Animal Sciences Commons^™

Nesting Success And Population Densities Of Grassland Birds In The Breeding And Wintering Seasons In Tennessee And Kentucky, Daniel Matthew Hinnebusch

Masters Theses

Grassland and shrub/scrub breeding birds have experienced severe population declines since the beginning of the Breeding Bird Survey in 1966 (Sauer et al. 2007). Habitat loss and degradation are likely the primary causes of decline (Herkert 1994, Warner 1994, Johnson and Igl 2001). Partners in Flight (PIF) continental population objectives call for managers to increase populations by up to 100% for several of the species found in the Big Barrens, north-central Tennessee and south-central Kentucky, such as Dickcissel (Spiza americana), Henslow’s Sparrow (Ammodramus henslowii), and Prairie Warbler (Dendroica discolor; Rich et al. 2004).

The …

Dietary Creatine Induces Pse-Like Broiler Meat, Amy Paulette Chandler

Masters Theses

Consumer demand for chicken breast meat has led poultry breeders to emphasize selection for high breast muscle yield, resulting in contemporary broilers that grow rapidly with heavy muscling. Genetic selection for fast growth and high yield has increased the incidence of PSE-like meat that occurs when low muscle glycogen levels decrease quickly resulting in lactic acid build-up, rapid pH decline, and early rigor mortis onset. Preliminary research in our laboratory suggests that dietary inclusion of creatine in broiler diets may reduce the incidence of Pale, Soft, and Exudative (PSE) like meat. We hypothesized that creatine supplementation in broiler diets increases …

Cerulean Warbler ( Dendroica Cerulea Breeding Ecology And Habitat Selection, Initial Response To Forest Management, And Association With Anthropogenic Disturbances In The Cumberland Mountains Of Tennessee, Tiffany Ahren Beachy

Masters Theses

The objectives of this research were to (1) assess the pre-treatment conditions on Royal Blue and Sundquist Wildlife Management Areas (WMA) in terms of Cerulean Warbler (Dendroica cerulea) habitat selection, territory density, and nest survival, (2) summarize the initial response of cerulean nest-site habitat selection, territory density, and nest survival to silvicultural treatments, and (3) to examine the relationship between anthropogenic disturbances and cerulean abundance and occurrence in the Cumberland Mountains.

Cerulean Warblers consistently selected territories and nest sites that differed from the available habitat in 2005 and 2006. Specifically, ceruleans on Royal Blue tended to choose areas …

Tall Fescue Based Forage Systems Supplemented With Winter Annuals For Stocker Cattle, Brian Thomas Campbell

Masters Theses

A four year study (2004-2007) was conducted at Highland Rim Research and Education Center near Springfield, TN to compare tall fescue (Lolium arundinaceum Schreb.) forage systems in which rye (Secale cereale L.)/ryegrass (Lolium multiflorum Lam.) was used to supply additional high quality forage to stocker cattle. Twelve 1.2-ha pastures were assigned to two cool-season forages and two forage systems with three replicate pastures each. Cool-season forage treatments were: (1) endophyte-infected (Neotyphodium coenophialum) ‘Kentucky-31’ tall fescue and (2) ‘Jesup MaxQ’™ tall fescue. The two forage systems were: (1) stockpiled tall fescue, supplemental feed (a blend of …

Waterbird Responses To Drawdown Of Two East Tennessee River Valley Reservoirs, John William Laux

Masters Theses

Waterbirds rely on stopover sites in the interior United States to meet the energetic demands associated with migration. Mudflats exposed during annual drawdowns of reservoirs in the Tennessee River Valley (TRV) provide stopover habitat for thousands of migratory waterbirds. Timing of drawdowns may significantly affect waterbird use of TRV mudflats. Thus, I quantified the impacts of drawdown date for Douglas (1 August) and Chickamauga (1 October) Reservoirs on mudflat acreage and characteristics, food availability, and waterbird use. I also quantified waterbird activities on TRV mudflats to determine their functional role to migratory waterbirds. From August 2005/06 – January 2006/07, I …

Comparison Of Underwater Video Mapping And Pebble Count Measurements In Determining Stream Channel Substrate, Joshua S. Rogers

Masters Theses

GPS videography has been used to capture substrate data with post-processing efforts being made to characterize streambed particle distributions. Advantages of this method include less field time, minimal streambed disturbance, convenience of post-field processing, and digitally stored data which can be used with GIS when geo-referenced. The question being asked is ‘what are the drawbacks of this method and how accurate are the data.’

