Does temperature variation influence nest box use by the eastern pygmy-possum?

2020 ◽  
Vol 42 (1) ◽  
pp. 77
Author(s):  
Ross L. Goldingay
Keyword(s):  
Heat Stress ◽  
Empirical Studies ◽  
Maximum Temperature ◽  
Occupancy Modelling ◽  
Nest Box ◽  
Ambient Temperatures ◽  
Nest Boxes ◽  
Tree Hollows ◽  
Maximum Temperatures ◽  
Cercartetus Nanus

Cavity-using birds and mammals reliant on nest boxes may be negatively affected by the poor thermal buffering of nest boxes. I investigated whether nest box use by the eastern pygmy-possum (Cercartetus nanus) over a 4-year period was influenced by maximum ambient temperature, which ranged from 15.6 to 34.9°C during survey occasions. Occupancy modelling of 144 site detections over 30 survey occasions suggested that a model that included maximum temperature had little support whereas a model involving time-varying detection (i.e. detection differed across sample occasions) was the most plausible. I also investigated how temperatures in nest boxes and tree hollows varied over the four hottest days of summer, including one day when the temperature reached 40.6°C. Maximum temperatures were 3–4°C cooler in plywood nest boxes and 5–8°C cooler in tree hollows compared with ambient temperatures. Together, these results suggest that eastern pygmy-possums using nest boxes in coastal areas are unlikely to experience heat stress. Cavity-using species are a heterogeneous group such that empirical studies are required to identify those that may be vulnerable to heat stress if nest boxes are used to provide population support.

Does nest box design influence use by the eastern pygmy-possum?

2012 ◽  
Vol 60 (6) ◽  
pp. 372 ◽  
Author(s):  
Niels N. Rueegger ◽  
Ross L. Goldingay ◽  
Lyndon O. Brookes
Keyword(s):  
Local Population ◽  
Adult Males ◽  
Nest Box ◽  
Nest Boxes ◽  
Tree Hollows ◽  
Eastern Australia ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
Horizontal Cavity ◽  
Cercartetus Nanus ◽  
Vertical Cavity

Managing the availability of shelter sites is central to the conservation of vertebrate wildlife dependent on tree hollows (cavities) because hollow abundance has been reduced in many landscapes and trees do not typically acquire hollows until they are at least 100 years old. Artificial hollows (nest boxes) provide one option to offset local shortages in tree hollows. However, knowledge of preferred designs is required for this to be effective. We investigated nest box preference by the eastern pygmy-possum (Cercartetus nanus), a small marsupial recognised as threatened across part of its geographic range in eastern Australia. We installed nest boxes of four different designs in each of 30 plots where tree hollows were scarce. Designs showed no significant difference in thermal profile. We captured 223 adult and subadult pygmy-possums within 78% of the 120 boxes. Breeding females used boxes more frequently than adult males and showed a preference among the designs whereas males did not. Females favoured plywood nest boxes over a PVC design offering a horizontal cavity. Use of the PVC design increased when repositioned to present a vertical cavity. Thus, breeding females are selective of the cavities used to rear young, which may limit local population size.

scholarly journals Insulated nest boxes provide thermal refuges for wildlife in urban bushland during summer heatwaves

2021 ◽  
Vol 7 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Reannan Honey ◽  
Chris McLean ◽  
Brad R Murray ◽  
Jonathan K Webb
Keyword(s):  
Critical Temperature ◽  
Extreme Heat ◽  
Critical Temperatures ◽  
Nest Box ◽  
Nest Boxes ◽  
Extreme Heat Events ◽  
Tree Hollows ◽  
Maximum Temperatures ◽  
Petaurus Breviceps ◽  
Heat Events

