Ecology and Evolutionary Biology Commons^™

Biology Department Publications: 2024, Sam Lindgren

Biology Department Bibliographies

This document is a non-comprehensive list of publications made by graduate students, post-doctoral researchers, and faculty members in the Biology Department in 2024. It indexes those publications available through PubMed, and serves as an archival record of the Department's robust scholarly contributions.

Drivers Of Recruitment For A Population Of Cutthroat Trout In Northern Utah, Abbigail Lane, Austin Garner

Student Research Symposium

• Understanding recruitment dynamics informs effective management of sensitive populations (Camp et al. 2020).

17 - Mapping The Spatial Distribution Of Submerged Aquatic Vegetation Using Commercial Satellite Imagery, Brandon Watson

Undergraduate Research Symposium

Seagrass in the Chesapeake Bay has seen an increase due to restoration efforts since the 90s, but with the extreme change of climate, we are unsure if the seagrass will thrive or perish, and where it will occur in the bay. Seagrass stabilizes coastal sediments, reducing erosion and protecting shorelines. It provides crucial habitats and nursery grounds for a diverse range of marine species, supporting both biodiversity and fisheries. Additionally, they play a significant role in carbon sequestration, which mitigates the effects of climate change. This study specifically looked at the area from the mouth of the Rappahannock River up …

05 - Freeze Severity And Black Mangrove Growth: Influence Of Plant Origin On Side Shoot Development, Kathryn Bourlier, Katelyn Overstreet, Erik Yando

Undergraduate Research Symposium

Despite a reduction in freeze events and subsequent expansion in the southeastern US, freeze impacts still play a critical role in mangrove morphology and local range limits. Freeze events can impair growth, limit survival, and commonly prompts side shoot development. This study examines the relationship between plant origin, freeze severity, and side shoot development in black mangroves. Our findings show that plants from each location exhibited distinct morphological responses, with similarities more closely linked to environmental conditions rather than geographic proximity. Our work offers insights into thermal tolerance thresholds and implications for mangrove stature in coastal wetlands.

Macroinvertebrate Colonization Of Leaf Packs In The Floyd River, Abby Flanagan, Sharon Huffman, Olivia Lott, Victoria Pavik, Maelee Rodenburg, Travis Sweeney, Laurie Furlong

Celebration of Research

Watershed characteristics impact the habitat and water quality of stream and river ecosystems. In Northwest Iowa, lotic environments are negatively impacted by agricultural practices that result in the removal of riparian vegetation, bank erosion, sedimentation, and eutrophication. Because lotic macroinvertebrates vary in their sensitivity to these types of impacts, they can be used as indicators of habitat integrity. We explored the relative importance of habitat characteristics and allochthonous inputs by examining how macroinvertebrate colonization of leaf packs varied with leaf species, water quality, and stream bank characteristics. Leaf packs were submerged in a reach of the Floyd River at four …

Phylogenetic Relationships And Species Delimitation Of Bunchgrass Lizards Of The Genus Sceloporus From Mexico With The Description Of A New Species, Tristan Charran, Jesús A. Loc-Barragan, Rafael Alejandro Calzada-Arciniega, Liz A. Alfaro-Juantorena, Raúl Cueva Del Castillo, Christopher Blair, Víctor H. Jiménez-Arcos

Publications and Research

Molecular data continue to serve as an invaluable tool to assess species limits and patterns of cryptic diversity, particularly in areas harboring high levels of biodiversity. The Sceloporus scalaris group, known as bunchgrass lizards, contains 13 described and one undescribed species distributed throughout high elevation biotas of Mexico. However, recent studies suggest that diversity in the group may be substantially underestimated. We collect new sequence data from four independent loci to determine the evolutionary distinctiveness and phylogenetic relationships of an isolated population of bunchgrass lizard in the Sierra San Juan (SSJ) in the Mexican state of Nayarit. Concatenation and coalescent-based …

Notable Hesperiidae Collected By Kilian Roever In Arizona, Usa, Jing Zhang, Qian Cong, Jinhui Shen, Leina Song, Nick V. Grishin

The Taxonomic Report of the International Lepidoptera Survey

Genomic analysis of Hesperiidae specimens collected by Kilian Roever in Arizona, USA, and deposited in the McGuire Center for Lepidoptera and Biodiversity (Florida Museum of Natural History, Gainesville, Florida, USA) confirms several published state species records, reveals that Cecropterus (Murgaria) markwalkeri Grishin, 2023, Telegonus (Telegonus) misitra (Plötz, 1881), and Epargyreus cruza Evans, 1952 have been found in Arizona with sequenced specimens representing first confirmed USA records of these three species, and allows us to discover new taxa Cecropterus (Murgaria) roeveri Grishin, sp. n. and Lerema (Lerema) ochrius occidus Grishin, ssp. n. This …

