Animal Sciences Commons^™

Flight Mechanics And Control Of Escape Manoeuvres In Hummingbirds. I. Flight Kinematics, Bo Cheng, Bret W. Tobalske, Donald R. Powers, Tyson L. Hedrick, Susan M. Wethington, George T.C. Chiu, Xinyan Deng

Faculty Publications - Department of Biological & Molecular Science

Hummingbirds are nature’s masters of aerobatic manoeuvres. Previous research shows that hummingbirds and insects converged evolutionarily upon similar aerodynamic mechanisms and kinematics in hovering. Herein, we use three-dimensional kinematic data to begin to test for similar convergence of kinematics used for escape flight and to explore the effects of body size upon manoeuvring. We studied four hummingbird species in North America including two large species (magnificent hummingbird, Eugenes fulgens, 7.8 g, and blue-throated hummingbird, Lampornis clemenciae, 8.0 g) and two smaller species (broad-billed hummingbird, Cynanthus latirostris, 3.4 g, and black-chinned hummingbirds Archilochus alexandri, 3.1 g). Starting from a steady hover, …

Effects Of Hydrology On The Growth And Recruitment Of Stream Fish In The Eastern Broadleaf Province Of Minnesota, Eric J. Krumm

All Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Other Capstone Projects

Agricultural practices and urban development have altered streamflows within the Eastern Broadleaf Province of Minnesota. Stream-flow alteration can produce significant changes in native freshwater communities. Therefore, knowledge of streamflow effects on representative freshwater populations and communities within the province are needed to maintain ecological integrity. Fish community and population dynamics often display predictable responses to flow regimes, which can make fishes model organisms for examining flow-ecology relationships.

In lotic systems, annual variation in streamflow can influence the annual growth and recruitment of fishes. Understanding the growth and recruitment of fish populations is essential for management and conservation efforts. Growth can …

Development And Evaluation Of A Habitat Suitability Model For White-Tailed Deer In An Agricultural Landscape, Eric Anstedt

All Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Other Capstone Projects

White-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus) are an ecological, economical, and socially significant species that occupy a variety of ecoregions. White-tailed deer are mobile habitat generalists that prefer habitats containing woody cover. Deer have successfully adapted to habitat-fragmented, agricultural landscapes. As a result, deer are not uniformly distributed across intensively cultivated areas, which make field surveys difficult with often highly variable spatial data. To increase sampling efficiency (deer observed / sampling effort), the landscape can be stratified based upon preferred habitat types. Habitat suitability models (HSI) have been used to represent hypothesized wildlife-habitat relationships, and therefore the likelihood of deer being observed …

Mediterranean Water Shrew (Neomys Anomalus): Range Expansion Northward, Linas Balciauskas, Laima Balciauskiene, Uudo Timm

Turkish Journal of Zoology

We identified three individuals of the Mediterranean water shrew (Neomys anomalus) in Estonia, expanding the known distribution range of the species to the north by 500 km from the most northern location in Lithuania and over 700 km from Poland. The identification of the species in Estonia, the most northern known locality, was based on the position of mental foramen, height of coronoid process (>4.3 mm), and Libois index (

A Simple Method To Reduce Interpretation Error Of Ages Estimated From Otoliths, Bradley J. Smith, Daniel J. Dembkowski, Daniel A. James, Melissa R. Wuellner

Natural Resource Management Faculty Publications

We designed and tested a novel otolith viewing apparatus termed the otolith illumination device (OID) to ascertain if its use would result in a reduction of interpretation error as determined by increased precision of age estimates obtained from otoliths of walleye Sander vitreus and smallmouth bass Micropterus dolomieu. Clarity of annuli on otolith sections viewed with the OID was generally greater than clarity of annuli on sections viewed with an alternative method. OID-based age estimates were equally as, and in some instance more precise than ages estimated using the alternative method. Additionally, no systematic differences in coefficients of variation …

Winter Habitat Quality But Not Long- Distance Dispersal Influences Apparent Reproductive Success In A Migratory Bird, Clark S. Rushing, Peter P. Marra, Michele R. Dudash

