Dissertations / Theses: 'Animal Science and Zoology'

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Hacker, Charlotte. "The Examination of Enrichment Using Space and Food for African Elephants (Loxodonta Africana) at the San Diego Zoo Safari Park." TopSCHOLAR®, 2015. http://digitalcommons.wku.edu/theses/1547.

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Concern for elephant welfare in zoological facilities has prompted a number of exhibit and management modifications, including those involving enrichment. Knowledge of how these changes impact measures of health and wellbeing, such as elephant movement and behavior, is crucial as the effects of multiple enrichment types and their interactions are largely understudied. The present study used observations and GPS unit collected data to determine the effects of space and food on the walking distance and behavior of thirteen African elephants, whose dominance structure was ascertained by the handlers at the San Diego Zoo Safari Park (SDZSP). This facility has two exhibits of approximately equal size. Three treatments were created to assess the effects of food and space enrichment: (1) access to half of the exhibit with food (Half); (2) access to both yards with food in one yard, or half the total exhibit space (Both/Half); and (3) access to both yards with food in both (Both). To account for mirrored effects, the reverse for Half and Both/Half were also completed. Significant differences across treatments were revealed for average total walking distances, which varied among elephants belonging to different dominance groups. Overall, treatment Both evoked the most diverse behavior. Walking and behavioral data were related, as were walking distances and elephant dominance rank. No such relationships were found between dominance and behavioral measures. The information obtained from this study has direct implications for the management of the SDZSP elephants and could be applicable for elephants at other facilities that consider the choices between increasing the size of exhibits and the use of other forms of enrichment.

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Gratke, Emily D. "Menageries Multiple: An Introduction to Zoological Multiplicity in the Modern American Zoo." Scholarship @ Claremont, 2017. http://scholarship.claremont.edu/scripps_theses/1059.

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American zoological parks have been sites of intense consumer and scholar interest since their origination in the 20th century. Today, zoos reside at a tenacious hub of ideologies, practices, and priorities contributed to by various stakeholder groups. I propose that the foundational cause of this tension is zoological multiplicity: the theory that through human practices and perceptions, animals can embody multiple identities. Via an exploration of zoological multiplicity in American zoos with specific focus on zoo management, zoogoer, and animal activist stakeholder groups, this project proposes the widespread acknowledgment and understanding of zoological multiplicity as a method to improve animal care and global wildlife conservation projects.

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Baker, Melia. "Skeletal Development in Oviparous and Viviparous Populations of Saiphos equalis." Digital Commons @ East Tennessee State University, 2011. https://dc.etsu.edu/honors/129.

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Fazio, Jilian M. "Assessment of adrenal activity and reproductive cycles during captive management in the fishing cat (Prionailurus viverrinus)." Thesis, George Mason University, 2016. http://pqdtopen.proquest.com/#viewpdf?dispub=10140296.

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Fishing cats (Prionailurus viverrinus) are a small felid found primarily throughout Southeast Asia. Wild populations have been rapidly dwindling due to degradation and loss of habitat along with retribution killings. Captive populations have been established throughout the world to help ensure this species persists. In North America, Species Survival Programs (SSP) are committees formed within the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA) to help manage captive populations of threatened and endangered species. The SSPs are made up of a group of species-specific experts dedicated to sustaining a healthy captive population that can serve to educate the public and potentially replenish dwindling wild populations if needed in the future. The SSPs make breeding recommendations for each species based on genetics, age and keeper intuition. Often because of a genetically valuable animal’s age, there is only one chance to create a successful breeding pair. It was hypothesized that individual fishing cats would differ in their adrenocorticol response during transfer between institutions and during breeding introductions. The prediction was that glucocorticoid levels would have a direct correlation with the manner in which the individuals are managed and overall breeding success.

The study ultimately had four objectives: 1. Examine the current management and breeding behaviors of captive fishing cats. 2. Validate a glucocorticoid assay for longitudinal monitoring of exogenous stressors on adrenocortical activity in males and females. 3. Determine relationship between adrenal activity and gonadal function in females. 4. Characterize temperament within the population and correlate with behavioral traits, breeding success and adrenal activity.

The study ran from 2010-2013 monitoring 27 (13 male; 14 female) fishing cats at 17 institutions which included 15 unique breeding pairs and 20 transfers (13 males, 7 females), which occurred primarily in the fall (62%). Validation of a single antibody cortisol enyzme immunoassay (R4866 supplied by C.J. Munro, University of California, Davis, CA, USA) was performed using standard assay validation. In addition, an adrenocorticotropin challenge revealed peak glucocorticoids metabolites (GCM) occur approximately 21 hours after adrenal stimulation. Longitudinal monitoring revealed significant elevations in GCM concentrations during institutional transfers lasting 54 ± 16 days indicating most individuals take at least three months to settle into a new facility after translocation. Most initial physical breeding introductions during this study (83%) occurred within that timeframe. Mate compatibility seems rigid with pairs copulating between 39-289 days after quarantine release, or not at all, indicating a one year trial period for pairs is sufficient to determine potential breeding success. Increases 4-10x in baseline GCM concentrations were observed during periods of chronic illness (i.e. hepatitis) and therefore could be used to help diagnose acute health concerns in this species.

Reproductive activity occurred throughout the year and was not impacted by institutional transfers. Natural pregnancies (n = 5) all occurred March-July and 67% of females exhibited one or more periods of anestrus lasting 66-181 days beginning most often April-August (67%). Highest mean progestogen and estrogen concentrations occurred between December and August. Differences in peak estrogens, occurring approximately 8 days (range 0-30) into non-pregnant luteal phases (NPLP) and 40 days (range 32-49 days) into a pregnancy may help distinguish the two. A high percentage of females (58%) exhibited spontaneous ovulation during the study period with no clear ovulation mechanism. Ovulation may be influenced by age or induced by external stimuli, other than intromission during copulation - such as semiochemicals detected in shared enclosure spaces or tactile contact through mesh enclosures. The species high reliance on aquatic habitats also may lend itself to resource dependant stimulation of the hypothalamus pituitary gonadal axis, such as annual rainfall or access to large pools of water, which bears further investigation.

Recommendations include transfers in the late spring or early summer of males allowing at least three months post quarantine release for physical introductions, to allow the tranferred individual time to return to baseline GCM concentrations before experiencing another stressful event (breeding introductions). Institutions with breeding pairs can improve breeding success via reducing fishing cat stress levels with positive animal keeper interaction through training and providing indoor off-exhibit refuge areas. It is also suggested that videotaping breeding introductions and providing at least 1-2 nest boxes for females may all contribute to greater captive breeding success in the fishing cat.

The information gained by this study provides an outline for fishing cat SSP managers on how this species is managed in captivity. It also provides a solid foundation of longitudinal monitoring of adrenal activity and provides recommendations for the future sustainability of the ex situ population. (Abstract shortened by ProQuest.)

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Armstrong, Debbie Maree. "The role of vocal communication in the biology of fledgling and juvenile kea (Nestor notabilis) in Aoraki/Mount Cook National Park : a thesis submitted in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Science in Zoology in the University of Canterbury /." Thesis, University of Canterbury. Biological Sciences, 2004. http://hdl.handle.net/10092/1316.

