Animal Sciences Commons^™

Additional Files For “Multi-Tissue Coexpression Networks Reveal Unexpected Subnetworks Associated With Disease”, Radu Dobrin, Jun Zhu, Cliona Molony, Carmen Argman, Mark L. Parrish, Sonia Carlson, Mark F. Allan, Daniel Pomp, Eric E. Schadt

Department of Animal Science: Faculty Publications

Figure S1 shows the connectivity distribution P(k) for GGC networks. Figure S2 shows FDR curves for each tissue in the analysis. Figure S3 shows modules in single tissue GGC networks as detected by the algorithm. Each cluster is marked by the yellow rectangles. Figure S4 shows single tissue module enrichment. Each panel has the following structure: top, P-values from FET for cis-eQTL blue bars over- and red bars under-enriched; middle, percentage overlap between module and genes with cis-eQTL; bottom, percentage overlap between each module and genes on each chromosome. The scale is between green and black where green represents 0% …

Evaluation Of Antral Follicle Count And Ovarian Morphology In Crossbred Beef Cows: Investigation Of Influence Of Stage Of The Estrous Cycle, Age, And Birth Weight, R. A. Cushman, M. F. Allan, Larry A. Kuehn, W. M. Snelling, Andrea S. Cupp, H. C. Freetly

Department of Animal Science: Faculty Publications

Depletion of the ovarian reserve is associated with reproductive senescence in mammalian females, and there is a positive relationship between the size of the ovarian reserve and the number of antral follicles on the surface of the ovary. Therefore, we conducted a series of experiments to investigate the influence of stage of the estrous cycle, age, and birth weight on antral follicle counts (AFC) in beef cows and heifers. Pairs of ovaries were collected from crossbred beef cows at slaughter (n = 72) or at necropsy (n = 333; 0 to 11 yr of age); all visible antral follicles were …

Evaluation Of Antral Follicle Count And Ovarian Morphology In Crossbred Beef Cows: Investigation Of Influence Of Stage Of The Estrous Cycle, Age, And Birth Weight, R. A. Cushman, M. F. Allan, L. A. Kuehn, W. M. Snelling, Andrea S. Cupp, H. C. Freetly

Department of Animal Science: Faculty Publications

Depletion of the ovarian reserve is associated with reproductive senescence in mammalian females, and there is a positive relationship between the size of the ovarian reserve and the number of antral follicles on the surface of the ovary. Therefore, we conducted a series of experiments to investigate the influence of stage of the estrous cycle, age, and birth weight on antral follicle counts (AFC) in beef cows and heifers. Pairs of ovaries were collected from crossbred beef cows at slaughter (n = 72) or at necropsy (n = 333; 0 to 11 yr of age); all visible antral follicles were …

Evaluation Of Revalor-Ih And Revalor-Is As Initial Implants Compared With Traditional Initial Implants For Finishing Heifers And Steers, J. D. Folmer, T. B. Farran, G. E. Erickson, T. J. Klopfenstein, C. D. Reinhardt, B. D. Dicke, J. S. Drouillard, M. N. Streeter, J. T. Vasconcelos

Department of Animal Science: Faculty Publications

Two commercial feedlot experiments were conducted to compare performance and carcass characteristics of feedlot heifers and steers using 2 implant strategies. In Exp. 1, heifers (n = 1,124; initial BW = 279 ± 5 kg) were administered either Revalor-IH [Intervet/ Schering Plough Animal Health, DeSoto, KS; 8 mg of estradiol (E2) and 80 mg of trenbolone acetate (TA)] or Synovex-H (Fort Dodge Animal Health, Overland Park, KS; 20 mg of estradiol benzoate and 200 mg of testosterone propionate) at initial processing, with both treatment groups receiving Revalor-200 (20 mg E2 and 200 mg TA) as the common terminal implant 81 …

Effects Of Ractopamine (Optaflexx) Fed In Combination With Melengestrol Acetate On Feedlot Heifer Performance, W. A. Griffin, G. E. Erickson, B. D. Dicke, T. J. Klopfenstein, R. J. Cooper, D. J. Jordon, R. S. Swingle, W. M. Moseley, G. E. Sides, D. J. Weigel

