Biology Commons^™

Environmental Effects On Behavior And Physiology In Crayfish, Sonya M. Bierbower

University of Kentucky Doctoral Dissertations

Despite dramatic morphological differences between animals from different taxa, several important features in organization and sensory system processing are similar across animals. Because of this similarity, a number of different organisms including mammals, insects, and decapod crustaceans serve as valuable model systems for understanding general principles of environmental effects. This research examines intrinsic and extrinsic factors by behaviorally and physiologically means to identify the impact of environmental conditions on two distinct crayfish species- Procambarus clarkii (surface) and Orconectes australis packardi (cave).

The research identified behavioral and physiological responses in these two morphological and genetically distinct species. The studies also examined …

Evaluation And Enhancement Of Seed Lot Quality In Eastern Gamagrass [Tripsacum Dactyloides (L.) L.], Cynthia Hensley Finneseth

University of Kentucky Doctoral Dissertations

Eastern gamagrass [Tripsacum dactyloides (L.) L.] is a warm-season, perennial grass which is native to large areas across North America. Cultivars, selections and ecotypes suitable for erosion control, wildlife planting, ornamental, forage and biofuel applications are commercially available. Plantings are commonly established from seed; however, seed quality and dormancy are barriers to establishment. The objective here was to investigate parameters that contribute to inconsistent performance of this seed kind to subsequently improve seed lot quality.

Forty-two seed lots were used, with seed fill and germination potential ranging from 78- 100% and 11-91%, respectively. Actual germination and dormant seed ranged …

Shelter Availability, Occupancy, And Residency In Size-Asymmetric Contests Between Rusty Crayfish, Orconectes Rusticus, Nathan M. Klar

University of Kentucky Master's Theses

Contest outcomes are usually determined by differences in resource holding potential, the social histories of the combatants, and perceptions of resource value. One understudied aspect of gaining an advantage is the residency effect. Prior occupancy of a particular place can affect the knowledge and motivation of the resident. There could be a tactical advantage in knowing the terrain or an increased willingness to fight to maintain control of a familiar area. In this study we evaluated the importance of shelter residency effects relative to size differences between rusty crayfish (Orconectes rusticus) as potential competitors for access to shelter. …

A Three-Dimensional Computer Simulation Model Reveals The Mechanisms For Self-Organization Of Plant Cortical Microtubules Into Oblique Arrays, Ezgi Can Eren, Ram Dixit, Natarajan Gautam

Biology Faculty Research

The noncentrosomal cortical microtubules (CMTs) of plant cells self-organize into a parallel three-dimensional (3D) array that is oriented transverse to the cell elongation axis in wild-type plants and is oblique in some of the mutants that show twisted growth. To study the mechanisms of CMT array organization, we developed a 3D computer simulation model based on experimentally observed properties of CMTs. Our computer model accurately mimics transverse array organization and other fundamental properties of CMTs observed in rapidly elongating wild-type cells as well as the defective CMT phenotypes observed in the Arabidopsis mor1-1 and fra2 mutants. We found that CMT …

The Isolation Of Viruses Infecting Archaea, Kenneth M. Stedman, Kate Porter, Mike L. Dyall-Smith

Biology Faculty Publications and Presentations

A mere 50 viruses of Archaea have been reported to date; these have been investigated mostly by adapting methods used to isolate bacteriophages to the unique growth conditions of their archaeal hosts. The most numerous are viruses of thermophilic Archaea. These viruses have been discovered by screening enrichment cultures and novel isolates from environmental samples for their ability to form halos of growth inhibition, or by using electron microscopy to screen enrichment cultures for virus-like particles. Direct isolation without enrichment has not yet been successful for viruses of extreme thermophiles. On the other hand, most viruses of extreme halophiles, the …

Mitochondrial Physiology Of Diapausing And Developing Embryos Of The Annual Killifish Austrofundulus Limnaeus: Implications For Extreme Anoxia Tolerance, Jeffrey M. Duerr, Jason E. Podrabsky

Biology Faculty Publications and Presentations

Diapausing embryos of the annual killifish Austrofundulus limnaeus have the highest reported anoxia tolerance of any vertebrate and previous studies indicate modified mitochondrial physiology likely supports anoxic metabolism. Functional mitochondria isolated from diapausing and developing embryos of the annual killifish exhibited VO2, respiratory control ratios (RCR), and P:O ratios consistent with those obtained from other ectothermic vertebrate species. Reduced oxygen consumption associated with dormancy in whole animal respiration rates are correlated with maximal respiration rates of mitochondria isolated from diapausing versus developing embryos. P:O ratios for developing embryos were similar to those obtained from adult liver, but were diminished in …

Genetic Diversity In Doubled Haploid Wheat According To The Acid-Page Method, Morphological Traits, And Baking Quality, Javid Ojaghi, Ellada Akhundova

Turkish Journal of Biology

This study aimed to assess the genetic diversity of 102 lines of doubled haploid wheat (obtained from CIMMYT) using the acid-PAGE method, morphological traits, and baking quality. Cluster analysis of the morphological traits separated all the genotypes into 4 groups, such that the genotypes with high yield were placed in 1 group. However, based on cluster analysis of their qualitative traits, the genotypes were classified into 3 main groups, while the genotypes with high protein content were placed in a distinct group. In all, 48 bands and 47 patterns were observed in the 102 lines studied, and polymorphism was observed …

Phenolic Compounds And Antioxidant And Antimicrobial Properties Of Helichrysum Species Collected From Eastern Anatolia, Turkey, Sevi̇l Albayrak, Ahmet Aksoy, Osman Sağdiç, Ümi̇t Budak

