Animal Sciences Commons^™

Male Field Crickets Infested By Parasitoid Flies Express Phenotypes That May Benefit The Parasitoids, Oliver M. Beckers, William E. Wagner

School of Biological Sciences: Faculty Publications

Parasites can cause changes in the phenotypes of their hosts that may benefit the parasite, the host, or both. To understand the evolutionary dynamics of host–parasite interactions it is necessary to first examine the effect of parasitic infestation on the host phenotype and whether the host or parasite benefits from these changes. The fly Ormia ochracea parasitizes the variable field cricket, Gryllus lineaticeps, and it uses male song to locate hosts for its lethal larvae. Adult flies preferentially orient to male songs with faster and longer chirps. We tested the effect of larval infestation on two types of host traits. …

Evidence For Air Movement Signals In The Agonistic Behaviour Of A Nocturnal Arachnid (Order Amblypygi), Roger D. Santer, Eileen A. Hebets

School of Biological Sciences: Faculty Publications

Many arthropods possess filiform hair sensilla (termed trichobothria in arachnids), which are extremely sensitive detectors of medium particle displacement. Electrophysiological evidence in some taxa suggests that these sensilla can detect air particle displacements resulting from intraspecific communication signals. However, it has not yet been shown for any species that the air particle displacements detected by the filiform hairs are themselves perceived as a ‘signal’ (i.e. that individuals make behavioural decisions based upon the responses of these organs to the displays of conspecifics). We investigate the agonistic behaviour of the whip spider Phrynus marginemaculatus and the role of its trichobothria in …

Effects Of 3-Trifluoromethyl-4-Nitrophenol (Tfm) On Energy Stores And Gill Function In Sea Lamprey (Petromyzon Marinus) And Rainbow Trout (Oncorhynchus Mykiss), Matthew Henry

Theses and Dissertations (Comprehensive)

The primary method of controlling invasive sea lamprey (Petromyzon marinus) populations in the Great Lakes is the application of the pesticide 3-trifluoromethyl-4-nitrophenol (TFM) to larval lamprey nursery streams. Recent evidence suggests that the mode of toxic action of TFM involves the inhibition of oxidative ATP production in the mitochondria. As a result, there is increased reliance on the anaerobic pathways of ATP production which involves the hydrolysis of phosphocreatine (PCr) and anaerobic glycolysis. TFM may also damage the gills, which may disrupt gill-mediated ion regulation and cause internal ion imbalances. While knowledge of TFM toxicity in larval lampreys …

The Effects Of Invasion By Reed Canarygrass (Phalaris Arundinacea) On Avian Communities And Nesting Success In Minnesota Wetlands, Emily J. Hutchins

All Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Other Capstone Projects

Invasive plants are a primary contributor to loss of biodiversity worldwide. In southern Minnesota, many wetlands have been invaded by reed canarygrass (Phalaris arundinacea). The current perception among ecologists and resource managers is that these wetlands are of little value to wildlife, yet little is known about the effects on birds of the widespread conversion of diverse wetlands to apparent monocultures of P. arundinacea. The purpose of this study was to determine the effects of P. arundinaceamediated changes in the wetland plant community on avian communities and nesting success. During 2006 and 2007, I studied four diverse sedge wetlands paired …

Analysis Of The Genetic Structure Of Bithynia Tentaculata Snail Populations In Wisconsin And Minnesota, Sarah J. Whalen

All Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Other Capstone Projects

In recent years, there have been tens of thousands of waterfowl mortalities in Wisconsin and Minnesota. An invasive species of snail, Bithynia tentaculata, is a host for the trematode parasites (Cyathocotyle bushiensis and Sphaeridiotrema globulus) that have caused these deaths. A microsatellite-enriched genomic library was detected using DNA from a B. tentaculata specimen from Lake Onalaska (Pool 7 of the Upper Mississippi River). Seven polymorphic microsatellite loci were used to genotype snails collected from Lake Butte des Morts, Shawano Lake, and Lake Onalaska in Wisconsin, as well as Lake Winnibigoshish in Minnesota. The genetic diversity of each population was measured …

