Animal Sciences Commons^™

Captive Chimpanzees' (Pan Troglodytes) Night-Time Enrichment Selection And Use, Katherine M. Mcdonald

All Master's Theses

Captive chimpanzees (Pan troglodytes) engage with enrichment objects extensively during the daytime, yet relatively little is known regarding their use of available enrichment at night. This study examined night-time enrichment use in three adult chimpanzees at the Chimpanzee and Human Communication Institute. Every evening, the chimpanzees received a variety of enrichment objects. The objects belonged to one of nine categories. Night-vision video cameras recorded the chimpanzees’ night-time behaviors every Monday through Thursday from July 9 to August 9, 2012 (Carner et al., 2013). The present study used a focal animal, instantaneous sampling method (Martin & Bateson, 2007) to …

Enrichment Use & Social Interactions In A Mixed-Species Enclosure Of Sumatran (Pongo Abelij) & Bornean Orangutans (P. Pygmaeus) & Northern White-Cheeked Gibbons (Nomascus Leucogenys), Emily Veitia

All Master's Theses

Enrichment is an aspect of captive husbandry that has been shown to positively impact animals’ well-being and can be designed to encourage species-typical behaviors, such as foraging and arboreality. Enrichment can include housing together multiple compatible species. Orangutans are sympatric with siamangs and agile and Bornean gibbons, so several zoos house these four Asian ape species in the same enclosure, in part, as social enrichment. In my study, I observed enrichment use and social interactions in a mixed-species enclosure at the Oregon Zoo, which housed two Sumatran (Pongo abelii) and two Bornean (P. pygmaeus) orangutans with …

Evaluation Of Diagnostic Methods For The Detection Of Pestiviruses In Clinical Samples, Peli̇n Tuncer Göktuna, Kadi̇r Yeşi̇lbağ

Turkish Journal of Veterinary & Animal Sciences

There are several commonly used diagnostic methods to detect pestiviruses for routine diagnostic purposes. In the present study, we aimed to compare virus isolation-indirect immunoperoxidase monolayer assay (VI-IIPMA), antigen capture ELISA (ACE), and RT-PCR for the detection of pestiviruses in clinical samples. Out of 246 samples tested (11 serum, 119 swab, 116 tissue), 28 samples (11.39%) were positive and 218 (88.61%) were negative using the VI-IIPMA method. Using ACE, 70 samples (28.46%) were positive and 176 (71.54%) were negative. Finally, using RT-PCR analysis, we detected 19 (7.72%) positive and 227 (92.28%) negative samples. Inconsistencies were observed among results of the …

Culicoides Latreille, 1809 (Diptera: Ceratopogonidae) Species In Thewestern Black Sea Region Of Turkey, New Records For The Turkish Fauna, Bi̇lal Di̇k, Özge Kuçlu, Rahi̇le Öztürk

Turkish Journal of Veterinary & Animal Sciences

This study was carried out to detect biting midges of the Culicoides (Diptera: Nematocera: Ceratopogonidae) fauna in the Western Black Sea Region of Turkey between June and August 2014. In this study, 34,047 Culicoides samples were captured and 35 Culicoides species were identified. C. obsoletus (Meigen), 1818 was found to be the most dominant species. It was followed by C. picturatus Kremer & Deduit, 1961; C. punctatus (Meigen), 1804; and C. pulicaris (Linnaeus). All of the Culicoides species detected in the study were reported for the first time in the Western Black Sea Region. C. alazanicus Dzhafarov, 1961 and C. …

Modelling Beef Consumption In Turkey: The Ardl/Bounds Test Approach, Hamza Erdoğdu, Hasan Çi̇çek

Turkish Journal of Veterinary & Animal Sciences

The study aimed to examine the short-run and long-run relationship between beef consumption and beef prices, chicken meat prices, and per capita income for the period of 1994?2014 in Turkey by employing the ARDL/bounds test approach. After deciding on the presence of cointegration between the related variables, a parsimonious VECM model was estimated to conduct the structural analyses of the impulse response function and variance decomposition. The results of the bounds test suggest a long-run equilibrium relationship between beef consumption and its selected determinants. In addition, the empirical findings indicate that chicken meat prices and per capita income level have …

