Animal Sciences Commons^™

On The Notion That Insectivory Is A Specialized Condition, Patricia W. Freeman

University of Nebraska State Museum: Mammalogy Papers

Insectivory as a specialized feeding condition in mammals has not been explored as has been carnivory or herbivory. Insect-feeding, non-edentate mammals have dilambdodont teeth and modifications in the craniomandibular joint which distinguish them from other mammals such as carnivores, herbivores, and omnivores. Variation in a family of insectivorous bats, Molossidae, can be likened functionally to the kinetic-inertial and static-pressure jaw systems noted in rhipidistians, amphibians, and reptiles. Food data show that the bats with the kinetic-inertial system eat moths and ones with the static-pressure system eat beetles. Not only do these insectivorous mammals eat insects, they also are modified to …

1977 Fall Field Day

Nebraska Bird Review

1977 Fall Field Day

The 1977 Fall Field Day started Saturday night with a get-together at the home of the George W. Browns in Kearney. Sunday, 2 October, started out gray and chilly, but eventually developed into the fine fall day which had been ordered and promised. The trip started at the Newark Township building and went north on Nebraska 10 to the north bank of the Platte River and explored eastward along the river. After that area had been covered the group went to an area northeast of Fort Kearney. After the lunch at the Newark Township building, at …

Sixty-Five Years Of Whooping Crane Records In Nebraska, Paul A. Johnsgard, Richard Redfield

Nebraska Bird Review

In 1933, Myron Swenk determined the status of the Whooping Crane in Nebraska by summarizing all of the records then available to him, and established the general pattern of timing and geographic distribution of Whooping Crane occurrence in this state. Although the population of this species has remained very low since that time, a sufficient number of observations have been made to warrant updating his analysis and comparing the more recent records with these earlier ones. During the summer of 1977 the junior author undertook such a summary as a class project, by extracting such records from all of the …

Masthead From Nebraska Bird Review (December 1977) 45(4).

Nebraska Bird Review

Published quarterly in March, June, September, and December by the Nebraska Ornithologists' Union Inc. as its official journal and sent free to all members who are not in arrears for dues. Subscriptions (on a calendar year basis only) at $5.00 per year in the United States and $5.25 in all other counties, payable in advance. Single numbers $1.25 each.

Memberships (on a calendar year basis only): Student, $3.00; Active, $5.00; Sustaining, $7.00; Family Active, $7.00; Family Sustaining, $9.00; Life, $75.00.

All dues and subscriptions should be remitted to the Treasurer, A. W. Madison, Box 505, Sutherland, Nebraska 69165. Orders for …

Whole Issue Nebraska Bird Review (December 1977) 45(4)

Nebraska Bird Review

Table of Contents

Sixty-five Years of Whooping Crane Records in Nebraska .......... 54

1977 Fall Field Day ............................... 56

Notes ........................................................ 57

Index of Volume XXXXV ....................................... 58

Morphometric Variation In The Tropical Pocket Gopher (Geomys Tropicalis), Stephen L. Williams, Hugh H. Genoways

University of Nebraska State Museum: Mammalogy Papers

The tropical pocket gopher (Geomys tropicalis). which exhibits no chromosomal or genic variation, was examined for variability at the morphometrical level. Univariate and multivariate analyses were used to determine age, sexual, and geographical variation. Significant differences were found between different age classes and between sexes. The amount of individual variation was comparable with other rodents and did not exhibit the reduced variation expressed at the chromosomal and genic levels, G. tropicalis is considered to be a monotypic species.

