Other Animal Sciences Commons^™

Farrowing Performance And Piglet Characteristics Of Highly Prolific Sows In A Tropical Environment, Yosua Kristian Adi, Roy N. Kirkwood, Padet Tummaruk

The Thai Journal of Veterinary Medicine

The swine industry has witnessed a remarkable increase in average litter size in recent decades, driven by genetic advancements and breeding programs aimed at enhancing prolificacy. This rise in hyperprolificacy has presented both opportunities and challenges, particularly in tropical environments where factors such as ambient temperature and humidity can influence reproductive performance. This review synthesizes current knowledge on farrowing performance and piglet characteristics of highly prolific sows in tropical settings. Studies have reported a consistent increase in litter size globally, leading to challenges in farrowing management and piglet survival. Factors such as elevated ambient temperatures and extended farrowing durations have …

Study Of The Brain Anatomy Of Three Extinct Marsupials: Thylacinus Cynocephalus, Thylacoleo Carnifex, And Silvabestius Johnnilandi, Francisco Garcia

Honors Program Theses and Research Projects

Marsupials are pouched mammals that today are mainly found in Australasia and South America. Marsupials have proven to be quite intriguing to evolutionary biologists who note how some marsupials resemble placentals in anatomy due to convergent evolution, with both marsupials and placentals filling similar niches in their respective environments. As of today, studies interested in marsupial brain evolution have published descriptions of cranial endocasts for several species of marsupials, with the number of descriptions seeing a massive boost over the last 20 years with the arrival of CT imaging technology. However, no comprehensive study of brain evolution in marsupials has …

Minimizing Take Of Threatened Rattlesnakes And Optimizing Project Review In Se Nebraska, Shaun Dunn, Dan Fogell, Colleen Rothe-Groleau

Nebraska Department of Transportation: Research Reports

The western massasauga (Sistrurus tergeminus) and the timber rattlesnake (Crotalus horridus) are protected under Nebraska Statute 37-801-811 and listed as threatened species. These species occur in the right-of-way (ROW) along several roads in Jefferson, Gage, Pawnee, and Richardson Counties which necessitates the need for added Environmental Review (ER) from Nebraska Department of Transportation (NDOT) staff and onsite surveys prior and during maintenance and construction to roadways. This project sought to minimize ER time, staff time, and increase the knowledge of these species in southeast Nebraska by:

1. Identifying precise locations of western massasauga brumation sites;
2. Mapping travel …

Analyzing Head Morphology Trends With Increasing Population Density In A Jamaican Lizard Species, Lillian Durand

2024 Fall Honors Capstone Projects - Archive

Anolis lizards are model organisms for studying natural selection and evolutionary processes. One trait that is hypothesized to be advantageous for males is head size, as larger heads lead to stronger bite forces and increased likelihood in outcompeting other males for mates. To better understand how linked head size and intraspecific competition are, the head morphology of male A. lineatopus was analyzed among Jamaican populations with varying levels of population density. Population densities were determined using standardized plot surveys and mark resight models. Head dimensions and body condition for individual lizards were measured at each site. My study found that …

The Impact Of Wild Pigs (Sus Scrofa) On Avian Occupancy And Vegetation Structure, Kenneth Wilson

Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Invasive species, particularly wild pigs (Sus scrofa), pose a significant threat to native ecosystems through both direct and indirect impacts. Wild pigs are large-bodied omnivorous species that can consume a wide variety of plants and animals and are known for destructive foraging behaviors, which likely threatens avian communities through habitat alteration and can impact the long term structure of ecosystems where they are present.

In chapter 1, we used a combination of avian point count surveys, vegetation assessments, and camera trap surveillance to quantify how the occupancy of breeding birds in bottomland hardwood forests changed in relation to …

Tissue Proteomics Of Feline Mammary Carcinoma: Identification Of Potential Biomarkers Based On Metastatic Status And Histopathological Characteristics, Weejarin Paphussaro, Sittiruk Roytrakul, Narumon Phaonakrop, Sawanya Charoenlappanit, Anudep Rungsipipat, Theerawat Tharasanit, Gunnaporn Suriyaphol Assoc. Prof.

