2nd Place Research Paper: Shaping The Ape: Storytelling, Cultural Reflection, And Boundary Negotiation In Human-Ape Zoo Encounters,
2026
Chapman University
2nd Place Research Paper: Shaping The Ape: Storytelling, Cultural Reflection, And Boundary Negotiation In Human-Ape Zoo Encounters, Abigail Bond Halling
Kevin and Tam Ross Undergraduate Research Prize
The typical Western zoo functions as a unique environment in which animals are frequently positioned as subjects of education and entertainment through the medium of storytelling. In this sense, the zoological institution can also be read as an extension of popular Western constructions surrounding nonhuman animals, particularly those who are symbolically charged characters in our collective imaginary– the great apes. Given the morphological, behavioral, and psychological similarities between humans and other great apes (chimpanzees, gorillas, and orangutans), nonhuman great ape enclosures at the Western zoo become spaces where humans are most radically confronted with navigating the boundaries of the “human-animal …
The Beat Behind The Bark: Investigating The Effects Of Music Tempo On Canine Physiological And Psychological States,
2026
University of South Alabama
The Beat Behind The Bark: Investigating The Effects Of Music Tempo On Canine Physiological And Psychological States, Marley Lanier
Poster Presentations
Music is a universal component of human culture that has been demonstrated influencing emotional, cognitive, and physiological responses, specifically heart rate and hormonal responses (Mehr et al., 2019; Trappe, 2012). Recently, this research has expended to explore how music may affect non-human animals, particularly dogs, due to their roles as therapy animals, service animals, and human companions (Lindig et al., 2020; Gee et al., 2021). Being able to understand how music influences canine stress and relaxation hold important applications in environments such as shelters, veterinary clinics, and at home. One important feature of music is tempo, or beats per minute …
Monitoring Biodiversity Growth In An Oyster Reef Restoration: Understanding How Oyster Reef Life Cycle May Impact Biodiversity.,
2026
CUNY Hunter College
Monitoring Biodiversity Growth In An Oyster Reef Restoration: Understanding How Oyster Reef Life Cycle May Impact Biodiversity., Gabriel A. Roses
Theses and Dissertations
Oyster reefs are vital to marine ecosystem health, improving water quality and providing food and habitat for diverse species. We assessed biodiversity changes for a proposed oyster reef restoration site to help guide management, future assessment, and deepen understanding of how oyster reefs function and their ecosystems dynamics.
The Hitchhiker's Guide To The Host: Fleas And The History Of Pikas In North America,
2026
Northern Michigan University
The Hitchhiker's Guide To The Host: Fleas And The History Of Pikas In North America, Josh Pletcher
All NMU Master's Theses
Parasite phylogenetics can offer windows into the cryptic evolutionary history of hosts, often highlighting events that are not recorded by the phylogenetics of the host. Pikas (small lagomorphs) host a diverse parasite community comprising endoparasites (e.g., coccidians, nematodes, and cestodes) and ectoparasites (e.g., fleas and mites). Phylogenetic analysis of pika endoparasites has revealed pikas evolved in Asia and colonized North America in two waves, and that contact between these two pika lineages allowed parasites to be transferred from one lineage to another and to survive the extinction of their original host. To uncover these cryptic histories, understanding the biogeography of …
Mammalian Biodiversity Of The Easley Conservation Stewardship Area,
2026
Murray State University
Mammalian Biodiversity Of The Easley Conservation Stewardship Area, Grayson C. Belt
Honors College Theses
Monitoring wildlife is an important part of conservation and is particularly vital for newly acquired conservation areas to provide a baseline of what is present. In 2025, the 22 ha Murray State University Easley Conservation Stewardship Area (MSU ECSA) was established following a donation to the university by Melissa Easley. I conducted a survey using trail cameras at the ECSA in fall 2025 and winter 2025/26 to record mammalian diversity. The survey consisted of two subprojects: a mesomammal subproject of 18 knee height trail cams and a small mammal subproject using 15 custom small mammal bucket cameras. I uploaded all …
Ontogeny And The Effects Of Perinatal Stress In The First Immature Skeleton Of Teleoceras Aepysoma (Perissodactyla, Rhinocerotidae),
