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Madadin, Mohammed, Rozanna Al-Abdulrahman, Shatha Alahmed, Rana Alabdulqader, Lama Alshehri, and Norah Alkathery. "Desert Related Death." International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health 18, no. 21 (October 27, 2021): 11272. http://dx.doi.org/10.3390/ijerph182111272.
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Introduction: Desert death is defined as any death that occurs in the desert and could be attributed to a list of causes including environmental, animal related, undetermined, and other causes. Death in the desert seems to be obscure and little discussed in the field of forensic medicine, despite its importance, and there is only limited literature available on this broad topic. This narrative review aims to identify the most common causes of desert death and its medicolegal implications. Desert death causes: Environmental causes of death could be a result of temperature and lightening-related causes. Moreover, a variety of animals found in deserts are considered to be threatening and fatal, in addition to other and undetermined causes. Medicolegal implications of desert death: Likely to arise from the difficulties faced in finding the cause of death are the identification of the victim and the postmortem injuries that occur. Conclusion: Desert death is a broad topic with great medicolegal significance. More information and case reports need to be added in the literature. Guidelines for people about the danger of going to deserts in specific weather conditions should be implemented. Safety regulations must be taken into account at all times.
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Vessel, Jean-Paul. "Desert-Adjusted Utilitarianism, People, and Animals." Environmental Ethics 43, no. 4 (2021): 355–77. http://dx.doi.org/10.5840/enviroethics20223935.
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Recent decades have witnessed a surge in philosophical attention to the moral standing of non-human animals. Kantians, Neo-Kantians, utilitarians, and radical animal rights theorists have staked their claims in the literature. Here Fred Feldman’s desert-adjusted utilitarianism is introduced into the fray. After canvassing the prominent competitors in the dialectic, a conception of an overall moral ranking (relative to a moral choice scenario) consonant with desert-adjusted utilitarianism is developed. Then the conception’s implications regarding the particular locations of individual people and animals in such rankings across various scenarios is explored. Ultimately, it is argued that when it comes to evaluating whether or not some benefit (or burden) morally ought to be bestowed upon some specific person or animal, this new conception of an overall moral ranking is sensitive to a wider range of morally relevant phenomena than its more prominent competitors.
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CIoudsley-Thompson, J. L. "Successful Desert Animals — Scorpions, Beetles and Lizards." Libyan Studies 24 (1993): 143–56. http://dx.doi.org/10.1017/s0263718900002016.
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AbstractWhereas the reactions of animals to heat are largely behavioural, responses to water shortage are primarily physiological. These characters are exhibited in all terrestrial biomes, but are enhanced in the desert. Desert animals, in general, are either cryptically sand-coloured or else black when distasteful or poisonous. This applies to all three taxa under discussion; most beetles are black, most lizards cryptic. Scorpions, paradoxically, may be either black or cryptic. Examples of mimicry and protective resemblance are also cited. It is concluded that scorpions, beetles and lizards are especially successful desert animals, not so much on account of unique adaptations to the harsh and variable environment as to their innate qualities which have adapted them for life in hot, dry and unpredictable habitats.
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Khubanova, A. M., V. B. Khubanov, and D. A. Miyagashev. "Zoning of Desert, Steppe, Steppe-Forest and Forest Ecosystems By Carbon And Nitrogen Isotope in Mongolia and Western Transbaikalia." GEOGRAPHY, ENVIRONMENT, SUSTAINABILITY 16, no. 3 (October 8, 2023): 14–31. http://dx.doi.org/10.24057/2071-9388-2023-2720.
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The Mongolian–Transbaikalian region of the Central Asia is known for its wide range of intracontinental ecosystems from desert through steppe to taiga forest and mountain tundra. Data on the isotopic composition of carbon and nitrogen in the bone and dental tissues of herbivorous animals inhabiting the desert, steppe, and forest–steppe landscapes of Outer Mongolia and Western Transbaikalia are presented. The maximum values of the carbon isotope ratio are observed in animals from the desert (Gobi Desert) and the semi-desert landscapes, median (mean) δ13C is -17.9‰. The minimum values of δ13C were obtained by herbivorous animals of the forest-steppe and the forest landscapes (Transbaikalia), which median δ13C is -23‰. The fauna of the steppes (median δ13C is -21.7‰) has intermediate values of the carbon isotopic composition. According to the isotope composition of nitrogen, the isotope-geochemical isolation of ecosystems is less pronounced.
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Nagy, Kenneth A. "Water economy of free-living desert animals." International Congress Series 1275 (December 2004): 291–97. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.ics.2004.08.054.
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Sosa, Victoria, Israel Loera, Diego F. Angulo, Marilyn Vásquez-Cruz, and Etelvina Gándara. "Climate change and conservation in a warm North American desert: effect in shrubby plants." PeerJ 7 (March 7, 2019): e6572. http://dx.doi.org/10.7717/peerj.6572.
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Background Deserts are biologically rich habitats with a vast array of animals and plants adapted to xeric conditions, and most deserts are among the planet’s last remaining areas of total wilderness. Among North American deserts, the Chihuahuan Desert has the highest levels of diversity and endemism. To understand the effect of future climate change on plants distributed in this arid land and propose effective conservation planning, we focused on five endemic shrubby species that characterize the Chihuahuan Desert and used an integrative approach. Methods Ecological niche-based modeling, spatial genetics and ecological resistance analyses were carried out to identify the effect of global warming on the studied five shrubby species. Key areas that need to be preserved were identified taking into account the existing protected areas within the Chihuahuan Desert. Results The extent of future distribution will vary among these species, and on average expansion will occur in the western part of the Chihuahuan Desert. For most species low environmental resistance to gene flow was predicted, while higher future resistance was predicted for one species that would lead to increased population isolation. The highest haplotype diversity was identified in three hotspots. Based on future suitability of habitat and in the haplotype diversity we suggest preserving two hotspots of genetic diversity in the Sierra Madre Oriental, located in areas without protection. The third hotspot was detected in the well preserved Tehuacán-Cuicatlán Man and Biosphere Reserve. Conclusion Global climate change will have an effect in arid adapted plants, favoring expansion in the western of the Chihuahuan Desert however negatively affecting others with high ecological resistance disrupting gene flow. Two hotspots of genetic diversity in the Sierra Madre Oriental should be protected.
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Lupien, John. "Acacia gum and sustainable development in Africa." African Journal of Food, Agriculture, Nutrition and Development 7, no. 5 (September 19, 2007): 1. http://dx.doi.org/10.18697/ajfand.16.cy005.
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Africa has vast agricultural and other natural resources. Many of these resources have been exploited so that the resource is destroyed, rather than maintained in a sustainable way. With regard to agriculture and arable land, a particular problem is that of desertification, caused by spreading of desert areas into lands that have been damaged by over-grazing of animals,over-usage of water resources resulting in drought conditions, destruction of forest and tree coverage for cooking fuel, cropping of plants that cause soil erosion and depletion of soil minerals, and other undesirable abuses of land. Many thousands of hectares of previously arable land are lost to spreading deserts in all parts of Africa. The Sahel area, immediately south of the Sahara desert is the most affected area.
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Saalfeld, W. K., and G. P. Edwards. "Distribution and abundance of the feral camel (Camelus dromedarius) in Australia." Rangeland Journal 32, no. 1 (2010): 1. http://dx.doi.org/10.1071/rj09058.