Abstract In urban bushland, the installation of nest boxes is widely used to compensate for the loss of natural tree hollows. However, current nest box designs may not provide thermal refuges for wildlife during summer heatwaves, particularly if internal temperatures exceed the upper critical temperatures of wildlife. We investigated whether the addition of roofing insulation to nest boxes deployed for sugar gliders (Petaurus breviceps) and squirrel gliders (Petaurus norfolcensis) in urban bushland would reduce internal nest box temperatures during summer heatwaves. We measured temperatures of 44 insulated and 47 uninsulated nest boxes during one of the hottest summers on record (2018–2019) in the Lake Macquarie region of NSW, Australia, a period during which several prolonged heatwaves occurred. Over the 90-day study, maximum temperatures were, on average, 3.1°C lower in insulated boxes than in uninsulated boxes. The addition of insulation significantly lowered nest box temperatures regardless of aspect (north or south facing) or day of measurement. Temperatures exceeded the upper critical temperature (35.1°C) of gliders more frequently in uninsulated nest boxes (28% of days) than in insulated nest boxes (8% days). Although the addition of insulation to nest boxes lowered their internal temperatures, during heatwaves spanning 23 days, nest box temperatures exceeded the upper critical temperatures of gliders on 58% and 23% of days in uninsulated and insulated nest boxes respectively. These findings underscore the importance of retaining natural hollows in urban bushland to provide thermally suitable refuges for wildlife during extreme heat events.

Do feathertail gliders show a preference for nest box design?

2007 ◽  
Vol 34 (6) ◽  
pp. 484 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ross L. Goldingay ◽  
Matthew J. Grimson ◽  
Geoffrey C. Smith
Keyword(s):  
New South ◽  
Nest Box ◽  
Local Populations ◽  
Nest Boxes ◽  
North East ◽  
Tree Hollows ◽  
South Wales ◽  
Eucalypt Plantations ◽  
Arboreal Marsupials ◽  
Breeding Groups

Although nest boxes have considerable application in the research and management of hollow-using arboreal marsupials, few studies have assessed whether species show a preference for particular nest box designs. This study aimed to determine whether the feathertail glider (Acrobates pygmaeus) showed a preference when offered four different designs, each of which had been used in earlier studies. We established one of each design in 45 plots across five locations, spanning north-east New South Wales and south-east Queensland. Feathertail gliders used 34 nest boxes at four locations but avoided a medium-sized rear-entry box with a 45-mm-diameter entrance. No clear preference was shown for three designs with narrow (≤25 mm) entrances. Feathertail gliders used 15 small rear-entry boxes, 10 large slit-entrance boxes and 9 wedge-shaped bat boxes. A slight preference was shown by breeding groups to occur in the non-wedge boxes compared with the wedge boxes. Squirrel gliders (Petaurus norfolcensis) used 51% of medium rear-entry boxes at four locations. This may account for the avoidance of this box design by feathertail gliders at these locations. Breeding and prolonged use of nest boxes by resident feathertail gliders and squirrel gliders at two locations in eucalypt plantations suggest that nest boxes can support local populations of arboreal marsupials where tree hollows are absent or scarce.

Influence of season and environment on fertility of goats in a hot-arid environment

2002 ◽  
Vol 138 (1) ◽  
pp. 97-102 ◽  
Author(s):  
M. MELLADO ◽  
C. A. MEZA-HERRERA
Keyword(s):  
Arid Environment ◽  
Conception Rate ◽  
Maximum Temperature ◽  
Mean Annual Precipitation ◽  
Ambient Temperatures ◽  
Northern Mexico ◽  
Average Maximum ◽  
Average Maximum Temperature ◽  
Maximum Temperatures ◽  
Breeding Efficiency

