NCUR Proceedings

NCUR 2021 Proceedings

Amphibian Skin Pathogen Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis Surveillance in Ecuador Ecology - Time: Wed 1:30pm-2:30pm - Session Number: 1015 Connor Chapman, Abby Piddock, Christian Sorenson, Jaden Seman, Nathan Lamb, Kirsten Enns, Kyle Harris, Matthew Becker, Sheryl Welfel, Alejandro Arteaga. Department of Biology and Chemistry, Liberty University.1971 University Blvd, Lynchburg, VA 24515. Connor Chapman

Background: In recent decades, amphibians have experienced unprecedented population declines, leading to species extinctions worldwide. Chytridiomycosis has been linked to these declines and is caused by the fungal pathogen, Batrachohytrium dendrobatidis (Bd). In relation to South America, this disease is putting many amphibian species within Ecuador and surrounding areas at risk of extinction. This disease survey will build upon existing data to determine if Bd is persisting in the Ecuadorian upper Amazon and the intensity of infection for sampled amphibians. This pathogen surveillance will aid the ongoing global conservation efforts by documenting amphibians afflicted by this waterborne fungus. Research Methods: Our survey site was Jatun Sacha Biological Research Stations near Tena, Ecuador. Students and faculty completed amphibian surveys in the surrounding jungle. 30 Amphibians were sampled opportunistically. To sample potential pathogens, the skin of each amphibian was swabbed with a sterile rayon swab by streaking the swab across the ventral surface 10 times, each lateral surface 5 times, and each hind foot 5 times for a total 30 times. Swabs were then placed in sterile 1.5 ml microcentrifuge tubes and stored for return to the laboratory. Samples are in the process of being exported from Ecuador. Once received, individual samples will have DNA extracted from swabs using the Qiagen DNeasy Blood & Tissue Kit according to the manufacturer’s protocol. DNA obtained from the swabs will be amplified with pathogen specific real-time PCR (qPCR) assays to quantify Bd. All samples will initially be amplified in singlicate. Any sample that returns a positive result will be assayed again in duplicate to confirm the initial result and accurately estimate infection intensity. Results/findings: This research is ongoing, and the qPCR results should be obtained within the next few weeks. A total of 30 amphibians (15 canopy dwelling species and 15 forest floor dwelling species) have been properly swabbed and the swabs have been stored in tubes (with DNA Safe) and are ready to be mailed back from Quito, Ecuador (as of February 1st, 2021). Once the swabs are received, DNA will be extracted, and the qPCR protocol will be conducted to determine any presence of Bd. Based upon the elevation and prevailing warmer temperatures of the upper Amazon collection site, we do not anticipate to find the presence of BD within our samples. We do anticipate to find positive Bd results when we sample in the Cloud forest next year. Conclusions: We do not expect to find Bd in our current samples from the upper Amazon due to the higher temperatures, but we do expect to find Bd when we sample at higher elevations in coming years. In conclusion, this pathogen surveillance will aid the ongoing global conservation efforts by documenting amphibians afflicted by this waterborne fungus. Implications for further research: If amphibians are found to be healthy and infected with Bd, we plan to also assess the overall skin microbiome to see if there is some degree of resistance to the skin pathogen. In the coming years, we plan to continue surveying at different locations in Ecuador to further our understanding of the presence of Bd in this area and will aid in long-term conservation.

An Analysis of Florida Fighting Conch Tissue for the Presence of Microplastics Ecology - Time: Tue 12:30pm-1:30pm - Session Number: 4106 Jordan Kleinschmidt, Dr. Alexis Janosik, Department of Biology, University of West Florida, 11000 University Pkwy, Pensacola, FL 32514 Jordan Kleinschmidt

Microplastics are defined as small pieces of plastic that measure five millimeters or less in size and come in many shapes and colors. These miniscule pieces of debris can be found all throughout the oceans, lakes, and can even be found inside organisms. The source of these microplastics can be from beauty products, break down of larger plastic debris, and other types of microbeads and bits of plastic from manufactured goods. There are many dangers posed by microplastic pollution, one being the consumption of these debris by marine organisms, which will later be consumed by humans. The effects of consuming microplastics on marine organisms is actively being researched however, the consumption and thus the effects of microplastics on organisms is still not fully known. The Florida Fighting Conch is a gastropod mollusc that can be found from the beaches of North Carolina all the way down to Florida in the Gulf of Mexico. These conchs are commonly found washed up onto the shores of beaches due to heavy current and wave activity. Florida Fighting Conchs serve as a food source for other organisms in the ecosystem. As such, the potential for biomagnification up the food chain is present if Florida Fighting Conchs are consuming microplastics. Knowing that these conchs are feeding off of algae in the seagrass beds, they have the potential to also consume benthic microplastics. The objective of this study is to quantify microplastic contamination in Florida Fighting Conchs. Florida Fighting conchs will be collected locally from intertidal beach habitats and tissue will be digested for microplastic quantification. After tissue digestion is complete, samples will be filtered and microplastics will be quantified and measured using microscopy.

An Examination of Bisphenol A and Bisphenol A Derivatives During Zebrafish Development Ecology - Time: Wed 12:00pm-1:00pm - Session Number: 915 Rachel Nas and Cameron Q. Sheeler, Ph.D. Department of Biology and Chemistry, Liberty University 1971 University Blvd. Lynchburg, VA 24515 Rachel Nas

Bisphenol A (BPA), commonly used in the manufacturing of plastics, has been identified as an estrogen-mimicking endocrine disruptor. This research project will investigate whether certain bisphenol derivatives or alternative compounds can induce estrogen-responsive genes during zebrafish embryo development. The compounds that will be analyzed are Bisphenol B (BPB), Bisphenol C (BPC), and Bisguaiacol F (BGF). The short and long-term effects from the usage of these compounds are still unknown, and thus comprehensive analysis must be performed in order to determine their health risk. The estrogen response of these chemicals was first tested via dose-response assay using a yeast model. Preliminary data from the dose-response assays performed indicated that BPB and BPC exhibited estrogenicity similar to that of BPA, while BGF did not display an estrogen response. BGF is a compound of interest, as it is synthesized from paper-pulp products and could serve as a green alternative to the petroleum-based bisphenol compounds. These compounds were also tested during the development of zebrafish embryos. The zebrafish embryos were analyzed at both 72 and 96 hours post-fertilization (hpf) to identify morphological changes and possible developmental abnormalities. Total RNA was isolated to determine if BPA and BPA alternatives induce estrogen-responsive genes using real-time quantitative reverse transcription PCR (RT-qPCR). We hypothesize that the compounds shown to be estrogenic using our yeast-based system will induce estrogen-responsive genes and have similar toxic effects to that of BPA during zebrafish embryo development, whereas BGF will not induce estrogen-responsive genes. Gaining a more comprehensive view of the effects of these BPA replacements will aid in assessing their risk and future usage.

Are Rotational Grazing Practices Impacting Native Vertebrate Diversity in Pennsylvania Streams? Ecology - Time: Tue 12:30pm-1:30pm - Session Number: 4092 Angela McCarty and Dr. Carlos Iudica, Department of Biology, Susquehanna University, 514 University Avenue, Selinsgrove, PA 17870 Angela McCarty

Adams County, located in South Central Pennsylvania, is an area with high agricultural activity, specifically raising livestock, often in pastures that contain natural waterways. Studies suggest that by removing livestock from these waterways greatly improve stream quality which may benefit vertebrates that depend on these water sources. To further investigate this, over the course of six months (October 2020-March 2021) four sites were surveyed to look at the impact of the presence of cows on species diversity in a local waterway. Of these four sites, one is outside of pastured area, two are rotationally grazed, and one is grazed year-round. Each location had two trail cameras, with one pointing upstream and the other down, images and batteries are monitored biweekly. In addition, each site had a minnow trap half submerged, to allow semi-aquatic species to receive oxygen while inside and is checked every other day. Data recorded in spreadsheets will be presented using ArcGIS, and species richness calculated using the equation D = s √N. Preliminary results already suggest that site four, a rotationally grazed piece of pasture of about 4 acres, may have the highest species diversity as data currently shows it having the most terrestrial and aquatic species. The species that appear to be most abundant are red fox (Vulpes vulpes) for terrestrial species and American bull frog tadpoles (Lithobates catesbeianus) for aquatic. This suggests that rotationally grazed sites may have higher vertebrate diversity than those grazed year-round or never grazed. I plan to analyze these results within the framework of Osman’s intermediate disturbance hypothesis.

Assessing Condition of Brown Trout (Salmo trutta) and Brook Trout (Salvelinus fontinalis) in Pennsylvania Streams Ecology - Time: Tue 12:30pm-1:30pm - Session Number: 4097 Rebecca Harner, Jonathan Niles, Dan Ressler, Ecology Program and Freshwater Research Institute, Susquehanna University, 514 University Ave, Selinsgrove, PA 17870 Rebecca Harner

The purpose of this study is to assess the condition of brown trout (Salmo trutta) and brook trout (Salvelinus fontinalis) in Pennsylvania streams. Competition is unavoidable when species coexist in habitats and rely on the same resources. Dominant individuals will limit the access and availability of resources, impacting its competitors’ health. Brown trout have higher thermal tolerances than brook trout, allowing them to inhabit warmer streams and deplete resources. The presence of brown trout impacts the condition of brook trout by forcing them to relocate out of their habitats and by limiting their access to resources. This study will compare trout condition in allopatric and sympatric populations using data on length-weight relationships to determine possible trends. Fish were collected from 30 streams in the Loyalsock Creek Watershed in central Pennsylvania annually between 2011 and 2020. Fulton’s Condition Factor (K = W/L3 X 100,000) and standard weight equations will determine the body condition and relative weight of individual fish. I anticipate the condition of brook trout to be negatively impacted by the presence of brown trout due to intraspecific competition. This study will offer more insight on what factors influence trout condition, and these results will promote trout and stream conservation to stabilize freshwater ecosystems.

Canopy Cover and Seasonal Variability on Macroinvertebrate Communities Affecting Stream Quality Determination Ecology - Time: Tue 11:00am-12:00pm - Session Number: 411 Rachel Kanady, John Griffis, Department of Natural Sciences, Joliet Junior College, 1215 Houbolt Road, Joliet, Illinois 60431 Rachel Kanady

Environmental factors (i.e. canopy cover and seasonal variability) are known influencers of macroinvertebrate community structures that are central in stream quality determination. Understanding the role of stated influencers on stream ecology prompted this research to examine the impact canopy cover and seasonal variability had on stream quality determination. Samples of an open canopy site and forested site (50% canopy cover) from Lily Cache Creek, Plainfield, Illinois, were taken by using kicknet techniques on a slow riffle, fast riffle, and snag scrapings collected in late spring (June), late summer (September), and fall (October). A broad-based (family level) biotic index involving tolerance values (TV) was used to determine stream quality. The results revealed both sites exhibiting seasonal variations in stream quality determination. The forested site maintained a greater number of EPT (Ephemeroptera, Plecoptera, Trichoptera) and total taxa than the open canopy site until the fall season. Regarding sampled EPT/Non-EPT individuals, significant differences (p<0.05) were found for the forested site between spring/summer and spring/fall samples. Differences were also discovered between the spring samples of both sites and all seasonal sample comparisons between sites, except the spring open canopy/fall forested and summer open canopy/fall forested samples. Pollution tolerant (TV>5.5) and pollution intolerant (TV 5.5 or less) individual differences were observed seasonally and for between-site comparisons. The forested site samples demonstrated greater seasonal variability and tended to have more taxa, EPT taxa, and EPT individuals than the open canopy site, which appeared to have more pollution intolerant, non-EPT individuals. Differences were greatest in the spring comparisons than in others.

Chemical Ecology of Yucca Moth Mating Systems Ecology - Time: Tue 12:30pm-1:30pm - Session Number: 4093 Holly Redmond, Kevin Wanner, Plant Sciences and Plant Pathology Department, Montana State University, Culbertson Hall, 100, Bozeman, MT 59717 Holly Redmond

The yucca moth, Tegeticula yuccasella (Lepidoptera: Prodoxinae), is an obligate pollinator of the soapweed plant (Yucca glauca), a mutualistic pollination system unique to North America. Female moths collect and pollinate soapweed flowers using specialized tentacles on their head before laying their eggs within the ovule. After hatching, the larvae feed on the developing fruit but do not consume it all, completing the mutualistic interaction. Yucca moths mate inside the flowers, little else is known about their reproductive behavior. The goal of this study was to determine if yucca moths, an archaic branch of Lepidoptera, use the sex pheromones common in modern moth species. Female moths release species-specific blends of volatile fatty acid type chemicals from a gland that archaic moth species lack. Male moths only fly towards the blend produced by conspecific females, which they detect with high sensitivity and specificity using their antennae.

Prior research identified (Z)-11-hexadecenol (Z11-16:OH), a typical moth pheromone structure, from female T. yuccasella abdomens. In 2018, traps baited with Z11-16:OH and four similar odors were compared to blank control lures for attraction to T. yuccasella. Across all lure types, more males were caught compared to females (N(Male Total)=228, N(Female Total)=102). Statistical analysis by ANOVA indicated no impact of lure type on female trap catches (F(5,55)=1.16, p-value=0.34). Lure type was a significant factor in trap catches of male moths, based on an ANOVA F-test (F(5,55)=2.31, p-value=0.056). Blank lures caught an average of 2.6 male moths per trap while lures formulated with (Z)-11-tetradecenol (Z11-14:OH) caught an average of 5.3 males. Our results support that yucca moths, members of the archaic Lepidoptera species, do use sex pheromones similar to those known from modern species.

Chronic Exposure to Herbicides and Herbicide Residues Influences the Weight and Feeding Behavior of the Wolf Spider Pardosa milvina Ecology - Time: Tue 12:30pm-1:30pm - Session Number: 4098 Tyler Gross, Rachel Morehouse, Joe'l Morris, Sara Nicola, Kevin Rainey, Aaron Romano and Jordan Washko (Matthew Persons) Susquehanna University, Department of Biology, 514 University Avenue, Selinsgrove, PA 17870 Tyler Gross, Rachel Morehouse, Joe'l Morris, Sara Nicola, Kevin Rainey, Aaron Romano, Jordan Washko

Herbicides or their residues may impact feeding behavior and growth rates of beneficial predators in agricultural systems and subsequently compromise integrated pest management efficacy. We measured feeding behavior and weight changes of juvenile Pardosa milvina wolf spiders when exposed to soil with field-relevant concentrations of one of six commonly used herbicides: atrazine, S-metolachlor, mesotrione, glyphosate, 2,4-D, and dicamba. We also tested a combined mixture of all six herbicides and a distilled water control. Spiders were housed individually in containers with topsoil previously sprayed with a recommended herbicide dosage or water control group. To test for herbicide residue effects, we reared spiders under herbicides exposed to three soil aging treatments: freshly applied herbicides, herbicide-sprayed soil aged for 69 days under room-temperature laboratory conditions (indoor aged) or aged for 69 days in a greenhouse with variable temperature, humidity, light exposure, and evaporative cycling (outdoor aged) (n=40, N=960 across 24 treatments). Spiders were maintained on treated substrates for 48 days. Individual spiders from each herbicide treatment were standardized for hunger then presented a cricket weekly after initial treatment exposure. We found significant differences in weight change as well as lunge and prey capture latency for spiders across herbicide and soil aging treatments as well as significant interactions between soil age and herbicide treatment. Mesotrione alone had particularly large effects on feeding and weight gain. Some herbicides significantly increased lunge latency and prey capture latency relative to the control and some decreased the molting frequency of spiders. Fresh and indoor-aged soil had similar effects while outdoor-aged soil dampened most herbicide effects indicating photodegradation and/or temperature degradation of herbicides over the 69-day period. Our results show that some herbicides significantly impair feeding and growth rates in this agriculturally abundant predator with some effects detectable even with greenhouse-aged herbicide residues.