Department of Animal Science: Faculty Publications

Two commercial feedlot experiments were conducted to determine the effects of feeding melengestrol acetate (MGA) or MGA plus ractopamine (MGA+OPT) on the performance and carcass characteristics of finishing heifers. In Nebraska (Exp. 1), 1,807 heifers (337.3 ± 20.0 kg) and in Texas (Exp. 2), 1,964 heifers (331.5 ± 6.1 kg) were fed 0.4 mg of MGA daily. For heifers fed MGA+OPT, 200 mg of ractopamine was fed daily the last 29 (Exp. 2) or 36 d (Exp. 1). Live and carcass-adjusted performance data were collected. On a carcass-adjusted basis, G:F for the entire feeding period was improved (P < 0.01) by 1.7 and 3.7% in Exp. 1 and 2, respectively, for heifers fed MGA+OPT compared with MGA. For the last 29 to 36 d, G:F was increased (P < 0.02) by 8.1% (Exp. 1) or 27.2% (Exp. 2) on a carcass-adjusted basis for heifers fed MGA+OPT compared with MGA. Fat thickness, USDA YG, marbling score, LM area, and percentage USDA Choice were not different (P > 0.47) between …

The Relationship Between Acid Detergent Insoluble Nitrogen And Nitrogen Digestibility In Lactating Dairy Cattle, K. J. Machacek, P. J. Kononoff

Department of Animal Science: Faculty Publications

Five trials (19 treatments) conducted at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln (UNL) on lactating dairy cattle were analyzed to determine how the concentration of ADIN in the ration affects total tract N digestibility. Additionally, 6 published studies (13 treatments) were included to expand the data set. Results from the UNL trials showed that as the concentration of ADIN in the ration increased, the digestibility of ADIN also increased. However, the relationship was poor (r² = 0.29). To account for random effects among trials, a meta-analysis was conducted. In the UNL trials, as the ration concentration of ADIN increased, total tract …

Influence Of Distillers Dried Grain Supplementation Frequency On Forage Digestibility And Growth Performance Of Beef Cattle, L. A. Stalker, D. C. Adams, T. J. Klopfenstein

Department of Animal Science: Faculty Publications

Three experiments evaluated the influence of supplementation frequency of distillers dried grains plus solubles (DDGS) on forage digestibility (Exp. 1) and growth of yearling heifers (Exp. 2) and steers (Exp. 3). In Exp. 1, 6 steers (371 ± 30 kg) were used in a replicated 3 × 3 Latin square design with three 21-d periods. Treatments were DDGS fed at 16.7% of the diet (DM) either 1) daily, 2) every other day, or 3) every third day. In Exp. 2, 48 heifers (193 ± 20 kg) were fed hay and supplemented with the daily equivalent of 1.3 kg/ heifer of …

Supplementing Wet Distillers Grains Mixed With Low Quality Forage To Grazing Cow Calf Pairs, Brandon L. Nuttelman, William Griffin, T. J. Klopfenstein, Walter H. Schacht, Leslie Aaron Stalker, Jacqueline Musgrave, Jerry D. Volesky

Department of Animal Science: Faculty Publications

Two consecutive summer grazing studies were conducted to quantify the effect of supplementing cows with wet distillers grains (WDGS) mixed with low quality forage on 1) grazed forage intake and 2) cow and calf performance. During exp. 1, twenty-four three year old lactating cows rotationally grazed for 56 d and were assigned to one of three treatments: 1) the recommended stocking rate of 1.48 AUM/ha with no supplementation (CON1), 2) double the recommended stocking rate (2.96 AUM/ha) and supplemented 6.64 kg/hd daily of 45% grass hay and 55% WDGS (DM) to replace 50% of estimated total intake (SUP), and 3) …

Comparison Of Feeding Wet Distillers Grains In A Bunk Or On The Ground To Cattle Grazing Native Sandhills Winter Range, Jacqueline Musgrave, Leslie Aaron Stalker, Matthew C. Stockton, T. J. Klopfenstein

Department of Animal Science: Faculty Publications

Two-experiments determined the effects of feeding wet distillers grains with solubles (WDGS) either on the ground or in a bunk to cattle grazing native Sandhills winter range. In Experiment 1 (Exp. 1), 120 multiparous March-calving cows (536 ± 53.5 kg BW) were stratified by age and assigned to one of four treatments: WDGS fed on the ground, either three or six d/wk; or WDGS fed in a bunk either three or six d/wk. In Experiment 2 (Exp. 2), 63 March-born steer calves (201.2 ± 27.5 kg BW) were stratified by weight and assigned to one of two feeding treatments: WDGS …

Large-Scale Association Study For Structural Soundness And Leg Locomotion Traits In The Pig, Bin Fan, Suneel K. Onteru, Benny E. Mote, Timo Serenius, Kenneth J. Stalder, Max F. Rothschild

Department of Animal Science: Faculty Publications

Background: Identification and culling of replacement gilts with poor skeletal conformation and feet and leg (FL) unsoundness is an approach used to reduce sow culling and mortality rates in breeding stock. Few candidate genes related to soundness traits have been identified in the pig.

