Digital Commons Network^™

Left-Sided Directional Bias Of Cloacal Contacts During House Sparrow Copulations, Karen B. Nyland, Michael P. Lombardo, Patrick A. Thorpe

Peer Reviewed Publications

Most female birds have only a left ovary and associated oviduct. The entry to the oviduct is on the left side of the urodeum of the cloaca. This arrangement may favor males that mount females from the left during copulation if it results in sperm being placed closer to the opening of the oviduct. Therefore, we predicted a left-sided directional bias of cloacal contacts during House Sparrow (Passer domesticus) copulations. Cloacal contacts from the left outnumbered those from the right 74 to 25 (3:1) during 25 bouts of copulation at 11 House Sparrow nests. While this pattern suggests …

Breeding Distribution And Habitat Use Of Audubon's Oriole In The Lower Rio Grande Valley Of Texas, Steven Gerald Monk

Theses and Dissertations - UTB/UTPA

Audubon's Oriole ( Icterus graduacauda ) was known historically throughout the Lower Rio Grande Valley (LRGV) of Texas, but its breeding range has now declined to mainly riparian habitat in Starr County. Habitat loss, degradation, and fragmentation, and brood parasitism by Bronzed Cowbirds ( Molothrus aeneus ) are likely causes of this decline. Habitat patches where Audubon's Orioles were present were larger, with a larger vertical range of canopy, greater vegetation volume, greater richness of bird and woody plant species, less local deforestation, and less local habitat fragmentation than where Audubon's Orioles were absent. Bronzed Cowbirds showed no numeric correlation …

Sibley's New Twins: Book Review, Paul A. Johnsgard

Papers in Ornithology

Review of
The Sibley Field Guide to Birds of Eastern North America and The Sibley Field Guide to Birds of Western North America by David Allen Sibley (Knopf, 2003, $19.95 each).
Sibley has taken up the mantle of Roger Tory Peterson, who gave birth to the modem avian field guide in the 1930s and guided its development for more than half a century. I think that Roger would be pleased with the direction that David Sibley is taking it. The Sibley guides are so good that further editions are a dead certainty. As with the Peterson guides, I will likely …

Body Mass Of Late Quaternary Mammals (Data Set), Felisa A. Smith, S. Kathleen Lyons, S.K. Morgan Ernest, Kate E. Jones, Kansas State University, Tamar Dayan, Pablo A. Marquet, James H. Brown, John P. Haskell

School of Biological Sciences: Faculty Publications

The purpose of this data set was to compile body mass information for all mammals on Earth so that we could investigate the patterns of body mass seen across geographic and taxonomic space and evolutionary time. We were interested in the heritability of body size across taxonomic groups (How conserved is body mass within a genus, family, and order?), in the overall pattern of body mass across continents (Do the moments and other descriptive statistics remain the same across geographic space?), and over evolutionary time (How quickly did body mass patterns iterate on the patterns seen today? Were the Pleistocene …

Arkansas Animal Science Department Report 2003, Zelpha B. Johnson, D. Wayne Kellogg

Arkansas Agricultural Experiment Station Research Series

The faculty and staff of the Animal Science Program are pleased to present the sixth edition of the Arkansas Animal Science Report. As with virtually all programs in the country, budget constraints presented serious challenges to teaching, research, and extension programming. However, the faculty and staff responded with innovation, good management, and hard work to maintain a productive program designed to benefit the students of the University and the citizens of the state. We are committed to remaining faithful to our Land-Grant mission. A sincere thank you is owed to Dr. Zelpha Johnson and Dr. Wayne Kellogg for editing this …

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

Papers in Herpetology

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

Chemokines In The Corpus Luteum: Implications Of Leukocyte Chemotaxis, David H. Townson, Amy R. Liptak

Molecular, Cellular & Biomedical Sciences

Chemokines are small Molecular weight peptides responsible for adhesion, activation, and recruitment of leukocytes into tissues. Leukocytes are thought to influence follicular atresia, ovulation, and luteal function. Many studies in recent years have focused attention on the characterization of leukocyte populations within the ovary, the importance of leukocyte-ovarian cell interactions, and more recently, the mechanisms of ovarian leukocyte recruitment. Information about the role of chemokines and leukocyte trafficking (chemotaxis) during ovarian function is important to understanding paracrine-autocrine relationships shared between reproductive and immune systems. Recent advances regarding chemokine expression and leukocyte accumulation within the ovulatory follicle and the corpus luteum …

Temporal And Spatial Expression Of Tissue Inhibitors Of Metalloproteinases 1 And 2 (Timp-1 And -2) In The Bovine Corpus Luteum, Bo Zhang, Marsha A. Moses, Paul C.W. Tsang

