Biology Commons^™

A Comparison Of The Trojan Y Chromosome Strategy To Harvesting Models For Eradication Of Non-Native Species, Jingjing Lyu, Pamela J. Schofield, Kristen M. Reaver, Matthew Beauregard, Rana D. Parshad

Faculty Publications

The Trojan Y Chromosome Strategy (TYC) is a promising eradication method for biological control of non-native species. The strategy works by manipulating the sex ratio of a population through the introduction of supermales that guarantee male offspring. In the current manuscript, we compare the TYC method with a pure harvesting strategy. We also analyze a hybrid harvesting model that mirrors the TYC strategy. The dynamic analysis leads to results on stability of solutions and bifurcations of the model. Several conclusions about the different strategies are established via optimal control methods. In particular, the results affirm that either a pure harvesting …

Integrated Pest Management In The Academic Small Greenhouse Setting: A Case Study Using Solanum Spp. (Solanaceae)., Daniel S. Hayes, Ingrid E. Jordon-Thaden, Jason T. Cantley, Angela J. Mcdonnell, Christopher T. Martine

Faculty Journal Articles

Premise

Botanical faculty and staff at academic institutions are often tasked with establishing and/or caring for plant collections held in small greenhouse facilities. Once plants are in place, an especially acute challenge is managing plant pest/pathogen populations. Integrated pest management (IPM) approaches are an excellent option, but few examples exist in the literature of successful programs that have been developed in academic small greenhouse settings.

Methods and Results

Over several years, we developed an IPM program for two small research greenhouses on the campus of a primarily undergraduate institution where hundreds of plants have been grown for studies in the …

A Comparison Of Drone Imagery And Groundbased Methods For Estimating The Extent Of Habitat Destruction By Lesser Snow Geese (Anser Caerulescens Caerulescens) In La Pérouse Bay, Andrew F. Barnas, Brian J. Darby, Gregory S. Vandeberg, Robert F. Rockwell, Susan N. Ellis-Felege

Biology Faculty Publications

Lesser snow goose (Anser caerulescens caerulescens) populations have dramatically altered vegetation communities through increased foraging pressure. In remote regions, regular habitat assessments are logistically challenging and time consuming. Drones are increasingly being used by ecologists to conduct habitat assessments, but reliance on georeferenced data as ground truth may not always be feasible. We estimated goose habitat degradation using photointerpretation of drone imagery and compared estimates to those made with ground-based linear transects. In July 2016, we surveyed five study plots in La Pérouse Bay, Manitoba, to evaluate the effectiveness of a fixed-wing drone with simple Red Green Blue …

Engineering Dna Recognition And Allosteric Response Properties Of Tetr Family Proteins By Using A Module-Swapping Strategy, Rey P. Dimas, Benjamin R. Jordan, Xian-Li Jiang, Catherine Martini, Joseph S. Glavy, Dustin P. Patterson, Faruck Morcos, Clement T.Y. Chan

Biology Faculty Publications and Presentations

The development of synthetic biological systems requires modular biomolecular components to flexibly alter response pathways. In previous studies, we have established a module-swapping design principle to engineer allosteric response and DNA recognition properties among regulators in the LacI family, in which the engineered regulators served as effective components for implementing new cellular behavior. Here we introduced this protein engineering strategy to two regulators in the TetR family: TetR (UniProt Accession ID: P04483) and MphR (Q9EVJ6). The TetR DNA-binding module and the MphR ligand-binding module were used to create the TetR-MphR. This resulting hybrid regulator possesses DNA-binding properties of TetR and …

Leveraging Synthetic Root-Soil Systems To Quantify Relationships Between Plant Traits And The Formation Of Soil Organic Carbon, Bonnie G. Waring

Funded Research Records

No abstract provided.

