Biology Commons^™

Genetic And Environmental Drivers Of Migratory Behavior In Western Burrowing Owls And Implications For Conservation And Management, Kelly Barr, Christen M. Bossu, Rachel A. Bay, Eric C. Anderson, Jim Belthoff, Lynne A. Trulio, Debra Chromczak, Colleen L. Wisinski, Thomas B. Smith, Kristen C. Ruegg

Biology Faculty Publications and Presentations

Migration is driven by a combination of environmental and genetic factors, but many questions remain about those drivers. Potential interactions between genetic and environmental variants associated with different migratory phenotypes are rarely the focus of study. We pair low coverage whole genome resequencing with a de novo genome assembly to examine population structure, inbreeding, and the environmental factors associated with genetic differentiation between migratory and resident breeding phenotypes in a species of conservation concern, the western burrowing owl (Athene cunicularia hypugaea). Our analyses reveal a dichotomy in gene flow depending on whether the population is resident or migratory, …

Social Connections Across Migration: Do Golden- Crowned Sparrows (Zonotrichia Atricapilla) That Socialize In Winter Also Breed Together?, Theadora A. Block, Bruce E. Lyon, Zachary Milakonis, Alexis S. Chaine, Daizaburo Shizuka

School of Biological Sciences: Faculty Publications

Many birds that are territorial in the breeding season live in groups during the nonbreeding season, thereby gaining benefits such as protection from predators and increased access to resources. However, how the social connections in group life change across seasons in migratory animals is mostly unknown. We ask whether winter social connections continue during the breeding season in a migratory songbird. Golden-crowned Sparrows (Zonotrichia atricapilla) have distinct, stable winter communities that include both site and group fidelity across years: birds almost always rejoin the same social community each year after migration. If these birds have social connectivity across …

Proteomic Analysis Reveals Fkbp51 And Fkbp52 Interactors Implicated In Androgen Receptor-Mediated Castration Resistant Prostate Cancer, Olga Soto

Open Access Theses & Dissertations

Aberrant signaling mechanisms by the Androgen Receptor (AR) are attributed as the main culprits for the initiation and progression of prostate cancer (PCa). Due to its dependence on androgens, research efforts have focused on developing strategies to directly target androgen-mediated receptor activity. However, given the recurrence and treatment resistance of PCa despite androgen targeted therapies, recent efforts have shifted to find novel targets against the disease. These efforts include further revealing the molecular components and their mechanisms underlying AR signaling in both normal and disease physiological settings. Hence, our lab's work is focused on characterizing and targeting molecular chaperones that …

Rainbow Parrotfish Neurocranium, Theophilus J. Hebert, David Kerstetter

All Scans: Kerstetter Fisheries and Avian Ecology 3D Scan Series

No abstract provided.

Deep Ocean Vehicle Applications And Modifications, Nichole "Nikki" T. Arm

Master's Theses

This project had two primary goals: (1) to explore opportunities to further a deep-ocean vehicle’s reach using alternative pressure spheres, and (2) to implement an existing deep-ocean vehicle (lander) in active scientific research.

I gained a greater understanding of the limitations and design choices made for existing pressure spheres using Finite Element Analysis (FEA). My simplified FEA model predicted sphere failure for the existing 30% Fiber Glass 70% Nylon injection molded spheres at an external pressure of 3,954psi or 2,690m ocean-depth (only a 7.38% error compared to the tested minimum failure depth), so I determined it a valid model. I …

Evaluation Of Facilitation On Translocation Outcomes For San Joaquin Antelope Squirrel In The Carrizo Plain, California, Patrick R. Anderson

Master's Theses

In arid and semi-arid environments, burrowing mammals play a key role in increasing landscape heterogeneity through facilitative species interactions. The loss of burrowing mammal populations can consequently lead to negative effects cascading through the ecosystem. It is critical to understand these facilitative interactions for conservation and management. Understanding facilitative interactions may improve wildlife management tools, like translocation, which is often not very successful. To investigate the importance of burrow facilitation on San Joaquin antelope squirrel (Ammospermophilus nelsoni; SJAS) translocation success, I designed a natural experiment with a burrowing facilitator, the giant kangaroo rat (Dipodomys ingens; GKR). I …

Overexpression Of Plasminogen Activator Inhibitor-1 (Pai-1) In Human Kidney Cells, Khadija Rafiqi

Legacy Theses & Dissertations (2009 - 2024)

The research focuses on two key objectives: Mapping renal epithelial cells' response to PAI-1 overexpression and investigating the potential activation of signaling kinases in this context. Utilizing Proteome profiler kits and western blot analysis, the aim is to unravel the underlying mechanisms and signaling pathways involved. By exploring these complexities, the thesis aims to advance our understanding of kidney inflammation and its potential contribution to targeted therapeutic approaches in the future.

