Zoology Commons^™

The Morphological Evolution Of The Inner Ear In Lacertoidea (Squamata), Cristian Hernandez

Biology Dissertations - Archive

The popularization of high-resolution computed tomography(HRCT) has produced a revolution in the field of comparative anatomy. This technology allows us to reach a level of morphological detail in our observations that has never been possible previously. Now we can perform digital dissections isolating structures of interest such as individual bones, soft tissue organs, and even generate 3D models of body cavities (endocasts) such as the braincase and inner ear. Encompassed with the progress of the HRCT, 3D geometric morphometrics have emerged as a common tool to address morphological questions in a statistical context that outperforms the traditional 2D geometric morphometrics. …

Genetic Tracking Of A Rabid Coyote (Canis Latrans) Detected Beyond A Rabies Enzootic Area In West Virginia, Usa, Matthew W. Hopken, Crystal Gigante, Amy T. Gilbert, Richard B. Chipman, Jordana D. Kirby, Rene Edgar Condori, Samuel Mills, Chelsea Hartley, John Forbes, Lisa Dettinger, Dongxiang Xia, Yu Li, Bridgett Vonholdt

United States Department of Agriculture Wildlife Services: Staff Publications

Wildlife translocation and cross-species transmission can impede control and elimination of emerging zoonotic diseases. Tracking the geographic origin of both host and virus (i.e., translocation versus local infection) may help determine the most effective response when high-risk cases of emerging pathogens are identified in wildlife. In May 2022, a coyote (Canis latrans) infected with the raccoon (Procyon lotor) rabies virus variant (RRV) was collected in Lewis County, West Virginia, USA, an area free from RRV. We applied host population genomics and RRV phylogenetic analyses to determine the most likely geographic origin of the rabid coyote. Coyote …

Characterizing The Habitat Use Of Pacific Coast Feeding Group Gray Whales (Eschrichtius Robustus) And The Spatial And Temporal Variability Of Their Benthic And Planktonic Invertebrate Prey In Northern California, Robyn E. Norman

Cal Poly Humboldt theses and projects

As opportunistic foragers, the Eastern North Pacific population (~20,000) of gray whales (Eschrichtius robustus) feed on diverse benthic and planktonic invertebrates in northern Alaska foraging grounds before they undertake one of the largest yearly migrations of any mammal to breed in Baja California, Mexico. While most of the population travels to the summer foraging grounds in Alaska, a sub-group of whales (~230) called the Pacific Coast Feeding Group (PCFG) summer between British Columbia, Canada, and northern California. The diet of PCFG whales typically includes high-density and/or high-caloric prey items like mysids and diverse species of amphipods, yet a …

แหล่งที่อยู่และแบบจำลองการกระจายของจิ้งเหลนภูเขาสกุล Sphenomorphus Fitzinger, 1843 ในอุทยานแห่งชาติดอยภูคา จังหวัดน่าน, ธนกฤต สัมพันธ์แพ

Chulalongkorn University Theses and Dissertations (Chula ETD)

