Zoology and Entomology.

Chair: Alex D.W. Acholonu, Alcom State University

Vicechair: Elgenaid Hamadain, Jackson State University 

FRIDAY MORNING

Lake View II

9:00 A COMPARISON OF COLEOPTERAN FAMILIES FOUND IN DISTURBED AND UNDISTURBED AREAS IN YUCATAN, MEXICO

James Goode (*) and James P. McKeown, Millsaps College, Jackson, MS 39120

Families of the order Coleoptera found in two areas of Yucatan, Mexico were catalogued in an effort to determine if unique families could be found in discrete areas. One area was undisturbed dry, tropical forest, and the other was an agricultural plantation; they were 25 miles apart. Insects were captured via sweep nets, Malaise traps, pit-fall traps, black lighting, and Burlese funnels. Insects were killed in Nalgene vials containing cedar chips and a sufficient amount of ethyl acetate. A total of 189 insects was catalogued over a two-week period representing 23 different families. Of these families recorded, 15 families were common to both areas. Only three families were unique to the agricultural area, and 6 families were unique to the undisturbed forest area. Based on the insects collected, there was not a marked difference in the families that were found in each area. The unique families could be a result of a collection bias in each area.

9:15 A COMPARATIVE STUDY OF HYMENOPTERA DIVERSITY BETWEEN KIWIC RESEARCH STATION AND HACIENDA TABI IN THE YUCATAN PENINSULA OF MEXICO

Barrot Lambdin * and James P. McKeown, Millsaps College, Jackson, MS 39120

A survey of families within the Order Hymenoptera was performed in two distinct locations in the Yucatan Peninsula of Mexico to determine if a correlation exists between ecological setting and overall family diversity. One site, Kiwic, was representative of a relatively undisturbed section of dry, tropical forest, while the other site, Hacienda Tabi, was characteristic of a once operational agricultural setting. It was hypothesized that an increased diversity of Hymenoptera families would be obtained at the undisturbed setting of Kiwic when compared to the disturbed setting of Hacienda Tabi. Utilizing sweep nets, malaise traps and black lights, a total of 25 families of Hymenoptera were collected. The site at Hacienda Tabi yielded 16 families, and the location at Kiwic produced 23 families. The two research sites shared 14 of the same families of Hymenoptera. Two families collected at Hacienda Tabi were not found at Kiwic, and 9 families collected at Kiwic were not found at Hacienda Tabi. These results indica te that a slight increase in family diversity was observed at the site of Kiwic research station compared to that at the Hacienda Tabi.

9:30 ACOMPARATIVE WATER QUALITY STUDY OF TWO SITES ON RED CREEK

Mary Ellen Maples *, Tim Ellis, and Krystal Gordon, Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College, Perkinston, Campus, Perkinston, MS 39573

Contaminants alter the ecological conditions in any water stream, whether the water stream is a lake, pond, ditch, creek, river, or ocean. We noticed that the water stream near our campus was often polluted with visible trash, we would go and eliminate the visible trash, but we decided to take our concerns a step further and start water quality testing in the fall of 2000. Our testing equipment consisted of dissolved oxygen meters, pH meters, and thermometers. Not enough data could be recorded so we added chlorine testing, alkalinity, and turbidity in the fall of 2001. We got rid of the meters and used only the LaMotte pollution Test Kits and the results were analyzed. We also added another site 20 miles down steam to pinpoint water problems. Water samples were taken monthly and aquatic macroinvertbrates were taken quarterly. Insects both larvae and adult stages were collected at the two sites. Our visible presence has improved the water quality and environmental conditions at both sites.