Classification and Mapping of Marine Habitats Using Drone Data Ecology - Time: Mon 1:30pm-2:30pm - Session Number: 117 Researcher/Author: Maria Rocha, California State University, Monterey Bay, 100 Campus Center, Seaside, CA 93955 Faculty Mentor: Dr. Corey Garza, NOAA Center for Coastal Marine Ecosystems/California State University, Monterey Bay, 100 Campus Center, Seaside, CA 93955 Maria Rocha

In this research study, data from drones has been collected from Santa Catalina Island in Los Angeles with the focus of seeing whether or not autonomous drones can be used to map and classify marine habitats. Since climate change is causing a rapid change in ecosystems, new survey methods are needed to capture how rapidly these systems are changing. Improved access to autonomous drones as a monitoring platform has allowed for advanced technologies to be available such as thermal sensors and computer vision. With this new technology, we now have the ability to collect data with lower financial costs and risks while increasing productivity in data collection. The drones used in this study were used to monitor areas on the island that have historically been mapped using quadrat and meter tape approaches. The rocky intertidal habitats which happen in between low and high tides were monitored by drones in order to identify species and general habitat types such as algae zones and mussel beds. Climate change rising is causing a shift in marine habitats found in rocky intertidal, and using autonomous drones may give us an insight into whether or not this method of classification and mapping is useful when it comes to marine habitats. Our initial results suggest that drones provide a faster method for collecting marine habitat data without losing data resolution when compared to previous survey methods. In this research study, data from drones has been collected from Santa Catalina Island in Los Angeles with the focus of seeing whether or not autonomous drones can be used to map and classify marine habitats. Since climate change is causing a rapid change in ecosystems, new survey methods are needed to capture how rapidly these systems are changing. Improved access to autonomous drones as a monitoring platform has allowed for advanced technologies to be available such as thermal sensors and computer vision. With this new technology, we now have the ability to collect data with lower financial costs and risks while increasing productivity in data collection. The drones used in this study were used to monitor areas on the island that have historically been mapped using quadrat and meter tape approaches. The rocky intertidal habitats which happen in between low and high tides were monitored by drones in order to identify species and general habitat types such as algae zones and mussel beds. Climate change rising is causing a shift in marine habitats found in rocky intertidal, and using autonomous drones may give us an insight into whether or not this method of classification and mapping is useful when it comes to marine habitats. Our initial results suggest that drones provide a faster method for collecting marine habitat data without losing data resolution when compared to previous survey methods.

Comparative Neutron Radiography Analysis of Siliceous Marine Sponges: Dragmacidon lunaecharta Ecology - Time: Tue 12:30pm-1:30pm - Session Number: 510 Amanda Smolinski, College of Science and Engineering-Biology, Idaho State Univeristy 921 S 8th Ave Pocatello, Idaho 83201 Dr. Joshua Kane, Glen Papaioannou, and Dr. Aaron Craft, Advanced Post Irradiation Examination and Characterization, The Idaho National Laboratory 1955 N. Fremont Avenue Idaho Falls, ID 83415 Amanda Smolinski

Climate change and anthropogenic pollution are causing rapid changes to the world’s oceans and the ecosystems contained within them. Porifera (sea sponges) have been shown to be useful biomarkers for heavy metal accumulation. Traditional analysis requires the destruction of samples. Given the stress being placed upon marine species, this work seeks to create a viable process to evaluate heavy pollution without destroying the specimen, allowing it to be passed on to other researchers for further evaluation. Success of nondestructive analysis would allow for use of museum quality and other privately held historical specimens to be evaluated and returned to their owner. The data could generate historical and current maps of oceanic pollution to aid in generating future forecasts for the movement of pollutants and the development of successful remediation and marine habitat management strategies.

Six specimens of Dragmacidon lunaecharta were exposed to different concentrations of cadmium chloride contaminated sea water, to explore both the heavy metal uptake in the organisms and the capability of different imaging techniques. Cadmium was chosen due to its high neutron absorption cross section and its role as a highly toxic pollutant. Neutron imaging was performed at the Neutron Radiography (NRAD) reactor at Idaho National Laboratory using both digital and indirect film radiography. Multiple artifacts are visible in both sets of neutron radiography images. Comparison with neutron activation analysis data from previous experiments indicates these artifacts had a high probability of being cadmium. Prompt gamma analysis was performed at Forschungsneutronenquelle Heinz Maier-Leibnitz (FRM II) facility to confirm the identity if these artifacts. Neutron Computed Tomography, utilizing cold neutrons, was performed at the advanced neutron tomography and radiography experimental system (ANTARES-FRM II), to reveal the structure and distribution of the Cd deposits, allowing for volumetric analysis. Climate change and anthropogenic pollution are causing rapid changes to the world’s oceans and the ecosystems contained within them. Porifera (sea sponges) have been shown to be useful biomarkers for heavy metal accumulation. Traditional analysis requires the destruction of samples. Given the stress being placed upon marine species, this work seeks to create a viable process to evaluate heavy pollution without destroying the specimen, allowing it to be passed on to other researchers for further evaluation. Success of nondestructive analysis would allow for use of museum quality and other privately held historical specimens to be evaluated and returned to their owner. The data could generate historical and current maps of oceanic pollution to aid in generating future forecasts for the movement of pollutants and the development of successful remediation and marine habitat management strategies.

Comparing Small Mammal Communities on Remnant and Restored Prairies with a Special Emphasis on Rare Species Ecology - Time: Tue 12:30pm-1:30pm - Session Number: 4110 Olivia Vergin, Faith James, Peyton Lehman, and Dr. Joseph Whittaker, Department of Biology, Concordia College, 901 8th St S, Moorhead, MN 56562. Faith James, Olivia Vergin, Faith James, Peyton Lehman

As urban expansion converts wildlife habitats into agricultural and industrial land, native prairie lands have been reduced to 1% of their original area. This increases habitat fragmentation that disrupts species dynamics and populations, leading to low genetic diversity. Small mammals are vital to prairie ecosystems because they consume plant material and invertebrates, disperse seeds, and provide a source of food for larger species. Trapping of remnant and restored prairies provides data on small mammal community density and diversity. Comparing population data between remnant and restored prairies can inform successful management and restoration practices. We trapped small mammals in various remnant and restored prairies in northwestern Minnesota from 2012 to 2020 to compare small mammal species richness and evenness as well as to monitor populations of rare species. We set two to three grids with 50 traps (alternating Small Sherman, Large Sherman, and Longworth) per grid at each location. When a mammal was captured, we identified species, sex, and mass, and then marked for recapture. We collected body measurements and saliva samples from Peromyscus species for species identification. Our data analysis includes Simpson’s Reciprocal Index for richness and evenness, population trends for common and rare species, and species comparisons between restored and remnant prairies. Through our prairie surveys, we document occurrences of rare species, such as Perognathus flavescens, Microtus ochrogaster, and Zapus hudsonius. Our findings will help inform future management decisions. As urban expansion converts wildlife habitats into agricultural and industrial land, native prairie lands have been reduced to 1% of their original area. This increases habitat fragmentation that disrupts species dynamics and populations, leading to low genetic diversity. Small mammals are vital to prairie ecosystems because they consume plant material and invertebrates, disperse seeds, and provide a source of food for larger species. Trapping of remnant and restored prairies provides data on small mammal community density and diversity. Comparing population data between remnant and restored prairies can inform successful management and restoration practices. We trapped small mammals in various remnant and restored prairies in northwestern Minnesota from 2012 to 2020 to compare small mammal species richness and evenness as well as to monitor populations of rare species. We set two to three grids with 50 traps (alternating Small Sherman, Large Sherman, and Longworth) per grid at each location. When a mammal was captured, we identified species, sex, and mass, and then marked for recapture. We collected body measurements and saliva samples from Peromyscus species for species identification. Our data analysis includes Simpson’s Reciprocal Index for richness and evenness, population trends for common and rare species, and species comparisons between restored and remnant prairies. Through our prairie surveys, we document occurrences of rare species, such as Perognathus flavescens, Microtus ochrogaster, and Zapus hudsonius. Our findings will help inform future management decisions.

Comparison of leaf damage and trichomes of Wisconsin Helianthus populations grown in varying environments Ecology - Time: Tue 12:30pm-1:30pm - Session Number: 4117 Madilyn Vetter and Dr. Nora Mitchell, Biology Department, University of Wisconsin - Eau Claire, 105 Garfield Avenue, Eau Claire, WI 54702 Madilyn Vetter

Defenses against predators are an important adaptation in plants. Plants use both mechanical defenses (such as leaf hairs, trichomes) and chemical defenses to deter insect herbivores. Under global climate change, plants may encounter novel insect predators as species move northward and growing seasons lengthen. It is important to understand what mechanisms will enable crops and their wild relatives to respond to selective pressures. Traits, such as trichomes, may exhibit phenotypic plasticity in response to environmental differences or change genetically (evolve). Here, we ask: can sunflower species alter mechanical defenses to better defend against insect damage? Sunflowers (Helianthus) are an important crop and exhibit natural diversity throughout North America. Previous research has documented phenotypic plasticity in Helianthus traits, but knowledge of plasticity related to insect damage is limited. We assessed plant mechanical defenses and insect damage on three species of sunflower (H. grosseserratus, H. maximiliani, and H. giganteus), in three types of settings: greenhouse, common garden, and wild populations throughout Wisconsin, leaves were sampled from over 600 plants in total. This allowed us to compare growth in controlled and natural environments. Plants were assessed for leaf damage in situ and trichome (leaf hair) types and density were assessed using a dissecting microscope on the dried leaf samples taken. We found differences in insect damage and trichome densities between growing environments within species, indicative of environmentally driven plasticity. This research illustrates how sunflower species change their defenses in response to predators, which can inform us about how they may respond to novel predators and help to focus agricultural efforts such as pesticide development.

Could Wasps Be Pollinators? a Study on Body Pollen Carriage and Floral Fidelity Ecology - Time: Tue 11:00am-12:00pm - Session Number: 411 Paola Soto Mendez, Kate Borchardt, Dr. Amy Toth, Department of Ecology, Evolution, and Organismal Biology, Iowa State University, 2200 Osborn Dr Ames IA 50011 Paola Soto Mendez

Pollination is an important ecosystem service and facilitates the sexual reproduction of many plants in native and restored prairie systems of Iowa. Wasps visit flowers to forage on nectar similar to other pollinators, but the potential ability and efficiency of Northern paper wasps (Polistes fuscatus) has not been investigated. We measured pollen abundance and diversity on wild-caught Polistes and compared these measures to known pollinators, both native bees and soldier beetles. To determine if wasps could be pollinators, we used indicators such as amount of pollen on the body (pollen carriage), as well as whether the composition of pollen grains was predominantly from a single plant species (floral fidelity). Pollen was washed from each specimen and mounted on a microscope slide to be counted and identified. We predicted that wasps will have a similar amount of body pollen grains to native bee species, but they may show lower floral diversity and higher floral fidelity, such that wasps could be considered a possible pollinator. We found similar amounts of pollen on wasps as we did native bees and beetles, and a high proportion of and fidelity to Goldenrod (Solidago spp.) This supports that wasps could be pollinators of the genus, but further studies are required.

Description of a New Species of Hyalella (Amphipoda: Hyalellidae) from Belle Isle Ecology - Time: Tue 2:00pm-3:00pm - Session Number: 613 Molly McKeon, Taylor Hardy and Dr. Donna Kashian, Department of Biological Sciences, Wayne State University, 5047 Gullen Mall, Detroit MI 48202 Molly McKeon

Benthic macroinvertebrates make up a significant portion of the biomass of freshwater aquatic ecosystems. The macroinvertebrate species Hyalella azteca occurs in regions from the equator to the Arctic. They are found mainly in shallow freshwater environments, but also dwell in brackish water. They thrive in lentic or lotic water. They are characterized by spines on their dorsal side, which can vary amongst individuals; moreover, there has been variation in their second antennae length. This variation may be an indicator there is more than one taxa present. The differences being studied show a potential speciation event taking place in real-time. The primary objective of this research is to compare the gene sequence of Hyalella from freshwater lagoons on Belle Isle, Detroit MI and compare them to the GenBank® official H. azteca genome. Hyalella were collected from lagoons on Belle Isle with 500 µm D-Nets and stored separately in ethanol. The DNA will be amplified using PCR to obtain larger fragments. The primers are designed to be specific for Hyalella to avoid DNA contaminants. Samples will be sent for Sanger sequencing in forward and reverse directions to the University of Arizona. Our sequences from Hyalella will be compared to already published genomes found in GenBank® using Chromas, MegaX, BLAST and ClustalOmega. Preliminary data indicates that the species found on Belle Isle is a different species than the more-known H. Azteca. From assessment of past data, along with the proceedings from current evaluation of research this is a new species of amphipoda that has speciated from the original H. azteca specimen. If this is the case, publishable research will be formed and sent out by April of 2020 and the specimen in mind will be named. The speciation event creates an open field for further study and description of the specimen.

Determination of the Effects of the Lbl1 (leafbladeless1) Mutation on Meiotic Recombination in Maize Ecology - Time: Tue 12:30pm-1:30pm - Session Number: 4107 Tyshawn Ferrell 1,2, Damon Lisch 3, Meixia Zhao 1 1Department of Biology, Miami University, 501 E High St, Oxford, OH, 45056 2Department of Biology, Albany State University, 504 College Dr, Albany, GA 31705 3Department of Botany and Plant Pathology, Purdue University, 610 Purdue Mall, West Lafayette, IN, 47907 Tyshawn Ferrell

Meiotic recombination is a fundamental process that generates genetic diversity and ensures the accurate segregation of homologous chromosomes. Meiotic recombination is regulated by both genetic and epigenetic factors. While a great deal is known about genetic factors, relatively little is known about epigenetic factors, such as DNA methylation. In previous studies DNA methylation have been decreased in the presence of mop1. We hypothesize that the removal of DNA methylation can alter the frequency of recombination in the non-canical RNA directed DNA Methylation pathway. To test this hypothesis, we measured the meiotic recombination in a mutant named maize leafbladeless1 (lbl1), which can remove methylation by inhibiting the biogenesis of the small short interfering RNAs. In maize, by comparing the numbers of crossovers in two F2 populations derived from the lbl1 mutant and its wild type control plants using polymorphic genetic markers, we observed no significant changes in the frequency of meiotic recombination in both the euchromatic and heterochromatic regions between the mutant and the wild type plants. We further hypothesize that lbl1 may not alter the frequency of meiotic recombination globally, but only effects at some specific regions of the chromosomes where DNA methylation has been largely reduced. We have been analyzing high-throughput of small RNA and whole genome bisulfite sequencing data in order to determine those regions. Our future plans involve developing new polymorphic markers around chromosomal regions with largely reduced small RNAs and DNA methylation to investigate the frequency of meiotic recombination in the mutant and its wild type control. Our research will provide new insights into the understanding of how DNA methylation influence meiotic recombination.

Differences in Bold Personality Traits Between Captive Male and Female Coquerel’s Sifakas (Propithecus coquereli) Ecology - Time: Tue 12:30pm-1:30pm - Session Number: 4087 Elaina Savage, Dr. Lisa Paciulli, and Dr. Jennifer Verdolin, Department of Biological Sciences, North Carolina State University, 2200 Hillsborough St., Raleigh, NC 27607 Elaina Savage

Personality is the sum of characteristics that describe and account for temporally stable patterns of affect, cognition, and behavior. Boldness, curiosity, and inquisition are types of personalities in humans and non-human animals. Males and females may exhibit different personalities because females are often busy investing in reproductive and maternal behaviors. In this study, sex differences in bold personality traits were examined in captive Coquerel’s sifakas (Propithecus coquereli). It was hypothesized that male sifakas would be more bold than females because females have been selected to focus on maternal behaviors. A group of two male and two female Duke Lemur Center Coquerel’s sifakas were video-recorded for three hours over a three-week period. Two-and-a-half-minute instantaneous focal animal sampling was used to code behaviors from the video, such as acting dominant or submissive (eating first or later), inquisitive or non-inquisitive (exploring or not exploring a novel object), and curious or non-curious (looking at other lemur groups or not looking at them). After, dominant, inquisitive, and curious behaviors were categorized as “bold,” while submissive, non-inquisitive, and non-curious behaviors were categorized as “shy.” The results showed that the males displayed more bold behaviors than females, which supported the hypothesis. However, because the sample size was so small and the lemurs’ ages were similar, the results should be considered tentative. Future research should include longer observations of several groups of sifakas containing various ages of each sex, and studying female personality before, during, and after gestation and lactation.