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In this paper we utilised a range of data sources to estimate the extent, density distribution and population size of the feral camel in Australia in 2008. Camels currently occupy 3.3 million km2 and are spread across much of arid Western Australia, South Australia, the Northern Territory and far western Queensland. Up to 50% of Australia’s rangelands are reported as having camels present. The research reported here supports a current minimum population estimate for the feral camel in Australia of ~1 million animals at an overall density of 0.29 camels/km2. Densities vary, and the modelling of available data indicates that two substantial areas of high density are present, one centred on the Simpson Desert and the other on the Great Sandy Desert. The high density area covering the eastern part of the Great Sandy Desert has predicted densities in the range of 0.5 to >2 animals/km2 whereas that on the Simpson Desert is in the range 0.5–1.0 animals/km2.
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Gurera, Dev, and Bharat Bhushan. "Passive water harvesting by desert plants and animals: lessons from nature." Philosophical Transactions of the Royal Society A: Mathematical, Physical and Engineering Sciences 378, no. 2167 (February 3, 2020): 20190444. http://dx.doi.org/10.1098/rsta.2019.0444.
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Fresh water sustains human life and is vital for human health. For some of the poorest countries, 1 in 10 people do not have access to safe and easily accessible water sources. Water consumption by man continues to grow with an increasing population. The current supply of fresh water needs to be supplemented to meet future needs. Living nature provides many lessons for water harvesting. It has evolved species which can survive in the most arid regions of the world by passively collecting water from fog and condensation of water vapour in the night. Before the collected water evaporates, species have mechanisms to transport water for storage or consumption. These species possess unique chemistry and structures on or within the body for collection and transport of water. Among the high diversity of species surviving in deserts, only a handful of species have been studied. Based on lessons from nature, bioinspired water harvesters can be designed. In this paper, an overview of various desert plants and animals is given and known water harvesting mechanisms of some are presented. This article is part of the theme issue ‘Bioinspired materials and surfaces for green science and technology (part 3)’.
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Hockett, Bryan Scott. "Paleobiogeographic Changes at the Pleistocene–Holocene Boundary near Pintwater Cave, Southern Nevada." Quaternary Research 53, no. 2 (March 2000): 263–69. http://dx.doi.org/10.1006/qres.1999.2116.
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AbstractIn 1996, approximately 70,000 mammal and lizard bones were recovered from Pintwater Cave in the northern Mojave Desert of southern Nevada. These bones date between 32,000 and 7350 14C yr B.P. Between 32,000 and 10,100 14C yr B.P. the local fauna consisted of a mix of xeric- and cool/mesic-adapted species. Ochotona princeps and Thomomys talpoides then occupied the region, although these animals were extirpated by the onset of the middle Holocene. Sauromalus obesus and Dipodomys deserti probably migrated to the region during the latest Pleistocene. Dipsosaurus dorsalis entered the Pintwater Cave record after 8000 14C yr B.P. Consistent with climatic interpretations for the northern Great Basin, these data suggest a cool and moist latest Pleistocene climate for the northern Mojave Desert. In contrast to the northern Great Basin, however, this region experienced predictable summer precipitation coupled with increasingly warmer winters by 10,100 14C yr B.P. In both regions, the warm middle Holocene began ca. 8300 14C yr B.P. However, whereas the northern Great Basin probably experienced warm and dry conditions at that time, the northern Mojave Desert remained warm with relatively predictable summer precipitation. The modern northern Mojave Desert biota probably was not established until after 8300 14C yr B.P.
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Bradshaw, D. "Ecophysiological Studies on Desert Mammals: Insights From Stress Physiology." Australian Mammalogy 21, no. 1 (1999): 55. http://dx.doi.org/10.1071/am99055.
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Ecophysiology is the study of the physiological responses of animals living in their natural environment and can provide information substantially different from that obtained in laboratory situations where animals are constrained by artificial surroundings. Recent work with arid-living mammals in WA has focussed on the measurement of seasonal responses of free-ranging individuals to drought and has involved measurements of rates of turnover of water, together with changes in kidney function and circulating levels of antidiuretic hormone (ADH), the pituitary hormone essential for the conservation of water. Central to these studies has been an attempt to identify periods when animals in the field may be exposed to physiological stress due to a lack of adequate supplies of water, and to document their responses to this. Stress is here defined as "...the physiological resultant of demands that exceed an organism's regulatory capacities" (Bradshaw, 1986) and is detected through the combination of a significant perturbation of the milieu interieur of the animal, despite the maximum deployment of normal homeostatic responses (e.g. substantial dehydration despite maximal circulating levels of ADH; see Bradshaw, 1992). This approach also raises the possibility of determining the vulnerability to extinction of threatened and endangered species by comparing their actual rates of water turnover in the dry part of the year with allometric predictions. One predicts that species which display a profligate pattern of water usage would be much more susceptible to any environmental changes that might reduce the availability of water.
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Farooq, Umar, Munir Ahmad, and Ikram Saeed. "Enhancing Livestock Productivity in the Desert Ecologies of Pakistan: Setting the Development Priorities." Pakistan Development Review 48, no. 4II (December 1, 2009): 795–820. http://dx.doi.org/10.30541/v48i4iipp.795-820.
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Livestock is now sharing by more than 53 percent of total agricultural value added in Pakistan. Identifying and developing the potential areas of livestock production is part of the overall development strategy for this sector while rural poverty alleviation is a major concern of Pakistan’s overall development policy. Our major livestock production systems are grazing, stall-fed and grazing-cum-stall-fed based. Grazing based livestock farming is economical and customary system in mountainous, rainfed, deserts and salinity affected areas. The livestock herders of desert areas deserve special attention of the policy-makers because of their most deprived living conditions as majority is living below poverty line by all poverty measuring standards. The present study is aimed to generate an updated synthesis based on empirical knowledge about status of livestock farming in desert ecologies of Pakistan. The results show that the average herd sizes maintained by the herders is fairly large to cover losses due to drought, disease and other epidemics. The human and physical capital endowments of the farmers are generally poor. Other common characteristics are: major dependence on natural vegetation with limited supply of fodder, more physical exertion of animals during grazing, poor animal health, practicing natural method of breeding, low milk and meat productivity, highly limited livestock and milk marketing opportunities, etc. The stall feeding is mainly composed of dry stalks and straws of different crops along with a small quantity of food grains. On marketing side, because of location and lack of infrastructure support, milk marketing opportunities are meager, therefore, it is converted into desi ghee—a value added and preserved form which is sold in nearby town markets. In marketing of live animals, the farmers are always exploited by beoparies. On average herd size, the net monthly income in Cholistan desert from cattle (for milk), sheep and goats farming (for meat purpose) was Rs 10128, Rs 990 and Rs 508, respectively; for Thal desert the corresponding estimates were Rs 457, Rs 359 and Rs 552, respectively; and for Tharparkar, the corresponding estimates are Rs 918, Rs 3221 and Rs 331, respectively. There is a strong need of prioritising development efforts for desert ecologies. High priority areas include efforts for increasing availability of rangeland vegetation and green fodder, improvement in the genetic potential of local livestock breeds, provision of more efficient livestock health coverage, and establishment of milk collection centres of milk processing plants. The low priority areas include designing regulatory framework for milk and livestock marketing, programs for human capacity building, facilitating through institutional credit, and different incentives for the veterinary staff posted in such areas. JEL classification: Q130, Q190, Q200 Keywords: Desert, Tharparkar, Thal, Cholistan, Livestock Farming, Livestock Feeding Patterns, Feed Composition, Livestock Trade Intensity, Priority Setting.
