Blood proteins of red deer introduced to Patagonia: genetic origins and variability

2011 ◽  
Vol 51 (4) ◽  
pp. 359 ◽  
Author(s):  
Werner T. Flueck ◽  
Jo Anne M. Smith-Flueck
Keyword(s):  
Superoxide Dismutase ◽  
Cervus Elaphus ◽  
Red Deer ◽  
Large Body ◽  
Climatic Conditions ◽  
Glucose Phosphate Isomerase ◽  
Blood Proteins ◽  
Herd Health ◽  
Glucose Phosphate ◽  
Reproductive Rates

A small group of European red deer (Cervus elaphus elaphus) was introduced into the foothills of the Andes in Patagonia in the early 1920s. This species adapted well to the habitat and climatic conditions in the area and presently may number over 100 000 animals. Several indices commonly used to evaluate the fitness of a species in its environment indicate that red deer thrive under very favourable conditions in Patagonia; for example, body size, antler development, reproductive rates, herd health, and longevity are near the maximum described for the species. Furthermore, some local populations occur at densities much higher than encountered in their native ranges. The objective was to examine several biological enzyme systems to test for variance in protein polymorphism in comparison to populations of red deer in other parts of the world. The protein systems examined by electrophoresis in the plasma included: post-transferrin, transferrin, vitamin D binding protein, plasminogen, and complement component; and in the erythrocytes: hemoglobin, superoxide dismutase, glucose phosphate isomerase, and diaphorase I. Variation in plasminogen was lower than is typical for red deer, and glucose phosphate isomerase showed no variation. Furthermore, some occurrences of alleles typical for North American wapiti (Cervus elaphus canadensis) indicate that the introduced deer originated from English or European deer parks which have had a history of introductions of wapiti in the past. In New Zealand, the superoxide dismutase allele typical for wapiti was found in 1% of red deer, whereas it occurred in 11% of animals in the present study. Polymorphism measured across the nine examined protein systems was 2.0 alleles per locus with an overall heterozygosity of 0.30. The low variations are likely the result of the introduction based on few individuals. However, the outstanding performance of the present population contradicts the existence of any overt impact from this founder effect. The observed large body sizes may not only be due to good environmental conditions, but also due to previous hybridisation with wapiti. Several specimens were heterozygous and one specimen was homozygous for wapiti hemoglobin.

scholarly journals Nocturnal hypometabolism as an overwintering strategy of red deer (Cervus elaphus)

2004 ◽  
Vol 286 (1) ◽  
pp. R174-R181 ◽  
Author(s):  
Walter Arnold ◽  
Thomas Ruf ◽  
Susanne Reimoser ◽  
Frieda Tataruch ◽  
Kurt Onderscheka ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Heart Rate ◽  
Metabolic Rate ◽  
Cervus Elaphus ◽  
Red Deer ◽  
Early Morning ◽  
Climatic Conditions ◽  
The Body ◽  
Late Winter ◽  
Body Shell ◽  
Classical Models

Herbivores of temperate and arctic zones are confronted during winter with harsh climatic conditions and nutritional shortness. It is still not fully understood how large ungulates cope with this twofold challenge. We found that red deer, similar to many other northern ungulates, show large seasonal fluctuations of metabolic rate, as indicated by heart rate, with a 60% reduction at the winter nadir compared with the summer peak. A previously unknown mechanism of energy conservation, i.e., nocturnal hypometabolism associated with peripheral cooling, contributed significantly to lower energy expenditure during winter. Predominantly during late winter night and early morning hours, subcutaneous temperature could decrease substantially. Importantly, during these episodes of peripheral cooling, heart rate was not maintained at a constant level, as to be expected from classical models of thermoregulation in the thermoneutral zone, but continuously decreased with subcutaneous temperature, both during locomotor activity and at rest. This indicates that the circadian minimum of basal metabolic rate and of the set-point of body temperature regulation varied and dropped to particularly low levels during late winter. Our results suggest, together with accumulating evidence from other species, that reducing endogenous heat production is not restricted to hibernators and daily heterotherms but is a common and well-regulated physiological response of endothermic organisms to energetically challenging situations. Whether the temperature of all tissues is affected, or the body shell only, may simply be a result of the duration and degree of hypometabolism and its interaction with body size-dependent heat loss.

scholarly journals Estimation of energy expenditure in free-living red deer (Cervus elaphus) with the doubly-labelled water method

1998 ◽  
Vol 80 (3) ◽  
pp. 263-272 ◽  
Author(s):  
P. Haggarty ◽  
J. J. Robinson ◽  
J. Ashton ◽  
E. Milne ◽  
C. L. Adam ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Energy Expenditure ◽  
Cervus Elaphus ◽  
Red Deer ◽  
Water Flux ◽  
Climatic Conditions ◽  
Free Living ◽  
Doubly Labelled Water ◽  
The Mean ◽  
Distribution Spaces ◽  
Living Adult

