Life Sciences Commons^™

Self-Medicative Behavior Of Sheep Experiencing Gastrointestinal Nematode Infections And The Postingestive Effects Of Tannin, Larry D. Lisonbee

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

Diet selection and self-medication are fundamental to the survival of all species. The abilities to choose healthy foods in response to past consequences are basic elements of evolution. This study explores self-medication regarding tannins both as a medication and as a dietary challenge. In the first study, sheep with natural parasite infections were offered a low quality supplement containing a dose of tannins considered to be therapeutic (medicine), while the control infected lambs received the same supplement without tannins (placebo). This study included a group of parasite-free lambs. The parasitized lambs ate more of the tannin containing supplement than non-parasitized …

Influence Of Supplemental Legumes That Contain Tannins And Saponins On Intake And Diet Digestibility In Sheep Fed Grasses That Contain Alkaloids, Jacob Michael Owens

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

My objectives were to determine if nutritional benefits occur when animals are offered foods with compounds -- alkaloids, saponins, and tannins - that are potentially complementary. I hypothesized that food intake and digestibility increase when lambs consume plants such as alfalfa ALF that contain saponins or birdsfoot trefoil (BFT) that contain tannins when the basal diet is endophyte-infected tall fescue (TF) or reed canarygrass (RCG) both of which contain alkaloids. I predicted that the nutritional status of lambs would be enhanced if basal diets of alkaloid-containing grasses were supplemented with ALF or BFT.

Lambs fed a basal diet of either …

Enhancing The Proportions Of Healthy Fatty Acids In Milk From Dairy Cows, Korie A.S. Nelson

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

Twenty cows were used in a repeated measures, block design experiment for 9 wk to determine the effects of feeding partially ruminally inert calcium salts (Ca-salts) of fish oil (FO) and a general fatty acid (FA) supplement (EnerGII) at varying levels. The effects on cow health, milk components, composition of milk FA, and sensory evaluation of milk were evaluated. Cows in the 4 treatments were fed either a control diet of 57% forage and 43% concentrate mix with EnerGII fat supplement at 1.65% of diet DM (CTL) or EnerGII in basal diet was partially replaced with (a) 0.21% …

Garter Snake (Thamnophis) Natural History: Food Habits And Interspecific Aggression, Michael J. Edgehouse

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

Communication and recognition are closely intertwined and have been well documented in closely related species over the past several decades. These two types of behaviors often will aid in fostering or disrupting coexistence of similar species. Frequently, it is through different diet patterns that similar species will be able to coexist. This study uses data from 1972 through 2006 to demonstrate the diet of Thamnophis sirtalis, T. atratus, T. elegans, and T. couchii throughout their California range of sympatry with Taricha torosa. Additionally, an in depth examination of the diet of T. sirtalis, T. elegans, …

Movement Patterns And Multi-Scale Factors That Influence Exotic Brook Trout And Endemic Bonneville Cutthroat Trout Distribution And Abundance In The Mill Creek Drainage, Utah, Benjamin Keith Nadolski

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

Introduced brook trout (Salvelinus fontinalis) are implicated as a primary factor leading to the decline in distribution and abundance of native cutthroat trout (Oncorhynchus clarkii). However, not all introductions are successful, suggesting local conditions influence the success of invasions. Therefore, I sought to determine the multi-scale factor(s) that influence brook trouts’ invasion success of native Bonneville cutthroat trout (Oncorhynchus clarkii utah) habitats in Mill Creek, Utah. I conducted patch occupancy surveys to determine watershed-scale brook trout and cutthroat trout distribution. I also determined the relative abundance of brook trout and cutthroat trout at the …

Disturbance As Restoration In The Intermountain Sagebrush Steppe: Effects On Non Target Bird Species, Russell Edward Norvell

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

Changes in shrubsteppe passerine bird habitat associations in response to disturbance were investigated at multiple temporal and spatial scales. Spatial measures incorporated the effects of area at different ecological scales (nest site, territory, and landscape) to include ecologically meaningful extents. Temporal measures included seasonal and annual effects, and were designed to detect lagged responses should they occur. Local-to-landscape scale effects of mechanical restoration treatments on local extirpation and abundances of nine species indicated most were insensitive to changes in habitat quality, while abundance models showed only broad declines. Changing the availability of nesting habitat on both the attractiveness and quality …

The Inheritance Of Morphological And Behavioral Differences In The Mating Signals Of Sailfin And Shortfin Mollies, Stephanie Loveless