Linking Cd Accumulation And Effect In Resistant And Sensitive Freshwater Invertebrates, Tony Straus

Theses and Dissertations (Comprehensive)

There has been recent discussion within the field of environmental toxicology as to the viability of using the bioaccumulation of a chemical toxicant to predict toxic effects. Current literature has shown this concept to carry some merit, although there is a major flaw in that with many cases, namely those involving sensitive species, body burdens cannot be reliably linked to effects (Adams et al. (2010)). Bearing this issue in mind the goal of this thesis was to assess the viability of using bioaccumulation as a measure of effect in a different way.

The proposed idea utilized Cd accumulation in a …

Commentary Wildlife Habituation: Advances In Understanding And Management Application, Valerius Geist

Human–Wildlife Interactions

No abstract provided.

Livestock And Domestic Dog Predations By Wolves In Michigan, Justin L. Edge, Dean E. Beyer Jr., Jerrold L. Belant, Mark J. Jordan, Brian J. Roell

Human–Wildlife Interactions

Wolves (Canis spp.) have recolonized the Great Lakes region and expanded into agricultural areas where there is increasing concern of conflict with livestock. We documented 121 wolf predation events on captive or domestic animals in the Upper Peninsula (UP) of Michigan between April 1996 and April 2009. We investigated the relationship between annual wolf abundance and predation events, seasonality of predations on livestock, and the association between previous winter severity and predations on livestock. The annual number of predations on livestock increased with wolf abundance, and overall, predations on cattle and calves increased during calving season. We observed a …

A Rat-Resistant Artificial Nest Box For Cavity-Nesting Birds, William C. Pitt, Laura C. Driscoll, Eric A. Vanderwerf

Human–Wildlife Interactions

The puaiohi or small Kauai thrush (Myadestes palmeri) is an endangered bird endemic to the island of Kauai, Hawaii. The sole population of about 500 birds is currently restricted to remote, higher elevation areas of the Alakai Plateau. Puaiohi nest primarily on steep streamside cliffs, and their distribution and abundance are limited by availability of suitable nesting sites. Black rats (Rattus rattus) cause nest failure and mortality of nesting female puaiohis, and ground-based rodent control has not been effective at reducing nest predation. In 2007, we investigated whether artificial nest structures might be a viable alternative …

Good Fences Make Good Neighbors: Implementation Of Electric Fencing For Establishing Effective Livestock-Protection Dogs, Thomas M. Gehring, Kurt C. Vercauteren, Anna C. Cellar

Human–Wildlife Interactions

To be effective, livestock protection dogs (LPDs) must be carefully integrated with the livestock they will be protecting. Others have developed guidelines to assist producers in this training and assimilation process. In many areas fencing is necessary; however, guidelines for containing LPDs and their livestock behind electric fencing are lacking. We present results from larger projects involving LPDs where we encountered issues with fencing and preventing LPDs from roaming from their owner’s property. We found that ranging and escaping from pastures was exhibited by LPDs that were not properly introduced and trained to electric fencing at an early age. LPDs …

Factors Governing Risk Of Cougar Attacks On Humans, David Mattson, Kenneth Logan, Linda Sweanor

Human–Wildlife Interactions

Since the 1980s wildlife managers in the United States and Canada have expressed increasing concern about the physical threat posed by cougars (Puma concolor) to humans. We developed a conceptual framework and analyzed 386 human– cougar encounters (29 fatal attacks, 171 instances of nonfatal contact, and 186 close-threatening encounters) to provide information relevant to public safety. We conceived of human injury and death as the outcome of 4 transitions affected by different suites of factors: (1) a human encountering a cougar: (2) given an encounter, odds that the cougar would be aggressive; (3) given aggression, odds that the …

Soap Box The Wildlife Society Responds To Cnn Report On Feral Horses, Laura Bies, Michael Hutchins, Thomas J. Ryder

Human–Wildlife Interactions

No abstract provided.

