176 research outputs found
Reproductive plasticity and the evolution of the insect societies
No full textA fundamental goal of evolutionary biology is to understand how novel traits arise. Eusociality represents an extreme form of social organization which has evolved independently a number of times across insects and is characterized especially in the Hymenoptera by a novel polyphenism between reproductive (queen) and non-reproductive (worker) castes. While a growing body of research continues to improve our understanding of the mechanisms underlying the development of these castes, less is known about how castes evolved from solitary ancestors. In this dissertation, I leverage naturally-occurring social plasticity in two species of bees to shed light on potential mechanisms of caste evolution across social insects. In Chapter 1, I provide a detailed overview of the work contained within this dissertation. In Chapter 2, I develop a perspective on how ancestral behavioral plasticity may have facilitated the evolution of castes through genetic accommodation. In Chapter 3, I present a de novo transcriptome assembly for Megalopta genalis, a facultatively eusocial sweat bee that exhibits multiple social phenotypes within one population and may therefore represent a transition between solitary and social reproduction. I use this transcriptome in Chapter 4 to identify gene expression differences associated with social phenotypes of M. genalis, and compare these to genes involved in caste determination of other eusocial species as well as genes implicated in the evolution of eusociality through comparative studies of bees. In Chapter 5, I use a high-resolution behavioral tracking system to discover a previously undescribed form of colony organization in honey bees that occurs after a colony loses and is unable to replace its queen and some workers begin to lay eggs. Surprisingly similar to the social variation observed across nests of M. genalis, these colonies of honey bee workers display multiple levels of social plasticity, evoking transitional stages in eusocial evolution associated with the venerable Ovarian Ground Plan Hypothesis. Finally, in Chapter 6, I use transcriptomics and chromatin accessibility analyses of bees in laying worker colonies to explore how changes in brain gene regulation may contribute to variation in colony social organization, with comparative analyses to place this variation in the broader context of caste evolution across social insect lineages.Submission published under a 24 month embargo labeled 'Closed Access', the embargo will last until 2021-05-01The student, Beryl Jones, accepted the attached license on 2019-03-10 at 12:12.The student, Beryl Jones, submitted this Dissertation for approval on 2019-03-10 at 12:28.This Dissertation was approved for publication on 2019-03-11 at 14:07.DSpace SAF Submission Ingestion Package generated from Vireo submission #13418 on 2019-08-22 at 16:20:16Made available in DSpace on 2019-08-23T20:44:34Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 7
JONES-DISSERTATION-2019.pdf: 5409543 bytes, checksum: 3078c120db57bd2132c8f447ac281d18 (MD5)
Appendix_Dataset_C.1.xlsx: 195263 bytes, checksum: e9f3de6c3b025f2e11bd48121985d793 (MD5)
Appendix_Dataset_C.2.xlsx: 952969 bytes, checksum: 8ee6fd77f42bb8d5ddf9a340dc3056c9 (MD5)
Appendix_Dataset_C.3.xlsx: 82217 bytes, checksum: 264cf9f2c8b03f97e5b29721cd9ca163 (MD5)
Appendix_Dataset_C.4.xlsx: 15627941 bytes, checksum: e471292a258e27204f2d5ea2774a9f04 (MD5)
Appendix_Dataset_C.5.xlsx: 241057 bytes, checksum: e8c27ae220371dc806df1184940fa066 (MD5)
LICENSE.txt: 4208 bytes, checksum: 2f10a3b7c46e01b2d42056898ea2901d (MD5)
Previous issue date: 2019-03-11Embargo set by: Seth Robbins for item 112260
Lift date: 2021-08-23T20:44:50Z
Reason: Author requested closed access (OA after 2yrs) in Vireo ETD systemEmbargo set by: Seth Robbins for item 112260
Lift date: 2021-08-23T20:46:41Z
Reason: Author requested closed access (OA after 2yrs) in Vireo ETD systemEmbargo set by: Seth Robbins for item 112260
Lift date: 2021-08-23T20:47:38Z
Reason: Author requested closed access (OA after 2yrs) in Vireo ETD systemEmbargo set by: Seth Robbins for item 112260
Lift date: 2021-08-23T20:48:32Z
Reason: Author requested closed access (OA after 2yrs) in Vireo ETD systemLimited Restriction Lifted for Item 112260 on 2021-08-24T09:15:20Z
Reproductive plasticity and the evolution of the insect societies