Electroencephalographic Electrode Montage In Goats: Topographical, Radiological, Andphysiological Assessment, Arun Kumar Madan, Sunil Kumar Rastogi, Arup Kumar Das, Jayant Pandurang Korde, Ishwar Singh, Girijesh Kumar Singh

Turkish Journal of Veterinary & Animal Sciences

The paucity of information on assortment of EEG leads in goats has hampered analysis of brain regional activity during different physiological, pathological, and ethological conditions in this species. Hence, the present study was designed to develop a montage with suitable combinations of EEG electrode arrays in goats. Ten specimens of freshly slaughtered goat heads (crossbreed of Jamunapari) were procured and preserved at -20 °C. Frozen samples were sliced sagittally and transversely to corroborate the link between intended topographic landmarks for EEG leads over the scalp and underlying provinces of the brain. Based on these observations, nine sites for EEG electrode …

Control Of Fermented Sausage, Salami, Sausage, And Hamburger Meatballs Produced In Meat Production Facilities Applying The Iso Food Security System For Food Pathogens, Nuray Gamze Yörük, Ahmet Güner

Turkish Journal of Veterinary & Animal Sciences

In this study, fermented sausage, salami, sausage, and hamburger meatballs produced by 6 different companies were assessed for pathogen contamination. These firms were either International Organization for Standardization (ISO) 22000-compliant or non-ISO 22000 compliant. Samples were taken 4 times over 4 seasons. The total mesophilic aerobic quantities of Bacillus cereus, Clostridium perfringens, and Staphylococcus aureus, along with the presence of Salmonella spp., Listeria monocytogenes, and Escherichia coli O157:H7, were tested in each sample. In 96 samples, Salmonella spp. (3.12%), L. monocytogenes (17.7%), and E. coli O157:H7 (4.16%) were detected. From the ISO-certified firms, Salmonella spp. were detected in one meatball …

The Effects Of Heparin Concentration, Storage Time, And Temperature On The Values Of Hematological Parameters In Cyprinus Carpio, Malgorzata Witeska, Justyna Biardzka, Joanna Kniaz

Turkish Journal of Veterinary & Animal Sciences

The results of hematological analyses may be affected by preanalytical factors such as sampling procedure, type and concentration of anticoagulant, or conditions and time of blood storage. In the present study the effects of various concentrations of heparin (0-200 IU/cm3) and different times (2, 24, or 48 h) and temperatures (4 or 22 °C) of blood storage on the values of hematological parameters in Cyprinus carpio were evaluated. Increase in heparin concentration resulted in a decrease in frequency of erythroblasts, a reduction of leukocyte and thrombocyte counts, and a decrease in oxidative metabolic activity of phagocytes. Storage for 2 h …

Investigation Of The Presence Of Mycoplasma As An Etiologic Agent Of Inflammatory Airway Diseases In Thoroughbred Racehorses In İstanbul Province, Alper Mete, Naci̇ye Yakut Özgür

Turkish Journal of Veterinary & Animal Sciences

Mycoplasma equirhinis and Mycoplasma felis are thought to be infectious etiologic agents of inflammatory airway disease (IAD), which, after musculoskeletal injuries, is the second most common cause of poor performance in thoroughbred racehorses. The aims of this study were to investigate for the first time the presence of M. equirhinis, M. felis, and other Mycoplasma spp. in the lower respiratory tract of racehorses in İstanbul Province in Turkey and to statistically evaluate the association between clinical signs of IAD and the presence of mycoplasmas. Tracheal wash (TW) samples were collected from 111 English and Arabian thoroughbred horses that showed clinical …

Effect Of Fluorogestone Acetate And Ecg On Reproductiveparameters In Lactating Pırlak Ewes, Muhammed Nevzat Algan, Mehmet Uçar, Oktay Yilmaz

