A Series Of Investigations On The L. Cornutus Host System And Bivesiculid Sp. Cercariae,
2026
Nova Southeastern University
A Series Of Investigations On The L. Cornutus Host System And Bivesiculid Sp. Cercariae, Briana K. Zaffiro
All HCAS Student Capstones, Theses, and Dissertations
Rising global temperatures are likely modulating parasite-host interactions, yet the direction and magnitude of these changes remain uncertain. Rarely are these interactions viewed from both a host and parasite perspective. Using both CTmax, or Critical Thermal Maximum, and Clark-type polarographic oxygen microelectrodes, the physiological metabolic effects are investigated. CTmax is examined in Common Shiners, Luxilis cornutus, and is shown to be modulated by parasitism: uninfected fish had the highest CTmax average of 37.0°C, whereas heavily infected fish had decreased CTmax averaging 35°C. Prior to the parasite metabolic investigation, a suitable medium was determined, as …
Environmental Enrichment Preferences And Play Behavior In Commercial Turkey Hens,
2026
University of Arkansas, Fayetteville
Environmental Enrichment Preferences And Play Behavior In Commercial Turkey Hens, Paul Dang
Poultry Science Undergraduate Honors Theses
Commercial turkey production contributes significantly to the U.S. agricultural industry, yet studies on positive welfare indicators, especially play behavior, are limited. This study evaluated turkey hen interactions with two environmental enrichments (straw bales and pecking stones hung from the ceiling) and the expression of play behavior in turkey barns. Three commercial turkey hen barns were equipped with environmental enrichments and time-lapse video cameras. Play behaviors were recorded during transect walks in two barns using 30-second scans of disturbed and undisturbed patches. Regional use of space around enrichments was quantified through region-of-interest (ROI) analysis of time-lapse images collected from days 16-31 …
Beat Behind The Bark: Investigating The Effects Of Music Tempo On Canine Physiological And Psychological States,
2026
University of South Alabama
Beat Behind The Bark: Investigating The Effects Of Music Tempo On Canine Physiological And Psychological States, Marley Lanier
Honors Theses
This study explores how the tempo of music, measured in beats per minute (BPM), affects dogs' heart rate and oxytocin levels, adding to past research that shows that music affects physiological and behavioral states in dogs. Being able to understand these effects holds practical implications for improving overall well-being in canines in environments such as homes, shelters, and clinical environments. Using a within-subjects design, the dogs were exposed to slow and fast versions of one instrumental track, along with a white noise baseline condition before each randomized condition. Heart rate was recorded continuously throughout the session, and oxytocin saliva samples …
Effects Of Mineral Supplementation On Ovine Performance, Forage Selectivity, And Rangeland Utilization In Southern Utah,
2026
Utah State University
Effects Of Mineral Supplementation On Ovine Performance, Forage Selectivity, And Rangeland Utilization In Southern Utah, Ryan A. Spurling
All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Fall 2023 to Present
Sheep producers in the Intermountain West region of the US rely on productive rangeland ecosystems that vary widely in forage composition and nutrient availability. As such, supplementation is often necessary to offset dietary deficiencies. Soils and forages grown on rangelands are known to be highly variable in mineral content. Even so, a third to half of the producers in the Intermountain West choose not to provide a complete mineral supplement. Rangeland environments are often characterized by rugged geographical features that make optimal supplement placement difficult. New advances in technology have allowed us to measure individual animal intake on rangelands via …
Preserving The Past: Exploring The Last Frontier's Ecosystem Shifts And Biodiversity Of The Tallgrass Prairies,
2026
University of Arkansas, Fayetteville
Preserving The Past: Exploring The Last Frontier's Ecosystem Shifts And Biodiversity Of The Tallgrass Prairies, Gisell Maldonado, Amelia Villaseñor
Anthropology Undergraduate Honors Theses
In North America, grasslands are a cornerstone of the environment. Historically, the tallgrass prairie was expansive and reached from Manitoba in Canada to Texas. Today this unique ecosystem is highly fragmented and reduced, but it remains an important ecosystem for biodiversity and cattle management. While there are many complex ecological interactions in the prairie, recent research shows that large herbivores are vital in maintaining grasslands through grazing and other behaviors that reduce woody encroachment and support nutrient cycling. Here, we examine cow and bison dietary behaviors and connect these to the ecosystem services provided by these large herbivores. In the …
The Effect Of Including A Yeast Culture Containing Essential Oils In Receiving Cattle Diets On Growth Performance And Health,
2026
University of Arkansas, Fayetteville
The Effect Of Including A Yeast Culture Containing Essential Oils In Receiving Cattle Diets On Growth Performance And Health, Taylor Deanna Foster