Natural Resource Management Faculty Publications

Long- distance breeding and natal dispersal play central roles in many ecological and evolutionary processes, including gene flow, population dynamics, range expansion, and individual responses to fluctuating biotic and abiotic conditions. However, the relative contribution of long- distance dispersal to these processes depends on the ability of dispersing individuals to successfully reproduce in their new environment. Unfortunately, due to the difficulties associated with tracking dispersal in the field, relatively little is known about its reproductive consequences. Furthermore, because reproductive success is influenced by a variety of processes, disentangling the influence of each of these processes is critical to understanding the …

Age, Growth And Natural Mortality Of Blackfin Snapper Lutjanus Buccanella From The Southeastern United States And U. S. Caribbean, Michael L. Burton, Jennifer C. Potts, Daniel R. Carr

Gulf and Caribbean Research

We determined ages of Blackfin Snapper (Lutjanus buccanella Cuvier 1828; n = 622) collected from the southeastern United States coast and U.S. Caribbean from 1979–2015 using sectioned sagittal otoliths. Opaque zones were determined to be annular, forming March – July (peaking in April–June). Blackfin Snapper ranged from 1–27 years and from 180–609 mm total length (TL). Body size relationships for Blackfin Snapper were: TL = 1.09 FL + 0.81 (n = 203, r2 = 0.99); FL = 0.91 TL + 3.38 (n = 203, r2 = 0.99); TL = 1.23 SL + 14.27 (n = 83, r2 = 0.97); FL …

Hawks And Owls, Brian E. Washburn

Wildlife Damage Management Technical Series

Human-Wildlife Conflicts: Hawks and owls can negatively impact a variety of human interests, including important natural resources, livestock and game bird production, human health and safety, and companion animals. Conflicts between raptors and people generally are localized and often site-specific. However, the economic and social impacts to the individuals involved can be severe. Despite the problems they may cause, hawks and owls provide important benefits and environmental services. Raptors are popular with birdwatchers and much of the general public. They also hunt and kill large numbers of rodents, reducing crop damage and other problems.

Damage Identification

Management Methods

Economics

Species …

The Evaluation Of Eprinomectin (Longrange®) On Long-Term Parasitic Infection In Nursing Calves During Summer Grazing®, Lyndsea D. Seibert

LSU Master's Theses

One of the most significant threats to the well-being and performance of grazing livestock are gastrointestinal nematode (GIN) parasitic infections. Allowing a large GIN burden to manifest can cause a significant cost in terms of productivity in grazing cattle. Beef producers commonly rely greatly on the efficacy of broad-spectrum anthelmintics, to not only kill resident worms but to also prevent the establishment of ingested infective stage larvae (L3) for a period following treatment. Eprinomectin (LONGRANGE®, E-LR) is the first extended-release injectable cattle dewormer that claims to provide cattle producers season-long persistent parasite control for 100 to 150 d in a …

Metabolic And Body Temperature Responses To Environmental Conditions Across Seasons In Finishing Steers, Bradley M. Boyd, Terry L. Mader, Curtis J. Bittner Bittner, Dirk Burken, Henry Hilscher, Gene Wijffels, John B. Gaughan, Megan Sullivan, Judy Cawdell- Smith, Galen E. Erickson

Nebraska Beef Cattle Reports

Two trials (summer and winter) were conducted with 80 steers each at the UNL ARDC near Mead, Neb. Continuous body temperature was collected throughout both trials and blood samples were taken every other week until four weeks prior to harvest. Th is resulted in a total of 6 collections for the summer and 8 collections for the winter. Blood measures responded differently between seasons with significant quadratic interactions between collection time and season suggesting environmental conditions affect blood metabolites.

