Biology Commons^™

Habitat-Specific Diet Of The Mottled Sculpin And Its Impact On Benthic Invertebrate Community Structure, Brendan M. Earl

Masters Theses

The relationships between predators and their prey are important and influential components in the structure of ecological communities. These interactions not only impact the species involved, but can also have a wide range of direct and indirect effects that resonate throughout the community. In Michigan trout streams, one of the main predators of benthic invertebrates is the mottled sculpin (Cottus bairdi) whose diet and selective predation may influence benthic invertebrate community structure. Using gastric lavage, the stomach contents of sculpins from both erosional and depositional habitats were collected and analyzed to determine the main prey types, prey preference, …

Great Lakes Coastal Wetland Fragmentation: Edge Effects On Zooplankton, Macroinvertebrate, And Larval Fish Communities, Keto F. Gyekis

Masters Theses

Wetlands are some of the most diverse and ecologically important habitats in the world. Although wetlands have been plagued by anthropogenic destruction and disturbance, there is a general lack of knowledge regarding how fragmentation affects these systems. During the summer of 2004 and the spring and summer of 2005,1 investigated edge effects associated with anthropogenic fragmentation in 25 fringing marshes of Lakes Michigan and Huron. Environmental data, microcrustacean zooplankton, aquatic macroinvertebrates, and larval fish were collected along transects extending into each marsh from reference (natural) and anthropogenic (artificial) edges. Bulrush stems of Great Lakes fringing marshes attenuated the influx and …

Molecular Identification, Distribution And Ecology Of Larval Malaria Mosquitoes In Carrasco/Chapare Valleys, Bolivia, Reema Paudel

Masters Theses

The purpose of this study was to address the ecological differentiation of anopheline mosquitoes at the level of breeding sites in an area where species diversity is high, malaria is endemic, and the ecology of the area is complex. Fifty six sampling sites in the Carrasco/Chapare Valleys, Bolivia were sampled in May 2003 for mosquito larvae and pupae, water quality parameters, breeding water habitat type, vegetation, and altitude. Multiplex polymerase chain reaction of up to 50 samples from each collection site identified six species in the subgenus Nyssorhynchus, comprising 62% of all samples (n = 2,708): A. triannulatus (18%), A. …

Land-Use Changes And Stream Productivity: Effects On Stream Communities And Food-Chain Length, Christopher A. North

Masters Theses

In recent years stream ecologists have come to realize that in order to better understand the processes that occur within streams it is important to incorporate some knowledge of the surrounding landscape into their studies. Previous work on Hurricane Creek indicated that agricultural activities and the proportion of cropland has an impact on stream water chemistry and community metabolism within Hurricane Creek, Illinois. Thus, this study examined stream community composition and food-chain length to ascertain the effects of water quality differences resulting from agricultural land-use practices. The four sites chosen for this study on Hurricane Creek were sampled four times …

Seasonal Movements And Habitat Selection Of Raccoons In A Grassland-Agricultural Landscape, Roberta K. Newbury

Masters Theses

Raccoon (Procyon lotor) populations are very high in Illinois due in part to low pelt value and reduced hunting pressure (Gehrt et al., 2002); furthermore, Illinois' agricultural landscape is conducive to high raccoon densities. Such agricultural areas are known to provide a large, reliable food source for raccoons (Pedlar et al., 1997), and higher predator abundance (e.g. raccoons) at northern latitudes may reflect a greater abundance in cropland (Dijak and Thompson, 2000). Other factors known to increase raccoon numbers are edge effects due to habitat fragmentation and the suppression or eradication of top predators (Soulé et al., 1988; Pedlar et …

Benthic Algal Community Structure And Bioaccumulation Of Mercury In A Coastal Watershed, Lucie Novoveska

Masters Theses

Largemouth bass in the Fish River watershed of coastal Alabama are known to contain relatively high concentrations of mercury (>1 µg g¹). g the source of which is unknown. I used benthic microalgal assemblages in effort to assess spatial distribution of mercury in the Fish River and its tributaries. Artificial substrates were deployed for 3-week exposure periods at 13 sites on 4 separate occasions. When analyzed by cold vapor atomic absorption spectroscopy. mercury concentrations in periphyton ranged from 0.066 µg g (Pensacola Branch) to 0.493 µg g¹ (Barner Branch). Principal component analysis indicated that physical and chemical environments among …

