Biology Commons^™

Inferring Phylogenetic Relationships Using The Smith-Waterman Algorithm And Hierarchical Clustering, Rafael Hidalgo, Anthony Devito, Nesreen Salah, Aparna S. Varde, Robert W. Meredith

Department of Biology Faculty Scholarship and Creative Works

All biological species undergo change over time due to the evolutionary process. These changes can occur rapidly and unpredictably. Due to their high potential to spread quickly, it is critical to be able to monitor changes and detect viral variants. Phylogenetic trees serve as good methods to study evolutionary relationships. Complex big data in biomedicine is plentiful in regards to viral data. In this paper, we analyze phylogenetic trees with reference to viruses and conduct dynamic programming using the Smith-Waterman algorithm, followed by hierarchical clustering. This methodology constitutes an intelligent approach for data mining, paving the way for examining variations …

Paleogenomics Illuminates The Evolutionary History Of The Extinct Holocene “Horned” Crocodile Of Madagascar, Voay Robustus, E. Hekkala, J. Gatesy, A. Narechania, R. Meredith, M. Russello, M. L. Aardema, E. Jensen, S. Montanari, C. Brochu, M. Norell, G. Amato

Department of Biology Faculty Scholarship and Creative Works

Ancient DNA is transforming our ability to reconstruct historical patterns and mechanisms shaping modern diversity and distributions. In particular, molecular data from extinct Holocene island faunas have revealed surprising biogeographic scenarios. Here, we recovered partial mitochondrial (mt) genomes for 1300–1400 year old specimens (n = 2) of the extinct “horned” crocodile, Voay robustus, collected from Holocene deposits in southwestern Madagascar. Phylogenetic analyses of partial mt genomes and tip-dated timetrees based on molecular, fossil, and stratigraphic data favor a sister group relationship between Voay and Crocodylus (true crocodiles). These well supported trees conflict with recent morphological systematic work that has consistently …

Adeno-Associated Virus (Aav) Reduces Cortical Dendritic Complexity In A Tlr9-Dependent Manner, Christos M. Suriano, Jessica L. Verpeut, Neerav Kumar, Jie Ma, Caroline Jung, Lisa M. Boulanger

Department of Biology Faculty Scholarship and Creative Works

Recombinant adeno-associated viruses (AAVs) allow rapid and efficient gene delivery in the nervous system. AAVs are widely used in research and are the basis of multiple FDA-approved gene therapies. Here, we find that the immune response to AAV’s genome reduces dendritic complexity in mammalian cortex. Dendritic loss associated with AAV-mediated gene delivery occurs at experimentally-relevant titers, cannot be explained by responses to transgene expression or surgery, and is not restricted to a particular capsid serotype, encoded transgene, promoter, or production facility. AAV-associated dendritic loss is accompanied by a decrease in the frequency and amplitude of miniature excitatory postsynaptic currents (mEPSCs) …

Fire And Herbivory Drive Fungal And Bacterial Communities Through Distinct Above- And Belowground Mechanisms, M. L. Vermeire, J. Thoresen, K. Lennard, S. Vikram, K. Kirkman, A. M. Swemmer, M. Te Beest, F. Siebert, P. Gordijn, Z. Venter, C. Brunel, G. Wolfaard, J. A. Krumins, M. D. Cramer, H. J. Hawkins

Department of Biology Faculty Scholarship and Creative Works

Fire and herbivory are important natural disturbances in grassy biomes. Both drivers are likely to influence belowground microbial communities but no studies have unravelled the long-term impact of both fire and herbivory on bacterial and fungal communities. We hypothesized that soil bacterial communities change through disturbance-induced shifts in soil properties (e.g. pH, nutrients) while soil fungal communities change through vegetation modification (biomass and species composition). To test these ideas, we characterised soil physico-chemical properties (pH, acidity, C, N, P and exchangeable cations content, texture, bulk density, moisture), plant species richness and biomass, microbial biomass and bacterial and fungal community composition …

A Comparison Of Metagenomic Sequencing Using Targeted 16s And Whole Genome Shotgun Ngs On Microbial Dna Samples, Adam Daniel Parker