Sixty-Five Years Of Whooping Crane Records In Nebraska, Paul A. Johnsgard, Richard Redfield

Paul Johnsgard Collection

In 1933, Myron Swenk determined the status of the Whooping Crane in Nebraska by summarizing all of the records then available to him, and established the general pattern of timing and geographic distribution of Whooping Crane occurrence in this state. Although the population of this species has remained very low since that time, a sufficient number of observations have been made to warrant updating his analysis and comparing the more recent records with these earlier ones. During the summer of 1977 the junior author undertook such a summary as a class project, by extracting such records from all of the …

Productivity, Mortality, And Population Trends Of Wolves In Northeastern Minnesota, L. David Mech

United States Geological Survey, Northern Prairie Wildlife Research Center: Publications

Population parameters, mortality causes, and mechanisms of a population decline were studied in wolves (Canis lupus lycaon) from 1968 to 1976 in the Superior National Forest. The main method was aerial radio-tracking of 129 wolves and their packmates. Due to a decline in white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus), the wolf population decreased during most of the study. Average annual productivity varied from 1.5 to 3.3 pups per litter, and annual mortality rates from 7 to 65 percent. Malnutrition and intraspecific strife accounted equally for 58 percent of the mortality; human causes accounted for the remainder. As wolf …

Reproductive And Testicular Characteristics Of Purebred And Crossbred Boars, E. R. Wilson, R. K. Johnson, R. P. Wettemann

Department of Animal Science: Faculty Publications

One-hundred-ninety-five Duroc (D), Hampshire (H), Duroc x Hampshire (D x H) and Hampshire x Duroc (H x D) boars were evaluated for reproductive performance. One-hundred- sixteen boars were castrated at approximately 225 days of age to evaluate testicular and epididymidal weights and sperm numbers. Testes from crossbred boars were 95.33 ± 22.81 g heavier (P<.01) and contained 14.41 ± 3.92 billion more sperm (P<.01) than those from purebred boars. Testes from Hampshire boars were 50.40 ± 31.75 g heavier with 6.27 ± 5.45 billion more sperm than those from Durocs. There were no significant differences between breeds for caput-corpus epididymidal measurements. Durocs had 24.55 ± 12.16 billion more sperm (P<.05) in the cauda epididymis than Hampshire boars. Testes weight and testes sperm numbers were significantly correlated with caput-corpus epididymidal and cauda epididymidal sperm numbers. Correlations of testicular and epididymidal characteristics with growth rate and backfat to 100 kg were small and nonsignificant. Twenty 7.5-month to 9-month-old D1 D x H and H x D boars and 19 H boars were each mated to two Yorkshire gilts to evaluate reproductive efficiency. Conception rates were: D, 63.2%; D x H, 67.5%; H x D, 60.0%; and H, 48.6%. Number of embryos 30-days postbreeding was 10.66 ± .49 and 11.25 ± .43 (P>.10) for gilts mated to purebred and crossbred sires, respectively. Twenty-eight of 36 crossbred boars mated each time they were exposed to an estrus gilt but only 11 of 36 of the purebred boars mated each time. None of the crossbred boars failed to mate …

Wolf-Pack Buffer Zones As Prey Reservoirs, L. David Mech

United States Geological Survey, Northern Prairie Wildlife Research Center: Publications

Abstract. In a declining herd, surviving deer inhabited overlapping edges of wolf- pack territories. There, wolves hunted little until desperate, in order to avoid fatal encounters with neighbors. Such encounters reduce wolf numbers and predation pressure and apparently allow surviving deer along territory edges to repopulate the area through dispersal of their prime, less vulnerable offspring into territory cores.

Comparison Of Coyote And Coyote × Dog Hybrid Food Habits In Southeastern Nebraska, Brian R. Mahan

University of Nebraska State Museum: Mammalogy Papers

The recent taxonomic study by Mahan et al. (1978) documented the occurrence of coyote (Canis latrans) x dog (c. familiaris) hybrids in Nebraska. This study, and those by Freeman (1976) in Oklahoma and Gipson et al. (1974) in Arkansas show coyote x dog hybrids, though not abundant, to be numerous in some areas. The purpose of the present study was to compare the stomach contents of coyote x dog hybrids collected by Mahan et al. (1978) from southeastern Nebraska with those of contemporary coyotes.

