The BIRD protein JACKDAW (JKD) belong to the INDETERMINATE DOMAIN (IDD) protein family shown to regulate many developmental processes in plants. JKD encodes a Zinc Finger Protein expressed in the root ground tissue and regulates root patterning in Arabidopsis thaliana (Arabidopsis). Recent and unpublished study indicates that JKD is involved in plant defense response in Arabidopsis. Here we study the JKD function in tomato plants (Solanum lycopersicum). We analyzed the tomato JKD orthologues (Solyc09g007550 (Solyc09) and Solyc10g084180 (Solyc10)) mutant lines, which were generated by Crispr-Cas and TILLING (Targeting Induced Local Lesions in Genomes). Our data indicate that, like in Arabidopsis, Solyc09 controls root ground tissue patterning; the mutant lines show extra cell division in the inner cortex and disturbed stem cell patterning. In addition, we found that both Solyc09 and Solyc10 control the root and stem thickness and regulate tomato leaf shape. To further investigate whether Solyc09 and Solyc10 have a function in tomato when subjected to biotic stress, we evaluated the mutants response to the necrotrophic fungi Botrytis cinerea. We found that the tomato bird mutants have less infection when compared to the control. Taken together our data show that Solyc09 and Solyc10 genes play an essential role in tomato root, shoot development, and in plant immune response to the pathogenic fungi.

No description available.

No description available.

Patterns of organismal development—including embryonic morphogenesis, postnatal ontogenetic trends, and growth—are fundamental to understanding the evolution of phenotypes. Consideration of these processes is necessary to construct a holistic and rigorous account of morphological evolution. Therefore, the integration of both the fossil record (actualistic observations of changes in morphology through Earth history) and observations of extant clades (comparative patterns of pre- and postnatal development) is required to study the evolution of form across deep time. The pelvic complex plays a central role in tetrapod locomotion with the exception of taxa lacking hindlimbs (e.g., whales, snakes, caecilians). This complex, composed of the pelvic girdle (ilia, ischia, and pubes) and the sacrum (vertebrae articulated with the ilia via sacral ribs) is in some aspects highly conserved through amniote evolution: all terrestrial amniotes with functional hindlimbs retain the same bones of the pelvic girdle in roughly the same configuration with each other and a sacrum consisting of at least two vertebrae, the ancestral amniote condition. Despite the retention of this basic plan, the pelvic complex of many groups is characterized by extreme deviations from the ancestral condition. Therefore, the evolution of the pelvis and sacrum across amniotes—especially among archosaurs, which possess highly derived variations of the pelvic complex in response to the evolution of novel baupläne—provides an excellent case study to explore the influence of developmental patterns on the evolution of morphology. The first chapter of my dissertation reviews the methods that have been used to study reptilian growth and maturity in the fossil record. I clarify often ambiguous terminology and highlight clade-specific best practices for assessing growth in extinct reptiles. The second chapter uses the dicynodont sacrum as a case study to explore the evolution of novel morphologies along the normally constrained synapsid lineage that are convergent on several archosaurian innovations, integrating comparative anatomy, comparative phylogenetic methods, and developmental biology. The third chapter utilizes a new technique (modified CLARITY protocol) for imaging the soft tissues of developing embryos to explore the morphogenesis of the avian pelvic complex, finding that the derived avian condition arrives late in development, with plesiomorphic—more typically "dinosaurian"—character states being present at the outset of musculoskeletal development. / Doctor of Philosophy / Every animal's anatomy is determined by the developmental processes they undergo during their life history. Because of this, understanding these developmental processes is a key part of determining how animals have evolved into the many disparate forms we see today. Conversely, it is only through the fossil record that the actual history of anatomical evolution can be observed, so a holistic account of the pattern and process underlying evolution must integrate both developmental biology and paleontology. The pelvic complex—the hips and the vertebrae articulated with the hips—plays a fundamental role in how all nearly land vertebrates move (with the exception of legless groups). In some ways, the pelvic complex is very similar across all groups of mammals, reptiles, and their extinct close relatives: all retain the same three bones of the pelvis in roughly the same configuration with each other, and all possess a sacrum consisting of at least two vertebrae, the ancestral condition. Despite the retention of this basic plan, the pelvic complex of many groups is characterized by extreme deviations from the ancestral condition, with the three pelvic bones having highly disparate shapes and proportions. Therefore, the evolution of the pelvis and sacrum across mammals, reptiles, and their extinct relatives—especially among archosaurs (the reptilian group containing crocodylians and birds), which possess highly derived variations of the pelvic complex in response to the evolution of novel body plans—provides an excellent case study to explore the influence of developmental patterns on the evolution of animal form. The first chapter of my dissertation reviews the methods that have been used to study reptilian growth and maturity in the fossil record. I clarify often ambiguous terminology and highlight group-specific best practices for assessing growth in extinct reptiles. The second chapter uses the evolution of the sacrum among extinct mammal relatives as a case study to explore the evolution of novel anatomy along the normally conservative mammalian lineage, integrating comparative anatomy, evolutionary statistics, and developmental biology. The third chapter utilizes a new technique for imaging the soft tissues of developing embryos to explore the origins of the highly unusual pelvic complex in birds, finding that the distinctive bird anatomy arrives late in development, with ancestral—more typically "dinosaurian"—features being present at early-stage embryos of birds.