จิ้งเหลนภูเขาในสกุล Sphenomorphus Fitzinger, 1829 เป็นจิ้งเหลนที่มีความหลากหลายทางชนิดและมีพฤติกรรมตามธรรมชาติที่มักหลบซ่อนตัว จึงทำให้จิ้งเหลนสกุลนี้หลายชนิดยังขาดข้อมูลแหล่งที่อยู่และข้อมูลทางภูมิศาสตร์ โดยเฉพาะชนิดที่อาศัยอยู่ในพื้นที่ภูเขาสูงในทางภาคเหนือ นอกจากในอุทยานแห่งชาติดอยภูคา จังหวัดน่าน พบจิ้งเหลนภูเขา 3 ชนิด ได้แก่ จิ้งเหลนภูเขาเกล็ดเรียบ จิ้งเหลนภูเขาอินเดีย และจิ้งเหลนภูเขาแกรนดิสัน แต่อย่างไรก็ตามข้อมูลแหล่งที่อยู่และการศึกษาขอบเขตการกระจายของจิ้งเหลนเหล่านี้ยังไม่ชัดเจน ดังนั้นงานวิจัยนี้จึงมีวัตถุประสงค์เพื่อศึกษาแหล่งที่อยู่ของจิ้งเหลนภูเขาในอุทยานแห่งชาติดอยภูคาและประเมินภูมิศาสตร์การกระจายโดยใช้แบบจำลองการกระจายของชนิด (species distribution modeling; SDM) การสำรวจในภาคสนามใช้วิธีสำรวจแบบพบเห็นตัวร่วมกับการกำหนดเส้นสำรวจ ข้อมูลแหล่งที่อยู่และข้อมูลปัจจัยสภาพแวดล้อมนำมาวิเคราะห์ด้วยการทดสอบไคสแควร์และการวิเคราะห์องค์ประกอบหลัก จากนั้นนำข้อมูลพิกัด GPS จากการสำรวจภาคสนาม ข้อมูลตัวอย่างอ้างอิงในพิพิธภัณฑ์ธรรมชาติวิทยา ข้อมูลจาก GBIF และการลาดตระเวนเชิงคุณภาพ มาทำการวิเคราะห์ด้วยแบบจำลองการกระจายของชนิดร่วมกับปัจจัยสภาพอากาศจาก WorldClim ทั้ง 15 ปัจจัย และปัจจัยเชิงพื้นที่ 2 ปัจจัย ได้แก่ ความสูงจากระดับน้ำทะเล และ ความลาดชัน จาก OpenDataSoft ด้วยโปรแกรม MaxEnt ผลการศึกษาแหล่งที่อยู่พบว่า จิ้งเหลนภูเขาเกล็ดเรียบอาศัยอยู่ในป่าเบญจพรรณ จิ้งเหลนภูเขาอินเดียอาศัยอยู่ในป่าสนและป่าดิบเขา และ จิ้งเหลนภูเขาแกรนดิสันอาศัยอยู่ในป่าดิบเขาเท่านั้น ผลการศึกษาแหล่งที่อยู่ย่อยพบว่าก้อนหิน เป็นองค์ประกอบที่พบได้มากที่สุดในพื้นที่อาศัยของจิ้งเหลนภูเขาเกล็ดเรียบ และกองใบไม้เป็นองค์ประกอบที่พบได้มากที่สุดในพื้นที่อาศัยของจิ้งเหลนภูเขาอินเดียและจิ้งเหลนภูเขาแกรนดิสัน การวิเคราะห์องค์ประกอบหลักตัวแปรสิ่งแวดล้อมที่มีอิทธิพลต่อการเลือกใช้แหล่งที่อยู่ย่อยของจิ้งเหลนภูเขาเกล็ดเรียบ จิ้งเหลนภูเขาอินเดีย และ จิ้งเหลนภูเขาแกรนดิสัน คือ อุณหภูมิอากาศ ระดับความสูงจากน้ำทะเลและความชื้นสัมพัทธ์ในอากาศ ตามลำดับ ผลการศึกษาแบบจำลองการกระจายของชนิด พบว่าปัจจัยสำคัญสำหรับการทำนายแหล่งที่อยู่ของจิ้งเหลนภูเขาเกล็ดเรียบและจิ้งเหลนภูเขาอินเดียคือ อุณหภูมิช่วงรายวันเฉลี่ย และ ปัจจัยสำคัญสำหรับการทำนายแหล่งที่อยู่ของจิ้งเหลนภูเขาแกรนดิสันคือปริมาณน้ำฝนตามฤดูกาล และยังพบว่าแนวโน้มการกระจายของจิ้งเหลนภูเขาเกล็ดเรียบอยู่บริเวณพื้นที่ราบเชิงเขา จิ้งเหลนภูเขาอินเดียอยู่บริเวณตามแนวเทือกเขาและ จิ้งเหลนภูเขาแกรนดิสันอยู่บริเวณยอดเขาสูงของอุทยานแห่งชาติดอยภูคาเท่านั้น ผลของการศึกษาที่ได้สามารถนำมาใช้ในการวางแผนการอนุรักษ์และยังแสดงให้เห็นถึงการประยุกต์ใช้แบบจำลองถิ่นอาศัยในการทำนายแผนที่การกระจายทางภูมิศาสตร์ของสัตว์เลื้อยคลาน