The Thai Journal of Veterinary Medicine

Feline mammary carcinoma (FMC) is a prevalent and aggressive cancer with high metastatic potential. Few tissue biomarkers have been reported to help evaluate disease progression in FMC. This study aimed to analyze the tissue proteomic profiles of metastatic feline mammary carcinoma (mFMC) and non-metastatic FMC (NmFMC) across various histological grades (HGs) and histological types (HTs) using liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS). Tissue samples were collected from 13 NmFMC, 26 mFMC and 13 healthy controls (CTRL). Samples were trypsinized and subjected to LC-MS/MS. Proteome results were analyzed based on the metastatic status, HGs and HTs of the samples. The findings revealed …

Dog Sniffing Biomechanic Responses In An Odor Detection Test Of Odorants With Differing Physical Properties, Lydia Burnett, Nicholas Hebdon, Pete A. Stevens, Monica Moljo, Lindsay D. Waldrop, Lauryn Degreeff

Biology, Chemistry, and Environmental Sciences Faculty Articles and Research

Dogs are utilized in forensic science for their extensive scent detection capabilities. They are often considered the “gold standard” in field detection for targets such as illicit drugs and explosives. Despite their prevalence in the field, relatively little is known about how dogs interact with and transport volatile organic compounds through their olfactory system. In this study, two groups of dogs were utilized – Sport detection dogs (n=19) that participate in the National Association of Canine Scent Work and have achieved advanced standing through training and successful search competitions and law enforcement explosive detection dogs (n=8) which were included for …

Reportable Animal Diseases – Western Australia, Department Of Primary Industries And Regional Development, Western Australia

Biosecurity factsheets

In Western Australia, the Biosecurity and Agriculture Management Act 2007 requires that certain diseases must be reported if they are known or suspected to be present.

This table shows which diseases must be reported.

Feral Pigs And Their Control With 1080 Baiting, Department Of Primary Industries And Regional Development, Western Australia

Biosecurity factsheets

Feral pigs are the descendants of domestic pigs (Sus scrofa), which were first brought to Australia by early European colonists. Feral pigs cause a range of agricultural and environmental damage in Western Australia (WA), so control measures are important.

Population And Distribution Of The Ashy Red Colobus Monkey In Community Forests In Biharamulo District, Northwestern Tanzania, Olivia W. Cox

Tanzania: Wildlife Conservation and Political Ecology

This study was conducted in November 2024 using active observation searches and geospatial surveys to collect data. A total of 0.404357 km2 in the three forests was canvassed, and 108 individuals were observed. The study aimed to estimate the population and distribution of Ashy red colobus monkeys in three community forests in Biharamulo District, Northwestern Tanzania, where no previous research on the Ashy red colobus has taken place. A Bayesian negative binomial model and negative binomial regression model were applied to these findings to estimate 180 individuals in the three forests, with 40, 47, and 93 individuals estimated to reside …

Molecular Detection Of Mycoplasma Spp. And Its Associated Risk Factors In Domestic Cats In The City Of Ibagué, Tolima, Karen D. Osorio Muñoz Dr., Iang S. Rondon Barragan Prof.

The Thai Journal of Veterinary Medicine

Feline hemoplasmosis is a disease with worldwide distribution, mainly in tropical countries, where its transmission is favored by the presence of vectors such as fleas and ticks. In Colombia, the diagnosis of the disease in small animals has been limited to the identification of the pathogen in blood smears, which have low sensitivity and specificity, demanding methods of higher diagnostic value, such as those based on molecular techniques. The objective of the present study was to investigate the prevalence of Mycoplasma spp. in felines from the city of Ibagué using the PCR and the associated risk factors. Briefly, blood samples …

An Assessment Of Dingo Ancestry In Camp Dogs In Western Australia, Tracey L. Kreplins, Danielle Stephens, N Laing, C Oskam

