Biology Commons^™

Comparative Functional Analysis Of The Masticatory Apparatus In Two Species Of Myotis, David Wesley Reduker

Biology ETDs

Comparative jaw and skull morphologies were analyzed in two closely related species of bats, Myotis volans (aerial insectivore) and Myotis evotis (foliage gleaner). Force vector analyses were performed on each muscle-bone lever system to determine the relative force produced at three designated functional points along the lower tooth row: the incisors, canine, and protoconid of the second molar. Results of the analysis indicate that Myotis evotis not only has a more powerful bite and grip than volans but it also has the potential for a much quicker jaw closure which is most effective at smaller angles of jaw opening. These …

Spatial And Temporal Activities Of The Yellow Mud Turtle, Kinosternon Flavescens, In Eastern New Mexico, Robert Charles Semmler Ii

Biology ETDs

Many small ponds in the eastern plains of New Mexico are inhabited by yellow mud turtles. Some of these ponds are permanent, but many dry out during the year. This makes the terrestrial activity of mud turtles an important aspect of their life history. When turtles were active within the ponds, they showed no preference for permanent over temporary water. There were always more females than males present in the ponds. As water levels receded, aquatic activity lessened and the turtles buried themselves just under the mud near the edge of the pond for a few days and then moved …

Herpetofauna (Anurans And Lizards) Of Eddy County, New Mexico: Quaternary Changes And Environmental Implications, John S. Applegarth

Biology ETDs

For interpreting environmental implications of Quaternary faunal changes, anurans and lizards are more informative than other vertebrates. Remains are analyzed from five sites in the limestone hills west of Carlsbad, Eddy County, New Mexico. The modern anuran and lizard fauna of Eddy County is reviewed in terms of habit requirements and known distributions and is used as a standard for interpreting prehistoric remains. Procedures are described for preparing comparative skeletons and for analyzing; prehistoric remains.

Aspects Of The Life History And Reproductive Biology Of The Socorro Isopod, Thermosphaeroma Thermophilum (Crustacea: Peracarida), Stephen M. Shuster

Biology ETDs

Life history and behavioral information on North American isopods are limited and non-existent for the genus Thermosphaeroma. The habitat of T. thermophilum allows easy and accurate collection of field and laboratory data. The relative absence of complicating evolutionary contexts facilitates investigation of sexually selected behavior and morphology. Males are larger than females. Reproduction and mortality are somewhat seasonal. Sex ratio is consistently male-biased, which is attributed to male searching for mates and avoidance of males by non-reproductive females. T. thermophilum is omnivorous. Reproductive timing by females and its contribution to sexual dimorphism are discussed. Males choose mates by size and …

Sulfate Transport In The Sulfate Reducing Bacterium; Desulfovibrio Gigas, Joseph John Ruocco

Biology ETDs

The characteristics and kinetics of sulfate uptake and reduction by Desulfovibrio gigas were studied using radio-labelled sulfate, in order to assess the nature of terminal electron acceptor transport with respect to current membrane transport theory. Although sulfate is not accumulated into an intracellular pool, it is transported across the cell membrane prior to reduction as evidenced by studies on the localization of sulfate binding and reduction by cellular fractions. Sulfate is rapidly bound by whole cells to a stead, -state level which is a function of extracellular sulfate concentration and the availability of an electron donor. Hydrogen sulfide evolution begins …

Cytotoxic Effects Of Vanadium On Pulmonary Alveolar Macrophages, Crystal Joy Sheridan

Biology ETDs

Particles containing vanadium are emitted into the air from fuel oil and coal combustion, and may be inhaled by man. Because such particles are within the respirable size, vanadium may be deposited in the alveolar region of the lung and come into contact with the pulmonary alveolar macrophage. In order to evaluate vanadium cytotoxicity, pulmonary alveolar macrophages were lavaged from dogs, rabbits and rats and then incubated with various concentrations of vanadium pentoxide. The minimum vanadium pentoxide concentration which reduced cell viability from control was 1 mg/m1 for dog macrophages, 2.5 mg/ml for rabbit macrophages and 10 mg/ml for rat …

Egg Recognition And Its Adaptive Significance In Colonial, Altricial Birds, Glen A. Lanier Jr.