Stomachs of 12 coyote x dog hybrids and 16 coyotes collected November 1975 …

Whole Issue Nebraska Bird Review (September 1977) 45(3)

Nebraska Bird Review

TABLE OF CONTENTS

1977 (Fifty-second) Spring Migration and Occurrence Report .............................34

Poor-wills in Lancaster and Saunders Counties............................42

The Swanskin ............................................. 45

Book Reviews .................................................................. 50

Notes ......................................................................... 51

Aboriginal Exploitation Of Marine Food Resources, Alan J. Osborn

Anthropology Department: Theses

Anthropological interest in human exploitation of resources has increased considerably during the last decade. Archaeological and ethnological literature concerning man's utilization of the world's oceans is relatively abundant and there are now several on-going anthropological research programs, e.g., Aleutian Islands, Pacific Northwest Coast, California, Hawaii, Australia, New Zealand, Peru, Ecuador, Chile, and Southern Africa which focus primarily on maritime adaptations. The purpose of this study is threefold: (1) to suggest that anthropological assumptions regarding marine food resources and their use are inadequate; (2) to examine marine ecosystems with respect to structure and dynamics, primary productivity, ecological efficiencies, distributional and quantitative …

Age-Season Adjustment Factors Considering Herd Feeding Practices, G. R. Wiggans, L. Dale Van Vleck

Department of Animal Science: Faculty Publications

The influence of percent of net energy in the herd's ration derived from concentrates on age-season effects was studied in New York Holstein Dairy Herd Improvement records. Ten feeding groups were defined by herd-feeding information. There was some increase in milk yield with an increasing proportion of concentrates in the ration. For six of these groups, the two highest, two middle, and two lowest in percent net energy from concentrates, age-season effects were calculated. The trends in age effects and seasonal effects were similar for all groups with the groups having a higher fraction of net energy from concentrates showing …

Whole Issue Nebraska Bird Review (June 1977) 45(2)

Nebraska Bird Review

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Great-tailed Grackles Nesting in Nebraska ......................................... 18

1976 (Nineteenth) Fall Occurrence Report ......................................... 18

The Seventy-sixth Annual Meeting ................................................ 30

Book Reviews .......................................................... 31

Note ....................................32

Interpolation For Extension Factors, G. R. Wiggans, L. Dale Van Vleck

Department of Animal Science: Faculty Publications

A complete table of extension factors for all lengths of part records can be approximated closely from a much smaller table of reciprocals of the factors. The procedure is to use linear interpolation on the reciprocals from the small table. The required extension factor is the reciprocal of the result of interpolation. This procedure is more accurate than interpolation on the factors themselves since the reciprocals are more nearly linearly related to length of part record than are the extension factors themselves.

Memorial: Marvel L. Baker

Department of Animal Science: Faculty Publications

Marvel L. Baker, Professor Emeritus of Animal Science and Dean Emeritus of the College of Agriculture, University of Nebraska-Lincoln died April 20, 1977 after being in poor health for several months.

An Analysis Of The Dependency Structure Between A Gilt's Prebreeding And Reproductive Traits. I. Phenotypic And Genetic Correlations, L. D. Young, R. K. Johnson, I. T. Omtvedt

Department of Animal Science: Faculty Publications

This study involved the records of 339 purebred Duroc, Hampshire and Yorkshire gilts and 192 two-breed cross gilts resulting from matings among the three breeds. The primary purpose of this paper was to investigate the relationship of prebreeding traits, including the growth of the gilt and her littermates, with subsequent measures of reproduction. Heritabilities were estimated for several traits and in general the estimates were somewhat higher than most estimates in the literature. Genetically, all measures of growth were favorably and moderately to highly correlated to ovulation rate, with the relationship being stronger for traits measured late in growth as …

An Analysis Of The Dependency Structure Between A Gilt's Prebreeding And Reproductive Traits. Ii. Principal Component Analysis, L. D. Young, R. K. Johnson, I. T. Omtvedt

Department of Animal Science: Faculty Publications

Seventeen variables measured before breeding and three measures of reproduction were taken on 339 purebred Duroc, Hampshire and Yorkshire gilts and 192 two-breed cross gilts resulting from matings among these breeds. Eight principal components accounted for 90% of the dependency structure existing among the 17 traits measured before breeding. Two principal components accounted for 97% of the dependency structure existing among the three reproductive traits.

