Ecology and Evolutionary Biology Commons^™

Observational Study Of Two Ex Situ North American River Otters (Lontra Canadensis), Julia Rifenberg

The Pegasus Review: UCF Undergraduate Research Journal

Zoos enable the ability to study how captive conditions impact the behaviors of animals. In this study, I observed two North American river otters housed at the Central Florida Zoo to evaluate behavioral changes after the male had been removed from the female for a month-long medical examination. The aim of this study was to 1) determine if mating behaviors were still occurring between the two river otters following the male’s removal and 2) to assess the welfare of the male and female river otters in captivity by observing their interactions and individual behaviors. Observed behaviors were compared to documented …

The Genomics Of Ecological Flexibility, Large Brains, And Long Lives In Capuchin Monkeys Revealed With Fecalfacs., Joseph D Orkin, Michael J Montague, Daniela Tejada-Martinez, Marc De Manuel, Javier Del Campo, Saul Cheves Hernandez, Anthony Di Fiore, Claudia Fontsere, Jason A Hodgson, Mareike C Janiak, Lukas F K Kuderna, Esther Lizano, Maria Pia Martin, Yoshihito Niimura, George H Perry, Carmen Soto Valverde, Jia Tang, Wesley C Warren, João Pedro De Magalhães, Shoji Kawamura, Tomàs Marquès-Bonet, Roman Krawetz, Amanda D Melin

Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology Faculty Papers

Ecological flexibility, extended lifespans, and large brains have long intrigued evolutionary biologists, and comparative genomics offers an efficient and effective tool for generating new insights into the evolution of such traits. Studies of capuchin monkeys are particularly well situated to shed light on the selective pressures and genetic underpinnings of local adaptation to diverse habitats, longevity, and brain development. Distributed widely across Central and South America, they are inventive and extractive foragers, known for their sensorimotor intelligence. Capuchins have among the largest relative brain size of any monkey and a lifespan that exceeds 50 y, despite their small (3 to …

European Aspen With High Compared To Low Constitutive Tannin Defenses Grow Taller In Response To Anthropogenic Nitrogen Enrichment, Franziska Bandau, Benedicte Riber Albrectsen, Kathryn M. Robinson, Michael J. Gundale

Aspen Bibliography

Boreal forests receive nitrogen-(N)-enrichment via atmospheric deposition and industrial fertilization. While it is known that N-enrichment can intensify interactions with natural antagonists, it remains poorly understood how genetic variability in plant defense chemistry can affect biotic interactions and height growth in N-enriched environments. We grew replicates of five low- and high-tannin Populus tremula genotypes, respectively, under three N-treatments (ambient, 15, and 150 kg N ha−1 yr−1). We assessed shoot blight occurrence (i.e. symptoms caused by Venturia fungi) during four growing seasons, and tree height growth during the same period. Damage by Venturia spp. increased with N-addition during all years, likely …

Effects Of Plant Species Diversity And Biomass On Grazing Patch Selection By Semi Free-Ranging Cattle, Samora Andrew

Tanzania Journal of Science

Studies examining forage selection by large herbivores have generally focused on single herbivore-plant relationships and few studies link plant species diversity with large herbivore feeding preferences, particularly in species-rich ecosystems. A study was therefore conducted to examine how herbaceous plant biomass, species richness, diversity and evenness, together with elevation and distances to houses, agricultural fields and cattle holding-pen areas (kraals), predict cattle grazing intensity at small (0.5 x 0.5 m) and large (20 x 50 m) patches by semi free-ranging indigenous cattle in Kilombero Valley Floodplain wetland Tanzania. Results showed that cattle grazed patches with high species richness and intermediate …

Geometric Morphometric Comparison Of Abu Mullet, Planiliza Abu (Heckel, 1843) Populations In Bushehr Basin, Iran: Fatemeh Shabaninejad, Yazdan Keivany, Dara Bagheri, Fatemeh Shabaninejad, Yazdan Keivany, Dara Bagheri

