ZENG, L.*; SWALLA, B. J.; University of Washington; University of Washington: Evolution of Coloniality in the Tunicates: How many times has it evolved? The phylogenetic relationships of ascidians are very important for studying Chordate and Deuterostome evolution. We are studying phylogenetic relationships in order to understand the evolution of coloniality in the tunicates. Coloniality and […]

CASTOE, T.A.; STEPHENS, T.S.*; PARKINSON, C.L.; CALESTANI, C.; University of Central Florida; University of Central Florida; University of Central Florida; University of Central Florida: Evidence for complex evolutionary origins of a sea urchin polyketide synthase gene Polyketide synthases (PKSs) are a large family of multifunctional proteins identified mainly in bacteria, fungi and plants. A polyketide […]

PARK, A.P.*; WIBBELS, T.; LIRA-R., D.; CASTRO-MARTINEZ, M.; VEGA-M., L.; BURCHFIELD, P.; PENA-V., J.; SHROEDER, B.; Univ. of Alabama at Birmingham; Univ. of Alabama at Birmingham; Gladys Porter Zoo; Gladys Porter Zoo; Gladys Porter Zoo; Gladys Porter Zoo; Gladys Porter Zoo; NOAA Fisheries: Episodic Production of Male-Biased Hatchling Sex Ratios in the Kemp’s Ridley Sea […]

WONG, C. K.*; HOSHIZAKI, D. K.; GIBBS, A. G.; Univ. of Nevada, Las Vegas: Energetics of Metamorphosis in Drosophila melanogaster In preparation for metamorphosis, the fruit fly Drosophila melanogaster undergoes numerous physical reconstructions within the pupal case, suggesting an increase in energy consumption to sustain these changes. However, metabolic rates during pupation actually decline approximately […]

DONNELLY, M J*; WALTERS, L J; University of Central Florida; University of Central Florida: Effects of the exotic Brazilian pepper in a Florida mangrove ecosystem Disturbances to mangrove ecosystems in Florida potentially leave them vulnerable to exotic plants, such as Brazilian pepper (Schinus terebinthifolius). Although mangrove forests are difficult to invade by terrestrial species, observations […]

ROZMAN, R.; MENON, J.M.*; William Paterson University, New Jersey; William Paterson University, New Jersey: Effects of retinol and phytol on oxidative stress during anuran metamorphosis and regeneration. Retinoic acid, a metabolite of retinol (vitamin A) is a common teratogen causing several embryonic malformations and changes in pattern formation in amphibians. The diverse activities of retinoids […]

BYRNE, R.A.*; RUNDLE, S.D.; SPICER, J.I.; SUNY Fredonia, USA; Univ. of Plymouth, UK; Univ. of Plymouth, UK: Effects of oxygen tension on embryonic behavior in the pondsnail, Lymnaea stagnalis Embryos of the pondsnail Lymnaea stagnalis perform a �tumbling� or �spinning� motion that begins during the trochophore stage and continues throughout development. The rate of movement […]

KHODABANDEH, Saber*; ESMAILI SARI, Abbas; Univ. of Tarbiat Modarres; Univ. of Tarbiat Modarres: Effects of copper on branchial Na+,K+-ATPase immunoreactivity in Astacus leptodactylus (Crustacea, Decapoda) Copper is an essential element and acts as a cofactor for a number of key proteins, however, in excess, it is toxic. Na+,K+-ATPase is present in the ion-transporting type branchial […]

GREIVES, Timothy*; CLAY, Keith; DEMAS, Gregory; Indiana University Department of Biology and Center for the Integrative Study of Animal Behavior: Effects of a common fungal endophyte, Neotyphodium coenophialum, on reproductive and immune factors in prairie voles (Microtus ochrogaster) Environmental factors can exert profound influences on animal physiology including reproduction and immunity, two factors that can […]

HUGGINS, T.*; LETT, K.; CATAPANE, E.J.; CARROLL, M.A.; Medgar Evers College; Medgar Evers College; Medgar Evers College; Medgar Evers College: Effects of Heavy Metals on Mitochondrial Cytochrome c Oxidase of the American Oyster, Crassostrea virginica The ongoing oyster rehabitation study our lab has been conducting has shown that Crassostrea virginica transplanted to Jamaica Bay (JB), […]