Animal Sciences Commons^™

Recumbence Behavior In Zoo Elephants: Determination Of Patterns And Frequency Of Recumbent Rest And Associated Environmental And Social Factors, Matthew Robert Holdgate, Cheryl L. Meehan, Jennifer N. Hogan, Lance J. Miller, Jeff Rushen, Anne-Marie De Passillé, Josesph Soltis, Jeff Andrews, David J. Shepherdson

Biology Faculty Publications and Presentations

Resting behaviors are an essential component of animal welfare but have received little attention in zoological research. African savanna elephant (Loxodonta africana) and Asian elephant (Elephas maximus) rest includes recumbent postures, but no large-scale investigation of African and Asian zoo elephant recumbence has been previously conducted. We used anklets equipped with accelerometers to measure recumbence in 72 adult female African (n = 44) and Asian (n = 28)elephants housed in 40 North American zoos. We collected 344 days of data and determined associations between recumbence and social, housing, management, and demographic factors. African elephants were recumbent less (2.1 hours/day, S.D. …

Why We Should Not Postpone Awareness Of Wild Animal Suffering, Catia Faria

Animal Sentience

Ng (2016) restates his case for the importance of wild animal suffering (1995). Nevertheless, he suggests that the most effective way to reduce nonhuman suffering overall is to give short-term priority to the suffering of farmed animals. It is not clear that Ng puts forward a successful case. Our current efforts to prevent animal suffering overall should also include raising awareness of wild animal suffering now as well as promoting research on safe and feasible ways to prevent wild animal suffering in the future.

Potential For Rangeland Grassfed Assurance Programs In Western Australia, Eric Broad

Animal production and livestock published reports

The access to large aquifers in the Pilbara region, the investment in mosaic irrigation, the global consumer demand for certified grassfed product and the need to back any branded product with an auditable assurance program were all key factors contributing to the undertaking of this project.

The project conducted a desktop review of existing global grassfed certification programs, undertook modelling to determine the projected viability for grassfed beef, engaged with producers, butchers and processors in Western Australia to determine the potential for developing a Grassfed Assurance Program for Western Australia.

All sectors of the supply chain expressed support for the …

The Effect Of Home Range Estimation Techniques On Habitat Use Analysis, Brendon Quinton

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

The term “home range” refers to the area in which an animal spends most of its time during everyday activities. This study examined the effects of four different home range estimation techniques on the proportions of habitats located therein. The study utilized a point dataset collected for twenty individual Florida Black Bears (Ursus americanus floridanus), occurring in five different areas throughout the state of Florida. Each dataset was used to create home ranges using the following techniques: (1) Minimum Convex Polygon, (2) Kernel Density Estimation, (3) Characteristic Hull Polygon, and (4) Time-Geographic Density Estimation, a new home range …

Divergent Activity Of The Gonadotropin Releasing Hormone Receptor Gene Promoter Among Genetic Lines Of Pigs Is Partially Conferred By Nuclear Factor (Nf)-Kb, Specificity Protein (Sp)1-Like And Gata-4 Binding Sites, Emily A. Mcdonald, Jacqueline E. Smith, Rebecca A. Cederberg, Brett R. White

Department of Animal Science: Faculty Publications

BACKGROUND: Binding of gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) to its receptor (GnRHR) on gonadotropes within the anterior pituitary gland is essential to reproduction. In pigs, the GnRHR gene is also located near a genetic marker for ovulation rate, a primary determinant of prolificacy. We hypothesized that pituitary expression of the GnRHR gene is alternatively regulated in genetic strains with elevated ovulation rates (Chinese Meishan and Nebraska Index) vs. standard white crossbred swine (Control).

METHODS: Luciferase reporter vectors containing 5118 bp of GnRHR gene promoter from either the Control, Index or Meishan swine lines were generated. Transient transfection of line-specific, full length, deletion …

Diversity And Distribution Of Diatom Endosymbionts In Amphistegina Spp. (Foraminifera) Based On Molecular And Morphological Techniques, Kwasi H. Barnes

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Diatoms associated with foraminifers of the genus Amphistegina were assessed using a combination of morphological and molecular techniques. These included: 1) microscopic identification of diatoms cultured from the host, 2) sequencing of portions of the small subunit of the ribosomal RNA gene (18S) and the large subunit of the ribulose-1,5-bisphosphate carboxylase/oxygenase [i.e., RubisCO] gene (rbcL) from DNA extracted directly from the Amphistegina hosts and also from diatoms cultured from these hosts, and 3) denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis (DGGE) profiles of rbcL and internal transcribed spacer 1 (ITS1) PCR amplicons from DNA extracted directly from …

