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1
Moore, Jude Arthur Hamilton. "Internal environment of badger (Meles meles) setts." Thesis, University of Sussex, 1997. http://ethos.bl.uk/OrderDetails.do?uin=uk.bl.ethos.360488.
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Davison, John. "Ecology and behaviour of urban badgers (Meles meles)." Thesis, University of Sussex, 2007. http://ethos.bl.uk/OrderDetails.do?uin=uk.bl.ethos.441028.
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Stewart, Paul Dominic. "The social behaviour of the European badger : Meles meles." Thesis, University of Oxford, 1997. http://ethos.bl.uk/OrderDetails.do?uin=uk.bl.ethos.268202.
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Wright, Amanda. "Predicting the distribution of Eurasian badger (Meles meles) setts." Thesis, Manchester Metropolitan University, 1997. http://ethos.bl.uk/OrderDetails.do?uin=uk.bl.ethos.364059.
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George, S. C. "Stress, energetics and disease in the Eurasian badger (Meles meles)." Thesis, Queen's University Belfast, 2012. http://ethos.bl.uk/OrderDetails.do?uin=uk.bl.ethos.557418.
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The Eurasian badger is a wildlife reservoir of bovine tubersculosis (bTB) in the UK and Ireland. Many aspects of badger behaviour, ecology and disease dynamics are well understood. However, data for Northern Ireland are scarce and knowledge of their physiology is almost non-existent. This thesis aimed to determine the prevalence of bTB in badger groups in Northern Ireland and use a multi-disciplinary approach to investigate badger physiology, epidemiology and ecology, as well as how these factors interact with each other. A 75% increase in group size of grassland groups was recorded in the current study. Group composition changed, with a greater number of animals under three years of age than in previous studies in Northern Ireland. Significant differences were recorded between woodland and grassland groups with regard to body mass and there was a strong seasonal pattern in body mass and body condition in both habitat types. 88% of badgers tested showed no signs of prior exposure to bTB, 7% had been exposed, 5% were excreting and 2% were super excreters. 3 of culture positive badgers were infected with the most common strain found in cattle in the same area. The remaining culture positive badger was infected with a rare strain, confirmed in only six cattle herds and geographically isolated to an area within approximately 10km of the badger sett. Badger faecal cortisol levels were related to body mass and body condition in both males and females and displayed seasonal variation. Faecal cortisol levels were not significantly different between sero-positive and sero-negative \ animals but culture positive animals had elevated faecal cortisol. Badger RMR was 1234kJ/day. Activity is, on average, 30% lower on the first day post-release. Acceleration data offer the meansto calculate a correction factor for doubly lebelled water data. '. 'f,'~'.
6
Goodman, Emily Louisa. "Quantifying interactions in a high-density badger (Meles meles) population." Thesis, University of York, 2007. http://etheses.whiterose.ac.uk/11021/.
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McClune, David William. "Energy expenditure and behaviour of the European badger (Meles meles)." Thesis, Queen's University Belfast, 2016. http://ethos.bl.uk/OrderDetails.do?uin=uk.bl.ethos.707834.
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This thesis begins by examining the factors that affect metabolic rate, before turning to the measurement of energy expenditure and the quantification of behaviour in the European badger (Meles meles). Resting metabolic rate and daily energy expenditure (DEE) were measured (by respirometry and doubly labelled water, respectively) in a population of free-ranging badgers and analysed in terms of age, sex, season, and bovine tuberculosis (bTB) disease status. In a pilot study with a captive tame badger, a tri-axial accelerometer equipped collar was used to gather data on badger movement. Custom software was also developed to classify badger behaviour. This software was then applied to accelerometer data collected on a wild badger (along with global positioning system (GPS) information) to construct a detailed behaviour-time budget and elucidate habitat use. Resting metabolic rate was found to be significantly lower during the winter (1845±109 kJ d-1) compared to the summer (2366±70 kJ-d-1). Measurements during the summer were significantly higher than mustelid specific basal metabolic rate allometric predictions. Evidence was also found for seasonal variation in DEE, with values during the winter (2309±736 kJ-d-1) being significantly lower than both summer (2566±1011 kJ-d-1) and autumn (3070±780 kJ d-1). Based on the available data, there was no detectable effect of bTB disease status on DEE. In the captive badger accelerometer study, behavioural classification had an accuracy of 99.4% for resting, 78.7% for trotting, 77.5% for snuffling, and 77.4% for walking. When applied to accelerometer and GPS data collected on a free-ranging badger, resting was the most commonly identified behaviour (67.4%) followed by walking (20.9%), snuffling (9.5%) and trotting (2.3%). An acceleration based proxy for energy expenditure was derived for each behaviour. Variation in badger behaviour with habitat type was also investigated. This work provides new insights into the energy expenditure and behaviour of the European badger, as well as the development of techniques that have potential to be applied to a range of other species.
8
Jeřábek, František. "Vyhodnocení aktivity jezevce lesního (Meles meles) v okolí své nory." Master's thesis, Česká zemědělská univerzita v Praze, 2016. http://www.nusl.cz/ntk/nusl-258878.
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This master is theses describes the activity of the European badger (Meles meles) in the cadastral territory of Horní Studenec. The activity was monitored in relation to weather, time of sunrise and sunset and the moon phase in different seasons of a year. This thesis consists of two parts, practical and theoretical. The theoretical part is based on a literary research. The practical part analyzes data acquired by the author through a camera trap monitoring and personal observation at a particular badger warren. The outcome of this thesis is the finding that the following factors have influence on badger is behavior: lunar moon phase, daily minimum temperature and changes in external environment caused by human intervention.
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Basham, JJ Leilani. "He Puke Mele Lahui: Na Mele Kupa'a, Na Mele Ku'e A Me Na Mele Aloha 0 Na Kanaka Maoli." Thesis, University of Hawaii at Manoa, 2002. http://hdl.handle.net/10125/7059.
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Ma hope o ka hoʻokahuli ʻia ʻana o ke Aupuni Hawaiʻi i ka makahiki 1893, ua haku na Kanaka Maoli i na mele lahui he nui. Ua paʻi ʻia keia mau mele ma na nupepa ʻolelo Hawaiʻi, ʻo ia no kahi i moʻolelo ai na Kanaka Maoli no ka lakou hana a me ko lakou manaʻo. Ma o na mele lahui, ua hoʻopaʻa a haʻi mai na Kanaka Maoli i ka moʻolelo no ka wa o ka hoʻokahuli aupuni a me ka wa ma hope mai no hoʻi. Ma na mele, ua hoʻopaʻa ʻia ko lakou manaʻo kupaʻa no ka pono o ko lakou aupuni, a pela pu ko lakou manaʻo ku'e i ka hana ʻino ʻia mai o ko lakou aupuni. ʻIke ʻia no hoʻi ko lakou manaʻo ma o ka ʻolelo kuamuamu no ia poʻe nana i hana ʻino i ke Aupuni Hawaiʻi. Aia no hoʻi he mau mele noi a mele pule paha e noi aku ana i ke kokua o na Akua Hawaiʻi a me ke Akua Kalikiano. He nui no hoʻi na mele i haku ʻia no ka hoʻike ʻana aku i ke aloha o na Kanaka Maoli i ko lakou aupuni, ko lakou lahui, a me ko lakou Moʻiwahine. Mai kela manawa a hiki loa mai i keia au nei, ua mau loa aku ka haku meleʻana o na Kanaka Maoli, a ua mau loa no hoʻi ke kuʻe i ka hana ʻino ʻia mai a me ke kupaʻa no ka pono o ka ʻaina a me ka lahui.<br>xv, 184 leaves
10
Woodroffe, Rosemary Brigitte. "Factors affecting reproductive success in the European badger, Meles meles L." Thesis, University of Oxford, 1992. http://ethos.bl.uk/OrderDetails.do?uin=uk.bl.ethos.316891.