Artificial reefs serve an important ecological role by providing a hard surface for sessile organisms to attach to, thereby drawing in predators of these organisms and establishing a working ecosystem. Many of the small invertebrates that live on reefs are poorly studied. This study aims to ameliorate our understanding of the invertebrate communities on artificial reefs by using molecular techniques to investigate the biodiversity of brachyuran decapods living on and among artificial reefs in the northern Gulf of Mexico. Specimens (n=1230) were collected from six different reefs across three seasons (spring, summer, and fall) using Autonomous Reef Monitoring Structures (ARMS) and were initially sorted into groups based on morphology. DNA barcoding was used to classify specimens. The COI mitochondrial sequence was amplified through PCR, and the sequences obtained from this process were compared to the BLASTn database to determine species classifications. This project aims to assess the biodiversity and spatial distribution of crustacean species throughout the northern Gulf of Mexico. Secondary objectives of the study are to track how species composition varies with the seasons and to provide information on the natural history of these organisms by tracking when females are gravid and when megalops larvae are present on the reef. As invertebrates are an integral part of the lower trophic levels of the food chain, our findings will ultimately contribute to our understanding of the whole artificial reef ecosystem.

Do Aboveground Crop Patches Indicate Belowground Microbial Hotspots? Ecology - Time: Tue 12:30pm-1:30pm - Session Number: 4111 Justin Lerma, Mandip Tamang, Orlando Garcia, Andrea Mota, Dr. Pushpa Soti, Department of Biology, University of Texas Rio Grande Valley, 1201 W University Dr, Edinburg, TX 78539 Justin Lerma The soil microbial community deeply affects soil sustainability and function through their role in the recycling of nutrients and carbon. The community of microbes in the soil are influenced by soil properties (such as pH and texture) and land use (such as cropping and soil tillage). Soil management practices change the physical and chemical properties of the soil creating fluctuating environments for the soil microbial community. Intensive farming practices tend to reduce the species diversity of the soil microbes in agricultural fields. In semi-arid dryland farming systems, crop patches are generally common because of multiple factors such as variation in soil moisture, herbivory, and the redistribution of soil sediments, nutrients and propagules from the bare areas towards the plant clumps, where they contribute to improve soil properties, in turn favoring plant growth. This study investigates the patchy growth of cover crops in a dryland grain system in South Texas to determine the relationship between the difference in the microclimate resulting from the crop patches and the soil microbial community. An aerial image of a 40-acre field was collected with a UAV during November 2019 and the field was divided into multiple blocks based on the canopy cover of the plants. Soil samples from these blocks were randomly collected and analyzed for the soil nematode community, mycorrhizal fungi spores and soil organic matter. Currently we are in the process of analyzing the FPLA in the soil to determine the microbial types and abundance. This is an ongoing project and the results will be presented at the conference.

The soil microbial community deeply affects soil sustainability and function through their role in the recycling of nutrients and carbon. The community of microbes in the soil are influenced by soil properties (such as pH and texture) and land use (such as cropping and soil tillage). Soil management practices change the physical and chemical properties of the soil creating fluctuating environments for the soil microbial community. Intensive farming practices tend to reduce the species diversity of the soil microbes in agricultural fields. In semi-arid dryland farming systems, crop patches are generally common because of multiple factors such as variation in soil moisture, herbivory, and the redistribution of soil sediments, nutrients and propagules from the bare areas towards the plant clumps, where they contribute to improve soil properties, in turn favoring plant growth. This study investigates the patchy growth of cover crops in a dryland grain system in South Texas to determine the relationship between the difference in the microclimate resulting from the crop patches and the soil microbial community. An aerial image of a 40-acre field was collected with a UAV during November 2019 and the field was divided into multiple blocks based on the canopy cover of the plants. Soil samples from these blocks were randomly collected and analyzed for the soil nematode community, mycorrhizal fungi spores and soil organic matter. Currently we are in the process of analyzing the FPLA in the soil to determine the microbial types and abundance. This is an ongoing project and the results will be presented at the conference.

Do Pellet Counts Count? Efficacy of Pellet Count Surveys for Estimating White-Tailed Deer Density Ecology - Time: Mon 1:30pm-2:30pm - Session Number: 117 Sarah A. Cain, Dr. Stephen S. Ditchkoff, Chad H. Newbolt, Dr. William D. Gulsby, and Dr. Robert A. Gitzen, School of Forestry and Wildlife Sciences, Auburn University, 602 Duncan Drive, Auburn AL 36849 Sarah Cain

Reliable estimates of white-tailed deer population density can provide information on population responses to various processes (e.g., disease, harvest) and help managers achieve population objectives. Numerous techniques for estimating deer density have been developed and tested, but there is considerable debate regarding their accuracy and precision. Pellet count surveys, for example, are generally regarded as ineffective because of the multiple assumptions (e.g. defecation rate, detectability) that managers cannot account for without significant additional work. However, pellet count surveys have rarely been applied to known populations, which limits understanding of the accuracy of this technique. Therefore, during fall-winter of 2020-2021, we systematically established ~600 plots within the Auburn University Deer Lab research facility, where all adult deer had uniquely numbered ear tags, to evaluate the accuracy and precision of pellet count surveys for determining white-tailed deer density. We compared resulting estimates to those generated using mark-recapture camera surveys of the marked deer, which we assumed provided accurate estimates of density. Population estimates were 85 (95% CI = 79–91) deer for the camera survey, and 32 (95% CI = 24.36–39.64) deer for 4-week pellet count survey. These data suggest that, possibly due to disappearance and non-visibility of pellet groups, 4-week pellet count surveys are not accurate and are less precise than camera surveys of marked individuals, likely making them unsuitable for research or management applications. Based on ongoing work, we will examine whether 8- and 12-week surveys improve our estimates.

Effect of Human Development on the Herpetofauna Community in the Peruvian Amazon Basin Ecology - Time: Mon 3:00pm-4:00pm - Session Number: 216 Alexander Marsh, Matthew Metcalf, Emmerson Torres, Devon Graham, Charles W Gunnels IV Florida Gulf Coast University 10501 FGCU Blvd. S Fort Myers, FL 33965 Alexander Marsh

Vertebrate biomass has declined by 60% since 1970, with some areas, such as South America, experiencing even more dramatic declines (~89%). Determining responses of different species to human development is crucial as humans continue to expand into natural areas. Herpetofauna communities are important indicators as they are abundant (~50% of all terrestrial vertebrate species), fill many niches, and are biologically and ecologically diverse. The Peruvian Amazon is one of the most biologically rich, but poorly studied environments. As a result, it is unclear how human development patterns in this area affect wildlife. This was the first study of herpetofauna community in the lowland Peruvian rainforest surrounding Iquitos, Loreto. We recorded herpetofauna through three different habitat types (primary forests, secondary forests, and agricultural pastures). Species numbers and diversity were similar between forest types. However, fewer animals were found in the agricultural pastures. Herpetofauna communities in the Peruvian Amazon appear to show some resilience when human development impacts are minimal and restoration efforts are proactive. However, resilience is lost when impacts are severe and sustained. As Amazonia continues to develop, understanding these changes on localized wildlife is vital to conserving one of the most biodiverse and ecologically important areas in the world. Additionally, all three habitat types had different community structures. While the community in secondary forests was positioned in between primary forest and pasture habitats, the primary and secondary forests appeared to share more species, whereas the pasture was more distinct.

Effects of a Low-Head Dam on a Sympatric Population of Turtles Ecology - Time: Tue 3:30pm-4:30pm - Session Number: 716 Reece Robinett and Professor Kayhan Ostovar, Department of Environmental Science, Rocky Mountain College, 1511 Poly Drive, Billings, MT 59102 Reece Robinett

Habitat loss and fragmentation due to dams is one of the most significant threats to turtles worldwide. Barriers can isolate populations and reduce genetic connectivity, increasing vulnerability to extinction-level events. Pryor Creek (Huntley, Montana) features a sympatric population of spiny softshell turtles (Apalone spinifera) and snapping turtles (Chelydra serpentina), and a 3-meter tall irrigation barrier. Both species exist above and below the barrier, but connectivity between these populations is unknown. We hypothesized that movements of both species would be restricted by the barrier. We also expected to see differences in population demographics above and below the barrier for each species due to population isolation and changes in habitat. A mark-recapture study of both species began in 2015. Radio-telemetry tracking of snapping turtles was included in 2017. In the summer of 2019 and 2020, additional snapping turtles were radio-tagged within 6 km of the barrier (total = 12), as well as 22 spiny softshell turtles. Movement data on 150 individual turtles over four years was analyzed. No snapping turtles have been documented bypassing the barrier, but five spiny softshell turtles successfully navigated around the barrier. Demographics of both species were significantly different above and below the barrier. No female snapping turtles were caught below the barrier, and no juvenile spiny softshell turtles were caught above the barrier. Mean weight of spiny softshell turtles above and below the barrier were significantly different, with higher weights found above the barrier. These results may be related to habitat differences created by the irrigation barrier which may affect nest sites and reproduction, food availability, hibernacula, and survival. This is the first study looking at the ability of turtles to navigate around an aquatic barrier, which has significant long-term implications for population persistence and conservation efforts.

Effects of a Non-indigenous Bryozoan on the Recruitment of the Native Olympia Oyster, Ostrea lurida. Ecology - Time: Tue 12:30pm-1:30pm - Session Number: 4089 Leeza-Marie Rodriguez and Danielle C. Zacherl, Biology Department, California State University- Fullerton, 800 N. State College Blvd. Fullerton, CA 92831-3599. Leeza-Marie Rodriguez

Non-indigenous fouling organisms that settle onto piers, seawalls, and natural hard substrata in estuaries can negatively impact native species via space competition, predation, or other mechanisms. We studied the effects of the invasive bryozoan, Zoobotryon verticillatum, and other fouling organisms on the recruitment of the native Olympia oyster, Ostrea lurida, to determine whether their presence, biomass, and abundance affect oyster recruitment. Terracotta tiles acting as a proxy for available hard substrata were deployed in Upper Newport Bay, California at tidal elevations ranging from -0.4 to +0.1 feet MLLW for five months throughout the oyster spawning and recruitment season between April and October, 2020. We established five treatment groups (n= 5 replicates per tile) to examine the effects of Z. verticillatum and of other fouling organisms on recruitment of O. lurida: unmanipulated controls, Z. verticillatum removals, Z. verticillatum plus other fouler removals, other fouler removals with Z. verticillatum additions, and other fouler removals with 2X Z. verticillatum additions. The tiles were surveyed and treatment groups were maintained monthly by removing foulers and adding or removing Z. verticillatum as appropriate per treatment; all removals were quantified via volume displacement as a proxy for biomass. Upon retrieval of the tiles, the volume displacement and wet weight of all remaining Z. verticillatum and other foulers were recorded. Oysters recruiting to the tiles were measured for length and width, identified, and counted. We also recorded percent cover of all species recruiting to the tiles using point contact techniques. Preliminary results suggest that Z. verticillatum is potentially facilitating Olympia oyster recruitment as Z. verticillatum removals resulted in lower oyster recruitment. Some common non-indigenous fouling organisms may not be as problematic as predicted when restoring native species in estuarine communities.

Effects of Low Summer Flow on Stream Physicochemistry, Macroinvertebrate Abundance, and Redband Trout (Oncorhynchus Mykiss Gairdneri) Condition in an Ephemeral Idaho Stream Ecology - Time: Tue 12:30pm-1:30pm - Session Number: 4081 Andrew Wymore, Travis Landon, Lydia Brown, and Dr. Chris Walser Department of Biology, The College of Idaho, 2112 Cleveland Blvd, Caldwell, ID, 83605 Andrew Wymore

Intermittent rivers and ephemeral streams are the most common water bodies in many parts of the world. Yet, these ecosystems remain far less studied than perennial waterways. Dry Creek, a small ephemeral stream in southwestern Idaho, supports a genetically pure population of redband trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss). Our study objective was to evaluate trout response to changing physicochemical conditions and macroinvertebrate abundance as stream habitats shift from flowing, connected habitats to stagnant, isolated habitats. From June to September 2019, we used data loggers to monitor stream temperatures and dissolved oxygen concentrations at 30-min intervals across 10 study reaches. We measured current velocity weekly at all study reaches. Across each reach, drifting macroinvertebrates were collected biweekly, while trout were sampled monthly. Upon capture, trout were measured (mm) and weighed (g). We used the Fish Condition Factor (K) to estimate fish health. Across the study period, current velocity decreased across all study reaches. Mean daily water temperatures (6.4-22.3 deg C) were within an acceptable range for redband trout. On 18 days in August and September, dissolved oxygen levels fell below the critical limit for trout (6.0 mg/L). Across all reaches, the rate of delivery of drifting macroinvertebrates (number/15 min.) was significantly lower in August than June and July (p<0.05). Mean K for redband trout was significantly higher in July (1.25) than September (0.99) (p<0.05). We attribute the decrease in fish condition over time to low levels of dissolved oxygen and decreased delivery of drifting macroinvertebrates brought upon by reduced stream flow.

Effects of Low-Tech Restoration Structures on Activity of Coleoptera in Sagebrush Steppe Ecology - Time: Tue 12:30pm-1:30pm - Session Number: 4084 Ethan Palen, Dr. Andrea Litt, Montana State University, 113 A.J.M. Johnson, P.O. Box 173010, Bozeman, MT 59715-3561 Ethan Palen

Mesic areas in sagebrush steppe are areas with intermediate amounts of water, typically sourced from snowpack. Due to climate change, snow has begun to melt earlier in the spring, which leads to less water flowing into the mesic areas in the summer months. Low-tech restoration structures could help retain moisture and reverse drying trends. These structures have been shown to increase plant productivity previously, we sought to explore how changes in soil moisture, through installation of restoration structures, would likely influence the occurrence of beetle families. Through pitfall trapping, we collected and analyzed the occurrence of the selected families Carabidae, Chysomelidae, Curculionidae, Scarabidae, and Tenebrionidae. Relatively few individuals were captured during sampling, and as such only the presence/absence of Carabidae and Curculionidae could be analyzed. We did not detect treatment-based differences in the presence of Carabidae in any month of sampling, nor in the presence of Curculionidae in June or August, although we found we were 94% less likely to observe Curculionidae in treated reaches (95% CI: 0.00004 to 111%, z = -1.43, P = 0.15). Due to a lack of data, conclusive results could not be obtained. Future experiments should consider longer pitfall trapping dates and sampling longer after structure installation.

