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2019

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Articles 511 - 540 of 1905

Full-Text Articles in Biology

Molecular Phylogeny Provides New Insights On The Taxonomy And Composition Of Lyperosomum Looss, 1899 (Digenea, Dicrocoeliidae) And Related Genera, Joanna Hildebrand, Ewa Pyrka, Jiljí Sitko, Witold Jeżewski, Grzegorz Zaleśny, Vasyl V. Tkach, Zdzisław Laskowski Aug 2019

Molecular Phylogeny Provides New Insights On The Taxonomy And Composition Of Lyperosomum Looss, 1899 (Digenea, Dicrocoeliidae) And Related Genera, Joanna Hildebrand, Ewa Pyrka, Jiljí Sitko, Witold Jeżewski, Grzegorz Zaleśny, Vasyl V. Tkach, Zdzisław Laskowski

Biology Faculty Publications

Lyperosomum Looss, 1899 is one of the largest genera of the Dicrocoeliidae and is one of the best examples of the systematic complexity and taxonomic instability within this family. We present the molecular analyses based on novel sequences of nuclear and mitochondrial genes obtained from 56 isolates of adult flukes and larval stages of dicrocoeliids belonging to Lyperosomum, Skrjabinus, Zonorchis as well as previously available sequence data. According to obtained results we propose to return Zonorchis clathratus and Z. petiolatus into Lyperosomum, and to recognize L. alagesi as a synonym of L. petiolatum. Our study shows that L. petiolatum commonly …


Maladaptation In Feral And Domesticated Animals, Eben Gering, Darren Incorvaia, R. Henriksen, Dominic Wright Aug 2019

Maladaptation In Feral And Domesticated Animals, Eben Gering, Darren Incorvaia, R. Henriksen, Dominic Wright

Biology Faculty Articles

Selection regimes and population structures can be powerfully changed by domestication and feralization, and these changes can modulate animal fitness in both captive and natural environments. In this review, we synthesize recent studies of these two processes and consider their impacts on organismal and population fitness. Domestication and feralization offer multiple windows into the forms and mechanisms of maladaptation. Firstly, domestic and feral organisms that exhibit suboptimal traits or fitness allow us to identify their underlying causes within tractable research systems. This has facilitated significant progress in our general understandings of genotype–phenotype relationships, fitness trade‐offs, and the roles of population …


Space Use And Nesting Ecology Of Common Ravens (Corvus Corax) In Central Washignton State, Brandon A. Rossi Aug 2019

Space Use And Nesting Ecology Of Common Ravens (Corvus Corax) In Central Washignton State, Brandon A. Rossi

Master of Biology Theses

The ecology and space use of Common ravens (Corvus corax; hereafter ravens) is not well understood in the shrub-steppe of central Washington State. Raven populations have increased by more than 254% since 1990 in Washington State (North American Breeding Bird Survey; www.mbr-pwrc.usgs.gov/bbs/). Ravens in central Washington are implicated as top predators of a small endemic population of greater sage-grouse (Centrocercus urophasianus). Researchers have related increased raven populations to anthropogenic subsidies such as landfills, agriculture, and livestock operations. Analyzing movement can help researchers understand the characteristics of habitat that are important and potentially drive population fluctuations. We found that daily and …


Inhibition Of L. Monocytogenes Biofilm Formation By The Amidase Domain Of The Phage Vb_Lmos_293 Endolysin, Vincenzo Pennone, Marta Sanz-Gaitero, Paula O’Connor, Aidan Coffey, Kieran Jordan, Mark J. Van Raaij, Olivia Mcauliffe Aug 2019

Inhibition Of L. Monocytogenes Biofilm Formation By The Amidase Domain Of The Phage Vb_Lmos_293 Endolysin, Vincenzo Pennone, Marta Sanz-Gaitero, Paula O’Connor, Aidan Coffey, Kieran Jordan, Mark J. Van Raaij, Olivia Mcauliffe

Department of Biological Sciences Publications

© 2019 by the authors. Licensee MDPI, Basel, Switzerland. Listeria monocytogenes is a ubiquitous Gram-positive bacterium that is a major concern for food business operators because of its pathogenicity and ability to form biofilms in food production environments. Bacteriophages (phages) have been evaluated as biocontrol agents for L. monocytogenes in a number of studies and, indeed, certain phages have been approved for use as anti-listerial agents in food processing environments (ListShield and PhageGuard Listex). Endolysins are proteins produced by phages in the host cell. They cleave the peptidoglycan cell wall, thus allowing release of progeny phage into the environment. In …


Seed Predation By Owyhee Harvester Ants And The Potential Of Seed Introductions In Recovery Efforts For Slickspot Peppergrass, Jennifer A. Brown Aug 2019