Bookending The Germ Cell To Maternal Transition: Dynamics Of Gene Regulation In Drosophila Oogenesis, Kahini Sarkar

Legacy Theses & Dissertations (2009 - 2024)

Throughout the process of oogenesis, spanning from flies to humans, germ cells undergo a remarkable transformation, transitioning from a mitotic to a meiotic cell cycle. This intricate journey involves highly specialized cellular processes and culminates in the establishment of a maternal contribution, which plays a crucial role in promoting proper embryogenesis. Despite the significance of these transitions, their regulatory mechanisms have remained largely elusive, until now.

Exploring The Molecular Landscape Of Hepatitis C Virus: Insights Into Viral Replication And Host Interactions, Deniece Brown

Legacy Theses & Dissertations (2009 - 2024)

Hepatitis C Virus (HCV) remains a pressing global health concern, affecting millions of individuals worldwide. Gaining a thorough understanding of the virus's life cycle is pivotal for devising effective treatment strategies. This thesis takes a deep dive into the various stages of HCV's lifecycle, encompassing viral entry, replication, assembly, and release. By unraveling the intricacies of these processes, researchers can pinpoint potential targets for therapeutic interventions.

Non-Invasive Focused Ultrasound Treatment To Improve Depressive-Like Behavior In A Hemi-Parkinsonian Rat Model, Huda Rehman

ALL - Honors Theses

Parkinson’s disease (PD) is a neurodegenerative disorder in which there is a depletion of dopaminergic neurons in the substantia nigra pars compacta (SNc). Symptoms include those that are motor, such as tremors and rigidity, along with symptoms that are nonmotor, such as depression. Depression in Parkinson’s disease is seen in up to 50% of PD patients, and is often treated with traditional antidepressants, with varying levels of efficacy. In this research project, focused ultrasound was used as a non-pharmacological and non-invasive treatment to improve depressive-like behavior in a hemi-Parkinsonian rat model. To induce a hemi-Parkinsonian phenotype in rats, stereotaxic surgeries …

Dna Barcoding Indicates Multiple Invasions Of The Freshwater Snail Melanoides Tuberculata Sensu Lato In Florida, Lori Tolley-Jordan, Michael A. Chadwick, Jimmy K. Triplett

Research, Publications & Creative Work

Melanoides tuberculata sensu lato (Thiaridae) are polymorphic female-clonal snails of Asian and African origins that have invaded freshwaters worldwide, including those in Florida. Although the snails have been documented in Florida for at least 70 years, no studies have investigated whether the observed distribution is due to a single introduction or multiple independent invasions. Here, cytochrome oxidase I was used to measure genetic diversity within and among sites in Florida and compare genetic diversity between Florida and other regions of the world. We also examined the relationship between shell morphology and haplotype diversity to determine if shell morphs can serve …

Determining The Effects Of Glycocalyx Modifications On The Electrophysical Properties Of Human Mesenchymal Stem Cells, Rominna E. Valentine Ico

Electronic Theses, Projects, and Dissertations

Human mesenchymal stem cells (hMSCs) have gained popularity in clinical trials due to their multipotent differentiation characteristics, ability to secrete bioactive molecules, migrate into diseased or damaged tissues, and their immunosuppressive properties. HMSC cultures are heterogeneous, containing stem cells, partially differentiated progenitor cells, and fully differentiated cells. One of the major challenges with hMSCs therapeutic potential is the inability to select specific cell subpopulations due to an insufficient number of biomarkers. Often the biomarkers used, like those for fluorescence-activated cell sorting, are not sufficient to define hMSCs because they overlap with other cell types. Consequently, there is a need to …

The Mojave Poppy Bee (Perdita Meconis) And A Primary Plant Host, The Las Vegas Bear Poppy (Arctomecon Californica): Status And Interactions, Sarit Chanprame

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Fall 2023 to Present

The Mojave Desert is one of the most biodiverse places in North America. A harsh environment with many species results in complex relationships between animals and plants. This study focuses on one bee-plant relationship, the Mojave poppy bee, and the Las Vegas Bear Poppy.

