Biology Commons^™

Species Boundaries And Biogeography Of East African Torrent Frogs Of The Genus Petropedetes (Amphibia: Anura: Petropeditidae), Simon P. Loader, F. Sara Ceccarelli, Mark Wilkinson, Michele Menegon, Jean Mariaux, Rafael O. De Sá, Et Al.

Biology Faculty Publications

Based on morphology there are currently three described East African species of torrent frogs belonging to the tropical African genus Petropedetes (P. dutoiti, P. martiennseni and P. yakusini). Taxonomic uncertainties are evident within this group: a putative new species reported from the Nguru Mountains and the species P. yakusini have a fragmented distribution across the Southern Tanzanian highlands. We conducted a molecular systematic study, sampling populations of East African petropedetids occurring in the mountains of Tanzania (P. martiennseni and P. yakusini), to investigate species boundaries and biogeography. Data provide evidence for the recognition of …

Habitat Use Analysis Of A Reintroduced Black Rhino (Diceros Bicornis) Population, John H. Clark

Mahurin Honors College Capstone Experience/Thesis Projects

Prior to the 20^th century black rhinos (Diceros bicornis) were the most prevalent rhino species with population estimates reaching 850,000 individuals (Rhino Resource Center, May 2013). The black rhino underwent the single fastest and most severe decline of all large mammal species from the 1960s to the 1990s, resulting in current population estimates of 3,600 animals (Emslie, 2012; Hillman-Smith and Groves, 1994). Reintroduction efforts are taking place to restore this species and 19 animals were reintroduced to a Kruger Associated Private Nature Reserve, six of these individuals were accessible for study. Animals were monitored on a regular …

Cellular Mechanisms Of Pathogenesis Of Pseudomonas Aeruginosa, Omar Jorge Castillo

Biology Theses

Epithelial permeability is distorted by Pseudomonas aeruginosa elastase (PE) and changes in barrier function are caused by disruption of tight junction (TJ) proteins occludin, zonula occludens (ZO)-1 and alterations of the cytoskeleton. Increase in paracellular permeability is caused, in part, by activation of cellular signaling transduction pathways. The exact signaling mechanisms that lead to epithelial disruption are not yet fully understood. I sought to evaluate whether PE exposure can activate the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) and whether, PE-induced TJ disruption was dependent upon activation of the extracellular signal-regulated kinases (ERK) arm of the mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) pathway. My …

Occurrence And Genetic Diversity Of Lemon Sharks (Negaprion Brevirostris) At A Nursery Ground At The Chandeleur Islands, Louisiana., Jonathan F. Mckenzie

LSU New Orleans Theses and Dissertations

Anecdotal evidence suggested that immature lemon sharks (Negaprion brevirostris) occur at the Chandeleur Islands in southeastern Louisiana. From May 2009 to August 2011, the Nekton Research Laboratory at the University of New Orleans regularly sampled habitats at the Chandeleur Islands to confirm the presence of immature individuals of this species. During these efforts, 147 immature lemon sharks (neonates, young-of-the-year, and juveniles) were collected. Each shark was PIT tagged and a tissue sample was taken for genetic analyses. Sizes ranged from 56 – 177 cm total length. Sharks showed a preference for sandy substrate and smaller individuals showed significant preference …

Reexamination Of Herpetofauna On Mormon Island, Hall County, Nebraska, With Notes On Natural History, Keith Geluso, Mary J. Harner

Transactions of the Nebraska Academy of Sciences and Affiliated Societies

The Platte River in central Nebraska, USA, was historically surrounded by mixed grass and tallgrass prairies and wet meadows, but many of those habitats were lost or altered during the last century with unknown effects on animals that reside in them. Researchers first surveyed herpetofauna on part of a large island preserve in the Platte River, Mormon Island, Hall County, Nebraska, in 1980 when the land was protected for conservation. They documented 10 species, including three species of amphibians and seven species of reptiles. We inventoried herpetofauna after 30 years of conservation management on Mormon Island and adjacent Shoemaker Island. …

