Biology Commons^™

Heat Acclimated Algae Improves Heat Tolerance And Longevity In Daphnia, Ashit Dutta

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Xenohormesis suggests that consuming stressed food provides physiological adaptation to the consumer for similar stresses. To evaluate this, Daphnia magna was provided with heat-stressed Nannochloropsis limnetica grown at 25℃ whereas the control group was provided Nannochloropsis limnetica grown at 12℃. In the heat tolerance experiment, Daphnia kept at 28℃ and 20℃ while consuming 25℃ algae had significantly higher heat tolerance compared to the control. Additionally, in stressed conditions, Daphnia consuming 25℃-grown food had significantly higher lifespan compared to the control. Next, Daphnia consuming 25℃-grown algae had significantly higher levels of antioxidants which could explain the lifespan extension. Finally, in fatty …

Geomorphic Assessment And Flow Modeling Of Pearl Darter (Percina Aurora) Habitat In The Pascagoula River Watershed, Malia Davidson

Master's Theses

Freshwater ecosystems are complex ecosystems driven by hydrologic, geomorphic, and biological processes. Considering both abiotic and biotic factors is important to understanding resident species habitat. Geomorphology is a known, but often neglected factor in habitat assessment for freshwater fishes. A crucial feature commonly seen in alluvial stream systems are sandbars, which are dynamic and variable sediment structures that are known to have many associated species. One such species is the Pearl Darter, Percina aurora, a federally threatened species that only resides in the Pascagoula River watershed. Despite its status, habitat preference remains unclear. To fill this knowledge gap, I …

How Many Tiny Snails? Circumscription Of Three Species Of Pyrgulopsis (Mollusca: Gastropoda: Hydrobiidae)In Nevada Mountain Springs, Trenton Meadows

Theses and Dissertations

The springsnail genus Pyrgulopsis is one of the most diverse groups of freshwater gastropods in North America (Hershler, 2014), with many species displaying high levels of endemism (Hurt, 2003). This study attempts to circumscribe three putative species of springsnails: Pyrgulopsis serrata, Pyrgulopsis marcida, and a newly identified clade, referred to as Lineage C, from the Ruby Lake National Wildlife Refuge, Nevada, USA and nearby springs. Using an integrative taxonomic approach, we combined morphological, anatomical, and molecular data to examine species boundaries and evolutionary relationships.

Many lines of evidence were considered to determine species boundaries. Phylogenetic analysis of the mitochondrial …

Bioindicators Of Mercury In Riverine Systems, Kathryn Mudica

All-Inclusive List of Electronic Theses and Dissertations

This study focuses on the bioaccumulation and biomagnification of mercury in freshwater food webs, with emphasis on bioindicators, such as macroinvertebrates, crayfish, and river otters. Despite regulatory efforts and advancements in monitoring, significant gaps remain in understanding mercury dynamics in freshwater systems—especially regarding its transport, methylation, and bioavailability across different ecosystems. To address these knowledge gaps, this study adopts a biocentric approach, emphasizing the role of living organisms in their environment. By utilizing macroinvertebrates, crayfish, and river otters as bioindicators, we aim to assess mercury bioavailability and distribution. These organisms provide varying temporal and spatial scales of mercury accumulation, offering …

Patterns In Gray Wolf Pup Survival And Recruitment In Northern Minnesota, Andrea Hynes

All NMU Master's Theses

Knowledge of how and why the vital rates of wildlife populations change through and over time is crucial for understanding wildlife population dynamics. Because estimating gray wolf pup survival is challenging, our understanding of pup survival and the factors influencing survival and recruitment is limited. I used a combination of litter counts and video observations from a large remote camera array to estimate annual wolf pup survival and recruitment and to evaluate intra-annual patterns in pup survival and recruitment within the Greater Voyageurs Ecosystem, MN, USA. Mean annual pup survival during 2019–2023 was 0.24, and the mean annual recruitment rate …

