Biological Sciences: Western Illinois University

Recent Presentations (2005-2009)

One aspect of science is communicating with other scientists. Use this webpage to find out what presentations our faculty, graduate students, and undergraduates have recently given about their biological research.

2009

Bonnan, M.F., Livingston, V.J., Elsey, R.M., Sandrik, J.L., and Wilhite, D.R. 2009. Differential limb scaling in the American alligator (Alligator mississippiensis) and its implications for fossil archosaur locomotor evolution. Geological Society of America – North-Central Section, 43rd Annual Meeting.
DesRochers, Brittany L.*; Thomas, Vickie ; and Musser, Richard O. Study of gene expression in Nicotiania tabacum induced by Helicoverpa zea herbivory. 3rd Annual Arthopod Genomics Symposium Kansas City, MO
Mathews, J.C., Williams, S., Henderson, M., and Bonnan, M.F. 2009. The Hanksville-Bupree Quarry: a new dinosaur bonebed from the Brushy Basin member, Morrison Formation (Latest Jurassic) of Eastern Utah. Geological Society of America – North-Central Section, 43rd Annual Meeting.
Morhardt, A.C. and Bonnan, M.F. 2009 Dinosaur smiles: do the texture and morphology of the premaxilla, maxilla, and dentary bones of sauropsids provide osteological correlates for inferring extra-oral structures reliably in dinosaurs? Geological Society of America – North-Central Section, 43rd Annual Meeting.
Musser, R.O. et al. RUI: Deciphering Plant-Herbivore Interactions. 3rd Annual Arthopod Genomics Symposium Kansas City, MO
Ruskell, Amber D, Meiers, S.T., Santymire, R.M., and S. E. Jenkins. 2009. Poster Presentation. “effects of Bungee-Carcass Enrichment on Behavioral and Fecal Glucocorticoid Metabolites of Zoo-Housed Felids.” Society for Behavioral Neuroendocrinology Meetings, East Lansing, Michigan.
Nishiwaki, T. and Bonnan, M.F. 2009. The effect of epiphyseal cartilage loss in birds and its implications for dinosaurs. Geological Society of America – North-Central Section, 43rd Annual Meeting.
Thomas, V., and Musser, R.O. Study of gene expression in Lycopersicon esculentum induced by Helicoverpa zea and Manduca sexta Herbivory. 3rd Annual Arthopod Genomics Symposium Kansas City, MO
Tuttle, K.L and Bonnan, M.F. 2009. Rodents of unusual size: a study of allometric limb shape change in the mammalian clade Euarchontoglires. Geological Society of America – North-Central Section, 43rd Annual Meeting.

2008

Bennett, B., and Musser, R.O.. Correlation of maize plant defense hormones to insect herbivory. Entomological Society of America, Reno, NV
Davis, D., and Ribbens, E. 2008. Guaiacum officinale and Guaiacum sanctum in Guánica, Puerto Rico. Illinois State Academy of Science 100th Annual Meeting.
Livingston, V. and Bonnan, M.F. 2008. Limb differentiation in the American alligator, Alligator mississippiensis. Transactions of the Illinois State Academy of Science, 101(Supp.): 82. ISAS 100th Annual Meeting, April 2008.
Sandrik, J. and Bonnan, M.F. 2008. The effect of epiphyseal cartilage loss in the appendicular skeleton of the American alligator, Alligator mississippiensis. Transacations of the Illinois State Academy of Science, 101(Supp.): 87. ISAS 100th Annual Meeting, April 2008.
Ribbens, E. 2008. The curmudgeon’s viewpoint. SCOPE Workshop, San Diego Supercomputing Center, March 2008.
Ribbens, E. and Waterman, M. 2008. Case Studies in Plant Biology. Workshop, BioQuest Annual Meeting.
Musser, R.O. Tomato plant gene expression altered by caterpillar labial saliva revealed by microarray analysis. 18th Biennial International Plant Resistance to Insects Workshop, Fort Collins, CO
Musser, R.O. et al. Deciphering plant-herbivore interactions. Entomological Society of America, Reno, NV
Musser, R.O. and Hum-Musser, S.M.. RUI: Deciphering plant-herbivore interactions. 11th Annual Plant Genome Awardee Meeting, Washington, D.C.
Musser, R.O. and Rodriguez-Saona, C.. Molecular, biochemical, and biological analyses of tomato plants simultaneously attacked by herbivores from two different feeding guilds. 18th Biennial International Plant Resistance to Insects Workshop, Fort Collins, CO
Musser, R.O. and Vogel, H.. Tomato plant gene expression altered by caterpillar labial saliva revealed by microarray analysis. International Society of Chemical Ecology, State College, Pennsylvania
Thomas, V., Musser, R.O. et al. Correlation of tomato and caterpillar interactions. Entomological Society of America, Reno, NV
Thompson, B., and Musser, R.O.. Correlation of soybean and caterpillar interactions. Entomological Society of America, Reno, NV