Molecular, Cellular & Biomedical Sciences

The matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) and their endogenous inhibitors, tissue inhibitors of metalloproteinases (TIMPs), may mediate the dramatic structural and functional changes in the corpus luteum (CL) over the course of its life span. In addition to regulating MMP activity, TIMPs are also involved in a variety of cellular processes, including cell proliferation and steroidogenesis. In a series of initial studies, we determined that matrix metalloproteinase inhibitory activity was present in protein extracts from early (4 days old, estrus = day 0), mid (10–12 days old) and late (16 days old) CL (n = 3 for each stage). Reverse zymography revealed …

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

Assessment of Animal Welfare Collection

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

Fisheries Research Report No. 146 - Catch Composition Of The Western Australian Temperate Demersal Gillnet And Demersal Longline Fisheries, 1994 To 1999, Rory Mcauley, Colin Simpfendorfer

Fisheries Research Reports

Catch composition data were collected from Western Australia’s temperate demersal gillnet and demersal longline fisheries, between Eucla and Geraldton, over a five-year period from July 1994 to June 1999. Results were compared to Department of Fisheries catch records compiled from fishers’ monthly catch returns. Discarded bycatch of several species was estimated by bootstrapping their observed catch rates. Dusky shark, Carcharhinus obscurus, gummy shark, Mustelus antarcticus, whiskery shark, Furgaleus macki, and Port Jackson shark, Heterodontus portusjacksoni, were identified as the main components of the fisheries’ catch, however, catches were found to vary regionally. School shark, Galeorhinus galeus, dogfish of the family …

Fisheries Research Contract Report No. 6 - Assessment Of The Nutritional Variability Of Lupins As An Aquaculture Feed Ingredient, Brett Glencross, John Curnow, Wayne Hawkins

Fisheries Research Reports

The nutritional value of the kernel meals of three species of lupin (Lupinus albus, L. angustifolius and L. luteus) was compared against each other and a reference ingredient of solvent extracted soybean meal, when fed to rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss). Each lupin kernel meal was included in test diets at 300 g/kg and also at a greater level, representing 50% of the total protein content in the diet. The digestibility of protein of all lupin kernel meals was better than for the soybean meal. The highest protein digestibility was that from L. luteus kernel meal at 30% inclusion (100%), which …

Generation And Sequence Characterization Of A Normalized Cdna Library From Swine Ovarian Follicles, Alexandre R. Caetano, Rodger K. Johnson, Daniel Pomp

Department of Animal Science: Faculty Publications

Ovulation rate is a major factor determining litter size in swine and is, therefore, a trait of economic importance to the pork industry. The dynamics of follicle development, which in turn are dictated by a balance between follicle recruitment, maturation, selection, and atresia, are a major determining factor of ovulation rate. The role of several genes expressed in the ovaries during these processes has been described, but studies utilizing large-scale genomic approaches have yet to be conducted to examine gene expression in this tissue more globally. We have developed a normalized cDNA library from swine ovarian follicles in various stages …

Estimates Of Genetic Parameters And Selection Strategies To Improve The Economic Efficiency Of Postweaning Growth In Lambs, G. D. Snowder, L. Dale Van Vleck

Department of Animal Science: Faculty Publications

The objectives of this study were to estimate (co)variance components for growth and feed efficiency measures, and to compare selection strategies to improve economic efficiency of gain. Variance components for pre- and postweaning growth, body weight, and measures of feed efficiency were estimated from data collected on 1,047 Targhee lambs over 7 yr. Approximately 21 d after weaning, lambs were group-fed for 4 wk, with ad libitum access to a diet of 37% whole barley grain and 63% pelleted alfalfa hay. Lambs were then individually fed for 6 wk. Lambs were then returned to group feeding for another 4-wk period. …

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

Veterinary Science and Medicine Collection

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

Inventory Of The Land Conservation Values Of The Houtman Abrolhos Islands., Department Of Fisheries. Western Australia

Fisheries Management Papers

There is growing pressure for increased development on the Houtman Abrolhos Islands (Abrolhos Islands). Much work on the natural, historical and cultural values of the islands has been undertaken. This document is a review of this work, which provides an overview of the conservation values of the islands, and should prove useful in considering the selection, design and evaluation of proposed developments at the Abrolhos Islands. Based on existing information, the purpose of the Review of the Land Conservation Values of the Houtman Abrolhos Islands is to: • identify and map areas of conservation value (natural, historical and cultural); and …

Predicting Fish Species Diversity In Lotic Freshwaters Of Greece, Eugene G. Maurakis, David V. Grimes

