Cell and Developmental Biology Commons^™

Ecology And Sympatric Relations Of Crevice Salamanders In Randolph County, West Virginia, Jayme Linn Waldron

Theses, Dissertations and Capstones

By implementing a mark-recapture study, I investigated the ecology of three species of sympatric plethodontid salamanders (Aneides aeneus, Desmognathus ochrophaeus, and Plethodon glutinosus) on rock outcrops in the Westvaco Wildlife and Ecosystem Research Forest, Randolph County, West Virginia. By examining activity patterns, vertical stratification, and habitat preference for A. aeneus, D. ochrophaeus, and P. glutinosus, I attempted to offer some insight into how these sympatric species avoid competition on small, isolated rock outcrops. Twenty-one surveys, both nocturnal and diurnal, were performed between 11 May and 17 October, 1999. During this time, 89 salamanders, encompassing five species ( …

Three-Dimensional Reconstructions Of Tadpole Chondrocrania From Histological Sections, Gary P. Radice, Mary Kate Boggiano, Mark Desantis, Peter M. Larson, Joseph Oppong, Matthew T. Smetanick, Todd M. Stevens, James Tripp, Rebecca A. Weber, Michael Kerckhove, Rafael O. De Sá

Biology Faculty Publications

Reconstructing three dimensional structures (3DR) from histological sections has always been difficult but is becoming more accessible with the assistance of digital imaging. We sought to assemble a low cost system using readily available hardware and software to generate 3DR for a study of tadpole chondrocrania. We found that a combination of RGB camera, stereomicroscope, and Apple Macintosh PowerPC computers running NIH Image, Object Image, Rotater. and SURFdriver software provided acceptable reconstructions. These are limited in quality primarily by the distortions arising from histological protocols rather than hardware or software.

Use Of Extractable Lipofuscin For Age Determination Of Blue Crab Callinectes Sapidus, Se-Jong Ju, David H. Secor, H. Rodger Harvey

OES Faculty Publications

The blue crab Callinectes sapidus is an economically and ecologically important species in many temperate estuaries, yet stock assessments have been limited to length-based methods for demographic analyses. We evaluated the potential of age pigments (lipofuscins) sequestered in neural tissue of eye-stalks and brains to estimate the age of blue crabs collected from Chesapeake Bay and Chincoteague Bay. The rate of lipofuscin accumulation was determined using crabs of known age reared in the laboratory. Age pigments were extracted from neural tissues (eye-stalk or brain), quantified, and normalized to protein content to allow comparisons across tissue types and crab sizes. Field-collected …

Estructura Del Condrocráneo Y Esqueleto Visceral De Larvas De Pseudis Minuta (Anura, Pseudidae, E. O. Lavilla, Rafael O. De Sá

Biology Faculty Publications

The chondrocranium and visceral skeleton of Pseudis minuta tadpoles are described, based on a series of five larvae in stages 31 - 35 of Gosner (1960). Among their striking characters are the presence of peculiar articular surfaces between cornua trabeculae and suprarostral cartilage, the incomplete development of the orbital cartilage, the high fenestration of the floor of the cavum cranii, the fusion of posterior foramina, and the fusion of spicules 3 and 4 in the hyobranchial skeleton.

The Timing And Pattern Of Myogenesis In Hymenochirus Boettgeri, Matthew T. Smetanick, Rafael O. De Sá

Biology Faculty Publications

Differences in the relative timing of homologous developmental events among closely related species, known as heterochronies, may provide valuable clues in understanding evolutionary relationships (McKinney, 1988; McNamara, 1995). Examining the timing of myogenic events is a relatively easy and effective method for finding heterochronic events. For example, whether muscle proteins and myofibrils appear before or after multinucleation can be determined through histological techniques (Kielbowna, 1981). Simple observations of live specimens can pinpoint functional landmarks such as first twitch (spontaneous or due to external stimuli) and first heartbeat.

Development Of The Suprarostral Plate Of Pipoid Frogs, Rafael O. De Sá, Charles C. Swart

Biology Faculty Publications

The rostral region of nonpipoid tadpoles has two sets of cartilages, the cornua trabeculae and the suprarostral cartilages, whereas the rostral region in pipoid larvae is occupied by a single and continuous cartilage, the suprarostral plate. The homology of this region in pipoid and nonpipoids tadpoles has been controversial. We examined the early formation and development of the suprarostral plate using serially cross-sectioned specimens of Rhinophrynus, Xenopus, and Hymenochirus. We conclude that the cartilaginous structures present in the rostral area of pipoid and nonpipoid larvae are homologous. Furthermore, we found two different developmental patterns among pipoid larvae. The chondrocranium …

Osteological Analysis Of The Killifish Genus Cynolebias (Cyprinodontiformes: Rivulidae), Marcelo Loureiro, Rafael O. De Sá

Biology Faculty Publications

Relationships among the species of the annual fish Cynolebias are unclear. An analysis of the variation and utility of osteological characters for phylogenetic analysis was done using cleared and double-stained specimens representing 21 species of Cynolebias. This analysis showed that some of the characters previously used to diagnose this genus and some of the species are polymorphic. Osteologically, Cynolebias can be diagnosed by the following synapomorphies: (1) triangular-shaped parietal, (2) vomer positioned ventral to the parasphenoid, (3) long ventral process of the dentary, (4) teeth on fourth ceratobranchial, and (5) teeth on first epibranchial. In addition, characters that help …

Phylogenetic Implications Of Sporangial Ultrastructure In The Subfamily Lithophylloideae (Corallinales, Rhodophyta), Mark T. Bedell

Dissertations, Theses, and Masters Projects

No abstract provided.

