A5006251468- Aquatic Invertebrate Ecology and Behavior
- Mollusks and Parasites Studies
- Fish Ecology and Management Studies
- Freshwater macroinvertebrate diversity and ecology
- Evolution and Science Education
- Invertebrate Taxonomy and Ecology
- Science Education and Pedagogy
- Parasite Biology and Host Interactions
- Genetic diversity and population structure
- Genetics, Bioinformatics, and Biomedical Research
- Environmental Toxicology and Ecotoxicology
- Animal and Plant Science Education
- Evolution and Genetic Dynamics
- Ecology and Vegetation Dynamics Studies
- Marine Biology and Ecology Research
- Study of Mite Species
- Coral and Marine Ecosystems Studies
- Paleopathology and ancient diseases
- Subterranean biodiversity and taxonomy
- Animal Ecology and Behavior Studies
- Lichen and fungal ecology
- Water Quality and Resources Studies
- Philosophy and History of Science
- Innovative Teaching Methods
- Plant and Fungal Species Descriptions
The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley
2016-2025
Integra (United States)
2023
Oklahoma Biological Survey
2016
Central Michigan University
2016
University of Oklahoma
2016
Great Lakes Institute of Management
2016
University of Wisconsin–La Crosse
2010-2014
University of Wisconsin–Madison
2013
University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
2007-2008
Duke University
2007-2008
Invertebrate species represent more than 99% of animal diversity; however, they receive much less publicity and attract disproportionately minor research effort relative to vertebrates. Nonmarine mollusks (i.e., terrestrial freshwater) are one the most diverse imperiled groups animals, although not many people other a few specialists who study group seem be aware their plight. include number phylogenetically disparate lineages species-rich assemblages that two molluscan classes, Bivalvia...
In 1998, a strategy document outlining the most pressing issues facing conservation of freshwater mussels was published (NNMCC 1998). Beginning in 2011, Freshwater Mollusk Conservation Society began updating that strategy, including broadening scope to include snails. Although both documents contained 10 were deemed priorities for mollusk conservation, identity these has changed. For example, some (e.g., controlling dreissenid mussels, technology propagate and reintroduce techniques...
This study explores biology undergraduates’ misconceptions about genetic drift. We use qualitative and quantitative methods to describe students’ definitions, identify common misconceptions, examine differences before after instruction on five overarching categories that include 16 distinct The accuracy of conceptions ranges considerably, from responses indicating only superficial, if any, knowledge any aspect evolution drift but confusion the nuances After instruction, a significantly...
The ambersnails (Succineidae), found nearly worldwide, are considered a very challenging group to classify and identify with even genus-level identifications requiring dissection. In this study, we use mitochondrial nuclear DNA markers, shell morphometrics, anatomical dissection examine fresh material collected from the type localities of two nominal species in Oxyloma (Neoxyloma). We conclude these evidence that salleanum (L. Pfeiffer, 1850) effusum 1853) conspecific, accordingly reduce O....
The use of personal response systems, or clickers, is increasingly common in college classrooms. Although clickers can increase student engagement and discussion, their benefits also be overstated. A practice to ask the class a question, display responses, allow students discuss then collect responses second time. In an introductory biology course, we asked whether showing question biased response. Some sections course displayed bar graph others served as control group which discussion...
Understanding genetic drift is crucial for a comprehensive understanding of biology, yet it difficult to learn because combines the conceptual challenges both evolution and randomness. To help assess strategies teaching drift, we have developed evaluated Genetic Drift Inventory (GeDI), concept inventory that measures upper-division students’ this concept. We used an iterative approach included extensive interviews field tests involving 1723 students across five different undergraduate...
Pyrgulopsis Call Pilsbry, 1886 is a genus of small (<5 mm) spring snails, usually endemic to single freshwater springs. Two new populations found in very small, isolated springs and runs the mainstem Rio Grande watershed western Texas are distinguished from congeners. Mitochondrial nuclear sequences, morphometrics, morphological characteristics support rubra sp. nov. harrymilleri as distinct other known species, including geographically proximate P. metcalfi.
The freshwater gastropod family Cochliopidae is a diverse component of the subterranean fauna in karst and hyporheic habitats western Texas northern Mexico, with 11 genera 27 described species found region. Building on previous phylogenetic studies region we incorporate additional sampling, DNA, morphological study for systematic revision Edwards-Trinity Aquifer System associated habitats. We describe three new species, Stygopyrgus variabilis sp. nov. , gracilis Phreatodrobia embossa revise...
