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2025

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Articles 301 - 330 of 864

Full-Text Articles in Animal Sciences

Linked Lives In The Riverbed: Integrating Fish Host Dynamics, Community Structure, And Demography For Freshwater Mussel Conservation., Jonathan Patrick Frommeyer Aug 2025

Linked Lives In The Riverbed: Integrating Fish Host Dynamics, Community Structure, And Demography For Freshwater Mussel Conservation., Jonathan Patrick Frommeyer

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Freshwater mussels are long-lived benthic invertebrates that play key roles in nutrient cycling, water filtration, and habitat stability in rivers and streams. Despite their ecological importance, they are among the most imperiled faunal groups in North America, with their persistence increasingly threatened by environmental degradation and disruptions to host–parasite dynamics. This dissertation integrates host ecology, community structure, and demographic modeling to assess population viability and guide conservation priorities for mussel species in Kentucky river systems. The first chapter introduces the ecological context and conservation urgency surrounding freshwater mussels. In particular, emphasizing the need for multi-scale approaches to understand how parasitic …

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Evaluation Of Novel Biomarkers As Predictive Measures Of Mastitis – Establishing A Relationship With Health Status, Lamb Performance, And Determination Of Prevalence Of Mastitis In Ewes Under Intensive Management, Courtney Berghoff Aug 2025

Evaluation Of Novel Biomarkers As Predictive Measures Of Mastitis – Establishing A Relationship With Health Status, Lamb Performance, And Determination Of Prevalence Of Mastitis In Ewes Under Intensive Management, Courtney Berghoff

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Fall 2023 to Present

Inflammation of the mammary gland, also known as mastitis, is a prevalent and financially impactful disease in sheep production. The objectives of this survey were to 1) evaluate current testing methods: somatic cell count (SCC), California Mastitis Test (CMT), and bacterial culture, as well as novel biomarkers: lamb performance, milk composition, and udder conformation, for their impact on ewes categorized as clinically healthy or unhealthy under intensive management systems at 15 days in milk (DIM) and 30 DIM, and 2) identify biological markers that are correlated with clinical and subclinical mastitis. Milk, blood, and fecal samples, a visual and physical …

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Freezing And Shipping Optimization To Increase Quality And Profitability Of Meat E-Commerce, Paul Olaoluwaniyi Dahunsi Aug 2025

Freezing And Shipping Optimization To Increase Quality And Profitability Of Meat E-Commerce, Paul Olaoluwaniyi Dahunsi

Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Freezing remains one of the most reliable methods for preserving meat quality and extending shelf life. However, quality deterioration can still occur due to structural and biochemical changes activated during freezing, thawing, and distribution. Since the COVID-19 pandemic, consumers’ preference for bulk purchasing and online meat shopping has increased, raising questions about the best strategies to balance both quality maintenance and profitability. This thesis aimed to evaluate two key stages where frozen beef is most vulnerable to quality degradation: consumer-level freezing and post-purchase shipping. The objectives were (1) to determine the effects of product size and subsequent consumer freezing practices …

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Effect Of Dietary Tryptophan Supplementation And Heat Stress On Pasture Broiler Welfare And Performance, Jaelen Matthew Cherry Aug 2025

Effect Of Dietary Tryptophan Supplementation And Heat Stress On Pasture Broiler Welfare And Performance, Jaelen Matthew Cherry

Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Pasture-raised broiler chickens face temperature extremes that can threaten welfare. In the study, we evaluated whether a 0.26 % tryptophan-supplemented diet (T) improved heat stress (HS) resilience in Ross-708 broilers raised on pasture. At D14, birds began the T or remained on the control diet (C) and were moved outdoors. On D20 and 41, half of each group underwent six-hour HS; the remainder stayed under thermoneutral (TN) conditions. Weekly body weight, feed intake on D20 and D41 were recorded, and fear was measured using the Tonic Immobility (TI) test. Neither diet nor HS affected body weight. However, tryptophan supplementation resulted …

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Spatial And Thermal Aspects Of The Ecology Of Three Sympatric Rattlesnakes In The Montane Northern Chihuahuan Desert, Joshua James Mead Aug 2025

Spatial And Thermal Aspects Of The Ecology Of Three Sympatric Rattlesnakes In The Montane Northern Chihuahuan Desert, Joshua James Mead