Methods: In this study, 2066 commercial females were scored for 17 traits describing body conformation and FL structure, and were used for association analyses. Genotyping of 121 SNPs derived from 95 genes was implemented using Sequenom's MassARRAY system.

Results: Based on the association results from single trait and principal components using mixed linear …

Age And Diet Affect Gene Expression Profile In Canine Skeletal Muscle, Ingmar S. Middelbos, Brittany M. Vester, Lisa K. Karr-Lilienthal, Lawrence B. Schook, Kelly S. Swanson

Department of Animal Science: Faculty Publications

We evaluated gene transcription in canine skeletal muscle (biceps femoris) using microarray analysis to identify effects of age and diet on gene expression. Twelve female beagles were used (six 1-year olds and six 12-year olds) and they were fed one of two experimental diets for 12 months. One diet contained primarily plant-based protein sources (PPB), whereas the second diet contained primarily animal-based protein sources (APB). Affymetrix GeneChip Canine Genome Arrays were used to hybridize extracted RNA. Age had the greatest effect on gene transcription (262 differentially expressed genes), whereas the effect of diet was relatively small (22 differentially expressed genes). …

Association And Haplotype Analyses Of Positional Candidate Genes In Five Genomic Regions Linked To Scrotal Hernia In Commercial Pig Lines, Zhi-Qiang Du, Xia Zhao, Natascha Vukasinovic, Fernanda Rodriguez, Archie C. Clutter, Max F. Rothschild

Department of Animal Science: Faculty Publications

Scrotal hernia in pigs is a complex trait likely affected by genetic and environmental factors. A large-scale association analysis of positional and functional candidate genes was conducted in four previously identified genomic regions linked to hernia susceptibility on Sus scrofa chromosomes 2 and 12, as well as the fifth region around 67 cM on chromosome 2, respectively. In total, 151 out of 416 SNPs discovered were genotyped successfully. Using a family-based analysis we found that four regions surrounding ELF5, KIF18A, COL23A1 on chromosome 2, and NPTX1 on chromosome 12, respectively, may contain the genetic variants important for the …

Effect Of Hydrogen Peroxide In The Scald Tank On The Microbial Count Of Pork Skin, A. S. De Mello Jr., R. O. Roca

Department of Animal Science: Faculty Publications

The objective of this study was to investigate the effect of hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂) (50% v/v) on pork skin microbial populations. Forty-eight crossbred hogs were analyzed after dehairing and 30 during chilling. Three different concentrations of hydrogen peroxide were added to the scalding water (0.01, 0.05 and 0.1% of the total capacity of the scald tank). In treatment I no addition of H₂O₂ was applied while, in treatment II, H₂O₂ was added at 0 min and, in treatment III, it was added at 0, 30 and 60 min. Both treatments …

Performance And Digestibility Characteristics Of Finishing Diets Containing Distillers Grains, Composites Of Corn Processing Coproducts, Or Supplemental Corn Oil, K. J. Vander Pol, Matt K. Luebbe, G. I. Crawford, Galen E. Erickson, Terry J. Klopfenstein