Current video mapping techniques were used to capture stream channel substrate footage in three distinct float patterns. All data were geo-referenced by embedding geographical coordinates to each frame during recording. Post-processing of the video data included …

Negative Effects Of Electroshocking Fish Embryos: Implications For Threatened And Endangered Fishes, Russell Joseph Bohl

Masters Theses

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effects of waterborne electric fields on survival of fish embryos. Embryos can be exposed to electric fields during routine electrofishing operations aimed at collecting older fish life history stages to provide data for management of fish populations. Negative effects can occur in fish embryos after electric exposure and this is a particular concern if fish are threatened or endangered species. A primary objective of this study was to develop a model to assist in the prediction of effects of electrofishing on survival of fish embryos. In this investigation, fish embryos were …

Phospholipase A2 Expression During The Estrous Cycle And Early Pregnancy, Gregory Joseph Ochs

Masters Theses

Acute control of prostaglandin production is essential for normal estrous cyclicity and maintenance of early pregnancy. The rate limiting step for prostaglandin production is the activation of Phospholipase A₂. There are many phospholipase A₂s, but few have been investigated in reproductive studies. The objective of this study was to examine PLA₂ Groups IV and VI protein and mRNA expression in the uterine endometrium during the estrous cycle and early pregnancy in ewes. Ewes were monitored for estrous and uterine tissues were collected surgically on days 5 (n=3), 10(n=3) and 15(n=3) of the estrous cycle. Endometrium …

Efficacy Of Endo-Fighter® For Cattle Grazing Endophyte-Infected Tall Fescue Pastures During Summer And Early Fall, Rebekah Norman

Masters Theses

Two 84-day grazing trials were conducted (Aug 24 – Nov 17, 2006; Jun 14 - Sept 7, 2007) near Spring Hill, TN to determine the efficacy of Endo-Fighter (R), an ADM Alliance Nutrition, Inc. product designed to be fed to cattle grazing or fed endophyte-infected fescue or hay and Prototype, an improved version of Endo-Fighter (R). Tall fescue pastures with >90% of pasture exhibiting infestation (E+), thus producing high concentration of ergot alkaloids in the grass, were grazed.

In 2006 sixty weaned crossbred heifers (325 ± 17 kg) (2007, steers, 267 ± 18 kg) were used in a randomized block …

An Evaluation Of Quality Deer Management Programs In Tennessee, Christopher E. Shaw

Masters Theses

Several properties within Tennessee were managed under a quality deer management (QDM) philosophy from 1998 to 2006. Harvest characteristics of three private properties and three Wildlife Management Areas (WMAs) were compared to determine effects on buck harvest rates and the age structure and sex ratio of the harvest. Average annual buck harvest decreased at most areas following antler restrictions and ranged from 55 to 68% of pre-QDM levels because younger bucks were protected. Although the raw numbers showed an increase in older-aged bucks harvested following antler restrictions, when calculated on a per hunter or per permit issued basis, statistical increases …

The Production Of Recombinant Trichothecene 3-O-Acetyl Transferase And Its Protective Effects On Hd11 Chicken Macrophage Cells Challenged With T-2 Toxin, Shannon Leigh Perrin

Masters Theses

No abstract provided.

Community Response To Habitat Restoration In Sickle And Bear Creeks, With Emphasis On Mottled Sculpin In Sickle Creek, Jason Andrew Deboer

Masters Theses

Habitat restoration is employed by biologists and managers to improve the natural functionality and value of aquatic resources. Systems suffer impairment from many sources, including excessive fine sediment, which negatively affects substrate composition, channel morphology, aquatic invertebrate habitat, and fish reproduction and recruitment. Primary objectives included monitoring the biophysical response to sediment abatement in the Big Manistee River watershed. Secondary objectives included (1) placing the biophysical response to the restoration in the context of a much larger watershed plan, (2) quantifying seasonal mottled sculpin movement and habitat use in Sickle Creek for 1-year, and (3) determining habitat variables which may …