Animal Sciences Commons^™

Gilbert’S Potoroo And The Fun-Guys: Co-Existing Mycophagous Mammals As Indicators Of Potentially Available Fungal Food Resources, Rebecca J. Quah, James Anthony Friend, Aaron J. Brace, Saul J. Cowen, Robert A. Davis, Harriet R. Mills, Anna J.M. Hopkins

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

Understanding resource use and availability is critical for the success of wildlife translocations, especially for species with complex diets. Mycophagous (fungus-feeding) diets are particularly challenging to study due to the difficulty in identifying fungal species, many of which remain undescribed. Environmental DNA (eDNA) metabarcoding techniques applied to scat samples, offer a promising solution to overcome the limitations of traditional dietary analysis involving microscopic identification of undigested material in scats. This allows for the detailed characterization of fungal composition in the diets of mycophagous species. Here we present results of a dietary study focused on Gilbert’s potoroo (Potorous gilbertii) that also …

Floridians, Michael Anglim-Lindros

PANDION: The Osprey Journal of Research and Ideas

The purpose of this piece is to explore species present in Florida by depicting native species alongside commonly seen non-native ones. I decided to focus on mammals, specifically those I have personally observed while living in North Florida. By illustrating their unadorned skeletal remains, I hope to inspire viewers to consider the similarities, differences, and relationships among these organisms, as well as the lives they lead on shared land.

The species depicted in this piece are (clockwise from middle) Homo sapiens (human) - non-native; Tadarida brasiliensis (Mexican free-tailed bat); Dasypus novemcinctus (nine-banded armadillo); Sciurus niger shermani (Sherman’s fox squirrel); Odocoileus …

Comparative Analysis Of Citrate Synthase Activity In Skeletal Muscle, Liver, And Adipose Tissue In Beef Cattle, Abigail Webb

Honors Program: Senior Projects (Public)

Mitochondrial efficiency plays a central role in determining how cattle partition nutrients toward muscle growth or adipose deposition, yet little is known about tissue-specific differences in mitochondrial density among tissues or among beef cattle. This study aimed to quantify mitochondrial density in muscle, liver, and adipose tissue samples from beef cattle and evaluate its potential relationship with metabolic efficiency. Tissue samples of semitendinosus muscle (ST), liver, and subcutaneous adipose (SC) were collected, homogenized, and analyzed for citrate synthase (CS) activity using a fluorometric assay as a proxy for mitochondrial density. Preliminary analyses revealed that the semitendinosus muscle displayed the highest …

The Consciousness Inherent In Chasing Your Tail, Sergio M. Pellis Dr.

Animal Sentience

Who is conscious and how do we know? Complexity in behavior and cognition is certainly a clue that cannot be ignored in identifying this trait, and as Mather’s target article shows, it is hard not to imagine consciousness arising in cephalopods. But how complex is complex? An alternative may be gleaned from the fact that all living things rely on negative feedback to navigate their worlds, and this requires all sentient beings knowing what is to be stabilized in reflection to themselves. If so, consciousness is a universal trait.

Predicting Species Assemblages At Wildlife Crossing Structures Using Multivariate Regression Of Principal Coordinates, Thomas J. Yamashita, Daniel G. Scognamillo, Kevin W. Ryer, Richard Kline, Michael E. Tewes, John H. Young Jr., Jason V. Lombardi

School of Earth, Environmental, & Marine Sciences Faculty Publications

Wildlife populations are in decline due to human threats, including highways. Strategies for reducing road impacts on wildlife include wildlife fencing which keep animals off roads and wildlife crossing structures (WCSs) which provide safe passage across roads. Wildlife crossing structures are diverse and transportation managers are often interested in identifying which WCS designs are effective for target species so a model that predicts target species usage of WCSs is likely to be beneficial to managers and biologists. Wildlife crossing structures are typically built for select species but are utilized by other species, so it may be beneficial to examine WCS …

