Linda Fuselier

Lab and field estimates of active time of chemical alarm cues of a cyprinid fish and an amphipod crustacean

Summary Predation risk is detected by the presence of cues released passively during a predation event. Refinement of risk assessment could occur if prey have the ability to assess cue age. Here, we test for antipredator behavioural responses to chemical alarm cues of varying ages. Fathead minnows, Pimephales promelas, give an antipredator response to alarm cues derived from conspecifc skin extract that has been aged at 18 ◦ C for 0 (fresh) and 3 h, but not after 6 h. Alarm cues from crushed conspecific Gammarus lacustris (Crustacea: Amphipoda), showed a similar chemical longevity. A field test of minnow alarm cues produced broadly similar results for conspecific fathead minnows and heterospecific responses by northern redbelly dace, Phoxinus eos. Close agreement among all three data sets suggests either a common duration of predation risk or a common molecular basis of chemical cues across aquatic taxa. When we heated skin extract to denature and remove half of the constituent proteins, we inactivated biological activity of alarm cue suggesting that protein is required for skin extract to function as an alarm cue in minnows. Protein degradation may be a means of assessing age and, therefore, ecological relevance of chemical information in behavioural decision-making.

A Test of the Efficacy of an Information Literacy Lesson in an Introductory Biology Laboratory Course with a Strong Science-Writing Component

Competency in science information literacy is an objective of most undergraduate biology programs and increasingly important in freshman introductory courses. We implemented a controlled study to test the efficacy of a single, information literacy lesson at the beginning of the semester in an introductory biology laboratory course with embedded writing components. We examined effects of this pedagogical manipulation by comparing laboratory sections that received the lesson with those that did not. We found that skills related to the identification of primary or secondary sources and use of proper citation format were higher in those sections that received a single literacy lesson in the semester-long course. Additionally, one year after the course, students who completed the course showed better mastery of information literacy skills compared to students who did not take the laboratory course. We used results from this controlled study to inform curriculum content decisions in our introductory biology course sequence.

Anti-predator behaviour in response to conspecific chemical alarm cues in an esociform fish, Umbra limi (Kirtland 1840)

When a predators attack prey, damaged prey tissue releases chemical information that reliably indicates an actively foraging predator. Prey use these semiochemicals to cue anti-predator behaviour and reduce their probability of predation. Here, we test central mudminnows, Umbra limi (Kirtland 1840), for anti-predator behavioural responses to chemical cues in conspecific skin extract. In a field experiment, traps scented with mudminnow skin extract (alarm cue) caught fewer mudminnows than traps scented with water (control). Under controlled laboratory conditions, mudminnows showed a significant reduction in activity and movement to the bottom in response to alarm cues relative to water controls. Reduced activity and increased time on the bottom of the tank are both known components of an anti-predator response. Thus, based on field and lab data, mudminnows exhibited anti-predator behavioural responses to chemical alarm cues released by damaged epidermal tissue. Histological preparations of epidermal tissue did not reveal the presence of specialised “alarm substance” cells for the production of chemical alarm cues. This is the first report of an alarm reaction in an esociform, an order with a long evolutionary history of piscivory.

The status and phylogeography of the liverwort genus Apometzgeria Kuwah. (Metzgeriaceae)

Abstract Three species have been formerly segregated from Metzgeria in the genus Apometzgeria. One of the species, A. frontipilis, is endemic to South America but the second, A. pubescens, is currently understood as having a bipolar range with populations across the Holarctic and in southern South America. The third species, A. longifrondis, was described from China (and is not included in this study). Species of bryophytes that range across continents and have little or no morphological variation among populations may nevertheless harbor morphologically cryptic genetic lineages. We used nuclear and plastid sequence data to examine the phylogenetic relationship between Apometzgeria and Metzgeria, and phylogeographic patterns in taxa assigned to Apometzgeria. Two species often assigned to Apometzgeria are phylogenetically embedded within Metzgeria in two separate clades, one comprising all Holarctic A. pubescens and a second with A. pubescens from South America and all accessions of A. frontipilis. Phylogenetic and haplotype analyses reveal a lack of phylogeographic structure among A. pubescens plants from throughout its Holarctic distribution. However, A. pubescens in South America is more closely related to A. frontipilis and species of Metzgeria from South America than to any A. pubescens from the Northern Hemisphere. Thus, A. pubescens is Holarctic in distribution and morphologically similar plants form a divergent lineage in South America. Our results do not support Apometzgeria as a separate genus in the Metzgeriaceae.

Variation in life history characteristics between asexual and sexual populations of marchantia inflexa

Abstract Dioicous bryophytes often exist in isolated populations with low rates of sexual reproduction. While most populations contain individuals of both sexes, some species have single-sex populations that depend solely on asexual reproduction for population expansion and persistence. Life history trade-offs can constrain population divergence and the relative investment in growth, asexual and sexual reproduction may differ in single-sex and both-sex populations. A common garden experiment and field observations were used to assess trait variation and determine genetic differences among single-sex and both-sex populations of Marchantia inflexa, a dioicous liverwort. Populations were significantly genetically differentiated, and plants from single-sex and both-sex populations differed in their life history strategies. Plants from single-sex populations invested more in growth than asexual production, and although they produced as many sexual structures, they produced fewer gametangia per gametophore than plants from both-sex populations. Characteristics of female plants were positively correlated with geographic, nearest-neighbor distance, whereas characteristics exhibited by male plants showed no relation to geographic distance. Single-sex populations of M. inflexa in Oklahoma and populations from Florida form a distinct phenotypic group within the species that deserves further study.