Eastern Bluebirds (<i>Sialis sialis</i>) were found to be utilizing natural nest sites in the vicinity of Blacksburg, Virginia, during 1976 and 1977. Forty-seven natural nest sites, 37 in fencepost cavities and ten in tree cavities were discovered by driving roads in rural areas, scanning fencerows and utility wires with binoculars, and by searching fencerows on foot. Ninety-one percent of nest cavities used by bluebirds were made by woodpeckers. Height of cavity entrance, entrance diameter, and distance from entrance to cavity bottom were best able to distinguish anong bluebird fencepost nest cavities, nest demonstration display sites, and Starling (<i>Sturnus vulgaris</i>) fencepost nest cavities, using discriminant function analysis. Four nest cavities used by bluebirds in 1976 were no longer available in 1977 due to the replacement of fenceposts and tree limb breakage. No new cavities in fenceposts were observed being excavated by woodpeckers. / Master of Science

Vineyards in New Zealand suffer bird damage caused by several avian species, including blackbirds and silvereyes. The introduced European Blackbird takes whole grapes which reduces yield. The self-introduced Australasian Silvereye pecks on grapes, leaving them on the vine to be further attacked by fungi and bacteria, and the subsequent off-odours can cause grapes to be refused by the winery or to suffer a price-reduction. Bird control methods remain primitive and largely ineffective during the long ripening period of wine grapes. An ecologically sound method to manage and reduce bird pressure requires deeper understanding of why some birds eat grapes, especially since grapes are not particularly nutritious. This work investigated the extent to which blackbirds and silvereyes are attracted by various compounds in ripening grapes. Since in natural grapes these compounds develop and change simultaneously, I developed an artificial grape in which a single parameter could be investigated. Artificial grapes (and sometimes nectar) were presented on a bird feeder table and the responses of birds to hexose sugars, the aromas 2-3-isobutylmethoxypyrazine and geraniol, tartaric and malic acids, grape tannins, and purple and green colour were recorded on timelapse video and analysed.

This thesis compared the bird and mammal populations utilizing three multiflora rose hedgerows in Delaware County, Indiana during a one year period.. Results were based on weekly observations and snap-trapping records. Relative abundance and frequency indices were used in comparing populations. Birds were also classified according to their seasonal occurrence on the areas, and activities of birds and mammals were reported.This study showed that the species composition of the areas was similar but that population sizes and degree of species utilization varied as a result of adjacent land use and disturbance rather than the length or volume of the hedgerows.Ball State UniversityMuncie, IN 47306