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Elhadi, Hashim Mohamed. "Effect of Diet Quality and Housing on Water Status in Sudanese Desert Sheep and Goats." Journal of Agricultural and Marine Sciences [JAMS] 15 (January 1, 2010): 29. http://dx.doi.org/10.24200/jams.vol15iss0pp29-32.
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Two independent experiments were carried out using Sudanese Desert sheep and goats to investigate water metabolism (total body water, TBW and water turnover, WTO) and internal water compartments using radioactive water (tritium), under natural grazing conditions in a semi-desert area. The second trial was carried out on confined sheep, fed high (Lucerne) and poor quality (desert grasses) diets. The body weights, rectal temperature and water parameters were monitored in both trials and species under the Sudanese summer conditions. The grazing animal’s body weights were reduced compared to confined ones. Hyperthermia was pronounced in goats (9%) compared to sheep (6%). The goat hyperthermia was associated with high water turnover, indicating the poor heat tolerance of this species of high evaporative cooling. The confined animals, however, maintained their body weights and did not show signs of hyperthermia. The poor diet (desert grasses) was associated with reduced water intake whereas the Lucerne was associated with high water turnover and high feed intake. The extracelluar compartment (ECV) was higher with the poor diet but was lower than the grazing group. The intracellular compartment (ICV) was higher in the Lucerne group. The study indicated that Sudanese Desert sheep are more tolerant to high temperatures and grazing system than goats.
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Lambert, Connor T., Lucas K. Hall, Randy T. Larsen, Robert N. Knight, and Brock R. McMillan. "Temporal partitioning and the effects of climate change on two ecologically similar desert bats." Journal of Mammalogy 99, no. 6 (September 21, 2018): 1486–94. http://dx.doi.org/10.1093/jmammal/gyy113.
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Abstract Climate change is predicted to create increasingly arid deserts with fewer and smaller water sources. Because free water is already limiting for arid-adapted animals, reductions in water likely will impact desert species and how they compete for this limited resource. Our objective was to examine how the size of water sources influenced competition between 2 ecologically similar bats, Parastrellus hesperus and Myotis californicus, in the American Southwest. Bats are a highly successful taxon in deserts, although many rely upon access to free water. We examined bat activity observationally over 35 different-sized water sources throughout the Mojave Desert in southwestern Utah, United States, and experimentally reduced the surface area of 2 water sources. Parastrellus hesperus and M. californicus typically occurred at the same water sources, but both species temporally partitioned their use of shared water sources regardless of the surface area of the water. Experimentally reducing surface area of water sources negatively affected drinking behaviors of both species and resulted in higher overall activity, but temporal partitioning still occurred. While loss of water may influence some competitive interactions, mechanisms such as temporal partitioning can potentially allow continued co-use of limited resources by competing species.
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Brown, JS, BP Kotler, and TJ Valone. "Foraging Under Predation - a Comparison of Energetic and Predation Costs in Rodent Communities of the Negev and Sonoran Deserts." Australian Journal of Zoology 42, no. 4 (1994): 435. http://dx.doi.org/10.1071/zo9940435.
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We used patch-use theory, giving-up densities in experimental food patches, and harvest-rate measurements within these patches to determine the relative contributions of predation risk and energy to foraging costs in four species of rodents from communities in the Sonoran and Negev deserts. To partition costs into components of energy and predation, we converted field measurements of giving-up densities into harvest rates (J min(-1)), used these harvest rates as an estimate of total foraging costs, estimated energetic foraging costs from published physiological measurements of activity and thermoregulatory costs, and assumed that missed opportunity costs were either zero or negative. Our results showed that predation costs predominate. Energetic costs represented only 24%, 19%, 16% and 13% of the foraging costs for Merriam's kangaroo rat (Dipodornys merriami; Sonoran), the round-tailed ground squirrel (Spermophilus tereticaudus; Sonoran), the greater Egyptian sand gerbil (Gerbillus pyramidum; Negev), and Allenby's gerbil (G. allenbyi; Negev), respectively. Equally important were predation-risk differences between bush and open microhabitats; the microhabitat differences in predation cost were often 2-4 times larger than the animals' energetic costs. Seasonal patterns in foraging costs also were predominantly influenced by predation rather than energetic costs. Predation costs appear to be greater in the Negev Desert, but rodents of the Sonoran desert experience greater seasonal and microhabitat variability in predation costs. As a result, predation risk may contribute more towards species coexistence in the community of the Sonoran Desert than that of the Negev Desert.
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Zhu, Hai, Zhiguang Guo, and Weimin Liu. "Biomimetic water-collecting materials inspired by nature." Chemical Communications 52, no. 20 (2016): 3863–79. http://dx.doi.org/10.1039/c5cc09867j.
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Here, the water-collecting materials inspired by the three typical and widely-researched creatures (cactus, spider, desert beetle) are first introduced. Then, another eight animals and plants (butterfly, shore birds, wheat awns, green bristlegrass bristle, Cotula fallax plant, Namib grass, green tree frogs and Australian desert lizards) that are rarely reported are followed to be complemented.
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Babcock, Jennifer Miyuki. "Curated Desertscapes in Ancient Egyptian Tombs and Investigating Iconographies of the Wild." Arts 11, no. 3 (May 26, 2022): 59. http://dx.doi.org/10.3390/arts11030059.
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Because of a long-standing bias toward examining human representation in Egyptian art, scholars have overlooked many details of how wild animals are rendered, at least until recently. Usually, the stylistic differences between animals and humans in ancient Egyptian art are emphasized to support the argument that animals and their environs encapsulate ancient Egyptian ideas of “chaos”, while humans and their cultivated world encapsulate “order”. A closer look at animal representations shows that the same artistic restraints were placed on both human and animal representation, such as with the use of the canon of proportions, strict register lines, and iconicity. This article examines predynastic and early dynastic material and surveys representations of desert animals from Egyptian tombs from the Old Kingdom to the New Kingdom to demonstrate that their artistic treatment is still rule-bound and conforms to a sense of visual order. This paper challenges some of the scholarly interpretations, which assert that dichotomous ideas of chaos and order were represented stylistically and iconographically.
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Gorlov, I. F., G. V. Fedotova, M. I. Slozhenkina, N. I. Mosolova, Ya I. Gishlarkaev, T. A. Magomadov, Yu A. Yuldashbaev, and D. A. Mosolova. "Adaptation features of sheep of the Edilbaev breed reared in the agroecological conditions of the arid zones of Southern Russia." South of Russia: ecology, development 14, no. 3 (October 10, 2019): 71–81. http://dx.doi.org/10.18470/1992-1098-2019-3-71-81.
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Aim. The aim of the research was to study the features of formation of adaptive ability, meat productivity and quality indicators of mutton obtained in the arid conditions of the Volga region from sheep of the Edilbaev breed of different genotypes. Material and Methods. A package of teaching materials has been developed concerning an increase in the productive qualities of different genotypes of the studied breed in the conditions of arid regions of southern Russia. Results. The authors’ research has demonstrated the high adaptive abilities of animals of the Edilbaev breed, their economic and biological qualities, food and taste indicators of their meat, as well as the possibility of further development of the breed in the arid conditions of southern Russia. As a research base, we selected the Volgograd‐Edilbay LLC breeding farm (the world's only breeding and genetic center for raising Edilbaev sheep) which is located in the Volgograd region and specializes in breeding pure‐bred animals in arid steppe, semi‐desert and desert zones. Due to the great demand for the livestock of this breed from farms located in arid territories, this study of the comparative aspects of production characteristics of animals of original and new types in the arid conditions of the Volga region is of interest to both science and practical animal husbandry. Conclusion. An assessment of the nutritional value of mutton obtained from animals of the Edilbaev breed has shown its high nutritional and biological qualities.
