Animal Sciences Commons^™

Terrestrial Gartersnake (Thamnophis Elegans) Consuming A Western Meadow Vole (Microtus Drummondii) In The Sangre De Cristo Mountains Of New Mexico, Joseph W. Paysen, Peggy M. Huss, Jacob C. Cooper, Lance J. Bernal, Carter Kruse, Keith Geluso

Transactions of the Nebraska Academy of Sciences and Affiliated Societies

The Terrestrial Gartersnake (Thamnophis elegans) is a dietary generalist occurring in the western half of the United States, southwestern Canada, and northern Mexico. Terrestrial Gartersnakes are known to consume a variety of small mammals, including voles (Microtus). Herein we report on an observation of the Terrestrial Gartersnake consuming a Western Meadow Vole (Microtus drummondii). On 27 June 2025, we captured a large adult Terrestrial Gartersnake underneath a log just upstream of a North American Beaver (Castor canadensis) dam on the Vermejo River, Colfax County, New Mexico that regurgitated a partially digested adult …

Impact Of Chilling, Freezing, And Repeated Freeze–Thaw Cycles On Physical Quality Of Buffen, Chevon, And Chicken Meat, Tarique Ahmed Khokhar, Atta Hussain Shah, Muneer Ahmed Jamali, Asghar Ali Kamboh, Faiz Muhammad Khand, Muhammad Awais Soomro, Zafar Ali Khoso, Muhammad Mohsen Rahimoon

Journal of Bioresource Management

Chilling, freezing, and repeated freeze–thaw cycles are common meat preservation methods; however, they can alter key physicochemical properties. Comparative data across different species under standardized conditions are limited. To compare the effects of chilled storage, frozen storage, and repeated freeze–thaw cycles on pH, water-holding capacity (WHC), thaw loss, cooking loss, and drip loss in buffen (buffalo), chevon (goat), and chicken meat. Longissimus dorsi muscles from buffalo and goat, and breast meat from broiler chickens, were stored under chilled (2–4 °C), frozen (–10 to –12 °C), or repeated freeze–thaw conditions. "Measurements were performed at defined intervals of chilling, freezing and freeze …

Water Quality And Plankton Diversity Of Ahi River, Ohiya, Umuahia, Nigeria, Emeka Donald Anyanwu, Egor Katkov, Udeme Effiong Jonah, Amarachuku Ezinne Oji, Immaculate Chiamaka Enwereuzo

Journal of Bioresource Management

The plankton diversity of large and urban rivers has been extensively studied in Nigeria while small rural rivers that harbour rich aquatic biota receive little attention. The composition, abundance, and distribution of plankton of a rural river were assessed in relation to some physicochemical parameters. The study was carried out between May and October 2023 in 3 stations using standard methods. The physicochemical results were: temperature (25.2-27.0^oC), flow velocity (0.15-0.46 m/s), transparency (14.0-78.5cm), depth (51.0-105.0cm), pH (5.6-7.8), electrical conductivity (66.0-98.0 µS/cm), total dissolved solids (33.0-49.0 mg/l), turbidity (0.1-1.7 NTU), dissolved oxygen (3.2-6.4 mg/l), biochemical oxygen demand (1.0-2.7 mg/l), …

Comparative Transcriptomics Reveals Novel And Differential Long-Noncoding Rna Responses Underlying Interferon-Mediated Antiviral Regulation In Porcine Alveolar Macrophages, Jiuyi Li, Oluwaseun Adeyemi, Laura C. Miller, Yongming Sang

Food and Animal Sciences Faculty Research

Porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus (PRRSV) is a major threat to the global swine industry. Long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) are emerging as crucial regulators of antiviral immunity, but their roles in porcine alveolar macrophages (PAMs)—the primary target of PRRSV—remain poorly characterized. This study presents a genome-wide analysis of lncRNA expression in PAMs stimulated with a PRRS modified live virus (MLV) vaccine and two type I interferons, IFN-α1 and IFN-ω5. Whole-transcriptome sequencing identified over 2000 differentially expressed lncRNAs, with IFN-ω5 inducing the most extensive transcriptional reprogramming. Weighted gene co-expression network analysis (WGCNA) revealed interferon-specific lncRNA-mRNA modules, and functional enrichment showed …