All Theses

Changes in mating signals often result in the development of new species, thus, understanding the genetic basis of traits that confer pre-mating reproductive isolation can shed light on the speciation process. This study used interspecific hybridization between poeciliid fish, a sailfin molly (Poecilia velifera) and a shortfin molly (P. mexicana), to generate reciprocal F1 and backcross hybrids to investigate patterns of inheritance of traits that contribute to mating signal differences between these two groups of mollies. The first part of my study focused on behavioral differences in the mating system of sailfin and shortfin mollies. I observed mating behaviors of …

An Assessment Of Alternative Feed Ingredients In Practical Diets For Florida Pompano (Trachinotus Carolinus) Held In Low Salinity Recirculating Systems, Terhea Nichole Williams

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The identification of alternative protein sources for partial or whole replacement of fishmeal (FM) is a priority in the development of suitable, low cost feed formulations for the Florida pompano (Trachinotus carolinus). To evaluate alternative feed ingredients for the potential replacement of FM in diets fed to juvenile pompano, a series of four experiments were conducted. The objectives of Experiments 1 and 2 were to determine the apparent digestibility of crude protein (ADCP), energy (ADE), and apparent amino acid availability (AAAA) of three plant based ingredients (soybean meal (SBM), soy protein isolate (SPI), corn gluten meal (CGM)) and three by-product …

Gene Expression Profiles As Molecular Indicators Of Dissolved Oxygen Stress In Grass Shrimp Palaemonetes Pugio Holthuis 1949, Tiandao Li

Dissertations

Occurrence and severity of hypoxia is increasing in coastal and estuarine environments, and recovery of impacted habitats and living resources is slow. Detection of early biological effects of hypoxia is needed for timely remedial action to be taken. The overall objectives of this research was to develop molecular indicators of dissolved oxygen stress to assess the biological impact of hypoxia in coastal estuaries and validate their use through a combination of laboratory and field studies. To achieve these goals, grass shrimp, Palaemonetes pugio, oxygen-sensitive and hypoxia-tolerant species abundant in estuarine systems, were exposed to hypoxia under controlled laboratory conditions, and …

Yellow Head Virus: Transmission And Genome Analyses, Hongwei Ma

Dissertations

Yellow head virus (YHV) is an important pathogen to shrimp aquaculture. Among 13 species of naturally YHV-negative crustaceans in the Mississippi coastal area, the daggerblade grass shrimp, Palaemonetes pugio, and the blue crab, Callinectes sapidus, were tested for potential reservoir and carrier hosts of YHV using PCR and real time PCR. The YHV replicated in the daggerblade grass shrimp, and was still detectable on 36 d post-inoculation, causing 8% mortality after injection. However, YHV did not replicate in the blue crab. These data suggest that the daggerblade grass shrimp could act as a reservoir host for YHV. Storage conditions of …

A Conceptual Framework For Understanding Effects Of Wildlife Water Developments In The Western United States, Randy T. Larsen

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

Free water can be a limiting factor to wildlife in arid regions of the world. In the western United States, management agencies have installed numerous, expensive wildlife water developments (e.g. catchments, guzzlers, wells) to: 1) increase the distribution or density of target species, 2) influence animal movements, and 3) mitigate for the loss of available free water. Despite over 50 years as an active management practice, water developments have become controversial for several species. We lack an integrated understanding of the ways free water influences animal populations. In particular, we have not meshed understanding of evolutionary adaptations that reduce the …

Livestock Mortality At Beef Farms With Chronic Wolf (Canis Lupus) Depredation In The Western Great Lakes Region (Wglr), Arion Vandergon

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

Gray wolf (Canis lupus) depredation on beef calves has been studied extensively in recent years. As wolf populations increase throughout the United States there is a corresponding increase in wolf/livestock interactions. Most research concentrates on summaries of reported depredations and surveys of producers affected by depredations. The objective of this study was to present data on the fate of beef calves on 3 farms in Minnesota and Wisconsin over a 2-year period. Predator presence/absence was studied as an indicator of potential depredations. Also, data are presented comparing 2 techniques that may aid researchers and livestock producers with monitoring …

Hair, Feces And Breath Isotope Fractionation In Alpacas (Llama Pacos), Llamas (Llama Glama) And Guanacos (Llama Guanacoe) From Bolivia And Chile, Lino Constancio Lopez Lopez