The Biology Of Xenopus By R. C. Tinsley And H. C. Kobel, Rafael O. De Sá

Biology Faculty Publications

The Biology of Xenopus presents a summary of current knowledge about a single genus resulting from a symposium held at the Zoological Society of London in September 1992. This approach to summarizing available information has also been taken for other taxa, such as Atelopus (Lotters, 1996). However, the task of compiling data for Xenopus is enormous relative to any other amphibian group, because Xenopus laevis has become a model system for molecular and development research (Cannatella and de Sa, 1993). Unfortunately, most of our knowledge of Xenopus is biased toward this single species. There are about 20 recognized species of …

Chondrocranial Morphology Of Leptodactylus Larvae (Leptodactylidae: Leptodactylinae): Its Utility In Phylogenetic Reconstruction, Peter M. Larson, Rafael O. De Sá

Biology Faculty Publications

Chondrocranial morphology of leptodactylid frogs is scarcely known and has not been completely described for any species of Leptodactylus. We describe the diversity of chondrocranial morphology in the genus Leptodactylus based on the analysis of 22 species, representing the four species groups: the fuscus Group, ocellatus Group, melanonotus Group, and pentadactylus Group. Furthermore, 26 characters are identified and used in a phylogenetic analysis. The phylogenetic analysis using Physalaemus, Crossodactylus, and Hylodes as outgroups suggests two monophyletic clades within Leptodactylus: the melanonotus-ocellatus clade and the pentadactylusfuscus clade. However, it does not support the monophyly of the species groups as currently recognized …

The Tadpole Of Pseudis Minuta (Anura: Pseudidae), An Apparent Case Of Heterochrony, Rafael O. De Sá, Esteban O. Lavilla

Biology Faculty Publications

The external morphology, oral disc, and coloration pattern of the larva of Pseudis minuta are described. Tadpoles are mostly bottom dwellers that have a small, terminal oral disc with a labial tooth row formula 1(1-1)/(1-1)2. Internal oral anatomy is characterized using scanning electron microscopy, representing the only description available for the family Pseudidae. The coloration pattern of P. minuta tadpoles is compared with that of other pseudids. Pseudis minuta larvae do not exhibit the ontogenetic coloration change reported for P. paradoxa. Considering larval coloration, larval size, and reports of adult size, acceleration or hypermorphosis are suggested as possible heterochronic mechanisms …

External Morphology Of The Chorion Of The Annual Fishes Cynolebias (Cyprinodontiformes: Rivulidae), Marcelo Loureiro, Rafael O. De Sá

Biology Faculty Publications

Members of the family Rivulidae (killifishes) inhabit temporary bodies of freshwater in South and Central America (one species is also found in North America). The most remarkable characteristic of the family Rivulidae is that species have an annual life cycle with a drought-resistant egg during the dry season. Parenti's (1981) analysis of the order Cyprinodontiformes considered a single genus, Cynolebias, whereas Cos- ta's (1990) phylogenetic analysis of the family Rivulidae separates Cynolebias from Cynopoecilus. One of Costa's synapomorphies to separate Cynopoecilus is the unique structure of their egg's chorion, which is shared with Leptolebias and Campellolebias.

Genetic Analysis Of Rhinichthys Atratulus (Pisces: Cyprinidae) In North Central West Virginia, Alan Harper Tennant

Theses, Dissertations and Capstones

The blacknose dace, Rhinichthys atratulus, is a cyprinid minnow common to shallow streams throughout North America. It has been shown to be sensitive to anthropogenic stress and a study of the genetic nature of R. atratulus populations may yield information about their habitats. In West Virginia, two subspecies of R. atratulus are present, R. a. atratulus and R. a. obtusus, which are separated by the Allegheny divide. In north central West Virginia, R. a. atratulus was observed in the Cheat River drainage, an area previously thought be within the range of R. a. obtusus. Fish of the R. a. atratulus …

Características De La Osificación Craneal En Phyllomedusa Boliviana (Anura: Hylidae), Rafael O. De Sá, E. O. Lavilla

Biology Faculty Publications

RESUMEN. Dentro de la familia Hylidae disponemos de información sobre las secuencias de osificación craneal para menos del 4.0% de sus miembros. El presente trabajo describe la secuencia de osificación craneal de Phyllomedusa boliviana. El patrón general de osificación es similar a lo reportado para otras especies de la familia, pero existen algunas diferencias importantes tales como la osificación tardía de los próoticos y la osificación premetamórfica de neopalatino, vómer, cuadrado-yugal, pterigoides y columela. El lento desarrollo ulterior de la osificación resulta en juveniles con cráneos extensamente cartilaginosos.