Milk Yield Performance Of Local Cows, Handling Practices, Physicochemical Properties, And Milk Production Constraints In Kucha District, Southern Ethiopia, Demissie Jorge, Seifu Birhanu, Yilkal Tadele

The Thai Journal of Veterinary Medicine

The study assessed milk production performance of local cows, milk handling practices, physicochemical properties, and milk production constraints in Kucha District, Southern Ethiopia. A purposive and random sampling technique was employed to select 138 respondents for the interview. For physicochemical property assessment, milk samples were collected from 90 interviewed households. Majorities (76.7%) of the respondents were males, and the average family size was 6.82±0.25. Mean daily milk yield (DMY) of 1.80±0.07, 1.94±0.06, and 1.52±0.09 liters was recorded for local cows, respectively, in early, mid, and late lactation stages. All respondents in the area use hand milking and wash their hands …

Bull Shark (Carcharihinus Leucas) Chondrocranium, Nicholas Burchett, Michelle Bassali, David W. Kerstetter, Roman Devlin

All Scans: Kerstetter Fisheries and Avian Ecology 3D Scan Series

No abstract provided.

Effect Of Water At Different Ph Levels Adjusted With Organic And Inorganic Acidifiers On The Growth Performance, Blood Biochemistry, Carcass Yield, And Meat Physicochemical Properties Of Broilers, Asad Ali Shah, Shahid Mehmood, Fazal Raziq, Muhammad Tahir Khan, Assad Ullah, Yasir Abbas, Syed Kaleem Ul Hassan, Sohail Ahmad, Smile Manzoor, Kashif Khan

Turkish Journal of Veterinary & Animal Sciences

This study evaluated the effects of varying water pH levels, adjusted with organic (formic acid) and inorganic (sodium hydrogen sulfate) acidifiers, on the growth performance, blood biochemistry, carcass yield, and meat quality of broiler chickens. The objective was to determine how these factors affect broiler health and production efficiency. In a 35-day feeding trial, 420 day-old chicks were randomly assigned to a 2 × 3 factorial design that tested two types of acidifiers (organic versus inorganic) at three pH levels (5.8, 6.8, and 7.8), with six replicates of 10 birds per treatment. Birds were provided with acidified water ad libitum …

Evaluating The Impact Of Starch Intake On Fecal Consistency Scores In Equines, Gülşah Kaya Karasu, Hidir Gümüş

Turkish Journal of Veterinary & Animal Sciences

Horses, as monogastric hindgut fermenters, primarily engage in microbial activity in the large intestine. Although starch is not inherently harmful, excessive intake can lead to digestive disturbances and health issues due to insufficient digestion in the small intestine, resulting in overflow into the large intestine. The purpose of the study was to evaluate the use of rapid fecal analysis, including fecal score, pH, and dry matter (DM) analysis, to understand the effects of high starch intake. The study was conducted in May 2023 at a private sport horse farm in İzmir, Türkiye and involved 24 sport horses aged 4 to …

Design Of A Snp Panel For Highly Accurate Paternity Identification In Eşme Sheep, Onur Yilmaz, İbrahi̇m Cemal, Orhan Karaca, Cengi̇z Elmaci, Nezi̇h Ata

Turkish Journal of Veterinary & Animal Sciences

SNP paternity testing panels offer high-resolution capabilities for determining livestock paternity, thereby enhancing the reliability of genetic verification and ensuring pedigree record accuracy. In this study, we aimed to develop a SNP-based paternity test panel utilizing a 50K SNP chip for paternity testing and pedigree verification in the Eşme sheep breed. Additionally, the study sought to validate the paternity test panel. Based on data from 26 rams and 524 lambs of the Eşme sheep breed, the results indicated that the 50K SNP chip used demonstrated a very high genotyping rate, with the majority of its 53,738 SNPs exhibiting significant polymorphism. …

Investigation Of The Usability Of The Difference In Body Structure As A Breeding Method In Unselected Sheep Flocks (I-Fattening Performance- Slaughter And Carcass Characteristics), Mehmet Naci̇ Oktay, Bora Özarslan