Conception rate and prolificacy of dairy and crossbred goats under intensive conditions in an arid environment of northern Mexico (26° 06′ 15′′ N; maximum temperature throughout the year 12–42 °C, mean annual precipitation 186 mm, and RH <40% year-round) were examined with respect to season of mating, ambient temperature and rainfall at mating. The database contained 4194 natural services. Conception of goats inseminated with average maximum ambient temperatures >34 °C was significantly higher (P<0·01) than conception of goats inseminated when the average maximum temperature 3 days before breeding was <34 °C. The warmest season favoured conception rate (70% in spring; P<0·01) as compared to cooler seasons (62% and 64% for summer and autumn, respectively). Conception rate of goats bred when rain was present was 14 percentage points lower (P<0·01) compared to mating with no rain. When maximum temperatures on the day of mating were >34 °C, cooler temperatures 1 to 3 days before or after the day of mating were associated with a significant increase in the number of kids born. When the maximum temperature at mating was >36 °C, prolificacy for goats exposed to higher or lower temperatures 1 day before mating was 1·56 and 1·65, respectively (P<0·05). Similarly, when the maximum temperature at mating was 34–36 °C, prolificacy was higher for goats exposed to cooler temperatures as compared to warmer temperatures 1 day (1·64 v. 1·49; P<0·01) or 3 days (1·63 v. 1·48; P<0·01) after mating, with respect to the temperature on the day of mating. Conclusions were that conception rate was not compromised in non-lactating Alpine, Toggenburg, Granadino and Nubian goats subjected to high environmental temperature in an arid region, but the occurrence of rain at mating depressed breeding efficiency of these animals. Additionally, an increment in litter size is expected with cooler temperatures before or after hot days at time of mating.

The value of nest boxes in the research and management of Australian hollow-using arboreal marsupials

2006 ◽  
Vol 33 (3) ◽  
pp. 161 ◽  
Author(s):  
Georgia L. Beyer ◽  
Ross L. Goldingay
Keyword(s):  
Management Tool ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Species Introduction ◽  
Management Tools ◽  
Nest Box ◽  
Survey Techniques ◽  
Nest Boxes ◽  
Arboreal Marsupials ◽  
Cercartetus Nanus ◽  
Key Aspects

Nest boxes have been recognised as research and management tools for arboreal marsupials in Australia for over 20 years. We review the published literature with the aim of describing the scope of studies conducted in Australia thus far and providing guidance to future research. We recognise three types of application in research: (1) detection of species, (2) study of a species’ ecology, and (3) investigation of box designs preferred by different species. Several species of arboreal marsupial may be detected more readily in nest boxes than by conventional survey techniques, allowing description of key aspects of their ecology; e.g. feathertail glider (Acrobates pygmaeus), eastern pygmy possum (Cercartetus nanus) and brush-tailed phascogale (Phascogale tapoatafa). Identifying the most favoured nest-box design for any species has implications for detection and management uses of nest boxes. More research is needed but preliminary findings suggest that species prefer narrow entrance holes, while height of the nest box above 3 m may be inconsequential. We recognise three types of management application: (1) species introduction, (2) support of populations of endangered species, and (3) strategic placement such as to enhance habitat connectivity. Currently there have been few attempts to use nest boxes to manage arboreal marsupials but further research is needed to realise their potential as a management tool.

Temperature variation in nest boxes in eastern Australia

2015 ◽  
Vol 37 (2) ◽  
pp. 225 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ross L. Goldingay
Keyword(s):  
Temperature Variation ◽  
Construction Material ◽  
Maximum Temperature ◽  
Extreme Temperatures ◽  
Nest Box ◽  
North West ◽  
Nest Boxes ◽  
Eastern Australia ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
Hot Weather

Nest boxes are frequently installed in Australia to provide shelter sites for arboreal mammals. Little is known about the temperatures that may be experienced inside nest boxes or the factors that may influence those temperatures. I established paired nest boxes on the south-east and north-west sides of trees at two locations in south-east Queensland to investigate the influence of nest box aspect on nest box temperature. Squirrel gliders (Petaurus norfolcensis) occupied boxes at both locations. I recorded temperatures over a 1-month period in two summers. Temperature varied by up to 20°C within a 24-h period and some nest boxes experienced temperatures above 40°C. There was no significant difference in maximum temperature with nest box aspect but south-east boxes could be 1°C cooler during hot weather. Nest box construction material, colour (brown or green) and volume (0.008 m3 or 0.025 m3) had variable influences on temperature. Nest box installations for non-flying mammals should place nest boxes to minimise extreme temperatures. Further studies are required to determine whether temperature limits the effectiveness of nest boxes at some locations.

