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Articles 301 - 330 of 553

Full-Text Articles in Biology

Can A Flea See? An Investigation Of Flea Opsin (Flopsin), Sean David Taylor, Dr. Michael F. Whiting Oct 2013

Can A Flea See? An Investigation Of Flea Opsin (Flopsin), Sean David Taylor, Dr. Michael F. Whiting

Journal of Undergraduate Research

Visual pigments are responsible for conferring visual perceptual abilities to animals. Various pigments are tuned to absorb light of different wavelengths and to provide contrast and movement perception. All pigments consist of an opsin protein and a chromophore molecule, usually a carotene derivative. Interactions between the chromophore and amino acid residues of opsin fine-tune visual pigments for the absorption of different wavelengths. Opsin variants can tune visual pigments to absorb wavelengths in the ultraviolet, blue, green, and red regions of the spectrum (Briscoe and Chittka 2001).

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Phylogeny And Conservation Of The Utah Land Snail Oreohelix Peripherica (Gastropoda: Pulmonata: Camaenidae), Ashley Nelson, Dr. Keith A. Crandall Oct 2013

Phylogeny And Conservation Of The Utah Land Snail Oreohelix Peripherica (Gastropoda: Pulmonata: Camaenidae), Ashley Nelson, Dr. Keith A. Crandall

Journal of Undergraduate Research

This study of the Oreohelix peripherica land snail is a continuation of a study sponsored last year by ORCA. In 1993, Ecosearch, Inc. suggested that O. p. wasatchensis, located at Rainbow Gardens near Ogden, deserved being upgraded to having an endangered status according to the US Endangered Species Act because of its reduced area of occurrence and the depletion of its habitat. The phylogenetic hypothesis gathered from the data obtained in last year’s study suggests that the Rainbow Gardens samples are not endemic to that area because they are genetically similar to other populations from different localities. Since the population …

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Testing Cognition In Amazona Spp, Heidi Francis, Dr. Steven L. Peck Oct 2013

Testing Cognition In Amazona Spp, Heidi Francis, Dr. Steven L. Peck

Journal of Undergraduate Research

Animal intelligence has been studied for years, yet very few people are aware that parrots are ranked near the top with regards to cognition. For almost 20 years Dr. Irene Pepperberg has been teaching African Grey parrots to communicate using language, these birds then use English words to verbally answer questions testing their intelligence level. (Pepperberg, 1995) The teaching method used to do this is called the Model/Rival technique. For my research I chose to test whether this same technique could be used to teach a different species of parrot. Because of their speaking ability and large brain sizes comparable …

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Patterns Of Paternity In Clutches Of Giant Amazon River Turtles, Podocnemis Expansa, From Venezuela, R. Brigham Dastrup, Dr. Jack W. Sites, Devon E. Pearse Oct 2013

Patterns Of Paternity In Clutches Of Giant Amazon River Turtles, Podocnemis Expansa, From Venezuela, R. Brigham Dastrup, Dr. Jack W. Sites, Devon E. Pearse

Journal of Undergraduate Research

In recent years, molecular genetic data have shown that multiple paternity occurs in groups of offspring in many taxa. Though multiple paternity has been found in a wide variety of turtles (Pearse and Avise 2001), limited clutch size and/or small number of total clutches assayed has limited the evaluation of the frequency of multiple paternity within the population or the relative contributions of the respective sires. I have analyzed data from 32 clutches of the giant river turtle Podocnemis expansa from the Orinoco River in Venezuela and present here results on 29 of these clutches. Large clutch sizes of this …

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Homing Behavior Of The Limpet Species Collisella Scabra Living On The Limpet Species Lottia Gigantea, David Baugh, Dr. Lee F. Braithwaite Oct 2013

Homing Behavior Of The Limpet Species Collisella Scabra Living On The Limpet Species Lottia Gigantea, David Baugh, Dr. Lee F. Braithwaite