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Cresswell, W. J. "The behaviour and ecology of badgers (Meles meles) in suburban Bristol." Thesis, University of Bristol, 1988. http://ethos.bl.uk/OrderDetails.do?uin=uk.bl.ethos.381389.
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Kostka, Berit Isabel. "Landscape ecology, diet composition and energetics of the Eurasian badger (Meles meles)." Thesis, Queen's University Belfast, 2012. http://ethos.bl.uk/OrderDetails.do?uin=uk.bl.ethos.579755.
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In the British Isles, the Eurasian badger (Meles meles) is implicated in the transmission of bovine tuberculosis (bTB) to cattle. Growing concern about the efficacy of disease control measures has necessitated the need for more data on the species' ecology in a range of habitats, as variations in habitat use of badgers in heterogeneous landscapes may have implications for the management of the species as well as bTB. This study used a range of ecological technologies to investigate the variation of badger social group size, diet composition and individual foraging strategies throughout major habitat categories of Northern Ireland, and assessed how underlying physiological determinants of badger behaviour vary under the influence of environmental, life- history and disease effects. Badger social groups were overall smaller in landscape dominated by improved pasture and larger in areas with less 'suitable' habitat, although within habitat categories, there was considerable variation in social group size. Diet of badgers was mainly composed of vertebrates and earthworms, but particularly in upland areas was also supplemented with plant material. Some degree of specialisation on specific food items was detected throughout whole social groups located in 'prime' badger habitat, whereas badgers inhabiting less favourable habitat seemed to adopt unique foraging strategies within the same group. Investigations into the energy requirements of badgers revealed energetic benefits for badgers that were part of larger social groups compared to badgers that lived in smaller social groups. The high ecological plasticity of badgers throughout the landscape detected in this study largely stands in contrast to findings available from areas in Great Britain. Therefore, further knowledge on badger population structure and habitat use is required particularly for areas reflecting the majority of the landscape in the British Isles as well as at specific localities for an area-specific risk assessment for the transmission of bTB.
13
Shepherdson, D. J. "Foraging behaviour and space use in the European badger (Meles meles L.)." Thesis, University of Sussex, 1986. http://ethos.bl.uk/OrderDetails.do?uin=uk.bl.ethos.377581.
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Frantz, Alain Camille. "Non-invasive genetic typing in the study of badger (Meles meles) ecology." Thesis, University of Sussex, 2005. http://ethos.bl.uk/OrderDetails.do?uin=uk.bl.ethos.402675.
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Sadlier, Linda. "The behavioural ecology of the badger (Meles meles L.) on pastoral farmland." Thesis, Queen's University Belfast, 1999. http://ethos.bl.uk/OrderDetails.do?uin=uk.bl.ethos.314145.
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Hounsome, Timothy David. "The effects of badgers (Meles meles) and livestock on ground nesting birds." Thesis, University of Aberdeen, 2005. http://ethos.bl.uk/OrderDetails.do?uin=uk.bl.ethos.430972.
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Beckley, Nicholas. "Epidemiological dynamics of Mycobacterium bovis and population suppression in badgers (Meles meles)." Thesis, Imperial College London, 2014. http://hdl.handle.net/10044/1/49412.
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Bovine TB in cattle is a major economic problem in the UK, costing the government approximately £100m a year. Badgers are a wildlife host of the infection that causes bovine TB, and there is strong evidence that they transmit the infection to cattle. Understanding the ecology and epidemiology of infected badger populations is therefore crucial for implementing disease management strategies relating to badgers. Genetic and phenotypic data of badgers captured during a large-scale field trial of repeated, widespread badger culls were used to assess the importance of parental roles on the impacts of badger culling. Further ecological and epidemiological dynamics were investigated through developing a stochastic simulation model of an infected badger population. An estimated 72.8% of badgers were captured during initial culls of the trial, and an estimated 57.8% during follow-up culls, based on badger parentage assignments. Further analyses of these parentage assignments revealed evidence of a genetic predisposition in infection susceptibility from parents to cubs, but no evidence of a significant infection transmission route from mothers to their young, dependent cubs. There was also no evidence that badger welfare was compromised during the trial through not capturing dependent cubs of culled mothers. Analysis of a simulation model found that moderate levels of disease-induced mortality in an infected badger population could significantly reduce the size of badger social groups with a higher prevalence of infection. The impact of these findings relating to potential disease management strategies is discussed, together with suggested directions for future research.
18
Brown, Julian A. "Transmission of bovine tuberculosis (Mycobacterium bovis) from badgers (Meles meles) to cattle." Thesis, University of Bristol, 1993. http://hdl.handle.net/1983/d277aaf1-a1b1-4142-b0e5-ffa1f3d12bb7.
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Silva, Inês Malheiro Guise da. "Sett entrances characteristics of the Eurasian badger(Meles meles) in sharpham estate, southwest of England." Master's thesis, Universidade de Évora, 2019. http://hdl.handle.net/10174/24750.
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A fragmentação e a degradação de habitats estão entre as maiores ameaças aos carnívoros. O Texugo-euroasiático (Meles meles) é um carnívoro com facilidade de adaptação que, embora não esteja ameaçado globalmente, exige atenção na compreensão das características dos seus habitats. Este estudo pretendeu analisar que fatores ambientais caracterizam e influenciam o uso de entradas de tocas de texugo na propriedade de Sharpham (Reino Unido). A abordagem incluiu variáveis topográficas, de vegetação local, usos de solo e de influência humana. O teste U de Mann-Whitney foi executado para todas as variáveis ambientais. Os resultados sugerem que valores mais elevados de declive, cobertura de vegetação e de distância das áreas com pastagem e estruturas antropogénicas, como as estradas, promoveram uma maior probabilidade de uso das entradas. Devem ser incentivadas políticas de manutenção e conservação das características ambientais propícias à utilização das entradas de tocas, de modo a promover a integridade dos habitats de texugos e a sobrevivência das populações; Abstract:
Fragmentation and degradation of habitats are among the most important threats to carnivores. The Eurasian Badger (Meles meles) is a very adaptable carnivore that, while is not considered an endangered species globally, requires attention when it comes to understanding its habitats characteristics. This study intended to analyze which environmental factors characterize and influence the use of badger’s sett entrances in Sharpham Estate (UK). The approach included topographical, local vegetation, land uses and human-influenced variables. Univariate U Mann-Whitney test was performed for all environmental variables. The results suggest that high slope, high cover provided by vegetation and high distance from pastures areas and anthropogenic structures, such as roads, promoted a higher use probability of entrances. Maintenance and conservation policies of environmental characteristics conducive to the use of sett entrances should be encouraged in order to promote the integrity of badger habitats and the survival of populations.
