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Articles 211 - 240 of 283
Full-Text Articles in Biology
Watering Snakes, Samuel Hirt, Kent Hatch
Watering Snakes, Samuel Hirt, Kent Hatch
Journal of Undergraduate Research
Stable isotope research is a relatively new and innovative tool in ecology. Studies have been done with stable isotopes to determine migration patterns, diet, and evidence for nutritional stress and much more. Little has been done with stable isotopes and reptiles. We conducted a stable isotope, pilot study that will help us understand what happens with snakes in relation to temperature and oxygen and hydrogen turnover ratios in water.
Phylogeography And Species Boundaries In The Lesser Treefrog Hyla Minuta In The Guiana Shield, Montt A. Hawkins, Dr. Jack W. Sites Jr., Dr. Brice P. Noonan
Phylogeography And Species Boundaries In The Lesser Treefrog Hyla Minuta In The Guiana Shield, Montt A. Hawkins, Dr. Jack W. Sites Jr., Dr. Brice P. Noonan
Journal of Undergraduate Research
The lesser tree frog (Hyla minuta) is found in abundance throughout most of South America. Earlier studies have suggested that this taxon includes populations which differ significantly in ecological (Cardoso & Haddad, 1994) and morphological (Kaplan, 1994) characteristics (fig 1), and may include unrecognized species. Noticeable phenotypic variation occurs among populations (Figure 1). However to date little work has been done to determine the number of species that may be masquerading under the identity of H. minuta.
What Is In Your Picnic Basket, Hailey Billings, Dr. Beverley Roeder
What Is In Your Picnic Basket, Hailey Billings, Dr. Beverley Roeder
Journal of Undergraduate Research
My project made inroads in the field of wild animal nutrition using stable isotope ratios to reconstruct diets in free ranging American Black Bears. This information will help develop diets that improve health and reproduction, and aid prevention of diseases and ailments such as obesity, arthritis, allergies and nutritional deficiencies, in bears maintained in zoos, and artificial habitats.
Survey Of Nematocerous Flies (Diptera) Of Maupiti, French Polynesia, Limb Hapairai, Dr. C. Riley Nelson
Survey Of Nematocerous Flies (Diptera) Of Maupiti, French Polynesia, Limb Hapairai, Dr. C. Riley Nelson
Journal of Undergraduate Research
Maupiti is a small island located west of Tahiti, French Polynesia. Its isolation from the economic center of Papeete (capital of French Polynesia) has allowed its fauna and flora to stay relatively intact for many years. It’s size and topography also makes this island a good candidate for extensive studies on flies. However little is known about the distribution of species from all 120 islands of French Polynesia since little studies have been done on these islands. Now surveying has become an even more complex problem because endemic and foreign species are given new habitats. For example a monoculture of …
Do Stable Isotope Turnover Rates In Ectotherm Tissues Change With Temperature?, Joseph Franckum, Kent Hatch
Do Stable Isotope Turnover Rates In Ectotherm Tissues Change With Temperature?, Joseph Franckum, Kent Hatch
Journal of Undergraduate Research
Examining the ratios of stable isotopes (non-decaying atoms with extra neutrons) in animal tissues can yield important information about an organism, such as detecting diet change or establishing migratory origin. Information gathered from these studies help develop future practices to care for certain species. A better understanding of an animal’s dietary capabilities will improve animal techniques.
Growth Rates, Diet, And Distribution Of Pictetiella Expansa, A Rare Rocky Mountain Perlodidae Stonefly (Plecoptera), Sarah Walker, Dr. C. Riley Nelson
Growth Rates, Diet, And Distribution Of Pictetiella Expansa, A Rare Rocky Mountain Perlodidae Stonefly (Plecoptera), Sarah Walker, Dr. C. Riley Nelson
Journal of Undergraduate Research
The stonefly Pictetiella expansa has been acknowledged as a species since the 1920s, yet little is known about this rare species of Perlodidae stonefly. The purpose of our study was to document the growth rates and feeding behaviors of Pictetiella expansa in the American Fork River as well as to document its current geographical distribution.
A Study Of Genetic Variation In Geographically Separated Populations Of Pediomelum Pariense, Asher Jones, Dr. Keith A. Crandall
A Study Of Genetic Variation In Geographically Separated Populations Of Pediomelum Pariense, Asher Jones, Dr. Keith A. Crandall
Journal of Undergraduate Research
Pediomelum pariense, also known as Paria River Indian Breadroot, has been listed by NatureServe as an imperiled organism because of its low population numbers. However, no state or federal agency has made any effort to promote the preservation of this species. Ashley Egan, PhD, designed a study with the purpose of changing that. Through the use of methods designed to measure genetic diversity, I was able to assist Dr. Egan in discovering if the amount of genetic variation that exists among the remaining P. pariense populations should be a cause of government concern.