2007

Atterberry-Jones, M., B. D. Peer, and J. Jones. 2007. Cooperative breeding in the Red-headed Woodpecker. 125th meeting of the American Ornithologists’ Union, Laramie, WY.
Bonnan, M.F., Sandrik, J.L, and Wilhite, D.R. 2007. A combined linear and geometric morphometric analysis of the effect of epiphyseal cartilage loss in Alligator mississippiensis on humerus and femur joint shape: implications for fossil archosaurs. 8th International Congress of Vertebrate Morphology, Paris, France, July 2007.
Bonnan, M.F. 2007. Bernard Price Institute at the University of the Witswatersrand, Johannesburg, South Afric Seminar Series. Growing Up Sauropod-Style. May 28, 2007.
Crowell, S. E., B. D. Peer, J. Thomas, and R. Therrien. 2007. The effects of urban noise on the vocal behavior of the Red-winged Blackbird. 125th meeting of the American Ornithologists’ Union, Laramie, WY.
Dubina, K. M. and B. D. Peer. 2007. Egg pecking behavior in female and male Brown-headed Cowbirds. 125th meeting of the American Ornithologists’ Union, Laramie, WY.
Musser, R.O. et al. Measuring tomato plant gene expression stimulated by two different species of caterpillar. Entomological Society of America, San Diego, CA
Musser, R.O. et al. Measurement of tomato plant gene expression on a genomic scale for tomato plants that over express peroxidase. Entomological Society of America, San Diego, CA
Musser, R.O. et al. Effects of caterpillar herbivory on maize gene expression Entomological Society of America, San Diego, CA
Musser, R.O. et al. Deciphering the plant's response to factors of herbivory Entomological Society of America, San Diego, CA
Neveling, J., Hancox, P.J., Yates, A.M., and Bonnan, M.F. 2007. Sedimentological perspectives on a unique Upper Elliot fossil locality in the northeastern Free State. Palaeontologia Africana, 42 (May 2007): 128.
Peer, B. D., R. G. Harper, J. W. Rivers, J. A. Frick, M. D. Benson, J. Raabe, B. Blackwell, T. Eshedagho, M. Anderson, B. Wall, and E. Wear. 2007. Dickcissels, DDT, and cowbirds: An evolutionary equilibrium? 125th meeting of the American Ornithologists’ Union, Laramie, WY.
Ribbens, E. 2007. Weaving Case Studies Into Your Course. First Midwest Symposium On Excellence in Teaching Mathematics and Science: Research and Practice. Roosevelt University, October 2007.
Ribbens, E. 2007. Teaching Like It Matters. Presentation for the 1st WIU Innovations in Teaching Forum, Western Illinois University.
Ribbens, E. 2007. What Would Jesus Do? The Case for Christian Environmentalism. Presentation for the 4th Annual Environmental Summit, Western Illinois University.
Schahl, J. R. and B. D. Peer. 2007. A test of the sensory bias hypothesis for sexual selection in the Common Grackle. 125th meeting of the American Ornithologists’ Union, Laramie, WY.
Yates, A.M., Bonnan, M.F., Neveling, J., and Hancox, J. 2007. A new dinosaur fauna from the Early Jurassic of South Africa. Palaeontologia Africana, 42 (May 2007): 132.
Yates, A.M., Bonnan, M.F., and Neveling, J. 2007. A new diverse dinosaur assemblage from the Early Jurassic of South Africa. Journal of Vertebrate Paleontology, 27(3A): 169A.

