Animal Sciences Commons^™

Ecology Of Glacial Relict Fishes In South Dakota's Sandhills Region, Eli Felts

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Native stream fish zoogeography has changed substantially across North America during the last century as habitat degradation, stream fragmentation and introductions of nonnative species have led to numerous extinctions, extirpations and altered distributions. Insufficient information regarding imperiled species often results in reactive, rather than proactive, management, and knowledge of species status and ecology is critical in identifying conservation priorities. South Dakota populations of three dace species (northern redbelly dace Chrosomus eos, finescale dace Chrosomus neogaeus, and pearl dace Margariscus margarita) are relict of Pleistocene Glaciation and are isolated from the northern core of their distribution, but little information exists regarding …

Historical Catch Trends And Efficacy Of Video Surveillance Monitoring Of Catch Per Unit Effort At Recreational Fishing Piers In South Carolina, Charles Christian Johnson

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

In recent years, recreational anglers claim declining catch rates in the shore-based pier fishery in South Carolina. The study seeks to evaluate whether catch data supports angler testimony in this region, to examine the relationship of landings at piers in context of the regional level, and to test a method which would enhance the ability of managers to monitor landings of this under-studied fishery. Novel, non-standardized catch series extending back to 1973 were acquired from fishing piers and examined in an attempt to produce significant trends in measures of catch. King mackerel catch (Scomberomorus cavalla) was tested for correlation to …

Reproductive Success Of American Kestrels (Falco Sparverius) Nesting In Boxes Along An Interstate In Northeastern Tennessee., Jennifer Robertson Powers

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Nest box programs provide supplemental nest sites for American Kestrels, Falco sparverius. When the availability of nest sites is a limiting factor, the addition of nest boxes can increase local breeding populations. These programs also facilitate the collection of data on breeding kestrels.

This study focuses on an American Kestrel (Falco sparverius) nest box trail along Interstate 26 in northeastern Tennessee during the breeding seasons of 1998, 1999, 2000, 2003, 2004, 2006, and 2009. Productivity measures and reproductive success of nesting birds are provided and compared to other programs. The data are analyzed across years and by …

Mapping The Dorsal Skin Pigmentation Patterns Of Two Sympatric Populations Of Ambystomatid Salamanders, Ambystoma Opacum And A. Maculatum From Northeast Tennessee., Lok Raj Pokhrel

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Because of growing concern of habitat fragmentation and its adverse effects on salamander communities in Appalachian region, sympatric populations of ambystomatid salamanders A. opacum and A. maculatum were studied in Northeast Tennessee to address a number of questions: i) the extent of sexual size dimorphism (SSD) in both species, ii) what traits influence the dorsal skin pigmentation and how, iii) whether gender differences in developmental stability occur, and iv) the extent of phenotypic variation within each species. The findings of this study revealed SSD in both species of salamanders. The most parsimonious statistical model was developed that explained the influence …

Reintroduction Of Bison (Bison Bison) On Reservations In South Dakota: Four Case Studies, Trudy M. Ecoffey

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

This research explored and documented issues of sustainability associated with the reintroduction of bison in four different bison herds on Reservations in South Dakota. The four herds were managed by: a tribal family cooperative, an individual tribal member, a tribal university and a tribal fish and wildlife agency. The objectives were to identify management practices associated with the sustainability of bison introduction by American Indians; to explore the role of American Indian culture in the management of bison for sustainability; and to investigate rangeland criteria that could be used to measure sustainability of bison reintroduced by American Indians. This project …

Status, Distribution, And Density Of White-Tailed Jackrabbits And Black-Tailed Jackrabbits In South Dakota, Dustin J. Schaible

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The status of jackrabbit (Lepus spp.) populations throughout the Northern Great Plains has been a cause for concern by wildlife managers in recent years and there has been a paucity of information about the ecology of the white-tailed jackrabbit (Lepus townsendii) and the black-tailed jackrabbit (Lepus californicus) in South Dakota. Since there have been little monitoring efforts for hares, 21 permanent spotlight line transects were established across South Dakota for future surveying efforts. These transects were surveyed to obtain baseline information about jackrabbit density and distribution throughout the state. Jackrabbit density was highest in the northwestern portions of the state …

Seasonal Territoriality In The Carolina Wren, Thryothorus Ludovicianus, To Visual And Vocal Stimuli., Mark Allen Dunaway

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Carolina Wrens, Thryothorus ludovicianus, are permanent residents throughout their range. They form pair bonds at a young age, maintain these bonds for multiple years, and defend feeding/breeding territories year round. Male Carolina Wrens use songs in territorial defense and have been shown to countersing regularly to both neighbors and intruders. They use various song characteristics to determine the location of another bird and whether its territory has been invaded.

