Biology Commons^™

Phenetic Structure And Zoogeography Of North American Insectivorous Bat Faunas, Gregory Michael Shum

Biology ETDs

Eighteen morphological features were measured for 103 species of insectivorous bats found throughout North America. These characters were standardized to a mean of zero and a standard deviation of unity. Using these morphological characters, thirty-one distinct faunas, ranging from a Boreal Forest fauna with three species to a Wet Tropical fauna with 50 species, were analyzed in an 18-dimensional mathematical hyperspace with the numerical taxonomic techniques of distance, correlation and principal components.

The results show that tropical faunas occupy a greater morphological hypervolume than temperate-zone faunas. Morphological packing is not greater in tropical faunas, and it appears that a limiting …

Radio-Telemetry Of Body Temperature Of Prairie Dogs, Cynomys Ludovicianus, And Response Of Isolated Perfused Hearts To Temperature, Trent H. Thomas

Biology ETDs

The black-tailed prairie dog, Cynomys ludovicianus, was described by the early naturalists and explorers as inhabiting an area ranging from southern Canada to northern Mexico. Although their habitat varies in environmental extremes, little is known of the physiological responses of this species. Most investigations concerning them have dealt with their possible role as disease vectors, their effects on agriculture and livestock management, and the structure of their social organization. The purpose of the following studies is to contribute to the basic knowledge of the physiological responses of Cynomys ludovicianus. The experiments include radio-telemetering of body-core temperatures at low ambient temperatures …

Transcription And Maturation Of Sv40 Messenger Rna In Lytic And Transformed Cells, Daniel Robert Henderson

Biology ETDs

Asymmetric RNA was synthesized in vitro from SV4O form I DNA using Escherichia coli DNA-dependent RNA polymerase. Using this RNA, sheared ³²P-SV4O DNA was separated into (+) and (-) DNA strands. (+) and (-) DNA was shown to be complementary strands of SV4O DNA. The separated strands were hybridized to nuclear, informosome, and polysome RNAs extracted at different times in the lytic infection, and to similar RNAs from transformed cells. Further, the size of the RNAs hybridizing to (+) and (-) DNAs was determined by sucrose gradient sedimentation. The results showed:

(1) Nuclear, informosome and polysome RNA from transformed …

Energetics Of Formate, Lactate, And Pyruvate Metabolism By An Obligate Anaerobic Sulfate-Reducing Bacterium, Desulfovibrio Vulgaris, Edward L. Magee Jr.

Biology ETDs

The increase in growth of Desulfovibrio vulgaris NCIB 8303 in a basal medium containing either 0.1M lactate, 0.1M pyruvate or 0.1M formate was proportional to the energy derived by substrate oxidation. Parameters of growth included OD₅₈₀, counts of viable cells, mean generation time, maximum cell density and molar growth yield. Pyruvate stimulated the largest amount of growth by all parameters except the generation time which equalled that measured for growth on lactate. Lactate produced intermediate levels of growth and formate the least amount. Minimal growth occurred when the basal medium had no intermediate energy source. Growth on the …

Interspecific Territoriality In Williamson's And Red-Naped Sapsuckers (Sphrapicus Thyroideus And S. Varius Nuchalis), Richard C. Young

Biology ETDs

Six territories of Williamson's Sapsuckers (Sphyrapicus thyroideus) and eight of Red-naped Sapsuckers (S. varius nuchalis) were mapped and sampled with a line-strip vegetation sampling technique; these data were subjected to discriminant function and 1·rinciple components analyses to investigate similarities and differences letween territories of the two species.

Interspecific overlap in territorial characteristics is great; differences occur primarily in the number of dead trees, and to a lesser extent in the degree of clumping of aspens (Populus tremuloides); S. Thyroideus tends to nest in areas where aspens are more clumped.

