Biology Commons^™

The Effect Of Hibernation On Memory In Spermophilus Lateralis, Mary Colleen Mcnamara

Biology ETDs

Spermophilus lateralis, were trained to solve a black-white discrimination task in order to escape from a water filled tank. Following the attainment of criterion, the ground squirrels were trained on the reversal task of the original discrimination problem. Twenty-four hours after reaching criterion on the reversal training, all subjects were placed in a hibernaculum at 7-10 C for a period of 11 days. The animals were returned to the laboratory after the 11-day

cold exposure period, and 24 hr later were tested for retention of the learned behavior. The animals were returned to the hibernaculum for an additional 11 days …

Mobbing Behavior Of Mexican Jays (Aphelocoma Ultramarina) And Scrub Jays (Aphelocoma Coerulescens), Jack F. Cully Jr.

Biology ETDs

Mobbing behavior of Mexican Jays (Aphelocoma ultrarmarina) and Scrub Jays (A. coerulescens) to a Great Horned Owl (Bubo virginianus) was studied in field and laboratory experiments during 1970 and 1971. In both series Mexican Jays had a stronger response to the owl in rate of calling, and a longer lasting response. Population distribution patterns and social compatibility of flock members are considered the most important differences in explaining the stronger response of Mexican Jays to the owl. Hand-reared naive Mexican and Scrub jays were also tested in the laboratory. At age 80 days Scrub Jays mobbed the owl. The naive …

Gastrointestinal Bacteria Of A Healthy Sheep, Paul Berger

Biology ETDs

Various portions of the gastrointestinal tract of a healthy sheep were sampled to determine the types of bacteria indigenous to the different areas. These portions included the abomasum, duodenum, jejunum, ileum, cecum, ascending colon, spiral colon, and descending colon. A minimum test set technique was developed and used to identify the bacteria. No definite pattern emerged when one region was compared with another region, although the total bacterial count for both the abomasum and the duodenum was less than that of the other locations sampled. Escherichia coli and an infrequent E. freundii were the only enteric bacteria found in the …

Absorption And Translocation Of Chelated Iron By Barley And Rice, Ching-Chang Eugene Li

Biology ETDs

A study was made of iron absorption and translocation in the Mimi variety of barley and the Saturn variety of rice. Various iron chelates were used as sources of iron in nutrient solutions. Radioactive iron was used in some experiments to investigate absorption and translocation of iron in both plant species.

Plants were grown in nutrient solutions with different levels of iron to compare the chlorophyll content, dry weight and iron content in shoots and roots. It was found that iron deficiency decreased chlorophyll content and iron content in tissue and also decreased growth of the shoots and roots. An …

Extracellular Production Of Coagulase, Deoxyribonuclease Acid Phosphatase, Alkaline Phosphatase, And Lipase By Staphylococcus Aureus, Robert Lee Nelson

Biology ETDs

The activity of extracellular coagulase, deoxyribonuclease, acid phosphatase, alkaline phosphatase and lipase for 10 strains of Staphylococcus aureus was investigated. The enzymatic activities were also tested for the presence of a specific enzyme inactivator. The relationship of EH and cell density to the five enzymes was also studied.

The extracellular enzymes used in these experiments were prepared by removing cells by centrifugation from the broth of O, 6, 12, 24, 36, 48, and 60 hr cultures. Cell numbers were determined by the standard plate count method. Inactivation of specific enzymes was measured by mixing equal volumes of 6 hr broth …

The Ecology And Behavior Of The Burrowing Owl In Central New Mexico, Dennis J. Martin

Biology ETDs

A population of Burrowing Owls (Speotyto cunicularia) in Central New Mexico was studied during 1970 and 1971. Individuals of this population nest in Rock Squirrel (Spermophilus variegatus) burrows in an arroyo and railway cut-through. Physical aspects of burrows used by these owls were measured and comparisons were made with other nesting colonies. Sixty-seven Burrowing Owls were banded to facilitate investigations of behavior, population dynamics and migration. Burrowing Owl vocalizations were examined with the aid of a Sonagraph. Statements are made as to their physical description, etiology, function, ontogeny, relationship to other calls and associated behavioral displays. Descriptions of the owl's …

Biomechanical Relationships In Astragalus And Oxytropis (Fabaceae), Stephan L. Albrecht

Biology ETDs

The results of a biomechanical study of the generic relationships of Astragalus and Oxytropis are presented.

