Animal Sciences Commons^™

Bird Monitoring At Effigy Mounds National Monument, Iowa, Status Report 2009–2017, David G. Peitz, Lloyd W. Morrison, Kristen L. Mecke

United States National Park Service: Publications

Executive Summary

In 2009, the Heartland Inventory and Monitoring (I&M) Network) initiated breeding bird surveys on Effigy Mounds National Monument (NM), Iowa, to address two objectives: (1) to monitor changes in bird community composition and abundance, and (2) to improve our understanding of relationships between breeding birds and habitat and the effects of management actions on such relationships. This report evaluates trends in the park’s breeding bird populations in the context of trends observed within the North American Bird Conservation Initiative’s (NABCI) Prairie Hardwood Transition Bird Conservation Region, the bird conservation region in which the park is located. By doing …

Dolphins In Space: Quantifying The Relative Positions Of Bottlenose Dolphins (Tursiops Truncatus), Megan S. Mcgrath

Theses and Dissertations

Bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops truncatus) are socially sophisticated mammals with high fission-fusion dynamics and complex communication. The relative positioning of individual dolphins as they swim within their social group may aid in the expression of social roles. This study sought to quantify relative positioning in a small social group of female bottlenose dolphins at the National Aquarium in Baltimore that included two mother-daughter pairs, maternal and paternal half-sisters, a half-aunt and niece, and one unrelated female. We devised a method for scoring relative positioning in three dimensions. We found that the two mothers and their juvenile and adult daughters …

The Effects Of Tactile And Visual Deterrents On Honey Badger Predation Of Beehives, Abigail S. Johnson

Theses and Dissertations

As human and elephant populations grow in Kenya so does human-elephant conflict. One of the most substantial contributors to this conflict, the crop-raiding behavior of elephants (Loxodonta africana), is alleviated through the use of Elephants and Bee Project's beehive fences. A threat to these beehives are the honey badgers (Mellivora capensis) who try to obtain honey, causing damage to the hive and the hive to abscond. The objective of this study was to improve the effectiveness of these beehive fences through identifying and testing novel honey badger deterrent methods. On-farm experiments in Taita Taveta County, Kenya …

The Influence Of Pointing Accuracy In An Object-Choice Task With Domestic Horses (Equus Caballus), Elizabeth A. Krisch

Theses and Dissertations

This study evaluated the influence of pointing accuracy and experimenter identity on domestic horse (Equus caballus) behavior in an object-choice task. Results suggest that after receiving inaccurate pointing cues, horses adapt their responses based on their familiarity with an experimenter, and exhibit signs of memory retention across test trials.

Behavioral Flexibility Of A Generalist Carnivore, Sarah E. Daniels, Rachel E. Fanelli, Amy Gilbert, Sarah Sarah Benson‑Amram

United States Department of Agriculture Wildlife Services: Staff Publications

Innovative problem solving, repeated innovation, learning, and inhibitory control are cognitive abilities commonly regarded as important components of behaviorally flexible species. Animals exhibiting these cognitive abilities may be more likely to adapt to the unique demands of living in novel and rapidly changing environments, such as urbanized landscapes. Raccoons

(Procyon lotor) are an abundant, generalist species frequently found in urban habitats, and are capable of innovative problem solving, which makes them an ideal species to assess their behavioral flexibility. We gave 20 captive raccoons a multi-access puzzle box to investigate which behavioral and cognitive mechanisms enable the generation …

The Morphology And Evolution Of The Primate Brachial Plexus, Brian M. Shearer

Dissertations, Theses, and Capstone Projects

Primate evolutionary history is inexorably linked to the evolution of a broad array of locomotor adaptations that have facilitated the clade’s invasion of new niches. Researchers studying the evolution of primates and of their individual locomotor adaptations have traditionally relied on bony morphology – a practical choice given the virtual non-existence of any other type of tissue in the fossil record. However, this focus downplays the potential importance of the many other structures involved in locomotion, such as muscle, cartilage, and neural tissue, which may each be influenced by separate selective forces because of their different roles in facilitating movement. …