The First Record Of Alpiscorpius Idaeus (Yağmur & Tropea, 2017), Comb. N. From The Lesvos Island, Greece (Scorpiones: Euscorpiidae), Ersen A. Yağmur, Özgün Sipahioğlu

Euscorpius

The scorpion species Euscorpius idaeus Yağmur & Tropea, 2017, previously known from Mount Kazdağı in the Balıkesir and Çanakkale Provinces of Turkey, is reported for the first time from the Lesvos Island, Greece. In this study, it is transferred to the genus Alpiscorpius Gantenbein et al., 1999. Detailed illustrations of Alpiscorpius idaeus (Yağmur & Tropea, 2017), comb. n. from the Lesvos Island population are provided.

Fisheries Management Paper No.286: Western Australian Octopus Resource Harvest Strategy, Department Of Primary Industries And Regional Development, Western Australia

Fisheries Management Papers

Harvest strategies for Western Australia’s (WA) aquatic resources are formal documents developed to support decision-making processes that ensure the outcomes are consistent with the principles of Ecologically Sustainable Development (ESD; Fletcher 2002a) and Ecosystem Based Fisheries Management (EBFM; Fletcher et al. 2012). Harvest strategies are a key component of all contemporary fishery management systems and a requirement for certification under the Marine Stewardship Council (MSC). The objectives of ESD are reflected in the objectives of the Fish Resources Management Act 1994 (FRMA).

This Octopus Resource Harvest Strategy (Harvest Strategy) has been developed and revised in line with the Harvest Strategy …

Investigating The Demography And Parasites Of Spring-Migrating Cedar Waxwings (Bombycilla Cedrorum) In Virginia After A Single-Day Mortality Event, Karen E, Powers, William W. Sadler, Acalia J. Carter-Martin, G. Caleb Smith, Gabe W. Tieskotter, Katie E. Wheeler, Matthew T. Close, Sara O'Brien, Pavel B. Klimov, Andrew D. Sweet, Stephen A. Smith, Jamie K. Lau

Virginia Journal of Science

While investigating the cause of death in a cedar waxwing (Bombycilla cedrorum) mortality event in March 2024 in Roanoke, Virginia, we collected parasites, investigated gizzard contents, and described demography. The group of 20 was slightly male-dominated (12/20) and only contained two adults (after second year - both females). We recovered 46 ectoparasites from 16 of 20 individuals and reported two species of feather mites (Proctophyllodes ampelidis [N=37] and Analges integer [N=5]), one oribatid mite, two spider mites (order Trombidiformes), and one unknown mite (likely immature oribatid). We recovered no endoparasites. This mortality event provided a sample size …

Plant Biodiversity Of Short-Grass Prairie On An Eastern Colorado Cattle Ranch From 1988-2024, Emilee D. Cole, Zoey E. Daniels-Sneed, Matthew Galliart, Sarah Elzay

SACAD: Scholarly Activities

This survey examined the possible effects that rotational grazing and large-scale beef cattle production has on plant diversity in short-grass prairie rangeland. The survey was conducted on the Frasier Ranch, a working cattle ranch in eastern Colorado. Plant diversity was measured via species richness, ratio of cool to warm season grasses, and Shannon-Weiner Diversity Index. In this case study, it was determined that plant diversity did not change significantly in recorded years from 1988-2024.

Primates From Senèze, Eric Delson

Publications and Research

Senèze has yielded two primate fossils, neither from the recent field work. A partial ulna can be identified as cf. Macaca sylvanus. A nearly complete female skull is the holotype of Dolichopithecus arvernensis Depéret, 1928, now included in Paradolichopithecus. Emended and differential diagnoses are provided for this genus and species for the first time, and the Senèze skull is described and briefly compared to those of other species of the genus. Dental and cranial measurements are provided, along with comparative data. The macaque and Paradolichopithecus are moderately to highly terrestrial, respectively, and they suggest a woodland to more open …

Basking In Abundance: Distribution And Abundance Of Alabama Map Turtles (Graptemys Pulchra) In The Upper Coosa River, Abigail Wilkins

