18th Annual Student Research Conference
Science
Aging and Respiratory Gas Exchange in the American Dog Tick, Dermacentor variabilis
Sarah M. Hobbs
Dr. Laura Fielden, Faculty Mentor
This study investigated the effect of aging on respiratory gas exchange in the female adult dog tick Dermacentor variabilis using a CO(2) flow-through respirometry system. Classification was determined according to age in weeks, the current age range from two to fifty-four weeks. The respiration pattern was recorded for a time span of at least twenty hours. The inactive respiration segments were analyzed in two distinct periods: ten to fifteen hours and fifteen to twenty hours. For the burst, interburst, and cycle periods length, CO(2) emission, and volume were measured and used to determine the change of respiratory pattern through the aging period. Breakdown of the pattern and irregularity of burst, interburst, and cycle frequency and CO(2) emission was observed with increased aging. Complete analysis data analysis for full age range is still pending.
Keywords: respirometry, D. Variablis
Topic(s):Biology
Presentation Type: Oral Paper
Session: 11-3
Location: VH 1412
Time: 8:45