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• 121. [Article] Heritability for perloline, nitrogen, and digestibility characteristics in tall fescue (Festuca arundinacea, Schreb.) single-crosses grown in two locations

  Tall fescue often results in poor liveweight gains. This may be accounted for by variations in perloline content, nitrogen content, or digestibility of the plant. Two groups of tall fescue plants were ...

  Citation × Citation Citation Abstract Copy Title: Heritability for perloline, nitrogen, and digestibility characteristics in tall fescue (Festuca arundinacea, Schreb.) single-crosses grown in two locations Author: Watson, Clarence Ellis Tall fescue often results in poor liveweight gains. This may be accounted for by variations in perloline content, nitrogen content, or digestibility of the plant. Two groups of tall fescue plants were examined for each of these traits. These groups consisted of (a) fifteen single-crosses of a six parent diallel and (b) seven cultivars of tall fescue. The diallel cross was planted at Corvallis, Oregon and Columbia, Missouri. Plots were harvested and sampled on April 8 and September 22, 1975 at Corvallis; Oregon and on October 16, 1975 at Columbia, Missouri. The two cuttings at Corvallis, Oregon and the fall cuttings at Corvallis and Columbia were analyzed as multiple environments. The cultivars were planted at Corvallis, Oregon and harvested April 10, July 11, and September 22, 1975. All samples were analyzed for perloline and nitrogen content. Samples from the fall harvests at Corvallis, Oregon and Columbia, Missouri were analyzed for in vitro digestibility. There were significant differences among crosses for perloline content. Significant general and specific combining ability was found for perloline content. Broad-sense heritabilities (H[subscript B. S.] = .21-.94) tended to be larger than narrow-sense heritabilities (H[subscript N.S.] = .15-.53). There appeared to be a high degree of dominance for low perloline. Significant differences existed among the cultivars for perloline content. Dates of harvest were a significant source of variation for perloline content, with perloline increasing steadily over the season. Significant genotype x environment interactions were found, suggesting that lines should be tested over locations and years. It should be possible to select for low perloline lines with a program of recurrent selection using a high perloline tester. Significant differences were found among crosses for nitrogen content. General combining ability was significant in all cases. Narrow-sense heritabilities (H[subscript N.S.] = .50-.72) were almost as large as the broad-sense heritabilities (H[subscript B. S.]= .55-.89), suggesting primarily additive gene action for nitrogen content. No differences were found among the cultivars for nitrogen content, but cuttings were a significant source of variation. Differences among cuttings as well as the cutting x cultivar interaction appeared to be due to soil fertility levels and disease. Selection for nitrogen content should be possible with recurrent selection. Lines should be tested over environments. There were differences in in vitro digestibility among crosses for the September harvest at Corvallis, Oregon, but not for the October harvest at Columbia, Missouri. General combining ability was a significant source of variation. The broad-sense heritability (H[subscript B. S.] = .74) was high. The narrowsense heritability (H[subscript N.S.] = .18) was very low, however, indicating that in vitro digestibility was controlled primarily by nonadditive gene action. Digestibilities were significantly higher at Corvallis, Oregon than at Columbia, Missouri. No genotype x environment interaction was found. Selection for high in vitro digestibility should be possible with a program of recurrent selection for specific combining ability. Title: Heritability for perloline, nitrogen, and digestibility characteristics in tall fescue (Festuca arundinacea, Schreb.) single-crosses grown in two locations Author: Watson, Clarence Ellis Tall fescue often results in poor liveweight gains. This may be accounted for by variations in perloline content, nitrogen content, or digestibility of the plant. Two groups of tall fescue plants were examined for each of these traits. These groups consisted of (a) fifteen single-crosses of a six parent diallel and (b) seven cultivars of tall fescue. The diallel cross was planted at Corvallis, Oregon and Columbia, Missouri. Plots were harvested and sampled on April 8 and September 22, 1975 at Corvallis; Oregon and on October 16, 1975 at Columbia, Missouri. The two cuttings at Corvallis, Oregon and the fall cuttings at Corvallis and Columbia were analyzed as multiple environments. The cultivars were planted at Corvallis, Oregon and harvested April 10, July 11, and September 22, 1975. All samples were analyzed for perloline and nitrogen content. Samples from the fall harvests at Corvallis, Oregon and Columbia, Missouri were analyzed for in vitro digestibility. There were significant differences among crosses for perloline content. Significant general and specific combining ability was found for perloline content. Broad-sense heritabilities (H[subscript B. S.] = .21-.94) tended to be larger than narrow-sense heritabilities (H[subscript N.S.] = .15-.53). There appeared to be a high degree of dominance for low perloline. Significant differences existed among the cultivars for perloline content. Dates of harvest were a significant source of variation for perloline content, with perloline increasing steadily over the season. Significant genotype x environment interactions were found, suggesting that lines should be tested over locations and years. It should be possible to select for low perloline lines with a program of recurrent selection using a high perloline tester. Significant differences were found among crosses for nitrogen content. General combining ability was significant in all cases. Narrow-sense heritabilities (H[subscript N.S.] = .50-.72) were almost as large as the broad-sense heritabilities (H[subscript B. S.]= .55-.89), suggesting primarily additive gene action for nitrogen content. No differences were found among the cultivars for nitrogen content, but cuttings were a significant source of variation. Differences among cuttings as well as the cutting x cultivar interaction appeared to be due to soil fertility levels and disease. Selection for nitrogen content should be possible with recurrent selection. Lines should be tested over environments. There were differences in in vitro digestibility among crosses for the September harvest at Corvallis, Oregon, but not for the October harvest at Columbia, Missouri. General combining ability was a significant source of variation. The broad-sense heritability (H[subscript B. S.] = .74) was high. The narrowsense heritability (H[subscript N.S.] = .18) was very low, however, indicating that in vitro digestibility was controlled primarily by nonadditive gene action. Digestibilities were significantly higher at Corvallis, Oregon than at Columbia, Missouri. No genotype x environment interaction was found. Selection for high in vitro digestibility should be possible with a program of recurrent selection for specific combining ability. Close

• 122. [Article] Analysis of nonlinear pharmacokinetic systems and the nonlinear disposition of phenylbutazone in equine (horses)

  The first part of the dissertation is to evaluate the use of proposed and established equations for area under the plasma concentration versus time (AUC) for molecules undergoing nonlinear Michaelis–Menten ...