9:45 A COMPARATIVE STUDY OF THE SEASONAL DISTRUBUTION OF POLLUTANTS IN EAGLE LAKE AND CHORTARD LAKE IN WARREN COUNTY, MISSISSIPPI 

Chadric O. Neal * and Alexander Acholonu, Alcorn State University, Alcorn State, MS 39069

Contaminants alter the ecological conditions of many lakes, hence some measure of the degree of pollution is needed in an aquatic habitat profile study. The present study was conducted on two lentic bodies of water, Eagle Lake and Chotard Lake in Warren County, Mississippi, to compare their habitat profiles and to find out if they meet the Mississippi water quality standard. During the period, February 2001 to October 2001 (i.e., a period covering the winter, spring, summer, and the fall seasons), water samples were collected at three different locations in three replicates from Eagle Lake and Chotard Lake respectively. The following parameters were tested for each site in both lakes: ammonia (nitrogen), total alkalinity, carbon dioxide, silica, phosphate, chloride, sulfide, nitrate-N, dissolved oxygen, turbidity, and temperature. There were not many significant differences in the test results obtained from both lakes. The two lakes meet the Mississippi water quality standard for ephemeral water bodies and ar e good for recreational uses.

10:00 ASSESSMENT OF WATER QUALITY IN THREE LENTIC BODIES OF WATER IN THE INDUSTRIAL AREAS OF WARREN COUNTY, MISSISSIPPI

Timotheus Meeks * and Alexander Acholonu, Alcom State University, Alcorn State, MS 39096

Lentic bodies of water hardly remain free from human contamination, especially those located near industrial areas. This study was conducted on three lentic bodies of water, namely, International Papermill Reservoir and Ball Ground Creek, located in the vicinity of the International Papermill in Redwood, MS, and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Canal located in the industrial area of Vicksburg, MS. to compare their habitat profiles, the seasonal distribution of pollutants, and to find out if they meet the Mississippi water quality standards. During the period, September 2001 to July 2002, (including the fall, winter, spring, and summer seasons) water samples were collected in three replicates from three sites in each of the bodies of water. They were taken to the laboratory and tested according to the manufacturers of LaMotte Test Kits. The chemical parameters tested were total alkalinity, ammonia-nitrogen, carbon dioxide, chlorides, chromium, cyanide, dissolve oxygen, fluoride, hardness, iron, manganese, nit rate-nitrogen, pH, silica, sulfide, and zinc. The physical parameters tested were water temperature, atmospheric temperature and turbidity. The results were then analyzed and the three lentic bodies of water were compared. There were no significant differences in their habitat profiles and all of them met the Mississippi Water Quality Criteria.

10:15 MACROINVERTEBRATES ASSOCIATED WITH HEADWATER STREAMS AT CAMP McCAIN TRAINING SITE, MISSISSIPPI

Earl T. Ducote * and Fred Howell, University of Southern Mississippi, Hattiesburg, MS 39406

Sections 303 and 304 of the Clean Water Act requires states to protect biological integrity as part of their water quality standards. Keeping with good environmental stewardship in 1997 the Mississippi Military Department implemented an Aquatic Biomonitoring Program at the Camp McCain Training Site in Grenada County, MS. The objective of this program is to determine the status of the water resources (Are the designated/beneficial and aquatic life uses being met?). Rapid bioassessment using the benthic macroinvertebrate assemblage has been the most popular set of protocols among water resource agencies since EPA published their first edition of Rapid Bioassessment Protocols for use in Wadeable Streams and Rivers in 1989, and the second in 1999. Systematic sampling of three headwater streams (Crowder, Epison and Campbell) has been conducted each autumn, beginning in 1 997-current, at designated 100 m reaches exiting the camp. A multihabitat procedure using a D-frame dip net is the sampling method used. USEPA in dicates that this technique is scientifically valid for low-gradient streams. Taxonomy is to genus/species, which provides more accurate information on ecological/environmental relationships and sensitivity to impairment. Benthic metrics used to evaluate aspects of both elements and processes within the macroinvertebrate assemblage are; Taxa Richness, EPT index, EPT/Chironomidae, Percent Shredders, NC Biotic Index and, Brillouin and Shannon "diversity and evenness" indexes. Water quality assessments and autumnal community trends of each headwater stream are based on current site-specific monitoring data.