Animal Science Undergraduate Honors Theses
Due to the increased risk of bacterial populations developing resistance to current antibiotics, consumer perceptions surrounding the utilization of antibiotics use in cattle, and the endemic incidence of bovine respiratory disease (BRD) among growing and finishing cattle, alternative management strategies to improve the health of cattle must be developed. The objective of this study was to evaluate the use of a supplement containing a yeast culture and an essential oils blend (YEO) on the health and growth performance of stocker calves at high-risk for BRD. Crossbred male beef calves (n = 185) received on two separate dates were used in …
Influence Of Increased Supplementation Of Organic-Complexed Zinc To Beef Cows During Gestation: Effects On Preweaning Health Of Offspring,
2026
University of Arkansas
Influence Of Increased Supplementation Of Organic-Complexed Zinc To Beef Cows During Gestation: Effects On Preweaning Health Of Offspring, Naija N. Sharpley
Animal Science Undergraduate Honors Theses
The objective of this study was to determine the effect of increasing zinc supplementation from organic-complexed sources to beef cows during gestation on calf performance. In May 2025, during gestation, Angus crossbred cows were confirmed pregnant with female sexed semen (n = 83) and enrolled in the current study. Cows (4.7 ± 2 years of age and 531 ± 84.4 kg body weight, mean ± standard deviation) were allotted to 4 groups (20 to 21 cows/group) based on, sire of heifer calf, cow age, and cow body weights taken at weaning. Assigned groups received 1 of 2 treatments (2 groups/treatment): …
Companion Parrot Vocal Learning And Reproduction Of Human Speech Sounds,
2026
University of Northern Colorado
Companion Parrot Vocal Learning And Reproduction Of Human Speech Sounds, Karla Vilches Castaño
Master's Theses
Vocal learning is rare among animals but is well developed in parrots, which can imitate novel sounds and, in captive settings, reproduce human speech. This study helps address a larger evolutionary question about vocal learning. Specifically, whether vocal learning ability is best understood as a single generalized trait or as a multi-dimensional system in which different acoustic features can be learned and reproduced with varying degrees of fidelity. This thesis quantifies how closely companion parrots match their human tutors across three acoustic dimensions (spectrographic structure, intensity contour, and pitch contour) and tests whether mimicry accuracy varies among individuals, differs between …
Sorghum Grain Secondary Metabolites And Underlying Genetics To Reduce Foodborne Pathogens In Poultry,
2026
Clemson University
Sorghum Grain Secondary Metabolites And Underlying Genetics To Reduce Foodborne Pathogens In Poultry, Maria A. Conti
All Dissertations
The rise in antibiotic-resistant pathogens poses a threat to the poultry industry's ability to maintain animal health, prompting growing interest in alternatives to synthetic antibiotics. The use of non-tannin sorghum [Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench] in poultry rations offers a valuable alternative, as this cereal grain has a high bioactive profile that can provide health benefits, including antimicrobial (AM) activity. The scope of this study was to examine the AM potential of non-tannin sorghum grain against Clostridium perfringens, a major foodborne pathogen that negatively impacts poultry health and production. To that end, the inhibitory effects of a non-tannin sorghum …
Foraging Plasticity And Mercury Contamination In Red-Legged Kittiwakes: A Multiple Stressor Perspective,
2026
Indiana State University
Foraging Plasticity And Mercury Contamination In Red-Legged Kittiwakes: A Multiple Stressor Perspective, Sam E. Clay
All-Inclusive List of Electronic Theses and Dissertations
Arctic seabirds are facing increasing stress from climate change, yet the interactive effects of multiple stressors on behavior remain poorly understood. Adopting a multiple stressor perspective promises to advance understanding of avian behavioral responses to climate change, as climate change is exposing Arctic and subarctic animals to a complex set of stressors rather than a single stressor in isolation. Using the red-legged kittiwake (Rissa brevirostris) as a model, I examined how multiple stressors, including mercury (Hg) exposure, shifting wind conditions, and varying foraging conditions linked to sea surface temperature (SST) may interact to constrain behavioral plasticity and energetically expensive behavior …
The Beat Behind The Bark: Investigating The Effects Of Music Tempo On Canine Physiological And Psychological States,
2026
University of South Alabama
The Beat Behind The Bark: Investigating The Effects Of Music Tempo On Canine Physiological And Psychological States, Marley Lanier
Poster Presentations
Music is a universal component of human culture that has been demonstrated influencing emotional, cognitive, and physiological responses, specifically heart rate and hormonal responses (Mehr et al., 2019; Trappe, 2012). Recently, this research has expended to explore how music may affect non-human animals, particularly dogs, due to their roles as therapy animals, service animals, and human companions (Lindig et al., 2020; Gee et al., 2021). Being able to understand how music influences canine stress and relaxation hold important applications in environments such as shelters, veterinary clinics, and at home. One important feature of music is tempo, or beats per minute …