Experiments with playbacks of tape-recordings of calls and drums of the …

The Effects Of Heat And Co-60 [Gamma]-Radiation On The Oocysts Of Eimeria Nieschulzi, George A. Conder

Biology ETDs

Sporulated oocysts of Eimeria nieschulzi Dieben, 1924, a rat coccidium, were exposed to radiation, to heat, or to both in an effort to attenuate the parasite. In addition, studies were conducted on the excystation capabilities and infectivity of treated sporozoites and on their immunogenic potential. These observations were correlated with the immune response of the host. Treatments had no effect on oocyst structure but altered the excystation process and decreased the percentage of sporozoites capable of excysting. Moderate levels of radiation, of heat, or of both radiation and heat attenuated the parasite, reduced pathological effect (as judged by oocyst discharge …

The Humoral Response Of Inbred Female Rats To Eimeria Nieschulzi Dieben, Lanna Ruth Schoonover Bartholomew

Biology ETDs

The humeral response of 32-day-old specific-pathogen-free Fisher 344 strain inbred albino female rats to a 5,000 sporulated oocyst inoculum of Eimeria nieschulzi at post­inoculation day 0 (PI+0) was followed for 77 days, as were syngeneic uninfected control rats of the same age. Some of these infected rats were challenged with 50,000 sporulated oocysts at PI+15 and followed through PI+77; some were challenged with 50,000 sporulated oocysts at PI+15 and PI+60 and followed through PI+77; and some were challenged with 50,000 sporulated oocysts at PI+60 and followed through PI+77. The Pfizer agarose system of analysis was used for the serum and …

Avian Community Structure In The Sangre De Cristo Mountains, New Mexico, Peter H. Pache

Biology ETDs

Three avian communities (spruce-fir, aspen, and pinon-juniper) were studied from April to August, 1973, in the Sangre de Cristo Mountains, in north-central New Mexico. An additional pinon-juniper community was studied from June to August, 1973, in the Manzano Mountains, east of Albuquerque, New Mexico. The Emlen technique (1971) was used and evaluated. Transects one mile in length were set-up in the above communities and song and non-song detections were tabulated out to a 412-foot (126 meter) line on both sides of the transect. This census method appears more realistic, in terms of community complexity, than the expansion census methods; however, …

Toxoplasma Antibodies In Wild And Domiciled Animals From Arizona, Colorado, Montana, New Mexico, And The Philippines, Alan A. Marchiondo

Biology ETDs

Using the Sabin-Feldman Dye Test, sera from wild and domestic animals in Arizona, Colorado, Montana, New Mexico, Peru, and the Philippines were tested for the prevalence of antibodies to Toxoplasma gondii. The incidence of Toxoplasma in all animals from these areas was: Arizona (19.6%, 11 of 56), Colorado (28.6%, 2 of 7), Montana (41.7%, 73 of 175), New Mexico (31.3%, 178 of 569), Peru (0%, 0 of 3), and the Philip­pines (33.8%, 48 of 142). The overall prevalence of antibodies to Toxoplasma was 32.7% (312 of 952).

Nine fecal samples from wild felines contained Toxoplasma like oocysts which were experimentally …

Role Of Melatonin In Hibernation And Isolated Heart Activity, Dennis L. Palmer

Biology ETDs

Melatonin functions in the control of melanophore pigmentation of amphibians but its role in higher vertebrates is ill-defined. In mammals melatonin is produced within the pineal gland, where its formation is light dependent. This study consisted of three experiments: (i) a biological assay of commercial preparations of melatonin; (ii) response of hibernating ground squirrels exposed to cold and melatonin; (iii) response of isolated hearts to melatonin. Commercial preparations of melatonin were compared for their biological effectiveness by measuring the inhibition of compensatory ovarian hypertrophy in laboratory mice. Unilateral ovariectomy results in hypertrophy of the intact ovary of untreated mice. Unilaterally …

Comparative Foraging Behavior Of The Olive Warbler And Its Possible Competitors, Robert J. Secatore

Biology ETDs

The foraging activities of the Olive Warbler (Peucedramus taeniatus) and three other foliage-gleaning species were studied in the Chiricahua Mountains of southeastern Arizona during the summer of 1973. Grace's Warblers (Dendroica graciae), the most specialized of the four species, foraged most similarly to Peucedramus and is probably the latter is strongest potential competitor during the breeding season. The small size of D. graciae appeared to facilitate foraging in pine foliage and may be an important factor in promoting ecological segregation from the Olive Warbler. Audubon's Warblers (D. coronata) and Pygmy Nuthatches (Sitta pygmaea) were more generalized in their feeding activities …