Open Access Theses & Dissertations

To understand how animals coexist on the landscape, the individual aspects of a species life history must first be understood. Animals need to find locations that provide the resources they need to survive. Movement, microhabitats, and temperature can alter such areas where animals occur. Understanding animal movements provide important information on space use and microhabitats on the landscape. Ectothermic animals must acquiesce to ambient temperatures or use behavioral modifications to alter their body temperature. The ability to maintain suitable body temperature is essential for physiological function, reproduction, and ability to avoid predation. Research on the variation in a species ecology …

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Phylogenetics And Integrative Taxonomy Of The Lang's Reed Frog Species Complex (Anura: Hyperoliidae: Hyperolius Langi), Dominic Troiani Aug 2025

Phylogenetics And Integrative Taxonomy Of The Lang's Reed Frog Species Complex (Anura: Hyperoliidae: Hyperolius Langi), Dominic Troiani

Open Access Theses & Dissertations

The genus Hyperolius (Rapp, 1842) is the most speciose amphibian genus in sub-Saharan Africa. The genus has a complex taxonomic history because of its extensive intraspecific and interspecific morphological variation, large geographic distribution of many taxa, gaps in sampling, and the discovery of significant cryptic diversity within many species. The goal of this study is to understand the relationships and taxonomy of Hyperolius langi via an integrative taxonomic approach that combines molecular, morphological, and bioacoustics data to clarify the systematics of the geographically widespread species Hyperolius langi. Two mitochondrial (16S and cyt b) and one nuclear (RAG1) gene were used …

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Identification Of Crustose Coralline Algae Species In Florida And Their Ability To Induce Larval Settlement Of Caribbean Corals, Danielle Macias Jul 2025

Identification Of Crustose Coralline Algae Species In Florida And Their Ability To Induce Larval Settlement Of Caribbean Corals, Danielle Macias

All HCAS Student Capstones, Theses, and Dissertations

Crustose coralline algae (CCA) are a diverse, globally spread and yet poorly studied group of benthic organisms. They act as settlement cues for coral larvae, but this interaction is often species-specific, as CCA species can be either inducers or inhibitors to larval settlement and metamorphosis. Despite this importance, information on Caribbean CCA distribution, diversity, and impact on coral species is limited due to the difficulty in identifying them. In the present study, CCA samples were collected from seven different reef sites in the southeastern region of Florida’s Coral Reef and genetically identified using molecular analyses. Some of the samples collected …

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The Crab Silvofishery System As A Conservation Strategy In Mangrove Restoration Area: A Case Study On The Coast Of Banyuasin, South Sumatra, Apriyanto Apriyanto, Rujito Agus Suwignyo, Tengku Zia Ulqodry, Sarno Sarno, Riris Aryawati, Muhtadi Muhtadi, Herry Purnomo, Beni Okarda Jul 2025

The Crab Silvofishery System As A Conservation Strategy In Mangrove Restoration Area: A Case Study On The Coast Of Banyuasin, South Sumatra, Apriyanto Apriyanto, Rujito Agus Suwignyo, Tengku Zia Ulqodry, Sarno Sarno, Riris Aryawati, Muhtadi Muhtadi, Herry Purnomo, Beni Okarda

Journal of Environmental Science and Sustainable Development

Anthropogenic activities such as logging and converting mangrove forests into plantations have degraded coastal ecosystems and reduced their ecological stability. Silvofishery is a restoration system that balances the ecological and economic functions of mangroves. In Marga Sungsang Village, South Sumatra, mangrove restoration was integrated with mud crab (Scylla spp.) cultivation through a crab silvofishery system. This study aimed to analyze the contribution of mangrove restoration with a mud crab silvofishery system to mud crab growth. The study was conducted from August 2024 to January 2025. Growth parameters included carapace length, width, and body weight. Analyses covered absolute growth …

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Methodology For Environmental Toxicology: Assessing Feeding And Rearing Strategies In Largemouth Bass (Micropterus Nigricans) Larvae, Amber Hitchins, Hannah Mcneese, Deise Cruz, Andrew Todd, Maria Sepúlveda, Tyler Hoskins Jul 2025

Methodology For Environmental Toxicology: Assessing Feeding And Rearing Strategies In Largemouth Bass (Micropterus Nigricans) Larvae, Amber Hitchins, Hannah Mcneese, Deise Cruz, Andrew Todd, Maria Sepúlveda, Tyler Hoskins

