Ecology and Evolutionary Biology Commons^™

A Taxonomic Note On Lecanium Vaccinii Macrocarpum Nomen Dubium Status, Rhys J. L. Campo, Barbara D. Denno, Douglass R. Miller

Insecta Mundi

Lecanium vaccinii macrocarpum Goethe, 1884 (Hemiptera: Coccidae) is a subspecies of which the original description is inconsistent with its current taxonomic placement, and its recorded synonymy with other species is questionable. The original type material is likely lost or destroyed. For these reasons, L. vaccinii macrocarpum is proposed to be treated as nomen dubium.

New Host Record Of Dahlibruchus Bridwell, 1931 On Cultivated Dahlia Cav. In Mexico And Description Of Two New Species (Coleoptera: Bruchidae), Jesús Romero Nápoles

Insecta Mundi

Dahlibruchus Bridwell is a genus in the family Bruchidae (Coleoptera: Chrysomeloidea) and all species have as host plants species in the genus Dahlia Cav. (Asteraceae). Usually they arrive on hosts when flowers appear and start feeding on nectar and pollen; later females lay eggs on bracts, and a few weeks later the adults emerge. Presently, the genus Dahlibruchus contains three species. The description of two new ones (Dahlibruchus castroi, new species and Dahlibruchus ruizi, new species) brings this number to five. A key to all species is presented. Dahlibruchus conradti Bridwell is recorded for the first …

A Review Of The Genus Necydalis Linnaeus (Coleoptera: Cerambycidae) From North America With Proposed Subgeneric Reclassification, Daniel Heffern, Tatsuya Niisato, Ronald Alten

Insecta Mundi

All North American species of Necydalis Linnaeus, 1758 (Coleoptera: Cerambycidae) are removed from the nominotypical subgenus with species allocated into four subgenera: Neodalis Niisato new subgenus, Heterodalis Niisato new subgenus, Mesodalis Niisato new subgenus and Necydalisca Plavilstshikov, 1936. Neodalis and Heterodalis are endemic to the Nearctic, whereas Mesodalis and Necydalisca also occur in the Palearctic. Necydalis (Neodalis) copei Niisato, Heffern and Alten new species is described from Nevada, USA. Necydalis californica Linsley, 1940 new status is elevated from a subspecies of N. diversicollis Schaeffer, 1932 to full species status. Male terminalia of all species are …

Living A Lie: The Truth Behind Isohydnocera Curtipennis (Newman) And Other Historically Confused Species Of Phyllobaenus Dejean, With The Description Of The New Genus Neohydnocera (Coleoptera: Cleridae: Clerinae: Hydnocerini: Hydnocerina), John M. Leavengood Jr.

Insecta Mundi

Taxonomic changes in the New World Hydnocerina (Coleoptera: Cleridae: Clerinae: Hydnocer­ini) at the species and genus level are presented. Phyllobaenus suturalis (Klug, 1842) and Hydnocera limbata Spinola, 1844 are designated junior synonyms of P. pallipennis (Say, 1825), new synonymy. Phyllobaenus nigrescens (Schaeffer, 1909) is designated a junior synonym of P. verticalis (Say, 1835), new synonymy. Iso­hydnocera curtipennis (Newman, 1840), P. lineaticollis Spinola, 1844, and Clerus brachypterus Klug, 1842, are re-established as junior synonyms of P. verticalis (Say, 1835), status reinstated, and I. curtipennis is accordingly reassigned to Phyllobaenus Dejean as P. curtipennis …

The First Species Of Prococcophagus Silvestri (Hymenoptera: Aphelinidae) From America North Of Mexico, Zachary Lahey, Alvin M. Simmons, Sharon A. Andreason

Insecta Mundi

Prococcophagus tobiasi (Myartseva) (Hymenoptera: Aphelinidae) is newly recorded from the state of Florida. This represents the first record of the genus Prococcophagus Silvestri in the United States. Amendments are made to the original description based on the newly collected specimens, and the species is placed in the context of the genus based on a phylogenetic analysis of 28S rDNA. The status of the specimens comprising the type series is discussed and notes are made on the unusual coloration exhibited by living specimens.

