Date of Award
7-12-2012
Document Type
Thesis
Degree Name
Master of Science (MS)
Department
Biology
First Advisor
Matthew Gifford
Abstract
Habitats vary in their biotic and abiotic components across space and time. Variability can introduce challenges for organisms unless they have the ability to alter their physiology in a way that maximizes fitness in a variable habitat. My thesis investigated the physiological and morphological responses of the stream salamander Desmignathus brimleyorum to variations in thermal and physical habitat characteristics. Chapter one concentrates on changes in metabolic response and swimming performance of salamanders exposed to differing thermal treatments and tests the predictions of the optimal acclimation theory. Chapter two investigates differences in swimming performance with respect to tail morphology, as well as the relationships between particular morphological characteristics and environmental characteristics.
Recommended Citation
Young, Vanessa K Hilliard, "Physiological and Morphological Variation in a Stream Salamander, Desmognathus brimleyorum" (2012). Theses and Dissertations. 359.
https://research.ualr.edu/etd/359
