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The Effects Of Environmentally Relevant Doses Of Perchlorate (Clo4-) On Rana Pipiens Metamorphosis And Development, Andrea N. Golli

UNLV Theses, Dissertations, Professional Papers, and Capstones

The purpose of this study was to assess the effects of environmentally relevant concentrations of perchlorate on the development and growth of Rana pipiens. Ammonium perchlorate is a rocket fuel oxidizer that is known to interfere with the function of the thyroid gland and some of the highest United States surface water concentration exists in the Las Vegas Wash, NV. Perchlorate not only blocks the body’s ability to incorporate iodine into T3 and T4 hormones through the sodium iodine symporter system, but also depletes the thyroid glands’ internal stores of iodine. Many of the steps that regulate metamorphosis in amphibians …

Effects Of Dietary Protein Level And Fish Meal On Growth And Hormonal Status Of Weaned Dairy Calves, Patricia Terrell Richardel

LSU Master's Theses

Eight weaned Holstein steers approximately 4 mo of age (mean BW = 119.47 ± 2.65 kg) were used in a replicated 4 x 4 Latin square designed experiment to study the effects of protein source and level on performance and anabolic hormonal status of weaned dairy calves. Treatments consisted of two diets containing either 16 or 20 % crude protein (CP) with or without fish meal (FM). Experimental diets were corn silage based with soybean meal (SBM) as the source of ruminal degradable protein and FM as the source of ruminal undegradable protein. The animals were fed their respective diets …

A Modelling Study Of The Influence Of Environment And Food Supply On Survival Of Crassostrea Gigas Larvae, Eileen E. Hofmann, Eric N. Powell, Eleanor A. Bochenek, John M. Klinck

CCPO Publications

A biochemically based model was developed to simulate the growth, development, and metamorphosis of larvae of the Pacific oyster (Crassostrea gigas). The unique characteristics of the model are that it: (1) defines larvae in terms of their protein, neutral lipid, polar lipid, carbohydrate, and ash content; (2) tracks weight separately from length to follow larval condition; and (3) includes genetic variation in growth efficiency and egg quality to better simulate cohort population dynamics. The model includes parameterizations for filtration, ingestion, and respiration, which determine larval growth rate, and processes controlling larval mortality and metamorphosis. Changes in larval tissue …

Lagrangian Modelling Studies Of Antarctic Krill (Euphausia Superba) Swarm Formation, Eileen E. Hofmann, A. G. Edward Haskell, John M. Klinck, Cathy M. Lascara

CCPO Publications

A two-dimensional Lagrangian particle model was developed to examine the spatial distribution of Antarctic krill (Euphausia superba). The time-dependent location of particles, which represent krill individuals, is determined by random diffusion, foraging activity, and movement induced by the presence of neighbours. Foraging activity is based on prescribed food conditions and is such that krill swim slower and turn more frequently in areas of high food concentration. The presence or absence of neighbours either disperses krill, if the local concentrations become too dense, or coalesces krill, if concentrations become too dilute, respectively. Predation on krill is included and affects …

The Effect Of Holding Bovine Oocytes In Follicular Fluid On Subsequent Fertilization And Embryonic Development, Angela Marie Klumpp

LSU Master's Theses

The objective of Experiment 1 was to determine the effect of bovine follicular fluid (bFF) on nuclear maturation. Treatment A (Control) oocytes were stained with Hoechst-33342 immediately after aspiration from follicles, whereas, oocytes in Treatment B were held in bFF for 12 hours at 38¢ªC and then stained to determine nuclear status. No significant difference was detected between treatment groups. Results indicate that bFF inhibits resumption of meiosis. The objective of Experiment 2 was to determine the effect of bFF on embryonic development. Oocytes in Treatment A (Control) were placed into in vitro maturation (IVM) for 22 hours followed by …

Cryopreservation Of Bovine And Caprine Oocytes By Vitrification, Sabrina Marie Luster

LSU Master's Theses

Cryopreservation of animal oocytes will permit germplasm of valuable or unique females to be preserved for extended times. The objective of this research was to derive a procedure to cryopreserve bovine oocytes by vitrification to be used as recipients for somatic cell nuclear transfer (SCNT). Caprine oocytes vitrified by the same procedure were assayed by cytological examination of microtubules. In the first two of three experiments, bovine oocytes matured in vitro were vitrified in a mixture of ethylene glycol (EG), dimethylsulfoxide (Me2SO) and trehalose, and then subjected to in vitro fertilization (IVF) or SCNT. For vitrification, oocytes were first exposed …