  Citation × Citation Citation Abstract Copy Title: Analysis of nonlinear pharmacokinetic systems and the nonlinear disposition of phenylbutazone in equine (horses) Author: Ma, Lian The first part of the dissertation is to evaluate the use of proposed and established equations for area under the plasma concentration versus time (AUC) for molecules undergoing nonlinear Michaelis–Menten pharmacokinetic elimination. The effects of varying Michaelis-Menten parameters, rate of drug absorption, or bioavailability on the predictability of drug exposure (AUC) for single-dose data were performed by computer simulation for one- compartment model with first-order drug absorption and two- compartment model with i.v.-bolus administration. Results show that the use of our proposed equation for one-compartment 1st-order absorption model is adequate in most cases of dose, k[subscript a] and clearance ratio. The use of the established equation for two-compartment i.v. model, however, was indentified to be limited under low doses and high clearance ratio (V[subscript m]/K[subscript m]). The second part is to study the potential drug interaction between Phenylbutazone and Ranitidine in thoroughbred horses. Pharmacokinetic study was conducted in a cross-over design in which the horses received co-administration of ranitidine or control treatment. The study started with single-dose oral administrations of 2.2, 4.4, and 8.8 mg/kg phenylbutazone, and then multiple-dose administrations 2.2, 4.4, and 8.8 mg/kg phenylbutazone with a 1-week washout period between trials. Neither plasma concentration profiles nor the observed pharmacokinetic parameters of phenylbutazone were significantly altered by ranitidine treatment. The results suggest that concurrent treatment with ranitidine and phenylbutazone does not result in elevations of plasma phenylbutazone concentrations. Ranitidine should be safe to be co-administered with phenylbutazone in thoroughbred horses. The third part is about two pharmacokinetic studies investigating O,O-dimethylphosphate (DMP) and xanthohumol (XN) respectively, in Male Sprague-Dawley rats. Levels of urinary dialkylphosphates (DAPs) are currently used as a biomarker of human exposure to organophosphorus insecticides (OPs). It is known that OPs degrade on food commodities to DAPs at levels that approach or exceed those of the parent OP. However, little has been reported on the extent of DAP absorption, distribution, metabolism and excretion. Rats were administered DMP at 20 mg/kg via oral gavage and I.V. injection. DMP bioavailability was found to be 107 ± 39 % and the amount of the orally administered dose recovered in the urine was 30 ± 9.9 % by 48 hrs. The in vitro metabolic stability, high bioavailability and extent of DMP urinary excretion following oral exposure in a rat model suggests that measurement of DMP as a biomarker of insecticide exposure may lead to overestimation of human exposure. Xanthohumol (XN) is a dietary flavonoid found in hops showing health protective actions against cardiovascular disease and type 2 diabetes. This study provides basic pharmacokinetics (PK) parameters for XN and its major metabolites in rats. The maximum concentration (C[subscript max]) and area under the curve (AUC[subscript 0-∞]) of total XN (free and conjugated) were 2.9 ± 0.1 mg/L and 2.5 ± 0.3 h*mg/L in the IV group, 0.019 ± 0.002 mg/L and 0.84 ± 0.17 h*mg/L in the oral low group, 0.043 ± 0.002 mg/L and 1.03 ± 0.12 h*mg/L in the oral medium group, and 0.15 ± 0.01 mg/L and 2.49 ± 0.10 h*mg/L in the oral high group. The bioavailability of XN is dose-dependent and approximately 0.33, 0.13 and 0.11 in rats, for the low, medium and high dose groups, respectively. Title: Analysis of nonlinear pharmacokinetic systems and the nonlinear disposition of phenylbutazone in equine (horses) Author: Ma, Lian The first part of the dissertation is to evaluate the use of proposed and established equations for area under the plasma concentration versus time (AUC) for molecules undergoing nonlinear Michaelis–Menten pharmacokinetic elimination. The effects of varying Michaelis-Menten parameters, rate of drug absorption, or bioavailability on the predictability of drug exposure (AUC) for single-dose data were performed by computer simulation for one- compartment model with first-order drug absorption and two- compartment model with i.v.-bolus administration. Results show that the use of our proposed equation for one-compartment 1st-order absorption model is adequate in most cases of dose, k[subscript a] and clearance ratio. The use of the established equation for two-compartment i.v. model, however, was indentified to be limited under low doses and high clearance ratio (V[subscript m]/K[subscript m]). The second part is to study the potential drug interaction between Phenylbutazone and Ranitidine in thoroughbred horses. Pharmacokinetic study was conducted in a cross-over design in which the horses received co-administration of ranitidine or control treatment. The study started with single-dose oral administrations of 2.2, 4.4, and 8.8 mg/kg phenylbutazone, and then multiple-dose administrations 2.2, 4.4, and 8.8 mg/kg phenylbutazone with a 1-week washout period between trials. Neither plasma concentration profiles nor the observed pharmacokinetic parameters of phenylbutazone were significantly altered by ranitidine treatment. The results suggest that concurrent treatment with ranitidine and phenylbutazone does not result in elevations of plasma phenylbutazone concentrations. Ranitidine should be safe to be co-administered with phenylbutazone in thoroughbred horses. The third part is about two pharmacokinetic studies investigating O,O-dimethylphosphate (DMP) and xanthohumol (XN) respectively, in Male Sprague-Dawley rats. Levels of urinary dialkylphosphates (DAPs) are currently used as a biomarker of human exposure to organophosphorus insecticides (OPs). It is known that OPs degrade on food commodities to DAPs at levels that approach or exceed those of the parent OP. However, little has been reported on the extent of DAP absorption, distribution, metabolism and excretion. Rats were administered DMP at 20 mg/kg via oral gavage and I.V. injection. DMP bioavailability was found to be 107 ± 39 % and the amount of the orally administered dose recovered in the urine was 30 ± 9.9 % by 48 hrs. The in vitro metabolic stability, high bioavailability and extent of DMP urinary excretion following oral exposure in a rat model suggests that measurement of DMP as a biomarker of insecticide exposure may lead to overestimation of human exposure. Xanthohumol (XN) is a dietary flavonoid found in hops showing health protective actions against cardiovascular disease and type 2 diabetes. This study provides basic pharmacokinetics (PK) parameters for XN and its major metabolites in rats. The maximum concentration (C[subscript max]) and area under the curve (AUC[subscript 0-∞]) of total XN (free and conjugated) were 2.9 ± 0.1 mg/L and 2.5 ± 0.3 h*mg/L in the IV group, 0.019 ± 0.002 mg/L and 0.84 ± 0.17 h*mg/L in the oral low group, 0.043 ± 0.002 mg/L and 1.03 ± 0.12 h*mg/L in the oral medium group, and 0.15 ± 0.01 mg/L and 2.49 ± 0.10 h*mg/L in the oral high group. The bioavailability of XN is dose-dependent and approximately 0.33, 0.13 and 0.11 in rats, for the low, medium and high dose groups, respectively. Close

• 123. [Article] Resource allocation in four syntopic species of marine diving birds

  During 1969-1971 I studied patterns of resource allocation and behavioral interaction among Brandt's Cormorants, Pelagic Cormorants, Common Murres and Pigeon Guillemots in the area of a breeding colony ...

  Citation × Citation Citation Abstract Copy Title: Resource allocation in four syntopic species of marine diving birds Author: Scott, James Michael, 1941- During 1969-1971 I studied patterns of resource allocation and behavioral interaction among Brandt's Cormorants, Pelagic Cormorants, Common Murres and Pigeon Guillemots in the area of a breeding colony on Yaquina Head on the central Oregon coast. Extensive studies of the breeding colony were combined with detailed observations of the distribution, abundance and behavior of these birds at sea. The nesting areas differed considerably among the four species. Brandt's Cormorants and Common Murres were the most similar, both nesting in colonies on flat or gently sloping, unvegetated surfaces of the same offshore rock. In contrast, Pelagic Cormorants nested on the face of precipitous cliffs on the mainland and offshore rocks, singly or in loose aggregations; Pigeon Guillemots also nested singly or in loose aggregations in nooks, crevices and sometimes burrows on mainland and offshore cliffs. Breeding phenologies overlapped almost completely, with egg laying beginning in late May and the first young fledging in mid-July. Murres initiated egg laying as early as May 6 and had an abbreviated nestling period. At an age of 2-3 weeks, chicks left the breeding rock, and were accompanied at sea by the adult male. Dispersal from the breeding colony was primarily longshore rather than offshore. The energetic and competitive advantages of this type of parental care pattern in murres and other alcids are discussed. I suggest that precociality has evolved in some alcids as the result of a gain in subaqueous flight capabilities at the expense of aerial flight. The greater underwater maneuverability permits those species with precocial young to exploit highly mobile midwater fish populations at great distances from the breeding colony. However, their decreased ability to ferry food from the offshore feeding areas to the breeding colony has resulted in selection for early abandonment of the colony by adult and chick. The four species differed in the average length and range of dive times. The ratio of dive time/rest time, however, was very similar when all dive times or a specific dive time were considered. Pelagic Cormorants had the lowest average dive time, while Brandt's Cormorants, Pigeon Guillemots and Common Murres took increasingly longer dives. The same ranking of species was observed for offshore distribution, with Pelagic Cormorants foraging closest to the beach and Brandt's Cormorants slightly further offshore, followed by Pigeon Guillemots with Common Murres being the most pelagic in their foraging distribution. Pigeon Guillemots fed exclusively on bottom-dwelling species while Common Murres took primarily midwater fish. The cormorants fed upon prey occurring in both areas. In addition, both species of cormorants and the murres as well as Western Gulls fed together in mixed-species feeding flocks. These flocks foraged primarily upon schooling fish of the families Engraulidae and Osmeridae, which represent a patchily distributed but locally abundant food source. The three diving species which participate in mixed species flocks thus differed in their offshore distribution and took slightly different prey items, although overlapping extensively in their utilization of the more abundant species, such as anchovies and juvenile rockfish. This zonation results in less predation pressure per unit area on the less common and more predictably distributed prey species, but allows the entire offshore area to be searched effectively for abundant but patchily distributed fish schools. The behavioral interactions between members of the mixed species flocks allow rapid communication of prey school locations and permit each species to maintain contact with the school for a much longer time. The temporal and spatial overlap in the occurrence of breeding activities may contribute to a more effective coverage of the area surrounding the colony during the time of year at which food supplies are abundant. Title: Resource allocation in four syntopic species of marine diving birds Author: Scott, James Michael, 1941- During 1969-1971 I studied patterns of resource allocation and behavioral interaction among Brandt's Cormorants, Pelagic Cormorants, Common Murres and Pigeon Guillemots in the area of a breeding colony on Yaquina Head on the central Oregon coast. Extensive studies of the breeding colony were combined with detailed observations of the distribution, abundance and behavior of these birds at sea. The nesting areas differed considerably among the four species. Brandt's Cormorants and Common Murres were the most similar, both nesting in colonies on flat or gently sloping, unvegetated surfaces of the same offshore rock. In contrast, Pelagic Cormorants nested on the face of precipitous cliffs on the mainland and offshore rocks, singly or in loose aggregations; Pigeon Guillemots also nested singly or in loose aggregations in nooks, crevices and sometimes burrows on mainland and offshore cliffs. Breeding phenologies overlapped almost completely, with egg laying beginning in late May and the first young fledging in mid-July. Murres initiated egg laying as early as May 6 and had an abbreviated nestling period. At an age of 2-3 weeks, chicks left the breeding rock, and were accompanied at sea by the adult male. Dispersal from the breeding colony was primarily longshore rather than offshore. The energetic and competitive advantages of this type of parental care pattern in murres and other alcids are discussed. I suggest that precociality has evolved in some alcids as the result of a gain in subaqueous flight capabilities at the expense of aerial flight. The greater underwater maneuverability permits those species with precocial young to exploit highly mobile midwater fish populations at great distances from the breeding colony. However, their decreased ability to ferry food from the offshore feeding areas to the breeding colony has resulted in selection for early abandonment of the colony by adult and chick. The four species differed in the average length and range of dive times. The ratio of dive time/rest time, however, was very similar when all dive times or a specific dive time were considered. Pelagic Cormorants had the lowest average dive time, while Brandt's Cormorants, Pigeon Guillemots and Common Murres took increasingly longer dives. The same ranking of species was observed for offshore distribution, with Pelagic Cormorants foraging closest to the beach and Brandt's Cormorants slightly further offshore, followed by Pigeon Guillemots with Common Murres being the most pelagic in their foraging distribution. Pigeon Guillemots fed exclusively on bottom-dwelling species while Common Murres took primarily midwater fish. The cormorants fed upon prey occurring in both areas. In addition, both species of cormorants and the murres as well as Western Gulls fed together in mixed-species feeding flocks. These flocks foraged primarily upon schooling fish of the families Engraulidae and Osmeridae, which represent a patchily distributed but locally abundant food source. The three diving species which participate in mixed species flocks thus differed in their offshore distribution and took slightly different prey items, although overlapping extensively in their utilization of the more abundant species, such as anchovies and juvenile rockfish. This zonation results in less predation pressure per unit area on the less common and more predictably distributed prey species, but allows the entire offshore area to be searched effectively for abundant but patchily distributed fish schools. The behavioral interactions between members of the mixed species flocks allow rapid communication of prey school locations and permit each species to maintain contact with the school for a much longer time. The temporal and spatial overlap in the occurrence of breeding activities may contribute to a more effective coverage of the area surrounding the colony during the time of year at which food supplies are abundant. Close

