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Full-Text Articles in Biology

Ph Sensitivity Of Connexin 50 Hemichannels: H95 And Beyond, Leah Volk May 2018

Ph Sensitivity Of Connexin 50 Hemichannels: H95 And Beyond, Leah Volk

Biology Theses

Gap junction channels formed by connexin proteins are critical for the health and function of the vertebrate lens. It is important to understand how these channels are affected by pH because a pH gradient exists in lens tissue. Intracellular pH (pHi) is a regulator of gap junction coupling, and different connexins show different sensitivities to pHi. A “Particle-Receptor” model for pH-dependent channel closure involves the intramolecular interaction between the cytoplasmic tail of the connexin and a region near the mouth of the channel dependent on a highly conserved histidine residue at position 95. While this model …


Reproductive Effort And Lipid Dynamics Of The Emerald Shiner (Notropis Atherinoides) In The Upper Niagara River, New York, Christopher A. Osborne May 2018

Reproductive Effort And Lipid Dynamics Of The Emerald Shiner (Notropis Atherinoides) In The Upper Niagara River, New York, Christopher A. Osborne

Biology Theses

Life history theory predicts that reproductive characteristics of organisms will be shaped by biotic and abiotic factors to maximize their overall fitness. In this study, I investigated how growth, reproductive effort, and lipid dynamics vary ontogenetically and seasonally for emerald shiners (Notropis atherinoides) in the upper Niagara River. Growth rates were highest in age 2 shiners and lower in age 1 and age 3 individuals. Evidence of reproduction was found beginning at age 1, and reproductive investment as measured by ovarian lipid content was lowest in age 1 and age 2 individuals and greatest in age 3 fish. …


Do Novel Weapons That Degrade Mycorrhizal Mutualisms Promote Species Invasion?, Robert Warren, Phil Pinzone, Daniel L. Potts, Gary Pettibone Jan 2018

Do Novel Weapons That Degrade Mycorrhizal Mutualisms Promote Species Invasion?, Robert Warren, Phil Pinzone, Daniel L. Potts, Gary Pettibone

Biology Faculty Datasets

Non-native plants often dominate novel habitats where they did not co-evolve with the local species. The novel weapons hypothesis suggests that non-native plants bring competitive traits against which native species have not adapted defenses. Novel weapons may directly affect plant competitors by inhibiting germination or growth, or indirectly by attacking competitor plant mutualists (degraded mutualisms hypothesis). Japanese knotweed (Fallopia japonica) and European buckthorn (Rhamnus cathartica) are widespread plant invaders that produce potent secondary compounds that negatively impact plant competitors. We tested whether their impacts were consistent with a direct effect on the tree seedlings (novel weapons) or an indirect attack …


Release From Intraspecific Competition Promotes Dominance Of A Non-Native Invader, Robert Warren Jan 2018

Release From Intraspecific Competition Promotes Dominance Of A Non-Native Invader, Robert Warren

Biology Faculty Datasets

Species can coexist through equalizing (similar fitness abilities) and stabilizing (unique niche requirements) mechanisms – assuming that intraspecific competition imposes more limitation than interspecific competition. Non-native species often de-stabilize coexistence, suggesting that they bring either a fitness advantage or a distinct niche requirement. We tested whether greater fitness or unique niche requirements best explained a successful North American invasion by the European Myrmica rubra ant. North American invaded-range M. rubra aggressively sting and occur in enormous numbers (suggesting a fitness advantage), yet our study site has a history of anthropogenic disturbance that might favor M. rubra (suggesting a unique niche). …