Scorpions Of The Horn Of Africa (Arachnida, Scorpiones). Part V. Two New Species Of Neobuthus Hirst, 1911 (Buthidae), From Ethiopia And Eritrea, Graeme Lowe, František Kovařík

Euscorpius

New information about the taxonomy and distribution of the genus Neobuthus Hirst, 1911 (Scorpiones: Buthidae) is presented, based on materials recently collected from Ethiopia and Eritrea. Emended diagnoses are provided for the genus Neobuthus, and for the species N. awashensis Kovařík et Lowe, 2012 and N. cloudsleythompsoni Lourenço, 2001. New records are given for N. awashensis in Ethiopia. We redescribe N. cloudsleythompsoni, and we describe two additional new species: N. eritreaensis sp. n. (the first record of the genus from Eritrea) and N. kutcheri sp. n. (southern Ethiopia, Somali State). We include a key …

Changes In Canyon Wren Vocalizations In Advance Of The Breeding Season, Anne Rose

Ursidae: The Undergraduate Research Journal at the University of Northern Colorado

Many animals adjust their signaling patterns throughout the year. Birds may use different signals as they increase association with mates and expend more energy in territory defense. Song is typically associated with territorial defense and pair bonding between mates, while calls often relate to maintaining contact between foraging birds. We studied variations in vocal behavior in canyon wrens (Catherpes mexicanus) by recording a pair across the midwinter-early spring transition preceding nesting. Recordings were made at the same time weekly for ten weeks. Call rate decreased during this period, contrasting strongly with increasing song production. The occurrence of low …

Sdsu Calf Value Discovery 2013/2014 Summary Report, J.A. Walker, W.C. Rusche

Animal Science Faculty Publications

No abstract provided.

Sdsu Calf Value Discovery 2012/2013 Summary Report, J.A. Walker, W.C. Rusche

Animal Science Faculty Publications

No abstract provided.

Comparison Of Two Different Methods To Harvest Drought‐Damaged Corn, W.C. Rusche, J.A. Walker

Animal Science Faculty Publications

No abstract provided.

Influence Of Propionate Salt Levels On Young Cow Reproductive Performance, J.A. Walker, G.A. Perry, K.C. Olson

Animal Science Faculty Publications

No abstract provided.

Sdsu Calf Value Discovery 2011 Summary Report, J.A. Walker, B.P. Holland, C.L. Wright, W.C. Rusche

Animal Science Faculty Publications

No abstract provided.

Comparison Of Three Cidr Based Fixed-Time Ai Protocols For Beef Heifers, G.A. Perry, J.K. Grant, J.A. Walker, G.A. Bridges, S.G. Kruse, S. Bird, K. Heaton, R. Arias, S.L. Lake

Animal Science Faculty Publications

No abstract provided.

Range-Wide Patterns Of Geographic Variation In Songs Of Golden-Crowned Sparrows (Zonotrichia Atricapilla), Daizaburo Shizuka, M Ross Lein, Glen Chilton

School of Biological Sciences: Faculty Publications

Discrete geographic variation, or dialects, in songs of songbirds arise as a consequence of complex interactions between ecology and song learning. Four of the five species of Zonotrichia sparrows, including the model species White-crowned Sparrow (Z. leucophrys), have been studied with respect to the causes and consequences of geographic variation in song. Within White-crowned Sparrows, subspecies that migrate farther have larger range size of dialects. Here, we assessed geographic patterns of song variation in the fifth species of this genus, the Golden-crowned Sparrow (Z. atricapilla). We analyzed field-recorded songs from 2 sampling periods (1996–1998 and 2006–2013) …

Range-Wide Patterns Of Geographic Variation In Songs Of Golden-Crowned Sparrows (Zonotrichia Atricapilla), Daizaburo Shizuka, Glen Chilton, M Ross Lein