Seed Predation By Owyhee Harvester Ants And The Potential Of Seed Introductions In Recovery Efforts For Slickspot Peppergrass, Jennifer A. Brown

Boise State University Theses and Dissertations

Slickspot peppergrass (Lepidium papilliferum) is a rare plant endemic to the sagebrush-steppe habitat in southwestern Idaho. Within sagebrush-steppe, the plant is restricted to microsites known as “slick spots”– shallow depressions of soil characterized by distinct clay layers and surface water retention that is higher than that of surrounding areas. Having one of the highest extirpation rates among rare plant taxa in Idaho, and considering its unique habitat requirements, limited range, and declining numbers, land managers and conservationists have voiced concern regarding the species’ long-term viability. While range-wide declines in slickspot peppergrass have been attributed largely to the loss …


The Effects Of Urbanization On Avian Seed Dispersal Success Of Toxicodendron Radicans (Anacardiaceae), Aiden M. Stanley Aug 2019

The Effects Of Urbanization On Avian Seed Dispersal Success Of Toxicodendron Radicans (Anacardiaceae), Aiden M. Stanley

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Urbanization is increasing at a dramatic rate as the human population increases. While it is well-known that urbanization tends to decrease species diversity (i.e., biotic homogenization), it is not known how urbanization affects the frequency and efficiency of species interactions. Seed dispersal is a plant-animal interaction that depends on disperser feeding rate, disperser diversity, probability of seed dispersal and germination. How these factors are affected by urbanization however is unknown. In this study, we evaluate how urbanization alters these factors. Urban sites had 2x higher feeding rate and 3x higher number of disperser species. The probability of seed dispersal however …


Does Thermotolerance In Daphnia Depend On The Mitochondrial Function?, Rajib Hasan Aug 2019

Does Thermotolerance In Daphnia Depend On The Mitochondrial Function?, Rajib Hasan

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Thermotolerance limit in aquatic organism is set by the ability to sustain aerobic scope to sudden temperature shifts. This study tested the genetic and plastic differences in thermotolerance of Daphnia that can be explained by the differences in the ability to retain mitochondrial integrity at high temperatures. Five genotypes with different biogeographic origins were acclimated to 18ᵒC and 25ᵒC. We developed a rhodamine 123 in-vivo assay to measure mitochondrial membrane potential and observed higher fluorescent in heat damaged tissues as the disruption of the mitochondrial membrane potential. Significant effects on temperature tolerance were observed with CCCP …


Role Of C-Met And Egfr In Acquired Resistance To Parp Inhibitors In Triple-Negative Breast Cancer, Clinton Yam Aug 2019

Role Of C-Met And Egfr In Acquired Resistance To Parp Inhibitors In Triple-Negative Breast Cancer, Clinton Yam

Dissertations and Theses (Open Access)

Triple-negative breast cancer is associated with a poor prognosis and treatment options are limited. The Poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase (PARP) inhibitors, olaparib and talazoparib, were recently approved for metastatic breast cancer (including triple-negative breast cancer) in patients with a germline BRCA1/2 mutation. Despite impressive response rates of ~60%, the prolongation in median progression-free survival with PARP inhibitors is modest, suggesting the emergence of resistance. We previously demonstrated that c-MET contributes to intrinsic resistance to PARP inhibitors in triple-negative breast cancer. However, whether c-MET plays a role in acquired resistance to PARP inhibitors in triple-negative breast cancer remains unclear. Here, we show …


Obscurin Mediates Ankyrin Complex Formation In The Heart, Janani Subramaniam Aug 2019

Obscurin Mediates Ankyrin Complex Formation In The Heart, Janani Subramaniam

Dissertations and Theses (Open Access)

Distinctly organized domains of receptors, ion channels, transporters, signaling molecules, cell adhesion molecules, and contractile proteins are crucial to cardiac function. Interactions between adaptor proteins such as ankyrins and cytoskeletal proteins such as obscurin play a pivotal role in organizing these functional domains in cardiomyocytes. Therefore, dysfunction of both ankyrin as well as obscurin lead to a host of cardiovascular diseases such as arrhythmias and cardiomyopathies. Alternative splicing of ankyrin yields numerous isoforms that interact with obscurin at various sub-cellular domains. And while some of these obscurin-ankyrin complexes have been studied, many others have not been characterized. Further, previous studies …


Investigating The Role Of Cd109 In Pancreatic Ductal Adenocarcinoma, Mennatallah Shaheen Aug 2019

Investigating The Role Of Cd109 In Pancreatic Ductal Adenocarcinoma, Mennatallah Shaheen

Dissertations and Theses (Open Access)