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Kragelund, Patrick. "Abildgaard : kunstneren mellem oprørerne /." København : Museum Tusculanum : Københavns universitet, 1999. http://catalogue.bnf.fr/ark:/12148/cb370777519.
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Tomlinson, Alexandra Jane. "Life-history correlates of Myobacterium bovis infection in individual Eurasion badgers (Meles meles)." Thesis, University of Liverpool, 2013. http://ethos.bl.uk/OrderDetails.do?uin=uk.bl.ethos.569210.
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Bovine tuberculosis caused by Mycobacterium bovis is a disease of global importance. In the UK, it has serious economic and welfare implications for cattle farming enterprises, and its control confers substantial costs on UK taxpayers. Disease control strategies, in particular those pertaining to its main wildlife reservoir, the Eurasian badger (Meles meles), are highly problematic and continue to divide opinion. The aim of the present study was to investigate life-history correlates of infection with M. bovis in individual badgers, using data from the long-term badger trapping and sampling research programme at Woodchester Park in south-west England. An understanding of disease manifestations at the individual level is essential to elucidate transmission dynamics at the social group and population levels, and is therefore also important in the development and optimisation of disease control strategies. Epidemiological analyses centre on the correct interpretation of diagnostic test results. In the case of bovine tuberculosis, this is hindered by the complexity and variability of the immune response. Recent data from the Woodchester Park population presented a rare opportunity to observe the temporal progression of the cell-mediated response as measured by the gamma-interferon assay in a population of free-living naturally infected badgers. Analysis demonstrated fluctuation and decline in the interferon response over time following initial detection. In addition, the magnitude of the initial response was positively correlated with the likelihood of disease progression. These data provide a useful framework on which to further our understanding of the pathogenesis of naturally acquired M. bovis infection in badgers. Using retrospective data collected over a 24 year period, condition loss was shown to be a feature of disease in badgers, but only when mycobacterial excretion was detected. Furthermore, adult female badgers appeared to show more resilience to the physiological impact of disease than male badgers, as they survived for longer, gained weight as per the normal seasonal cycle, and continued to reproduce successfully despite intermittently excreting M. bovis. Shorter survival times were also reported for badgers in which the onset of excretion was characterised by positive culture from a bite wound or lymph node abscess. A more intensive study of six badger social groups in the study area over three years from 2007 to 2010 revealed no significant association between the magnitude of the IFN response and either the presence or intensity of helminth or coccidial burdens in individual badgers, providing no evidence to support a simple relationship between parasite burdens and the immune response to M. bovis infection. The ability of infectious adult females to continue to reproduce and rear cubs successfully resulted in significantly higher risks of both the acquisition and progression of infection in cubs captured in the same social group. In addition, the highest probability of pre-emergent infection was observed in cubs from these high-risk groups. There was a decreasing risk gradient observed from the infectious breeding female to seropositive breeding females to other adults of excretor then seropositive status, and there was no evidence to support a protective effect of maternally derived antibody in cubs. However, groups with infectious breeding females were in the minority during the study period from 1982 to 2010, and the majority of emergent cubs in the population were not detected as infected during their first year of life. These findings highlight the importance of social structure and the role of infectious females in disease dynamics. The value of potential control strategies such as the targeted selective culling of seropositive adult females, and annual vaccine delivery to as many cubs as possible prior to infection, either solely or in combination, are discussed in the light of these findings.
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Butler, Juliana Mary. "The ecology of burrowing and burrow use in the European badger Meles meles." Thesis, University of Sussex, 1995. http://ethos.bl.uk/OrderDetails.do?uin=uk.bl.ethos.260903.
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Feore, Sarah Mary. "The distribution and abundance of the badger Meles meles L in Northern Ireland." Thesis, Queen's University Belfast, 1994. http://ethos.bl.uk/OrderDetails.do?uin=uk.bl.ethos.296825.
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Hofmann, Thomas. "Untersuchungen zur Ökologie des Europäischen Dachses (Meles meles, L. 1758) im Hakelwald (nordöstliches Harzvorland)." [S.l. : s.n.], 1999. http://deposit.ddb.de/cgi-bin/dokserv?idn=960590099.
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Buesching, Christina D. "The subcaudal gland of the European badger (Meles meles), chemistry and scent-marking behaviour." Thesis, University of Oxford, 2000. http://ethos.bl.uk/OrderDetails.do?uin=uk.bl.ethos.365858.
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Garnett, Benjamin Thomas. "Behavioural aspects of bovine tuberculosis (Mycobacterium bovis) transmission and infection in badgers (Meles meles)." Thesis, University of Sussex, 2002. http://ethos.bl.uk/OrderDetails.do?uin=uk.bl.ethos.272050.
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Palphramand, Katie Louise. "Patterns of territoriality and space use in a moderate-density badger (Meles meles) population." Thesis, University of York, 2005. http://ethos.bl.uk/OrderDetails.do?uin=uk.bl.ethos.428458.
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Wilson, Gavin John. "Patterns of population change in the Eurasian badger (Meles meles) in Britain, 1988-1997." Thesis, University of Bristol, 1998. http://hdl.handle.net/1983/e2874fa5-7955-48c1-bb16-ae29893e9f72.
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In this thesis, the patterns of population change in the British badger (Me/es me/es) population over a nine year period are presented. The results of a stratified, random survey undertaken between October 1994 and January 1997 were compared with those from an identical, baseline survey which was carried out between November 1985 and early 1988. l-km squares were the unit of survey: 22711-km squares were surveyed twice - once in the 1980s survey and again in the 1990s. The Institute ofTerrestrial Ecology's Land Classification Scheme was incorporated into the survey design to ensure that Britain's landscape types were evenly represented in the sample, and to facilitate reliable extrapolation to the whole country. There were estimated to be 50,241±4327 badger social groups in Britain in the 1990s, an increase of24% from the original survey. Average group size also increased. An estimate of relative abundance, based on a field sign index which was quantified for each sample l-km square, revealed that there had been an increase in badger numbers of75% between the surveys. Variables relating to habitat availability and persecution levels were recorded in both surveys. Changes in badger abundance were analysed with respect to changes in these variables between the two surveys. A decline in levels of persecution correlated with the increase in badger numbers. Tightening ofthe badger protection laws is believed to have brought this about. The relationships between badger group size, sett size and activity, and latrine use were investigated to further refine the survey results, and to provide a means to estimate badger numbers at a local scale. Social group size was found to be related to the number of active holes at the main sett. A predictive model was produced incorporating main sett active holes and latrine use within territories
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Guedes, Diana Alvim Pereira de Sousa. "Environmental drivers reveal fragmented spatial patterns of Eurasian badger (Meles meles) occurrence in Portugal." Master's thesis, Universidade de Aveiro, 2016. http://hdl.handle.net/10773/21545.