Turkish Journal of Veterinary & Animal Sciences

It was aimed to determine the effect of intravaginal sponges impregnated with different doses of fluorogestone acetate (FGA) on some reproductive parameters in 360 Pırlak ewes at 30-60 days postpartum. The positive control group (n = 130) was treated with 30 mg of FGA for 12 days. On the sponge removal day, 600 IU of equine chorionic gonadotropin was injected intramuscularly and rams were joined into flocks 36 h later. Halved intravaginal sponges containing FGA were applied in the experimental group (n = 100) with the same protocol as in the positive control group. The estrous behavior of ewes in …

Mycoplasma Arginini: High Frequency Involvement In Goat Pneumonia, Rekha Valsala, Rajneesh Rana, Arun Thachappully Remesh, Vijendra Pal Singh

Turkish Journal of Veterinary & Animal Sciences

Mycoplasmas are an important class of bacteria associated with caprine pneumonia. Some of the main species involved are M. mycoides subsp. capri, M. capricolum subsp. capricolum, and M. capricolum subsp. capripneumoniae. In addition, there are frequent reports of M. arginini involvement. In the present study an attempt was made to see the association of various mollicutes in caprine pneumonia. In total 244 pneumonic goat lung samples collected over a 10-year period (2003-2012) were screened for the isolation and identification of associated mollicutes. The identification was done on the basis of biochemical tests, growth inhibition test, PCR, and sequencing. The most …

The Physiological Stress Response To Acute Thermal Exposure Inblack Sea Trout (Salmo Trutta Labrax Pallas, 1814), Zeynep Dengi̇z Balta, Süleyman Akhan, Fi̇kri̇ Balta

Turkish Journal of Veterinary & Animal Sciences

In this study, we aimed to investigate the acute stress responses of Black Sea trout to acute thermal fluctuations. Black Sea trout (184.22 g mean weight) were transferred from a private trout farm to a research center and restocked in a fiberglass square tank. After acclimation to culture conditions (at a water temperature of 15 °C) for 2 weeks, the fish in the experiment were exposed to 25 °C water temperature for 30 min, and the stress responses of the fish were examined at 1, 3, 6, 12, 24, 36, 48, and 72 h. After acute thermal shock, cortisol and …

Diselementosis As A Risk Factor Of Embryo Loss In Lactating Cows, Sergey Shabunin, Anatoliy Nezhdanov, Vitaliy Mikhalev, Elena Lozovaya, Anton Chernitskiy

Turkish Journal of Veterinary & Animal Sciences

The aim of this research was to reveal the impact of bioelemental status of dairy cows on intrauterine growth restriction and embryo death at early gestation stages. The research included 22 Holstein cows with average annual dairy productivity of 6400-7600 kg. All animals were subjected to transrectal ultrasonography to determine corpus luteum and pregnancy status, and their blood was sampled for biochemical analyses on the 19th-22nd, 28th-32nd, and 38th-45th days of gestation. Zinc, copper, manganese, and selenium blood contents were determined by atomic absorption spectrophotometry. Serum levels of calcium, phosphorus, and magnesium were determined with an automatic biochemistry analyzer. Protein-bound …

Estradiol 17 Beta-Dehydrogenase 5 Is Involved In Aflatoxin B1 Transportation, Yanling Yang, Yaling Huang, Linmao Zeng, Yuanyuan Gao, Yu Li, Yanguang Ji, Shihua Wang, Kunzhi Jia, Zhenhong Zhuang

Turkish Journal of Veterinary & Animal Sciences

Numerous studies have focused on the mechanism of aflatoxin B1 (AFB1) metabolism and its carcinogenic mechanism, but how AFB1 is transported into hepatocytes and how it is transferred inside hepatocytes remains unknown. In this study, the AFB1-interacting protein, estradiol 17 beta-dehydrogenase 5 (Akr1c6), was identified with an immobilized affinity chromatography technique and LC-MS/MS. The interaction between Akr1c6 and AFB1 was confirmed with ELISA, and the results showed that Akr1c6 could efficiently bind AFB1. Anti-Akr1c6 polyclonal antibody from rabbit was prepared, and the IC50 values of AFB1 to BRL (normal big rat liver cells) and NRK (normal rat kidney cells) were …

