WHEATLY, M. G.; GAO, Y; Wright State Univ., Dayton: The molecular biology of ion motive enzymes: lessons learned from comparative models Movement of ions across epithelial membranes involves an array of proteins broadly grouped into channels, pumps, antiporters and cotransporters. The molecular technologies have impacted the field of comparative ion transport. Over the past decade […]

BURIAN, R.M.; Virginia Tech: On the Difficult of Using Nucleotide Sequences Alone to Define Genes There has been considerable debate recently about the status of molecular concepts of the gene. Some authorities have argued for a concept, definition, or delimitation of genes as sequences of nucleotides without including the connection of the sequence to particular […]

MADERSON, PFA; HILLENIUS, WJ; Brooklyn College CUNY; College of Charleston: Exploding the myth of tubular feathers: a major evolutionary innovation requires only one novel mechanism The Prum/Brush model for feather origin and diversification (a) posits multiple developmental novelties appearing in an inherently untestable evolutionary sequence, (b) ignores aspects of form that reflect essential developmental and […]

PILGRIM, M.A.; BOYD, A.A.; MARTIN, A.E.; RICKMYRE, J.L.; FARRELL, T.M.; Univ. of Arkansas, Fayetteville; Stetson Univ., DeLand, FL; Stetson Univ., DeLand, FL; Stetson Univ., DeLand, FL; Stetson Univ., DeLand, FL: Experimental validation of stable isotope techiques in determining reptile and amphibian diet. Isotope ratios of common elements are often used in studies of energy flow […]

HILL, P.S.M.; Univ. of Tulsa, Oklahoma USA: Surface opening variations, dominant frequency and amplitude of song in the prairie mole cricket Mole crickets in the Orthopteran family Gryllotalpidae are known for their digging forelimbs and their singing from specialized burrows they have constructed in the soil. Few descriptions of singing, or acoustic, burrows are available […]

FALLAHPOUR, Kamelia; ESPINOZA, Robert E.; California State Univ. Northridge; California State Univ. Northridge: Female breeding coloration as a signal for mate selection: not such a bright idea after all? Breeding coloration is phylogenetically widespread in lizards and known to influence mate choice in both sexes. Female breeding coloration (bright yellow, orange, or red) is rare, […]

KORZAN, Wayne/J; FORSTER, Gina/L; WATT, Micheal/J; �VERLI, �yvind ; SUMMERS, Cliff/H; Univ. of South Dakota; Univ. of South Dakota; Univ. of South Dakota; University of Oslo; Univ. of South Dakota: Dopaminergic activity after aggressive interactions in relation to social signals and motivation In Anolis carolinensis, eyespot formation, i.e. darkening of postorbital skin from green to […]

GRILLIOT, M.E.*; BURNETT, S.C.; MENDON�A, M.T.; Auburn University, Auburn; Clayton College &State University, Morrow; Auburn University, Auburn: Does reproductive state affect echolocation signals in Eptesicus fuscus: a preliminary study? Ultrasound is a widely used acoustical method for social communication, as well as for navigation and foraging. Although bats are well known for their use of […]

GREENE, M. J.; GORDON, D.M.; University of Colorado at Denver; Stanford University: Cuticular hydrocarbons act as cues in the interaction network regulating harvester ant task allocation Social insect colonies perform a variety of tasks, such as foraging, nest construction and brood care. Task allocation is the process that adjusts the numbers of workers performing each […]

RIVERA, A.R.*; RIVERA, G.; Clemson University; Clemson University: Thermoregulatory behavior in yearling turtles: Is there a preference for social basking? Semi-aquatic turtles of the family Emydidae typically thermoregulate by aerial basking. This behavior is most frequent when the air temperature exceeds that of the water and when the amount of solar radiation reaching basking sites […]