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Heterochrony of floral and mating system characters between Nicotiana longiflora and N. plumbaginifolia
(University of Missouri--Columbia, 2007)
The evolution of selfing is one the most fascinating and common trends observed in flowering plants. Selfing flowers are often smaller than their outcrossing relatives, with reduced reproductive effort. The selfing species ...
Effects and interactions of endocrine disrupting chemicals and diet on the mouse reproductive system
(University of Missouri--Columbia, 2007)
Recent studies have indicated that a number of ubiquitous chemicals found in the environment are linked to a myriad of health concerns, including reproductive abnormalities and increases in infertility, cancer, and obesity ...
Gray treefrog breeding site selection and offspring performance in response to forest management
(University of Missouri--Columbia, 2007)
Amphibian diversity and abundance are generally reduced following clearcut logging. These impacts often last for decades, but little is known about why diversity and abundance are depressed. I examined gray treefrog breeding ...
The effects of histone acetylation on the maize allele PL1-blotched
(University of Missouri--Columbia, 2007)
Covalent modifications of DNA and nucleosomal histone proteins associated with eukaryotic chromatin have the potential to alter expression of a gene without change in its DNA sequence. One gene regulated through this ...
Beyond the edge : riparian habitat use and forest management effects on stream salamanders in the southern Appalachian mountains
(University of Missouri--Columbia, 2007)
While there are many types of habitat loss and degradation (e.g., agriculture, land development), many studies have focused on the impacts of logging on wildlife populations and on ecosystem processes. Little information, ...
Identification and characterization of M cells in the mammalian conjunctiva
(University of Missouri--Columbia, 2007)
The M cell is a morphologically and functionally distinct epithelial cell found in the follicle associated epithelium (FAE) above organized lymphoid tissue at distinct locations along mucosal surfaces. By sampling antigens ...
Age effects on reproductive behavior in the treehopper umbonia crassiscornis (Hemipera: membracidae)
(University of Missouri--Columbia, 2007)
In many animal species females select mates based on male age. This choice is often linked to the reproductive benefits females derive. Age-based choice is also influenced by variation in the ability of males to find and ...
The role of terrrestrial habitat in the population dynamics and conservation of pond-breeding amphibians
(University of Missouri--Columbia, 2007)
I used both demographic modeling and experimental field research to evaluate the role of terrestrial habitat in the population dynamics and conservation of pond-breeding amphibians. I began by using literature data to ...
Quantitative biological studies at cellular and sub-cellular level
(University of Missouri--Columbia, 2007)
We developed a translational magnetic tweezers for quantitative measurements at cellular and sub-cellular level. In the cellular studies, multiple membrane tethers were extracted simultaneously under constant force transduced ...
Behavioral choice and demographic consequences of wood frog habitat selection in response to land use
(University of Missouri--Columbia, 2007)
Land use is a pervasive form of disturbance affecting natural systems on Earth. My dissertation research is set within the context of a large scale project referred to as Land-use Effects on Amphibian Populations (LEAP), ...
Noise and signal transmission properties as agents of selection in the vibrational communication environment
(University of Missouri--Columbia, 2007)
Members of the Enchenopa binotata species complex (Hemiptera: Membracidae) are host-specific phytophagous insects that communicate by sending vibrations through their host plants. Successful communication depends on the ...
Nectar in nicotiana : pollinator associations, sources of variation, and evolutionary consequences
(University of Missouri--Columbia, 2007)
Nectar is the primary floral reward offered by plants to attract pollinators. Pollinators often exhibit a preference for certain types of nectars over others. If pollinator preferences for certain nectar traits are strong ...
Raptor and wading bird migration in Veracruz, Mexico : spatial and temporal dynamics, flight performance, and monitoring applications
(University of Missouri--Columbia, 2007)
This dissertation is organized in four chapters that deal with different aspects of my long-term studies of migratory raptors, vultures, and wading birds, in central Veracruz, Mexico, during the course of three spring and ...
Evolution of signal frequency in Neoconocephalus (Orthoptera: Tettigoniidae) : a study of perceptual and environmental sources of selection
(University of Missouri--Columbia, 2007)
[ACCESS RESTRICTED TO THE UNIVERSITY OF MISSOURI AT REQUEST OF AUTHOR.] Mate-attraction signals offer an ideal opportunity to examine the sources of selection that shape traits and trait diversity, as they are very diverse ...