Animal Sciences Commons^™

The First Record Of Raccoon Dog (Nyctereutes Procyonoides) In Turkey, Morteza Naderi, Emrah Çoban, Josip Kusak, Mübeccel Çi̇sel Kemahli Ayteki̇n, Mark Chynoweth, İsmai̇l Kayahan Ağirkaya, Nesli̇han Güven, Ayşegül Çoban, Cagan H. Sekercioglu

Turkish Journal of Zoology

The raccoon dog (Nyctereutes procyonoides) was recorded for the first time in Turkey on May 10, 2019, and June 5, 2019, in the same location after 4668 nights of camera trapping in the forests of the Sarıkamış region and Allahuekber Mountains in eastern Turkey. It was recorded in a Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris) forest at 2340 m above sea level with extensive snow cover. Given that the nearest known population is in the forests of Georgia approximately 105 km away, there may already be a viable population in Turkey. As an omnivorous species with a high adaptive ability and high …

C-Heterochromatin And Nucleolus Organizer Region Distribution Ofmyotis Emarginatus (Chiroptera: Vespertilionidae) From Turkey, İrfan Albayrak, Tuğba Sariçam, Ati̇lla Arslan

Turkish Journal of Zoology

In this study, the banded karyotypes (C- and Ag-nucleolus organizer regions (NORs)) of Myotis emarginatus in Turkey were determined for the first time. The karyotype contained 44 chromosomes, the number of chromosomal arms (NF) was 54, and the number of autosomal arms (NFa) was 50. Slight C-heterochromatic blocks were observed in the centromeric regions of some autosome pairs, whereas the sex chromosomes were euchromatic. The Ag-NORs were detected in the short arms of a large and a medium-sized acrocentric autosome. The distribution of C-heterochromatin regions in Turkish populations of M. emarginatus is similar to those reported in some other Myotis …

Vertebrate Insulin Alters The Expression Profile Of Steroid Hormone Ecdysone Receptorcomplex Components And Autophagy-Related Genes In The Pupal Fat Body Of The Silkworm, Bombyx Mori, Sedat Yelkovan, Nesri̇n Ebru Göncü

Turkish Journal of Zoology

Various studies have shown that the insulin-like peptides present in insects and investigation of their possible effects on insect physiology have significance for clarifying the evolutionary developmental period of insulin. The insect fat body is an organ analog to vertebrate adipose tissue and liver. In insects which do not have feeding activity during pupal and adult stages such as Bombyx mori, substances and energy required for continuation of life and development of tissues and organs are provided by the fat body via the autophagy process. In this study, we aimed to analyze the action of mammalian insulin in Bombyx pupae …

The Orientation Of Earthworms Is Influenced By Magnetic Fields, Fehi̇me Sevi̇l Yalçin, Şükran Yalçin Özdi̇lek, Ruki̇ye Altaş

Turkish Journal of Zoology

Earth has a natural magnetic field that many animals use for orientation and navigation. With the development of technology, these natural systems have been exposed to high levels of man-made electromagnetism from the heavy usage of electric devices. This study aims to understand the possible effects of artificial magnetic fields on the behavioral responses of the earthworm, which is used in this study as a model organism in laboratory conditions. The 3 experimental groups, each composed of 20 earthworms, were exposed to 190?520 ?T magnetic fields using a 1.5 V current for 1-h durations in a wire-wrapped vivarium. The experimental …

First Record Of Ahaetulla Mycterizans (Linnaeus, 1758) (Serpentes: Colubridae) From The Lesser Sunda Region, Indonesia, Based On Molecular And Morphological Identification, Lilin Ika Nur Indahsari, Fatchiyah Fatchiyah, Eric Nelson Smith, Nia Kurniawan

