Animal Sciences Commons^™

The Ecology Of Translocated Greater Sage-Grouse In Strawberry Valley, Utah, Rick Joseph Baxter

Theses and Dissertations

Manuscript No. 1 Translocations of greater sage-grouse (Centrocercus urophasianus) have been attempted in 7 states and one Canadian province with very little success. To recover a small remnant population and test the efficacy of sage-grouse translocations, we captured and transported 137 adult female sage-grouse from 2 source populations to a release site in Strawberry Valley, Utah during March-April 2003-2005. The resident population of sage-grouse in Strawberry Valley was approximately 150 breeding birds prior to the release. We radiomarked each female and documented survival, movements, reproductive effort, flocking with resident grouse, and lek attendance. We used Program MARK to calculate annual …

Adaptation To Deep-Sea Hydrothermal Vents: Some Molecular And Developmental Aspects, Florence Pradillon, Françoise Gaill

Journal of Marine Science and Technology–Taiwan

Alvinella pompejana is a polychaetous annelid inhabiting the surface of deep sea hydrothermal chimneys along the ridge of the east part of the Pacific ocean. The main characteristic of this emblematic species is its habitat, which is very aggressive considering its temperature. The exceptional thermotolerance of this species (up to 80°C) has been the subject of much controversy. This review is focused on the thermal adaptation of this worm regarding molecular data relative to its extracellular matrix and life history traits.

Utilization Of Dried Distillers Grains For Developing Beef Heifers, J. L. Martin, Andrea S. Cupp, Richard J. Rasby, Z. C. Hall, Richard N. Funston

Department of Animal Science: Faculty Publications

A 2-yr study was conducted at 2 locations to determine if supplementing beef heifers with dried distillers grains (DDG) as an energy source affected growth or reproduction. Spring-born crossbred heifers (n = 316) were blocked by age or sire and age and assigned randomly to DDG or control (dried corn gluten feed, whole corn germ, urea) supplement. Heifers received prairie hay in amounts sufficient for ad libitum intake and 0.59% of BW DDG or 0.78% of BW control supplement (DM basis). Supplements were formulated to be isocaloric, but protein degradability differed. Supplemental undegradable intake protein intake from DDG averaged 267 …

Sheep Updates 2007 - Part 4, Dean Thomas, Dominique Blache, Dean Revell, Hayley Norman, Phil Vercoe, Zoey Durmic, Serina Digby, Di Mayberry, Megan Chadwick, Martin Sillence, David Masters, R. Silberstein, F. Byrne, P. G. H. Nichols, J. Young, L. Aitkins, M. G. Wilmot, A. J. Rintoul, T. Lambert, D. R. Mcclements, P. Raper, P. Ward, C. Walton, T. York, David Pethick, David Hopkins, Malcolm Mcphee, D. B. Savage, J. V. Nolan, I. R. Godwin, A. Aoetpah, T. Nguyen, N. Baillie, C. Lawler, Ken Geenty, John Smith, Darryl Smith, Tim Dyall, Grant Uphill, John Young, Michael Paton, John Dorrian

Sheep Updates

This session covers eight papers from different authors:

GRAZING

1. The impact of high dietary salt and its implications for the management of livestock grazing saline land, Dean Thomas, Dominique Blache, Dean Revell, Hayley Norman, Phil Vercoe, Zoey Durmic, Serina Digby, Di Mayberry, Megan Chadwick, Martin Sillence and David Masters, CRC for Plant-based Management of Dryland Salinity, Faculty of Natural & Agricultural Sciences, The University of Western Australia, WA.

2. Sustainable Grazing on Saline Lands - outcomes from the WA1 research project, H.C. Norman^1,2, D.G. Masters^1,2, R. Silberstein^1,2, F. Byrne^2,3, P.G.H. Nichols …

Investigating The Role Of Transcription Factor Ap-2�� In Reproduction, Anne Rachelle Howlett

Undergraduate Honors Capstone Projects

The proper formation of gametes is critical for the propagation of species and for the fertility of the individual. The molecular pathways involved in gamete formation remains elusive, therefore, identification of genes involved is an important prerequisite to further our understanding of reproduction. This research will improve infertility treatments and prevention methods in animals and humans. We created mutants that lacked AP-2�� transcription factor after the mouse had entered meiosis and initiated folliculogenesis. The AP-2�� mutants were still fertile and phenotypically similar to normal mice that expressed AP-2�� transcription factor. We also produced mutants that lacked AP-2�� transcription factor during …