Journal of Undergraduate Research

Limpets are one-shelled marine mollusks that live on rocky beaches in the intertidal zone. The limpet species Collisella scabra is also found living on the shell of the limpet species L. gigantea. C. scabra exhibits an interesting phenomenon known as homing. This means that while not feeding, C. scabra are always found on the same spot on the rock or shell where they live. The C. scabra leave this spot, known as a home scar, to feed, but always return to it after they are done feeding. In this research, Chris Miller, Bryant Low, Christian Armstrong, and I examined the …

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A Phylogeny Of Robber Flies (Diptera: Asilidae) At The Subfamilial Level: Molecular Evidence, Seth Mikaya Bybee, Dr. Michael Whiting Oct 2013

A Phylogeny Of Robber Flies (Diptera: Asilidae) At The Subfamilial Level: Molecular Evidence, Seth Mikaya Bybee, Dr. Michael Whiting

Journal of Undergraduate Research

Robber flies (Diptera: Asilidae) comprise one of the largest groups of extant flies (Hull, 1962). Asilids constitute more than 500 genera (Woodley, 1989) and more than 5500 species (Lehr, 1988) with a worldwide distribution except Antarctica. Species range in size from less than one centimeter to nearly eight centimeters in length, and their prey consist of both small and large insects caught largely in flight. Asilid color patterns are simple: usually black, gray, or bronze, although some more colorful species appear to mimic bees and wasps. All members of the group, including the problematic group Leptogastrinae (thread-waisted robber flies), form …

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Molecular Phylogeny Of The Rodent Genus Liomys: Evidence From The Mitochondrial Cytochrome B Gene, Victoria L. Vance, Dr. Duke S. Rogers Oct 2013

Molecular Phylogeny Of The Rodent Genus Liomys: Evidence From The Mitochondrial Cytochrome B Gene, Victoria L. Vance, Dr. Duke S. Rogers

Journal of Undergraduate Research

The number of species described in the world greatly underestimates its biodiversity, especially in some of the areas more rich in diversity such as Mexico. Once the biodiversity in a region is understood, the issues of management and conservation can be addressed. Spiny pocket mice of the genus Liomys are members of the rodent family Heteromyidae and are grouped with the genus Heteromys in the subfamily Heteromyinae. The genus Liomys has a rather broad geographic distribution that extends from Texas to Panama and consists of five recognized species: L. irroratus, L. pictus, L. spectabilis, L. salvini, and L. adespersus.

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Evolutionary Genetics Of Balanomorpha Barnacles, Margaret E. Wright, Dr. Keith A. Crandall Oct 2013

Evolutionary Genetics Of Balanomorpha Barnacles, Margaret E. Wright, Dr. Keith A. Crandall

Journal of Undergraduate Research

Barnacles are one of the most commonly encountered marine organisms. They live along the intertidal shores and can easily be seen attached to rocks or pilings. Barnacles have a rich history of study. Many scientists have been interested in these curious organisms. One such scientist was the great naturalist Charles Darwin. The research he begun on barnacles has been continued for over two centuries, yet, after all that time we still know very little about their phylogenic relationships (family tree). The origins and diversity of this unique invertebrate are not understood as well as they should be, given so many …

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Tnf: Structure And Function, Raymond W. Grams Ii, Dr. David A. Mcclellan Oct 2013

Tnf: Structure And Function, Raymond W. Grams Ii, Dr. David A. Mcclellan

Journal of Undergraduate Research

TNF-á is a cytokine released from activated macrophages and mast cells. It was identified a little over three decades ago as a protein responsible for lysis of certain types of cells, with specificity for tumor cells. Despite hopes as an anti-tumor agent, significant cytotoxic effects have excluded TNF-á from targeted therapies against multiple diseases such as osteoporosis, atherosclerosis, cancer, allograft rejection, and autoimmune disorders. In order to understand the pleiotropic effects expressed by TNF-á, researchers have attempted to map the functional regions of this gene hoping to discover the amino acid residues related to receptor binding and differentiation, and cytotoxicity. …

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The Way Genetic Codes Differentially Filter Molecular Evolution Varies With Nucleotide Substitution Rate Parameters, Ryan G. Christensen, Dr. David Mcclellan Oct 2013

The Way Genetic Codes Differentially Filter Molecular Evolution Varies With Nucleotide Substitution Rate Parameters, Ryan G. Christensen, Dr. David Mcclellan

Journal of Undergraduate Research

The nuclei of most extant organisms utilize the universal or standard genetic code. Other codes (e.g. vertebrate, invertebrate, echinoderm, ascidian and insect mitochondrial codes) are quite similar to the universal code (Osawa 1995).