Papers in Behavior in Biological Sciences

Discrete geographic variation, or dialects, in songs of songbirds arise as a consequence of complex interactions between ecology and song learning. Four of the five species of Zonotrichia sparrows, including the model species White-crowned Sparrow (Z. leucophrys), have been studied with respect to the causes and consequences of geographic variation in song. Within White-crowned Sparrows, subspecies that migrate farther have larger range size of dialects. Here, we assessed geographic patterns of song variation in the fifth species of this genus, the Golden-crowned Sparrow (Z. atricapilla). We analyzed field-recorded songs from 2 sampling periods (1996–1998 and 2006–2013) covering most of its …

Alcohol Discrimination And Preferences In Two Species Of Nectar-Feeding Primate, Samuel R. Gochman, Michael B. Brown, Nathaniel J. Dominy

Dartmouth Scholarship

Recent reports suggest that dietary ethanol, or alcohol, is a supplemental source of calories for some primates. For example, slow lorises (Nycticebus coucang) consume fermented nectars with a mean alcohol concentration of 0.6% (range: 0.0–3.8%). A similar behaviour is hypothesized for aye-ayes (Daubentonia madagascariensis) based on a single point mutation (A294V) in the gene that encodes alcohol dehydrogenase class IV (ADH4), the first enzyme to catabolize alcohol during digestion. The mutation increases catalytic efficiency 40-fold and may confer a selective advantage to aye-ayes that consume the nectar of Ravenala madagascariensis. It is uncertain, however, whether alcohol exists in this nectar …

The North American Grouse: Their Biology And Behavior, Paul A. Johnsgard

Zea E-Books Collection

The ten currently recognized species of grouse in North America have played an important role in America’s history, from the famous but ill-fated heath hen, a primary source of meat for the earliest New England immigrants, to the ruffed grouse, currently one of the most abundant and soughtafter upland game birds in more than 40 states and provinces. This book summarizes the ecology, reproductive biology, and social behavior of all ten of the extant North American grouse species. It also describes the current status of grouse populations, some of which are perilously close to extinction. The social behavior of grouse …

Description Of Mesocriconema Ericaceum N. Sp. (Nematoda: Criconematidae) And Notes On Other Nematode Species Discovered In An Ericaceous Heath Bald Community In Great Smoky Mountains National Park, Usa, Thomas O. Powers, Peter Mullin, Rebecca Higgins, Timothy Harris, Kirsten S. Powers

Department of Plant Pathology: Faculty Publications

A new species of Mesocriconema and a unique assemblage of plant-parasitic nematodes was discovered in a heath bald atop Brushy Mountain in Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Mesocriconema ericaceum n. sp., a species with males, superficially resembles M. xenoplax. DNA barcoding with the mitochondrial COI gene provided evidence of the new species as a distinct lineage. SEM revealed significant variability in arrangement of labial submedian lobes, plates, and anterior and posterior annuli. Three other nematodes in the family Criconematidae were characterized from the heath bald. Ogma seymouri, when analyzed by statistical parsimony, established connections with isolates from north-eastern Atlantic …

Temperature-Dependent Pathogenicity Of Grouper Iridovirus Of Taiwan (Tgiv), Hsin-I Liu, Ying-Chu Lin, Pinwen Peter Chiou, Hsin-Yiu Chou

Journal of Marine Science and Technology–Taiwan

Grouper iridovirus of Taiwan (TGIV) is one of the most devastating infectious pathogens of grouper fry in Taiwan. As environmental temperature often plays an important role in the outbreak of diseases, we assayed the impact of different temperatures (18, 25 and 32℃) on TGIV infection both in vitro and in vivo. Cytopathic effect (CPE) characterized as cell rounding and lysis were observed in TGIV-infected grouper SB (swim bladder) cells at 25℃ and 32℃, but was absent at 18℃. With temperature rising to 32℃, the presence of pycnotic nuclei and chromatin margination became prominent in the infected cells, indicating an apoptotic …

Ld50 Of Gamma Ray Irradiation Employed In Sulawesi Medaka Oryzias Woworae, Chih-Yang Huang, Bin Lin, Kang-Wei Chang, Shyn-Shin Sheen

Journal of Marine Science and Technology–Taiwan

This experiment aims to estimate the median lethal doses (LD50) of irradiation (IR) for the matured freshwater oviparous ornamental fish, Sulawesi medaka (Oryzias woworae). Both male and female were treated with 0, 10, 20, 25, 30, 35, 40, 60, 200,400, 600 and 800 Gy. Each treatment was conducted in triplicate. The 96, 168 and 336 h- LD50 of male and female were 643.1, 47.0, 33.8 and 646.8, 42.5, 35.7 Gy, respectively.