Neuronal And Glial Cell Alterations Involved In The Retinal Degeneration Of The Familial Dysautonomia Optic Neuropathy, Anastasia Schultz, Henar Albertos-Arranz, Xavier Sánchez Sáez, Jamie Morgan, Diane Darland, Alejandra Gonzalez-Duarte, Horacio Kaufmann, Carlos E. Mendoza-Santiesteban, Nicolás Cuenca, Frances Lefcort

Biology Faculty Publications

Familial dysautonomia (FD) is a rare genetic neurodevelopmental and neurodegenerative disorder. In addition to the autonomic and peripheral sensory neuropathies that challenge patient survival, one of the most debilitating symptoms affecting patients' quality of life is progressive blindness resulting from the steady loss of retinal ganglion cells (RGCs).Within the FD community, there is a concerted effort to develop treatments to prevent the loss of RGCs. However, the mechanisms underlying the death of RGCs are not well understood. To study the mechanisms underlying RGC death, Pax6-cre;Elp1loxp/loxp male and female mice and postmortem retinal tissue from an FD patient were used to …

Effects Of Metoprolol And Propranolol Beta-Blockers Mixture On Morphological And Physiological Responses In The American Oyster, Andrew Salinas

Theses and Dissertations

Beta-blockers are extensively used to treat human cardiovascular conditions yet pose significant risks to non-target aquatic organisms. This study aimed to investigate the effects of short-term exposure (one week) to a beta-blocker’s mixture (low-dose: 50 ng/L propranolol and 250 ng/L metoprolol, and high-dose: 250 ng/L propranolol and 650 ng/L metoprolol) in the American oysters. Histopathological assessments revealed structural damage to gills, connective tissues, and digestive glands in both low- and high-dose treatment groups. Additionally, glucose concentration and pH of the extrapallial fluid significantly declined in the high-dose treatment group. Hemocyte density within connective tissues increased proportionally with dosage. The beta-blocker …

Development Of An In Vitro Squamous Metaplasia Model Using Airway Basal Stem Cells, Arash Tahmasbi

Electronic Theses, Projects, and Dissertations

Squamous metaplasia (SM) of the airway epithelium is an abnormal condition that is caused by exposure to airborne toxicants, cigarette smoke, pollutants, and pathogens. Since SM of the airway was first documented in the 1970s, data on this epithelial disease remain limited. More research is needed to fully understand this epithelial disorder and to prevent its progression into severe illnesses such as chronic bronchitis (CB), COPD, and squamous cell carcinoma. We developed 3D models of SM using airway basal stem cells (ABSCs) isolated from lung obtained from postmortem human donors. The ABSCs were cultured at the air-liquid interface (ALI) for …

Time Series Decomposition Of Land Surface Temperature For Long-Term Trend Forecasting And Impact On Nesting Sea Turtle Habitats In The Arabian Gulf, Sachi Perera, Rommel H. Maneja, Mohamed Allali, Cyril Rakovski, Erik Linstead, Daniele Struppa, Ali Qasem, Hesham El-Askary

Mathematics, Physics, and Computer Science Faculty Articles and Research

Improving land surface temperature (LST) modeling is vital for mitigating climate change effects on various ecosystems and marine habitats such as important sea turtle habitats. Over the past decade, extreme temperatures have likely significantly affected nesting sea turtle habitats in the Arabian Gulf, with predominantly female hatchlings creating an imbalance in the sex ratio. Such shifts have profound implications for these habitats’ long-term survival and conservation management. This study leverages statistical machine learning models to measure ongoing temporal variations in LST. We break down the LST time series into trend, seasonal, and noise components using classical decomposition methods like X11, …

Evaluating The Stress System Of The Grieving Brain: Corticotropin-Releasing Factors And Partner Loss In Female Coyotes, Rachel Tong Xin Ning