Theses, Dissertations and Culminating Projects

The Oyster Creek Nuclear Generating Station (OCNGS; Lacey Township, New Jersey, USA), affects the surrounding aquatic environment as the outflow water is approximately 5^oC warmer than ambient water temperature. A metagenomic analysis was performed to assess microbial biodiversity at 4 sites located in Barnegat Bay, New Jersey, USA possibly in response to thermal gradients. A total of twelve samples from four sites was examined using Next Generation Sequencing (NGS). These represented the outflow and intake of the OCNGS, as well as bay area and river control sites. In addition, we compared targeted (16S) and Whole Genome Shotgun (WGS) …

Investigating The Effects Of Harmful Cyanobacterial Blooms On The Vulnerability To Shell Disease Of Northern Red-Bellied Turtles (Pseudemys Rubriventris) In New Jersey, Stephanie Getto

Theses, Dissertations and Culminating Projects

In 2019, an unknown shell disease was reported in Northern red-bellied turtles (Pseudemys rubriventris), a freshwater turtle species with a range that mainly includes southern New Jersey through North Carolina. This study investigates the effects of harmful cyanobacterial blooms on the vulnerability to shell disease of freshwater Northern red-bellied turtles (Pseudemys rubriventris) in New Jersey by characterizing and enumerating cyanobacteria in lake water and within the epizoic community with a goal to provide data-driven recommendations for P.rubriventris conservation. Phytoplankton community composition and cyanotoxinconcentration were measured in two affected lakes (Daretown Lake and Elmer Lake) and one unaffected lake (Lake Fred) …

Characterizing Bacterial Communities Across A Nutrient Gradient Over Winter Months, Emily Jin Searles Stone

Theses, Dissertations and Culminating Projects

When trying to understand how anthropogenic activities affect patterns in community ecology, bacterial communities are frequently neglected. These bacterial communities are essential to the overall health and stability of several different ecosystems. As nutrient pollution increases, some bacterial taxa may increase, causing an imbalance in food web dynamics and disrupting biogeochemical cycles. Next-generation sequencing coupled with water chemistry measurements has allowed for association testing between site water characteristics and bacterial taxa. By examining bacteria along a natural nutrient gradient over winter months in Overpeck Creek in northern New Jersey, this research shows that anthropogenic activities, specifically nutrient pollution, can alter …

The Neurological Asymmetry Of Self-Face Recognition, Aleksandra Janowska, Brianna Balugas, Matthew Pardillo, Victoria Mistretta, Katherine Chavarria, Janet Brenya, Taylor Shelansky, Vanessa Martinez, Kitty Pagano, Nathira Ahmad, Samantha Zorns, Abigail Straus, Sarah Sierra, Julian Keenan

Department of Biology Faculty Scholarship and Creative Works

While the desire to uncover the neural correlates of consciousness has taken numerous directions, self-face recognition has been a constant in attempts to isolate aspects of self-awareness. The neuroimaging revolution of the 1990s brought about systematic attempts to isolate the underlying neural basis of self-face recognition. These studies, including some of the first fMRI (functional magnetic resonance imaging) examinations, revealed a right-hemisphere bias for self-face recognition in a diverse set of regions including the insula, the dorsal frontal lobe, the temporal parietal junction, and the medial temporal cortex. In this systematic review, we provide confirmation of these data (which are …

Effects Of Differing Environmental Conditions On Bacteriophage Jenika, Gerard Nasser

Theses, Dissertations and Culminating Projects

The dynamic role of bacteriophage in different environmental areas poses important questions about viral interactions with and control of bacteria. Bacteriophage play a vital role in the evolutionary track of bacteria. The evolutionary role of bacteriophage is affected by lysogenic conversion, transduction, mediated gene transfer, and the exertion of selective pressures. The objective of this research was to determine if there were changes in growth of the bacterial host Mycobacterium smegmatis and its bacteriophage Jenika given isolated changes in environmental conditions. Growth of the host, M. smegmatis, was documented using changes in optical density and growth of one of its …

The Urban-Adapted Underground Mosquito Culex Pipiens Form Molestus Maintains Exogenously Influenceable Circadian Rhythms, Natalie R. Epstein, Kevin Saez, Asya Polat, Steven R. Davis, Matthew L. Aardema

Department of Biology Faculty Scholarship and Creative Works

Genes known to affect circadian rhythms (i.e. ‘clock genes’) also influence the photoperiodic induction of overwintering reproductive diapause in the northern house mosquito, Culex pipiens f. pipiens. This suggests that molecular changes in one or more clock genes could contribute to the inability to diapause in a second form of this mosquito, Culex pipiens f. molestus. Temperate populations of Cx. pipiens f. molestus inhabit underground locations generally devoid of predictable photoperiods. For this reason, there could be limited fitness consequences if the hypothesized molecular changes to its clock genes also eliminated this mosquito’s ability to regulate circadian rhythms in response …