Discovery Undergraduate Interdisciplinary Research Internship

Poly- and perfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are an anthropogenic group of chemicals known for their persistence in the environment and their potential to bioaccumulate. PFAS can bioaccumulate in largemouth bass (Micropterus nigricans), yet the effects of exposure on bass larvae are unknown. While largemouth bass are commonly raised for aquaculture, techniques for rearing bass which enable controlled experiments at known densities, a necessity for toxicity studies, are poorly understood. Furthermore, the live prey typically used in existing approaches are not suitable for PFAS studies due to high background concentrations. The objective of this project was to assess different venues …

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Cocoa Polyphenols Alter The Fecal Microbiome Without Mitigating Colitis In Mice Fed Healthy Or Western Basal Diets, Eliza C. Stewart, Mohammed F. Almatani, Marcus Hayden, Giovanni Rompato, Jeremy Case, Samuel Rice, Korry J. Hintze, Abby D. Benninghoff Jul 2025

Cocoa Polyphenols Alter The Fecal Microbiome Without Mitigating Colitis In Mice Fed Healthy Or Western Basal Diets, Eliza C. Stewart, Mohammed F. Almatani, Marcus Hayden, Giovanni Rompato, Jeremy Case, Samuel Rice, Korry J. Hintze, Abby D. Benninghoff

Animal, Dairy, and Veterinary Science Student Research

Background/Objectives: Chronic inflammation and Western-style diets elevate colorectal cancer (CRC) risk, particularly in individuals with colitis, a feature of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). Diets rich in polyphenol-containing functional foods, such as cocoa, may reduce gut inflammation and modulate the gut microbiome. This study investigated the impact of cocoa polyphenol (CP) supplementation on inflammation and microbiome composition in mice with colitis, fed either a healthy or Western diet, before, during, and after the onset of disease. We hypothesized that CPs would attenuate inflammation and promote distinct shifts in the microbiome, especially in the context of a Western diet. Methods: …

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Distributional Records Of Blanding’S Turtles (Emydoidea Blandingii) In Nebraska, Sam Thede, Dan Fogell, Keith Geluso Jul 2025

Distributional Records Of Blanding’S Turtles (Emydoidea Blandingii) In Nebraska, Sam Thede, Dan Fogell, Keith Geluso

Transactions of the Nebraska Academy of Sciences and Affiliated Societies

Blanding’s Turtle (Emydoidea blandingii) is a species of concern in North America as many populations have declined across its distribution. Environmental factors associated with alteration of natural ecosystems have played a role in declines leading to many isolated populations. Most populations exist in the Great Lakes region with a number of outlying populations, such as Nebraska. Understanding the current distribution of the species will facilitate regional management strategies to protect this species into the future. In Nebraska, Blanding’s Turtles were known from 23 counties prior to this study. Herein, we report on eight new county records, five (Blaine, …

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A New Species Of Viscachataenia (Cestoda: Anoplocephalidae) From The Southern Mountain Viscacha, Lagidium Viscacia (Hystricomorpha: Chinchillidae), In Bolivia, Terry R. Haverkost, Scott L. Gardner Jul 2025

A New Species Of Viscachataenia (Cestoda: Anoplocephalidae) From The Southern Mountain Viscacha, Lagidium Viscacia (Hystricomorpha: Chinchillidae), In Bolivia, Terry R. Haverkost, Scott L. Gardner

MANTER: Journal of Parasite Biodiversity

Anoplocephalid cestodes collected from the southern mountain viscacha, Lagidium viscacia, in Boliva in 1986 are here examined, and a new species of Viscachataenia is described. The new species has numerous body measurements that are larger than the existing species, V. quadrata, but the eggs and corresponding structures of the new species are all smaller than those of V. quadrata.

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Scorpions Of The Horn Of Africa (Arachnida: Scorpiones). Part Xli. Pandinops Sahil Sp. N. From Somaliland (Scorpionidae), František Kovařík Jul 2025

Scorpions Of The Horn Of Africa (Arachnida: Scorpiones). Part Xli. Pandinops Sahil Sp. N. From Somaliland (Scorpionidae), František Kovařík

Euscorpius

Pandinops sahil sp. n. from Somaliland is described and compared with other species of the genus, fully complemented with color photos of specimens of both sexes of the new species, as well as of their habitat. Pandinops bambii Rossi, 2017 is synonymyzed with Pandinops turieli Kovařík, 2016, syn. n. A key for the species of Pandinops and a map of the distribution of the genus are provided.