10:30 Break

10:45 ASSESSMENT OF WATER QUALITY IN TWO LOTIC BODIES OF WATER IN JEFFERSON COUNTY, MISSISSIPPI, A PRELIMINARY STUDY

Rosie Hopkins * and Alexander Acholonu, Alcorn State University, Alcorn State, MS 39096

This study was conducted to find out if Coles Creek and Mud Island Creek located off the Natchez Trace Parkway, in picnic areas, are polluted or meet the Mississippi Water Quality Standard. The main thrust is to eventually cheek the distribution of pollutants and/or human contamination in all seasons of the year. In August 2002, that is during the summer period, water samples were collected in three replicates at one week intervals from three sites in each of the two bodies of water. They were taken to the laboratory and tested according to the manufactures of LaMotte Test Kits. The chemical parameters tested were total alkalinity, ammonia-nitrogen, carbon dioxide, chlorides, chromium, cyanide, dissolve oxygen, fluoride, total hardness, iron, manganese, nitrate-nitrogen, pH, silica, sulfide, and zinc. The physical parameters tested were atmospheric temperature, water temperature, turbidity and conductivity. The two lotic bodies of water were compared. There were no significant differences found in their habit at profiles and they met the Mississippi Water Quality Standard.

11:00 ROLE OF ALIESTERASE IN SUSCEPTIBILITY OF TOBACCO BUD WORM AND CORN EARWORM TO FIVE ORGANOPHOSPHORUS INSECTICIDES

Elgenaid Hamadain, Jackson State University, Jackson, MS 39217

Aliesterase activity towards three substrates were compared in laboratory strains of tobacco budworm (TBW) and corn earworm (CEW). In vitro inhibition of 4-nitrophenyl butyrate hydrolysis by the oxons of five organophosphorus insecticides in both species was determined. Noncatalytic detoxication of the oxons of parathion and chlorpyrifos by TBW and CEW aliesterases was investigated. Synergism by Aliesterase inhibitor DEF (S, S, S-tributyl phosphorothioate) in TBW was studied using methyl parathion and chlorpyrifos. Aliesterase specific activity was significantly (>2-fold) higher in TBW than in CEW. All oxons, except methyl paraoxon, were more potent inhibitors of TBW aliesterase than of CEW aliesterase. Methyl paraoxon was a weak inhibitor in both species. Both TBW and CEW homogenate increased the [I.sub.50] of the two oxons towards bovine brain acetylcholinesterase, indicating detoxication of the oxons by larval homogenate. Percentage detoxication was higher for TBW than for CEW, and was greater for chlorpyr ifos oxon than for paraoxon in both species. DEF increased the toxicity of both methyl parathion and chlorpyrifos. Synergism correlated with anti-aliesterase activity of the insecticide alone. Results demonstrate that higher activity of aliesterase can partially explain the relative tolerance of TBW compared with CEW. It seems likely that aliesterase acts as an alternate phosphorylation site, thereby reducing the concentration of the oxons reacting with acetylcholinesterase and thus, provide protection to this target. Though this protective mechanism exists in both species, its expression was greater for TBW than for CEW, accounting for the greater tolerance in TBW.

11:15 STUDY OF METABOLIC RATES OF MOSQUITOFISH, GAMBUSIA AFFINJS, AT DIFFERENT TEMPERATURES

Julius O. Ikenga * and Quionnes Y. Clark, Mississippi Valley State University, Itta Bena, MS 38941

