Zoology Commons^™

Fish Community Assessment Of Goose Pond Natural Area, Macy Sparks

ATU Scholars Symposium

Natural areas play an integral role in the preservation and conservation of unique ecosystems (i.e., natural wetlands). However, many natural areas have never had a biological inventory of species utilizing these areas. Goose Pond Natural Area (Conway County and Pope County, Arkansas) is one of those natural areas lacking species occurrence data. We addressed this data gap by sampling fish species across multiple habitat types (shallow woody wetland, open grassy wetland, and stream). We employed multiple gear types (mesh umbrella minnow traps, seines, gill nets, mini-fyke nets, and backpack electrofishing) in hopes of increasing species detection. Sites within the natural …

Ratfish (Chimaera Monstrosa) Chondocranium, Riley B. Glogowski, David W. Kerstetter

All Scans: Kerstetter Fisheries and Avian Ecology 3D Scan Series

No abstract provided.

Does Social Grouping Influence Object Play By Belugas?, Javier Obiltas, Phillip Clayton

Posters - 2026

Play is defined as voluntary behavior that differs from functional behaviors and typically occurs in low-stress environments. In cetaceans, object play has been linked to development, motor skill practice, and social learning. Play behavior is an important factor of development in belugas, because belugas are social animals that live and interact within groups, the composition of these groups or "groupings" might influence their play behaviors. Understanding how said groupings may affect the play rates may help researchers better understand the development of behavior and social dynamics of the beluga groupings. The purpose of this study was to see whether grouping …

Does Shape Matter?: How Salamander Head Morphology Shifts Based On Environment, Caitlyn Pinaga, Naomi Ramirez, Sonia Cerrillo

Posters - 2026

Groundwater salamanders of the genus Eurycea represent a diverse group of amphibians inhabiting the aquifer systems of central Texas, where both surface-dwelling and fully subterranean species coexist. Subterranean habitats impose extreme selective pressures, including complete darkness, limited nutrient availability, and stable environmental conditions, which drive convergent morphological traits such as eye reduction or loss, decreased pigmentation, and elongation of appendages. A key evolutionary pattern seen in these systems is sensory compensation, in which the reduction of one sensory modality, in this case vision, is accompanied by the enhancement of others. In aquatic salamanders, this often involves expansion of the lateral …

Smell Over Sight: Determining Levels Of Olfactory Gene Expression Between Surface And Subterranean Eurycea Salamanders, Sonia Cerrillo, Iliana Melendez, Naomi Ramirez

Posters - 2026

In the karst aquifers of central Texas, including the Edwards and Trinity systems, organisms live in an environment defined by constant temperatures, total darkness, and scarce food resources. These conditions have driven the evolution of salamanders in the genus Eurycea, particularly those that have adapted to subterranean life. Cave-dwelling species like Eurycea rathbuni exhibit hallmark “blind salamander” traits, including educed eyes, loss of pigmentation, and flattened head morphology. In contrast, surface-dwelling relatives such as Eurycea nana and Eurycea sosorum retain fully developed eyes and pigmentation, while some species like Eurycea latitans display both surface and subterranean forms across different populations.

Mapping Sensory Landscapes: Distribution And Arrangement Of The Anterior Lateral Line System In Texas Catfish, Tatiana K. Flores, Ruben Tovar

Posters - 2026

Fish have a system of sensory organs known as the lateral line system. This system contains numerous mechanoreceptive neuromasts and electroreceptive ampullary organs (Northcutt et al, 2000). Neuromasts are small, hair-like structures located within canals in the lateral line system just under the fish’s skin and are open to the environment through small pores visible on its skin (Parker, 2025). Water flows into these canals through the pores which stimulates the sensitive hair cells, resulting in electrical signals sent to the fish’s brain. The brain interprets these signals and creates “images” of the fish’s surroundings, helping it to see even …

Factors Influencing Sex-Based Movement Patterns In The Banded Garden Spider, Argiope Trifasciata (Forskal, 1776), Brandon R. Marrone