Sexual maturity and spermatogenesis under heat stress in the bovine

1966 ◽  
Vol 8 (1) ◽  
pp. 137-144 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jorge de Alba ◽  
Simón Riera‡
Keyword(s):  
Heat Stress ◽  
Growth Period ◽  
Poor Quality ◽  
Maximum Temperature ◽  
Seminiferous Tubules ◽  
Ambient Temperatures ◽  
Bull Calves ◽  
Temperature Exposure ◽  
The Tropics

Results are presented of an investigation in which 10 bull calves were subjected to heat stress in a climatic chamber from 26 weeks of age to the age of puberty. A similar group of 8 calves sired by the same bull were simultaneously subjected to ambient temperatures in another chamber. Maximum temperature in the hot chamber was 35–36° C. for 8 hours daily and maximum temperature in the temperate chamber was 27° C.Observations were made on weight and age at puberty and characteristics of the first five ejaculates obtained from each bull. Post-mortem examinations included: carcass weight, weight of all genital organs, measurement of sperm reserves in testicles and epididymides and histological observations of the seminiferous tubules. The results indicated that the hot temperature exposure retarded fertility but that libido was exhibited at essentially the same intensity by both groups. The quality of semen obtained and the concentration of the spermatozoa were much lower in the bulls subjected to the hot environment during their growth period prior to puberty. The poor quality of semen was associated with impaired spermatogenesis.It is recommended that in all fertility studies conducted with exotic breeds in the tropics, semen of known uniform quality be used. Natural service should not be used.

scholarly journals Review: Impacts of shade on cattle well-being in the beef supply chain

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lily N Edwards-Callaway ◽  
M Caitlin Cramer ◽  
Caitlin N Cadaret ◽  
Elizabeth J Bigler ◽  
Terry E Engle ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Supply Chain ◽  
Heat Stress ◽  
Beef Cattle ◽  
Production Systems ◽  
Construction Materials ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Third Party ◽  
Ambient Temperatures ◽  
Stress Susceptibility ◽  
The Impact

ABSTRACT Shade is a mechanism to reduce heat load providing cattle with an environment supportive of their welfare needs. Although heat stress has been extensively reviewed, researched, and addressed in dairy production systems, it has not been investigated in the same manner in the beef cattle supply chain. Like all animals, beef cattle are susceptible to heat stress if they are unable to dissipate heat during times of elevated ambient temperatures. There are many factors that impact heat stress susceptibility in beef cattle throughout the different supply chain sectors, many of which relate to the production system, i.e. availability of shade, microclimate of environment, and nutrition management. The results from studies evaluating the effects of shade on production and welfare are difficult to compare due to variation in structural design, construction materials used, height, shape, and area of shade provided. Additionally, depending on operation location, shade may or may not be beneficial during all times of the year, which can influence the decision to make shade a permanent part of management systems. Shade has been shown to lessen the physiologic response of cattle to heat stress. Shaded cattle exhibit lower respiration rates, body temperatures, and panting scores compared to un-shaded cattle in weather that increases the risk of heat stress. Results from studies investigating the provision of shade indicate that cattle seek shade in hot weather. The impact of shade on behavioral patterns is inconsistent in the current body of research, some studies indicating shade provision impacts behavior and other studies reporting no difference between shaded and un-shaded groups. Analysis of performance and carcass characteristics across feedlot studies demonstrated that shaded cattle had increased ADG, improved feed efficiency, HCW, and dressing percentage when compared to cattle without shade. Despite the documented benefits of shade, current industry statistics, although severely limited in scope, indicate low shade implementation rates in feedlots and data in other supply chain sectors do not exist. Industry guidelines and third party on-farm certification programs articulate the critical need for protection from extreme weather but are not consistent in providing specific recommendations and requirements. Future efforts should include: updated economic analyses of cost versus benefit of shade implementation, exploration of producer perspectives and needs relative to shade, consideration of shade impacts in the cow-calf and slaughter plant segments of the supply chain, and integration of indicators of affective (mental) state and preference in research studies to enhance the holistic assessment of cattle welfare.