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Spatial Analysis Predictive Model Map For Reintroduced Bighorn Sheep Winter Range Areas Along The Wasatch Front Mountains, Jericho C. Whiting, Dr. Jerran T. Flinders Oct 2013

Spatial Analysis Predictive Model Map For Reintroduced Bighorn Sheep Winter Range Areas Along The Wasatch Front Mountains, Jericho C. Whiting, Dr. Jerran T. Flinders

Journal of Undergraduate Research

Rocky Mountain bighorn sheep (Ovis canadensis canadensis) are native to the central and northern mountain ranges in Utah. They were historically abundant and extensively used by the resident Native Americans. Due to various anthropological influences, most northern populations were presumed extinct by the 1930s with only several scattered sightings reported until the 1960s (Karpowitz and Stewart 2000).

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Anti-Cancer And Anti-Microbial Activity Of Selected Hawaiian And Sonoran Desert Plant Species, Christopher Wickstrom, Dr. Rex Cates Oct 2013

Anti-Cancer And Anti-Microbial Activity Of Selected Hawaiian And Sonoran Desert Plant Species, Christopher Wickstrom, Dr. Rex Cates

Journal of Undergraduate Research

Previous research into the anti-microbial and anti-cancer properties of certain plant species provided the basis of this project. Plants from various parts of Hawaii and the Sonoran Desert in Arizona had been obtained through interviewing of traditional medicinal practitioners in those areas. The plants were then screened at BYU for any significant inhibition of cancer and/or microbial growth. Significant inhibition was shown by any plant that inhibited cancer tissue or microbial growth by more than 50% over a 24 hour growing period. From the original stock of plants, 20 exhibited significant growth inhibition against one or more of the selected …

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The Use Of Stable Isotopes To Determine The Physiology And Ecology Of Reptiles, Jessica Makin, Kent Hatch Oct 2013

The Use Of Stable Isotopes To Determine The Physiology And Ecology Of Reptiles, Jessica Makin, Kent Hatch

Journal of Undergraduate Research

Stable isotope research is becoming more widely used in physiological ecology. Atoms of the same atomic number but different atomic weights are called isotopes. Nitrogen (N) has two isotopes, 14N and 15N, with the latter being the heavier isotope. The assumption is that 14N is excreted at a higher rate than 15N. It is also thought that this should cause an increase in 15N of the protein tissues and preferential excretion of 14N of an animal when the animal is in the process of breaking down proteins.

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Evaluating Network Phylogenetic Reconstruction Methods Using Computer Simulations, Steven Woolley, Dr. Keith Crandall Oct 2013

Evaluating Network Phylogenetic Reconstruction Methods Using Computer Simulations, Steven Woolley, Dr. Keith Crandall

Journal of Undergraduate Research

In my quest to evaluate the efficiency and accuracy of currently used phylogenetic network reconstruction methods, I have learned several valuable lessons applicable to nearly any research endeavor. I have successfully elucidated some of the conditions that affect the accuracy of two popular software programs for intraspecific phylogenetic inference. Below, I will give a brief background, followed by a description of the specific methods that I used in my evaluations. Finally, I will describe and validate the conclusions that I have drawn from my research, and discuss some things that I would have done differently and will do in the …

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Bioassays On Ethnobotanical Plants With Potential Activity Against E. Coli, Staphlococcus Aureus, Candida Albicans, And Hela Cancer Cells, Ryan David Huish, Dr. Rex G. Cates Oct 2013

Bioassays On Ethnobotanical Plants With Potential Activity Against E. Coli, Staphlococcus Aureus, Candida Albicans, And Hela Cancer Cells, Ryan David Huish, Dr. Rex G. Cates

