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Class
of '04
Information
about the Research Training Program:
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Updated:
11 August 2004
29 May 2004 - 7 August 2004 A total of 19 undergraduate students joined the RTP Class of '04, including 2 students from the Notre Dame partnership program. The RAMHSS and RET programs were canceled. Schedule
of Events |
Poster |
Program
Summary
Meet the
2004 participants Research
Training Program Results of summer research projects are presented in a variety of formats. To read the student's professional, research abstract, click on their name. To view a picture of the student with their advisor as well as read a description of their research and results presented in a general audience format click on "Abstract." To view their presentation poster, click on "Poster." To learn more about the students in the RTP Class of '04, click on the link titled "Summary." And, to read their closing letter about the summer check out the "Letter of Gratitude." Read the student personal summaries about their summer Program Summary This summer the Research Training Program celebrates 24 years (1980 - 2004) of inspiring the next generation of scientists by hosting the 25th group of RTP students. REU at the Smithsonian: Research Training Program is a ten-week, museum-based research experiences for undergraduates site featuring the unique opportunity for undergraduate students to explore research and study in the natural history sciences through unparalleled access to the collections, facilities and scientific community of the Smithsonian Institution's National Museum of Natural History in Washington, DC. Established
in 1910, the NMNH is home to one of the best assemblage of natural history
collections and professional scientists. The community of 189 professionals
from more than three agencies plus visiting researchers and graduate students
represents the world's largest collective of scientists dedicated to the
study of natural and cultural history. The research environment features
125 million specimens of plants, animals, fossils, minerals, rocks, meteorites,
and human artifacts from worldwide locations. The collections provide
inspiration for new discovery and essential evidence for much of what
we already know about the world around us, including documentation of
changes in the earth and climate, evolutionary history of plants and animals,
and human origins and culture. Since 1980 the Research Training Program has actively participated in the education and inspiration of the next generation of scientists in the biological, geological, and anthropological sciences. Encouraging confidence and competence in the research process is the cornerstone of this program. Emphasis is placed on providing a first-time opportunity for undergraduate students, especially underrepresented minorities and persons with disabilities, to be involved in active research participation in the natural history sciences including students who might not otherwise have the opportunity to engage in research projects such as students from institutions where research opportunities in the natural history sciences are limited. Participants are provided housing, travel, stipend, and research support. Under the mentoring guidance of one of Smithsonian's expert research scientists, participants pursue individualized, hypothesis-testing research topics in the biological, geological or anthropological sciences. Research findings are shared through a variety of media including electronic publications, written manuscripts, and oral presentations. To conduct their research, participants are given exceptional, full and free access to all NMNH facilities and resources including the extensive collections, libraries and laboratories. Participants come together several times each week as a group to join an interactive series of lectures, discussions, workshops, field trips, social events, and collection tours highlighting the diversity of scientific disciplines, research techniques, and career choices available in the natural history sciences. Community interaction and communication is fostered through the Academic Resources Center (ARC), a community gathering space reserved for students in-residence at the NMNH to gather.
When circada Brood X next emerge in 2021, where will the RTP Class of '04 be? Stay tuned. 
