Biology Commons^™

Revised Distribution For Otomops Martiensseni (Chiroptera: Molossidae) In Southern Africa, Rick A. Adams, Frank J. Bonaccorso, John R. Winkelmann

Biology Faculty Publications

We provide new data on the distributional range and abundance of the giant mastiff bat,Otomops martiensseni for which information on distribution and ecology are sorely needed. Because this species can forage at high altitudes, it is difficult to capture and most observations have been from caves and buildings. With the advent of new sonar gathering devices and analysis software, recording of echolocation calls can give unprecedented information on evasive bat species. Previous records from South Africa were restricted to the Durban area where several colonies in buildings were documented. No published records were available for Botswana. Our data expand …

Lifelines Winter 2015, Southern Adventist University

Lifelines - Biology Department Newsletter

The Winter 2015 issue of Lifelines features articles on student research at the University of Tennessee College of Medicine, student missions to Peru over spring break, an alumni spotlight, and a pictorial directory of the 2015 biology and allied health graduates.

The Relative Influence Of Habitat Amount And Configuration On Genetic Structure Across Multiple Spatial Scales, Katie L Millette, Nusha Keyghobadi

Biology Publications

Despite strong interest in understanding how habitat spatial structure shapes the genetics of populations, the relative importance of habitat amount and configuration for patterns of genetic differentiation remains largely unexplored in empirical systems. In this study, we evaluate the relative influence of, and interactions among, the amount of habitat and aspects of its spatial configuration on genetic differentiation in the pitcher plant midge, Metriocnemus knabi. Larvae of this species are found exclusively within the water-filled leaves of pitcher plants (Sarracenia purpurea) in a system that is naturally patchy at multiple spatial scales (i.e., leaf, plant, cluster, peatland). Using generalized linear …

Color And Size Preference In Guppy Mate Choice, Kate Bushman, Sydney Call, Lindsey Hansen

Biology Posters

No abstract provided.

The Bachelorette: Guppy Edition, Kailey Allen, Katie Pontsler, Lynnessa Zika, Jessica Gutierrez

Biology Posters

No abstract provided.

Research & Development Internship At Usana Health Sciences Inc., Nick Noyce

Biology Posters

No abstract provided.

The Loss Of Genomic Uracil Homeostasis And Aid-Dependent Accumulation Of Dna Damage In B Cell Lymphomas, Sophia Shalhout

Wayne State University Dissertations

Activation-induced deaminase (AID) is a sequence-selective DNA cytosine deaminase that introduces uracils in immunoglobulin genes. This DNA mutator is required for somatic hypermutation and class switch recombination- processes involved in the affinity maturation and diversification of antibodies. AID, however, can also lead to deleterious mutations and translocations promoting lymphomagenesis. The introduction of uracils throughout the genome of activated B cells and the ability of UNG2 glycosylase to excise these uracils is examined here. This interplay was also studied in cancerous B cells, with different results emerging in transformed cells versus healthy cells. Genomic uracil levels are found to remain at …

Assessment Of Microbial Populations Within Chicago Area Nearshore Waters And Interfaces With River Systems, Emily Sible, Alexandria Cooper, Kema Malki, Katherine Bruder, Thomas Hatzopoulos, Siobhan C. Watkins, Catherine Putonti

Bioinformatics Faculty Publications

The Chicago area locks separate and control water flow between the freshwaters of Lake Michigan and the network of Illinois waterways. Under extreme storm conditions, however, the locks are opened and storm waters, untreated waste, and runoff are released directly into the lake. These combined sewer overflow (CSO) events introduce microbes, viruses, and nutrients such as nitrogen and phosphorous into nearshore waters which likely affect the native species. We collected surface water samples from four Chicago area beaches – Gillson Park, Montrose Beach, 57th Street Beach, and Calumet Beach – every two weeks from May 13 through August 5, 2014. …

Assessment Of A Metaviromic Dataset Generated From Nearshore Lake Michigan, Siobhan C. Watkins, Neil Kuehnle, C Anthony Ruggeri, Kema Malki, Katherine Bruder, Jinan Elayyan, Kristina Damisch, Naushin Vahora, Paul O'Malley, Brianne Ruggles-Sage, Zachary Romer, Catherine Putonti