• 124. [Article] The inheritance of volatile alcohols associated with frozen bush snap beans

  Inheritance of the volatile components in bush snap beans, O.S.U. 58-110 X 'Romano' cross and reciprocal, was determined using gas-liquid chromatographic technique with gas-entrainment on-column trapping. ...

  Citation × Citation Citation Abstract Copy Title: The inheritance of volatile alcohols associated with frozen bush snap beans Author: Toya, Dan K. Inheritance of the volatile components in bush snap beans, O.S.U. 58-110 X 'Romano' cross and reciprocal, was determined using gas-liquid chromatographic technique with gas-entrainment on-column trapping. A sample of 10 to 14 pods averaging 5 grams from a single plant was found to be adequate for F₁, F₂, and backcross studies. The characteristic low concentration of l-octen-3-ol in O.S.U. 58-110 was dominant over that of the higher concentration of 'Romano' in the F₁ generation. A chi square goodness of fit test for a 3:1 ratio in the F₂ and 1:1 ratio in the backcross of the F₁ to 'Romano' indicated a single dominant gene controlling the inheritance of 1-octen- 3-ol. A better fit to a 9:7 ratio was shown for the F₂, but backcrosses to both parents did not indicate a two gene action. Backcross results have shown the importance of studying inheritance by more than one method. The difference in mean concentration and the amount of overlapping in the concentration of linalool found in the two varieties made it impossible to distinguish any genetic ratios. Flower color inheritance for crosses involving 'Blue Lake' types (white flower) X 'Romano' (light purple) were shown to be controlled by two genes. Dominant gene V subscript [lae] produced the purple color while the recessive remained white. The second gene, Aeq. (with other dominant influencing genes) when dominant caused the banners to be a darker purple color than if the gene was recessive. No linkage was found between flower color intensifier and 1-octen- 3-ol. It was not possible to determine linkage of the flower color, V subscript [lae], and l-octen-3-ol. An oval 'Blue Lake' mutant was found in the line O.S.U. 9025. Compared to the original round pod type, it was characterized by strings on both sutures, oval pod, glossy smooth light green outer skin, and light color inner flesh. Thawing time, maturity, and processing affected the concentration of l-octen-3-ol. Concentration of l-octen-3-ol decreased with maturity (days from anthesis). The concentration in frozen beans was found to increase with longer thawing times. Processed samples, whether frozen or canned, were lower in concentration than fresh raw samples. Processing influences on other volatiles were mostly quantitative, but several of the compounds were lost in the frozen samples. Increases in the "lower boiling" volatiles of the canned products were attributed to the heat induction and degradation of metabolites. A loss of volatiles in the frozen samples and "higher boiling" components in the canned product is believed to be through vaporization and leaching into the hot water bath during the blanching process. Reduction in quantity and losses of compounds with influence of thawing time made the freezing process less desirable for preserving samples for genetic studies. Fresh raw samples would be better for inheritance studies if the time required for analysis could be reduced. Maturity and the nature of quantitative variation among varieties would limit the use of volatile flavor components for chemotaxonomy; yet analysis for phenolics, alkaloids, and flavonoids, combined with botanical means, should provide the most effective system for differentiating varieties. Title: The inheritance of volatile alcohols associated with frozen bush snap beans Author: Toya, Dan K. Inheritance of the volatile components in bush snap beans, O.S.U. 58-110 X 'Romano' cross and reciprocal, was determined using gas-liquid chromatographic technique with gas-entrainment on-column trapping. A sample of 10 to 14 pods averaging 5 grams from a single plant was found to be adequate for F₁, F₂, and backcross studies. The characteristic low concentration of l-octen-3-ol in O.S.U. 58-110 was dominant over that of the higher concentration of 'Romano' in the F₁ generation. A chi square goodness of fit test for a 3:1 ratio in the F₂ and 1:1 ratio in the backcross of the F₁ to 'Romano' indicated a single dominant gene controlling the inheritance of 1-octen- 3-ol. A better fit to a 9:7 ratio was shown for the F₂, but backcrosses to both parents did not indicate a two gene action. Backcross results have shown the importance of studying inheritance by more than one method. The difference in mean concentration and the amount of overlapping in the concentration of linalool found in the two varieties made it impossible to distinguish any genetic ratios. Flower color inheritance for crosses involving 'Blue Lake' types (white flower) X 'Romano' (light purple) were shown to be controlled by two genes. Dominant gene V subscript [lae] produced the purple color while the recessive remained white. The second gene, Aeq. (with other dominant influencing genes) when dominant caused the banners to be a darker purple color than if the gene was recessive. No linkage was found between flower color intensifier and 1-octen- 3-ol. It was not possible to determine linkage of the flower color, V subscript [lae], and l-octen-3-ol. An oval 'Blue Lake' mutant was found in the line O.S.U. 9025. Compared to the original round pod type, it was characterized by strings on both sutures, oval pod, glossy smooth light green outer skin, and light color inner flesh. Thawing time, maturity, and processing affected the concentration of l-octen-3-ol. Concentration of l-octen-3-ol decreased with maturity (days from anthesis). The concentration in frozen beans was found to increase with longer thawing times. Processed samples, whether frozen or canned, were lower in concentration than fresh raw samples. Processing influences on other volatiles were mostly quantitative, but several of the compounds were lost in the frozen samples. Increases in the "lower boiling" volatiles of the canned products were attributed to the heat induction and degradation of metabolites. A loss of volatiles in the frozen samples and "higher boiling" components in the canned product is believed to be through vaporization and leaching into the hot water bath during the blanching process. Reduction in quantity and losses of compounds with influence of thawing time made the freezing process less desirable for preserving samples for genetic studies. Fresh raw samples would be better for inheritance studies if the time required for analysis could be reduced. Maturity and the nature of quantitative variation among varieties would limit the use of volatile flavor components for chemotaxonomy; yet analysis for phenolics, alkaloids, and flavonoids, combined with botanical means, should provide the most effective system for differentiating varieties. Close

• 125. [Article] Microsatellite Marker Development, Characterization and Mapping in European Hazelnut (Corylus avellana L.), and Investigation of Novel Sources of Eastern Filbert Blight Resistance in Corylus

  European hazelnut, an important nut crop in Oregon agriculture, is threatened by the fungal disease eastern filbert blight (EFB) caused by Anisogramma anomala (Peck) E. Müller. The hazelnut breeding program ...