Effect Of Phytase On True Total Tract Digestibility Of Phosphorus In Full-Fat Rice Bran Determined In Pigs By Regression Method, Walter Lucca, Marcos Ceron, Matheus Lucca, Lucas Casagrande, Leonardo Rocha, Irineo Zanella, Vladimir Oliveira

Turkish Journal of Veterinary & Animal Sciences

The goal of this study was to determine the effect of phytase on true total tract digestibility of phosphorus (TTDP) and endogenous losses of phosphorus (ELP) of full-fat rice bran (FFRB) by simple linear regression. Twelve castrated pigs in the growing phase with an average live weight of 57.00 ± 2.50 kg were used. The experiment lasted 36 days, divided into three periods of 12 days each. The experimental design consisted of randomized blocks in a 2 × 3 factorial scheme, with two levels of fungal phytase (0 and 750 FTU $\mathbb{kg}^-1$ ) and three levels of phosphorus (P) coming …

The Protective Efficacy Of Immunoglobulin Y From Immunized Chickens Against Salmonella Infections In Mice, Hasan Hüseyi̇n Hadi̇mli̇, Zafer Sayin, Gökçenur Sani̇oğlu Gölen

Turkish Journal of Veterinary & Animal Sciences

The aim of this study was to determine the efficacy of immunoglobulin Y (IgY) obtained from chickens immunized with Salmonella vaccines. Chickens were vaccinated three times with inactivated monovalent, bivalent, and combined vaccines. Immunized hen eggs were collected after the third vaccination and IgYs were purified. In total, 100 mice were orally challenged with Salmonella serotypes. After the challenge, IgYs were orally administered to mice. Mice were observed for morbidity and mortality. Fecal samples from the mice were also cultured for the reisolation of Salmonella serotypes. The antibody titers in the serum samples of vaccinated chickens were higher than those …

River Report. State Of The Lower St. Johns River Basin, Florida: Water Quality, Fisheries, Aquatic Life, Contaminants, 2017, Environmental Protection Board, City Of Jacksonville, University Of North Florida, Jacksonville University, Gerry Pinto, Nisse Goldberg, Radha Pyati, Anthony Ouellette, Gretchen Bielmyer-Fraser, An-Phong Le, Brian P. Zoellner, Peter Bacopoulos

State of the River Report

No abstract provided.

Perspectives Provided By Leopard And Other Cat Genomes: How Diet Determined The Evolutionary History Of Carnivores, Omnivores, And Herbivores, Soonok Kim, Yun Sung Cho, Jong Bhak, Stephen J. O'Brien, Joo-Hong Yeo

Biology Faculty Articles

Recent advances in genome sequencing technologies have enabled humans to generate and investigate the genomes of wild species. This includes the big cat family, such as tigers, lions, and leopards. Adding the first high quality leopard genome, we have performed an in-depth comparative analysis to identify the genomic signatures in the evolution of felid to become the top predators on land. Our study focused on how the carnivore genomes, as compared to the omnivore or herbivore genomes, shared evolutionary adaptations in genes associated with nutrient metabolism, muscle strength, agility, and other traits responsible for hunting and meat digestion. We found …

Burbot Growth Rates In A Northern Mesotrophic Lake, Samuel J. Peterson

Journal of Earth and Life Science

Burbot Lota lota has a circumpolar distribution throughout cold-water areas and is the only freshwater member of the family Gadidae. There are currently very few management techniques applied to Burbot throughout their northern extent. Growth is an indicator of fish health, biomass, and habitat quality; therefore, the objective of this study was to determine the growth rate of Burbot in Lake Bemidji. Burbot (n = 45) were collected along three sites on Lake Bemidji for years 2015-2017. Age was determined from sagittal otoliths, the marginal zones of which were opaque from December to May and translucent from June to November. …

Effects Of Catch-And-Release Angling On Egg Densities In Largemouth Bass Nests, Tyler Robinson