Bioinformatics Faculty Publications

Bacteriophages are powerful ecosystem engineers. They drive bacterial mortality rates and genetic diversity, and affect microbially mediated biogeochemical processes on a global scale. This has been demonstrated in marine environments; however, phage communities have been less studied in freshwaters, despite representing a potentially more diverse environment. Lake Michigan is one of the largest bodies of freshwater on the planet, yet to date the diversity of its phages has yet to be examined. Here, we present a composite survey of viral ecology in the nearshore waters of Lake Michigan. Sequence analysis was performed using a web server previously used to analyse …

Intraspecific Variation Of A Dominant Grass And Local Adaptation In Reciprocal Garden Communities Along A Us Great Plains' Precipitation Gradient: Implications For Grassland Restoration With Climate Change, Loretta C. Johnson, Jacob T. Olsen, Hannah Tetreault, Angel Delacruz, Johnny Bryant, Theodore J. Morgan, Mary Knapp, Nora M. Bello, Sara G. Baer, Brian R. Maricle Ph.D.

Biological Sciences Faculty Publications

Identifying suitable genetic stock for restoration often employs a 'best guess' approach. Without adaptive variation studies, restoration may be misguided. We test the extent to which climate in central US grasslands exerts selection pressure on a foundation grass big bluestem (Andropogon gerardii), widely used in restorations, and resulting in local adaptation. We seeded three regional ecotypes of A. gerardii in reciprocal transplant garden communities across 1150 km precipitation gradient. We measured ecological responses over several timescales (instantaneous gas exchange, medium-term chlorophyll absorbance, and long-term responses of establishment and cover) in response to climate and biotic factors and tested if ecotypes …

Genetic Modifiers Of Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy And Dilated Cardiomyopathy., Andrea Barp, Luca Bello, Luisa Politano, Paola Melacini, Chiara Calore, Eric P. Hoffman, +16 Additional Authors

Genomics and Precision Medicine Faculty Publications

OBJECTIVE: Dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) is a major complication and leading cause of death in Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD). DCM onset is variable, suggesting modifier effects of genetic or environmental factors. We aimed to determine if polymorphisms previously associated with age at loss of independent ambulation (LoA) in DMD (rs28357094 in the SPP1 promoter, rs10880 and the VTTT/IAAM haplotype in LTBP4) also modify DCM onset.

METHODS: A multicentric cohort of 178 DMD patients was genotyped by TaqMan assays. We performed a time-to-event analysis of DCM onset, with age as time variable, and finding of left ventricular ejection fraction < 50% and/or end diastolic volume > 70 mL/m2 as …

Transcriptional Pathways Associated With Skeletal Muscle Changes After Spinal Cord Injury And Treadmill Locomotor Training., Celine Baligand, Yi-Wen Chen, Fan Ye, Sachchida Nand Pandey, San-Huei Lai, Min Liu, Krista Vandenborne

Genomics and Precision Medicine Faculty Publications

The genetic and molecular events associated with changes in muscle mass and function after SCI and after the implementation of candidate therapeutic approaches are still not completely known. The overall objective of this study was to identify key molecular pathways activated with muscle remodeling after SCI and locomotor training. We implemented treadmill training in a well-characterized rat model of moderate SCI and performed genome wide expression profiling on soleus muscles at multiple time points: 3, 8, and 14 days after SCI. We found that the activity of the protein ubiquitination and mitochondrial function related pathways was altered with SCI and …

Comparison Of Bacterial Flora In Fish Mucus And Lake Water, Robert W. Thomas

Honors Theses, 1963-2015

Although commonly known for their ability to cause deadly infectious diseases, there are populations of bacteria (identified as normal flora) that symbiotically live on and amongst larger host organisms and positively impact survival of the host. In previous research, culturing methods suggest that freshwater fish (i.e. bluegill and northern pike) maintain a normal flora population and that this flora aids in protection and the health of the fish. Our study used Ion torrent PGM sequencing to identify a larger, more complete population of normal flora in 2 different lake samples from three different species of fish. Identifying and comparing the …