School of Biological Sciences: Dissertations, Theses, and Student Research

Movement is a fundamental ecological process shaping how individuals acquire mates, secure resources, and navigate heterogeneous landscapes. In species with extreme sexual size dimorphism (eSSD), such as the orb‑weaving spider Argiope trifasciata, males and females are predicted to experience different movement pressures driven by their reproductive roles. This thesis examines how individual traits and environmental conditions jointly influence movement across both sexes. Across two field seasons, we used intensive mark–recapture methods to quantify natural movement patterns of males and females within mapped prairie plots. The first chapter tested long‑standing predictions gravity hypothesis, which posits that smaller males benefit from …

A Test Case For Raccoon Roundworm Anthelmintic Baiting In Western Virginia, Karen Powers, W. Jayme Viers, Carolyn K. Rossmeisl, L Kristen Page

Virginia Journal of Science

As a test case to determine the efficacy of anthelmintic baiting to reduce raccoon roundworm (Baylisascaris procyonis) prevalence in western Virginia, we deployed baits in a mountainous area of Roanoke Co., Virginia that historically was occupied by Allegheny woodrats (Neotoma magister). We deployed anthelmintic baits at 6-wk intervals from August to December 2024 at a density of 100/km². We opportunistically collected raccoon (Procyon lotor) scat in the drop area from August 2024 to May 2025 and found a marked decline in prevalence of raccoon roundworm in the samples. Deeming this a measured …

Do Young Belugas Play More Or Less Than Adult Belugas?, Winter Saldana

Posters - 2026

★ The presence of play is used as an indicator of well-being in many species including belugas (Hill et al., 2017; Hill & Ramirez, 2014). ★ Adult and young belugas engage in similar types of play, but the frequency with which belugas play with objects, the actions used during those object play bouts, and the type of materials the objects consist of have not been examined in detail (Hill & Ramirez, 2014). ★ The purpose of this study was to explore if object play exhibited by belugas varied in frequency of play bouts, actions, and materials used by young and …

Mapping Sensory Landscapes: Distribution And Arrangement Of The Anterior Lateral Line System In Texas Catfish, Tatiana Flores, Ruben Tovar

Research Papers

Fish have a system of sensory organs known as the lateral line system. This system contains numerous mechanoreceptive neuromasts and electroreceptive ampullary organs (Northcutt et al, 2000). Neuromasts are small, hair-like structures located within canals in the lateral line system just under the fish’s skin and are open to the environment through small pores visible on its skin (Parker, 2025). Water flows into these canals through the pores which stimulates the sensitive hair cells, resulting in electrical signals sent to the fish’s brain. The brain interprets these signals and creates “images” of the fish’s surroundings, helping it to see even …

Comparing Head Shape Of Polymorphic Subterranean E. Latitans And Subterranean E. Sp. 4, Brandon Chapa, Jordan Cosgrove, Lizzeth Holguin

Posters - 2026

Eurycea latitans (E. latitans) from Honey Creek Cave and unnamed Eurycea species from New Braunfels, Texas (E. sp. 4) are two paedomorphic subterranean species. E. latitans is polymorphic, meaning it also exists as a surface species. Similarities in morphology of subterranean salamander species may be due to convergent evolution as a result of living in similar environments. These similarities include having flatter, wider heads, and wider mouths than surface species (Tovar et al. 2025). Variation may also exist among different subterranean salamander species. Texas Eurycea salamanders display “complex patterns of morphological divergence”, suggesting that isolation and local environmental pressures can …

Beluga Buddies: The Preferred Social Network Of Belugas In Managed Care, Valery Marinelarena, Diamond Garcia

Posters - 2026

Belugas societies are not fixed  and group composition is everchanging. Group composition can also influence behavior. This study aims to examine the preferred social networks and the role age plays in the behavioral diversity within a group of managed care belugas housed at Sea World San Antonio. Results Supported TYO had a preferred, non-random social network and ATL performing more chinslaps than TYO.