Effects of Organic Fertilizers on Herbivore Performance Ecology - Time: Tue 12:30pm-1:30pm - Session Number: 4108 Phoebe Scharle, Dr. Amanda Meier, and Dr. Bill Snyder Microbiology and Entomology, University of Georgia 101 Herty Drive Athens, Georgia 30602-6113 Phoebe Scharle

Plant-herbivore interactions are shaped by both soil nutrient availability and soil microbial communities. For example, soil microbes can upregulate plant defenses, reducing herbivore performance. Farmers add organic amendments to soils, altering macro-and micro-nutrients available to plants and soil microbial communities, with potential consequences for plant-herbivore interactions. Indeed, crops grown in soils with high organic matter and rich microbial activity often have a reduced prevalence of insect pests. However, we lack an understanding of how particular soil amendments, by altering soil nutrient availability and microbial communities, influence plant-herbivore interactions. Therefore, we evaluated how different organic amendments shape herbivores' abundances in the field. We examined this through a field experiment in tomatoes (Solanum lycopersicum) over the course of fourteen weeks. In a full factorial design, we fertilized four varieties of tomatoes (Cherokee Purple, Eva Purple Ball, Mountain Magic, Defiant PhR) with either chicken meal, fish meal, worm castings, a mix of all three, or nothing, and surveyed insect abundances biweekly. Over the season, hornworm caterpillars (Manduca sexta) were most abundant on plants of all varieties fertilized with chicken meal, and were most abundant on Cherokee Purple plants, consistently among fertilizer treatments. Armyworms (Spodoptera spp.) were also most abundant on Cherokee Purple plants but displayed no preference for fertilizer treatments. In contrast, flea beetles were most abundant on plants fertilized with fish meal, especially Defiant PhR plants. Our findings demonstrate that soil amendments, by altering plant quality, have strong effects on herbivore abundances in the field, but that the effects are herbivore species-specific.

Effects of predation hazard on habitat selection of fathead minnows (Pimephales promelas) Ecology - Time: Tue 2:00pm-3:00pm - Session Number: 613 Rebecca Piche, Faith Day, and Ben Brammell, Department of Science and Health, Asbury University, 1 Macklem Dr, Wilmore KY 40390 Rebecca Piche

The optimal foraging theory predicts that organisms engage in the most efficient feeding pattern available. Foragers have been widely demonstrated to select foraging sites based on both net energetic return and risk of death. Furthermore, this selection by foragers has frequently been demonstrated as a significant factor in altering habitat, such as increased algal biomass in areas avoided by foragers in aquatic systems. Additional studies have explored the direct interaction between net energetic return and risk of death, demonstrating increased risk tolerance with increased energetic returns in interactions between large predacious and small foraging creek chubs (Semotilus atromaculatus). Smallmouth bass (Micropterus dolomieu, SMB) are commonly the top predators in native central Kentucky mid-size stream fish communities with Cyprinid species comprising much of the lower trophic levels. In the present study we examined foraging in a Cyprinid species (fathead minnows, Pimephales promelas, FHM) in the presence of and absence of a large predator (SMB). Briefly, a 1 m2 container was constructed with a 0.2 m2 refuge (foraging FHM could enter but predacious SMB could not) at one end. A single predacious SMB was acclimated to the container before the introduction of 8 FHM. Bloodworms were offered to the 8 FHM in the container outside the refuge in the presence of one large (17 – 18.9 cm) SMB. FHM did forage in the presence of the predator but at a reduced rate (mean of 2 less FHM outside refuge, p = 0.004). These data contribute to our understanding of trophic interactions in these sympatric species and expand our understanding of optimal foraging in Cyprinid species.

Effects of Trophic Pressures on Nocturnal Activity in Wisconsin Microbats (Chiroptera: Vespertilionidae) Ecology - Time: Tue 12:30pm-1:30pm - Session Number: 4118 Grace Wampole, Kyle Bergendahl, Zachary Williams, Mitchell Anderson, Shannon O’Malley, Dr. Catherine Mossman, Dr. Jessica Orlofske, Department of Biological Sciences, University of Wisconsin - Parkside, 900 Wood Rd, Kenosha WI 53144 Grace Wampole, Kyle Bergendahl

Bats are susceptible to opposing ecological pressures as both prey and predators. “Lunar phobia” may decrease bat activity time during periods of strong lunar illumination to avoid predation by raptor species. However, many insects are positively phototactic and exhibit greater activity with lunar illumination. Bats must respond to these conflicting pressures. We predicted a positive correlation between bat and insect activity during the first and third quarter moon phases with strong negative correlations during the new and full moon. To test this, we collected paired arthropod samples and bat recordings at dusk for nine 60-minute sampling events between May-August 2019 at two wooded sites in Racine Co., WI. Quantitative arthropod samples were collected using light traps at both sites. Bat calls were recorded using a Baton bat detector attached to a voice recorder. Bat call analyses were completed using the freeware program, Audacity. The recordings were assessed and cleared of background noise in order to quantify the number and duration of each echolocation call. Arthropods collected were identified to family using taxonomic keys and cross-referenced to publications on bat diet and foraging behavior to evaluate food quality. Using a Pearson correlation, there was a strong positive correlation (64.11%) between insect richness and percentage of microbat activity as well as a positive correlation (56.95%) between bat activity and percentage of the moon visible for each date which is contrary to the “lunar phobia” hypothesis. We observed a trend in increased microbat activity when there was an increase in arthropod richness and abundance; however, more data is needed to address outside factors. Understanding how bats and their insect prey respond to natural illumination can be used to predict the impact of light pollution on food web dynamics.

English Ivy Removal and Restoration of Biodiversity in a Piedmont Forest Ecology - Time: Tue 12:30pm-1:30pm - Session Number: 510 Collin Anderson, Eli Dickerson, and Dr. Matthew Weand, Department of Ecology, Evolution, and Organismal Biology, Kennesaw State University, 1000 Chastain Road, Kennesaw GA 30144 Collin Anderson

Biodiversity is key to the resilience and health of ecosystems. Invasive species threaten biodiversity through their potential to out-compete native species. The Fernbank Forest is a unique urban forest in Atlanta, Georgia, where English Ivy (Hedera helix) is the major invasive species. In many restoration efforts that remove invasive species, the recovery of native plants is often compromised by disturbances introduced by restoration processes such as chemical treatment and mechanical digging. However, disturbance was minimized at Fernbank by carefully removing the invasive species by hand. We took advantage of this forest restoration effort to examine the recovery of native species, surveying plots across the forest with lower, middle, and upper elevations. Within each elevation, we compared the diversity and percent cover of control plots (containing English Ivy) to removal plots. We hypothesized that hand removal of English ivy would result in higher native plant biodiversity and percent cover. Based on observations of deeper, richer soil and higher species richness in riparian zones, we also predicted that plots in the lower elevations would show greater diversity after removal compared to the higher elevation plots. From the start of the restoration in 2018 to Fall 2020, removal plots, and surprisingly control plots, showed an upward trend in diversity. Removal plots were consistently more diverse and showed a faster rate of recovery than control plots. Removal plots showed a 78 percent increase in diversity while control plots showed a 49 percent increase over the course of the study. The results did not support a significant difference in recovery between upper and lower elevations. These findings will help future restoration efforts by providing data on the effectiveness of these restoration methods, as well as provide a reference from which to set recovery expectations.

Environmental Variables Regulate Prevalence of Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis Infections in California Amphibian Populations Ecology - Time: Tue 12:30pm-1:30pm - Session Number: 4088 Margaret P. Paulsen, Wynne E. Moss, Brendan K. Hobart, and Dr. Pieter T. Johnson, Ecology and Evolutionary Biology Department, University of Colorado at Boulder, 1900 Pleasant St, Boulder, CO 80302 Margaret Paulsen

The emergence and global spread of the pathogenic chytrid fungus Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis (Bd) is a major threat to amphibian biodiversity. In regions where the disease is endemic, the environmental mechanisms regulating infection severity are not well understood. The goal of our study was to better understand how variation in local environmental conditions impacts Bd prevalence in a region where the disease is endemic (California’s East Bay Region). We used field survey data compiled in 2019, consisting of infection data for multiple amphibian species from 75 ponds. We applied generalized linear mixed models to quantify the relationship between Bd prevalence and environmental variables related to climate, water chemistry, and land use for two abundant species captured in our study area: Pseudacris regilla and Anaxyrus boreas. Our findings suggest that pH, air and water temperature, and developed land cover had the strongest effects on disease prevalence in populations of A. boreas and P. regilla in this region. Furthermore, the models indicated that Bd infection in the two species did not respond equally to the environmental variables that were included in the full model, with disease prevalence in A. boreas being more heavily influenced by climate (air temperature and vapor pressure deficit) while prevalence in P. regilla was more responsive to pond conditions (pH, depth, and water temperature). Future studies and policies must take these differences into account when developing effective strategies for managing the disease at each pond.

Evaluating the Use of Autonomous Recording Units for Monitoring Northern Bobwhite Coveys Ecology - Time: Tue 12:30pm-1:30pm - Session Number: 4091 Elke Windschitl and Dr. Adam Janke, Department of Natural Resource Ecology and Management, Iowa State University, Ames, IA 50011 Elke Windschitl

Northern bobwhite fall distribution is monitored annually as part of the National Bobwhite Conservation Initiative. Typically, fall monitoring is done by point count surveys of bobwhite covey calls, but this is logistically difficult. Autonomous Recording Units (ARUs) are increasingly being used to record avian acoustics and estimate bird abundances. Here, we evaluate the use of ARUs to monitor coveys by addressing three critical questions. First, we played recorded calls to an array of ARUs to evaluate whether units detected calling coveys. Second, we paired ARUs with human observers during point count surveys to compare abundance and ARU metrics. Third, we evaluated processing methods to determine whether they were non biased and efficient between processors. Detectability of calls on ARUs decreased as distance increased to 575 meters, but never dropped below 60%. Field observers and ARU processors had nearly the same estimates of occupancy supporting that ARUs accurately detected when a covey called. Finally, we observed minimal processor bias in covey detection and found a shorter survey window yielded consistent results. Our work demonstrates that application of ARUs for monitoring northern bobwhites has some promise for occupancy and efficiency but has limitations compared to abundance metrics derived from human observers.

The prevalent use of pesticides throughout the United States has resulted in unintended negative consequences for non-target organisms. Rain run-off can move multiple pesticides into environments bringing them into contact with non-target organisms that have variable tolerances to pollution. There are limited studies on how the compounding effects of pollutants impact freshwater microbiomes. Previous research conducted by our lab observed that acute treatment of common herbicides on crayfish annelid ectosymbionts resulted in mortality. Therefore, we selected a similar combined treatment to investigate the effect of these environmentally relevant pesticide concentrations on the microbiomes of the crayfish and their environment (sediment and water). This project examines these microbiomes before and after a 48-hour exposure to 2000 ppb of herbicides (glyphosate, atrazine, and 2,4-D) and seeks to answer two questions: 1) Will acute exposure to pesticides reduce bacterial diversity and richness within a freshwater environment (water and substrate) and on biota (crayfish)? and 2) Will certain bacterial populations in the microbiome be more resilient to acute pesticide exposure? We expect that acute pesticide exposure will: 1) reduce bacterial diversity and richness across sample types and 2) that the acute exposure will result in a shift in bacterial populations which predominate in the resulting microbiomes. This study seeks to improve our understanding of how an acute exposure to pesticides may restructure microbial communities on crayfish hosts and in freshwater environments.

Fatheads Don’t Eat Plastic: Food Preference Among Juvenile Fathead Minnows Ecology - Time: Tue 3:30pm-4:30pm - Session Number: 716 Kendall Wald and Dr. Susan Allen, Department of Environmental Studies and Sciences, Ithaca College, 953 Danby Road, Ithaca NY 14850 Kendall Wald

There is a continuous increase of synthetic plastic production, leading to an accumulation of plastic waste in aquatic environments. Most plastics do not biodegrade. Instead, they break down into smaller pieces. Microplastics are synthetic polymers that are less than 5mm in diameter that can be ingested by aquatic organisms accidentally or purposely if they mistake them for food, which has been demonstrated in several studies. It’s believed that this consumption results from visual or tactile misidentification; especially if the plastic is of similar size and color as its prey. To test this hypothesis, two age classes of fathead minnows (Pimephales promelas), a one-month old (N=20) and three-month old (N=30), were observed one at a time in an arena with similar looking microbeads and food using a behavior tracking system (EthoVision) to test for favorability. Both age classes were found to favor their food over the microbeads (1-month p-value of .002; 3-month p-value of 2.44E-11), however, the older age class demonstrated higher favorability for food, which indicates older fish have a stronger ability to distinguish food from microplastics and fish may have the ability learn. The favorability of food over microplastics of similar size, shape, and color leads to the conclusion that olfaction may play a role in selective ingestion.

Genetic Variability and Inbreeding in Gray Fox (Urocyon cinereoargenteus) Populations in Ohio Ecology - Time: Tue 12:30pm-1:30pm - Session Number: 4104 Emma Young and Dr. Christine Anderson, Department of Biological and Environmental Sciences, Capital University, 1 College and Main, Columbus, OH 43209 Emma Young

The gray fox (Urocyon cinereoargenteus) is one of two native fox species in Ohio. They are also one of two species within their genus worldwide, making them taxonomically unique. Gray fox populations have been in severe decline over the past 20 years in Ohio, likely due to the co-occurrence of the invasion of coyotes (Canis latrans) as competitors and predators, increase in raccoons (Procyon lotor) as sources of canine distemper disease, and a record high harvest of gray foxes in the early 1980s. Small populations may experience inbreeding depression, loss of genetic variation, and lowered immunity pushing it beyond a critical point and driving it to local extinction. It was predicted in this study that genetic variation in gray foxes was low and inbreeding depression was detectable in Ohio populations. A total of 20 extracted gray fox DNA samples from 10 counties in eastern and southeastern Ohio were obtained and amplified in multiplex reactions at three different microsatellite loci (GF-04, GF-09, and GF-14) using Qiagen’s Multiplex PCR kit. The products were confirmed on 3% agarose gels and then genotyped at the OSUCCC-James Genomics Shared Resource Facility on an ABI 3730 genetic analyzer. Results showed that observed (HO) and expected heterozygosity (HE) were 0.699 and 0.705, respectively, and the level of inbreeding (FIS) was 0.034 using the program GENEPOP. Surprisingly, these initial findings suggest that genetic variation is moderate to high and inbreeding is low. Despite these preliminary results, 33 more gray fox tissue samples have been collected and will be analyzed and amplified at additional loci. This will provide a clearer understanding of the status of U. cinereoargenteus populations in Ohio. After additional data collection, if low genetic variation is observed, it may be necessary to design management plans to preserve genetic variation and conserve the species.

Global Protection of Alliance for Zero Extinction Sites and the Conservation of Threatened and Near Threatened Species Ecology - Time: Wed 12:00pm-1:00pm - Session Number: 915 Margaretta Walker and Dr. David Luther, Biology Department, George Mason University, 4400 University Drive, Fairfax, VA 22030 Margaretta Walker

More species in the world are threatened with extinction today than at any other time in recent history. The Alliance for Zero Extinction (AZE) is a global initiative started in 2005 which works to prevent extinctions of the world’s most at-risk species. It identifies locations, known as AZE sites, which contain greater than 95% of an Endangered or Critically Endangered species’ global population. To explore the greater benefit of AZE sites to the conservation of threatened and Near Threatened mammal, bird, and amphibian species, we assess how the level of protection of AZE Sites has changed since 2005 and compare this to other Key Biodiversity Areas (KBAs). We determine how many of those species which are threatened or near threatened but do not meet AZE criteria have spatial ranges that overlap with AZE sites, and we assess protection of both AZE and non-AZE species. We also compare protection among mammals, amphibians, and birds. In order to assess all these factors, we created a multilayered map in QGIS ArcMap consisting of spatial ranges of Threatened and Near Threatened mammals, birds, and amphibians, global protected areas, and the 2018 map of all KBAs, including AZE Sites. We conclude that AZE Sites are helping to protect a wide range of threatened species beyond just AZE species, and that increased monitoring of amphibians and protecting and effectively managing more AZE sites should be prioritized to prevent extinctions. By conducting the first comprehensive global study of AZE Sites since 2005, we aim to contribute to the “Post-2020 Biodiversity Framework” expected to be adopted in 2021 by the Convention on Biological Diversity.

