P2.23 ABEGAZ, M.F*; GUNDERSON, A.R; STILLMAN, J.H; San
Francisco Sate Univ. , Univ. of California, Berkeley, San Francisco
Sate Univ., Univ. of California,Berkeley ; mabegaz@mail.sfsu.edu
Changes in demography along a thermal gradient in the intertidal
crab Petrolisthes cinctipes
Different demographic groups within a population (i.e.,
males/females, small/large individuals) are often distributed
differently along environmental gradients, suggesting different
ecological or physiological needs. The intertidal zone porcelain crab
Petrolisthes cinctipes is distributed along a vertical thermal gradient
within the intertidal, though it is currently unknown how individuals
are distributed along this gradient. We monitored under-rock
temperature and crab demographics (size, sex) over summer and
autumn months in fixed transects along the species' vertical
distribution boundaries. In the upper intertidal, under-rock
temperatures were strongly size dependent, with smaller rocks
reaching temperatures up to 37°C but larger rocks never exceeding
20°C. Lower in the intertidal, rock size was less important and no
rocks exceeded 17°C. Results show mean crab density much lower in
the warm high intertidal (83 crabs/m2) compared to the cooler low
intertidal (171 crabs/m2). In addition, we found male-skewed sex
ratios in the upper and lower intertidal zones where male crabs were
25% and 21% more abundant than female crabs respectively. From
these data we can conclude that under-rock temperatures influence
demographic parameters of P. cinctipes within the intertidal.
P3.192 ACKERLY, KL*; CHAPMAN, LJ; KRAHE, R; McGill
University; kerri.ackerly@mail.mcgill.ca
The relationship between fast-start performance and electric
signaling under high and low oxygen in the African mormyrid,
Gnathonemus victoriae
Many fishes perform quick and sudden swimming maneuvers known
as fast-starts in an attempt to escape when threatened. In pulse-type
weakly electric fishes, including African mormyrids, these responses
are accompanied by transient increases in electrical signal production
known as novelty responses. While these novelty responses may
heighten an individual's perception of their surroundings, they are
aerobically powered and may come at a high energetic cost when
compared to fast-start performance, which relies primarily on
anaerobic muscle. The juxtaposition between the two key aspects of
fast-starts in these fishes, the aerobic novelty response and the
anaerobic swimming performance, makes them an interesting model
for studying effects of hypoxia on performance and sensory
information acquisition. In this study, the mormyrid fish
Gnathonemus victoriae was acclimated to either high- or
low-dissolved oxygen (DO) levels for eight weeks, after which
fast-starts and concurrent novelty responses were quantified under
both high and low DO test conditions. Our results indicate no effect
of hypoxia on fast-start performance regardless of acclimation or test
condition. Novelty responses were given upon each startle, whether
or not the fish also performed a fast-start, although they were
significantly stronger when accompanied by a fast-start. Novelty
responses were also reduced in normoxia-acclimated individuals
when tested under hypoxic conditions. Overall, our results indicate
an effect of hypoxia on sensing but not fast-start performance.
P3.102 ACKERT, K*; MARTINO, B; SORKIN, R; BYRNES, G;
Siena College; gbyrnes@siena.edu
Understanding the mechanical tradeoffs for arboreal locomotion in
squirrels
Animals must regularly negotiate complex 3D terrain in trees. They
are able to accommodate large changes in substrate compliance,
height, and gap distance without falling to the ground, which would
result in exposing them to potential predators. The discontinuous
arrangement of substrates in arboreal habitats continuously
challenges animals to make choices about which substrates to move
over and which to avoid. However, by avoiding some subset of the
available substrates, due to branch diameter, compliance, or other
properties, animals must make longer paths through the trees or to
the ground, which will incur an additional locomotor cost. Therefore
the goals of this study are to determine substrate use and path lengths
of squirrels (Sciurus carolinenesis) in the field to examine if
trade-offs occur between safety and economy. On average, paths
were approximately sixty percent longer than the shortest,
straight-line path between starting and ending points. Further,
because squirrels spent much time on the ground, and climbed to and
from the ground on large stiff branches, both the diameter and
stiffness of branches was higher than estimates of average branch
properties from transects through the study area. Our data suggest
that there is a trade-off between branch selectivity and locomotor
cost and that squirrels in our study prioritized safety over economy.