Abiotic Habitat Preferences Of Age-0 Paddlefish In Lake Sakakawea, North Dakota During Late Summer, Derek Dufault

Journal of Earth and Life Science

Since the early 1990’s, surface visual counts along transects have been conducted annually, allowing for estimates of relative abundance and year-class strength of age-0 paddlefish Polyodon spathula on the upper portions of Lake Sakakawea, North Dakota. This study focuses on the annual visual surface count data collected over an eleven year period from 2004-2014. More specifically it focuses on abiotic habitat factors (Secchi depth, water depth, and water temperature) and how they relate to age-0 paddlefish locations in late summer. Understanding habitat use during early life stages is imperative, yet to date, there is very limited knowledge available regarding the …

Influence Of Depth And Retrieval Speed On Yellow Perch Barotrauma Recovery Time In Winter, Bradley J. Klingsheim

Journal of Earth and Life Science

Physoclistous fish are often affected by barotrauma because the swim bladder is not connected to the esophagus. Barotrauma is increasingly being used in assessing mortality in fish brought from deep water. Barotrauma is the physical damage that occurs because of the over inflation of the gas bladder resulting from a rapid decrease in ambient pressure. The two important factors influencing barotrauma effects are water depth and decompression. In this study, two experiments were conducted on yellow perch (Perca flavescens) at three depth locations on Grace Lake, Bemidji, Minnesota. Fish were measured for barotrauma recovery time (s) following capture by hook …

Further Description Of Hybridization In The Sea Stars Asterias Rubens And Asterias Forbesi Through The Application Of Species-Specific Genetic Markers, Callie Bateson

Honors Program Theses

Hybridization occurs when two separate species reproduce to form hybrid offspring. If the hybrid offspring backcross with individuals of their parental species, the subsequent offspring may have varying amounts of the parental genomes, if viable. Following the retreat of the Last Glacial Maxima 20,000 years ago, two sea star species, Asterias forbesi and A. rubens came into secondary contact in the Gulf of Maine where they began to hybridize. Previous research in our lab studied the frequency of hybridization at four locations along the east coast (Quebec, Nova Scotia, New Hampshire, and New York) using morphological identifications as well two …

Exploring The Human Hepatocirrhosis Virus, Dawilmer Castillo

Undergraduate Review

The Human Hepatocirrhosis virus (HHV) is a virtual virus designed to model the characteristics of a real virus. HHV targets hepatocytes cells in the liver causing severe damage to the organ. Currently, there are no vaccines to combat this pathogen, however, there are medications that can decrease the propagation rate of the virus to new cells. This virion can enter the human body through the mucosa of the mouth, nose, genital area and open wounds in the skin. It is mainly transmitted from body fluids and contaminated water or food. HHV is an enveloped virus that encompasses a nucleocapsid containing …

A Protective Role Of Autophagy In A Drosophila Model Of Friedreich's Ataxia (Frda), Luan Wang

Wayne State University Dissertations

Friedreich’s ataxia (FRDA) is an inherited autosomal recessive neurodegenerative disease. It affects 1 in every 50,000 people in central Europe and North America. FRDA is caused by deficiency of Frataxin, an essential mitochondrial iron chaperone protein, and the associated oxidative stress damages. Autophagy, a housekeeping process responsible for the bulk degradation and turnover of long half-life proteins and organelles, is featured by the formation of double-membrane vacuoles and lysosomal degradation. Previous researches indicate that Danon’s disease, the inherited neural disorder disease that shares similar symptoms with FRDA, is due to the malfunction of autophagy. Based on this, we raise the …

Biological Sciences Newsletter - January 2015, Department Of Biological Sciences, East Tennessee State University

Biological Sciences Newsletters

No abstract provided.

