Zoology Commons^™

A California Without Rodenticides: Challenges For Commensal Rodent Management In The Future, Niamh Quinn, Sylvia Kenmuir, Laura Krueger

Human–Wildlife Interactions

Rodenticides are an essential tool in the integrated pest management of infestations of commensal rodents (Rattus norvegicus, R. rattus, and Mus musculus). With the introduction of Assembly Bill 1788, the California Ecosystems Protection Act of 2019, California is potentially facing a future with new restrictions on the use of anticoagulant rodenticides to manage commensal rodents in urban areas. Assembly Bill 1788 has been proposed specifically to protect predators from anticoagulant rodenticide poisoning and seeks to restrict the application of second-generation anticoagulant rodenticides (SGARs) for use in many urban and non-urban areas of California, USA. Exclusion and cultural …

Novel Habitat Causes A Shift To Diurnal Activity In A Nocturnal Species, J. Sean Doody, Colin R. Mchenry, David Rhind, Simon Clulow

USF St. Petersburg Campus Faculty Publications

Plastic responses may allow individuals to survive and reproduce in novel environments, and can facilitate the establishment of viable populations. But can novel environments reveal plasticity by causing a shift in a behavior as fundamental and conspicuous as daily activity? We studied daily activity times near the invasion front of the cane toad (Rhinella marina), an invasive species that has colonized much of northern Australia. Cane toads in Australia are nocturnal, probably because diurnal activity would subject them to intolerably hot and dry conditions in the tropical savannah during the dry season. Our study can demonstrate, however, that upon reaching …

Long-Tailed Weasel (Mustela Frenata) Distribution Survey In Arkansas: Challenges In Detecting A Rare Species, Suzanne D. Johnston, D. Blake Sasse, Robert E. Kissell Jr.

Journal of the Arkansas Academy of Science

Long-tailed weasels (Mustela frenata) have one of the widest distributions of mustelids in the western hemisphere and were distributed across a majority of the American continents ranging from Canada through the contiguous United States, Mexico, and into northern South America. However, on a local scale they are considered uncommon and rare. We assessed the distribution of long-tailed weasels across Arkansas to determine occupancy in each ecoregion of Arkansas, and determined the detectability on two local, adjacent sites. No long-tailed weasels were detected within the ecoregions, but the species was detected with intensive sampling on one local site. It …

Plains Spotted Skunk Pelt Purchase Trends In The Ozarks And Ouachitas, 1943-1990, D. Blake Sasse

Journal of the Arkansas Academy of Science

The Plains spotted skunk (Spilogale putorius interrupta) is a small carnivore that has experienced population declines across much of its range and is currently being considered for listing as an endangered species. I utilized harvest data on pelts from the Ozarks of Missouri and Arkansas and the Ouachita mountains in Arkansas that were purchased by fur dealers from 1943-1990 to examine trends in harvest levels over time. Purchases in all three regions declined in the late 1940s and early 1950s, but purchases in the Arkansas returned to near or at historic levels in the early 1960s and the …

Bilateral Diaphyseal Chondrodysplasia And Polymorphic Osteodysplasia Of The Tibiofibulas In A Southern Leopard Frog, Lithobates Sphenocephalus (Amphibia: Anura: Ranidae), Stanley E. Trauth, Malcolm L, Mccallum

Journal of the Arkansas Academy of Science

Much attention has been focused on limb malformations in anurans following the startling discovery of major limb deformities in Northern Leopard Frogs (Rana pipiens) in Minnesota in 1995. The numerous causes for these malformations can be attributed to a number of natural phenomena, or they can be considered as being manmade. In the present study, we report on a previously undescribed type of limb abnormality in a single individual of the Southern Leopard Frog (Lithobates sphenocephalus) from Arkansas. Histological examination of left tibiofibula revealed a complete disruption of the normal diaphyseal bone structure in this adult …

Large Pelvic Tubercle In Orangutans Relates To The Adductor Longus Muscle, Brian M. Shearer, Magdalena Muchlinski, Ashley S. Hammond