Turkish Journal of Veterinary & Animal Sciences

This study investigated the development of a meat-type sheep strain by using the differences in body structure in Kangal Akkaraman an indigenous sheep breed of Türkiye. The control group consisted of 15 male lambs born to ewes with dairy-type (DT) body structure and the experimental group consisted of 15 male lambs born to ewes with meat-type (MT) body structure. The sheep in the DT group were selected for their elegant, clear bony lines; long, thin neck; triangular body structure that widens from front to rear; and the leg length longer than the depth of the chest. In selecting sheep for …

Development And Validation Of A High-Performance Liquid Chromatography Method For The Simultaneous Determination Of Selected Varroacidal Active Substances In Bee Health Products, Onur Demi̇r

Turkish Journal of Veterinary & Animal Sciences

The presence of substandard and counterfeit veterinary medicinal products represents a significant concern from a One Health perspective, given the potential consequences for human and animal health, as well as the environment. In this study, an isocratic flow liquid chromatography method was developed for the simultaneous determination of thymol, coumaphos, amitraz, tau-fluvalinate, and flumethrin in bee health products used for varroosis control. The chromatographic separation was conducted at a wavelength of 276 nm, utilizing an RP18e column and an acetonitrile:water mobile phase ratio of 75:25 (v/v), with a flow rate of 0.75 mL/min. The validation of the method was conducted …

Rare, Threatened And Endangered Zoology Species Of Oregon (2025), Jesse Laney, Eleanor P. Gaines, Lindsey K. Wise, Misty Nelson

Institute for Natural Resources Publications

This publication provides a 2025 update to the rare, threatened, and endangered zoology species of Oregon. Species lists are also provided in Excel format.

The Oregon Biodiversity Information Center (ORBIC) is part of the Institute for Natural Resources (INR) located at Portland State University (PSU). ORBIC maintains extensive databases of Oregon biodiversity, concentrating on rare and endangered plants, animals and ecosystems. Since its creation in 1979 as the Oregon Natural Heritage Program, ORBIC has been part of the Natural Heritage network. ORBIC is a constituent member of NatureServe, a non-profit organization with a mission to provide the scientific basis for …

A Farmer's Guide To Egg Quality, Safety, And Flock Health, Joseph Okoh, Essence Perry

All Current Publications

Eggs are a valuable source of nutrition and income for many backyard and smallholder farmers. To ensure a steady supply of high-quality eggs, it's essential to understand the key factors that influence hens’ health and productivity. From proper nutrition to effective lighting and disease prevention, each decision you make affects your flock’s performance. This guide offers practical advice to help you raise resilient, high-laying hens and build a successful small-scale egg production system, no matter your level of experience.

Managing Chickens From Chicks To Peak Egg Production, Joseph Okoh, Essence Perry

All Current Publications

Chickens were first domesticated for cultural purposes, but selective breeding has focused on egg production. Choosing the right breeds and good management practices are essential for farmers to maximize egg yield, quality, and safety. This fact sheet covers poultry history, top egg-laying breeds, egg anatomy, nutrition, and practical tips to help farmers improve productivity and run successful egg production ventures.

Re-Survey Of Blastocystis Infection In Free-Living Birds From Urban Xinxiang City, Xuehan Liu, Yingying Cao, Di An, Chengshui Liao, Ruibiao Wang, Bo Wen, Chunling Zhu, Huarun Sun, Longfei Zhang, Baoliang Qin, Yanhui Wang, Jianhe Hu, Yueyu Bai, Ke Ding, Lei Wang

The Thai Journal of Veterinary Medicine

Blastocystis is the most ubiquitous intestinal protozoan parasite found in humans and animals worldwide. Commonly, ST7 and ST6 are the major Blastocystis subtypes reported in birds, and their frequencies fluctuate greatly with various factors. However, little literature is available on the prevalence and subtype characteristics of this parasite in free-living wild birds in the same city. For this purpose, a total of 114 fresh fecal specimens were collected from wild free-living birds in urban districts of Xinxiang city and tested for Blastocystis using PCR of the barcoding region of the small subunit ribosomal RNA (SSU rRNA) gene. The positive isolates …