Organizing Byu’S Fungi Collection, Tess Blackwelder, Dr. Leigh Johnson
Organizing Byu’S Fungi Collection, Tess Blackwelder, Dr. Leigh Johnson
Journal of Undergraduate Research
The Monte L. Bean Life Science Museum at Brigham Young University houses many biological collections for study and display. Among the collections of insects, plants, fish, and mammals, there is also a fungi collection. This was donated to BYU by mycologist Kent McKnight (former BYU faculty) several years ago upon his death. Unfortunately, this collection had been rather neglected; it was neither organized, documented, nor accessible to others, and a complete inventory of the scope of the collection did not exist. My ORCA grant idea was to sort through the collection, set up an effective system of organization, create a …
Testing Nuclear Primers, Nathaniel Ralston, Dr. Keith Crandall
Testing Nuclear Primers, Nathaniel Ralston, Dr. Keith Crandall
Journal of Undergraduate Research
Crustaceans are some of the richest multi-cellular animals in the world in terms of species. Within the crustaceans the decapods are chief in species numbers and diversity with over 15,000. Among these are the very familiar and well-known species, such as crayfish, shrimp, and crabs, although there also are many lesser known groups as well. The current classification tells us that there are approximately 62,000 species of Crustacea in the world among 849 families. Approximately 152 of those families belong to the Decapoda. To add to this, the decapods have been referred to as “the pinnacle of crustacean evolution.” Knowing …
Phylogenetic Analyses Of The Burrowing Members In The Freshwater Crayfish Genera Fallicambarus And Procambarus In Arkansas, Timothy D. O'Connor, Dr. Keith A. Crandall
Phylogenetic Analyses Of The Burrowing Members In The Freshwater Crayfish Genera Fallicambarus And Procambarus In Arkansas, Timothy D. O'Connor, Dr. Keith A. Crandall
Journal of Undergraduate Research
There are an estimated 338 taxa of freshwater crayfish in the United States, with approximately 48% considered to be endangered, threatened, or of special concern (Taylor et al. 1996). Life history information for the majority of the primary burrowing species is lacking because they dig deep burrows and venture out only during breeding periods.
The Investigation Of X-Ray Diffraction Patterns From Human Hair In Correlation With Dietary Habits, Savannah Gore, Beverly L. Roeder
The Investigation Of X-Ray Diffraction Patterns From Human Hair In Correlation With Dietary Habits, Savannah Gore, Beverly L. Roeder
Journal of Undergraduate Research
Eating disorders, namely anorexia nervosa (AN) and bulimia nervosa (BN), are a serious problem affecting 1-5% of high school and college age women in the US. Unfortunately, the diagnostic methods used to determine if an individual is suffering from AN or BN are, for the most part, based on fallible self-report data. In an attempt to alleviate this problem, a quantitative, biologically based test able to accurately diagnosis AN 80% of the time using carbon and nitrogen stable isotope fractionation in hair was developed. In an effort to raise the accuracy of this test, I looked at x-ray diffraction patterns …
Species Composition Of A Desert Rock Pool Metacommunity, Cameron Kmetzsch, Russell B. Rader
Species Composition Of A Desert Rock Pool Metacommunity, Cameron Kmetzsch, Russell B. Rader
Journal of Undergraduate Research
Rock pools are one of the most unique and threatened aquatic habitats in the world. Changes in global climate could alter precipitation patterns and disrupt the annual cycle of filling and drying to which this community has evolved. Previous misconceptions assume that all rock pools are temporary habitats. Over a period of two years we have shown that at least 20 pools in three drainages have maintained constant wetted conditions with moderate seasonal fluctuations in water levels, despite air temperatures near 50º C (120º F) on the open hardpan. These “permanent” pools (Tinajas) are shaded within deeply incised channels. Tinajas …
A Blood Test For Alzheimer’S Disease, Frederick Rohlfing, Dr. John Kauwe
A Blood Test For Alzheimer’S Disease, Frederick Rohlfing, Dr. John Kauwe
Journal of Undergraduate Research
Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is a severe chronic neurodegenerative disorder and the most common form of dementia1. Unfortunately, there is little understanding of its cause, let alone a cure for the 5.3 million affected Americans2. In my research, a novel proteomics method is being used to identify peptides in the serum that are linked with AD. We have already identified 36 peptides as statistically significant biomarkers and need to characterize these amino acid sequences. By characterizing these biomarkers we will be able to provide important information on how to accurately diagnose AD, its causes, and how to cure it.