Biosecurity Research Articles

Hybridisation between Australian dingoes and domestic dogs is a controversial area of interest and research. An ongoing canine sterilisation programme in rural and remote Western Australia provided an opportunity to assess the dingo ancestry of camp dogs and opportunities for hybridisation. Blood samples were collected from 345 individual community dogs at 21 locations. Dogs were screened using 23 microsatellite loci and ancestry percentage assigned using an iterative Bayesian assignment algorithm. A single individual was a dingo, 96% were domestic dogs and 3.5% were hybrids. Camp dog and dingo hybridisation in these areas is of little concern in terms of conserving …

The Molecular Detection Of Hemotropic Mycoplasma Species In Dogs, Hafize Tuğba Yüksel Dolgun, Şükrü Kirkan

The Thai Journal of Veterinary Medicine

Hemotropic mycoplasmas are uncultured bacteria that cause different degrees of hemolytic anemia in infected hosts. Molecular approaches are used to diagnose hemotropic mycoplasmas since they are difficult to identify using conventional methods. The aim of this study was to use molecular approaches to determine hemotropic mycoplasmas in dogs. Blood samples were collected in tubes (with EDTA) from 100 dogs. After DNA extraction, 100 DNA samples were investigated by PCR. Hemotropic mycoplasma was detected in 12 (12%) samples and positive samples were subjected to Sanger sequencing. Mycoplasma haemocanis was detected in 6 (50.0%) of the samples, Candidatus Mycoplasma hematoparvum in 5 …

Northern Fur Ssal Vibrissae Organochlorine Contaminant Concentrations, Dimitri Giarikos, Amy Hirons, Courtney White

SECLER Data

The eastern Pacific stock of northern fur seals (Callorhinus ursinus) on the Pribilof Islands has experienced population declines since 1980. The decline may be due to anthropogenic persistent organic pollutants (POPs) which bioaccumulate, are toxic, and persistent. This study conducted a comparison of 21 organochlorine (OC) and 39 polybrominated diphenyl ether (PBDE) analyte concentrations utilizing archived vibrissae (whiskers) from individual fur seals sampled in 1993 (n=30) and 2013 (n=41). The PBDEs had values five times greater than the legacy status OCs. There were no significant mean concentration differences between 1993 and 2013 for total organochlorines (ΣOCs), or total …

Northern Fur Seal Vibrissae Polybrominateddiphenylether Concentrations, Dimitri Giarikos, Amy Hirons, Courtney White

SECLER Data

The eastern Pacific stock of northern fur seals (Callorhinus ursinus) on the Pribilof Islands has experienced population declines since 1980. The decline may be due to anthropogenic persistent organic pollutants (POPs) which bioaccumulate, are toxic, and persistent. This study conducted a comparison of 21 organochlorine (OC) and 39 polybrominated diphenyl ether (PBDE) analyte concentrations utilizing archived vibrissae (whiskers) from individual fur seals sampled in 1993 (n=30) and 2013 (n=41). The PBDEs had values five times greater than the legacy status OCs. There were no significant mean concentration differences between 1993 and 2013 for total organochlorines (ΣOCs), or total …

Managing Equine Metabolic Syndrome, Abigail Meldrum, Karl Hoopes

All Current Publications

Equine metabolic syndrome (EMS) is a relatively new disease that we are still learning about. There are many things to investigate when dealing with a new disease: causes, predispositions, symptoms, secondary issues, treatments, and prevention. Because changing the animal's feed regimen is currently the most effective and well-known way to manage EMS, this fact sheet focuses primarily on how diet can impact affected horses. As a newer syndrome, it is vital to learn as much as possible about it to understand, treat, and prevent this disease.