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Nagy, KA. "Seasonal Water, Energy and Food Use by Free-Living, Arid-Habitat Mammals." Australian Journal of Zoology 42, no. 1 (1994): 55. http://dx.doi.org/10.1071/zo9940055.
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In arid ecosystems, the dry season is probably an especially challenging time for animals to find adequate food and water resources. Both stressful and benevolent times of the year can be identified by measuring rates of water and energy use (with doubly labelled water), diet and behaviour throughout a year in free-ranging animals. Such field studies have been completed on four species of arid-land mammals. Jackrabbits (Lepus californicus) are strict herbivores, and most Mojave Desert individuals have no access to drinking water, and depend on their food for their water. When vegetation dries up during the summer drought, most jackrabbits apparently die of dehydration and malnutrition, but populations are replenished by bountiful reproduction after winter rains. However, springbok antelope (Antidorcas marsupialis), also strict herbivores, can maintain water and energy balance throughout the year in the Kalahari in southern Africa by drinking water if available, but, if not, they obtain enough water from dietary plants, probably by feeding before dawn, when food items have taken up water from the humid air. Antelope ground squirrels (Ammospermophilus leucurus) are omnivorous in the Mojave Desert, and are active diurnally. They have lower water and energy requirements than non-desert mammals of the same body mass, like many desert mammals, but their ability to find succulent plant or animal foods in all seasons appears to be their primary survival tool. On the other hand, Merriam's kangaroo rats (Dipodomys merriami) are essentially nocturnal, and were thought to be strict granivores that never drank. A recent study, done throughout a year in the Mojave Desert, confirms their lack of drinking, but reveals that they eat much green vegetation in late winter and spring, probably in connection with reproduction. They obtain additional water throughout the year by caching dry seeds in humid burrows, where seeds take up water hygroscopically before being eaten. Although springbok, antelope ground squirrels and Merriam's kangaroo rats were in negative energy and water balance at times during the year, only jackrabbits were severely stressed by the dry season. Each species has a unique suite of desert survival mechanisms. Future research should include carnivores as well as arid-habitat marsupials.
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Woodin, William H., and William H. Can. "‘TUNNEL IN THE DESERT’ AN UNDERGROUND EXHIBIT FOR NOCTURNAL ANIMALS." International Zoo Yearbook 4, no. 1 (December 18, 2007): 156–58. http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/j.1748-1090.1963.tb03665.x.
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Elkhawad, A. O. "Selective brain cooling in desert animals: The camel (Camelus dromedarius)." Comparative Biochemistry and Physiology Part A: Physiology 101, no. 2 (January 1992): 195–201. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/0300-9629(92)90522-r.
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James, Alex I., David J. Eldridge, and Brydie M. Hill. "Foraging animals create fertile patches in an Australian desert shrubland." Ecography 32, no. 5 (October 2009): 723–32. http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/j.1600-0587.2009.05450.x.
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Predavec, Martin. "Variable Energy Demands in Pseudomys hermannsburgensis: Possible Ecological Consequences." Australian Journal of Zoology 45, no. 1 (1997): 85. http://dx.doi.org/10.1071/zo96062.
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The energy metabolism of Pseudomys hermannsburgensis, a native Australian desert rodent, was investigated with animals captured in the field. Animals showed large variation in basal metabolic rate between two time periods [November 1991 (1·40 ± 0·38 mL 0 2 g-1 h-1 ) and September 1992 (3·58 ± 0·24)], producing values that generally differed from those predicted from body mass. P. hermannsburgensis also entered torpor, which has not been demonstrated previously in an Australian rodent. Environmental stimuli for changes in metabolic rates are not clear. Possible ecological advantages of the observed patterns of energy metabolism are conservation of energy and water and increased longevity. All three factors may be considered adaptations to the variable desert environment.
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Dickman, Christopher R., and Libby Robin. "Putting Science in its Place: The Role of Sandringham Station in Fostering Arid Zone Science in Australia." Historical Records of Australian Science 25, no. 2 (2014): 186. http://dx.doi.org/10.1071/hr14014.
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For the past fifty years, Sandringham Station has provided a major focus for scientific work in southwestern Queensland, an arid region that includes the Simpson Desert and the Channel Country (together 'Desert Channels'). This paper explores the role of place, chance and private enterprise in supporting science in this region. Unlike other parts of inland Australia, where government initiatives were prominent, science in Queensland's arid country was privately supported, and research there had an ecological or eco-physiological rather than an economic focus. It began later than elsewhere (1960s), and its scientific questions were different from those framed in research stations set up to address agricultural and pastoral imperatives. The location of Sandringham on the ecological edge between the ephemeral wetlands of the anastomosing channels and the dune country of the Simpson Desert created an ecotonal area that was rich in animals adapted to living in Australian desert country, and a particular opportunity to observe their adaptations to the boom-and-bust ecological conditions. The role of local observers, particularly station managers and naturalists, has been critical in studying the often cryptic animals of the region, and the ongoing support of the station itself was essential to investigations that were mostly on private leasehold lands.
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Hagiwara, Katsuro, Tamaki Matsumoto, Purevsuren Tsedendamba, Kenji Baba, and Buho Hoshino. "Distribution of Viable Bacteria in the Dust-Generating Natural Source Area of the Gobi Region, Mongolia." Atmosphere 11, no. 9 (August 24, 2020): 893. http://dx.doi.org/10.3390/atmos11090893.
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The Gobi Desert is a major source of dust events, whose frequency of occurrence and damage caused have recently significantly increased. In the present study, we investigated the types of live bacteria present in the surface soil of the Gobi Desert in Mongolia, and determined their genetic identification as well as their geographical distribution. During the survey, four different topographies (dry lake bed, wadi, well, and desert steppe) were selected, and land characteristics were monitored for moisture and temperature. The surface soil was aerobically cultured to isolate bacterial colonies, and their 16s rDNA regions were sequenced. The sequence data were identified through NCBI-BLAST analysis and generated phylogenetic trees. The results revealed two phyla and seven families of isolates from the sample points. Each isolate was characterized by their corresponding sample site. The characteristics of land use and soil surface bacteria were compared. Most of the bacteria originated from the soil, however, animal-derived bacteria were also confirmed in areas used by animals. Our findings confirmed the existence of live bacteria in the dust-generating area, suggesting that their presence could affect animal and human health. Therefore, it is necessary to further investigate dust microbes based on the One Health concept.
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MacManes, Matthew David. "Severe acute dehydration in a desert rodent elicits a transcriptional response that effectively prevents kidney injury." American Journal of Physiology-Renal Physiology 313, no. 2 (August 1, 2017): F262—F272. http://dx.doi.org/10.1152/ajprenal.00067.2017.