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The kea is the only parrot species in the world to include the true alpine environment as part of their habitat. Survival in these harsh alpine conditions has been hypothesised to be the cause of the generalist behaviour of kea, leading to their heightened explorative behaviour and curiosity. Kea are also widely regarded as being extraordinarily intelligent. It is their intelligence that suggests that kea may possess a sophisticated communication system. I conducted a study exploring the potentially complex vocal repertoire of the kea. My study was conducted with wild population of banded juvenile and fledgling kea in Aoraki/Mount Cook National Park between February 2003 and April 2004. I obtained 449 vocalisations from 16 identified and several unidentified kea. The results of this study confirmed that the vocal repertoire of the kea is exceptionally large for a parrot species, encompassing over 17 vocalisations. This study revealed five vocalisations previously undescribed in the kea repertoire and showed for the first time that vocal repertoire of immature kea may be different to the repertoire of adult kea. Two possible gender specific vocalisations were also revealed. The study of apparent vocal responses revealed that kea appear to be able to identify vocalisation types and respond accordingly using combinations of increasingly complex vocalisations. This is also the first study to take advantage of the similarity between human and parrot vocal systems for the kea, by utilizing powerful human speech analysis software. The results of this analysis allowed the identification of subtle differences in kea vocalisations, including the presence of graded signals, not identifiable by use of spectrogram analysis.

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Wark, Jason D. "The influence of the sound environment on the welfare of zoo-housed callitrichine monkeys." Case Western Reserve University School of Graduate Studies / OhioLINK, 2015. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=case1433496564.

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Cless, Isabelle T. "A Dissection of Pacing in Zoo-Housed Polar Bears: How Details of the Behavior Can Suggest Motivational and Causal Factors." Case Western Reserve University School of Graduate Studies / OhioLINK, 2015. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=case1435017139.

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Baird, Bonnie Ann Baird. "Ambassador Animal Welfare: Using Behavioral and Physiological Indicators to Assess the Well-Being of Animals Used for Education Programs in Zoos." Case Western Reserve University School of Graduate Studies / OhioLINK, 2018. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=case1522956181121788.

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Beecher, Nancy A. "Frog declines exploring connections among climate change, immunity and disease /." [Bloomington, Ind.] : Indiana University, 2006. http://gateway.proquest.com/openurl?url_ver=Z39.88-2004&rft_val_fmt=info:ofi/fmt:kev:mtx:dissertation&res_dat=xri:pqdiss&rft_dat=xri:pqdiss:3243772.

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Thesis (Ph.D.)--Indiana University, Dept. of Biology, 2006.
Title from PDF t.p. (viewed Nov. 18, 2008). Source: Dissertation Abstracts International, Volume: 67-12, Section: B, page: 6837. Advisers: Greg E. Demas; Craig Nelson.

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Wagman, Jason Daniel. "The Effects of Feeding Enrichment on Behavioral Measures of Animal Welfare in Four Bear Species." Case Western Reserve University School of Graduate Studies / OhioLINK, 2015. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=case1433516900.

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Thiele, Claire Elizabeth. "Dominance behavior within captive zebra finches (Taeniopygia guttata)." Kent State University Honors College / OhioLINK, 2018. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=ksuhonors1526413821772221.

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Vandersommers, Daniel A. "Laboratories, Lyceums, Lords: The National Zoological Park and the Transformation of Humanism in Nineteenth-Century America." The Ohio State University, 2014. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=osu1399640141.

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Anness, Lorna Margaret. "Social relationships of infants of resident females and infants of immigrant females in mountain gorillas (Gorilla gorilla beringei)." Scholarly Commons, 1990. https://scholarlycommons.pacific.edu/uop_etds/2198.

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This study compares social behavior of infants of resident mothers and infants of immigrant mothers in social groups of the mountain gorilla, Gorilla gorilla beringei. Infants of immigrant mothers spent more time in proximity to their mothers during group resting. They spent more time in solo play and less time in social play during group feeding. Their opportunity for social interaction with peers may be restricted mostly to group rest periods and their social play levels during this time are higher than infants with resident mothers. However, during both group resting and feeding they spent less time near other infants and they initiated fewer dyadic play bouts.

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Olson, Monica A. "Preliminary observations of the ecology and behavior of the primates of North Pagai Island; Hylobates klossii, Macaca pagensis, Presbytis potenziani, and Simias concolor." Scholarly Commons, 1992. https://scholarlycommons.pacific.edu/uop_etds/2227.

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The following study was conducted from August to November of 1991 on North Pagai Island in the Mentawai Archipelago, Indonesia. The purpose of the study was to obtain preliminary information on the ecology and behavior of the four Mentawai endemic primates: Hylobatcs klossii, Macaca pagensis, Presbytis potenziani, and Simias concolor. All four species are considered endangered due to human activities, especially hunting and various forms of habitat destruction. Therefore, the present critical status of these primates makes their conservation and that of the Mentawai Islands' rain forest a priority. It appears that resource partitioning occurs among the four primate species, M. pagensis occupied all vegetation levels and was less arboreal relative to the other three species which were primarily arboreal. All four species were found in forest habitat with S. concolor also occurring in forest swamp. M. pagensis and P. potenziani were found throughout the study area and only P. potenziani occupied coastal swamp. In addition, it is hypothesized here that for many P. potenziani groups, sleeping trees are located outside of the primary forest and these groups migrate on a daily basis to the forest. As a result, this may reduce interspecific competition since this species and H. klossii overlap in terms of resource use. Group size and composition are discussed and a monogamous social organization was identified for H. klossii and P. potenziani while M. pagensis. was found to form polygamous families. S. concolor is identified as forming one-male polygamous groups, however, based on my observations it might initially be interpreted that this species formed monogamous groups in the study area. Most behaviors, such as parental care, aggression, grooming, play, and feeding behavior, were rarely observed due to the wanness of these primates. Alarm response to detection of humans is discussed and distraction-like behaviors are described for each of the species. Population density was determined for each species and these values corresponded to those found in other studies although all values in this study were relatively low compared to other studies.

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Burns, Zackory T. "Quantifying the sociality of wild tool-using New Caledonian crows through an animal-borne technology." Thesis, University of Oxford, 2014. http://ora.ox.ac.uk/objects/uuid:16db8026-53e4-4fb0-aa69-80d7cc34e183.

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New Caledonian crows (NC crows; Corvus moneduloides) are the most prolific avian tool-users and crafters, using up to three unique tool types derived from numerous plant materials. Since the discovery that wild populations of NC crows use and manufacture different tools in different locations with no measured environmental correlates to these distributions, the process by which NC crows acquire their tool-oriented behavior has been investigated. Two major findings were discovered in 2005: NC crows have a genetic predisposition to manipulate stick like objects, and they increase their rate of manipulation when exposed to social influences. Since then, much of the research into the sociality of wild NC crows has focused on direct social influences, especially the parent-juvenile relationship, yet no social network of wild NC crows has been described. In my thesis, I characterized a new proximity-logging device, Encounternet, and outline a four-step plan to assess error in animal borne devices; uncovered drivers, such as relatedness, space-use, and environmental factors, of wild NC crow sociality, and experimentally manipulated the social network, revealing immediate changes to the number of day-time and roosting partners, the breakdown of first-order relatedness driving sociality, and an increase in the amount of time NC crows associate; and revealed an indirect pathway via tools left behind by conspecifics allowing for the transmission of tool-properties between unrelated NC crows. Altogether, I furthered our understanding of wild NC crow sociality through the use of an animal-borne device, experimental manipulation in the wild measuring the response of the NC crow social network, and demonstrated the utility of animal-borne devices in mapping the network of a population of wild birds.