Risk Factors Of Leptospirosis Among Agricultural Workers In Southeast Asia: Literature Review, Ronggo Adi Wibowo, Wawa Najwa Nurzakia, Meirany Sasitha Kirana, Yulia Arthemisia Wijaya, Jasmine Ayumaharani Sekaryudha, Dwi Sarwani Sri Rejeki, Rosita Dwi Jayanti

Jurnal Epidemiologi Kesehatan Indonesia

The agricultural sector is the primary source of livelihood for communities in Southeast Asia; however, these activities increase the risk of exposure to zoonotic diseases, particularly leptospirosis. Southeast Asia is one of the regions with the highest incidence of leptospirosis in the world. This literature review aims to identify risk factors for leptospirosis among agricultural workers in Southeast Asia. The search for research articles utilized three databases (Google Scholar, PubMed, and ScienceDirect) using a descriptive approach based on literature review and the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analysis (PRISMA) guidelines. A total of 9,800 articles were screened for …

Evaluation Of Pinhole Castration Techniques Compare With Traditional Method For Castration In Rabbits, Wakash Oad, Faiz Muhammad Khand, Habibullah Janyaro, Muhammad Mohsen Rahimoon, Muhammad Ramzan, Dilpat Rai Menghwar, Benazir Sahito

Journal of Bioresource Management

Castration is a routine surgical intervention used to sterilize animals. Among the different conventional methods, the pinhole castration provides offer significant advantages. This study was conducted on 12 healthy male domestic rabbits at Shaheed Benazir Bhutto University of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Sakrand, to evaluate the physiological impacts of traditional versus pinhole castration techniques. The rabbits were randomly divided into group A and group B with six rabbits per group. Key parameters included preoperative vital signs, intraoperative monitoring at 5, 10, and 15 minutes, intra- and postoperative complications, serum cortisol levels (preoperative, 24 hours, 5 and 10 days post-surgery) and …

A Comparative Evaluation Of Marinades' Effect On The Physical And Sensory Attributes Of Spent Hen Meat, Rashid Ali Korejo, Atta Hussain Shah, Muneer Ahmed Jamali, Tarique Ahmed Khokhar

Journal of Bioresource Management

The study focused on consumer reluctance to choose spent hen meat, an affordable and underutilized protein source, which is often rejected for its tough texture and reduced acceptability. Therefore, the research aimed to assess the effectiveness of natural marinades in enhancing the physical and sensory qualities of spent hen meat, thereby improving its consumer appeal and market potential. Meat samples were allocated into seven groups: an untreated control and six treatments comprising yogurt, ginger extract, tamarind juice, and honey. Fresh meat exhibited an initial pH of 6.21 and a Water-Holding Capacity (WHC) of 34.84 %, Cooking Loss (CL) of 32.75 …

Fire Scarring Does Not Significantly Impact Conifer Growth Response To Forest Fires In Utah, Connor B. Biser, Russell Torgersen, Otto Degroff, Steve Petersen

Student Works

BYU Wildfire Symposium 2026 - First Place Research Application, People's Choice Award

Wildfires are an increasingly prevalent disturbance in forests in the western United States, and play an essential role in ecosystem function. Micro-variations in fire dynamics and intensity can leave individual trees with varying levels of damage. We hypothesized that trees with fire-scars would suffer a growth depression directly following the disturbance. Core samples were taken for dendrochronological analysis from 185 conifers at 29 points, representing 11 fires from 6 years. Our findings showed a growth depression in the first year following the fire, with no significant difference between …

Cover And Contents

Turkish Journal of Zoology

No abstract provided.

Nonnative Crayfish In Türkiye: Presence Records, Invasion Pathways, And Ecological Risks, Muzaffer Mustafa Harlioğlu

Turkish Journal of Zoology

The globalization of trade, aquaculture, and the ornamental pet industry has accelerated the transboundary movement of nonnative crayfish species, with significant ecological consequences. Türkiye, a biodiversity-rich country bridging Europe and Asia, has increasingly become a point of concern due to the rising presence of alien crayfish taxa introduced primarily via the aquarium trade and scientific research. This study investigates the presence records of nonnative crayfish species in Türkiye, identifies their likely introduction pathways, and outlines potential future outspread routes across the major freshwater basins of the country. Species such as Procambarus clarkii, Cherax quadricarinatus, C. albertisii, and Cambarellus patzcuarensis have …

Stage-Specific Growth Characteristics Of The Calanoid Copepod Invader Sinodiaptomus Sarsi​, Leonid Svetlichny, Kami̇l Mert Eryalçin, Melek İşi̇ni̇bi̇li̇r Okyar

