Life Sciences Commons^™

Ecology Of Sceloporus Undulatus Speari (Sauria: Phrynosomatidae) From North-Central Chihuahua, Mexico, Julio A. Lemos-Espinal, Geoffrey R. Smith, Royce E. Ballinger, Hobart M. Smith

Papers in Herpetology

We studied the ecology of a population of Sceloporus undulatus speari from the Transmontane Sand Dune region of northern Chihuahua, México. Most of the individuals in our population used fence posts or yucca plants as perches and were only rarely seen on the ground. The majority of individuals in our population were seen in full sun, although a substantial number were in shade. Mean body temperature in our population was 35.2°C. Individuals first seen in full sun had lower T_bs than individuals first seen in shade. Lizards using different microhabitats (e.g., yucca vs. fence post) had different body …

Assessing Animal Welfare At The Farm And Group Level: The Interplay Of Science And Values, D. Fraser

Assessment of Animal Welfare Collection

In the social debate about animal welfare we can identify three different views about how animals should be raised and how their welfare should be judged: (1) the view that animals should be raised under conditions that promote good biological functioning in the sense of health, growth and reproduction, (2) the view that animals should be raised in ways that minimise suffering and promote contentment, and (3) the view that animals should be allowed to lead relatively natural lives. When attempting to assess animal welfare, different scientists select different criteria, reflecting one or more of these value-dependent views. Even when …

Novel Object Test: Examining Nociception And Fear In The Rainbow Trout, Lynne U. Sneddon, Victoria A. Braithwaite, Michael J. Gentle

Veterinary Science and Medicine Collection

This study aimed to assess fear responses to a novel object while experiencing a noxious event to determine whether nociception or fear will dominate attention in a fish in novel object testing paradigm. This experimentally tractable animal model was used to investigate (1) the degree of neophobia to a novel object while experiencing noxious stimulation, (2) the response of the fish after removing the fear-causing event by using a familiar object, and (3) the effects of removing the nociceptive response by morphine administration and examining the response to a novel object. Control animals displayed a classic fear response to the …

Ua66/5 Newsletter, Wku Agriculture

WKU Archives Records

Newsletter created by WKU Agriculture Department re: faculty/staff, students/alumni, student organizations and clubs and donors.

The Evidence For Pain In Fish: The Use Of Morphine As An Analgesic, Lynne U. Sneddon

Veterinary Science and Medicine Collection

This paper discusses the evidence for pain perception in fish and presents new data on morphine analgesia in fish. Recent anatomical and electrophysiological studies have demonstrated that fish are capable of nociception, the simple detection of a noxious, potentially painful stimulus and the reflex response to this. To prove pain perception, it must be demonstrated that an animal’s behaviour is adversely affected by a potentially painful event and this must not be a reflex response. The present study examined the acute effects of administering a noxious chemical to the lips of rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) to assess what changes occurred …

Social Learning Of Prey Location In Hatchery-Reared Atlantic Salmon, C. Brown, A. Markula, K. Laland

Aquaculture Collection

Naïve, hatchery-reared Atlantic salmon Salmo salar parr were paired with demonstrators that had been pre-trained to accept live prey from the surface or from the benthos. After 6 days of observing demonstrators through a clear perspex partition the naïve fish’s benthic foraging skills were tested. The results revealed that hatchery-reared Atlantic salmon can be taught to target benthic prey items by observation alone and social learning protocols can be utilized to dramatically increase benthic foraging success. The results are discussed with reference to refining hatchery-rearing practices with a view to improving the post-release survival of hatchery fishes. The role of …

Inventory And Analysis Of Plankton In Green River Within Mammoth Cave National Park, Justin H. Laughlin

Masters Theses

National Park Service biological staff are charged with preserving and protecting all creatures within a park’s boundaries. It is only a matter of time before exotic zebra mussels (Dreissena polymorpha) invade all eastern waterways including Green River within Mammoth Cave National Park, Kentucky. The National Park Service, in cooperation with University of Tennessee, initiated this inventory of plankton within Mammoth Cave National Park to establish baseline data prior to zebra mussel invasion. During this two year study (2000-2002), 180 plankton samples were collected at three sampling sites which encompassed all major riverine habitat types within the three flow zones (free-flow, …