Undergraduate Honors Capstone Projects

Forming social bonds is fundamental in helping us foster connections with others. The loss of a loved one often results in grief, stress, and loneliness, and the stress response system of the body has been implicated in the physiological symptoms associated with grieving. Corticotropin releasing factor (CRF) is the hormone that initiates the stress response in the body and acts at two different receptor subtypes CRF receptor (CRFR)1 and CRFF2. Many studies on CRF and social loss have been conducted in monogamous prairie voles, but studies in longer-lived monogamous mammals could improve understanding of the effects of losing pair bonds. …

Evolutionary History Of A Specialized And Diverse Highland Snake Complex (Crotalus Willardi), Michael Joseph Buontempo

Open Access Theses & Dissertations

The Ridgenosed rattlesnake (Crotalus willardi) is a highly unique group of small rattlesnakes consisting of 5 subspecies that inhabit the high elevation pine oak woodlands of the Sierra Madre Occidental and the Madrean Archipelago. They remain one of the most understudied groups of rattlesnakes with little understanding of the relationships between the subspecies. I utilize genomic level genetic data collected using ddRAD-seq methodology on 60 individuals encompassing all 5 subspecies and the majority of the range. Utilizing co-ancestry analysis, Admixture, and Phylogenetic analyses (both maximum likelihood and Bayesian approaches) we uncovered seven separate genetic groups. Of these, three consisted of …

Implementing The Methodology To Generate Diagnostic And Therapeutic Antibodies, Andrea Mariana Carlin

Open Access Theses & Dissertations

This research aimed to establish the methodology for developing monoclonal antibodies at The University of Texas at El Paso. Monoclonal antibodies are indispensable across multiple fields, including diagnostics, therapeutics, and biotechnology, yet there is a shortage of commercially available antibodies targeting specific proteins or possessing specialized characteristics. To address this gap, three models were selected: a peptide derived from the intracellular protein Schlafen 8 and two cell surface protein receptors: mouse vascular endothelial growth factor receptor 2 (VEGFR2) and human melanocortin receptor 4 (MC4R). These proteins present unique challenges in antibody generation, including issues of accessibility, expression, and specificity.

Throughout …

Integrating Responsible And Ethical Conduct Of Research Into Cures: A Longitudinal Study Observing Professional Development Of Fellows Within The Ethics Network For Course-Based Opportunities In Undergraduate Research, Aimee Angelica Hernandez-Gaytan

Open Access Theses & Dissertations

No abstract provided.

Preparing Educators To Effectively Engage With Postsecondary Stem Students With Autism, Luzconsuelo Gavaldon

Open Access Theses & Dissertations

Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a lifetime mental disability (Boucher, 2009). Because the brains of people with autism work differently than their non-neurodiverse peers (Kuzminskaite et al., 2020), they tend to respond to external stimuli in a hypo- or hyper-sensory fashion. One of the primary considerations that must be accounted for when working with individuals with autism is that the brains of these persons are each neurologically distinct. In other words, there is no "one-size-fits-all" means by which individuals with ASD learn and develop and, consequently, no single way to therefore engage with said individuals (Anderson & Butt, 2017; Kuzminski …

Environmental Change As A Driver Of The Evolution Of Migratory Behavior In Suboscine Birds, Emily Johns

Open Access Theses & Dissertations

Avian migration, particularly long-distance seasonal migratory movement, has long captured the attention of researchers and the public alike. However, the evolutionary origins of migratory behavior are poorly understood, in part due to limited understanding of the full range of migratory strategies including short-distance and intra-tropical movements. We examine the climatic drivers of migration across suboscine birds, a group of roughly 1,300 primarily Neotropical species with a complex array of migratory strategies. Our reconstructions of the evolutionary history of suboscine migration reveal that migratory behavior is labile and is lost approximately twice as often as it is gained. We find that …

Development Of A Novel Autoantibody Panel For Prostate Cancer Detection Based On Immunoproteomic Profiling And Cancer Driver Genes, Cuipeng Qiu

