Ecology and Evolutionary Biology Commons^™

Skin Pattern As A Potential Monitoring Tool For Frog Populations, Lídize Sagarnaga Rivera, Virginie Rolland Dr., Lorin Neuman-Lee Dr.

Create@State

Skin pattern as a potential monitoring tool for frog populations

Population monitoring, which requires identifying individuals, is crucial for species conservation. Common techniques involve marking, which can harm animals and alter their behaviors. Natural markings are an alternative not yet explored for amphibians. Yet, the traditional method with elastomers (fluorescent implants) is invasive and not completely reliable—the tag may become lost or hard to see. The American green tree frog (Dryophytes cinereus) possesses naturally occurring and distinct golden dots on their dorsal side.  Therefore, we aim to assess whether patterns of golden dots on the skin of green …

Analysis Of Mitochondrial Dna Haplotype Groups For South Texas Canids, Canis Rufus, After Past Hybridization Events, Isabella Lopez

Presentations - 2026

mtDNA: mitochondrial DNA; passed from maternal parent to offspring (Haplotype)

Haplotype:  a group of genes or genetic markers inherited together from a single parent (Haplotype)

Mitochondrial DNA haplotypes specific sequences of mtDNA that is passed exclusively from maternal parent to offspring (Giles et al. 1980)

Pro's:

It is passed unchanged from mother to offspring, meaning it is fairly stable (Giles et al. 1980)

Each cell has multiple mitochondria vs one nucleus , which means mtDNA it is more likely to be recoverable from degraded samples like scat (Templeton et al. 2013)

Microplastic-Mediated Delivery Of Di-Butyl Phthalate Alters C. Elegans Lifespan And Reproductive Fidelity, Chiara Angelyn Maldonado

Presentations - 2026

•The challenge: microplastic contamination •The question: How do microplastics and chemical contaminants affect living organisms? •The follow-up: What’s next!

Fish In An Aquaponics System, Amy M. Shambach, Rebecca M. Ward, J. Stuart Carlton, Kwamena K. Quagrainie, Tomas O. Höök

Supplementary Content for Aquaponics: Farming Fish and Growing Greens for Grades 9–12

This PowerPoint slide provides readers with information on fish in an aquaponics system. This book was published by the Purdue University Press. Copyright 2026.

Permission: Illinois-Indiana Sea Grant

Introduction To The Nitrogen Cycle, Amy M. Shambach, Rebecca M. Ward, J. Stuart Carlton, Kwamena K. Quagrainie, Tomas O. Höök

Supplementary Content for Aquaponics: Farming Fish and Growing Greens for Grades 9–12

This PowerPoint slide provides readers with an introduction to the Nitrogen cycle. This book was published by the Purdue University Press. Copyright 2026.

Permission: Illinois-Indiana Sea Grant

Information On Building An Aquaponics Business, Amy M. Shambach, Rebecca M. Ward, J. Stuart Carlton, Kwamena K. Quagrainie, Tomas O. Höök

Supplementary Content for Aquaponics: Farming Fish and Growing Greens for Grades 9–12

This PowerPoint slide provides readers with information on building an aquaponics business. This book was published by the Purdue University Press. Copyright 2026.

Permission: Illinois-Indiana Sea Grant

Anatomy Of An Aquaponics System, Amy M. Shambach, Rebecca M. Ward, J. Stuart Carlton, Kwamena K. Quagrainie, Tomas O. Höök

Supplementary Content for Aquaponics: Farming Fish and Growing Greens for Grades 9–12

This PowerPoint slide describes the anatomy of an aquaponics system. This book was published by the Purdue University Press. Copyright 2026.

Permission: Illinois-Indiana Sea Grant

How To Measure The Level Of Nitrogen In An Aquaponics System, Amy M. Shambach, Rebecca M. Ward, J. Stuart Carlton, Kwamena K. Quagrainie, Tomas O. Höök

Supplementary Content for Aquaponics: Farming Fish and Growing Greens for Grades 9–12

This PowerPoint slide shows readers how to measure the level of Nitrogen in an aquaponics system. This book was published by the Purdue University Press. Copyright 2026.

Permission: Illinois-Indiana Sea Grant

Plants In An Aquaponics System, Amy M. Shambach, Rebecca M. Ward, J. Stuart Carlton, Kwamena K. Quagrainie, Tomas O. Höök

Supplementary Content for Aquaponics: Farming Fish and Growing Greens for Grades 9–12

This PowerPoint slide provides readers with information on plants in an aquaponics system. This book was published by the Purdue University Press. Copyright 2026.

