Zoology and Entomology.

Chair: Alex D.W. Acholonu, Alcorn State University Vice-chair: Elgenaid Hamadain, Jackson State University 

THURSDAY AFTERNOON

Deer Isle

Symposium on Sickle Cell Anemia and Its Prevalence among Blacks in some Southern States of the USA

1:00 A RETROSPECTIVE STUDY ON THE PREVALENCE OF SICKLE CELL ANEMIA IN LOUISIANA 1990-1995

Anthony Russell*, Alex D.W. Acholonu, Abram Dunbar, and George Bates, Alcorn State University, Alcorn State, MS 39096

Sickle cell anemia is an inherited blood disorder that has almost been exclusively found in people of African descent. It is thought that the disorder may have evolved in people from places where malaria and similar diseases were rampant. However, as time has passed and people have spread across the globe to different places, this disease has become more of a nuisance than an advantage. Sickle cell anemia is caused by an auto recessive trait, so it must be inherited from both parents. This genetic defect results in red blood cells that are puffy or sickle shaped as opposed to the normal indented disc shape of red blood cells. The sickle-shaped cells are easily destroyed which causes a decrease in the red blood cell count, thereby causing anemia. Sickle cell anemia is by far the most medically important hemolytic disease simply because of its frequency and severity. On the other hand, because of its geographic distribution and natural targets it has been widely ignored. This research serves to highlight the severity and frequency with which sickle cell anemia occurs. It was conducted with the aid of reports and data collected by the Louisiana State Department of Health and the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). It shows that sickle cell anemia is a problem among blacks that needs more attention.

1:20 THE PREVALENCE OF SICKLE CELL ANEMIA IN LOUISIANA 1995-2003

Joyce White and Alex D.W. Acholonu*, Alcorn State University, Alcorn State, MS 39096

In the United States, people of African ancestry are the most common carriers of the sickle cell trait. People who are heterozygous for sickle cell anemia (HAHS) are partially resistant to malaria, a serious disease that affects red blood cells. People who are homozygous for normal hemoglobin (HAHA), on the other hand, have no resistance to malaria. Sickle cell anemia is caused by a change in one of the polypeptides found in hemoglobin, which is the protein that carries oxygen in red blood cells. The purpose of this study is to find out the prevalence of sickle cell anemia in the state of Louisiana covering the period of 1995-2003. Data for this research was provided by the Louisiana State Health Department. Findings from the data indicate that sickle cell anemia is a serious problem among African American in the United States that needs to be addressed. More research needs to be done to find medical treatments to control sickle cell anemia.

1:40 THE PREVALENCE OF SICKLE CELL ANEMIA IN TEXAS, 1995-2003

Alex D.W. Acholonu and Tonnetta Todd*, Alcorn State University, Alcorn State, MS 39096

Sickle cell anemia is primarily a disease among African Americans. Often times many blacks are not aware of this deadly disease. Sickle cell anemia is an inherited red blood cell disorder. Normal red blood cells are round like doughnuts, and they move through blood vessels to deliver oxygen to the body. Sickle-shaped red blood cells are sluggish and tend to lodge in blood vessels, which causes pain from a lack of oxygen. Sickle cell anemia trait must be inherited from both parents. When a person is born with the disease, it will be present throughout life. This research serves to spotlight the prevalence of sickle cell anemia in Texas. More must be done about this very serious disease of the blood. The State of Texas performs a test on pregnant women and newborn babies to determine the presence of the trait. It is a simple blood test called the hemoglobin electrophoresis test. The data for this study was gathered with the assistance of the Texas State Department of Health, the Texas Report Magazine, and various websites. This study highlights the fact that it is imperative for more studies to be conducted on sickle cell anemia to reduce or eliminate its prevalence.