Adding To The Reproductive Biology Of The Parthenogenetic Oribatid Mite, Archegozetes Longisetosus (Acari, Oribatida, Trhypochthoniidae), Michael Heethoff, Michael Laumann, Paavo Bergmann

Turkish Journal of Zoology

The oribatid mite, Archegozetes longisetosus, serves as a chelicerate model organism due to its relatively short life cycle and ease of laboratory culturing. It is a parthenogenetic species and all cultures recently used in different laboratories are descendants of a single female collected in 1993. While aspects of its developmental and functional biology have been published, knowledge of its reproductive rate and reproductive system is meager, and data on its life history are contradictory. Herein, we present the gross morphology of the reproductive system as obtained by SEM techniques and X-ray synchrotron microtomography, a new tool for studying mite anatomy. …

Age Structure And Reproductive Activity Of The Blue Sucker In The Milk River, Missouri River Drainage, Montana, Julie Bednarski, Dennis L. Scarnecchia

The Prairie Naturalist

The life history and ecology of the blue sucker (Cycleptus elongatus) in the lower Milk River, Montana were investigated in 2002 and 2003. A total of 253 blue sucker was captured; 248 adult fish, three larval fish, and two age-0 juveniles. The ages (n = 102) of the adult blue sucker ranged from 10 to 37 years; maximum age greatly exceeded ages reported in other studies. Blue sucker in the Milk River population grew slower, matured later, and lived longer than fish at lower latitudes. Adult females of the blue sucker were longer and weighed more than …

Evaluation Of Reproduction And Blood Metabolites In Beef Heifers Fed Dried Distillers Grains Plus Solubles And Soybean Hulls During Late Gestation, Chanda L. Engel, H. H. Trey Patterson, Ron Haigh, Jason Johnson, Mindy Hubert, Brandi Perry, George A. Perry

South Dakota Beef Report, 2006

Dried distillers grains plus solubles (DDGS) contain a significant amount of both undegradable intake protein and fat, which have both been shown to increase reproductive performance when supplemented to heifers during gestation. The mechanisms leading to enhanced reproduction when fat or UIP are supplemented have not been fully defined. The objective of this experiment was to evaluate DDGS or soybean hulls (SBH) fed during the last trimester of gestation on circulating concentrations of growth hormone (GH) and insulin-like growth factor-I (IGF-I) and reproductive efficiency. Ninety-five crossbred heifers were grouped by expected calving date, BW, BCS, and randomly assigned to DDGS …

Effects Of Pre- And Postpartum Nutrition On Reproduction In Spring Calving Cows And Calf Feedlot Performance, Leslie Aaron Stalker, Don C. Adams, Terry J. Klopfenstein, D. M. Feuz, Richard N. Funston

Department of Animal Science: Faculty Publications

Crossbred, spring-calving cows (yr 1, n = 136; yr 2, n = 113; yr 3, n = 113) were used in a 3- yr experiment to evaluate the influence of supplemental protein prepartum and grazing subirrigated meadow postpartum on pregnancy rates and calf feedlot performance. A 2 × 2 factorial arrangement of treatments was used in a switchback design. From December 1 to February 28, cows grazed dormant upland range in 8 pastures (32 ± 2 ha each). The equivalent of 0.45 kg of supplement/cow per d (42% CP) was provided to half of the cows on a pasture basis …

Growth And Reproduction Of Por's Goatfish (Upeneus Pori Ben-Tuvia & Golani, 1989) In İskenderun Bay, The Eastern Mediterranean, Ali̇ İşmen

Turkish Journal of Zoology

The age composition, growth parameters, spawning season, sex ratio, length at first sexual maturity and fecundity of por's goatfish (Upeneus pori) caught from the Bay of İskenderun in the eastern Mediterranean Sea were investigated. Females and males made up 52.6% and 47.4%, respectively, of the particular population of the species. The total length of females ranged from 7.0 cm to 17.0 cm, and of males from 6.6 cm to 15.1 cm. The length (L) - weight (W) relationships for males and females were estimated as W = 0.0108*L^{2.99} and W = 0.0097*L^{3.03}, respectively. The age data derived from otolith readings …