Journal of Earth and Life Science

Predation during early life stages of Centrarchidae offspring are a major cause of decreased reproductive success. For five-weeks Largemouth Bass Micropterus salmoides defend their broods from invaders such as Yellow Perch Perca flavescens and Bluegill Lepomis macrochirus. The focus of this study was to determine if predation upon Largemouth Bass broods increased as removal time from the nest via catch-and-release angling increased. Sampling was conducted on the Whitefish Chain, MN from 7 May - 7 June 2016, where a total of 29 nests were located and sampled. Three treatment groups were used; immediate catch-and-release, three-minute, and a seven- minute …

Effect Of Abiotic Factors On Bluegill Size Structure In Nine Central Minnesota Lakes, Ryan Henry

Journal of Earth and Life Science

Bluegill are the most targeted species of fish in Minnesota. In recent years, the abundance of slow growing, small Bluegill has increased within the state. Angler harvest of Bluegill can reduce the average length of Bluegill up to four times the original length. Abiotic factors such as maximum depth, average water clarity, littoral area, and percent littoral area can influence the dynamics of a lake system. There has been limited research on whether these abiotic factors can influence the size structure of a Bluegill population. The objective of this study is to determine if there is a direct relationship between …

สัณฐานวิทยาและโครงสร้างรังของแมงมุมฝาปิดโบราณสกุล Liphistius Schiödte, 1849 ในอุทยานแห่งชาติแม่วงก์, วรัตถ์ ศิวายพราหมณ์

Chulalongkorn University Theses and Dissertations (Chula ETD)

แมงมุมฝาปิดโบราณในสกุล Liphistius (Liphistiidae, Mesothelae) เป็นหนึ่งในสกุลของแมงมุมโบราณที่ยังคงมีชีวิตอยู่ในปัจจุบัน โดยยังมีแผ่นปิดท้องด้านบนที่แบ่งเป็นปล้องและมีอวัยวะสร้างใยอยู่บริเวณส่วนกลางของ abdomen การศึกษาเกี่ยวกับแมงมุมในสกุล Liphistius ในอดีตส่วนใหญ่ยังจำกัดอยู่เฉพาะในด้านอนุกรมวิธานเท่านั้น ในการศึกษานี้ได้ให้ความสนใจในการศึกษาลักษณะสัณฐานวิทยาและโครงสร้างรังของแมงมุมฝาปิดโบราณแม่วงก์ Liphistius maewongensis Sivayyapram et al., 2017 ซึ่งถือเป็นแมงมุมฝาปิดโบราณชนิดใหม่ของโลก โดยผู้ศึกษาได้ทำการเก็บตัวอย่างแมงมุมและข้อมูลทางกายภาพที่เกี่ยวข้องจากอุทยานแห่งชาติแม่วงก์ อำเภอคลองลาน จังหวัดกำแพงเพชร ที่ระดับความสูง 1,000–1,300 เมตรเหนือระดับน้ำทะเล ผลการศึกษาลักษณะสัณฐานวิทยาของตัวอย่างแมงมุมจำนวน 46 ตัวอย่าง (♀ = 24, ♂ = 22) พบว่าแมงมุมที่พบภายในอุทยานแห่งชาติแม่วงก์มีลักษณะโครงสร้างอวัยวะสืบพันธุ์ทั้งในเพศผู้และเพศเมียแตกต่างจากแมงมุมในสกุล Liphistius ที่เคยมีการค้นพบมาก่อน จากการศึกษาโครงสร้างรังของแมงมุมจำนวน 359 รัง พบว่าแมงมุมชนิดนี้มีการสร้างรังอยู่ 2 รูปแบบ ได้แก่ โครงสร้างรังแบบทั่วไปและโครงสร้างรังแบบตัว T โดยโครงสร้างรังแบบทั่วไปมีลักษณะเป็นท่อตรงมีทางเข้าออกทางเดียว ในขณะที่โครงสร้างรังแบบตัว T มีทางเข้าออก 2 ทาง จากการวิเคราะห์ทางสถิติพบว่าขนาดทางสัณฐานวิทยาของแมงมุมและรูปแบบโครงสร้างของรังมีความสัมพันธ์กัน โดยความยาวและความกว้างของฝาปิดทางเข้ารังและความลึกของรังมีความสัมพันธ์กับความยาวลำตัวของแมงมุม (Pearson’s correlation r = 0.80, 0.73, 0.51 ตามลำดับ n = 46, p < 0.01) แสดงให้เห็นว่าขนาดและความลึกของรังมีการเพิ่มขึ้นเมื่อแมงมุมมีการเจริญเติบโตและขยายขนาดลำตัว นอกจากนี้ chi-square test ยังแสดงให้เห็นถึงความสัมพันธ์ของขนาดลำตัวแมงมุมที่มีต่อรูปแบบการสร้างรัง (X2= 92.23, 2; p < 0.01) จากรังแบบตรงกลายเป็นรังรูปตัว T เมื่อแมงมุมมีอายุมากขึ้น จากผลการศึกษารูปแบบการกระจายของประชากรพบว่าแมงมุมฝาปิดโบราณแม่วงก์มีการกระจายตัวแบบกลุ่ม (Morisita’s index, Iδ = 2.76) ซึ่งสอดคล้องกับความสามารถในการกระจายพันธุ์ที่จำกัดของแมงมุมในกลุ่มนี้ และอาจบ่งชี้ให้เห็นถึงผลของ dilution effect หรือ selfish herd effect ที่อาจเกิดขึ้นในกลุ่มประชากรเพื่อตอบสนองต่อผู้ล่า การระวังภัยที่เพิ่มขึ้น และโอกาสประสบความสำเร็จในการสืบพันธุ์ อย่างไรก็ตามในการศึกษ