Notes:
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Last Name
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First Name
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Home University | Year in School | Citizenship | Research Advisor | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
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Research
Experiences for Undergraduates
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| Aldabe | Joaquin | Universidad de la Republica | Non-graduating Senior | Uruguay | Carla Dove | |
| Alvarez | Anthony | University of California, Santa Barbara | Junior | US | Scott Wing | |
| Aschliman | Neil | Texas A&M University | Junior | US | Bruce Collette | |
| Ashley | Arden | Macalester College | Junior | US | Dave Pawson | |
| Brown | Megan | Arizona State University | Freshman | US | Tim McCoy | |
| Chen | Jonathan | Oberlin College | Sophomore | US | Ted Schultz | |
| Copes | Lynn | Columbia University | Junior | US | Rick Potts | |
| Garcia | Amie | South Dakota School of Mines and Technology | Sophomore | US | Mike WIse | |
| Haro | Xavier | Catholic University of Ecuador | Non-graduating Senior | Ecuador | Harold Robinson | |
| Moran | Emily | University of Michigan | Junior | US | Vicki Funk | |
| Morgan | James | Fort Valley State University | Sophomore | US | Neal Woodman | |
| Pinto Baez | Christian Miguel | Pontificia Universidad Catolica del Ecuador | Non-graduating Senior | Ecuador | Al Gardner | |
| Sussman | Adrienne | Simon's Rock College of Bard | Freshman | US | Dick Thorington | |
| Mejia | Mauricio | Universidad Industrial de Santander | Non-graduating Senior | Colombia | Rich Vari | |
| Velez | Jorge | University of Puerto Rico | Non-graduating Senior | US | Matt Carrano | |
| Zelewicz | Lee | Lycoming | Sophomore | US |
Sorena Sorenson |
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|
University of Notre Dame Internship in Anthropology |
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| Gaudreau | Andrew | University of Notre Dame | Sophomore | US | Jane Homiak | |
| Musica | Kathryn | University of Notre Dame | Junior | US | William Billeck | |
Research
Training Program
2004
Meet the
whole 2004 ARC Team
Molly Grove, Michelle Nestlerode, Yvette Osborne,
Wendy Wiswall, Mary Sangrey, and Elisa Maldonado
In 2004, all of Natural History's academic appointments and programs, including the Research Training Program, were managed through the Academic Resources Center (ARC). Amy Adams (missing from the photo above)was is the ARC funds manager. She helped one day each week taking care of our purchasing and reconciling. Students selected for placement in our paid appointments worked with Amy to, among other things, arrange their travel and stipend payments. We asked Molly Grove to join us for a few hours each afternoon this summer to fix the broken links on our old web pages and update some of our statistics. We borrowed Michelle Nestlerode, (RTP Class of '98), for the summer, taking her away from her duties as Research Assistant to Klaus Ruetzler so as to help with our funds management. Yvette Osborne worked mornings to assist with intern registration and monitor the office. Although officially assigned to higher level administration at NMNH, Wendy served as the ARC back-up always lending a helping hand as needed. Elisa Maldonado came back to the ARC for four weeks this summer, taking a break from her graduate school studies at Scripps, so as to work with the RTP group. Diana Specht (also missing form the photo above) designed and maintains the ColdFusion programming that runs our on-line application process. And Mary, well, I do the rest to keep Natural History's academic appointments and programs going including maintaining the web pages.
Smithsonian
Institution - National Museum of Natural History
Research Training Program
2004
_______________________________________________________
Morpological Adaptations for Terrestrial Habits of the Scimitar-biller Woodcreeper (Drymornis bridgesii)
|
Joaquin Aldabe Carla Dove, Ph.D. |
 |
Woodcreepers are arboreal birds that forage almost entirely by gleaning and probing along trunks and branches using their tail feathers as a body support. However, there is one species, the Scimitar-billed Woodcreeper (Drymornis bridgesii) of south central South America that forages mainly on the ground where it feeds by probing loose soil with its long bill. Osteological characters, claw morphology, and tail feathers were examined and compared with other species within the strong-billed woodcreeper clade. The results show that Drymornis has clear anatomical modifications that support the ground foraging habits that characterize this species. The proportion of metatarsal length related to the whole leg was larger in Drymornis than the rest of the genera studied, an adaptation to increase movement capability on the ground. The tip width of the central feathers of the tail in Drymornis is markedly smaller than the strictly arboreal forms; presumably because Drymornis does not need a strongly feathered tail to support its weight. However, no differences in claw curvature were found, a fact that reflects the tree climbing ability that Drymornis still retains. This study also suggests that some of these characters may be used to predict the feeding behavior of fossil birds.
This research was supported by a grant from the Smithsonian Latino Initiatives
Fund.
Smithsonian
Institution - National Museum of Natural History
Research Training Program
2004
________________________________________________________
GIS Prediction of the Outcrop Area of the Paleocene-Eocene Thermal Maximum
|
Anthony Alvarez Scott Wing, Ph.D. |
 |
The Paloecene Eocene Thermal Maximum (PETM), a period of ~140,000 years during which global temperature rapidly increased (~10,000 yrs), then returned to background conditions, is represented by sediments in the uppermost Fort Union and lowermost Willwood Formations over a wide area of the Bighorn Basin, Wyoming. Using both plant and vertebrate fossils researchers have been working to identify and analyze the impact of these environemental changes on ecological systems. Locating additional outcrops that preserve the PETM is an important goal for field work. A Geographic Information System (GIS) was used to help locate the 30-40 meter-thick set of of deposits that were laid down during the PETM. (PETM deposits are a very small part of the >1km thick section of Paleocene and Eocene strata in the Bighorn Basin. Stratigraphic, elevation and spatial information about known PETM deposits were synthesized in the GIS system in order to predict where undiscovered PETM deposits should be exposed within the research area. High resolution (1 pixel=1 meter) aerial photos provided important information because some PETM marker beds can be identified and traced long distances by simple visual inspection. Additional work using the GIS system will include three-dimensional modeling of the PETM strata and calculation of the intersection of this sediment package with the current topography.
