College
Buchtel College of Arts and Sciences
Date of Last Revision
2026-04-28 12:32:12
Major
Biomedical Science
Honors Course
BIOL 499
Number of Credits
3
Degree Name
Bachelor of Science
Date of Expected Graduation
Spring 2025
Abstract
This study examines how seasonal variations affect the morphology of Temnothorax curvispinosus (acorn ants) by comparing workers hatched in the spring and in the fall. Colonies will be collected from the Bath Nature Preserve in May and September to represent the different seasonal groups. Morphological traits, such as the head, mesosoma, gaster, antennae, and leg, will be measured using a microscope and an image analysis software. The morphological measurements from each group will then be compared using ANOVA. By exploring how environmental variation influences developmental outcomes in acorn ants, this research contributes to our understanding of phenotypic plasticity and insect adaptation to seasonal and potentially climate-induced changes. These findings may have broader implications for predicting ecological responses to environmental variability.
Research Sponsor
Richard Londraville
First Reader
Chelsea Miller
Second Reader
R. Joel Duff
Honors Faculty Advisor
Brian Bagatto
Proprietary and/or Confidential Information
No
Recommended Citation
Kalb, Chelsea, "The Impact of Seasonal Variation on Body Morphology in Temnothorax curvispinosus" (2025). Williams Honors College, Honors Research Projects. 2113.
https://ideaexchange.uakron.edu/honors_research_projects/2113
Included in
Laboratory and Basic Science Research Commons, Physiology Commons, Research Methods in Life Sciences Commons