Publications and Research

Orangutan pelves commonly exhibit a large, projecting tubercle in the iliopubic region, historically assumed to homologous to the pubic tubercle in humans. However, it is not clear whether this tubercle is a unique feature of Pongo, or if it is anatomically homologous with the human pubic tubercle when considered as a soft tissue attachment point. To clarify this issue, we dissected orangutan and other ape cadaveric specimens to evaluate the pelvic brim soft tissues and how they may relate to the tubercle (when present). We additionally conducted a broad osteological survey of pelvic brim morphology across 28 primate genera …

Age Estimation Using Phalangeal Skeletochronology In Northern Crawfish Frogs, Lithobates Areolatus Circulosus (Amphibia: Anura: Ranidae), From Arkansas, Stanley E. Trauth, Christopher S. Thigpen

Journal of the Arkansas Academy of Science

As an obligate crayfish burrow dweller, crawfish frogs have historically occupied a relatively narrow ecological niche throughout their distribution in the tall grass prairies and grasslands of the central and south-central United States. In Arkansas, the Northern Crawfish Frog, Lithobates areolatus circulosus, occurs in only 19 of its 75 counties. Because of their secretive nature, late winter-early spring breeding season, and current protected status by the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission, this species remains a rarity in most museum collections in the state. Moreover, only anecdotal information exits regarding any aspect of their natural history in Arkansas. In the …

การใช้ Ngs (Next-Generation Sequencing) ในการแก้ปัญหาทางอนุกรมวิธานของผึ้งกาเหว่าสกุล Thyreus Panzer, 1806 ในประเทศไทย, พุธิตา ผาสุขดี

Chulalongkorn University Theses and Dissertations (Chula ETD)

ผึ้งกาเหว่าในสกุล Thyreus Panzer, 1806 (Apidae; Melectini) เป็นปรสิตตัวอ่อนของผึ้งผสมเกสรหลายชนิดในสกุล Amegilla Friese, 1897 (Apidae; Anthophorini) ที่มีการกระจายตัวในทวีปยุโรป, แอฟริกา และ เอเชีย โดยในปัจจุบันผึ้งสกุล Thyreus มีจำนวนมากกว่า 108 ชนิดที่ได้รับการตั้งชื่อและจัดจำแนก อย่างไรก็ตามการศึกษาอนุกรมวิธานของ Thyreus ในประเทศไทยยังขาดข้อมูลที่สำคัญหลายประการ ได้แก่ การระบุชนิดของตัวอย่างเพศเมีย, รูปวิธานในระดับชนิด และจำนวนของชนิดทั้งหมด ในการศึกษาครั้งนี้ข้อมูลทางสัณฐานวิทยาและชีวโมเลกุลได้ถูกนำมาวิเคราะห์ร่วมกันเพื่อใช้ในการศึกษาตัวอย่างของผึ้งThyreus จำนวน 190 ตัวอย่าง (เพศเมีย 123, เพศผู้ 67) โดยใช้ลักษณะสัณฐานภายนอกในการระบุชนิดและสร้างแผนภูมิความสัมพันธ์เชิงวิวัฒนาการของผึ้งThyreus ในประเทศไทยด้วยวิธี Bayesian Inferences พร้อมทั้งยืนยันชนิดด้วยวิธี species delimitation (ABGD, GMYC และ PTP) จากข้อมูลของบาร์โค้ดดีเอ็นเอ (ยีน cytochrome c oxidase I; COI, ความยาว 650–680 คู่เบส) นอกจากนี้ยังได้นำเทคนิค Next-generation sequencing (NGS) มาใช้ในการเพิ่มปริมาณชิ้นส่วนของยีน COI จากตัวอย่างที่มีอายุถึง 60 ปี (โดยใช้วิธีสกัด DNA แบบที่ไม่ต้องทำลายตัวอย่าง) และไม่ได้ถูกเก็บรักษาในเอทานอล (n = 89; เพศเมีย 63, เพศผู้ 26) เพื่อให้ครอบคลุมจำนวนชนิดของผึ้ง Thyreus ทั้งหมดในประเทศ จากผลการศึกษาสามารถระบุชนิดของผึ้ง Thyreus ในประเทศไทยได้ทั้งหมด 9 ชนิด ได้แก่ T. callurus (Cockerell, 1919) (n = 10; เพศเมีย 1, เพศผู้9), T. ceylonicus (Friese, 1905) …

Quantifying Coat Color Phenology Of Sympatric Snowshoe Hares And Weasels, Brandon Murray Davis

Graduate Student Theses, Dissertations, & Professional Papers

No abstract provided.