Pancreatic Ductal Adenocarcinoma (PDAC) is the 3rd leading cause of cancer death in the US. We performed loss of function genomic screening on a cohort of four patient derived PDAC cell populations and our data shows a cell surface receptor CD109 to be a common vulnerability, the biologic role of which in PDAC is yet unstudied and largely unknown. We hypothesized that CD109 expression provides PDAC cells with a survival advantage, and promotes cancer progression through activation of downstream signaling. We believe therefore that targeting CD109 could improve PDAC patients’ survival. Here we report that CD109 plays a role in …


A Csra-Binding, Trans-Acting Srna Of Coxiella Burnetii Is Necessary For Optimal Intracellular Growth And Vacuole Formation During Early Infection Of Host Cells, Shaun Wachter, Matteo Bonazzi,, Kyle Shifflett, Abraham Moses, Rahul Raghavan, Michael F. Minnick Aug 2019

A Csra-Binding, Trans-Acting Srna Of Coxiella Burnetii Is Necessary For Optimal Intracellular Growth And Vacuole Formation During Early Infection Of Host Cells, Shaun Wachter, Matteo Bonazzi,, Kyle Shifflett, Abraham Moses, Rahul Raghavan, Michael F. Minnick

Biology Faculty Publications and Presentations

Coxiella burnetii is an obligate intracellular gammaproteobacterium and zoonotic agent of Q fever. We previously identified 15 small non-coding RNAs (sRNAs) of C. burnetii. One of them, CbsR12 (Coxiella b urnetii small RNA 12), is highly transcribed during axenic growth and becomes more prominent during infection of cultured mammalian cells. Secondary structure predictions of CbsR12 revealed four putative CsrA-binding sites in stem loops with consensus AGGA/ANGGA motifs. We subsequently determined that CbsR12 binds to recombinant C. burnetii CsrA-2, but not CsrA-1, proteins in vitro. Moreover, through a combination of in vitro and cell …


Temperature Influence On Insecticide Resistance In Aedes Aegypti And Aedes Albopictus Mosquitoes From South Texas, Wendy Soledad Salinas Aug 2019

Temperature Influence On Insecticide Resistance In Aedes Aegypti And Aedes Albopictus Mosquitoes From South Texas, Wendy Soledad Salinas

Theses and Dissertations

Aedes aegypti and Aedes albopictus are vectors for several emerging arboviruses including Zika, chikungunya and dengue. Both mosquitoes are found along the Rio Grande River in South Texas, along the border between Mexico and the United States of America. These mosquito species typically reside near human settlements. A preventative measure public health official use to help halt the spread of diseases is by controlling vector population with the use of insecticides, but as temperature vary, and with the constant exposure to commonly used insecticides, mosquitoes from South Texas may be developing a resistance to the insecticides. Resistance to insecticides may …


Quantifying The Predictability Of Evolution At The Genomic Level In Lycaeides Butterflies, Samridhi Chaturvedi Aug 2019

Quantifying The Predictability Of Evolution At The Genomic Level In Lycaeides Butterflies, Samridhi Chaturvedi

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

Stephen Jay Gould, a great scientist and evolutionary biologists, suggested that if we could replay the tape of life, we would not have observed similar course of events because evolution is stochastic and if affected by several events. Since then, the possibility that evolution is repeatable or predictable has been debated. Studies using large-scale evolution experiments, long-term data for individual populations, and controlled experiments in nature, have demonstrated phenotypic and genetic convergence in several taxa. These studies suggest that despite some randomness, predictable evolutionary patterns can emerge on a large temporal and spatial scale. However, a few cases also exist …


Pollinator Networks In Established Urban Prairies Compared To Rural Remnant Prairies, Amanda Lynn Coleman Aug 2019

Pollinator Networks In Established Urban Prairies Compared To Rural Remnant Prairies, Amanda Lynn Coleman

Graduate Theses/Dissertations

Prairies support over 800 species of plants, insects, birds, fish, and mammals, even though only 1% of remnant prairies remain in the United States. Importantly, urban prairie “gardens/plots” are gaining popularity for their ecological services. However, it is not known to what extent these small urban prairies can sustain the plant-pollinator interactions that are vital to both the insects and the plants. The goal of my research was to examine plant/pollinator interactions in three urban prairies in southwest Missouri and compare them to rural prairies because rural prairies were predicted to have stronger plant/pollinator networks. Rural units were: Woods Prairie, …


Sequence Analysis Of The Ren1 Genomic Region From The Grapevine ‘Kishmish Vatkana’, Dani Joseph Aug 2019

Sequence Analysis Of The Ren1 Genomic Region From The Grapevine ‘Kishmish Vatkana’, Dani Joseph

Graduate Theses/Dissertations

The REN1 region of the grapevine ‘Kishmish Vatkana’ was mapped as the locus that confers resistance to the economically important disease, grape powdery mildew. The purpose of this work was to extend the nucleotide sequence information of this region. By sequencing a heretofore unknown bacterial artificial chromosome clone, the sequence information of this region was extended by 46,890 nucleotides. Sequencing was performed using the third-generation sequencing method, named Oxford Nanopore Technology (ONT). In order to improve the accuracy of the sequence data, a modified ONT library preparation method was developed. ONT sequencing of a library prepared with the modified protocol …