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Rylander, Tilde. "The Whistle caller concept - Signature whistles as call-over signals for Bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops truncatus) under human care." Thesis, Linköpings universitet, Institutionen för fysik, kemi och biologi, 2021. http://urn.kb.se/resolve?urn=urn:nbn:se:liu:diva-176922.

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Dolphins use stereotyped, individually distinctive, frequency modulated whistles, referred to as signature whistles, in order to broadcast their identity. In this study, we trained six dolphins at Kolmården Zoo, Sweden, to be called over, either upon hearing their own signature whistle (SW) or upon hearing a biologically irrelevant ”trivial” sound (TS), with the aim to prove the Whistle caller concept. The Whistle caller concept is based on the fact that dolphins occasionally use other dolphins’ signature whistles in order to address specific group members and convene. Our hypotheses were that (1) dolphins call-over trained using their SW would learn the behaviour faster than dolphins trained using TSs, and (2) dolphins trained with their SW would be able to discriminate between different SWs better than dolphins trained with a TS would be at discriminating between different TSs. Three out of three dolphins were successfully call-over trained using their SW, and two out of three dolphins using their assigned TS. When discriminating between different sounds, two of the dolphins trained using their SW performed significantly better than one of the dolphins trained using a TS. However, there were large intra-group differences in the results, indicating that we cannot eliminate the possibility that these results stem from individual differences in these dolphins’ ability to learn new behaviours overall, rather than an understanding of the sounds they heard. We suggest that future studies focus on (1) male-female differences in discrimination success when applying the Whistle caller concept, (2) how the characteristics of the trivial sounds affect discrimination success, and (3) the option of calling more than one animal at a time by sending out several SWs in succession.

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Roberts, Danielle Renee. "In vitro and in vivo genetic stability of the rabies ERA glycoprotein expression cassette of AdRG13, a recombinant adenovirus vaccine against rabies." Thesis, University of Ottawa (Canada), 2005. http://hdl.handle.net/10393/27023.

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The genetic stability of the rabies glycoprotein (G) expression cassette of AdRG1.3 was examined using both in vitro and in vivo models. For the in vitro study, the AdRG1.3 vaccine was serially passaged 20 times in 293 cell culture and from the twentieth passage a total of 67 AdRG1.3 virus clones were obtained. The G gene expression cassette (including an SV40 polyadenylation signal sequence) along with flanking human adenovirus type 5 sequences were amplified from these clones using PCR to generate an amplified product approximately 2.25 kb long. These products were then purified and subjected to DNA sequence analysis. No changes were observed in the 1870 nucleotide sequence window (containing both the G gene (1572 nt) and the SV40 polyA sequence (132 nt)) of any of the 67 clones. Findings show that the G gene insert is stably expressed in a conformationally appropriate form by the recombinant HAd5 vector. The genetic stability of the G gene cassette of AdRG1.3 was also evaluated upon in vivo passage using five independent series of cotton rats (Sigmodon hispidus). From the fifth in vivo passage of AdRG1.3, a total of 105 virus clones were obtained from these five independent series of animals. The complete G gene expression cassette was amplified from these clones by PCR and sequenced as for the in vitro study; no base changes were observed in the targeted 1870 nucleotide sequence window of any of these clones. Therefore, these results show that the G gene expression cassette of AdRG1.3 remains stable within the adenovirus vector upon passage of the vaccine both in cell culture and in animals. (Abstract shortened by UMI.)

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Davis, Ancilleno Orlando. "Changing Perspectives on Citizen Science Using eBird Data on Grand Bahama Island, The Bahamas." Miami University / OhioLINK, 2018. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=miami1544646631610586.

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Middleton, Danielle Mary Rose Lea. "The prevalence of Salmonella and the spatial distribution of its serovars amongst New Zealand's native lizards : a thesis presented in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Science in Zoology at Massey University, Palmerston North, New Zealand." Massey University, 2008. http://hdl.handle.net/10179/906.

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This thesis considers the prevalence and spatial distribution of Salmonella serovars amongst wild endemic lizards on offshore islands around the coast of New Zealand. The mean test prevalence of faecal excretion of Salmonella was 4.7%. Skinks (Scincidae) were more likely (8.5%) to be carriers of Salmonella than geckos (1.6%). Each island was host to between one and three Salmonella serovars that were not found on any other islands in this study. Two exceptions were Salmonella Bousso and Salmonella Mana which were found on two islands within the same geographical area. Based on the findings of this study, different islands are likely to be hosts to different Salmonella serovars which could have implications for future translocations of native lizards. I also assessed the prevalence and spatial distribution of faecal excretion of Salmonella, Aeromonas and Hafnia alvei within Mana Island. The prevalence of Salmonella on Mana Island was estimated at 5.8%. Salmonella was found predominantly in skinks (10.0%) and less often in geckos (4.1%). H. alvei was found at a prevalence of 1.9%. No Aeromonas species were cultured from any of the cloacal swabs, suggesting that the 95% confidence interval for the true prevalence is 0-3%. Each site sampled in this study was host to one or more unique serovar of Salmonella not found at any of the other sites. The results of this study indicate that Salmonella serovars may become established within populations of lizards and is not spread between them. This may be due to a lack of dispersal of lizards between sites, raising important considerations for the translocation of native lizards. I investigated the prevalence of faecal excretion of Salmonella, H. alvei and Aeromonas by New Zealand native lizards from two captive populations. The mean prevalence of faecal excretion of Salmonella in the captive lizards sampled was 11.5%. There was a higher prevalence of Salmonella within captive population A (22.0%) than in population B (3.6%). No Aeromonas was cultured from any of the lizards. H. alvei was found at a prevalence of 5.2%. The prevalence of Salmonella and H. alvei was significantly higher in captive lizards than in wild populations. Captive lizards may, therefore, not be appropriate founders for new populations of wild lizards. Finally I assessed the different efficiencies of two media and two temperatures in isolating six Salmonella serovars from a reptilian source. All serovars grew equally well at 37°C and 27°C. For most serovars XLD agar was the more successful media than MacConkey agar but the success of different culture media depended on the serovar being cultured. Because lizards are frequently host to a wide range of Salmonella serovars, screening samples using multiple microbiological methods is likely to give the best chance of isolating all Salmonella serovars present.

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Maxwell, Rhianne Morgan Le. "Modifying the Mineral Profile of Crickets (Acheta domesticus) Using a Supplemented Diet." DigitalCommons@CalPoly, 2018. https://digitalcommons.calpoly.edu/theses/1907.

