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- Title
- A comparison of the red fire ant and gopher tortoise burrow distribution within the FAU preserve.
- Creator
- Nenkova, Anzehla, Frazier, Evelyn
- Abstract/Description
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The gopher tortoise (Gopherus polyphemus) is considered a threatened species throughout much of its range. Their decline is mainly attributed to habitat fragmentation and destruction. These habitat disturbances commonly favor invasive species such as the red fire ant (Solenopsis invicta). The red fire ant has been detected on aprons of gopher tortoise burrows at the FAU preserve and we would like to evaluate whether the distribution of red fire ants overlaps with that of the tortoises burrows...
Show moreThe gopher tortoise (Gopherus polyphemus) is considered a threatened species throughout much of its range. Their decline is mainly attributed to habitat fragmentation and destruction. These habitat disturbances commonly favor invasive species such as the red fire ant (Solenopsis invicta). The red fire ant has been detected on aprons of gopher tortoise burrows at the FAU preserve and we would like to evaluate whether the distribution of red fire ants overlaps with that of the tortoises burrows. Ant distribution was accessed at the FAU preserve by running 10 random 100m transect lines and placing sardine baits at every 20m interval. Preliminary data suggests that red fire ants were abundant in 70% of the transects; however, we were unable to establish a direct correlation between the distribution of gopher tortoise burrows and that of red fire ants. The ants were tentatively identified to subfamilies and further identification will be performed.
Show less - Date Issued
- 2014
- PURL
- http://purl.flvc.org/fau/fd/FA0005031
- Subject Headings
- College students --Research --United States.
- Format
- Document (PDF)
- Title
- A comparative survey of Gopherus polyphemus hemoparasites in two differing South Florida habitats.
- Creator
- Cooney, Brian, Elhassani, Dana, Frazier, Evelyn, Caruso, Joseph P., Charles E. Schmidt College of Science
- Abstract/Description
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The gopher tortoise (Gopherus polyphemus) is a keystone species which affects the biodiversity that shares its burrow. Habitat fragmentation has led to a decline in populations within southeastern ranges. Haemogregarina (intracellular parasites) have been identified in the blood of gopher tortoises, possibly due to the lack of prescribed fires which are known to kill ticks. However, little is known about their health significance. Two study sites, Blazing Star Preserve (BSP), and Pine Jog...
Show moreThe gopher tortoise (Gopherus polyphemus) is a keystone species which affects the biodiversity that shares its burrow. Habitat fragmentation has led to a decline in populations within southeastern ranges. Haemogregarina (intracellular parasites) have been identified in the blood of gopher tortoises, possibly due to the lack of prescribed fires which are known to kill ticks. However, little is known about their health significance. Two study sites, Blazing Star Preserve (BSP), and Pine Jog Preserve (PJP), differ in their management. The goal of this study is: (1) determine, if any, haemogregarina parasitemia levels of the gopher tortoise population in each site and (2) detect any additional hemoparasite species. We hypothesize that paristemia will be higher in BSP due to increased overcrowding and lack of prescribed fires. This study will benefit current conservation and management practices for gopher tortoises and provide a baseline study for intracellular parasites.
Show less - Date Issued
- 2015
- PURL
- http://purl.flvc.org/fau/fd/FA00005182
- Subject Headings
- College students --Research --United States.
- Format
- Document (PDF)
- Title
- A Comparative Stable Isotope Analysis of Two Archaeological Sites in Broward County.
- Creator
- Thomas, Alexandra N., Graduate College
- Abstract/Description
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Understanding people through the foods eaten has proven a formidable method to uncover subsistence patterns and infer lifestyle of the earliest inhabitants of an area. With previously examined paleodiet from East Okeechobee Area, Tatham Mound, and Fort Center, particular areas of Florida’s prehistory have begun to resurrect thorough the eye of the scientist. When we understand the foods consumed, we also corroborate that with the environment where the individual resided. Reconstructing foods...