Energy expenditure was estimated using the doubly-labelled water (DLW) method in summer in five free-living adult, non-pregnant, non-lactating, red deer (Cervus elaphus) hinds (weight 107.3 (se 0.9) kg; age 6 (se 1) years) on lowland pasture under typical farming conditions. Climatic conditions were monitored throughout the experiment. Errors due to 2H losses in CH4 and faeces were calculated from previous estimates of stoichiometries. CH4 production, fractionated water loss, urinary N and O2 consumption were estimated using an iterative approach. The water flux (rH2O) in these animals consuming only fresh grass was 12 (se 0.5) kg/d, the CO2 production (rCO2) was 1271 (se 4.0) litres/d and the mean energy expenditure was 25 (se 0.8) MJ/d. There were no significant differences in the isotope distribution spaces and flux rates, rH2O, rCO2 or energy expenditure using the multi-point or two-point approaches to calculation. The DLW-derived energy expenditure of 25 MJ/d is approximately 20% higher than the recommended intake of 21 MJ/d for adult hinds kept outdoors (Adam, 1986) and, at 757 kJ/kg0.75 per d, one third higher than the value of 570 kJ/kg0.75 per d for stags penned indoors (Key et al. 1984).

Polymorphism in morels: isozyme electrophoretic analysis

1996 ◽  
Vol 42 (8) ◽  
pp. 819-827 ◽  
Author(s):  
Daniel Wipf ◽  
Jean-Philippe Bedell ◽  
Bernard Botton ◽  
Jean Charles Munch ◽  
François Buscot
Keyword(s):  
Superoxide Dismutase ◽  
Glutamine Synthetase ◽  
Glutamate Dehydrogenase ◽  
Phylogenetic Relationships ◽  
Aspartate Aminotransferase ◽  
Electrophoretic Analysis ◽  
Glucose Phosphate Isomerase ◽  
Glucose Phosphate ◽  
Morchella Esculenta ◽  
Isozyme Polymorphism

The aim of this study was to assess whether isozyme polymorphism in different members of the Morchellaceae could be used to improve the systematics in this fungal group and to characterize intraspecific crossings between monosporal strains in Morchella esculenta. For this purpose, isozyme electrophoretic analysis of the following enzymes was performed: glutamine synthetase, NAD–glutamate dehydrogenase, NADP–glutamate dehydrogenase, aspartate aminotransferase, malate dehydrogenase, NAD–glyceraldehyde phosphate dehydrogenase, glucose phosphate isomerase, and superoxide dismutase. The analyses allowed discrimination at the inter- or intra-specific levels and could help to establish a method of identification for strains in the Morchellaceae. To a certain extent they appeared to be suitable to analyze interactions of monosporal strains of Morchella esculenta in pairing experiments. The polymorphism shown in this study was consistent with the phylogenetic relationships between the investigated strains only at the genus level.Key words: isozyme analysis, electrophoresis, Morchella sp., polymorphism.

ISOELECTRIC FOCUSING PATTERNS OF KERNEL ISOZYMES FROM 80 NORTH AMERICAN WINTER WHEAT CULTIVARS

1988 ◽  
Vol 68 (1) ◽  
pp. 65-72 ◽  
Author(s):  
T. S. COX ◽  
J. P. MURPHY ◽  
L. G. HARRELL
Keyword(s):  
Superoxide Dismutase ◽  
Winter Wheat ◽  
Malate Dehydrogenase ◽  
North American ◽  
Triticum Aestivum L ◽  
Glucose Phosphate Isomerase ◽  
Wheat Cultivars ◽  
Glucose Phosphate ◽  
Hard Red Winter Wheat ◽  
Winter Wheat Cultivars

The cataloguing of wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) cultivar isozyme patterns, though a routine exercise, provides useful data for genetic and breeding studies. Isozymes of five kernel enzyme systems (β-amylase, esterases, malate dehydrogenase, superoxide dismutase, and glucose phosphate isomerase) were separated by isoelectric fosusing (IEF) for 80 North American winter wheat cultivars. No variation in malate dehydrogenase, superoxide dismutase, or glucose phosphate isomerase IEF patterns was detected. There were three groups of hard red winter wheat cultivars with esterase patterns that differed from the pattern common to all others: Arkan and Sage; Siouxland, Colt, and Pioneer 2157; and Sandy. Esterase IEF, in contrast to gliadin electrophoresis in other studies, distinguished Sage from Eagle and Larned. Four soft red winter cultivars (Compton and Adena; Florida 302; Roland) and six groups containing a total of eight hard red winter cultivars (RHS812; RHS830; Norstar; Plainsman V; TAM 105, TAM 107, and Rose; and TAM 101) had variant β-amylase patterns. Some of the esterase and β-amylase varients, produced by genes on chromosomes 3A, 3D, 4D, 5A, and possibly others, may be useful in linkage studies.Key words: Cultivar identification, electrophoresis, β-amylase, esterase, superoxide dismutase, glucose phosphate isomerase