Dried plant materials was hydrolyzed in 2 N hydrocholoric acid, the hydrolysates were extracted with n-amyl alchol, and chromatographed in two dimenstions using thin layer chromatography (TLC). The patterns and the R_F values of the "spots" separated were recorded and analysed.

The flavonoid patterns for all the plant organs studied were similar and no definite relationships between the flavonoid patterns and morphological characters could be ascertained. The flavonoid patterns exhibited by the members of both taxa indicate that the present means of morphological …

Investigations Of Biochemical Relationships In New Mexico Ribes (Saxifragaceae), John G. Mexal

Biology ETDs

The classification of Ribes based on morphological characters is hampered by interspecific similarities. Nine species found in New Mexico were studied chemotaxonomically on the basis of flavonoid variability and content. A soxhlet extraction apparatus was used to extract the flavonoids. Methanolic extracts of both fresh and preserved leaves were studied using thin-layer chromatography. The results supported the current subgeneric breakdown of Ribes into Ribesia and Grossularia. Ribesia contains between two and four anthocyanins, while Grossularia contains no detectable anthocyanins. Evidence presented in this paper indicates that R. aureum Pursh (Ribesia) and R. inerme Rydb. (Grossularia) are misplaced subgenerically. Biochemically, at …

The Response Of The Peripheral Blood Lymphocyte Of The Beagle Dog To Inhaled 90 [Gamma] Fused Clay And To Acute In-Vivo And In-Vitro 60 Co Exposure, Charles H. Hewitt Jr.

Biology ETDs

The cytogenetic response of Beagle dog peripheral blood lymphocytes to inhaled insoluble yttrium-90 in fused clay was characterized and compared to that produced by whole-blood and whole-body irradiation with cobalt-60. Compartmental models were developed with digital and analog computers to define canine lymphocyte kinetics. From these data, the dose to the peripheral blood lymphocytes by 90y fused clay was estimated. Blood lymphocytes were cultured with phytohemagglutinin and incubated for 72 hr. Metaphase chromosomes were collected with colchicine. No significant chromosomal damage was observed to result from initial lung burdens less than 4. 8 mCi of 90y fused clay. Whole blood …

The Effects Of Rickettsial Parasitism On Glucose Metabolism In The Chicken Embryo, Royce M. Brockett

Biology ETDs

The effects of Rickettsia typhi, Rickettsia rickettsii, and Coxiella burnetii infections on glucose metabolism in the chicken embryo were investigated. Cell-free extracts were prepared from infected and uninfected embryos and incubated with glucose-1-¹⁴C, glucose-6-¹⁴C, or gluconate- 6-¹⁴C. The results indicated that in typhus infected embryos a slight shift in glucose metabolism toward greater utilization of the hexose monophosphate pathway took place. Preliminary data obtained from Rocky Mountain spotted fever infected embryos suggested that infection with this organism has similar effect. Results obtained for Q fever infected embryos were not conclusive, but indicated that Q …

A Survey Of The Airborne Fungi In The Albuquerque, New Mexico Area, Mark S. Sifuentes

Biology ETDs

A twelve-month survey of the atmospheric airborne fungal spores, utilizing quantitative air sampling combined with the culture-plate technique, was conducted in the Albuquerque, New Mexico area. Two permanent locations, one in the Heights and the other in the Valley, were used to compare spore types and incidence. The predominant genera caught in the Heights, in order of their frequency, were Cladosporium, Alternaria, Aspergillus, Mycelia Sterilia, Penicillium, Phoma, and Stemplylium. The predominant genera caught in the Valley, in order of their frequency, were Cladosporium, Alternaria, Aspergillus, Mycelia Sterilia, Phoma, Penicillium, and Stemplylium. Variations in number of predominating fungal spores of the …

Survey Of 36 Staphylococcus Aureus Strains For Possible Production Of A Coagulase-Destroying Factor, Roger L. Gardner

Biology ETDs

The possible production of a coagulase-destroying factor (CDF) by 36 strains of Staphylococcus aureus was investigated. Some related characteristics of coagulases produced by these strains were also studied.