P2.184 ADAMS, D.S.*; LEWIS, G.; FISH, F.E.; West Chester
University; da762671@wcupa.edu
Assessment of swimming records for thunniform propulsors
Many marine vertebrates need to swim at high speeds to migrate,
capture food, and escape predation. The thunniform mode is
associated with high-speed swimming. Pelagic marine predators
(e.g., tuna, swordfish, dolphins) swim in the thunniform mode,
possessing a stiff fusiform body, narrow caudal peduncle, and
sickle-shaped caudal propulsor. The literature is replete with records
of maximal speeds for thunniform swimmers, but no comprehensive
review has been undertaken to assess the validity of the claims.
Differences in data collection (e.g., high-speed video, satellite
transmitters, unreeling fishing line, boat observations) and subjective
descriptions of swimming effort (e.g., burst, maximal, peak, cruise,
steady, sustained, routine) have cast doubt on record values of
performance. Data on swimming speeds of specialized perciform
fishes (Scombridae, Istiophoridae, Xiphiidae) and cetaceans
(Odontoceti, Mysticeti) were compiled from the primary literature
dating from 1923 to 2015. Swimming speeds were categorized as
either burst or sustained for each group. The distribution of speeds
indicated that the highest performance (36.1 m/s) was displayed by
swordfish (Xiphias gladius) and marlin (Makaira sp.), although the
sources were questionable fishing reports. Similarly, the highest
speeds (>15.0 m/s) for cetaceans were for a killer whale (Orcinus
orca) and bottlenose dolphin (Tursiops truncatus) based on uncertain
observations. There is wide variation of the distribution of swimming
speeds reported for thunniform swimmers that is dependent on
species, methodology, classification of performance, and motivation
of the swimmer. Accurate information of speed capabilities for
thunniform swimmers is necessary for application toward
engineering biomimetic autonomous underwater vehicles with
enhanced speed and efficiency.
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January 3-7, 2016, Portland, Oregon
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P1.141 ADEMI, B.*; D'ALMEIDA, A.; RAND, M.S.; Carleton
College; mrand@carleton.edu
Β-Adrenergic Stimulation, cAMP, and Edema Cause Dorsal Crest
Erections in Anole Lizards
Male Anolis sagrei erect a vertical ridge of tissue along their neck
and spine during escalated aggressive encounters with other males.
The function of the crest erection is thought to modify the lateral
profile of a fighting male, suggesting an important behavioral cue.
However, very little is known regarding the physiological and
cellular regulation of crest development. Previous work in our lab has
shown that the β-adrenergic receptor (BAR) agonist isoproterenol
produces crest erections and the BAR antagonist propranolol inhibits
crest formation. We found that pharmaceuticals developed for
specific mammalian α- and β-receptors had varying efficacies on the
Anolis receptors. For example, salbutamol, a β-2 agonist, induced
crest formation, but terbutaline failed. The α-1 agonist methoxamine
inhibited β-stimulated crest formation, while phenylephrine
occasionally induced a crest. To understand the intracellular
mechanisms involved in crest formation, we used the forskolin
analog NKH-477 to increase intracellular cAMP. Systemic injections
of NKH-477 induced full crest formation, while small volume
injections directly into the crest produced a localized, partial crest at
the injection site. Based on these results in combination with our
histological examinations, we hypothesize that BAR stimulation of
vascular smooth muscle increases intracellular cAMP, which causes
vasodilation of vessels within the crest organ. Further, we
hypothesize that leaky capillaries within the crest allow fluid to leave
the blood vessels and this increases the extracellular fluid volume
that causes dorsal crest erection.
