Investigating patterns of avian ornamental colouration : intraspecific and interspecific approaches : a thesis presented in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Masters of Science in Zoology at Massey University, Albany, New Zealand

Research into the evolutionary function of elaborated colouration in birds is continually ongoing. Novel approaches to addressing various aspects of this broad research area may help us consider this topic in a new light. This thesis aimed to consider two different aspects of avian colouration research using novel methods and testing relatively new hypotheses. Firstly, I consider the cost of carotenoid pigmented ornamental colouration - an area of research that is currently under intense debate. Classically carotenoid-based pigmentation has considered carotenoids to function as indicators of sexual quality, with costs being due to carotenoids being diet dependent in birds. Recent research however has argued that carotenoid pigmented colour traits function in agonistic social contexts, and that the cost of using carotenoid pigmentation as an honest indicator of quality is a social one. In this study I test this hypothesis using blackbirds (Turdus merula) and their natural variation in carotenoid-based bill colouration. I replicate a study using model presentations to simulate territory intrusions. Additionally, I examine the feasibility of using three-dimensionally printed models in avian behavioural studies. This study was unsuccessful due to a lack of response rates from territorial males, however it was successful in questioning several differing aspects between my study and the study I replicated. Secondly, I explore the spatial organisation of colouration on the bodies of birds as a way of potentially inferring different functions of elaborate colour traits. In the third chapter I develop a novel method that allows objective analysis of the spatial organisation of colour on the bodies of birds, by removing morphological variation between species. Using this method I present a case study on the spatial organisation of colour elaboration in 2,471 species of passerines. This case study uses a difference in sexual dichromatism as a proxy for colour elaboration and determined where signaling hotspots occur on the bodies of birds. These results demonstrate that conspicuous colouration is most common in the supercilium, chin, and upper breast of passerine birds. In chapter four, I used this method to determine correlations between different life-history traits and different regions of the body. This study aimed to infer the function of different regions of the head in signaling. My results show that the irises in species with tropical life-histories and cooperative breeding strategies are more likely to be elaborately coloured; bills of larger bodied species are more likely to be elaborately coloured than are smaller species; and the spatial organisation of colour effects females more than it does males

Increased Expression of Interleukin-6 Family Members and Receptors in Urinary Bladder with Cyclophosphamide-Induced Bladder Inflammation in Female Rats

Recent studies suggest that janus-activated kinases–signal transducer and activator of transcription signaling pathways contribute to increased voiding frequency and referred pain of cyclophosphamide (CYP)-induced cystitis in rats. Potential upstream chemical mediator(s) that may be activated by CYP-induced cystitis to stimulate JAK/STAT signaling are not known in detail. In these studies, members of the interleukin (IL)-6 family of cytokines including, leukemia inhibitory factor (LIF), IL-6, and ciliary neurotrophic factor (CNTF) and associated receptors, IL-6 receptor (R) α, LIFR, and gp130 were examined in the urinary bladder in control and CYP-treated rats. Cytokine and receptor transcript and protein expression and distribution were determined in urinary bladder after CYP-induced cystitis using quantitative, real-time polymerase chain reaction (Q-PCR), western blotting, and immunohistochemistry. Acute (4 h; 150 mg/kg; i.p.), intermediate (48 h; 150 mg/kg; i.p.), or chronic (75 mg/kg; i.p., once every 3 days for 10 days) cystitis was induced in adult, female Wistar rats with CYP treatment. Q-PCR analyses revealed significant (p ≤ 0.01) CYP duration- and tissue- (e.g., urothelium, detrusor) dependent increases in LIF, IL-6, IL-6Rα, LIFR, and gp130 mRNA expression. Western blotting demonstrated significant (p ≤ 0.01) increases in IL-6, LIF, and gp130 protein expression in whole urinary bladder with CYP treatment. CYP-induced cystitis significantly (p ≤ 0.01) increased LIF-immunoreactivity (IR) in urothelium, detrusor, and suburothelial plexus whereas increased gp130-IR was only observed in urothelium and detrusor. These studies suggest that IL-6 and LIF may be potential upstream chemical mediators that activate JAK/STAT signaling in urinary bladder pathways