The Mojave poppy bee is rare and has only been collected from Las Vegas Bear Poppy, Dwarf Bear Poppy, and a few species of prickly poppies. A 1995 report suggested the bee was a major contributor of pollination for the Las Vegas Bear Poppy in Clark County, Nevada. More recently (2019), their local extinction in southwestern …

Anthropogenic Effects On Global Soil Nitrogen Pools, Shih Chieh Chien, Jennifer Adams Krumins

Department of Biology Faculty Scholarship and Creative Works

The amount of nitrogen stored in terrestrial soils, its “nitrogen pool”, moderates biogeochemical cycling affecting primary productivity, nitrogen pollution and even carbon budgets. The soil nitrogen pools and the transformation of nitrogen forms within them are heavily influenced by environmental factors including anthropogenic activities. However, our understanding of the global distribution of soil nitrogen with respect to anthropogenic activity and human land use remains unclear. We constructed a meta-analysis from a global sampling, in which we compare soil total nitrogen pools and the driving mechanisms affecting each pool across three major classifications of human land use: natural, agricultural, and urban. …

P-Ring: The Conserved Nature Of Phosphorus Enriched Cells In Seedling Roots Of Distantly Related Species, Aniruddha Acharya, Thomas C. Pesacreta

Faculty Publications - Biological Sciences

Plants require sunlight, carbon dioxide, water and mineral ions for their growth and development. Roots in vascular plants sequester water and ions from soil and transport them to the aboveground parts of the plant. Due to heterogeneous nature of soil, roots have evolved several regulatory barriers from molecular to organismic level that selectively allows certain ions to enter the vascular tissues for transport according to the physiological and metabolic demands of plant cell. Current literature profusely elaborates about apoplastic barriers, but the possibility of the existence of a symplastic regulation through phosphorous-enriched cells has not been mentioned. Recent investigations on …

Effects Of Seasonal Environment On Abundance, Behavior, Visual Signaling, And Perception In Prairie Butterflies, Grace Elizabeth Hirzel

Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Phenotypic plasticity is a widespread mechanism that allows animals to respond quickly to seasonal changes in their environment. However, the depth and complexity of these plastic responses is still being discovered. One aspect of seasonal physiology that is relatively unstudied is changes to sensory physiology and how it may explain changes in behavior. To determine how changes in seasonal conditions affect behavior, coloration, and vision, I examined populations of wild butterflies in Northwest Arkansas. Focusing on a single species, the common buckeye Junonia coenia, I found that seasonal coloration covaries with thermoregulating behavior and is accompanied by changes in visual …

Granulocytic Anaplasmosis In Cats From Central Europe And Molecular Characterization Of Feline Anaplasma Phagocytophilum Strains By Anka Gene, Groel Gene And Multilocus Sequence Typing, Anna Sophia Kruppenbacher, Elisabeth Müller, Matthew L. Aardema, Ingo Schäfer, Friederike D. Von Loewenich

Department of Biology Faculty Scholarship and Creative Works

Background: Anaplasma phagocytophilum is a Gram-negative obligate intracellular bacterium that replicates in neutrophil granulocytes. It is transmitted by ticks of the Ixodes ricinus complex and causes febrile illness called granulocytic anaplasmosis primarily in humans, horses, dogs, sheep, cattle and goats. In comparison, clinically apparent disease has been described rarely in cats especially compared to dogs and horses. It is currently unknown whether cats are less susceptible to A. phagocytophilum or whether granulocytic anaplasmosis might be underdiagnosed in cats. Methods: To address this question, we examined clinical signs and laboratory findings in seven A. phagocytophilum infected cats from Germany and Switzerland. …

Genomic Analyses Indicate The North American Ap-Ha Variant Of The Tick-Vectored Bacterium Anaplasma Phagocytophilum Was Introduced From Europe, Matthew L. Aardema

Department of Biology Faculty Scholarship and Creative Works

Background: Anaplasma phagocytophilum is a tick-vectored, obligately intracellular bacterium that infects a diversity of vertebrate hosts. In North America, the Ap-ha variant of A. phagocytophilum can cause dangerous infections in humans, whereas symptomatic human infections in Europe are rare. Conversely, the European host-generalist ecotype of A. phagocytophilum frequently causes illness in domestic ruminants while no comparable infections have been recorded from North America. Despite these differences in pathogenicity, the Ap-ha variant is closely aligned phylogenetically with the European host-generalist ecotype. Furthermore, North American populations of A. phagocytophilum are less genetically diverse than those in Europe. Taken together, these observations suggest …

Analyses Of Mybl1 In Triple Negative Breast Cells And Validation Of Genes Colocalized To Chromosome 8q Loci, La Tajia D. Thirston