Do Fishes Have Nociceptors? Evidence For The Evolution Of A Vertebrate Sensory System, Lynne U. Sneddon, Victoria A. Braithwaite, Michael J. Gentle

Veterinary Science and Medicine Collection

Nociception is the detection of a noxious tissue-damaging stimulus and is sometimes accompanied by a reflex response such as withdrawal. Pain perception, as distinct from nociception, has been demonstrated in birds and mammals but has not been systematically studied in lower vertebrates. We assessed whether a fish possessed cutaneous nociceptors capable of detecting noxious stimuli and whether its behavior was sufficiently adversely affected by the administration of a noxious stimulus. Electrophysiological recordings from trigeminal nerves identified polymodal nociceptors on the head of the trout with physiological properties similar to those described in higher vertebrates. These receptors responded to mechanical pressure, …

Considering Animals—Not “Higher” Primates, Marc Bekoff

Sentience Collection

In this essay I argue that many nonhuman animal beings are conscious and have some sense of self. Rather than ask whether they are conscious, I adopt an evolutionary perspective and ask why consciousness and a sense of self evolved—what are they good for? Comparative studies of animal cognition, ethological investigations that explore what it is like to be a certain animal, are useful for answering this question. Charles Darwin argued that the differences in cognitive abilities and emotions among animals are differences in degree rather than differences in kind, and his view cautions against the unyielding claim that humans, …

Trigeminal Somatosensory Innervation Of The Head Of A Teleost Fish With Particular Reference To Nociception, Lynne U. Sneddon

Veterinary Science and Medicine Collection

Trigeminal somatosensory receptors have not been characterised in teleost fish and studies in elasmobranchs have failed to identify nociceptors. The present study examined the trigeminal nerve of a teleost fish, the rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) to determine what types of somatosensory receptors were present on the head of the trout specifically searching for nociceptors. Single unit recordings were made from receptive fields on the head of the fish innervated by the trigeminal nerve. Each receptive field was tested for sensitivity to mechanical, thermal and chemical stimulation. Five different receptor types were found: fast adapting receptors responding to mechanical stimulation; slowly …

Miedo, Amor, Ternura ... ¿Qué Sienten Los Animales? Emociones A Lo Bestia, Eva NúÑEz-MéNdez

World Languages and Literatures Faculty Publications and Presentations

A brief inquiry into the question of whether or not animals have feelings, emotions, or possess consciousness. Reviews the current state of scientific research and how it attempts to answer this question.

Reconstructing Cetacean Brain Evolution Using Computed Tomography, Lori Marino, Mark D. Uhen, Nicholas D. Pyenson, Bruno Frohlich

Veterinary Science and Medicine Collection

Until recently, there have been relatively few studies of brain mass and morphology in fossil cetaceans (dolphins, whales, and porpoises) because of difficulty accessing the matrix that fills the endocranial cavity of fossil cetacean skulls. As a result, our knowledge about cetacean brain evolution has been quite limited. By applying the noninvasive technique of computed tomography (CT) to visualize, measure, and reconstruct the endocranial morphology of fossil cetacean skulls, we can gain vastly more information at an unprecedented rate about cetacean brain evolution. Here, we discuss our method and demonstrate it with several examples from our fossil cetacean database. This …

Dam Design For Pastoral Stock Water Supplies, J S. Addison, R J. Law, G B. Eliot

Bulletins 4000 -

These notes provide information on many components of water harvesting storage systems designed for use in semi-arid areas. The notion of a water harvesting and storage system is deliberately emphasised. No single design component can be considered in isolation if the goal of a drought-proof water supply is to be achieved.

A drought-proof surface water supply is achieved by integrating the many design components of a water harvesting/storage system into a practical plan.