Regulation Of The Target Of Rapamycin Signaling Pathway In Saccharomyces Cerevisiae, Tammy Pracheil

LSU New Orleans Theses and Dissertations

An integrative, biochemical, genetic, and molecular biology approach utilizing gene manipulation, gene knock outs, plasmid based protein expression, and in vivo protein localization of fluorescence tagged proteins was employed to determine the function of an essential protein, Lst8, in TORC1 and TORC2 signaling and a previously uncharacterized complex, the Far3-7-8-9-10-11 complex (Far complex) in the budding yeast, Saccharomyces cerevisiae. Mutations in SAC7 and FAR11 suppressed lethality of both lst8 and tor2-21 mutations but not TORC1 inactivation, suggesting that the essential function of Lst8 is linked only to TORC2.

Far11, a component of a six-member complex, was found to interact …

Validation Of Antibodies Used To Study Hypoxia Inducible Factors In Two Species Of Fundulus, Jenna D. Hill

LSU New Orleans Theses and Dissertations

Hypoxia inducible factors (HIFs) are transcription factors and the master regulators of oxygen-dependent gene expression in animals. The focus of this thesis is the distribution of HIF protein in tissues of the fish Fundulus heteroclitus and F. grandis, two widespread species that occur in naturally hypoxic waters. Polyclonal antibodies against HIF-1α, HIF-2α, and HIF-3α were tested on proteins made in vitro and on extracts made from several tissues of normoxic and hypoxic fish. Antibodies against HIF-1α and 3α bound specifically to full length protein made in vitro, and produced bands on western blots of nuclear extracts of near …

Three-Dimensional, High-Resolution Skeletal Kinematics Of The Avian Wing And Shoulder During Ascending Flapping Flight And Uphill Flap-Running, David B. Baier, Stephen M. Gatesy, Kenneth P. Dial

Biological Sciences Faculty Publications

Past studies have shown that birds use their wings not only for flight, but also when ascending steep inclines. Uphill flap-running or wing-assisted incline running (WAIR) is used by both flight-incapable fledglings and flight-capable adults to retreat to an elevated refuge. Despite the broadly varying direction of travel during WAIR, level, and descending flight, recent studies have found that the basic wing path remains relatively invariant with reference to gravity. If so, joints undergo disparate motions to maintain a consistent wing path during those specific flapping modes. The underlying skeletal motions, however, are masked by feathers and skin. To improve …

The Investigation Of Risk Factors For Upper Respiratory Infections Among College Students, Romie Barnes

Honors Theses

Upper respiratory tract infections and cold-like illnesses are common sources of morbidity among college students. The emphasis of hand-washing and reducing the dispersal of aerosol droplets by covering coughs and sneezes reduces the spread of the common cold. However, less emphasis is placed on other risk factors for reducing cold-like illness such as: stress level and physical activity (Doyle and Cohens 2009). An increase in stress and a decrease in physical activity are common among college students (Nichol et al 2005). For this reason, the present study analyzed the effects of stress and physical activity on the incidence of upper …

Urine Trouble: A Molecular And Anatomical Examination Of Bladder Pain, Lara Wiley Crock

Arts & Sciences Graduate Student Theses and Dissertations

Interstitial cystitis or painful bladder syndrome (IC/PBS) is a chronic pain syndrome affecting 3-6% of women in the US. Some evidence suggests urothelial injury may cause some cases of IC/PBS. To examine how urothelial injury modulates bladder pain, three injury models were used: Infection with uropathogenic Escherichia coli (UPEC, inflammatory), Protamine sulfate (PS, non-inflammatory chemical), and lipopolysaccharide (LPS, non-infectious and inflammatory) treatment. Surprisingly, injury with PS decreased, while UPEC alone increased the pain response to bladder distention. These data suggest that changes in the urothelium may modulate some forms of IC/PBS. However, in most cases, patients with IC/PBS have no …

Pharmacological Inhibition Of Histone Methyltransferase G9a Affects Expression Of Citron Kinase Target Genes In Neural Stem Cells, Nicholas Heliotis

