Cos 26 Feb (WF); several hundred were between North Platte and York 27 Feb (AO).

Snow Goose: Large numbers arrived "overnight" in …

Nebraska Ornithologists’ Union Treasurer’S Report, December 31, 2006

Nebraska Bird Review

Two-page spreadsheet constituting the Nebraska Ornithologists' Union treasurer's report at year end (December 31) of 2006. The grand total is $56,183.12.

The Mayfly Newsletter, Peter M. Grant

The Mayfly Newsletter

The Mayfly Newsletter is the official newsletter of the Permanent Committee of the International Conferences on Ephemeroptera.

Determining Winter Flounder Spawning Sites In Two Connecticut Estuaries, Eric T. Schultz, Jose J. Pereira, Peter J. Auster

EEB Articles

Winter flounder (Pseudopleuronectes americanus) come inshore during the late winter and early spring to lay their eggs in shallow bays and estuaries along the coast. Unlike most fish eggs, which are buoyant, these eggs are demersal and sink to the seafloor. This makes them vulnerable to burial from various types of natural and human caused disturbances (e.g., storms, mobile fishing gear, maintenance dredging). Our objective was to map spawning areas in two harbors and search for generalities among these sites that would allow us to predict where winter flounder might spawn in other areas. This would allow managers to avoid …

Tackling Biocomplexity With Meta-Models For Species Risk Assessment, Philip J. Nyhus, Robert C. Lacy, Francis R. Westley, Philip S. Miller, Harrie Harrie Vredenburg, Paul C. Paquet, John Pollak

Faculty Scholarship

We describe results of a multi-year effort to strengthen consideration of the human dimension into endangered species risk assessments and to strengthen research capacity to understand biodiversity risk assessment in the context of coupled human-natural systems. A core group of social and biological scientists have worked with a network of more than 50 individuals from four countries to develop a conceptual framework illustrating how human-mediated processes influence biological systems and to develop tools to gather, translate, and incorporate these data into existing simulation models. A central theme of our research focused on (1) the difficulties often encountered in identifying and …

From Morphology To Neural Information: The Electric Sense Of The Skate, Marcelo Camperi, Timothy C. Tricas, Brandon R. Brown

Physics and Astronomy

Morphology typically enhances the fidelity of sensory systems. Sharks, skates, and rays have a well-developed electrosense that presents strikingly unique morphologies. Here, we model the dynamics of the peripheral electrosensory system of the skate, a dorsally flattened batoid, moving near an electric dipole source (e.g., a prey organism). We compute the coincident electric signals that develop across an array of the skate's electrosensors, using electrodynamics married to precise morphological measurements of sensor location, infrastructure, and vector projection. Our results demonstrate that skate morphology enhances electrosensory information. Not only could the skate locate prey using a simple population vector algorithm, but …

Notes On The Chrysopidae (Neuroptera) Fauna Of Ardahan, Iğdır And Kars Provinces Of Turkey, İsmai̇l Ari, Meti̇n Aktaş, Suat Kiyak

Turkish Journal of Zoology

This study was based on 558 specimens belonging to 23 species of 10 genera of Chrysopidae of the order Neuroptera. These specimens were collected from Ardahan, Iğdır and Kars provinces between 2001 and 2003. Among the species, Dichochrysa ventralis Curtis, 1834 is a new record for the Turkish Neuroptera fauna. The distribution of each species, worldwide and in Turkey, is also presented.

Otiorynchus Lederi Stierlin (Coleoptera: Curculionidae): A New Record And A New Pest In Turkey, Hi̇kmet Özbek, Levent Gülteki̇n, Genrick Davidian

Turkish Journal of Zoology

Otiorhynchus lederi Stierlin, 1876 (Coleoptera: Curculionidae) was detected in northeastern Anatolia. This species has been known as a parthenogenetic form so far. We found in Transcaucasus and Turkey several bisexual populations of this species for the first time and we redescribed them. O. lederi is allied to Otiorhynchus erivanensis Reitter, which was described from Armenia. Diagnostic features separating these 2 species were indicated. Both of these species are new records for the Turkish fauna. Although O. lederi is a polyphagous it is a pest of currant (Ribes spp.), rose (Rosa spp.), and strawberry (Fragaria spp.) species in Erzurum province, especially …

Influence Of Visible Implant Fluorescent Elastomer (Vie) Tagging On Growth, Molting And Survival Of The Eastern White River Crayfish, Procambarus Acutus Acutus (Girard, 1852), Yavuz Mazlum

Turkish Journal of Zoology

Tag retention, growth, molting, and survival of crayfish, Procambarus acutus acutus, 35-37 mm in total length were evaluated between tagged and untagged groups. There were no significant differences in molting and survival between the tagged and untagged groups (P > 0.05). Tag retention was 100% for crayfish kept individually in plastic containers for the 60-day experimental period. The tagged group had a mean growth of 7.0 mm (molts only) while the untagged group had a mean growth of 4.0 mm (molts only). Molting rates were similar between the tagged and untagged groups. Nine molts were observed each in the tagged (n …

Allozyme Variations And Genetic Differentiation In Mesocricetus Brandti Nehring, 1898 And Mesocricetus Auratus (Waterhouse, 1839) (Mammalia: Rodentia), Nuri̇ Yi̇ği̇t, Tolga Kankiliç, Reyhan Çolak, Ercüment Çolak, Rolf Gattermann, Karsten Neumann, Şaki̇r Özkurt, Muhammed Mouradi Gharakheloo

Turkish Journal of Zoology

Allozyme variations were investigated by the electrophoretic analysis of 20 gene loci in 5 populations of Mesocricetus brandti and Mesocricetus auratus from Anatolia and Iran. Of the 20 loci analysed, 11 were monomorphic and fixed for the same allele in all 5 populations, 9 loci were polymorphic, and 1 locus differed between M. auratus and M. brandti populations. The overall mean of polymorphic loci for all the populations was 24.7% (range: 5.9%-41.2%). The mean fixation index value was F_{ST} = 0.0748, indicating a 7% genetic variation in the M. brandti populations. The obtained FST values indicated that there are moderate …

Contributions To The Fauna Of Turkish Myrmeleonidae (Neuroptera, Insecta) From Ardahan, Iğdır, And Kars, İsmai̇l Ari, Meti̇n Aktaş, Suat Kiyak

Turkish Journal of Zoology

This study is based on 349 specimens belonging to 24 species of 17 genera of Myrmeleonidae of the order Neuroptera, and these insects were collected from Ardahan, Iğdır, and Kars provinces between 2001 and 2003. Among the species, Deutoleon turanicus Navas, 1927 and Distoleon luteomaculatus Hölzel, 1972 are new to the fauna of Turkish Myrmeleonidae. The distribution of each species in Turkey and in the rest of the world is presented.

Dacrydium Hyalinum (Monterosato, 1875) And Musculus Discors (Linnaeus, 1767): Two New Mytilidae (Bivalvia) Species For The Turkish Mollusc Fauna, Mesut Önen, Alper Doğan

Turkish Journal of Zoology

The Bivalvia (Mollusca) fauna was studied from benthic samples collected from 101 stations from various biotopes in the Turkish Aegean Sea in 2000. Two species, namely Dacrydium hyalinum (Monterosato, 1875) and Musculus discors (Linnaeus, 1767), new to the Turkish Bivalvia fauna are reported. Notes on the morphological and ecological features of these species are provided.