Effects Of Inducible Camp Early Repressor (Icer) On Herpes Simplex Virus -1 (Hsv-1) Replication, Rosalina Caba

Theses, Dissertations and Culminating Projects

While inducible cAMP early repressor (ICER) is known for many roles, including inhibition of anti-apoptosis transcription and regulation of hormone signaling in human / animals, little is known of the role of ICER when interacting with viral cAMP responsive elements (CREs). Prior to this study, CRE sites were found in a variety of human viruses, in locations relating to DNA binding, DNA replication, and latency. A gel shift assay confirmed that ICER can bind to viral CRE sequences, and a reporter gene assay demonstrated that the presence of ICER on a viral promoter upregulates viral expression.

In an attempt to …

Utilizing Enhanced Green Fluorescent Protein (Egfp) As A Reporter Gene To Study The Nuclear/Cytoplasmic Localization Of The Transcriptional Repressor Icer, Melissa Cabral

Theses, Dissertations and Culminating Projects

Cell division is a highly regulated, multi-complex system requiring an abundance of proteins working in conjunction with one another. This unity is what ensures proper development of the cell before entering a new phase in the cell cycle. Cells that infringe multiple cycle stages can become malignant, proliferating at an untamable rate. The transcriptional suppressor protein, Inducible cAMP Early Repressor (ICER), is present in some, but not all, cancer cells. ICER functions as a transcriptional repressor of the cAMP Response Element (CRE) gene in aberrant cells which could effectively prevent them from bypassing cell cycle checkpoints and proliferating unchecked. Downstream …

Corticospinal Excitability During A Perspective Taking Task As Measured By Tms-Induced Motor Evoked Potentials, Elizabeth Murray, Janet Brenya, Katherine Chavarria, Karen J. Kelly, Anjel Fierst, Nathira Ahmad, Caroline Anton, Layla Shaffer, Kairavi Kapila, Logan Driever, Kayla Weaver, Caroline Dial, Maya Crawford, Iso Hartman, Tommy Infantino, Fiona Butler, Abigail Straus, Shakeera L. Walker, Brianna Balugas, Matthew Pardillo, Briana Goncalves, Julian Keenan

Department of Biology Faculty Scholarship and Creative Works

Only by understanding the ability to take a third-person perspective can we begin to elucidate the neural processes responsible for one’s inimitable conscious experience. The current study examined differences in hemispheric laterality during a first-person perspective (1PP) and third-person perspective (3PP) taking task, using transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS). Participants were asked to take either the 1PP or 3PP when identifying the number of spheres in a virtual scene. During this task, single-pulse TMS was delivered to the motor cortex of both the left and right hemispheres of 10 healthy volunteers. Measures of TMS-induced motor-evoked potentials (MEPs) of the contralateral abductor …

Demography Of A Widespread Raptor Across Disparate Regions, Christopher J.W. Mcclure, Jessi L. Brown, Sarah E. Schulwitz, John Smallwood, Kathleen E. Farley, Jean Francois Therrien, Karl E. Miller, Karen Steenhof, Julie A. Heath

Department of Biology Faculty Scholarship and Creative Works

Demographic differences between stable and declining populations can lend insight into drivers of population decline. The American Kestrel Falco sparverius is a widespread and often-studied falcon, yet its demography is poorly understood, and the causes of observed population declines across much of North America remain unknown. Using integrated population models and sensitivity analysis, we examine how vital rates drive growth in population levels of American Kestrels at four discrete study sites – Florida, Idaho and Pennsylvania with stable nestbox occupancy, and New Jersey, where occupancy is declining. Population growth was most sensitive to changes in adult survival, yet was most …

Can Public Online Databases Serve As A Source Of Phenotypic Information For Cannabis Genetic Association Studies?, Matthew L. Aardema, Rob Desalle

Department of Biology Faculty Scholarship and Creative Works

The use of Cannabis is gaining greater social acceptance for its beneficial medicinal and recreational uses. With this acceptance has come new opportunities for crop management, selective breeding, and the potential for targeted genetic manipulation. However, as an agricultural product Cannabis lags far behind other domesticated plants in knowledge of the genes and genetic variation that influence plant traits of interest such as growth form and chemical composition. Despite this lack of information, there are substantial publicly available resources that document phenotypic traits believed to be associated with particular Cannabis varieties. Such databases could be a valuable resource for developing …