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Scorpions Of The Horn Of Africa (Arachnida: Scorpiones). Part Xl. Barbaracurus Lowei Sp. N. From Ethiopia (Buthidae), František Kovařík, Hassan Sh A. Elmi Jul 2025

Scorpions Of The Horn Of Africa (Arachnida: Scorpiones). Part Xl. Barbaracurus Lowei Sp. N. From Ethiopia (Buthidae), František Kovařík, Hassan Sh A. Elmi

Euscorpius

Barbaracurus lowei sp. n. from Ethiopia is described and compared with other species of the genus, fully complemented with color photos of specimens of both sexes of the new species, as well as of their habitat. Included is a key for Barbaracurus and a map of the distribution of the genus in the Arabian Peninsula and the Horn of Africa.

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Spatiotemporal Responses To A Rural Highway By Four Mammal Species, Caitlin K. Brett, Anna Rose Mehner, John H. Young Jr., Sarah E. Lehnen, Richard J. Kline Jul 2025

Spatiotemporal Responses To A Rural Highway By Four Mammal Species, Caitlin K. Brett, Anna Rose Mehner, John H. Young Jr., Sarah E. Lehnen, Richard J. Kline

School of Earth, Environmental, & Marine Sciences Faculty Publications

Roads can negatively impact the wildlife communities they transect. Road mortalities from wildlife-vehicle collisions are one direct effect, but roads may also indirectly affect wildlife behavior, movement, or local distribution. Quantifying the spatial extent of these road-effects is important for understanding how roads indirectly affect species of concern, identifying potential sources of disturbance, and for estimating the effectiveness of road mitigation structures. Farm-to-Market Road (FM)106, which transects part of the Laguna Atascosa National Wildlife Refuge in Cameron County, Texas, has been identified as a potential source of wildlife road mortalities, particularly for one of the two remaining breeding populations of …

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Comparative Mitogenomics Of Clitellata Reveals Mitogenome Organization Can Affect The Mode Of Phylogeny, Deni̇z Mercan, Austin Horenkamp, Merve Nur Aydemi̇r, Habeş Bi̇lal Aydemi̇r, Kurt Neubig, Nai̇me Arslan, Frank E. Anderson Jul 2025

Comparative Mitogenomics Of Clitellata Reveals Mitogenome Organization Can Affect The Mode Of Phylogeny, Deni̇z Mercan, Austin Horenkamp, Merve Nur Aydemi̇r, Habeş Bi̇lal Aydemi̇r, Kurt Neubig, Nai̇me Arslan, Frank E. Anderson

Turkish Journal of Zoology

Clitellata is a major clade of Annelida that includes almost all freshwater and terrestrial annelids as well as many marine species. Aquatic oligochaetes include the union of the two multispecies families: Naididae and Tubificidae. There has been much debate regarding the phylogeny and classification of the cosmopolitan and diverse Naididae. In this study, the total mitogenome sequences of Potamothrix hammoniensis (Naididae: Tubificinae), Stylaria fossularis, Stylaria lacustris, Chaetogaster diaphanus, Chaetogaster diaphanus sp. B, and Slavina appendiculata (Naididae: Naidinae) were sequenced and characterized and can be accessed from NCBI under accession numbers OQ654101, PP909790, PP909791, PP909792, PP909793, and PP893275, respectively. For comparative …

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Equine Pituitary Pars Intermedia Dysfunction (Equine Cushing's Syndrome), Cheyanne Eaton, Karl Hoopes Jul 2025

Equine Pituitary Pars Intermedia Dysfunction (Equine Cushing's Syndrome), Cheyanne Eaton, Karl Hoopes

All Current Publications

Pituitary pars intermedia dysfunction (PPID), also known as equine Cushing’s disease, is an endocrine disorder that affects a horse’s pituitary gland. Involving a veterinarian early in the diagnosis and treatment of PPID will greatly enhance the horse’s welfare and longevity. A veterinarian diagnoses PPID by observing symptoms and testing blood. Treatments for this disease include medicinal intervention and dietary changes.

