The Effects Of Urban Landscape, Soundscape, And Light Pollution On Avian Diversity And Nesting In South San Antonio, Texas,
2023
Texas A&M University-San Antonio
The Effects Of Urban Landscape, Soundscape, And Light Pollution On Avian Diversity And Nesting In South San Antonio, Texas, Alfredo Llamas
Masters Theses (Archived)
As critical habitat continues to dwindle due to the expansion of urbanization, alternative habitat in urban ecosystems becomes a necessary natural resource for the survival of birds. In the last decade, local San Antonio environmental authorities have focused their efforts on restoring the San Antonio Mission Reach. Ecological revitalization of the San Antonio Mission Reach could increase avian, and flora biodiversity with ongoing restoration, yet how birds use restored habitat has not been assessed. Additionally, south of the Reach, two more peri-urban sites have great potential to be high quality habitat for birds but have not been surveyed for nesting …
Striped Blenny (Chasmodes Bosquianus) Presence And Behavior Between Sunrise And Sunset At Oyster Landing, South Carolina,
2023
Coastal Carolina University
Striped Blenny (Chasmodes Bosquianus) Presence And Behavior Between Sunrise And Sunset At Oyster Landing, South Carolina, Madeline Schuetze
Honors Theses
Lunar and diel cycles of fishes can help to interpret their behaviors during their reproductive season. Temperate estuaries are used by many benthic fishes for shelter and reproduction. This study examined the behavior and presence of striped blennies (Chasmodes bosquianus) during diel and lunar cycles. PVC pipe shelters were placed to mimic oyster shell nests, a natural habitat for blennies, and cameras were placed to monitor these shelters in April, May, and June 2022, during the striped blenny reproductive period. Video footage was reviewed and analyzed for the presence and behavior of both male and female blennies. Male presence …
Dolphin Behavioral Responses To Uncrewed Aerial Systems As A Function Of Exposure, Height, And Type,
2023
Stephen F Austin State University
Dolphin Behavioral Responses To Uncrewed Aerial Systems As A Function Of Exposure, Height, And Type, Savannah Damiano
Electronic Theses and Dissertations
Uncrewed aerial systems (UAS) are becoming a standard tool in the study of cetaceans, however, a comparative assessment of animal responses to UAS has not been established to gauge the most effective systems for cetacean study. We utilized Dolphin Quest Bermuda’s eleven bottlenose dolphins as subjects for such an investigation taking place over five weeks in 2022 and five weeks in 2023. The dolphins were evaluated for investigative behavioral responses to six off-the-shelf UAS types and a custom fixed wing system. Each UAS was flown in decreasing height vertically above the main dolphin lagoon to evaluate dolphin behavioral responses in …
Drivers Of White-Tailed Deer (Odocoileus Virginianus) Behavior, Survival, And Population Growth In The Piedmont Of South Carolina,
2023
Clemson University
Drivers Of White-Tailed Deer (Odocoileus Virginianus) Behavior, Survival, And Population Growth In The Piedmont Of South Carolina, Michael Muthersbaugh
All Dissertations
Prey species adjust behaviors in response to various stimuli, responding to both top-down and bottom-up pressures. Large herbivores must attempt to avoid predation either through adjusting behaviors or seeking spatial or temporal refugia, which can scale up to influence individual fitness and ultimately population dynamics. Specifically, predation risk has a great potential to influence ungulate populations by impacting behaviors and survival. Our objective was to quantify ungulate behavioral and population response to a regionally important predator through a case study – white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus) responses to coyotes (Canis latrans) on private lands in the Piedmont …
Relationships Between Horizontal And Vertical Movements Of Shortfin Mako Sharks (Isurus Oxyrinchus) In The Western North Atlantic Ocean,
2023
University of Rhode Island
Relationships Between Horizontal And Vertical Movements Of Shortfin Mako Sharks (Isurus Oxyrinchus) In The Western North Atlantic Ocean, Katie Gheysen
Senior Honors Projects
Highly mobile pelagic predators, such as tuna, swordfish, and sharks, often undergo changes in depth over a 24-h period and exhibit diel vertical migration (DVM), presumably to maximize foraging efficiency. Studies on the diving behavior of shortfin mako sharks (Isurus oxyrinchus) have been inconclusive as to whether this species consistently exhibits DVM. We investigated relationships between horizontal and vertical movements in shortfin mako sharks by using location and depth data collected from SPLASH tags and pop-up satellite archival tags (PSAT). A state-space model was applied to location data derived from SPLASH tags to generate continuous tracks and to …