Tanzania Journal of Science

Many fish behavior and habitats could be defined based on the fish morphology, thus, using the fish body shape, in addition  to its genetic characteristics, could be used to infer the type of fish habitat and its characteristics. This study aimed to compare the body shapes of five populations of abu mullet, Planiliza abu (Heckel, 1843), in Bushehr basin using geometric morphometric method. Some 162 specimens from Hendijan, Genaveh, Helleh, Kaki and Mond rivers were used. Three morphometric characters, total length (TL), fork length (FL) and standard length (SL) were measured. Samples were photographed from the left side, then 18 …

Anthropogenic And Climatic Factors Interact To Influence Reproductive Timing And Effort, Susannah S. French, Geoffrey Smith

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Reproduction, although absolutely essential to a species’ persistence, is in itself challenging. As anthropogenic change increasingly affects every landscape on Earth, it is critical to understand how specific pressures impact the reproductive efforts of individuals, which directly contribute to the success or failure of populations. However, organisms rarely encounter a single burden at a time, and the interactions of environmental challenges can have compounding effects. Disentangling environmental and physiological pressures is difficult because they are often context-dependent and not generalizable, but long-term monitoring across variable landscapes and weather patterns can improve our understanding of these complex interactions. We tested the …

Microbiome Analyses Demonstrate Specific Communities Within Five Shark Species, Rachael Storo, Cole Easson, Mahmood S. Shivji, Jose V. Lopez

Biology Faculty Articles

Profiles of symbiotic microbial communities (“microbiomes”) can provide insight into the natural history and ecology of their hosts. Using high throughput DNA sequencing of the 16S rRNA V4 region, microbiomes of five shark species in South Florida (nurse, lemon, sandbar, Caribbean reef, and tiger) have been characterized for the first time. The microbiomes show species specific microbiome composition, distinct from surrounding seawater. Shark anatomical location (gills, teeth, skin, cloaca) affected the diversity of microbiomes. An in-depth analysis of teeth communities revealed species specific microbial communities. For example, the genus Haemophilus, explained 7.0% of the differences of the teeth microbiomes …

Habitat Characteristics Of Two Scorpion Species, Liocheles Australasiae (Fabricius, 1775) And Isometrus Maculatus (De Geer, 1778) In Miyako Islands, Japan, Kazusa Kawai

Euscorpius

Scorpion surveys were conducted in the five islands: Miyakojima, Ikemajima, Kurimajima, Irabujima, and Shimojishima (Miyako Islands, part of Nansei/Ryukyu Islands of Japan). Eight individuals of Liocheles australasiae (Hormuridae) and 16 individuals of Isometrus maculatus (Buthidae) were observed in a total of 10 points on four islands, except Ikemajima. The localities of both species are recorded in this survey, focusing on altitude, distance from the nearest coast, and sunlight. The lowest temperatures in the habitat are also examined, and the cold tolerance of the species is discussed.

Picking Up Where The Tmdl Leaves Off: Using The Partnership Wild And Scenic River Framework For Collaborative River Restoration, Alan R. Hunt, Meiyin Wu, Tsung-Ta David Hsu, Nancy Roberts-Lawler, Jessica T. Miller, Alessandra Rossi, Lee Lee

Department of Biology Faculty Scholarship and Creative Works

The National Wild and Scenic Rivers Act protects less than ¼ of a percent of the United States’ river miles, focusing on free-flowing rivers of good water quality with outstandingly remarkable values for recreation, scenery, and other unique river attributes. It predates the enactment of the Clean Water Act, yet includes a clear anti-degradation principle, that pollution should be reduced and eliminated on designated rivers, in cooperation with the federal Environmental Protection Agency and state pollution control agencies. However, the federal Clean Water Act lacks a clear management framework for implementing restoration activities to reduce non-point source pollution, of which …

Distribution, Status, And Life History Aspects Of Two Rare Logperches, Percina Burtoni And Percina Apina, Jeffrey W. Simmons

Southeastern Fishes Council Proceedings

The Blotchside Logperch, Percina burtoni, and Tennessee Logperch, Percina apina, are Tennessee-Cumberland River drainage endemics that have experienced range reductions due to anthropogenic influences. All known collection records were gathered to fully describe the historical distribution of these species for comparison to their currently inhabited range. Discussion of major impacts to rivers that contain or contained these species is included for an understanding of factors that may have influenced contemporary distributions. Extensive field surveys were conducted during 2014 to 2017 to aid in determination of the current status and distribution of populations. New information of previously unreported or …

