DOUD, Andrea*; BOYD, Sunny K.; Univ. of Notre Dame; Univ. of Notre Dame: Location of AVT Target Neurons in the Amphibian Hindbrain Arginine vasotocin (AVT), a behaviorally-active neuropeptide in the bullfrog (Rana catesbeiana), is found widespread across the central nervous system. This peptide specifically alters vocal behaviors in many frog species, and also in representatives […]

HUDSON, Terry-Ann*; MCADORY, Brenda; TOWNSEL, James G.; Medgar Evers College; Tennessee State University; Meharry Medical College: Localization of Semaphorin 2a in the Central Nervous System (CNS) of Limulus polyphemus by in situ Hybridization Semaphorins are classified as membrane-bound and as secreted proteins. Some have been shown to be vital for guidance of axons during the […]

LILLEY, T. R.*; MEDLER, S.; MYKLES, D. L.; Colorado State Univ.; Univ. at Buffalo; Colorado State Univ.: Lobster myocyte enhancing factor (Mef2): cloning and tissue expression in response to elevated ecdysteroid Myocyte enhancing factor (Mef2) is a member of the MADS family of transcription factors. In mammalian skeletal muscles, it is involved in the transformation […]

CIRILO, S.R.**; HILL, S.; ESPINOZA, N.R.; BLOB, R.W.; Erskine College, Due West, SC; Erskine College, Due West, SC; Erskine College, Due West, SC; Clemson Univ., SC: Limb Bone Strain Rates in Divergent Locomotor Modes: Turtles and Frogs Compared Empirical data indicate that bones experiencing higher rates of strain during loading can withstand greater strain magnitudes […]

RODEBAUGH, Gregory P*; LIEW, Chun Wai; LONG, John H; ROOT, Robert G; Lafayette College; Lafayette College; Vassar College; Lafayette College: Lift and thrust in carangiform swimming: An integrated model of a pumpkinseed sunfish (Lepomis gibbosus) A novel computational approach, one which allows for dynamic evolution of the fish fluid interface in response to force balance, […]

PORTER, Marianne*; KASBATI, Sabreena; Univ. of California, Irvine: Life without spiracles: the contribution of spiracles to shark ventilation Spiracles are vestigial first gills found in elasmobranch fishes including all batoids and many shark species. Historically, spiracles are considered respiratory organs by which animals sitting on the ocean floor can bring oxygenated water into the body, […]

BARON, MP*; SOWER, SA; University of New Hampshire; University of New Hampshire: Lamprey Estrogen Receptor Expression by In Situ Hybridization in the Brain and Pituitary of Adult Sea Lamprey. Across all vertebrates, gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) is the key hormone in regulating the hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal axis in reproductive processes. Two forms of GnRH (lamprey GnRH I & […]

GOAD, A.J.*; EARLY, M.D.; SZYMIK, B.G.; PIRTLE, T.J.; Abilene Christian University; Abilene Christian University; Arizona State University; Abilene Christian University: Kinematic Analysis of Hermissenda Cerata Movement During Defensive Behavior Aeolid nudibranch mulluscs have the unique ability to utilize the nematocysts from their cnidarian prey as a defensive mechanism. We observed that the aeolids, Hermissenda crassicornis […]

O’BRIEN, S.*; BENTLEY, G.E.; WINGFIELD, J.C.; Univ. of Washington: KiSS Increases LH in Gambel’s White-crowned Sparrows (Zonotrichia leucophrys gambelii) Kisspeptin (KiSS), a recently discovered hypothalamic neuropeptide, has been found to stimulate luteinizing hormone (LH) release in rodents & humans. KiSS receptor, GPR54, mRNA expression is found in gonadotropin releasing hormone (GnRH) neurons as well as […]

O’NEILL, M.C.*; SCHMITT, D.; Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine; Duke University: Joint work and power associated with stance versus swing phase in running ring-tailed lemurs Most quadrupedal animals, including primates, increase their metabolic cost of locomotion with increasing speed. Recent studies indicate that this is due to changes in muscle activation and recruitment patterns […]