Date of Award

12-18-2020

Document Type

Thesis

Degree Name

Master of Science (MS)

Department

Biology

First Advisor

William Baltosser

Abstract

Amblyscirtes linda is a candidate for federal listing under the Endangered Species Act (1973). The present study, funded by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission, aims to gather data that will enable a decision regarding federal listing to be made. It is understood that the conservation status of Amblyscirtes linda cannot be accurately assessed without examining other congeneric species with which it cooccurs and can be easily confused. This confusion is due to morphological characteristics being very similar in the genus. We therefore studied morphological and molecular means of identification, as well as the natural history and ecology of five additional Roadside-Skippers. The thesis is restricted to those aspects dealing with morphological and molecular methods for identification. Datasets obtained in this regard pertaining to natural history and ecology are proprietary until the final report has been submitted to the funding agencies.

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