The Influence Of Signaling Conspecific And Heterospecific Neighbors On Eavesdropper Pressure, Paula A. Trillo, Christopher S. Benson, Michael S. Caldwell, Tiffany L. Lam, Oliver H. Pickering, David M. Logue

Biology Faculty Publications

The study of tradeoffs between the attraction of mates and the attraction of eavesdropping predators and parasites has generally focused on a single species of prey, signaling in isolation. In nature, however, animals often signal from mixed-species aggregations, where interactions with heterospecific group members may be an important mechanism modulating tradeoffs between sexual and natural selection, and thus driving signal evolution. Although studies have shown that conspecific signalers can influence eavesdropper pressure on mating signals, the effects of signaling heterospecifics on eavesdropper pressure, and on the balance between natural and sexual selection, are likely to be different. Here, we review …

Parr Going The Distance: How Migratory Difficulty Influences Red Muscle Lipid Storage In Juvenile Oncorhynchus Mykiss, Emily Jean Morse

Dissertations and Theses

Adult salmonid populations embarking on difficult migrations have evolved to store more somatic energy prior to river entry. While it is known that lipids are the primary fuel for endurance swimming in fish, uncertainty still surrounds how these mechanisms are utilized by juvenile fish during seaward migration. A key phase in salmonid migration is the preparatory season of feeding and growth before swimming downstream. During this period, juvenile fish build somatic fuel stores through dietary uptake. Intestinal microbiota of steelhead trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) vary drastically across their geographic range, with significant differences in the coastal and inland subspecies' …

Expanding Beyond Carnivores To Improve Livestock Protection And Conservation, Shari L. Rodriguez, Christie Sampson

Publications

Promoting human–wildlife coexistence is critical to the long-term conservation of many wild animal species that come into conflict with humans. Loss of livestock to carnivore species (e.g., lions, tigers, wolves) is a well-documented occurrence and the focus of mitigation strategies around the world. One area that has received little research is the impact of noncarnivores on livestock. Both African and Asian elephant species are known to cause livestock injuries and deaths. Livestock owners within elephant ranges perceive elephants as a risk to their livestock, which may reduce their tolerance towards elephants and jeopardize conservation efforts in the area. Though feral …

Osmoregulation And Salinity Preference In Juvenile Sandbar Sharks (Carcharhinus Plumbeus) In Winyah Bay, Sc, Usa, Jessica Wingar

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Juvenile sandbar sharks (Carcharhinus plumbeus) have been caught in salinities ranging from 7 – 40. In Winyah Bay, a partially mixed estuary in Northeast SC, juvenile sandbar sharks tidally alternate between higher tides in middle bay and lower tides in lower bay. To assess salinity preference and duration in eight acoustically-tagged juvenile sandbar sharks in different salinities, acoustic receivers with salinity loggers were placed throughout Winyah Bay. Juvenile sandbar sharks were caught in salinities from 17.2 to 36.1 and acoustic detections were recorded from 11.5 to 24.7 by salinity loggers in middle bay. Smaller juvenile sandbar sharks used lower salinities, …

Podophyllum Peltatum: Relationship Of Colony Size And Age, Emily Holst, Heidi Keswick, David P. Warners

Student Papers and Reports

No abstract provided.

Kleptoparasitism Of Shoebills Balaeniceps Rex By African Fish Eagles Haliaeetus Vocifer In Western Tanzania, Jasson John, Woo Lee

Tanzania Journal of Science

Kleptoparasitism is a specialised form of foraging interference occurring throughout the animal kingdom and especially is well documented among birds including African fish eagle Haliaeetus vocifer. However, only one record is reported between fish eagle and shoebill Balaeniceps rex despite their habitat overlap and it remains undescribed. This paper documents kleptoparasitism of shoebills by fish eagles in Malagarasi wetlands, western Tanzania. Kleptoparasitism was highly seasonal occurring in the dry season, especially at low floods. Both adults and non-adult eagles stole prey from shoebills, with non-adults initiating attacks at shorter distances than adults perhaps because of the lack of experience. The …

Species Composition, Diversity And Distribution Of Vascular Epiphytes In The Kihansi Gorge Forest, Tanzania, Hashim Mangosongo, Martin Griffiths

Tanzania Journal of Science

This study aimed at assessing the species composition, diversity and distribution of vascular epiphytes in the Kihansi Gorge Forest. Epiphytes sampling was conducted in twenty sampling plots established in the strip of riverine forest within the Kihansi Gorge. All vascular epiphytes growing on trees (phorophytes) rooted in the plots were sampled using ground-based technique as the method of access to the tree canopies.  A total of 476 epiphyte individuals belonging to 20 species and 10 families were recorded in the study area. Among the twenty species recorded, Drynaria laurentii was the most abundant and most widely distributed in the study …