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Impacts Of Artificial Habitat Structures On Overwinter Fish Survival And Fish Presence In South-Central Nebraska, Logan Dietrich Jul 2025

Impacts Of Artificial Habitat Structures On Overwinter Fish Survival And Fish Presence In South-Central Nebraska, Logan Dietrich

Biology Theses, Dissertations, and Student Creative Activity

Artificial lentic systems, such as borrow pits, often lack structural complexity due to construction practices and steep bathymetry, limiting features like vegetation and woody debris essential for fish communities. To address this, artificial structures made of materials such as polyvinyl chloride are increasingly used by state and federal agencies to supplement habitat. However, little information is known about the impact these structures have on fish communities. Thus, the objectives of this study were to examine the influence of Georgia cubes in borrow pit impoundments on overwinter survival of sub-stock and ≥ stock Bluegill (Lepomis macrochirus) and Largemouth Bass …

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Maternal Hyperleptinemia Alters Placental Transcriptome And Progesterone Regulation Without Affecting Early Equine Fetal Growth, Lucinda L. Thorburn Jul 2025

Maternal Hyperleptinemia Alters Placental Transcriptome And Progesterone Regulation Without Affecting Early Equine Fetal Growth, Lucinda L. Thorburn

LSU Master's Theses

While consequences of equine obesity are well defined, the extent to which persistent hyperleptinemia and accompanying leptin (Lep) resistance affect the fetal-maternal environment warrants further exploration. This study compared endocrine, fetal, placental, and uterine parameters during early pregnancy (through day 70) in mares with elevated leptin versus normal leptin (NL) concentrations. Fourteen mares were classified as either NL (n = 6; Lep 0.9 ± 0.3 ng/mL), moderate leptin (ML; n = 4; Lep 3.0 ± 0.3 ng/mL), or high leptin (HL; n = 4; Lep 5.8 ± 0.7 ng/mL) based on annual plasma leptin. Mares were artificially inseminated and induced …

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Rabbit Breeding And Management: A Guide For Producers, Joseph Okoh, Jessie Hadfield Jul 2025

Rabbit Breeding And Management: A Guide For Producers, Joseph Okoh, Jessie Hadfield

All Current Publications

This fact sheet provides essential information to help rabbit producers understand effective breeding goals and programs for managing and improving rabbit production.

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Occurrence Of Pesticides In Oregon Coastal Waters And Effects On The Intertidal Sea Anemone, Anthopleura Elegantissima, Gabriella Mae Bleil Jul 2025

Occurrence Of Pesticides In Oregon Coastal Waters And Effects On The Intertidal Sea Anemone, Anthopleura Elegantissima, Gabriella Mae Bleil

Dissertations and Theses

Pesticides are used globally for a wide range of applications including agricultural, forestry, roadsides, freshwater systems, and personal use. While pesticides have ensured efficient crop production, they are frequently transported away from application sites and are ubiquitous in terrestrial and aquatic environments. Pesticides are often detected in watersheds and rivers globally, which can have unintentional toxic effects on non-target organisms by interfering with cellular processes, behavior, feeding, reproduction, and disrupting endocrine processes. The aggregating anemone, Anthopleura elegantissima, is an important species along the North American Pacific coast due to its symbiotic relationships that contribute to high productivity, and its …

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Weaning Beef Calves, David Secrist Jul 2025

Weaning Beef Calves, David Secrist

All Current Publications

Weaning a beef calf is likely the most stressful event in the animal’s life. Future growth and reproductive performance can be compromised by health challenges encountered through the weaning process. Consequently, proper management aimed at reducing stress and preparing the beef animal for the next stage of production is critical to reach its genetic potential. Proper management involves applying good animal husbandry techniques, using sound science in developing health and feeding protocols, and implementing low-stress animal handling practices.

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Life Of Moo Deng, The Internet Sensation Pygmy Hippopotamus: An Overview Of The Biology And Conservation Breeding Program In Thailand, Ampika Thongphakdee, Atthapon Nundee, Umaporn Maikeaw, Narongwit Chodchoy, Chainarong Punkong, Kaywalee Chatdarong Jul 2025

Life Of Moo Deng, The Internet Sensation Pygmy Hippopotamus: An Overview Of The Biology And Conservation Breeding Program In Thailand, Ampika Thongphakdee, Atthapon Nundee, Umaporn Maikeaw, Narongwit Chodchoy, Chainarong Punkong, Kaywalee Chatdarong