Turkish Journal of Zoology

Previous studies on the distribution of the Ahaetulla snake across Indonesia only focused on morphological characters without any molecular data. This study was aimed at analyzing phylogenetic relationships among the genus Ahaetulla in Indonesia based on partial mitochondrial DNA sequences of 16 specimens collected from the Sundaland and Lesser Sunda regions. The 12S-rDNA gene was PCR-amplified and sequenced to analyze phylogenetic relationships and to estimate the divergence time between the 2 Ahaetulla populations of the Sundaland and Lesser Sunda regions. Morphological characters of 3 Ahaetulla specimens from Lesser Sunda and Sundaland have also been analyzed to confirm the results based …

A Comparative Evaluation Of Hematological And Biochemical Parameters Between Theitalian Mullet Mugil Cephalus (Linnaeus 1758) And The Turkish Mullet Chelon Auratus (Risso 1810), Francesco Fazio, Concetta Saoca, Ümi̇t Acar, Ri̇fat Tezel, Murat Çeli̇k, Sevdan Yilmaz, Osman Sabri̇ Kesbi̇ç, Ferhat Yalgin, Murat Yi̇ği̇t

Turkish Journal of Zoology

This study aimed to carry out a comparative evaluation of the hematological profile (erythrocyte count, hemoglobin concentration, hematocrit, and Wintrobe index parameters such as mean corpuscular volume, mean corpuscular hemoglobin, and mean corpuscular hemoglobin concentration), in addition to certain biochemical parameters (aspartate aminotransferase, alanine aminotransferase, alkaline phosphatase, lactate dehydrogenase, serum total protein, albumin, glucose, total cholesterol, and triglycerides), in the Italian mullet Mugil cephalus (Linnaeus 1758) and the Turkish mullet Chelon auratus (Risso 1810). Accordingly, two groups of fish were used in this study: 30 flathead grey mullets, M. cephalus, caught in Lake Faro, Italy, and 30 golden grey mullets, …

The Partitioning Of Temporal Movement Patterns Of Breeding Red-Crowned Crane(Grus Japonensis) Induced By Temperature, Minghao Gong, Zhongyan Gao, Shiliang Pang, Qiang Dai, Xu Pan, Wanyu Wen, Huixin Li, Fawen Qian, Wenfeng Wang

Turkish Journal of Zoology

Patterns of movement through time are important components of animal behavior and key to understanding animal ecology. Due to methodological challenges, including tracing and analyzing movements and their changes, they are seldom studied to identify both seasonal patterns and their driving forces. Using seven GPS-collared red-crowned cranes (Grus japonensis, RCCs), we recorded their moving distances and concurrent climatic data to analyze the relative importance of these factors in RCC movements. Temperature was identified as the most important of these climatic variables in RCC movements. Based on temperature dependence and researcher expertise, we determined RCC temporal movement patterns as mating, brooding, …

A Study Of Genetic Diversity Among Different Population Of Orthochirus Sp. Based On Cytochrome C Oxidase Subunit I And 16srrna Sequencing, Hedieh Jafari, Fatemeh Salabi, Alireza Forouzan

Turkish Journal of Zoology

Orthochirus sp. (Family: Buthidae) is widespread throughout the world. There are 17 species, 7 of which have been reported in Khuzestan Province of Iran, including the most diverse species related to the scorpion. In the present study, specimens of O. iranus, O. farzanpay, O. zagrosensis, and O. stockwelli were collected from different areas in this province. Phylogenetic analysis was conducted through duplicating and sequencing the cytochrome c oxidase subunit 1 (COXI) and 16SrRNA genes and comparing their genetic diversity. Orthochirus iranus had the highest genetic distance from O. stockwelli, while the lowest genetic distance was observed between O. farzanpay and …

First Contribution On Distribution, Abundance, And Species Richness Of Blowfly Species (Diptera) Of Isparta Province With Five New Records For The Turkish Fauna, Ozan Demi̇rözer, Gamze Pekbey, Rüstem Hayat, Azi̇me Herdoğan, Jelena Acanski, Marija Milicic, Asi̇ye Uzun