Honors Scholar Theses

Regulated repression of gene expression by post-translational modification of histones is required for normal development. The histone methyltransferase G9a is essential for embryonic development, and we have shown that phosphorylation of G9a by the CitK, a gene required for normal CNS development, gates gene repression and dimethylation of histone H3 at lysine 9 (H3K9me2) in neural progenitors. CitK and G9a co-localize to promoter regions of genes up-regulated in CitK null cells. CitK mutant progenitors lack H3K9me2 at promoter regions of up-regulated genes, and re-expression of CitK restores both repression of gene expression and H3K9me2 occupancy. In this thesis we examine …

Broad Spectrum Systemic Acquired Resistance In Amblystegium Serpens, Christina A. Tatara

Undergraduate Honors Thesis Collection

Systemic acquired resistance (SAR) is a well-characterized defense mechanism in vascular plants where initial exposure to a pathogen induces resistance throughout the plant to subsequent attacks by a wide range of pathogens. A similar SAR-like mechanism has recently been documented in a nonvascular plant, the moss Amblysregium serpens, but it has not been thoroughly characterized. Currently only one pathogen, the oomycete Pythium irregulare, has been shown to trigger SAR in this or any other nonvascular plant. I have observed and characterized the interactions between A. serpens and two other alleged moss pathogens, the ascomycetes Acrosporium sympodiale and Botrytis cinerea. Using …

Infectious Disease: An Agent-Based Simulation., Iqra Ahmad

Undergraduate Honors Theses

One of the primary reasons for studying infectious diseases is to improve control and ultimately eradicate the infection from the population (Keeling 2008). An agent base model was designed to observe the spread of disease and the effect of vaccination using the program known as StarLogo- TNG. Experiments were designed, not having a particular disease in mind, and simulations were run to determine the effects of different variables on the vaccination process of a certain population. Goals included observation of how infections spread and how vaccination plays a role in various situations such as, root of the infection, population size, …

Rainwater Harvesting: Examining The Potential Of Rainfall Collection As A Stormwater Best Management Practice And A Supplement To Municipal Water At Wku, Ashley C. Mccloughan

Mahurin Honors College Capstone Experience/Thesis Projects

This study seeks to quantify the potential amount of rainwater that could be harvested from Western Kentucky University’s main campus roof spaces and to evaluate the potential environmental and economic value of such an initiative in light of the global water crisis. Roof areas and historic rainfall data were used to enumerate the potential quantity of water averted by the selected buildings. Limited literature exists on the potential for rainwater harvesting in reducing quantity of surface runoff and what that means for stormwater management, so an evaluation was performed on the implications these installations could have specifically for WKU’s stormwater …

Prophylactic Effect If Growth Hormone On Zebrafish Auditory Hair Cell Damage, Mackenzie C. Perkins

Mahurin Honors College Capstone Experience/Thesis Projects

Growth hormone (GH) has been shown to play a role in and improve hair cell regeneration when injected intraperitoneally in zebrafish post-sound exposure. The purpose of this study was to examine whether exogenous GH has a prophylactic effect on auditory hair cell damage when injected prior to acoustic trauma. Groups of zebrafish were injected with either GH or buffer. Immediately following the injection, auditory hair cell damage was induced through exposure to acoustic overstimulation. Hearing tests were then performed on the fish by measuring auditory evoked potentials. Then, the fish ears were dissected either immediately post-trauma or at one, two, …

Trends In Avian Populations Of Kentucky And Implications In Conservation, Sara K. Wigginton

Mahurin Honors College Capstone Experience/Thesis Projects

The North American Breeding Bird Survey (BBS) and other avian monitoring projects have been used as evidence that many bird species are declining. Two guilds which have seen major declines are the grassland obligate and woodland species (Wentworth et al 2010; Peterjohn and Sauer 1994). Some species have been experiencing an increase, including the Brown-headed Cowbird; a brood-parasite which can cause decreased fitness in host species (Brittingham and Temple 1983). BBS data collected in Kentucky from 1998-2011 was used for statistical analysis for this project. This data was used to answer 4 questions. The first was did the Kentucky Upper …