Screening Development For Anti-Hemotoxic Activity Of Thai Herbs Against Eastern Russell’S Viper Daboia Siamensis (Smith, 1917) Venom, Patchara Sittishevapark

Chulalongkorn University Theses and Dissertations (Chula ETD)

The eastern Russell’s viper, Daboia siamensis, is one of the important venomous snakes in Thailand. Its venom possesses hematotoxin causing pathological alterations to circulatory and renal systems. Although antivenom serum is used for standard medical treatment, its cost per dose, ineffectiveness for some symptoms, and potential to develop allergic reactions in patients has called attention to an alternative remedy including the medicinal herb. To find effective herbs, appropriate screening assays are needed. This study aims to develop in vitro and in vivo screening assays and use for screening Thai herbs with anti-hematotoxic activity against D. siamensis venom. For in vitro …

Effects Of Energy Development On Movements, Home Ranges, And Resource Selection Of White-Tailed Deer In The Western Dakotas, Bailey S. Gullikson

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Oil and natural gas development has increased in recent years and research is needed to assess potential impacts on white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus) populations. Our objectives were to document movements, home ranges, and resource selection of female white-tailed deer in response to energy development in the western Dakotas. Our study areas included Dunn County, North Dakota, an area with current oil and gas development, and Grant County, North Dakota, and Perkins County, South Dakota, areas without current oil and gas development. We captured and fitted 150 female deer with Very High Frequency (VHF) collars across study sites, and …

Characterisation Of Chitin In The Cuticle Of A Velvet Worm (Onychophora), Hartmut Greven, Murat Kaya, İdri̇s Sargin, Talat Baran, Reinhardt Møbjerg Kristensen, Martin Vinther Sorensen

Turkish Journal of Zoology

We characterize the trunk cuticle of velvet worms of the Peripatoides novaezealandiae-group (Onychophora) using SEM, TEM, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), and thermogravimetric analysis (TGA). TEM and SEM revealed a relatively uniform organization of the delicate cuticle that is covered by numerous bristled and nonbristled papillae with ribbed scales arranged in transverse rows. The cuticle consists of a very thin multilayered epicuticle of varying appearance followed by the largely fibrous procuticle. The irregularly arranged nanofibres of isolated cuticular chitin seen by SEM are considered as bundles of chitin fibres. FT-IR and TGA showed that the chitin is of the α-type. …

Structure Of Molluscan Communities In Shallow Subtidal Rocky Bottoms Of Acapulco, Mexico, José Gabriel Kuk Dzul, Jesús Guadalupe Padilla Serrato, Carmina Torreblanca Ramirez, Rafael Flores Garza, Pedro Flores Rodríguez, Ximena Itzamara Muñiz Sánchez

Turkish Journal of Zoology

The objective of this study was to determine the structure of molluscan communities in shallow subtidal rocky bottoms of Acapulco, Mexico. Thirteen samplings were performed at 8 stations in 2012 (seven samplings), 2014 (four), and 2015 (two). The collection of the mollusks in each station was done at a maximum depth of 5 m for 1 h by 3 divers. A total of 2086 specimens belonging to 89 species, 36 families, and 3 classes of mollusks were identified. Gastropoda was the most diverse and abundant group. Calyptreaidae, Columbellidae, and Muricidae had >5 species, but Pisaniidae, Conidae, Fasciolariidae, and Muricidae had …