The Thai Journal of Veterinary Medicine

The hippopotamus, commonly known as the hippo, is classified into two extant species: the common hippopotamus (Hippopotamus amphibius) and the pygmy hippopotamus (Choeropsis liberiensis). Pygmy hippos are fascinating creatures native to the forests and swamps of West Africa. Their survival is increasingly threatened by habitat loss resulting from agricultural expansion and urban development. As the population declines, zoological institutions play a crucial role in conservation by acting as genetic reservoirs and promoting public awareness of wildlife and environmental protection. “Moo Deng”, a pygmy hippo, whose name in Thai has gained international recognition, represents a notable success …

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First Case Of Sexual Cannibalism In Leiurus Abdullahbayrami Yağmur, Koç & Kunt, 2009 (Scorpiones: Buthidae) From Lebanon, Rami Khashab Jul 2025

First Case Of Sexual Cannibalism In Leiurus Abdullahbayrami Yağmur, Koç & Kunt, 2009 (Scorpiones: Buthidae) From Lebanon, Rami Khashab

Euscorpius

This study presents the first report of sexual cannibalism in the medically significant scorpion Leiurus abdullahbayrami Yağmur, Koç & Kunt, 2009, that was recorded during a herpetological field trip to the semi-desert area in northern Lebanon. It broadens the understanding of sexual cannibalism in scorpions and adds a new prey item to the dietary spectrum of the scorpion.

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Stream Fish Assemblage Dynamics And Barriers To Aquatic Connectivity In The Ichawaynochaway Creek Watershed, Georgia, Usa, Jake R. Duhé Jul 2025

Stream Fish Assemblage Dynamics And Barriers To Aquatic Connectivity In The Ichawaynochaway Creek Watershed, Georgia, Usa, Jake R. Duhé

LSU Master's Theses

Stream fishes in the southeastern United States are adapted to hydrological disturbances such as droughts. However, this region is projected to experience increasingly frequent and severe disturbances that will elevate water demands given increasing agricultural and urban development. Further, road-stream crossings (RSCs) are abundant features in these streams that can exacerbate drought-mediated stream fragmentation and impede movements by many aquatic organisms, including fishes, when poorly constructed. These compounding effects may adversely affect the diversity and abundances of resident stream fishes, but their interactions remain poorly understood, warranting rigorous testing of how droughts and RSCs influence stream fish dynamics. I assessed …

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Scorpions Of The Horn Of Africa (Arachnida: Scorpiones). Part Xxxix. Buthus Pygmaeus Sp. N. From Somaliland (Buthidae), František Kovařík, Graeme Lowe, František Šťáhlavský, Hassan Sh A. Elmi Jul 2025

Scorpions Of The Horn Of Africa (Arachnida: Scorpiones). Part Xxxix. Buthus Pygmaeus Sp. N. From Somaliland (Buthidae), František Kovařík, Graeme Lowe, František Šťáhlavský, Hassan Sh A. Elmi

Euscorpius

New data are presented on the distribution of the genus Buthus Leach, 1815 in the Horn of Africa, mainly in Somaliland. B. pygmaeus sp. n. is described, fully complemented with color photographs of live and preserved specimens, as well as their habitats. In addition to the analysis of external morphology and hemispermatophors, we provide a description of the karyotype of B. pygmaeus sp. n. (2n=22). A key and distribution map of Buthus in the Horn of Africa (six species) are included

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Effect Of Traditional Versus Fenceline Weaning On Lamb Stress, Emma N. Sutton Jul 2025

Effect Of Traditional Versus Fenceline Weaning On Lamb Stress, Emma N. Sutton

Animal Science Undergraduate Honors Theses

Stress is a significant factor affecting the health, behavior, and performance of sheep in production settings. Most lambs go through artificial weaning, and this is a stressful time in a lamb’s life. Stress can negatively affect growth rates, feed efficiency, and susceptibility to illness and parasites. The traditional and most common method of weaning is the abrupt separation of lambs from their dams. An alternative method of weaning, fenceline weaning, has been found to reduce stress in cattle and may also reduce stress in sheep. The objectives of this study were to evaluate body weights, fecal egg counts, and behavior …

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Dynamic Microbiome Responses To Structurally Diverse Anthocyanin-Rich Foods In A Western Diet Context, Mohammed F. Almatani, Giovanni Rompato, Eliza C. Stewart, Marcus Hayden, Jeremy Case, Samuel Rice, Korry J. Hintze, Abby D. Benninghoff Jul 2025

