Biology Commons^™

Seasonal And Spatial Heterogeneity In The Limnetic Zooplankton Community Of Lake Mead, Gene Robert Wilde

Publications (WR)

Zooplankton samples collected from throughout Lake Mead, in 1981-1982, demonstrate the presence of a statistically significant seasonal and spatial heterogeneity in zooplankton densities. Seasonally, the major zooplankton groups were most abundant in the spring and fall, coincident with maxima in chlorophyll-a concentrations. Successions among the various rotifers, cladocerans and copepods present in the reservoir were influenced by food availability, diapause, predation by planktivorous fish and, possibly, water temperatures. Spatial heterogeneity in zooplankton densities was unrelated to water temperature, pH, conductivity and dissolved oxygen concentrations, but was related to the abundance of phytoplankton (chlorophyll-a concentrations) and fish. Statistical analyses indicate that …

Leptodactylus Podicipinus (Cope, 1862) Y Leptodactylus Chaquensis Cei, 1959 (Anura, Leptodactylidae), En El Uruguay, Raúl Vaz-Ferreira, Rafael O. De Sá, Federico Achaval, Annelise Gebrau

Biology Faculty Publications

En base al estudio de las colecciones obtenidas principalmente en excursiones a la zona NO de Uruguay con motivo del relevamiento faunístico del área de Salto Grande, se avanzó considerablemente en el conocimiento de la distribución de Leptodactylus podicipinus (Cope, 1862) y Leptodactylus chaquensis (Cei, 1950), en nuestro país.

Se cita el material estudiado y las observaciones de campo realizadas; se dan los caracteres generales de ambas especies, se describen los hábitats, y se tratan las características de las vocalizaciones.

Factors Affecting Reproductive Success Of Bonytail Chubs And Razorback Suckers In Lake Mohave, Michael A. Bozek, Larry J. Paulson, James E. Deacon, U.S. Department Of Interior, Fish And Wildlife Service

Publications (WR)

Razorback suckers (Xyrauchen texanus) and bonytail chubs (Gila elegans) were once widespread throughout the Colorado River system. The ranges and populations of these native species and others have declined in the past 50 years. Bonytail chubs appear to be extremely rare and possibly nearing extinction in the Upper Colorado River Basin. The razorback sucker is widely distributed in the upper river but is considered rare throughout most of that range and is also rare in the Grand Canyon. Razorback suckers are abundant only in a few habitats in the upper river. They congregate and spawn over …

The Effects Of Photoperiod On The Prolactin Cells Of Notropis Cornutus (Mitchell), Matthew Kevin Hettinger

Masters Theses

Three groups of the common shiner (Notropis cornutus, Mitchell) were adapted to three different photoperiods. These photoperiods were 16L:8D (summer), 12L:12D (controls), and 8L:16D (winter). The prolactin cells were studied histologically and morphologically with respect to staining characteristics, cell and nuclear morphology, nuclear size, and cellular density. The prolactin cells of those fish under the long photoperiod exhibited greater cellular activity than the controls as evidenced by an increase in nuclear size, cellular density, and by becoming more circular. The prolactin cells of those fish under the short photoperiod exhibited the same characteristics as those in the long photoperiod. The …

Analysis Of Estrogen And Progesterone Binding Sites In Cytosol And Nuclei Of 7,12-Dimethybenz (A) Anthracene-Induced Rat Mammary Carcinoma: Hormone-Dependent Vs. Hormone Independent Tumor Populations, Danny Michael Burns

Morehead State Theses and Dissertations

A thesis presented to the faculty of the School of Sciences and Mathematics at Morehead State University in partial fulfillment of the requirement for the Degree of Master of Science in Biology by Danny Michael Burns on September 6, 1983.

Fish Names Of Wallis Island (Uvea), Karl H. Rensch

Pacific Studies

No abstract provided.

Binding Activity Of The Tubulin-3h-Colchicine Complex, Menjor Tino Unlap

Masters Theses & Specialist Projects

Microtubules, isolated from bovine brain, were used to study the effect of ultraviolet radiation on the tubulin-³H-colchicine complex and the polymerizing ability of this complex to intact and disrupted microtubules. Dissociation of this complex was observed upon ultraviolet irradiation and continued to progress as exposure time increased. The binding of this complex to intact microtubules prior to irradiation did not seem to enhance its stability to ultraviolet radiation. There was a significant difference observed at the 0.05 level between the binding of the tubulin-³H-colchicine complex to microtubules in mechanically disrupted and control samples. Statistically, there was …

Chronology Of Appearance & Habitat Partitioning By Stream Larval Fishes, Keith Floyd

