123rd Annual Meeting of the Texas Academy of Science February 28th – 29th, 2020 Stephen F. Austin State University 1936 North St. Nacogdoches, Texas Official Program Texas Academy of Science 123rd Annual Meeting at Stephen F. Austin State University Program Schedule Abbreviated Program Schedule Friday February 28th 08:00 a.m. – 11:30 a.m. TAS Board of Directors Meeting Cole STEM 401/402 10:00 a.m. – 05:00 p.m. Meeting Registration Cole STEM Atrium 11:40 a.m. – 12:40 p.m. Section Chairs Pre-Session Lunch Meeting Cole STEM 401/402 01:00 p.m. – 03:00 p.m. Oral Paper Sessions 1 Bush Mathematics & Miller Science Bldgs. 03:00 p.m. – 03:30 p.m. Coffee Break Cole STEM Atrium 03:30 p.m. – 04:40 p.m. Tamaulipan thornscrub and Trans-Pecos Symposium Kennedy Auditorium 05:00 p.m. – 06:30 p.m. Planetarium Show Cole STEM Planetarium 05:00 p.m. – 06:30 p.m. Judging Poster Session 1 Cole STEM Hallways 06:30 p.m. – 08:00 p.m. Planetarium Show – Repeat Showing Cole STEM Planetarium 06:30 p.m. – 08:00 p.m. Judging Poster Session 2 Cole STEM Hallways Saturday February 29th 07:00 a.m. – 10:00 a.m. Meeting Registration Cole STEM Atrium 07:00 a.m. – 08:00 a.m. Past Presidents Breakfast Cole STEM 401/402 08:00 a.m. – 10:00 a.m. Oral Paper Sessions 2 Bush Mathematics & Miller Science Bldgs. 10:00 a.m. – 10:30 a.m. Coffee Break Cole STEM Atrium 10:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. Oral Paper Sessions 3 Bush Mathematics & Miller Science Bldgs. 12:30 p.m. – 01:45 p.m. Lunch Cole STEM Atrium 01:45 p.m. – 02:00 p.m. Business Meeting Kennedy Auditorium 02:00 p.m. – 03:40 p.m. Graduate Student Oral Presentation Competition Kennedy Auditorium 03:40 p.m. – 04:00 p.m. Coffee Break Cole STEM Atrium 04:00 p.m. – 05:00 p.m. Section Chair Post-Session Meeting Cole STEM 401/402 04:00 p.m. – 05:00 p.m. Science Jeopardy Kennedy Auditorium 05:00 p.m. – 05:30 p.m. Outstanding Texas Educator Award and Lecture Kennedy Auditorium 05:30 p.m. – 06:00 p.m. Distinguished Texas Scientist Award and Lecture Kennedy Auditorium 06:30 p.m. – 07:30 p.m. Reception Expo Center 07:30 p.m. – 09:30 p.m. Awards Banquet Expo Center Sunday March 1st 08:00 a.m. – 01:00 p.m. Geology of Nacogdoches Field Trip Meet at the Stone Fort Museum Presenter Key for Poster and Paper Abstracts N Non-student H High School student U Undergraduate student G Graduate student 2 Texas Academy of Science 123rd Annual Meeting at Stephen F. Austin State University Program Schedule Table of Contents Abbreviated Program Schedule .......................................................................................... 2 Welcome and Acknowledgments from the Program Chair ................................................ 4 About the Texas Academy of Science ................................................................................. 5 Welcome and Acknowledgements from the Academy President ...................................... 6 Welcome from the Dean of Stephen F. Austin State University ........................................ 7 About Nacogdoches, Texas ................................................................................................. 8 About Stephen F. Austin State University........................................................................... 9 Local Eateries .................................................................................................................... 10 2019-2020 TAS Board of Directors and Contacts ............................................................. 11 2019-2020 Section Officers ............................................................................................... 12 The Texas Journal of Science Call for Manuscripts ........................................................... 14 Meeting Notes and Poster Guidelines .............................................................................. 15 2020 Outstanding Texas Educator .................................................................................... 16 20202 Distinguished Texas Scientist ................................................................................. 17 2020 Vice President .......................................................................................................... 18 2020 – 2023 Academic Director ........................................................................................ 19 2020 – 2023 Non-Academic Director ................................................................................ 20 2020 – 2022 Student Director ........................................................................................... 21 Treasurer ........................................................................................................................... 22 Trans-Pecos and Tamaulipan Thornscrub Symposium ..................................................... 