Zoology Commons^™

‘Who’S Your Daddy?’: Ddradseq Parentage In Broodstock-Offspring Pairs Of Diadema Antillarum In A Population Restoration Initiative, Bianca R. Rosendahl

Undergraduate Scholarship and Creative Works

In the early 1980s Diadema antillarum, or the long-spined urchin, was hit by a catastrophic mass mortality event across the western Atlantic and Gulf of Mexico, inclusive of the Florida Keys. The cause of this die-off event was likely triggered by a pathogen or environmental stressor that decimated native populations by up to 98%. The species has not yet fully recovered and is struggling with recruitment success which is why it may benefit from an ex-situ recovery program. In this study, I used single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) to identify genetic variation and analyze parentage in a captive population of …

Predation Of A Sperm Whale (Physeter Macrocephalus) By Killer Whales (Orcinus Orca) In Guanaja, Honduras, Gaby M. Ochoa, Eric Angel Ramos, Daniel Gonzalez-Socoloske

Faculty Publications

No abstract provided.

Bovine Serum Albumin (Bsa) Impacts Morphology Of Fowler’S Toad (Anaxyrus Fowleri) Sperm During Short-Term Cold Storage, Jane A. Dill, Michelle K. Roy, Renato E. Naranjo, Andrew J. Kouba, Carrie K. Vance

Endeavors: Mississippi State Undergraduate Research Journal

Short-term cold storage of amphibian sperm is a valuable technique for overcoming challenges associated with asynchronous gamete release during breeding events or for transferring sperm between institutions for genetic management. Unfortunately, sperm longevity declines over time even when kept cool. Maintaining sperm form and function is critical to achieving the highest possible fertilization rates. Thus, cold storage of amphibian sperm would benefit from the addition of compounds that could extend their quality, improve fertilization and result in more offspring. One such compound is bovine serum albumin (BSA), which provides membrane stabilization, prevents lipid peroxidation of cells, protects against free radical …

Assessing Reproductive Health In Zoo-Managed African Elephant Bulls (Loxodonta Africana), Kaitlyn Marie Campbell

Dissertations and Doctoral Documents, University of Nebraska-Lincoln, 2023–

Populations of zoo-managed African elephant (Loxodonta Africana) exhibit substantial individual- and population-level variation in reproductive success, yet research has largely focused on females, leaving male fertility poorly understood. Subfertility in bulls, characterized by low libido and inconsistent semen quality, poses significant challenges to genetic management and long-term population sustainability. This study a) systematically evaluates semen quality, b) identifies physiological, behavioral, social, and environmental determinants of fertility, and c) advances ex situ conservation through the expansion of the African elephant sperm bank. Between January 2023 and July 2025, 209 semen collection events were conducted from 13 sexually mature bulls …

Lives And Lessons Of Zoo Animals, Nicole Emlen

Undergraduate Theses, Professional Papers, and Capstone Artifacts

This project was an interdisciplinary museum exhibit that was displayed at the Montana Natural History Center between April 4 and May 12, 2025. It displays my photographs that I took of some of the animals I worked with during my summer 2024 internship at ZooMontana. In this project, I educate the public about three main functions of zoos--rescue, conservation, and education--through the stories and lives of four species. These animals all have unique stories that are important to share to improve public knowledge of why zoos are important and how we can improve relationships between humans and wildlife. Photography is …

Assessing Intra-Seasonal Changes In Summer Elk Diet Composition, Ava E. Window

Undergraduate Theses, Professional Papers, and Capstone Artifacts

Elk (Cervus canadensis) require adequate forage to fulfill their seasonal nutritional requirements. Elk undergo their highest nutritional demands during summer to support critical life functions such as late gestation, lactation, and juvenile growth. However, variations in plant phenology significantly influence the quality and quantity of forage available to elk during the summer season. As summer advances and plant communities mature, forage quality often declines, leading to a landscape that imposes greater nutritional constraints on elk. As a result, prior research on elk foraging habits has primarily focused on late summer. This has led to limited knowledge surrounding the …

The Prize Biter Of Modernity? Investigating Killer Whale Bite Mechanics, Daniel Hong

West Chester University Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Final Projects