P1.39 AJA, A*; SALLAN, L; HSIEH, T; DODSON, P; Univ. of
Pennsylvania, Temple University, Univ. Pennsylvania;
caja@sas.upenn.edu
Just how different? Quantifying Vertebral Diversity in Primitive
Tetrapods
The size and shape of vertebrae within the axial vertebral column are
influenced by ecology and phylogeny, in addition to body size.
Parameters such as total vertebral number, and dimensions and
angles of vertebral processes have been correlated with locomotor
type, performance, and axial mobility. Despite studies across a wide
range of extant taxa including fish to primates, these data have not
been expanded towards understanding Paleozoic tetrapod
biomechanics. Yet, this ancestral assemblage underwent major
biomechanical innovations which enabled the evolutionary
water-land transition, critical to the explosive diversification of land
vertebrates. Temnospondyls were a diverse set of stem-amphibians
that arose in the mid-Mississippian (346MYA) and went extinct in
the Early Cretaceous (120MYA. Early works on temnospondyls
described and categorized their diversity of ecologies, habitats, and
gross morphologies, including complex vertebral morphologies.
However, no study has quantified temnospondyl vertebral diversity
in, or addressed their effects on, biomechanical metrics such as
stiffness of the spine, or lever arms of epaxial musculature. We
undertook a 2D geometric morphometric study of the shape
differences and investigated the biomechanical consequences of
pre-sacral vertebral morphology in the temnospondyls by calculating,
plotting, and analyzing principal components to determine disparity
patterns. We document the diversity of all aspects of centra, neural
spine, and transverse process shape. Principal components separate
the temnospondyls into clusters consistent with their phylogeny,
body size, geological age, and, most biomechanically relevant,
habitat. This project lays the groundwork for a series of quantitative
studies to understand differences within this diverse group and to
better understand key innovations in the axial column for terrestrial
locomotion.
P1.192 AKCAY, C; VERNASCO, B.J.; STANBACK, M.T.;
MOORE, I.T.*; BONIER, F; Virginia Tech, Davidson College,
Queen's University, Ontario; caglar@vt.edu
Do close neighbors increase aggressive interactions and CORT
levels in female tree swallows?
Animals compete for resources that are required for breeding and
self-maintenance such as nesting sites, mates, and food. High levels
of competition can be a source of stress for individuals, as suggested
by a many studies showing increased stress hormones (glucocorticoid
levels) when densities are high. For example, in tree swallows,
Tachycineta bicolor, females can compete vigorously for nest boxes
and there is evidence that in dense populations, females exhibit
increased levels of glucocorticoids (CORT). Previous studies
however did not distinguish between the effect of population density,
settlement patterns, and the frequency of aggressive encounters. Here
we present an experiment where we manipulated the distances
between nest-boxes after settlement to manipulate the frequency of
aggressive interactions between females while keeping the
population density constant. Specifically after settlement, we moved
a randomly selected group of boxes closer together and another
group farther apart. We carried out behavioral observations to
estimate the frequency of aggressive interactions and obtained blood
samples from females both before and after the manipulation to look
at changes in CORT. Most aggressive interactions were observed at
the settlement period, before the manipulation. We found no effect of
the nest-box distance manipulation on female CORT levels or the
frequency of aggressive interactions. We discuss these results in the
context of how population density may affect stress hormones in
natural populations.
