Decline in body condition and high drought mortality limit the spread of wild chital deer in north-east Queensland, Australia

2019 ◽  
Vol 41 (4) ◽  
pp. 293 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kurt Watter ◽  
Greg Baxter ◽  
Michael Brennan ◽  
Anthony Pople ◽  
Peter Murray
Keyword(s):  
Body Condition ◽  
Reproductive Output ◽  
Annual Rainfall ◽  
Marrow Fat ◽  
North East ◽  
Axis Axis ◽  
Kidney Fat ◽  
Dry Seasons ◽  
Kidney Fat Index ◽  
Wet And Dry Seasons

Chital deer (Axis axis) were introduced to the Burdekin district of northern Queensland, Australia in 1886. Compared with most successful ungulate introductions they have been slow to expand their distribution and increase in abundance (Moriarty 2004). In this study we consider the possibility that forage shortages caused by periodic droughts have caused sufficient mortalities to limit the increase and spread of chital in the region. The Burdekin district experiences fluctuations in forage according to seasonal rainfall as well as multi-year droughts. This study recorded the decline in body condition, measured as kidney fat index (KFI) and bone marrow fat (BMF), over the wet and dry seasons of two successive years in two chital deer populations during a period when annual rainfall was ~40% below average. We relate the falls in mean KFI from ~45–15%, and mean BMF from ~80–50% to the surveyed decline in chital populations of ~80%. The extent of the decline implies increased mortalities in all age classes as well as reduced reproductive output. We propose that it is likely that chital populations have experienced several such drought mortality events since the 1890s which have contributed to their limited spread.

scholarly journals Reproductive strategies of two Curimatidae species in a Mogi Guaçu impoundment, upper Paraná River basin, São Paulo, Brazil

2012 ◽  
Vol 10 (4) ◽  
pp. 847-854 ◽  
Author(s):  
Alexandre Peressin ◽  
Cristina da Silva Gonçalves ◽  
Francisco Manoel de Souza Braga
Keyword(s):  
Body Condition ◽  
Reproductive Strategies ◽  
Feeding Activity ◽  
Reproductive Period ◽  
The Body ◽  
Management Plans ◽  
Dry Seasons ◽  
Upper Paraná River ◽  
Upper Paraná River Basin ◽  
Wet And Dry Seasons

Considering that reproduction studies are fundamental to understand the life cycle of organisms, this study aimed to investigate the reproductive strategies of saguirus Cyphocharax nagelii and Steindachnerina insculpta in a dam of Mogi Guaçu River, (SP). Specimens were collected between August 2005 and July 2006 using gillnets with mesh sizes ranging from 1.5 to 5.0 cm between adjacent knots. Reproductive dynamics, body condition, reproductive period, spawning type and fecundity were analyzed in both species. The body condition reflected the reproductive dynamics, and differed significantly between the wet and dry seasons. During the dry season, the feeding activity and the accumulation of fat in the visceral cavity were higher. The reproductive period of both species covered the months between August and February, with peaks in October and December, and the distribution of the diameters of oocytes allowed to classify them as total spawners. The fecundity increased with weight and length, reaching 28,800 and 27,906 oocytes per female for C. nagelii and S. insculpta, respectively, whereas the amplitude of oocyte diameters varied between 50-1025 µm for the former and 75-975 µm for the later species. Taking into account that species with different reproductive strategies also respond differently to environmental impacts, our findings provide important information to subsidize management plans for these curimatid species.

The relationship between fertility and fat reserves of Peary caribou

1982 ◽  
Vol 60 (4) ◽  
pp. 597-602 ◽  
Author(s):  
Donald C. Thomas
Keyword(s):  
Rangifer Tarandus ◽  
Close Association ◽  
Negative Energy ◽  
Pregnancy Rates ◽  
Marrow Fat ◽  
Fat Reserves ◽  
Kidney Fat ◽  
Kidney Fat Index ◽  
Harsh Climate ◽  
Energy Balances

There was a close association between pregnancy rates and levels of fat reserves and body weights in Peary caribou (Rangifer tarandus pearyi) collected in the late winters of 1974 through 1977 on several islands in the Canadian Arctic. Pregnancy rates were <8% in adult (>2 years) females weighing <53 kg in March and April, >75% in those weighing >57 kg, and 100% in those >67 kg in weight. Pregnancy rates increased progressively from 7 to 100% as the percentage marrow fat increased from 43 to 79% and the kidney-fat index increased from 24 to 41%. Only heavy (>46 kg) yearling (21 month) females with high fat reserves were pregnant. Reproduction virtually ceased from 1973–1974 to 1975–1976 in Peary caribou on the western Queen Elizabeth Islands because their physical condition was poor. Pregnancy rates were as high as 100% in females in a second population located on Somerset and Prince of Wales islands, and in 1974–1975 four of five yearling females were pregnant. The adjustment of fertility to energy reserves is viewed as an adaptation to conserve energy. It is well developed in Peary caribou whose environment is characterized by a highly variable and often harsh climate in which negative energy balances probably prevail for 8 to 10 months of the year.

