Biology Commons^™

Nutrient Conservation Trait Responses Of Low Resource Adapted Chaparral Shrubs To Increased Resource Availability, Reina Lee Nielsen

Masters Theses

Traits that increase mean nutrient retention times are essential to plant performance in low resource environments, where multiple stressors (low water and nutrients) are present. Although physiological responses to either water or nutrient stress are well understood, fewer studies have investigated the interaction of these stressors from a phylogenetically-controlled, whole-plant perspective. This research focused on three, phylogenetically-controlled pairs of shrubby evergreen species from the California chaparral that either grow on or off serpentine soils, which differ in nutrient availability. Using greenhouse and field studies, the responses of these plants to altered water and nutrient availability were evaluated. The greenhouse study …

Chemotaxis Of Batrachochytrium Dendrobatidis Zoospores In Response To Live Amphibians, David Bartholow

Masters Theses

Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis (Bd) is one of the primary drivers of amphibian decline, and has spread rapidly on a global scale, but the mechanisms of Bd movement on small spatial scales are poorly understood and may play a role in transmission and infection. The flagellated zoospores of this fungus exhibit chemotaxis in response to single chemical cues, towards potential nutrient sources and away from metabolites of anti-fungal bacteria (AFB) present on amphibian skin. Levels of cutaneous AFB were manipulated on Eurycea bislineata hosts (either by bathing in a culture of the AFB Janthinobacterium lividum, or bathing in antibiotics) …

Evaluation Of The Phylogenetic Relationships Of The Marine Rivulariaceae., Jose Alberto Martinez Yerena

Masters Theses

Historically, the Rivulariaceae family has grouped all heteropolar, tapered and heterocitous Cyanobacteria, however recent description of multiple cyanobacterial populations with this morphotype using 16S rRNA phylogenies have reported that the populations with this morphotype are polyphyletic, and many new and old tapered and heteropolar genera (Cyanomargarita, Gloeothrichia, Rohoaltiella, etc.) have been classified and reclassified to different families than the Rivulariaceae. This is also the case of the main genera of the family (Rivularia and Calothrix), which have been repeatedly reported as polyphyletic, and whose separation to different families has been called for. In this project I carried out the evaluation …

The Effects Of Temperature On Batrachochytrium Dendrobatidis Resistance And Heart Rate In The Polymorphic Eastern Red-Backed Salamanders, Plethodon Cinereus, Joseph Alan Demarchi

Masters Theses

No abstract provided.

Untangling The Effects Of Biosynthetic And Metabolic Rates On Oxidative Cellular Damage In An Insect Model, Nikki Jihui Gomez

Masters Theses

“Previously, a theoretical model for unravelling the entwined effects of metabolic and biosynthetic rates on oxidative cellular damage accumulation during an animal’s growth period was developed and tested in hornworms (Manduca sexta larvae). In theory, if an animal had unrestricted amounts of energy and a high repair efficiency, they could repair most of the oxidative cellular damage accumulated, regardless of how their metabolic rate varies. However, organisms have a finite amount of energy that is allocated to repair and, during the animal’s development period, a considerable amount of energy goes towards growth eliciting a tradeoff between biosynthesis and repair. …

Comparative Toxicology Of Nio And Ni(Oh)₂ Nanoparticles, Melissa Hope Cambre

Masters Theses

“Understanding the potential toxicity of nanoparticles (NPs) is important to ensure that these new products do not impose harmful effects to human and environmental health. Paper I is a literature review in which we discuss characteristics of nanomaterials, with an emphasis on transition metal oxide nanoparticles that influence cytotoxicity. Identification of those properties may lead to the design of more efficient and safer nanosized products for various industrial purposes and provide guidance for assessment of human and environmental health risk. We then investigate biochemical and molecular mechanisms of cytotoxicity that include oxidative stress-induced cellular events and alteration of the pathways …

Fluid Flow In A Krogh Cylinder: A Model For A Single Capillary And Surrounding Tissue, Xianjie Qiu

Masters Theses

"A model describing the flow of plasma from the capillaries to the interstitial space in the extravascular tissue and back into the capillaries is constructed and solved. The flow through the tissue or the interstitial spaces is described by the Brinkman equation for porous medium, modified to account for the presence of cells considered as spheres. The flow of blood through the capillaries is considered to be that of a Newtonian fluid. The flow between capillary and tissue is coupled by the permeability of the capillary wall. The nature of flow and its magnitude was found to be highly dependent …