Morphological And Molecular Identification Of Pratylenchus Goodeyi Associated With Banana In Tanzania, Doreen Mgonja, Gladness Temu, Magreth Mziray, Beatrice Kashando, Ambilikile Mwenisongole, Minza Masunga, Sylvester Lyantagaye4, Nessie Luambano

Tanzania Journal of Science

Banana (Musa sp. [L]) is an important staple food and cash crop for about 30 percent of the total population in Tanzania. Root lesion nematodes, particularly Pratylenchus goodeyi, are among the major pests affecting banana production in Tanzania. Morphological, morphometric and molecular approaches are required for accurate identification of nematodes. In this study, 80 P. goodeyi isolates from major banana growing areas in Tanzania were identified. Sequence analysis of part of the small subunit (SSU), large subunit (LSU) and internal transcribed spacers (ITS) regions of ribosomal DNA (rDNA) confirmed the identity of P. goodeyi. DNA sequences were analysed using Geneious …

Prediction Of Wind Power Density For Electricity Generation At Makambako, Tanzania Using Auto-Regression Integrated Moving Average (Arima) Model, Josam Samson, Reuben Kainkwa

Tanzania Journal of Science

Wind speed data used in this study were from Makambako and were recorded at a height of 10 m. In the analysis, the data were extrapolated to 80 m above ground level and wind speed from July to November were found to have an average value of 17.58 m/s. November was found to be the windiest month for the whole duration while the calm month was found to be March. The wind power density was found to be highest in the month of November for the whole study duration. The months of July to November have higher wind power density …

The Impact Of Soil Water Storage Capacity On Species-Specific Forb Establishment In Cp42 Fields, Ervina Tabakovic, Mark Sherrard, Kathleen Madsen, Allison Eagan

Summer Undergraduate Research Program (SURP) Symposium

The loss of tallgrass prairie habitat has negatively impacted North American pollinator communities. To combat this loss, the Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) created Conservation Practice (CP) 42 to establish new pollinator habitat on the landscape. A two-year vegetation survey of CP42 sites in Iowa revealed high variability in overall quality (e.g., the ratio of sown forb-to-weed stems ranged from 9:1 to 1:9 across sites ). To examine potential causes of this variability, we assessed whether soil water storage capacity and corn suitability rating influence species-specific forb establishment in 35 surveyed CP42 fields. We estimated forb establishment for the seven most …

Stormwater Capture Via Green Infrastructure In The Plaster Creek Watershed, Kyle Dankert, Ana Singh, Deanna Geelhoed, David P. Warners

Student Papers and Reports

No abstract provided.

Hummingbirds Budget Energy Flexibly In Response To Changing Resources, Anusha Shankar, Catherine H. Graham, Joseph R. Canepa, Susan M. Wethington, Don Powers

Faculty Publications - Department of Biological & Molecular Science

1. A key component of individual fitness is the ability to manage energy stores in response to variable resource availability, but because directly measuring energy budgets is difficult, daily energy management is rarely measured.
2. Hummingbirds' energy management is relatively simple to model compared to other endotherms because they have high mass‐specific metabolic rates and store little fat.
3. We determined which aspects of the hummingbird daily energy budget (i.e. thermoregulation, daytime activity costs, night‐time costs) change at the individual level in response to environmental variation.
4. We found that daily energy expenditure varied threefold in two populations of broad‐billed hummingbirds (Cynanthus latirostris …

Life Is In The Blood, Alan L. Gillen, Jason Conrad

Faculty Publications and Presentations

It takes about 60 seconds for all the blood in your body to complete its journey. It travels from your heart to your extremities and returns, there and back again. Blood moves with the rapid current of the great arterial rivers and through the smallest capillary creeks. William Harvey first noticed circulation (1628) through the heart into arteries and veins; however, he could not see how they connected since he did not have a microscope. The man who first described this was Anton van Leeuwenhoek about 46 years later (1674). Then, J. J. Lister and Thomas Hodgkin described the rouleaux …

The Search Of Ancient Life Through The Use Of Geologic Samples, Amber Paturzo

STAR Program Research Presentations

The Astrobiogeochemistry Laboratory (abcLab) is interested in exploring molecular and mineralogical biosignatures in ancient and recent Earth samples to provide evidence of early signs of life. Currently, in the abcLab, scientists are utilizing a lipid biomarker extraction and analysis method to remove organic material from geologic samples taken from several sites around the world including Australia, the United States and West Wales. This study focuses primarily on samples collected from the Mochras borehole on the Cardigan Bay Basin, West Wales, dating back to the Early Jurassic to identify biomarkers such as hopanes (derived from prokaryotes) and steranes (derived from eukaryotes) …

