More science!

Cristina Riani 

Question:Do different species of bryophytes have different water holding capacities and water absorption with same water input and does elevation affect the bryophytes water holding capacity and water absorption?

Major findings:

There is differences in the mass of moss between hanging and dehydration and the morphospecies in different weather conditions

Conclusions:There is differences in water absorption between morphospecies in wet weather condition due to elevation and morphology

 

-Cristina Riani. Department of Environmental Science. Oregon State University.

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Grace Ditch

Purpose: Determine if there is a difference in bryophyte and lichen diversity between native and exotic windbreak tree species and how to protect the biodiversity with encroachment of exotics.

Major findings:

 

There is no statistically difference between the species and the morphospecies of liquens and bryophytes

There is higher diversity in the native species than the exotic

Conclusions:Only a subset of bryophytes and lichens form a positive relationship with exotic tree species, therefore to conserve biodiversity prioritize native species for windbreaks.

 

-Grace Ditch.Department of Forest Resources.University of Minnesota-Twin Cities.

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Emma Ordemanm

Question:Are the differences in bacterial growth among site and antibiotic treatments and do nutrient concentrations in the soil differ between sites?

Major findings: 

 

There is differences in the antibiotic resistance at study sites

Conclusions:Antibiotic resistance is likely present in water and not soils.

 

-Emma Odermann. University of Colorado Boulder.

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Abigale Enrici

Question:Are leaves more clean when they reach the nest compared to when foraged and do minima still know to clean leaves while leaves are in transit?

Major findings:

 

leaves without minima are more clean than leaves with minima.

Conclusions: Atta cephalotes minima "hitchhike" on leaves to clean contaminants, but leaves are not completely clean before they reach the nest.

 

-Abigale Enrici.Department of Biology. Augsburg College.

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Patrick Wallin

Purpose: To determine the effect of Eciton burchelli on arthropod diversity in the highlands.

Major findings:

 

There is differences in the number of species of arthropods before and after swarms.

Conclusions: Arthropod dominance increases over time after an raid of Eciton burchellii

 

-Patrick Wallin. Department of Biology.University of Puget Sound.

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Deborah Williamson

Question:How does habitat disturbance, seed size, seed color, palatability and predator presence affect foraging by agoutis?

Major findings:

 

There was no differences in the palatability and color of the seeds by the agoutis.

 

The presence of predators did not shown an effect in the seed predated by agoutis.

Conclusions: Agoutis are very tolerant to seed conditions and habitat disturbances.

 

-Debora Williamson. Purdue University.

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Kay Garlick-Ott

Purpose: Estimate crab dispersion in pools throughout a freshwater cloud forest stream, explore spacing across different morphs and sizes and characterizing the optimal habitat.

Major findings:

 

There was more crabs in deeper pools.

Conclusions: Monteverde freshwater crabs are territorial and optimal habitat has deeper water and is structurally complex.

 

-Kay Garlick-Ott.Department of Biology.Pomona College.

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Kathrynn Ross

Question: What effect does mist have on the Caligo memnon?

Major findings:

 

There was a difference in the emergence days of the butterflies according to the mist input in the system.

Conclusions: Emergence was overall impacted by mist.

 

-Kat Ross. Eckerd College.

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Emily Ellison

Question: If Caligo memnon butterflies may get intoxicated by ethanol found in rotting fruits, at high concentrations will they be able to avoid predation, even with adaptations of predator avoidance?

Major findings:

 

At higher etanol concentration, there was more trials of predation(pokes)

Conclusion:Behavior, flight pattern and reaction time was affected by ethanol consumption.

 

 Emily Ellison.Department of Environmental Science. Ramapo College of New Jersey.

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Melisa Rodríguez

Purpose:Difference in the rate of calls types produced during stranger and neighbor calls in the Long tailed manakins.

 

"Toledo" call present differences in the number or calls between neighbor and stranger responses.

Conclusions:Long-tailed manakins appear to discriminate against stranger playbacks

 

-Melisa Rodríguez. Fisheries, Wildlife and Conservation Biology. University of Minnesota.

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Cali Wilson

Question: Do captive Dermanura tolteca show evidence of personality and behavioral syndromes?

Major findings:

 

There is significant variation between individuals in behavioral traits.

Conclusions:Some evidence for personality traits in captive D. tolteca bats and no evidence for behavioral syndromes .

 

-Cali Wilson.Department of Biology. Bucknell University.

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Emma Didier

Question: How does ecotourism impacts the coati behavior?

Major findings:

 

No effect of sex, sociality, reserve visitation, habitat or distance from the entrance on vigilance or foraging.

Conclusions:High potential for coatis to capitalize on food through ecotourism.

 

 -Emma Didier. Department of Biology and Environmental Policy.University of Puget Sound