Phosphorus Retention In West Michigan Two-Stage Agricultural Ditches, Emily Kindervater

Masters Theses

Input of excess nutrients into a water body can negatively impact ecological structure and function, as well as the economic vitality of surrounding communities, by contributing to eutrophication. For example, phosphorus (P) and sediment inputs from agricultural drainage have facilitated the development of hypereutrophic conditions in Lake Macatawa, a drowned river mouth lake located in Holland, Michigan. Two-stage ditches, an agricultural best management practice (BMP), are used in some areas of the Midwest to reduce N export downstream via denitrification. This BMP simulates a mini-floodplain by replacing a traditional, trapezoidal ditch with a channel that has excavated benches on each …

Brook Trout Behavioral Thermoregulation And Habitat Selection In A Small Michigan Coldwater Stream: Implications For Successful Management, Justin Emory Wegner

Masters Theses

Global warming and conversion of forests for urbanization, agriculture and mineral extraction are increasing water temperatures throughout Brook Trout’s range causing population declines; particularly in populations persisting in marginal habitats and in the southern limits of their distribution. The Brook Trout is an ectotherm that can cope with elevated water temperature by moving to coldwater refuge such as groundwater seeps, coldwater tributary confluences, and headwaters. Availability of coldwater refuge is vital for the survival of Brook Trout populations threatened by increasing water temperatures. I used radio telemetry to study the movement, habitat use, and behavioral thermoregulation of Brook Trout living …

Surveying The Circular Rep Encoding Single Stranded (Cress) Dna Viral Consortium Found In Invasive Quagga Mussels (Dreissena Rostriformis Bugensis) And Sediments Of The Central Lake Michigan Benthos, Nicholas Gezon

Masters Theses

Globalization and resulting increases in international trade has allowed for the movement of species between almost all ecosystems on Earth. The Great Lakes in particular has seen a number of high impact invasive species that have moved in following the opening of the lakes to intercontinental shipping trade. This research specifically focuses on the benthic community of Lake Michigan which has seen significant community shifts including declines of the amphipods Diporeia spp. and the expansion of invasive quagga mussels (Dreissena rostriformis bugensis). Little is known about the viral community in the benthos of Lake Michigan and how …

Seasonal Ecology Of Mottled Sculpin And Brown Trout In A Coldwater Michigan Stream, Susanna K. Lagory

Masters Theses

In temperate regions, environmental conditions vary distinctly between seasons. This variation can strongly impact in-stream environmental conditions. Winter is often thought to be harsher than other seasons for stream fishes, given the adverse environmental conditions that arise from low temperatures during winter in temperate regions. Low temperatures, episodic elevated discharge, and ice formation associated with winter are hypothesized to reduce movement, body condition, and survival of stream fishes. However, few studies test this hypothesis through formal comparisons, and most studies of seasonal stream fish ecology focus on salmonids. To address this knowledge gap, I estimated and compared body condition, net …

Polychlorinated Biphenyl Concentrations In Fish From Lake Michigan Tributaries And A Preliminary Risk Assessment Concerning Their Consumption By Sport And Tribal Fishermen, Amanda K. Potter

Masters Theses

Human and environmental health continues to be threatened by persistent organic pollutants in the Great Lakes ecosystem. Polycholorinated biphenyls (PCBs) are considered one of the most toxic contaminants in the Great Lakes due to their recalcitrance, bioaccumulation, lipid solubility, and adverse health effects.

The three main questions examined in this research were: 1) Do PCB concentrations vary between largemouth bass (Micropterus salmoides), northern pike (Esox Lucius), smallmouth bass (Micropterus dolomieu), and walleye (Sander vitreus) in west Michigan tributaries of Lake Michigan; 2) Do PCB concentrations vary on a watershed level among Manistee …

Yellow Perch Genetic Stock Structure In Eastern Lake Michigan: What Is The Importance Of Drowned River Mouth Lakes?, Gregory M. Chorak

Masters Theses

Habitat heterogeneity has the possibility of structuring populations. Even in connected landscapes, there can be cryptic structuring of populations that coincides with landscape features that limit gene flow or select for different phenotypes within a species. Yellow perch (Perca flavescens) is an economically and ecologically prominent fish in the Laurentian Great Lakes. In the Lake Michigan basin, yellow perch reside in nearshore Lake Michigan, including drowned river mouths (DRMs, lake-like habitats that link tributaries to Lake Michigan). The goal of this study was to understand whether yellow perch populations are structured in eastern Lake Michigan by the connected …

