Mobility of the vertebral column is important for many ecological aspects of vertebrates, especially in the cervical series, which connects the head to the main body. Thus, fusion within the cervical series is hypothesized to have ecological and behavioural implications. Fused, anterior cervical vertebrae have evolved independently over 20 times in ecologically disparate amniotes, most commonly in pelagic, ricochetal, and fossorial taxa, suggesting an adaptive function for the ‘syncervical.’ Fusion may help increase out-force during head-lift digging or prevent anteroposteriorly shortened vertebrae from mechanically failing during locomotion, but no hypothesis for syncervical function has been tested. The syncervical of neoceratopsian dinosaurs is hypothesized to support large heads or aid in intraspecific combat. Tests of correlated character evolution within a ceratopsian phylogeny falsify these hypotheses, as the syncervical evolves before large heads and cranial weaponry. Alternative functional hypotheses may involve ancestral burrowing behaviour or unique feeding ecology in early neoceratopsians.

Mobility of the vertebral column is important for many ecological aspects of vertebrates, especially in the cervical series, which connects the head to the main body. Thus, fusion within the cervical series is hypothesized to have ecological and behavioural implications. Fused, anterior cervical vertebrae have evolved independently over 20 times in ecologically disparate amniotes, most commonly in pelagic, ricochetal, and fossorial taxa, suggesting an adaptive function for the ‘syncervical.’ Fusion may help increase out-force during head-lift digging or prevent anteroposteriorly shortened vertebrae from mechanically failing during locomotion, but no hypothesis for syncervical function has been tested. The syncervical of neoceratopsian dinosaurs is hypothesized to support large heads or aid in intraspecific combat. Tests of correlated character evolution within a ceratopsian phylogeny falsify these hypotheses, as the syncervical evolves before large heads and cranial weaponry. Alternative functional hypotheses may involve ancestral burrowing behaviour or unique feeding ecology in early neoceratopsians.

Successional changes in a habitat may result in bottlenecks where few individuals in a population survive. During such events, changes in the genetic architecture of traits are predicted to occur as is subsequent inbreeding depression. In two literature reviews, I document that, (1) dominance variance increases in traits that are subject to strong selection and, (2) inbreeding depression is substantially higher in the wild as compared to captive populations. In addition to these changes, successional pressures may also result in the evolution of morphologies that allow organisms to avoid unfavourable conditions. A common dimorphism in insects is wing dimorphism, in which the macropterous morph is long-winged (LW), has functional flight muscles and is flight-capable while the micropterous morph (SW) has reduced wings and cannot fly. Due to the energy required to maintain the flight apparatus, macropterous individuals are predicted to have less energy available for reproduction. Trade-offs to macroptery have been documented in female insects. Gryllus firmus is a wing-dimorphic cricket of the southeastern USA. Although there are well established trade-offs between macroptery and reproduction in female crickets, no trade-offs have been demonstrated in male crickets. The prediction is that LW males, because they have to expend energy to maintain the flight apparatus, will call less and therefore attract fewer females than SW males. To be evolutionarily important, the traits involved in the trade-off; call duration, wing morph, wing muscle condition and lipid weight should have significant heritabilities and be genetically correlated. I found that SW males attracted significantly more females than LW males (mean % = 70% (SW) 30% (LW)). A significant difference in time spent calling was found between SW and LW males and as the difference in calling time between males increased, the likelihood of a female choosing the longer-calling male also increased. All the traits ha

Plant shape affects the ability of insect predators to locate prey by altering search paths or by providing partial refugia for prey. Changes in predator foraging efficiency can have significant consequences for population dynamic of both predators and prey. Yet, the relationship between plants and insect predators is not well understood despite its relevance to agriculture and biological control. The effect of plant gross morphology on predator foraging success was tested using multicoloured Asian ladybeetles, Harmonia axyridis Pallas (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae), and green lacewing larvae, Chrysoperla carnea Stephens (Neuroptera: Chrysopidae), preying on pea aphids, Acyrthosiphon pisum Harris (Hemiptera: Aphididae). These predators differed in body size and therefore might be expected to have different responses to a given plant morphology. Experiments were conducted using four different pea plant morphologies (Pisum sativum L.) that differed in fractal dimension, but which were controlled for surface area. The consumption rate of each predator on each pea morph was determined by measuring the number of aphids consumed in a 48 hour foraging period at 3 prey densities. I also tracked predator search paths using 2D time-lapse photography to determine if the two predators search plants differently. I found that both predators were more successful at capturing prey on plants with a higher leaf edge to leaf area ratio (lower fractal dimension). Plants with more edges were easier for predators to grip, thus increasing their mobility and manoeuvrability. Also, plants with more edges and fewer leaf surfaces had fewer locations where aphids could hide. As a result, predators are more effective at locating and capturing prey on these morphologies.

No description available.

The purpose of this study is to investigate the effect of rock types and morphologic classes on the locations of underground cities existing in Cappadocia. To achieve this purpose four databases are created that contain related information of underground cities, present settlements, rock types and morphologic classes. Four main analyses are carried out using the data created fort the study. These analyses are: 1) Distance analysis to determine the distances between underground cities and present settlements, 2) Density analysis to inspect the areas where the underground cities are concentrated, 3) Distribution analysis to explore the spatial distribution of underground cities within the rock types and morphologic classes, and 4) Neighbourhood analysis to examine whether the underground cities within rock types and morphologic classes are located along or far inside the marginsof the polygons. The conclusions reached after the analyses are as follows: 1) The mean distance between two underground cities is about 4 km. 2) The mean distance between an underground city and the nearest present settlement is about 700 m. 3) Underground cities are concentrated in Derinkuyu-NevSehir-&Ouml / zkonak belt. Present settlements, on the other hand, are concentrated along Aksaray-Ortak&ouml / y-HacibektaS. 4) For the underground cities, pyroclastic dominant Neogene sequences are preferred whereas all other units are avoided. 5) In terms of morphology, the class defined as &ldquo / mesa&rdquo / is strongly preferred for underground cities. 6) Neither lithology nor morphology played a role in the site selection for present settlements. 7) Both for rock types and morphologic classes the underground cities are located along margins of the polygons.

Morphology and function of ankylosaur dinosaur limbs are explored and analyzed using comparative morphology and finite element analysis. Reconstruction of the forelimb and posture of Pinacosaurus grangeri matches well with trackways attributed to ankylosaurs. A flexed humerus angled away from the body, perpendicular radius and ulna, and upright metacarpus forming an arch proximally result in a crescent configuration of the manus, and a semi-supinated posture relative to the main axis of the body. The ankylosaurid metatarsus has a twisted proximal articular surface, metatarsals being optimally adapted for bearing weight at increasing angles, from medial to lateral. Metatarsal counts of Thyreophorans and other basal ornithischians do not match well with currently accepted phylogeny of these taxa, indicating that a revised phylogeny should be considered. Finite element analysis results, the twisted proximal articular surface, and other morphological features support a rolling motion in the foot while pushing off in locomotion. This is perhaps an adaptation to cope with the wide hips of ankylosaurids, bringing the pes closer to the midline of the animal during locomotion to increase maneuverability. / Systematics and Evolution

No description available.

Thesis (Ph. D.)--University of Hawaii at Manoa, 2004. / Includes bibliographical references (leaves 349-373). / Also available by subscription via World Wide Web / x, 373 leaves, bound ill. 29 cm

Thesis (Ph. D.)--University of Hawaii at Manoa, 2004. / Includes bibliographical references (leaves 176-192). / Also available by subscription via World Wide Web / xi, 192 leaves, bound ill. (some col.) 29 cm