Amanda Harris seeks a position in fisheries or aquatic biology. She has a Bachelor's degree in Aquatic and Fisheries Science and over 400 hours of scientific diving experience. Her work experience includes independent research on coral reefs, fish populations, and lake ecosystems. She has worked as an aquarist, fisheries technician, scuba diver for habitat restoration, and currently works as a husbandry assistant and diver at SeaWorld caring for animal collections.
Magpali et al (2020) Adaptive evolution of hearing genes in echolocating dolp...Letícia Magpali
Candidate poster for presentation at the I Meeting of Systematics, Biogeography and Evolution (SBE), in the category Phylogenomics and molecular evolution.
Magpali, L.; Freitas, L.; Ramos, E. K. S.; de Souza, E. M. S.; Nery, M. F.
University of Campinas / Biology Institute, Brazil
Magpali et al (2020) Adaptive evolution of hearing genes in echolocating dolp...Letícia Magpali
Candidate poster for presentation at the I Meeting of Systematics, Biogeography and Evolution (SBE), in the category Phylogenomics and molecular evolution.
Magpali, L.; Freitas, L.; Ramos, E. K. S.; de Souza, E. M. S.; Nery, M. F.
University of Campinas / Biology Institute, Brazil
All bats are special, but stenodermatines are more special than othersLiliana Davalos
Poster at the 5th International Berlin Bat Meeting February 2017. Original title: Illuminating the single shift in diversification rates across Chiroptera. Abstract: The great taxonomic richness and ecological diversity of bats suggests they are a classic adaptive radiation of the kind first outlined by G.G. Simpson. But analyses of diversification rates for both New World noctilionoids and all bats have identified only one large change in rates, corresponding to the first emergence of the phyllostomid subfamily Stenodermatinae. Hence one critical condition for adaptive radiation, the rapid emergence of many independent lineages, applies only to stenodermatines and to no other clade in the bat phylogeny. Here we compare traditional explanations for the evolution of so many species, focused on abiotic drivers of speciation, with biotic explanations. We find no association between Pleistocene glacial cycles and important changes in speciation rates among stenodermatines, or any other New World noctilionoids. Instead, the invasion of a trophic niche including figs inaccessible to other bats seems to be the critical factor leading to higher diversification rates through higher speciation rates or, less likely, lower extinction rates. At least two sets of stenodermatine genomic adaptations —in olfactory receptor genes and blue-light opsins— appear to be associated with this new trophic niche. Although the genomic basis of the novel skull architecture conferring the high bite force of stenodermatines is unknown, both phylogenetic and ontogenetic analyses suggest changes in skull elongation likely account for this trait. More genomic changes linked to the stenodermatine adaptive zone remain to be uncovered, and can be guided by comparative and ecological analyses.
This is an avian survey in the Malagos Watershed as one of the protected areas in the island of Mindanao. There are pictures of interesting birds during the study in a very small forest fragment.
Species diversity and abundance of avifauna in and around an urbanized lake s...Isuru Priyaranga Silva
Abstract: Avifauna species diversity and abundance in and around of an urbanized lake called Peralanda Lake were recorded using point transect technique from January 2015 to December 2016. The lake is situated at North Colombo area adjacent to Ragama city in Gampaha District. Three Different habitat types were identified as Water body habitat, Terrestrial habitat adjacent to the water body and Disturbed habitat. Bird census was performed on 20 sampling points with a radius of 25m which were fixed by using a Global Positioning System device (GPS) (Garmin e Trex). Each point was visited 3 times per month at different times of the day between 0600h to 1000h and 1500h to 1900h. Sixty-two species belonging fourteen orders and thirty-seven families were recorded during the study. These include three globally near threatened species Spot-billed Pelican (Pelecanus philippensis), Oriental Darter (Anhinga melanogaster) and Black-headed Ibis (Threskiornis melanocepha-lus); three locally near threatened species, Cotton Pygmy-goose (Nettapus coromandelianus), Oriental Honey-Buzzard (Pernis ptilorhynchus) and Black Eagle (Ictinaetus malayensis); one critically endangered species, Blue-tailed Bee-eater (Merops philippinus); two endemic species, Sri Lanka Small Barbet (Megalaima rubricapilla) and Sri Lanka Swallow (Hirundo hyper-ythra) and four migrant species, Barn Swallow (Hirundo rustica), Asian Paradise Flycatcher (Terpsiphone paradisi paradisi), Blue-tailed Bee-eater (Merops philippinus) and Forest Wagtail (Dendronanthus indicus). Highest species diversity was recorded in terrestrial habitat adjacent to the water body followed by Disturbed habitat while least species diversity was recorded in Water body habitat.
