Variation in nectar composition: The influence of nectar quality on Monarch success
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Bowling Green State University / OhioLINK
2016
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| Online Access: | http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=bgsu1467568732 |
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ndltd-OhioLink-oai-etd.ohiolink.edu-bgsu14675687322021-08-03T06:37:07Z Variation in nectar composition: The influence of nectar quality on Monarch success Arnold, Paige Marie Biology Nectar Sugar Concentration Amino Acid Concentration Monarch Butterfly Restoration Insects provide many ecosystem services, including the pollination of our natural systems. Unfortunately, immense reductions in native landscapes have led to a critical decline in the abundance and diversity of plant species and insect pollinators, including butterflies. Understanding key pollinator resources is vital for preserving and restoring native habitats and their biodiversity. Nectar is a widespread butterfly food source with many constituents that make up compositions, which are preferred and/or associated with butterfly pollinators. As such, the aim of Chapter I was to determine the total sugar and amino acid concentrations in nectar of 19 tallgrass prairie and oak savanna species of Northwest Ohio. I examined sugar concentrations using a refractometer and amino acid concentrations using image analysis software to analyze the colorimetric change of ninhydrin tests. I found significant differences among species with regard to sugar (ranging from 33- 66% Brix), as well as amino acid concentration (ranging from 14 to 255.69 ng/µL). I also found an inverse relationship between amino acid and sugar concentrations across genera, where species within genera that had relatively high amino acid concentrations tended to have low sugar concentrations. These data can help determine which nectar species are most valuable for restoration and conservation plans that aim to aid in the restoration of butterfly species.Furthermore, as there are certain nectar constituents, including amino acids that are preferred by butterfly visitors and pollinators, understanding the effects these constituents have on potential pollinators is an important factor for restoration and conservation plans to consider. As such, the goal of Chapter II was to examine the effects of nectar amino acids on Monarch butterfly fitness. Specifically, I evaluated butterfly egg production, hatching success, and longevity among individuals fed a sugar only diet compared to those fed a diet composed of the same sugar diet with the addition of amino acids. While I did not see effects of amino acids on hatching success or longevity, I found evidence of increased egg production with the addition of amino acids. Results from this study identify the importance of amino acids to Monarch butterfly reproduction, which will help better distinguish which plants are more important to include in restoration plans geared towards increasing suitable habitat for this iconic species. 2016-07-21 English text Bowling Green State University / OhioLINK http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=bgsu1467568732 http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=bgsu1467568732 unrestricted This thesis or dissertation is protected by copyright: all rights reserved. It may not be copied or redistributed beyond the terms of applicable copyright laws. |
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NDLTD |
| language |
English |
| sources |
NDLTD |
| topic |
Biology Nectar Sugar Concentration Amino Acid Concentration Monarch Butterfly Restoration |
| spellingShingle |
Biology Nectar Sugar Concentration Amino Acid Concentration Monarch Butterfly Restoration Arnold, Paige Marie Variation in nectar composition: The influence of nectar quality on Monarch success |
| author |
Arnold, Paige Marie |
| author_facet |
Arnold, Paige Marie |
| author_sort |
Arnold, Paige Marie |
| title |
Variation in nectar composition: The influence of nectar quality on Monarch success |
| title_short |
Variation in nectar composition: The influence of nectar quality on Monarch success |
| title_full |
Variation in nectar composition: The influence of nectar quality on Monarch success |
| title_fullStr |
Variation in nectar composition: The influence of nectar quality on Monarch success |
| title_full_unstemmed |
Variation in nectar composition: The influence of nectar quality on Monarch success |
| title_sort |
variation in nectar composition: the influence of nectar quality on monarch success |
| publisher |
Bowling Green State University / OhioLINK |
| publishDate |
2016 |
| url |
http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=bgsu1467568732 |
| work_keys_str_mv |
AT arnoldpaigemarie variationinnectarcompositiontheinfluenceofnectarqualityonmonarchsuccess |
| _version_ |
1719440035422404608 |