Theses (2016-Present)

Fifteen percent of breast cancer are characterized as the triple negative breast cancer subtype. The cancers are recognized as negative for estrogen, progesterone and ErRB2 receptors, genes that function as transcription and growth factor functions, respectively. Previous data show the MYBL1 transcription factor is over-expressed in some triple negative breast cancers-suggesting dysregulation of the gene in the cancers. MYBL1 gene is a strong transcriptional regulator associated with regulation of cell cycle proliferation which is a key event in cancer progression. To determine genes either directly or indirectly associating with MYBL1 in these cancers we knocked the gene down, performed microarray …

Serranidae Spp. Neurocranium, Justin Abonce, David Kerstetter

All Scans: Kerstetter Fisheries and Avian Ecology 3D Scan Series

No abstract provided.

Predicting Flower Stalk Production Of A Native Shrub Using Uav Structure-From-Motion Photogrammetry, Ryan Scott Wickersham

Boise State University Theses and Dissertations

Climate change is threatening rangeland ecosystems, including increasing frequency of extreme weather, wildfire, and drought. Identifying which native plants are likely to be resilient to these ongoing changes is crucial for developing climate-smart restoration plans. Sagebrush is a foundational species across western rangeland, with variation in flower phenology and success that may indicate a pattern of resilience for the shrub and associated species. Analyzing sagebrush resilience through flowering success will help us understand how vulnerable sagebrush populations and post-restoration sites will respond to extreme weather events. We applied high-resolution remotely sensed data to map flower stalk production in sagebrush plants …

Seagrass Epibiont Biodiversity In The Northern Gulf Of Mexico, Kathryn Wyssmann

LSU New Orleans Theses and Dissertations

Epibionts on seagrass leaves contribute substantially to productivity and trophic interactions in seagrass ecosystems. Differences in epibiont assemblages and factors that contribute to epibiont diversity have been little studied on the seagrass Halodule wrightii in the northern Gulf of Mexico (nGoM). We used a metabarcoding approach to describe epibiont assemblages on H. wrightii leaves in four bays across the nGoM and to test whether epibiont assemblages differed spatially at local levels (within bays) or regional levels (from west to east). Furthermore, we tested if epibiont diversity was related to environmental conditions and/or seagrass productivity. Epibiont assemblages differed significantly between bays …

Assessing The Effects Of Non-Native Flowering Plants And Anti-Herbivory Plastic (Vexar®) Tubes On Insect Visitation To Native Plants, Emily R. Sun

Boise State University Theses and Dissertations

Bees (Hymenoptera: Apoidea) are among the most prominent pollinators of the flowering plants and play an essential role in maintaining ecosystem function. Disruption of plant-pollinator interactions is a growing global concern because of the implications for biodiversity, ecosystem health, and agriculture. The incursion of non-native plants globally is seen to adversely affect native plants and alter plant-pollinator communities. In chapter one, I examined the effects of a non-native weed, Sisymbrium altissimum (tall tumblemustard), on bee visitation to nearby native Sphaeralcea munroana (Munro’s globemallow), including genera-specific differences among bees. The most common bee genera were Andrena, Colletes, Diadasia, Halictus, and …

(R2059) Modeling The Spread Of Coronavirus With Self-Protection And Quarantine Effect, Dileep Sharma, Agraj Tripathi, Ram Naresh Tripathi

Applications and Applied Mathematics: An International Journal (AAM)

A nonlinear mathematical model to study the effect of transmission dynamics of COVID-19 virus in a population with variable size structure is proposed and analyzed. The model divides the total human population into five subclasses: susceptibles, self-protected susceptibles, infectives, quarantined infectives, and recovered population including a class representing cumulative density of coronavirus in the environmental reservoir. The model exhibits two equilibria, namely, the diseasefree and the endemic equilibrium. Model analysis reveals the global dynamics of the spread of COVID-19 is completely determined by the basic reproduction number. If basic reproduction number is greater than one, the endemic equilibrium is locally …

Impacts Of Disturbance And Nutrient Addition On Coastal Dune Arthropod Communities, Kayla Beitzel

Honors Theses

Coastal dune ecosystems are globally distributed ecosystems that occur from the tropics to the poles and serve as the first line of defense during storms. They are critical habitats for a variety of organisms and also play a critical role in stabilizing coastal habitats. These systems face increased pressure via urban development, recreational expansion, and sea-level rise (Newman et al. 2023; Webster et al. 2005). Insects are vital consumers in coastal ecosystems and act as regulators of plant growth. Low-diversity ecosystems, like coastal dune systems, often contain a higher abundance of low-diverse insect consumers (Ripple et al. 2021), which can …