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Mestrado em Ecologia Aplicada<br>Perceber os fatores ambientais que influenciam a ocorrência e distribuição de espécies é essencial para a formulação de medidas de conservação eficientes. O texugo Europeu (Meles meles) é um dos carnívoros mais comuns nos ecossistemas Mediterrânicos mas o aumento da fragmentação de habitat nas últimas décadas pode originar uma mudança no seu estatuto e distribuição. A sua ampla distribuição geográfica juntamente com o facto de ser uma espécie generalista em termos de habitat e alimentação torna difícil encontrar um padrão de seleção de habitat único. Neste estudo foram analisados os factores ambientais que influenciam a localização das tocas (vulgarmente conhecidas como texugueiras e usadas para reprodução e refúgio), a ocorrência de texugo e o risco de atropelamentos. O principal objectivo é avaliar os padrões espaciais de habitats de alta qualidade e de alto risco para a conservação do texugo em Portugal. Prospetámos o centro de Portugal à procura de texugueiras e compilámos os dados de ocorrência de texugo e de atropelamentos a nível nacional. Usámos modelos lineares generalizados (GLM) para examinar os fatores que influenciam a localização das texugueiras e modelos de entropia máxima (MaxEnt) para analisar o que leva à ocorrência de texugo e à sua mortalidade nas estradas. Por fim, os três modelos foram sobrepostos com o objetivo de identificar áreas prioritárias para a conservação do texugo. Os nossos resultados revelaram uma fragmentação no padrão espacial dos habitats primários. Surpreedentemente, o texugo evita áreas densamente florestadas para a seleção do local das texugueiras e a sua ocorrência está positivamente relacionada com a presença de alguma proporção de campos agrícolas, solos sedimentares e áreas abertas. O risco de atropelamento é mais elevado em autoestradas com sinuosidade baixa e perto de zonas abertas. Os nossos resultados realçam a importância da manutenção de florestas Mediterrânicas naturais, pastos e zonas agrícolas. Deve ser dada prioridade às zonas de alto risco em termos de investigação (validar os resultados com uma estimativa das taxas de atropelamentos) e conservação (incluir passagens para minimizar o número de atropelamentos). É necessário mais investigação para determinar se as áreas de habitat primário disponíveis têm algum efeito na viabilidade das populações de texugo ao longo do tempo.<br>Understanding the environmental features that influence organism’s occurrence and distribution is essential to formulate efficient conservation measures. The European badger (Meles meles) is one of the most common carnivores in Mediterrranean environments but the increase of habitat fragmentation over the last decades may lead to a change in their status and distribution. Badger have an wide geographic distribution and together with the fact that are generalist in terms of habitat and food makes it difficult to find a unic habitat selection pattern. In this study we address to analyse the environmental drivers that influence the location of badger setts (used for reproduction and refuge), the occurrence of badgers and their risk of road mortality. The main goal of this study is to evaluate the spatial patterns of habitats of high quality and high risk for badger conservation in Portugal. We surveyed the centre of Portugal in search of badger setts and compiled badger occurrence and road-kill data at a national level. We used generalized linear modelling (GLM) to examine which factors influence the badger sett sites and maximum entropy modelling (MaxEnt) to analyse the drivers of badger occurrence and road mortality. Finally, we overlapped the three models to identify priority areas for badger conservation. Our results reveal a fragmented pattern of primary habitats for badgers. Surprisingly, when selecting the location of badger setts they seem to avoid densily forested areas and their occurrence is positively related to some amount of agricultural fields, sedimentary ground and open areas. Road mortality risk is high at highways with low sinuosity and close to open areas. Our results highlight the importance of the mantainance of natural Mediterranean forests, pastures and some agricultural lands. Priority should be given to risky areas in terms of reasearch (by validating the results with the estimation of road-kill rates) and of conservation (inclusion of crossing structures to minimize the number of road-kill events). Further research should be performed to determine whether the available primary habitat have an effect on populations viability over time.
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Latour, Paul B. "The individual within the group territorial system of the European badger (Meles meles L.)." Thesis, University of Aberdeen, 1988. http://digitool.abdn.ac.uk/R?func=search-advanced-go&find_code1=WSN&request1=AAIU010238.
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Three groups of European badger (<i>Meles meles</i> L.) were studied during 1985 and 1986 on an area of mixed farmland in the Spey Valley, Scotland. The European badger is group territorial but individuals forage solitarily. Group size was 6 (Milton group), 3-5 (Sheilich group) and 2-4 (Little Loch group). Data were obtained by means of radio tracking on five of the Milton group, three of the Sheilich group, two of the Little Loch group plus two single males. The three group territories ranged in size from 75-146 ha. and each contained a unique habitat structure. Spatial autocorrelation and graphical analyses indicated that individuals within each group distributed their intensity of use of the group territory similarly; the three groups, however, differed from one another in this respect. When examined over the long-term, individuals' total ranges and core areas overlapped widely, however, overlap of 50x50 m grid cells was low between pairs of individuals and the individual and the rest of the group suggesting partial spatial separation of individuals within the group. Over three week intervals the Milton badgers showed a complex, shifting arrangement of activity centres with no association between particular group members. On a nightly basis, an individual's total range overlapped widely with the rest of the group, but spacing of observation points for all individuals suggested that each individual's movement was concentrated in relation to the movements of the rest of the group. Diet comparisons between groups, within groups between years and between seasons suggested that availability, as indicated by the differing vegetational composition of each group territory, affected diet. Initial evidence was that individual's diets were similar within groups. Individuals within the three groups had similar range composition, showed similar preferences for the vegetation zones within each group territory and appeared to use the zones similarly. Individuals within each group exploited the group territory similarly, at least within the sensitivity of the present data. Above surface activity was strictly nocturnal and individuals showed the same pattern of varying length activity bouts interspersed with periods of rest underground; there was no common schedule, however, between individuals. Overall activity budgets were similar between individuals within the group. Individuals used the same ongoing movements each night, often travelling 3-4km, returning occasionally only to those areas that had received light use earlier in the night, and avoiding previously used areas more than expected from models of random badger movement. Group members were seldom observed in close proximity and appeared to be either spacing themselves each night randomly or avoiding one another. The three groups differed in the distribution of communal defaecation sites (latrines). All group members visited latrines and latrine paths, behaviours associated with demarcation of the group range, at similar rates. It is suggested that the spatial organization of the three groups of badgers was non-competitive. At first glance, the data indicated a large potential for spatial competition, however, a detailed analysis suggests that group members intensively used a number of different parts of the group territory ('patches'), these were shared with only a part of the group, and individuals were seldom in close contact with one another on a given night as predicted by patch based models of Carnivore group territoriality. However, territory size and configuration were not determined by the location of key feeding areas, in contradiction to the patch based models. Possible advantages gained by individuals within the group by spatial non-competitiveness are discussed in light of possible territory inheritance by related individuals. Possible advantages to all individuals contributing to demarcation of the group territory are also discussed. Group formation in European badgers is also compared with a model of group formation in birds.
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Tofteng, Ditte. "Bevægelser mellem arbejde og udstødning /." Roskilde : Institut for miljø, teknologi og samfund, Roskilde universitetscenter, 2005. http://hdl.handle.net/1800/1622.
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King, Hayley C. "Non-invasive monitoring of environmental Mycobacterium bovis shedding in wild European badger (Meles meles) populations." Thesis, University of Warwick, 2015. http://wrap.warwick.ac.uk/77509/.
