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Shell Translucency: A Novel Eggshell Quality Parameter In Broiler Breeders, Duarte Neves, Austin Jasek, Colwayne Morris, Raquel Burin, Kevin Stephens, Marco Rebollo

Proceedings of the Arkansas Nutrition Conference

In the United States, nearly 240 million commercial broiler breeder eggs are incubated weekly with an average hatchability of 79.1% (Third Party Reporting). Between 160 eggs/hen and 125 chicks/hen the loss is considerable. In 2007, an estimated 1% improvement in hatchability would escalate profits by over $25 million to hatcheries and markedly increase profitability in broiler operations (Schaal and Gherian, 2007). In order to tap into top hatchability performances, egg management in commercial hatcheries such as egg storage time and conditions, incubation temperature and humidity, as well as turning frequency are of utmost importance (Vick et al., 1993; Reis et …

Effects Of Supplementing Rumen-Protected Methionine And Lysine On Milk Yield And Milk Composition In Dairy Cows, Imene Kerbache, Samir Souames, Amel Haddoum, Nedjoua Lakhdara, Nassim Moula

Turkish Journal of Veterinary & Animal Sciences

The use of “health-food additives” has gained significant attention within the dairy sector, with a focus on enhancing the nutritional intake of dairy cows to improve their productivity and reproductive performance. This study aims at examining the impact of rumen-protected methionine (Met) and lysine (Lys) supplementation on production and reproductive parameters in a sample of 100 dairy cows, comprising 32 primiparous and 68 multiparous cows with an average of 5.24±2.31 years. The cows’ average milk production was determined to be 24.9±7.40 kg/day. The cows were divided into two groups, one receiving Met/Lys supplementation and the other serving as a control …

An Innovative Approach: Introducing Novel Sheep Paternity Testing Panels, Onur Yilmaz, İbrahi̇m Cemal, Nezi̇h Ata, Orhan Karaca

Turkish Journal of Veterinary & Animal Sciences

The aim of this research was to create various microsatellite paternity test panels that are efficient, cost-effective, simple, and accessible for paternity assessments within the Eşme sheep breed in Western Anatolia. The study included 2432 animals from sixteen farms, consisting of 147 rams and 2285 lambs. 17 microsatellite markers were utilized in the study to develop these test panels, prioritizing markers with high polymorphic information content (PIC) and probability of exclusion (PE) values. By combining markers with varying PIC and PE values, 16 distinct paternity test panels were established. The study revealed mean values for various parameters of the microsatellites …

Monitoring Cow Behavior Based On Lying, Standing, Eating, And Ruminating Recognition Using Yolov8, Ali Saifudin, Sri Pantja Madyawati, Imam Yuadi, Rimayanti Rimayanti, Imam Mustofa, Riries Rulaningtyas, Teddy Surya Gunawan, Adnan Rahmat Anom Besari

Turkish Journal of Veterinary & Animal Sciences

Cow behavior is a crucial indicator for monitoring health, reproductive status, and welfare in livestock management. However, methods that rely on wearable devices often face significant challenges, including high costs, maintenance difficulties, and potential impacts on animal welfare. To address these limitations, this study explored the potential of using YOLOv8, a cutting-edge computer vision model, for non-invasive monitoring of cow behavior. The research methodology involved four key steps: data collection, preliminary data processing, model training, and validation. The findings revealed that YOLOv8 is capable of accurately detecting and localizing key cow behaviors—lying, standing, eating, and ruminating—achieving a mean average precision …

Investigation Of The Acaricidal Efficacy, Tolerance And Residue Levels Of Thymol-Containing Gelatin-Based Hydrogel Developed For Varroosis Control, Onur Demi̇r, Ali̇ Bi̇lgi̇li̇, Mehli̇ka Pulat

Turkish Journal of Veterinary & Animal Sciences

The aim of this study was to investigate the acaricidal efficacy, tolerability of the target species and residue levels of a thymol-containing gelatin-based hydrogel developed as a controlled release system for varroosis control. The study was carried out on naturally infested honey bee colonies and compared with those of the negative control and positive control groups. The acaricidal efficacy (%) of the negative control, positive control and hydrogel was 21.93 ± 2.87, 81.09 ± 2.30 and 70.32 ± 2.05, respectively. For the tolerability controls, the average number of dead bees per colony was determined to be 60.80 ± 8.01, 297.40 …