Diseases of red deer introduced to Patagonia and implications for native ungulates

2012 ◽  
Vol 52 (8) ◽  
pp. 766 ◽  
Author(s):  
Werner T. Flueck ◽  
Jo Anne M. Smith-Flueck
Keyword(s):  
Cervus Elaphus ◽  
Disease Transmission ◽  
Red Deer ◽  
Fasciola Hepatica ◽  
Foot And Mouth Disease ◽  
Bilateral Symmetry ◽  
Mouth Disease ◽  
Gastrointestinal Parasites ◽  
Herd Health ◽  
Foot And Mouth

The red deer (Cervus elaphus) invasion in Patagonia has been continuing for nearly a century, with occurrence in all habitats between 34°S and 55°S. Their distribution, movement patterns and locally high densities raise concerns over their potential epidemiological role in maintaining disease reservoirs or transmitting diseases such as foot-and-mouth disease or tuberculosis, with potential severe health and economical impacts at the interface of humans, livestock or native wildlife. Among adult females collected by rifle and radio-collared deer that died naturally, no ectoparasites were found (n = 73). Fasciola hepatica was encountered in three surveys at prevalences ranging from 9% to 50% (n = 108). Taenia ovis krabbei was identified, and Cysticerus tenuicollis was found at a prevalence of 8% (n = 12). Ostertagia sp., Bunostomum sp. and Dictyocaulus sp. had a prevalence of 75%, 25% and 13% (n = 9), respectively. Several gastrointestinal parasites reported at low prevalence in endangered Patagonian huemul (Hippocamelus bisulcus) are common in livestock and considered commensals in domestic ruminants. Sympatry of huemul with livestock is commonplace, whereas with red deer it occurs in <2% of known populations, in which case there were 1.2 red deer, but 25.2 livestock per huemul, making livestock the determining epidemiological factor regarding disease transmission or reservoir. As red deer have been coexisting with livestock for >100 years in Argentina, both red deer and livestock play epidemiological roles for shared diseases. Research, conservation and management efforts should be directed towards livestock herd health programs or restriction of free livestock movements, particularly if diseases are shown to have an impact on recruitment of endangered natives. Livestock are routinely researched and inspected at slaughter and thus provide a proxy for diseases afflicting co-existing ungulates. Testing for antibodies to foot-and-mouth disease viral antigen was negative (n = 41). A tentative diagnosis of mycobacterial infection was based on typical visceral lesions. Antler damage occurred on 73% of shed antlers, with 36% having major breaks of tines and main beams, possibly indicating mineral imbalances. One male had both antlers, including pedicles with portions of frontal, parietal and occipital bones, broken off the skull, causing his death. The prevalence of 0.9% of campylognathia (n = 776) indicates that the disease is unlikely to be inheritable, because the founding stock of 20 animals would have had a prevalence of at least 5%. Among deer, handedness of scoliosis related significantly to the hemisphere where specimens originated (P < 0.001, n = 131). Coriolis forces are known to affect early stages of development, such as the innervation pattern of the mammalian vestibular system, or the plane of bilateral symmetry. It is, therefore, conceivable that the networks processing these environmental cues, or the mechanisms responsible for compensation, are malfunctioning and thus result in a preponderance of facial scoliosis in accordance to the earth’s rotation.

scholarly journals Spatial activity and road crossing abilities in Alces alces and Cervus elaphus: a review (Artiodactyla: Cervidae)

2017 ◽  
Vol 48 (1) ◽  
pp. 125-154
Author(s):  
Jan Matějů ◽  
Kristýna Matějů
Keyword(s):  
Cervus Elaphus ◽  
Red Deer ◽  
Agricultural Landscape ◽  
Alces Alces ◽  
Large Body ◽  
Anthropogenic Disturbances ◽  
Home Range Size ◽  
Barrier Effect ◽  
Barrier Effects ◽  
Road Crossing

Abstract This review focuses on the aspects of biology of the elk (Alces alces) and red deer (Cervus elaphus) related to disturbance and barrier effect of highways. The information concerning home range size, migratory and dispersal movements and susceptibility to anthropogenic disturbances as well as examples of preferred wildlife passages was reviewed for both species. The disturbance and barrier effects of highways, or more precisely traffic, are different in each species. The red deer is the most susceptible to disturbances and it is even very difficult to encourage to use wildlife passages of any type. On the contrary, the elk, despite its large body size, is very adaptable and able to use relatively small under- and overpasses. Nevertheless, the use of wildlife passages could reduce the barrier effect of highways in both species. Location of wildlife passages should respect the structure of landscape and the passages should be protected from anthropogenic disturbances. The frequency of passages should be approximately one per each kilometer of highway in wooded landscape or one per three kilometers in open agricultural landscape. The minimum recommended width of wildlife overpasses is 40 m and the minimum index of clearance of underpasses is 1.7.

