Animal Sciences Commons^™

Osteoarthrosis In A Coyote X Dog Hybrid From Nebraska, B. R. Mahan, P. S. Gipson

University of Nebraska State Museum: Mammalogy Papers

Osteoarthrosis is described in a wild, 14-year-old coyote (Canis latrans) x dog (C. familiaris) hybrid shot in southeastern Nebraska. There was ankylosis of five vertebrae, the head of the left femur was absent, and periarticular osteophytes occurred throughout the skeleton. The age is significant because wild coyotes seldom live beyond 6 years and coyote x dog hybrids are considered to be less fit for survival in the wild than coyotes.

Analysis Of The Flehmen Display In American Bison (Bison Bison), Brian R. Mahan, Michael P. Munger, Harvey L. Gunderson

University of Nebraska State Museum: Mammalogy Papers

A tota1 of 873 Flehmen (lip curl) displays by bison (Bison bison) was recorded and statistically analyzed in relation to individual factors such as age and sex, and external factors such as wind speed, wind direction, temperature, humidity, and Flehmen stimulus to determine if differences between subgroups of individuals existed and if Flehmen was environmentally affected. The mean lip curl display duration for all individuals was 8.4 seconds. Statistical tests of Flehmen duration means grouped by Flehmen stimuli showed a significant difference (p < 0.05). Lip curl duration means for males (8.3 sec.) and females (9.3 sec.), "maturity classes", all age-classes, cow age-classes, and bull age-classes were significantly different (p < 0.05). Because of a marked decrease of duration means for "prime" bulls, some relationship between Flehmen duration and sexual behavior of bulls was suggested. Windspeed, humidity, and temperature were determined …

Vasectomization & Colloidal Particle Uptake By Cells Of The Caput Epididymis, Gaylan Smith, Wayne A. Becker

Journal of the Minnesota Academy of Science

India ink was injected into the rete testes of 15 male mice and 15 male rats. The progress of the particulate matter through the epididymis was examined by histological methods at intervals from 4 to 24 hours. Preliminary observations suggest that vasectomization does not alter the ability of the proximal caput epididymis to absorb particulate matter.

The Reproductive Cycle Of Microtus Ochrogaster In Eastern Kansas, Robert K. Rose, Michael S. Gaines

Biological Sciences Faculty Publications

About 800 Microtus ochrogaster were live—trapped at biweekly intervals from May 1971 through March 1973 in 3 grassland study areas in eastern Kansas, USA. Details of reproduction were determined by autopsy. Population density increased through the first winter, reached a peak in April 1972, then declined sharply during that summer and beyond. Body length, but not body mass, tended to be positively related to density. Both sexes matured at about the same weight; development was somewhat prolonged during the winter months, especially in the winter preceding the population peak. Pregnancy rates were high, approaching maximal iteroparity, throughout the study, with …

Bvr-1, A Restriction Locus Of A Type C Rna Virus In The Feline Cellular Genome: Pleiotropic Restriction Of Endogenous Balb Virus In Cat X Mouse Somatic Cell Hybrids, Stephen J. O'Brien, Janice M. Simonson

Biology Faculty Articles

Bvr-1 is a dominant X-linked feline gene which restricts the replication of B-tropic murineleukemia virus (B-MuLV) in somatic cell hybrids between murine BALB/c-RAG cells and FL-74 feline cells. Since the hybrids were originally derived by the hypoxanthine aminopterin thymidine selection scheme, counter selection experiments on 6-thioguanine result in preferential survival of hybrid cells which have spontaneously lost the feline X-chromosome on which is located the structural gene for hypoxanthine guanine phosphoribosyl transferase (IMP: pyrophosphate phosphoribosyl transferase, E.C. 2.4.2.8) and Bvr-1. Back selected Bvr-1^- cells express high parental levels of B-MuLV. Bvr-1^- effectively restricts the IdU-mediated induction of …

Capillaria Sp. From Cryptotis Parva, Joseph N'Dong

Masters Theses

Twenty-nine Cryptotis parva were trapped at Lincoln Log Cabin State Park in Coles County Illinois between 22 December 1976 and 31 January 1978. Trapped specimens were necropsied and examined for the presence of helminth parasites. Nematode infections were found to be present in eight (27.2%) of the shrews collected with five (17.2%) of the males and three (10.3%) of the females infected. Three adult female nematodes were recovered from the small intestines of the host specimens, described and identified as the genus Capillaria. No male Capillaria were obtained and therefore species identification was impossible. However, the general appearance of …

Utilization Of Heat Sensitivity In Crotalidae, James Cordrey Miller

Masters Theses

Specimens of five genera of snakes (Crotalus, Agkistrodon, Bitis, Epicrates, and Elaphe) were tested for use of thermal cues in food selection. Results indicate that pit vipers (Crotalus and Agkistrodon) and boas (Epicrates) utilize thermal radiation in selection of food. It was also indicated that Crotalus (rattlesnakes) do not invariably show a reflexive strike before food is investigated or ingested.