A New Species Of Ami Pérez-Miles, 2008 (Araneae: Mygalomorphae: Theraphosidae) From The Amazon Rainforest, Brazil, Marlus Queiroz Almeida, Lidianne Salvatierra, José Wellington De Morais

Turkish Journal of Zoology

A new species of Ami Pérez-Miles, 2008 is described from the state of Amazonas in Brazil based on three males from Manaus. Ami valentinae sp. nov. is closely related to A. armihuariensis and A. caxiuana by the presence of a granular area on the embolus, but it differs from the first species by the presence of two retrolateral process on the male palpal tibia and differs by the latter by the morphology of the male palpal organ. A. valentinae sp. nov. is the first species of Ami reported for the Amazonas state and second species described for Brazil.

Long-Term Effects Of Different Fat Sources And Vitamin E Supplementation On Growth Performance, Antioxidant Status, Carcass Characteristics, Meat Quality, And Immune Capacity Of Pigs With Heavy Slaughter Weight Up To 150 Kg, Ding Wang

Theses and Dissertations--Animal and Food Sciences

Two experiments were used to evaluate the potential interaction of fat source and vitamin E (VE) in heavy slaughter weight pigs. In Experiment 1, a total of 64 individually-fed pigs (28.41 ± 0.83 kg) were randomly assigned to 8 dietary treatments in a 4×2 factorial arrangement. Fat treatments included cornstarch (CS), tallow (TW), corn-oil (CO), and coconut-oil (CN). VE treatments were dietary α-tocopheryl acetate (ATA) at 11 and 200 ppm. In Experiment 2, a total of 72 individually fed pigs (28.55 ± 1.16 kg) were randomly assigned to 12 dietary treatments in a 2 × 6 factorial arrangement. Fat treatments …

Tyrosinase Inhibitors From Some Plants, Ponglada Sadangrit

Chulalongkorn University Theses and Dissertations (Chula ETD)

Tyrosinase is the key enzyme in melanogenesis leading to skin darkening. Many skin whitening products contain tyrosinase inhibitors or extracts that inhibit tyrosinase activity. Moreover, natural extracts are one of the most popular alternatives. They are safe and have less side effects. To determine the effects of plant compounds on melanogenesis, tyrosinase activity was evaluated in in vitro and cellular screening. Melanin level was measured in B16F10 melanoma cells. In addition, the gene expression level of melanogenesis-related genes was explored by quantitative reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction. Fifteen plant compounds were tested by in vitro mushroom tyrosinase inhibition assay to …

The Diversity Of Terrestrial Mammals Surrounding Waterfall At Billy Barquedier National Park, Kelsey Johnson, Jason Apple

Discovery, The Student Journal of Dale Bumpers College of Agricultural, Food and Life Sciences

Billy Barquedier is a National Park located in the Stann Creek district of Belize that contains Neotropical vegetation and wildlife. This study was performed to provide a baseline inventory and appearance frequency patterns of the terrestrial mammals located within Zone 1 of the park near a waterfall and to gain a greater understanding of the biodiversity and activity patterns of terrestrial mammals within the park. The methods included camera traps, small Sherman live traps, large live traps, and tracking methods. A non-random sampling method of placing camera traps and live traps on or near human-made or animal-made trails was used …

Quantifying White-Tailed Deer Density And Its Impacts On Agricultural Systems, Jonathan A. Matthews

Theses and Dissertations--Forestry and Natural Resources

White-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus) commonly consume row crops, with yield losses often attributed to their browsing. Deer density and field morphology may predict yield losses within local areas. We sought to 1) determine the effects of deer browsing on corn and soybean yields and investigate if deer density or field morphology correlated to yield loss in western Kentucky, and 2) compare pellet-based distance sampling to game camera surveys to determine if a distance sampling technique could accurately estimate deer density during the growing season. Overall, deer reduced corn and soybean yields on one-half of surveyed properties. Deer density …

Ranging And Behavior Of Black And Gold Howler Monkeys In Formosa, Argentina, Claire Rossi De Leon