Tetraleurodes Gilli (Hemiptera: Sternorrhyncha: Aleyrodidae), A New Whitefly Species On Quercus L. From California, Natalia Von Ellenrieder

Insecta Mundi

Abstract

A new species of Tetraleurodes Cockerell (Hemiptera: Sternorrhyncha: Aleyrodidae), T. gilli, occurring on Quercus L. (Fagaceae) in California is described and illustrated based on its puparium, adults, and nymphs. The puparium of the new species can be recognized from that of other black whiteflies devoid of dorsal wax that occur on oaks by the combination of a filamentous marginal wax fringe as wide as a third to full width of puparium, cephalothoracic setal formula 1 0 1 1, longitudinal suture margined by tubercles, presence of eyespots, a concentric dorsal submarginal fold, ventral spinules medially to legs decreasing …

Macroinvertebrate Community Dynamics In A Recovering, Hypersaline Estuary, Catherine M. Eckert, Claudia A. Tamez, Erin E. Easton, David W. Hicks

Gulf and Caribbean Research

The Bahia Grande is a 6,500—acre tidal basin located at the southernmost tip of Texas. Tidal flow into this coastal estuary was cut off in the 1930s, causing the basin to dry up for ~70 y. A pilot channel connecting the Bahia Grande to tidal waters was constructed in 2005, allowing flooding of the basin to occur. Throughout the period reported herein (2005–2019), the system remained characterized by persistent spatial and temporal episodes of extreme hypersalinity (>70)—a critical factor influencing estuarine community composition and driving key ecological processes. With additional rehabilitation actions forthcoming, characterization of the estuary is essential …

Snake Venoms As Models For Understanding The Origins And Evolution Of Gene Regulatory Networks, Siddharth S. Gopalan

Biology Dissertations - Archive

Understanding the relationship between genotype and phenotype is a fundamental goal of biology. However, the vastly complex nature of eukaryotic gene regulation can make deriving precise relationships between genotype and phenotype challenging. The gene regulatory architecture of snake venom systems provide an opportunity to study this problem in a phenotypic system with immense variation in phenotypes and the underlying genetics. Using a set of integrated functional genomic approaches with snake venoms as a central model, in this dissertation, I provide several examples of the regulatory mechanisms by which diversity in phenotypes arises. Specifically, I identify how gene expression heterogeneity between …

The Evolution Of The Stress Response In The Trinidadian Killifish: Ecological Drivers And Maternal Mediation, Mikaela E. Feder

Biology Dissertations - Archive

Ecological variables can induce the stress response in organisms. Yet, few studies have tested for evolutionary shifts in stress responses across ecological gradients. In these studies, we used Trinidadian killifish found in sites with predators (high predation, HP) and sites where they are the only fish present (killifish only, KO). HP and KO populations differ in a suite of behavioral and life-history traits, making the Trinidadian killifish an excellent model to examine evolutionary physiology. My dissertation addresses the knowledge gap by examining: (1) how baseline cortisol differs in wild-caught Trinidadian killifish found in HP and KO sites, (2) the influence …

Assessing Understory Along The Elk River (Hikshari') In Headwaters Forest Reserve, Humboldt County, California, Julie R. Meyers, Aliyah M. Ingram, Caleb N. Larkin, Joshua L. Carpenter

Environmental Science & Management Senior Capstones

Northern California’s extensive logging history and lack of forest management has altered old-growth coast redwood (Sequoia sempervirens) forests, leaving dense, homogenous second and third-growth forest stands. This has led to the use of modern restoration techniques such as variable density thinning (VDT) which aims to rehabilitate old-growth forest conditions by improving stand heterogeneity and light availability for understory species. Our study was done in Headwaters Forest Reserve (HFR) along the Elk River (Hikshari’) Trail in Humboldt County, California. Initially, the project was supervised by the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Arcata Field Office. However, the 2025 U.S. government …

