Digital Commons Network^™

Infestation By Phorid Flies Disrupts Behavior And Immune Function In Honey Bees Monitored By Radio-Frequency Identification, Gloria Ruiz-Guzmán, Oliverio Delgado-Carrillo, Francisco J. Balvino-Olvera, María De Jesús Aguilar-Aguilar, Violeta Patiño-Conde, Paulo De Souza, Ulises Olivares-Pinto, Mauricio Quesada

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

Honey bees (Apis mellifera Linnaeus) are important pollinators in natural and agricultural ecosystems and play a key role in global food production. However, colonies are increasingly affected by multiple stressors, including emerging parasites, which can compromise their health and performance. Among these, phorid flies (Diptera: Phoridae) have been observed in association with weak or collapsing honey bee colonies in various regions in Mexico, yet their effects on honey bee behavior and immune function under field conditions remain poorly understood. In this study, we investigated the impact of a phorid fly infestation on the behavior, survival, and immune defense of A. …

Growing South Dakota (Fall 2026), College Of Agriculture, Food And, Environmental Sciences

Growing South Dakota (Publication of the College of Agriculture, Food and Environmental Sciences)

[Page] 2 Support from donors helping set SDSU dairy graduates above the rest
[Page] 4 A decade of impact: Celebrating 10 years of cow-calf, swine education and research facilitates
[Page] 8 98-year-old donor keeps decades-long scholarship going in honor of late husband
[Page] 11 Looking back at Michele Dudash's tenure in academia
[Page] 12Giving students opportunities, experience to build their futures
[Page] 16 A Jackrabbit's journey in growing agricultural leadership
[Page] 18 Building South Dakota's next generation of rural veterinarians
[Page] 19 Conservation: A family affair
[Page] 20 South Dakota Water Resources Institute finds solutions to South Dakota's water challenges …

Exploring The Significance Of Kenya's Indigenous And Emerging Blue Foods For Sustainable Aquaculture Development. A Review, Jonathan Munguti, Mavindu Muthoka, Domitila Kyule, Esther Magondu, Kevin Obiero, Jimmy Mboya, Menaga Meenakshisundaram, Tanga M. Chrysantus, Gerald Kwikiriza, Francis K. Njonge

All Peer-Reviewed Publications

Kenya's aquaculture sector is at a pivotal stage, transitioning from a historical reliance on Nile tilapia and African catfish toward a more diversified production portfolio that integrates indigenous and emerging freshwater and marine species. This shift is increasingly recognized as essential to enhance climate resilience, food security, and ecosystem health. This systematic review synthesizes more than two decades (2000 to 31st January, 2026) of peer-reviewed literature to evaluate the biological suitability, culture performance, and socio-ecological roles of underutilized native taxa, including Ningu (Labeo victorianus), Jipe tilapia (Oreochromis jipe), freshwater prawns (Macrobrachium spp.), rabbitfish (Siganus sutor), marine-acclimatized Nile tilapia, mud crab …

Phenotypic Variation Between Surface And Cave-Adapted Poeciliids And Its Effect On Metabolism, Karch Knipp, Michael Tobler, Soren Johnson

Undergraduate Research Symposium

Cave-adapted organisms often exhibit pronounced morphological changes relative to their surface counterparts, a phenomenon known as troglomorphy. In Poecilia mexicana (Atlantic molly), these differences include variation in coloration between surface and cave populations. Troglobitic organisms also typically exhibit reduced metabolic rates, likely as an adaptation to environments with low primary productivity. This makes P. mexicana an ideal system for investigating the evolution of metabolic traits. In this study, we leveraged variation in coloration among cave-dwelling mollies to examine potential associations with resting metabolic rate (RMR). Coloration was quantified using PCR values, and individuals were categorized as “yellow” or “non-yellow.” We …

Relationship Between Morphological And Behavioral Laterality In Astyanax Mexicanus, Allison Lendman, Michael Tobler, Erik Johnson

Undergraduate Research Symposium

Populations within the Astyanax genus have experienced extreme differences in environment, leading to distinct morphological adaptations. The cave populations of these fish are eyeless and have acquired fixed, cranial asymmetries. We explored a possible relationship between this physical asymmetry and behavioral laterality. We tested 28 adult fish, 14 male and 14 female, from the Pachón cave in controlled behavioral trials. We found that both sexes demonstrated behavioral laterality, observed as a consistent left-turn bias in these trials. This supports the hypothesis that these populations display behavioral laterality that is correlated to their physical asymmetries. Ongoing research comparing behavioral patterns in …