Library Map Prize

Howler monkeys (Alouatta spp.) are known for their adaptability, allowing them to inhabit a large range of forest types and driving high levels of variation in ranging and behavioral patterns. I address a series of hypotheses relating these relationships: 1) If an energy minimizing lifestyle is an adaptation to eating high quantities of leaves, then howler groups that have a high proportion of leaves in their diet will occupy smaller home ranges, have shorter daily path lengths, and spend more time resting, 2) if temperature is the primary driver of high levels of resting, then howlers will conserve energy and …

Autumn Roost Selection By Male Hoary Bats (Lasiurus Cinereus) In Northern California, Danielle (Skye) Salganek

Cal Poly Humboldt theses and projects

The hoary bat, Lasiurus cinereus, is a solitary bat that roosts in the foliage of trees throughout the western hemisphere. Roosts are subject to the ambient temperature of their surroundings, thus hoary bats undergo long-distance migrations between summer and winter ranges to avoid freezing temperatures. Habitat selection has been studied during the summer for maternal female hoary bats, but not during migration and winter. Autumn migration coincides with the hoary bat mating period and it has been proposed that male and female bats may rendezvous on migration paths. Individuals may select roosts in stopover locations that enhance fitness by providing …

The Challenges For A Closed-To-The-Public Animal Sanctuary: Prioritizing Animal Welfare While Engaging In Educational Community Outreach, Lisa Tweed

All Master's Theses

Chimpanzee Sanctuary Northwest is a small primate sanctuary in Cle Elum, Washington, and is presently home to seven chimpanzees who were retired from biomedical research. I used this sanctuary as a case study to find out how a closed-to-the-public sanctuary can engage in educational outreach without compromising the welfare of the residents. I employed a combination of semi-structured interviews of sanctuary personnel, ethnographic participant-observation as a volunteer caregiver, and an online survey offered to the local community to help me understand the goals and limitations of sanctuaries. I also designed and conducted two educational programs for local area schools as …

Ovipositional Choices On Host Plants And Larval Development Of Tawny Coster Acraea Terpsicore (Linnaeus, 1758), Chitsanuphong Phanthian

Chulalongkorn University Theses and Dissertations (Chula ETD)

Acraea terpsicore (Linnaeus, 1758) is a common butterfly in Thailand that utilizes Passiflora plants. Due to urbanization and globalization, many Passiflora exotic plants have been introduced to Thailand, and these Passiflora plants may affect the preferences of A. terpsicore. Therefore, this study aimed to compare the ovipositional preferences of adult female A. terpsicore and to compare the larval host plant preferences and performance on different Passiflora plants. Four Passiflora species, Passiflora foetida (a wild plant), P. edulis (a fruit crop plants), P. x alata-caerulea and P. x coccinea-caerulea (both ornamental plants), had been compared in both field and laboratory experiments …

Cause‐Specific Mortality Of The World’S Terrestrial Vertebrates, Jacob E. Hill, Travis L. Devault, Jerrold L. Belant

United States Department of Agriculture Wildlife Services: Staff Publications

Aim: Vertebrates are declining worldwide, yet a comprehensive examination of the sources of mortality is lacking. We conducted a global synthesis of terrestrial vertebrate cause‐specific mortality to compare the sources of mortality across taxa and determine predictors of susceptibility to these sources of mortality.

Location: Worldwide.

Time period: 1970–2018.

Major taxa studied: Mammals, birds, reptiles and amphibians.

Methods: We searched for studies that used telemetry to determine the cause of death of terrestrial vertebrates. We determined whether each mortality was caused by anthropogenic or natural sources and further classified mortalities within these two categories (e.g. harvest, vehicle collision and predation). …

Feral Swine Harming Insular Sea Turtle Reproduction: The Origin, Impacts, Behavior And Elimination Of An Invasive Species, Richard M. Engeman, Robert W. Byrd, Jamie Dozier, Mark A. Mcalister, James O. Edens, Elizabeth M. Kierepka, Timothy J. Smyser, Noel Myers