This research was supported by a grant from the National Science Foundation
Research Experience for Undergraduates program, Award Number DBI-0243512.
Smithsonian
Institution - National Museum of Natural History
Research Training Program
2004
________________________________________________________
Relationships of sauries and needlefishes (Teleostei: Scomberesocoidea) to the internally fertilizing halfbeaks (Zenarchopteridae) based on the pharyngeal jaw apparatus
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Neil Aschliman Bruce Collette, Ph.D. |
 |
The pharyngeal jaw apparatus in both saury genera was examined to evaluate the 40 life history, myological, and osteological characters from Tibbetts (1992) to determine if the Scomberesocidae are more closely related to the Zenarchopteridae, to the needlefishes, or to the halfbeaks and flyingfishes. Data were analyzed using PAUP*, and eight equally parsimonious trees were found (70 steps, CI 0.814, RI 0.938). This analysis indicates that sauries are most closely related to needlefishes, validating the historical superfamily Scomberesocoidea. A caudal displacement of the origin of the retractor dorsalis muscle is a tentative additional synapomorphy for all four saury species. Zenarchopteridae is strongly supported as a valid family sister to the Scomberesocoidea (decay index = 19, bootstrap = 100). Resolution of the internal structure of the Belonidae and the Hemiramphidae requires the identification of additional morphological characters and examination of a greater number of taxa.
This research was supported by a grant from the Alice Eve Kennington Endowment
and Battelle.
Smithsonian
Institution - National Museum of Natural History
Research Training Program
2004
________________________________________________________
Intergeneric Hybridization between the sand dollars Encope michelini and Mellita isometra (Echinodermata: Echinoidea: Mellitidae)
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Arden Ashley Dave Pawson, Ph.D. |
 |
In 1974, several unusual sand dollars were collected off of Fort Pierce, FL. They are unlike any known species, and they cannot be referred to any of the existing genera. They exhibit some characteristics of the genus Mellita and some of the genus Encope. It is hypothesized that these unknown sand dollars are hybrids, the result of an interbreeding event between these two genera. If they are not hybrids, they must be regarded as representing a new genus in the Family Mellitidae. Research was aimed at clarifying the status of these unknown sand dollars. Measurements were taken of various morphological characteristics of specimens of the presumed parent taxa, Mellita isometra and Encope michelini, and of the presumed hybrids. In some characteristics (curvature of spines from the oral side of petal IV, number of pores per petal, and relative positions of the mouth and anus, as well as position of the highest point of the test), the hybrids fell directly within the broad limits of variation of the proposed parents. In other cases (relative size of the feeding apparatus or Aristotle's lantern, spine lengths), the presumed hybrids seemed to be quite distinct, falling outside the range of variation of the presumed parent taxa. Further study is required, including additional breeding experiments, DNA analysis and additional morphometric data sampling, including examination of the plate structure and analysis of the internal skeleton.
This research was supported by a grant from the National Science Foundation
Research Experiences for Undergraduates program, Award Number DBI-0243512 and
Battelle.