Inhibition Of Biofilm Formation By The Synergistic Action Of Egcg-S And Antibiotics, Shrameeta Shinde, Lee Lee, Tinchun Chu

Department of Biology Faculty Scholarship and Creative Works

Biofilm, a stress-induced physiological state, is an established means of antimicrobial tolerance. A perpetual increase in multidrug resistant (MDR) infections associated with high mortality and morbidity have been observed in healthcare settings. Multiple studies have indicated that the use of natural products can prevent bacterial growth. Recent studies in the field have identified that epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG), a green tea polyphenol, could disrupt bacterial biofilms. A modified lipid-soluble EGCG, epigallocatechin-3-gallate-stearate (EGCG-S), has enhanced the beneficial properties of green tea. This study focuses on utilizing EGCG-S as a novel synergistic agent with antibiotics to prevent or control biofilm. Different formulations of …

Genomic Analysis Of The Only Blind Cichlid Reveals Extensive Inactivation In Eye And Pigment Formation Genes, Matthew L. Aardema, Melanie L.J. Stiassny, S. Elizabeth Alter

Department of Biology Faculty Scholarship and Creative Works

Trait loss represents an intriguing evolutionary problem, particularly when it occurs across independent lineages. Fishes in light-poor environments often evolve “troglomorphic” traits, including reduction or loss of both pigment and eyes. Here, we investigate the genomic basis of trait loss in a blind and depigmented African cichlid, Lamprologus lethops, and explore evolutionary forces (selection and drift) that may have contributed to these losses. This species, the only known blind cichlid, is endemic to the lower Congo River. Available evidence suggests that it inhabits deep, low-light habitats. Using genome sequencing, we show that genes related to eye formation and pigmentation, as …

Effect Of Tropical Cyclones On Coastal Marine Ecosystems, Xenia Neal

Theses, Dissertations and Culminating Projects

Tropical cyclone activity is predicted to intensify with anthropogenic climate change. Therefore, there has been a call to action in the scientific community to increase knowledge of the impacts of tropical cyclones on ecosystems. In particular, there is a wide knowledge gap in the understanding of how tropical cyclones influence coastal marine ecosystems. Using a standardized Web of Science database search, I identified 101 peer-reviewed articles documenting the impacts of tropical cyclones on coastal marine ecosystems in the North Atlantic Ocean, including coral reefs, mangrove forests, salt marshes, and seagrass meadows. Here, I summarize the results of these articles with …

Fire And Herbivory Shape Soil Arthropod Communities Through Habitat Heterogeneity And Nutrient Cycling In Savannas, Joshua Thoresen, Marie Liesse Vermeire, Zander Venter, Graeme Wolfaard, Jennifer Adams Krumins, Michael Cramer, Heidi Jayne Hawkins

Department of Biology Faculty Scholarship and Creative Works

Soil arthropods are important components of savannas, contributing to nutrient cycling and thus primary productivity. To investigate how fire and mammalian herbivores influence arthropod food webs, we used two long term herbivore exclosures (ca. 20 y) and burning trials (ca. 5-y return) located along rivers in Kruger National Park, South Africa. Herbivory and fire will usually have negative effects on soil arthropods although this can be variable, and dependent on multiple aspects of habitat structure and nutrient cycling. We hypothesised that in our sites, the more chronic herbivory disturbance would have stronger and more effects than fire, and that both …

Effects Of Microcystis Aeruginosa On New Jersey Aquatic Benthic Macroinvertebrates, Stephanie Beck, Meiyin Wu

Department of Biology Faculty Scholarship and Creative Works

As increases in anthropogenic eutrophication and climate change contribute to more severe and frequent cyanobacterial harmful algal blooms in freshwater ecosystems worldwide, understanding the effects and consequences cyanobacterial blooms have on aquatic organisms is crucial. Microcystis aeruginosa is one of the most common cyanobacteria taxa found in cyanobacterial blooms, producing a number of toxins including Microcystins. This study examined the effects of Microcystis aeruginosa on aquatic benthic macroinvertebrates, specifically the pollution intolerant taxa Ephemeroptera, the pollution moderately intolerant taxa Zygoptera, and the pollution tolerant taxa Chironomidae. In a controlled lab environment, macroinvertebrates were exposed to approximately 100,000 cells/ml of Microcystis …