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Animals living in desert environments are forced to survive despite severe heat, intense solar radiation, and both acute and chronic dehydration. These animals have evolved phenotypes that effectively address these environmental stressors. To begin to understand the ways in which the desert-adapted rodent Peromyscus eremicus survives, reproductively mature adults were subjected to 72 h of water deprivation, during which they lost, on average, 23% of their body weight. The animals reacted via a series of changes in the kidney, which included modulating expression of genes responsible for reducing the rate of transcription and maintaining water and salt balance. Extracellular matrix turnover appeared to be decreased, and apoptosis was limited. In contrast to the canonical human response, serum creatinine and other biomarkers of kidney injury were not elevated, suggesting that changes in gene expression related to acute dehydration may effectively prohibit widespread kidney damage in the cactus mouse.
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Novitskiy, Zinoviy, Abdushukur Hamzayev, Nizomiddin Bakirov, and Abdulla Karimkulov. "Study on the development of the desert pasture agrophytocenoses using a wide range of forage plants." E3S Web of Conferences 304 (2021): 03021. http://dx.doi.org/10.1051/e3sconf/202130403021.
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The drained bottom of the Aral Sea covers an area of about 6 million hectares, of which 3.2 million hectares are located on the territory of the Republic of Uzbekistan. In addition to the fact that salt is spread from the drained bottom, dust and sand causing enormous damage to the environment, on the drained bottom there is a forest suitable area of 1.5 million hectares where it is possible to create desert shrub agrophytocenoses. The purpose of the work was to develop the most effective methods for creating desert agrophytocenoses on forest suitable types of bottom sediments of the dried bottom of the Aral Sea and the selection of desert forage plants to increase the productivity of the created pastures. Studies shown that when using focal, pasture protection and reclamation-fodder methods, as well as such fodder plants as teresken, boialich, keyreuk, it is possible to create pastures with a fodder capacity of up to 500 fodder units per hectare. This will increase the number of grazed animals by 20-30%. The field of application of the results arising from this work are forest suitable types of bottom sediments of the drained bottom of the Aral Sea. The drained bottom of the Aral Sea is a reserve of a forage base for animals in the near future, which will give a new impetus to the development of animal husbandry in the Aral Sea region, and at the same time, fodder plants, fixing the soil of the drained bottom of the Aral Sea, will significantly improve the ecological situation in the Region.
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Strannegård, Claes, Nils Svangård, David Lindström, Joscha Bach, and Bas Steunebrink. "Learning and decision-making in artificial animals." Journal of Artificial General Intelligence 9, no. 1 (July 27, 2018): 55–82. http://dx.doi.org/10.2478/jagi-2018-0002.
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Abstract A computational model for artificial animals (animats) interacting with real or artificial ecosystems is presented. All animats use the same mechanisms for learning and decisionmaking. Each animat has its own set of needs and its own memory structure that undergoes continuous development and constitutes the basis for decision-making. The decision-making mechanism aims at keeping the needs of the animat as satisfied as possible for as long as possible. Reward and punishment are defined in terms of changes to the level of need satisfaction. The learning mechanisms are driven by prediction error relating to reward and punishment and are of two kinds: multi-objective local Q-learning and structural learning that alter the architecture of the memory structures by adding and removing nodes. The animat model has the following key properties: (1) autonomy: it operates in a fully automatic fashion, without any need for interaction with human engineers. In particular, it does not depend on human engineers to provide goals, tasks, or seed knowledge. Still, it can operate either with or without human interaction; (2) generality: it uses the same learning and decision-making mechanisms in all environments, e.g. desert environments and forest environments and for all animats, e.g. frog animats and bee animats; and (3) adequacy: it is able to learn basic forms of animal skills such as eating, drinking, locomotion, and navigation. Eight experiments are presented. The results obtained indicate that (i) dynamic memory structures are strictly more powerful than static; (ii) it is possible to use a fixed generic design to model basic cognitive processes of a wide range of animals and environments; and (iii) the animat framework enables a uniform and gradual approach to AGI, by successively taking on more challenging problems in the form of broader and more complex classes of environments
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Bedier, N. Z., A. A. Younis, E. S. E. Galal, and M. M. Mokhtar. "Optimum ewe size in desert Barki sheep." Small Ruminant Research 7, no. 1 (February 1992): 1–7. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/0921-4488(92)90061-8.
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Vincenzetti, Silvia, Natalina Cammertoni, Roberta Rapaccetti, Giuseppe Santini, Yulia Klimanova, Jing-Jing Zhang, and Paolo Polidori. "Nutraceutical and Functional Properties of Camelids’ Milk." Beverages 8, no. 1 (February 17, 2022): 12. http://dx.doi.org/10.3390/beverages8010012.
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In most areas of the world, camelids are considered exotic animals, living only in zoological gardens. Additionally, considering the original lands where they were previously bred with specific economic and social aims, today it is possible to detect a reduction in their total numbers. Typically bred as working animals for goods transportation in desert regions, and as a source of meat and milk, in recent years, camels have been dismissed due to the construction of new roads for motor vehicles, the migration of nomadic populations from deserts to urban zones, and the choice of some autochthonous bovine breeds as sources of meat and milk. The decline in camelids heads seems irreversible. Camels should be considered a valid source of food in marginal areas; the peculiar quality parameters of their milk, showing the proper characteristics for the use of this milk in human nutrition, can justify the choice for breeding them, rather than considering camels only as objects of amusement.
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Loendorf, Lawrence L. "Cation-ratio varnish dating and petroglyph chronology in southeastern Colorado." Antiquity 65, no. 247 (June 1991): 246–55. http://dx.doi.org/10.1017/s0003598x00079692.
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Pecked figures – seeming to depict humans, animals, objects and ‘abstract’ shapes - are an important and recalcitrant aspect to the archaeology of the desert USA, in the Great Basin and the Southwest. Where they are covered by desert varnish, they provide an opportunity for an absolute dating by cation-ratio method. Here - as they did not for a similar study in South Australia reported in an earlier Antiquity - the cation-ratio dates do seem to run alongside the chronological pattern inferred by conventional means.
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Lundie-Jenkins, G. "Observations on the behaviour of the Rufous Hare-wallaby, Lagorchestes hirsutus Gould (Macropodidae: Marsupialia) in captivity." Australian Mammalogy 16, no. 1 (1993): 29. http://dx.doi.org/10.1071/am93005.
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Observations on the behaviour of the Rufous Hare-wallaby Lagorchestes hirsutus were obtained from a captive colony maintained in Alice Springs. This information was used to interpret observations of animals made during field studies in the Tanami Desert. Aspects of the species' behavioural repertoire which were recorded included activity patterns, postures, gaits, interactions, nesting habits and vocalisations. Lagorchestes hirsutus is predominantly nocturnal and its activity patterns and body postures resemble those recorded for other species of small macropods. It appears to be a relatively solitary animal but there was some evidence of social organisation within animals maintained in captivity. Aspects of the sexual and aggressive behaviour of L. hirsutus appear to resemble more closely those of the potoroids than of larger macropodids.
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Orton, Joseph P., Matheo Morales, Rafaela S. Fontenele, Kara Schmidlin, Simona Kraberger, Daniel J. Leavitt, Timothy H. Webster, et al. "Virus Discovery in Desert Tortoise Fecal Samples: Novel Circular Single-Stranded DNA Viruses." Viruses 12, no. 2 (January 26, 2020): 143. http://dx.doi.org/10.3390/v12020143.
