ZANGHI, M. R.*; POISSON, S.; MOOSMAN, P. R. Jr.; CRATSLEY, C. K.; Fitchburg State College: Morphology and flash patterns as potential predictors of flash duration in Photinus fireflies (Coleoptera: Lampyridae). During courtship, fireflies produce bioluminescent flashes that aid in species recognition and mate location. Flying males produce species-specific patrolling flash patterns, to which perched females […]

FARKE, A.A.; Stony Brook University, New York: Morphology and Variation of the Frontal Sinuses in Hartebeest (Mammalia: Bovidae) A sample of ten hartebeest (Alcelaphus buselaphus and A. lichtensteinii) skulls, seven male and three female, were CT scanned in order to examine frontal sinus morphology. The volume of the sinuses averaged 409 ml for males (range […]

BELANGER, C.A.*; DZIALOWSKI, E.M.; University of North Texas, Denton: Morphological Changes of the Avian Ductus Arteriosi During Hatching The ductus arteriosi (DA) are two blood vessels connecting the pulmonary arteries to the aorta in the developing avian embryo. These vessels allow for the shunting of deoxygenated blood away from the lungs and to the chorioallantoic […]

NAKATSUJI, T.**; SONOBE, H.; WATSON, R.D.; Univ. of Alabama, Birmingham; Konan Univ.; Univ. of Alabama, Birmingham: Molt-Inhibiting Hormone-Mediated Regulation of Ecdysteroid Synthesis by Y-organs of the American Crayfish (Procambarus clarkii): Involvement of Cyclic GMP and Cyclic Nucleotide Phosphodiesterase Crustacean molt-inhibiting hormone (MIH), a polypeptide secreted by the X-organ/sinus gland complex of the eyestalks, regulates molting […]

ZHENG, J; CHOI, C.Y.; WATSON, R.D.*; University of AL at Birmingham: Molecular Cloning of cDNAs Encoding Two Crustacean Hyperglycemic Hormone Isoforms From the Blue Crab (Callinectes sapidus) Crustacean hyperglycemic hormone (CHH) is a peptide hormone first purified from eyestalk neural tissue. CHH has been implicated in regulation of several physiological processes, including carbohydrate metabolism, ecdysis, […]

HERNANDEZ, E.*; O’CONNOR, P.M.; FAJARDO, R.J.; Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center- Boston MA; Ohio University College of Osteopathic Medicine- Athens, OH; Harvard Medical School and Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center- Boston, MA: MicroCT Analysis of the Axial Postcranial Skeleton in Birds: Comparison of Centrum Bone Structure in Two Anatids with Different Pneumatic States Many extant […]

WATERS, J.S.*; SOCHA, J.J.; The University of Chicago; Argonne National Laboratory: Mechanics of tracheal compression in the bessbug, Popilius disjunctus Recent studies conducted with phase-enhanced synchrotron x-ray imaging have discovered that a range of insect orders exhibit a novel mode of gas exchange, active tracheal compression, in which multiple tracheae collapse and inflate in rhythmic […]

SIMON, Jodie L.*; MOORE, Paul A.; Bowling Green State University; Bowling Green State University: Mating as an Evolutionary Advantage of Dominance Establishment and maintenance of dominance confers an individual certain evolutionary advantages (Wilson 1975). However, the specific benefits, such as increased access to food, shelter, and mates, which a dominant individual accrues, are unknown for […]

MIKLASZ, K.A.*; SOCHA, J.J.; University of Chicago; Argonne National Laboratory: Mathematical modeling of flying snake kinematics during gliding locomotion Flying snake (Colubridae: Chrysopelea) gliding kinematics are highly complex and dynamic relative to those of other vertebrate gliders. In mid-glide, flying snakes pass high-amplitude lateral traveling waves posteriorly down the body. Flying snakes also use substantial […]

ESPINOZA, S.Y.**; BREEN, A.; VARGHESE, N.; FAULKES, Z.; Univ. of Texas- Pan American: Loss of escape-related neurons in spiny lobster (Panulirus argus) Lobsters and crayfish are two of many decapod crustaceans that use escape tailflips when under attack. The neural circuitry responsible for escape behavior has been well studied in crayfish. This circuitry includes lateral […]