Wrens often approach playbacks silently in apparent searching behavior. In some cases, birds will investigate the playback but fail to countersing. I wanted to determine whether or not wrens would …

Grassland And Woodland Bird Occurrence And Habitat Selection In The Prairie-Forest Transition Zone Of Minnesota, Thomas Robert Cooper

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Numerous species of woodland and grassland nesting birds have experienced population declines in the midwestern United States. Habitat loss and habitat fragmentation are suspected to be two of the underlying causes for the population declines of woodland and grassland birds. The Minnesota Valley Wetland Management District (WMD) covers 14 counties in southeastern Minnesota in the transition zone between forested and prairie ecoregions. Little information is available relative to which birds are using grassland or woodland habitat within the WMD and how their presence or absence is related to the available habitat conditions. Therefore, my study objectives were to: 1) determine …

Influence Of Diets Formulated To Increase The Supply Of Ketones Or Ketone Precursors On The Carbohydrate Status And Performance Of Transition Dairy Cows, Jeffrey Michael Defrain

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Research to date has focused on increasing the supply of glucose precursors in transition dairy cows to reduce ketosis. Ketones and ketone bodies represent energy sources for body tissues; therefore, conserving blood glucose for lactose synthesis in the mammary gland. This led to the hypothesis that transition cows might benefit from diets formulated to stimulate rumen epithelial ketogenesis or dietary ingredients supplying ketone precursors. A series of experiments were conducted to study the impact of diets formulated to increase the supply of ketones (via feeding lactose, glycerol, or an alphaamylase enzyme preparation) or ketone precursors (feeding Ca soaps of longchain …

Use Of High Pressure Liquid Chromatography To Detect And Quantify Oxytetracycline Marks In Walleye Otoliths And Dorsal Spines, Michael J. Hawkins

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Oxytetracycline (OTC) is used to chemically mark calcified structures in walleye Stizostedion vitreum fry and fingerlings. Current visual methods for detection of these marks are subjective, and biologists are unable to quantify the amount of OTC in a sample. The goal of this study was to determine if high pressure liquid chromatography (HPLC) is a feasible and superior alternative for detecting and quantifying OTC in otoliths of fry-marked and spines of fingerlingmarked walleyes. Study objectives were to validate methodology of extraction of OTC from calcified tissue, detect and quantify extracted OTC using HPLC, and determine a cost comparison of current …

The Status And Distribution Of The Topeka Shiner Notropis Topeka In Eastern South Dakota, Carmen M. Blausey

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The Topeka shiner Notropis topeka is a small (< 75 mm) minnow that inhabits prairie streams in several north central plains states. Once widespread and abundant throughout its historic range, the Topeka shiner is now found only in isolated populations. Because of an 80% reduction in occurrence throughout their range, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service listed the Topeka shiner as endangered in January 1999. At the time, limited information on habitat preferences and dist1ibution existed for this species in South Dakota. The objectives of this study were to measure local habitat features and water quality conditions at the reach scale at Topeka shiner study sites, create a model using these data to determine favorable habitat conditions, and identify fish species commonly associated with Topeka shiners. Fish and habitat data were collected at 61 tributary sites of the James, Vermillion, and Big Sioux rivers from June through September in 1999 and 2000. Sample sites in 1999 were based on historic Topeka shiner records in the South Dakota Natural Heritage Database. Sample sites in 2000 were based on a draft GIS model identifying potential Topeka shiner streams. Fish were collected with seines between block nets and standard procedures were used to measure physical and hydrological features of stream reaches. Cyprinids dominated the fish community for each river basin during both sample years. Insectivores and omnivores were the dominant trophic classes for each river basin for both sample years. Fish community associations for Topeka shiners were based on two stepwise logistic regression models: abundance of individual species at each site and presence or absence of individual species at each site. The abundance model indicated that Topeka shiners were most commonly associated with orangespotted sunfish Lepomis lutrenis and tadpole madtoms Noturns gyrinus. The presence/absence model showed that Topeka shiners were typically associated with red shiners Notropis lutrenis, tadpole madtoms Noturns gyrinus, black bullheads Ameiurus melas, and bigmouth shiners Notropis dorsalis. Habitat preferences were based on three stepwise logistic regression models: physical habitat water quality, and substrate composition at the reach scale. The physical habitat model indicated that Topeka shiners are associated with stream reaches that had low animal use, overhanging vegetation, stream bank vegetation comprised of sedges/rushes, low depositional zones, and run macrohabitat. The water quality model did not indicate any favorable or preferred conditions. The substrate model indicated that Topeka shiners are associated with stream reaches that had fine gravel or cobble substrates. The results of my study will lead to a better understanding of Topeka shiner distribution and habitat, and aid federal and state agencies in making management decisions that provide for protection and preservation of this species.