Assessing Comprehension And Competence In Bottlenose Dolphins (Tursiops Truncatus) On The Concept: Do Something Different, Charlotte M. Mulligan

Theses and Dissertations

Many studies have been conducted using a training paradigm based on the research of Pryor et al. (1969) wherein the participants are trained on the abstract concept: do something different. This paradigm challenges working memory and requires the participants to respond with a behavior, either previously trained or novel, which has not yet been offered within the session. The work of Braslau-Schneck (1994) expanded this concept and demonstrated the ability of dolphins to successfully complete this task in synchronized pairs, though the method of accomplishing this task remained unclear. The present research was conducted as part of a broader …

Effects Of Winter Ticks (Dermacentor Albipictus) On The Reproduction Of Utah Moose (Alces Alces Shirasi), Samuel D. Robertson

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Fall 2023 to Present

Moose (Alces alces) are the largest and only solitary members of the deer family. The species can be found across many northern regions around the world. Moose are considered to have high intrinsic, recreational and ecological value. In recent years, there have been concerns about declining moose populations in portions of the species circumpolar range. Moose in Utah (Alces alces shirasi) belong to the Shiras subspecies, which is the smallest of the four subspecies found in North America. Utah moose are the southernmost naturally occurring moose population in the world. The Utah Division of Wildlife Resources …

Information About Honey Fraud: Implications Of Information Choice For Consumer Behavior, Christopher R. Gustafson

Cornhusker Economics

The study highlights that standard research practice—exposing participants to information—may not capture what will happen outside of the lab when people have a choice about what to read, view, or do with their time. While we found that having participants read about honey fraud significantly shifted their willingness to pay for local and domestic versus imported honey, we did not find those changes when people were able to select a text to read.

The implications of these findings extend beyond the issue of honey fraud to broader contexts of food safety, nutrition, and production techniques. While people have preferences for …

Postweaning Skull Growth In Living Didelphid Marsupials: The Case Of Gracilinanus Agilis And Cryptonanus Chacoensis, Iveth A. Villalobos Guerrero, Noé U. De La Sancha

DePaul Discoveries

Ontogeny is described as the history of an organism through its lifetime including development, growth, and allometry. The ontogenetic approach in cranial dimensions has proved useful in interpreting evolutionary patterns. Among the largest Didelphidae family of Neotropical marsupials, the species of Gracilinanus agilis and Cryptonanus chacoensis are poorly known. In this study, we address three questions; Is there sexual dimorphism in these species? What is the pattern of allometry? Which allometric patterns best describe the patterns in the skull and mandible? We applied geometric morphometrics to describe and test these differences using MorphoJ. A discriminant function analysis was performed to …

The Design, Construction, And Testing Of Nucleic Acid Vaccines Against Salmonella Enterica Subspecies Enterica Serovar Javiana, Alexis A. Nguyen

LSU Master's Theses

Salmonella spp. is a Gram-negative bacterium that has the ability to replicate within a variety of hosts, or within the environment, including water, soil, and vegetation. These characteristics, coupled with the zoonotic nature of non-typhoidal Salmonella, pose a significant public health concern. Salmonella is the leading cause of foodborne illnesses worldwide, and in the United States alone, the economic impact due to non-typhoidal Salmonella illnesses in 2013 was estimated to be $3.7 billion, the majority of which were due to mortalities. In a time of rising antibiotic resistance, antibiotics are no longer considered the most effective treatment for …

Modeling Pelagic Feeding In The Gulf Of Mexico With Implications For Ecosystem-Based Fisheries Management, Rebecca L. Scott

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

The focus of this dissertation was simulating trophic dynamics in the pelagic Gulf of Mexico (GOM) with an emphasis on ecosystem-based fishery management (EBFM) strategies for large pelagic species. Fisheries management in the United States largely utilizes single-species assessments, although managers are increasingly interested in EBFM approaches to better account for ecosystem effects on stocks such as predator/prey dynamics. Production in the surface layer of the pelagic zone is variable with environmental conditions and prey is often concentrated in patches by hydrodynamic features. Production is also transported vertically via diel vertical migration, during which deep-sea species provide potentially key forage …

A One Health Approach To Enhancing Sars-Cov-2 Surveillance, Lauren C. Cybulska

Dissertations and Theses

Background

Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2), the virus that causes coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19) in humans, can also infect domestic dogs (Canis lupus familiaris) and cats (Felis catus). Susceptibility and viral transmissibility in these species are concerns for public health due to the spillover risk to humans or other animals. This dissertation uses a One Health framework to explore key issues on this topic. We aim to identify gaps in understanding of SARS-CoV-2 in companion animals and investigate novel surveillance methods through human, animal, and environmental health perspectives.