  Citation × Citation Citation Abstract Copy Title: Microsatellite Marker Development, Characterization and Mapping in European Hazelnut (Corylus avellana L.), and Investigation of Novel Sources of Eastern Filbert Blight Resistance in Corylus Author: Bhattarai, Gehendra European hazelnut, an important nut crop in Oregon agriculture, is threatened by the fungal disease eastern filbert blight (EFB) caused by Anisogramma anomala (Peck) E. Müller. The hazelnut breeding program at OSU has been working on development of EFB-resistant cultivars. DNA markers allow mapping of traits using segregating progenies and identification of linked markers. The breeding of hazelnuts involves use of DNA markers to genotype individuals and facilitate selection in a procedure known as marker-assisted selection (MAS). This technique is particularly promising in tree crops with a long juvenile phase like the hazelnuts. 'Gasaway' resistance governed by a dominant allele at a single locus was identified and several EFB-resistant cultivars carrying the dominant allele from this source have been released. Infection of 'Gasaway' and some of its offspring by A. anomala isolates has been noted, and indicates an urgent need to investigate new sources of resistance, identify new resistance genes and incorporate them into the breeding effort. New microsatellite markers were developed from the genomic sequence of hazelnut cv. 'Jefferson'. A total of 17,802 simple sequence repeat (SSR) motifs exceeding 15 bp in length and consisting of tri-, tetra-, penta- and hexa- nucleotide repeats were identified in the 'Jefferson' genome. Removal of duplicates, short fragments, repeats at ends, and repeats containing only A's and T's reduced the number of unique fragments to 2,069. Visual inspection of these unique fragments alligned with genome sequences of 7 other accessions in Tablet software identified 489 sequences with variation in number of repeats but with conserved flanking regions. Amplification of a set of 24 diverse accessions and separation on agarose gels led to the development of 366 new polymorphic markers. These were used to genotype 48 diverse accessions using capillary electrophoresis for fragment sizing. An additional 15 parents were also fingerprinted at these new 366 microsatellite loci. Using the mapping population (OSU 252.146 x OSU 414.062), 213 loci were mapped. A dendrogram was constructed which showed a high level of polymorphism in hazelnut. Tightly linked markers were identified for 'Gasaway' resistance and MAS is routinely used. The hazelnut acreage in Oregon is increasing every year with the planting of these new EFB-resistant cultivars. However, concern about disease resistance breakdown prompted an investigation of 12 new EFB resistance sources. Segregating progenies were inoculated by placement of potted trees under an inoculation structure, in the greenhouse, or in the field by tying a diseased branch on each tree. A chi-square goodness-of-fit test was used compare observed with expected segregation ratios. Very few seedlings of Moscow selections N01, N01-06, and N01-07 were resistant and were likely escapes. 'Grand Traverse', C. heterophylla 'Ogyoo', 'Yoder #5', C. americana 'Rush', Moscow N23, N26, N27, and N37 segregated in 1:1 ratio, indicating resistance governed by a single locus and a dominant allele for resistance. 'Uebov' transmitted resistance to only ~15 % of its seedlings. Resistance from 'Uebov', 'Grand Traverse', and C. heterophylla 'Ogyoo' were assigned to LG6 but only 'Uebov' and 'Grand Traverse' were mapped. Resistance from 'Yoder #5', Moscow N27 and C. americana 'Rush' was assigned to LG7. Mapping of the remaining resistance sources will be completed in the future. Title: Microsatellite Marker Development, Characterization and Mapping in European Hazelnut (Corylus avellana L.), and Investigation of Novel Sources of Eastern Filbert Blight Resistance in Corylus Author: Bhattarai, Gehendra European hazelnut, an important nut crop in Oregon agriculture, is threatened by the fungal disease eastern filbert blight (EFB) caused by Anisogramma anomala (Peck) E. Müller. The hazelnut breeding program at OSU has been working on development of EFB-resistant cultivars. DNA markers allow mapping of traits using segregating progenies and identification of linked markers. The breeding of hazelnuts involves use of DNA markers to genotype individuals and facilitate selection in a procedure known as marker-assisted selection (MAS). This technique is particularly promising in tree crops with a long juvenile phase like the hazelnuts. 'Gasaway' resistance governed by a dominant allele at a single locus was identified and several EFB-resistant cultivars carrying the dominant allele from this source have been released. Infection of 'Gasaway' and some of its offspring by A. anomala isolates has been noted, and indicates an urgent need to investigate new sources of resistance, identify new resistance genes and incorporate them into the breeding effort. New microsatellite markers were developed from the genomic sequence of hazelnut cv. 'Jefferson'. A total of 17,802 simple sequence repeat (SSR) motifs exceeding 15 bp in length and consisting of tri-, tetra-, penta- and hexa- nucleotide repeats were identified in the 'Jefferson' genome. Removal of duplicates, short fragments, repeats at ends, and repeats containing only A's and T's reduced the number of unique fragments to 2,069. Visual inspection of these unique fragments alligned with genome sequences of 7 other accessions in Tablet software identified 489 sequences with variation in number of repeats but with conserved flanking regions. Amplification of a set of 24 diverse accessions and separation on agarose gels led to the development of 366 new polymorphic markers. These were used to genotype 48 diverse accessions using capillary electrophoresis for fragment sizing. An additional 15 parents were also fingerprinted at these new 366 microsatellite loci. Using the mapping population (OSU 252.146 x OSU 414.062), 213 loci were mapped. A dendrogram was constructed which showed a high level of polymorphism in hazelnut. Tightly linked markers were identified for 'Gasaway' resistance and MAS is routinely used. The hazelnut acreage in Oregon is increasing every year with the planting of these new EFB-resistant cultivars. However, concern about disease resistance breakdown prompted an investigation of 12 new EFB resistance sources. Segregating progenies were inoculated by placement of potted trees under an inoculation structure, in the greenhouse, or in the field by tying a diseased branch on each tree. A chi-square goodness-of-fit test was used compare observed with expected segregation ratios. Very few seedlings of Moscow selections N01, N01-06, and N01-07 were resistant and were likely escapes. 'Grand Traverse', C. heterophylla 'Ogyoo', 'Yoder #5', C. americana 'Rush', Moscow N23, N26, N27, and N37 segregated in 1:1 ratio, indicating resistance governed by a single locus and a dominant allele for resistance. 'Uebov' transmitted resistance to only ~15 % of its seedlings. Resistance from 'Uebov', 'Grand Traverse', and C. heterophylla 'Ogyoo' were assigned to LG6 but only 'Uebov' and 'Grand Traverse' were mapped. Resistance from 'Yoder #5', Moscow N27 and C. americana 'Rush' was assigned to LG7. Mapping of the remaining resistance sources will be completed in the future. Close

• 126. [Article] Quantitative shape analysis of soil map delineations in Benton County, Oregon

  Soils are 3-dimensional bodies that make up natural landscapes. In addition to the morphological properties used to characterize soils, soil bodies also have the properties of size and shape. Soil maps ...