Smithsonian
Institution - National Museum of Natural History
Research Training Program
2004
________________________________________________________
Sulfur
depletion on 433 Eros: Analyzing meteoritic analogs to compare possible causes
|
Megan Brown Tim McCoy, Ph.D. |
 |
One of the most surprising findings of the NEAR mission was a marked depletion of S on the surface of asteroid 433 Eros (Nittler et al., 2001). Although micrometeorite bombardment producing S volatilization was the favored mechanism to explain this depletion, partial melting and removal of an Fe,Ni-FeS cotectic partial melt could not be excluded as the cause. We have studied possible meteoritic analogs to 433 Eros to further constrain these two models. Derivation of Mn/Si and Cr/Si ratios (Lim et al., 2003) from NEAR X-ray spectra might provide additional constraints. We have studied the acapulcoites and lodranites Acapulco, EET 84302 and Lodran to document the effect of partial melting on these ratios. Modeling suggests that efficient removal of chromite should reduce Cr/Si dramatically and Mn/Si slightly. Evidence for chromite removal is observed in reduced chromite abundances in Lodran compared to Acapulco. Chromite appears to be removed with the Fe,Ni-FeS melts, with which it is associated in EET 84302. Non-chondritic Mn/Si and, particularly, Cr/Si ratios for 433 Eros would strongly favor partial melting. If impact volatilization is the primary cause of the sulfur depletion, we would expect to see similar effects in ordinary chondrite regolith breccias. The dark portions of these meteorites are rich in solar wind gases and sample ancient regolith. The Dwaleni H6 regolith breccia has a bulk S/Si ratio typical of ordinary chondrites (Jarosewich, 1990) and we found no difference in troilite abundance between the dark, regolith-exposed portions and the light, unexposed clasts. It is possible that ancient regolith breccias do not sample, in bulk, the same material present in the upper hundred microns of modern regolith. We have, however, observed a single taenite-troilite particle which includes numerous orthopyroxene blebs less than 5 microns in diameter. This particle appears to have formed by melting and may be the equivalent of a sulfur-cemented, asteroidal agglutinate. To examine the possible role of volatilization during formation of this particle, ToF-SIMS analyses of chalcophile elements with a range of volatilities are planned.
This research was supported by a grant from the National Science Foundation
Research Experiences for Undergraduates program, Award Number DBI-0243512.
Smithsonian
Institution - National Museum of Natural History
Research Training Program
2004
________________________________________________________
The advent of yeast cell cultivation in Cyphomyrmex
|
Jonathan Chen Ted Schultz, Ph.D. |
 |
The genus Cyphomyrmex belongs to the tribe Attini, a group of New World ants distinguished by their ability to grow fungus. Cyphomyrmex is divided into two groups, the strigatus group and the rimosus group, differing in the states of three morphological characters: the preocular carinae, the mid-pronotal tubercles, and the number of teeth on the mandibles. This division of the genus based on morphology corresponds with a division based on an important behavioral characteristic. Some, but not all, members of the rimosus group grow yeast gardens (consisting of clumps of unicellular yeast cells) rather than the typical mycelial gardens (consisting of connected hyphae) grown by members of the strigatus group and by the rest of the attines. A cladistic analysis of 19 morphological characters and 22 Cyphomyrmex and one outgroup species produced a phylogeny in which the strigatus and rimosus groups are sister clades, and in which the yeast-growing rimosus-group species are monophyletic. The monophyly of this subset of the rimosus group is consistent with the hypothesis that yeast gardening is a derived trait. Although the gardening behaviors of some of the species within this group are currently unknown, its monophyly suggests that those species probably also cultivate yeast gardens. Additional phylogenetic and behavioral data will be required to fully test these conclusions.
This research was supported by a grant from the National Science Foundation
Research Experiences for Undergraduates program, Award Number DBI-0243512.
Smithsonian
Institution - National Museum of Natural History
Research Training Program
2004
________________________________________________________
The Stratigraphic Precision of Paleoenvironmental Data in Relation to Hominin Localities in the Turkana and Olduvai Basins, East Africa: how much fuzz exists?
|
Lynn Copes Rick Potts, Ph.D. |
 |
This study sought to test the hypothesis that paleoenvironmental evidence (stable isotopes, faunal assemblages and fossilized plant remains) from the Olduvai and Turkana Basins in East Africa comes from the same stratigraphic levels as the hominin and archaeological material from these areas. Another hypothesis tested was that the localities-Koobi Fora, Nachukui and Shungura at Turkana, and Beds I and II at Olduvai-would all show similar patterns of evidence. A set of tests were established to determine the percentage of "hits" at each site -the number of hominins that matched precisely with paleoenvironmental data. The percentage of hominins with environmental matches ranged from 7 to 50%. This left the hypotheses unsupported, as the sites differed greatly in their percentages of hominins with exact matches, and no site was able to boast of more than half of its hominins associated exactly with paleoenvironmental indicators.
This research was supported by a grant from the National Science Foundation
Research Experiences for Undergraduates program, Award Number DBI-0243512.
