ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS 



I would like to express my gratitude to Dr. Jerry F. Butter for 

 his guidance, advice, and encouragement while serving as the Chairman 

 of the Supervisory Committee. Thanks are also extended to Drs. P. G. 

 Koehler and D. W. Hal! for serving on the Supervisory Committee and 

 aiding in the completion of the dissertation. 



Much appreciation is extended to Drs. R. A. Voitle and C. R. 

 Douglas for serving on the Supervisory Committee and for their 

 suggestions aid constructive criticism during the course of this 

 research. 



! am extremely grateful to Dr. R. H. Harms for allowing me to 

 utilize the facilities at the University of Florida Poultry Science 

 Department. Additional thanks are expressed to Or. R. B. Christmas 

 and his farm crew for their cooperation and assistance during the 

 mite trials at Chip ley, Florida. 



Myriad thanks are extended to Diana Simon and the many laboratory 

 technicians and fellow graduate students who participated in various 

 phases of this research. 



And finally, warm thanks are extended to my wife, Debbie, for 

 her perseverance, patience, and understanding; and for the wonderful 

 sense of humor she maintained while typing this dissertation. 



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