Seasonality Of Reproduction And Embryonic Growth Of Spiny Dogfish (Squalus Acanthias L., 1758) In The Eastern Black Sea, Sefa Ayhan Demi̇rhan, Kadi̇r Seyhan

Turkish Journal of Zoology

The seasonality of reproduction and embryonic development of spiny dogfish (Squalus acanthias) sampled from the Eastern Black Sea were studied. The gestation period of spiny dogfish, starting in August, September and October, takes around 23-24 months. Fertilized females were caught at a depth of 30-45 m in July and August. Females with full-term pups and empty uteri were found at 50-60 m depth, where the temperature was 10 °C. Lengths of pups at birth were around 28-29 cm, whereas their weights ranged from 68 to 78 g. The models of embryonic growth and development of ova were described as TL_e …

A Health Risk Evaluation For Pallid Sturgeon (Scaphirhynchus Albus) In The Lower Platte River Using Shovelnose Sturgeon (Scaphirhynchus Platorynchus) As A Surrogate, Matthew S. Schwarz, Christina D. Lydick, Donald E. Tillit, Diana M. Papoulias, Timothy S. Gross

United States Fish and Wildlife Service: Publications

Most sturgeon species worldwide have been in steep decline since the 1900s. This research evaluated shovelnose sturgeon health, reproduction, and exposure to environmental contamination in the lower Platte River. Shovelnose sturgeon served as a surrogate species for the endangered pallid sturgeon and their health was assessed by incorporating measurements of general health with hepatic, immune, and reproductive system biomarkers. Environmental contaminants were measured in water, potential pallid sturgeon food items (cyprinid minnows), and shovelnose sturgeon digesta, liver, and blood plasma. Contaminants detected in shovelnose sturgeon at concentrations of concern included PCBs, selenium, and atrazine. Total PCBs in carcasses (n = …

Day 2: Thursday, 18 August 2005: Colorado Native Aquatic Species Restoration Program, Dave Schnoor

Endangered Species Act Congressional Field Tour (August 17-19)

6 pages (includes illustrations).

Contains one reference.

Sheep Updates 2005 - Part 2, Peter Tozer, Janette Drew, K. E. Kemper, M. L. Hebart, F. D. Brien, K. S. Jaensch, R. J. Grimson, D. H. Smith, A. M. M. Ramsay, J. S. Richards, K. D. Atkins, T. Thompson, W. K. Murray, J. R. L. Hall, Chris Carter, Peter Tozer, Mark Hyder, John Young, B. A. Mcgregor, Patricia Harper

Sheep Updates

This session covers seven papers from different authors: CONCURRENT SESSIONS - STRATEGIC MANAGEMENT 1.Finishing Pastoral Lambs, Peter Tozer, Patricia Harper, Janette Drew, Department of Agriculture Western Australia 2. Coating Improves Wool Quality under Mixed Farming Conditions, KE Kemper, ML Hebart, FD Brien, KS Grimson, DH Smith AMM Ramsay, South Australian Research and Development Institute 3. J. S. Richards, K.D. Atkins, T. Thompson, W. K. Murray, Australian Sheep Industry Co-operative Research Centre and NSW Department of Primary Industries, Orange Agricultural Institute, Forest Rd. Orange 4. Strategic Risk Management in the Sheep Industry, J.R.L. Hall, ICON Agriculture (JRL Hall & Co) 5. …

Genetic Relationship Between Milk Score And Litter Weight For Targhee, Columbia, Rambouillet, And Polypay Sheep, R. M. Sawalha, G. D. Snowder, Jeffrey F. Keown, L. Dale Van Vleck

Department of Animal Science: Faculty Publications

This study was conducted to evaluate the relationship between milk score (MS) and litter weight at 70 d (LW) for four sheep breeds in the United States. Milk score is a subjective measure of milk production used to assess milk production of range ewes when milk yield cannot be quantitatively determined. Variance components for MS and LW were estimated for each of Targhee, Columbia, Rambouillet, and Polypay breeds. Data collected from 1990 through 2000 at the U.S. Sheep Exp. Stn. in Dubois, ID, were analyzed with an animal model using REML. There were 13,900 records of MS and LW for …