Permission: Illinois-Indiana Sea Grant

Additional Information About The Nitrogen Cycle And Population Dynamics, Amy M. Shambach, Rebecca M. Ward, J. Stuart Carlton, Kwamena K. Quagrainie, Tomas O. Höök

Supplementary Content for Aquaponics: Farming Fish and Growing Greens for Grades 9–12

This PowerPoint slide provides readers with additional information about the Nitrogen cycle and population dynamics. This book was published by the Purdue University Press. Copyright 2026.

Permission: Illinois-Indiana Sea Grant

Introduction To Aquaponics, Amy M. Shambach, Rebecca M. Ward, J. Stuart Carlton, Kwamena K. Quagrainie, Tomas O. Höök

Supplementary Content for Aquaponics: Farming Fish and Growing Greens for Grades 9–12

This PowerPoint slide provides readers with an introduction to aquaponics. This book was published by the Purdue University Press. Copyright 2026.

Permission: Illinois-Indiana Sea Grant

Cordgrass (Spartina Alterniflora) In Bio-Restoration Integrated Coastal Substrate (Brics): Restoring The New England Coastline., Kaitlyn Frances Shelley

UNH URC Open (2026 and after)

The Engineering for Agri-Environment Laboratory (EAE) is dedicated to developing nature-based solutions that enhance the resilience of agricultural and coastal ecosystems. The study involves current work (trial 2) underway in Spring 2026 and Summer 2026, integrating principles of sustainable engineering and plant science. BRICS, our Bio-Restoration Integrated Coastal Substrate, proposes a new way to reduce erosion, stabilize root structures, provide a critical habitat for wildlife, and promote vegetation throughout the coast.

Interactions Between Red Foxes And Coyotes Across Urban And Wild Habitats, Caroline E. Savage, Taylor S. Readyhough, Remington J. Moll, Jonathon D. Cepek

UNH URC Open (2026 and after)

Dens are critical to the life history of many mammal species, particularly when raising young. Excavating a den is energetically costly, so several species can use existing dens, and multiple species may inhabit the same den complex simultaneously. However, the extent of den sharing among urban mammals is understudied. Between March 2021, and June 2023, we used camera traps to monitor a multi-species den site in Cleveland, Ohio, USA. We documented den visitation and use by at least 11 mammal species, including red fox, coyote, raccoon, woodchuck, and Virginia opossum. Coyotes and red foxes both exhibited scent-marking at the den …

Presence Of Road Salts In Vernal Pools And Effects On Amphibian Development, Grace I. Bemis, Ella Mack

UNH URC Open (2026 and after)

Presence of Road Salts in Vernal Pools and Effects on Amphibian Development

Distribution Of Mussels In Two Intermittent Upland Streams Of The Arkansas Valley Ecoregion, Aaron A. Brady, Seth Drake, Zach Crain, Kendall Moles

ATU Scholars Symposium

Freshwater mussels are facing an increasing need for conservation due to their declining populations. More data is needed on mussel distributions, especially in tributaries of large rivers to properly conserve and restore populations. Big Shoal Creek and Little Shoal Creek are two upland-tributaries of the Arkansas River (Lake Dardanelle) in which no records exist for freshwater mussel populations. We addressed this knowledge gap by sampling a total of 9 sites in Little Shoal Creek and 18 sites in Big Shoal Creek to determine the abundance and distribution of mussels in these streams. Mussels were sampled using a timed search approach. …

Cutting Waste In Tupper's Restaurant, Logan Salvator, Christien Merritt, Lily Amaral, Erik Dukes

Earth Day Symposium on Climate and Sustainablity

No abstract provided.

Consumption Habitats Of Male And Female Lionfish Regarding The Production Of Eggs, Zalyn Baker, Natalie Tipsword, Sam Fisher

Symposium of Student Scholars

The lionfish, scientifically known as Pterois, belongs to the Scorpaenidae family, which is native to the Indo-Pacific Ocean, but has become an invasive species in the Caribbean Sea. First observed in Belize in 2008, lionfish have since become established in the Belize Barrier Reefs. Known for their ability to consume a wide range of species, lionfish compete with native fish for food resources. This invasive species poses a significant threat to the ecosystem due to their venomous spines, aggressive predatory behavior, lack of predators, and high reproductive rate, with lifespans extending up to 30 years. Our study aimed to investigate …

Checking For Ticks: Analyzing The Efficiency Of Different Tick Collection Methods, Peter Briggs, Lawson Trimmell, Javier Monzón

Seaver College Research And Scholarly Achievement Symposium

Ticks are the most important arthropod disease vectors in both North America and Europe. Field collection of wild ticks is vital for research on the ecology of vector-borne diseases. Dragging and trapping are the two most common methods for collecting wild ticks. Dragging involves a researcher pulling a canvas through a field to collect ticks searching for a host, while trapping exploits ticks’ natural attraction to carbon dioxide to lure them onto a canvas where they get caught on tape. Our study aimed to evaluate which of these two methods is more effective. We chose six sites across three states, …

Benthic Macroinvertebrate Populations And Water Quality Of Aquatic Systems, Nicholas Duellman

Fall Showcase for Research and Creative Inquiry

Macroinvertebrates are key indicators of aquatic health. We surveyed 3 distinct locations in the Appomattox River basin to gather data regarding conductivity and water temperature correlation on species diversity among three locations. There were significant correlations between species diversity and conductivity.