Show moreUnderstanding people through the foods eaten has proven a formidable method to uncover subsistence patterns and infer lifestyle of the earliest inhabitants of an area. With previously examined paleodiet from East Okeechobee Area, Tatham Mound, and Fort Center, particular areas of Florida’s prehistory have begun to resurrect thorough the eye of the scientist. When we understand the foods consumed, we also corroborate that with the environment where the individual resided. Reconstructing foods eaten not only helps researchers understand the ecology of the habitat, but also the social structure of the group the person belonged to. The conglomeration of these factors enables investigators to understand the people, culture, and environment of a region when photographs and written records are unavailable and unaccountable. Using the stable isotopes of carbon, nitrogen, and oxygen, a molecular analysis of the collagen and apatite of bones and tooth enamel signifies the quantities and qualities of proteins and carbohydrates eaten by an individual. This method will be utilized and highlighted in the paleodietary analysis of two sites from the inland zone of southeastern Florida. Two South Florida archaeological sites were discovered housing human remains in the early 1970s. Markham Park and Lauderhill Mound are the two sites used for this analysis. Because of the pottery sherds associated in chronological stratigraphic layers, the date range for each site has been shown to differ by about 500 years. This is significant to assess if the diet compares or contrasts throughout the different time periods.
Show less - Date Issued
- 2015
- PURL
- http://purl.flvc.org/fau/fd/FA00005916
- Format
- Document (PDF)
- Title
- A camera trap study of the cryptic, terrestrial guenon Cercopithecus lomamiensis in central Democratic Republic of Congo.
- Creator
- McPhee, Steven G., Ayali, Pablo, Graduate College, Hart, John A., Detwiler, Kate M.
- Abstract/Description
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From October-December 2013, we conducted a camera trap study of the newly discovered primate species lesula, Cercopithecus lomamiensis, in the Lomami River Basin, DR Congo. The primary aim of the study was to examine how lesula fares in the presence of uncontrolled bushmeat hunting. We placed 41 camera traps inside a 4-km2 grid located in the Yawende community conservation area outside the proposed Lomami National Park LNP. We compared an analysis of 72 lesula events over 842 camera trap days...
Show moreFrom October-December 2013, we conducted a camera trap study of the newly discovered primate species lesula, Cercopithecus lomamiensis, in the Lomami River Basin, DR Congo. The primary aim of the study was to examine how lesula fares in the presence of uncontrolled bushmeat hunting. We placed 41 camera traps inside a 4-km2 grid located in the Yawende community conservation area outside the proposed Lomami National Park LNP. We compared an analysis of 72 lesula events over 842 camera trap days from the heavily hunted Yawende site to a pilot camera trap study 38 lesula events over 462 camera trap days at the Losekola study site within the LNP. Our data show an unexpected result: capture probability of lesula 0.08 is the same at both the hunted and non-hunted sites. This is in contrast to the sharp decline in capture probability of all other medium to large terrestrial mammals at the Yawende site. These findings suggest lesula’s cryptic behavior is an important adaptation buffering the species from the impact of hunting. However, hunting pressure on lesula may increase in the near future as hunters adjust effort in response to the decline of less cryptic prey species. Our study also expands knowledge on lesula’s diet, group composition, minimum group size, phenotypic traits, and home range. These findings represent the first new data on lesula since its discovery.
Show less - Date Issued
- 2014
- PURL
- http://purl.flvc.org/fau/fd/FA00005157
- Format
- Document (PDF)
- Title
- A Caenorhabditis elegans Model of Age-dependent Neurodegeneration.
- Creator
- Jia, Kailiang, Graduate College
- Abstract/Description
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The probability of humans developing neurodegenerative diseases increases as one ages. So the purpose of this study is to use the nematode Caenorhabditis elegans as a genetic model for determining if they develop age-dependent neuronal changes.
- Date Issued
- 2014
- PURL
- http://purl.flvc.org/fau/fd/FA00005151
- Format
- Document (PDF)
- Title
- 2D:4D Digit Ratio and Muscularity.
- Creator
- Simmonds, Lori, Wetterer, James K.
- Abstract/Description
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Studies in geriatrics have found that the second and fourth digit (of the hand) ratio (2D:4D), an indicator of in utero androgen exposure, shows significantly negative correlation with muscle mass (MM) and muscle strength (MS). In my thesis research, I examined correlations between 2D:4D ratio and the MM and MS of college students and compared the results to previous geriatric studies in order to evaluate 2D:4D measurement as a supplementary tool for understanding factors associated with...