2:00 PREVALENCE OF SICKLE CELL ANEMIA IN MISSISSIPPI, 1995-2003

Ranada Carter, Queriston Haynes, and Alex D.W. Acholonu*, Alcorn State University, Alcorn State, MS 39096

Sickle cell anemia is an inherited blood disorder characterized by primarily chronic anemia and episodes of pain. It affects millions of blacks both in Africa and else where. The disease occurs in about 1 in every 500 African American births and 1 in every 1000 to 14000 Hispanic American births. The prevalence of sickle cell anemia is extremely high among the general African American population. The purpose of this study is to assess the prevalence of sickle cell anemia in the State of Mississippi. It was conducted with the assistance of the Mississippi State Department of Health reports, among others. This study indicates that sickle cell anemia is a disease that deserves attention. It brings out the importance of African Americans undergoing genetic testing for sickle cell anemia. Knowing whether one has sickle cell anemia or sickle cell trait can significantly reduce the number of sickle cell disease cases, morbidity or mortality. To control the prevalence of this disorder in the state of Mississippi, it is recommended that any would-be husband and wife undergo a sickle cell anemia test before marriage.

2:20 Divisional Poster Session

SEROPREVALENCE OF TOXOPLASMA GONDII INFECTION IN MARKET WEIGHT PIGS FROM CRYSTAL SPRINGS, MISSISSIPPI 

Brandi Payne*, Alex D.W. Acholonu, Abram Dunbar, and George Bates, Alcorn State University, Alcorn State, MS 39096

Pigs are considered an important meat source for Toxoplasma gondii. They may be infected directly or by ingestion of oocysts-contaminated feed, water, or soil, or by consumption of infected rodents. T. gondii infection in food-producing animals is a potential public health problem because the infection can be transmitted to humans through handling and consumption of raw or undercooked meat that contains T. gondii bradyzoites encysted in muscle tissue. Immunocomprised individuals and fetuses have the greatest risk for developing clinical toxoplasmosis. The objective of this study is to determine the prevalence of anti-Toxoplasma gondii antibodies in market weight pigs from Crystal Springs, Mississippi. Literature review shows that no significant study of this kind has been done previously in Mississippi. Between the months of April 2002 and July 2003, blood samples were collected from a slaughterhouse in Crystal Springs, MS. The blood samples were centrifuged and the sera collected, labeled, and stored in the freezer at -20[degrees]C. A modified aggulation test (MAT) was performed at three different dilutions, namely, 1:25, 1:50, and 1:500. Of 824 samples tested, 435 (53%) were positive for anti-Toxoplasma gondii antibodies. At a titer of 1:25, 1:50, and 1:500, 439 (53.3 %), 353 (30 %), and 308 (27%), respectively, were positive. It is advisable for all pork to be cooked thoroughly before consumption.

Divisional Talks

2:50 FORENSIC ENTOMOLOGY OF THE MISSISSIPPI PINE BELT

Joseph Curry, University of Southern Mississippi, Hattiesburg, MS 39406

The use of insects in forensic cases has been a fairly new aspect in criminal investigation. However, several difficulties exist in the use of forensic entomology. Insects vary form region to region, and currently most information about forensic insects is derived from approximately 12 or so areas around the United States. Currently, the closest forensic entomology research to southern Mississippi was conducted in northern Tennessee, St. Louis and in the southern Florida panhandle. Utilizing recently deceased carcasses of Garnet's short-eared bushbabies from the University of Southern Mississippi, insects were periodically collected, measured, and identified to determine the entomological timeline for death scenes in the Pine Belt region. The animals, which died of natural causes, were placed in an undisturbed, semi wooded area in northern Forrest County. Based on the research conducted, flies were determined to be the best indicators of time since death. The flies grew in predictable instars or stages, and these stages were used to determine the approximate time since the animal carcasses were exposed in the Pine Belt. This data has the potential to gives forensic investigators in southern Mississippi valuable information on the reconstruction of the time of death of the victim.