Observations On The Distribution And Status Of Selected Nebraska Mammals, Zachary P. Roehrs, Russell A. Benedict, Thomas E. Labedz, Hugh H. Genoways

Transactions of the Nebraska Academy of Sciences and Affiliated Societies

Information on the distribution and current status of 25 species or subspecies of mammals occurring in Nebraska are presented. The species covered include one shrew, an armadillo, eight bats, 10 rodents (including two subspecies of one species), three carnivores, and one artiodactyl. Distributional information reported includes the first state record for one species (Sorex nanus) and new county records for 18 species. In Nebraska, we know that mammals are shifting their geographic ranges with some extending populations into the state, whereas others are expanding their geographic ranges within the state. The current status of six additional mammalian taxa …

Survival Of Fishes In A Stormwater Retention Pond At The Watershed Nature Center, Edwardsville, Illinois, Manuel Gomez, Richard B. Brugam Ph.D., Sharon Locke

SIUE Faculty Research, Scholarship, and Creative Activity

A study of the Upper Pond at the Edwardsville Watershed Nature Center (WNC) was conducted to discover the potential cause of fish kills in the small stormwater retention pond and to determine how the current populations of bluegill (Lepomis macrochirus), redear sunfish (Lepomis microlophus), common carp (Cyprinus carpio) and largemouth bass (Micropterus salmoides) can survive in the pond based on prevailing environmental conditions. Dissolved oxygen (DO) was measured from June 19 to December 5, 2019 at a site in the center of the open lake (4 m deep) and from a dock …

Impulse Vaccination Model For The Control Of Devil Facial Tumor Disease, Zachary Bobbitt, Timothy Comar, Megan O. Powell, Catherine Roberts, Nicholas Schneider, Teagen Smith

Spora: A Journal of Biomathematics

Devil facial tumor disease (DFTD) is a cancer that affects Tasmanian devils and that has caused the devil population to grossly decline since 1996. We present an SEIVR model to explore if recent advances in DFTD vaccines can help the wild population recover. Considering both and bi-annual impulse of vaccinating wild devils through food drops and introducing vaccinated captive-bred devils into the population, we explore the vaccine efficacy, percent of healthy devils receiving the vaccine, and years of campaign necessary for the devil population to have a long-term recovery. Based on our initial parameter estimations, we find a stable population …

76-Year Decline And Recovery Of Aspen Mediated By Contrasting Fire Regimes: Long-Unburned, Infrequent And Frequent Mixed-Severity Wildfire, Cerena J. Brewen, John-Pascal Berrill, Martin W. Ritchie, Kevin Boston, Christa M. Dagley, Bobette Jones, Michelle Coppoletta, Coye L. Burnett

Aspen Bibliography

Quaking aspen (Populus tremuloides) is a valued, minor component on northeastern California landscapes. It provides a wide range of ecosystem services and has been in decline throughout the region for the last century. This decline may be explained partially by the lack of fire on the landscape due to heavier fire suppression, as aspen benefit from fire that eliminates conifer competition and stimulates reproduction through root suckering. However, there is little known about how aspen stand area changes in response to overlapping fire. Our study area in northeastern California on the Lassen, Modoc and Plumas National Forests has …

The Feasibility Of Renewable Natural Gas In New Jersey, Anneliese Dyer, Amelia Christine Miller, Brianna Chandra, Juan Galindo Maza, Carley Tran, Justin Bates, Vicky Olivier, Amy Tuininga

PSEG Institute for Sustainability Studies Publications

With traditional natural gas being one of the top options for heating in the United States and the present threat of climate change, there is a demand for an alternative clean fuel source. A Renewable Natural Gas Implementation Decision-Making Conceptual Model was created to provide a framework for considering the feasibility of renewable natural gas (RNG) projects and applied to New Jersey, specifically investigating landfills and wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs). Data from the US EPA’s Landfill Methane Outreach Program and New Jersey’s Department of Environmental Protection Sewage Sludge databases were used to identify seven landfills and 22 WWTPs as possible …