Show moreStudies in geriatrics have found that the second and fourth digit (of the hand) ratio (2D:4D), an indicator of in utero androgen exposure, shows significantly negative correlation with muscle mass (MM) and muscle strength (MS). In my thesis research, I examined correlations between 2D:4D ratio and the MM and MS of college students and compared the results to previous geriatric studies in order to evaluate 2D:4D measurement as a supplementary tool for understanding factors associated with muscularity. I evaluated college students using a scanning bed and calipers to determine digit ratio. I then measured calf-circumference, MM using bioimpedence technology and MS using a dynamometer for grip strength.
Show less - Date Issued
- 2014
- PURL
- http://purl.flvc.org/fau/fd/FA0005036
- Subject Headings
- College students --Research --United States.
- Format
- Document (PDF)
- Title
- 2-Hydroxychalcone as a Unique Luminescent Probe (ESIPT) for Peptides Labeling.
- Creator
- Kempton, Thomas G., Samanta, Shyam S., Roche, Stéphane P., Office of Undergraduate Research and Inquiry
- Abstract/Description
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Peptides and proteins with photochemical sensors are valuable tools when analyzing biochemical processes and peptide properties. Recent work on fluorescent α-amino acids (FlAAs) proved extremely useful in studying protein folding, conformational changes and reactivity. When fluorescent tags are appropriately attached to proteins they allow for the detection of their environment and changes therein. Research on the topic of site-specific fluorescent molecules is in its early stages. Several...
Show morePeptides and proteins with photochemical sensors are valuable tools when analyzing biochemical processes and peptide properties. Recent work on fluorescent α-amino acids (FlAAs) proved extremely useful in studying protein folding, conformational changes and reactivity. When fluorescent tags are appropriately attached to proteins they allow for the detection of their environment and changes therein. Research on the topic of site-specific fluorescent molecules is in its early stages. Several challenges face the topic of selectively excitable fluorescent probes. These include limits on the size and lifetime of synthesized proteins and enzymes, attaching the tag at the target location on a peptide chain which will take advantage of the photochemical properties of the tag, and developing molecules that will readily exhibit environment-sensitive fluorescence.
Show less - Date Issued
- 2016
- PURL
- http://purl.flvc.org/fau/fd/FA00005580
- Subject Headings
- College students --Research --United States.
- Format
- Document (PDF)
- Title
- "Tiger Stripe" Phenomena in Indian River Lagoon Dolphins.
- Creator
- Stevens, Jessie, Lum, Bryanna, Blocker, Cameron, Ferch, Molly, Mazzoil, Marilyn S., Reif, John S., Murdoch, M. Elizabeth, Charles E. Schmidt College of Science
- Abstract/Description
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A previously undescribed skin abnormality, which we refer to as “tiger stripes,” has been identified in Indian River Lagoon bottlenose dolphins through photo-identification surveys. The condition presents as parallel stripes on the ventral and lateral aspects on the torso of the dolphin with varying length and depth. The condition may be indicative of rapid weight loss, similar to human "stretch marks”, debilitating illnesses resulting in emaciation or a result of starvation due to lack of...
Show moreA previously undescribed skin abnormality, which we refer to as “tiger stripes,” has been identified in Indian River Lagoon bottlenose dolphins through photo-identification surveys. The condition presents as parallel stripes on the ventral and lateral aspects on the torso of the dolphin with varying length and depth. The condition may be indicative of rapid weight loss, similar to human "stretch marks”, debilitating illnesses resulting in emaciation or a result of starvation due to lack of prey. Goals of this study were to determine if tiger stripes are: (1) a marker of rapid weight loss, (2) more prevalent in post-partum females, and to (3) examine the spatial and temporal distribution in the IRL. Preliminary findings indicate that tiger striping is a useful marker suggestive of rapid weight loss. The next phase of research is to determine if the condition can be utilized as a pre-mortem marker of emaciation in IRL dolphins.
Show less - Date Issued
- 2015
- PURL
- http://purl.flvc.org/fau/fd/FA00005212
- Subject Headings
- College students --Research --United States.
- Format
- Document (PDF)
- Title
- "Chill" Cool Shirt.
- Creator
- Jocic, Alek, Corbin, Adam, Benda, Patrick, Saqib, Rafia, Varvaro, Ian, Ungvichian, Vichate
- Abstract/Description
-
FAU's Office of Undergraduate Research and Inquiry hosts an annual symposium where students engaged in undergraduate research may present their findings either through a poster presentation or an oral presentation.
- Date Issued
- 2011
- PURL
- http://purl.flvc.org/fau/fd/FA00005436
- Format
- Document (PDF)