MIAME/Plant – adding value to plant microarrray experiments

Appropriate biological interpretation of microarray data calls for relevant experimental annotation. The widely accepted MIAME guidelines provide a generic, organism-independant standard for minimal information about microarray experiments. In its overall structure, MIAME is very general and specifications cover mostly technical aspects, while relevant organism-specific information useful to understand the underlying experiments is largely missing. If plant biologists want to use results from published microarray experiments, they need detailed information about biological aspects, such as growth conditions, harvesting time or harvested organ(s). Here, we propose MIAME/Plant, a standard describing which biological details to be captured for describing microarray experiments involving plants. We expect that a more detailed and more systematic annotation of microarray experiments will greatly increase the use of transcriptome data sets for the scientific community. The power and value of systematic annotation of microarray data is convincingly demonstrated by data warehouses such as Genevestigator(® )or NASCArrays, and better experimental annotation will make these applications even more powerful

The Grizzly, October 24, 1995

The Results Are In: Chi Rho Psi Recruited the Most Donors per Pledge • Mocktails \u27n More • Senior Class Update • Join the Army! • The Pressures Make us Miserable • De-Americanizing America • Infringing on a Conducive Learning Environment? • Why Keep Pushing? • My View on Abortion • The Million Man Exclusion • It is About Respect • In Need of Answers • Our Perspectives on Homosexuality • Homosexuality: Not an Alternative • Morality of Sexual Preference • Homecoming 1995 • Red & Gold Regulations • Mike Green Gives Advice on Drinking • Brendlinger Named Ursinus Assistant • Team Earns First Conference Win • Field Hockey Defeats Temple, Falls to American U. • Cross Country Competes in Allentown Invitational • Everyone is Invited! • Football Snaps Five-Game Skid • Steigerwalt Honoredhttps://digitalcommons.ursinus.edu/grizzlynews/1366/thumbnail.jp

The Grizzly, February 27, 1996

Koestner Gives First-Hand Account of Date Rape • J-Board Charges Reimert Residents • Swastikas are Removed from Bomberger Hall • Buchanan Wins New Hampshire • The Skipped Diploma • Evolutionary Doubts • Fighting for Real Social Change • In Support of Healthier Relationships • Alan Morrison to Perform Recital • U.S.G.A. News • Faculty Spotlight: Dr. Peter Perreten • Staff Spotlight: Todd McKinney • Gymnasts End Season With a Win • Lacrosse Team Ranked 15th • Bears Compete at Indoor Championships • Lady Bears Fall in Conference Semishttps://digitalcommons.ursinus.edu/grizzlynews/1376/thumbnail.jp

The Grizzly, November 7, 1995

The Inauguration of President John Strassburger • Colloquium Report • Dilemma After Dark • The Truth About the Honor Code • Canned Food Drive a Success • Rabin Assassinated • Canada Remains Unified • Enough is Enough • Dr. Oboler Responds • Homosexuality: It Doesn\u27t Have to Last Forever • There is More Than One Christian View • A Parent\u27s View • A Big Thank You! • Inauguration Day • Making Ursinus Whole • And the Verdict is... • New Additions in Zack\u27s • Snell Cup Comes Home • Season Ends with Win • Football Team Avoids Centennial Cellarhttps://digitalcommons.ursinus.edu/grizzlynews/1368/thumbnail.jp

The Grizzly, March 26, 1996

Marijuana Incident Results in Dismissal of Two Students • UC Professors to Participate in AIDS Ride • Ryan Auch: The Gentle Giant • Women\u27s Week • Opinions: Capitalism, Individualism and Responsibility; Scotland Fury • Thoughts on the Honor Code • Senegel Professor Speaks on Africa • Berwyn Tavern & Grill: A Trappe Alternative • Faculty Spotlight: Antoni Castells-Talens • Bears at 10-3 After Winning Streak • Trecroce Named Player of the Week • Lacrosse Starts Season With a Banghttps://digitalcommons.ursinus.edu/grizzlynews/1378/thumbnail.jp

The Grizzly, April 28, 1997

Student Art Exhibit Opens at Berman • Student Research Conference Held at Ursinus • Spirit Week at Ursinus • Opinion: Some Final Thoughts; More Inaccuracies Uncovered; The Ceremony of Innocence; Is Servitude the American Way? • Letter: SERV Denied Drill • Letters from Great Britain • Understanding One Another: Students to Present Projects on Identity and Diversity • Medieval Sports Fest Celebrates Tenth Year • Spring Service Success • A World of Learning at Musser and Beyond • Softball Splits Doubleheader • Golf Team Wins Four Matches • Women\u27s Tennis Jumps Record to 5-3 • Women\u27s Lacrosse Downs Haverford • Baseball Team Pounded by College of New Jerseyhttps://digitalcommons.ursinus.edu/grizzlynews/1404/thumbnail.jp