Molecular Mechanics Of Oxaliplatin And An Oxaliplatin Derivative With Their Relevant Biological Targets, Daniel C. Jackson

Mahurin Honors College Capstone Experience/Thesis Projects

Molecular mechanics and dynamics calculations were used to simulate reactions of oxaliplatin and Pt(Me₂dach)(oxalate) with methionine and guanine, where Me₂dach is N,N-dimethyl-1,2-diaminocyclohexane. The results were consistent with steric effects that resulted in chelation when Pt(Me₂dach)(oxalate) reacted with N-acetylmethionine experimentally (Williams et al., 2013). The energy difference due to ligand bulk that was predicted using molecular mechanics was also consistent with experimental results: oxaliplatin’s ligand bulk did not prevent the formation of bis products with 9-ethylguanine and N-acetylmethionine, but the ligand bulk of Pt(Me₂dach)(oxalate) did prevent bis product formation with N-acetylmethionine, resulting in …

Blood-Brain Barrier Alterations Provide Evidence Of Subacute Diaschisis In An Ischemic Stroke Rat Model, Svitlana Garbuzova-Davis, Maria C. O. Rodrigues, Diana G. Hernandez-Ontiveros, Naoki Tajiri, Aric Frisna-Deyo, Sean M. Boffeli, Jerry V. Abraham, Mibel Pabon, Andrew Wagner, Hiroto Ishikawa, Kazutaka Shinozuka, Edward M. Haller, Paul Sanberg, Yuji Kaneko, Cesario Borlongan

Integrative Biology Faculty and Staff Publications

Background: Comprehensive stroke studies reveal diaschisis, a loss of function due to pathological deficits in brain areas remote from initial ischemic lesion. However, blood-brain barrier (BBB) competence in subacute diaschisis is uncertain. The present study investigated subacute diaschisis in a focal ischemic stroke rat model. Specific focuses were BBB integrity and related pathogenic processes in contralateral brain areas.

Methodology/Principal Findings: In ipsilateral hemisphere 7 days after transient middle cerebral artery occlusion (tMCAO), significant BBB alterations characterized by large Evans Blue (EB) parenchymal extravasation, autophagosome accumulation, increased reactive astrocytes and activated microglia, demyelinization, and neuronal damage were detected in the striatum, …

Determining If Hydrogen Oxidation Promotes Survival Of Bacteria Isolated From A Lake Waiau, Hawaii Microbial Mat, Devin James Conway

Honors Capstones

No abstract provided.

Genome Of The Long-Living Sacred Lotus (Nelumbo Nucifera Gaertn.), Ray Ming, Robert Vanburen, Yanling Liu, Mei Yang, Yuepeng Han, Lei Ting Li, Qiong Zhang, Min Jeong Kim, Michael C. Schatz, Michael Campbell, Jingping Li, John E. Bowers, Haibao Tang, Eric Lyons, Ann A. Ferguson, Giuseppe Narzisi, David R. Nelson, Crysten E. Blaby-Haas, Andrea R. Gschwend, Yuannian Jiao, Joshua P. Der, Fanchang Zeng, Jennifer Han, Xiang Jia Min, Karen A. Hudson, Ratnesh Singh, Aleel K. Grennan, Steven J. Karpowicz, Jennifer R. Watling, Kikukatsu Ito

Department of Biology Faculty Scholarship and Creative Works

Background: Sacred lotus is a basal eudicot with agricultural, medicinal, cultural and religious importance. It was domesticated in Asia about 7,000 years ago, and cultivated for its rhizomes and seeds as a food crop. It is particularly noted for its 1,300-year seed longevity and exceptional water repellency, known as the lotus effect. The latter property is due to the nanoscopic closely packed protuberances of its self-cleaning leaf surface, which have been adapted for the manufacture of a self-cleaning industrial paint, Lotusan. Results: The genome of the China Antique variety of the sacred lotus was sequenced with Illumina and 454 technologies, …