Acute Effects Of The Psychoactive Pollutant Fluoxetine On The Antipredator Behavior Of The Gulf Killifish (Fundulus Grandis),
2026
University of South Alabama
Acute Effects Of The Psychoactive Pollutant Fluoxetine On The Antipredator Behavior Of The Gulf Killifish (Fundulus Grandis), Semyra Reus
Honors Theses
Pharmaceutical contaminants are increasingly prevalent in aquatic environments, yet their sublethal effects on ecologically relevant behaviors remain poorly understood, particularly in estuarine systems. Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), such as fluoxetine, are of particular concern due to the conserved role of serotonin in regulating behavior across vertebrates. Here, we investigated how acute exposure to environmentally relevant concentrations of fluoxetine influences anti-predator behavior in Gulf killifish (Fundulus grandis), a key estuarine fish commonly found in saltmarsh habitats. Killifish were exposed to control (0 ng/L), low (17.8 ng/L), and high (596 ng/L) fluoxetine concentrations and subsequently tested in the presence …
Improving Genomic Prediction For Feed Efficiency Traits In Beef Cattle Using Microbiome As An Intermediate Omics,
2026
University of Nebraska-Lincoln
Improving Genomic Prediction For Feed Efficiency Traits In Beef Cattle Using Microbiome As An Intermediate Omics, Egodage Bhagya Sewwandi Samarakoon
Department of Animal Science: Dissertations, Theses, and Student Research
Feed efficiency traits, including feed conversion ratio (FCR), average daily gain (ADG), and average daily dry matter intake (ADDMI), are economically important in beef cattle production. Emerging evidence suggests that host genetics influences feed efficiency traits through the microbiome. This study evaluates the integration of microbiome data as an intermediate layer in the Neural Network Mixed Model (NNMM), which hierarchically models genotype–microbiome–phenotype relationships as a unified regulatory network to improve genomic prediction accuracy. To reduce the computational burden of NNMM, microbiome features dimension were reduced using principal component analysis (PCA) and direct feature selection of top-ranked open reading frames (ORFs) …
The Detection Of Morbidity Using A Remote Sensing Ear Tag On Newly Received Steers And Feedlot Performance And The Effects Of Feeding Experior And Optaflexx On Carcass Characteristics And Meat Tenderness In Beef Steers,
2026
University of Nebraska-Lincoln
The Detection Of Morbidity Using A Remote Sensing Ear Tag On Newly Received Steers And Feedlot Performance And The Effects Of Feeding Experior And Optaflexx On Carcass Characteristics And Meat Tenderness In Beef Steers, Lauryn O. Smidt
Department of Animal Science: Dissertations, Theses, and Student Research
Two experiments were conducted to evaluate the effects of remote sensing health technology and growth-promoting feed additives on feedlot cattle performance, health outcomes, and carcass characteristics. In the first study, 638 crossbred steers (initial BW = 270 kg; SD = 18.6 kg) were used in a randomized block design to assess the effectiveness of a remote sensing ear tag (RST; HerdDogg, Seward, Nebraska) versus conventional pen-rider observation (PR) for detecting morbidity during a 35-d receiving period and subsequent 180-d finishing period. No differences were detected between PR and TAG for ending BW, average daily gain (ADG), dry matter intake (DMI), …
Carcass Mass And Cooling Dynamics As Determinants Of Beef Color, Tenderness, And Dark-Cutting Risk,
2026
University of Nebraska-Lincoln
Carcass Mass And Cooling Dynamics As Determinants Of Beef Color, Tenderness, And Dark-Cutting Risk, Grace C. Johnson
Department of Animal Science: Dissertations, Theses, and Student Research
Discoloration in beef has important implications to the beef industry. Dark-cutting (DC) beef remains one of the most economically significant color defects; however, industry prevalence has only marginally declined (≈ 0.1%) despite mitigation efforts. This lack of improvement largely stems from research focused on pre-harvest stress and glycogen depletion leading to dark, firm, and dry (DFD) beef. However, not all darkcutting beef originates from DFD phenotypes. Atypical dark-cutting (ATDC) phenotypes have recently been observed and do not exhibit the classic metabolic indicators of DFD. This trend coincides with steadily increasing carcass weights in the beef industry and raises the possibility …
Monitoring Biodiversity Growth In An Oyster Reef Restoration: Understanding How Oyster Reef Life Cycle May Impact Biodiversity.,
2026
CUNY Hunter College
Monitoring Biodiversity Growth In An Oyster Reef Restoration: Understanding How Oyster Reef Life Cycle May Impact Biodiversity., Gabriel A. Roses
Theses and Dissertations
Oyster reefs are vital to marine ecosystem health, improving water quality and providing food and habitat for diverse species. We assessed biodiversity changes for a proposed oyster reef restoration site to help guide management, future assessment, and deepen understanding of how oyster reefs function and their ecosystems dynamics.