Optimizing Gastrointestinal Integrity In Poultry: The Role Of Nutrients And Feed Additives, Sunday A. Adedokun, Opeyemi C. Olojede

Animal and Food Sciences Faculty Publications

Immunomodulation of the immune system by stimulating or suppressing one or both arms, is an emerging concept driven by the understanding of the host defense system. In particular, the gastrointestinal tract (GIT) functions not only as a site for digestion and absorption of nutrients but also acts as a metabolic and immunological organ. This serves as a barrier against abnormal presentation of luminal constituents, caused by dysfunctional intestinal epithelial barrier, to the mucosal immune system. Invasion by pathogens in the case of disease or stress or a massive influx of commensal bacteria overcomes the defensive mechanisms, resulting in the full …

Habitat Usage Patterns Of Bottlenose Dolphins (Tursiops Truncatus) In Terrebonne And Timbalier Bays, Louisiana, Mary Allison Manning

LSU Master's Theses

I coupled fine-scale environmental data with observed behavior and group composition data to examine overall distribution within the bay system and to characterize the habitat associated with foraging and the presence of calves. Semi-isolated populations of bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops truncatus) along Louisiana’s coast are undergoing increased risks from boat traffic, oil spills, land subsidence, and planned water diversions (CPRA 2017). Characterizing the habitat use of bottlenose dolphins in Terrebonne and Timbalier bays, Louisiana, is important given the likely high site fidelity, small home ranges, and low exchange of individuals with nearby coastal populations (Lane et al. 2015, McDonald …

Challenges In Columbia River Fisheries Conservation: A Response To Duda Et Al., Brian K. Hand, Courtney G. Flint, Chris A. Frissell, Clint C. Muhlfeld, Shawn P. Devlin, Brian P. Kennedy, Robert L. Crabtree, W. Arthur Mckee, Gordon Luikart, Jack A. Stanford

Sociology, Social Work and Anthropology Faculty Publications

The salmonid fisheries of the Columbia River Basin (CRB) have enormous socioeconomic, cultural, and ecological importance to numerous diverse stakeholders (eg state, federal, tribal, nonprofit), and there are a wide array of opinions and perspectives on how these fisheries should be managed. Although we appreciate Duda et al.'s commentary, it offers only one perspective of many in this context. The objective of our paper (Hand et al. 2018) was to provide justification for “the importance of social–ecological perspectives when communicating conservation values and goals, and the role of independent science in guiding management policy and practice for …

Livestock Judging And Evaluation Avs 250, Michael Cerbo

Library Impact Statements

No abstract provided.

Generation Of H7n9-Specific Human Polyclonal Antibodies From A Transchromosomic Goat (Caprine) System, Hua Wu, Zhiqiang Fan, Michelle Brandsrud, Qinggang Meng, Molly Bobbitt, Misha Regouski, Rusty Stott, Alexis Sweat, Jackelyn Crabtree, Robert J. Hogan, Ralph A. Tripp, Zhongde Wang, Irina A. Polejaeva, Eddie J. Sullivan

Animal, Dairy, and Veterinary Science Faculty Publications

To address the unmet needs for human polyclonal antibodies both as therapeutics and diagnostic reagents, building upon our previously established transchromosomic (Tc) cattle platform, we report herein the development of a Tc goat system expressing human polyclonal antibodies in their sera. In the Tc goat system, a human artificial chromosome (HAC) comprising the entire human immunoglobulin (Ig) gene repertoire in the germline configuration was introduced into the genetic makeup of the domestic goat. We achieved this by transferring the HAC into goat fetal fibroblast cells followed by somatic cell nuclear transfer for Tc goat production. Gene and protein expression analyses …

Effect Of Cooled Perches On Performance, Plumage Condition, And Foot Health Of Caged White Leghorn Hens Exposed To Cyclic Heat, J Y. Hu, P Y. Hester, M M. Makagon, Y Xiong, R S. Gates, H W. Cheng