P3.67 ALCANTARA, R.S*; WALL-SCHEFFLER, C.M; Seattle
Pacific University; alcantarar@spu.edu
Push it, Push it Real Good: The Energetic Cost of Stroller Running
Humans living in societies with stroller use often engage in stroller
running following the transition to parenthood. The addition of a
stroller into the running experience has the potential to be disruptive
of gait and put a premium on stamina. This study investigates some
of changes of embarking on stroller running, including potential
changes in metabolic cost, speed and stride length. While stroller
running is a uniquely human endeavor, doing something with upper
extremities whilst locomoting, is something in which other bipeds
could potentially engage. Additionally, people have potential options
in how they push a stroller, and we investigated each of our variables
at different stroller pushing styles. People with limited stroller
experience prior to our study (N=16, 10 men and 6 women) pushed a
stroller loaded with 16kg while running around a track for 800m at
each of four conditions, performed in a randomized order. Each
runner was instructed to "maintain a consistent pace" within and
across their conditions. The conditions consisted of three
stroller-pushing conditions, in addition to the non-stroller control: (1)
Pushing with both hands, (2) Pushing with one hand, (3) Pushing and
Chasing. There were not significant differences in speed, stride
length, or cost between the three stroller conditions and speed,
though pushing with one hand did show a different slope in a model
predicting cost from mass and speed. There was a significant
decrease in stride length (p<0.001) and in speed (p<0.01) between
non-stroller running and all three stroller conditions. There was not
however a significant change in metabolic cost, suggesting that for a
given speed, the metabolic cost of running with a stroller is higher
than without, and that humans adapt to stroller running by slowing
their pace in proportion to the additional effort. Additionally, men
and women showed slightly different patterns of cost and speed
changes, potentially due to the fact that in this sample, men ran
significantly faster than women (p<0.05).
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January 3-7, 2016, Portland, Oregon
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P3.132 ALICEA-SERRANO, AM*; JAIN, D; DHINOJWALA, A;
BLACKLEDGE, TA; Department of Biology, Univ. of Akron, Ohio,
Department of Polymer Science, Univ. of Akron, Ohio;
ama251@zips.uakron.edu
Do biomaterials co-evolve with behaviors? Evolution of spider silk
properties of orb webs in Hawaiian Tetragnatha
Web architecture evolved rapidly during adaptive radiation of
Hawaiian Tetragnatha, with similar web architectures evolving
repeatedly on different islands. But, whether silk bio-materials can
co-evolve with such rapid changes in web architecture remains a
mystery. In this study we tested for diversification in silk properties.
We predict a relationship between silk properties and the
performance of webs. Since Hawaiian Tetragnatha typically inhabit
tropical montane forests -where high humidity predominates- we also
predict that adhesive forces of capture silk will be greatest at higher
humidity - in contrast to typical synthetic adhesives. To characterize
bio-material properties of Hawaiian Tetragnatha, Major Ampullate
(MA) and capture spiral silk, orb webs where collected at two sites in
Hawai'i - Upper Waiakea Forest Reserve, Hawai'i and Waikamoi
Nature Conservancy Preserve, Maui. Four species of orb weaver
Tetragnatha where target in this study, T.hawaiensis present in
Hawai'i and T.stelarobusta, T.trituberculata, T.hawaiensis and
T.acuta present in Maui. To determine material properties for two
key functions of orb webs, and their chemical bases, we performed
tensile and adhesion tests using a Nano Bionix test system. Solution
State NMR was also used to assess salt composition of glues. Results
of this study will help us see if spider silk material properties are
adjusted to its architectures which is important to comprehend spider
diversification, and in to gain further knowledge that will help in the
development of new bio-materials.
P1.66 ALLEN, J.J.*; CHENEY, J.A.; SWARTZ, S.M.; Brown
University; Justine_Allen@brown.edu
Wing muscle insertion in two phyllostomid bats
Bats are the only mammals capable of powered flight. Aerial
locomotion is achieved with wings composed of bilayered skin.
Among other elements, the skin contains muscles and organized
bundles of elastin fibrils. One set of muscles, the plagiopatagiales
proprii (mpp), are variable in form but present in all bats studied so
far; the mpp may control camber of the wing during downstroke. The
mpp are unusual in that they do not have skeletal attachments. We
investigated the caudal and rostral insertion points of the mpp in two
species of phyllostomid bats, Carollia perspicillata and Artibeus
lituratus. Wing tissue was fixed and processed for histology. The
caudal insertion was similar in both species: each mpp attached via
collagen to a spanwise elastin fiber near the trailing edge of the wing.