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The herd-level incidence of Mycobacterium bovis has been increasing in the United Kingdom (UK) and Republic or Ireland (RoI) for the past thirty years, resulting in substantial economic and animal welfare issues. Failure to control this pathogen in cattle is in part due to European badgers (Meles meles), a wildlife reservoir that are responsible for a proportion of transmission of M. bovis to cattle. Monitoring infection in badger populations is currently limited due to the need to trap badgers, which requires highly trained field staff and is expensive. In addition, although contact with infected badger faeces is a potential transmission route to cattle, very little is known about the extent and variability of the environmental pool of M. bovis shed by badgers. In this project we evaluated the suitability of using environmental badger faeces and a quantitative PCR (qPCR) assay to diagnose and monitor M. bovis in badger populations and described the extent of this environmental pool of potential infection. The first study identified that intensive environmental faecal sampling and analysis with qPCR is at least, if not more, sensitive at diagnosing M. bovis in badger populations than the currently used immunoassays. This study also identified that even within a high prevalence population, the levels of shedding of M. bovis in faeces are highly variable between groups and between seasons, suggesting that there may be heterogeneity in transmission risk throughout the year. Using this non-invasive qPCR method to monitor the first field trial of oral BCG vaccination identified a trend of decreasing levels of M. bovis in faeces with increasing vaccination levels however, these results failed to reach statistical significance, highlighting the importance of adequate sample sizes when implementing this method. Finally, characterisation of the gut and faecal microbiota from animals shedding M. bovis in faeces confirmed that the source of faecal M. bovis is most likely sputum that has been expelled from the lungs, and not from colonisation of the gut. The work presented here suggests that this non-invasive monitoring method can be applied to examine the variable pool of M. bovis over periods of time and large areas, providing an epidemiological tool which has the potential to be implemented to monitor infection in badger populations and disease intervention strategies.
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Sin, Yung Wa. "The major histocompatibility complex, mate choice and pathogen resistance in the European badger Meles meles." Thesis, University of Oxford, 2014. http://ora.ox.ac.uk/objects/uuid:951310f6-63d8-4fbc-893a-dcd319e1a1d9.
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Studies of the evolution of the major histocompatibility complex (MHC) have been central to the understanding sexual selection and pathogen-mediated selection. The European badger Meles meles is well suited for exploring such questions because of its life history characteristics, reproductive biology and mating system. In this thesis, I examined both MHC class I and class II genes. Seven putatively functional sequences were found for class I genes and four for class II DRB genes. Evidence of past balancing selection of both genes was demonstrated by the d<sub>N</sub>d<sub>S</sub> ratio, by positive selection at the antigen-binding site (ABS) and by trans-species polymorphism of alleles within other mustelids and carnivores. MHC class I genes also showed evidence of concerted evolution, but domains showed different evolutionary histories. MHC genes may influence microbiota and odour of an individual and influence mating preferences. I examined the bacterial community of the subcaudal gland secretion and demonstrated a high number of bacterial species (56 operational taxonomic units), which cubs exhibited a higher diversity than adults. The microbiota may lead to an individual-specific odour as a cue signaling the MHC genotype of potential mating partners. I report the first evidence for a MHC- based mating preference in carnivores. Female badgers showed a MHC-assortative mate choice towards breeding with males that had functionally similar MHC genes, for MHC class II DRB genes. This applied to neighbouring-group matings. I also found considerable annual fluctuation in the occurrence of MHC-based mate choice. Based on genome-wide background in the same mating randomizations I found no evidence of inbreeding, which indicated that MHC similarity was apparently the actual target of mate choice. In line with MHC-assortative mate choice, MHC heterozygosity had no influence on the co-infection status. Individual MHC alleles did, however, associate with resistance and susceptibility to specific pathogens, suggesting that MHC diversity may be driven and maintained by pathogen-mediated selection through rare-allele advantages and/or fluctuating selection. My study of genetic characteristics, mate choice and pathogen pressures in a wild population revealed past and contemporary evolutionary process of the MHC genes. This increases knowledge of how the MHC may affect mating behaviour and sexual selection, ultimately influencing population processes.
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Christian, Sean Francis. "The behavioural ecology of the Eurasian badger (Meles meles) : space use, territoriality and social behaviour." Thesis, University of Sussex, 1993. http://ethos.bl.uk/OrderDetails.do?uin=uk.bl.ethos.357263.
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Montes, I. "Leukocyte coping capacity and leukocyte activation as a measure of stress in wild badgers (Meles meles)." Thesis, Coventry University, 2008. http://ethos.bl.uk/OrderDetails.do?uin=uk.bl.ethos.486899.
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All living organisms are subject to some form of stress, which in medical terms is a response oftl1e body to a wide range of external s~~uli. This may be physiological or psychological in nature. Objective, quantitative and meaningful me~ures of stress are important to stud~es in many branches of vertebrate biology including humanbiology, animal husbandry and wildlife ecology. The effects of stress in animals have previously been assessed using a variety oftecJ:niques, such as me.asurement of cortisol, haematological values and behavioural observations. The aim ofthis study was to develop and validate novel techniques for quantifying stress·by directly measuring the immune response. Transport significantly reduced the number of cir~ulatingleukocytes (F2,24 = 5.4, . . P<0.05). The changes in neutrophil n~bers may have- occurred as a result of an alteration in adhesion receptors on the neutrophils (L-selectin; integrins and PSGL-l P-Selectin Glycoprotein Ligand-I) or the endothelium (p-selectin; Intracellular Adhesion·Molecule 1). Transport stress had a significant effect on baseline neutrophil activation (F2,19 = 12.4, P<O.OOI), activation was lowestin non-transported aninials and highest immediately after transport, however transport stress did not have a significant effect on plasma antioxidant capacity.. This suggests that badgers possess enough antioxidant defences and oxidative damage is not likely to occur. Stress also significantly reduced the potential ofcirculating leukocytes to ·produce oxygen free radicals (F3,51=6.98, p<O.OOI). A significant decrease in plasma cortisol (Fl,28=4~67l; P<0.05) and testosterone (Fl,42=16.68, p <0.001) concentrations after transport was also observed. It is clear that.conservation interventions such as trapping, translocation and radiocollaring have an impact on their ~ubjects; there are many different methods to monitor stress induced immunosuppression, although the best way to achieve this is to combine different methods: Some techniques may be more appropriate than others depending on the species being studied.
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Russell, William. "Development and evaluation of serological assays to detect Mycobacterium bovis infection in the badger (Meles meles)." Thesis, Brunel University, 1995. http://ethos.bl.uk/OrderDetails.do?uin=uk.bl.ethos.311276.
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Baker, Sandra E. "Developing aversion management techniques for use with European badgers Meles meles and red foxes Vulpes vulpes." Thesis, University of Oxford, 2003. http://ethos.bl.uk/OrderDetails.do?uin=uk.bl.ethos.275371.
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Hutchings, Michael R. "The risk of transmission of bovine tuberculosis (Mycobacterium bovis) posed to cattle by badgers (Meles meles)." Thesis, University of Bristol, 1996. http://ethos.bl.uk/OrderDetails.do?uin=uk.bl.ethos.243671.
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Annavi, Geetha. "Genetic, socio-ecological and fitness correlates of extra-group paternity in the European badger (Meles meles)." Thesis, University of Oxford, 2012. http://ora.ox.ac.uk/objects/uuid:8d7304b2-84a2-4d5d-bbbc-63270d309e2e.