Although the killer whale (Orcinus orca) is a cosmopolitan apex predator, very little work has been done on its feeding biomechanics. Here I use finite element analysis to investigate the mandibular stiffness of a juvenile male Bigg’s killer whale, and compare it to that of the false killer whale (Pseudorca crassidens) and the saltwater crocodile (Crocodylus porosus). Full mandibles and left and right halves of mandibles are simulated under FEA. I also estimate the total jaw muscle force produced by the Bigg’s killer whale using the dry skull method. The killer whale lacks an …

Geographic Distribution: Pseudacris Regilla (Pacific Treefrog). Usa: Florida: Suwanee Co., Jakira A. Davis, Brandon Di Lella, Jeniffer Escoto, Matthew Flanagan, Twylah Marie Morelli, Renee M. Shiska, Samuel Smith Jr., Barbra Williams, Jonathan Bremer, Louis A. Somma, Kevin Williams

Papers in Herpetology

Pseudacris regilla, first state intercept record for Florida.

Comparing Microct Staining And Scanning Methodology For Brain Studies In Various Sizes Of Spiders, Vanessa Penna-Gonçalves, Nikolas J. Willmott, Michael B.J. Kelly, Jay R. Black, Elizabeth C. Lowe, Marie E. Herberstein

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

Recent advances in microCT are facilitating the investigation of microstructures in spiders and insects leading to an increased number of studies investigating their neuroanatomy. Although microCT is a powerful tool, its effectiveness depends on appropriate tissue preparation and scan settings, particularly for soft, non-sclerotized tissues, such as muscles, organs, and neural tissues. As the application of microCT in spiders is only in its infancy, published protocols are often difficult to implement due to substantial size variation of the specimens. The present study was initiated to determine how to account for this variation. Our work builds on previous methods using microCT …

Editorial, Daniel Gonzalez-Socoloske, Miriam Marmontel [email protected]

Faculty Publications

No abstract provided.

Distribution And Ecology Of The Cedar Keys Mole Skink (Plestiodon Egregius Insularis), Kevin M. Enge, Louis A. Somma, Paul E. Moler, Travis M. Thomas, Matthew T. Fedler, John M. Matter, Dennis C. Haney

Papers in Herpetology

We conducted surveys for the Cedar Keys Mole Skink, Plestiodon egregius insularis (Mount), during 1989– 1999 and 2015–2024, examined museum vouchers, and compiled personal observations from others to determine the status and distribution of this subspecies, which has the smallest geographic distribution of the five subspecies and is being considered for federal listing. We observed Cedar Keys Mole Skinks on Airstrip Island, Atsena Otie, Cedar Point, Deer Island, North Key, Scale Key, Seahorse Key, Snake Key, and possibly Dog Island. We have anecdotal reports of Mole Skinks on Way Key, which contains the most potential habitat and is the main …

Group And State-Specific Estimation In Animal Movement Models Using A Bayesian Approach, Anita Bhandari Sharma

Dissertations and Doctoral Documents, University of Nebraska-Lincoln, 2023–

This research study investigates statistical approaches for modeling the movement patterns of white-tailed deer in Louisiana using GPS tracking data. We start by classifying the latent behavioral states using a hidden Markov model (HMM) and then integrate those inferred states into a state-dependent step selection framework to evaluate the land cover preferences. Standard HMMs, however, assume the same movement patterns for all animals, overlooking the differences due to characteristics such as sex, age, breeding season, etc.

To address this limitation, we extend the modeling framework to incorporate the group-level structure defined by similar characteristics or conditions to assess whether such …

Bat Species Diversity In The Klamath Basin Prior To Dam Removals, Ryan Page Matilton

Cal Poly Humboldt theses and projects

River ecosystems make up a small percentage of the earth’s surface, but they support high levels of biodiversity and attract high levels of human use. Dams, for example, disrupt a river’s natural course and flow, alter water temperatures in the stream, redirect river channels, transform floodplains, and fragment river continuity, which affects ecological balance and food webs. The Klamath River in northern California, which has been dammed for the last century, experienced dramatic disruptions including a large fish die-off in 2002. With the negative impacts of the Klamath dams apparent, multiple entities negotiated to remove the dams and restore the …

Comparative Semiotic Analysis Of Non-Verbal Communication: Apis Mellifera Waggle Dance And Human Kinesic Signaling Systems, Nishtha Tikalal