Effects Of Maternal Disease History On Provisioning, Brooding, And Offspring Outcomes,
2023
University of Arkansas, Fayetteville
Effects Of Maternal Disease History On Provisioning, Brooding, And Offspring Outcomes, Sakura Roberts
Biological Sciences Undergraduate Honors Theses
Disease within a population has the ability to shape the development, evolution, and general performance of a species. Pathogen exposure to hosts can influence their physiology and behavioral patterns to further shape offspring immunity. Parental conditions experienced by offspring during early development can benefit survival and fitness (e.g. increasing provisioning rates), as well as help deter against similar diseases experienced by parents. By testing if parental behavior changes can better prepare offspring outcomes for disease exposure, such as disease severity or duration of infection, we can see the beneficial impacts it has on disease dynamics and host-pathogen processes. Incubation temperature, …
Urbanization Affects Web Abundance And Aggregation Of A Funnel‑Weaving Spider, Agelenopsis Pennsylvanica (Agelenidae),
2023
University of Nebraska-Lincoln
Urbanization Affects Web Abundance And Aggregation Of A Funnel‑Weaving Spider, Agelenopsis Pennsylvanica (Agelenidae), Brandi J. Pessman, Madison Hays, Earl Agpawa, Eileen Hebets
Eileen Hebets Publications
Animals distribute themselves within habitats based on a variety of environmental conditions, including those impacted by urbanization. Suspected global declines in urban arthropod biodiversity have required that we examine how urban conditions affect the distribution of this ecologically important group. Throughout North America, funnel-weaving spiders (Agelenidae) are prevalent across urban habitats and actively choose sites to build webs. We compared Agelenopsis pennsylvanica abundance and distribution between two distinct urban habitats: an urban center (university campus) and an urban forest (city park). These urban habitats differed significantly in features like plant diversity and proximity to roads and highways. We searched along …
Top Down Effects And Resource Selection By Coyotes In South Carolina,
2023
Clemson University
Top Down Effects And Resource Selection By Coyotes In South Carolina, Alex Jensen
All Dissertations
Top predators play important roles in functioning ecosystems, including regulating the populations of prey species and competing with other predators. However, in the face of global change, many top terrestrial predators have declined in both range and abundance, making room for some smaller predators to expand into new niches. Coyotes (Canis latrans) in North America are a prime example of this – they have rapidly expanded their range in the last 120 years, raising concerns about their impacts on both domestic and wild species. In eastern North America, research has centered around their effects on white-tailed deer ( …
Variations In Thermoregulation Strategies Of Northern And Southern Populations Of Mischocyttarus Mexicanus,
2023
The University of Southern Mississippi
Variations In Thermoregulation Strategies Of Northern And Southern Populations Of Mischocyttarus Mexicanus, Taylor Guild
Honors Theses
Mischocyttarus mexicanus is a species of eusocial paper wasp that is found across much of the Southeastern coastal region of the United States. Contrasting wintering strategies have been seen in northern versus southern populations. Anecdotally, northern populations overwinter by clustering on top of palmetto fronds, their preferred nesting substrate, in a sort of "taco" shape, while southern populations stand on their nests that hang on the underside of the palmetto frond throughout the year. I tested three hypotheses related to the adaptive value of northern over-frond clustering behavior: 1) Over-frond clustering is thermoregulation related, meaning it would be temperature driven. …
Factors That Affect Home Range Of Timber Rattlesnakes (Crotalus Horridus) In Northwest Arkansas,
2023
University of Arkansas, Fayetteville
Factors That Affect Home Range Of Timber Rattlesnakes (Crotalus Horridus) In Northwest Arkansas, Bannon Gallaher
Graduate Theses and Dissertations
Conservation of animal populations requires knowledge of their habitat and spatial needs. Quantifying spatial requirements involves the analysis of home range. We examined the effects of sex, body size (SVL), body condition (log mass/log SVL), and year on home range in Timber Rattlesnakes (Crotalus horridus) in Northwest Arkansas. Individual locality data from an ongoing, 22+ year radio-telemetry study in Madison Co., Arkansas were analyzed using both minimum convex polygon (MCP) and Kernel Density Estimates (KDE). Plots of the number of sequential observations versus home range (MCP and KDE) determined that a minimum of 25 locations per individual per active season …
