The Northern Rubber Boa (Charina bottae) is a small, secretive boa native to the Pacific Northwest. Despite this being possibly the highest latitude boas and one of only two boas native to the continental U.S., it has received surprisingly little attention. Most of the research on the natural history of...
At a time when environmental conditions are rapidly changing, understanding how thermal extremes impact wildlife is imperative to fully understanding the consequences of climate change in natural ecosystems. While many organisms are currently impacted by rapidly warming and more erratic environmental conditions, identifying and investigating model species whose life histories...
The Harderian gland is a large cephalic gland present in most groups of terrestrial vertebrates. Although the Harderian gland has been the focus of numerous studies for more than 300 years, its physiological function has remained largely unresolved. Harderian gland secretions are diverse among different taxa, and many putative functions...
The red-sided garter snakes (Thamnophis sirtalis parietalis) of Manitoba, Canada, have been extensively studied for decades with little investigation into their immune system. These animals live very close to the arctic circle and spend over half of the year underground brumating. The annual cycle of the red-sided garter snakes make...
Galápagos marine iguana population sizes have been declining since first contact with humans.This decline has historically been attributed mainly to predation by invasive species, but additional human-caused threats exist today. My thesis conducts an analysis of the present threats to the species and determines which are the most severe.Modern threats...
This study investigated the effect of captivity on the chemical profiles of the female sexual attractiveness pheromone of the red-sided garter snake (Thamnophis sirtalis parietalis). Dorsal skin lipids were extracted from female garter snakes collected from the Interlake region of Manitoba, Canada. A comparison of captive and wild snakes was...
Parasitic infections and immune challenges can affect host reproductive fitness and, ultimately, the evolution of host populations in a myriad of ways. The fitness implications of parasitic infections range from increased host mortality to subtle changes in reproductive investment. From alterations of behaviors, sexual signaling, and competitive ability to changes...
There has been a rapid increase in technological advances in the biological sciences that has contributed to an increase in societal issues that require attention from both scientists and citizens. Consequently, there is a need for the development of biologically literate citizens who have the ability to use their knowledge...
"Red-sided garter snakes, Thamnophis sirtalis parietalis, from Manitoba, Canada are known to be hosts to trematodes, Alaria sp., in their population. Alaria sp. have been located in the tail tissue of the snakes. The non-reproductive stage of these obligate endoparasites, known as a mesocercaria, is trophically acquired by garter snakes....