ABSTRACT Desert springs are one of the most threatened ecosystems globally. Those in Southwestern North America support high numbers and endemic species. Human activities present greatest threats to organisms they support. Freshwater snails genera Pyrgulopsis Tryonia two groups such organisms, representing diverse springsnails United States. also harbour unique microbial diversity that faces similar from water usage freshwater habitat degradation. Understanding bacteria host represent...
Many North American freshwater mollusks are at risk of extinction. Knowledge basic ecology and systematics the pleurocerid hydrobiid gastropods is lacking. Pleurocerids most diverse in southeastern USA, we know that periphyton food limits their growth, grazing, turn, biomass. However, little about effects spates current velocity on populations, more work needed to determine whether interspecific competition or significant from predation occurs. Hydrobiids extremely diverse, but many species...
AbstractThree new species, Cantharellus phasmatis, flavus and spectaculus, all previously considered cibarius, are described in this study. The circumscription of these three species from C. cibarius other is supported by morphological differences nuclear DNA sequence data (nLSU, ITS, TEF1). All were found under Quercus spp. a small plot Hixon Forest Park La Crosse, Wisconsin, emphasizing the need for further taxonomic study even common conspicuous genera North America. In addition, review...
Despite the impact of genetics on daily life, biology undergraduates understand some key concepts poorly. One concept requiring attention is dominance, which many students as a fixed property an allele or trait and regularly conflate with frequency in population selective advantage. We present Dominance Concept Inventory (DCI), instrument to gather data selected alternative conceptions about dominance. During development 16-item test, we used expert surveys (n = 12), student interviews 42),...
The American Association for the Advancement of Science 2011 report Vision and Change in Undergraduate Biology Education encourages teaching developmental biology as an important part evolution. Recently, however, we found that majors often lack knowledge needed to understand evolutionary biology, or “evo-devo.” To assist efforts improve evo-devo instruction among undergraduate majors, designed a concept inventory (CI) EvoDevoCI. CI measures student understanding six core concepts using four...
Undergraduates commonly harbor alternate conceptions about evolutionary biology; these often persist, even after intensive instruction, and may influence acceptance of evolution. We interviewed undergraduates to explore their macroevolutionary patterns designed a 2-h lesson plan present evidence that life has evolved. identified three during our interviews: newly derived traits would be more widespread in extant species than ancestral traits, evolution proceeds solely by anagenesis, lineages...
The roles of systematics in the field conservation biology are well understood and accepted for many organisms. However, role taxonomy has not been reviewed context species protection management freshwater gastropods. We provide a thorough review relevant theoretical literature illustrate with recent examples delineation North American gastropods that these fields play key practical designation units. summarize some aspects can confound taxonomic efforts. Based on our review, we recommend...
A hypothesis of relationships among subfamilies, tribes, genera, and species Polygyridae was established by Ken Emberton in 1995, using shell, behavioral, allozyme, soft anatomical characters. We tested this four mitochondrial two nuclear loci. present data from 418 polygyrid individuals sequenced for one to six loci, including 110 named (out 294 nominal taxa) 21 the 24 recognized genera. carried out phylogenetic DNA barcoding analyses examine at family, genus, species-level. In our...
To examine how well biology majors have achieved the necessary foundation in evolution, numerous studies examined students learn natural selection. However, no to date developmental aspects of evolution (evo-devo). Although evo-devo plays an increasing role undergraduate curricula, we find that instruction often addresses development cursorily, with most treatment embedded within on evolution. Based results surveys and interviews students, suggest teaching core concepts (CCs) a framework...
Abstract Issue Lot accession information from natural history collections represents a potentially vital source of large datasets to test biodiversity, biogeography and macroecology hypotheses. But does such provide an accurate portrayal the world? We review many types bias error intrinsic museum collection data consider how these factors may affect their ability accurately ecological Evidence considered all Texas land snail two major repositories in state compared them with sample drawn...
As a ubiquitous, persistent environmental contaminant, 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin (TCDD) has the potential to cause lethal deformities in larval fishes. Few studies have examined its impacts on growth and craniofacial development conjunction with feeding capability. The authors used morphological behavioral assessments demonstrate that capability of larvae is impaired even when structures are not grossly malformed. Zebrafish embryos were exposed 25 pg TCDD/mL, 50 or 100 TCDD/mL...