Lipid Deposition In Beef Cattle,
2026
University of Nebraska-Lincoln
Lipid Deposition In Beef Cattle, Kyra L. Elliott
Department of Animal Science: Dissertations, Theses, and Student Research
Both the amount and types of lipid deposition in beef cattle are key determinants of carcass value and meat quality. Amounts of intramuscular, subcutaneous, and visceral fat influence carcass grading outcomes, palatability, and composition traits that are important to beef producers as well as consumers. The objectives of this thesis were to: 1) compare beef grading camera estimates of intramuscular fat to amounts of chemically extractable lipid, 2) characterize the lipidomes of beef intramuscular fat, subcutaneous fat, and lean muscle using shotgun lipidomics, and 3) identify and characterize a novel genetic variant in cattle that may have important implications for …
Characterization Of Activity Changes In Gilts During Estrus Using The NuTrack Livestock Monitoring System,
2026
University of Nebraska-Lincoln
Characterization Of Activity Changes In Gilts During Estrus Using The NuTrack Livestock Monitoring System, Emily P. Aquino
Department of Animal Science: Dissertations, Theses, and Student Research
Early and accurate detection of estrus in replacement gilts is essential for reproductive success and to ensure efficient production. The objective of this study was to evaluate activity changes occurring relative to first estrus of gilts and subsequent cycles. At ~ 110 days of age, 112 gilts were randomly assigned to 14 pens and placed under continuous video monitoring until the end of the trial at ~ 200 days of age. Daily boar exposure (~ 10 minutes per day) began at ~ 122 days of age. During this period, recorded observations included vulva scores (based on swelling and redness), mounting …
Evaluation Of Maternal Bovine Appeasing Substance Administration And Feed Access Time On Finishing Cattle Performance, Behavior, And Carcass Characteristics,
2026
University of Nebraska-Lincoln
Evaluation Of Maternal Bovine Appeasing Substance Administration And Feed Access Time On Finishing Cattle Performance, Behavior, And Carcass Characteristics, Carsten L. Loseke
Department of Animal Science: Dissertations, Theses, and Student Research
Novel products and bunk management techniques may significantly influence economically relevant performance metrics of feedlot cattle. The objective of the first experiment was to evaluate maternal Bovine Appeasing Substance (mBAS) administration on performance, carcass, health, and cortisol outcomes of yearling steers. Steers (n = 1,754, initial BW = 423 kg, SD = 25 kg) were received and assigned to pens for treatment allocation. Steers received either 10 mL of the mBAS or a mineral oil placebo at initial processing and reimplant. Hair samples were collected from a subset (n = 4 steers/pen) on d 0 and d 14. …
Integrating Growth Performance And Pathogen Detection To Investigate Disease Resilience In Commercial Swine,
2026
University of Nebraska-Lincoln
Integrating Growth Performance And Pathogen Detection To Investigate Disease Resilience In Commercial Swine, Emmalise Hope Marie Meyer
Department of Animal Science: Dissertations, Theses, and Student Research
Disease resilience is an important trait in commercial swine production, influencing both animal health and growth performance under natural disease challenge. The primary objective of this study was to integrate growth performance data with longitudinal pathogen detection to better understand factors contributing to disease resilience in commercial pigs. A population of 1,014 pigs across four batches was monitored from weaning through the grow-finish phase, with body weights collected to calculate average daily gain (ADG). Genome-wide association analyses were conducted using BayesC and BayesIM approaches to identify genomic regions associated with growth performance. Longitudinal pathogen surveillance was performed using pen-level oral …