Misconceptions About Black Bears: A Response To Geist (2011), Lynn L. Rogers, Susan A. Mansfield

Human–Wildlife Interactions

No abstract provided.

Survival Analysis And Computer Simulations Of Lethal And Contraceptive Management Strategies For Urban Deer, Marrett D. Grund

Human–Wildlife Interactions

I monitored survival of 34 female white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus) in Bloomington, Minnesota, from October 1996 to December 1999. Twenty deer died: nineteen were killed by vehicles, and one was killed in a deer-removal program conducted by an adjacent suburb. Summer survival was high and varied little over the 3 years of study (range = 0.93 to 0.95). Fall survival ranged from 0.84 to 1.00, and winter survival was generally high during the 3 years of study, except during a severe winter (range = 0.72 to 0.95). I calculated population growth rates (λ) from Leslie matrix projections, using …

Feed Depredation By European Starlings In A Kansas Feedlot, Brandon E. Depenbusch, James S. Drouillard, Charles D. Lee

Human–Wildlife Interactions

Confinement cattle-feeding operations have been associated with large populations of starlings (Sturnus vulgaris) during the winter months. Starlings can eat nearly 1 kg each of feed per month (Besser et al. 1968). In the first of our 2 studies, we evaluated feed selection and feed depredation by starlings using 5 concentrate-based cattle finishing diets. Four diets evaluated were in traditional meal-type form, and 1 diet was an extruded pellet. We placed rations into a section of the feed trough that we made accessible to starlings but not to cattle. Of the original 13.6 kg of steam-flaked corn and …

Too Many Hogs? A Review Of Methods To Mitigate Impact By Wild Boar And Feral Hogs, Giovanna Massei, Sugoto Roy, Richard Bunting

Human–Wildlife Interactions

Feral hogs (Sus scrofa) are among the most widely-distributed mammals in the world and have the highest reproductive output compared with other ungulates. Worldwide, feral hogs are increasing in range and numbers. Human–feral hog conflicts include impact on abundance and richness of plant and animal species, crop damage, predation on livestock, vehicle collisions, and disease transmission. We reviewed methods employed to mitigate the impact of feral hogs on human activities and discussed these methods in terms of effectiveness, feasibility, costs, and social acceptance. Traditional methods of control include trapping, angering, shooting, poisoning, and Judas hogs. Nonlethal methods of …

Rock Pigeon Use Of Livestock Facilities In Northern Colorado: Implications For Improving Farm Bio-Security, James C. Carlson, Larry Clark, Michael F. Antolin, Mo D. Salman

Human–Wildlife Interactions

Rock pigeons (Columba livia) have been implicated in the spread of pathogens within commercial livestock facilities. Currently, there is no data characterizing pigeon habitat use and movement patterns within and among commercial livestock facilities. To better understand the capacity for pigeons to spread pathogens, we used radio-telemetry techniques to estimate the home-range, travel distance, activity, and habitat use of pigeons roosting on and off dairies and feedlots in western Weld County, Colorado. Our observations suggest that pigeons roosting on (resident) and off (nonresident) livestock facilities use habitat differently. Nonresident pigeons used larger home-range areas than did resident pigeons. …

In The News, Joe N. Caudell

Human–Wildlife Interactions

No abstract provided.

Aggressive Body Language Of Bears And Wildlife Viewing: A Response To Geist (2011), Stephen F. Stringham

Human–Wildlife Interactions

No abstract provided.

Reproduction And Immune Impacts From Vitamin Or Mineral Deficiencies: Determining If Your Herd Is Deficient, Kerry A. Rood

All Current Publications

This publication describes ways to determine vitamin or mineral deficiencies in cattle herds.