No full textA fundamental goal of evolutionary biology is to understand how novel traits arise. Eusociality represents an extreme form of social organization which has evolved independently a number of times across insects and is characterized especially in the Hymenoptera by a novel polyphenism between reproductive (queen) and non-reproductive (worker) castes. While a growing body of research continues to improve our understanding of the mechanisms underlying the development of these castes, less is known about how castes evolved from solitary ancestors. In this dissertation, I leverage naturally-occurring social plasticity in two species of bees to shed light on potential mechanisms of caste evolution across social insects. In Chapter 1, I provide a detailed overview of the work contained within this dissertation. In Chapter 2, I develop a perspective on how ancestral behavioral plasticity may have facilitated the evolution of castes through genetic accommodation. In Chapter 3, I present a de novo transcriptome assembly for Megalopta genalis, a facultatively eusocial sweat bee that exhibits multiple social phenotypes within one population and may therefore represent a transition between solitary and social reproduction. I use this transcriptome in Chapter 4 to identify gene expression differences associated with social phenotypes of M. genalis, and compare these to genes involved in caste determination of other eusocial species as well as genes implicated in the evolution of eusociality through comparative studies of bees. In Chapter 5, I use a high-resolution behavioral tracking system to discover a previously undescribed form of colony organization in honey bees that occurs after a colony loses and is unable to replace its queen and some workers begin to lay eggs. Surprisingly similar to the social variation observed across nests of M. genalis, these colonies of honey bee workers display multiple levels of social plasticity, evoking transitional stages in eusocial evolution associated with the venerable Ovarian Ground Plan Hypothesis. Finally, in Chapter 6, I use transcriptomics and chromatin accessibility analyses of bees in laying worker colonies to explore how changes in brain gene regulation may contribute to variation in colony social organization, with comparative analyses to place this variation in the broader context of caste evolution across social insect lineages.LimitedAuthor requested closed access (OA after 2yrs) in Vireo ETD syste
Recommended from our members
Physiological consequences of long duration flight in the migratory grasshopper, Melanoplus sanguinipes fabricius
No full texttextThis study sought to examine the physiological correlates of migratory flight performance the North American migratory grasshopper Melanoplus sanguinipes Fabricius (Orthoptera: Acrididae) with a focus on mechanisms of resource allocation, the dynamics of hemolymph proteins, their interface with immune function, and the mechanism of flight-enhanced oogenesis. The performance of long duration flights has been shown previously to be of reproductive benefit to females who make them. Examination of possible mechanisms of resource compensation for the costs of flight showed no significant increase in either feeding, mating or digestion in females who performed long duration flight. A comparison of two populations of M. sanguinipes from Arizona and Colorado showed significant variation in body size, diapause regulation as well as internal and external morphology. The two populations did not differ in taxonomic characters or in short sequences of genomic and mitochondrial DNA. The follicle cell epithelium of ovaries from M. sanguinipes was examined for its relationship to juvenile hormone III (JH III). JH III induces patency in vitro in intercellular spaces of M. sanguinipes follicular epithelium as well as the characteristic apical endocytosis at the follicle cell oocyte interface. Exogenous JH III treatment of females on day 7 in lieu of flight reduced the threshold for induction of patency to 10-7 M JH III from 10-5 M JH III. These results indicate that JH III can act as a prime to the pump of oogenesis. An HPLC/LC-MS peptidomic survey of the hemolymph of M. sanguinipes following flight performance showed the presence of and changes in serine protease inhibitors. These peptides regulate numerous protease cascades involved in reproduction and immunity which suggested that flight might have a more broad impact than previously thought. Males who performed these flights showed a higher probability of surviving a bacterial challenge. The duration of flight performance was positively correlated in males with increases in titers of the hemolymph lipoproteins apolipophorin I and hexemerin. The exchangeable apolipophorin III showed no variation in correlation with flight. Females were not affected by flight performance in terms of hemolymph protein titers or the probability of surviving a bacterial challenge. These results suggest that the lipid transport system plays an important role in the immune response of this insect.Biological Sciences, School o
Recommended from our members
Environmental Effects on the Bumble Bee (Apidae: Bombus impatiens) Brain: Visual Experience Affects Neuropil Volume Allocation
No full text
1932-1933 Pikeville Junior College Catalogue 51
No full textJohnson, Frederick F ............... . . . .. . . . . Pikeville, Ky.