A Simple Reason For A Big Difference: Wolves Do Not Look Back At Humans, But Dogs Do, Ádám Miklósi, Eniko Kubinyi, József Topál, Márta Gácsi, Zsófia Virányi, Vilmos Csányi

Communication Skills Collection

The present investigations were undertaken to compare interspecific communicative abilities of dogs and wolves, which were socialized to humans at comparable levels. The first study demonstrated that socialized wolves were able to locate the place of hidden food indicated by the touching and, to some extent, pointing cues provided by the familiar human experimenter, but their performance remained inferior to that of dogs. In the second study, we have found that, after undergoing training to solve a simple manipulation task, dogs that are faced with an insoluble version of the same problem look/gaze at the human, while socialized wolves do …

The Bold And The Shy: Individual Differences In Rainbow Trout, L. U. Sneddon

Aquaculture Collection

Boldness and shyness were investigated as ‘personality’ traits in hatchery-reared rainbow trout Oncorhynchus mykiss. Bold fish spent more time in an open area and were more active than shy fish and these behaviours could be used as indicators of boldness and shyness. These differences were related to learning ability in a simple conditioning task. Bold fish learned the task more quickly than shy fish.

Utah Alert: West Nile Virus, Clell V. Bagley Dvm

All Archived Publications

West Nile Virus (WNV) has killed thousands of crows and caused human and equine deaths in North America since it first appeared in New York City in 1999. It has been detected in 144 species of birds, 22 species of mosquitoes, as well as in horses, bats, cats, rabbits and other animals. Birds carry the virus and mosquitoes spread it to other birds, animals or humans. Animals, other than horses and birds, rarely show any illness from the infection.

Wild Dog Control : Facts Behind The Strategies, Peter Thomson

Agriculture reports

Background information to how strategies for controlling wild dogs have been developed over the years, not just in Western Australia, but also other parts of Australia. The information is based on scientific studies, including detailed evaluations of techniques and strategies, and also considerable practical experience from doggers, operational staff and landholders. This publication focuses on sheep enterprises.

Director's Report Of Research In Kansas 2002, Kansas State University. Agricultural Experiment Station

Kansas Agricultural Experiment Station Research Reports

This report contains the title, author, and publication information for manuscripts published by station scientists. It also contains a list of the research projects that were active during that period and a financial statement for the fiscal year.

Relationships Among Charolais Sire Expected Progeny Differences And Actual Progeny Performance In Commercial Herds, S.C. Clark, Daniel W. Moser, R.E. Williams

Kansas Agricultural Experiment Station Research Reports

Data on Charolais-sired calves were analyzed to evaluate progeny performance related to sire expected progeny differences (EPD) in a large data set of commercial crossbred cattle in several herds across the United States. The traits analyzed were birth weight (n=3,554) and weaning weight (n=3,604) of crossbred progeny from nationally evaluated sires. Birth weight EPD and weaning weight EPD were evaluated as predictors of crossbred performance. Random regression coefficients were estimated for progeny birth weight on sire birth weight EPD of 1.03±0.09 lb/lb of birth weight EPD, and for progeny weaning weight, 0.66±0.11 lb/lb of weaning weight EPD. Published sire birth …

Post-Process Steam Pasteurization Of Packaged Frankfurters Combined With Acid/Buffer Treatments For Control Of Listeria Monocytogenes, A.L. Reicks, H. Thippareddi, Randall K. Phebus, James L. Marsden, Curtis L. Kastner

Kansas Agricultural Experiment Station Research Reports

The efficacy of a saturated steam-based post-process pasteurization system to reduce/ eliminate Listeria monocytogenes on frankfurters was evaluated. Frankfurters were packaged individually or in a single layer format (4 per package, touching). Samples were surface treated with 2% lactic acid, 4% lactic acid, 2% buffered sodium citrate, or 2% buffered sodium lactate, vacuum packaged, and steam pasteurized to end-point surface temperatures of 160, 170 or 180°F using a Townsend Post-Process Pasteurization system (formerly Stork-RMS Protecon). Pasteurization of inoculated single layer franks to surface end point temperature targets of 160, 170, and 180°F resulted in L. monocytogenes reductions (P<0.05) of 0.92, 1.44 and 2.89 log colony forming units (CFU)/frank, respectively. Greater reductions in L. monocytogenes populations were observed for individually packaged frankfurters with 2.32, 4.62 and 6.52 log CFU/frank reductions at target surface end point temperatures of 160, 170, and 180°F, respectively. No differences (P>0.05) were …