The rostral end revealed differences between species. In C.
perspicillata, most muscle cells in an mpp bundle terminated on a
spanwise elastin fiber. A few muscle cells extended rostrally and
their collagen wrapping (endomysium) appeared continuous with the
surrounding collagenous matrix. In A. lituratus, each mpp terminated
in a tendon continuous with collagen that organizes the muscle
bundle (endomysium and epimysium). This tendon is uniquely
embedded with numerous elastin fibrils. Rostrally, the
elastin-collagen tendon intersected spanwise elastin fibers in the
armwing. In both species, the attachments might allow the mpp to
distribute contractile force across the wing via the mesh-like elastin
network. Bat wings are thin, resilient, flexible and aeromechanically
complex. Understanding the microstructure, arrangement, and
interactions among the wing elements will improve our
understanding of bat flight and might inspire the design of
lightweight, compliant, and active materials that can withstand
aerodynamic loads.
P1.127 ALLEN, E A*; GEORGE, S A; College of William and
Mary, Williamsburg, VA, Georgia Southern University, Statesboro,
GA; georges@georgiasouthern.edu
Differences in protein expression among P. ochraceus larvae in
fluctuating versus constant low salinity environments
Global temperatures have been steadily increasing annually, causing
increases in artic ice melting. The resulting freshwater from this artic
ice retreat enters local river systems, which flow down to the Pacific
Northwest and add freshwater to the Salish Sea. With significant
melting occurring in the summer months from May to June, the
Salish Sea receives multiple influxes of low-salinity water every
summer that can persist for a couple of days. These freshwater events
can lower surface water salinity from normal 31ppt to as low as
21ppt. Understanding the impact of these low-salinity events is
particularly important for the larvae of seastar Pisaster ochraceus,
which are limited in their ability to swim out of low-salinity surface
waters. Since P. ochraceus can take over 200 days to develop and
metamorphose, larvae are bound to experience at least one
low-salinity event during their development. This study looked at the
effect of a constant low-salinity environment versus a fluctuating
salinity environment on P. ochraceus survival, morphology,
development, and protein expression. No significant differences in
larval survival and body size were found between treatments.
However, low-salinity reared larvae had significantly shorter
posterolateral arms, which has implications for feeding and
swimming behaviors. Osmoregulatory and mechanosensory protein
expression was upregulated in fluctuating salinity treated larvae,
while low-salinity reared larvae were not significantly different from
the controls. This upregulation indicates that P. ochraceus larvae are
changing their protein expression in response to the lower salinity
environment.
P1.1 ALLEN, LC*; HRISTOV, NI; MERSON, M; Winston-Salem
State Univ., Winston-Salem State Univ., Center for Design
Innovation, TERC; allenl@wssu.edu
Creating iSWOOP Moments: Using Technology and Visual
Storytelling to Increase Science Learning Opportunities at
Carlsbad Caverns National Park
iPads and other technologies are not a panacea for deficiencies in
science learning, but they can open doors and expand minds
especially in informal settings. Roving with iPads was an
unanticipated innovation of the iSWOOP project, a pilot funded by
the National Science Foundation at Carlsbad Caverns National Park
with the intent of making park-based science a visible, interactive
part of interpretive programs for visitors. Now wildlife biologists are
using this technology, loaded with high-impact visuals, to help park
rangers facilitate conversations about park-based science. We
examine how roving with an iPad-based visual library, provided by
on-site scientists, became part of interpretive practice, specifically
how it: revealed the use of national park lands for basic science
research, fit interpretive goals for fostering connections; led to new
tactics for initiating interaction; and added value for visitors. We also
describe challenges and trade-offs that prevented adoption among
some interpreters. Based on data from observations, interpreters'
reports, and rove statistics, roving with iPads shifted where and how
interpreters approached visitors; appeared to increase the number of
contacts; added value to visitors' experience; and increased
opportunities to talk about scientific research. We will expand the use
of iPads to five additional parks, during the next phase of the project.
This will allow us to further test the use and effectiveness of
iPad-based visuals to help facilitate ranger-led conversations about
park-based science in the National Park System.