2006

Bonnan, M.F., J.O. Farlow, and S.L. Masters. 2006. Western Illinois University Biology Seminar. Can You Sex Your Rex? Using Linear & Geometric Morphometrics to Detect Sexual Dimorphism in Femoral Shape in Alligators: Implications for Sexing Non-avian Dinosaurs. November 10, 2006.
Bonnan, M.F. 2006. Northern Illinois University Biology Seminar Series. Growing Up Sauropod-Style: Long Bone Growth and Locomotion in Dinosaur Giants. November 16, 2006.
Bonnan, M.F., and Yates, A.M. 2006. The forelimb of the basal sauropodomorph Melanorosaurus and the evolution of pronation, manus shape, and quadrupedalism in sauropods. Journal of Vertebrate Paleontology, 26(3A): 44A.
Bonnan, M.F. & A.M. Yates. 2006. Field Museum of Natural History, Research Seminar Series. The evolution of pronation, manus shape, and quadrupedalism in sauropod dinosaurs: new information from an articulated forelimb of the basal sauropodomorph Melanorosaurus. May 17, 2006.
Bonnan, M.F. 2006. Clayton State University, Atlanta, GA. Growing Up Sauropod-Style: How the Largest Dinosaurs Grew. April 17, 2006.
Bonnan, M.F. 2006. Illinois State Museum, Carol C. Hall Science Series Talks for Middle School Students. Walk Like a Dinosaur. April 1, 2006.
Bonnan, M.F. 2006. Burpee Museum, Rockford, IL: PaleoFest, 2006. Growing Up Sauropod-Style. February 19, 2006.
Kuehn, M.J., S.I. Rothstein, and B. D. Peer. 2006. Apparent loss of anti-parasite strategies in the absence of cowbirds: phenotypic plasticityor genetic deterioration of defenses in the absence of benefits? North
American Ornithological Congress, Veracruz, Mexico.
Michels, A.C. and K.W. McCravy. 2006. Culex preferences for gravid trap infusions. Annual Meeting of the North Central Branch of the Entomological Society of America, Bloomington, IL.
Musser, R.O. Effects of caterpillar salivary enzymes on plant defenses gene expression. Invited seminar University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
Musser, R.O. et al. Aphid feeding alters expression of resistant genes induced by caterpillars in tomato. Entomological Society of America, Indianapolis, Indiana
Musser, R.O. et al. Tomato plant defense gene expression to caterpillar labial salivary glands. Entomological Society of America, Indianapolis, Indiana
R.O. Musser, et al., Testing the effects of multiple herbivores on the genomic response of tomato plants Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN
Peer, B.D., R.G. Harper, J.W. Rivers, M.D. Benson, J.A. Frick, J. Raabe, B. Blackwell, M. Anderson, E. Wear. 2006. Does organochlorine contamination in Dickcissel eggs force them to accept cowbird parasitism? North American Ornithological Congress, Veracruz, Mexico.
Ribbens, E. 2006. Writing ìCase Clustersî. Poster, Case Study Teaching in Science Conference, Buffalo, New York, Fall 2006.
Thomas, J.A., Rameriz, K., Boehm, J., Greer, C., Birk, R., and R. Bergren. 2006. Acoustic research on the Pacific white-sided dolphin conducted under a partnership between Western Illinois University and the John G. Shedd Aquarium. American Association of Zoo Keepers. October 19, Chicago, IL.
S.A. Williams and R.O. Musser. Caterpillar saliva on the genomic response of tomato plants. International Plant Resistance to Insects Work Shop. Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN
S.A. Williams and R.O. Musser. Testing the effects of caterpillar labial salivary enzymes on the genomic response of tomato plants. Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN

2005

Baer, S.G., S. Romano, K.W.J. Williard, and J. Zaczek. 2005. Long-term changes in disturbance dynamics of a floodplain ecosystem: implications of river regulation for forest community structure and regeneration. For: 90th ESA Annual Meeting, August 7-12,2005, Montréal, Canada
Bonnan, M.F. 2005. Western Illinois University Biology Seminar. South Africa and the Cradle of Sauropod-kind:New Preliminary Information on the Earliest Dinosaur Titans. March 4, 2005.
Bonnan, M.F. 2005. Illinois State Museum Brown Bag Lecture Series. Inherit the Limbs: A Locomotor Perspective on the Giant Sauropod Dinosaurs. March, 2005.
Bonnan, M.F. 2005. Des Plaines Valley Geological Society 40th Annual Jewelry, Gem, Fossil and Mineral Show. The Giant Sauropod Dinosaurs. April 10, 2005.
Bonnan, M.F., Parrish, J. M., Stevens, K., Graba, J., and Senter, P. 2005. Scapular position and function in the sauropodomorpha (Reptilia: Saurischia). Journal of Vertebrate Paleontology, 25(3A): 38A.
Farlow, J.O., Bonnan, M.F., and Masters, S.L. 2005. Linear and geometric shape changes between sexes in Alligator mississippiensis femora: statistical implications for inferring fossil archosaur sex. Journal of Vertebrate Paleontology, 25(3A): 55A.
McCravy, K.W. and J.E. Willand. 2005. Ecology of ground beetles (Coleoptera: Carabidae) inhabiting west-central Illinois soybean fields and habitat islands. Annual Meeting of the North Central Branch of the Entomological Society of America, West Lafayette, Indiana.
Michels, A. and K.W. McCravy. 2005. West Nile virus surveillance in west-central Illinois. Annual Meeting of the North Central Branch of the Entomological Society of America, West Lafayette, Indiana.
Musser, R.O. 2005. Caterpillar saliva beats plant defenses. Proceedings of the 5th Asia-Pacific Congress of Entomology. p. 38.
Musser, R.O. 2005. The effects of caterpillar salivary enzymes on plant defenses. Proceedings of the 5th Asia-Pacific Congress of Entomology. p.
171.
Neveling, J., Hancox, P.J., Yates, A.M., and Bonnan, M.F. 2005. Early Jurassic palaeo-environments in the Karoo Basin: Results of a high resolution sedimentological and taphonomic analysis at the Heelbo fossil locality, Elliot Formation (South Africa). Academia Nacional de Ciencias, Gondwana 12, Mendoza 2005 ñ Abstracts.
Peer, B. D., and S. I. Rothstein. 2005. Inconsistent responses of Common Grackles to cowbird parasitism: Evidence of the decline of grackle anti-parasite behavior. 123rd meeting of the American Ornithologists' Union, Santa Barbara, CA.
Peer, B. D., McIntosh, C. E., S. Birks, S. I. Rothstein, and R. C. Fleischer. 2005. Complex biogeographic history of shrikes and its implications for the evolution of defenses against avian brood parasitism. 123rd meeting of the American Ornithologists' Union, Santa Barbara, CA.
Romano, S.P. , James J. Zaczek, Karl Williard, David J. Gibson, Loretta L. Battaglia, and Sara G. Baer. 2005. Soil texture and forest strata relationships of the central floodplain forest, Lower Kaskaskia River, Illinois. In: Proceedings of the Mississippi River Research Consortium, 37th Annual Meeting, April 28-29, 2005, La Crosse, Wisconsin.
Senter, P., Bonnan, M.F. 2005. Evidence for obligate bipedality in the basal sauropodomorphs Plateosaurus and Massospondylus. Journal of Vertebrate Paleontology, 25(3A): 144A.
Thomas, J.A. 2005. Anthropogenic noise in the Worldís oceans: a whale of a tale. WIU Distinguished Faculty Lecture, 31 March 2005.
Thomas, J.A. 2005. Can you hear me now? How Funding Research on Captive Dolphins Applies to the Conservation of Wild Populations. The Society for Research Administrators and the National Council of University Research Administrators, May 2005.
Willand, J.E. and K.W. McCravy. 2005. Diel activity of ground beetles (Coleoptera: Carabidae) in a coalmine remnant and surrounding soybean fields in west-central Illinois. Annual Meeting of the North Central Branch of the Entomological Society of America, West Lafayette, Indiana.