Theses

The Alabama Map Turtle (Graptemys pulchra) is one of the least studied species of turtle in the United States. Little is known about the species distribution and abundance within the northeastern portion of its range. The aim of this study is to determine the distribution of G. pulchra in the Upper Coosa River drainage as well as estimate population sizes for G. pulchra at 6 sites accessible in the Upper Coosa River Drainage. I used a variety of methods (e.g., rapid assessment surveys, trapping, mark-resight population estimates) to determine the presence and abundance of the species in the Upper …

Ecological Restoration And Ecosystem Memory Of Wildlife Forage And Understory Diversity In A Young Pine Monoculture Plantation In Central-Interior British Columbia, Julia Claire Bizon

Aspen Bibliography

Ecological restoration has recently taken center stage in the rehabilitation of degraded forest ecosystems to improve multifunctionality, biodiversity, and wildlife habitat conservation. The research summarized herein assessed the efficacy of variable stand density thinning (200, 400, and 600 stems/ha) and artificial canopy gaps (0.2, 0.5, 1.0, 2.0 ha in size) as potential restoration treatments to enhance wildlife forage and native biodiversity in a young lodgepole pine (Pinus contorta var. latifolia Engelm. ex S. Wats.) forest in central-interior British Columbia. Field data collection was conducted from May-August, 2023 to assess the early response (1-3 years post-treatment) of the forest …

How The Biotic And Abiotic Factors In The Belle Forest Cave And Arboretum Soil Dictates Tree Species Prevalence, Amya A. Bingham

SPARK Symposium Presentations

A plethora of factors in the soil impact a plant’s health, including the presence of different biotic and abiotic factors. These include things like temperature, elevation, pH, microbial respiration and the presence of water, clay, loam, silt, sand, nitrogen, potassium, and phosphorus. Different soils will have varying amounts of these, which may dictate what is able to grow in them, and therefore also the surrounding area. This research project explores how the aforementioned biotic and abiotic factors affect the soil at the Belle Forest Cave and Arboretum. Three samples will be taken from four spots along a transect at this …

Ecological Studies Of Wolves On Isle Royale, Sarah R. Hoy, John A. Vucetich, Rolf O. Peterson

Ecological Studies of Wolves on Isle Royale

Annual Report 2024-2025

Lawn Nutrient Availability And Run-Off During Establishment Under Enhanced Biodiversity, Masami S. Kanyuk

Environmental Studies Honors Theses

Biodiversity has consistently been found to have positive ecosystem effects, including erosion mitigation and stability of nutrient cycling. For lawns, this can translate to reducing the need for fertilizer application, and reducing soil loss and leaching that can impact water quality. This paper investigates the effects of biodiversity and plant community establishment in a lawn ecosystem on soil erosion, nitrate leaching via porewater sampling, and plant available nitrogen.

In the first growing season of PLEDGE (the Pastures and Lawns Enhanced Drought and Global-Change Experiment), we hypothesized that three-species lawns (tall fescue, dwarf white clover, and creeping thyme) would experience higher …

Tracking Phenological Shifts Of Black Guillemots Cepphus Grylle In The Gulf Of Maine, Jocelyn L. Little

Student Publications

Rapid warming in the Gulf of Maine has coincided with changes in phenology across trophic levels. Phenological change has yet to be studied in black guillemots (Cepphus grylle), a widely distributed benthic forager that is showing population decline in the region. Because black guillemots nest in burrows, their phenology can be challenging to study. I developed methods to track black guillemot phenology on Petit Manan Island, a seabird breeding colony in the Gulf of Maine. Specifically, I asked Q1) Can daily tower count data be used to predict black guillemot breeding phenology? Q2) How is black guillemot breeding phenology shifting …

Raising Red Flags: Exploring Phenotypic Change In Tiger Moths (Apantesis) Of Coastal Sc Over 50 Years' Time, Allison K. Fletcher

Senior Theses

Organismal phenotypes play a critical role in ecological interactions and individual fitness, and they may undergo rapid shifts through evolutionary adaptation or phenotypic plasticity in response to climate change and environmental disturbances. As morphological traits such as body size, melanization, and aposematic coloration are especially significant for thermoregulation and predator deterrence, it is important to understand the ways in which these traits may be changing on a regional level. Here, I examined the change in phenotype in populations of three tiger moth (Apantesis) species from a single site in coastal South Carolina over a fifty-year period, testing for differences in …

Alfred Russel Wallace Notes 36. Wallace, Evolution And Providence., Charles H. Smith

Faculty/Staff Personal Papers

One of Alfred Russel Wallace’s most important contributions to thought was his identification of the key role provident behavior assumes in human evolution. In this essay I set out the way this idea influenced his thought process after 1864, and especially how it affected his appreciation of the possible role of spiritualism in evolution.