Effects Of Castration Age And A Growth Implant During Suckling On Weaning And Preconditioned Weights, T.T. Marston, Donald A. Llewellyn, J.W. Homm, Larry C. Hollis

Kansas Agricultural Experiment Station Research Reports

Crossbred Angus calves (n=141) were used to determine the effect of castration age and implant on weaning and preconditioned weights. Calf treatments consisted of: early castration at 90 days of age with no growth implant, early castration with a growth implant (Synovex C) at 90 days of age, or late castration at weaning (226 days of age). All calves completed a preconditioning program that consisted of timely vaccinations (21 days prior and at weaning) and a 28-day, post-weaning feeding period. Steers that were early castrated/implanted had weaning weights similar to those of bull calves, and both groups weighed 15 lb …

Cattle Feeder Perceptions Of Mandatory Price Reporting, S. Grunewald, C. Ward, Ted C. Schroeder

Kansas Agricultural Experiment Station Research Reports

Livestock price reporting mandated by the USDA was designed to increase available price data with the intent of providing producers with information to facilitate price discovery. Has the program been effective at accomplishing this goal? This study determined how cattle feeders, a primary target of the program, feel about mandatory price reporting effectiveness. This study reports results from a survey of cattle feeding companies located primarily in Kansas, Nebraska, Texas, and Iowa. Results indicate a diversity of opinions regarding the effectiveness of mandatory price reporting. On average, producers are neutral to slightly negative regarding the value of mandatory price reporting. …

Investigation Of Tenderness Mechanisms In Calcium-Enhanced Muscle, T.E. Lawrence, J.W. Stephens, E. Obuz, J.R. Davis, Michael E. Dikeman

Kansas Agricultural Experiment Station Research Reports

We explored the mechanism(s) of calcium- induced tenderization in calcium-enhanced beef muscle. At 72 hours postmortem, we injected (9% by weight) beef strip loins (n=15) with 0, 0.05, 0.1, 0.2, or 0.4 M calcium chloride (CaCl2) with and without 0.05 M zinc chloride (ZnCl2), and they were then aged until 15 days postmortem. Warner- Bratzler shear force peak values indicated that addition of ZnCl2 drastically inhibited tenderization; however, enhancement with CaCl2 still tended to reduce shear values (P=0.07; 0.55 kg) when ZnCl2 was present. In the absence of ZnCl2, the 0.2 and 0.4 M CaCl2 treatments were 18.9 and 32.1% …

Comparison Of Breeding System Costs For Estrus-Synchronization Protocols Plus Artificial Insemination Versus Natural Service, Sandra K. Johnson, S.L. Fogleman, R. Jones

Kansas Agricultural Experiment Station Research Reports

Breeding system costs were estimated for natural service and various estrous synchronization plus artificial insemination (AI) systems. Cost per pregnancy was lower for natural service than AI; however, for the large herd size the difference was small for some synchronization systems examined. When the value of an AI-sired calf at weaning was included as $25 greater than a natural service sired calf, several synchronization systems had lower breakeven prices than natural service. Assuming skilled labor could be obtained, systems that involved more heat detection time were more profitable than strict timed insemination systems. Producers that can obtain greater returns from …

Comparison Of Concentrated Separator Byproduct And Cane Molasses For Finishing Heifers, E.R. Loe, T.J. Kessen, Sean P. Montgomery, J.N. Pike, J.J. Sindt, M.J. Sulpizio, James S. Drouillard

Kansas Agricultural Experiment Station Research Reports

We compared concentrated separator byproduct (CSB) to cane molasses on feedlot performance and carcass merit of 394 crossbred yearling beef heifers fed for 148 days. Sugar beet molasses undergoes a process in which approximately half of the sugar is removed, concentrating protein and mineral in CSB. Compared with cane molasses, CSB has more crude protein, ash, and moisture. Two diets based on steam-flaked corn containing either CSB or cane molasses at 5% (dry matter basis) of the diet were fed. Feedlot performance was similar between heifers fed the two diets (P>0.23). Apparent dietary concentrations of net energy for gain …