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The evolution of extra-group paternity (EGP) is a contentious issue in evolutionary biology. This thesis examines the factors and adaptive benefits driving EGP in a high-density, group-living population of European badgers (Meles meles). To improve power to assign parentage, I isolated and characterised 21 new polymorphic microsatellite markers. I genotyped 83% of 1410 badger trapped 1987‒2010 using 35 autosomal microsatellite markers. Maternity and paternity were assigned at 80% confidence ca. 82% of individuals. 48% of paternities were extra-group, where 85% were attributable to neighbouring-group males and EGP was detected in 47% of litters; thus badger social group do not correspond with a breeding unit. I tested whether indirect genetic benefits explain these high EGP rates. (1) ‘Good-gene-as-heterozygosity Hypothesis’: Paternal heterozygosity, but not maternal or an individual’s own heterozygosity, associated positively with first-year survival probability. Under benign environmental conditions, cubs fathered by more heterozygous males had a higher first year survival probability. Despite this correlation, the EGP rate per litter correlated with neither average nor maximum within-group heterozygosity of candidate fathers. (2) Fitness benefit Hypothesis: Extra-group offspring (EGO) had lower first-year survival probability and lived 1.3 years less than within-group offspring (WGO). Female WGO produced more litters and offspring over their lifetime than female EGO, whereas male EGO produced more offspring than male WGO. (3) Inbreeding avoidance hypothesis: The EGP rate within a litter increased with greater average pair-wise relatedness between mothers and within-group candidate fathers. No inbreeding depression on first-year survival probability was detected, but small sample sizes limited statistical power. Socio-ecologically, at the litter level, EGP correlated negatively with the number of within-group candidate fathers, and positively with neighbouring-group candidate fathers. In conclusion, EGP in badgers may reduce inbreeding and be maintained in the population through a sex-specific antagonistic selection and indirect genetic benefits may occur when the total fitness benefits of producing extra-group sons outweigh the costs of producing extra-group daughters. These indirect genetic benefits only partially explain the evolution of promiscuity in European badgers, highlighting that evolutionary factors underlying promiscuity remain unclear.
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Bilham, Kirstin Louise. "The effects of oxidative stress and innate immunity on European badger (Meles meles) life-history dynamics." Thesis, University of Oxford, 2016. https://ora.ox.ac.uk/objects/uuid:043151e5-54da-47b1-86a1-14cef09f67e0.
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Wild animals are faced with many stressors from starvation to infections, which will affect individual survival and population dynamics. Free radicals and reactive oxygen species are involved in many of these processes, from cell signalling and immunity, to potentially being a causal factor in ageing. Oxidative stress is posited as a major factor in population dynamics, ultimately driving the evolution of life-history traits in wild species, acting as the 'currency' through which various trade-offs operate. In this thesis, I present a series of studies on the Wytham population of European badgers (Meles meles) focussed on dissecting the effects of host responses to stressors and pathogen recognition on life-history success. The first part of this thesis investigates intrinsic and extrinsic factors affecting oxidative stress and antioxidant defences, linked to population-dynamic effects and life-history traits. I model the crucial intrinsic (development, ageing, reproduction) and one important extrinsic (weather conditions) factors affecting oxidative stress levels in a wild mammal, in relation to survival and reproductive investment. Benefitting from a long term study with marked individuals of a known age, I found that cubs trade-off the development of antioxidant defences against growth, and that juvenile survival is dependent on levels of oxidative damage. These factors are interactive with prevailing yearly weather conditions; investment in antioxidant defences has the greatest survival benefit for young cubs in harsh years (dry, cold spring). I also show that weather affects age-classes in different ways, but I did not find any link between higher oxidative damage and ageing, even following individual responses. The second major focus for the thesis is to explore the immune capability of badgers, focussing on macrophage function and the initial recognition of pathogens. Wildlife immunology represents a "neglected area" of ecology that has potential for large impacts in terms of conservation and disease management. Indeed, wildlife can be a reservoir for infections that affect humans (zoonotic infections) and their livestock. The badger is a classic example of this effect being considered an important reservoir for Mycobacterium bovis, the cause of bovine tuberculosis (bTB). I employed molecular immunology methodologies to develop a methodological tool box to assess immune responses in badgers, which are then employed to investigate the response of blood monocyte-derived macrophages to microbial agonists that stimulate Toll-like receptors. The major findings are that badger macrophages fail to produce nitric oxide or meaningfully upregulate inducible nitric oxide synthase mRNA after exposure to TLR agonists, bacterial lysates and / or recombinant badger Interferon gamma. The TLR system is demonstrated to be largely intact in badger macrophages since exposure to TLR agonists did induce upregulation of cytokine mRNA. The only agonists that stimulated very low responses are those that target TLR9, but this was due to very low levels of expression of TLR9 mRNA. Both nitric oxide and TLR9 are implicated in responses to bTB and these deficiencies would significantly impact on the susceptibility of badgers to infection. There are numerous wider implications of my work: My thesis foremost highlights the importance of taking an integrated approach to eco-physiology and eco-immunology, as these processes are heavily intertwined. The weather correlates of oxidative stress not only highlight the potential vulnerability of all species to human induced rapid environmental change, but provide a stark warning especially for less resilient specialists. The immunology work confirms the importance of carefully analysing immune responses of wildlife species, especially in the context of designing effective species management strategies for diseases such as bTB, providing indicators of why a species may be susceptible to infection and indicating potential ways to improve vaccination.
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Noonan, Michael James. "The socio-ecological functions of fossoriality in a group-living carnivore, the European badger (meles meles)." Thesis, University of Oxford, 2015. https://ora.ox.ac.uk/objects/uuid:69ea12af-f012-41ec-9359-6983cee8590a.
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This thesis examines the role played by den use in socio-ecology, especially in leveraging group formation (i.e., the Fossorial Benefits Hypothesis; FBH), using badgers as a model species. In particular, I benefit from recent technological developments, facilitating detailed measurements of activity, energetic expenditure, ranging behaviour, and underground localisation, enabling the examination of hitherto intractable facets of badger socio-ecology, allowing a comprehensive investigation. Group-living is theorised to evolve when the benefits of living with conspecifics outweigh the costs. While pack hunting, and allo-parenting play a specific role in fostering communal living, I demonstrate in Part I that continued cohabitation at natal dens can often acts as a precursive mechanism initiating cohabitation, that can persists into adulthood among small, omnivorous/insectivorous, den-using carnivores. In this context, I then consider the implications of delayed dispersal and reproductive suppression. This provides an evolutionary basis linking fossoriality and group-living in the Carnivora, where sociality is, in part, explained by burrow-dwelling. Part II establishes that the energetic benefits of using fossorial dens as refugia from adverse weather provide a functional basis for persistent co-occupation of a common den by conspecifics. Badgers use setts strategically, with reference to their body-condition and their imperative to forage, to reduce energy expenditure and optimise their capacity for achieving minimal food security. This section also considers how badgers may compensate for ongoing rapid climate change. Part III demonstrates that cohabitation at dens does not infer group collaboration or social structure; individuals may still act independently. Nevertheless, burrow use patterns were coordinated between badger group members, evidencing that dens act as social foci. Collectively these lines of evidence support the FBH as a playing a causal role promoting spatial group formation and a complementary role driving persistent benefits of group-living in suitable resource-scapes; resulting in 'spatial' though not necessarily 'social' -groups.