Negative Effects Of Commycorrhizal Networks And Roots On Upland Oak Seedlings In Open-Canopy Woodlands And Closed-Canopy Forests, William Chase Bailey

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

After extensive logging and fire suppression many oak dominated woodlands or forests are in danger of being replaced by a mix of non-pyrogenic and shade tolerant tree species that benefit from fire suppression. Successful advanced regeneration by oaks in forests and woodlands depends both on the persistence of seedlings in the shade and growth within canopy gaps. Through the sharing of carbon and/or water between adults and seedlings, connection to a commycorrhizal network potentially provides a mechanism by which oak seedlings could persist in shade and/or grow rapidly in dry soils within canopy gaps. A study was conducted to determine …

Drosophila Muller F Elements Maintain A Distinct Set Of Genomic Properties Over 40 Million Years Of Evolution, Adam Haberman

Biology: Faculty Scholarship

The Muller F element (4.2 Mb, ~80 protein-coding genes) is an unusual autosome of Drosophila melanogaster; it is mostly heterochromatic with a low recombination rate. To investigate how these properties impact the evolution of repeats and genes, we manually improved the sequence and annotated the genes on the D. erecta, D. mojavensis, and D. grimshawi F elements and euchromatic domains from the Muller D element. We find that F elements have higher transposon density (25%–50%) than euchromatic reference regions (3%–11%). Among the F elements, D. grimshawi has the lowest transposon density (particularly DINE-1: 2% versus 11%–27%). F element genes have …

Using The Past To Restore The Future: Quantifying Historical Vegetation To Assist In Tidal Freshwater Wetland Restoration, Christopher D. Gatens

UROP Posters

Wetlands have been providing humans with critical natural ecosystem services throughout our time on Earth. Nevertheless, these invaluable ecosystems have been habitually altered as a cost of human progression. Two of the most common alterations to wetlands are damming and filling. Both occurred along Kimages Creek in Charles City County, VA during the 19^th and 20^th centuries. In 2010 the Lake Charles dam was partially removed, restoring the creek’s tidal communication with the James River. Upon the recession of the body of water, numerous woody stumps were revealed. We studied these stump remnants in an attempt to assess …

Comparative Proteomics Of Mouse Tears And Saliva: Evidence From Large Protein Families For Functional Adaptation, Robert C. Karn, Christina M. Laukaitis

Scholarship and Professional Work - LAS

We produced a tear proteome of the genome mouse, C57BL/6, that contained 139 different protein identifications: 110 from a two-dimensional (2D) gel with subsequent trypsin digestion, 19 from a one-dimensional (1D) gel with subsequent trypsin digestion and ten from a 1D gel with subsequent Asp-N digestion. We compared this tear proteome with a C57BL/6 mouse saliva proteome produced previously. Sixteen of the 139 tear proteins are shared between the two proteomes, including six proteins that combat microbial growth. Among the 123 other tear proteins, were members of four large protein families that have no counterparts in humans: Androgen-binding proteins (ABPs) …

Amphibian And Small Mammal Assemblages In A Northern Virginia Forest Before And After Defoliation By Gypsy Moths (Lymantria Dispar), Joseph C. Mitchell

Virginia Journal of Science

The introduced European gypsy moth (Lymantria dispar) caused substantial defoliation and mortality of oak trees along the North Fork of Quantico Creek in Prince William Forest Park, Prince William County, Virginia, U.S.A., in 1989 and the early 1990s. Results of a drift fence/pitfall study conducted in 1988 were compared to those obtained from the same technique in the same areas in 1993 to elucidate whether the amphibian and small mammal assemblages had changed over time. Number of Lithobates sylvaticus increased significantly in 1993, but the numbers of Lithobates clamitans and Plethodon cinereus were significantly higher in 1988. Total …

The Genetic Architecture Of Fluctuating Asymmetry Of Mandible Size And Shape In A Population Of Mice: Another Look, James M. Cheverud, Larry J. Leamy, Christian Peter Klingenberg, Emma Sherratt, Jason B. Wolf