Smithsonian
Institution - National Museum of Natural History
Research Training Program
2004
________________________________________________________
A cathodoluminescence study of microcline from the Morefield pegmatite, Virginia
|
Amie Garcia
Mike Wise, Ph.D. |
 |
The Morefield pegmatite of the Amelia pegmatite district, Virginia is a mineralogically complex, internally zoned, rare-element granitic pegmatite enriched in Be, Nb, Ta, and F. Microcline is a major component of the primary zones and varies in color from tan to green. Tan-colored microcline occurs in the 1st intermediate zone, and green-colored microcline (amazonite) develops in the 2nd and 3rd intermediate zones and the core. Bi-colored microcline crystals with tan and green regions occur locally in the intermediate zones. The green color of amazonite increases in intensity from the 2nd intermediate zone to the core. Cathodoluminescence (CL) was used to study the textural relationships between tan-colored microcline and amazonite from the pegmatite. Amazonite samples show a blue-green color in CL whereas tan-colored microcline displays a blue color. Within bi-colored microcline samples, both CL colors are visible. Microcline immediately adjacent to albite lamellae sometime displays areas of non-luminescence. This feature is very prominent in amazonite samples, and occurs infrequently within tan microcline. Microcline exhibiting the non-luminescent CL contains lower Na2O contents (0.3-0.4 wt. %) compared to the microcline with blue or blue-green luminescence (Na2O = 0.6-0.8 wt. %). Textural evidence obtained from the CL images confirms that amazonite from the Morefield pegmatite developed as a result of a post-magmatic replacement process. Aqueous fluids that were introduced along fractures and cleavage planes of the original primary tan-colored microcline, aided in the transformation to amazonite.
This research was supported by a grant from the National Science Foundation
Research Experiences for Undergraduates program, Award Number DBI-0243512.
Smithsonian
Institution - National Museum of Natural History
Research Training Program
2004
________________________________________________________
Can the species of Critoniopsis from Ecuador be easily identified?
|
Xavier Haro Harold Robinson, Ph.D. |
 |
Seventeen species of Critoniopsis (Vernonieae, Asteraceae) were previously credited from Ecuador. In order to make a key for the country, the Ecuadorian species were reviewed. Two of the species cited for the country have been withdrawn from the Flora. Critoniopsis bogotana, recorded for one collection, has been re-identified under C. floribunda, a well represented Ecuadorian species. Critoniopsis elbertiana has been withdrawn because the specimens identified under this name exhibit considerable differences from the type collection. Critoniopsis jelskii, a northern Peruvian species, is newly recorded for eastern Ecuador, and four species are currently being proposed as new. Two specimens previously identified as C. elbertiana are being proposed as a new species, as well as two others, one closely related to C. pycnantha, and one to C. sevillana. Additionally, a new sample acquired in the US National Herbarium collection during the period of this project, has been identified as new. A key, including all the newly proposed species, is presented, and the number of Ecuadorian Critoniopsis is expanded to 20 species.
This research was supported by a grant from the Smithsonian Latino Initiatives
Fund.
Smithsonian
Institution - National Museum of Natural History
Research Training Program
2004
________________________________________________________
A
Morphological Revision of the Genus Erato DC (Compositae: Liabeae)
|
Emily Moran Vicki Funk, Ph.D. |
 |
Erato DC (Compositae, tribe Liabeae), is a genus of five species distributed from Costa Rica to Bolivia with its main center of diversity in Ecuador. The genus has never before been revised. This morphological study was based on specimens of Erato available in the US National Herbarium. The revision includes descriptions of the genus and of each species, a key to the species, and distribution maps. In addition, a cladistic analysis was performed using 25 morphological and 2 genetic characters, with Munnozia, Chrysactinium, and Philoglossa serving as outgroups. In the course of the study, a new species endemic to Costa Rica was described: Erato sp. nov. E. Moran & V.A. Funk. Morphological and molecular data strongly support Erato as a monophyletic group sister to Philoglossa. The relationships within Erato, however, have only weak bootstrap support. The results of the cladistic analysis and the degree of similarity among taxa suggest that the genus may be a recent radiation.
This research was supported by a grant from the National Science Foundation
Research Experiences for Undergraduates program, Award Number DBI-0243512.