Under The Surface: Human Disturbance Reduces Species Richness In Glade Microhabitats, Maddie Smith, Becky Hansis-O'Neill, Aimee Dunlap Phd

Undergraduate Research Symposium

Human disturbance can alter microhabitats in ways that affect biodiversity, especially in sensitive ecosystems like glades where many animals rely on rocks for thermoregulation and refuge. This study examined how rock displacement by human activity influences species richness and community composition in glade habitats at Shaw Nature Reserve and Victoria Glades Conservation Area. We hypothesized that disturbed rocks would be less suitable for wildlife and would support fewer species. From September to November 2025, about 30 rocks per site were pseudo-randomly selected and monitored. Each rock was classified as displaced or nondisplaced, and all organisms found beneath them were recorded. …

Risk Assessment And Distribution Of Haemoparasitism In Indigenous Achai And Crossbred Cattle In Lowland Areas Of Northern Hindukush Mountains, Muhammad Zahid Shah, Maaz Saleem, Zia Ur Rehman Khalil

Journal of Bioresource Management

The current study was conducted in low land area of Northern Hindukush region to explore the prevalence of blood parasites in in indigenous Achai and it’s crossbred with Jersey cattle associated with different risk factors like breed, gender, age, herd size, feeding system and deworming. A total (n= 250) blood samples were collected from different cattle. Giemsa stain was used to assess the presence of blood parasites eggs or ova. Results revealed an overall prevalence of 43.6 % (109/250) in the study area. Crossbred were found more susceptible to heamoparasitism than indigenous Achai cattle (34.0%, P= .008), while female cattle …

Evaluating Waste Reduction Efficiency Of Black Soldier Fly Larvae (Bsfl) On Different Waste Types: A Comparative Study On Kitchen, Fruit, And Vegetable Waste, Hannah Mawutor Attipoe, Yvonne Afua Sika Adjei, Sharon Gyekyewaa Asare, Obadiah Opoku-Bamfoh, Gifty Boakye Appiah, Ndep Ntui Asundep, Sandra Abankwa Kwarteng

Journal of Bioresource Management

In many developing countries, food waste constitutes a significant share of municipal solid waste and is often poorly managed, causing environmental degradation. Black Soldier Fly Larvae (BSFL), Hermetia illucens, have emerged as a promising tool for the bioconversion of organic waste. This study evaluated the waste reduction efficiency of BSFL reared on kitchen, fruit, and vegetable wastes and assessed the effect of larval density. Each waste type was subjected to four larval densities (450, 650, 850, and 1050 larvae), with larvae- free treatments serving as controls. Each feeding consisted of 700 g of waste, supplied every four days over a …

Extension Of Range: First Report Of Oriental Pied Hornbill (Anthracoceros Albirostris) In Pakistan, Ghulam Rasool Awan, Muhammad Altaf, Abdul Majid Khan, Muhammad Imran, Muhammad Junaid, Altaf Hussain Nerajo

Journal of Bioresource Management

The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species last classified the Oriental Pied Hornbill (Anthracoceros albirostris) as "Least Concern" (LC) in 2026. This study aims to establish a new provincial record of the Oriental Pied Hornbill in Pakistan, close a major distributional gap, update the species' national presence map, and improve our knowledge of its migratory relationships and habitat use within Pakistan's ecosystems. On 5^th July 2016, field surveys for bird photography were carried out along the Ravi River in Lahore, Pakistan. The Oriental Pied Hornbill belongs to the Bucerotidae family and is a large, canopy-dwelling bird. Among …

The Effect Of Alpha-Lipoic Acid On Sperm Cryobiology And Post-Thaw Quality Of Sperm In Livestock Species, Kashif Ali Malak, Nazar Ali Korejo, Hira Sajjad Talpur, Asmatullah Kaka, Atif Ali Malak, Muhammad Aqeel, Rasool Bux