Jones, Frances ...................... . .. P ·restonsburg, Ky.
Jones, Mignon ................................ Hellier, Ky.
Kelley, Myrtle Irene ................ . ........ Wolfpit, Ky.
Kendrick, Clara ........................... . Lawshe, Ohio
Kenney, Beryl B .... .. ........... . .... . . P ·re.stons,burg, Ky.
Lemon, Naomi .............................. PikevHle, Ky.
Leslie, Gerruld G ... . ..... . .......... . ..... . .. .. Emma, Ky.
Lewis, Avery 1. . . ....... . .......... . .. .. . . .. Douglas, Ky.
Looney, William V ..................... . ...... Praise, Ky.
Mrurtin, Charles E ............... . ..... .. . .. . Eastern, Ky.
Mafltin, Gail Deen ......................... Hueysville, Ky.
May, Anna Laura .............. .. ...... Prestonsburg, Ky.
May, Mrs. Emma W .................... Prestonsburg, Ky.
Maynard, Mrs. Mae B .. ... .. . . ...... .. ...... PikeviHe, Ky.
Mullins, Eivens E .. . ..................... . . . . Coebum, Va.
Palmer, Ja,ck ...................... . ....... . .. Hardy, Ky.
Parker, Nina Mae ..... . .. .... ........... . .. PikeviUe, Ky.
Patton, Irene ........................... Prestonsburg, Ky.
Ramey, Bernice . . .. .. .................... McAndrews, Ky.
Reynolds, John B . . . ...... . .............. . .... Martin, Ky.
Reynolds, Mary Hager ............... .. . . . .. Pikeville, Ky.
Roberts, Adam .. ... ....... ... ....... Robinson Creek, Ky.
Roberts, Charles B ........... .. ...... Robinson Creek, Ky.
Roberts, Ranel. .. . ..... . ........ . ..... . ... . .. Osborn, Ky.
Roberts, Mrs. Ruth S ... . .. . .. .. ............. . .. Tram, Ky.
Self, Grayson .................... . .. .. ........ Praise, Ky.
Sim!IllS, Howard B .. . ...... . ........... . .. . Covington, Ga.
Spradlin, Mrs. Hope H ............. West Prestonsburg, Ky.
Spradlin, Mrs. Victoria M .. . .... . ....... Prestonsburg, Ky.
Stafford , Opal ..... . ......................... McCarr, Ky.
Stephens, Claybourne ........... .. ...... Prestonsburg, Ky.
Strllltton, I r ene K . .......................... PikeviUe, Ky.
Sturgell, John I ...................... . .... . .. Osborn, Ky.
Sword, Robert. ... ....................... . . . Pike·ville, Ky.
Triplett, Ella M .... . . .. . ...... . . . . . ... . . . ... . Lackey, Ky.
Triplett, Norci·a N ......... . ..... . ............ Lackey, Ky.
Trivette, Mollie V .................... ...... . Jonancy, Ky.
Van Arsdale, Elizabeth F ..................... Bagdad, Ky ..
Warix, John .. . . . . .. .................... Prestonsburg, Ky.
Watterson, Ma.rshel . ............... . .. . .. Henderson, N. C.
Wheeler, Hallard ....................... .. .. Pikeville, Ky.
Wheeler, William Godfrey ................... Pikeville, Ky.
4
When healthcare leadership and philanthropy lead to an improved patient experience: The Paul Lepsoe Music Initiative
No full textThrough an unprecedented collaboration between an academic acute tertiary care hospital (The Ottawa Hospital (TOH) and a community-based professional orchestra (Ottawa Symphony Orchestra (OSO), the Paul Lepsoe Music Initiative represented an innovative partnership focused on improving patient care via (a) the integration of live music in waiting areas of the hospital’s Cancer Center and (b) the creation of individualized music therapy interventions on the inpatient Palliative Care Unit. Patient, family, and volunteer/staff feedback further refined the intervention throughout the duration of the Initiative; a qualitative process that provided insight into the overall patient experience and opportunities for patients and families to inform practice. Hundreds of people at TOH were reached and better understood through this initiative. Results revealed that more than 85% enjoyed the music and believed music should be part of the care experience, suggesting that live music performance can be an effective, low-cost intervention to positively affect the hospital experience across multiple stakeholder groups. A powerful result of this partnership is that it contributed to the humanization of an often stressful and sterile environment through music; most especially, music that is light, optimistic, uplifting, simple and soothing, while also being consistent in texture, dynamics, and tempo.
