Theses and Dissertations-Biology
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The Genomics of Speciation
(2018-12)Speciation, the process by which reproductive isolation evolves between diverging lineages, is pivotal to our understanding of evolution. Across multiple wild populations I explored the genetic architecture of reproductive ... -
Assessment of the Small Indian Mongoose (Herpestes auropunctatus) in sustaining Cattle Fever Tick populations in Puerto Rico
(2018-12)The ectoparasite Rhiphicephalus (Boophilus) microplus, also referred to as Cattle Fever Tick (CFT), serves as the primary vector for the protozoan pathogen Babesia which causes bovine babesiosis in livestock and wildlife ... -
Stomach content analysis of the invasive small Indian mongoose (Herpestes auropunctatus) from Puerto Rico
(2018-12)Since their introduction to Puerto Rico as a form of biological pest control in the late 1800’s, the small Indian mongoose (Herpestes auropunctatus) has been identified as a reservoir for several zoonotic diseases ... -
An analysis of the effects of photosynthetically active radiation and recreation induced turbidity in the San Marcos River on the vegetative growth of Texas wild rice (Zizania texana Hitch.)
(2018-12)Texas wild rice (Zizania texana; Poaceae) is an endangered perennial macrophyte known to occur only in the spring-fed San Marcos River, Hays County, Texas. Historically, Texas wild rice (TWR) was reported to reside ... -
Classification of Small-Mammal Metacommunity Structures Along Elevational Gradients with Connections to Metacommunity Networks
(2018-12)Small-mammals respond quickly to habitat changes and serve an important role in ecosystem function as prey and sources of seed dispersal. To assess the interaction structure, or metacommunity structure, of small-mammal ... -
Influence of Bacterial Outer Membrane Vesicles on Struvite Crystal Growth
(2018-12)Urinary tract infections (UTIs) are a very serious health concern, affecting millions of people each year. They lead to almost 10 million doctor’s visits and hundreds of thousands of hospital admissions every year in the ... -
A Faunal Survey of Ezell's Cave Hays County, Texas
(1979-12)Past studies in Ezell's Cave have dealt primarily with a general description of the cave (Uhlenhuth, 1921 and Russell, 1976), the history (Davis, 1971a), and short-term faunal collections (Eigenmann, 1900; Uhlenhuth, ...
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Determining the Impact of a Correlated Science and Mathematics Professional Development Model on Teacher Leadership
(2020-12)The mathematics and science national standards advocate for educational reform by implementing research-based strategies and acknowledges the teacher’s critical role in implementing effective instruction. Teachers who ... -
MED9, a mediator complex component, and its interacting protein MORC1 balance growth and defense in Arabidopsis
(2020-12)Arabidopsis MORC1 (Microrchidia) is required for multiple levels of immunity, including effector-triggered immunity and basal resistance. MORC1 is also a topoisomerase that tightens chromatin/DNA supercoiling. I identified ... -
Identification of transcriptome dynamic patterns and their cognate cis-elements in defense genes in Arabidopsis
(2020-12)Successful defense responses depend on the timely detection of pathogens and rapid transcriptional changes of defense genes. These transcriptional changes are mainly controlled by transcription factors binding to the ... -
An Examination of Occupancy on a Coastal Refuge and Mercury Concentrations in Texas Bats
(2020-11)Texas bats are threatened by habitat loss, contaminants such as mercury (Hg), disease, and wind turbines. In east Texas, specifically along the Gulf Coast, much of the native landcover is fragmented from anthropogenic ... -
Drivers of a temporal change in the adult sex ratio of a population of roosevelt elk (cervus elaphus roosevelti)
(2020-11)Ecological processes driving female-biased adult sex ratios (ASR, males:female) in ungulate populations have been addressed theoretically but empirical study is lacking. The female-substitution hypothesis asserts that a ... -
The effects of captivity on the endangered Comal Springs riffle beetle, Heterelmis comalensis
(2020-11)Combining culture-dependent with culture-independent studies can offer insight into the ecological patterns between microbiomes and their environments. H. comalensis, commonly known as the Comal Springs riffle beetle (CSRB), ... -
A consideration into ways biology-based student organizations facilitate participation in STEM
(2019-08)Student involvement on their campus is a vital part of their experience in higher education. A lack of involvement and engagement can lead to a decreased sense of belonging on campus and in their chosen field of study. ... -
Physical, chemical and biological dynamics within the plunge point region of a small stratified reservoir
(2007-12)No abstract prepared. -
Acyl homoserine lactone recruitment of bacteria into biofilms
(2001-05)Acylated homoserine lactones (acyl HSLs) are membrane permeant, extracellular signaling molecules that are important in biofilm physiology and quorum sensing. As acyl HSL analogues have been shown to block adhesion, I ... -
Cytoskeletal changes in epithelial cells during the symbiotic infection of Euprymna scolopes by Vibrio fischeri
(2001-04)In the study of symbiotic relationships a system with only two species is ideal. The Hawaiian bobtail squid, Euprymna scolopes, and the bioluminescent gram-negative bacteria, Vibrio fischeri, establish such a relationship. ...