Masters Theses & Specialist Projects

Larval fish were studied on the Middle Fork of Drake's Creek from 18 March 1982 to 9 September 1982. A total of 6,057 individuals representing 28 species and six unidentified cyprinids was collected. Micropterus sp. was the dominant species representing 33% of the total. Most of the remaining taxa were,generally,equally represented. Juvenile banded sculpins were the first larvae observed -- followed by darters, suckers, minnows, and sunfishes. The percid species, logperch, greenside darter, and Etheostoma (Ulocentra), illustrated the longest spawning periods, their larvae being taken from 24 March to 8 July. Maximum species occurrence was observed from 7 July …

Nest Success And Nesting Habits Of Eastern Kingbirds And Other Flycatchers, Michael T. Murphy

Biology Faculty Publications and Presentations

Patterns of nest placement and its relationship to nest success in the Eastern Kingbird (Tyrannus tyrannus) were studied in populations breeding in New York and Kansas. Data were augmented with information on nest placement in other open-nesting tyrannids in order to examine the hypothesis that these flycatchers place their nests chiefly so as to conceal them from predators. Nesting success was significantly greater in New York than in Kansas but was relatively high in both populations, as is apparently true of North American breeding flycatchers in general. Geographic variation in nest placement in the Eastern Kingbird was relatively small and …

An Evaluation Of Small Rodents In Four Dismal Swamp Plant Communities, F. Elizabeth Breidling, Frank P. Day Jr., Robert K. Rose

Biological Sciences Faculty Publications

Diversity and density of small rodents in the Dismal Swamp are believed to be low. Reasons for this may be excessive predation, heavy interspecific pressure from large rodents, lack of suitable habitat, low food availability or flooding.

Rodent populations were evaluated using live-traps and pitfall traps in four different Dismal Swamp plant communities. Habitat was compared on the basis of phytomass studies previously reported. Flood levels were recorded during live-trapping sessions. Mast from trees was collected in modified mast collectors, and fed to Peromyscus leucopus in the laboratory.

Only two small rodent species were captured: Ochrotomys nuttalli and Peromyscus leucopus …

Clutch Size In The Eastern Kingbird: Factors Affecting Nestling Survival, Michael T. Murphy

Biology Faculty Publications and Presentations

Observational and experimental procedures were used to evaluate the potential importance of brood size and weather on the evolution of clutch size in the Eastern Kingbird. Modal clutch size was three eggs, yet broods of four were most productive. Nestling size varied inversely with brood size, so that "nestling quality" was lower in broods of four than in broods of three. Asymptotic weight of nestlings in broods of three was directly and significantly correlated with ambient air temperature, followed by hatch order. Because larger broods were being fed during a period of relatively cool and wet weather, the effects of …

Breeding Success And Nest Site Characteristics Of The Western Bluebird On Parrett Mountain, Marcia Diane Sims

Dissertations and Theses

The lack of suitable nest sites may be a limiting factor for Western Bluebird populations inhabiting the upper Willamette Valley. Nest box trails have been established on the hills surrounding the Portland metropolitan area. Since their placement, approximately 25% of the boxes available have been used by Western Bluebirds as nest cavities. This study was undertaken to identify factors which might determine the selection of a nest box by Western Bluebirds and the subsequent nest success or failure.

The breeding biology of Western Bluebirds using the nest box trail located on Parrett Mountain, Oregon in 1979 was investigated. Breeding season, …

Observaciones Sobre La Biología De Phyllomedusa Iheringi Boulenger, 1885, (Anura, Hylidae), Rafael O. De Sá, Annelise Gerhau

Biology Faculty Publications

RESUMEN:

Se presentan las características que permiten diferenciar las larvas de Phyllomedusa iheringi de las de otros anuros que habitan en nuestro territorio, junto con algunas observaciones sobre la biología de esta especie poco conocida en el Uruguay.

SUMMARY:

The characteristics that differentiate the larvae of Phyllomedusa iheringi from other anurans that live in Uruguay are presented here. Some observations on the biology of this species are also recorded.

Historical Patterns Of Phytoplankton Productivity In Lake Mead, Richard T. Prentki, Larry J. Paulson

Publications (WR)

Lake Mead was impounded in 1935 by the construction of Hoover Dam. The Colorado River was unregulated prior to then and therefore was subjected to extreme variations in flows and suspended sediment loads. Hoover Dam stabilized flows and reduced suspended sediment loads downstream, but Lake Mead still received silt-laden inflows from the upper Colorado River Basin. The Colorado River contributed 97% of the suspended sediment inputs to Lake Mead, and up to 140 x 1O⁶ metric tons (t) entered the reservoir in years of high runoff. Most of the sediments were deposited in the river channel and formed an …

Habitat Selection Related To Resource Availability Among Cavity-Nesting Birds, Timothy Brush

School of Integrative Biological & Chemical Sciences (Formerly Dept. of Biology)

Variation in snag species and abundance appeared to explain most of the habitat selection patterns observed in five cavity-nesting riparian species over a three-year period. All species except Ash-throated Flycatchers were most common in areas with cottonwood or willow snags, which have relatively soft wood and are preferred nest sites. Classification of habitats on the basis of nest-site characteristics was useful and should be considered in other habitat selection studies.