In Vitro Screening Of Antibacterial Efficacy Of Moringa Oleifera And Thymus Vulgaris Methanolic Extracts Against Different Escherichia Coli Strains And Their In Vivo Effects Against E. Coli-Induced Infection In Broiler Chickens, Majid Ali, Naila Chand, Sarzamin Khan, Rifat Ullah Khan, Babar Maqbool, Shabana Naz, Ala Abudabos, Abdul Hafeez, Ibrahim A. Alhidary

Food and Animal Sciences Faculty Research

This study evaluated the antibacterial efficacy and growth-promoting potential of Moringa oleifera and Thymus vulgaris methanolic extracts in broiler chickens challenged with Escherichia coli O78. In vitro antibacterial screening using agar well diffusion and disc diffusion assays revealed that ciprofloxacin exhibited the strongest inhibitory effect, followed by tetracycline and enrofloxacin, whereas among plant extracts, T. vulgaris was more effective than M. oleifera. The optimal combination (M100T150; 100 mg M. oleifera + 150 mg T. vulgaris) produced the largest inhibition zones against E. coli strains. For the in vivo trial, 540 Ross-308 broiler chicks were distributed into six treatment groups in …

Notes On Reproduction, Seasonality, And Roost Sites For Silver-Haired Bats (Lasionycteris Noctivagans) In Western Nebraska, Joseph W. Paysen, Dawson V. Kosmicki, Keith Geluso

Transactions of the Nebraska Academy of Sciences and Affiliated Societies

Silver-haired Bats (Lasionycteris noctivagans) are a migratory species found throughout the United States, southern Canada, and northern Mexico. Throughout their range, Silver-haired Bats roost in various tree species, generally within decaying features like cavities and exfoliated bark. Herein we report on additional reproductive and seasonal data as well as the first data on trees used as roost sites by Silver-haired Bats in Nebraska. We captured individuals along a small tributary of the North Platte River at Ash Hollow State Historical Park, Garden County, Nebraska, and tracked bats to their roosts. At this location, we documented lactation on 17 …

Attributes Of Artificial Wetlands Colonized By Ambystoma Maculatum On A Virginia Surface Mine, Hunter Hill, Garrett Stiltner, Walter H. Smith

Virginia Journal of Science

Landscapes impacted by surface mineral extraction present a range of artificial wetland habitats potentially useable by pool-breeding amphibians, although little information exists in the literature detailing which attributes influence breeding site selection by wetland amphibian specialists in post-mined landscapes. We compared attributes of artificial wetlands consistently used and unused as oviposition sites by Spotted Salamanders (Ambystoma maculatum) over a six-year period on a 120-ha former surface mine in Wise County, Virginia, USA. Salamanders non-randomly selected wetlands as oviposition sites, with one-third of available wetlands within the study area showing evidence of ovipositioning. Wetlands used as breeding sites were …

Fisheries Research Report No. 354: Recreational Fishing For Abalone In Western Australia In 2024/2025 - Estimates Of Participation, Effort And Catch, Claire B. Smallwood, Karina L. Ryan, Lachlan W. Strain

Fisheries Research Reports

The Western Australian Recreational Abalone Fishery (RAF) operates in shallow coastal waters as a hand collection fishery while wading or diving. Three species of abalone are allowed to be caught. Roe’s abalone (Haliotis roei) are generally collected while wading from the shore in accessible nearshore reef complexes along the West and South Coast Bioregions. Greenlip abalone (H. laevigata) and Brownlip abalone (H. conicopora) are collected while wading (including snorkelling and freediving) and diving (using compressed air) predominantly along the South Coast Bioregion.

Recreational fishing for the three abalone species is licensed and highly regulated, especially in the Western Zone (which …