Open Access Theses & Dissertations

Prostate cancer (PCa) is the second most frequent cancer in males with 1.47 million new cases and 396,700 deaths worldwide in 2022. It is the second leading cause of cancer-related deaths among males in the United States with over 35,000 estimated deaths in 2024. PCa is a type of indolent cancer that can progress to an advanced metastatic castration-resistant (mCRPC) stage if not detected and treated early. Screening precancerous lesions or early tumor detection is an effective strategy to reduce the mortality of cancer. Despite the development of effective screening methods, such as the prostate-specific antigen (PSA) test, the specificity …

Analysis Of Microbiome In Various Human Medical Conditions Using Next-Generation Sequencing Of The 16s Rrna Gene, Pallavi Sharma

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Studies of human microbiomics, spanning diverse anatomical sites, offer a unique perspective into the complex microbial communities within the body. Influenced by age, gender, and disease, it mirrors broader microbial ecosystems. This study specifically delves into the ocular and gastrointestinal tract microbiome, comparing its composition in 43 healthy and diseased patients using 16S rRNA gene sequencing. We identified a rich microbial landscape, identifying over 338 bacterial taxa. Notably, Acinetobacter, Cutibacterium, Acidovorax and Herbaspirillum were prevalent in the ocular samples and Akkermansia, Faecalibacterium, and Anaerostipes were mostly prevalent in gut samples. Moreover, dry eye disease conditions were characterized by …

Assessing The Influence Of Native And Invasive Grasses On The Behavior Of Aedes Aegypti In South Texas, Emily Medelez

Theses and Dissertations

Invasive grasses in South Texas can have widespread negative effects, displacing native species, reducing biodiversity, and posing risks to public health. These grasses may flourish in moist, shaded environments, which not only support their growth but also creates habitats favorable for mosquito activity. This can increase the population and alter the behavior of mosquitoes, potentially raising the risk of disease transmission. In this thesis, I look at the behavior of mosquito species Aedes aegypti, primary vector of the yellow fever virus. I analyzed the influence of oviposition, flight and resting behaviors. I tested the relative attraction of Aedes mosquitoes …

Socio-Ecological Drivers Of Anthropogenic Marine Debris Effects On Coral Reef Communities In The Florida Keys, Usa, Tokea Payton

All Dissertations

The Florida Keys reef tract has rapidly shifted from a structurally complex, hard coral-dominated reef to a less rugose, soft coral-dominated reef. Persistent anthropogenic stressors facilitate ecological transitions by including recreational and commercial fishing and increased anthropogenic marine debris. These artificial structures are becoming habitats for small marine taxa known as cryptofauna. Cryptofauna are among the most essential yet understudied reef taxa where little is known about their fate considering degrading coral reefs and increasing anthropogenic disturbance. With increased anthropogenic stressors on the marine environment, the SCUBA diving community has initiated extensive marine debris removal efforts to assist in cleaning …

A Practical Guide To Avoiding Biased Communication In Reproductive Biology, Zoe Baker, Virginia Hayssen

Biological Sciences: Faculty Publications

When cultural biases pervade communication, whether visual or text-based, objectivity is impaired. Anthropocentrism (human-centered bias) and androcentrism (male-centered bias) in particular distort perspectives in mammalian reproductive biology. This paper provides a resource for professionals who understand how cultural biases can be reinforced with language, visuals, and conceptual framing. After brief explanations, we present neutral alternatives to biased terminology as well as ways to avoid bias in illustrations. Since this paper is animal-centric, we hope to inspire the creation of similar resources across a more diverse biota and, thus, move towards a more neutral perspective across reproductive biology.