Methods

Paper 1 provides an in-depth exploration of …

Aged 539 - Graduate Internship, Braidyn R. Cossa

Agricultural Education: Graduate Internship Reports

This report reflects on the Cal Poly Rodeo Program's alignment with the National Standards for Sport Coaches, showcasing a comprehensive approach to athlete development across multiple critical domains. Emphasizing a well-defined coaching philosophy, the program promotes sportsmanship, ethical behavior, and academic success. Personalized coaching addresses the developmental stages of athletes, ensuring a balance between their academic and athletic roles. The program employs effective teaching methods, clear communication, and constructive feedback to foster a positive environment and build strong coach-athlete relationships based on mutual respect and trust.

The coaches possess deep knowledge of rodeo skills and strategies, utilizing psychological techniques to …

Hay Inventory And Purchasing Calculator For Horse Owners, Robyn L. Stewart, Brooklyne M. Wassel

Journal of Extension

The Hay Inventory and Purchasing Calculator for Horse Owners is an Excel-based tool for estimating hay needs and expenses for horse owners. Challenges with hay quality and availability can result in higher than expected costs for horse owners as they attempt to purchase enough horse-quality hay to meet their needs. Estimating intake requirements and creating a budget for hay purchasing is key for the effective management and profitability of equine operations. This tool can be used regardless of geographic location and will benefit a diverse audience including Extension educators, equine business owners, and horse owners.

Omani Camels From A Cultural And Genomics Perspective, Al Muatasim Al Zadjali

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The Dromedarian camel, Camelus dromedarius, is native to the Arabian Peninsula, including the Sultanate of Oman. These camels are used for food, milk, as well as show and racing competitions. Despite their economic and cultural importance research on camels in Oman is limited. The goal of this study was to examine their genomic variation, relationship with camels in other parts of the Arabian Peninsula, and to determine if selective breeding has led to the establishment of distinct breeds in Oman. Information was compiled from multiple sources to produce a comprehensive review on the breeding, management, economic and cultural use, …

Offering Collegiate Livestock Judging As A Student Organization, Maryfrances Miller, Don W. Edgar, Lyle Logemann

Journal of Extension

Resource constraints have lowered the number of collegiate livestock judging teams, dropping the number of opportunities for collegiate judging, even though interest among students remains high. These opportunities can be provided for less expense through student-led extracurricular organizations. This approach increases the student initiative required, but also provides an increased opportunity for developing and demonstrating leadership skills.

New York City’S Rising Sea Level And Coastal Erosion: Approaches To Resiliency, Ryder D. Isidro

Student Theses 2015-Present

No abstract provided.

Effects Of Maternal Infant-Directed Sensory Cues On Early Weaned Piglet Behavior, Mattie Still

Animal Science Undergraduate Honors Theses

In the commercial pig production industry, weaning is a stressful time. Stress is related to loss in production due to increased incidence of illness, increased aggression, and reduced rate of gain, which results in economic losses for the producer. The purpose of this continuous behavior study was to explore the effects of provisional own-mother olfactory and auditory stimuli on early weaned piglet behavior and growth. During days 7-14 postpartum, the grunting of 12 individual sows was recorded while their piglets nursed. The audio files were put into a single loop with grunting occurring for 20 minutes followed by 60 minutes …

A Comparison Of Shaping And Imitation For Reducing A Dog’S Problem Behavior, Carlee Weir, Robbie Hanson

Theses

Over one million dogs have entered shelters in 2024 alone with approximately 31% of those dogs being relinquished by their owners (Shelter Animal Count, 2024). Further, non-aggressive behavioral issues are often cited as a primary cause for owner relinquishment (Best Friends Network Partners, 2018; Howard & DiGennaro Reed, 2014). Previous research has shown the effectiveness of training methods based on positive reinforcement to reduce problematic behavior with dogs and to increase desirable behavior, such as shaping and clicker training, and there has been a growing interest in the use of imitation during training. Fugazza and Miklosi (2015) compared a shaping …