Seasonal Effects On Diet Of Two Arid Zone Dasyurids, Dasycercus Cristicauda And Ningaui Ridei (Dasyuridae, Marsupialia), Leisa Turner

Theses : Honours

Seasonal fluctuations in rainfall and food availability are thought to change populations of arid zone mammals dramatically over time. Competition between similar species for limited food resources is believed to be a major factor in the evolution and maintenance of population assemblages. Animals foraging in arid regions must be responsive to the unreliable distribution of nutrients and food resources to ensure the survival of viable populations. Adaptive physiological traits and behavioural mechanisms of arid zone animals allow them to survive extreme conditions and the ability to switch between prey species in adverse conditions is an advantageous strategy. This study was …

Characterization Of Association Patterns Of Coastal Migratory Bottlenose Dolphins, Tursiops Truncatus, In The Nearshore Waters Of Virginia Beach, Virginia, Holly Fearnbach

Biological Sciences Theses & Dissertations

Bottlenose dolphins, Tursiops truncatus, commonly occur in fission-fusion social systems. For this study, I analyzed photo-identification data from 1994 to 1999 to describe association patterns of bottlenose dolphins in the nearshore waters of Virginia Beach, Virginia. Bottlenose dolphins are present seasonally (late April until early November) in these waters and individuals are considered to be members of the North Atlantic coastal migratory stock. I selected 78 individuals for detailed analyses from the 972 dolphins identified in the study area. Those chosen as “select” dolphins had been sighted at least five times in three of the six study years; all …

Somatic Cell Interspecies Nuclear Transfer, Marina Julia Sansinena

LSU Doctoral Dissertations

The low efficiency of the nuclear transfer (NT) procedure requires large number of oocytes to produce embryos and live offspring. A series of experiments were conducted to evaluate the ability of the bovine cytoplast to reprogram nuclei from horses and llamas. In a preliminary study, equine oocytes from small (<20mm diameter) follicles were either pretreated with roscovitine or placed in maturation (IVM only) prior to NT. Roscovitine pretreatment did not improve nuclear maturation rates (roscovitine pretreatment 57% vs. IVM only 66%) and no fusion was obtained from roscovitine-pretreated oocytes after NT. Another preliminary study was conducted with the objective to produce llama NT embryos and to compare their development in two in vitro culture conditions (G1.2® vs. CR1aa). No difference was found in the number of embryos cleaved after 2 d of culture. This resulted in the first scientific report of somatic cell NT, in vitro culture and transfer of NT embryos in the llama. In the next experiment, adult horse and llama fibroblasts were injected into enucleated cow oocytes. The results showed the cow cytoplasm is capable of partially reprogramming nuclei from other species and support mitotic divisions. However, this study also showed a consistent embryonic developmental arrest at the 8- to 16- cell stage when horse or llama donor cells were used as donor nuclei. When a more closely related species of donor cell (banteng) and recipient oocyte (domestic cattle) were used for NT, no embryonic developmental arrest was found. Embryos progressed to achieve high blastocyst rates (banteng male cell line 28% vs. banteng female cell line 15%). Two banteng interspecies NT pregnancies were established and subsequently lost from the banteng male cell line. In the final study, the effect of a mixed mitochondrial population (heteroplasmy) on early embryonic development was investigated. Ooplasmic transfer performed in combination with NT procedure indicated presence of foreign mitochondria clustered in a small portion of the cytoplasm in early stages of embryo development. When goat ooplasm was transferred into interspecies (cow oocyte-goat donor cell) NT embryos, fusion and cleave rates were reduced suggesting an increased level of heteroplasmy or nuclear-ooplasmic incompatibilities.