Biology ETDs

Naturally occurring populations of three species of colonial, altricial birds, the Piñon Jay (Gymnorhinus cyanocephalus), Great-tailed Grackle (Cassidix mexicanus) and Barn Swallow (Hirundo rustica) were tested for egg discrimination and the presence of intraspecific brood parasitism such discrimination would imply. Current theory predicts that, based on the intense pressure to increase personal fitness, brood parasitism, or cheating, should occur when a brood parasite's fitness is enhanced relative to a nonparasite's. Due to the high costs of parental care in altricial birds, selection against such cheaters (actual or potential) should also be intense. Egg rejection is the most common selection mechanism …

Unequal Sex Ratios In An Unhunted Mule Deer Population In New Mexico, Pamela Cotton

Biology ETDs

The adult sex ratio and the sex ratio at birth was determined for the unhunted mule deer (Odocoileus hemionus) population occupying the riverbed area of the Bosque del Apache National Wildlife Refuge, Socorro County, New Mexico. The adult sex ratio was computed as the number of yearling and adult males per number of yearling and adult females observed within the effective area of seven linear one-mile transects established on the study area in accordance with the Stake Estimator Technique (Evans 1975). The ratio of 586 males:501 females (117:100) was significantly different from a 50:50 ratio. No evidence was found for …

Clinical Identification Of Mycobacteria Using Character Order Separation Theory, Mary Beth Frankenfeld

Biology ETDs

The intent in undertaking this thesis project was to set up a practical, economic, and reliable method of species identification for Mycobacteria. This was directed specifically at the clinical laboratory setting.

I began by testing the commonly published identification

tests for accuracy and reproduceability. For many of the commonly used tests the reliability left much to be desired. Several months after beginning my research I learned of an evaluation method developed by Dr. Eugene Rypka at Lovelace Foundation. The evaluation method developed by Dr. Rypka (1960) is based on a separation of characters by considering positive, negative or variable results. …

Regulation Of The Immune Response To H-Y Antigen In The Mouse, Teresa A. Coons

Biology ETDs

The ability of female mice to reject tailskin grafts from male mice of the same inbred strain appears to be regulated by genes located in the major histocompatibility complex of the female recipient. Cell-meditated responses of “nonrejector” strain female mice, grafted with male tailskin, were studied to better understand regulation of the immune response to H-Y (male) antigen. Both in vivo and in vitro experimental systems were used. Survival of male skin grafts on splenectomized female recipients was compared with survival of grafts on untreated females and on splenectomized females reconstituted with spleen or thymus cell preparations. In addition, we …

Dose Patterns For ¹⁰⁶Ruo₄ Inhaled By Fischer-344 Rats, Gene E. Runkle

Biology ETDs

Ruthenium-106 is an abundant fission product radionuclide in the nuclear fuel cycle which has potential for release as ruthenium tetroxide. This study was designed to provide additional data needed to adequately assess the risk for humans potentially exposed to ¹⁰⁶RuO₄vapor. Fiscner-344 rats were given a nose-only exposure to ¹⁰⁶RuO₄ vapor to determine its distribution and retention patterns. The largest percentage of the initial body burden was found in the nasopharyngeal region of the respiratory tract. Ruthenium-106 deposited in this region was rapidly cleared and excreted in the feces. Less than 1% of the initial body …

Vegetational Stabilization Of Uranium Spoil Areas, Grants, New Mexico, Nathan Edmund Kelley

Biology ETDs

Factors that could be detrimental to vegetative stabilization of uranium mine and mill waste material were examined. Physical and chemical analyses of materials from an open-pit uranium mine and material from three inactive mill tailing piles in New Mexico were performed. Analyses for selected trace elements in mill tailing material and associated vegetation from piles in New Mexico, Colorado, and Utah were also performed. Field and laboratory experiments identified problems associated with establishing vegetation on spoil material. Problems of uptake and concentration of toxic elements by plants growing on specific spoil material were also identified.

Ecological observations in conjunction with …

Resource Use, Habitat Selection, And Seasonal Activity Of A Chihuahuan Snake Community, Robert Paul Reynolds

Biology ETDs

Food habits and habitat selection were investigated in a snake community 1n northeastern Chihuahua, Mexico, from 1975 to 1977. A total of 418 snakes (20 species) was collected along Highway 16 from Villa Aldama to El Pastor. Examination of snake capture sites for the plant species present, and a study of structural characteristics of the vegetation and topographic features showed that snakes exhibited distinct habitat preferences. Rodent species present and their relative densities were assessed by 5400 trap nights at 18 trap stations.