Inhibition Of Retinoic Acid Receptors Results In Defasciculation Of The Trigeminal Nerve In Xenopus Laevis, Jeremy Thompson

Theses and Dissertations

The anatomy of the cranial peripheral nervous system has been studied for over a century, yet surprisingly little is known about how the nerves are guided to their targets. The study of the development of these nerves has important implications for our understanding of craniofacial anomalies and possible treatments for both injury and genetic disorders of nerve development such as Goldenhar-Gorlin syndrome. We have discovered that retinoic acid (RA) may play a role in the development of the trigeminal nerve. Inhibition of retinoic acid receptors (RAR) results in trigeminal nerves that become unbundled or defasciculated in the eye region. To …

Physiological Consequences Of Compensatory Growth: A Look At Snake Species Exhibiting Differential Sexual Size Dimorphism, Kaitlyn Pettingill

Biology Theses

Although many life-history traits are inflexible, extrinsic factors are likely responsible for variation in attributes such as growth rates and ultimately adult body size. Nutritional stress during natal periods, in particular, has significant long-term consequences for adult characteristics. It is thought that poor natal nutrition leads to either the diversion of subsequent energy intake into compensatory growth or delayed maturation. Diversion of energy, to achieve compensation, however does not come without consequence; immune defense is a resource-demanding activity, which can trade- off with traits such as growth. Relatively little is known about the intra- or interspecific variation in immunological capabilities, …

High Occurrence Of Functional New Chimeric Genes In Survey Of Rice Chromosome 3 Short Arm Genome Sequences, Chengjun Zhang, Jun Wang, Nicholas C. Marowsky, Manyuan Long, Rod A. Wing, Chuanzhu Fan

Biological Sciences Faculty Research Publications

In an effort to identify newly evolved genes in rice,we searched the genomes of Asian-cultivated rice Oryza sativa ssp. japonica and its wild progenitors, looking for lineage-specific genes. Using genome pairwise comparison of approximately 20-Mb DNA sequences from the chromosome 3 short arm (Chr3s) in six rice species, O. sativa, O. nivara, O. rufipogon, O. glaberrima, O. barthii, and O. punctata, combined with synonymous substitution rate tests and other evidence, we were able to identify potential recently duplicated genes, which evolved within the last 1 Myr. We identified 28 functional O. sativa genes, which …

Biochemical, Nutrient And Inhibitory Characteristics Of Streptomyces Cultured From A Hypersaline Estuary, The Laguna Madre (Texas), Luis E. Espinoza, Anita L. Davelos Baines, Kristine L. Lowe

School of Integrative Biological & Chemical Sciences (Formerly Dept. of Biology)

Streptomyces are common soil bacteria that produce secondary metabolites, including several antibiotics; however, the characteristics of marine Streptomyces are largely unknown. Sediment samples were taken from 3 sites in the Laguna Madre to isolate marine Streptomyces. Sediment was diluted, spread onto synthetic seawater media to estimate the total bacterial density of the samples and spread onto starch casein agar to isolate Streptomyces. Isolated Streptomyces were tested for salinity tolerance and optimal growth pH. Isolates were assayed using API 20E® test strips and BIOLOG™ plates to construct biochemical profiles and assess nutrient utilization abilities of the bacteria, respectively. Individual Streptomyces were …

Ground-Truthing Maxent In East Texas Rivers, David F. Ford

Biology Theses

Unionid mussels are a guild of freshwater, sedentary filter-feeders, which play a critical role in freshwater systems. Mussels are currently experiencing a global decline in both species richness and abundance, due to invasive species, human alteration of water systems, and climate change. In North America, which is considered to have the highest global diversity of bivalve species, native mussels are currently declining rapidly with at least 37 species considered to already be extinct. If extant mussel species are to be preserved, then it is vital that conservation efforts be prioritized towards areas in which they are likely to be found. …

Microbial Dynamics And Core Microbiome Of Red-Backed Salamanders (Plethodon Cinereus), Andrew Howard Loudon