Resilience Of An Amphibian Community Following The Removal Of Introduced Fish, Leroy J. Walston

Masters Theses

Introduced species have become one of the most important anthropogenic impacts in aquatic ecosystems and are implicated in the declines of many native amphibian populations. Despite the effects of introduced species on amphibian populations, there is little information concerning the responses of amphibians following the removal of introduced fish. I conducted a field experiment to assess the amphibian community-level responses to the removal of introduced fish, and determine the effects of fish removal on smallmouth salamander (Ambystoma texanum) larval dynamics. Species diversity of the amphibian community and smallmouth salamander juvenile recruitment improved following the removal of fish. My results indicate …

Natal Dispersal Of Beavers In The Embarras River Watershed In Central Illinois, Erin A. Cleere

Masters Theses

Dispersal is an important mechanism influencing the dynamics, genetics, spatial distribution and size of wildlife populations (Gese and Mech 1991). Natal dispersal may afford individuals breeding opportunities and access to resources, while reducing inbreeding and competition with family members. However, dispersal also can be risky if mortality rates are high or if mates or suitable habitat are unavailable. When dispersal costs are high, subadults may be better off remaining in their natal territory.

Although a number of previous studies have investigated natal dispersal in beavers (Castor canadensis), conclusions regarding the percentage of subadults that disperse, timing of dispersal, evidence of …

Size And Reproductive Activity Of A Geographically-Isolated Population Of Ambystoma Jeffersonianum In East-Central Illinois, Sarabeth Klueh

Masters Theses

When utilizing small isolated wetlands, amphibian populations are often small in size, susceptible to stochastic extinction processes, and have little to no contact with other populations. The persistence of such populations can be ascertained only by obtaining data that allow the prediction of the population’s growth, trajectory, and propensity to achieve a sustainable size. The success of a salamander population can be determined by the number of metamorphosing larvae leaving a pond, and thus, the number recruited into the terrestrial adult population. The Jefferson salamander, Ambystoma jeffersonianum, is a state-threatened species, occurring at fewer than 15 ponds within Illinois. In …

Molecular Identification Of Anopheles Spp. (Diptera: Culicidae) In The Chapare/Carrasco Valleys, Cochabamba, Bolivia, Corey Brelsfoard

Masters Theses

Studies on malaria in our "backyard," the Neotropics, have been hampered by the lack of an accurate means of species identification for mosquito vectors of the human malaria parasite (i.e. Plasmodium spp). Mosquitoes in the genus Anopheles are the principle malaria vectors in the Neotropics and are often composed of closely related morphologically similar species complexes. This thesis describes three polymerase chain reaction (PCR) protocols to aid in identifying four anopheline mosquitoes for any life stage, of which three have been incriminated as vectors of human malaria in several locations throughout S. America and might be potential vectors of human …

An Evaluation Of Beaver Habitat Models For Illinois Rivers, Daniel R. Cox

Masters Theses

Beavers (Castor canadensis) are agents of landscape change, altering the structure and species composition of vegetative communities through herbivory and water impoundment. To better manage beavers in Illinois, improved methods of monitoring riverine populations of this species are needed. The objectives of the study were to (1) locate, map and quantify the spatial distribution of beaver colonies along the Embarras River, (2) test the efficacy of 2 existing beaver habitat models, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service's Habitat Suitability Index (HSI) model and Missouri's beaver habitat model, for predicting the relative density of beavers and (3) develop a new multiple …

The Effects Of Habitat Quality On Abiotic Factors And Heterotrophic Microbial Activity In A Freshwater Stream System, Daphne Kampinga

Masters Theses

Much of the Midwest, as well as Illinois' landscape, has largely been transformed from its original habitat of prairie, savanna, wetlands, and forest into corn and soybean fields and urban areas. As a result, less than 1% of the original habitat in Illinois remains intact today. These modifications can lead to habitat fragmentation and affect riparian zone vegetation, which is an important link between the land-water interface and influences processes such as organic matter inputs and water temperature regimes. As a result of fragmentation, riparian zone loss has occurred and catchment vegetation associated with streams can vary from agricultural fields, …