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January 3-7, 2016, Portland, Oregon
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P3.142 ALTAF, AW*; SNYDER, NM; REED, WL; North Dakota
State University; nicole.snyder@ndsu.edu
Yolk melatonin alters heart rates and developmental rates in early
chicken embryos
Maternal investments in eggs affect offspring growth and
development, but the mechanisms of these effects are not always
clear. Melatonin is a hormone with wide ranging effects on
phenotypes, and is found in egg yolks. We evaluated the influence of
yolk-derived melatonin in early chicken (Gallus gallus) embryos. We
assigned forty eggs to one of four treatment groups (melatonin,
Luzindole (a melatonin antagonist), saline vehicle, or a melatonin
and Luzindole mix), and injected eggs with 100 ul of their respective
treatment before incubation. After approximately two days of
incubation we opened eggs, staged embryos using
Hamilton-Hamburg stages, and measured embryonic heart rate.
Embryos from eggs treated with melatonin had significantly lower
heart rates and faster developmental rates than embryos from vehicle
control eggs. Likewise, Luzindole-treated eggs produced embryos
with significantly lower heart rates and faster developmental rates
than embryos from vehicle control eggs. Embryos from a mix of
melatonin and Luzindole had heart rates and developmental rates that
were similar to the embryos from the vehicle controls. We
hypothesize that embryos with higher maternal melatonin in their
eggs may grow faster and more efficiently than embryos in eggs with
lower melatonin levels. These results suggest that maternal melatonin
may influence embryonic developmental trajectories, and could
ultimately affect offspring survival and fitness, which should be
further evaluated.
P1.205 AMATO, CM*; MCCOY, KA; East Carolina University;
amatoc13@students.ecu.edu
Dose and temporal analysis of vinclozolin-induced penile
abnormalities
Hypospadias has increased 200% in the past 40 years, making it the
second most common birth defect in the United States. Normal penile
development is driven by androgen signaling from the testis, which
masculinizes the genitalia through downstream developmental
signals. Penis development is tightly controlled by endogenous
androgens derived by the testes beginning at embryonic day 13.5.
Disruption of androgen dependent signaling during this
masculinization window alters penile development and results in
mis-localization of the urethra ventrally along the shaft of the penis.
Both humans and rodents exhibit a continuous proximal-to-distal
range of urethral mis-localization, but the mechanisms that drive this
variation are not well known. To begin to understand the drivers of
hypospadias severity, we must understand the developmental
timeline for initiation of genital masculinization. To determine how
dose and timing of androgen signaling antagonism affected
hypospadias severity CD1 mice (n=3) were gavaged with a corn oil
control, 75, 100, 125 or 150 mg/kg of vinclozolin during two
overlapping developmental windows (E 13.5-16.5 and E 14.5-16.5).
On E18.5 pups were sacrificed and urethral length was evaluated
histologically. We find that E 13.5 is an important day for genital
masculinization, and that exposing individuals to vinclozolin during
this embryonic time point leads to a shorter urethral length and alters
genital masculinization across the dose response. We identify a dose
and time window that future studies analyzing developmental and
molecular mechanisms driving hypospadias can use to induce
consistent variation in hypospadias severity.
P1.120 ANDERSON, A.L.*; GIFFORD, M.E.; University of Central
Arkansas; aanderson21@cub.uca.edu
Determinants of dispersal patterns in the stream salamander,
Desmognathus brimleyorum
Dispersal is a fundamental ecological and evolutionary process.
Understanding the mechanisms that influence dispersal is especially
important in the context of landscape fragmentation and global
climate change. Long distance dispersal has been shown to contribute
disproportionately to species persistence in fragmented landscapes
and range shifts related to climate change. An individual's propensity
to disperse is dependent on a variety of both extrinsic and intrinsic
factors. A spatially explicit mark recapture study is being conducted
to better understand the multiple factors (stream heterogeneity, body
size and condition, behavior, and resource limitations) influencing
dispersal and population dynamics in the stream salamander,
Desmognathus brimleyorum. The aim of this study is to effectively
make population level inferences about factors influencing dispersal
and how it contributes to population dynamics of D. brimleyorum
within a stream corridor. It is predicted that there will be an
association between survival rates and habitat variation along the
stream corridor and that the traits of individuals will correlate with
dispersal phenotypes.