Ruminal Ammonia Load Does Not Affect Histidine Utilization In Growing Steers, K.C. Candler, M.S. Awawdeh, D.P. Gnad, Evan C. Titgemeyer

Kansas Agricultural Experiment Station Research Reports

Fermentation of dietary protein in the rumen leads to ammonia absorption, which could impair amino acid utilization in cattle. Our study was conducted to determine the effects of rumen ammonia load on histidine utilization. Six ruminally cannulated Holstein steers (318 lb) housed in metabolism crates were used in a 6 x 6 Latin square design. Treatments were arranged as a 3 x 2 factorial and included: 0, 1.5, or 3 grams/day L-histidine infused abomasally; and 0 or 80 grams/day urea infused ruminally to supply a metabolic ammonia load. As expected, urea infusions increased rumen ammonia and plasma urea concentrations. No …

Influence Of Low-Level Fall Protein Supplementation On Forage Intake, Diet Digestion, And Selection By Beef Steers Grazing Tallgrass-Prairie Range, Donald A. Llewellyn, R.C. Cochran, T.T. Marston, C.G. Farmer, T.A. Wickersham

Kansas Agricultural Experiment Station Research Reports

This study evaluated the effect on forage utilization of providing a limited quantity of a high-protein (40% crude protein) supplement to beef cattle grazing tallgrass prairie during the fall. Sixteen ruminally fistulated beef steers were randomly assigned to one of two treatments (fall supplementation or no fall supplementation), which were evaluated for their effect on forage intake and digestion during September and November. Within each treatment, four steers were used for measuring diet selection (by ruminal evacuation) and four were used for determining diet digestion (by total fecal collection). Data from both groups were used to calculate forage intake. Steers …

Performance And Carcass Characteristics Of Yearling Steers And Heifers Fed Agrado™ Throughout The Finishing Period, J.J. Sindt, B. Dicke, T.J. Klopfenstein, L. Borck, James S. Drouillard

Kansas Agricultural Experiment Station Research Reports

A finishing experiment was conducted at a commercial feedlot facility in Larned, Kansas, using 3,295 yearling steers and heifers to evaluate effects of Agrado™ addition to finishing diets. Agrado (ethoxyquin) is a dietary anti-oxidant that protects against oxidative loss of critical vitamins and prevents rancidity and unpalatable odors. Supplementing finishing diets of yearling steers and heifers with 150 ppm Agrado had no measurable effects on growth performance or carcass characteristics.

Effect Of Melengestrol Acetate (Mga) On Cultured Bovine Muscle Satellite Cell Proliferation And Differentiation, E.K. Sissom, J.P. Kayser, A.T. Waylan, J.D. Dunn, B.J. Johnson

Kansas Agricultural Experiment Station Research Reports

Melengestrol acetate (MGA) increases growth rate and inhibits estrus in feedlot heifers. Little is known of MGA's effect on skeletal muscle growth and differentiation. The purpose of this trial was to investigate the potential direct effects of MGA on cultured bovine muscle satellite cell proliferation and differentiation. Satellite cells isolated from yearling cattle were used to assess the effect of MGA in a dose titration (0, 1 nM, 10 nM, 100 nM, 1 μM, 10 μM, and 100 μM) study on [3H]-thymidine incorporation. Likewise, satellite cell cultures were allowed to differentiate, and nuclei were stained at 168 hours to determine …

Influence Of Carnichrome® On Energy Balance Of Gestating Sows (2003), M G. Young, J Noblet, F X. Aherne, Milgen J. Van, J C. Woodworth, Michael D. Tokach, Robert D. Goodband, Jim L. Nelssen, Steven S. Dritz

Kansas Agricultural Experiment Station Research Reports

Twelve multiparous sows were utilized in a randomized complete block design to determine the effects of feeding diets with or without Carnichrome® (50 ppm carnitine and 200 ppb chromium picolonate) on the components of heat production (HP) in early, mid and late gestation. All sows were fed dietary treatments for the 28 d lactation, and the subsequent weaning to estrus and gestation periods. The kinetics of HP and its partitioning (basal or resting HP, activity HP, and short term thermic effect of feeding (TEFst)) were determined during three stages of gestation, early (weeks 5 or 6), mid (weeks 9 or …