Digestive tracts of 351 snakes of 16 species were examined and they yielded 153 food items. Rodents …

A Floristic Assessment Of The Datil Mountains, Reggie A. Fletcher

Biology ETDs

The Datil Mountains of west-central New Mexico were selected for a floristic inventory and analysis because of the lack of previous study in this section of the state. The location of the study area in relationship to the Basin and Range, Southern Rocky Mountain, and Colorado Plateau physiographic provinces was a major factor in determining the initial need for floristic work in the Datil Mountain area. An annotated checklist of the vascular flora of the study area was compiled. For those 590 collected taxa, available information was compiled which could serve as a useful tool for land management in this …

Ultrastructural Observations On The Cuticle Of The Desert Millipede, Orthoporus Ornatus (Girard) (Spirostreptidae): Effects Of Seasonality, Bound-Lipid Localization And Dri-Die 67 And Chloroform-Methanol Treatments, Leola Walker

Biology ETDs

In order to determine the effects of seasonality, bound-lipid localization, and treatments of Dri-die 67 and chloroform-methanol on the cuticular morphology of the desert millipede, Orthoporus ornatus, specimens collected west of Albuquerque in 1976-1977 were exposed to several experimental techniques. Because the dense nature of the cuticle presented difficulties in sectioning, a slightly modified procedure involving a vacuum oven was used in all experiments. A relatively standard procedure involving glutaraldehyde as a fixative and osmium tetroxide as a post-fixative was utilized in the descriptive and seasonal study. The method of Wigglesworth (1975a) was utilized in attempting to localize presumably protein-bound …

Immunization And Infection Of Rhesus Monkeys With Plasmodium Knowlesi: Evaluation Of Assays For Immunity, Robert Charles Jost

Biology ETDs

This study was done to test the efficacy of 3 malarial vaccine preparations using merozoite, schizont, and French press antigens (Ags). The experiment utilized the Plasmodium knowlesi - rhesus monkey system. In conjunction with this study the lymphocyte transformation test and the solid phase radioimmunoassay (RIA) were evaluated as in vitro assays for protective cell-mediated and humoral immune responses, respectively. Delayed dermal hypersensitivity reactions to P. knowlesi and the proportion of B and T lymphocytes were also examined by rosette formation. Lymphocytes from Ag-immunized monkeys showed greater in vitro blastogenic responses to P. knowlesi French press Ag than did lymphocytes …

The Role Of Seed Morphology In Identification Of Archeological Remains, Paul J. Knight

Biology ETDs

In the last century, archeologists working in the southwestern United States and in other localities around the world have uncovered a sufficient quantity and diversity of archeological-botanical materials to warrant serious investigation of these materials as a source of data on the subsistence of prehistoric populations.

The Distribution And Zoogeography Of The Mammals Of Sonora, Mexico, William Caire

Biology ETDs

A distributional and zoogeographical analysis based on published records and approximately 13,000 specimens is provided for the 122 naturally occurring mammalian species in Sonora, Mexico. Twenty-eight species of unverified occurrence which could be present in Sonora are discussed. Domesticated mammals are listed and introduced species are briefly discussed. Descriptions of the topography, climate, vegetation, and hydrological features of Sonora are included. Dichotomous keys provide for the identification of Sonoran mammals to the levels of order, family, and species. Species accounts include the following: scientific and common names, additional identification remarks, general distributional discussions, various ecological and biological remarks, records of …

Effects Of Inorganic Ions On The Catalytic Activity Of Pig Liver Phosphofructokinase, Lawrence Gregory Foe

Biology ETDs

The effects of inorganic ions on the catalytic activity of pig liver phosphofructokinase were investigated. High concentrations of monovalent anions inhibit the enzyme by decreasing max with little change in the Hill coefficient. The efficiency of inhibition follows the

series NO3- < Cl- < ClO3- = Br- < I- < SCN-, which is similar to the classical Hofmeister series. Low concentrations (< 2 mM) of the divalent anions Pi, sO4 2-, s2O3 2- SO32- , and MoO42- all activate the enzyme by changing the kinetics from sigmoidal to hyperbolic, with no change in V max . However, B4o72- has no effect. The apparent dissociation constants of the activating anions for the enzyme were calculated from activation curves for the anions at 0.5mM ATP and 1.0m MF6p.The activation curve for so4-2 is sigmoidal; the activation curves for the other activating anions are hyperbolic. The monovalent cations K+, NH4+ , and Rb+ activate the enzyme by increasing V max without greatly affecting the Hill coefficient.