3:10 ASSESSEMENT OF CORYNORHINS RAFINESQUI AND MYTOIS AUSTRORIP ARIUS ROOSTS CHARACTERISTICS AT ST. CATHERINE CREEK NWR AND LAUREL HILL PLANTATION, ADAMS COUNY, MISSISSIPPI

Alison R. Sherman* and Elgenaid Hamadain, Jackson State University, Jackson, MS 39217

Roost sites of Rafinesque big-eared bats (Corynorhinus rafinesquii) and Southeastern Mytois (Mytois austroriparius) were examined in abandoned buildings and cisterns at St. Catherine Creek National Wildlife Refuge and Laurel Hill Plantation, Adams County, Mississippi, from February through December, 2002 and 2003. Seven abandoned structures and one culvert were documented to serve as roost sites for C. rafinesquii on the refuge and plantation. Three of these sites were verified to be maternal roosts. One of the colonies contained 50 individuals, recorded on July 12, 2003. Another maternal colony on property adjoining the refuge contained 35 C. rafinesquii on September 16, 2002. Other structures supported from 0-9 individuals during the survey period. Six of the abandoned structures were also being used by M. austroriparius individuals. One of these structures contained 5 individuals on June 21, 2003. Other structures supported from 0-1 individual during the survey period. An additional roost for M. austroriparius containing approximately 1500 individuals was discovered in a cistern on Laurel Hill Plantation in November, 2002. Sixty-eight C. rafinesquii and one-hundred seventy-five M. austroriparius were hand netted in the roosts after pups were volant. Captured bats were weighed, sexed, measured and C. rafinesquii individuals were banded using split ring bands. Standard mist netting was conducted at 24 sites on the refuge and plantation. Twenty-one C. rafinesquii were captured at three sites (29% of all captures). Sixteen M. austroriparius were captured at 5 sites (22% of all captures). Roost characteristics for C. rafinesquii and M. austroriparius were evaluated and data regarding internal temperature, humidity and light intensity, roost dimensions, location of bats within the roost, and roosting substrate were recorded. A habitat characterization using the center-point-quarter technique was conducted at each site.

3:30 PRELIMINARY STUDIES ON WATER QUALITY OF THE BIG BLACK RIVER IN MISSISSIPPI (POLLUTION STUDIES)

Annie M. Vaughan* and Alex D.W. Acholonu, Alcorn State University, Alcorn State, MS 39096

Water quality can be closely linked to the surrounding environment and land use and is affected by community uses such as agriculture, urban and industrial use, and recreation. The Big Black River Basin is one of Mississippi's largest watersheds, with the Big Black River being its only major water source. This basin has numerous possible sources of pollution in its surroundings. Oil and gas production are major industries in this area and cattle ranching and farming are present. The purpose of this study is to observe and analyze changes in the concentration of pollutants at various ranges and seasons in order to effectively evaluate the water quality of the Big Black River. Three sample sites, at 50-meter intervals, were established. Samples were collected three times during the fall of 2003 and analyzed for pollutants using the LaMotte Testing Kit. Atmospheric temperature, surface temperature, conductivity, dissolved oxygen, and turbidity were observed and recorded on site. The results show that the water quality of the Big Black River meets the Mississippi Water Quality Standards. This study, being a seasonal one, is being continued. This study was conducted under SEEDS Program, sponsored by the Ecological Society of America (ESA) and funded by The Andrew W. Mellon Foundation.

3:50 ORIENTATION OF JUVENILE LAKE STURGEON (ACIPENSER FULVESCENS) IN LABORATORY AQUARIA 

Raven Childers*, Jimena Aracena, and Marty Harvill, Mississippi University for Women, Columbus, MS 39701

An effort to reintroduce the endangered species Acipenser fulvescens into lakes and rivers requires raising juvenile fish in an aquaculture setting. In this experiment we videotaped eight individual juvenile fish in an aquarium for five minute intervals in order to study their orientation and swimming behavior. The fish showed preference for a white background as opposed to black and had strong thigmotaxis. Otherwise, there was enormous variation between fish, suggesting that more research is needed to understand juvenile behavior in the aquaculture setting. This variation may lead to selection for survival in aquaculture and may be detrimental to their reintroduction to their natural habitat.

4:10 Divisional Business Meeting