Unveiling The Bacterial Communities Of Aphaenogaster: Taxonomic Composition, Developmental And Species Influences, And The Impact Of Climate Change, Lily Kelleher

West Chester University Master’s Theses

Ants are vital keystone species in many ecosystems because they provide ecosystem services such as: seed dispersal, soil bioturbation, and pest control. However, ant bacterial symbioses remain largely unstudied, but these interactions are crucial because microbes play a vital role in the ants’ overall health. Today, global climate change is impacting our biodiversity, and we can use information about how changing temperatures impact the symbiotic bacterial communities associated with ants to predict future impact. Aphaenogaster rudis and A. fulva remain understudied in terms of their bacterial community and are important North American species. For this study, ants from several colonies …

Wild Horse Overpopulation- Consequences And Environmental Effects, Tessa M. Eslick Ms.

Undergraduate Theses, Professional Papers, and Capstone Artifacts

When considering wild horse overpopulation, there are many different facets of the issue that need to be addressed. Wild horse overpopulation is a significant issue across the American West, particularly on lands managed by the Bureau of Land Management( BLM). The largest populations are often found in Nevada, other states include California, Oregon, Utah, Wyoming, Washington, and Arizona. Whether there are thousands of horses on many acres of land, or hundreds spread across smaller reservations or public lands, the effects of their overpopulation remain as imminent as ever. Overpopulation is causing ecological damage and strain on resources leading to concerns …

Exploring The Reproductive Phenology Of Feral Horses In North America, Mattie Budine

Undergraduate Theses, Professional Papers, and Capstone Artifacts

Feral horses (Equus ferus caballus) are a prolific species in western North America. Due to their life history traits and history of domestication, they have a longer foaling period compared to native ungulates, such as elk (Cervus canadensis) and mule deer (Odocoileus hemionus). I examined the observed foaling seasons of different regional herds throughout North America to identify if foaling seasons are uniform across latitudes or if they present a latitudinal shift similar to ungulates. My dataset (n=523 foals) consisted of various research studies and unpublished observations of different feral horse herds throughout North America. The results are graphs comparing …

Use Of Public Information For Prospecting And Nest Site Selection By Western Bluebirds (Sialia Mexicana), Fatime Wadad Jomaa

Cal Poly Humboldt theses and projects

Public information that provides an estimate of reproductive success, in addition to information gained through direct environmental sampling, may provide an efficient way for individuals to assess future breeding site quality. I investigated the hypothesis that prospecting Western Bluebirds (Sialia mexicana) use post-breeding public information to select nest sites the following year across winegrape vineyards in Napa Valley. In late summer of 2023, I installed 200 nest boxes across 10 vineyards without prior box history. To simulate conspecific presence and successful breeding, boxes within 5 experimental vineyards were designated either full-treatment (boxes directly broadcasting adult song and nestling …

Chironomids Shed Light On Organic Matter Dynamics In Macroinvertebrate Communities In Prairie Pothole Lakes In West-Central Minnesota, Usa, Tracey M. Anderson, Sarah G. Winikoff, Michael L. Sorensen, Melissa L. Rudeen

Biology Publications

The Prairie Pothole Region (PPR) in North America is characterized by a high density of wetlands that can range from temporary habitats to small lakes. Much of the PPR has been converted to agriculture resulting in outright habitat loss, eutrophication, sedimentation, introduction of agrochemicals, and the introduction of invasive plants and animals. We compared two prairie pothole lakes, Cottonwood Lake and Page Lake, to assess the functional roles and trophic structure of the macroinvertebrate communities in this highly altered landscape. We collected macroinvertebrate samples from littoral and profundal regions of each lake with an Ekman grab sampler in winters of …