Isolation And Molecular Characterization Of Shiga Toxin Producing Genes Stx1and Stx2 From The Captive Migratory Birds Of Lahore, Romana Zulfiqar, Hamid Ullah, Bushra Nisar Khan, Muhammad Habib Ur Rehman, Hoor Ul Ain, Alishba Zaheer, Samrah Hussain, Aazba Naeem

Journal of Bioresource Management

A total of 240 cloacal and fecal swabs were collected from 25 avian species, including ducks, swans, geese, pheasants, guinea fowl, parrots, cranes, and crows. Samples were cultured on Sorbitol MacConkey Agar, and presumptive Escherichia coli isolates were confirmed using morphological, biochemical, and molecular methods. Shiga toxin–producing E. coli (STEC) was identified through PCR detection of stx1 and stx2 genes, followed by sequencing. Antibiotic susceptibility testing was performed using the Kirby–Bauer disc diffusion method against streptomycin, ceftriaxone, ciprofloxacin, azithromycin, and tetracycline. Only four STEC isolates were recovered, resulting in an overall prevalence of 1.66 % (4/240). Positive cases were detected …

The Assessment Of Soil Physico-Chemistry And Uptake Of Heavy Metals In Lumbricus Terrestris, Shahzad Anjum, Sidra Kanwal, Rana Manzoor Ahmad, Abdul Majid Khan, Muhammad Imran

Journal of Bioresource Management

Earthworms are considered ecosystem engineers, playing an essential role in soil fertility. Heavy metals are supposed to remain linked to soil for a very long time and can bio-accumulate swiftly in soil microbes, posing a severe threat to the environment. The current study was designed to investigate the bio-accumulation of heavy metals in Lumbricus terrestris and the impact of soil pH and texture on earthworm morphology and densities near industrial areas of the district of Okara, Punjab, Pakistan. The samples were collected from the locations of different industries using the quadrate method and analyzed for heavy metal accumulation by using …

Effects Of Replacing Antibiotics With Bacillus-Based Probiotics In The Diet Of Lactating Sows On Reproductive Performance, Feed Intake, Serum Immunoglobulin Levels, Milk Production, Oxidative Stress Markers, Fecal Short-Chain Fatty Acids, And Piglet Growth Performance, Chutikan Srisang, Tip-Apa Akkhaphan, Preechaphon Taechamaeteekul, Junpen Suwimonteerabutr, Rafa Boonprakob, Suparlark Nuntawan Na Ayudhya Dr, Lea Hübertz Birch Hansen Dr, Padet Tummaruk

The Thai Journal of Veterinary Medicine

This clinical trial investigated the effects of adding a Bacillus-based probiotic to the lactation diet of sows (without in-feed antibiotics) on maternal and piglet outcomes. A total of 109 Landrace × Yorkshire sows (parity 1–7) were assigned to either a control group (n = 61) or a treatment group (n = 48) receiving Bacillus subtilis – 541 and Bacillus amyloliquefaciens – 516. Piglets in the treatment group also received the probiotics via creep feed from day 3 until weaning. Blood samples were collected within 12 h after farrowing to assess serum immunoglobulins (IgG, IgA, and IgM) and malondialdehyde (MDA) …

Developing A Tool To Measure Resistance To Sustainable Food Choices: A Pilot Study In Ireland And The Netherlands, Kate Flanagan, Bart Sinteur, Patricia J. Bulsing, John M. Kearney

SURE Journal: Science Undergraduate Research Experience Journal

Consumer uptake of a sustainable diet is critical for addressing environmental challenges and promoting public health. Understanding why consumers resist adopting sustainable eating habits can inform targeted interventions and policies. This pilot study examines whether a newly developed scale can effectively detect consumer resistance to a sustainable diet. Currently, there is a lack of research on a tool to measure consumer resistance to a sustainable diet, highlighting the need for a reliable instrument.