Nest-Site Selection And Neonate Survival Of Eastern Box Turtles (Terrapene Carolina Carolina) In Michigan’S Northern Lower Peninsula, Joseph T. Altobelli

Masters Theses

Turtles (Order Testudines) are experiencing global declines largely due to anthropogenic influences such as habitat fragmentation, illegal collection and sales, and the threat of global climate change. Removal of individuals from the adult age-classes means there is now a greater need to understand the survival of neonate and juvenile turtle age-classes. In this study I examined a population of eastern box turtles (Terrapene carolina carolina) at the northern limit of their range in Michigan’s lower peninsula. The objectives of my thesis were 1. to determine the microhabitat factors that influence nestsite selection by female box turtles and how …

The Role Of Calcium In Regulation Of Glial Cell Line Derived Neurotrophic Factor By Skeletal Muscle Cells, Alicia M. Boynton

Masters Theses

Glial cell line-derived neurotrophic factor (GDNF) is an important signaling molecule for the somatic motor nervous system. GDNF protein is produced and secreted by skeletal muscle cells and helps maintain motor neuron innervation at the neuromuscular junction. Treatment with exogenous GDNF prevents denervation which is characteristic of aging and neurodegenerative disease. The therapeutic potential of GDNF cannot be fully explored without understanding the mechanisms by which GDNF protein production is regulated. The primary objective of this study was to determine the role of calcium in regulating GDNF protein expression by skeletal muscle cells. Skeletal muscle cells (C2C12) were grown in …

Genetic Analysis Of Distinct Clades Of Plethodon Cinereus At A Secondary Contact Zone In Northeast Ohio, Brian Waldron

Masters Theses

Contact zones between species, subspecies, or incipient lineages offer important insights into the processes that maintain reproductive isolation. Plethodon cinereus, a highly abundant and wide-ranging terrestrial salamander found in the northeast United States and southeast Canada, provides an excellent model system for studying secondary contact zones. Using mtDNA, six distinct clades have been identified across the range of P. cinereus. Populations of two such clades, the Ohio (OH) clade, which dispersed through central Ohio following receding glaciers of the last glacial maximum, and the Pennsylvania (PA) clade, which dispersed through Pennsylvania and then west through northern Ohio, can be found …

The Influence Of Matrix Contrast On Species Richness In Fragmented Landscapes, Ian Reider

Masters Theses

Habitat destruction is the leading threat to biodiversity worldwide, causing once continuous landscapes to become fragmented and isolated and harming the persistence of biodiversity. Our goal was to determine how species richness in fragmented forest landscapes is influenced by the vegetation density of the surrounding matrix. We gathered existing studies of fragmented landscapes with Species Area Relationship (SAR) data and analyzed the landscape vegetation in each study site using satellite imagery in ArcGIS. We investigated to see how contrast between vegetation density in matrix versus forested habitat areas correlated to the strength of the SAR for the 45 study landscapes …

Foliar Mineral Accumulation Patterns Of Gypsophiles And Their Relatives From The Usa And Spain, Clare Muller

Masters Theses

Gypsum endemism in plants (gypsophily) is common on gypsum outcrops worldwide, but little is known about the functional ecology of Chihuahuan Desert gypsophiles. We investigated whether leaf chemistry of gypsophile lineages from the northern Chihuahuan Desert are similar to leaves of related non-endemic (gypsovag) species relative to their soil chemistry. We expected widely-distributed gypsophiles, hypothesized to be older lineages on gypsum, would have distinct leaf chemistry from narrowly-distributed, relatively younger lineages endemic to gypsum and gypsovags, reflecting adaptation to gypsum. We collected leaves from 23 gypsophiles and related non-endemic taxa growing on non-gypsum soils. Soils and leaves were analyzed for …

Effective Population Size, Demography, And Viability Of Eastern Massasaugas (Sistrurus Catenatus) In Southwest Michigan, Danielle R. Bradke