The Effect Of Metal Composition And Particle Size On Nanostructure-Toxicity In Plants, Natalie Lynn Smith Aug 2019

The Effect Of Metal Composition And Particle Size On Nanostructure-Toxicity In Plants, Natalie Lynn Smith

Graduate Theses/Dissertations

Silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) have consistently been shown to have a detrimental effect on bacteria, fungi, and plants. The interaction of AgNPs with plants has received considerable scientific attention, because it is potentially through plants that these structures can enter the food chain and bioaccumulate in humans and animals. To determine the effects of AgNPs on plants, Arabidopsis thaliana seedlings were chronically exposed to sublethal levels of AgNPs using a standardized method. To gain insight on mechanism of phytotoxicity, the seedlings were exposed to low concentrations of Ag+ (in the form of silver nitrate), AgNPs, or gold nanoparticles (AuNPs). To …


Eared Grebe Nesting Ecology And Chronology Along The Great Salt Lake, Utah, Leah M. Delahoussaye Aug 2019

Eared Grebe Nesting Ecology And Chronology Along The Great Salt Lake, Utah, Leah M. Delahoussaye

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

Eared Grebes (Podiceps nigricollis) are migratory birds that build their nests over water and in large groups called colonies. Their typical breeding range is in central southern Canada and northern United States; however, a previously uncertain number of Eared Grebes (grebes) also nest around the Great Salt Lake (GSL), Utah, at the southern edge of their breeding range. Little is known about the habitat requirements for grebe nesting colonies at such low latitudes and if they are different from colonies found elsewhere. My objectives for this research were to determine the status of the grebe nesting population as …


Diet, Digestion And Energy Intake In Captive Common Marmosets (Callithrix Jacchus): Research And Management Implications, Michael L. Power, Jessica Adams, Kirsten Solonika, Ricki J. Colman, Corinna N. Ross, Suzette D. Tardif Aug 2019

Diet, Digestion And Energy Intake In Captive Common Marmosets (Callithrix Jacchus): Research And Management Implications, Michael L. Power, Jessica Adams, Kirsten Solonika, Ricki J. Colman, Corinna N. Ross, Suzette D. Tardif

Biology Faculty Publications (Archived)

Common marmosets (Callithrix jacchus) are susceptible to intestinal inflammation which leads to chronic diarrhea, weight loss, and vitamin D deficiency. We examined food intake and digestion in three mixed-sex groups of adult marmosets maintained on three commercial base diets. Animals underwent two consecutive 4-day digestion trials. Body mass stayed constant. Feces and diet were assayed for Mn, fat, and gross energy (GE). Apparent digestibility of dry matter (ADDM) was calculated by the total collection method and from dietary and fecal Mn; the methods produced correlated results (r = 0.658, p < 0.001). Apparent digestibility of energy (ADE) was calculated from ADDM and the GE of feces and diet; apparent digestibility of fat (ADfat) was calculated from ADDM and fecal fat. ADDM and ADE varied by diet (p < 0.001). We found poor digesters on all three diets. The concentration of fecal fat was inversely related to ADE (r = −0.729, p < 0.001). High fecal fat (>10%) was associated with ADfat of zero, consistent …


Comparison Of Eight Remnant Tamaulipan Biotic Province Plant Communities In The Lower Rio Grande Valley Using Multivariate Analyses [Comparación De Ocho Comunidades Vegetales Remanentes De La Provincia Biótica Tamaulipeca El Valle Del Río Grande Usando Análisis Multivariada], Raziel I. Flores Aug 2019

Comparison Of Eight Remnant Tamaulipan Biotic Province Plant Communities In The Lower Rio Grande Valley Using Multivariate Analyses [Comparación De Ocho Comunidades Vegetales Remanentes De La Provincia Biótica Tamaulipeca El Valle Del Río Grande Usando Análisis Multivariada], Raziel I. Flores

Theses and Dissertations

The Tamaulipan Biotic Province falls within a biogeographic ecotone between temperate North America, the neotropics and the Chihuahuan Desert, and has consequently been defined as “Tamaulipan brushlands.” No quantitative, comparative study has ever been undertaken on the many and varied plant communities that occur in the region. This study compares eight remnant, primary plant communities to test the null hypothesis that the province comprises a single definable vegetation type. Four 50 x 10 m belt-transects were established at each site and woody plants taller than 1 m were recorded to determine species frequency, density, stratification and dominance. Community diversity was …


Transforming Moss P. Patens With Lignin Peroxidase Through Heterologous Protein Expression., Jesse Lee Rozsa Aug 2019