scholarly journals Bone marrow and kidney fat as indicators of condition in reindeer

Rangifer ◽  
1986 ◽  
Vol 6 (2) ◽  
pp. 219 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mauri Nieminen ◽  
Matti Laitinen
Keyword(s):  
Rangifer Tarandus ◽  
Dry Weight ◽  
Fat Content ◽  
Adult Males ◽  
Visual Estimation ◽  
Marrow Fat ◽  
Oven Drying ◽  
Ether Extraction ◽  
Kidney Fat ◽  
Kidney Fat Index

Back-fat depth, kidney-fat index (KFI), fat and triglyceride contents in femur and metatarsal marrows were measured from 92 semi-domesticated reindeer (Rangifer tarandus tarandus L.) in northern Finland during 1980-84. The age of the reindeer varied from 5 months to 10 years and marrow fat content was estimated by five different methods: standard ether extraction, oven-drying (Neiland, 1970), reagent-dry assay (Verme and Holland, 1973), compression method (Greer, 1968) and visual estimation (Cheatum, 1949). The kidney-fat index (Riney, 1955) was significantly related (r=0.892) to the percent marrow fat in femur and metatarsus. The oven-drying method gave high correlations with results obtained by ether extraction and reagent-dry methods. Oven-drying produced a lower mean dry-weight value than reagent-drying (1.31 &plusmn;0.36%). The amount of compression had a concave relationship with the ether-extractable fat content of femur and metatarsal marrows. The subjectiveness of the visual estimation technique limited its use. Femur marrow fat contents (dry-weight %) in reindeer which died from starvation varied between 2 - 8%. Metatarsal fat contents were slightly higher. Adult males had a mean triglyceride content of 46.8 |Jmol/g in August in the femur. Adult females had slightly lower values. The amount of triglycerides was significantly related to the ether-extractable fat content of the femur (r=0.914) and metatarsal (r=0.911).

Low-level parasitic worm burdens may reduce body condition in free-ranging red deer (Cervus elaphus)

Parasitology ◽  
2006 ◽  
Vol 133 (4) ◽  
pp. 465-475 ◽  
Author(s):  
R. J. IRVINE ◽  
H. CORBISHLEY ◽  
J. G. PILKINGTON ◽  
S. D. ALBON
Keyword(s):  
Body Condition ◽  
Cervus Elaphus ◽  
Red Deer ◽  
Significant Negative Correlation ◽  
Intensity Of Infection ◽  
Additional Species ◽  
Low Level ◽  
Kidney Fat ◽  
Kidney Fat Index ◽  
Abundant Genus

Regulation of ungulate populations by parasites relies on establishing a density-dependent relationship between infection and vital demographic rates which may act through the effect of parasites on body condition. We examine evidence for parasite impacts in 285 red deer (Cervus elaphus) harvested during 1991 and 1992 on the Isle of Rum. In the abomasa, prevalence of nematodes was 100% and the most abundant genus observed were Ostertagia species, however, mean intensity of infection was low (less than 1000) relative to other studies. Additional species, also present in low numbers, included Nematodirus spp., Capillaria spp., Cooperia spp., Monieza expanza, Oesophagostomum venulosum and Trichuris ovis. Lungworm (Dictyocaulus spp.) and tissue worm (Elaphostronygylus cervi) larvae were also observed in faecal samples. There was no evidence for acquired immunity to abomasal nematodes. Despite low levels of infection, both adult male and female deer showed significant negative correlation between indices of condition (kidney fat index, dressed carcass weight and larder weight) and intensity of Ostertagia spp. infection. However, there was no evidence that pregnancy rate in females was related to intensity of infection. For calves, there was no relationship between body condition and intensity of infection. The apparent subclinical effects of low-level parasite infection on red deer performance could alternatively be due to animals in poorer nutritional state being more susceptible to infection. Either way the results suggest that further studies of wild populations are justified, in particular where high local host densities exist or alternative ungulate hosts are present, and, where experimental treatments are tractable.