Journal of Undergraduate Research

During a three month period, ethnobotanical interviews were conducted to identify and collect plants traditionally used to treat skin and mouth infections. Plant parts (i.e. inner bark, young or mature leaves, fruit, etc.) specific to the native informants’ knowledge were collected and preserved in 100% ethanol to maintain the chemical integrity in the field. Methanol and hexane extracts from these plants were tested against microbes in established laboratory bioassays. The total number of plants showing significant activity in these tests was lower than expected. Each plant’s actual potential to inhibit microorganisms may not accurately be represented by this research due …

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A Comparison Of The Phylogeny And Drumming Characteristics In Isogenoides, Christian James Hoybjerg, Dr. Michael F. Whiting Oct 2013

A Comparison Of The Phylogeny And Drumming Characteristics In Isogenoides, Christian James Hoybjerg, Dr. Michael F. Whiting

Journal of Undergraduate Research

Isogenoides is a genus of Plecoptera (stoneflies) from the family Perlodidae. The genus is composed of seven separate species and is endemic to North America. Each species has a limited distribution and a distinct system of courtship behavior. The male taps his abdomen on the substrate with a specific “drumming” pattern until he attracts a mate. The female will respond with her own drumming pattern and, in most species, the male confirms the acceptability of the female with a final, distinct answer. This behavior has been hypothesized as both a barrier to cross-species mating and as a mechanism of speciation. …

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Dentistry And Oral Health In The Post-Soviet Ukraine, Matthew S. Slivka, Dr. Bill Hess Oct 2013

Dentistry And Oral Health In The Post-Soviet Ukraine, Matthew S. Slivka, Dr. Bill Hess

Journal of Undergraduate Research

In the summer of 2003 I spent six weeks visiting and observing 20 different dentists in the Ukrainian cities of Kiev and Donetsk. Upon leaving for the Ukraine, my study was organized so as to focus on learning and understanding the country’s current system of oral health care. To do this, I planned on observing and interviewing dental practitioners, focusing on aspects of practice such as price, availability, sanitation, materials and instruments used, and procedures performed. Many of the dentists I visited with were willing and eager to assist me in my study, but I also came across many who …

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Codon-Degeneracy Model: A Sliding Window Approach To Detecting Selection, Joshua K. Sailsbery, Dr. David A. Mcclellan Oct 2013

Codon-Degeneracy Model: A Sliding Window Approach To Detecting Selection, Joshua K. Sailsbery, Dr. David A. Mcclellan

Journal of Undergraduate Research

Detecting selection on a molecular level has a wide range of applications. Knowing the selection that has occurred may lead to reconstruction of phylogeny trees, better understanding of the changes a given protein is experiencing due to evolutionary time, and pharmaceutical applications.

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Phylogeny Of The Freshwater Crayfish Genus Euastacus And Their Coevolution With Ectosymbiotic Temnocephalans, Heather C. Shull, Dr. Keith A. Crandall Oct 2013

Phylogeny Of The Freshwater Crayfish Genus Euastacus And Their Coevolution With Ectosymbiotic Temnocephalans, Heather C. Shull, Dr. Keith A. Crandall

Journal of Undergraduate Research

Euastacus crayfish are endemic to the rain forests of the eastern coast of Australia. There are now 43 known species distributed throughout Queensland, New South Wales, and Victoria. Unfortunately many species inhabit areas where human growth, activity, and environmental modification threaten, limit or decrease their population size or natural range (Horwitz 1995; Merrick, 1997). The well being of these crayfish is important because many of these crayfish exist as keystone species in their community. Crayfish are polytrophic and therefore transform energy between a variety of levels and are important for the breakdown of debris (Turvey and Merrick, 1997; Parkyn et …

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The Phylogenetic Relationship Among Endangered Malagasy Astacoides Crayfish, Cynthia Del Carmen Penaflor Diaz, Dr. Keith A. Crandall Oct 2013

The Phylogenetic Relationship Among Endangered Malagasy Astacoides Crayfish, Cynthia Del Carmen Penaflor Diaz, Dr. Keith A. Crandall

