White-footed mice (Peromyscus leucopus) are important host reservoirs for Borrelia burgdorferi and Rickettsia rickettsii. These bacteria are responsible for the tick-borne illnesses Lyme disease and Rocky Mountain spotted fever, respectively. These illnesses infect Ohio citizens annually, as well others in the larger range where these ticks are found. The goal of this study was to test white-footed mice and ticks for B. burgdorferi and R. rickettsii at Capital University's Primmer Outdoor Learning Center located in Logan, Ohio during the summer of 2020. Blood samples and ticks were collected from mice (n = 16) over the span of six live-trapping sessions in a woodlot and fencerow on the property. Ticks were also collected from four other locations using the drag-cloth method. DNA was extracted from the blood samples (n = 13) and ticks (n = 16) and tested for the presence of B. burgdorferi and Rickettsia sp. using conventional PCR and agarose gel electrophoresis. Relative abundance of mice was slightly higher in the fencerow than in the woodlot. Only American dog ticks (Dermacentor variabilis) were found in this study. B. burgdorferi was not detected, while Rickettsia sp. were confirmed for one mouse and 14 ticks. The results from this study increase our understanding of tick-borne pathogens within the state of Ohio and suggest we need to take steps to minimize risk of disease exposure at the University field site. In the future, this work can be used to inform models to simulate tick-borne pathogen dynamics in southeastern Ohio for both Lyme disease and Rocky Mountain spotted fever.

The inner ear is home to the auditory and vestibular systems, which are responsible for interpreting sound and movement. The auditory system contains the cochlea, and the vestibular system contains the saccule, utricle, and semicircular canals. Epithelial tissues within these organs consist of innervated hair cells that are responsible for processing stimuli. The precise development of these tissues is vital for their function. The Fibroblast Growth Factor (FGF) family and FGF signaling has been known to contribute to many developmental processes. Previous research demonstrated that FGF5 may contribute to neuron development in the inner ear. To explore whether FGF5 might play a role in inner ear neuron development, we characterized the spatiotemporal expression pattern of FGF5 in chick auditory and vestibular neurons, by performing immunohistochemistry from E3-E6.5, at every half day. The observed FGF5 expression was compared to neuronal labels NeuroD1, GATA3, and TuJ1. At E3-4.5, FG5 labeled a subset of cells within the TuJ1 labeled cells, and this population was NeuroD1 negative. At E5 and E6.5, FGF5 labeling continued to follow the TuJ1 pattern. These data suggest that FGF5 does not play a role in neuron proliferation, as NeuroD1 and FGF5 positive populations did not align. The GATA3 and FGF5 populations did align for the cochlear ganglion, therefore FGF5 could contribute to the differentiation of cochlear and vestibular neurons. The results of this study provide foundation for future studies aiming to further pre-existing remedies for auditory and vestibular disorders.

Host diversity has been shown to play a major role in shaping parasite diversity. However, it is less clear if this relationship holds across various hosts in complex life cycles, and what aspects of host diversity are regulating parasite diversity. This study tests whether host diversity at lower trophic levels (i.e., invertebrate hosts) is linked to parasite diversity at higher trophic levels (i.e., vertebrate hosts). This study then compares whether invertebrate host taxonomic vs. functional diversities have a greater influence on this relationship. To test this, fish parasites and macroinvertebrates were sampled from multiple sites along rivers in the New Jersey Pine Barrens. Upon examining diversity, macroinvertebrate taxonomic diversity was not significantly correlated with parasite diversity in vertebrate hosts. On the contrary, there was a significant positive correlation between macroinvertebrate functional feeding group diversity and parasite diversity in vertebrate hosts. These results suggest that intermediate host feeding strategies may serve as a means of structuring parasite communities in subsequent fish hosts. However, a better understanding of parasite life cycles in the N.J. Pine Barrens is necessary to support this hypothesis.

Ecotypes are groups of the same species that are native to different geographic regions and vary in physical characteristics. This is a result of evolution and will often exhibit local adaptation. Two ecotypes of Monarda fistulosa (Lamiaceae) were investigated for evidence of chemical differences unique to each ecotype. The plants were grown using a common garden methodology where all seedlings were grown in identical conditions over the same time period. Monarda fistulosa was used in the study, as members of the Monarda genus have been shown to vary in the chemical signatures of their essential oils within a species. Using gas chromatography-mass spectrometry, the essential oil extracts of these two ecotypes showed seven compounds that were unique to the essential oil of one ecotype. Five out of the 12 significant compounds identified were found in both essential oil extracts from the two ecotypes. Due to the common garden design, the differences in chemical signatures that were observed in M. fistulosa are likely due to genetic differences. Future research should explore whether these compounds have evolved in response to local selective pressures.

The relationship between aggression and maintenance behaviors in three captive Amphiprion ocellaris (common name clownfish) occupying a single host anemone was studied. Additionally, how these behaviors differed in relation to A. ocellaris orange and melanistic variants was examined for the first time. Captive A. ocellaris at the Seacoast Science Center in Rye, New Hampshire were observed virtually using a webcam. Results showed a significant strong, negative association between aggressive and maintenance behaviors for all three individuals, suggesting a trade-off between these behaviors. When the two color variants were analyzed independently, the melanistic individuals showed a stronger negative association than the orange variant. The less pronounced trade-off in the orange individual may be explained by the greater frequency of “leave” behaviors observed in the orange individual. This is the first study to report different behaviors observed in two color variants of A. ocellaris.

Invasive species decimate entire ecosystems, outcompeting native organisms for resources. Four introduced carp species have been identified as invasive in the Great Lakes region with bighead and silver carp displaying the greatest potential for invasion of the Great Lakes. Currently, these two species have self-sustaining populations in the Mississippi River, and the edges of their ranges are near Lake Michigan and Lake Erie. Here we address the prolific spreading ability of carps, the potential impacts of a carp invasion in the Great Lakes and the effects they might have in the larger Great Lakes region. Through a systematic literature review, we found: 1) carp population locations present in the region and how these populations have shifted over time; 2) how carp management options in Illinois waterways have evolved over time; and 3) invasive carp have a large economic impact on the local Great Lakes region. Invasive carp populations continue to increase and negatively impact aquatic ecosystems. Various management methods, such as eDNA, acoustic deterrence, and others, have been effective in invasive carp management and show promise in preventing expansion. However, if not effectively managed, the economic impact of invasive carp will be substantial.