Data From: Recovery From Discrete Wound Severities In Side-Blotched Lizards (Uta Stansburiana): Implications For Energy Budget, Locomotor Performance, And Oxidative Stress, Susannah S. French, Spencer B. Hudson

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Wounding events (predation attempts, competitive combat) result in injuries and/or infections that induce integrated immune responses for the recovery process. Despite the survival benefits of immunity in this context, the costs incurred may require investment to be diverted from traits contributing to immediate and/or future survival, such as locomotor performance and oxidative status. Yet, whether trait constraints manifest likely depends on wound severity and the implications for energy budget. For this study, food intake, body mass, sprint speed, and oxidative indices (reactive oxygen metabolites, antioxidant capacity) were monitored in male side-blotched lizards (Uta stansburiana) healing from cutaneous wounds of discrete …

Fire Alters Plant Microbiome Assembly Patterns: Integrating The Plant And Soil Microbial Response To Disturbance, Nicholas C. Dove, Dawn M. Klingeman, Alyssa A. Carrell, Melissa A. Cregger, Christopher W. Schadt

Aspen Bibliography

• It is increasingly evident that the plant microbiome is a strong determinant of plant health. While the ability to manipulate the microbiome in plants and ecosystems recovering from disturbance may be useful, our understanding of the plant microbiome in regenerating plant communities is currently limited.
• Using 16S ribosomal RNA (rRNA) gene and internal transcribed spacer (ITS) region amplicon sequencing, we characterized the leaf, stem, fine root, rhizome, and rhizosphere microbiome of < 1-yr-old aspen saplings and the associated bulk soil after a recent high-intensity prescribed fire across a burn severity gradient.
• Consistent with previous studies, we found that soil microbiomes are responsive to fire. We extend these findings by showing that certain plant tissue microbiomes also change in response to …

Molecular Characterization Of A Marine Turtle Tumor Epizootic, Profiling External, Internal And Postsurgical Regrowth Tumors, Kelsey Yetsko, Jessica A. Farrell, Nicholas B. Blackburn, Liam Whitmore, Maximilian R. Stammnitz, Jenny Whilde, Catherine B. Eastman, Devon Rollinson Ramia, Ana C. Leandro

School of Medicine Publications

Sea turtle populations are under threat from an epizootic tumor disease (animal epidemic) known as fibropapillomatosis. Fibropapillomatosis continues to spread geographically, with prevalence of the disease also growing at many longer-affected sites globally. However, we do not yet understand the precise environmental, mutational and viral events driving fibropapillomatosis tumor formation and progression.

Here we perform transcriptomic and immunohistochemical profiling of five fibropapillomatosis tumor types: external new, established and postsurgical regrowth tumors, and internal lung and kidney tumors. We reveal that internal tumors are molecularly distinct from the more common external tumors. However, they have a small number of conserved potentially …

Otolith Microchemistry Reveals Low Habitat Connectivity Of California Killifish (Fundulus Parvipinnis) Across A Range Of Spatial Scales, Lisa Robison

Theses

As wetlands face continued fragmentation worldwide, an understanding of habitat connectivity and how fishes that rely on these environments is imperative to conduct effective marine management. Site fidelity and habitat connectivity are vital measures of the interdependence of fish populations living in neighboring marshes (or in regions of a single marsh).

Here, we examine the habitat connectivity, site fidelity, and movement of California killifish (Fundulus parvipinnis) within and among three estuaries in Southern California through otolith microelemental analysis. Assessing the site fidelity of estuarine fishes is important to determine the level of connectivity between spatially distinct populations within …

Using Aerial Photogrammetry And Sexually Dimorphic Measurements To Investigate Seasonal Differences In School Composition Of Delphinus Spp. Off Southern California, Samantha Gm Leander

Theses

Insights into school composition can provide a means to understand basic biology and ecology, including reproductive patterns. They can also be applied to conservation assessments, allowing for better understanding of the potentially differential vulnerability of demographic groups to natural or anthropogenic disturbances that may influence their populations. However, the two subspecies of common dolphins in the waters off California (Delphinus delphis delphis and D. d. bairdii) form large, energetic groups that make characterization of school composition difficult. Remotely controlled drones now offer the opportunity for the study of school composition in Delphinus spp., allowing for precise morphometric measurements …