Turkish Journal of Zoology

Despite the increasing importance of species richness of blowfly fauna and their environmental, medical, and agricultural importance in the world they are poorly studied in Turkey. This study was carried out in 2014 and 2015 to determine the distribution, abundance, and species richness of blowfly species in Isparta Province of Turkey. A total of 15 species (10 from Calliphoridae, 4 from Polleniidae, and 1 from Rhiniidae) were identified from 13 different localities. The adult specimens were obtained from areas of organic and decayed organic matters, waste and dumpsite, surrounding waste water deposits, and flowering plants. While all the species were …

Impacts Of Beef Concentrated Animal Feeding Operations On Environmental Sustainability In The United States And Practices For Improvement, Laura Clark

VCU Phi Kappa Phi Award Winners

The geographic concentration of beef concentrated animal feeding operations [CAFOs] has changed the landscape of environmental sustainability for agriculture in the United States. As land availability has decreased, operations have struggled to maintain feasible practices to minimize environmental detriment. The United States Environmental Protection Agency [EPA] imposed rules to be followed as a means of mitigation, but the fast-paced rate of change minimizes effectiveness. The overall environmental sustainability of beef CAFOs has shifted from historical rates, leading to a need for reassessment. Part of this reassessment will include stronger environmental practices to be considered for implementation. I explored the role …

Foraging Strategy Plasticity In Fiordland Penguins (Eudyptes Pachyrhynchus): A Stable Isotope Approach, Jeffrey Wayne White

Theses, Dissertations and Capstones

Foraging ecology in the crested penguins (genus: Eudyptes) is an active area of research, with new techniques rapidly increasing our understanding of these charismatic species. The most common techniques to assess foraging ecology include stomach content analysis, fecal DNA analysis, stable isotope analysis, tracking, and video loggers. Here we review dietary research on all 8 taxa within the genus Eudyptes to identify gaps in our current knowledge. However, foraging studies that assess dietary segregation require a method for quickly and accurately sexing penguins in the field. Obvious sexual dimorphism in plumage is largely absent in penguins leaving behavioral cues …

Laboratory Investigation On The Effects Of Conductivity On The Sensitive Early Life Stages Of Fishes From The Appalachian Region, Logan Ryan Beach

Theses, Dissertations and Capstones

While it is known there is a link between land disturbance and elevations in ionic constituents in streams, the relationship between elevated conductivity and aquatic taxa impairment is harder to define. Multiple field studies demonstrating correlations between conductivity and fish or benthic macroinvertebrate communities have not described the mechanisms of impairment and impairment has not been demonstrated with traditional toxicity testing. In an effort to explore more sensitive sub-lethal endpoints for evaluation of instream effects of mining effluent, chronic toxicity testing was conducted on eggs and early life stages of trout species and the fathead minnow, utilizing a simulated mining …

The Effectiveness Of Long-Distance Translocation Of Eastern Diamondback Rattlesnakes (Crotalus Adamanteus), Allison Grace Kelley

Theses, Dissertations and Capstones

Translocations have the potential to aim conservation efforts as well as to reduce mortality caused by human activities. Eastern diamondback rattlesnakes (Crotalus adamanteus, EDB) have a limited ability to adapt to habitat loss and fragmentation due to the species’ slow life history and minimal dispersal ability. Because they are a venomous species, they are viewed as nuisance animals and are often killed on sight. We translocated a cohort of EDBs to investigate the potential of using translocations as a conservation and mitigation tool for this species. In July 2018, we translocated twelve adult eastern diamondback rattlesnakes from Parris …

Eastern Diamondback Rattlesnake (Crotalus Adamanteus) Ambush Site Selection In Coastal Saltwater Marshes, Emily Rebecca Mausteller

Theses, Dissertations and Capstones

The eastern diamondback rattlesnake (Crotalus adamanteus; EDB) is a species of conservation concern associated with the imperiled longleaf pine-grassland ecosystem. The longleaf pine ecosystem is characterized by an open canopy and rich ground cover. Researchers have speculated that the vegetation structure of salt marshes may serve as a surrogate habitat for longleaf pine savannas. Although these marshes have little topography, they provide a heterogeneous landscape with patches of mud flats, sandy hard marsh along upper tidal areas, and salt marsh hummocks throughout. I used radio telemetry to monitor free-ranging EDBs on a South Carolina sea island. The goal of my …

