b'Virus Secret Revealed by ThermodynamicsMehvish K. Durrani and Abbey N. WarrenSponsor: Dr. Jonghoon Kang, Department of BiologyIn regard to recent viral outbreaks, transmissibility is of huge public health concern. Although many variables contribute to how transmissible or infectious a virus is, viral stability plays a critical role. In an effort to decipher the stability of viruses based on their structural properties, we gathered data on various kinetic parameters surrounding the stability of viruses with respect to temperature. Specifically, eight viruses with single-stranded RNA genomes and human hosts were chosen. From this data, the van Hoff relationship was used to extrapolate thermodynamic parameters. On the basis of our analysis, we discovered two characteristics of virus stability that have not previously been reported. Results show that enthalpy-entropy compensation holds true for viral stability indicating that there is limited variability in the stability with respect to condition. It is also found that a strong correlation exists between thermodynamic parameters and genome length. We expect that the insight obtained from this research will be directly applicable to new emerging pathogenic viruses.A Comparison of Vertebrate Usage of Gopher Tortoise and Nine-Banded Armadillo Burrows in a Mixed Hardwood Pine StandCorey J. McGlynn and Emaya A. WestbrookSponsor: Dr. Corey Anderson, Department of BiologyThroughout the coastal plain of the southeastern United States the gopher tortoise (Gopherus polyphemus) and nine-banded armadillo (Dasypus novemcinctus) are sympatric burrowing vertebrates whose burrows are used by other vertebrates and invertebrates. The gopher tortoise is considered a keystone species in the long leaf pine ecosystem due to the high diversity of organisms that use its burrows. The nine-banded armadillo is not native to the United States; they have expanded their range within the last century from the Rio Grande Valley to their present-day distribution across the southern United States. Many studies have focused on documenting burrow associates of gopher tortoise. In contrast, few studies have documented burrow associates of nine-banded armadillo. In the mixed pine hardwood stand at the Lake Louise Field Station the gopher tortoise, a protected species, and the nine-banded armadillo coexist. In this study we observed vertebrate activity via motion activated trail cameras to compare burrow associate usage between armadillo and tortoise burrows. This comparison could determine if one burrow type is preferred by a particular associate species and if the recent range expansion of the nine-banded armadillo has a potential ecological benefit.21'