Corn Germ As A Source Of Supplemental Fat For Cows In Late Gestation, Dick Pruitt, Jeff A. Clapper, William B. Epperson, George A. Perry

South Dakota Beef Report, 2005

To evaluate corn germ as a source of supplemental fat, 217 two to twelve-year-old cows receiving grass hay free choice were supplemented with either 2.75 lb of corn germ (dry basis) or an equal amount of crude protein from soybean meal (0.80 lb dry matter) starting approximately 50 days prior to the first expected calving. Cows were removed from treatment the day they calved and where managed as a group through the breeding season. Supplement treatment did not affect cow weight change or body condition score. Corn germ did not improve any measure of reproduction, including the percentage of cows …

Evaluation Of Dried Distillers Grains With Solubles As A Feedstuff For Heifers In The Last Trimester Fo Gestation, Chanda L. Engel, Hubert H. Patterson, George A. Perry, Ron Haigh, Jason Johnson

South Dakota Beef Report, 2005

Ninety-six crossbred heifers were used in an experiment to evaluate the effect of dried distillers grains plus solubles (DDGS), fed in the last trimester of gestation, on heifer performance and reproduction. Animals were blocked by previous heifer development strategy (Antelope Research Station range developed = ANT 1; Antelope Research Station dry lot developed = ANT 2; Cottonwood research station = CTW), stratified by expected calving date, body weight and body condition score, and randomly allotted to one of twelve pens. Each pen was randomly assigned to one of two treatments (6 pens/treatment; 4 pens per block). Treatments were 1) dried …

First Results Of Wild Ass Research In The South Gobi Aymag/Mongolia In 2003 And 2004, Annegret Stubbe, Michael Stubbe, N. Batsajchan, R. Samjaa, S. Doržderem

Erforschung biologischer Ressourcen der Mongolei / Exploration into the Biological Resources of Mongolia, ISSN 0440-1298

The population of the Mongolian wild ass belongs to the nominate form Equus hemionus hemionus described by Pallas in 1775. This species is adapted to semidesert habitats in the Gobi region and is listed in the Red Book of Mongolia as well as on appendix I of the Washington Convention (CITES). Mapping of the northern border of the distributional range showed a remarkable decrease in size in comparison to the maps of Murzaev (1954) or Bannikov (1954). The pressure of civilization, settlements, motorization, and increasing numbers of domestic livestock in connection with the occupation of water resources and illegal hunting …

Reproductive Ecology Of Two Common Woody Species, Juniperus Sabina And Artemisia Santolinifolia, In Mountain Steppes Of Southern Mongolia, Katrin Ronnenberg

Erforschung biologischer Ressourcen der Mongolei / Exploration into the Biological Resources of Mongolia, ISSN 0440-1298

The present study describes the reproductive ecology of the prostrate shrub Juniperus sabina and the dwarf shrub Artemisia santolinifolia in dry mountain steppes of southern Mongolia. Whereas stands of the juniper are located at the drought limit of the genus’ distributional range, the genus Artemisia is typical of central Asian drylands. Both species produce large numbers of reproductive organs. For Juniperus sabina, however, only 2.5% of the morphologically intact seeds were found to be viable. Correspondingly, neither seedlings nor saplings were found in the field, and recruitment by reseeding happens at most rarely under the present climatic conditions.

Instead, …

Zur Populationsökologie Und Raumnutzung Der Steppenwühlmaus Microtus Brandti (Radde, 1861) In Der Fortpflanzungsperiode, Ulrich Zöphel, N. Dawaa

Erforschung biologischer Ressourcen der Mongolei / Exploration into the Biological Resources of Mongolia, ISSN 0440-1298

During the growing season between 1988 and 1990 the population biology of Brandt’s vole (Microtus brandti) was observed in a population near Ulaanbaatar. Mark-recapture techniques (1,438 markings, 19,606 recaptures in total) and complementary methods were used. The density maximum was observed in July with 98 (1988); 169 (1989) and 94 (1990) individuals/ha and the population fluctuated by a factor of 7.4.