Southern Fox Squirrel (Sciurus Niger Niger) Foraging Behavior And Population Dynamics, John Huang

Theses, Dissertations and Capstones

The change in the interaction between southern fox squirrel (Sciurus niger niger) and eastern gray squirrels (Sciurus carolinensis) provided an opportunity to examine sublethal effects of predation as it relates to a species’ risk perception and habitat structure at two scales. The interactions allowed us to examine the evolutionary responses of the southern fox squirrel and eastern gray squirrel to predation risk reflective of their historically associated landscapes and habitat structures. Second, the succession of savanna woodlands into closed-canopy mixed forest provided an opportunity to assess the flexible behaviors of both species in response to changes …

What Makes Bats Special So That They Are Reservoirs For So Many Different Pathogens?, Deion Anderson, Eleanor Gorkovchenko, Nicole Hamada, Carolina Martinez, Lupe Martinez

2020 Symposium Posters

Bats, order Chiroptera, comprise more than 20 percent of all living mammal species with more than 1100 species. Bats are organisms that have high body temperatures and metabolic rates. Therefore, viral adaptation to febrile conditions in the bat host might explain the high reservoir competence that distinguishes these organisms from other mammalian hosts. The purpose of this study is to present a comparative meta-review of the available evidence in order to investigate and identify the reasons or characteristics as to what makes bats special reservoirs for so many different pathogens. Our investigation will not focus on a particular bat species, …

Ungulate Activity: Effects Of Season, Hunting Pressure, And Plant Type, Alex Capone Lopez

2020 Symposium Posters

Quaking Aspen (Populus tremulodies) is considered priority habitat because it supports diverse understory flora and provides critical nesting and foraging habitat for wildlife. Aspen populations in western North America have declined due to fire suppression and browsing. Turnbull National Wildlife Refuge in eastern Washington addressed declining aspen with prescribed burns. However, aspen growth stimulated by burning was offset by browsing, especially by Elk (Cervus elaphus). Increasing elk numbers prompted initiation of a limited hunt to cull and disperse elk off refuge. To address the impact of these management strategies, we used remote video cameras to monitor …

Identification Of Causes Of Death Of Baikal Seal (Pusa Sibirica Gmelin, 1788), Nina Ryadinskaya, Ivan Meltsov, Maria Tabakova, Inna Anikienko, Svetlana Sayvanova, Alena Molkova, Olga Ilyina, Tatyana Pomoinitskaya

Turkish Journal of Zoology

The Baikal seal is the only endemic mammal of Lake Baikal. In late October 2017, 132 dead Baikal seals were found on the shore of the lake. To identify causes of death, postmortem necropsy, virological, chemical toxicological, microbiological, and parasitological studies were carried out. Several hypotheses for explaining the causes of the deaths were put forward. The most probable causes are heart failure and asphyxia due to echo sounders (sonar). The causes were confirmed by the results of histological examination of the hearts and lungs of a large number of dead seals found on the southern shore of Lake Baikal …

Full Issue-- Volume 3 Issue 1, 2020, Issue 1 Volume 3

Pursue: Undergraduate Research Journal

PURSUE: Undergraduate Research Journal

Volume 3 Issue 1, 2020

Article 1 - Harvesting Electrical Energy Produced by Electrogenic Bacteria in Microbial Fuel Cells

Article 2 – The Effects of Fertilizer Rate on the Growth of Egyptian Spinach in a Greenhouse

Article 3 – Exploring the Association Between Nutrition and Mental Health in Adolescence: A Systematic Literature Review

Article 4— Biological Pathways Associated with Wild and Domestic Animals

Light Emitting Diode (Led) Color And Broiler Growth: Effect Of Supplementing Blue/Green Led To White Led Light On Broiler Growth, Stress, And Welfare, Jill R. Nelson, Joey L. Bray, Juliette Delabbio, Gregory S. Archer