Smithsonian
Institution - National Museum of Natural History
Research Training Program
2004
________________________________________________________
Skeletal Morphology of Mammals, Soricid Feet in Relation to Phylogeny
|
James Morgan
Neal Woodman, Ph.D. |
 |
Morphological variation in the forefeet of shrews (Family Soricidae) of the genus Cryptotis has been used previously to help understand taxonomic and evolutionary relationships. However, few skeletons of shrews are available for study. For this study digital x-rays were used to closely observe the forefeet of 101 dried skins in which the bones of the forefeet were preserved. These specimens included eight taxa from four species-groups that are hypothesized to represent distinct evolutionary lineages within the genus Cryptotis: C. p.parva and C. p.floridana (C. parva-group); C. nigrescens and C. mera (C.nigrescens-group); C. meridensis (C. thomasi-group); C. mexicana, C. goldmani, and C. goodwini (C. mexicana-group). The left forefoot of each specimen was digitally x-rayed, the resulting image edited, and the bones measured using Photoshop computer software. This research primarily focused on the bones of digit III because digit III of all specimens appeared most variable. The variation is useful in distinguishing among species and groups of species. For example, C. meridensis has a long metacarpal relative to all other taxa. The length of the distal phalanx relative to the length of the middle phalanx distinguished three groups of species. In four species (C. p.parva, C. mexicana, C. goldmani, C. goodwini), the distal phalanx is less than 90% the length of the middle phalanx. In C. meridensis, the distal phalanx is greater than 100% but less than 120% and in C. mexicana, C. goldmani, and C. goodwini, the distal phalanx more than 150%.
This research was supported by a grant from the National Science Foundation
Research Experiences for Undergraduates program, Award Number DBI-0243512.
Smithsonian
Institution - National Museum of Natural History
Research Training Program
2004
________________________________________________________
Testing the Ceramic Chronology Sequence of the Steed-kisker Phase
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Digna Ortiz William Billeck, Ph.D. |
 |
Using portions of broken vessels from Steed-Kisker phase (ca. AD 1100-1350) archaeological sites from near Kansas City, Missouri, decorative ceramic types were identified and the chronological significance of the decorative sequence evaluated. The results are compared to an existing chronological sequence. This research focused on classifying ceramics from several Steed-Kisker houses to determine the relationships between the houses based on similarities and differences in ceramic decoration. The vessels forms and decoration of the Steed-Kisker phase ceramics were also compared to those from the Middle Mississippian tradition site of Cahokia near St. Louis, Missouri, and to the nearby archaeological sites of the Central Plains Tradition to assess their relationships with the Steed-Kisker phase.
This research was supported by a grant from the Smithsonian Women's Committee.
Smithsonian
Institution - National Museum of Natural History
Research Training Program
2004
________________________________________________________
Identity of an atypical bear from Alaska: The first documented wild hybrid bear (Ursus americanus X Ursus arctos)?
|
Christian Miguel
Pinto Baez Al Gardner, Ph.D. |
 |
Some years ago a remarkable bear was hunted in Alaska. This bear shows characteristics of brown and black bears, a big size but black fur. In order to identify this unusual bear we analyzed the shape of the last upper molar of brown and black bear series and the atypical specimen, using Relative Warp Analysis after Procrustes superimposition. We could distinguish general patterns for both species; however, some specimens have intermediate characteristics. The atypical specimen matched in the group of black bears. When we add centroid size and fur coloration to the regression analysis, both groups were excluded completely and the specimen matched just in the middle between the two species. These evidences strongly suggest that this specimen is a hybrid and not a melanistic brown bear.
This research was supported by a grant from the Smithsonian Latino Initiatives
Fund.
Smithsonian
Institution - National Museum of Natural History
Research Training Program
2004
________________________________________________________
The
beautiful squirrel of South East Asia: cranial morphology and variation
|
Adrienne Sussman
|
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In
addition to the 11 undergraduate students suported by the National
Science Foundation Research Experiences for Undergraduates Program (REU),
we have 4 unrestricted endowed RTP positions (Jean Lane Endowed
position, Alice Eve Kenington Endowed position, Robert Fri Endowed Position,
and the Smithsonian Women's Committee Endowed position). We received a
grant from the 
This
year marks the 25th group of RTP students to pass through the NMNH halls,
increasing the tally of RTP alumni to 489. With the traditional arrival
on Memorial Day weekend, the RTP Class of '04 wasn't the only attraction
in town. This year, and in particular the few weeks around Memorial Day,
marked the return of circada Brood X - one of three eastern North American
species: Magicicada septendecim, Magicicada cassini, and
Magicicada septendecula. Spawned in 