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Captive insectivores may consume invertebrates as all, or part of their overall diet. The challenge with feeding captive insectivores involves the limited number of invertebrate species that are commercially available, and the lack of key nutrients provided by these insects. Among these insects, a naturally occurring low concentration of calcium and an inverse calcium to phosphorus ratio may put insectivores at the risk of developing hypocalcemia. A strategy to correct this nutrient imbalance involves supplementing the insect diet with high concentrations of targeted nutrients – a term referred to as gut-loading. Current industry guidelines recommend feeding a supplemented diet for 48 to 72 h before offering the insect to an insectivore. In the present study, the mineral profile of adult crickets (Acheta domesticus) offered a maintenance diet (1.58% Ca, DMB) are compared to crickets offered a supplemented diet (11.32% Ca, DMB) over 120 h. The supplemented diet produced a cricket with significantly higher calcium concentration compared to the maintenance diet. The calcium concentration of crickets offered the supplemented diet was highest at 48 h (0.63%), but did not achieve a 1:1 Ca:P ratio nor meet the lowest reported nutrient requirements of carnivorous reptiles, omnivorous reptiles, or an insectivorous bird at various life stages. Although the supplemented diet improved the whole body calcium concentration in feeder crickets, the crickets do not provide adequate calcium, iron, or manganese to meet the requirement of insectivores. As evidenced by the current study, the supplemented crickets are not recommended to serve as the sole source of nutrition for an insectivore.

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Pohlman, Douglas W. "Preliminary observations of the Mentawai snub-nosed langur (Simias concolor) on islets in the south Pagai region, Mentawai, West Sumatra : habitat, behavior, and conservation." Scholarly Commons, 1989. https://scholarlycommons.pacific.edu/uop_etds/2186.

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The colobine monkey Simias concolor, endemic to the Mentawai Islands, West Sumatra, Indonesia, was studied on two is l ets adjacent to South Pagai. Habitat on these islands was observed and described, and observations were made there from September to November 1987. Group sizes ranged from 2 to >10. Population density may vary with habitat structure. Social groups appear to include one or more females. Contrary to some reports, male and female animals are sexually dimorphic. Inability to identify specific animals or groups prevented mapping of home range areas. Observations are correlated with what has been previously reported about this animal. Future research could be focused on further studies of habitat use and ranging behavior, determination of Simias population densities in possible reserve areas, interspecific interactions, and dietary composition. Without such studies, it is unlikely that adequate management plans can be devised. Prospects for the conservation of this species are reviewed. Suggestions which have been advanced to promote its conservation are also evaluated. The fate of this animal is strongly linked to local, provincial, and national cultural and developmental factors. These include forestry operations, agriculture, hunting, population growth, and transmigration plans.

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Pokhrel, Lok Raj. "Mapping the Dorsal Skin Pigmentation Patterns of Two Sympatric Populations of Ambystomatid Salamanders, Ambystoma opacum and A. maculatum from Northeast Tennessee." Digital Commons @ East Tennessee State University, 2009. https://dc.etsu.edu/etd/1784.

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Because of growing concern of habitat fragmentation and its adverse effects on salamander communities in Appalachian region, sympatric populations of ambystomatid salamanders A. opacum and A. maculatum were studied in Northeast Tennessee to address a number of questions: i) the extent of sexual size dimorphism (SSD) in both species, ii) what traits influence the dorsal skin pigmentation and how, iii) whether gender differences in developmental stability occur, and iv) the extent of phenotypic variation within each species. The findings of this study revealed SSD in both species of salamanders. The most parsimonious statistical model was developed that explained the influence of body mass, dorsal body area, and sex on development of dorsal white pigmentation in marbled salamanders. Data on asymmetry indicate that females are under more stress than males in marbled salamanders, while for spotted salamanders nonsignificant asymmetry is indicative of similar level of stress in both sexes. Data on coefficient of variation (CV) suggest stabilizing selection on optimal body size and mass in female marbled salamanders compared to males; however, for spotted salamanders CV indicates relatively similar selection pressure for body size and mass for both sexes.

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Devor, Devin Patrick. "Effects of Hyperoxia on Thermal Tolerance and Indicators of Hypoxic Stress in Antarctic Fishes That Differ in Expression of Oxygen-Binding Proteins." Ohio University / OhioLINK, 2013. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=ohiou1362666619.

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Burk, Steffanie V. "DETECTION OF ANTIBODIES AGAINST PARASCARIS EQUORUM EXCRETORY-SECRETORY ANTIGENS." UKnowledge, 2013. http://uknowledge.uky.edu/animalsci_etds/21.

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Parascaris equorum is a nematode parasite that infects young horses, sometimes causing unthriftiness, respiratory signs, or intestinal impaction in severe cases. Infection can be diagnosed by detection of eggs in feces, but this is only possible after the worms are fully mature. The goal of this study was to develop an antibody-based test for prepatent diagnosis of P. equorum infection. To produce western blot (WB) antigen, P. equorum larvae were cultured for collection of excretory-secretory antigens (ESA). Sera from 18 pregnant broodmares, their subsequent foals, and a group of 12 older mares and geldings were analyzed. In order to check for cross-reactivity between P. equorum and other ascarid species and equine parasites, additional sera were analyzed. Sera from a horse with monospecific P. equorum infection was compared to horses with monospecific Strongyloides westeri or cyathostome infections, rabbits inoculated with Baylisascaris procyonis or Toxocara canis eggs, dogs naturally infected with T. canis, and rabbits immunized with B. procyonis or P. equorum ESA. Molecular weights of silver-stained P. equorum larval ESA ranged between 12 to 94 kDa. In WB analysis, sera from 94% of broodmares contained IgG(T) antibody that recognized multiple P. equorum larval ESA. Foals showed no IgG(T) antibodies pre-suckle, but antibodies similar to their dams were observed post-suckle and thereafter. Of the older mares and geldings, 58% had IgG(T) antibodies recognizing larval ESA. Serum IgG(T) antibodies against P. equorum larval ESA were also found in parasite-free and monospecific infection equine sera. Ascarid positive foals did not produce detectable amounts of IgE or IgM antibodies against larval ESA. When P. equorum, T. canis, and B. procyonis antibody reactivity was compared, antigens at 19 kDa and 34 kDa had the highest potential for identification of larval P. equorum infections. When immature adult P. equorum ESA was examined, IgG(T) antibody recognition was demonstrated in 50% of broodmares and 17% of the older horses, and appeared several weeks prior to patency in foal serum. Results indicate that IgG(T) antibodies against P. equorum ESA are common in mature horses, and are transferred from mare to foal, limiting the diagnostic potential of an antibody-based test.

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Brandt, Erin. "Externally-Expressed Fluorescence across Sexes, Life Stages, and Species of Spiders." PDXScholar, 2012. https://pdxscholar.library.pdx.edu/open_access_etds/893.

