Browsing by Department "Biological Sciences"
Now showing items 201-220 of 301
The Molecular Underpinning of Life-History Evolution: Roles of the IIS network and the Building of a Reptilian Model
(2021-07-12)
The Insulin and Insulin-like Signaling (IIS) network regulates cellular processes including pre- and post-natal growth, cellular development, wound healing, reproduction, and longevity. Despite their importance on the ...
Molecular, physiological, and organismal-level effects of thermal stress in corkscrew sea anemones Bartholomea annulata
(2020-07-20)
Changing ocean dynamics in the form of increasing seawater temperature are having drastic effects on the symbiotic relationships of coral reef cnidarians, causing them to bleach and die at increasing frequencies. Most ...
A Multi-level Analysis of the Interactions between Vectors, Hosts, and Habitats of EEEV
(2011-04-29)
Eastern equine encephalitis virus (EEEV) is a rare and dangerous mosquito-borne
pathogen with an elusive pattern of occurrence across its range in North America. The primary
basis of our understanding of its transmission ...
Multivariate Analysis of Chlamydia pneumoniae Lung Infection in Two Inbred Mouse Strains
(2005-12-15)
This investigation was aimed at dissecting the mechanisms of C. pneumoniae pathogenesis by multivariate analysis of challenge experiments in a mouse model of C. pneumoniae lung infection. To facilitate these analyses, a ...
Native Ant Biodiversity Response to A Dominant Competitor in Pine-Hardwood Forests of Alabama, USA
(2022-07-22)
This thesis explores how invasive species affect native biodiversity. Specifically, I explore how the invasive ant species, Solenopsis invicta influences the recipient native ant community in pine-hardwood forests. These ...
Natural History and Conservation of the Eyelash Palmpitviper (Bothriechis schlegelii) in Western Panamá
(2007-12-15)
The focus of this thesis was to examine various components of the natural history,
ecology, and conservation biology of the Bothriechis schlegelii. The sections that follow
include studies of foraging ecology, demography, ...
Nesting ecology of reptiles: Effects of maternal nesting behavior and egg incubation environments on offspring phenotypes and fitness
(2021-07-13)
Understanding the role of the environment in shaping phenotypic variation has been a goal at the heart of evolutionary biology since its inception. Through the work that led to the modern synthesis framework, we see that ...
Neutrophil:Lymphocyte Ratio as a Possible Indicator of Chronic Anthropogenic Stress in Bats (Mammalia: Chiroptera)
(2011-07-19)
Exposure to chronic stressors has negative impacts on wild animals. Heightened levels of glucocorticoid hormones commonly are measured to test for exposure to stress. Due to the fast-changing nature of circulating levels ...
Nocturnal Ecophysiology of the Anemonefish-Sea Anemone Mutualism: Patterns of Nocturnal Oxygen Consumption and Symbiont Behavior at Night
(2011-11-15)
The mutualism between anemonefishes and giant sea anemones is one of the most well known interactions on coral reefs. While the symbiotic benefits provided to each partner have been researched for over 100 years, little ...
Observations on the Ecology and Behavior of Macroseius biscutatus, an Obligate Pitcher Plant Mite
(2013-04-16)
The current conservation status of arthropods symbiotically associated with tall-form Sarracenia spp. is poorly known. Yet these unique organisms and their associations are disappearing due to habitat loss, degradation and ...
On the influence of landscape-scale factors on stream ecosystems and macroinvertebrate assemblages in the southeastern USA: an examination of alternative statistical methods and case studies.
(2015-07-23)
The influence of land cover on stream ecosystems has increasingly been the focus of
research in a variety of fields, including ecology, hydrology, and engineering. Human-altered
land cover can increase overland storm ...
Optimal egg incubation temperature, and the effects of diet on growth of hatchling Eastern Indigo snakes (Drymarchon couperi) during a captive head-start program
(2014-05-12)
Optimal husbandry techniques are desirable for any headstart program, but frequently are unknown for rare species. In this thesis I determine the optimal incubation temperature and optimal diet diversity for eastern indigo ...
Oxidative and Endoplasmic Reticulum Stress in Response to Reproduction in the Female Mouse Brain
(2019-04-16)
Reproduction is associated with a significant increase in energetic demand, particularly among small female mammals. When these demands are high, or an animal is under stress, the cost of reproduction can reduce future ...
A Parasitic Dinoflagellate of the Ctenophore Mnemiosis sp.
(2011-11-14)
In this study I have sought to characterize a previously unknown parasitic dinoflagellate, which is associated with the costal ctenophore Mnemiopsis sp. Here, I describe its general morphology, based on an identification ...
Patterns and rates of ecological diversification among Neotropical cichlid fishes
(2017-07-25)
The rapid rise of phenotypic diversity and corresponding ecological roles is an emblematic pattern of cichlid evolution, particularly within clades of the East African Great Lakes. Herein, I evaluate the phenotypic and ...
Patterns of Parasite Infection Dynamics during a Biological Invasion
(2017-11-30)
Biological invasions may impact native ecosystems by affecting host-parasite dynamics. Introduced species can harbor parasites transported from their native range and these parasites can spillover to infect native taxa, ...
The persistent effects of stress during lactation on maternal and offspring mitochondria
(2020-07-13)
An increase of circulating glucocorticoids in reproductive females may augment allocation of
resources towards self-maintenance and away from offspring. Thus, elevated circulating
glucocorticoids may negatively affect ...
The Phage Behind the Curtain: Determining the Role of Bacteriophage in the Restructuring of Microbiomes During Disease
(2021-11-30)
The gut microbiome is a dynamic microbial ecosystem inhabited by all domains of life and is essential for the homeostatic function of almost all organ systems within the host. Additionally, the mammalian intestine is home ...
Phage-coupled Piezoelectric Biodetector for Salmonella typhimurium
(2005-08-15)
Salmonella typhimurium is a leading cause of foodborne illness and a critical threat agent for potential bioterrorism. Current rapid detection initiatives include biosensors that routinely incorporate antibodies for ...
Phylogenetic treatment and taxonomic revision of the tarantula genus Aphonopelma Pocock, 1901 (Araneae, Mygalomorphae, Theraphosidae) within the United States
(2015-07-21)
This systematic study documents the taxonomy, diversity, and distribution of the tarantula spider genus Aphonopelma Pocock, 1901 within the United States. Aphonopelma is a group wherein traditional morphological characters ...