A lack of data on the presence or absence of species hampers the ability of biologists and wildlife professionals to assess the status of many mammal populations in Georgia, including bats. Prior to 2011, there were published records of the occurrence of only two species of bat, Lasionycteris noctivagans and Nycticeius humeralis, from within an area encompassing 18 contiguous counties and more than 5,745 square miles in west-central Georgia; both records were for Lamar County. Using roosting-site surveys, mist-netting, and salvage, we are conducting an ongoing study to document bat species richness in west-central Georgia. Thus far, we have documented the occurrence of the following within the 18-county region: Tadarida brasiliensis, Eptesicus fuscus, Lasiurus borealis, Lasiurus seminolus, Myotis austroriparius, Nycticeius humeralis, and Perimyotis subflavus.
Dept of Biology, Gordon State College, Barnesville, GA
P78 • Peter Schafran1, Joseph Keenan1, Marcus Jones2, Lytton Musselman1
In Vitro Seed Germination and Development of Calopogon pallidus (Orchidaceae) From Virginia
Calopogon pallidus Chapm. is a plant of pine savannahs and grasslands in the southeastern US. It is rare (S1-S3 ranking) in four of the eight states Atlantic and Gulf states where it is found. County level distribution maps show populations are patchy with several disjunctions; the sole Virginia population is disjunct from its nearest neighbor in Beaufort County, NC, by approximately 130 miles. In Virginia, C. pallidus occurs in one location within an area of about 25 m2. Seeds from this population were collected in September 2013 and sown on four different commercial growth media (P723 Orchid Seed Sowing Medium, Knudson C Orchid Medium, BM-1 Terrestrial Orchid Medium, and Knudson C Modified Plus Orchid Medium; n=11) in November. After 14 days, germination occurred in 100% of flasks that were not contaminated with mold. At 6 weeks, shoots formed in three of the media; P723 had significantly higher numbers of shoots per flask than all others ( x= 23.7; p<0.005). Shoot and root growth will be measured as the orchids develop. While the Virginian C. pallidus population is currently stable and growing, it is small and could be destroyed without proper habitat management. The ease of seed germination in culture provides a way for this rare orchid to be cultivated and distributed, preserving the species’ northernmost genotype.
1 Dept of Biological Sciences, Old Dominion University, Norfolk, VA; 2 Kaplan Orchid Conservatory, Old Dominion University, Norfolk, VA
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P79 • Kristin Emery, Jennifer Rhode Ward, H. David Clarke
Effects of Open Pollination, Selfing, Inbreeding, and Outbreeding Treatments on Seed Set and Viability in Spiraea virginiana Britton (Virginia Spiraea), an Endangered Rose
Spiraea virginiana Britton (Virginia spiraea), an endangered riparian shrub found in the Appalachian and Blue Ridge Mountains, reproduces primarily via asexual reproduction. Sexual reproduction is rare under natural conditions, but it is unclear whether pollen limitation or genetic incompatibilities are the underlying cause. Open, selfed, inbred, and outbred pollination treatments were applied to populations of S. virginiana in three Western North Carolina counties. In addition, stigmas from open pollinated treatments were collected to quantify pollen loads. Flowers from pollination treatments were collected 90-120 days later, and a subset of seeds were stratified for three months before testing germination rates. In addition, 100 seeds from each replicate were tested for viability using TTC. Both foreign and conspecific pollen loads on Graham County stigmas were significantly lower (P = 0.0001) than pollen loads on stigmas from other populations. Seed set from Ashe County plants was significantly lower than other populations (P = 0.0001), but treatment had no significant effect on seed set (P=018). Because seed set was not correlated with pollen load, variation in reproductive success could be due to other factors. We are currently investigating genetic variation within and among populations to see if that could explain differential seed production.
Biology Dept, The University of North Carolina at Asheville, Asheville, NC
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P80 • Joshua F. Hashemi, Paula C. Jackson
Arbuscular Mycorrhizal Fungal Colonization in the Black Willow (Salix nigra) and American Sycamore (Platanus occidentalis)
This project is part of a larger investigation to examine the suitability of using American sycamore (Platanus occidentalis L.) in addition to, or as an alternative to black willow (Salix nigra Marshall) in riparian restoration. Of the two species, only one, black willow, has been used extensively in riparian restoration. The purpose of this aspect of the research was twofold: 1) to compare arbuscular mycorrhizal fungal colonization in the two riparian tree species; and 2) to compare the efficacy and complexity of two potential staining methods. In order to determine the difference, if any, in the level of mycorrhizal colonization among the two tree species we first compared the efficacy of two different stains in mycorrhizal identification: trypan blue and acid fuchsin. Results from staining methods were compared employing both compound microscopy and laser scanning confocal microscopy (Zeiss LSM 700). Quantification of arbuscular mycorrhizal colonization in root samples was calculated using the root piece method. Root samples were taken from trees of different diameter growing in a riparian area within a patch of forest on the campus at Kennesaw State University in Kennesaw, Georgia. Preliminary results suggest mycorrhizal fungal colonization is higher in the sycamore (Platanus occidentalis) root samples
Dept of Biology and Physics, Kennesaw State University, Kennesaw, GA
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P81 • Matthew Dye, Dr. Tamara Johnstone-Yellin, Timothy Kreps, Tim Stamps, John Rohm
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