Phenological development and seasonal distribution of the rutherglen bug, Nnysius vinitor Bergroth (Hemiptera: Lygaeidae), on various hosts in Victoria, south-eastern Australia

1988 ◽  
Vol 78 (4) ◽  
pp. 673-682 ◽  
Author(s):  
Garrick McDonald ◽  
A. Mark Smith
Keyword(s):  
Rapid Development ◽  
Early Spring ◽  
Common Source ◽  
Body Temperatures ◽  
Ambient Temperatures ◽  
Polygonum Aviculare ◽  
Developmental Thresholds ◽  
Eastern Australia ◽  
Weed Hosts ◽  
Maximum Temperatures

AbstractPopulations of Nysius vinitor Bergroth were studied from 1979 to 1982 in two weed hosts, Arctotheca calendula and Polygonum aviculare, and eight irrigated sunflower crops in a summer cropping area of northern Victoria, Australia. The spring generation began with the adults colonizing flowering A.calendula plants in September and concluded with the rapid development of late stage nymphs and an exodus of adults from these plants from mid-November to December. Gradual invasion of sunflowers occurred mostly in late December and reached a peak at flowering, after which nymphs appeared. P. aviculare attracted adults from February and hosted a number of overlapping generations until winter. The weed sustained diminishing numbers of adults through the winter, except in 1982, when a further generation produced an early spring peak. Immigrant populations were regarded as a common source of adults for initiating the spring and summer generations. The rate of development of N. vinitor in spring was more rapid than that predicted by phenological simulation based on ambient temperatures and laboratory-derived day-degree estimates. This was attributed to increased body temperatures through absorption of solar radiation, and the simulation model was adjusted by increasing daily minimum and maximum temperatures by 1·3 and 5·5°C for young and older instars, respectively. This suggested that older nymphs have lower developmental thresholds or are better able to optimize body temperatures.

Effect of short-term exposure to high ambient temperatures on gas exchange and heat production in boars of different breeds

1998 ◽  
Vol 66 (2) ◽  
pp. 431-440 ◽  
Author(s):  
A.-H. Tauson ◽  
A. Chwalibog ◽  
J. Ludvigsen ◽  
K. Jakobsen ◽  
G. Thorbek
Keyword(s):  
Heat Stress ◽  
Gas Exchange ◽  
Heat Production ◽  
Live Weight ◽  
Mean Value ◽  
Short Term ◽  
Ambient Temperatures ◽  
Cooling Period ◽  
Basal Period ◽  
Short Term Exposure

AbstractThe effects of short-term exposure to high ambient temperatures on gas exchange, heat production (HE), respiration rate (RR) and rectal temperature were evaluated individually with boars of approximately 100 kg live weight. The boars were of different breeds with four of Yorkshire (YS), eight of Danish Landrace (DL), out of which three were found stress susceptible by the halothane test (DLH+), eight of Duroc (DR) and eight of Hampshire (HS) breeds. After 1 h rest in the respiration chamber at 17·0°C the gas exchange measurements started with al-h basal period at 17 °C, followed by 2h of heating during which temperature increased to 35·0 °C (period I) and then further to 39·7X1 (period II). Then cooling of the chamber started, and after 1 h (period III) temperature had decreased to 21·8°C, and after the 2nd h of cooling (period IV) temperature was 18·2 °C. The gas exchange was measured for each hour from 09.00 h (basal period) until 14.00 h (period IV). RR was recorded every 15 min. Rectal temperatures were measured when the animals were removed from the chamber. The gas exchange and HE increased slowly during period I but rapidly in period II, followed by decreasing values in the cooling periods. HS and DLH+ had considerably higher gas exchange and HE than other breeds in these two periods and the values remained high during period III. In period IV all breeds had gas exchange rates and HE below those of the basal period. RR increased slightly in period I and then a sharp increase followed during period II. Maximum RR was recorded in period III with an average of 183 breaths per min for all breeds. RR increased earlier and more steeply in HS and reached the highest mean value of 236 breaths per min. Four HS boars salivated heavily during heat stress and rectal temperatures of these animals were 39·7 °C when removed from the chamber compared with close to 39·0 °C for all other breeds. It was concluded that there were considerable breed differences in response to heat stress and that DLH+ and HS were more severely stressed than boars ofYS, DL and DR.

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