Evaluating Lethal And Sub-Lethal Effects Of Catch-And-Release Angling In Florida's Central Gulf Coast Recreational Atlantic Tarpon (Megalops Atlanticus) Fishery, Kathryn Yvonne Guindon

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Atlantic tarpon are sought after because of their fighting ability on various tackle and support a popular, lucrative and predominantly catch-and-release recreational fishery in Florida. They are not commercially harvested or consumed by the general public, therefore assessing effects of catch-and-release angling on tarpon survival is critical to a sustainable fishery. Tarpon caught on artificial breakaway jig and traditional live bait fishing charters in Boca Grande Pass (n=42) and trips from the recreational fishery of Tampa Bay (n=40) were tagged with ultrasonic transmitters and tracked up to 6 hours immediately following release to estimate post-release mortality. Of the 82 tagged …

Relative Abundance And Spatial Distribution Of Lepomid Sunfishes In The Peace River, Justin Henry Heller

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

This study examines spatially continuous sampling data in order to investigate patterns of abundance and distribution of three recreationally important sunfish species (bluegill, redear, and spotted sunfish) along the main-stem of the Peace River, a large softwater river located in southwest Florida. A total of 467 electrofishing transects were sampled biannually from spring 2008 to spring 2010. Sampling sites ranged from the headwaters of the Peace River in Polk County, FL to the oligohaline waters located in Charlotte County, FL. All fish were collected with boat mounted electrofishing gear, and aquatic habitat and physiochemical water quality measurements were recorded at …

Milk Composition And Yield Changes With Advancing Pregnancy In Dairy Buffaloes (Bubalus Bubalis), Sarzamin Khan, Muhammad Subhan Qureshi, Ifthiar Ahmed, Syed Mirajullah Shah

Turkish Journal of Veterinary & Animal Sciences

The changes in the composition of milk with advancing pregnancy were investigated in Nili-Ravi dairy buffaloes. Forty lactating buffaloes were used, within 2-3 months postpartum. The animals were grouped as high, moderate, and low yielders; synchronized for estrus; and inseminated artificially. Milk yield was recorded daily and sampled fortnightly for analysis. The data were analyzed using the univariate weighted mean and general linear model. Decline in milk yield became significant after the 8th week post-conception. The high yielders had the lowest fat contents. Milk fat increased significantly during succeeding weeks post-conception. The highest fat level (8.5%) was observed in week …

In Vitro Maturation And Fertilization Of Buffalo Oocytes: The Effect Of Recovery And Maturation Methods, Abid Mehmood, Muhammad Anwar, Sayed Murtaza Hassan Andrabi, Muhammad Afzal, Syed Muhammad Saqlan Naqvi

Turkish Journal of Veterinary & Animal Sciences

Conditions for in vitro maturation (IVM) of primary oocytes without conventionally used fetal calf serum and hormones were optimized in order to reduce the cost of laboratory produced buffalo embryos. Comparisons were made between oocyte recovery methods (aspiration vs. slicing) and IVM in medium 199 (static culture method vs. flux culture method) supplemented with 4-5 × 106 granulosa cells mL-1 that contained either estrus buffalo serum (EBS) or fetal calf serum (FCS). Recovery methods were compared according to yield, i.e. cumulus oocyte complexes per ovary (COCs/ovary), the expansion rate (% of COCs that expanded), and nuclear maturation rate (% of …

Preliminary Bacterial Study On Subclinical Mastitis And Teat Condition In Dairy Herds Around Shiraz, Masoud Haghkhah, Mohammad Rahim Ahmadi, Hamid Reza Gheisari, Ali Kadivar

Turkish Journal of Veterinary & Animal Sciences

Mastitis is a widely occurring and costly disease in the dairy industry. The aim of this study was to isolate bacterial causes of subclinical mastitis and investigate the relationship between subclinical mastitis and teat condition in dairy herds located around Shiraz, Fars province, Iran. From 7 commercial dairy herds around Shiraz 354 lactating cows were selected randomly. Subclinical mastitis was evaluated by the California Mastitis Test (CMT), electrical conductivity (EC), and somatic cell count (SCC). Teat condition was evaluated by measuring teat width and length. In the 68 samples of bacterial cultures identified, 14 different bacterial species were found. Staphylococcus …

