Aquatic Insect Communities Remain Impaired Following Large-Scale River Restoration,
2023
Department of Biology and Monte L. Bean Life Science Museum, Brigham Young University, Provo, UT; Department of Ecology, Evolution and Environmental Biology, Columbia University, New York, NY
Aquatic Insect Communities Remain Impaired Following Large-Scale River Restoration, Jared Meek, Jackson Birrell, Teagan Mulford, Dennis K. Shiozawa, C. Riley Nelson
Western North American Naturalist
River manipulation and degradation can cause detrimental impacts on aquatic insect communities. River restoration projects seek to mitigate these human disturbances. Assessing the efficacy of river restoration remains an important goal for river managers and conservation biologists so that improved restoration methods can be used in the future. From 1999 to 2008, the Utah Reclamation Mitigation and Conservation Commission restored a 15-km channelized portion of the Provo River (Wasatch County, Utah, USA). Before (1999) and during (2002) the restoration project, macroinvertebrate samples were collected using modified kick nets from 3 sites within the restored area and 1 site outside the …
Isolation Of Arabidopsis Thaliana Plants Homozygous For An Insertional Inactivation Mutation Within Atprp4.,
2023
Southern Adventist University
Isolation Of Arabidopsis Thaliana Plants Homozygous For An Insertional Inactivation Mutation Within Atprp4., Sydney Raitz, Timothy D. Trott
Research in Biology
The AtPRP4 gene in Arabidopsis thaliana has been shown to function in several specific parts of the plant’s cell wall. It is shown to be expressed in the seeds, radicles, roots, leaves, inflorescences, and embryos of Arabidopsis thaliana. These patterns have suggested unique functions for ATPRP4 in determining cell-type-specific wall structure during the development of a plant as well as contributing to defense reactions against physical damage to the plant and pathogen infection within the plant. In this study, a simple DNA prep was performed on the true leaves of Arabidopsis thaliana. Subsequent PCR reactions were performed using …
Insects Are Attracted To White Wind Turbine Bases: Evidence From Turbine Mimics,
2023
Wyoming Natural Diversity Database, University of Wyoming, Laramie, WY 82071
Insects Are Attracted To White Wind Turbine Bases: Evidence From Turbine Mimics, Madison S. Crawford, Delina E. Dority, Michael E. Dillon, Lusha M. Tronstad
Western North American Naturalist
Wind power is one of the fastest growing forms of renewable energy, but the interactions between wind turbines and insects are largely unknown beyond the observation that the accumulation of dead insects on turbine blades drastically reduces the power produced. Insects may be attracted to wind energy facilities because of topography, the heat that turbines produce, the lighting, or the visual cue of the turbine itself. Turbines can present a striking visual contrast relative to the surrounding landscape, particularly when they are painted bright white and reflect ultraviolet wavelengths. To test the hypothesis that wind turbine color attracts insects, we …
The Impact Of Soil Disturbance On Soil Bacterial Community Composition,
2023
Southern Adventist University
The Impact Of Soil Disturbance On Soil Bacterial Community Composition, Marie A. Rodriguez, Mark Peach, Timothy D. Trott
Research in Biology
Soil bacterial communities are an important part of terrestrial ecosystems due to their roles in biogeochemical cycling processes. Consequently, understanding how soil disturbance affects the soil bacterial diversity is vital to understanding the entire ecosystem. In this study we examined the effects of soil disturbance (by mining) on the soil bacterial community composition from three sites on Bauxite Ridge in Southeast Tennessee compared to three undisturbed sites in a nearby location. The soil bacterial community was analyzed by 16S rDNA amplicon sequencing of total DNA extracted from the soil samples collected from each of the six sites. Characterization of the …
Examining The Different Soil Horizons Of White Oak Mountain, Tn And Their Effect On The Soil Microbial Community,
2023
Southern Adventist University
Examining The Different Soil Horizons Of White Oak Mountain, Tn And Their Effect On The Soil Microbial Community, Ji Won Moon, Timothy D. Trott
Research in Biology
Soil microorganisms participate in the diverse interaction within virtually all ecosystems, consequently affecting the associated human and animal population. Identifying how edaphic variables alter the functional and taxonomic diversity of the soil microbial community requires an examination of total microbial soil diversity and abundance. This research study examined the effect of soil depth and horizon on the soil microbial community composition of White Oak Mountain. The soil microbial community was characterized by 16S/18S/ITS rDNA amplicon sequencing of the DNA extract of six samples from the three major soil types identified: HcE, MoE, and uMvC. OTU clustering analysis and both alpha …
The Importance Of Contrast Sensitivity, Color Vision, And Electrophysiological Testing In Clinical And Occupational Settings,
2023
University of the Incarnate Word
The Importance Of Contrast Sensitivity, Color Vision, And Electrophysiological Testing In Clinical And Occupational Settings, Frances Silva