P3.190 ANDERSON, R. A.*; MCCADAM, B. E.; SIMPSON, D. T.
; Western Washington University; Roger.Anderson@wwu.edu
Patterns of home range and habitat use by an ectothermic desert
myrmecophile
Integrative theory of animal movement comprises analyses of a
complex of constraints and opportunities integrated by the animal
that cause the spatiotemporal patterns of the animal across
mesohabitat and microhabitat scales. For a desert lizard, the
dynamics of its home range use are presumed to depend on
interactions of 1) extrinsic factors such as habitat structure, thermal
variation, and distribution of prey, predators and potential mates
interacting with 2) intrinsic impetuses such as physical discomfort,
hunger, fear, and procreation, and 3) intrinsic biomechanical and
cognitive constraints. We used radio-tracking and powder-tracking to
discern the movements within and among daily activity periods in
adults of the Desert Horned Lizard, Phrynosoma platyrhinos over
several years in early summers in the Alvord Basin, at the northern
extreme of the Great Basin desert scrub. We examined the adult
lizards' use patterns of its home range, mesohabitats and
microhabitats with respect to various correlates such as thermal
environment, plant cover, visual field, ant colonies, and microhabitat
use by predators, and distribution of conspecifics. Confidently
interpreting the primary causes of home range and habitat use by an
ectothermic terrestrial vertebrate even in the simplicity of desert
scrub is a formidable challenge.
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January 3-7, 2016, Portland, Oregon
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P2.29 ANDREW, J. A.*; GARLAND, T. JR.; CHAPPELL, M. A.;
SALTZMAN, W.; University of California, Riverside;
jandr010@ucr.edu
Effects of housing temperature on energetics and performance in
California mice (Peromyscus californicus)
Acclimatory responses to low temperatures have been characterized
in many small mammal species. For example, when housed at
temperatures of 5-10°C for several weeks, small rodents typically
show increases in both basal and maximal aerobic metabolic rates, as
well as associated morphological changes (e.g., increases in the mass
and activity of brown adipose tissue). However, relatively few
studies have examined whether cold acclimation alters locomotor
performance or behavior that involves exercise abilities. As part of
research on the energetic and immune consequences of fatherhood,
we are interested in these possibilities in male California mice. Here,
we tested the hypothesis that cold acclimation would alter
morphological, physiological, metabolic, performance, and
behavioral traits (e.g., body mass, total fat, muscle mass, hematocrit,
grip strength, resting metabolic rate, maximum oxygen consumption
(VO2max) during forced exercise, maximum sprinting speed, and
predatory aggression). Adult male California mice were weighed
daily and housed in groups of 3-4 at room temperature (23°C, n=65),
10°C (n=48) or 5°C (n=25) for 2-4 weeks, then underwent a 7-day
testing regimen. Neither body mass nor sprint speed differed
statistically among housing conditions. However, mice housed at 5°C
had higher mass-adjusted VO2max than those housed at room
temperature (p<0.05), confirming results for other species of
Peromyscus. This work was supported by NSF IOS-1256572 and
NIH HD075021.
P2.68 ANNEAR, CK; Radford University; cannear24@gmail.com
Vigilance behavior in green and red macaws (Ara chloropterus) in
response to anthropomorphically generated sounds on the Las
Piedras River in the Madre de Dios region of Peru
Green and red macaws (Ara chloropterus) frequently visit colpas on
the banks of rivers in the Amazon rainforest, presumably for the
beneficial dietary function of the salts accessible there. However,
their bright feathers stand out against the brown clay of the colpa
making them more visible to potential predators. In order to
compensate for their increased vulnerability macaws at colpas
display a number of vigilance-related behaviors such as frequent
head turns, look outs, and flash behavior that may aid them in
avoiding predators. As humans encroach on their habitat, there are
increasing reasons for macaws to view human made sounds as a
predictive of danger, due to a substantial history of hunting and
poaching. The current experiment explored how macaws at colpas
behave towards human made sounds and whether their responses
suggest that they view humans as predators. Over the course of a
month during the non-breeding season at the Las Piedras Biodiversity
station in the Madre de Dios region of Peru we played multiple audio
stimuli to the macaws coming daily to a colpa located on the banks of
the remote Las Piedras River. These playbacks included harpy eagle
calls, screaming piha calls, boat engine noises, chainsaw noises,
human voices, and synthesized digital audio. Our results strongly
suggest that birds respond differentially to these calls. We found that
the birds responded heavily to the boat engine playback and the
chainsaw playback with many fly-aways and head-turns but this was
different than their behavior towards the Harpy Eagle playback. The
Harpy eagle playback had multiple head-turns but no fly-aways and
we observed that the birds would freeze and not communicate when
it was played. In future studies it would be interesting to look at the
movement of the birds and flight patterns to the different playbacks.