Vocalizations in red deer (Cervus elaphus), sika deer (Cervus nippon), and red × sika hybrids

1998 ◽  
Vol 244 (1) ◽  
pp. 123-134 ◽  
Author(s):  
A. M. Long ◽  
N.P. Moore ◽  
T. J. Hayden
Keyword(s):  
Cervus Elaphus ◽  
Red Deer ◽  
Sika Deer ◽  
Cervus Nippon

The deer of the island of Lampedusa (Pelagian Archipelago, Italy): literary references and osteological evidence

2002 ◽  
Vol 29 (1) ◽  
pp. 51-66 ◽  
Author(s):  
MARCO MASSETP ◽  
BRUNO ZAVA
Keyword(s):  
Nineteenth Century ◽  
Cervus Elaphus ◽  
Red Deer ◽  
Scientific Literature ◽  
Taxonomic Relationships

During the nineteenth century, scientific literature and official reports recorded the occurrence of a population of red deer, Cervus elaphus, on the island of Lampedusa (Pelagian Archipelago, Italy). Osteological specimens collected by the zoologist Enrico Hillier Giglioli towards the end of the century confirmed these references. Since cervids are not found among the fossil fauna of the island, the red deer must have been introduced by man although we do not yet know precisely when. The former existence of the species on Lampedusa is discussed by comparison of literary material and bone evidence. The population's probable origins and its taxonomic relationships with other Mediterranean red deer populations are also analysed.

Role of ovarian failure in reproductive senescence in aged red deer (Cervus elaphus) hinds

Reproduction ◽  
2000 ◽  
Vol 120 (2) ◽  
pp. 211-216 ◽  
Author(s):  
M. Fisher ◽  
B. McLeod ◽  
D. Heath ◽  
S Lun ◽  
P. Hurst
Keyword(s):  
Cervus Elaphus ◽  
Red Deer ◽  
Ovarian Failure ◽  
Reproductive Senescence

Production of interferon by red deer (Cervus elaphus) conceptuses and the effects of roIFN-tau on the timing of luteolysis and the success of asynchronous embryo transfer

Reproduction ◽  
2000 ◽  
pp. 387-395 ◽  
Author(s):  
KJ Demmers ◽  
HN Jabbour ◽  
DW Deakin ◽  
AP Flint
Keyword(s):  
Embryo Transfer ◽  
Early Pregnancy ◽  
Cervus Elaphus ◽  
Pregnancy Loss ◽  
Red Deer ◽  
Interferon Tau ◽  
Recombinant Interferon ◽  
Uterine Flushing ◽  
Calving Rate

The role of interferon in early pregnancy in red deer was investigated by (a) measuring production of interferon by the conceptus, (b) testing the anti-luteolytic effect of recombinant interferon-tau in non-pregnant hinds, and (c) treatment of hinds with interferon after asynchronous embryo transfer. Blastocysts were collected from 34 hinds by uterine flushing 14 (n = 2), 16 (n = 2), 18 (n = 8), 20 (n = 13) or 22 (n = 9) days after synchronization of oestrus with progesterone withdrawal. Interferon anti-viral activity was detectable in uterine flushings from day 16 to day 22, and increased with duration of gestation (P < 0.01) and developmental stage (P < 0.01). When interferon-tau was administered daily between day 14 and day 20 to non-pregnant hinds to mimic natural blastocyst production, luteolysis was delayed by a dose of 0.2 mg day(-1) (27.3 +/- 1.3 days after synchronization, n = 4 versus 21 +/- 0 days in control hinds, n = 3; P < 0.05). Interferon-tau was administered to hinds after asynchronous embryo transfer to determine whether it protects the conceptus against early pregnancy loss. Embryos (n = 24) collected on day 6 from naturally mated, superovulated donors (n = 15) were transferred into synchronized recipients on day 10 or day 11. Interferon-tau treatment (0.2 mg daily from day 14 to 20) increased calving rate from 0 to 64% in all recipients (0/11 versus 7/11, P < 0.005), and from 0 to 67% in day 10 recipients (0/8 versus 6/9, P < 0.01). The increased success rate of asynchronous embryo transfer after interferon-tau treatment in cervids may be of benefit where mismatched embryo-maternal signalling leads to failure in the establishment of pregnancy.

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