ABSTRACT. Characteristics of the cranial ossification in Phyllomedusa …

Development And Lipid Composition Of The Harpacticoid Copepod Nitocra Spinipes Reared On Different Diets, Gregory M. Weiss, George B. Mcmanus, H. Rodger Harvey

OES Faculty Publications

We reared the harpacticoid copepod Nitocra spinipes on diets of bacteria, a diatom, or a macroalga, evaluating survivorship and growth in short-term (≤ 1 generation) experiments. Lipid content of the copepods and their diets was measured and used as an index of nutrition. Although growth, survivorship and lipid content of N. spinipes were significantly greater when fed the diatom, which had the highest lipid content of the 3 diets, the copepod was able to develop from egg to adult when fed a lipid- poor bacterial diet. Furthermore, this species was able to go through developmental molts without the addition of …

Phylogeny Of The Haplosporidia (Eukaryota: Alveolata) Based On Small Subunit Ribosomal Rna Gene Sequence, Brenda Sandy Flores

Dissertations, Theses, and Masters Projects

No abstract provided.

Trophic Transfer Of Fatty Acids, Sterols, And A Triterpenoid Alcohol Between Bacteria, A Ciliate, And The Copepod Acartia Tonsa, Melissa C. Ederington, George B. Mcmanus, H. Rodger Harvey

OES Faculty Publications

The incorporation of lipids into the copepod Acartia tonsa and its eggs was measured when it was fed either a bacterivorous ciliate (Pleuronema sp.) or a diatom (Thalassiosira weissflogii). Egg production was 10-fold higher on the diatom diet, whereas hatch success of eggs was the same for algal and ciliate diets. Adult copepods fed diatoms contained more total fatty acid and sterols than copepods fed the ciliate diet, and individual lipids reflected the dietary source. Eggs from diatom-fed copepods had fewer fatty acids but more sterols than eggs from copepods on a ciliate diet. Ciliate-fed copepods and …

Pollination Of The Crown Imperial Fritillaria Imperialis By Great Tits Parus Major, Winfried S. Peters, Michael Pirl, Gerhard Gottsberger, Dieter Stefan Peters

Winfried S. Peters

Xenopus Laevis As A Model Organism, David C. Cannatella, Rafael O. De Sá

Biology Faculty Publications

Model organisms are often assumed to be representative of some more inclusive taxon of which the species is a part. This assumption leads to mistaken generalizations about the evolutionary and comparative significance of the data gathered. This paper reviews com? parative and evolutionary studies of Xenopus laevis and its relatives. Phylogenetic analysis of data from DNA sequences and morphology indicate that Xenopus is monophyletic and that Silurana is its sister group. The most basal lineages of Pipidae diverged prior to the breakup of Gondwana. The bizarre morphology of Xenopus is in part due to changes in the mode of meta? …

Ribosomal Dna And The Phylogeny Of Frogs, David M. Hills, Loren K. Ammerman, Michael T. Dixon, Rafael O. De Sá

Biology Faculty Publications

Phylogenetic analysis of 1656 aligned sites in the 28S ribosomal RNA gene of frogs supports some of the recently recognized higher groups of anurans but provides counter-support for others. The 28S rDNA data support the monophyly of the recently recognized Pipanura (me- sobatrachians plus neobatrachians), which in turn indicates paraphyly of archaeobatrachians. Me- sobatrachians (pelobatoids plus pipoids), which are either considered paraphyletic or weakly sup- ported as monophyletic in morphological analyses, also receive support as a monophyletic group from the 28S rDNA data. Hyloidea (=Bufonoidea), which is widely recognized but lacks morphological support, receives some molecular support as being monophyletic. …

Die Konsequenzen Eines Lebens Im Druckbehälter. Biotheoretische Implikationen Der Organisation Pflanzlicher Organismen [The Consequences Of Living In A Pressure Pot. Biotheoretical Implications Of The Organismic Architecture Of Plants], Winfried Peters, Hubert Felle

Winfried S. Peters

Karyology And Morphometrics Of Three Species Of Akodon (Mammalia: Muridae) From Northwestern Argentina, Rubén M. Barquez, Daniel F. Williams, Michael A. Mares, Hugh H. Genoways

University of Nebraska State Museum: Mammalogy Papers

Chromosomal and morphometric studies were conducted on a sample from an assemblage of Akodon spp. occurring in various patterns of sympatry from the provinces of Catamarca, Jujuy, Salta, and Tucumán, Argentina. Results showed three distinct morphometric groups based upon size. Size also varied with age, but there were no significant differences in measurements of males and females. The three morphometric groups have distinct karyotypes. Akodon caenosus Thomas is the smallest of the three, and has a karyotype of 2n = 34, FN = 40. A. boliviensis tucumanensis J. A. Allen is intermediate in size and has 2n = 40, FN …

The Evolutionary And Ecological Significance Of The Clutch Size Of The Osprey (Pandion Haliaetus), Christopher Hall Stinson

Dissertations, Theses, and Masters Projects

No abstract provided.