Transforming Moss P. Patens With Lignin Peroxidase Through Heterologous Protein Expression., Jesse Lee Rozsa

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Lignin peroxidase is an enzyme secreted by white-rot fungi Phanerochaete chrysosporium. Our laboratory is attempting to produce several lignin degrading enzymes in our protein expression system that utilizes the moss, Physcomitrella patens. During our experiments we discovered that this particular species of fungus produces altered splicing variants that are not represented in the previously reported reference sequence. Despite several attempts to produce a positive transformant containing a desired transgene encoding; lignin peroxidase, production of the proper construct eluded our efforts, possibly due to toxic effects associated with lignin peroxidase expression. Our laboratory has created a stepping stone for other laboratories …


Predictive Biomarkers Demonstrating The Effect Of Levels Of Copper And Zinc From Exposure To World Trade Center 9/11 Particulate Matter On Human Esophageal Cells In Vitro, Rossara Nunez Aug 2019

Predictive Biomarkers Demonstrating The Effect Of Levels Of Copper And Zinc From Exposure To World Trade Center 9/11 Particulate Matter On Human Esophageal Cells In Vitro, Rossara Nunez

Theses, Dissertations and Culminating Projects

The World Trade Center Attack on September 11th, 2001 was the largest environmental attack that has ever happened in New York City. In the aftermath of the collapse of the twin towers, many first responders and rescue workers were exposed to the resulting clouds of dust. This toxic material has been shown to be responsible for membrane damage in human lung cells and can possibly become the cause of increased oxidative stress. The underlying factors that produce these findings are thought to the synergistic effects of the many components found within the market street sample. Complete analysis of the heavy …


Adaptation Of A Microbial Detection Array As A Monitoring Tool Revealed The Presence 2 Of Mosquito-Borne Viruses And Insect-Specific Viruses In Field-Collected Mosquitoes, Estelle Martin, Monica K. Boruck, James Thissen, Selene Garcia -Luna, Mona Hwang, Megan R. Wise De Valdez, Crystal J. Jaing, Gabriel L. Hamer, Matthias Frank Jul 2019

Adaptation Of A Microbial Detection Array As A Monitoring Tool Revealed The Presence 2 Of Mosquito-Borne Viruses And Insect-Specific Viruses In Field-Collected Mosquitoes, Estelle Martin, Monica K. Boruck, James Thissen, Selene Garcia -Luna, Mona Hwang, Megan R. Wise De Valdez, Crystal J. Jaing, Gabriel L. Hamer, Matthias Frank

Biology Faculty Publications (Archived)

Several mosquito-borne diseases affecting humans are emerging or re-emerging in the United States. The early detection of pathogens in mosquito populations is essential to prevent and control the spread of these diseases. In this study, we tested the potential applicability of the Lawrence Livermore Microbial Detection Array (LLMDA) to enhance bio-surveillance by detecting microbes present in Aedes aegypti, Aedes albopictus and Culex mosquitoes that are major vector species globally, including in Texas. The sensitivity and reproducibility of the LLMDA was tested in mosquito samples spiked with different concentrations of dengue virus (DENV) revealing a detection limit of >100 but <1000 pfu/mL. Additionally, field-collected mosquitoes from Chicago, Illinois and College Station, Texas of known infection status (West Nile virus (WNV) and Culex flavivirus (CxFLAV) positive) were tested on the LLMDA to confirm its efficiency. Mosquito field samples of unknown infection status, collected in San Antonio, TX and the Lower Rio Grande Valley (LRGV), TX were run on the LLMDA and further confirmed by PCR or qPCR. The analysis of the field samples with the LLMDA revealed the presence of cell fusing agent virus (CFAV) in Ae. …


Emergence Of Oxacillin Resistance In Stealth Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus Aureus Due To Meca Sequence Instability, Richard V. Goering, Erin A. Swartzendriber, Anne E. Obradovich, Isabella A. Tickler, Fred C. Tenover Jul 2019

Emergence Of Oxacillin Resistance In Stealth Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus Aureus Due To Meca Sequence Instability, Richard V. Goering, Erin A. Swartzendriber, Anne E. Obradovich, Isabella A. Tickler, Fred C. Tenover

Biology Faculty Publications

Staphylococcus aureus strains that possess a mecA gene but are phenotypically susceptible to oxacillin and cefoxitin (OS-MRSA) have been recognized for over a decade and are a challenge for diagnostic laboratories. The mechanisms underlying the discrepancy vary from isolate to isolate. We characterized seven OS-MRSA clinical isolates of six different spa types from six different states by whole-genome sequencing to identify the nucleotide sequence changes leading to the OS-MRSA phenotype. The results demonstrated that oxacillin susceptibility was associated with mutations in regions of nucleotide repeats within mecA. Subinhibitory antibiotic exposure selected for secondary mecA mutations that restored oxacillin resistance. …