Population Characteristics And Trophic Interactions Between Pacific Mole Crabs And Redtail Surfperch On Northern California Sandy Beaches, Michelle Lynn Succow

Cal Poly Humboldt theses and projects

A network of marine protected areas (MPAs) was established to protect northern California coastal habitats in December 2012. Populations of two indicator species, Amphistichus rhodoterus (redtail surfperch) and Emerita analoga (pacific mole crabs) were characterized within MPAs and reference sites to provide baseline ecological information for this region. Data were gathered using a series of simple field surveys (hook and line fishing surveys for A. rhodoterus along with core and transect surveys for E. analoga). Relative abundance, lengths, and sex ratios of A. rhodoterus did not differ between MPAs and their respective reference sites, whereas condition (overall health) increased …

Using Remote Site Incubators For Re-Introduction Of Arctic Graylng (Thymallus Arcticus) To The Big Manistee Watershed, Sunflower Wilson

Dissertations, Master's Theses and Master's Reports

Remote Site Incubators (RSIs) were developed for the incubation of salmonid eggs directly at a field site to enhance success and imprinting of young. These have been employed in the re-establishment of Arctic Grayling in Montana and are being laboratory tested for possible reintroduction of this species in the Big Manistee River, MI. Arctic Grayling, Rainbow and Brook Trout eggs, obtained from state hatcheries, were reared in a laboratory using flow through lake water to assess egg and fry survival using RSIs. Dead eggs and fry were removed daily and observations of developmental stages recorded. Rainbow Trout eggs were evaluated …

An Integrative Description Of Mesobiotus Ethiopicus Sp. Nov. (Tardigrada: Eutardigrada: Parachela: Macrobiotidae: Harmsworthi Group) From The Northern Afrotropic Region, Daniel Stec, Reinhardt Møbjerg Kristensen

Turkish Journal of Zoology

A new species of the Mesobiotus harmsworthi group is described from Ethiopia. An integrative taxonomy approach was applied by combining morphological and morphometric analyses-imaging under phase contrast and scanning electron microscopy with molecular analysis (18S rRNA, 28S rRNA and COI markers)-to cross-verify the status of the population as a new species. The specimens of Mesobiotus ethiopicus sp. nov. are most similar to two taxa of the harmsworthi complex: M. harmsworthi obscurus (Dastych, 1985) and M. peterseni (Maucci, 1991). Nevertheless, the new species can be easily distinguished from the first of these taxa by the absence of additional teeth in the …