Population Structure, Density And Movements Of The Texas Tortoise Gopherus Berlandieri, Frank W. Judd, Francis L. Rose

School of Integrative Biological & Chemical Sciences (Formerly Dept. of Biology)

Gopherus berlandieri was studied on a 3.3 ha grid in Cameron Co., Texas for five years. One hundred two tortoises were marked (43 males, 30 females, 26 juv., and 3 adults whose sex was not determined). Numbers of males and females did not differ significantly. Juveniles comprised 27% to 9% of the population and maximum population density was 15 to 16 tortoises per ha. The number of females remained constant, but males and juveniles declined gradually from 1972 to 1975, then markedly in 1976. The percentage of shared individuals in successive years was higher for females than males, but only …

In Vivo Study Of The Effects Of Danazol On Cytoplasmic Receptors In The Female Rat, Deborah L. Spencer

Morehead State Theses and Dissertations

A thesis presented to the faculty of the School of Sciences and Mathematics at Morehead State University in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the Degree of Master of Science in Biology by Deborah L. Spencer on August 26, 1982.

Characterization Of Danazol Binding To Specific Cytosol Receptors In Vitro, Gail Wright Russell

Morehead State Theses and Dissertations

A thesis presented to the faculty of the School of Sciences and Mathematics at Morehead State University in partial fulfillment of the requirement for the Degree of Master of Science in Biology by Gail Wright Russell on August 26, 1982.

The Influence Of Livestock Feed Size On Feed Consumption By Starlings (Sturnus Vulgaris), Daniel Twedt

Masters Theses & Specialist Projects

Ground meal and 4 sizes of pelleted feeds (3/16, ¼, 3/8 and ½ inch diameters) were offered to captive Starlings (Sturnus vulgaris, Linnaeus) to determine the minimum feed size they were unable to consume in significant amounts. The ground meal, 3/8 and ½ inch diameter pellets substantially decreased feed consumption compared with 3/16 and ¼ inch diameter pellets. Additionally, ½ inch pellets were consumed substantially less than ground meal or 3/8 inch pellets. Supplemental feed was require to prevent mortality among Starlings offered only ½ inch pellets.

Two pellet sizes, the 3/16 inch pellet which was readily consumed by …

The Ecology Of The Mottled Sculpin, Cottus Bairdii, In The Clearwater River, Beltrami County, Minnesota, Mark A. Hanson

Biology Graduate Theses

No abstract provided.

Prostacyclin And Thromboxane A2 In The Atherosclerosis Susceptible And Super Susceptible White Carneau Pigeon, Janet Melvin Royer

Morehead State Theses and Dissertations

A thesis presented to the faculty of the School of Sciences and Mathematics at Morehead State University in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the Degree of Master of Science in Biology by Janet Melvin Royer on July 26, 1982.

Reproductive Behavioral And Physiological Traits In Domestic, Wild, And Hybrid Ovis, Kara-Lynn Crocker-Bedford

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

This study was part of a program to develop new genotypes of sheep (Ovis spp.) and goats (Capra spp.) which are more useful for food and fiber production. The study examined the influence of domestication on behavioral and physiological traits of ewes and lambs, the influence of a single or twin offspring on ewe and lamb behaviors, and general relationships between ewes and lambs during the lambs' first month of life.

Domestication has caused the intensities of observed traits to diverge greatly from the tendencies shown by wild populations. Domestication has produced increases in measurements associated with maternal …

Sunset As An Orientational Cue For A Nocturnal Migrant, The White-Throated Sparrow (Zonotrichia Albicollis), James Pauly

Masters Theses & Specialist Projects

The possibility that nocturnal migrants use sunset as an orientational cue was explored in the White-throated Sparrow (Zonotrichia albicollis) between 1 April and 24 April, 1981. Orientation tests were run on the roof of the biology building at Western Kentucky University when birds were assumed to be in the proper physiological condition for migration. Birds exposed to only nighttime skies, birds isolated from all visual cues, and birds exposed to both daytime and nighttime skies did not exhibit the northward directional preference appropriate for the season tested. However, White-throated Sparrows exposed only to sunset and tested in the absence …

Temporal And Phenomenological Aspects Of Social Behavior In Captive Wolves (Canis Lupus L.), Paul C. Paquet