Effects Of Shade And Feeding Zilpaterol Hydrochloride To Finishing Steers On Performance, Carcass Quality, Heat Stress, Mobility, And Body Temperature, Bradley M. Boyd, Steven D. Shackelford, Kristin E. Hales Hales, Tami M. Brown- Brandl, Meredith L. Bremer, Matthew L. Spangler, Tommy L. Wheeler, David A. King, Galen E. Erickson

Nebraska Beef Cattle Reports

A finishing study evaluated the effects of shade and feeding zilpaterol hydrochloride (ZH) on performance, carcass quality, mobility, and body temperature. No effect on body temperature, or performance was observed for shaded cattle versus cattle in open pens. Feeding ZH increased HCW, LM area and decreased yield grade. Zilpaterol hydrochloride increased respiration rate but did not significantly affect body temperature or mobility. Across all treatments mobility decreased with time, therefore, cattle were least mobile at the time of harvest.

Feeding Vitamin E May Reverse Sarcoplasmic Reticulum Membrane Instability Caused By Feeding Wet Distillers Grains Plus Solubles To Cattle, Michael D. Chao, Katherine I. Domenech, Chris R. Calkins Calkins

Nebraska Beef Cattle Reports

Steers were finished on either 0% or 30% wet distillers grains plus solubles with four antioxidant treatments (control; vitamin E; Agrado; vitamin E + Agrado). Feeding wet distillers grains plus solubles increased polyunsaturated fatty acids contents in SR membrane and altered sarcoplasmic reticulum phospholipid profiles. Steaks from steers fed wet distillers grains plus solubles also had more protein degradation. Supplementing vitamin E reversed the alteration of sarcoplasmic reticulum phospholipid profiles and prevented the accelerated protein degradation resulted from feeding wet distillers grains plus solubles. These findings suggest that feeding wet distillers grains plus solubles in the finishing diet may accelerate …

Granulosa Cell Exposure To Excess Androgens Inhibits Their Ability To Proliferate In The Cow Which May Cause Or Perpetuate Androgen Excess, Andrea S. Cupp, Sarah Romereim, Adam F. Summers Summers, William E. Pohlmeier, Renee M. Mcfee, Renata Spuri- Gomes, Scott G. Kurz, Anthony K. Mcneel, Robert A. Cushman, John S. Davis, Jennifer R. Wood

Nebraska Beef Cattle Reports

Within the UNL physiology herd, a group of cows have been identified with excess androgen (androstenedione, A4) in their dominant follicle (30 fold higher than controls) and a 17% reduction in calving rate, suggesting subfertility. Th e objective was to identify altered granulosa cell gene expression that could be preventing these cells from converting excess androgen into estrogen. Microarray analysis suggests these granulosa cells experience inhibited proliferation resulting in a reduced total population of cells. Improved understanding of the causes of this phenotype may provide beef producers with tools to identify potentially subfertile cattle and improve reproductive efficiency.

Effect Of Dam Age On Offspring Productivity, Aline G. Da Silva, Jacqueline A. Musgrave, John Nollette Nollette, Andy Applegarth, Rick N. Funston

Nebraska Beef Cattle Reports

Records collected from 1997 to 2014 were analyzed to evaluate the effects of dam age on off spring productivity. Steer calves born from young mothers (2 and 3 yr old dams) had lighter carcasses with more carcasses grading Choice and upper 2/3 Choice. Th e calving performance and reproductive performance in the second breeding season for heifer calves born from first calving dams were the lowest compared with heifers born from multiparous dams. A quadratic effect of dam age on off spring performance was observed; as dam age increased, off spring performance increased, until dam age reached 7 to 8 …

Impact Of Supplementing Cattle With Omnigen- Af At The Receiving Or Finishing Phase On Beef Shelf- Life, Katherine I. Domenech, Michael D. Chao, Joe Buntyn Buntyn, Ty B. Schmidt, Chris R. Calkins

Nebraska Beef Cattle Reports

A patented proprietary product, OmniGen- AF, was evaluated to extend beef steak shelf- life at 8, 22 and 29 days of aging. Th e three treatment groups included a control group with no supplementation, OmniGen- AF supplementation for28 d aft er receiving, and supplementation for 210 d during finishing. Th e inclusion of OmniGen- AF had no effect on tenderness or visual discoloration under retail display conditions and minimal effects on fatty acid composition. Although color stability seemed to be unaffected by the supplementation, feeding OmniGen- AF throughout the entire feeding period tended to decrease oxidation. Supplementing cattle with a …