Clustered Setation On The Pedipalps Of Buthid Scorpions (Scorpiones: Buthidae), Graeme Lowe, Victoria Tang

Euscorpius

Chaetotaxy of the external pedipalp femur and distal ventral pedipalp movable finger was studied in 120 species, 69 genera and 17 families of scorpions. Setation was generally denser in the ‘Buthus’ group, a major arid-adapted buthid lineage distributed across Palearctic deserts. On the external femur, macrosetae formed a prominent cluster, the ‘distal external macrosetal cluster’ (DEMC); on the distal ventral movable finger they formed a dense patch, the ‘distal ventral macrosetal cluster’ (DVMC). In other buthids and non-buthids, the DEMC and DVMC were mostly absent, except in a few arid-adapted genera. Relative setation densities of DEMC and DVMC in different …

Uroplectes Ebogo Sp. N. (Scorpiones: Buthidae) From Cameroon, František Kovařík, František Šťáhlavský, Valeriy Govorov

Euscorpius

A new species Uroplectes ebogo sp. n. is described from Cameroon, fully illustrated with color photos showing its morphology and habitus. Uroplectes ebogo sp. n. is the only species of the genus with a combination two characters: metasoma without carinae and metasoma V and telson without punctuation. In addition to morphology and hemispermatophore, we also present the information about the karyotype of Uroplectes ebogo sp. n. (2n=24).

Temperature Affects Nest Box Selection, Nest Success, And Nestling Size In A Southeastern Population Of Eastern Bluebirds, Katie Stumpf

Georgia Journal of Science

Given the critical role of temperature in avian reproduction, rising global temperatures will likely impact reproductive success of many bird populations. We examined the effect of nest box temperature, nest box color, entrance orientation, distance to forest cover, and distance to water on net box selection, nest success, and nestling size in eastern bluebirds (Sialia sialis) in central Georgia. White painted nest boxes had significantly cooler temperatures than control nest boxes (P < 0.05). However, model selection revealed that eastern bluebird females selected control boxes, despite their overall warmer temperatures. Nest success was associated with year, likely because of high nest predation during the warmer 2022 breeding season (P < 0.05). Nest success was also associated with cooler nest boxes, possibly because incubating females spend more time incubating which can reduce predation risks. Larger nestlings fledged from painted nest boxes, nest boxes with cooler temperatures, and nests from 2021, which we attribute to decreased thermoregulatory demands enabling faster nestling growth in cooler boxes and years. These seemingly opposing results suggest there may be an optimal temperature range where nest box temperature maximizes reproductive fitness while minimizing energetic demands on incubating adults. Determining this temperature range can help target management efforts to ensure specific goals are met.

Albinism In Olivierus Martensii (Karsch, 1879) (Scorpiones: Buthidae), Victoria Tang, Zhenbang Liu

Euscorpius

This is a formal case report for the albinism in Olivierus martensii (Karsch, 1879). Albino phenotype is compared with its normal counterpart in terms of their morphology and behavior by cursory experiments. The examined 7 albino individuals (5 of which were adults) were smaller and more slender than their normal counterparts. However, these quantitative differences were not statistically significant and should be treated with caution due to the low sample size. Their abilities to detect both white light and UV light or UV-excited fluorescence were not significantly undermined, although their tendency to ensure a clear vision through self-cleaning behavior appeared …

Oregon State Rank Assessment For Obscure Bumblebee (Bombus Caliginosus), Jesse Laney, Eleanor P. Gaines

Institute for Natural Resources Publications

Oregon state conservation status assessment for obscure bumblebee (Bombus caliginosus) using NatureServe methodology, 2024.

Diversity Of Porifera Along The Coasts Of Türkiye, Alper Evcen, Bülent Topaloğlu

Turkish Journal of Zoology

This study compiled data on the distribution of sponge species on the coasts of Türkiye. The checklist consists of 183 speciesbelonging to 52 families, 16 orders, and 3 classes. The orders Haplosclerida (32 species), Poecilosclerida (28 species), Tetractinellida (26species), Dictyoceratida (21 species), and Suberitida (18 species) have the highest numbers of species found in the region. The Aegeancoast has the highest number of sponge species (155 species), followed by the Sea of Marmara (84 species), the Levantine coast (50species), and the Black Sea coast (24 species). Among the species, Niphates toxifera and Paraleucilla magna are alien species. A total of …