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Woyciekoski, Carla. "Instrumentos de inteligência emocional de auto-relato medem alguma coisa que instrumentos de personalidade não medem?" reponame:Biblioteca Digital de Teses e Dissertações da UFRGS, 2006. http://hdl.handle.net/10183/8699.
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Investigou-se as relações entre as dimensões de personalidade Neuroticismo e Extroversão com a Inteligência Emocional medida por uma escala de auto-relato, em uma amostra de conveniência de 131 indivíduos, homens e mulheres, com idades entre 18 e 49 anos. Os instrumentos utilizados foram a Escala Fatorial de Neuroticismo (EFN), Escala Fatorial de Extroversão (EFE) e a Medida de Inteligência Emocional (MIE). As Análises Correlacionais e de Regressão Múltipla demonstraram que as escalas de personalidade explicaram grande parte da variância da escala MIE. Personalidade e inteligência emocional medida por escala de autorelato não se comportaram como construtos independentes.<br>Relations between the personality dimensions Neuroticism and Extraversion with Emotional Intelligence assessed by a self-report measure were investigated. There were 131 participants, men and women, with ages between 18 and 49 years old. The instruments used were The Factorial Scale of Neuroticism, The Factorial Scale of Extraversion and The Emotional Intelligence Measure (EIM). Correlational Analysis and Multiple Regression have demonstrated that the personality scales could explain a great amount of the variance of the EIM. Personality and Emotional Intelligence measured by a self-report scale did not behave as independent constructs.
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Bodin, Carole. "Partage de l'espace et relations de voisinage dans une population continentale de Blaireaux européens (Meles meles)." Montpellier 2, 2005. http://www.theses.fr/2005MON20182.
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Ce travail porte sur l’organisation sociale et le partage de l’espace chez le Blaireau européen (Meles meles), suivi par radio-tracking, dans une population en faible densité du nord-est de la France. Il débute par une revue des concepts et des méthodes employés pour définir l’utilisation et le partage de l’espace. L’analyse du partage de l’espace est basée sur un indice de recouvrement d’activité que nous avons développé spécifiquement pour cela. Une expérimentation de retour au gîte a été mise en place, afin de déterminer si les blaireaux sont capables de se représenter l’organisation spatiale des groupes qui les entourent. L’organisation des groupes de blaireaux étudiés ici est caractérisée par une grande tolérance, sans territorialité apparente : les domaines vitaux des groupes se recouvrent, les zones d’alimentation sont partagées et il existe des visites plus ou moins ponctuelles entre groupes. L’expérimentation de retour au gîte montre que les blaireaux sont capables de retrouver leur domaine vital lorsqu’ils sont relâchés dans le domaine vital d’un groupe voisin, sans sortir du domaine vital de ce groupe. Ils sont par contre incapables de retrouver leur propre domaine dès qu’ils sont délocalisés au-delà des domaines vitaux de leurs voisins directs, même à faible distance de leur domaine d’origine. D’après leurs capacités de retour, les blaireaux semblent avoir une certaine représentation des domaines vitaux des groupes qui les entourent, bien que nos résultats ne permettent pas de définir précisément le niveau de cette représentation. Par ailleurs, cette expérimentation a montré accessoirement que la tolérance entre blaireaux se limite aux voisins directs. Nous discutons l’évolution de la socialité, en proposant l’hypothèse que, chez les Carnivores, la tolérance et l’opportunisme, montrés par les espèces vivant en groupes spatiaux, ont pu mener vers deux modes de vie spécialisés, le mode de vie solitaire et la vie en sociétés complexes<br>This thesis focuses on social organisation and space-sharing of European badgers (Meles meles) in a low density population in north-eastern France, studied using radio-tracking. We first reviewed classical concepts and methods used to define space use and space-sharing. At the methodological level, we developed a specific index of activity overlap to analyse space-sharing, and we conducted a homing experiment to test whether badgers themselves are able to build up some representation of the spatial organisation of their neighbouring groups. Badger groups we studied can be characterised by a high level of tolerance, without apparent territoriality: group’s home ranges overlapped, feeding areas were shared between neighbours and we observed movements between groups. When translocated to the home range of a neighbouring group, badgers were able to return to their own sett, without moving beyond the home range of the neighbouring group. On the other hand, badgers translocated beyond the neighbouring groups’ home range were unable to find their way home, whatever the displacement distance. Badgers appeared to be able to build up some representation of the spatial organisation of the neighbouring groups’ home ranges, but the cognitive level involved could not be precisely defined, in particular because of a small sample of translocated animals. Moreover, this experiment showed that tolerance between badgers seemed to be limited to the close neighbouring groups. We finally discuss the evolution of sociality, advocating the hypothesis that, in Carnivores, the tolerance and the opportunism of spatial group living species could be the root for subsequent evolution towards specialised life styles, the solitary one and the social group life
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Do, Emmanuel Linh San Mermod Claude. "Biologie et écologie du blaireau européen (meles meles) dans une population de faible densité (Broye, Suisse) /." Neuchâtel : Impr. H. Messeiller, 2004. http://catalogue.bnf.fr/ark:/12148/cb400603236.
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Thèse--Biologie--Neuchâtel--Faculté des sciences de l'Université de Neuchâtel, 2004.<br>Thèse soutenue le 28-05-2004 et présentée publiquement le 18-06-2004. Contient un résumé bilingue en français et en anglais. Bibliogr. p. [265]-290.
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Nilsson, Lamoureux Anneli, and Louise Vikström. "E-kundklubben : Vill du bli medlem?" Thesis, Linnéuniversitetet, Institutionen för marknadsföring (MF), 2014. http://urn.kb.se/resolve?urn=urn:nbn:se:lnu:diva-35988.