Aquatic Invertebrate Populations In Roadside Wetlands In Relation To Water Characteristics, Ellen P. Isakson

Journal of Earth and Life Science

The continual habitat destruction and draining of wetland systems makes the need to understand the ecology of roadside wetlands all the more necessary. Roadside wetlands provide valuable habitat to countless aquatic invertebrates, which can provide insight into the health of the wetland system due to their diversity. The objective of this study was to analyze the populations of aquatic invertebrates in roadside wetlands in relation to water characteristics such as pH, salinity, conductivity, water depth and temperature, and dissolved oxygen. This was done by collecting samples of invertebrate populations from roadside wetlands, in addition to data on water quality characteristics …

Diversification Of Avifauna In The Darién Highland Region: Ecological Niche Modeling, Phylogeography And Morphology To Explore Speciation In The Montane Species Myadestes Coloratus, Chlorospingus Tacarcunae And Margarornis Bellulus., Jorge L. Garzon Vasquez Mrs

Theses and Dissertations

Montane regions in the Neotropics are hotspots of endemism and biodiversity, yet their species are especially vulnerable to the impacts of climate change and geographic isolation. This thesis investigates the evolutionary and ecological dynamics of three bird species endemic to the Darién Highlands of eastern Panama: Myadestes coloratus, Chlorospingus tacarcunae, and Margarornis bellulus. Through an integrative approach combining ecological niche modeling, morphometric analysis, and genomic data from ultraconserved elements (UCEs) and mitochondrial DNA, the study explores the historical biogeography, current distribution patterns, population structure, and phenotypic differentiation of these montane taxa. Ecological niche models revealed that suitable habitat …

Critical Environmental Communication Framework, Shumaila J. Bhatti, Srivi Ramasubramanian, Andrea Feldpausch-Parker, Bruno Takahashi, Silje Kristiansen

Media Studies - All Scholarship

This study develops a Critical Environmental Communication (CEC) framework to assess the landscape of Environmental Communication research and to what extent and in which ways critical and justice-oriented perspectives are included. The CEC framework consists of four interconnected themes: (a) Marginalized Ecocultural Identities, (b) Context and Scale, (c) Power and Agency, and (d) Justice, Equity, Diversity, Access, and Inclusion (JEDAI). Using this framework in a bibliometric analysis examining 1,297 Environmental Communication publications, we assess the occurrence of these themes in the scholarship. Our analysis found that Marginalized Ecocultural Identities, and Context and Scale were most frequently occurring, while Power and …

The Chesapeake Pearl: A Proposal For An Environmental Public Art Installation, Samuel I. Reichard

Pitzer Senior Theses

In this thesis, I lay the foundation for an environmental art project along Chesapeake Bay. It includes an analysis of relevant literature and case studies, as well as a proposal for the project. The Chesapeake Pearl (working title) would be a 20-foot spherical aquarium that will visually display the water filtration capacity of eastern oysters and native seagrass, aiming to inspire curiosity around these organisms and the greater Chesapeake Bay ecosystem. The project exists at the intersection of environmental art and environmental education and seeks to promote learning and public engagement through visually demonstrating a scientific process, the water filtration …

Effects Of Direct And Indirect Predator Cue Intensity On Foraging Decisions In A Deer Mouse, Peromyscus, Nicholas G. Levinson

Honors Theses

Ecologists developed optimal foraging theory as a framework to understand how an animal may spend minimal time to maximize resource intake. A giving-up density (GUD) is a metric of the density of remaining food in a food patch at which an animal decides foraging is no longer economical. This study aims to test how the intensity of direct and indirect predator cues alter foraging patterns of deer mice. To measure GUD, I used depletable food patches deployed in the “upper woods” on the periphery of Colby College. To simulate direct predator cues, 1 mL of fox urine was applied on …