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The Sonoran Desert tortoise Gopherus morafkai is adapted to the desert, and plays an important ecological role in this environment. There is limited information on the viral diversity associated with tortoises (family Testudinidae), and to date no DNA virus has been identified associated with these animals. This study aimed to assess the diversity of DNA viruses associated with the Sonoran Desert tortoise by sampling their fecal matter. A viral metagenomics approach was used to identify the DNA viruses in fecal samples from wild Sonoran Desert tortoises in Arizona, USA. In total, 156 novel single-stranded DNA viruses were identified from 40 fecal samples. Those belonged to two known viral families, the Genomoviridae (n = 27) and Microviridae (n = 119). In addition, 10 genomes were recovered that belong to the unclassified group of circular-replication associated protein encoding single-stranded (CRESS) DNA virus and five circular molecules encoding viral-like proteins.
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Maeno, Koutaro Ould, and Mohamed Abdallahi Ould Babah Ebbe. "Aggregation Site Choice by Gregarious Nymphs of the Desert Locust, Schistocerca gregaria, in the Sahara Desert of Mauritania." Insects 9, no. 3 (August 13, 2018): 99. http://dx.doi.org/10.3390/insects9030099.
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Animals often aggregate at certain sites during vulnerable periods such as night-roosting as an anti-predatory strategy. Some migratory gregarious animals must regularly find new night-roosting sites, but how they synchronously choose such sites is poorly understood. We examined how gregarious nymphs of the desert locust, Schistocerca gregaria Forskål (Orthoptera: Acrididae), aggregate at certain plants for night-roosting in the Sahara Desert. Migratory bands of last instar nymphs climbed trees around dusk and roosted there overnight. A spatial autocorrelation analysis of plants indicated that the larger locust groups formed at the larger plants within the local plant community. Other large groups were not formed near the large tree, but smaller groups were patchily distributed. Plant height was the primary cue used by migratory bands to choose night-roosting plants. A nearest-neighbor distance analysis showed that single conspicuous large trees with scattered smaller plants were distributed locally. This plant community structure and negative geotactic ascending behavior of gregarious nymphs may force them to concentrate at the landmark plant from all directions and afar. This plant-size-dependent roosting site choice may contribute for developing artificial trapping systems for locusts and inciting to a new environment-friendly night control approach.
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Alemneh, Tewodros. "Adaptation Strategies of Farm Animals to Water Shortage in Desert Areas." American Journal of Biomedical Science & Research 2, no. 6 (May 6, 2019): 245–50. http://dx.doi.org/10.34297/ajbsr.2019.02.000617.
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El-Bakry, Hanan A., Wafaa M. Zahran, and Timothy J. Bartness. "Photoperiodic responses of four wild-trapped desert rodent species." American Journal of Physiology-Regulatory, Integrative and Comparative Physiology 275, no. 6 (December 1, 1998): R2012—R2022. http://dx.doi.org/10.1152/ajpregu.1998.275.6.r2012.
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The purpose of this study was to examine the effect of the photoperiod on reproductive status and body and lipid masses in four Egyptian desert rodent species ( Dipodillus dasyurus, Acomys cahirinus, Gerbillus andersoni, and Gerbillus pyramidum). Adult males and females were housed in long days for 11 wk. At that time, one-half of the animals were killed and the remaining animals were moved to short days (SDs) for 11 wk. Some individuals of Gerbillus andersoni and Gerbillus pyramidum had access to running wheels. Testes index and spermatogenesis, but not testis mass, were decreased in all species in SDs. In contrast, SDs did not affect female reproductive status in all species. Exercise stimulated spermatogenesis but did not affect female reproductive status. SDs increased body and lipid masses in male Acomys cahirinus, but not in other species. Collectively, these desert rodent species were responsive to day length changes, but these changes alone did not induce robust alterations in reproductive status and body and lipid masses.
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Dolan, Brian P., Brianna R. Beechler, Brian S. Dugovich, Clinton W. Epps, and Anna E. Jolles. "Rapid characterization of MHC class I diversity in desert bighorn sheep reveals population-specific allele expression." Journal of Immunology 204, no. 1_Supplement (May 1, 2020): 92.12. http://dx.doi.org/10.4049/jimmunol.204.supp.92.12.
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Abstract Diversity of MHC class I alleles within animal populations is necessary to prevent pathogen escape from adaptive immune responses. However, demonstrating this phenomenon is difficult especially in wild animal species where the effect of pathogen escape is more profound than in laboratory animal models. Desert bighorn sheep (Ovis canadensis nelsoni) are a charismatic megafauna native to the southwest of North America which are threatened by a number of infectious diseases and, more recently, paranasal tumors. We sought to develop a relatively inexpensive and rapid way to identify the diversity of MHC class I genes and alleles within individual bighorn sheep. Both DNA and RNA were isolated from leukocytes collected from 154 adult bighorn sheep from across different mountain ranges in Southern California. Previously identified primers from domestic sheep were used to amplify exons 2 and 3 from OMHC I genes while appending adapters for PacBio circular consensus sequencing. PCR amplicons from individual animals were then subjected to a second round of PCR to append index sequences to allow assigning of individual sequences to unique animals. We successfully identified over 40 unique MHC class I sequences expressed by bighorn sheep. Between 2 and 5 loci were amplified in each individual animal. Analysis of gDNA revealed several pseudogenes and other DNA sequences which were not transcribed. Finally, we demonstrate that particular DNA sequences are found within particular populations, suggesting that as bighorn populations fragment, there is a loss of MHC class I diversity.
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Zhaoming, Wang, Zhou Gang, Shegang Shao, Xiaomin Wu, Yufeng Zhu, and Hongfeng Zhang. "Research on Wildlife Protection Technology in the Construction Period of Xinjiang Desert Gobi Expressway." E3S Web of Conferences 165 (2020): 02022. http://dx.doi.org/10.1051/e3sconf/202016502022.
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In this paper, the author is taking the protection of wildlife for the purpose for researching. The authors are taking the protection of animals and plants specific measures to research in the construction management. Taking the protection of wild animals and plants along the highway in the Xinjiang desert Gobi area as a research object, conservation research was carried out, and protection suggestions and measures were put forward.
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Grob, Robin, Pauline N. Fleischmann, and Wolfgang Rössler. "Learning to navigate – how desert ants calibrate their compass systems." Neuroforum 25, no. 2 (May 27, 2019): 109–20. http://dx.doi.org/10.1515/nf-2018-0011.
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Abstract Navigating through the environment is a challenging task that animals cope with on a daily basis. Many animal species have impressive capabilities to navigate in complex or even harsh environments. Cataglyphis desert ants are a famous example. These ants use a remarkable navigational repertoire to find their way home after far-reaching foraging trips. How do naïve ants calibrate their visual navigational systems? The ants perform stereotyped sequences of learning walks before switching from tasks inside the darkness of their nest, to foraging under bright sunlight. Here, naïve ants align nest-directed views using the earth’s magnetic field as a compass reference. Neuronal plasticity was mapped in two visual pathways to higher brain centers during this transition. Both their first exposure to light, and the performance of learning walks lead to distinct changes in synaptic circuits along both visual pathways, reflecting calibration and memory formation in the ants’ visual compass systems.
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Bider, J. R. "The Distribution and Abundance of Terrestrial Vertebrates of the James and Hudson Bay Regions of Québec." Cahiers de géographie du Québec 20, no. 50 (April 12, 2005): 393–407. http://dx.doi.org/10.7202/021327ar.