Journal of Bioresource Management

The cryopreservation of semen is a prerequisite for artificial insemination, germplasm banking and the global distribution of elite livestock breeding. However, spermatozoa are particularly sensitive to cooling and freezing/thawing processes due to the presence of large amounts of polyunsaturated fatty acids in their plasma membranes and limited cytoplasmic antioxidant stores. An increase in reactive oxygen species, lipid peroxidation, mitochondrial dysfunction, acrosomal injury and DNA fragmentation occurs due to stress associated with cryopreservation, which results in the lowering of motility as well as viability and post-thaw low quality of sperm. Alpha-lipoic acid is a natural disulfide compound that acts as a …

Distribution And Diversity Of Ponyfishes (Perciformes, Leiognathidae) In The Waters Of Sonmiani’S Bay, Balochistan, Pakistan, Noor Hawa, Noor Us Saher

Journal of Bioresource Management

The current research was conducted during October 2020 to September 2021 in bay waters of Sonmiani, Balochistan as aimed to fill the paucity of diversity and distribution of research for the bay waters. Monthly fish samples were collected using gill net and beach seine during high and low tide. In the present study, out of nine species, the six species were identified as a new report species belongs to Leiognathidae family. Secutor interruptus (N=132) was the most abundant species whereas the least abundant species collected during the study period was Karalla daura (N=1). Highest diversity (1.37) was estimated during the …

Establishing Reference Values Of Haematological And Biochemical Blood Parameters In Kundhi Buffalo, Jahan Zaib Ahmed, Jamila Soomro, Moolchand Malhi, Mansoor Tariq, Saba Parveen, Abdul Salam Khoso

Journal of Bioresource Management

This study aims to establish haematological, biochemical parameters of healthy Kundhi buffalo calves from different areas of Hyderabad, Pakistan, under field conditions. The study was conducted on one hundred twenty (120) buffalo calves of both sexes, ranging in age from 03 to 12 months were chosen at random and divided into three age groups: 03-06 months, 07-09 months and10-12 months with both males and females represented in each group. Female calves from 07-09 months had the highest levels of hematological parameters such as hemoglobin concentration, packed cell volume, white blood cell count, red blood cell count and platelets count, where …

Effects Of Dietary Nigella Sativa Supplementation On Growth Performance, Lipid Profile, Carcass Traits, And Immune Response Of Broiler Chickens During Summer And Winter Seasons, Zahida Jabeen, Roheela Yasmeen

Journal of Bioresource Management

The poultry industry is a major agro-based sector in Pakistan and an important source of meat protein. Nigella sativa (black cumin/kalonji) has gained attention as a natural feed additive because of its antimicrobial, antioxidant, immunomodulatory, and growth-promoting properties. This study evaluated the effects of dietary Nigella sativa seed supplementation on growth performance, feed conversion ratio (FCR), lipid profile, and carcass characteristics of broiler chickens under summer and winter conditions. A total of 120 one-day-old broiler chicks were randomly assigned to two dietary treatments, with 60 birds per treatment and three replicates of 20 birds. The control group received a basal …

New Westernmost Record Of Jansen’S Goatfish, Parupeneus Jansenii (Mulli-Dae) From Indian Coastal Waters, Yosuva Mariasingarayan, Gopalan Mahadevan, Jeyapragash Danaraj, Mohanchander Ponnuvel

Makara Journal of Science

In July 2023, five individuals of Parupeneus jansenii were collected from the Parangipettai landing center, south-eastern India (Bay of Bengal). The standard length ranged from 140 to 150 mm, and two females and three males were recorded. This study confirms the first distributional record and the westernmost valid occurrence of this species in Indian coastal waters. P. jansenii significantly differs from P. heptacanthus in having fewer pectoral fin rays, more gill rakers on the upper limb, and 27 lateral line scales. Compared with P. angulatus, P. jansenii has a shallower body, a shallower caudal peduncle, a shorter snout, a …

Bambara Groundnut (Vigna Subterranea L.) Supplementation Ameliorates The Histological Structure Of Skeletal Muscle In Protein-Deficient Mice, Raquellynda Fadilla Syafanisa, Rimonta Febby Gunanegara, Sunarti Sunarti, Siti Aeniah, Ardaning Nuriliani