Turkish Journal of Zoology

The population dynamics of the Asian invasive copepod Sinodiaptomus sarsi were  studied for four years after its introduction into an artificial pond in Kyiv (Ukraine) in  2020. The growth and development parameters of this species were measured under  laboratory conditions. From its first appearance in spring 2020, the abundance  of copepodite stages and adults increased from 3.5–5.2 individuals (ind.)  m–3 to 1057.8 ind. m–3 in June 2024, suggesting the successful establishment  of S. sarsi populations in this region. A characteristic feature of S.  sarsi development in ponds is a male-biased sex ratio in the later copepodite stages.  The sex ratio …

Morphometric And Reproductive Divergence Of Deep-Water Shrimps Plesionika Martia (A. Milne-Edwards, 1883) And P. Heterocarpus (A. Costa, 1871) Along A Depth Gradient In The Eastern Aegean Sea, Murat Özbek, Cengi̇z Koçak, Zafer Tosunoğlu

Turkish Journal of Zoology

This study provides a comparative analysis of two deep-water pandalid shrimp  species, Plesionika martia and P. heterocarpus, based on monthly samples collected  over one year in the Eastern Aegean Sea. Specimens were obtained from species-specific depth zones (550 m for P. martia and 350 m for P. heterocarpus) to examine  morphometric traits, sexual dimorphism, and reproductive patterns. A total of 4419  individuals were analyzed. Females were significantly larger and more abundant than  males (K–S test, p < 0.05), indicating pronounced sexual dimorphism. Length–weight relationships revealed negative allometric growth in both species, confirmed  by t-tests (p < 0.05). Reproductive activity differed markedly: P. martia showed a short  and distinct spawning period peaking in late autumn, whereas P. heterocarpus  displayed a prolonged, bimodal cycle with peaks in spring and summer. The gonadosomatic index (GSI) and the proportion of ovigerous females varied  significantly by season and species. A strong positive correlation between carapace  length and gonad weight was found, with a more linear relationship in P. martia and  greater variability in P. heterocarpus. Size at first maturity (L₅₀) was estimated at 22.3  mm CL for P. heterocarpus but could not be reliably determined for P. martia  due to limited small size data, likely reflecting ontogenetic depth segregation. The  consistent bathymetric separation between these species—also reported in the  Western Mediterranean—suggests ecological niche differentiation. Species-specific  management measures, including depth-based fishing restrictions and temporal  closures during reproductive peaks, are recommended to support the sustainable  exploitation of deep sea shrimp stocks in the region.

Frequencies And Roles Of Plants In The Diet Of Three Mesocarnivores (Canis Lupaster, Genetta Genetta, And Herpestes Ichneumon): Implications For Forest Regeneration In A North African Hot Spot (Algeria), Messaoud Bensidhoum, Abdelkrim Limane, Larbi Khifer, Ania Ben Ammar, Lylia Amrouche

Turkish Journal of Zoology

The Djurdjura National Park (PND, Algeria) is part of one of the world’s 36 biodiversity hot spots, recognised by the United Nations as a national biosphere  reserve. It contains the Darna primary forest, a key habitat for several mesocarnivore  mammals, including the golden wolf (Canis lupaster), the common genet (Genetta  genetta) and the ichneumon mongoose (Herpestes ichneumon). Although their diets  are primarily based on animal prey, these carnivores exhibit both qualitative and  quantitative reliance on plants, a pattern that merits thorough documentation. We  analysed 30 scats per species per month over four years (1440 scats per species).  More than 35% …

Species Identification Using Otolith Morphometry Of Four Gurnards (Family: Triglidae) From  Edremit Bay (Aegean Sea), Ahmet Mert Şenbahar, Di̇lek İlhan, Aydin Ünlüoğlu, Sencer Akalin

Turkish Journal of Zoology

Shape and size analyses of otoliths are widely considered appropriate tools for distinguishing between fish species and for assessing populations and stocks.  The present study aims to distinguish four gurnard species collected from Edremit  Bay (Aegean Sea) based on variations in their otolith shape morphology. A total of 60  specimens of Eutrigla gurnardus, 64 of Chelidonichthys lastoviza, 60 of  Chelidonichthys lucerna, and 60 of Lepidotrigla cavillone were analyzed. No  significant intraspecific differences were noted in the morphology of the left and right  otoliths, and so only the left sagittal otoliths were subjected to further analysis. Otolith  shape was quantified using …

Spiny Dogfish (Sqaulus Acanthias) Jaw, Courtney R. Schober, Sophia R. Oliveira, David W. Kerstetter

All Scans: Kerstetter Fisheries and Avian Ecology 3D Scan Series

No abstract provided.