Honors Undergraduate Theses

There are many parallels between two seemingly disparate forms of non-verbal communication: the waggle dance of Apis mellifera (honeybees) and human kinesic signaling systems. Through a comparative semiotic analysis, this research aims to conduct a comparative semiotic analysis, investigating structural and functional similarities between these communication methods, challenging anthropocentric assumptions about meaning making in the natural world. This research employs a meta-synthesis approach, drawn from a methodological literature review to examine historical representations of bee-human relationships, semiotics of non-verbal communication, and the specific mechanisms of the waggle dance and human kinesics. This methodology involves systematic categorization and analysis of extracted …

Précis Of The Edge Of Sentience: Risk And Precaution In Humans, Other Animals, And Ai, Jonathan Birch

Animal Sentience

We often face grave practical decisions that seem to hinge on whether a system is sentient. This family of cases includes invertebrate animals, people who are unresponsive after brain injury, fetuses, neural organoids, and now AI technologies. We must decide what to do despite ongoing disagreement about the nature of sentience. In our state of uncertainty, we should pragmatically transform the question from “Is it sentient?” to “Is it a sentience candidate, an investigation priority, or neither?”. When a system is a sentience candidate, it is negligent to fail to consider precautions. We should instead evaluate precautions for their proportionality …

Severe Aggression Among Zoo-Housed Coconut (Trichoglossus Haematodus) And Rainbow (Trichoglossus Moluccanus) Lorikeets: Wellbeing Considerations For Free-Flight Aviaries, Emily Simkins

UNF Graduate Theses and Dissertations

As conservation and education institutions, modern zoos balance the needs of animals with the interests of visitors through several strategies which can increase animal wellbeing and improve visitor experience. Environmental enrichment is frequently employed to increase the suitability of anthropogenic environments for zoo-housed animals, such as through walkthrough habitats and free-flight aviaries. While habitats such as these are important for visitor experience and can be enriching to animals, there are also wellbeing considerations for these spaces. Walkthrough habitats can be a potential source of fear and stress for animals, as shown by increased frequencies of vigilance, undesirable behavior, and aggression. …

Volumetric Comparison Of Overall Brain And Neuropil Size Between Social And Non-Social Spiders: Exploring The Social Brain Hypothesis, Vanessa Penna-Gonçalves, Donald James Mclean, Nikolas J. Willmott, Michael B.J. Kelly, Jay R. Black, Elizabeth C. Lowe, Marie E. Herberstein

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

The social brain hypothesis predicts that the relative size of specific brain regions is driven by the cognitive capacity required to manage complex (social) situations. Spiders are intriguing models to test this hypothesis, as sociality is rare in this usually solitary and aggressive group. Here, we used microCT to compare the central nervous system and brain volumes between social and solitary females of the species in two taxonomic groups, huntsman and crab spiders. Overall, we found no difference in relative CNS and brain volume between social and solitary species. However, social huntsman spiders Delena cancerides had larger arcuate and mushroom …

Die Fledermäuse Der Mongolei: Ein Aktueller Überblick, Dietrich Dolch, Michael Stubbe, K. Thiele, B. Gärtner, Nyamsuren Batsaikhan, J. Ariunbold, Beatrix Wuntke, I. Bolorchimeg, Davaa Lkhagvasuren, I. Scheffler, D. Munkhnast, N. Nandin-Erdene, D. Steinhauser, Annegret Stubbe

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

This paper presents the 20 bat species currently known in Mongolia. The majority of the data were collected during eight Mongolian/German field excursions of the working group "Chiroptera Mongolia” over a period of 25 years and by the results of the Mongolian-German Biological Expeditions between 1964 and 2024. Also further records made by the authors during other tours through Mongolia were considered. This publication expands and updates a previous publication on this topic published 18 years ago (DOLCH et al. 2007).