Effects Of Microcystis Aeruginosa On New Jersey Aquatic Benthic Macroinvertebrates, Stephanie Beck

Theses, Dissertations and Culminating Projects

As increases in anthropogenic eutrophication and climate change contribute to more severe and frequent cyanobacterial harmful algal blooms in freshwater ecosystems worldwide, understanding the effects and consequences cyanobacterial blooms have on aquatic organisms is crucial. Microcystis aeruginosa is one of the most common cyanobacteria taxa found in cyanobacterial blooms, producing a number of toxins including Microcystins. This study examined the effects of Microcystis aeruginosa on aquatic benthic macroinvertebrates, specifically the pollution intolerant taxa Ephemeroptera, the pollution moderately intolerant taxa Zygoptera, and the pollution tolerant taxa Chironomidae. In a controlled lab environment, macroinvertebrates were exposed to approximately 100,000 cells/ml of Microcystis …

Inaction On Lead Despite The Relevant Knowledge: Predictors, Covariates, And Outreach Implications, Alessandra Rossi, Bernabas Wolde, Pankaj Lal, Melissa Harclerode

Department of Biology Faculty Scholarship and Creative Works

Testing residential soil and paint for lead provides actionable information. By showing where and how much lead exists on the residence, it allows one to quantify risk and determine the best ways to reduce exposure along with the corresponding health and financial costs. For these reasons, several federal and state programs offer outreach to audiences on the benefits of testing residential soil and paint for lead. Not all individuals who know about lead’s adverse health effects, however, test their residence for lead, potentially limiting the actionable information that could have helped to reduce their exposure. Such individuals represent a challenge …

Aspergillus Niger Decreases Bioavailability Of Arsenic(V) Via Biotransformation Of Manganese Oxide Into Biogenic Oxalate Minerals, Bence Farkas, Marek Kolenčík, Miroslav Hain, Edmund Dobročka, Gabriela Kratošová, Marek Bujdoš, Huan Feng, Yang Deng, Qian Yu, Ramakanth Illa, B. Ratna Sunil, Hyunjung Kim, Peter Matúš, Martin Urík

Department of Earth and Environmental Studies Faculty Scholarship and Creative Works

The aim of this work was to evaluate the transformation of manganese oxide (hausmannite) by microscopic filamentous fungus Aspergillus niger and the effects of the transformation on mobility and bioavailability of arsenic. Our results showed that the A. niger strain CBS 140837 greatly affected the stability of hausmannite and induced its transformation into biogenic crystals of manganese oxalates—falottaite and lindbergite. The transformation was enabled by fungal acidolysis of hausmannite and subsequent release of manganese ions into the culture medium. While almost 45% of manganese was bioextracted, the arsenic content in manganese precipitates increased throughout the 25-day static cultivation of fungus. …

The Secrets Of Sobek – A Crocodile Mummy Mitogenome From Ancient Egypt, Evon R. Hekkala, Matthew L. Aardema, Apurva Narechania, George Amato, Salima Ikram, Matthew H. Shirley, Kent A. Vliet, Seth W. Cunningham, M. Thomas P. Gilbert, Oliver Smith

Department of Biology Faculty Scholarship and Creative Works

Previous investigations of genetic diversity across the distribution of the Nile crocodile (Crocodylus niloticus) confirmed the existence of two genetically distinct species of true crocodile (genus Crocodylus) in Africa. These taxa correspond roughly to an eastern/southern African species (Crocodylus niloticus) and a central/western African species (Crocodylus suchus). Analysis of historical museum specimens demonstrated that both species existed concurrently in the Sudanese Nile until the early 20th century and genetic analyses of historical museum specimens of mummified crocodile hatchlings from Egyptian tombs located along Egyptian Nile were found to be C. suchus. Here we present the first assessment of mitogenomic data …

Foliar Application Of Low Concentrations Of Titanium Dioxide And Zinc Oxide Nanoparticles To The Common Sunflower Under Field Conditions, Marek Kolenčík, Dávid Ernst, Martin Urík, Ľuba Ďurišová, Marek Bujdoš, Martin Šebesta, Edmund Dobročka, Samuel Kšiňan, Ramakanth Illa, Qian Yu, Huan Feng, Ivan Černý, Veronika Holišová, Gabriela Kratošová

Department of Earth and Environmental Studies Faculty Scholarship and Creative Works