Diversity Of Cnidaria And Ctenophora From The Coasts Of Türkiye, Meli̇h Ertan Çinar, Şermi̇n Açik, Hali̇m Vedat Aker

Turkish Journal of Zoology

The compilation of papers on the phyla Cnidaria and Ctenophora inhabiting the coasts of Türkiye (Black Sea, Sea of Marmara,Aegean Sea, and Levantine Sea) together with the new records of cnidarian species presented in this study yielded 296 cnidarian and8 ctenophore species. Among the cnidarian groups, Hydrozoa were represented by 160 species, Scyphozoa by 16 species, Anthozoa by87 species, and Myxozoa by 31 species. The number of species of cnidarians and ctenophores varies greatly between regions due to thedifferent environmental conditions of the seas and the level of scientific effort in each sea. A total of 47 cnidarian and five …

Diversity Of Annelida From The Coasts Of Türkiye, Meli̇h Ertan Çinar, Şermi̇n Açik, Güley Kurt, Deni̇z Erdoğan Dereli̇

Turkish Journal of Zoology

The compilation of scientific papers dealing with marine annelids (including Sipuncula) along the coasts of Türkiye (Black Sea, Sea of Marmara, Aegean Sea and Levantine Sea) together with the new records of polychaete species (22 species) presented in this study resulted in 827 species belonging to 63 families. Polychaeta were represented by 782 species, Sipuncula by 21 species, Oligochaeta by 18 species, Hirudinea by 5 species and Echiura by 1 species. Syllidae (127 species), Spionidae (57 species) and Serpulidae (56 species) were the most species-rich families and their numbers varied among the seas. Most annelid species were benthic (808 species), …

Diversity Of Fishes Along The Coast Of Türkiye, Murat Bi̇lecenoğlu

Turkish Journal of Zoology

The Turkish marine fish diversity was revised and updated in this study based on data published in the last decade. There arecurrently 552 species in the inventory, reflecting an increase of 7.8% since the previous checklist and belonging to the classes of Teleostei(479 spp.), Elasmobranchii (68 spp.), Chondrostei (3 spp.), Petromyzonti (1 sp.), and Holocephali (1 sp.). Twelve species were excludedfrom the faunal list due to the lack of valid proof of their presence, the distribution ranges of an additional 12 species were corrected, twonew records (Istiompax indica (Cuvier, 1832) and Mola alexandrini (Ranzani, 1839)) previously unknown from Türkiye were …

Diversity Of Marine Tetrapods (Reptiles, Seabirds, And Mammals) Along The Coasts Of Türkiye, Harun Güçlüsoy, Ortaç Onmuş

Turkish Journal of Zoology

This paper presents the occurrence of a total of 72 marine tetrapod species, comprising 3 sea turtles, 54 seabirds, and 15 marine mammals. The distribution of each reported species along the Black Sea, Sea of Marmara, Aegean, and Levantine coasts of Türkiye is described with key references.

Diversity Of Bryozoa Along The Coasts Of Türkiye, Ferah Koçak, Si̇nem Aydin

Turkish Journal of Zoology

The current status of bryozoan species distributed along the coast of Türkiye were revised and an updated checklist including 185 species (24 cyclostomatids, 20 ctenostomatids and 141 cheilostomatids) was presented. Cheilostomes largely prevail (141 species, 87 genera and 50 families) followed by cyclostomes (24 species, 15 genera and 9 families) and ctenostomes (20 species, 9 genera and 8 families) in bryozoan fauna of Türkiye. The distribution of species and genera highlights the Aegean Sea as the most diverse, hosting 146 species. In this study, Hornera frondiculata (Lamarck, 1816), Amathia verticillata (delle Chiaje, 1822), Bugulina fulva (Ryland, 1960), Tricellaria inopinata d'Hondt …

Applying Data-Limited Assessment Methods To Charter Logbook Length Data, Brett Crisafulli, Sybrand Alex Hesp, David Fairclough, Emily A. Fisher, Paul D. Lewis, Jeffrey V. Norriss, Corey B. Wakefield, Fabian Trinnie, Stephen J. Newman