  Citation × Citation Citation Abstract Copy Title: Quantitative shape analysis of soil map delineations in Benton County, Oregon Author: Poore, Joel K. Soils are 3-dimensional bodies that make up natural landscapes. In addition to the morphological properties used to characterize soils, soil bodies also have the properties of size and shape. Soil maps are made in an effort to provide information on the spatial distribution of different kinds of soils. Soil mappers draw to scale, as accurately as possible, the sizes and shapes of the different kinds of soil bodies they observe in the landscape. Beyond that, however, very little quantitative information relative to size and shape is provided to soil map users. Quantitative shape characterization presents several opportunities to learn about soil genesis and soil interpretations for land use. Intriguing questions include "Why does a soil body have the particular shape it has?", "Does each map unit possess an intrinsic shape or range of shapes?", "Do existing map unit interpretations apply equally to delineations of different size and shape?", "How can shape data for individual delineations be aggregated into an overall description of soil patterns in different geographic areas?", "What effects do soil patterns have on land use?". None of these questions can be answered without first having an appropriate technique for characterizing the shapes of individual delineations. The objective of this research, therefore, was to examine several possible shape indexes and isolate those few which had the greatest utility for characterizing shape. These few were then used to examine shape distributions within a few selected map units and compare shapes between map units. Data were collected by digitizing 452 delineations sampled from 13 different kinds of soil bodies identified in the soil survey of Benton County. For each delineation, 43 potential indexes were calculated. These included primary measurements, such as area and perimeter, and figure attribute ratios such as Horton's form ratio, Miller's circularity index, Schumm's elongation ratio, and Fridland's coefficient of dissection. A convex hull was circumscribed around each delineation, and the same primary measurements and attribute ratios were calculated for the convex hull. Additional indexes were calculated by comparing values determined for a delineation and corresponding values for it's convex hull. One additional technique used was to fit each polygon and convex hull with a 22-sided vertex lag polygon. Calculation of distances between vertices of this polygon leads to the derivation of a vertex lag index of shape. Variations on the vertex lag theme provided several additional indexes. Correlation analysis showed that the set of 43 indexes was highly intercorrelated. In order to reduce this set to a smaller set of minimally correlated indexes, the entire data set was subjected to a factor analysis. The result was a set of three dominant factors, which together accounted for 86.1% of the total variance in the data set. Each factor was interpreted by considering the nature of the shape indexes that loaded heavily on it, and a single index was selected to represent each factor on the basis of maximum interpretability. The first factor was interpreted as a measure of the complexity, or irregularity, of a delineation. The vertex lag index for the delineation was selected as the best single index to represent this attribute of shape. The second factor included all of the primary measurements. Though not a measure of shape per se, primary measurement data were viewed as significant elements in the spatial description of soil map delineations. Polygon area was taken as the best index to represent the effects of primary measurements. The third factor was interpreted as a measure of form. In this case, Schumm's elongation ratio, as measured on the convex hull, was found to be the most interpretable index of form. These three attributes, size, form, and complexity, provided the best quantitative description of shape. The indexes that represent them were found to be minimally correlated and maximally interpretable. Each of the 13 kinds of soil bodies sampled was characterized in terms of the three aspects of shape using descriptive statistics and frequency histograms. Comparisons between samples were evaluated using the Mann-Whitney U test. The data suggested that delineations belonging to a single soil mapping unit do have distinctive distributions of size, form, and complexity. Shape differences between mapping units were most evident when comparing soils on different landforms, parent materials, and slope gradients. Title: Quantitative shape analysis of soil map delineations in Benton County, Oregon Author: Poore, Joel K. Soils are 3-dimensional bodies that make up natural landscapes. In addition to the morphological properties used to characterize soils, soil bodies also have the properties of size and shape. Soil maps are made in an effort to provide information on the spatial distribution of different kinds of soils. Soil mappers draw to scale, as accurately as possible, the sizes and shapes of the different kinds of soil bodies they observe in the landscape. Beyond that, however, very little quantitative information relative to size and shape is provided to soil map users. Quantitative shape characterization presents several opportunities to learn about soil genesis and soil interpretations for land use. Intriguing questions include "Why does a soil body have the particular shape it has?", "Does each map unit possess an intrinsic shape or range of shapes?", "Do existing map unit interpretations apply equally to delineations of different size and shape?", "How can shape data for individual delineations be aggregated into an overall description of soil patterns in different geographic areas?", "What effects do soil patterns have on land use?". None of these questions can be answered without first having an appropriate technique for characterizing the shapes of individual delineations. The objective of this research, therefore, was to examine several possible shape indexes and isolate those few which had the greatest utility for characterizing shape. These few were then used to examine shape distributions within a few selected map units and compare shapes between map units. Data were collected by digitizing 452 delineations sampled from 13 different kinds of soil bodies identified in the soil survey of Benton County. For each delineation, 43 potential indexes were calculated. These included primary measurements, such as area and perimeter, and figure attribute ratios such as Horton's form ratio, Miller's circularity index, Schumm's elongation ratio, and Fridland's coefficient of dissection. A convex hull was circumscribed around each delineation, and the same primary measurements and attribute ratios were calculated for the convex hull. Additional indexes were calculated by comparing values determined for a delineation and corresponding values for it's convex hull. One additional technique used was to fit each polygon and convex hull with a 22-sided vertex lag polygon. Calculation of distances between vertices of this polygon leads to the derivation of a vertex lag index of shape. Variations on the vertex lag theme provided several additional indexes. Correlation analysis showed that the set of 43 indexes was highly intercorrelated. In order to reduce this set to a smaller set of minimally correlated indexes, the entire data set was subjected to a factor analysis. The result was a set of three dominant factors, which together accounted for 86.1% of the total variance in the data set. Each factor was interpreted by considering the nature of the shape indexes that loaded heavily on it, and a single index was selected to represent each factor on the basis of maximum interpretability. The first factor was interpreted as a measure of the complexity, or irregularity, of a delineation. The vertex lag index for the delineation was selected as the best single index to represent this attribute of shape. The second factor included all of the primary measurements. Though not a measure of shape per se, primary measurement data were viewed as significant elements in the spatial description of soil map delineations. Polygon area was taken as the best index to represent the effects of primary measurements. The third factor was interpreted as a measure of form. In this case, Schumm's elongation ratio, as measured on the convex hull, was found to be the most interpretable index of form. These three attributes, size, form, and complexity, provided the best quantitative description of shape. The indexes that represent them were found to be minimally correlated and maximally interpretable. Each of the 13 kinds of soil bodies sampled was characterized in terms of the three aspects of shape using descriptive statistics and frequency histograms. Comparisons between samples were evaluated using the Mann-Whitney U test. The data suggested that delineations belonging to a single soil mapping unit do have distinctive distributions of size, form, and complexity. Shape differences between mapping units were most evident when comparing soils on different landforms, parent materials, and slope gradients. Close

• 127. [Article] Hybridization between imidazolinone-resistant wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) and jointed goatgrass (Aegilops cylindrical Host.) and selection pressure impacts on proportion of resistance alleles

  Imazamox-resistant wheat (Clearfield®) cultivars carry the Imi1 gene, which confers resistance to the imidazolinone (IMI) herbicide imazamox. Imazamox provides selective control of jointed goatgrass and ...

  Citation × Citation Citation Abstract Copy Title: Hybridization between imidazolinone-resistant wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) and jointed goatgrass (Aegilops cylindrical Host.) and selection pressure impacts on proportion of resistance alleles Author: Martins, Bianca Asssis Barbosa Imazamox-resistant wheat (Clearfield®) cultivars carry the Imi1 gene, which confers resistance to the imidazolinone (IMI) herbicide imazamox. Imazamox provides selective control of jointed goatgrass and other weeds in IMI-resistant wheat. Imi1 gene flow between IMI-resistant wheat and jointed goatgrass may occur via hybridization and backcross events. In 2009 and 2010, surveys were conducted in Eastern Oregon to determine the prevalence of the Imi1 gene in wheat by jointed goatgrass hybrids in Eastern Oregon. Tissue and spikes from hybrids were collected and Imi1 presence was detected by PCR assays. We assessed hybrid yield components and explored how these components varied across the sampled sites. The association between the proportion of IMI-resistant hybrids and type of system (agricultural or non-agricultural) or management practice in the commercial fields was determined. A total of 128 sites were surveyed over the two years. Of 1,410 plants sampled, 1,100 were positive for the Imi1 gene of which 1,087 were heterozygousand 13 samples were homozygous for the gene. The 13 homozygous plants provide evidence that they are of backcross generations because they no longer carry the wild type allele. This is the first report of natural occurrence of IMI-resistant backcross plants in commercial wheat fields. Non-agricultural sites or fields with IMI-resistant wheat production back-to-back, were two factors associated with a greater proportion of IMI-resistant hybrids. These results indicate that it is important to choose field management practices that reduce the production of IMI-resistant hybrids, and to manage non-agricultural areas with jointed goatgrass infestations to prevent introgression of the Imi1 gene in these hybridization zones. The most economic and environmental friendly method to selectively control the pathogen Oculimacula yallundae in winter wheat is the use of resistant wheat cultivars. These cultivars carry the Pch1 gene, which provides resistance to foot rot. Once the Imi1 and Pch1 genes are introgressed into a jointed goatgrass population, their intraspecific movement and fate in the progeny remains largely unstudied. Therefore, field experiments were conducted using Imi1 and Pch1 resistance genes introgressed into a single jointed goatgrass population and selection pressure treatments were applied. The progeny were genotyped to detect the presence of the resistance alleles in order to determine proportion and the level of gene flow. In addition, selection pressure effects on yield components were analyzed. The herbicide-resistance allele proportion in the progeny was greater when parent plants were treated with imazamox. The disease-resistance allele proportion did not differ among the selection pressure treatments in the first year, but was greater with disease in the second year. The herbicide-resistance gene flow was greater with herbicide selection pressure in the first year but did not differ in the second year. Disease resistance gene flow did not differ among the selection pressure treatments. Because the resistance allele proportion increased in the two experiments for herbicide and in experiment one for disease resistance, it is likely that once introgression takes place, the increase of the resistance alleles in subsequent generations will reach fixation, with selection pressure. In addition, selection pressure treatments reduced yield components in the parental plants compared with the control treatment. This study revealed that there was no fitness cost associated with IMIresistant or foot rot resistance in jointed goatgrass in the absence of selection pressure. The knowledge of how selection pressure at the field level influences the resistance gene flow and the proportion with which the resistance genes occur in the progeny is important to prevent resistance spread. In addition, it lays the ground work for researchers to continue investigating the impacts of selection pressure on resistance genes in subsequent generations or other genes of ecological significance such as drought, cold or salt tolerance. Title: Hybridization between imidazolinone-resistant wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) and jointed goatgrass (Aegilops cylindrical Host.) and selection pressure impacts on proportion of resistance alleles Author: Martins, Bianca Asssis Barbosa Imazamox-resistant wheat (Clearfield®) cultivars carry the Imi1 gene, which confers resistance to the imidazolinone (IMI) herbicide imazamox. Imazamox provides selective control of jointed goatgrass and other weeds in IMI-resistant wheat. Imi1 gene flow between IMI-resistant wheat and jointed goatgrass may occur via hybridization and backcross events. In 2009 and 2010, surveys were conducted in Eastern Oregon to determine the prevalence of the Imi1 gene in wheat by jointed goatgrass hybrids in Eastern Oregon. Tissue and spikes from hybrids were collected and Imi1 presence was detected by PCR assays. We assessed hybrid yield components and explored how these components varied across the sampled sites. The association between the proportion of IMI-resistant hybrids and type of system (agricultural or non-agricultural) or management practice in the commercial fields was determined. A total of 128 sites were surveyed over the two years. Of 1,410 plants sampled, 1,100 were positive for the Imi1 gene of which 1,087 were heterozygousand 13 samples were homozygous for the gene. The 13 homozygous plants provide evidence that they are of backcross generations because they no longer carry the wild type allele. This is the first report of natural occurrence of IMI-resistant backcross plants in commercial wheat fields. Non-agricultural sites or fields with IMI-resistant wheat production back-to-back, were two factors associated with a greater proportion of IMI-resistant hybrids. These results indicate that it is important to choose field management practices that reduce the production of IMI-resistant hybrids, and to manage non-agricultural areas with jointed goatgrass infestations to prevent introgression of the Imi1 gene in these hybridization zones. The most economic and environmental friendly method to selectively control the pathogen Oculimacula yallundae in winter wheat is the use of resistant wheat cultivars. These cultivars carry the Pch1 gene, which provides resistance to foot rot. Once the Imi1 and Pch1 genes are introgressed into a jointed goatgrass population, their intraspecific movement and fate in the progeny remains largely unstudied. Therefore, field experiments were conducted using Imi1 and Pch1 resistance genes introgressed into a single jointed goatgrass population and selection pressure treatments were applied. The progeny were genotyped to detect the presence of the resistance alleles in order to determine proportion and the level of gene flow. In addition, selection pressure effects on yield components were analyzed. The herbicide-resistance allele proportion in the progeny was greater when parent plants were treated with imazamox. The disease-resistance allele proportion did not differ among the selection pressure treatments in the first year, but was greater with disease in the second year. The herbicide-resistance gene flow was greater with herbicide selection pressure in the first year but did not differ in the second year. Disease resistance gene flow did not differ among the selection pressure treatments. Because the resistance allele proportion increased in the two experiments for herbicide and in experiment one for disease resistance, it is likely that once introgression takes place, the increase of the resistance alleles in subsequent generations will reach fixation, with selection pressure. In addition, selection pressure treatments reduced yield components in the parental plants compared with the control treatment. This study revealed that there was no fitness cost associated with IMIresistant or foot rot resistance in jointed goatgrass in the absence of selection pressure. The knowledge of how selection pressure at the field level influences the resistance gene flow and the proportion with which the resistance genes occur in the progeny is important to prevent resistance spread. In addition, it lays the ground work for researchers to continue investigating the impacts of selection pressure on resistance genes in subsequent generations or other genes of ecological significance such as drought, cold or salt tolerance. Close

