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NON-INSECT AQUATIC MACROINVERTEBRATE ABUNDANCE AND COMMUNITY COMPOSITION IN MILLEDGEVILLE, GEORGIA**
No full textAquatic macroinvertebrates are useful to monitor the health of a body of water including its associated abiotic features. Non-insects within this group are important since they are a part of the food source for higher trophic levels. Though insects are heavily studied and abundant, non-insect aquatic macroinvertebrates mostly spend their entire life in bodies of water, compared to insects eventually leaving the ecosystem. Diversity and abundance of non-insect aquatic macroinvertebrates is one method to look at the health in these environments. This study focuses on two lakes, Lake Oliver Hardy and Lake Laurel in Milledgeville Georgia over a two-year period using a Hester Dendy sampler. Samples were taken during each seasonal period to show differences in abundance and community composition for each lake at the family level. It is hypothesized that Lake Laurel has higher diversity and abundance of non-insect aquatic macroinvertebrates due to relatively lower human impacts on its environment. Family composition was similar for both lakes; however, abundance of each family differed between lakes. The differences are due to differing amounts of residential life and runoff surrounding each lake. Further research should be done to see changes over an extended period of time and with other lakes
DEVELOPMENT OF A NOVEL COX-II MITOCHONDRIAL DNA MARKER FOR RAT FECAL CONTAMINATION.**
No full textRodent feces can contain dangerous human microbial pathogens that are a serious health hazard to the human population. Currently there is no known rapid assay to detect rat fecal contamination. In this study, a rapid PCR-based mitochondrial DNA primer pair was constructed as it enabled the detection of rat fecal pollution in environmental samples. Environmental samples were all tested using end-point PCR after filtration and then extraction of DNA using the DNeasy Powersoil pro kit. These primers were designed to specifically detect rodent feces that belong to the Rattus Sp. taxonomic group. Rodent samples from various counties in Georgia were obtained and used as positive controls. PCR primers for rat COX-II mitochondria DNA were used to specifically detect rat fecal DNA from several rat samples. The primers did not cross react with human, dog, cow, deer, chicken, mice, or squirrel fecal DNA. The rat fecal PCR assay was then successfully used to detect rat fecal pollution in estuarine water samples. The link between prominent disease-causing pathogens and rat fecal pollution in heavily populated areas is cause for concern. This study can then aid in rapid detection of rats, enabling the strategic construction of disease management protocols
THE EFFECTS OF DIET AND SPINOSYN ON THE LARVAL LIFE HISTORY OF TRICHOPLUSIA NI**
No full textChemicals, including those ingested on food, have adverse effects on organisms. Pesticides are chemicals widely applied in agroecosystems, making them useful in examining the impacts of chemicals and diet on life history. Trichoplusia ni larvae feed on crucifers and are often found in agroecosystems where they are also exposed to chemicals like spinosyn A and B, the main active ingredients in spinosad-based pesticides. Because of their regular exposure to different pesticides and food sources in their natural environment, this study aims to explore how T.ni larvae are affected by spinosyn and diet. In this study, T.ni larvae were divided into four treatments: artificial diet control, artificial diet + spinosyn, organic crucifer control, and organic crucifer + spinosyn. Each treatment consisted of twenty larvae. Three different rounds of the experiment were performed. In round one, organic crucifer treatments were fed commercially available organic cabbage (CAOC) for the entire round starting in the first instar. In round two, organic crucifer treatments were fed young, greenhouse-grown cabbage and transferred to CAOC in the fourth instar. In round three, crucifer treatments were fed young greenhouse-grown cabbage and transferred to commercially available organic kale in the fourth instar. All treatments were fed ad lib, and spinosyn groups were treated with 250 µL of 78 ppm spinosyn in the third instar using an overlay assay. Larval mortality and stadia were recorded until death or pupation. Preliminary results suggest that spinosyn has a greater effect than food type on mortality. There was 100% larval mortality in spinosyn treatments, regardless of food type, but much lower mortality in artificial diet control and organic crucifer control groups (0%-25%). Spinosyn had no noticeable effect on larval stadia. In contrast, transfer to CAOC noticeably extended larval stadia but did not have major impacts on mortality. Spinosyn results suggest that spinosyn is a toxic chemical in the environment, which is consistent with other studies. However, the effect of crucifer type on larval stadia was surprising, as crucifers are a natural food source. Replication is underway for statistical analysis and to verify these results
