Careful analysis and thoughtful synthesis will be necessary for expanding the envelope of
ecological understanding. This work is my attempt at communicating both of these, in relation
to three questions about our understanding of the structure and dynamics of biological diversity.
These questions focus on a) advancing our understanding of...
Some parasites may modify the behavior of their
hosts. Altered behaviors may: 1) benefit the host in
that they defend against the pathogen, 2) benefit the
pathogen and represent manipulations of the host
response, and 3) benefit neither the host or the
pathogen and simply be a product of the...
A primary goal of population genetics is to identify the role of
microevolutionary forces in producing observed patterns of molecular and phenotypic
variation. I conducted four studies in the northern leopard frog, Rana pipiens, to
determine just how mutation, migration, genetic drift, and selection influenced,
genetic structure of mitochondrial DNA...
Many environmental factors influence cardiovascular and
respiratory activities of crustaceans. The effects of natural
stressors (hypoxia, low salinity, high temperature) have been well
studied, but the effects of pollutants upon these two organ systems
have received less attention. The presence of the pesticide
carbaryl (Sevin, Union Carbide, Inc.) and its...
The female Philometra americana Ekbaum, 1933 is a common
subcutaneous parasite of the starry flounder, Platichthyes stellatus (Pallas) of Yaquina Bay, Lincoln County, Oregon. Maturation of this
worm produces noticeable red cysts subcutaneously between the fin
and tail rays and similarly on the operculum. The gravid female
penetrates the epidermis...
Volcanic activity during the Tertiary has long been held
responsible for the deaths and subsequent fossilization of the
vertebrate populations of the John Day region in Oregon. Oreodonts
as plains or savannah dwelling ruminant herbivores, were likely to
have been subject to potential exposure throughout their lifetime
to volcanic debris...
Little, if any, quantifications have been made on the contribution of the vertebral column during jumping in quadrupedal mammals. Previous studies of jumpers have focused on the morphological and physiological specializations of the hindlimbs. In this study, such specialization was measured during the supramaximal jumps of the Pacific jumping mouse...
Developmental series of Rana pretiosa (110 specimens), R.
cascadae (100 specimens) and R. aurora (115 specimens) were bone
stained and cleared in glycerin. The growth and developmental patterns
of the skull and selected bones were followed from the first
appearance of bone through adult stages. The sequential appearance
of the...