Turkish Journal of Biology

The antioxidant activity of the methanolic extracts of 4 plants from genus Helichrysum Mill. (Asteraceae) [H. arenarium (L.) Moench subsp. erzincanicum Davis & Kupicha, H. arenarium (L.) Moench subsp. rubicundum (C.Koch.) Davis & Kupicha, H. armenium DC. subsp. araxinum (Kirp.) Takht., and H. plicatum DC. subsp. pseudoplicatum (Nab.) Davis & Kupicha] was investigated with 2 complementary test systems, DPPH (2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl) radical scavenging and phosphomolybdenum assay. H. plicatum subsp. pseudoplicatum showed the highest level of total antioxidant activity (161.79 ± 0.3 mg ascorbic acid equivalent/g extract) in the phosphomolybdenum assay. H. arenarium subsp. erzincanicum showed the highest level of free radical …

The Superiority Of Cv ‘Rosea’ Over Cv ‘Alba’ Of Periwinkle (Catharanthus Roseus L.) In Alkaloid Production And Other Physiological Attributes, Mohd Idrees, M. Naeem, M. Masroor A. Khan

Turkish Journal of Biology

A pot experiment was conducted during the winter season of 2006, on 2 cvs. of periwinkle (Catharanthus roseus L.), namely "rosea" (Pink) and "alba" (White), to investigate their performance in terms of growth, yield, and alkaloid production, as well as other physiological and biochemical attributes. The plants were harvested at 60, 90, and 150 days after planting (DAP) and the yield was recorded at 210 DAP. The results showed that "rosea" was superior to "alba" in plant height, total and individual leaf area, and fresh and dry weights at 90 DAP. Net photosynthetic rate, stomatal conductance, carbonic anhydrase activity and …

Laryngeal Apparatus And Call Structure In North American Hylids, Barbara Ann Catherine Fears

Masters Theses

"Although the ecological implications and structure of frog calls have been the subject of much study, little is known about the association between the laryngeal apparatus morphology and call structure in North American hylids. In this study linear measurements of the laryngeal apparatus were captured and compared to the call structures of thirteen species of North American hylids. Species examined included: Pseudacris crucifer, P. triseriata, P. ocularis, Acris crepitans blanchardi, Hyla avivoca, H. cinerea, H. gratiosa, H. chrysoscelis, H. versicolor, H. squirella, H. femoralis, H. arenicolor, and H. eximia. Six homologous landmark points were identified, and the lengths between them …

Zinc Oxide Nanoparticle Disruption Of Store-Operated Calcium Entry In A Muscarinic Receptor Signaling Pathway, Hsiu-Jen Wang

Masters Theses

"The influences of ZnO nanoparticles on cellular responses to activation of muscarinic receptors were studied in Chinese hamster ovary cells expressing the human M3 muscarinic acetylcholine receptor. ZnO particles (20 nm) induced cytotoxicity in a time and concentration-dependent manner: following a 24 h exposure, toxicity was minimal at concentrations below 20 µg/ml but virtually complete at concentrations above 28 µg/ml. ZnO particles did not affect antagonist binding to M3 receptors or allosteric ligand effects, but increased agonist binding affinity while eliminating guanine nucleotide sensitivity. At a noncytotoxic concentration (10 µg/ml), ZnO increased resting [Ca²⁺]i from 40 to 130 nM without …

Transepithelial D-Glucose And D-Fructose Transport Across Lobster Intestine, Ijeoma Ebelechukwu Obi

UNF Graduate Theses and Dissertations

The mechanisms of transepithelial absorption of dietary D-glucose and D-fructose in the American lobster, Homarus americanus, were investigated in this study in order to determine whether sugar transport proteins have been conserved throughout evolution. Whole lobster intestine was isolated and mounted in a perfusion chamber to determine transepithelial mucosal to serosal (MS) and serosal to mucosal (SM) mechanisms of ³H-D-glucose and ³H-D-fructose transport across the intestine. Unidirectional MS and SM fluxes were measured by adding variable concentrations of ³H-D-glucose and ³H-D-fructose (2.5 to 50uM) to either the perfusate or the bath respectively and sampling the …

Arthropod Biodiversity In Response To The Restoration Of Former Pine Plantations, John Curtis Burkhalter

UNF Graduate Theses and Dissertations

The goal of ecological restoration is to return degraded or altered ecosystems to their pre-disturbed state with respect to ecosystem structure, function, and composition. In the current study the research objective was to reestablish high levels of biodiversity on two restored pine plantations as well as restore a native pine flatwoods ecosystem. Managed, even-aged pine flatwoods are now the most extensive ecosystem in North Florida, comprising approximately 70% of the forested landscape. Slash pine trees were thinned in the experimental plots to restore the natural slash pine density of native ecosystems. In addition to the thinning treatments, experimental plots have …

Seeking Generalities In Salt Stress Effects On Herbivores: A Multi-Species Approach, Christy Marie Foust

UNF Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Stress has been identified as one of the primary factors influencing the structure of food webs, but few conclusions about the effects of stress on community dynamics have emerged. This study examined generalities that exist between salt stress and insect herbivore responses. Ambient salinity was artificially increased by adding 1.3 kg/m2 of salt to six different plant species: Avicennia germinans, Baccharis halimifolia, Batis maritima, Borrichia frutescens, Iva frutescens, and Spartina alterniflora. By performing a multiple species examination, stress responses were examined to determine if consistencies within and between plant type, ambient salinity conditions, and host plant species (among other criteria) …