ROSENMAN, B.A.*; LOVEJOY, C.O.; Kent State University; Kent State University: Morphological description of the pelvis of Fgf4 and Fgf8 conditional knockout mice Transgenic animals are an important tool for elucidating morphogenesis and modularity, as well as current morphological issues such as the boundaries of units of selection and the putative role of mechanical stimuli in […]

BARBEITOS, MS; SUNY at Buffalo: Morphological constraints in the evolution of shape in Scleractinian corals Most hypotheses on morphological evolution in scleractinian corals are based on the assumption that certain combinations of traits occur because they are adaptive. These combinations are thought to optimize energy acquisition under different environmental regimes. By always treating the problem […]

EVANS, G.*; EVANS, A.R.; PLJUSNIN, I.; FORTELIUS, M.; JERNVALL, J.; Inst. of Biotechnology, Univ. of Helsinki, Finland; Inst. of Biotechnology, Univ. of Helsinki, FinlandInst. of Biotechnology, Univ. of Helsinki, Finland; Inst. of Biotechnology, Univ. of Helsinki, Finland; Dept. of Geology and Inst. of Biotechnology, Univ. of Helsinki, Finland; Inst. of Biotechnology, Univ. of Helsinki, Finland: […]

ORTIZ-RUIZ, Yadira*; JANZEN, Fredric J; Iowa State University; Iowa State Univesity: Molecular ecology of naturally-occurring albinism in a population of painted turtles(Chrysemys picta) Albinism is a rare condition (1:10,000 to 1:40,000 individuals) that arises from the combination of recessive alleles from both parents. Albinos are handicapped by photosensitivity and other eye defects, plus sunlight ages […]

BERNARD, Alaina B.*; JENKINS, David G.; Department of Biology, University of Central Florida; Department of Biology, University of Central Florida: Metapopulation dynamics in two small-world networks Small-world networks are classified as scale-free, broad-scale, and single-scale and are model interactions among units in diverse complex systems (e.g., rivers, the world-wide-web, and protein interactions). Scale-free networks have […]

CRAWFORD, Karen; St. Mary’s College of Maryland, St. Mary’s City, MD and Marine Biologcial Laboratory, Woods Hole, MA: MAPK in the D quadrant organizer of the squid embryo Loligo pealei Classic ablation and isolation experiments performed on gastropod embryos demonstrate that the D macromere plays a critical role in axial patterning as the founder cell […]

DIJKSTRA, J.A.*; HARRIS, L.G.; University of New Hampshire; University of New Hampshire: Long-Term Shifts in Seasonal Patterns of Biodiversity in a Marine Fouling Community The relationship between invasions and the long-term shifts in seasonal diversity remains poorly understood for most ecosystems. However, examining this relationship provides insight into the effects of invasive species on biodiversity. […]

MOORE, Beth*; TAGMOUNT, Mani; STILLMAN, Jonathon; Romberg TIburon Center, San Francisco State University: Latitudinal variation in transcriptome profiles following heat and cold stress of the porcelain crab, Petrolisthes cinctipes Organismal responses to thermal stress are an important determinant of how climate change may impact natural populations. Organisms vary in their response to thermal stress depending […]

TUTTLE, Jacob A.*; ROSTAL, David C.; Georgia Southern University; Georgia Southern University: LOGGERHEAD SEA TURTLE Caretta caretta NESTING ON A GEORGIA BARRIER ISLAND: EFFECTS OF NEST RELOCATION The nesting biology of the loggerhead sea turtle (Caretta caretta) was studied on Blackbeard Island in 2005. Blackbeard Island is a national wildlife refuge and has an active […]

REIS,, C.; BOLL, W.; NOLL, M.; OSSWALT, M.; WARNER, L.; HILL, M.; HILL, A.*; University of Z�rich; University of Z�rich; University of Z�rich; Boston College; University of Richmond; University of Richmond; University of Richmond: Isolation and analysis of Pax and Six genes in marine sponges Sponges are true metazoans that lack a nervous system, true […]