Fisheries Research Reports

Marine waters along the Western Australian coastline are characterised by low ecosystem productivity and high species diversity of fishes. With over 3,000 known species comprising estuarine, nearshore, demersal and pelagic fishes in the region, many contribute to important commercial and recreational fisheries (Lenanton et al. 1991; Molony et al. 2011; Newman et al. 2018). As it is logistically and economically infeasible to conduct intensive monitoring and high-level stock assessments of all exploited fish species in Western Australia, indicator species are used to assess the sustainability of suites of species of biological and ecological similarity, for optimal use of available resources …

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Feral Pigs And Their Control With 1080 Baiting, Department Of Primary Industries And Regional Development, Western Australia

Biosecurity factsheets

Feral pigs are the descendants of domestic pigs (Sus scrofa), which were first brought to Australia by early European colonists. Feral pigs cause a range of agricultural and environmental damage in Western Australia (WA), so control measures are important.

In-Line Milk Progesterone Monitoring As A Tool For Precision Reproductive Management, Tony C. Bruinjé, Divakar J. Ambrose, Stephen J. Lebalnc

Dairy Science and Food Science Faculty Publications: 2022 to Present

In-line milk progesterone (IMP4) monitoring (Herd Navigator, DeLaval) is a technology that automatically detects onset of cyclicity, estrus, and pregnancy. Sampling starts at 20 DIM and occurs on average every 2 d until pregnancy. Estrus is detected based on a decline in progesterone (P4) concentrations below a threshold, and pregnancy is assessed from 30 to 55 d after AI in cows without return to estrus. Here, we review the potential of IMP4 as a tool for reproductive management. In a series of observational studies with up to 158,961 IMP4 records from 4,353 AI events, we characterized predictors of pregnancy per …

Approaching A U.S. Regulatory Framework For Sporeless Seaweed Biotechnology, Gabriela Martinez, Terra Bowling, Catherine M. Janasie, Charlie Doering-Powell, Amalia Aruda Almada

William & Mary Environmental Law and Policy Review

Seaweed farming is the fastest-growing aquaculture sector in the United States. The development of sterile, selectively bred (sporeless) seaweed aims to support the economic viability of future large offshore seaweed operations and minimize the environmental risks of these operations to wild seaweed beds. Farmers have implemented analogous breeding techniques to control and enhance most terrestrial crops and common aquaculture products (e.g., oysters and carp). This Article draws from existing federal and state aquaculture policies to explore four pillars critical to a future sporeless seaweed regulatory framework: ensuring maintained sterility, tracing the geographic origin of seed, securing offshore permits, and facilitating …

Population And Distribution Of The Ashy Red Colobus Monkey In Community Forests In Biharamulo District, Northwestern Tanzania, Olivia W. Cox

Tanzania: Wildlife Conservation and Political Ecology

This study was conducted in November 2024 using active observation searches and geospatial surveys to collect data. A total of 0.404357 km2 in the three forests was canvassed, and 108 individuals were observed. The study aimed to estimate the population and distribution of Ashy red colobus monkeys in three community forests in Biharamulo District, Northwestern Tanzania, where no previous research on the Ashy red colobus has taken place. A Bayesian negative binomial model and negative binomial regression model were applied to these findings to estimate 180 individuals in the three forests, with 40, 47, and 93 individuals estimated to reside …

Effects Of Land-Use Types On Avian Functional Diversity In Kilimanjaro Region, Tanzania, Ava Joan Boettiger

Tanzania: Wildlife Conservation and Political Ecology

This research examined avian abundance and functional diversity across four human land uses— monoculture, mixed farming, rural, and urban areas—in the Kilimanjaro Region of Northern Tanzania. Conducted in November 2024, the study aimed to assess how different land-use types influence avian composition and functional diversity. A quasi-experimental design was employed, using purposive sampling to select study sites and systematic random sampling point counts to observe bird species present in each land-use type. A literature review was also conducted to classify species into families and categorize them into functional feeding guilds: predators, insectivores, frugivores, granivores, and nectarivores. Statistical analyses, including ANOVA, …

A Retrospective Analysis Of Sheep Generated By Somatic Cell Nuclear Transfer, Ying Liu, Rusty Stott, Misha Regouski, Zhiqiang Fan, Iuri Viotti Perisse, Tayler Patrick, Jacob Keim, Qinggang Meng, Irina A. Polejaeva