How Does Atrazine Affect Corticosterone Stress Response in the Northern Two-lined Salamander (Eurycea bislineata)? Ecology - Time: Tue 12:30pm-1:30pm - Session Number: 4096 Darlene Slavick and Dr. Tanya Matlaga, Department of Biology, Susquehanna University, 514 University Ave, Selinsgrove PA 17870 Darlene Slavick

Atrazine is a widely used herbicide that enters streams and serves as an abiotic stressor. Such herbicides cause chronic stress in exposed aquatic organisms and can contribute to local and global declines in amphibian populations. While studies have shown a relationship between atrazine exposure and dysregulated stress response in several amphibian species, there has been no such study on the northern two-lined salamander (Eurycea bislineata), commonly found in agricultural regions. Our study aims to determine the effects of atrazine on stress response in northern two-lined salamander larvae via water-borne collection of the stress hormone corticosterone. We predict that atrazine will alter corticosterone release in larvae exposed to higher concentrations of the herbicide, indicating a dysregulated stress response. Larvae were exposed to 0, 50, 100, 200 μg/L atrazine with 5 replicates per treatment for 14 days. We will validate water-borne corticosterone collection in this species via a standard agitation test. We will be analyzing the water samples for corticosterone levels using an enzyme-immunoassay kit in spring 2021. Examining the impacts of atrazine on stress levels of northern two-lined salamander larvae will provide insight into how to mitigate amphibian population decline.

Hyperparasitism of Four Species of Avian Ectoparasitic Hippoboscid Flies by Mites on Vancouver Island, British Columbia, Canada Ecology - Time: Mon 3:00pm-4:00pm - Session Number: 216 Samuelle Simard-Provençal, Dr. Timothy Goater, Vancouver Island University, 900 Fifth St, Nanaimo, BC V9R 5S5. Samuelle Simard-Provençal

Hippoboscid flies (Diptera: Hippoboscidae) are ectoparasites, with one sub-family, Ornithomyinae, mainly parasitizing birds. Despite being common parasites, little is known regarding their distribution, species host-parasite interactions, and instances of mite hyperparasitism. During the fall migrations of 2018 and 2019, hippoboscid flies were collected from live birds trapped in mist nets at bird banding stations in Nanaimo and Metchosin on Vancouver Island, British Columbia, Canada. A total of 162 flies of six different species were collected, and 55 of these flies were observed to carry hyperparasitic mites (prevalence = 34.0%). Four of the six recovered fly species (Ornithoica vicina, Ornithomya anchineuria, Ornithomya bequaerti, and Icosta sp.) are bird-associated parasites, while the other two (Lipoptena depressa and Neolipoptena ferrisi) may have been accidental captures of mammal-associated parasites. Hippoboscid flies were recovered from 29 different bird species accounting for 120 individual birds. Of the 162 flat flies preserved for species identification, a total of 95 specimens were O. vicina (58.6%), 47 were O. bequaerti (29.0%), 11 were O. anchineuria (6.8%), and three were identified to the genus Icosta. Gravid female mites were attached to the flies’ abdomens and were nearly all associated with a cluster of eggs (estimated fecundity = 13.0 ± 7.12 eggs per mite (mean ± SD)). The bird species with the greatest number of flat fly-infested birds were Oregon Junco, Junco hyemalis oreganus, Puget-sound White-crowned Sparrow, Zonotrichia leucophrys pugetensis, and Song Sparrow, Melospiza melodica. The findings of this study contribute to the limited knowledge of these ectoparasitic flies, hyperparasitic mites, and their host associations.

Identification of Hepatopancreatic Parasites Afflicting Crayfish and Associated Snails in Local Virginia Streams Ecology - Time: Tue 12:30pm-1:30pm - Session Number: 4112 Cara Arrasmith, Jonathan Tenerovich, and Dr. Kyle Harris, Department of Biology and Chemistry, Liberty University 1971 University Blvd, Lynchburg, VA 24515 Jonathan Tenerovich, Cara Arrasmith , Nathanael Lamb, Jessica Welty, Amelia Wickham, Ashton Young, Ashley Warren

Knowledge of the presence of infectious trematodes or other parasitic organisms dwelling within freshwater crayfish in central Virginia is limited. Related research within Virginia has focused upon trematode infection in Appalachian stream snails, lung helminths in bobcats, and endoparasites in amphibians. Within North America, human infection with trematodes belonging to the Paragonimus kellicotti have been reported, primarily in Mississippi and various Midwestern states. Paragonimus sp. use crayfish as a primary intermediate host after being released from snails as cercariae. Within the freshwater ecosystems of Central Virginia, snails and crayfish could be potential intermediary hosts for observing the presence of trematodes.

The purpose of this study will be to identify the parasitic organism(s) inhabiting the hepatopancreas of crayfish and associated cercariae within snails collected from urban and rural Virginian stream ecosystems. Parasite cyst presence will be quantified and compared in relation to the total length and blotted wet mass (BWM) of individual crayfish. In addition, snails from the study sites will be collected to assess for cercarial presence to support trematode identification. There are three expected outcomes of this study: 1) It is expected that parasites will be found in the hepatopancreas tissue of both the urban and rural stream environments, but that the intensity of cysts presence will be greater in the urban stream. 2) It is expected that hepatopancreas parasite presence will be positively correlated with an increase in crayfish size. 3) It is expected that snails from both stream study sites will carry cercaria. Preliminary examinations of the crayfish hepatopancreas has shown a positive correlation with regards to BWM and cyst density/hepatopancreas/crayfish. After the identification and intensity of parasitic organisms in the streams have been assessed, application will be made to the prevalence of crayfish and snail endoparasites.

Implications of COVID-19 on Wildlife Daytime Activity Ecology - Time: Mon 4:30pm-5:30pm - Session Number: 314 Benjamin S. Carr 1, Dr. Michel T. Kohl 1, and Kaitlin Goode 2, Warnell College of Forestry and Natural Resources, University of Georgia, Warnell, 180 E Green St, Athens, GA 30602 1 Warnell College of Forestry and Natural Resources, University of Georgia, Athens, GA 2 Urban Wildlife Program, Georgia Division of Wildlife Resources, Social Circle, GA Benjamin Carr, Kaitlin Goode

Urbanization is occurring at an unprecedented rate around the globe. By 2030, it is projected that approximately 60% of the total human population will reside within urbanized areas. These urban centers can have significant impacts on ecosystem processes and structure including changes to animal behavior such as decreased daytime wildlife activity levels or alterations to wildlife movement patterns. However, the onset of COVID-19 has resulted in significant and unprecedented behavioral shifts in human activity. In urban areas, government mandated shutdowns have led to reduced human presence and activity in many urban areas. This decrease in urban activity led to concomitant increases in recreational activities both within urban greenspaces and across more rural areas outside of urban centers typically void of large human presences. This provides an ideal opportunity to understand the response of daytime wildlife activity to varying gradients of human activity. To quantity these impacts, we assessed daytime wildlife activity across a rural to urban gradient. We quantified wildlife activity via video recordings taken by game cameras at baited sites (n = 60) across north Georgia. We recorded daytime activity over a three to four week period across all camera sites and will quantify the proportion of diurnal observations as a function of human activity using generalized linear models. I will quantify human activity using county- and day-specific measures of cell phone use, available from Google Mobility Reports, and turkey harvest. Turkey harvest data, provided by Georgia DNR, is a suitable proxy of human use of rural landscapes since harvest rates are directly related to hunter presence on the landscape. Despite the unfortunate circumstances, COVID-19 has provided a remarkable opportunity to investigate how wildlife is affected by human activity. We expect this information to provide a better understanding of how closely human and wildlife activity are intertwined.

Influence of Physical Barriers Significantly Reducing Stream Flow and Seasonal Variation in Determining Stream Quality Using Subsampling of Macroinvertebrates Collected Using Kick-Net Techniques Ecology - Time: Tue 12:30pm-1:30pm - Session Number: 510 Jennifer Brenner, Professor John Griffis, Department of Natural Science, Joliet Junior College, 1215 Houbolt Road, Joliet Illinois 60431 USA Jennifer Brenner

Assessing the water quality of streams can be accomplished by collecting benthic macroinvertebrates and analyzing them. Although the overall goal of determining stream quality is to monitor pollution trends, numerous environmental variables can impact macroinvertebrate communities. The objective of this study was to examine the effects of a physical barrier (log jam) reducing stream flow (0 velocity) and its interaction with seasonal variation, on stream quality determination. Biological surveys were completed and using broad taxa categorization this study compared results obtained from kick-net collections that were taken at three sites (upstream, midstream and downstream) at Van Horn Woods in Plainfield, Illinois in the Lily Cache Creek on specific dates in spring (6/15, positive flow), summer (9/4, 0 flow, log jam) and fall (10/20, positive flow). Along with comparing different seasons, natural barriers caused by weather and storms that resulted in 0 water velocity were observed to determine any affect on water quality determination. Steam quality, as determined using Macrobiotic Indices (MBI) established by Illinois RiverWatch protocol (a citizen scientist initiative) was similar for spring, positive velocity and summer, 0 velocity as “fair--some pollution” but was found to be “poor--significant pollution” in fall, positive velocity. EPT (Epheroptera, Plecoptera, Trichoptera)/non EPT individuals collected varied significantly in all comparisons except between summer, 0 velocity and fall, positive velocity. Pollution intolerant/pollution tolerant individuals collected varied for all comparisons. The Shannon Diversity Index was much lower for summer, 0 velocity (1.5) than for spring, positive velocity (2.3) and fall, positive velocity (2.02). Seasonal variation appeared to play a bigger role in stream quality determination than 0 velocity flow, caused by a log jam; however, 0 velocity flow resulted in a reduced even distribution of diversity of macroinvertebrates, as indicated by SDI.

Innovation in Restoration: Estimating Seed Counts Using a Photography App Ecology - Time: Mon 3:00pm-4:00pm - Session Number: 216 Samantha Kelly, Cessair McKinney, and Dr. Kerry Byrne, Environmental Science and Management, Humboldt State University, 1 Harpst St, Arcata, CA 95521 Samantha Kelly , Cessair McKinney

The field of restoration ecology is growing rapidly, and scientists continue to search for innovative techniques to make restoring degraded ecosystems more effective. Restoration projects involve restoring plant communities through direct seeding. Seeds are often acquired from nearby reference communities, as there is some evidence that local seed may be more adapted to prevailing conditions. It can be difficult to quantify the number of seeds collected, particularly for species with small or variable seed size. The process of accurately quantifying seeds is labor-intensive and therefore costly. A rapid alternative to manually counting seed might be to estimate seed quantity through a photo counting software. The objective of our study was to assess the accuracy and reliability of a user friendly photo counting software to estimate the number of seeds for two small-seeded sagebrush species; Artemisia cana and Artemisia arbuscula. We analyzed the accuracy and reliability of the photography application (app) “CountThings” to count the seeds of these two species of sagebrush. First, we manually counted seed samples then compared these values to the estimate calculated by the photography app. We conducted a linear regression to compare the estimated seed counts to the actual seed counts. We manually counted a total of 34 seed samples, ranging in size from 7 to 438 seeds with an average of about 183 seeds. We found that the number of seeds estimated using “CountThings” was similar to the numbers of seeds manually counted (R2 = 0.92). The incorporation of photography software to count seeds for restoration is uncommon and there is little scientific literature on the subject beyond seed counting for agricultural purposes. The accuracy of “CountThings” suggests that photo counting apps could be a useful tool for ecologists and land managers who desire a rapid method to accurately estimate seed numbers for restoration purposes.

Investigating Phenotypic Plasticity Along Two Axes of Plant Variation in Helianthus Ecology - Time: Tue 12:30pm-1:30pm - Session Number: 4116 Aleksander Leonardson, Lydia McNabb, Dr. Nora Mitchell, Department of Biology University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire Phillips Science Hall 330 101 Roosevelt Ave Eau Claire, WI 54701 Aleksander Leonardson, Lydia McNabb

Climate factors, such as temperature and rainfall, affect both leaf investment (measured by specific leaf area, SLA) and plant height, two axes of phenotypic variation. Previous research has found evidence of trait-environment relationships, where taller plants with higher SLA values are associated with hotter and more intensely lit environments. With the onset of temperature increases in many regions, plants found in any specific, whether wild or cultivated, must cope with increased heat and water loss. Here we ask whether plants exhibit phenotypic plasticity regarding SLA and overall height, with weedy perennial sunflowers (Helianthus) as our model study system. Plasticity is how organisms rapidly adjust trait values in response to growing conditions in the environment, as opposed to genetic (evolutionary) change occurring over generations. We established two replicate common gardens separated by approximately 3km in Eau Claire, Wisconsin, each composed of 75 randomly distributed individuals from three perennial sunflower species, H grosseserratus, H giganteus, and H maximiliani. During the growing season we collected leaves and measured SLA, and recorded final plant height. We found substantial phenotypic plasticity in both traits, with higher SLA values and taller plants at one garden compared to the other. Evidence of plasticity in these two important traits, even between two closely related locations, sheds light on the potential for plasticity to act as a mechanism for responding to novel climatic conditions under upcoming climate.

Latitudinal Gradients in Large Milkweed Bug (Hemiptera: Lygaeidae) Reproductive Ecology and Climate Responses Ecology - Time: Wed 1:30pm-2:30pm - Session Number: 1015 Alexis Garretson, Tedra Cuddy, iNaturalist Citizen Scientists, Rebecca E. Forkner Department of Biology, School of Systems Biology, Forensic Science Program, George Mason University, 4400 University Drive, Fairfax, VA 22033 Tedra Cuddy

The large milkweed bug, Oncopeltus fasciatus, ranges from Central America to Canada. For insects with such large ranges, populations at different latitudes experience widely different abiotic regimes and may differ in their adapted responses. Moreover, responses may differ for different life-history stages. Investigating the importance of abiotic factors to Oncopeltus life-history traits across its full range would be difficult. Yet, citizen science data provides opportunities to accomplish this logistically difficult investigation. To estimate variation in the importance of abiotic variables for Oncopeltus populations at different latitudes, we extracted >13,000 photos from iNaturalist and manually annotated them for the number of nymphs and adults, presence of mating adults, and plant part occupied. We combined that information with climate, elevation, and daylength data from Daymet and Amazon Elevation Tiles. Using ANCOVAs and linear models, we investigated the difference in abiotic drivers of mating phenology, nymphal group size, and developmental timing at different latitudes. We found that mating phenology advanced more rapidly with temperature in southern populations, with increasing winter temperature associated with later mating. However, mating timing was not significantly associated with winter temperature in the northern latitudes. Here, mating timing was significantly and strongly related to daylength. We found two peaks in mating in the south but a single distinct peak in the north. The developmental timing of the nymphal clusters produced a more mixed age structure in the south, slower development in the mid-latitudes, and rapid development in the higher latitudes. Nymphal group size increased with latitude, suggesting that temporally reproductively limited females in the north laid larger egg clusters. Our findings suggest that populations at different latitudes experience variation in abiotic selection pressures on mating phenology and group size, and we find that there may be anthropogenic effects on developmental phenology.