At the beginning of reproductive period the males disperse over a minimum distance of one female home range whereas the females do not migrate after winter. The typical mating system is promiscuity. Youngsters have been recorded from …

Das Arteninventar Der Avifauna Der Mongolei Während Einer Nord-Süd-Durchquerung 1997, Tobias Stenzel, Michael Stubbe, R. Samjaa, Annegret Stubbe, C. Dulamsuren

Erforschung biologischer Ressourcen der Mongolei / Exploration into the Biological Resources of Mongolia, ISSN 0440-1298

Here we present a detailed report on bird biodiversity of ecosystems along a North-South transect through Mongolia in 1997whic h serves as a guideline for further research projects and training for students in all Mongolian vegetation zones from northern steppes to southern deserts.

Two hundred fifty-five bird species were observed between 21st of July and 10th of August 1997. The main study sites were located in the North the Selenge-Orchon-basin with meadows and dune woodlands 15 km southern from Suchbaatar, the Middle Gobi-Aimag with desert steppes and sajrs (covered with Ulmus pumila) and in the Bordzongijn-gobi in the South …

Reconstruction Of Nuclear Transfer Embryos In Goats And Cattle [Electronic Resource], Allison Morris Landry

LSU Doctoral Dissertations

The low survival rates of nuclear transfer fetuses and neonates in goats and cattle have been linked to placental abnormalities. A series of studies was designed to investigate the possibility of supplementing nuclear transfer embryos with electrofused embryos to generate placental tissue in goats and cattle. The initial study was designed to determine if the breeding season of goats could be extended with hCG treatment. Progesterone concentrations in treated does increased but pregnancy rates were unaffected. In the second study, goat embryos were electrofused and combined with nuclear transfer embryos at the 8-cell stage to produce the first offspring as …

Some Biological Characteristics Of Crayfish (Astacus Leptodactylus Eschscholtz, 1823) In Lake Eğirdir, İsmet Balik, Hidir Çubuk, Remzi̇ye Özkök, Rahmi̇ Uysal

Turkish Journal of Zoology

This study was conducted in Lake Eğirdir in 2001 and 2002, to investigate some biological characteristics, i.e. sex and length compositions, length-weight relationship and reproduction, of the crayfish (Astacus leptodactylus Eschscholtz, 1823) population. Sex ratios of crayfish caught with fykenets of 34 - mm mesh size (stretched mesh) were 65.2% male and 34.8% female. The total body lengths of both sexes ranged from 40 to 150 mm and the majority were in the 110 mm length class. Although the average lengths of both sexes were nearly the same, the average weight of male crayfish was higher than that of females. …

Age, Growth And Reproduction Of The Goldband Goatfish, Upeneus Moluccensis (Bleeker, 1855), In İskenderun Bay, The Eastern Mediterranean, Ali̇ İşmen

Turkish Journal of Zoology

The age composition, growth parameters, spawning season, sex ratio, length at first sexual maturity and fecundity of the goldband goatfish (Upeneus moluccensis) caught in İskenderun Bay in the eastern Mediterranean Sea were investigated. Females and males made up 51.6% and 48.4%, respectively, of the particular population of the species. The total length of females ranged from 7.0 cm to 20.5 cm, and of males from 7.0 cm to 17.8 cm. The length (L) - weight (W) relationships for males and females were estimated as W = 0.0118*L^{2.99} and W = 0.0097*L^{3.00}, respectively. The age data derived from otolith readings were …

Natural History And Karyology Of The Yucatán Vesper Mouse, Otonyctomys Hatti, Hugh H. Genoways, Robert M. Timm, Mark D. Engstrom

University of Nebraska State Museum: Mammalogy Papers

Seventeen specimens of the rare Yucatán vesper mouse, Otonyctomys hatti, are now known from Belize, Guatemala, and the Mexican states of Campeche, Quintana Roo, and Yucatán. We herein report a second specimen of O. hatti, from Belize, extending the known geographic range of the species 95 km to the southeast in the country. This is the first location at which O. hatti has been taken sympatrically with the Central American vesper mouse, Nyctomys sumichrasti. We also report data on three additional specimens of O. hatti from Campeche. Nyctomys and Otonyctomys share similar habits and habitat requirements, and …