Landscape Effects On Stream Water Chemistry And Benthic Productivity In An Agricultural Watershed, Shari E. Fanta

Masters Theses

A conceptual model was developed and utilized to investigate the influence of land use/land cover on community metabolism as mediated by stream water chemistry, in an agricultural watershed in east-central Illinois. A suite of physical and chemical variables were sampled over a yearlong period at twelve sites across the Hurricane Creek Watershed. Community metabolism was determined at five of the sites during episodes of suitable hydrologic and weather conditions. A single PCA axis was unique in incorporating significant relationships between land use/land cover, stream water chemistry, as well as community metabolism, thereby validating the conceptual model. The proportion of cropland, …

Copulatory Behaviors Of Male Caribbean Fruit Flies (Anastrepha Suspensa) And Female Sperm Storage Patterns, Holly J. Wallace

Masters Theses

Countless numbers of insects have copulatory behaviors performed while in copulation. Copulatory behaviors or copulatory courtship performed by males may be a means to influence female sperm storage patterns. Sexual selection in regards to female processes that influence male reproductive success are termed "cryptic female choice." In my thesis I examined copulatory behaviors performed by mass-reared male Anastrepha suspensa and sperm storage patterns in relation to male behavioral performance in females. I videotaped copulating virgin males and females of different ages and recorded mating duration, size of both sexes, male proboscis extensions, male probing of the females' head, thorax and …

Plant Species Turnover As A Mechanism Of Community Change In Response To Biotic And Abiotic Perturbation, Kathryn Anne Yurkonis

Masters Theses

Plant communities change through time as species respond to changes in their biotic and abiotic environment. Biotic factors influencing plant communities can include species invasion, competition, or herbivory, whereas abiotic factors can include drought, fire, or nutrient deposition. Although factors influencing community structure have been extensively documented, the mechanisms by which communities respond to disturbances are not well understood. To address this problem, my thesis research considered two perturbations, exotic species invasion and drought, in each case I specifically relate species turnover to changes in community structure. The overall goal of this project was to evaluate the utility of using …

Diet Composition Of Juvenile Fish Reflects Adaptation To Altered Prey Communities In A Reservoir Receiving Thermal Effluent, Brian A. Metzke

Masters Theses

Survival, and ultimately recruitment. of planktivorous juvenile fish is related to prey availability. Temperature regime and introduction of exotic species can change zooplankton community dynamics and alter trophic relationships between juvenile fish and their prey. Newton Lake, located in Jasper County, Illinois is used as a cooling reservoir for a coal burning power plant. Thermal effluent produced by the power plant is released into only one of two reservoir arms creating a temperature gradient. Newton Lake also contains Daphnia lumholtzi, an exotic zooplankter thought to create feeding difficulties for gape-limited predators like juvenile fish. It is within the context of …

Development And Characterization Of Monoclonal Antibodies Directed Against Tanapox Virus, Michael Franz

Masters Theses

The initial symptoms of a Tanapoxvirus (TPV) infection are indistinguishable from smallpox, which is caused by variola virus (VV). In the post-9/11 area, reagents that can quickly differentiate a TPV infection from smallpox are very desirable, but currently unavailable. Monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) directed specifically against TPV can be used for this purpose. Six mAbs were developed and characterized that specifically bind to TPV infected owl monkey kidney (OMK) cells, but not uninfected cells. The apparent molecular mass of the TPV protein(s) recognized by 5 mAbs were calculated using the Western blot technique. One mAb demonstrated no binding using the Western …

Mechanism Of Chromium Reduction Of Benzo[A]Pyrene Diolepoxide Mutagenesis In Human Fibroblasts, Cara Suzanne Kriss

Masters Theses

Environmental agents can cause an increase in cellular stress and damage DNA which can lead to diseases such as cancer. Chromium produces cellular stress by increasing the reactive oxygen species through a Fenton-like reaction, where chromium reacts with hydrogen peroxide to form hydroxyl radicals. Benzo[ a ]pyrene is an environmental carcinogen that is metabolized by cytochrome p450 enzymes into benzo[a]pyrene diolepoxide (BPDE). BPDE is highly reactive with DNA producing large DNA-adducts primarily on guanine nucleotides. The primary intracellular pathway by which mammalian cells remove damaged DNA caused by bulky mutagens is nucleotide excision repair. We have found that, in BPDE …

Seasonal Use Of An Abandoned Mine And Summer Maternity Roost By Northern Bats (Myotis Septentrionalis), Heather Rae Fraser

Masters Theses

No abstract provided.