Ecology Of Upland Snake Communities In Managed Montane Longleaf Pine Habitats Of Georgia, Miranda Gulsby Jul 2019

Ecology Of Upland Snake Communities In Managed Montane Longleaf Pine Habitats Of Georgia, Miranda Gulsby

Master of Science in Integrative Biology Theses

Longleaf pine ecosystem decline in the Southeast United States has led to intensive land management implementation with the goal to benefit both the ecosystem and at-risk species. Addressing at-risk snake populations in these longleaf pine ecosystems, for instance, requires understanding both community and species level ecology of snakes in these managed forests. Data for snakes in the montane (mountain) longleaf pine habitats remains unclear since management practice implementation. Currently, intensive restoration of montane longleaf pine habitats is taking place within two Wildlife Management Areas (WMA) in the Raccoon Creek Watershed of Northwest Georgia, Sheffield and Paulding Forest. These areas differ …


Taxonomy, Species Limits, And Phylogenetic Relationships Of Anoura Gray 1838 (Chiroptera: Phyllostomidae), Camilo Andres Calderon Acevedo Jul 2019

Taxonomy, Species Limits, And Phylogenetic Relationships Of Anoura Gray 1838 (Chiroptera: Phyllostomidae), Camilo Andres Calderon Acevedo

Dissertations

This dissertation addresses several aspects of the diversity and species limits in the nectarivorous bat genus Anoura Gray 1838(Chiroptera: Glossophaginae). Based on morphometric approaches, the current taxonomic arrangement for Anoura includes 8 to 10 species; however, previous taxonomic revisions did not include all closely related species in the genus. In Chapter 1, I investigate the identity of Anoura carishina and its position in the morphospace of the large-bodied Anoura using craniodental and external variables. I analyze traits thought to be diagnostic for these species, including 1) an elliptical Fourier transformation analysis of the shape of the third upper premolar …


Global Spatial Risk Assessment Of Sharks Under The Footprint Of Fisheries, Nuno Queiroz, Nicolas E. Humphries, Ana Couto, Marisa Vedor, Ivo Da Costa, Ana M. M. Sequeira, Gonzalo Mucientes, Antonio M. Santos, Francisco J. Abascal, Debra L. Abercrombie, Katya Abrantes, David Acuna-Marrero, Andre S. Afonso, Darrell Anders, Gonzalo Araujo, Randall Arauz, Pascal Bach, Adam Barnett, Diego Bernal, Michael L. Berumen, Sandra Bessudo Lion, Natalia P. A. Bezerra, Antonin V. Blaison, Barbara A. Block, Mark E. Bond, Russell W. Bradford, Camrin D. Braun, Edward J. Brooks, Annabelle Brooks, Judith Brown, Barry D. Bruce, Michael Byrne, Steven E. Campana, Aaron B. Carlisle, Demian D. Chapman, Taylor K. Chapple, John Chisholm, Christopher R. Clarke, Erik G. Clua, Jesse E. M. Cochran, Estelle C. Crochelet, Laurent Dagorn, Ryan Daly, Daniel Devia Cortes, Thomas K. Doyle, Michael Drew, Clinton A. J. Duffy, Thor Erikson, Eduardo Espinoza, Luciana C. Ferreira, Francesco Ferretti, John D. Filmalter, G. Chris Fischer, Richard Fitzpatrick, Jorge Fontes, Fabian Forget, Mark Fowler, Malcolm P. Francis, Austin J. Gallagher, Enrico Gennari, Simon D. Goldsworthy, Matthew J. Gollock, Jonathan R. Green, Johan A. Gustafson, Tristan L. Guttridge, Hector M. Guzman, Neil Hammerschlag, Luke Harman, Fabio H.V. Hazin, Matthew Heard, Alex R. Hearn, John C. Holdsworth, Bonnie J. Holmes, Lucy A. Howey-Jordan, Mauricio Hoyos, Robert E. Hueter, Nigel E. Hussey, Charlie Huveneers, Dylan T. Irion, David M. P. Jacoby, Oliver J. D. Jewell, Ryan Johnson, Lance K. B. Jordan, Salvador J. Jorgensen, Warren Joyce, Clare A. Keating Daly, James T. Ketchum, A. Peter Klimley, Alison A. Kock, Pieter Koen, Felipe Ladino, Fernanda O. Lana, James S. E. Lea, Fiona Llewellyn, Warrick S. Lyon, Anna Macdonnell, Bruno C. L. Macena, Heather Marshall, Jaime D. Mcallister, Rory Mcauley, Michael A. Meyer, John J. Morris, Emily R. Nelson, Yannis P. Papastamatiou, Toby A. Patterson, Cesar Peñaherrera-Palma, Julian G. Pepperell, Simon J. Pierce, Francois Poisson, Lina Maria Quintero, Andrew J. Richardson, Paul J. Rogers, Christoph A. Rohner, David R. L. Rowat, Melita Samoilys, Jayson M. Semmens, Marcus Sheaves, George Shillinger, Mahmood S. Shivji, Sarika Singh, Gregory B. Skomal, Malcolm J. Smale, Laurenne B. Snyders, German Soler, Marc Soria, Kilian M. Stehfest, John D. Stevens, Simon R. Thorrold, Mariana T. Tolotti, Alison Towner, Paulo Travassos, John P. Tyminski, Frederic Vandeperre, Jeremy Vaudo, Yuuki Y. Watanabe, Sam B. Weber, Bradley M. Wetherbee, Timothy D. White, Sean Williams, Patricia M. Zarate, Robert Harcourt, Graeme C. Hays, Mark G. Meekan, Michele Thums, Xabier Irigoien, Victor M. Eguiluz, Carlos M. Duarte, Lara L. Sousa, Samantha J. Simpson, Emily J. Southall, David W. Sims Jul 2019