More than 2150 animals from over 150 capture and discovery sites were included. The captured animals were examined based …

Die Fledermausfauna In Den Nördlichen Regionen Der Mongolei (Taiga, Waldsteppe Und Galeriewälder): Eine Auswertung Von Untersuchungen Zwischen 2002 Und 2024, Beatrix Wuntke, Klaus Thiele, Dietrich Dolch

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

The bat fauna in northern Mongolia was studied on several expeditions between 2002 and 2024 using mist netting and bat recording devices. This paper presents the results of these expeditions for three habitat types (taiga, forest steppe and gallery forest). The species range was highest in the gallery forests and lowest in the forest steppe. It included several species of the genus Myotis as well as representatives of the genera Eptesicus, Vespertilio and Plecotus. The most frequently captured species were Myotis davidii, Eptesicus nilssonii and Plecotus ognevi. The genus Myotis also dominated the recordings, although species …

Verdienter Lehrer Des Volkes Professor Khorloogijn Munkhbayar (1940-2025), Khayankhyarvaa Terbisch, Ravčigijn Samjaa, Michael Stubbe, Annegret Stubbe

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

In memoriam for Khorloogijn Munkhbayar (1940-2025).

Seasonal Variations In Vocal Frequency And Volume Of Mongolian Marmots (Marmota Sibirica Radde, 1862): Insights From Cooperative Breeding In Songinokhairkhan Mountain, Sainzorigt Munkh-Orgil, Nyamsuren Batsaikhan, Gerelt Gan-Ochir, Amarsanaa Zolzaya, Altangerel Tsogtsaikhan Dursahinhan

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

In the Songinokhairkhan Mountain region of Mongolia, we examined the vocal patterns of Mongolian marmots, Marmota sibirica (RADDE, 1862), across two seasons. The study aimed to understand how cooperative breeding, a system where certain individual marmots assist others in reproduction, influences their vocalization. Our acoustic data revealed differences in vocal frequency and volume between the post-mating period in April and May, and pup emergence time in July. Specifically, marmots vocalized more frequently during early mornings, with variations observed in call patterns and volume between the two study periods. These findings provide crucial insights into how marmots adjust their communication strategies …

New Data On The Lagomorphs From The Zaysan Basin (Eastern Kazakhstan), Margarita A. Erbajeva, Robert Emry, Alisa J. Winkler, Spencer G. Lucas, L. A. Tyutkova

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

Middle Eocene through Late Miocene lagomorphs are reported from more than 40 localities of the Zaysan Basin, Kazakhstan. The lagomorph fauna includes 21 taxa of 12 genera. Eight genera are central Asian endemics, two genera are European forms, and one genus (Alloptox) has a Eurasian distribution. These data allow correlation of the lagomorph faunas of the Zaysan Basin with contemporaneous faunas of Mongolia, Northern China and some European regions.

The Current Status Of The Red Deer (Cervus Elaphus Sibiricus) Population In Mongolia, R. Samiya, Davaa Lkhagvasuren, S. Shar, D. Usukhjargal, N. Battogtokh, N. Tseveenmyadag, E. Magsarjav

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

One of the most commonly portrayed animals in the petroglyphs, rock carvings, and cave paintings found throughout Mongolia's vast steppes is the red deer. It’s population in Mongolia declined precipitously in the early years of the 20th century. For the first time, a nationwide comprehensive census of the red deer population was conducted, covering all known habitats across Mongolia. A combination of methods was employed to estimate population size, including line transect surveys, point counts, rutting call responses, and the recording of indirect signs such as tracks and scat pellets. Using habitat suitability modeling on a province-by-province basis, the distribution …

Dichotomous Key For The Identification Of Bat Species In Mongolia, Dietrich Dolch

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

Research into the Mongolian bat fauna is not complete yet. The discovery of further species is to be expected. Probably these species have already been identified in neighboring areas. The more detailed study of the species described until now will lead to the identification of further cryptic species. The dichotomous identification key presented here is intended to simplify the recognition of the currently in Mongolia known twenty bat species from seven genera.

Zusammenfassung

Die Erforschung der mongolischen Fledermausfauna ist nicht abgeschlossen. Mit der Entdeckung weiterer Arten, die in angrenzenden Gebieten schon nachgewiesen werden konnten, ist zu rechnen. Die genauere Untersuchung …

Bat Ectoparasites Of Mongolia, Part 4, Ingo Scheffler, Dietrich Dolch, Klaus Thiele, Dalannast Munkhnast, Jargalsaikhan Ariunbold, I. Bolorchimeg, B. Gärtner

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

The field excursions of 2019 and 2023 provided new data on ectoparasites of 14 bat species from different habitats of the taiga, steppes and deserts. A total of 27 species of ectoparasites were found on these bats, whose abundances and host preferences are described. This results in genus- and species-specific combinations of the ectoparasites present on the respective host species. The infestation with ectoparasites (P-load) differs considerably between bat species. Within a species, the infestation is much more dependent on the parasite load of the respective maternity roost than on factors such as sex, age or body constitution.