The Bird River sill (BRS) is composed of layered mafic-ultramafic intrusive bodies which intruded the Bird River greenstone belt in southeastern Manitoba. Layered intrusions, such as those that collectively make-up the BRS, are important hosts to base and precious metal deposits. This study was initiated to examine and develop an emplacement model for the western half of the BRS and to establish the controls on Cr-Ni-Cu-PGE mineralization. The BRS intrusions were emplaced through multiple-magmatic injections into different stratigraphic levels in the Lamprey Falls Formation. It is interpreted that the central BRS intrusions are connected and represent a single conduit system. The BRS and the Lamprey Falls Formation are overlain by the metasedimentary rocks of the Peterson Creek Formation and are overturned. The stratigraphy of the BRS is divided into four series which are from the base upwards: 1) marginal mafic series, 2) ultramafic series, 3) transition series, and 4) mafic series. All significant concentrations of Cr-Ni-Cu-PGE are contained in the ultramafic series. Mineralization is magmatic in origin with significant Ni-Cu and PGE remobilization associated with late felsic magmatism. Ni-Cu remobilization is also associated with mineralized shear zones that cross-cut the BRS and Lamprey Falls Formation. The sulphur source could not be determined unambiguously based on sulphur isotopes alone but the δ34S values of the BRS intrusions suggests that the sulphur in the BRS is magmatic in origin and that two of the BRS bodies may have assimilated external sulphur. The findings of this investigation have considerable economic implications. The model that each BRS body is an individual intrusion implies each body may contain its own style of mineralization. Secondly, the Page body of the BRS is interpreted to represent a turbulent magmatic environment and to be the first intrusion to form at the lowest stratigraphic level. The magmas that formed the stratigraphically higher BRS intrusions are believed to have passed through the Page intrusion. Therefore, the Page body is an excellent exploration target as it represents a turbulent environment in which significant amounts of primitive magma have passed through which are two key factors in the formation of Ni-Cu-PGE deposits.

The Bird River sill (BRS) is composed of layered mafic-ultramafic intrusive bodies which intruded the Bird River greenstone belt in southeastern Manitoba. Layered intrusions, such as those that collectively make-up the BRS, are important hosts to base and precious metal deposits. This study was initiated to examine and develop an emplacement model for the western half of the BRS and to establish the controls on Cr-Ni-Cu-PGE mineralization. The BRS intrusions were emplaced through multiple-magmatic injections into different stratigraphic levels in the Lamprey Falls Formation. It is interpreted that the central BRS intrusions are connected and represent a single conduit system. The BRS and the Lamprey Falls Formation are overlain by the metasedimentary rocks of the Peterson Creek Formation and are overturned. The stratigraphy of the BRS is divided into four series which are from the base upwards: 1) marginal mafic series, 2) ultramafic series, 3) transition series, and 4) mafic series. All significant concentrations of Cr-Ni-Cu-PGE are contained in the ultramafic series. Mineralization is magmatic in origin with significant Ni-Cu and PGE remobilization associated with late felsic magmatism. Ni-Cu remobilization is also associated with mineralized shear zones that cross-cut the BRS and Lamprey Falls Formation. The sulphur source could not be determined unambiguously based on sulphur isotopes alone but the δ34S values of the BRS intrusions suggests that the sulphur in the BRS is magmatic in origin and that two of the BRS bodies may have assimilated external sulphur. The findings of this investigation have considerable economic implications. The model that each BRS body is an individual intrusion implies each body may contain its own style of mineralization. Secondly, the Page body of the BRS is interpreted to represent a turbulent magmatic environment and to be the first intrusion to form at the lowest stratigraphic level. The magmas that formed the stratigraphically higher BRS intrusions are believed to have passed through the Page intrusion. Therefore, the Page body is an excellent exploration target as it represents a turbulent environment in which significant amounts of primitive magma have passed through which are two key factors in the formation of Ni-Cu-PGE deposits.

Thesis (Ph. D.)--University of Toronto, 1997. / Two chapters co-authored with Kathy Martin. Includes bibliographical references.