A Survey Of Reproductive Biology Of Zenarchopterus Dispar In Khanh Hoa Province, Vietnam, Tu Tran, Dr. Mark Belk
A Survey Of Reproductive Biology Of Zenarchopterus Dispar In Khanh Hoa Province, Vietnam, Tu Tran, Dr. Mark Belk
Journal of Undergraduate Research
Different selective environments could often predict life-history strategies (sensu Endler 1986). Resource levels of the environments strongly affect fitness and evolutionary stable strategies of species (Patrick and Pierre 1993). Similarly, predators also have a major effect on the life history of fish populations. The fish population from the predator’s area attained maturity at a smaller size, produced more, and smaller offspring relative to populations from predator-free environments (Johnson and Belk 2001).
Assessing The Effects Of Primer Specificity On Eliminating Numt Co-Amplification In Dna Barcoding, Matthew Moulton, Dr. Michael Whiting
Assessing The Effects Of Primer Specificity On Eliminating Numt Co-Amplification In Dna Barcoding, Matthew Moulton, Dr. Michael Whiting
Journal of Undergraduate Research
DNA barcoding is a method of species identification based on sequencing a short mitochondrial DNA fragment of Cytochrome Oxidase I (COI). A database of over 500,000 of these COI fragments, known as “barcodes,” has been established for nearly 38,000 species and is currently being used to help rapidly assign individuals to known species and highlight potential new species. However, the ability for DNA barcoding to correctly diagnose species is limited by the presence of nuclear mitochondrial pseudogenes (numts). Numts can be co-amplified with the mitochondrial ortholog when using universal primers, which can lead to incorrect species identification and an overestimation …
Orca Report, Tom Beckstead, Dr. Jack W. Sites Jr.
Orca Report, Tom Beckstead, Dr. Jack W. Sites Jr.
Journal of Undergraduate Research
Snakes of the Neotropical subfamily Dipsadinae are poorly known from both ecological and phylogenetic perspectives, despite unique feeding adaptations and bizarre diets. Some of these snakes specialize on snails and slugs (ecologists refer to them as “goo eaters”), and they have a unique dentition and jaw structure that permits them to extract gastropod snails from their shells. Others have enlarged rear fangs, are mildly venomous, and prey on ectothermal vertebrates such as frogs, frog eggs, and lizards (Fig. 1).
Estimating Dispersal Of Spring Invertebrates Through Genetic Diversity, Keith Tanner, Dr. Dennis Shiozawa
Estimating Dispersal Of Spring Invertebrates Through Genetic Diversity, Keith Tanner, Dr. Dennis Shiozawa
Journal of Undergraduate Research
The Great Basin contains many closed basins, separated by north-south lying mountain ranges and low east-west lying divides. The Sierra Nevada, on the western edge of the Great Basin, generates a rain shadow, making Nevada the driest state in the nation, with Utah as the second driest. The dryness of the Great Basin makes water a critical resource for life – for both humans and native organisms. As western urban areas have grown, water has become a limiting resource for both urban and rural development
Life Histories Of Brook Trout (Salvelinus Fontinalis) And Their Replacement Of Cutthroat Trout (Oncorhynchus Clarki), Amy Burgess, Dr. Dennis Shiozawa
Life Histories Of Brook Trout (Salvelinus Fontinalis) And Their Replacement Of Cutthroat Trout (Oncorhynchus Clarki), Amy Burgess, Dr. Dennis Shiozawa
Journal of Undergraduate Research
The cutthroat trout (Oncorhynchus clarki) is a member of the Salmonid family native to the western North America. Brook trout (Salvelinus fontinalis) is also a member of the salmonid family but a native to eastern North America, but has been introduced into many areas in western North America due to its popularity as a game fish. Observations of the invasion of nonnative brook trout (Salvelinus fontinalis) have often resulted in the replacement of cutthroat trout (Oncorhynchus clarki). While this is the case the underlying reasons for this replacement remain largely unknown (Peterson, 2004). Studies have been conducted looking at ecological …
Whose Legs Are In The Water? Parsing Out Community Composition And Turnover Rates Of Plecoptera, Trichoptera, And Ephemeroptera, Sarah Walker, Dr. C. Riley Nelson
Whose Legs Are In The Water? Parsing Out Community Composition And Turnover Rates Of Plecoptera, Trichoptera, And Ephemeroptera, Sarah Walker, Dr. C. Riley Nelson
Journal of Undergraduate Research
Many beta diversity indicies, like most analytical tools in ecology, abstract the known relative abundances and species presence into outputs primarily useful for obtaining p-values and little else. Therefore, the purposes of this proposed beta diversity method were to simplify currently used similarity analyses for visualization and quantification of beta diversity, investigate its use in seasonal succession and other gradients in communities, and demonstrate an application of these methods in terms of both taxonomic and functional richness.