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Although all spiders possess fluorophores in their hemolymph, the expression of external fluorescence is much more restricted. The purpose of this study was to evaluate differences in externally-expressed fluorescence between sexes, life stages, and species of spiders. To approach this question, we developed novel instrumentation to capture fluorescence with photographs of our specimens. We paired these fluorescence measurements with spectrometer measurements to attempt to determine the role that fluorescence plays in the overall coloration in spiders. The study was divided into four sections. First, we examined how fluorescence varies in sexes and life stages in Misumena vatia, an ambush predator that typically preys on insects when they are on flowers. We found that adult females possess brighter external fluorescence than males in all body areas that we measured. We also found that external fluorescence remains relatively similar through life stages in females, but darkens over the course of a male's life. It is likely that the differences between males and females relate to differences in feeding ecology. External fluorescence may contribute to a visual signal allowing females to visually blend in with flowers. The second study involved a series of experiments to determine whether freezing spiders at a temperature of -80°C affects their fluorescence intensity. In spiders considered “white thomisids”, fluorescence intensity increased after freezing, whereas fluorescence brightness in darker-pigmented spiders did not change to any similar extent. It seems likely that tissue trauma due to freezing is the cause of increased fluorescence intensity after freezing. The third study examined fluorescence brightness across ages and life stages of Araneus diadematus, a spider which is exposed to the sun, but builds large webs in which to snare prey. We found that, unlike M. vatia, adult males are the more brightly fluorescent sex, with adult females and all immature life stages possessing significantly less bright external fluorescence. It is unclear why these differences exist, but differences in ecology between adult males and all other life stages could play a role. Additionally, dim fluorescence may contribute to subtle patterning and/or convey photoprotection benefits to immatures and adult females. In the final study, we examined external fluorescence across the Thomisidae family. Because of a relatively large number of species with a small sample size, we divided them into “white” and “dark” thomisids based on taxonomy and what is known about ecology. The white thomisids tend to be prey on insects on the exposed surfaces of flowers, whereas dark thomisids more often reside in leaf litter and crevices. We found that white thomisids fluoresce more brightly than dark thomisids. There were no differences between the sexes in either group, however. The differences between white and dark thomisids may be related to differences in feeding ecology, whereas males and females of the same group tend to have similar ecological characteristics, and also possess similar levels of fluorescence brightness.

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Vergamini, Marie. "Managing Sociality of a Captive Female Bornean Orangutan from Breeding to Post-partum at The Smithsonian's National Zoo." VCU Scholars Compass, 2017. https://scholarscompass.vcu.edu/etd/5161.

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The Association of Zoos and Aquariums’ Orangutan Species Survival Plan® aims to maintain 100 Bornean orangutans (Pongo pygmaeus) in captivity. Because investment in breeding these lineages is high, properly managing sociality of potential mothers is essential. This study assessed how behaviors of a captive breeding female at the Smithsonian’s National Zoo changed from pre-gestation through the offspring’s sixth month of age to improve breeding recommendations. The infant Bornean orangutan was born September 2016. Results indicate that during breeding, the mother socialized most with two adult females. During pregnancy, the pregnant female socialized in less energy-consuming ways, i.e. grooming. Post-partum socialization and proximity data suggest a shift in female affiliation. The presence of another female with maternal experience may be beneficial to the rearing of new offspring. These results can help guide socialization management for pregnant captive orangutans to improve breeding outcomes.

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Schwartz, Emily M. "DIGESTIBILITY OF TWO COMPLETE PELLETED DIETS BY THE HORSE (EQUUS CABALLUS) AS A MODEL ANIMAL FOR NONDOMESTIC HINDGUT FERMENTERS." DigitalCommons@CalPoly, 2015. https://digitalcommons.calpoly.edu/theses/1505.

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Estimating nutrient and energy requirements of exotic animals is a necessary component of nutrition management in zoos and other wildlife facilities. In the absence of species-specific data, domestic animal models are often referenced. Herbivorous hindgut fermenters, such as horses, zebra, and rhinoceros, rely on microbial fermentation in the cecum and colon to utilize dietary structural carbohydrates. The study objective was to measure the digestible energy of two (LOW, HIGH) complete pelleted diets by the horse as a model for nondomestic hindgut fermenters. Seven, individually housed, adult Quarter Horse (Equus caballus) geldings were assigned to one of two diets as 100% of intake in a randomized crossover design. Experimental diets both contained similar ingredients including soybean oil as an added source of supplemental fat (LOW 1.7%, HIGH 6.9%). Diets differed in predicted digestible energy (LOW 2.29 Mcal/kg, HIGH 2.85 Mcal/kg, DE), ether extract (LOW 4.00%, HIGH 7.41%, EE), and acid detergent fiber (LOW 33.7%, HIGH 26.2%, ADF). Daily feed quantities were offered at 33.3 kcal DE BWkg-1 equally distributed over three meals to maintain target BW. Daily feed intake was quantified. Horses had ab libitum access to water. Horses were transitioned from all forage to 100% test diet over 14 d, acclimated to the test feed for 19 d prior to 4 d acclimation and 6 d total fecal collection using hygiene collection harnesses (Equi-San Marketing Pty Ltd). Diet transition between periods occurred over 8 d. Total fecal output was quantified every 8 h, thoroughly mixed and 10% of measured mass output was subsampled for further analysis. Body weights (BW) recorded weekly did not change significantly throughout the trial (P = 0.420). Apparent digestibility of diet within horse and day was evaluated by a nested ANOVA (Minitab 16). The apparent digestibility of EE (P < 0.000), neutral detergent fiber (P = 0.008), and ADF (P = 0.002) differed between the two diets. Apparent digestibility of DM (P = 0.137), OM (P = 0.140), and GE (P = 0.418) were not different. Excess fat not digested and absorbed in the small intestine (by-pass fat) will enter the hindgut and may cause disruption of normal microbial activity. Additionally soybean oil, when consumed in quantities that allow by-pass to occur, has been shown to have a negative effect on fiber digestibility in hindgut fermenters. A negative effect on fiber digestibility in the higher fat diet could result in diets closer in DM, OM, and GE digestibility than initially predicted. The NRC (2007) recommends that no more than 0.7 g/kg BW/d of soybean oil be fed to the horse. The HIGH diet provided 0.91 g/kg BW/d soybean oil. Feeds that contain concentrations higher than recommended may not be appropriate as the sole dietary ingredient of hindgut fermenters. Further studies are needed to evaluate the use of soybean oil and to determine the threshold at which soybean oil will begin to suppress hindgut fiber digestion. In vivo measurements of digestibility in model species may provide useful benchmarks from which diets for nondomestic hindgut fermenters, as well as horses, may be formulated.

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Criswell, Joni M. "Multimodal Communication in the Panamanian Golden Frog (Atelopus zeteki)." Columbus, Ohio : Ohio State University, 2008. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc%5Fnum=osu1228224476.

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Paduano, Mary Elizabeth. "Tuning of the middle ear in túngara frogs ( Engystomops pustulosus)." Scholarly Commons, 2014. https://scholarlycommons.pacific.edu/uop_etds/187.