Department of Animal Science: Faculty Publications

We examined the effects of water-chilled perches as cooling devices on hen performance during 2 summers using daily cyclic heat. White Leghorns, 17 wk of age, were assigned to 36 cages arranged into 6 banks. The banks were assigned to cooled perches, air perches, and no perches resulting in 2 replicate banks and 12 cages per treatment. Chilled water (10^◦C) was circulated through the cooled perches during heat episodes. Daily cyclic heat of 35^◦C was applied from 0600 to1800 h with a lowering of temperature to 28^◦C from 1800 to 0600 h during the …

A Global Reassessment Of Solitary-Sociable Dolphins, Laetitia Nunny, Mark P. Simmonds

Personality Collection

Dolphins are typically regarded as highly social animals. However, some individuals live apart from their own species and may come to socialize with people through a recognized series of stages which are presented and expanded on in this paper. The term “solitary-sociable dolphins” has been used to describe these animals and such individuals have been identified from several different species and reported in many parts of the world. In many instances, the interactions with people that may follow their original isolation, and which typically become more intense over time, have created situations where the welfare of the animal has been …

Human Polyclonal Antibodies Produced From Transchromosomal Bovine Provides Prophylactic And Therapeutic Protections Against Zika Virus Infection In Stat2 Ko Syrian Hamsters, Venkatraman Siddharthan, Jinxin Miao, Arnaud J. Van Wettere, Rong Li, Hua Wu, Eddie Sullivan, Jinan Jiao, Jay W. Hooper, David Safronetz, John D. Morrey, Justin G. Julander, Zhongde Wang

Animal, Dairy, and Veterinary Science Faculty Publications

Zika virus (ZIKV) infection can cause severe congenital diseases, such as microcephaly, ocular defects and arthrogryposis in fetuses, and Guillain–Barré syndrome in adults. Efficacious therapeutic treatments for infected patients, as well as prophylactic treatments to prevent new infections are needed for combating ZIKV infection. Here, we report that ZIKV-specific human polyclonal antibodies (SAB-155), elicited in transchromosomal bovine (TcB), provide significant protection from infection by ZIKV in STAT2 knockout (KO) golden Syrian hamsters both prophylactically and therapeutically. These antibodies also prevent testicular lesions in this hamster model. Our data indicate that antibody-mediated immunotherapy is effective in treating ZIKV infection. Because suitable …

A New Semidesert Microtityus Kjellesvig-Waering, 1966 (Scorpiones: Buthidae) From Southeast Cuba, Greater Antilles., Rolando Teruel

Euscorpius

A new species of the buthid scorpion genus Microtityus Kjellesvig-Waering, 1966, is herein described from specimens of both sexes collected at three nearby localities in the western part of the Guantánamo Bay Area, southeast Cuba. It belongs in the "jaumei" species-group of the subgenus Microtityus (Parvabsonus) Armas, 1974 and is very peculiar not only by its external morphology (very distinct from its other Cuban congeners), but also by the unusual habitat where it occurs in and seems to be restricted to (dry and hot cactus scrub on volcanic sandy plain). The present contribution reinforces the position of this genus as …

Upcoming Events [2019], Christopher D. Teutsch, Christi L. Forsythe, Rehanon Pampell

Forage Symposium at the Kentucky Cattlemen’s Convention

No abstract provided.