Effects Of Starch Concentration On Calcium‐Enhanced Black Bullhead Catfish Protein Gels, Ilgin Paker, Kristen E. Matak

Faculty & Staff Scholarship

Calcium‐enhanced protein recovered from black bullhead catfish was used to develop gels containing increasing amounts of potato starch (0–20 g/kg protein paste) and the effects of starch on functional, textural, and color properties were tested. Energy required to unfold protein groups was greater with the addition of 5 g starch/kg protein paste. Gels containing starch were harder, chewier, and less springy (p < .05) than gels without starch. For most measurements, regression analysis showed that increasing the starch concentration beyond 5 g/kg did not contribute to further significant textural changes. Torsional shear stress and strain along with Kramer shear force increased as the concentration of starch increased (R2 = .79, .79, and .53, respectively). The addition of ≥10 g starch/kg protein paste resulted in darker gels and gels got darker as more starch was added (R2 = .71). Results showed no …

Distribution, Diversity, And Den Locations Of Canidae And Hyaenidae Species Across Habitat Type At Enashiva Nature Refuge, Grace Bullington

Independent Study Project (ISP) Collection

Due to the importance of top-trophic level predators have on their environment including regulating prey species and influencing ecosystem biodiversity, it is important to monitor top-trophic level predators to understand how they shape their ecosystem. While top-trophic level predators can benefit the ecosystem, they can also cause problems for surrounding human settlements like predation on livestock. Species in the Canidae and Hyaenidae families occupy the top-trophic level and can influence their ecosystem and cause human-wildlife conflict.

This study looked at the distribution, diversity, and den locations of Canidae and Hyaenidae species at Enashiva Nature Refuge over the course of 21 …

Pteropus Voeltzkowi And The Understory: A Study Of The Behavioral Impacts Of The Pemba Flying Fox On The Vegetation And Soil Quality Of Pemba Island, Lea Davidson

Independent Study Project (ISP) Collection

This study examines the impact of Pteropus voeltzkowi , colloquially known as the Pemba Flying Fox, on biodiversity and health of the forest ground layer. Known to serve as reforesters, high concentrations of both fruit seeds and nutrient dense guano are introduced into specific environmental locations due to the bat's behavioral patterns. Working around two roost locations, one in Ngezi Forest and the other at the Kidike conservation site near Mjini Ole, diversity of juvenile vegetation was measured and quantified. In a laboratory setting, soil samples from both sites were analyzed for impacts of guano concentration on soil chemical properties. …

The Effects Of Methamphetamine Exposure On Cardiovascular Development In Combination With Hypoxia In Danio Rerio, Sarah Donaldson

Williams Honors College, Honors Research Projects

The purpose of this study was to determine the effects of methamphetamine combined with hypoxia on the development and function of the cardiovascular system in Danio rerio embryos. It was hypothesized that the combined effect of the drug and decreased oxygen concentration would result in decreased cardiac parameters due to underdevelopment of the ventricle and vessels resulting from cardiomyopathy and lack of blood flow to tissues. It was found that methamphetamine exposure correlated to an increase in stroke volume, caudal artery and vein diameters and RBC velocities alone, while having a multiplicative effect of increasing arterial RBC velocity when combined …

Automating The Milking Process Within A Grass-Based System, John Shortall

Theses

The successful integration of automatic milking (AM) and grazing has resulted in AM becoming a feasible alternative to conventional milking (CM) in pasture-based systems. The objective of this thesis was to establish (i) the social, environmental and economic effects of adopting AM technology and (ii) the factors affecting cow traffic, which once the AM is adopted, can also impact on the sustainability of AM. A theme across this thesis is the examination of AM in the context of a seasonal pasture-based milk production system. Electricity and water meters were installed on seven AM fanns. Milking and livestock/^miscellaneous processes were the …