Faculty Publications

Light emitting diode (LED) lighting provides an affordable lighting option for use in commercial poultry production. However, more information is needed to understand the effects of LED color on broiler welfare and growth. Five consecutive flocks (1 in summer, 1 in fall, 2 in winter, and 1 in spring) of straight run Ross 708 × Ross 708 broilers were reared in commercial type barns for 45 D. For white only (WO) treatment, birds were reared under white LED only (Agrishift MLB). For white supplemented (WS) treatment, birds were reared under white LED (Agrishift MLB) in the center aisle, with supplemental …

Comparison Of An Intermittent, Short-Dawn/Dusk Photoperiod With An Increasing, Long-Dawn/Dusk Photoperiod On Broiler Growth, Stress, And Welfare, Jill R. Nelson, Joey L. Bray, Juliette Delabbio, Gregory S. Archer

Faculty Publications

Photoperiod has been shown to significantly affect broiler performance. However, the effects of the traditional 1-min dimming period on broiler growth and welfare are unclear. In this study, 4 consecutive trials were conducted to compare the effects of an intermittent, short-dawn/dusk photoperiod (ISD) to an increasing, long-dawn/dusk photoperiod (ILD) on broiler growth, stress, and welfare. Straight run day-of-hatch Ross 708 × Ross 708 broilers were placed in 1 of 4 commercial broiler barns (2 b of 26,200 birds each per treatment) and grown to 45 D of age. The photoperiod in the ISD treatment consisted of 24L:0D day 0 to …

Integration Of Crop-Livestock Systems: An Opportunity Toprotect Grasslands From Conversion To Cropland In The Us Great Plains, Alexander J. Smart, Daren Redfearn, Robert Mitchell, Tong Wang, Cody Zilverberg, Pete J. Bauman, Justin D. Derner, Julie Walker, Cody Wright

Native Plant Focused Publications

The Great Plains is a mixture of cropland and grassland mainly used for agricultural purposes, with grasslands under continual threat of conversion to cropland. Agriculturists are advocating for the integration of crop-livestock systems (ICLS) to recouple nutrient cycles, improve biodiversity, and increase resilience of agricultural operations. We address the benefits of ICLS in the Great Plains, contending that focus on improving soil health and financial stability of agricultural operations should reduce the conversion of grasslands to cropland. Using US Department of Agriculture National Agricultural Statistics Service Census of Agriculture survey data from the 1925 to 2017 category “cropland used only …

Jackrabbit Dairy & Food Review, Winter 2019-2020, Vikram V. Mistry

The Jackrabbit Dairy & Food Review

This is the Winter 2019- 2020 Jackrabbit Dairy and Food Review.
It contains the following articles and information: Message from the Department Head, David A. Thompson Endowment, New Personnel, Judging Activities, Dairy Club, Student Accomplishments, Food Science Club, Career Opportunities, Professional Activities of Faculty and Staff, Dairy Facilities, 2019 Graduates, Where Are They Now?, Scholarships, Dairy and Food Science Students, Outreach, Distinguished Alumnus

Possible Role Of Breeding Phenology, Brood Size, And Male Parental Care On The Number Of Nesting Attempts By Female Eastern Bluebirds, A Facultatively Multibrooded Species, Michael Daniel Patton

Online Theses and Dissertations

To maximize reproductive output, several species of songbirds attempt to raise two or more broods in a single breeding season. The results of previous studies have revealed much variation among species in the factors that influence the likelihood of female songbirds attempting to raise multiple broods during a breeding season. As such, additional studies are needed to better understand the roles of early breeding, brood sizes, and, especially, male parental care in determining the likelihood of having multiple broods. My objective, therefore, was to examine the possible effects of breeding initiation date, brood size, and male provisioning behavior on the …

A Literature Review Of Horn And Horn-Like Structures In Vertebrates To Correlate Placement To Function, Behavior, And Niche., J T. Cottingham

Biology Papers and Presentations

In this paper, the true horns of bovids are compared to the many horn-like structures found throughout the animal kingdom. Literary sources were reviewed for a variety of horn-like structures. The review was limited to extinct and extant terrestrial vertebrates. 3D models of these organisms' skulls and “horns” were created or acquired and 3D printed at the same scale to illustrate their differences and similarities and to analysis of their comparative size easier between large and small genera.