Coagulase used for these experiments was prepared by removing cells from the broth of 5-hour cultures. Preparations assayed for CDF activity were made from cell-free 72-hour culture broth. Inactivation was assayed by observ­ing changes in clotting times of 5-hour broth that was diluted with an equal volume of 72-hour broth. Clotting times were determined at intervals during a 72-hour incubation period. These tests failed to show CDF activity from any of the …

The Interspecific Relationship Between Panagrellus Redivivoides And Drosophila Melanogaster, Robert Thomas Morgan

Biology ETDs

Panagrellus redivivoides (T. Goodey, 1943) T. Goodey, 1945 was found associated with the "Albuquerque-wild" strain of Drosophila melanogaster. The nematode species was redescribed, noting differences from published description in body length, postvulval sac structure, and distal bifurcation of the gubernaculum. The nematode-fly association was maintained by periodic fly subculturing. However, the nematodes are nonparasitic and can be sustained independently of the flies, without statistically significant differences in body measurements, at 22 Con standard cornmeal-agar medium seeded with live yeast which serves as food for the microbivorous nematodes. Statistically significant differences in body measurements were noted with nematodes feeding on excess …

Observation Of A Compensatory Mechanism In The Rat During Carbon Tetrachloride Exposure, Mable H. Orndorff

Biology ETDs

Physical, chemical, and physiological responses of rats, after carbon tetrachloride inhalation (400 ppm) and comparable injection exposure, are presented and discussed. Data collected during the last four of five biweekly exposures illustrate some of the acute effects of CC1₄ exposure superimposed on a pattern of chronic response. Fat deposition is increased as indicated by the rapid and substantial weight gains through the fourth exposure week. Final liver-body weight ratios are high in the CC1₄ - treated animals. The experimental rats excrete more urea after week 3, whereas they have stable creatinine excretion until the fifth week. Urea-creatinine ratios …

A Monographic Study Of The Genus Aristida In New Mexico, Raymond C. Krehoff

Biology ETDs

Studies of collections of Aristida from New Mexico indicate that 16 species of this genus occur in the state. These are A. adscensionis L., A. oligantha Michx., A. orcuttiana Vasey, A. ternipes Cav., A. barbata Fourn., A. divaricata Humb. and Bonpl., A. hamulosa Henr., A. glauca (Nees) Walp., A. purpurea Nutt., A. roemeriana Scheele, A. wrightii Nash, A. pansa Woot. and Standl., A. longiseta Steud. (and 2 varieties), A. fendleriana Steud., A. parishii Hitchc., and A. arizonica Vasey. These taxa are treated systematically from a morphological point of view and probable relationships among them are discussed. Distribution of each of …

Immunologic Enhancement Of Murine Sarcoma I Tumor System, Fung-Win Shen

Biology ETDs

The purpose of this project was to study the mechanism of imnunologic enhancement in the mouse a t the cellular level. The Sarcoma I (Sal, H-2^a) murine tumor system was employed as the model for this study. Sal, indigenous to the A/J (H-2^a) strain of mouse, grows progressively in its syngeneic host but is rejected by non-H-2a mice. However, the SaI tumor can be induced to grow progressively in C57BL/KsJ (Ks, H-2d) mice by passive administration of Ks anti-Sal serum at the time of Sal tumor implantation. This phenomenon is termed immunologic enhancement. Hereafter, mice pretreated …

Variations In The Electrophoretic Mobility Of Purified Staphylocoagulase, John Elliott Hill

Biology ETDs

Coagulase production was investigated for 23 strains of Staphylococcus aureus. The coagulase from seven of these strains was purified and subjected to electrophoresis.

The dialyzable fraction of heart infusion broth was the growth medium. Coagulase was harvested from 5 hr shake cul­tures incubated at 37 c.

A series of dialysis steps lasting 24 hr at a tempera­ture of 2 C were used to purify the different coagulases. The crude coagulase was first separated from the growth med­ium by dialysis against deionized water. The coagulase was next precipitated by dialysis against a £H 3.8 acetate buf­fer which had an ionic strength …

Comparative Molt In Toxostoma Curvirostre And T. Bendirei, John L. Darling

Biology ETDs

Timing and pattern of molts were studied in two species of Southwestern thrashers, Toxostoma curvirostre and T. bendirei. Emphasis was placed upon description of the sequence of feather replacement. Adults of both species undergo a complete molt (the prebasic) following the breeding season. The pattern of molt is essentially the same in both species. However, the migratory T. bendirei completes the molt approximately one month earlier than T. curvirostre, which remains on or near the breeding grounds throughout the year. The molts of young birds of both species are also similar in pattern. A major difference is the telescoping of …

Comparisons Of The Antigenic Relationships Of Pollen Extracts From Ambrosia Artemisaefolia, Ambrosia Elatior, Ambrosia Psilostachya And Ambrosia Trifida, James W. Meares

Biology ETDs

The antigenic relationships of Ambrosia artemisaefolia, Ambrosia elatior, Ambrosia psilostachya, and Ambrosia trifida were studied using the techniques of gel diffusion and pas­sive cutaneous anaphylaxis. Ten gram samples of defatted pollen were extracted for 7 2 hours with Coca's solution.