Oncolytic Tanapoxvirus Recombinants Expressing Mil-2, Flagellin-C, And Mccl2 Regress Human Cancer Xenografts In Immune Deficient Nude Mice And Immune Cell Reconstituted Balb/C Nude Mice., Michael Leonard Monaco

Dissertations

Tanapoxvirus (TPV) is a double stranded DNA virus from the genus Yatapoxvirus which has been engineered for the purpose of potentially treating a number of human cancers. Previous studies have shown TPV recombinants are capable of inducing tumor inhibition and even regression in athymic nude mice bearing human cancer xenografts of colorectal, melanoma and triple negative breast cancer (TNBC). However, TPV is host-restricted to humans and monkeys, including cancerous cells, which has provided a unique obstacle in its development as an oncolytic virus (OV). Namely, standard syngeneic mouse models cannot be used as test systems to evaluate TPV’s efficacy against …

Evaluating Habitat Use By Nekton In Widgeon Grass (Ruppia Maritima), Shoal Grass (Halodule Wrightii), And Unvegetated Bottom Habitats In The Grand Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve, Jessica Woodall

Master's Theses

Seagrass beds support high biodiversity and animal abundance, serve as feeding grounds for a variety of animals, offer shelter from predation, and act as a nursery habitat for juveniles. The species composition of seagrass beds can impact their use as habitat by animals. Two common species of seagrass in the Gulf of Mexico are Ruppia maritima (widgeon grass) and Halodule wrightii (shoal grass). The shallow coastal waters of the Grand Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve (NERR) support both species, but the use of each seagrass as habitat by nekton is poorly understood, which can limit management decision-making. Nekton communities were …

Breaking Virulent: The Coincidental Evolution Of Virulence Factors In Bacteria., Rhiannon Emmanuelle Cecil

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Understanding how innocuous organisms can evolve to be pathogenic to humans is of increasing global concern. Further, understanding how existing pathogens may evolved to be more virulent is also vital to our ability to provide healthcare to people afflicted with diseases that promote chronic bacterial infections, such as cystic fibrosis. With the rise of antibiotic resistance in both bacteria and fungi it is paramount that new therapeutics are identified. Understanding what mutations occur that result in increased virulence in microbes can potentially provide new targets for antimicrobial drugs to combat antibiotic resistance. The Coincidental Evolution Hypothesis is a fundamental hypothesis …

Phylogenomics Reveals The History Of Host Use In Mosquitoes, John Soghigan, Charles Sither, Silvia Andrade Justi, Gen Morinaga, Brian K. Cassel, Christopher J. Vitek, Todd P. Livdahl, Siyang Xia, Andrea Gloria-Soria, Jeffrey R. Powell, Thomas Zavortink, Christopher M. Hardy, Nathan D. Burkett-Cadena, Lawrence E. Reeves, Richard C. Wilkerson, Robert R. Dunn, David K. Yeates, Maria Anice Sallum, Brian D. Byrd, Michelle D. Trautwein, Yvonne-Marie Linton, Michael H. Reiskind, Brian M. Wiegmann

Biology

Mosquitoes have profoundly affected human history and continue to threaten human health through the transmission of a diverse array of pathogens. The phylogeny of mosquitoes has remained poorly characterized due to difficulty in taxonomic sampling and limited availability of genomic data beyond the most important vector species. Here, we used phylogenomic analysis of 709 single copy ortholog groups from 256 mosquito species to produce a strongly supported phylogeny that resolves the position of the major disease vector species and the major mosquito lineages. Our analyses support an origin of mosquitoes in the early Triassic (217 MYA [highest posterior density region: …

Linking Microbial Community Assembly In Flowers With Function Under Diverse Environmental Conditions: A Case Study Involving Erwinia Amylovora, Christopher Skylar Mcdaniel

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Fall 2023 to Present

Fire blight, a devastating disease of pome fruit trees caused by the bacterium Erwinia amylovora, can cause millions of dollars in losses for producers each year around the globe. Management approaches that involve use of antibiotics, such as streptomycin, can be effective; although concerns exist over pollinator and crop health when using them regularly. Recently, there have been developments that allow for biological agents such as microbes to curtail fire blight infection. These agents work by competing with Erwinia for resources or space, producing antibacterial compounds, or even killing Erwinia cells on contact. Unfortunately, these agents do not yet …