P2.10 ARCHIE, J.; California State Univ., Long Beach;
james.archie@csulb.edu
Demographic Collapse and Recovery of Sky-island Populations of
Sceloporus occidentalis in the Mojave Desert Due to Drought and
Monsoonal Rains
Climatic fluctuations in the Mojave Desert of California include
extended drought periods that have resulted in the demographic
collapse of populations of the western fence lizard (Sceloporus
occidentalis) found on desert sky-islands. Over a 6 year period
(2010-2015), which coincided with a severe 3-year drought, we
carried out a mark-recapture study of two lizard populations (1450m
and 1850m). The high elevation population was up to four times
more dense than the low elevation population, which is at the lower
elevation limit of the species in the Mojave Desert. Both populations
experienced demographic collapse during the 2012 and 2013 seasons
due to the lack of juvenile recruitment. The frequency of first-year
lizards dropped from highs of 55-83% of all lizards captured per
hectare during the 2011-2012 sampling periods down to 0% in 2013
as no (i.e., zero) first-year lizards were found either on the sampling
grids or anywhere on the mountain (10 sampling days and 225
person-hours of searching). Population densities declined by 50%
(1850m) and 30% (1450m) over this period. In both localities,
inter-annual adult recapture frequency (survivorship) increased
following the severest drought year (2012-2013). Although the
drought in southern California has continued through 2014 and 2015,
sporadic summer monsoonal rains in 2013 and 2014 resulted in
successful juvenile recruitment to both populations due to increases
in insect activity following late summer and fall blooms of both
annual and perennial plants. The low elevation population was
rescued from likely extinction by these monsoonal rain events which
are uncorrelated with winter rainfall drought conditions.
P1.157 ARUL NAMBI RAJAN, A*; HABERKERN, N;
WEATHERHOLT, A; CHUNG, A; RIVERA, A; University of the
Pacific; a_arulnambirajan@u.pacific.edu
Neural Determinants of Behavior in an Organism without a
Nervous System
Pax6 has proven to be a crucial regulatory element in development of
structures ranging from eyes to kidneys, and plays a particularly
interesting role in neuronal systems. Furthermore it has been shown
to be a master regulator protein of a highly evolutionarily conserved
network of genes. The fact that orthologs of this crucial protein are
present in an organism that lacks all organized tissue, like the sea
sponge, offers us insight into how intricate pathways may have
originated and how they have been conserved and exapted for novel
functions in animals with more complex body plans. Previous studies
have revealed that the sponge model, Ephydatia muelleri, has the
ability to induce behavioral "sneezing" responses in which the
sponge inflates and contracts its osculum and ostia in quick
succession following an external stimulus. In order for such a
response to occur, it has been hypothesized that Ephydatia must
possess some rudimentary sensory system to signal these actions.
Furthermore the Ephydatia genome has been shown to carry a
number of known pro neuronal and synaptic genes. Showing that
these genes are regulated by the Pax6 transcription factor and
assessing their role in the sponges basic behavior will help us better
understand the fundamental origins of nervous systems as a whole.
SICB 2016 Annual Meeting Abstracts
January 3-7, 2016, Portland, Oregon
e255
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