Molecular Tracking Of Individual Host Use In The Shiny Cowbird – A Generalist Brood Parasite, Ma Alicia De La Colina, Mark E. Hauber, Bill M. Strausberger, Juan Carlos Reboreda, Bettina Mahler

Publications and Research

Generalist parasites exploit multiple host species at the population level, but the individual parasite’s strategy may be either itself a generalist or a specialist pattern of host species use. Here, we studied the relationship between host availability and host use in the individual parasitism patterns of the Shiny Cowbird Molothrus bonariensis, a generalist avian obligate brood parasite that parasitizes an extreme range of hosts. Using five microsatellite markers and an 1120-bp fragment of the mtDNA control region, we reconstructed full-sibling groups from 359 cowbird eggs and chicks found in nests of the two most frequent hosts in our study area, …

Slides: The Era Of River Anthropology: Social And Eco-Hydrological Science Connections And Capacity For Environmental Flows: Us Case Studies, Joseph E. Flotemersch, Lisa-Perras Gordon

Coping with Water Scarcity in River Basins Worldwide: Lessons Learned from Shared Experiences (Martz Summer Conference, June 9-10)

Presenter: Joe Flotemersch, US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Office of Research and Development

21 slides

Slides: Environmental Flows In The Era Of 'River Anthropology', Rebecca Tharme

Coping with Water Scarcity in River Basins Worldwide: Lessons Learned from Shared Experiences (Martz Summer Conference, June 9-10)

Presenter: Rebecca Tharme, Riverfutures Ltd.

18 slides

Slides: The Colorado River Basin, Larry Macdonnell

Coping with Water Scarcity in River Basins Worldwide: Lessons Learned from Shared Experiences (Martz Summer Conference, June 9-10)

Presenter: Larry MacDonnell, Senior Fellow, Getches-Wilkinson Center, University of Colorado

17 slides

Slides: The Columbia River Basin, Barbara Cosens

Coping with Water Scarcity in River Basins Worldwide: Lessons Learned from Shared Experiences (Martz Summer Conference, June 9-10)

Presenter: Barbara Cosens, Professor and Associate Dean of Faculty, University of Idaho College of Law, Waters of the West Interdisciplinary Program

16 slides

Slides: Environmental Flow Case Studies: Southern And Eastern Africa, Rebecca Tharme, Kelly Fouchy, Susan Graas, John Conallin, Michael Mcclain, Unesco-Ihe, Felister Mombo, Sokoine University Of Agriculture

Coping with Water Scarcity in River Basins Worldwide: Lessons Learned from Shared Experiences (Martz Summer Conference, June 9-10)

Presenter: Rebecca Tharme, Riverfutures Ltd.

17 slides

Agenda: Coping With Water Scarcity In River Basins Worldwide: Lessons Learned From Shared Experiences, University Of Colorado Boulder. Getches-Wilkinson Center For Natural Resources, Energy, And The Environment

Coping with Water Scarcity in River Basins Worldwide: Lessons Learned from Shared Experiences (Martz Summer Conference, June 9-10)

Water scarcity is increasingly dominating headlines throughout the world. In the southwestern USA, the looming water shortages on the Colorado River system and the unprecedented drought in California are garnering the greatest attention. Similar stories of scarcity and crisis can be found across the globe, suggesting an opportunity for sharing lessons and innovations. For example, the Colorado River and Australia's Murray-Darling Basin likely can share many lessons, as both systems were over-allocated, feature multiple jurisdictions, face similar climatic risks and drought stresses, and struggle to balance human demands with environmental needs. In this conference we cast our net broadly, exploring …

Slides: Rivers And People In The Neotropics: Social And Ecological Science For Environmental Flows, Elizabeth P. Anderson

Coping with Water Scarcity in River Basins Worldwide: Lessons Learned from Shared Experiences (Martz Summer Conference, June 9-10)

Presenter: Elizabeth P. Anderson, Florida International University

38 slides

Slides: Food For Thought: Water Requirements For Social-Ecological Systems, Michael Douglas, Sue Jackson

Coping with Water Scarcity in River Basins Worldwide: Lessons Learned from Shared Experiences (Martz Summer Conference, June 9-10)

Presenters:

Michael Douglas, University of Western Australia, Charles Darwin University

Sue Jackson, Griffith University

35 slides