Masters Theses, 2010-2019

Beneficial cutaneous bacteria on amphibians can protect against the lethal fungal disease chytridiomycosis, which has decimated many amphibian species. The stability of these bacterial communities likely influences health outcomes, and is investigated here for the first time. We describe the diversity of bacteria on red-backed salamanders (Plethodon cinereus) in the wild, and the stability of these communities over time in captivity using culture-independent Illumina sequencing. In the field, there was no correlation between the diversity of salamanders’ microbial communities and the diversity of their substrates’ microbial communities. Salamanders were brought into the laboratory to test for the effect of an …

Turtle Usage Of Urban Ditches In An Expanding Northeast Arkansas City, Jonathan Elston

Student Theses and Dissertations

Human expansion has contributed to the reduction of wildlife biodiversity across the globe. Turtles are one of many taxonomic groups that have experienced increased decline in the last few decades from anthropogenic expansion. Turtles have been able to persist in habitats heavily modified by humans; yet, little is known about the ecology of these urban populations. The present investigation focused on urban ditch characteristics associated with high turtle abundance and richness. From May to August of 2011 and 2012, 452 turtles of six different species were captured in seven ditch systems in Jonesboro, Craighead County, AR. Possible influences of ditch …

Northern Largemouth Bass, Micropterus Salmoides Salmoides, And Florida Largemouth Bass, Micropterus S. Floridanus, Population Structure And Stocking Protocol Assessment In Seven Arkansas Reservoirs Using Microsatellite Analysis, Karl Andrew Lamothe

Student Theses and Dissertations

Several Arkansas reservoirs have been stocked with Florida largemouth bass (FLMB; Micropterus salmoides floridanus) for decades given that FLMB have been reported to have superior growth characteristics when compared to the native northern largemouth bass (NLMB; Micropterus salmoides salmoides), and therefore improve recreational and sport angling. In this study, 1,350 largemouth bass fin clips were sampled for DNA analysis from seven Arkansas reservoir bass populations to determine levels of FLMB introgression among populations, along with investigating relative weight calculations between phenotypes. Overall, Arkansas reservoirs varied widely in FLMB incorporation. Reservoirs subjected to renovation with rotenone treatment and subsequent stockings of …

Partial Incubation, Hatching Asynchrony, And Sibling Aggression In The Red-Shouldered Hawk (Buteo Lineatus), Sara Johnson Miller

Student Theses and Dissertations

I used video monitoring to quantify egg-laying intervals, partial incubation, hatching asynchrony, feeding rates, sibling aggression, and causes of mortality or nest failure in a suburban population of Red-shouldered Hawks (Buteo lineatus). The egg-laying interval and parents' partial incubation behavior during egg-laying resulted in a significant correlation between the sum of incubation time during egg-laying and the hatching span (r2 = 0.83, p <0.0001). Hatch rank was the most significant predictor for both the amount of food consumed and the number of aggressive acts displayed by a nestling. First-hatched senior nestlings received significantly more food and were significantly more aggressive than junior nestlings. Broods of three displayed significantly more aggression than broods of two, and aggression decreased significantly from week two to three. There was no significant relationship between the total amount of food consumed and the total amount of aggression in each nest, which rejects the food amount hypothesis.

The Potential For Replication And Transmission Of Antibiotic Resistance Plasmids In An E. Coli Population In Agriculturally Impacted Stream Sediment, Erika Gehr

Masters Theses, 2010-2019

The use of antibiotics in agriculture is thought to be a major cause of resistance in microorganisms found in the environment. Horizontal transfer of genetic information from transient to native and from native to transient bacterial populations may enhance the spread and recombination of resistance genes and might play a role in the formation of multi-resistant organisms in environmental reservoirs. Tetracycline resistance plasmids were compared using three isolation techniques -- traditional “endogenous” extraction from isolates, “exogenous” plasmid capture, and direct plasmid extraction from sediment --to determine the potential for plasmid born resistance in an E. coli population found in agriculturally-impacted …