Invertebrate Egg And Plant Seed Banks In Natural, Restored, And Drained Wetlands In The Prairie Pothole Region (Usa) And Potential Effects Of Sedimentation On Recolonization Of Hydrophytes And Aquatic Invertebrates, Robert Andrew Gleason

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Sediment is the major pollutant of wetlands, lakes, rivers, and estuaries in the United States and it poses unique threats to wetlands of the Prairie Pothole Region (PPR). Sediment may impact the success of wetland restorations because burial of invertebrate and plant propagules may impact hatching and germination success, and hence, may hamper successional changes throughout interannual climate cycles. Sedimentation also reduces the pool depth and volume, further exacerbating the recovery of hydrophyte communities in restored wetlands. I evaluated the potential impacts of sedimentation on prairie wetlands from several perspectives. First, I evaluated the effects of sedimentation on loss of …

Seasonal Investigation Of Native Fishes And Their Habitats In Missouri River And Yellowstone River Backwaters, Shannon J. Fisher

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Interactions between the Missouri River and its floodplain have been severely degraded due to channelization and impoundment. Ecologists have assumed that backwaters are a critical habitat component for certain life stages of native fishes; however, documented relationships are limited. During this study, I monitored fishes, invertebrates, and habitats to help determine the importance of backwaters to native fishes of various life stages, and to assess the changes that occur in habitat characteristics and invertebrate densities during periods with differential connectivity. Seven assemblages of fishes, identified with catch-per-unit-effort data, had at least some relationship with the backwaters. The assemblages included two …

Food Habits And Diet Overlap Of Age-1 And Older Walleye And White Bass In Lake Poinsett, South Dakota, Andrew B. Starostka

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

White bass Marone chysops and walleye Stizostedion vitreum coexist in several of the large glacial lakes in eastern South Dakota. I collected age-1 and older white bass and walleye in Lake Poinsett, South Dakota during May, July and September, 1998 to determine food habits and diet overlap using percent by weight to describe diets and Schoener's index (Cxy) to determine diet overlap. Macroinvertebrates were common prey items for white bass in all length groups during all sample dates. The primary macroinvertebrates consumed by white bass were corixids, amphipods and dipterans. Fish, as a group, were second in diet importance over …

Use Of The Relative Dose Response Assay To Determine The Vitamin A Status Of Neonatal Calves: Effects Of Season On Colostrum Quality And Immunological Parameters, Mary Jo Boner

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Plasma vitamin A is not a reliable indicator of vitamin A status. Therefore, the feasibility of using the relative dose response (RDR) assay as a method for determining vitamin A status of calves was examined. In addition, effects of colostrum quality and season on vitamin A status and health of calves were determined. Blood was sampled from the jugular vein of 16 newborn calves to establish values over a 24 h period for immunoglobulin M (IgM) concentration, hematocrit, serum protein concentration, and leukocyte differentials. Liver biopsies were performed at birth, and successfully completed for 11 calves. Blood samples were obtained …

Characteristics Of Milk And Reduced Fat Cheddar Cheese From Cows Fed Extruded Soybeans And Niacin, Matthew Ryan Lentsch

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Today's consumers are demanding food products that are "low-fat", "reduced fat", "high in -unsaturated fatty acids", and "low cholesterol". This trend in food product selection is at the advice of many health professionals. Current health recommendations are to lower the dietary intake of fat, especially saturated fat. In 1992, total dairy sales accounted for over 10% of total food sales (Milk Industry Foundation, 1993). Since dairy products are perceived as being hypercholesterolemic, a market exists for dairy products which are "lower in fat" and/or "lower in saturated fat". It is said that "consumer perception is marketing reality", and because of …

Population Status And Characteristics Of Macrhybopsis Gelida, Platygobio Gracilis And Rhinichthys Cataractae In The Missouri River Basin, Selena J. Werdon

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Few sturgeon chub (Macrhybopsis gelida: Cyprinidae) have been collected in the last decade, therefore their status, habitat selection and morphology were investigated at 172 previous collection sites. Data on two ecologically similar species, Platygobio gracilis and Rhinichthys cataractae, were also collected. Macrhvbopsis gelida were collected at 28 sites on the Powder River (n = 158) in Wyoming and Montana, and at one site on the Yellowstone River (n = 1) in Montana. Age-I, Age-II and Age-III M. gelida were collected. Specimens were 37 to 95 mm in total length. Macrhvbopsis gelida were ripe in mid-June, at water temperatures of 18.3-22. …