However, the [S}0.5 for F6P is decreased by these cations to an extent directly proportional to their ionic volumes.

The monovalent cations Li + , Na+ , and C s + have no activating effect; instead, high concentrations of these cations inhibit the enzyme in a manner similar to the monovalent anions. The efficiency of inhibition follows the series …

Clustering Of Phenotypic Variables And Construction Of An Identification Scheme For Human Isolates Of Haemophilus, Lynne Alice Johnson

Biology ETDs

The taxonomy of the genus Haemophilus has been in a state of confusion for many years. As a result, laboratory identification of haemophili has been difficult, if not impossible. Due to the considerable pathogenicity of some members of the genus, it was felt that an accurate method of identification of those organisms was needed. This study has attempted to create a practical identification scheme for haemophili isolated in the clinical laboratory. A collection of 220 isolates from clinical laboratories was subjected to 35 biochemical and physiological tests and the data posted to a random matrix. The 7700 bits (220 X …

Vertical Banding And Associated Behavioral Responses Evoked By Electrical Stimulation Of The Brain In Anesthetized And Free-Swimming Sunfishes, Lepomis Cyanellus And L. Macrochirus, Diana Hoenke Bauer

Biology ETDs

A pattern of dark vertical bands is a characteristic display by Lepomis cyanellus and L. macrochirus. The rapidity with which this display can appear and disappear indicates that it is neurally controlled. This study was carried out in order to identify regions in the brain involved in the control of this color pattern and to determine other behavior patterns associated with electrical stimulation of these regions. Initially, anesthetized fish which were held in a stereotaxic device were stimulated electrically at various sites in the brain to locate regions where vertical banding could be evoked. In subsequent tests, immovable electrodes were …

PiñOn Pine Cone Assessment By The Clark's Nutcracker, Nicifraga Columbiana, Donna Christine Cole

Biology ETDs

Clark's Nutcrackers (Nucifraga columbiana) rely heavily on seeds of pinon pine (Pinus edulis) as a winter food supply in years of good seed production. During late summer and autumn these birds spend considerable time and energy harvesting seeds from green, unopened cones. I tested abilities of three groups of wild-caught birds to discriminate cone quality: (1) adults, (2) experiences juveniles, and (3) naive juveniles. The birds were given choice tests with two cones, three cones, and cones that had been painted. Under controlled conditions nutcrackers discriminated between cones of differing quality. Adults assessed cones more accurately than did juveniles in …

Inhibition Of Normal Human Eosinophil Chemotaxis By Iga Myeloma Paraproteins, Kathleen J. Reed

Biology ETDs

Previous studies have been shown that IgA paraproteins suppress human neutrophil chemotaxis. This investigation was undertaken to determine the effect of isolated IgA myeloma component (IgA-MC) on eosinophil chemotaxis. The data presented here indicate that IgA myeloma sera inhibit eosinophil chemotaxis, and demonstrate that the IgA-MC is responsible for this chemotactic inhibitory activity (CIA). Chemotactic inhibition was cell directed and was lost following pepsin digestion or dithiothreitol reduction alkylation of the IgA-MC. Polymeric IgA was shown to be the most effective inhibitor of eosinophil chemotaxis as determined by Sephadex G-200 gel filtration chromatography and sucrose density gradient centrifugation. Both isolated …

Physiochemical Studies Of Newly Synthesized Dna During Stable Dna Replication In Escherichia Coli, Mary Sroka-Richardson

Biology ETDs

The DNA synthesized during stable DNA replication (i.e., DNA replication in the absence of protein synthesis following a period of thymine starvation) was found to be alkali or RNase sensitive. Experiments were performed using both alkaline and neutral cell lysis and gradient sedimentation. Initial results under alkaline conditions revealed much smaller size DNA material than would normally be expected. This data was interpreted to show a reduced rate of DNA chain growth. However, under neutral conditions the DNA material was found to be nearly normal in size. The presence of an alkali-sensitive componant (RNA) was suspected and tested for with …

