Transactions of the Illinois State Academy of Science [Volume 118 (2025)]
Persistence of Aberrant Song Types of Chickadees in an Illinois Contact Zone
Authors: Eric K. Bollinger, Patrick C. Enstrom, and Valerie Thompson
We studied the patterns and persistence of aberrant song types of the closely related Black-capped (Poecile atricapillus) and Carolina (P. carolinensis) Chickadees (and probable genetic hybrids) along their range interface in central Illinois. The majority of the songs studied were recorded in 1999 in fifteen counties throughout central Illinois and in 2008 in two of those counties. The greatest diversity of aberrant song types (categorized into two dialects) was present in the largest contact zone located primarily in Bond and Fayette counties. One song type from the dialect in Fayette County has probably existed for at least 60 years and the dialect in Bond County has persisted for at least 20 years. These results suggest that interactions of Black-capped and Carolina Chickadees have led to the development of unique and long-lasting aberrant song cultures in at least one contact zone in Illinois.
Survey of Mycobacterium in Peoria, Illinois Anthropogenic Freshwater Sources
Authors: Elodie Elliott Andrews, Ted Fleming, Anant Deshwal, Jarett Newnan, and Tyler Anthony McMahon
Mycobacteria are ubiquitous and commonly found in water and soil. Non-tuberculosis Mycobacteria (NTM) can cause lung disease, specifically in immunocompromised individuals. Recent studies have shown evidence of person-to-person trans- mission of NTM lung disease. Surface waterways, such as rivers and creeks, are commonly used for recreational activities and drinking water. Identifying the presence of Mycobacterium in water systems furthers our understanding of environmental exposure to NTM. Water samples were collected from the Illinois River, Dry Run Creek, and tap water from various Peoria buildings. Samples were centrifuged, plated, and acid-fast stained. The presence of Mycobacteriumwas found in the Illinois River and Dry Run Creek. None were detected from the tap water. This would support that Peoria, IL water treatment plants are removing Mycobacterium from the Illinois River, therefore decreasing the risk of NTM disease for immuno-compromised people. The potential presence of combined sewage outfalls and clusters of NTM outbreaks is discussed in urban areas near major rivers.
Keywords: Mycobacteria, freshwater, Non-tuberculosis Mycobacteria, NTM-LD, combined sewage outfalls
Does Mandible Development Influence Wisdom Tooth Impaction?
Authors: Devin Boggs and Miranda Karban
This study examines whether mandible development influences impaction of the mandibular third molars (wisdom teeth), with a focus on the mandible length-to-height ratio, cranial length-to-mandible length ratio, and gonial angle (GA). Utilizing digitized cephalograms from the University of Toronto Burlington Growth Study, measurements were taken from 65 subjects (36 males, 29 females) over two longitudinal age groups: 7.0-9.3 years (age 1) and 15.9-21.0 years (age 2). The results found no significant difference in the GA between males and females at age 1, but a significant difference was found at age 2. Males showed changes in GA between the two age groups, while females did not. Between the age groups, both sexes exhibited significant differences in mandible length-to-height ratios. However, no significant differences were found in mandible length-to-height ratios or GA between individuals with impacted vs. non impacted mandibular third molars. The study also assessed cranial length-to-mandible length ratios, which were found to be significantly different between ages 1 and 2 for both sexes. These findings suggest that while sexual dimorphism in mandible development becomes more distinct after puberty, it does not significantly influence the likelihood of mandibular third molar impaction. These results oppose previous assumptions that a larger gonial angle reduces the probability of third molar impaction, highlighting the complexity of factors involved in dental development.