The first principal component (PCll) from the prebreeding traits was a general measure of growth ability and accounted for 28% of the variation in the 17 measurements. The second principal component (PC12) contrasted slow growing …

Whole Issue Nebraska Bird Review (March 1977) 45(1)

Nebraska Bird Review

Table of Contents

1976 Treasurers Report ...................2

1976 Nebraska Nesting Survey ...................3

Wild Turkeys in the Fontenelle Forest Area ...................6

1976 Christmas Count ...................7

A Groove-billed Ani and other Birds in Cuming and Doge Counties ...................13

Book Reviews ...................14

Notes ...................15

Block And Bridle Annual, 1977

Block and Bridle Student Organization

Table of Contents:

Emblem and Purpose
Dedication
Commemoration
Ani. Sci. Dep’t Chairman Address
B & B President Address
Animal Science Faculty
U of N Ani. Sci. Graduate Students
Block and Bridle Officers
Block and Bridle Executive Committee
Block and Bridle Advisors
Block and Bridle Initiates
Block and Bridle Members
Liaison Committee
Block and Bridle Seniors
Honor’s Banquet
Portrait Presentation
Senior Merit Award
Junior Scholarship Award
Activities and Program Calendar
Summer Meeting
State Fair Presentations
Fall Steak Fry
Kid’s Day
Little Ak-Sar-Ben
Queen Coronation and Alumni Dance
Meats Judging Contest
Ham and Sticker Sales
Christmas Coffee
Regional Meeting
Meat Animal Evaluation …

Ak-Sar-Ben Beef Seminar Ill, Knights Of Ak-Sar-Ben

University of Nebraska Historical Extension: Bulletin

Opening Remarks - Mr. Robert G. Volk

"Objectives of 4-H" - Dr. William E. Caldwell

Moderator's Remarks - Dr. Frank H. Baker

"Carcass Characteristics of Various Breed Crosses" — Dr. Robert Koch

Production Committee Report - Mr. Chuck Schroeder

Judges Committee Report - Dr. Miles McKee

Marketing and Distribution Report - Mr. Carl Gardner

Education Committee Report - Dr. Joe Hughes

Summary of Ak-Sar-Ben Beef Seminar III - Moderator

News Release on Ak-Sar-Ben Beef Seminar III

Expected Phenotypic Response In Weaning Weight Of Beef Calves From Selection For Direct And Maternal Genetic Effects, L. Dale Van Vleck, David St. Louis, J. I. Miller

Department of Animal Science: Faculty Publications

An equation is derived to predict expected phenotypic response to selection when the trait under selection is influenced by both direct and maternal genetic effects. The expected phenotypic response after the i+lth generation of selection is Pi+1 = (i+l){Delta}D + i{Delta}M + {Delta}MC where {Delta}D and {Delta}M are the averages of the genetic selection differentials of the parents for the direct and maternal effects and {Delta}MC is the maternal genetic selection differential for selected females. An example, corresponding to published reports of genetic variances and covariance for direct and maternal effects on weaning weight, illustrates the importance of the covariance …

Visual Detection Of Cryptic Prey By Blue Jays (Cyanocitta Cristata), Alexandra T. Pietrewicz, Alan Kamil

Avian Cognition Papers

Blue jays learned to respond differentially to the presence or absence of Catocala moths in slides. This detection of the moths by the jays was affected by the background upon which the moth was placed and its body orientation, thus providing an objective measure of crypticity. These procedures are useful for the study of visual detection of prey.