Significant relationships between the serum leptin concentration and the conventional fat reserve indices in a wildlife species, Hokkaido sika deer (Cervus nippon yesoensis)

2004 ◽  
Vol 31 (1) ◽  
pp. 97 ◽  
Author(s):  
Masatsugu Suzuki ◽  
Mayumi Yokoyama ◽  
Manabu Onuma ◽  
Hiroshi Takahashi ◽  
Masami Yamanaka ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Sika Deer ◽  
Cervus Nippon ◽  
Marrow Fat ◽  
Serum Leptin ◽  
Fat Reserves ◽  
Significant Relationships ◽  
Kidney Fat ◽  
Kidney Fat Index ◽  
Species Specific ◽  
Cervus Nippon Yesoensis

We assayed the serum leptin concentration and determined its correlation with the kidney fat mass (KFM), kidney fat index (KFI), and femur marrow fat (FMF) indices in 12 Hokkaido sika deer (Cervus nippon yesoensis Heude, 1884) collected in April, June, and October 2000. The KFM and KFI in April and June were both significantly lower than those in October. The leptin concentrations in April and June and in October were 1.222–1.521 ng mL–1 HE (Human Equivalent) units and 1.676–2.63 ng mL–1 HE, respectively, without overlapping. The relationships between the leptin concentration and the KFM, KFI, and FMF were all significant. Therefore, we conclude that the serum leptin concentration can be used as a new index for fat reserves in Hokkaido sika deer. However, reliable results could not be obtained from four samples collected in April and June when the deer were in a lower nutritional status. This may be due to the limited sensitivity of the antisera in the commercial multi-species leptin RIA kit used. For practical use in wildlife biology, species-specific leptin assays should be developed to eliminate this problem.

Evaluation of several indices for assessment of coyote (Canis latrans) body composition

1995 ◽  
Vol 73 (9) ◽  
pp. 1620-1624 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jean Huot ◽  
Marie-Lazarine Poulle ◽  
Michel Crête
Keyword(s):  
Body Composition ◽  
Canis Latrans ◽  
The Body ◽  
Marrow Fat ◽  
Body Protein ◽  
Fat Reserves ◽  
Kidney Fat ◽  
Kidney Fat Index ◽  
Total Body

The body composition of 27 coyotes (Canis latrans) of different ages and both sexes was determined on the basis of chemical analyses of homogenized samples of viscera, carcass, and skin. Regression analyses were used to identify the best indices for estimating fat (lipid reserves), protein, and water body contents. A combined index based on the kidney fat index and the percentage of femur marrow fat was the best indicator of fat reserves. Body mass (whole or skinned carcass) and eviscerated carcass mass were the best predictors of total body protein and total body water contents. A combination of indices is proposed to provide postmortem or in vivo estimates of coyote body composition.

Body condition variation of wild rabbit population in the north-east Mediterranean island of Lemnos — Greece

2014 ◽  
Vol 63 (2) ◽  
pp. 87-94 ◽  
Author(s):  
Vasileios J. Kontsiotis ◽  
Dimitrios E. Bakaloudis ◽  
Apostolos C. Tsiompanoudis ◽  
Panteleimon Xofis
Keyword(s):  
Body Condition ◽  
Wild Rabbit ◽  
East Mediterranean ◽  
Rabbit Population ◽  
North East ◽  
The North ◽  
Mediterranean Island

scholarly journals Seasonal and Temperature Dependent Variations in Proximate Parameters and Mineral Elements of Smoke-Dried Catfish (Clarias gariepinus, Burchell, 1822) using Traditional and Eco-Friendly Kilns in Lagos, Nigeria

2020 ◽  
Vol 24 (4) ◽  
pp. 639-643
Author(s):  
M.M. Ogunbambo
Keyword(s):  
Crude Protein ◽  
Clarias Gariepinus ◽  
Mineral Elements ◽  
Drying Process ◽  
Temperature Dependent ◽  
Crude Fibre ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
Dry Seasons ◽  
Mineral Compositions ◽  
Wet And Dry Seasons

Smoke-drying Clarias gariepinus (catfish) provides animal protein and a source of livelihood in Lagos, Nigeria. Changes occurring to seasonal and mineral compositions of smoke-dried catfish using local Traditional Drum Kiln (TDK) and a newly constructed Eco-Friendly Kiln (EFK) fitted with a flame, drying and electronic components was carried out in this study. The smoke-drying process was carried out in both wet and dry seasons and smoke-dried catfish samples stored at ambient and adjusted refrigerated temperatures of 28 and 4 0C. The smoke-drying procedure was  standardized at 60 - 80 0C and kiln lasted 24 ± 3 hours. Moisture content results showed a significant difference when the catfish samples were smoke-dried using TDK and EFK and stored in ambient and controlled temperatures in both wet and dry seasons while crude protein, lipid, ash and crude fibre values were significantly different when stored only in dry season. Mineral elements phosphorus, sodium, copper, magnesium and iron showed a significant difference when stored at both temperatures and seasons using both kilns. Mineral elements were found to be most stable in smoke-dried catfish samples when stored at controlled temperatures. This work proved that standardizing smoke-drying process using both kilns resulted in good quality smoke-dried catfish but showed that higher biochemical values were obtained when EFK is used. Key words: Nigeria, Smoke-drying Kilns, Seasons, Ambient, Controlled Temperatures

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