AQUATIC HABITAT RESOURCE USE OF EASTERN BOX TURTLES IN NORTHEASTERN GEORGIA**
No full textAbstract: Anthropogenic habitat loss, fragmentation, and degradation lead to decreases in resources, biodiversity, and ecosystem services; thus, understanding how species use specific resources is vital to conservation and restoration efforts. Eastern Box Turtles (Terrapene carolina carolina) are a primarily terrestrial species native to the eastern United States that has experienced population declines throughout its native range largely due to habitat loss and alterations. Although the species is considered primarily terrestrial, phylogenetic studies indicate Eastern Box Turtles (EBT) evolved from an aquatic turtle species, suggesting that aquatic habitats may represent an important resource for the species when considering conservation efforts. To investigate this use in northeastern Georgia, we analyzed habitat use of 50 individual EBT (29 M, 21 F) located using radiotelemetry 1-2 times per month for periods of 9-110 months between 2013-2022. Aquatic habitats at our study site included freshwater forested/shrub wetlands created by beaver activity along a permanent creek in addition to multiple, unconnected seepage wetland areas dominated by either Chinese Privet (Ligustrum sinense) or native woody and herbaceous vegetation. About a quarter of all radiolocations were recorded in wetland or seepage habitats; however individual use of these aquatic resources varied, with about 20% of the turtles having no locations recorded in a wetland or seepage area. The high percentage of EBT using aquatic habitats supports the need for consideration of aquatic habitat in conservation efforts
COMPARISON BETWEEN HISTOLOGY TECHNIQUES USED ON ERISTALIS TENAX HEADS AND BRAINS**
No full textIn pollinating insects, researchers have found that mushroom bodies, a brain structure, aids in movement and memory. We are interested in the relationship between mushroom bodies and light response behavior in Eristalis tenax, a pollinating fly species. To assess the relationship between E. tenax mushroom bodies and behavioral responses requires looking at their brain histology. The only E. tenax histology paper we were able to find was from 1895. Therefore, we needed to shift our current research aim to successfully performing modern histology on E. tenax heads (with exoskeleton) and brains (exoskeleton removed). To achieve our goal, we applied techniques used for model organisms, Drosophila melanogaster and Daphnia, including dissection, embedding, wax infiltration, and sectioning protocols. We used hematoxylin and eosin stains to obtain a visual on DNA material and membranes. While the histology for the tissues worked well, with visible and distinct cells in both heads and brains, we are looking to improve the consistency of results by using different fixatives, sectioning widths, and stains. As part of our ongoing research, we will be assessing techniques for making the mushroom body fluoresce, such as using specific antibodies that recognize mushroom body gene expression. Pioneering successful histology protocols for E. tenax will allow us to address our original question about mushroom body size relative to behavioral responses to light and may also be useful for others interested in similar questions
MOLECULAR DETECTION OF PATHOGENIC LEPTOSPIRA IN PENSACOLA FLORIDA WATERSHEDS
No full textFecal waste water containing high levels of nutrients and pathogenic bacteria is a growing public health concern in coastal zones. The ubiquity of leptospiral species in nature has led to leptospirosis becoming one of the most globally widespread zoonotic diseases in recent years. Annually there are more than 1.03 million cases reported, with approximately 60,000 of these cases resulting in death. The primary aim of this study was to determine if pathogenic Leptospira is present in fecal polluted streams and estuaries flowing through Pensacola Florida. A total of 14 out of 50 water samples were utilized in this study collected over the course of 1 sampling event, in March of 2022. To determine the extent of pathogenic Leptospira contamination, Real-Time polymerase chain reaction, RT-PCR, was used targeting the Lipl32 gene. RT-PCR results indicated 2 of the 14 sampled locations, Carpenter creek and Tom king bayou east boulevard, were positive for pathogenic Leptospira. Additional research quantifying the amount of pathogenic Leptospira present in the Pensacola region is necessary to assess public health risk
INCREASING CAPTURE RATES OF GRASSLAND BIRDS OVER THIRTEEN YEARS INDICATES SUCCESSFUL GRASSLAND RESTORATION