2026
East Tennessee State University
Ontogeny And The Effects Of Perinatal Stress In The First Immature Skeleton Of Teleoceras Aepysoma (Perissodactyla, Rhinocerotidae), Joe Gajewski
Electronic Theses and Dissertations
Recovery of an immature fossil rhinoceros (Teleoceras aepysoma) skeleton (ETMNH 32999) from the Gray Fossil Site in Tennessee offers the first insights into the ontogeny of the species. ETMNH 32999 is interpreted to be a subadult male in an age class equivalent to ~17-20% of potential lifespan. Comparative analyses support the hypothesis that subadults of related taxa are typically ~91% of average adult size in most dimensions. However, certain cranial dimensions are substantially lower than expected in ETMNH 32999, averaging only ~74% of the average conspecific adult. Such departure from typical growth rates is suggested to be attributable …
Feeding Ecology In Coastal Systems,
2026
University of South Alabama
Feeding Ecology In Coastal Systems, Randi L. Cannon
Graduate Theses and Dissertations (2019 - present)
Oysters (Crassostrea virginica) are critical foundation species in estuaries, providing numerous ecological and economic benefits. However, oyster populations have diminished worldwide. Effective oyster restoration and aquaculture require a mechanistic understanding of the physiological and environmental factors that govern oyster feeding, growth, and resilience under changing coastal conditions. We investigated how oyster ploidy and environmental conditions influenced oyster feeding and investigated how changes in abiotic conditions affected behavioral performance of oyster drills (Stramonita spp.), a key oyster predator. To better understand feeding responses and behaviors of both predator and prey we 1) used in-situ filter feeding assays to determine if feeding …
Aggression And Fish Welfare: Challenges And Opportunities,
2026
University of Oxford
Aggression And Fish Welfare: Challenges And Opportunities, Christine M. Soper, Peter D. Dijkstra
Animal Sentience
Oldfield & Bonano’s (2024) [O&B] target article discusses the wellbeing and sociality of bony fishes. Many fish species, such as cichlids, are not only social but territorial. Aggression is normal, but territorial aggression in a captive environment can have a negative impact on welfare. Aggression-related injuries and deaths are prevalent in pet stores as well as research settings. We discuss the need to develop effective methods to minimize the negative consequences of aggression.
An Integrative Description Of Euscorpius Diagorasi Sp. N. From Rhodes, Greece (Scorpiones: Euscorpiidae),
2026
Marshall University
An Integrative Description Of Euscorpius Diagorasi Sp. N. From Rhodes, Greece (Scorpiones: Euscorpiidae), Konstantinos Kalaentzis, Francesco Frigioni, Eliza Kaitetzidou, Alessio Iannucci, Alexandros Triantafyllidis
Euscorpius
The genus Euscorpius Thorell, 1876 comprises a diverse and taxonomically challenging group of scorpions in the Mediterranean, with Greece representing one of its principal centers of diversity. In this study, we provide an integrative description of Euscorpius diagorasi sp. n., a new species from Rhodes Island, Greece. The new species is described on the basis of adult male and female morphology and mitochondrial COI sequence data. It is a small oligotrichous species characterized by a total length of approximately 21–25 mm, pale yellow to light brown coloration with darker reddish-brown pedipalps, pectinal tooth count of 8 in the male …
Exploring Decision-Making In Caenorhabditis Elegans: Navigating Dichotomous Envrionmental Cues,
2026
University of South Carolina - Columbia
Exploring Decision-Making In Caenorhabditis Elegans: Navigating Dichotomous Envrionmental Cues, Hunarmeet K. Gill
Caroliniana Undergraduate Research Journal
All living organisms thrive off the survival choices they make and the factors they prioritize, but the mechanisms guiding these choices remain unclear. This study investigates decision-making in Caenorhabditis elegans, aiming to understand how they navigate dichotomous environments that contain both attractive and aversive cues. Despite possessing a simple nervous system, C. elegans express behaviors indicating a level of advanced sensory-processing abilities, making them ideal models for studying decision-making processes. The experiment consisted of five separate petri-dish tests, each with three sections: side A and side B (containing natural or UV light and/or E.coli or ethanol), and a neutral …