Theses and Dissertations

This study was conducted to determinate carbon and nitrogen isotope fractionation in Bolivian and Chilean alpaca, llama and guanaco, hair, breath, plasma and feces. We also wanted to determine forage selection for these camelids using stable isotope technology. From the data, niche feeding and diet selection habits will determinate based on fecal composition. Bolivian sites were located near the high snow Altiplano Mountains at Tomarapi, Sajama, and at the Technical University Oruro's research center at Condoriri, Bolivia. Chilean samples were collected at INIA's (Instituto Nacional de Investigacion Agropecuaria) Kampenaike Research Station, Punta Arenas, Chile. Bolivian alpacas and llamas were 3 …

Physical Mapping Of Ribosomal Genes In New World Members Of The Genus Chenopodium Using Fluorescence In Situ Hybridization, Maria C. Sederberg

Theses and Dissertations

The genus Chenopodium contains many economically important species in the New World, but is relatively understudied and poorly understood, especially in terms of evolutionary relationships. A better understanding of the structure of this genus could significantly help in breeding efforts on its cultivated members, notably the tetraploid C. quinoa and also certain varieties of C. berlandieri, also tetraploid. Of special concern is determining which diploid weed species are the most likely ancestors for C. quinoa, C. berlandieri, and the other tetraploid members of subsection Cellulata. The phylogeny can be understood in part by examining the ribosomal RNA loci and observing …

Effects Of Filtration Temperature And Heat Treatment On Composition And Rheological Properties Of Whole Milk Ultrafiltration Retentates, John W. Montella

Master's Theses

ABSTRACT

Effects of Filtration Temperature and Heat Treatment on Composition and Rheological Properties of Whole Milk Ultrafiltration Retentates

John William Montella

For the first part of my thesis, the effects of filtration temperature and heat treatment on the compositional properties of whole milk Ultrafiltration retentate (UF) were studied. Ultrafiltration is primarily run at temperatures in the range of 50-55°C but more and more plants are starting to filter at refrigeration temperatures. In the ultrafiltration of milk, filtration temperature can affect the composition of the retentate by affecting the chemistry of milk components. The application of a pasteurization step can also …

Changes In Brain Biochemistry And Feeding Behavior In Hybrid Striped Bass Exposed To Environmental Contaminants, Kristen Gaworecki

All Dissertations

Biochemical endpoints are useful when determining contaminant exposure in aquatic organisms. However, behaviors can also be impaired by environmental contaminants. Links between changes in brain biochemistry and behavior have been made, and understanding these relationships could increase the utility of these endpoints in ecological risk assessments. The overall goal of this research was to determine relationships between an ecologically relevant fish behavior and brain biochemistry. To accomplish this goal, I developed a behavioral bioassay that quantified the time it took exposed hybrid striped bass (Morone saxatilis x M. chrysops) to capture unexposed prey, fathead minnows (Pimephales promelas). Chemically targeted brain …

The Effects Of Circular And Linear Exercise On Articular Cartilage In Sheep, Kristine Vernon

All Dissertations

Excessive exercise may induce osteoarthritis (OA), or degeneration, of articular cartilage, which is a leading cause of lameness and decreased use in horses. The purposes of this study were to utilize a sheep model to determine the effects of circular and linear exercise on the macroscopic and microscopic characteristics of articular cartilage in the metacarpal-phalangeal (MCP) joint and to evaluate biochemical changes in serum and synovial fluid compared to non-exercised control lambs.
Twenty lambs were randomly assigned to three groups: circular exercise (C, 8.5m diameter; n = 8), straight-line exercise (S, treadmill; n = 8) and non-exercised control (CON, n …

Domain Duplication, Darwinian Selection, And The Origin Of The Globulin Seed Storage Proteins, Nathaniel S. Cannon

Theses and Dissertations

The seed storage globulins found among virtually all spermatophytes comprise a multi-gene family of proteins with ancient evolutionary origins. The two main groups of storage globulins include the legumins (11S) and vicilins (7S), both of which play a main role in protein deposition and storage in the seed endosperm. Composed of two cupin domains (bicupin), these proteins have been recently noted not only for their close structural relationships among the two subfamilies (7S and 11S) but also for their similarity to other proteins such as germin-like proteins (GLP's), bacterial oxalate decarboxylases, and other cupin containing proteins. Previous studies have investigated …

Effects Of Fish Introductions On The Geographic Distribution And Native Invertebrate Biodiversity Of Naturally Fishless Lakes In Maine, Emily Gaenzle Schilling