This research was designed to study the metabolic rates (mRs) of mosquitofish, Gambusia affinis, at 24 to 28[degrees]C. G. affinis is a small, temperate fish that is increasingly becoming popular in its own right, especially in the wake of the Nile virus transmission. Nile virus is transmitted by mosquitoes, particularly the tiger mosquitoes. G. affinis has been known to be very proficient in removing mosquito larvae from bodies of water, thereby helping to curtail the spread of mosquitoes. The mRs of G. affinis at the above temperatures were measured using the indirect respirometry technique. All mosquitofish used in this study had a body volume of one milliliter. Data collected from end-point titration of the test waters were adjusted and used to calculate the mRs in [micro]M [CO.sub.2]/ml/hr. Metabolic rates found for G. affinis ranged from 3 to 15 [micro]M [CO.sub.2]/ml/hr at 24[degrees]C, 6 to 14.5 [micro]M [CO.sub.2]/ml/hr at 25[degrees]C, 6 to 24 [micro]M [CO.sub.2]/ml/hr at 26[degrees]C, 7.5 to 19.5 [micro]M [CO.sub.2]/ml/hr at 27[degrees]C, and from 6 to 20.5 [micro]M [CO.sub.2]/ml/hr at 28[degrees]C. Mean mRs found at 24, 25, 26, 27, and 28[degrees]C were 7.8, 9.1, 17.2, 13.8, and 13.4 [micro]M [CO.sub.2]/ml/hr. Peak metabolic activity was observed at 26[degrees]C. Mosquitofish used in this study were fed on Tropical Flakes[R]. Since mosquitofish indulge on mosquito larvae, a comparison of mRs of a group fed on Tropical Flakes[R] versus a group fed on mosquito larvae would be in order.

11:30 METABOLIC RATE DIFFERENCES BETWEEN THE SUNSET FIRE PLATY XIPHOPHORUS MACULATUS) AND THE BLACK MOLLY (POECILIA SPHENOPS) AT DIFFERENT TEMPERATURES

Julius O. Ikenga * and Wilma Williams-Robinson, Mississippi Valley State University, Itta Bena, MS 38941

We have compared the metabolic rates (mRs) of the Black Molly (Poecilia sphenops) and the Sunset Fire Platy (Xiphophorus maculatus) at 26, 28, and 29[degrees]C. The mRs were measured using the indirect respirometry technique. The Sunset Fire Platy and Black Molly were chosen for this test because of their popularity as small aquarium pets and also because both species are readily available. Both species weighed approximately one gram. Data generated from end-point titration of the test waters were used to calculate the metabolic carbon dioxide ([CO.sub.2]) produced by the test fishes. The two species responded metabolically to changes in temperature. The mRs of the Sunset Fire Platy ranged from 0.49 [micro]M [CO.sub.2]/ml/hr to 1.42 [micro]M [CO.sub.2]/ml/hr at 26[degrees]C, 0.42 [micro]M [CO.sub.2]/ml/hr to 1.48 [micro]M [CO.sub.2]/ml/hr at 28[degrees]C, and from 0.48 [micro]M [CO.sub.2]/ml/hr to 1.01 [micro]M [CO.sub.2]/ml/hr at 29[degrees]C. The mRs of the Black Molly ranged from 0.97[micro]M [CO.sub.2]/m l/hr to 1.0 [micro]M [CO.sub.2]/ml/hr at 26[degrees]C, 0.45 [micro]M [CO.sub.2]/ml/hr to 0.99 [micro]M [CO.sub.2]/ml/hr at 28[degrees]C, and from 0.49 [micro]M [CO.sub.2]/ml/hr to 1.50 [micro]M [CO.sub.2]/ml/hr at 29[degrees]C. Peak metabolic activities for both species were observed at 26[degrees]C. The latter, very possibly, represents the optimum metabolic temperature for the two species. The average mRs dropped for both species at 28[degrees]C only to rise again at 29[degrees]C. The Sunset Fire Platy overall showed a higher metabolic activities than the Black Molly.

11:45 Divisional Business Meeting

FRIDAY AFTERNOON

Lake View II

1:00 EVALUATING DIVERSITY: A BASELINE STUDY COMPARING THE DIVERSITY OF THE ORDER DIPTERA IN TWO DISTINCT SITES OF THE YUCATAN PENINSULA OF MEXICO