Hot Cities, Cool Lizards: Do College Campuses Create Urban Oases For Wildlife?,
2026
Pepperdine University
Hot Cities, Cool Lizards: Do College Campuses Create Urban Oases For Wildlife?, Ethan Heck, Javier Monzon Phd
Seaver College Research And Scholarly Achievement Symposium
Urban wildlife may experience stress due to the Urban Heat Island Effect. On the other hand, urban wildlife may experience relief, especially in arid ecosystems, due to the Urban Oasis Effect. The objective of this study was to test whether college campuses in southern California act as heat islands or oases for wildlife. We analyzed how temperature and water availability of microhabitats relate to the physiology of a widespread and common cold-blooded animal, the Western Fence Lizard (Sceloporus occidentalis). We logged environmental conditions in lizard hotspots at 11 university campuses across southern California and measured the hydration of lizards at …
Fish Community Assessment Of Goose Pond Natural Area,
2026
Arkansas Tech University
Fish Community Assessment Of Goose Pond Natural Area, Macy Sparks
ATU Scholars Symposium
Natural areas play an integral role in the preservation and conservation of unique ecosystems (i.e., natural wetlands). However, many natural areas have never had a biological inventory of species utilizing these areas. Goose Pond Natural Area (Conway County and Pope County, Arkansas) is one of those natural areas lacking species occurrence data. We addressed this data gap by sampling fish species across multiple habitat types (shallow woody wetland, open grassy wetland, and stream). We employed multiple gear types (mesh umbrella minnow traps, seines, gill nets, mini-fyke nets, and backpack electrofishing) in hopes of increasing species detection. Sites within the natural …
Ratfish (Chimaera Monstrosa) Chondocranium,
2026
Nova Southeastern University
Ratfish (Chimaera Monstrosa) Chondocranium, Riley B. Glogowski, David W. Kerstetter
All Scans: Kerstetter Fisheries and Avian Ecology 3D Scan Series
No abstract provided.
Intermediates Or Intermedius? An Examination Of Lotic Sternotherus In Baldwin And Mobile Counties, Al,
2026
Jacksonville State University
Intermediates Or Intermedius? An Examination Of Lotic Sternotherus In Baldwin And Mobile Counties, Al, Peyton A. Wilson
Theses
The Southeastern United States is a biodiversity hotspot, and turtles are no exception to the rule. This is particularly true for the genus Sternotherus. Alabama is the only state home to all six species of Sternotherus, including the recently described Intermediate Musk Turtle (Sternotherus intermedius). It was thought that the Perdido River was the western boundary of Sternotherus intermedius; however, surveys in recent years produced questionable individuals in several small watersheds feeding into the Mobile-Tensaw Delta, bringing the species true range into question, as well as the question of if this species has hybridized with its congener, …
Comparing Head Shape Of Polymorphic Subterranean E. Latitans And Subterranean E. Sp. 4,
2026
St. Mary's University
Comparing Head Shape Of Polymorphic Subterranean E. Latitans And Subterranean E. Sp. 4, Brandon Chapa, Jordan Cosgrove, Lizzeth Holguin
Posters - 2026
Eurycea latitans (E. latitans) from Honey Creek Cave and unnamed Eurycea species from New Braunfels, Texas (E. sp. 4) are two paedomorphic subterranean species. E. latitans is polymorphic, meaning it also exists as a surface species. Similarities in morphology of subterranean salamander species may be due to convergent evolution as a result of living in similar environments. These similarities include having flatter, wider heads, and wider mouths than surface species (Tovar et al. 2025). Variation may also exist among different subterranean salamander species. Texas Eurycea salamanders display “complex patterns of morphological divergence”, suggesting that isolation and local environmental pressures can …
Beluga Buddies: The Preferred Social Network Of Belugas In Managed Care,
2026
St. Mary's University
Beluga Buddies: The Preferred Social Network Of Belugas In Managed Care, Valery Marinelarena, Diamond Garcia
Posters - 2026
Belugas societies are not fixed and group composition is everchanging. Group composition can also influence behavior. This study aims to examine the preferred social networks and the role age plays in the behavioral diversity within a group of managed care belugas housed at Sea World San Antonio. Results Supported TYO had a preferred, non-random social network and ATL performing more chinslaps than TYO.