Biology: Faculty Publications and Other Works

Fluctuating asymmetry (FA), typically measured by variation in the differences between right and left sides of bilateral traits, is commonly used to assess developmental instability (DI) in populations. A previous quantitative trait locus (QTL) investigation using an F2 intercross mouse population found little evidence of individual loci affecting FA in mandible size, but an abundance of epistatic interactions between loci. Here we extend this work by testing whether these patterns replicate in an F3 population derived from the same intercross. Using a large number of molecular markers genotyped in over 1200 mice, we uncovered significant interactions between loci (QTLs) affecting …

Citizen-Science Data Provides New Insight Into Annual And Seasonal Variation In Migration Patterns, S R. Supp, Frank A. La Sorte, Tina A. Cormier, Marisa C. W. Lim, Donald R. Powers, Susan M. Wethington, Scott Goetz, Catherine H. Graham

Faculty Publications - Department of Biological & Molecular Science

Current rates of global environmental and climate change pose potential challenges for migratory species that must cope with or adapt to new conditions and different rates of change across broad spatial scales throughout their annual life cycle. North American migratory hummingbirds may be especially sensitive to changes in environment and climate due to their extremely small body size, high metabolic rates, and dependence on nectar as a main resource. We used occurrence information from the eBird citizen-science database to track migratory movements of five North American hummingbird species (Archilochus alexandri, A. colubris, Selasphorus calliope, S. platycercus, and S. rufus) across …

Size Dependence In Non-Sperm Ejaculate Production Is Reflected In Daily Energy Expenditure And Resting Metabolic Rate, Christopher R. Friesen, Donald R. Powers, Paige E. Copenhaver-Parry, Robert T. Mason

Faculty Publications - Department of Biological & Molecular Science

The non-sperm components of an ejaculate, such as copulatory plugs, can be essential to male reproductive success. But the costs of these ejaculate components are often considered trivial. In polyandrous species, males are predicted to increase energy allocation to the production of non-sperm components, but this allocation is often condition dependent and the energetic costs of their production have never been quantified. Red-sided garter snakes (Thamnophis sirtalis parietalis) are an excellent model with which to quantify the energetic costs of non-sperm components of the ejaculate as they exhibit a dissociated reproductive pattern in which sperm production is temporally disjunct from …

A Simple Bioluminescent Method For Measuring D-Amino Acid Oxidase Activity, T. Spencer Bailey, Micah T. Donor, Sean P. Naughton, Michael D. Pluth

Faculty Publications - Department of Biological & Molecular Science

D-Amino acid oxidase (DAO) plays important roles in regulating D-amino acid neurotransmitters and was recently identified as a key enzyme integral to hydrogen sulfide production from D-Cys. We report here the development of a simple biocompatible, bioluminescent method for measuring DAO activity based on the highly selective condensation of D-Cys with 6-hydroxy-2-cyanobenzothiazole (CBT-OH) to form D-luciferin.

Biological Evaluation Of Membrane-Active Compounds As Treatment For Clostridium Difficile Infection, Md Zahidul Alam

Biology Dissertations - Archive

Clostridium difficile infection (CDI), which is caused by a spore-forming, gram-positive anaerobe, named C. difficile, is the leading cause of the hospital-acquired antibiotic-associated diarrhea. Hospitalized elderly patients, who receive broad-spectrum antibiotics, are mostly affected. However, recent clinical observations demonstrate that the incidence of CDI is also increasing in the community and occurs without previously established risk factors. With the recent emergence of epidemic strains of C. difficile, such as BI/NAP1/027, the severity of the CDI has increased in the North America, as well as in other parts of the world. The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), in …

Proximate Behavioral And Morphological Mechanisms That May Mediate Intraguild Predation Stability In The Anisoptera, Benjamin Thomas Allen

Biology Dissertations - Archive

Intraguild Predation (IGP) is a form of interference competition characterized by an intraguild predator consuming interspecific competitors, the intraguild prey. This interaction is extremely common in nature, but mechanistic and descriptive models usually predict that it is unstable with either the IG prey or IG predator becoming locally extinct, dependent on initial conditions. Only intermediate shared prey availability leads to IGP stability in these models, and this condition is not common. In this work, I used dragonfly nymphs to examine behavioral and morphological aspects of consumptive competition and predator avoidance that may act to stabilize IGP, particularly in systems with …