• 128. [Article] Breeding ecology and nest site selection of Kittlitz's murrelets on Kodiak Island, Alaska

  The Kittlitz's murrelet (Brachyramphus brevirostris) is a rare member of the seabird family Alcidae that breeds in coastal areas of Alaska and Beringian Russia. The species belongs to the genus Brachyramphus, ...

  Citation × Citation Citation Abstract Copy Title: Breeding ecology and nest site selection of Kittlitz's murrelets on Kodiak Island, Alaska Author: Lawonn, Matthew James The Kittlitz's murrelet (Brachyramphus brevirostris) is a rare member of the seabird family Alcidae that breeds in coastal areas of Alaska and Beringian Russia. The species belongs to the genus Brachyramphus, an unusual seabird taxon in which all three extant species nest non-colonially, situating their nests up to 75 km inland from coastal marine waters. This nesting strategy is different from that of most seabird species, which tend to nest colonially on remote islands or sea cliffs, where terrestrial predators are generally absent or cannot easily access nests. Within the genus Brachyramphus, Kittlitz's murrelet is notable because a majority of the global population appears to nest on the surface of the ground in rocky alpine habitat near inland or tidewater glaciers, foraging in adjacent marine waters influenced by glacial outflows. The unusual nesting habits of Kittlitz's murrelet have made the study of its nesting ecology difficult, and gaps therefore exist in our understanding of the species' breeding biology. Kittlitz's murrelet populations have declined substantially in core areas of its range, causing the U. S. Fish and Wildlife Service to designate the species as a candidate for protection under the Endangered Species Act. A better understanding of Kittlitz's murrelet nesting ecology is crucial for determining potential causes of these declines and for future management of the species. To this end, I studied Kittlitz's murrelet breeding ecology and nest site selection during 2008-2011 on Kodiak Island, Alaska, in an unglaciated area that was recently found to have large numbers of accessible nests. I and my colleagues found 53 active Kittlitz's murrelet nests in inland scree-dominated habitats and placed remote, motion-sensing cameras at 33 nests. Adults exchanged incubation duties at the nest every 24 or 48 h, almost exclusively during early morning twilight. Following hatching of eggs, parents provisioned their single nestling with an average of 3.9 to 4.8 fish per day, depending on the year. Parental visits to the nest during chick-rearing occurred primarily after sunrise in the early to mid-morning hours, and during evening twilight. Fish were delivered singly to the chick, and Pacific sand lance (Ammodytes hexapterus), a high-lipid forage fish, accounted for about 92% of all identifiable chick meal deliveries. Chick growth rates were high relative to confamilial species, consistent with the high quality of chick diets; the logistic growth rate constant (K) was 0.291, greater than that for any other semi-precocial alcid. Chicks fledged an average of 24.8 d after hatching and asymptotic chick body mass averaged about 135.5 g, approximately 58% of adult body mass. Age at fledging, asymptotic chick body mass (% adult mass), and the number of meal deliveries required to fledge a chick were all lower than or as low as any other species of semi-precocial alcid. The average estimated nest survival rate during 2008-2011 was 0.093 (95% CI = 0.01–0.30), which is extremely low compared to other species in the family Alcidae, and is almost certainly insufficient to sustain a stable population. The primary causes of nest failure were depredation (47% of total nest fates), mostly by red foxes (Vulpes vulpes), and unexplained nestling mortality on the nest (21% of nest fates). Saxitoxin and/or pathogenic endoparasite burdens were observed in five of six necropsied chick carcasses, suggesting possible causes for chick mortality not directly attributable to predation. Habitat characteristics of Kittlitz's murrelet nest sites differed significantly from unused sites at several scales. At a small scale (within 5 m of the nest), nest sites had a lower percent coverage of vegetation and higher percent coverage of intermediate-sized rocks (5–30 cm diameter), compared to randomly selected unused sites. Nest sites were also located on steeper, more north-facing slopes compared to randomly selected sites. Nest sites also had a lower percent coverage of vegetation than randomly-selected sites at larger scales (within 25 m and 50 m of the nest site). Nest sites were located significantly farther from the edge of densely-vegetated habitats than random sites. There was no evidence that nest sites were different from randomly-selected sites in terms of elevation, proximity to ridgelines, or proximity to the open ocean, although a low degree of variation within the study area for these habitat characteristics may have precluded detection of potential differences. Nest survival rates did not co-vary with slope, percent vegetation coverage, distance from vegetated edges, or percent cover of intermediate-sized rocks; however, this result may be an artifact of a limited sample size. The results of this thesis will provide managers with a better understanding of the factors that may limit Kittlitz's murrelet nesting success, such as nest predation and forage fish availability, as well as factors that may influence the quality and distribution of Kittlitz’s murrelet nesting habitat in the future, given on-going and progressive climate change. Title: Breeding ecology and nest site selection of Kittlitz's murrelets on Kodiak Island, Alaska Author: Lawonn, Matthew James The Kittlitz's murrelet (Brachyramphus brevirostris) is a rare member of the seabird family Alcidae that breeds in coastal areas of Alaska and Beringian Russia. The species belongs to the genus Brachyramphus, an unusual seabird taxon in which all three extant species nest non-colonially, situating their nests up to 75 km inland from coastal marine waters. This nesting strategy is different from that of most seabird species, which tend to nest colonially on remote islands or sea cliffs, where terrestrial predators are generally absent or cannot easily access nests. Within the genus Brachyramphus, Kittlitz's murrelet is notable because a majority of the global population appears to nest on the surface of the ground in rocky alpine habitat near inland or tidewater glaciers, foraging in adjacent marine waters influenced by glacial outflows. The unusual nesting habits of Kittlitz's murrelet have made the study of its nesting ecology difficult, and gaps therefore exist in our understanding of the species' breeding biology. Kittlitz's murrelet populations have declined substantially in core areas of its range, causing the U. S. Fish and Wildlife Service to designate the species as a candidate for protection under the Endangered Species Act. A better understanding of Kittlitz's murrelet nesting ecology is crucial for determining potential causes of these declines and for future management of the species. To this end, I studied Kittlitz's murrelet breeding ecology and nest site selection during 2008-2011 on Kodiak Island, Alaska, in an unglaciated area that was recently found to have large numbers of accessible nests. I and my colleagues found 53 active Kittlitz's murrelet nests in inland scree-dominated habitats and placed remote, motion-sensing cameras at 33 nests. Adults exchanged incubation duties at the nest every 24 or 48 h, almost exclusively during early morning twilight. Following hatching of eggs, parents provisioned their single nestling with an average of 3.9 to 4.8 fish per day, depending on the year. Parental visits to the nest during chick-rearing occurred primarily after sunrise in the early to mid-morning hours, and during evening twilight. Fish were delivered singly to the chick, and Pacific sand lance (Ammodytes hexapterus), a high-lipid forage fish, accounted for about 92% of all identifiable chick meal deliveries. Chick growth rates were high relative to confamilial species, consistent with the high quality of chick diets; the logistic growth rate constant (K) was 0.291, greater than that for any other semi-precocial alcid. Chicks fledged an average of 24.8 d after hatching and asymptotic chick body mass averaged about 135.5 g, approximately 58% of adult body mass. Age at fledging, asymptotic chick body mass (% adult mass), and the number of meal deliveries required to fledge a chick were all lower than or as low as any other species of semi-precocial alcid. The average estimated nest survival rate during 2008-2011 was 0.093 (95% CI = 0.01–0.30), which is extremely low compared to other species in the family Alcidae, and is almost certainly insufficient to sustain a stable population. The primary causes of nest failure were depredation (47% of total nest fates), mostly by red foxes (Vulpes vulpes), and unexplained nestling mortality on the nest (21% of nest fates). Saxitoxin and/or pathogenic endoparasite burdens were observed in five of six necropsied chick carcasses, suggesting possible causes for chick mortality not directly attributable to predation. Habitat characteristics of Kittlitz's murrelet nest sites differed significantly from unused sites at several scales. At a small scale (within 5 m of the nest), nest sites had a lower percent coverage of vegetation and higher percent coverage of intermediate-sized rocks (5–30 cm diameter), compared to randomly selected unused sites. Nest sites were also located on steeper, more north-facing slopes compared to randomly selected sites. Nest sites also had a lower percent coverage of vegetation than randomly-selected sites at larger scales (within 25 m and 50 m of the nest site). Nest sites were located significantly farther from the edge of densely-vegetated habitats than random sites. There was no evidence that nest sites were different from randomly-selected sites in terms of elevation, proximity to ridgelines, or proximity to the open ocean, although a low degree of variation within the study area for these habitat characteristics may have precluded detection of potential differences. Nest survival rates did not co-vary with slope, percent vegetation coverage, distance from vegetated edges, or percent cover of intermediate-sized rocks; however, this result may be an artifact of a limited sample size. The results of this thesis will provide managers with a better understanding of the factors that may limit Kittlitz's murrelet nesting success, such as nest predation and forage fish availability, as well as factors that may influence the quality and distribution of Kittlitz’s murrelet nesting habitat in the future, given on-going and progressive climate change. Close