Studies On The Structural Polypeptides Of Bacteriophage N1, Jeffry J. Leary

Biology ETDs

The structural proteins of Micrococcus lysodeikticus bacteriophage N1 were studied by SDS-urea polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. Electrophoretic analysis of highly purified virions revealed that N1 phage is composed of six structural polypeptides which were designated VP1 through VP6. Molecular weights of the virion polypeptides were estimated to be 103,000 (VP1), 76,000 (VP2), 66,000 (VP3), 51,000 (VP4), 26,000 (VP5), and 16,750 (VP6) daltons. Quantitative analysis of electropherograms of N1 indicated that VP4, VPS, and VP6 are major components of the virion representing 46%, 29%, and 19% of the weight of the virion protein, respectively. The three minor polypeptides VP1, VP2, and VP3 …

Reproductive Status Of Alligator Juniper In Bandelier National Monument, New Mexico, Graham A. Mark

Biology ETDs

The primary object of this study was to determine the reproductive status of Juniperus deppeana Steud. In Bandelier National Monument, New Mexico. Due to the apparent scarcity of seedlings and young trees, eventual local extinction seemed likely.

Information about the population—its distributions in space and time, its fecundity and mortality rates—was gathered in the Monument. This, together with reported demographic traits of Juniperus spp., indicates that reproduction has indeed recently declined. However, due to the longevity of its members, the population could withstand at least a century of no reproduction before becoming seriously endangered.

Since reproduction has been generally poor …

Isolation Of Hypoxanthine-Guanine Phosphoribosyl Transferase Deficient Mutants In A Mammalian Cell Line, Winston M. Sanford

Biology ETDs

The isolation of hypoxanthine-guanine phosphoribosyl transferase deficient mutants of Swiss mouse fibroblast cells was accomplished by exposure of large numbers of normal cells to the toxic antimetabolic agent 8-Azaguanine. Cell lines resistant to 0.1, 0.5 and 1.0 μg/ml of 8-Azaguanine were obtained. Enzyme studies of these cell lines revealed an inverse correlation between the level of resistance to 8-Azaguanine and the activity of the hypoxanthine-guanine phosphoribosyl transferase enzyme. One exceptional mutant has been isolated with a resistance to 8-Azaguanine and an enzyme activity two-fold higher than the parent cell. These mutants are discussed in terms of genetic and biochemical defects …

Human Sperm Antigens And Antisperm Antibodies, Carol K. Dudley

Biology ETDs

An immune response to spermatozoa may result in the production of autoantibodies to sperm. Most studies of antisperm antibody have depended on sperm agglutination or sperm immobilization which only detect antibodies reacting with cell surface antigen. In the study reported here indirect immunofluorescence was used to examine antisperm antibodies to all components of sperm in vasectomized males. These antibodies were used to study the nature of sperm­specific antigens, located in subcellular regions of the human spermatozoa. The incidence of antisperm antibodies in vasectomized patients rises from 61% before surgery to 90% nine months after surgery. The antibodies present before surgery …

On The Effects Of Reduced Competition Between Species Of Eleutherodactylus., Kirkland Lee Jones

Biology ETDs

To elucidate the changes in the trophic and microhabitat portions of the niche under various degrees of competitive pressure, four species of Eleutherodactylus were studied on five Caribbean islands. Approximately 100 specimens of each species occurring on each island were collected. Five measurements were used to characterize the microhabitat at the collection site. Five morphological measurements were taken from each specimen. All stomach contents were measured, counted, and categorized. Feeding rates were obtained from stomach contents and direct observation.

Agonistic Behaviour In Gila Woodpeckers, Gene L. Brenowitz

Biology ETDs

Agonistic behaviour of Gila Woodpeckers (Centurus uropygialis), including vocalizations, visual displays and other related behaviours, is described. Aggressive interactions with both con- and hetero-specifics were analyzed by stochastic processes. Results indicate that Gila Woodpeckers are far less aggressive than qualitative descriptions suggest and reasons for this discrepancy are presented.