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To effectively communicate using sound, animals have to hear well in the frequency range of their calls. In frogs, body size is a major predictor of both the dominant frequency of the mating call, and the frequency of best sensitivity of the ear, which tend to match each other. Various pathways are known to receive sound in frogs. Eardrums receive high-frequency sound, lungs receive low-frequency sound and forelegs, via the opercularis system, receive seismic frequencies. Túngara frogs are an anomaly among amphibians for having a low frequency mate-identification call, relative to their body size, but they also do not appear to fit the pattern of sound reception pathways described above. Using laser vibrometry, I evaluated the vibration response of the eardrum and body wall to airborne sound. The results revealed a clear mismatch between the tuning of both middle ear and lungs, and that of the brain, with the eardrums and lungs tuned to approximately 2500 Hz and the brain tuned to 500 Hz. Both eardrums and lungs are well tuned to receive chucks, an ornamental part of the call. However, a pathway that is tuned to the whine, which is the mate-identification call where the brain is tuned, has yet to be found.

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Campbell, Lacey D. "Behavior and success in web contests between an invading Pholcus spider and a local congener." Miami University / OhioLINK, 2015. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=miami1448897251.

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Cave, Ashley E. "Grey treefrog tadpole development and behavior altered by dicamba herbicide exposure." Wittenberg University Honors Theses / OhioLINK, 2021. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=wuhonors1623757491963071.

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Phero, James Alexander. "How to Dissect a Cat: A Video Tutorial." Miami University Honors Theses / OhioLINK, 2009. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=muhonors1240269293.

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Laslie, Kathryn C. "Investigations of Biotremors in the Veiled Chameleon (Chamaeleo calyptratus)." TopSCHOLAR®, 2018. https://digitalcommons.wku.edu/theses/3067.

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While substrate-borne vibrations are utilized by different reptile species, true conspecific communication via biotremors has not yet been demonstrated in reptiles. This study follows a preliminary report that the veiled chameleon (Chamaeleo calyptratus) could produce biotremors in communicative contexts. I tested chameleon behavioral sensitivity to vibrations by placing them on a dowel attached to a shaker emitting vibrations of 25, 50, 150, 300, and 600 Hz and then measured their changes in velocity before and after the stimulus. I then paired chameleons in various social contexts [anthropogenic disturbance (human disruption of animal); dominance (malemale; female-female C. calyptratus); courtship (male-female C. calyptratus); heterospecific (C. calyptratus + C. gracilis); and predator-prey (adult + juvenile C. calyptratus)] and used a video camera and accelerometers to record their behavior. This study demonstrates that chameleons produce biotremors and that receivers exhibit a freeze response when exposed to a simulated biotremor stimulus. Furthermore, veiled chameleons produce biotremors in anthropogenic disturbance, conspecific dominance and courtship contexts, and these biotremors are elicited by visual contact with another adult conspecific and heterospecifics. Overall, two classes of biotremor were identified, "hoots” and “rumbles,” which differ significantly in dominant frequency and waveform. No correlation was identified between animal size and dominant frequency of the biotremors they produced as biotremors originate from rapid muscle contractions. Juvenile chameleons of two months of age are able to produce biotremors, suggesting this behavior may have multiple functions. Overall, the data suggest that the veiled chameleon has the potential to utilize substrate-borne vibrational communication during conspecific and possibly heterospecific interactions.

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Flack, Andrea. "Collective decision-making in homing pigeon navigation." Thesis, University of Oxford, 2013. http://ora.ox.ac.uk/objects/uuid:55ca08f4-404d-4897-ac80-5c832f984c24.

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This thesis focuses on conflict resolution and collective decision-making in co-navigating pigeons, Columba livia. These birds have a remarkable homing ability and frequently fly in flocks. Group navigation demands that group members reach consensus on which path to follow, but the mechanisms by which they do so remain largely unexplored. Pigeons are particularly suitable for studying these mechanisms, due to their sociality and the fact that their possession of information can easily be altered and quantified. I present the results of a series of experiments that manipulated the experience of homing pigeons in various ways so as to observe the effect of information they had previously gathered on their group behaviour. Key findings were: Previous navigational experience contributes to the establishment of leader-follower relationships. The larger the difference in experience between two co-navigating pigeons, the higher the likelihood the more experienced bird will emerge as leader. Shared homing experience through repeated joint flights can allow two pigeons to develop into a “behavioural unit”. They form spatial sub-groups when flying with less familiar birds, and perform a similar transition between compromise- and leadership-dominated flights as single birds, although they are more likely to accept compromise routes. Such previous association histories between birds can thus affect collective decision-making in larger flocks. There is a trade-off between the amount of spatial information handled and the efficiency with which such information can be applied during homing. Leading/following behaviour is influenced by the recency of the route memories. Leadership hierarchies in pigeon flocks appear resistant to changes in the navigational knowledge of a subset of their members, at least when these changes are relatively small in magnitude. The stability of the hierarchical structure might be beneficial during decision-making. Mathematical modelling suggests that underlying hierarchical social structures can increase navigational accuracy. Hierarchically organised groups with the smallest number of strong connections achieve highest accuracy. Group leader-follower dynamics resemble the underlying social structure.

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Wood, Mathew Vincent. "Global Phylogeny of the Water Penny Beetles Using Both Molecular and Morphological Evidence (Co." TopSCHOLAR®, 2016. http://digitalcommons.wku.edu/theses/1560.

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The Psephenidae is a family of freshwater beetles usually found in swift streams worldwide. Their unique disc shaped and flattened larvae have made this a group of interest for scientists for centuries. Morphologically, this family has been relatively well researched, and systematically the family is fairly well known and supported as monophyletic. One issue with Psephenidae, and with many other insect groups, is the lack of the molecular phylogenetic analyses to test morphology hypothesizes. After successfully sequencing these two genes from species representing nearly all of the known genera, the data were analyzed using both Bayesian and parsimony methods. Analyses were performed individually for each gene, a combined molecular analysis, using just morphological data, and a total evidence analysis using both molecular and morphological data. After analyzing the trees, definite inconsistencies were discovered between the current data set and the previous studies performed using only morphological characters. Individual gene analysis showed low support for the monophyly of proposed subfamilies within the psephenids, but combined molecular and total evidence analysis showed much more resolution as well as support for most but not all of the proposed subfamilies. For this study, the relationships among the genera of this family were studied with both molecular and morphological data as well as combined in a total evidence analysis. DNA from specimens was extracted, amplified, and sequenced for all available genera that could be acquired locally and abroad through collaborators and their contacts in other countries. The nuclear gene Wingless (Wg) and the mitochondrial gene Cytochrome Oxidase 1 (CO1) were utilized in this study; amplification of several other nuclear genes was attempted but the results were poor and they were excluded from the analysis.

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Jonaitis, Lauren A. "Using Roadkill as a Lens to Understand Animal Movement and Mortality." Bowling Green State University / OhioLINK, 2017. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=bgsu1497912666154545.

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Vreedzaam, Arioene Uncas. "The Feeding and Behavioral Ecology of Black Spider Monkey Subgroups (Ateles paniscus paniscus) in the Context of Illegal Artisinal Goldmining Activities in the Brownsberg Nature Park, Suriname." Kent State University / OhioLINK, 2013. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=kent1375108777.