• 129. [Article] Coral-reef fishes : insights into larval dispersal and invasion ecology

  Because many coral-reef fishes are observable in situ, are amenable to transplantation, have small home ranges and short generation times, they provide a excellent system to investigate many topics within ...

  Citation × Citation Citation Abstract Copy Title: Coral-reef fishes : insights into larval dispersal and invasion ecology Author: Pusack, Timothy J. Because many coral-reef fishes are observable in situ, are amenable to transplantation, have small home ranges and short generation times, they provide a excellent system to investigate many topics within general ecology, fisheries biology, and conservation biology. The primary goal of this dissertation was to use the coral-reef fishes system to investigate two pressing sets of issues that face marine ecologists and managers of living marine resources. The first topic is the spatial and temporal patterns of larval dispersal and reproductive success in a marine metapopulation (Chapter 2). Because miniscule larvae are difficult to track in the vast pelagic environment, little is known about the patterns of larval dispersal. Yet, the more that is understood about the spatial and temporal variability in larval dispersal, the easier it will be to identify sites that are self-sustaining and exporting larvae to unprotect sites, a common goal of marine reserves. Incorporating this information into siting of marine reserves will improve their effectiveness. The second topic is fundamental in the ecology of biological invasions: species specific interactions between an invasive predator and native species. Specifically, I investigated the ability of an invasive predator to disrupt natural population regulation of a native prey species (Chapter 3), and the ability of a native predator to provide biotic resistance against the invasive species (Chapter 4). Because management of the lionfish invasion is needed throughout the Caribbean and Atlantic waters, it is necessary to understand not only how lionfish can change the native system, but also potential ways to moderate the negative effects. To address the first topic, we collected a total of 3,278 genetic tissue samples from bicolor damselfish (Stegastes partitus) over a four year period from reefs near four islands that encompass Exuma Sound, Bahamas (Chapter 2). Using a Bayesian parentage analysis, eight parent-offspring pairs were detected, which directly documented both connectivity between and self-recruitment on an ecological time scale. Remarkably, some larvae returned to the exact same reef where they were spawned, while others traveled to sites greater than 100 km distance. The only study island without a detected parent-offspring pair, Lee Stocking Island, was also the island that showed the most restrictive gene flow on evolutionary time scales. Additionally, variability was documented in the spatial and temporal signatures of sweepstakes reproduction and Wahlund effects. The variation we observed may be influenced by seasonal mesoscale gyres present in Exuma Sound, which play a prominent role in shaping local oceanographic patterns. Understanding how to identify pathways of larval dispersal is important to designing networks of marine reserves, because a common goal of reserves is to protect populations that are self-seeding and can export larvae. Thus, this research not only demonstrates that temporal variability is a prominent characteristic of larval dispersal, but provides an example of how to identify these populations. To address the second topic, two studies using both lab observations and manipulative field experiments were conducted to study the interaction between invasive Indo-Pacific red lionfish (Pterois volitans) and two different native species. In the first study (Chapter 3) three different data sets were used to document the effect of lionfish predation on their top prey species, the bridled goby (Coryphopterus glaucofraenum). The first data set was extracted from three previous studies to compare the change in abundance of bridled goby between patch reefs with lionfish and patch reefs that were predator-free. The second data set came from laboratory feeding trials to test for the presence of a size refuge for bridled goby caused by lionfish gape limitation. The third data set came from a manipulative field experiment using 22 nearshore reefs where the per capita mortality of bridled gobies was compared among four orthogonal predator treatments: (1) predator-free control, (2) a single native predator only -- the graysby grouper (Cephalopholis cruentatus) -- representing the pre-invasion system, (3) a single lionfish only, and (4) one native grouper and one lionfish, representing the invaded system. The combined results from these three data sets demonstrated that lionfish can consistently consume a significant amount and an extremely high proportion of bridled goby on small patch reefs. While small lionfish cannot eat bridled goby larger than 0.42 times their body size, large lionfish eat virtually the entire size range of bridled goby. These findings indicate that lionfish have the potential to extirpate local goby populations. In the second experiment, lionfish were exposed to different abundances of a native grouper, the Nassau grouper (Epinephelus striatus), on 28 nearshore patch reefs in the Bahamas. Lionfish persistence and growth was monitored over 10 weeks, as well as the abundance of small, < 5 cm total length (TL), native reef fishes. Nassau grouper did not affect lionfish persistence or growth. Yet, reefs with a lionfish and many Nassau grouper saw a significant increase in the abundance of small reef fishes compared to reefs with only lionfish or lionfish with few grouper. Thus, it appears that high densities of Nassau grouper provide some biotic resistance on Bahamian patch reefs by potentially interfering with lionfish predation on native fishes, perhaps by interrupting stalking behavior. This dissertation highlights the flexibility of the coral-reef fishes system for investigation of broadly different topics in basic and applied ecology. Coral-reef fishes are a tractable system for both large and small scale studies, as well as laboratory observations and manipulative field experiments. The findings of this dissertation advance the understanding of metapopulation dynamics and have implications for fisheries management and marine reserve design. This research also documents further evidence of the negative effects of lionfish, yet provides some promising findings that may indicate some native biotic resistance to this devastating of marine invasions. Title: Coral-reef fishes : insights into larval dispersal and invasion ecology Author: Pusack, Timothy J. Because many coral-reef fishes are observable in situ, are amenable to transplantation, have small home ranges and short generation times, they provide a excellent system to investigate many topics within general ecology, fisheries biology, and conservation biology. The primary goal of this dissertation was to use the coral-reef fishes system to investigate two pressing sets of issues that face marine ecologists and managers of living marine resources. The first topic is the spatial and temporal patterns of larval dispersal and reproductive success in a marine metapopulation (Chapter 2). Because miniscule larvae are difficult to track in the vast pelagic environment, little is known about the patterns of larval dispersal. Yet, the more that is understood about the spatial and temporal variability in larval dispersal, the easier it will be to identify sites that are self-sustaining and exporting larvae to unprotect sites, a common goal of marine reserves. Incorporating this information into siting of marine reserves will improve their effectiveness. The second topic is fundamental in the ecology of biological invasions: species specific interactions between an invasive predator and native species. Specifically, I investigated the ability of an invasive predator to disrupt natural population regulation of a native prey species (Chapter 3), and the ability of a native predator to provide biotic resistance against the invasive species (Chapter 4). Because management of the lionfish invasion is needed throughout the Caribbean and Atlantic waters, it is necessary to understand not only how lionfish can change the native system, but also potential ways to moderate the negative effects. To address the first topic, we collected a total of 3,278 genetic tissue samples from bicolor damselfish (Stegastes partitus) over a four year period from reefs near four islands that encompass Exuma Sound, Bahamas (Chapter 2). Using a Bayesian parentage analysis, eight parent-offspring pairs were detected, which directly documented both connectivity between and self-recruitment on an ecological time scale. Remarkably, some larvae returned to the exact same reef where they were spawned, while others traveled to sites greater than 100 km distance. The only study island without a detected parent-offspring pair, Lee Stocking Island, was also the island that showed the most restrictive gene flow on evolutionary time scales. Additionally, variability was documented in the spatial and temporal signatures of sweepstakes reproduction and Wahlund effects. The variation we observed may be influenced by seasonal mesoscale gyres present in Exuma Sound, which play a prominent role in shaping local oceanographic patterns. Understanding how to identify pathways of larval dispersal is important to designing networks of marine reserves, because a common goal of reserves is to protect populations that are self-seeding and can export larvae. Thus, this research not only demonstrates that temporal variability is a prominent characteristic of larval dispersal, but provides an example of how to identify these populations. To address the second topic, two studies using both lab observations and manipulative field experiments were conducted to study the interaction between invasive Indo-Pacific red lionfish (Pterois volitans) and two different native species. In the first study (Chapter 3) three different data sets were used to document the effect of lionfish predation on their top prey species, the bridled goby (Coryphopterus glaucofraenum). The first data set was extracted from three previous studies to compare the change in abundance of bridled goby between patch reefs with lionfish and patch reefs that were predator-free. The second data set came from laboratory feeding trials to test for the presence of a size refuge for bridled goby caused by lionfish gape limitation. The third data set came from a manipulative field experiment using 22 nearshore reefs where the per capita mortality of bridled gobies was compared among four orthogonal predator treatments: (1) predator-free control, (2) a single native predator only -- the graysby grouper (Cephalopholis cruentatus) -- representing the pre-invasion system, (3) a single lionfish only, and (4) one native grouper and one lionfish, representing the invaded system. The combined results from these three data sets demonstrated that lionfish can consistently consume a significant amount and an extremely high proportion of bridled goby on small patch reefs. While small lionfish cannot eat bridled goby larger than 0.42 times their body size, large lionfish eat virtually the entire size range of bridled goby. These findings indicate that lionfish have the potential to extirpate local goby populations. In the second experiment, lionfish were exposed to different abundances of a native grouper, the Nassau grouper (Epinephelus striatus), on 28 nearshore patch reefs in the Bahamas. Lionfish persistence and growth was monitored over 10 weeks, as well as the abundance of small, < 5 cm total length (TL), native reef fishes. Nassau grouper did not affect lionfish persistence or growth. Yet, reefs with a lionfish and many Nassau grouper saw a significant increase in the abundance of small reef fishes compared to reefs with only lionfish or lionfish with few grouper. Thus, it appears that high densities of Nassau grouper provide some biotic resistance on Bahamian patch reefs by potentially interfering with lionfish predation on native fishes, perhaps by interrupting stalking behavior. This dissertation highlights the flexibility of the coral-reef fishes system for investigation of broadly different topics in basic and applied ecology. Coral-reef fishes are a tractable system for both large and small scale studies, as well as laboratory observations and manipulative field experiments. The findings of this dissertation advance the understanding of metapopulation dynamics and have implications for fisheries management and marine reserve design. This research also documents further evidence of the negative effects of lionfish, yet provides some promising findings that may indicate some native biotic resistance to this devastating of marine invasions. Close