Uk Research Spotlight [2019], Christopher D. Teutsch, Christi L. Forsythe, Rehanon Pampell

Forage Symposium at the Kentucky Cattlemen’s Convention

• Simplifying Grain Drill Calibration J.M. Buckman, H. Adams, and C.D. Teutsch
• Performance of Stockers Grazing Diverse Summer Annual Forage Mixtures K.M. Mercier, C.D. Teutsch, S.R. Smith, E.L. Ritchey, K.H. Burdine, and E.S. Vanzant
• Nitrogen Application on Diverse Summer Annual Forage Mixtures K.M. Mercier, C.D. Teutsch, S.R. Smith, E.L. Ritchey, K.H. Burdine, and E.S. Vanzant
• Cultivar X Aphicide Interactions C.D. Teutsch, R.T. Villanueva, Z.J. Vilora, G.L Olson, and S.R. Smith
• Using Summer Annuals to Transform Forage Systems in Western Kentucky H. Adams, J.M. Buckman, and C.D. Teutsch
• Can Targeted Management Reduce Nimblewill in Pastures? K. Lea and S.R. Smith
• Nutritive Value …

Grazing Myths That Impact Profitability [Slides], Gregory S. Halich

Forage Symposium at the Kentucky Cattlemen’s Convention

No abstract provided.

Grazing Myths That Reduce Profitability, Gregory S. Halich

Forage Symposium at the Kentucky Cattlemen’s Convention

Many cattle farms have moved to rotational grazing in the past decade, and there are significant benefits associated with this grazing technique. However, one thing that I have noticed is that costs are not always accounted for when it comes to recommended rotational grazing practices. If you ignore costs, partially or fully, you will invariably do too much of whatever you are considering. In this light, I will highlight four grazing recommendations (myths) that many folks are often taking to extremes related to rotational grazing, and one additional myth (generic to grazing style) that is reducing the overall profitability of …

Estimating Pasture Forage Mass From Pasture Height, Ed Rayburn, John Lozier

Forage Symposium at the Kentucky Cattlemen’s Convention

How do you decide when to move animals to new pasture? How long can they feed on a pasture before they should be moved again? The short answer is, "It depends." It depends on the number and size of animals, pasture size, production goals, available alternative pastures, and the forage mass present in the pasture. In order to practice pasture budgeting, you need an estimate of forage mass measured as pounds of forage dry matter/acre.

A Falling Plate Meter For Estimating Pasture Forage Mass, Ed Rayburn, John Lozier

Forage Symposium at the Kentucky Cattlemen’s Convention

It is often helpful to have a reliable estimate of forage on offer to grazing livestock. Research has shown that there is a high correlation between forage height and dry matter yield. This correlation is improved when bulk height is determined by depressing the forage with a weighted plate. This weight plate technique referred to as a weighted disk meter, appears to improve the estimate of pasture yield. Different designs of weighted disk meters are called rising plate meters and falling plate meters depending on how measurements are taken. The weighted disk meter described here is a falling plate meter. …

Profitability At Eldon Farms: Guiding Principles, John Genho

Forage Symposium at the Kentucky Cattlemen’s Convention

Eldon Farms is a 7,000-acre farm in the Northern Piedmont of Virginia. Over the past 15 years, we have adopted a grazing program based on three principles. While the specifics of each operation are different, I believe these principles can be applied across a host of situations.

Forages At Kca Foreword [2019], Christopher D. Teutsch, Christi L. Forsythe, Rehanon Pampell

Forage Symposium at the Kentucky Cattlemen’s Convention

No abstract provided.

Differential Transcriptome Responses To Aflatoxin B1 In The Cecal Tonsil Of Susceptible And Resistant Turkeys, Kent M. Reed, Kristelle M. Mendoza, Roger A. Coulombe Jr.

Animal, Dairy, and Veterinary Science Faculty Publications

The nearly-ubiquitous food and feed-borne mycotoxin aflatoxin B₁ (AFB₁) is carcinogenic and mutagenic, posing a food safety threat to humans and animals. One of the most susceptible animal species known and thus a good model for characterizing toxicological pathways, is the domesticated turkey (DT), a condition likely due, at least in part, to deficient hepatic AFB₁-detoxifying alpha-class glutathione S-transferases (GSTAs). Conversely, wild turkeys (Eastern wild, EW) are relatively resistant to the hepatotoxic, hepatocarcinogenic and immunosuppressive effects of AFB₁ owing to functional gene expression and presence of functional hepatic GSTAs. This study was designed to …

Oregon State Rank Assessment For Clouded Salamander (Aneides Ferreus), Eleanor P. Gaines

Institute for Natural Resources Publications

No abstract provided.