Life History Factors Important in Incidence of White-nose Syndrome (Pseudogymnoascus destructans) Among North American Bats Ecology - Time: Tue 12:30pm-1:30pm - Session Number: 4119 Candace Siirila and Eric C. Atkinson, INBRE and Biology Department, Northwest College, 231 W. 6th Street, Powell, WY 82435 Candace Siirila

Life and History. How do the two of these go together? It seems that bats are affected by not one, but both of these things together. It is important to learn how the life history of bats can teach us about deadly fungal pathogens such as Pseudogymnoascus destructans (Pd), the causative agent of White-nose Syndrome, and how they might spread throughout the United States. I investigated the life history characteristics of North American bats to elucidate patterns that may predispose certain species to infection by Pd. I classified bats by migratory pattern (fully migratory, partially migratory, or resident), roosting behavior (colonial versus singly), roosting habitat (cave, tree, or dispersed locations), and whether the species enters torpor. I reduced this matrix via Principal Components Analysis yielding a model in which the first two factors accounted for over 63% of the variability in Pd infection status. Hence, by studying the life history characteristics of bats, we can predict not only which species are susceptible to this disease but, with environmental information, also the geographical susceptibility each species may exhibit. Coupling metagenomics fungal and bat 18S rRNA we are beginning to test this hypothesis in the northeastern regions of the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem. Life and History. How do the two of these go together? It seems that bats are affected by not one, but both of these things together. It is important to learn how the life history of bats can teach us about deadly fungal pathogens such as Pseudogymnoascus destructans (Pd), the causative agent of White-nose Syndrome, and how they might spread throughout the United States. I investigated the life history characteristics of North American bats to elucidate patterns that may predispose certain species to infection by Pd. I classified bats by migratory pattern (fully migratory, partially migratory, or resident), roosting behavior (colonial versus singly), roosting habitat (cave, tree, or dispersed locations), and whether the species enters torpor. I reduced this matrix via Principal Components Analysis yielding a model in which the first two factors accounted for over 63% of the variability in Pd infection status. Hence, by studying the life history characteristics of bats, we can predict not only which species are susceptible to this disease but, with environmental information, also the geographical susceptibility each species may exhibit. Coupling metagenomics fungal and bat 18S rRNA we are beginning to test this hypothesis in the northeastern regions of the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem.

Microcystin: The Best Contraceptive There Is Ecology - Time: Tue 12:30pm-1:30pm - Session Number: 4085 Moussa Chehab, Rida Farook, and Dr. Donna Kashian, Department of Biological Sciences, Wayne State University, 42 W Warren Ave, Detroit Michigan 48202 Rida Farook, Moussa Chehab

Recently there has been an emphasis on studying algal blooms in global water systems. Microcystin released by cyanobacteria during summer algal blooms can affect Quagga Mussels’ spawning rates. Quagga Mussels are an invasive species that have been brought over from the Dnieper River in Ukraine and were found in the Great Lakes in 1989. We will be studying mussels from Lake Mohave, Nevada and the Detroit River, Michigan. Our goal is to compare oxidative stress response to microcystin in these two groups of mussels to determine if location is a confounding variable that could affect their response. Testing quagga mussels’ oxidative stress shows us how these species respond to environmental stress. We will be testing oxidative stress every 24 hours for 72 hours using lipid peroxidation and catalase activity as biomarkers for oxidative stress. We will also be testing spawning rates. We anticipate that the quagga mussels will increase in lipid peroxidation and catalase activity as exposure to microcystin increases. We also anticipate that spawning levels will decrease with increasing microcystin levels. Studying how microcystin affects the mussels’ spawning and oxidative stress response will provide an understanding about how to decrease this invasive species’ reproduction rates.

Global climate change is altering the timing of life events or phenology of many organisms. In many snow-covered ecosystems, altered climate is decreasing snowpack and causing earlier spring melt. Since plants use snowmelt timing as a cue to begin the growing season, climate change is expected to accelerate bloom time and thus has the potential to cause widespread phenological mismatches between plants and their pollinators. To compensate for this mismatch, pollinators may change the plant species they interact with (i.e. broaden their niche breadth) to account for the difference in timing of floral resources. This could include wholescale switching to a new resource, changing the number of species they visit or instead could change the frequency of their visits to different plants, yet the relationship between phenological change and community dynamics has not been explored. In this study, we investigated the impact of an environmental perturbation on plant-pollinator niche breadth, focusing on if and how niche breadth changes. We manipulated the timing of snowmelt which in turn accelerated bloom time by approximately two weeks. We expected little change in pollinator phenology since pollinators emerge from areas outside of the manipulated plots. To test for the effect of phenological mismatch between plants and pollinators on niche breadth we recorded floral visitation and compared generalization and niche breadth within paired control-manipulated plots. Our preliminary findings suggest that, in accelerated-snowmelt plots, pollinators foraged on more diverse plants while maintaining the number of plant species they visited in paired control plots. Foraging flexibility may allow pollinators to expand their niche to receive enough floral resources, potentially buffering these communities to a changing climate. In changing their own niche breadth, pollinators also broaden plant niche breadth which in turn may have cascading effects throughout these ecosystems.

Oyster Mortality Events: Exploring the Microbiome of Cultured Eastern Oysters Ecology - Time: Tue 5:00pm-6:00pm - Session Number: 816 Kelly Koehler, Dr. Tal Ben-Horin, Department of Clinical Sciences, North Carolina State University Center for Marine Science and Technology, 303 College Cir, Morehead City, NC 28557. Kelly Koehler

Oyster aquaculture is most productive in coastal ecosystems, where these industries are exposed to a wide variety of environmental stressors, such as the nutrients and pollutants associated with agricultural and urban run-off, as well as varying weather conditions. Eastern oysters (Crassostrea virginica), like all animals, are also impacted by a wide range of naturally occurring infectious diseases. Cultivated eastern oyster mortality events have become a regular spring & summer occurrence across the range of the species. In 2020, a mass mortality event is estimated to have affected greater than 90% of eastern oyster aquaculture plots in North Carolina. Bacteria is normal and essential to a healthy oyster’s microbiome, but stressors may lead to microbial dysbiosis that allows ambient bacteria to infect oysters opportunistically. The main objective of this project is to better understand the microbial community associated with cultured eastern oysters and how that microbial community changes over time in correlation with oyster mortality events. We hypothesize that a change in the microbiome of eastern oyster gill does occur during an oyster mortality event. Three eastern oyster aquaculture plots in North Carolina have been opportunistically sampled since the winter of 2020. Sampling encompasses before, during, and after oyster mortality events. At each time point, the microbiome of oysters sampled from the three aquaculture plots is explored using 16S rDNA sequencing of gill tissue, marine nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy, and histopathology reports. Surrounding water samples are concurrently collected and undergo 16S rDNA sequencing to analyze ambient bacteria. Comparing the microbiome of eastern oyster gill tissue before, during, and after a mortality event will allow for a better understanding of the dysbiosis associated with eastern oyster mortality events. Overall, the results of this study will provide a better idea of risks faced by eastern oyster aquaculture in coastal environments.

Population Dynamics of Wintering Waterfowl in the Mid-Atlantic Region, USA Ecology - Time: Wed 12:00pm-1:00pm - Session Number: 915 Thomas Hoke, Abigail Harris, Sujan Henkanaththegedara, Department of Biology and Integrated Environmental Sciences, Longwood University, 201 High Street, Farmville VA 23909 Thomas Hoke, Abigail Harris

The ecology and population dynamics of wintering waterfowl has received less attention compared to the breeding populations. Recent research by Rosenberg et al. (2019) found that while the majority of avian species in North America have experienced severe population declines, waterfowl have increased over the past 50 years. However, regional wintering waterfowl populations often fluctuate in abundance and composition. We studied population abundance and trends, community composition and identified species at risk in the Mid-Atlantic region using data from 62 Audubon Christmas Bird Count circles (Delaware=7, Maryland=16, Virginia=18, North Carolina=21). We assessed 29 common waterfowl species and found a recent 36% decline of relative abundance compared to 1950s. Overall, we found significant declines of abundance for dabblers (N=9; p < 0.001), divers (N= 15; < 0.001) and swans (N= 2; p < 0.05). Additionally, we found a significant decline for marsh species (p < 0.001) compared to pond and lakes species. Eleven species of waterfowl showed significant population declines, while only six species showed population increases. Overall, our work suggests significant population declines of many wintering waterfowl species in the Mid-Atlantic region (N = 11; 38% of species studied) despite the continental-scale increase of the abundance.

Preliminary Results from a Study of the Impact of Walker Lake on the North Branch of Middle Creek Using Metrics Generated by Diatom Biofilm Communities Ecology - Time: Tue 12:30pm-1:30pm - Session Number: 4101 Shannon Ryan and Jack Holt, Jack Holt, Department of Biology, Susquehanna University, 514 University Avenue, Selinsgrove, PA 17870 Shannon Ryan

Middle Creek is a tributary of the main stem of the Susquehanna River, and its watershed is confined mostly to Snyder County. The upper reaches of the stream are defined by two major branches, the North Branch and the West Branch, each of which is interrupted by a reservoir, Walker Lake and Faylor Lake, respectively. Walker Lake is an impoundment of a deep V-shaped valley and is 9-10 meters deep at the dam, which allows it to be stratified in the summer and winter. During September of 2019 and 2020, the hypolimnion of Walker Lake became anoxic and its outflow below the dam had a strong odor of hydrogen sulfide and deposits of iron (III) oxide-hydroxide covered the cobbles and small boulders. The purpose of this preliminary investigation is to explore the impact of the bottom outflow below the dam and at sample sites before and after fall turnover and use them as proxies for the state of the stream. We examined four sites on the North Branch: above the lake, Walker Lake, below the dam at its outflow, and a site downstream called Old Bridge. Field measurements with a YSI 556 multimeter were taken. The loss of alkalinity and conductivity were particularly noticeable. The alkalinity decreased by 35% between the above site and below the dam. Before turnover, at the below site, biofilm diatoms were scarcely found such the phytoplankter, Asterionella formosa, was the most abundant diatom species encountered from the stones collected. Following turnover, the biofilm community was dominated by Achnanthidium minutissumum in November 2019. Preliminary metrics based on diatom community analysis before and after turnover suggest the above lake site was impaired by agriculture, but the reservoir didn't function as a sediment or nutrient trap. The downstream sites showed higher impairment than the above lake site.

Rates of Water Loss and Absorption in Stick Insect Eggs Ecology - Time: Tue 12:30pm-1:30pm - Session Number: 4094 Garret Jolma, Dr. Art Woods, Division of Biological Sciences, University of Montana, 32 Campus Drive, Missoula, MT 59812 Garret Jolma The thorny devil stick insect (Eurycantha calcarata) of New Guinea has eggs that take four months or more to develop—incredibly long for an insect. Long development times can be a challenge for eggs because of their finite resources, including nutrients, energy to support development, and water. I investigated the physiological mechanisms underlying long development times in stick insect eggs. The first experiment examined rates of water loss and survival of eggs held in different experimental humidities (0, 75, or 100% RH). Eggs dried quickly in the 0% humidity “dry” container and more slowly in the 75% humidity “intermediate” container. The eggs did not dry out in the 100% “saturated” container and maintained their original mass throughout the experiment. While none of the dry treatment eggs hatched, one of the intermediate treatment eggs did, and nearly all of the saturated eggs hatched. To see if the eggs could reabsorb water, a fresh batch of eggs were dried until they reached 90% of their original mass. Then they were transferred into a 100% humidity or wet cotton treatment. In both cases, the eggs gained some mass, but never returned to their original mass. These experiments show that the eggs require a high humidity to survive, and that they cannot absorb water from their environment. For thorny devil stick insect eggs, conserving water is of the utmost importance.

The thorny devil stick insect (Eurycantha calcarata) of New Guinea has eggs that take four months or more to develop—incredibly long for an insect. Long development times can be a challenge for eggs because of their finite resources, including nutrients, energy to support development, and water. I investigated the physiological mechanisms underlying long development times in stick insect eggs. The first experiment examined rates of water loss and survival of eggs held in different experimental humidities (0, 75, or 100% RH). Eggs dried quickly in the 0% humidity “dry” container and more slowly in the 75% humidity “intermediate” container. The eggs did not dry out in the 100% “saturated” container and maintained their original mass throughout the experiment. While none of the dry treatment eggs hatched, one of the intermediate treatment eggs did, and nearly all of the saturated eggs hatched. To see if the eggs could reabsorb water, a fresh batch of eggs were dried until they reached 90% of their original mass. Then they were transferred into a 100% humidity or wet cotton treatment. In both cases, the eggs gained some mass, but never returned to their original mass. These experiments show that the eggs require a high humidity to survive, and that they cannot absorb water from their environment. For thorny devil stick insect eggs, conserving water is of the utmost importance.

Reproductive Health of Oregon White Oak Across Multiple Habitats Ecology - Time: Tue 12:30pm-1:30pm - Session Number: 4095 Henry Roberts, Department of Biology, Western Oregon University, Monmouth, Oregon 97361, Samantha Sackett, Department of Biology, Western Oregon University, Monmouth, Oregon 97361, Oswaldo Moreno, Department of Biology, Western Oregon University, Monmouth, Oregon 97361, Shayla Solomon, Department of Biology, Western Oregon University, Monmouth, Oregon 97361, Ava Howard, Department of Biology, Western Oregon University, Monmouth, Oregon 97361, Gareth Hopkins, Department of Biology, Western Oregon University, Monmouth, Oregon 97361, Jeff Snyder, Department of Biology, Western Oregon University, Monmouth, Oregon 97361, Henry Roberts, Oswaldo Moreno, Samantha Sackett, Shayla Solomon

Oregon white oak (Quercus garryana) is native to the Pacific Northwest, spanning from British Columbia to California. Its distribution has declined by 90% over the past 100 years due to a mix of competition from other species, forest fire suppression, and land conversion for agriculture and settlement. Understanding the factors that influence white oak reproductive health is critical for population recovery. We studied how viability of acorns is related to acorn insect damage and parent tree anatomical and physiological characteristics among three different habitat types that differ in tree competition, and microclimate. In western Oregon, we gathered 822 acorns from 47 study trees in restored oak woodland, oak savannah, and a mixed conifer-deciduous forest. Acorns were separated into germinated and non-germinated categories before undergoing dissection to determine insect presence and tissue damage. We determined that the proportion of germinated acorns for a given tree was positively related to acorn size, and negatively related to the proportion of acorns that were internally and externally damaged by filbert weevils (Curculio occidentis) and filbert worms (Cydia latiferreana). Oak populations will benefit from restoration techniques that decrease filbert insect pests and provide resources to trees to allow production of larger acorns. Future research should test for a possible connection between these factors and controlled burns.

Restoration of the Three-ridge Mussel, Amblema plicata, to the Cedar River Ecology - Time: Tue 2:00pm-3:00pm - Session Number: 613 Toni Sleugh, Kevin Roe, Department of Natural Resource Ecology and Management, Iowa State University 50011 Toni Sleugh

Freshwater mussels are a keystone species in aquatic ecosystems because they are an important link in the food web and provide valuable ecosystem services. However, mussel populations are rapidly declining because of their sensitivity to environmental changes. One strategy to help slow the decline is to introduce hatchery-raised individuals into rivers where they have been eliminated. It’s essential to ensure that introduced populations are genetically diverse because it allows populations to better adapt to environmental changes. In order to restore declining populations of three-ridge mussels, Amblema plicata, in Iowa’s Cedar River, we are analyzing genetic diversity of both native and propagated populations before introducing propagated individuals back into their habitat. We are using polymerase chain reactions (PCR) to genotype A. plicata individuals at 16 microsatellite loci. The allele size will be determined using capillary electrophoresis, and allelic richness and expected heterozygosity will be calculated to estimate genetic diversity. While genetic analysis is still underway, we expect to find comparable and representative genetic diversity between the native and propagated populations. Juveniles have been released in four sites along the Cedar River and will be monitored over a period of several years for growth and survival. Freshwater mussels are a keystone species in aquatic ecosystems because they are an important link in the food web and provide valuable ecosystem services. However, mussel populations are rapidly declining because of their sensitivity to environmental changes. One strategy to help slow the decline is to introduce hatchery-raised individuals into rivers where they have been eliminated. It’s essential to ensure that introduced populations are genetically diverse because it allows populations to better adapt to environmental changes. In order to restore declining populations of three-ridge mussels, Amblema plicata, in Iowa’s Cedar River, we are analyzing genetic diversity of both native and propagated populations before introducing propagated individuals back into their habitat. We are using polymerase chain reactions (PCR) to genotype A. plicata individuals at 16 microsatellite loci. The allele size will be determined using capillary electrophoresis, and allelic richness and expected heterozygosity will be calculated to estimate genetic diversity. While genetic analysis is still underway, we expect to find comparable and representative genetic diversity between the native and propagated populations. Juveniles have been released in four sites along the Cedar River and will be monitored over a period of several years for growth and survival.