Waste Water Treatment: A Bibliometric Study Of Scopus And Web Of Science Publications, Shilpa Malge, Dipika Jaspal, Smita Jadhav

Library Philosophy and Practice (e-journal)

A bibliographic study of the different publication trends in waste water treatment have been carried out from 2000-2019, and presented in the manuscript. The study revolves around publications considering waste water treatment of insecticide, pesticide, dyes, heavy metals, containing waste water. The growth of research in waste water treatment in the past decade, as evident from the publication databases, has led to the development of interest and curiosity in the growing area of water treatment. The reference points for the analysis in the present study have been Scopus and Web of Science databases, which have been considered and referred to …

Scorpions Of The Horn Of Africa (Arachnida: Scorpiones). Part Xxvi. Records Of Hottentotta Polystictus (Pocock, 1896), With Descriptions Of H. Haudensis Sp. N. And H. Nigrimontanus Sp. N. (Buthidae) From Somaliland, František Kovařík, Graeme Lowe

Euscorpius

The distribution of Hottentotta polystictus (Pocock, 1896) is summarized according to recently confirmed records. Two new species, Hottentotta haudensis sp. n. and H. nigrimontanus sp. n. from the Somaliland, are described, compared with H. polystictus, and fully illustrated with color photos showing their morphology, habitus and collection areas. H. haudensis sp. n. is the smallest known species of the genus Hottentotta Birula, 1908, while H. nigrimontanus sp. n. is larger than H. polystictus.

Enoclerus Hefferni, A New Species Of Checkered Beetle (Coleoptera: Cleridae: Clerinae) From Honduras, With Additions To The Honduran Enoclerus Gahan Fauna, Jacques Rifkind

Insecta Mundi

Enoclerus hefferni Rifkind, new species (Coleoptera: Cleridae: Clerinae), is described from Hon­duras. This beetle represents the second known Honduran endemic Enoclerus Gahan species. New country records for 12 species of Enoclerus are presented for Honduras.

The Enoclerus Gahan fauna of Honduras is poorly known, and heretofore only seven species (E. gibbus Ekis, 1976, E. hoegei (Gorham, 1882), E. irregularis Barr, 1978, E. nigromaculatus (Chevrolat, 1843), E. pilatei (Chevrolat, 1874), E. salvini (Gorham, 1876), and E. zebra (Chevrolat, 1843)) have been recorded for that country. Most of these species have broader distributions north into Guatemala and southern Mexico, or south …

New Species, New Records And Synonymy Of Brazilian Species Of Hypothenemus Westwood, 1834 (Coleoptera: Curculionidae: Scolytinae), Thomas H. Atkinson, Carlos A.H. Flechtmann

Insecta Mundi

Eight new species of Hypothenemus Westwood (Coleoptera: Curculionidae: Scolytinae) are de­scribed from Brazil and Peru: H. subsulcatus Atkinson and Flechtmann new species, H. wilsoni Atkinson and Flechtmann new species, H. murariae Atkinson and Flechtmann new species, H. lunzi Atkinson and Flechtmann new species, H. cordeiroi Atkinson and Flechtmann new species, H. concavodeclivis Atkinson and Flechtmann new species, H. foelkelae Atkinson and Flechtmann new species, H. olzenoi Atkinson and Flechtmann new species. Fifteen species are recorded from Brazil for the first time, including H. aulmanni …

Occurrence Status Of The Fall Armyworm (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) In South Korea, Soo-Jung Suh, Deuk-Soo Choi, Sol-Moon Na

Insecta Mundi

To respond to the growing risk from Spodoptera frugiperda (J.E. Smith), the migratory fall ar­myworm (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae), the National Fall Armyworm Surveillance Program (NFASP) for early detection for this pest ran from April to November during 2019 and 2020. The fall armyworm surveillance program involved seasonal monitoring of the pest with pheromone traps placed in fields of cereal crops at high-risk locations. The trapping season ran from early spring to late autumn, with a total deployment of 396 traps. During the survey of 2019 to 2020, a total of 120 male adults of S. frugiperda were captured in these …

Three New Species Of Phaea Newman (Coleoptera: Cerambycidae), With Discussion Of The Need For And Designation Of A Lectotype For Phaea Rufiventris Bates, James E. Wappes, Antonio Santos-Silva

Insecta Mundi

Three new species of Phaea Newman, 1840 (Coleoptera: Cerambycidae) are described from Me­xico: P. quadrimaculata Wappes and Santos-Silva, new species; P. aurantia Wappes and Santos-Silva, new species; and the third, P. tavakiliani Wappes and Santos-Silva, new species, whose specimens were found within the type series of Phaea rufiventris Bates, 1872. Hence, a lectotype is designated for the latter and the new species is described herein.