Journal of Undergraduate Research

Freshwater crayfishes are taxonomically distributed among three families; two Northern Hemisphere families, Astacidae and Cambaridae and one Southern Hemisphere family, Parastacidae,which includes the Astacoides species. The phylogenetic relationships among the freshwater crayfish families and their relationships to lobster-like ancestors has generated considerable debate for at least 100 years. Because of this ongoing debate, the phylogenetic position of Parastacidae is unresolved. This study represents the first step in exploring the genetic resources of the endangered Malagasy Astacoides crayfish, and is the first large-scale phylogenetic analysis of this complex group. The results of this project will provide a phylogenetic estimate of relationships …

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The Phylogeny Of The Ephemerellidae (Ephemeroptera) Based On Molecular And Morphological Data, Jonathan Osborne, Dr. Michael Whiting Oct 2013

The Phylogeny Of The Ephemerellidae (Ephemeroptera) Based On Molecular And Morphological Data, Jonathan Osborne, Dr. Michael Whiting

Journal of Undergraduate Research

A prior analysis of the families of Ephemerelloidea, based on 49 morphological characters, supported Ephemerellidae diverging basal to all other Ephemerelloid families (McCafferty and Wang, 2000). The family Ephemerellidae contains twenty genera in two subfamilies (McCafferty and Wang, 2000) and comprises the largest family among the pannote mayflies. Members of this family are distributed throughout Holarctic and Oriental regions.

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Conservation Implications Of Chukars (Alectoris Chukar) In The United States, Randy T. Larsen, Dr. Jerran T. Flinders Oct 2013

Conservation Implications Of Chukars (Alectoris Chukar) In The United States, Randy T. Larsen, Dr. Jerran T. Flinders

Journal of Undergraduate Research

The Chukar (Alectoris chukar) is a medium-sized gallinaceous bird native to the Middle East and Asia first released in North America in 1893 in Illinois (Cottam et al. 1940). The sheer scale of subsequent releases is astonishing. Between 1931 and 1970 over 800,000 birds were released in 41 states (Hawaii included) and six Canadian provinces (Christensen 1970). Many of the initial introductions failed; however, wild populations were noted in a few western states as early as the 1940’s (Christensen 1996). Currently, persistent self-sustaining wild populations are found in California, Nevada, Arizona, Utah, Colorado, Wyoming, Idaho, Montana, Oregon, Washington, Hawaii and …

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Determination Of Hla Epitopes, Bethany S. Fredline, Dr. Keith Crandall Oct 2013

Determination Of Hla Epitopes, Bethany S. Fredline, Dr. Keith Crandall

Journal of Undergraduate Research

On June 5, 1981, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention issued its first warning about a relatively rare form of pneumonia among a small group of young gay men in Los Angeles. Eventually the pneumonia was connected to Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome, better known as AIDS. The causative agent of AIDS was a human retrovirus later known as Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV). The HIV/AIDS epidemic has contributed to the death of 22 million people since its emergence roughly twenty years ago. Currently, 42 million people worldwide are living with either HIV or AIDS.

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Virulence Of Entomopathogenic Nematodes To The Citrus Root Weevil: A Comparison Between Indigenous And Commercially Produced Nematodes, Douglas Adolphson, Dr. Byron Adams Oct 2013

Virulence Of Entomopathogenic Nematodes To The Citrus Root Weevil: A Comparison Between Indigenous And Commercially Produced Nematodes, Douglas Adolphson, Dr. Byron Adams

Journal of Undergraduate Research

The citrus root weevil is a major pest of citrus crops in Florida and the Caribbean. Currently, entomopathogenic nematodes are being used as an insecticide against the weevil. The nematodes carry bacteria inside of them as they enter the weevil. Once inside, they release the bacteria that kill the weevil; thus providing the nematodes with nutrients to grow and replicate. These commercially produced nematodes introduce foreign organisms into the ecosystem, which could have damaging effects in the long run.

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Orca: Dna Repair, Clinton Morgan, Derek Mitchell Oct 2013

Orca: Dna Repair, Clinton Morgan, Derek Mitchell

Journal of Undergraduate Research

Receiving an ORCA allowed me the time and means to learn how to do research. I personally only receive a portion of the award, so I will report what I personally have done. The most that I accomplished can be seen less in the results of my research and more in me. I have gained many wonderful skills and experiences through doing this research. These include research skills as well as working with a mentor.