United States Department of Agriculture Wildlife Services: Staff Publications

Feral swine are among the world's most destructive invasive species wherever they are found, with translocations figuring prominently in their range expansions. In contrast, sea turtles are beloved species that are listed as threatened or endangered throughout the world and are the focus of intense conservation efforts. Nest predation by feral swine severely harms sea turtle reproduction in many locations around the world. Here we quantify and economically assess feral swine nest predation at North Island, South Carolina, an important loggerhead sea turtle nesting beach. Feral swine depredation of North Island sea turtle nests was first detected in 2005, with …

A Bioeconomic Model For The Optimization Of Local Canine Rabies Control, Aaron Anderson, Johann Kotze, Stephanie A. Shwiff, Brody Hatch, Chris Slootmaker, Anne Conan, Darryn Knobel, Louis H. Nel

United States Department of Agriculture Wildlife Services: Staff Publications

We present a new modeling tool that can be used to maximize the impact of canine rabies management resources that are available at the local level. The model is accessible through a web-based interface that allows for flexibility in the management strategies that can be investigated. Rabies vaccination, sterilization, chemo-contraception, and euthanasia can be specified and limited to specific demographic groups. Additionally, we allowed for considerable complexity in the specification of management costs. In many areas, the costs of contacting additional dogs increases as management effort increases, and this can have important strategic implications. We illustrated the application of the …

No Detection Of Brodifacoum Residues In The Marine And Terrestrial Food Web Three Years After Rat Eradication At Palmyra Atoll, Central Pacific, A. Wegmann, G. Howald, S. Kropidlowski, N. Holmes, A.B. Shiels

United States Department of Agriculture Wildlife Services: Staff Publications

Invasive alien species represent one of the greatest threats to native plants and animals on islands. Rats (Rattus spp.) have invaded most of the world’s oceanic islands, causing lasting or irreversible damage to ecosystems and biodiversity. To counter this threat, techniques to eradicate invasive rats from islands have been developed and applied across the globe. Eradication of alien rats from large or complex island ecosystems has only been successful with the use of bait containing a rodenticide. While effective at eradicating rats from islands, rodenticide can persist in the ecosystem longer than the time required to eradicate the target rat …

Ecological Functions Of Vertebrate Scavenging, James C. Beasley, Zachary H. Olson, Nuria Selva, Travis L. Devault

United States Department of Agriculture Wildlife Services: Staff Publications

Introduction

The role of vertebrate scavenging in food web dynamics has historically been minimalized and portrayed as the activity of a select group of obligate scavengers (e.g., vultures), with a simplistic linkage between carrion and detritivores in food webs. Research in the last few decades, however, has revealed that the role of carrion in food web dynamics is severely underestimated, highly complex, and pervasive among ecosystems across the globe (DeVault et al. 2003; Selva and Fortuna 2007; Wilson and Wolkovich 2011). Such observations have led to a surge in research interest in scavenging ecology that continues to reveal new information …

Domestication And Cognitive Complexity, David R. Brodbeck, Madeleine I. R. Brodbeck, Keeghan Rosso

Animal Sentience

Marino and Merskin (2019) list a number of tasks that sheep can perform well. As comparative psychologists, we are not surprised by these results. Indeed, many domesticated animal species show similar abilities.

Just Policy Paralysis?, Clare Palmer, Bob Fischer

Animal Sentience

Treves et al. (2019) argue that policy making should include the interests and well-being of present and future generations of humans and nonhumans. There are deep and abiding conflicts of interest both between and within these groups. Trying to factor in so many considerations is likely to generate political gridlock. The authors need to explain how to avoid this.

Guilty As Charged, Sergio M. Pellis

Animal Sentience

Sheep have had a bad rap with regard to their behavioral capabilities, and to a large extent, that negative view of sheep has arisen from our failure as human observers to view the world from the perspective of the sheep themselves. Studies sensitive to what sheep identify as of value in the world have revealed a different picture: sheep have cognitive, emotional and social complexity beyond our crude stereotype. Clearly, what we need to do is to evaluate non-human animals on their own terms and not as a reflection of ourselves.