Hippopotamus (Hippopotamus Amphibius) Aggressive Behaviors In The Retima Hippo Pool, Orangi River, Tanzania,
2023
College of Saint Benedict/Saint John's University
Hippopotamus (Hippopotamus Amphibius) Aggressive Behaviors In The Retima Hippo Pool, Orangi River, Tanzania, Lydia Hoffman, Connor Veldman
Celebrating Scholarship and Creativity Day (2018-)
Hippopotamuses (Hippopotamus amphibius) are known to forage on land during the night and spend the daytime in shallow pools to thermoregulate and to protect their skin from UV radiation. Daily use of pools may lead to competition for space and facilitate aggressive interactions between hippopotamuses. In this study, we looked at the difference in occurrence of aggressive behavior in the morning and evening hours between hippopotamuses (hippos). Our hypothesis was that hippos will be more aggressive at different times of the day, and we predicted that the higher aggressive activity will be in the morning hours, as hippos …
Exploring Host-Parasite Interactions In The Euhaplorchis Californiensis-Fundulus Parvipinnis System,
2023
Nova Southeastern University
Exploring Host-Parasite Interactions In The Euhaplorchis Californiensis-Fundulus Parvipinnis System, Bennett J. Perry
All HCAS Student Capstones, Theses, and Dissertations
Parasites with complex life-cycles may alter their intermediate host’s phenotype to increase the chance of successful transmission to their next host. This parasite-induced host modification often occurs in the form of behavioral changes, such as increased frequency of irregular locomotor behaviors (e.g., conspicuous behaviors), particularly in systems where the parasite is transmitted trophically through a predation event. However, most empirical evidence of host behavioral modification by parasites comes from a few model host-parasite systems and are frequently studied following a stressor (e.g., simulated predator attack). One host species studied is the California killifish Fundulus parvipinnis, which is infected by …
Influence Of Ambient Water Coloration On Habitat
And Conspecific Choice In The Female Lake Malawi
Cichlid, Metriaclima Zebra,
2023
University of Nebraska-Lincoln, Université de Saint-Etienne, Max Planck Institute of Animal Behavior
Influence Of Ambient Water Coloration On Habitat And Conspecific Choice In The Female Lake Malawi Cichlid, Metriaclima Zebra, Noori Choi, Nicolas Mathevon, Eileen A. Hebets, Marilyn Beauchaud
Eileen Hebets Publications
Female cichlid fish living in African great lakes are known to have sensory systems that are adapted to ambient light environments. These sensory system adaptations are hypothesized to have influenced the evolution of the diverse male nuptial coloration. In rock-dwelling Lake Malawi mbuna cichlids, however, the extent to which ambient light environments influence female sensory systems and potentially associated male nuptial coloration remains unknown. Yet, the ubiquitous blue flank coloration and UV reflection of male mbuna cichlids suggest the potential impacts of the blue-shifted ambient light environment on these cichlid’s visual perception and male nuptial coloration in the shallow water …
Senesced Leaves Of An Invasive Species (Lonicera Maackii) Alter Community Composition And Ecosystem Function In Experimental Wetlands,
2023
Eastern Kentucky University
Senesced Leaves Of An Invasive Species (Lonicera Maackii) Alter Community Composition And Ecosystem Function In Experimental Wetlands, Cy Mott
2023 Midwest Ecology & Evolution Conference
Secondary compounds produced by terrestrial invasive plants can cross terrestrial-aquatic boundaries via senesced leaves, leading to altered patterns of aquatic biodiversity and ecosystem functioning. Prior attempts to examine the impacts of invasive leaves on wetland communities have primarily employed the use of leaf leachates and focal taxa inhabiting relatively low trophic positions, and additional studies are needed to examine impacts on higher-order consumers and potential additive/synergistic effects of leachates and leaf decomposition. Using cattle-tank mesocosms across multiple experiments, we observed that the addition of senescent leaves of Amur Honeysuckle (Lonicera maackii) to native leaves resulted in mass mortality …
Nonvocal Drumming Sonations In Two Lek-Mating Grouse: Implications For Female Choice And Species Recognition,
2023
The Ohio State University
Nonvocal Drumming Sonations In Two Lek-Mating Grouse: Implications For Female Choice And Species Recognition, Chelsea J. Wright
2023 Midwest Ecology & Evolution Conference
Birds rely on vocal acoustic communication for information about conspecific and heterospecific individuals, but non-vocal sounds (sonations) can also play a key role in acoustic communication. In birds, sonations are commonly produced using modified feathers, but there are some cases where they are produced by the striking of feet on a surface. Foot stomping has been highly studied in mammals and spiders, with little to no data for birds. The Greater and Lesser Prairie-Chickens (Tympanuchus cupido and T. pallidicinctus) live in sympatry in western Kansas where they perform courtship displays that involve rapid foot stomping on mixed species …