Department of Animal Science: Faculty Publications

Three experiments evaluated the lipids in distillers grains plus solubles compared with corn or other sources of lipid in finishing diets. Experiment 1 utilized 60 individually fed yearling heifers (349 ± 34 kg) fed treatments consisting of 0, 20, or 40% (DM basis) wet distillers grains plus solubles (WDGS), or 0, 2.5, or 5.0% (DM basis) corn oil in a finishing diet based on high-moisture corn (HMC) and dry-rolled corn (DRC). Cattle fed 20 and 40% WDGS had greater (P < 0.10) G:F than cattle fed 0% WDGS. Cattle fed the 5.0% corn oil had lower overall performance than cattle fed the other diets. Results from Exp. 1 indicated that adding fat from WDGS improves performance, whereas supplementing 5.0% corn oil depressed G:F, suggesting that the fat within WDGS is different than corn oil. Experiment 2 used 234 yearling steers (352 ± 16 kg) fed 1 of 5 treatments consisting of 20 or 40% (DM basis) dry distillers grains plus solubles (DDGS), 1.3% or 2.6% (DM basis) tallow, or HMC. All diets contained 20% (DM basis) wet corn gluten feed (WCGF) as a method of controlling acidosis. No differences between treatments for any performance parameters were observed in Exp. 2. The DDGS may be similar to tallow and HMC in finishing diets containing 20% WCGF. Experiment 3 used 5 Holstein steers equipped with ruminal and duodenal cannulas in a 5x5 Latin square design. Treatments were a 40% WDGS diet, 2 composites, one consisting of corn bran and corn gluten meal (COMP), and one consisting of corn bran, corn gluten meal, and corn oil (COMP + OIL), and 2 DRC-based diets supplemented with corn oil (CON + OIL) or not (CON). Cattle fed the WDGS diet had numerically lower rumen pH compared with cattle fed other treatments. Cattle fed WDGS had greater (P < 0.10) molar proportions of propionate, lower (P < 0.10) acetate:propionate ratios, greater (P < 0.10) total tract fat digestion, and a greater (P < 0.10) proportion of unsaturated fatty acids reaching the duodenum than cattle fed other treatments. Therefore, the higher energy value of WDGS compared with corn may be due to more propionate production, higher fat digestibility, and more unsaturated fatty acids reaching the duodenum.

Qualitative Freshwater Mussel Survey Of The South Fork Spring River, Missouri And Arkansas, H. C. Martin, John L. Harris, Alan D. Christian

Journal of the Arkansas Academy of Science

A qualitative freshwater mussel survey was performed in the South Fork Spring River, Arkansas between May 13 and June 20, 2006 to assess community composition, density, and the presence of endangered mussel species (Family Unionidae). Twenty-one species from 460 individuals of mussels were collected using qualitative methods. Of those 21 species, 11 were ranked as S1, S2, or S3 using rankings established by the Arkansas Natural Heritage Commission Heritage Program. Three species, Amblema plicata (Say 1817), Lampsilis reeveiana (Call 1887), and Ptychobranchus occidentalis (Conrad 1836), comprised 48% of all mussels collected with 12%, 15%, and 21%, respectively. Mussel abundance within …

Species Richness, Distribution, And Relative Abundance Of Freshwater Mussels (Bivalvia: Unionidae) Of The Buffalo National River, Arkansas, M. Matthews, F. Usrey, S. W. Hodges, John L. Harris, Alan D. Christian

Journal of the Arkansas Academy of Science

The Buffalo River in north-central Arkansas is approximately 246 km long and flows through the Boston Mountains and Springfield and Salem Plateaus to the White River near Buffalo City. The Buffalo River is America’s first National River with the National Park Service owning 11% of land in the watershed. The objectives of this project were to survey the entire perennially wet length of river, search for mussels of conservation concern, and document the freshwater mussel assemblages. During 2004 and 2005, 235 km of the river were qualitatively and quantitatively surveyed. We documented 64 mussel assemblages. Time constrained qualitatively sampled assemblages …

Determination Of Benthic Soil Conditions Using Nematodes: Nematode Foodweb Conditions Of Fish Ponds In The Lincoln And Desha Counties Of Arkansas, M. M. Matute, P. W. Perschbacher, A. Newell

Journal of the Arkansas Academy of Science

We determined the health status of similar channel catfish (Ictalurus punctatus) ponds in Lincoln and Desha counties of Arkansas, using the nematode soil food web condition as our reference point. Soil nematodes were categorized into colonizer-persister (cp) groups, based on their life course characteristics e.g sensitivity to environmental changes, body size, etc. These cp groups represent different components of the soil food web, which in turn were indicators of soil conditions. Benthic soil samples were collected at four week intervals over a 4-month period, from 6-ponds in each county. The nematodes were extracted according to standard methods and the recovered …

Recent Collections And Additional Records Of Collembola From Arkansas Caves, Michael E. Slay, G. O. Graening

