HAYES, B.M.*; ERICKSON, J.M.; TEMKIN, M.H.; St. Lawrence University; St. Lawrence University; St. Lawrence University: A Nested Cladistic Analysis of the Geographical Distribution of Mitochondrial DNA Haplotypes of the Freshwater Mussel Elliptio complanata from Northern New York Freshwater mussels in northern New York inhabit eight major rivers (Indian, Oswegatchie, Grass, Raquette, St. Regis, Salmon, Great […]

NICHOLS, P. Brent; NELSON, Diane R; GAREY, James R; University of South Florida; East Tennessee State University; University of South Florida: A Family level Analysis of Tardigrade Phylogeny There is currently no overall phylogenetic hypothesis of tardigrade evolution in the literature. This study developed a morphological data set suitable for phylogenetic analysis at the family […]

KAMMERER, Christian F.*; WESTNEAT, Mark W.; GRANDE, Lance; University of Chicago; Field Museum of Natural History; Field Museum of Natural History: A Comparative and Developmental Analysis of Jaw Mechanics in Gars Gars (Lepisosteidae) are a group of predatory basal actinopterygians with an elongate snout and a rapid feeding strike. Gars have traditionally been considered a […]

HANNA, Jandy; Duke Univ., Durham, NC: Vertical climbing energetics in prosimian primates As a primarily arboreal radiation, all non-human primates must climb in order to feed, escape predators, and sleep. However, some primates such as apes, spider monkeys, and lorises have morphological and behavioral specializations (i.e. long limbs and long strides) that may enhance efficiency […]

HUSSAIN, SM; LIVINGSTON, BT; Univ of South FL; Univ of South FL: Variation of a protien coding microsatellite Between and Within species of Strongylocentrotus To better understand the evolution of repetitive regions and microsatellites within coding sequences, we have been studying the echinoderm SM50 gene, which encodes a protein involved in skeleton formation. Through the […]

LILLEY, T. R.*; MEDLER, S. ; MYKLES, D.L.; Colorado State University; University at Buffalo; Colorado State University: Variable expression of myofibrillar protein isoforms in juvenile lobster claw muscles Adult lobsters (Homarus americanus) possess two types of claws: cutter claws (CT) and crusher claws (CR). Adult CT claws contain mostly fast-twitch fibers and CR claws contain […]

GILLEN, C.M.; VAUGHAN, J.R.; LYE, B.R.; Kenyon College, Gambier, OH: Using primary literature in a course for non-science majors. The use of primary literature in a biology course for non-science majors is described. We propose two rationales for using primary research articles in a course for non-science majors. First, learning to reading primary literature is […]

SEARS, Michael W.; BAKKEN, George S.; ANGILLETTA, Michael J.; FITZGERALD, Lee A.; University of Nevada, Reno; Indiana State University; Indiana State University; Texas A&M University: Using artificial neural networks to model the operative temperatures of small animals in a spatially-explicit context Ecologists have long known that thermal resources have profound impacts on an individual’s physiological […]

ARNOLD, Emily; SHUSTER, Stephen; Northern Arizona University, University of California Berkeley; Northern Arizona University: Use of chemical cues by marines isopods (Paracerceis sculpta) in the location and selection of mates Chemical cues are used by many animals to locate breeding habitats and mates. Semelparous species face time and energy constraints that require rapid location of […]

BOTTON, M.*; POGORZELSKA, M.; SMORAL, L.; SHEHATA, A.; HAMILTON, M.; Fordham Univ.; Fordham Univ.; Fordham Univ.; Fordham Univ.; Fordham Univ.: Thermal Biology of Horseshoe Crab Embryos and Larvae: A Role for Heat Shock Proteins The sandy intertidal beaches where horseshoe crab (Limulus polyphemus) embryos and trilobite larvae live are thermally stressful habitats. Heat shock proteins […]