RSS 1.0Theses and Dissertations-Biology
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Personality and predation in a changing world
(2016-07-28)The interaction between predators and prey is one of the driving forces that shape not only animal behavior, but also the evolution and ecology of organisms. However, predator-prey interactions are now taking place in an ... -
The prevalence of Leptospira in small mammals on five Puerto Rican cattle farms
(2016-07-12)Leptospirosis is thought to be the most widespread zoonotic disease in the world. For this study 124 mice (Mus musculus), 99 rats (Rattus rattus and R. norvegicus), and 89 small Asian mongooses (Herpestes auropunctatus) ... -
Using a Habitat Suitability Model and Molecular Analyses to Aid in the Conservation Management of the Texas tortoise, Gopherus berlandieri
(2015-07-17)The Texas tortoise, Gopherus berlandieri (Agassiz 1857), is a threatened species in the state of Texas and strict conservation action is required to ensure that continuing population decline does not occur. The historical ... -
Efficacy and efficiency of head-starting and captive propogation of an endangered amphibian: Implications for continued population and habitat management following catastrophic wildfire
(2015-07-23)The Lost Pines ecoregion of Texas is a loblolly pine (Pinus taeda) and post oak (Quercus stellata) dominated woodland forest with remaining fragments in Austin, Bastrop, Colorado and Fayette Counties. Bastrop County continues ... -
Population Genetics of the Big Bend Slider (Trachemys gaigeae gaigeae) and the Red Eared Slider (Trachemys scripta elegans) in the Contact Zone in the Lower Rio Grande Drainage of Texas
(2015-07-15)The red-eared slider (Trachemys scripta elegans) is well-known for its popularity in the pet trade. It is also known for its near cosmopolitan distribution, which is partly due to the release of these pet turtles. When ... -
Characterization of AFB5 in Arabidopsis Auxin Signaling
(2015-07-22)Auxin is a pivotal hormone that regulates nearly every aspect of plant growth and development, both genomic as well as non-genomic responses. Genomic responses are regulated through the degradation of a group of transcriptional ... -
Effect of compost tea on plant growth performance and the fate of microbial communities in soil
(2015-07-14)Compost tea is a popular amendment used to improve soil quality and to control soil-borne diseases in plants. With proper brewing, compost tea contains many of the beneficial microbes and nutrients of compost, but is more ... -
Functional characterization of SAUR genes in plant growth and development
(2015-07-17)SAUR (small auxin up RNA) family of genes is one of the three early auxin responsive genes, expression of which is induced within minutes of auxin application. SAUR genes have been identified from several different model ... -
Quantification of Frankia in soil
(2015-04-14)The genus Frankia represents nitrogen fixing actinomycetes that form root nodules with more than 200 actinorhizal plant species. Frankia can be found in root nodules of specific host plants, a natural locale of enrichment ... -
Population dynamics and habitat conservation for the golden-cheeked warbler (Setophaga chrysoparia)
(2015-04-01)Fundamental to species’ conservation and management is an understanding of the factors driving population dynamics. The objective of this dissertation is to update and extend our knowledge on population and habitat dynamics ... -
Springshed Delineation at Cave Without a Name, TX: Dye Tracing in the Lower Glen Rose Limestone
(2017-07-25)Cave Without a Name (CWAN) in Kendall County, TX contains ~5.5 km of active stream conduits formed in the karstic Lower Glen Rose Limestone which forms part of the Trinity Aquifer System. The primarily rural Kendall County ... -
Benthic Macroinvertebrate Metacommunity Structure of the Guadalupe River Basin, TX
(2017-07-24)Benthic macroinvertebrates (BMI) are widely used as bio-indicators for local in-stream quality. However, local community structure can be affected by smaller scale (local) environmental conditions and larger scale ... -
Automated Detection of Rare and Endangered Anurans Using Robust and Reliable Detection Software
(2015-07-08)Amphibian populations are experiencing rapid rates of decline, the causes of which are sometimes controversial. The vocalization of the male anuran is used as an indication of a potential breeding event. Researchers have ... -
Nutrient Limitation of Algae and Heterotrophic Bacteria in Reservoir Ecosystems: Implications for Pelagic Competition along a Tropic Gradient
(2015-04-24)In low productivity pelagic ecosystems with low concentrations of inorganic nutrients, bacteria have been shown to play a relatively greater role in C and nutrient cycling. The importance of bacteria is thought to decline ... -
Measuring the Effectiveness of Invasive Species Education Curricula on Student Knowledge of and Attitudes toward Invasive Species
(2017-07-20)Invasive species cost the United States 120 billion dollars every year, without factoring in the loss of species biodiversity and the damage done to our ecosystems (Pimentel, Zuniga, & Morrison, 2005). Recognition of ... -
Effects of Short-Chain Fatty Acids Propionate, Acetate, Butyrate on the Growth of Clostridium difficile in Co-culture with an Escherichia coli atoE Mutant
(2017-07-26)There are three major short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs) that play a role in gastrointestinal health: propionate, butyrate, and acetate. SCFAs have probiotic effects that lead to a healthy gastrointestinal environment such ... -
Changes in Leaf Area and Nutrient Content of Celtis spp. Across a Precipitation Gradient in Texas
(2017-07-25)Nitrogen is a key nutrient for cell and protein function in both plants and animals, and the ratio of carbon to nitrogen in leaves is a good indicator of nutrient quality within an ecosystem. Studies have shown that an ... -
Comparison of Fine Scale Vegetative Parameters at Active and Inactive Gulf Coast Kangaroo Rat Burrow Sites
(2017-07-24)The Gulf Coast kangaroo rat (Dipodomys compactus) is an endemic Texas species belonging to the family Heteromyidae. Many heteromyid species, especially kangaroo rats, are highly specialized nocturnal granivorous rodents ...