Each pollen extract was standardized on the basis of total nitrogen content per ml of extract using the Kjeldahl method. Antisera were prepared by injections of the pollen extract in Freund' s complete adjuvant. Rabbits were immunized subcutaneously against each pollen extract and antisera were collected five to six weeks after immunization. Gel diffusion analysis was performed by first pouring …

A Study Of The Genus Potentilla In New Mexico, John D. Garcia

Biology ETDs

Studies of collections of Potentilla which I made during the summer of 1969, and from collections in The University of New Mexico Herbarium indicate that there are 24 species of Potentilla in New Mexico. These are:

P. fruticosa L. ,P. arguta Pursh, P. fissa Nutt.,P. glandulosa Lindl., P. thurberi A. Gray (and 1 variety),

P. anserina L. (and 1 variety), P pennsylvanica L.,P. plattensis Nutt., P. crinita A. Gray (and 1 variety),

P. pulcherrima Lehm. (and 1 variety), P. ambigens Greene, P. hippiana Lehm. (and 1 variety), P. diversifolia Lehm., P. sierrae-blancae Wooton and Rydb., P. bicrenata Rydb., P. subviscosa …

Distribution Of Two Lizards, Cnemidophorus Tigris And C. Scalaris, In Pine Canyon, Big Bend National Park, Texas, Ronald V. Lucchino

Biology ETDs

At the lower elevations, 3500 ft or less, in Pine Canyon, Cnemidophorus tigris and c. scalaris occupy the same general areas. Corresponding with a rise in elevation, the increase in vegetation density forces both lizards from the flat terrain into the arroyos that drain the canyon. Of the two species, only C. scalaris is found above an elevation of 4000 ft. At this elevation the coarseness of soil texture in the arroyos becomes evident and the sides of the arroyos are steeper. These changes are the result of the increase in the slope of the canyon.

Air and soil temperatures …

Ecological Distribution Of Spiny Lizards (Sceloporus) In Big Bend National Park, Texas, Teddy L. Brown

Biology ETDs

The ecological distribution of the four species of spiny lizards (Scelouorus) occurring in Big Bend National Park, Texas, was studied in the summers of 1968 and 1969. A total of 219 lizards was observed or collected by shooting with a pistol or rubber bands, by hand, and by use of can traps. The most abundant species was S. merriami (92 specimens observed or collected), second was S. poinsetti (63 specimens), third was s. magister (38 specimens), and least abundant was S. undulatus (26 specimens). Five general communities are described: Rio Grande flood­plain, desert scrub, desert grassland, pinyon-juniper-oak woodland, and ponderosa …

An Ecological Survey Of The Reptiles And Amphibians Of Chaco Canyon National Monument, San Juan County, New Mexico, Kirland L. Jones

Biology ETDs

A general ecological description of Chaco Canyon National monument is presented. Plant associations are named and specific ecological factors limiting the distribution of the herpetozoa are described.

Field work at Chaco Canyon was carried out from 17 June to 1 September 1968. Data were gathered on the composition and distribution of plat association, reptiles, and amphibians. Field data gathered include plant and herpesian associates, physiographic areas, exposure, and substrata.

Distribution of plant associations was found to be correlated with the physiography. Distribution of lizards and amphibians was found to be correlated with substrate. Ecological factors which dictate the distribution of …

Studies On The Antigenic Relationships Of Pollen Extracts From Atriplex Canescens, Atriplex Wrightii, And Atriplex Lentiformis, Andrew Paquet Jr.