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From an increasing number of surveys conducted in northern Québec interior at all times of the year, a view of animal resources and their distribution is crystallizing. In retrospect the distribution of animals seems for the most part related to the distribution of nutrient rich areas much like the distribution of animals in the desert relates to water. About 50% of all summer animal activity takes place on vast areas of poor habitat which comprises approximately 90% of the region. The small concentrations of nutrients from these regions where they are captured and transformed through food chains to a variety of carnivores such as those found at all major rapids. In the rich Tyrrell Sea the most salient factors which affect the populations seem to be the drainage of the soil and the turbidity of the water. The reduction of forest crown cover seems to affect the changes in species composition rather than the function of animals. In reviewing all the above factors and the known ranges of the animals it seems that western Nouveau-Québec can be divided into six zoogeographical entities, three of which are affected by the rich marine deposits of the Tyrrell Sea, topography and climate, the three others by the extremely poor glacial soils, topography and climate.
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Peixoto, Bernardo de C. P. e. M., M. Gabriela Mángano, Nicholas J. Minter, Luciana Bueno dos Reis Fernandes, and Marcelo Adorna Fernandes. "A new insect trackway from the Upper Jurassic—Lower Cretaceous eolian sandstones of São Paulo State, Brazil: implications for reconstructing desert paleoecology." PeerJ 8 (May 22, 2020): e8880. http://dx.doi.org/10.7717/peerj.8880.
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The new ichnospecies Paleohelcura araraquarensis isp. nov. is described from the Upper Jurassic-Lower Cretaceous Botucatu Formation of Brazil. This formation records a gigantic eolian sand sea (erg), formed under an arid climate in the south-central part of Gondwana. This trackway is composed of two track rows, whose internal width is less than one-quarter of the external width, with alternating to staggered series, consisting of three elliptical tracks that can vary from slightly elongated to tapered or circular. The trackways were found in yellowish/reddish sandstone in a quarry in the Araraquara municipality, São Paulo State. Comparisons with neoichnological studies and morphological inferences indicate that the producer of Paleohelcura araraquarensis isp. nov. was most likely a pterygote insect, and so could have fulfilled one of the ecological roles that different species of this group are capable of performing in dune deserts. The producer could have had a herbivorous or carnivorous diet or been part of the fauna of omnivores, being able to adopt herbivorous, carnivorous, and saprophagous diets when necessary. In modern dune deserts, some species of pterygote insects are detritivores (like Tenebrionidae), relying on organic matter that accumulated among the sand grains of the dunes during dry periods with no plant growth. The presence of additional burrows suggests that the Botucatu paleodesert would have had a detritivorous fauna like this. Based on the interpretation of the ichnofossil producers, it was possible to reconstruct the food web of this paleodesert. All the omnivorous and herbivorous invertebrates and the herbivorous ornithopod dinosaurs made up the primary consumers. These animals were, in turn, the food source for bigger carnivorous or omnivorous animals unable to feed on detritus, like arachnids, possible predatory insects, mammaliaforms, and theropod dinosaurs. The highest trophic level was occupied by larger theropod dinosaurs and mammaliaforms, which, because of their size, could prey upon a wide range of animals. The producer of Paleohelcura araraquarensis isp. nov. could have been a primary consumer if it were an omnivorous detritivore or a herbivore, or a secondary consumer if it were produced by a predatory insect or an omnivore relying on animal biomass. The description of this new trackway expands the knowledge on the faunal composition of the Botucatu paleodesert and provides insights into the ecological relationships in ancient deserts. The presence of these arthropod trackways in Mesozoic eolian deposits helps to trace a continuity between Paleozoic and post-Paleozoic desert ichnofaunas, further reinforcing a single Octopodichnus—Entradichnus Ichnofacies for eolian deposits.
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Kagan, Shelly. "Thinking by Drawing." Erasmus Journal for Philosophy and Economics 11, no. 2 (November 24, 2018): 245–83. http://dx.doi.org/10.23941/ejpe.v11i2.379.
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The Erasmus Journal for Philosophy and Economics (EJPE) interviewed Kagan about his formative years; his work on death, the moral status of animals, and desert; his views on changing one’s mind and convergence in philosophy; and his advice for graduate students in moral philosophy.
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Berkinbay, О., M. Zh Suleimenov, B. B. Omarov, M. A. Berdikulov, and Y. B. Baimukhanbetov. "CADASTRAL ASSESSMENT OF SHEEP PARASITES OF THE NORTHERN TIEN SHAN." HERALD OF SCIENCE OF S SEIFULLIN KAZAKH AGRO TECHNICAL UNIVERSITY, no. 4 (115) (December 21, 2022): 27–37. http://dx.doi.org/10.51452/kazatu.2022.4.1232.
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In the Northern Tien Shan, the qualitative composition of sheep parasites depends on the grazing areas of the animals. Thus, 47 parasites were registered in sheep grazing only in the highlands (9 species of protozoa, 6 - trematodes, 3 - cestodes, 28 - nematodes and 1 species ofbotfly), 22 in sheep grazing in the foothills (6 – protozoa, 3 – trematodes, 2 – cestodes, 10 – nematodes and 1 species of botfly), and in sheep grazing in the desert zone – 16 (4 – protozoa, 1 – trematodes, 2 – cestodes, 9 – nematodes). And the occurrence of mixed infestations depends on the qualitative composition of the parasites. Thus, sheep grazing in the highlands, where 47 parasites are registered, have 19-21 variants of associations, and sheep grazing in the desert zone, where 16 parasites are registered, have 12 variants of associations. The reduction of the qualitative composition of parasites in sheep in modern conditions contributed to the reduction of the number of animals in grazed areas and the modern processing of low-acidified livestock in farms.
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Novitskiy, Zinovy, Abdushukur Khamzaev, Nizomiddin Bakirov, Guzal Atadjanova, Maloxat Abdukadirova, and Umida Tasheva. "Study on desert agrophytocenoses on the drained bottom of the Aral Sea." E3S Web of Conferences 377 (2023): 03007. http://dx.doi.org/10.1051/e3sconf/202337703007.
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The drained bottom of the Aral Sea encloses an area of around 6 million hectares, of which 3.2 million hectares are located on the territory of the Republic of Uzbekistan. In addition to the removal of salt, dust and sand from the dried seabed, which cause enormous damage to the environment, there is 1.5 million hectares forest-usable area on the Aral Sea, which in turn, can be seen as an opportunity to create desert shrub agrophytocenoses. The aim of this research was to develop the most effective strategies for establishing desert agrophytocenoses on the afforestationable area of bottom sediments of the drained Aral Sea and to select desert forage plants for increasing the productivity of the pastures created. Studies have shown that with the use of focal, pasture-protective and reclamation-forage methods, as well as forage plants such as chogon, teresken, boyalych, keireuk, it is possible to create pastures with a feed capacity of up to 500 feed units per 1 hectare. This will increase the number of grazed animals by 20-30%. The results can be applied to sediments from the drained Aral Sea bottom that are of the afforestationable type. In the near future, the drained bottom of the Aral Sea will serve as a reserve for animal feed, opening up new opportunities for the development of an animal husbandry industry in the Aral Sea region. At the same time, forage plants will fix the soils of the drained bottom of the Aral Sea, greatly enhancing the region’s ecological situation.