All bats are special, but stenodermatines are more special than othersLiliana Davalos
Poster at the 5th International Berlin Bat Meeting February 2017. Original title: Illuminating the single shift in diversification rates across Chiroptera. Abstract: The great taxonomic richness and ecological diversity of bats suggests they are a classic adaptive radiation of the kind first outlined by G.G. Simpson. But analyses of diversification rates for both New World noctilionoids and all bats have identified only one large change in rates, corresponding to the first emergence of the phyllostomid subfamily Stenodermatinae. Hence one critical condition for adaptive radiation, the rapid emergence of many independent lineages, applies only to stenodermatines and to no other clade in the bat phylogeny. Here we compare traditional explanations for the evolution of so many species, focused on abiotic drivers of speciation, with biotic explanations. We find no association between Pleistocene glacial cycles and important changes in speciation rates among stenodermatines, or any other New World noctilionoids. Instead, the invasion of a trophic niche including figs inaccessible to other bats seems to be the critical factor leading to higher diversification rates through higher speciation rates or, less likely, lower extinction rates. At least two sets of stenodermatine genomic adaptations —in olfactory receptor genes and blue-light opsins— appear to be associated with this new trophic niche. Although the genomic basis of the novel skull architecture conferring the high bite force of stenodermatines is unknown, both phylogenetic and ontogenetic analyses suggest changes in skull elongation likely account for this trait. More genomic changes linked to the stenodermatine adaptive zone remain to be uncovered, and can be guided by comparative and ecological analyses.
This is an avian survey in the Malagos Watershed as one of the protected areas in the island of Mindanao. There are pictures of interesting birds during the study in a very small forest fragment.
Species diversity and abundance of avifauna in and around an urbanized lake s...Isuru Priyaranga Silva
Abstract: Avifauna species diversity and abundance in and around of an urbanized lake called Peralanda Lake were recorded using point transect technique from January 2015 to December 2016. The lake is situated at North Colombo area adjacent to Ragama city in Gampaha District. Three Different habitat types were identified as Water body habitat, Terrestrial habitat adjacent to the water body and Disturbed habitat. Bird census was performed on 20 sampling points with a radius of 25m which were fixed by using a Global Positioning System device (GPS) (Garmin e Trex). Each point was visited 3 times per month at different times of the day between 0600h to 1000h and 1500h to 1900h. Sixty-two species belonging fourteen orders and thirty-seven families were recorded during the study. These include three globally near threatened species Spot-billed Pelican (Pelecanus philippensis), Oriental Darter (Anhinga melanogaster) and Black-headed Ibis (Threskiornis melanocepha-lus); three locally near threatened species, Cotton Pygmy-goose (Nettapus coromandelianus), Oriental Honey-Buzzard (Pernis ptilorhynchus) and Black Eagle (Ictinaetus malayensis); one critically endangered species, Blue-tailed Bee-eater (Merops philippinus); two endemic species, Sri Lanka Small Barbet (Megalaima rubricapilla) and Sri Lanka Swallow (Hirundo hyper-ythra) and four migrant species, Barn Swallow (Hirundo rustica), Asian Paradise Flycatcher (Terpsiphone paradisi paradisi), Blue-tailed Bee-eater (Merops philippinus) and Forest Wagtail (Dendronanthus indicus). Highest species diversity was recorded in terrestrial habitat adjacent to the water body followed by Disturbed habitat while least species diversity was recorded in Water body habitat.
CCW conference: Protecting Susquehanna and impacts on jobsClean Water
Mel Zimmerman, Clean Water Institute, Lycoming CollegeThe Susquehanna River is the lifeblood of local communities throughout central Pennsylvania. Residents rely on the river for drinking water, recreation, and economic opportunities. It’s no surprise that there has been an outpouring of concern in recent years as anglers and biologists have seen declines in fish populations, especially in young smallmouth bass. Join the discussion to understand what the fish and water quality are telling us about the Susquehanna and parallel concerns in the Shenandoah, Potomac and Juniata Rivers. Hear from experts working to understand the water quality impairments and what needs to be done to restore this once world-class fishery and the economy that relies on it.
Reptile Diversity in Mt. Matutum Protected Landscape, South Cotabato, Philipp...Innspub Net
Reptiles are highly diversewith high percentage of endemism in the Philippines. However, reptile diversity in Mindanao, the second largest island in the country,is poorly known. To determine the species richness, diversity, endemism and conservation status of reptiles, this study was conducted from August to December 2013in six sampling sites of Mt. Matutum Protected Landscape (MMPL), South Cotabato.Cruising methodwasdone in the six sampling sites of MMPL. Paleontological Statistics Software Package (PAST) version 3.06 was used to determine the biodiversity indices, similarity index, and Kruskal-Wallis test. Thirteen species of reptiles belonging to five families and 11 genera with percentage endemism of46.15% were documented. High species diversity of reptiles with more or less even distribution was recorded in MMPL. Among the sampled sites, sampling site 1, a disturbed lowland dipterocarp forest had the highest species diversityand endemism.Sphenomorphusvariegatus was the most abundant species. Tropidophoruspartelloi, the only Mindanao Island endemic species was only found in the disturbed and undisturbed montane forests. Most of the documented species were under the Least Concern status. Bray-Curtis cluster analysis showed that sites 2 and 5 had the highest similarity percentage (68%) while Kruskal-Wallis test showed no significant difference between samples in disturbedand undisturbed sites. Threats to the reptiles of MMPL were observed to be the conversion of forest to farmland and hunting thus implying the need for protection of habitats and conservation of species in MMPL.