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Cytotoxicity Of Thirty-Six Moroccan Plants Against Four Cancer Cell Lines And 3t3 Cells, J. Aukai Riordan, Dr. Rex G. Cates Oct 2013

Cytotoxicity Of Thirty-Six Moroccan Plants Against Four Cancer Cell Lines And 3t3 Cells, J. Aukai Riordan, Dr. Rex G. Cates

Journal of Undergraduate Research

It is not hard to believe that eighty percent of the populations of Asia, Africa, and Latin America rely principally on traditional medicine for their primary source of health care. However, many people do not realize that many of the best-selling pharmaceuticals in the Western world are derived directly from medicinal plants. Considering this great potential, it is unfortunate that scientists have only tested a small percent of plants for medicinal activity. At a time when pathogens are developing immunity to traditional antibiotics and when many new and terrifying ailments are cropping up across the world, there is an intense …

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Inferring Demographic Events From Population Level Phylogenies, Steven Woolley, Dr. Keith Crandall Oct 2013

Inferring Demographic Events From Population Level Phylogenies, Steven Woolley, Dr. Keith Crandall

Journal of Undergraduate Research

While I initially proposed to perform a rather thorough comparison of methods designed to infer population level demographic events, during the course of my research, I took a different direction. In order to reliably infer such events, it is first essential to have an accurate phylogeny. Since there was no consensus in the literature about what method or algorithm provides the most accurate reconstruction of the evolutionary relationships of nucleotide data from a population sample, I devoted most of my efforts to a large-scale comparison of the methods commonly used to infer phylogenies from such samples.

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The Final Report On The Effect Of Iodoacetate On Plasmodium Falciparum, - - Oct 2013

The Final Report On The Effect Of Iodoacetate On Plasmodium Falciparum, - -

Journal of Undergraduate Research

The first part of my experiment was to find the lowest concentration of iodoacetate that would kill the parasite. First, I made a stock solution of .1 molar. From the stock solution six different dilutions were made: 10mM, .1mM, .05mM, .01mM, .005mM, and .001mM. These different dilutions were placed in 96 well plates with the parasite. Control group was also placed in the same 96 well plates. After incubating the plate for twenty-four hours, 3H-phenyalanine was incorporated. After another twenty-four hours, the plate was harvested and the amount of incorporated radioactivity was determined.

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Landscape Genetics Of The Troglophilic Crayfish Cambarus Tenebrosus, James Bradley Finlay, Dr. Keith A. Crandall Oct 2013

Landscape Genetics Of The Troglophilic Crayfish Cambarus Tenebrosus, James Bradley Finlay, Dr. Keith A. Crandall

Journal of Undergraduate Research

There has always been a fascination with the great diversity of species that exist on the earth. For my project I chose to investigate this diversity phenomenon by examining the intraspecific relationships between populations of the freshwater crayfish currently considered Cambarus tenebrosus (Hay, 1902) taxonomically (by morphology). This crayfish species is found continuously throughout the central lowlands of the United States (Taylor 1997). C. tenebrosus is unique among other crayfish due to its ability to thrive in a cave environment as well as surface streams and springs. By studying these organisms one can more fully understand the effects that human …

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The Crayfish Identity Crisis: A Morphological And Genetic Assessment Of Biodiversity, Matthew R. Carpenter, Dr. Keith A. Crandall Oct 2013

The Crayfish Identity Crisis: A Morphological And Genetic Assessment Of Biodiversity, Matthew R. Carpenter, Dr. Keith A. Crandall

Journal of Undergraduate Research

Among the most endangered animal groups of North America is the freshwater crayfish. Their survival has been hindered by rapid growth in the human population, water pollution, and habitat degradation. The American Fisheries Society has estimated that 50% of freshwater crayfishes are in need of conservation measures (Taylor et al. 1996). However, only 1% is currently protected under the Endangered Species Act of 1973. Because crayfish are at the center of invaluable research as top predators, nutrient recyclers, and bio-indicators of our water quality, it is important that conservation measures are taken.

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