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38

Aw, Justine M. "Decisions under uncertainty : common processes in birds, fish and humans." Thesis, University of Oxford, 2008. http://ora.ox.ac.uk/objects/uuid:d6640108-012b-4e89-b4a5-512beb49c59f.

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Decision making is a framework we impose on a vast universe of possible behaviors to better understand the advantages and disadvantages of acting in different ways. Decisions under uncertainty are of particular interest because stochasticity is a feature of environments both today and throughout evolutionary history. As a result, we might expect decision makers (DMs) to have evolved mechanisms to handle variability. In this dissertation, I examine common decision processes in several model species: European starlings (Sturnus vulgaris), Banded tetras (Astyanax fasciatus) and humans (Homo sapiens). The broad range of approaches discussed include currencies DMs are expected to maximize (Risk Sensitivity Theory, Expected Utility), the currencies DMs do maximize (e.g. long versus short term rate maximizing models), the representation of outcomes in memory (Scalar Expectancy Theory) as well as explicit choice mechanisms (Sequential Choice Model). The first section of this thesis discusses responses to risk, offering humans and starlings choices between options which deliver certain or variable outcomes. Starlings demonstrate sensitivity to changes in the probability of variable outcomes and strong support for local rate maximization. Humans appear similarly sensitive to their own accuracy when task difficulty is varied. When the DM’s affective state was manipulated, neither humans nor starlings exhibit changes in risk preferences, but the effectiveness of these manipulations used could not be confirmed. Another topic of inquiry is the effect of the DM’s state at the time of valuation learning. State dependent valuation learning is demonstrated for the first time in a fish species, but Within Trial Contrast is not observed in starlings. Lastly, two experiments find strong support for the Sequential Choice Model, a promising new model of the mechanism of choice. Taken together, these experiments offer a glimpse into shared decision processes, but leave open questions about the mechanisms through which value is acquired.

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Wolf, Morgan Kay. "An Internship in Conservation Biology with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service." Miami University / OhioLINK, 2009. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=miami1259858714.

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Felton, Shilo Kimberly. "Novel Applications of Multivariate Methods for Exploring Personality in African Elephants." TopSCHOLAR®, 2013. http://digitalcommons.wku.edu/theses/1301.

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Investigators have shown that elephants exhibit consistent individual differences in behavior by rating elephants using personality adjectives. These adjectives, however, are not based on pre-defined measurements of the behaviors performed. Instead, they are based on the observers’ interpretations of an animal’s behavioral patterns, therefore making them subject to observer bias. Furthermore, elephants have a capacity for learning; thus, they may alter their behavioral patterns over time. This behavioral plasticity in itself might be a way of measuring consistent behavioral differences among individuals. With this in mind, I approached elephant personality as a multivariate problem. I used behavioral observations collected from female elephants in Addo Elephant National Park, South Africa. Instead of grouping behaviors into subjective categories prior to analysis (as is often done in studies of elephant behavior), I used ordination methods to determine which correlations among behaviors were important for defining personality. Ordination methods were performed on matrices of the behavior data set and on subsets of behaviors for each age class. I calculated the angular differences among major axes of covariation from the ordinations of subsets to determine if the behaviors that defined personalities differed by age class. I also defined personalities by centroids (in multidimensional space) for non-metric multidimensional scaling (NMDS) scores of each individual and dispersion of NMDS scores for each individual as a measure of behavioral plasticity. I analyzed the effects of plasticity and age on personality of individual elephants using a non-parametric multivariate analysis of variance. Major axes of covariation were not well defined and therefore not useful in describing differences among groups. The interaction of age and behavioral plasticity did have a significant effect on the personalities of individuals as defined by ordination centroid scores. This suggests that incorporating plasticity may be a helpful measurement in quantifying consistent behavioral differences among individuals.

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Stone, Derik M. "Aggressive behavior of female and male magellanic penguins (spheniscus magellanicus) nesting at San Francisco Zoo, San Francisco, California." Scholarly Commons, 2000. https://scholarlycommons.pacific.edu/uop_etds/538.

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Between 15 March and 29 July 1998 we quantified aggressive movements (AMs) in a breeding colony of 44 adult magellanic penguins (MPs) during their nesting season at San Francisco Zoo (SFZ). We sampled their behavior for a total of 149.5 hrs in 46 sessions of 195 min each, all starting at 0945 hrs and stopping at 1300 hrs. We recognized 4 types of AMs, of which 2 (eye-pointing and charging) were threat signals, I (bill-fencing) was a ritualized contest of strength and agility, and I (biting) was physical attack. MPs only performed AMs within 2-3 m of nest entrances. Males performed 83% of all AMs, females 17%. The eye-pointing threat signal accounted for 92% of all AMs, and the 3 non-attack AMs combined accounted for 99% of all AMs; only I% involved physical assault. Both sexes performed eye-pointing and bill-fencing, but only males charged or bit their adversaries.

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Ray, Tyrun J. "A Cone Beam Computed Tomography Analysis of the Relationship Between Mandibular Bone Mineral Density and Feeding Methods Among Colobus polykomos, Procolobus badius, and Cercocebus atys." The Ohio State University, 2014. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=osu1395681313.

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Boleininger, Anna. "Evolution of PHDs as oxygen sensors : mechanistic and structural studies of the PHD of Trichoplax adhaerens, the simplest animal, and mechanistic studies of a PHD-like enzyme of the protist Monosiga brevicollis." Thesis, University of Oxford, 2012. http://ora.ox.ac.uk/objects/uuid:4395cb46-9b25-4246-b4c7-702784c52d9c.

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This work aimed to investigate the evolutionary origin of the involvement of the HIF Prolyl Hydroxylases (PHDs) in oxygen sensing. The α/β-heterodimer HIF (Hypoxia Inducible Factor) is a master regulator of oxygen homoeostasis in metazoans. In the nucleus, HIF binds to the Hypoxia Responsive Elements and forms a transcriptional complex that activates the transcription of a multitude of downstream genes. Under normoxic conditions, the Fe(II)- and oxygen-dependent PHDs catalyse 4R-prolyl-hydroxylation of the HIF α-subunit, which subsequently leads to its degradation. It had previously been proposed that the evolution of the HIF-pathway, shared by all metazoans but not found in other organisms, is linked to the rapid diversification of multicellular life during the Cambrian Explosion. This work investigates the structural and biochemical properties of a PHD of the basal metazoan Trichoplax adhaerens (taPHD), and a PHD-like enzyme of the protist Monosiga brevicollis (mbP4H). Two crystal structures of taPHD were obtained (1.2-1.3 Å), one containing a Trichoplax adhaerens HIFα subunit peptide (taODD). Comparison with crystal structures of human PHD2 showed a high degree of conservation of structural features and enzyme-substrate interactions. The prolyl-residue of taODD, shown to be hydroxylated by taPHD, is occupying the C⁴-endo conformation in the crystal structure, supporting the previously proposed mechanism of HIFα hydroxylation by PHD2 in humans. A conservation of biochemical properties with human PHD2, such as the formation of a stable enzyme-Fe(II)-2OG complex, was observed and could therefore be key to oxygen sensing by the PHDs. mbP4H was shown to catalyse 4R-prolyl-hydroxylation of taODD. It was proposed that the native substrate of mbP4H is a protein containing a prolyl-hydroxylation site similar to taODD, possibly with a YXXLAP motif. The study of biochemical properties and substrate selectivity of mbP4H suggests that the precursor of PHDs may have had similar properties to mbP4H. Further work on mbP4H could therefore yield clues about the evolutionary origin of HIF-prolyl hydroxylases in oxygen sensing and probe the previously proposed connection between metazoan life and HIF–mediated oxygen sensing.