Anthropogenic Influences Of Play In The Green Monkeys Of Barbados,
2023
University of Louisville
Anthropogenic Influences Of Play In The Green Monkeys Of Barbados, Rose Amrhein
2023 Midwest Ecology & Evolution Conference
There are multiple theories behind the evolutionary origins and functions of play behavior in the animal kingdom, all with varying levels of support. Some argue play originated as a byproduct of individuals having excess energy in a resource-rich environment while others argue it arose as a way for young individuals to enhance the physical and mental skills needed to survive into adulthood. Many believe that both these theories are coexisting and applicable to some degree. However, previous play studies usually focused on one group of organisms, failing to consider how animals’ environment directly impacts the structure of their play and …
Evaluating Anti-Predator Behavior In A Captive Elk (Cervus Canadensis) Herd,
2023
Murray State University
Evaluating Anti-Predator Behavior In A Captive Elk (Cervus Canadensis) Herd, Jordan L. Tandy
2023 Midwest Ecology & Evolution Conference
Predator-prey interactions drive decisions of either counterpart, meaning predators and the presence of perceived dangers, such as scent markings or calls, are capable of altering an organism’s behavior. On a spatial scale, risk and cost-benefit tradeoffs related to predation pressures create a landscape of fear (LOF), where prey avoid areas they associate with risk. Certain periods of time, such as birthing seasons, pose even greater risk to prey species. Research suggests that captive and/or historically captive animals tend to respond less effectively to predation than native populations that regularly experience threats of predation. I have gathered behavioral data on a …
A Novel Approach To Scoring Rhythmic Variation In Evolving White-Throated Sparrow (Zonotrichia Albicolis) Songs,
2023
Missouri State University - Springfield
A Novel Approach To Scoring Rhythmic Variation In Evolving White-Throated Sparrow (Zonotrichia Albicolis) Songs, Taylor Hiers
2023 Midwest Ecology & Evolution Conference
Studies show that the White-throated Sparrow's (Zonotrichia albicolis) song is evolving across North America. Previously, most songs ended in a series of "triplets" consisting of three notes. Sometime after the 1960s, a new variant arose in western Canada that ended in a series of "doublets" consisting of two notes. A recent study found that the doublet variant has since spread rapidly eastward across the continent, replacing the triplet variant. We set out to document this shift in southwest Missouri, which is part of the sparrow's wintering range. We found that triplets were significantly more common than doublets, indicating …
Habitat Characteristics And Winter Use Of Woodpecker-Excavated Tree Cavities,
2023
DePaul University
Habitat Characteristics And Winter Use Of Woodpecker-Excavated Tree Cavities, Adrianna Yoder
2023 Midwest Ecology & Evolution Conference
Avifauna are in decline in North America, including red-headed woodpeckers (Melanerpes erythrocephalus). Red-headed woodpeckers are negatively impacted by urbanization, which has decreased their ideal habitats of oak-savannas and through the management of urban trees there has been a reduction in the amount of tree decay, a necessary feature of suitable trees that woodpeckers can make cavities in. Cavities are created and used as nests in the breeding season (spring/summer) and as roost-sites in the non-breeding season (fall/winter). In the Chicagoland region, during the fall some red-headed woodpeckers migrate while others do not and remain overwinter, making them facultative …
Recognition Of Conspecifics Under Elevated Turbidity,
2023
The Ohio State University
Recognition Of Conspecifics Under Elevated Turbidity, Ryan L. Gaynor
2023 Midwest Ecology & Evolution Conference
A key component of sociality is the ability of individuals to collect relevant social information about groupmates. Human-induced rapid environmental change (HIREC) can interfere with the collection of accurate social information by altering organisms’ sensory environment. In aquatic ecosystems anthropogenic disturbances can often cause an increase in water turbidity, thereby altering the visual environment of a body of water. This change to the sensory environment can degrade or obscure visual information used by individuals to mediate social behavior and recognize conspecifics. Neolamprologus pulcher is a cooperatively breeding cichlid that lives in small groups and utilize a variety of visual cues …