Global Spatial Risk Assessment Of Sharks Under The Footprint Of Fisheries, Nuno Queiroz, Nicolas E. Humphries, Ana Couto, Marisa Vedor, Ivo Da Costa, Ana M. M. Sequeira, Gonzalo Mucientes, Antonio M. Santos, Francisco J. Abascal, Debra L. Abercrombie, Katya Abrantes, David Acuna-Marrero, Andre S. Afonso, Darrell Anders, Gonzalo Araujo, Randall Arauz, Pascal Bach, Adam Barnett, Diego Bernal, Michael L. Berumen, Sandra Bessudo Lion, Natalia P. A. Bezerra, Antonin V. Blaison, Barbara A. Block, Mark E. Bond, Russell W. Bradford, Camrin D. Braun, Edward J. Brooks, Annabelle Brooks, Judith Brown, Barry D. Bruce, Michael Byrne, Steven E. Campana, Aaron B. Carlisle, Demian D. Chapman, Taylor K. Chapple, John Chisholm, Christopher R. Clarke, Erik G. Clua, Jesse E. M. Cochran, Estelle C. Crochelet, Laurent Dagorn, Ryan Daly, Daniel Devia Cortes, Thomas K. Doyle, Michael Drew, Clinton A. J. Duffy, Thor Erikson, Eduardo Espinoza, Luciana C. Ferreira, Francesco Ferretti, John D. Filmalter, G. Chris Fischer, Richard Fitzpatrick, Jorge Fontes, Fabian Forget, Mark Fowler, Malcolm P. Francis, Austin J. Gallagher, Enrico Gennari, Simon D. Goldsworthy, Matthew J. Gollock, Jonathan R. Green, Johan A. Gustafson, Tristan L. Guttridge, Hector M. Guzman, Neil Hammerschlag, Luke Harman, Fabio H.V. Hazin, Matthew Heard, Alex R. Hearn, John C. Holdsworth, Bonnie J. Holmes, Lucy A. Howey-Jordan, Mauricio Hoyos, Robert E. Hueter, Nigel E. Hussey, Charlie Huveneers, Dylan T. Irion, David M. P. Jacoby, Oliver J. D. Jewell, Ryan Johnson, Lance K. B. Jordan, Salvador J. Jorgensen, Warren Joyce, Clare A. Keating Daly, James T. Ketchum, A. Peter Klimley, Alison A. Kock, Pieter Koen, Felipe Ladino, Fernanda O. Lana, James S. E. Lea, Fiona Llewellyn, Warrick S. Lyon, Anna Macdonnell, Bruno C. L. Macena, Heather Marshall, Jaime D. Mcallister, Rory Mcauley, Michael A. Meyer, John J. Morris, Emily R. Nelson, Yannis P. Papastamatiou, Toby A. Patterson, Cesar Peñaherrera-Palma, Julian G. Pepperell, Simon J. Pierce, Francois Poisson, Lina Maria Quintero, Andrew J. Richardson, Paul J. Rogers, Christoph A. Rohner, David R. L. Rowat, Melita Samoilys, Jayson M. Semmens, Marcus Sheaves, George Shillinger, Mahmood S. Shivji, Sarika Singh, Gregory B. Skomal, Malcolm J. Smale, Laurenne B. Snyders, German Soler, Marc Soria, Kilian M. Stehfest, John D. Stevens, Simon R. Thorrold, Mariana T. Tolotti, Alison Towner, Paulo Travassos, John P. Tyminski, Frederic Vandeperre, Jeremy Vaudo, Yuuki Y. Watanabe, Sam B. Weber, Bradley M. Wetherbee, Timothy D. White, Sean Williams, Patricia M. Zarate, Robert Harcourt, Graeme C. Hays, Mark G. Meekan, Michele Thums, Xabier Irigoien, Victor M. Eguiluz, Carlos M. Duarte, Lara L. Sousa, Samantha J. Simpson, Emily J. Southall, David W. Sims