The aim of this study is to develop a scale, based on existing literature, to measure consumer resistance to a sustainable diet. Additionally, the study aims to …

Editorial-Sure Journal Volume 7, Issue 2, Geraldine M. Dowling, Eva Campion, Sinead Loughran, Ariane Perez-Gavilan, Josephine Treacy

SURE Journal: Science Undergraduate Research Experience Journal

No abstract provided.

Will Technology Help Us Understand Animals?, Frances I. Sacks

Capstones

New technologies allow scientists to study animal communication like never before. Advanced surveillance devices ornament forests and oceans, recording animals over great stretches of distance and time. Artificial intelligence can absorb these enormous datasets, sorting tangled abstractions into coherent patterns. With a sufficiently robust library of analyzed data, some researchers believe that large language models will soon learn to translate whale communication systems.

https://docs.google.com/document/d/1ky6mPFjc-lNJFVK8CHebUa5zCSFUoMgkCB560pqxwfo/edit?tab=t.0

The Nesting Behavior And Habitat Selection Of Wood Thrushes, Amelia Browning, Alexandra Price

Student Scholar Symposium

Wood Thrushes (Hylocichla mustelina) are a species of concern in Tennessee due to many factors. Historically, their nests have been found in low-hanging branches at the edge of dense forest (Evans et al. 2020). In 2021, a Wood Thrush nest was found in Warner Parks, a 3100-acre urban park sixteen kilometers south of Nashville, TN nesting eighteen meters off the ground and thirty meters from an active trail. We wanted to learn if this unusual nest height was a common occurrence in an active area of Warner Parks or an anomaly. We decided to compare nesting behavior and habitats at …

6ppd-Quinone In Middle Tennessee Waters: Assessing Ecological Impact, Andrew Davis Todd, Raphael Marquise Chandler, Kerolos Gerges Basalos, Denise Lori Loewinger

Student Scholar Symposium

This poster presents the dangers of a toxic chemical used on car tires that is entering aquatic ecosystems and harming fish populations.

Measuring Welfare Of Wild Tarantulas During Field Surveys Using Heart Rate, Tim Angelo Artiaga Lopez, Becky Hansis-O'Neill, Aimee Dunlap Phd

Undergraduate Research Symposium

Tarantulas (Theraposidae) are predatory arachnids that can help control populations of herbivorous arthropods. We have been monitoring populations of the Missouri brown tarantula (Aphonopelma hentzi) in Missouri glades for three seasons and have questions about their welfare during these surveys. Unlike mammals, arthropods are not extensively researched and there are only a few known facts about measuring their welfare. Managing stress for wild animals during field surveys is important for reducing the potential negative impacts of research. In mammals, increased heart rate is positively correlated with negative stress and eustress. Using the same logic, we hypothesized that heart rate could …

Determination Of The Cecal Microbiota Profile Of Anadolu-T Broiler Breeder Chickens Using 16s Metagenomic Sequencing, Kürşat Teti̇k, İsmai̇l Özkan, Serpi̇l Kahya Demi̇rbi̇lek

Turkish Journal of Veterinary & Animal Sciences

The gut microbiota has significant effects on the performance, health status, and immune systems of chickens. The complex microbial community structure begins to form after chicks hatch with the intake of feed, water, and air into the digestive system. Disrupting the balance of this system can lead to the proliferation of pathogenic microorganisms. Until recently, studies on microbiota relied on traditional microbiological techniques that cultured only a small fraction of the microbial diversity. However, significant advancements in DNA sequencing and bioinformatics have enabled the identification of diverse bacterial populations in environmental samples. In this study, a total of 2000 broiler …