Seed And Seedling Data From Sugarcreek Metropark Restoration Experiment, Michaela J. Woods, Meredith Cobb, Ryan W. Mcewan

Five Rivers MetroParks Collaboration Data Archive

This dataset encompasses information following seed germination and seedling growth of three tree species: Quercus rubra, Juglans cinerea, and Carya laciniosa. Seed sizes were recorded prior to incubation in sand, vermiculite, or without media. Seeds were then germinated with time to germination recorded in this dataset. After germination, seedlings were planted in Sugarcreek Metropark in either fall 2011 or spring 2012. One-half of seedlings were planted in tree tubes and a half without. Seedling height and diameter was recorded in June 2014 and March 2019, and death of seedlings was noted.

Glycolic Acid Utilization In Two Species Of Marine Bacteria, Erik S. Timsak

STAR Program Research Presentations

Interactions between bacteria and phytoplankton are crucial for the cycling of organic matter in marine environments. Around 50% of organic carbon taken up by marine bacteria is converted into inorganic carbon. The uptake of organic carbon by marine bacteria exuded from phytoplankton is a key factor in regulating the marine carbon cycle. One such molecule that is exuded by phytoplankton and then uptaken by marine bacteria is called glycolate - the anion of glycolic acid, a two caron molecule. Glycolate is exuded by phytoplankton during photorespiration and 10-50% of dissolved organic carbon in marine environments is comprised of glycolate. Additionally, …

Abundance And Community Composition Of Invasive Intertidal Watersipora On The San Francisco Bay Area Outer Coast, Kevin Myron, Meredtyh Duncan, Jaden Stone, C. Sarah Cohen

STAR Program Research Presentations

Invasive species can lead to serious ecological changes. The San Francisco Bay area is one of the most invaded areas in the world due to the commercial shipping industry and recreational water vessels. While the intertidal is not widely invaded, the harbors and docks are. One exception to this is the invasive, colonial filter-feeding bryozoan Watersipora, which has been found at various rocky outer coast sites. Further investigation into how the sites are invaded by this organism and their impact on native species must be carried out. In this project, at four intertidal sites around the SF Bay outflow, we …

Smaller Classes Promote Equitable Student Participation In Stem, Cissy J. Ballen, Stepfanie M. Aguillon, Azza Awwad, Anne E. Bjune, Daniel Challou, Abby Grace Drake, Michelle Driessen, Aziza Ellozy, Vivian E. Ferry, Emma E. Goldberg, William Harcombe, Steve Jensen, Christian Jørgensen, Zoe Koth, Suzanne Mcgaugh, Caroline Mitry, Bryan Mosher, Hoda Mostafa, Renee H. Petipas, Paula A.G. Soneral, Shana Watters, Deena Wassenberg, Stacey L. Weiss, Azariah Yonas, Kelly R. Zamudio, Sehoya Cotner

Biological Sciences Faculty Publications

As science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) classrooms in higher education transition from lecturing to active learning, the frequency of student interactions in class increases. Previous research documents a gender bias in participation, with women participating less than would be expected on the basis of their numeric proportions. In the present study, we asked which attributes of the learning environment contribute to decreased female participation: The abundance of in-class interactions, the diversity of interactions, the proportion of women in class, the instructor's gender, the class size, and whether the course targeted lower division (first and second year) or upper division …

Heavy Metal-Induced Oxidative Stress On Seed Germination And Seedling Development: A Critical Review, Mihiri Seneviratne, Nishanta Rajakaruna, Muhammad Rizwan, H. M. S. P. Madawala, Yong Sik Ok, Meththika Vithanage

Biological Sciences

Heavy metal contamination in soils can influence plants and animals, often leading to toxicosis. Heavy metals can impact various biochemical processes in plants, including enzyme and antioxidant production, protein mobilization and photosynthesis. Hydrolyzing enzymes play a major role in seed germination. Enzymes such as acid phosphatases, proteases and α-amylases are known to facilitate both seed germination and seedling growth via mobilizing nutrients in the endosperm. In the presence of heavy metals, starch is immobilized and nutrient sources become limited. Moreover, a reduction in proteolytic enzyme activity and an increase in protein and amino acid content can be observed under heavy …