Robert Caskey, Millsaps College, Jackson, MS 39120

A baseline study of the insect order Diptera (flies) was conducted in the Yucatan Peninsula of Mexico (Latitude: 20.0[degrees]N Longitude: 90.0[degrees]W) in which diversity was compared between two sites: (1) the land immediately surrounding a former sugar cane plantation associated with the Hacienda Tabi (maintined by Consejo Nacional de Cuerpos de Conservacion Mexicanos) and (2) the undisturbed dry tropical forest at the Helen Moyers Biological Reserve located at Kiuic (maintained by Millsaps College). It was hypothesized that a richer diversity would be present at the Kiuic site, which is relatively undisturbed, compared to the Tabi site. The following 17 Dipteran families were recorded for both sites: Tabanidae, Stratiomyidae, Asilidae, Culicidae, Mycetophilidae, Tachinidae, Muscidae, Tipulidae, Anthomyiidae, Bombyliidae, Tanypezidae, Syrphidae, Sciaridae, Pipunculidae, Chironomidae, Dolichopodidae, and Conopidae. The Kiuic site also reported 6 additional families: Phoridae, Heleomyzidae, Bibionidae, Sc atopsidae, Scenopinidae, and Mydidae. The Tabi site, however, reported 8 additional families: Sarcophagidae, Ropalomeridae, Drosophilidae, Therevidae, Ceratopogonidae, Sciomyzidae, Calliphoridae, and Platystomatidae. Since many of the families individual to the Tabi site are common, these findings were interpreted not to indicate a significant difference in diversity between the two sites. For more conclusive data, more work must be done in the future, both in the identification of these insects to species, and in the studying of specific families.

1:15 INVESTIGATION OF POTENTIAL SEASONAL DIFFERENCES IN ACTIVITY BUDGETS FOR A GROUP OF CAPTIVE ATLANTIC BOTTLENOSE DOLPHINS (TURSIOPS TRUNCATUS)

Rachel Thames * and Stan Kuczaj, University of Southern Mississippi, Hattiesburg, MS 39406

The objective of this study was to determine if the activity budgets of captive dolphins changed throughout a 12-month period. Instantaneous scan samples were taken on a group of 8 dolphins housed at Marine Life Oceanarium during four eight-week periods. The four periods consisted of times that corresponded to winter, spring, summer and fall seasons. Activity budgets were constructed for the following behaviors: rest, swim, swim high, play, and play high. Activity budgets for the dolphins were relatively stable throughout the year despite differences in the number of performance shows and weather conditions. The captive dolphins in the study maintained a consistent activity budget throughout the year. This seems to indicate that these dolphins are not affected by differential energetic requirements.

1:30 Divisional Poster Session

PRELIMINARY STUDIES ON ANTI-TOXOPLASMA GONDII ANTIBODIES FROM CRYSTAL SPRINGS, MISSISSIPPI 

Tanjanikia McKinney *, Alexander Acholonu, Abram H. Dunbar, Tori S. Hill, and George Bates, Alcorn State University, Alcorn State, MS 39069

Toxoplasma gondii infection in food-producing animals is a potential public health problem because the infection can be transmitted to human beings through handling and consumption of contaminated raw meat. Immunocomprised individuals and fetuses have the greatest risk for developing clinical toxoplasmosis. The objective of this study is a serologically determine the prevalence of anti-Toxoplasma gondii antibodies in pigs from Crystal Springs, MS and to eventually extend it to other areas in Southwest Mississippi. The long-term goal is to implement control strategies to reduce T. gondii infection in swine farms in Mississippi. Between the months of April and October 2002, blood samples from pigs were collected from a slaughterhouse in Crystal Springs, MS. The blood samples were centrifuged and the sera collected, labeled, and stored in the freezer. Modified agglutination test (MAT) was performed at three different dilutions. A titer at 1:25 was considered seropositive. Of a total of 370 samples tested, 166 (4 5%) were positive. The prevalence of T. gondii in pigs in Crystal Springs is high compared to previous reports. When the study is completed, it will give an insight into how serious toxoplasmosis is in the state of Mississippi and lead to the formulation of possible control strategies.

A LIST OF THE ANTS OF MISSISSIPPI WITH A KEY TO THE GENERA

Timothy C. Lockley, USDA-APHIS-PPQ-CPHST, Gulfport, MS 39501

A list is presented of the 148 species of ants in 41 genera occurring in Mississippi. With the exception of widespread species, distribution is given by county when known. This list is preliminary to a more thorough physical survey of the State's myrmecofauna.