Parameter Optimization For Runs Of Homozygosity (Roh) Detection In The Pig Genome, Timofey Romanets, Anna Korobeynikova, Lyubov Getmantseva, Maria Kolosova, Elena Romanets, Ilona Bakoeva, Varvara Shevtsova, Anatoly Kolosov, Alexander Maksimov, Siroj Bakoev

Turkish Journal of Veterinary & Animal Sciences

The present study analyses the influence of various parameters on the accuracy and reliability of ROH identification procedures, as well as their relationship with inbreeding and genetic diversity in Duroc pig populations. The genotyping data of 70 Duroc pigs obtained using PorcineSNP80v1 chips were used, and the effects of LD pruning and ROH calling parameters were evaluated. It was found that the use of strict basic filters during the execution of the --homozyg command reduces the likelihood of false positives and contributes to the more accurate identification of ROH. The results show that LD pruning reduces the detection of random …

Differences In Lactation Curve Parameters And Milk Yield Responses Between Artificially Induced And Naturally Calved Cows Milked In An Automatic Milking System, Marcos Busanello

Turkish Journal of Veterinary & Animal Sciences

Despite advances in artificial induction of lactation (AIL) protocols, they do not perfectly mimic the hormonal patterns of natural pregnancy. Recent studies show improved milk yield (MY) responses; however, comparisons of lactation curve parameters between AIL and naturally calved (NC) cows often do not extend beyond 305 days in milk (DIM). Thus, this study aimed to compare MY responses and lactation curve parameters between AIL and NC cows milked in an automated milking system (AMS). Data from 38 Holstein cows (19 AIL and 19 NC) were analyzed, focusing on the 305 DIM period. Wood’s lactation curve model was used to …

Evaluation Of Blood-To-Fluid Gradient Of Glucose And Lactate As Biomarkers In The Early Diagnosis Of Septic Peritonitis In Dogs, Silpa Sn, Sujata Turkar, Neetu Saini, Sushma Chhabra, Kuldip Gupta, Gursimran Filia

Turkish Journal of Veterinary & Animal Sciences

Septic peritonitis is a serious, life-threatening condition with a high mortality rate. Accurate diagnosis is crucial for the survival of the affected animal. The present study analyzed the use of a blood-to-fluid gradient of glucose and lactate as a biomarker in the diagnosis of septic peritonitis. Thirteen dogs with septic peritonitis and nine dogs with aseptic peritonitis were included in this study. Blood-to-fluid glucose gradient was significantly high, and blood-to-fluid lactate gradient was significantly low in septic peritonitis compared with the aseptic peritonitis. A blood-to-fluid glucose gradient of ≥12 mg/dL showed 100% sensitivity and 55.6% specificity, whereas a blood-to-fluid lactate …

Antimicrobial Sensitivity Of Bacterial Isolates And Molecular Detection Of Staphylococcus Aureus And Staphylococcus Pseudintermedius Isolated From Urinary Tract Infections Of Canines, Mankaran Kaur, Gursimran Filia, Ashok Kumar

Turkish Journal of Veterinary & Animal Sciences

Urinary tract infections (UTIs) are commonly encountered in canine clinical cases and can result in significant health complications if not properly treated. This study isolated and identified bacterial pathogens from dogs with clinical signs of UTI. Antimicrobial susceptibility profiling was performed on the bacterial isolates and further molecular detection of Staphylococcus aureus and Staphylococcus pseudintermedius was also performed. A total of 104 urine samples were collected via cystocentesis and catheterization. Bacterial identification was conducted using standard bacteriological procedures, and antimicrobial susceptibility was assessed using the disc diffusion method with 21 different antimicrobial discs. Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) was used for …

Determination Of Serum Cortisol Levels As A Stress Marker In Hospitalized Dogs, Emre Tüfekçi̇, Gencay Eki̇nci̇, İlknur Karaca Bekdi̇k, Ali̇ Cesur Onmaz, Öznur Aslan, Vehbi̇ Güneş, İhsan Keleş, Mehmet Çi̇ti̇l