On The Transference Of Ataxia Tibialis Schaeffer To Bisaltes (Bisaltes) Thomson With Synonymies And New Records In The Genus (Coleoptera: Cerambycidae), Antonio Santos-Silva, James E. Wappes

Insecta Mundi

Ataxia tibialis Schaeffer, 1908 (Coleoptera: Cerambycidae: Lamiinae: Pteropliini) is transferred to Bisaltes (Bisaltes) Thomson, 1868 (Apomecynini), new combination; the female is described for the first time. This extends the range of the genus, previously only known as far north as Costa Rica, to southern Texas. Bisaltes (Bisaltes) obliquatus Breuning, 1940 is found to be conspecific with Bisaltes (Bisaltes) uniformis Breuning, 1939, new synonymy, and recorded from Argentina and the Brazilian state of São Paulo. The ho­lotypes of Esthlogena pulverea Bates, 1866, and Bisaltes posticalis Thomson, 1868 (currently, both synonyms of Bisaltes (Bisaltes …

Recharacterization Of Stenaspis Audinet-Serville, 1834 With A New Species From Mexico (Coleoptera: Cerambycidae: Cerambycinae: Trachyderini), Bryan K. Eya

Insecta Mundi

The genus Stenaspis Audinet-Serville, 1834 (Coleoptera: Cerambycidae: Cerambycinae: Trachy­derini) is recharacterized by providing additional morphological features to enhance the definition of this genus. Stenaspis plagiata Waterhouse, 1877 is transferred to Crioprosopus Audinet-Serville, 1834, new com­bination, and the latest key to species of Crioprosopus is modified. A key to the genera of Group III-Stenaspes with “abruptly separated anteocular space,” and a key to species of Stenaspis is provided. Color illustrations of the available species are included. Stenaspis lingafelteri Eya, new species, from Mexico is described.

A New Genus And Species Of Tiger Beetle, Pseudocollyris Shooki (Coleoptera: Cicindelidae), From Yunnan, China, Wen-Xuan Bi, Jürgen Wiesner

Insecta Mundi

A new genus, Pseudocollyris Bi and Wiesner, is established for the new species Pseudocollyris shooki Bi and Wiesner (Coleoptera: Cicindelidae), from Western Yunnan, China. A description, diagnostic features and illustrations of habitus are provided.

In 2017, the first author collected one remarkable tiger beetle during a survey in Western Yunnan, China. The beetle shows an elongated body, a metallic purple elytral surface with a pair of bright median spots and coarse punctation. Such appearance superficially resembles species of the tribe Collyridini (e.g. Collyris Fabricius, 1801 or Neocollyris Horn, 1901). However, detailed investigations of the beetle indicate it belongs to …

Taxonomic Revision Of Eunota Togata (Laferté-Sénectère, 1841) (Coleoptera: Cicindelidae) In North America With A New Subspecies From Western Texas And New Mexico, United States, Robert E. Acciavatti

Insecta Mundi

Within Nearctic Cicindelidae, Cicindelini, Eunota togata (LaFerté-Sénectère, 1841) (Coleoptera: Cicindelidae) exists as several distinct phenotypes, some described as subspecies whose taxonomic status has been misinterpreted. Eunota togata togata applies to adults marked with broadly sinuate inner margins on shiny brown elytra common across northern coastal Gulf of Mexico. Eunota togata fascinans (Casey, 1914), new synonymy, incorrectly applied to populations in western Texas and New Mexico, United States, is considered a junior synonym of E. togata globicollis (Casey, 1913), the predominant subspecies with broadly sinuate inner margins on coppery elytra found from eastern New Mexico and western Texas into the …