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Nyckelord: kundklubbar, kundlojalitet, e-handel, relationsmarknadsföring Bakgrund: Kundklubbar inom e-handeln är ett relativt nytt begrepp om man bortser från de företag som bedriver handel i flera kanaler. Det kan förklara att få studier har genomförts som beskriver kundklubbar i renodlade e-handelsföretag i Sverige. Att studera konsumenternas syn på vad de anser vara viktiga faktorer för dem att bli medlemmar är ett sätt att bättre anpassa kundklubbarna efter konsumenternas önskemål. Syfte: Uppsatsens syfte är att beskriva dagens kundklubbar inom e-handeln samt att undersöka vilka kritiska faktorer som lockar de svenska internetkunderna att bli medlemmar. Metod: En abduktiv forskningsmetod användes där intervjuer och enkäter varvades med teoretiska idéer. Fallföretaget Pixmania hjälpte till att få en förankring av verkligheten Teori: Referensramen innehåller teorier om e-handel, kundlojalitet, kundklubbar och relationsmarknadsföring. Empiri: Här presenterades information från en kontaktperson från Pixmania och en respondent som jobbar som konsult på ett CRM-företag. En enkät och tre telefonintervjuer gjordes med vanliga konsumenter som kontaktades via sociala medier. Analys: Analysen har genomförts genom att koppla samman teori med den empiriska delen för att på så sätt evaluera hur Pixmanias kundklubb och e-kundklubbar i allmänhet står sig. De kritiska faktorer som urskilts diskuteras också. Slutsats: Analysen utmynnar i att flera nyckelfaktorer har kunnat identifieras som alla har speciellt inflytande på kundens val att bli kundklubbsmedlemmar eller inte. De kritiska faktorer som identifierats är: information och kommunikation, incitament, nätverk, teknik, komplexa system, olika nivåer i kundklubben, inträdesavgift, tidsfördröjda förmåner samt konfidentialitet. Förslag till fortsatt forskning: Idéer till framtida forskning skulle kunna inrikta sig mot att studera e-kundklubbar inom specifika branscher mer ingående då köpfrekvensen inom olika branscher kan se olika ut. Nya typer av kundklubbssamarbeten är också något som borde undersökas vidare då det börjar dyka upp innovativa typer av bonussystem som exempelvis Refunder, fidMe, fidall, Google Wallet och Members.com, bara för att nämna några. Dessa är speciellt intressanta då det har visat sig att konsumenterna är medlemmar i ett stort antal kundklubbar och ibland har svårt att hålla reda på alla. Denna nya typ av kundklubbar med multikort och kombinerade belöningssystem låter konsumenten ha allt på samma ställe. Det skulle även vara intressant att studera om det finns skillnader i hur kunden ser på kundklubbar beroende på om det rör sig om lojala eller icke-lojala kunder.<br>Keywords: Loyalty program, customer loyalty, customer clubs, relationship marketing Context: The concept of loyalty programs in e-commerce is a fairly new if you do not include multi-channel companies. This may explain why few studies have been conducted that describes loyalty programs in pure e-commerce companies in Sweden. By studying consumer views on what they consider being important elements for them to become members is a way to better adjust loyalty programs to what consumers appreciate. Purpose: The aim of this paper is to describe the customer clubs of today within the e-business and evaluate what factors makes Swedish customers become members of a loyalty program. Method: An abductive reasoning was being used for this paper. Interviews and surveys were combined with theoretical ideas. Pixmania was used as the study’s case company. Theory: The theoretical framework for this paper was e-business, customer loyalty, customer clubs and relationship marketing. Empirical results: A presentation of information from a contact at Pixmania and from a CRM-consultant. One survey and three interviews over the phone were held with usual customers. Analysis: In this chapter theory and empirical information was linked together to evaluate how Pixmanias customer club and other e-loyalty programs are. Critical factors that are distinguished are also discussed. Conclusions: The analysis leads to the identification of a number of key factors, all with special influence on customer's choice to become a member or not of the loyalty program. The critical factors identified are: information and communication, incentives, network, technology, complex systems, different levels, entry fee, time-delayed benefits, and confidentiality. Suggestions for further research: New types of affiliate loyalty programs are entering the e-business scene such as Refunder, fidMe, Fidall, Google Wallet and Members.com, just to name a few. Further research of these would be interesting since it has been shown that consumers are members of a large number of different loyalty programs and sometimes have trouble keeping track of them. This new type of multicard reward systems allows the consumer to have everything in one place. Another interesting research would be to study if there is a relationship in consumer pereceptions of loyaly programs between loyal and non-loyal customers.
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Hedeager, Lotte. "Danmarks jernalder : mellem stamme og stat /." Aarhus : Aarhus Universitetsforlag, 1990. http://catalogue.bnf.fr/ark:/12148/cb35379836d.
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Strnadová, Kristýna. "Změny ve funkční morfologii reprodukčních orgánů prasnic linie MeLiM." Master's thesis, Česká zemědělská univerzita v Praze, 2016. http://www.nusl.cz/ntk/nusl-257741.
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A melanoma is a tumor disease, which can attack besides the skin also other organs, for example eye, gastrointestinal and urogenital tract. Aggressive progression and therapy resistance are characteristic for the melanoma. There is a continuous growth of the incidence of this disease in the world. That is one of the reasons why there is a growth in number
of studies conducted on animal models, which are affected by this disease. MeLiM (Melanoma-bearing Libechov Minipigs) is great example of suitable animal model
for studying this tumor disease. In these pigs occurs a hereditary melanoma. The peculiarity of this pig strain is, that there is described a complete spontaneous tumor regression usually within three months after birth. Complete spontaneous tumor regression is very rare
in humans. However, there were discovered similarities between melanoma occurring in this pig strain and melanoma affecting humans in biochemistry and histopathology. The animal model MeLiM is very suitable for tumor disease research because of these similarities.
Reproduction in the animal model MeLiM is not well understood. It can be assumed, in the MeLiM strain sows with hereditary melanoma occurs changes in the functional morphology of the reproductive organs and there are abnormalities in meiotic maturation
of oocytes. The aim of this study was to determine if there are changes in the functional morphology of the reproductive organs in the MeLiM strain sows and if there
are abnormalities in meiotic maturation of oocytes.
We confirmed in our study that the reproductive organs in MeLiM strain sows
are smaller than the reproductive organs in common strain of pigs described
in the publications. On the ovary of sows were observed ovarian cysts, but there were
no abnormalities in meiotic maturation of MeLiM oocytes, even when the number of oocytes was smaller.
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Beirne, Christopher. "The mechanisms of senescence in wild European badgers." Thesis, University of Exeter, 2014. http://hdl.handle.net/10871/16328.
Full textAbstract:
Overwhelming evidence for senescence, the within-individual decline in performance at advanced age, has now been documented in the natural populations of many taxa. As such, the focus of senescence research is shifting from simply documenting its existence, towards understanding the fundamental mechanisms underpinning it and determining which environmental factors give rise to the considerable variation in senescence rates observed in nature. In this thesis I use a wild population of European badgers (Meles meles) to investigate three important traits implicated in, or arising as a direct product of, senescence; immune cell telomere length, pro-inflammatory cytokine response and body mass declines in late life. My work reveals rare longitudinal evidence for the existence of senescence in immune traits in a wild mammal. First, I show that within-individual declines in immune cell telomere length occur with increasing age (Chapter 2). Second, after demonstrating that immune cell telomere length displays repeatable between-individual differences in adulthood, I show that the environmental conditions experienced in early-life contribute to such between-individual variation. Individuals that experienced harsh early-life environmental conditions had shorter immune cell telomere lengths than those that experienced favourable conditions (Chapter 3). Third, I show that within-individual declines in a second immune trait, pro-inflammatory cytokine response, also occur with age (Chapter 4). However, the declines in immune cell telomere length and pro-inflammatory cytokine response occur independently of one another (Chapter 4). Finally I take advantage of a 37 year longitudinal dataset to reveal that sex differences in body mass senescence arise as a consequence of the scale of intra-sexual competition experienced in early adulthood (Chapter 5). Taken together this work provides novel evidence suggesting that age-related declines in immunocompetence can contribute to whole organism senescence in the wild. Furthermore, evidence that early life environmental and social conditions can markedly influence senescence rates has important implications for our understanding of the drivers of variation in senescence rates observed within natural populations.
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Domingo-Roura, Xavier. "Biochemical and molecular ecology of Eurasian badgers, Meles meles, and Japanese macaques, Macaca fuscata : nutritional and reproductive requirements." Thesis, University of Oxford, 2000. http://ethos.bl.uk/OrderDetails.do?uin=uk.bl.ethos.365286.
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Newton-Cross, Geraldine Alexa. "Environmental determinants of badger (Meles meles) ecology at different spatial scales : implications for the distribution of bovine TB." Thesis, University of York, 2003. http://ethos.bl.uk/OrderDetails.do?uin=uk.bl.ethos.423692.
Full text