Isolation and identification of bacterial endosymbionts in the brooding brittle star Amphipholis squamata

Symbiotic associations with subcuticular bacteria (SCB) have been identified and studied in numerous echinoderms, including the SCB of the brooding brittle star, Amphipholis squamata. These SCB, however, have not been studied using current next generation sequencing technologies. Previous studies on the SCB of A. squamata placed these bacteria in the genus Vibrio (γ-Proteobacteria), but subsequent studies suggested that the SCB are primarily composed of α-Proteobacteria. The present study examines the taxonomic composition of SCB associated with A. squamata from the Northwest Atlantic. DNA was extracted using a CTAB protocol and 16S rRNA sequences were amplified using gene-targeted PCR on an Illumina HiSeq at the UNH Genomics Center. Results show the presence of a single dominant bacterial type, within the family Rhodobacteraceae, which composes 70-80% of the A. squamata microbiome. The majority of sequences recovered from A. squamata were identified as members of the genus Octadecabacter (97% similarity). By comparison, adjacent seawater and sediment bacterial communities were significantly more diverse, hosting bacteria in the phyla Proteobacteria, Bacteroidetes, Cyanobacteria, Verrucomicrobia, and Actinobacteria. Thus, a distinct SCB community is clearly evident in A. squamata. Here, we hypothesize the potential functions of this symbiotic community, in addition to what may be driving the unique dominance of a member of the family Rhodobacteraceae. Although metatranscriptome studies are needed to characterize the functional attributes of the SCB community, we have identified a specific and potentially beneficial symbiont that may support metabolic requirements and nutrient uptake vital to the reproduction of A. squamata

Exposure to Mindfulness Basics Through Existing Habits: A Brief 5-Week Curriculum for Exercisers

This thesis explores the mind-body connection inherent in both physical exercise and mindfulness and how habit-formation can play a key role in introducing regular exercisers to the benefits of mindful practice. New habits are established when they are linked to established daily routines through small modifications to existing patterns of behavior, but this runs counter to how traditional mindfulness practice is typically taught. By providing exercisers with a limited time-commitment and fully integrated opportunity to learn and practice both formal and informal practice as part of weekly exercise, that practice is more likely to be durable. The approach presented here is a brief, five-week, introductory mindfulness curriculum called Mind-PLANK, designed for exercisers, and delivered as an adjunct to fitness class as an extension of post-workout recovery. The focus and intention of the curriculum is to de-mystify mindfulness by teaching some basic tools and tenets of practice so that they may be more easily incorporated as part of an overall healthy lifestyle

A Case Study in Volunteer Management: Volunteer Stress at a Northern California Rape Crisis Center

This research project is a case study of a rape crisis center\u27s volunteer program. Because the volunteers respond to recent victims of sexual assault in hospital emergency rooms, the study was designed to examine the stressors arising from their confrontation of such emotionally volatile situations. The study focused on the stressors volunteers experienced, how they coped, how the rape crisis center\u27s training program prepared volunteers for job stress, what rape crisis center employees did to mitigate volunteers\u27 job-related stress, and how effective volunteers perceived these efforts to be. The research project also compared the stress experienced by rape crisis volunteers and the ways in which they coped with it to the stress and coping mechanisms of paid counselors in similar situations, as identified by two related studies. The study found many similarities between the stress and coping behaviors of the volunteers interviewed and those of paid counselors in the other studies. All faced emotional stress and stress related to interactions and operational factors in their work, and all dealt with stress through personal relaxation and social support. The differences between the two groups lay in factors related to the volunteer nature of the interviewees\u27 job, which led to dread of the unknown and isolation, and in the political leaning of the rape crisis center which was both a source of conflict and an inspiration for volunteers

Population structure and reproductive migration of land crabs on Grand Cayman Island.

Cardisoma guanhumi (white land crab) and Gecarcinus ruricola (black land crab) are found throughout Grand Cayman, and concern has been expressed regarding their possible declining populations and current distributions. The overall objective of this project was to gather biological data on C. guanhumi and G. ruricola, as well as document activity patterns for G. ruricola populations, to gain a better understanding of Grand Cayman's land crab population structure and reproductive migration patterns. Surveys occurred during the summers of 2016 and 2017 on Grand Cayman. The study area for G. ruricola was along a main highway in East End, while the study site for C. guanhumi took place at Barkers National Park, West Bay. A male-biased sex ratio was observed in the C. guanhumi population on Grand Cayman, specifically in the two larger carapace width size classes. Generally, C. guanhumi males reached a larger body size than females, which is a common trend in brachyuran crabs. Four color patterns were observed in C. guanhumi males and non-ovigerous females, while ovigerous females only displayed two of the patterns. The color patterns seem to be related to the development stage and maturity of the crab. Gecarcinus ruricola males also reach a larger maximum size than females, for all measured morphometrics on Grand Cayman. Similar to C. guanhumi, these growth differences are likely due to how each sex distributes their energy utilization. Overall, both sexes of G. ruricola on Grand Cayman are smaller in terms of body size than other populations in the Caribbean and it may be possible the populations on Grand Cayman reach sexual maturity at an earlier stage and smaller size than other geographic locations. The reproductive migration season for G. ruricola extends over three months on Grand Cayman, but the intensity of crab activity varies with time. In 2017, high roadside activity levels for G. ruricola shifted from inland to the coastal edge of Queen's Highway following the first migration peak in June. There were two mass migrations observed with each resulting in high numbers of crabs crossing the road and high roadkill numbers. Crabs were not randomly scattered along the highway; instead each sex showed a distinct clustering distribution which most likely resulted due to habitat changes from development. Ovigerous G. ruricola females exhibited randomness during the reproductive season nights, and those random nights of ovigerous female activity most likely coincided with spawning events. The number of roadkills generally reflected the migration intensity. Moonlight had a significant effect on the number of G. ruricola individuals on the road, specifically during the waning crescent moon phase, and rainfall enhanced overall activity on Grand Cayman. This project will provide government officials with baseline information and methodology they can use to monitor Cayman's land crab populations in the future. Lastly, this study will provide a greater overall understanding of land crabs and their reproductive migration

Alien Registration- Craig, Tedford B. (Presque Isle, Aroostook County)

https://digitalmaine.com/alien_docs/33762/thumbnail.jp