Nano-fertilisers have only recently been introduced to intensify plant production, and there still remains inadequate scientific knowledge on their plant-related effects. This paper therefore compares the effects of two nano-fertilisers on common sunflower production under field conditions. The benefits arising from the foliar application of micronutrient-based zinc oxide fertiliser were compared with those from the titanium dioxide plant-growth enhancer. Both the zinc oxide (ZnO) and titanium dioxide (TiO₂) were delivered by foliar application in nano-size at a concentration of 2.6 mg·L⁻¹. The foliar-applied nanoparticles (NPs) had good crystallinity and a mean size distribution under 30 nm. …

Preliminary Evidence Of The Role Of Medial Prefrontal Cortex In Self-Enhancement: A Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation Study, Birgitta Taylor-Lillquist, Vivek Kanpa, Maya Crawford, Mehdi El Filali, Julia Oakes, Alex Jonasz, Amanda Disney, Julian Keenan

Department of Biology Faculty Scholarship and Creative Works

Humans employ a number of strategies to improve their position in their given social hierarchy. Overclaiming involves presenting oneself as having more knowledge than one actually possesses, and it is typically invoked to increase one’s social standing. If increased expectations to possess knowledge is a perceived social pressure, such expectations should increase bouts of overclaiming. As the medial prefrontal cortex (MPFC) is sensitive to social pressure and disruption of the MPFC leads to decreases in overclaiming, we predicted that transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) applied to the MPFC would reduce overclaiming and the effects would be enhanced in the presence of …

A Preliminary Investigation Of World Trade Center (Wtc) Dust Effects On Mrc-5 Lung Fibroblasts And The Cellular Inflammatory Response, Katelyn Anna Kerod

Theses, Dissertations and Culminating Projects

The World Trade Center (WTC) attack on September 11th, 2001 was the biggest terrorist attack that has ever occurred in New York City. About 3,000 people died on September 11th, 2001 and more than 6,000 were injured including law enforcement officers, firefighters, emergency medical services and military personnel. The building collapse generated a huge cloud of dust and first responders have suffered from long-term lung related illnesses. The present study evaluated three questions: 1.) does WTC dust treatment of MRC-5 lung fibroblasts induce an inflammatory response as evidenced by the production of nitric oxide? 2.) Do heavy metals such as …

Impacts Of The Oyster Creek Nuclear Generating Station On The Zooplankton Community Structure Of Barnegat Bay, New Jersey, Alyssa M. Petitdemange

Theses, Dissertations and Culminating Projects

Estuaries are biologically diverse and productive marine ecosystems, but many have been degraded as a result of anthropogenic activity, which can also negatively impact sensitive aquatic organisms like zooplankton. Zooplankton represent the crucial link between phytoplankton and higher trophic-level organisms. They are sensitive to environmental variation and increasing water temperature can cause dramatic shifts in zooplankton community structure. Climate change and coastal development favor species that are more tolerant of poor water quality. Barnegat Bay, New Jersey is an eutrophied estuarine lagoon in the Mid-Atlantic Ocean region. A major stress on Barnegat Bay was the Oyster Creek Nuclear Generating Station …

Transcriptomic Identification Of Venom Candidates In The Clinging Jellyfish Gonionemus Vertens, Alorah D. Bliese

Theses, Dissertations and Culminating Projects

Gonionemus vertens appearances and stings have been increasing internationally. The medusae of this hydrozoan are small, having an average bell diameter of 2 cm, and are noted for their potent stings that can lead to systemic pain, hospitalization, and disrupted neurocognitive function. They are typically found among algae and in eelgrass beds during the summer months when the population peaks, thus posing a seasonal public health concern for those participating in recreational water activities. To explore the nature of this species’ toxic sting, transcriptome libraries were constructed from poly A⁺ mRNA isolated from mature individuals and sequenced on an …

Factors Affecting Clutch Size In A Population Of Red-Backed Salamander (Plethodon Cinereus) In Northwestern New Jersey, Veronica Lynn Puza

Theses, Dissertations and Culminating Projects

The salamander family Plethodontidae is known for being an indicator of environmental health and has been labeled as the “canary in the coal mine” of forest ecosystems (Urban et al. 2014). One of the most widely distributed and commonly studied plethodontid species is the red-backed salamander (RBS, Plethodon cinereus). Populations of P. cinereus will be influenced by different variables within the environment including temperature, humidity, and leaf litter. Fundamental data on populations of P. cinereus must be gathered before we can understand how these intercorrelated variables will influence P. cinereus distribution and demographics. In this study I aimed to gather …