Lactational Evaluation Of Recombinant Bovine Somatotropin With Corn And Barley Diets, Wade Arthur Eisenbeisz

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Forty-eight Holstein cows were randomly assigned wk 3 postpartum to a corn or barley diet from wk 4 through 44 postpartum. Cows within diets at wk 14 were randomly assigned to receive 0 (control), 10.3, 20.6, and 30.9 mg/hd/d of recombinant bovine somatotropin injected wk 15 through 44 postpartum. Forage dry matter was 80% corn silage and 20% alfalfa hay. Forage to concentrate ratio in total mixed diets varied from 50:50 to 70:30 with milk production. For the entire lactation, milk production of (29.7 and 29.1 kg/d) and 4% FCM (27.3 and ·25.9 kg/d) was lower for cows fed barley …

Characteristics Of Milk And Butter From Cows Fed Sunflower Seeds, Robert Paul Middaugh

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Composition of milk and butter was evaluated from cows fed either control, or experimental diets containing added added fat of partially unsaturated fatty acid composition. The control diet concentrate mix consisted mainly of corn and soybean meal. The two experimental diets substituted either 20% high oleic acid sunflower seeds () 79% of fatty acids as oleic acid) or 20% regular sunflower seeds () 67% of fatty acids as linoleic acid) for part of the corn and soybean meal in the concentrate -mix. Milk protein concentration was similar for the control (3.3%) and high oleic sunflower seeds (3.3%), but increased in …

Adaptation Of Striped Bass To Sea Water Following Direct Transfer From Freshwater: Morphological, Biochemical, And Physiological Parameters, Judy A. King

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

There has been heightened interest in the biology of striped bass (Morone saxatilis) because of increased pollution in their native spawning grounds and because of their extensive use in landlocked sport fisheries. Their euryhalinity makes them an excellent species for osmoregulation studies. The objective of this research was to study the rate of adaptation of striped bass gills to sea water (3% salt) after direct transfer from freshwater using biochemical (ion transport enzyme levels), physiological (chloride efflux), and ultrastructural methods. Striped bass have specialized osmoregulatory cells located on the interlamellar and afferent surfaces of their gill filaments as shown by …

Chickpeas As A Protein And Energy Supplement For High Producing Dairy Cows, Darryl Lynn Hadsell

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Thirty lactating Holstein cows were randomly assigned to one of three diets to evaluate chickpeas as a dietary supplement from wk 4 to 16 postpartum. Diets contained chickpeas at 0, 50, and 100 % of the concentrate dry matter in place of corn and soybean meal. Total mixed diets, fed individually, contained concentrate corn silage and alfalfa hay at 52, 32, and 16 % of the dry matter. Milk yield (34.5, 35.1, 35.7 kg/d) was higher for cows fed 100 % chickpeas than 0 % chickpeas. Fat (3.06, 3.09, 3.28 %) was highest for cows fed 100 % chickpeas. Milk …

Growth And Proteolytic Activity Of Selected Psychrotrophic Bacteria In Whole Milk And Whole Milk Retentate, Ravinder Reddy

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

In the last twenty years a number of membrane separation processes have evolved from laboratory scale, through pilot plant investigation, to full scale production units. One such process, ultrafiltration, has been found particularly useful in the dairy industry. Ultrafiltration uses porous polymeric membranes to separate molecules, principally on the basis of their molecular weight. In milk, fat, protein and associated substances are retained on the membrane. Permeate, which passes through the membrane contains mainly water, lactose and other low molecular weight substances. There is interest in ultrafiltration of milk because of it is potential importance in saving costs to both …

Lactational And Systemic Responses To The Supplementation Of Protected Methionine In Soybean Meal Diets, Daniel J. Illg

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The high producing dairy cow requires a complex balance of protein and energy. Microbial protein provides a substantial amount of the amino acids absorbed by the small intestine. High production rates cannot be attained with microbial protein as .the sole source of amino acids. The ten classical essential amino acids are required for milk protein synthesis. Increasing the amount of available amino acids to the mammary gland has improved casein production, indicating substrate availability as a controlling factor to milk protein synthesis. A major portion of the nitrogen component of milk is derived from free plasma amino acids. Uptake by …