The ecological correlates of Gila Woodpecker aggression were investigated and it appears that most aggression is related to defense of areas both intraspecifically and interspecifically. The effects of the two types of territoriality on the distribution of the species involved were compared and found to be significantly different. A model is …

A Study Of The Enteric Bacterial Population Of The Rio Grande From Cochiti Dam To Bernalillo, New Mexico And Of The Water Systems Of Cochiti, Santo Domingo And San Felipe Villages, Linda K. Fogleman

Biology ETDs

A bacterial survey of fecal coliforms, fecal streptococci, Arizona and Salmonella was made of the waters of the Rio Grande, its adjoining canals and ditches, and of the well water of three pueblos along the Rio Grande in New Mexico. The river and ditch survey consisted of sampling 11 sites from Cochiti Bridge south to the Bernalillo Acequia at Bernalillo, and took place between September, 1971 and November, 1972. Water was collected from six sites in Cochiti Village, five sites in Santo Domingo Village, and seven sites from San Felipe Village between May 25, 1972 and November 14, 1972. Six …

A Spectrographic Analysis Of Pinon Jay Vocalizations, Lyle Rae Berger

Biology ETDs

Vocalizations and behavior of banded pairs of adult Pinon Jays were recorded during 1972. Jays were housed in large outdoor aviaries. Fifteen distinct vocalizations were isolated in this study. During 1973 individual adult Pinon Jays were observed, and their vocal responses to other individuals were recorded under various circumstances in an attempt to quantify the functions of the calls iso­lated in the initial study. Six pairs of Pinon Jays were tested in this manner. A wild flock of unhanded Pinon Jays also was observed during 1972 and part of 1973.

The fifteen Pinon Jay vocalizations were examined with the aid …

The Effect Of Beta Radiation From Inhaled Yttrium-90 In Fused Clay Particles On Immunity To Listeria Monocytogenes In Mice, Ambrosio Sanchez

Biology ETDs

The author is greatly indebted to the Inhalation Toxicology Research Institute, Lovelace Foundation for Medical Education and Research for af­fording the opportunity to undertake this study. Research was performed under U. S. Atomic Energy Commission Contract AT (29-2) -1013. Particular gratitude is given to Drs. Roger O. McClellan and David L. Lundgren without whose advice, help and encouragement this endeavor would not have been accomplished. Further appreciation is given to Drs. Paul H. Silverman, Ronda F. Cooper and the late John W, Beakley, members of my graduate committee; Ann C. Ferris, Katherine R. Baca and Mildred B. organ for their …

Canalization Of Scutellar Bristles In Pyd And Pyd H Populations Of Drosophila Melanogaster, Rita Kathleen Bryson

Biology ETDs

No abstract provided.

Invasion Of A High Evaluation Burn By Engelmann Spruce, David R. Dreesen

Biology ETDs

The invasion of a high elevation burn (3500 m) by Engelmann spruce (Picea engelmannii Parry) was investigated on the Santa Fe National Forest in north-central New Mexico. Population analyses and a field germination test of spruce seeds under various treatments were performed. The resistance of soil moisture blocks and soil temperatures were measured.

The fire which occurred in 1886 eliminated a climax spruce-fir forest and resulted in a subalpine grassland at elevations above the zone where aspen (Populus tremuloides Michx.) has invaded. The estimated crown coverage of trees in the grassland is less than 5%. Engelmann spruce comprises 92.5% of …

Effects Of Land-Use Practices Upon Surface Water Quality, Carleton S. White

Biology ETDs

Surface water and precipitation samples were collected from Sept. 1972 through Aug. 1973 on the northern slopes of Mount Taylor in west-central New Mexico. The samples were analyzed for pH, conductivity, silica, calcium, magnesium, sodium, potassium, bicarbonate, alkalinity as CaCO₃, sulfate, chloride, nitrate, phosphate, and total solids. The natural baseline quality was primarily determined by the contact with the different geologic formations. The water originating on or from the basaltic terrain was of better quality and lower in dissolved solids than the water on or from the sedimentary terrain. The effects of grazing, irrigation, water impoundment, vegetation clearing, …

Perturbation Analysis Of Competition And Overlap In Habitat Utilization Between Dipodomys Ordii And Dipodomys Merriami, Gene D. Schroder

Biology ETDs

This study measures the magnitude of the competition between two nocturnal, desert rodents, Dipodomys ordii and D. merriami, on 10 unenclosed, 16 hectare plots along a narrow band of sympatry in south-central New Mexico. Population perturbations of one or the other species were periodically performed on eight of the plots, while natural population changes were monitored on two controls. The relative numerical responses of the kangaroo rats to these perturbations are thought to reflect the true magnitude of their competitive interaction.