Environmental Factors Affecting Coleoptera Biomass In The Ozark Mountain Range In Arkansas, Hayley J. Springsteen

ATU Scholars Symposium

Abstract:

Terrestrial invertebrates including species of Coleoptera (beetles) play an important role in many ecosystem services including soil formation and fertility, pollination, decomposition and nutrient turnover, population regulation of other organisms through predation. Coleoptera are often vital in determining biodiversity and conservation techniques. The purpose of this study is to contribute to the knowledge of how environmental factors and different management practices are affecting Coleoptera populations and further assist ecologists in improving management techniques in the future. The insect data in this study was collected over the course of two weeks in the Arkansas portion of the Boston Mountain range. …

Pollinators And Flowering Resources In Louisville Urban Green Spaces, Sarah Hobbs

2023 Midwest Ecology & Evolution Conference

Urban Greenspaces can appear in many different forms such as parks, urban orchards, and community gardens. These spaces provide important ecosystem services such as enhanced biodiversity, improved soil health, and increased carbon sequestration. Greenspaces such as parks and community gardens have been relatively well studied in the last few decades compared to urban orchards, despite the multitude of ecosystem services that can be provided or enhanced by these orchards. We hypothesize that urban orchards will provide the optimal conditions for pollinator communities because urban orchards normally have the greatest variety of vegetation and flowering resources, which is positively correlated with …

Fossil Marine Vertebrates From The Mid-Graneros Shale (Upper Cretaceous: Mid-Cenomanian), Russell County, Kansas, Usa, Austin M. Salvino

2023 Midwest Ecology & Evolution Conference

The upper Graneros Shale are deposits of the late Cretaceous (ca. 100 Ma.) Western Interior Seaway in North America. Various vertebrate fossils have been located within the deposit, but detailed documentation had yet to be conclusively reported. This study takes into consideration the remains of fossil fishes from this uppermost Graneros shale location. The specific Graneros shale was in Russel County Kansas (Fig 1B). A location once containing a shallow marine environment of the Cretaceous Western Interior Sea. The specimens and fossilized vertebrate evidence found provide sufficient support of previous paleoecology inferences made in other locations containing Graneros shale deposits. …

Animal Frequency In The Presence & Absence Of Human Disturbance, Jade Riddle, Angel Stanley, Teresa Orellana

Fall Showcase for Research and Creative Inquiry

No abstract provided.

Thermal Tolerances Of The Invasive Macrophyte Hydrilla Verticillata, Joshua Williams

Graduate Research Showcase

Invasive species often rapidly spread due to their ability to adapt to a wide range of habitats they can occupy and lack of competition. Hydrilla verticillata is an invasive aquatic macrophyte that has spread across the United States due to human activities. Like many aquatic plants, Hydrilla has the ability to reproduce through fragmentation of the mother plant. In this method, Hydrilla fragments are then dispersed by water current to other areas where they can settle and grow. To date, little is known about the abiotic conditions that may restrict the spread of invasive Hydrilla. However, compared to other macrophytes …

Using Bioenergetics To Model The Effects Of Climate Change On Bluntnose Minnows Pimephales Notatus In A Western Kentucky Stream, Christian Slone, Christian Slone

Student Scholarship & Creative Works

Bioenergetics considers a variety of factors like consumption, excretion, and metabolism to quantify the energy use of an organism. A common use of bioenergetics modeling is to help solve fish stock problems. This project looks to develop a bioenergetics model for Bluntnose Minnows Pimephales notatus to help predict effects of climate change on the biodiversity of western Kentucky streams. We used R and NetLogo to create an agent-based bioenergetics model to simulate the size distribution of Bluntnose Minnows under various temperature regimes. Bluntnose Minnow metabolism increases, and consumption decreases with an increase in water temperature. Fish growth seems to be …

Binder Cover Garden Ecology, Center For Urban Resilience

Module 10: Garden Ecology

No abstract provided.

Powerpoint - Educator And Student Instructions, Center For Urban Resilience

Module 10: Garden Ecology

No abstract provided.

Powerpoint - Maintaining The Garden, Center For Urban Resilience

Module 10: Garden Ecology

No abstract provided.

Binder Cover, Center For Urban Resilience

Module 13: Birds in the Urban Landscape

No abstract provided.

Urban Birds, Center For Urban Resilience

Module 13: Birds in the Urban Landscape

No abstract provided.