Digital Commons Network^™

Ruffed Grouse Nesting Ecology And Brood Habitat In Western North Carolina, Jennifer L. Fettinger

Masters Theses

Ruffed grouse (Bonasa umbellus) population densities are lower in the southern Appalachians compared to more northern parts of grouse range. Southern forests lack an aspen (Populus spp.) forest component, which provides year-round habitat in the North. The absence of aspen and low productivity have been cited as possible causes for low grouse densities in the southern Appalachians. In addition, habitat quality in the eastern United States may be decreasing as forests mature. These factors contribute to concerns that the region may be experiencing long-term ruffed grouse population declines. Productivity and breeding habitat must be characterized to foster …

The Effects Of Raw Soybeans, T-2 Mycotoxin And Their Interaction On The Performance, Immunocompetence, And Reproduction Of Bobwhite Quail (Colineus Virginianus), Clarivel Hernandez-Bobonis

Masters Theses

These experiments were conducted to determine if there is a negative effect of raw soybeans, T-2 toxin and their interaction on performance, immunocompetence and reproduction of bobwhite quail. Birds were fed diets, containing 0, 20, 40 or 60% raw soybeans and orally dosed with 0, 9 or 12 mg T-2 toxin per kg body weight. Mortality, food consumption and body weight gain were recorded for performance analysis. Birds were bled seven days before first T-2 toxin treatment, 24 hours after each treatment and two weeks after last treatment. Total white blood cells (WBC) and percentage WBC were counted from this …

Evaluation Of Carfentanil And Xylazine For Immobilization Of White-Tailed Deer, Bradley F. Miller

Masters Theses

From October 2001 until January 2002 captive wild white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus) held at the University of Georgia Daniel B. Warnell School of Forest Resources Whitehall Deer Research Facility were immobilized with a combination of carfentanil (carfentanil citrate) and xylazine (xylazine hydrochloride) to 1) determine and evaluate an optimum and safe dose for carfentanil/xylazine in white-tailed deer and 2) compare immobilization parameters and physiological effects of carfentanil/xylazine to Telazol®/xylazine. Animals were given intramuscular injections of 10 mg of xylazine and one of four different levels of carfentanil 0.5, 1.0, 1.5, and 2.0 mg. A carfentanil dose of 1.2 …

Status Of The Black Bear In Southwestern Alabama, Andrew Sean Edwards

Masters Theses

Black bears (Ursus americanus floridanus) once were abundant throughout Alabama (Hall 1981), but today sightings of bears are common only in the extreme southwestern portion of the state. The objectives of my study were to determine the distribution of black bears in southwestern Alabama, estimate basic demographic parameters, and evaluate their habitat needs. To determine bear distribution I established and monitored 168 bait stations within the study area from 1998 to 2000. Baits were checked for bear activity at approximately weekly intervals. In areas where bear presence was detected I trapped from 22 October--20 November 1998, 22 June--4 …

Characterizing The Transfer Of Bacterial Antibiotic Resistance Genes Across Generations Of Swine, Kimberly Nakia Garner

Masters Theses

Sows and pigs were used to characterize the origin, transfer and persistence of bacterial resistance in swine. Effects of sow’s previous exposure to antibiotics and subsequent use of antibiotics in their pigs on antibiotic resistance of Salmonella enterica Typhimurium, Enterococcus faecalis, and E. coli were determined. Eight pregnant sows were divided into two groups, with four sows receiving oxytetracycline and four sows receiving no antibiotics. Fecal samples were obtained from sows prior to antibiotic exposure, and at 1- week intervals until pigs were weaned. Weaned pigs were challenged with Salmonella Typhimurium containing a nalidixic acid. Pigs from each sow …

Winter Ecology Of Cooper’S Hawks On Ames Plantation, Tennessee, Laura A. Lake

Masters Theses

Cooper’s hawks (Accipiter cooperii) were listed by Ganier (1933) as fairly common permanent residents of western Tennessee during the early 1900’s, but populations declined during the 20th Century presumably because of habitat changes, shooting, and effects of pesticides on reproduction (Newton 1979). Breeding bird survey data for Tennessee suggest that Cooper’s hawk populations are increasing (+4.6% increase/year, 1966-2000), although sample sizes are too small for significant trends (P = 0.39, Sauer et al. 2001). Nicholson (1997), in the Tennessee Breeding Bird Atlas completed during the early 1990's, still described Cooper’s hawks as uncommon permanent residents.

At the …

Abundance And Density Of Florida Black Bears In Okefenokee National Wildlife Refuge And Osceola National Forest, Steven T. Dobey

Masters Theses

The Florida black bear (Ursus americanus floridanus) exists as 7 relatively disjunct populations in Alabama, Florida, Georgia, and possibly Mississippi. In 1974, the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission listed the Florida black bear as threatened statewide because of habitat loss and illegal killing. Although the species has not been afforded federal protection, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is currently involved in a lawsuit over this issue. Although a judge's decision is still pending in the case, the earlier ruling by the USFWS could be reversed and the Florida black bear would be granted federal protection as …