Poster Session B

Bacteria not an Energetically Favorable Food Source for Larvae of Artemia salina

Kenny Moore, '10 et al. — Sat, 10 Apr 2010 14:35:00 PDT

Larvae of the crustacean Artemia salina are reported to differentially ingest food particles of different sizes. We exposed 2-to-5-day-old A. salina larvae to equal volumetric concentrations (bead volume per mL) of 6 µm-diameter and 0.5 µm-diameter polystyrene beads. The clearance rate (volume cleared of particles per unit time) of each bead size was positively correlated with developmental stage of the larvae (r=0.598, p<0.0001 for 6 µm beads; r=0.610, p<0.0001 for 0.5 µm beads). The average clearance rate for all larvae exposed to 6- µm beads (3.88 ± 2.15 µl/hr, mean ± SD) was significantly and 69 times greater than that that of larvae exposed to 0.5-µm beads (0.0560 ± 0.0234 µl/hr, mean ± SD). These clearance rates suggest that large cells (6-µm particles) contribute significantly to fulfilling the energetic demands of the larvae (as calculated from published values of estimated metabolic rates) while bacteria-sized particles (0.5-µm diameter) do not.

The Potential Effects of Eggshell Porosity on Brown-Headed Cowbird and Dickcissel Incubation Periods

Brittany Childs, '12 et al. — Sat, 10 Apr 2010 14:35:00 PDT

The Brown-headed Cowbird (Molothrus ater) is a brood parasite that lays its eggs in nests of other species; the eggs are incubated and the offspring are then raised by the host. Grasslandnesting Dickcissels (Spiza americana) are commonly parasitized by Cowbirds. Cowbird eggs have been reported to hatch sooner than equivalently-sized host eggs, giving their hatchlings a competitive advantage over host offspring. Our study focused on the hypothesis that the apparent accelerated development of Cowbirds is caused by greater eggshell porosity which allows for increased availability of oxygen during incubation. The mean pore area of Cowbird eggshells (2.043 ± 0.674 µm2/mm2; mean ± SD) was 5 times greater than Dickcissel eggshells (0.383 ± 1.095 µm2/mm2; t = 5.772, df = 31.598, p < 0.001). However, the mean number of pores per eggshell did not differ significantly between Cowbirds (0.263 ± 0.122 pores/mm2) and Dickcissels (0.229 ± 0.130 pores/mm2; t = 0.846, df = 38, p = 0.403). The data support our hypothesis that Cowbirds have greater eggshell porosity than their host, which could lead to a shorter incubation period.

Do High Gas Prices Sell Smaller Cars? An Empirical Study of the Impact of Fuel Prices on Automotive Sales

Nathan Wheatley, '10 et al. — Sat, 10 Apr 2010 14:35:00 PDT

A Reevaluation of Capaldi and Miller's "Counting in Rats: Its Functional Significance and the Independent Cognitive Processes That Constitute It"

Malory Wodka, '12 et al. — Sat, 10 Apr 2010 14:35:00 PDT

How Stories Shape Lives and Build Friendships: A Study of Parents With Children on the Autism Spectrum

Bobby Tazioli, '11 et al. — Sat, 10 Apr 2010 14:35:00 PDT

Development of a Multifactored Measure of Gender: Identity and Expression

Erin Strauts, '10 et al. — Sat, 10 Apr 2010 14:35:00 PDT

Synthesis of Polyazamacrocycle Molecular Tweezers as a Host For Polyoxoanions

Marie Sutor, '12 et al. — Sat, 10 Apr 2010 14:35:00 PDT

Luck Be A Lady: An Exploration of the Bloomington Bingo Community Through Visual Ethnographic Methods

Monica Simonin, '11 et al. — Sat, 10 Apr 2010 14:35:00 PDT

The Accuracy of Self-Reported Intuitive and Analytical Ability

Jennifer A. Sobyra, '10 et al. — Sat, 10 Apr 2010 14:35:00 PDT

Faith and Family: Images of the Lutheran Church as Family in Erich Loest's Nikolaikirche

BethAnne Roberts, '10 et al. — Sat, 10 Apr 2010 14:35:00 PDT