Turkish Journal of Veterinary & Animal Sciences

In veterinary medicine, various diseases and surgical procedures may require the isolation and hospitalization of dogs, allowing for more effective individual patient monitoring and increasing the chance of successful treatment by preventing unnecessary drug use. However, this process can be stressful. Our study aimed to determine the changes in cortisol levels, one of the primary stress hormones responsible for stress responses, in individually hospitalized dogs. In addition, epinephrine (EPN) levels, another stress marker, as well as hematological and some biochemical values were measured and vital signs were recorded. The dogs included in the study were divided into 3 groups: healthy, …

Indigenizing Aquaculture: In Pursuit Of An Integrated Multi-Trophic Aquaculture System For Enhanced Self-Sufficiency In Akaroa Harbour, Aotearoa New Zealand, Cali R. Trainor

Capstone Collection

This study assessed the feasibility of integrating two pre-existing aquaculture activities in Akaroa Harbour, Aotearoa New Zealand into an integrated multi-trophic aquaculture (IMTA) system. The cultivation of giant kelp (Macrocystis pyrifera) presents an opportunity to improve the sustainability of Chinook salmon (Oncorhynchus tshawytscha) farming by introducing alternative food sources for salmon, which can be used to produce fish feed locally, enhancing the self-sufficiency of the community and boosting the holistic efficiency of the system. Macroinvertebrates residing in giant kelp wrack were collected, identified, and quantified to determine if any of the Macrocystis-associated specimens could serve as …

Role Of Recreational Fisher Information In Fisheries Management, Rebecca M. Krogman, Stephen M. Taylor, Aaron J. Adams, Ross E. Boucek, Steven M. Lombardo, Chelsey A. Crandall, Susan F. Steffen, Alejandro Acosta, Eduardo Bone Moron, Sepp Haukebo, Kieran Hyder, Zachary M. Radford, Warren M. Potts

Books & book chapters

Fisheries managers work with the three components of fisheries—biota, environment, and people - to achieve recreational, stewardship, and socioeconomic goals. Although manipulation of biota and the aquatic environment remains popular (e.g. harvest regulation, protecting or enhancing habitats, and guarding water quality), the human dimension of fisheries must also be considered throughout the fisheries management process. Managers can and should engage fishers in a myriad of ways, from identification of problems to guidance on alternatives, and from measurement of change to evaluation of success. In this chapter, we review common fisheries management goals and objectives; detail information needs stemming from those …

Listen To The Birds: Sound Ecology At The Piano, Anna Showalter

Dissertations, 2020-current

This document explores the intersection between birdsong and piano music using four cases studies from the piano repertoire in the Western classical tradition. Using Jeff Titon’s framework of “sound ecology” as a lens, I ask whether the following pieces of music could in some way function as an “acoustic tissue among human and bird communities that becomes the basis for a healthy economy and a just community.” After exploring the history of birdsong in the piano literature as a microcosm of shifting attitudes toward birdsong in Western art music this study focuses on four pieces as case studies for analysis—Amy …

Trace Mineral Supplementation Strategies For Beef Cattle During Preconditioning And Feedlot Receiving, Madeline G. Mcknight

Theses and Dissertations

Beef cattle routinely undergo a variety of stressors within the preconditioning and feedlot receiving phases which may impair animal performance and health. Trace mineral supplementation, either through dietary or injectable sources, is proposed to mitigate these effects through metabolic and immune system support. Two systematic reviews and meta-analyses were conducted to evaluate the efficacy of two different oral supplementation methods, organic (OTM) and inorganic (INR), and injectable trace mineral (ITM) solutions on average daily gain (ADG) and morbidity. Across 20 studies, OTM supplementation increased ADG (P = 0.01) when compared to INR, but did not affect morbidity (P = 0.92). …

Heat Increment Of Feeding In The Common Bottlenose Dolphin (Tursiops Truncatus) Contributes Moderately To Field Metabolic Rate Estimates, Ioulia Koliopoulou, Stacy L. De Ruiter, Jordi Altimiras, Josefin Larsson, Julietta Arenarez, David Rosen, Andreas Fahlman