Inhibition Of Psychrotrophic Bacterial Growth In Refrigerated Milk By Addition Of Carbon Dioxide, Robert Francis Roberts

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The advent of on-farm refrigerated storage for raw milk in the late 1940's and its subsequent adoption by North American dairyman 'during the next 20 years essentially eliminated spoilage of milk by lactic acid bacteria. However, refrigeration does not prevent growth of all microorganisms present in raw milk (9, 33, 51, 52, 54, 55). Many microorganisms capable of growth at refrigeration temperatures, termed psychrotrophic bacteria, are present as normal contaminants in raw milk supplies. For purposes of clarity, psychrotrophic microorganisms have been defined as microorganisms capable of growth at 7°C or below regardless of their optimum growth temperature (9). Milk …

A Comparison Of High-Performance Short-Duration And Repeated-Seasonal Grazing Systems, Jerry David Volesky

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Six replications of l-herd 16-subunit High-Performance Short-Duration (HPSDG) and Repeated-Seasonal (RSG) (May-Sep.) grazing system treatments were compared during 1983 and 1984 at the Cottonwood Range and Livestock Research Station located in western South Dakota. Calves and lambs were allotted to the experimental pastures in sets approximately equal on an animal unit basis. Animal numbers were adjusted with put-and-take sets to attain planned forage levels for each cycle of rotation in HPSDG and comparable end of season forage use levels in both treatments. The HPSDG system was operated with four cycles of rotation that had 1, 2, 2 and 3 occupation …

Nutritional Factors Modifying Fatty Liver Hemorrhagic Syndrome In Caged Laying Hens, Chandi C. Rakshit

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Three experiments each with two phases were conducted to study the effect of different levels of distillers dried grain (DDG), fat, oats and a mixture of oats and DDG on Fatty Liver Hemorrhagic Syndrome (FLHS) in caged laying hens. The second phase of each experiment was conducted by force-feeding the same diets used in the first phase at 120% of their normal intakes. This produces FLHS and thereby permits studying the effect of diets. During the force-feeding period of the third experiment, serum estradiol levels of hens from each treatment and each type of feeding were measured to study the …

Implanting Effects On Performance, Carcass Characteristics And Reproductive Parameters In Intact Beef Males, Shirley J. Gordon

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The research presented herein was designed to determine the effects of post-weaning implanting on performance, carcass characteristics, hormonal profile and reproductive parameters.

Extruded Blend Of Soybean Meal And Sunflower Seeds For Dairy Cattle In Early Lactation, James K. Drackley

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

An extruded blend of 44% crude protein soybean meal (50%), sunflower seeds (45%), and premix (5%) was evaluated as a protein and energy source for dairy cows in early lactation. Thirty Holstein cows (24 multiparos and 6 primiparous) were assigned to either a corn-oats-soybean meal concentrate (SBM) or a concentrate where soy-sunflower blend replaced all soybean meal and portions of corn and oats (SSF). Dry matter of total mixed diets was 36% corn silage, 21% alfalfa haylage, and 43% concentrate. Yields of milk (33.6 and 33.8 kg/day) and 4% fat-corrected milk (30.9 and 30.5 kg/day) were similar for cows fed …

Protected Methionine And Heat-Treated Soybean Meal For High-Producing Dairy Cows, Che-Ming Jimmy Yang

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The effectiveness of a rumen-protected methionine preparation was studied as an amino acid source for high-producing dairy cows during wk 4 through 16 postpartum. Twenty-four Holstein cows (14 primiparous and 10 multiparous) were fed concentrate containing heat-treated· soybean meal without or with 50 g/cow/day of added ruminally protected methionine product which provided 15 g of added DL-methionine daily. Cows were fed 16% crude protein mixed diets containing 30% of dry matter as corn silage, 15% as alfalfa hay, and 55% as concentrate. Milk production and composition were adjusted for pretreatment values (3 wk postpartum) by analysis of covariance. Adjusted milk …

Evaluation Of Urea And Dried Whey In Diets Of Cows During Early Lactation, David Paul Casper

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Previous research indicated that soluble nitrogen may be utilized more efficiently for rumen microbial production in diets containing dried whey. To further evaluate this, 33 Holstein, cows (30 multiparous and 3 primiparous) were fed one of three concentrate mixes containing all natural proteins (SBM). 1% urea (U), or 1% urea and 30% dried whey (UDW) from wk 3 through 16 postpartum. Urea replaced portions of the soybean meal in the SBM mix while dried whey replaced portions of the corn and soybean meal. Cows were fed total mixed rations consisting of 40% (dry matter basis) corn silage, 10% alfalfa hay, …