Crandall Specimen Collection Database, Mark Valentine, Dr. Keith Crandall
Crandall Specimen Collection Database, Mark Valentine, Dr. Keith Crandall
Journal of Undergraduate Research
The goal of this project was to design and implement a database and web-based interface, to store information on the specimens collected for study in the Crandall lab. The creation of a user-friendly centralized database to warehouse the information on all of the specimens studied is anticipated to be of great use to the Crandall Lab.
Stable Isotope Ratios In Leg Hairs A Better Diagnostic Tool For Eating Disorders, Stephanie Lindblad, Beverly Roeder
Stable Isotope Ratios In Leg Hairs A Better Diagnostic Tool For Eating Disorders, Stephanie Lindblad, Beverly Roeder
Journal of Undergraduate Research
Anorexia and bulimia are eating disorders that are extremely harmful and difficult to accurately diagnose. Currently the most frequent methods of diagnosis are subjective interviews and questionnaires. One example of these psychological diagnostic tools is the DSM-IV test, which has some serious problems associated with it. It relies heavily on self-report of patients, which subjects the results to dishonesty. The test is also unable to classify certain patients that do not meet specified characteristics. In addition, the DSM-IV has very limited physiological measures, such as BMI and menstrual status. Thus, the physiological consequences of anorexia and bulimia, including a feedback …
The Influence Of Elevation On The Life History Of Mottled Sculpin, Aaron Fordham, Dr. Dennis Shiozawa
The Influence Of Elevation On The Life History Of Mottled Sculpin, Aaron Fordham, Dr. Dennis Shiozawa
Journal of Undergraduate Research
The Mottled Sculpin Cottus bairdii is found in cool to cold streams, creeks and rivers of northern North America (Page and Burr 1991). Sculpin are a benthic fish, living on the bottoms of the streams and rivers that they occupy. They reach 125 to 200 mm in total length when mature and can grow to 31mm-36mm by autumn of their first year of life (Ludwig and Normen 1969). Very little research has been conducted on the age and growth of C. bairdii and no comparative studies have been done examining the influence of elevation in their growth rates.
Determining And Sharing Knowledge About Phylogenetic Relationships Of Collomia Species (Mountain-Trumpet Flowers), Lisa Busby, Dr. Leigh Johnson
Determining And Sharing Knowledge About Phylogenetic Relationships Of Collomia Species (Mountain-Trumpet Flowers), Lisa Busby, Dr. Leigh Johnson
Journal of Undergraduate Research
The plant genus Collomia shows great morphological and genetic diversity, however, its current classification is based on a morphological study done in 1940. This year I was able to assemble a great deal of DNA sequence information and compare the variation in these sequences with previous classifications to begin reevaluating the genus and further define relationships between Collomia species. I have also made a great deal of progress in sharing this data with the general public by helping to construct internet web pages for the Tree of Life Web Project.
Altitudinal And Seasonal Comparison Of Insects In The Riparian Corridor Of The American Fork Canyon, Utah, Elizabeth J. Bankhead, Dr. C. Riley Nelson
Altitudinal And Seasonal Comparison Of Insects In The Riparian Corridor Of The American Fork Canyon, Utah, Elizabeth J. Bankhead, Dr. C. Riley Nelson
Journal of Undergraduate Research
A hot topic in ecology right now is the Mid-Domain Effect (MDE) as presented by Robert K. Colwell (2001). This null model states that the greatest species diversity along an elevation gradient will be found at the incline’s mid-point, if no other environmental gradients interfere. Another hypothesis involving elevation gradients is an abundance null-model created by John Terborgh (1971). The research set forth in this paper seeks to understand abundance and richness along an elevation gradient in a riparian system and help validate MDE.