Theses & Dissertations
Visual acuity (VA) is universally accepted as the gold standard metric for ocular vision and function. Contrast sensitivity (CS), color vision, and electrophysiological testing for clinical and occupational settings are warranted despite being deemed ancillary and minimally utilized by clinicians. These assessments provide essential information to subjectively and objectively quantify and obtain optimal functional vision. They are useful for baseline data and monitoring hereditary and progressive ocular conditions and cognitive function. The studies in this dissertation highlight the value of contrast sensitivity, color vision, and cone specific electrophysiological testing, as well as the novel metrics obtained with potential practical clinical …
Behavioral Response To Conspecific Sounds In Loricariid Catfishes (Pterygoplichtys Pardalis And Otocinclus Vittatus),
2023
Western Kentucky University
Behavioral Response To Conspecific Sounds In Loricariid Catfishes (Pterygoplichtys Pardalis And Otocinclus Vittatus), Hephzibah Obafunmiso
Masters Theses & Specialist Projects
Sound production is a means of communication among many fish species. In fishes, sound is produced through various mechanisms, but in the family Loricariidae, known as armored suckermouth catfishes, sound is produced primarily through pectoral fin spine stridulation. Previous experiments have described the sounds produced and shown the mechanism of sound production in two species of loricariid catfishes, Pterygoplichthys gibbiceps and Otocinclus affinis, but the functional significance of loricariid sounds is still unknown. To address this question, I examined the behavioral responses of Pterygoplichthys pardalis and Otocinclus vittatus to conspecific calls. Individual fish (N=10 for P. pardalis) or groups …
The Functional Implications Of Anuran Metamorphosis For Survival, Locomotor Performance, And Limb Bone Mechanical Properties,
2023
Clemson University
The Functional Implications Of Anuran Metamorphosis For Survival, Locomotor Performance, And Limb Bone Mechanical Properties, Chase Kinsey
All Dissertations
Many organisms must contend with navigating their environments from birth. An organism could be classified as – and is often studied – in the context of locomotion through a single habitat type. However, many organisms must contend with a wide variety of environmental obstacles and substrates. What’s more, a large group of animals, Lissamphibia, do so while undergoing drastic transformation of their morphology and locomotor appendages. This transformation, term metamorphosis, typically coincides with a movement from water as a tadpole, to land as a frog or salamander. Many studies have associated this transitionary period with decreased locomotor performance and worse …
Western Pearlshell (Margaritifera Falcata) Extirpation In The Smith River, Montana, With A Possible Link To Warming Water Temperatures,
2023
Montana Natural Heritage Program, 1515 E. Sixth Ave, Box 201800, Helena, MT 59620-1800; Present address: Montana Biological Survey, 431 Butler St., Helena, MT 59601
Western Pearlshell (Margaritifera Falcata) Extirpation In The Smith River, Montana, With A Possible Link To Warming Water Temperatures, David M. Stagliano
Western North American Naturalist
Western pearlshell (Margaritifera falcata) populations are in decline across the species’ range in western North America. In 2008, Montana categorized the western pearlshell as an imperiled species of concern (S2) based on reduced detections at historically occupied sites and few viable populations. Between 2004 and 2014, we surveyed 24 Smith River reaches (61 total sites in the watershed) for the presence of western pearlshell populations. Despite historical and anecdotal descriptions of abundant western pearlshell in the Smith River, intensive structured surveys between 2004 and 2007 documented only 4 sections with low-density, nonviable western pearlshell populations (<10 individuals, large size classes [average total length = 70 mm], with no signs of recruitment). In 2014, we revisited these occupied sites to repeat surveys (expending significantly more search time) and observed no live individuals. This was surprising given that, although those populations would certainly die out without recruitment, older individuals can oftentimes persist for decades. Therefore, we consider the western pearlshell mussel extirpated from the Smith River watershed. We reviewed long-term USGS gage discharge and temperature data near the western pearlshell populations to evaluate the potential causal factors for, and timing of, the extirpation. From 3 July to 3 August 2007, water temperatures were at or above the thermal stress levels of the western pearlshell (>25 °C, …
Novel Collective Prey Evasion Response Of Pseudomonas Aeruginosa Pao1 To Soil Micropredator Myxococcus Xanthus Dk1622,
2023
Kennesaw State University
Novel Collective Prey Evasion Response Of Pseudomonas Aeruginosa Pao1 To Soil Micropredator Myxococcus Xanthus Dk1622, Joshua Lummus
Master of Science in Integrative Biology Theses