Effects Of Replacing A Traditional Growing Diet With A Complete Pelleted Feed On Total Tract Digestibility Of Growing Diets, Jana L. Harding, Melissa L. Jolly, Galen E. Erickson Erickson, Jim C. Macdonald

Nebraska Beef Cattle Reports

A digestion study evaluated the effects of replacing traditional growing diets containing 60% untreated corn stover \or 60% alkaline treated corn stover, with one of two types of complete pelleted feeds (Pellet C or Pellet S) containing alkaline treated corn stover and dry distillers grains. Pellet C and S were harvested using different methods. Pellet S had the greatest OM and NDF digestibility, while the untreated stover had the lowest. Pellet C and the treated stover fell intermediate. Replacing a traditional growing diet with a complete pelleted feed resulted in similar or improved diet digestibility, depending on stover harvesting method.

Evaluating Syngenta Enhanced Feed Corn On Finishing Cattle Performance And Carcass Characteristics, Marie E. Harris, Melissa L. Jolly- Breithaupt, Brandon L. Nuttelman Nuttelman, Dirk Burken, Galen E. Erickson, Ivan G. Rush, Matt K. Luebbe

Nebraska Beef Cattle Reports

Two experiments were conducted to compare Syngenta Enhanced Feed Corn™ containing an alpha amylase enzyme trait (SYT- EFC) with commercially available corn grain without the alpha amylase enzyme trait (Conventional) for cattle performance and carcass characteristics at 2 locations. In Exp. 1, steers were fed SYT- EFC or Conventional corn with or without the addition of 25% Sweet Bran, or a BLEND (Conventional and SYT- EFC) without Sweet Bran. In Exp. 2, steers were fed SYT- EFC, Conventional, BLEND, or Conventional with an alpha amylase enzyme supplement (NZ). In Exp. 1, feed conversion improved 8.5% for SYT- EFC compared with …

Effect Of Harvest Method On Residue Quality, Tasha M. King, Robert G. Bondurant, Jana L. Harding Harding, Jim C. Macdonald, Terry J. Klopfenstein

Nebraska Beef Cattle Reports

A growing study was conducted to evaluate the effect of residue quality due to harvest method and inclusion of supplemental rumen undegradable protein on performance of growing steers. The residue harvested with an alternative method to minimize stem increased gain and improved efficiency compared to conventionally harvested corn residue. Inclusion of rumen undegradable protein increased gain and improved feed effi ciency compared to diets without supplemental rumen undegradable protein.

Finishing Yearling Heifers Using Self- Fed Dried Distillers Grains On Pasture, Jared M. Mracek, Jason M. Warner, Bradley R. Wetovick Wetovick, Dennis E. Bauer, Twig T. Marston, Jim C. Macdonald, Jerry D. Volesky, Richard J. Rasby

Nebraska Beef Cattle Reports

A 2- yr study compared a traditional system of grazing yearlings followed by a grain- based drylot finishing program to a system using a self- fed dried distillers grain supplement during a spring/summer/fall pasture grazing season. Th e self- fed (SF) heifers had greater ADG and ending BW on pasture but the traditionally managed heifers had greater final BW and HCW. At harvest, SF heifers had greater 12th rib back fat. When data were adjusted to a common empty body fat, carcass weight and marbling score were greater for traditionally managed heifers.