Latest Sightings Of The Striped Hyena In North Africa: Major Threats And Conservation Actions, Abderrazak El Alami, Abderrazzak Fattah, Ilyas El Alami, Ziad El Alami

Turkish Journal of Zoology

The striped hyena (Hyaena hyaena) is widely distributed across the northern half of Africa, the Middle East, the Arabian Peninsula, and parts of Asia. However,  numerous studies indicate that this carnivore is in decline, and it is currently classified  as near threatened on the IUCN Red List of threatened species. In North  Africa, the Hyaena hyaena barbara subspecies has been extirpated from many  areas. This article summarizes data collected from observations of the striped hyena  in North Africa between 2004 and 2024. Among the 418 striped hyenas recorded in  North Africa between 2004 and 2024, 18.4% (n = 77) were …

Tiger Shark (Galeocerdo Cuvier) Jaw, Nicholas D. Burchett, Jade Mells, David W. Kerstetter

All Scans: Kerstetter Fisheries and Avian Ecology 3D Scan Series

No abstract provided.

Blue Shark (Prionace Glauca) Jaw, Nicholas D. Burchett, David W. Kerstetter

All Scans: Kerstetter Fisheries and Avian Ecology 3D Scan Series

No abstract provided.

Atlantic Sharpnose (Rhizoprionodon Terraenovae) Chondocranium, Morgan Indyk, Sarah Hendricks, David W. Kerstetter

All Scans: Kerstetter Fisheries and Avian Ecology 3D Scan Series

No abstract provided.

A Revision Of The Psammophilic Genus Liobuthus Birula, 1898 (Scorpiones: Buthidae), With A Description Of Four New Species From Central Asia, Victor Fet, František Kovařík, Graeme Lowe, Matthew R. Graham

Euscorpius

The rare Central Asian psammophilic scorpion genus, Liobuthus Birula, 1898 (Scorpiones: Buthidae), is revised. Five species are delineated according to results from three species delimitation approaches using mitochondrial DNA. Results are supported by diagnostic morphology, including an assessment of the distinctive neobothriotaxy. The type species, L. kessleri Birula, 1898, is confirmed for Iran (northeast), Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan (south). Four new species are described: L. atamuradovi sp. n. (Turkmenistan),  L. danovi sp. n. (Kazakhstan, northern Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan), L. shukurovi sp. n. (southwestern Tajikistan), and L. vachoni sp. n. (southern Kazakhstan), The unique additive neobothriotaxy (on both pedipalp femur and patella) …

Exploring Molecular And Morphological Diversity Of Ostracoda: A Combined Approach Based On Coi Sequences And Morphological Characters, Serdar Di̇nç, Serap Mutun, Okan Külköylüoğlu

Turkish Journal of Zoology

Ostracods are diminutive aquatic invertebrates with a broad geographical distribution  across a diverse range of aquatic habitats, including lentic and lotic freshwater  environments as well as marine waters. Due to their sensitivity to environmental  changes, ostracods are valuable tools in biodiversity monitoring, providing a link to  past, present, and future ecological conditions. Despite the significance of classical  taxonomic studies in species identification, molecular approaches remain  underutilized in ostracod research, representing an area of potential growth for  advancing our understanding of this diverse group. Thus, molecular studies in  ostracods have the potential to greatly enhance our understanding of morphology,  ecological variation …

Spatial And Temporal Variability Of Mayfly Communities (Insecta: Ephemeroptera) In Mountainous And Semimountainous Rivers Of The Western Aegean Basin, Biljana Rimcheska, Yanka Vidinova

Turkish Journal of Zoology

Mayflies are among the most abundant benthic invertebrates inhabiting natural lotic  freshwater systems. Their assemblages vary with environmental, geographical, and  hydrological conditions along altitudinal gradients and under different types of  watershed disturbance. The main objective of this study was to analyze the  composition and β-diversity of mayflies across three river watersheds and to assess  how these assemblages differ among them. We collected biological and  environmental data from 38 sampling sites distributed across the three river  watersheds. We hypothesized that mayfly assemblages would vary with  environmental gradients on both spatial and temporal scales; specifically, we  expected pristine streams to exhibit higher …