A Study Of Symbiosis Involving The Fish-Eating Bat (Myotis Vivesi), The Least Petrel (Halocyptera Microsoma), The Black Petrel (Oceanodroma Melania), And The Lizard (Cnemidophorus Tigris), Joel King

Masters Theses

A field study was conducted on Partida Island in the Gulf of Mexico on the dates May 26 through July 26, 1977, inclusive.

Field observations were made of the lizard (Cnemidophorus tigris) preying on eggs and hatchlings of the least petrel (Halocyptena microsoma), and the black petrel (Oceanodroma melania). The petrels roost among rock slides with the fish-eating bat (Myotis vivesi).

In 24 trials of experimental boxes with lizards, bats, and petrels as subjects, 16 trials resulted in aggression of bats to lizards.

A symbiosis is postulated between bats and petrels.

Epizoic Protozoa Of Planktonic Copepoda And Cladocera From A Small Eutrophic Lake, And Their Possible Use As Indicators Of Organic Water Pollution, Michael Stevens Henebry

Masters Theses

The epizoic protozoa of planktonic copepoda and cladocera from a eutrophic lake (Ashmore Lake, Coles County, Illinois) were studied over a 13-week period in the summer and fall of 1975. All organisms were collected with a 125 micron mesh plankton net. Epizoans (all peritrichs and suctorians) were hosted by three of four species of copepods and four of the ten species of cladocerans. The percentage of total organisms hosting epizoans varied significantly (0.001 alpha level) by month, but averaged 11.6 percent. This high occurrence of epizoans was thought to be related to the highly-eutrophic conditions existing in the lake. If …

Zoogeography Of Antillean Bats, Robert J. Baker, Hugh H. Genoways

University of Nebraska State Museum: Mammalogy Papers

Analysis of the bat fauna of the Antillean Islands suggest that the most probable source of invasion of the islands by bats is by overwater dispersal. The bat fauna of ·the Greater Antilles is unique, a percentage of endemism on each island being over 50 percent except for the Virgin Islands which has 33 percent endemics.

The richest bat fauna in the Antilles is on Cuba (32 species) followed by Jamaica (23 species) then Hispaniola (17 species) and Puerto Rico (16 species). The number of species found on Cuba is probably the result of the island's proximity to Central and …

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

University of Nebraska State Museum: Mammalogy Papers

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

1977 Fall Field Day

Nebraska Bird Review

1977 Fall Field Day

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

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

Nebraska Bird Review

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

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

Nebraska Bird Review

Table of Contents

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

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

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

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

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

Nebraska Bird Review

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

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

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

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

University of Nebraska State Museum: Mammalogy Papers

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

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

Nebraska Bird Review

TABLE OF CONTENTS

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

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

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

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

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

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

University of Nebraska State Museum: Mammalogy Papers

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

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

Meeting Of The Elephant Interest Group At Michigan State University, June 21, 1977, Jeheskel Shoshani

Elephant

Digest of the minutes of the first informal meeting of the Elephant Interest Group at the 57th Annual Meeting of the American Society of Mamalogists (ASM).

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

Nebraska Bird Review

TABLE OF CONTENTS

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

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

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

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

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

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

Nebraska Bird Review

Table of Contents

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Continuation Of Spider Research In Arkansas: Ouachita Mountain Area, Peggy Rae Dorris, Fred L. Burnside Jr.

Journal of the Arkansas Academy of Science

No abstract provided.

Anomalies Of Limb Regeneration In The Adult Salamander, Ambystoma Annulatum, Henry E. Young

Journal of the Arkansas Academy of Science

Regeneration in the adult salamander, Ambystoma annulatum, parallels that of the adult newt (Iten & Bryant, 1973). However, a number of unique features become apparent upon examination of anomalies of adult regenerates. Two regenerates which displayed gross abnormalities revealed, upon histological examination, unique features which give insight into a possible pattern of digit formation in this species of adult salamander. Normal regenerates show 4 or 5 digits radiating distal to the same respective number of bones (distal carpals) present in the distal row of wrist bones. The first anomaly showed only two large, fused distal carpals and two lateral digits. …

Epidermal Ridge Formation During Limb Regeneration In The Adult Salamander, Ambystoma Annulatum, Henry E. Young