The search for alternative therapeutics is on the rise because of the threat of multi-drug resistant bacteria. Looking at the hunting strategy of soil-based bacterial micropredators is one avenue of exploration. Myxobacteria are soil predators with a wide prey range including Gram-negative and Gram-positive bacteria, fungi, and archaea. In our lab we discovered a distinct and novel anti-predation behavior in Pseudomonas aeruginosa strain 01. P. aeruginosa is an opportunistic and nosocomial pathogen responsible for 10% of all hospital acquired infections. P. aeruginosa is also an ESKAPE pathogen, which are leading causes of nosocomial infections throughout the world, and they are …
Microbial Commensals Of Tricolored Bats In Georgia And Their Probiotic Potential,
2023
Kennesaw State University
Microbial Commensals Of Tricolored Bats In Georgia And Their Probiotic Potential, Jordyn Upton
Master of Science in Integrative Biology Theses
Pseudogymnoascus destructans (Pd) is a fungal pathogen that has been spreading in North American bats since its initial discovery in 2006. P. destructans is the causative agent of white-nose syndrome (WNS), a disease leading to as much as a 90% decrease in some eastern United States bat populations, with select hibernacula experiencing complete extirpation of the hibernating population. To date, there is no effective scaled probiotic for WNS, but probiotics inoculums have shown success in the management of other recently emerged fungal pathogens of wildlife, such as chytridiomycosis in amphibians. Host microbiomes have come under investigation in other disease systems …
Early Stage Or Curable Cancer Diagnoses In Minorities: A Journey Of Survivors,
2023
Kennesaw State University
Early Stage Or Curable Cancer Diagnoses In Minorities: A Journey Of Survivors, Lora Asberry
Master of Science in Integrative Biology Theses
Patients diagnosed with early-staged or curable forms of cancer experience physical, as well as, mental challenges associated with disease progression and treatment. Previous studies have demonstrated that minorities and underrepresented communities did not receive the same level of care in comparison to their non-minority counterparts. Previous studies have also demonstrated that health disparities among minorities affected their cancer journey. This study addressed: how medical disparities varied between minorities and non-minorities, the overall effects of the cancer diagnoses in minorities compared to non-minorities, whether these perspectives differed in male vs. female participants, and whether there were any possible communication barriers between …
Testing The Urban Dulling Hypothesis In An Iridescent Passerine Bird,
2023
Kennesaw State University
Testing The Urban Dulling Hypothesis In An Iridescent Passerine Bird, Joanna Gresham
Master of Science in Integrative Biology Theses
Urbanization has brought grave consequences that lead to declines in many species; however, some species thrive in urban ecosystems. This allows us the opportunity to study evolution in real time, as species adapt and change in a new setting. Novel urban ecosystems have led to phenotypic divergence between urban and rural populations. There is a rich body of literature on how songbirds are affected by urbanization, however divergent signaling behaviors are less well understood. Urban color homogenization is well-documented in carotenoid-colored species. However, iridescent plumage is understudied in general, and little is understood about how environmental changes shape iridescent plumage. …
Comparing Four Indices Of Physiological Stress In An Urban-Adapted Songbird Between Urban And Rural Habitats,
2023
Kennesaw State University
Comparing Four Indices Of Physiological Stress In An Urban-Adapted Songbird Between Urban And Rural Habitats, Rachel Kaplan
Master of Science in Integrative Biology Theses
Birds show tremendous variation in the extent to which different species tolerate life in urban habitats, yet it remains unclear why some species thrive while others cannot. My work explores possible phenotypes that make an urban-adapted species, the European starling (Sturnus vulgaris), so successful in both rural and urban areas. Literature on stress-urbanization relationship remains highly equivocal partly due to an array of different study systems being compared as well as to key methodological differences. The present study quantified metrics of both acute stress (i.e., stress-induced corticosterone and breath rate) and chronic stress (i.e., baseline corticosterone and total …
Morphological Trait Evolution In Solanum (Solanaceae): Evolutionary Lability Of Key Taxonomic Characters,
2023
Bucknell University
Morphological Trait Evolution In Solanum (Solanaceae): Evolutionary Lability Of Key Taxonomic Characters, Rebecca Hilgenhof, Edeline Gagnon, Sandra Knapp, Xavier Aubriot, Eric Tepe, Lynn Bohs, Leandro Giacomin, Yuri Gouvea, Andres Orejuela, Christopher T. Martine, Clara Ines Orozco, Iris E. Peralta, Tina Sarkinen
Faculty Journal Articles
Solanum is one of the world's largest and economically most important plant genera, including 1245 currently accepted species and several major and minor crops (e.g., tomato, potato, brinjal eggplant, scarlet eggplant, Gboma eggplant, lulo, and pepino). Here we provide an overview of the evolution of 25 key morphological traits for the major and minor clades of this giant genus based on stochastic mapping using a well-sampled recently published phylogeny of Solanum. The most evolutionarily labile traits (showing >100 transitions across the genus) relate to plant structure (growth form and sympodial unit structure), herbivore defence (glandular trichomes), pollination (corolla shape …