River Otters of the Chesapeake Bay: Conservation and Camera Trapping Ecology - Time: Tue 11:00am-12:00pm - Session Number: 411 Jaeda Roberts Katrina Lohan, Marine Disease Ecology, Smithsonian Environmental Research, 647 Contees Wharf Rd, Edgewater, MD 21037 Kristina Borst, Marine Disease Ecology, Smithsonian Environmental Research, 647 Contees Wharf Rd, Edgewater, MD 21037 Jaeda Roberts

The North American river otter (Lontra canadensis) is an apex predator of the Chesapeake Bay. They are fast swimmers and seamlessly alternate between dens in water and latrines on land. However, little is known about river otters in estuaries. In this study, I used footage from game cameras to study river otter activity in the Chesapeake Bay, the largest estuary in the United States, in order to determine how active the otters were at presumed latrines and to analyze latrine behavior. The footage was also used to understand human activity in the region and determine how it affects otter activity. It is important to study the river otter population in the Chesapeake Bay for multiple reasons. First, river otters are highly sensitive to changes in water conditions so any contaminants in the estuary will cause the otter populations to leave to find cleaner water. Second, river otters are being considered for the role of a sentinel species in public health studies as knowing the parasites and pathogens of river otters can help indicate potential zoonotic diseases that can be transmitted to humans. Finally, since the Chesapeake Bay is home to large populations of humans and many development projects, it is important to monitor the health of the ecosystem and river otters are an asset in protecting the sustainability of the region.

Shifts in Leaf Investment Strategies of Sunflowers Across Climatic Gradients in the Upper Midwest Ecology - Time: Tue 12:30pm-1:30pm - Session Number: 4115 Michael Bylander, Thu Nguyen, and Dr. Nora Mitchell, Department of Biology, University of Wisconsin – Eau Claire, 330 Phillips Hall, 101 Roosevelt Ave, Eau Claire WI 54701 Michael Bylander, Thu Nguyen

The earth is undergoing a period of global warming, this warming period is impacting many organisms and ecosystems as changes in climate alter average precipitation and temperature. With carbon and other greenhouse gases continuing to increase each year, the strategies plants employ to stay competitive in their environments must continue to shift to face the changing climate. This research asks how plant leaf investment strategies vary across climatic gradients in the Upper Midwest, using sunflower (Helianthus) species as a model system. Understanding how sunflower leaf traits relate to differences in climate will help to predict how species distributions may change and how plants may respond to climate change. Our team collected data on three species of sunflower (H. grosseserratus, H. maximiliani, and H. giganteus) from 20 different sites across Wisconsin and Minnesota. We collected field measurements of leaf thickness, area, length, width, dry and wet mass. Specific leaf area (SLA) was calculated as a proxy for investment strategy, where higher SLA leaves are associated with faster growth strategies, and lower SLA leaves are associated with more conservative strategies. SLA was analyzed against climate data (such as mean summer temperatures) to understand how strategies differ across regional climates. We found no evidence that SLA was related to precipitation, however, SLA was found to be inversely related to temperature. This finding could indicate a shift toward more conservative leaf investment strategies in areas experiencing higher average temperatures under future climate change.

Simple or Is It? An Observation of the Immune Response of the House Cricket, Acheta Domesticus, to Altered-Self Ecology - Time: Tue 12:30pm-1:30pm - Session Number: 4086 Summer E. Fleming, JoAnna Rudasill; Acchia NJ Albury, Ph. D.; Biology Department; Wingate University; 220 North Camden Road, Wingate, NC 28174 Summer Fleming

Insects are known to have an innate immune system that is non-specific and will attack foreign objects, such as bacteria. Innate immunity relies on hemocytes to protect against pathogens and physical damage. Hemocytes encapsulate a foreign object by congregating around the object, isolating it in order to protect the body. Insects lack adaptive immunity—the ability to recognize self from altered-self.

The house cricket undergoes flight muscle histolysis—degradation of the flight muscles, which accounts for the loss of flight. Flight muscle histolysis is recognized as a form of programmed cell death and in the latter stages, degraded tissue is removed by hemocytes. This suggests that though the house cricket may lack adaptive immunity, they are capable of recognizing altered-self. Therefore, our objective was to explore the role of hemocytes that clear degraded tissue associated with flight muscle histolysis in the house cricket.

Crickets were maintained in a colony until adult emergence. Adult females were separated and designated as Day 0, then maintained in isolated colonies by age. To measure immune response, the encapsulation rate for two groups was observed for the following: Control Group – nylon monofilaments were soaked in saline and inserted in the abdomen of Day 6 crickets. Treatment Group 1 – nylon monofilaments were soaked in the homogenates of Day 1 flight muscles, then placed in the abdomen of Day 6 crickets. Treatment Group 2 – same method as Treatment Group 1, using flight muscles obtained from Day 3 crickets. Monofilaments were removed 24 hours after insertion, photographed and mean grayscale values analyzed to determine encapsulation rate.

Preliminary data shows that there is a higher rate of encapsulation associated with muscles undergoing flight muscle histolysis, compared to that of healthy flight muscles. This indicates that though crickets have a conserved immune system, they are capable of complex responses.

Singing in the Rain: the First Characterization of Courtship Singing in Rhinoceros Beetles Ecology - Time: Tue 12:30pm-1:30pm - Session Number: 4083 Nathan Barton, Douglas Emlen, Division of Biological Sciences, University of Montana, 32 Campus Dr, Missoula, Montana, 59812 Nathan Barton

Male rhinoceros beetles (Trypoxylus dichotomus) wield an extreme weapon, a "pitchfork" shaped horn, that they use in battles with rival males over territories females visit to feed. The only places adult beetles can feed are at sap wounds on the sides of trees, and the biggest males with the largest weapons are best able to guard these feeding territories. As in other species with tusks, antlers, or horns, winning fights is expected to translate into opportunities to mate with females. However, female T. dichotomus routinely reject mating attempts by territorial males, forcing them to court by stridulatory 'singing'. Males sing courtship songs after they have mounted a female, by rubbing a ridge, or scraper, on the dorsal surface of their abdomen, against a stippled surface, or file, on the underside tips of each elytron. I described, for the first time, the courtship songs of this species, and show that males alternate between two distinct song types: short bursts of harsh scraping (Song Type A) followed by gentler bouts of a smoother song that can persist for long periods of time (Song Type B). I used RAVEN software to characterize the properties of each type of song, and compared the songs of males, to test whether females might be able to assess the body size and/or physiological condition of a male through his song. I show that larger males produce lower frequency (Hz) songs than smaller males, and that males in better condition while courting (mass/body size) sing song type B at a faster rate (chirps/second). These results demonstrate that there are meaningful signals embedded within male courtship songs that females could use to asses the male. Future studies will test if and how females choose males in a system where female choice is traditionally overlooked.

Small Crustaceans, Big Implications: Anthropogenic Impacts of Propeller Scars on Floridian Seagrass Ecosystems Ecology - Time: Tue 12:30pm-1:30pm - Session Number: 4103 Faith James, Ingrid Jacobson, and Dr. Jenn Sweatman, Biology Department, Concordia College, 901 8th St S, Moorhead MN 56562 Faith James, Faith James, Ingrid Jacobson

Seagrass meadows on the Florida coastline provide optimal habitats for many keystone species but are being threatened by increasing anthropogenic activity. This ecosystem is vulnerable to boat propeller scarring that fragments natural habitats and disrupts typical species movements. Long-term impacts of habitat fragmentation are monitored by analyzing seagrass nutrient content, which reflects ecosystem-wide nutrient availability. Communities of amphipods may be useful for analyzing the effects of habitat fragmentation on higher trophic levels. Studies have explored how older seagrass scars affect other crustaceans like crabs and mollusks, as well as the influence of new scars on amphipod communities, but no study has examined the effects of older seagrass scars on amphipods. Our lab is investigating how older propeller scars affect seagrass nutrient content and amphipod communities. Our lab collected samples from three randomly selected propeller scars in Lignumvitae State Park, Florida, at four distances: 0 m (at the seagrass-scar interface), 1 m, 2 m, and 5 m. Samples were collected using a Virnstein Grabber, which collects aboveground seagrass biomass and associated epifauna. Seagrass samples are currently being dried, homogenized, and analyzed for total phosphorus, carbon, and nitrogen content. Amphipods are being identified to the species level where possible. Species diversity and frequency will be calculated across sampling plots for univariate statistical analysis. We will also conduct a multivariate analysis of amphipod communities across the sampling plots to potentially identify community-level changes. We expect to find reduced nutrient content in the seagrass, as well as low amphipod population density and diversity, due to habitat fragmentation and destruction. The findings of this project would advance our understanding of fragmentation effects on seagrass ecosystems. Data will be reported to the Florida State Parks department, further contributing to conservation management practices in the Florida Keys.

Stream Connectivity and Fragmentation Impacts on Wild Trout Populations Ecology - Time: Tue 5:00pm-6:00pm - Session Number: 816 John Miller, Matt Wilson, Daniel Ressler, Jonathan Niles, Department of Ecology, Susquehanna University 514 University Ave, Selinsgrove, PA 17870 John Miller

Stream connectivity promotes resilience and population viability of fish species. Brook trout (Salvelinus fontinalis) and Brown trout (Salmo trutta) distribution throughout watersheds impacted by aquatic habitat fragmentation have implications for their management and conservation. With wild trout populations being unknown and possibly declining, determining their distributions and linkages in headwater steams is important for conservation. From 2011- 2020 we sampled 1329 previously unsurvey streams in conjunction with the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission. A 100-meter reach was electro-fished to determine the abundance, length (mm), and weight (0.1g) of wild trout species. We used ArcGIS to determine fragmentation (road/railroad crossings, logging roads, gravel roads, impoundments), stream order, link magnitude (the difference between two converging stream orders), watershed size, elevation, slope, and distance to mainstem and how these various parameters impact trout distributions in headwater streams. We sought to determine how headwater streams with natural or anthropogenic fragmentation, steep slopes, and their link magnitude impact wild trout populations within a watershed.

Temporal Variation in Eelgrass Wasting Disease Severity Alters Preferred Food Availability for Herbivores Ecology - Time: Tue 12:30pm-1:30pm - Session Number: 4090 Naomi Murray, Katherine DuBois, and Dr. Jay Stachowicz, Department of Evolution and Ecology, University of California - Davis, 1 Shields Ave, Davis, CA 95616 Naomi Murray

Eelgrass wasting disease has been responsible for multiple large die-offs of eelgrass (Zostera marina) over the last century, compromising critical habitat for fishes and invertebrates. Aside from these major outbreaks, little is known about the ecology of the disease, particularly regarding sub-lethal biotic interactions between the pathogen, seagrass, and epifaunal species. In this study, I measured the severity of wasting disease in Bodega Harbor and investigated whether disease alters plant susceptibility to herbivory. I found that disease severity varies seasonally; the necrotic lesions caused by eelgrass wasting disease were virtually absent in early summer but peaked at nearly 20% leaf cover by midsummer. This large fluctuation in the amount of decaying plant tissue may change food availability for herbivores of eelgrass. To determine if herbivores showed a preference for lesioned or green plant tissue, I conducted a series of feeding trials offering isopod Pentidotea resecata a choice between the two tissue types. Lesioned tissue was strongly preferred. Consistent with this preference, lesioned tissue required 45% less force to penetrate than green tissue, whereas plant nutritional quality (C:N ratio) and concentration of potential chemical defenses (phenolic acids) did not differ between the tissue types. Facilitation of herbivore feeding by disease could influence seasonal progression in disease severity, so understanding feedbacks between disease extent and herbivory may enhance our ability to predict the trajectory of eelgrass wasting disease outbreaks.

The Ecological Impacts of Road Salt and Potentially Safer Alternative Deicers on Freshwater Invertebrates Ecology - Time: Tue 3:30pm-4:30pm - Session Number: 716 Rachel Stander and Abigail Cahill, Department of Biology, Albion College, 611 E Porter St, Albion, MI 49224 Rachel Stander

Road salt (NaCl) is the most common deicer used to melt snow and ice from roadways in cold climates. However, this solution results in sodium and chloride ions draining into the sewers, soil, and freshwater ecosystems. Road salt is toxic and causes harmful effects on nearby ecosystems, which are abundant in macroinvertebrate species. Alternatives to road salt are commercially available but not well studied. The aim of this study is to examine road salt alternatives’ effect on four invertebrates (Daphnia pulex, Eisenia fetida, and ostracods, and midge larvae from a naturally brackish area). This study comprises two experiments: the first exposes the four invertebrates to four road salt alternatives, and the second exposes the invertebrates to a range of road salt concentrations. We predicted that invertebrate species will have lower mortality in alternatives to road salt and in lower salt concentrations. Only Daphnia was significantly affected by road salt. The other invertebrates were not significantly affected by any treatment, including high concentrations of road salt, demonstrating interspecific differences in response to salt. This research demonstrates species- and habitat-specific responses to road salt alternatives, which has implications for municipalities looking to salt roads without negatively impacting freshwater ecosystems.

The effect of flock size and habita on vigilance in the American Coot (Fulica americana) Ecology - Time: Mon 1:30pm-2:30pm - Session Number: 117 Dat Q. Lam, Suyash P. Rizal, Miguel Sicaja, Roxanne Cota, Gabriel Cox, Brandon Wakefield and Dr. Zia Nisani, Biological and Environmental Sciences Department, Antelope Valley College, 3041 West Ave K, Lancaster, CA 93536 Dat Lam

Among many anti-predator behaviors, vigilance is observed in many species and plays an important role in survival. It has been suggested that there is a negative relationship between vigilance and group size among gregarious species. Apart from the effects of group size, other factors also affect vigilance levels. Studies have shown that the characteristics of immediate habitat can also influence vigilance. For example, tall vegetation can serve as a good shelter or refuge by lowering detection and decreasing vulnerability to predators, causing animals to lower their vigilance effort. In American Coot, it has been suggested that birds in water experience more safety and are less vigilant than birds on land. In this study, we investigated the effect of flock size on vigilance in American Coots (Fulica americana) foraging on land and water, by observing individual birds in these habitats, recording the time spent scanning (i.e., vigilance) and flock size around targeted individual. Mean (± SD) flock size was larger on land (5.6 ± 4.6 birds) compared to water (2.8 ± 1.5 birds) and vigilance negatively correlated with flock size. Birds in water (41 ± 12.2 s) were more vigilant compared to on land (21.3 ± 16.3 s), regardless of whether they were foraging alone or in flocks. However, the effect of flock size on vigilance showed a weak linear correlation as it was possible that other factors (e.g., human habituation, food kleptoparasitism, or scramble competition) could have also played a role in shaping vigilance. These results suggest that there is a relationship between flock size and vigilance, thus confirming previous researches that show a negative correlation between vigilance and flock size but contradict previous study on habitat's effect on vigilance.