Physiological Performance Of Thamnophis Hammondii Is Not Affected After Eating The Toxic Frog Xenopus Laevis, C. Drew Foster

Masters Theses

No abstract provided.

Factors Affecting The Mate Guarding Behavior In Japanese Beetles (Popillia Japonica Newman), Yoriko Saeki

Masters Theses

No abstract provided.

Impacts Of Agricultural Landscapes On The Breeding Biology And Behavioral Ecology Of Grassland Birds, Susan Allison Linn

Masters Theses

No abstract provided.

Eastern Box Turtle (Terrapene C. Carolina) As A Dispersal Vector Of Seeds And Spores, William J. Jordan

Masters Theses

No abstract provided.

Changing Turtle Communities Of The Illinois River, Steven J. Paglia

Masters Theses

No abstract provided.

Pathogenicity Of Xanthomonas Axonopodis Pv. Glycines, The Causative Agent Of Bacterial Pustule In Soybeans, Lopa D. Goradia

Masters Theses

No abstract provided.

Role Of Demethylation And Hyperacetylation In [Alpha]1-Antitrypsin Gene Activation, Ling Tian

Masters Theses

No abstract provided.

Diatom Assemblages Reflect Environmental Heterogeneity In An Urban Stream, Kristen M. Thomas

Masters Theses

No abstract provided.

Dynein’S Binding Ability To Microtubules In Budding Yeast Saccharomyces Cerevisiae, Gregory Lyle Waltz

Masters Theses

Cytoplasmic dynein is a minus-end directed microtubule motor that recently has been described as a member of the AAA⁺ ATPase family. Dyn1p contains four ATP-binding consensus sequences. To understand the role of each ATP-binding site we have begun to systematically mutate the consensus sequence at each ATP-binding site. Thirty-two mutant alleles have been constructed and integrated into the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae. We have examined each mutant for ability to grow in rich media, to produce binucleate cells at 12°C, ability to grow in the absence of CIN8, and ability of Dyn1p to bind microtubules. Attempts to localize …

Development Of A Method For Determining Antioxidant Efficacy Against Hydroxyl Radicals, Cherie Hacker

Masters Theses

Hydroxyl free radicals are biologically important molecules in that they attack proteins, lipids and DNA to obtain an electron to fill their outer valence shell. The consequences of such attacks include protein degradation, lipid peroxidation and DNA damage, which leads to many diseases and cancer. While there are many antioxidant assays available to predict anti-radical properties of compounds against different free radicals, the assessment of hydroxyl radical damage has been challenging. This is due to the extremely high reaction rate of hydroxyl radicals. The present study defines an in vitro assay that quantitatively detects antioxidant efficacy against hydroxyl free radicals, …

The Role Of Glutathione In The Defense Pathway Response Of Arabidopsis Thaliana To The Pathogen Pseudomonas Syringae Pathovar Tomato Dc3000 Avrb, Allison Patrice Mckenna

Masters Theses

Inoculation of Arabidopsis thaliana with Pseudomonas syringae pv. tomato DC3000 AvrB (Pst) results in a series of biochemical changes, including an oxidative burst, accumulation of salicylic acid, (de)phosphorylation of proteins, localization of transcription factors to the nucleus and ultimately expression of pathogenesis-related genes. The redox status within plant cells, which is maintained by a cycle of antioxidants that are largely dependent on the reduced form of glutathione (GSH), because of its ability to donate electrons that are necessary to quench reactive oxygen species (ROS). This study focuses on the role of glutathione in the early defense responses of Arabidopsis to …