Masters Theses

As humans increasingly exploit natural areas, wildlife populations face a growing number of threats that often result in population decline and isolation. Small, isolated populations are vulnerable to extirpation due to both genetic and demographic factors. Yet, low detectability of many imperiled species often precludes the collection of population-level data important for assessing population viability and implementing successful conservation. The eastern massasauga (Sistrurus catenatus) is a cryptic pitviper that has been extirpated throughout much of its historic range due to agricultural conversion of wetland habitat and other synergistic threats. Consequently, this species is federally listed as threatened in both the …

Spatial Ecology Of The Adult And Neonate Eastern Box Turtle In A Forested Landscape, Patrick B. Laarman

Masters Theses

A thorough understanding of spatial ecology is fundamental when developing and implementing conservation strategies for imperiled turtle species. I investigated spatial ecology of adult and neonate eastern box turtles in the Manistee National Forest (MNF), Michigan. My primary objectives were to evaluate relative habitat preferences of adults and document residency time of neonates in natal openings. I radio-fitted 25 adults, protected 64 nests, and radio-fitted 66 neonates. Mean home range size for adults (n = 25 turtles) was 16.4 ha ± 2.4 SE (100% Minimum Convex Polygon). I detected non-random habitat use by adults (Wilks Ʌ = 0.202, df = …

Finally, The Molecular Characterization Of Geitleria: Results In The Formation Of A Newly Described Nostocales (Cyanobacteria) Clade Geitleriaceae Fam. Prov., Sp. Prov, Jonathan Kilgore

Masters Theses

Geitleria was described from a limestone cave in Israel, and subsequently reported from caves of France, Romania, Spain, and Florida, Costa Rica, and Cook Islands. It is morphologically unusual in that it has true-branching, but no heterocytes. A morphologically distinct species of Geitleria was recently collected from a limestone cave in Great Smoky Mountains National Park, Tennessee, and is herein described as G. appalachiana sp. prov. Sequence data for 16S-rRNA and rpoC1 loci for the species were obtained from field material using single filament PCR. Phylogenetic evidence indicates that Geitleria does not belong to any family in the Nostocales containing …

The Antipredator Behaviors Of Cryptic And Aposematic Anurans And Variability In Alkaloids, Conspicuousness, And Pattern Within Dendrobates Auratus (Dendrobatidae), Annelise Blanchette

Masters Theses

Crypsis and aposematism are common antipredator strategies that have evolved as defensive mechanisms to prevent predation. Prey that employ these defensive strategies also exhibit antipredator behaviors meant to avoid or deter predation. These behaviors include: (1) escape or immobility in the presence of an immediate predator or (2) exhibiting bold behavior by accepting the risk of potential predation in a novel environment in exchange for the benefits of foraging and mating opportunities. In this study, the escape and bold behaviors of cryptic members of Craugastor and the aposematic dendrobatid Dendrobates auratus were tested to compare these alternative antipredator strategies. Craugastor …

Variation In Cranial Morphology Of Polymorphic Populations Of The Eastern Red-Backed Salamander, Plethodon Cinereus, Marissa Ganzfried

Masters Theses

Differences in cranial morphology among species of plethodontid salamanders have been linked to variations in diet and behavior. Individuals that consume smaller prey have larger jaw to posterior-cranium ratios. Elongation and expansion of the jaw, coupled with expansion of the posterior of the cranium (defined as robustness) are positively associated with individuals that exhibit increased levels of aggression. The bulk of previous research has focused on the effects of interspecific competition on cranial morphology; however, polymorphic populations of the Eastern Red-backed Salamander, Plethodon cinereus, represent a unique opportunity to examine the role of cranial morphology in ecological divergence among individuals …

Combination Of Bmp-2 And Relaxin To Induce Osteogenesis In Vivo, Sahitya Injamuri

Masters Theses

"Bone grafts are a common procedure for treating craniofacial injuries such as trauma, surgery, and reconstruction. Autografts and allografts have limitations which encourages the use of synthetic bone grafts. While synthetic bone grafts, such as hydroxyapatite (HA) microspheres, are advantageous for their cost and reproducibility, they lack the cells and growth factors needed for proper osteoinduction. Bone morphogenetic protein-2 (BMP-2) has been shown to increase the osteoinduction of grafts but the effective dose is above physiological levels and causes undesired effects on the body. Relaxin has been shown to enhance BMP-2's ability to induce bone formation in vitro and thus …

Classification Of Basal Cell Carcinoma Using Telangiectatic Vessels And Machine Learning, Hemanth Yadav Aradhyula