• 130. [Article] Closing the Gap: Developing a Transportation Curriculum for the Oregon Young Scholars Program: Project Summary Report

  This OTREC educational proposal links experiential and transportation education from the University of Oregon with minority youth during the Summer ‘08 two-week session of the Oregon Young Scholar’s Program ...

  Citation × Citation Citation Abstract Copy Title: Closing the Gap: Developing a Transportation Curriculum for the Oregon Young Scholars Program: Project Summary Report Author: Gary, Carla, Steiner, Bethany, Kalnbach, Chuck Year: 2013 This OTREC educational proposal links experiential and transportation education from the University of Oregon with minority youth during the Summer ‘08 two-week session of the Oregon Young Scholar’s Program (OYSP). The grant provides OYSP an opportunity to create a transportation based curriculum during the Summer ‘08 program with the ultimate purpose of increasing minority interest and hopefully eventual employment in transportation related fields. OYSP was developed in 2005 to nurture the potential of marginalized minority students, to prepare these students for higher education, and to increase the awareness of their parents or caregivers about what it will take for these students to achieve at higher education institutions. Each year, OYSP brings in a subsequent cohort of students. The Summer ‘08 session will be the first year that four years’ worth of students will be attending the program (50+ students). Each year, students attend morning academic sessions focused on Math and Writing, the two basic components of any education. In the afternoon, students are grouped into smaller academic cohorts in business, community planning and design, public policy, arts, chemistry, and psychology. The proposed transportation theme for the ’08 session will infuse all elements of the summer program. All cohorts will focus on transportation as it relates to the cohort. For example, the chemistry cohort will focus on the chemistry of alternative fuels and the power derived verses the power needed to create the fuels. The public policy cohort will look at public health implication of transportation choices. Other elements of the program including community service, field trips, and guest speakers will support the transportation theme. Students will discuss the role of public art at bus stations, will take bike rides through the city and analyze the infrastructure from a youth perspective, and will talk with personnel in the City of Eugene the Public Works and Planning departments about their careers. The program will culminate in a two-day charrette focusing on a transportation issue in the City of Eugene. Program participants will work with community leaders, professionals and fellow students to develop recommendations for a specific community topic. This integrated educational approach facilitates exploration of the field from diverse perspectives and encourages students to creativity involve themselves in the world of transportation. Not only will the high school students benefit from the experience, the 10 undergraduate students that we employ to serve as mentors and teaching and resident assistants will also be immersed in transportation topics and activities. They will be responsible for helping with homework and assisting with curriculum design. This direct involvement with the topic will expose, and hopefully inspire them to pursue transportation related classes at the university and consider it for a career. In summary, this project involves 50+ minority students in a rich, single-topic focused experience building on the continuing partnerships between the University of Oregon and high schools to support minority youth. This grant request furthers the OTREC and DOT goals and generates interest in the profession of transportation among those least represented in the field. The program is directed and supported by the Office of Institutional Equity and Diversity at the University of Oregon. Match money will come from the university, private foundations, and the City of Eugene. Money from OTREC would allow us to turn the entire focus of the program to transportation. Title: Closing the Gap: Developing a Transportation Curriculum for the Oregon Young Scholars Program: Project Summary Report Author: Gary, Carla, Steiner, Bethany, Kalnbach, Chuck Year: 2013 This OTREC educational proposal links experiential and transportation education from the University of Oregon with minority youth during the Summer ‘08 two-week session of the Oregon Young Scholar’s Program (OYSP). The grant provides OYSP an opportunity to create a transportation based curriculum during the Summer ‘08 program with the ultimate purpose of increasing minority interest and hopefully eventual employment in transportation related fields. OYSP was developed in 2005 to nurture the potential of marginalized minority students, to prepare these students for higher education, and to increase the awareness of their parents or caregivers about what it will take for these students to achieve at higher education institutions. Each year, OYSP brings in a subsequent cohort of students. The Summer ‘08 session will be the first year that four years’ worth of students will be attending the program (50+ students). Each year, students attend morning academic sessions focused on Math and Writing, the two basic components of any education. In the afternoon, students are grouped into smaller academic cohorts in business, community planning and design, public policy, arts, chemistry, and psychology. The proposed transportation theme for the ’08 session will infuse all elements of the summer program. All cohorts will focus on transportation as it relates to the cohort. For example, the chemistry cohort will focus on the chemistry of alternative fuels and the power derived verses the power needed to create the fuels. The public policy cohort will look at public health implication of transportation choices. Other elements of the program including community service, field trips, and guest speakers will support the transportation theme. Students will discuss the role of public art at bus stations, will take bike rides through the city and analyze the infrastructure from a youth perspective, and will talk with personnel in the City of Eugene the Public Works and Planning departments about their careers. The program will culminate in a two-day charrette focusing on a transportation issue in the City of Eugene. Program participants will work with community leaders, professionals and fellow students to develop recommendations for a specific community topic. This integrated educational approach facilitates exploration of the field from diverse perspectives and encourages students to creativity involve themselves in the world of transportation. Not only will the high school students benefit from the experience, the 10 undergraduate students that we employ to serve as mentors and teaching and resident assistants will also be immersed in transportation topics and activities. They will be responsible for helping with homework and assisting with curriculum design. This direct involvement with the topic will expose, and hopefully inspire them to pursue transportation related classes at the university and consider it for a career. In summary, this project involves 50+ minority students in a rich, single-topic focused experience building on the continuing partnerships between the University of Oregon and high schools to support minority youth. This grant request furthers the OTREC and DOT goals and generates interest in the profession of transportation among those least represented in the field. The program is directed and supported by the Office of Institutional Equity and Diversity at the University of Oregon. Match money will come from the university, private foundations, and the City of Eugene. Money from OTREC would allow us to turn the entire focus of the program to transportation. Close