From Then to now: Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion in the Association of Southeastern Biologists.

The Association of Southeastern Biologists was founded in 1937 with the goal of increasing the contact and collaboration between scientists in the southeastern United States (US). With the exception of two years during World War II and one year during the COVID-19 pandemic, the Association has met annually to promote research and education in the biological sciences by providing a student-friendly networking environment. In recent years, the Association has placed an increased focus on diversity, equity, and inclusion among elected and appointed leaders, among participants in the annual meeting, and in the development of funding and other opportunities for students. This work prompted us to review the history of our Association, including periods of racial segregation and inequity, and focus on our current efforts to promote access and inclusion by students and scientists from myriad underrepresented groups. In so doing, the past provides us with the opportunity to cast a vision for the future of the Association. In this paper, we seek to share the journey of the Association of Southeastern Biologists in this regard so that we may be transparent, exposing the missteps and amplifying the successes of our organization. We envision this work as a first step toward creating a more open and inclusive scientific community for the future.

Presence of hyperplastic pectoral mammary glands in a white-footed mouse (Peromyscus leucopus) from a Superfund Site in Oklahoma, USA.

Laboratory experiments have documented the effects of hormones and endocrine-disrupting compounds on mammary development in mammals. However, few observations of mammary hyperplasia have been presented for wild rodents. We describe hyperplastic mammary glands in a wild-caught white-footed mouse (Peromyscus leucopus) from an area contaminated with heavy metals.

Flow cytometric analysis of red-eared slider turtles (Trachemys scripta) from Tar Creek Superfund Site.

Tar Creek Superfund Site (TCSFS) was heavily mined from the 1890s to 1970 and currently is contaminated with lead, zinc, and cadmium. Flow cytometry (FCM) was used to measure variation in nuclear DNA content of red blood cells collected from Trachemys scripta living within TCSFS and reference sites, Lake Carl Blackwell (LCB) and Sequoyah National Wildlife Refuge (SNWR). We also used atomic absorption spectrometry to measure Pb in blood and carapace and Cd in blood samples of turtles from TCSFS and SNWR. Mean coefficients of variation around the G(1) peak ranged from 5.33 to 5.48 and showed no significant difference between contaminated and reference populations; however, there was a significantly higher frequency of aneuploidy at TCSFS when compared with both reference populations. Blood Pb levels were not significantly different between TCSFS and SNWR populations. Pb levels in carapace samples did not differ significantly between sites; however, Pb levels were higher in carapace than blood for both populations. Blood Cd was significantly higher in animals at TCSFS than SNWR.