Genetic Aspects Of Resilience In The Foundational Seagrass Halodule Wrightii: The Role Of Genetic Variation And Gene Expression In Maintaining Primary Production, Anastasia M. Konefal

LSU New Orleans Theses and Dissertations

Seagrasses are coastal foundation species which significantly contribute to the primary production of shallow water ecosystems and provide several services. However, seagrasses, like other coastal foundation species, are threatened by myriad anthropogenic stressors. Conservation is difficult in ecosystems under multiple threats where the factors that contribute to production are not easily elucidated. Genetic diversity and gene expression may be related to the function and stability of populations but are rarely considered in management plans. High genetic diversity and the associated trait variation within a population are known to contribute to higher function and stability of a population. Additionally, individual-level changes …

Genomic Insights Into Key Mechanisms For Carbon, Nitrogen, And Phosphate Assimilation By The Acidophilic, Halotolerant Genus Acidihalobacter Members, Himel Nahreen Khaleque, Homayoun Fathollahzadeh, Anna H. Kaksonen, Jorge Valdés, Eva Vergara, David S. Holmes, Elizabeth L.J. Watkin

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

In-depth comparative genomic analysis was conducted to predict carbon, nitrogen, and phosphate assimilation pathways in the halotolerant, acidophilic genus Acidihalobacter. The study primarily aimed to understand how the metabolic capabilities of each species can determine their roles and effects on the microbial ecology of their unique saline and acidic environments, as well as in their potential application to saline water bioleaching systems. All four genomes encoded the genes for the complete tricarboxylic acid cycle, including 2-oxoglutarate dehydrogenase, a key enzyme absent in obligate chemolithotrophic acidophiles. Genes for a unique carboxysome shell protein, csoS1D, typically found in halotolerant bacteria but not …

Short-Term Soil Fungal Community Dynamics Following Fire In Mediterranean Climate-Type Banksia Woodlands, Aaron J. Brace, Katinka X. Ruthrof, Ben P. Miller, Joseph B. Fontaine, Anna J.M. Hopkins

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

Fire is a dominant ecosystem process in many Mediterranean climate type ecosystems, and is predicted to increase in severity and frequency, shifting away from previous regimes in many regions. Responses of flora and fauna to fire are relatively well studied, but less is known about the responses of belowground microbiota. We quantified soil fungal dynamics over the first 12–15 months after fire, focusing on attributes of the fire regime (season, interval, severity). Soil samples were collected from three sites in a threatened woodland ecosystem in southwestern Australia, a Mediterranean-type climate region. Fungal taxa were identified via high throughput sequencing of …

Unravelling Large-Scale Patterns And Drivers Of Biodiversity In Dry Rivers, Arnaud Foulquier, Thibault Datry, Roland Corti, Daniel Von Schiller, Klement Tockner, Rachel Stubbington, Mark O. Gessner, Frédéric Boyer, Marc Ohlmann, Wilfried Thuiller, Delphine Rioux, Christian Miquel, Ricardo Albariño, Daniel C. Allen, Florian Altermatt, Maria Isabel Arce, Shai Arnon, Damien Banas, Andy Banegas-Medina, Erin Beller, Melanie L. Blanchette, Joanna Blessing, Iola Gonçalves Boëchat, Kate Boersma, Michael Bogan, Núria Bonada

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

More than half of the world’s rivers dry up periodically, but our understanding of the biological communities in dry riverbeds remains limited. Specifically, the roles of dispersal, environmental filtering and biotic interactions in driving biodiversity in dry rivers are poorly understood. Here, we conduct a large-scale coordinated survey of patterns and drivers of biodiversity in dry riverbeds. We focus on eight major taxa, including microorganisms, invertebrates and plants: Algae, Archaea, Bacteria, Fungi, Protozoa, Arthropods, Nematodes and Streptophyta. We use environmental DNA metabarcoding to assess biodiversity in dry sediments collected over a 1-year period from 84 non-perennial rivers across 19 countries …

In Vitro Investigation Of The Potential Therapeutic Implications Of Safranal On Gastric Cancer, Aisha Juma Al Otaibi

Theses

Despite the fact that gastric cancer patients are indispensable to conventional radiation and chemotherapy, the detrimental side effects of those approaches prompt cancer research to seek new integrative treatments. In this respect, safranal (SAF) stands out as a complementary phytotherapeutic drug with exceptional anticancer properties. Concurring studies have shown that SAF is negatively associated with several cancer types, yet its potential therapeutic impact on gastric cancer remains vastly obscure. Thus, this dissertation sought to investigate SAF's prospective tumoricidal ability and its underlying mechanisms of action on gastric cancer in vitro. Herein, the study evaluated the cytotoxicity of SAF on …