Nocturnal Behavior Of Communally Roosting American Crows (Corvus Brachyrhynchos), Caitlin M. Mrowiec

Masters Theses

During the winter months in Charleston, Illinois, thousands of American crows (Corvus brachyrhynchos) gather together each night to roost. While aspects of this impressive sight have been studied elsewhere, there is very limited information on how crows behave at night. Additionally, the mechanics and origins of communal roosting are not especially well understood, and the behaviors involved are not always consistently described. This study sought to provide a more complete assessment of crow communal roosting after sunset. I collected data between 2018 and 2020 by locating communal roosts and conducting continuous observations for 4 hours after sunset, with additional checks …

High Prevalence Of Trypanosoma Cruzi Infection In Raccoons (Procyon Lotor) And Associated Risk To Humans In Central Illinois, Esther Onuselogu

Masters Theses

Chagas disease, caused by the protozoan parasite Trypanosoma cruzi, remains a neglected tropical disease and a growing health threat in the United States. Raccoons (Procyon lotor) often coexist with humans in urban and suburban areas and serve as reservoir hosts for T. cruzi. While T. cruzi is rare in humans and domestic animals in the U.S., it is common in wildlife species, particularly raccoons and Virginia opossums (Didelphis virginiana). This study aimed to assess the prevalence of T. cruzi infection in the raccoon population of Central Illinois and evaluate the risk of transmission to humans. …

Behavioral Ecology Of The Colorado Brown Tarantula (Aphonopelma Hentzi): Activities Displayed Around The Burrow Through Juvenile Group Dispersal, Bradley Allendorfer

Master's Theses and Doctoral Dissertations

The life history strategy of the Colorado brown tarantula (Aphonopelma hentzi) typically includes males spatially scattering in search for a female mate in the fall, followed by female attendance of fertilized eggs the following summer. Here, I highlighted aspects associated with this female parental care. Specifically, I compared the activities of maternal (egg-attending) tarantulas to their non-maternal (not egg-attending) counterparts, as this may be a costly time for these egg-attending individuals. I concluded that maternal individuals tended to show reduced activity at the burrow entrance, however; these, results were significant in only one comparison. After weeks of this parental care, …

An Updated Outline For Clearing And Staining Of Preserved Specimens, Sadie E. Smith

Honors Theses and Capstones

This protocol outlines a enhanced clearing and staining procedure for persevered specimens, focusing on the visualization of cartilage and bone in small taxa. With origins from O. Shultze's diaphonization methodology in 1897, the process of clearing and staining improves the clarity and contrast of intricate tissues. It is essential for studies in developmental biology, histology and anatomy. This protocol covers the key steps of the process while detailing the materials, solutions and estimated timeline for each step pertaining to specific taxa. The aim of the protocol is to standardize and provide guidance for procedures in the Biological Sciences department at …

A Road Map For Place Based Collaboration For Conflict Reduction, Joseph L. Zecher

Undergraduate Theses, Professional Papers, and Capstone Artifacts

No abstract provided.

Seasonal Abundance Of The Nudibranch Dondice Jupiteriensis On The Colonial Hydroid Eudendrium Carneum, Erika Molina, Daniela Gutierrez-Andrade, Samantha Schlegel, Julia Piper, Louis J. Ambrosio, Michael L. Middlebrooks

Gulf and Caribbean Research

Benthic colonial hydroids often serve as a host to a large variety of invertebrate taxa. The colonial hydroid Eudendrium carneum Clarke, 1882 is host to a variety of epifauna, including the recently described nudibranch Dondice jupiteriensis García—Méndez & Valdés, 2022. Like many species of heterobranch sea slugs, little is known about the natural history and population biology of D. jupiteriensis. Here we describe a year—long study recording the population density and size structure of D. jupiteriensis on E. carneum colonies in Tampa Bay, FL USA. We found that the D. jupiteriensis population persists year—round but is the densest during …

Suitability Of Reintroduction As A Tool For The Conservation Of The Central American River Turtle (Dermatemys Mawii), Wesley O. Smith