Mapping Sensory Landscapes: Distribution And Arrangement Of The Anterior Lateral Line System In Texas Catfish,
2026
St. Mary's University
Mapping Sensory Landscapes: Distribution And Arrangement Of The Anterior Lateral Line System In Texas Catfish, Tatiana Flores, Ruben Tovar
Research Papers
Fish have a system of sensory organs known as the lateral line system. This system contains numerous mechanoreceptive neuromasts and electroreceptive ampullary organs (Northcutt et al, 2000). Neuromasts are small, hair-like structures located within canals in the lateral line system just under the fish’s skin and are open to the environment through small pores visible on its skin (Parker, 2025). Water flows into these canals through the pores which stimulates the sensitive hair cells, resulting in electrical signals sent to the fish’s brain. The brain interprets these signals and creates “images” of the fish’s surroundings, helping it to see even …
Does Social Grouping Influence Object Play By Belugas?,
2026
St. Mary's University
Does Social Grouping Influence Object Play By Belugas?, Javier Obiltas, Phillip Clayton
Posters - 2026
Play is defined as voluntary behavior that differs from functional behaviors and typically occurs in low-stress environments. In cetaceans, object play has been linked to development, motor skill practice, and social learning. Play behavior is an important factor of development in belugas, because belugas are social animals that live and interact within groups, the composition of these groups or "groupings" might influence their play behaviors. Understanding how said groupings may affect the play rates may help researchers better understand the development of behavior and social dynamics of the beluga groupings. The purpose of this study was to see whether grouping …
Does Shape Matter?: How Salamander Head Morphology Shifts Based On Environment,
2026
St. Mary's University
Does Shape Matter?: How Salamander Head Morphology Shifts Based On Environment, Caitlyn Pinaga, Naomi Ramirez, Sonia Cerrillo
Posters - 2026
Groundwater salamanders of the genus Eurycea represent a diverse group of amphibians inhabiting the aquifer systems of central Texas, where both surface-dwelling and fully subterranean species coexist. Subterranean habitats impose extreme selective pressures, including complete darkness, limited nutrient availability, and stable environmental conditions, which drive convergent morphological traits such as eye reduction or loss, decreased pigmentation, and elongation of appendages. A key evolutionary pattern seen in these systems is sensory compensation, in which the reduction of one sensory modality, in this case vision, is accompanied by the enhancement of others. In aquatic salamanders, this often involves expansion of the lateral …
Smell Over Sight: Determining Levels Of Olfactory Gene Expression Between Surface And Subterranean Eurycea Salamanders,
2026
St. Mary's University
Smell Over Sight: Determining Levels Of Olfactory Gene Expression Between Surface And Subterranean Eurycea Salamanders, Sonia Cerrillo, Iliana Melendez, Naomi Ramirez
Posters - 2026
In the karst aquifers of central Texas, including the Edwards and Trinity systems, organisms live in an environment defined by constant temperatures, total darkness, and scarce food resources. These conditions have driven the evolution of salamanders in the genus Eurycea, particularly those that have adapted to subterranean life. Cave-dwelling species like Eurycea rathbuni exhibit hallmark “blind salamander” traits, including educed eyes, loss of pigmentation, and flattened head morphology. In contrast, surface-dwelling relatives such as Eurycea nana and Eurycea sosorum retain fully developed eyes and pigmentation, while some species like Eurycea latitans display both surface and subterranean forms across different populations.