Makara Journal of Science

Protein deficiency may cause histological alterations and pathological effects in skeletal muscle, leading to reduced mus-cle size and functional degeneration. Bambara groundnuts contain essential amino acids that have the potential to meet the body’s protein requirements. Therefore, this study aimed to investigate the effect of bambara groundnut supplemen-tation on skeletal muscle in protein-deficient mice. Twenty-five female mice were divided into five groups (control, pro-tein deficiency, and protein deficiency with 100, 200, and 300 g of bambara groundnut supplementation/kg of feed). The treatment was administered for 2 months. At the end of the experiment, the left gastrocnemius muscles of the mice …

Home On The Range: Where Deer And Antelope Compete With Feral Horses For Limited Resources, Katelyn Davies, Hannah B. Klugman, Kathryn A. Schoenecker, David C. Stoner

All Current Publications

Given projections for continued drought conditions in the West, a better understanding of how native wildlife respond to competition with feral horses will be critical for developing effective conservation programs in the future. This fact sheet provides information on feral horses and presents study data comparing their use of water resources with that of native wildlife.

Toxic Plants In Zimbabwe: The Lantana Camara Species, Frank Kapungu, Cecilia Masvingwe

Poisonous Plant Research (PPR)

Lantana camara is a major invasive plant species in Zimbabwe. Its toxic effects pose a threat to livestock production, biodiversity, and development. A survey was carried out throughout the country to investigate the distribution of L. camara in Zimbabwe and assess the extent of its spread. Identification was done by toxicologists with the support of an experienced botanist from the National Herbarium of Zimbabwe. The location of the plants was identified using a portable Garmin eTrex® 10 Handheld GPS navigation device., and the coordinates were recorded. Quantum Geographic Information System (QGIS) was used to plot the map. L. camara was …

Scorpio Basraensis Sp. N. From Southern Iraq (Scorpiones: Scorpionidae), Ersen A. Yağmur, Jafar A. Makki, Shurooq A. Najim

Euscorpius

A new scorpion species, Scorpio basraensis sp. n., is described and illustrated from Basra Province, southern Iraq. Scorpio basraensis sp. n. is compared with all known species of the genus Scorpio Linnaeus, 1758 occurring in countries surrounding Iraq. The new species can be distinguished by the circular genital operculum in males and the cordiform genital operculum in females (not posteriorly elongated), a densely hirsute body, appendages and metasoma, a distinctly elongated telson vesicle, discrete granules on the external surface of the chela manus that are not flattened, and pectinal tooth counts of 11–13 in males and 9–11 in females. …

Temporary Cattle Identification: Benefits Of Marking With Hair Bleach, Melanie Heaton, Reganne K. Briggs, Rebekah Iverson, Brooke Holgate, David Secrist

All Current Publications

Temporary identification is an important management tool for beef producers. Animals are routinely marked following breeding, pregnancy diagnosis, vaccination, treatment, sorting, shipping, and marketing so they can be quickly identified without repeated handling. Effective temporary identification improves labor efficiency, reduces animal stress, and helps ensure management decisions are applied to the correct animals. This fact sheet provides information on temporary cattle marking using hair bleach.

Rationale, Key Issues, And Pathways For China’S Polar Fisheries Development, Yichong Dong, Chuwei Wang, Jingmei Li

Bulletin of Chinese Academy of Sciences (Chinese Version)

Polar fisheries are a strategic issue that requires forward-looking planning for China’s efforts to build a strong maritime country and participate in global ocean governance. This study examines the roles of polar fisheries in relation to climate change, the greater food approach, safeguarding maritime rights and interests, and the transformation of marine fisheries, and explains the rationale for China’s polar fisheries development. It argues that China still faces weaknesses in key areas, including scientific evidence generation, equipment and technological support, whole-industry-chain coordination, and the design of institutional solutions. Accordingly, the study proposes pathways for polar fisheries development, including building a …

Historical Chaos Among Tetrabothriideans (Eucestoda) Of Odontocetes (Artiodactyla)—Revising Generic Taxonomy And Species Diversity For Cestodes Among Oceanic Dolphins, Eric P. Hoberg, Kaylen Marie Soudachanh, Robert L. Rausch