Upland Nesting Of American Bitterns, Marsh Hawks, And Short-Eared Owls, Harold F. Duebbert, John T. Lokemoen

United States Fish and Wildlife Service: Publications

Nests of American Bitterns (Botaurus lentiginosus), marsh hawks (Circus cyaneus), and short-eared owls (Asio flammeus) are usually found in wetland habitats. Although large marshes containing dense stands of bulrushes (Scirpus), cattails (Typha), or other wetland vegetation are favored nesting cover, these birds have also been reported to nest in stands of tall, dense shrubs and grasses on the upland (Bent 1961, 1963; Palmer 1962; Sealy 1967; Stewart 1975). During 1968-74, we regularly found upland nests of these three species while conducting duck nesting studies in planted fields of undisturbed grass-legume …

Nesting By Ferruginous Hawks And Other Raptors On High Voltage Powerline Towers, David S. Gilmer, John M. Wiehe

United States Fish and Wildlife Service: Publications

High voltage powerlines form a spider-web pattern across North Dakota as they radiate outward from electric generating sources at Garrison Dam and nearby lignite-fired power plants. In 1976 there were approximately 1100 miles of high voltage powerline in the state, which required approximately 4500 large steel or aluminum towers for support (G. R. Anderson, personal communication). Moreover, officials of power cooperatives and privately-owned utilities anticipate the construction of over 900 additional miles of high voltage lines by 1981. As North Dakota coal resources are developed the powerline network will probably continue to grow.

Our interest in powerlines was stimulated several …

Yellow-Crowned Night Herons Sighted In North Dakota, Dennis G. Jorde, Gary L. Krapu, Robert K. Green

United States Fish and Wildlife Service: Publications

Yellow-crowned night herons (Nyctanassa violacea) sighted at four locations in North Dakota during 1976 appear to be the first observations of this species for the State. We sighted a single individual about 8 km south of Medina, North Dakota in western Stutsman County during several visits in June and July 1976. The bird was first seen on 23 June standing in a pasture adjoining an 8.5 ha semi-permanent marsh. On following visits, the heron usually was seen perched in trees at the edge of the wetland. A single yellow-crowned night heron was sighted on the same wetland on …

A New Host For Pleistophora Ovariae (Microsporida), Glenn L. Hoffman, Mary L. Nagel

United States Fish and Wildlife Service: Publications

Pleistophora ovariae, a microsporidan parasite that infects ovaries of the golden shiner (Notemigonus crysoleucas), is a widespread problem for minnow culturists. It occurred in shiners held at 45 of 49 commercial fish farms inspected by Summerfelt and Warner (1970, Journal of Wildlife Diseases 6: 457-465). This microsporidan causes considerable damage to golden shiner ovaries, reducing fecundity, but most fish farmers obtain an adequate supply of eggs from young fish (1 or 2 years old) in which ovarian damage is not yet extensive.

Spring Viremia Of Carp, Winfried Ahne, Ken Wolf

United States Fish and Wildlife Service: Publications

Dating back nearly SO years and possibly even to the Middle Ages, European pond culture of carp (Cyprinus carpio) and perhaps other cyprinid fishes has been plagued with a contagious disease of great importance. Variously known as infectious dropsy, infectious ascites, hemorrhagic septicemia, or rubella, the disease is probably the most serious cause of losses among these fishes; nearly sao reports have been published on the subject.

Vibriosis In Fish, G. L. Bullock

United States Fish and Wildlife Service: Publications

Fish vibriosis is a systemic disease of marine, estuarine, and some freshwater fishes, caused by bacteria of the genus Vibrio (Ross et al. 1968, Ghittino et al. 1972). The disease has been known for centuries; outbreaks along the Italian coast were recorded as early as the 1500's. Terms such as "red pest," "red boil," "red plague," or "saltwater furunculosis" have been applied to vibrio infections, but vibriosis is a more specific term and is now used by most fishery workers. With the rapid development of mariculture, vibriosis has become a major cause of fish loss--sometimes to the extent of being …