Biology ETDs

Saline extracts, prepared from the pollens of three species of Atriplex: A. canescens, A. lentiformis, and A. wrightii, were sterilized by Seitz filtration, and the nitrogen content of each extract was determined by the Kjeldahl technique. Extracts were standardized at 0.7 mg N/ml, mixed with an equal volume of Freund's complete adjuvant, and injected subcutaneously into rabbits. Antibody titers were checked weekly by the interfacial precipitin test. The peak antibody production occurred four to five weeks after the injection period, then after a slight drop in titer, remained stable for the next six weeks, during which time sera were collected. …

Discrimination Reversal Learning As An Index Of Memory In Spermophilus Tridecemlineatus, Waneta Kay Coester

Biology ETDs

Spermophilus tridecemlineatus were trained to solve a simple visual discrimination problem. Following a 15-day non-training period the ground squirrels were trained on-a series of five discrimination reversal problems. Criterion and non-correction procedures were followed during original and reversal training. During the non-training period one half of the subjects (Group I) remained in the training laboratory and the remainder of the animals (Group II) hibernated.

It was possible to train the animals to solve the original discrimination and the reversal problems. No statistically significant differences were observed between performances on consecutive problems. However, differences approaching statistical significance were observed between performances …

The Food Habits Of The Gila Mountain-Sucker, Pantosteus Clarki (Baird And Girard), Gail C. Kobetich

Biology ETDs

Intestinal contents of postlarval to adult Gila mountain-suckers, Pantosteus clarki (Baird and Girard), collected from the upper Gila River system, were examined using a slightly modified Sedgewick-Rafter counting technique. From the analysis of the intestinal material it was found that the diet of Pantosteus clarki consisted of 97.4% plant material, 2.4% animal material, and 0.2% organic detritus. In order of importance the plant material consisted of filamentous green algae, filamentous blue-green algae, and diatoms. The animal material consisted of aquatic invertebrates with the following groups being most important: Tendipedidae, Epherneroptera, Simuliidae, and Pyralididae. Other algal types and invertebrates groups occurred …

Seasonal Variations Of Certain Air-Borne Allergens Of Fungal Origin, Kathleen Dillon

Biology ETDs

In this study, the number of viable mold spores trapped by a power-assisted sampling device was counted to determine the number of spores per cubic foot of air. Mold colonies were then sub-cultured and identified to genus.

Meteorological data for the times of sampling and for the entire year were furnished by the Environmental Sciences Service Administration.

It was determined that certain spore types did show a seasonal variation, with different types predominating at different times of the year.

Certain local climatic conditions prevailing at the time of sampling tended to select for the predominance of a particular type of …

The Effect Of Stable Yttrium Concentration On The Distribution And Excretion Of Inhaled Radioyttrium In The Rat, Walter Jay Wenzel

Biology ETDs

These investigations were designed to assess the alterations in tissue distribution and excretion of inhaled radioyttrium in rats as a function of various concentrations of stable yttrium. One experiment utilized ⁹¹Y and three experiments utilized ⁸⁸Y as the radioactive isotope. Stable yttrium was added to achieve various ratios of radioactive to non-radioactive yttrium in the inhaled particles. In experiment 1, Sprague-Dawley female rats were exposed by inhalation of aerosolized carrier-free ⁹¹Y and by inhalation of aero­solized ⁸⁹Y labeled with ⁹¹Y. Other rats were injected intravenously with carrier-free ⁹¹Y (ionic) or with various concentrations of …

Reproduction In Cnemidophorus Inornatus And C. Neomexicanus, James L. Christiansen

Biology ETDs

Cnemidophorus inornatus, a species composed of males and females, is closely related to Cnemidophorus neomexicanus, a parthenogenetic species. The two occur more or less sympatrically but differ in several factors which may provide either species with an advantage. Preference for different microhabitats and antagonistic behavior between the two species tend to prevent interspecific contact and interbreeding. Disruption of the habitat may destroy these isolating mechanisms and sterile hybrids may result. Adults and juveniles of both species are active from mid-April to mid-August but juveniles are more active than adults during the colder months. The reproductive cycle of males begins in …

The Response Of Atriplex Canescens And Eurotia Lanata To Sub-Freezing Temperatures, William C. Fry

Biology ETDs

Frost hardiness was investigated in seedlings of Atriplex canescens and Eurobia lanata.Exosmosis, of electrolytes and reduction of triphenyl tetrazolium chloride (T.T.C.) by tissue exposed to sub-freezing temperatures were investigated as objective methods for determining the frost killing temperature of the seedlings as compared to actual seedling survival. The relationship of a seedling age and the influence of a brief preconditioning at a reduced temperature were studied as to their effect on the frost killing temperature. The seedling age best suited to the investigation of the influence of temperature and photoperiod preconditioning on the frost killing temperature was determined. The influence …