Survival Of The Smartest? The Evolutionary Ecology Of Cognition In Anolis Lizards, Mahaut V. Sorlin

LSU New Orleans Theses and Dissertations

Cognitive processes such as learning, memory, and decision-making are integral to an organism’s fitness, allowing to integrate cues from its environment and adjust its behavior accordingly. Historically, cognitive abilities were thought to have evolved according to a Scala Naturae design—an idea that has since been disproven—which suggested that complex cognitive abilities were exclusive to “higher” taxa. This perspective has created significant phylogenetic gaps in our understanding of cognitive evolution. In this dissertation I aimed to address this issue by investigating the evolution of cognition in reptiles, focusing on the green (Anolis carolinensis) and the brown anole (Anolis …

Evaluating The Roles Of Pollinators In Shaping The Floral Color Variation Of Phacelia Dubia, Katherine Riddle

All Theses

Floral color variation within a species is a common occurrence and its maintenance has been a long-standing question in evolutionary biology. Differences in flower color between populations can be shaped by pollinator-mediated selection. Pollinators can exhibit innate and learned preferences for color that may influence floral color variation. These preferences may be molded by the visual environment in which pollinators forage. Most current understanding of how pollinators shape floral color variation involves dramatic differences in dominant pollinators between populations (e.g., hawkmoth vs. bee) and most behavioral work utilized model pollinators like honeybee and bumble bee. However, less is known about …

Integrated Transcriptomics And Proteomics Study Of Starvation Selected Drosophila Melanogaster, Aavash Adhikari

UNLV Theses, Dissertations, Professional Papers, and Capstones

Drosophila melanogaster, selected for starvation resistance exhibits phenotypic traits such as increased body size, slower development, reduced fecundity and obesity like characteristics including higher lipid reserves and cardiac dysfunction. While prior studies have explored the metabolic and biochemical changes in these flies, the underlying genetic and molecular mechanisms remain unclear. This study aims to investigate the gene expression and protein abundance in starvation-selected Drosophila through RNAseq, proteomics, and integrating both datasets using the MixOmics package in R. I found differential gene expression in the fat body at the third instar larval stage, particularly in pathways related to lipid metabolism, calcium …

Physiology And Genomics At The Bottom Of The World: Genome To Phenome, Amy Christine Klink

UNLV Theses, Dissertations, Professional Papers, and Capstones

Mammals are exposed to a suite of physiological challenges based on the environment in which they inhabit. Animal individuals can overcome challenges associated with the dynamic nature of their habitat through variation in phenotypic traits. The plasticity of a phenotype relies on an individual’s genome and the transcription factors that act on regulatory elements. Species living in Antarctica display physiological specializations to withstand harsh conditions, such as severe cold temperatures, shifts in available ice habitat, and annual fluctuations in daylight. To explore the connections between an individual’s genome and its phenotype, we investigated two physiologies of the Antarctic Weddell seal …

Dissecting Metabolic Landscape Of Alveolar Macrophage, Sunayana Malla

Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering: Dissertations, Theses, and Student Research

The highly plastic nature of alveolar macrophage (AM) plays a crucial role in the defense against inhaled particulates and pathogens in the lungs. Depending on the signal, AM acquires either the classically activated M1 phenotype or the alternatively activated M2 phenotype. In this study, we investigate the metabolic shift in the activated phases of AM (M1 and M2 phases) by reconstructing context specific genome-scale metabolic (GSM) models. Metabolic pathways such as pyruvate metabolism, arachidonic acid metabolism, chondroitin/heparan sulfate biosynthesis, and heparan sulfate degradation are found to be important driving forces in the development of the M1/M2 phenotypes. Additionally, we formulated …