Dissertations and Theses

Although cooperative behavior is generally acknowledged to occur among wolves, there is a lack of systematically collected data confirming the extent of development. The objectives of this study were to collect long-term, detailed observations documenting the role of social structure, seasonal influences, and individual participation in wolf pack cooperative activities. Individual cooperative strategies were associated with age, sex, and social positions and critically compared with results of similar studies. Emphasis was placed on quantifying group and dyadic relationships, focusing on reproductive strategies and dominance structure. Additional data were collected on denning behavior, maternal care behavior, scent marking, and spontaneous individual …

Small Mammals In Openings In Virginia's Dismal Swamp, Robert K. Rose

Biological Sciences Faculty Publications

In a study of small mammals of openings in the Dismal Swamp of Virginia, seven species were obtained using pitfall traps. Samples included several species rarely caught in the Swamp - seven specimens of the Dismal Swamp subspecies of the southern bog lemming, Synaptomys cooperi helaletes, the first collected in this century; two least shrews, Cryptotis parva; and 15 southeastern shrews, Sorex longirostris fisheri . Results are compared to previous studies, conducted primarily in forested habitats, in which the white-footed mouse, Peromyscus leucopus, and the golden mouse, Ochrotomys nuttalli, were numerically dominant.

Bulletin No. 27: Birds Of Connecticut Salt Marshes - 50th Anniversary, James Stone, J. Susan Cole-Stone, William A. Niering

Bulletins

48 pp. 1981. Illustrations and descriptions of 24 birds commonly seen on our tidal marshes.

Remembrance Of Places Lasts: Proactive Inhibition And Patterns Of Choice In Rat Spatial Memory, William A. Roberts, Robert H.I. Dale

Scholarship and Professional Work - LAS

A series of experiments was carried out to evaluate the notion that rats given a sequence of massed daily trials on the radial maze reset working memory at the end of each trial by deleting its contents. Although curves presented by D. S. Olton [Scientific American, 1977, 236, 82-98: In S. H. Hulse, H. Fowler, & W. K. Honig (Eds.), Cognitive processes in animal behavior, 1978, Hillsdale, N.J.: Erlbaum] show that rats return to errorless performance at the beginning of each trial after the first, the fact that accuracy falls less rapidly over choices on Trial 1 …

Food Habits Of Largemouth Bass, Micropterus Salmoides (Lacepede) And Spotted Bass, Micropterus Punctulatus (Rafinesque), From Beech Fork Reservoir, A New Impoundment In Wayne And Cabell Counties, West Virginia, Michael A. Arcuri

Theses, Dissertations and Capstones

A study was undertaken to determine the food habits of two game fishes, the largemouth bass Micropterus salmoides (Lacepede) and the spotted bass M. punctulatus (Rafinesque) in Beech Fork Reservoir shortly after its impoundment. A total of 171 largemouth bass and 95 spotted bass were collected from July 1978, through June 1979, and their stomach contents analyzed.

Largemouth bass fed primarily on fishes, particularly young-of-the-year bluegill. Aquatic and terrestrial invertebrates were also important food items, especially during the spring and fall . The dominant aquatic forms were chironomid larvae and pupae while the dominant terrestrial forms were adult dipterans.

Spotted …

The Metabolic Cost Of Behavioral Thermoregulation Of Body Temperature In The Northern Alligator Lizard Gerrhonotus Coeruleus, And How It Affects The Classical Concept Of Eurythermality, James Dudley Campbell

Dissertations and Theses

The effect of total metabolic cost expenditures on the precision of behavioral thermoregulation was investigated for the purportedly eurythermic Northern Alligator lizard (Gerrhonotus coeruleus). An operant apparatus was designed to test metabolic output at different heat reinforcement magnitudes. The mean T_B reflected in each trial was positively correlated to the length of reinforcement. The shuttle rate during each trial was inversely correlated to the length of reinforcement. The standard deviation and total metabolic costs did not vary significantly between trials undertaken at the same ambient temperature. Eurythermality in G. coeruleus is caused by fluctuations in preferred body temperature and …

Attributes Of Dispersing Meadow Voles In Open-Grid Populations, Raymond D. Dueser, Marcia L. Wilson, Robert K. Rose

Biological Sciences Faculty Publications

Dispersal was investigated in two open-grid populations of meadow voles, Microtus pennsylvanicus (Ord, 1815) an central Virginia (U.S.A.) from November 1974 to April 1978. "Dispersal" was defined as immigration onto open, occupied population grids. Dispersers were distinguished from residents by weight at first capture. Individuals first captured at weights <30 g were classified as residents; those first captured at >30 g were classified as dispersers. Three independent lines of evidence support the validity of the 30-g criterion for recognizing dispersers in these vole populations. With frequent trapping and high trappability, particularly of young animals, this open-grid method of study offers two advantages in the study of dispersal. First, dispersers identified …