Chiroptera Mongolia: Zwanzig Jahre Freizeitforschung In Der Mongolei, Dietrich Dolch, Klaus Thiele, D. Steinhauser, B. Gärtner

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

In 1999, four participants from Brandenburg also took part in a mammal field excursion through Mongolia organized by Professor Michael Stubbe from the Martin Luther University and Professor R. Samjaa from the National University of Mongolia in Ulaanbaatar. They discovered the bats of Mongolia as a fascinating field of work and established contacts with Mongolian colleagues, with whom they organized bat-oriented research expeditions under the motto "Chiroptera Mongolia." These eight expeditions, organized on a voluntary basis and privately funded over a period of twenty years, were eventful and scientifically productive.

History Of Research Into The Bat Fauna Of Mongolia (Mammalia: Chiroptera: Vespertilionidae), Michael Stubbe, Annegret Stubbe, Davaa Lkhagvasuren

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

The first stage of the exploration of the bat fauna of Mongolia is characterized by the collection of specimens by explorers of large Russian expeditions in the second half of the 19th and the beginning of the 20th century. Names such as G. RADDE, N.M. PRZEWALSKI, P.K. KOZLOV, M.V. PEVCOV, G.N. POTANIN, V.I. ROBOROVSKIJ and others are closely associated with this collection, which came primarily to the Zoological Museum of the Imperial Academy in St. Petersburg and analysed by BOBRINSKOJ (1926, 1929).

At the beginning of the 40s of the 20th century, A.G. BANNIKOV came to Ulaanbaatar to support the …

Important Bat Caves In Mongolia: Key Sites For Conservation, Jargalsaikhan Ariunbold, Joseph R. Hoyt, Nyamsuren Batsaikhan, Byambajav Delgermurun, Krizler C. Tanalgo, A. Bilguun, Dalannast Munkhnast

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

Caves are important habitats for a variety of different species, such as bats. Many species of bats are cave obligates, specifically in temperate zones, spending almost half the year hibernating in them. There are hundreds of caves identified in Mongolia, where past studies have mostly focused on cave morphology, geology, and archeology. However, a comprehensive assessment of cave-dwelling bats has not yet been conducted. In this study, abundance, species richness, population size, and identification of key sites of cave-dwelling bats in Mongolia was conducted using observations gathered over the past 15 years (2009–2024). It was found that bat population size …

Lack Of Consistent Diurnal Trends In Acoustic Metrics From Restored Coral Reefs, Jeremy Velázquez-Alvarado, Valentina Pérez-García, Javier S. Tellechea, Joni T. Backstrom, Alex Mercado-Molina

Gulf and Caribbean Research

Once vibrant ecosystems, coral reefs are degrading at unprecedented rates due to natural and human—induced disturbances, necessitating immediate restoration and conservation efforts. Evaluating the success of these projects often involves assessing changes in reef biodiversity. Bioacoustics has emerged as a promising, non—invasive method for such evaluations, though its efficacy remains debated. This study aimed to determine whether the diurnal soundscapes of restored coral reefs are consistent across different time frames (months) and spatial scales (reefs), which is crucial for developing reliable monitoring tools for reef health. To achieve this, 2 commonly used acoustic indices, the Acoustic Complexity Index (ACI) and …

Investigating The Presence Of Individuality And Behavioral Syndromes In Northern Cottonmouths (Agkistrodon Piscivorus), Joshua Lowy

Graduate Theses/Dissertations

Within the last 15 ̶20 years, research on behavioral syndromes has seen a surge in prominence and popularity in behavioral ecology, revealing that many animals exhibit individually consistent behavioral tendencies. Behavioral syndromes occur when behavioral traits are correlated with one another within the same context or across different contexts. Despite new appreciation for the ecological, evolutionary, and conservation implications of behavioral syndrome data, the taxonomic breadth of studies is uneven. Snakes are underrepresented within squamate reptiles and, among venomous species, only two rattlesnakes (Crotalus) have been investigated for evidence of behavioral syndromes. My study investigates individuality and the presence of …