Preservation Of Sperm Harvested From The Rat, Caprine, Equine, And Bovine Epididymis, Aida Nioma James

LSU Doctoral Dissertations

The interest in preserving endangered species has increased the amount of attention lent to the recovery of functional sperm from the epididymides of deceased males (Foote, 2000). Postmortem specimens have a finite time period before decomposition affects functionality. Determination of this “window of opportunity” to harvest and preserve epididymal sperm would be beneficial for further research in sperm preservation and assisted reproductive technologies. The objective of these studies was to determine 1) the “window of opportunity” to collect viable rat, caprine, equine and bovine epididymal sperm, 2) if epididymal sperm collected could be cryopreserved, 3) to test two common cryoprotectants …

The Chick Embryo Amnion As An In Vitro Culture System For Ivf And Nt Embryos, Tonya Renea Davidson

LSU Doctoral Dissertations

Calving rates are significantly reduced following in vitro production of embryos. Thus, if a technique could be developed that would increase calving rates by as little as one viable offspring, significant research advances could be made. Therefore, in a series of experiments, the efficiency and quality of culturing IVP bovine embryos in the amnion of a domestic chicken egg was tested. In Experiment I, by culturing IVP bovine embryos in the chick amnion (day 4 to 7 of incubation) it was discovered that there was no significant difference in blastocyst rates compared with controls. In Experiment II, it was shown …

Leptin In Horses: Influences Of Body Condition, Gender, Insulin Insensitivity, Feeding, And Dexamethasone, Joshua Allen Cartmill

LSU Doctoral Dissertations

The experiments described herein were designed to answer questions that arose from initially attempting to determine whether treatment with dexamethasone increased concentrations of leptin in geldings. Dexamethasone treatment did in fact increase leptin concentrations in mares, geldings, and stallions. Additional experiments were designed to determine leptin's interaction, not only with the adrenal axis, but with the thyroid axis, the growth hormone/insulin-like growth factor-1 axis, as well as glucose and insulin metabolism in geldings, mares, and stallions. During the course of these experiments, differences in leptin concentrations in the horse were attributed to degree of body condition, gender, and feeding time. …

The Use Of Altrenogest To Control Reproductive Function In Beef Cattle, Clarence Edward Ferguson

LSU Doctoral Dissertations

There has been great controversy involving progesterone (P₄) levels during early pregnancy in cattle. The objectives of these experiments were to determine the effect of an early low dose administration of P₄ or altrenogest (ALT) on pregnancy rates in repeat breeder (RPB) females, if an increase in pregnancy rates could result from a direct effect of P₄ on the embryo and if ALT could support pregnancy in the absence of a functional CL. Firstly, ALT was evaluated for use as a progestin in cattle by synchronizing estrus in beef heifers. There were no differences in the …

Statistical Models And Genetic Evaluation Of Binomial Traits, Jose Lucio Guerra

LSU Doctoral Dissertations

Generalized mixed model methodology and MCMC simulations were used to estimate genetic parameters for calving rate and calf survival with the normal, probit, and logistic models. Calving rate and calf survival were defined as 0 each time a cow failed to calf or a calf failed to survive to weaning age, otherwise they were set to 1. Data were available on 1,458 cows and on 5,015 calves. Cows produced a total of 4,808 records over 4 discrete generations of rotational crosses between Angus, Brahman, Charolais, and Hereford from 1977 to 1995. The heritability of calving rate and calf survival, the …

Assessment Of Thermal Infrared Detection Rates Using White-Tailed Deer Surrogates, Robert E. Kissell Jr., Philip A. Tappe

Journal of the Arkansas Academy of Science

As thermal infrared imaging technology has improved, it has increasingly been used for estimating sizes of wildlife populations. The greatest bias of thermal infrared surveys is the lack of known detection rates to adjust for visibility bias. As with visual surveys, a measure of detection rate is needed to provide unbiased estimates. We assessed the detection rate of white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus) using a thermal infrared sensor (1.2 - 5.9 /an) from an aerial platform. Similar characteristics between thermal signatures of people and deer allowed us to use people in a reclined or horizontal position as surrogates for deer. We …

Distribution, Natural History Aspects, And Status Of The Arkansas Endemic Crayfish, Fallicambarus Harpi Hobbs And Robinson, 1985, Henry W. Robison, Betty G. Crump

Journal of the Arkansas Academy of Science

Recent fieldwork in west central Arkansas has revealed the Arkansas endemic crayfish, Fallicambarus harpi Hobbs and Robison, to be more abundant than formerly believed. New localities and county records are provided in addition to information on the habitat preferences, sex ratio, color variation, reproductive biology, and conservation status of this burrowing crayfish.

New Geographic Distribution Records For The Flier, Centrarchus Macropterus (Perciformes: Centrarchidae), From Southwestern Arkansas, Chris T. Mcallister, Stephanie F. Barclay, Henry W. Robison

Journal of the Arkansas Academy of Science

No abstract provided.

