Thesis (M.S.)--University of Toledo, 2007. / Typescript. "Submitted as partial fulfillment of the requirements for The Master of Science Degree in Biology (Ecology-track)." "A thesis entitled"--at head of title. Bibliography: leaves 35-47.

No description available.

Unlike most other vertebrates, many species in the genus Etheostoma do not utilize structural refraction to display blue or green color. Instead, blue and green mating coloration exhibited by male rainbow darters (E. caeruleum) and male greenside darters (E. blennioides) results from the presence of true chromoprotein pigments. This study was conducted in order to extract, purify, characterize, and compare these novel pigments. Pigments were extracted in aqueous buffer and partially purified by ammonium sulfate fractionation and gel filtration chromatography. Final purification consisted of preparative non-denaturing polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis for E. caeruleum and hydroxyapatite chromatography for E. blennioides. Isolation of the chromophore was accomplished using acetone precipitation. The chromophore is the same in both species and is believed to be biliverdin. The protein component differs between the species and appears to have a greater number of subunits in E. blennioides. Binding of the protein to the chromophore amplifies the absorbance in the visible region and causes spectral tuning of the absorbance profile of the chromophore, with slight differences between species. In E. caeruleum, the chromoprotein pigment has a lambda max of 683 nm and transmits light at slightly shorter wavelengths, causing it to appear blue. In E. blennioides, the chromoprotein pigment has a lambda max of 696 nm and transmits light at slightly longer wavelengths, causing it to appear green. This work has shown that the protein component, not the chromophore, is responsible for the difference in hue between these two pigments. Future work will involve obtaining amino acid sequences for the protein component of the pigments and ultimately sequencing the gene coding for these proteins in darters. / Bayer School of Natural and Environmental Sciences; / Environmental Science and Management (ESM) / MS; / Thesis;

Five darter species were collected from streams and rivers in two Indiana counties to determine patterns of microhabitat selection. Selection was based on three microhabitat variables and included flow (velocity), depth, and substrate. A Qualitative Habitat Evaluation Index (QHEI) was also performed at each sampling location to differentiate the habitat quality at each site. Darters were segregated from one or more species present and overlap between species was observed. Specifically, greenside and rainbow darters used intermediate substrate in higher flows and depths relative to fantail, johnny, and orangethroat darters. Fantail and orangethroat darters were found among intermediate-large substrate sizes in reduced flow and depth. Johnny darters preferred small-intermediate substrate in greater depths and lowered flow. Microhabitat use is often driven by competition for food and space. / Department of Biology

Thesis (M.S.)--Texas State University--San Marcos, 2008. / Vita. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 47-51). Also available on microfilm.

Thesis (M.S.)--Missouri State University, 2008. / "August 2008." Includes bibliographical references (leaves 19-23). Also available online.

Thesis(M.S.) --Auburn University, 2005. / Abstract. Vita. Includes bibliographic references.

Thesis (Ph. D.)--Ohio State University, 1985. / Includes bibliographical references (leaves 142-148). Available online via OhioLINK's ETD Center.

No description available.

Thesis (Ph. D.)--University of Tennessee, Knoxville, 2009. / Title from title page screen (viewed on Nov. 5, 2009). Thesis advisor: Thomas J. Near. Vita. Includes bibliographical references.