Nasal Absorption Of Dtpa In Rats And Beagle Dogs, Robert E. Dudley

Biology ETDs

The use of nuclear generated power increases the risk that human accidental exposure to radionuclides will occur. Chelation therapy has been used to remove internally deposited radionuclides primarily by intravenous injection of diethylenetriaminepentaacetic acid (DTPA). Recently, inhalation of aerosolized DTPA has been shown to be both a convenient and effective means of treatment. Inhalation of aerosolized OTPA through the nose and mouth results in a significant deposition in the nasopharyngeal region of the respiratory tract. This study was designed to determine the fate of OTPA deposited in the nasopharyngeal region of the respiratory tract of rats and Beagle dogs, particularly …

Environmental Factors Affecting Natural Succession On Coal Mine Spoils, Jens W. Deichmann

Biology ETDs

Strip-mining for coal and other mineral resources in the southwestern United States has produced problems in reclamation entirely different from those encountered in regions of higher or more effective precipitation. It was the intent of this study to look at the essentially random assortment of environmental factors left after the mining process and to determine qualitatively, as well as quantitatively, which of those factors are more likely to lead to the successful germination and establishment of invading plant species. A second objective was to determine what changes in the spoil material are occurring as a result of plant establishment.

Major …

Production Of Canine Macrophage Inhibitory Factor And Its Comparison To Canine Alpha₁-Antitrypsin, Carol Therese Schnizlein

Biology ETDs

Both migration inhibitory factory (MIF) and alpha1-antitrypsin (A1-AT) interact with macrophages. MIF interactions occur during cell-mediated immune responses while A1AT interacts by inhibiting proteolytic enzymes released by macrophages. A comparison of the characteristics of guinea pig MIF and human A1AT in the current literature indicates that both are glycoproteins containing sialic acid with molecular weights of approximately 50,000 daltons. To determine the comparative characteristics of MIF and A1AT, this study partially characterized MIF and A1AT from the dog and evaluated their effect on the in vitro migration of canine pulmonary alveolar macrophages. Canine MIF was produced by stimulating peripheral blood …

Ecological Comparison Of Sigmodon Hispidus And Sigmodon Fulviventer In The Rio Grande Valley, New Mexico, Karen Petersen

Biology ETDs

This study evaluates the potential for competitive interactions between two species of cotton rat along the Rio Grande valley in New Mexico. Field work was carried out on Sigmodon hispidus and S. fulviventer from April, 1976 to August, 1976, at six study sites. Field data gathered included number of juveniles, number of pregnant females and vegetation diversity. Further studies included morphological analysis of museum specimens and a behavioral study of animals brought back to the laboratory.

Population parameters were compared across the study sites for the cotton rats. Neither species has a sex ratio significantly different from 50:50, but the …

Factors Affecting Mating Duration In The Walkingstick Diapheromera Velii (Walsh) (Phasmatodea: Heteronemiidae), John M. Sivinski

Biology ETDs

Mating durations have only recently become the object of detailed research. The stick insect Diapheromera velii mates from 3 to 136 hours, during which time the genitalia are often not inserted, and contact is maintained by a male clasping organ. Prolonged attachment of male D. velii in the absence of copulation is best explained as guarding that assures the efficiency of previously transferred ejaculates by avoiding sperm competition. Oviposition patterns in D. velii are relatively continuous when compared to those of many insects. The result is that female value to males is comparatively constant as well. The amount of time …

The Effects Of Salts And Metals On Germination And Emergence Of Atriplex Canescens (Pursh.) Nutt. And Sporobolus Airoides Torr, Robert L. Edgar

Biology ETDs

Laboratory studies were conducted to determine effects of salts, metals, and their interactions on the germination and emergence of fourwing saltbush [Atriplex canescens (Pursh.) Nutt.] and alkali sacaton (Sporobolus airoides Torr.). These studies, coupled with soil evaluations, should allow one to predict and possibly alleviate germination and emergence inhibition of these two species due to excessive soil salts and metals. Fourwing saltbush germination and emergence is significantly greater with osmotic stress < -3 bars imposed by inorganic salts (NaCl, Na₂SO₄, MgCl₂, MgSO₄, or CaCl₂) than by polyethylene glycol (PEG) (P < .05). Alkali sacaton germination and emergence is significantly better with osmotic stress < -3 bars imposed by NaCl, Na₂SO₄, or CaCl₂ than by …