Does Predator Environment Predict Life History Traits In The Livebearing Fish Poecillia Gillii?, K. Nicole Schoonmaker, Dr. Jerald B. Johnson
Does Predator Environment Predict Life History Traits In The Livebearing Fish Poecillia Gillii?, K. Nicole Schoonmaker, Dr. Jerald B. Johnson
Journal of Undergraduate Research
The process of natural selection drives the evolution of species which results in the survival of individuals whose traits are most adaptable to a specific environment and the death of individuals whose traits are less fit. Thus, populations of a single species that reside in habitats with differing environmental pressures can have different physical (phenotypic) or genetic (genotypic) traits. An understanding of the environmental pressures that create variation in traits and observation of that variation is important to understanding the adaptability and evolution of living organisms.
Are Morphology And Performance Predation-Related? Swimming Speed And Ontological Shape Comparisons Between Populations Of A Live-Bearing Fish, Elizabeth Hassell, Dr. Mark Belk
Are Morphology And Performance Predation-Related? Swimming Speed And Ontological Shape Comparisons Between Populations Of A Live-Bearing Fish, Elizabeth Hassell, Dr. Mark Belk
Journal of Undergraduate Research
I used my ORCA grant for my honors thesis in biology, which has been a great success. The results are not yet complete because the depth of this project goes beyond the one-year time frame of a typical ORCA project; however, our planned schedule is still in place and the final results of this study will be submitted for publication in the coming months.
An Objective Diagnosis Of Eating Disorders Stable Isotope Analysis Of Hair, Brooke Allen, Beverly Roeder
An Objective Diagnosis Of Eating Disorders Stable Isotope Analysis Of Hair, Brooke Allen, Beverly Roeder
Journal of Undergraduate Research
Eating disorders (EDs) are a group of mental illnesses that afflict up to two percent of the population . The group of illnesses consists of anorexia, bulimia, and EDNOS (Eating Disorders Not Otherwise Specified). The diagnostic methods for eating disorders that are currently accepted by the American Psychiatric Association are problematic, because they rely mainly upon patient responses to self-report or physician-administered examinations. These assessments do not always return accurate diagnoses, because they are primarily subjective in nature . Thus, a more objective method for diagnosis, one which is more focused on physiological measures than on subjective questions, is needed …
Intraspecific Life History Variation In The Knife-Edged Livebearer Alfaro Cultratus (Cyprinodontiformes: Poeciliidae) From Costa Rica, Lacey Nay, Dr. Jerry Johnson
Intraspecific Life History Variation In The Knife-Edged Livebearer Alfaro Cultratus (Cyprinodontiformes: Poeciliidae) From Costa Rica, Lacey Nay, Dr. Jerry Johnson
Journal of Undergraduate Research
A species’ life history traits, including growth and reproduction, follow patterns of natural selection. Evolution is driven by natural selection which, in short, can be described as the ability of an organism to conform to its environment (Pianka 2000). Individuals possessing those traits that are more favorable in a specific environment tend to have higher rates of survival and reproduction, causing those traits to become more prevalent in the population. In this manner, a trait is “selected for” by nature. Life history evolution is based on the concept of trade-offs. The more energy an individual expends on growth, the less …
Comparing Riparian Fly Diversity (Diptera) To Environmental And Human Pressures In Mongolia, Joss R. Wertz, Dr. C. Riley Nelson
Comparing Riparian Fly Diversity (Diptera) To Environmental And Human Pressures In Mongolia, Joss R. Wertz, Dr. C. Riley Nelson
Journal of Undergraduate Research
Mongolia is as large as the eastern United States with the lowest population density in Asia. This has kept development and its effects at a minimum. Thus, Mongolia retains much of the biota that has been lost in the surrounding countries. In the past 15 years, Mongolia has begun the difficult process of transitioning to a free market system. With this transition have come many pressures to exploit Mongolia’s extensive natural resources, while the number of scientists to monitor the effects of these developments is small. These pressures make an immediate need for biomonitoring methods to be developed. In addition, …
Identifying Selection In The Angptl4 Gene Using Treesaap, Jeffrey Staples, Dr. Keith Crandall
Identifying Selection In The Angptl4 Gene Using Treesaap, Jeffrey Staples, Dr. Keith Crandall
Journal of Undergraduate Research
Geneticists have successfully identified the sources of many diseases that are inherited according to Mendelian rules (e.g. cystic fibrosis and Huntington’s disease). However, not all diseases are caused by one faulty gene; these so-called complex diseases (e.g. asthma, obesity, and diabetes) result from any number of mutated genes, faulty pathways, or environmental conditions. Association studies have identified a particular gene family (Angiopoietin-like proteins or ANGPTL) to be correlated with several of these complex diseases, namely diabetes, obesity, and heart disease1, 2; however, the function and contribution of these genes to these complex diseases is not completely understood.