Dynamic Microbiome Responses To Structurally Diverse Anthocyanin-Rich Foods In A Western Diet Context, Mohammed F. Almatani, Giovanni Rompato, Eliza C. Stewart, Marcus Hayden, Jeremy Case, Samuel Rice, Korry J. Hintze, Abby D. Benninghoff

Animal, Dairy, and Veterinary Science Student Research

Background/Objectives: Anthocyanin (ACN)-rich foods are known to influence the gut microbiota composition, but the temporal dynamics and structural specificity of these effects remain poorly understood. This study investigated how distinct ACN-rich fruit supplements impact the gut microbiome over time in the context of a Western-style diet. We hypothesized that ACN-induced microbial shifts would occur rapidly, differ by ACN source, and require continued intake to persist. Methods: C57BL/6J mice were fed the total Western diet (TWD) supplemented with freeze-dried powders from bilberry (BB), tart cherry (TC), chokeberry (CB), elderberry (EB), black currant (BC), or black raspberry (BRB) for 0, 1, 3, …

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Studying The Population Dynamics Of Nslab And Their Influence On Spores During Cheese Ripening, Rakesh Kaushik, Sanjeev Anand Jul 2025

Studying The Population Dynamics Of Nslab And Their Influence On Spores During Cheese Ripening, Rakesh Kaushik, Sanjeev Anand

Dairy Science and Food Science Faculty Publications: 2022 to Present

Cheese ripening involves microbial changes, with starter lactic acid bacteria (SLAB) initiat- ing fermentation and nonstarter lactic acid bacteria (NSLAB) driving flavor and texture development. However, heat-resistant spores of Clostridium and Bacillus can survive pas- teurization and cause spoilage during ripening. This study evaluated NSLAB dynamics in the presence of spores during cheese ripening. Cheddar cheese samples at pilot-scale level (110 L) with four treatments, namely control, with spores of B. licheniformis (T1), with spores of Cl. tyrobutyricum (T2), and both spores (T3) at 2.0 Log10 CFU/mL, were ripened at 7 ◦C for six months. SLAB declined from 8.0 to …

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Cross-Continental Analysis Shows That Disturbance Effects On Reptile Body Condition Do Not Predict Abundance Responses, Kristina J. Macdonald, Don A. Driscoll, Michael D. Craig, Robert A. Davis, Steven J. Hromada, C. M. Gienger, Lee A. Fitzgerald, Daniel J. Leavitt, Danielle K. Walkup, Rickard Abom, Adrian F. Wayne, Gordon R. Friend, Brent Johnson, Danielle Stokeld, Chris R. Dickman, Scott A. Thompson, Graham G. Thompson, Daniel F. Bohórquez Fandiño, Christopher K. Woolley, Annabel L. Smith, Calum Irvine, Tim S. Jessop, Jade E. Keehn, Chris R. Feldman, Xavier Santos, Josabel Belliure Jul 2025

Cross-Continental Analysis Shows That Disturbance Effects On Reptile Body Condition Do Not Predict Abundance Responses, Kristina J. Macdonald, Don A. Driscoll, Michael D. Craig, Robert A. Davis, Steven J. Hromada, C. M. Gienger, Lee A. Fitzgerald, Daniel J. Leavitt, Danielle K. Walkup, Rickard Abom, Adrian F. Wayne, Gordon R. Friend, Brent Johnson, Danielle Stokeld, Chris R. Dickman, Scott A. Thompson, Graham G. Thompson, Daniel F. Bohórquez Fandiño, Christopher K. Woolley, Annabel L. Smith, Calum Irvine, Tim S. Jessop, Jade E. Keehn, Chris R. Feldman, Xavier Santos, Josabel Belliure

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

Ecological disturbances are discrete events that alter or transform the physical, chemical, or biological characteristics of ecosystems. Disturbance can cause animal populations to decline and, according to the risk-disturbance hypothesis and population collapse framework, these declines can be predicted by declines in animal body condition. However, no research has empirically examined the general relationship between body condition and abundance, nor their relationship in response to disturbance. We used a combined dataset representing 33 studies and > 42,000 observations of 75 species from Australia, New Zealand, Spain and the United States of America to test predictions relating to the relationship between reptile …

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