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Hope, RM, and GK Godfrey. "Genetically-Determined Variation of Pelage Color and Reflectance in Natural and Laboratory Populations of the Marsupial Sminthopsis-Crassicaudata (Gould)." Australian Journal of Zoology 36, no. 4 (1988): 441. http://dx.doi.org/10.1071/zo9880441.
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A study of variation in dorsal pelage colour and reflectance of the dasyurid marsupial, Sminthopsis crassicaudata, has been based on animals captured from widely scattered areas in south-central Australia, and on a laboratory colony of this species. Measurements on the degree of resemblance between relatives gave heritability estimates of pelage reflectance close to the theoretical upper limit of unity. Measurements on the reflectance of animals captured from the wild revealed a geographical cline, with reflectance decreasing (animals becoming darker) with increasing southerly latitude. The higher reflectance (paler coloured) animals were found to inhabit the northern desert areas. We suggest that this cline results from a selective advantage enjoyed by animals whose dorsal pelage colour makes them relatively inconspicuous in their habitat to nocturnal preditors.
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MA, Ebrahiem. "The Effect of Husbandry and Management System on Sudan Desert Sheep Leather Production and Quality." Open Access Journal of Veterinary Science & Research 4, no. 2 (2019): 1–8. http://dx.doi.org/10.23880/oajvsr-16000175.
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This trail is aimed to demonstrate the effect of husbandry and management system on Sudan desert sheep performance and skin quality. For this purpose a questionnaire was designed and distributed randomly for 20 sheep breeders in each of the five chosen sheep breed area’s (Total of 100 ques.). The questionnaire include beside the personal data, twenty two (22) questions mainly about; system of feeding and application methods in each season, husbandry systems in each season , the main effective treatments on skins quality and common skin diseases and external parasites. The results revealed that, most of Sudan desert sheep owners or breeders were illiterate and most of them were herder 48.0%, while 37.5% were herder and farmer at the same time. All respondents confirmed that the open system depending on natural grazing was the main h usbandry and management system in all study target area. In autumn sheep depends totally on natural pasture grazing, while in winter sheep partly fed on natural grazing and the breeders complete it's feeding depending on the litter that remained from food crops after harvesting. Sudan desert sheep breeder in summer are using their stock of forage hay that collected either during the rainy season from good growing autumn pastures or from agricultural byproducts such as sorghum and sesame straw or groundnut r esiduals. The additional diets is varies by the variation of Sudan desert sheep locations. sometimes when forage are limited and for marketing purposes Sudan desert sheep breeders adding little amount or uncountable amount of sorghum grains, cotton seed ca kes, groundnut seed cake as finisher diet concentrate beside agricultural byproducts such as groundnut byproduct hay, sorghum byproduct hay and sesame byproduct hay for the herd that offered for sale or for fleshing or steaming up ewes during lambing seaso n. Branding is the most common and known damage in skins generally. Also some animal breeder's belief that by means of hot iron branding some animals may acquire immunity against certain diseases. The respondents attributed causes of mechanical damages of skins of animals on range land mainly to the domination of thorny bushes and grass with hairy and spiny seeds in pastures. External parasites and skin diseases cause most of skins damages and wastages in Sudan generally. Sheep pox spreads on sheep skins wi th high rates (88%). On the other hand, mange are resulting in (8%) of sheep skins infections. However, ticks infect most of sheep skins (80%), when Lice infection estimated at 20% of sheep skins.
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Saleh, Mostafa A., M. Bassam Al-Salahy, and Samera A. Sanousi. "Corpuscular oxidative stress in desert sheep naturally deficient in copper." Small Ruminant Research 80, no. 1-3 (November 2008): 33–38. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.smallrumres.2008.08.006.
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Currie, Philip J. "Hunting Ancient Dragons in China and Canada." Paleontological Society Special Publications 7 (1994): 387–96. http://dx.doi.org/10.1017/s2475262200009667.
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I was eleven years old when I read a book by Roy Chapman Andrews (1953) that changed my life. It was a book about dinosaurs, those magnificent animals that had captured my interest when I was even younger. But more significantly, the book was about looking for the remains of these ancient dragons in the Gobi Desert of China and Mongolia, and for the first time I learned that there was a potential career in hunting dinosaurs. The day I read the book was the day I decided to become a paleontologist. But in my wildest dreams I never imagined that I would follow in the footsteps of Andrews and end up in the Gobi Desert.
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El-Hadi, H. M. "The effect of dehydration on Sudanese desert sheep and goats." Journal of Agricultural Science 106, no. 1 (February 1986): 17–20. http://dx.doi.org/10.1017/s0021859600061657.
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SUMMARYChanges in body weight and body temperature were observed in Sudanese desert sheep and goats, which had been subjected to the summer sun (20 °C min. to 42 °C max.), given water normally and then deprived of water for 3 days. Tritiated water was also used to measure total body water and water turnover in these animals together with measurements of plasma and extracellular space, intracellular fluid volume and blood osmolality. The body weight and the size of the fluid compartments decreased in the two species at varying degrees associated with haemoconcentration. The extent of some changes was more marked in sheep than in goats, suggesting better adaptation of the former species to desert life.
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Abella, Scott R., and Kristin H. Berry. "Enhancing and Restoring Habitat for the Desert Tortoise." Journal of Fish and Wildlife Management 7, no. 1 (March 1, 2016): 255–79. http://dx.doi.org/10.3996/052015-jfwm-046.
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AbstractHabitat has changed unfavorably during the past 150 y for the desert tortoise Gopherus agassizii, a federally threatened species with declining populations in the Mojave Desert and western Sonoran Desert. To support recovery efforts, we synthesized published information on relationships of desert tortoises with three habitat features (cover sites, forage, and soil) and candidate management practices for improving these features for tortoises. In addition to their role in soil health and facilitating recruitment of annual forage plants, shrubs are used by desert tortoises for cover and as sites for burrows. Outplanting greenhouse-grown seedlings, protected from herbivory, has successfully restored (>50% survival) a variety of shrubs on disturbed desert soils. Additionally, salvaging and reapplying topsoil using effective techniques is among the more ecologically beneficial ways to initiate plant recovery after severe disturbance. Through differences in biochemical composition and digestibility, some plant species provide better-quality forage than others. Desert tortoises selectively forage on particular annual and herbaceous perennial species (e.g., legumes), and forage selection shifts during the year as different plants grow or mature. Nonnative grasses provide low-quality forage and contribute fuel to spreading wildfires, which damage or kill shrubs that tortoises use for cover. Maintaining a diverse “menu” of native annual forbs and decreasing nonnative grasses are priorities for restoring most desert tortoise habitats. Reducing herbivory by nonnative animals, carefully timing herbicide applications, and strategically augmenting annual forage plants via seeding show promise for improving tortoise forage quality. Roads, another disturbance, negatively affect habitat in numerous ways (e.g., compacting soil, altering hydrology). Techniques such as recontouring road berms to reestablish drainage patterns, vertical mulching (“planting” dead plant material), and creating barriers to prevent trespasses can assist natural recovery on decommissioned backcountry roads. Most habitat enhancement efforts to date have focused on only one factor at a time (e.g., providing fencing) and have not included proactive restoration activities (e.g., planting native species on disturbed soils). A research and management priority in recovering desert tortoise habitats is implementing an integrated set of restorative habitat enhancements (e.g., reducing nonnative plants, improving forage quality, augmenting native perennial plants, and ameliorating altered hydrology) and monitoring short- and long-term indicators of habitat condition and the responses of desert tortoises to habitat restoration.