MANTER: Journal of Parasite Biodiversity

Explorations over the past 150 years that have defined the diversity and structure of the tetrabothriidean cestode fauna among Odontocete cetaceans (Artiodactyla) are summarized and reviewed. Persistent errors in interpretation of comparative morphological characters, inconsistent taxonomic decisions, and an understanding of generic-level and species diversity are addressed. We outline a revision of the Tetrabothriidea, which now encompasses 8 genera. Prosthecocotyle is resurrected from synonymy with Tetrabothrius, and Cetaceobothridius n. gen is proposed. A clear basis is outlined for differentiation of generic and species diversity among Cetaceobothridius, Priapocephalus, Prosthecocotyle, Strobilocephalus, Tetrabothrius, and Trigonocotyle that constitute the tetrabothriidean fauna of odontocetes; species …

Zoonotic Fish Parasites That Pose Risks To Human Health In Türkiye, Ahmet Özer

Turkish Journal of Zoology

Fish-borne zoonotic diseases have been documented as the causative agents of considerable problems for humans on a global scale. This paper, for the first time, reveals the current zoonotic parasites of fish from wild and cultured hosts in marine, freshwater, and aquarium environments, as well as in native, endemic, and introduced hosts across different geographical areas and seas in Türkiye, based on published data to date. According to the latest global reports, zoonotic fish parasites in Türkiye are dominated by nematodes (17 species), trematodes (11 species), and cestodes (four species), followed by acanthocephalans (two species) and myxozoans (two species). The …

Revealing Cryptic Lineage Diversity In The Persian Gulf And Oman Sea Groupers (Perciformes: Epinephelidae): Phylogenetic And Species Delimitation Insights, Ehsan Damadi, Faezeh Yazdani Moghaddam, Masoumeh Gholipour Cheshm Gilak, Mehdi Ghanbarifardi

Turkish Journal of Zoology

Groupers (Epinephelidae) are a taxon of great commercial interest due to their large body size and high market value, and are also an important ecological species for biodiversity conservation in coral reef ecosystems. Despite their importance, phenotypic convergence among species generally leads to incorrect taxonomic identification, an issue enhanced by molecular studies revealing the presence of a high cryptic diversity and complicating conventional systematic frameworks. Herein, grouper species diversity in the ecologically heterogeneous Persian Gulf and Oman Sea was investigated to resolve taxonomic ambiguities and assess patterns of cryptic diversity. Mitochondrial COI gene sequencing was used in conjunction with integrative …

Otolith Morphological Variations Reveal Intraspecific Diversity In Two-Spot Barb, Pethia Ticto (Hamilton, 1822), Inhabiting The Riverine Ecosystem, Insha Hassan, Lubna Yasmeen, Mohd Sadiq, Ameer Hamza, Mohammad Afzal Khan

Turkish Journal of Zoology

The intraspecific variation in otolith wavelet coefficients, contours, and morphometric variables (six size and nine shape indices) was analyzed to discriminate stock variation in Pethia ticto collected from four selected sites along the River Ganga (Narora, Kanpur, Varanasi, and Bhagalpur). The wavelet coefficients extracted revealed symmetrical yet site-specific contour variations, particularly along the rostral, dorsal, and posterior margins, with the fourth-level wavelet explaining 98% of the cumulative accuracy and being selected for contour analysis. Permutational analysis of multivariate dispersion (PERMDISP) (F = 6.11, p = 0.002) and permutational multivariate analysis of variance (PERMANOVA) (F = 8.42, R2 = 0.179, p …

Toxicokinetics And Multibiomarker Assessment Of Coexposure To Sulfamethoxazole And  Titanium Dioxide Nanoparticles In Cyprinus Carpio, Nazish Iftikhar, Rabeea Zafar, Imran Hashmi, Asma Jamil, Christopher Joseph Martyniuk, Munib Ahmed Shafique

Turkish Journal of Zoology

The combined effects of pharmaceuticals and nanoparticles (NPs) on aquatic organisms remain insufficiently characterized. The present study examined toxicokinetics and multibiomarker responses of Cyprinus carpio (common carp) following exposure to sulfamethoxazole (SMX) and titanium dioxide (TiO₂) NPs. Juvenile fish were treated with SMX (25, 50, and 100 μg/L) alone and in combination with 1.5 mg/L TiO₂ NPs (96 h). TiO₂ NPs had a significant effect on the bioaccumulation of SMX in muscle tissues, with SMX reaching peak concentrations of 2286.54 ng/g in the 100 μg/L SMX + 1.5 mg/L TiO₂ NPs group after 72 h, compared to 1477.2 ng/g with …

