MARTINEZ, G.; DRUCKER, E.G.; SUMMERS, A.P.; University of New Hampshire; University of California – Irvine; University of California – Irvine: Under pressure to swim fast High speed swimming requires a stiff body to maximize thrust delivered along the main axis of the fish. Swiftly swimming bony fishes have few vertebrae (i.e. 22 in marlins), and […]

JASINOSKI, S.J.; Univ. of Calgary: Transformation of the theropod scapulocoracoid using thin-plate splines Non-avian theropods were bipedal saurischian dinosaurs, closely related to modern birds. Bipedalism decoupled the theropod shoulder girdle from its weight-bearing role, allowing the forelimbs to engage in functions other than locomotion. Within the theropod lineage, several morphological changes occurred in the shoulder […]

NIETO, V.*; MCCLARY, JR., M.; Fairleigh Dickinson University; Fairleigh Dickinson University: Toxicity test of Roundup on the fiddler crab Uca pugnax (Smith) and the ribbed mussel Geukensia demissa (Dillwyn) The aquatic herbicide Rodeo is used to kill weeds and marsh grasses such as the invasive common reed Phragmites australis and the cord grass Spartina alterniflora. […]

CLIFTON, K.B.*; MECHOLSKY, J.J., JR.; YAN, J.-H.; REEP, R.L.; University of Florida, Gainesville; University of Florida, Gainesville; University of Florida, Gainesville; University of Florida, Gainesville: Toughness Determination of Manatee Rib Bone Watercraft-related mortality of the Florida manatee (Trichechus manatus latirostris), caused by propeller wounds or impact, accounts for 24% of all deaths from 1976-2001, and […]

MAHON, A.R.; CARPENTER, K.E.; Old Dominion University; Old Dominion University: The use of the recombintion activating gene (RAG-1) to elucidate interfamilial relationships within the Perciformes The use of molecular tools to determine generic and species level relationships among organisms has become routine. However, the commonly utilized genes, such as cytochrome b and cytochrome oxidase subunit […]

SOCHA, J.J.; The University of Chicago: The timing and shape of dorsoventral flattening in Chrysopelea paradisi, a gliding snake Flying snakes are the only vertebrates that simultaneously flatten dorsoventrally and undulate laterally. Understanding the timing and final cross-sectional shape of flattening is key to forming hypotheses of morphological specialization and aerodynamic force generation during gliding […]

BARRY, T.O.; MARTIN, T.R.; FEI, H.; HATLE, J.D.; BORST, D.W.; Illinois State University, Normal: The regulation of vitellogenin production in the lubber grasshopper, Romalea microptera. Previous studies have shown that juvenile hormone (JH) stimulates vitellogenin (Vg) production in many insects. To investigate the regulation of Vg production in the lubber grasshopper, we allatectomized (CA-; removal […]

BAINES, A.T.; MCVEY, M; THOMPSON, J.T.*; WILKINS, H; University of North Carolina; University of North Carolina; University of North Carolina; University of North Carolina: The mystery of the toxic flea dip: an interactive approach to teaching aerobic cellular respiration We designed a case study to teach aerobic cellular respiration to major and non-major introductory biology […]

FEDEWA, L A; University of Georgia – Institute of Ecology: The effect of ontogeny on intestinal bacterial loads in the narrow-mouthed toad (Gastrophryne carolinensis) Declines in amphibian populations have been documented throughout most of the world. Pathogens have been implicated as the primary cause for a large number of these declines. In some of these […]

BELDEN, L.K.*; RUBBO, M.J.; WINGFIELD, J.C.; KIESECKER, J.M.; Pennsylvania State University; Pennsylvania State University; University of Washington; Pennsylvania State University: The effect of density on the hormonal stress response of wood frog tadpoles High population density is thought to be a stressor for many animals. In amphibians, previous laboratory studies have suggested that in dense […]