A New Transport Medium For Neisseria Gonorrhoeae, Nissan Altstock

Biology ETDs

A new transport and holding medium, designated medium #505, has been formulated and tested against standard, commercially available media. The medium is a chemically defined mixture. The ingredients include: sodium chloride, sodium thioglycollate, buffered agar, Amberlite CG-400, methylene blue and IsoVitalex.

The experimental design included two phases. During Phase I, transport media were formulated and tested for their ability to maintain a viable culture of the non-pathogen Neisseria perflava for at least 21 days at ambient temperature (25° C). In Phase II, media that were able to maintain Neisseria perflava for at least 21 days were tested for their ability …

Comparative Renal Efficiencies In Five Species Of Peromyscus, Kenneth W. Andersen

Biology ETDs

Renal efficiencies were determined in five species of Peromyscus: P. maniculatus rufinus, P. leucopus tornillio, P. boylii rowleyi, P. difficilis nasutus, and P. t. truei. The animals were treated at three levels of drinking water availability: ad libitum, one-half ad libitum, and deprivation. At each regimen urine osmolality, urine urea concentration, plasma concentration, urine volume, and animal weight were determined. Effects of the water stresses on these parameters are discussed.

During the most stressful regimen (water deprivation) P.maniculatus, P. leucopus and P.boylii had averageurine concentrations of 3950, 4100, and 4100 mOsmols/ kg H2o respectively. Average concentrations for P.difficilis and P. …

The Effect Of Thermoradiation On Bacterial Spores In Wet And Dry Systems, Thomas J. David

Biology ETDs

Spores of Bacillus subtilis var. niger and Clostridium sporogenes were exposed to heat and radiation, separately, and in simultaneous combination. The spores were subjected to treatment under two sets of conditions. Wet spores were suspended in water during treatment, while spores in the dry state were treated in air which had a relative humidity of about 30% at room temperature. Treatment with ionizing radiation at room temperature was found to be more effective in the dry than the wet state, in contrast to most theories and some research in that area. Bacillus subtilis var. niger was more resistant to heat …

A Study Of The Enteric Bacterial Population Of The Rio Grande Between Isleta Pueblo And Bernardo, New Mexico, Gary Lee Stetler

Biology ETDs

A bacterial study of the water of the Rio Grande was conducted over a period of one year (1971-1972) to determine if Salmonella were present and to enumerate fecal coliforms and fecal streptococci. Water samples were collected from five sites in the Rio Grande between Isleta Pueblo and Bernardo, New Mexico. Of 80 river samples, 19 (23.8%) were found to contain Salmonella. A total of 16 serotypes of Salmonella enteritidis were isolated. Salmonella were most frequently isolated in July, August, and September. A seasonal pattern was observed in which the numbers of fecal coliforms and fecal streptococci, and Salmonella isolations …

A Study Of Mercurials In The Elephant Butte Reservoir Ecosystem, John D. Garcia

Biology ETDs

Analyses of samples for mercury from Elephant Butte Lake collections were made by a flameless atomic absorption procedure. Mercury levels are expressed on a wet weight basis for animal tissues and on a dry weight basis for other materials. Analyses revealed mean ppb mercury concentrations of 0.027 in water, 57 in bottom sediments, 109 in phytoplankton, 277 in attached algae and bryophytes, 95 in plant debris, 69 in zooplankton, 90 in crayfish muscle, 26 in visceral mass of mussels, 97 in muscle of nonpredaceous fish, 125 in muscle of small predaceous fish, 253 in muscle of large predaceous fish, and …

Growth Studies On The Shigellae, Margaret Jane Gillespie

Biology ETDs

The growth of 20 strains of Shigella, representing the four species, was evaluated by the inoculation of pure cultures of single strains on Tryptic Soy agar (TSA) and four selective plating media. Colony counts of 18 strains were highest on TSA. While recovery on MacConkey (MAC) and Xylose Lysine Desoxycholate (XLD) agars was intermediate, very low counts occurred on Desoxycholate Citrate (DCA) and Salmonella-Shigella (SS) agars. Six strains plated on MAC and four strains plated on XLD gave colony counts 10% lower than TSA. With DCA and SS 15 and 16 strains, respectively, gave colony counts 50% lower than TSA. …