Animal, Dairy, and Veterinary Science Faculty Publications

Somatic cell nuclear transfer (SCNT) is one of the primary methods for production of genetically engineered sheep, which allows for gene editing or transgene introduction in somatic cells. The use of SCNT eliminates the risk of genetic mosaicism in embryos and animals that is commonly observed after zygote micromanipulations. This retrospective analysis of SCNT in sheep performed at Utah State University, spanning from 2016 to 2021, examined parameters that may impact pregnancy and full-term development, including donor oocytes (donor age), donor cell lines, SCNT parameters (time of oocyte activation following SCNT, number of transferred embryos, in vitro maturation and culture …

Précis Of: "Birds, Bats And Minds: Tales Of A Revolutionary Scientist, Donald R. Griffin", Carolyn A. Ristau

Animal Sentience

Donald Griffin co-discovered bat sonar and founded the field of echolocation. He studied bird migration and founded Cognitive Ethology, the study of animal awareness and mental experiences. In all these endeavors, he faced hostile opposition. The biography (Ristau 2024) examines Griffin's life and the scientific explorations by him and others in these fields. This Précis emphasizes his arguments and supporting evidence for animal consciousness as well as his later research. Griffin considered the inhibiting assumptions made by scientists, including Cartesian views, the misunderstanding of innate behaviors, prejudice against lower animals, concern with violations of parsimony, and the assertions of the …

Red Fox, Department Of Primary Industries And Regional Development, Western Australia

Biosecurity factsheets

This factsheet provides information on the red fox in Western Australia (WA).

The red fox (Vulpes vulpes) is a native of the northern hemisphere where it occurs throughout most of Europe, Asia, North America, and the northern coast of Africa. The red fox was first introduced to Australia (Victoria) from Britain as early as 1845 for hunting with foxhounds. Having become successfully established in Victoria by about 1870, it colonised most of mainland Australia over the next 70 years. Foxes are not found in the most northern regions of Australia, including northwest Kimberley.

In WA, the fox is a declared …

Rabbit Control: Fumigation, Department Of Primary Industries And Regional Development, Western Australia

Biosecurity factsheets

Fumigation for rabbit control involves the introduction of poisonous gas into a warren. It is one of the best control methods to use where low numbers of rabbits live in a few widely scattered warrens. The threat to non-target animals is minimal. This factsheet should be read in conjunction with registered product labels and directions for use. Check the Department of Health, Western Australia website (health.wa.gov.au) for public health requirements for the use of phosphine fumigation.

Fumigation may be used in areas where access is limited, such as fence lines, around trees, and on riverbanks, but it may be difficult …

Psychological And Social Well-Being Of Bony Fishes In Zoos And Aquariums, Ronald G. Oldfield, Patrick Bonano

Animal Sentience

Research on the behaviour of animals in zoos has been conducted for decades, and observations have provided information that has improved the psychological and social well-being of animals. However, research on fishes in zoos and aquariums seems to be lacking. Here, we assess the current state of research on fishes in zoos and aquariums by surveying the peer-reviewed literature. Our assessment differs from previous surveys in that we examine the taxonomic classes Chondrichthyes (sharks and rays) and Osteichthyes (bony fishes) separately. Our survey finds that bony fishes have been drastically underrepresented in zoo journals, more drastically than chondrichthyans, revealing an …

Leptospirosis In The Platypus (Ornithorhynchus Anatinus) In Australia: Who Is Infecting Whom?, Richard J. Whittington, Thomas R. Grant, Jarrad Mckercher, Monica Suann, Keith Hart, Kathrine A. Handasyde, James Macgregor, Mark E. Westman, Joanne H. Connolly

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

The platypus (Ornithorhynchus anatinus) is an amphibious, egg-laying mammal of high conservation value that is found only in Australia. The zoonotic bacterium Leptospira interrogans serovar Hardjo was discovered in platypuses in prior studies, but little is known about its epidemiology. Samples in the Platypus Serum Bank were tested in 2023 and the results were combined with historical records. Antibodies against L. interrogans serovar Hardjo were found in 50% of 464 serum samples from 411 platypuses collected from 14 river basins in southeastern Australia between 1981 and 2012; prevalence remained high over three decades in the Shoalhaven River population. Seroprevalence increased …

Feral Camel, Department Of Primary Industries And Regional Development, Western Australia

Biosecurity factsheets

No abstract provided.