Biology Faculty Articles

Effective ocean management and conservation of highly migratory species depends on resolving overlap between animal movements and distributions and fishing effort. Yet, this information is lacking at a global scale. Here we show, using a big-data approach combining satellite-tracked movements of pelagic sharks and global fishing fleets, that 24% of the mean monthly space used by sharks falls under the footprint of pelagic longline fisheries. Space use hotspots of commercially valuable sharks and of internationally protected species had the highest overlap with longlines (up to 76% and 64%, respectively) and were also associated with significant increases in fishing effort. We …


Adaptive Responses Of Animals To Climate Change Are Most Likely Insufficient, Viktoriia Radchuk, Thomas Reed, Céline Teplitsky, Martijn Van De Pol, Anne Charmantier, Christopher Hassall, Peter Adamík, Frank Adriaensen, Markus P. Ahola, Karl S. Berg Jul 2019

Adaptive Responses Of Animals To Climate Change Are Most Likely Insufficient, Viktoriia Radchuk, Thomas Reed, Céline Teplitsky, Martijn Van De Pol, Anne Charmantier, Christopher Hassall, Peter Adamík, Frank Adriaensen, Markus P. Ahola, Karl S. Berg

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

Biological responses to climate change have been widely documented across taxa and regions, but it remains unclear whether species are maintaining a good match between phenotype and environment, i.e. whether observed trait changes are adaptive. Here we reviewed 10,090 abstracts and extracted data from 71 studies reported in 58 relevant publications, to assess quantitatively whether phenotypic trait changes associated with climate change are adaptive in animals. A meta-analysis focussing on birds, the taxon best represented in our dataset, suggests that global warming has not systematically affected morphological traits, but has advanced phenological traits. We demonstrate that these advances are adaptive …


Developmental Symbiosis Facilitates The Multiple Origins Of Herbivory, Scott F. Gilbert Jul 2019

Developmental Symbiosis Facilitates The Multiple Origins Of Herbivory, Scott F. Gilbert

Biology Faculty Works

Developmental bias toward particular evolutionary trajectories can be facilitated through symbiosis. Organisms are holobionts, consisting of zygote‐derived cells and a consortia of microbes, and the development, physiology, and immunity of animals are properties of complex interactions between the zygote‐derived cells and microbial symbionts. Such symbionts can be agents of developmental plasticity, allowing an organism to develop in particular directions. This plasticity can lead to genetic assimilation either through the incorporation of microbial genes into host genomes or through the direct maternal transmission of the microbes. Such plasticity can lead to niche construction, enabling the microbes to remodel host anatomy and/or …


Assessment Of Culverts And Bridges As Roosting Habitat For Perimyotis Subflavus (Tri-Colored Bat) And Disease Transmission Corridors For Pseudogymnoascus Destructans, Kelly Lutsch Jul 2019

Assessment Of Culverts And Bridges As Roosting Habitat For Perimyotis Subflavus (Tri-Colored Bat) And Disease Transmission Corridors For Pseudogymnoascus Destructans, Kelly Lutsch

Master of Science in Integrative Biology Theses

Pseudogymnoascus destructans is an emerging fungal pathogen causing precipitous declines in North American bats due to the development of white-nose syndrome. Since 2006, 34 U.S. states and 7 Canadian provinces have confirmed the presence of P. destructans. Due to the rapid spread of P. destructans across the eastern United States, habitat characterization and disease monitoring has become vital to conserving remnant populations. Bats have been observed in multiple states using non-traditional habitat, such as interstate culverts, for roosting. To investigate their use of anthropogenic structures in coastal Georgia, an area where P. destructans has yet-to-be detected, comprehensive bridge and …


Tree Peony Species As An Efficient Source For Α-Linolenic Acid Production, Lihang H. Xie, Qingyu Zhang, Aruna Kilaru, Yanlong Zhang Jul 2019

Tree Peony Species As An Efficient Source For Α-Linolenic Acid Production, Lihang H. Xie, Qingyu Zhang, Aruna Kilaru, Yanlong Zhang

ETSU Faculty Works

The increasing need for healthy edible oil has driven us to identify α-linolenic acid (ALA)-rich species and identify key biochemical steps in ALA synthesis. Seeds of tree peony species are rich in unsaturated fatty acid content with > 40% ALA in the total fatty acid. However, fatty acid content and composition is variable among the tree peony germplasm. To this extent, a comparative study was carried out to identify the key genes responsible for differential oil accumulation among nine wild tree peony species. Subsequent to analyzing fatty acid content and composition of the seeds from nine tree peony species, a high- …