Journal of the Arkansas Academy of Science

Regeneration was studied in the Ambystoma annulatum by the amputation of the right forearm of twenty-four adults, over a twelve month period. At the termination of the experiment the limbs were reamputated 1-2 mm proximal to the original amputation site. The regenerated portions were staged, examined at the gross morphological level, and prepared for histological examination. Gross examination revealed a thickened, ridge-like projection along the distal edge of all regenerating forelimbs at the Early Bud through Middle Palette Stages. Histological examination confirmed the existence of this structure as early as Wound Healing and continuing through Middle Palette to a pseudo-epidermal …

Immunization Of Rats Against Mesocestoides Corti (Cestoda) By Subcutaneous Vaccination Of Living Tetrathyridia And By Passive Transfer With Serum, Jerry Y. Niederkorn

Journal of the Arkansas Academy of Science

Laboratory rats were subcutaneously vaccinated with 100 live tetrathyridia of Mesocestoides corti (Cestoda) and subsequently intraperitoneally challenged with 50 tetrathyridia. Necropsy 30 days postinfection revealed that vaccinated rats harbored 97.4% fewer worms compared to control rats. In a second experiment, passive transfer of immunity was accomplished by immune serum from subcutaneously vaccinated rats. Rats receiving immune serum harbored 33.4% lighter worm burdens compared to normal serum recipients.

Mosquitofish, Gambusia Affinis (Baird And Girard) Production In Extensive Polyculture System, Scott H. Newton, Andrew J. Merkowsky, Ambus J. Handcock, Max V. Miesch

Journal of the Arkansas Academy of Science

During 1976, mosquitofish, Gambusia affinis Baird and Girard, were reared in combination with food and game fishes in 0.1 ha culture ponds at the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff fisheries research facility. Mosquitofish production was 218 kg/ha, with 1683 fish per kilogram, in ponds that were also stocked with channel catfish, Ictalurus punctatus Rafinesque, bigmouth buffalo, Ictiobus cyprinellus Valenciennes, grass carp, Ctenopharyngodon idella Valenciennes, and silver carp, Hypophthalmichthys molitrix Valenciennes. In another similar stocked pond, hybrid sunfish fingerlings depressed mosquitofish yield by 79%. No mosquitofish production was obtained in ponds stocked with 250 largemouth bass, Xficropterus salmoides Lacepede, fry …

Attraction Of Aerial Insects As A Fish Food Supplement, Andrew J. Merkowsky, Ambus J. Handcock, Scott H. Newton

Journal of the Arkansas Academy of Science

Insect populations over a 1.2 hectare southeast Arkansas livestock pond were sampled to consider the possibility of their use as a fish food supplement. A commercial insect attraction unit was suspended above the pond, and attracted insects were collected. Insect populations were sampled 3-4 nights each month, January-December, 1976. Insects collected were identified and analyses were performed to determine nutritional composition and pesticide content. Insect samples were variable, however, 62% of the insects identified were in the Order Diptera and 97% of these were in the Family Chironomidae. Nutritional analyses revealed insects were more than 60% crude protein. Pesticide analysis …

Cave Fauna Of Arkansas: Vertebrate Taxa, V. Rick Mcdaniel, James E. Gardner

Journal of the Arkansas Academy of Science

The second in a series of papers describing the fauna of Arkansas caves includes distributional records and ecological status (as a cavernicole) of 53 vertebrate taxa, including: 3 fishes, 7 salamanders, 6 frogs, 3 lizards, 7 snakes, one turtle, 3 birds, and 23 mammals. Several of the taxa occur on state lists of endangered species, but records accumulated during the past 5 years indicate the need for a reevaluation of the actual populational status of these organisms.

Role Of Olfaction In "Taste-Aversion" To Ptc In Mice, Richard C. Lewis

Journal of the Arkansas Academy of Science

The objective of most taste research involving choice is to eliminate from the experiment all cues to the animal except those that are strictly gustatory. Among those potentially confounding cues, one of the most obvious is olfaction, although it often remains uncontrolled in taste experiments. The present report clearly demonstrates the role played by olfaction in a discrimination experiment with C57B1/6 and CFW mice as regards their response to phenylthiocarbamide (PTC) when paired with water. The results have implications for conclusions drawn by other investigators who have attributed differences in PTC sensitivity in mice to taste alone.

Utilization Of Nest Boxes By The Southern Flying Squirrel, Glaucomys Volans, In Central Arkansas, Gary A. Heidt

Journal of the Arkansas Academy of Science

Thirty-five nest boxes were placed 4.5-5.5 meters above the ground in an eight acre mixed pine-hardwood plot 20 km SE of Bryant, Saline County, Arkansas. These boxes were monitored from February, 1972, to May, 1975. Flying squirrels used the boxes between October and May, probably returning to den trees during the hotter period of the year. A total of 30 squirrels (18 males and 12 females) were marked by ear notching during the three year period. The winter population of the study area was estimated to be between 10 and 15 squirrels. It was not uncommon to find eight or …