An Investigation On The Cover Preference Of The Mountain Madtom (Noturus Eleutherus), Mariah Slaughter

Mahurin Honors College Capstone Experience/Thesis Projects

Madtom catfish, members of the genus Noturus, are common in the waters of the Southeastern US. A previous study observed that madtoms in the Green River, Kentucky, preferred to shelter within old mussel shells compared to under or next to rocks. A laboratory study on the Carolina Madtom (Noturus furiosus), found that they did not utilize mussel shells and preferred rocks as cover. I conducted a similar laboratory study to determine which cover options the Mountain Madtoms (Noturus eleutherus) prefer. Cover preference was determined by offering the madtoms shelter options (rocks or mussel shells) in …

Bias And Misrepresentation Of Science Undermines Productive Discourse On Animal Welfare Policy: A Case Study, Kelly Jaakkola, Jason N. Bruck, Richard C. Connor, Stephen H. Montgomery, Stephanie L. King

Faculty Publications

Reliable scientific knowledge is crucial for informing legislative, regulatory, and policy decisions in a variety of areas. To that end, scientific reviews of topical issues can be invaluable tools for informing productive discourse and decision-making, assuming these reviews represent the target body of scientific knowledge as completely, accurately, and objectively as possible. Unfortunately, not all reviews live up to this standard. As a case in point, Marino et al.’s review regarding the welfare of killer whales in captivity contains methodological flaws and misrepresentations of the scientific literature, including problematic referencing, overinterpretation of the data, misleading word choice, and biased argumentation. …

Farming With Nature: Promoting Biodiversity Across Europe Through Partridge Conservation, Jen Brewin, Francis Buner, Julie Ewald

Galliformes Specialist Group and Affiliated Societies: Reports and Other Materials

A summary of scientific evidence underlying the North Sea Region Interreg PARTRIDGE project, https://northsearegion.eu/partridge.

This publication describes how grey partridge conservation helps to address the farmland biodiversity crisis across Europe. It summarises the most relevant scientific evidence regarding grey partridge management and the biodiversity benefits associated with it. We have selected what we felt were the best and most thorough studies and papers available. We cite high-impact peer-reviewed papers wherever possible, relying on our combined experience and expertise to quote non-reviewed reports where published papers were unavailable.

Possible Implications Of Weather Variation On Reproductive Phenology Of Europeancommon Toad In Southeastern Europe, Bogdan Jovanovic, Ethan J. Kessler, Marija Ilic, Jelena Corovic, Natasa Tomasevic-Kolarov, Christopher A. Phillips, Jelka Crnobrnja Isailovic

Turkish Journal of Zoology

We tracked yearly variation in breeding phenology in relation to weather parameters in a common European toad population from the southeastern part of its range. Phenological data were collected from 2001 to 2003 and from 2011 to 2017 and compared to open-access daily weather data from a nearby weather station. Data analysis revealed no significant effect of weather on initiation of breeding and a negative relationship between mean daily humidity and mean cloud cover on the duration of breeding season (P = 0.03). Further analysis showed a decreasing trend in breeding season humidity in the past 70 years. Our results …

Morphological Correlates Of Auditory Sensitivity In The Inner Ear Of Two Species Of Invasive Carp, Tyler Patty

Mahurin Honors College Capstone Experience/Thesis Projects

Silver (Hypopthalmichthys molitrix) and bighead (H. nobilis) carp, are invasive species that have negative impacts upon ecosystems. H. molitrix is known to jump completely out of the water in response to broadband sounds, however, this is not observed in H. nobilis. Preliminary experiments reveal that sounds can be used to modify the behavior of carps. Thus, understanding the hearing abilities of these species is important in order to design appropriate acoustical deterrents. Fish heads were preserved in 4% paraformaldehyde and the inner ears dissected and photographed under a light microscope in order to describe the …