Graduate Theses/Dissertations

The Central American River Turtle (Dermatemys mawii) has declined throughout its historical range to the point that it is critically endangered; the primary driver is overharvesting by humans for consumption. To help conserve this critically endangered turtle, a head-start program was established in Belize and introductions of head-started individuals have been considered to bolster populations. I released and studied hatchling and head-started juvenile Central American River Turtles during the summers of 2021 and 2022, respectively. The goal was to determine the suitability of hatchlings and juveniles for use in conservation reintroductions, along with elucidating aspects of the ecology …

Unsung Heroes In Conservation: Evaluating The Limitations Faced By New England Wildlife Rehabilitation Centers And Proposing Solutions For Their Support And Recognition, Shaylee M. Sarmiento

Honors Theses and Capstones

Wildlife rehabilitation is an often-unacknowledged practice within the overarching field of wildlife protection and conservation. This practice involves the treatment and hopeful release of wild animals affected by various ailments. With the continued expansion of and interest in the field, it could be assumed that wildlife rehabilitation is supported and funded by government bodies, but this is not the case. Because of the lack of funding and resources, many wildlife rehabilitation centers cannot achieve their full rehabilitative potential and expand their reach in the conservation world. Additionally, an absence of support leads critics to question the ethical standards of wildlife …

Comparing Alternative Developmental Modes: Structure And Gene Expression In The Olfactory System Of Plethodontid Salamanders, Giuseppina S. Lanzilli

Cal Poly Humboldt theses and projects

The olfactory system of extant amphibians changes as the animal transitions from a fully aquatic to a terrestrial lifestyle at metamorphosis. Cellular morphology of the nose and expression patterns of olfactory genes in the nasal cavity have been examined for a variety of frogs and salamanders, but among plethodontid salamanders, molecular data are available only for Plethodon shermani. Using standard histology and micro-CT reconstruction, I investigated the structure of the olfactory organs of larvae, juveniles, and adults of six plethodontid species, with terrestrial, streamside, semiaquatic, and aquatic adults. The overall structure of the olfactory cavity was generally similar across …

Pond Characteristics That Influence Oviposition Site Selection By Two Pond-Breeding Amphibians, Northern Red-Legged Frog (Rana Aurora) And Northwestern Salamander (Ambystoma Gracile), Jessica Jones

Cal Poly Humboldt theses and projects

Pond-breeding amphibians connect aquatic and terrestrial habitats through their biphasic life cycle, and understanding pond characteristics that support oviposition sites for multiple species is important for amphibian conservation. Two common amphibians in the Pacific Northwest, Northern red-legged frog (Rana aurora) and Northwestern salamander (Ambystoma gracile) often oviposit in the same pond; however, prior studies have focused on pond use by one species or the other, but not both together. I surveyed pond and oviposition site characteristics of 26 ponds in Humboldt County, CA, 10 of which were used only by R. aurora and 16 of which …

Comparing The Prevalence Of Stereotypic Behaviors And Enrichment Use In Rhesus (Macaca Mulatta) And Japanese Macaques (M. Fuscata), Jesscia Oscavich

All Master's Theses

To improve captive nonhuman primates’ welfare, particularly those utilized in biomedical and behavioral research, it’s important to understand their behavior. Rhesus (Macaca mulatta) and Japanese macaques (M. fuscata) are two closely related species that are commonly utilized in biomedical and behavioral research. In this study, I compared the frequency of stereotypic behaviors, which are abnormal repetitive behaviors that are apparently non-functional, and enrichment use among four groups of each species. Stereotypic behaviors were divided into motor, which the animal performed while active, and self-directed stereotypies, which the animal performed towards themselves. Enrichment use was divided into …

Treatment With The Immunocontraceptive Vaccine, Gonacon, Induces Temporary Fertility Control In Free-Ranging Prairie Dog Populations In Colorado, Usa, Aaron B. Shiels, Jackson Runte, Emily W. Ruell, Douglas C. Eckery, Gary W. Witmer, Daniel J. Salkeld

United States Department of Agriculture Wildlife Services: Staff Publications

Context

Prairie dogs (Cynomys spp.) are rodents enjoyed by some humans; yet, they cause crop and property damage, and carry zoonotic disease. Non-lethal control of prairie dogs is of interest in urban/suburban settings. The injectable immunocontraceptive vaccine GonaCon (active ingredient is gonadotropin-releasing hormone [GnRH]) has been shown to be effective at reducing fertility in equine and deer, and is a US EPA-registered vaccine for use in these ungulate species.

