MCCARTHY, Robert C.; Florida Atlantic University: Supralaryngeal vocal tract morphology in the rhesus macaque (Macaca mulatta): A geometric morphometric analysis of growth, development and integration Determining the size and shape of the non-human primate supralaryngeal vocal tract (SVT) is a necessary first step for reconstructing SVT shape, and inferring speech abilities, in fossil humans. To […]

KIDD, Michael R.*; KOCHER, Thomas D.; University of New Hampshire; University of New Hampshire: Spatial and Temporal Dynamics of a Community of Translocated Cichlids around Thumbi West Island in Lake Malawi The economic and ecological consequences of invasive species has prompted the need to identify intrinsic and extrinsic factors that affect the dispersal of nonindigenous […]

FERO, K.C.*; MOORE, P.A.; Bowling Green State University; Bowling Green State University: Social status induces variability in shelter use and forging behavior in crayfish Dominance hierarchies afford individuals varying access to resources such as food, shelter, and mates; thus, social status imposes direct consequences on individual fitness. During hierarchy formation in crayfish, the resulting dominant […]

MORTON, Martin L.*; PEREYRA, Maria E.; University of Tulsa; University of Tulsa: Sexual differences in habitat useage by Yosemite Toads While surveying habitat occupied by Yosemite toads (Bufo canorus) at Tioga Pass in the Sierra Nevada of California during their post-breeding period, we discovered sexual differences in distribution of adults. Wet meadow bottoms, near breeding […]

JAYASUNDARA, N.*; SPANINGS-PIERROT, C.; TOWLE, D.W.; MDI Bio. Lab., Salsbury Cove, ME; Universite Montpellier, France; MDI Bio. Lab., Salsbury Cove, ME: Salinity-induced changes in isoform-specific Na++K+-ATPase gene expression in the European shore crab Pachygrapsus marmoratus The grapsid crab P. marmoratus is strongly euryhaline, regulating hemolymph osmolality by absorbing NaCl across the gills from low salinity […]

SERRANO, L.A.**; HENRY, R.P.; Auburn Univ.; Auburn Univ.: Salinity-induced changes in Carbonic Anhydrase activity and mRNA expression in the blue crab Callinectes sapidus Two isoforms of the enzyme carbonic anhydrase (CA) were cloned from the gills of the blue crab, Callinectes sapidus. Specific primers were designed to study the induction during low salinity acclimation of […]

DENGER, B.C.*; TANKERSLEY, R.A.; Florida Institute of Technology, Melbourne; Florida Institute of Technology, Melbourne: Rhythmic activity of adult fiddler crabs Uca pugilator from areas with different tidal regimes Intertidal species, such as the fiddler crab Uca pugilator, have long served as models for studying endogenous tidal rhythms in marine organisms. Previous studies indicate that U. […]

BARBER, A.L.*; WALTERS, L.; BIRCH, A.; University of Central Florida; University of Central Florida; The Nature Conservancy: Restoration of Intertidal Oyster Reefs Affected by Intense Boating Activity in Shallow Florida Waterways In recent years, intertidal reefs of the oyster Crassostrea virginica in central Florida�s coastal areas have suffered extensive losses due to wakes from recreational […]

SMITH,, J.V.**; KIMBALL,, R.T.; BRAUN,, E.L.; Univ. of Florida, Gainesville: Resolving the Phylogeny of Paleognathes: A Novel Genomic Approach The phylogenetic relationship among paleognath birds is an ongoing debate. Traditional classification places ratites (flightless paleognathes such as the ostrich and rhea) sister to the tinamous (flighted paleognathes). Recent molecular data suggest tinamous may nest within […]

KIMBALL, R.T.*; MARKS, B.D.; HAN, K.-L.; University of Florida; Louisiana State University; University of Maryland: Relationship between evolution of the visual pigment rhodopsin and transitions to a nocturnal lifestyle in birds Similar adaptations may sometimes arise independently in response to similar ecological conditions. Such convergence has been observed in visual pigments (opsins) in a variety […]