Parasites (Coccidia, Trematoda, Nematoda) From Selected Bats Of Arkansas, Chris T. Mcallister, Steve J. Upton, Charles R. Bursey

Journal of the Arkansas Academy of Science

No abstract provided.

Noteworthy Records Of The Seminole Bat, Lasiurus Seminolus (Chiroptera: Vespertilionidae), From Southwestern Arkansas And Northeastern Arkansas, Chris T. Mcallister, Zachary D. Ramsey, Nancy E. Solley

Journal of the Arkansas Academy of Science

No abstract provided.

Geographic Range Expansion And Feeding Response By The Leech Macrobdella Diplotertia (Annelida: Hirudinea) To Wood Frog And Spotted Salamander Egg Masses, Stanley E. Trauth, Robert G. Neal

Journal of the Arkansas Academy of Science

No abstract provided.

Terrestrial Isopods (Crustacea: Oniscidea) And Biogeographical Patterns From South-Western Australia, Simon L. Judd

Theses: Doctorates and Masters

This thesis examines terrestrial isopod (Crustacea: Oniscidea) diversity and biogeography from south-western Australia, a region already recognised for the exceptional high biodiversity and concentrations of endemic species. A taxonomic investigation of isopods in the Western Australian Museum and material collected systematically as part of this study revealed seventy taxa, sixty of which were considered native species. The thesis provides a comprehensive review of regional taxonomic history and includes a key, complete with a set of forty characters states and taxa, illustrated by a number of photographic plates that are designed for use by specialists and non-specialists alike. Prior to this …

Investigation Of The Replacement Of Margaret River Hairy Marron Cherax Tenuimanus (Smith) By Smooth Marron C. Cainii Austin, John J. Bunn

Theses: Doctorates and Masters

The Margaret River hairy marron, Cherax tenuimanus (Smith, 1912) (Decapoda: Parastacidae) is critically endangered due to the introduction of the widespread marron, C. cainii Austin, 2002. This project investigates the rapid replacement of C. tenuimanus with studies important to its conservation. The ability to identify correctly in the field C. tenuimanuss, C. cainii and hybrids was investigated by linking morphology and marker allozyme loci. C. tenuimanus was readily identified in the field and errors were conservative; no genetically identified hybrids or C. cainii were field identified as C. tenuimauus during tissue samples collection. A prototype field identification guide has been …

The Role Of Farm Dams As Refugia For Aquatic Invertebrates In A Salinised Landscape, South Western Australia, Jean-Michel Benier

Theses: Doctorates and Masters

In a salinised landscape farm dams may represent the last truly freshwater surface resource, and therefore provide refuge habitats for the biota of wetlands affected by increasing salinity. One wetland threatened by increased salinity in south-west Western Australia is Lake Toolibin. It is listed as a Wetland of International Importance under the Ramsar Convention in recognition of its high conservation value, and remediation actions to halt (and possibly reverse) further increases in salinity are being undertaken at this wetland. Farm dams act as aquatic refugia if they convey resistance and/or resilience to the biotic communities of a disturbed habitat. This …

The Prevalence Of The Q-Fever Agent Coxiella Burnetii In Ticks Collected From An Animal Shelter In Southeast Georgia, John H. Smoyer Iii

College of Graduate Studies: Theses & Dissertations

Author's abstract: Q-fever is a zoonosis caused by a worldwide-distributed bacterium Coxiella burnetii. Ticks are vectors of the Q-fever agent but play a secondary role in transmission because the agent is also transmitted via aerosols. Most Q-fever studies have focused on farm animals but not ticks collected from dogs in animal shelters. In order to detect the Q-fever agent in these ticks, a nested PCR technique targeting the 16S rDNA of Coxiella burnetii was used. A collection of 450 ticks from the animal shelter were screened via nested PCR and 144 (32%) were positives. The positive PCR products were also …

Juvenile And Adult Survival In The Sociable Weaver (Philetairus Socius), A Southern-Temperate Colonial Cooperative Breeder In Africa, Rita Covas, Charles R. Brown, Mark D. Anderson, Mary Bomberger Brown