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Widespread fish stocking has led to a worldwide decline in naturally fishless lakes and their associated communities. Little is known about the historical distribution or native communities of these freshwater ecosystems. The objectives of this study were to: 1) develop a quantitative method to remotely detect naturally fishless lakes in Maine, 2) conduct a landscape-scale assessment of unique attributes of fishless lake macroinvertebrate communities, 3) identify macroinvertebrate bioindicators of fish absence, and 4) assess effects of introduced fish on native macroinvertebrates. I identified two physiographic types of naturally fishless lakes in Maine: kettle lakes in the eastern lowlands and foothills …

Comparison Of Underwater Video Mapping And Pebble Count Measurements In Determining Stream Channel Substrate, Joshua S. Rogers

Masters Theses

GPS videography has been used to capture substrate data with post-processing efforts being made to characterize streambed particle distributions. Advantages of this method include less field time, minimal streambed disturbance, convenience of post-field processing, and digitally stored data which can be used with GIS when geo-referenced. The question being asked is ‘what are the drawbacks of this method and how accurate are the data.’

Current video mapping techniques were used to capture stream channel substrate footage in three distinct float patterns. All data were geo-referenced by embedding geographical coordinates to each frame during recording. Post-processing of the video data included …

Review Of The Genus Polycheria Haswell, A Symbiotic Group Of Amphipods (Crustacea: Dexaminidae) With Descriptions Of New Species From Florida, The Caribbean Sea, And The Indo-Pacific Region, John Milton Foster

Dissertations

Systematics and taxonomy of the dexaminid amphipod genus Polycheria Haswell (Dexamindae: Amphipoda), whose members are cosmopolitan associates of tunicates and sponges, are confused. This is due in large part to the many inadequate and incomplete descriptions and poorly some executed illustrations, especially for the early studies on the group. Previously, 22 nominal species or forms have been described or designated in the literature. The purpose of this study is to critically review and clarify the systematics of this enigmatic genus. Based on personal collections and on specimens from museums, five new species are designated and 22 species or forms are …

Dietary Creatine Induces Pse-Like Broiler Meat, Amy Paulette Chandler

Masters Theses

Consumer demand for chicken breast meat has led poultry breeders to emphasize selection for high breast muscle yield, resulting in contemporary broilers that grow rapidly with heavy muscling. Genetic selection for fast growth and high yield has increased the incidence of PSE-like meat that occurs when low muscle glycogen levels decrease quickly resulting in lactic acid build-up, rapid pH decline, and early rigor mortis onset. Preliminary research in our laboratory suggests that dietary inclusion of creatine in broiler diets may reduce the incidence of Pale, Soft, and Exudative (PSE) like meat. We hypothesized that creatine supplementation in broiler diets increases …

Nesting Success And Population Densities Of Grassland Birds In The Breeding And Wintering Seasons In Tennessee And Kentucky, Daniel Matthew Hinnebusch

Masters Theses

Grassland and shrub/scrub breeding birds have experienced severe population declines since the beginning of the Breeding Bird Survey in 1966 (Sauer et al. 2007). Habitat loss and degradation are likely the primary causes of decline (Herkert 1994, Warner 1994, Johnson and Igl 2001). Partners in Flight (PIF) continental population objectives call for managers to increase populations by up to 100% for several of the species found in the Big Barrens, north-central Tennessee and south-central Kentucky, such as Dickcissel (Spiza americana), Henslow’s Sparrow (Ammodramus henslowii), and Prairie Warbler (Dendroica discolor; Rich et al. 2004).

The …

Cerulean Warbler ( Dendroica Cerulea Breeding Ecology And Habitat Selection, Initial Response To Forest Management, And Association With Anthropogenic Disturbances In The Cumberland Mountains Of Tennessee, Tiffany Ahren Beachy

Masters Theses

The objectives of this research were to (1) assess the pre-treatment conditions on Royal Blue and Sundquist Wildlife Management Areas (WMA) in terms of Cerulean Warbler (Dendroica cerulea) habitat selection, territory density, and nest survival, (2) summarize the initial response of cerulean nest-site habitat selection, territory density, and nest survival to silvicultural treatments, and (3) to examine the relationship between anthropogenic disturbances and cerulean abundance and occurrence in the Cumberland Mountains.