23 Graduate Student Competition ........................................................................................ 25 Geology Fieldtrip ............................................................................................................... 27 Complete Technical Program and Schedule ..................................................................... 28 Presentation Abstracts ...................................................................................................... 42 Author Index ................................................................................................................... 108 3 Texas Academy of Science 123rd Annual Meeting at Stephen F. Austin State University Program Schedule Welcome and Acknowledgements from the Program Chair Welcome to the 123rd meeting of the Texas Academy of Science! We are excited to bring our meeting to the beautiful campus of Stephen F. Austin State University in Nacogdoches, Texas. Please join me in thanking the Stephen F. Austin State University community and the city of Nacogdoches for graciously hosting our event. We would not be able to hold this meeting without the exemplary work of numerous volunteers. Many thanks to Dr. Alyx Frantzen, who has the formidable task of being the local host, a section chair and the current president of the Academy. The Section Chairs and Vice Chairs have done an amazing job of reviewing abstracts and working with our many authors to produce exciting and informative oral presentation and poster sessions. I would like to send a special thanks to the Academy’s Coordinator of Information Technology, Dr. Ricardo Bernal, whose input was needed during virtually every step of this process. His technical knowledge, prompt replies and unfailing good humor were an essential part of planning this meeting! Highlights of this meeting include the symposium discussing the unique ecology of the Trans- Pecos and Tamaulipan Thornscrub ecoregions, the Graduate Student Oral Presentation Competition, the return of the popular Science Jeopardy Competition and the presentations from this year’s Distinguished Texas Scientist and Outstanding Texas Educator. We look forward to the exciting events of this year’s meeting, learning about the current research being conducted through the state and socializing with old friends and new. Shannon K. Hill, President Elect of the Texas Academy of Science 4 Texas Academy of Science 123rd Annual Meeting at Stephen F. Austin State University Program Schedule About the Texas Academy of Science History First founded by teachers as the Academy of Science in Texas in 1880, the organization as we know it now emerged around 1929 and included a physicist, a botanist, a mathematician and two biologists as its founding members. Now, TAS publishes a peer-reviewed journal (The Texas Journal of Science since 1949), conducts an annual meeting that highlights research across 17 sections across the sciences, provides substantial funding opportunities for students (~$25,000 awarded annually) and facilitates expert testimony on policy issues related to STEM or science education. TAS membership approaches 600 individuals, with a large portion of the membership as students. Mission As part of its overall mission, the Texas Academy of Science promotes scientific research in Texas colleges and universities, encourages research as a part of student learning and enhances the professional development of its professional and student members. TAS possesses a complex, intriguing and long- standing educational mission. Strategic Planning The Texas Academy of Science (TAS) Board of Directors approved a vision for a 5-year Strategic Plan: “to increase the visibility and effectiveness of TAS in promoting strong science in Texas.” As part of that initiative, the Academy seeks to reach out to foundations and organizations that support and benefit the Texas science community. We believe that a number of opportunities exist for strategic partnerships that could bolster the impact of organizations that raise the profile of science in Texas. Our ultimate goal will be to make TAS the premier state academy in the United States; however, this cannot be accomplished without funding from both individuals and corporations. It should also be noted that 100% of the contributions given to TAS for student awards goes directly to the award. THE TEXAS ACADEMY OF SCIENCE INCORPORATED IN 1929; AFFILIATED WITH THE AMERICAN ASSOCIATION FOR THE ADVANCEMENT OF SCIENCE 5 Texas Academy of Science 123rd Annual Meeting at Stephen F. Austin State University Program Schedule Welcome and Acknowledgements from the Academy President Welcome to the 123rd Annual Meeting of the Texas Academy of Science. I am so pleased to welcome you all to the Stephen F.