Enhancing the Resilience of Coastal Wetlands to Promote Sustainable Livelihoo...CIFOR-ICRAF
This presentation was delivered at the third Asia-Pacific Forestry Week 2016, in Clark Freeport Zone, Philippines.
The five sub-thematic streams at APFW 2016 included:
Pathways to prosperity: Future trade and markets
Tackling climate change: challenges and opportunities
Serving society: forestry and people
New institutions, new governance
Our green future: green investment and growing our natural assets
This letter to Mexico's President is from A. Alonso Aguirre, Executive Director of the Smithsonian-Mason School of Conservation.
More:
Can Technology and Tourism Sustain Mexico's Sea Turtles? http://nyti.ms/10bjIcH
Human DNA can now be pulled from Everywhere.docxAhmed ALdoseri
"Human DNA can now be pulled from Everywhere": This refers to advances in technology that have made it possible to extract human DNA from a wide range of sources, including blood, saliva, tissues, hair, and even environmental samples such as soil and water. This has significant implications for fields such as medicine, forensics, and biotechnology, where DNA analysis is used for diagnosis, treatment, identification, and research
1. Amanda R.R. Harris
2979 Lyndscape St Orlando, Florida 32833
315-857-7332 --- amanda.r.ranger@gmail.com
Education
State UniversityofNew York College ofEnvironmental Science and Forestry,Syracuse,NY
Bachelorof Science inAquaticand FisheriesScience :GPA: 3.554
AlphaXi SigmaHonor SocietyVice President
NautilusSocietyPresident
Dean’sList2007-2010
Onondaga CommunityCollege, Syracuse,NY
Math and Science Focus,transfer
BiologyTutor
Experience
IndependentResearch:
2007- Snorkel transectsurveyof percentage of diseasedcoralsinSanSalvador,Bahamas
2009- Fishdiversityandpopulationassessmentof the IndianRiverinDominica,WestIndies:A
brackishwatersystem
2010 – Pelagicorganismcomparisonof 6local lakes:Waterquality,lightandgeological dynamics
2010 and 2011 - Studyof an isolatedpopulationof Erimyzon sucetta , a NYS threatenedspecies
Laboratory/FieldExperience:
Lightmicroscopywithlive cultures
Otolithdissection,preparation,andaging
Gill netting,seining,trawling,trapnets,electro-shocking,hydro-acoustics
Maintenance of local troutfishfarm
Work Experience:
Husbandry Assistant / Diver: SeaWorldparksandEntertainment –2011 to current
o Maintenance of life supportsystems
o Dietpreparationandfeedingof animal collectionincludingseaturtles, cartilaginousfishes,
chondrichthyes,invertebrates, andavarietyof reptiles
o Recordkeepingof animal collectionincludingfeedinglogsandwaterqualitydata
o Specimentransport
o Quarantine of rescue seaturtles,exhibitanimalsandnew arrivalstothe park
o Dailymaintenance of exhibitincludingdiving:hullscrubbing,powerwashing,vacuuming
and exhibitstructure restoration
o OSHA dive safetyprotocol
o DPICand tending
o Large animal handlingincludingseaturtles,sharks,rays,andlarge freshandsaltwaterfishes
Aquarist: BottledOcean – 2013
o Maintenance of life supportsystems
o Water qualityanalysis
o Exhibitmaintenance
o FeedingandDietpreparation
o Sustainingpositive customersatisfactionandinteractionof inhome aquariums
2. FisheriesTechnician
o Data Collectionof waterquality,fishidentification,lengthandweights,gill samples,disease
occurrence,fishdiversityandhydro-acousticmeasurements
o Dailyuse of hydro-acousticequipment,trawl netsandgill nets
o MS Office dataentryandqualitycontrol procedures
o Experience onsmall tomediumsizedwatercraftinadverse weatherconditions
o Occasional longtermtravel forfieldsampling
o Knowledgeof fishanatomyandspeciesidentification
Scuba Diver Intern: GeorgiaAquarium – 2010
o Underwaterexhibitmaintenance,hull scrubbing,powerwashing,vacuumingand exhibit
structure restoration
o Maintenance of all aquariumdive gearandtools
o OSHA dive safetyprotocol
o DPICand Tending
o Aga SCUBA trained,surface supplydive safetyandprotocol
Scuba Diver: AquaticInvasives,Skaneateles,NY– 2008-2009
o Fieldworkonwatercraft, 8+ hours/day
o Surface supplydivingforremoval of invasive aquaticplantsinalocal lake
o DPIC,tendingof surface supplydivers
o Use of watercraft withdiversinthe water
o OSHA dive safety protocol
ScientificDivingand Training:
o 400+ loggeddive hours
o Night,low visibility,navigation,stressrescue, nitrox anddrysuitcertified
o Surface Supplytrained
o DPICand TenderTrained
o FirstAid/CPR/AED trained
o BloodBorn Pathogentrained
o Lock out Tag Out trained
Personal Qualities
o Maintainhighlevelsof customerservice andguestrelationshipskills
o Enthusiasticmindsetforlearning
o Organizationandteamworkoriented
o Highlyflexible inhouravailability
o Motivatedtocare and maintain of all animal collections