Effect Of Safeguard® On Fecal Egg Count And Steer Performance In Newly Received Calves, Antonio J. Neto, Curtis J. Bittner, Brandon L. Nuttelman Nuttelman, Galen E. Erickson

Nebraska Beef Cattle Reports

The effects of Safeguard® on fecal egg count (FEC) and performance of newly received calves in the feedlot were evaluated. Treatments were Safeguard® and Dectomax® injectable or only Dectomax® injectable. Th e basal diet consisted of 30% dry- rolled corn, 36% Sweet Bran® Cargill, 30% alfalfa hay, and 4% supplement. Th ere were no diff erences in DMI, ADG, F:G, and initial FEC between treatments. However, FEC on d 19 was lower for animals receiving Safeguard® and Dectomax® compared to Dectomax®. Th e combination of Safeguard® and Dectomax ® reduced FEC to very low amounts of newly received calves in …

How Many Clean-Up Bulls Are Needed Aft Er Estrus Synchronization And Artificial Insemination?, Hazy R. Nielson, Rick N. Funston

Nebraska Beef Cattle Reports

To evaluate the ideal number of bulls to use following estrus synchronization and artificial insemination (AI), research reporting AI and final pregnancy rates and bull to female ratio in Bos taurus cattle was reviewed and summarized. Pregnancy rate means were weighted based on the number of females in each study. Final pregnancy rates for a normal bull to female ratio (1:20 to 30) in a natural service setting were 87.8%. In comparison, final pregnancy rates following estrus synchronization and AI for a normal, intermediate (1:31 to 49), and half the number of bulls (1:50 to 60) were 87.8, 82.6, and …

Effect Of Feeding De-Oiled Dry Distillers Grains Plus Solubles On Beef Oxidation, Color And Tenderness, Keni E.Z. Nubiato, Katherine I. Domenech, Galen E. Erickson Erickson, Chris R. Calkins

Nebraska Beef Cattle Reports

Cattle fed a de-oiled dry distillers grains plus solubles (DDGS) diet (50% DM basis) were compared to cattle fed a corn- based control diet to determine effects on discoloration, oxidation, color, and tenderness of beef aged for 2, 8, 14 and 21 days. Dietary treatment had no effect on tenderness. From the fourth day of retail display, beef from animals fed de-oiled DDGS had greater lipid oxidation and greater percentages of discoloration. Th e de-oiled DDGS treatment also showed greater discoloration aft er 21 days of aging. While feeding de-oiled DDGS did not impact lipid oxidation at 2, 8 and …

Effects Of Direct- Fed Microbial Supplementation In Different Diets On Performance And Carcass Characteristics Of Beef Feedlot Heifers, Laura F. Prados, Nirosh D. Aluthge, Curtis J. Bittner Bittner, F. Henry Hilscher, Samodha C. Fernando, Galen E. Erickson

Nebraska Beef Cattle Reports

The objective of this study was to evaluate performance and carcass characteristics of heifers fed a newly developed direct- fed microbial (DFM), using 336 heifers in a pen study. Th e experiment consisted of feeding corn (CON) or 40% modified distillers grains plus solubles (40MDGS) and presence or absence of DFM added as a top- dress. No significant differences were observed for heifer performance and carcass characteristics due to DFM. Feeding MDGS increased ADG, while reducing F:G compared to CON. The DFM developed for this study did not enhance performance as was hypothesized, while feeding MDGS did.

Observations Of Forage Quality And Calf Gain When Grazing Double Cropped Forage Following Wheat Harvest, Kristen M. Ulmer, Robert G. Bondurant, Jana L. Harding Harding, Gary Lesoing, M. E. Drewnoski, James C. Macdonald

Nebraska Beef Cattle Reports

A 2- year cover crop grazing study was conducted following wheat harvest to evaluate the quality and yield of a 5- way forage annual forage mix in addition to cattle performance. In 2013, gain of steer calves was 2.03 lb/day, while 2014 steer calves had gain of 1.55 lb/day. Above ground forage production was 1.08 and 1.72 tons/acre in 2013 and 2014, respectively. Daikon radish and purple top turnip (brassicas) were high in sulfur and low in fiber. Fall forage production of brassica and oat based mixes following wheat grain harvest provide 97 to 137 lb of gain per acre.