Journal of the Arkansas Academy of Science

Recent collections and additional records of Collembola from caves in Arkansas are reported. Based on these collections and review of the literature, 35 collembolan species are known from Arkansas caves. Included in this group are 10 troglobiotic, or cave-limited, species: Lethemurus missus, Pygmarrhopalites buffaloensis, Pygmarrhopalites clarus, Pygmarrhopalites dubius, Pygmarrhopalites youngsteadtii, Pseudosinella dubia, Pseudosinella testa, Sinella barri, Sinella cavernarum, and Typhlogastrura fousheensis. Three of these species, Py. buffaloensis, Py. youngsteadtii, T. fousheensis, are endemic to Arkansas, while Ps. dubia is known only from the Ozark Plateaus Ecoregion. The remaining species are more widespread. Lethemurus missus, Ps. georgia, Ps. testa, and S. …

New County Distribution Record For The Seminole Bat In Arkansas, T. L. Klotz, Thomas S. Risch

Journal of the Arkansas Academy of Science

No abstract provided.

Three New State Bird Species And Updates On Other Arkansas Avian Records, Douglas A. James, Kimberly G. Smith, Joseph C. Neal, William M. Shepherd, Charles Mills

Journal of the Arkansas Academy of Science

No abstract provided.

Host And Seasonal Effects On The Infection Dynamics Of Skrjabinoptera Phrynosoma (Ortlepp) Schulz, 1927, A Parasitic Nematode Of Horned Lizards, Kathryn Claire Hilsinger

College of Graduate Studies: Theses & Dissertations

Author's Abstract: Skrjabinoptera phrynosoma (Ortlepp) Schulz, 1927 is a common parasitic nematode of horned lizards. The life cycle of S. phrynosoma was described by Lee in 1957, but has received little attention since. The present study addressed effect of season as well as host characteristics on the infection dynamics in lizard hosts. In the Alvord Basin in southeastern Oregon, S. phrynosoma were collected from Phrynosoma platyrhinos Gerard 1852 horned lizards via stomach flushes, cloaca flushes and fecal pellet collections. Parasite load variables (number of nematodes per host, length of those nematodes, and total worm burden (ΣL)) were analyzed within three …

Application Of Multiple Mass Spectrometric Techniques In The Isolation, Determination And Characterisation Of The Marine Toxins; Azaspiracid, Keith O'Callaghan

Theses

The Azaspiracids are a class of polyether marine biotoxins that present a significant health risk to consumers of shellfish. Since their discovery in the late 1990s several human intoxications have been reported, and traced to Irish shellfish farms resulting in closures or harvest rejections. As such incidents involving azaspiracid shellfish poisoning have a major socio-economic impact on communities that rely on shellfish farming revenues.

Recent evidence suggests that azaspiracid poisoning events may become more commonplace. With this increased risk the understanding of azaspiracids mode of action and biological targets becomes crucial. To support these endeavours effective analytical methods need to …

Diversity Of Insects From The Vespidae Family In Three Ecological Niches (Forest, Forest Border, And Agricultural Area) In Six Communities In The Coroico And Coripata Municipalities, Department Of La Paz, Edwin Zapata Mayta

Theses and Dissertations

The Vespidae family (order Hymenoptera) is comprised of 4500 species of wasps in 268 genera and 7 subfamilies. These wasps prey upon a wide range of insects, including Lepidopteran caterpillars. Because of their low prey specificity, the use of Vespid wasps in biological control programs is limited. However, in their natural habitat, they play a role in controlling populations of some pest species. This study was conducted in six different communities in the department of La Paz within the municipalities of Coroico and Coripata. Three ecological niches were selected in each community: 1) the forest, 2) the edge of the …

Prevalence And Etiology Of Subclinical Mastitis In Awassi Dairy Ewes In Southern Turkey, Yaşar Ergün, Özkan Aslantaş, Gökhan Doğruer, Ekrem Ki̇reçci̇, Mustafa K. Saribay, Cafer Tayyar Ateş, Alev Ülkü, Cemi̇l Demi̇r

Turkish Journal of Veterinary & Animal Sciences

In order to study the prevalence and etiology of subclinical mastitis a bacteriological survey on 16 Awassi dairy sheep flocks in southern Turkey was conducted. A total of 1458 milk samples from 729 Awassi ewes in mid-lactation were tested with the California mastitis test (CMT). Samples from 170 (11.7%) glands and 135 (18.5%) sheep had positive CMT results. Bacteria were isolated from 93 (6.4%) udder halves and 82 (11.2%) ewes. Positive CMT and bacteriological results were combined to define subclinical mastitis. The prevalence of subclinical mastitis and positive CMT samples among the different flocks ranged from 1.9% to 11.5% and …