Observations On The Ecology, Reproduction And Behavior Of Spermophilus Bennett, 1835 (Mammalia: Rodentia) In Turkey, Şaki̇r Özkurt, Nuri̇ Yi̇ği̇t, Ercüment Çolak, Mustafa Sözen, Muhammed Mouradi Gharakheloo

Turkish Journal of Zoology

Field and laboratory investigations on the ecology, reproduction and behavior of Spermophilus citellus and Spermophilus xantophrymnus were performed over a period of 4 years. Both S. citellus and S. xanthophrymnus are diurnal species and occupy semiarid steppe areas in Turkish Thrace and Anatolia, respectively. Distribution of the former species is confined to restricted steppe areas in Turkish Thrace whilethe, latter lives on the Anatolian steppe, and is sympatric with Meriones tristami, Mesocricetus brandthi, Allactaga williamsi and Microtus spp. The burrows of both species have one entrance, and are built separately in the field. They constitute small social colonies and communicate …

Reproductive Characteristics Of High Body Condition Mares With High Versus Low Leptin Concentrations, Cara A. Waller

LSU Master's Theses

Two experiments were performed to discover what, if any, reproductive differences exist in high body condition (BCS) mares with varying concentrations of leptin. Previous research showed that mares with high body condition scores can have a range of leptin levels, from very low (<5 ng/mL) to very high (>10 ng/mL). Earlier results indicated that most mares with high body condition scores maintain estrous cycles or show significant follicular activity during the winter. Among these high BCS mares, about 30% of them exhibit hyperleptinemia and hyperinsulinemia. The first experiment was designed to compare the reproductive characteristics of high BCS mares with high versus low leptin …

Testosterone And Group Size In Cliff Swallows: Testing The “Challenge Hypothesis” In A Colonial Bird, Linda C. Smith, Samrrah A. Raouf, Mary Bomberger Brown, John C. Wingfield, Charles R. Brown

School of Biological Sciences: Faculty Publications

The “challenge hypothesis” states that increases in testosterone levels of male animals during the breeding season are directly related to the extent of intrasexual competition for resources or mates that they experience. Although often tested in territorial species, the challenge hypothesis has not been evaluated for colonial animals that live in groups of different sizes and that thus experience different intensities of intrasexual competition. We measured circulating testosterone levels of male and female cliff swallows (Petrochelidon pyrrhonota) in southwestern Nebraska, where these birds nest in colonies of widely different sizes. Males had significantly higher testosterone levels than females, …

Effect Of Certain Factors On Productive And Reproductive Efficiency Traits And Phenotypic Relationships Among These Traits And Repeatabilities In West Anatolian Holsteins, Mustafa Tekerli̇, Mustafa Gündoğan

Turkish Journal of Veterinary & Animal Sciences

The present investigation was undertaken to study certain factors affecting production efficiency, milk production and reproduction and to estimate the repeatabilities and phenotypic correlations of these traits in Holsteins maintained at different farms in western Anatolia over 3 years (1990 - 1993). The data consisted of 506 first and 232 second lactations of 525 cows. Three production efficiency traits (milk yield per day of lactation length (MYPDLL), milk yield per day of calving interval (MYPDCI) and milk yield per day of age at second calving (MYPDASC)), one production trait (lactation yield (LY)), and one reproduction trait (calving interval (CI)) were …

Determination Of The Recruitment To Stock And Reproduction Period For Flounder (Platichthys Flesus Luscus Pallas, 1811) Along The Trabzon-Rize Coast, Eastern Black Sea, Erhan Çi̇loğlu

Turkish Journal of Veterinary & Animal Sciences

The length and weight distribution of flounder (Platichthys flesus luscus Pallas, 1811) were 14.2-34.1 cm and 28.879-611.0 g, respectively. The samples were distributed between the 0 and VII age groups. Von Bertalanffy growth parameters for flounder were L_t = 41.241[1-e^{-0.161(t+3.240)}] for females, L_t= 33.567[1-e^{-0.181(t+3.525)}] for males and L_t = 40.577[1-e^{-0.142(t+3.105)}] for the sexes combined. Reproduction took place from December to March but peaked in December. Two recruitment periods were determined for flounder: the first was January to July, and the second August to November. The proportions of recruitment in the first and second periods were 68.13% and 31.87%, respectively.