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Edes, Ashley N. "Assessing Long-Term Stress in Great Apes: Allostatic Load in Western Lowland Gorillas (Gorilla gorilla gorilla)." The Ohio State University, 2018. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=osu1523103332647349.

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Martin, James Kyle. "Landscape Genetics of the Marbled Salamander (Ambystoma Opacum) at Mammoth Cave National Park." TopSCHOLAR®, 2013. http://digitalcommons.wku.edu/theses/1302.

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Habitat connectivity is important to maintain in order to prevent loss of genetic diversity, reduce inbreeding depression, and decrease extinction risk in threatened or endangered species. Here I present a landscape genetics study on marbled salamanders (Ambystoma opacum) in highly connected forested habitat at Mammoth Cave National Park. This investigation of gene flow among ponds within a mostly continuous landscape provides data that can be compared with patterns observed in more fragmented landscapes. These comparisons can provide a means of investigating the separate effects of structural and functional habitat connectivity on amphibian genetic population structure. Structural connectivity refers to the pattern of available habitat, and functional connectivity refers to the organism’s response to the available habitat (i.e., use of alternative habitat types). Five hundred fifty-six individuals were sampled from 50 ponds and screened at eight microsatellite loci to look for genetic population structure. Structure did exist at the park, with the best predictor of breeding pond isolation being interpond distance. Wet deciduous forest appears to offer lower resistance to gene flow in this species than dry deciduous or coniferous forest habitat, while the Green River appears to serve as a partial barrier to gene flow. Overall, my data suggest that marbled salamanders at Mammoth Cave National Park frequently move among breeding ponds, and these individuals within these ponds experience extensive amounts of gene flow. This confirms that the seemingly continuous pattern of habitat at Mammoth Cave National Park has resulted in well-connected subpopulations that frequently share genetic material.

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Russell, Vanessa. "Identifying Environmental Factors Driving Differences in Climatic Niche Overlap in Peromyscus Mice." Miami University / OhioLINK, 2019. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=miami1565722438217428.

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Chen, Jing. "rnp-4f gene expression control in Drosophila Melanogaster." Miami University / OhioLINK, 2012. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=miami1349902465.

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Graving, Jacob M. "Nocturnal Homing in the Amblypygid Phrynus Marginemaculatus." Bowling Green State University / OhioLINK, 2015. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=bgsu1445599846.

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Eluvathingal, Lilly M. "An Ecological Study of the Anurans in Tea Plantations in a Biodiversity Hotspot." FIU Digital Commons, 2016. http://digitalcommons.fiu.edu/etd/3029.

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Increasing human population size is increasing the demand for resources like timber, oil, tea, coffee, and other crops. Plantation crops mimic some aspects of native habitats, and there are studies that report the presence of some native anuran biodiversity in plantations. I focused on tea plantations in the Western Ghats-Sri Lanka Biodiversity Hotspot and studied the diversity and health of anurans in different habitats found within a tea cultivation area, near Munnar region in the Western Ghats, India. The landscape includes tea bushes, native evergreen shola forest patches, and eucalyptus forest stands. I reviewed 40 studies comparing amphibian species richness in plantations and primary forests. The age of the plantation, type of plantation, presence in a biodiversity hotspot, number of species in the dominant plantation type, number of species in the paired forest habitat, and latitudinal zone of the study, did not correlate with species richness, but plantations that had periodic harvesting had higher species richness than plantations that practiced clear-cut harvesting. I tested different methods of standard amphibian sampling in the field season 2012 in Munnar, and found that Visual Encounter Surveys (VES) in the shola habitat and Stream Transects (ST) were the most efficient. Using the VES and ST methods, I sampled amphibians in three upland habitats (tea, shola, and eucalyptus) at four different sites, and 150m of stream transects at each site, for two consecutive monsoon seasons. Fourteen species were encountered in both years and the community structure was similar across the years. The community structure at the four sites that was driven by the presence of exclusive species at each site and species composition in streams was similar across the landscape and was driven by the presence of similar species in streams across the four sites. Two hundred and sixteen anurans of 17 species, were tested for the presence of the lethal fungus Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis. The preliminary results from the Polymerase Chain Reactions were negative. My study provides baseline data for anuran diversity, composition, and health in the Munnar region of India and results of this project can be compared with tea plantations around the world.

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Powell, Robin H. "Characterization and Transplantation of Felid Spermatogonial Stem Cells." ScholarWorks@UNO, 2015. http://scholarworks.uno.edu/td/2011.

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Spermatogonial stem cells (SSC) self-renew and differentiate into spermatozoa throughout the life of the male. SSC transplantation is a potential method for the propagation of genetically important males. These cells have been isolated in different mammalian species using specific cell surface markers, but not in felines. The goal of this study was to explore a relevant strategy for conservation of endangered felids by characterizing domestic cat (Felis catus) SSCs and assessing their ability for self-renewal after transplantation. Firstly, SSC and pluripotent surface markers, identified in non-feline species, were tested for expression in mixed germ cells from adults by immunocytochemistry and flow cytometry, with immunohistochemical confirmation of expression in prepubertal and adult testis tissue. Secondly, subpopulations were purified through fluorescence-activated cell sorting using spermatogonia-specific markers and molecularly characterized to ascertain levels of pluripotent transcription factors expressed in cat embryos. Thirdly, subpopulations of mixed germ cells and purified spermatogonial cells were transplanted to prepubertal cats to determine: 1) if SSCs capable of colonization were present, and 2) the value of using adolescent domestic cats without depletion of endogenous germ cells as recipients. Fourthly, various culture conditions were evaluated to identify proteins and factors required to maintain proliferation of cat SSCs. Lastly, adult lion testis tissue was characterized with the same surface markers, and mixed germ cells were transplanted to cat testes to evaluate the cat as a suitable host for lion SSC colonization and differentiation. Pluripotent surface markers were more reliable than the common SSC surface markers for isolating cat SSCs. Varying expression levels of pluripotent transcription factors between the different purified cell populations identified spermatogonial subpopulations. Cell purification was not necessary to colonize recipient testes, and transplantation validated the use of prepubertal males as recipients without depletion of endogenous cells. Unlike spermatogonia within mixed germ cells, purified spermatogonia were not maintained under various culture conditions; therefore, SSC culture conditions must be optimized. Similarities in the expression patterns of surface markers in lion and cat spermatogonia were revealed, and colonization of lion SSCs in cat testes provided further evidence of the domestic cat’s relevance as a model for exotic felid SSC transplantation.

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Dissertations / Theses on the topic 'Animal Science and Zoology'

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