Virginia Journal of Science

Objectives were to test the hypothesis that stream order and stream width alone account for species diversity in drainages of Greece, and to create a mathematical model that predicts fish diversity in small and medium sized freshwater streams in the southern Balkan Peninsula in accord with the stream classification system proposed by the European Environmental Agency (EEA). Thirty-seven species of fishes in 12 families (Petromyzontidae, Anguillidae, Cyprinidae, Moronidae, Centrarchidae, and Blenniidae) were collected in five stream orders (1-5) from 19 river drainages in Greece in 1993 and from 2000-2002. Numbers of species were significantly correlated with stream order (+), width …

Identification Key To Fishes In Fresh Waters Of Greece, Eugene G. Maurakis, Panos S. Economidis

Virginia Journal of Science

The European Environmental Agency formulated a biodiversity initiative in 1996 specifying a freshwater stream-monitoring program to inventory, identify and describe aquatic and terrestrial species in European Union countries. With one of the richest freshwater ichthyofaunas in Europe (126 fish taxa: 97 species and 29 subspecies of primary or secondary freshwater fishes), Greece has two extinct fish species, five listed as critically endangered, and 29 considered endangered and/or vulnerable. There are, however, no published identification guides that are available for identifying fish specimens from fresh waters in Greece. We present an English translation of the only available identification key (in Greek) …

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

Veterinary Science and Medicine Collection

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

Design And Standards For Genetic Evaluation Of Swine Seedstock Populations, T. J. Baas, R. N. Goodwin, L. L. Christian, R. K. Johnson, O. W. Robison, J. W. Mabry, K. Clark, M. Tokach, S. Henry, P. J. Berger

Department of Animal Science: Faculty Publications

The purpose of this article is to describe a program for evaluation of seedstock populations in the swine industry. Differences among seedstock populations for economically important traits must be identified in order for pork producers to efficiently use available genetic resources. National genetic evaluation programs have the potential to identify the important differences among populations and to increase the rate of genetic improvement in a population. Program results provide performance benchmarks that stimulate testing and selection procedures by seedstock suppliers that further increase the rate of genetic improvement. A Terminal Sire Line Genetic Evaluation Program was designed and conducted in …

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

Aquaculture Collection

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

Fisheries Research Contract Report No. 4 - Determining Waste Excretion Parameters From Barramundi Aquaculture: Final Report For Aquaculture Development Fund Of Wa, Brett Glencross, Neil Rutherford, Wayne Hawkins

Fisheries Research Contract Reports

This study was undertaken to evaluate the nutrient excretion budgets for each of three key commercial diets when fed to barramundi (Lates calcarifer). The diets differed primarily in their energy density ranging from 21.3 MJ/kg DM to 23.0 MJ/kg DM, with the protein content of each diet being relatively constant at around 550 g/kg DM. The determination of the nutrient excretion budgets required the assessment of the digestibilities of key nutrients from each of the diets and also the specific retention of nutrients over a prolonged period. This necessitated two digestibility trials and a growth trial.

An examination was also …

The Effects Of The Trawl Fishery On The Stock Of Pink Snapper, Pagrus Auratus, In Denham Sound, Shark Bay, M. Moran, M. I. Kangas

Fisheries Research Bulletins

Snapper stocks in the inner gulfs of Shark Bay are in a depleted condition, both in trawled and non-trawled areas, with the main factor contributing to the depletion considered to be recreational fishing for adult snapper, including some mortality of undersized snapper returned to the water. The commercial prawn trawl fishery catches many small fish species, including small juvenile pink snapper, as part of its unintended bycatch. Some members of the local community believe that mortality of juvenile snapper due to trawling has also been a significant factor in depletion of the adult stock in Denham Sound, Shark Bay. While …

Effects Of Management Practices On Grassland Birds: Greater Prairie-Chicken, W. D. Svedarsky, J. E. Toepfer, R. L. Westemeier, R. J. Robel

United States Geological Survey: Effects of Management Practices on Grassland Birds

Information on the habitat requirements and effects of habitat management on grassland birds were summarized from information in more than 5,500 published and unpublished papers. A range map is provided to indicate the breeding distribution of Greater Prairie-Chicken in the United States and southern Canada. Although birds frequently are observed outside the breeding range indicated, the maps are intended to show areas where managers might concentrate their attention. It may be ineffectual to manage habitat at a site for a species that rarely occurs in an area. The species account begins with a brief capsule statement, which provides the fundamental …

Fisheries Research Contract Report No. 3 - Early Life History Of Abalone (Haliotis Rubra, H. Laevigata): Settlement, Survival And Early Growth. Final Report For Frdc Project 1998/306, Dr Sabine Daume