Impacts Of Sprouted Barley On Performance And Carcass Ultrasound Measurements In Angus-Influenced Steers During Backgrounding, Zachary C. Crump, Anthony Fernando Alberto, Bailee L. Brown, Bryce W. Roholt, Lillian L. Okamoto, Ryan A. Spurling, Robert E. Ward, Brady M. Blackett, Robert L. Harding, Sanjeewa D. Ranathunga, Kara J. Thornton

Animal, Dairy, and Veterinary Science Faculty Publications

The objective of this research was to determine the impacts of including sprouted barley (SB) in the diets of backgrounding beef steers. Angus-influenced steers (328 ± 6.59 kg) were assigned to one of four diets (n = 15/diet): a control (CON) diet, or a diet containing 5%, 10%, or 20% SB (DM basis)—replacing corn silage and some rolled barley. Individual intake and feeding behavior were monitored using Vytelle bunks. Body weight (BW) and ruminal fluid samples were collected on d 0, 30, and 60, while dry matter intake (DMI), feeding behavior, average daily gain (ADG), and gain-to-feed ratio (G:F) were …

Improving Public Perceptions Of Dairy Production Through On-Farm Educational Tours, Drew Swartz, Justin Wyatt Clawson, Jaydee Gunnell, Elise Jenson, Dylan Waldron, Jenna Dyckman

Outcomes and Impact Quarterly

Utah dairy producers identified public perceptions as a top concern. Utah State University Extension partnered with Cache County organizations to offer dairy farm tours. Participants reported increased knowledge, more favorable perceptions, and stronger intentions to engage with agriculture, supporting experiential education as a means to strengthen understanding of dairy production.

Best Practices For Managing Human–Beaver Conflicts In North America: Balancing Ecological Benefits And Human Interests, Alec J. Sundelius, Jerry Altermatt, Doug Brimeyer, Derek J. Broman, Jared Duquette, Cory Mosby, Falyn Owens, Shawn Rossler, David B. Ruid, Brian F. Wakeling, H. Bryant White

Human–Wildlife Interactions Monographs

We explore the complexities of managing beaver (Castor canadensis) conflicts in North America, describing the most common approaches used by natural resource management agencies to address conflicts. We identify specific conflicts caused by beavers, the ecological benefits beavers provide, and the tools commonly used to address conflicts. We discuss regional differences in beaver management strategies, including ecosystem restoration and conflict prevention. We specifically discuss a variety of management practices including public education, land use management, trapping, translocation, exclusion, shooting, dam removal, repellants, and harvest incentive programs; we then review the challenges and benefits of these tools. We discuss …

State Of The Fisheries: Status Reports Of The Fisheries And Aquatic Resources Of Western Australia 2024/25, Stephen J. Newman, Ainslie Denham, Lebo Selemela, Jenny Moore

Status Reports of the Fisheries and Aquatic Resources

The Status Reports of the Fisheries and Aquatic Resources of Western Australia (SRFAR) provides an annual update on the state of the fish stocks and other aquatic resources of Western Australia (WA). These reports outline the most recent assessments of the cumulative risk status for each of the aquatic resources (assets) within WA’s six bioregions using an Ecosystem Based Fisheries Management (EBFM) approach. The Department of Primary Industries and Regional Dveelopment’s (DPIRD) risk based EBFM framework is the WA Government’s basis for management of all of WA’s aquatic resources.

Assets examined in each bioregion include the meso-scale ecosystems and aquatic …

Bathurst Burr And Its Control, Department Of Primary Industries And Regional Development, Western Australia

Biosecurity factsheets

Bathurst burr (Xanthium spinosum) is a declared pest in Western Australia (WA). This factsheet describes the nature of the plant, requirements land owners/occupiers must adhere to, control methods, and how to search, detect, and report it.

Bathurst burr is a summer growing annual shrubby plant originating in South America. In south west Australia, some mature plants survive well into winter, with the result that burrs may be found for most of the year. The weed spreads entirely by burrs, which are usually carried by people or animals, attached to clothes, fur, or other fibre by their hooked spines. They may …