University Faculty Publications and Creative Works

Digestion elevates metabolism through the heat increment of feeding (HIF) – the energy expended on mechanical and biochemical processes after eating. Quantifying this cost is essential for bioenergetic models that predict energy flow and prey requirements in populations. Using breath-by-breath respirometry, we measured oxygen consumption (V̇ O2 ) in eight common bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops truncatus) before and after feeding standardized meals (1659–2658 kcal of capelin and herring). Metabolic rate rose by ∼37% above resting levels, peaking 60 min after feeding before returning to baseline within 2 h. When scaled across the day, digestion increased daily metabolic needs by ∼8.2% of …

White Nose Syndrome In Bats And Infant Mortality In Georgia, Rhys Medcalfe, Sean Medcalfe, Simon Medcalfe

Journal of the Georgia Public Health Association

Background: White nose syndrome (WNS) is a disease in bats caused by the fungus Pseudogymnoascus destructans that can result in bat mortality rates of over 90%. WNS was discovered in Georgia in 2012 in 3 counties but has continued to spread to 14 counties as of 2023, with P. destructans detected in a further seven. Biodiversity loss has been linked to human health outcomes including infant mortality. Understanding the link between WNS, biodiversity loss, and infant mortality in Georgia is important because Georgia ranks 42^nd out of the 50 states for infant mortality rate.

Methods: Using panel data from …

Dietary Supplementation In Lambs: Evaluating The Effects Of Depth Charge On Meat Composition, Alianna Koesel

Student Scholar Symposium

Often, animals destined for consumption are fed supplements to help speed up or slow down their growth rate, enhance aesthetics, or standardize the product. Herein, we examined the supplement Depth Charge and its effects on the fat and protein content in lambs of the same age and lineage. Depth Charge increases fiber consumption to add spring of rib or an outward rib cage curvature to an animal's appearance while restricting feed consumption. Since the supplement targets the rib-loin area, we chose to analyze loin chop, loin roast, and hamburger cuts from each lamb and conducted experiments to determine how each …

Effect Of Ovarian Characteristics And Propylene Glycol Supplementation On Pregnancy Rates Per Ai In Suckled Beef Cows Subjected To A 7-Day Co-Synch Fixed-Time Ai Protocol Across Seasons, Body Condition Scores, And Postpartum Intervals, Pachara Pearodwong, Sarawanee Khunmanee, Kajohn Nitiwararuk, Thuwanon Boonkerd, Thananon Junsuri, Andrew A. Ponter, Winai Kaewlamun

The Thai Journal of Veterinary Medicine

The present study evaluated the independent effects of ovarian characteristics and oral propylene glycol (PG) supplementation on pregnancy rates in suckled beef cows subjected to the 7-day CO-Synch + CIDR fixed-time AI (FTAI) protocol across different seasons, body condition scores (BCS; 5-point scale), and parturition-to-FTAI intervals. Cows received a CIDR insert and 10 μg GnRH on day -10, followed by 25 mg PGF2α at CIDR removal on day -3, and another 10 μg GnRH 72 h later (day 0). In Study 1, the ovarian characteristics of 36 cows were assessed transrectally on days -10 and 0 relative to the FTAI. …

Temperature Predicts Myotis Lucifugus Declines And Persistence After White-Nose Syndrome Introduction, Tanner M. Barnes, Jared D. Wolfe, Allen Kurta, Steve M. Smith, John E. Depue

Michigan Tech Research Data

No abstract provided.

Performance Of The Iupod Intrauterine Device For Long-Term Fertility Control In Free-Roaming Mares, Chris Davies

Funded Research Records

No abstract provided.

Investigating The Role Of Mitochondria In Postmortem Metabolism And Shelf Stability Of Fresh Meat, Sulaiman K. Matarneh, Kara J. Thornton-Kurth, Stephan Van Vliet

Funded Research Records

No abstract provided.