Experience Framework
This article is associated with the Culture & Leadership lens of The Beryl Institute Experience Framework (https://www.theberylinstitute.org/ExperienceFramework). Access other PXJ articles related to this lens. Access other resources related to this len
Preschool Educators' Perceptions of Their Emotional Socialiser Role of Preschool Children's Emotional Competence
No full textPreschool-aged children spend a large proportion of their waking hours in early childhood education and care services. The preschool years span a peak phase for children’s development of many key milestones of emotional competence. Between the ages of 2 and 5, these elements of emotional competence are playing a critical role in the successful development of social competence, and more specifically the beginnings of peer relationships. Emotional competence is critical therefore for children’s well-being, navigation of social contexts, school readiness, and long-term academic success.
It is understood that socialisation of a child’s complex emotional system occurs in each interaction a child shares with others: their parents, siblings, teachers, caregivers, and peers. During the preschool years, early childhood educators share a large proportion of the critical emotional socialiser role. However, while parents’ strategies for socialisation of their children’s emotional competence have been well researched, very little research has focussed on the pedagogy used by educators to promote young children’s emotional competence. This research aims to understand the role of the early childhood educator as a socialiser of preschool children’s emotional competence through the perspective of multiple educators. The research is directed through five research questions that investigate the perceptions of educators in their role as emotional socialisers of young children’s emotional competence.
This research was developed through a pragmatic philosophical worldview. Additionally, Bronfenbrenner’s bioecological model (Bronfenbrenner & Morris, 2006) was used as the theoretical guide underpinning this exploration due to its suitability to the subject of emotional competence co-constructed within social contexts. Using both these lenses, an explanatory sequential mixed methods study was deemed the most suitable research method. Data were collected in two phases: first, through online surveys and then focus groups. Research participants were educators of preschool children from Queensland, Australia. In this research teachers and teaching assistants are described as educators. Preschool programs in day care services and kindergarten were included.
The quantitative phase of this research analysed data from 76 participants who completed an online survey which included questions about their demographics, readiness to promote children’s emotional competence, and teaching and assessment strategies for emotional competence. The survey also included an open-response section to facilitate private responses and an invitation to engage in the focus groups that formed the second phase of this research. Only frequency and descriptive analysis were undertaken with all quantitative data. As the focus of this study was an exploration of the phenomenon, an inductive process was used to build a descriptive picture of it.
In survey responses assessing perceived readiness to promote emotional competence (scale adapted from Bouillet et al. [2014]) there was a strong level of response consistency apparent across all participants. These demonstrated the unified supportive attitudes for promoting young children’s emotional competence, such as the recognised responsibility for sharing the socialiser role and perceived competence to enact activities to promote emotional competence. There was, however, some divergence in participants’ perception of the preparation through their undergraduate education for the role of promoting emotional competence. Additionally, in survey responses to a teaching and assessment strategies scale developed by this author, participants revealed a range of preferences in teaching and assessment strategies appropriate for developing emotional socialisation in the classroom.
The qualitative data were interpreted through thematic analysis using a six-step process adapted from Braun and Clarke (2012). Interpretive analysis was also supported through a secondary latent or interpretive level of analysis using elements from Bronfenbrenner’s bioecological model. Major themes from data across five focus groups included emotional competence curriculum aims and goals, Prep environment, thoughts about the emotional socialiser role, shifts in children’s levels of emotional competence, shifts in observed parenting behaviours, sharing the emotional socialiser role with parents, supporting parents emotionally, pedagogical strategies for promoting emotional competence, educators’ emotional self-regulation strategies, supportive teams, assessment, and self-efficacy in the emotional socialiser role.
This thesis provides insight into both the perceptions of a group of experienced educators about their emotional socialiser role and also the construction of these perceptions as structured by elements of Bronfenbrenner’s bioecological model. Most significantly, this study shows how variations in perceptual constructions of concepts occur among different service teams influenced by their siloed environments and associated socioeconomic contexts. Findings from the research will potentially inform educator training programs for promoting the socialisation of preschool children’s emotional competence.Thesis (PhD Doctorate)Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)School Educ & Professional StArts, Education and LawFull Tex
- …