No full textGrassland bird populations are being lost at an alarming rate due to human modifications to grassland ecosystems. Grassland restoration has been shown to mitigate population declines for many species that use these habitats at some point in their annual cycles. We examined capture rates of 1) all adults captured throughout the year, 2) breeding adults (i.e. only adults in breeding condition), and 3) hatch year birds at a restored grassland site in the piedmont of central Georgia to determine whether ongoing restoration efforts are benefitting populations of grassland birds. We banded birds approximately twice per month from January 2009 through December 2021 at Panola Mountain State Park. Restoration efforts, started in 2001, include annual prescribed burns, control of invasives, and revegetation with native grassland plants. We captured 11,350 birds (91 species) over 16,662 net hours. We documented an increase in capture rates of adults when all grassland species were combined (p=0.03, r2=0.37) and for several grassland species, including Chipping Sparrows (p=0.01, r2=0.44) and Marsh Wrens (p=0.004, r2=0.55). Capture rates of several species of breeding grassland birds increased as well, including when grassland species were combined (p=0.01, r2=0.45), Common Yellowthroats (p=0.05, r2=0.30), Indigo Buntings (p=0.04, r2=0.34), and Field Sparrows (p=0.002, r2=0.59). Capture rates of hatch year birds increased for Chipping Sparrows (p=0.02, r2=0.39). Species-specific responses to restoration occur at different rates depending on habitat preferences, yet the only species that significantly declined was the Red-winged Blackbird, a bird more associated with water than grasslands. Increases in capture rates and lack of significant declines suggest that ongoing restoration is providing adequate and appropriate resources for grassland birds. If managers identify target species, we recommend that restoration efforts include activities that are aimed at species-specific habitat requirements and habitat-level threats of those target species
OPTIMIZATION OF BIOETHANOL PRODUCTION FROM KUDZU, PUERARIA MONTANA**
No full textWith the looming prospect of fossil fuels increasing in price, recent attention has turned to the production of renewable, sustainable replacements for fossil fuels. One such fuel, ethanol, has also been commercially adopted as gasoline additive, and in some vehicles can replace gasoline entirely. Currently the majority of ethanol in North America is produced by the fermentation of corn (Zea mays). This is problematic because corn production, transportation, and fermentation relies heavily on fertilizer, diesel fuel and electricity, all of which are derived from fossil fuels. This research is focused on using kudzu (Pueraria montana) as an alternative feedstock for ethanol production. Kudzu grows quickly without any human inputs, contains up to 50% starch, and is an invasive plant in the southeastern United States. Previous research in our laboratory focused on converting the starch found in kudzu to ethanol, using 1H NMR spectroscopy to analyze the final ethanol concentration. The highest concentration of ethanol we were able to obtain in previous research was 3.5% v/v. In this research, different treatments of kudzu root were studied in order to optimize ethanol production. Kudzu was treated by pressure cooking prior to fermentation with a brewer’s yeast (Saccharomyces cerevisiae). The kudzu root was also pretreated with various amylase enzymes to break the starches into fermentable sugars, and the temperature profile of the enzyme treatments was optimized. It is expected that by optimizing both fermentation and root pretreatment techniques, the ethanol produced will be at a high enough concentration to be commercially viable as a bioethanol feedstock
CANNABIS CRIME: UNDERGRADUATE INVESTIGATION
No full textApplicable chemical forensic experimentation is important in undergraduate classrooms in order to establish real-world techniques and appropriate knowledge of procedure in order to translate into careers involving forensics. For the production of a forensic chemistry laboratory manual, a real-world scenario was created by capstone forensic chemistry students. The scenario involved several products from a producer of cannabinoids that was found to be the cause of illness and hospitalization in several customers of the company. The objective of the experimentation was to (1) determine the possibility of counterfeit products through label analysis, (2) determine any possible contaminants in the product, and (3) establish possible suspects and motives through relevant forensic techniques. Possible methodology and instrumentation to be used to accomplish the objective was left to the student and included fingerprint analysis, microscope analysis, types of spectroscopy (Raman, UV/Vis), GC/MS, and any other technique the student wanted to use in the department. This presentation will highlight the experimental design, implementation, and preliminary results of experimentation from undergraduate students
DO EXOPLANETS EXIST AROUND HIGH VELOCITY STAR SYSTEMS?
No full textA total of 573 objects have previously been identified as high velocity stars. We are using existing Gaia data to confirm their status as such. We are then conducting a systematic survey of the entire Gaia DR3 catalog to identify previously unknown high velocity stars. Of particular interest to us is the prospect of detecting planetary companions, which has yet to be discovered. We will attempt to observe these companions via the transit method aided by TESS data