Aims

To conduct a replicated field study to test efficacy of GonaCon in black-tailed prairie dogs (C. ludovicianus), and if found to be efficacious, to help facilitate …

Comparison Of Ketamine-Xylazine, Butorphanol-Azaperone-Medetomidine, And Nalbuphine-Medetomidine-Azaperone For Raccoon (Procyon Lotor) Immobilization, Shylo R. Johnson, Christine K. Ellis, Chad Wickham, Molly R. Selleck, Amy T. Gilbert

United States Department of Agriculture Wildlife Services: Staff Publications

Raccoons (Procyon lotor) are frequently handled using chemical immobilization in North America for management and research. In a controlled environment, we compared three drug combinations: ketamine-xylazine (KX), butorphanol-azaperone-medetomidine (BAM), and nalbuphinemedetomidine- azaperone (NalMed-A) for raccoon immobilization. In crossover comparisons, raccoons received a mean of the following: 8.66 mg/kg ketamine and 1.74 mg/kg xylazine (0.104 mL/kg KX); 0.464 mg/kg butorphanol, 0.155 mg/kg azaperone, and 0.185 mg/kg medetomidine (0.017 mL/kg BAM); and 0.800 mg/kg nalbuphine, 0.200 mg/kg azaperone, and 0.200 mg/kg medetomidine (0.020 mL/kg NalMed-A). Induction time was shortest with KX (mean6SE, 10.060.7 min) and longest with NalMed-A (13.061.3 min). …

Using Prescribed Fire And Biosolids Applications As Grassland Management Tools: Do Wildlife Respond?, Brian E. Washburn, Michael J. Begier

United States Department of Agriculture Wildlife Services: Staff Publications

Prescribed burning is a management tool commonly used in forested ecosystems in the southeastern United States, but the influence of this method on grassland vegetation and wildlife in this geographic region is unknown. During 2009–2015, we conducted a study to determine if the application of prescribed burning and/or long-term biosolid applications alter plant communities and/or wildlife use of grassland areas at Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point, Havelock, North Carolina. We monitored vegetation growth, measured plant community composition, and documented wildlife activity in four study plots for 3 years after the implementation of annual winter prescribed burns. Prescribed burning reduced …

Potential Landscape Connectivity For Invasive Wild Pigs (Sus Scrofa) Across The Northern Prairies Of North America, Corey J. Kramer, Melanie R. Boudreau, Ryan Powers, Kurt C. Vercauteren, Ryan S. Miller, Ryan K. Brook

United States Department of Agriculture Wildlife Services: Staff Publications

Understanding landscape scale connectivity is an essential component in the management of invasive species since connectivity facilitates their invasion potential. Invasive wild pigs (Sus scrofa) are among the most prolific invaders on the planet, causing billions of dollars in agricultural and environmental damage annually. Newly introduced to Canada in the 1980s, we examined wild pig invasion potential across the northern prairies from western Canada into the currently wild pig-free northern U.S. states. We used GPS collar data collected in the Canadian prairies to quantify resource selection and incorporated results into an electric circuit theory framework to evaluate potential …

Rapid Point-Of-Care Testing For Detection Of Antibodies To Toxoplasma Gondii In Black Vultures And Ring-Billed Gulls From Pennsylvania, Alexa Rosypal Von Dohlen, Sydney Randall, Jordyan Grays, Mark A. Dugo, Brian J. Hunt, Justin Brown, Kyle Van Why, Sawsan Ammar, Richard Gerhold

United States Department of Agriculture Wildlife Services: Staff Publications

Toxoplasma gondii is a zoonotic protozoan parasite that infects most warm-blooded animals, including birds. Scavenging birds are epidemiologically important hosts because they can serve as indicators of environmental T. gondii levels. A rapid point-of-care (POC) test that detects antibodies to T. gondii in humans is commercially available. In this research, we assessed the ability of the human POC test to detect anti–T. gondii antibodies in 106 black vultures (Coragyps atratus) and 23 ring-billed gulls (Larus delawarensis) from Pennsylvania, USA. Serum samples were tested with the POC test and compared to the modified …