Expression And Function Of Nesfatin-1 Are Altered By Stage Of The Estrous Cycle, Alicia T. Pate, Abigayle L. Schnell, Teresa A. Ennis, Willis K. Samson, Gina L.C. Yosten

Biological Sciences Faculty Research & Creative Works

Nesfatin-1 is a peptide derived from the nucleo-bindin 2 (Nucb2) precursor protein that has been shown to exert potent effects on appetite and cardiovascular function in male animals. Sex hormones modulate the expression of Nucb2 in several species, including goldfish, mouse, and rat, and human studies have revealed differential expression based on male or female sex. We therefore hypothesized that the ability of nesfatin-1 to increase mean arterial pressure (MAP) would be influenced by stage of the estrous cycle. Indeed, we found that in cycling female Sprague-Dawley rats, nesfa-tin-1 induced an increase in MAP on diestrus, when both estrogen and …

[Accepted Article Manuscript Version (Postprint)] Metabolic Alterations In The Enoyl-Coa Hydratase 2 Mutant Disrupt Peroxisomal Pathways In Seedlings, Bethany Zolman, Ying Li, Yu Liu

Biology Department Faculty Works

Mobilization of seed storage compounds, such as starch and oil, is required to provide energy and metabolic building blocks during seedling development. Over 50% of fatty acids in Arabidopsis (Arabidopsis thaliana) seed oil have a cis-double bond on an even-numbered carbon. Degradation of these substrates requires peroxisomal fatty acid β-oxidation plus additional enzyme activities. Such auxiliary enzymes, including the enoyl-CoA hydratase ECH2, convert (R)-3-hydroxyacyl-CoA intermediates to the core β-oxidation substrate (S)-3-hydroxyacyl-CoA. ECH2 was suggested to function in the peroxisomal conversion of indole-3-butyric acid (IBA) to indole-3-acetic acid, because ech2 seedlings have altered IBA responses. The underlying mechanism connecting ECH2 activity …

Heat Activation Of Bacillus Anthracis Persists Over A Seven Day Period, Nathan T. Ross

Master's Theses

Bacteria of the Bacillus genera are capable of forming dormant and resilient cells called spores in response to starvation. Spores can break dormancy in the presence of nutrients in a process called germination. Historically, spores are exposed to sublethal heat treatments to increase the extent and rate of germination. This process is known as heat activation (HA). Previous studies on Bacillus species indicate the effects of HA are reversible after 72 hours. After this time period, the spores must be reactivated. However, spores of Bacillus anthracis, a member of the Bacillus family, have not been tested to see how long …

Green Team: Ecological Restoration Of Plaster Creek, Yeri Kim, Benjamin Steenwyk, Rachel Warners, David P. Warners, Gail Heffner

Student Papers and Reports

No abstract provided.

Functional Analysis Of Nuclear-Encoded Mitochondrial Gene Duplicates With Testis-Biased Expression In Drosophila Melanogaster, Mohammadmehdi M. Eslamieh

Biology Dissertations - Archive

Most of the genes encoding proteins that function in the mitochondria are located in the nucleus and are called nuclear-encoded mitochondrial genes (N-mt genes). In Drosophila melanogaster, most of the tissue-specific duplicated N-mt genes have acquired testis-biased expression. These genes appear to be older and relocated more often than other duplicated genes and have energy-related functions. These patterns reveal strong selection for the retention of new genes for male germline mitochondrial functions. Maternal inheritance of mitochondria and male-male competition for fertilization are two common forces that might drive changes in mitochondrial functions. We analyzed N-mt genes in the human genome …

Stress Responses Of Corals And Their Symbiotic Partners, Contessa A. Ricci

Biology Dissertations - Archive

Disease and temperature are primary threats to coral persistence, and these stresses can work synergistically to accelerate coral declines. In the face of climate change, understanding the effects of these stresses is key to understanding ecosystem services of future reefs. Corals are an amalgam of the coral animal, an intracellular dinoflagellate symbiont (family Symbiodiniaceae), and a consortium of other symbiotic microbes that exist in the coral surface mucus layer. As such, it is important to consider the role of each component. It is also important to view any coral study through the lens of immunity, as the existence of these …