Fisheries Research Contract Reports

Australian abalone fisheries produce a high value, export-orientated products that provided 60% of the world supply in 1994 (Fleming, 2000). With wild abalone fisheries declining in countries worldwide, the interest in aquaculture products has increased substantially. The world production of abalone from aquaculture in 1999 was approximately 7,775 tonnes with only 89 tonnes (ca. 1%) being produced in Australia (Fleming, 2000). Abalone farming is expected to develop into a major industry and is a significant investment opportunity (McNamara, Victorian Aquaculture Strategy, May 1997). Future production from the numerous farms and sites either established, under construction or approved in Australia, could …

Sheep Updates 2003 - Posters, Maxine Brown, Gaye Krebs, Diana Fredorenko, Kathryn Edgerton-Warburton, Evan Burt, Nazrul Islam, Roy Butler, L. G. Butler, S. R. Brown, M. F. D'Antuono, J. C. Greeff, Ken Hart, Tanya Kilminster, Rachel Kirby, M. E. Ladyman, A. C. Schlink, I. H. Williams, P. E. Vercoe, Anyou Lui, Karen Smith, Martin Bent, Matthew Young

Sheep Updates

This session covers eleven papers from different authors:1 Sheep production on annual stubbles/pastures vs lucerne Maxine Brown Gaye Krebs Muresk Institute, Curtin University Diana Fedorenko Kathryn Egerton-Warburton Centre for Cropping Systems, Department of Agriculture Western Australia 2. The value chain of the Lake Grace livestock industry Evan Burt Nazrul Islam Department of Agriculture Western Australia 3. Native pastures, Dorper sheep and the 2002 drought Roy Butler Department of Agriculture Western Australia 4. Commercial sheep breeders can improve their sheep breeding program using wether trials L.G. Butler, S.R. Brown, M.F. D’Antuono, J.C. Greeff Department of Agriculture 5. Western Australia Linked ewe …

Sheep Updates 2003 - Economics, Anne Bennett, Steve Dilley, Ian Foster, Emma Kopke, John Young, Ross Kingwell, Mohammad Quaddus, Nazrul Islam, John Stanton, Caroline Peak

Sheep Updates

This session covers five papers from different authors:

1. Burping sheep are warming the planet. Anne Bennett, Department of Agriculture, Western Australia

2. When will the family owned farm make the Endangered Species List? Steve Dilley, 2001 Nuffield Farming Scholar, Donnybrook apple and beef producer

3. Recent trends and future climate in WA. Ian Foster, Department of Agriculture

4. Profitability of sheep systems in WA’s South Coast for various commodity price scenarios. Emma Kopke, John Young and Ross Kingwell.

5. How profitable are your pasture systems - Take the STEP to find out. Caroline Peek, Department of Agriculture Geraldton

Sheep Updates 2003 - Pastures, Ed Barrett-Lennard, Hayley Norman, Robyn Dynes, David Masters, David Henry, Stephen Gherardi, Graham Donald, Asoka Edirisinghe, Chris Oldham, Richard Smith, Joanne Sneddon, Mike Hyder, Andrew Thompson, Kazue Tanaka, Roy Latta, Chris Matthews, Brad Nutt, Angela Loi, Tim Wiley

Sheep Updates

This session covers seven papers from different authors: 1. Pastures for saline land, Ed Barrett-Lennard 1Department of Agriculture, Western Australia, Hayley Norman, Robyn Dynes and David Masters CSIRO Livestock Industries, Centre for Mediterranean Agricultural Research, Floreat Park, 2. Feeding value - the essential link between pastures and animals CSIRO Livestock Industries, Centre for Environmental and Life Sciences 3. ‘Pastures from space’ - how do we do it, how well do we do it and what do producers think about it? Stephen Gherardi Department of Agriculture Western Australia Graham Donald Asoka Edirisinghe Dave Henry CSIRO Livestock Industries Chris Oldham Department of …

Draft Plan Of Management For The Proposed Point Quobba Fish Habitat Protection Area., Department Of Fisheries

Fisheries Management Papers

Point Quobba is a popular site for locals and tourists for beach activities, fishing and snorkelling, and as a place for children to learn to swim and gain an awareness of the marine environment. The marine life and habitats of the area are of considerable scientific and recreational interest and are highly valued in the local community. However, they are at risk from their high level of use and from conflict between users due to their proximity to popular tourism, boat ramp, camping and settlement areas on-shore.

Management Of The Proposed Geographe Bay Blue Swimmer And Sand Crab Managed Fishery., Jane Borg

Fisheries Management Papers

This discussion paper has been prepared following an extensive consultation process, to encourage continued public involvement in the development of management arrangements for the blue swimmer and sand crab resources of Geographe Bay. These proposed management arrangements affect both commercial and recreational fishers.

Animal Science Alumni Newsletter, Summer 2003

Department of Animal Science: Departmental News

No abstract provided.