Computational Comparison Of Β-Mannosidases Of Animals, Humans, Microbes, And Plants, Zahoor Qadir Samra, Muhammad Amin Athar

Turkish Journal of Veterinary & Animal Sciences

The \beta-mannosidase (MANB) enzyme is involved in removing mannose residue from the nonreducing end, and its impaired activity leads to \beta-mannosidosis. MANB amino acid sequences of humans, other mammals, plants, fungi, and bacteria were compared to determine their similarities, differences, and predicted 3D structures. Our cloned MANB DNA sequence showed a 99% similarity to a previously reported human MANB DNA sequence but 16 nucleotide differences were observed, showing the polymorphic nature of the enzyme. The 9 changed codons coded the different amino acids Ile, Lys, Ile, Thr, Arg, Leu, Leu, Gly, and Asp, while 7 changed codons coded the same …

Repeat Breeder Syndrome In Dairy Cows: Influence Of Breed And Age On Its Prevalence And The Success Of A Hormone Therapy*, Robert Zobel, Suzana Tkalcic, Vlatka Buic, Ivana Pipal, Darko Geres, Marko Samardzija

Turkish Journal of Veterinary & Animal Sciences

The aim of this study was to establish the prevalence of repeat breeder syndrome (RBS) in different breeds and reproductive ages of cattle in central Croatia and to assess the effectiveness of hormone therapy as a treatment option. A total of 1088 dairy cows were observed, 218 heifers and 870 multiparous cows. After the third unsuccessful artificial insemination (n = 164) and a thorough clinical and gynecological examination, the cows were tested for sexually transmitted diseases. An RBS diagnosis was based on failure to conceive, negative laboratory tests for sexually transmitted diseases, and the absence of other reproductive disorders. The …

The Effect Of Year And Season Of Birth, Sex, Sire, And Breeder On Ossification Of The Distal Epiphyseal Cartilage Of The Radial Bone In Thoroughbred Horses, Jaroslaw Luszczynski, Magdalena Pieszka

Turkish Journal of Veterinary & Animal Sciences

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of specific factors on ossification of the distal epiphyseal cartilage of the radial bone in Thoroughbred horses. The study was carried out on 452 Thoroughbred horses, two years old, that were under race training. X-ray tests were conducted and interpreted every month starting at the 18th month of life and continuing until ossification of the distal epiphyseal cartilage of the radial bone occurred. In the statistical model, the year of birth, sex, birth season, sire, and breeder were treated as constant effects. Horses that were born in the spring season …

Growth Characteristics In Lambs Of Estrus Synchronized Ewes In Grower Conditions, Murat Yilmaz, Tufan Altin

Turkish Journal of Veterinary & Animal Sciences

The aim of this study was to determine the growth characteristics of lambs of estrus-synchronized ewes in an extensive production system during 2 different periods. The animal material of this study was composed of 325 head Chios × Kıvırcık cross breeds. These lambs were provided by mating 124 Kıvırcık sheep on 2 farms with 8 Chios rams provided by the Adnan Menderes University, Faculty of Agriculture, Sheep Research Unit. The estrus cycles of the ewes were synchronized with intra-vaginal progestagen sponges impregnated with 30 mg of cronolone. After 12-14 days the sponges were removed, the females received an intramuscular injection …

The Effect Of Sex And Feed Supplementation With Organic Selenium And Vitamin E On The Growth Rate And Zoometrical Body Measurements Of Oat-Fattened White Kołuda® Geese*, Ewa Lukaszewicz, Artur Kowalczyk, Anna Jerysz

Turkish Journal of Veterinary & Animal Sciences

This experiment was carried out on 200 White Koluda geese, 1 day old, randomly divided into 2 groups with 50 males and 50 females in each group. From the first day until week 13, birds from the control groups were fed basic feeds; in the experimental groups, feed was supplemented with 0.3 mg/kg of selenium and 100 mg/kg of vitamin E. Later on, all birds were fed for 1 week with 160 g of oat grain and 250 g of ground cereals per day, then with oat grain ad libitum. The body weight of each bird was measured individually on …