Effects Of Dietary Protein Content On Hybrid Tilapia (Oreochromis Aureus × O. Niloticus) Performance, Common Microbial Off-Flavor Compounds, And Water Quality Dynamics In An Outdoor Biofloc Technology Production System, Bartholomew W. Green, Steven D. Rawles, Kevin K. Schrader, T. Gibson Gaylord, Matthew E. Mcentire

United States Department of Agriculture-Agricultural Research Service / University of Nebraska-Lincoln: Faculty Publications

Given tilapia grown in the biofloc technology production system can consume the biofloc, it should be possible to optimize formulated diet protein content to account for nutrition derived from consuming biofloc. The present study, conducted in an outdoor biofloc technology production system, evaluated impacts on fish production indices, common microbial off-flavors, and water quality dynamics for hybrid tilapia (Oreochromis aureus×O. niloticus) fed diets formulated to contain 22.5%, 27.7%, and 32.3% digestible protein (DP) and 6% lipid. Fingerlings (32.2 ± 10.1 g/fish) were stocked in tanks (18.6m2; 16.6m3) in May 2016 at 25/m2 (29/m3) and grown for 5 months to market …

Heritability And Evolvability Of Morphological Traits Of Savannah Sparrows (Passerculus Sandwichensis) Breeding In Agricultural Grasslands, Jenna A. Cava, Noah G. Perlut, Steven E. Travis

Environmental Studies Faculty Publications

No abstract provided.

Modeling Effects Of Crop Production, Energy Development And Conservation-Grassland Loss On Avian Habitat, Jiill A. Shaffer, Cali L. Roth, David M. Mushet

United States Geological Survey, Northern Prairie Wildlife Research Center: Publications

Birds are essential components of most ecosystems and provide many services valued by society. However, many populations have undergone striking declines as their habitats have been lost or degraded by human activities. Terrestrial grasslands are vital habitat for birds in the North American Prairie Pothole Region (PPR), but grassland conversion and fragmentation from agriculture and energy-production activities have destroyed or degraded millions of hectares. Conservation grasslands can provide alternate habitat. In the United States, the Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) is the largest program maintaining conservation grasslands on agricultural lands, but conservation grasslands in the PPR have declined by over 1 …

Whooping Crane Use Of Riverine Stopover Sites, David M. Baasch, Patrick D. Farrell, Shay Howlin, Aaron T. Pearse, Jason M. Farnsworth, Chadwin B. Smith

United States Geological Survey, Northern Prairie Wildlife Research Center: Publications

Migratory birds like endangered whooping cranes (Grus americana) require suitable nocturnal roost sites during twice annual migrations. Whooping cranes primarily roost in shallow surface water wetlands, ponds, and rivers. All these features have been greatly impacted by human activities, which present threats to the continued recovery of the species. A portion of one such river, the central Platte River, has been identified as critical habitat for the survival of the endangered whooping crane. Management intervention is now underway to rehabilitate habitat form and function on the central Platte River to increase use and thereby contribute to the survival of whooping …

Biotechnological Application In Aquaculture And Its Sustainability Constraints, Olaganathan Rajee, Tang Kar Mun Alicia

Publications

The valuable nutritional and biochemical properties have made fisheries products one of the most vital high-quality protein sources for human consumption. Aquaculture has become the great alternative to substitute wild catches when the yield from fishing are no longer sufficient to sustain the massive food demand of the human population which is constantly burgeoning. However, aquaculture requires multidisciplinary approaches with holistic and environmental-friendly management measures to ensure its long term success and sustainability. Biotechnological applications have enhanced the effectiveness and cost-efficiencies of aquaculture by augmenting the productivity of aquaculture to meet global needs. Despite the benefits, the biotechnological application in …