Effect Of Pelleted Feed Products And Bambermycins On Performance When Fed To Cattle Grazing Residue, Cody A. Welchons, Robert G. Bondurant, F. Henry Hilscher Hilscher, Jim C. Macdonald, Galen E. Erickson, Cody A. Nichols

Nebraska Beef Cattle Reports

Steer calves grazing non- irrigated corn residue were supplemented with a corn residue and by- product pellet at 0.3, 0.7, or 1.1% of BW. Th e, pellet was formulated to deliver either 0 or 10 mg/steer daily of bambermycins (Gainpro). Th ere was no interaction between bambermycins inclusion and level of supplementation. Likewise, there was no effect of bambermycins on ending BW or ADG. As level of supplement increased, both ending BW and ADG increased linearly.

Effects Of Calf Starter Composition And Mixing Method On Growth And Rumen Health In Young Dairy Calves, Ruth Marisol Orellana Rivas

LSU Master's Theses

Twenty-four male Holstein calves (BW = 38.78 ± 7.26 Kg) were used to evaluate the effects of commercially available or farm mixed starter on animal performance, blood metabolites, and rumen health. Calves were randomly assigned to one of two treatments which included: commercial calf starter (minimum 20% CP; CCS) and starter of similar nutrient content but hand mixed on farm (FMS). Calves were offered treatments ad libitum on days 4 through 84. Milk replacer (MR) was offered beginning on day 4. On day 42, MR was reduced to once daily to decrease intake by 50%. On day 49 calves were …

Proportionality Between Population Descriptors (Covariables) In An Aggregated Acanthocephalan (Helminth) Infection Of A Microcrustacean: Crofton Revisited, J. J. Daly Sr., K. Wagner

Journal of the Arkansas Academy of Science

We have previously shown that population parameters of the trematode metacercariae of Clinostomum marginatum in black bass (Micropterus spp.) were closely correlated with each other with the exception of prevalence (Daly et al. 2007, Daly (2014). Crofton (1971) and Haynes and Nicholas (1963) published raw data on an acanthocephalan, (Polymorphus minutus) in an amphipod intermediate host collected on 6 different sites on a stream. That data was used herein to examine similar correlations, as with Clinostomum, to see if another helminth infection, in this case from a different phylum, also had similar descriptor relationships. Forty one regression analyses were done …

Population Sampling Of Chelonians In An Urban Lake In Jonesboro, Craighead County, Arkansas, J. D. Konvalina, C. S. Thigpen, S. E. Trauth

Journal of the Arkansas Academy of Science

We conducted a mark-recapture survey for aquatic turtles in Craighead Forest Lake in Jonesboro (Craighead County, Arkansas). From July 2, 2015 to October 14, 2015, we set six hoop nets, baited with fish parts, at specific shoreline locations around the lake. Traps were set twice a week and checked 12 hours after they were set. Carapace length, carapace width, plastron length, and plastron width were measured for each individual. Each turtle was identified to species and its sex was recorded. We also placed a notch in one or more of its marginal scutes to aid in future identification. Finally, a …

History And Fall Migration Of Northern Saw-Whet Owls (Aegolius Acadicus) In Arkansas, M. L. Pruitt, K. G. Smith

Journal of the Arkansas Academy of Science

The secretive Northern Saw-whet Owl (Aegolius acadicus) is believed to be much more widespread during fall and winter than previously thought in the southern United States. To see if they occur more frequently in Arkansas, we initiated a banding study in fall of 2014 in northwestern Arkansas. Prior to that, only 12 historic records existed for Arkansas between 1959 and 2010. Over the course of two field seasons, we captured and banded 24 Northern Saw-whet Owls in rural Madison County. All birds were mist-netted along a trail, in woodland composed of pine and cedar with fairly dense undergrowth. Two were …

Vertebrate Natural History Notes From Arkansas, 2016, R. Tumlison, C. T. Mcallister, H. W. Robison, M. B. Connior, D. B. Sasse, D. A. Saugey, S. Chordas Iii

Journal of the Arkansas Academy of Science

Often, interesting and important observations of vertebrate distribution and natural history are not published because they are not part of a larger study. Knowledge of small details, however, not only fills gaps in understanding but also lead researchers to interesting questions about ecological relationships or environmental change. We have compiled recent observations of importance that can add immensely to the growth of knowledge of the biology of vertebrates in Arkansas.