Masters Theses

“Basal cell carcinoma (BCC) is one of the most common types of skin cancer in the United States. Early detection of BCC by noninvasive techniques can decrease delay in treatment and save cost. A recent study estimated that 5.4 million cases of non-melanocytic skin cancer (NMSC) occur each year in the US. BCC accounts for 50% of NMSC cases. Telangiectasia, which appears in most BCCs is an important feature for identification of BCC for an automatic diagnostic system. In this thesis, three methods for detection of telangiectasia present in dermoscopy lesion image (DI) were proposed. Detected telangiectasia in DI was …

Media Optimization, Scale-Up And Repeated Fed-Batch Operations For The Production Of 1,3-Propanediol From Glycerol By Halanaerobium Hydrogeniformans, Shivani Kalia

Masters Theses

"The development of renewable energy sources, such as biofuels, is of great interest in today's world due to depletion of fossil fuels and concerns about climate change. The production of the main by-product, crude glycerol, in biodiesel production presents an opportunity for the production of industrially relevant commodities. Crude glycerol in biodiesel waste is highly impure and possesses high salt concentrations and alkalinity, making it infeasible for direct industrial utilization. Moreover, current glycerol purification methods are highly cost-intensive, necessitating a search for cost-effective approaches that are feasible to employ. Genome data analysis of Halanaerobium hydrogeniformans, revealed the metabolic capability …

Investigating The Sources And Dynamics Of Escherichia Coli In A Missouri Ozarks Watershed, Kaleb Bassett

Masters Theses

"Escherichia coli, an intestinal bacterium, can serve as an indication of the presence of pathogenic microorganisms in water systems used by humans for recreation, agriculture, or drinking water. Many aquatic systems in the United States exceed the E. coli standard, set by the Environmental Protection Agency, for safe drinking water and recreational use. During 2016, a water sampling program was established in the Mill Creek watershed, a rural watershed located near the city of Newburg in Phelps County, Missouri. Water samples were collected before, during, and after storms throughout the year to examine the relationship between E. coli …

Macroinvertebrate Community Composition, Food Web Structure, And Emergence Rate In Neotropical Cloud-Forest Streams In Mindo, Ecuador, Anna M. Harris

Masters Theses

Tropical cloud forest streams are one of the most threatened and understudied ecosystems in the world. Understanding how these ecosystems function is essential for effective conservation. In this study, macroinvertebrate community composition, functional feeding group analysis, ecosystem attributes, and physicochemical parameters were used to evaluate biophysical stream conditions of 3 low-order Neotropical cloud forest streams at Reserva Las Gralarias in Mindo, Ecuador. Additionally, food web structure was analyzed via stable isotope analysis and aquatic insect emergence rate was also examined. As stream size increased from 1st to 3rd order, the macroinvertebrate communities shifted from being collector-gatherer dominated (65.2 to 29.8%, …

Physiology And Genetics Shape The Microbiome Of A Seabird Species (Oceanodroma Leucorhoa) More Than Environmental And Social Factors, Douglas Steven Pearce

Masters Theses

The microbiome provides multiple benefits to animal hosts that can profoundly impact health and behavior. Microbiomes are well-characterized in humans and animals in controlled settings, yet assessments of wild bird microbial communities remain vastly understudied. This study examines the multiple factors that affect the microbiome of a burrow-nesting Procellariiform bird species, Leach’s storm-petrel. 16S rRNA-based Illumina Mi-Seq analyses are used to assess the composition and structure of bird and burrow-associated bacterial communities. Results indicate that sex and skin site contribute to bird-associated bacterial community variation, and MHC heterozygosity impacts these bacterial assemblages in a sex and site-specific manner, potentially having …

From Land To Lake: Contrasting Microbial Processes Across A Great Lakes Gradient Of Organic Carbon And Inorganic Nutrient Inventories, Deborah K. Dila

Masters Theses

Freshwater ecosystems have strong linkages to the terrestrial landscapes that surround them, and contributions of carbon and inorganic nutrients from soil, vegetation and anthropogenic sources subsidize autochthonous water body productivity to varying degrees. Abundant freshwater phytoplankton and bacterioplankton are key to linking the planet's geosphere and atmosphere to the food webs in the hydrosphere through their growth and respiration. Rich resources that move through land margin waterways make them active sites for cycling organic carbon and thus important, but understudied, contributors to global climate. During 2010-2011, we examined seasonal changes in carbon and nutrient inventories, plankton community composition and metabolism …