The Effects of Thiamethoxam on Bombus impatiens Foraging Efficiency Ecology - Time: Tue 12:30pm-1:30pm - Session Number: 4113 T'ai Roulston, Department of Environmental Science, University of Virginia, 291 McCormick Road, Charlottesville VA 22903 Emma Grover

The recent decline in the global bumble bee population has been a major source of anxiety for environmentalists, and pesticides are potentially one of the main factors driving this development. This experiment examines whether a neonicotinoid pesticide, thiamethoxam, impacts the foraging efficiency of an adult worker bumble bee (Bombus impatiens). Sublethal levels of thiamethoxam were established through experimentation, and we determined that exposure to dosages of 25 μgL-1 of thiamethoxam and below were nonlethal and showed no evidence of effect on Bombus impatiens individuals in the lab. We intentionally chose to test the bees with a level of pesticide that was not only sublethal but showed no apparent effects in the lab. Therefore, we could see how this substance interferes with the challenging task of foraging naturally in the environment. Individual bees were then randomly assigned to either a pesticide or a control treatment, exposed to their treatment, and returned to a naturally foraging colony system. Over five weeks, the movements of all the bees were tracked with RFID technology. Their weights were documented before and after every foraging trip. We found that bees exposed to thiamethoxam were significantly less efficient at foraging than those in the control treatment. Bumble bees in the control treatment were able to return from foraging trips carrying a larger proportion of their body weight than those in the pesticide treatment. In addition, control bees were able to bring back a greater amount of resources with respect to the time they spent outside the colony. Therefore, the pesticide produces negative, sublethal effects within the bees, decreasing their ability to assist in nutrient collection. This experiment seeks to provide information that can better identify the significance of pesticides in the decline of bumble bees while elucidating influential and contemporary areas of methodology.

the Impacts of Atrazine Exposure on the Performance of Northern Two Lined Salamander Larvae (Eurycea bislineata) Ecology - Time: Tue 12:30pm-1:30pm - Session Number: 4100 Kody Streeter and Tanya J. Hawley Matlaga, Department of Biology, Susquehanna University, 514 University Ave, Selinsgrove, PA 17870 Kody Streeter

Atrazine is one of the most common herbicides used in the United States. Despite having a large spectrum of weed control, the herbicide has many negative consequences on stream integrity, specifically on aquatic organisms. Amphibians have many biological characteristics that make them highly susceptible to agricultural contaminants. Understanding the effects of herbicides on vulnerable species will allow for inferences to be made about the effects on the entire ecosystem. We investigated the hypothesis that herbicide exposure would affect the survival and growth of northern two lined salamander larvae (Eurycea bislineata). We exposed larvae to one of four different treatments of ecologically relevant atrazine concentrations (0 μg/L, 50 μg/L, 100 μg/L, 200mμg/L) for four weeks. In the first trial in fall 2020, survival was high across all treatments. Analysis of the growth data is in process. We plan to run a second trail in the spring of 2021. The results of this experiment will lead to a better understanding of the impacts of herbicide use on stream health.

The Influence of Predation History on Bobwhite Quail Reproductive Behavior Ecology - Time: Tue 12:30pm-1:30pm - Session Number: 4082 Will Rogers, Department of Ecology, Montana State University, 310 Lewis Hall, Montana State University, Bozeman, MT 59717, USA; Theron Terhune, Tall Timbers Research Station and Land Conservancy, 13093 Henry Beadel Drive, Tallahassee, FL 32312, USA; Scott Creel, Department of Ecology, Montana State Univerisity, 310 Lewis Hall, Montana State University, Bozeman, MT 59717, USA. Will Rogers

Nesting success is a powerful limiting factor of population growth in many avian species. In landscapes with heterogeneous risk of nest failure, individuals are thought to maximize fitness by selecting nest sites with minimal relative risk.; however, the relationship between nest site selection and the risk of predation remains poorly understood. We analyzed multiple course-scale attributes over successive, within-year nesting events of northern bobwhite quail (Colinus virginianus) to answer whether individuals alter nest site selection and reproductive behavior in response to past nest predation. From 2000 to 2017, we documented all instances of within-year, successive nesting attempts by radio-tagged quail (N=342), recording clutch sizes of nests, date of incubation initiation, date of nest failure or hatch, and predation type. We also assigned habitat-level attributes using geospatial methods after data collection. Initial logistic modeling efforts provided evidence that bobwhite quail did not alter habitat selection of second nest sites based on predation of first nests (z = 0.282, p-value = 0.772). However, strong behavioral responses to predation were suggested by linear models of shifts in clutch sizes (F(1,275) = 7.624, p-value= 0.006) and distances between first and second nests (F(1,272) = 4.076, p-value = 0.044). We are now using Bayesian resource selection functions coupled with multi-state models to further analyze how nest site selection differs between nesting attempts and if such differences are attributable to predation responses. We will provide the results of current modeling efforts and our conclusions regarding the relationship of nest site selection and predation risk, where we expect that predation of first nesting attempts relates to differences in resource selection of successive nesting attempts. Nesting success is a powerful limiting factor of population growth in many avian species. In landscapes with heterogeneous risk of nest failure, individuals are thought to maximize fitness by selecting nest sites with minimal relative risk.; however, the relationship between nest site selection and the risk of predation remains poorly understood. We analyzed multiple course-scale attributes over successive, within-year nesting events of northern bobwhite quail (Colinus virginianus) to answer whether individuals alter nest site selection and reproductive behavior in response to past nest predation. From 2000 to 2017, we documented all instances of within-year, successive nesting attempts by radio-tagged quail (N=342), recording clutch sizes of nests, date of incubation initiation, date of nest failure or hatch, and predation type. We also assigned habitat-level attributes using geospatial methods after data collection. Initial logistic modeling efforts provided evidence that bobwhite quail did not alter habitat selection of second nest sites based on predation of first nests (z = 0.282, p-value = 0.772). However, strong behavioral responses to predation were suggested by linear models of shifts in clutch sizes (F(1,275) = 7.624, p-value= 0.006) and distances between first and second nests (F(1,272) = 4.076, p-value = 0.044). We are now using Bayesian resource selection functions coupled with multi-state models to further analyze how nest site selection differs between nesting attempts and if such differences are attributable to predation responses. We will provide the results of current modeling efforts and our conclusions regarding the relationship of nest site selection and predation risk, where we expect that predation of first nesting attempts relates to differences in resource selection of successive nesting attempts.

The Lethal Effects of Herbicides and Herbicide Residues on the Agriculturally Important Wolf Spider Pardosa milvina Ecology - Time: Tue 12:30pm-1:30pm - Session Number: 4102 Tyler Gross, Rachel Morehouse, Joe'l Morris, Sara Nicola, Kevin Rainey, Aaron Romano and Jordan Washko (Matthew Persons) Susquehanna University, Department of Biology, 514 University Avenue, Selinsgrove, PA 17870 Tyler Gross, Rachel Morehouse, Joe'l Morris, Sara Nicola, Kevin Rainey, Aaron Romano, Washko Jordan

Herbicides are applied to commercial crops with increasing frequency and diversity yet are rarely tested for acute or chronic toxicity effects on beneficial non-target species such as spiders. We measured the lethal effects of chronic exposure to field-relevant doses of herbicide-treated soil on an agriculturally abundant wolf spider, Pardosa milvina. We tested six herbicides including atrazine, S-metolachlor, mesotrione, glyphosate, 2,4-D, and dicamba. We also tested a mixture of all six herbicides and a distilled water control. Spiders were housed individually in containers with topsoil previously sprayed with a recommended herbicide dosage or water control group. To test for herbicide residue effects, we reared spiders under herbicides exposed to three aging treatments: freshly applied herbicides, herbicides aged for 69 days under room-temperature laboratory conditions (indoor aged) or aged for 69 days in a greenhouse with variable temperature, humidity, light exposure, and evaporative cycling (outdoor aged) (N=960; n= 40 spiders across 24 treatments). Spiders were maintained on these treated substrates for 48 days and fed crickets (Gryllodes sigillatus). We recorded daily mortality across all spider treatments during the testing period. Mesotrione and combined herbicide treated spiders showed very high mortality within two weeks of exposure among both freshly applied and indoor-aged soil treatments while mortality was modest across outdoor-aged herbicide treatments. Our results indicate that some herbicides are arachnicides but require chronic and prolonged exposure to produce lethal effects. Further, soil bacterial communities alone were insufficient to break down herbicides or reduce their toxicity while photodegradation, bacterial action, temperature-variation and evaporation cycles were sufficient to dramatically reduce toxicity during chronic exposure. Herbicides are applied to commercial crops with increasing frequency and diversity yet are rarely tested for acute or chronic toxicity effects on beneficial non-target species such as spiders. We measured the lethal effects of chronic exposure to field-relevant doses of herbicide-treated soil on an agriculturally abundant wolf spider, Pardosa milvina. We tested six herbicides including atrazine, S-metolachlor, mesotrione, glyphosate, 2,4-D, and dicamba. We also tested a mixture of all six herbicides and a distilled water control. Spiders were housed individually in containers with topsoil previously sprayed with a recommended herbicide dosage or water control group. To test for herbicide residue effects, we reared spiders under herbicides exposed to three aging treatments: freshly applied herbicides, herbicides aged for 69 days under room-temperature laboratory conditions (indoor aged) or aged for 69 days in a greenhouse with variable temperature, humidity, light exposure, and evaporative cycling (outdoor aged) (N=960; n= 40 spiders across 24 treatments). Spiders were maintained on these treated substrates for 48 days and fed crickets (Gryllodes sigillatus). We recorded daily mortality across all spider treatments during the testing period. Mesotrione and combined herbicide treated spiders showed very high mortality within two weeks of exposure among both freshly applied and indoor-aged soil treatments while mortality was modest across outdoor-aged herbicide treatments. Our results indicate that some herbicides are arachnicides but require chronic and prolonged exposure to produce lethal effects. Further, soil bacterial communities alone were insufficient to break down herbicides or reduce their toxicity while photodegradation, bacterial action, temperature-variation and evaporation cycles were sufficient to dramatically reduce toxicity during chronic exposure.

Trophically-acquired Herbicide Exposure of Wolf Spiders Can Cause Weight Loss but No Change in Prey Capture Efficiency Ecology - Time: Tue 12:30pm-1:30pm - Session Number: 4099 Grace Chamberlain and Dr. Matthew Persons, Department of Biology- Ecology Program, Susquehanna University, 514 University Ave, Selinsgrove, PA 17870 Grace Chamberlain

Herbicide use in commercial agriculture has increased in both diversity and quantity over the last fifty years, yet herbicide impact is poorly understood for non-target beneficial species such as spiders. Spiders may be exposed to herbicides through direct spraying, contact with treated soil and plants or trophically through consumption of herbicide-sprayed prey. The wolf spider Pardosa milvina is a common vagile ground species found in agricultural systems in the Eastern United States. We measured the lethal and sublethal feeding effects of offering herbicide-contaminated prey to spiders. Using a 5x2 experimental design, we exposed first-instar cricket nymphs (Gryllodes sigillatus) to one of four different herbicides (atrazine, s-metolachlor, dicamba, or 2,4-D) or a distilled water control. Spiders were presented either freshly sprayed crickets or crickets coated with dried herbicide residue. Spider response to prey was measured during a 20-minute feeding trial. During each trial, spider lunge latency and capture were recorded as well as prey rejection. Spiders were fed a diet of one of the ten cricket herbicide treatments (n=30, N=300) for a six-week period. Spider feeding behavior and weight change were measured weekly while spider mortality was checked daily. Herbicide-sprayed crickets did not significantly increase spider mortality or reduce prey capture latency across treatments compared to the water control but we did find significant differences in prey lunge latency and large differences in weight change over time. Spider lunge latency was significantly slower for 2,4-D and dicamba initially but this difference diminished over subsequent weeks. Only spiders in the control and dicamba treatments gained weight over time while s-metolachlor, atrazine, and 2-4,D resulted in weight loss for spiders despite spiders feeding on prey. Prey contaminated with these herbicide or herbicide residues have significant sublethal effects on these beneficial agricultural predators. Herbicide use in commercial agriculture has increased in both diversity and quantity over the last fifty years, yet herbicide impact is poorly understood for non-target beneficial species such as spiders. Spiders may be exposed to herbicides through direct spraying, contact with treated soil and plants or trophically through consumption of herbicide-sprayed prey. The wolf spider Pardosa milvina is a common vagile ground species found in agricultural systems in the Eastern United States. We measured the lethal and sublethal feeding effects of offering herbicide-contaminated prey to spiders. Using a 5x2 experimental design, we exposed first-instar cricket nymphs (Gryllodes sigillatus) to one of four different herbicides (atrazine, s-metolachlor, dicamba, or 2,4-D) or a distilled water control. Spiders were presented either freshly sprayed crickets or crickets coated with dried herbicide residue. Spider response to prey was measured during a 20-minute feeding trial. During each trial, spider lunge latency and capture were recorded as well as prey rejection. Spiders were fed a diet of one of the ten cricket herbicide treatments (n=30, N=300) for a six-week period. Spider feeding behavior and weight change were measured weekly while spider mortality was checked daily. Herbicide-sprayed crickets did not significantly increase spider mortality or reduce prey capture latency across treatments compared to the water control but we did find significant differences in prey lunge latency and large differences in weight change over time. Spider lunge latency was significantly slower for 2,4-D and dicamba initially but this difference diminished over subsequent weeks. Only spiders in the control and dicamba treatments gained weight over time while s-metolachlor, atrazine, and 2-4,D resulted in weight loss for spiders despite spiders feeding on prey. Prey contaminated with these herbicide or herbicide residues have significant sublethal effects on these beneficial agricultural predators.

Walking While Parasitized: Effects of a Nematode Parasite on Locomotor Activity of Horned Passalus Beetles Ecology - Time: Tue 12:30pm-1:30pm - Session Number: 4109 Christopher Brandon, Andy Davis, Odum School of Ecology at the University of Georgia 140 E Green St, Athens, GA 30602 Christopher Brandon

Parasites are typically thought to negatively affect their host by draining host resources and energy, thereby leading to reduction in overall activity. One little-studied nematode parasite, Chondronema passali, of the horned passalus beetle, Odontotaenius disjunctus may have the reverse effect; prior experiments have revealed that parasitized beetles actually consume more food than unparasitized individuals. This led us to question if parasitized beetles are also more physically active, and specifically, if their locomotor activity is heightened. We constructed a tabletop arena with individual grid squares to observe beetle locomotor activity. Using wild-caught beetles, we allowed individual beetles to traverse the arena for 5 minutes and recorded the number of grid squares crossed. Beetles were subsequently dissected to determine parasite presence and level of infection on a categorical scale. A total of 140 beetles were examined across three collection stages. Statistical analyses of locomotor activity revealed that the severity of parasite infection predicted locomotor activity, with lightly infected beetles twice as active as those without this parasite. Activity declined with increasing nematode burdens thereafter, but even the group with the most severe burdens did not move less than the group with no parasites. From these results, we conclude that this parasite does not result in overall reduction in activity, but rather it appears to come with heightened locomotion, which is consistent with prior findings on host food consumption. Alternatively, this result could stem from the fact that more active beetles are simply more likely to contract the parasite. Regardless of the explanation, these results add to our understanding of how host behavior is impacted by parasites.

Weather Influences the Spatial Transmission of White-Nose Syndrome in Little Brown Bats Ecology - Time: Mon 4:30pm-5:30pm - Session Number: 314 Alexander Mercier and Dr. Andrew Kramer, Department of Integrative Biology, University of South Florida, 4202 E Fowler Ave, Tampa, FL 33620 Alexander Mercier Mercier

White-nose syndrome (WNS) is caused by a highly pathogenic cryophilic fungus, Pseudogymnoascus destructans, which affects the little brown bat, Myotis lucifugus. Previous work has shown that WNS spread is dependent on the spatial distribution of hibernacula and is higher in colder regions. Understanding how weather and climate influence disease spread is vital to managing infected populations and preventing spread to vulnerable bat colonies. It is unclear if the mechanism driving risk of WNS infection is due to general climate or weather at the time of spread. Utilizing a geographic database of WNS spread from the Fish and Wildlife Service, a generalized gravity model examining pairwise interactions between counties was formulated based on the density and distance of caves in a county. Maximum likelihood (ML) was employed to fit a series of models to the data on a county-scale to study the spread of WNS through the contiguous United States. Covariates describing weather were extracted from high-resolution climatic data obtained from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. Several combinations of dimensions were implemented, including the yearly length of winter, the yearly start of winter, average winter length, and bat species richness to uncover the predictive power of different combinations of variables. From reported AIC scores, stronger support for models including the length of winter during the year when WNS was detected. This finding implicates that the mechanics of WNS spread are driven by winter conditions which result in a variable risk of infection, with fitted data indicating that longer winters increase spread transmission risk. However, as it is more difficult to predict future weather than climate, it may still be more convenient to use climatic data than weather for future predictions.