Cerulean Warblers consistently selected territories and nest sites that differed from the available habitat in 2005 and 2006. Specifically, ceruleans on Royal Blue tended to choose areas …

Tall Fescue Based Forage Systems Supplemented With Winter Annuals For Stocker Cattle, Brian Thomas Campbell

Masters Theses

A four year study (2004-2007) was conducted at Highland Rim Research and Education Center near Springfield, TN to compare tall fescue (Lolium arundinaceum Schreb.) forage systems in which rye (Secale cereale L.)/ryegrass (Lolium multiflorum Lam.) was used to supply additional high quality forage to stocker cattle. Twelve 1.2-ha pastures were assigned to two cool-season forages and two forage systems with three replicate pastures each. Cool-season forage treatments were: (1) endophyte-infected (Neotyphodium coenophialum) ‘Kentucky-31’ tall fescue and (2) ‘Jesup MaxQ’™ tall fescue. The two forage systems were: (1) stockpiled tall fescue, supplemental feed (a blend of …

Waterbird Responses To Drawdown Of Two East Tennessee River Valley Reservoirs, John William Laux

Masters Theses

Waterbirds rely on stopover sites in the interior United States to meet the energetic demands associated with migration. Mudflats exposed during annual drawdowns of reservoirs in the Tennessee River Valley (TRV) provide stopover habitat for thousands of migratory waterbirds. Timing of drawdowns may significantly affect waterbird use of TRV mudflats. Thus, I quantified the impacts of drawdown date for Douglas (1 August) and Chickamauga (1 October) Reservoirs on mudflat acreage and characteristics, food availability, and waterbird use. I also quantified waterbird activities on TRV mudflats to determine their functional role to migratory waterbirds. From August 2005/06 – January 2006/07, I …

Negative Effects Of Electroshocking Fish Embryos: Implications For Threatened And Endangered Fishes, Russell Joseph Bohl

Masters Theses

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effects of waterborne electric fields on survival of fish embryos. Embryos can be exposed to electric fields during routine electrofishing operations aimed at collecting older fish life history stages to provide data for management of fish populations. Negative effects can occur in fish embryos after electric exposure and this is a particular concern if fish are threatened or endangered species. A primary objective of this study was to develop a model to assist in the prediction of effects of electrofishing on survival of fish embryos. In this investigation, fish embryos were …

Spermatogonia Stem Cell Dynamics Following Hormonal Induction, Ischemic Disturbance In Vivo Or Proliferation Under In Vitro Culture In Pre- And Postpubertal Bulls, Gustavo M. Schuenemann

Doctoral Dissertations

The overall aim of the studies described herein was to evaluate bovine spermatogonial cell dynamics under various conditions. Results from these experiments will provide the basis for potential production of offspring following spermatogonial stem cell transfer. Experiment 1 evaluated gonadotropin administration effects at initiation of inhibin passive immunization in Jersey bull calves on testicular morphology and development. Primary treatments consisted of control (KLH) or immunization (INH) plus a combination of saline, FSH, or GnRH. Administration of FSH at the time of initial immunization against inhibin significantly increased number of germ cells (92.2 ± 9 x 106 cells) compared to INH-Saline …

Endocrine And Follicular Dynamics During The Perideviation Period In Cattle, Morgan Krause

All Theses

Ovarian hyperstimulation used in conjunction with embryo transfer techniques is an assisted reproductive technology that aids cattle producers in reaching their reproductive, genetic, and financial goals; however, viable embryo recovery results are inconsistent, possibly because the reproductive endocrine profile is poorly understood. The objective of these experiments was to evaluate the endocrinological and ovarian dynamics surrounding follicular deviation in hyperstimulated cows.
In Experiment 1, the perideviation period (PDP; largest follicle diameter from 8 - 10- mm) was examined in Hyperstimulated (50 mg FSH) or Control (saline) dry Holstein cows (n = 4 / group). Daily blood samples began at the …

Arthropod And Plant Communities As Indicators Of Land Rehabilitation Effectiveness In A Semi-Arid Shrub-Steppe, Eric T. Gardner

Theses and Dissertations

We describe a case study evaluating the ecological impact of Bromus tectorum L. (cheatgrass) invasion following fire disturbance and the effectiveness of revegetation in improving ecological integrity in a degraded semi-arid shrub steppe system. The effectiveness of rehabilitation efforts was assessed from measurements of arthropod richness, vegetation and arthropod community composition, and ground cover characteristics in three habitats: undisturbed, burned and weed-infested (B. tectorum), and burned and rehabilitated with native and non-native vegetation. Arthropods were collected in each habitat using pitfall traps. Differences in arthropod richness were compared using rarefaction curves. Non-metric multidimensional scaling, and non-parametric multivariate statistical procedures including …