Influence Of Woody Vegetation Composition And Structure On Fuels And Prescribed Fire In Mountain Longleaf Restoration,
2023
Kennesaw State University
Influence Of Woody Vegetation Composition And Structure On Fuels And Prescribed Fire In Mountain Longleaf Restoration, Collin J. Anderson
Master of Science in Integrative Biology Theses
Longleaf pine (LLP) ecosystems have experienced a widespread ecological state shift largely due to fire exclusion which has allowed mesophytes, i.e., shade-tolerant, often fire-sensitive species to encroach, reducing flammability and biodiversity through a process known as “mesophication.” Although prescribed fire is commonly used to reverse mesophication, fire behavior, and thus prescribed fire utility for this purpose, is poorly characterized in mixed pine-hardwood stands with mesophyte encroachment. This study aimed to identify mechanisms by which tree composition, structure, and fuels contribute to fire behavior, focusing on the understudied mountain longleaf pine (MLLP) ecoregion in northwest Georgia. I hypothesized that woody vegetation …
Development Of A 16s Reference Library For Edna Metabarcoding The Freshwater Fishes Of Western Ecuador.,
2023
DePaul University
Development Of A 16s Reference Library For Edna Metabarcoding The Freshwater Fishes Of Western Ecuador., Hannah M. Willis, Olivia G. Schweikart, Windsor E. Aguirre
DePaul Discoveries
This project examines the use of the 16S locus to amplify neotropical freshwater fishes native to Western Ecuador in a newly created 16S reference library for DNA barcoding and eDNA metabarcoding applications. Among the orders Characiformes, Siluriformes, Cichliformes, Gobiiformes, Cryprinodontiformes, Gymnotiformes, and Perciformes, a compendium of 105 specimens were sequenced, with 43 representing new 16S sequences previously unavailable on Genbank.
Variation In Salamander Life History And Community Composition Across An Urban Gradient In Atlanta, Georgia, Usa,
2023
Kennesaw State University
Variation In Salamander Life History And Community Composition Across An Urban Gradient In Atlanta, Georgia, Usa, Leah Rittenburg
Master of Science in Integrative Biology Theses
Urbanization threatens to alter stream systems in watersheds in the eastern United States. These highly disturbed systems may result in many local extirpations of sensitive salamander species. One group of organisms that often persists in urban streams is the Eurycea bislineata (Two-lined Salamander) species complex. Many aspects of Two-lined Salamander life history are linked to environmental factors, particularly stream temperature, prey abundance, and stream hydrology. Urbanization threatens to alter these environmental factors, potentially influencing Two-lined Salamander life history. At 14 sites spanning an urban gradient in Atlanta, GA, I investigated the variation in life history and phenology in the Southern …
Plains To Peaks: An Analysis Of The Relationship Between Colorado Butterfly Communities And Altitude,
2023
660 Forest St., Denver, CO 80220
Plains To Peaks: An Analysis Of The Relationship Between Colorado Butterfly Communities And Altitude, Anna O. James, Kathryn Hokamp, Chris García-Hellmuth, Richard P. Reading
Western North American Naturalist
We compared butterfly communities of the Plains, Foothills, and Montane Zones of the Colorado Front Range and examined 3 groups of butterflies—blues (Polyommatinae species), fritillaries (Speyeria and Boloria spp.), and painted ladies (species Vanessa cardui)—for altitude shifts between 2014 and 2020. We conducted these analyses using data collected by volunteer butterfly monitors from the Colorado Butterfly Monitoring Network, a group organized and run by Butterfly Pavilion in Westminster, Colorado. Monitors walked designated routes and counted all butterflies they saw, identifying each to the lowest possible taxonomic group they could. We sorted routes into the 3 altitude zones, organized …
First Shasta Ground Sloth (Nothrotheriops; Xenarthra) From The Eastern Great Basin, Nevada,
2023
The Mammoth Site, 1800 Hwy. 18 BYP, Hot Springs, SD 57747; Desert Laboratory on Tumamoc Hill, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ 85745
First Shasta Ground Sloth (Nothrotheriops; Xenarthra) From The Eastern Great Basin, Nevada, Jim I. Mead, Sandra L. Swift, H. Gregory Mcdonald, Steven D. Emslie
Western North American Naturalist
We present the first record of the Shasta ground sloth (Nothrotheriops shastensis) for the eastern Great Basin. The single right upper second molariform was recovered from the back dirt pile of archaeological test pits excavated during the 1960s and 1970s in Smith Creek Cave, northern Snake Range, White Pine County, Nevada. The precise age of the specimen is indeterminate, although all sediment layers in the area produced radiocarbon dates older than 11,000 cal BP; thus, the specimen is considered of the Rancholabrean Land Mammal Age. All previous accounts of this sloth in the Great Basin are from its …