From Trace Evidence to Bioinformatics: Putting Bryophytes into Molecular Biology Education.

Students benefit most from their science education when they participate fully in the process of science in the context of real‐world problems. We describe a student‐directed open‐inquiry lab experience that has no predetermined outcomes and requires students to engage in all components of scientific inquiry from posing a question through evaluating and reporting results. Over 5 weeks, students learn how bryophytes are used in forensics and become proficient in important molecular biology lab skills including DNA isolation, polymerase chain reaction, gel electrophoresis, capillary electrophoresis, and genotyping. For this portion of the experience, there is no specialized equipment necessary outside of gel electrophoresis supplies and a thermocycler. In an optional extension of the experience, students sequence a plastid intron and use introductory bioinformatics skills to identify species related to their forensics case. Students who participated in the lab experience performed well on content‐based assessment, and student attitudes toward the experience were positive and indicative of engaged learning. The lab experience is easily modified for higher or lower level courses and can be used in secondary education. Biochemistry and Molecular Biology Education Vol. 39, No. 1, pp. 38–46, 2011

Sex Differences and Size at Emergence Are Not Linked to Biased Sex Ratios in the Common Green Darner, Anax junius (Odonata: Aeshnidae)

ABSTRACT Many species of dragonflies exhibit sexual dimorphism and biased sex ratios in adult populations. It is predicted that, in species with territorial adults, males should be larger than females at emergence. Larger male size should elevate foraging rate and lead to increased predation risk and higher male mortality during the larval stage. We tested these predictions for a territorial dragonfly, Anax junius, using laboratory and field experiments. We measured differences in growth and foraging activity between the sexes, determined sex ratios at emergence, and measured size at emergence for female and male dragonflies. Males gained more mass than females and males spent more time in motion and moved longer distances than females in foraging trials. Males were larger than females at emergence in natural populations, but sex ratios at emergence were not significantly different from 1:1. Sex-specific growth strategies in the larval stage did not result in biased sex ratios at emergence but may be important to the reproductive success of this territorial dragonfly.

Tenacity of Bryophytes and Lichens on Sandstone Cliffs in West Virginia and Relevance to Recreational Climbing Impacts

Abstract. Climbing and bouldering are popular recreational activities in West Virginia, especially on the Pottsville conglomerate caprock at Coopers Rock and at the New River Gorge National River. We propose using a simple force-meter to measure the tenacity (adherence) of bryophytes and lichens to help us understand which bryophytes and lichens are more vulnerable to removal by climbing route preparation (rock “cleaning”) or accidental dislodging. In this preliminary study we found that lantern moss (Andreaea rothiii) is held relatively tightly, probably benefitting more weakly attached species such as the liverwort Diplophyllum apiculatum, which commonly grow epiphytically on A. rothii. Leucobryum glaucum was very weakly attached, although it is very common on bouldering and climbing sites. The umbilicate lichens Umbilicaria mammulata (smooth rock tripe) and Lasallia papulosa (common toadskin) were more tenacious than lantern moss and hosted various epiphytic and epizoic species. However, the loss of extensive rock tripe colonies (with fragile thalli contrasting to relatively sturdy umbilici) is often one of the most visible consequences of climbing. Since our force-meter only works for mature thalli, we recommend that future studies also investigate the tenacity of propagula, complemented by studies of regeneration from fragments (notably lichen umbilici and bryophyte rhizoids). Long-term studies with different experimental disturbance regimes are needed to fully evaluate climbing impacts on bryophyte-lichen communities.

Contextualizing and Scaling up Science Information Literacy in Introductory Biology Laboratories

ABSTRACT Contributing to ongoing research on the pedagogy of science information literacy, this article describes the contextualization of instruction within a consequential, biology-related public health issue and assesses the impact of this approach on student learning across a large number of course sections. Contextualized science information literacy lessons were presented in an introductory, general education biology lab. Lessons were assessed through a comparison of information literacy skills of students enrolled in the lab and lecture versus those enrolled in the lecture only. Results indicated that students in the lab had greater perceived confidence in their information skills and improved information-seeking methods, relative to lecture-only students who did not receive the contextualized information literacy content.

The 2016 Crum Workshop: Bryophytes of the Red River Gorge Geological Area, Kentucky

Abstract. We inventoried bryophytes in Kentuckys Red River Gorge region (RRG) during the 4-day 2016 Crum Moss Workshop and compared our findings with those of Studlar and Snider (1989), which were based primarily on collections by Studlar 40 years earlier. We collected 185 bryophyte species (140 mosses and 45 liverworts), mainly around Corbin sandstone cliffs, arches, and rockhouses (overhangs). About 61% of the 260 taxa (176 mosses and 84 hepatics, using updated nomenclature) reported in 1989 were found again. We added to the RRG flora 20 species (15 mosses and 5 liverworts), including the disjunct Heterocladium macounii and 5 state records: 2 mosses (Serpoleskea minutissima and Cryphaea nervosa) and 3 liverworts (Microlejeunea globosa, Frullania virginica, and Cheilolejeunea conchifolia). Four species characteristic of rockhouses in sandstone gorges were recollected: Bryoxiphium norvegicum, Hookeria acutifolia, Diphyscium mucronifolium (formerly D. cumberlandianum), and Syrrhopodon texanus. The globally rare “copper moss”, Scopelophila cataractae was found again and with a sporophyte, a first report for North America. A total (including literature reports) of 289 bryophyte species (200 moss and 89 liverworts) are now known from the RRG.