School of Biological Sciences: Faculty Publications

We used capture–recapture analyses to describe juvenile and adult survival from 1993 to 2001 in a population of Sociable Weavers (Philetairus socius), a colonial, cooperatively breeding passerine of southern Africa. We examined temporal variation in survival and the role that the breeding season’s length and environmental factors play in determining survival patterns in the population. Annual survival probability (mean ± SE) was 0.66 ± 0.02. In contrast to most passerines, juveniles and adults had similar survival probabilities; survival rates did not vary significantly between years. We found no relationship among temperature, rainfall, and survival. Relatively high survival rates …

Comparison Of Three Methods Of Size Grading Channel Catfish Stockers, Bartholomew W. Green, David L. Heikes, Andrew E. Goodwin

United States Department of Agriculture-Agricultural Research Service / University of Nebraska-Lincoln: Faculty Publications

The stocking of size-graded catfish into production ponds should increase production efficiency, but grading large numbers of fish with existing technology is laborious. We evaluated the effectiveness of a mechanical grader recently developed at the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff (UAPB) relative to that of box and sock graders and assessed injuries sustained by stocker channel catfish Ictalurus punctatus during grading. Three 0.25-acre ponds were stocked at 11,777 lb/acre. Initial total length (TL) ranged from 6.3 to 15.7 in, and initial weight of individuals ranged from 0.04 to 1.10 lb. The fish population in each pond was divided into …

Predicting Dynamics Of Aggregate Loafing Behavior In Glaucous-Winged Gulls (Larus Glaucescens) At A Washington Colony, Shandelle M. Henson, James L. Hayward, Christina M. Burden, Clara J. Logan, Joseph G. Galusha

Faculty Publications

Seabirds move throughout the day in changing, patchy environments as they engage in various behaviors. We studied the diurnal abundance dynamics of Glaucous-winged Gulls (Larus glaucescens) in a habitat patch dedicated to loafing in the Strait of Juan de Fuca, Washington. We constructed three differential equation models as alternative hypotheses and then used model selection techniques to choose the one that most accurately described the system. We validated the model on an independent data set, made a priori model predictions, and conducted a field test of the predictions. Clear dynamic patterns emerged in the abundance of loafing gulls, even though …

Do Rhinoceros Auklet, Cerorhinca Monocerata, Fledglings Fly To The Sea From Their Natal Burrows?, James L. Hayward, Jere K. Clayburn

Faculty Publications

The mode of departure of Rhinoceros Auklet fledglings from their nest burrows has remained uncertain. Both walk-down and fly-down hypotheses have been proposed. Here we use the unique geography of Protection Island, Washington, to evaluate the fly-down hypothesis. Some fledglings raised on Protection Island do appear to walk to the water, but our results suggest that many of the island's fledgling Rhinoceros Auklets fly to the sea.

Distribución Geográfica De La Fauna De Anfibios Del Uruguay, Diego Nuñez, Raúl Maneyro, José A. Langone, Rafael O. De Sá

Biology Faculty Publications

Datos precises sobre la distribución geográfica de los organismos de una región son necesarios y prerrequisito para entender las interrelaciones ecológicas entre las comunidades biológicas. Esta información también contribuye a entender el componente histórico de la región posibilitando la determinación de centros de origen y el establecimiento de patrones de diversidad (Ron, 2000), así mismo posibilita realizar inferencias acerca de los mecanismos de especiación en los diferentes grupos zoológicos (Bridarolli & Di Tada, 1994).

La distribución geográfica de los anfibios en Uruguay ha sido parcialmente reportada (Achaval & Olmos, 1997; Langone, 1995; Maneyro et al, 1995; Maneyro & Langone, 2001). …

Características Histológicas De La Tumefacción Frontal De Melanophryniscus (Amphibia: Anura: Bufonidae), Daniel E. Naya, José A. Langone, Rafael O. De Sá

Biology Faculty Publications

Se analizó la histología tegumentaria de la región cefálica en seis especies del género Melanophryniscus, pertenecientes a los grupos stelzneri (4) y tumifrons (2), con el objetivo de esclarecer la estructura de la tumefacción frontal y su posible función. Las características generales de la histología del grupo stelzneri, coincidieron con las descripciones tegumentarias existentes para el género. Sin embargo, la región cefálica frontal en las dos especies del grupo tumifrons muestran cambios histológicos correlacionados a la tumefacción frontal. Esta estructura presenta una organización similar a otras macroglándulas presentes en la dermis de anuros (e.g., parotoides, paracnémicas), y por tanto se …