Fattening Costs Of Beef Breeds Reared Under Controlled Conditions And The Determination Of Optimum Fattening Period, Ahmet Şahi̇n, Bülent Mi̇ran, İbrahi̇m Yildirim, Alper Önenç, Ahmet Alçi̇çek

Turkish Journal of Veterinary & Animal Sciences

The primary purpose of this study was to calculate the fattening costs of different cattle breeds reared under controlled conditions and to determine the optimal fattening period that will maximize the net profit. The data were from 21 bullocks consisting of 7 Holstein, 7 Piedmont × Holstein, and 7 Limousin × Holstein cross-breed cattle reared and fattened in the closed tie-stall experiment barns of the Aegean Agricultural Research Institute, Turkey. The data used for the analysis were from the year 1999, but were updated for 2007. The fattening period lasted 280 days, after a rearing period of 195 days. The …

Occurrence Of Haematopinus Suis Linnaeus, 1758 (Insecta, Anopluridae) On A Wild Boar (Sus Scrofa), Oya Gi̇ri̇şgi̇n, A. Onur Gi̇ri̇şgi̇n, Fi̇gen Sönmez, Ç. Volkan Akyol

Turkish Journal of Veterinary & Animal Sciences

A wild boar (Sus scrofa) about 2 years old was brought to our parasitology laboratory from Orhaneli region, Bursa province. It was examined for ectoparasites and 32 lice collected from the animal's head were inspected and identified as Haematopinus suis. Five of them were found to be as nymphs, whereas 27 were adults. This paper is the first report of H. suis found in Bursa province, Turkey.

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 …

Distribution And Population Characteristics Of Lower Walleye In The Eleven Point River, Arkansas, Ronald L. Johnson, S. D. Henry, Sam W. Barkley

Journal of the Arkansas Academy of Science

Walleye Sander vitreus (Mitchill) distributions and ecology have been poorly studied in southern river basins. We studied the longitudinal distribution and population characteristics of walleye in an unregulated river within the Ozark region of the U.S., the lower Eleven Point River, Arkansas, which has high species diversity. Walleye were collected in a 60 km segment of the river by daytime boat electrofishing over a three year period (2002-2004). Catch rates, growth rates and size structure were high relative to other streams studied in North America. Catch per effort ( = 5.2/h) was similar seasonally, spatially and among years. Proportional stock …

A Plesiosaur Containing An Ichthyosaur Embryo As Stomach Contents From The Sundance Formation Of The Bighorn Basin, Wyoming, F. Robin O’Keefe, Hallie P. Street, Jean Pierre Cavigelli, John J. Socha, R. Dennis O'Keefe

Biological Sciences Faculty Research

Herein we report the discovery of an ichthyosaur embryo from the Upper Member of the Sundance Formation (Oxfordian) of the Bighorn Basin, Wyoming. The specimen is the first known ichthyosaur embryo from the Upper Jurassic, and is the first Jurassic ichthyosaur embryo from North America. The embryo was discovered in close association with the abdomen of an articulated partial plesiosaur skeleton, and several lines of evidence support the interpretation of the embryo as plesiosaur stomach contents. The small size and extremely poor ossification of the embryo indicate that the animal was probably not a neonate. Although the taxonomic affinities of …

Osteology Of The Cryptocleidoid Plesiosaur Tatenectes Laramiensis, With Comments On The Taxonomic Status Of The Cimoliasauridae, F. Robin O’Keefe, Hallie P. Street

Biological Sciences Faculty Research

Recent field work in the Bighorn Basin, Wyoming has recovered significant new material of the plesiosaur Tatenectes laramiensis. The majority of cryptocleidoid plesiosaurs have been recovered from Middle and Upper Jurassic units (Oxford and Kimmeridge Clays, respectively) in the United Kingdom, but Tatenectes laramiensis is one of at least two cryptocleidoids known from the Upper Sundance Member of the Sundance Formation (Oxfordian) of North America. Although poorly known, they bear directly on both the phylogeny and biogeography of the cryptocleidoid plesiosaurs. Here we describe new fossil material of Tatenectes, and reevaluate the phylogenetic position of this genus based on all …