Spring-fed ponds are common in the Ozarks. But biologists don’t know much about their plant communities. Dr. La Toya Kissoon-Charles, assistant professor of biology, and biology graduate student Hannah Whaley lead research on the ponds’ plant communities in the local region. About their research Kissoon-Charles and Whaley study aquatic plants in spring-fed … [Read more...] about Diving into aquatic plant research
Like other living creatures, plants are capable of deceit. Dr. Avery Russell, assistant professor of biology, studies how some plants deceive insects through a process called floral mimicry. About his research In plants that engage in floral mimicry, flowers mimic other flowers to trick insects into pollinating them. The pollen the insects spread fertilizes flowers and … [Read more...] about From ploy to pollination: How flowers plant tricks on bees
Good breeding is important, even for turtles. In the midwest, the alligator snapping turtle became trapped to near extinction decades ago. Since then, the United States Fish and Wildlife Service has attempted to restore the turtles’ populations in captive breeding programs. These programs' facilities often serve as only temporary homes for the declining … [Read more...] about Breeding the bite for survival
The California floater mussel, a native freshwater mussel, is on its way to extinction. But Dr. Chris Barnhart, distinguished professor of biology at Missouri State University, is working with ecologist Jonathan Young and a team of others, to reintroduce the California floater mussel to Mountain Lake, — a tiny 2,000-year-old natural lake located on the southern edges of San … [Read more...] about Reintroducing the California floater mussel
When a university is the right fit, it can become a home away from home. For graduating senior Ryan Evans, Missouri State became that second home when he discovered a passion for biology. Evans will soon take that love of biology back to his hometown of West Plains. He recently accepted a teaching position at West Plains High School. About the position Evans … [Read more...] about Following roots to future growth